Chapter Twenty-Eight: Would You Kindly Hand Over Your Hundred-City Jade Seals?

Due to the massive repercussions of the "8/03 PK Incident," the officials of *Fantasy* were pressured into shutting down the China server for one day to conduct a thorough investigation, promising to reveal the truth tomorrow.

As the party involved, I felt no guilt. I could calmly accept any outcome from the *Fantasy* officials, trusting that the game’s intelligent mainframe would not be fooled by those malicious troublemakers. It would surely grant me justice. Ever since I began my *Fantasy* journey, I had set my alarm for 6:30 AM every day, breaking my habit of sleeping in from my college days. Since *Fantasy* had given us a "day off," I decided to let myself rest, enjoying the luxury of waking up naturally and feeling lazy and content.

The August sun was scorching, spilling through my open window and onto my face. The brilliant light made it impossible to open my eyes. It was nearly noon, so I figured it was time to get up for lunch. I grabbed my phone from beside the pillow and, upon turning it on, found over a dozen missed calls and numerous text messages from Xiao Lan and Xiao Yue. I didn’t know how Xiao Lan had found out about my situation, but she was deeply worried, fearing I might be overwhelmed by the whirlpool of rumors. Xiao Yue’s messages were also filled with comfort, worried that the immense public pressure would be too much for me.

If they knew I had nonchalantly slept until noon, their expressions would surely be quite adorable. During college, I had undergone rigorous training in resisting rumors; I was often criticized back then, but I always went my own way. If I did well, they were jealous; if I didn't, it just gave them more to gossip about. Their chatter couldn't stop me from doing anything, so why should I trouble myself with their nonsense?

"Uncle Zhang, I haven't had a proper meal in a long time. I have to taste all your signature dishes today!" Whenever I slept late, I combined breakfast and lunch.

"Can you eat that many dishes by yourself?" A girl washing vegetables beside Uncle Zhang asked curiously, her voice as melodious as an oriole in a secluded valley.

"Uncle Zhang, when did you hire such a beautiful waitress?" I asked, puzzled.

"Haha, this waitress? She’s been here since the day I opened the shop," Uncle Zhang said with a doting look at the girl, teasing me.

"Little Lu, you don't know yet, do you? This is my daughter, Zhang Xue. She just got home this morning," Aunt Zhang explained with a smile.

"You must be Lu Yuxi, right? Sleeping in on such a beautiful day and then shouting for food the moment you wake up—you really know how to enjoy yourself!" Zhang Xue teased.

"Cough, not at all. I just wanted to skip breakfast so I wouldn't feel the pinch when I splurge on a good lunch," I answered awkwardly.

I took a closer look at the lovely girl. Her bangs were trimmed to her brows, and a simple white clip held her short black hair back. Her delicate face was flawless, crystal clear with a rosy complexion. Her cherry-red lips held a faint smile, revealing neat, snow-white teeth. Her pale yellow T-shirt featured the smug face of Hanamichi Sakuragi, paired with sky-blue denim shorts that showcased her slender, beautiful legs. A streak of sunlight fell behind her, making her appear vibrant, youthful, and radiant. Just as I was marveling at her natural beauty, I noticed her burning gaze fixed on my face, which made me feel restless. I secretly checked myself to ensure nothing was amiss; I was freshly washed, wearing a brand-new off-white shirt, and I even sneaked a look down to make sure my zipper was secure. Could it be that she had fallen for me at first sight? The thought made me blush.

"You give me a sense of familiarity. Do you play *Fantasy*?" she finally asked, breaking the awkward silence. It wasn't even 11:00 AM yet, there were few customers in the shop, and there was nothing left for her to do after washing the vegetables.

I felt embarrassed for my wild imagination; it turned out I just looked like a friend of hers. A bit disappointed, I said, "Yes, I've been playing *Fantasy* since the first day of the open beta."

"Are you the one called Blue Bat in the game?" she asked excitedly.

"Huh? How did you know? I don't remember seeing you in the game," I asked, puzzled.

"Giggle... no way? You're a 'big celebrity' now! Your national fame is no less than that of entertainment stars. Don't you know? Sigh, who would believe that the arrogant, conceited Blue Bat in the game leads such a simple life? You don't look as domineering or sleazy as in the photos on the forums," Zhang Xue teased with a smile.

I finally understood; she had also fallen for those rumors. Sigh, a lie repeated a thousand times becomes the truth! I said despondently, "The innocent will remain innocent, and the foul will remain foul. I know what kind of person I am, and that is enough for the friends who treat me sincerely."

"Hey, hey, you're not mad, are you? I was just joking. I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to upset you. Actually, one can tell at a glance that you aren't the person they rumored you to be. You look humble, gentle, and honest—much more handsome than in those messy videos and photos," Zhang Xue said, rushing to explain when she saw my mood dip.

"You don't need to blame yourself. I'm not angry. I've always treated these boring, hyped-up rumors as non-existent. Rumors are like sandcastles on a beach; they cannot withstand the tide of truth. They can say what they want, and I'll keep sleeping and eating as usual. Once they get tired of talking and no one pays attention, they'll naturally stop."

Zhang Xue tapped her chest dramatically, inadvertently highlighting her beautiful curves, which was incredibly alluring. She said happily, "You scared me for nothing! I didn't expect you to be such a tolerant and forbearing person. Can you tell me the truth of what happened? You know, that PK video of yours spread all over the gaming forums. Many discerning players didn't blindly follow the rumors; instead, they took you as an idol. Your PK moves were simply cool! A roommate of mine was completely conquered after watching it and became your fan. If she knew that her perfect idol—the prince charming in her heart—lived in our house, she would be so jealous!"

"You play *Fantasy* too?" I asked curiously.

"Who wouldn't be tempted by such a spectacular game? I worked as a tutor to save up for a Golden Helmet. Whenever I don't have class, I log on. I'm a Level 22 Holy Witch! Hehe, from now on, you're my protector, and you have to help me level up!"

Headache! Refusing a beauty is a cruel thing, especially one who can distinguish right from wrong and support me amidst all the rumors. Most importantly, she is the landlord's daughter; if I offend her, my future life here probably won't be as leisurely.

Uncle Zhang's cooking was truly at a master level. The meat was rich but not greasy, melting in my mouth with a lingering fragrance. The soup was clear yet mellow, sliding down my throat and leaving me craving more—it was no less impressive than the signature dishes at the Imperial City's top restaurants.

Seeing me intoxicated by the food, Zhang Xue said happily, "My dad's cooking is great, isn't it? He won first prize in our city's chef competition!"

"Oh! If that's the case, your dad should be quite famous in the culinary world, so why..." I asked, puzzled.

"The tallest tree in the forest is always the first to be blown down! When my dad was a head chef at a hotel, he was framed by others and eventually left in a fit of anger. He originally planned never to cook again, but after my mom persuaded him, he opened this small shop. Life has been fulfilling, and we've been happier than before," Zhang Xue explained.

So Uncle Zhang had such a painful history. No wonder when I suggested he expand the business last time, he was evasive, blaming it on the difficulty of getting permits. I sighed, "People fear fame just as pigs fear fat! This is the reality of Chinese society. Others can't stand to see you doing better than them, especially when you aren't yet powerful enough to step on them at will. As long as they have the chance, they will hold you back and try to pull you down."

"Chinese people love to fight amongst themselves! Isn't your current situation proof of that?" Zhang Xue sighed.

...

Exercise requires persistence. After not touching a basketball for over 20 days, I felt sore all over and completely exhausted after playing for less than two hours. I recalled how, during my freshman year, I spent at least three and a half hours on the court every day; that was when my skills had a breakthrough. My sweat-soaked jersey was uncomfortably sticky against my back, so I grabbed my change of clothes and headed toward the bathroom. Just as I reached for the door, it suddenly swung open. Zhang Xue walked out, wrapped in a pink bath towel, with a white towel wrapped around her soaking wet black hair.

"Ah!..." Zhang Xue covered her chest with her left hand and stepped back, letting out a sharp scream. Fortunately, she realized it was me and quickly covered her mouth, or she might have alerted everyone downstairs.

Zhang Xue stroked her chest, panting, and glared at me, scolding, "You scared me to death! I thought some pervert was breaking into the house in broad daylight!" In her panic, the towel on her head slipped away. Her slightly messy hair fell behind her, with clear water droplets still glistening in the strands. The small bath towel could hardly hide her hot, curvaceous figure, and a large expanse of mutton-fat-like skin on her chest and neck was exposed to my view, with a fresh, fragrant scent wafting through the air.