Chapter 89: Playing Games with Sheng Ye (Part 2)

Jian Yiling settled into her seat, signaling with her actions to Zhai Yunsheng and Yu Xi that she was ready to join their gaming session. Once comfortably positioned, she turned to them and asked, "So, what game are we diving into?"

Yu Xi blinked in surprise at her question. "You don't even know what we're playing, yet you still agreed to join us?" His expression was a mix of disbelief and concern.

"We're going to play 'Invasion of the Bugs,'" he informed her, trying to prepare her for what lay ahead. "But you should be warned; this game can get pretty violent, so you'll need to steel yourself mentally." He paused, contemplating his next words carefully. "You know what? Once you log in, it might be best for you to go on standby, or maybe don't wear your headphones. The sound effects can be genuinely intense, especially when the bugs start closing in. This isn't a game to take lightly!"

Jian Yiling listened attentively but remained silent, choosing instead to focus on opening the game and clicking the "Register" button. She recalled her previous experience, where she had borrowed Qin Chuan's account to play. However, this time, she was registering for her own account, marking a new beginning in her gaming journey.

As she initiated the registration process, Yu Xi's anxiety only grew. Jian Yiling had never played this game before, and her lack of familiarity with its potentially terrifying aspects weighed heavily on his mind. He couldn't help but think about how he would explain things to Grandma Jian if she ended up frightened.

In that moment, regret washed over him. Perhaps he shouldn't have impulsively agreed to Zhai Yunsheng's suggestion just to earn a few extra points in the game.

As Jian Yiling filled in her nickname, she paused momentarily before randomly typing a string of letters on the keyboard. 

Yu Xi, ever the protector, swiftly intervened. "Yiling, why don't you come up with a proper nickname? It will make adding friends much easier down the line."

After considering his advice, Jian Yiling nodded and changed her nickname to "J10."

Uh… quite simple and straightforward indeed.

Yu Xi's eyes darted to Zhai Yunsheng's freshly created account, which displayed the succinct nickname "ZYS." He then glanced at his own name: "Gun King of the Shooting Realm." 

Emmmm… maybe he should consider investing in a name change card.

Next came the character selection phase, where players could choose from various avatars. There were male and female options, ranging from middle-aged men to young girls. Jian Yiling, without much thought, selected a middle-aged man's avatar and was ready to confirm her choice when Yu Xi, now panicking, interrupted her again.

"Yiling, wait! You might want to pick a character that resembles you a bit more. It would be awkward for me to call a burly man 'sister' during the game!"

While Yu Xi was fervently trying to convince her, Zhai Yunsheng, seated to her right, suddenly leaned over, snatched Jian Yiling's mouse, and expertly selected a young girl model for her. He clicked the confirm button before she could react.

Jian Yiling turned her head to look at Zhai Yunsheng, who had already returned his focus to his screen, showing no signs of remorse. It was as if he had taken on the role of a guide, helping her navigate this new experience.

After successfully completing her registration, Jian Yiling received two friend requests from the boys beside her. Once she accepted their requests, they were quickly ushered into a gaming room together.

This game allowed for cooperative play, a significant shift from her previous solo experience with Qin Chuan's account. The team mode required at least two players, with a maximum capacity of four. 

As they prepared to embark on their gaming adventure, Jian Yiling noted Zhai Yunsheng's ranking in the game, which stood proudly at the highest tier: "Grandmaster." In contrast, Yu Xi was at "Platinum," while her freshly created account, not surprisingly, started at the lowest rank: "Bronze."

Before the game officially kicked off, Yu Xi leaned closer to Jian Yiling, offering one last piece of advice. "Yiling, if you ever feel scared during the game, just go on standby. Don't force yourself to keep playing! Trust me; Sheng Ye is incredibly skilled at this game and will guide us through!"

As the game loaded, the excitement in the air was palpable. Jian Yiling felt a mix of eagerness and anxiety; this was an entirely new experience for her. While she was unsure of how she would handle the game's intensity, she was equally excited to see what Zhai Yunsheng and Yu Xi could accomplish together. 

The adventure into this virtual world was about to begin, and with it came the promise of new memories and deeper friendships. As the countdown timer approached zero, the screen flickered to life, and they were thrust into the action, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.