Early in the morning, Gu Jiu woke up.
It was rare to see the sun today. Though the winter sunlight wasn’t warm, it brought brightness to the gloomy world, sweeping away the heavy haze in people’s hearts and gifting them a rare moment of good mood.
Gu Jiu put on her glasses. Even though she couldn’t clearly see the scenery outside the window, she could feel the sunlight’s brilliance, making the whole world seem radiant.
She leaned against the bay window, slowly sipping a cup of hot milk.
The milk was prepared by her little paper dolls, its temperature just right for drinking.
After she finished the milk, the paper dolls brought her a warm towel to wipe her face and then helped her choose her outfit for the day.
“Thank you,” Gu Jiu said with a smile. “You’ve done wonderfully.”
The paper dolls couldn’t speak, so they climbed onto her shoulders, nuzzling her cheek to express their delight at her praise, then joyfully began to dance.
After breakfast, Gu Jiu told her grandmother, “Grandma, I’m going to find Ah Ji. I’ll be back before the 28th of the lunar month.”
With less than two weeks until the New Year, both students and workers were busy. The Gu family had been coming home late every night recently, striving to finish their work before the holidays so they could rest well afterward.
Her grandmother was momentarily stunned. “Your boyfriend? Where does he live?”
“He’s not in Haishi right now. He’s in another city,” Gu Jiu replied without batting an eye, lying smoothly. This was technically true—Lu Ji lived in Boundless City, which was indeed another city.
Though that city wasn’t in the real world.
Her grandmother didn’t stop her from visiting her boyfriend, only asking, “Will you bring him home for the New Year?”
“Not this year. He’s very busy. Grandma, if you want to see him, you can look at his photos first,” Gu Jiu said as she opened her phone gallery, selected a few pictures, and sent them to her grandmother via WeChat.
Madam Gu: “…”
Though amused and exasperated by her granddaughter, Madam Gu still opened WeChat.
Gu Jiu had sent her four photos.
The first was of a girl standing under a blooming magnolia tree.
With jet-black hair like crow feathers, pale skin, and delicate features, she looked like a vividly painted ink wash painting. Serene and ethereal, she resembled the beauty of magnolias. However, there was a mysterious darkness about her. Meeting her black eyes could make one’s heart skip a beat.
The second was of a young man in casual attire.
He had the same pale skin and similar features, but the impression he gave was entirely different.
His was a purely masculine beauty—tall and striking. His aura was deep and reserved, exuding an enigmatic gloom. Standing quietly, he seemed cold and aloof, like a dark messenger devoid of emotion. His gaze was dark and chilling, enough to send shivers down one’s spine.
The third photo featured two girls leaning against each other, with the backdrop of an upright, adorably fierce panda.
Gu Jiu was laughing brightly, her energy radiant. The girl she held by the waist was smiling shyly, her pitch-black eyes sparkling with a vivid light that made it clear how much she liked the person beside her.
The fourth photo was a portrait of a man and a woman, with a backdrop of cherry blossoms filling the sky.
Gu Jiu was equally carefree in the photo, her bright smile full of unrestrained joy. The man holding her by the waist had his head lowered, gazing at her with a faint blush on his pale face. His expression was shy, happy, and filled with pure delight—completely unlike the cool, aloof demeanor in his solo photo.
He looked like a young man experiencing the sweetness of first love, with his entire heart and mind occupied by the girl he adored. Whenever he was with Gu Jiu, whether in male or female attire, he always exuded that bashful and joyful energy.
The romantic atmosphere between the two was palpable. Just one glance at the photo was enough to make anyone smile unconsciously.
All four photos were stunning, as though they had been retouched to perfection. Each one could easily be used as a wallpaper.
After viewing all four photos, Madam Gu felt overjoyed.
Her granddaughter was indeed in love, and the relationship seemed very strong. Her granddaughter’s boyfriend was also quite unexpected—when dressed as a girl, he looked unmistakably like one. No wonder her granddaughter had initially mistaken his gender.
Even Madam Gu found it hard to believe they were the same person.
“If you hadn’t told me they’re the same person, I’d have thought they were siblings,” her grandmother said, unable to hold back her curiosity. “Ah Jiu, are you absolutely sure they’re the same person?”
Gu Jiu burst into laughter. “Grandma, of course I’m sure. I’ve confirmed it thoroughly.” They even had the same big monster, after all.
Madam Gu raised her eyebrows. “Confirmed? How did you confirm it?”
“That’s not important,” Gu Jiu replied, brushing it off.
Madam Gu gave her granddaughter a long, steady look, only to find Gu Jiu calmly meeting her gaze. Deciding it was likely something an elder didn’t need to know, she chose to drop the matter.
“But isn’t his complexion a bit too pale?” Madam Gu asked, concerned.
“Don’t worry, that’s just how he looks. He’s perfectly healthy. I can prove it,” Gu Jiu said confidently.
“You can prove it?”
“That’s not important.”
“…”
Once again, Madam Gu concluded it was something she probably shouldn’t press further.
After saying goodbye to her grandmother, Gu Jiu left the house with an empty suitcase as a cover and moved into an apartment near the university town.
This apartment had been purchased by the Gu family during her university years for convenience. After graduation, it had mostly been vacant, though Gu Jiu occasionally stayed there because it was close to the Qingzhu Cafe. Lately, she had been spending most of her time there to free up more time to be with her boyfriend.
She tossed the suitcase aside and immediately stepped into Boundless City.
The night before, she had left from the Moon Bay neighborhood property, so when she entered Boundless City again, she reappeared in the same place.
However, Gu Jiu noticed that the duplex, which had still been an unfinished shell last night, was now almost fully renovated. It looked just as she had envisioned, designed according to the plans she had drawn.
The moment Gu Jiu entered Boundless City, Lu Ji sensed her presence.
He rushed down the stairs from the upper floor and, seeing Gu Jiu appear in the living room, called out excitedly, “Ah Jiu!”
Gu Jiu was admiring the newly renovated house when she looked up toward the second floor. Seeing her boyfriend there, she smiled and lightly chided, “Didn’t I tell you to rest? Why did you take it upon yourself to handle the renovations?”
Her soft, gentle voice carried a hint of reproach, like she was playfully acting spoiled. It struck a chord in his heart, sending a tingling warmth through him.
Despite her domineering and fiery temper, she had a classically elegant face, a soft and melodic voice like flowing water, and an aura that could easily deceive others into thinking she was docile.
To Lu Ji, however, every part of her was perfect. She was all he could see, all he cared about.
He came down from the second floor, his voice filled with joy. “I’m not tired. I just wanted to finish renovating the house as soon as possible.” Walking up to her, he held her hand and said, “Ah Jiu, take a look. Is there anything you’re not satisfied with? I can change it right away.”
Unlike house renovations in the real world, renovations in Boundless City rely on the player’s imagination.
Since Boundless City itself is a god-tier artifact, all the houses within it are also a type of artifact. As such, their renovation process is vastly different from the real world. Once the house fully belongs to a player, they gain the right to modify it. By finalizing the design plans, the player can use their imagination to shape the house. With their eyes closed and focused thoughts, the house transforms step by step, aligning with their vision.
This process usually takes a full day.
However, Lu Ji’s pace was remarkably fast. He hadn’t even taken a full day to complete the renovation.
Not only that, but he had also added several small personal touches to Gu Jiu’s design, making the space feel much cozier. It was obvious these additions were his careful, deliberate efforts—quietly transforming the house into a love nest for the two of them.
Lu Ji eagerly pulled his girlfriend along to inspect the newly renovated house.
Gu Jiu glanced at him, noticing his uncharacteristic excitement. How could she bear to dampen his enthusiasm? She followed him to explore their home.
The two toured the first floor before heading upstairs.
The second floor housed a large master bedroom, dominated by a creamy white theme. The most eye-catching feature was the 2.3-meter-wide bed, adorned with soft bedding. The side-by-side pillows symbolized intimacy with an understated yet undeniable implication.
After one glance, Gu Jiu’s gaze shifted to the man beside her.
Under her attention, his face grew redder and redder until, shy and a little awkward, he asked, “Ah Jiu, what do you think? Do you like it?”
“Of course I love it!” Gu Jiu replied without hesitation. “I’ll be staying here tonight.”
“Really?” Lu Ji’s eyes lit up with delight as he looked at her. Her affirmation left him feeling dazed and giddy. Although it was still morning, he was already imagining the two of them spending the night here together.
While they had shared a bed in the game world before, it had always been in someone else’s property, with lurking threats of ghosts and monsters or unfinished missions hanging over them. The feeling was entirely different now.
This was their house—a place where they could relax and enjoy their time together without any disturbances.
Seeing his joyous expression, Gu Jiu couldn’t resist wrapping her arms around his waist and kissing him.
The kiss lasted a long time, leaving both of them a little breathless and stirred with emotion.
As Gu Jiu trailed soft kisses along the corner of his lips, she smiled and said, “I’ve heard that when moving into a new home, you’re supposed to invite friends over for a meal. Let’s invite Wan Xingzhou and the others.”
“…Sure,” Lu Ji agreed, though reluctantly.
—
When Wan Xingzhou and the others received the news, they arrived at the Moon Bay neighborhood.
The group gathered at the entrance, exchanging looks of disbelief. They finally confirmed that the message they’d received wasn’t a joke—Miss Gu and Lu Ji had actually bought a house in Boundless City.
“As expected of the young lady—she says she’ll buy a house, and she buys one,” Ruan Yuan marveled.
“It wasn’t the young lady who bought it—it was Big Boss Lu, our very own Sister Ji,” Chai Yingying corrected, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. “Who would’ve thought? Lu Ji turned out to be that kind of person—desperate to move in with the young lady and then, you know…”
“What do you mean, ‘you know’?” Wan Xingzhou asked, clueless.
The women glanced at him and waved dismissively. “This has nothing to do with you. Go stand over there, little brother.”
Wan Xingzhou: “…”
Qi Yuheng, after surveying the neighborhood, asked, “Did you all prepare gifts?” He directed the question to Ge Guang, Ling Huan, and Ling Le.
“We’re ready! We won’t embarrass you, Boss Qi!” Ge Guang thumped his chest confidently.
Ling Huan and Ling Le sidled up to Chai Yingying, their faces alight with excitement. “Back in the Caged Bird instance, we already suspected something was going on between those two. And now, look at them—they actually ended up together!”
“Exactly! I always thought the young lady would be the dominant one in the relationship, but it turns out Lu Ji holds her own pretty well.”
“Lu Ji must’ve ventured into countless game worlds to save up the fortune needed to buy this house. Turns out, she’s the most low-key boss of all.”
The men in the group listened to the women’s animated chatter with blank expressions, clearly out of their depth.
Finally, Old Hei broke the silence. “Alright, let’s head in.”
They arrived at the sixth floor of the second building in the complex and rang the doorbell.
Gu Jiu opened the door.
“Congratulations on the new house, young lady! Where’s Big Boss Lu?” Chai Yingying craned her neck, trying to catch a glimpse of Lu Ji, but she was nowhere in sight.
Gu Jiu let them in, gesturing toward the kitchen. “Ah Ji’s preparing dinner. We’re having hotpot tonight.”
The group: “…”
Chai Yingying looked incredulous. “You’re celebrating your new home, and all you’re serving us is hotpot? Isn’t that a bit stingy?”
“What else can we do? Other than hotpot, we can’t cook anything,” Gu Jiu said matter-of-factly. “Besides, hotpot is great—just throw things in, and it’s ready. No technical skills required.”
By this point, they realized there was no point in hoping for a grand feast. Fine, hotpot it was.
But when they saw the ingredients on the table, their complaints vanished.
It wasn’t just good—it was extraordinary.
The table was piled high with ingredients brimming with spiritual energy. It was obvious these came from a cultivation world, teeming with life force. A meal like this would cost tens of thousands of points—something far more luxurious than any fancy banquet.
“I can’t believe it,” Ge Guang exclaimed. “Not only did Lu Ji buy a house, but she’s also treating us to spiritual food. What a boss.”
Wan Xingzhou, Lu Haidi, and the other men all nodded in agreement.
Lu Ji emerged from the kitchen wearing casual loungewear and an apron, looking every bit the image of a devoted homemaker. She was a far cry from his usual cold and aloof self in the game worlds. Even Wan Xingzhou and his close companions barely recognized her, and Qi Yuheng and the others were outright stunned.
Love truly changes people. Even the coldest boss can be transformed.
Gu Jiu, maintaining her young lady demeanor, brought out a few bottles of spiritual wine from the wine cabinet and set them on the table. She waved them over, saying, “Help yourselves to whatever you like—don’t be shy.” After that, she sat back, waiting for Lu Ji to join her at the table.
Lu Ji prepared an array of dishes for her, including spiritual beast meat and fresh, vibrant greens. He placed them in her bowl, ensuring she didn’t need to lift a finger.
These spiritual ingredients, straight from a cultivation world, required minimal cooking. A quick dip in the hotpot and they turned into top-tier delicacies. Paired with specially crafted dipping sauces, they were nothing short of divine.
The group of players, unaccustomed to such luxurious food, dug in with lightning speed. Their chopsticks moved so fast, it looked like sparks were flying as they scrambled to grab the best dishes.
The meal lasted from the afternoon until seven in the evening.
Players are notorious for their hearty appetites, but with an unlimited supply of ingredients, even this group ate until they were stuffed.
Even the usually restrained Old Hei and Wu Yang couldn’t resist overindulging.
Though uncomfortably full, they could feel the spiritual energy from the meal seeping into their bodies, warming them from head to toe. The food’s energy quickly digested, leaving them revitalized. All that remained was a trip to the training grounds to channel that energy into strength.
The ingredients for this meal were far more expensive than the housewarming gifts they had brought.
Having enjoyed such precious food, the group couldn’t just leave without helping to clean up. They busied themselves tidying the aftermath while Gu Jiu, holding a cup of spiritual tea infused with spirit fruits, sat comfortably on a black velvet sofa. Smiling as she watched them work, she perfectly embodied the role of a pampered young lady being waited on.
The women couldn’t help but think they wanted a capable “girlfriend” like Lu Ji for themselves.
“Miss Gu, we’re heading out now! We’re off to the training grounds. Want to come?” Chai Yingying called out.
Gu Jiu shook her head. “Not today. You all go ahead.”
After sending all the guests off, Gu Jiu turned to Lu Ji and said, “We’re skipping the training grounds tonight. I have a better way to train. Ah Ji, do you want to try it with me?”
Lu Ji: “…”