From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)
Chapter 174: Grumpy Mole and the Gamer Menace

Chapter 174: Grumpy Mole and the Gamer Menace

The next morning, Micah woke up to the sharp, annoying trill of his alarm. His arm shot out from under the blanket like a grumpy mole, snaking around until he found the phone. He grunted as he sat up, hair sticking up in all directions, eyes barely open. He blinked at the screen. 6:00 a.m.

Around him, the dorm was filled with the sound of complaints.

"What’s that sound?"

"Shut it down, man!"

"The sun is not even up!"

Micah rubbed his face with both hands, sighing. "Sorry, sorry," he muttered, fumbling to shut off the alarm.

He dragged himself to the bathroom, face like a zombie’s, and splashed water over his cheeks. His reflection stared back with dead eyes. "Uhh... stupid group project..."

After brushing his teeth and fixing his hair as much as possible, he threw on a hoodie and a pair of jeans. He slung his bag over his shoulder, shoved his phone into his pocket, and stepped out of the dorm room.

By the time he reached the front gate, the sky was still a pale grey. The sun wasn’t even up yet. He yawned into his fist.

Near the gate, a plain black SUV was parked. Driver Dan stood beside it with a warm smile on his face, hands tucked behind his back.

"Morning, young master," he said, stretching a hand with car keys. "Here are the keys to the car."

Micah blinked and offered a smile. "Thanks."

"If you need anything else just give me a call."

"Sure," Micah said, nodding.

Driver Dan bowed slightly and left.

Micah unlocked the SUV and slid into the driver’s seat, tossing his bag onto the passenger seat. He pulled out his phone. They were supposed to meet at the gate to head to the textile factory, Sorkh Fabric, for their project research. He opened his messages to check if anyone was late, only to be interrupted by a buzz.

Bishop: when can you log in? You haven’t forgotten our plan, right?

Micah’s eyelid twitched. Great. Archie. Why was he up this early?

RogueOverlord: No. I’m going out of the city today. Group project. Tonight I will be free.

Bishop: Okay. I am always online. Just add my gaming account and message me on WeChat.

RogueOverlord: sure.

Micah rubbed his forehead and leaned his head against the steering wheel. What a wonderful day! Starting with the second male lead’s messages!

A sharp knock on the window made him jump. He looked up and immediately flinched. Archie’s grinning face stared back at him through the glass.

Micah winced. "Crap! What are you doing here? You scared the hell out of me!" he said, rolling down the window halfway, glaring.

Archie stretched his hand, holding up a warm drink. "Here. It’s a honey lemon tea. I know you had a bad stomach. Figured this might be better."

Micah was caught off guard. He hesitated before reaching out and taking the cup.

"I also got coffee and milk tea for the others," Archie added, holding up a plastic bag filled with drinks. "Russell asked me to buy breakfast, so I did that too."

Micah glanced at the tea, then back at Archie. "Thanks...I guess. So why did you text me when..." he paused seeing Archie’s smirk. His eyes narrowed. "You did it on purpose!"

"Yup." Archie grinned shamelessly. "I wanted to see if you answer me or not. But wow. You really dislike me. Russell told me but I didn’t believe it..."

"So what?! Nobody ever disliked you before?"

"Honestly? Nope. You are my first hater. Kinda thrilling, actually," Archie replied.

"Wow! Such an honour!" Micah rolled his eyes. "If you already know I can’t stand you, why keep bothering me?"

"Because it’s fun," Archie said. "You’re just too fun to mess with."

Micah looked like he was about to throw the cup at him. He couldn’t stand that smug face. But he was hungry and thirsty. "Glad I can entertain you," he said through gritted teeth. "Now off you go. Shoo."

Archie chuckled and leaned on the car with his shoulder. "How could I let you get all the credits for my hard work? I should wait for others to see me before going."

"Suit yourself," Micah muttered and hit the window switch to roll it back up.

"Wait!" Archie yelped as the glass caught his hand. "Ouch!"

Micah’s eyes widened. "Are you nuts?" Micah yelled, rolling the window back down and jumped out of the car.

Archie rubbed his hand with a sheepish look. "I forgot to give you the bun," he said, holding up a neatly packed steamed bun in a wrapper.

Micah sighed and yanked Archie’s hand. "Let me see. You’re a gamer, aren’t you? Why are you so reckless with your hands?" he grumbled.

Archie stayed quiet as Micah examined his fingers. They were just a little red. No real injury. But Micah was frowning like it was serious.

Archie stared down at him, expression softening. The way the boy panicked, the way he worried and scolded him didn’t match the sharp sarcasm he always threw around. There was real concern buried under all the attitude. Archie could feel it.

He didn’t mean to put his hand in the window. He genuinely forgot. He had only wanted to make sure Micah ate something. After all, the boy had a sensitive stomach and was admitted to the hospital twice.

But now Micah’s reaction made him warm.

When he texted him and saw him frowning at his phone, Archie was stunned.

He didn’t like it. Why did the boy dislike him?!

He never did anything to deserve that reaction. He had asked Russell about it and he didn’t know either. But he also agreed Micah was wary of him. And there was hostility in there.

Archie wanted to test it by texting him. But now seeing Micah’s reaction, he knew there was hope for him. And in time he could understand what was bothering Micah.

"I’m fine. You are overreacting." Archie said, gently pulling back his hand from Micah’s grasp.

"Tsk. Who is worried about you?! I just don’t want to get blamed for your loss in the next match!" Micah said arrogantly.

Archie chuckled. "Oh. Good idea! If I lose the match, I should tell my teammates it was your fault."

"I knew it! You jerk! Let’s go to the infirmary right now! I want a certificate that says you’re not hurt so I can’t be dragged to a drama!"

Archie laughed out loud. "You are seriously so cute sometimes!"

Micah froze. His whole body straightened like a stick. "What did you say? Cute?"

Archie jerked back. "Wait."

Micah rolled up the sleeve of his hoodie with a murderous glare. "Well, I can’t touch your hands, but your stupid face should be fine! Come here."

Archie stepped back while laughing. "I was joking!"

But Micah was already chasing him around the car, his fists swinging wildly. "I don’t care you are my senior! Who would go around calling another boy cute? You are just insulting me!"

"Fuck! Sorry! I really didn’t mean that!" Archie said dodging Micah’s attack. Despite his tall height, he was agile and fast.

Micah’s pent-up frustration finally had a target. He chased Archie more fiercely.

"What are you two doing?" Russell said, staring at them in disbelief.

His older brother was darting around the SUV like a man escaping death, While Micah chased after him with all the fury of a kicked cat.

Russell rubbed his eyes like he couldn’t believe it.

His brother, the chill and usually sarcastic guy who barely interacted with others, was laughing like a maniac. And Micah, the same Micah who had glared daggers at Archie every day was red in the face, swinging at him like a cartoon character.

What the hell did he just walk into?