In a small town on the edge of the Sea Country, a humble cottage stood quietly.
Sunlight streamed through the window panes, casting a warm golden glow on the wooden floor.
The interior was simply furnished yet cozy, with several watercolor paintings of seaside scenery and adorable animals adorning the walls.
A bookshelf leaned against one wall, filled with a diverse collection of books, ranging from heavy historical texts to light manga novels.
In a corner of the room, a soft blanket was spread on the floor, upon which a young girl was sprawled.
This was Tao Yao, a controversial yet undeniable character in "Journey of the Fairies."
Tao Yao lay lazily on the blanket, her long pink hair cascading behind her like a waterfall.
She wore a loose white top, with a thin blanket draped over her back, and her bare feet were exposed, exuding an air of casual charm.
Her bright eyes were intently fixed on the screen in front of her, her slender fingers occasionally swiping across it.
Beside the screen, which was displaying content, sat a plate of exquisite snacks.
These were wagashi of various shapes, adorned with cherry blossom and plum blossom motifs, looking both cute and delicious.
From time to time, Tao Yao would reach for a piece, savoring its sweet taste.
Tao Yao was engaged in one of her favorite leisure activities: intense self-exploration.
She enjoyed diving into various social media platforms on Blue Star to understand players' thoughts and feelings.
Simultaneously, she would browse content related to "Journey of the Fairies," checking players' reviews and suggestions for the game.
Occasionally, she would also keep an eye out for videos or news related to herself, though she never directly replied.
Just then, a video title caught her attention:
**[Ten Thousand Words of Ultra-Detailed Analysis: Why I Believe Tao Yao Deserves Anyone's Affection?]**
Tao Yao blinked.
She recognized the author of the video as Hua Yu.
The player who, in her memory, was very formidable and seemed to pay her a lot of attention.
Driven by curiosity, Tao Yao clicked on the video.
As the video began to play, Hua Yu's gentle yet firm voice emanated from the screen.
What appeared first was a fan-made animated GIF of Tao Yao.
In the image, Tao Yao stood amidst a sea of pink flowers, her long pink hair flowing in the wind.
She wore a flowing pink gown, the hem dotted with starlight.
Her eyes sparkled with a gentle yet resolute light, and a faint smile graced her lips.
The entire scene exuded an aura of fantasy and hope, as if one could sense the fragrance of the flower sea.
Next, Hua Yu began her explanation:
"Tao Yao, for the players of 'Journey of the Fairies,' she was initially a controversial character. When she first appeared, she carried an air of mystery."
"From that point on, due to her inscrutable personality, her tendency to often oppose the protagonist's team, and the fact that she herself was a material drop boss for later dungeons, players labeled her as an antagonist."
"This impression has, to this day, become an established fact in the eyes of the players."
"During that period, hardly anyone considered Tao Yao to be a good person."
"Everyone found her mysterious and her actions unpredictable. Some even believed she was the ultimate villain in the game."
Hua Yu paused, then described in detail the events that occurred during the game's launch.
She recounted how players misunderstood Tao Yao and harbored animosity towards her.
The forums at the time were filled with all sorts of negative speculations about Tao Yao, with some claiming she was secretly manipulating the entire game world, and others asserting she was an invader from another dimension.
"But,"
Hua Yu's voice softened, "Tao Yao was unaware of this. She didn't know about the malice directed towards her by the players. Tao Yao continued to do what she believed was right."
The video switched scenes, showcasing the players' second encounter with Tao Yao.
In the image, Tao Yao and Fei Ying walked through a bustling street.
They chatted and laughed, appearing like ordinary good friends.
Tao Yao occasionally pointed at items in shop windows, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
They entered a toy store to pick out gifts for the children in the orphanage.
Tao Yao carefully selected each toy, seemingly considering the preferences of every child.
"In this encounter, Tao Yao, for the first time, showed her kind side to the players."
Hua Yu continued, "Yet, even so, influenced by preconceived notions, many still believed Tao Yao was merely feigning closeness to the protagonist."
"Everything she did for the orphanage children was just a facade she deliberately put on at the time, hiding unknown secrets."
"At this point, Tao Yao was willing to share whatever she wished to share. But she didn't know that everything she said was taken as a lie. This was our second encounter with Tao Yao, and it was interrupted by misunderstanding."
The screen switched again.
The Rift Gate opened, and the Abyss Dragon appeared in the city.
"The third encounter with Tao Yao was amidst the chaos caused by the Apostle Cult."
"At that time, Tao Yao appeared at the scene and revealed her aspect as an Apostle of the Fairies, associating with Disaster Beasts, favored and worshipped by the Abyss Dragon. Everything seemed to indicate that she was an enemy of humanity, a traitor."
The video switched scenes again.
This time, it was a night in Conch Park.
Moonlight cascaded like water, and stars twinkled. Tao Yao stood in the small plaza by the lake, her posture graceful, her skirt swaying.
She began to dance. Though her movements were not entirely fluid, and even a bit clumsy, they were filled with sincere emotion.
"The fourth encounter was on a night in Conch Park. We chanced upon Tao Yao at that time and witnessed her dance under the moonlight."
"Although I am not a professional dancer, I believe everyone can see that the dance Tao Yao performed at the time was not as smooth as it became later, and was even somewhat clumsy."
"Yet, despite this, she was willing to show us her best side."
Hua Yu's voice was full of emotion as she detailed the sentiments Tao Yao displayed at this moment.
It was not just a dance; it was Tao Yao's way of opening her heart to the players.
"It was also at that time that Tao Yao finally shared the ideal she couldn't express last time, telling Fei Ying, and telling the players. She said she hoped to create a peaceful world, a world where all beings could coexist harmoniously."
"However,"
Hua Yu's voice carried a hint of regret:
"It was also from that time onwards that controversial remarks about Tao Yao began to increase."
"We were immersed in all sorts of speculation about Tao Yao, unaware that this was our last chance to have a private conversation with her."
"And after this, Tao Yao would persistently pursue her beliefs."
The video continued, the scene shifting to the Twin Cities of Star and Moon.
The bustling city sparkled with dazzling lights under the night sky, its towering buildings standing like giants.
However, beneath this calm facade, a brewing crisis lurked.
Hua Yu's voice echoed again, with a trace of worry:
"We didn't spend much time with Tao Yao. I must admit, our understanding of Tao Yao was limited to the side she showed us."
"But no matter how she presented herself, her attitude towards Fei Ying was always gentle, and she never harmed Fei Ying."
The scene switched to the streets of the Twin Cities of Star and Moon, where players were busy rushing around, attempting to prevent the impending disaster.
Hua Yu continued her commentary:
"In a later version of the Twin Cities of Star and Moon, the Apostle Cult initiated a disaster of unprecedented scale."
"The hidden dangers within Fei Ying became increasingly apparent, and she gradually approached the brink of losing control."
Suddenly, the scene shifted, and Tao Yao appeared before the players.
She was clad in a pink gown, her long hair flowing, her eyes filled with determination and a hint of apology.
Hua Yu's voice grew somber: "And just as the players were about to prevent this disaster, it was Tao Yao who stood in our way. She stood on the opposing side, preventing the players with the gentlest of methods."
In the video, Tao Yao gently extended her hand, and a pink barrier of light unfolded before her, blocking the players.
Her lips moved, as if she were saying something, but the players couldn't hear her voice.
"The true opening of the Rift Gate."
Hua Yu's voice trembled slightly, "The already chaotic Twin Cities descended into even greater confusion."
Next, Hua Yu described in detail the events that transpired during this period.
She recounted how the Apostle Cult used the power of the rift to create chaos, how the players fought valiantly, and Fei Ying's internal struggle.
Her voice was brimming with emotion, as if she had personally experienced it all.
The video continued, the scene moving into the rift.
It was a space filled with distorted energy, permeated by purple mist, with lightning occasionally flashing.
Hua Yu's voice sounded again:
"Fei Ying accepted the proposal of her alter ego and no longer resisted the power of the fairies. She stepped through the Rift Gate, bearing the power of the fairies alone, a burden she could not possibly bear."
In the video, Fei Ying's figure flickered in and out of view within the rift.
Her body was engulfed in flames, appearing in pain and struggling.
"And all of this was within Tao Yao's expectations."
Hua Yu's voice suddenly became gentle, "When Fei Ying was in mortal danger, Tao Yao, in her own way, drew the demonic fire onto herself and used her own peach blossoms as fuel, illuminating the path forward for Fei Ying."
In the video, Tao Yao reached out to Fei Ying, letting the fire consume her body.
Hua Yu's voice deepened:
"Many find it difficult to understand Tao Yao's actions. Even today, many still do not understand why Tao Yao went this far."
"From a rational and logical perspective, many believe Tao Yao's actions are still inexplicable."
"However, is that truly the case?"
In the video, Tao Yao's face displayed a gentle smile, even though she was enduring immense pain.
Her gaze consistently followed Fei Ying, as if silently encouraging her to move forward.
"The facts prove that even at this point, we still do not understand Tao Yao."
Hua Yu continued:
"Precisely because we don't understand, we can't comprehend. The kindness and perfection she displayed, everything she did for Fei Ying, are difficult for people to grasp."
"Strictly speaking, if one doesn't understand Tao Yao, how can they know why Tao Yao is worthy of affection?"
Hua Yu's voice carried a sigh of emotion, "And at this point in the video, Tao Yao remains controversial. But so what? Tao Yao is simply doing what she believes is right."
In the video, Tao Yao was engulfed in flames, on the verge of perishing in the fire.
Hua Yu continued, "Her kindness towards Fei Ying, this kindness is like breaking through the dimensional barrier, constantly considering the players, hoping the players can proceed as they wish."
"Simply because she is so good to the players, constantly giving them gifts, she deserves our affection!"
The video began to flash back to Tao Yao's past actions:
Her gentleness in picking out toys for the children at the orphanage, her sincerity as she danced in Conch Park.
Each scene displayed Tao Yao's kindness and selflessness.
"As for why Tao Yao did all this?"
Hua Yu's voice held a hint of mystery, "I believe that in 'Old Day Flower Language,' the reason and deeper meaning behind it may be revealed to us."
"That will be the reason why Tao Yao did what she did, and it will also be the reason why, on top of Tao Yao already being worthy of affection, she is even more deserving of our liking."
"I believe, regardless of the outcome, Tao Yao will do what she believes is right, using herself to illuminate Fei Ying's path forward, thereby achieving the ideal she spoke of."
"Even if her ideal, in her own words, is incredibly selfish."
The screen gradually blurred, finally freezing on a blooming peach blossom amidst raging inferno.
The petals seemed to reflect Tao Yao's gentle smile, as if Tao Yao's eternal and unchanging tenderness had not dissipated in the sea of flowers with that fire.
The video ended.
Tao Yao gazed silently at the now black screen.
Her eyes flickered with complex emotions, a mixture of being touched and a hint of confusion.
The video was indeed detailed, perhaps even overly verbose.
Hua Yu had injected too many of her subjective feelings into it. While filled with sincere emotion, it was hard not to feel it strayed from the essence of the facts.
However.
It was precisely these details that made Tao Yao reconsider some questions she hadn't deeply pondered before.
She began to ponder the bond between herself and Fei Ying, and whether such profound affection, as described, could truly drive her to burn herself out and offer her final dance.
Furthermore, was such a sacrifice truly worthy of being moved by players?
The answer did not seem as simple and definitive as the video depicted.
Tao Yao realized that genuine emotions and relationships are often far more complex than people imagine.
The connection between her and Fei Ying might not be merely simple friendship or sacrifice, but involved interaction and influence on multiple levels.
This thought gave Tao Yao a clearer vision for the upcoming new version.
She realized it might be time to show players a more realistic and complex story.
With this thought, Tao Yao softly called out:
"Xiao Xiao."
As she called, the system sprite Xiao Xiao appeared beside her.
Xiao Xiao's appearance seemed to bring a touch of vitality to the quiet space.
She looked at Tao Yao curiously, awaiting instructions.
Tao Yao gazed at Xiao Xiao and spoke softly, "In the Old Day for the next version, let's have the Fei Ying from my most perfect memories appear before the players."
**[Huh?]**
Xiao Xiao looked bewildered.
Her naive self naturally couldn't comprehend the meaning behind Tao Yao's words.
Tao Yao then continued to explain:
"Cooperate with me and let's fabricate some history!"