Chapter 60: When Rivals in Love Meet

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Very well.

Thanks to Tang Mu's introduction, Yan Xingwen and Joseph were like a thunderbolt meeting dry tinder—each looked at the other with intense dislike.

But for the sake of courtesy, Joseph still extended his rather “gentlemanly” right hand to Yan Xingwen.

“Hello. May I ask which association you belong to?”

“I am Eli, the conductor from the '1924 Train Murder Case.'” Yan Xingwen did not return Joseph’s handshake. He still remembered the previous scenario, how this shameless man glued himself to Tang Mu’s side and was impossible to shake off.

Yan Xingwen harbored not the slightest affection for Joseph—not even a trace. Of course, Joseph was oblivious to this.

Upon hearing Yan Xingwen’s reply, Joseph was shocked.

A scenario NPC? How could a scenario NPC escape the scenario and appear in the game lobby?

Yet Tang Mu was even more panic-stricken than Joseph. In fact, she seemed a little deranged.

“Your name is Yan Xingwen, not Eli!”

Yan Xingwen frowned at Tang Mu. “But I have no connection to ‘Yan Xingwen’...”

“Enough, you don’t need to say anything.” Tang Mu purchased another red potion for ‘memory reconstruction’ from the store and handed it to him. “Drink it.”

Her tone was stern, brooking no refusal. Even Joseph, standing to the side, was startled by this version of Tang Mu.

In Joseph’s impression, Tang Mu was always gentle, absolutely rational in matters of the heart, never sparing men even a glance—a cold, untouchable flower on a high mountain.

But at this moment, Joseph was astonished to discover that even a calm, self-controlled woman could possess such a wild and volatile side. There was an intense, almost imperceptible urge to control—so strong that whoever uttered anything contrary to Tang Mu’s preset expectations would be mercilessly silenced, extinguished.

Perhaps she already knew she had made a mistake, but she had no intention of accepting the truth.

Joseph suddenly felt a measure of sympathy for Eli.

“Miss Tang Mu, a scenario NPC is, after all, a scenario NPC. Perhaps he...” is not the person you’re looking for.

“Shut up!”

Tang Mu glared fiercely at Joseph, as if blaming him for daring to speak out of turn.

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“I am not mistaken.” Tang Mu’s face was cold as she placed the new red bottle of ‘memory reconstruction’ in Eli’s hand. “Do you want to know why I brought you out? Drink it, and you’ll know the answer.”

Joseph: “...”

Eli: “...”

Eli did not refuse. He took the potion again, uncorked it, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp.

Tang Mu watched him drain every drop, and her frantic demeanor calmed.

But only calmed.

She expressionlessly explained to Eli the identity he should possess in the game lobby.

“Your name is Yan Xingwen, twenty-eight years old. Your parents are researchers on the Cosmos, living in a high-altitude plateau—the only place in this century where one can tread upon the land and perceive the soil, the roots and growth of plants. Due to your parents, you became interested in the codes that traverse time and space from a young age. Three years ago, you joined the development and expansion of the game ‘Extreme Escape.’ After years of research, you became trapped in the game and lost your memory.”

“I am your girlfriend.”

“We’ve known each other for a long time. Before becoming lovers, we spent a lengthy period as more than friends, but not quite lovers.”

“You once rescued me from the mire, taught me how to gain strength and manipulate hearts, so I no longer feared those things. You were my salvation, and my god.”

...

Throughout her explanation, Tang Mu showed no emotion—like a cold machine.

Joseph listened, frowning throughout.

He wanted to interrupt the exchange between Tang Mu and ‘Yan Xingwen,’ but she gave him no opportunity. Even when Joseph tried to speak, Tang Mu immediately cut him off.

Yet her words were meant only for Yan Xingwen, having nothing to do with Joseph.

“Do you remember?”

Yan Xingwen gazed silently at Tang Mu, sighing inwardly but showing nothing on his face. “I remember. You and I are lovers.”

“Good.”

Tang Mu continued to lay down three rules.

“You love me deeply. You will not allow any other man near me. So now, you should drive Joseph away.”

Joseph: “?” He may be a sycophant, but what had he done to deserve this?

He had merely suggested that Tang Mu might have mistaken someone’s identity. Yet now she wanted this fake to drive him away?

That’s just bullying!

“Tang Mu! If you lost your boyfriend, that’s your own issue! Blaming others is simply wrong! The dead cannot return! Even if you create a thousand, ten thousand Yan Xingwens, none will be the one you truly want! Why cling to a fake? Why not look at someone else? Am I not good enough? Why won’t you—”

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“Drive him away.” Tang Mu addressed Yan Xingwen. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

For the first time, Joseph felt the heartbreak caused by a woman—it was as though ten swords pierced his heart at once.

But after the pain, Joseph wanted to curse.

“Tang Mu! With your stubbornness and refusal to listen, you’ll never obtain the true love you desire in your lifetime!”

Facing Joseph’s desperate outburst, Tang Mu remained utterly unmoved, gazing down at him with cold indifference.

“Many have loved me. Many have been rejected. You are not the first, nor will you be the last.”

Joseph: “...”

This time, Joseph was truly infuriated.

A grown man, his eyes reddened.

Tang Mu had wounded him so deeply he was on the verge of tears, leaving in a damp, defeated state.

—Joseph, having lived so long, had never been so coldly and mercilessly rejected by a woman... It was utterly humiliating!

Joseph left; there was no reason for Qiao Yuan to stay either.

But Qiao Yuan strolled over to Tang Mu and said, “I actually thank you for being so ruthless to my brother. You know, he loves to play. Thanks to the virtual pocket space, most of the time humans can’t really touch each other, which reduces the risk of HIV infection. But I still hope he can settle down and help me manage the Association of Ayu.”

“He’s been hurt this time. Perhaps in matters of women, he’ll be more restrained from now on.”

Qiao Yuan rattled on, but Tang Mu remained expressionless.

So Qiao Yuan pointed at Eli behind Tang Mu.

“This puppet is well-trained. Have fun.”

Qiao Yuan!

As Tang Mu watched his departing figure, she clenched her fists in secret.

Don’t think she didn’t notice—Qiao Yuan was deliberately handing her a blade.

Avenging his brother was one thing, but did he have the right to mock Yan Xingwen?

“Yan Xingwen is not a puppet. Mr. Qiao Yuan, please mind your words!”

Qiao Yuan paused in his stride.

He turned back, giving Tang Mu a smiling face that was devoid of warmth.

“Anyone created by Miss Tang Mu is naturally governed by her. Suit yourself.”

“But I don’t have the time to argue with Miss Tang Mu about your boyfriend. I still need to comfort my disappointing brother.”

“So, goodbye. Miss Tang Mu, and Miss Tang Mu’s... new boyfriend?”