Chang Fa Ji Yao (Long Hair) knew that given Ye Shaohua’s current reputation, she would undoubtedly receive an official invitation.
Ever since she defeated Tian Xia (Under Heaven), the title of the game’s top mage had belonged to Ye Shang Chuyang (First Sun on Leaves).
When Ye Shaohua logged into the game, the world chat was buzzing about the upcoming event.
You Ren Yin (Wandering Poet) sent her a party invite, which she accepted.
Building a city required clearing numerous dungeons, and she needed to lead the team through them.
This time, however, You Ren Yin didn’t invite Xian Hua Nong Ying (Idly Playing with Flowers) or Qing Hai Gu Zhou (Lonely Boat on Clear Seas).
“Many guilds are attending this event. Rumor has it the organizers have a big announcement—something about a second Alliance Leader Token,” You Ren Yin said excitedly in the party chat. “Chang Fa, Xiao Ye, are you two going?”
Ye Shaohua, focused on fighting the boss, didn’t respond.
Chang Fa Ji Yao answered for her. “I’m going, but Xiao Ye isn’t.”
She was disappointed. She’d been looking forward to seeing the shock on Xian Hua Nong Ying and Qing Hai Gu Zhou’s faces when they met Ye Shaohua in person.
Hearing this, You Ren Yin and the others didn’t find it strange.
They also assumed Ye Shang Chuyang wouldn’t attend.
“I heard Xian Hua Nong Ying and Qing Hai Gu Zhou have already met in real life,” You Ren Yin remarked with a click of his tongue. “He moves fast. But Qing Hai Gu Zhou really is tall, rich, and handsome. Speaking of which, Tian Xia, you’re in Qing City too, right? Never run into them?”
Lin Ye (Forest Night), playing as Tian Xia, dealt a finishing blow to the boss. “No, I haven’t.”
Chang Fa Ji Yao sneered. “Oh? So Elder Tian Xia is from Qing City too, huh?”
Ever since Lin Ye gave that belt to Xian Hua Nong Ying, Chang Fa Ji Yao had been giving him attitude.
He genuinely didn’t understand what he’d done wrong—it was just a belt.
But hearing that Ye Shang Chuyang wouldn’t be at the meetup stirred something complicated in him.
Ye Shaohua typed one-handed, her other hand holding her phone as she spoke to Chu Yun.
“I’m not in Qing City right now. You are not going to that meetup alone,” Chu Yun said sternly, waving off his subordinates in the background.
Ye Shaohua replied lazily, “Wasn’t planning on it.”
“Good.” His expression softened. The last thing he needed was a hundred million new love rivals the moment she showed up. “I’ll wrap things up here and be back the night after tomorrow.”
“Sure.” She unleashed a final skill, watching the boss collapse before typing “Logging off” in the party chat. “I’ve got to babysit my dad while he deals with the An family clowns the day after. I’ll pick you up afterward.”
The An family had caught wind of Old Master Xu’s visit to Ye Qingkun earlier that day.
By evening, the calls started pouring in.
Ye Shaohua wasn’t about to let her soft-hearted father face those snakes alone.
Part of her wanted to teach Qing Hai Gu Zhou a lesson—after all, in the original storyline, his underhanded schemes were the final straw that broke the original Ye Shaohua.
But her father took priority.
The thought of Ye Qingkun’s eventual breakdown in the original plot filled her with a quiet fury.
…
Chu Yun hung up, his smile lingering as he stretched out on the sofa. “Any updates on those two families?”
A subordinate handed him a manila envelope. “Fourth Young Master.”
The man hid his astonishment.
Chu Yun was the most enigmatic figure among Beijing’s elite—no one knew his full background, only that even the old foxes tread carefully around him.
He’d fled to Qing City to escape the endless stream of women thrown at him by various families.
Yet here he was, speaking to someone on the phone with unmistakable tenderness.
Meanwhile.
When An Xun learned that Xu Xiaohui had sought out Ye Shaohua and Ye Qingkun, her eyes turned glacial.
What was so special about that Ye Shaohua?
She was the legitimate daughter!
Why did everyone keep secrets from her? Wasn’t she enough?
Fine. She’d make sure they all saw just how worthless Ye Shaohua really was.
How loathed she was.
A fraud in real life, yet pretending to be some gaming goddess online.
Even with photos plastered across forums, her delusional fans in the Feng Xing guild refused to believe it.
Well, they’d see the truth soon enough.
The thought twisted her delicate features into something venomous.
“Lanny,” she called her hacker contact, “how’s that task coming along?”
Lanny sounded exhausted. “An, I’ve been under surveillance lately. But it’s done—check your email.”
An Xun exhaled in relief. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” The line went dead.
She set down the phone and logged into the game.
The guild chat was active:
[Guild] Orange: Heard Ye Shang Chuyang chickened out of the cosplay event. What a letdown—was dying to see her face Nong Ying and Gu Zhou.
[Guild] Taro: Pfft. Like she’d dare show up.
[Guild] Orange: True. With that face? Anyway, flight’s booked! Nong Ying, Gu Zhou, I land at 10 AM day after tomorrow!
[Guild] Qing Hai Gu Zhou: Nong Ying and I will pick everyone up.
Behind his screen, Song Chen (Qing Hai Gu Zhou’s real name) paused at the mentions of Ye Shang Chuyang.
Back when they’d been in-game partners, he’d been drawn to her sharp wit—it matched his ideal.
But she’d refused voice chats, dodged photos, and hung up on video calls.
Eventually, he believed the rumors: Ye Shang Chuyang was a man.
Then came Xian Hua Nong Ying—her voice was melodic, her mannerisms flawless. A final test for Ye Shang Chuyang ended with a hung-up call, and he severed their bond without hesitation.
When photos of Xian Hua Nong Ying surfaced later, he’d been relieved. She was exactly as pictured—lovely.
He’d rushed to formalize their relationship in-game.
But then, days ago, during a dungeon run with the Feng Xing guild, that voice had echoed through his headphones.
The internet wasn’t wrong—Ye Shang Chuyang’s voice was mesmerizing…
Not that it mattered.
Song Chen felt no regret. What good was a pretty voice through a screen?
He and Xian Hua Nong Ying had already taken things offline.
She looked just like her photos.
As for Ye Shang Chuyang?
Who knew what she really was?
