Chapter 48: Online Gossip
Back in the security booth, Wu Yifan found himself staring at his lips, as if still feeling the faint warmth of Ye Xiwen's kiss. He'd never imagined an accident could spark such a rush—part thrill, part panic. *Thank god she didn't deck me*, he thought, grinning. If she'd screamed "harasser" or called security, he'd be out of a job by now.
Shaking off the memory, he fired up his computer, logging into his favorite gaming platform. What he saw next nearly sent him tumbling off his chair.
The forums were *on fire*.
"Wu Sangui the Third! You coward! Too scared to accept Little Fox's challenge? What, got no balls?"
"Bro, are you even a man? Hiding from a girl? Pathetic. I bet you couldn't last ten seconds in a real fight, let alone a game."
"Little Fox called you out fair and square. Man up! Or admit you're a eunuch."
"听说 (Heard) you're impotent? That's why you're avoiding her, right? Can't handle a real challenge?"
"Just one match! Win or lose, we'll call you a man. C'mon—chug a viagra and grow a pair!"
In just a few days, thousands of messages had piled up—all goading him to face "Little Fox," a rival gamer he'd trounced (defeated thoroughly) in a previous match. The vitriol (bitterness) was staggering. *What did she do? Hire a mob?*
He hadn't even typed a word when alerts flooded his screen.
"There he is! Wu Sangui the Third, risen from the dead! Your skills suck, but your drama? Top-tier. We're *impressed*."
"Did you die in some girl's bed? That's why you vanished? Classic. Hope you choke on your next meal, loser."
"I, the Sun, condemn you! Shame on you!"
"I'm Chen Yuanyuan! Wanna date? I'm a virgin. I'll name our kid Wu Chi (Shameless)—fits you perfect."
Wu's fingers hovered over the keyboard, half-tempted to hurl the monitor across the room. Little Fox must have some clout (influence) on this platform—how else could she rally an army of trolls?
He took a deep breath, scrolling past the hate. Then he froze.
Buried under the insults were posts from "Little Fox" herself—long, weepy tales that made his blood boil.
*"Wu Sangui, I know I'm not worthy of you. But when I gave you my first time, I didn't ask for forever—just a memory. Why won't you see me? Am I that repulsive?"*
*"The doctors say I have a month left. Just one day with you. That's all I want. Is that too much?"*
*"Every breath hurts, but I still think of us—laughing over late-night games, your voice in my ear. You made me feel alive. Why abandon me?"*
*"When I die, I'll whisper your name. I loved you, Wu Sangui. Even if you never loved me back."*
Wu's jaw twitched. *This girl's deranged.*
The posts were masterpieces of manipulation—painting him as a heartless cad who'd deflowered an innocent, then left her to die. It was brilliant, evil, and *working*—comments below raged, calling for his head.
*"What a monster! How could he do that?"*
*"Little Fox, we're with you! We'll make him pay!"*
He chugged from a water bottle, the cool liquid doing little to douse his irritation. *I'm a con man, not a criminal. Where's her shame?* But rage wouldn't help. He needed a way out—and fast.
A notification popped up: *Little Fox is online.*
"Giggle… Wu Sangui, you finally showed! Worth all my late nights crafting those stories—had them eating out of my hand. Used up so many brain cells!" Her message came with a smirking emoji, proud as a cat who'd knocked over a vase.
Wu groaned. So *she'd* planted the lies.
"Admit it—you're impressed. I should write novels. These fools bought every word."
*Fools* was right. Wu scrolled through more comments—people vowing to "hunt him down," "expose his identity," "make him regret ever breathing."
"Little Fox, you want a rematch? Fine. But lose the soap opera. It's creepy."
"Creepy? It worked, didn't it? You're here. Now—Warcraft. Best of three. Winner takes all. Prove you're not a fraud."
Wu typed a reply, but a sudden *crash* cut him off.
The booth door flew open, and a blur of pink tackled him.
"Brother Fan! I missed you!"
Wu hit the floor hard, the chair clattering beside them. Warmth pressed against his chest—soft, curvy, *familiar*. He looked down to find Mu Xiaoyao, her big eyes wide, lips pouted.
"Ow… that hurt," she whined, rubbing her hip.
Wu scrambled upright, his face flaming. *Of all people.*
"What are you doing here?!" he hissed, glancing toward the hallway. Ye and Fu were in the office next door. If they saw this…
Mu pouted, standing. "Can't I visit? You've been MIA for days. I thought you got kidnapped or something."
She noticed his screen, leaning in with a gasp. "Little Fox is at it again? She still sore I beat her last time? Don't worry—I'll crush her. Again."
Wu stared. *She* was the one who'd beaten Little Fox? He'd assumed it was some pro gamer.
"You?"
"Duh. She called me a 'noob' till I wiped the floor with her. Now she's mad. Wants a rematch, but she's too chicken to face *me*—so she's bullying you." Mu crossed her arms, huffing.
Wu blinked. Maybe he'd misjudged the kid.
"Stay out of it. This is between me and her."
"Why? I can take her. Let me log in. She'll flee faster than a cockroach in sunlight."
Before Wu could protest, Mu plopped into his chair, typing furiously.
*"Little Fox, long time no see! Heard you're bothering my brother? Afraid to fight me again? C'mon—name the time. I'll whoop you so bad, you'll delete your account."*
Notifications exploded.
*"It's the girl from last time! The one who clobbered Little Fox!"*
*"This just got good. Team Wu vs. Little Fox!"*
*"Place your bets, folks!"*
Little Fox replied instantly: *"Brat, you got lucky. This time, I'll make you cry."*
Mu grinned, typing back: *"Bring it, loser."*
Wu sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. *Chaos follows this kid.* But as he watched her banter with Little Fox—sharp, confident, unafraid—he couldn't help but smile.
Maybe having backup wasn't so bad.
"Fine," he said, sitting beside her. "But if you lose, I'm blaming you."
Mu stuck out her tongue. "Please. I'll win so hard, she'll beg for mercy."
Outside the booth, the hallway was quiet. But inside, the screen lit up with trash talk, bets, and excitement.
Wu glanced at Mu, her nose scrunched in concentration, and shook his head.
*Who needs soap operas?* he thought. *My life's chaotic enough.*
He leaned in, watching her set a time for the match—tomorrow night, 8 PM.
Little Fox: *Be there. Or forever be cowards.*
Mu: *Count on it. And bring tissues. You'll need 'em.*
As the chat died down, Mu turned to Wu, grinning. "See? Easy. She's all talk."
Wu nodded, but a thought nagged at him. *Why's she so determined to fight?*
But for now, he pushed it aside. Tomorrow would come soon enough.
For tonight, he'd enjoy the calm—before the next storm hit.