CH 40

Chapter 40 Daily Life— The Guide to Slacking Off

After contemplating for a while, Qian Yue finally remembered that she had posted a guide before. However, due to the passage of time, she had completely forgotten what it was about.

Seeing the red “99+” notification, she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in surprise, “So many discussions about it?”

Curious, she clicked on the thread, expecting to find some pleasant surprises. But the first sentence she saw was:

-“The heck is this.”

Qian Yue: ?

She continued scrolling down, and her expression gradually turned cold as she read more.

-“Hilarious! Why does any Tom Dick or Harry have the audacity to post a guide these days? Has this person never played games?”

-“Utter green garbage, go away.”

-“Using xx master’s videos without even acknowledging or mentioning the video author, did you plagiarize it?”

-“Am I the only one who thinks this thread is suspiciously similar to the ones from user XX, XX, and XXX next door? They wrote everything in great detail, but she just skipped through it. Could it be copied?”

-“Replying to the person above, it’s very possible.”

-“Plagiarizing Sima scum.”

-“Sima +1.”

…

The more Qian Yue read, the more something felt off. She pursed her lips and opened a chat window with Qian Chi, asking, “What do ‘green’ and ‘sima’ mean?”

Qian Chi seemed to be busy with something, so there was no immediate reply. Instead, the AI assistant popped up with two dictionary definitions.

【Green: A color. Frenquently used to describe a partner’s infidelity.】

【Sima: An ancient surname. Famous figures include…】

Qian Yue: “…”

Although she wasn’t well-versed in internet slang, she could guess that these two words were probably not good terms.

What’s wrong with these people?

However, not everyone in the thread was sarcastic; some users actually supported Qian Yue’s post and defended her.

-“Wow, did the OP specifically calculate the consumption rate? Impressive.”

-“I think the main post is excellent. All the data is clearly presented. Why do some people think it’s ‘green’?”

-“I agree with the person above. Those who called it ‘green’ are just ridiculous. This is the technical section, right? Only closed beta players can access it (rolls eyes).”

…

-“This guide is great. I’ve taken notes, and I’ll try it in my next game.”

-“Could those accusing her of plagiarism watch their language? Show some decency. You can’t just condemn someone without evidence.”

-“Copying, copying, copying. All they do is accuse without any proof.”

As more comments poured in, the thread quickly turned into a heated argument, even escalating into a full-blown verbal fight. However, Qian Yue wasn’t active on the forum, so she had no idea about all these things. It wasn’t until the third round of the instance start that the post’s popularity gradually subsided.

The latest comment came two minutes ago:

-“Before starting the game, I tried using the main post’s data to calculate the resource consumption rate. It was really helpful for stockpiling. I exchanged limited funds for more resources.”

“But the third instance had too many environmental variables, and in the later days, I was busy escaping, and my plans all fell apart. I’d like to hear how the OP dealt with it.”

With so many self-proclaimed experts around, Qian Yue had originally intended to leave the thread and ignore them. However, upon seeing the last message, she hesitated for a moment.

After typing and deleting in the reply box, Qian Yue decided to share her experience in completing the third instance. She thought, if it could help others, there was no harm in continuing the thread.

As for those who inexplicably started accusing her of plagiarism…

Qian Yue: I’ve updated the walkthrough for the third instance. I’ve also included the resource algorithm. If you don’t believe it, you can try it in the next instance. I’ll be waiting here to hear you call me ‘Daddy’ when you return 

*

After arrogantly typing ‘Daddy’, Qian Yue went to browse the forum’s miscellaneous section.

The third instance had just ended, and the forum was buzzing with activity as many people were discussing the third round of instances.

-“Don’t be fooled by the initial crop giveaway; I don’t even recognize half of the stuff I found inside the instance!”

-“This is where being well-read comes in handy. I have a crop on my island called ‘firegrass,’ and I heard that the Lisu tribe from the Blue Planet(Earth) era used this plant to make fiber for spinning fabrics…”

-“So, did you get rich by selling firegrass fabric?”

-“…No, not at all. I just read a couple of history books; I have no idea how to spin anything_ (:」)_”

-“Posting a search notice on someone else’s thread. Need help finding a female master, skilled in combat, who used a bamboo stick as a weapon in the last instance. Generous reward for information. PM me. (Five cents each, do exclude this bracket)”

-“I’m even worse off. I recognize all the crops on my island, and they are all ordinary and practical. But my whole archipelago is filled with beggar players! I woke up one day, and my island had been completely looted T-T”

…

-“It’s infuriating! The official developers are liars. They said only island owners could collect resources on their islands for the first three days, but why are the beggar players allowed to do it?”

-“Posting a search notice on someone else’s thread… finding a female master… (Five cents each, do exclude this bracket)”

-“Beggar players are just as clueless! I merely touched the trunk of a tree and accidentally knocked down someone else’s last coconut. I got chased and beaten the whole day!”

-“Don’t even mention it; a small gang occupied the main island of our group. They didn’t let us touch the public resources there, it’s just outrageous!”

-“Posting a search notice on someone else’s thread…”

Several consecutive posts had this “posting a search notice” line, and Qian Yue, who had originally skipped over them, couldn’t help but pause and read them this time.

In each post, there was the same “Five cents each, do exclude this bracket.”

Qian Yue fell silent for a moment. “Very impressive Intelligence.”

She had no idea who was unfortunate enough to have such an annoying disciple.

It seemed like there were too many of these posts in a row, and

gradually, people started leaving comments mocking them:

“These water army members are really unprofessional.”

“So many people giving them five cents; they might as well give it to me. At least I know where the delete key is (dog’s head).”

“Fighting with bamboo sticks? May I ask if you’re a disciple of the Beggar Sect? Have you ever read a book? What pill are you taking?”

“This is hilarious. Thumbs up to the above comment.”

[T/N: “Water army” refers to hired commentators who post comments to manipulate opinions on social media platforms.]

After reading the comments, Qian Yue smiled silently and was about to exit to catch up on the latest updates on the “Winged Dragon” thread when a few new comments popped up.

-“Using bamboo stick, skilled in combat, female… Could it be who I’m thinking of?”

-“Hey, are you thinking what I’m thinking? Does the uninhabited island grow coconuts and rose hip?”

-“Alright, confirmed through eye contact; we’ve both been beaten up.”

“…” Qian Yue’s smile stiffened.

After a while, she softly uttered a sentence.

“Du Yuanlang, you’re dead meat.”

*

After this instance ended, there was a total of seven days of rest time. So, during dinner time, The Qian parents suggested that since everyone was around, they should go out together as a family on the weekend.

Qian Chi sensed that something was off and gave a subtle look to Qian Yue.

“…” Qian Yue paused, the food in her bowl suddenly lost all appeal.

A family outing was probably just an excuse; her parents’ real intention was likely to trick her into going out for a blind date.

It was the same last time, and if Qian Yue hadn’t known about the blind date in advance, she probably wouldn’t have been able to escape.

Qian Yue couldn’t help but sigh.

Sure enough, what was destined couldn’t be avoided.

“Mom, Dad,” she put down her utensils and adjusted her composure, contemplating how to broach the subject. But her mother suddenly called her name.

“Yue Yue.”

Qian Yue was taken aback and instinctively sat up straight.

Although Qian Yue’s mother was currently a full-time housewife, she still held considerable authority within the family.

In earlier years, Qian’s mother was a woman who built her career outside along with Qian’s father, and they had established the family business together. However, when Qian Yue and Qian Chi went missing, she disregarded everyone’s dissuasion and left her career to focus on finding her two children tirelessly.

Fortunately, her years of efforts were not in vain. Qian’s father didn’t develop any other ideas because of this. On the contrary, he often felt guilty for not being able to stand side by side with her.

Eventually, both siblings were found, and the family cherished each other even more.

Qian’s mother nodded at her and then got up to leave the dining room. “Come with me; I want to talk to you.”

“…” Qian Yue instinctively looked back at the two remaining at the dining table. Qian’s father quickly cleared his throat and pretended to know nothing as he walked to the living room, while Qian Chi blinked at her, making a “good luck” gesture, and shrugged, looking like he couldn’t help her.

Qian Yue’s mother spoke again, “Are you coming?”

“I’m coming.”

Sighing, Qian Yue followed her mother into the study.

With a “click,” the door closed, isolating the possibility of eavesdropping from the two men outside.

Qian Yue decided to take the initiative. As soon as the door closed, she gathered her courage and said, “Mom, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

“Have a seat first.”

“…Okay.”

Her gentle interruption made Qian Yue pause, and she could only comply and take a seat as instructed.

The shared study in the house was quite spacious, with a small sitting area next to the bookshelves, showcasing leather sofas and handmade carpets, all exuding a sense of style.

In the past, whenever there was an important matter that needed to be discussed and decided upon in the family, the four of them would gather in this room.

But today, it was only Qian Yue and her mother.

Qian’s mother asked, “What would you like to drink?”

Qian Yue replied, “Anything is fine.”

“Then let me check if your dad has secretly hidden any wine in the study — as expected.”

After a brief moment, Qian’s mother somehow procured a bottle of red wine from somewhere and poured a glass for Qian Yue. As she received the glass, a sense of unease grew stronger within her.

They raised their glasses, and the clinking sound echoed crisply.

Qian Yue took a sip and held the glass absentmindedly, her mind preoccupied— she was contemplating how to broach the subject without hurting her mother’s feelings.

Meanwhile, Qian’s mother gently put down her glass and softly called, “Yue Yue.”

In the past, such an opening statement usually signaled something extraordinary.

Qian Yue’s eyelids twitched, sensing that this was probably about discussing a blind date. She immediately geared up for a fierce battle, but what she heard from her mother’s gentle voice was unexpected,

“Sorry, Mom wants to apologize first.”

Qian Yue: Huh?!

Mom, if you’ve been kidnapped, just blink twice.