"I need to log off and go out for a bit," Lin Zhao said leisurely, leaning against the city gate.
"Huh?" Ding Chi asked, "Go out for what?"
"To pick up a new member for our studio. I mentioned it to you guys before. My sister has a really good friend named Chen Xue. She's supposed to be a very beautiful girl. My sister went to a lot of trouble to finally convince Chen Xue to join our Scarlet Moon Knights as vice-leader, to manage all internal affairs. Chen Xue has arrived, so I'm going to pick her up."
"Do you need me to go with you?" Ding Chi asked.
"No." Lin Zhao shook his head, slightly embarrassed. "There's only so much space on the back of my motorcycle. If I take you, she won't have a place to sit."
"That's true..." Ding Chi replied. "Then we'll wait for you at the studio. When Chen Xue arrives, we'll log off and give her a proper welcome?"
"Alright!"
Beside them, Zhang Jun's eyes gleamed. "You guys know, your 'sister-in-law' broke up with me a while ago. Since Chen Xue is such a beauty... you two scumbags promised I could pick first!!"
Lin Zhao burst into laughter. "As long as you have the capability, go ahead and chase her. Ding Chi and I won't say anything. But it can't disrupt the studio's unity. If you chase Chen Xue away because you're trying to hit on her, then you can get lost with her. You figure out the boundaries."
"Don't worry, I'll just test the waters. If there's no chance, I'll back off immediately. We've all been through tough times together, we understand."
"Okay, I'm heading off then."
...
Lin Zhao logged off, changed into some fresh casual wear, and headed out. He mounted his magnetic levitation motorcycle and slowly ascended, then sped towards the distant subway station. Nowadays, the surface outside all human cities was unsafe, with all sorts of irradiated mutated beasts running rampant. Humanity's situation was quite precarious. Fortunately, the underground remained safe. The entire China server had a vast, interconnected underground transportation system for people to travel between major cities.
Shihu East Station wasn't far. Lin Zhao slowly parked his magnetic levitation motorcycle a hundred meters away from the station, then dismounted and walked directly towards it. Quite a few people were coming out of the station at this time, including office workers and students. Among them, a girl wearing a light blue bandeau top and a short skirt stood there, seemingly waiting for someone. She carried a slightly heavy backpack, had long, fair legs, fair arms, and a delicate, flawless face. Her eyes held a hint of impatience as she looked around.
Lin Zhao glanced at her and his heart skipped a beat. The girl described as the most beautiful in the communicator was indeed Chen Xue, but he had no idea she would be *this* beautiful!
So, Lin Zhao's heart began to pound. One hand clutched the motorcycle keys, the other, unsure of where to go, was tucked into his pocket. He walked up and, in a hushed voice as if exchanging secret signals, asked, "Chen Xue?"
The girl froze and looked at him. "Lin Zhao?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao dangled the keys in his hand and smiled. "I don't have any fancy tools, so I'll have to trouble you to ride on the motorcycle. Is this all your luggage? Where's your game pod?"
"The game pod is in transit. It should arrive at the studio this afternoon."
Chen Xue blinked and also sized up the person in front of her. Was he really Murong Feiyue's cousin, the "Lin Baiyi of Xueyu Tianchi" who was famous in the prequel to the game "Tian Xia"? He didn't seem like it. His entire demeanor and appearance were quite different from the Lin Zhao in the game. However, Chen Xue didn't overthink it. "Let's go back first. I'll put my things down."
"Okay."
Lin Zhao extended his hand.
"What for?" Chen Xue raised an eyebrow.
Lin Zhao felt a bit awkward. "Let me help you with your luggage?"
"No need." Chen Xue smiled faintly. "I can carry it myself."
As she spoke, she picked up the heavy luggage, though it didn't seem to be a great burden. Lin Zhao watched, a frown creasing his brow as he walked ahead. Chen Xue had once followed his sister, and only retired from service due to an injury. She was probably not as simple as she appeared.
...
At ten in the morning, Lin Zhao brought Chen Xue to the studio. Ding Chi and Zhang Jun had already logged off to welcome her.
"I'm Ding Chi!" Ding Chi walked forward, mimicking a game character, and clasped his fists with a smile. "Ding from Ding Muchong, Chi that is never late."
Chen Xue placed her luggage by the sofa and smiled, nodding. "I'm Chen Xue."
"I'm Zhang Jun!" Zhang Jun stepped forward, not daring to take off his hat. "The most handsome guy in the entire Scarlet Moon Knights studio."
"Oh?" Chen Xue glanced at him and chuckled. "I'm not so sure. From a female perspective, Lin Zhao and Ding Chi are actually better looking than you."
"..." Zhang Jun was instantly petrified, a look of horror on his face. This woman was destined to be unrequited for him. What a shame, Chen Xue was definitely a top-tier beauty, with a flawless face and a great figure. Unfortunately, she seemed to have immediately disqualified him upon entering the studio.
Lin Zhao led Chen Xue upstairs and pointed to the rooms one by one. "The rest of us guys live on the first floor. You can choose any room on the second floor, whichever one you like."
"Okay." Chen Xue looked at each room and found them all satisfactory. These accommodations were nothing compared to the employee dormitories when she danced in bars. So, she turned, her beautiful eyes looking at Lin Zhao, the leader of the Scarlet Moon Knights. "Lin Zhao, you're the leader of the Scarlet Moon Knights, which room do you live in?"
Lin Zhao pointed diagonally downwards. "That room, the one by the backyard."
"Got it." Chen Xue walked to the opposite side and opened a door. "I'll live in the room directly above yours then~~~"
Lin Zhao couldn't help but chuckle. "This... is there a reason for that?"
"It's simple..." Chen Xue pursed her red lips. "After all, I'm a girl coming here, unfamiliar with the surroundings. If I encounter any trouble, I'll stomp my foot hard. You'll be downstairs, and when you hear it, you can rush up. Understand?"
"Understood!" Lin Zhao nodded gently, his clear eyes looking at Chen Xue. "Chen Xue, you can rest assured. I can vouch for the character of my two brothers. They absolutely won't do anything overstepping their bounds to you. Furthermore, your sister asked you to help me, which is like entrusting you to me. I will definitely do my utmost to take good care of you."
"Mm." Chen Xue smiled, finding his seriousness a little overwhelming. She chuckled and said, "I'll unpack and change. You go ahead and get busy."
"Alright."
...
Lin Zhao went downstairs. Ding Chi and Zhang Jun beckoned him over in the corridor, and the three of them huddled together, discussing in hushed tones.
"How was it?" Lin Zhao asked. "Chen Xue is now a member of the studio. You all need to adapt quickly."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Ding Chi nodded repeatedly. "Working with such a beautiful woman should be quite enjoyable~~~"
Zhang Jun asked, "Does Chen Xue have a boyfriend?"
"How would I know?" Lin Zhao crossed his arms. "You ask her yourself..."
"Oh!" Zhang Jun grinned. "I'll ask her when I have time."
Ding Chi inquired, "Chen Xue's game pod?"
"It's being shipped. It should be here soon. Help her install it later."
"Got it!"
At half-past ten, the game pod indeed arrived. The three men in the studio carried it upstairs with a flurry of activity, installing and connecting it. Chen Xue watched with a smile, her arms crossed. These men actually felt quite decent. The way they looked at her made her feel comfortable, especially Lin Zhao, whose gaze was the clearest. Unlike the clients and so-called "big brothers" she encountered in bars, whose eyes were always greasy, lingering on the dancers' chests and legs, such gazes made her feel nauseous just recalling them.
...
When the game pod was safely installed, the sound of a door opening came from downstairs. Wang Ju walked in with a pile of ingredients and called up, "You weren't in the game this morning, huh? I'll start cooking right away."
"Okay, Sister Ju, you get busy!" Lin Zhao replied.
"Huh?" Chen Xue looked at Lin Zhao in surprise. "Is there another woman in the studio?"
"Don't misunderstand." Lin Zhao explained. "Her name is Wang Ju, we usually call her Sister Ju. She's a single mother with a daughter named Xiao Ju Zi. They're our neighbors from where I used to live, and they're having a very difficult time. We felt bad for them. When Ding Chi, Zhang Jun, and I moved into the studio, we ate instant noodles every day. So, we decided to hire Wang Ju to cook for us and help manage the studio. Don't get the wrong idea, there's no one else."
"Mm." Ding Chi was quick to defend his good brother. "Lin Zhao and Sister Ju's relationship is completely pure. There's absolutely no unclear connection, and Xiao Ju Zi's father is definitely not Lin Zhao."
"Sigh..." Lin Zhao put his hand to his forehead. Why were they explaining all this?
At that moment, Chen Xue's gaze towards Lin Zhao became strange.
...
Lunchtime. Wang Ju's cooking had become increasingly skillful, and the dishes tasted quite good. However, even so, Chen Xue, while eating small bites, frowned slightly, still finding the woman somewhat irritating. As for Wang Ju, seeing the arrival of this new studio member, she felt a little flustered. This new girl was simply too beautiful, with a great figure and fashionable attire. Wang Ju had never dared to look too closely at someone like her before. Now, having to eat face-to-face, she was somewhat uncomfortable. So, she stole a glance at Chen Xue and then dared not look anymore.
Chen Xue ate with her head down, occasionally looking up at Wang Ju. Their eyes met, and Chen Xue felt a pang of grievance. Why was this "Sister Ju" looking at her as if she were a "little vixen"? What was going on? She had just arrived at the studio and hadn't offended anyone.
At that moment, Chen Xue became even more convinced that Wang Ju had an unusual relationship with Lin Zhao. Murong Feiyue hadn't mentioned this person before! Could this guy, in a moment of youthful passion, have made a mistake and not dared to tell his cousin? Should she help him conceal this relationship... Chen Xue's thoughts were incredibly complicated.
...
After lunch, they logged in.
Lin Zhao and the others were still in the East Gate Plaza of Yunshang County. Chen Xue's account had been teleported to Yunshang County early in the morning, and she met Lin Zhao and the others in the plaza.
"Hi, Chen Xue!" Lin Zhao spotted the prettiest girl in the crowd at once.
"Mm." Chen Xue looked at Lin Zhao and smiled. "Are you a Sword Master?"
"Yes." Lin Zhao laughed. "Ding Chi and Zhang Jun are also Sword Masters. Three Sword Masters from one school!"
"Ah?" Chen Xue's mouth fell open slightly. Three Sword Masters, plus herself as a Templar Knight. Four heavily armored players. How could they play? Play what!
"The other two have arrived too." Chen Xue frowned. "Let's go, let's head out of the city to level up."
"We can't." Ding Chi pointed to the wall of people from the Prosperous Peony Guild outside the city. "We're being blocked in the safe zone and can't leave the city. We'll die if we step out."
"Ah?" Chen Xue's mouth fell open again. At this moment, her heart was in utter disarray.
She felt weak and helpless. How would she lead this peculiar group in the future?
——————
Eight chapters finished. Brothers, give Sword Immortal some recommendation votes!