Chapter 160: Change

Chen Xiaoyan was stunned.

The location was good?

This ghost of a residential area was cut off from everything.

Cars had to take a long detour just to get inside, it was far from the bustling downtown, and it was in a remote district.

Where on earth did she see a “good location” in this?

If it wasn’t for the cheap rent, Chen Xiaoyan never would have chosen this place.

“I suggest you don’t buy this place. Whoever buys it will lose money.”

“It’s fine. Being a bit remote makes it quiet. Besides, I don’t mind the loss.”

Those words made Chen Xiaoyan want to flip the table. If you don’t mind the loss, then why even ask me?

Wait.

If Mu Qingxue bought this building, wouldn’t she be my landlord from now on?

Chen Xiaoyan finally realized the severity of the situation.

“Qingxue, don’t you want to think it over?”

“I already made up my mind last night.”

“Sect Leader, please reconsider!”

“What are you worried about?” Mu Qingxue looked at her with a smile, her eyes quietly gazing into hers.

“Nothing.” Chen Xiaoyan pursed her lips.

“Don’t worry. I won’t change the tenants or the rent. Everything will stay the same as before.”

Sigh.

Chen Xiaoyan sighed internally.

Is rent what I’m worried about?

Just thinking about Mu Qingxue being her boss and now adding the layer of being her Landlord… it was a double whammy.

How am I supposed to hold my head up high in front of her now?

My heart is so tired.

“Thank you, Landlord.”

“Of course, I won’t raise your rent without a good reason.”

*Not without a good reason.*

Meaning if I piss you off, there’s a “good reason.”

That’s just great.

Chen Xiaoyan shed tears of “joy.”

***

Chongchong walked into the inner room with an excited heart and threw herself onto the bed.

She grabbed the quilt and buried her face in it, taking a deep breath.

Ah~

It’s Sister Xiaoyan’s scent.

Immediately after, she picked up the pillow and took a deep sniff… Never mind, there was a faint scent of blood.

Disgusted, she tossed it aside.

After satisfying her peculiar hobby, she got off the bed and looked through the closet out of boredom.

Inside the closet, besides two dresses and a women’s short-sleeved shirt, there was nothing else.

“Is Sister Xiaoyan always this frugal?” Chongchong muttered to herself, feeling quite shocked.

Thinking of her own home filled with closets of clothes, she felt a bit ashamed.

After checking the closet, she looked under the bed.

A strange box under the bed caught her attention.

Chongchong used an electric fly swatter to drag the box out.

She opened it to take a look.

The box was actually empty.

“What is this? I thought there would be something important,” Chongchong grumbled, putting the box back under the bed.

Huh?

What’s this?

Just as she was about to put the box back, she noticed a piece of paper that had been pressed down by the box’s original position.

She dragged it out with the fly swatter to take a look.

It looked like some kind of instruction manual.

But when Chongchong flipped open the manual and saw the colored illustrations inside, a blush instantly spread across her cheeks.

Then, she quickly threw the manual back in.

After that, she did a cursory check of the inner room and found nothing else, so she walked out.

“Did you find anything?” Mu Qingxue asked immediately when she saw Chongchong come out.

Chongchong shook her head, her gaze shifting to Chen Xiaoyan’s chest.

Because the pajamas were loose, she couldn’t see even a hint of a curve.

She couldn’t help but cover her mouth, her eyes filled with sympathy.

It turned out Sister Xiaoyan hadn’t lied to her; she really had no chest.

And as for that box under the bed… those two small mounds on her chest last night had actually been props.

How pitiful, Sister Xiaoyan.

As a woman, I feel very sorry for having learned this tragic fact about you.

“Why do you keep staring at Xiaoyan’s chest? Don’t you know that’s very rude?”

Mu Qingxue reminded her.

During their brief contact last night, Mu Qingxue had immediately discovered that Chen Xiaoyan’s chest was fake.

But she hadn’t made a scene.

After all, that was a girl’s most fragile pride.

“I’m sorry,” Chongchong bowed to Chen Xiaoyan to apologize.

As for the specific reason for the apology, only she knew.

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Chen Xiaoyan waved her hands quickly.

March Without Snow and Qianrenxue were snickering off to the side.

“Xiaoyan, you’re the most familiar with this area. Are there any restaurants nearby with good food? Hmm… preferably one with private rooms.”

“Is Qingxue hungry?”

Mu Qingxue didn’t deny it; she had rushed over without even eating lunch.

It would be strange if she wasn’t hungry.

The reason she was unwilling to leave earlier was that she wanted to see what the other was hiding.

If the little internet celebrity had checked and found nothing, then there was nothing.

Although she didn’t get along with her and they argued often, if a third party appeared, this little internet celebrity would definitely be the most reliable teammate.

“Isn’t Qiuxue going to help me get food? Let’s wait for her to come back and we can eat together.”

“Qianqian, send a message to Lingling. Tell her not to buy it and to come back quickly.”

“Understood.”

“Xiaoyan, you, go take a shower immediately. We’ll wait for you.”

“I’m going right now!”

Chen Xiaoyan ran into the bathroom at high speed, then ran out just as quickly.

Facing the gaze of the four women, she pointed awkwardly at the inner room. “I didn’t grab any clothes.”

“Sister Xiaoyan, do you have any underwear?” Chongchong inquired.

This question made Chen Xiaoyan freeze in place. She turned her head mechanically and said, “I don’t think so.”

Mu Qingxue slapped her forehead, truly speechless.

They had left in too much of a hurry and hadn’t brought luggage, so they had to send someone to buy some.

She waved her hand.

“Tell Qiuxue not to come back yet. Have her help Xiaoyan buy a few sets of underwear.”

“Yes, Young Miss.”

March Without Snow took out her phone again and sent a message to Qiuxue.

Ten minutes later.

It was already three in the afternoon.

Qiuxue brought the underwear back.

In the bathroom, Chen Xiaoyan opened the packaging and saw that, wow, they were basically all pink, girlish styles.

She felt a bit conflicted.

Should I really wear this?

But soon, Chen Xiaoyan laughed at herself.

Chen Xiaoyan, oh Chen Xiaoyan, you aren’t even a man anymore.

Why are you still holding onto a man’s mindset?

How truly ridiculous.

She put on the pink set and a flowing, immortal-like long dress.

At this moment, her consciousness seemed to gradually begin to shift.

After combing her hair, Chen Xiaoyan walked out of the bathroom with a bright smile on her face.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s go eat.”

The snow-white pleated skirt revealed her smooth, delicate calves.

Her slender willow waist and those slightly protruding peaks (identified as fake) all showcased the innocence and charm of a young girl.

Below her delicate collarbone, the pink Peach Blossom Gem seemed to shine with a dazzling light, making that patch of snowy skin appear even more alluring.

Her crystal-clear lips curved slightly, boldly displaying the owner’s confidence to the world.

The five women stared blankly at the Chen Xiaoyan before them, who looked like a completely different person.

What was the situation?

One second she was a melancholy princess, so how did she suddenly turn into a lively and cheerful girl the next?

In just these ten-odd minutes, what on earth happened to her in the bathroom?

“Why is everyone looking at me like that? Do I look bad?”

Chen Xiaoyan looked down at her outfit.

Nothing seemed wrong.

Then why were they looking like they had seen a ghost?

“Are you really Sister Xiaoyan?”

Chongchong’s face was full of surprise, as if she were still inside the game.

“If it’s not me, then who is it?”

Chen Xiaoyan arched an eyebrow, walked up to Chongchong, and pinched her little cheek.

“No way, little cutie, did you forget me that quickly? Then I’ll have to punish you properly so you don’t forget again.”

After saying that, she flashed a devilish smile.

“Eek!” Chongchong immediately shrieked and ran out of the room.

Chen Xiaoyan watched Chongchong’s fleeing back, let out a soft breath, and smiled slightly.

Game mode really is the most relaxed.

“Xiaoyan,” Mu Qingxue called out tenderly from behind.

Chen Xiaoyan turned back with a smile and asked, “Eh? What’s wrong, Qingxue?”

“Nothing, I just wanted to call your name.”

Chen Xiaoyan gave Mu Qingxue a playful glare and grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the door.

“Don’t say anything else. You’re not hungry? Let’s go out and eat.”

“Fine, fine. Just don’t pull me so hard.”

Outside.

Chongchong leaned over the hallway wall, her head resting on her hands.

Her eyes were looking at the plants and flowers in the residential park, but her thoughts were elsewhere.

She had always looked forward to meeting Chen Xiaoyan in reality.

But after meeting her yesterday, she had been a little disappointed.

Because the person she saw was not the person in her memory.

In her memory, Chen Xiaoyan was a very confident person, as if nothing could defeat her.

She was full of vitality, passion, and a heart that wanted to become stronger.

But yesterday’s Chen Xiaoyan was a cautious person who did everything with extreme care.

To be honest, she didn’t like that personality.

It wasn’t until today that Chongchong truly understood that her Sister Xiaoyan, her life’s goal, was just an ordinary, average person in reality.

Did reality and the game ultimately have to be split into two worlds?

No.

The lively and confident Sister Xiaoyan just now was the version of her from the game.

It was the her from her memories.

Hehe, it looks like as long as it’s Sister Xiaoyan, whether in the game or reality, she won’t change.

As for yesterday’s Sister Xiaoyan, something must have happened to make her keep her heart closed and stop being her true self.

I still don’t know Sister Xiaoyan well enough.

I don’t have a single clue about what happened to her.

Sigh.

“Chongchong, what are you spacing out for? It’s time to eat.”

Hearing Chen Xiaoyan’s call, Chongchong quickly tossed aside her thoughts and followed.

“Coming, coming!”

***

Xifulai Sichuan Restaurant.

Liu Shimin, working at the reception desk, toyed with a ballpoint pen on her upper lip while boredly scrolling through short videos.

Aside from a bit of foot traffic during lunch and dinner, her family’s restaurant rarely saw anyone at other times.

There was nothing she could do about it. This place was quite remote, and it lacked popularity.

*Honk honk!*

Just then, the loud sound of a car horn drifted over.

Hearing the sound, Liu Shimin’s eyes lit up like a cat seeing a mouse.

Oho, customers are here.

She hurriedly put down her phone and ran out.

She saw two black luxury cars slowly driving toward her restaurant.

Chen Xiaoyan and her group stepped out of the cars.

Liu Shimin counted a total of six people.

“Welcome to Xifulai.”

“Miss, we’d like a private room.”

“Certainly, please come in.”

Liu Shimin led them up to the second floor.

As they passed the corner of the stairs, she suddenly heard a loud “Holy crap!” followed by the dull thud of something hitting the floor.

Chen Xiaoyan and Mu Qingxue turned back at the sound.

A burly man with a bare chest was lying on the ground, rubbing his chest. His expression looked very painful.

And the culprit who had caused this was Chongchong, who was holding up her fist.

“Hey, I didn’t even use any strength. What are you faking for? Are you trying to scam me?”

Chongchong said angrily.

“You piece of… ow!”

The man wanted to look up and curse back, but the sharp pain in his chest forced him to give up.

“What’s going on?”

Chen Xiaoyan walked over.

Seeing this scene, she felt a sense of déjà vu.

“Sister Xiaoyan, this guy is a scammer.”

Chongchong pointed at the man on the ground.

“Uh, are you sure you didn’t just knock into him?”

A familiar scene, a familiar image… only the victim had changed.

“No, I just walked up the stairs and this guy charged at me. I punched him instinctively, but I promise I didn’t use much strength.”

Chen Xiaoyan was speechless.

*You promise?*

*How can you promise?*

*Do you not have a single clue about how much strength you actually have?*

Just yesterday you sent a guy to the hospital with all his ribs broken.

Good heavens, you’re doing it again today?

My god, taking out one person a day… as expected of you, Chongchong.

“Does the Tianxiang Sect have skills that increase strength too?”

Mu Qingxue asked with a smile.

Chen Xiaoyan shook her head.

“Not really. This girl is just naturally gifted with extraordinary strength. To be honest, with her monstrous power, it’s a pity she wasn’t matched with the Shence class.”

“Hmph, I am a Tianxiang person in life and a Tianxiang soul in death. Shence? What the hell is that?”

“Fine, fine, fine. So how do you plan to handle this? My Tianxiang sister?”

Chen Xiaoyan asked helplessly.

“Don’t worry about him. He’s just a rogue scammer. Let’s go, let’s go eat.”

Liu Shimin was scared out of her wits.

God knows what she had just witnessed.

A cute girl had actually sent a grown man flying?

Wait.

Am I dreaming?

Am I dreaming of a martial arts plot?

“Miss? Miss?”

Chongchong waved her hand in front of Liu Shimin’s eyes.

“Ah?”

She snapped back to reality instantly.

“Take us to the private room. Why are you spacing out?”

Chongchong said in a dissatisfied tone.

“Oh, oh, oh, right. This way, please.”

Liu Shimin forced a smile and led the way for Chongchong.

Chen Xiaoyan noticed the receptionist girl’s reaction, especially the fear in her eyes, which made her feel a bit uneasy.

Over time, the strangeness of this group of Immortal World players would surely be exposed to the public.

How would everyone judge them then?

Monsters?

Or mutants?

Chen Xiaoyan didn’t care much about how ordinary people judged them, but as for the government organizations…

“Lingling, go handle that. Remember to make him keep his mouth shut about this.”

“Yes, Young Miss.”

Chen Xiaoyan and Mu Qingxue looked at each other, both giving a helpless smile.

At the dinner table.

Looking at the table full of Sichuan dishes—all of which were her favorites—Chen Xiaoyan didn’t have any appetite at all.

That trace of fear in Liu Shimin’s eyes had truly affected her.

“Can’t eat?”

Chen Xiaoyan nodded with a heavy heart.

“Qingxue, what do you think the Immortal World actually is?”

“I’m not sure. Even with an organization’s power, they can’t get any information, let alone us.”

“I see…”

“Alright, don’t be so gloomy. Look at how happily she’s eating.”

Although Chongchong’s eating manner was very elegant, with every bite she took, basically half a bowl of rice disappeared.

A literal bottomless pit.

In just a few minutes, she had already finished two bowls.

The girl’s cheeks were puffed out with rice, looking exactly like a hamster stuffing its face.

“What are you looking at me for?”

Seeing them staring at her, Chongchong chewed a few times and looked at them with a confused expression.

Chen Xiaoyan and Mu Qingxue glanced at each other and simultaneously covered their mouths to laugh.

Then, they pulled out their phones and frantically started taking pictures of Chongchong.