A Life-Changing Encounter

Although Lin Shenyue was still conflicted about her female identity, she ultimately accepted it. Sleeping beside a little loli who wasn’t even ten years old, she couldn’t possibly harbor any other thoughts.

Of course, it was her first time sleeping with a girl other than her mother, so a natural tension stirred within her. Despite having played the game for three continuous days, leaving her with little sleepiness, her spirit felt somewhat weak. She closed her eyes and, without realizing it, drifted off to sleep.

****

In reality, Ye Jue removed his helmet.

He took a deep breath, gazing out the window.

The appearance of Lin Shenyue once again sparked his doubts. Even disregarding her striking appearance, her terrifying computational abilities alone should have ensured she wouldn’t be lost among the masses in the game.

Why, then, had he never heard of this person in his previous life after entering the game?

Even if she had quit midway, surely she would have left some trace on the forums?

Just like now, her appearance had already been posted on forums by curious players. Secret investigations had even uncovered a considerable amount of information about her.

Ye Jue shook his head.

He turned and walked out of his room.

It was lunchtime. Unlike Lin Shenyue’s busy parents, his parents were ordinary working-class individuals, allowing them to return home to eat with Ye Jue.

Ye Jue’s mother, a graceful middle-aged woman, poked her head out from the kitchen after he emerged. She smiled faintly. “You’re out. Lunch will be ready in a moment.”

His father, a stern-looking middle-aged man seated in the living room, frowned upon seeing Ye Jue. “Playing games again?”

Ye Jue smiled. “Yes, but I won’t neglect my studies.”

His father nodded. “You’ve grown up. I believe you can handle such matters yourself. I only hope you live without regrets.”

Ye Jue’s mother, carrying a dish, emerged from the kitchen just then. Hearing her husband’s words, she chuckled. “Alright, stop lecturing our son. Go get the rice.”

His father sighed helplessly. He rose and went to serve the rice.

Ye Jue watched his harmonious family, a faint smile gracing his lips. He resolved then and there to protect his family in this life.

After dinner, Ye Jue bid farewell to his parents and left the house. His primary reason for returning home this time was to find a particular individual.

This person was originally an ordinary beggar. After being discovered by the Heaven Guild, they were brought into an affiliated guild, assigned the role of a gold farmer. Unexpectedly, this young beggar, merely using their spare time between gold farming, managed the entire guild with remarkable efficiency, eventually catching the attention of the Heaven Guild.

They were subsequently promoted to Vice Guild Master of the Heaven Guild. However, as Ye Jue knew, the Heaven Guild had actually signed an unfair contract with the beggar beforehand, akin to a servitude agreement. The reason for this was the beggar’s younger brother, who suffered from a prolonged illness, forcing them into the agreement with the Heaven Guild.

Coincidentally, this beggar lived in H-City, Ye Jue’s hometown. He had even encountered them once before, kindly tossing them five yuan.

However, the beggar’s transformation in the game was so drastic that Ye Jue hadn’t recognized them. Had he not overheard the guild master discussing it by chance, he truly would not have known where this person came from.

Ye Jue walked for over ten minutes along a familiar route, arriving at a chaotic alleyway. He surveyed the alley, a frown creasing his brow. He only knew that the beggar solicited here; he had no idea where their actual home was.

Since the beggar hadn’t arrived yet, Ye Jue had to find another way.

He looked at a dozing beggar nearby and conceived a plan. He approached them and asked, “Do you know where the beggar who usually stays in this spot went?” As he spoke, he directly tossed five yuan to them.

The beggar, initially displeased by the interruption, smiled broadly upon seeing the money. “Oh, him? I know. It seems his brother’s condition worsened these past few days, so he’s spending more time at home taking care of him. Normally, he’d be out by now.”

Ye Jue frowned slightly. “Then do you know where their home is?”

The beggar looked at Ye Jue with a knowing smile. Ye Jue, feeling helpless, reluctantly placed another five yuan down. The beggar pursed their lips, but didn’t ask for more, pointing into the alley. “Go into this alley, take the second left, and it’s the fourth house.”

Ye Jue nodded. “Thanks,” he said, then walked into the alley.

After Ye Jue left, the beggar shook their head and sighed. “It seems Qiangzi has caught someone’s eye. I hope he can get his brother cured soon.”

Following the beggar’s directions, Ye Jue arrived at his destination. He hesitated slightly before the dilapidated house, then pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The house contained only two shabby rooms. The larger one was where the person he sought resided. Hearing the sound, the man inside emerged, his gaze falling upon Ye Jue. He spoke in a low, serious voice.

“Who are you, and why are you in my home?”

Ye Jue considered his words carefully before finally stating, “I can save your brother…” No sooner had he spoken than he saw the man’s expression shift. Yet, true to the character who would one day become a Vice Guild Master of a super guild, he ultimately controlled himself. “What do I need to do?”

Ye Jue smiled. “I prefer speaking with intelligent people. You don’t need to know how I obtained this information. In short, I value your abilities. You need to enter Divine Realm, and when the guild is established in the future, you will be responsible for managing it for me.”

The man was silent for a moment, then asked curiously, “You just trust that I can manage it well?”

Ye Jue shook his head. “I can tell your family was once very wealthy. Although I don’t know what happened, I trust my judgment.”

The man took a deep breath. “Since you’re willing to trust me, what harm is there in trying?”

Ye Jue nodded. After some thought, he realized he would have to seek help from his friend. He knew that the man’s brother suffered from leukemia, and it would be difficult to help him alone. However, he didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

The call connected, and a slightly strange voice came from the other end. “How rare! Our brilliant Young Master Ye actually called me.”

Ye Jue spoke with a hint of exasperation. “Alright, Yao Lei. I’m calling you primarily because of something I can’t handle alone. I had no choice but to ask for your help.”

Yao Lei’s playful tone vanished. “What is it?” Ye Jue was consistently at the top of their local high school, while Yao Lei, having gotten in through connections, was always at the bottom of the class. Despite this vast difference, the two had become inseparable friends.

Ye Jue’s voice was serious. “I want to ask for your help to save someone.”

Yao Lei asked, puzzled, “Who is it? Is this person difficult to save?”

Ye Jue nodded. To avoid revealing too much, he turned to the man and asked, “What illness does your brother have?”

The man replied with a heavy tone, “Leukemia.”

Ye Jue continued into the phone, “Leukemia. Consider the cost of treatment a loan from me. Though I can’t repay it immediately, I’ve found a way.”

Yao Lei was silent for a moment. Although his relationship with Ye Jue was strong, treating leukemia would cost hundreds of thousands of yuan. Despite having the money, he couldn’t spend it casually. Finally, he asked, “What do you plan to do?”

Ye Jue said, “Do you know about Divine Realm? The purpose this time is to help someone who will be a great asset to us in Divine Realm.”

Yao Lei pondered. He knew about Divine Realm; in fact, he was currently playing it, though only casually. However, he was aware of Divine Realm’s potential. In a family like his, even if his academic performance was poor, he would inevitably be exposed to many things through osmosis. Therefore, he was certain Ye Jue must have discovered something. Ye Jue never discussed matters of money or power with him, which was precisely why he enjoyed being friends with him.

“Alright, but I have one condition. Since you’re already planning to invest in Divine Realm, you’re probably intending to establish your own faction, right? When the time comes, give me a Vice Guild Master position for fun,” Yao Lei chuckled.

Ye Jue was somewhat silent. He understood that these were merely words of comfort from Yao Lei. Yao Lei saying this meant he didn’t care about the money at all; he simply didn’t want Ye Jue to owe him for nothing. Ye Jue’s tone was firm. “Don’t worry, Lei Zi, your position will be reserved, and you won’t regret your decision today.”

Yao Lei laughed dismissively. “I hope so. I’ll arrange for someone to pick you up now, and I’ll come too. We can discuss the details on the way.”

Ye Jue acknowledged and hung up the phone.

The man frowned slightly. “Is this truly worth it for you? What if I don’t meet your expectations?”

Ye Jue smiled faintly. “I believe in myself, and I believe you are unwilling to settle for your current life.”

The man took a deep breath. “I understand. My name is Gong Qiang, and I will follow you through to the end.”

Ye Jue extended his hand. “My name is Ye Jue. Welcome aboard.” Ye Jue and Gong Qiang clasped hands, their dirty palms meeting without a hint of disdain. Ye Jue smiled, his eyes gleaming with determination. ‘Wait for me. I will shatter your life trajectories, and I will personally send the Heaven Guild to hell.’