Chapter 1138: Pick a Day

Gao Yang spoke as he ate, “Of course I wouldn’t miss this. It’s just that I’ve gotten so busy I’ll need another me to do everything.”

“You’ve changed, Brother,” Gao Xinxin said, her displeasure evident. “You were never one to shirk responsibility.”

“I have to change.” Gao Yang smiled wryly, looking up to meet Gao Xinxin’s eyes. “The world is changing so rapidly. I can’t be stubborn like I was before.”

“Yang Yang’s right.” Gao Xin smiled in agreement while drinking, his face flushed. “We all have to be flexible, or it’ll be difficult to survive in today’s society.”

“Bro,” Wang Zikai looked at Gao Yang with sudden seriousness. “I wasn’t able to properly celebrate your birthday last time. I didn’t even get to give you your gift. That’s been bothering me.”

Gao Yang smiled. “It’s fine.”

“No, I must make it up to you,” Wang Zikai said. “How about you pick a day? I’ll celebrate your birthday again—”

“No!” Gao Xinxin interrupted. “I wasn’t able to celebrate your birthday, either, Brother. And I prepared you a gift. Why don’t I hold a celebration for you? It’ll be no fun with him!”

Wang Zikai snorted. “I said it first, Xinxin. How could you steal my idea?”

“Bullshit! I’ve had the idea, you stole it and said it first,” Gao Xinxin said like a petulant child. “Ignore him, Brother. Celebrate with me. We are family. He’s just an outsider. He should know his place.”

“Why don’t you three just celebrate together?” Gao Xin said in a befuddled tone. “Birthday celebration is better with more people.”

“Yeah, let’s do it together,” Gao Yang said.

“Sure,” Wang Zikai quickly agreed. “Fine by me.”

Left with no choice, Gao Xinxin conceded. “Fine, we’ll celebrate together.”

Wang Zikai looked at her with a smirk. “Remember our bet last time, Xinxin? See whose gift your brother prefers?”

Gao Xinxin huffed and pouted. “You’re on. You’ll lose for sure.”

“Don’t count your eggs just yet,” Wang Zikai said confidently, turning to Gao Yang. “Bro, pick a day. I’m free whenever.”

“Me too,” Gao Xinxin said. “I can take skip school.”

Gao Yang lowered his chopsticks and said bemusedly, “I’m a little busy these days. It’ll have to be next month.”

“Which date?” Gao Xinxin asked.

“How about the 20th?”

“The 20th.” Wang Zikai pressed a hand to his chin. “Yeah, it’s a good day. The 20th it is.”

Gao Xinxin smacked her lips. “You sure pick a good day, Brother. I’m finishing my exams that day. I’ll be tired.”

“Then stay at school and have a good rest after the exams,” Gao Yang said.

Gao Xinxin chuckled. “I lied. It’s just a little quiz. I won’t be that tired. Look forward to my gift.”

“Good.” Gao Xin smiled. Then he thought of something, “Why don’t you bring Little Qing that day, Gao Yang?”

“No!” Gao Xinxin’s face crumbled. “Don’t bring her!”

“A celebration should be lively,” Gao Xin insisted. “Besides, no one spends their birthday without their girlfriend.”

He turned to Gao Yang with a strange smile. “Yang Yang, your dad told me. You wouldn’t find a better girl than Little Qing. Do right by her and don’t leave her on her own.”

“Okay.” Gao Yang nodded. “I’ve wanted to bring her anyway.”

“You mustn’t!” Gao Xinxin flushed red.

“Why, worried that your gift will lose to hers?” Wang Zikai snorted. “Weren’t you confident, Gao Xinxin?”

“You—” It took immense self-control for Gao Xinxin not to lose her temper. She grumpily sat down. “Fine, bring Sister-in-Law. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Brother.”

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

“That’s settled then!” Gao Xin laughed with an edge of exasperation. “It’s my birthday today. You shouldn’t be talking about Gao Yang’s birthday nonstop.”

“It’s my fault for starting it.” Wang Zikai got to his feet with his drink. “Here, Uncle. Cheers to you. I wish you good health and fortune. Enjoy your life and find a company soon!”

Gao Xin broke into laughter. “Teasing me, aren’t you?”

“Then I’ll wish you fortune and longevity like the everlasting ocean and mountain.” Gao Xinxin followed suit.

“I wish you health and safety,” Gao Yang added.

“Thank you all!” Gao Xin raised his glass. “Cheers!”

They settled back, but Gao Xin didn't return to his meal. Instead, his gaze moved from one young face to another.

Gao Xinxin noticed. “Uncle, your eyes are red. Is it because of the smoke from the hot pot?”

“There’s no smoke with solid alcohol.” Wang Zikai snorted.

Gao Yang remained silent.

Gao Xin allowed his tears to brim his eyes and fell down his cheeks. “I’m...heartbroken.”

“Why?” Gao Xinxin blinked at him. “Aren’t we all fine?”

Gao Xin shook his head. “How did our family turn out like this?”

Wang Zikai’s eyes darkened. He smelled blood.

Beneath the table, Gao Xin's fingers closed around a small sharp Black Gold hairpin. It bit into his palm, and blood dripped down his fingers before hitting the floor.

The hairpin was imbued with Gamer’s energy. Gao Yang had secretly put it into Gao Xin’s pocket when hugging him. Gao Xin had known it was there all along.

A dignified, authoritative power force surged. Between one blink and the next, everything vanished, replaced by an infinite expanse of black sky and white earth. Where the table had been, Gao Xin now sat at a judge's bench formed of golden energy, a matching gavel in his hand.

Gao Xinxin and Wang Zikai found themselves positioned across from Gao Yang, a golden scale gleaming beneath their feet.

Confusion and surprise of varying degrees hit them, but none of them panicked. They quickly regained composure. Wang Zikai had a smile on his face. He even looked amused.

Gao Yang’s uncle raised the golden gavel and slowly opened his mouth. When he spoke, his voice was booming with power and a rhythm like an ancient hymn.

“Eyes of just, heart of fairness.”

“A balanced blood trial, a harmonious soul ritual.”

“Killing intent rises, contract forms.”

“On May 20th, the Divine Scion, Gao Yang, will duel death monster Pride and Envy.”

“The three must not clash with each other before that, and they must not fight anyone else.”

“Whoever violates the terms will meet an instant death.”

“Addendum: it will be unfair for Gao Yang to take on Envy and Pride on his own. To compensate, Gao Yang may bring a companion named Qing Ling to challenge Envy and Pride in turn.”

“The verdict takes effect now!”

Thud.