​​Chapter 139: Butterfly Village

​After breakfast and some preparations, around noon, Lian Qinglin entered the dungeon with White Hair and Golden Hair.

Everyone promptly opened the app, and the new livestream showed the trio. Lian Qinglin was now a high-profile player—within minutes of going live, over a hundred thousand viewers flooded in, making him the undisputed top streamer. After watching for a while, everyone voted for White Hair, who was at the bottom of the rankings.

Over the past two days, the authorities had gradually begun announcing details about the safe zones. Ou Wendong and Pink Hair, who had gone out to buy groceries, reported that the outside world was in chaos.

Safe zone slots were limited. Players with over 100,000 followers couldn’t enter, and among them were many who had been forced into dungeons. Given the choice, they wouldn’t want to remain players either. But the safe zones excluded them.

Ou Wendong wiped his sweat. "It’s absolute mayhem. Items are flying everywhere, military personnel are all over the streets. This chaos will probably last a while."

However, the authorities had prepared for this. Despite the unrest, the kind of street violence seen abroad hadn’t erupted here. The media continuously emphasized the relocation efforts—while players with over 100,000 followers couldn’t enter the safe zones, their families would be protected.

The government wouldn’t abandon control over non-safe zones. Protecting ordinary citizens, ensuring players could act without worries, and maintaining social stability—these positive messages quickly quelled the unrest. Of course, the authorities’ display of their own arsenal of items also served as a warning to troublemakers.

Think you have better items? The government has more. More people? The military outnumbers you. Cause a disturbance? You’ll be rounded up instantly.

Given the national temperament, aside from a few extremists, most people still yearned for stability.

Tan Manyu sent Li Zhi some good news: "After the safe zones were announced, several cult hideouts turned themselves in. Their followers had joined under doomsday rhetoric, but now that ordinary life is still possible, they don’t want to live in constant fear anymore. Domestic cult activity will be severely diminished."

This was indeed good news—at least the chances of encountering cultists in dungeons would decrease.

Li Zhi invited Tan Manyu to join their villa household, but she regretfully declined. "Official personnel are assigned housing by the organization. Otherwise, I’d definitely move in with you. I love the backyard of your place. You should install a swing there—imagine swaying in the breeze. So relaxing."

Who knew Tan Manyu had such a romantic side?

Li Zhi laughed. "Sure, I’ll get to it later. Come try it out sometime."

After lunch, Li Zhi rummaged through the storage room for tools and started hammering away in the garden. Hearing that the boss was building a swing, everyone enthusiastically pitched in.

While working, they noticed the previously desolate villa area had become bustling, with wave after wave of people moving in.

As Li Zhi had predicted, the areas near the Free Zone had become prime real estate. Any player with means had relocated here. Many recognized Li Zhi, whispering in shock after spotting her.

Ou Wendong hammered a wooden stake into the ground, muttering to You Jingmeng, "See those guys over there? Shifty-eyed! Definitely up to no good! We need to stay alert tonight—who knows what they’re plotting!"

You Jingmeng rolled her eyes. "Didn’t Boss Li use the Black Tortoise Shell to shield this house? We’ll be fine. With her here, would they dare cause trouble? Stop being so paranoid."

Ou Wendong sighed. "Look at you! Zero vigilance! Dream, with this attitude, you’ll never become a top player!"

You Jingmeng scoffed. Ou Wendong then turned to Pink Hair, and the two whispered conspiratorially. After dinner, they mysteriously vanished.

Li Zhi led You Jingmeng and Chi Yi through some martial arts drills before everyone retired for the night. As dusk fell, the sounds of new neighbors moving in occasionally drifted through the windows. Li Zhi was video-calling Li Shuang when Ou Wendong and Pink Hair’s shouts erupted downstairs—apparently, they’d caught someone.

After hurriedly ending the call, Li Zhi rushed down. The first floor was pitch-black, only the front door slightly ajar. In the freshly tilled garden, three figures were wrestling.

Ou Wendong, pinning the person beneath him, excitedly called out when he saw Li Zhi, "See, Boss! I told you being vigilant pays off! We caught this guy red-handed!"

Li Zhi spotted the suitcase lying on the gravel path and felt a vein throb in her forehead. "Get off! That’s Han Wenlin!"

Ou Wendong: "?"

As he shifted his round belly aside, the face-planted figure twitched like a dying fish, slowly raising a middle finger at Ou Wendong.

Ten minutes later, a disheveled Han Wenlin sat on the living room couch, dirt even in his nostrils. Thankfully, the garden had only been tilled, not fertilized yet—otherwise, his face would’ve been in worse shape.

Ou Wendong awkwardly apologized, "Sorry, bro. Didn’t know it was you… Thought you were a thief." Then, regaining his bravado, "But why didn’t you announce yourself? Lurking around without knocking—whose fault is that?!"

Han Wenlin didn’t respond.

A few days ago, he’d received Li Zhi’s private message inviting him for a meal. Initially thrilled, he’d later felt awkward recalling his dungeon performance, especially after learning more about Li Zhi’s character. After days of hesitation, he’d finally mustered the courage to come.

So what if I’m here for a meal? They promised! I’m just holding them to it!

Thus, Han Wenlin packed his bags and flew over early that morning. With strict checks at every district, it was nearly dark by the time he reached the address Li Zhi provided. At the doorstep, his resolve wavered again.

Li Zhi’s message mentioned Ou Wendong and the others were also staying here—they’d all eat together.

In the dungeon, even after joining Li Zhi’s team, he’d always felt like an outsider. Now this tight-knit group lived harmoniously together—what place did an interloper like him have here?

So Han Wenlin hesitated. And while lost in thought, he was suddenly tackled by two figures. Before he could explain, fists started flying.

The more Han Wenlin thought about it, the more wronged he felt.

I’m just here for a meal—at their invitation! What’s the big idea?!

Ou Wendong stared at him, suddenly alarmed. "Dude, are you… crying? Don’t!"

Han Wenlin: "…………" He gritted his teeth. "Who’s crying?! Shut up! I don’t want to hear your voice right now!"

Li Zhi rubbed her temples. "Alright, rest here tonight. We’ll treat you to a feast tomorrow. Dream, take him to the third floor—any empty room is fine."

You Jingmeng, stifling laughter, led him upstairs.

Ou Wendong looked pitifully at Li Zhi. "It wasn’t on purpose…"

Li Zhi: "…"

Headache.

The next morning, Ou Wendong, perhaps to atone, woke early to prepare ingredients. Since they’d promised Han Wenlin a proper meal, no shortcuts were taken—everyone contributed a signature dish. When Han Wenlin finally descended, the spread left him stunned.

After a beat, he mumbled, "This is… quite the feast."

The meal was lively. In the afternoon, as everyone resumed work on the garden and swing, Han Wenlin watched for a while before joining in. Two days passed without anyone suggesting he leave.

On the third day, Han Wenlin couldn’t take it anymore. He sought out Li Zhi. "Can I… stay?"

Li Zhi, browsing the forums, glanced up. "Do you want to?"

Han Wenlin hesitated before admitting quietly, "Yeah. It’s… nice here."

Li Zhi returned to her phone. "Then stay."

Han Wenlin had prepared a whole speech pledging loyalty, but now it stuck in his throat. After a pause, he muttered, "Oh… okay." He glanced around. "I’ll go sweep the floor."

Li Zhi nodded. "Sure."

Han Wenlin wandered off, scratching his head. Something felt off, yet everything seemed perfectly normal.

Half a month flew by. Lian Qinglin, White Hair, and Golden Hair emerged safely from their dungeon, making the villa even livelier.

A morning rain had passed. Li Zhi had scheduled their next dungeon entry down to the minute—1:00 PM. Yao Mingfeng arrived beforehand with the official player joining them—a cool, short-haired woman named Xu Yan, whose military bearing reminded Li Zhi of her brother.

"My brother’s friend," she introduced.

The group crowded around Xu Yan in awe. You Jingmeng couldn’t resist reaching out. "Sis, can I touch your muscles? You must be super strong, right?"

Xu Yan caught her wrist, deadpan. "Strong enough to take on ten of you."

You Jingmeng: "…………"

Wah—

With one slot left on the team card, everyone fought for it. You Jingmeng again proposed rock-paper-scissors, but Ou Wendong adamantly refused this time.

Amid the squabbling, Han Wenlin sat quietly gaming until Li Zhi suddenly asked, "Wenlin, want to come with me?"

Han Wenlin nearly dropped his phone. "Me? Really?"

Li Zhi nodded. "After Chi Yi, you have the highest follower count. Your dungeon time must be coming up."

Chi Yi could now handle dungeons solo. Ou Wendong and the others had later schedules—there’d still be time to guide them after she returned. Though Han Wenlin had stayed, he never quite fit in. Li Zhi, sensing this, had taken the initiative.

Emotions churned inside Han Wenlin. Finally, under the others’ envious gazes, he stood abruptly. "Yes! I’m in!"

The team card activated. At 1:00 PM, the trio vanished.

Chi Yi immediately opened the app. A red notification dot indicated her followed players had gone live. Clicking the link, a new stream appeared—titled "Butterfly Village."