There’s also the question of why none of you ever ask me, the person involved, whether I even like girls.
No, that’s not right—whether I like the same sex.
The two of us aren’t even at the starting line, and now we’re already talking about meeting the parents.
What’s next, an engagement ceremony?
Just thinking about the wedding night when my secret is exposed and seeing that furious look in Mu Qingxue’s eyes makes Chen Xiaoyan shudder involuntarily.
That would be absolutely deadly.
“Ding ding.”
At that moment, the notification sound from Penguin Messenger suddenly chimed.
Chen Xiaoyan opened Penguin Messenger and saw it was a message from Chongchong.
Chongchong: Xiaoyan-jie, aren’t you here yet? I’m already here.
Chen Xiaoyan: Almost there.
Chongchong: Hurry up then, I can’t wait any longer.
Chen Xiaoyan: What’s the rush?
Chongchong: Hehe, of course I’ve got a big treasure to show you.
Chen Xiaoyan: Big treasure?
Chongchong: Mhm, it’s definitely a big treasure. Cost me seven figures, you know.
Seven figures?
Chen Xiaoyan stared wide-eyed.
She counted on her fingers, and the answer left her utterly stunned.
Goodness, a million for a “big treasure.”
Rich lady… no, rich loli.
Turns out all those netizens weren’t lying.
Ten lolis—nine are rich, and the last one is super rich.
Chen Xiaoyan: Our little cutie really is loaded.
Chongchong: Actually, in a certain sense, I’m really poor.
Chen Xiaoyan: Your idea of poor is dropping a million RMB on a “big treasure”?
Chongchong: Is a million that much?
Chen Xiaoyan: Isn’t it?
Chongchong: I used to earn over a million a month. Sometimes it could even be ten million.
Chen Xiaoyan: ⊙ω⊙
Chongchong: Now I’ve fallen on hard times.
Chen Xiaoyan’s eyes widened so much she wished she could stare straight through her phone.
“What’s wrong?”
Mu Qingxue asked.
“Qingxue, is a million a lot?”
Chen Xiaoyan’s expression was dazed.
Mu Qingxue rested her chin in her hand and thought very seriously for a moment, then shook her head.
“Not much.”
“Uh~”
Chen Xiaoyan hiccupped cutely.
She couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
Honestly, what am I doing asking a young miss who supports over a thousand people?
Am I just asking for trouble?
“Did something happen? Why the sudden question?”
“No, just curious, that’s all.”
With that, Chen Xiaoyan shifted her gaze back to her phone.
Chen Xiaoyan: So, Chongchong, can you tell me what your job is?
Chongchong: Washed-up small-time streamer.
Chen Xiaoyan: Big streamer?
Chongchong: Small! Time! Streamer!
Chen Xiaoyan: Who are you trying to fool, a small-time streamer making ten million a month?
Chongchong: Because I’m cute.
Chen Xiaoyan: You can’t eat cute for dinner.
Chongchong: Actually, my whole act is being cute and making pocket money for food (hands on hips).
Chen Xiaoyan: You’re all ganging up to crush me. Wuwuwu, I can’t go on.
Mu Qingxue saw that Chen Xiaoyan was chatting with someone and seemed to be having a good time, which made her feel sour inside.
So, she tried to steer the conversation.
“Xiaoyan, do you have any siblings?”
“No.”
Chen Xiaoyan didn’t even shift her gaze, just shook her head out of habit.
“Oh, I see.”
The more focused Chen Xiaoyan was, the more upset Mu Qingxue felt.
“Oh right,” Chen Xiaoyan suddenly remembered something and abruptly looked up at Mu Qingxue.
Mu Qingxue thought something important was about to be announced and stared at her expectantly.
“Xiaoyue said she’s not coming today.”
Hearing this, Mu Qingxue felt a wave of disappointment.
That’s it?
What do I care if that woman’s coming or not?
It’s even better if she doesn’t show up.
I’m secretly happy about it.
Geez, what’s wrong with this person?
I’ve made my intentions so clear, yet she doesn’t react at all?
She’s just chatting away with someone else—look at me! Look at the longing in my eyes!!!
Even though her heart was filled with helplessness, Mu Qingxue still gritted her teeth and nodded, “I know.”
“Do you have something on your mind?”
Chen Xiaoyan noticed Mu Qingxue’s worried face and asked.
Mu Qingxue remained silent.
“Why aren’t you talking?”
Chen Xiaoyan pressed further, only to receive an eye roll from Mu Qingxue.
“If you have something on your mind, just say it. Bottling it up isn’t good.”
“What’s wrong? You look really upset.”
“Hey? Why are you clenching your fist and looking at me like that?”
***
Zhongzhou Suburban Park.
A hundred officers were stationed around the area to maintain order.
These officers were transferred from several local community police stations nearby.
Ten o’clock.
The temperature kept rising.
Some officers were lucky enough to stand under the shade of trees, while the less fortunate had to bake in the sun.
Wang Shian, a rookie officer just a year into the job, was one of the unlucky ones.
Under the blazing sun, his uniform was drenched with sweat.
Wang Shian and his mentor Xu Lei were in charge of patrolling a patch of grass.
There were no big trees on the grass, so they could only use an umbrella for a bit of shade.
But even with the umbrella, the scorching heat barely let up.
“Uncle Lei, who’s throwing a party in the park today? Are they crazy, picking a day like this?”
Wang Shian wiped sweat from his face with his sleeve, grumbling.
“That’s not for us to worry about. Just do your job.”
“But Uncle Lei, can’t we go over there and grab some AC? It’s really getting too hot.”
Xu Lei looked off into the distance at a massive tent recently set up, stretching across nearly a kilometer of the park.
It could accommodate thousands.
Qiu Xue had clearly considered the summer heat and spent a fortune building an air-conditioned tent.
Otherwise, never mind having a gathering—even standing out here for a bit would leave everyone sweating.
As an old hand at the station, Xu Lei was much more in the know than rookies like Wang Shian.
This was no Zhongzhou business conference.
It was clearly the Mu family’s young miss, Mu Qingxue’s personal party.
Seeing his little apprentice drenched in sweat, Xu Lei hesitated for a moment before going over to chat with a staff member.
“I don’t have the final say. Let me call Sister Ling and ask.”
“Sorry to trouble you.”
With that, Xu Lei returned to his post.
He’d made things clear—if the other party didn’t agree, there was no point in pushing.
A blue “Love in Blue” business van slowly pulled up to the entrance of the tent.
Qiu Xue quickly got out from the driver’s seat and opened both doors.
As soon as Mu Qingxue and Chen Xiaoyan stepped out, a staff member rushed over with a sun umbrella.
“Thank you, I can hold it myself.”
Chen Xiaoyan took the umbrella from the staff member.
She was not used to being waited on.
Mu Qingxue followed suit, holding her own umbrella as she walked into the tent.
“Miss,” Qiu Xue came over at this moment and whispered something in Mu Qingxue’s ear.
Mu Qingxue nodded.
“Alright, the tent is spacious. They can come in and have fun too.”
Besides, maintaining order would be easier inside the tent.
“Understood.”
They entered the tent.
Inside, it was a sea of people, all dressed in exclusive attire from Immortal Realm Online’s various sects.
They held wine glasses, laughing and chatting about every aspect of the game.
“When’s the Guild Master arriving? It’s already after ten.”
“Just wait a bit longer, what’s the rush?”
“I’m not in a hurry, everything’s here anyway.”
Looking around, every antique square table was piled with wine, drinks, fruit, and all sorts of snacks.
What?
It’s too hot and you want something cold?
No problem, there’s a fridge right next to you.