This time, the joke is actually on me

The girl's cheeks flushed crimson, that blush more fervent than any sweet nothings in the world.

Or maybe it was swearing?

Hah~ Who could truly decipher such subtleties?

Liu Yuan felt as if suddenly engulfed by raging flames, her entire body burning up in an instant.

Of course, this was just an exaggerated way to describe her skyrocketing body temperature.

When she had sent those messages earlier, she hadn’t felt anything unusual—in fact, she might’ve even been smiling like an idiot.

But who could’ve predicted she’d revisit them from such an unexpected angle now?!

Aahhh…

This is… this is… way too embarrassing?!

Good heavens, who in their right mind would send something like that?!!

Under the delicate arches of her feet, her perfectly rounded toes curled involuntarily, betraying her unease.

Forget digging a three-bedroom apartment—Liu Yuan felt she could carve out an entire luxury penthouse from sheer embarrassment…

So awkward, so awkward…

SO AWKWARD!!!!

[I Want to Sleep] = Su Qi?

Su Qi = [I Want to Sleep]

These two seemingly unrelated terms—she’d never imagined they’d one day be connected by an equal sign.

Now, upon closer reflection, there were indeed many similarities between them.

Details she’d once overlooked now replayed in her mind like scenes from a movie.

Similar ages, both living in Jiangxia, both at the sixth-tier power level.

And both fond of sleeping in…

Plus, in recent days, she’d occasionally spotted Su Qi carrying bags of card-crafting materials home…

And finally, the ability to exchange messages with him inside the Origin Realm…

So…

Does Su Qi know that [Iris] = Liu Yuan?

Probably not?

This inevitably brings up how the two of them first met.

It was simple.

On Jiangxia’s Cardholder Forum.

Both were cardholders in Jiangxia, though their tiers differed. The forum didn’t segregate users by rank, so they shared the same channel.

Under these circumstances, the odds of them crossing paths weren’t high, but neither were they negligible.

At first, it was just her asking a few simple questions.

With her parents missing and Su Qi paying little attention to her, Liu Yuan had been utterly adrift about her future—like a lone weed swaying without direction.

Due to her family situation, she’d also grown somewhat withdrawn at school, without any close friends.

After much deliberation, the internet seemed her only refuge for answers.

Not that she expected anyone to actually provide them.

After all, the glaring "Tier 1" certification beside her username didn’t exactly inspire confidence.

But even just venting her confusion would’ve been something.

And then…

She met ‘Big Brother.’

The very same [I Want to Sleep] now lighting up her phone.

"Do you see your life as an endless wilderness? Or a fixed track?"

"If you want to change, I can try to help you."

He’d opened with these cryptic words.

At first, Liu Yuan hadn’t paid much attention—by the time she saw the message, it was already noon the next day, and others had replied too.

But when she thanked everyone for their responses, only [I Want to Sleep] continued the conversation.

He earnestly strategized with her, as if genuinely intent on guiding her out of her rut and onto a new path.

Yet reason told her kindness seldom came without strings.

"What do I need to give you in return?"

"Nothing. You bettering yourself is repayment enough."

Never had she received such pure goodwill from a ‘stranger.’

A girl starved of paternal love and warmth stood no chance against such tenderness.

Like a moth that’d never seen light, she hurled herself at the flame.

Fittingly mirroring the symbolism of [Iris]—her longing for love and care.

Just like that, they added each other on Origin Chat as friends.

He felt like an elder brother looking out for her, and gradually, she began addressing him as ‘Big Brother.’

Well…

Not entirely.

There had been others who’d shown her kindness before.

But their ‘kindness’ was far from pure.

Thanks to her delicate, doll-like looks, peers at school would occasionally slip bizarre notes into her desk.

The usual drivel—‘I like you,’ ‘Be my girlfriend,’ ‘Marry me.’

Back then, she didn’t fully grasp it, only finding it odd how people who’d never spoken to her could make such requests.

Once, during a casual chat, she’d even complained to Big Brother about it.

His response was blunt: "Why waste words? They should just write ‘I want to sleep with you’ and be done."

Maybe it was a momentary lapse of judgment, but she fired back without thinking: "Then I’ll be Big Brother’s girlfriend."

"Then work hard and improve yourself first."

Similar exchanges followed:

"Big Brother, I want to…"

"Then work hard and improve yourself first."

"Big Brother, I think…"

"Then work hard and improve yourself first."

"Big Brother, I…"

"Then could you please work hard and improve yourself?"

Yes, she was the one who’d pursued him…

Slowly, her confusion about the future faded, her pessimism lifting.

She grew brighter, more lively.

Though this side of her was visible only to ‘Big Brother.’

Which also explained her later, impulsive decision to sell her house for martial exams…

So… From this, it’s safe to deduce Su Qi likely didn’t know.

His subtle attitude gave it away.

Of course, there was the slim chance Su Qi just had a roleplay kink…

Ew, ew, ew!

What am I thinking?!

Su Qi’s right in front of me!

Wouldn’t it be simpler to just ask?

"Su… Big Brother?"

Yet the words twisted on her tongue: "Is this your phone?"

Su Qi: ???

If it’s not mine, is it yours?

He barely resisted facepalming.

His grip on the phone nearly faltered.

[+9999 Joy]?

Worth nearly ten million Great Xia dollars?

What kind of earth-shattering, mind-blowing spectacle could trigger this?!

Add Old Li’s earlier 100-point [Brilliance] drop, and he could craft one hell of a card now!

Then again, he hadn’t done anything particularly remarkable…

Wait—

Su Qi finally noticed Liu Yuan, now glowing like an overheating radiator.

No way…

Someone actually made that ‘steam-powered maiden’ expression in real life?

It dawned on him. Awkwardly, he glanced back at his chat log…

So… What idiocy had his impulsive self committed?

Showing his little sister these messages?

How was this any different from sharing his game folder with her?

This time, the joke’s on me??