Chapter 65 - Role Playing the Dark Horse Character

### Chapter 65: Reading Manga For three days after returning from the manga world, Li Li was incredibly busy. Most courses at school had entered their final stages, with the difficulty increasing significantly since the start of the semester. Coupled with some coursework, Li Li and her roommates were practically overwhelmed. Occasionally, when she had some downtime, she would check out the forums or enjoy the creative works from fanfiction giants online to relax. During this period, forums were buzzing with various analyses ultimately concluding that Li Baige was indeed the Cowlick Li. There were even fans shipping Li Baige and Li as a CP with themes like "You are my Past, I am your Future." The popularity of Hei Ge, who had only just appeared in the manga, was also on the rise. The character inherently appealed to fans who loved antagonists. The only complaint from real-world readers was that he killed White Moonlight Li. But recently, readers confirmed that Hei Ge hadn’t actually killed Li, making this flaw slightly less of an issue. Fans of Hei Ge gradually dared to voice their opinions amidst the mob of antagonist critics. When Hei Ge was mentioned on the forums, discussions would erupt vigorously. Lately, the main forum argument was whether Hei Ge was really dead or not. Of course, he wasn’t dead. After submitting her coursework, Li Li enjoyed a relaxing bath, then lay on her bed waiting for updates. As summer approached, temperatures were rising, and they'd already turned on the air conditioning in their dorm. In the cooling breeze, her roommate complained that she’d have exams the next day, a shift in fortune. “Ahhhh, I want to see the Beyond Black and White chapter update!” her roommate wailed. “I need to know if the main character is okay. He’s an S-tier, how can he fight on his own?” From Li's view, their idol was far from frail. In Li Li’s words, that’s what happens when fan interpretations influence one’s perception. Li and Yi Ming had both showcased their powers and strength by the time they parted ways. Given that they perceived Li Baige as Li, it was absurd to think he was frail, especially since a recent critic had just praised Li Baige's strength. But perhaps her plan of using self-harm as a ploy back then was too successful, coupled with her naturally slender build, giving off an impression of frailty. However, Li Li refused to accept that Cowlick Li was the fragile glass figure depicted in fanfics. She was strong! Truly! Her roommate, engrossed in the notes, murmured, “My poor, frail idol, my battle-damaged beauty. He’s going against that S-tier; maybe we’ll see battle damage in the next chapter…” Above, Li Li couldn't help but comment, “You just want to see him battle-damaged, don’t you?” “Hehehe,” her roommate grinned sheepishly. Sadly, her roommate's wish would remain unfulfilled. As midnight struck, the manga update arrived. Li Li had been memorizing some vocabulary, waiting for the barrage of comments before opening the app to check the update. This cover page was particularly intriguing, displaying dark and light split corners with a blue pendant earring in the center. In the dark, Li Baige stood with his back turned to the white side, while in the light, Yi Ming held Tang’s hand with his back to the darkness. 【Ahhhh, so exciting! Cowlick Li and the gang are finally going to meet!】 【A family reunion!】 【The layout, though, feels ominous to me with them not facing each other.】 【I don’t care! They’ll unite and find happiness today!】 Grinning at the screen, Li Li adopted a nonchalant yet eager-to-watch-the-drama smile. This chapter was guaranteed to be gripping. ... Luo Han, whose username was Han Zhi, was sitting on her bed, answering a call from her friend Jiang Lan. “Hello, I hear you.” Today marked the release of a new Beyond Black and White chapter. In the previous one, Hei Ge's possible death and Li Baige’s timely appearance had Luo Han, who shipped Hei Ge and Li, and Jiang Lan rooting for the Li Baige and An Guyu pairing, on edge during the seemingly endless wait for this update. They started reading as soon as it was out. “Seems no Hei Ge today,” Jiang Lan noted, seeing the cover through her phone, teasingly adding, “But my ice-cool idol’s here, forever the coolest!” “Sure, your idol’s the best,” Luo Han responded dismissively while already ahead, reading the plot where Yi Ming and Yue Fu start battling. She had always preferred reading with the comments on because she read quickly. 【Yay, the little Corgi is going all out!】 【Go, little Corgi! Don’t let Cowlick Li face danger alone!】 【Make up for the past regrets.】 【Cowlick Blade Li, fittingly everyone's White Moonlight.】 【He's the direction the little Corgi strives to chase!】 Luo Han thought this comment was right on the mark: “Hei Ge pushes the Corgi forward, while Li leads him on.” Prior to Li and Hei Ge’s appearance, Yi Ming had no urgency to ascend levels, yet suddenly he’d leveled up twice in two volumes after they appeared. Though the beatings he endured intensified as well. On the other end of the call, Jiang Lan hadn’t reached this part yet, responding, “My idol is the little Corgi’s White Moonlight!” Ignoring her idol-obsessed friend, Luo Han continued flipping the pages. In the manga, Yi Ming and An Guyu cooperated to inflict a fatal injury on Yue Fu, who then called out to Rao Yue, who had been observing, for help. 【Another opponent immediately after one, this is the essence of hot-blooded youth!】, a comment noted. Turning the page, Luo Han witnessed Rao Yue pulling out a gun and shooting Yue Fu dead. Luo Han commented, “This lady is quite cool.” The story continued, the walls disappeared, and the corpse of the S-tier lay motionless ahead on the stairway. Bathed in light coming from overhead, the scene was strikingly beautiful, with a circle of light forming on the ground, Yue Qing in the center, skewered by a silver-white blade dead set right in the illuminated middle. 【Whoa! Truly dead?! An S-tier gone just like that?!】 【What happened behind that wall?!】 【Is this Cowlick Li’s doing???】 An S-tier noble was a symbol of power, a mountain named S-tier, ruling the apex of this world. And now he was dead, just like that, effortlessly. The excitement was heightened when Rao Yue, pumped, claimed the act in the name of her leader, enveloping the scene in a strange sense of reverence. Reading the startling twist, Luo Han’s breath hitched for three seconds. While she processed the scenario, the comments continued flooding in a relentless stream. 【Leader? What leader?】 【Cowlick Li, what have you been up to behind my back?!】 【Whoa, an S-tier dead? Is this the battle-scarred beauty we know?】 【Idol!!】 Releasing a breath, Luo Han paged forward. “Your idol, truly impressive,” Luo Han remarked. With the capability to slay an S-tier boasting such combat prowess, fan-of-antagonist Luo Han couldn't help but compare her favorites. Well, her preference remained unclear, so that was that. Not waiting for Jiang Lan to interject, she read on. Yi Ming dashed forward, attempting to hold onto Li Baige. Yet, Li Baige, as before, wouldn’t budge, even claiming they didn’t know each other. Many character fans sobbed at the falsehood. 【Recognize this, Cowlick Li; the same lie he uttered when first meeting the Corgi to mask his injuries.】 【Incomparable; Cowlick Li, do you genuinely believe this? You clearly do not!】 【"Don’t know each other"? Then why appear at every crisis? Say what you want; neither we nor the Corgi buy it!】 Luo Han flipped another page, revealing an even more intense scene. Li Baige outright stated Yi Ming was too weak, stabbing the knife deeper into readers' hearts. Not being an avid Li fan, the revelation struck Luo Han, let alone character-heavy fans. 【Boohoo, Cowlick Li, why so cruel? Even Yi Ming will weep; okay, I’m crying first!】 【"Too weak"? Too heartless, indeed.】 【Influenced by others, surely the fault lies with Hei Ge!】 【I’m devastated. Is weakness the reason behind the separation?】 Feeling down yet connected, Luo Han typed back: 【What’s this got to do with Hei Ge?!】 The manga continued where Li Baige vanished from Yi Ming's sight without looking back, leaving lingering fans, hoping for a reversal, more heartbroken. 【Why torment us like this? The mangaka is cruel!】 【Another miss; once again, due to one's weakness, leaving you powerless.】 【Think positively, at least they're alive.】 【The little Corgi remained outside the wall, watching the slender silhouette fade before him.】 【Why! I believed Yi Ming had a shot to mend past regrets, all for it to end like this, why! Are my tears worth so little?!】 Luo Han shared in the sorrow for a few seconds before flipping another page. She witnessed Li Baige removing his earrings. In black and white, the transformation was captured and depicted in three stages. From an unsmiling ice figure, evolving into a liberated glee. The expression changes, the attire alters, and only the languid stride remains consistent. Eventually, the illustration settled on a face manga readers recognized intimately. The masked man, seemingly disinterested, strong enough to act on a whim—Hei Ge. Luo Han outside the manga slowly widened her eyes, parting her lips, exclaiming: “Whoa—what?!” Who is this? Who??!!? 【?????】 【Ah???】 【Someone wake me up, what’s going on?】 【Hahaha, I knew it! Didn't you all notice how Li Baige's lines were particularly Griggly? So weak, haha!】 【Hubby is so handsome!!! Wow, this transition is amazing!】 【Teach me that instant face change, it's so cool!】 【So, was Li Baige actually Hei Ge all along? Was it Hei Ge who saved the little Corgi as well? Did he completely manipulate the Corgi and the others?! Whoa!】 【So, Hei Ge faked his death too?! Against an S-tier, no less! Oh right, it’s Hei Ge, never mind then.】 【Hei Ge combat fans are speechless, always feeling an existential void because their favorite is too overwhelmingly strong.】 【Whoa, my big boss Hei Ge!】 【Hei Ge is the strongest! If you don’t agree, just deal with it!!】 【All a lie, all lies! Damn mangaka, give me back my tears!!!!】 【Ahhhh, my tears! Shed for nothing!】 On the other end of the call, Jiang Lan had just reached the part where Yue Qing died and was cheering over the phone, “Whoa—my idol is so strong!!! He’s incredible! An S-tier, and he actually killed it!” A seasoned fangirl must master the signature smile of her favorite character. Thus, Luo Han slowly mimicked that griggly smile from the black and white manga, “Yes, he really is that strong.” Of course, he’s strong! He’s her absolute favorite, the most invincibly handsome and powerful Hei Ge! She knew that her favorite wouldn't have any issues! Thought he was dead? His reappearance slaying an S-tier is beyond cool! Luo Han clutched her phone to her chest and twisted on her bed in excitement. “He’s super strong!” After calming down, Luo Han continued reading the manga. As she observed Hei Ge seemingly talking to himself, she suddenly had the sense that this constantly smiling giant inadvertently disclosed a piece of his true self. Releasing his hold, the pendant vanished. The young man in the manga retained his smile, speaking to the air, “Right?” 【Maybe it’s because I haven’t fully recovered from the earlier sadness, but suddenly I feel a bit melancholic.】 【Too focused on the shock, so the one who saved the little Corgi multiple times was Hei Ge?】 【Why do I feel like Hei Ge is talking to someone? Just, that kind of conversational tone.】 【A subtle melancholy envelops me. If it is indeed a dialogue, it must be with someone very close.】 【Are they going to start exploring Hei Ge’s past now?】 “Who is he talking to?” Luo Han wondered aloud, just as puzzled. But this scene quickly concluded, and Luo Han continued flipping through, where Tang and An Guyu appeared to bring Yi Ming back to the basement. Following this, the scene abruptly shifted perspectives, now presenting the grand hall of a banquet.