A Ruffian’s Interruption and a Helping Hand

The trading street in the Newbie Village was already teeming with players. Above their heads, various signs advertised goods for sale.

Lin Shenyue surveyed her surroundings with a hint of bewilderment. ‘I think I’ve arrived?’ Completely oblivious to her own terrible sense of direction, she had somehow managed to find her destination after wandering in a wide circle.

‘Damn it, can this horrible sense of direction please just transfer out of me?’ Lin Shenyue mused with an expression of utter helplessness.

She glanced around, then settled into an inconspicuous corner. Accessing the stall system, she meticulously arranged her equipment from best to worst, top to bottom. Even her ‘worst’ pieces were still far superior to what most other players possessed.

After naming her stall “Selling Numerous Equipment,” she opened the in-game forum. She hoped to glean some information about the real world through its discussions.

Given Lin Shenyue’s less-than-ideal location, a significant amount of time passed before a single person approached her stall. However, upon discovering the dozens of pieces of equipment laid out, he couldn’t help but gasp in astonishment.

What truly stunned him was the bronze-tier dagger displayed prominently at the forefront, followed by several other bronze-grade items. He simply froze in disbelief.

Attracted by his excited exclamation, a crowd quickly gathered. When they, too, witnessed the sheer volume of high-quality equipment, they were equally dumbfounded.

“Hmm? When did so many people gather?” Lin Shenyue wondered aloud. Having just finished reading a forum post about the game, she looked up to find herself completely surrounded.

“So cute…”

“She can’t be an adult yet, can she? How is she even playing this game?”

“Such excellent equipment, could you sell it a little cheaper?”

****

While Lin Shenyue had been absorbed in the forum, her presence had gone largely unnoticed, as she was merely sitting there. However, the moment she lifted her head, the people surrounding her began to buzz with comments upon seeing her face.

Lin Shenyue surveyed the dense crowd around her with a slight frown. In her previous life, as a shut-in, she had always preferred quiet environments. The sudden clamor now made her involuntarily scrunch her brows.

“Those wishing to purchase equipment, please select your payment method. Bargaining will not be entertained,” Lin Shenyue announced, her voice soft and sweet. Instantly, the eyes of several ‘loli-con’ uncles in the vicinity lit up.

Sensing the intense gazes fixed upon her, Lin Shenyue’s eyebrow twitched involuntarily.

Perhaps due to her years of being bedridden in this life, her physical development had seemingly halted several years prior, leaving her quite petite. She had never anticipated that this would attract such a storm of attention.

Previously, she had spent her time in combat zones where, even if players noticed her, they rarely commented due to the constant action. However, most players in the trading district were idle, leading to her glorious public spectacle.

With a hint of exasperation, Lin Shenyue forced herself to ignore the lingering stares. “If you’re not buying, please don’t block others,” she stated coldly.

Her icy tone clearly indicated Lin Shenyue’s growing irritation. Though many still wished to observe her, angering her was not ideal. Thus, after discreetly taking photos, some of the crowd began to disperse.

The remaining individuals then began purchasing equipment. Lin Shenyue’s prices were, after all, quite reasonable. Naturally, for the truly excellent gear, players could only gaze with envious longing.

From within the crowd, a woman stepped forward. While not as breathtakingly beautiful as Lin Shenyue, she was still a rare and striking beauty in her own right.

The woman approached, offering a slight smile. “Hello, little sister. I am Bloodthirsty Rose, vice-guild leader of Pink Rose. I intend to purchase all your equipment. What do you think?”

Upon hearing “little sister,” Lin Shenyue nearly erupted. Forcing down her irritation, she replied expressionlessly, “Alright. Five bronze items for a total of 100 gold coins, twelve iron items for 50 gold coins, and thirty-four common items for 10 gold coins.”

Bloodthirsty Rose hesitated for a moment. “Could we do a cash transaction? While I can afford this many gold coins, it might cause some issues with gold flow later.”

Lin Shenyue shook her head. “I’m not short on real money.” In truth, she had no idea where her real-world bank card was, making a cash transaction impossible.

After a brief thought, she added, “Then give me half the gold coins now, and the other half within one day.”

Bloodthirsty Rose paused, slightly taken aback. “Aren’t you worried I won’t give you the remaining half?”

Lin Shenyue offered a faint smile. “Would you?”

Bloodthirsty Rose was momentarily stunned, then chuckled. “Indeed, I wouldn’t.” It was certainly more advantageous to befriend a power capable of acquiring so much equipment in the early stages, rather than offend them.

Just as Lin Shenyue was about to take down all her equipment, a voice rang out. “Wait, the Flowing Cloud Clan will take these items.”

Bloodthirsty Rose’s brow furrowed slightly at the mention. The Flowing Cloud Clan was a veteran guild across several games, though they were more accurately known as the ‘Ruffian Clan.’ They were notorious for snatching bosses, forcing trades with solo players selling good equipment, and if refused, ambushing and repeatedly killing players until they quit the game entirely.

While her own guild, Pink Rose, held no fear of this ruffian guild, Lin Shenyue didn’t appear to be a guild player; guild members would never sell equipment in this manner. Thus, while the Flowing Cloud Clan might not directly confront Bloodthirsty Rose, they would undoubtedly threaten Lin Shenyue.

Lin Shenyue’s hand paused. Seeing the woman’s worried gaze, she quickly understood the situation she was about to face. Nevertheless, she continued to take down all her equipment, stating calmly, “Deal. Give me 80 gold coins first.”

Bloodthirsty Rose warned anxiously, “You’ll offend those ruffians this way.”

Lin Shenyue offered a faint smile. “It’s fine.”

“Well, well, if it isn’t the big sister of the Red Flower Guild,” a swaggering man remarked, approaching with several companions. His eyes lit up upon seeing Lin Shenyue, and he let out a wolf whistle. “Oh, a little loli! Big brother will give you a lollipop if you give all your equipment to big brother, alright?”

Lin Shenyue’s small face darkened completely. She was being harassed, and worse, she was being teased as a ‘loli’.

“Scum,” Lin Shenyue spat through gritted teeth. She had never imagined being harassed, nor could she think of any words to retort with, only managing a single, furious insult.

Hearing Lin Shenyue’s insult, the man merely grinned. “Such good cursing, little loli. Come on, be a good girl and listen.”

Lin Shenyue’s face turned even darker. Faced with such a person, she felt utterly helpless.

Bloodthirsty Rose could no longer stand by. “Ruffian,” she said coldly, “are you trying to hijack my business?”

I Am a Ruffian chuckled. “Of course, I wouldn’t dare hijack *your* business. But the transaction hasn’t been completed yet, has it? This is merely fair competition.”

He then turned his head to Lin Shenyue. “So, little loli, what have you decided? You could even join big brother’s guild, you know.”

Lin Shenyue, having recognized the man’s shamelessness, cast a cold glance at him. She then turned to Bloodthirsty Rose. “Do you still want the equipment? If not, I’ll find someone else.”

Bloodthirsty Rose blinked, then quickly said, “Yes, of course I do!”

As the trade interface appeared before her, she hastily placed 80 gold coins into it. Lin Shenyue, in turn, deposited all the unwanted equipment and initiated the trade.

Seeing their actions, I Am a Ruffian understood that the trade was underway. His face hardened. “Little loli, think carefully. There’s very little the Flowing Cloud Clan wants that we don’t get.”

Before Lin Shenyue could utter a word, Bloodthirsty Rose stated coldly, “From this moment on, she is one of Pink Rose’s people. Do you have a problem with that?”

I Am a Ruffian glanced at Bloodthirsty Rose, then at Lin Shenyue, let out a cold sneer, and departed.

Lin Shenyue bit her red lip, finally offering her thanks. “Thank you for helping me out. However, I won’t be joining your guild.”

Bloodthirsty Rose asked, concern etched on her face, “Are you really not coming to our guild? While we might not be able to prevent retaliation from the Flowing Cloud Clan, we can certainly protect you.”

Lin Shenyue smiled, shaking her head. “There’s no need. I already have my own team.”

Bloodthirsty Rose paused, then chuckled. “That’s true. Well then, let’s add each other as friends. If you acquire any more equipment, feel free to contact me; I’ll purchase it at 10% above market price.”

Lin Shenyue considered this, then nodded. “Alright.”

After the equipment transaction was complete, Lin Shenyue found herself in a predicament. Logging off would only plunge her into endless darkness, unable to control her own body. Her only recourse was to remain active within the game. Yet, with her inherent lack of direction, she couldn’t guarantee she’d reach her desired destination.

‘Someone on the forum mentioned life skills earlier. Perhaps I should go and learn one now?’ She glanced at Bloodthirsty Rose, who was about to leave, and quickly called out, “Wait a moment.”

Bloodthirsty Rose paused, “Yue’er, what is it?”

Lin Shenyue, feeling a bit embarrassed, asked, “Could you take me to the apothecary?”

Bloodthirsty Rose nodded. “Of course. But isn’t it marked on the newbie village map? It’s very close to here.”

Lin Shenyue’s small face instantly flushed crimson, and she stammered, unable to speak.

Seeing her reaction, Bloodthirsty Rose seemed to realize something, and couldn’t help but let out a giggle. As Lin Shenyue’s face grew redder and redder, she finally managed to say, “I’ll take you there.”

Lin Shenyue watched Bloodthirsty Rose’s retreating back, shook a small, indignant fist, and quickly hurried after her.