Lin Ye genuinely liked Ye Shang Chu Yang.
Her personality intrigued him.
For the first time, he found himself eagerly wondering what someone from a game actually looked like.
With great anticipation, he clicked open her photo.
Lin Ye wasn’t shallow, but who didn’t appreciate beauty?
When he saw Ye Shang Chu Yang’s face—ordinary, overshadowed by heavy bangs, and tinged with gloom—he couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment.
He almost regretted opening the image.
Glancing at Chu Yun, he hesitated.
He knew his Fourth Brother treated Ye Shang Chu Yang differently—from adding her as a friend to grinding Phoenix Stones with her. It was obvious Chu Yun was interested.
Yet, Chu Yun’s expression showed no trace of letdown.
“Cute.”
A faint smile curved Chu Yun’s lips as he studied the photo.
His mind conjured an image of this girl speaking in that deadpan, matter-of-fact tone while looking like this.
It was…
Adorable.
A soft chuckle escaped him.
Then, with a lazy flick of his fingers, he gestured for Lin Ye to move.
Lin Ye immediately vacated the seat, shooting Chu Yun a puzzled look before retreating to his own office.
Despite his disappointment, Lin Ye still liked Ye Shang Chu Yang. He just couldn’t reconcile that voice with that face.
Once back at his desk, he logged into the game.
[PM] Tian Xia: Xiao Ye, that person on the forums… wasn’t really you, right?
[PM] Ye Shang Chu Yang: It was me.
Lin Ye’s heart sank.
Had he never formed any expectations, it wouldn’t have mattered.
But he’d been so excited about her—only for reality to deliver this blow.
A sense of dissonance was unavoidable.
Checking the friend list, he saw Ye Shang Chu Yang was partied with Yi Jian Zhu Jiu.
After a long pause, he messaged Chu Yun.
[PM] Tian Xia: Fourth Bro, it’s really her.
He braced for shared disappointment.
Then—
Blue petals erupted across his screen.
[System Announcement: Player Yi Jian Zhu Jiu has gifted Player Ye Shang Chu Yang 10 Blue Enchantress Bouquets! Such extravagance!]
[System Announcement: Player Yi Jian Zhu Jiu has gifted Player Ye Shang Chu Yang 10 Blue Enchantress Bouquets! Such extravagance!]
…
The notifications flooded the server—twenty in total.
Every player’s interface was bathed in virtual blue petals for half an hour.
Someone did the math:
Each bouquet cost 999 RMB.
Yi Jian Zhu Jiu had just dropped nearly 200,000 RMB.
This dwarfed Qing Hai Gu Zhou’s previous display entirely.
Female players across the server burned with envy.
This was the ultimate fantasy for any gamer girl.
Nian Zhou Guild.
Cheng Zi sneered, “Yi Jian Zhu Jiu must be some greasy, balding whale to fall for Ye Shang Chu Yang.”
She knew she was prettier than that gloomy-faced girl.
The guild unanimously agreed.
After all, if Yi Jian Zhu Jiu were handsome, wouldn’t he have posted photos too?
An Xun thought the same.
No wonder he didn’t add me—he’s probably too ashamed to face me.
Meanwhile, Qing Hai Gu Zhou saw Ye Shang Chu Yang’s photo and rejoiced in his life choices.
On her end, Ye Shaohua stared blankly at the flower bombardment.
Her chat with Chang Fa Ji Yao was still open:
[PM] Chang Fa Ji Yao: Deal! I’m heading to Qing City for work the day after tomorrow—prepare to host me! (laughs evilly)
[PM] Chang Fa Ji Yao: HOLY SHT! IS YOUR MAN MADE OF MONEY?!*
[PM] Ye Shang Chu Yang: I’ll send my number via QQ later.
[PM] Chang Fa Ji Yao: Can’t wait to meet you!
[PM] Ye Shang Chu Yang: More like ‘can’t wait to be traumatized.’
[PM] Chang Fa Ji Yao: Pfft—I’d never judge you, Xiao Ye!
Closing the chats, Ye Shaohua activated voice chat in their party.
“Xiao Ye,” Chu Yun murmured, watching her avatar stand motionless. His fingers tensed. “Sword Heroes released a new couples’ quest. I—”
“Hold on,” she interrupted. “Did you see the forum photos?”
This was only the second time he’d heard her voice—clear, composed, with a lazy undertone that curled around his senses.
Chu Yun coughed lightly. “I did.”
“And?” Her tone was dry. “Not repulsed?”
He paused, then chuckled softly. “No. You’re cute.”
Ye Shaohua: …I can’t even stand my old self, what’s wrong with you?!
Silence stretched.
Just as Chu Yun began to backtrack—
“Let’s go,” she said abruptly. “Matchmaker Temple.”
“…What?”
Realization struck. Without another word, he teleported instantly.
Outside his office, a secretary gaped at her flustered, red-eared boss—so stunned by the sight that she forgot why she’d come.
During the quest, Ye Shaohua studied Yi Jian Zhu Jiu’s focused avatar.
“Hey, Da Shen,” she murmured, her voice feather-light. “I don’t even know your name.”
A low laugh rumbled through the headset.
“Chu Yun.“
‘Chu’ as in ‘besieged.’
‘Yun’ as in ‘cloud.’
The moment she heard it, she knew.
Ah.
So it’s him.
Pushing her bangs aside, she revealed a face that could halt hearts—paired with a voice like silk.
“Free the day after tomorrow? Chang Fa Ji Yao and I are meeting up.”
A beat.
“Wanna join?”
