Chapter 1096 HOW CAN I NOT?

"HAVE you had lunch, Yan Yan?" Shen Ji Yun asked after the video call connected.

"Yes. How about you, Brother Ji Yun?" Luo Yan asked back.

"We just finished," Shen Ji Yun answered. "Here, I'll let you talk to Brother Xiang Ye and Brother Yu Lan."

Then the perspective of the camera changed. Shen Ji Yun probably switched from the front camera to the back camera of his phone. After that, two men in their early 20s appeared on the screen. Both possessed distinct charms, each exuding their own unique handsomeness.

One had a sunny temperament with a crew cut and tanned skin. With his muscular body, he looked like one of those military men. The other one had longer hair that was tied in a loose ponytail. He was much slender and had that androgynous beauty.

Luo Yan could immediately tell who was who. The former was definitely Wu Xiang Ye, and the latter was He Yu Lan.

"Is this Xiao Yan? You look exactly as your avatar," Wu Xiang Ye said with some admiration.

It's not that he thought the other used beautification on his avatar, he just thought that his game race added more charm to him. But surprisingly, that was really Luo Yan's face. What a pretty kid. With an even better personality. No wonder Shen Ji Yun fell that hard.

Luo Yan chuckled. "I can say the same for you, Brother Xiang Ye." Then ge glanced at He Yu Lan. "But I must say, brother Yu Lan is much more beautiful than his avatar."

He Yu Lan coughed and looked away, obviously feeling shy because of the straightforward compliment. But that shyness didn't last long because Wu Xiang Ye suddenly attached his cheek to his and rubbed it like some child.

"Right? My Lan-er is really the prettiest," Wu Xiang Ye said, sounding very proud.

He Yu Lan pushed Wu Xiang Ye's face away. The shyness on his face had already disappeared and was replaced by annoyance.

Luo Yan smiled. He was glad that the two seemed to not be affected by what happened with their families. It showed how strong their mentality was.

"Ah Jin is also here with me," he said, pulling his brother over so the other would also appear on the screen.

When Wu Xiang Ye saw the young man Luo Yan pulled over, his eyebrows almost reached the top of his forehead because how big his eyes widened. It's not that he didn't know Luo Jin was really a teenager and not the little kid he had as the avatar. But the person Luo Yan pulled didn't look like a teenager, he looked like a full-grown adult. He even looked older than his older brother.

"You're Xiao Jin?" he said in an almost incredulous voice.

Luo Jin frowned a bit, wondering what's with the reaction. But he still politely greeted the other. "Hello."

"You are not what I'm expecting," Wu Xiang Ye honestly said.

He Yu Lan beside him rolled his eyes. "What, do you really expect him to look like an elementary school kid?"

"Of course, not that much. Just... someone who looks like he's in high school, not someone who seemed like he's about to graduate college."

The corner of Luo Jin's mouth twitched. He didn't know if he should take that as a compliment or as an insult. So, he decided to just not say anything. Instead, he glanced at the back of the two, hoping he could see a glimpse of Su Yuqi.

That didn't escape Wu Xiang Ye's eyes. With a teasing grin, he said, "Are you looking for Xiao Qi? Wait- I'll call her for you."

Before Luo Jin could react, he already heard the other shouting from the other side;

"Xiao Qi! There's a handsome little brother looking for you here!"

Luo Jin's whole face instantly turned red. His initial reaction was to stand up and get as far away as possible from the phone's screen. But before he could even do that, he felt his arm being tightly hugged by Luo Yan. He subconsciously looked down and saw his brother smiling at him with the same teasing grin Wu Xiang Ye had earlier.

He didn't even have time to get angry because the people on the opposite screen had already changed to someone else. A woman with blue hair that went past her shoulders appeared.

It was Su Yuqi.

Luo Jin's struggle to get up immediately ceased when he saw the other. Then, without thinking, he just blurted out, "You changed your hair color."

Su Yuqi chuckled when she heard that. "Yes. What do you think? Does it suit me?"

"Yes," Luo Jin said again, as if in a daze.

"Are you saying it looks good on me?"

"You always look good."

As if realizing what he just said, Luo Jin's whole face turned even redder. While Su Yuqi only smiled meaningfully. But the fact that the smile reached her eyes showed just how much of a good mood she was in right now.

Luo Yan, who was watching all these from the side away from the screen, raised an eyebrow when he saw this interaction. Hmm...

And then suddenly, the scene from the other side of the screen shook. As if someone suddenly took the phone away. Soon, they found out why that was.

Su Yuqi disappeared, and the one in front of them now was Bai Ze.

"Xiao Jin! How could you?" the other shouted, his gaze looking at Luo Jin was full of accusation.

The shy atmosphere around Luo Jin a few moments ago immediately disappeared. He furrowed his brows in confusion. "What are you talking about, Brother Ze?"

"There's no denying it now. I know all about it!"

"Again, what are you talking about?"

"That you- you- you actually like Su Yuqi!"

Luo Jin's whole body froze in that instant, and his mind just went blank.

Bai Ze didn't seem to care and just continued with his tirade. "How can you like her?"

Once again, his mouth moved faster than his thoughts, blurting out words before he could stop himself.

"How can I not?"