Chapter 272: Xu Xiaoyue’s Day of Suffering
On the first day of the new version launch, everyone was busier than a bee in a flower shop.
Some were busy setting up the Teleportation Array, some were grinding to level 25, and others were scrambling to convert their Gold Coins into actual money.
This whole Gold Coin exchange rate kerfuffle stirred up a forum storm!
Turns out, some clever folks discovered that the officials had closed the cash-out channel!
Yup, you could pump money in but couldn’t pull any out!
That’s a Big Deal, like a “your life is a mess” kind of deal!
Before long, the officials swooped in, promising it was just a temporary hiccup and that everything would be back to normal soon.
But let’s be real: the biggest losers in this rate-changing fiasco weren’t the players; it was those so-called “officials.”
Somehow, they had to cover the gap! The moment they filled that gap, the cash-out would open up.
The system doesn’t lose, and players certainly weren’t about to lose either. The only ones left holding the bag: the “officials.”
Without them, it’d be game over for everyone.
If the “officials” just admit they’re stuck, then players get to cash in their bl**d-drenched profits.
In the end, it boiled down to the Great Five Rational Countries subsidizing all the players to keep the game alive.
But through various schemes, taxes, and peripheral sales, they found a way to squeeze the players back for their money.
Compared to all that commotion, Yuliya was practically on vacation.
She didn’t have to care about any of that nonsense.
Instead, she discovered something vital.
Just chillin’ in the Golden City, and her experience points flew up faster than a speeding b*llet. Compared to grinding monsters outside, her level-up rate was practically on steroids.
That only happened within the Golden City limits; venture outside, and her experience would crawl like a turtle.
So why step outside?
AFK-ing at home sounded way sweeter!
Laid back, laid back!
Time passed, and Xu Ma DM’d Yuliya to log off.
But Little Moon and Little Yuliya insisted that their schedules were now aligned with the game; that’s how modern kids roll.
They still logged off a solid two hours earlier than usual, though.
And that was how the first day went.
That night, naturally, Xu Ma, Little Moon, and Little Yuliya squished together in a bed.
The only reason they managed it was because one of them was pint-sized. Otherwise, cozying together wouldn’t be possible.
As for Xu Ba?
He was on the couch, of course.
With both bedrooms packed with girls, space was at a premium!
On the second day, Xu Ba, Xu Ma, and Little Moon went to school to tie up the loose ends left by Xu Xiaoya, or rather, Xu Xiaofeng.
With Little Moon in tow, all went smoothly, and “Xu Xiaofeng” officially dropped out.
There was no choice; the university was a lost cause. They might as well enroll her in elementary school!
Problem solved, “Xu Xiaofeng” was gone for good.
Xu Ba and Xu Ma planned to get Xu Xiaoya a new identity, but she turned them down flat.
Not necessary.
She figured staying under the radar as a ghost student was just fine.
More paperwork just led to more headaches.
“Mom, Dad, my situation is complicated. It’s best if you keep it under wraps. Honestly, not having an identity doesn’t impact me at all.”
Xu Ba and Xu Ma were a bit puzzled, but Little Moon chimed in, giving a lengthy explanation.
Finally, they reluctantly nodded.
They’d play it by ear.
But you not needing an identity is one thing; we want to take you out for a stroll, right?
“Little Yiya, don’t stay holed up at home all day. Come out and have some fun!”
Such a lovely, enchanting little girl; not showing her off would be a total waste!
Xu Xiaoyue totally understood their eagerness.
She was on the same page at first.
But now, all she wanted was to keep Little Yiya hidden at home.
There’s always that phase where you want to show off your cutie pie, but then fear they might get lured away or snatched up makes you rethink—staying home is just safer.
Why show off when others can steal her thunder?
Clearly, the parents were still in the initial “show off the daughter” phase.
After some ponder, Xu Xiaoya decided she didn’t have much going on, so she agreed to go out.
Xu Xiaoyue immediately raised her hand: “I want to join too!”
“But don’t you have class this afternoon?”
“I just asked the teacher for leave over WeChat.”
With her current status, asking for leave was just a message away.
She had enough leave clout to stretch.
The school’s lectures didn’t mean anything to her—she’d already learned the ropes, and practical stuff? She could handle that herself.
In a couple of days, she’d be in the Golden City, where school would matter even less.
At Dongda’s gaming course, there were only three qualified to skedaddle out first, and she’d be leading the charge to wrangle the others.
The four browsed local entertainment guides, glancing toward Xu Xiaoya before all three exchanged wary looks.
Finally, Xu Ma asked, “Little Yiya, how about we hit the amusement park?”
“Sure! I’ve never been!”
The four of them headed cheerfully to the amusement park.
But soon enough, three out of four would be regretting this choice!
Why not go anywhere else? Why the amusement park?
In their minds, the amusement park looked like this:
The four of them merrily riding on merry-go-rounds, giggling to cheerful children’s songs blasting in the background.
In reality…
“Dad, Mom, can we ride that?”
Xu Xiaoya pointed at the towering drop tower in the distance.
Xu Ba and Xu Ma froze like deer in headlights.
Xu Xiaoyue’s face mirrored their discomfort.
Suddenly, she recalled her thrilling adventure with Little Yiya in some dungeon.
Little Moon quickly shook her head: “Um… let’s not start with something so extreme; how about we try another ride?”
The parents joined in: “Yes! Little Yiya, let’s pick something else!”
“What about this one?”
Xu Xiaoya pointed once more toward the giant swing.
“…”
Feeling a bit dejected, Xu Xiaoya dropped her head. “Is it not okay?”
Xu Ma bit her lip: “Fine! Right, dear? We can do it!”
“Uh… yeah… sure…”
“Little Moon?”
Xu Xiaoyue looked up, staring at the sky: “I have no objections. I shouldn’t have taken the day off.”
Today wasn’t even a holiday, so there was practically no wait for rides.
They quickly strapped in, safety gear and all.
Time to swing!
And swing they did!
Screams and shouts erupted everywhere.
Everyone was yelping: Xu Ba, Xu Ma, Little Moon, and all the other guests.
Except for Xu Xiaoya.
She remained an island of calm, even wanting to chuckle.
“Little Moon, don’t be scared; big sis is right here. Want to hold my hand?”
“I… ah!!!”
They swung for a good while, finally coming to a gradual stop.
Everyone exhaled heavily, legs feeling like jelly, hearts racing.
Xu Xiaoya stepped forward to support both her parents: “Dad, Mom, are you okay?”
They managed to grin weakly: “We’re… we’re fine, just… need a moment.”
Little Moon leaned against the railing, gasping: “Little Yiya, why didn’t you check on me?”
“I knew you’d be fine.”
“…Wait a minute! Little Yiya! You’re targeting me!”
“Not at all, but I think Little Moon should get used to certain things, like just then.”
“Sigh…”
“So, what’s next on the agenda…”
“Wait! Dad! Mom! You two better keep an eye on her!”
“Little Moon, let your dad and I rest a bit, and you go have fun with her.”
Xu Ma nodded: “Alright, you two go on. Have fun!”
Xu Ba jumped in: “Yes! Have a blast!”
Xu Xiaoyue: I…
Regretting this so much. Really.
