Chapter 177: Son, Be Normal

Mu Qingxue’s cough silenced them both instantly.

“That’s all for today’s discussion. You two Guild Managers need to watch what you say and do when you go back. Don’t mention the plan we discussed, not even to your own guild members, just in case there’s a mole.”

“OK.”

“Understood.”

Afterward, the discussion group was not disbanded, but the owner, Mu Qingxue, enabled the “Mute All” setting.

Liu Yue: ‘Thanks.’

As soon as the meeting ended, Mu Qingxue received a private message from Liu Yue.

It was only two words, but they made her feel quite gratified.

‘This woman is actually quite sensible. I can probably get along with her.’

But getting along was one thing; she couldn’t let go of her principles.

‘Xiaoyan can only belong to me.’

She didn’t reply to Liu Yue, nor was there a need to. She turned her attention toward sending a message to Chen Xiaoyan to ask about the Heavenly Fragrance players.

Coincidentally, Chen Xiaoyan had already sent a message.

Chen Xiaoyan: ‘Qingxue, I’m taking some time off.’

Mu Qingxue: ‘???’

Mu Qingxue: ‘Chen Xiaoyan, why are you taking a leave of absence again?’

Chen Xiaoyan: ‘Is it inconvenient? If it is, then forget it. I can go in a few days.’

Mu Qingxue: ‘What’s the matter?’

Chen Xiaoyan: ‘It’s nothing major. I just want to go to the hospital for a checkup.’

Mu Qingxue: ‘What’s wrong with your body? Are you unwell? Do you need me to come over?’

Chen Xiaoyan: ‘No, I’m fine. It’s just a routine physical. Why make such a big deal out of it?’

Mu Qingxue: ‘That’s good. We’re going to be busy lately, and a fight could break out at any moment. Can you wait until after this guild war is over?’

Chen Xiaoyan: ‘Sure, I’m not in a hurry.’

Mu Qingxue: ‘Good.’

In Qingzhou, in the bathroom of a certain rented… no, a certain apartment.

Chen Xiaoyan placed her phone on the counter next to her and sat in the bathtub, staring blankly at the crystal-clear water and what lay beneath it…

Ever since her “little brother” had lost its spark and shrunk significantly, she had been frequently experiencing hallucinations.

She saw a man and a woman, two Floating Spirits, arguing.

The male Floating Spirit’s catchphrase truly broke her spirit.

“The Pain of Having No Descendants.”

Although she hadn’t completely turned into a girl yet, she felt it wasn’t far off, and there was no way to save it.

Whether it was Chen Xiaoyan when she was a man, or the Chen Xiaoyan who was gradually changing now…

Or the fully formed Chen Xiaoyan of the future, she hoped to have her own children someday.

This had nothing to do with gender.

But then again, once she reached her final form, if she wanted children, she would have to use scientific methods to get pregnant or find a donor.

Chen Xiaoyan could not accept the latter.

Even if she turned into a girl, she couldn’t accept it.

A man’s soul of several decades was not so easily erased.

There were some things she didn’t need to care about, but this was her bottom line.

The bottom line could not be crossed.

Once she crossed that line, she would completely become a different person, and that was a result she didn’t want to see.

As for using scientific methods, Chen Xiaoyan leaned toward that choice.

She wanted to take advantage of the fact that her “little brother” hadn’t completely disappeared yet to have her sperm extracted and frozen for storage.

To prepare for the future.

Of course, this wasn’t for herself. Thinking about herself getting pregnant felt a bit strange.

So, this was for her future wife.

It could be considered an explanation to her ancestors.

The Chen family line wouldn’t end with her.

*Ping ping!* The notification sound from Penguin suddenly rang.

Chen Xiaoyan picked up her phone from the bathtub counter and saw it was a message from Mu Qingxue.

Mu Qingxue: ‘I forgot one thing. Are the Heavenly Fragrance players on your end organized yet? We might need your support at any time.’

Chen Xiaoyan: ‘Not yet. I’ll get on and arrange it immediately. Don’t worry, Qingxue.’

Mu Qingxue: ‘Okay. However, Xiaoyan, can you promise me one thing?’

Chen Xiaoyan: ‘What is it?’

Mu Qingxue: ‘Stop calling me Qingxue, okay?’

Chen Xiaoyan remembered they used to have an intimate nickname. ‘What was it? Yanbao?’

Mu Qingxue: ‘Ha! You said it yourself! That’s what you’re calling me from now on. Whoever changes it is a puppy.’

Looking at Mu Qingxue’s cute and feisty tone, Chen Xiaoyan couldn’t help but let a smile creep onto her lips.

She clicked the voice message button, pinched her throat, and said in her most flirtatious voice: “Alright then, Yanbao.”

Mu Qingxue: ‘???’

Mu Qingxue: ‘Could you be any more thirsty? When I clicked that voice note, I got goosebumps all over.’

Chen Xiaoyan: ‘Oh my, it was Yanbao who asked me to call you that, and now you’re dissatisfied. It really breaks my heart.’

Mu Qingxue: [My heart hurts].jpg

Mu Qingxue: [Son, be normal].jpg

“Haha!”

Seeing Mu Qingxue’s memes, Chen Xiaoyan couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Chen Xiaoyan: ‘Yanbao, I’m logging into the game. See you there.’

Mu Qingxue: ‘Mhm. Don’t forget to send the money.’

She transferred 100,000 to Mu Qingxue’s Penguin balance. The other party showed it as received and then took a screenshot.

Chen Xiaoyan stood up, grabbed a towel, and dried herself off in one smooth motion.

Dressed in her pajamas, she stood before the bathroom mirror.

Looking at the charming beauty in the mirror, she playfully winked at her reflection.

She deeply felt the power of that single glance.

‘Mmm…’

‘How should I put it?’

‘She’s a total man-killer. Even I felt a brief flutter of my heart.’

‘What a pity. I have absolutely no interest in men.’

She entered the game.

Chen Xiaoyan quickly returned to her small courtyard.

As soon as she entered the house, she was met head-on with Chong Chong’s cold face.

“Hmph, so you know how to come back? I thought you were going to chat with your ‘Little Qingxue’ for a while longer?”

Chen Xiaoyan put on a bewildered expression. “Chat about what? My business is done, so naturally, I came back.”

Chong Chong said nothing. She stared at her silently for one minute before finally looking away.

Then, she held out her hand.

“Let me see the equipment.”

Chen Xiaoyan took the Tortoise Spirit Ring out of her bag and placed it in her hand.

Chong Chong used the system to appraise it. A flash of surprise appeared in her eyes, but she quickly returned to normal.

“It’s okay. It’s just average.” As she spoke, she returned the Tortoise Spirit Ring to Chen Xiaoyan.

“This is just average?” Chen Xiaoyan took the ring back, somewhat speechless, but also relieved.

She had been a little afraid that Chong Chong would take the ring.

After all, given what she had said before, it would have been normal for her to take it, but then she wouldn’t have been able to explain it to Mu Qingxue.

“How much was it?”

“100,000.”

“Did you pay?”

“I did.”

Hearing this, a smile instantly blossomed on Chong Chong’s face. She hugged Chen Xiaoyan’s left hand and affectionately nuzzled her arm.

“Sister Xiaoyan, remember to be careful of that Mu Qingxue in the future. She has impure motives toward you. You must stay on guard against her, okay?”

A line of black appeared on Chen Xiaoyan’s forehead.

‘The way you say that, it’s like your motives are pure. This is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. No, it’s more like we’re two of a kind.’

“I’ll send you that 100,000 on Penguin when I log off.”

Because there were others nearby, Chong Chong leaned in and whispered into her ear.

This sentence made Chen Xiaoyan bite her lip in hesitation for a moment.

In the end, she decided to ask.

“Chong Chong, don’t you want the ring?”

“I do!” Chong Chong replied quickly. She squinted her eyes and smiled. “I know that when Sister Xiaoyan wants to give it to me, she definitely will.”

Chen Xiaoyan fell silent.