After finishing their meal, Huang Ya and Hao Lan both felt an unreal sensation.

People of their level could actually join X Team?!

It strangely felt like winning the lottery jackpot.

Especially for Huang Ya—she didn't consider her abilities particularly strong.

She had even told Yu Li that while her skill could stop time within a small space, its range was extremely limited and couldn't be maintained for long.

Once the time limit was up, those doomed to die would still perish.

Upon hearing this, Yu Li simply chuckled softly and walked over to straighten Huang Ya's disheveled collar.

"No ability starts out powerful—it grows alongside you. Your skill is remarkable. Used well, it can absolutely help you reach advanced player status. And..."

Her eyes curved as she gently added, "I'll help you too."

Had Yu Jiao been present, she would've sighed—this was the exact same tactic Limu had used on her before thoroughly wrapping her around his finger.

This woman always gave people the illusion that she was trustworthy.

Unaware of this, Huang Ya blushed slightly at the fragrance emanating from Yu Li and awkwardly averted her gaze, mumbling, "Okay... I'll work hard."

Yu Li smiled and nodded, then suddenly seemed to remember something. "Wait here a moment."

The two blinked in confusion. "What is it?"

Yu Li returned to the restaurant and emerged carrying two bags, handing one to each.

"Welcome gifts."

Inside were smartphones.

Huang Ya instinctively moved to refuse, but Yu Li continued, "You'll need to consider relocating soon—X Team has dedicated residential quarters."

Huang Ya grew even more hesitant—this phone alone cost several months of their wages—and waved her hands urgently.

"No no, our current place is fine!"

Hao Lan nodded. "We've lived there long enough—it's manageable."

As for their harassers, after today's lesson from Yu Li, they likely wouldn't dare cause trouble again.

Yu Li blinked. "Seems you haven't grasped my meaning."

The pair froze.

Meaning?

Leaning against the railing, Yu Li explained cheerfully, "During the last instance, I offended both Peace and Deva. Now they're uniting against me."

"Offended?" Huang Ya frowned. "It wasn't entirely your fault, and Peace members are supposedly reasonable—"

"Reasonable?" Yu Li repeated amusedly before sighing dramatically.

"Ah... but I just returned from Peace after quarreling with their organizer. He now knows I'm with X Team."

Her eyes crinkled as she concluded leisurely, "That's why I want you to move—so you don't accidentally die by their hands."

Huang Ya &

Hao Lan: "..."

Seriously, sis? You drop this bombshell NOW?!

Instant regret flooded them—though they'd never actually back out.

After a long silence, they nodded reluctantly.

"We'll move then."

Yu Li's smile deepened as she lazily turned toward a parked luxury car and raised a hand.

A suited man immediately emerged from the driver's seat.

Bowing respectfully, he addressed them:

"I'm the manager of Zhaohuang Villas. Our team awaits at your current residence—your villa is prepared for immediate move-in tonight."

Zhaohuang Villas—the legendary ultra-secure luxury estate.

Even housing-market-illiterates like Huang Ya and Hao Lan knew its astronomical prices.

"VILLA?!" they exclaimed simultaneously.

They'd assumed standard apartments—not this!

Talk about hitting the jackpot.

As Huang Ya turned to suggest downgrading, Yu Li blinked innocently.

"Hurry along now—it's cruel keeping people waiting in this cold."

"..."

Clutching the gift bag, Huang Ya finally whispered, "Yu Li... thank you."

Hao Lan also flushed crimson, mumbling awkwardly, "I'll work hard to repay you."

Yu Li crossed her arms, observing them silently.

Her habitual smile seemed slightly stiff.

She'd slipped up again...

Quietly suppressing her expression, she murmured, "No need for thanks. Just fulfill your roles—this is mutual cooperation. Don't be blinded by trivial benefits."

She couldn't afford creating another Yu Jiao.

Huang Ya beamed brightly. "I know."

She knew Yu Li only valued her skill.

Even the prearranged housing revealed transparent motives.

Yet today's warmth was something she'd never experienced in twenty years.

"Yu Li," Huang Ya gazed at the restaurant, her tone light yet complex.

"Know why Hao Lan and I joined instances? Our wish was simple—just to live normally."

—Regular meals, stable housing, no financial worries.

What others took for granted was their lifelong aspiration.

But achieving this required massive points.

They'd sold their lives to the System solely for this dream.

And today... it had been granted.

As street neon lights reflected starry brilliance in her eyes, Huang Ya suddenly raised her phone bag, grinning.

"So you're more powerful than the System—you've already fulfilled our wish!"

Yu Li froze momentarily.

Only after a prolonged pause did her lips curve slightly.

"It'll get even better."

......

After watching their car depart, Yu Li remained stationary.

The suited man stood nearby, awaiting orders.

Twirling her phone, she stared absently down the street.

"When did Bo Jingmo instruct you about this?"

She hadn't even briefed him about recruiting Huang Ya and Hao Lan—yet her boyfriend seemed to have anticipated it.

No wonder this manager had contacted her upon arrival.

"Six days ago," the man replied respectfully. "CEO Bo ordered complete compliance with your directives."

Six days...

The day he'd left.

Yu Li asked nothing further, unwrapping a candy.

Mint flavor exploded across her tongue.

Bo Jingmo had been away nearly a week now.

Combined with his recent busy schedule and time zone differences, their daily exchanges were minimal.

During their previous world, such lengthy business trips weren't uncommon—sometimes spanning months abroad.

But this time...

Inhaling deeply, Yu Li couldn't suppress a soft laugh.

"Feels unusually long."