The Pitiful Digging Princess, Played Like a Puppet by Bai Fu

As Digging Princess focused her camera on Bai Fu and An Ya, who stood under the orange light, the previously quiet livestream room was instantly flooded with dense bullet comments, like a typhoon had passed through.

[Holy crap, Fufu? Is this real, am I hallucinating?]

[Wuwu, that's great, Fufu really looks like she's fine.]

[Ah!!! My dream of finding Fufu first is shattered!]

[Hahahaha]

[It's really not easy, so not easy. This is where my favorite saying comes in: I searched for her hundreds and thousands of times, and when I suddenly looked back, she was there, where the lights were dim!]

[What can I say?]

All of this happened too suddenly, no one had anticipated it.

At this moment, Digging Princess's thoughts were no different from these bullet comments.

What else could she say?

A great surprise exploded in her heart. She covered her chest with one hand, unable to utter a word. She was afraid, afraid it was a hallucination, that everything before her would scatter like reflections on water if she moved.

Seeing her reaction, the players in the livestream room grew anxious. They had finally encountered Bai Fu, finally confirmed Bai Fu was okay, and now she was hesitating?

[Digging Treasure, what are you waiting for, hurry up!]

[I wish I could replace Digging Princess.]

[Wait, Fufu is coming over!]

Yes, Bai Fu took the initiative.

Before Digging Princess could reach Lynn, Bai Fu had already noticed Digging Princess. She deliberately delayed her appearance to make this reunion seem more hard-won and dramatic.

Just like in an anime—

After a long and touching story, at the anime's finale, accompanied by pleasant background music, two individuals with deep bonds suddenly reunite amidst the vast crowd, and then, it's a happy ending!

Of course, a happy ending was impossible here. For Bai Fu, this reunion was a new beginning.

She had quickly glanced at the livestream room just now. The constantly scrolling bullet comments indicated that half of her plan had succeeded. The other half depended on how she interacted with Digging Princess next.

To this end, Bai Fu was full of confidence.

She had rehearsed this in her mind dozens of times on her way here.

Step one: The moment Digging Princess's gaze met hers, her body suddenly trembled. Although her expression didn't change much, her eyes rippled like a lake disturbed by pebbles.

Step two: While Digging Princess was stunned, she let go of An Ya's hand and slowly walked towards Digging Princess.

Step three: Finally reaching Digging Princess, she raised her right hand, intending to do something, but her hand merely hung in the air, alone.

"You are..." Bai Fu paused, "You look a bit like an old acquaintance of mine. She should have died in the Abandoned Cooling Plant Insect Tide a few days ago, but..."

This sequence of actions, a shocked expression, a heart full of anticipation yet fearing disappointment, was presented to all the players in the livestream room.

This scene immediately caused a wave of wails.

[Seeing our Fu Bao like this, my heart is broken, Mom.]

[No to Mama Bear.]

[This is the first time I've seen Fufu look so fragile, it's cute.]

[Fu Bao, my Fu Bao.]

Looking at Bai Fu who had walked up to her, Digging Princess also snapped back to reality.

"Fufu, it's me, Digging Princess!" She excitedly raised both hands to her chest.

Before Bai Fu could reply, An Ya suddenly peeked out from behind Bai Fu, her eyes full of wariness. "You... you really didn't die? You're lying, right? So many people said you died, and the boss even specifically erected tombstones for you."

Digging Princess quickly extended her right hand. "It's true, I'm not dead. Pinch me if you don't believe me."

An Ya pinched Digging Princess's right hand like a pecking chick, then said to Bai Fu, "She's still warm."

"Alright."

Bai Fu dotingly reached out and ruffled An Ya's head.

With this interruption, she dropped the shocked act and turned to face Digging Princess.

"Although you repeatedly told me you wouldn't die before, and the Holy Word also said you were Undying, I waited for two days at the Abandoned Cooling Plant and still didn't see you return. I thought you had really died, and what you said before was just to stop me from worrying."

As she explained, Digging Princess nodded.

I understand, I completely understand. How could an NPC imagine that there would be server shutdowns and updates?

"Welcome back!"

Bai Fu extended her right hand, a warm smile like spring sunshine on her face.

Looking at the hand so close, Digging Princess couldn't help but freeze.

She suddenly felt something surging in her heart. This was the NPC she had instantly recognized as extraordinary. Such respect, such closeness, this game is truly amazing!

At this moment, Digging Princess was completely captivated by Bai Fu.

She also extended her right hand, gently clasping Bai Fu's porcelain-like right hand.

"Sorry to have made you worry."

[Fufu's smile, ahhh, it's so warm, my heart is melting]

[We held hands, we held hands! Digging Treasure you really are a menace]

[I can never wash this hand again]

[This is amazing, Fufu's immersion is off the charts. That trash game I played before, I adventured with an NPC for years, and when we met again, she couldn't even be bothered to say hello. What a joke.]

[Digging Treasure, quickly share what Fufu's hand feels like]

The bullet comments flew by, and Digging Princess noticed An Ya staring fiercely at the hand she was holding Bai Fu's with.

Heh, so what if I'm holding her hand!

Digging Princess ignored the comments. This was her moment, all to herself!

Seeing her foolish grin, Bai Fu also chuckled inwardly. Her plan for today was now three-quarters successful. All she needed was the final step—

To make Digging Princess, who had followed her all the way from Abandoned Cooling Plant to Lynn, a benchmark, luring other players to fawn over her just like Digging Princess!

Previously, she had fought monsters with players, helped them gain experience, and sacrificed herself to earn their tears. Today, on this exciting day of reunion, it was time to switch tactics and provide players with a different kind of emotional value.

"The journey from Abandoned Cooling Plant to here wasn't easy, was it?" Bai Fu suddenly asked.

Digging Princess waved her hand. "It was alright. I took a car, and there weren't any dangers on the way."

As she spoke, her stomach rumbled loudly.

"I..."

Digging Princess's face flushed with embarrassment.

Her hunger had betrayed her right after she claimed she was fine. Sometimes, games being too realistic wasn't a good thing.

Fortunately, Bai Fu's smile grew even warmer.

"Let me take you to dinner first."

"No, really, you don't have to," Digging Princess quickly declined.

Bai Fu pulled her along without further ado. "No need to be nervous. An Ya and I were just coming out for dinner."

Faced with Bai Fu's "forceful demeanor," Digging Princess could only follow.

She had originally wanted to present a perfect image to gain favor with Bai Fu, but in reality, she had only embarrassed herself.

Despite the awkwardness, Digging Princess was incredibly pleased, especially seeing the wails and envious comments in the bullet feed. She felt like she was about to fly.

She recalled when she first posted about Bai Fu on the community forum, a large group of people had questioned her. Occasionally, a few supported her, but most were just there for the entertainment.

Looking back now, what a reversal!

She could only say, the truly wise are often lonely!

Digging Princess had already decided that after parting ways with Bai Fu for the day, she would open a new thread on the community forum.

She wasn't planning to scold the players who had mocked her. A wise person's brilliance wasn't gained by tricking fools.

She mainly wanted to show off, detailing her thought process from deciding to find Bai Fu to reuniting with her. Oh, and she had to emphasize the feeling of holding Bai Fu's hand. With such great writing material, how could she not write several hundred words?

With these thoughts in mind, Digging Princess followed behind Bai Fu. Soon, both she and the players watching in the livestream realized that the material for her writing from tonight's journey would be so abundant, she wouldn't be able to finish it all.

At 19:03, arrived at Red Sailboat Restaurant with Fufu and An Ya. Fufu treated, and they enjoyed delicious cuisine with distinct Wasteland characteristics.

At 19:52, left the restaurant with Fufu and An Ya. They strolled along the walkway lined with metal pipes, unexpectedly learned that Fufu had a sweet tooth, and ate snacks as they walked, which was unexpectedly cute.

At 20:26, arrived at an amusement park called "Mechanical Power" with Fufu and An Ya. They visited scrapped power armor there. As colorful lights cascaded from the pillars, Digging Princess felt a pang of envy for the close relationship between Fufu and An Ya.

At 21:28, boarded Lynn's tallest Radio Tower with Fufu and An Ya. The wind was strong at the top, but standing next to Fufu made her feel warm all over.

Standing on the observation deck of the Radio Tower, gazing at Lynn slumbering in the night, Digging Princess's thoughts drifted.

While she was out having fun with Bai Fu, the Star Travel Society had nearly exploded. From the Abandoned Cooling Plant section to the main board, player activity was outrageously high.

[Oh no, oh no, something big happened!]

[What happened?]

[Did they start fighting again?]

[Digging Princess's livestream, just go watch it yourself and you'll know.]

Many players rushed over. When they arrived at Digging Princess's livestream, they were all stunned.

What the heck, it can be like this?

This strange atmosphere, this strange livestream content. If you didn't know better, you'd think you were watching an anime!

[Ah, my eyes, my eyes, I'm going to be blinded.]

[Kill Digging Treasure, steal Fufu!]

[Why isn't the person standing next to Fufu me!]

[Damn it, showing off! So, having high favorability with an NPC unlocks this kind of experience? Can someone tell me Bai Fu's favorability with Digging Princess, I need a reference.]

[Holy crap, this game can be played like this?]

"I feel like if I raise an NPC's favorability to a certain level, maybe I can actually get married!"

After spewing their madness in the live stream, these players returned to the community to continue their antics. Under their influence, players who were originally uninterested in these topics also put down what they were doing and flooded into Digging Princess's live stream.

Fortunately, Above the Stars's servers were ridiculously stable, otherwise the live stream might have been swamped.

That night, Bai Fu's popularity saw a new surge in a different way. This surge was unlike the previous ones.

The previous surges only saw her name spread within the game, but this time, with many casual players who didn't pay attention to her at all, or even didn't play the community, flooding in, and these casual players then spread Digging Princess's live stream content to social media outside the game, she suddenly became a small promotional symbol for Above the Stars.

Shocking! A certain streamer is actually playing a dating simulator in Above the Stars!

Are you still looking for a considerate Void virtual friend? Above the Stars, you deserve it!

Look, this woman is called Xiao Mei, and the woman next to her is called...

Articles with outrageous titles popped up one after another, attracting quite a few new players to Above the Stars in a short period.

Even Bai Fu, the mastermind behind the scenes, didn't expect her plan to be so effective.

Her mood suddenly became a little excited. If she could become the poster girl for Above the Stars, the developers would surely give her a comprehensive buff to prevent her from dying.

Alright, alright, new hope has appeared!

At 22:06, Bai Fu descended from the Radio Tower with Digging Princess and An Ya.

Seeing that it was getting late, she booked a room nearby for Digging Princess, letting her stay there temporarily.

"I've paid for five days of your room, so you don't need to worry about accommodation for now. If you have any urgent matters, you can come find me. I live at..."

Bai Fu stated Xia Shi's address.

"Take these."

Bai Fu then took out 500 Credit Coins and stuffed them all into Digging Princess's hands.

Digging Princess was stunned, and the players in the live stream were also stunned.

Bai Fu treated Digging Princess to dinner, showed her around Lynn, and paid for her room. This was already beyond their expectations. They didn't expect Bai Fu to stuff another 500 coins into Digging Princess's hands when they parted.

What kind of Spirit was this?

"Wow, boss, even the pocket money you give me isn't this much!" An Ya jumped out.

Bai Fu immediately suppressed her: "Don't talk nonsense."

An Ya obediently retracted her neck.

"I..."

Seeing this, Digging Princess wanted to say something, but Bai Fu interrupted her.

"Keep it. I received a bonus from Fourth Division, an informant from Gene Primordial. Without you, I wouldn't have gotten it. Oh, and I found a few skill books in the Wildfire Gang's library. I remember you guys really need these. They're useless to me anyway. I'll bring them to you next time we meet."

This time, even if no one interrupted, Digging Princess couldn't say anything.

[Giving money and skill books, can you find an NPC better than Fu Fu in this game?]

[What are you waiting for? Hurry up and join the Fu Sect and praise Fu Fu!]

[Damn, damn, damn, I have to raise Bai Fu's favorability now. Even if she doesn't have any hidden quests, it's definitely worth it!]

Looking at the screen full of envy, Digging Princess almost wanted to shed tears. This was the first time she had been moved not by the emotional depth of the game's plot.

"Fu Fu, you're too good to me. In the world I used to live in, even my parents haven't cared about me this much in a long time."

Huh?

Bai Fu was stunned.

Digging Princess gave a wry smile and didn't elaborate on her previous statement. After all, in front of so many live stream viewers, she felt embarrassed to talk about her parents' divorce since she was young, and her constant setbacks in school and work. It felt a bit like seeking pity.

There was no need for that. She could live well now even without seeking pity.

She was just a little emotional that the care she had felt after a long time came from a game NPC.

"Fu Fu, can you tell me about yourself? I'm still very weak now and might not be able to help you fulfill your wishes, but I'll do my best. Even a little help would be great!"

Digging Princess mustered up the courage to say this.

After speaking, she held her breath, and the players in the live stream also fell silent.

This time, would Bai Fu reveal her true identity and release a hidden quest?

Bai Fu stared intently at Digging Princess.

According to her original plan, she should have shared her newly fabricated story with Digging Princess a little later, but since Digging Princess had taken the initiative to ask, and the atmosphere in the live stream was heating up, there was no better time than the present.

"Can I come in and sit for a while?"

Digging Princess's eyes lit up. She did it, hahaha, she did it!

She quickly invited Bai Fu and An Ya inside.

After serving Bai Fu and An Ya with plain boiled water, she nervously sat on the sofa in the guest room, and along with tens of thousands of players, eagerly awaited Bai Fu to personally lift the thin veil from her face.

PS+: Thanks for the rewards from Tropical Storm Spiral, Flying Penguin, Lord Kuang San is Mine, Mess丶Lind, and Cang Qingjiu.

I watched some LoL matches today, so the update is a bit late. My apologies.