The question the other person sent made Bo He freeze for a moment.

On second thought, a teenage girl's heart is at its most sensitive and needs to be handled with care.

Peppermint Tea: Beauty That Topples Cities is a little girl, quite cute, just like you. She kept pestering me to take her as a disciple last time. I couldn't wear her down, so I agreed.

An Endless Stream: I've noticed her. She often flirts with different male characters on the world channel and exchanges gifts with them. You're just her latest prey. She's using the pretext of becoming your disciple to hunt. Don't fall for it.

Peppermint Tea: You talk like such a grown-up. Are all kids these days so precocious?

An Endless Stream: You still haven't answered my question.

Peppermint Tea: Don't worry, my relationship with Beauty That Topples Cities isn't what you think. She just likes to have fun; she's not a bad person at heart. I even saw her helping a low-level character kill mobs last time. My feelings for her are the same as for you—just those of a master for a disciple. You're overthinking it. But did you really send me flowers just because of that? You're not jealous, are you?

Of course, this last sentence was asked in a joking tone.

But the other person's reply was quite serious.

An Endless Stream: I just remembered that I still owed you thanks in this game. The game is just like reality; there's never a shortage of people who climb over others and fawn on the powerful. Once these flowers are sent, everyone will definitely pay attention to our relationship. No matter what they conclude, it'll be easier for you to play the game from now on. People like Shield of Zeus won't dare to mess with you so easily anymore.

Just a few short sentences revealed a deep understanding of human nature and worldly affairs.

Bo He was very surprised. This didn't sound like something a teenage girl would say at all.

Peppermint Tea: Thank you, my disciple.

An Endless Stream: You're welcome. After all, you're my master.

Peppermint Tea: Haha, are you trying to say, 'a teacher for a day is a father for life'?

An Endless Stream: You're not old enough to be my dad.

Peppermint Tea: My disciple, you're too serious. You should joke around more when you have free time. Be a little more lively and cheerful, that's more fitting for someone your age.

An Endless Stream: That Beauty That Topples Cities, don't get too close to her. It won't do you any good.

Peppermint Tea: Understood. I, your master, know my limits. But she's your junior sister-disciple now. As long as she hasn't done anything wrong, I still have to fulfill my duties as a master.

Had it been anyone else, Qin Chuan wouldn't have even bothered to say those two sentences.

But to him, "Peppermint Tea" and "Eight Whiskers" were, after all, somewhat special.

These two were friends he acknowledged, even in the virtual world of the game.

From the moment they had stood by Qin Chuan's side without hesitation when his alt account was being hunted down, "Peppermint Tea's" status in Qin Chuan's mind—unbeknownst to him—had been upgraded from "game guide" to "a friend worth making."

After they chatted for a bit, Qin Chuan switched to his alt account.

Compared to the star treatment he enjoyed while playing as "An Endless Stream," his female-character alt, "Chuan Chuan," offered a different kind of freedom.

He could experience the former in reality as well, but the latter was more in line with his original reason for playing games.

"Peppermint Tea" called over "Eight Whiskers," and the three of them started running dungeons and fighting in the arena as usual.

Previously, when they were short on people for dungeons, they would just call for temporary teammates, but this time was different.

Soon, "Beauty That Topples Cities" joined the party.

The latter's combat power was about the same as Qin Chuan's alt account.

The difference was, Qin Chuan had created his alt to secretly learn techniques, while "Beauty That Topples Cities" only had this one account.

Qin Chuan opened the other player's character attributes.

The multicolored clothes and accessories nearly blinded him.

Connecting this to the fact that she had sent "Peppermint Tea" flowers, it was clear that "Beauty That Topples Cities" wasn't broke; she just spent all her money on miscellaneous things—buying clothes, fireworks, and special effects—anything but properly improving her combat power.

In the game, there were all sorts of people. There were those who spent a fortune to win, and there were those who were perfectly happy just sightseeing and buying outfits.

If she weren't "Peppermint Tea's" disciple, Qin Chuan wouldn't have given her a second glance.

The four of them, plus two temporary teammates, were led by "Peppermint Tea" into a medium-difficulty dungeon called Sorrow of Glazed Valley.

Although it was medium difficulty, if "Beauty That Topples Cities" were to look for a party on her own, she definitely wouldn't have found one.

As soon as she joined the party, "Peppermint Tea" introduced her to "Chuan Chuan" and "Eight Whiskers." She was very well-behaved, immediately turning on voice chat and sweetly calling out "Senior Sister" and "Junior Martial Uncle."

"Eight Whiskers" was quite enthusiastic, adding her as a friend right away and telling her she could look for him if she needed anything in the future.

"Beauty That Topples Cities" was naturally sweet-tongued with her thanks, calling him "Junior Martial Uncle" this and "Junior Martial Uncle" that, making "Eight Whiskers" surrender immediately. He chatted with her the whole way, teaching her all sorts of little game tips.

Usually at times like this, it would be "Eight Whiskers" who opened the party's voice channel, happily performing a solo comedy routine.

The two accounts "Peppermint Tea" and "Chuan Chuan" would stay silent, occasionally responding by typing.

Sometimes, temporary teammates would also be quick to warm up and would chat idly with "Eight Whiskers."

In short, without "Peppermint Tea" or the other having to speak, "Eight Whiskers" could liven up the atmosphere all by himself.

Now, a "Beauty That Topples Cities" had joined them.

Two chatterboxes together instantly set off dazzling sparks.

From the game to the weather, from talking about herself to talking about "Peppermint Tea," "Beauty That Topples Cities" had endless topics and inexhaustible things to say.

"Eight Whiskers" had met his match; they hit it off like old friends.

"Peppermint Tea" seemed to be infected by the lively atmosphere as well, even typing much more than usual.

"Beauty That Topples Cities" chattered endlessly around "Peppermint Tea." Even when "Peppermint Tea" was just clearing a few mobs, she would provide a voice-over of "Master, you're so amazing!"

Qin Chuan, however, was very silent.

Abnormally silent.

Even "Peppermint Tea" noticed.

Soon, Qin Chuan received a message from him.

Peppermint Tea: What's wrong with you tonight? Are you okay?

Qin Chuan: I'm fine.

Peppermint Tea: Is your schoolwork too heavy?

Qin Chuan was observing the performance of "Beauty That Topples Cities."

In his eyes, she was just the type of player who was good at using her own advantages to achieve her goals—nothing special, and not worth mentioning.

What was worth mentioning was "Peppermint Tea's" attitude toward her.

Faced with the coquettish act of "Beauty That Topples Cities," "Peppermint Tea" was not only indulgent but also soft-hearted.

Perhaps before long, a master-disciple romance would be staged on this server.

Qin Chuan was a little disappointed.

He admired "Peppermint Tea's" gameplay skills and thought his temperament and conduct were very steady, but unfortunately, he had still stumbled when it came to the charms of a woman.

The feeling was probably equivalent to seeing a friend, whom you thought was as clear-headed as yourself, suddenly make a childish and immature mistake.

Qin Chuan was not only disappointed, but he also found it a pity.

But he had already warned "Peppermint Tea." Since the other party wouldn't listen, he had no interest in being the bad guy again.

Bo He waited and waited, but didn't receive a reply from Qin Chuan.

In her eyes, this disciple of hers seemed to hide endless secrets.

When communicating with Qin Chuan, an image of a taciturn young girl would always appear in Bo He's mind—one with straight bangs and a ponytail, perhaps very smart but reluctant to communicate with others. Perhaps in the virtual world, separated by machines and equipment, it was easier for her to let her guard down.

Adolescent girls had too many boundless worries on their minds, making them hard to fathom.

When others saw "An Endless Stream" send flowers to "Peppermint Tea," they would only think of some kind of bromance between a big spender and a pro player. But from her disciple's unusual words and actions, Bo He easily thought of another possibility.

"Chuan Chuan" might, possibly, harbor some kind of ineffable girlish crush on her, her master.

This wasn't some far-fetched fantasy.

Her encounter with "Chuan Chuan" fit all the essential elements of a novel: master and disciple, a hero saving a damsel in distress, sharing joys and sorrows together.

Except for her real gender.

Bo He was a little troubled.

Asking directly was of course inappropriate; it could easily make the little girl feel embarrassed and then fly into a rage out of humiliation.

If she told her the truth, would that solve all future problems?

Bo He pondered it over and over.

She played a male character merely for convenience.

There were, of course, many female players with smooth gameplay, but when many people mentioned female players, they couldn't help but have a certain prejudice.

Navigating the game world with a male character meant much less trouble.

And the facts had proven her right, until she met Qin Chuan.

She could take or leave the game, but unintentionally hurting a young girl's heart wouldn't be right.

Bo He decided to confess everything.

Qin Chuan walked to the liquor cabinet, grabbed a can of beer, and turned back to the game.

The friend message icon was blinking nonstop. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry at "Peppermint Tea's" question about his real-life schoolwork, so he simply chose not to answer.

But this time, when he clicked open the message, its content was enough to make Qin Chuan freeze completely in his motion to take a drink.

Peppermint Tea: Actually, I'm a girl.

Qin Chuan: ???

He couldn't help but glance at the date in the bottom right corner of his computer screen.

It wasn't April Fool's Day.