Chapter 2

◎The Gentle Big Sis and the Devilish Boss◎

The game Chen Yi was currently playing was called Miracle, a multi-platform title that blended RPG and FPS elements.

Miracle was set in a post-apocalyptic world, where every player started with an initial character. In the game, players took on the role of their character, scavenging for resources in various survival dungeons. Those resources could then be used to develop their character and build their own base in the Homeland.

Unlike the typical wuxia or Western fantasy RPGs flooding the market, Miracle leaned heavily into post-apocalyptic combat. The gameplay focused on firearms as the primary weapons, emphasizing teamwork between players.

Chen Yi’s main account had long since reached max level and claimed the top spot on the server leaderboard. Whenever she had free time, she loved messing around on her smurfs.

She’d logged in with a smurf for this version update too.

Once she entered the game, her phone screen filled with scenes of shattered ruins and broken walls. She stood at the roadside, players streaming past her on either side.

Miracle’s current cap was level 90, and Chen Yi’s smurf, 【Sister Don’t Hit Me】, was only at level 36, with a little green sprout icon above her head marking her as a newbie.

To experience the new dungeons from the update, Chen Yi queued up for random solo. Less than ten seconds later, a random squad formed, and the four of them loaded into dungeon mode.

She glanced at her teammates’ names.

Two of them were obviously a couple: one was Scar Mo Li, the other Scar Mo Qi. Both wore expensive 688-Value Mall Combat Suits, one black and one white, gleaming with flashy effects.

By comparison, Chen Yi’s character looked downright plain. Her gear was all system handouts—even the gun in her hands was pretty basic.

Standing next to her was a female character named 【Fade】, who stood quietly. Her equipment seemed understated at first glance, but anyone in the know would recognize it right away. That battle-damaged, blood-red top with the high-slit skirt had to be redeemed from high-difficulty, grind-heavy game Achievements.

It went for tens of thousands of RMB on the market.

Chen Yi had a few sets herself, but she wasn’t into dressing up, so they were all stashed in her main’s warehouse.

After taking stock, Chen Yi had a good read on the squad.

None of them seemed like total newbies. They could just dive right in.

Playing as a dedicated healer, Chen Yi followed the team forward. Things went smoothly enough against the small mobs, but when they hit the first boss, the DPS started falling behind.

The guy from the couple, 【Scar Mo Qi】, immediately opened voice chat and started cursing. “What the hell are you doing, you four-letter freak? Aren’t you a sniper? Why are you getting that close? You trying to die?”

【Scar Mo Li】 chimed in. “This isn’t working—we can’t beat it like this. What’s the deal with you, Letter Sis?”

Chen Yi pulled up the damage stats. Fade’s output was indeed on the low side. Either her aim was off, she’d never played sniper before, or she’d bought the account.

Chen Yi got an idea. Her fingers flew across the screen as she typed a reply.

【Sister Don’t Hit Me】: We can beat it, but you’ll need to pop some potions yourselves.

【Scar Mo Qi】 grumbled. “Potions?! Then what the hell do we need a healer like you for?”

Chen Yi smirked coldly.

【Sister Don’t Hit Me】: To carry your DPS, duh.

She was just about to put on a show when the hot-tempered duo hurled a few more insults and rage-quit the squad, leaving Chen Yi and Fade with their mission on pause.

The two of them stood there in the dungeon, staring at each other.

Chen Yi was about to leave too when her Bluetooth earbud buzzed with a faint current hum. Then came a voice as gentle as fresh snowfall—cool around the edges, but the first thing it evoked was a warm hearth closet, crackling firewood, and sparks flying, all laced with a subtle electromagnetic resonance.

“Sorry,” Fade said. “I held us back.”

People’s tastes varied wildly in this world—some went for pretty faces, others for vibe. Chen Yi had to admit it: she was a sucker for voices. To her, it was a fated weakness.

Right now, she felt like she’d stumbled onto destiny itself.

Chen Yi opened voice chat. “No worries! It’s everyone’s first time.”

Hearing her voice, Fade went quiet for a moment. The line crackled softly.

That brief silence set Chen Yi’s heart racing.

Was her voice that bad? Her livestream viewers always called it a clear, girlish tone. She could even drop it low for a sultry mature-woman vibe. So why wasn’t Fade saying anything?

“You okay?” Chen Yi asked hesitantly.

Fade: “Yeah, I’m good.”

“Did you buy the account?” With the system yet to match new teammates, Chen Yi chatted idly with her in the dungeon.

Fade: “How’d you tell?”

Chen Yi smiled. “Kinda obvious.”

She offered a friendly tip. “If you’re playing sniper, always mind your long-range positioning. If you’re not used to it, hop into the training room first. You can chain a bunch of skills together.”

Fade listened quietly as Chen Yi explained a ton of stuff. Then she thanked her and added, “You really know your stuff.”

Chen Yi coughed lightly, remembering this was her smurf. “Eh, I just read a lot of guides. I’m not that good. I’m a newbie too—wanna add friends and play together sometime?”

Fade didn’t reply at first. Just as Chen Yi thought she’d get turned down, Fade sent a friend request after fiddling around for a bit.

And so, Chen Yi’s empty friends list gained a new ID.

Chen Yi led Fade out of the dungeon and spent the next while teaching her the ropes—about Rename Cards, the Homeland, Achievements, and more.

Fade was usually pretty quiet. After more than ten minutes, she said she had to log off.

“Go ahead!” Chen Yi said. “Big Sis will play with you next time, okay?”

Fade: “Sure.”

Chen Yi waved goodbye in-game. Fade just stood there blankly, but Chen Yi saw through it and showed her how. Fade then spammed a bunch of emotes back.

/Hug/ Kiss/ Bye-bye

It was just a game avatar, but watching that cool red-clad woman with the sniper rifle slung over her back hug and kiss her character still made Chen Yi’s cheeks heat up a bit.

“See you next time,” Fade said warmly. “Thanks for today.”

With a flash of light, the red-clad woman vanished. At the same time, a notification pinged in Chen Yi’s inbox.

【Your friend ‘Fade’ has gifted you a set of clothing. Please check and claim it soon.】

Chen Yi clicked it open.

It was a 688-Value Mall combat suit in red-and-black—super stylish.

Big Sis was generous.

Chen Yi almost worried she’d gotten scammed on the account purchase. Clearly a total newbie to the game. Chen Yi was curious why she’d bought one to play, but she didn’t pry. They weren’t that close yet.

After Fade logged off, Chen Yi kept solo queuing, grinding a few more dungeons before calling it a night.

Going to work was like having your life force drained away. She hadn’t done much that morning, but she was exhausted. She face-planted onto the conference table and passed out, completely unaware that the room had been booked for half an hour later.

When Xu Yan pushed open the conference room door with her assistant in tow, she spotted Chen Yi sprawled on the table, head pillowed on her own arms, sleeping soundly.

Xu Yan frowned and shot her assistant a look. The assistant hurried over and shook Chen Yi awake. Still groggy and dazed, Chen Yi looked up at Xu Yan, slow on the uptake.

Xu Yan’s lips curved in a cold smirk. “Chen Yi?”

Chen Yi nodded on reflex.

Xu Yan: “Slept enough?”

Chen Yi shook her head.

Xu Yan: “Then go home and sleep.”

Chen Yi perked up, delighted. “Am I getting the day off?”

Xu Yan’s smile was more ice than mirth. “You’re fired.”

Less than half a day on the job, and Chen Yi had already unlocked the achievement for pissing off the boss and getting canned on the spot.

Luckily, HR knew who she was. She rushed over, scolded her, and dragged her away.

“Demon,” Chen Yi muttered indignantly. “Female Demon Head!”

HR: “Ancestress! My ancestress! Can you please shut up for once?”

Chen Yi huffed. “Sis, just fire me already.”

Worst case, she’d cut ties with her parents and go home. She made enough from gaming to live comfortably. She could sell a single account and afford a couple apartments. What did she have to fear? Who in their right mind voluntarily slaved away at a desk job?

HR: “No way. General Manager Chen specifically told me to wait out your three-day trial period, then transfer you to be Chief Editor Xu’s assistant.”

Chen Yi’s eyes went wide, her whole body screaming rejection.

HR: “You’re one of those people who doesn’t know when she’s well off.”

Chen Yi thought to herself, what kind of blessing was Xu Yan? The gentle big sis she’d randomly met in-game today—that was the real good fortune.

Speaking of which, why did Xu Yan’s voice sound kinda like Fade’s in certain moments?

No way—

Nope, nope, nope.

Chen Yi shook her head vigorously.

Xu Yan playing games? If Xu Yan played games, she’d do handstands right there in the office!!