PTYS Chapter 77

Among the five people, the first to come out of the instance were Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu. On the twenty-third day after they exited, they received a system prompt—A-level Instance 004 would open in two days.

Because this was the first time the group was entering an A-level instance, they had no idea what to expect. They didn’t know the difficulty, whether it was a team instance or a solo one.

For Chen Kaijie and Zuo Tiantian, it was inevitable to feel nervous. However, Xiao Muyu and Shen Qingqiu appeared very calm.

“Just take it easy. We’ll know the specifics once we’re in the instance. There’s no need to stress ourselves out prematurely.”

Xiao Muyu had evidently become the soul of the team. Hearing her words, Su Jin and the other two nodded obediently.

Soon, the day the instance would open arrived. During these days, Xiao Muyu had assigned everyone to do part-time jobs to earn money, so they hadn’t had any leisure time. And with the instance coming up soon, Xiao Muyu decided to treat everyone to a good meal before they left.

Recently, Shen Qingqiu and Xiao Muyu had been freeloading at Su Jin’s place. Su Jin and Zuo Tiantian, the two girls, rarely cooked, so it was mostly Chen Kaijie, the married man, who was in charge of cooking.

His cooking skills were quite decent, but Shen Qingqiu had a picky palate and grew tired of the food after a few days.

Upon hearing that Xiao Muyu was taking them out to eat, she sighed dramatically, “I’ve been so miserable recently, not having had a proper meal. Finally, we’re going out to eat. If we’re going out, let’s splurge a bit, shall we?”

As Xiao Muyu closed the door, she responded mildly to Shen Qingqiu’s delicate demeanor, “If Chen Kaijie heard what you just said, wouldn’t he smash your bowl next time?”

Shen Qingqiu smiled, brushing her hair behind her ear, and said lightly, “Even if you gave him a hundred guts, he wouldn’t dare.”

“Uh…” Xiao Muyu was speechless. This woman was audacious. Although the five of them had formed a team, Su Jin and the others feared her like quails. Indeed, Chen Kaijie wouldn’t dare smash her bowl.

Once the five of them gathered, the delicate yet domineering Shen Qingqiu decided they would go to the top floor of the Haidian Building in Huangquan District to eat hot pot.

The place supposedly had a great ambiance, excellent food, and attentive service, albeit with a steep price tag.

For five people, the meal cost over 6,100 gold coins, almost equivalent to Xiao Muyu and her group’s monthly rent.

Xiao Muyu paid the bill calmly, but Chen Kaijie noticed she glanced at Shen Qingqiu several times.

“If it weren’t for the fact that you earned more than 3,000 gold coins, you’d be eating just the hot pot broth today.” As they left, Xiao Muyu remarked quietly, looking at Shen Qingqiu’s smug expression.

Shen Qingqiu chuckled, “I was already very restrained. I didn’t go all out.”

Xiao Muyu wasn’t really stingy, after all, they were spending gold coins this time, not points, so she didn’t mind much. She just couldn’t stand Shen Qingqiu’s smug look.

She glanced at Shen Qingqiu again. Although this woman had been unpleasant when they first met, Xiao Muyu couldn’t bring herself to dislike her after spending more time together.

Before meeting her, Shen Qingqiu probably lived a carefree and refined life. Now, she had indeed toned it down a lot. After the instance, they would have to find a way to earn more.

As they were heading home, they ran into a group of people in the lobby of the Haidian Building.

The leading man, wearing a black tailcoat, stood out in the crowd. His handsome features instantly caught the eyes of passersby, including Xiao Muyu and her group.

Xiao Muyu slowed her pace. As she looked at the man, his gaze happened to fall on her as well, and their eyes met.

Apart from slowing her pace, Xiao Muyu didn’t show much reaction. She was about to look away naturally after a brief pause.

But the man spoke, “What a coincidence, we meet again.”

Xiao Muyu had only met him once but had a deep impression of him. Shen Shiyi, sharing the same surname as Shen Qingqiu, didn’t seem like a player but rather someone of high status in the Skynet world.

“It’s not a coincidence. Skynet isn’t that big. With people coming and going, we’re bound to run into each other.” Xiao Muyu wasn’t fazed by his attempt at small talk.

Shen Shiyi smiled warmly, “Your response makes me feel like I’m being presumptuous. Do you remember that the last time we met, I asked for your name? You said if we met again, you’d tell me. Does that still hold?”

Shen Qingqiu’s face darkened, watching Xiao Muyu and Shen Shiyi talk with cold eyes, losing all the satisfaction from their meal. Xiao Muyu, always observant, noticed Shen Qingqiu’s change and said calmly, “I recall saying if we met again, we’d discuss it, not giving a definite answer.”

Upon hearing this, those around Shen Shiyi were incredulous. One couldn’t hold back, “It’s your luck that Master Shen wants to know your name, yet you refuse, how absurd…”

Shen Shiyi raised his hand, glancing at the person who spoke. Immediately, the group fell silent.

He nodded, “Miss has a good memory. Indeed, am I being rejected again?”

“No need for questions. I believe she has made herself clear. We’re quite busy, so please step aside, Mr. Dapper.”

Shen Qingqiu took over, holding Xiao Muyu’s hand with a dark look and a hint of sarcasm.

When Shen Shiyi’s gaze fell on her, the gentlemanly grace in his eyes faded significantly.

He stared at Shen Qingqiu for a few seconds, then motioned for his people to step aside. He nodded to Xiao Muyu, “I apologize for my rudeness, but we will likely meet again. I hope then I’ll have the honor of knowing your name. Also, best of luck in Skynet.”

Xiao Muyu nodded, not shaking off Shen Qingqiu’s hand, and was led out of the building.

Su Jin and Zuo Tiantian exchanged looks, finding the atmosphere odd.

“How does that man know you?” Shen Qingqiu asked, letting go of her hand but unable to hold back the question.

Xiao Muyu looked at her, observing her expression for a while before replying, “After the first instance, he helped me choose a talisman on Wuliang Street. It’s the one that pulled you out of the illusion.”

Shen Qingqiu’s expression soured. She knew her reaction was over the top but couldn’t help saying, “Here, most people wear a façade. That man, dressed so ostentatiously and using such clichéd pickup lines, seems no good. Don’t get too close to him.”

Xiao Muyu glanced at her, lowering her head, and finally said leisurely, “And what about you?”

Shen Qingqiu was taken aback, realizing Xiao Muyu was referring to the façade comment. She said seriously, “I’ve tied the red string with you, we’re together all the time, almost sharing a bed, it’s different.”

The three behind them rolled their eyes silently, reminding themselves they were a team of five, not two.

Xiao Muyu paused, then said, “You call others ostentatious, but you’re not much better. And while his pickup lines are clichéd, Shen Qingqiu, yours are quite novel, leaving a deep impression.”

As she said this, her expression was less cold than before. Her tone carried a hint of mockery, though she didn’t realize that when talking about this, her eyes had a faint helpless smile, which Shen Qingqiu caught clearly.

Shen Qingqiu laughed, “Still holding a grudge about me snatching your novice talisman?”

Xiao Muyu gave her a sidelong glance, not responding. Shen Qingqiu caught up and said earnestly, “I was inconsiderate then. I apologize. Since I can’t compensate for snatching your novice talisman, I’ll stay by your side as your personal talisman, much stronger than a disposable one.”

Xiao Muyu was taken aback, looking at her with a complex expression. After a moment, she said softly, “I don’t need your protection, just take care of yourself.”

Seeing her walk ahead silently, Shen Qingqiu was puzzled. She tapped Chen Kaijie, “Did I say something wrong?”

Chen Kaijie was startled, “Huh?”

Shen Qingqiu realized what she was doing, gave Chen Kaijie a disdainful look, and followed after Xiao Muyu.

Chen Kaijie was left feeling helpless.

Back at their rented place, Xiao Muyu remained silent. Shen Qingqiu was puzzled and asked seriously, “What’s wrong?”

Xiao Muyu shook her head, “Nothing, don’t overthink it. We’re about to enter the instance.”

“Really nothing?”

“Really nothing.” It wasn’t a big deal, but Xiao Muyu felt a surge of discomfort when Shen Qingqiu said she’d always protect her. Unconsciously, she said that she didn’t want protection, just for Shen Qingqiu to take care of herself.

Shen Qingqiu had a bit of a temper but wasn’t unreasonable. She kept her word and rarely caused trouble. Xiao Muyu couldn’t ask for more.

But the sudden outburst earlier and that sense of discomfort worried her.