Feng Xiaoman fell into silence as she looked at the chat in the guild channel of the online game.
She hadn't expected the game's official team to organize a player convention. Events like this were usually only held once a year.
Meeting Yaochuan naturally in such a setting seemed better.
Plus, she could chat with some of the people she was close to in the guild. With them around as a social buffer, the meeting might go more smoothly.
Feng Xiaoman was tempted.
But also a little scared.
Even though she had been getting up early to run with Jiang Liuyue this past week, she had only lost about two or three pounds.
It didn't look much different.
After some thought, she replied cautiously.
Full Moon Crescent: "My grandmother hasn't fully recovered from her illness yet, so I might not be able to make it."
Upon hearing this, the others immediately expressed that taking care of family was more important.
Yaochuan: "It's fine."
Sleepless Night: "Sister Crescent, we can meet next time."
After finishing the guild's daily quests that night, Feng Xiaoman had wanted to wander around the game world with Yaochuan.
That used to be their couple's daily routine.
But Yaochuan said he had some things to take care of that evening, and Feng Xiaoman could only agree helplessly.
...
Huo Yaochuan, who had excused himself as being busy, found himself inexplicably entering Jiang Liuyue's livestream room again.
This time, he didn't pay attention to the timing and ran straight into Zhou Che.
"Welcome, Brother H, to the livestream." Jiang Liuyue's voice was crisp and sweet.
The other little fans quickly followed suit.
[Welcome, Brother H.]
[What a good day it is today.]
[This is the first time Young Master Night and Brother H have crossed paths, right?]
[Sleepless Night: Brother H? That name sounds familiar.]
[HYC: ...Who are you?]
Other fans in the livestream explained.
[Brother H, this is Young Master Night, the big spender who sends dragons to our Liuyue every day.]
[Yeah, yeah, this is the first time you two have bumped into each other, right?]
[Sleepless Night: Wait, what's the meaning behind your English number abbreviation?]
[Sleepless Night: It's very similar to someone I know.]
Huo Yaochuan's heart nearly skipped a beat.
But then he thought, this kid Zhou Che isn't that clever anyway.
So he made up an answer on the spot.
[HYC: Hu Yanglin's Chenxi (Poplar Forest's Dawn), abbreviated as HYC.]
[Sleepless Night: Oh, I must have overthought it then.]
Huo Yaochuan let out a long sigh of relief.
At that moment, Jiang Liuyue in the livestream had a bright, radiant smile, her eyes curved like crescents.
She addressed all the fans in the livestream room.
"Wives, and all my little darlings, I have some good news to tell you."
"I received an invitation from 'Jianghu Tianxia 3' to attend their player convention this weekend as a guest performer to sing 'Misty Jianghu'."
[Wow! My wife Liuyue is amazing.]
[Baby, you're awesome. The officials have a good eye for talent.]
Jiang Liuyue glanced at the comments while replying, "Yes, there's a performance fee."
"Although it's not much, it's still official recognition."
"They said accommodation and airfare are fully covered. I've never been to City B before, so I can do some sightseeing too."
[I remember Young Master Night said he's from City B.]
[Sleepless Night: That's right! I'm a local.]
[Sleepless Night: Come on! Come to the player convention. I'll introduce you to our guild members then.]
[Which guild are you in in Tianxia 3, Young Master Night?]
[You can tell from the name, Sleepless Night, the deputy leader of the number one guild.]
[Whoa! I didn't expect the big spender to be a big shot in the game too.]
[...Hey, if Brother H hadn't said his abbreviation stood for Hu Yanglin's Chenxi, I'd really think he was related to the number one guild.]
Seeing this comment,
Huo Yaochuan, feeling extremely guilty, kicked the person out of the livestream room.
That's right, ever since he sent over a dozen 'Carnival' gifts, Jiang Liuyue had made him a moderator.
Of course, Zhou Che was a moderator too.
After kicking them out, he immediately felt some regret...
Was this move too obvious? Would Zhou Che notice?
But later he realized there was no need to worry.
Because Zhou Che started chattering to Jiang Liuyue about all the delicious food and fun places in City B, acting like a seasoned tour guide.
Before ending the stream,
Jiang Liuyue sang 'Misty Jianghu' once more.
She also asked for leave, saying she probably wouldn't be streaming over the weekend as she'd be attending the player convention.
...
The livestream ended.
Jiang Liuyue came out to get some water, unable to hold back her smile any longer.
Goodness, when she heard Yaochuan seriously claim his abbreviation stood for 'Hu Yanglin's Chenxi', it was hilarious?
And he didn't seem to realize he was visiting her livestream room more and more frequently.
She had just taken a sip of water
when she saw Feng Xiaoman sitting on the sofa again, looking troubled. Seeing Jiang Liuyue, it was like seeing a therapist,
ready to pour out her emotional baggage.
Jiang Liuyue finished her water before Feng Xiaoman could speak.
Then she got straight to the point:
"Xiaoman, I probably won't be in City S this weekend. I got an event invitation."
Feng Xiaoman was startled, curiously jumping up from the sofa and moving closer, her face full of gossip:
"An event? What kind of event?"
Jiang Liuyue smiled sweetly.
The corners of her mouth lifted.
She said slowly:
"It's quite a coincidence, actually. It's an official event for the game you play, 'Jianghu Tianxia 3'."
"The officials invited me to be a guest performer at the venue, to sing the theme song 'Misty Jianghu'."
"Accommodation and airfare are fully covered, and they're giving me a small performance fee."
After hearing this, the color instantly drained from Feng Xiaoman's face.
Her lips trembled slightly.
Earlier in the game, both Yaochuan and Sleepless Night had said they would attend the player convention.
If Jiang Liuyue went to perform on site, then...
She would definitely be exposed.
Agitated, she grabbed Jiang Liuyue's sleeve and exclaimed loudly, "You can't go!"
Jiang Liuyue looked at her crumpled sleeve.
She gently patted Feng Xiaoman's shoulder.
Puzzled, she asked:
"Why not?"
"Xiaoman, don't get so worked up. Let go of my sleeve first."
Only then did Feng Xiaoman realize her reaction was too intense and released her grip.
But the expression on her face wasn't any better.
She stared fixedly at Jiang Liuyue's face, pleading:
"Liuyue, please don't go to the event, okay?"
Jiang Liuyue met her gaze and shook her head very seriously, saying:
"No! I've already agreed with the officials. They've already booked my flight and hotel."
Feng Xiaoman said with determination:
"If it's just about the money, I'll handle it. I'll reimburse all the expenses."
"And whatever performance fee the officials gave you, I'll pay double."
Jiang Liuyue suddenly let out a soft laugh.
She laughed until Feng Xiaoman started to feel uneasy.
"Xiaoman, you're acting so strange."
Her tone was slow, carrying a hint of scrutiny as it swept over Feng Xiaoman.
Feng Xiaoman stiffened. Those words had just spilled out in the heat of the moment.
Now, no matter how she tried to backtrack, she couldn't find a suitable reason.
So she could only lower her head and say in a troubled tone:
"Liuyue, I can't explain it clearly to you."
"But I have my own reasons. Can you please agree to this?"
Jiang Liuyue rested her chin on her hand, admiring Feng Xiaoman's expression.
How timid.
Is she almost about to cry from just this?
Then why was she so confident and smug back when she sent her photos to Yaochuan?
As if passing judgment,
Jiang Liuyue said slowly:
"No, I can't."
"The top supporter from my live stream is also in City B, and I've already promised to let him be my guide."
