Zhao Youyue's 2D travels lasted a long time. Approximately the entire summer holiday was spent in the gaming world. After all, she was here to create an iconic character. Su Shi had her full attention, and effort – and Zhao Youyue hoped that the same applied to the creator.
Su Shi was a hidden protagonist. People would think that she was some mysterious quest-giver, or a side event that occasionally saved players from death.
Nobody would actually assume that she was the actual protagonist, all this while hidden behind the splash image of a decoy heroine.
Only players who have been in contact with Su Shi at length would know who she really was.