Sudden Shift

Chu Lian stood in front of the full-length mirror, looking at herself in cosplay attire, feeling a bit helpless. She had tried on every outfit she had, but none of them seemed quite right. Even though she had provided accurate body measurements to the other party, it still didn't turn out perfectly.

It wasn't that they didn't fit or felt uncomfortable—there was just a strange sense that these outfits weren't meant for her.

No matter how many times she tried, she couldn't shake this odd feeling, and it left her frustrated. She had no issue wearing regular clothes, so why did cosplay outfits feel so wrong?

Whether it was the ones she bought or the ones she exchanged from the system, it felt like some invisible force was interfering. While she could technically ignore it, Chu Lian, with her slight OCD and perfectionist tendencies, found such cosplay photos—even if passable—far from what she aimed to achieve.

Frowning slightly, she looked at the cosplay outfit in her hands. After a moment of hesitation, she set it down. She'd wait until Ayase woke up and ask her about it—maybe she had some answers.

However, with the system currently upgrading, there were many things she couldn't exchange even if she wanted to.

The sun outside was blazing, and for someone used to staying home alone, Chu Lian didn't feel like going out.

Besides, even if she did, there weren't any classmates or friends nearby. She'd have to travel quite far to meet anyone.

And going out meant being in crowds. She was very aware that after causing a media stir just yesterday, heading into a public space now would be asking for trouble.

There was still some time before lunch, and after having a cup of milk, Chu Lian didn't feel hungry at all. Nor did she have any cravings.

So, on this homework-free, class-free weekend, Chu Lian suddenly found herself with nothing to do.

After putting the clothes away, she flopped down on her bed and rolled around in boredom, wondering what she should do next.

Then, she heard a few light notes of music drifting in from outside. It sounded familiar. Listening carefully, she realized it was the flute version of "Moonlit Ripples on the Jade Lake" that she had played yesterday. The tune instantly lifted her spirits—she finally had something to do.

She could edit the footage she recorded yesterday and upload it online for others to see. Even if it wasn't part of the main quest's song cover requirement, it would still boost her popularity.

Though countless people had likely already reuploaded and shared the video online, she was confident that none of them had the production quality hers did—shot using all kinds of black tech. Plus, uploading it herself was a way to fight back against slander and properly communicate with her fans.

There was also her new project—"Sword and Fairy"—which she had spent days enhancing with deeper character development and a more beautiful, tragic storyline. She had written tens of thousands of words already, and after discussing with her parents, they planned to release the novel next month.

This month would be used for promotion, handled by their company and Chu Lian herself. Their goal was to make sure at least one in every hundred people had heard of the book—otherwise, such a great story might go unnoticed.

"Videos and the new book—both are things I can work on today, right? The book promotion starts in a few days, so I might as well prep."

"As for the video, I know it's not part of the main quest. But that doesn't matter. The exposure it brings is reward enough. At this rate, even without ten song cover videos, the total views will probably exceed the 3 million requirement soon." Chu Lian, barefoot, jumped off her bed and walked to her computer desk, flipping on various switches before picking up her cup to go downstairs for more milk.

It wasn't that she didn't want to drink anything else—just that her parents, in the name of creating the healthiest living environment possible for their daughter, limited all beverages at home to three types: red wine, milk, and canned herbal tea. Beyond that, there was only instant tea and coffee.

Given her age, her beverage options were obvious. Of course, she couldn't drink milk forever, which is why her true love—tea—had become a lifelong companion. She'd been drinking it for more than a decade in her previous life and wasn't about to change that habit in this one.

I'm not drinking milk because I like it—it's for my growth! For not being flat-chested! For not becoming a rare resource! For becoming a well-endowed goddess! Most importantly, I must surpass those early-blooming perverts in bust size. Why the heck are my little sisters bigger than me?!

As she silently poured herself a full glass of milk from the fridge, Chu Lian muttered inwardly, deliberately ignoring the spirit cat that was pleading for help. Her mom was still in high spirits—it was better not to disturb her now. Once she got bored, things would settle down.

Stupid master! Milk won't help! You'll be flat-chested forever! That's what you get for not saving me, for selling me out, for ignoring my cries! You'll never grow boobs! …Wait, if she really becomes a rare resource, where will I go to snuggle? Am I doomed to nuzzle a washboard forever? Hmm, let me think.

The two passed each other—each scheming in their own mind. Chu Lian tilted her head as if pondering something, while Tina lowered hers, pretending to nap but deep in thought.

"Huh? Another call?" Back in her room, she immediately noticed her phone flashing on the computer desk. She picked it up, unlocked it, and saw a missed call.

She opened the call log and saw the missed call was from "Wang Tingsi." Her eyebrows knit slightly. Why would he be calling her?

After a moment's hesitation, she decided to call back. If he was going to spout nonsense, she'd hang up immediately. But if it was serious, she'd listen.

On the other end, Wang Tingsi stared at his phone, his expression a mix of urgency and hesitation. He knew Chu Lian didn't like him and had long stopped pestering her like before. But this matter was truly important. If he didn't warn her quickly, it might be too late.

His last call had gone unanswered—he didn't know if she ignored it or wasn't near her phone. If it was the former and he called again, she'd surely block him.

"Forget it. This can't wait any longer. No matter the consequences, it's my duty. If I avoided this out of selfishness and something really happened, I'd never forgive myself." Just as he resolved to call again, his phone rang—Chu Lian was calling back.

"You have thirty seconds to explain. If it's nonsense, don't bother," came Chu Lian's usual cold, prickly voice. Wang Tingsi wasn't fazed. The fact she called back meant her mood was decent.

Suppressing his brief flash of smugness, he took a deep breath and said gravely, "Chu Lian, someone is coming after you. You're in danger. Be cautious of any strangers who suddenly appear around you."

Chu Lian was stunned. "This doesn't concern me, does it? Why should I be careful?"

Wang Tingsi's next words sent her heart into chaos: "Last night, several strong fighters from the Otherside used a large crowd as cover to break through the barrier into this world."

"We captured one of them, and after exhausting all methods, we found a message buried deep in his soul: 'No matter the cost, even if we sacrifice everything, we must find the Daughter of Fate and bring her back to the Otherside.' The profile of this 'Daughter of Fate' matches you—80% match. So..."

"I get it. This has nothing to do with me, but thanks for the warning. I'm just an ordinary person, not some 'Daughter of Fate.' You've got the wrong person." Chu Lian hung up quickly after saying that and stared blankly at her phone screen.

"Daughter of Fate? What is that? Why am I suddenly their target? And why such extreme sacrifices just to find me?" Chu Lian was now sure that this so-called Daughter of Fate was likely her. And from the sound of things, she really was in danger.

Just then, despite being in the middle of an upgrade, the system sent her a message. She opened it—and saw it was a new quest...