Chapter 98: Chapter 70: Do You Like Nuns or Succubi?

The pleasant weekend was about to begin. The two had made plans to go to an anime convention together. Last night, Jiang Yao had mentioned wanting to introduce him to her best friend. Chen Yuan had merely nodded with a show of indifference, but was actually quite happy on the inside.

It was a sign that a relationship had reached a certain stage: when their social circles began to merge, going beyond just the two of them.

Going from an online romance to a real-life one, and now integrating into each other’s day-to-day lives, was further proof that their feelings were quickly deepening. Introducing your partner to your friends was a huge mark of approval in a relationship. Giving them that official status was what created a sense of belonging—after all, nowadays, what even remotely attractive girl didn’t have a few simps if she wanted them?

What simps wanted most was, without a doubt, that official status—the kind that let them be a public part of her life, not the kind where their profile picture gets photoshopped out of a screenshot after they’ve sent money and gifts.

But a pretty, scheming girl would never give a title to a sewer rat.

The poor rats could only cower in the shadows, living lives that couldn’t see the light of day.

Chen Yuan had never been to the large park next to Fengting District before. He wandered around aimlessly for about half an hour, taking in the sight of the lush, green grass. The entire park was filled with all sorts of trees he couldn’t name.

It was mid-December, and it was a winter spent with an adorable girlfriend.

He hadn’t been strolling for long when he discovered a film crew shooting a scene inside the park. Cameras and boom mics were set up, and a crowd of people surrounded the actors to touch up their makeup. A middle-aged man with a beer belly, presumably the director, was waving his arms around excitedly as he gave instructions to the two young, beautiful actors. It was the first time Chen Yuan had ever seen a film set, and he watched with interest for a little while, taking it as a simple diversion.

8:45 AM.

Carrying a small teddy bear backpack and wearing a thick, cream-yellow coat, Jiang Yao appeared in the park. She spotted Chen Yuan from a distance and waved, drawing glances from passersby. Jiang Yao paid their stares no mind. A joyful expression on her face, she ran over with light, quick steps and threw her arms around him. Tilting her head up, she pouted her lips and met his gaze. “I didn’t make you wait too long, did I?”

“No, I just finished digesting my breakfast. You look… nice today,” Chen Yuan offered his honest assessment.

He wasn’t just saying it. Jiang Yao’s outfit made her look much like one of the pretty, vibrant female students on campus. A white, striped shirt collar peeked out from her warm-toned jacket, which she paired with jeans and black shoes that gave her a little extra height. Her long hair, surprisingly, wasn’t curled today. A few wispy “air bangs” framed her forehead, while the rest cascated over her shoulders like a waterfall.

Her sweet fragrance was intoxicating, enough to give a man a serious case of ’date syndrome.’ On top of that, she kept snuggling up against him, completely unconcerned about whether their physical contact was getting too intimate.

“This way, people won’t think I’m some young stepmom out with her stepson,” Jiang Yao said, her eyes crinkling into a smile. Her eyes were bright and her teeth were pearly white. The light eyeshadow she’d applied was even the sparkly kind.

“…Don’t bring that up. It feels kind of perverted.”

“Really? I think it’s kind of unique.”

“I don’t like it.”

“If you don’t like it, we won’t talk about it then. Whatever you say, little young master.” She tilted her head slightly.

“So, should we head out now? Or wait a little longer?”

“Wait five seconds. I’m just going to hug you for five more seconds.”

Jiang Yao hugged him tighter, holding him firmly in place. She swayed back and forth like they were on a kiddie ride, but her gaze never left his, full of tender affection. The longer she looked at him, the more she liked what she saw, as if she were seeing him through a filter.

“Huh?” Suddenly, she paused, asking in confusion, “What’s this? Something’s hard… it’s digging into me.”

“Oh, it’s my phone.”

“I don’t remember your phone being this big?”

“It’s because you’re pressing against it. It turned sideways.”

“Oh, I see… It’s getting in the way of our hug. Bad phone! Why don’t you take it out and put it in my bag? That’d be easier.”

“No, it’s fine,” Chen Yuan said, turning his head away and avoiding her gaze, trying to act nonchalant. “That’s enough. Let’s go. It’s cold out here, we can talk in the car.”

“Okay, then.”

Jiang Yao took Chen Yuan’s hand and smiled blissfully. “Let’s go, little young master. Off to the anime convention.”

Moments later, Chen Yuan was in his wealthy little girlfriend’s Porsche. The engine roared to life, and they sped toward their destination, both feeling indescribably relaxed and happy.

Speaking of which, this was his first time ever going to an anime convention.

Unlike Jiang Yao, who navigated the place like a pro, Chen Yuan was basically dragged inside by her. Right at the entrance, he saw a photo op spot that was bursting with otaku flavor.

All sorts of cute, moe-style characters were plastered on the entryway panels, a mix of both Chinese and Japanese styles. The largest image was from some mobile game notorious for being a money sink. On it, a ’panty princess’ stood with her fair legs pressed together, a demonic blade in hand, and a cruel yet captivating smile on her face.

Small clusters of cosplayers were gathered together, the intricacy of their makeup leaving one in awe.

Chen Yuan, at least, was stunned. He rarely watched anime, but he had recently binged a popular series at Wei Zhen’s forceful insistence. As it turned out, the more he watched, the more he liked it.

Before him stood a girl, maybe five-foot-three, with a petite frame as nimble as a sparrow’s. She wore a long, Japanese-style robe—a pink kimono with a hemp-leaf pattern, covered by a black haori. Her hair was down, and she bit down on a green bamboo tube.

It might not have been a perfect re-creation, but it was easily seventy or eighty percent accurate.

Chen Yuan recognized the character: Nezuko from *Demon Slayer*. The girl’s whole vibe was just like Nezuko’s, too—super cute!

“Young Master, your eyeballs are about to fall out!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep