To Qin Chuan, games were just a pastime, a way to relax after work.

He had never thought about developing a romance in a game.

Whether the people behind the screens playing as "Eight Whiskers" and the others were male or female naturally didn't matter.

But he had also never imagined the situation where "Peppermint Tea" was a woman.

Or rather, in the impression of Qin Chuan, "Eight Whiskers," "Beauty That Topples Cities," and even all the players on this server, there was simply no other option for "Peppermint Tea" besides being male.

Qin Chuan stared at that sentence, subconsciously having the urge to ask the other person to send a voice message as proof.

On the contrary, the person on the other end, seeing his delayed response, sent a few more messages to explain.

Peppermint Tea: Sorry, I didn't intentionally hide it from you all. I just thought it would be more convenient this way.

Qin Chuan remained noncommittal.

The prejudice many people held against female gamers, whether mild or severe, was as common as weeds.

Qin Chuan didn't consider himself that kind of person.

He had first seen "Peppermint Tea's" skill and character before learning this news, so those preconceived notions naturally no longer existed.

Qin Chuan: Then why did you suddenly decide to tell me?

Peppermint Tea: I was afraid you'd go astray.

Qin Chuan stared at the words "go astray" for several seconds before understanding what the other person meant.

So "Peppermint Tea" was afraid he would fall for her?

The corner of his mouth twitched as he replied: I don't like you, don't overthink it.

Peppermint Tea: That's good. I rarely interact with girls your age, so I'm always afraid I'll unintentionally hurt your feelings.

Qin Chuan fell silent again.

Should he clarify that he wasn't a girl, or that he wasn't "of this age"?

Letting this misunderstanding continue might make their interactions more convenient.

As if possessed, he deleted the words he had already started typing, one by one.

Speaking of which, since "Peppermint Tea" was a woman, "Beauty That Topples Cities's" gentle offensive would obviously no longer work.

His previous warning now seemed redundant and comical.

The other person seemed to sense his thoughts and sent another message: You rarely express your opinion on matters or people, but you unusually said so much about me taking on a disciple. I know you're concerned about me. My disciple may seem cold on the outside but is warm on the inside. This master is greatly comforted.

After saying that, they even sent a smiley face emoji.

Qin Chuan scoffed lightly.

"Peppermint Tea" was really treating him like a little girl to be coaxed.

There were thousands of players on this server, a vast sea of people, yet it just so happened that the genders of this master and disciple pair were reversed. The thought of it was quite interesting.

Qin Chuan: I'm just a little curious.

Peppermint Tea: Hm?

Qin Chuan: You have to work during the day. Where did you learn these gaming techniques?

Peppermint Tea: I watch game videos in my spare time and practice in the arena when I have nothing else to do. My feel for the game just got better.

Qin Chuan was at a loss for words.

He also watched game videos, and he also fought in the arena. In fact, his PK skills had been taught to him personally by "Peppermint Tea."

His techniques and skills had improved greatly now, a world of difference compared to before.

But, he was still a notch below "Peppermint Tea."

Qin Chuan knew very well that "Peppermint Tea" hadn't held anything back. But as the saying goes, the master opens the door, but the disciple must walk the path alone. Gaming also required a certain feel and talent, and in this regard, "Peppermint Tea" truly had the potential of a professional player.

There were quite a few female players with excellent mechanics, but not that many. If "Peppermint Tea" became a game streamer, she might have a better chance of making a name for herself, yet she had chosen a conventional nine-to-five job.

For the first time, Qin Chuan felt a pure curiosity toward a woman.

Qin Chuan: Do you only play Nine Heavens?

Peppermint Tea: I occasionally play "Stimulating Battlefield" too. That game doesn't require leveling up and grinding monsters, so it's more relaxing.

Qin Chuan's heart stirred, recalling Wei Feizhou's obsession with "Stimulating Battlefield" at the banquet.

He typed: I know, I've played that game too. Wanna play a round?

Peppermint Tea: My computer only has Nine Heavens downloaded. I usually play the mobile version of "Stimulating Battlefield," logging in with WeChat.

Qin Chuan: Me too. Give me your WeChat ID, I'll add you.

The words left his mouth casually. He absolutely never expected that three seconds later, he would receive the second bombshell of the night.

When "Peppermint Tea" sent her WeChat ID to Qin Chuan, and he fully typed it into the "add friend" function, the wonderful expression on his face and the turbulent emotions in his heart were perhaps several, or even dozens, of times more intense than when he got a perfect score on his first-grade exam.

Qin Chuan stared at his phone for a good while, still feeling a sense of comical surreality.

He even had the urge to post on a forum, and he had already thought of the title—

My in-game master is my real-life subordinate. What kind of experience is that?

Or to be more precise—

My in-game master, who is as pleasant as a spring breeze, is my annoying subordinate in real life. Have you ever had this experience?

Qin Chuan suddenly thought of a saying.

The surprise of life is that it often jumps out at you in unexpected ways.

But Qin Chuan felt he only had the shock, not the surprise.

He took a deep breath and, holding on to a sliver of hope, sent a message to "Peppermint Tea."

Qin Chuan: It seems like there's a problem with my WeChat, I can't add friends. Let's use QQ to log in.

The other person didn't suspect a thing and readily agreed, even taking the initiative to add Qin Chuan as a friend.