Chapter 17: Changing Houses

The anklet was held in his palm, played with for a while.

Fu Zhengnan dialed Assistant Zhang.

“Track that account in the capital. This game is most likely developed by the Bai family.”

Tonight’s conversation with Jiang Qingqing had provided too much information. Everything pointed toward the Bai family in the capital. The strange occurrences lately gave him an eerie feeling.

As if—

Reality and the game were somehow interconnected.

But there was no solid proof.

Assistant Zhang was surprised. “The Bai family? Ever since the Bai family’s eldest daughter disappeared, their game development has been stagnant for nearly twenty years, with no major breakthroughs.”

“The latest releases are merely enhanced compilations based on the original code left behind by the eldest daughter.”

Another twenty years…

Fu Zhengnan rubbed the golden gourd charm on the anklet, lost in thought.

Assistant Zhang continued to share more about the Bai family’s eldest daughter, but Fu Zhengnan suddenly asked, “Why do you know so much?”

Assistant Zhang nearly choked on his own saliva.

“……”

Could he admit that he once had a crush on her in college?

“Senior Bai Wan… she was my upperclassman.”

His voice lacked confidence. Fu Zhengnan wasn’t entirely convinced by the excuse but didn’t press further.

He had little interest in his employees’ personal matters.

What he cared about was the authenticity of the information.

Fu Zhengnan responded with a light “Mm.” “Get back to me as soon as possible.”

If it really was the Bai family from the capital, then…

He hung up the call.

Re-entered the game.

And casually topped up another three million.

How could outsiders be allowed to live under the same roof as his “little figurine”?

Fu Zhengnan purchased another apartment—this time, even bigger than the last. Due to his increased in-game level, he could now personally select furniture and household items, rather than being limited to the preset package from the store.

Browsing through the furniture catalog, nothing seemed to catch his eye.

The game system detected that he had been browsing without making a purchase and promptly displayed a notification:

[Dear LV3 player, furniture in the store can be matched to real-life images. Would you like to use this feature?]
【Yes】 【No】

“Real-life images?”

Fu Zhengnan raised an eyebrow and uploaded a picture of his own room.

The system generated a nearly 90% accurate set of furniture based on the image. Fu Zhengnan glanced at it and clicked purchase.

He was in a good mood.

He decided to buy Jiang Qingqing a house identical to his own.

[Insufficient balance. Custom furniture prices have increased by 80%.]

Fu Zhengnan read the message without any change in expression.

It’s just money.

With a few swift taps—

[Congratulations, player has reached LV4!]
[Custom apartment purchased successfully. Would you like to deploy it now?]

Fu Zhengnan didn’t press the [Deploy] button.

Instead, he exited the store and switched to Jiang Qingqing’s room.

—

Jiang Qingqing had grown so bored that she was now counting her fingers on the bed.

Yawning lazily, she thought—if the Divine One didn’t return soon, she might just fall asleep.

“Sleepy?”

Fu Zhengnan’s voice came just in time, cool and crisp, instantly banishing her drowsiness.

Jiang Qingqing’s eyes flickered around the room.

“Divine One~ where are you~”

She thought of the man who had suddenly appeared on her bed last time. Was he also a god?

Her alluring peach blossom eyes happened to sweep across the camera, locking onto Fu Zhengnan.

His gaze landed on the faint red marks on the corners of her lips, his voice pausing briefly. “Didn’t you just see me?”

Jiang Qingqing was puzzled.

“Where?”

“The direction you were just looking at.”

Following his words, she turned her gaze back to that spot and softly asked, “Here?”

Fu Zhengnan watched her slightly dazed expression and responded with a quiet “Mm.”

Jiang Qingqing frowned.

Muttering softly, “I still can’t see anyone…”

Maybe gods had no physical form when they descended to the mortal realm?

…Probably.

“Divine One, can you help me clean the house? I can’t find a broom.”

She had seen the Divine One’s cleaning magic before. With just a “whoosh,” everything would be spotless.

Jiang Qingqing kicked her legs playfully, her brows curved in a charming manner.

Fu Zhengnan observed her satisfied expression, his eyes carrying a trace of amusement, but he didn’t grant her request.

“I’ve given you a new house. From now on, don’t let anyone else in.”

Fu Zhengnan stated his initial reason for seeking out Jiang Qingqing.

Jiang Qingqing, who had been in a cheerful mood, was startled by his words.

“Change houses? But I think this house is quite nice! Besides, if a new house suddenly appears out of nowhere, people might notice and arrest me.”

There were people both inside and outside the house. If such a miraculous event was revealed in front of others, wouldn’t that be bad?

“And also… in a few days, I’ll be leaving this place. I probably won’t need so many houses.”

Speaking of leaving, Jiang Qingqing felt a momentary pang of reluctance.

This little home was even more comfortable than her palace chamber. Here, she had gone through despair, indifference, surprise, and newfound hope—too many emotions were tied to this place.

And there was also the divine being with extraordinary powers.

Jiang Qingqing sighed inwardly.

But she didn’t let it show.

Instead—

Her eyes curved into a smile, refusing to let herself sink into a low mood.

Trying to lighten the atmosphere, she said, “From now on, you won’t have to worry about me anymore~ If fate allows, we’ll meet again~”

To Fu Zhengnan, her cheerful expression was that of an ungrateful little scoundrel, using people and then discarding them.

If he hadn’t mentioned it today, she probably would have left without a word.

Fu Zhengnan placed the anklet on the table and asked slowly, “Where are you going?”

Jiang Qingqing shook her head. “I don’t know. If I get the chance, I’ll sneak back to the capital; otherwise, I’ll go to Yingzhou.”

Fu Zhengnan asked, “You won’t come back?”

Jiang Qingqing hesitated for a moment before responding firmly, “No, I won’t.”

She probably wouldn’t live long enough to return.

“Alright.”

Fu Zhengnan glanced at his watch, the cold light reflecting off its surface accentuating the growing indifference in his gaze.

His fingertip slowly traced across the screen.

【Inventory】

On the detailed page for the apartment, the description was clear:

【Settle Anywhere, Worry-Free Convenience】
【Move wherever you go, take your home with you】
【A single house can be used anywhere across the country—perfect for travel, work, relocation, and more】

—

Prime Minister’s Residence

Liu Mei’s body had yet to fully recover. She lay on the bed, her complexion still pale as a physician took her pulse.

“When will my body fully heal?”

Liu Mei, noticing the physician’s furrowed brows, asked impatiently.

Had she known earlier, she would have brought more guards that day. Then she wouldn’t have suffered this injury for nothing.

Fortunately, the mountain bandits had been dealt with, and Jiang Qingqing was about to be sent to the imperial prison. Liu Xubai had also promised that Jiang Qingqing would not have an easy time.

Upon hearing Liu Mei’s question, the physician’s expression visibly turned uneasy.

“Third Miss, injuries like these require slow recuperation. It’s difficult to say exactly how long it will take.”

His hesitant tone made Liu Mei suspicious.

“If that’s the case, why do you look so uneasy?”

Seeing that Liu Mei was about to get angry, the physician quickly knelt down.

He dared not tell her the truth—that she would never be able to conceive again.

Instead, he humbly admitted, “Please forgive me, My Lady. My medical skills are lacking; I am unworthy of treating you. It would be best for Third Miss to seek a more skilled physician.”