Little Internet Celebrity?
Chen Xiaoyan had heard Mu Qingxue call Chongchong that since the gathering. Mu Qingxue seemed to know Chongchong’s true identity.
“Qingxue, you seem to know Chongchong’s real-world identity?”
“You don’t?” Mu Qingxue was somewhat surprised by Chen Xiaoyan’s question. She thought that since they spent so much time together, they would have known each other’s identities by now.
Chen Xiaoyan shook her head. “I only know that girl is a streamer named Zhou Xiaochong. I don’t know anything else.”
“That Little Internet Celebrity is quite famous. You’ll know if you search for her online. However, I’m curious that she hasn’t mentioned her background to you.” Mu Qingxue covered her mouth and let out a light, cheerful laugh.
“What background?” Chen Xiaoyan was completely bewildered.
“Go ask her yourself.” Mu Qingxue flashed a mysterious smile, gave a light wave of her hand, and turned to go back into the inner room.
She sat on a prayer mat and swiped her finger through the air, seemingly chatting with someone. ‘The Little Internet Celebrity probably has her reasons for not telling Xiaoyan. I shouldn’t meddle. Even though exposing her embarrassing secrets would surely lower her image in Xiaoyan’s heart… No! I, Mu Qingxue, despise using such underhanded tricks. Fair competition is fair competition. I want Xiaoyan to love me for who I am, not because of some petty tricks. Besides, who am I? I’m the Eldest Daughter of the Mu Family and the only daughter of the Richest Man in Central Province. Am I really going to lose to some Little Internet Celebrity? Xiaoyan doesn’t seem like the type to be blind; she’ll definitely choose me.’
Thinking of Chen Xiaoyan’s instinctive retreat earlier, Mu Qingxue sighed inwardly. ‘The revolution is not yet successful; I must continue to work hard. Time will prove everything.’
“Qingxue, you should take this ring back.” Chen Xiaoyan chased after her into the room and reluctantly handed the ring back. This piece of equipment was a hot potato.
If she paid, it would upset Mu Qingxue. If she didn’t pay, it would upset that other girl. No matter what she decided, someone would be unhappy. It was better to return the hot potato to its original owner.
Mu Qingxue didn’t take it. She glanced indifferently at the ring in Chen Xiaoyan’s hand and smiled without saying a word.
After a long moment, she finally spoke. “You seem very afraid of that Little Internet Celebrity?”
“Not really. It’s just that the brat is like a dog; she bites people whenever she gets angry.”
“Oh?” Mu Qingxue looked over in surprise. “You can’t beat her?”
Chen Xiaoyan scratched her cheek awkwardly and remained silent.
Mu Qingxue couldn’t help but laugh. To think that Chen Xiaoyan, who was ranked first in Tianxiang, couldn’t beat her own sidekick. If this got out, people’s jaws would drop.
“What are you laughing at? It’s not like you haven’t seen that girl’s freakish strength.” Chen Xiaoyan felt helpless against Mu Qingxue’s snickering.
“I’ve seen it, but that was in the real world. In the game…” Mu Qingxue’s voice trailed off. Her skeptical, appraising gaze made Chen Xiaoyan feel quite hurt.
She couldn’t beat her and she couldn’t outrun her. There was no greater tragedy in life. Aside from her healing being stronger than Chongchong’s, everything else about her was weak as hell.
What could she do? She was also in despair.
“Let’s not talk about it. Take the ring back. I’ll come find you again after I get paid.” Chen Xiaoyan stuffed the ring directly into Mu Qingxue’s hand. Her movements were decisive, but her eyes remained glued to the ring. There was both heartache and reluctance in her gaze.
**[Turtle Spirit Ring]** (Tianxiang)
Attributes: Spiritual Energy +100, Fragrance +5%
Passive Skill: When receiving a fatal attack, automatically immune to damage once and activate a spiritual shield to enter **[Feign Death]** state for 10 seconds. (Note: **[Feign Death]** state resembles a corpse; cannot move or attack. All damage is reduced by 90% during the duration. Cooldown: 3 days). After 10 seconds, the spiritual shield breaks, dealing (Spiritual Energy) damage to the surrounding area.
This was a high-quality passive life-saving item.
While it was still a bit inferior to Shen Qingqing’s White Jade Hairpin, it at least had no cultivation level restrictions. It could be used at any realm. Plus, it provided a bonus to Spiritual Energy.
‘I can’t take it anymore. The more I look at it, the more I want it.’ Chen Xiaoyan quickly closed her eyes, suppressing the urge in her heart.
Mu Qingxue saw every move she made and could only give a helpless, bitter smile. She had seen pretentious people before, but never anyone this pretentious.
‘If you want it, just take it. Why return it while looking so heartbroken and pitiful? What am I supposed to say to her?’
Fine. Mu Qingxue slapped the ring back into Chen Xiaoyan’s hand.
“What are you doing?” Chen Xiaoyan looked up at her, feeling conflicted.
“You bought it. It’s none of my business now.”
“Huh?” Chen Xiaoyan was stunned. When did she ever say she was going to buy it?
Mu Qingxue rolled her eyes and let out a weary sigh. “It will be deducted from your future salary.”
At that moment, Chen Xiaoyan seemed to understand Mu Qingxue’s intentions. she gave her a grateful look and put the ring into her game backpack.
“You’re not putting it on now?” Mu Qingxue was puzzled to see her put the ring straight into the backpack.
“No, this is for—” Chen Xiaoyan instinctively started to say she planned to give the ring to Chongchong. Fortunately, she reacted in time and quickly shut her mouth. Then, she cautiously observed Mu Qingxue’s reaction.
As expected, Mu Qingxue’s face looked terrible.
‘Damn, I’m screwed. Why can’t I keep my mouth shut?’ Chen Xiaoyan wanted to give herself two slaps to vent her frustration.
“Who is the ring for?”
“No one. I mean, I’ll put it on as soon as I get back.” Although Chen Xiaoyan was scared to death, she kept a smile on her face.
Mu Qingxue narrowed her eyes, her gaze turning cold. She gave a chilly laugh. “It’s for that Little Internet Celebrity, isn’t it?”
“Uh…” Chen Xiaoyan was speechless. Denying it now seemed pointless; it would only make her look more guilty.
“Give it here!” Mu Qingxue barked, reaching her hand out.
“Give what?” Chen Xiaoyan played dumb.
“The ring!!!”
“I bought this with my own money.” She shuffled to the side.
Mu Qingxue was almost laughing from anger. “You haven’t paid yet.”
“Didn’t you say you’d deduct it from my future salary?”
“I’m canceling all your salary and benefits right now. You don’t have a single cent left.”
“Huh?” Chen Xiaoyan was dumbfounded. Was this girl for real?
“What are you looking at me for? Will looking at me exempt you from paying? Hurry up! Pay me!” Mu Qingxue continued to press her.
“Qingxue, don’t be like this, okay?” Chen Xiaoyan looked at her piteously.
But Mu Qingxue was no longer falling for it. She was truly angry today. Almost no girl failed to understand the significance of a ring. And yet, this person wanted to give the ring Mu Qingxue bought for her to another woman.
She could overlook almost anything else, but not this. Could something like this be given away so casually?
“Fine, Chen Xiaoyan. Nothing you say today will work. Either return the ring or pay up! There are no other choices.”
“Fine! I’ll pay!” Chen Xiaoyan was also pushed to her limit. It was just over 100,000. It wasn’t as if she couldn’t afford it; she still had some savings in the real world.
“Sorry, the price just went up. It’s now 410,000.”
Chen Xiaoyan: “…”