Chapter 42

Chapter 42: Poor Digging Maid, Manipulated by Bai Fu in the Palm of Her Hand

As the camera locked onto Bai Fu and Anya standing under the orange lights, the previously quiet livestream was suddenly inundated with a barrage of comments.

[Damn, FuFu? Is this real or am I hallucinating?]

[Wu Wu, it’s so good, FuFu looks like she’s really fine.]

[Ah!!! My dream of being the first to find FuFu has been shattered!]

[Hahaha…]

[It’s so hard, really, so hard. It’s time for my favorite phrase: After searching high and low, I suddenly turned around and found her in the dimly lit place!]

[What can I say?]

This all happened so suddenly, no one had anticipated it.

At this moment, Digging Maid’s thoughts were not much different from these comments.

What could she say?

Enormous surprise exploded in her heart. She covered her chest with one hand, unable to utter a word. She was afraid; afraid it was an illusion, and if she moved, everything before her eyes would vanish like a mirage.

Seeing her actions, the players in the live stream grew anxious. They had finally encountered Bai Fu, and they had finally confirmed that Bai Fu was fine. How could they be scared now?

[Digging Maid, why are you still standing there? Hurry up!]

[I wish I could replace Digging Maid]

[Wait, FuFu is coming over!]

Yes, Bai Fu took the initiative.

Before Digging Maid reached Lynn, Bai Fu had already noticed her. She deliberately delayed their meeting to make this reunion feel even more precious and dramatic.

Just like in the animation—

After a long and emotional story, at the end of the animation,伴随着 pleasant music, two people with deep bonds suddenly reunite in a sea of people, then, the story concludes with fireworks!

Of course, here, the conclusion is not the end, but rather a new beginning for Bai Fu.

She glanced at the live stream earlier. The constant comments indicated that half of her plan had succeeded. Now, it depended on how she would interact with Digging Maid next.

Bai Fu was confident about this.

On her way here, she had rehearsed it in her mind dozens of times.

Step one, when her gaze met Digging Maid’s, she suddenly trembled. Although her expression didn’t change much, her eyes quivered like a lake stirred by pebbles.

Step two, while Digging Maid was stunned, she released her grip on Anya’s hand and slowly walked towards Digging Maid.

Step three, finally standing in front of Digging Maid, she raised her right hand, wanting to do something, but ultimately left it hanging in the air.

“You… you look like someone I know. She should have died in the Bug Tide at the abandoned cooling factory days ago, but…”

With these moves, she portrayed a shocked, hopeful yet fearful teenage girl in front of all the players in the live stream.

This scene immediately elicited cries of sorrow.

[I’m heartbroken seeing our FuFu like this.]

[Not my mommy.]

[This is the first time I’ve seen FuFu so vulnerable, so cute.]

[FuFu, my FuFu.]

Looking at Bai Fu approaching, Digging Maid woke up from her daze.

“FuFu, that’s me, Digging Maid!” she exclaimed, lifting her hands to her chest.

Before Bai Fu could respond, Anya suddenly poked her head out from behind Bai Fu, her eyes filled with caution: “You… you’re really not dead? This is a lie, right? Everyone says you’re dead, and the boss even set up a memorial for you.”

Digging Maid quickly extended her right hand: “Really, I’m not dead. Don’t believe me? Feel my hand.”

Anya pinched Digging Maid’s right hand as if pecking at rice grains, then said to Bai Fu, “It’s still warm.”

“Alright.”

Bai Fu lovingly rubbed Anya’s head.

Interrupted by this, she put away her shocked demeanor and faced Digging Maid.

“Although you kept telling me you wouldn’t die, and Saint Words said you were immortal, after waiting two days at the abandoned cooling factory without seeing you return, I thought you were really dead. Those words were just to stop me from worrying.”

As she explained, Digging Maid nodded.

Understood, I completely understand. How could an NPC think about server maintenance?

“Welcome back!”

Bai Fu stretched out her right hand, a warm smile like spring sunshine on her face.

Seeing that hand so close, Digging Maid froze.

Suddenly, she felt something stir in her heart. This was the NPC she recognized as extraordinary, with such respect and closeness. This game was truly amazing!

At this moment, Digging Maid was fully captivated by Bai Fu.

She extended her right hand, gently clasping Bai Fu’s porcelain-like hand.

“I made you worry.”

[The smile of FuFu, ah, so warm, my heart melts.]

[She grabbed it, Digging Maid, you’re in big trouble.]

[This hand can never be washed again.]

[So satisfying, FuFu’s immersion is at its peak. In my previous game, I adventured with an NPC for years, and when we met again, she didn’t even bother to greet me.]

Comments flew by, and Digging Maid noticed Anya glaring at her hand, which was intertwined with Bai Fu’s.

Fine, fine!

Ignoring the comments, this was her moment!

Seeing her silly smile, Bai Fu also chuckled. Thus, her plan today was 3/4 successful. Now, she only needed one last step—

To establish Digging Maid, who had chased her from the abandoned cooling factory to Lynn, as a benchmark, enticing other players to follow her lead!

Previously, she led players in battles, helped them earn experience, and sacrificed herself to evoke their emotions. Today, on this emotionally charged reunion day, it was time for a new strategy to provide players with unique emotional value.

“The journey from the abandoned cooling factory to here wasn’t easy, was it?” Bai Fu suddenly asked.

Digging Maid waved her hand, “It was okay, we were in a car, and there were no dangers along the way.”

As they spoke, her stomach suddenly growled.

“I…”

Digging Maid blushed.

Just saying she was fine, and her hunger was exposed. Sometimes, the realism of the game isn’t always a good thing.

Fortunately, Bai Fu’s smile became even warmer.

“I’ll take you to eat first.”

“No, really, I don’t need to,” Digging Maid quickly declined.

Without hesitation, Bai Fu pulled her along, “Don’t worry, Anya and I came out specifically for dinner.”

Facing Bai Fu’s “firm stance,” Digging Maid could only follow.

Originally, she wanted to show her best side to gain some affinity with Bai Fu, but things didn’t go as planned.

But despite the embarrassment, Digging Maid felt very proud, especially seeing the sighs and genuine envy in the comments. She felt so good, almost flying.

Recalling her first post praising Bai Fu in the community, many people doubted her, and even those who supported her mostly did so for entertainment.

Now, what is called a complete turnaround!

Only true wise men remain alone!

Deciding to write a new post in the community after parting ways with Bai Fu today, she wasn’t doing it to torture the mocking players. The brilliance of a wise man doesn’t come from mocking fools.

She mainly wanted to brag about her journey from deciding to find Bai Fu to their reunion. And yes, she wanted to emphasize the feeling of shaking hands with Bai Fu. Such great writing material couldn’t be wasted without writing several hundred words.

Following Bai Fu, Digging Maid soon realized that the writing material from tonight’s journey might be too abundant for her to finish.

19:03, Arrived at the Red Sail Ship restaurant with FuFu and Anya, FuFu treated them to delicious wasteland-style cuisine;

19:52, Left the restaurant with FuFu and Anya, strolling down the metal pipe-lined walkway, accidentally discovering FuFu’s fondness for sweets, which made her unexpectedly adorable;

20:26, Reached a theme park called “Mechanical Power,” toured decommissioned power armor, feeling envious of FuFu and Anya’s intimate relationship;

21:28, Climbed the highest radio tower with FuFu and Anya, although the wind was strong, standing beside FuFu made her feel warm all over.

Standing on the observation deck of the radio tower, gazing at the sleeping Lynn in the night, Digging Maid’s thoughts drifted far away.

During this time, Star Travel Club was almost exploding. From the abandoned cooling factory district to the main forum, player activity was off the charts.

[Oh no, oh no, something big is happening!]

[What big thing is happening?]

[Is it another fight?]

[Watch Digging Maid’s live stream yourself to find out.]

Many players rushed to Digging Maid’s live stream, all dumbfounded upon arrival.

Damn, could it be like this?

This strange atmosphere, this unusual live content, made it seem like they were watching a drama!

[Ah, my eyes, my eyes, they’re going to be blinded!]

[Kill Digging Maid, grab FuFu!]

[Why isn’t the person standing next to FuFu me!]

[F*ck, show off, can you tell me how much affinity Bai Fu has with Digging Maid? I want to reference it.]

[Damn, this game can be played like this?]

[If you raise the affinity with NPCs enough, maybe you can actually get married!]

After these players went wild in the live stream, they returned to the community to continue the frenzy. Under their influence, players who were initially uninterested in these topics also flooded into Digging Maid’s live stream.

Fortunately, the servers of Above the Stars were incredibly stable, otherwise, the live stream might have been overwhelmed.

That night, Bai Fu’s popularity exploded in a new way, different from previous times.

Previously, her name only circulated within the game, but this time, because many casual players who weren’t even part of the community joined in, and they shared the live stream content on social media outside the game, she suddenly became a small promotional symbol on Above the Stars.

[Shocking! A streamer is playing a dating simulator in Above the Stars!]

[Still looking for a caring virtual friend? Above the Stars is worth it!]

[Look, this woman is called Xiaomei, and the woman next to her is…]

Headlines flooded in, attracting many new players to Above the Stars in a short time.

Even the master planner behind the scenes, Bai Fu, hadn’t expected her plan to have such an impact.

She felt a sudden surge of excitement. If she could become the Hostess of Above the Stars, wouldn’t the planners give her a comprehensive boost to prevent her from getting killed?

Okay, new hope has appeared!

22:06, Bai Fu brought Digging Maid and Anya down from the radio tower.

Seeing the late hour, she arranged a room for Digging Maid nearby, allowing her to stay temporarily.

“I’ve paid for five days of lodging. You don’t need to worry about accommodation for now. If anything urgent happens, you can find me. I live at…”

Bai Fu gave Xia Shi’s address.

“Take these.”

Bai Fu pulled out 500 credit coins and stuffed them into Digging Maid’s hand.

Both Digging Maid and the players in the live stream were stunned.

Bai Fu treating Digging Maid to dinner, showing her Lynn, and paying for her lodging was already beyond their expectations. Unexpectedly, Bai Fu also gave her 500 yuan before parting.

What kind of spirit is this?

“Wow, Boss, you’ve never given me this much pocket money before!” Anya jumped up.

Bai Fu immediately silenced her, “No talking nonsense.”

Anya obediently retracted her neck.

“I…”

Seeing this, Digging Maid wanted to say something, but Bai Fu interrupted her.

“Keep it. I got a bonus from the Gene Progenitor Intelligence Four Corners. Without you, I wouldn’t have received it. By the way, I found a few knowledge books in the Wildfire Gang’s library. I remember you needing these kinds of things. Since I won’t use them, I’ll bring them next time we meet.”

This time, no one needed to interrupt Digging Maid; she was speechless.

[Again giving money, again giving professional knowledge books. Can you find a better NPC than FuFu in this game?]

[What are you waiting for? Hurry up and join the Fu Sect to praise FuFu!]

[Damn, now I have to boost Bai Fu’s affinity. Even if she doesn’t have hidden quests, it’s definitely worth it.]

Watching the screen full of envy, Digging Maid almost shed a tear. This was the first time she was moved not by the game’s plot but by something else.

“FuFu, you’re too good to me. In my original world, even my parents haven’t cared for me like this in a long time.”

Huh?

Bai Fu was taken aback.

Digging Maid smiled bitterly, not expanding on her previous statement. After all, in front of so many viewers, she didn’t want to talk about her parents’ divorce and her struggles in school and work, which might seem like self-pity.

There was no need. She could live well without selling her hardships.

She just felt a bit nostalgic. The care she rarely felt came from a game NPC.

“FuFu, can you tell me about yourself? I’m still weak now, and I might not be able to help you fulfill your wishes, but I’ll do my best. Even if I can help a little, it’s worth it!”

Digging Maid mustered the courage to say this.

Afterwards, she held her breath, and the players in the live stream fell silent.

Would Bai Fu reveal her true identity and release a hidden quest this time?

Bai Fu stared intently at Digging Maid.

According to her initial plan, she should share her newly fabricated story after some time. But since Digging Maid had taken the initiative to speak and the live stream atmosphere was heated, there was no need to wait.

“Can I come in?”

Digging Maid’s eyes lit up. Yes, it worked, haha, it worked!

She quickly invited Bai Fu and Anya inside.

After serving Bai Fu and Anya cool boiled water, she nervously sat on the sofa in the guest room, along with thousands of players, eagerly awaiting Bai Fu to lift the veil from her face.

PS: Thanks to Tropical Storm Luo Xuan Flying Penguin, Great Raging Three, Mess丶Lind, and Cang Qingjiu for their support.

I watched some LoL matches today, so the update is a bit late. Sorry, sorry.

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