Online game: Mistakenly became a female character, started by slaughtering millions of chickens.

In the real world, late at night.

Shanghai, Lin Family Manor.

The spacious and luxurious study was lit only by a dim floor lamp.

Lin Qingyue, dressed in a silk nightgown, leaned lazily against a leather chair, holding a glass of red wine in her hand, but her gaze was fixed on the dark night outside the floor-to-ceiling window.

On the holographic projection screen in front of her, a document titled "List of the First Batch of Core Members of Qingge" was floating.

"This is the final lineup."

She gently swirled her wine glass, her gaze sweeping over the list.

At the top of the list was the name she both loved and hated—Elder: Su Yu (Berserker).

In second place is the proud lone wolf – Elder: Dragon King (Shadow Assassin).

"The top two guilds on the server-wide power rankings are both in my guild, plus me, who's second..."

Lin Qingyue's lips curled into a smile. This lineup was more than capable of clearing the Dark Forest dungeon, let alone sweeping through other guilds' strongholds.

The gaze continued downwards.

The remaining twenty-odd people were all highly skilled players who had been rigorously selected by the vice president. They were well-equipped and had exceptional awareness.

until.....

Lin Qingyue's gaze lingered on an unremarkable name.

[Member: Qianqian (Pastor)]

Level: Lv.5

Note: Elder Su Yu recommended me for membership.

"Shallowly..."

Upon seeing these two words, Lin Qingyue's originally calm eyes suddenly trembled.

Those eyes, which always exuded rationality and aloofness, now revealed a hint of unconcealed loneliness and reminiscence.

The floodgates of memory seemed to be gently pried open by these two words.

"Qingyue, do you think this hair clip is pretty?"

"Qingyue, we're going to go to the same university and live in the same dorm room!"

"Sister Qingyue..."

The girl who always followed behind her, whose eyes curved into crescents when she smiled, was as warm as a little sun.

Her former best friend—Su Qianqian.

Since the Su family suffered a misfortune a few years ago, and Su Qianqian left with her younger brother, they have lost contact.

Although Lin Qingyue had used her family's resources to search for them, the other party seemed to be deliberately avoiding her and remained unaccounted for.

"I wonder how she's doing now..."

Lin Qingyue put down her wine glass and rubbed her slightly sore temples.

"That idiot, he's been sickly since he was a child, has no sense of direction, and isn't very clever... He must have suffered a lot out there."

She sighed and glanced at the name "Qianqian" on the list one last time.

Then, she shook her head self-deprecatingly.

"What are you thinking about?"

There are plenty of girls named Qianqian, how could it be her?

"Besides, she's just a level 5 priest. If it were her... I would definitely protect her too."

Lin Qingyue turned off the screen, downed the glass of red wine in one gulp, and tried to use the alcohol to suppress the bitterness in her heart.

at the same time.

Guanghai City, old rental housing.

Unlike the tranquility of Lin Qingyue's mansion, this place is filled with the warmth of everyday life and a faint smell of medicine.

Su Yu sat on the edge of the bed, her brows furrowed, holding an electronic thermometer in her hand.

"37.8 degrees Celsius, low-grade fever."

He glanced at the number on the thermometer, then at Su Qianqian lying on the bed, her face pale. His tone carried a hint of reproach, but more so, it was filled with heartache:

"Sis, I've told you so many times, even though virtual games these days are supposed to be light sleep, they're incredibly mentally taxing."

"We can't afford high-end nutritional supplements, so we can only get energy from food. You've been online for over ten hours a day these past few days to keep up with the schedule; how can your body handle that?"

Su Qianqian huddled under the covers, only her big eyes showing, and said somewhat guiltily, "I... I was just afraid of holding you back."

"Everyone else is leveling up so fast, and I'm still a priest. If my level is too low, how am I going to heal you in the future?"

"Besides, that guild is so powerful, I'm afraid..."

"What are you afraid of?"

Su Yu tucked the blanket around her, interrupting her:

"With me here, even if the sky falls, it won't be your turn to hold it up."

He stood up, poured a glass of warm water, and placed it on the bedside table, his tone becoming unquestionable:

"You are not allowed to log in tomorrow for the exploration."

"Huh?" Su Qianqian panicked, struggling to sit up. "But that's the first clear of the dungeon! Guild Leader Lin said it's very important! And I'm a priest, how can we manage without a healer..."

"Lie down."

Su Yu reached out and pressed her back down, his eyes serious.

"I am an elder and a key figure. If I say you don't need to go, then you don't need to go."

"As for the healer position, there are plenty of people in the guild vying for it."

"and....."

Su Yu paused, glanced at the message the fat man had sent on his phone, and a slight smile appeared on his lips:

"That fat guy will be going tomorrow. Although he's a knight, he can also be used as a meat shield in critical moments, so losing a healer won't be a big problem."

"But..." Su Qianqian wanted to say something more.

"No buts."

Su Yu's voice softened:

"Sis, games are for making money, for living, not for ruining your health."

"Now we have money. Although we haven't had time to move to a new house or buy nutritional supplements yet, things will get better in the future."

"Your job now is to get some sleep, and don't let me see you wearing a helmet until your fever breaks."

Looking into her younger brother's resolute yet concerned eyes, Su Qianqian felt a warmth in her heart and finally nodded obediently.

"Okay, then be careful tomorrow. I heard that dungeon is very difficult."

"rest assured."

Su Yu turned off the bedside lamp, leaving only a small nightlight.

"For me, there are no difficult dungeons."

He left the room and gently closed the door behind him.

Standing in the cramped living room, Su Yu glanced at the two slightly worn gaming headsets in the corner and squinted slightly.

"Nutritional solution..."

"Looks like I'll have to buy two cases of the premium stuff tomorrow."

"Now that I've taken that five million monthly salary, tomorrow's land clearing work can be considered my pledge to the boss."

Su Yu took a deep breath, already prepared in his heart.