Xing Yuan was momentarily stunned. "Not Bo Jingmo? Then who?"
Had a second villain emerged?
Tian Jianmu stroked his chin. "Remember when I told you Bo Jingmo had a girlfriend?"
Of course Xing Yuan remembered, though he hadn't paid it much attention.
While the woman had indeed been an unexpected variable, what trouble could one woman possibly stir up?
Yet now Tian Jianmu was telling him: "I never understood why you all focus so much on Bo Jingmo. In my opinion, that woman is far more formidable than Bo Jingmo."
Xing Yuan frowned, silently clicking his pen cap open and shut, the repetitive snap sound filling the air with growing tension.
Tian Jianmu remained utterly unfazed, leaning back on the sofa to play with his phone after speaking.
But his thoughts inevitably wandered.
Last night had been his first collaboration with Jiang Xi.
After hearing Xing Yuan's endless praise, he'd expected extraordinary competence—only to realize upon working together how overly confident they were.
Their smooth progress was largely attributable to that so-called "Heaven's Luck" ability.
They'd practically turned it into a cheat code for clearing levels.
Though this was typical of new players.
Perhaps it was only because of Yu Li's contrast that their flaws seemed magnified.
Tian Jianmu set down his phone and stood, expression neutral.
He should be more lenient toward newcomers—it wasn't like they'd cross paths again.
"Anything else? I have other matters to attend to."
With a final snap, the pen cap landed on the table.
Xing Yuan set down the pen and looked up, his gaze heavy. "Can you arrange a meeting with her? I need to see her in person."
He had to verify whether she carried that villainous aura.
Tian Jianmu clicked his tongue. "That might be tricky. Didn't I mention she avoids us Peace members?"
He tilted his head in recollection. "I believe she knows Yu Jiao from Deva. After the dungeon ended, I even overheard them arranging to meet in real life."
After a moment's consideration, Xing Yuan said, "Understood. You may leave now."
Would Bai Shaodong know of this Yu Li's existence?
That evening, Yu Li took a taxi to the address Yu Jiao had provided.
After informing the staff, she was led to a private room.
Yu Jiao was already seated inside.
Spotting Yu Li's entrance, she hastily stood. "Please sit. I've ordered some dishes based on your old preferences, though I'm not sure... if they've changed."
She handed over the menu. "Feel free to add anything else."
Yu Li skimmed the selections and closed the menu. "These will suffice."
Just as Yu Jiao relaxed, the young woman's voice came:
"No need to be nervous. Truthfully, I don't remember you."
Yu Jiao froze, looking up abruptly. "You... don't remember me?"
"Mm." Yu Li sipped her tea. "I've retained no memories of Limu."
Yu Jiao was bewildered. "Then how—"
How do you know you're Limu?
Yu Li smiled faintly:
"Because everyone says I am."
The young woman chuckled, setting down her cup. "Must one rely on memories for certainty? Just as you all determined my connection to Bo Jingmo solely through his Black Moon ability."
Yu Jiao had no rebuttal.
Fidgeting with her hands beneath the table, she murmured, "I thought you were avoiding me deliberately because you remembered."
Hence the disappointment—that she'd rather approach Xin Hao and Qi Cheng'an than seek her out.
"I was avoiding you deliberately."
Yu Li stated calmly, using serving chopsticks to place food in Yu Jiao's bowl.
"After hearing how invested you all are in Bo Jingmo's romantic affairs, I knew revealing I was his girlfriend would only bring endless trouble."
Yu Jiao's cheeks colored slightly. Clearing her throat, she picked up her chopsticks awkwardly. "We merely sought someone who could help Bo Jingmo regulate his emotions. And for safety, preferably someone within our oversight."
Softly, she added, "My apologies..."
"Your apology isn't to me." Yu Li swallowed her food, glancing up. "That niece of yours—Wan Wanwan, was it? She seems more deserving of an apology."
Her glasses reflected the lighting, obscuring her eyes as she whispered, "I know..."
Yu Li had mentioned it casually—she cared little for others' family matters. This meeting served another purpose.
"Before the last dungeon, had you met Jiang Xi and Hou Liang in real life?"
The abrupt question startled Yu Jiao. "Yes. Why?"
"Did you notice anything unusual about them?"
After consideration, Yu Jiao frowned. "Beyond exceptional luck, nothing comes to mind."
"I see." Yu Li responded absently, tapping the table thoughtfully.
She'd been pondering—if the Heavenly Dao could manipulate event trajectories, could it also influence minds?
Typically in stories, characters either sided with protagonists or, like Bo Jingmo, bore clear villainous auras opposing them.
Neutral players were rare.
Yet Yu Li had scarcely encountered such fervent protagonist supporters.
Peace being the exception.
To test this, she'd deliberately revealed her intentions to Yu Jiao, expecting the information to reach the protagonists. Surprisingly, events had diverged—Yu Jiao had kept it secret.
Was it due to her identity as Limu? Or could the Chosen Ones not influence her or her associates?
Noticing Yu Li's absent tapping, Yu Jiao suddenly smiled. "Your little habits really haven't changed."
Distracted, Yu Li followed her gaze to her own hand.
With a light chuckle, she withdrew it. "Old habits die hard."
Studying those familiar fox-like eyes, Yu Jiao slowly said, "Yu Li... I don't know why, even after ten years... you feel completely unchanged."
Everything remained as in her memories.
Smiling faintly, she added:
"If not for your different face, I'd think you'd time-traveled straight from a decade ago."