"Don't worry, Brother Lin. My grades have always been excellent. I always come first in my class. I just play a bit after finishing my homework. It won't affect my studies. If Auntie finds out, I'll just say I bought it myself. I won't rat you out."
Lin Jichen couldn't help but laugh. He didn't expect the little one to be so loyal.
Tang Tang's reason for wanting a gaming ring wasn't even to play games but to play chess with the NPCs inside.
"Alright, I'll buy you one tomorrow. Keep your New Year's money. This will be my gift to you."
Lin Jichen's perspective was far ahead of his time. Getting into "Tale of Immortal" early had only benefits and no drawbacks.
Kids could also play this game. These children were the future hope of "Tale of Immortal."
In his previous life, many underage kids had shone brightly in the merged world.
The most famous was a girl named Tang Jing. At just fourteen, she had become a Gathering Spirit Realm expert after playing "Tale of Immortal" for two years in her spare time.
When her small city was attacked by demonic creatures after the world merged, this little girl stood up and single-handedly took down many Golden Elixir stage demonic cultivators, helping the military defend the city.
She was later recruited into the army and given special training.
If kids were allowed to fully immerse themselves, geniuses like Tang Jing would be everywhere in the future.
But "Tale of Immortal" faced resistance from parents who wouldn't let their kids play, claiming it was too violent and bloody.
The game was indeed too realistic and bloody, so the authorities also felt it was inappropriate for children. Two years after its launch, "Tale of Immortal" restricted underage logins.
So, minors could still play for two more years. After that, due to numerous parental complaints, they would be banned from logging in.
Tang Jing hadn't played for three years, but after the game merged with reality, her account's power was transferred to her.
Lin Jichen was all for Niu Naitang playing the game. Even if she only went in to play chess, it would be beneficial for her future.
"Thank you, Brother Lin!" Niu Naitang was overjoyed when she heard Lin Jichen agree to buy it for her.
At this moment, Ren Lan returned after finishing her call, looking a bit off.
"What's wrong?" Lin Jichen asked.
"My mom suddenly asked what I was doing."
"What's so strange about that? What did you say?"
"I told her I was at work. I had told her I found an internship during this break. She just said 'okay' and hung up." Ren Lan explained.
To come to Lin Jichen's place to play games, she had made up a perfect excuse and even had her bestie cover for her.
"Then there's nothing to worry about. Why the long face?"
"It's nothing. I can't put my finger on it, but my mom's tone seemed odd. Based on my understanding of her, this isn't normal."
"You're overthinking it. She was just casually asking about your situation. Let's go shopping." Lin Jichen said nonchalantly.
"Okay." Ren Lan also felt she was being too sensitive and stopped thinking about it.
The three of them went into the mall, bought some eggs and fruits, and some daily necessities, snacks, and milk.
After an hour of shopping, they left the mall with several large bags, ready to head home.
As Lin Jichen stepped out of the mall, he saw a beautiful middle-aged woman standing at the entrance, scanning the people coming out.
The woman was dressed simply, exuding a gentle and elegant beauty.
Though not young, her face was exceptionally charming, hinting at her past glory.
Wearing glasses, she had an intellectual aura, clearly a well-educated person.
Many middle-aged men coming out of the mall were so stunned by her that they almost forgot how to walk, feeling ashamed when they looked at their own wives.
Lin Jichen just glanced at her briefly and continued walking.
But he noticed that Ren Lan and Niu Naitang hadn't followed. Looking back, he saw Ren Lan standing there like a statue, holding Niu Naitang's hand, as if frozen in place.
Niu Naitang looked up curiously and asked, "Sister Ren Lan, what's wrong?"
Ren Lan didn't respond. Lin Jichen, puzzled, walked back and asked, "Miss Frenzy, what are you doing? Let's go home and sleep."
Ren Lan's face changed dramatically, and she frantically signaled to Lin Jichen with her eyes.
But Lin Jichen didn't understand her meaning and muttered, "Are you possessed? Why are your eyelids twitching?"
He even pinched Ren Lan's face, finding nothing unusual.
Ren Lan was so anxious she wanted to curse.
At this moment, a voice came from behind Lin Jichen.
"Lan Lan, explain to me what's going on here."
Lin Jichen felt a fragrant breeze pass by, and a figure walked up beside him. It was the elegant and intellectual middle-aged woman.
The woman looked at Ren Lan angrily.
"Mom... let me explain..." Ren Lan hurried over.
Lin Jichen was dumbfounded.
"You better explain this to me. Didn't you say you were at work? Didn't you say you were interning? You even dared to lie to me?"
The woman was furious, gritting her teeth as she scolded Ren Lan.
Ren Lan lowered her head, not daring to talk back. "Mom, I was wrong..."
"Tell me, what have you been doing this break? If you dare lie again, I'll tell your dad and let him deal with you!"
"No, no, Mom, I'll tell you everything. Just don't tell Dad. If he finds out, I'm doomed." Ren Lan quickly admitted defeat.
She confessed everything in detail.
"You're hopeless! I usually let you play games and work out, but now you've gone behind my back to co-rent with a boy just to play games. Are you trying to drive me mad?"
Ren Lan's mother was so angry her face turned pale, her breathing uneven.
"Mom, I'm sorry. Please don't be mad. Your heart isn't good. It's all my fault. I really messed up. Please don't get upset."
Ren Lan hurriedly comforted her mother, repeatedly apologizing.
Ren Lan's mother took a deep breath and began to scrutinize Lin Jichen.
Seeing Lin Jichen's appearance, her eyes brightened for a second.
Lin Jichen could only stand there dumbly, forcing a smile that was worse than crying. "Hello, Auntie..."
Then, something unexpected happened.
After carefully examining Lin Jichen, Ren Lan's mother suddenly turned to Ren Lan, her tone softening.
"Be honest, are you dating him?"
"Mom, I'm not dating him. We're just classmates. He's my junior, and I'm his senior. We're just friends who get along well." Ren Lan quickly explained.
But her mother's eyes clearly showed disbelief.