Qin Chuan was a very competitive person.

When he was studying, he had to be first in every subject. If he occasionally fell behind, he would always snatch the laurel back next time.

Perhaps many people would see this as pressure and think it would make them become radical and extreme.

But for Qin Chuan, it wasn't a burden, but a pleasure.

Just like climbing a mountain, he liked to stop every time he reached a certain height, look down at the foot of the mountain, look up at the peak, and then press on towards the next goal in one go.

Qin Chuan liked this life trajectory of constantly climbing upwards, even if he looked around and was all alone.

In this life, loneliness was a normal state of being.

And games—

Many things that people couldn't or wouldn't dare to do in reality could be achieved in games, like flying on a sword, or killing and setting fires.

But the person playing was still the same person. Various aspects of their personality and desires might be amplified in the virtual world, but they wouldn't disappear completely.

Boss Qin's competitive spirit was also reflected in the game.

He was unwilling to be second to anyone, so he topped up and whaled, boosting his combat power at a speed comparable to a rocket, leaping from an unknown player to a big shot on the combat power rankings.

He knew his skills were poor, so he switched to another account and made "Peppermint Tea" his master. He would rather learn himself than directly find a booster or a streamer like other big shots.

Boss Qin's operational skills had greatly improved.

Now, without "Peppermint Tea," relying on his own combat power and positioning, he could also be called a big shot in the game by others, who would be completely convinced.

But Qin Chuan, for the first time, experienced the taste of loneliness in the game.

It was the loneliness of reaching the peak with no one to share it with, and also the loneliness of being unmatched and seeking a worthy opponent.

Looking across the entire server, in terms of combined combat power and skill, no one was his opponent anymore.

The martial world was vast, yet looking around, there was nothing worth looking forward to or lingering for.

Qin Chuan suddenly realized that his original reason for playing this game was lost, and what made him happiest was actually the experience of fighting side by side with "Peppermint Tea" and "Eight Whiskers".

Everyone's strength was comparable, fighting shoulder to shoulder to win a battle full of suspense.

This was the fun of gaming.

It was at this moment that the news of "Beauty That Topples Cities" setting off fireworks for "Peppermint Tea" caught Qin Chuan's eye.

For the first time ever, Qin Chuan's mind drifted.

He remembered "Peppermint Tea" had said that he didn't take disciples.

In order to become his disciple, Qin Chuan had used persuasion, coercion, and even unorthodox methods, and to this day was still maintaining the identity of a first-year high school girl.

Just who on earth was this "Beauty That Topples Cities"?

"Peppermint Tea" wasn't online, but "Eight Whiskers" was.

When he heard Qin Chuan's question, he spilled everything.

Two days ago, when the snow mountain boss spawned, a rookie account that didn't know any better ran over there and was chased by the boss, crying for its life. "Peppermint Tea" happened to be passing by and saved the newbie account.

From then on, that player called "Beauty That Topples Cities" was like a little tail behind "Peppermint Tea," following him wherever he went. She would chat and greet "Peppermint Tea" whenever she had a moment, and sent him fireworks with new patterns every day, all to make her lifesaver her master.

Finally, her hard work paid off. Yesterday, when Qin Chuan wasn't online, the two became master and disciple, and Qin Chuan also gained a junior female disciple.

When Qin Chuan heard this, the disciple-seeking routine seemed familiar.

Hadn't he used a similar method himself?

It was just that between him and "Beauty That Topples Cities," one sent herbs, the other sent fireworks.

The in-game fireworks were sold in the store and could only be bought with RMB. A normal one cost ninety-nine yuan, symbolizing "forever." In-game couples would occasionally send them to each other, but it was rare for someone to be as generous as "Beauty That Topples Cities," buying dozens at a time and sending them in batches of six or nine.

Regardless of whether "Peppermint Tea" was online or not, the barrage of fireworks could be seen by other players, which was equivalent to indirectly putting a label on "Peppermint Tea."

This kind of subtle thought process was something a boor like "Eight Whiskers" would definitely not understand, but Qin Chuan sensed it.

Eight Whiskers: I was right, wasn't I? Peppermint Tea just has a soft spot for little girls. See, now there's another one. If you had used a male character back then, you might not have even succeeded in becoming his disciple!

Qin Chuan: Does she want to learn game mechanics too?

Eight Whiskers laughed heartily: What game mechanics? The way I see it, she's probably taken a liking to Peppermint Tea! But I've heard the girl's voice, it sounds quite young, probably just in her early twenties. A hero can't resist a beauty, so there's probably a chance. Your junior female disciple might just become your master's wife in a few days.

Qin Chuan sneered.

He became a disciple because "Peppermint Tea," both in character and skill, was worthy of him calling him Master in the game.

And this "Beauty That Topples Cities," which corner did she crawl out of?

Her? Is she even worthy?

Qin Chuan opened the game store. His gaze swept over all sorts of outfits and mounts, finally landing on the most expensive super firework in the corner.

Six hundred and ninety-nine yuan. All players on the server could see the firework effect and receive a notification. It would also automatically generate a money tree at the location where the firework was set off, allowing the first thirty players who rushed over to pick up game items, with a very small chance of dropping rare items.

It's just fireworks, who can't afford them?

Boss Qin didn't even deign to glance at the ordinary fireworks, directly buying a hundred super fireworks.

He searched for "Beauty That Topples Cities"'s profile. She was already offline.

The finger clicking to send paused. Qin Chuan suddenly wasn't in a hurry to send them anymore.

...

As per the agreed dinner time, Bo He arrived at the hotel lobby half an hour early to wait.

Qin Chuan didn't make her wait too long either. About ten minutes later, the man arrived, elegantly dressed.

Although Bo He couldn't muster a good impression of her own boss, she had to admit that Qin Chuan was a natural clothes horse. His figure was extremely suited for wearing suits, not to mention an expensive custom-tailored one.

This was an era where looks mattered. Although voices of criticism rose one after another, if the relationship wasn't deep enough, who would have the leisure to delve into inner beauty? Naturally, one would first satisfy their own visual enjoyment.

Thinking again of how the beautiful actress Chi Yun had reacted so intensely to breaking up with Boss Qin, Bo He felt she could somewhat understand.

And Bo He—

Although she had put on makeup and changed into an evening gown, it wasn't so exaggerated as to be a complete transformation, but there was still a significant difference from her usual self. Qin Chuan didn't mind admiring her for a moment longer, but that glance wouldn't shake his established impression of Bo He.

Between people, first impressions also mattered.

Some people, you would like and admire from the first glance.

And other people, even if they did nothing, just being around them felt uncomfortable.

What's more, Bo He hadn't done nothing. She had crossed Qin Chuan's line, leaving him with the impression of not being serious about her work right from the start. Later, she made him feel that this woman had some petty cleverness and schemes.

Neither evaluation was a good one.

The two looked at each other for a few seconds. Qin Chuan took the initiative to step forward, offering his bent arm for her to rest her hand on lightly.

Qin Chuan: "Guan Shen should have told you everything you need to know, right?"

Bo He: "Yes, Assistant Guan explained some key points. But President Qin, this is my first time attending this kind of event. I don't know many of the rules. If I accidentally make a mistake, please forgive me."

Qin Chuan: "This isn't a formal banquet, no need to be nervous. Just follow me and keep a smile on your face."

The distance between them was intimate. From the back, they looked quite compatible.

However, listening closely, one could tell that from their expressions to their tones, both were maintaining a strictly business-like attitude.

At first, Bo He was also a bit puzzled.

There were so many female employees in the company, no shortage of those prettier or more tactful and interesting than her, yet he had specifically chosen her to be his female companion.

This seemingly enviable task was by no means a wonderful job for Bo He.

Thinking from a woman's perspective, she even had the mistaken impression that Qin Chuan might be interested in her.

But, in that moment when they looked at each other just now, Bo He overturned her own idea.

Not only was it impossible for Boss Qin to have any romantic thoughts about her, but it was very likely he quite disliked her.

Since he disliked her, why ask her to be his companion? Wasn't this self-torture?

Bo He thought for a moment. Regarding the various accidents last time, she felt that she should take this good opportunity to explain.

"Boss, when we came back from the sea yesterday, it was raining outside. I'm slightly nearsighted and didn't wear my contact lenses, and water got into my eyes. That's why I pressed the wrong floor. Our room numbers are the same, just two floors apart. Please forgive me."

Qin Chuan grunted in acknowledgment: "I know. It was later confirmed to be a misunderstanding. I was wrong to blame you."

The boss admitted his mistake so readily. Bo He was a little surprised and quickly struck while the iron was hot.

"Last time in the parking lot, I really wasn't standing there eavesdropping on purpose. I was just going upstairs and taking a shortcut. I didn't tell anyone afterward, and I certainly didn't secretly take any photos. Please believe me."

Qin Chuan grunted again.

His established impression of Bo He had already formed and would definitely not be easily changed by these few sentences.

Even though he knew these incidents were all misunderstandings, so what?

Qin Chuan thought, after tonight, if she performs well, he'll have Guan Shen give her a bigger bonus. But he still had to fire her. Having such a person hanging around in front of him, who knew how many more intentional or unintentional misunderstandings would be created.

A mere junior employee. He found her displeasing to the eye and felt uncomfortable, so just firing her would be fine. According to the relevant laws and regulations, giving her full compensation was already more than benevolent.

Seeing that Boss Qin didn't say anything, Bo He also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to herself that she must have explained things clearly now.

The two, each with their own thoughts, walked into the banquet hall just like that.

In an instant, the fragrant scents of perfume and the glittering shadows of elegant attire swept towards them.

Compared to the wind and rain lashing outside, it was clearly two different worlds.