No Time

"Z-zhang Xing!"

"Delta! And how the fuck do you know my name?!"

This was the first meeting of my hacker best friend. He is also a genius and we've fought against each other online so much that we had decided to make peace to not get ourselves frustrated over our ties.

I know his name because I had researched him before and asked some people in other underworld facilities to find out a little about him.

He's rumored to be grumpy, feisty, and very sensitive about his height and looks. Zhang Xing doesn't have friends, but everyone begrudgingly admitted that he is a very important person of their faculty even if they do not like him. He has green hair and is the best hacker in the Western part of China. My informer told me that his family, consisting of himself, his dad, mom, and younger sister, would be moving months ago and that his mom told him to go find a part-time job. He saved up his money so far and didn't tell his family about his job apparently. His mother put him in a school for the gifted and rich, and they were struggling to make provisions. Zhang Xing struggled to tell his parents about the extra money because both his parents were from the police force. 

Apparently, he's the same age as me too. We became gaming buddies and best friends after we tied so many battles online...

All in all, he's a pretty cool dude. But when I saw his picture, I was shook.

He looks so cute! Green hair that suited his lighter shade of amber eyes, pale skin that indicated how much of a Neet he was, and that small face structure with his tiny pout!

So yeah, I was liking him alot already for his personality, but I instantly fell in love after imagining what expressions he'd make if we met in real life.

His code name is "Game Over". I thought it was pretty funny when we were on opposing sides and trying to hack into each other's devices. We both failed and got so mad.

Anyways, that was in the past. Right now, I'm slowly trying to woo him over to make him feel the same way about me, but I was expecting to meet him in several years, not this fast!

"Xingxing, I had only asked the people from your faculty. They showed me a picture once. And don't you know my name?" I asked as if I was wounded at heart.

"Y-you! No one would give me your name in your faculty! They were so sarcastic about it too! So I hacked into their phones and deleted all their contacts, files, and apps!" my Xingxing said righteously.

"Great, so do you know what my name is?" I said while struggling to not laugh at his petty revenge.

"U-um, no..." he replied with a frown.

I flicked his forehead and told him, "I am Shui Lai. You've got to remember that, ok? Come in, let me take the pizza from you."

I gathered the 3 boxes of pizza in my arms and shut the door with my foot. Xingxing hurriedly scrambled in with a disgruntled look.

"Delta, I still have work. This is my 3rd part time job and I can't mess up," he said with a sigh.

"Call me Lai. Did you get fired for your personality?" I asked.

"Ah, how did you know? They said I was too antisocial. The previous places I worked at were cafes and people kept staring at me. One man even tried to touch me! So I talked back and the managers fired me," he said in curious wonder.

I really wonder if he's from the underworld. His common sense is a little too innocent and lacking... But whoever that man was, I'll destroy his life. Trying to touch my Xingxing? Only I can do that!

"And now I have to ride my bike to deliver this stuff! I wish I was old enough to drive a car or something," he complained.

Then I noticed the 3 people standing a bit behind Xingxing. Xiao Bing looked curious about Xingxing, Jing Ge looked happy that I made a friend, and Yu Ge looked to be debating about something in his head.

"Zhang Xing, yes?" called out Yu Ge.

Xingxing turned around to see my siblings.

"Damn, Lai, your family's too good looking for this world," he whispered to me and then replied "Yes" to Yu Ge.

"Why not come work for our family? We'll pay you 200 million a year."

Let alone Xingxing being surprised, the rest of us were surprised. What had Yu Ge noticed to make an offer?

But I didn't want Xingxing to accept. He was my best friend(for now), not someone under me. We were equals and I intended to keep it that way forever.

"Yu G-"

Before I could say anything, my Xingxing spoke out seriously, "I cannot accept that offer. I will not stand below my friend. I have my own pride."

To Xingxing's response, Yu Ge gave a genuine smile. One that isn't ever given to anyone besides me and my siblings.

"Good. Pride is important. Please take care of Xiao Lai for me."

Yu Ge then coolly turned away to the direction of the dining hall.

"So he was just testing me?" adorably asked Xingxing.

"Mm, good job," I happily told him while patting his head.

Xingxing annoyingly glanced at me and pushed my hand away.

I merely grinned and continued to pester him. Since fate made him come to me so early, I should return the favor and catch him quickly as I could!

Also, about pride... Yu Ge does consider it very important. As important as our lives he said.

"If we don't have pride, how can we live on? Might as well kill ourselves," were his very words and we couldn't help but shiver at that time.

I guess Calix Ge, or now, just Calix wasn't as important as he seemed because he wasn't containing a pride of his own. He did contain some courage but it was broken because of his destroyed pride.

"People with damaged pride are too dangerous. Best to stay away from them" were also Yu Ge's words that described people like Calix.

Anyway, back to the current situation. Xingxing is at my house and I am very excited to meet him in real life already. I drag him around showing the kitchen, my room, the huge bathroom, the swimming pool, the herb garden, and lots of other places. Xingxing was jealous of my room and how it had many devices that weren't published yet.

After keeping him for over 2 hours, I began to feel guilty that he'd lose his job.

But Xingxing, kind as always, unlike what his underworld associates described, said, "Nah, don't worry about it. If I get fired, I'll bring Mama Jane's down. That's what happened to my previous workplaces as well. And the man who tried to touch me is dead from his suicide attempt after I stole all his properties. I can make up a fake job and pull out some of the money in my bank account, so it'll be fine. The only trouble is having my family come over to my workplace or something. I'll buy a shop I guess. Well, bye and see you soon Lai."

Xingxing is too cool...

I waved till I couldn't see his mint colored bicycle anymore.

When I got back in, I realized that I had been missing out on pizza so I hurried to the dining hall.

Xiao Bing was complaining about not being able to eat more slices. Thankfully Jing Ge and Yu Ge had kept a box for me. I was starving from training with a better environment and equipment!