The Online Girlfriend Got Exposed, But Why

Since the two women left the room, Lin Yu hadn't slept again.

He tidied up the room briefly.

At seven in the morning, the system's notification chime sounded.

[Ding!]

[Today is another hopeful day!]

[Continue exploring the Path of Joyful Union, Host. Strive to become the pillar of the sect!]

[Friendly reminder: The task list has been refreshed.]

Hearing the pleasant voice of the system, Lin Yu's first thought was...

Would this damn thing broadcast at exactly seven every morning?

If that's the case, how could he sleep in anymore?

Couldn't it at least switch to vibration mode?

After silently complaining in his heart, Lin Yu obediently opened the system interface.

[Host: Lin Yu]

[Age: 20]

[Sect Status: Inner Disciple]

[Number of Dao Companions (Soul Cultivation/Body Cultivation): 1/1]

[Sect Techniques: Bone-Softening Fist (External Skill)]

[Sect Secret Arts/Treasures: Joyous Phoenix-Summoning Finger, Hundred Beasts Command]

[Sect Contribution: 0]

[Spirit Stones: 650]

[Current Tasks:]

[Protect the Sect (Urgent Mission): The Path of Joyful Union Sect is not just a place for cultivation...]

[Discussing Formations (Urgent Mission): A worldly expert has invited the sect's Formation Hall elder...]

[Tend to Sect Spirit Plants (Daily Task): Spirit plants in the spirit fields are essential for a strong sect. Please water the twelve potted spirit plants on the balcony promptly.]

[Sweep the Sect Courtyard (Daily Task): If you can't even clean your own house, how can you take on the world? Sweeping the courtyard is a disciple's duty.]

[Repair Formations (Daily Task): The formation at the entrance of the sect hall has deteriorated. Please repair it in time.]

[Host's Physical Status:]

[Radiant Jade Marrow (Charm +100%)]

[Tempered Bones and Forged Body (Constitution +150%)]

[Acting Sect Master's Dream (All Attributes +3%)]

[Gratitude of the Path of Joyful Union Bell Maiden (Taste +20%)]

[Guilt of the Path of Joyful Union Talisman Master (Vision +20%)]

[Covetousness of the Formation Hall Elder (Hand Speed +100%)]

Lin Yu wasn't particularly concerned about the updated task list.

It was just minor chores centered around the apartment as part of sect duties.

But the sudden appearance of so many buffs under [Host's Physical Status] truly surprised him.

Would every roommate in the apartment add a new buff once a bond was formed?

These statuses clearly reflected each woman's current attitude toward him.

The buffs were closely tied to their personal traits—

Aunt Qimeng's all-around care, Chi Qingchi's gluttony, Ye Mengfu's artistic eye, and Mo Shangying's genius hacker reflexes!

Lin Yu wiggled his fingers in the air—did they really feel more agile now?

If he went to an internet café to game, he'd probably dominate effortlessly.

Or if he played games with a roommate, they'd probably be screaming in excitement.

"Tsk, what an amazing... buff," Lin Yu mused.

......

Descending from the third floor, he found Aunt Qimeng, as usual, already up and preparing breakfast in the kitchen.

"Xiao Yu, you're up early again today?"

"Sorry, just wait a little longer. It'll be ready soon."

"I don't know what happened—I overslept by twenty minutes today."

Chen Qimeng anxiously watched the boiling water in the pot, silently urging it to heat up faster.

Ever since Lin Yu gave her that massage yesterday, she had felt an indescribable lightness all over her body.

Last night was the most restful sleep she'd had in half a year.

So much so that she hadn't heard a single sound from Lin Yu's room last night.

"Apologizing for oversleeping by twenty minutes?"

"Aunt Qimeng, then I'd have to apologize for years of oversleeping."

"Take your time, no rush. I'm not that hungry yet."

"I'll go sweep the courtyard first. You keep cooking."

Chen Qimeng quickly turned around, flustered.

"No, no! I'll take care of it later!"

Lin Yu stepped into the kitchen and stood in front of her.

"Sweeping the courtyard is a man's job."

"As for you... turn around."

Chen Qimeng's pupils trembled slightly as she obeyed, turning her back to him.

Lin Yu...

Reached for the loose apron strings behind her and tied them properly again.

Lin Yu: "Always so careless, huh?"

Chen Qimeng: "Huh? I could've sworn I tied it earlier..."

Feeling Xiao Yu's gentle movements, Chen Qimeng couldn't help but glance at him from the corner of her eye.

It seemed like he had grown taller, his features more defined.

He really did seem like a man now.

Being cared for by a man at home was something Chen Qimeng had never experienced before.

For some reason...

At this moment...

Her mind suddenly recalled He Jing's teasing words from yesterday—and the hazy dream from last night—

Chen Qimeng: "!!!"

Heavens!

What on earth was she thinking?!

Stupid brain, get a grip!

[Ding!]

[Masterful move! Your commanding sense of responsibility awakens the acting sect master's fantasies!]

[Reward: 20 Spirit Stones]

Lin Yu: "???"

Oh?

Fantasies?

What exactly was she imagining?

"All done, Aunt Qimeng. Keep up the good work with breakfast."

With that...

Lin Yu took the opportunity to press lightly against Chen Qimeng's waist.

A fleeting touch.

He could clearly feel her body tremble involuntarily.

This sent a secret thrill through Lin Yu's heart.

When it came to Aunt Qimeng, who had been taking such devoted care of him, he couldn’t afford to be rough or hasty—he had to take things step by step.

Without lingering any longer, Lin Yu left the kitchen to tackle his [Daily Mission].

As he stepped out the front door, he glanced down.

[The entrance formation at the Sect Main Hall’s doorstep]…

He figured it must be referring to this worn-out doormat that had been here forever.

Since there didn’t seem to be a spare at home, he’d have to buy a new one at the supermarket later.

Back in his previous life, when he lived in an apartment,

Lin Yu had never realized just how big this yard was.

Of course, he’d also never bothered to clean it himself.

Aunt Qimeng had always taken care of it, sweeping every other day without fail.

Now that he was actually doing it himself, Lin Yu realized—this yard was huge!

Between all the household chores, managing the flower shop, and looking after Lin Yu’s daily needs,

it was nothing short of a miracle that Aunt Qimeng kept up with everything!

As he was vigorously sweeping,

a young girl pushed open the gate and walked into the yard, pulling a suitcase behind her.

Lin Yu looked up.

The morning light skimmed past the brim of her baseball cap, flickering into her cool, composed eyes.

Her chestnut-brown, slightly wavy hair was gently lifted by the breeze.

Underneath her unbuttoned short-sleeved plaid shirt, she wore a pristine white T-shirt.

Her black denim shorts accentuated the graceful curve of her waist.

Below her slender, jade-like calves were a pair of classic black canvas shoes.

Just standing there quietly, she painted a picture of effortless beauty.

But if you met her gaze directly,

you’d immediately sense something… disdainful in her eyes?

Her stare was eerily similar to the cold glare of the Snake Princess in anime when she looked at unfamiliar men.

Chi Qingshui!

The elder of the twins.

Also Lin Yu’s classmate.

Chi Qingshui’s face was 99% identical to her sister, Chi Qingchi’s.

It was almost as if they’d coordinated it—even their hair color was the same.

Apart from their different fashion styles, telling the sisters apart was nearly impossible.

Of course,

that was only in appearance.

Their personalities were worlds apart.

Either way,

they were now classmates, housemates, and system-bound targets.

Naturally, Lin Yu had to maintain a good relationship with her.

He took the initiative, speaking up first:

“Is that Big Chi? Morning.”

“Little Chi said you weren’t coming back till tomorrow—change of plans?”

[Ding!]

[Uphold the rules of an inner sect disciple—greet the Library Elder respectfully!]

[Reward: 20 Spirit Stones]

Lin Yu: “…”

Why did this reward feel so unsatisfying?

Greet the elder?

You think you’re that noble?

Chi Qingshui paused, one hand on her suitcase, the other lifting her cap slightly.

“Did the sun rise from the west today? Lin Yu, you actually cleaning the yard?”

Lin Yu: “…”

Just this simple exchange was enough to remind Lin Yu of this old classmate’s… potency.

Sharp-tongued. Aloof. Tsundere.

(And honestly, tsunderes were so out of style by now!)

If he didn’t already know this was just how she was, he’d think she had it out for him.

Back in their freshman year,

Lin Yu had witnessed a tragedy firsthand…

A guy from another class had tried pursuing Chi Qingshui, bringing her an elaborate breakfast.

If she wasn’t interested, a simple rejection would’ve been fine.

But no—Chi Qingshui, after turning him down, went on to coldly inform him:

“I have zero interest in men. Don’t waste your time. You’d be better off focusing on your coursework.”

Thanks to that little speech,

for the next two years, people kept asking her sister, Chi Qingchi:

“Hey, is your sister into girls or something?”

As for Chi Qingshui herself, she couldn’t care less about the rumors.

She did, however, take her own advice—throwing herself into her studies.

For two straight years, she topped the class in every semester.

Rumor had it that come September, she’d even be promoted to “Student Council President of the Film School.”

A bona fide academic overachiever!

The title [Library Elder] actually suited her perfectly.

Her room was lined with bookshelves packed with all kinds of literature.

Every time Lin Yu saw her, she was either reading or on her way to read.

To her, men—no matter how interesting—might as well have been wild beasts. She kept everyone at arm’s length.

Whatever.

No point arguing with her.

He’d just treat her as a mission target—slowly chip away at her defenses.

“Gotta be productive once in a while. Welcome back.”

“That’s a lot of stuff—need help?”

Lin Yu naturally reached out, hoping to sneak in some physical contact while helping with the suitcase.

He was genuinely curious what kind of mission Chi Qingshui might trigger.

However,

Chi Qingshui smoothly sidestepped, pushing the suitcase away as she said airily:

“No need for your magnanimity. Keep sweeping.”

“If you’ve got the energy, you’d be better off brainstorming ideas for the summer filming project.”

“Unfortunately, Little Chi and I are stuck in the same group as you. Try not to drag us down.”

With that,

Chi Qingshui walked off, suitcase in tow,

leaving Lin Yu standing there, utterly speechless: “…”

He really wanted to pinch her cheeks.

While doing so, he’d ask her:

Do I owe you money? Do I owe you money?

...

Having calmed down from the minor incident with Chi Qingshui,

Lin Yu continued to focus on finishing his daily tasks.

No matter what, he had to complete the "Sweep the Sect Courtyard" and "Tend to the Sect’s Spiritual Plants" missions before Aunt Qimeng finished preparing breakfast.

After sweeping for a few more minutes, only the final step of taking out the trash remained...

"Ding."

A WeChat notification chimed on Lin Yu’s phone.

He set aside his cleaning tool and picked up his phone to check.

It was actually that woman, Chi Qingshui!

「Chi Qingshui: Xiao Chi already confessed. She borrowed money from you to buy merch.」

「Chi Qingshui: How much was it? I’ll send you a red packet.」

Seeing the words "Xiao Chi already confessed," Lin Yu couldn’t help but feel a chill down his spine.

Is she really this ruthless with her own little sister?

Did you torture a confession out of her?!

「Lin Yu: Consider it a gift. Just let Xiao Chi go.」

Almost immediately after sending his reply, another message popped up.

「Chi Qingshui: No gifts. Stay away from Xiao Chi and mind your own business.」

「Chi Qingshui: So, how much was it?」

Lin Yu: "..."

Where’s my knife?

Where the hell is my knife?!

He really wanted to storm in there and fight her!

Is it so hard to talk like a normal person?

Would it kill you?!

Lin Yu took a deep breath to avoid dying of rage.

「Lin Yu: Just send me a hundred then. It wasn’t much.」

「Chi Qingshui: Okk」

「(Chi Qingshui has recalled a message)」

「Chi Qingshui: Ok」

With the conversation seemingly over,

Lin Yu locked his phone and put it away, not waiting for Chi Qingshui’s transfer.

These days, he wasn’t short on small change like a couple hundred bucks.

Just as he picked up his broom to resume cleaning, something suddenly clicked in his mind—

"Clatter!"

The broom slipped from his grip and hit the ground.

Lin Yu didn’t even bother picking it up, immediately pulling out his phone again.

He scrutinized his chat history with Chi Qingshui...

「(Chi Qingshui has recalled a message)」

「Chi Qingshui: Ok」

He knew he wasn’t seeing things.

The recalled message had been: 「Okk」!

[Okk]

Originally popularized in online chats among the anime and gaming community, the term gradually spread to mainstream use.

It gained widespread recognition in 2023 due to a trending topic:

[People-pleasers type "Okk" instead of just "Ok"]

If you trace it back,

this habit might have started a year or two before 2023—

maybe 2022, maybe 2021, or even as early as 2017 or 2018...

But it definitely wasn’t a thing in 2014!

Who the hell typed like that in 2014?

Only Lin Yu.

Just yesterday, in his online flirtations with his virtual girlfriend, "Dreaming Rain,"

he had used it at least seven or eight times.

His girlfriend, probably finding it amusing, started mimicking him later in their chats.

And the most damning evidence—

Chi Qingshui had recalled it?!

With how sharp she was, she must’ve realized the slip-up and instantly deleted it.

Damn.

Talk about stumbling upon the truth by sheer accident!

It was almost certain now—

The girl he’d been sweet-talking and getting frisky with online,

was none other than the aloof campus queen, the top student, the student council president... Chi Qingshui!