There were more than a hundred uniformed staff members waiting on the side.
They were ready to serve any of the guests at any time.
Whether it was the scale of the gathering or the level of service, everything was impeccable.
“As expected of the Leader, organizing a gathering for over a thousand people with such order and flair, not a hint of chaos at the scene.”
“You just don’t get it. The Leader is the cherished jewel of the Mu family of Central Province. If anything goes wrong at the gathering, it would be a slap in the Mu family’s face.”
“Haha, last night when I heard Leader-sama say the gathering would be in a suburban park, I almost didn’t want to come. Who wants to go out and get sunburned? Now it looks like I really haven’t seen much of the world.”
“Leader says, don’t talk nonsense, I’m just rich and willful.”
“Brothers and sisters, all of you, look at the entrance!!!”
“The protagonist has finally arrived.”
“Damn, is that Master Xiaoyan next to her? Like a fairy descending to the mortal realm?”
“Hiss~ Master Xiaoyan, yyds!”
As Chen Xiaoyan and Mu Qingxue walked into the hall, the entire pavilion gradually fell into silence.
At this moment, all eyes in the crowd were fixed on the two at the entrance.
By rights, Chen Xiaoyan had experienced grand scenes before and had developed some mental resilience.
But right now, she still couldn’t help feeling nervous.
With so many people, would someone see through her disguise?
After all, who could say—maybe there was some eccentric genius in the crowd.
Forget it, let Mu Qingxue take the stage.
It’s better for me to stay out of the spotlight.
Chen Xiaoyan took a few steps back, standing behind Mu Qingxue.
She didn’t know that her action was seen by everyone as shyness.
Strong in-game, but a bashful little fairy in real life.
Affection +1
Affection +1
“Leader-sama, Master Xiaoyan, good morning!”
Hundreds and thousands shouted in unison, startling birds and beasts in the park.
Mu Qingxue’s delicate body trembled slightly, her hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes, her face a bit pale.
Although there were fewer male players than female players in Snow Smoke Pavilion, they still made up almost half.
Seeing the dense sea of men before her, fear flooded Mu Qingxue’s eyes.
Childhood shadows resurfaced in her mind, rendering her frozen in terror.
“Young Miss!”
Qiuxue immediately stepped in front of Mu Qingxue.
Shielded from view, her fear slowly dissipated.
Mu Qingxue clutched her chest, struggling to breathe.
Seeing this, Chen Xiaoyan hurriedly supported her right hand, nervously asking, “Are you feeling unwell?”
“It’s not that. Because of some childhood experiences, Young Miss reacts this way whenever she sees men,” Qiuxue explained.
Androphobia?
The word suddenly popped into Chen Xiaoyan’s mind.
She knew Mu Qingxue had androphobia, but it didn’t seem this serious in the game.
Why was it so different in reality?
“What’s wrong with Leader-sama? She looks so uncomfortable.”
“Is she sick?”
“No way, she’s sick and still hosting the guild gathering?”
“Maybe Leader-sama is enduring her illness for the sake of the guild, just so everyone can get together.”
“Everyone, quiet down,” Chen Xiaoyan took the microphone, tapped it, and walked to the front of the crowd.
She hadn’t wanted to show herself, but in Mu Qingxue’s current state, she was clearly unfit to stand on stage.
As the Vice Leader of Snow Smoke Pavilion, only she was qualified to preside over this gathering now.
Over a thousand eyes turned toward Chen Xiaoyan.
She felt tremendous pressure, with even a thin layer of cold sweat forming on her forehead.
But no matter how great the pressure, she gritted her teeth and held on.
Accepting the Lord’s favor, one must do the Lord’s work—it’s only natural.
Forcing a smile, Chen Xiaoyan spoke, “Leader is a little unwell. I wonder if I, Chen Xiaoyan, have the honor of hosting the gathering?”
“Of course you can, Master Xiaoyan. Aside from the Leader (boss), you’re the one we admire the most.”
“+1”
“+10086”
Hearing that number, Chen Xiaoyan’s expression turned serious as she shouted, “Whoever said 10086, step forward! Since when has Snow Smoke Pavilion had ten thousand members?”
“Haha,” laughter instantly erupted in the pavilion.
When the laughter died down, Chen Xiaoyan continued.
“Though we don’t have ten thousand members in Snow Smoke Pavilion yet, it doesn’t mean we never will. Everyone, let’s strive for it together.”
“By the way, I’ve remembered the one who said 10086. From now on, you’ll always be member 10086 of Snow Smoke Pavilion.”
“Haha, let’s congratulate brother 10086’s birth.”
“Damn, I’m dying of laughter, goose~”
“What a character!”
Qiuxue found a screen and had Mu Qingxue sit behind it to rest.
But how could she sit still?
Staring at the petite figure before her—so small and delicate, yet giving Mu Qingxue immense reassurance.
When her episode struck, she thought the whole gathering was doomed.
Who would’ve thought Xiaoyan would take over single-handedly, turning the tide.
So cool.
“Young Miss, I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I underestimated your condition,” Qiuxue bowed her head in apology.
A month of gaming nearly made them forget Mu Qingxue’s childhood trauma.
Besides, the Immortal World felt so real that Qiuxue thought Mu Qingxue’s mental scars had healed a lot, that she could at least face her inner demons.
Who knew things would turn out like this.
Going back, she’d definitely be punished.
Mu Qingxue shook her head and gave a bitter smile, “Don’t blame yourself. I didn’t expect this either. Looks like from now on, I’ll have to keep game and reality separate.”
“No matter what, I was the one who arranged the gathering. Since something happened, I should take the punishment.”
Mu Qingxue shot Qiuxue a glare.
“Alright, Lingling, I said it’s not your fault. If you keep being stubborn, you’ll become unlikeable.”
“Thank you, Young Miss.”
Mu Qingxue squinted and smiled, gazing at the stage.
“Lingling, do you think Xiaoyan has… that kind of feeling for me?”
Qiuxue glanced at Chen Xiaoyan on stage and awkwardly smiled, “Probably not.”
“Young Miss, does Master Xiaoyan even like girls?”
Mu Qingxue frowned and didn’t answer.
She couldn’t answer that either.
She felt that Chen Xiaoyan wasn’t as simple as she seemed—she was a complicated person.
Her nature was impossible to grasp.
But there was one thing Mu Qingxue was absolutely sure of.
She liked money.
“I’m not sure about other things, but I think Master Xiaoyan is at least fond of you, Young Miss.”
Mu Qingxue brightened, lifting her head in surprise, “Why do you say that?”
“Just now in the car, when Young Miss said she’d take her to meet the Chairman and Aunt Rong, Master Xiaoyan wasn’t unwilling—she was just startled, probably didn’t expect things to escalate that fast.”
“And Master Xiaoyan is playing dumb.”
“Playing dumb?”
Qiuxue nodded and continued, “I believe you’ve noticed too, Young Miss.”
Mu Qingxue’s eyes grew deep, but she didn’t refute it.
She’d been so clear—anyone, even a fool, would catch on to the hint, but Xiaoyan acted like she hadn’t heard a thing.
So hard to deal with.
“Young Miss, I have an idea. Do you want to try?”
“Speak.”
“I think Young Miss should step into her life, get to know her up close. If there really is a problem, only then can you prescribe the right remedy.”
Mu Qingxue’s eyes lit up, fully agreeing with Qiuxue’s words.