Chapter 1: Prelude

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Chapter 1: The Prelude

“Your Majesty, have you forgotten me by Daming Lake? I truly love you so much. When will you come to pick me up?” A woman in white, her hair disheveled, sat by the artificial lake. She hugged a pillow and murmured softly. Her eyes glistened with tears, as if filled with a thousand sorrows.

“…”

“You pervert! Where do you think you’re trying to escape to? Put down that young lady! Face me like a man!” The shouting man no longer looked pristine as he brandished a cucumber, but his gaze remained sharp as he stared at the rockery.

“…”

“You asked me how much I love you. I love you this much…” Swinging her wide sleeves, the woman danced without rhythm, looking more like she was prancing around the yard.

“My dear masters, it’s time to take your medicine!” A man in white adjusted his glasses as he wheeled a cart of medication into the chaotic yard.

Yes, this was an asylum—or, in modern terms, a psychiatric hospital. There was a wide variety of patients here, ranging from those one could easily imagine to those beyond imagination. The patients in this yard were considered relatively mild; at least they had not committed suicide or murder. They had simply become lost in their own delusions.

Miao Lichen patiently distributed medication, coaxing, bargaining with, or distracting each patient until they finally swallowed it. As he reached for the last unlabeled bottle on the cart, he made his way to the farthest room. Retrieving a key from his pocket, he pushed the door open. The curtains were drawn, turning the day into what felt like night.

Miao Lichen reached for the light switch next to the door and turned it on. He walked to the window and opened the curtains before turning the light off again. Looking at the man still pounding away at his keyboard, he said patiently, “Haven’t I told you enough times that you should open the curtains and get some sun, even if you can’t go out? Living like this isn’t good for your health.”

“Oh,” the man responded absently, his eyes fixed on his computer screen. His face was pale, and his expression remained blank. He focused intently on his game character, a member of the Beggars’ Sect known as healer killers. The sect’s uniform reflected their carefree nature and fighting style.

“I recommended online games to help you relax, not to turn you into a typical homebody. Can you please listen to me?” A hint of helplessness flickered in Miao Lichen’s eyes as he looked at the patient before him. Counseling patients was his duty, so he had ample patience for them. However, even the best psychologist was powerless if there was nothing psychologically wrong with the patient.

When this patient was brought in, his demeanor clearly indicated that he did not come from a typical family. However, what concerned him was not the patient’s background, as he had encountered many celebrities who developed problems from excessive stress. As a renowned psychologist, he had privately addressed psychological issues for numerous famous individuals. What troubled him was that this particular patient appeared very normal but was restrained upon admission. Having witnessed enough of the dark side of powerful families, he suspected this man had lost whatever power struggle had taken place—perhaps he had even been offered up as a sacrificial pawn. But that was then, and now… he wasn’t sure.

“Or you can focus on dealing with your situation and leave here sooner.”

“Why should I leave?” Yang Qifeng moved his finger on the mouse and glanced sideways at Miao Lichen with a slight smile. Though he was smiling, the dangerous air about him revealed his extraordinary nature. “There’s even less freedom out there than in here. Or does Chenchen not want me here anymore?”

“Even if you were seeking refuge or trying to lower other people’s guard, this place isn’t suitable for a long-term stay,” Miao Lichen replied. While his eyes conveyed warmth, his smile mirrored that of his patient’s, evoking a subtle sense of danger.

“I do not want to see my other patients harmed because of you. I hope you understand one thing: I am a doctor first. All other identities come second. For example… your friend?”

“Your earnestness makes you as likable as ever. I won’t stay too long, just give me another month. I can settle my affairs within that time.” A sharp look flashed through Yang Qifeng’s eyes, but it quickly softened when he met Miao Lichen’s gaze. Yet beneath that gentleness lurked an unmistakable possessiveness. “Since you’ve tolerated me for half a year, this month should be nothing to you. Returning to our main topic, I still have to thank you for fending off those threats for me.”

“You are my patient. What else could I do?” Miao Lichen nodded, seemingly oblivious to the other’s aggressive gaze. His smile held a trace of joy and relief at having solved a problem.

“Their biggest regret in a month will probably be sending me to your mental hospital,” Yang Qifeng said with a relieved smile. He understood the hidden meaning behind Miao Lichen’s words. If he were not his patient, Miao Lichen would never have taken action for Yang Qifeng. But so what? What has already happened cannot be changed. With Miao Lichen’s help at his weakest, it was hard to say who would emerge victorious now.

“Have you finished work today? Want to play with me for a bit?” Yang Qifeng asked as he took another laptop from his desk and skillfully powered it on. It was clearly not his first invitation.

“Sure.” Miao Lichen placed the unlabeled bottle on the table and sat next to Yang Qifeng with the offered laptop. The laptop was incredibly luxurious in both design and configuration. How could an ordinary psychiatric patient acquire such an expensive device? This was also why he regarded him more as a guest than a patient.

He clicked on the game icon for Swordsman Online 3 and entered the game. A Qixiu character dressed in the pink Southern Emperor set appeared on the screen. Her long white ponytail draped neatly over her shoulders. She held her sword across her chest with one hand while the other rested behind her back. This posture took away the softness of the pink clothing and gave her a more heroic air. That’s right, Miao Lichen’s character in Swordsman Online 3 was the legendary Demon Cultivator, a Goddess-class Demon Cultivator.

With his psychological expertise, few knew of his true gender. They simply saw him as a pretty girl with good skills. Since Yang Qifeng began playing the game, there were even fewer doubts about his gender. His character, “FirstRayofDawn,” had “IntotheAbyss” displayed above her head to indicate her marital status. Neither man paid it any mind.

[World] IamaSheep: Abyss, Abyss, calling Abyss, Dawn is online!!!

[World] IntotheAbyss: Heard, we’re together.

[World] GuKing: Flirt in life, next to die!!

[World] FirstRayofDawn: Who is flirting?

[World] IamaSheep: Dawn is on! Get in the party, hurry!!

[World] IntotheAbyss: Dawn, let’s plant a flag pvp in the main city! We can ****~~

[World] ElegantFlower: Beating is affection, scolding is love. The Beggars’ Sect that tolerates abuse and beatings is true love!! Dawn, hurry up and plant flags with your beggar husband, and let us watch.

[World] OnePapapaOne: Brother, we will observe a moment of silence for you. For the future of our Beggars’ Sect, do it! We will support you spiritually.

[World] MoonisColdHeartisCruel: The beggars who drink, play and beat women ╭（╯＾╰）╮ I sincerely hope you never find a partner!

[World] OnePapapaOne: …You’re so cruel, you’re so cruel, you’re so crueeeellll!!!

[World] FirstRayofDawn: OnePapapaOne beggar brother, you can go plant the flag. I will heal.

[World] OnePapapaOne: (⊙o⊙)…Ok, beauty Dawn, where would you like the flag planted?

[World] FirstRayofDawn: Chengdu.

[World] ElegantFlower: OnePapapaOne watch IntotheAbyss come for your life!

[World] OnePapapaOne: This suddenly feels really dangerous * sweats* ⊙﹏⊙ｂ

[World] FirstRayofDawn: No, believe in yourself. See you in Chengdu.

[World] ElegantFlower: Applying for a front-row seat.

[World] GuKing: +1

[World] MoonisColdHeartisCruel: +2

.

.

.

[World] IamaSheep: +10086

[World] IntotheAbyss: +1008601

[World] OnePapapaOne: Hehe…

[World] MoonisColdHeartisCruel: …Silently lights a candle

Miao Lichen switched his character’s equipment to PvP healing gear. He squinted as he watched the countdown, his hand subtly moving the mouse. When his opponent’s name turned red, he used the two HP-regenerating skills: “Phoenix Dance” and “Shangyuan Hairpin.”

OnePapapaOne showed no mercy; he charged forward and immediately began his attack. Miao Lichen observed the skill effects of the Beggars’ Sect and suspected that this person had chosen this character for its special effects.

Using the skill “Climbing Clouds, Chasing Moon,” Miao Lichen deftly maneuvered his character out of the strike zone. The Beggars’ Sect combo was indeed annoying. With the “Wind Sleeve” skill, his health bar, which was less than half full, was restored. As a Qixiu character wielding a level 90 orange healing weapon called “Purple Smoke,” he was not helpless even when facing healer killers.

Maybe it was an occupational habit, but he enjoyed playing healer classes a lot despite being a man. His preference was evident in how he crafted the level 90 orange healing weapon, “Purple Smoke,” instead of the attack weapon, “Devoted Evil.” Although he wanted to make both, the black crystal required for crafting was not readily available everywhere.

A healing Qixiu could survive for an absurdly long time, especially with legendary gear and excellent mechanics. A 1v1 situation was enough to make the DPS want to cough blood. OnePapapaOne finally understood why MoonisColdHeartisCruel lit a candle for him—lighting candles was a must in this situation.

[World] IntotheAbyss: This beggar is too weak. Dawn, please **, plant me a flag, and everything else…

[World] OnePapapaOne: …Requesting compensation for psychological damages!!

[World] IntotheAbyss: Contempt（＃‵′）

[World] OnePapapaOne: …I don’t want to plant a flag with a healer Qixiu anymore, what do I do?!

[World] MoonisColdHeartisCruel: Hahahahaha 😀

He ignored the chatter in world chat since his warm-up session was now over. Strictly speaking, he wasn’t a dedicated PvP player; he was more of a PvE player. He glanced at the energy bar at the bottom of the screen, then pressed a key, preparing to use two of his five elemental stones as backup.

Miao Lichen turned his head to look at Yang Qifeng, who was typing something on the keyboard and appeared particularly happy. Seeing Yang Qifeng immersed in the game, Miao Lichen felt quietly relieved. At least he wasn’t wandering around bothering the other patients under his care. However, as if remembering something distasteful, Miao Lichen’s smile stiffened.

He quickly regained his composure and turned back to the screen, where a loading bar suddenly appeared. Had he clicked the wrong spot? A loading bar should not appear when using the five elemental stones!

In the next moment, what appeared before his eyes was no longer the screen, but a strange egg emitting pink hearts. When the peculiar egg saw him, it trembled with what seemed to be excitement.

He was clearly no longer sitting in one of the mental hospital rooms but in a strange, smog-shrouded place. Without the unease typical of an ordinary person, Miao Lichen stared at the egg for a few seconds. His intuition told him that this egg was the reason he was here.

∇ Welcome to [Because of Love] System Simulation Training Program. I am your most faithful partner; please call me Lovely. I will now scan your information. Please wait patiently.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Ding—

∇ Scanning successful. Listing information:

Challenger: Miao Lichen

Race: Human

Energy: None

Charm Potential: ★★★★★

Initialize Love Hunter Training Program?

Ding—

∇ The First-Rate Love Hunter training program has been launched. Please prepare yourself.

Ding—

∇ The challenger has a weak body; add-ons are enabled.

Ding—

∇ Add-ons installation complete. Rescanning information.

∇ Scanning successful. Listing information:

Challenger: Miao Lichen

Race: Human

Energy: Qixiu Heart Method (Upgradeable)

Charm Potential: ★★★★★

Training Plan: First-Rate Love Hunter

∇ Starting the first transfer portal. Counting down: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Transfer initiated.

Ding—

∇ Transfer successful. Happy gaming, Challenger.

∇ You can return to the real world once you have passed all the levels~~

∇ The current level you have passed is 0. The next level you need to pass is #$^&$&^sd…

∇ My apologies, the System has encountered a problem. Please try again later.

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