Have I Started Acting Strange? / Did I Just Break Through?

Xiangyi seemed not to notice how angry Shaoyao was. "Isn't that great? It's a shame she isn't a flower fairy. With that bold, carefree personality, I'd have won her over in seconds."

Xiangyi's answer only made Shaoyao angrier. Soon she went quiet, probably busy being mad again.

Xiangyi chuckled to herself and refocused on what was happening. Shen Xianya had already signed a contract with Zhang Mou, though they had changed one clause.

"To protect the residents as much as possible within your ability."

It wasn't an unreasonable request, and Shen Xianya readily agreed. She put an arm around Xiangyi's shoulders and offered to treat them to a meal, but Zhang Mou declined.

"You can treat Xiangyi next time. You can show her around while you're at it." Seeing that Xiangyi hadn't said a word, Zhang Mou added the suggestion herself.

Shen Xianya agreed even more readily, then asked, "When are you moving in?"

Shen Xianya seemed eager to get another roommate. The more Xiangyi thought about that brief but ominous description, the more she wondered what was behind Shen Xianya's anxious demeanor.

"The day after tomorrow," Zhang Mou answered. Shen Xianya looked a little disappointed. "Oh, do you have something to do? I'm actually in the process of transferring to the Chosen One Alliance, so I have plenty of free time."

Shen Xianya hinted that she could help out. Zhang Mou thought it over, then said, "Tomorrow, I have to take her to school to register."

Shen Xianya murmured, "Oh," then clenched her fist to keep her emotions in check. "Then I'll give you the keys now. If you move in, be sure to let me know." As she spoke, she reached into her pocket and took out a key with a talisman hanging from it.

Then she seemed to realize something and hurriedly swapped it for a plain key. "This one's a spare."

Shen Xianya's strange behavior made Xiangyi even more suspicious, but she clearly had no way to back out now. On second thought, though, even if something scary was going on, it wouldn't really matter. The villa she'd bought with the True Gold she'd sold would officially be hers in a few days. With a little money spent on renovations, it would make a perfectly good home.

Once she'd settled that in her mind, Xiangyi felt much better. Shen Xianya cheerfully walked them to the door, but as they left, Xiangyi noticed that she didn't go back into the building. Instead, she got on her motorcycle and rode away again.

Xiangyi couldn't make sense of such strange behavior. But with Huangquan, the number one big shot of the underworld, around, Xiangyi was determined to cling to her and curry favor as much as she could.

Zhang Mou, however, seemed to be in a bad mood. After Shen Xianya left, she looked toward the building and said, "Don't you think this neighborhood feels empty?"

Xiangyi followed her gaze. The neighborhood before them was spotless, like a graveyard standing amid the crowded city—pale and startlingly conspicuous.

It was already past nine at night, yet not a single light was on in the neighborhood. A warm breeze passed by, but Xiangyi felt a chill run through her.

"Maybe she owns the whole building," Xiangyi said after a moment, joking.

Zhang Mou didn't laugh. She just assumed Xiangyi hadn't seen much of the world.

In Heaven City, there were only a handful of billionaires, and Zhang Mou knew most of them. Shen Xianya didn't look like she came from a wealthy family at all. Her manners were rough; she seemed more like a retired frontline soldier.

"Anyway, don't regret your decision." Zhang Mou summed up, then started walking.

Xiangyi saw which way Zhang Mou was heading and let out a startled sound. "Auntie, we're leaving. Why are you walking toward the garden?"

Zhang Mou was every bit as directionally challenged as her reputation suggested, but she refused to admit it and made an excuse. "Oh, I was curious. I wanted to take a look."

As she spoke, Zhang Mou turned around again and came back to Xiangyi. Xiangyi forced a helpless smile, then continued on with her butler, Little Grass.

They hadn't gone far when Xiangyi heard a strange sound. She looked back again and saw an enormous face appear on the building, grinning maliciously at her.

Xiangyi froze. But when she blinked, the dark building was empty again. Cold sweat drenched her back. Whatever Huangquan had asked her to challenge seemed way beyond her league.

Xiangyi: Huangquan, are you sure this is okay?

Huangquan: Probably.

Flower God Huangquan gave an incredibly vague answer. Xiangyi couldn't help thinking that Huangquan might end up getting her killed.

Even though she hadn't written a scene like this, the way things went in Heaven City made it clear that something terrifying was afoot. She glanced at the building again, then hurried to catch up with Zhang Mou...

After leaving the neighborhood, Zhang Mou headed straight for a three-wheeled rickshaw. Looking at the two who were still standing there, she said, "I was going to go shopping, but this has completely ruined my mood. I'm going back. You can look around if you want, but make sure you come back alive."

Butler Little Grass thought it over, then went over to the rickshaw too. Xiangyi had planned to go out and have some fun, but when she saw Little Grass desperately signaling to her, she climbed aboard as well.

Zhang Mou's sour expression finally eased. She gave the rickshaw driver the address, and they returned to the hotel where they were staying.

The hotel was brightly lit, and the light seemed to soothe everyone's nerves. When they reached their floor, Butler Little Grass took her leave. "Then, Madam, Miss, I'll go get some rest. I'm in the room next door, so please call me anytime if you need anything."

Zhang Mou hummed in reply and closed the door. Then she spotted Xiangyi's luggage in the room and suddenly remembered that she'd have to share it with Xiangyi that night.

She opened the door again. When she saw Xiangyi, her expression turned a little awkward.

After all, Zhang Mou's kiss with Xiangyi had lasted only a short time. On top of that, Xiangyi had the Eidetic Memory passive skill, so things felt very strange between them now. It was as if Zhang Mou might suddenly pounce on her and finish what she hadn't managed to do the night before.

Thinking of that, Xiangyi couldn't help shielding her glasses, worried that letting her identity slip would cause unnecessary trouble.

Going by the usual tropes in wrestling romances, Zhang Mou would take advantage of this weakness and do all sorts of things to Xiangyi. Of course, that was only how things worked in a novel. If Zhang Mou found out in real life that Xiangyi was Hua Linglong, she might throw Xiangyi out.

Xiangyi had only just made it out of the beginner's village. She still needed Zhang Mou, this useful tool, to support her. Thinking of that, she walked even more cautiously. Zhang Mou found her both amusing and exasperating, and had completely forgotten why she'd been angry in the first place.

Xiangyi sat obediently nearby. Zhang Mou thought she was afraid of her and looked rather pleased with herself. Xiangyi was afraid of her, all right—but she was afraid of being exposed.

Her phone kept vibrating. Judging by the way Zhang Mou was using hers, she was probably chatting again with Xiangyi's other identity, Hua Linglong. Xiangyi thought for a moment, then took out her own phone and saw Zhang Mou's earlier message.

She'd asked what Hua Linglong was doing and whether she missed her. Xiangyi immediately thought Zhang Mou was terribly needy.

Private chat—Hua Linglong: I'm here. I just got off work.

Private chat—Zhang Mou: You're really busy. Wouldn't it be better to let me keep you?

Zhang Mou sent a smiling face and replied quickly. She seemed to be in a good mood.

Private chat—Hua Linglong: That wouldn't be right. What's yours is yours, and what's mine is mine. If you found someone better than me someday, I'd really be useless.

Xiangyi shook her head as she sent her reply. She didn't mention that, after selling the True Gold, she'd soon be richer than Zhang Mou. Then it would be anyone's guess who would be keeping whom.

Thinking about it, Xiangyi glanced at Zhang Mou, who was absorbed in her phone. Zhang Mou sat with her legs crossed naturally and had changed into her pajamas. They were a little conservative, but did nothing to hide her alluring charm.

Zhang Mou was a captivating woman. Her name might be plain, but she was undeniably easy on the eyes, like a ripe, sweet peach at the perfect moment to be picked.

Perhaps realizing that Xiangyi was staring, Zhang Mou quietly pulled the covers up a little higher, then typed another line.

Private chat—Zhang Mou: I'm sharing a room with my adopted daughter tonight.

Private chat—Hua Linglong: Oh, oh, oh.

Private chat—Zhang Mou: You're not even a little worried about me.

Private chat—Hua Linglong: Do you think you'll be able to make room for anyone else after you see me?

As Xiangyi typed that, Huangquan's face came to mind. Even after looking at her for so long, Xiangyi still thought she looked better and better. It was almost addictive. If Zhang Mou saw her, with her weakness for beautiful faces, she might fall for Xiangyi in seconds.

Private chat—Zhang Mou: True. My adopted daughter's pretty average-looking, though she made me so mad today. She actually touched me.

Xiangyi was confused at first, but then remembered Zhang Mou had been startled earlier and she'd steadied her. Zhang Mou had quickly moved away, so Xiangyi thought nothing of it. But now she was hearing what came after.

Private chat—Zhang Mou: When she touched me, I actually thought of you...

Zhang Mou kept flirting. Xiangyi could barely withstand the attack of sweet nothings. She sent a dazed-face emoji and tried to change the subject, but to no avail.

Private chat—Zhang Mou: If only I'd dragged you off for a round this morning.

Zhang Mou replied regretfully, as though she really thought it was a shame. Xiangyi's earlier guess had been completely right, and she didn't know how to respond.

Private chat—Zhang Mou: Did I scare you?

This time, Zhang Mou had finally guessed what Xiangyi was thinking. She was startled—but she hadn't realized there were levels to flirting. Zhang Mou was clearly diamond-rank, and her words made Xiangyi's heart ache.

Even though Zhang Mou was right in front of her, Xiangyi thought of that night again. She got goosebumps, yet found herself bewitched by Zhang Mou's seductive charm.

Xiangyi was beginning to think there was something wrong with her. She didn't reply, but kept looking at her phone as she asked the flower folk.

Xiangyi: Is anyone there?

Hua Nu: What?

The old pro, Hua Nu, was online, though she sounded a little impatient. Xiangyi felt annoyed, but continued to explain what was going on.

Xiangyi: I feel like something's wrong with me.

Hua Nu: What do you mean?

Xiangyi: I've suddenly become interested in women.

Hua Nu: Oh, that's normal. Flower fairies and flower folk are all top-tier beauties. Haven't you read what it says in the book? Every woman is actually bisexual.

Xiangyi: What book? I've never read that.

Xiangyi was a little baffled. She didn't remember ever letting Hua Nu read such a complicated book.

Hua Nu: You have! It's called A Hundred Questions for Couples. There's a bit where someone asks if it's normal to like girls.

Hua Nu spoke with great authority, rattling off all sorts of moves, from "two dragons playing with a pearl" and "dragonfly skimming the water" to "turning the world upside down."

Hua Nu had been created for exercise, but Xiangyi took her words in a very different way. She felt like she'd been duped. Hua Nu had even managed to convince her with that explanation.

Xiangyi fell silent. Hua Nu seemed to realize she was getting carried away, then said, "If you don't have anything else to ask, don't call me for a while. You're a mature Flower Master now. You can go hunting on your own."

As if she thought Xiangyi's presence was a bit unnecessary, Hua Nu added one more thing. Then the other flower folk chimed in.

Shaoyao: Same here.

Oleander: Same here.

Xiangyi had even less idea what the flower folk were up to. But on second thought, the flower folk were probably bored with no flower fairy around, so she stopped bothering them.

She looked over at Zhang Mou. Seeing that enough time had passed, Zhang Mou put down her phone and went to take a shower.

Xiangyi switched WeChat accounts and chatted with Muning about nothing in particular. Half an hour later, Zhang Mou came out.

Xiangyi looked up without thinking and saw Zhang Mou walk over to get her clothes, completely naked. She acted as though she'd forgotten Xiangyi was there.

Zhang Mou, who looked shrewd and like a villainous stepmother, did seem to have an endearing side.

She was directionally challenged, stubborn, and straightforward. And most importantly, there was that figure of hers...

Xiangyi glanced over again. Zhang Mou seemed to notice her presence and then remembered something, turning away. In that moment, Xiangyi understood: with her glasses on, she was so inconspicuous that Zhang Mou had completely forgotten she was there.

Zhang Mou continued washing and drying her hair as if no one else were there. Xiangyi went in to take a shower too. As soon as she took off her glasses, Zhang Mou suddenly walked in. Xiangyi was so startled that she pressed the glasses to her face. Fortunately, the steam had filled the room, so Zhang Mou didn't see what Xiangyi had looked like just then.

"Auntie, did you need something?"

"Oh, I left something behind." Zhang Mou glanced at Xiangyi, then went over to pick up the skin lotion. She began her skincare routine. Xiangyi breathed a sigh of relief. This time, she locked the door. Just as she was about to take off her clothes, she suddenly remembered she was wearing the Phoenix Feather Robe.

"Little Phoenix, can you let me take a shower?" Xiangyi asked the robe.

The garment seemed to understand. It flowed off Xiangyi's body like liquid, then transformed into a phoenix.

It was only palm-sized. Without its tail, it looked like a tiny chick that hadn't grown any feathers. Even knowing this was a virtual world, Xiangyi found it fascinating that the phoenix could be worn as clothing and ridden.

The Phoenix Feather Robe didn't seem able to speak. It simply stared at Xiangyi's face, as if curious about what she was doing.

"Little Phoenix, do you like your name?" Xiangyi asked, deciding to get on good terms with her clothes first.

The Phoenix Feather Robe nodded and flew onto Xiangyi. It transformed into a striking red traditional outfit. Then its color kept changing, as if showing off its powers.

The robe's smug behavior made Xiangyi laugh. She found it quite cute too.

"All right, let me shower first," Xiangyi reminded it again.

Only then did the Phoenix Feather Robe fly away, though it kept watching Xiangyi.

Xiangyi felt even more uncomfortable under its gaze, but did her best to get used to it. Her body was very clean. Thanks to her enhanced constitution, bacteria and other such things were purified, and her body naturally gave off a pleasant fragrance. She closed her eyes beneath the soothing stream of water and felt the flow of her true qi.

The water became an embellishment, circling around her. Xiangyi could feel herself resonating with it. When she opened her eyes, she found the water changing shape in response to her movements.

It was fascinating. She gathered moisture in her hands, and the water took on whatever shape she wanted.

The little demon bear and the eggplant seal looked so lifelike, reminding Xiangyi which element she was best at.

Hua Nu: Looks like you have an affinity for water. If you can truly master water, you might be able to travel anywhere in the world in an instant.

Hua Nu's voice came out of nowhere, startling Xiangyi. The water in her hands fell and splashed her right in the face.

Hua Nu: Oh, sorry, Flower Master. I didn't see anything.

Xiangyi silently grumbled in reply, "How am I supposed to believe you when you suddenly showed up just to watch?"