When Zhan Qingyuan returned to his room, he received a message that Ji Weiliang had signed with Yixing.

His grip on the documents tightened.

The documents were a withdrawal agreement from Zhan Qingyue, and he hadn’t signed them yet.

If Zhan Qingyuan wanted to reverse the decision, he could simply destroy the agreement, making it as if nothing had happened—similar to an unsigned divorce agreement.

After Song Qiao informed Zhan Qingyuan about the withdrawal, Zhan Qingyuan was first angry at his brother’s heartlessness but then understood Zhan Qingyue’s actions. He eagerly went to find Ji Weiliang again.

Unfortunately, the result was the same as before.

Despite lowering his pride for her, Ji Weiliang remained indifferent.

To make matters worse, she publicly signed with Yixing even before their withdrawal was complete.

Yixing was known for having many potential artists fail there.

Was Ji Weiliang really that confident?

Moreover, the competition for the audition she had with Ning Qiuxiu was sabotaged by Yixing.

Was she really holding no grudges?

….

Ning Qiuxiu, having won an argument with Zhan Qingyue, felt quite refreshed.

As the New Year approached, the festive atmosphere was growing stronger.

Ning Qiuxiu hadn’t experienced such a harmonious New Year in modern society for a long time.

In the cultivation world, where strength was revered, even Ning Qiuxiu’s impoverished sect held grand battles during the New Year.

Compared to that, celebrating the New Year in modern society felt warm and filled with human touch.

Moreover, there was a particularly entertaining program: “The World’s Best Hammer.”

Ning Qiuxiu was excited to watch this.

Starting from the 27th day of the lunar month, Zhan Qingyue had free time and practiced his promise of teaching “The World’s Best Hammer.”

Since Chi Yu and Gu Yuan were both celebrity accounts, Zhan Qingyue used Chi Yu’s account to avoid too much attention. Luckily, “The World’s Best Hammer” had accounts for all six professions, and they had top-tier equipment, which was perfect for them.

In the game, they used the built-in voice chat and created a room for their team.

Tang Yu, whose real name was “The World’s Best Hammer,” was known for his eccentricity.

Ning Qiuxiu heard that he had suffered a head injury as a child, which might explain his peculiar behavior. To outsiders, he appeared rich but not particularly bright.

When Tang Yu saw Ning Qiuxiu joining the voice chat room, he expressed his displeasure: “I’m not worried about some small-time girl trying to seduce Chi Yu. Why are you so concerned? Are you really involved with him?”

Ning Qiuxiu retorted, “Who was the one proposing to me publicly during my livestream?”

“I just wanted to recruit you as a binding healer since your skills surpassed most female players,” Tang Yu said. “Hey, Chi Yu, why are you attacking right away?”

Zhan Qingyue replied casually, “I’m just trying out the archer class.”

“Wah, you’re attacking me right in the main city! You’re using my account!” Tang Yu protested.

Zhan Qingyue said nonchalantly, “I forgot.”

Tang Yu: “…”

Since Zhan Qingyue said so, Tang Yu let it go. He revived at the original spot with the help of his wealth, ready to be healed by Ning Qiuxiu, only to be killed again by Zhan Qingyue.

“You’re doing this on purpose!” Tang Yu cried out as he lay down again.

Zhan Qingyue calmly explained, “I’m training your reaction time. If you’re killed in the wild, the enemy won’t give you a warning first.”

Tang Yu: “…That actually makes sense. Alright, I’ll keep an eye out and stay alert in the future!”

Zhan Qingyue seemed satisfied and said, “You’re teachable.”

Flattered, Tang Yu revived again, only to be killed by Zhan Qingyue once more.

“War is deceitful,” Zhan Qingyue said before Tang Yu could complain.

Ning Qiuxiu, watching Tang Yu getting continuously bullied by Zhan Qingyue, turned off her microphone, nearly laughing uncontrollably.

Tang Yu clearly didn’t understand Zhan Qingyue’s grudge. Being tormented during the New Year by him, he was certainly experiencing the full extent of Zhan Qingyue’s cunning.

Tang Yu was killed three times and decided to stay on the ground, but that didn’t stop him from chatting in the voice room.

“Actually, I went through all this trouble to find you, not to have you be my mentor, but to invite you to join my competitive team. There’s a 3v3 tournament coming up in this game. With your skills and mine, plus a healer, we can easily win the championship.”

This game had competitive events? Although Ning Qiuxiu didn’t know much about games, she felt that this kind of event wasn’t suitable for a game played by wealthy people.

Moreover, Ning Qiuxiu bluntly said, “Do you even have skills? Isn’t it just overpowering others with better gear?”

“I’m really good now. If you log in to your warrior account, I can kill you in seconds… Damn it, Chiyu, it’s one thing to kill me, but why are you killing NPCs too? Killing NPCs doubles your kill count, man, stop messing with me.”

Zhan Qingyue: “My hands were itchy.”

“Fine, fine, I won’t provoke Ning Qiuxiu anymore, okay?” Tang Yu caught the crucial point, “Master’s wife, please talk to the master.”

Ning Qiuxiu: “…”

What does this have to do with her?

Although Tang Yu was silly, he knew how to hit the right spot. His words greatly pleased Zhan Qingyue, who benevolently turned off the indiscriminate slaughter mode.

Tang Yu was almost moved to tears, “So, about the team, you agree, right?”

Zhan Qingyue straightforwardly refused, “No.”

“Come on,” Tang Yu said anxiously, “I’m not asking for free help. I’ll pay you!”

“Hmm?” Zhan Qingyue’s interest was piqued at the mention of payment, “How much?”

Seeing Zhan Qingyue’s interest, Tang Yu’s confidence soared. He couldn’t help but speak proudly, “We’ll discuss the specifics, but it will definitely be much more than Ning Qiuxiu pays you. Ning Qiuqiu is so stingy, only paying 60 yuan per hour. I can’t even afford a meal with a day’s earnings.”

Tang Yu actually believed that!

60 yuan per hour as a companion player, and you think that can casually spend a million in the game?

This kid is so easy to fool.

Moreover, she was doing it for free! Otherwise, with Zhan Qingyue’s income, she wouldn’t be able to afford him.

“Alright,” Zhan Qingyue calmly said, “a two-hour live stream costs the game company a million yuan, Ning Boss pays 120 yuan, but you’re a friend, so I’ll waive the 120 yuan.”

Ning Qiuxiu couldn’t help but laugh. Her husband was indeed still her husband; there was nothing wrong with that.

“Damn, that’s so expensive! Are you robbing me?” Tang Yu was shocked by the amount.

This salary, even a wealthy person would struggle to pay.

Ning Qiuxiu held back her laughter and said, “No choice, Tang Shao. Money is easy to get, but talent is hard to find. Think it over. Our Chiyu God is in high demand.”

Tang Yu: “Do you think I’m stupid?”

Well, yes.

Tang Yu was silent for a moment, then said, “Fine, I’ll be honest with you. I recently founded an esports club and want to invite Chiyu to join as the master for the game, leading our team to victory.”

Ning Qiuxiu: “…”

Why did this sound like a scam?

She expected Zhan Qingyue to outright refuse, but Zhan Qingyue seemed intrigued, “A club?”

“Yes, newly established,” Tang Yu said excitedly, “We’re young, but we have the money to buy players. I’m currently forming teams for LOL, DOTA, Hearthstone, PUBG, and your game. Later, we’ll expand into other games, aiming to become one of the top five esports clubs in the country.”

Ning Qiuxiu was stunned by Tang Yu’s ambition and instantly saw him in a new light. Although his intelligence might be lacking, having such aspirations was indeed surprising.

The esports industry was gradually developing, with various tournaments continuously taking place. Esports events frequently appeared on social media hot topics. Although older generations might see it as “not serious work,” it had indeed grown and become a new industry trend. If Tang Yu had the determination and financial resources to pursue this, he might actually succeed.

Tang Yu always gave off an unreliable vibe.

There was a boss like him who made it really difficult to succeed unless you had a talented operations team.

Zhan Qingyue said, “The Magic Gate isn’t about competition.”

Competition emphasizes fairness, but this game is just about spending money, which doesn’t really count as competition.

“Hey, close enough,” Tang Yu said casually. “You’re so good at playing. Why not give our club a good start and boost our morale?”

“I’m not interested,” Zhan Qingyue replied. “But the idea of an electronic sports club is good. Find a good operations team and don’t go off on your own, and you might have a future.”

Ning Qiuxiu was surprised. Zhan Qingyue was actually speaking sense. She thought he’d always be against Tang Yu.

But then she remembered Zhan Qingyue had almost become a professional esports player. So, esports must have been a dream he didn’t fully realize.

Even though he has achieved a lot in other areas now, there’s always a bit of regret for dreams that weren’t fulfilled.

Zhan Qingyue clearly wasn’t interested in playing anymore. He dismissed Tang Yu with a few words and logged off. Ning Qiuxiu, unable to resist, went downstairs to find Zhan Qingyue, who was playing games in his study.

She knocked on the study door. Just as she was thinking about how to comfort him without being awkward, she saw something on his desk.

“!!!” It was a piece of Bone Jade, clearly repaired, with some cracked lines still visible.

She had asked Jingjing to replace it quietly. How did this happen?

Oh, she forgot to ask Jingjing for the fragments, and Jingjing hadn’t given them to her.

Wait, she only broke it into two pieces last time. This looked like it was broken into at least four or five pieces. Maybe Zhan Qingyue liked it and ordered a couple more, intentionally making them look like this…

“It was just repaired and delivered today,” Zhan Qingyue noticed her gaze and smiled. “Miss Ning, you broke my most precious ornament. What should we do?”

“…” Your most precious ornament is just sitting in the living room?! Are you kidding me?

And Jingjing is a big problem too.

At this point, Ning Qiuxiu had to be firm. “I already paid for one. What else can I do?”

“That’s different.”

Different or not, she couldn’t go back in time.

Seeing that he had caught her, Zhan Qingyue smiled. “Well, if there’s no way, how about… compensation in meat?”

Ning Qiuxiu: “???”

Meat compensation… Her face turned red instantly. Isn’t this a bit… too much?

Ning Qiuxiu turned and left.

Just as Zhan Qingyue thought he might have gone too far and scared her off, Ning Qiuxiu came back and slapped a few sausages on the desk. “Sausages, here you go!”

— She actually went to the fridge and got him some sausages.

Zhan Qingyue: “???”

He fought the urge to be angry with Ning Qiuxiu. Was he not clear enough, or was she really this slow?

Clearly, neither was the issue. Ning Qiuxiu had a victorious smile. “You mentioned sausages, so let’s forget about it. I’m going to take a shower. Bye!”