Chapter 138: Pointed Needles and Wheat Spears

Mu Qingxue’s elegant brows furrowed slightly, though her face showed no sign of displeasure.

Just a washed-up online celebrity—so what if she wasn’t washed-up?

She wouldn’t care, either way.

As the eldest Miss of the Mu family, naturally she had her own pride—not just any little nobody could draw her attention.

But also, not just any little nobody could show her attitude, either.

“I’ve heard Miss Zhou is the number one influencer in Tianfu, professionally trained. I’m sure your etiquette must be outstanding?”

“It’s alright. At the very least, I don’t discriminate based on gender.”

“Heh, Miss Zhou really knows how to joke.”

“If Miss Mu thinks I’m joking, then sure, I must be joking.”

The two looked at each other with smiling eyes, appearing like kindred spirits.

To the unknowing, they might have seemed like friends of many years.

However, the onlookers nearby felt a strange pressure in the air—the temperature seemed to drop, turning slightly chilly.

Chen Xiaoyan was speechless.

These two really were like “pointed needles against wheat spears”—unable to stand each other in-game, and in reality it was the same.

Couldn’t they just get along in peace?

“All right, all right, ladies, let’s calm down. We’re here to enjoy the party, let’s cheer up.”

At Chen Xiaoyan’s words, Chongchong turned around, shot Mu Qingxue a cold glance, and let out a faint snort.

Then she walked over to Chen Xiaoyan, smiling brightly.

“Sister Xiaoyan, do you remember what I told you on Penguin?”

Chen Xiaoyan nodded.

“I remember.”

“Then come on, let’s find a good (private) place.”

Chen Xiaoyan smiled helplessly.

“Alright, fine.”

“Qingxue, I’m going with Chongchong for a bit. We’ll be right back.”

“Okay.” Mu Qingxue didn’t object—nor did she have any reason to.

“Let’s go~”

Before leaving, Chongchong deliberately shot Mu Qingxue another glance, her smug little look nearly making the latter lose her composure.

After the two left, Yilian Youmeng, Hongchen Rumeng, and Xianyun all came over to greet her.

“The guild leader is just as beautiful in real life as in-game! Can you tell me, how can I get beauty like yours?”

Yilian Youmeng sighed.

“Just reincarnate, next life you’ll definitely be as pretty as the guild leader,” Hongchen Rumeng sidled up to Yilian Youmeng, nudged her with an elbow, and teased.

“Go, go, go.”

Yilian Youmeng pushed her away with a look of disgust.

Xianyun smiled gently, saying nothing.

Mu Qingxue watched the two banter and couldn’t help but smile as well.

“Lingling, go squeeze a few glasses of juice.”

“Okay.”

Qiu Xue went to find the staff and came back with a tray of freshly squeezed juices.

Freshly squeezed juice always tasted best.

“Younger sisters, here, take whatever kind of juice you like. You can add ice, too.”

“Wow, thanks, Sister Lingling!”

Yilian Youmeng didn’t stand on ceremony, ran over, grabbed a glass of watermelon juice, added some ice, and happily sipped with a straw.

Qiu Xue looked at the two who hadn’t moved and smiled.

“Xianyun, Rumeng, what about you two?”

“No, thanks, Sister Lingling, I’m not thirsty,” Hongchen Rumeng shook her head and declined.

She’d had too much water that morning—drink any more, her bladder probably couldn’t take it.

That battle outfit she wore wasn’t exactly convenient for trips to the bathroom.

Xianyun walked over, took a glass of mango juice, and didn’t add ice.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Qiu Xue gave Xianyun a gentle smile, then turned and handed Mu Qingxue a glass of grape juice.

She’d long since memorized her own young lady’s preferences—no need to even ask.

Mu Qingxue accepted the grape juice and walked over to join them, preparing to get acquainted.

She knew Hongchen Rumeng herself, but wasn’t clear on Xianyun or Yilian Youmeng yet.

They were all Tianxiang players, right?

Probably stuck to Xiaoyan every day?

“How long have Xianyun and Youmeng known Xiaoyan?”

“Reporting, Guild Leader, I’ve only known her a few days!”

Yilian Youmeng raised her hand, face serious, and announced loudly.

“Ten-odd days,” Xianyun replied calmly.

“I see.”

Mu Qingxue narrowed her eyes and continued, “So, what do you think of Xiaoyan?”

“Big Sis Xiaoyan?”

“Yes.”

“I think she’s amazing, really.”

Mu Qingxue silently rolled her eyes at Yilian Youmeng.

Who didn’t know she was amazing?

Was that even worth saying?

“Big Sis Xiaoyan is a really good person.”

Xianyun, as always, remained as calm as still water, as if nothing in the world could stir her heart.

Mu Qingxue forced a stiff smile, feeling a bit at a loss.

Both of them had dodged the question.

But judging from their expressions and reactions, they shouldn’t be interested in Xiaoyan.

Well, not everyone has those sorts of inclinations.

“Xiaoyan’s my only good friend in the game. I think she’s pretty nice, too.”

“Yeah, Big Sis Xiaoyan is so generous—she carried me through dungeons for free!”

“Exactly, most of my Xueyan Pavilion was carried by her. But Youmeng, let me tell you a secret: Xiaoyan is great at everything, but she’s a bit of a penny-pincher.”

“Eh?”

Yilian Youmeng was dumbfounded.

“Didn’t she used to charge 100,000 for a full run in the new dungeon? I asked her to carry Xueyan Pavilion members for free—she complained to me for ages. In the end, I only managed to send her away by promising a pay raise.”

“For real?”

Yilian Youmeng’s mouth dropped open wide enough to fit a whale.

“Of course!”

“When the Monster Village instance first came out, I was one of her bosses.”

Yilian Youmeng fell silent, spacing out, lost in thought.

“Why so quiet? You don’t believe it?”

Faced with Mu Qingxue’s question, she hurriedly shook her head.

“No, I was just thinking—if Big Sis Xiaoyan is such a money-grubber, I’m wondering if I can use money to buy a skill acquisition method from her.”

Hearing this, Xianyun couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’re overthinking it. If it could be bought with money, someone would’ve already done it. No way you’d be first.”

“Uh…”

“True,” Mu Qingxue agreed with a nod.

“Sigh, fine.”

Yilian Youmeng drooped, spreading her hands.

“Guess I can only sit and drool in envy.”

“If it’s not yours, don’t think about it. It’ll just bring needless trouble.”

“Xianyun-chan sees through it all,” Hongchen Rumeng, who hadn’t spoken for a while, finally chimed in.

Mu Qingxue looked at Hongchen Rumeng and drained her grape juice in one gulp.

She smiled.

“Rumeng, where are you from?”

“Guild leader, I’m from Jinling.”

“Mm, you were there when Xiaoyan and I cleared the Monster Village instance, right? You should be in the top three of the Shenceling rankings now, aren’t you?”

Hongchen Rumeng gave an embarrassed smile.

“Um, Guild Leader, I’m just in the top ten.”

Mu Qingxue stared at her in surprise, making Hongchen lower her head, feeling out of place.

She was supposed to be a first-tier player, a pro at clearing Monster Village.

For the new Abyss Canyon dungeon, she’d also followed Xiaoyan to get the first clear.

How could she not even make the top three now?

Were there really so many experts at Shenceling now?

“Could there be something wrong with the rankings? Rumeng, you’re basically a veteran in Xiaoyan’s team—how could you not even be top three?”

The sect ranking wasn’t a system function, just player-made.

It was normal for it to be a bit off.

“Couldn’t afford to buy gear.”

Hongchen Rumeng shrugged helplessly.