《Transmigration: The Cannon Fodder Suddenly Made a Comeback!》 Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: Chapter 1 Im Not Interested in Uncultured Men Chapter 1: Chapter 1 I¡¯m Not Interested in Uncultured Men ¡°Jiang Li, I¡¯m warning you, don¡¯t set your sights on Yinwan anymore, or I¡¯ll make the entire Jiang Family accompany you in death!¡± The man¡¯s furious voice by her ear made Jiang Li, who was already feeling groggy, even more uncomfortable. Following a bout of tinnitus, she struggled to open her eyes and finally saw the scene around her¡ª Flashing with colorful effects, the computer screen was in front of her, her hand rested on a mouse on the desk, and from the headphones on her head, a man¡¯s interrogative voice kept coming through. Looking at the modern society¡¯s gadgets around her, Jiang Li finally realized her current situation. ¡ªShe had traveled back again. She was called Jiang Li, a supporting character in a novel titled ¡°The Top Celebrity Wife of the Paranoid CEO.¡± After a muddled and unbearable life manipulated by the plot, she transmigrated hundreds of years to the past into the Daqi Dynasty, becoming the legitimate eldest daughter of a distinguished Marquis Mansion. That was the happiest life she had ever lived. There, she broke free from the plot¡¯s control, living the life she wanted, and became the person she aspired to be. However, just when she thought she could finally enjoy a life of freedom according to her will, she had traveled back again. Could it be that she still couldn¡¯t escape that ridiculous and pathetic fate? ¡°Hey, speak up; don¡¯t play mute.¡± ¡°You better tell me quickly where you¡¯ve hidden Yinwan!¡± The man¡¯s voice in the headset became more and more agitated, as if he could tear her to shreds across the void. Jiang Li¡¯s eyes narrowed. She identified who the voice belonged to¡ªShang Shaojing, the male protagonist of ¡°The Top Celebrity Wife of the Paranoid CEO,¡± a domineering, obsessive, and utterly unreasonable CEO. The ¡°Yinwan¡± he mentioned was the novel¡¯s female protagonist, Su Yinwan. And she, she was the no-brainer follower of the domineering male lead, the jealous antagonist of the sweet and naive female lead¡ªthe damned vicious supporting character. If only being a supporting character was okay, but she was not even an important side character; she was mere cannon fodder for the sake of the plot¡ª On her very first appearance, she kidnapped the female lead, enraged the male lead, attracted mortal peril, and even dragged her entire family into the male lead¡¯s revenge. Thinking of the extremely painful life she had led, the malicious aura in Jiang Li¡¯s eyes surged uncontrollably. Having experienced the brilliant and colorful life in ancient times, she no longer wanted to be a puppet manipulated by the plot. But now, with her own consciousness, perhaps she had already escaped the plot¡¯s hold? With this thought, Jiang Li gripped the headset and tentatively called out, ¡°Shang Shaojing?¡± The other party immediately let out a cold laugh, ¡°Jiang Li, you¡¯ve stopped playing mute, huh? Answer my question¡ªwhere exactly is Su Yinwan?!¡± After confirming that she did not possess the giddy excitement of receiving a call from the male lead, like in her past life, Jiang Li¡¯s gaze grew indifferent, and then she emotionlessly hung up the call. Since she was no longer under the control of the plot, there was no need to waste her breath on him. She definitely did not want to have even the slightest connection with that brainless and vengeful male lead. The sidekick watching Jiang Li¡¯s expression change drastically after the call immediately stopped their gaming, took off their headphones, and indignantly said: ¡°Sister Li, did that woman Su Yinwan cause you trouble again? In my opinion, we should just tie that bitch up and teach her a lesson, see if she dares to compete with you for men again!¡± Jiang Li¡¯s gaze shifted to the young man beside her. After studying him for a few seconds, she gradually retrieved information about the male from her already blurry memory¡ªher number one underling, Xiang Hao. In the book, her character was designed as a highly rebellious rich girl. After her father¡¯s early death, she defied her mother¡¯s control and hung around with street gangsters all day. Having met the handsome and wealthy male lead at a banquet, she fell hopelessly in love with him. But at that time, Shang Shaojing had already been deeply involved with the female lead, Su Yinwan. In her quest to win Shang Shaojing¡¯s affection, she frequently made things difficult for the female lead. Thus, when the female lead played the game of cat and mouse¡ª¡±disappearing¡± on purpose, Shang Shaojing called and directly demanded people from her. That¡¯s what led to the opening scene. And in the book, she, already filled with jealousy towards the female lead and further ridiculed over the phone by the male lead, immediately took Xiang Hao¡¯s advice and kidnapped Su Yinwan. Yet before she had the chance to teach her a lesson, the male lead arrived to play the hero, and instead, she was the one who got a beating. Afterward, the entire Jiang Family became a thorn in Shang Shaojing¡¯s side, gradually ostracized by the Capital¡¯s clans, and finally walked the road towards bankruptcy and extinction. But at this moment¡ª Jiang Li slowly stood up from the chair, lifting her hand to smooth out the wrinkles on her dress. ¡°No need, I¡¯m not interested in uncultured men.¡± Xiang Hao: ? He could hardly believe his own ears. Didn¡¯t Sister Li fancy that man surnamed Shang to the point of no return? Why did she lose interest in him after just one game? His gaze shifted back to the girl in front of him, and Xiang Hao thought there might be something wrong with his eyes. Otherwise, why did he suddenly feel that Sister Li seemed different from one minute ago? One minute ago, she was gripping the mouse, shouting as she fought in the game. A minute later, Jiang Li stood before him, emanating an aura of inviolability, and her eyes were filled with an indifferent light. A light of maturity and experience that did not belong to her age. It was as if the place she stood was not a smoky internet cafe but should have been a battlefield bristling with activity. And she was the commander reviewing her troops. Regaining his senses, Xiang Hao swallowed hard, ¡°Sister Li, what¡¯s wrong with you? Even if that woman Su Yinwan made you angry, you shouldn¡¯t really upset yourself.¡± Jiang Li looked at him. As expected, due to the power of the plot, her little sidekick couldn¡¯t stop talking about Su Yinwan in eight out of ten sentences. It was pointless to explain further to him. So she raised her hand and gently patted his shoulder. ¡°Xiang Hao, study hard, and strive to become a well-mannered, law-abiding person who can make a contribution to the country.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t accompany you anymore, I¡¯m going home.¡± ¡°By the way, you should go home early too, don¡¯t worry your parents.¡± Having said that, she left the internet cafe without looking back, leaving Xiang Hao dumbfounded in his gaming chair. What was going on? Was it Jiang Li, who was addicted to skipping classes, telling him to study hard and serve the country? Was it Jiang Li, who often ran away from home, now voluntarily going back and advising him not to worry his parents? Had he gone mad, or had the world gone mad? The moment she stepped out of the internet cafe, her vision suddenly brightened, and the intense sunlight made Jiang Li squint her eyes. At this moment, the Capital had already entered early summer, with the sunlight warm and gentle and the breeze mild, everything was just right. She had also returned at just the right time. After flagging down a car, Jiang Li sat down, smoothing her skirt. Initially, she wanted to go directly home, but upon seeing herself in the rearview mirror, topped with an outlandish hairstyle, Jiang Li fell silent. ¡°Hello, Master, please take me to the nearest barbershop, thank you.¡± The driver was somewhat surprised. The pink-haired girl seemed so edgy, but unexpectedly, she was quite polite. Coming to his senses, he also switched to a kindly smile, ¡°Alright, girl, fasten your seatbelt, and off we go!¡± ¨C ¨C Recommendation for a completed novel¡ª ¡°Quick Transmigration: The Boss Lady¡¯s Lovely yet Provoking Life¡± (Members read for free!) ¡°Quick Transmigration of the Disaster: The Crazy Male Lead After Being Ditched¡± (Entire novel free to read!) Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: Chapter 2 What Kind of In-laws Are They? Chapter 2: Chapter 2 What Kind of In-laws Are They? On the top floor of the Financial Building, a gathering of dark clouds couldn¡¯t help but form between Shang Shaojing¡¯s eyebrows when the call was disconnected. How dare Jiang Li hang up his phone? It seemed that Su Yinwan¡¯s disappearance was inevitably linked to her! After setting down his cellphone, he raised his hand and pressed the intercom button beside his desk. The moment the bell rang, the door to the office swung open and a man dressed in a suit and leather shoes walked in. ¡°Any news?¡± Shang Shaojing asked, his tone somewhat cold. The assistant lowered his head, ¡°There¡¯s still no news about Miss Su, but it has been found that the last time Miss Su was seen before her disappearance was at Young Master Jiang Yan¡¯s party.¡± Hearing this, Shang Shaojing¡¯s grim expression deepened. One Jiang Li, one Jiang Yan¡ªwhat exactly do the siblings of the Jiang Family intend to do? Perhaps thinking of something, Shang Shaojing tapped his fingertips lightly on the desk. ¡°If I remember correctly, today should be the day of Jiang Yan¡¯s engagement to Miss Qiao, right?¡± The assistant nodded, ¡°Yes, President Shang.¡± ¡°Well then, let¡¯s also send a light gift to Young Master Jiang.¡± After changing all her attire, Jiang Li finally made her way back to the Jiang Family. Looking at the red-roofed villa nestled amid green trees, for a moment, she couldn¡¯t help but feel sentimental. Steadying her heart, Jiang Li stepped forward and rang the doorbell. Hearing the noise, a figure slowly emerged from the nearby guard room, gazing at the girl at the gate for a long while before his eyes widened as he exclaimed, ¡°Miss, is that really you?¡± Jiang Li had also recognized the person by now, Uncle Jiang, her father¡¯s man, though she didn¡¯t know why he had now fallen to the role of a security guard. But she didn¡¯t inquire too much, simply nodding calmly, ¡°Uncle Jiang, it¡¯s me.¡± Jiang Ye was even more stunned. The young girl before him bore no resemblance to the girl he remembered. Her shiny black hair lay like satin against the back of her head, and her clean face shone as bright as the moon, so beautiful it seemed surreal. Especially those almond-shaped eyes¡ªclear, yet with a calmness washed by the years, they were soothingly tranquil to behold. The glaring pink hair was gone, the heavy makeup was gone, and the strange, mixed-style floral dresses were gone too. She appeared now as if she had stepped out of a television drama, like the esteemed daughter of a scholarly family, noble and elegant. No, their Miss had always been a noble young lady. Before he could think further, Jiang Ye hurriedly opened the door, welcoming her inside excitedly. ¡°Miss, you¡¯ve finally come home. You don¡¯t know, Madam has been so worried since you ran away from home, and also the Young Master¡ª¡± Jiang Li paused in her steps, and an image of an unkempt, profligate man immediately came to mind. Consequently, she asked subconsciously, ¡°What happened to Jiang Yan?¡± Jiang Ye sighed deeply, ¡°This matter has a long story behind it, you should hurry to the front hall to see the situation.¡± At this time, the front hall was surrounded by layers of people. Standing in the center, Mrs. Qiao was hugging her daughter, glaring furiously at the beautiful woman in front of her. ¡°Mrs. Jiang, you must give us an explanation today. The matter of Jiang Yan fleeing the wedding cannot be overlooked like this. Your Jiang Family cannot just bully us common folk because you have great power!¡± ¡°Exactly, exactly, our Qiao Family is not to be trifled with either.¡± ¡°Did you invite us here just to make fools of us? This matter absolutely cannot be overlooked!¡± Seeing the emotions of the Qiao Family members becoming more and more agitated, Mrs. Jiang, Lin Manru, turned pale and quickly explained, ¡°It¡¯s not eloping, my son is not that kind of person. Mother-in-law, please be assured, this marriage is certainly valid.¡± ¡°Hmph, valid? Then let Jiang Yan come out here; you can¡¯t just let my daughter be laughed at alone, right?¡± As she spoke, Mrs. Qiao quickly gave her daughter a look, and Qiao Shuang immediately started sobbing softly. Lin Manru, anxious, fidgeted with her wine glass, wanting to say something to comfort her future daughter-in-law, but was unable to speak. Seeing this, Mrs. Qin quickly pulled her aside. ¡°Madam, this can¡¯t go on like this. You need to find a way to appease the Qiao Family, we cannot have people here laughing at us, which could ruin the reputation of our Jiang Family.¡± Lin Manru nodded in agreement, then approached Mrs. Qiao, her tone softer and more gentle, ¡°Mother-in-law, I indeed did not consider today¡¯s issues thoroughly. We can compensate for your losses, but please do not disclose this matter publicly to avoid both families ending up in a distasteful feud.¡± Mrs. Qiao snorted, ¡°Compensation? Of course you should compensate. After such grievance suffered by my daughter, asking for 5% of Jiang Group¡¯s shares isn¡¯t too much, right?¡± Lin Manru paled. She hadn¡¯t expected Mrs. Qiao to make such a large demand right off the bat, calling for shares. But the fault was truly on their side, she shouldn¡¯t have claimed the engagement banquet between Jiang Qiao and the other family would proceed as planned while Jiang Yan was missing. Yet, considering Qiao Shuang would be Jiang Family¡¯s future daughter-in-law, what was 5% of shares really? Just as Lin Manru was about to reluctantly agree, suddenly a clear and bright female voice came from outside¡ª ¡°No, I do not agree to giving shares.¡± Everyone turned towards the voice, only to see that the previously shut door had been opened, and a graceful young girl was standing there against the light. Her frame was not tall or formidable, even somewhat frail, but she exuded a mysteriously powerful aura that instantly quieted the boisterous hall. After a moment of shock, Lin Manru walked up to her, both surprised and delighted, ¡°Lili? Is that you? How did you come back?!¡± It wasn¡¯t that Lin Manru didn¡¯t recognize her, but the young girl before her had changed too much for her to feel confident in her recognition. The people around also didn¡¯t recognize the identity of the girl, especially Mrs. Qiao, whose interrupted wrath was now fully directed at this brash young lady. ¡°Who are you, child, to interrupt adults speaking?¡± ¡°This involves Mrs. Jiang and me, why does your disagreement on sharing stocks matter?¡± Jiang Li looked coldly, without being emotionally roused by Mrs. Qiao¡¯s shouting, and simply sized up the woman from head to toe. For some reason, Mrs. Qiao suddenly felt a chill on her back when subjected to that gaze, but remembering her seniority, she gathered her spirits again. ¡°Answer me, why is this girl so rude?¡± Jiang Li replied indifferently, ¡°Who are you? Why must I answer your question?¡± Starting off without introducing oneself but making demands, such behavior would have been met with beatings in the Marquis Mansion. It was only because her modern mother was too soft that she was so thoroughly manipulated. Perhaps realizing her daughter was behaving unusually, Lin Manru quickly interjected, ¡°Lili, this is the mother of your brother¡¯s future wife, not a stranger, you should be respectful.¡± Jiang Li¡¯s expression remained unchanged, ¡°There¡¯s no engagement, no invitation to a wedding, and no bridegroom visiting; what kind of in-law is that? In my opinion, Mother should kick out this troublemaker who¡¯s a stranger.¡± Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Chapter 4 She Can Actually Tell Fortunes?! Chapter 4: Chapter 4 She Can Actually Tell Fortunes?! Mrs. Qiao regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth. Whether Jiang Yan can be found or not was another matter. Her original aim in agreeing to this marriage was to gain some benefit from the Jiang Family. Otherwise, who would want to marry their daughter to someone so unreliable? If she agreed to annul the engagement unconditionally, how would she gain any advantage? However, before she could change her words, Jiang Li in front of her had already raised her phone, playing back the ruthless words she had just uttered in a moment of panic, ¡°Alright, if you can find Jiang Yan today, I¡¯ll agree to annul the engagement unconditionally!¡± Jiang Li looked at her, a faint smile on her lips, ¡°Mrs. Qiao, this is evidence, and with so many witnesses around, you can¡¯t go back on your word later.¡± Mrs. Qiao¡¯s face turned pale, and she whispered, ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it after you find him.¡± Now she just hoped Jiang Yan was gone for good! This way, her daughter wouldn¡¯t have to marry into the family, and she could even gain some shares for security! Jiang Li put away her phone, turned around, and pulled her mother Lin Manru aside. Lin Manru was still overwhelmed by the drastic change in her daughter¡¯s character. She was in a daze for a long time before she asked, ¡°Do you really have a way to find your brother?¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s disappearance happened over half a month ago. That night, she just revealed the marriage alliance between the Jiang and Qiao families to him. He got angry and disappeared without a trace overnight. She knew her son¡¯s temperament well, so she hadn¡¯t bothered him, figuring that as long as his spending records were active, she could trace him. But a few days ago, his card stopped showing activity, and she couldn¡¯t get any information about him either. She was petrified and quickly mobilized the Jiang Family¡¯s resources to investigate, but there was no result so far. As the engagement banquet of the two families approached, fearing any mishap would upset the old master and ruin the marriage, Lin Manru reluctantly hosted this banquet. Yet, it was ruined anyway. Jiang Li hummed in response, then held her mother¡¯s hand. For some reason, Lin Manru, who was initially uncomfortable, suddenly calmed down due to Jiang Li¡¯s hum and this handholding gesture. Because she felt an inexplicable, reassuring strength emanating from her daughter. But before Lin Manru could breathe a sigh of relief, she heard a puzzling statement, ¡°Give me Jiang Yan¡¯s birthdate, it has to be precise to the two-hour mark.¡± Lin Manru showed confusion, ¡°Why do you need such a thing to find your brother?¡± Jiang Li couldn¡¯t quite explain it just yet. After she found herself in the Daqi Dynasty, she was discovered by the State Preceptor at a young age and became his last disciple, learning all sorts of mysticism skills. While her expertise wasn¡¯t honed to her master¡¯s level of distinguishing yin and yang or altering fate, she was capable of calculating fortunes and deducing locations. In the novel, Jiang Yan was the female lead¡¯s number one follower. Although his ending was tragic, his fate wasn¡¯t short-lived and he wouldn¡¯t end easily. And in her memory, Jiang Yan deliberately disappeared to escape the marriage, although in her past life, she was so indifferent to family matters that she knew little about this part of the plot. But from the current perspective, retrieving Jiang Yan and calling off this marriage was the best strategy. ¡°Mother, just tell me. I have a way, don¡¯t worry.¡± Jiang Li¡¯s voice was soft and gentle, yet it carried an inexplicable steadiness which made people feel comforted upon hearing it. Seeing the determined light in her daughter¡¯s eyes, Lin Manru gradually dispelled her doubts. Since things had escalated to this point, she figured it was better to try an unconventional approach; as long as Jiang Yan could be found, it would work. After obtaining Jiang Yan¡¯s birthdate, Jiang Li gave a few more instructions before heading out. This series of seemingly superstitious measures made Mrs. Qiao sneer. ¡°A little girl acting mysterious, learning fortune-telling, what is this nonsense? Is this how you Jiang Family folks educate your children?¡± Lin Manru¡¯s face turned ugly at these words, but remembering what Jiang Li had said before leaving, she held her fist and pretended not to hear, turning instead to graciously attend to the other guests. Mrs. Qiao¡¯s jab landed on cotton, making her grit her teeth in anger. However, with so many people present, she couldn¡¯t keep berating Lin Manru, who was busy hosting, and had to sit aside seething with fury. ¨C ¨C Li Garden Hotel. The receptionist had just finished a phone call and looked up to see a guest walking in through the entrance. The girl didn¡¯t seem very old, but her aura was extraordinary. With black hair, red lips, almond eyes, and peach-like cheeks, she resembled a classic beauty right out of a traditional painting, exuding elegance and composure with every graceful movement. Especially those eyes, which held a kind of calm wisdom not belonging to someone her age. Unlike others who might glance every few steps, the girl walked straight to the counter and gave the receptionist a gentle smile. ¡°Hello, my name is Jiang Li. I¡¯m here looking for someone.¡± The voice flowing from her red lips was as melodious as a gentle stream. The receptionist couldn¡¯t help but smile back, politely asking, ¡°Hello, miss. Could you please show your ID? May I ask who you¡¯re looking for?¡± Realizing that Jiang Yan likely wouldn¡¯t use his own identity to register, Jiang Li pulled out his photo from her phone and showed it to the receptionist along with her ID. ¡°I¡¯m looking for this person; he should have come with a woman.¡± She had calculated Jiang Yan¡¯s fortune for the day, and it showed on the Life Plate that he was now in an area where water and wood intersected. The approximate location was nearby. Li Garden Hotel was initially chosen for its setting by the mountains and waters, providing excellent Feng Shui. As a result, it had flourished among the hotels in the Capital over the past few years. Moreover, she vaguely remembered that in her past life, the Jiang Family was manipulated by the Qiao Family partly because Jiang Yan caused a scandal on the day of the engagement, footage of him with another woman in bed was leaked during the engagement banquet. The receptionist was initially smiling politely, but as soon as she saw the photo, her expression froze, and she quickly returned Jiang Li¡¯s things. ¡°Sorry, I haven¡¯t seen this person.¡± Jiang Li noted her reaction and immediately suspected she might have been bought off by Jiang Yan in advance. Her brother was a rascal, but he wasn¡¯t without brains. Jiang Li wasn¡¯t in a rush. She turned and sat casually on a nearby sofa, smoothing her skirt with her legs crossed, exuding calm confidence. ¡°You should realize by now the significance of the person I am looking for and myself. This is not something you can bear, better call your manager over.¡± The receptionist¡¯s face turned pale, her mind flashing through scenes she had seen on TV, where a wealthy wife took over a hotel to catch her cheating husband. This girl was right. As a mere receptionist, she couldn¡¯t afford to provoke these rich people. She hurriedly called the manager over. From the words of the receptionist, the manager also grasped the gist of the situation. He didn¡¯t make any promises but instead called a few attendants to prepare coffee and desserts. Clearly, this wasn¡¯t his first time dealing with a wealthy wife coming to catch an adulterer. In such matters, offending either side was unwise. Finally sitting down, the manager offered an apologetic smile and said, ¡°Sorry, ma¡¯am, as you know, we in the hotel business must protect our guests¡¯ privacy. It¡¯s difficult for us when you ask for a guest¡¯s room number and key right away.¡± Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Chapter 4 She Can Actually Tell Fortunes?! Chapter 4: Chapter 4 She Can Actually Tell Fortunes?! Mrs. Qiao regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth. Whether Jiang Yan can be found or not was another matter. Her original aim in agreeing to this marriage was to gain some benefit from the Jiang Family. Otherwise, who would want to marry their daughter to someone so unreliable? If she agreed to annul the engagement unconditionally, how would she gain any advantage? However, before she could change her words, Jiang Li in front of her had already raised her phone, playing back the ruthless words she had just uttered in a moment of panic, ¡°Alright, if you can find Jiang Yan today, I¡¯ll agree to annul the engagement unconditionally!¡± Jiang Li looked at her, a faint smile on her lips, ¡°Mrs. Qiao, this is evidence, and with so many witnesses around, you can¡¯t go back on your word later.¡± Mrs. Qiao¡¯s face turned pale, and she whispered, ¡°Let¡¯s talk about it after you find him.¡± Now she just hoped Jiang Yan was gone for good! This way, her daughter wouldn¡¯t have to marry into the family, and she could even gain some shares for security! Jiang Li put away her phone, turned around, and pulled her mother Lin Manru aside. Lin Manru was still overwhelmed by the drastic change in her daughter¡¯s character. She was in a daze for a long time before she asked, ¡°Do you really have a way to find your brother?¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s disappearance happened over half a month ago. That night, she just revealed the marriage alliance between the Jiang and Qiao families to him. He got angry and disappeared without a trace overnight. She knew her son¡¯s temperament well, so she hadn¡¯t bothered him, figuring that as long as his spending records were active, she could trace him. But a few days ago, his card stopped showing activity, and she couldn¡¯t get any information about him either. She was petrified and quickly mobilized the Jiang Family¡¯s resources to investigate, but there was no result so far. As the engagement banquet of the two families approached, fearing any mishap would upset the old master and ruin the marriage, Lin Manru reluctantly hosted this banquet. Yet, it was ruined anyway. Jiang Li hummed in response, then held her mother¡¯s hand. For some reason, Lin Manru, who was initially uncomfortable, suddenly calmed down due to Jiang Li¡¯s hum and this handholding gesture. Because she felt an inexplicable, reassuring strength emanating from her daughter. But before Lin Manru could breathe a sigh of relief, she heard a puzzling statement, ¡°Give me Jiang Yan¡¯s birthdate, it has to be precise to the two-hour mark.¡± Lin Manru showed confusion, ¡°Why do you need such a thing to find your brother?¡± Jiang Li couldn¡¯t quite explain it just yet. After she found herself in the Daqi Dynasty, she was discovered by the State Preceptor at a young age and became his last disciple, learning all sorts of mysticism skills. While her expertise wasn¡¯t honed to her master¡¯s level of distinguishing yin and yang or altering fate, she was capable of calculating fortunes and deducing locations. In the novel, Jiang Yan was the female lead¡¯s number one follower. Although his ending was tragic, his fate wasn¡¯t short-lived and he wouldn¡¯t end easily. And in her memory, Jiang Yan deliberately disappeared to escape the marriage, although in her past life, she was so indifferent to family matters that she knew little about this part of the plot. But from the current perspective, retrieving Jiang Yan and calling off this marriage was the best strategy. ¡°Mother, just tell me. I have a way, don¡¯t worry.¡± Jiang Li¡¯s voice was soft and gentle, yet it carried an inexplicable steadiness which made people feel comforted upon hearing it. Seeing the determined light in her daughter¡¯s eyes, Lin Manru gradually dispelled her doubts. Since things had escalated to this point, she figured it was better to try an unconventional approach; as long as Jiang Yan could be found, it would work. After obtaining Jiang Yan¡¯s birthdate, Jiang Li gave a few more instructions before heading out. This series of seemingly superstitious measures made Mrs. Qiao sneer. ¡°A little girl acting mysterious, learning fortune-telling, what is this nonsense? Is this how you Jiang Family folks educate your children?¡± Lin Manru¡¯s face turned ugly at these words, but remembering what Jiang Li had said before leaving, she held her fist and pretended not to hear, turning instead to graciously attend to the other guests. Mrs. Qiao¡¯s jab landed on cotton, making her grit her teeth in anger. However, with so many people present, she couldn¡¯t keep berating Lin Manru, who was busy hosting, and had to sit aside seething with fury. ¨C ¨C Li Garden Hotel. The receptionist had just finished a phone call and looked up to see a guest walking in through the entrance. The girl didn¡¯t seem very old, but her aura was extraordinary. With black hair, red lips, almond eyes, and peach-like cheeks, she resembled a classic beauty right out of a traditional painting, exuding elegance and composure with every graceful movement. Especially those eyes, which held a kind of calm wisdom not belonging to someone her age. Unlike others who might glance every few steps, the girl walked straight to the counter and gave the receptionist a gentle smile. ¡°Hello, my name is Jiang Li. I¡¯m here looking for someone.¡± The voice flowing from her red lips was as melodious as a gentle stream. The receptionist couldn¡¯t help but smile back, politely asking, ¡°Hello, miss. Could you please show your ID? May I ask who you¡¯re looking for?¡± Realizing that Jiang Yan likely wouldn¡¯t use his own identity to register, Jiang Li pulled out his photo from her phone and showed it to the receptionist along with her ID. ¡°I¡¯m looking for this person; he should have come with a woman.¡± She had calculated Jiang Yan¡¯s fortune for the day, and it showed on the Life Plate that he was now in an area where water and wood intersected. The approximate location was nearby. Li Garden Hotel was initially chosen for its setting by the mountains and waters, providing excellent Feng Shui. As a result, it had flourished among the hotels in the Capital over the past few years. Moreover, she vaguely remembered that in her past life, the Jiang Family was manipulated by the Qiao Family partly because Jiang Yan caused a scandal on the day of the engagement, footage of him with another woman in bed was leaked during the engagement banquet. The receptionist was initially smiling politely, but as soon as she saw the photo, her expression froze, and she quickly returned Jiang Li¡¯s things. ¡°Sorry, I haven¡¯t seen this person.¡± Jiang Li noted her reaction and immediately suspected she might have been bought off by Jiang Yan in advance. Her brother was a rascal, but he wasn¡¯t without brains. Jiang Li wasn¡¯t in a rush. She turned and sat casually on a nearby sofa, smoothing her skirt with her legs crossed, exuding calm confidence. ¡°You should realize by now the significance of the person I am looking for and myself. This is not something you can bear, better call your manager over.¡± The receptionist¡¯s face turned pale, her mind flashing through scenes she had seen on TV, where a wealthy wife took over a hotel to catch her cheating husband. This girl was right. As a mere receptionist, she couldn¡¯t afford to provoke these rich people. She hurriedly called the manager over. From the words of the receptionist, the manager also grasped the gist of the situation. He didn¡¯t make any promises but instead called a few attendants to prepare coffee and desserts. Clearly, this wasn¡¯t his first time dealing with a wealthy wife coming to catch an adulterer. In such matters, offending either side was unwise. Finally sitting down, the manager offered an apologetic smile and said, ¡°Sorry, ma¡¯am, as you know, we in the hotel business must protect our guests¡¯ privacy. It¡¯s difficult for us when you ask for a guest¡¯s room number and key right away.¡± Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: Chapter 5 Catching Adultery Personally Chapter 5: Chapter 5 Catching Adultery Personally Actually, when Manager Fang saw Jiang Li, he was somewhat surprised. Because she was really too beautiful, and very young, completely different from those rich wives who had come to catch cheaters in the past. How could her husband bear to neglect such a beautiful wife at home to have an affair? It was simply a waste of God¡¯s gifts! Despite his amazement, Manager Fang still uttered some noncommittal words. This was all within Jiang Li¡¯s expectations, as she leisurely picked up the coffee delivered by the waiter and sipped it slowly. The slight bow of her head was especially graceful, complementing her well-balanced features, which were particularly pleasing to the eye. After setting down the cup, she finally lifted her gaze with a smile and met Manager Fang¡¯s eyes. ¡°Manager Fang, you¡¯ve been in this line of work for over a decade now, haven¡¯t you? Business must have been good recently.¡± Manager Fang was completely caught off guard by the sudden change of topic, and without doubting how she knew about his more than a decade in the business, he instinctively nodded his head. However, what shocked him even more was what she said next¡ª ¡°Manager Fang¡¯s career fortunes are not bad. You might have been plotted against and suffered at the hands of others in the early years, but luckily you met a noble person later on and took advantage of the momentum to open this hotel. However¡ª¡± Manager Fang was utterly stunned. How did she know about his past?! Could she have already investigated his past before coming?! But that shouldn¡¯t be possible; he had been working abroad before, and very few people knew of his experiences. Even if this lady was extremely capable, it was unlikely that she could reach so far. Seeing his astonished expression, Jiang Li smiled and placed her hands on her knees. ¡°My apologies, Manager Fang, I was abrupt. I once followed a master and learned some ¡®Mystical Skill,¡¯ which happens to allow me to deduce certain things about a person¡¯s life path.¡± Hearing this, Manager Fang breathed a sigh of relief but became even more puzzled. ¡°I must admit, Madam, I do believe in these kinds of things, but doesn¡¯t divination usually require knowing someone¡¯s ¡®birthdate¡¯? Could it be¡­¡± Jiang Li explained: ¡°Having the detailed ¡®Four Pillars of Destiny¡¯ would certainly be better, but a person¡¯s life path can also be reflected in their facial features.¡± Realization dawned on Manager Fang; she had been observing his face all this time without speaking. Though this didn¡¯t eliminate the possibility that she might have investigated him before, for some reason, Manager Fang felt the lady before him wasn¡¯t that sort of person. Because he saw in her eyes a sense of honesty and integrity. And if she really had investigated him, she could have used that information as leverage rather than having a polite conversation with him here. So, he asked with renewed curiosity, ¡°May I ask what you meant by ¡®however¡¯ just now?¡± Jiang Li smiled faintly, ¡°However, I see that your Yintang is darkened, which suggests you¡¯ve recently encountered some distressing matter. Your destiny carries the ¡®Lonely Star,¡¯ indicating marital troubles, so I imagine this distress must be related to your wife.¡± Manager Fang¡¯s suspicions were completely dispelled upon hearing her words. He had been arguing with his wife every other day recently, and since it was an embarrassing family matter, he had not publicized it to anyone. Even if this lady was very resourceful, she would not have been able to find out about it. But there was more. Jiang Li stroked her skirt and rose from the sofa, walking over to him and whispering in his ear: ¡°If you go home now, you might just catch your wife red-handed, after all, without evidence, suspicions of infidelity are as good as baseless.¡± Manager Fang was even more astonished and no longer dared to underestimate this young lady. Recently, he did suspect that his wife was cheating on him, but due to the lack of evidence, it was difficult to lay everything out. Since this young woman had such astonishing abilities, why not take a gamble and go back home? But before he could make an excuse to leave, the other party grabbed him again, a mysterious smile curling at their lips. ¡°Manager Fang, haven¡¯t you forgotten something?¡± ¡°Since you also believe in mysticism, you must know that the process of fortune-telling is essentially an exchange of luck between two parties. I have already revealed heaven¡¯s secrets for you, and if you don¡¯t offer something to compensate, I¡¯m afraid you might encounter some trouble in the future.¡± Manager Fang understood this principle. Fortune-tellers often demanded a certain divination fee from those seeking their services. On one hand, it was for their livelihood, but more importantly, it was to offset the loss of luck incurred by their actions. Those in business particularly valued luck; he dared not treat this as a joke. Thus, Manager Fang sent the waiter away and stuffed his Universal Card into Jiang Li¡¯s hand, gritting his teeth as he said: ¡°I can only help the madam this much. Please consider the difficulties we face in doing business and try not to make too much of a scene.¡± Jiang Li nodded, ¡°Of course, I am not a person lacking discretion.¡± ¡°And don¡¯t worry too much, Manager Fang. You will get the outcome you want.¡± Manager Fang thanked her repeatedly and then hurriedly drove home. This entire operation dumbfounded the receptionist. Their manager had a reputation for being the most difficult person to deal with, not because he was too stern, but on the contrary, he was extremely cunning. Neither kindness nor harshness worked on him, so the wives who had come before to catch cheaters had all left without exception, defeated. How had this girl managed to persuade their manager to hand over the room card within just ten minutes? But this was none of her business to gossip about; after all, since Manager Fang relented, she could only honestly inform Jiang Li of the person¡¯s room number. After thanking her, Jiang Li got on the elevator and went straight to room 1307. She expressionlessly used the Universal Card to open the door and walked in. There was a lot of noise inside, and ear-piercing music was playing from the TV. But she behaved as if she saw and heard nothing, walking over to sit by the only illuminated window, and casually picking up a book from the table to read. On the large bed, a man was kissing the woman beneath him passionately and unwilling to part. The woman¡¯s jacket had been undone, and she was now obliviously wrapping her arms around the man¡¯s neck, moaning while coquettishly calling his name. ¡°Brother Yan¡­ Brother Yan¡­ be gentle¡­¡± As the woman tilted back her head, preparing to rid herself of the encumbering clothes, her peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of Jiang Li sitting by the window. Her eyes widened in shock, and the next second, she let out a piercing scream. ¡°Ahh¡ª!!!¡± Jiang Yan successfully lost interest due to the scream, frowned, and looked down at the woman beneath him, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Qin Xiaoxiao, her complexion pale, stretched out a trembling hand, pointing at the woman who had suddenly appeared in the room. ¡°There¡¯s¡­ there¡¯s a ghost!¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s frown deepened. Where would a ghost come from in broad daylight? However, when he got up and turned around, he too caught a glimpse of the figure by the window. Swearing instinctively, he met eyes with the ¡°ghost¡±. In just an instant, he recognized the incoming person, and in a fit of rage and embarrassment, he grabbed a pillow and threw it at her¡ª ¡°Fuck! How the hell did you get in?!¡± Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: Chapter 6 Jiang Li, are you fucking crazy?! Chapter 6: Chapter 6 Jiang Li, are you fucking crazy?! The pillow skimmed Jiang Li¡¯s shoulder and fell onto the floor behind him. Jiang Li slowly moved his gaze from the page of the book in his hand, glanced at Jiang Yan¡¯s angry face, and then settled deeply on the woman on the bed. So, the woman responsible for Jiang Yan¡¯s complete ruin was here. In the previous life, it was the video of her and Jiang Yan in bed that was sent to the guests¡¯ phones at today¡¯s banquet, causing the Qiao Family to fully grasp their leverage and subsequently continuously blackmail them, gradually draining the entire Jiang Family. She had been wondering who had such ability, but now everything seemed to make sense. At this moment, Qin Xiaoxiao was still in a state of fright, being scrutinized by this mysterious woman, making her already scantily-clad self feel even more ashamed and embarrassed. She instinctively grabbed the blanket to cover herself, and then her mind began to race. This woman¡¯s aura was so strong, and Jiang Yan¡¯s reaction was so intense¡­ Could she be the Miss Qiao who was engaged to Jiang Yan? Thinking of this, a dark light flashed in Qin Xiaoxiao¡¯s eyes, and she directly hid behind Jiang Yan, crying: ¡°Miss Qiao, please don¡¯t misunderstand, Brother Yan and I¡­ we just lost our minds for a moment. I had no intention of ruining your relationship; you have to believe me.¡± ¡°I know today is your engagement day, and I was persuading Brother Yan, but, but¡ª¡± While crying, Qin Xiaoxiao raised her eyelids to observe Jiang Li¡¯s reaction. But not only did the other party show no sign of anger, she continued to look at her with eyes that betrayed no emotional fluctuation. At this point, Qin Xiaoxiao finally panicked a little. Could this so-called Miss Qiao be a ruthless character? But hadn¡¯t someone said she was just a brainless paper tiger? Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan, annoyed, stood up, ¡°What Miss Qiao, she is my sister, Jiang Li!¡± Qin Xiaoxiao¡¯s eyes widened instantly, ¡°W-What? Miss Jiang? How could it be?¡± Just as she finished speaking, Jiang Yan seemed to finally realize something was wrong. His hand paused as he was pulling up his pants, and then he sharply turned on the room¡¯s light. With a ¡°click,¡± the dim room was finally illuminated, and he clearly saw the woman he¡¯d been intimately entangled with. ¡°Qin Xiaoxiao?! What the hell is it you?!¡± Wasn¡¯t she¡­ By the window, Jiang Li finally closed the book in her hand, her gaze refocused on Jiang Yan. The genes of the Jiang Family had always been excellent. Jiang Yan combined their parents¡¯ advantages beautifully¡ªhis physique was impeccable, and his face was as charming as sin. Thin lips, fair skin, a face like a carved sculpture, and he had a pair of amorous peach blossom eyes that, even without intentionally making any expressions, would cause all young girls to cover their mouths and scream. Except for her. In her eyes, at this moment, Jiang Yan, who was bare-chested and hadn¡¯t pulled up his pants, was nothing more than a complete scoundrel. ¡ªHe had been intimate with a strange woman for so long only to realize she wasn¡¯t his beloved. If this were in Daqi, it would become a family joke and be harshly criticized by historians. Thus, she did not hide the mocking intent in her eyes, smiling mysteriously as she said, ¡°What, just sobered up?¡± Jiang Yan irritably ran a hand through his hair, turning in circles with a dark expression, then glared fiercely at Qin Xiaoxiao, ¡°We¡¯ll settle our score later!¡± Then he turned back to glare at Jiang Li, ¡°What are you doing here? This isn¡¯t a place you should be, leave now!¡± ¡°You want me to go, fine, but you have to come back with me.¡± Jiang Yan chuckled angrily, ¡°Why should I go back with you after I went through so much trouble to get out?¡± ¡°Something¡¯s not right¡­¡± He finally noticed something off about his sister, then scrutinized her from head to toe, sarcastically saying, ¡°Are you really Jiang Li? Where¡¯s your pink hair? What about that ugly dress? Could it be¡­ you changed your style to win over that Shang Shaojing?¡± In his memory, his sister was always a handful. She was bad-tempered and unreasonable since she was young. As she grew older, she became even more rebellious. On top of that, she hung around with a bunch of unsavory people all day, and on top of that, she had a crush on that guy named Shang, pestering him shamelessly, nearly becoming the laughingstock of everyone in their circle. Jiang Li didn¡¯t want to waste more words with him and directly picked up the phone beside her and stood up. ¡°You don¡¯t have to come home, but I can¡¯t guarantee what will happen to the video I just recorded on my phone,¡± she said, looking at Jiang Yan, her smile coated with malice. ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken, you mistook her for that Miss Su, right?¡± ¡°If you insist on staying here, then soon Miss Su might see this video on the large screen at the Century Building in downtown, and then¡ª¡± ¡°Jiang Li, have you lost your freaking mind?!¡± Jiang Yan couldn¡¯t believe what he was hearing. His own sister was planning to play his bed video on the big screen in the city center?! Even if Su Yinwan didn¡¯t see it in the end, his reputation would be ruined across all of Jing City! But looking at Jiang Li¡¯s unnaturally calm expression, it didn¡¯t seem like she was bluffing. Jiang Yan was thoroughly panicked, stepping forward to snatch the phone, but before he could react, his hand was twisted back ninety degrees by the other party. ¡°Ah¡ªpain, pain, pain, pain!!!¡± Jiang Yan was on the verge of tears, ¡°Are you trying to murder your own brother?!¡± This girl usually had to ask people to help her with even the simplest things, where did she get such strength?! Jiang Li¡¯s fluid actions were purely instinctual. In Daqi, when she had just learned to walk, her grandfather, the National Guardian General, had put her on horseback, and since then, besides studying at home, she spent most of her time on the training field. The Marquis Mansion Jiang Family also had an ancestral set of gun skills, which she mastered to perfection, not losing out to any of her brothers. Facing Jiang Yan, who boasted nothing but strength, she was naturally able to subdue him effortlessly. Feeling the pressure on his arm not diminishing but increasing, Jiang Yan howled again, ¡°I was wrong, I was wrong, isn¡¯t that enough?! Do you really want to dislocate your brother¡¯s arm?!¡± Only then did Jiang Li snort coldly and release him. On the side, Qin Xiaoxiao had long been shocked by the transformed Jiang Li and was now further frightened by her ruthless and decisive moves, shrinking into the bed corner, not daring to move an inch. Jiang Yan was already in such pain; fortunately, she hadn¡¯t angered her, or else her arm would definitely have been in danger! Jiang Yan, his face twisted, struggled to stand up, still catching his breath when he saw Jiang Li brushing past his shoulder on her way out. He couldn¡¯t help but sneer at her retreating figure. Think you can make me comply? No way! However, Jiang Li suddenly stopped, her cool voice mingling with the noisy TV, distinctly reaching his ears ¡ª ¡°If you still consider yourself the eldest of the Jiang Family, my brother, then don¡¯t just think about running away.¡± ¡°I would despise you.¡± Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: Chapter 7 Auntie, lend me two yuan Chapter 7: Chapter 7 Auntie, lend me two yuan Jiang Yan was stunned for a moment before he cursed, ¡°Fuck.¡± ¡°You fucking think I¡¯m someone who needs your respect? Do I, as a brother, need your approval?¡± ¡°When I was revered in the Capital back in the day, you were still in diapers!¡± Yet ten minutes later, he still showed up at the hotel entrance. ¡°Hey, let me tell you, my agreeing to go home with you isn¡¯t because I care about you.¡± ¡°I care about my own reputation, so, you better quickly delete that video you took!¡± Jiang Li didn¡¯t respond to him, only glanced at his shirt, which was buttoned crookedly, and his wrinkled suit jacket draped over his shoulder. Jiang Yan furrowed his brows. He had been doing things his own way for over a dozen years, not caring about others¡¯ glances, especially from his sister who was almost like his archenemy. But now, for some reason, he actually started to feel uncomfortable just from her gaze. It was like being stripped naked and poked on the spine with a ruler. So, he cleared his throat and pretended to casually rebutton his shirt, then neatly put on his jacket. Only then did Jiang Li look away. Instantly, Jiang Yan also let out a breath. But then he realized something wasn¡¯t right. ¡ªWhy the hell did he care about this brat¡¯s opinion?! Yet he thought of how his arm was almost crippled in the hotel room just earlier, so he could only swallow his anger back down and change the subject with a dark face. ¡°Hey, weren¡¯t we supposed to go home? Where¡¯s your car?¡± Jiang Li looked straight ahead and said indifferently, ¡°I took the bus here.¡± Jiang Yan: ??? The young lady who wouldn¡¯t leave the house without eight drivers was taking the bus today? ¡°Wait, you¡¯re not thinking of making me take the bus back, are you???¡± Jiang Li looked at him, her eyes showing a hint of strangeness, ¡°Otherwise?¡± Jiang Yan blew up, ¡°Me, the Eldest Young Master Jiang, take the bus? Do you want me to be laughed to death by others?!¡± ¡°Thrift is a traditional virtue.¡± Jiang Yan laughed angrily, ¡°Jiang Li, what¡¯s gotten into you today? You¡¯re not trying to win Shaojing¡¯s favor again like Yinwan, are you? I¡¯m telling you¡ª¡± Before he could finish talking, a green bus stopped in front of them. Jiang Li, not even giving him a second glance, got straight onto the bus, her twirling skirt whisking a trace of fragrance past him. Jiang Yan was dumbfounded. She really took the bus. The bus driver saw that he didn¡¯t move and couldn¡¯t help but honk the horn several times, ¡°Hey, are you getting on or not? If you¡¯re getting on, hurry up, don¡¯t waste everyone¡¯s time!¡± Helpless, Jiang Yan had to step on board. However, just as he was about to head toward where Jiang Li was sitting, the driver called out from behind him. ¡°Hey, pay the fare, you think you can get away without paying?!¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s gaze landed on the machine in front of him with the words ¡°Pay two yuan,¡± his expression instantly choked. He was screwed. His bank cards had been frozen, and when he went to the hotel he had used a friend¡¯s membership card; where would he get the money to pay? So, Jiang Yan had to darkly cast a look at Jiang Li sitting by the window. But she acted as though she didn¡¯t see him, deliberately turning her head away. Jiang Yan: ! Great! People around them had already begun to whisper. ¡°This guy looks pretty handsome, how come he doesn¡¯t even have two yuan?¡± ¡°Wearing all brand names but can¡¯t even afford the bus fare, is it for real?¡± ¡°All dolled up and fresh-faced, coming out from a hotel, could it be he¡¯s in that kind of profession?¡± The driver, running out of patience, issued an ultimatum, ¡°If you don¡¯t have money, get off, don¡¯t hold up everyone else on the bus!¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s face turned so dark it was near dripping with anger. This was the first time in his life being scolded three times in a row by a bus driver, and being unable to talk back. All because of this Jiang Li! He took a deep breath, walked over to Jiang Li, and through gritted teeth said, ¡°Just consider it as me begging you! Lend me two yuan!¡± Jiang Li seemed to be waiting for just that sentence, not only turning her head towards him but her bright eyes also sparkled with a bit more laughter. ¡°Sure, but apologize to me first.¡± ¡°Why should I?!¡± Jiang Li turned her head away again. Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­.¡± Dammit, when did this girl become so stubborn? ¡°Fine fine fine, sorry okay? I¡¯m begging you, granny, lend me two yuan; I¡¯m about to be spiritually stabbed to death by the glares of everyone in the car.¡± ¡°Clang!¡± Two coins landed in his palm. What followed was the girl¡¯s clear voice entering his ears: ¡°Don¡¯t forget to pay me back.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­¡± Is it really necessary to make such a fuss over two yuan?! He didn¡¯t have time to dwell on it anymore, taking quick strides up front to stuff the two coins into the fare box. The bus driver started driving with a string of grumbles, ¡°Really shameless, a grown man riding the bus and still needs to ask a little girl for money, and yet he¡¯s dressed all prim and proper.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­¡± Dammit, he¡¯d have someone deal with this driver sooner or later! After returning to his seat with a face full of anger, Jiang Yan glared back at every strange look he received from the other passengers. ¡°What are you looking at? Do I have gold on my face or something?¡± The people around finally withdrew their gazes reluctantly, but the scornful expression on their faces deepened. Jiang Li was somewhat tired of this. It looked like reforming her brother had a long way to go. From the moment she returned to the Jiang Family, she had plans. In her previous life, the Jiang Family ended up fractured because of her. Now that she had a second chance at life, she would save the family at all costs and ensure her discordant relatives walked the right path. And Jiang Yan was the most urgent cancerous tumor that needed to be dealt with. Thinking this, she took out her phone and opened the chat with Xiang Hao. ¡°Xiang, I need a favor from you¡­..this is for your troubles.¡± She then transferred ten thousand yuan to him. Jiang Yan, who saw her texting, couldn¡¯t help but crane his neck to look. At the sight of that money transfer, his eyes widened: ¡°Holy shit, you¡¯re not harassing Shang Shaojing again, are you? Even transferring money to the guy? You can¡¯t bear to give your own brother two yuan but send a man ten thousand without blinking, right?¡± ¡°They think Shang Shaojing needs your ten thousand yuan? Be a person, Jiang Li!¡± Jiang Li replied indifferently, ¡°Do not look; do not listen; do not speak; do not act inappropriately; this is the cultivation of a gentleman.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­¡± Was she indirectly calling him petty-minded? But these words didn¡¯t sound like something she would say. He knew his sister well enough; she hadn¡¯t even attended a real university, so how had she suddenly started quoting literary phrases? Not just that, she had undergone a complete transformation. He couldn¡¯t tell much in the dim light of the hotel before, but now, sitting in the well-lit bus, he could clearly see the changes in Jiang Li. She wore only a plain beige dress, which looked as ordinary as could be, yet she exuded a refined and gentle temperament from within. From his angle, he could see her long eyelashes fluttering softly, and her smooth cheek, which even shone with a faint luster. Her glossy black hair rested softly on her shoulders, swaying gently in the summer breeze. As serene as a maiden, her beauty seemed not of this world. Since when had his non-mainstream, tacky little sister become so attractive? ¡°Hey, Jiang Li, did something happen to you?¡± Jiang Yan said coldly, ¡°Even if it¡¯s for that Shaojing, you don¡¯t have to make such a sacrifice, right?¡± ¡°Even though you look much better than before, as a girl, you don¡¯t need to go to these lengths for a man, right?¡± ¡°The Jiang Family doesn¡¯t deprive you of food or clothing. Do you really need to hang yourself on Shaojing¡¯s crooked tree?¡± Jiang Li turned off her phone, looking into his eyes. Her butterfly-like lashes blinked once, and a smooth voice flowed from her cherry lips¡ª ¡°Jiang Yan, have you always talked this much?¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­.¡± Dammit, he tried to be kind, and she took it for granted! If he wasted another half-word on this brat, he¡¯d write his name backward! Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Chapter 8 Is He Shameless? Chapter 8: Chapter 8 Is He Shameless? Jiang Family. The resentment that had barely calmed among the crowd surged back two hours after Jiang Lili left. Some of them were relatives of the Jiang Family, who felt it improper to leave while the Jiang Family remained silent. Others were from the Qiao Family side, unwilling to leave without an explanation. And the rest were just onlookers, eager to see an outcome from the drama between the two families today. Thus, despite Lin Manru¡¯s best efforts to entertain according to Jiang Li¡¯s instructions, she couldn¡¯t quell the whispers of speculation. Hearing the surrounding gossip, Mrs. Qiao began to raise her voice again, her tone sarcastic: ¡°My goodness, didn¡¯t Jiang Li promise solemnly that she would find Jiang Yan? It¡¯s been two hours. Why hasn¡¯t there been a single phone call?¡± ¡°The reputation of your Jiang Family has never been good to begin with. One elder son, always out squandering his days in pleasure, and now he¡¯s gone missing. The elder daughter, well, she¡¯s not any better.¡± ¡°If you ask me, if the Jiang Family wants to genuinely settle this matter, they should make some sacrifices to appease everyone¡¯s anger.¡± Lin Manru¡¯s grip on her teacup tightened, and her face no longer maintained the obliging smile it had at the beginning. She was eager to retort, but remembering Jiang Li¡¯s advice before leaving, she forcefully suppressed her emotions. Having vented, Mrs. Qiao saw Lin Manru¡¯s dismissive attitude and felt both angry and surprised. Since when had the Eldest Miss Jiang, the softest and most manageable in the Capital, become so tough? All because of those few words from Jiang Li? Unwilling to accept this, she immediately turned her spite onto others, dragging other ladies into criticizing the Jiang Family. Mrs. Qin could no longer bear to listen and took the opportunity while serving sweets to suggest, ¡°House Mistress, are you truly going to let Mrs. Qiao slander our Jiang Family like that? You should at least say something. Only by minimizing a big issue and resolving small ones can this be settled.¡± At this, Jiang Ye, who had been standing silently at the side, snorted coldly, ¡°Minimize a big issue and resolve small ones? Haven¡¯t you seen that those from the Qiao Family clearly don¡¯t want to talk things out properly? In my opinion, we shouldn¡¯t be afraid of them at all. We should stand up to them with more strength.¡± Mrs. Qin was about to argue back when an assertive woman¡¯s voice forcefully interrupted her mid-sentence¡ª ¡°Uncle Jiang is right; for those who are deliberately causing trouble, we should show no mercy.¡± The previously noisy crowd fell silent at this statement. It was then that Jiang Li, who had been standing at the doorway, slowly moved to Lin Manru¡¯s side, patting the back of her hand in a comforting gesture. Lin Manru¡¯s knotted heart finally relaxed. She appeared unfazed, but her hand gripping the teacup was already slick with cold sweat. If it hadn¡¯t been for that last bit of advice from Jiang Li, ¡°A House Mistress of a prominent family must have the fortitude and presence to host guests well, yet not be perturbed by the petty words of the insignificant,¡± she would have already been overwhelmed by the Qiao Family. Mrs. Qiao¡¯s face changed colors. She swept her piercing gaze across everyone before squeezing out her voice: ¡°Oh, Eldest Miss Jiang is back? Where¡¯s your brother? Why isn¡¯t he visible?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t you keep us in suspense, saying you could definitely bring your brother back? Where is he? You all wouldn¡¯t be trying to drag this out with such a poor strategy, would you?¡± ¡°Hey, you old hag.¡± A flagrant male voice suddenly filled the room, ¡°If you don¡¯t need those eyes, consider donating them. I¡¯ve been sitting here for ten minutes; you treating me as air or what?¡± The crowd was once again agitated, just now noticing Eldest Young Master Jiang, Jiang Yan, sitting in the corner of the sofa, nibbling on some sweets. He was leaning on a lacquered sofa, his posture dominant and arrogant, yet his face complemented his untouchable demeanor perfectly. His upturned peach blossom eyes shone with disdain yet carried an air of innate abstinence. His features were deep and defined, every angle impeccable to a fault. Other people with a handsome and charming appearance often try to conceal it as much as possible, yet he maximized his aura to the fullest, even to the point of being nearly coquettish. The only thing that could be considered proper about him was the suit he finally wore decently. The moment she caught sight of the man¡¯s face, Qiao Shuang, who hid behind her mother, couldn¡¯t help but blush. The Jiang Family¡¯s young master was so handsome; what a pity it was that he had become a dissolute playboy. When Mrs. Qiao saw the man, her eyes widened in shock, and her agape mouth remained open for quite some time. What was going on? Hadn¡¯t they said that Jiang Yan was missing and his life or death was uncertain? Why had he now returned safe and sound? However, before she could express her astonishment, Jiang Li approached her with a smile. ¡°Mrs. Qiao, never mind your surprise for a moment. I¡¯ve brought the person back. Shouldn¡¯t you now fulfill the promise you made as per our agreement?¡± Mrs. Qiao¡¯s face turned utterly pale. A no-conditions breakup of the engagement? So, was the fuss she made today all just a joke? Therefore, she quickly took a step back, pulling her daughter with her, her eyes darting around as she said, ¡°You, you couldn¡¯t be intentionally scheming against us, pretending to play out this farce to force us into an unconditional breakup of the engagement, could you?¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s gaze flickered from his seat on the sofa. A breakup of the engagement? So, Jiang Li brought him home to break off the engagement, not to pressure him into marriage? Upon hearing this, the smile faded from Jiang Li¡¯s face, ¡°So, does Mrs. Qiao mean she doesn¡¯t intend to keep the agreement?¡± ¡°Old Sir Jiang had also made an agreement long ago for Shuangshuang to marry your brother. It was you who first broke your word. Now you want us to uphold the agreement?¡± Mrs. Qiao simply decided to break the jar rather than restrain herself, bringing up Old Sir Jiang again. Anyway, the old man couldn¡¯t come back now, and without him, the Jiang Family was just a mess that she could stomp on a few more times without repercussions! ¡°Moreover, who knows where Jiang Yan disappeared to these past days, maybe he was hugging and canoodling with other women, lost in a romantic fog. My daughter is too soft-hearted and has been holding back, enduring in silence, but as her mother, I can¡¯t just stand by and watch!¡± Jiang Li instantly caught the loophole in her words. ¡°Everybody in the Capital knows that Jiang Yan likes to play missing; even the whole Jiang Family can¡¯t trace his whereabouts. So, Mrs. Qiao, how do you know what exactly he was up to? Rumors become truths when reiterated. Please refrain from making groundless accusations and slandering others, not only does it harm them, but it also speaks ill of your own integrity.¡± ¡°You!¡± Mrs. Qiao was both annoyed and angry, ¡°Everyone is witness to what kind of person Jiang Yan is. Do I need to spread rumors?¡± ¡°Then, since you know he isn¡¯t a good person, why did you agree to this marriage? Are you truly thinking of your daughter¡¯s welfare or do you have ulterior motives?¡± Jiang Li hit the nail on the head, and Mrs. Qiao¡¯s formidable demeanor was immediately deflated. Even Jiang Yan, standing by, was dumbfounded. Since when had the normally raucous Jiang Li become so calm and logical? Wait. Let the engagement be broken off. Why keep harping on the fact that he wasn¡¯t a decent man? Was he shameless? Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: Chapter 11 She Smiled, He Panicked Chapter 11: Chapter 11 She Smiled, He Panicked Financial Building. After a meeting, Shang Shaojing pinched the bridge of his nose, tired, and then called his assistant over. ¡°How is it going with the Jiang Family?¡± The assistant looked troubled and hesitated before speaking, ¡°President Shang, everything was going smoothly, and the Qiao Family was cooperating well, but somehow, just now, we lost contact with Qin Xiaoxiao, and then¡­¡± He hesitantly recounted the whole process of how the Jiang Family had dealt with and driven away the Qiao Family and ultimately won over their reputation. As expected, Shang Shaojing¡¯s face gradually turned colder. That Jiang Li could actually pull off such a feat? Impossible, there must be someone behind her pulling the strings! Shang Shaojing furrowed his brows, his face seething with anger, ¡°How do you handle things? How could we suddenly lose contact with the key figure, Qin Xiaoxiao?!¡± ¡°I, I had someone call her cell phone, but the person who answered¡­ was a police officer.¡± ¨C ¨C After Jiang Li left, Qin Xiaoxiao hastily dressed and ran out of the hotel. Although she hadn¡¯t succeeded, in her desperation, she still managed to take quite a few intimate photos with Jiang Yan, which could still be useful. Even if she couldn¡¯t become the Young Madam of Jiang Family, she wouldn¡¯t let that bastard Qiao Shuang have the last laugh! However, just as she turned into an alley and took out her phone to send those photos, suddenly a figure rushed up and snatched her phone without a word. Qin Xiaoxiao instantly became frightened and angry, looking up to glare at the strange man who appeared out of nowhere. ¡°Ah! Who are you, robbing me in broad daylight?!¡± The rushing Xiang Hao held the phone high, then glanced at the scandalous photos on the screen. ¡°So you want to use this to scheme against my boss¡¯s brother? No way!¡± Not long ago, Jiang Li had contacted him, asking him to help investigate someone and then go to the hotel she mentioned to keep an eye on a woman named Qin Xiaoxiao. That was fine, but she also immediately transferred him ten thousand yuan. What a joke, he, Xiang Hao, had always revered Sister Li above all, since when did he become someone who did things just for money? Angered, he drove here immediately, intending to teach this foolish woman a lesson for offending his boss. Thank goodness he arrived in time, almost letting this wicked woman succeed! Qin Xiaoxiao was terrified, having barely dealt with Jiang Li, only for someone claiming to be her subordinate to show up. When did she become so omnipresent?! ¡°What do you mean by scheming? Just give me back my phone, or I¡¯ll scream for help and call the police!¡± Qin Xiaoxiao stomped her feet in anger. However, Xiang Hao just laughed, ¡°Call the police? No need for that, I¡¯ve already brought them here.¡± Then he stepped aside from the entrance of the alley and pointed inside at Qin Xiaoxiao, saying, ¡°Officer, I report that this woman tried to use illegal means to extort someone!¡± Watching the police enter one by one, Qin Xiaoxiao was completely dumbfounded. That bitch Jiang Li actually called the police?! No, this can¡¯t be happening, she couldn¡¯t go to the police station, she hadn¡¯t succeeded in her plans yet! ¡°Officer, please listen to me explain, it¡¯s not like this, it was Jiang Yan who first¡ª¡± However, the police were not interested in her excuses; after seeing the content on the phone Xiang Hao handed over, they approached her sternly. ¡°Miss Qin, please accompany us to the police station to explain this matter.¡± Watching Qin Xiaoxiao being led away by the police, Xiang Hao instantly straightened his back. Previously, he was always nervous that the police might come to catch him. Calling the police to arrest someone for the first time, I must say, Sister Li is awesome for being proactive! I definitely followed the right person! After getting into the car, he dialed Jiang Li¡¯s number. ¡°Hello, sis, Qin Xiaoxiao has been taken away by the police, and now I¡¯m also going to the police station to make a statement.¡± ¡°You did well,¡± Jiang Li wasn¡¯t stingy with her praise, ¡°Just follow what the policemen tell you to do next.¡± Xiang Hao was quite pleased with himself. It wasn¡¯t that he hadn¡¯t done things for Jiang Li before, but today it was the first time he felt so happy about it. No need to worry about being bitten back, no need to worry about anything bad happening next. So, was this the pleasure of doing good deeds? Then he somewhat understood why Sister Li had suddenly changed so much. ¡°What about you?¡± Xiang Hao asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you coming over?¡± ¡°Me?¡± Jiang Li glanced at the people busily packing things in the front hall, her eyes filled with a meaningful expression, ¡°I haven¡¯t finished everything here yet. Just do as I told you for Qin Xiaoxiao¡¯s matter, everything will be fine. I believe in you.¡± Xiang Hao, praised into confusion, slapped his chest and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Sister Li, leave it to me!¡± Just as Jiang Li hung up the phone, Lin Manru came over with a cup of hot milk. ¡°Lili, drink this first to warm your stomach; we¡¯ll go out to dine after.¡± Jiang Yan, standing nearby, immediately frowned in dissatisfaction. ¡°I haven¡¯t eaten all day either, why don¡¯t I get any milk?¡± Lin Manru got annoyed upon seeing him. ¡°You still have the nerve to say that? Disappearing for over half a month without any contact, are you only happy if your bank card is completely frozen?¡± ¡°Your sister has been busy handling your marriage crisis, and you can¡¯t even say thank you; you still want milk? Forget about milk, you don¡¯t even get dinner. Go back to your room and reflect!¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°???¡± ¡°Forget it, Mom.¡± Jiang Li, after finishing her milk, grabbed her mother¡¯s hand, ¡°Don¡¯t make Jiang Yan go back to his room to reflect¡ª¡± Jiang Yan scoffed, ¡°Don¡¯t think that just because you¡¯re speaking in my favor now that I¡¯ll be nice to you.¡± Jiang Li glanced at him and continued, ¡°Let him sit beside us and watch us eat.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°???¡± Jiang Li, what the hell are you playing at? Laughing and chatting, everyone walked to the dining room, except Jiang Yan, who trailed behind with a sour face. The servants gradually served delicious dishes, with Lin Manru eagerly putting food into Jiang Li¡¯s bowl. ¡°Lili, you haven¡¯t been back in a long time, eat more today, you¡¯ve lost so much weight.¡± Jiang Yan tapped his chopsticks in dissatisfaction, ¡°I haven¡¯t been back for over half a month either, why is there only water in my bowl?!¡± Lin Manru¡¯s face changed immediately, ¡°You should be glad to get water, what else do you want? Wasn¡¯t it you who didn¡¯t want to come back?¡± Just as Jiang Yan was about to retort, he caught Jiang Li suddenly smiling across the table. He suddenly shut his mouth. The last time Jiang Li smiled like that his arm almost got ruined. The time before that, he was laughed at by an entire bus of people. The last time, he ended up owing 4 million and two yuan. What mischief was she plotting this time? However, Jiang Li wasn¡¯t aiming at him; she just pushed her empty cup forward, ¡°I mentioned water and now I¡¯m also thirsty, Mrs. Qin, could you pour me a cup of tea as well?¡± Chapter 10 - Chapter 10: Chapter 10: All for Wiping Your Butt Chapter 10: Chapter 10: All for Wiping Your Butt Watching Mrs. Qiao¡¯s shocked face struggle to recover, Lin Manru also tasted for the first time the sweetness of standing firm, and she couldn¡¯t help but send a proud look towards her daughter. Jiang Li nodded with a smile, seemingly approving of Lin Manru¡¯s words and actions. It seemed that her mother was still very responsive to cues. With that being the case, things would be even easier to handle. Thinking of this, she pulled out a document from her handbag and had the bodyguards hand it directly to Mrs. Qiao. The reason she had returned to the Jiang Family but didn¡¯t confront everyone right away was precisely this. ¡°Since my mother has already spoken to this extent, let¡¯s just return the engagement gifts and part on good terms,¡± she said. ¡°Consider the 500,000 yuan in cash as the Jiang Family¡¯s contribution to poverty alleviation and charity, but please return the 10% of Jiang Group¡¯s shares you hold, Mrs. Qiao. After all, our families have separated, and if someone with ulterior motives gets a hold of these shares in the future, it could become a huge loss for us.¡± No sooner had Jiang Li finished speaking than Lin Manru felt a tingling sensation down her back. How could she have forgotten that the Qiao Family still held an additional 10% of the Jiang Group¡¯s shares?! It was decided from the start by Old Master Jiang as part of the marriage agreement with the Qiao Family. The 10% stake was just enough for the Qiao Family to receive dividends, yet not enough to give them a say in the group¡¯s affairs. But if she agreed to add an extra 5% to that, giving the Qiao Family a total of 15% of Jiang Group¡¯s shares, they would definitely be able to make their voices heard at shareholder meetings. Just like Lili said, if they wanted to continue to use this as leverage in the future, it would be just a matter of speaking out. Her compromise had almost brought big trouble to the Jiang Family! With this in mind, Lin Manru stepped forward forcefully and pushed the pen into Mrs. Qiao¡¯s hand. ¡°I was trying to let your family leave with dignity. It¡¯s your own fault for not recognizing what¡¯s good for you. If you refuse to sign this share transfer agreement, don¡¯t even think about leaving the Jiang Family¡¯s doors in peace today!¡± Mrs. Qiao, who had never seen Lin Manru angry, was so frightened that she hurriedly signed the document. Having obtained the contract, Lin Manru had the bodyguards throw the entire Qiao Family out. Only then did Jiang Li rise from the sofa and slowly walk toward the big screen. The crowd instinctively fell silent and held their breath. During the standoff with the Qiao Family just now, they had seen what Eldest Miss Jiang was capable of. In just two hours, she found her brother, who had been missing for half a month, awakened her mother, who had always been weak and retreating, and turned away the Qiao Family, who had ulterior motives. How could she possibly be the same woman from the rumours, the one who only knew how to chase after men and was a profligate, uneducated heiress? Yet, unexpectedly, the now-transformed, graceful Eldest Miss Jiang did not speak out to blame them for being onlookers today but instead bowed slightly to them. ¡°I am very sorry for taking up everyone¡¯s entire day. Such an incident is not a matter of dignity for anyone involved. I hope you can all forgive us,¡± she said. ¡°Uncle Jiang, please take some people to the wine cellar and bring out some wine to give to everyone as the Jiang Family¡¯s apology.¡± Jiang Ye immediately understood and selected several people to go, and as the guests came to their senses, they began to praise Jiang Li for how she handled things. ¡°This Eldest Miss Jiang is someone who can handle big affairs, flexible and tough. Who was it again saying that the Jiang Family¡¯s tradition was lacking, producing only misfits and clowns?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard that Old Master Jiang loves his drinks, and the cellar is full of his favorite treasures. For Eldest Miss Jiang to be giving these away so generously, that¡¯s really something.¡± ¡°In my opinion, it¡¯s purely due to the Qiao Family¡¯s lack of appreciation today. The Jiang Family has already done more than enough.¡± The guests took their bottles of fine wine, thanked them with smiles, and left the Jiang Family home. However, Jiang Yan chuckled at the misfortune with glee. ¡°Don¡¯t get too happy too early, Jiang Li,¡± said Lin Manru, ¡°all this wine is Grandpa¡¯s treasure. Just wait until he comes back and see how you explain this!¡± Lin Manru also approached, trembling with apprehension. ¡°Yeah, Lili, Grandpa usually doesn¡¯t even like to give this wine away. Aren¡¯t you kind of using great resources for a minor purpose?¡± Jiang Li just smiled. ¡°Mother, do you know why, since ancient times, some families, despite being rich and powerful, still remain philanthropic and low-key?¡± Lin Manru shook her head, bewildered. ¡°It¡¯s all for the sake of ¡®reputation,''¡± Jiang Li said. ¡°These two words seem simple, but they can often collapse in an instant because of some small matter.¡± ¡°With the Qiao Family¡¯s situation today, even if we don¡¯t make things difficult for them, their reputation in the Capital will suffer, making their path ahead more challenging.¡± ¡°By fully honoring our guests and displaying our Jiang Family¡¯s tradition to the utmost, the guests naturally will compare in their hearts. In the future, when it comes to business dealings, they will remember the Jiang Family¡¯s style of handling things today.¡± Lin Manru was extremely surprised. When did her unschooled daughter start making sense of these grand principles of managing a family business and even business social interactions? Even Old Master Jiang had never hinted at these to her. ¡°Right, Lili, you¡¯re correct. Mom will remember this, and if such things happen again, I¡¯ll be able to handle them myself.¡± ¡°Psh, watching a few TV series and you think you¡¯re the House Mistress?¡± Jiang Yan scoffed as he walked to the table, pried open a bottle of alcohol, and gulped it down. ¡°Mom, she just stumbled upon some luck, and you really think she¡¯s come to her senses?¡± She had received praise all day while he¡ª He was mistakenly identified as someone else, not to mention caught by his own sister. That would have been enough, but then he was ridiculed by a bus full of people over two yuan, and upon returning home with thick skin, his fianc¨¦e humiliated him in public. Even though he had no interest in Qiao Shuang, not even giving her a proper look, the engagement was set in stone. Now, all of Jing City would probably know that he, Young Master Jiang, had been cuckolded at his engagement party. The more Jiang Yan thought about it, the angrier he got. He grabbed his collar, about to loosen it just as he was putting the bottle down, but his line of sight caught an enlarged face. Seeing those eyes twinkling with an indistinct emotion, Jiang Yan¡¯s mind immediately sounded alarm bells. ¡°Jiang Li, what are you doing? Was what I said wrong?¡± ¡°Not at all,¡± Jiang Li said softly. ¡°But I did all this today, including giving away this wine, to clean up your mess.¡± ¡°So¡­¡± She took out her phone, showing him the payment screen, ¡°The two yuan for the bus ride plus the cost of this wine, together makes 4 million and two yuan. Transfer it directly to my account.¡± Jiang Yan choked on his drink. ¡°???¡± ¡°Jiang Li, are you ****ing kidding me with this cleanup?¡± Meanwhile, everything happening in the front hall was being watched intently by a young man standing in a corner on the fifth floor. The young man¡¯s grip on the railing was tight, his knuckles white, and even the veins in his hands were visible. The face hidden in the shadows was also pale, leaving only a hauntingly beautiful set of features that seemed somewhat unreal. Like a marsh frozen over in layers of ice during winter, without a single ripple or disturbance. And even if spring was to come, only shattered ice edges would remain. The young man stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the girl below, and finally, a flicker of light danced in his dark eyes. ¡°She¡­ has changed a lot.¡± Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: Chapter 11 She Smiled, He Panicked Chapter 11: Chapter 11 She Smiled, He Panicked Financial Building. After a meeting, Shang Shaojing pinched the bridge of his nose, tired, and then called his assistant over. ¡°How is it going with the Jiang Family?¡± The assistant looked troubled and hesitated before speaking, ¡°President Shang, everything was going smoothly, and the Qiao Family was cooperating well, but somehow, just now, we lost contact with Qin Xiaoxiao, and then¡­¡± He hesitantly recounted the whole process of how the Jiang Family had dealt with and driven away the Qiao Family and ultimately won over their reputation. As expected, Shang Shaojing¡¯s face gradually turned colder. That Jiang Li could actually pull off such a feat? Impossible, there must be someone behind her pulling the strings! Shang Shaojing furrowed his brows, his face seething with anger, ¡°How do you handle things? How could we suddenly lose contact with the key figure, Qin Xiaoxiao?!¡± ¡°I, I had someone call her cell phone, but the person who answered¡­ was a police officer.¡± ¨C ¨C After Jiang Li left, Qin Xiaoxiao hastily dressed and ran out of the hotel. Although she hadn¡¯t succeeded, in her desperation, she still managed to take quite a few intimate photos with Jiang Yan, which could still be useful. Even if she couldn¡¯t become the Young Madam of Jiang Family, she wouldn¡¯t let that bastard Qiao Shuang have the last laugh! However, just as she turned into an alley and took out her phone to send those photos, suddenly a figure rushed up and snatched her phone without a word. Qin Xiaoxiao instantly became frightened and angry, looking up to glare at the strange man who appeared out of nowhere. ¡°Ah! Who are you, robbing me in broad daylight?!¡± The rushing Xiang Hao held the phone high, then glanced at the scandalous photos on the screen. ¡°So you want to use this to scheme against my boss¡¯s brother? No way!¡± Not long ago, Jiang Li had contacted him, asking him to help investigate someone and then go to the hotel she mentioned to keep an eye on a woman named Qin Xiaoxiao. That was fine, but she also immediately transferred him ten thousand yuan. What a joke, he, Xiang Hao, had always revered Sister Li above all, since when did he become someone who did things just for money? Angered, he drove here immediately, intending to teach this foolish woman a lesson for offending his boss. Thank goodness he arrived in time, almost letting this wicked woman succeed! Qin Xiaoxiao was terrified, having barely dealt with Jiang Li, only for someone claiming to be her subordinate to show up. When did she become so omnipresent?! ¡°What do you mean by scheming? Just give me back my phone, or I¡¯ll scream for help and call the police!¡± Qin Xiaoxiao stomped her feet in anger. However, Xiang Hao just laughed, ¡°Call the police? No need for that, I¡¯ve already brought them here.¡± Then he stepped aside from the entrance of the alley and pointed inside at Qin Xiaoxiao, saying, ¡°Officer, I report that this woman tried to use illegal means to extort someone!¡± Watching the police enter one by one, Qin Xiaoxiao was completely dumbfounded. That bitch Jiang Li actually called the police?! No, this can¡¯t be happening, she couldn¡¯t go to the police station, she hadn¡¯t succeeded in her plans yet! ¡°Officer, please listen to me explain, it¡¯s not like this, it was Jiang Yan who first¡ª¡± However, the police were not interested in her excuses; after seeing the content on the phone Xiang Hao handed over, they approached her sternly. ¡°Miss Qin, please accompany us to the police station to explain this matter.¡± Watching Qin Xiaoxiao being led away by the police, Xiang Hao instantly straightened his back. Previously, he was always nervous that the police might come to catch him. Calling the police to arrest someone for the first time, I must say, Sister Li is awesome for being proactive! I definitely followed the right person! After getting into the car, he dialed Jiang Li¡¯s number. ¡°Hello, sis, Qin Xiaoxiao has been taken away by the police, and now I¡¯m also going to the police station to make a statement.¡± ¡°You did well,¡± Jiang Li wasn¡¯t stingy with her praise, ¡°Just follow what the policemen tell you to do next.¡± Xiang Hao was quite pleased with himself. It wasn¡¯t that he hadn¡¯t done things for Jiang Li before, but today it was the first time he felt so happy about it. No need to worry about being bitten back, no need to worry about anything bad happening next. So, was this the pleasure of doing good deeds? Then he somewhat understood why Sister Li had suddenly changed so much. ¡°What about you?¡± Xiang Hao asked, ¡°Aren¡¯t you coming over?¡± ¡°Me?¡± Jiang Li glanced at the people busily packing things in the front hall, her eyes filled with a meaningful expression, ¡°I haven¡¯t finished everything here yet. Just do as I told you for Qin Xiaoxiao¡¯s matter, everything will be fine. I believe in you.¡± Xiang Hao, praised into confusion, slapped his chest and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Sister Li, leave it to me!¡± Just as Jiang Li hung up the phone, Lin Manru came over with a cup of hot milk. ¡°Lili, drink this first to warm your stomach; we¡¯ll go out to dine after.¡± Jiang Yan, standing nearby, immediately frowned in dissatisfaction. ¡°I haven¡¯t eaten all day either, why don¡¯t I get any milk?¡± Lin Manru got annoyed upon seeing him. ¡°You still have the nerve to say that? Disappearing for over half a month without any contact, are you only happy if your bank card is completely frozen?¡± ¡°Your sister has been busy handling your marriage crisis, and you can¡¯t even say thank you; you still want milk? Forget about milk, you don¡¯t even get dinner. Go back to your room and reflect!¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°???¡± ¡°Forget it, Mom.¡± Jiang Li, after finishing her milk, grabbed her mother¡¯s hand, ¡°Don¡¯t make Jiang Yan go back to his room to reflect¡ª¡± Jiang Yan scoffed, ¡°Don¡¯t think that just because you¡¯re speaking in my favor now that I¡¯ll be nice to you.¡± Jiang Li glanced at him and continued, ¡°Let him sit beside us and watch us eat.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°???¡± Jiang Li, what the hell are you playing at? Laughing and chatting, everyone walked to the dining room, except Jiang Yan, who trailed behind with a sour face. The servants gradually served delicious dishes, with Lin Manru eagerly putting food into Jiang Li¡¯s bowl. ¡°Lili, you haven¡¯t been back in a long time, eat more today, you¡¯ve lost so much weight.¡± Jiang Yan tapped his chopsticks in dissatisfaction, ¡°I haven¡¯t been back for over half a month either, why is there only water in my bowl?!¡± Lin Manru¡¯s face changed immediately, ¡°You should be glad to get water, what else do you want? Wasn¡¯t it you who didn¡¯t want to come back?¡± Just as Jiang Yan was about to retort, he caught Jiang Li suddenly smiling across the table. He suddenly shut his mouth. The last time Jiang Li smiled like that his arm almost got ruined. The time before that, he was laughed at by an entire bus of people. The last time, he ended up owing 4 million and two yuan. What mischief was she plotting this time? However, Jiang Li wasn¡¯t aiming at him; she just pushed her empty cup forward, ¡°I mentioned water and now I¡¯m also thirsty, Mrs. Qin, could you pour me a cup of tea as well?¡± Chapter 15 - Chapter 15: Chapter 15: The Autistic Teen Jiang Shixu Chapter 15: Chapter 15: The Autistic Teen Jiang Shixu Jiang Shixu woke up from those nightmares filled with blood and darkness, feeling groggy and disoriented. The two sleeping pills he took in the evening had left him with a splitting headache. He frowned, covered his painfully pale face with his hands, and crawled out of bed. There was not an inch of daylight by the window; the entire room was terrifyingly quiet and dark. Much like the boundless void in his dreams. After changing out of his sweat-soaked pajamas, Jiang Shixu picked up the alarm clock on the bedside table. The hour hand had just reached one o¡¯clock. The expression on the young man¡¯s face grew even more numb. Two sleeping pills had only allowed him a little over five hours of sleep. What now? Did he need to increase the dosage? The ticking of the alarm clock in his hand once again amplified his anxiety and fear. He simply dismantled the clock and threw all the pieces into the drawer. A whole space was already packed full of parts from various clocks. Jiang Shixu slowly stood up, his empty stomach telling him it was time to go down and eat something. Although he had no appetite whatsoever. The Jiang family¡¯s mansion was extremely quiet at night, the huge villa completely stripped of its daytime bustle, now eerily cold. Even though it was already early summer, Jiang Shixu, wearing a long-sleeved shirt, couldn¡¯t help but wrap his arms around himself. He didn¡¯t take the elevator but staggered toward the staircase on the other side, groping his way down in the darkness, step by step. Finally, he reached the first floor, but the journey had exhausted all the energy he had managed to gather. Dragging his equally weak shadow, he made his way to the kitchen. But there, he glimpsed an unexpected glint of light. ¡ªThere was someone in the kitchen. Jiang Li, inside, seemed oblivious to the noise behind her and was leisurely chopping the spring onions. She wore a light pink nightgown, and her black, dense hair draped over her shoulders, intertwining with her pale, delicate collarbones. The soft moonlight poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, shrouding the girl with an indescribable sense of serene beauty. It perfectly matched an ancient saying, ¡°Ebony hair cascading like a waterfall, creamy wrists as if coated in frost.¡± After chopping the spring onions, she steadily scooped out a large bowl of fish soup and poured it into the pot. As the milky broth began to boil, Jiang Li added some previously fried eggs into it, followed by a bunch of handmade noodles. While she was doing all this, Jiang Shixu just stood not far behind her, watching her tranquil movements intently. He didn¡¯t even know why he was standing there, motionless. But as he watched her peaceful actions, his previously fluttering and unsettled heart suddenly calmed down. So, he continued to stand there. Watching as Jiang Li poured the bubbling soup into a bowl with seasonings. Then he watched her ladle out the noodles, spread the cooked greens and wallet eggs one by one on top and finally sprinkle a handful of chopped spring onions. The savory fragrance of the soup, mingled with the fresh scent of the greens and tender onions, wafted into Jiang Shixu¡¯s nostrils. The next second, his stomach embarrassingly growled. Jiang Li paused, finally turned around, and looked at him. Jiang Shixu jumped, instinctively retreating into the shadows behind the sofa. Even though she clearly saw the frail figure of the young man, Jiang Li didn¡¯t make a scene, just quietly sat down at the table and started eating the noodles. This time, it was Jiang Shixu¡¯s turn to be surprised. He was aware that she had seen him. So why didn¡¯t she make any noise? Since she didn¡¯t move, Jiang Shixu also stayed put, and the kitchen, which had a trace of activity, quieted down gradually, leaving only the soft sound of the girl eating the noodles in the air. Eventually, Jiang Shixu couldn¡¯t resist peeking his head out from behind the sofa. At that moment, Jiang Li was sitting elegantly and gracefully at the dining table, savoring the meal in the bowl before her without any intention of stopping him. Jiang Shixu immediately felt unhappy. Because of his physical condition, he rarely opened his door to go out. And whenever he did come out, the entire Jiang Family would act as if facing a formidable enemy. From Old Sir Jiang down to each servant, everyone would show him concern and would almost wish to move the entire kitchen in front of him for his choosing. The former Jiang Li, even with his terrible temper, would restrain himself a bit around him. Unlike now, when he was completely disregarded. Jiang Shixu pondered that perhaps he had moved too quickly, causing her not to see him clearly. After all, it was already this late, and it was normal for one¡¯s consciousness to be blurred. So, while he was thinking, he carefully shifted half of his body out. But Jiang Li still didn¡¯t give him a glance; instead, she picked up a napkin to wipe the corners of her mouth, then stood up, placed the empty bowl in the sink, and went upstairs. Completely ignored, Jiang Shixu: ¡°¡­..¡± He stood up awkwardly from behind the sofa, glanced at Jiang Li¡¯s decisive retreating figure, pressed his lips together, and his complexion worsened. What, now that he¡¯s gotten more handsome, she completely ignores him. But then he couldn¡¯t afford to think about these things anymore. Because the fragrance left by that bowl of Yangchun noodles called to his stomach once again. Jiang Shixu was somewhat surprised. Because it had been a long time since he had felt this kind of hunger. Following the scent into the kitchen, he then noticed that there was still a bowl of noodles on the stove. Could it be that Jiang Li had left it for him? But if that was the case, why didn¡¯t she call him just now? Thinking it over, Jiang Shixu simply pretended not to see it and turned to open the refrigerator. He would not eat the food given out of sympathy. However, looking at the cold sandwich in his hand, then at the steaming, fragrant Yangchun noodles on the stove, He still gave in. After all, that bowl of noodles would be dumped by the maid tomorrow, so he might as well eat it now, wash the bowl, and act as if the noodles never existed. Thinking this, Jiang Shixu put the bland sandwich back. It was only when he picked up the bowl that he noticed, beside the green vegetables, there was a beautifully fried sunny-side-up egg. Jiang Shixu couldn¡¯t help but pause. He clearly saw Jiang Li only fry one egg. Could it be that she specifically¡­ A strange emotion stirred in Jiang Shixu¡¯s heart. If she had thought to fry an egg for him, why did she act as if she hadn¡¯t noticed him just now? Licking his dry lips, he picked up the chopsticks and put a few strands of noodles into his mouth. Instantly, his pupils dilated slightly. The freshness of the fish soup, the aroma of the hand-rolled noodles, and the tenderness of the green onions all spread on his taste buds. It was as if sunshine had melted in, warming him from his tongue to his stomach, every step of the way. By the time he came back to his senses, a bowl of Yangchun noodles had been polished off. Including the sunny-side-up egg. ¡°Is it delicious?¡± A woman¡¯s voice suddenly sounded behind him, startling Jiang Shixu so much that he dropped the chopsticks from his hand. Turning around, he saw Jiang Li, who had clearly gone upstairs but appeared behind him at some unknown time. ¡°You¡­.¡± His pale face flushed red instantly, resembling a thief caught in the act, somewhat at a loss. However, Jiang Li didn¡¯t seem to mind and simply bent down to pick up the fallen chopsticks. ¡°Is it delicious?¡± She asked again. Jiang Shixu¡¯s mind was starting to cloud, but for some reason, when he carefully met the girl¡¯s clear and bright eyes, he found himself uncontrollably saying¡ª ¡°Delicious.¡± Chapter 13 - Chapter 13: Chapter 13 Killing the Chicken to Scare the Monkey Chapter 13: Chapter 13 Killing the Chicken to Scare the Monkey Sensing that something was off with Jiang Yan, Jiang Yan dismissed the thought of leaving, pivoted on his dress shoes, and returned to his seat. ¡°What on earth do you mean?¡± Ignoring him once again, Jiang Li shifted her gaze to Lin Manru. ¡°Mother, Qin Xiaoxiao has already confessed at the police station. It was she who drugged Jiang Yan¡¯s drink, attempting to seduce him into having a relationship with her.¡± ¡°Though she didn¡¯t succeed, she could at least be charged with assault with intent to cause harm.¡± ¡°What?!¡± At this revelation, all three of them stood up, simultaneously shocked. Lin Manru was slow to react, ¡°What? You¡¯re saying Qin Xiaoxiao is at the police station? When did this happen?¡± Qin XiuZhi completely panicked, ¡°What? Xiaoxiao is at the police station? How could this happen?¡± What enraged Jiang Yan even more was the accusation, ¡°What? What did you say? I was drugged? I was actually drugged?¡± He, the Eldest Young Master Jiang, nearly lost his chastity to a servant¡¯s daughter? Even the police knew about it now! Would he have any face left if this got out?! Only Jiang Li remained calm, seated, even leisurely pouring herself a glass of warm water. Jiang Yan couldn¡¯t stand it and snatched the glass from her. ¡°Hey, this concerns your own brother¡¯s life, how can you still be so calm and keep drinking water? What exactly happened?¡± ¡°Yes, Lili.¡± Lin Manru looked unhappily at the pale-faced Qin XiuZhi before asking gently, ¡°What¡¯s going on, really?¡± Jiang Li remained calm and composed. ¡°I¡¯ve already made myself quite clear, haven¡¯t I? There¡¯s a cause and an effect. As for the process¡ª¡± She looked deeply at Jiang Yan, ¡°Are you sure you want me to say it?¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Better not to say it, then.¡± Regaining her composure, Lin Manru finally pieced it together. So, this mother and daughter were purely scheming against the Jiang Family, trying to ascend the social ladder using this incident! ¡°I¡¯ll make things clear today.¡± Lin Manru sat back down, emulating Jiang Li¡¯s calmness, ¡°Qin XiuZhi, I don¡¯t fancy the Qiao Family daughter, so don¡¯t expect me to fancy yours.¡± Qin XiuZhi never expected her painstakingly developed plan to crumble in an instant. She had everything planned so well. To take advantage of the rift between the Qiao and Jiang Families, hoping to stir up trouble and profit from both sides. Even if her daughter couldn¡¯t become the Young Madam of the Jiang Family, having this leverage would ensure a worry-free life in the future. But now, it was all ruined. Out of options, Qin XiuZhi decided to go for broke, ¡°Madam, even if you look down on us, what can you do? Things have already taken shape. If the Eldest Young Master refuses to take responsibility, I¡¯ll tear off this old face and make a scandal, and the Jiang Family¡¯s reputation will be the one at stake!¡± ¡°You!¡± Lin Manru hadn¡¯t expected the Qin XiuZhi she thought was the most honest and straightforward to be such a scheming and sly person. But as the saying goes, the barefoot are not afraid of those with shoes on. What if she really became desperate and lashed out, wouldn¡¯t her son and the Jiang Family be ruined? However, Jiang Li spoke up: ¡°Who said things are set in stone?¡± ¡°When I got there, they were just embracing, nothing had happened, and I immediately had Xiang Hao take the police to collect evidence. Forget about setting sail, not even a plank had been laid.¡± ¡°Mrs. Qin, the reason I didn¡¯t expose this in front of so many people was to give you a chance to come forward willingly.¡± ¡°But you couldn¡¯t even pour a glass of water without reluctance, not to mention your petty tricks. Tell me, can I let you off the hook?¡± With this unexpected turn of events, Lin Manru immediately looked to Jiang Yan for confirmation. Though Jiang Yan was reluctant to recall the event, he still had to speak up. ¡°Heh, if a hug and a kiss mean I have to take responsibility for her, then there are too many people I¡¯d have to answer to.¡± Qin XiuZhi lost all hope and collapsed onto the ground, pale as a ghost. ¡°How could this happen¡­¡± Lin Manru didn¡¯t want to hear any more of her excuses. What happened today was enough evidence that if she blindly made concessions and showed softness, it would only make things worse. She simply called Jiang Ye and reported the incident to the police, allowing her and her daughter to have a reunion at the police station. After the police finished writing up the report, they took the people away. By late at night, the Jiang Mansion, which had been in turmoil the whole day, finally quieted down completely. Lin Manru, feeling as if a great burden had been lifted, sat down on the sofa and took her daughter, Jiang Li¡¯s hand. ¡°Lili, thank goodness for you today; otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have known how to deal with these people.¡± Jiang Li said, ¡°I¡¯m the daughter of the Jiang Family, so naturally I have to consider the Jiang Family¡¯s interests.¡± She had deliberately waited until dinner to expose Qin XiuZhi. The Qiao Family were outsiders. Dealing with things properly in front of outsiders would preserve their reputation. Since Qin XiuZhi was part of their family, she naturally had to be dealt with in front of the whole family in order to serve as a warning to those who harbored ill will. In her previous life, she hadn¡¯t noticed Mrs. Qin¡¯s strangeness in time. It allowed Mrs. Qin to fan the flames in front of her own mother time and again, eventually making her daughter entangled with Jiang Yan. Now, it seemed necessary to catch both mother and daughter in one fell swoop. Hearing this, Lin Manru was extremely relieved. Her daughter had changed so much, and had completely taken on the demeanor of a proper lady; even if she went with her husband, she would be at ease. ¡°Jiang Yan, you should learn from your sister. Everything worries me; you¡¯re not a child anymore.¡± Having been manipulated all day, Jiang Yan had already lost his good mood. ¡°Who knows if she¡¯s just going through a phase? Maybe she¡¯ll dye her pink hair back tomorrow.¡± Leopard can¡¯t change its spots. He didn¡¯t believe for a second that Jiang Li had suddenly become a graceful lady overnight. No, that¡¯s not right. She was now a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing! Lin Manru scolded Jiang Yan a few more times before turning back to her daughter, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve learned from my mistakes. When your grandfather comes back, I¡¯ll tell him everything. Even though the Qiao Family left intact today, they won¡¯t have an easy time in the future.¡± ¡°But, Mother,¡± Jiang Li suddenly darkened her eyes, ¡°Do you really think the Qiao Family are the masterminds behind all of this?¡± Lin Manru sat up straight, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Opposite her, even Jiang Yan rarely showed a serious expression. Jiang Li fell into thought as she looked at them both. It wasn¡¯t hard to guess that the reason the Qiao Family had the confidence to confront them in front of so many people was that they had a more formidable supporter behind them. And aside from Shang Shaojing, she couldn¡¯t think of anyone else. Previously, under the control of the story, she had publicly provoked and embarrassed the female lead on multiple occasions. And Jiang Yan had also expressed his feelings for the female lead, both overtly and covertly. Given Shang Shaojing¡¯s temperament, he would certainly seek revenge. That he was behind today¡¯s chaos was entirely within reason. However, she was still unclear how much of the male lead¡¯s halo Shang Shaojing, the male protagonist of the book, possessed. The Jiang Family¡¯s foundation wasn¡¯t stable yet, and rashly going head-to-head with him would not yield any benefits. So, she smiled as if nothing were amiss, ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Mother, perhaps I¡¯m just overthinking things. It¡¯s very late, you should rest.¡± ¡°Alright, you¡¯ve also had a tiring day, go back to your room early.¡± When the living room had mostly emptied out, Jiang Yan finally got up from the sofa with a stern look on his face, pondering over what Jiang Li had just said, and then gazed at her receding figure. The person behind the scenes? Heh. He probably had a good guess who it was. Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: Chapter 14 She Looks So Cool Dancing with a Gun Chapter 14: Chapter 14 She Looks So Cool Dancing with a Gun Lin Manru had a rare good night¡¯s sleep. After freshening up, she specifically went to Jiang Yan¡¯s room on the fourth floor, only to find that no one answered after calling out for a while. Feeling uneasy, Lin Manru then headed to the third floor. And there, Jiang Li¡¯s room was also empty. Hurriedly, Lin Manru took the elevator downstairs and immediately caught Aunt Zhang, who was cleaning the foyer, and asked: ¡°Where are Jiang Yan and Jiang Li? Why haven¡¯t I seen them both?¡± Could it be that they took advantage of last night to run away from home again? After all, this wasn¡¯t the first or second time. Aunt Zhang sighed, ¡°Madam, I really haven¡¯t seen the young master since last night, and as you know, his frequent disappearances have become the norm.¡± ¡°As for the young mistress¡­¡± Aunt Zhang¡¯s expression suddenly became strange, ¡°The young mistress has been up since a little after six o¡¯clock this morning, then, then she went straight into the storage room.¡± Lin Manru¡¯s face filled with disbelief. Jiang Li was up after six o¡¯clock? How could that be?! She used to sleep until the sun was high when she was home. Now that it was a holiday, she had even less reason to get up early. Even if she had suddenly changed her ways, there was no need to be so diligent, right? The more she thought, the more puzzled Lin Manru became, and without bothering with breakfast, she quickly threw on her clothes and headed to the storage room. But just as she walked into the backyard, she heard the whoosh of a sword cutting through the air and was so startled that she froze on the spot. Through the gaps in the lush trees, Lin Manru vaguely caught a glimpse of a black silhouette. On the open grass, a girl dressed in a simple tracksuit, her black hair tied up in a high ponytail, waved in the wind with her agile figure. The face without any stray hairs was clean and bright, revealing an incomparable beauty, and her exposed neck was long and fair, seemingly sculpted from jade. However, what drew more attention than the girl¡¯s appearance was the red tassel spear in her hand. The blade at the end of the spear had become a silver dragon, tearing up the invisible air, colliding and creating a chilling sharp sound. The girl holding the spear moved like a dragon in water, light on her feet, each move both agile and fierce. If it hadn¡¯t been for the fact that the girl in her field of vision was the flesh and blood born from Lin Manru¡¯s ten months of pregnancy, she almost doubted whether she had stumbled onto a martial arts film set. ¡°Oh my, Lili, how can you play with such dangerous things!¡± In her urgency, Lin Manru hurriedly ran over, calling out. Hearing the noise, Jiang Li paused, drew back her long arm, and swung the red tassel spear over her shoulder. ¡°Mother.¡± She called out softly as a greeting. Lin Manru snatched the spear from her hand, but failed to hold on to it, and it fell to the ground. She couldn¡¯t help but show a shocked expression again. This spear was so heavy? Then why did it seem so easy for Lili to maneuver just now? Immediately, Lin Manru¡¯s face was filled with concern as she checked her daughter¡¯s physical condition. ¡°You¡¯re not hurt, are you, Lili? Why would a young girl like you touch such dangerous things? What if you got hurt?¡± Jiang Li smiled, ¡°It¡¯s okay, mother, I won¡¯t get hurt.¡± Back in Daqi, she had practiced with it almost every day. Before her grandfather, the Dingyuan Marquis, was appointed National Guardian General, his claim to fame on the battlefield was a family heirloom of spear skills. Though in ancient times it was the men who went to battle, her enlightened grandfather had not restricted her from learning and had personally passed this set of spear skills on to her. Even when she came of age, he had gifted her with a red tassel spear forged by a master. Back in Daqi, she had already gotten into the habit of waking up at 5:00 AM every day to practice with her brothers. Now, even though she had returned to modern society, the habits she had developed were already etched in her bones. But clearly, Lin Manru was unable to accept that her delicate daughter had suddenly become a ¡°female hero¡± who got up at six in the morning to practice Dancing Gun. ¡°Lili, don¡¯t scare Mom, tell me the truth, have you been bullied outside?¡± Lin Manru asked anxiously. Jiang Li knew she couldn¡¯t explain it all at once and could only link arms with Lin Manru, saying, ¡°No, I joined a club at school that promotes Shaolin Kung Fu. The teacher there taught us some gun skills, saying it could strengthen the body and promote health.¡± ¡°Really? Does your school have such a club?¡± ¡°Yes, really, it¡¯s for promoting intangible cultural heritage,¡± Jiang Li said with a very earnest expression, then quickly changed the subject, ¡°Mother, I¡¯ve been practicing for over an hour now and am quite hungry. Let¡¯s go have breakfast.¡± As expected upon hearing her daughter was hungry, Lin Manru immediately put her doubts aside and pulled her hand, walking out of the back yard. As they left, Jiang Li turned her head back, casting an inadvertent glance toward the fifth floor. In a room in the corner of the fifth floor, a frail figure hid behind the curtains, gesturing awkwardly at their own shadow. But after waving the arms a few times, the figure collapsed wearily onto the bed. The youth¡¯s eyes, in addition to confusion, bore a hint of envy that was not easily detected. Her figure, twirling the spear under the sun¡­ Looked kind of cool. ¨C In the dining room, the servants had already laid out breakfast. After yesterday¡¯s ¡°kill the chicken to warn the monkeys¡±, today¡¯s atmosphere in the Jiang Family was noticeably more buoyant. The servants no longer loafed aimlessly to earn their salaries. Seeing Jiang Li get up before dawn, they quickly followed suit and began to tidy and clean. Not a single person slacked off or dodged work; even after completing their tasks, they were still nervously looking for other things to do. Lin Manru, sitting with Jiang Li, kept adding pieces of sea cucumber to her bowl. ¡°Lili, are you tired from getting up so early? Try the braised sea cucumber Aunt Zhang made to replenish your strength.¡± Jiang Li ate a piece, then glanced around at the empty seats. ¡°Where are the others?¡± Lin Manru sighed deeply, ¡°Your brother, he went out again last night and probably won¡¯t be back for another ten days or so. Don¡¯t worry about him, just eat up.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant, Mother. I mean, where are the rest of the family?¡± If she remembered correctly, aside from Jiang Yan, there should be other people living in this house. Old Master Jiang had three sons and a daughter; apart from her father who had died early, the others were still alive and had been living together since the beginning, never splitting the household. But that was only a facade of unity. In her memory, her uncles and aunts never actually lived together ¡ª if one wasn¡¯t out, another was unwilling to come home. The family had long been disunited in heart and presence. So much so that she now had little recollection of the others. Lin Manru continued to serve her food while sighing again. ¡°You know full well what your second and third uncles are like. It¡¯s good enough if they come back once a year.¡± ¡°This time your grandfather went back to the countryside to pay homage to the ancestors, and your third aunt went with him. We¡¯re the only ones left at home.¡± ¡°Oh right, Shi Xu is at home, but you know his situation¡ª¡± The mention of this name brought back some of Jiang Li¡¯s long-buried memories. Jiang Shixu, the child of her second uncle. Because of a harmonious family relationship, the child had been reticent since childhood. Entering adolescence made it even worse; he would spend almost every day locked in his room, venturing out only at night, avoiding everyone. Later she found out that from the beginning, he had suffered from severe depression and autism. And in the novel, there were even fewer references to him, with his ending being briefly concluded in a single sentence¡ª ¡°On a snowy night, the youth leaped from his room. The young, vibrant life was buried amid the vast expanse of white, along with the Jiang Family.¡± Chapter 15 - Chapter 15: Chapter 15: The Autistic Teen Jiang Shixu Chapter 15: Chapter 15: The Autistic Teen Jiang Shixu Jiang Shixu woke up from those nightmares filled with blood and darkness, feeling groggy and disoriented. The two sleeping pills he took in the evening had left him with a splitting headache. He frowned, covered his painfully pale face with his hands, and crawled out of bed. There was not an inch of daylight by the window; the entire room was terrifyingly quiet and dark. Much like the boundless void in his dreams. After changing out of his sweat-soaked pajamas, Jiang Shixu picked up the alarm clock on the bedside table. The hour hand had just reached one o¡¯clock. The expression on the young man¡¯s face grew even more numb. Two sleeping pills had only allowed him a little over five hours of sleep. What now? Did he need to increase the dosage? The ticking of the alarm clock in his hand once again amplified his anxiety and fear. He simply dismantled the clock and threw all the pieces into the drawer. A whole space was already packed full of parts from various clocks. Jiang Shixu slowly stood up, his empty stomach telling him it was time to go down and eat something. Although he had no appetite whatsoever. The Jiang family¡¯s mansion was extremely quiet at night, the huge villa completely stripped of its daytime bustle, now eerily cold. Even though it was already early summer, Jiang Shixu, wearing a long-sleeved shirt, couldn¡¯t help but wrap his arms around himself. He didn¡¯t take the elevator but staggered toward the staircase on the other side, groping his way down in the darkness, step by step. Finally, he reached the first floor, but the journey had exhausted all the energy he had managed to gather. Dragging his equally weak shadow, he made his way to the kitchen. But there, he glimpsed an unexpected glint of light. ¡ªThere was someone in the kitchen. Jiang Li, inside, seemed oblivious to the noise behind her and was leisurely chopping the spring onions. She wore a light pink nightgown, and her black, dense hair draped over her shoulders, intertwining with her pale, delicate collarbones. The soft moonlight poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, shrouding the girl with an indescribable sense of serene beauty. It perfectly matched an ancient saying, ¡°Ebony hair cascading like a waterfall, creamy wrists as if coated in frost.¡± After chopping the spring onions, she steadily scooped out a large bowl of fish soup and poured it into the pot. As the milky broth began to boil, Jiang Li added some previously fried eggs into it, followed by a bunch of handmade noodles. While she was doing all this, Jiang Shixu just stood not far behind her, watching her tranquil movements intently. He didn¡¯t even know why he was standing there, motionless. But as he watched her peaceful actions, his previously fluttering and unsettled heart suddenly calmed down. So, he continued to stand there. Watching as Jiang Li poured the bubbling soup into a bowl with seasonings. Then he watched her ladle out the noodles, spread the cooked greens and wallet eggs one by one on top and finally sprinkle a handful of chopped spring onions. The savory fragrance of the soup, mingled with the fresh scent of the greens and tender onions, wafted into Jiang Shixu¡¯s nostrils. The next second, his stomach embarrassingly growled. Jiang Li paused, finally turned around, and looked at him. Jiang Shixu jumped, instinctively retreating into the shadows behind the sofa. Even though she clearly saw the frail figure of the young man, Jiang Li didn¡¯t make a scene, just quietly sat down at the table and started eating the noodles. This time, it was Jiang Shixu¡¯s turn to be surprised. He was aware that she had seen him. So why didn¡¯t she make any noise? Since she didn¡¯t move, Jiang Shixu also stayed put, and the kitchen, which had a trace of activity, quieted down gradually, leaving only the soft sound of the girl eating the noodles in the air. Eventually, Jiang Shixu couldn¡¯t resist peeking his head out from behind the sofa. At that moment, Jiang Li was sitting elegantly and gracefully at the dining table, savoring the meal in the bowl before her without any intention of stopping him. Jiang Shixu immediately felt unhappy. Because of his physical condition, he rarely opened his door to go out. And whenever he did come out, the entire Jiang Family would act as if facing a formidable enemy. From Old Sir Jiang down to each servant, everyone would show him concern and would almost wish to move the entire kitchen in front of him for his choosing. The former Jiang Li, even with his terrible temper, would restrain himself a bit around him. Unlike now, when he was completely disregarded. Jiang Shixu pondered that perhaps he had moved too quickly, causing her not to see him clearly. After all, it was already this late, and it was normal for one¡¯s consciousness to be blurred. So, while he was thinking, he carefully shifted half of his body out. But Jiang Li still didn¡¯t give him a glance; instead, she picked up a napkin to wipe the corners of her mouth, then stood up, placed the empty bowl in the sink, and went upstairs. Completely ignored, Jiang Shixu: ¡°¡­..¡± He stood up awkwardly from behind the sofa, glanced at Jiang Li¡¯s decisive retreating figure, pressed his lips together, and his complexion worsened. What, now that he¡¯s gotten more handsome, she completely ignores him. But then he couldn¡¯t afford to think about these things anymore. Because the fragrance left by that bowl of Yangchun noodles called to his stomach once again. Jiang Shixu was somewhat surprised. Because it had been a long time since he had felt this kind of hunger. Following the scent into the kitchen, he then noticed that there was still a bowl of noodles on the stove. Could it be that Jiang Li had left it for him? But if that was the case, why didn¡¯t she call him just now? Thinking it over, Jiang Shixu simply pretended not to see it and turned to open the refrigerator. He would not eat the food given out of sympathy. However, looking at the cold sandwich in his hand, then at the steaming, fragrant Yangchun noodles on the stove, He still gave in. After all, that bowl of noodles would be dumped by the maid tomorrow, so he might as well eat it now, wash the bowl, and act as if the noodles never existed. Thinking this, Jiang Shixu put the bland sandwich back. It was only when he picked up the bowl that he noticed, beside the green vegetables, there was a beautifully fried sunny-side-up egg. Jiang Shixu couldn¡¯t help but pause. He clearly saw Jiang Li only fry one egg. Could it be that she specifically¡­ A strange emotion stirred in Jiang Shixu¡¯s heart. If she had thought to fry an egg for him, why did she act as if she hadn¡¯t noticed him just now? Licking his dry lips, he picked up the chopsticks and put a few strands of noodles into his mouth. Instantly, his pupils dilated slightly. The freshness of the fish soup, the aroma of the hand-rolled noodles, and the tenderness of the green onions all spread on his taste buds. It was as if sunshine had melted in, warming him from his tongue to his stomach, every step of the way. By the time he came back to his senses, a bowl of Yangchun noodles had been polished off. Including the sunny-side-up egg. ¡°Is it delicious?¡± A woman¡¯s voice suddenly sounded behind him, startling Jiang Shixu so much that he dropped the chopsticks from his hand. Turning around, he saw Jiang Li, who had clearly gone upstairs but appeared behind him at some unknown time. ¡°You¡­.¡± His pale face flushed red instantly, resembling a thief caught in the act, somewhat at a loss. However, Jiang Li didn¡¯t seem to mind and simply bent down to pick up the fallen chopsticks. ¡°Is it delicious?¡± She asked again. Jiang Shixu¡¯s mind was starting to cloud, but for some reason, when he carefully met the girl¡¯s clear and bright eyes, he found himself uncontrollably saying¡ª ¡°Delicious.¡± Chapter 16 - Chapter 16: Chapter 16 He Actually Fell Asleep Chapter 16: Chapter 16 He Actually Fell Asleep Just as the words fell, Jiang Shixu swiftly cast his eyes downward. His eyelashes were very long; when they fell, they could cast a small shadow on his eyelids. It was as if a piece of flawless cold jade was suddenly veiled with a shadow by the moonlight. At the same time, his heart also started beating violently. This was one of the reasons he did not want to step out of his room. Whenever he felt a gaze linger on him or someone spoke close to his ear, he would uncontrollably become tense. So, when Jiang Li looked at him, he subconsciously tightened his fingertips and inched into the corner of the kitchen. From Jiang Li¡¯s perspective, Jiang Shixu at this moment resembled a stray kitten. Thin and bony, the shirt that should have fit him hung loose on his body. He was barefoot and his hair had grown to his eyelids, nearly spilling over the dark circles beneath his eyes. But without a doubt, he was good-looking. His face was very small, with features that were exceptionally delicate, like a limited edition doll trapped in a display case. Precious, yet at the same time, fragile and easily broken. But he was in the prime of youth and should be facing such an outcome in a year. It unavoidably made one sigh. Reining in the thoughts in his eyes, Jiang Li took a light step forward and glanced at the bowl he had eaten completely clean. ¡°Want more?¡± The girl¡¯s voice was soft and gentle, carrying an inexplicably pleasant scent of jasmine flowers that assaulted Jiang Shixu. He cautiously lifted his eyelids and quickly glanced at the person in front of him, then nodded. He had not eaten well for a week now. The bowl of noodles he had just eaten not only failed to fill his stomach but instead awakened his desire for more food. But more importantly, he liked to watch her focused demeanor. Whether it was helping the Jiang Family out of a tight spot, Dancing Gun, or cooking, she always radiated a comforting strength when immersed in something. Jiang Li¡¯s movements were swift; in less than ten minutes, another steaming bowl of Yang Chun noodles was ready. Like before, in the bowl was a fried, round and plump Taiyang egg. Jiang Li took out a new pair of chopsticks and handed them to him. Looking at the girl¡¯s calm eyes, Jiang Shixu for the first time took the initiative to step out of the shadows and carefully came forward to receive the chopsticks. In the moment of transfer, he also touched her fingertips. The warm sensation made his heart tremble uncontrollably. Soon, another bowl of noodles was emptied. Jiang Shixu fell silent for a moment, then picked up the empty bowl and looked at her. Jiang Li raised her eyebrows a little, ¡°Want to eat more?¡± Jiang Shixu nodded vigorously. But in return, he received Jiang Li¡¯s refusal. ¡°You¡¯ve already eaten two bowls; hand-pulled noodles digest slowly. If you eat more, you¡¯ll feel uncomfortable when you get up tomorrow.¡± Jiang Shixu¡¯s head drooped down, completely becoming a pitiful little kitten. Even he may not have realized that because of these two bowls of noodles, his resistance to Jiang Li had lessened a lot. Not only did his wildly beating heart gradually calm down, but he also began, intentionally or not, to move closer to her. But then Jiang Li shifted her tone. ¡°If you still want to eat, come find me tomorrow morning at six, and I¡¯ll make it for you.¡± Jiang Shixu was stunned. He glanced at the clock on the wall, then looked towards the calm and serious Jiang Li, wanting to say something, but opened his mouth for a long time without making a sound. Jiang Li did not seem to be waiting for his reply; she yawned and turned to leave. Jiang Shixu panicked, set down the bowl, and reached forward to grab her clothes. Jiang Li turned around and met his frantic and helpless gaze. ¡°But, but,¡± Jiang Shixu finally managed to make some noise, ¡°but it¡¯s already two o¡¯clock, and if it¡¯s six tomorrow¡­¡± ¡°And then?¡± Jiang Li was still as calm as ever, ¡°Isn¡¯t getting up at six o¡¯clock quite normal?¡± After she finished speaking, she gently pulled back her clothing, waved her hand at him saying ¡°Goodnight, sweet dreams,¡± and vanished at the top of the stairs without looking back. Jiang Shixu didn¡¯t recover for a long time. Doesn¡¯t she know that I¡¯m sick? It¡¯s already two o¡¯clock, and there¡¯s no way I can fall asleep, nor could I get up at six in the morning. But he stood there waiting for half an hour, and that figure still didn¡¯t return. A stifled Jiang Shixu had no choice but to go back to his room and lie down on the large yet icy cold bed. Looking at the empty ceiling, he thought stubbornly¡ª I won¡¯t get up at six to eat her noodles! However, when the first rays of the morning sun slipped through the gaps in the curtains, Jiang Shixu woke up without any warning. Looking at the ceiling with mottled tree shadows, he felt a moment of disorientation. Did I¡­ fall asleep? I managed to sleep without relying on medication? Even more surprising to him was that he hadn¡¯t dreamed at all. Since he had become sick, he had been trapped nearly every night in the swamp of nightmares, unable to pull himself free. This must have been the most restful sleep he had had in years. There wasn¡¯t a trace of discomfort on his body, and even the headache had lessened quite a bit. Moreover, after eating two bowls of noodles last night, his stomach was warm and comfortable. The agony brought by anxiety and depression seemed to have melted away with the summer breeze into the fresh sunlight. So¡­ was it all because of her? Because her change had also brought a different dawn to him? Jiang Shixu blankly walked over to the window and drew back the curtain. Sure enough, Jiang Li was already in the backyard, dressed in sportswear and holding a long spear. Just like yesterday, her movements with the spear were brisk and smooth, resembling the brave warrior women who went to war in ancient times. Jiang Shixu watched seriously for a while before suddenly remembering something and abruptly closed the window, opened the door, and ran out. ¨C In the courtyard, Jiang Li¡¯s agile spear techniques attracted quite a few servants to stop and watch. In just a few days, they had completely changed their opinion about this young lady who used to be known only for her arrogance. After all, in the entire Capital, which family¡¯s young lady could get up at six in the morning to exercise? And to wield such a heavy spear so elegantly. Consequently, they too were eager to get up early, spirited to not be outdone by the young lady of the house. However, what surprised them even more was yet to come. The third young master of the Jiang Family, who had always secluded himself in his room and communicated with no one, unexpectedly made a rare appearance downstairs. The young man hurried past a host of surprised servants, with their eyes wide in amazement, and came to a stop in front of Jiang Li. ¡°That, that, I got, got up on time¡­¡± Jiang Shixu stammered. Whether it was from a good night¡¯s sleep or running too fast, his usually pale face was tinged with a flush of pink. Jiang Li stopped her spear practice and glanced at her watch, ¡°But you are half an hour late, so there are no eggs left.¡± Jiang Shixu: ! At this moment, Aunt Zhang cheerfully approached. ¡°Miss, young master, breakfast is ready. Please go eat.¡± It seemed only then did Jiang Shixu become aware of the people around him; his face turned pale instantly, and without thinking, he hid behind Jiang Li. Smelling the pleasant jasmine scent coming from her, his tense nerves finally relaxed a bit. Chapter 17 - Chapter 17: Chapter 17 Madam, the eldest young master has disappeared again Chapter 17: Chapter 17 Madam, the eldest young master has disappeared again Jiang Li glanced at Jiang Shixu, who stood anxiously behind him, then handed the Red tassel spear to a servant beside him. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go eat.¡± After saying that, she strode forward. Jiang Shixu wanted to grab her hand but stopped mid-air. Aunt Zhang was still waiting there, smiling as she looked at him, ¡°Young Master Jiang, aren¡¯t you coming to eat?¡± As several pairs of eyes stared at him from around, Jiang Shixu felt a sudden difficulty in breathing and instinctively wanted to flee. Flee to that room where he was alone, where there was no sound or color. However, a disembodied voice cut through these ¡°frightening¡± gazes and clearly entered his ears. ¡°Shixu, come here.¡± Passing through layers of barriers, he saw Jiang Li. The girl seemed to radiate a gentle glow all around her. Like his savior. He quickly ran to his savior¡¯s side. Jiang Li naturally took his hand and they walked down the path to the dining room. Jiang Shixu paused for a moment. He usually hated being touched by others, but now he didn¡¯t feel uncomfortable at all. On the contrary, the warmth from her palm felt incredibly comforting. It was like being tightly wrapped in the warm sun of spring. With his mind completely calmed, Jiang Shixu took a serious look at her for the first time. She was half a head shorter than him, from his perspective he could just see her serene and beautiful profile and her gently fluttering eyelashes. The gentleness in her eyes was unusual, yet it held a piercing power through people¡¯s hearts. Mysteriously attractive. Jiang Shixu slightly bowed his head, his gaze returned to their intertwined hands, feeling another surge of warmth in his heart. ¨C Inside the restaurant. Lin Manru was shocked and almost dropped her chopsticks when she saw her daughter walking in holding Jiang Shixu¡¯s hand. ¡°Shi, Shixu? How did you get up?¡± Hearing the question, Jiang Shixu became nervous again and retreated behind Jiang Li. Jiang Li did not force him to respond to Lin Manru, but gently explained for him. ¡°He was hungry, so I cooked him a bowl of noodles.¡± Lin Manru was still taken aback. The last time she had seen this child was probably six months ago. He had always been unwilling to interact with people, so why was he so different today? But it was a good change. He was willing to leave his room and eat; his condition must be improving. Should she share this good news with her siblings? Lin Manru was still pondering when Jiang Li had already brought out a steaming bowl of noodles. Jiang Shixu followed her like a little tail, sticking close behind her. Jiang Li seemed to understand that it would be hard for him to come out in just a moment, so she placed the noodles at the least conspicuous spot on the table. ¡°Eat it while it¡¯s hot.¡± Jiang Shixu¡¯s eyes flickered slightly, then he obediently nodded, picked up his chopsticks, and began to eat. The familiar and warm taste settled him completely, even allowing him to automatically ignore the people coming and going around him. Lin Manru, surprised yet feigning disappointment, sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve been a mother for over a decade and haven¡¯t yet tasted anything personally cooked by my daughter. Yet, our Shixu is the lucky one.¡± At those words, Jiang Shixu instantly became anxious and put down his chopsticks. Jiang Li glanced at him, ¡°Mother, don¡¯t scare him.¡± Lin Manru hastily corrected herself, ¡°Sorry, sorry, Shi Xu, Aunt didn¡¯t mean to do that, please continue eating.¡± Jiang Shixu then carefully picked up his chopsticks again. Midway through the meal, Lin Manru sighed anxiously again. ¡°I don¡¯t know how your brother is doing outside, whether he has been eating on time or not.¡± Jiang Li¡¯s eyelashes fluttered slightly, ¡°Hasn¡¯t Jiang Yan returned yet?¡± ¡°No,¡± Lin Manru said anxiously, ¡°Uncle Jiang told me this morning that he completely lost contact with him, that boy has started to disappear again.¡± ¡°Lili, do you think I should keep his bank card frozen to force him to come back?¡± ¡°No need,¡± Jiang Li responded. ¡°That would only treat the symptoms, not the root cause.¡± We need to find a way to make Jiang Yan completely settle down. In a corner, Jiang Shixu sat quietly, listening to their conversation. Upon hearing about Jiang Yan¡¯s ¡°glorious deeds,¡± the corners of his lips twitched slightly. It seemed he was the less troublesome one. He stayed at home every day, never running around. That being the case, Jiang Li should like him more. ¨C ¨C That night, Ocas Club. This was considered the largest and most luxurious entertainment venue in the capital, attracting many wealthy young men with its high-end facilities and services. The entire building was extremely luxurious, with bright lights and wine flowing like a river of gold. The VIP box on the top floor was even more extravagant. Beneath the dim lights, layers of illusions floated, and the noisy yet rhythmically rich music exhilarated the crowd. Those gambling and playing billiards were there, putting on a show of decadence to its fullest. Jiang Yan sat on a sofa in the middle, listening to the people around him chatting freely while gently swaying the glass of wine in his hand. His shirt collar was wide open, revealing a collarbone and muscular lines that were both sleek and highly explosive, with the wine-red fabric casting a crimson hue against his pale skin, adding an allure. A waitress dressed in a sexy bunny outfit came forward, eyebrow cocked, and bent down to light the cigarette held in his other hand. The blue-gray smoke slowly ascended, crossing the man¡¯s wristbones, and spreading across his wicked and bewitching face. Jiang Yan squinted his romantic eyes and after a thin smile, pulled the waitress into his arms. He took a light draw of the enchanting nicotine, then slowly exhaled a ring of smoke. A man in a suit nearby immediately joked, ¡°It¡¯s been three days, yet Young Master Jiang¡¯s interest is still so high. It seems you¡¯re quite happy about the marriage with the Qiao Family being called off.¡± ¡°Nonsense,¡± Jiang Yan flicked the cigarette ash away, a touch of rebelliousness in his brow, ¡°I certainly did not want to marry some unknown woman for no good reason.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± said the man in the suit, topping up his drink, ¡°How could the common and vulgar of the Qiao family be a match for Young Master Jiang? It should at least be someone of Su Yinwan¡¯s level.¡± Another person immediately gave him a glance. ¡°You really have no eye for people, Su Yinwan herself, always noble and virtuous, repeatedly refusing our Young Master Jiang, and then turning to follow that guy Shang Shaojing, how is she worthy?¡± A barely noticeable frown creased Jiang Yan¡¯s brow, his interest slightly faded. But the people around him, as if unobservant, continued to open up on this topic. Jiang Yan irritably clicked his tongue, raised his hand, and crushed the cigarette in the ashtray. The man in the suit finally closed his mouth, laughing as he draped an arm over Jiang Yan¡¯s shoulder, then waved in a group of glamorously dressed hostesses. ¡°Young Master Jiang, don¡¯t be mad. Since you¡¯re here, just enjoy. Come on, all of you come over here and keep Young Master Jiang company.¡± A dozen uniquely dressed women found seats. Someone in the crowd complained unhappily, ¡°Mr. Huo, can you manage it? Why do you always pick the same type of women? Those heavily made up, I¡¯m sick of seeing them.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± another voice immediately added, ¡°Can¡¯t you find some naturally beautiful ones?¡± ¡°Ah, speaking of youthful beauty, I just remembered someone,¡± Huo Ziyang burped drunkenly, his face flushed. ¡°Young Master Jiang¡¯s sister, quite naturally beautiful, you don¡¯t know, at his engagement party, that girl, tsk, incredible.¡± ¡°Huo Ziyang, aren¡¯t you too drunk? Young Master Jiang¡¯s sister? Jiang Li? That girl who always looks like a ghost is also considered naturally beautiful?¡± ¡°One of these days, let Young Master Jiang bring her out and you¡¯ll know. I saw with my own eyes that day; Jiang Li, that girl, is no worse than any woman here, and her figure¡­¡± Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: Chapter 18 Criminal Law stipulates that kidnappers will be imprisoned. Chapter 18: Chapter 18 Criminal Law stipulates that kidnappers will be imprisoned. In the corner, a girl in a black dress sat quietly, holding a glass of wine without saying a word. Her serene yet cold temperament, along with her exquisitely beautiful features that faintly shone under the light, gradually attracted quite a bit of attention. Finally, someone staggered over, wine glass and steps unsteady. ¡°Little sister, why are you sitting here alone? You should learn from your other sisters¡ªno company, no money, right?¡± The girl drooped her brows and eyes but did not move. The man grew annoyed and reached out his hand to pull her over. ¡°Why can¡¯t you hear when I¡¯m speaking to you? You come to a place like this and still pretend to be a chaste and virtuous woman?¡± ¡°Bang¡ª!!!¡± The loud noise not only interrupted the man¡¯s reaching arm but also made the girl retract her poised hand. At the other end of the private room, Huo Ziyang knelt on the ground, clutching his head in pain; his body and the floor were covered in shards of a splintered wine bottle. ¡°Ah¡ªfuck, Jiang Yan, have you lost your mind?! Are you trying to kill someone?!¡± Opposite him stood Jiang Yan, holding the neck of the bottle that had just the top left. The sullen look on his face was a clear declaration of his mood at that moment. The surrounding crowd woke up from their drunken stupor due to the commotion and stood frozen in place. Jiang Yan lifted his hand and tossed away the broken bottle, then took a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his fingertips. ¡°Heh, I smashed exactly who I intended to.¡± ¡°Even if my sister isn¡¯t the best, she¡¯s still my sister. Who are you to joke with her like that?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t keep your mouth clean, next time it won¡¯t just be your head that gets smashed.¡± Upon hearing this, the girl sitting in the corner slightly furrowed her brows. By then, the others had recovered their wits and quickly pulled Jiang Yan away. ¡°That¡¯s enough, Young Master Jiang, don¡¯t stoop to this guy¡¯s level. You¡¯ve smashed it already, just let him leave before something serious happens.¡± ¡°Scram!¡± Jiang Yan turned and roared at Huo Ziyang, whose forehead was still bleeding profusely, then looked at the people around him. ¡°You all scram, too!¡± The crowd knew they couldn¡¯t stay any longer and left, one after another in quick succession. The hostesses who had been accompanying the drinker also covered their mouths, wiping their eyes as they ran out. The only one who remained unmoved, sitting in the corner, was the girl in the black dress. Jiang Yan, whose anger had just subsided, felt it surge back instantly. ¡°Can¡¯t you understand human speech? Get the fuck out!¡± Only then did the girl in the black dress slowly lift her arm and bring the glass of wine, which had been sobering for quite some time, to her lips. After taking a small sip, she spoke softly, ¡°Jiang Yan, you should speak politely, especially to your own sister.¡± This time, it was Jiang Yan¡¯s turn to be stunned. In the instant he saw the girl¡¯s face clearly under the light, he sobered up. ¡°Jiang Li? What are you doing here?!¡± If it wasn¡¯t for his sister, who was a wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing, who else could it be with that calm, cool, and noble demeanor? ¡°Fuck!¡± Jiang Yan, realizing the situation, snatched the wine from her hand, ¡°How do you always find me?¡± ¡°The last time at the hotel was one thing, but don¡¯t you know what kind of place this is? Should you even be here?¡± ¡°And drinking wine? You¡¯re quite bold, aren¡¯t you?¡± Jiang Li smoothly straightened the wrinkles in her dress and lifted her eyelids slightly to look at him. ¡°Firstly, finding you is easy, just a pinch of the fingers is enough.¡± ¡°Second, everyone can come to this place, so why can¡¯t I?¡± ¡°Third, Hua Country stipulates that minors are not allowed to drink, and I am already of age.¡± Her logical and well-grounded response made Jiang Yan even more dumbfounded. Unable to find words to retort, he could only toss aside the wine glass and lift her up from her seat. ¡°I don¡¯t care about your reasoning; I¡¯m your brother, and you should listen to me. Hurry home, what is a young lady like you doing running to a place like this in the middle of the night?!¡± Jiang Li knitted her brows, just about to speak up, when the door of the private room was suddenly kicked open. Both of them looked toward the door and saw a group of men in black surge in, followed by a man in a dark gray suit appearing last. The man had a good figure: broad shoulders, narrow waist, the suit fitting him immaculately, austere yet edged with sharpness. His features were deep-set and rugged, his long eyes exuding a chill, every frown and every expression startling. Jiang Li recognized at a glance that a person with such looks generally possessed great ambition and desire. In this face, power, prestige, and money were all magnified, and yet contradictorily intertwined. In short, this was an obsessive and autocratic man. And this man was the male protagonist of the book, Shang Shaojing. The atmosphere in the room instantly dropped to freezing point with his arrival. Jiang Yan composed himself, instinctively stepping in front of Jiang Li. ¡°Hey, Mr. Shang, don¡¯t you have any manners? Don¡¯t you know to knock before entering? Or do you only have legs and no hands?¡± Shang Shaojing stopped in front of him, his sharp gaze locking on. When their eyes met, an invisible clash seemed to collide in the air. ¡°I¡¯ll make it quick,¡± said Shang Shaojing, his gaze sweeping over the two in front of him, ¡°Hand over Yinwan, and you can leave.¡± Jiang Yan laughed in disbelief, his hands gripping his slender yet explosive waist. ¡°Shang Shaojing, have you been watching too many TV dramas? I want to ask you where you¡¯ve hidden Su Yinwan!¡± ¡°It seems that Young Master Jiang does not plan to confess truthfully,¡± Shang Shaojing withdrew his gaze and sat down by the sofa, ¡°But that¡¯s alright. I have plenty of time, and Young Master Jiang, you¡¯ve been waiting for me, haven¡¯t you?¡± There was no way for Jiang Yan to refute that. The guy spent all day locked up in his office building, never stepping outside. To meet him, one had to use such methods to lure him out. But Jiang Yan did not take the bait and instead spat out again. ¡°Confess my ass, you give me an honest account, did you trick Su Yinwan to some place and lock her up?¡± Jiang Li behind him furrowed her brows. Jiang Yan was rude and uncultured. Shang Shaojing was even more so. But through their conversation, she had also gleaned some information. The plot had completely deviated from its course due to her awakening. Yet, if Su Yinwan wasn¡¯t kidnapped by her, why hadn¡¯t she appeared until now? Seeing the atmosphere between the two men grow even more tense, and that they might come to blows any second, Jiang Li stepped out from behind Jiang Yan, standing between the two men. ¡°I have a way to find Su Yinwan.¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to go home? What are you joining the commotion for? Leave now!¡± Shang Shaojing let out a cold laugh, ¡°So Miss Jiang finally admits that it was you who kidnapped Yinwan?¡± Jiang Li met his questioning gaze, her expression unchanged, even more composed. ¡°I have not kidnapped anyone, nor would I ever do so.¡± ¡°According to Article 239 of the ¡®Criminal Law¡¯, those who kidnap others for any purpose or take them as hostages will be sentenced to no less than ten years of fixed-term imprisonment or life imprisonment and may also be fined or have property confiscated. I have no reason to joke with the rest of my life.¡± ¡°Moreover, I wouldn¡¯t be so foolish as to kidnap someone and then show up to blow my cover.¡± Chapter 19 - Chapter 19: Chapter 19 I dare you to touch her! Chapter 19: Chapter 19 I dare you to touch her! Jiang Yan was dumbfounded. ¡°Not Jiang Li! What are you blabbering about? What criminal law is this or that, this was originally none of your business, why are you meddling unnecessarily?¡± In his memory, Jiang Li had always been just a ¡°half-bottle swaying¡± underachiever. In high school, she got into the international class by throwing money around, and in college, again by using money, she had smashed her way into a joint-venture sham university. So he was convinced that this so-called criminal law must be something she had fabricated. However, Jiang Li turned her head back with a strange look in her eyes. ¡°Jiang Yan, don¡¯t you read books?¡± Jiang Yan was again subjected to her sarcastic tone: ¡°¡­.¡± Mr. Shang Shaojing¡¯s face darkened on the couch. ¡°Do you think I would believe you?¡± Although this Jiang Li indeed seemed different from the one in his memory, the leopard cannot change its spots. How could a woman covered in notorious deeds possibly have changed completely in such a short period of time? Jiang Li spoke unhurriedly, ¡°Then let¡¯s call the police.¡± Jiang Yan was confused: ? Shang Shaojing also raised his head in surprise, ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°Since you¡¯re so adamant that I kidnapped someone, I only can use legal means to prove my innocence,¡± Jiang Li said. ¡°You can¡¯t tolerate a speck of dust in your eye, and similarly, I don¡¯t like being wrongfully accused.¡± ¡°No,¡± Jiang Yan was bewildered, ¡°Jiang Li, are you serious?¡± How had someone who used to avoid the police like the plague turned into a law-abiding citizen? If the police came, this matter wouldn¡¯t be resolved for maybe ten days or half a month. He definitely didn¡¯t want to needlessly go to the station and be interrogated as a criminal. Clearly, neither did Shang Shaojing. After furrowing his brow, he uncrossed his legs and stood up. ¡°I¡¯ll trust you for now, tell me, where is Su Yinwan?¡± At worst, once he met her, he would settle accounts with the Jiang siblings. However, Jiang Li opened her mobile phone and flashed her payment code in front of him. ¡°Pay the money, then I¡¯ll tell you where Su Yinwan is.¡± Jiang Yan: ??? He grabbed her and pulled her over. ¡°Not Jiang Li, why are you asking for money now? Didn¡¯t you say you didn¡¯t kidnap anyone?¡± Mr. Shang Shaojing¡¯s expression visibly worsened. Jiang Li explained earnestly and seriously: ¡°Fortune-telling is originally a process of exchanging fates between two individuals, I charged the fortune-telling fee, then it¡¯s only right to tell Mr. Shang Miss Su¡¯s location, isn¡¯t this how everyone does it? It¡¯s just that my predictions are more accurate, naturally, I demand more money.¡± ¡°Two hundred thousand, not a penny more, not a penny less.¡± ¡°What are you babbling about?¡± Jiang Yan grew even more doubtful of what he had heard, but then it seemed like he had an insight, ¡°Holy shit, don¡¯t tell me every time you were able to find me because you predicted my location?¡± As he spoke, Jiang Yan felt crazy himself. But indeed, that was the case. Otherwise, how else to explain that the Jiang family had no idea about his whereabouts, yet every time, Jiang Li could accurately and timely appear before him? Jiang Li nodded her head, ¡°What else?¡± Then she looked towards Shang Shaojing. ¡°If no deal, I¡¯m leaving; it¡¯s almost eleven, I need to go back and rest.¡± Shang Shaojing¡¯s expression was somewhat complicated. After pondering for a few seconds, he gave a look to his assistant. He really wanted to see what in the world Jiang Li was up to? Under Shang Shaojing¡¯s indication, the assistant stepped forward and transferred two hundred thousand to Jiang Li. The moment the money arrived, Jiang Li put away her phone and nodded slightly towards the people. ¡°Please give me Miss Su¡¯s birthdate.¡± Mr. Shang was running out of patience, ¡°What trick are you playing now?¡± However, Jiang Yan, standing by with his eyes closed, recited Su Yinwan¡¯s birth date and even the time, then provocatively looked at Mr. Shang afterward. ¡°Don¡¯t you even know that fortune-telling requires the Four Pillars of Destiny?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a shame you claim to like Yinwan, yet you can¡¯t even recite her birth time immediately. How do you have the nerve to claim you like her?¡± Mr. Shang was furious. Jiang Li was speechless. She probably knew why in the book Jiang Yan couldn¡¯t beat Mr. Shang and ended up with that outcome. It was all caused by this mouth. ¡°Alright, enough, both of you stop talking.¡± Jiang Li stopped the confrontation between the two, her commanding presence instantly spreading around. Jiang Yan subconsciously clammed up, and Mr. Shang, after frowning, stopped talking as well. The two of them left Ocas in silence. ¨C ¨C Rongguang Leisure Club. Having lost all night at golf, Xiang Hao, with a face full of gloom, threw away his club. ¡°I¡¯m done, going to sleep.¡± Surprised, a friend exclaimed, ¡°It¡¯s not even eleven, and Mr. Xiang is already bowing out?¡± Xiang Hao snorted, ¡°I¡¯m just practicing getting up early, you know nothing.¡± Ever since Sister Li had tapped on his shoulder at the internet cafe and spoken those heartfelt words, he had an insight that changed him. Instead of spending every day aimlessly seeking fun at various vocal venues and returning home feeling empty, it was better to find something meaningful to do. His recent changes had even amazed his parents; not only did they care more about him, but the family atmosphere had also significantly improved. Especially after he had helped Sister Li catch Qin Xiaoxiao who wanted to blackmail her and got praised by the police, his sense of honor and pride motivated him even further. And all these were things neither games nor alcohol could provide. Just as he was about to pack up and leave, a young underling rushed in, all flustered. ¡°Bro, Bro, there¡¯s a suspicious woman who¡¯s been around our club all day; I think she stole something!¡± Xiang Hao took the cigarette from his mouth and threw it on the ground. ¡°F**k, daring to steal on my turf? Is she looking for death? Let¡¯s go catch her!¡± But just after his fierce declaration, Jiang Li¡¯s voice echoed in his ears. ¡°¡­.. strive to be a well-mannered, law-abiding person who can contribute to the country¡­..¡± Thinking it over, Xiang Hao picked up the cigarette butt from the ground and threw it in the trash can, then patted his underling on the shoulder. ¡°Like this, you go call the police first, and I¡¯ll check if there really is a thief.¡± The underling: ? Where was the usual Brother Xiang, who was ready to arm up at the slightest whisper? In the club¡¯s back alley, Xiang Hao successfully cornered the sneaky figure with a few men. Hoisting the golf club onto his shoulder, he tried to look fierce and said, ¡°Hey, the person inside, come out and surrender if you¡¯re smart, otherwise, I¡­¡± ¡°What, what are you going to do?¡± Before Xiang Hao could finish, a woman¡¯s voice came from inside. Soft and timid, with a hint of fear. Xiang Hao paused, then sneered outright. Shivering like that, what else could it be if not guilt? ¡°Brothers, go in and drag this bad woman out!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll see who dares touch her.¡± Another chilling male voice suddenly sounded behind them. Chapter 20 - Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Miss Su, your defense is somewhat clumsy Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Miss Su, your defense is somewhat clumsy Several people turned their heads upon hearing the sound and saw three extraordinary-looking individuals with equally extraordinary demeanors stepping out from two cars. Leading them was Jiang Li. She was clad in a long black dress, and the dull color did not hide her beautifully chiseled features; instead, it made her appear even more as if her skin were white as snow, detached and otherworldly. Her similarly glossy black hair draped over her shoulders like seaweed, and her almond eyes shone with an incomparable beauty, as if sparkling with a light that pierced through hearts, while also being overwhelmingly oppressive, making people fear her at a glance. They even automatically overlooked the two men standing behind her. Everyone displayed expressions of admiration, especially Xiang Hao, but soon this emotion was replaced by surprise. ¡°Li, Sister Li? How come you are here?¡± Upon hearing this, Shang Shaojing coldly scoffed, ¡°Jiang Li, how will you explain now? You kept saying that Yinwan¡¯s disappearance had nothing to do with you, so why did your people capture her?!¡± Having said that, he walked directly toward the group, his strides brisk, clearly showing his disturbed mood. Xiang Hao hadn¡¯t planned to move aside, as he hadn¡¯t figured out the situation yet, but when he looked up, he caught Jiang Li¡¯s indifferent gaze. Somehow, he suddenly thought that everything was under Sister Li¡¯s control, so he immediately stepped aside. Shang Shaojing brushed past him, walked into the alley, and grabbed the arm of a woman who was cowering in the corner. ¡°Yinwan, are you all right?¡± Hearing this name, Xiang Hao¡¯s eyes widened in shock. What? Was the woman inside actually Su Yinwan?! Su Yinwan instinctively lunged into Shang Shaojing¡¯s arms. ¡°Mr. Shang, it¡¯s great you¡¯re here, I was so scared, I was almost taken away by them.¡± The woman choked up a little, her doe eyes brimming with moisture, making her look especially pitiful. Whether it was from the excessive tiredness of the past few days or the fear she had experienced, the woman¡¯s face looked much haggard, but she remained beautiful. Like a camellia touched with morning dew, pure and captivating. Shang Shaojing took off his jacket and draped it over her trembling shoulders, ¡°It¡¯s okay, don¡¯t be afraid, I¡¯m here.¡± He then led her out. At the sight of the person, Jiang Li flinched. While searching for Su Yinwan, she had also seen her Life Plate, which was indeed flawlessly impeccable, a fitting heroine protected by the plot. But when she saw the person herself, she noticed a trajectory that diverged from the Life Plate. Normally, this situation shouldn¡¯t arise. Jiang Li lowered her gaze, deeply pondering the Mystical Skill her master had taught her, while Jiang Yan had already dashed forward, grabbing Su Yinwan¡¯s other arm. ¡°Yinwan, you really are here? Are you okay?¡± Shang Shaojing shielded the woman behind him with a cool demeanor. ¡°Jiang Yan, cut your pretense. Your dear sister is about to kidnap Yinwan, and you still want to keep up this act?¡± Jiang Yan was also confused. Although Jiang Li had indeed led them to find the person, they had also clearly heard Xiang Hao planning to take Su Yinwan away. And who present didn¡¯t know that Xiang Hao always followed Jiang Li¡¯s lead? So, he turned and questioned Jiang Li. ¡°Yes, what exactly is going on?¡± Su Yinwan struggled free from Shang Shaojing¡¯s restraint and hastily stood in front of them, timidly saying, ¡°You, don¡¯t rush, there must be some misunderstanding, I believe Miss Jiang is not that kind of person¡­.¡± Shang Shaojing¡¯s face became even darker, ¡°Yinwan, have you not learned your lesson after being bullied by her so many times?¡± ¡°But¡­.¡± ¡°I said,¡± Jiang Li slowly spoke, ¡°didn¡¯t you want me to explain? Why then don¡¯t you give me a chance to speak?¡± Shang Shaojing narrowed his long eyes, ¡°Fine, let¡¯s hear what kind of sophistry you can come up with.¡± Jiang Li ignored him and walked towards Xiang Hao. ¡°You tell me, why did you bring people to surround Miss Su?¡± Xiang Hao raised both hands in haste, ¡°Sister Li, you must believe me, I am innocent. It was this Su Yinwan who had been sneaking around our club all day long. We were afraid she stole something so we surrounded her to check.¡± Su Yinwan¡¯s face turned pale instantly, ¡°I, I didn¡¯t steal anything. I don¡¯t even have a bag on me.¡± Now it was Xiang Hao¡¯s turn to become annoyed, ¡°Then what are you lingering around here for? Trying to cause trouble? You¡ª¡± Just as he was becoming agitated, Jiang Li put her hand on his shoulder. Xiang Hao immediately quieted down and automatically retreated behind Jiang Li. Jiang Li looked towards Shang Shaojing. ¡°Mr. Shang heard it, Xiang Hao did not bully Miss Su, it was merely from the perspective of protecting personal property that he wanted to check.¡± Shang Shaojing did not believe it at all. ¡°Suspecting Yinwan of stealing? Your act of collusion is quite well played.¡± ¡°I really didn¡¯t steal anything.¡± Su Yinwan stepped forward again to explain, ¡°I, I came to look for Miss Jiang.¡± Jiang Li¡¯s expression remained unchanged, the hint of a faint smile playing at the edge of her lips, ¡°Miss Su looking for me?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Su Yinwan bit her lip, ¡°I had a misunderstanding with Miss Jiang before and wanted to clear it up.¡± ¡°I guessed that you and Young Master Xiang are on good terms, so I thought you would be together, and I came looking. I didn¡¯t expect to have my bag stolen and lose my phone on the way, and I got lost around here. I was hesitating about asking for help when you, you appeared¡­¡± Shang Shaojing furrowed his brows and grabbed her wrist again, ¡°If so, why then have you disappeared for so many days? Is Jiang Li coercing you to say these things to help her escape the blame?¡± ¡°I, I¡­..¡± Su Yinwan¡¯s eyes widened, and she couldn¡¯t utter a word, then she forcefully pushed him away. ¡°Mr. Shang, we do not have an intimate relationship, please don¡¯t do this. Miss Jiang is the one who deeply cares about you.¡± Saying this, Su Yinwan earnestly looked towards Jiang Li, ¡°Miss Jiang, I came to you also for this reason. I know you like Shaojing, you two are made for each other. I am just a passerby; you need not trouble yourself with me, I can withdraw voluntarily.¡± ¡°Yinwan, what are you talking about?¡± Shang Shaojing became anxious, turning his glare towards Jiang Li, ¡°And you still claim you haven¡¯t schemed against Yinwan?!¡± At this moment, Jiang Li was helpless yet speechless. Indeed, it still came round to the plot point of her liking Shang Shaojing. With a soft sigh, she lifted her eyelids, looking indifferently towards Su Yinwan. ¡°Miss Su, your statement is full of holes and rather poorly constructed.¡± ¡°First of all, since you lost your phone and bag, why did you not seek help immediately? Although West City is remote, it is not completely deserted, and you are a public figure. Seeking help should be easy.¡± ¡°Secondly, you keep saying you wanted to find me; why not contact me directly for a discussion or send an invitation instead of choosing to come to such a dubious place?¡± ¡°Lastly,¡± she looked towards Shang Shaojing, her indifferent gaze intensifying, ¡°I am not fond of Mr. Shang, nor am I interested in his sort. Miss Su, please clarify the situation and do not slander me unnecessarily.¡± Chapter 21 - Chapter 21: Chapter 21 Uncle Policeman, They Are the Ones Causing Trouble! Chapter 21: Chapter 21 Uncle Policeman, They Are the Ones Causing Trouble! Jiang Li¡¯s clear and logical explanation had everyone stunned in place. Jiang Yan had wanted to defend Su Yinwan since his sister¡¯s temper in the past likely meant she would have picked on Su Yinwan. But with her saying this, he started to sense that something was off. Indeed, Su Yinwan was a somewhat famous star, wouldn¡¯t it be too low for her to stoop to such levels? What were her manager and assistant even doing? Su Yinwan¡¯s complexion stiffened instantly. She had never expected that the domineering Eldest Miss Jiang of the past could exhibit such a calm and rational side. ¡°I, I didn¡¯t,¡± Su Yinwan said anxiously, her eyes quickly reddening, ¡°I don¡¯t know how things turned out this way¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re not wrong,¡± Shang Shaojing declared as he shielded her with his body, his eyes fierce, ¡°There¡¯s no need to explain to them, they have ill intentions.¡± He then looked towards his assistant. ¡°None of these people here today should get away.¡± ¡°Stand still and don¡¯t move, what are you doing gathering here and causing a commotion?!¡± A sharp rebuke froze everyone in place. Shang Shaojing¡¯s gaze deepened a bit more, and he looked up to see a police car approaching, from which four or five policemen jumped out. The quick-thinking Xiang Hao immediately shouted out. ¡°Police uncle, it¡¯s him, they¡¯re causing trouble and even want to use underworld violence on us!¡± After speaking, he lowered his voice and turned to Jiang Li, ¡°Sister Li, the police were called by me, isn¡¯t it said that when encountering problems, we should turn to the police first, to be a law-abiding citizen?¡± Jiang Li gave him an approving look, ¡°Well done.¡± Xiang Hao¡¯s tail immediately shot up. So happy, he was praised by Sister Li again. Jiang Yan immediately darkened his face, pulling him aside. ¡°What are you doing? Men and women shouldn¡¯t touch, keep your distance from my sister!¡± One of the policemen approached with paper and pen, ¡°Who called Xiang Hao?¡± Xiang Hao immediately raised his hand, ¡°Me me me.¡± ¡°You called the police, right?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Xiang Hao glanced at Jiang Li, receiving her tacit approval, began to recount the events of the evening. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying you initially suspected Miss Su of theft, but not only did she not admit it, she even slandered you by alleging you had ulterior motives, right?¡± inquired the policeman after getting the details. ¡°Yes, yes, yes,¡± Xiang Hao nodded energetically, ¡°You must believe us, police uncle, if I truly had ill intentions, why would I call the police beforehand?¡± ¡°That makes sense,¡± the policeman agreed. But when he looked back at Shang Shaojing and Su Yinwan, he became confused. He recognized Shang Shaojing as a well-known entrepreneur and investor in the city, young and promising. Su Yinwan was also a public figure with some popularity. One accused of theft, the other of underworld practices. That couldn¡¯t be right. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the policeman straightened his hat, ¡°In that case, all of you should come with me to the police station and we can clarify things, alright?¡± Jiang Li was the first to nod in agreement. ¡°Alright, police comrade, I¡¯m willing to cooperate.¡± However, before she could turn around and step into the police car, Su Yinwan shouted from behind: ¡°No!¡± When everyone¡¯s eyes turned to her, she mustered a smile and said, ¡°Police comrade, as you know, my profession is quite special, if I go to the police station, it might impact my reputation.¡± At last, Jiang Li ceased his movements and turned around, giving a slight smile to the group, ¡°According to Miss Su¡¯s reasoning, should we indeed be slandered and have our reputations affected?¡± Miss Su tentatively parted her lips, ¡°No, that is certainly not what I mean¡­¡± ¡°Then since that is not your intent, please provide us with a proper explanation. Once you apologize, we naturally will reconcile.¡± Shang Shaojing grimly held onto Su Yinwan, ¡°Yinwan, there¡¯s no need to apologize to them. Going to the police station is fine¡ªit might even help you get justice.¡± Su Yinwan panicked a bit. She knew she hadn¡¯t done anything, and the others hadn¡¯t either. Even if they went to the police station, the ultimate outcome would just be mutual reconciliation. But the implications could be different. As an artist, if someone with an agenda were to spread this online, she wouldn¡¯t be able to clear her name even if she had ten mouths to argue with. But to apologize to Jiang Li¡­ Su Yinwan gazed deeply at the girl in the black dress, her eyes momentarily turmoil before she took a deep breath and said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Miss Jiang, I was presumptuous. Please forgive me.¡± ¡°And what about Xiang Hao?¡± Jiang Li¡¯s eyes remained indifferent. ¡°From the beginning, you never defended him, yet remained ambiguous, leading everyone to believe he had ill intentions toward you. He is the one you should truly be apologizing to tonight.¡± Shang Shaojing¡¯s face darkened with anger, ¡°Jiang Li, don¡¯t go too far!¡± Su Yinwan also bit her lip, clearly reluctant to bow down to someone who was typically carefree and frivolous. Nearby, Jiang Yan seemed as if he had words on the tip of his tongue but thought better of it. He wanted to speak on behalf of Su Yinwan, as she was the girl he had fallen in love with at first sight¡ªshe had always been gentle yet strong, struggling alone in the entertainment industry and had only just made a significant achievement. Having her, a superstar, apologize to someone else was undoubtedly losing face. Yet Jiang Li did have a point. After all, everyone had been running around all night to ensure her safety. After thinking it over, Jiang Yan swallowed the words he intended to defend her with. He was sure that if he had spoken out tonight, Jiang Li would have returned and torn him to pieces. Thinking back to that day in the hotel when his arm was nearly broken, Jiang Yan shuddered. Seeing that Su Yinwan was unwilling to speak, Jiang Li eventually grew tired of arguing and climbed straight into the police car. Su Yinwan did not expect her to be so decisive and hastily paled before calling out, ¡°Wait, Miss Jiang, I will apologize.¡± After saying this, she turned to Xiang Hao, bent over, and respectfully said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Xiang Hao straightened up immediately. What had he done to deserve an apology from Su the Superstar, who always held herself so aloof? And it was all thanks to Sister Li! Thus, he looked towards Jiang Li with particular pride, ¡°Sister Li, I¡¯ll listen to you.¡± Jiang Li stepped out of the car again, ¡°I am not someone who reneges on her word. Since Miss Su has sincerely apologized, let us leave the matter there.¡± Then she turned to the police, ¡°Sorry for making you come all this way.¡± The police officer, who had a favorable impression of this girl who had been calm, polite, and rational throughout the ordeal, quickly waved his hand, ¡°It¡¯s no trouble at all; it¡¯s part of the job. It¡¯s good that you¡¯re willing to reconcile; it also eases our work.¡± ¡°Thank you, Miss Jiang. Goodbye.¡± The police car drove away with its sirens blaring, and Jiang Li did not give another glance to Su Yinwan and Shang Shaojing, but instead, got into Jiang Yan¡¯s car. Xiang Hao courteously saw them off, then turned back to the two people still standing under the streetlamp and arrogantly jerked his chin upwards. Shang Shaojing¡¯s eyes darkened, and he clasped Su Yinwan¡¯s shoulder firmly. ¡°Yinwan, don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t let you suffer in vain.¡± Chapter 22 - Chapter 22: Chapter 22 Number 7203 Chapter 22: Chapter 22 Number 7203 Hearing this, Su Yinwan looked at Shang Shaojing with a face full of emotion. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Shang, but it¡¯s not necessary; I haven¡¯t been wronged.¡± After she spoke, she lowered her gaze, a faint glimmer of darkness passing through the depths of her eyes. Is this really what it¡¯s like to have the protagonist¡¯s halo? The feeling of being protected unconditionally by the male lead was truly unlike the bitterness of being a supporting female character. She was no longer the real Su Yinwan; instead, she was a host dispatched by the Time-Space Administration to this crumbling novel world to carry out a mission. She had no name, only a cold string of numbers¡ª7203¡ªrepresenting her status within the entire Time-Space Administration through her points. Due to her low status, in the past, every role she undertook was that of a tormented supporting female character within these minor worlds. But hard work pays off, and after two hundred years of diligent labor, she finally accrued enough points to redeem the role of a protagonist for the first time in her life. But this mission was quite out of the ordinary. Because this novel world was falling apart. Due to forces beyond control, the characters in the book began to awaken one by one, gaining the ability to act independently of the plot. And as a member of the Time-Space Administration, she absolutely could not tolerate this situation continuing to unravel. Looking towards the departing black Cayenne, the color in Su Yinwan¡¯s eyes deepened, and she murmured in a voice that others couldn¡¯t hear, conversing with the system: ¡°001, are you certain that Jiang Li is the character most severely affected by the collapse?¡± [I am certain, Host.]The mechanical voice replied, [Therefore, you must stop the world from continuing to collapse at all costs. Upon completing the mission, you will receive a large amount of points and will have the right to select from among the management.] Su Yinwan was quite tempted. But clearly, from the situation tonight, this task was not simple. When she had arrived in this world, it had already begun to collapse; the current plot should have been her getting kidnapped by Jiang Li, only to be rescued in time by the male lead Shang Shaojing. This event was the key to triggering Jiang Li¡¯s character¡¯s downfall, but despite deliberately disappearing for several days, she had yet to wait for someone to come and kidnap her. The Jiang Family had even successfully annulled the engagement with the Qiao Family. Fearing that the plot would collapse further, she decided to take the initiative immediately, drawing the attention of Jiang Li¡¯s top follower, Xiang Hao, provoking him to kidnap her to complete this part of the story. But it still failed. Even Xiang Hao was beginning to fall apart. She must think of another way to make Jiang Li and the entire Jiang Family stick to the original script. ¨C Inside the sedan, Jiang Yan looked at Jiang Li seated in the passenger seat, his expression complicated once more. Because at that moment, Jiang Li was engrossed in a thick ¡°Civil Code.¡± It was then that he realized the criminal law she blurted out at the bar wasn¡¯t made up on the spot. But when had Jiang Li become so ambitious? Reading a book even while in a car? Jiang Li turned a page, her gaze not shifting in the slightest, though her lips moved slightly. ¡°If you don¡¯t focus on driving, I might just report you to the traffic police.¡± Her cold, unfeeling words forced Jiang Yan to focus on the road ahead. ¡°Damn it, would you really put righteousness before family?¡± ¡°Under the law, everyone is equal,¡± Jiang Li said calmly. The Daqi Dynasty that she previously lived in was a nation that valued its laws; even the poorest households would have a copy of the ¡°Daqi Laws.¡± After being influenced by this spirit for over a decade, once she returned to the modern era, she naturally continued to follow it. Furthermore, the legal system of Hua Country was even more comprehensive and advanced, and the various moral rules embedded in it could help her better understand and integrate into this era that felt somewhat foreign to her. Jiang Li¡¯s righteousness temporarily shut Jiang Yan up, but after a few minutes, he couldn¡¯t stand the silence and spoke again. ¡°So, what you just said back there, was it all true?¡± ¡°What¡¯s all true?¡± ¡°Really?¡± Jiang Yan bit down on her teeth, ¡°Are you saying you¡¯re really not interested in Shang Shaojing?¡± ¡°What else?¡± Jiang Li answered indifferently. And her casual attitude further confirmed her lack of interest in Shang Shaojing. Jiang Yan had completely changed his opinion about Jiang Li. ¡°Damn¡ªJiang Li, have you really moved on? Then why were you so crazy about that Mr. Shang in the past? It was as if you wanted to drag him straight to the civil affairs office to get a marriage certificate.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Jiang Li flipped another page of her book, ¡°Just pretend I had water in my brain.¡± Jiang Yan: ??? Cursing herself? There was no need to be so harsh. While they were talking, Jiang Li¡¯s phone rang. She closed her book and slowly took out her phone to her ear. But after dozens of seconds, there was no sound from the other end. Jiang Li frowned, looked at the screen to confirm the call was connected, and curiously said ¡°Hello?¡± Finally, there was a sound from the receiver, a faint male voice. ¡°When, when are you coming back?¡± She paused for a moment, recognized the voice, and emotionlessly opened the book again on her lap. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m hungry.¡± The faint voice explained, ¡°I can¡¯t eat anything the auntie made at home, so can you, can you¡­¡± ¡°Mhm, I know, wait for me to come back.¡± Hearing Jiang Li¡¯s voice, which was so different from the tone she had used in response to him, Jiang Yan started to tease her with sly looks and sarcasm. ¡°Ha, I was wondering why you lost interest in Shang Shaojing, turns out you¡¯ve got a new target. Tell me, who is it this time? Surely you¡¯re not going to shamelessly cling to someone at every opportunity again, right?¡± Jiang Li turned off her phone and looked at him with a gaze full of indifference. ¡°What are you talking about? That¡¯s your brother.¡± Jiang Yan: ? ¡°Brother?¡± His tone suddenly rose several decibels, and after much contemplation, he extracted a piece of memory, ¡°Are you talking about Jiang Cheng? Why would he call you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s Jiang Shixu.¡± ¡°What???¡± Those few words made Jiang Yan even more shocked, to the point that he eased off the gas pedal. Jiang Shixu? That kid who always stayed locked in his room, never stepping out the front or back door, to the point where you wouldn¡¯t even know if he was dead or alive? How could that be possible? ¡°What joke are you making?¡± Jiang Yan said, ¡°That kid buries his head at the sight of anyone, how could he possibly call you?¡± Jiang Li spoke softly: ¡°Isn¡¯t that your problem? Instead of blaming others, you should examine yourself more.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­..¡± He should¡¯ve shut up earlier! ¨C By the time she returned to the Jiang Family¡¯s home, it was already midnight. The whole villa was quiet, without a sound. However, just as Jiang Yan turned on the living room light, he saw a thin figure on the sofa. Startled, he yelled out loud, then frowned in displeasure. ¡°Fuck, who¡¯s there? Sitting motionless in the dark in the middle of the night, not even turning on a light, you almost scared me to death!¡± The figure moved, quickly shrank back, stood up, lowered his head to apologize, and then swiftly ran upstairs. Seeing this, Jiang Li, with an icy expression, kicked Jiang Yan¡¯s shin. ¡°Why are you yelling so loudly? You scared Shixu away.¡± Chapter 23 - Chapter 23: Chapter 23 Became Trending for Being Scolded Chapter 23: Chapter 23 Became Trending for Being Scolded Although Jiang Li exerted very little strength, Jiang Yan instantly felt as if his entire shinbone had split apart. The pain twisted his face grotesquely as he dove headfirst into the sofa. ¡°Damn, Jiang Li, are you the spawn of a donkey?! My leg is gonna break!¡± Jiang Li passed by him expressionlessly and headed straight into the kitchen. Half an hour later, she came out carrying a bowl of noodles. The scent made Jiang Yan flip over and sit up from the sofa. ¡°What smells so good?¡± When he realized that the source was the noodles in Jiang Li¡¯s hands, his eyes widened in astonishment. ¡°You can actually cook?!¡± What shocked him even more was that she had cooked the dish even better than their family¡¯s maid. Jiang Li glanced at him, ¡°Is being able to cook such a novelty? Isn¡¯t it just following a recipe?¡± Jiang Yan: ? Who reads recipes like they¡¯re books! But the perfectly seasoned plain noodles still triggered the craving in his stomach. After all, he had been bustling around all night, and with nothing in his stomach but alcohol, he was starving. However, Jiang Li turned away coldly and headed for the stairs. ¡°There¡¯s only one bowl, and it¡¯s for Shi Xu. If you want some, make it yourself.¡± Jiang Yan: ? He gets nothing as her actual brother, yet that kid who doesn¡¯t even speak gets to taste the noodles made by his sister? Why? Jiang Li carried the bowl up to the fifth floor. As she reached Jiang Shixu¡¯s room, she raised her hand and gently knocked on the door. By the time Jiang Shixu came out, there was only a bowl of noodles left at the door. Looking at the steaming noodles, he was stunned. So she walked away on purpose, fearing he would be scared? But. He wasn¡¯t afraid of her at all. ¨C The next day, Jiang Li awoke early as usual and was about to head out when she caught sight of a piece of drawing paper on the floor. She picked it up, flipped it over, and saw the sketch on the back. ¡ªIt was a lifelike drawing of her practicing with the spear, drawn with such care that it reflected the artist¡¯s dedication. In the bottom right corner of the paper were two words penciled in: Thank you. Jiang Li pursed her lips. It appeared not all of the Jiang family were cold and indifferent. Could this also mean that her efforts were worthwhile? But after just a couple of days of peace, Jiang Yan began to make excuses to go out and gallivant, disappearing for days on end. Jiang Li wasn¡¯t in a rush, though. She went about her routine of early to bed, early to rise and spent time reading in the study, occasionally cooking for Jiang Shixu. His condition had improved considerably; his routine had become regular, and he even began to draw closer to her. But Jiang Li knew this wasn¡¯t a long-term solution. She couldn¡¯t possibly stay at home 24 hours a day, and dealing with Jiang Yan was an even bigger headache. If she let him continue his reckless ways outside and the bond with the female protagonist strengthened, the tragedy might well unfold in another form. Furthermore, she still hadn¡¯t figured out why Su Yinwan¡¯s life pattern had split. However, just as she buried herself in the study, pouring over mysticism books bought from the market, Jiang Yan made a call to her. His voice sounded somewhat anxious and annoyed on the other end. ¡°Jiang Li, what are you doing?¡± ¡°Reading a book,¡± Jiang Li replied casually. ¡°Miss, I¡¯m begging you, can you stop burying your head in books all day? Don¡¯t you care at all about the mess that¡¯s online right now?¡± Jiang Li furrowed her brows. Was there trouble online? About her? After some thought, she opened Weibo, and the first pop-up was a news article related to her. [The Eldest Miss Jiang repeatedly confronts Su Yinwan publicly, the reason behind it is¡ª] Jiang Li¡¯s eyebrows raised slightly as she clicked on the Weibo post. Inside were all kinds of evidence showing her making life difficult for Su Yinwan on various occasions. Something about mocking her deliberately during a charity gala. Something about intentionally buying the same items as Su Yinwan to provoke her. Something about spending a lot of money to sabotage her endorsement deal, causing her to pay a large sum in compensation. While some of these exposures were indeed actions she was forced to take by the plot, a large part of them were completely fabricated. However, what topped the trending searches and became the spotlight was the altercation outside the Rongguang Leisure Club a few days ago. A famous news media V revealed that Su Yinwan was robbed near the Rongguang Club a few days ago, isolated and helpless, she tried to seek help in the club but was instead slandered by the Crown Prince for theft. And all this was orchestrated by the Eldest Miss Jiang of the Jiang Family. Although, in the end, Su Yinwan cleared her name with the intervention of the police and a certain big shot. Miss Jiang still unrelentingly forced her to apologize publicly, her arrogance was infuriating. The attached picture was precisely the one of Su Yinwan bowing to apologize to Xiang Hao. Jiang Yan¡¯s voice came again through the phone: ¡°Hello, have you seen it? Aren¡¯t you reacting at all?¡± Jiang Li pondered for a moment, ¡°The article is well written, with highlighted key points, and the use of words is precise and professional.¡± Jiang Yan: ???? ¡°Miss, isn¡¯t your focus a bit off? Look at the comment section, see what you¡¯re being called? I, your brother, am surrounded by reporters outside to the point that I dare not leave the hotel. Hurry up and get someone to handle the PR and clarify this, otherwise¡ª¡± Jiang Li didn¡¯t listen to his rambling anymore; she hung up and opened the comment section. The comment section under this Weibo post had been conquered by Su Yinwan¡¯s fans. [Damn, isn¡¯t Jiang Li going too far? My Wenwen has been slandered like this and in the end is still forced to apologize? Why? Because she¡¯s rich and she thinks she¡¯s incredible?] [Jiang Li is shameless, despite being a wealthy heiress, she lacks any human decency. Why didn¡¯t the police arrest her then?] [As expected, none of these wealthy families can bring up good people. Now it has been revealed. None of the Jiang Family are good, Jiang Li¡¯s brother is even worse than her.] [Wuwuwu, I feel so sorry for my Wenwen, thank goodness she has President Shang supporting her, I¡¯m dead.] [The comment above accidentally revealed a secret. As I know it, Jiang Li¡¯s targeting of Su Yinwan is all because of this President Shang, because Jiang Li has her eye on him, aiming for the top! I have insider information, all exposed by people from their circle, saying that Jiang Li knew President Shang liked Wenwen, yet she still shamelessly entangled herself with him.] In the early years when Su Yinwan started acting, there were exposes that she debuted using a big shot¡¯s resources. But since they were the male and female leads of this novel, the scandal didn¡¯t lead to much backlash from netizens, instead, fans pieced together hints and started shipping the couple. In their eyes, the enigmatic and powerful President Shang was the perfect match for the equally excellent Su Yinwan. After all, the playboys of the Capital¡¯s elite circles are many, but very few like President Shang, who has silently supported Su Yinwan for years, watching her transform from an unknown extra into the Golden Flower Award¡¯s Best Actress. This ¡°tycoon and starlet¡± romance became a hot topic in the circle, and thus, a significant portion of Su Yinwan¡¯s fans were also fans of their couple. So the moment the news broke that Jiang Li was entangling with Shang Shaojing and making life difficult for Su Yinwan, those righteously indignant couple fans started cursing her into oblivion. Chapter 24 - Chapter 24: Chapter 24 The Cause of Jiang Shixus Illness Chapter 24: Chapter 24 The Cause of Jiang Shixu¡¯s Illness Not only that, even the non-mainstream photos she had previously posted on other platforms were dug out. Phrases such as ¡°ugly girl craving swan meat,¡± ¡°arrogant, wasteful daughter of a rich family,¡± and ¡°slacker from a third-rate college¡± were all bound to her name. Looking at this negative material, Jiang Li¡¯s emotions weren¡¯t greatly affected. After all, these were indeed the settings the novel had given her, and there was nothing to be angry about. However, when Lin Man Ru saw the news, she wasn¡¯t so calm and rushed into the study, her face filled with tension. ¡°Lili, have you seen those things on the internet?¡± Jiang Li closed the book and looked at her mother. ¡°I saw them, what about them?¡± Lin Man Ru sat down next to her, reassuringly taking her hand. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mom will handle it. I¡¯ve already reached out to public relations to suppress the trending searches. Those people are just smearing you out of jealousy. Don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± Jiang Li shook her head, ¡°There¡¯s no need to suppress the trending searches. ¡®When a crime is desired, an accusation is never wanting.¡¯ If you do this, they will only escalate their efforts.¡± ¡°What should we do then? We can¡¯t just watch those people talk about you like this.¡± ¡°Even your brother, when such a big thing happened to his sister, he doesn¡¯t come back, just knows how to squander time outside. I¡¯ve always said that he should get married and stay at home honestly; otherwise, he will eventually be the death of me.¡± Jiang Li lowered her eyes as if pondering something. At that moment, someone knocked on the door of the study. ¡°Come in.¡± The door was opened slightly, a dark head peeked in, then a pair of clean, beautiful eyes appeared. ¡°It¡¯s me¡­¡± Shi Xu whispered. Jiang Li nodded, ¡°Come in. Is there something you need?¡± Shi Xu carefully opened the door and stepped in, glancing at Lin Man Ru beside him with a slight discomfort on his face. However, he suppressed the awkwardness, then held up his cellphone. ¡°I just¡­¡± ¡°Did you also see those things online?¡± Jiang Li cut straight to the point, ¡°I actually need to talk to you about something, come have a seat.¡± ¡°Then you two talk, I¡¯ll go to the kitchen and cut some fruit for you,¡± Lin Man Ru said as she stood up, and with lingering concern, she added, ¡°Lili, if you¡¯re feeling upset, tell Mom. I¡¯ll take you out for a walk, don¡¯t stay home all alone.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Once the door of the study closed again, Shi Xu looked up uneasily towards Jiang Li. ¡°Are you¡­ upset? Is it because of this matter?¡± His hair had been cut much shorter under Jiang Li¡¯s instructions; now, his beautiful eyes were fully visible. His eyelashes were thick and dense, occasionally a timid light flickered in his eyes, resembling a porcelain doll, possessing a fragile beauty. Under Jiang Li¡¯s correction over the past few days, his diet and daily routine had improved, his pale face finally had a hint of color, making him look more like a young man. However, the melancholy and fragility still clung to him like a persistent illness. Jiang Li put the book back in its place and looked into his beautiful eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not in a bad mood. The public opinion online won¡¯t affect my mood.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± Shi Xu nodded, not probing further, clearly trusting every word Jiang Li uttered. ¡°What did you want to see me for?¡± The corners of Jiang Li¡¯s lips curved up slightly: ¡°Of course, I need your help.¡± ¨C After getting into the limousine, the driver still looked incredulously at the two in the backseat, finally settling his gaze on Shi Xu. ¡°Shi Xu rarely feels like going out, so that¡¯s nice.¡± Aware that he subconsciously wanted to hide, Shi Xu instinctively straightened up when he caught Jiang Li¡¯s gaze. The clarity and strength in her eyes clearly encouraged him to bravely take each step. Remembering what she had told him during meals before, Shi Xu finally mustered the courage to reply to the driver. ¡°Because, because my sister promised to cook something delicious for me and teach me ¡®Dancing Gun.''¡± As the driver started the car, he chuckled, ¡°It seems that the relationship between the young miss and Shi Xu is really good, I have never seen the young miss cook for anyone before.¡± Upon hearing this, Shi Xu¡¯s heart warmed, and he instinctively looked towards Jiang Li. Jiang Li also responded with a gentle smile. ¡°See, interacting with others isn¡¯t so difficult, and during the conversation, you will experience different kinds of spiritual pleasure,¡± she said. Shi Xu nodded vigorously. Most importantly, people were saying that they were the best siblings in the world. Of course, he was happy to hear that. Still¡­ Thinking about the place he was about to go to, Shi Xu couldn¡¯t help but look solemn. As he clenched his fists slightly, a warm hand reached out and covered his palm. A soft voice reached his ears. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to go, I can ask the driver to turn around; there¡¯s no need to force yourself.¡± Shi Xu looked down at his palm covered by that hand. It was white, beautiful. The nails were neatly trimmed; the lunula was tidy, and even the skin was smooth and delicate, like pearl cream. More importantly, It was warm enough. Shi Xu pursed his lips, then lifted his head. ¡°No, I want to stay with my sister.¡± Jiang Li didn¡¯t say anything more, simply nodded, then turned her gaze out the window before suddenly saying, ¡°Shi Xu, the next time you feel nervous, look at the scenery and the sunlight around you; light always has power.¡± He had been enveloped in darkness for too long, so long that he had forgotten what light looked like, and naturally, he lost interest and courage in social interactions. Jiang Li knew somewhat about the reasons from books. It was because of his parents. Shi Xu¡¯s mother, Shen Lan, was a celebrated top agent in the entertainment industry. And his father, her second uncle, was once the most prized talent Shen Lan had nurtured. However, for some unknown reason, during Shen Lan¡¯s pregnancy, they had argued, and her second uncle had left the industry in anger. This incident was still occasionally brought up by industry insiders to stir up some attention. The external public pressure, coupled with the strife between the couple, led Shen Lan to develop mild anxiety during her pregnancy, resulting in Shi Xu being born exceptionally introverted and timid. Afterward, their relationship worsened, with her second uncle using traveling as an excuse to take global trips with his friends, staying away from home all year long. Meanwhile, Shen Lan went to the other extreme, working day and night, eventually even taking her meals and accommodations at the company. Their years of absence made the already sensitive Shi Xu believe that all these issues were caused by him. After all, his father was once a highly sought-after star, and his mother was the top agent in the entertainment industry. Just because of his arrival, both were severely affected by public opinions, not to mention their careers being hindered, and their once somewhat sweet relationship ended up fractured. Chapter 25 - Chapter 25: Chapter 25: Hes Actually Mr. Shens Son?! Chapter 25: Chapter 25: He¡¯s Actually Mr. Shen¡¯s Son?! Therefore, from his childhood, Jiang Shixu had felt an extreme aversion to interacting with his parents. Over time, he naturally developed a gap of estrangement between himself and these two people. But Jiang Li could more or less tell that, deep down, he still longed for parental affection and kinship. However, breaking the ice might be somewhat challenging, after all, her second uncle¡¯s family¡¯s situation was also very particular. Half an hour later, the sedan stopped in front of an office building. The driver opened the door for both of them, and after exiting the car, Jiang Li looked up at the towering structure before her. ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s here?¡± Jiang Shixu nodded slightly, ¡°Yes, her company¡­ is on the 15th floor.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Jiang Li took his hand and walked in, taking the elevator to the 15th floor. During this time, Jiang Shixu¡¯s palm had begun to sweat lightly. This was the first time he had stepped out of the house in two years, venturing outside to this person¡¯s company. He couldn¡¯t help but feel nervous. In his memory, her appearance had blurred completely, leaving only her nightly inquiries behind a door when she returned home. The receptionist spotted the two from afar, and a flash of astonishment flitted across her eyes, but then it was quickly replaced with indifference as she stepped forward to block their path. ¡°Stop right there, this is not somewhere you can just wander around.¡± She scrutinized the two with arrogantly narrowed eyes, speaking rudely and with a tinge of disdain. Without saying, she could guess what these two were here for, surely coming to beg and plead for their company to sign them on. People like these were desperate for fame, relying on a bit of good looks to shamelessly beg for contracts, unable to be shooed away. Jiang Li smiled and stepped forward, ¡°Miss, you misunderstood, we¡¯re here to look for someone.¡± ¡°Who are you looking for?¡± ¡°Shen Lan.¡± The receptionist scoffed, ¡°I knew it, another one looking for Mr. Shen. Do you think Mr. Shen is someone you can see just by wanting to? Not even those top-tier stars can easily meet with her, and you think I¡¯ll let you see her just because you say so? Get out of here, don¡¯t interfere with our work.¡± Anxious, Jiang Shixu tugged at her sleeve from behind, ¡°Sister, I¡¯m sorry, I should have remembered her number, then you wouldn¡¯t have had to¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Jiang Li patted his hand and then walked towards a sofa on the side, ¡°Since she won¡¯t let us in, we¡¯ll just wait here.¡± Seeing the two sit down on the sofa, the receptionist¡¯s face turned even uglier. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s with you? Insisting on making a scene, huh? Believe it or not, I¡¯ll call the security from downstairs to throw you out!¡± ¡°What¡¯s all this noise?¡± A sharp rebuke suddenly rang out. The receptionist quickly turned around and upon seeing the woman behind her, hurriedly went up to her and said, ¡°Sister Wen, they were deliberately causing trouble and refusing to leave.¡± The woman addressed as Sister Wen pushed past the blocking receptionist, and when her gaze fell upon the two sitting on the sofa, she couldn¡¯t help but be startled. ¡°Young Master Jiang?¡± Jiang Shixu instinctively began to feel tense, but thinking about Jiang Li being troubled just now, he promptly sat up straight and nodded at the woman. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± He Wen glared at the receptionist by her side and reproached, ¡°Don¡¯t you have any judgment? This is Mr. Shen¡¯s son, Young Master Jiang, someone you can just bark at?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve tolerated you for a long time, you spend your working hours playing on your phone instead of doing your job, and your attitude is so abhorrent; just go to the HR department, take your money, and leave. Our company doesn¡¯t need you.¡± ¡°No, no, Sister Wen,¡± the receptionist¡¯s face immediately paled in fear, ¡°I didn¡¯t know Mr. Shen had a son, and they didn¡¯t say it initially¡ª¡± ¡°I did say it,¡± Jiang Shixu murmured, clutching his hand, ¡°I said I¡¯m here to find my mother.¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Li gave him a meaningful glance. And He Wen became even angrier. Having worked beside Shen Lan for over a decade, she had been there when Jiang Shixu was born and was well aware of his special situation. The relationship between mother and son was already tense, and just when the Young Master finally decided to take the initiative to visit Shen Lan, to be stopped by such an ignorant receptionist was unacceptable. ¡°Apologize to them and then immediately go to the HR department to collect your pay and leave,¡± He Wen commanded coldly, issuing an ultimatum. The fire in the receptionist¡¯s attitude was gone, and she could only whimper a small apology to the two. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Young Master Jiang and Miss, I was confused for a moment. Please have mercy on me and don¡¯t hold it against me. It took me a long time to find this job, I can¡¯t lose it.¡± How could she have known these two actually had a connection to Mr. Shen? If she had known, she would never have dared to speak that way. Jiang Shixu instinctively looked towards Jiang Li to gauge her reaction. Jiang Li smoothed her skirt as she got up from the sofa and toward He Wen said, ¡°I have accepted the apology. As for the other matters, that is your company¡¯s business, I have no right to interfere.¡± He Wen looked at the girl before her with some surprise. Her appearance could rival any actress in the entertainment industry, and her demeanor and speech were of the highest class. ¡°Who are you?¡± Jiang Shixu quickly stood up, ¡°Auntie, this is my sister, Jiang Li.¡± He Wen was even more astonished. Jiang Li? The eldest young miss of the Jiang Family¡¯s main house, Jiang Li? How could that be? She¡¯d seen her before; the Jiang Li in her memories was someone who always had hair dyed in garish colors, with make-up that was both thick and hideous, a sight offendable to the eye. Her personality was even worse, exuding a lack of upbringing through and through. So, when she saw those online scandals earlier that day, she was not surprised. After all, it was only a matter of time before a chaotic heiress like her was exposed. But now¡ª He Wen appraised the girl from head to toe once more. The young lady before her was wearing a blue and white dress, tall and slender with perfect body proportions. Her fair skin and red lips, every move she made was graced with a calm demeanor. Her facial features were harmoniously balanced with a touch of classic charm. Such a cool and dignified appearance would stand out in the entire entertainment industry. ¡°You, you really are Jiang Li?¡± Taken aback, He Wen asked again. Jiang Li nodded, ¡°Genuine and guaranteed.¡± But He Wen, versed in the entertainment industry, knew what a transformation a good packaging could make on a person. Moreover, the Jiang Family¡¯s genes had always been good, which was evident from looking at Jiang Shixu and his father, so it made sense that Jiang Li was also beautiful. But the aura and the presence she exuded had changed perhaps a bit too radically. He Wen could guess the reason Jiang Li had come and didn¡¯t delay further, quickly taking her to Shen Lan¡¯s office. After knocking, a bland voice came from within, ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°Sister Lan, it¡¯s me.¡± He Wen pushed the door and entered. When she saw the woman behind the desk, she smiled and said, ¡°Look who I¡¯ve brought over to you.¡± Chapter 26 - Chapter 26: Chapter 26 Sending My Big Brother to a Transformation Variety Show Chapter 26: Chapter 26 Sending My Big Brother to a Transformation Variety Show Shen Lan was bent over processing a large stack of press briefs on her desk. She was nearly forty years old, but because she took good care of herself and had good genes, she looked no different than someone in their early thirties. She wore a neat, short haircut and was dressed in a matching OL uniform, looking sharp and formidable. ¡°Speak up if you¡¯ve got something to say. Don¡¯t you see I¡ª¡± Shen Lan was signing and frowning at the same time, but she was stunned the instant she looked up. Her gaze fixed on the boy hiding behind Jiang Li, and to her surprise, she stood up. ¡°Shi Xu? What are you doing here?¡± It wasn¡¯t hard to hear a mix of surprise and excitement in Shen Lan¡¯s voice. No wonder she was excited; because of family and work, she rarely had time to spend with her son. Moreover, due to his personality, he liked to lock himself in his room every day, unwilling to interact with anyone, including his own mother. She only had the chance to speak a few words to him through a door during the rare moments she was home. But he had always been extremely resistant. This was the first time he had taken the initiative to appear, and he had even found her company. The usually decisive Shen Lan seemed a bit flustered for the first time, pacing the spot for a moment before she calmed down and cast her gaze to Jiang Li beside her. After sizing him up twice, she finally recognized him. ¡°Jiang Li? What are you doing here too?¡± She had been away from home for just over half a month, so why had her niece suddenly changed so much? She was completely different from before, almost unrecognizable. From the moment she entered the office, Jiang Li had been observing Shen Lan. This was her habit. Being somewhat familiar with Mystical Skill, she always habitually observed someone¡¯s facial features upon meeting them. And seeing the tangled fate in Shen Lan¡¯s energy gate, she knew she had come to the right place. She clearly remembered Shen Lan¡¯s fate in the book. In the novel, shortly after her second uncle retired from the circle, Shen Lan also quit her agent job and completely retreated behind the scenes to start an entertainment company. However, due to external public opinion and relentless pressure from her family, her Xingmei Entertainment was not doing well. Jiang Li had sensed this since she had come in. ¡ªAnyone she met on this floor was unenthusiastic, and the office equipment and decorations were haphazardly placed with no sense of energy or alignment to speak of. These were all details often considered in mysticism; a place¡¯s Feng Shui and energy field best reflected its alignment and fortune. And Xingmei Entertainment¡¯s fortune was just about to run out. Lowering the thoughts in her eyes, Jiang Li met Shen Lan¡¯s probing gaze. ¡°Auntie, I came here because I need to talk to you.¡± Hearing this, Shen Lan reacted as well. The emotion in her eyes gradually cooled, and then she sat down on a nearby sofa. ¡°Is it about the stuff online? If so, I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t help.¡± ¡°From the beginning, your second uncle and I agreed to three rules: we married in our personal capacities and agreed not to interfere in each other¡¯s families. Though I am your aunt, I am also the head of Star Media. If you think you can use our family connection to have me handle this matter and step into these muddy waters, I¡¯m afraid I cannot agree.¡± Anyone insightful could see that Jiang Li had offended someone she shouldn¡¯t have. She had tried to change this family, including her wayward niece, when she first married into the Jiang family, but nobody was willing to cooperate with her. She gave up altogether and entirely devoted herself to her work. Over the years, she had observed Jiang Li¡¯s arrogance and the things he had done, and after unsuccessful attempts at persuasion, she could only choose to watch coldly from the sidelines. Now that her company was at a critical juncture, it was unnecessary to muddy the waters because of a person with a spotted record. Hearing this, Jiang Shixu, who stood behind Jiang Li, shrank his hand. He knew¡ªhow could she, always cold-hearted, possibly help someone? But Jiang Li was not in a hurry; instead, he sat down calmly opposite Shen Lan. ¡°Second Aunt, you misunderstand; I¡¯m not here because of this.¡± ¡°Then what for?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been organizing a transformation reality show recently, haven¡¯t you? I want to sign Jiang Yan up.¡± This was completely beyond Shen Lan¡¯s expectations. After exchanging a surprised look with He Wen, Shen Lan said with a complex expression, ¡°Are you serious?¡± Jiang Li earnestly nodded his head. She too had accidentally clicked into Shen Lan¡¯s Weibo while browsing her own negative publicity and thus learned about the reality show. In her past life memories, Shen Lan, to ensure her company¡¯s successful IPO, had signed a high-risk agreement with someone. To fulfill the agreement, she gambled all her resources to prepare this unprecedented reality show¡ª¡±Shining Transformation Trip.¡± The targeted participants were precisely those artists with negative public images. The bold planning and the novel live-streaming format attracted an unprecedented level of popularity. However, just as Shen Lan was about to fulfill the agreement, something uncontrollable happened. Because of this incident, the transformation reality show was forcibly halted, and Shen Lan ended up with a huge compensation fee and lost the high-risk agreement. A series of setbacks completely broke her, and she had a car accident on the way home. Following this, her uncle also received terrible news. Unable to bear the blow, Jiang Shixu then chose to take his own life. So, to reverse the tragedy of her uncle¡¯s family, starting from this reality show was essential. But it was impossible to lay it out directly to Shen Lan, who was a career-oriented strong woman and the one who least believed in mysticism and feng shui. Therefore, she had to find another reason. ¡°Second Aunt must have heard about Jiang Yan¡¯s recent issues with the Qiao Family. His reckless behavior is not new, and to prevent him from causing more trouble, I thought I¡¯d come over and discuss with you if he could also participate in this reality show?¡± Jiang Li stated. Shen Lan was extremely surprised. Not only because of the content of what Jiang Li said but also because of her clear, logical expression and composed demeanor. Was this the Jiang Li she remembered? But thinking it through, Shen Lan came to accept it. Now that Jiang Li could even bring Jiang Shixu with her, a change in personality was within reason. At this moment, Shen Lan no longer saw her as the former Jiang Li and after looking at her deeply said, ¡°Since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll just speak frankly with you.¡± ¡°Our reality show has been in preparation for a year now, and the way we choose participants is also quite special¡ª¡± Because the transformation reality show targets those artists with negative public images, they had already posted a Weibo titled ¡°Choose the artist you think most needs transformation and send them to our show for a makeover¡± when initiating the project plan. Later, they selected the artists who had the highest number of likes in the comments section and sent them an invitation. It was inherently a job that offended people. One might ask, looking across the entire entertainment industry, which star would truly dare to admit they need transformation, need a makeover? Chapter 27 - Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Signing Jiang Yan is fine, but you have to follow along too. Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Signing Jiang Yan is fine, but you have to follow along too. They had spent an entire year gradually inviting a few people. The pressure they endured during this period was beyond words. ¡°This variety show is originally created for artists, and Jiang Yan is just a plain folk. If we sign him on without any reason, I¡¯m afraid we won¡¯t be able to get through public opinion.¡± Shen Lan said. Jiang Li certainly understood Shen Lan¡¯s concerns. So she smiled slightly and offered her opinion. ¡°I don¡¯t think so. On the contrary, I think if you let Jiang Yan join, the benefits will outweigh the drawbacks.¡± ¡°First of all, you should also have anticipated that if this variety show is aired, the resistance and public opinion storms it faces will certainly be significant. Stars naturally attract viewers, not to mention those who are at the peak of popularity.¡± ¡°But Jiang Yan is different, he¡¯s an ordinary person with less public attention, which can divert some of the audience¡¯s focus and neutralize the negative impact brought by other artists. Moreover, he has stronger psychological resilience than the average person.¡± To put it more bluntly, he has a thick skin. Otherwise, how could he continue to live a life of luxury without fear under such a reputation? ¡°Moreover, I guarantee this variety show will be a success, and there will be no problems during its run.¡± Shen Lan across the table was shocked by the powerful glow in her eyes and the composure and ease in her tone. For some reason, she seemed to see on Jiang Li a unique aura. As if she could indeed do what she said she would. But she is just a nineteen-year-old girl. How could she possess the maturity and composure of a middle-aged person? Shen Lan stood up, strode over to the French windows, and gazed at the bustling traffic outside, deep in thought. Jiang Li took a sip of the tea passed by He Wen and said her last comment. ¡°Second Aunt, haven¡¯t you always disbelieved in destiny, even betting your career on it? Why not give it a try this time?¡± The girl¡¯s calm and soothing words hit Shen Lan¡¯s heart where it was deepest. She turned her head and looked at Jiang Li, with a newfound appreciation in her eyes. ¡°Alright, I promise you, but I have one condition.¡± ¡°Please feel free to say it.¡± ¡°I want you to participate as well.¡± Jiang Li was surprised, but after thinking about it, she understood Shen Lan¡¯s intent. If she participated, on the one hand, she could fill the gap left by the absence of variety show guests and keep an eye on Jiang Yan. On the other hand, she could take the opportunity of being on the reality show to clear her own name and safely weather the storm of public opinion. Finally, she carried even hotter topics than Jiang Yan had, which perfectly matched the appeal of the variety show. It was a good deal no matter how you looked at it. ¡°Okay.¡± Jiang Li put down her teacup, ¡°I will participate.¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Shixu, who had been silent all the while, became somewhat agitated. He looked at Shen Lan, then at Jiang Li, and said with a bitten lip, ¡°I, I want to go too.¡± Shen Lan refused without hesitation, ¡°Jiang Shixu, don¡¯t you know your own situation? Is that a place for you to go?¡± Jiang Shixu hung his head, his eyes brimming with disappointment. Jiang Li moved closer to him and said softly, ¡°Second Aunt is also thinking of your best interest. She has protected you so well that none of your information has leaked in more than a decade. If you act so rashly, wouldn¡¯t that be wasting Second Aunt¡¯s efforts?¡± Jiang Shixu suddenly raised his head to look at her. In a fleeting moment, he seemed to remember something, but then the string of thought in his head snapped again. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m sorry.¡± He nervously twisted his hands, ¡°I was impulsive.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Jiang Li took his hand, stopping his self-harming behavior, ¡°I know you just want to be with me, right? But Shi Xu, no one can be by your side every moment, and you have to always keep that in mind.¡± It was clearly a sorrowful statement, yet for some reason, when it came from Jiang Li¡¯s mouth, it had an inexplicable inspiring effect. Very warm. Like the sunshine after the gloom. Jiang Shixu nodded solemnly, no longer making requests to be together. And Shen Lan, as the former top actress in the circle, already had two contracts prepared while they were talking. ¡°Although I don¡¯t know what method you used to make Jiang Yan, that ancestor, compromise, you¡¯re right, let¡¯s take a gamble.¡± Looking at the two contracts, Jiang Li blinked. But the fact was, she had not mentioned this matter to Jiang Yan at all. After a simple lunch in Shen Lan¡¯s office, Jiang Li packed up the contracts and left with Jiang Shixu. Only then did He Wen come back in, looking worried, and sat next to Shen Lan. ¡°Sis, are you really planning to let those two come over? What if the internet accuses us of nepotism later?¡± Shen Lan said, ¡°Initially, Ming Feng and I had a secret marriage, and moreover, no one in the circle knew Ming Feng¡¯s real background, so naturally, they couldn¡¯t trace it back to the Jiang Family. Even if they did manage to find out, let them make a fuss; we¡¯re actually worried about not having enough buzz.¡± For some reason, she had a premonition. A premonition that Jiang Li¡¯s change would bring unexpected surprises to her and the entire Jiang Family. That was also why she let her participate in this variety show. If her transformation left her flabbergasted, how could it not deeply shock those netizens and haters? Isn¡¯t that exactly the original intention behind preparing this program? ¡°Sigh, sis, you really are daring, back then and even now, I truly admire you.¡± Shen Lan tapped her on the head, ¡°How would I be where I am today if I weren¡¯t bold? Stop babbling. How are the negotiations with the guests coming along?¡± Upon hearing this, He Wen¡¯s face grew even more troubled. ¡°So far, besides Jiang Yan who was previously confirmed, only two flying guests have agreed to come; the others¡­¡± ¡°Okay, I got it, go see if there are other suitable candidates. We don¡¯t have much time left, we must finish the schedule before the end of the year.¡± ¨C In the car, Jiang Li carefully read through the contract one more time. The clauses had no issues whatsoever, and the payment they offered her was even within the ballpark of an amateur¡¯s fees. It was evident that her Second Aunt had really put a lot of effort into this program. ¡°Sister, are you worried that something bad will happen after joining the show? If you¡¯re really reluctant, I¡¯ll talk to her, telling her not to force you.¡± Jiang Li glanced at him. She could feel that sometimes the boy just didn¡¯t want to talk, not that he couldn¡¯t. On the contrary, his sensitivity and emotional intelligence were higher than some adults, otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have said these words. ¡°No need, Shi Xu.¡± Jiang Li said, ¡°I¡¯m very willing to join this show. I¡¯m just contemplating how to get Jiang Yan to sign the contract willingly.¡± If she were to lay it all out directly, he would definitely turn away with a flick of his head and then be uncooperative. Like with the arranged engagement with the Qiao Family. She needed to find a way to make him agree on his own. After a pause, Jiang Li looked at Jiang Shixu, her dense apricot eyes slightly curving into a smile. ¡°Shi Xu, sister needs your help with one more thing.¡± Chapter 28 - Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Beaten Up Again Chapter 28: Chapter 28: Beaten Up Again The next evening, Jiang Yan drove home seething with rage. Before he even entered the dining room, he shouted angrily, ¡°Lili, you did this on purpose, didn¡¯t you? Was it you who had mom freeze my card? Do you have any idea how embarrassing it was for me just now?¡± Because of the scandalous information spread online, he had been hounded by paparazzi for the past few days. Not only that, but even his so-called brothers began making excuses to avoid him. Enraged, he had some people threaten the paparazzi, successfully shaking them off. Then he extravagantly booked Ocas¡¯s venue, which finally convinced the bunch to hang out with him. But just as he was about to pay the bill with his card, he suddenly received a notification from the bank that his account had been frozen. He had mentally prepared himself for the possibility of the family card being frozen, as it had happened many times before. So he had taken the precaution of getting a new card and depositing some money in it. But this time, even his backup card had been frozen. Right there and then, the club manager gave him a look of disdain, and his brothers showed even more contempt for him. Other than Lili, Jiang Yan couldn¡¯t think of anyone else who would do such a thing. However, faced with his questioning, Lili continued to eat her dinner at a leisurely pace, and even called a servant over to take a portion upstairs to Jiang Shixu. Feeling deliberately ignored, Jiang Yan¡¯s anger flared even more, and he slammed his hands on the dining table with a ¡°bang¡±. ¡°Lili, I¡¯m talking to you?!¡± The sudden loud noise startled the surrounding servants, who all shrank back and bowed their heads. In their eyes, this young master of the Jiang Family was an absolute ruffian, and they always went out of their way to avoid him whenever they encountered him at home. Even Old Sir Jiang turned a blind eye to his behavior. But this missy was like a moth to a flame, obstinately trying to rein him in. How could a wild panther be so easily tamed? Yet from start to finish, Lili did not even blink. The more agitated Jiang Yan became, the calmer she was, even slowing down her motions, such as wiping her mouth, to a crawl. ¡°Jiang Yan, getting so angry this late, you¡¯re going to have a fiery temper tomorrow.¡± Jiang Yan was infuriated to the point of laughter. He could swallow his pride once, but that didn¡¯t mean he would always back down. The reason he had given in previously was that he thought this girl would stop after making a fuss for a while, but he hadn¡¯t expected her to be so determined to make things difficult for him. So he violently pulled out a chair and sat down with a cold expression. ¡°Fiery temper, my ass. Let¡¯s cut to the chase. Get my card unfrozen now, or don¡¯t blame me, your brother, for turning against you.¡± Lili leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, showing an expression full of meaning, ¡°I wonder what kind of ¡®turning against me¡¯ you¡¯re referring to?¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s face turned even sourer, ¡°Lili, you¡¯re forcing my hand!¡± He stood up and grabbed a cup from beside Lili¡¯s hand, intending to smash it on the ground when a slender, fair hand suddenly reached out and grabbed his throat. Then another hand wrapped around his shoulder. The next second, Jiang Yan was forced into a backflip in mid-air. He let out a miserable yell as he landed on the ground, but it wasn¡¯t over. Lili then kicked his knee hard. This time, he clearly heard the sound of bones being displaced. ¡°Ah!! Dammit, Lili, are you trying to kill someone?!¡± Lili calmly caught the cup in her hand and then gracefully seated herself back down. Throughout the process, she hadn¡¯t even disheveled a single hair. The servants nearby had long been scared stiff. With Young Master Jiang being beaten to such a state, that was simply terrible! Just as they prepared to run upstairs to report to Lin Man Ru, a glance from Jiang Li froze them in their tracks. Everyone instantly felt like thorns were in their backs, and no one dared to make a move. It was then that Jiang Li turned her gaze to Jiang Yan, who was groaning in pain on the ground, and with a tone as calm as usual said, ¡°Jiang Yan, I¡¯ve told you before to be frugal. How can you casually break things around the house?¡± ¡°Also, don¡¯t try to lay hands on me. I will defend myself instinctively, and it would be terrible if I really hurt you one day.¡± ¡°Oh right, lastly, before you curse someone out next time, think it through, because my mom is your mom too.¡± Jiang Yan: Fuck! Is this still a human being? This is called defending? He¡¯s almost been beaten to death, okay?! After saying this, Jiang Li finally smoothed her skirt and got up, turning to look at the trembling servants behind her. ¡°Find a couple of people to take Young Master Jiang upstairs, and also call a doctor over to take a look.¡± ¡°Of course, you can choose to relate tonight¡¯s events to madam and Old Sir Jiang in their entirety, but as for whether you¡¯ll be rewarded or punished, I cannot guarantee.¡± Jiang Li¡¯s voice was not loud, but it carried an intimidating force. Especially the fierce light shining from those eyes made people shudder. Their young miss might look beautiful and dignified, but the way she handled things was ruthless, one move crueller than the next. The intense contrast caused everyone to shrink their necks and nod incessantly, then clumsily lifted the wailing and cursing Jiang Yan and carried him to an upstairs room. The doctor arrived quickly and, after checking Jiang Yan¡¯s injuries, found them quite peculiar. ¡°Young Master Jiang, your leg isn¡¯t broken, it¡¯s just dislocated, and there¡¯s no major issue anywhere else, you actually don¡¯t need to¡ª¡± Scream so loudly. ¡°Your fucking nonsense is endless?!¡± Jiang Yan, gritting his teeth in pain, lay on the bed, unable to move a bit due to the pain from his back and leg, ¡°I¡¯m in such pain and you¡¯re telling me it¡¯s nothing, do I have to put a knife to your neck for you to take proper care of me?¡± The doctor, having heard of Jiang Yan¡¯s outside antics, feared he might actually cause trouble, so he quickly set the bone right. For a time, Jiang Yan¡¯s howls pierced through the entire villa. Meanwhile, Lin Man Ru was enjoying a spa in the room, accompanied by Jiang Li. Seemingly hearing something, she removed her headphones and queried in confusion, ¡°Lili, do you hear something? It sounds like your brother.¡± Jiang Li slowly said, ¡°No, Mother, it must be your mistake.¡± Lin Man Ru nodded her head and put the headphones back on, sighing, ¡°Daughters really are better, still knowing to call a masseuse over for a spa. Sons are simply good-for-nothings.¡± ¡°Good-for-nothing¡± Jiang Yan was in so much pain he couldn¡¯t fall asleep until after midnight. Although the doctor had set his bone right and told him there was no issue, just rest for a couple of days and all would be well, every part of his body ached, especially his leg, which he couldn¡¯t move at all. ¡°Fuck, I don¡¯t know where that damned Jiang Li learned that, but someday I will definitely make her cry!¡± No sooner had he said this than a sudden cold wind blew through the window, causing the curtains to flap wildly and chilling him to the bone. Jiang Yan, unable to move, could only call for help. But just as he turned his head, he caught sight of a dark figure standing at the door, which made him gasp sharply in fear and grab something from the table to throw. ¡°Fuck, who¡¯s there, standing in the middle of the night scaring the shit out of me?!¡± Chapter 29 - Chapter 29: Chapter 29: The 36 Strategies - Sneak through Chen Cang Chapter 29: Chapter 29: The 36 Strategies ¨C Sneak through Chen Cang ¡°Big brother, it¡¯s me¡­¡± The shadow suddenly spoke and it was Jiang Shixu¡¯s voice. Jiang Yan retracted the hand that he was about to throw something with. He knew about Jiang Shixu¡¯s condition; he barely ate and was skin and bones. He was so timid that if Jiang Yan hurt him by throwing something, the old man would hang him from the ceiling and beat him. So, he resentfully pulled his hand back. ¡°Jiang Shixu, why aren¡¯t you sleeping in the middle of the night? Are you here by my door on Jiang Li¡¯s orders?¡± ¡°No, big brother.¡± Jiang Shixu took a step forward, his bloodless face emerging in the dim room. ¡°I can¡¯t sleep on my own.¡± Unexpectedly, Jiang Yan was startled again. It wasn¡¯t that he was cowardly; it was just that the guy looked so unsettling in the middle of the night. With dead, dried-out hair and frighteningly pale skin. Even though his eyes were large, they were deeply sunken, making the dark circles under his eyelids even more prominent. A perfectly good skin and the excellent genes from his second uncle¡¯s family had turned him into this ghostly figure. Jiang Yan clutched the pillow beneath him. ¡°You, don¡¯t come any closer. Stay there, don¡¯t move.¡± ¡°But big brother¡­ I, I really can¡¯t sleep.¡± Jiang Shixu¡¯s voice got lower and lower, turning ethereal in the silent night. Jiang Yan shivered, his brows furrowing and unfurling. ¡°If you can¡¯t sleep, see a doctor. Why bother me? Go away, I want to sleep now.¡± ¡°Big brother, sometimes I really envy you.¡± Jiang Shixu said in a low voice, speaking haltingly, ¡°You can carefreely go to different places every day, whereas I, I can only stay in that small room every day, unable to do anything but stare at the ceiling or count the pieces of broken clocks in my drawer.¡± At this moment, Jiang Yan sensed something was amiss, his voice pressing down. ¡°What, what are you talking about? What¡¯s actually wrong?¡± Could this kid be thinking of something desperate? But just then, he couldn¡¯t move! ¡°That Shixu.¡± Jiang Yan coughed softly, ¡°Actually, you don¡¯t need to envy me. Sometimes, I even envy you¡ªyou see, you have both a mom and a dad¡ª¡± As soon as he said it, Jiang Yan regretted it. After all, having Jiang Shixu¡¯s parents was as good as having none, and his illness was also because of their neglect. Sure enough, when he looked up, he met Jiang Shixu¡¯s plaintive gaze, which scared him out of his wits. ¡°Shixu, you¡­¡± ¡°Big brother, I have only one unfulfilled wish. You must grant it for me.¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s mind was completely blank. The pain and exhaustion on his body, along with the fright he had just experienced, made him feel like a tightly strung wire, ready to snap with just a little more pressure. So, without thinking, he said: ¡°You, tell me. As long as I can do it, anything is fine.¡± ¡°Can you sign something for me?¡± Jiang Shixu raised a few sheets of paper in his hand. Jiang Yan was stunned. ¡°Sign what? Did you cause trouble at school and need a guardian¡¯s signature on a letter of guarantee that the teacher made you write?¡± After all, he had done this hundreds of times when he was in school. But hadn¡¯t Jiang Shixu dropped out of school half a year ago? Jiang Shixu floated forward, laying the papers in front of him. ¡°Big brother, are you unwilling?¡± His mournful expression seemed to signal that if he were rejected, he might very well jump out of the wide-open window. Jiang Yan did not dare to risk it and just picked up the pen. However, just as he was about to flip through the papers, Jiang Shixu¡¯s pallid, cold hand covered them. ¡°Big brother, hurry up and sign, and then you can look.¡± In his dizziness, that voice sounded like the bell of doom. He glanced at the pale face in front of him, and Jiang Yan hastily scribbled down his name, then handed over the stuff with a gloomy face. ¡°Here, here, here, just go away.¡± But Jiang Shixu pulled out half of the papers and placed them on his bedside. ¡°Big brother, I¡¯m leaving now. Good night, and I hope you have sweet dreams.¡± The window closed, and the door shut behind them, leaving Jiang Yan with a complex expression on his face. Damn it, how could he possibly have good dreams after that? Angry and annoyed, he threw all the papers onto the floor. ¡°Whoever wants to look at them can look. I definitely won¡¯t!¡± ¨C Having left Jiang Yan¡¯s room, Jiang Shixu¡¯s mood lightened instantly, and he dashed downstairs with eyes bright as jewels, then handed the stuff to Jiang Li. ¡°Sister, I¡¯ve completed the task.¡± Jiang Li carefully reviewed the contract pages, and upon seeing Jiang Yan¡¯s flamboyant signature on the last page, she nodded in satisfaction. ¡°Well done. I¡¯ll make you something delicious tomorrow.¡± After that, she placed her hand on the Records of the Grand Historian lying on her lap. The page she had open brightly bore the words ¡ª ¡°To repair the plank road in the open while sneaking through the pass of Chen Cang.¡± It was the eighth of the thirty-six stratagems, confusing the enemy openly and then secretly outmaneuvering them to achieve one¡¯s objective. Hearing Jiang Li¡¯s praise, delight instantly lit up in Jiang Shixu¡¯s eyes, but concern soon followed, and he crouched worriedly in front of the sitting Jiang Li. ¡°What if he realizes and takes his anger out on you?¡± ¡°It won¡¯t happen,¡± Jiang Li said. ¡°He has already experienced what happens when he loses his temper with me today. I¡¯m sure he wouldn¡¯t want to misalign his other leg.¡± This would also give him a chance to quietly lie in bed for a while. A surge of emotion filled Jiang Shixu¡¯s eyes. His sister really loved him the most and was never harsh to him. ¨C As noon approached, Jiang Yan finally woke up. The disturbance by Jiang Shixu left him unable to sleep until the early morning. The servants, too wary to disturb him, had left food next to his bed before quickly departing. Leaning on the bedside, Jiang Yan struggled to clean himself up and tried to eat the seafood porridge that could comfort him. However, his peripheral vision unintentionally caught sight of those papers on the floor. A line of bold black text caught his attention. ¡ª [¡°Shining Transformation Trip¡± Variety Show Agreement] Jiang Yan spat out a mouthful of porridge and grabbed the papers. When he saw the signature he had scribbled on the very last page, his whole body began to tremble. ¡°Jiang Li!!!¡± A screeching roar tore through the air, and Jiang Yan, disregarding everything, made his way downstairs from the fourth floor, leaning on his crutches. At that moment, Jiang Li was dining elegantly and leisurely in the dining room, just like the previous night. But Jiang Yan¡¯s rage was even more intense than the night before. Fuming, he limped over to the dining table with the contract, but instinctively stepped back the moment Jiang Li glanced up. Learning from experience, Jiang Yan chose to stand next to Lin Manru this time, and with a fierce and angry gaze, he sized up Jiang Li and Jiang Shixu before slamming the contract down onto the table with a ¡°slap.¡± Chapter 30 - Chapter 30: Chapter 30 Lin Manru: You have to go even if you dont want to! Chapter 30: Chapter 30 Lin Manru: You have to go even if you don¡¯t want to! Jiang Li, are you fucking scheming against me again? What is this? A variety show? You plan to secretly send me to a reality show behind my back?¡± Jiang Li continued to eat her meal, her expression unchanged. Lin Manru took the contract from his hand with some confusion, ¡°Lili, what¡¯s going on here?¡± ¡°Mom, you need to manage your daughter!¡± Jiang Yan interjected, ¡°She deliberately let Jiang Shixu sneak into my room last night to scare me and tricked me into signing this contract.¡± Jiang Shixu immediately put down his utensils, his voice filled with anxiousness, ¡°Great aunt, I didn¡¯t, I stayed in my room and slept all night last night, and got up early around six this morning to exercise with my sister.¡± Lin Manru glared at Jiang Yan. ¡°How dare you push the blame onto your younger brother? How can an adult like you bully a child?¡± Jiang Yan: ? ? ? ¡°No, I¡ª¡± Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Li across from him quickly jumped into the conversation. ¡°You¡¯re saying I forced you to sign this? But you have a brain and hands, how could I have forced you? The signature on it is clearly yours, voluntarily signed.¡± ¡°Hey, you¡ª¡± Jiang Li didn¡¯t pay any attention to him and turned to Lin Manru instead. ¡°Mother, this is the variety show I mentioned to you just now that Second Aunt is planning on filming. I plan to take this opportunity to calm down the online public opinion, and it just so happens to help Second Aunt out of her urgent trouble.¡± Lin Manru was extremely surprised. She knew very well about Shen Lan¡¯s character ¨C extremely clear on separating public and private matters. Jiang Li and Jiang Yan being willing to participate in the program must have been something Jiang Li fought hard for. Not to mention it could also take care of the negative news online. With this in mind, Lin Manru hurriedly said, ¡°Then naturally you should go.¡± Then she switched to an angry expression and glared at Jiang Yan, ¡°Your sister is also doing this for your sake. Don¡¯t be difficult. It¡¯s not easy for your Second Aunt to arrange this program, so don¡¯t let down their goodwill.¡± Jiang Yan finally managed to say something, ¡°Mom, goodwill? Jiang Li obviously wants to harm me!¡± ¡°How could your own sister possibly want to harm you? You don¡¯t want to get married when asked, you don¡¯t want to help your grandfather and Uncle San at the company, you just know how to goof around all day. You have to do the show whether you like it or not. That¡¯s final.¡± Lin Manru issued an ultimatum. ¡°Jiang Yan, let me remind you.¡± Jiang Li said unhurriedly, ¡°You¡¯ve already signed your name on the contract. If you breach the contract, you¡¯ll have to pay a penalty of fifty million.¡± Jiang Yan: ? ? ? Looking at his shockingly disbelieving expression, Jiang Li feigned confusion, ¡°You don¡¯t know? Didn¡¯t you read the content of the contract before signing?¡± Jiang Yan went completely crazy. Who the hell would read every word of the content under the circumstances of last night! Seeing the almost imperceptible cunning light in Jiang Li¡¯s eyes, Jiang Yan resigned himself to his bad luck and took back the contract. ¡°Fine, fine, fine, I screwed myself over, okay?¡± It¡¯s just a lousy variety show, right? He would make Jiang Li regret choosing him to go! ¨C ¨C At the Capital Film and Television Base. The assistant Luo Le looked worriedly at the man opposite him. ¡°Brother, are you really going to sign this contract? Be careful, this variety show will only make you more misunderstood by those people, not to mention Aunt He¡ª¡± On the couch, the man in costume stared intently at the few pages of the contract in his hands. Although nearly his entire face was covered by the shadows behind him, one could still discern the refined elegance. His eyes sharp like a sword, his features deep and distinct, reminiscent of the moon¡¯s reflection in an ancient well, cold and proud. Across from him, Luo Le was still going on in a serious tone about the crucial aspects of the matter, but the man had already stretched out his slender, fair hand to sign his name on the last page of the contract. At the end, he only said one sentence, ¡°I¡¯d like to keep this from my mom if possible; regardless, I must take part in this variety show.¡± ¨C Star Media Entertainment Company. ¡°Sister Lan, great news, He Yun¡¯s assistant just sent over the contract, and he¡¯s agreed to join our variety show!¡± He Wen walked excitedly into Shen Lan¡¯s office, clutching her laptop. Shen Lan was very surprised, ¡°You mean Mr. He?¡± ¡°Yeah, I thought he would refuse. After all, we were already prepared to give up on him and invite someone else.¡± He Yun was the biggest name among the potential guests. With him holding court, their program would be hard-pressed not to be a hit. Shen Lan took the contract and read it over several times, but still could not recover from her shock. He Yun was quite the figure. A child star who at the age of twelve had won Best Supporting Actor and at eighteen had received the Golden Statue Award for Movie Emperor, becoming a hot commodity in the industry, a star endowed with both talent and charisma. However, recently he had been embroiled in a reputation crisis with allegations of diva behavior surfacing regularly, landing top positions on trending searches several times, which is why they only approached the Movie Emperor with a one-in-a-million hope. They had been prepared to be scolded by his studio and possibly subjected to veiled criticism via Weibo¡ªas had happened with the dozen or so other scandal-plagued celebrities they had approached. But the notoriously temperamental and high-profile Mr. He had unexpectedly consented. Moreover, before this, she had also received a spontaneous signing request from a budding actress, Little Hua, which meant that within the span of a week, they had locked down all the cast members for the variety show that had been troubling them for half a year. And all of this had started after Jiang Li had come to see her. Could she really be her lucky star? Shen Lan didn¡¯t dare waste any more time and immediately called an emergency meeting with all the departments that very night. By the time she had finished with all of the company¡¯s work, it was already past four in the morning. Just as Shen Lan was about to rest and had lain down, her gaze swept across the photo of Jiang Shixu on the table. It was a birthday picture from when he was eight years old. Back then, although he was already showing signs of depression, his whole being was still full of sunshine and vitality, with a radiant smile on his face. Feeling a tightness in her heart and after pondering for a moment, Shen Lan picked up her car keys and walked down to the basement. When she arrived at the Jiang Family¡¯s house, the sky was beginning to lighten up with the pre-dawn glow. Uncle Jiang, seeing her car, was quite surprised and hurried forward to open the door for her. ¡°Second Lady, what brings you back?¡± Shen Lan got out of the car and closed the door, saying, ¡°The company is going to be even busier soon. Taking advantage of some spare time today, I wanted to come home for a visit.¡± Jiang Ye immediately welcomed her inside with a cheerful demeanor. ¡°You¡¯ve been working so hard, Second Lady, and still remember to come back and see the third young master. He will surely be delighted to see you.¡± Shen Lan hesitated, her expression becoming somewhat unnatural. ¡°Well¡­ Shi Xu is probably still sleeping. I¡¯ll just look in on him and leave; you don¡¯t need to tell him I came.¡± After all, it seemed he was not exactly welcoming her return. However, Jiang Ye waved his hand, ¡°Eh, Second Lady, the third young master has completely changed from before. Not only is he up, but he¡¯s also in the backyard exercising with the young mistress.¡± Shen Lan could hardly believe what she was hearing. But as she walked further inside, she indeed observed many changes. The entire Jiang household seemed to have been rejuvenated. It was barely six in the morning, yet all the servants were diligently in place. Not only that, but each one of them greeted her with a cheerful face and profound respect, a stark contrast to the lazy and slothful staff she Chapter 31 - Chapter 31: Chapter 31 Master, Ive been having some bad luck lately! Chapter 31: Chapter 31 Master, I¡¯ve been having some bad luck lately! Before Shen Lan had reached the backyard, she already heard the sounds of a spear dance. Facing the freshly risen morning sun, she noticed at a glance the girl brandishing a Red tassel spear on the lawn. With a valiant and impressive bearing, she seemed to swallow mountains and rivers. It made her, the number one agent used to seeing all sorts of beauties in the entertainment industry, take notice. All of a sudden, she got the feeling that she had discovered the finest uncut jade in the world. With just a little polishing, this piece of jade could reveal incomparable value. There, close by on a stone, sat her usually reclusive and timid son, Jiang Shi Xu, dragging his cheeks, his eyes shining brightly as he watched Jiang Li with the spear. This tremendous change left Shen Lan momentarily disoriented. Jiang Li had spotted the returning Shen Lan a while ago and, after finishing her move, she retracted the spear and respectfully called out, ¡°Second Aunt.¡± Hearing this, Jiang Shi Xu lifted his head in surprise but quickly looked down again, then swiftly ran behind Jiang Li. Witnessing this scene, Shen Lan couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of sorrow, yet she was powerless to change anything. After all, she owed Shi Xu, and the fact that Jiang Li had gained his acceptance and gradually led him out of the shadows fulfilled one of Shen Lan¡¯s wishes. With this thought, Shen Lan¡¯s gaze towards Jiang Li filled with even more admiration. She really hadn¡¯t misjudged her; the current Jiang Li was indeed a pleasant surprise. ¡°Do you have anything else to do later?¡± Shen Lan asked. Jiang Li shook her head, ¡°Not at the moment.¡± ¡°Good, come find me after we eat, I have something to discuss with you.¡± Shen Lan¡¯s rare return home added a touch of liveliness to the originally vast and empty house, with Lin Man Ru even personally cooking a few dishes. After the meal, Shen Lan took Jiang Li into the study and got straight to the point: ¡°The variety show schedule has been confirmed, we¡¯re departing next Saturday, and the official Weibo will announce the lineup tomorrow. Are you prepared?¡± Jiang Li calmly sipped her hot tea. ¡°There¡¯s not much to prepare for, just not being late is fine.¡± Shen Lan was somewhat surprised, ¡°You don¡¯t have any other concerns? Especially with that incident¡­¡± Especially since Jiang Li¡¯s scandal had been hanging on the hot search list for three days without dropping. It was clear that someone was deliberately trying to embarrass her. These past few days, Weibo was almost driven mad, with Su Yinwan¡¯s fans clamoring to make her look bad. But what about Jiang Li herself, who was being slandered across the internet? Not only could she wake up early in the morning to practice with her spear, her complexion was rosy and cheerful, without a trace of distress, and she could even sit across from her, calmly enjoying tea. As if the affairs on the internet had nothing to do with her. In fact, since Jiang Yan reminded her that she had trended on Weibo, Jiang Li had not opened the app since. No matter how intensely the internet quarreled, she could remain entirely indifferent. Shen Lan admired her mindset even more and, after giving her a few pointers on what to pay attention to on the program, she said: ¡°There¡¯s more to take care of at the company, so I must rush back soon. Oh, remember to reshare the official Weibo announcement tomorrow, it¡¯ll help you gain some popularity.¡± ¡°Second Aunt,¡± Jiang Li suddenly called out to her, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to see Jiang Shi Xu?¡± Shen Lan paused in gathering her things. It was not that she hadn¡¯t intended to. But ever since she had come home, including just now at the dinner table, Jiang Shi Xu had not spoken a single word to her. Even when she took the initiative to ask about his well-being, she was only met with silence. Shen Lan pursed her lips, ¡°Today was too rushed, let¡¯s forget it for now, next time then. Please look after him more for me when you get a chance, sorry to trouble you.¡± After she finished speaking, she hurried away. Jiang Li put down the teacup in her hand and seemed to sigh somewhat helplessly. But immediately, her gaze fell on the keychain that Shen Lan had left behind on the table. After a moment of thought, Jiang Li picked up the keychain and tucked it into her pocket. After staying in the study and reading for another day, she finally returned to her own room. Thinking of the task Shen Lan entrusted her with in the morning, Jiang Li then turned on Weibo. Since she needed to repost content from the official blog, first she needed to have her own account. Luckily, the her controlled by the plot had been too busy chasing after Shang Shaojing, she hadn¡¯t even registered for Weibo, which meant that those haters could only jump around in various comment sections, unable to attack her personally. Half a minute later, the account was created. Jiang Li chose an Eight Diagram as her profile picture, and changed her bio to ¡°Merit Birth Li, Tao Aligns with Crescent Moon¡±. This was the origin of her name. It was from this phrase that her master had extracted the character ¡°Li¡±, as an expectation for her. After completing these steps, Jiang Li took her change of clothes and went into the bathroom. When she came out after washing up, her phone wouldn¡¯t stop ringing. She checked it only to find out that when she changed her bio earlier, she had accidentally also sent that phrase out as a post. Normally, such a cryptic and mystical message from a new account would be completely ignored. But unfortunately, she had used the name ¡°Jiang Li¡±. Nowadays, those two characters were like vermin; no one would dare to take the risk of being attacked by the whole internet by choosing them as their Weibo nickname. But she had done just that. So, the comment section under her post was instantly overrun, and within half an hour, her account gained more than a thousand followers. [Damn, Jiang Li?! Has Jiang Li finally deigned to create a Weibo account to respond? Stop hiding like a turtle, come out and apologize to Wenwen!] [Jiang Li, you scumbag! Hurry up and come out to explain yourself to everyone!] [Hold on sisters, could we have got the wrong person? This account¡­ doesn¡¯t seem much like Jiang Li herself, could it be a case of the same name?] [Right? Could that princess choose an Eight Diagram for her own profile picture? And could she come up with eight characters as deep as ¡®Merit Birth Li, Tao Aligns with Crescent Moon¡¯? Especially when she scored just over 200 on the college entrance exam?] [I also think this might be someone with the same name. This account looks a bit like a fortune-teller¡¯s.] [Not a bit, with both the Eight Diagram and ¡®Tao Aligns with Crescent Moon¡¯, it¡¯s definitely a fortune-teller. Sisters, let¡¯s speak respectfully; what if we offend a real Demi Immortal?] [The one above is right; I apologize for being presumptuous. Demi Immortal, please don¡¯t take it to heart.] [Master, I¡¯ve been encountering some bad luck recently, could you take a look for me?] [Master, can you calculate where that full-of-evil Jiang Li is? I¡¯ve got an itch in my mouth lately.] The ¡°full-of-evil¡± Jiang Li herself was now looking at the comment section, which was turning more and more peculiar, with a calm face. After thinking for a bit, she clicked on the Weibo of the person who said they were experiencing bad luck, and then sent a private message. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Jiang Li. If you want to resolve your bad luck, send me your birthdate information.¡± The netizen named [Duke of Thunder] sent back a question mark the next second. [Duke of Thunder]: ¡°?¡± [Duke of Thunder]: ¡°Are you really a fortune-teller? Aren¡¯t you going to scam my money?¡± [Jiang Li]: ¡°No, I won¡¯t. This is my first time doing divination for someone online, free of charge. If you¡¯re worried I might steal your personal information, then I¡¯ll send you a photo of my ID card.¡± Then, the netizen received a photo of Jiang Li¡¯s ID card, with the ID number obscured, sent from Jiang Li herself. He was instantly stunned as he confirmed the photo hadn¡¯t been photoshopped. Someone actually sent their ID card to a stranger. And judging from the photo, she was also a stunning natural beauty! Chapter 32 - Chapter 32: Chapter 32 "Shining Transformation Trip" Official Lineup Announcement! Chapter 32: Chapter 32 ¡°Shining Transformation Trip¡± Official Lineup Announcement! You should know, an ID photo is like a mirror for demons. Even celebrities can¡¯t handle going barefaced under the attack of a high-definition camera. But this girl held up. And she even gave off the vibe of a blooming lotus. Being cheated by such a beauty in fortunetelling would be well worth it! Duke Thunder immediately sent over his birthdate details. Jiang Li had started to make calculations based on it. ¡°You¡¯re 20 years old this year, a university student, with the ¡®official seal¡¯ in your Four Pillars of Destiny, which speaks to fame and status, and the Earth Element is quite prominent in your Life Palace, so you should be doing a side gig related to new media, probably an internet celebrity or live streamer, and you are somewhat successful at it.¡± ¡°Also, your life destiny chart isn¡¯t bad, which suggests your family¡¯s financial situation is decent, but some conflicts with your parents have led you to choose to start your own business, probably during these two years of university.¡± ¡°Oh right, the current alignment of water and wood elements suggests you¡¯re probably studying somewhere to the south.¡± Duke Thunder was almost stunned. This account was a secondary one, without any personal details, so the Divine Calculator Jiang Li couldn¡¯t possibly dig up anything from his social media. Could he have really met a Demi Immortal? Duke Thunder excitedly typed a few lines on the screen. ¡°Holy sh*t, spot on!¡± ¡°I am indeed a game streamer with a decent fanbase, but recently, it¡¯s like I¡¯m retrograding ¨C especially at my studio, where it¡¯s one problem after another, either someone is sick or someone gets injured, making me also out of sorts, and I keep losing in PK tournaments.¡± Jiang Li thought for a moment, then said, ¡°Would you mind sending me a photo of your studio?¡± Duke Thunder: ¡°Sure.¡± Soon, he sent a few pictures. It was evident that the sender was cautious, hiding any potentially revealing information very carefully. Jiang Li quickly identified the problem. ¡°The Lucky Toad on your counter isn¡¯t ideal, also the placement of a few other items isn¡¯t great. Your studio has been recently refurbished, right? Originally it trapped more yin than yang, its location isn¡¯t great, and it¡¯s poorly ventilated.¡± ¡°The bad Feng Shui, exacerbated by placing an office desk and green plants in the center, traps both wealth and luck, naturally causing your misfortunes.¡± Duke Thunder had a sudden realization. The spots where he was located were incredibly expensive, and since the studio was just starting out, he had rented this place for its cheaper cost. Young people don¡¯t care much for mysticism or Feng Shui; they just arrange things however looks best. But Jiang Li¡¯s words enlightened him. He was an entrepreneur; naturally, he had to think of every aspect. So he immediately sent a bowing emoji. ¡°Master, please advise! How should I arrange things to break this bad luck?¡± There was silence from the other side. After waiting ten minutes, Duke Thunder started to feel deflated. Is there ever a free lunch? The master had pointed out his predicament, so of course, solving it would cost money. Just as he was typing to ask about the cost, ¡°ding-dong¡±, Jiang Li sent him a picture. ¡°This is a sketch I drew, just buy the corresponding items I mentioned, arrange them as instructed, and ensure good ventilation. With airflow comes water flow, and your fortune will naturally improve.¡± Duke Thunder almost literally bowed down. A detailed sketch?!?! Even real-life fortune tellers aren¡¯t this thorough. ¡°Master, you¡¯re too kind, just name your price for the fortune-telling fee, I can afford it!¡± Jiang Li pondered for a moment, ¡°I mentioned it was free at the start, but fortune-telling indeed requires give and take. How about this, just give one dollar as a gesture, and if it really proves useful later on, consider it building up some karma for me.¡± Duke of Thunder was moved to tears. One dollar. This person truly is a good Samaritan. Not only is he stunning, but he also proactively helped solve a problem and sincerely spent so much time chatting. After sending the red envelope, Duke of Thunder immediately followed him and went to the comment section to confront every person who insulted her. ¡°Demi Immortal is not that infamous Miss Jiang Li, accumulate some virtue and don¡¯t tarnish this sanctuary, beware of bad karma haunting your eight generations!¡± The impact of these words was huge, and soon those agitated haters dared not make a move. Jiang Li exited the Weibo interface, sat on the bed contemplating for a while, then picked up the keychain Shen Lan left during the day and went to Jiang Shixu¡¯s room on the fifth floor. After knocking lightly on the door, Jiang Shixu¡¯s head peeked out. His eyes lit up at the sight of Jiang Li. ¡°Sister? What brings you here so late?¡± Jiang Li opened her palm, revealing the keychain. A pink piglet dangled from the silver metal ring, looking adorably clumsy. Jiang Shixu was delighted, immediately took it in his palm to fiddle with, ¡°Sister, is this for me? How did you know I was born in the year of the pig?¡± Jiang Li smiled, ¡°No, this is from Second Aunt for you.¡± Jiang Shixu paused, his hand holding the piglet froze mid-air. ¡°Is that so¡­¡± His tone noticeably dropped, then he turned his head, ¡°If she wanted to give me something, why didn¡¯t she come herself?¡± ¡°Shixu,¡± Jiang Li said earnestly, ¡°I know you hold resentments towards Second Aunt, but sister can see that she still cares about you, otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have rushed home in the middle of the night.¡± ¡°Really? But she didn¡¯t even stay half a day.¡± Jiang Li smiled meaningfully and tilted her head to look into his eyes, ¡°So you wish she had stayed at home to spend time with you, right?¡± Jiang Shixu turned his head even more, but his ears turned slightly red. ¡°Not at all,¡± he muttered. ¡°Alright, don¡¯t be upset.¡± Jiang Li ruffled his hair, ¡°Next time Second Aunt comes back, just talk to her. Otherwise, if you miss the chance, who knows how long you¡¯ll have to wait? Fate and opportunities should be cherished.¡± ¡°Go to sleep early, good night.¡± Jiang Li left, but after she closed the door, Jiang Shixu couldn¡¯t sleep at all. He looked at the pink piglet lying in his palm, emotions flickering in his eyes. After squeezing its round head, he placed the piglet on his chest, crossed his hands to protect it, and then closed his eyes. Sister was right. Fate and opportunities must be cherished, and seized. Next time, he would definitely respond to her. ¨C The next morning, ¡°Shining Transformation Trip¡± official blog posted an announcement¡ª Shining Transformation Trip V: Hello, everyone! The much-anticipated Little Shang is online again! This time, we bring six guests to travel to the distant Highland Mountain Area: @He YunV @Shu YanV @Wen Jiaojiao Little FairyV @Jiang YanV @Jiang LiV And two mysterious guest performers, you¡¯ll find out who they are during the live broadcast~ Join Little Shang in looking forward to the transformation trip in two days! June 28th, don¡¯t miss it! #ShiningTransformationTrip #LiveVarietyShow #StarMediaEntertainment Chapter 33 - Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Variety Show of Villains Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Variety Show of Villains Following the announcement, five artists respectively reposted the Weibo¡ª He Yun V: ¡°Thank you.¡± Shu Yan V: ¡°Wow, the production crew actually arranged so many handsome guys to join us, looking forward to it~¡± Wen Jiaojiao Little Fairy V: ¡°Someone should wait for a good show!¡± Jiang Yan, who still lay immobile in bed, also reposted it with a simple caption that just read: ¡°Hehe.¡± Jiang Li didn¡¯t say anything and just routine reposted it. Instantly, ¡°Shining Transformation Trip,¡± already under intense scrutiny, shot up to become a trending hot topic with these five people¡¯s reposts. The comment section was quickly overwhelmed. [What¡¯s going on? This controversial reality show is actually getting started, and there are really people willing to participate?] [Isn¡¯t this just purely a gathering of villains? Not a single good person; these six people together are like the chaotic scene of all chaotic scenes!] [Forget about gathering; it¡¯s already a chaotic scene now. Look at what Wen Jiaojiao said, it¡¯s obviously aimed at someone among them, kinda excited, can¡¯t wait to see celebrities tearing each other apart.] [Huh, why are Jiang Yan and Jiang Li, the siblings, also going? Could it be that the negative press from a while back was all just groundwork for this reality show?] [I find it hard to disagree, considering they¡¯re newbies. I guess it¡¯s the production crew wanting to boost ratings by stirring up scandals, some of which really seem fake.] [Aren¡¯t you Jiang Li¡¯s burner account? Starting the whitewash already? Our Wenwen has been bullied like this, and Jiang Li hasn¡¯t even apologized, just turns around to go on a reality show, crazy for fame much?] [Jiang siblings are trying to enter the entertainment circle like this? Ptui, what people, the entertainment industry does not welcome artists with tainted reputations!] [The entertainment industry does not welcome artists with tainted reputations! These five might as well not transform at all, just straight into jail to spare everyone the annoyance!] [But¡­ actually, I still really want to see them on the same stage, it¡¯s even live. Personal images will surely crumble completely; never mind me, I just want to enjoy the drama!] [Craving the drama +! ¡°Flash Change¡± hurry and begin broadcasting, I want a front-row seat to the spectacle!] Shen Lan hadn¡¯t expected such a small official announcement to attract such vast attention. This Weibo post hit a new peak in daily views, even making their official account¡¯s followers exceed a million, attracting several advertisers scrambling for sponsorships. To defend their vested interests, various fan groups started attacking other guests, making the situation even more uncontrollable as different terms nearly swamped Weibo. However, other guests¡¯ fans weren¡¯t to be trifled with, especially He Yun¡¯s. Despite suffering from his diva-like scandals¡¯ backlash, with early fame and genuine talent, his massive fan base was undeniable, directly shutting up critics from other camps. So, they redirected their venom at Jiang Yan and Jiang Li, who were simply newbies with mostly haters for fans. In just half a day, Jiang Yan¡¯s Weibo also fell victim. His latest post showed him partying in a bar, originally just engaged with several industry friends endorsing and commenting. Now, with the uproar, comments on this post headed straight to break ten thousand. [Anyone can try to share a slice of the pie in the entertainment industry huh, even this playboy fits for a variety show?] [Come off it, definitely just wants to use the show as an exposure opportunity to keep raking in money for indulging in vices, I¡¯m so used to seeing this routine.] [Playing so hard, isn¡¯t it just to fish for more girls during the increased exposure? Disgusting.] [Scum, have your sister apologize to my Wenwen! Being Jiang Li¡¯s brother, you¡¯re no good either!] Confined motionless to his bed, Jiang Yan saw these bad comments and became so angry he smashed several bowls and snapped back at each one. [I am what? I¡¯m your unreachable daddy!] [Did me partying cost your money? So meddlesome; let me tell you, my family has enough money for eight generations; I don¡¯t need to go on this lousy reality show for the money!] [I could charm women worldwide and still wouldn¡¯t charm you, rest assured, you¡¯re perfectly safe.] [¡­..] He really couldn¡¯t reply to the last message. Although Su Yinwan was considered half a goddess to him, the whole thing truly had Jiang Li looking more wronged. No, he was even more wronged! Being forced onto such a weird variety show was one thing, getting inexplicably scolded was another. If anyone should be scolded, it should be Jiang Li! Thinking this, Jiang Yan furiously clicked on Jiang Li¡¯s Weibo. First off, the Eight Diagram profile picture caught his attention. Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­..¡± Really thinks she¡¯s Demi Immortal, huh. Jiang Li¡¯s Weibo content was simple, other than a reposted official announcement today, there was a signature he couldn¡¯t understand. However, both of these Weibo posts¡¯ comments sections had long turned into front-line battlefields. [Damn, is this really Jiang Li, trying to confuse people on purpose?] [What¡¯s with the fortune-telling act, so scheming.] [Just bullied Su Yinwan and now stepping on her to enter the entertainment industry, huh? Disgusting, the Jiang Family¡¯s siblings are desperate for fame.] [Homewrecker, pah, shameless, President Shang clearly likes our Wenwen, yet you throw yourself at him. Can¡¯t you live without a man?] [I¡¯m serious about investigating Jiang Li, the guy is a total tyrant, a little punk from a third-rate college wants to enter the entertainment industry? Please look in the mirror.] Seeing that there were twice as many haters under Jiang Li¡¯s Weibo posts as under his own, Jiang Yan finally felt somewhat balanced. It¡¯s her fault for forcing him into this variety show. Karma, right? However, after reposting that Weibo, Jiang Li had not checked her phone again but continued to stay in the study, ignoring worldly matters, fully devoted to reading the classics. Next door, Jiang Shi Xu was lying on the bed, his expression icy as he looked at the comments on the phone. Wanting to vindicate Jiang Li, he pondered for a long time but could not come up with any retorts, and could only pout as he reported each abusive commenter. Incidentally, he also liked the comments that insulted Jiang Yan. The constant disregard from Jiang Li also made those haters suspect. Given this lady¡¯s temperament, she would definitely lash out immediately, just like her brother Jiang Yan, who wouldn¡¯t eat or drink just to retort all his haters. Yet it had been nearly a week since this issue blew up and she had just quietly joined a variety show. A variety show full of villains. Could they really have misunderstood? Or was this a scandal deliberately orchestrated by Xingmei Entertainment to drum up publicity for these two newcomers? As soon as netizens threw this topic out, it gained widespread attention. [I think so too, could Jiang Li be aiming for notoriety? If so, wouldn¡¯t our insults be playing right into her hands?] [Just a passerby, I don¡¯t think the incident was that serious, could there be some misunderstanding?] [Passerby +1, just came from Jiang Yan¡¯s Weibo, his counterattack is so fierce, even the haters can¡¯t outdo him, it¡¯s killing me from laughter.] [No offense, though he¡¯s not a good guy, he¡¯s quite handsome.] [Could he have had plastic surgery? With a sister looking like that, how good can he look?] Chapter 34 - Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Official Recording! Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Official Recording! Seeing that the public sentiment wasn¡¯t quite right, Su Yinwan felt increasingly uneasy. It was she who had anonymously paid someone to write the critical article about Jiang Li. The accompanying picture of her bowing was also meticulously prepared by her. The moment she apologized to Xiang Hao, she had already thought of this method of counterattack. Since she couldn¡¯t use the kidnapping incident to destroy Jiang Li, she decided to incite public opinion to have Jiang Li universally slandered, and thus indirectly achieve her goals through this plot twist. What she hadn¡¯t anticipated at all was that Jiang Li would turn around and participate in a variety show organized by Star Media Entertainment Company. In the plot given to her by the system, there had been no mention of this variety show, so Su Yinwan immediately panicked. ¡°001, what¡¯s the deal with this variety show? Can you give me some information? How did Jiang Li suddenly end up on the show?¡± In the original plot, Jiang Li, as a cannon fodder supporting female character, never even touched the edge of the entertainment circle. Yet, the system spoke in its cold mechanical tone, ¡°Sorry, Host, this is not part of the main plotline; you do not have the permission to view it.¡± Su Yinwan grew even more anxious. If Jiang Li managed to redeem herself through this show, wouldn¡¯t her prior efforts have been wasted? She had, with great difficulty, subtly influenced the male lead to use his influence to keep the negative trending searches about Jiang Li online. After some thought, Su Yinwan picked up her cellphone, turned on the camera, and aimed it at herself. The next day, a trending topic named #PartySuYinwanFinallyComesForwardToExplain,ButSeeminglyThreatened# instantly rose to first place on the trending list, successfully supplanting the entries for ¡°Shining Transformation Trip.¡± Clicking into it, there was a video recorded by Su Yinwan herself. In the video, she explained the whole incident and attributed the cause to her ill health over the past few days, which delayed her response and led to misunderstandings. At the end of the video, she sincerely apologized to Jiang Li and expressed hope that Jiang could forgive her, asking her to be the bigger person. The comments section immediately filled with sympathy¡ª ¡°Wenwen is too good, not feeling well but still remembered to explain for Jiang Li, when she herself is the real victim. You can¡¯t find another beauty like her even with a lantern.¡± ¡°No guys, something seems off with Wenwen, she doesn¡¯t look sick, she looks utterly exhausted!¡± ¡°Exactly, look at her in the video, clearly unrested and has been crying. And she mentioned being the bigger person, could Jiang Li have threatened her?¡± ¡°It¡¯s too much, Wenwen, why are you apologizing from beginning to end? You did nothing wrong! That rich, arrogant heiress is the one who¡¯s vile!¡± Following that, a comment by Shang Shaojing under this Weibo post drove the controversy to its peak. Shang Shaojing V: Don¡¯t be afraid, I¡¯m here. ¡°Ah, I¡¯m dead, I¡¯m dead, Mr. Shang¡¯s domineering protection of his wife is just too cool!¡± ¡°Wuuu, I knew Shang Yu and Wen are real, what does it matter if Jiang Li is socially compatible, she is still just a homewrecker!¡± ¡°If it¡¯s President Shang, then I¡¯d reluctantly let go of wife Wenwen.¡± At this point, netizens were convinced that Jiang Li was the first to slander and had coerced Su Yinwan into apologizing, and seeing the heat not dying down, had even threatened Su Yinwan into releasing the clarification video. That night, Jiang Li¡¯s Weibo followers grew by a hundred thousand, all of whom had come over just to scold her. ¡°` Even Lin Manru¡¯s close circle of ladies knew about the incident, shunning her and openly mocking her for not disciplining her daughter. Lin Manru stormed home and threw her purse onto the sofa. ¡°What kind of people are they? When Jiang Group was doing well, they all clung to me, flattering me. Now that Lili is misunderstood, they start to kick us while we¡¯re down.¡± ¡°Lili, are you really okay? Should I hire a PR person to respond, and maybe you shouldn¡¯t go to that reality show. You¡¯re leaving tomorrow. I can¡¯t bear it; let your brother go alone.¡± Jiang Li casually peeled a pear and handed it to her. ¡°Mother, don¡¯t worry. I know what I¡¯m doing. Let them talk if they like. Their mouths and hands are not mine to control. I can¡¯t just make tens of thousands of people shut up all at once.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°Rest assured.¡± Jiang Li grasped her hand and gave her a confident look, ¡°If you can¡¯t stand hearing them gossip, just stay home these days, nurture some flowers, feed the fish, and keep an eye on Shi Xu.¡± Seeing her daughter talk this way, Lin Manru could only feel a bit relieved. Actually, Jiang Li was not completely indifferent. When the scandal first erupted, she thought it was Shaojing stirring trouble on behalf of Su Yinwan. But when Su Yinwan released that video, Jiang Li realized something was off, confirming that it was all orchestrated by Su Yinwan, with Shaojing just aiding her. Taking into account the incident that night at Xiang Hao¡¯s club, she was sure that the current Su Yinwan was not the Su Yinwan she once knew. This dramatic change proved as much. She reached this conclusion after researching a lot of information. There was only one possibility for such a change¡ªsoul substitution. Like herself, Su Yinwan must have encountered something unexplainable by science, which also caused her to harbor a great hostility towards her. But all these were just her speculations. Since the other party disliked her, she decided to keep her distance. It wasn¡¯t necessary to entangle herself with the main male and female protagonists favored by the plot. Saving Jiang Family¡¯s fate was what she needed to focus on. ¨C Under the watchful eyes of the public, ¡°Shining Transformation Trip¡± officially began recording. Early in the morning, numerous netizens flooded into the live stream. [Front row selling sunflower seeds and cola, ready for the show!] [College students have it tough these days, sacrificing their precious Saturday sleep-in to catch some variety show fun. Little Shang, if you don¡¯t perform well, I¡¯m going to be upset.] [I¡¯m staying in Jiang Li¡¯s live stream today, and will keep criticizing from the moment she appears until the stream ends.] [Wow, Su Yinwan¡¯s fans really have strong attacking power, following the drama even here. Good thing my Movie Emperor didn¡¯t offend them.] [The person in the comment above isn¡¯t much better, an actor who doesn¡¯t study their craft but thinks of ways to put on airs all day, acting all high and mighty.] [No way, the pilot episode hasn¡¯t even started yet and it¡¯s already kicking off? These villains really do come with built-in hate from the fans.] [I¡¯ll add that Jiang Li really isn¡¯t that great. I¡¯ve seen Princess Wen¡¯s social media. She specifically came because of Jiang Li, who once embarrassed her in public, and she still remembers it.] [OMG, another explosive scoop! All villains + archenemies, the show¡¯s drama buff is fully stacked. How dare the producer do this? Hurry up and start the live show, I can¡¯t wait to watch the universe¡¯s most unreasonable wealthy princess and the academic underachiever making a public apology to a celebrity!] ¡°` Chapter 41 - Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Actually Still the Museum Director?! Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Actually Still the Museum Director?! The live broadcast room instantly erupted again. ¡°Has this matter really had such a huge impact? Even the national museum has stepped forward?¡± ¡°No, I have to go watch the drama unfold. I want to see Jiang Li being fiercely slapped in the face and apologizing!¡± ¡°Jiang Li is probably going to be banned before she even debuts, right? Peeking at the museum¡¯s cultural relics is not a small matter.¡± However, when they all rushed to Weibo and clicked into Hua Bo¡¯s Weibo to read the statement, they were so shocked that they could hardly hold their phones. Hua Country Museum V: ¡°The Dharma Teachings of the Buddha in the Ancient Scripture Restoration Series¡± Our expert team has finally completed the restoration of the rare ¡°Dharma Teachings of the Buddha¡± after six months and can now introduce it to everyone! For this reason, we shot a video to introduce this ancient scripture and the process of bringing it back into the light. Here, we would like to give special thanks to Miss Jiang @Jiang Li V. Her valuable suggestions provided our team with very important ideas, and she even helped us repair omissions in this Buddhist scripture. Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, Miss Jiang could not appear in the video, so as a token of our appreciation, we allowed her to borrow this Buddhist scripture and granted her permission to transcribe some of its content. We hereby clarify this in our video. #HuaCountryMuseum¡¯s Weibo Video Netizens were dumbfounded. Nobody had expected that what Jiang Li said was actually true. And she helped restore this scripture! She had been silent until she made a move that took everyone by surprise! ¡°No way, I¡¯m stunned. How did a poor student who scored just over 200 in the college entrance exam suddenly know how to restore ancient texts? Am I seeing things wrong? Hua Bo isn¡¯t under threat, right? If you¡¯ve been kidnapped, blink twice.¡± ¡°Are you crazy? I¡¯ve always felt that you people are so irrational. Jiang Li has been quietly reading in the live broadcast room this whole time. You were the ones who insisted she was showing off and forced her to prove herself. Now the officials have stepped forward to speak for her, and you¡¯re saying the officials have been kidnapped.¡± ¡°I find this outrageous too. This is Hua Bo we¡¯re talking about, not just any small museum. They¡¯ve made it so clear, yet the haters are still throwing tantrums. Anyway, I think from the start of the live broadcast until now, Jiang Li has been quiet and composed, polite and cultured. On the other hand, Qi Tianyu and Wen Jiaojiao have been making noise the whole time.¡± ¡°My sister from another mister! I also have a good impression of Miss Jiang, but her haters are terrifying. I don¡¯t even dare to comment in the live broadcast. She¡¯s so beautiful and elegant, and even understands cultural relics and ancient texts. She¡¯s the kind of talent that deserves to be followed!¡± In a blink of an eye, public opinion turned drastically, and the reticent Jiang Li gained a surge of attention. Her Weibo followers instantly broke through one hundred thousand. Shu Yan, who had been playing with her phone, naturally saw this trending topic as well, and after letting out a shout, she stood up. ¡°Look at your phones, everyone. The museum has mentioned @Jiang Li and thanked her for her help.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Qi Tianyu and Wen Jiaojiao exclaimed in unison, then both reached for their phones. In fact, Qi Tianyu had completely believed Jiang Li ever since he saw the character ¡°Sha¡± that she had left behind. It was just that he couldn¡¯t yet bring himself to admit that a junior college graduate had a deeper understanding of literature than he did, a professional from a top university. After seeing the statement released by Hua Bo, he was thoroughly ashamed. She had quietly helped the museum restore an ancient text, while he was deliberately picking on her. If his teacher found out that he had doubted someone with the ability to restore ancient texts, he would be scolded mercilessly. On the contrary, Wen Jiaojiao did not have the same awareness as Qi Tianyu. The moment she saw the trending search, her eyes nearly popped out, ¡°Jiang Li, you can restore ancient texts too? You must be lying.¡± How could a non-mainstream punk possibly achieve something so impressive? However, Jiang Yan, sitting on the couch, pointed to the screenshot of the museum video on the screen, ¡°Isn¡¯t that old man the one who visited our house the other day? He¡¯s the museum director?¡± Jiang Li looked over calmly, ¡°What else?¡± The sheer contrast of the news was so intense that even He Yun, who had been maintaining an air of detachment, pulled out her phone and opened Weibo. Actually, it was quite coincidental. She had returned to modern society just in time for the summer vacation and, with nothing else to do, she could only nestle in the study and read books. In just a few days, she had read all the books in the Jiang Family¡¯s collection, which were primarily kept for show. Thus, she had to turn her attention to the ancient books section of the library. There, she met an old gentleman who was also fond of reading ancient texts. Over time, they became reading companions, and it was then that she discovered he was actually the director of the Hua Country Museum. He was sifting through the ancient books to better restore an artifact they had recovered. Unfortunately, this copy of Buddhist Scripture was badly damaged, and the restoration process was far from easy. So, Jiang Li discussed possible solutions with him. Back in Daqi, her elder brother had been Lord Junior Minister of Weishi Temple, responsible for the organization of artifacts and books. She often accompanied him to the archives, and over time, through osmosis, she naturally picked up some skills in ancient book restoration. And as for this particular Buddhist Scripture, it was an even stranger coincidence. Buddhism was prevalent in Daqi, and she frequently accompanied her mother and the other ladies to bow and offer incense. While they performed their rituals, she would read Buddhist Scripture in the side rooms, and it just so happened that she had read this particular one, found it interesting, and even memorized it. She never imagined that after centuries of weathering, this Buddhist Scripture would become a unique volume. And to cause such a big misunderstanding today. With that in mind, Jiang Li looked towards Wen Jiaojiao with a smiling gaze. ¡°You just said that if I copied this book, you would have to eat it. What a pity, I wouldn¡¯t want you to even if you really wished to.¡± ¡°There is only one original of this book in the entire world, its value is immeasurable in money, and naturally, the value of this handwritten copy you hold in your hands cannot be compared to that of an ordinary book.¡± Following Jiang Li¡¯s gaze, Wen Jiaojiao felt as if the book in her hands had suddenly become immensely heavy. She hastily organized the pages and placed the book on the table, yet unwilling to let it go, she made a disdainful gesture and emphatically slapped the table beside it. ¡°Who, who would want it, it¡¯s just a lousy book after all.¡± Afterward, she stomped off in her high heels, visibly upset. Qi Tianyu also felt somewhat embarrassed, and after some thought, he still whispered an apology to Jiang Li: ¡°Sorry for misunderstanding you, I didn¡¯t know¡­¡± Jiang Li picked up the book, carefully organized it, and then placed it in her bag. ¡°It¡¯s okay, ignorance is not a sin.¡± Her clear voice and his magnanimous attitude caused Qi Tianyu¡¯s face to reddened instantly. For some reason, he always felt that there was an indescribable charisma about the girl in front of him, like the morning light outside, clean and warm. So¡­ had everyone misunderstood her? ¡°Ahem, alright.¡± Seeing that the misunderstanding had been cleared up, Director Sun finally cleared his throat and spoke, ¡°It¡¯s getting late; let¡¯s get ready to board the plane.¡± ¡°Oh, right, before boarding, there¡¯s a ¡®little game¡¯ everyone must play.¡± Director Sun then clapped his hands, prompting the staff to bring forward five small paper boxes. Everyone looked at each other in confusion, not knowing what was up the sleeve of the production team. Wen Jiaojiao, who was already in a bad mood for not having managed to teach Jiang Li a lesson, and had even been humiliated herself, complained under her breath: ¡°Because Jiang Yan was late, we had to wait so long, and now there¡¯s a game to play. When can we finally board the plane?¡± Chapter 36 - Chapter 36: Chapter 36: The Coldest Variety Show Opening in History Chapter 36: Chapter 36: The Coldest Variety Show Opening in History But soon, people began to question the authenticity of Jiang Li¡¯s bare face. After all, these days, faux bare-faced makeup can be indistinguishable from the real thing, and some celebrities even go as far as to record waking-up videos to establish their natural beauty persona¡ªseemingly very real, yet even their tousled hair is meticulously styled. This Jiang Li might have gotten up at three in the morning and hired a team to create this appearance for her debut. In the livestream room, those who had praised her beauty were quickly replaced by trolls, clamoring and arguing that she give Su Yinwan an explanation on camera. In comparison, He Yun¡¯s livestream room was much quieter. Thus, a wave of passersby, who were drawn to Jiang Li¡¯s livestream because of the beautiful animated GIFs on Weibo, poured into He Yun¡¯s livestream after being put off by the hostile barrages of comments in Jiang Li¡¯s. However, Jiang Li herself didn¡¯t seem to care about this. After closing the book in her hand, she smiled and responded to the apologetic staff member. ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s my oversight. I¡¯m used to getting up early, so I arrived a bit early. I got so engrossed in my book that I forgot to notify you all.¡± The girl¡¯s soft, gentle words reached He Yun, who couldn¡¯t help but look up in surprise. He had heard of this Jiang Li before. Before coming here, his team had admonished him time and again, telling him just to mind his own business and avoid getting close to other guests. After all, the reputations of the others weren¡¯t good to hear. Especially this Jiang Li. Having offended some big shot, her scandal was hung up on the trending searches for a week without being taken down. Her character was also known to be particularly poor, especially in her relationships. Therefore, she was listed by his team as the number-one person to steer clear of. So even though He Yun had been taken aback by her unique charisma just a moment ago, he didn¡¯t greet her and chose the seat farthest away from her. Yet her attitude toward the staff member caught him by surprise. If she were really as the rumors on the internet described, how could she be so humble and polite? And her eyes gave off a feeling of comfort and warmth, showing no trace of malice or pretense. Realizing that he was paying too much attention, Jiang Li tilted her head and, in that moment, their eyes met. The clarity in her eyes made He Yun startled again, and he quickly diverted his gaze. Naturally, he missed Jiang Li¡¯s thoughtful expression. Although Jiang Li¡¯s demeanor earned unanimous praise from the staff present, the comments in the livestream room weren¡¯t buying it at all. [Used to getting up early? I almost believed that. Is she starting to build a persona now? She¡¯s not as genuine as Mr. He next door, at least he really is professional.] [I laughed. Since when did the underachiever get so engrossed in reading? And a tattered book with no title, Jiang Li is really putting on a show.] [She might as well have set up a haughty and unruly rich girl persona. A lady who loves studying and getting up early? Ugh, I can taste the pretense spilling out of the screen.] [What else does Jiang Li have going for her besides her face? No, scratch that, her face might not even be factory original.] Because the two guests had arrived much too early, the director¡¯s team, who had planned for everyone to be late, suddenly found themselves in a frenzy. Only after both of them had settled down did Director Sun finally rush over, holding a cup of soy milk and biting on a fried dough stick. After swallowing the food in his mouth, he hurriedly took his megaphone and sat at his station. ¡°Uh, sorry for being a bit late. Since the two guests have already arrived early, how about we get to know each other?¡± He Yun, concerned whether the camera had caught their recent exchange, tilted his head even more and coldly responded with ¡°Not very familiar.¡± Seeing this, Jiang Li just nodded slightly, said ¡°Hello,¡± and then continued to lean against the window and read. The atmosphere in the lounge had suddenly turned frigid. Eventually, it even became so quiet that only the awkward coughs of the staff could be heard. Director Sun, still holding half a fried dough stick in his hand: ¡°¡­..¡± He had anticipated that shooting this variety show might be challenging, but he didn¡¯t expect things to go awry right from the start. ¡°All right then, I¡¯ll start by introducing myself.¡± Next, Director Sun rambled on and on, trying hard to find icebreaker phrases to get Jiang Li and He Yun to interact. But all he received in response was the sound of Jiang Li flipping through a book and the puzzled eyes of He Yun asking, ¡°What are you doing?¡± The live stream comments were about to explode with laughter. [What¡¯s happening here? Who¡¯s out-awkwarding whom? Oh my God, I¡¯m dying of secondhand embarrassment just watching through the screen.] [Director Sun is so pitiful, not even done with breakfast and already forced to perform, and then these two aren¡¯t taking the bait at all.] [Hahahahaha why isn¡¯t anyone laughing? Is this not hilarious? If Mr. He weren¡¯t wearing a mask, I reckon the word ¡®disdain¡¯ would be written all over his face.] [He Yun: I¡¯ve never come across a director who talks this much in my life.] Of course, there were also those taking the opportunity to continue hurling insults. [What are He Yun and Jiang Li pulling? This is a variety show, not their own homes?] [Exactly, and Jiang Li isn¡¯t even taking the initiative to greet our Movie Emperor. This junior has no manners at all; what¡¯s said online must be true.] However, just as the live chat was incessantly scrolling with remarks about how ¡°awkward¡± and ¡°the coldest opening in variety show history,¡± the third guest quietly made his entrance. The moment the newcomer was seen, the viewership in the live stream room skyrocketed. [Holy shit, it¡¯s actually Qi Tianyu! How did the production team manage to get him on the show!] [So, he¡¯s one of the special guests, awesome! Finally, there¡¯s someone normal on this show.] [Ahhh, what a pleasant surprise! I was just watching ¡°King of Roast¡± yesterday, and now Qi Tianyu shows up in the ¡°Flash Change¡± live stream. I declare, from this moment on, to elevate Flash Concubine to Flash Empress!] Qi Tianyu was a recent star on the roast debate variety show ¡°King of Roast.¡± His solid values and humorous remarks made him the meme king of the year among netizens. Coupled with his pretty-boy looks, he quickly attracted a large number of devoted fans, and his likability among the general public was off the charts. He was precisely the ace up Shen Lan¡¯s sleeve. After all, they knew that having all five guests on the same stage would undoubtedly turn the live stream into a chaotic mess. They had chosen a relatively experienced director to take charge, but they still couldn¡¯t rest assured. Thus, they had spent a lot of money to bring in Qi Tianyu. Hoping that, as a contrasting figure, he could collaborate with the director to warm the atmosphere and utilize his comedian potential to attract a wave of viewers. Qi Tianyu set off carrying the hopes of the entire directing and production teams. At the moment of his arrival, the staff in the lounge looked at him as if he were a savior. With Qi Tianyu there, they finally wouldn¡¯t have to fear a dead air anymore! Director Sun took the opportunity to signal frantically at him with his eyes. God knows how torturous those past ten minutes had been for him; he nearly wore out his lips and still couldn¡¯t get those two to utter a single word. One was aloof and unapproachable, the other exuded an inexplicably stable and powerful aura, making it hard for him to directly issue orders. Now with the King of Memes here, there was no fear of the atmosphere turning cold again. Qi Tianyu, catching the signal, instantly turned to the duo upon entering and said, ¡°Ah, I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m not the first one here?¡± ¡°Being the perpetual Lao San on ¡®King of Roast¡¯ is bad enough, how come I¡¯m still the eternal Lao San when I come to ¡®Flash Change¡¯?¡± Chapter 43 - Chapter 43: Chapter 43: How can sitting in business class be this uncomfortable? Chapter 43: Chapter 43: How can sitting in business class be this uncomfortable? Seeing He Yun willing to sit next to Jiang Li and even taking off her mask to chat with her, a barrage of question marks appeared in the live stream¡¯s comments. [????? What¡¯s going on? Mr. He, where¡¯s your aloof persona?] [Wuwuwu, He Bao, mommy doesn¡¯t allow you to talk to bad women. Your scandal is still trending, don¡¯t be fooled by her appearance.] [Jiang Li hasn¡¯t done much, right? At least she¡¯s been behaving well since the live stream started.] [Jiang Li, remember, you are the first woman on this show to get our Movie Emperor to speak.] [Yysy, these two are quite a match in terms of looks, it¡¯s quite pleasant to see them sitting together.] Someone even captured the moment He Yun took off her mask to look at Jiang Li and posted it on Weibo, starting to ship them. Jiang Yan, who happened to be browsing Weibo, stood up abruptly from his seat. But he was immediately stopped by a flight attendant. ¡°Sir, the plane is about to take off, please return to your seat and fasten your seat belt.¡± The comments erupted into criticism once again. [What on earth does Jiang Yan want to do, causing such a scene on a flight, how impolite.] [Exactly, fighting over a seat is bad enough, but now he can¡¯t sit still, how dangerous.] [I guess he fought for the seat so he could better scold the trolls on Weibo; he¡¯s clapped back at everyone who insulted him in his comment section.] The announcement from the plane¡¯s broadcast system sounded, and the live-streaming equipment was turned off under the staff¡¯s operation. Once the plane was stable in the sky, Jiang Yan finally unfastened his seatbelt and walked over to where Jiang Li was sitting. ¡°Hey, you go sit upfront.¡± Jiang Li, who was reading a book, slowly lifted her head and looked at him with puzzlement. Jiang Yan furrowed his eyebrows, his patience waning a bit. ¡°Don¡¯t you understand human speech? I told you to go sit upfront, hurry up.¡± ¡°Why should I?¡± ¡°Because¡­¡± Jiang Yan clenched his teeth, ¡°I want to sit by the window, so move.¡± Jiang Li: ¡°¡­.¡± She glanced at Jiang Yan in front of her and then at his seat, slowly closing her book and gathering her things without hurry. As she left her seat and passed by Jiang Yan, she whispered: ¡°If you wanted to save the best seat for your sister from the start, there was no need to be so extreme about it.¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s neck turned red in an instant. ¡°You¡­ don¡¯t flatter yourself, it¡¯s not because of you. I just don¡¯t like sitting alone!¡± However, Jiang Li had already walked away, paying no attention to his feeble defense. Frustrated and embarrassed, Jiang Yan angrily took the window seat, then glared at He Yun beside him with unfriendly eyes. He Yun: ¡°¡­..¡± He hadn¡¯t provoked this person, had he? But considering he was Jiang Li¡¯s brother, he shouldn¡¯t be all that bad. With that thought in mind and following the principle of friendliness, He Yun tapped his chin, ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°Hello my ass,¡± Jiang Yan said rudely. ¡°Stay away from my sister next time. She¡¯s still in school and not part of your circle.¡± He Yun: ? What is this person talking about? Without caring for He Yun¡¯s reaction, Jiang Yan continued aggressively, ¡°Even if you are good-looking, that doesn¡¯t cut it for me. I¡¯ve seen online you¡¯re quite arrogant, right? That¡¯s even worse. My sister¡­ she has a strong temper too, you¡­¡± He Yun: ? Is this person even normal? Then he pulled out his mask and silently put it back on. ¡°So what I¡¯m telling you is that¡ª¡± Jiang Yan, halfway through his speech, looked at He Yun again, only to find that he had already put on his mask and eye mask to rest. Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­..¡± This man really is both pretentious and impolite! Thinking of taking advantage of his sister? Not even a chance! Over here, Jiang Li hugged his book and slowly sat down in the front row. As if on cue, he received a fierce glare from Wen Jiaojiao sitting next to him. Just as he turned his gaze towards her, she huffed coldly and looked away. Jiang Li: ¡°¡­.¡± However, Jiang Li could somewhat understand Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s behavior. After all, he had indeed been excessive in the past. Xinli Media was considered a leader in the media industry, and as the daughter of its largest shareholder, Wen Jiaojiao was accustomed to a life of luxury and, just like his former self, had a fiery temper that would flare up at the slightest provocation. Unfortunately, he had previously clashed with her at a party, making fun of her for not dressing as well as he did. This tit-for-tat had escalated into enmity between them. Every encounter seemed to be on the verge of turning into a fight. And it was always Wen Jiaojiao who ended up worse off. That¡¯s why, even when she was aggressive and unreasonable in the resting room just now, Jiang Li didn¡¯t react too strongly. In his eyes, she was nothing more than an immature young miss, whose temper might be foul, but who wasn¡¯t evil at heart. Confronted with Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s childish antics, Jiang Li chose to ignore her once again and focused on his book. Seeing this reaction, Wen Jiaojiao grew even more exasperated. For the reality show clash, she had specially rehearsed at home for a long time and had come up with a hundred ways to embarrass Jiang Li. But now¡­ he was ignoring her?! Where was the old Jiang Li who would argue over anything with her?! Meanwhile, Wen Jiaojiao stewed in her own ire. Qi Tianyu sitting behind wasn¡¯t faring any better. Although Shu Yan had stopped chatting with him the moment the cameras were off, a still-anxious Qi Tianyu chose to distance himself from her, curling up into a ball in the corner. The consequence was that four hours later, his limbs were completely numb, and his neck was stiff. He even had to disembark the plane in a strange posture. The live broadcast resumed. Looking at the three people with terrible complexions on the screen, the barrage of comments went into full spectator mode. [What happened to Qi Tianyu? How can he look so tired after sitting in business class?] [I bet he was hounded by Shu Yan sitting next to him until he was mentally exhausted.] [Why do Jiang Yan and Wen Jiaojiao look so upset, too? It seems like they¡¯re boiling with anger.] [Aren¡¯t those two sitting in separate seats? Could they have started arguing across the aisle?] [Given their personalities, it would be just like them to do something like that.] [Ahhhh I really want to know what happened on the plane, Director Sun, don¡¯t make me beg, hurry up and release the footage.] Immediately, someone combined screenshots of the three looking particularly awful with those of their neighbors who appeared rosy-cheeked and in fine form. This sparked a heated debate on Weibo. Some guessed that Jiang Yan and Wen Jiaojiao had fought over who would sit on the left and who on the right. But Jiang Yan himself quickly responded with a hot comment saying, [Do you think I¡¯m a three-year-old child?] There were also speculations that Qi Tianyu had been harassed by Shu Yan. This elicited sympathy from many netizens. And the topic of ¡°Shining Transformation Trip¡± saw a sharp rise in popularity. But sharp-eyed netizens still sniffed out the key issue. Isn¡¯t this supposed to be a transformation-themed variety show? Do a VIP resting room and business class count as a transformation? Chapter 44 - Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Laozis Hands Are Made to Drive a Ferrari! Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Laozi¡¯s Hands Are Made to Drive a Ferrari! But the next move by the production team proved they hadn¡¯t forgotten the original intention of making this variety show. Since the Southwest Plateau area was economically backward, the airport they arrived at was also small. Not only were the facilities outdated, but the number of people inside, apart from staff, was also few. After the six people got off the plane, they noticeably talked less, and once they dragged their suitcases out of the airport and saw the even sparser population outside, they fell completely silent. Jiang Yan was the first to voice his discontent. ¡°Hey, Director, what is this arrangement? It was bad enough boarding the plane, but why is everything even after disembarking so messy?¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Wen Jiaojiao chimed in with her complaint, ¡°What kind of place is this? I¡¯ve never seen such a rundown airport in my life.¡± [Prince Disease and Princess Disease are starting their antics again.] [These two really are troublesome. Suddenly, even Jiang Li doesn¡¯t seem so annoying anymore.] [Jiang Li: Thanks for the nice guy card my brother sent.] Director Sun took his time and pulled out a megaphone again. ¡°Don¡¯t rush, listen to me,¡± ¡°We are heading to a place called Chixia Village, which is over sixty kilometers from here, so we still need to take a ride to our destination.¡± ¡°The car is also ready by the production team, everyone, please look.¡± As a line of staff dispersed, an old silver van appeared on the screen, its wheels covered in mud. Everyone was instantly stunned. But the harsher reality was yet to come. Director Sun swiftly got into a small sedan, rolled down the window, and said: ¡°Since our show is a transformation-themed variety, and our funding is limited, we could only rent this kind of vehicle.¡± ¡°The address has already been input into the car¡¯s navigation system, and it will take roughly two hours to get there. Make your arrangements.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, Director Sun rolled up the window, and the white sedan drove off, leaving a cloud of dust. Then, the other cars of the production team also drove away. In less than a minute, the spacious area was left with only six people and six suitcases staring at each other. ¡°Wait, are they really just leaving? Not even leaving a camera behind?¡± Qi Tianyu also started freaking out, his first time on such an unconventional variety show. ¡°Damn it, they just dumped us in this godforsaken place?¡± Jiang Yan angrily kicked a stone nearby, ¡°I¡¯m going to take a plane back home right now!¡± ¡°If you¡¯re willing to pay the penalty and don¡¯t mind being cursed as a coward, go ahead,¡± Jiang Li¡¯s voice eerily resounded. Hearing this, Wen Jiaojiao, who was about to call home and throw a temper, silently put down her phone. If Jiang Li wasn¡¯t leaving. Why should she? She definitely couldn¡¯t lose to her! So she snorted and said, ¡°Then tell us what we should do now?¡± Jiang Li walked over and examined the van. ¡°They¡¯ve installed live streaming equipment both on the roof and inside the car, so your every move is still being monitored.¡± Hearing this, Qi Tianyu immediately straightened up. Good thing he hadn¡¯t sworn in his frustration just now, or everything would have been ruined. The few people here looked miserable, but the audience in the live streaming room was already in stitches laughing. [Oh my, the production team¡¯s move was too cunning, and I hadn¡¯t even realized Director Sun had driven off already.] [I¡¯m dying of laughter, haha, watching these spoiled young masters and princesses argue is really entertaining.] [Did Princess Wen just about get ready to call for help before?] ¡°All rise, the feature film begins! They¡¯re finally transforming!¡± ¡°I actually feel that Miss Jiang Li has been performing pretty well so far. Even without knowing about the cameras, she remains calm and collected. Suddenly, I kind of like her, what should I do?¡± ¡°Hmph, maybe she knew all along and just pretended. Anyway, I¡¯ve always been against Jiang Li all the way. Even if she apologizes to Wenwen, I can¡¯t forgive her!¡± Seeing Jiang Li board the minivan alone, the usually reticent He Yun stepped forward and asked in a low voice, ¡°So, does this mean we¡¯re supposed to drive ourselves?¡± Jiang Li nodded and then looked at everyone. ¡°I haven¡¯t gotten my driver¡¯s license yet. Does anyone here know how to drive? The vehicle has seven seats; one for the driver and the remaining seat for luggage, which fits perfectly.¡± Jiang Yan, who was glanced at, stiffened immediately and turned his head away. ¡°My hands are meant for driving Ferraris, not these crummy vans. To be seen driving this thing on TV? How lame!¡± Wen Jiaojiao also stepped back with her luggage in hand. ¡°I just had my nails done, and my high heels are made of soft lamb leather; I don¡¯t want them getting scratched.¡± Shu Yan, however, raised her hand. ¡°I do have a license, but I¡¯ve never driven before. If you¡¯re okay with it, I could give it a try.¡± ¡°No.¡± Jiang Li checked her phone and said, ¡°The place we¡¯re going to is mostly mountain roads, and it just rained a few days ago. It¡¯s very dangerous, so it¡¯s better not for a novice to drive.¡± ¡°How about I do it,¡± He Yun offered. ¡°I¡¯m pretty good with cars.¡± Just as Jiang Li was about to nod, Jiang Yan alertly sprang forward and blocked between the two. Good old He, trying to drive so Jiang Li sits in the passenger seat, huh? No way! ¡°No.¡± Jiang Yan said. ¡°You can¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°Fine, since you¡¯re so eager, you drive,¡± Jiang Li said abruptly, stuffing the keys into Jiang Yan¡¯s hands. Jiang Yan: ??? When had he said he wanted to drive? He clearly meant the passenger seat was his! However, when he looked back, the others had already efficiently loaded the luggage and settled into the van. Leaving only the driver¡¯s seat for him. Jiang Yan: ¡°Damn!¡± [Ahahahaha I¡¯m dying of laughter, pure Jiang Yan victimhood.] [The interaction between these siblings is kind of funny. I thought Jiang Li would always protect her brother.] [Hahahaha I can¡¯t stop laughing. Jiang Yan dressed up like that but has to drive a peeling van¡ªthe visual is too strong, I¡¯m laughing in advance.] [Serves him right for being so late.] [Jiang Yan, one second ago: My hands are meant for Ferraris! The next second: Hello, van.] Suddenly, a trending term called ¡°Everyone else is the darling, Jiang Yan is the bullied¡± climbed the hot searches. Reluctantly, Jiang Yan gritted his teeth and sat down in the driver¡¯s cabin, then viciously inserted the key. The production team¡¯s rented van was not any ordinary wreck; he had to twist the key three times just to start the engine. Wen Jiaojiao in the backseat was already getting impatient. ¡°Can you even drive? You can¡¯t even start the engine. Might as well let Qi Tianyu drive.¡± Qi Tianyu, who was implicated while lying down: ¡°¡­..¡± He did want to drive, but his neck was still sore from being twisted on the plane and hadn¡¯t recovered yet. Jiang Yan snorted coldly, ¡°If you think I¡¯m driving badly, why don¡¯t you try? Stop acting like a princess all the time; this isn¡¯t the Capital city anymore.¡± ¡°You!¡± Wen Jiaojiao gritted her teeth from irritation. The Jiang Family is indeed more annoying one after another! Jiang Yan, bursting with pride and about to press his advantage, then received a metaphorical dagger glare from Jiang Li sitting next to him. ¡°From the airport to Chixia Village is 68 kilometers, estimated at 1.6 hours, but the mountain roads are hard to navigate, so it¡¯ll take at least two and a half hours to reach. If you keep delaying like this, we might not even have dinner before it gets dark.¡± Chapter 39 - Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Is This Book an Out-of-Print Buddhist Scripture?! Chapter 39: Chapter 39 Is This Book an Out-of-Print Buddhist Scripture?! Qi Tianyu had been looking forward to watching Jiang Li¡¯s drama unfold. But to his surprise, Wen Jiaojiao, who seemed to possess some strength, turned out to be a paper tiger. She was defeated by Jiang Li before even one round had passed. After pondering for a moment, Qi Tianyu¡¯s gaze locked onto the book next to Jiang Li, deciding to employ a tactic to distract her attention. He pretended to intervene as a peacemaker and pulled Wen Jiaojiao aside. ¡°Ms. Wen¡¯s words were a bit too much. I¡¯ve been here for an hour since I arrived, and Miss Jiang has been reading this whole time. She doesn¡¯t seem to be faking at all. Maybe she genuinely loves to study.¡± Wen Jiaojiao scoffed, ¡°Her? Jiang Li? Loves to study? Who are you trying to fool? If she loves studying so much, how could she have scored only in the two-hundreds on her college entrance exam?¡± Qi Tianyu¡¯s face showed embarrassment, as if trying to change the subject, he turned to look at Jiang Li. ¡°Miss Jiang, what book are you reading? I¡¯ve been curious since a moment ago.¡± Jiang Li pushed the book toward him, ¡°You¡¯ll know once you look at it.¡± Qi Tianyu picked up the book that had no characters on the cover, but his expression changed drastically the instant he saw the contents. Wen Jiaojiao couldn¡¯t help but show a look of disdain. ¡°Hey, Qi Tianyu, you¡¯re also a student at Yan University, do you have to look so surprised by an old book?¡± Then she also leaned in to look. The next second, her expression grew complicated as well. The barrage of comments from the audience became curious. [What book is it that has elicited such a big reaction from these two?] [Could it be some banned book, or is the content too difficult for Qi Tianyu to understand?] [How could that be? Our Tianyu is a top student in the Chinese Literature department at Yan University, proficient in six languages. How could there be a book he doesn¡¯t understand?] Seeing this, Director Sun quickly instructed the cameraman to zoom in on the book. In an instant, rows of elegant and graceful traditional characters appeared on the screen. [Is that a handwritten book? In traditional characters?] [No way, can Jiang Li actually understand this? What is she pretending for?] [Now I¡¯m certain she¡¯s faking it. I thought she was seriously studying, but this is classical Chinese. My eyes are getting blurry just looking at it.] Qi Tianyu also sneered inwardly a few times, managing his expression with effort so as not to give himself away. ¡°Miss Jiang, can you understand the content inside?¡± Jiang Li smiled lightly, ¡°Mr. Qi, what do you mean? Why would I read a book I can¡¯t understand?¡± ¡°Do you know what this content is?¡± Qi Tianyu¡¯s expression became even more complicated, ¡°This is Buddhist scripture.¡± Suddenly, there were even more mocking comments on the barrage. [No way, is Jiang Li actually reading Buddhist scripture? And for over an hour?] [That¡¯s too pretentious. I¡¯d rather grab a famous literary work to show off. Who doesn¡¯t know Buddhist scripture is incredibly arcane and indecipherable to non-professionals?] [Qi Tianyu is awesome. I thought it was just ordinary classical Chinese, but he could tell at a glance that it¡¯s Buddhist scripture.] Upon hearing this, Wen Jiaojiao snatched the book from Qi Tianyu¡¯s hands and said with a boastful and disdainful look: ¡°Oh really? You said you were studying seriously, right? Then let me test you on the content.¡± She flipped through a few pages, then pointed to a sentence: ¡°Tell me, what does the fourth sentence on page 13 say?¡± Everyone looked at each other in dismay. Wasn¡¯t Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s manner of seeking revenge a bit too conspicuous? How could anyone remember every single line on every page when reading a book? Even Qi Tianyu felt it was a bit too much. His original intention was just to make Jiang Li back off gracefully, considering it was only the first day, and making things too tense would look bad for everyone. ¡°Ms. Wen, aren¡¯t you being unreasonable? Classical Chinese is hard enough to remember, let alone Buddhist scripture.¡± ¡°If one can maintain pure precepts, then one may possess the good Dharma,¡± a series of beautiful words spilled from Jiang Li¡¯s lips. Wen Jiaojiao was stunned. What the hell? Jiang Li smiled as she looked at her, ¡°Ms. Wen, can¡¯t you understand? You have the original text in your hands, or are you saying you can¡¯t read it at all?¡± Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s face immediately turned red with embarrassment, and she shoved the book into Qi Tianyu¡¯s hands. ¡°You have a higher level of education, you look and see whether she¡¯s making it up or if she really has it memorized!¡± Qi Tianyu was also very curious, but when he looked at the passage Wen Jiaojiao pointed out, he was flabbergasted. Because Jiang Li had recited it without a single mistake. ¡°Did you really memorize all of it?¡± Qi Tianyu exclaimed in shock. This was Buddhist scripture, after all! And it wasn¡¯t just any commonly known Buddhist scripture. Could it be that Jiang Li was like a blind cat who accidentally killed a rat? Unwilling to accept it, he flipped through a few more pages and asked a few more questions, yet Jiang Li¡¯s responses were still flowing effortlessly. Even He Yun, who was standing by, couldn¡¯t help but cast her gaze over again at Jiang Li¡¯s calm and composed demeanor. The audience was shocked, too. [I swear, what¡¯s going on, is Jiang Li¡¯s scholar persona actually real?!] [C¡¯mon, isn¡¯t it scripted? Didn¡¯t Jiang Li only score a little over 200 on her college entrance exam? How could she recite a Buddhist text from memory like this?] [Please, Qi Tianyu is a student from Yan University with very solid principles, how could he possibly go along with Jiang Li in this script-acting scheme? And look at Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s expression, does that look acted to you? Moreover, when did her acting get so good?] Wen Jiaojiao was completely thrown out of her social circle. She belonged to a well-off family and could have lived quietly as a wealthy heiress, but for some reason, she insisted on wading through the entertainment industry¡¯s murky waters. She could have just debuted, but her acting skills were terrible. Yet, because her father was a media mogul, despite her lack of talent, she still managed to land major roles in big IPs. This was the reason why an originally good script turned into the ¡°worst drama of the year¡± because of her presence. And Wen Jiaojiao herself got harshly criticized by netizens as a ¡°princess who feels good about herself despite her awful acting skills.¡± As people heatedly debated whether Jiang Li¡¯s scholar persona was real or faked, someone with a sharp eye noticed the crux of the issue. [Hold on, I just looked up the stuff that Jiang Li recited, and damn, it¡¯s not content from just any Buddhist scripture, but from a rare book! It¡¯s the only surviving copy that was recently collected by Hua Country Museum, how does Jiang Li have it?] Qi Tianyu had also realized this issue. Not long ago, his professor had been invited by Hua Country Museum to appraise an ancient book and had excitedly introduced it to them for three days. And the contents matched exactly with the Buddhist scripture that Jiang Li held in her hands. ¡°That¡¯s not right,¡± Qi Tianyu examined the book in his hands again, ¡°This is content from ¡®Dharma Teachings of the Buddha,¡¯ a rare text that the Hua Bo has already collected. How do you have it?¡± Jiang Li replied calmly, ¡°Since you already know what this book is, you should also be able to tell that mine is just a handwritten copy, not the original. The original is a good copy, very precious, but a handwritten copy is different.¡± Qi Tianyu instantly became excited. You see, an ancient book has an immense appeal for a student of Chinese literature, especially one that¡¯s extinct! Plus, even their professor had only viewed a few pages from a distance with a magnifying glass. Although what he held was just a handwritten copy, its content was the most complete, incredibly valuable! Therefore, he suddenly looked at Jiang Li differently and forgot all about wanting to embarrass her, his original intent flying out the window. ¡°I don¡¯t suppose this is a handwritten copy by some great master, could I¡­ borrow it to take a look?¡± The handwriting in this copy was elegant, with clean and sharp strokes, clearly the work of a master. But normally, when a famous person copied ancient texts, they would leave their personal seal either at the beginning or the end of the book, yet this copy was clean apart from the content, without a trace of anything. Jiang Li¡¯s eyelashes fluttered gently. ¡°It¡¯s not by some great master, I copied it myself.¡± Chapter 40 - Chapter 40: Chapter 40: The National Museum Speaks! Chapter 40: Chapter 40: The National Museum Speaks! [Jiang Li claims she copied this herself? But her calligraphy is actually this pretty?] [Jiang Li dares to boast, and you guys really believe her? Do you really think the relics in the museum can just be borrowed for copying? The Jiang Family isn¡¯t that influential.] [I actually believed it until Jiang Li said that. Now, I just want to laugh. She probably had someone else do it and then took the credit for it.] The barrage was full of mockery. Qi Tianyu was also somewhat shocked. Although one should not judge a book by its cover, the person in question was the notoriously infamous Jiang Li. When did she become so cultured? Wen Jiaojiao, who knew Jiang Li¡¯s character well, almost rolled her eyes to the sky and directly grabbed the book, saying, ¡°If you really copied this, I¡¯ll eat all these right away!¡± ¡°Jiang Li, please make your public persona a bit more down-to-earth. Isn¡¯t being a rich, beautiful woman enough? Why insist on pretending to be a lady from a scholarly family¡ªyou¡ª¡± ¡°Yo, looks like I arrived just in time, it¡¯s quite lively here.¡± A mocking male voice suddenly interrupted Wen Jiaojiao. Everyone instinctively looked towards the sound, and the next second they were almost blinded. They saw a tall man pulling a huge suitcase walking in nonchalantly. The black suit adorned with golden patterns he wore shone with flowing light, even brighter than the light above his head. The shirt he wore inside was gold too, the neckline wide open, revealing a gold necklace as thick as a little finger. Not only that, the man¡¯s hair was meticulously managed, shiny and sleekly backcombed, with a few locks deliberately dangling in front of his forehead, and the sunglasses perched on his nose were the latest trendy brand of the season. Despite the exaggerated outfit, the man supported it with his perfect proportions and unworldly good looks. The contours under the sunglasses were sharp and defined, his lips thin and seductive, complemented by his naturally roguish demeanor, making him flamboyant and wild. Shu Yan¡¯s eyes suddenly lit up, and Wen Jiaojiao was also stunned. The camera operator quickly pushed the camera towards him, and the barrage exploded with screams. [Damn, damn, who is this hottie? I want to know everything about him in three seconds!] [Although he¡¯s dressed ostentatiously, he¡¯s really dashing! I¡¯ve never seen a celebrity like this before!] [Haha, you guys would be disappointed if you knew who he is¡ªhe¡¯s Jiang Li¡¯s even more useless brother, Jiang Yan.] [Seriously, do the people in the barrage just stop in their tracks whenever they see a man? Jiang Yan is already an hour late. He must have spent all that time dressing up. What¡¯s there to compliment about such an unrefined person?] [The Jiang siblings are really something¡ªone arrives the earliest, one the latest, but neither is decent.] [You can tell the Jiang Family¡¯s tradition is lacking¡ªthey¡¯re just nouveau riche. How could they compare to a real prestigious family? If you ask me, the number one distinguished family in the Capital has to be the Gu Family.] Seeing that everyone¡¯s attention had shifted to him, Jiang Yan then slowly took off his sunglasses, revealing a pair of bewitching, flirty eyes. ¡°What are you all looking at? Did this young master mesmerize you?¡± Shu Yan tossed aside her makeup mirror and stepped forward, ¡°Hi there, handsome. I¡¯m Shu Yan, nice to meet you.¡± Jiang Yan scanned her from head to toe, then put on his sunglasses again. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not into your type.¡± However, Shu Yan didn¡¯t show a hint of unease; she just slowly withdrew her hand, sighed, and sat down on the sofa. ¡°The handsome guys on this show are so difficult to deal with. I knew I shouldn¡¯t have come.¡± ¡°Not really, Shu Yan is here just to chase men, does she have no shame at all?¡± ¡°Jiang Yan isn¡¯t much better, so impolite.¡± ¡°I really doubt if the production team can handle these people. Each one is harder to deal with than the last. Now I find He Yun more tolerable compared to them, where does he act like a diva? He¡¯s actually giving us a chance to get close to him!¡± ¡°Yeah, these amateurs are more pretentious than He Yun, speechless.¡± Upon seeing Jiang Yan¡¯s face in an instant, Wen Jiaojiao immediately retracted her lovesick expression. She thought it was someone else; it turned out to be Jiang Li¡¯s brother. Therefore, she immediately mocked, ¡°You Jiang Family folks are really something. One knows how to act, and the other is late but still acts all high and mighty, I really don¡¯t know how you have the nerve to appear on this show.¡± Jiang Yan pushed his suitcase, plopped down on the couch, and glanced sideways at Jiang Li, who was sitting by the window. ¡°Hey, I wasn¡¯t keen to be on TV, and it was all because that woman forced me.¡± Seeing that Jiang Yan had no intention of defending his sister, Wen Jiaojiao grew even more smug. ¡°Jiang Li, I advise you to have some self-awareness, admit that the book was copied for you, and that dishonorable methods were used, lest it gets exposed later and you won¡¯t be able to clear your name even with ten tongues.¡± Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s words were prophetic. As time passed, more people joined the live stream. Those who were unaware of the background immediately voiced their outrage upon just seeing Jiang Li flaunt her scholarly persona. Su Yinwan¡¯s fans, initially struggling to find something to hold against Jiang Li, now took advantage of the situation and started posting harsh criticisms of Jiang Li¡¯s pretense. Among them were highly educated individuals who even listed the flaws in Jiang Li¡¯s statements. She was just an ordinary person, or rather a poor student from a non-prestigious university. How could Hua Country Museum possibly entrust her to copy such an important artifact? Some even pulled past instances of Jiang Li¡¯s handwriting on other platforms for comparison, clearly stating that she had someone else copy it for her. Thus, in no time, the hashtag ¡°Jiang Li¡¯s Scholar Persona disastrously backfired¡± trended in the hot searches. The comment section was full of mockery. ¡°Not really, how can Jiang Li, who scored barely over two hundred in the college entrance exam, dare to claim a scholarly persona? She even looks at the Buddhist Scripture, and claims she copied it herself? Why doesn¡¯t she say she¡¯s a PhD from Jing University?¡± ¡°It¡¯s hilarious, if you want to pretend, at least get your facts right before you speak. She just hit the iron board named Qi Tianyu, right? He¡¯s the real professional, studying Chinese literature at a prestigious university.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t watch this anymore. Jiang Li¡¯s skin is so thick. How can she remain calm and collected even after such a big flop?¡± Inside the live stream room, facing Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s aggressive approach, Jiang Li calmly put down her teacup. Then she dipped her finger in a little water and casually wrote a character on the foggy glass window. She then gracefully stood up and walked to the director. ¡°Director, everyone¡¯s here now, shall we start?¡± Wen Jiaojiao scoffed, ¡°What are you pretending for?¡± However, when her gaze fell on the character on the window, she couldn¡¯t help but be stunned. In the surrounding mist, the character ¡°É²¡± was elegantly and powerfully scripted, identical to the handwriting in the book she was holding. The viewers were also taken aback. No one expected that the character Jiang Li casually wrote on the window could be so attractive. And what shocked them even more was yet to come. Suddenly, someone typed in the live stream chat¡ª ¡°Oh my god, everyone, check Weibo, Hua Country Museum¡¯s official account has spoken!¡± Chapter 41 - Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Actually Still the Museum Director?! Chapter 41: Chapter 41: Actually Still the Museum Director?! The live broadcast room instantly erupted again. ¡°Has this matter really had such a huge impact? Even the national museum has stepped forward?¡± ¡°No, I have to go watch the drama unfold. I want to see Jiang Li being fiercely slapped in the face and apologizing!¡± ¡°Jiang Li is probably going to be banned before she even debuts, right? Peeking at the museum¡¯s cultural relics is not a small matter.¡± However, when they all rushed to Weibo and clicked into Hua Bo¡¯s Weibo to read the statement, they were so shocked that they could hardly hold their phones. Hua Country Museum V: ¡°The Dharma Teachings of the Buddha in the Ancient Scripture Restoration Series¡± Our expert team has finally completed the restoration of the rare ¡°Dharma Teachings of the Buddha¡± after six months and can now introduce it to everyone! For this reason, we shot a video to introduce this ancient scripture and the process of bringing it back into the light. Here, we would like to give special thanks to Miss Jiang @Jiang Li V. Her valuable suggestions provided our team with very important ideas, and she even helped us repair omissions in this Buddhist scripture. Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, Miss Jiang could not appear in the video, so as a token of our appreciation, we allowed her to borrow this Buddhist scripture and granted her permission to transcribe some of its content. We hereby clarify this in our video. #HuaCountryMuseum¡¯s Weibo Video Netizens were dumbfounded. Nobody had expected that what Jiang Li said was actually true. And she helped restore this scripture! She had been silent until she made a move that took everyone by surprise! ¡°No way, I¡¯m stunned. How did a poor student who scored just over 200 in the college entrance exam suddenly know how to restore ancient texts? Am I seeing things wrong? Hua Bo isn¡¯t under threat, right? If you¡¯ve been kidnapped, blink twice.¡± ¡°Are you crazy? I¡¯ve always felt that you people are so irrational. Jiang Li has been quietly reading in the live broadcast room this whole time. You were the ones who insisted she was showing off and forced her to prove herself. Now the officials have stepped forward to speak for her, and you¡¯re saying the officials have been kidnapped.¡± ¡°I find this outrageous too. This is Hua Bo we¡¯re talking about, not just any small museum. They¡¯ve made it so clear, yet the haters are still throwing tantrums. Anyway, I think from the start of the live broadcast until now, Jiang Li has been quiet and composed, polite and cultured. On the other hand, Qi Tianyu and Wen Jiaojiao have been making noise the whole time.¡± ¡°My sister from another mister! I also have a good impression of Miss Jiang, but her haters are terrifying. I don¡¯t even dare to comment in the live broadcast. She¡¯s so beautiful and elegant, and even understands cultural relics and ancient texts. She¡¯s the kind of talent that deserves to be followed!¡± In a blink of an eye, public opinion turned drastically, and the reticent Jiang Li gained a surge of attention. Her Weibo followers instantly broke through one hundred thousand. Shu Yan, who had been playing with her phone, naturally saw this trending topic as well, and after letting out a shout, she stood up. ¡°Look at your phones, everyone. The museum has mentioned @Jiang Li and thanked her for her help.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Qi Tianyu and Wen Jiaojiao exclaimed in unison, then both reached for their phones. In fact, Qi Tianyu had completely believed Jiang Li ever since he saw the character ¡°Sha¡± that she had left behind. It was just that he couldn¡¯t yet bring himself to admit that a junior college graduate had a deeper understanding of literature than he did, a professional from a top university. After seeing the statement released by Hua Bo, he was thoroughly ashamed. She had quietly helped the museum restore an ancient text, while he was deliberately picking on her. If his teacher found out that he had doubted someone with the ability to restore ancient texts, he would be scolded mercilessly. On the contrary, Wen Jiaojiao did not have the same awareness as Qi Tianyu. The moment she saw the trending search, her eyes nearly popped out, ¡°Jiang Li, you can restore ancient texts too? You must be lying.¡± How could a non-mainstream punk possibly achieve something so impressive? However, Jiang Yan, sitting on the couch, pointed to the screenshot of the museum video on the screen, ¡°Isn¡¯t that old man the one who visited our house the other day? He¡¯s the museum director?¡± Jiang Li looked over calmly, ¡°What else?¡± The sheer contrast of the news was so intense that even He Yun, who had been maintaining an air of detachment, pulled out her phone and opened Weibo. Actually, it was quite coincidental. She had returned to modern society just in time for the summer vacation and, with nothing else to do, she could only nestle in the study and read books. In just a few days, she had read all the books in the Jiang Family¡¯s collection, which were primarily kept for show. Thus, she had to turn her attention to the ancient books section of the library. There, she met an old gentleman who was also fond of reading ancient texts. Over time, they became reading companions, and it was then that she discovered he was actually the director of the Hua Country Museum. He was sifting through the ancient books to better restore an artifact they had recovered. Unfortunately, this copy of Buddhist Scripture was badly damaged, and the restoration process was far from easy. So, Jiang Li discussed possible solutions with him. Back in Daqi, her elder brother had been Lord Junior Minister of Weishi Temple, responsible for the organization of artifacts and books. She often accompanied him to the archives, and over time, through osmosis, she naturally picked up some skills in ancient book restoration. And as for this particular Buddhist Scripture, it was an even stranger coincidence. Buddhism was prevalent in Daqi, and she frequently accompanied her mother and the other ladies to bow and offer incense. While they performed their rituals, she would read Buddhist Scripture in the side rooms, and it just so happened that she had read this particular one, found it interesting, and even memorized it. She never imagined that after centuries of weathering, this Buddhist Scripture would become a unique volume. And to cause such a big misunderstanding today. With that in mind, Jiang Li looked towards Wen Jiaojiao with a smiling gaze. ¡°You just said that if I copied this book, you would have to eat it. What a pity, I wouldn¡¯t want you to even if you really wished to.¡± ¡°There is only one original of this book in the entire world, its value is immeasurable in money, and naturally, the value of this handwritten copy you hold in your hands cannot be compared to that of an ordinary book.¡± Following Jiang Li¡¯s gaze, Wen Jiaojiao felt as if the book in her hands had suddenly become immensely heavy. She hastily organized the pages and placed the book on the table, yet unwilling to let it go, she made a disdainful gesture and emphatically slapped the table beside it. ¡°Who, who would want it, it¡¯s just a lousy book after all.¡± Afterward, she stomped off in her high heels, visibly upset. Qi Tianyu also felt somewhat embarrassed, and after some thought, he still whispered an apology to Jiang Li: ¡°Sorry for misunderstanding you, I didn¡¯t know¡­¡± Jiang Li picked up the book, carefully organized it, and then placed it in her bag. ¡°It¡¯s okay, ignorance is not a sin.¡± Her clear voice and his magnanimous attitude caused Qi Tianyu¡¯s face to reddened instantly. For some reason, he always felt that there was an indescribable charisma about the girl in front of him, like the morning light outside, clean and warm. So¡­ had everyone misunderstood her? ¡°Ahem, alright.¡± Seeing that the misunderstanding had been cleared up, Director Sun finally cleared his throat and spoke, ¡°It¡¯s getting late; let¡¯s get ready to board the plane.¡± ¡°Oh, right, before boarding, there¡¯s a ¡®little game¡¯ everyone must play.¡± Director Sun then clapped his hands, prompting the staff to bring forward five small paper boxes. Everyone looked at each other in confusion, not knowing what was up the sleeve of the production team. Wen Jiaojiao, who was already in a bad mood for not having managed to teach Jiang Li a lesson, and had even been humiliated herself, complained under her breath: ¡°Because Jiang Yan was late, we had to wait so long, and now there¡¯s a game to play. When can we finally board the plane?¡± Chapter 42 - Chapter 42: Chapter 42 First Impression Score Chapter 42: Chapter 42 First Impression Score ¡°You¡¯ve all met now, so this game is very simple,¡± Director Sun said. ¡°That is, give each of the other five people in the room a score based on your first impression!¡± ¡°The highest score is 5, the lowest score is 1. The person with the highest score will receive a mystery grand prize, and at the same time, the person with the lowest score will face a punishment.¡± ¡°Next, please follow the staff, in the order that you arrived, to the next room to cast your votes.¡± The novel and grudge-invoking game immediately sparked a hot debate among the live audience. [Is this a transformation reality show or a trouble-making reality show? Scoring each other, and rating high and low?] [Just finished one battlefield, moving onto another, huh?] [Ha, no need to guess. The Jiang siblings will score the lowest; each is more pretentious than the other.] [Enough, the museum has already spoken up for Jiang Li, yet you still won¡¯t stop.] [Speaking up proves Jiang Li¡¯s good character? Has she even given Wenwen an explanation up until now? She¡¯s completely avoiding it!] The staff led Jiang Li away. To achieve the effect of a variety show, Director Sun teased the audience and didn¡¯t allow the live camera to follow but chose to record instead. The moment she entered the room, the staff got straight to the point. ¡°Miss Jiang, please score the other five guests based on your first impression of them.¡± Jiang Li hesitantly picked up the tag with 1 point and dropped it into the box labeled with Jiang Yan¡¯s name. ¡°Late and impolite, I¡¯m giving him the lowest.¡± The staff was surprised. Aren¡¯t these two siblings? Jiang Li really doesn¡¯t spare any familial affection. After giving the lowest score, Jiang Li hesitated about whom to give the highest score. Moments later, she stuffed the 5-point card into Qi Tianyu¡¯s box. He was the only one who greeted everyone, very polite, he deserves this high score. After finishing scoring everyone else, Jiang Li went out and called He Yun in. After everyone had finished scoring, Director Sun clapped the clapperboard. ¡°Alright, that concludes our last event in the Capital. Next, we can board the plane, and after we land, I will reveal the results.¡± The live audience immediately wailed. [Director Sun really knows how to keep us in suspense, not showing even a bit of footage.] [I¡¯m so anxious, I really want to know who got the lowest score.] [Wait, doesn¡¯t the person with the lowest score end up as the worst among all? Not only disliked by the audience but also by the fellow guests, truly tragic.] [Why declare someone the worst off the bat? My beloved Qi Tianyu is clean and clear, surely the king of positive reviews!] [Agree, my vote also goes to Qi Tianyu! I feel Mr. He would probably be the second highest, though he¡¯s indeed quite cold, he¡¯s much better compared to the others.] After a series of check-in processes, the six guests boarded the plane one after the other. The show crew had been quite considerate up to this point; not only was the waiting area arranged as a VIP lounge, but they had also purchased business class plane tickets. Director Sun, along with a few key staff members, settled into the back rows, deliberately leaving the front row seats empty. Jiang Yan arrived the last but was the most eager to board, directly seizing a spot in the front row. Qi Tianyu was the second to enter. After checking the remaining seat, he voluntarily sat in a double seat, saving the single seat for the girls who were arriving later. Wen Jiaojiao didn¡¯t hesitate and plopped herself right into it. As the plane hadn¡¯t taken off yet, and the live camera was still running, it continuously followed the group. The audience had a clear view of these people¡¯s behavior. ¡°Wow, Qi Tianyu is such a gentleman, even giving up his seat to a lady proactively.¡± ¡°Compared to that, Jiang Yan is really disgraceful. He was already late and didn¡¯t show any remorse; he was even the most aggressive in grabbing a seat.¡± ¡°The person who really should be transformed in this show is Jiang Yan. He has perfectly embodied the essence of a spoiled young master!¡± After boarding the plane, Jiang Yan was also busy, constantly replying angrily to the negative comments popping up in his Weibo backend. Jiang Li boarded the plane afterward and picked a window seat again. Shu Yan, true to her usual style, suddenly sat next to Qi Tianyu. ¡°Tianyu, brother, you don¡¯t mind if I sit next to you, right?¡± Smelling the pungent perfume, Qi Tianyu felt awkward but managed a polite smile, ¡°No problem, please sit.¡± The comments instantly filled with criticism. ¡°Does Shu Yan have no shame at all? I can¡¯t stand it anymore. Isn¡¯t there a seat next to Jiang Li? She just knows how to sit next to a man.¡± ¡°Wuwu, Shu Yan, stay away from my brother!¡± Immediately, Shu Yan¡¯s fans jumped out to defend her. ¡°Isn¡¯t choosing a seat a person¡¯s own preference? Why are you all interfering so much?¡± ¡°Exactly, and besides, Qi Tianyu didn¡¯t mind, right? Maybe it¡¯s Jiang Li, sitting next door, who forced Yanyan to sit over there by being competitive.¡± ¡°If Qi Tianyu and Jiang Li had one empty seat next to them each, where would you choose to sit?¡± This question silenced those who were criticizing Shu Yan before. Clearly, Qi Tianyu was much better than Jiang Li; anyone would prefer to sit next to him. But now, there was only one empty seat left. So He Yun, who boarded later, had no other options. Thus, everyone started to sympathize with He Yun, as he was the second somewhat normal person in this variety show. ¡°I guess Mr. He must be so disgusted; he didn¡¯t even greet Jiang Li upon entering the dressing room earlier, probably knowing her reputation.¡± ¡°Feel sorry for Mr. He for a second, forced to sit next to someone he dislikes.¡± ¡°Here he comes, here comes Mr. He. Even with a mask and hat, I can see the speechless expression on his face.¡± However, to everyone¡¯s surprise, He Yun not only sat next to Jiang Li without hesitation but even took off his mask and hat and reached out his hand to her. ¡°Hello, He Yun.¡± Jiang Li was slightly surprised and then reached out her hand. ¡°Hello, Jiang Li.¡± He Yun looked at the book she had just taken out and couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Do you like reading a lot?¡± Jiang Li curved her eyes and met his gaze directly. ¡°I thought Mr. He was a cold and reticent person. I didn¡¯t expect you to also ask questions proactively.¡± Jiang Li¡¯s frankness caused a blush of embarrassment to tinge the tips of He Yun¡¯s ears. He hadn¡¯t expected her to notice his intentional avoidance and to bring it up in this manner. He admitted that initially, he did want to avoid suspicion. But upon observing, he found that this girl wasn¡¯t as bad as the internet portrayed. On the contrary, she was rational, intelligent, and polite, exuding a distinctive aura in everything she did. More importantly, he felt that they were kindred spirits. Both trapped and rendered powerless by public opinion. Chapter 43 - Chapter 43: Chapter 43: How can sitting in business class be this uncomfortable? Chapter 43: Chapter 43: How can sitting in business class be this uncomfortable? Seeing He Yun willing to sit next to Jiang Li and even taking off her mask to chat with her, a barrage of question marks appeared in the live stream¡¯s comments. [????? What¡¯s going on? Mr. He, where¡¯s your aloof persona?] [Wuwuwu, He Bao, mommy doesn¡¯t allow you to talk to bad women. Your scandal is still trending, don¡¯t be fooled by her appearance.] [Jiang Li hasn¡¯t done much, right? At least she¡¯s been behaving well since the live stream started.] [Jiang Li, remember, you are the first woman on this show to get our Movie Emperor to speak.] [Yysy, these two are quite a match in terms of looks, it¡¯s quite pleasant to see them sitting together.] Someone even captured the moment He Yun took off her mask to look at Jiang Li and posted it on Weibo, starting to ship them. Jiang Yan, who happened to be browsing Weibo, stood up abruptly from his seat. But he was immediately stopped by a flight attendant. ¡°Sir, the plane is about to take off, please return to your seat and fasten your seat belt.¡± The comments erupted into criticism once again. [What on earth does Jiang Yan want to do, causing such a scene on a flight, how impolite.] [Exactly, fighting over a seat is bad enough, but now he can¡¯t sit still, how dangerous.] [I guess he fought for the seat so he could better scold the trolls on Weibo; he¡¯s clapped back at everyone who insulted him in his comment section.] The announcement from the plane¡¯s broadcast system sounded, and the live-streaming equipment was turned off under the staff¡¯s operation. Once the plane was stable in the sky, Jiang Yan finally unfastened his seatbelt and walked over to where Jiang Li was sitting. ¡°Hey, you go sit upfront.¡± Jiang Li, who was reading a book, slowly lifted her head and looked at him with puzzlement. Jiang Yan furrowed his eyebrows, his patience waning a bit. ¡°Don¡¯t you understand human speech? I told you to go sit upfront, hurry up.¡± ¡°Why should I?¡± ¡°Because¡­¡± Jiang Yan clenched his teeth, ¡°I want to sit by the window, so move.¡± Jiang Li: ¡°¡­.¡± She glanced at Jiang Yan in front of her and then at his seat, slowly closing her book and gathering her things without hurry. As she left her seat and passed by Jiang Yan, she whispered: ¡°If you wanted to save the best seat for your sister from the start, there was no need to be so extreme about it.¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s neck turned red in an instant. ¡°You¡­ don¡¯t flatter yourself, it¡¯s not because of you. I just don¡¯t like sitting alone!¡± However, Jiang Li had already walked away, paying no attention to his feeble defense. Frustrated and embarrassed, Jiang Yan angrily took the window seat, then glared at He Yun beside him with unfriendly eyes. He Yun: ¡°¡­..¡± He hadn¡¯t provoked this person, had he? But considering he was Jiang Li¡¯s brother, he shouldn¡¯t be all that bad. With that thought in mind and following the principle of friendliness, He Yun tapped his chin, ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°Hello my ass,¡± Jiang Yan said rudely. ¡°Stay away from my sister next time. She¡¯s still in school and not part of your circle.¡± He Yun: ? What is this person talking about? Without caring for He Yun¡¯s reaction, Jiang Yan continued aggressively, ¡°Even if you are good-looking, that doesn¡¯t cut it for me. I¡¯ve seen online you¡¯re quite arrogant, right? That¡¯s even worse. My sister¡­ she has a strong temper too, you¡­¡± He Yun: ? Is this person even normal? Then he pulled out his mask and silently put it back on. ¡°So what I¡¯m telling you is that¡ª¡± Jiang Yan, halfway through his speech, looked at He Yun again, only to find that he had already put on his mask and eye mask to rest. Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­..¡± This man really is both pretentious and impolite! Thinking of taking advantage of his sister? Not even a chance! Over here, Jiang Li hugged his book and slowly sat down in the front row. As if on cue, he received a fierce glare from Wen Jiaojiao sitting next to him. Just as he turned his gaze towards her, she huffed coldly and looked away. Jiang Li: ¡°¡­.¡± However, Jiang Li could somewhat understand Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s behavior. After all, he had indeed been excessive in the past. Xinli Media was considered a leader in the media industry, and as the daughter of its largest shareholder, Wen Jiaojiao was accustomed to a life of luxury and, just like his former self, had a fiery temper that would flare up at the slightest provocation. Unfortunately, he had previously clashed with her at a party, making fun of her for not dressing as well as he did. This tit-for-tat had escalated into enmity between them. Every encounter seemed to be on the verge of turning into a fight. And it was always Wen Jiaojiao who ended up worse off. That¡¯s why, even when she was aggressive and unreasonable in the resting room just now, Jiang Li didn¡¯t react too strongly. In his eyes, she was nothing more than an immature young miss, whose temper might be foul, but who wasn¡¯t evil at heart. Confronted with Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s childish antics, Jiang Li chose to ignore her once again and focused on his book. Seeing this reaction, Wen Jiaojiao grew even more exasperated. For the reality show clash, she had specially rehearsed at home for a long time and had come up with a hundred ways to embarrass Jiang Li. But now¡­ he was ignoring her?! Where was the old Jiang Li who would argue over anything with her?! Meanwhile, Wen Jiaojiao stewed in her own ire. Qi Tianyu sitting behind wasn¡¯t faring any better. Although Shu Yan had stopped chatting with him the moment the cameras were off, a still-anxious Qi Tianyu chose to distance himself from her, curling up into a ball in the corner. The consequence was that four hours later, his limbs were completely numb, and his neck was stiff. He even had to disembark the plane in a strange posture. The live broadcast resumed. Looking at the three people with terrible complexions on the screen, the barrage of comments went into full spectator mode. [What happened to Qi Tianyu? How can he look so tired after sitting in business class?] [I bet he was hounded by Shu Yan sitting next to him until he was mentally exhausted.] [Why do Jiang Yan and Wen Jiaojiao look so upset, too? It seems like they¡¯re boiling with anger.] [Aren¡¯t those two sitting in separate seats? Could they have started arguing across the aisle?] [Given their personalities, it would be just like them to do something like that.] [Ahhhh I really want to know what happened on the plane, Director Sun, don¡¯t make me beg, hurry up and release the footage.] Immediately, someone combined screenshots of the three looking particularly awful with those of their neighbors who appeared rosy-cheeked and in fine form. This sparked a heated debate on Weibo. Some guessed that Jiang Yan and Wen Jiaojiao had fought over who would sit on the left and who on the right. But Jiang Yan himself quickly responded with a hot comment saying, [Do you think I¡¯m a three-year-old child?] There were also speculations that Qi Tianyu had been harassed by Shu Yan. This elicited sympathy from many netizens. And the topic of ¡°Shining Transformation Trip¡± saw a sharp rise in popularity. But sharp-eyed netizens still sniffed out the key issue. Isn¡¯t this supposed to be a transformation-themed variety show? Do a VIP resting room and business class count as a transformation? Chapter 44 - Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Laozis Hands Are Made to Drive a Ferrari! Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Laozi¡¯s Hands Are Made to Drive a Ferrari! But the next move by the production team proved they hadn¡¯t forgotten the original intention of making this variety show. Since the Southwest Plateau area was economically backward, the airport they arrived at was also small. Not only were the facilities outdated, but the number of people inside, apart from staff, was also few. After the six people got off the plane, they noticeably talked less, and once they dragged their suitcases out of the airport and saw the even sparser population outside, they fell completely silent. Jiang Yan was the first to voice his discontent. ¡°Hey, Director, what is this arrangement? It was bad enough boarding the plane, but why is everything even after disembarking so messy?¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Wen Jiaojiao chimed in with her complaint, ¡°What kind of place is this? I¡¯ve never seen such a rundown airport in my life.¡± [Prince Disease and Princess Disease are starting their antics again.] [These two really are troublesome. Suddenly, even Jiang Li doesn¡¯t seem so annoying anymore.] [Jiang Li: Thanks for the nice guy card my brother sent.] Director Sun took his time and pulled out a megaphone again. ¡°Don¡¯t rush, listen to me,¡± ¡°We are heading to a place called Chixia Village, which is over sixty kilometers from here, so we still need to take a ride to our destination.¡± ¡°The car is also ready by the production team, everyone, please look.¡± As a line of staff dispersed, an old silver van appeared on the screen, its wheels covered in mud. Everyone was instantly stunned. But the harsher reality was yet to come. Director Sun swiftly got into a small sedan, rolled down the window, and said: ¡°Since our show is a transformation-themed variety, and our funding is limited, we could only rent this kind of vehicle.¡± ¡°The address has already been input into the car¡¯s navigation system, and it will take roughly two hours to get there. Make your arrangements.¡± As soon as he finished speaking, Director Sun rolled up the window, and the white sedan drove off, leaving a cloud of dust. Then, the other cars of the production team also drove away. In less than a minute, the spacious area was left with only six people and six suitcases staring at each other. ¡°Wait, are they really just leaving? Not even leaving a camera behind?¡± Qi Tianyu also started freaking out, his first time on such an unconventional variety show. ¡°Damn it, they just dumped us in this godforsaken place?¡± Jiang Yan angrily kicked a stone nearby, ¡°I¡¯m going to take a plane back home right now!¡± ¡°If you¡¯re willing to pay the penalty and don¡¯t mind being cursed as a coward, go ahead,¡± Jiang Li¡¯s voice eerily resounded. Hearing this, Wen Jiaojiao, who was about to call home and throw a temper, silently put down her phone. If Jiang Li wasn¡¯t leaving. Why should she? She definitely couldn¡¯t lose to her! So she snorted and said, ¡°Then tell us what we should do now?¡± Jiang Li walked over and examined the van. ¡°They¡¯ve installed live streaming equipment both on the roof and inside the car, so your every move is still being monitored.¡± Hearing this, Qi Tianyu immediately straightened up. Good thing he hadn¡¯t sworn in his frustration just now, or everything would have been ruined. The few people here looked miserable, but the audience in the live streaming room was already in stitches laughing. [Oh my, the production team¡¯s move was too cunning, and I hadn¡¯t even realized Director Sun had driven off already.] [I¡¯m dying of laughter, haha, watching these spoiled young masters and princesses argue is really entertaining.] [Did Princess Wen just about get ready to call for help before?] ¡°All rise, the feature film begins! They¡¯re finally transforming!¡± ¡°I actually feel that Miss Jiang Li has been performing pretty well so far. Even without knowing about the cameras, she remains calm and collected. Suddenly, I kind of like her, what should I do?¡± ¡°Hmph, maybe she knew all along and just pretended. Anyway, I¡¯ve always been against Jiang Li all the way. Even if she apologizes to Wenwen, I can¡¯t forgive her!¡± Seeing Jiang Li board the minivan alone, the usually reticent He Yun stepped forward and asked in a low voice, ¡°So, does this mean we¡¯re supposed to drive ourselves?¡± Jiang Li nodded and then looked at everyone. ¡°I haven¡¯t gotten my driver¡¯s license yet. Does anyone here know how to drive? The vehicle has seven seats; one for the driver and the remaining seat for luggage, which fits perfectly.¡± Jiang Yan, who was glanced at, stiffened immediately and turned his head away. ¡°My hands are meant for driving Ferraris, not these crummy vans. To be seen driving this thing on TV? How lame!¡± Wen Jiaojiao also stepped back with her luggage in hand. ¡°I just had my nails done, and my high heels are made of soft lamb leather; I don¡¯t want them getting scratched.¡± Shu Yan, however, raised her hand. ¡°I do have a license, but I¡¯ve never driven before. If you¡¯re okay with it, I could give it a try.¡± ¡°No.¡± Jiang Li checked her phone and said, ¡°The place we¡¯re going to is mostly mountain roads, and it just rained a few days ago. It¡¯s very dangerous, so it¡¯s better not for a novice to drive.¡± ¡°How about I do it,¡± He Yun offered. ¡°I¡¯m pretty good with cars.¡± Just as Jiang Li was about to nod, Jiang Yan alertly sprang forward and blocked between the two. Good old He, trying to drive so Jiang Li sits in the passenger seat, huh? No way! ¡°No.¡± Jiang Yan said. ¡°You can¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°Fine, since you¡¯re so eager, you drive,¡± Jiang Li said abruptly, stuffing the keys into Jiang Yan¡¯s hands. Jiang Yan: ??? When had he said he wanted to drive? He clearly meant the passenger seat was his! However, when he looked back, the others had already efficiently loaded the luggage and settled into the van. Leaving only the driver¡¯s seat for him. Jiang Yan: ¡°Damn!¡± [Ahahahaha I¡¯m dying of laughter, pure Jiang Yan victimhood.] [The interaction between these siblings is kind of funny. I thought Jiang Li would always protect her brother.] [Hahahaha I can¡¯t stop laughing. Jiang Yan dressed up like that but has to drive a peeling van¡ªthe visual is too strong, I¡¯m laughing in advance.] [Serves him right for being so late.] [Jiang Yan, one second ago: My hands are meant for Ferraris! The next second: Hello, van.] Suddenly, a trending term called ¡°Everyone else is the darling, Jiang Yan is the bullied¡± climbed the hot searches. Reluctantly, Jiang Yan gritted his teeth and sat down in the driver¡¯s cabin, then viciously inserted the key. The production team¡¯s rented van was not any ordinary wreck; he had to twist the key three times just to start the engine. Wen Jiaojiao in the backseat was already getting impatient. ¡°Can you even drive? You can¡¯t even start the engine. Might as well let Qi Tianyu drive.¡± Qi Tianyu, who was implicated while lying down: ¡°¡­..¡± He did want to drive, but his neck was still sore from being twisted on the plane and hadn¡¯t recovered yet. Jiang Yan snorted coldly, ¡°If you think I¡¯m driving badly, why don¡¯t you try? Stop acting like a princess all the time; this isn¡¯t the Capital city anymore.¡± ¡°You!¡± Wen Jiaojiao gritted her teeth from irritation. The Jiang Family is indeed more annoying one after another! Jiang Yan, bursting with pride and about to press his advantage, then received a metaphorical dagger glare from Jiang Li sitting next to him. ¡°From the airport to Chixia Village is 68 kilometers, estimated at 1.6 hours, but the mountain roads are hard to navigate, so it¡¯ll take at least two and a half hours to reach. If you keep delaying like this, we might not even have dinner before it gets dark.¡± Chapter 45 - Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Give a Sweet Date and Then a Slap Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Give a Sweet Date and Then a Slap Helplessly, Jiang Yan had no choice but to step on the accelerator. As Jiang Li had said, this stretch of road was indeed difficult to navigate. Chixia Village was hidden among the mountains; they had to drive along a winding mountain road and through a stretch of stone forest before finally arriving. It had rained a few days earlier, making the mountain road wet and slippery, with stones covering the surface. Moreover, the van was old and rickety, and even He Yun started to feel overwhelmed by the bumps after a while. Not to mention Qi Tianyu, who had already twisted his neck, and the girls Shu Yan and Wen Jiaojiao. The driver, Jiang Yan, had a bellyful of fire, cursing all the way. ¡°What kind of crappy road is this, it¡¯s the 21st century and we still have roads like this?¡± ¡°Is this road even meant for driving?¡± ¡°Is the production team deliberately making things difficult for us?¡± Jiang Li, on the other hand, didn¡¯t have any discomfort. Riding in ancient carriages was far bumpier than this, enough to make a person dizzy. Having ridden in carriages for over a decade, she could tolerate even the shakiest of car rides on the roughest of roads. ¡°This is the only road that leads to Chixia Village. It has only been in the last few years that Chixia Village has shed its label of poverty. Three years ago, when the villagers wanted to go out, they had to walk through these muddy mountain paths on foot. If there was heavy rainfall, they couldn¡¯t even step outside their doors.¡± ¡°The village chief of Chixia Village, out of concern for the school children and elderly who needed to travel, led the young and strong villagers to spend two whole years carrying stones to pave this mountain road.¡± Jiang Li¡¯s storytelling was particularly pleasant to the ears, even drowning out the noisy engine sound. Everyone gradually fell silent, with even Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s complaints becoming softer. Jiang Yan took a deep breath, ¡°How do you know so much? Isn¡¯t this your first time here too?¡± Jiang Li gave him a glance, ¡°Don¡¯t you do your research and get to know the place before you come?¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­.¡± Who has the time for that nonsense? [I went to search it up, and everything Jiang Li said is spot-on. The story of the Chixia Village chief leading villagers to pave the road even made it to the trending searches that year!] [Wuwuwu, why do I feel so moved? Just now, Jiang Li¡¯s expressions and voice had such a penetrating power, like a person with a real sense of story was telling the tale.] [The production team is quite thoughtful; I thought they had just chosen a place at random.] [Jiang Li is also very meticulous, doing research before coming. Suddenly, I¡¯m shifting from my previous position; she seems so genuine.] Because the topic of discussion was so widely talked about, and with Xingmei Entertainment pushing it along, it didn¡¯t take long for the three words #Chixia Village# to rise to the top of the trending searches, drawing significant social attention. After Jiang Li¡¯s ¡°educational¡± talk, none of the five complained for the second half of the journey. By the time the sun was about to set, Jiang Yan finally drove the car to their destination. Exhausted in both body and mind, everyone dragged their suitcases out of the car, not even having the strength to question Director Sun. As for Director Sun¡¯s side: He was happily eating watermelon in the shade with several staffers. When he heard the commotion from afar, he quickly gestured for people to pack up, putting on a look as if he had been waiting for a long time. Even though the summer days were cool in the mountains, the breezeless mountaintop still carried a hint of stuffiness. It was only when the van let out a long, horn-like screech of brakes and came to a stop that Director Sun walked over with a hairdryer in hand. ¡°Sss, you guys took much longer than we expected; the sun¡¯s almost gone down.¡± Jiang Yan, jumping out of the van with a dark expression, kicked the door shut with his foot. ¡°You try driving this broken van on a mountain road! I¡¯m about to develop cervical spondylosis.¡± Wen Jiaojiao, while massaging her ankle, kept complaining, ¡°I¡¯m really fed up; I¡¯ve never ridden in such an uncomfortable car. Why didn¡¯t you rent us a helicopter?¡± Shu Yan, too, was constantly lamenting as she looked at her ruined makeup in the mirror. Qi Tianyu, whose neck was completely twisted beyond repair, didn¡¯t even have the strength to complain. [Hahahaha I¡¯m dying of laughter, they look so bedraggled, I really want to laugh.] ¡°` ¡°[Why does Director Sun still have red juice at the corner of his mouth? Did he sneak off to eat some watermelon?]¡± ¡°[I¡¯m dying of laughter. The guests have to go through so many troubles on the way, while these directors are here chilling and taking breaks. The difference in treatment is just too great.]¡± ¡°[Poor Qi Bao, sitting all twisted up the entire way.]¡± ¡°[Tsk tsk, Mr. He¡¯s complexion has gotten even worse, was originally at -10 degrees, now it¡¯s almost -100.]¡± ¡°[Jiang Yan and Wen Jiaojiao have really bad tempers, huh? Complaining about not having a helicopter. They should be grateful to have a van.]¡± ¡°[Wait a second, why is Jiang Li the only one with a rosy complexion?]¡± Absolutely. Not only did Jiang Li not sweat a bit, but she also looked radiant with happiness. Against the gradually dimming sunset, her cheeks turned a rosy pink, providing a unique sense of beauty. The audience in the live broadcast suddenly received a blitz of her beauty. Seeing the others unable to express their misery, Director Sun felt very gratified inside. How nervous he had been in the rest room earlier, now he felt just as relieved. But there¡¯s a limit to everything, and offending these young masters and ladies too much wouldn¡¯t be good for him either. So he cleared his throat and said, ¡°Well, there is a reason why the production team arranged things this way. You¡¯ll understand once you look back.¡± The others stood emotionless, not budging an inch. Only Jiang Li slowly turned around. As her gaze shifted downwards, a golden sea of mountains gradually came into view. The sunset was blazing red, the evening glow was so dazzling it seemed as if it might spill out of the sky. Not far away, wisps of smoke from cooking fires blended with a light mist, slowly diffusing among the golden clouds, like an ink painting vividly drawn by an immortal. She suddenly understood why the village was named Chixia. The audience in the livestream was also stunned by the beautiful scenery in the camera. Another sight that dazzled them was Jiang Li against the backdrop of the sunset over the golden mountains. Her skirt was dyed a fiery red by the evening glow, and her satin-like hair fluttered in the summer breeze, comfortable and leisurely. The clear depths of her eyes reflected the lights of ten thousand homes, removing much of the coldness from her and adding a gentle allure. ¡°[Ahhhh I¡¯m dying from beauty, how can Jiang Li be so gorgeous!]¡± ¡°[Actually, from the moment Jiang Yan appeared, I believed that Jiang Li hadn¡¯t gotten plastic surgery. Their family¡¯s genes are pretty good.]¡± ¡°[Wuuu she stands atop the mountain like a fairy, who understands! A compassionate fairy at that!]¡± In a flash, the hashtag #JiangLiSunsetGoldenMountainBeautyPic# exploded onto the trending searches. More praise-filled comments poured in, and no one mentioned her outlandish unflattering photos anymore. And the other five in the broadcast room also turned their heads one by one after Jiang Li did, and they were unanimously shocked by the beauty before them. Seeing that everyone¡¯s mood had somewhat calmed down, Director Sun immediately gave his assistant a look. ¡°It¡¯s getting late, hah, so now let¡¯s announce the results of the first impression scoring from the airport rest room.¡± The barrage of comments was flooded with a wave of 666s. ¡°[Director Sun really knows how to play it cool, give them a sweet jujube and then a slap, right?]¡± ¡°[For some people, it¡¯s a slap, but for others, it¡¯s clearly a sweet jujube.]¡± ¡°[Jiang Yan: You might as well just report my social security number.]¡± ¡°[Without a doubt, Jiang Yan will rank last. After watching for so long, I¡¯ve almost switched from disliking Jiang Li to being a fan, but I just can¡¯t bring myself to like Jiang Yan. He¡¯s pretentious and foul-mouthed, and lacks manners.]¡± ¡°[I¡¯m dying of laughter, some people are really easily swayed, yes, the hurt isn¡¯t on your family¡¯s protagonists, of course, you¡¯re not angry. Wait until Jiang Li steps on your protagonist¡¯s head, then we¡¯ll see if you can still laugh.]¡± ¡°[Weakly stating, my idol is Wen Jiaojiao, I don¡¯t even know how I became a fan of hers, if Jiang Li insists on stepping¡­ well, step on.]¡± ¡°[Hahaha, Princess Wen¡¯s fans are so humble, have you been scared by the scolding? But although she has a foul temper and likes playing capitalist games, sometimes she¡¯s also quite cute.]¡± ¡°[Cute my ass, she and Shu Yan are just as nauseating. Not one of these three ladies is easy to deal with!]¡± ¡°` Chapter 46 - Chapter 46: Chapter 46 Why Am I Second to Last?! Chapter 46: Chapter 46 Why Am I Second to Last?! Upon hearing this, everyone but Jiang Li perked up with high alert. After all, there were only a few who didn¡¯t care how others saw them. But at the same time, afraid of showing their concern on camera, all five unanimously put on an air of indifference. Jiang Yan snorted coldly, ¡°Does the old man need others to score him? With this image and outfit of mine, shouldn¡¯t I get full marks?¡± ¡°Get over yourself,¡± Wen Jiaojiao, full of disdain, rolled her eyes. ¡°Dressed up like a golden toad, yet you think you¡¯re so good-looking.¡± When Jiang Yan heard that, his face turned sour instantly, ¡°Who¡¯s the ugly monster talking about?¡± ¡°The ugly monster is, of course, talking about you!¡± ¡°Oh, so you¡¯re finally admitting you¡¯re the ugly monster.¡± Wen Jiaojiao, who realized what had happened, stomped her foot in anger, ¡°Who are you calling names?¡± [I¡¯m dying of laughter, hahaha, how are these two at it again?] [Just a second ago, I thought Wen Jiaojiao had wised up, knowing how to skirt around insulting Jiang Yan as a toad, but then she slipped up the next second.] [Is this the case of a villain meeting a more suitable opponent? Princess Wen usually struts around the set, and no one dare offend her. Now that she¡¯s met the Eldest Young Master Jiang, she¡¯s hit a wall.] [Speaking of which, what¡¯s the deal with the Jiang Family? Even Wen Jiaojiao dare offend them.] [People have dug up online that the Jiang Family is in trade, mainly maritime transportation. Nouveau riche, indeed wealthy, but as for power¡­ nearly none. The Eldest Young Master Jiang¡¯s arrogance is purely a matter of personality.] ¡°Alright,¡± Shu Yan, while looking in the mirror, intervened, ¡°You two stop quarreling. Listen to what the director has to say instead. Anyway, I¡¯m definitely not going to be the last one.¡± Wen Jiaojiao glanced at her scornfully, ¡°You¡¯re so confident even while looking in the mirror? What, you think you¡¯re going to compete with me for first place?¡± Sensing the tension rising again on the set, Qi Tianyu immediately covered his neck and turned to Director Sun. ¡°Director, stop keeping us in suspense and announce the results already.¡± In fact, he was quite concerned about the outcome too. But just judging by the performance of these few, his score should undoubtedly be the first. Although he didn¡¯t come to this variety show to compete, who wouldn¡¯t want to perform better and gain more public attention? ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll reveal it now.¡± Director Sun took the results handed over by the assistant, glanced at it, and raised an eyebrow, ¡°This result¡­ let¡¯s start from the second-to-last place.¡± [I¡¯m dying of impatience, is Director Sun doing this on purpose? Why does his speech slow down just as he¡¯s about to say it?] [He¡¯s absolutely doing it on purpose! I¡¯m so anxious I need to pee!] [I¡¯m gonna take a wild guess that second-to-last is either Jiang Yan, Jiang Li, or Wen Jiaojiao; these three are all annoying in their own ways.] [The person above might as well list the entire guest group¡¯s names.] [How could Jiang Li possibly be second-to-last? She¡¯s definitely the last, the most hated green tea!] [Green tea? It¡¯s you who are biased, okay? I don¡¯t care; I¡¯m on Sister Jiang Li¡¯s side!] Director Sun deliberately drew out his words, his eyes lingering over the group. ¡°The one who is second-to-last is¡­¡± he paused, ¡°Let¡¯s congratulate Wen Jiaojiao for getting a good score of 13 points!¡± Wen Jiaojiao: ? The moment she heard her name, Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s face turned pale in an instant, ¡°What? I¡¯m second-to-last? What¡¯s wrong with you people? Did you calculate the score incorrectly?!¡± And 13 points?! That meant almost everyone gave her a low score. Why? Was it Jiang Li who spoke ill of her while she was inside giving her score? With this thought, she glared fiercely at Jiang Li. Jiang Li, still admiring the scenery: ? What¡¯s wrong with this girl now? Beside her, Jiang Yan burst out laughing. ¡°I said so, didn¡¯t I? Second to last, and just a moment ago someone was bragging about being surely the first.¡± ¡°Okay, quiet down,¡± Director Sun¡¯s speech tempo returned to normal, ¡°I¡¯m not done announcing yet.¡± ¡°Next up is third to last place, with a total of 14 points, congratulations to Shu Yan!¡± Upon hearing this, Shu Yan sighed with resignation, ¡°Aw man, I thought I could at least squeeze into the top three.¡± Wen Jiaojiao stamped her foot in complaint: ¡°Why does Shu Yan get one point more than me?!¡± She¡¯s clearly not as pretty as me, not as rich as me, why? Director Sun chose to ignore her foot-stamping entirely. ¡°Moving on to third place.¡± He looked at the scorepad in his hand, ¡°The third place has achieved a good score of 16 points, and this person is¡­.¡± Director Sun began a new round of looking around before finally resting his gaze on He Yun, ¡°Mr. He!¡± The crowd didn¡¯t react much to this result. Since He Yun had been quiet and not particularly noticeable since his appearance, it was expected that he wouldn¡¯t score very high, but he wouldn¡¯t do terribly either. And He Yun himself didn¡¯t seem to have any objections, maintaining his usual cool demeanor. However, when Director Sun read out his name, he instinctively looked over at Jiang Li. Jiang Li looked back at him. As their eyes met, she smiled and formed the words with her lips¡ª¡±Congratulations.¡± He Yun was startled for a moment, then quickly averted his gaze. At this time, the audience was lively discussing the results, and nobody noticed this minor episode. [It¡¯s all good, my brother is third, I¡¯m satisfied, as long as he¡¯s not last.] [Hilarious, Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s face looks so ugly, she must be about to explode with anger.] [Now it¡¯s just first and second place and the very last left, there are only three people remaining on stage, it¡¯s quite clear now.] [No need to say it, Qi Tianyu is definitely in first place. What surprises me is that Jiang Yan and Jiang Li actually managed to come up with a second place.] [I¡¯d give my vote to Jiang Yan for second place! He was just so handsome when he came on, putting everything else aside, if I were one of the women on site, my first impression would definitely give him a high score!] [Are some people just crazy for men or what? Even if Jiang Yan looks good, what¡¯s the use if his character is no good? I¡¯d prefer Jiang Li for second place, she was the first one to arrive, not to mention she¡¯s been quietly reading the whole time, even the museum gave her props, that kind of person deserves recognition, okay.] Seeing the chat in the livestream skyrocketing and reaching a climax since the broadcast began, Director Sun revealed a pleased smile. Indeed, his planning was correct¡ªthese days, viewers loved to watch such chaotic scenes. So he quickly struck while the iron was hot. ¡°As for the second place, well, the score is pretty good too, 17 points, you can guess who it might be.¡± Wen Jiaojiao had already lost her patience, ¡°Who cares who it is, it¡¯s not me anyway. There must be some mistake with the crew¡¯s calculation, I demand a recount!¡± Shu Yan displayed an indifferent attitude, ¡°I¡¯m pretty satisfied with my score; I don¡¯t care about the others, though I did give Jiang Yan a full five points, hey, I hope he¡¯s the first.¡± Jiang Yan, folding his arms, raised his eyebrows, ¡°Even though you gave me full points, I¡¯ll say it again, you¡¯re not my type.¡± [I can¡¯t take it anymore, someone shove Jiang Yan off the stage, please.] [Director Sun, I¡¯m begging you on my knees now, just announce it already!] Director Sun chuckled, ¡°Then let us congratulate Qi Tianyu for the second-place achievement!¡± Chapter 47 - Chapter 47: Chapter 47 This Result Definitely Has Insiders! Chapter 47: Chapter 47 This Result Definitely Has Insiders! ¡°` [What¡¯s going on? Qi is actually second???] [Did the production team make a mistake? Isn¡¯t Qi supposed to be first?] [So who¡¯s first? Jiang Li or Jiang Yan? Even though I just started to see Jiang Li in a new light, this is a bit too much.] ¡°` At Chixia Mountain, Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°So first place isn¡¯t Qi Tianyu? How is that possible?¡± To think the Jiang Family would benefit from this! Although she disliked everyone in the show, at least the two with the surname Jiang should not have won first! However, the reactions of the others were much more normal. When Director Sun cleared his throat and announced that Jiang Li had received a good score of 22, securing first place, everyone became even calmer. Only Wen Jiaojiao fell into deep doubt. ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan immediately rushed to the front, ¡°So I¡¯m dead last? Why?!¡± Hearing his outburst, Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s mood suddenly improved quite a bit. She lifted her chin and snorted coldly, ¡°What¡¯s so surprising about that? You¡¯re the most annoying here, okay?¡± ¡°This can¡¯t be right, there¡¯s definitely something wrong with the scoring!¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s confidence crumbled in an instant. Back in the Capital, he was hot stuff; everyone would respectfully address him as ¡°Young Master Jiang,¡± and even the most powerful and wealthy gave him face. How did he end up last in affinity on this show?! An incredulous Jiang Yan lunged forward and snatched the scorecard from Director Sun¡¯s hand. When he saw his own name at the bottom, magnified, his eyes bulged. ¡°What? I only got ten points?!¡± Wasn¡¯t that less than half of Jiang Li¡¯s score?! [HAHAHAHAHAHA, although expected, it¡¯s still hilarious to actually see this happen.] [Incredible, how can these siblings¡¯ scores be so extreme? The scores in between are so tight, yet Jiang Yan didn¡¯t even get half of his sister¡¯s total.] [Though I¡¯m surprised to see Jiang Li in first, seeing Jiang Yan, HAHAHAHA, I¡¯m satisfied.] [Look at Princess Wen¡¯s face, she was just angry about her own ranking, but as soon as she saw Jiang Yan at the bottom, her expression immediately brightened.] [Princess Wen is kind of cute, what¡¯s going on?] Despite the live chat being filled with laughter, there were still many who questioned the legitimacy of the scores. Especially the fans of Qi Tianyu. In their eyes, from the beginning of the show, Qi Tianyu had been the most polite and generous, how could he possibly score 5 points less than Jiang Li? Then the fans of He Yun jumped out, asserting that their brother couldn¡¯t possibly be third; despite his negative news, at least his performance was better than Jiang Li¡¯s. Following that, the fans of the other guests took over the screen, each defending their favorite. Naturally, the spearhead pointed towards Jiang Li who had inexplicably become the top scorer. Everyone started to speculate whether Jiang Li had bribed the production team. The previously subdued haters emerged once more, even pushing the hashtag #JiangLiSuspectedOfColludingWithProductionTeam to the trending searches. [I told you all Jiang Li was a fraud, but you wouldn¡¯t believe me, saying she was wronged. The public¡¯s eyes are clear, even if Jiang Li¡¯s performance today was okay, she shouldn¡¯t be so far ahead in points, right?] [So disgusting, to create a public image she even bribes the production team, right? I had just switched to being her fan, but I give up now.] [This underhanded manipulation is so obvious. Qi is so excellent and only got 17, yet Jiang Li comes in with 22? The full score is just 25, Wen Jiaojiao and her are arch enemies, she would definitely give her the lowest score, this doesn¡¯t make sense at all.] ¡°` ¡°[I¡¯ve calculated it, and the score is wrong! Flash Change needs to come out and explain, why do they need to shield Jiang Li!]¡± Director Sun realized something was amiss the moment the scoring results were announced. Seeing the barrage of comments in the live broadcast, his suspicions were confirmed, and he quickly had the video from the lounge rerun. After frowning through the entire clip, Director Sun picked up the megaphone again. ¡°Sorry everyone, our staff made a miscalculation, and Jiang Li¡¯s score was wrongly added.¡± ¡°[I knew it! There had to be something fishy going on.]¡± ¡°[The director must have seen the trending searches and acted quickly to cover up, huh.]¡± ¡°[I thought this show would be different from other reality shows, but it turns out it¡¯s just as nasty, I¡¯m not following anymore.]¡± Hearing this, Jiang Yan instantly straightened up. ¡°I knew it, how could I possibly have only half of Jiang Li¡¯s score? Were my points given to Jiang Li? Am I actually the first place?¡± Director Sun glanced at him, ¡°No, you¡¯re still the last, and you still have only half of Jiang Li¡¯s score.¡± Jiang Yan: ??? ¡°Jiang Li was given two extra points, her true score should be 20.¡± Jiang Yan: ? So, what¡¯s the difference between this result and the one just announced? So, it¡¯s still only him who gets hurt, right? Clearly, these results did not convince the live audience either, and the shouting and swearing intensified. Until someone said, ¡°Quick, look, Flash Change¡¯s official Weibo has posted a video clearing up the manipulation!¡± Everyone then flocked to Weibo to click on that video. The whole video was unedited, documenting everything from Jiang Li entering to cast her votes to Jiang Yan coming out. Jiang Li gave her highest score to He Yun, and to everyone¡¯s surprise, she did not give her lowest score to Wen Jiaojiao, who constantly made things difficult for her, but to her own brother. And her explanation was poignant and to the point. The barrage of comments in the live stream quieted down a lot. ¡°[Is this considered righteousness over family? I thought Jiang Li was just pretending to be at odds with Jiang Yan, but it turns out she really despises her own brother.]¡± ¡°[Hilarious, even though I only watched the beginning, I already understand why Jiang Yan is the last, even his sister despises him, let alone others.]¡± Subsequently, other guests went in one after another. What nobody expected was that He Yun, Qi Tianyu, and Jiang Yan all gave Jiang Li full marks. Even Shu Yan put a four-point card into Jiang Li¡¯s score box. Only Wen Jiaojiao, who thoroughly resented her, gave her a resentful one-point score. No more, no less, exactly 20 points when added up. Then, everyone fell silent. The strong evidence was laid out in front of everyone, and those who had been protesting fell quiet. ¡°[Oh my, I didn¡¯t realize Jiang Li was so popular, several guys actually gave her full marks.]¡± ¡°[I wanted to say just now that it wasn¡¯t impossible for Jiang Li to score high. She has always been quiet, not harassing the male guests like Shu Yan, nor being unreasonable from the start like Wen Jiaojiao.]¡± ¡°[Actually, the random trending searches felt off to me, like someone was purposely smearing Jiang Li, especially since she had already gained affinity at the museum.]¡± ¡°[Miss Jiang Li deserves it! I¡¯ve felt from the start that she has a unique aura about her. The internet is so chaotic, all that previous slander might as well have been baseless.]¡± ¡°[Just look at the other guests¡¯ reactions to know, when Director Sun announced the results, everyone except Wen Jiaojiao remained calm.]¡± Chapter 48 - Chapter 48: Chapter 48 All the Bitter Teas Have Been Taken Away Chapter 48: Chapter 48 All the Bitter Teas Have Been Taken Away The fact was indeed so. He Yun felt guilty for initially ignoring Jiang Li on purpose, and with her calm and composed demeanor proving herself, he completely changed his view of this graceful and knowledgeable girl. That¡¯s why he gave her the Perfect Card right off the bat. Qi Tianyu was even more so; the handwritten Buddhist Scripture had already made him admire Jiang Li immensely, and due to the guilt of his intentional difficulty, he also gave her the Perfect Card without hesitation. Only Jiang Yan gave the Five-point card with some reluctance. His leg was still faintly aching, and because he was forced to join the show, he had to cancel many plans, directly diminishing half his fun. By all means, he should have stuffed the one-point card into her box without hesitation. But the moment he picked up the card, he hesitated. If he, as her brother, gave her just one point, knowing the truth would hurt her feelings. After all, the uproar online hadn¡¯t subsided, and her arch-enemy Wen Jiaojiao was also present. Thinking of this, Jiang Yan could only grit his teeth and swap the one-point card for a Five-point card. ¡­ Truth revealed, all voices of doubt were effortlessly dispelled. [It¡¯s kind of funny, what¡¯s going on? What would Jiang Yan¡¯s face look like if he knew Jiang Li gave him the one-point card without a second thought?] [Boo hoo, suddenly I think Jiang Yan is quite nice as a person, apart from being a bit arrogant, but at least his heart isn¡¯t bad.] [Jiang Li quietly doing great things, ah, she¡¯s hardly said a word but has captured all the male guests¡¯ ¡°hearts¡±.] [That¡¯s what Jiang Li deserves; our Miss Jiang Li has always been honest and straightforward, of course she would gain favor.] [Jiang Li even gave the Five points to Mr. He, I shouldn¡¯t say anything about her, Mr. He approves of her, so as a fan, I must too love the house for the sake of the crow!] [But don¡¯t you think it¡¯s strange? How could the staff mistakenly count two extra points for Jiang Li with such clear footage?] Unfortunately, as soon as this comment was posted, it was pushed up and drowned out by the multitude of other comments, with no one paying it any attention. Over at Chixia Village, since there was still a lot left on the itinerary, Director Sun didn¡¯t dwell on this minor incident. After scolding the staff in charge of tallying the scores, he quickly grabbed his megaphone and returned to his station. ¡°It¡¯s getting late; after a bit more tidying up, let¡¯s get ready to enter the village.¡± ¡°Now that the results have been announced, let¡¯s talk about the rewards and punishments.¡± [Had totally forgotten about this part.] [Let¡¯s see what kind of rewards the production team can come up with.] [Knowing Director Sun¡¯s style, it¡¯s definitely nothing good.] The guests were gradually getting the hang of the production team¡¯s tactics too, none of them were interested in what Director Sun referred to as ¡°rewards.¡± ¡°The sun has set, I¡¯m about to die of hunger, can we get moving?¡± Wen Jiaojiao couldn¡¯t help complaining. Nothing had gone her way since the start of the show. And in the end, Jiang Li got lucky and came out on top. However, there was one small consolation; she wasn¡¯t last and therefore no punishment. Shu Yan thought the same but glanced at Jiang Li beside her and sighed in sympathy. ¡°The reward isn¡¯t going to be related to the male guests, is it? If that was the case, I¡¯d have known not to give her four points.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not,¡± said Jiang Yan with hands on hips, ¡°does no one here care about me at all? Why on earth give me the lowest score?!¡± Everyone simultaneously looked away. ¡°We¡¯re on a transformation reality show, and since it¡¯s a rural experience, there naturally have to be rules,¡± Director Sun said, squinting his eyes. ¡°I see everyone has brought quite a bit of luggage, so to ensure that you all get the full experience, a portion of your luggage will need to be handed over. Besides, everyone¡¯s phones will be replaced with special smartphones provided by the production team¡ªexcept for Jiang Li, who is free to use his own phone.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Aside from Jiang Li and He Yun, the four of them exclaimed in unison. Director Sun continued to smile, ¡°Of course, as a reward, first-place winner Jiang Li doesn¡¯t need to hand over anything, and will also receive a mysterious grand prize specially prepared by our production team.¡± ¡°Why?!¡± Wen Jiaojiao yelled, ¡°Director, you¡¯re playing favorites. Why does Jiang Li get all the good stuff?¡± Qi Tianyu finally lost his patience, ¡°Ms. Wen, do us a favor and keep it down. Like the director said, it¡¯s a reward for Jiang Li¡¯s first place. Besides, it¡¯s just handing over some luggage, no big deal.¡± ¡°Easy for you guys to say,¡± Shu Yan pouted discontentedly, ¡°Each item in our luggage is precious to us girls. Handing them over would be the end of it.¡± She had brought half a suitcase of makeup and skincare products. Wouldn¡¯t it be like forcing her to jump off a cliff if they were taken away? Qi Tianyu said nothing and turned his gaze back to Director Sun. ¡°Director, go on and tell us about the punishment.¡± Hearing this, Wen Jiaojiao stopped being angry and pricked up her ears immediately. The only thing that could make her happy now was seeing Jiang Yan, whom she equally disliked, suffer a setback. Director Sun chuckled twice, ¡°Naturally, last place has to hand over everything.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Jiang Yan leaped to his feet, ¡°Everything? Are you sure you didn¡¯t misspeak?¡± To prove his ¡°word is bond,¡± Director Sun immediately gave a cue to the staff. The next second, a strapping man who was 190 centimeters tall, covered in muscles and a stern face, stepped out of the crowd and took Jiang Yan¡¯s suitcase without a word. Jiang Yan: ? After being stunned for three seconds, he was completely flabbergasted. ¡°No, my clothes are still in there! You¡¯re just taking it? What will I wear?!¡± ¡°Ah, about that,¡± Director Sun pushed up his glasses on the bridge of his nose, ¡°That¡¯s beyond our responsibility. You¡¯ll need to solve that on your own.¡± Jiang Yan: ? What do you mean solve it on my own? ¡°Oh, right, I forgot one thing,¡± Director Sun suddenly slapped his head. Jiang Yan sneered, ¡°It¡¯s not too late for you to regret taking my stuff and apologize to me.¡± Director Sun pointed to the previous strongman, ¡°Go take his phone too.¡± [Hahahaha, I¡¯m dying of laughter, rolling around on the couch, my mom¡¯s asking if I¡¯m having a seizure.] [Why is Jiang Yan so miserable, the punishment for last place is so harsh. I¡¯m glad my idol isn¡¯t at the bottom.] [The production team is so cruel, hiring a muscular man to confiscate stuff. Jiang Yan can¡¯t even curse out loud, I¡¯m dying, even his bitter tea leaves were taken.] Meanwhile, Jiang Yan was still trying to outwit the muscular man who had come to take his phone. On the other side, Shu Yan and Wen Jiaojiao also started making a fuss. As the third and second to last, they had quite a bit taken away as well. Makeup and skincare products were completely gone, and half of their nice clothes and shoes as well. He Yun and Qi Tianyu didn¡¯t complain much, just frowned when the production team took away the compressed food they¡¯d brought. Only Jiang Li sat leisurely on his suitcase, watching the commotion with a detached air. [Such a stark contrast on camera, five people feeling dejected, and there¡¯s Jiang Li, beaming and composed, not looking at all like she¡¯s here for a rural transformation.] [Why does this scene strike me as so funny?] [Discussing the vacation-style presence of Miss Jiang Li, calm as a maiden, alongside her five tortured teammates.] Chapter 49 - Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Mysticism Girl Jiang Li Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Mysticism Girl Jiang Li ¡°My phone!!!¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s roar echoed continuously through the mountains in the evening. Watching helplessly as his latest-model phone was taken away by a bodyguard, Jiang Yan could only vent his anger at several staff members. The four who were already upset about having their essentials confiscated suddenly recovered. Jiang Yan couldn¡¯t even keep his phone; what did it matter that they only had some food and cosmetics taken away? However, following Jiang Yan¡¯s string of complaints, the only result was three burly men, each 190 cm tall, standing before him dispatched by the production team. Jiang Yan gritted his teeth and took a few steps back, making a final compromise. ¡°Fine, keep the luggage, but you have to at least give me back my phone, right? What if I lose contact while I¡¯m in these mountains?¡± ¡°That¡¯s simple,¡± Director Sun said. ¡°The production team has already thought of that.¡± Then, the next second, a glaringly outdated phone was handed to Jiang Yan. Jiang Yan looked at the phone in his hand, the same color as his shirt: ¡°¡­..¡± Why does everyone else have smartphones, and he¡¯s stuck with an old person¡¯s phone?! [Hahahahahaha] [I¡¯m dying of laughter, an old person¡¯s phone, the show¡¯s team really nailed it, did they go buy this after seeing Jiang Yan?] [Only Jiang Yan could pull off that phone, it¡¯s nearly blinding me.] [I¡¯m not going to criticize Jiang Yan anymore; the production team has messed with him enough.] [So is this show just a transformation story about Jiang Yan alone?] As Jiang Yan, with a furious expression, was about to throw the phone on the ground, Director Sun suddenly spoke up. ¡°You can throw the phone, but if you do, you¡¯ll completely lose any means of communication, and your own phone will also be permanently mortgaged to us as compensation.¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s arm slowly retracted. With so many secrets in his phone, mortgaging it to the production team was out of the question! So there he stood, crazily frustrated yet helpless, cursing under his breath. The phone issue was resolved, but what about his daily necessities? He couldn¡¯t possibly spend these few days in the same clothes, without washing his face or brushing his teeth, could he? After thinking it over, he gritted his teeth and approached Jiang Li, who was leisurely enjoying the mountain breeze. ¡°Hey, give me half of your luggage.¡± Jiang Li slowly turned around, sizing him up before her red lips slightly moved¡ª ¡°Why should I?¡± Jiang Yan clenched his fists, ¡°I¡¯m your damn brother, are you really going to watch me go three days without changing clothes, washing my face, or brushing my teeth? This is live broadcast, and it¡¯s our entire Jiang family¡¯s reputation on the line here!¡± Jiang Li rarely nodded in agreement, ¡°Jiang Yan, you¡¯re finally thinking about the family.¡± ¡°Quit the nonsense, just give me half of your luggage.¡± ¡°But,¡± Jiang Li lowered her head, ¡°there¡¯s nothing in my luggage you can use, and I only brought my part.¡± Jiang Yan: ? ¡°What do you mean, there¡¯s nothing I can use in that huge suitcase of yours?¡± he pointed at the luggage almost half her height sitting beneath Jiang Li¡¯s buttocks, ¡°What did you even bring?¡± Jiang Li¡¯s expression remained indifferent, ¡°I brought what I needed to bring.¡± Jiang Yan didn¡¯t believe her at all. He was certain this was a scheme Jiang Li had deliberately come up with by ignoring him. She had forced him into this show, so why should she ignore him at the end? Thinking this, Jiang Yan marched forward, pulled Jiang Li down from her suitcase, and then forcefully tipped it over. If gentleness wouldn¡¯t work, he¡¯d have to play tough! However, when the suitcase opened and he saw its contents for a moment, Jiang Yan was dumbfounded. ¡°Jiang Li, what on earth did you bring?!¡± Hearing the commotion, the other four people also curiously gathered around, and the camera zoomed in, revealing everything inside Jiang Li¡¯s suitcase to the live broadcast. The left half of the suitcase held some clean clothes and daily necessities, which were oddly few for a girl going on a long trip, but it was still marginally acceptable. What puzzled everyone the most was the contents on the right half of the suitcase. There, stacks of books were piled up along with a box of talisman paper and some other bizarre items that no one recognized. And Qi Tianyu¡¯s eyes widened the moment he saw those books. ¡°The Art of War by Sun Tzu, Civil Code, Complete Agricultural Planting, English Treasure¡­.Jiang Li, is your reading taste always this diverse?¡± Shu Yan picked up something that looked like a sword and examined it, ¡°Little sister, is this sword for self-defense?¡± Wen Jiaojiao scornfully curled her lip, ¡°Some people seem to have lousy brains, bringing all these useless things.¡± [Did Jiang Li bring everything needed for dining, including talisman paper, vermillion pen, Five Emperors¡¯ Coins, Eight Diagram¡­ Is she possibly moonlighting as a fortune teller?!] [Wait, do you guys remember Jiang Li¡¯s Weibo profile picture and signature? They are all related to mysticism. Could she actually tell fortunes?] [It¡¯s common to establish a persona on camera, but setting up a fortune-telling persona is freaking my first time seeing this.] [This shouldn¡¯t be just a persona; look at Jiang Yan¡¯s face¡ªit¡¯s so open you could fit a light bulb inside, even he doesn¡¯t know what Jiang Li had brought, and he was actually going to steal her stuff.] [I¡¯m dying of laughter, is Jiang Yan planning to wear books as clothes or talisman paper as clothes?] Instantly, photos of the contents of Jiang Li¡¯s suitcase were captured by netizens and posted on Weibo, even making it to the trending topics. Some mysticism enthusiasts even commented that the talisman papers and Eight Diagram she brought were very professional and clearly well-researched. Especially the sword made from the Five Emperors¡¯ Coins, which was of very high quality, making several no-name callers ask Jiang Li to name her price. Thus, Jiang Li was immediately labeled as the ¡°Mystic Girl,¡± and this intriguing persona helped her to gain a lot of fans. But Jiang Yan was utterly devastated. ¡°Jiang Li, is there not a single normal item in your suitcase?¡± Jiang Li closed the suitcase emotionlessly, ¡°I told you, there¡¯s nothing in there you can use.¡± ¡°And Jiang Yan, it¡¯s very impolite to randomly go through a girl¡¯s suitcase in public. As an apology, you will carry my luggage for the second half of the trip, especially since yours was confiscated, right?¡± Jiang Yan: ? [HAHAHAHAHA, I¡¯m dying, I can¡¯t even, help me up, I¡¯m still laughing.] [Is this Jiang Yan lifting a rock only to drop it on his own foot?] [Wow, suddenly I feel like Miss Jiang Li has really solid principles, not letting her brother have his way just because he¡¯s her brother, suddenly I¡¯m really impressed.] [Jiang Yan deserved it, he was asking for it with his nosiness, thankfully Jiang Li¡¯s suitcase didn¡¯t contain any private items, otherwise everything would have been exposed on camera.] At that moment, Director Sun also spoke up. ¡°The luggage is all sorted, right? Then we can head to the village.¡± ¡°Before we go, let me add a rule of this variety show: you need to live in this village for five days and four nights, and through tasks, earn a good score. The guest with the highest score will receive a series of resources from Xingmei Entertainment, whereas the guest with the lowest score will stay in Chixia Village for three additional days.¡± ¡°And the impression scores you competed for in the lounge earlier will be your initial scores.¡± ¡°Oh, and the production team hasn¡¯t arranged any accommodations for you, so tonight you¡¯ll need to find a place to stay in the village on your own and solve your own meals.¡± Chapter 50 - Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Girls Help Girls! Chapter 50: Chapter 50 Girls Help Girls! ¡°[666, if good scores determine rankings, is Flash Change¡¯s production team implicitly telling these artists to pay attention to their reputation and improve their affinity?]¡± ¡°[Still, with Flash Change¡¯s approach, I¡¯m already looking forward to what these six will do next.]¡± ¡°[This is a real transformation; the production team didn¡¯t even prepare a place for them to stay. This is too tragic for this group of people.]¡± ¡°[I¡¯m dying of laughter, the last one has to stay here alone for another three days. This isn¡¯t a transformation, it¡¯s more like covert imprisonment.]¡± After hearing the rules announced by Director Sun, the artists were stunned. They had to figure out their own accommodations? And it was so late; they had gone through so much trouble to get here, only to be told there wasn¡¯t even dinner provided?! Jiang Yan was utterly despaired. It was bad enough that their luggage had been taken away, but now even food and shelter had become a problem. He was very irritable. Desperately needing a cigarette for comfort. But of course, the cigarettes were in his suitcase. Wen Jiaojiao was even more vocal in her complaints, making a fuss about wanting to ask the production team to return her makeup. ¡°Why the hell are you confiscating my things? Those cosmetics are custom-made and very expensive; I use them every day!¡± ¡°It¡¯s bad enough you confiscated them, but you didn¡¯t even prepare a place for us to stay. Do you expect me to sleep on stones tonight?¡± Director Sun was resolute and impartial, ¡°Our production team¡¯s rules are as such. By the way, you¡¯re not allowed to use your fame to find lodging, or else your good score will be deducted.¡± Jiang Li and He Yun kept their usual silence. Qi Tianyu originally wanted to say something, but seeing the two calm figures beside him, he gradually shut his mouth. He was here to earn affinity, and he couldn¡¯t afford to ruin his image! Looking at the sky, Jiang Li walked over to Jiang Yan, who was squatting on the ground. ¡°Take the suitcase and let¡¯s go.¡± Jiang Yan: ? ¡°Are you serious?¡± ¡°Otherwise?¡± said Jiang Li, ¡°Would I cry and make a fuss like you? Instead of wasting energy on useless actions, it¡¯s better to hurry to the village to find a solution.¡± ¡°And just a heads-up, the area around Chixia Village is surrounded by ecological forests, with lots of large wild animals that are particularly active at night. It¡¯s already past six o¡¯clock, and by the time it gets completely dark, you might not even find the road to the village.¡± Upon hearing this, everyone¡¯s faces immediately grew serious; they even felt the summer breeze brushing against their bodies turn chilly. Wen Jiaojiao, who had been throwing a fit, suddenly quieted down and sniffed, ¡°Scaring whom? I don¡¯t believe that.¡± ¡°[Hahaha, didn¡¯t you say you don¡¯t believe it, Princess Wen? Why has your face turned white?]¡± ¡°[Jiang Li is like a parent scaring a disobedient child, hilarious.]¡± ¡°[I looked it up, and what Jiang Li said is actually true, yikes, there was a wild boar attack in this area not long ago. Scary stuff.]¡± ¡°[Wuuu, Miss Jiang Li seems so reliable, can she please protect our Movie Emperor brother? He might not speak, but he¡¯s really timid.]¡± With Jiang Li¡¯s words, the group didn¡¯t dare to delay any longer, and started on the road to the village with their suitcases in tow. Jiang Yan cursed out loud but had no choice but to drag Jiang Li¡¯s suitcase. In that moment of going downhill, he couldn¡¯t help but curse again. ¡°Damn it, Jiang Li, why is your suitcase so heavy, I can¡¯t even lift it!¡± Jiang Li glanced at him, ¡°I¡¯ve told you before, you should look for problems within yourself. Is there a possibility that you¡¯re just not up to it?¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s face turned iron blue in an instant, ¡°Who are you saying isn¡¯t up to it?¡± Qi Tianyu also spoke up for Jiang Li, ¡°Young Master Jiang, hasn¡¯t Jiang Li been carrying the luggage herself all this time? I haven¡¯t heard her complain at all. Maybe you should say less, especially since we¡¯re still live streaming.¡± Jiang Yan snorted coldly. His sister was a girl of supernatural strength¡ªable to swing a twenty-plus pound Red tassel spear as if it were a piece of paper. What could this kind of luggage possibly count for? Some people online actually praised her as an angel descended from heaven. What kind of heavenly being had such a sour temper and liked dancing gunplay? Su Yinwan was the real fairy, alright. After grumbling to himself for a while, Jiang Yan could only pick up the luggage again, as if it were filled with rocks, struggling down the mountain road. The two female guests weren¡¯t having an easy time either. For the sake of looking beautiful on camera, they had dressed up, donning little skirts and high heels. It didn¡¯t feel like much while they were in the car, but now, actually walking down the mountain path with luggage in tow, it was unbearably difficult. Especially Wen Jiaojiao. Whenever she went out, two bodyguards always attended her to carry things. But now, here she was walking in seven-centimeter high heels, dragging her luggage on a mountain path full of stones and mud. Before long, she let out a scream and fell to the ground. Qi Tianyu quickly dropped his luggage and helped her up, ¡°Are you alright?¡± Wen Jiaojiao initially wanted to lose her temper, but the next second, when her eyes caught a glimpse of the calm and composed Jiang Li nearby, she swallowed her anger back down. ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± she gritted out the words. [Wen Jiaojiao really did have a bad fall there. How come the guys didn¡¯t think to help the girls with their luggage? Not very gentlemanly.] [Jiang Li doesn¡¯t even think to look back and help, so disappointing. She finds it so easy to command others.] [Are you sick upstairs? Isn¡¯t Princess Wen getting what she deserves? Who made her transform and wear such high heels? Didn¡¯t the production team say from the start that there would be mountain climbing?] [I know, right? And why should guys have to help girls by default? Our little Qi is also exhausted from the day, and his luggage isn¡¯t light either. Why should he help someone with Princess Disease carry her luggage?] Wen Jiaojiao struggled to stand up from the ground, not having yet dusted off the mud from her body, when suddenly a pair of canvas shoes appeared in her line of sight. Looking up, she saw Jiang Li¡¯s face in front of her. ¡°Put these on.¡± She bent over and placed a new pair of canvas shoes in front of Wen Jiaojiao. Wen Jiaojiao was surprised. ¡°Why are you being so kind? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re scheming something again?!¡± The old Jiang Li would have loved to watch her make a fool of herself, so why would she be so considerate as to offer her shoes? ¡°Miss, never mind your image; your life is more important.¡± Shu Yan also came over, wiggling her waist; she too wore a new pair of canvas shoes. ¡°It¡¯s the young sister¡¯s thoughtfulness that I¡¯ll remember. I¡¯ll make it up to you later.¡± ¡°No need.¡± Jiang Li looked at her. ¡°Didn¡¯t you give me your high score card?¡± Shu Yan was stunned for a moment before she also laughed. [Wow, Shu Yan doesn¡¯t seem as disagreeable as she looks. I think she¡¯s actually quite nice.] [Jiang Li is so considerate, even though she¡¯s the youngest, she still looks after everyone¡¯s feelings. She and Wen Jiaojiao are archenemies, yet she didn¡¯t kick her when she¡¯s down.] [I can¡¯t handle it anymore, I¡¯m a complete convert now, girls help girls!] Wen Jiaojiao saw the new shoes on Shu Yan¡¯s feet, and her face suddenly turned sour again. What the heck, she thought Jiang Li had prepared them especially for her, coming over to curry favor. So she scoffed and turned her head away, ¡°Who needs your charity? I wouldn¡¯t wear such ugly shoes!¡± Chapter 51 - Chapter 51: Chapter 51: The Great Lodging Competition Chapter 51: Chapter 51: The Great Lodging Competition ¡°Oh, okay.¡± After uttering two syllables indifferently, Jiang Li bent down to pick up his shoes and then mercilessly turned around to continue on the road. Wen Jiaojiao: ? By the time she reacted, Jiang Li had already disappeared at the end of the road. ¡°Jiang Li!¡± Wen Jiaojiao stamped her foot angrily but ended up hurting her already sprained ankle again because she used too much force. Qi Tianyu, who was nearby, touched his nose awkwardly in embarrassment. Seeing Wen Jiaojiao struggling with her seven-centimeter high heels while pulling a large suitcase, he opened his own suitcase and took out a pair of clean shoes. ¡°Why don¡¯t you make do with mine for now, just in case you really fall down later.¡± Reluctantly, Wen Jiaojiao had no choice but to throw away her high heels. By the time she made her way down the mountain in the oversized sneakers that resembled small boats, she regretted everything deeply. If only she had asked for Jiang Li¡¯s shoes earlier, or even bought them if necessary! Due to the different progress of all the guests, the live broadcast had turned into multiple screens by the time they came down the mountain. The personal live channels for each guest were officially launched. Wen Jiaojiao had instructed her assistant to buy popularity early in the morning, so besides Qi Tianyu, who was naturally popular, her channel had the highest ratings. This led to her embarrassing scene being fully captured and seen by netizens. Some even clipped the humorous segment of her walking in size 44 sneakers on the mountain path and posted it online. [Trending soon, #PrincessWenActuallyRowingOnTheMountain!#Hahahaha] [You¡¯re doomed, you¡¯re going to receive a letter from Princess Wen¡¯s lawyer, she¡¯s all about face, you can tell from the moment she refused Jiang Li¡¯s shoes.] [This show teaches us not to bite off more than we can chew.] Meanwhile, Jiang Li had already reached Chixia Village at the foot of the mountain. The sunset had faded, and the sky had turned a mysterious shade of blue-purple, studded with stars. Nestled in this tranquil area, Chixia Village took on a layer of mystery, resembling that enigmatic Peach Blossom Spring, alluring yet hiding a hint of danger. When Jiang Yan arrived dragging his suitcase, he felt like he had left half his life on the mountain path behind. But Jiang Li showed no signs of stopping, his figure striding forward more resolutely and swiftly. Jiang Yan could only hysterically pick up his suitcase and follow while chasing him. ¡°Jiang Li, can you consider your brother¡¯s feelings? I¡¯m almost crushed by your suitcase!¡± Jiang Li didn¡¯t even turn his head as he responded, ¡°That¡¯s your own fault.¡± His indifferent attitude successfully stumped Jiang Yan, so he switched the topic. ¡°So what are we going to do tonight? We¡¯ve been in the village for a while now, haven¡¯t seen a single person, are we really going to sleep on the streets?¡± He had been holding back his complaints since a while back. Compared to the bustling Capital, this place felt like a forgotten refugee slum from the last century. After walking for so long, not only had they not encountered a single person, but the path was also pitch-black and completely unlit. If it weren¡¯t for the cameras from the show providing some light, he would have probably tripped to death by now. Jiang Li kept his eyes fixed ahead, his expression indifferent, ¡°Chixia Village is surrounded by mountains and geographically secluded. Transportation and communication are inconvenient here. People tired from a day¡¯s work and with no entertainment go to bed early.¡± Having just passed a few houses that had already turned off their lights, it was inconvenient for them to ask about lodging, so they had no choice but to continue walking and try their luck. ¡°Fuck, no entertainment activities? Aren¡¯t the people here bored to death? If I opened a bar here, wouldn¡¯t I become a savior?¡± Jiang Yan was fantasizing about the future, while Jiang Li had already gotten too lazy to even roll his eyes. Finally, he realized something was wrong, ¡°Damn, if that¡¯s the case, didn¡¯t the director send us to seek accommodation just to set us up?! Everyone should have finished their meals by now, who would still take us in?¡± Jiang Li gave him a ¡°you finally figured out the key issue¡± look. [Why is Jiang Yan acting like such a naive sweetheart, even dreaming of opening a bar in the mountains to play the savior? He¡¯d probably lose even his shorts.] [He doesn¡¯t even have his shorts now, you guys forgot, Director Sun took all his luggage.] [Hahaha, I can¡¯t stop laughing, the livestream in the Movie Emperor He¡¯s room next door is so boring, the old man hasn¡¯t said a single word all the way, Jiang Li and Jiang Yan¡¯s livestream is much more interesting.] [Speechless, Shu Yan has already started using her charms and acting coy to get the villagers to let her stay, I really can¡¯t watch it anymore, came here to cleanse my eyes.] [What about Qi Tianyu and Wen Jiaojiao? They can¡¯t still be in the mountains, can they? Poor Qi, stuck with Princess Wen as a stumbling block.] After walking for a few more minutes, they finally saw a few houses ahead that still had their lights on. Jiang Li was about to step forward to check the situation when several people, in a hurry, rushed out from a small courtyard. Leading them was a middle-aged man dressed in navy blue Chinese attire, his eyebrows tightly furrowed, his wrinkles almost squeezing out of his face. Following him was a woman, also dressed very simply, continuously wiping her tears with her sleeve. ¡°How could this happen, why can¡¯t we find him?¡± The middle-aged man snorted coldly, his expression darkening, ¡°You¡¯d better spend your time thinking about where Xiao Hu might have gone instead of crying. De Guang, go call a few more people, let¡¯s check the mountain.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± The middle-aged man quickened his pace, and upon looking up, saw Jiang Li and the others standing at the crossroads. After sizing up their outfits, the middle-aged man instantly became wary. ¡°Who are you? What are you doing here?¡± Upon hearing this questioning tone, Jiang Yan¡¯s anger flared up and he dropped his suitcase ready to argue. Jiang Li raised his hand to stop him and smiled slightly, ¡°Uncle, we are guests from the show ¡®Shining Transformation Trip¡¯, we just arrived in this village and are looking for a place to stay.¡± Her graceful demeanor made the middle-aged man feel a bit more favorable towards her, and upon seeing the camera behind them, his wariness completely evaporated. ¡°So it¡¯s you guys, I¡¯m the village chief, your person in charge contacted me earlier, I thought you would come during the day, didn¡¯t expect you to arrive so late.¡± ¡°Hello, village chief.¡± Jiang Li gave a nod, and then gestured with his eyes threatening Jiang Yan to come over and greet as well. The village chief¡¯s companion stepped back, then reached out to tug at his clothes. He then sighed again, ¡°You¡¯re looking for a place to stay, right? However, I¡¯m in a bit of a rush right now and might not be able to help you. Maybe try asking a few more households?¡± Just as Jiang Li was about to respond, his phone began to ding with messages ¡ª popping up several group chat messages¡ª [Shining Transformation Trip] Director Sun: Everyone has arrived at Chixia Village, haven¡¯t you? It¡¯s getting late, hurry up and sort out the accommodation issues. The first guest to find a place to stay will receive 5 good score points! And it will decrease subsequently! Shu Yan: Director Sun, you¡¯re really making it difficult, the people in this village are so unreasonable, I¡¯ve asked three or four households already, and they all say they have no room, it¡¯s so frustrating. Qi Tianyu: What? You¡¯ve already asked three or four? I just got here. Wen Jiaojiao: How come there are even mosquitoes in this broken village? I can¡¯t stand it, I¡¯m going to have my dad come here and build a villa! There was a chorus of complaints in the group. Jiang Li also narrowed her gaze. It seemed this task was indeed not so simple. With this in mind, she looked up and scrutinized the worried faces in front of her, tentatively asking: ¡°Are you looking for someone? Maybe I can help you.¡± Chapter 52 - Chapter 52: Chapter 52 Your Child is in Danger Now Chapter 52: Chapter 52 Your Child is in Danger Now The village chief and the woman behind him exchanged a glance, ¡°This¡­ might not be a good idea, you guys are still filming, we don¡¯t want to bother you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s no problem,¡± Jiang Li said. ¡°The more people we have, the better chance we have of solving your urgent problem.¡± Hearing this, the middle-aged woman¡¯s eyes lit up instantly, and she hastily nudged the village chief. ¡°Xiao Hu¡¯s dad, this girl makes sense, they are from the media, maybe they can actually help us find someone.¡± The village chief still had a stern expression, ¡°We can just call more people to search the mountains, you folks came all the way here and don¡¯t even have a place to stay; how can we make you run around with us.¡± The middle-aged woman was clearly anxious, she pushed him aside and stepped forward to Jiang Li, then glanced at the camera. ¡°That¡¯s right, Miss; I have a son, who just turned seven this year. The kid¡¯s mischievous and often goes out to play with other children in the village, but he always comes back on time, so we didn¡¯t worry about it.¡± ¡°But, but¡­¡± The woman began to sob again, ¡°But today, all the other children came back, but there¡¯s no sign of Xiao Hu, and no one knows where he is, we¡¯ve already sent people to look for him, but there¡¯s still no news.¡± As she spoke, she seemed to think of something and suddenly grabbed Jiang Li¡¯s hand, ¡°Right, Miss, you came from over that mountain, have you seen my Xiao Hu?¡± Jiang Li shook her head, ¡°We didn¡¯t meet anyone on the road.¡± Upon hearing this, the woman grew even more desperate, anxiously stomping her feet on the spot. ¡°It¡¯s all my fault, all my fault, I should have kept a closer eye.¡± The village chief pulled her back, ¡°Alright, stop embarrassing yourself, they are still filming. Xiao Hu isn¡¯t a three-year-old anymore, maybe he¡¯s just having too much fun to want to come home. We shouldn¡¯t delay these folks anymore, let¡¯s go search ourselves.¡± ¡°Or you could give me his Four Pillars of Destiny, and I could help you find him.¡± Jiang Li¡¯s soft murmur left everyone present baffled. Even the live-streaming audience hadn¡¯t reacted yet. [Did I hear that wrong? Why does Jiang Li want someone else¡¯s Four Pillars of Destiny?] [I¡¯m already anxious to death, this child is missing, what does she need the birthdate for? Is she doing this for the show?] [Exactly, does she have no sympathy? Can¡¯t she see how desperate the child¡¯s mother is? She¡¯s just wasting time! So frustrating!] The village chief was also confused, ¡°Miss, what do you need Xiao Hu¡¯s Four Pillars of Destiny for?¡± Jiang Li spoke calmly, ¡°We just came down from that mountain, and all the crew members are present, if we encountered any lost child, we would have informed you immediately. Clearly, your child is not in that area, so instead of wasting time searching, why not let me try?¡± Jiang Yan, who had found a rock to rest on, heard this and couldn¡¯t help but snort. ¡°You might actually let her try, this girl knows how to tell fortunes, she has used this method to locate me several times before.¡± Although he still found the concept far-fetched, the facts had shut him up. Despite Jiang Yan¡¯s explanation, the village chief was still doubtful. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t believe in this, on the contrary, he had even sought help from accomplished spiritual practitioners. But predicting fortunes and Feng Shui were plausible; how could anyone calculate a person¡¯s location based on their birthdate? Moreover, the other party was still a young girl. The village chief laughed dryly, ¡°No need to bother, it¡¯s getting late, you folks should go back to doing your own thing. If we really can¡¯t find him, we will go to the police.¡± With that, he made a gesture as if he was ready to leave. However, the village chief¡¯s wife stayed behind, holding a glimmer of hope as she looked at Jiang Li. ¡°Can you really find Xiao Hu?¡± Jiang Li nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll tell you his Four Pillars of Destiny now.¡± The woman promptly recited her child¡¯s birthdate. Unlike her husband, she didn¡¯t see the young girl before her as naive and inexperienced. Instead, she sensed an extraordinary aura about her. And her appearance was also very comforting to look at, making one feel reassured, like she could be trusted with anything. And at this point, they might as well try a desperate remedy for a desperate disease. Jiang Li received the birthdate information and slightly pinched her fingertips, furrowing her brows the next second. Seeing her expression, the woman¡¯s heart suddenly clenched. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Jiang Li looked at her and didn¡¯t hide what she saw in the child¡¯s Life Plate. ¡°Your child is in great danger. Is there a pond or similar water source near your village?¡± Hearing the first part of the sentence, the woman¡¯s mind buzzed, and it wasn¡¯t until Jiang Li asked a second time that she realized what was said. ¡°Yes, yes, it¡¯s just behind the village.¡± ¡°Then hurry, take me there.¡± [What¡¯s happening? I haven¡¯t even grasped how the child is suddenly in danger. Is Jiang Li just trying to scare people?] [Is mysticism really that powerful? To calculate someone¡¯s position and situation so accurately? That seems way too fake, doesn¡¯t it? Setting up a character like this?] [I¡¯ve learned a bit about divination, even the most skilled masters can¡¯t instantly determine someone¡¯s location; Jiang Li¡¯s fakeness is too obvious.] [Could this be a setup by the production team?] [Looking at the old lady, she doesn¡¯t seem to be acting. Maybe Jiang Li is just bluffing!] [Why is Jiang Li like this? With the situation so urgent, she should be calling the police instead of playing tricks!] The woman, feeling the urgency, quickly pulled Jiang Li to go. ¡°Hey, you really want to find someone? I can barely walk anymore,¡± Jiang Yan shouted. Having driven all afternoon and lugged around luggage all evening, and without even a sip of hot water, he was on his last breath. He didn¡¯t understand where Jiang Li got the energy to follow someone else so quickly. In his opinion, they shouldn¡¯t meddle in these idle matters, lest they end up not finding the person and getting blamed. Jiang Li glanced back at him and, knowing she couldn¡¯t count on him, said, ¡°Alright, you stay here and watch the luggage. Call me if anything happens.¡± After speaking, she hurriedly followed the village chief¡¯s wife. Jiang Yan sat back on the stone, instinctively reaching to play with his phone, but his face fell when he saw the tiny, palm-sized old mobile phone. ¡°Damn!¡± Annoyed, his craving for a cigarette returned; after frantically searching all his pockets, he could only look to the cameraman following them. ¡°Hey, got a cigarette? Lend me one, I¡¯ll pay you back with a carton when we return to the Capital.¡± The cameraman shook his head coldly, ¡°Director Sun said not to assist you guys in any way.¡± ¡°Damn!¡± Jiang Yan cursed again and randomly stopped a passing old man. ¡°Hey, got a smoke?¡± He searched all his pockets again and finally took out the old mobile, ¡°I¡¯ll trade you this for it.¡± The old man, wary, glanced at him, then pulled out his smartphone. ¡°Who even uses a phone that can¡¯t connect to the internet these days.¡± Jiang Yan: ? The disdainful old man gave him another look and walked away, muttering as he left. ¡°A grown man, dressed so flamboyantly, looks utterly terrible, couldn¡¯t even find a wife in our village.¡± Jiang Yan: ? Chapter 53 - Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Save People! Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Save People! Night had fallen over Chixia Village, eerily void of any human sounds. Jiang Li followed the village chief¡¯s wife down a narrow path leading to the barren lands behind the village, where the stillness of the wild mountains intensified, marked only by the sound of a few footsteps. There were not many viewers in Jiang Li¡¯s livestream to begin with, and the current scene only made their hearts more inclined to leave. [Is Jiang Li serious? It¡¯s pitch-dark here; would that child Xiao Hu really come to such a place?] [Who knows, maybe she¡¯s just trying to boost her livestream¡¯s popularity by staging this whole event with the villagers. How boring, I¡¯d rather go watch Qi dance for the villagers next door.] [I have to say, Jiang Li is really brave. I¡¯m scared just looking through the camera, but her expression hasn¡¯t changed at all.] Since the village chief had dismissed Jiang Li¡¯s ¡°nonsense¡± from the start, he took the others up the mountain directly. Only the village chief¡¯s wife followed. All along the way, she sobbed quietly, and in her haste, she even almost tripped over on the path. Jiang Li steadied her, saying softly, ¡°Aunt Wang, don¡¯t worry. Though Xiao Hu¡¯s Life Plate shows he is in some danger, it¡¯s not life-threatening.¡± Jiang Li¡¯s voice was as gentle as a spring breeze and inexplicably carried a comforting power. The village chief¡¯s wife had to quickly wipe her tears and assured, patting her chest, ¡°Yes, yes, I¡¯m not worried. Xiao Hu will be alright¡­ we¡¯re almost there¡­¡± Passing over a small hill, a silvery pond suddenly appeared before them. However, the pond¡¯s surroundings were crowded with reeds, almost concealing the entire water surface under the moonlight, making it impossible to see inside. Aunt Wang quickly let go of Jiang Li¡¯s hand, running along the pond while shouting hoarsely, ¡°Xiao Hu, Xiao Hu, where are you? I¡¯m your mom, please make a noise.¡± Jiang Li, looking at the chilly pond in front of her, furrowed her brows, then turned to the camera operator and said, ¡°You go and check the other side, I¡¯ll look here. Call me if you find anything.¡± Considering the matter pertained to personal safety, the camera operator nodded and, lifting the camera, ran to the other side. [I swear, I swear, why do I feel like this isn¡¯t staged anymore, this auntie is really freaking out.] [Yeah, if it were staged, the camera operator would¡¯ve stayed and filmed Jiang Li.] [I can¡¯t take it anymore, I¡¯m starting to get anxious, where has the person gone?] Compared to the other guests who were frantically searching for their lodgings, Jiang Li¡¯s livestream, which was playing out like an episode of ¡°Today¡¯s Talks,¡± was clearly more thrilling and engaging. Thus, more and more viewers poured in. By now, the camera operator had already placed the streaming equipment on the ground, with the lens incidentally facing the lifeless, and even coldly gleaming, lake surface, giving a shocking visual to the new viewers. Meanwhile, Jiang Li had already rolled up the hem of her dress and stepped into the edge of the pond. Parting the dense reeds, she immediately saw a boy floating among the weeds. Her heart sank, she quickly ran over. Fortunately, the boy was only temporarily unconscious, with vital signs still present. Jiang Li didn¡¯t dare delay any longer, shouting, ¡°I found him, he¡¯s here!¡± Aunt Wang and the camera operator immediately rushed over. [I swear, I swear, they really found someone! Wait, did this kid accidentally fall into the water?] [Help, this camera shaking is too realistic, I¡¯m starting to doubt if this is staged?] [It¡¯s a dark and windy night¡­ help, I¡¯m really not brave, I just wanted to peacefully follow a variety show, how did I end up witnessing a ¡°crime scene¡±?] Just when the camera zoomed in, it coincided with Jiang Li lifting the person from the pond. Her dress was completely soaked, and her hair was a mess from the reeds¡¯ scratching; even her arms had gained a few mysterious wounds. But her face was still unnaturally beautiful, even a bit shattered. Upon seeing people, Aunt Wang broke down and cried immediately. ¡°Xiao Hu! Xiao Hu! How could this happen?¡± Jiang Li hastily raised his hand to stop her from coming closer. ¡°Don¡¯t move, he has inhaled water and is in shock. If you shake him, he might inhale even more.¡± Aunt Wang immediately froze and stood in place with a pale face. Jiang Li then calmly instructed the cameraman, ¡°You call 120, and also contact the production team to find a way to get medical personnel here as soon as possible. It¡¯s difficult to navigate these mountain roads at night, and we shouldn¡¯t delay the child¡¯s rescue time because of the journey.¡± ¡°Okay, Miss Jiang, I¡¯ll get in touch right away.¡± After his instructions, Jiang Li rolled up his sleeves, unzipped Xiao Hu¡¯s jacket, and removed debris from his mouth and nose. Then, she pinched his nose, bent down to give him a few breaths of artificial respiration, and immediately clasped her fingers to compress Xiao Hu¡¯s chest. This scene was precisely captured by the camera on the ground. [My god, there really was a child that fell into the water, this can¡¯t be staged, right? The production team wouldn¡¯t dare go this far, would they?] [Look at Jiang Li¡¯s clothes, completely soaked, and her arms injured; how could such a lady tolerate being in such a disheveled state?] [I study medicine, and I can guarantee that Jiang Li¡¯s CPR was very standard! Also, when rescuing drowning victims, you indeed need to do mouth-to-mouth before starting CPR!] [Oh my god, will this child be okay? It¡¯s really terrifying.] After Jiang Li finished the sixth round of CPR, Xiao Hu lying on the ground suddenly coughed, then spat out a large amount of water. Aunt Wang¡¯s heart finally settled, and she excitedly hugged Jiang Li. ¡°Miss, thank you so much. If it weren¡¯t for you, this child might have¡­ tonight.¡± Jiang Li patted her trembling shoulder, ¡°It¡¯s okay, please go check on Xiao Hu.¡± Aunt Wang hurriedly moved towards her son, both scared and delighted. ¡°You naughty boy! Didn¡¯t I tell you this pond was dangerous and you shouldn¡¯t come here? Why did you still come to play?¡± Xiao Hu, having woken up, leaned on his mother¡¯s embrace and looked around blankly, then asked hoarsely, ¡°Where is this¡­ How come I¡¯m here?¡± Hearing something was off, Aunt Wang began to check him carefully, ¡°Are you alright? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere? This sister has already called an ambulance, we¡¯ll go to the hospital soon.¡± Faced with his mother¡¯s questions, Xiao Hu remained clueless and just kept nodding or shaking his head. Seeing this, Aunt Wang grew even more panicked and started crying while hugging him. Jiang Li quickly said, ¡°Aunt Wang, don¡¯t worry, this is normal. Xiao Hu is young and was underwater for so long; it¡¯s natural to have stress-induced amnesia after such a shock.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Really, trust me, he¡¯ll be fine after some rest.¡± [Wuwuwu, Jiang Li is so gentle, she calmed Aunt Wang down immediately with just her words, even I feel comforted through the screen.] [Jiang Li has been so composed from beginning to end, she¡¯s only 19, right? How does she manage that?] [Now, I really think all the negative press online is fake; how could such a rational and gentle girl be like what¡¯s rumored online?] [I¡¯ve started to like her now; she¡¯s knowledgeable and so composed, isn¡¯t she way better than any vapid celebrity? COMMENT Chapter 54 - Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Acting Righteously Hits the Trending List Again! Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Acting Righteously Hits the Trending List Again! Five minutes later, the people of Chixia Village, who had received the news, rushed over. Leading them was the village chief himself. He seemed to have just come down from the mountain, with his cloth shoes still covered in mud, looking all flustered. Following him was a large group of fellow villagers who had come to help. Jiang Li even spotted a familiar face. ¡°He Yun? What are you doing here?¡± He Yun glanced at her soaked dress and then at the camera behind her, and quickly took off his coat to cover her. ¡°I just found a place to stay and happened to hear someone had fallen into the water, so I came along with the landlord.¡± ¡°What happened, how did you end up falling into the pond?¡± ¡°Wow, Mr. He is so gentlemanly, even considering that Jiang Li¡¯s current state might not look good on camera, he gave her his coat to wear.¡± ¡°Is it just me or is this ship-worthy?¡± ¡°So, Mr. He came after hearing the commotion? He doesn¡¯t seem like the diva the internet makes him out to be. Would a diva run over here just because someone in the village fell into the water?¡± ¡°Why aren¡¯t others here? Compared to them, Jiang Li and He Yun are like outstanding citizens.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t drag others down; Qi just arrived at the village and is still finding his way to his accommodation. He has no clue about the news, okay?¡± Jiang Li politely accepted his kindness, gathered the coat on her shoulders and said, ¡°I¡¯m fine, it wasn¡¯t me who fell into the water, it was the village chief¡¯s child.¡± ¡°I see,¡± nodded He Yun. The village chief too, after learning the whole story from his wife, was so overcome with emotion that he nearly kneeled to Jiang Li on the spot. ¡°Young lady, I really can¡¯t thank you enough. I had misunderstood you before, but you actually saved Xiao Hu¡¯s life. I¡¯m so grateful.¡± Jiang Li quickly helped him to his feet, ¡°It¡¯s alright, village chief, it was nothing more than a helping hand. It¡¯s good that the child is safe.¡± Soon after, Director Sun arrived with the crew of Shining Transformation Trip. The moment they heard the news, they immediately sent someone to the county town to call a doctor. On the way there, he had been preparing for the worst. This had happened on their first day in the village, and no matter if there were casualties or if it was related to them or not, a media storm was inevitable. He didn¡¯t know whether they would be able to proceed smoothly with the next day¡¯s filming amidst the expected chaos. But when they arrived, Director Sun was stunned by the scene before him. There was no panic, no crying, no screams; only the village chief¡¯s family continuously bowing to Jiang Li. He even had to push his way through the crowd, asking with complete confusion, ¡°What happened? Is everyone okay?¡± Jiang Li¡¯s cameraman said excitedly, ¡°Director, you¡¯re late. Jiang Li has already rescued the boy. There¡¯s no serious issue; he was just a bit scared.¡± Director Sun: ? He had no idea Jiang Li was capable of such a feat. But just to be safe, he insisted that the medical staff check over Xiao Hu. Aunt Wang also noticed Jiang Li¡¯s wounds and quickly called for the doctor to check on her as well. Jiang Li smiled and refused, ¡°It¡¯s just a scratch, nothing serious. No need to bother the doctor.¡± Aunt Wang was growing more fond of her by the minute. They say TV stars are arrogant and make a fuss over the smallest things. But this girl had been calm throughout the whole incident, more composed than even some married women. She was also polite and friendly, and to top it off, she was good-looking, seemingly without a single flaw. With that thought, she gripped Jiang Li¡¯s hand tighter and draped another piece of clothing passed by the villagers over her. ¡°Good child, you¡¯re still wet. Come and have a hot bath at my house soon, and stay at my place for a while.¡± ¡°Are you guys available?¡± ¡°Of course, we¡¯re available. We all knew a TV crew was coming to the village to film, and every household cleaned up their houses. It¡¯s just¡­¡± she glanced at Director Sun, who was on the phone next to her, and lowered her voice, ¡°your director told us in advance not to casually vacate our houses for you to stay in, and wanted to trouble you, demanding that you meet the criteria first.¡± Jiang Li smiled helplessly. She guessed as much. Otherwise, why would even several villagers refuse to take them in? ¡°Then I have no choice but to obey,¡± Jiang Li smiled. ¡°Ah, good,¡± Aunt Wang said with a laugh. The doctors had just finished checking Xiao Hu. Just as Jiang Li had said, he was only unconscious because he had swallowed too much water, and now he was out of danger. Apart from being a little shocked, there was nothing else wrong with him. There was no need to go down to the county, a few days of rest would be enough. Hearing this, the village chief was endlessly grateful. The doctor smiled and waved his hand, ¡°I didn¡¯t really do much. If you want to thank someone, thank this young lady. If she hadn¡¯t saved the person in time and performed artificial respiration, you all would have been very busy tonight.¡± The village chief¡¯s family thanked Jiang Li again and again. Director Sun, who finally got a handle on the full situation, seized the opportunity to approach Jiang Li. ¡°Hey, girl, how did you know the village chief¡¯s son had fallen into the water? I was almost scared to death when I received the phone call, thinking something had happened to you guys.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± He Yun joined in. Jiang Li pondered for a moment, ¡°If I told you I figured it out through divination, would you believe me?¡± Director Sun: ? He Yun: ? Commenters: ? Since the entire incident was captured by the live stream¡¯s cameras, and the ambulance¡¯s arrival confirmed the authenticity of the accident. Within half an hour, the number of people online in Jiang Li¡¯s live stream room soared to nearly ten thousand, and a crowd of onlookers rushed in. Moreover, her act of bravery was quickly spread online, shooting straight to the top of the trending searches. ¡°Is it real? Jiang Li being brave and righteous? People are really daring to buy any sort of trending search for fame these days?¡± ¡°It¡¯s true! I¡¯ve been squatting in Jiang Li¡¯s live stream from the beginning, she was just looking for a place to stay, and then this happened, definitely not staged!¡± ¡°I saw the livestream replay, Jiang Li is so brave, she went into that dark pond without even flinching, love it.¡± ¡°Wait, doesn¡¯t it feel mysterious? How could Jiang Li have known that the child had fallen into the water? Professionals have said that divination can¡¯t be accurate to that extent!¡± At this moment, Su Yinwan had just finished taking a shower and came out of the bathroom, opening up her phone. Just as she was preparing to enjoy the spectacle of Jiang Li¡¯s misfortune, the rows of trending search terms widened her eyes. 1 Jiang Li brave and righteous, Chixia Village chief in tears (current top trend) 2 Is Jiang Li really the mystical girl she claims to be? (current top trend) ¡­ 7 He Yun Jiang Li 8 Qi Tianyu resorts to performing in the street for lodging 9 Princess Wen breaks down 10 Jiang Yan¡¯s attire disliked by villagers ¡­ Her eyes were met with a barrage of keywords related to ¡°Shining Transformation Trip,¡± with Jiang Li-related topics dominating the top three of the trending searches. And they were almost all positive news. Su Yinwan was extremely surprised, and moreover, the negative stories she had paid for had sunk without a trace, causing no ripples at all. Even the trolls in Jiang Li¡¯s live stream room were not very active anymore. Chapter 55 - Chapter 55: Chapter 55: I Can Prove Everything Miss Jiang Said Is True! Chapter 55: Chapter 55: I Can Prove Everything Miss Jiang Said Is True! Su Yinwan hadn¡¯t expected that, in just one day, Jiang Li¡¯s reputation had undergone such a drastic change. Yet she was clearly the wretched cannon fodder of this book. This was not the path she should be treading. Su Yinwan¡¯s face darkened and after some thought, she made a phone call. Soon after, those two hot-search entries were suppressed. Then, a slew of voices skeptical about Jiang Li started to surface online. ¡°People really think this whole thing is staged by Jiang Li to whitewash herself, right? Predicting someone¡¯s danger through divination? Who is she kidding?¡± ¡°Yeah, exactly. I have a friend who works in this field, and I showed him the live broadcast. He affirmed that this is absolutely impossible.¡± ¡°If it¡¯s fake, then Jiang Li is really out of line. How could she use a child¡¯s personal safety to gain favor!¡± ¡°Jiang Li has always been a bad woman, doing anything for traffic without any consideration! Now you all should believe it!¡± Consequently, a large number of people began pouring into Flash Change¡¯s live streaming room to denounce Jiang Li¡¯s inhumane behavior. The matter even escalated to the news, and some went as far as threatening to report Jiang Li to the police under the charge of intentional harm. Director Sun¡¯s phone was nearly exploded by calls from all kinds of news outlets. After all, this was no small matter. The village chief¡¯s child from Chixia Village had fallen into the water for no apparent reason, only to be inexplicably saved by Jiang Li. Moreover, the reason she gave was utterly implausible. If they didn¡¯t clear things up, it was highly likely they would be reported to the police, and their show would definitely be unable to go on. Director Sun, fully aware of the seriousness of the situation, immediately called Jiang Li over and showed her the online hot searches. ¡°Jiang Li, it¡¯s not that I doubt you, but the netizens are too reactive now, taking rumors for the truth. If you don¡¯t explain this properly, things could escalate even worse.¡± He Yun, who was nearby, also furrowed his brows upon hearing this. Looking at the malicious slurs and personal attacks against Jiang Li on Weibo, he suddenly thought of his own situation. Hadn¡¯t he been caught in a similar struggle not so long ago? Except he had been exposed to showbiz from a young age and had almost become numb to such comments. But it was different for Jiang Li. She was only 19, a young college girl just starting university. She had performed a heroic deed and should have been praised, but instead, she ended up being misunderstood like this. She must be feeling terrible. With this thought, he placed a hand on Jiang Li¡¯s shoulder, speaking softly, ¡°Don¡¯t take these online comments too seriously. These people have only seen the surface of the issue and haven¡¯t bothered to understand the truth. You shouldn¡¯t let such people make you feel negative.¡± Jiang Li looked up at him and smiled suddenly. ¡°It seems Mr. He is quite insightful.¡± He Yun paused, taken aback. Was he insightful? No. He was not insightful at all. He just thought, if he could persuade one person, that would be enough. What was originally a very ordinary interaction had completely changed its flavor in the eyes of the live stream audience. They only saw Jiang Li with her head down, seemingly very disheartened, followed by He Yun stepping forward to hold her shoulder, and then she flashed He Yun a brilliant smile. He Yun¡¯s fans were immediately displeased. ¡°Considering the circumstances, why is Jiang Li still trying to seduce men? I¡¯m really fed up, what¡¯s with pretending to be a pure lotus!¡± ¡°I hate Jiang Li, why does she always have to stir up attention with my brother, it gives the fans a heart attack to see the trending searches. Please, stop seducing my brother!¡± ¡°I¡¯m so annoyed, Jiang Li should just quit, she¡¯s even worse than Shu Yan next door. At least the latter is straightforward, while Jiang Li is just a pure green tea bitch!¡± Jiang Li hadn¡¯t planned on explaining the situation, but she hadn¡¯t expected the public opinion to be so vehement. So she could only pause for a moment and then say to the camera, ¡°I read Xiao Hu¡¯s Life Plate, his fortune today indicated ¡®Yangren Zhi Cai¡¯ with his birth sign ¡®Shen Jin¡¯ signifying weak doubled injuries, ¡®Kui Water¡¯ as an adversary sign also approaching the daily stem¡ªthis is a very ominous configuration. At the same time, ¡®Si Fire¡¯ is being restricted. It¡¯s clearly a pattern of being trapped by water, that¡¯s how I deduced that Xiao Hu probably drowned.¡± Director Sun listened, befuddled, but the shock written all over his face betrayed his current state of mind. He had truly not expected that someone born into such wealth would actually know about divination. He Yun was also quite surprised. He had originally thought Jiang Li¡¯s knowledge of mysticism was just casual talk. ¡°Director Sun looks totally bewildered, and so am I, could Jiang Li really know how to divine the future? It sounds pretty convincing.¡± ¡°I study this! I rushed over after seeing the news online, and I can only say that Jiang Li¡¯s analysis is very accurate, although it seems far-fetched, it is possible to attain such a level with deep knowledge. But Jiang Li is just 19 years old. Doesn¡¯t that mean she has been studying mysticism since birth?¡± ¡°I still think it¡¯s a pre-prepared script. How could Jiang Li, just an ordinary college student, predict with such accuracy?¡± ¡°Ordinary? Someone who helps the Hua Country Museum restore antiques and ancient books can be called ordinary? Anyway, I¡¯m staunchly behind Sister Li!¡± The live broadcast room quickly descended into chaos again, those voices of doubt still refusing to believe that Jiang Li¡¯s abilities could reach such an extent. Until someone with the ID ¡®Li Garden Hotel¡¯ emerged and posted a long message in the live chat¡ª ¡°I am the General Manager of Li Garden Hotel, my surname is Fang. I can prove that everything Miss Jiang says is true!¡± ¡°A while ago, Miss Jiang also resolved my doubts. The moment we met, she pointed out my plight, saying my wife was betraying me and that I should hurry home to collect evidence.¡± ¡°The mystifying part is, when I conducted a surprise visit, I did indeed catch those two at it on my couch. Originally, I was very angry, but remembering Miss Jiang¡¯s words, I calmed down and gathered evidence to win the lawsuit, effectively dealing a blow to that cheating couple.¡± ¡°I only discovered during the evidence gathering that my ex-wife had even secretly transferred the company¡¯s operating funds behind my back. If not for Miss Jiang¡¯s warning, I might have already been under police investigation.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to thank Miss Jiang, but I was afraid of disturbing her life. By coincidence, I saw this news and clicked into this live stream, not expecting Miss Jiang to be assisting someone again.¡± ¡­ The live stream audience was stunned. However, when they exited to check out this so-called Manager Fang¡¯s Weibo account, they found he was indeed the General Manager of the Li Yuan Chain Hotel. Furthermore, his Weibo contained the entire process of the lawsuit with his ex-wife, with dates even showing half a month ago. This meant that Manager Fang was definitely not someone Jiang Li had arranged in advance¡ªhe was telling the truth! Instantly, a subset of the viewers were dumbfounded. They thought Jiang Li was just a blind cat that ran into a dead mouse, and that her lucky guess regarding Xiao Hu¡¯s drowning had been all for show. But it turned out she was even more capable than they had imagined. However, what shocked them even more was yet to come. After Manager Fang spoke up, another person posted on Weibo to support Jiang Li. This person was even a top gaming streamer with tens of millions of fans, the famous L God! Chapter 56 - Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Popular Host L God Actually Supports Jiang Li?! Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Popular Host L God Actually Supports Jiang Li?! Lei Shen originally had no idea about the trending topics on Weibo. He had been busy renovating his studio for a while and hadn¡¯t even had time for livestreaming. Finally, a few days ago, the studio renovation was finished, and he rushed to buy a bunch of decorations as instructed by that big boss. According to the blueprint, he placed each item inside the studio. Even he was shocked himself; the Feng Shui worked so quickly. The next day, his staff had largely recovered, each returning to their workstation full of energy. On the third day, a company that had owed them partnership fees came to apologize in person. They not only paid off all their overdue payments but even renewed their contract with them. By then, Lei Shen was thoroughly impressed by the powerful change of fortune brought by this Fengshui setup. But the benefits didn¡¯t stop there. Yesterday, the results of the Blue Star livestreaming platform¡¯s host competition were released. Their situation had been very precarious, given that Blue Star livestreaming was the largest platform in the country, and their gaming sector was not very popular. They hadn¡¯t held out much hope. But at the moment Lei Shen saw the ranking, he was stunned. His livestream had shot up to third place on the potential list. This not only meant he would get a lot of exposure but also that he had gained a firm foothold on the Blue Star platform, which was very beneficial for his future development. So, without hesitation, he started his livestream to announce the good news to his fans while heaping praises on Jiang Banxian, who had helped him change his fortune. The fans in the livestream were celebrating with him until someone asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t this Jiang Banxian the same Jiang Li who is streaming a variety show next door?¡± Lei Shen leaned back in his gaming chair and chuckled coldly, ¡°How could it be? My Jiang Banxian is a true Demi Immortal with both beauty and talent. Without her, I¡¯d still be stuck in the studio eating dust.¡± Seeing his fans skeptical, Lei Shen immediately switched accounts on his phone to a secondary one. In reality, his real name was Lu Xingchao, and he had been obsessed with esports since his childhood. After entering university, he became a professional game streamer. With his humorous gaming commentary and skills comparable to a professional player, he quickly became one of the hottest streamers with millions of followers on the Blue Star platform. Also, since his nickname on all platforms was a capitalized ¡°L,¡± his fans affectionately called him ¡°L Shen.¡± Lei Shen was just a secondary account he used for following stars. After all, he didn¡¯t want his fans to find out that, apart from being a game streamer, he was also a fan of the popular actress Su Yinwan. Quite embarrassing. But to prove to his fans he wasn¡¯t just talking nonsense, Lu Xingchao decided to go all out this time. He opened the chat history with Jiang Banxian in front of everyone, proudly boasting, ¡°Look, I told you I really met a big boss. You believe me now, right?¡± The chat was flooded with question marks and exclamation points. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s really Jiang Li, I was just joking, it¡¯s actually her?!¡± ¡°I¡¯m stunned. When did L Shen meet Jiang Li? From what he says, is Jiang Li really that awesome?¡± ¡°Looks like the streamer doesn¡¯t know what¡¯s happening.¡± ¡°?? What are you talking about? Who is Jiang Li? I have no idea.¡± ¡°It¡¯s one of the guests from ¡®Shining Transformation Trip¡¯ next door. It¡¯s hard to explain in a few words; you can check the trending topics on Weibo.¡± So, immediately, a large number of people flooded into Jiang Li¡¯s livestream. At this moment, Lu Xingchao was still in the dark. It wasn¡¯t until he saw the chat that he was caught off guard and his eyes widened. ¡°What? You¡¯re saying this Jiang Banxian is that Jiang Li? How is that possible?!¡± He quickly flipped his phone, clicking into the Weibo of the big boss he had been chatting with. Boss Jiang, who previously had only a few thousand followers, now had over a hundred thousand. The first post that caught his eye was the official Weibo post from Flash Change that she had shared. Lu Xingchao¡¯s head buzzed. What was going on? Could Jiang Banxian really be Jiang Li? But wasn¡¯t Jiang Li that non-mainstream girl known for her bad reputation and scowling face? Doubtful, he immediately opened Weibo to search for anything related to the Flash Change live stream. However, the rows of trending searches that met his eyes once again silenced him¡ª #Jiang Li heroically helps Chixia Village chief, who is moved to tears# #Is the persona of Jiang Li, the mysticism girl, real?# #Jiang Li¡¯s unparalled beauty# #Hua Country Museum personally praises Jiang Li# #Jiang Li¡¯s huge turnaround# ¡­ Looking at the rows of trending searches about Jiang Li, Lu Xingchao almost doubted his own eyes. After understanding the full story, he was even more shocked. The Jiang Li on the live stream was completely different from the one online! Could it be that they had all misunderstood her? Almost as if possessed, he clicked into the Flash Change live stream and immediately saw the girl explaining to the camera how she had judged that Xiao Hu had accidentally fallen into the water. Her voice was soft and melodious, without a trace of timidity, analyzing the situation so clearly that each sentence was logically sound and beyond reproach. Despite wearing a messy men¡¯s jacket and having disheveled hair and makeup, she possessed an inexplicable beauty. She looked exactly as Lu Xingchao imagined Jiang Banxian would: young but composed, gentle yet strong. Especially those eyes, which seemed to hide the ancient cosmos, irresistibly compelling him to learn more. Meanwhile, Lu Xingchao¡¯s reactions were all being closely watched by the audience in his gaming live stream. ¡°What is the host doing? The game was going well, why is he watching a beauty now?¡± ¡°No way, does L-God actually like Jiang Li? But I searched his alt, and he is a fan of Su Yinwan. He even criticized Jiang Li before.¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to like about Jiang Li? All mystical nonsense, totally fake.¡± ¡°Wait, if Jiang Li really is that Demi Immortal L-God met, doesn¡¯t that mean she truly is a mysticism master?¡± Watching these scrolling comments, Lu Xingchao was silent for a long time. He couldn¡¯t deny that his current clear situation was indeed because of Jiang Li¡¯s help. Yet he had mindlessly followed the crowd on Weibo that maligned her. But clearly, she had never done anything to harm him and had even helped him greatly, knowing he was her detractor. Instantly, Lu Xingchao was engulfed by a tremendous sense of guilt. Being both a passionate gamer and a hot-blooded youth with a strong sense of justice, his ideals and pursuit didn¡¯t allow him to act as if nothing had happened while feeling such guilt. So, he immediately logged onto his major Weibo account, uploaded all chat records between his alt and Jiang Li, and wrote a long post. It detailed how he met Jiang Li and how she had guided him to turn his luck around. At the end of the Weibo post, he wrote: ¡°No matter what Jiang Li was like before, I only know she helped me, and even saved a child she did not know. Just for this, she rightfully becomes my idol. So, bring it on, Blackie, starting today, I am Jiang Li¡¯s diehard fan!¡± Chapter 57 - Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Do you still see me as your brother in your eyes? Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Do you still see me as your brother in your eyes? Lu Xingchao¡¯s numerous fans were stunned. ¡°Holy shit, what¡¯s up with God L? Why did he suddenly start speaking up for Jiang Li?¡± ¡°Those who want to understand the situation can go to God L¡¯s live broadcast room. I was there the whole time and witnessed the entire process of him realizing that the big shot who had helped him was Jiang Li. It¡¯s too surreal.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes, not only did God L take a long time to react, but even I still feel like I¡¯m dreaming right now. This is too absurd, so absurd that you can¡¯t even write a script like this.¡± ¡°I¡¯m starting to believe in Jiang Li now. If it were scripted, how could she possibly have gotten God L to act with her? God L is notorious for his tough stance. The platform next door even offered 50 million to poach him and he didn¡¯t agree.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t care, I trust God L¡¯s character. Since he supports Jiang Li, from today on, Jiang Li is also my idol!¡± And thus, a massive wave of people, including Lu Xingchao himself, all surged into Jiang Li¡¯s live broadcast room. In an instant, the total number of online viewers in Jiang Li¡¯s live broadcast room broke through one hundred thousand. Director Sun was shocked when he received the news. It should be noted that the total number of online viewers in the other guests¡¯ live rooms combined didn¡¯t even reach one hundred thousand. But Jiang Li achieved it. This meant that on the first day of their live broadcast, the total number of online viewers had broken two hundred thousand! This was an unprecedented figure! An excited Director Sun could barely keep a steady grip on his megaphone. The direction of the trending searches also underwent a massive shift due to Manager Fang and Lu Xingchao¡¯s successive approvals. Now, no one doubted the authenticity of Jiang Li¡¯s fortune-telling abilities anymore. Even quite a few people directly went to her Weibo to kneel and beg for guidance. ¡°Great Immortal, I¡¯ve been having a streak of bad luck recently. Can you give me some advice like you did for God L?¡± ¡°Sister Li, I just finished my exams. Can you calculate whether I can pass or not?¡± ¡°Wuwuwu, Sister Li, I suspect my boyfriend has cheated on me, but I can¡¯t find any proof. Can you help me?¡± Before long, #JiangLiTurnsOutToBeAMysticismMaster# rushed to the top of the trending searches and even became the explosive news of the day, with no signs of the heat dying down. When Su Yinwan saw all this, she felt like she was about to pass out. She didn¡¯t understand why, despite her targeting Jiang Li so much, every time Jiang Li managed to turn danger into safety, even pulling things back from the brink? Could it be that her main character halo wasn¡¯t shining brightly enough? In response to this question, the system replied: ¡°Host, your main character halo has indeed been affected. If you allow the plot to continue developing like this, your fortune will certainly suffer a serious impact.¡± Now Su Yinwan was truly panicked. As a player who had traversed countless worlds, she understood very well what the term ¡°fortune¡± signified. It meant that whether it was the plot, the heavens, or the characters in this world, they would all without exception favor this Child of Destiny. Even the designated male lead. She had to come up with another plan, a plan to stop Jiang Li from continuing to clear her name. ¨C While Jiang Li was surrounded by a variety of people from Chixia Village and the production crew, and her broadcast room was bustling with a crowd, Ten miles away, Jiang Yan was still seated alone on a cold stone, sighing deeply up to the heavens. Without a smartphone, he was completely oblivious to what had happened, only knowing that Jiang Li had abandoned him for over an hour. With nowhere to channel his frustration, he could only pace back and forth, and then attempt to strike up a conversation with his cameraman for the thirty-fourth time. However, the cameraman, assigned by the production team, who was rather cold and taciturn, usually did not respond past the beginning of his attempt at conversation. ¡°I¡¯m saying, big bro, can you at least reply to me? I¡¯m out here in the wild with not even a cell phone. Aren¡¯t you guys from the show worried that I might off myself?¡± The cameraman glanced at him indifferently, ¡°It is clearly stated in the contract that in case of any incidents, the guest bears individual responsibility and it has nothing to do with our production team.¡± Jiang Yan cursed loudly. He should¡¯ve scrutinized the contract in the first place! Frustrated, he grabbed a handful of his hair again. The hairstyle that he had meticulously groomed for an hour before leaving was now a complete mess from his grasping. The gleaming golden shirt and coat he wore had lost their luster in the darkness of night, looking utterly dejected. The more dejected he looked, the more pitiful he appeared. ¡°Then at least you can help me get in touch with Jiang Li and the others, can¡¯t you? I don¡¯t even know their situation right now, and it¡¯s already past nine. If this keeps up, I¡¯m really going to end up sleeping on the street tonight!¡± Just his luck, he couldn¡¯t get through to Jiang Li¡¯s phone no matter how he tried, and his anxiety and irritation peaked. In stark contrast to his despondency, the viewers in the live stream were about to die laughing. ¡°I can¡¯t even, Jiang Yan looks like a total dunce cut off from the world, clueless about everything and abandoned by everyone.¡± ¡°Jiang Li next door has gained fame and honor, completely joining the ranks of the good guys, while Jiang Yan is still stuck at rock bottom without even a place to stay. This contrast is killing me!¡± ¡°Flash Change¡¯s entertainment value has all been shouldered by Jiang Yan alone. He¡¯s so tragic, it seems like he really came to transform.¡± The cameraman finally took out his phone. After scrolling through his messages for a minute, he slowly lifted his eyelids. ¡°I just got the notification that Jiang Li and the village chief have found someone, and she also has a place to stay tonight.¡± Jiang Yan was baffled. ¡°Why are you only telling me this now? Hurry up, let¡¯s go find her.¡± As he said this, he grabbed his suitcase, getting ready to leave. He happened to run into a staff member sprinting over from a distance. Jiang Yan was overjoyed, ¡°Did Jiang Li send you to pick me up? That girl finally shows some conscience, remembering she still has a brother out here.¡± The staff member came forward and took his suitcase. Jiang Yan, relieved of his burden, was even more delighted until, when he opened his eyes, the staff member had already walked away with the suitcase without looking back. Jiang Yan was baffled again. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s going on? I¡¯m still here, you know?¡± The employee turned around with an emotionless face, ¡°This is Jiang Li¡¯s suitcase, right?¡± ¡°Yes, it is.¡± ¡°Then there¡¯s no mistake. Miss Jiang asked me to come retrieve her luggage for her. Young Master Jiang, please keep up the good work. The other guests have all found places to stay, and you¡¯re the only one left now.¡± Having said that, he left with the suitcase and didn¡¯t look back. Jiang Yan was completely flabbergasted. ¡°HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.¡± ¡°I¡¯m dying of laughter. I thought it was already funny enough before, but this next moment was even funnier.¡± ¡°So Jiang Li has completely abandoned her brother now, huh? Can¡¯t believe she¡¯s so enthusiastic about helping others while being so cold-blooded toward her own brother.¡± ¡°If you had a brother like this, you might be even colder than Jiang Li. Just look at what Jiang Yan has been up to all day. He¡¯s done nothing productive, nothing but hold everyone back.¡± ¡°Damn it!¡± Jiang Yan cursed skyward before pulling out that shiny old cell phone to dial Jiang Li¡¯s number once more. Finally, this time the call was answered, and Jiang Li¡¯s lazy voice came through. ¡°Hello? What is it?¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Jiang Yan laughed bitterly, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you answering my calls? Why aren¡¯t you coming to get me? Do you even consider me your brother?¡± Chapter 58 - Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Jiang Yan Stranded Abroad Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Jiang Yan Stranded Abroad Facing Jiang Yan¡¯s triple barrage of questions, Jiang Li¡¯s only response was silence. After a long while, she yawned indifferently and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t pick up the phone because my mobile just fell into water; this is a new one provided by the crew. I didn¡¯t come to pick you up because the village chief agreed to let me stay, but didn¡¯t agree to you; and lastly, you really aren¡¯t in my eyes.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­..¡± Did this girl really have to spell things out so ruthlessly? ¡°What do you mean the village chief¡¯s family doesn¡¯t want to take me in? What¡¯s wrong with me? I haven¡¯t stolen or robbed, is it you who deliberately¡ª¡± Before Jiang Yan could finish, a dial tone already transmitted through the receiver. ¡°Damn it!¡± Unable to contain his anger, Jiang Yan grabbed his phone, wanting to smash it to the ground, but remembering he would be completely cut off from contacting anyone if it broke, he begrudgingly put it away. Perhaps unable to bear seeing Jiang Yan stranded, the cameraman once again spoke up to remind him. ¡°It¡¯s already half past nine, and most households should be asleep by now, Young Master Jiang, you better start looking quickly.¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°Am I really the only one left without a place to stay? Even Wen Jiaojiao found one?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°Damn!¡± He Yun was the first to find accommodation. Despite Director Sun¡¯s repeated emphasis on not relying on one¡¯s reputation, it couldn¡¯t be helped because He Yun, who started as a child star, had played many key roles, and even in this remote village with poor communications, many people had seen his movies. Someone immediately suggested that he should stay at their house. Shu Yan, after trying to act cutesy and ingratiating herself with various efforts, finally succeeded in winning over a little girl with the only lipstick she had left in her bag and moved in with her belongings. Qi Tianyu and Wen Jiaojiao were the last to arrive. Upon reaching the entrance of the village, the two went their separate ways. Qi Tianyu, whose EQ was not low and who was a smooth talker, used a few jokes to make the uncles and aunties happy and even publicly performed a street dance he¡¯d recently learned, easily gaining the right to stay. Wen Jiaojiao, on the other hand, had a hard time. She already looked down on this impoverished backwater and even though some villagers felt pity for her and wanted to take her in, the sight of the dilapidated row of houses still made Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s face fall. So she continued toting her suitcase and wearing size 44 sneakers until eight or nine o¡¯clock, when she finally came across a decent house. But that family wasn¡¯t interested in having her stay at all. In the end, she had to take out all her valuable possessions before she was granted a few nights¡¯ stay. But Jiang Yan was different. All his belongings were in his luggage, which had been taken away by the crew, and the only thing of value on him was the old mobile phone in his hand. But no villager was willing to trade even a cigarette for it, let alone a place to stay. Having no choice, and not wanting to fall prey to wild animals by sleeping outside, Jiang Yan had to steel himself to knock on someone¡¯s door. Minutes later, the door opened and a middle-aged man¡¯s face appeared, sizing him up with a wary look. However, before Jiang Yan could say a word, the man¡¯s expression turned to one of disgust and he slammed the door shut with a ¡°bang.¡± The second house to open their door was greeted by a little kid. Probably having never seen such attire, the child burst into tears at the sight of Jiang Yan. So, the second family also shut the door in his face. The same happened with the next few homes. By ten o¡¯clock, Jiang Yan was still wandering outside. [I¡¯m going to die laughing, the kid from the second house just got scared into crying by Jiang Yan, right?] [I mean, wouldn¡¯t you be scared if a guy dressed like that knocked on your door in the middle of the night?] [All the other guests are about ready to go to sleep, is Jiang Yan really going to spend the night outside?] [The crew is really ruthless, not a single phone call up to now; I suddenly feel a bit sorry for Jiang Yan.] The night breeze in the mountains carried a chill, and Jiang Yan, unable to find a place to stay, sullenly returned to sit on the very same rock. Although he was so popular in the Capital, how could he have become the least welcomed person here? He couldn¡¯t figure it out. He wanted to smoke. To fiercely smoke a whole damn pack! And then crush the cigarette butt furiously onto the face of Jiang Li, the one who had forced him into this TV show! Just as Jiang Yan hesitated on whether to call Jiang Li again and coerce her into taking him in, someone suddenly poked him from behind. Jiang Yan turned around sharply and saw an old farmer dressed in wrinkly clothing. On his shoulder, he carried a hoe, apparently just back from the fields, with his trouser legs caked in mud. Seeing him turn around, the old farmer smiled, gesticulating with his hands. Jiang Yan furrowed his brows, ¡°What do you want?¡± The farmer gestured again, pointing towards a house not far away, while making ¡°woo woo¡± sounds with his mouth. Jiang Yan¡¯s frown deepened, ¡°What is this, are you speaking Chinese? I don¡¯t understand any of it.¡± The next second, it dawned on him that this old man might be mute and deaf. So, he put away his phone, donned a more amiable expression, and randomly gestured at the air. ¡°You, what, you¡¯re, saying, I, can¡¯t, understand.¡± The cameraman couldn¡¯t stand it anymore. ¡°Young Master Jiang, he¡¯s probably asking if you want to stay at his place for the night.¡± Jiang Yan, ¡°Is that so?¡± The old farmer nodded vigorously. In fact, he had noticed Jiang Yan searching for a place to stay quite a while ago. Driven by curiosity about the big camera, he had followed around for a couple of turns, and finally approached when he saw Jiang Yan really couldn¡¯t find any accommodation. The old farmer gestured a few more times, with even more complex hand movements this time, making it even harder for Jiang Yan to understand, so he just nodded randomly. ¡°Alright, alright, as long as there¡¯s a place to stay.¡± The old farmer smiled and led the way forward. [Wow, this old uncle is so kind, so good-hearted, and not even afraid that Jiang Yan might be a bad person.] [Why do I suddenly feel like crying, the old uncle is so old, and still working outside so late, does he not have anyone else at home?] [Exactly, besides, the old uncle is deaf and mute. Sigh, to end up with someone as careless as Jiang Yan, suddenly I feel it would be quite okay for Jiang Yan to spend the night on the streets.] Jiang Yan also felt that the old uncle who had suddenly appeared was his lifesaver. But he had always been too proud to admit mistakes or thank anyone. To initiate a thank you was indeed a bit difficult for him. Watching the old farmer¡¯s slightly hunched figure, Jiang Yan quickly stepped forward and helped lift the hoe. ¡°Let me help you with this.¡± The old farmer smiled and waved his hand, refusing. ¡°It¡¯s fine, let me carry it,¡± insisted Jiang Yan. Finally, the old farmer didn¡¯t argue with him and handed over the hoe after a few gestures. Jiang Yan slung the hoe over his shoulder with a swing, but the motion was too wide and he accidentally hit the camera behind him. The cameraman, ¡°¡­¡­¡± [I¡¯m dying of laughter, I was about to praise Jiang Yan too.] [Even though the cameraman didn¡¯t show his face, I can already imagine his speechless and disdainful expression.] [Luckily the camera isn¡¯t broken, otherwise Jiang Yan would have had to pay back so much he¡¯d be left with nothing, not even enough for a bitter cup of tea.] Chapter 59 - Chapter 59: Chapter 59 Kicked Out Chapter 59: Chapter 59 Kicked Out After walking for about two or three hundred meters, the old man stopped at a crossroads and pointed to the right. Jiang Yan followed his pointing direction and was instantly dumbfounded. Right there beside a towering tree sat a shabby little house, constructed of wood and full of historical character. There wasn¡¯t even a proper landing spot at the door, and after the recent rain, it was all wet, muddy, and mixed with weeds. It was the spitting image of an old haunted house in a horror movie. Jiang Yan had seen this house before, but it was so old and dilapidated that he had completely ignored it. He hadn¡¯t expected anyone to actually live there. In an instant, the smile that had just been excited about finding a place to stay froze on his face. Yet, the old man seemed completely unaware and cheerfully beckoned him inside. Jiang Yan hesitated at the door, hoe in hand. ¡°It¡¯s fine, it¡¯s better than sleeping on rocks for a few nights!¡± At this point, he could only comfort himself with that thought. So, he took a step and entered the house. As he had imagined, it was dark, cold, and damp inside, but thankfully it was the beginning of summer, so the coolness was somewhat pleasant. The old man seemed very happy to have him there, wiping the table, pouring water, with a constant smile on his face. But Jiang Yan really couldn¡¯t understand his gestures and could only nod and take the water. [The old man is really nice, he doesn¡¯t despise Jiang Yan at all.] [Jiang Yan is much quieter now, finally resembling a proper person. It seems that only someone like the old man could tame him.] However, no sooner had he swallowed a few sips of water than his stomach started growling loudly. The situation was awkward for a moment. Jiang Yan just remembered that he had only eaten on the plane today and had been busy until now, only to have a sip of water. Thinking about Jiang Li staying in the village chief¡¯s large house, eating and drinking well, he felt extremely resentful and cursed ¡°fuck¡±. The old man seemed to have heard his belly¡¯s continuous rumbles, too, and quickly went out again without even bothering to change his shoes. A moment later, he returned with a bowl of porridge and a hard bun in his hands. Jiang Yan understood this time and pointed to the items in his hand, ¡°Is this for me to eat?¡± The old man nodded and placed the items on the table. Looking at the bland porridge and the dry, hard bun, Jiang Yan fell into silence. He, who was used to seafood porridge and exotic delicacies, genuinely couldn¡¯t muster any enthusiasm for these two kinds of food. He¡¯d rather go hungry. But the old man across from him kept gesturing for him to eat and his eyes were filled with a hopeful glow. Jiang Yan had no choice. That¡¯s just the way he was¡ªif he encountered someone with a strong attitude, he could be even more headstrong, but when faced with vulnerable groups, he was helpless. He couldn¡¯t just use his capital to bully the weak, that would be too shameful. Reluctantly, he just sighed heavily and lifted the porridge to take a sip with a furrowed brow. Just as he had imagined, it was completely tasteless. But the audience in the live streaming room didn¡¯t let him off the hook at all. [I really can¡¯t even, the young master is now in the countryside and still thinking about a feast, he should be happy there¡¯s food at all.] [Yeah, maybe the old man gave him the last of his own food and he¡¯s still complaining.] [No, why are you guys so full of resentment? Jiang Yan used to be a rich young master in the Capital, it¡¯s his first time coming to such a place and eating this kind of food, doesn¡¯t he need some time to adapt?] ¡°Have the men upstairs gone mad with concern? Jiang Li is his own sister, yet she never once complained, and still managed to secure good living conditions through her own efforts. Jiang Yan ending up in this mess is entirely because of his own lack of initiative, right?¡± After struggling to finish those two bland dishes without a speck of salt or oil, Jiang Yan sat at the doorstep, lost in melancholy as he gazed at the night sky hanging low above. ¡°My phone, my cigarettes, my champagne, oh how I miss you¡­¡­¡± He swore, this had to be the most difficult day of his life. Being penniless was one thing, but to be forced to sleep in such a place. Behind him, the old man had already made his bed and pointed to the only remaining room downstairs, gesturing a few times. Jiang Yan sighed again as he looked into the pitch-black room that didn¡¯t even have a decent lamp. Maybe he should call Jiang Li? He didn¡¯t believe that she could be so heartless! After looking up again at the sky, Jiang Yan took out a basic old mobile phone. The moment it started ringing, the door in front of him was also knocked upon. Jiang Yan grew suspicious. Who could it be at this late hour? Could the old man still have relatives? With his doubts, Jiang Yan got up and carefully opened the door a crack. ¡°Hello, may I ask¡ª¡ª¡± The familiar voice came through, and Jiang Yan, shocked, dropped his gaze¡ª¡ª ¡°Jiang Li?! What are you doing here?¡± At the sight of Jiang Yan, Jiang Li was also somewhat surprised. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Jiang Yan let out a cold huff, ¡°Why can¡¯t I be here? But you, I never told you where I was, how did you find this place?¡± As he spoke, he sized up Jiang Li, noting that she seemed freshly showered with dried hair, changed clothes, and new shoes. Even a giant suitcase stood beside her. Stunned for three seconds, he then burst into laughter, ¡°Hahahaha, don¡¯t tell me the village chief kicked you out?¡± At this moment, the live stream audience was also confused. ¡°What¡¯s happening, why did Jiang Li come over? Is she there to accompany her brother?¡± ¡°No, I just came from the neighboring live stream. Jiang Li was about to go to sleep, then suddenly the village chief came over and called her out, and she came out lugging her suitcase.¡± ¡°What? Really kicked out? Why? Didn¡¯t Jiang Li just save his child? Why?¡± ¡°Could the show crew have done this on purpose? Jiang Li¡¯s got it rough.¡± Jiang Li glanced at him without any discomfort, admitting straightforwardly, ¡°Yes, I was indeed kicked out.¡± Everything had happened so suddenly that even she was unprepared. Half an hour earlier, just when she was about to lie down and rest, the village chief called her out. He was full of regret, tirelessly apologizing to her, explaining that something urgent came up tonight, and they couldn¡¯t accommodate her anymore, asking her to find another place to stay. Seeing the look on the village chief¡¯s face, Jiang Li guessed that someone had intentionally made him do it. In response, Jiang Li didn¡¯t argue but calmly nodded, picked up her suitcase, and left. After all, if one place doesn¡¯t appreciate her, another will. She hadn¡¯t walked far when she saw that this small house still had the lights on. The environment seemed tranquil and refined, so she decided to try her luck and knocked. What she hadn¡¯t expected was to find Jiang Yan there. Seeing Jiang Li¡¯s admission, Jiang Yan laughed even more joyfully, releasing all the pent-up frustration and dissatisfaction. ¡°Looks like I¡¯m not the least favored person on this show, Jiang Li. What do you think, why don¡¯t you plead with me a bit? Your brother might just be kind enough to take you in.¡± Chapter 60 - Chapter 60: Chapter 60: The Human Oil King Chapter 60: Chapter 60: The Human Oil King ¡°` ¡°What¡¯s with Jiang Yan, treating his own sister Jiang Li like this?¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t really do anything, did he? When Jiang Li found a place to live, she didn¡¯t bother with him either, right? Why do you all start yelling when a man does it? Talk about double standards.¡± ¡°Exactly. Maybe it was Jiang Li¡¯s own doing that got her kicked out.¡± ¡°?? Sister Li actually saved the village chief¡¯s child, and this is how he repays her?¡± ¡°Maybe there¡¯s something unspeakable that forced the village chief to make Jiang Li leave. Don¡¯t moral bind us from behind a screen, okay?¡± In the face of Jiang Yan¡¯s provocation, Jiang Li calmly raised her head and looked at him, ¡°Are you the owner of this house?¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°No.¡± Jiang Li: ¡°Then why should I ask you to take me in?¡± Jiang Yan: ? ¡°Hahahaha, Sister Li is as stable as ever in her performance.¡± ¡°Sister Li really is a logic monster, directly using minimal effort to move a heavy weight.¡± At this moment, the old uncle also heard the noise at the door and slowly walked over. Seeing Jiang Li standing alone, his eyes moved, and he quickly made a few hand gestures. Jiang Li¡¯s gaze shifted from Jiang Yan, and her expression immediately became much more gentle, politely nodding at the old uncle. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to disturb you, elder, I¡¯m indeed here to ask for shelter. If it¡¯s not convenient for you, I can look for another place.¡± The old uncle smiled, waved his hand, and made some more gestures. Jiang Li¡¯s eyes curved, ¡°That¡¯s great, thank you, uncle.¡± Then, carrying her luggage, she walked past Jiang Yan and into the house. Jiang Yan: ? ¡°No way,¡± he hurriedly turned and followed her, ¡°You can actually understand his hand gestures? What did he say to you?¡± ¡°The uncle said it¡¯s very convenient for him to take me in, but I¡¯ll be put out by having to stay in your room tonight,¡± Jiang Li said slowly. Jiang Yan immediately jumped up, ¡°Why?!¡± ¡°Because there¡¯s only one spare room left at uncle¡¯s place,¡± Jiang Li looked at him, lightly batting her eyelids, ¡°Uncle said men should yield to women, so you go sleep in the living room, and I¡¯ll sleep in your room.¡± ¡°I¡¯m dying of laughter, Jiang Yan was just complaining about his sleeping space, and now he has to sleep on the floor.¡± ¡°This teaches us that we should learn to be content.¡± ¡°Jiang Li is so amazing, she can even understand sign language; the uncle seemed really happy when he saw she understood his gestures.¡± Jiang Yan was stunned. But there was nothing he could do now. If Jiang Li really had to sleep on the floor and mom saw it, he really would be done for. So he could only walk into the living room with a dark face. ¡°You can sleep in my room, but I have a condition,¡± Jiang Yan said, not wanting to suffer any losses. Jiang Li gracefully sat down on the chair, her beautiful eyes steadily gazing at him. She had just bathed and changed into a cream-colored dress, the dim lighting cast a soft glow around her, transforming into a gentle twilight. Her plain face was as beautiful as a fine ink and water painting, making the slightly shabby living room appear much brighter and more elegant with her arrival. ¡°What condition?¡± Jiang Yan extended his hand, ¡°Lend me your mobile phone for an hour.¡± ¡°?????¡± ¡°Hahahaha, brother, I¡¯m dying of laughter, is that all the ambition you have?¡± ¡°Jiang Yan is just like another me in this world, I also feel lonely, empty, and cold without my phone for a night, I understand.¡± ¡°I thought Jiang Yan would make some outrageous demand, but he just wants to play with a mobile phone, hilarious.¡± Jiang Li remained silent for a moment, ¡°What do you want my phone for?¡± ¡°I just said I want to play with it for a while, this crappy program won¡¯t let me smoke, won¡¯t let me drink, took away my phone, and without going online, I¡¯m really going to get depressed.¡± ¡°` ¡°Fine then, internet fee is a thousand for half an hour, I¡¯ll put it on your tab.¡± Jiang Yan: ? ¡°Jiang Li, have you gone fucking money-crazy?! I¡¯m your real brother, you can¡¯t rip off your own brother like this?!¡± Jiang Li indifferently moved her gaze away, waving her slender fingers, ¡°If you¡¯re not willing, just keep playing with your old-school phone.¡± Jiang Yan clenched his back teeth hard. ¡°Alright, a thousand it is. I¡¯ll give you two thousand; let me play for an hour.¡± ¡°Deal.¡± Saying this, Jiang Li opened her backpack, took out some paper and a pen, scribbled something on it, and handed it to Jiang Yan. ¡°Sign here.¡± Jiang Yan took the paper and his eyes bulged even more. ¡°No way, Jiang Li, an IOU? Are you serious? And in traditional characters?¡± ¡°What else? Of course you need an IOU when you owe money. What if you bail on the debt?¡± Jiang Li looked completely unyielding and cold, leaving no room for negotiation. After all this time together, Jiang Yan had fully grasped the character of his sister. Going head-to-head with her, he wouldn¡¯t get anything good out of it, and might even suffer more. With no other choice, he reluctantly signed his name on the IOU. After securing the IOU, Jiang Li immediately handed over her phone to him. The moment he held the smartphone, Jiang Yan was so excited he almost cried. Just as he was about to give the phone a loving kiss, Jiang Li sternly blocked his move with her hand. ¡°Jiang Yan, please mind the hygiene, this is my phone.¡± Jiang Yan quickly retracted his hand. ¡°I¡¯ve signed the IOU already. For this hour, the phone is mine. You can¡¯t control it.¡± Having said this, he stepped back and, in front of Jiang Li, kissed the screen once. His cheeky expression immediately caused a public outrage in the live-streaming room. [Ah ah ah, I can¡¯t take it anymore. My germophobia is kicking in.] [Now I finally understand why Jiang Li dislikes him so much. He¡¯s too disgusting, even if this brother is devastatingly handsome, it¡¯s still a no!] [Just when I thought I¡¯d feel sorry for Jiang Yan, in the next second, I couldn¡¯t do it anymore. Serve him right! Lili, please chew him out for me!] Unexpectedly, besides a fleeting darkening of her expression, Jiang Li didn¡¯t have any other reaction and quickly reclaimed her calm seat. Jiang Yan, on the other hand, sat triumphantly on the doorstep with the phone, logged into his Weibo account. Instantly, he was bombarded with 99+ messages. Without exception, they all were from people who had watched the live stream and came to scold him. So he immediately went on the offensive, sending insults back to each one of them, including those in the comment section who had put him down. And those who had complimented his looks, of course, received his praise in return, along with a carefully crafted selfie. [Ahhhhh, I can¡¯t handle it anymore, I just got a selfie from Jiang Yan, and I regret complimenting his looks.] [The peak of narcissism, how can he be so self-obsessed!] [I¡¯m done, Jiang Yan has such a nasty temper. I just complained about him a bit on Weibo, and he told me to go look in a mirror. Such a terrible character, deep deep dislike!] ¡°Tch.¡± While Jiang Yan was engrossed in sparring with his haters, Jiang Li¡¯s voice of disdain came from behind him. Turning around, he noticed that the young girl had somehow appeared behind him. He quickly covered the screen. ¡°Hey, you¡¯re violating someone¡¯s right to privacy!¡± Jiang Li stood up straight, ¡°This is my phone, watching it openly and squarely does not constitute an invasion of privacy.¡± ¡°So lending the phone was just to make excuses for yourself. Jiang Yan, are you that lacking in confidence?¡± Chapter 61 - Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Young Master Before vs After Going to the Countryside Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Young Master Before vs After Going to the Countryside ¡°Hahahaha, oh my god, Jiang Li¡¯s mouth is even more venomous. She broke Jiang Yan¡¯s defense with just one sentence.¡± ¡°Laughing to death, good job little sister, big sis supports you!¡± ¡°Only Jiang Li can handle Jiang Yan, look at his face, it¡¯s so stinky it could fall off.¡± Jiang Yan ground his teeth loudly. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I be confident? I¡¯m handsome and rich. It¡¯s those who badmouth me who lack confidence. They are just jealous!¡± Jiang Li casually responded with an ¡°Oh.¡± This expression, three parts disdain, four parts nonchalant, and five parts uninterested, made Jiang Yan¡¯s pride crumble instantly. But Jiang Li didn¡¯t give him a chance to react and turned to walk into the house. ¡°I¡¯m going to sleep, remember to bring my phone in 50 minutes.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­..¡± ¡°Damn it!¡± What on earth is going on every day? Nearby, the old uncle brought in a new quilt and set up a makeshift straw bed for him in the front hall. Looking at the makeshift bed that could rival a beggar¡¯s, Jiang Yan fell silent again. He glanced in the direction the old uncle had come from and hesitated before asking: ¡°Old uncle, are there really no other rooms? Isn¡¯t there still one upstairs?¡± The old uncle paused, then made some gestures toward him and shook his head. The gestures were too complicated, and Jiang Yan couldn¡¯t understand. He had no choice but to knock on Jiang Li¡¯s door again. Jiang Li glared at him resentfully and explained, ¡°Old uncle said that room is occupied, you can¡¯t stay there.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°Occupied? Old uncle, do you have someone else in your house? I didn¡¯t see anyone.¡± The old uncle nodded and made some more gestures toward Jiang Li. Jiang Li said, ¡°He has a son who got injured in the field a few days ago and has been resting upstairs. It¡¯s not convenient for him to come out.¡± She then said, ¡°Jiang Yan, you¡¯re grown up, can¡¯t you stop causing trouble? The old uncle has already set up your bed. What more do you want?¡± This got Jiang Yan worked up. ¡°You have a proper bed to sleep in, of course you¡¯re comfortable. I sleep on mattresses worth over hundreds of thousands at home. Who has ever slept on straw?¡± ¡°Then let¡¯s switch.¡± Jiang Yan clenched his fist. Would he dare to switch? His Weibo currently has a hundred thousand followers, and one hundred and ten thousand of them are his haters. His family was probably watching the livestream too. If he were to switch, forget the expensive mattress, he wouldn¡¯t even be able to enter the villa¡¯s front gate. ¡°Fine, fine, fine, I¡¯ll sleep on the floor!¡± Jiang Yan was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something and turned around to ask, ¡°Did you bring any pajamas, if you won¡¯t let me sleep on the bed, can I at least get some clean clothes to wear?¡± Jiang Li looked him over and said, ¡°Wait.¡± A moment later, a black shirt was thrown out. Jiang Yan caught the shirt and hummed, ¡°This is more like it.¡± Unfortunately, this old uncle¡¯s home didn¡¯t have a proper place to bathe. Since they arrived too late, there was no hot water available. Left with no choice, Jiang Yan could only fetch some cold water from the well to wash in the woodshed. Throughout the process, he shivered and grimaced. ¡°Ah, why didn¡¯t the camera follow him there! I want to see!¡± ¡°Say what you will, but Jiang Yan¡¯s voice is really soothing. If he wasn¡¯t so sharp, with his looks, I could totally become an irrational fan.¡± ¡°Help, his gasping sounds¡­ I can¡¯t take it anymore.¡± However, after about fifteen minutes, there was silence inside. The audience in the live room gradually started to become suspicious. ¡°Has Mr. Yan fainted from the cold inside?¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be that bad, it¡¯s still summer. A cold shower is pretty normal, right? If he really fainted, he¡¯d be too weak.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t take it anymore. The nearby guests have already turned off their lights, and Mr. Yan¡¯s live room has become the liveliest.¡± ¡°I really want to sleep, but I¡¯m even more eager to see him mess up.¡± ¡°+10086!¡± Ten minutes later, the door of the firewood room was slowly pushed open. A dark figure slowly moved out. The moment the camera zoomed in, everyone in the live room widened their eyes, and some who had begun to feel drowsy suddenly woke up. ¡°????? Is that¡­¡± ¡°Pffft hahaha, why is Mr. Yan wearing a Sailor Moon nightgown, I can¡¯t take it, my eyes, my eyes!¡± ¡°Ahahahaha I thought Jiang Li was actually nice enough to give him a shirt, but it turned out to be a nightgown.¡± Under the moonlight, Jiang Yan, with his wet hair, his already fair skin glowed coldly at this moment, and his romantic eyes were also covered with a faint mist, abstinent yet seductive. However, as the gaze shifted downward, he was wrapped in a tight nightgown. The hem just covered his upper thighs, and there was a big Sailor Moon pattern painted on the chest. The embarrassment doubled. Due to the nightgown being too small, he had to grip his dirty clothes in front of his lower body to cover that awkward part. Yet the posture only made him look more cramped and twisted. The people in the live room were about to die laughing. Director Sun, who had been watching the live stream without sleep, spat a mouthful of tea onto the screen. Jiang Yan¡¯s face grew darker, until at last, a myriad of sentiments all turned into a roar under the moonlight¡ª ¡°Jiang Li, I absolutely can¡¯t coexist with you!!!¡± Due to the strong visual impact, soon after, a photo of Jiang Yan wearing the Sailor Moon nightgown went viral online. Some even compared this image with the flashy outfit he wore when he initially appeared, captioned: ¡°Mr. Yan before going to the countryside vs Mr. Yan after going to the countryside.¡± Unfortunately, at this point, Jiang Yan happened to be holding Jiang Li¡¯s phone and saw this image comparison precisely. His face nearly twisted in anger, and he immediately sent a private message to the blogger demanding they delete it and apologize, or he would sue them. Little did he know that the blogger was a major player in the field of pranks. In frustration, the blogger quickly edited a dynamic video and uploaded it onto a site. In just half an hour, the video clocked in over a million views. Similarly, Jiang Yan¡¯s WeChat was bombarded by his buddies. ¡°Hahahaha, Mr. Yan, when did you start going for this style? Buddy, I almost popped my eyes out when I saw it.¡± ¡°I guess Mr. Yan is truly famous now? You¡¯ve got to pull us brothers along in the future.¡± ¡°Mr. Yan, should we brothers chip in to hire a helicopter to send some clothes over? You¡¯re kind of losing value in front of the camera.¡± Furious, Jiang Yan slammed the phone down on the windowsill of Jiang Li¡¯s room. ¡°Take it, I don¡¯t need it!¡± He seriously couldn¡¯t stand to stay in this wretched place any longer! Meanwhile, in the innermost room on the second floor. Due to Jiang Yan¡¯s roaring, a man lying on the bed was successfully awakened. He slowly opened his eyes, his pupils tinged with a faint amber light, almost crystalline, like a secluded moon in a mountain spring, cold and sharp. With his pale hand, the man pulled off the blanket from his body, moved out of bed, and staggered to the window to open it. The evening breeze entered, lifting the man¡¯s forehead hair and fully exposing his eyes that resembled mountain snow. Shifting his gaze slightly, he saw the retreating figure of Jiang Yan and the camera following him. The man¡¯s expression darkened for a moment. Chapter 62 - Chapter 62: Chapter 62 There is Something Strange Chapter 62: Chapter 62 There is Something Strange Jiang Li hadn¡¯t fallen asleep. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she pondered for a while before lifting her hand to gather her scattered hair and getting ready to leave after arranging her attire. The moment the door opened, she saw her photographer with his hand still raised mid-air. The photographer was a bit embarrassed, but fortunately, Jiang Li was fully dressed, and her hair was neatly combed, which allowed him to recover from his brief shock. ¡°Sorry, Miss Jiang, I didn¡¯t mean to disturb you,¡± the photographer said. ¡°Director Sun has a task for you and asked me to come and see if you were asleep.¡± Jiang Li nodded, not suspecting anything. ¡°Great, I was just looking for him. Lead the way.¡± The two of them left the room, one after the other. Seeing the photographer¡¯s empty hands, Jiang Li asked, ¡°Has the live broadcast stopped?¡± ¡°Your live broadcast room has been taken down,¡± the photographer replied. ¡°But there¡¯s still one left over at Director Sun¡¯s side.¡± Fortunately, the program team¡¯s temporary residence wasn¡¯t far from theirs; it was just a few minutes¡¯ walk when Jiang Li was led into a black tent. What met her eyes were various recording and live broadcast equipment, and Director Sun and a few assistants sat in front of the largest screen. The camera in the live broadcast room also switched over. [Wow, I thought the live broadcast had already ended. Why is there still one?] [Why was Jiang Li called over alone? Could it be some secret mission?] [Ahhhh, Lili is so beautiful! I now believe that she¡¯s truly a natural beauty. She looks no different after bathing than before!] [Tsk, who knows if she¡¯s purposely wearing natural makeup.] [Can you stop making baseless accusations? Have you not seen Jiang Li¡¯s luggage? She didn¡¯t even bring skincare products. Is it so hard to admit someone is naturally pretty?] [Exactly. The God L has even posted Lili¡¯s ID photo, and it looks just like she does now. Would you dare to question the police department?] Upon seeing Jiang Li, Director Sun¡¯s mouth immediately curved into a smile. He initially thought this novice Miss, who had been abruptly stuffed into their show midway, would be the most difficult guest to handle. But to his surprise, she had impressed him in just one short day. She had even garnered an unprecedented level of exposure for their program. With such a ¡°gem¡± on board, how could Director Sun not be happy? ¡°You haven¡¯t slept yet, have you? Come on, we have a task for you.¡± Jiang Li walked over silently. Director Sun took a lottery box from an assistant and started to explain the rules with an air of secrecy. ¡°In order for you guests to get along better, our director team has prepared a little game.¡± ¡°The name of the game is ¡®Guardian King.''¡± ¡°There are two roles: the Knight and the King. The person chosen to be the Knight must draw the name of one guest from this lottery box to be their King for one day.¡± ¡°During this day, you must unconditionally fulfill all of the King¡¯s requests and do at least one thing for him, all without letting him discover your identity as the Knight.¡± ¡°If discovered, the Knight will receive a punishment, while if the King guesses wrong about their Knight, they will receive a punishment.¡± ¡°Since our program ultimately depends on the good score to determine the rankings, the reward is naturally a good score, and as for the punishment¡­¡± Director Sun chuckled twice but didn¡¯t continue. ¡°Do you understand the rules? If not, I can explain them again.¡± Jiang Li nodded, ¡°I understand. So, I¡¯ve been chosen as the first day¡¯s Knight?¡± ¡°Right!¡± Director Sun said. This young lady was indeed clever. He then passed the lottery box, containing the names of the other guests, to Jiang Li. Jiang Li reached in, pulled out a piece of paper, and slightly raised her eyebrows when she saw the name on it. ¡°Guardian King? Sounds so interesting.¡± ¡°LOL, the production team really knows how to have fun. These people don¡¯t seem to like each other, can they really follow the game rules properly?¡± ¡°I¡¯m dying to know who Jiang Lili picked!¡± ¡°That¡¯s easy, just see who she pays attention to tomorrow.¡± To keep the suspense, Director Sun did not let Jiang Lili show the paper slip in front of the camera. ¡°Alright, girl, it¡¯s getting late. You should head back to rest. Tomorrow will be exhausting.¡± But Jiang Lili didn¡¯t leave; instead, she glanced at the live-stream camera. Director Sun immediately understood her intention and said a few closing words to the camera before instructing the assistant to shut off the live-stream. Then he sent a few people away, and after the studio was left with only a few key staff members, he looked at Jiang Lili. ¡°What¡¯s up? You needed to see me for something?¡± Jiang Lili nodded, cutting to the chase, ¡°I think there¡¯s something strange about Xiao Hu¡¯s fall into the water at the village chief¡¯s house tonight. You could have someone investigate.¡± Upon hearing this, Director Sun became instantly alert, and his back straightened unconsciously, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jiang Lili shared her discovery, ¡°When I rescued him, I noticed a wound on the back of his neck. It didn¡¯t seem like it came from a fall; it looked more like it had been caused by someone striking him.¡± ¡°Because the situation was chaotic at the time, I couldn¡¯t jump to conclusions based only on a wound, so I didn¡¯t make a fuss about it. But this matter needs your follow-up and attention to avoid unnecessary trouble.¡± Director Sun furrowed his brows. If it was as Jiang Lili had described, then the matter was much more serious. What was a simple accident had now potentially turned into premeditated murder. Now, he finally understood why Jiang Lili didn¡¯t explain too much in front of the camera earlier. She must have been afraid that going into too much detail would create public panic. In that case, not only would the show be unable to continue, but everyone there would be subjected to suspicion and attack. If it caused a societal issue, that would be far too grave. With these thoughts, Director Sun¡¯s expression grew increasingly serious, ¡°Okay, I understand. I¡¯ll have a private talk with the village chief about this. Don¡¯t spread the word.¡± ¡°I know. If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll head back.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Watching Jiang Lili leave, Director Sun let out a long sigh and felt somewhat emotional. How could a girl not yet twenty years old remain calmer than him in such a situation? Even her method of handling it was more sophisticated than his, a director who had been in the entertainment industry for years. This girl had a boundless future ahead of her. ¨C At the Jiang Family¡¯s house. As the live-stream closed, Jiang Shixu, sitting on his bed, fell into a prolonged silence. He opened Weibo and watched the trending videos about Jiang Lili, over and over, until his phone completely ran out of power and turned off. By this time, the clock had already struck three. Looking out at the utterly lifeless darkness of the night sky, Jiang Shixu collapsed onto his bed, the feelings of empty desolation and sinking sweeping over him again. On the first day that Jiang Lili left, he couldn¡¯t eat, nor could he sleep. It was as if he had contracted a disease where he felt he couldn¡¯t go on without her. When his fear and anxiety peaked, he began to sob quietly, uncontrollably, then, with his face streaked with tears, he opened the drawer beside his bed. Inside was a box of sleeping pills. Fearing he might overdose, the housekeeper and auntie only placed two pills in it every day. And it had been seven days since his last dose. Chapter 63 - Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Far Exceeded Expectations! Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Far Exceeded Expectations! During those seven days, he thought he had completely escaped from that chaotic and terrifying state. But now it seemed he hadn¡¯t. Why was he so useless? If Jiang Li found out, she would definitely despise him. Jiang Shixu had already taken out the box of sleeping pills. Looking at the two small white pills lying inside, his eyes fiercely stirred. After struggling for a while, he put the pills back and lifted the blanket to get out of bed. The villa was eerily quiet in the early morning, and it felt even colder following the departure of Jiang Li and Jiang Yan. Barefoot, Jiang Shixu walked into the kitchen and blankly opened the refrigerator. He really missed the meals Jiang Li cooked. Unfortunately, the housekeeper couldn¡¯t replicate that taste, so he hadn¡¯t eaten much that day. Jiang Li¡¯s parting words echoed in his ears, and despite having no appetite, Jiang Shixu forcefully searched through the refrigerator. Eventually, he picked a sandwich that looked decent. The moment he took it out, a piece of paper fell to the floor. The instant he saw the handwriting on it, Jiang Shixu recognized it as Jiang Li¡¯s since it was identical to the writing she had displayed in her live streaming room. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he hurriedly bent down to pick up the piece of paper. The delicate and clear characters then came into his view. ¡°If you can¡¯t sleep, go to my room. I¡¯ve left something for you¡ªJiang Li.¡± Jiang Shixu¡¯s heart started to throb violently. Without hesitation, he turned and ran up the stairs. Jiang Li¡¯s room door wasn¡¯t locked and he easily opened it. The moment the light switched on, he saw the interior. It was classically elegant, every corner exceedingly refined with an incense burner and brush-ink-paper-inkstone set on the desk, and even the walls were adorned with landscape paintings. It was clearly meticulously arranged by her. The moment he stepped in, Jiang Shixu suddenly felt an indescribable sense of relief and pleasure. The next second, his gaze fixed on the small red velvet box placed beside the incense burner. That must be what Jiang Li had left for him. Upon opening it, he found a small cassette tape. Jiang Shixu went back to his room and rummaged for a long time before finding a dusty tape recorder in a corner. After inserting the tape, a melodious piece of music flowed out. It was the sound of a Guqin. Although it was the most melodiously elegant instrument, Jiang Li played it as though it mimicked the rushing rivers and the setting sun over a myriad of streams. Every note burst with an unusual sense of power. Jiang Shixu was astounded. This piece of music, like her entire persona, was radiant and powerful. It instantly pulled him from his muddled world. Could the infective power of music really be this strong? Accompanied by the sounds of the Guqin, Jiang Shixu finished the entire sandwich, and then obediently went to lie down on his bed. Jiang Li had gone to great lengths to prepare all this for him. Then he must not fail to appreciate her kindness! ¨C Xingmei Entertainment. It was already past midnight, but the conference room at Xingmei Entertainment was still brightly lit. Several department heads sat around the conference table, each with an excited and enthusiastic expression on their face. And their gaze was focused on He Wen, who was vividly reporting her work. ¡°¡­. The data for ¡®Flash Change¡¯ from the first day is already out. So far, the total number of people in the live stream has surpassed 250,000, with clicks reaching 400,000, and the retention rate has also reached 62.5%.¡± ¡°Additionally, today our program has appeared in 25 hot search terms, official blog hits and reads have both broken 100,000, and interactions have also reached tens of thousands.¡± ¡°Overall, this is a very impressive opening success!¡± He Wen grew more and more excited as she spoke. Today¡¯s live streaming data had completely surpassed their expectations. They had already prepared for the worst, thinking that it would be quite good if the number of online users could break 10,000. Unexpectedly, Jiang Li¡¯s live stream alone had already reached over 100,000 users. The head of the planning department also raised his hand. ¡°Also, also, of the 25 hot searches Sister Wen mentioned, 20 were related to Jiang Li. Clearly, the audience is particularly interested in her, so we can focus on her going forward.¡± Since Shen Lan and He Wen had not publicly disclosed Jiang Li¡¯s identity, the whole program team including their company didn¡¯t know that Jiang Li was actually Shen Lan¡¯s niece. They had simply considered her and Jiang Yan as emergency fill-ins that Shen Lan had pulled in. But they hadn¡¯t expected these two seemingly unremarkable rescues to bring them the highest exposure. They had already prepared hot search announcements, but they hadn¡¯t been needed at all, as Jiang Li single-handedly did what their entire PR team was supposed to do. The head of the client department also excitedly said, ¡°Moreover, our company¡¯s business phones have almost been blown up by advertisers today, a bunch of brand partners are rushing to collaborate with us, so we shouldn¡¯t have to worry about funding for the foreseeable future.¡± Shen Lan listened to everything and finally nodded in satisfaction. Even she hadn¡¯t expected that Jiang Li would really succeed. And her performance even made her, her aunt, reconsider her. ¡°Well done, tomorrow you should carefully select the brands that we can collaborate with, contact Director Sun about the guest endorsements, and handle the coordination. You guys will have quite the workload,¡± Shen Lan said to the head of the client department. ¡°Other departments as well, although we have achieved great results, we must not let our guard down.¡± ¡°Understood, Mr. Shen!¡± As the people in the meeting room left and He Wen, who had cleaned up, headed directly toward Shen Lan. She rested a hand on her shoulder and sighed deeply. ¡°With such great results, why do you still look so worried? Why put so much pressure on yourself as a woman?¡± Shen Lan gave a helpless smile, ¡°What woman? My son is already 17, I¡¯m a middle-aged woman.¡± He Wen pulled a face, ¡°Which middle-aged woman looks like you? I¡¯d believe it if you said you had just graduated from college.¡± Then she nudged Shen Lan a bit and lowered her voice, ¡°Hey, has Brother Ming Yu contacted you recently?¡± Hearing this name, Shen Lan¡¯s expression immediately turned cold. She stood up from her chair and moved her arms before slowly saying, ¡°He¡¯s still the same. I can¡¯t be bothered with him.¡± ¡°Really? You don¡¯t miss him at all? Aren¡¯t you afraid he might find someone new in America? After all, Brother Ming Yu used to¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± Shen Lan furrowed her brows and interrupted her, admonishing, ¡°Every day with you, always talking. Just go back and rest, you need to work overtime tomorrow.¡± ¡°Alright, alright, if you don¡¯t want to listen, I¡¯ll stop. You should rest early too, don¡¯t let me find out you¡¯ve collapsed before you¡¯ve completed your bet.¡± The meeting room door closed again, leaving Shen Lan alone. She took out her phone, swiped through her contacts, and ultimately stopped at ¡°Jiang Mingyu¡±. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, she swiped past it, then opened Jiang Shixu¡¯s contact. However¡­ Shen Lan paused. The moment the dial tone sounded, she hung up the phone. It was already past one o¡¯clock, that child must have been asleep by now. It was better not to disturb him. Chapter 64 - Chapter 64: Chapter 64: The Morning Battle Chapter 64: Chapter 64: The Morning Battle The next morning dawned. Chixia Village lay in tranquil slumber. Gray clouds embraced the green mountain mist, shrouded in a gauzy blur, While the indigo sky was sprinkled with the last of the morning stars, distant and vast. It was unlike the world of mortals, yet better than it. With more than an hour before the start of ¡°Shining Transformation Trip¡± live stream, Jiang Li¡¯s biological clock had already gone off. By the time she was dressed and opened the door to step out, it was still somewhat dark outside. Despite the thick fog, she could faintly discern a figure pushing open a gate and walking out. The silhouette was tall and lean, clearly a young person. It must be the son Old Master mentioned last night. Jiang Li didn¡¯t pay much attention, turning instead to tie her wrist guards under the porch. At this time, Jiang Yan was still sound asleep in the living room, and one could faintly hear his snoring through the wooden door. The old master had also risen, draped in a single layer of clothing, and unsteady on his feet as he came by with a porcelain basin. Seeing Jiang Li for an instant, the old master was startled, then gestured with his hands. Jiang Li smiled, ¡°No, I wasn¡¯t woken up by any noise, I¡¯m used to getting up early. I¡¯m planning to go for a run in a bit.¡± She had intended to practice shooting. But that thing couldn¡¯t be brought on a plane, and even if she had brought it, it wouldn¡¯t be good to scare people in the village. So she opted for the simplest and most unadorned form of exercise¡ªmorning jogging. The old master¡¯s lips parted slightly in surprise. Because in his memory, it was hard for young people to get up so early, especially a young girl of her age. And not only did she get up early, but she was also going for a morning run. He set the basin down and, through gestures, told her where was good for running and reminded her repeatedly to be careful. Jiang Li stood patiently on the side, listening and nodding from time to time. She really hadn¡¯t misjudged, this old master, though fated for a humble life and born with ailments, was genuinely kind-hearted and simple. Staying with such a person was the most delightful. After zipping up her sports jacket and bidding farewell to the old master, Jiang Li turned and disappeared into the mist. ¨C At seven o¡¯clock in the morning, ¡°Shining Transformation Trip¡± started on time. [Here it comes, here it comes, I¡¯m so good¡ªset my alarm for 7 AM and waited.] [It¡¯s so early, I wonder if those young masters and misses are up yet.] [Awesome, I thought there wouldn¡¯t be anyone in the stream this early, but it looks like everyone¡¯s awake.] [Is there a possibility that I didn¡¯t sleep all night?] [+1 above, waking up early is impossible for me, unless I don¡¯t sleep the night.] People who hadn¡¯t slept included Lu Xingchao. He had pulled an all-nighter at his studio the previous evening. Before he could rest, the alarm for the live stream went off. So, with a jolt, he was wide awake again, hurrying to open Flash Change¡¯s stream. He had promised to show support for his goddess. With so many haters against his goddess, if he didn¡¯t show up, there might truly be no one to speak up for her. And when his unique [LÉñ]nickname floated across the stream¡¯s chatroom, it instantly caused quite a stir. [No way, LÉñ actually came, and I thought him being a fan of Jiang Li was just talk.] [Aaaah LÉñ, Mommy loves you! Can¡¯t believe I bumped into you here!] ¡°` ¡°I can¡¯t believe L God actually likes Jiang Li, this little green tea. What a waste of my white-knighthood. I¡¯m unfollowing right now.¡± Facing the barrage of cold sarcasm and hot derision in the comments, Lu Xingchao didn¡¯t take it to heart. He¡¯d been a host for so many years; he was used to it. After all, he was here to boost the performance of his goddess. Why should he care about the haters? So, he grabbed his thermos cup with a backhand, lying comfortably and leisurely in his gaming chair while watching the live stream. The live stream camera first switched to an aerial view of Chixia Village captured by a drone. By this time, the morning mist had completely dissipated, and the morning light poured down in torrents, rendering this tranquil little village in a resplendence of gold and jade. ¡°How beautiful, such an aesthetic crit!¡± ¡°It seems the director¡¯s team is quite professional; the shots are all very nice.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t expect Chixia Village to be this pretty. I¡¯ll have to make a trip there when I have time!¡± ¡°Count me in, sis above. After the live stream ends, let¡¯s go as a group!¡± Just when the audience in the live stream room were immersed in the picturesque scenery, the camera abruptly switched to the six guests. He Yun and Qi Tianyu had gotten up one after the other, one tidying up in front of a mirror and the other sitting on the bed, daydreaming. ¡°Ah, Mr. He is so handsome! I can¡¯t deal with it. He¡¯s definitely the face of Shining Transformation Trip!¡± ¡°Could the fans of He Yun above not use such heavy filters, please? It¡¯s obvious to anyone with eyes that Jiang Yan is the most handsome (no arguing, I am a Jiang Yan hater but I¡¯m just being objective).¡± ¡°Little Qi is so cute haha, seems like he¡¯s still dazed from sleep.¡± Meanwhile, Shu Yan and Wen Jiaojiao were of course still lost in sweet slumber. Being girls, they were naturally less physically robust, and after exerting so much effort climbing mountains and fording streams the day before, they just couldn¡¯t get up. But upon hearing the noise from the cameras, both of them rubbed their eyes in sync. The moment they saw the camera, Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s morning grumpiness kicked in, and she expressed her irritation with an ¡°tsk¡± and a furrowed brow. ¡°What the hell, it¡¯s only seven o¡¯clock. Doesn¡¯t your program team have any humanity?¡± Shu Yan let out a loud yell and covered herself head to toe with the blanket. ¡°Ah, why has the live stream started, I haven¡¯t done my makeup yet!¡± ¡°Princess Wen is acting up again, can¡¯t stand it.¡± ¡°If you can¡¯t stand it, don¡¯t watch. Our princess is used to living like a little miss, she¡¯s obviously not used to it on the first day, and who knows, Jiang Li might not even be awake yet.¡± ¡°Shu Yan is so concerned about her image, isn¡¯t she? I haven¡¯t really seen her wear light makeup.¡± At seven in the morning, the live stream¡¯s comments were rolling nonstop. In less than ten minutes, the online viewership reached over ten thousand, clearly more than the previous day. Director Sun sat in front of the monitor, gleefully looking at the boiling blood-inducing numbers, biting into a pork bun, he said, ¡°Where are Jiang Yan and Jiang Li¡¯s cameras? Switch to them quickly. Yesterday¡¯s data was all thanks to them. The headquarters has already sent a notice, telling us to keep a close eye on their movements.¡± Following the instruction, the two camera operators hurriedly pushed the cameras closer. However, the whole screen was pitch black. Even from the live stream labeled with Jiang Yan¡¯s name, faint snoring could be heard. ¡°Hahaha, I¡¯m dying of laughter; how can the young master still be snoring in his sleep?¡± ¡°Shh, you disrespectful maid, how dare you mock the young master? Yesterday, the young master worked hard all day for Miss Jiang, of course he¡¯s snoring because he¡¯s tired.¡± ¡°Help, Jiang Yan couldn¡¯t still be wearing that Sailor Moon sleep dress, could he? The mental image, I can¡¯t even look.¡± ¡°Heh, just as expected, Jiang Li hasn¡¯t woken up either. Did her persona built up yesterday just collapse today?¡± The camera operator knocked on Jiang Li¡¯s door, but there was still no movement inside. He couldn¡¯t help but remind her, ¡°Miss Jiang, the live stream has started, please get up.¡± The comments immediately showed displeasure. ¡°Why does Jiang Li get a reminder from the camera operator, when all the others got up on their own?¡± ¡°She¡¯s really been coddled too much, acting like she¡¯s still the little miss of the Capital.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like that. You haters just want to nitpick, don¡¯t you? What¡¯s wrong with the camera operator reminding Jiang Li about the recording? Didn¡¯t the others just get up too? Is there really a need to put her down like this?¡± ¡°` Chapter 65 - Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Jiang Li Missing?! Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Jiang Li Missing?! Several minutes later, the room remained silent. The cameraman then discovered that Jiang Li¡¯s door wasn¡¯t properly shut, and he opened it with just a light push. ¡°Miss Jiang, sorry, but I¡¯m coming in.¡± However, once he turned on the lights, the room was empty. The bed was already tidied up, and the bedding was neatly folded. Only then did the audience in the live broadcast room realize what was going on. Had Jiang Li actually gotten up early?! How was that possible?! [Hahahaha, Blackie just got slapped in the face, didn¡¯t he? Our Lili is the most hardworking person in the entire cast!] [Exactly, at the airport Sister Li was always the first to arrive, how could she still be asleep until now?] [Maybe the production team woke her up early on purpose. After all, she has an image to maintain, let¡¯s see if she can keep it up!] After looking around and not finding Jiang Li, the cameraman had no choice but to join another one in pointing the camera where Jiang Yan was sleeping. Thus, Jiang Yan¡¯s 3D surround sound snoring filled the live broadcast room. [Ahhh, I can¡¯t take it anymore, why is Jiang Yan still snoring!] [Lili, come out quickly, we want to see a fairy, not some dandy young master dreaming and snoring.] [To be fair, Jiang Yan¡¯s looks really hold up, even sleeping like that, he¡¯s still so handsome.] By the time the other guests were all dressed up and ready to think about breakfast, Jiang Yan was still lost in deep sleep. Wen Jiaojiao had originally not wanted to get up, but the presence of the camera meant she had to tidy herself up. At the very least, she couldn¡¯t wake up later than that Jiang Li! Yesterday, Jiang Li had already stolen so much limelight; today, Wen Jiaojiao was determined to snatch it back no matter what! So, although the production team had taken away the makeup, Wen Jiaojiao still rummaged through her suitcase and selected several outfits to spiff herself up with. On the other side, Shu Yan wrapped herself in a bedsheet from head to toe, showing only a pair of eyes behind sunglasses, and rushed with the cameraman to the studio. ¡°Director, please, give me back my makeup. I really can¡¯t go on without it.¡± Director Sun and several assistant directors were stunned. They hadn¡¯t expected Shu Yan to personally seek them out just for the makeup. After a cough, Director Sun put down his soy milk. ¡°Well, Shu, didn¡¯t we agree on the rules of the show at the beginning? Items taken must be returned only after the live broadcast ends.¡± ¡°Besides, this is a transformation reality show, not a talent competition. Why do you need makeup?¡± Shu Yan¡¯s hand had already grasped Director Sun¡¯s arm, ¡°Director Sun, please, just this once, let it slide. Otherwise¡­ can I trade something else as collateral?¡± [Isn¡¯t this a bit much, Shu Yan begging like that? Would she die without makeup?] [Uh, I used to think she had a carefree personality, but now it seems, she¡¯s not much different from Jiang Li and the others.] [Seriously, these celebrities really need to transform themselves, they¡¯re all so pretentious.] Because Shu Yan insisted so much and Director Sun didn¡¯t want to delay the live broadcast, he had no choice but to ask the staff to retrieve her makeup. However, as a concession, she had to surrender all her other luggage, just like Jiang Yan did. After hesitating for a moment, Shu Yan agreed and left with a box of cosmetics. Director Sun shook his head and sighed. ¡°She¡¯s not even ugly, why is she so afraid of being on camera without makeup?¡± Unfortunately, by then the camera had already followed Shu Yan, and Director Sun¡¯s comment did not make it into the live broadcast room. Watching Jiang Yan still deep in slumber and Jiang Li nowhere to be found, Director Sun slapped the table with a headache. ¡°What¡¯s the deal with these two? Where¡¯s the on-site staff? Get Jiang Yan up for me, and send another two to look for Jiang Li¡ªyou better not tell me we¡¯ve had an incident after just one day of filming.¡± At the old man¡¯s house. Upon receiving Director Sun¡¯s order, the staff placed a megaphone, supersized edition, next to Jiang Yan¡¯s bed. After setting it up, they discreetly retreated to the doorway and pressed the button in their hand. The next second, a strong female soprano voice blared from the megaphone¡ª ¡°We buy long hair, specialized in long hair, recycling old cell phones, exchange old phones for knives, for scissors¡­¡± Instantly, Jiang Yan leaped from the bed, his face a picture of terror. ¡°Fuck his grandpa, who?!¡± Not only that, thanks to the abundant mosquitoes on the Southwest Plateau¡¯s summer nights, his face was riddled with several bites, and his right eye had swollen considerably. He was still wearing the nightgown that Jiang Li had given him. Gone was the image of the domineering rich young master, replaced by a weary, bedraggled youth of no particular style. The live stream viewers were on the verge of madness with laughter. ¡°HAHAHAHAHA, the production team is on fire, taking him back to his childhood. Jiang Yan must have been scared to death.¡± ¡°Laughing my way to riches, AAH AAH AAH AAH, Jiang Yan¡¯s dreams must be full of hair recycling tonight.¡± ¡°Poor young master, it feels like all the mosquitoes of Chixia Village went after him specifically, none of the others seem this bitten up.¡± ¡°The young master¡¯s outfit is truly sexy, a fashion trend forecast for 2023.¡± ¡°I¡¯m dying of laughter, those videos of Jiang Yan wearing a nightgown are circulating wildly on some platform, several big accounts made remix videos, and there¡¯s even merch for sale on Taobao, I can¡¯t even, I have to buy one!¡± Seeing Jiang Yan fully awake now, an employee approached and said: ¡°Jiang Yan, it¡¯s already seven thirty, you have half an hour to get ready and eat breakfast. We¡¯re meeting at the village chief¡¯s house gateway at eight.¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s head buzzed with noise. Due to being unaccustomed to the bed, he had lain awake until past two in the morning to fall asleep. He¡¯d barely managed to find a trace of sleepiness when mosquitoes started their mischief. It was only in the early morning that he finally fell into a peaceful slumber. Yet, before he could indulge in a sweet dream, this life-threatening shakedown sounded in his ear. His half-spent life almost flew away with the shouting! So, Jiang Yan, with a face so dark it seemed about to drip, put on the ill-fitting slippers that the old man had prepared and stormed out to settle the score with Jiang Li. But there was no sign of Jiang Li in the room. Deprived of his target for revenge, all he could do was stand in the corridor, swearing to heaven and earth. ¡°Cracking up, how can the young master swear so much? Is there any part of the world he hasn¡¯t cursed yet?¡± ¡°So low-class, why always swear? At least the neighbor Movie Emperor He Yun is more refined.¡± ¡°Drop it, He Yun¡¯s just a poser. I think the young master¡¯s down-to-earth style is refreshing, I like it.¡± Exhausted from all the cursing, Jiang Yan had no choice but to go find something to clean up with. The old man wasn¡¯t there, but he had prepared everything for him, nonetheless. A few minutes later, the live stream displayed a man wearing a nightgown, with sunglasses and holding an enamel mug. Most crucially, the enamel mug was chipped. Despite this, the man had an excellent body, and his temperament, cultivated from a young age through the influence of money, was exceptionally remarkable. Even in these remote woods, there was an inherent air of luxury around him. But now this luxurious vibe was disrupted by the incongruous outfit into something utterly chaotic, leaving a jarringly yet inexplicably harmonious impression. Chapter 66 - Chapter 66: Chapter 66 This Sister Really Can Hustle! Chapter 66: Chapter 66 This Sister Really Can Hustle! ¡°` ¡°I can¡¯t take it anymore, why did the young master even find a pair of sunglasses to wear, it¡¯s just brushing teeth, no need to be so absurd, right?¡± ¡°` ¡°` ¡°I¡¯m going to die laughing, it¡¯s clearly so weird, but why does it look so natural on Jiang Yan?¡± ¡°` ¡°` ¡°Help me, why do I feel even the enamel cup in his hand suddenly looks classy, this damned charm!¡± ¡°` ¡°` ¡°Ah, indeed, it seems that ¡®handsome¡¯ is the only thing left about Jiang Yan.¡± ¡°` Jiang Yan wasn¡¯t aware of the mixed reviews he was receiving in the live broadcast. He just knew that his eyes were swollen like a small hill and he couldn¡¯t appear on camera, so he had to scavenge a pair of sunglasses from Lili¡¯s luggage. That brat owed it to him! However, the next second, he looked at the very low-quality plastic toothbrush in his hand and let out a long sigh. Damn it. They didn¡¯t have fully automatic mattresses here, let alone floss and mouthwash. His precious porcelain teeth were going to be abused by this piece of trash. Having no other option, Jiang Yan could only sigh and bring the toothbrush to his mouth. Just then, by coincidence, the song ¡°Little White Cabbage, Ripe in the Field¡± suddenly started playing nearby. Jiang Yan knitted his eyebrows in confusion and looked towards his stoic photographer. The photographer, without changing expression, said, ¡°Director Sun said it would increase viewership.¡± Jiang Yan: ? So the audience actually enjoyed watching him suffer? ¡°Hahaha, I can¡¯t even, my mom asked me why I am convulsing in my bed early in the morning, how do I explain this to her!¡± ¡°Same as the one above, I¡¯m convulsing in the bathroom, I just got a scolding from my mom as well, but it¡¯s really so funny.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t, although I¡¯m an iron fan of Qi, the young master is really too funny, I specially came here to laugh at him.¡± ¡°Wait a second, why hasn¡¯t Jiang Li appeared yet? She couldn¡¯t really have gone missing, could she?¡± On the other side, several staff members started a carpet search around the village but didn¡¯t catch a glimpse of Jiang Li. Director Sun had also made a call, only to find out that the phone was ringing in Jiang Li¡¯s room. Having no other option, he had to deploy more people to search in the village. Meanwhile, the audience in the live broadcast room had also started to harbor grudges against Jiang Li. They complained about her lack of consideration, causing the entire production team to worry for nothing. Just as everyone was discussing where the missing Jiang Li could be, her figure suddenly appeared in the courtyard of the log cabin. Watching the delicate and beautiful girl in the camera, Director Sun widened his eyes and excitedly grabbed the walkie-talkie. ¡°Quick, quick, hand the walkie-talkie to Jiang Li, what¡¯s with this girl?¡± Jiang Li was just about to step inside when the cameraman handed her his walkie-talkie. Confused, she took it and said ¡°Hello?¡± Director Sun, grinding his teeth, said, ¡°Where did you go? We were almost about to call the police, you know?¡± Jiang Li blinked lightly, ¡°I went for a run, what else? Don¡¯t you all exercise in the morning?¡± Director Sun: ¡°¡­..¡± Live broadcast: ¡°¡­..¡± ¡°Oh my god, this woman actually went running? How early did she have to get up?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t she just trying to act out a persona again? What girl gets up that early to run these days.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t put others down just because you can¡¯t do it yourself, okay? Look, Lili¡¯s face is still flushed, you can tell she just came back from exercising.¡± ¡°` ¡°Yeah, the mud on her sneakers can¡¯t be faked, right?¡± ¡°But it¡¯s true that she left without saying a word to anyone, and it¡¯s also true that she caused the production team to worry, isn¡¯t that just being thoughtless?¡± Jiang Li¡¯s reason for not notifying the production team was quite simple. Because she had gotten up too early, and the recording studio was still dark with no one up yet to begin work. Unable to find a staff member to notify, and not wanting to waste time for her morning exercise, she just left on her own. ¡°In that case,¡± Jiang Li cleared her throat and said, ¡°I¡¯ll let you know tomorrow before I go out for exercise at 5:30 A.M.¡± Director Sun, who got up at 6:30 A.M.: ¡°¡­..¡± The live audience: ¡°¡­..¡± This sister is really hustling! Hearing the noise, Jiang Yan also came out. ¡°Jiang Li, where did you go on a date with some wild man early in the morning? Why didn¡¯t you answer your phone?¡± Jiang Li turned to glance at him, furrowing her brow. ¡°Where did you get that outfit?¡± What Jiang Yan was wearing was no longer the Sailor Moon dress, but a local outfit with Tibetan style. A white shirt under a bright red wide-sleeve robe, with a colored ribbon of braided hemp tied around his waist, and a pair of riding boots on his feet. The swelling on his face was covered by the sunglasses, and his exposed chin shone with a pale light. His thin lips were slightly pursed, carrying an unrestrained smile. The man looked energetic, as if a legendary sorcerer had stepped out of the mountains. If this had been on a film set, Jiang Yan¡¯s outfit would have definitely elicited screams from everyone. But in a transformation-themed reality show, this attire seemed a bit too flamboyant and pretentious. ¡°Can¡¯t stand it anymore, how did the young master change into another outfit in just a few minutes?¡± ¡°You can tell Jiang Yan is really pleased with his outfit, his mouth is practically splitting at the seams with joy.¡± Faced with Jiang Li¡¯s questioning, Jiang Yan responded with confidence. ¡°I took it off the laundry rack in the yard, it¡¯s rare to find clothes that fit me here, it¡¯d be a shame not to wear it.¡± Jiang Li immediately thought of the man she had seen in the yard that morning. His clothes were exactly like what Jiang Yan was wearing now. With that thought, Jiang Li¡¯s gaze turned cold, ¡°How could you just wear someone else¡¯s clothes? Take it off.¡± Jiang Yan stepped back two steps with his arms folded. ¡°I won¡¯t. Do you want to continue letting me appear on camera in that nightgown? No way! I¡¯d rather go naked! You¡¯re my sister, you¡¯ll be embarrassed too!¡± Jiang Li: ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just clothes, right?¡± Jiang Yan said, ¡°This fabric is nothing special. When I go back to the Capital, I¡¯ll send them a box of Balenciaga, guarantee they¡¯ve never worn anything like it in their life.¡± Jiang Li glanced at him coldly, ¡°Whatever.¡± Jiang Yan knew she had let him off the hook and immediately approached her with a smile on his face. ¡°Did you buy breakfast on your way back? I just checked the kitchen, there¡¯s nothing there. It¡¯s so careless of the old man not to leave us some food.¡± ¡°Stop thinking about ready-made food,¡± Jiang Li said as she walked towards the kitchen. ¡°I¡¯ve been out and seen that there are no shops in this village; the other families have had their breakfast early. It must be what the production team wants, for us to fend for ourselves.¡± ¡°Wow, Jiang Li is really smart, she figured it out in no time.¡± ¡°I¡¯m dying of laughter. The folks next door haven¡¯t had breakfast yet, and they¡¯re still fantasizing about a feast when they gather at the village chief¡¯s house later.¡± ¡°The production team is so harsh, not sparing any feelings, huh?¡± ¡°Why spare any feelings? It¡¯s a transformation-themed reality show. If adults can¡¯t sort out their own breakfast, what good are they?¡± Chapter 67 - Chapter 67: Chapter 67: You Can Still Pick Mushrooms?! Chapter 67: Chapter 67: You Can Still Pick Mushrooms?! ¡°I¡¯m pissed,¡± Jiang Yan cursed again, ¡°These people are too much, aren¡¯t they? They expect us to fend for ourselves even to sleep and to eat¡ªI mean, at least you get food and shelter when you¡¯re in jail!¡± Jiang Li glanced coolly at him, ¡°Or how about I call the police now and get you arrested?¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­¡­¡± Could this girl not tell he was joking? ¡°What are we going to eat in the morning?¡± Jiang Yan looked weary, ¡°I¡¯m telling you, all your brother can do is cook instant noodles, so don¡¯t count on me.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t counting on you.¡± [I¡¯m dying of laughter, haha, Lili is so savage.] [I¡¯m dead, they¡¯re both so entertaining.] [Jiang Li is so gentle and patient with others, but she¡¯s a totally different person when it comes to Jiang Yan, true siblings LOL.] Having already gotten up and started live streaming, Xiang Hao: [Of course, our Sister Li is the gentlest and most beautiful.] Still lurking in the live streaming room and analyzing data, Lu Xingchao: [Sister Li soars bravely, Lu Xing forever by her side.] Just woke up and still groggy, Jiang Shixu: [I¡¯m her real little brother too, but Sister treats me well, so, Jiang Yan deserves it.] Sharp-eyed netizens quickly noticed that today¡¯s live stream room for Jiang Li had more voices supporting her than yesterday. It truly had the vibe of a fan circle. [No way, did Jiang Li clean up her image that fast? She already has die-hard fans?] [With Lu Xing leading the charge, how could it not be fast? I still find her very annoying anyway, I don¡¯t know what there is to be a fan of, she¡¯s just a nobody trying to make some money.] Jiang Li was clueless about what was happening in the live stream room. Right now, she was busily dragging a big basket of stuff from the doorway. Jiang Yan glanced over and his eyes widened, ¡°Damn it, Jiang Li, it¡¯s not like we¡¯re so destitute we have to resort to this. What are you doing dragging a basket of mud over here?¡± Jiang Li ignored him. She quietly carried the basket over to the well, drew up a bucket of clean water, and methodically started to wash the contents of the basket. Jiang Yan, curious, walked over. Only then did he realize she was actually washing a huge basket of mushrooms. Having tasted all kinds of delicacies, he recognized what was in Jiang Li¡¯s hands, and there were even a few precious wild mushrooms. ¡°Where did you get so many mushrooms from? Didn¡¯t you say there was nowhere to buy stuff around here?¡± Jiang Li¡¯s voice was cold: ¡°I picked them, of course.¡± ¡°You know how to forage for mushrooms?!¡± Jiang Yan was somewhat surprised, ¡°Since when did you learn to farm behind my back?¡± Jiang Li couldn¡¯t be bothered to argue with him and issued him an ultimatum¡ª ¡°If you don¡¯t want to starve, come help me wash these, or else, this bucket of well water is your breakfast.¡± Jiang Yan grimaced but had no choice but to squat down beside the well. The two figures, one big and one small, squeezed together. On the screen, Jiang Shixu pouted in secret. He wanted to wash mushrooms with his sister too. Lu Xingchao, on the other hand, was passionately pounding on the keyboard: [The goddess is so amazing, she even knows how to gather mushrooms!] [Please, between the morning workouts and mushroom picking, isn¡¯t this persona a bit too forced? So fake.] [Exactly, Jiang Li is from the Capital, she normally wouldn¡¯t come across such wild flavors, how can she tell which ones are edible and which ones are not? Don¡¯t get poisoned later on.] [I¡¯m waiting for Jiang Li to prove them wrong!] After washing them, Jiang Li brought the basket of mushrooms into the kitchen. The camera followed her in. She scooped out a basin of flour from the ceramic jar, added water, and began kneading it skillfully. He then rolled the dough into neat, thin, and long noodles. His slender fingers moved up and down around the dough, making it hard to tell whether the noodles were whiter or Jiang Li¡¯s hands were. She was still wearing that set of white sportswear. Gone was her usual dignified and gentle composure; now she had a bold and reckless flair. The soft morning light seeped through the window lattice and fell on the girl¡¯s neck, intertwining with her hanging strands of hair, forming a string of exquisite and gentle runes. Accompanied by the wisps of smoke gradually rising from the stove behind her, the whole scene was cozy and soothing to the core. ¡°How come, just by looking at this scene, I feel a lot calmer inside.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve realized, Lili really has an aura that can heal people, eh? Every time I listen to her speak, I become gentler.¡± ¡°It¡¯s so beautiful, Sister, look at the camera, I¡¯m going straight to heaven!¡± In less than a moment, the photo of Jiang Li cooking by the stove topped the hot search, earning her the title of the most beautiful chef. But it also attracted a fair share of criticism. Some said that Jiang Li was merely curating an image and posing; how could a wealthy young lady like her truly know how to cook? Others were waiting for Jiang Li to get food poisoning from eating the wrong mushrooms. At this moment, the aroma was spreading throughout the small wooden courtyard. Jiang Yan, like a hungry wolf dog, followed the scent straight into the kitchen. ¡°Holy cow, what smells so good?!¡± When he discovered that the source of the delicious smell was the mushroom noodles in Jiang Li¡¯s hands, he was even more astonished. ¡°You actually know how to cook? When did you learn? How come I didn¡¯t know?¡± Jiang Li didn¡¯t feel like explaining too much to her. In the Daqi Dynasty, unlike the modern era, entertainment activities were highly developed. When she was tired of reading books or horse riding, she would love to huddle in the kitchen and learn cooking from the grandmas. Her stepmother was also a spoon maestro; after being influenced by her for so long, she naturally picked up a bit of everything, not to mention these hand-pulled noodles that required no technical skill at all. Jiang Yan, who was facing her and hungry enough that his belly was stuck to his back, made a move to snatch the noodles from her hands. Jiang Li agilely dodged with a side-step. ¡°This isn¡¯t for you.¡± Jiang Yan complained, ¡°I even helped you clean the mushrooms, and you won¡¯t give me a bite to eat?¡± ¡°Grandpa just came back; this bowl is for him first,¡± Jiang Li said methodically, ¡°Besides, if you want some, you can have it for five hundred a bowl; sign an IOU, and it¡¯s yours.¡± Jiang Yan: ??? ¡°Jiang Li, have you gone crazy for money? A rental fee for a phone is one thing, but you¡¯re charging me for noodles? Five hundred a bowl? What¡¯s in these noodles, lobster or sea cucumber?¡± Jiang Li remained unfazed and explained slowly, ¡°I handpicked these mushrooms, and I hand-rolled these noodles; they¡¯re priceless. Take it or leave it.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­.¡± He really couldn¡¯t swallow his pride. But that pot of noodles was just too fragrant, the umami from the mushrooms and the richness of the whole grain flour were all brought out in the simmer. There was no meat or fish, yet it was as if it was the rich aroma of chicken soup. To have such a bowl early in the morning¡­ ¡°Alright, alright, five hundred it is!¡± Jiang Yan swallowed hard and turned to run inside the house for paper and pen. ¡°LOL, Jiang Yan is getting more and more conscious now, he even started writing his own IOUs.¡± ¡°Are Jiang Li¡¯s cooking skills really that aromatic? It does look delicious on the live broadcast.¡± ¡°When you¡¯re starving, even cold water is fragrant, how tasty can such plain noodles be? And it¡¯s made by Jiang Li.¡± Chapter 68 - Chapter 68: Chapter 68 She finally managed to win a round back! Chapter 68: Chapter 68 She finally managed to win a round back! Jiang Li carried the bowl of noodles straight out of the kitchen and headed for the courtyard. Uncle Zhao had already come back from the field and was meticulously selecting sweet potatoes from a basket. Jiang Li walked over and set the bowl down on the stool in front of him. ¡°Uncle Zhao, I made some noodles; please, have a taste,¡± she said. Uncle Zhao looked at Jiang Li, then at the noodles, and hurriedly put down what he was holding and gestured with his hands. Jiang Li smiled and shook her head, ¡°It¡¯s okay, there¡¯s plenty more in the kitchen for us; I just used a bit of your flour. I¡¯ll find a way to return it to you later.¡± Uncle Zhao quickly gestured with his hands to tell Jiang Li there was no need for her to return it. Then he picked up the bowl of noodles and took a bite, immediately widening his eyes with approval and gave Jiang Li a big thumbs up. Jiang Li¡¯s smile grew sweeter, ¡°I¡¯m glad you like it, Uncle Zhao.¡± Uncle Zhao thought for a moment, then drew something in the ground with the tip of his chopstick. Jiang Li looked closely and said pensively, ¡°So you¡¯re Uncle Zhao. From now on, I¡¯ll call you that, then.¡± Happiness lit up Uncle Zhao¡¯s face, all the creases turning upwards with his smile. The viewers in the live-streaming room were also touched by this affectionate scene. [Wuu wuu wuu, they both are kindhearted people, anyone who speaks ill of Lili is going to have to deal with me!] [L God: Goddess is as kind as ever.] [West District Kang Bazi: When did Sister Li become so good at homemaking? I want to taste her cooking too!] [Shiguang: The noodles my sister makes are the best in the world.] [Even Uncle Zhao says Lili makes delicious food; Blackie, stop doubting her already.] [Who knows what Uncle Zhao has tasted before, he might just be acting because he¡¯s on camera and wants to save face for Jiang Li.] Inside the room, Jiang Shixu hung his little head somewhat despondently. So, his sister¡¯s noodles weren¡¯t made just for him alone. Seeing Uncle Zhao eating happily, Jiang Li left contentedly. But, as she turned away, Uncle Zhao stood up, muttering some unclear sounds. Jiang Li turned back curiously, ¡°What is it, Uncle Zhao?¡± Uncle Zhao scratched his head somewhat sheepishly and then gestured with his hands a few times. Jiang Li nodded with understanding and smiled, ¡°I get it; you¡¯re saying your son is also home, he didn¡¯t have breakfast, and you¡¯d like me to send a portion up to him, right? No problem at all.¡± After agreeing, Jiang Li headed back toward the kitchen without a second glance. Jiang Yan had already served himself a large bowl of noodles and was crouched under the veranda, gobbling them up. As Jiang Li approached, he mumbled with his cheeks full, ¡°¡­..Thi¡­. noodles are so good¡­.. worth it¡­¡± Jiang Li gave him a brief glance and then entered the kitchen. [Hahahaha, I can¡¯t stop laughing; wasn¡¯t Jiang Yan acting all tough in front of his little sister just earlier, and now he¡¯s given in after just a few minutes?] [Young Master Jiang¡¯s unimpressive behavior is just like my dog, who can¡¯t stop wagging its tail for a few treats.] [Jiang Li: Cold demeanor, don¡¯t cue.] Moments later, Jiang Li carried out another bowl of noodles, this time heading straight for the second floor. The second floor was also simply constructed, with uniformly wooden rooms, high-angled eaves, simple yet charming in its own way. Compared to the first floor, however, it felt even more deserted and hardly seemed like anyone lived there. Jiang Li hesitated for a moment, then freed up one hand to knock on the wooden door before her. A few seconds later, a clear male voice came from inside¡ª ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°I am a guest staying at your place,¡± Jiang Li slowly explained, ¡°Uncle Zhao said you didn¡¯t have breakfast in the morning, so he asked me to bring some noodles up to you.¡± The person inside fell silent for a moment before speaking up, ¡°Okay, I got it, just leave the things at the door.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± The man¡¯s voice was low and magnetic, lazy, and gained an ethereal quality as it passed through the wooden door. Though faint, it was full of breath and didn¡¯t at all seem like someone who had just recovered from a serious illness. But hadn¡¯t Uncle Zhao said he was still sick? Yet, Jiang Li didn¡¯t inquire too much and simply left the items he was carrying before turning away. The viewers in the live stream, however, became excited. [Ahhh, this young man¡¯s voice is so nice to listen to! My ears are pregnant!] [Help, I really want to know what he looks like.] [The fangirls upstairs, stop fantasizing, how handsome can that old man¡¯s son be? At most, he¡¯s a dirty-faced bumpkin, perhaps even a simple-looking fellow.] [True, there aren¡¯t many with good voices who are also good-looking.] [My dreams are shattered, wuu wuu wuu.] After quickly finishing breakfast, Jiang Li dragged Jiang Yan to wash the dishes. But how could Young Master Jiang, who usually didn¡¯t soil his ten fingers with spring water, be willing to labor for others repeatedly? So he complained to the heavens and earth while washing dishes. And as he complained, time slipped away. At eight in the morning, Director Sun had set up several cameras on time in the courtyard at the village chief¡¯s doorstep. Occasionally, a few passing villagers stopped curiously to watch. But most people were too busy with their farm work to spare time to watch this group of people filming a TV show. At 8:05 AM, He Yun and Qi Tianyu arrived one after another. Then, ten minutes later, Shu Yan came. Without her pretty clothes, she had only borrowed a white T-shirt from the landlord¡¯s daughter, but she still wore hot pants underneath, and smartly tied the shirttails around her waist. Along with that equally sultry makeup, she stood out glaringly. Especially in a village accustomed to modesty. All along the way, Shu Yan garnered plenty of scrutiny and tsk-tsks from the aunties and grannies. But she acted as if she didn¡¯t see them and sashayed right into the public camera¡¯s view. [I can¡¯t, Shu Yan actually went to put on makeup again, so not afraid of trouble.] [Isn¡¯t that too much? Dressing up like that is just scandalous.] [Some people¡¯s brains are wrapped too tightly, aren¡¯t they? Sister Yan is so pretty! Besides, it¡¯s the 21st century, can¡¯t we have freedom of dress? She didn¡¯t expose any key parts.] Just as the live stream was engaged in a heated discussion about Shu Yan¡¯s attire, Wen Jiaojiao arrived with a face full of impatience. ¡°What kind of godforsaken place is this, the mosquitoes are bad enough, and the sun is so harsh; my photorejuvenation treatment is totally ruined, I hate this.¡± Barrage: Look, another one with even heavier baggage. When the several people finally stood still with varied expressions, Director Sun noticed the two absentees. ¡°Where are Jiang Yan and Jiang Li? It¡¯s already half-past eight, why haven¡¯t they come yet?¡± [Jiang Li is at home watching Jiang Yan wash dishes.] [I can¡¯t take it anymore, the young master is taking half an hour just to wash dishes, and it¡¯s holding Lili up too.] [Being late is being late, if Jiang Li can¡¯t stand it, why doesn¡¯t he just wash them himself? Isn¡¯t this acting spoiled after getting a bargain?] Seeing Jiang Li¡¯s tardiness, Wen Jiaojiao lifted the corners of her lips in satisfaction. She finally got one over on that damned woman. ¡°Those two couldn¡¯t have failed to find a place to stay last night and ended up sleeping outdoors, causing them to be late, could they?¡± Wen Jiaojiao said gleefully, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then we really need to wait for them.¡± Chapter 69 - Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Received Two Advertisements on the First Day Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Received Two Advertisements on the First Day Since the phones issued by the program team couldn¡¯t log into Weibo, Wen Jiaojiao and the others naturally weren¡¯t aware of the incident that had happened to Jiang Li the previous night. However, He Yun, who had witnessed the incident, knew a bit about it. For instance, last night, Jiang Liming clearly followed the village chief to his house. But now they were right at the village chief¡¯s door, and it was impossible for Jiang Li not to hear the commotion. So where on earth had she gone? While puzzling over this, a rogue male voice came from the path opposite¡ª ¡°Being late is just being late, it¡¯s not a big deal, why did you insist on making me do the dishes?¡± It was clearly Jiang Yan¡¯s voice. And in front of him was Jiang Li, her eyes holding a trace of displeasure. At that moment, the girl had changed out of her sportswear into a white T-shirt with orange trim, her long, black, shiny hair tied back in a ponytail that swayed slightly with her steps. It was a simple outfit, yet, the girl¡¯s face was too exquisitely beautiful, without any makeup, she still stood out stunningly, carrying an aura of cool detachment that drew everyone¡¯s attention instantly. Jiang Yan, following behind her, was particularly conspicuous. Considering the live broadcast and the setting of the program, He Yun and Qi Tianyu were dressed very subtly, one in black, the other in white T-shirts, their hair only slightly combed at the roots. But Jiang Yan, wearing local ethnic attire, sporting mirrored sunglasses, and one hand tucked into his trouser pocket, walked with an arrogant and invincible stride as if the mountain path beneath his feet was the red carpet of Paris¡¯s T stage. The visual impact of the two was so strong that everyone¡¯s eyes, consciously or unconsciously shifted towards them. Wen Jiaojiao rolled her eyes openly, ¡°Now I see why you were so late; you were busy getting dressed up at home. I can¡¯t tell if you¡¯re here to model or to transform.¡± Wen Jiaojiao muttered under her breath, completely forgetting the scene of her climbing the mountain in seven-centimeter heels just the day before. Shu Yan, standing beside her, looked on in awe, unable to hold back her admiration, ¡°Brother Yan is really handsome, he looks so good even in ethnic clothing.¡± While Qi Tianyu, who had been somewhat sleepy, suddenly twitched his nose as Jiang Yan passed by, then abruptly opened his eyes wide, ¡°It smells so good, who had chicken soup?¡± [LOL, Qi¡¯s nose is way too sharp.] [Speaking of which, it seems like none of them had breakfast, are they all waiting for the program team to serve food?] [I feel like Qi is so hungry he could gobble up the fragrant Jiang Yan next to him any second now.] As they spoke, Jiang Li had already reached their side and then slightly bowed to Director Sun, ¡°Sorry, we are late.¡± Initially, the live audience hadn¡¯t realized Jiang Li¡¯s stunning beauty until she stood next to the others, her tall and poised stance immediately apparent. Shu Yan, who typically adopts a sexy and bold makeup look, actually had features that were not as sharp and relied heavily on makeup support. When standing next to the naturally beautiful and bare-faced Jiang Li, she naturally paled in comparison. Though Wen Jiaojiao also wasn¡¯t wearing makeup and had decent natural features, after a day of long travel and poor rest, the faint dark circles under her eyes and her lackluster face resembled a wilted peony, leaving her feeling embarrassed and resentful in comparison to Jiang Li, who seemed like an ethereal orchid. How could she look so good in these highland regions! It¡¯s one thing to look better without makeup, but how does she manage to have such a rosy complexion? Especially when here nothing is good, neither food nor sleep. Thinking this, Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s mood soured even more, and she turned to Director Sun, ¡°Director, Jiang Li and the others are seriously late, shouldn¡¯t there be some explanation?¡± Just you wait and see, she wasn¡¯t going to let this annoying woman off easily! [Yo yo yo, Princess Wen is stirring up trouble again.] [So annoying, why is Wen Jiaojiao always targeting our Sister Li? Hasn¡¯t she made enough noise before?] [It seems like Jiang Li doesn¡¯t pay her much attention, Princess looks like a powerless, infuriated child.] [This is called the wicked have their own grind, a few days without seeing and Jiang Li has gained so many true fans, does the internet really have no memory?] [Exactly, poor our Wenwen has been forced so much that she hasn¡¯t dared to post on Weibo till now, her friends say she hasn¡¯t gone to the film set these past few days, my heart breaks.] ¡°Indeed, there needs to be an explanation.¡± Director Sun said as he walked toward Jiang Li. Wen Jiaojiao immediately hugged her arms proudly, specifically waiting to see a joke unfold. However, the next second, Director Sun handed a thick card to Jiang Li. ¡°This is the investor¡¯s advertisement selected by the headquarters last night, read it in front of the camera.¡± Wen Jiaojiao was shocked. It was only the first day, and Jiang Li had already received an advertisement? Why?! Jiang Li glanced at the cue card in her hand, her gaze flickering. An advertisement? It seemed like Shen Lan and the others must have received quite a few partnerships. The pressure might not be that great then. She definitely couldn¡¯t drag them down. Seeing that Jiang Li hadn¡¯t moved for a while, Director Sun thought she was nervous handling this for the first time and gently reminded her, ¡°Just read from the script, no pressure.¡± Jiang Li cleared her throat, but then she moved the cue board behind her back and turned to the camera with a generous smile. ¡°For a relaxed moment, let¡¯s join a read, thanks to the incredible support of the Reading Novels APP for our program¡­.¡± ¡°¡­..xxx facial masks, botanical essence, skincare emerging from the mountain springs¡­.¡± Jiang Li read through the two advertisements in one breath, without stumbling, her expressions perfectly spot-on, and with her charming, melodious voice, she significantly elevated the product¡¯s appeal. Director Sun was dumbfounded. The live audience was also flabbergasted. Wasn¡¯t Jiang Li just an amateur? Could an amateur memorize such long advertisements in a few seconds and instantly find the best state to present them? Seeing that Jiang Li not only didn¡¯t suffer but instead gained such an advantage, Wen Jiaojiao became even more displeased. ¡°Director, why does Jiang Li get two advertisements at once?!¡± The audience also reacted. In terms of status, Jiang Li was even lesser than Wen Jiaojiao, and in terms of capabilities, even less so than He Yun. Yet, surprisingly, the first sponsored advertisement was given to her. And facing the skepticism, Director Sun¡¯s explanation was, ¡°It was the investor¡¯s request, we just complied.¡± [Could Jiang Li have brought in capital herself? To receive advertising on the first day, even if it¡¯s the investor¡¯s preference, isn¡¯t it too much?] [Exactly, she isn¡¯t even a celebrity, how could there be a fan effect? The investor is really gambling, aren¡¯t they?] [Bringing capital to participate in a reality show? This move is quite low.] Seeing the continuous stream of questioning voices on the screen, Lu Xingchao immediately felt choked. What do they mean his goddess has no fan effect? Were they disregarding him as a person? Immediately, Lu Xingchao logged onto a certain treasure site and ordered a thousand xxx facial masks. ¡°Oh right.¡± Seeing that Jiang Li had completed the task smoothly, Director Sun finally snapped back to reality, ¡°Jiang Yan, you also have an advertisement.¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s eyes instantly lit up. He had an advertisement too? He knew his charm was undeniable! Chapter 70 - Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Irresistible Stunning Charm Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Irresistible Stunning Charm So, under the curious gazes of everyone, Jiang Yan strutted up with his chin raised and grabbed the ad script. He didn¡¯t even take off his sunglasses before he started reading into the camera. ¡°Experience the beauty of the night, listen to the softest sounds, irresistibly attractive¡­ XXX brand sexy sleepwear¡­?¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s voice got softer and softer until he saw the last few words, took off his sunglasses in shock, and angrily demanded, ¡°Why are Jiang Li¡¯s ads all proper, and I get sexy sleepwear?!¡± Muffled laughter erupted from the crowd. Qi Tianyu and the others couldn¡¯t hold back either, they laughed a few times, secretly relieved they hadn¡¯t picked up the ads. The chat was overwhelmed. [Hahahaha, I can¡¯t even, hahaha.] [Irresistible attractiveness, isn¡¯t this ad slogan tailor-made for Young Master Jiang?] [Can¡¯t handle this, did the brand see Jiang Yan¡¯s viral sleepwear video?] [Help, Flash Change really dares to take on this kind of ad.] [Stop laughing, I even checked¡ªthis sexy sleepwear brand is globally franchised and it¡¯s luxury! Perfectly fits Young Master¡¯s noble temperament!] Director Sun also couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. But still, he suppressed his laughter, coughed, and said, ¡°Jiang Yan, what are you talking about? How is this ad not proper? This is the brand placing their trust in you, you should seize the opportunity.¡± Jiang Yan gnashed his teeth in frustration. There it was, now he¡¯d be mocked by his buddies again. When he got out of there, he¡¯d definitely find this brand and ruthlessly slap this ad script in their face! ¡°Director Sun!¡± Seeing that everyone seemed to have completely forgotten about Jiang Li being late, Wen Jiaojiao spoke up discontentedly, ¡°We all arrived on time, only Jiang Li was half an hour late, yet she still landed an ad. That¡¯s so unfair!¡± If only she¡¯d had her dad slip in a couple of ads to bolster her presence! ¡°Oh right, indeed, there should indeed be a penalty,¡± Director Sun realized belatedly, ¡°Jiang Li and Jiang Yan, since both of you were the last to arrive, you¡¯ll both lose some good score points.¡± Jiang Yan immediately protested, pointing at Jiang Li, ¡°Director, it¡¯s all Jiang Li¡¯s fault. She was bossing me around to do chores. Shouldn¡¯t you deduct points from her alone? Why include me?¡± It was bad enough his ad didn¡¯t measure up to Jiang Li¡¯s. Now he had to lose points along with her. His score was already the lowest. Now with this deduction. Isn¡¯t he just doomed with no chance of turning things around?! Just last night, he had boldly declared on his own Weibo that he would surpass Jiang Li and take first place. Wen Jiaojiao was also displeased, ¡°Director, aren¡¯t you deducting too little? Just one point?¡± She might as well have been late too, at least she could have slept for half an hour more and not feel as starving and sleepy as she does now! ¡°Enough.¡± Director Sun put on a stern face, cutting off the young master and princess¡¯s complaints, ¡°The scoring rules were set by the production team and are not up for discussion.¡± ¡°Based on everyone¡¯s results in finding accommodations last night, your scores have also changed, and I will now announce the updated scores and rankings.¡± ¡°Last night, He Yun found his accommodation first, so he gains 5 good score points.¡± ¡°Jiang Yan is in last place, zero points added.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Jiang Yan cried out again in outrage, ¡°Why do I get zero points? Clearly, Jiang Li was the last to find one!¡± [I¡¯m dying of laughter hahaha.] [Master Jiang was busy all day only to end up with a minus one score.] [Young Master Jiang¡¯s flag had just been raised when it toppled down. That¡¯s it, let me go mock him on Weibo.] Director Sun glanced at him indifferently, ¡°We are scoring based on the original order, and speaking of time, Jiang Li found the first residence before you.¡± Upon hearing this, several guests were puzzled. What does it mean to find the first residence? Could it be that Jiang Li changed locations midway? He Yun was also surprised as he looked towards Jiang Li. Hadn¡¯t she followed Aunt Wang to her house last night? Why had she suddenly changed locations? He Yun really wanted to ask, but after glancing at the live broadcast camera not far away, he swallowed his words and continued to remain silent. Hiding behind the half-closed vermilion gate behind them, Aunt Wang couldn¡¯t stop sighing loudly, then slapped the village chief, who was squatting in the corridor smoking. ¡°Look at what you¡¯ve done! The girl was staying well at my place, yet you insisted on driving her away in the middle of the night. She¡¯s our Xiao Hu¡¯s lifesaver, is this how you treat a lifesaver?!¡± The village chief exhaled a ring of smoke, his expression not much better than Aunt Wang¡¯s. ¡°Do you think I wanted to, huh? Can we afford to offend that man? What if he causes trouble and our village can¡¯t sell this year¡¯s crops? What will the entire village do, live on Northwest wind?¡± ¡°Even if I didn¡¯t drive Xiao Li away, do you think that man would have let her off?¡± ¡°It was better to have her stay at Old Zhao¡¯s house; it would attract less attention. Just send over some extra food and blankets, ensuring they won¡¯t be hungry or cold, alright?¡± Director Sun continued announcing the scores. ¡°¡­ Everyone¡¯s rankings are still the same ha, a new day has already arrived, there were many places that received good scores, keep up the effort.¡± ¡°What? The rankings haven¡¯t changed?!¡± Wen Jiaojiao was shocked to receive such a result after waiting so long, ¡°Didn¡¯t Jiang Li lose points?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± Qi Tianyu joined in, ¡°Mr. He added so much yesterday, he should be first today, right? Surely your staff didn¡¯t miscalculate again?¡± Director Sun glanced at the score sheet in his hand. ¡°No mistake, Jiang Li 26 points, firmly in first place.¡± [What¡¯s going on. Not only did Jiang Li not lose points, but she even gained a few more?] [There¡¯s no way to say there isn¡¯t something fishy about this, right? Why does the production team favor Jiang Li so much?] [So disgusting, I hate backdoor dealings the most.] ¡°I forgot to mention,¡± Director Sun slapped his forehead, ¡°last night because of Jiang Li¡¯s act of bravery, she received an additional 5 points for a good score, bringing her total to 26 points. It¡¯s correct.¡± Everyone was dumbfounded. Act of bravery? Wasn¡¯t she busy looking for a house last night? How did she manage to perform an act of bravery? Seeing the doubts around, He Yun couldn¡¯t help but frown slightly. But when he looked towards Jiang Li, he noticed she was still standing there calmly, without any intention of defending herself. Does she really not care about these things? He Yun bit his lip and finally spoke. ¡°The village chief¡¯s child fell into the water last night, and it was Jiang Li who rescued him. These 5 good score points are well-deserved; in fact, they seem rather low.¡± The other three were even more shocked, not only because Jiang Li had silently done such a huge deed, but more so because He Yun had actually spoken up for her. Weren¡¯t they supposed to be acquaintances? Back at the airport, He Yun hadn¡¯t even greeted her. Chapter 71 - Chapter 71: Chapter 71 The Theme of the First Day—Breaking New Ground! Chapter 71: Chapter 71 The Theme of the First Day¡ªBreaking New Ground! Shu Yan curled her lips with a hint of jealousy, ¡°When can it be my turn to play the hero so that our Movie Emperor brother can praise me too?¡± Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s face turned even sourer, glanced at He Yun, then at Jiang Li, and scoffed softly. Who in this circle didn¡¯t know that Jiang Li had a thing for the merchant¡¯s lord. She wanted to capture his attention, even trying to enter the entertainment industry by appearing on a show like Su Yinwan. Yet, she hadn¡¯t even lasted two days before hooking up with He Yun. Such a flirtatious woman! Sooner or later, she vowed to reveal Jiang Li¡¯s true colors to everyone! [Boohoo, Mr. He is so good, he actually took the initiative to explain for our Lili, I¡¯m about to switch loyalties here.] [Help, why is this ship so satisfying? And did you notice that Mr. He kept stealing glances at Jiang Li just now?] [CP fans get lost! Our brother is uniquely charming! Non-mainstream young madams stay away from the hype!] Lu Xingchao felt on the verge of a breakdown in front of the screen. How could the goddess he had just become a fan of have a CP on the first day of the show? He refused!!! ¡°It¡¯s true, what He Yun said is correct,¡± Director Sun added, ¡°so, considering Jiang Li¡¯s impressive performance, our production team decided to award her five good points on behalf of the village chief¡¯s family.¡± ¡°Of course, if anyone else shows outstanding performance, they can also earn extra points.¡± ¡°It¡¯s getting late, I need to announce the first day¡¯s task now.¡± The cast started to grumble and complain. However, what they found even more unbelievable was yet to come. ¡°From now on, your transformation journey truly begins!¡± ¡°The production team has prepared six experimental fields for everyone. Before the transformation is over, you need to take care of your own fields and achieve certain results. Our director group will score everyone based on your performances.¡± ¡°So, the theme for the first day is¡ªreclaiming waste land!¡± ¡°What?!¡± Wen Jiaojiao was the first to shout, ¡°We have to do farming work in the fields? Wasn¡¯t yesterday¡¯s transformation enough?¡± ¡°Making us reclaim waste land under such a hot sun? Director, are you too heartless?¡± Shu Yan also complained incessantly. Jiang Yan: ¡°Damn, I¡¯m dressed so nicely today, and now I have to go do farming work? Are you kidding me?¡± [Here we go again, the ¡®whining trio¡¯ has started their act.] [I¡¯m dying of laughter, the three next door are as calm as can be, while these three are as irked as they get. Did the production team intentionally create a contrast group?] [Ah, reclaiming waste land? That¡¯s too hard on our brother, it breaks my heart.] [Can the whiners upstairs just stop it? This is a transformation show, not a leisure lifestyle show!] ¡°Wait a minute.¡± Qi Tianyu finally realized something was off, ¡°Are we about to start working right now? What about breakfast?¡± Director Sun scratched his head and feigned ignorance, ¡°Haven¡¯t you had breakfast yet?¡± Qi Tianyu exploded. Of course, he hadn¡¯t had breakfast! Everyone in this village woke up early, and by the time he awoke, the landlord¡¯s family had already finished their meal and gone off to work in the fields. He had thought that the production team would have breakfast ready for them. After all, they were exhausted from the day before, and it was their first day. But Director Sun had essentially thrown a bucket of cold water on him. Wen Jiaojiao and Shu Yan were also taken aback. They were already struggling to accept the idea of doing farm work. Now they had to work on an empty stomach. Even joining a drama crew to lose weight wasn¡¯t this tough. Jiang Yan, who had been scowling all morning, could not help but smirk triumphantly at this moment: ¡°You can¡¯t be serious, you all didn¡¯t actually skip breakfast, did you?¡± [Jiang Yan is such a tease.] [I wouldn¡¯t feel bad even if he got beaten up by a mob.] [Help, I really want to jump through the screen and give him a good smack.] ¡°What do you mean?¡± Wen Jiaojiao asked with a frosty face, ¡°Are you saying you ate?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Jiang Yan boasted, ¡°Not only did I eat, but I also had a particularly good meal. Otherwise, what did you think made us late?¡± The more Wen Jiaojiao listened, the angrier she got, ¡°I knew it! The production team must have made special arrangements for you, that¡¯s just outrageous!¡± Jiang Yan quickly walked over to Jiang Li and put his hand on her shoulder, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t talk nonsense. My breakfast was all made by my sister. Don¡¯t be a sour grape just because you didn¡¯t get any.¡± Jiang Li coldly slapped his hand away, ¡°Stay away from me.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­¡± Why can¡¯t she just give me some face? Director Sun coughed again, ¡°Look, I never said the production team would provide meals. You can¡¯t pin this on me. Moreover, it is almost nine o¡¯clock. If you can¡¯t complete today¡¯s task on time, you¡¯ll miss not only breakfast but lunch too.¡± With no other choice, the group could only follow Director Sun with their spirits dampened. The test field prepared by the production crew was just behind the village chief¡¯s house, in a gully. The participants had assumed that the test field mentioned by Director Sun was just a small plot, maybe a dozen or so square meters. But when they actually saw the vast expanses of overgrown wasteland, they were dumbfounded yet again. Qi Tianyu reached out to prop up Zhang Da¡¯s sagging jaw, ¡°Director, this field¡­ it¡¯s not all for us, is it?¡± Director Sun, wearing a sun hat and sunglasses and looking completely at ease, said, ¡°Of course, all this has been leased by our production team, almost half an acre per person¡ªjust over two hundred square meters.¡± ¡°Just?¡± The group exclaimed in unison. Shu Yan, while using one hand to shield her eyes from the searing sun, pouted and said, ¡°Director Sun, you really don¡¯t go easy on us, do you?¡± ¡°Ey,¡± Director Sun shook his finger, ¡°How can I not care about you¡­ See, I¡¯ve even prepared tools for you?¡± He said this as several crew members set up a table, which was covered with various cards. Qi Tianyu stepped forward and picked up a card to take a look. ¡°Hoe, 0.5 points¡­ surely you don¡¯t intend for us to exchange good scores for these?¡± ¡°Qi really is a top student from Yan University.¡± Director Sun gave a thumbs up. Qi Tianyu: ¡°¡­¡± There¡¯s no need to overpraise like that. He then picked up a few more cards, and the prices for the items were each more outrageous than the last. The others also followed suit, and Shu Yan, with her sharp eyes, spotted a card for a sun hat and picked it up for a closer look¡ªblatantly marked ¡°1 point.¡± ¡°No way, I only have a total of 18 points. Isn¡¯t this like stealing points?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, Director,¡± Jiang Yan complained even more indignantly, ¡°A weed cutter for 8 points? I only have a total of 9 points!¡± Judging by the production crew¡¯s usual way, lunch might also require good scores for exchange. If he spent all his points on these tools, wouldn¡¯t he be left to face the harsh Northwest winds? Yet Director Sun was firm in his stance. ¡°No bargaining, prices are final. It¡¯s nine o¡¯clock sharp. Decide now or in ten minutes, the prices of these items will double.¡± ¡°Additionally, the first person to finish the task will receive five points, and the rewards will decrease for subsequent finishers.¡± [Wow, the production team is ruthless.] [I¡¯m dying of laughter; after exchanging points for these items, the young master will be left with nothing. He already lost his luggage, and now he won¡¯t be able to keep his good score.] [Doesn¡¯t this mean Sister Li can splurge freely now? I calculated, and she still has 26 points.] [The production team is so black-hearted. I noticed that cheap farming tools like hoes are actually very affordable, but things like sun hats and gloves are marked up by twice their value.] [Hahaha, aren¡¯t these items clearly intended for the ladies? The sun is so intense; they¡¯ll definitely want to exchange points for these.] Chapter 72 - Chapter 72: Chapter 72 Jiang Li Resembles an Early Capitalist Chapter 72: Chapter 72 Jiang Li Resembles an Early Capitalist Jiang Yan was still griping when suddenly a fair hand reached out beside him, picking up a few cards and handing them to Director Sun. ¡°I¡¯ll take these, thank you.¡± In an instant, five pairs of eyes stared over in unison. They had almost forgotten. There was one person here who truly didn¡¯t have to worry about the good score. Director Sun chuckled as he took the cards and counted them, ¡°One weeder, a pair of gloves, one hoe, one sun hat, one pair of rubber shoes, a total of 11.5 points.¡± Qi Tianyu immediately voiced his envy, ¡°My lord, Jiang Li is so rich.¡± Jiang Yan and Wen Jiaojiao were one part envious and itching to the teeth, the other part so frustrated that they clenched their fists. He Yun maintained her silence, and after Jiang Li had turned and left, she also handed over her chosen items to the director. ¡°A pair of gloves, one hoe, totaling 1.5 points.¡± Director Sun called out, and immediately a staff member took note of it. [My goodness, the Movie Emperor only exchanged for so few things.] [Brother is so thrifty, such a low-profile and quiet person you folks insist is uppity, really now.] [Exactly, just because he doesn¡¯t like to talk means he¡¯s low-profile? When he drove that young lady into depression, why didn¡¯t you all speak up then?] Seeing this, Qi Tianyu also hurriedly selected the items he needed. Just like He Yun, he couldn¡¯t bear to take items like sun hats either, but he still couldn¡¯t help but feel the pinch when 1.5 points were deducted. Wen Jiaojiao and Shu Yan also successively exchanged for items. One spent 5 points, the other 4 points. Director Sun looked at the exchanged goods and smacked his lips, ¡°Look, the production team even prepared weeders for you all, yet not a single one of you switched. Now, don¡¯t say I was too harsh.¡± Wen Jiaojiao, who had just put on her hat said, ¡°Director Sun, you have the nerve to say that, besides Jiang Li, who among us could afford to swap?¡± But with that, Jiang Li¡¯s total score was no longer higher than hers. Tired as it might be, at least she still had a chance to win first place! However, five minutes passed, and Jiang Yan still hadn¡¯t made a move. Director Sun intentionally picked up the loudspeaker to remind him, ¡°Prices will rise in two minutes, those who haven¡¯t exchanged please pay attention.¡± But Jiang Yan bypassed him, sneaking up to Jiang Li. ¡°Hey, can I borrow your tools? I¡¯m your dear brother, your only blood brother, can you bear to see me left without a single point?¡± Jiang Li glanced at him, ¡°Sure.¡± The straightforward reply made all the pre-prepared coaxing and arguing from Jiang Yan redundant. ¡°Really?¡± he asked incredulously once more. ¡°Of course,¡± Jiang Li nodded. [Something seems off about Jiang Li, why is she suddenly being so nice to her brother?] [I remember now! Wasn¡¯t she chosen to be the Knight last night? She might have drawn Jiang Yan as the King.] [Very likely! This morning when she made breakfast for Jiang Yan, I sensed something wasn¡¯t right. With her temper, she should¡¯ve left him hungry!] But just as Jiang Yan was gleefully preparing to take the items from Jiang Li¡¯s hands, her indifferent tone drifted into his ears. ¡°You can use my things, for 5 points.¡± ¡°5 points?! Are you asking for the moon?¡± Jiang Yan exclaimed in a suppressed voice. ¡°The tools I bought back for eleven points, giving them to you for five is not excessive,¡± Jiang Li said. ¡°I¡¯ve looked over this land. It¡¯s wasteland that¡¯s been left untended for a long time. The grass growing here is all Cyperus with extremely developed root systems. If you just use the hoe, it will probably take a whole day to deal with, working under the scorching sun all day, or you can choose the shortcut. Think about it.¡± Jiang Yan fell silent. It wasn¡¯t just because of her methodical analysis but also because of her utterly indifferent tone that didn¡¯t take others¡¯ feelings into account. Does this guy really know they¡¯re siblings?! ¡°Fine,¡± Jiang Yan gritted his teeth, ¡°5 points for 5 points, give me all your stuff.¡± ¡°5 points is the price for the weed cutter, if you want the rest, another 3 points,¡± Jiang Li said expressionlessly. ¡°What the hell? Are you jacking up the price on me?!¡± Jiang Yan snapped. Jiang Li leisurely turned to look at him. ¡°I¡¯ve always been talking about the price of the weed cutter; when did I say everything? If you can¡¯t afford it, then just rent the weed cutter.¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s gaze gradually filled with resentment. First, he hated it most when people said he couldn¡¯t afford things. Are you kidding me? Aside from gold and silver mines, what can¡¯t he afford in this world? Second, without things like the sun hat, he¡¯d die. He did not want to work under the blazing sun like He Yun and Qi Tianyu, coming back after a day with skin both red and black from the sunburn. His skincare products had already been taken away; if this continued, how would he maintain his perfect and impeccable appearance? Thinking about this, Jiang Yan patted her hand in distress. ¡°Eight points for eight points; I¡¯ll just earn it back after today!¡± Jiang Li smiled. ¡°But actually, I could give you all these things for 5 points.¡± Jiang Yan: ? Was playing him really that entertaining? ¡°You¡¯ll also have to weed my field.¡± Finally, Jiang Yan caught on. ¡°Damn it, so you¡¯ve been waiting for me to do this? Why the hell should I weed for you?¡± Jiang Li blinked innocently, ¡°Isn¡¯t it because you wanted a discount that I resorted to this? If you¡¯re unwilling, then forget it.¡± ¡°Hey hey hey,¡± Jiang Yan ran his hand through his hair in irritation, ¡°Fine, fine, fine, I¡¯ll till your land, but I¡¯m only giving you three points, not a point more.¡± ¡°Deal.¡± Jiang Li agreed exceptionally quickly, directly handing over all the cards in her hand to him, which left Jiang Yan somewhat baffled. But the viewers in the live stream saw it all too clearly. Jiang Li was setting a trap for Jiang Yan step by step! She had intended from the start to make Jiang Yan till her land. The reason for such a high initial price was to pave the way for her final demand. Poor Jiang Yan, having lost both people and points, stood on the ridge of the field, his face full of confusion. [LOL, I thought the young master would be Jiang Li¡¯s guardian, but it seems not at all.] [How can the young master be so silly, I can¡¯t take it anymore, to agree to such terms of fleece.] [Jiang Li is like an early capitalist.] But there were also voices of discontent mingled in, thinking Jiang Li¡¯s actions were over the top, that she was explicitly making things difficult for Jiang Yan to do her tasks, which had been assigned by the program team to each of them. On the other hand, Director Sun also noticed the small transaction between the two and immediately stepped forward to raise objections. ¡°Hey hey hey, how can you two make private deals behind my back?¡± Jiang Li met his scrutinizing gaze frankly, ¡°Did the program team say we can¡¯t make private deals?¡± Director Sun: ¡°¡­.¡± He had forgotten about that part. [HAHAHAHAHAHA, this is the first time I¡¯ve seen Director Sun speechless.] [Those who talk about our Lili should learn well; Sister Li is fully utilizing her intelligence for her own benefit, and some are just sour grapes because they can¡¯t have it.] Chapter 73 - Chapter 73: Chapter 73 Does Someone Like Jiang Li Deserve to Have a Fan Club? Chapter 73: Chapter 73 Does Someone Like Jiang Li Deserve to Have a Fan Club? Director Sun, tongue-tied, finally managed to squeeze out a sentence, ¡°Next time, it can¡¯t be like this, it¡¯s very difficult for our production team if you act like this.¡± Jiang Li¡¯s expression remained unchanged. ¡°But isn¡¯t it due to your production team¡¯s lack of consideration? Why blame me? Wouldn¡¯t that be considered moral kidnapping?¡± Director Sun: !!! Commentary Barrage: !!! Jiang Li¡¯s ability to turn the situation on its head had the live audience shouting how awesome her move was. In the past, artists who went on variety shows and encountered troublemaking production teams either endured silently or lost their temper on the spot. Jiang Li was the first to calmly find reasons to refute and even managed to put a figurative hat on the production team. And her counterattack was very clever; she didn¡¯t just accept blame but instead, turned it around to point out the holes in Director Sun¡¯s and the production team¡¯s actions. Not seeking to prove herself innocent, but rather to have them prove their guilt. Brilliant! It was truly brilliant! They¡¯ve learned something new! Jiang Li¡¯s series of retorts instantly changed Director Sun¡¯s complexion. If he were to be labeled as guilty of moral kidnapping, wouldn¡¯t that be unacceptable? Modern netizens simply couldn¡¯t stand to hear these four words. So he waved his hands quickly: ¡°I, I didn¡¯t mean that at all, Xiao Li, don¡¯t just wrongly accuse me, okay, okay, okay, this time consider it a lack of consideration from our production team, I¡¯ll pretend I didn¡¯t see what happened between you and Jiang Yan.¡± Only then did Jiang Li slightly smile, turn around, and walk away. Director Sun instantly exhaled a breath of relief, and the tension in his spine relaxed. Wait a minute. Isn¡¯t he supposed to be the director? Why should he be afraid of an amateur guest who hasn¡¯t even debuted?! On the other hand, Jiang Yan had already fully geared up to work the land; looking up, he found that Jiang Li was already preparing to leave with poise. Feeling extremely frustrated, he immediately called out to her. ¡°Hey, where are you going, just dumping the work on me like this?!¡± Jiang Li slowly turned around, ¡°Otherwise? You¡¯ve already agreed, haven¡¯t you? Since I no longer have a task, it¡¯s a waste of time to just wait here; I might as well go back and read a book.¡± ¡°Oh, and by the way, I should mention that Director Sun is already aware of our deal, and he¡¯s tacitly approved, but on the condition that you only complete the task if you finish working both plots of land.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s roar echoed in the valley for a long time. Wen Jiaojiao, who had been constantly complaining, immediately felt much more pleased with the situation. Compared to Jiang Yan¡¯s two plots, what was her single plot in comparison? It just favored that woman, Jiang Li! Always clever in finding opportunistic shortcuts! But they were still live on air, and the netizens would surely see her vile face, thereby realizing that she is the most serious, the most hardworking one in this show! As time went on and the sun climbed higher, the fields previously shaded by the mountain were now completely exposed to the blazing sun. The guests quickly started sweating profusely. To make matters worse, they hadn¡¯t had a thing to eat, and the weeding task was getting slower and more laborious. Wen Jiaojiao lost her temper every five minutes. The directing team, which had initially been convincing, eventually stepped aside, stopped meddling, and even issued the final decree: ¡°No food forever if the work isn¡¯t completed.¡± With no other choice, Wen Jiaojiao could only pursely puckered and continued to hoe the field with resentment. Having hands that had never touched spring water for menial tasks, she soon had her gloved hands blistered and raw. A wave of sympathy floated across the screen in the form of bullet comments. Despite Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s fiery temper, there were still many who were drawn to her personality and good looks, immediately cursing the show¡¯s cold-heartedness and ruthlessness in the live chat. ¡°Why does Jiang Li get to go and rest while our Jiaojiao has to suffer and toil here?¡± ¡°Exactly, Jiaojiao is a lady of high rank, how can she be expected to do such menial labor?¡± ¡°I really can¡¯t stand it anymore, wasn¡¯t it her own choice to join this show? Now that she¡¯s here, why is she the only one who can¡¯t work?¡± ¡°Our Lili also earned her rest with her own intelligence; Princess Wen, if you don¡¯t have the brains, then work hard and stop throwing a fit.¡± ¡°How does that saying go again? ¡®The world¡¯s most comfortable living is always for the smartest few.¡¯ Princess Wen, you have no talent, yet you expect others to share your misery. You¡¯re really good at having your cake and eating it too.¡± Inspired by Jiang Li¡¯s retort to Director Sun, her fans¡¯ intensity in the online clash skyrocketed. Soon enough, Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s camp began to lose ground and started to slander other guests to join them in attacking Jiang Li¡¯s fans. The fight in the live chat became so intense that it even made it to the trending topics. The general public, unaware of the full context, only saw these fragmented screenshots and uniformly agreed that Jiang Li¡¯s fans were too arrogant and sharp. Though Jiang Li¡¯s loyal fans were whole-heartedly defending her, the reality was that she was an unknown without entertainment industry resources or a sizeable fan base, and it wasn¡¯t long before public opinion online started to tilt in favor of Wen Jiaojiao. Seeing Jiang Li about to be burdened with a bad reputation again, Lu Xingchao was incredibly anxious. This couldn¡¯t go on; he had to do something for his goddess! Lu Xingchao had initially wanted to use his main account to post a Weibo to drum up reliable fan support for Jiang Li. But upon reflection, he deemed it too impulsive. He had just ranked in the top three up-and-comers on the Blue Star live streaming platform and knew all too well how many were watching him with envious eyes. If he recklessly associated Jiang Li with himself now, those people would surely turn their guns on her immediately. She was already in a precarious position, and he couldn¡¯t push her further into it. So instead, he quickly registered another account and posted a Weibo seeking genuine fans for Jiang Li. Feeling the exposure was still not enough, he immediately invested fifty thousand yuan to boost the post¡¯s visibility. The comment section instantly came alive. Many came out in response, declaring they would support Jiang Li to the end. But there was even more mockery and sneering; how could an unknown like Jiang Li deserve a fan club? Perhaps influenced by the trending smear campaign, even though there were like-minded comments, nobody actually reached out to Lu Xingchao privately. Lu Xingchao had almost lost hope until someone with the ID ¡°Shiguang¡± followed him and sent a private message. ¡°Hello, are you a fan of Jiang Li, too? If a fan club is set up, can I join?¡± Lu Xingchao was so excited he nearly dropped his phone, but he quickly regained his composure. What if this was a deep mole from her haters, pretending to be a fan to test him? Sure enough, upon checking the Weibo account of this person, he found it was not only newly registered but also devoid of any content, and it hadn¡¯t even followed Jiang Li¡¯s Weibo. Lu Xingchao chuckled derisively and sent a formidable barrage of five questions: ¡°When was Jiang Li born? What¡¯s her favorite food? What¡¯s her favorite amusement? What¡¯s her favorite color? What is her grandfather¡¯s name?¡± A few seconds later, he received a reply. Shiguang: ¡°Jiang Li was born on October 24th, 2002. Her favorite food is rouge goose, her favorite amusement is Dancing Gun, her favorite color is white, and her grandfather¡¯s name is Jiang Zhao Yuan.¡± Chapter 74 - Chapter 74: Chapter 74 Ordinary People Chapter 74: Chapter 74 Ordinary People Lu Xingchao was downright shocked. Having seen Jiang Li¡¯s ID before, he knew that this person named Shiguang had given the correct birthdate for Jiang Li. And he only knew the answer to that one question. All the other questions had been made up on the spot purely to give this person a hard time. Jiang Li¡¯s favorite food was rouge goose¡­ What on earth was rouge goose? Jiang Li¡¯s favorite leisure activity was Dancing Gun¡­ Lu Xingchao imagined the goddess¡¯s graceful and cool demeanor and found it impossible to associate her with something so dangerous and brutal. Jiang Li¡¯s favorite color was white¡­ That could be possible; after all, she was from the Xuan Sect, and she probably liked black, white, and gray. As for the last question¡­ Lu Xingchao hurriedly opened his phone¡¯s Baidu and went to great lengths to confirm from the Jiang Group¡¯s information that Old Sir Jiang¡¯s name was indeed Jiang Zhao Yuan. But how had this person managed to answer all the questions in just a few seconds? And, could it be that someone knew the goddess even better than he did?! At the Jiang Family¡¯s house. Jiang Shixu sat on his bed, clutching his phone and staring at the screen, where that person named Lei Ting had sent a barrage of questions. So, why would anyone ask such childish questions? Was this person really a fan of his sister? Before long, a reply came from the other end. Lei Ting: ¡°Congratulations, you passed the assessment and officially became a member of the ordinary people!¡± Jiang Shixu slowly typed out a question mark. Lu Xingchao hurriedly explained, ¡°This ¡®ordinary people¡¯ is a fan name I came up with for our support club members.¡± Shiguang: ¡°Oh, so, can I join the fan group now?¡± Lei Ting: ¡°¡­¡± Lei Ting: ¡°Actually, right now it¡¯s just the two of us¡­..¡± Shiguang: ? Not long after, Xiang Hao, who was surfing the web, also noticed the Weibo post by Lu Xingchao and sent him a message, bursting with enthusiasm. Soon after, he received an audit for membership from someone with the ID name Shiguang. ¡°To successfully enter Jiang Li¡¯s fan support club and become a member of the ordinary people, first, you need to quickly answer the following questions.¡± ¡°One, please name the five books Jiang Li enjoys reading the most.¡± ¡°Two, please state Jiang Li¡¯s detailed birthdate.¡± ¡°Three, please provide the name of Jiang Li¡¯s great-grandfather.¡± West District¡¯s Kang Bazi/Xiang Hao: ? Whose imbecilic idea were these questions??? Even Jiang Li¡¯s own mother wouldn¡¯t necessarily be able to answer these accurately?! ¨C As the fan war continued online, Jiang Li had returned to the little wooden cabin. Despite the blazing sun outside, the small house was surprisingly cool. Sitting on the porch, one could even feel a refreshing summer breeze. Uncle Zhao was not around, probably out in the fields. As for Uncle Zhao¡¯s son¡­ Jiang Li didn¡¯t have the habit of disturbing others, so she simply took a small bamboo stool and sat in front of the main house to read. Unbeknownst to her, everything was being closely observed by the man on the second floor. His rosy lips held a green foxtail, willfully dancing in the breeze. His black, soft hair just covered his forehead and swayed freely with the summer wind. The man¡¯s phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, he looked at the girl sitting quietly below through a lens of languid interest. His gaze inadvertently slid over her pale fingertips and sparkling nails, finally resting on the yellowed book on her lap. The man¡¯s expression became even more intriguing. ¡°Interesting, there are still young girls who enjoy reading ¡®Zhou Yi¡¯ these days.¡± Jiang Li seemed to have heard this teasing comment and subconsciously lifted her head. However, she only saw the tall eaves and the blue sky dotted with white clouds. Strange. She was certain she had heard someone speaking. Could it have been an illusion? The camera followed Jiang Li to the cabin. As the lens shifted to the girl sitting under the eave, the live broadcast room was once again hit by a barrage of comments. ¡°Ah, my Sister Li is so beautiful! I¡¯m totally smitten!¡± ¡°No way, Jiang Li is actually back reading? Who is she trying to impress with this act?¡± ¡°I¡¯m done, I thought she had given up on the studious persona? Isn¡¯t this a bit too fake?¡± ¡°Can you keep your mouth clean? How is she fake? Our Lili is certified by Hua Bo, she¡¯s a real powerhouse, unlike some people who just bluff with empty tricks every day.¡± ¡°Who are you obliquely insulting? Our Xiao Hu is a genuine 985 top student, unlike Jiang Li, an illiterate from a no-name university!¡± The live broadcast room quickly erupted into chaos again. Clearly, even though Hua Bo had previously clarified the facts in support of Jiang Li, there was still a large group of people unwilling to recognize her abilities, treating her as someone just flaunting a persona. Jiang Li¡¯s fans were few and their voices small. Even with their reasoned arguments, they were soon drowned out by a tide of insults. They started to question the wisdom of their support for Jiang Li. Just as the group was on the verge of retreat, several users with the [Lifen] badge parachuted into the broadcast room. ¡°Lei Ting: My goddess is the best! Who else can memorize an entire Buddhist Scripture and tell fortunes like she can?!¡± ¡°Shiguang: My sister isn¡¯t showing off, she is the most perfect and kindest person on this show!¡± ¡°West City¡¯s Kang Bazi: You couple of jumping clowns dare to question our Sister Li? Try getting Hua Bo to @ you before you come out and bite!¡± Those formerly isolated Jiang Li fans immediately found their backbone. Like finding their organization, they united, continuously flooding the live broadcast room with the words Lifen. At that moment, there came a knock at the door of the broadcast room. Jiang Li looked up from her book. After a few seconds of hesitation, she put down the book and walked toward the door. The moment the door opened, Aunt Wang, followed by a dozen other ladies, entered, carrying a particularly eye-catching red silk banner. ¡°This is¡­..¡± Jiang Li¡¯s voice trailed off in confusion as she looked at the eight golden characters ¡°For Righteousness, Nobility of Character¡± on the banner. Aunt Wang thrust the silk banner into Jiang Li¡¯s hands. ¡°Girl, don¡¯t just stand there. This banner was specially made for you, we ordered it from the town to honor you. You saved Xiao Hu. It¡¯s not just a banner we are talking about; if resources allowed, I would¡¯ve praised you on the provincial city TV.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, Xiao Hu owes you his life,¡± the others quickly chimed in, ¡°Aunt Wang is absolutely right, this young girl is not just beautiful on the outside, but kind at heart too.¡± Jiang Li smiled wryly, ¡°It was just a small effort on my part, but since it¡¯s from Aunt Wang, I will accept it.¡± Seeing her so agreeable and straightforward, Aunt Wang¡¯s happiness multiplied. Chapter 75 - Chapter 75: Chapter 75 Master, I didnt mean to bump into you! Chapter 75: Chapter 75 Master, I didn¡¯t mean to bump into you! The ordinary people in the livestream were all stirred up by this scene. [Did you see that, did you see that? Our Sister Li received a banner! Those who doubted her and called her a show-off, doesn¡¯t their face hurt now?] [AAAAA Lili is amazing! Mom is proud of you!] [Tsk, it¡¯s just a lousy banner, and you folks are getting too excited?] [Exactly, maybe it was all arranged in advance, and they deliberately sent it when Jiang Li was at home. Nobody would believe it¡¯s a coincidence!] ¡°Xiao Li,¡± seeing how graceful Jiang Li was and how she didn¡¯t hold grudges, Aunt Wang found it even more difficult to speak, ¡°About last night¡¯s incident, we didn¡¯t mean it, there really were some special circumstances, please don¡¯t take it to heart.¡± Jiang Li had already guessed as much. Ever since she started on this program, it seemed like someone was always deliberately making things difficult for her. Whether it was the public opinion storm before the broadcast or the series of events she faced after it started, it was hard to believe they were just coincidences. But she didn¡¯t quite understand what the other party¡¯s purpose was. Just to make her feel uneasy? That would be rather childish. Thinking this, Jiang Li smiled and shook her head, ¡°It¡¯s all right, Aunt Wang, I understand. I¡¯m currently staying at Uncle Zhao¡¯s house, and Jiang Yan is here too, we can take care of each other.¡± ¡°Then that¡¯s the best,¡± Aunt Wang said, finally breathing a sigh of relief, ¡°But you¡¯ve seen the conditions at Old Zhao¡¯s house, they¡¯re really not that good, so I brought some food from home. Just keep it, make do for a few days, and let us know if you need anything.¡± Jiang Li also saw Aunt Wang¡¯s guilt. If she refused to accept these things, it would probably make them feel even more uncomfortable. So she quickly took the basket from her hands. The basket was indeed filled with a lot, heavy with eggs, smoked meat, and vegetables of all kinds. ¡°It¡¯s so thoughtful of you, Aunt Wang. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll act as if I¡¯m at my own home. If I need anything, I¡¯ll come to you, just don¡¯t find me annoying then.¡± ¡°How could I find you annoying?¡± Now Aunt Wang finally showed a carefree smile, ¡°I¡¯d be glad for you to come.¡± Then she glanced at the camera behind Jiang Li and patted her hand, saying, ¡°We won¡¯t hold up your filming then, we¡¯ll be heading out soon.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± As Jiang Li was about to usher them out, a woman in a blue blouse squeezed through and directly grabbed her hand. ¡°My dear, actually I have a favor to ask of you,¡± the woman said a bit embarrassedly. Jiang Li smiled slightly, ¡°It¡¯s no problem, just tell me.¡± ¡°Well,¡± the woman rubbed her hands together and continued, ¡°I heard from Aunt Wang that you were able to predict Xiao Hu¡¯s accident through fortune-telling. We¡¯ve had fortune-tellers come to our village before, but none as amazing as you.¡± ¡°So I was wondering if you could also do a reading for my son, he¡­¡­¡± At this, the livestream was filled with taunts and jeers. [No way, Jiang Li is getting addicted to fortune-telling? Is she planning to stick with this persona?] ¡°¡±¡±What kind of image are you setting up? Sister Li is already awesome! Even the gods recognize it. Do you only know how to make cryptic remarks because you lack ability yourself?¡±¡±¡± Jiang Li nodded, ¡°I understand, you want a fortune told, don¡¯t you? I can do it, but I must say in advance that I charge a fortune-telling fee, otherwise it¡¯s easy to damage both parties¡¯ fortunes.¡± The elderly lady quickly nodded, ¡°Of course, I understand.¡± As she spoke, she was about to reach into her pocket to get the money. But Jiang Li stopped her. ¡°Ma¡¯am, I know it¡¯s not easy for you, so I don¡¯t take cash. Like Aunt Wang, you can just give me some eggs as the fortune-telling fee.¡± The elderly lady¡¯s mouth opened and closed, ¡°Is that okay?¡± She had heard that the more skilled the Demi Immortal, the higher the fortune-telling fee, and who would just ask for eggs? Could this girl be a half-baked practitioner? But, being a half-baked practitioner is just fine. After all, she was recommended by the village chief¡¯s wife. Perhaps she really might accidentally get things right? Jiang Li smiled and nodded, ¡°Of course, it¡¯s okay. Please give me the Four Pillars of Destiny of the person for whom the fortune is to be told.¡± The elderly lady quickly complied and reported a birthdate. Jiang Li pondered for a moment and then slowly said, ¡°This must be your son¡¯s Four Pillars, isn¡¯t it? He just turned 20 this year, lacks Earth in the Five Elements, and seems to have had many difficulties before reaching 20 years old.¡± The elderly lady¡¯s eyes lit up instantly, and her voice became excited, ¡°Exactly, exactly, he just turned 20 last week. To be honest, my son has been smart since he was a child, but he¡¯s just been unlucky. When he was five, he fell while herding cattle on the mountain and spent more than half a year recovering. At eight, he was in a car accident and, although he survived, he has encountered one misfortune after another ever since.¡± As she spoke, the elderly lady heaved a deep sigh. Jiang Li said, ¡°Actually, looking at the Life Plate, your son¡¯s fate is in a very favorable position. However, everything has a limit: water overflows when it¡¯s full, and the moon wanes after it is full. Sometimes, having too strong a fate is not a good thing. If the Sun is weak and can¡¯t support a strong fate, it naturally leads to constant misfortunes.¡± Upon hearing this, the elderly lady¡¯s face showed a look of terror, ¡°There¡¯s such a thing? I originally came to ask about my child¡¯s education. He is taking the college entrance examination for the third time this year. The last two times either there was a flood on the day of the exam or he fell seriously ill. A perfectly fine person was reduced to having no spirit, and I was desperate to try anything.¡± The elderly lady quickly grabbed Jiang Li¡¯s hand, no longer calling her a young girl, but addressing her respectfully as ¡®master.¡¯ ¡°Master, since you see so clearly, do you have any way to break this curse? Whether he takes the examination or not is not important, what¡¯s crucial is that my child mustn¡¯t suffer from bad luck all his life.¡± Jiang Li patted the back of her hand to comfort her. ¡°Auntie, don¡¯t worry, there¡¯s no problem. He has just turned 20, reaching the Gui Mao phase with the Sun changing, and his fortunes are turning stronger. If he takes good care of his health from now on, his fortune will completely turn around, and you don¡¯t need to worry about his studies either. His fate has the marks of wealth, authority, and scholarship¡ªit¡¯s a very auspicious position for flourishing in career and studies.¡± ¡°If you are still concerned, you might consider using the Fengshui Bureau to borrow external forces to help him change his luck. I have seen that the perfect position in this village is on the east side where it welcomes wind and water; you could consider moving there.¡± ¡°¡±¡±My gosh, Jiang Li even knows Feng Shui¡ªthat¡¯s awesome! Although I don¡¯t understand much, I feel like she is really very skilled.¡±¡±¡± ¡°¡±¡±I really want to know who Jiang Li¡¯s master is¡ªI, as a member of the Xuan Sect, am very interested! I¡¯ve studied for five years now, and I even struggle to predict fortunes. Jiang Li is so young yet so accomplished¡ªit¡¯s really amazing.¡±¡±¡± ¡°¡±¡±No way, she really knows her stuff? Then I apologize for before¡­ Sorry, Master, I didn¡¯t mean to offend you, please don¡¯t take it to heart!¡±¡±¡± ¡°¡±¡±It¡¯s all for the show; you guys really believe that?¡±¡±¡± The live streaming room debated vigorously about Jiang Li¡¯s ¡°professional abilities.¡± But the elderly lady at the scene had no doubts about her capabilities. After all, she had only given Jiang Li a set of Four Pillars, without even saying whose they were, and she had deduced so much right off the bat. If she¡¯s not a highly accomplished person, then what is she? Chapter 76 - Chapter 76: Chapter 76 Who knows if there is poison inside Chapter 76: Chapter 76 Who knows if there is poison inside Thinking of this, the aunt repeatedly praised, ¡°Girl, hearing your words puts my mind at ease a lot. I¡¯ll go back and tell this to my child; he will definitely be motivated to bounce back. I really owe you one.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a small matter.¡± The aunt thanked her again before leaving with an excited expression. And this scene was caught entirely by the man on the second floor. His fingertips touched the shiny black Buddha Beads on his wrist, and his eyes instantly became more profound. After seeing the aunt off, Jiang Li let out a slight sigh of relief. In the small village, news spread fast, and she feared that after today, more people would come knocking. She wasn¡¯t afraid of the hassle, though; on the contrary, she was happy to use her abilities to help others. This desire matched perfectly with the teachings of her mentor, ¡°Merit Birth.¡± However, she feared that being too prominent might attract unnecessary trouble. After all, the current era still couldn¡¯t fully accept mysticism. But what comes, will come; though fate is determined by the heavens, human decisions play the most fundamental role in influencing luck. She just needed to do her part. Thinking of this, Jiang Li turned around. The moment her gaze shifted upwards, she caught a glimpse of a black garment¡¯s inch in the shadowy part of the second floor. The red lotus embroidered on it was lifelike, as if it was about to bloom in the wind the next second. It turned out Uncle Zhao¡¯s son had been here all along. Jiang Li didn¡¯t say anything but carried her basket into the kitchen. She had just been wondering how to make up for the ingredients used in the morning when Aunt Wang brought over some food¡ªthese items were perfect for giving to Uncle Zhao as a token of thanks for his hospitality. Jiang Li neatly processed and stored all the ingredients. Finally, her gaze fell on the leftover mushrooms from this morning. These mushrooms only locked in their freshness and flavor when fresh; their value and taste would diminish significantly over time. She needed to handle all of them before noon. The scene of her processing ingredients was also fully captured by the camera. The viewers in the live stream understood her intentions and immediately started typing, ¡°Jiang Li is so kind.¡± The haters were displeased. Why did other contestants have to toil in the fields while Jiang Li could leisurely maintain an artificial persona at home? Wasn¡¯t this a transformation-themed variety show? Why didn¡¯t she need to transform? As a result, a flood of fans from other contestants¡¯ live streams came pouring in, spewing criticism at Jiang Li¡¯s lack of ethics. Meanwhile, the four people working hard in the fields were exhausted. Wen Jiaojiao had already given up after weeding only one-sixth of the field and went to rest under the tree shade. Worrying about where to find iced water to buy, she then saw Director Sun happily pushing a small cart toward them. The brightly written sign on the cart read¡ª ¡°0.5 points per bottle of ice water, 1 point per bag of bread.¡± Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s first reaction was that the director was even shrewder than her father! Her second reaction was that without water and food, she would really die! So, reluctantly, she exchanged 1.5 points for a bottle of water and a bag of bread. Soon, Shu Yan also couldn¡¯t hold out any longer, leaning against the tree trunk with her waist nearly breaking. Even He Yun and Qi Tianyu, who typically had good stamina, began to feel weak. After all, they hadn¡¯t eaten breakfast and could only continue the farm work through sheer willpower. The only one who had it easy was Jiang Yan. Not only did he have his hat and gloves, but using the weeding machine meant he didn¡¯t have to exert much effort at all¡ªan operation or two, and the grass in half the field was gone. The others watched enviously. After a while, Qi Tianyu also came over for a break, and with a casual exchange, he got a bottle of iced water with his remaining 18.5 points. Before he could take a sip, he smelled an inexplicable fragrance and vigorously sniffed. ¡°Damn, did the production crew secretly make chicken soup? It smells so good?!¡± Wen Jiaojiao, who had recovered, gave him a white look, ¡°You must be fainting from hunger. Where would there be chicken soup in these mountains?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s true, I smelled it,¡± Qi Tianyu insisted. While everyone in the live broadcast room felt sorry for Qi Tianyu, who seemed to be delusional from hunger, Shu Yan chimed in¡ª¡±I think I smell it too.¡± The two of them looked toward the other side of the wasteland and saw a ponytail gradually appearing on the path. Following that, Jiang Li¡¯s face, bright and fair as fine porcelain, became clearer under the sun, radiating a soft, fair glow, incredibly beautiful. What was more important was that she was carrying two baskets, and the coveted smell of chicken soup was emanating from there! Qi Tianyu couldn¡¯t help himself and rushed over. ¡°Jiang Li, what good stuff have you brought?¡± Jiang Li glanced at him and walked straight to a tree, then opened the right basket. Inside, it was packed with five bowls of mushroom soup mixed with hand-rolled noodles, exuding an irresistible fresh fragrance, making Qi Tianyu¡¯s eyes turn red with desire. He suddenly felt the iced water in his hand was utterly tasteless. With such delicious wild food available, how could he still drink iced water?! However, he soon remembered how he had deliberately made things difficult at the airport. Despite his craving, he ultimately felt too embarrassed to step forward. Shu Yan wasn¡¯t so concerned. She had just been debating whether to use 1.5 points to get some food and drink from Director Sun to fill her stomach, but then, the next second, Jiang Li descended like an angel with delicious food. Could bread even compare to mushroom soup? So, she subconsciously swallowed her saliva, ¡°Jiang Li, this soup¡ª¡± Jiang Li smiled faintly, her light words interrupting Shu Yan¡¯s pleasant fantasies, ¡°This isn¡¯t free.¡± [I knew it, Jiang Li, the scheming merchant!] [So mean, deliberately tempting Qi and the others with things and then not giving them?] [Are some people addicted to freeloading? Not to mention that Lili personally made these, just the ingredients alone she had found early in the morning, and Jiang Yan even spent 500 yuan, why should they cheaply benefit others so casually?] [Exactly, reject moral hijacking, starting with me!] Shu Yan bit her lip, ¡°Then tell me, what¡¯s the condition?¡± It was clear she was craving that bowl of mushroom soup. Since yesterday until now, all she had was an airplane meal, and though she later ate a bit at a fellow villager¡¯s house, that saltless white steamed bun really didn¡¯t satisfy her taste buds. Plus, having been messed with by the production team early in the morning, she was so hungry she could almost see her granny. To heck with high protein or not, filling the stomach was the real deal! Jiang Li bent down and took out a small box from the basket. ¡°It¡¯s simple, spend 0.1 point to draw a lot here. There are Five Times Cards, Ten Times Cards, and Free Cards, etc., depending on your luck.¡± Shu Yan understood, meaning whatever card she drew, she would need to spend that card¡¯s points to get the mushroom soup. Only 0.1 threshold, isn¡¯t that way better than the greedy director next door?! She went for it! Shu Yan reached out to draw. Suddenly, Wen Jiaojiao coldly huffed, ¡°You really dare to eat Jiang Li¡¯s food? Leaving aside whether what she¡¯s made is good or not, just taking these mushrooms as an example¡ªwho knows if they¡¯re poisoned or not.¡± Chapter 77 - Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Why are you sabotaging me again? Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Why are you sabotaging me again? Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s reminder calmed Shu Yan down. Indeed, the wild mushrooms on the Southwest Plateau were complex in variety, and even the locals couldn¡¯t be 100 percent sure which were poisonous and which weren¡¯t. It would be even less likely for Jiang Li, a girl who grew up in the Capital, to be able to distinguish them clearly. This village was so isolated that if someone really got mushroom poisoning, the consequences could be very serious. Thinking this, Shu Yan¡¯s hand withdrew slightly, ¡°Maybe we shouldn¡¯t¡­¡± But Jiang Li said, ¡°I can guarantee with 100 percent certainty that these mushrooms are not poisonous. Jiang Yan and I ate them this morning, and if they were poisonous, we wouldn¡¯t be standing here fine in front of you now.¡± ¡°Additionally¡­¡± Jiang Li bent down and opened another basket, ¡°Fresh mung bean soup is also available for free. Director Sun¡¯s iced water is good, but drinking cold things immediately after labor can easily cause stomach cramps. You all haven¡¯t eaten since morning, so the likelihood of stomach cramps is even higher.¡± Hearing this, Qi Tianyu, who had already opened his water bottle, silently screwed the cap back on. Director Sun couldn¡¯t sit still any longer. Although he had also been scared after hearing Jiang Li¡¯s words, her actions were making it difficult for their program to continue. He was selling a bottle of water for 0.5, and she was selling a bowl of Mushroom Soup and mung bean soup for only 0.1! Wasn¡¯t that deliberately messing up the market?! ¡°Jiang Li,¡± Director Sun said with his fist to his lips, coughing twice, ¡°didn¡¯t we agree before, just this once, no exceptions? Why are you wrecking my stand again?¡± [LOL, I¡¯m dying, Director Sun sounds so helpless and humble.] [Director Sun, just talk without always peeping into the basket. Admit it, do you want to drink the Mushroom Soup too?!] [After this whole thing with Jiang Li, I want to eat mushrooms too, but I¡¯m in the Capital and there¡¯s no fresh game here, wuwuwu.] Before Jiang Li could respond, Shu Yan, standing with her hands on her hips, chimed in. ¡°Director, aren¡¯t you being a bit unreasonable? Jiang Li is clearly just trying to offer us some comfort out of pity, and not only did you have the nerve to prepare iced water for us, but you¡¯re also stopping her from selling something tasty. Even a cold-hearted merchant isn¡¯t as heartless as you, right?¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Qi paced in agreement, ¡°this is based on the voluntary principle of both parties. Besides, the program didn¡¯t stipulate that guests can¡¯t sell food, right?¡± He had been craving the chicken soup-flavored mushrooms since morning, and now that such a delicacy was in front of him for such a small price, how could he just watch it slip away? Director Sun, caught between complaints, admitted defeat quickly and walked off huffily, pushing his little trolley. As he left, he muttered: ¡°Next time, I will definitely make an official rule!¡± Shu Yan quickly nudged Jiang Li, ¡°Hurry, hurry, hurry, I want to draw the lottery. I¡¯m starving.¡± Jiang Li handed her the small box. Shu Yan was lucky, pulling a zero-times card, which meant she only had to spend 0.1 to get a bowl of Mushroom Soup and mung bean soup. She immediately jumped up, grabbed Jiang Li and gave her a big kiss. ¡°Ahhh, Jiang Li, I love you to death.¡± After speaking, Shu Yan immediately took her prize and went under a tree. With a sip of the Mushroom Soup, her stomach warmed up instantly, and even the fatigue on her body seemed to have dissipated a bit. [Ahhh, Shu Yan kissed Jiang Li, ahhh, I¡¯m shipping them now, fam.] [Help, this CP is so weird, I¡¯d rather ship Jiang Li and He Yun.] [Shu Yan¡¯s personality seems pretty good. Though she sticks to guys, she¡¯s not competitive at all and is quite easy-going.] [Wuwuwu, finally someone sees the goodness in my Yanyan, an old fan is moved to tears, thank you, Jiang Li, wuwuwu.] Seeing this, Qi Tianyu swallowed hard and stepped forward. ¡°That¡­ um¡­¡± He still felt guilty about the incident the other day and had no idea how to start talking to Jiang Li. But who knew that the next second, the lottery box would be handed over to him. ¡°Go ahead, draw.¡± Qi Tianyu looked up at her in surprise. Under the sunlight, the girl¡¯s face remained implausibly soft and beautiful, especially her eyes, which sparkled with a dazzling, gentle wave, yet also contained a sincere light, transmitting an inexplicable power. It made his heart tremble. At the same time, he felt even more remorseful about his petty behavior earlier. Qi Tianyu reached into the lottery box while privately pondering. Although he had only been with Jiang Li for less than two days, during this time, she had exhibited all the qualities of a cultured and refined young lady from a well-to-do family. He could hardly find a single fault in her. Could it be that the incident online was really just a misunderstanding of her? Pushing aside the thoughts in his mind, Qi Tianyu unfolded his palm. He had drawn a Five Times Card, but even then it only cost him 0.5 points. He repeatedly thanked everyone, and when he received the steaming bowl of Mushroom Soup, he almost cried tears of joy. Mom. Dad. He had finally gotten to eat something normal! When the soup reached his throat, Qi Tianyu¡¯s expression became utterly uncontrollable, his eyes bulging as if he had encountered some rare delicacy of the human world. The audience in the live stream was almost dying of laughter. [I¡¯m dying, you guys see how Qi and Shu Yan are drinking their soup, doesn¡¯t it look like¡­¡­] [Hahahahaha, I¡¯ve pictured it in my mind, their priceless expressions.] [Is the soup Jiang Li made really that delicious? It¡¯s making me want some too.] Qi Tianyu and Shu Yan, in the end, didn¡¯t care whether they were on camera or not; they simply sat down on the field ridge and tucked into the soup bowls wholeheartedly. Leaning against the tree trunk, Wen Jiaojiao didn¡¯t bother to hide her disgusted expression, ¡°It¡¯s just one night of Mushroom Soup and mung bean soup, is it worth it?¡± When she gets back to the Capital, she would definitely have the housekeeper make her wild game dishes for an entire month! Thinking this, she angrily took a bite of the bread in her hand, and the next second, she spat it out again. ¡°What kind of bread is this, it¡¯s so disgusting!¡± Jiang Li turned around, lifting the lottery box in her hand. ¡°Would you like to try something else?¡± [Ahhhhh, Li Bao, don¡¯t invite the hateful Princess Wen!] [Lili, how can you be so kind, have you forgotten how Princess Wen treated you?] [I¡¯m dying, can¡¯t you guys see that Jiang Li is setting up her persona? She¡¯s notoriously on bad terms with Wen Jiaojiao; how could she suddenly change her attitude towards her? Use your brains, will you?] [Wait a minute, folks, with Jiang Li¡¯s attitude¡­ could it be that Wen Jiaojiao is her King?!] [Very possible! The truth has been spoken by the person above!] Wen Jiaojiao turned her head away with displeasure. ¡°Who wants your food, I¡¯ve got bread, and that¡¯s enough for me.¡± However, the next second, her stomach growled. Meanwhile, the aroma from the bowls of Qi Tianyu and Shu Yan continued to waft towards her, seemingly seeing through her feigned fortitude, which caused Shu Yan to let out a long sigh. ¡°Ah, how could there be something so delicious in this world.¡± Wen Jiaojiao stomped her foot in frustration, grabbed her hat, and walked out into the fields. She couldn¡¯t afford it, but could she not at least avoid it?! She would never touch anything of Jiang Li¡¯s for the rest of her life! Chapter 85 - Chapter 85: Chapter 85 They must have been bought off by Jiang Li! Chapter 85: Chapter 85 They must have been bought off by Jiang Li! Facing everyone¡¯s skepticism and curiosity, Jiang Li explained fluently: ¡°These tomatoes and eggs were given to me by an auntie from Chixia Village. The tomatoes are grown by them, and the eggs are also from their free-range chickens. I thought, since I¡¯m here, I naturally wanted to try the local farmhouse flavors.¡± ¡°More importantly,¡± Jiang Li looked toward Director Sun and smiled, ¡°I guessed that Director Sun would have the villagers serve as judges, so I chose dishes that are simple but don¡¯t lack in color, aroma, and taste.¡± Director Sun was startled. The people around were startled too. Could this even be guessed? Could Jiang Li really be some kind of reincarnated immortal? Wen Jiaojiao couldn¡¯t help but sneer dismissively, ¡°How manipulative, even thinking of this.¡± Then, Jiang Li¡¯s gaze shifted over. Her calm yet forceful voice also carried over. ¡°Ms. Wen says I¡¯m manipulative, and I don¡¯t want to rebut that because in a sense, it¡¯s also a compliment. But this isn¡¯t scheming; it¡¯s just a tactic to win the competition. Doesn¡¯t Ms. Wen have any?¡± ¡°You!¡± Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment. [Hahaha, I¡¯m dying of laughter. Is Jiang Li implying that Princess Wen doesn¡¯t have a brain?] [Poor Princess Wen, trying to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice instead.] [It¡¯s still our Sister Li, teaching me another dual-nature technique in speech.] [It¡¯s obviously Jiang Li in the wrong, don¡¯t you think? Deliberately preparing these farmhouse dishes, if that¡¯s not manipulative, what is? And you all keep saying every day she¡¯s innocent and cute? Seriously, I can¡¯t stand people with such deep schemes. I wish you all meet these kinds of people in life.] [Some people are up to their usual poor attempts at slandering again. When did we ever say Sister Li was innocent and cute? She¡¯s clearly always been like this, just look at how she dealt with Jiang Yan, and you¡¯ll see. Sister Li is no fragile flower, she¡¯s smart!] [Exactly, plus all the other guests had their ingredients set from early on. Only Sister Li received ingredients gifted by the villagers. She can cook whatever she wants, who are you to judge?] [Let me add something, I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything wrong with what Jiang Li did. After all, she taught our Qi how to cook with her own hands. If not for her, this kid would be having Northwest winds for lunch.] [+1, if it wasn¡¯t for Jiang Li, my older brother¡¯s fish would have ended up feeding Jiang Yan¡¯s chickens.] Despite many in the live broadcast siding with Wen Jiaojiao against Jiang Li, They were quickly drowned out by the voices of the villagers and fans of other guests. Even passersby couldn¡¯t help but become curious. Wasn¡¯t that Jiang Li the one mired in negative press, the least welcomed? How come after just a few days, even other people¡¯s fans are speaking up for her? Upon hearing Jiang Li¡¯s sincere and simple explanation, the villagers in the judging panel nodded their heads in satisfaction. What¡¯s wrong with tomato and egg stir-fry? Their own tomatoes, their own eggs, don¡¯t even mention how delicious those are? Moreover, they had heard that this pretty girl had saved the village chief¡¯s child and even read fortunes for the son of the Li Family at the entrance of the village¡ª and in the end, she only accepted a basket of vegetables. How could they not support a girl so beautiful and kind-hearted? Even if her cooking were not tasty, they would still give her their support. But what took the villagers by surprise was that when they took a bite of the egg, the taste turned out to be incredibly delicious. The doneness was just right, retaining the freshness of free-range eggs without being too tender and gamey. The saltiness was also controlled perfectly, with even a hint of a sweet aftertaste. And the tomatoes? They were sour-sweet. This fresh and vibrant flavor blended perfectly. No one had expected that such an ordinary dish of tomato and egg stir-fry could be made so delicious. Not to mention that it was cooked by a big star from the city. In their astonishment, several villagers gave Jiang Li the highest score, 9 points! Upon hearing this result, everyone was both surprised and pleased. After all, if Jiang Li, who had been teaching them to cook, ended up with a low score, they would have felt sorry for her. But Wen Jiaojiao didn¡¯t see it that way. She couldn¡¯t understand it, even if Jiang Li¡¯s tomato and scrambled eggs were really tasty, how could they be so much better than the dishes the others made? ¡°Director, there must be something fishy going on here,¡± Wen Jiaojiao said indignantly. ¡°They must have been bought off by Jiang Li. Look, she¡¯s the only one among us who received vegetables from the villagers. Why give them only to her and not to the rest of us?¡± ¡°This¡­.¡± Director Sun, who wasn¡¯t in the know, couldn¡¯t come up with an explanation. ¡°I can only guarantee that our judges are fair and impartial. Before we came here, I specifically told them that they have to be truthful and not fake anything. Everything was filmed so it can be verified.¡± [I¡¯m dying of laughter, Director Sun¡¯s will to survive is so strong.] [Princess Wen is being a bit unreasonable, isn¡¯t she? It¡¯s obvious that Jiang Li¡¯s cooking is more delicious.] [Actually, I still find it hard to believe that a dish of tomato and scrambled eggs can taste that good? Maybe it¡¯s because Jiang Li herself is quite likeable.] Jiang Li didn¡¯t say anything, she just pushed the tomato and scrambled eggs towards Wen Jiaojiao. ¡°Try it.¡± Wen Jiaojiao turned her head away, ¡°Who wants to eat what you¡¯ve made.¡± ¡°If you won¡¯t eat it, then you¡¯re just making trouble for no reason.¡± ¡°You¡­.¡± With no other choice, Wen Jiaojiao reluctantly picked up a pair of clean chopsticks, took a piece of egg and started to eat it. After chewing a few times, she was stunned. These eggs¡­ were actually this delicious? Even better than the eggs made by the highly-paid cook at her house. Could Jiang Li¡¯s cooking skills truly be so impressive? She looked incredulously at Jiang Li, then back at the bowl of tomato and scrambled eggs. It had to be said, just this piece of egg alone completely tantalized her taste buds. She hadn¡¯t eaten any decent meal all day, except for this piece of egg. But the next second, the plate of tomato and scrambled eggs was taken away by Jiang Li. ¡°So, do you believe now that I didn¡¯t cheat?¡± Wen Jiaojiao bit her lip, turned away her head, and tried hard not to let the camera capture her contorted expression. Even so¡­ she wasn¡¯t about to apologize to her! Who told her to never let her off the hook before, making her embarrass herself again and again! Seeing the misunderstanding resolved and to prevent things from escalating, Director Sun quickly clapped his hands. ¡°Alright, now that the results are in, let¡¯s call an end to this culinary competition!¡± ¡°These scores given by the villagers will count as a good score towards your overall score. How about it, isn¡¯t this reward satisfying?¡± Everyone cheered instantly. After all, the scores given by the villagers weren¡¯t low, so their hard work all afternoon wasn¡¯t for nothing. But Jiang Yan wasn¡¯t in such a good mood. Hearing Director Sun¡¯s words, he muttered in frustration, ¡°Damn, if I knew the score was calculated like this, I would have slaughtered that chicken no matter what.¡± Barrage: It¡¯s just catching a chicken, is it worth going all out? Chicken: cluck cluck? Chapter 79 - Chapter 79: Chapter 79 Finally, Im not the last one anymore! Chapter 79: Chapter 79 Finally, I¡¯m not the last one anymore! Jiang Li leisurely said, ¡°I bought this weeding machine, and according to the Hua Country¡¯s Commodity Trading Law, I have the final right to interpret its use, whether I choose to sell it or rent it out, you have no right to interfere.¡± ¡°Damn it!¡± Jiang Yan jumped up. He, himself, had just finished weeding a piece of land, and to top it off, it was Jiang Li¡¯s land, and he still had over half of his own plot left to do. With the weeding machine taken away, what was he supposed to use?! Director Sun, watching from the monitor, also spit out a mouthful of tea. Jiang Li was now even renting out equipment belonging to the show. How could this be allowed?! At this rate, wouldn¡¯t it mess up his scoring system entirely? ¡°Quick, quick, quick.¡± Director Sun hurriedly stood up from his chair, ¡°Bring the blackboard over, I need to make a rule right now!¡± A young assistant quickly brought over the chalk and blackboard. Director Sun furiously engraved several lines deep enough to be seen through the back of the paper¡ª ¡°Guests are not allowed to conduct private point transactions, otherwise both parties will face a -5 points penalty!¡± Feeling it wasn¡¯t enough, he erased ¡°-5¡± and changed it to ¡°-10¡å. After thinking, he felt it still wasn¡¯t sufficient, and Director Sun added a sentence at the end¡ª¡±All final interpretative rights of items belong to the production team!¡± ¨C On the other hand, Jiang Li completely ignored Jiang Yan¡¯s tantrum and directly handed over the weeding machine to Qi Tianyu. Fearing that delaying might complicate things, Qi Tianyu immediately pushed the weeding machine into the field. [HAHAHAHAHA I¡¯m dying of laughter, Qi totally looks like a peasant who stole surplus grain from a landlord.] [Looking at Qi¡¯s poor demeanour, even I, as a die-hard fan, feel embarrassed.] [Is this what it looks like to be sold off and still happily help the trafficker count the money? How can you not say that Jiang Li made a fortune with this move? Renting to Jiang Yan and then to others.] Despite the doubts about Jiang Li in the comments, more people admired him. And they also learned a brutally simple lesson, that in any group, whoever first resorts to violent means for initial accumulation will definitely be the capitalist standing at the peak! Indeed, she was the heiress to the Jiang Group, which had made a fortune overnight! Not far away, Wen Jiaojiao, watching this scene, nearly cracked her beautiful porcelain veneers. Had she known, she would have heartlessly bought a weeding machine too. Then she wouldn¡¯t have to work herself to death like now, not to mention being sunburnt beyond belief and having her hands chafed raw. The more Wen Jiaojiao thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt, struggling with whether to lower herself to rent a weeding machine from Jiang Li for an hour when Director Sun majestically approached with a crowd. And in his arms, he held the blackboard filled with resounding regulations. ¡°Everyone, pay attention please, from now on, no private transactions are allowed, with violators having ten points deducted!¡± Upon hearing this, Shu Yan breathed a sigh of relief and patted her chest. ¡°Good thing I¡¯ve already rented it.¡± However, Wen Jiaojiao was not so lucky. Director Sun¡¯s new regulation undoubtedly struck her like a bolt from the blue. Just thinking that she had to continue weeding all day under the harsh sun in this dusty field made her utterly despondent. But the camera was still here, and she absolutely couldn¡¯t afford to do something so humiliating. Reluctantly, she walked towards Qi Tianyu who was still happily working with the weeding machine. With the weeding machine, he seemed much happier, completely abandoning his original intent of not needing to suffer here. ¡°Um¡­¡± Wen Jiaojiao bit her lip, ¡°Could you, could you lend me the weeding machine for a while?¡± She was clearly asking for help, yet her attitude remained arrogantly unbearable, as if Qi Tianyu granting her the weed cutter was an honor for him. Qi Tianyu¡¯s original intention was to refuse. Perhaps because he saw that Wen Jiaojiao was indeed a girl, Qi Tianyu thought for a moment and said, ¡°How about you give me one point, and I¡¯ll share half an hour of my time with you.¡± [I just died laughing hahaha, I was just worried this kid might get taken advantage of.] [Qi must have learned that from Jiang Li.] [Didn¡¯t they say private transactions weren¡¯t allowed? These two are really daring.] [No worries, Director Sun is currently keeping both eyes on Jiang Li, he has no time to bother with these two.] Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s expression twisted for a moment. But seeing that Qi Tianyu wasn¡¯t joking, she could only grit her teeth and agree. ¡°One point is one point.¡± It was better than exhausting herself under the scorching sun. With Jiang Li¡¯s weed cutter available, the six experimental fields were quickly cleared of weeds. When Director Sun arrived to inspect the results, everyone was utterly exhausted. Only Jiang Li stood under the shade of a tree, looking unscathed and spirited. Director Sun led them around the edges of the field. Despite the land looking rough and uneven, it was still passable. ¡°Well¡­I¡¯ve looked around, and only Jiang Li¡¯s experimental field is somewhat decently weeded¡­¡± Jiang Yan angrily added, ¡°Of course it¡¯s decent, I was the first to clear the weeds from her field.¡± Having run the weed cutter over it from end to end, how could it not look decent? As for his own plot, the first half was done with the machine and the latter half with a hoe, one half smooth and even, the other rugged and uneven, making the contrast all the more stark. Director Sun continued, ¡°But I made it clear beforehand, whoever finishes the task first gets the higher score, so these five points must go to Jiang Li.¡± ¡°Damn!¡± Jiang Yan cursed, unwilling to accept this. Apart from him and Wen Jiaojiao, no one else objected. After all, if it weren¡¯t for Jiang Li¡¯s weed cutter, they¡¯d still be swinging hoes in the field. Even without getting points, they were satisfied. The scores were updated, and this time, Qi Tianyu topped the leaderboard with 22.5 points. The once sullen-faced Jiang Yan brightened up instantly when he saw his own score. ¡°I¡¯m finally not last hahaha, excellent, Wen Jiaojiao, you¡¯re now beneath my feet.¡± Wen Jiaojiao was infuriated. She had worked hard all morning for nothing, and now Jiang Yan, that infuriating person, had even overtaken her. How could she not be angry? [Hahahahaha, I¡¯m dying from laughter, Wen Princess looks like she¡¯s about to explode any second.] [Jiang Yan is too annoying, Jiaojiao is still a girl, how can he treat her like this.] [So what if she¡¯s a girl? Sister Li is still his sister, and he still teases her. We¡¯re not upset, why are you guys getting anxious?] [You guys probably don¡¯t know, but in our young master¡¯s eyes, everyone is equal. Even the God will be stepped under his feet if he appears.] [Hahaha, the comment above is gold, but for some reason, I really like our young master¡¯s arrogance, it¡¯s so charismatic and fearless.] [Right, right, right, I agree! And our young master is seriously handsome, he really does have the chops to be arrogant, I love him even more!] After two days, the viewers in the live streaming room had become accustomed to Jiang Yan¡¯s style, and some were even addicted to his pompous acts. Many had even spontaneously formed a fan group for Jiang Yan, promoting this dangerous yet charming man across various platforms. Chapter 80 - Chapter 80: Chapter 80 Princess Wen, Your Lunch is Escaping! Chapter 80: Chapter 80 Princess Wen, Your Lunch is Escaping! Jiang Yan and Wen Jiaojiao, one so smug he was almost ascending to the heavens, the other¡¯s morale so low it was as if a storm had just passed through. And this was exactly the scene Director Sun wanted to see. This show was being broadcast live, so they couldn¡¯t use a script in advance to create conflict. Thus, they could only plan some tasks to provoke conflicts among the guests, making the variety show worth watching. But the others didn¡¯t want to worry that much. As the sun climbed higher, Qi Tianyu, pale-faced, raised his hand. ¡°Director, how are we solving lunch? It¡¯s not going to be bread again, is it?¡± As soon as these words fell, everyone quieted down. Clearly, eating had become their most pressing issue. After all, since leaving the Capital till now, they hadn¡¯t had a proper meal. Director Sun chuckled, ¡°You¡¯ve all worked hard half the day. Our show crew isn¡¯t that cruel; of course, there¡¯s lunch.¡± Qi Tianyu cheered. Director Sun then gestured to a worker on the side, and the next second, a trolley was pushed over. ¡°Of course, there¡¯s no such thing as a free lunch. What you eat for lunch depends on your scores.¡± The group let out a collective sigh of defeat. Shu Yan complained in a coquettish voice, ¡°Director, isn¡¯t your crew too heartless? Everything has to be bought, and the prices are set so high, we¡¯ve only earned a few points after working hard all morning.¡± ¡°We set prices with a conscience, don¡¯t worry, it will definitely satisfy you.¡± Saying this, he moved over to the cart and lifted the red cloth covering it. ¡°Please have a look, Set Meal #1, Potato Chicken Rice, 1 point.¡± Everyone¡¯s eyes lit up. The price was indeed not expensive. [Wow, has the crew had a change of heart? Such a large serving of Potato Chicken Rice for only 1 point.] [Why do I smell a hint of conspiracy? You see how sleazy Director Sun¡¯s smile is.] [I¡¯m starting to feel sorry for the guests. They work themselves to death farming, only to be schemed against by the crew.] Then, Director Sun lifted the lid of a second pot. ¡°Set Meal #2, Curry Beef Rice, 1.5 points.¡± A murmur of awe erupted from the crowd. Qi Tianyu had already swallowed several times in anticipation. Along with Wen Jiaojiao, who wasn¡¯t so angry anymore, started to consider which dish she was going to exchange her points for. When Director Sun revealed the Seafood Deluxe Set Meal #5, several people started cheering. Qi Tianyu exclaimed, ¡°Damn, the Seafood Deluxe for just 3 points?! The show crew is too generous this time, aren¡¯t they?¡± Shu Yan added, ¡°But these seem to have a lot of calories. Director Sun, can¡¯t you prepare some low-calorie, fat-reducing meals?¡± Wen Jiaojiao snorted, ¡°Hmph, as if you guys can compete with me for the feast.¡± And Jiang Yan also scoffed, ¡°Don¡¯t forget you only have 8 points now. After you exchange for the Seafood Deluxe, you might be left catching the Northwest wind.¡± Wen Jiaojiao glared at him fiercely, ¡°Mind your own business.¡± [Help, fam, why do I feel this pair also has some good chemistry?] [CP can be niche but not wicked.] [Why is it wicked? Bratty rich young master vs. arrogant princess with Princess Disease, I¡¯m totally for it, fam.] [Hahaha I¡¯m dying, you guys ¡®ship¡¯ anything. The young master and the princess would faint from anger if they saw this.] ¡°Seems like everyone¡¯s in high spirits,¡± Director Sun continued with a smile, ¡°Let me announce the exchange rules then.¡± ¡°Following the rule of helping the disadvantaged, so, the one with the lowest score from this morning gets to choose their desired meal first. Each set meal is only available once, and once exchanged, it¡¯s gone.¡± Now it was Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s turn to cheer jubilantly. ¡°I told you the Seafood Deluxe is mine. Just watch me enjoy the feast!¡± Wen Jiaojiao strutted forward with her chin held high. Qi Tianyu sighed repeatedly, ¡°My seafood tycoon.¡± Shu Yan lamented, ¡°Ah, this is the lowest-calorie set meal, I really envy Jiaojiao.¡± Jiang Yan complained indignantly, poking Jiang Li, ¡°I want to eat too, you can even pick mushrooms, can¡¯t you catch a bucket of seafood for me?¡± As expected, he received Jiang Li¡¯s cold indifference. The second to go exchange was Shu Yan, and after some thought, she chose a portion of Zhajiang noodles. Qi Tianyu got himself a curry beef rice. Jiang Yan also exchanged for something he thought was not too bad. Only two set meals were left. He Yun glanced at them before looking towards Jiang Li. ¡°Which one do you want?¡± The live broadcast room erupted in shrieks. [Ah ah ah ah ah, I¡¯m shipping them so hard, he¡¯s asking Jiang Li which one she wants!] [Please, Mr. He is just being a gentleman. Because he¡¯s right behind her, he asked. If it were any other two guests, he would ask them too.] Jiang Li shook her head, ¡°It¡¯s okay, you choose first. I¡¯m fine with either.¡± She always felt that things were not that simple. Better to wait and see. When she looked up at Director Sun¡¯s face and did a little mental calculation, she was even more certain of it. Looking at the five people beside her, as happy as children, Jiang Li decided to keep the truth to herself. ¡°Now that everyone has made their choices, let¡¯s have the staff bring the stuff up.¡± ¡°Yes, yes,¡± everyone chorused. Only Qi Tianyu showed a trace of suspicion, ¡°Weird, why did the director say ¡®stuff¡¯?¡± Wen Jiaojiao was first in line, hurrying forward. ¡°Quick, quick, my seafood tycoon.¡± She planned to eat every single abalone in front of these people, especially that Jiang Li! However, the next second, Director Sun handed her a red plastic bucket. It was full of seafood. More importantly, it was all alive and kicking! There was even an eel already climbing up the side of the bucket. Wen Jiaojiao, who could not stand such slimy, live creatures, screamed and flung the bucket out of her hands. A bucket full of seafood spilled out onto the floor. Seeing the belt fish flapping on the ground and the crabs scurrying about, the rest were dumbfounded. ¡°Director, didn¡¯t you say it was a seafood tycoon?¡± Qi Tianyu asked with his mouth wide open. Director Sun narrowed his eyes, ¡°Isn¡¯t this a seafood tycoon? There¡¯s abalone, eels, crabs, isn¡¯t that tycoon enough?¡± ¡°Hang on.¡± Shu Yan swallowed hard, her face stiffening for a moment, ¡°You don¡¯t expect us to handle and cook it ourselves, do you?¡± Director Sun gave her a look that said, ¡°What else?¡± ¡°I never said these set meals were ready to eat.¡± [Hahahaha, I can¡¯t stop laughing, guys, it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen all their faces turn green at once.] [I knew the crew had set a trap!] [Ah ah ah, the crab is crawling off, Princess Wen, your lunch is escaping!] [Hahahahahaha, this isn¡¯t a transformation reality show, it¡¯s a prank reality show!] [I can¡¯t even, I just spit out my lunch from laughing, Princess Wen¡¯s face turned white when she saw the eel, how is she going to handle it?] [Jiang Li seems pretty calm, could she have guessed the crew¡¯s trick from the start?] Chapter 81 - Chapter 81: Chapter 81 "Chicken Fleeing and Crabs Escaping" cp Chapter 81: Chapter 81 ¡°Chicken Fleeing and Crabs Escaping¡± cp Qi Tianyu, who chose curry beef rice, received a piece of curry and a slice of beef delivered by the crew. Shu Yan was relatively lucky, she got a bundle of noodles and a bag of Korean fried sauce, both ingredients being easy to handle. But when it came to Jiang Yan, things started developing in another direction. He chose potato chicken rice and received a potato from the staff, and¡­ a live chicken. Seeing the hen constantly clucking ¡°cluck-cluck¡± in his hands, Jiang Yan¡¯s face soured to the extreme. [¡°Hahahaha, holy shit, my eyes! Is that a real chicken in Jiang Yan¡¯s hands?¡±] [¡°The scene is too beautiful; I can¡¯t watch it anymore.¡±] [¡°The show crew is really nasty, giving Jiang Yan a real chicken. I can¡¯t take it.¡±] The chicken fluttered so fiercely that Jiang Yan didn¡¯t catch it properly, and the fat chicken flapped its wings and flew away. Director Sun kindly reminded, ¡°Jiang Yan, if you let it escape, you¡¯ll have no meat for lunch.¡± ¡°Shit!¡± Left with no choice, Jiang Yan could only curse and then began a fierce chase after the chicken. Over on the side, Wen Jiaojiao also started to grimly collect the crabs crawling all over the ground. The two were more disheveled than when they were hoisting hoes in the field just moments ago. Seeing this, Qi Tianyu and Shu Yan swallowed back their complaints. He patted his chest, relieved, ¡°Thank goodness the crew couldn¡¯t afford a cow.¡± Director Sun: ¡°¡­¡­¡± The commotion stirred up by the production team successfully made the live broadcast hit trending searches again. Many people came upon hearing the news. Some even watched these guests¡¯ embarrassing moments while having their lunch. The laughter roared through the live room, with the total number of online viewers even breaking three hundred thousand. The screenshots of Jiang Yan catching the chicken and Wen Jiaojiao catching the crabs were also posted online, and they successfully earned the nickname ¡°Chicken-escape-crab-scuttle¡± duo. The five stared at the ingredients they ended up with, their wide eyes meeting baffled gazes. Director Sun then turned his attention to Jiang Li, who was standing nearby with empty hands. ¡°Right, I¡¯ll have the staff bring your ingredients in a bit.¡± ¡°No need,¡± Jiang Li responded, ¡°When did I say I wanted to exchange for food?¡± Director Sun¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°You¡­..¡± Jiang Li looked at him, ¡°Besides, you guys didn¡¯t say we had to exchange food from the start, right?¡± Director Sun¡¯s mouth opened and closed, ¡°I¡­..¡± [¡°Hahahahaha, Sister Li really was cautious.¡±] [¡°I was wondering why she was quiet just now. She must¡¯ve figured out the show crew¡¯s scheme early on.¡±] [¡°Why didn¡¯t Jiang Li say anything earlier if she discovered this before?¡±] [¡°Here comes the moralist. Why don¡¯t you go and cook for them then?¡±] The others were dumbfounded. Right. The director never said they absolutely had to exchange. So why did they still exchange points for these troublesome ingredients?! Wen Jiaojiao was even more devastated. Although she couldn¡¯t cook at all, at least beef noodles could be boiled and eaten. How was she supposed to handle a whole bucket of seafood?! And she had spent three points! Seeing that Jiang Li wasn¡¯t falling for it, Director Sun was also out of strategies. ¡°Alright then, if you don¡¯t want to exchange, you don¡¯t have to, our show completely adheres to the principle of voluntary participation, we won¡¯t force you.¡± Although he spoke politely, Director Sun clenched his teeth so hard they made a creaking sound. At the end, he added a sentence, ¡°You must cook for yourselves, and helping hands are not allowed. If I find out, you¡¯ll still lose 10 points!¡± ¡°Three o¡¯clock this afternoon, we¡¯ll meet here again, so you only have three hours left for lunch and a nap.¡± Several people groaned again. The live audience couldn¡¯t help but feel sorry for them. The summer on the Southwest Plateau is no joke; the sun at three o¡¯clock is still scorching. These people had just left the gentleness of the Capital and had to endure this hardship. It really wasn¡¯t easy. Jiang Yan, holding a hen, trudged over to Jiang Li. His white sleeves were scratched up by the chicken claws, and his sunglasses had been lost while hoeing, leaving him in a sorry state. But even so, he still lifted his chin towards Jiang Li. ¡°You don¡¯t want to exchange ingredients with the production team, could it be you¡¯re waiting to share mine? Let me tell you, no way!¡± Jiang Li glanced at him indifferently, then emotionlessly brushed off his shoulder and walked away. [Hahahaha, Jiang Yan got snubbed again!] [Understood, the best way to deal with someone like Jiang Yan is to ignore them entirely.] Jiang Yan was a bit annoyed and stepped forward while holding the chicken. ¡°I¡¯m talking to you, why are you like this?¡± Jiang Li frowned in disgust and stepped back a big step from him. ¡°Don¡¯t come near me, you stink.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­.¡± He was sure he smelled good! However, after a sniff around, he realized that the ¡°stink¡± was coming from the old hen in his arms. So, holding it was not an option, nor was throwing it away. He could only pinch his nose and carry the chicken away. His awkward posture and figure drew quite a crowd of onlookers. On the other side, He Yun stared at the fish in his hands in a daze. Like the others, he knew nothing about cooking. Well, not everyone, there was one among them who did. He Yun looked towards Jiang Li, who was walking in the front, then glanced at the nearby camera, his lips pursed. Coincidentally, Jiang Li looked back, their eyes meeting just as He Yun had hesitations in his gaze. He Yun felt nervous. She was so smart; she must know what he wanted to do now, right? But unexpectedly, the girl only glanced at him lightly before immediately averting her gaze. Seeing that they were approaching a fork in the road and would be going in different directions, He Yun finally became anxious. After hesitating again and again, he finally stepped forward and stopped Jiang Li. ¡°What is it, Mr. He?¡± Jiang Li tilted her head to look at him, her eyes brimming with an ambiguous smile. He Yun opened his lips, finding it somewhat hard to say, ¡°Well¡­ I¡¯m not very good at cooking, and I definitely can¡¯t kill a fish¡­¡± Jiang Li glanced at the grass carp he was holding. ¡°So you want me to teach you, right? Sure.¡± Seeing this interaction, the fans of the ¡®Disparate Couple¡¯ in the live broadcast began to scream again. [Ahhh, Disparate Couple is real! You see, it was Mr. He who took the initiative to talk to Jiang Li this time!] [Even a fool can see He Yun treats Jiang Li differently from others; he hardly ever talked to Shu Yan and Wen Jiaojiao since coming here, but he approached Jiang Li many times!] [It¡¯s only because Jiang Li is the only sane person on this show, they are just having a normal conversation. Please, could all you couple fans calm down? Our He Bao is still in the rising phase of his career; we don¡¯t want him tied down, okay?] [Yo, yo, yo, finally, you admit that our Sister Li is the only normal person in this show; not easy at all.] Upon hearing this, Wen Jiaojiao, who was already paying attention to this side, suddenly turned around. ¡°Ah, you two are making secret deals here? I¡¯m going to tell the director to deduct 10 points from you both right now!¡± Chapter 82 - Chapter 82: Chapter 82 Jiang Yan and the Chicken Go Viral! Chapter 82: Chapter 82 Jiang Yan and the Chicken Go Viral! Jiang Li gave her a fleeting glance. ¡°When did we ever make a private deal?¡± ¡°Just now!¡± Wen Jiaojiao defended herself with righteous indignation. ¡°I heard it myself, you said you would teach He Yun how to cook!¡± ¡°A deal is defined as a mutually beneficial exchange; I did not receive any benefits from He Yun, so how can it be a deal?¡± Jiang Li spoke calmly, ¡°Besides, Director Sun¡¯s original intention was to prevent us from privately trading points, and I did not ask for points from He Yun.¡± Wen Jiaojiao, rendered speechless, finally choked out a statement after a long pause. ¡°How could you possibly be so kind-hearted? You even made stuff to sell for points; how could you be willing to teach He Yun without compensation? You must be looking to secretly exchange for points when the cameras aren¡¯t rolling!¡± Jiang Li¡¯s gaze was indifferent. ¡°But I already have plenty of points. Why would I take the risk?¡± Wen Jiaojiao: ? [HAHAHAHAHA, is this the ultimate finishing move against Princess Disease? A combination of flaunting and sneering sarcasm.] [C¡¯mon, Sister Li has the right to be a flaunter, alright? I just calculated it, and she¡¯s now far ahead of everyone else in points.] [Jiang Li is really annoying. All Jiaojiao did was make a reasonable report, and she¡¯s so arrogant!] [A reasonable report, huh? I hope you meet someone like that in real life, who tattles at the drop of a hat.] Having no comeback, Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s face turned greener than the shells of crabs in a bucket. Seeing this, He Yun whispered a ¡°thank you¡± to Jiang Li. Jiang Li offered a shallow smile, her voice clear. ¡°Mr. He is too polite. I was merely defending my own rights.¡± ¡°Well, Miss Jiang can also drop the formalities of calling me Mr. He. Just call me He Yun.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Jiang Li nodded. [Is Mr. He thanking Jiang Li? He seems quite polite and amiable. Then why is there always news about him being a diva?] [I¡¯ve been wanting to say this! He Bao himself is really nice, it¡¯s just that he¡¯s a bit reticent. The divas are those around him, the staff members. One or two of them are so arrogant, I don¡¯t understand why He Bao keeps them around!] [I¡¯m about to cry. Finally, someone is willing to believe that our brother is innocent. Please pay more attention to his works; he truly is a very good and dedicated person.] Qi Tianyu, trailing at the back of the group, pricked his ears at the commotion. Looking at the curry and beef in his hands, he decisively approached as well. ¡°Sister Li, could you maybe also teach me? Even though the things I¡¯ve brought are easier to handle than Brother Yun¡¯s, I¡¯m a cooking novice who can only make instant noodles. I have no clue how to make curry beef rice.¡± Jiang Li agreed without hesitation. The barrage of messages showed disdain. [Qi, you really have no shame, calling her sister just like that!] [Qi Tianyu: Food is the paramount necessity of the people. Whoever cooks delicious food for me is who I¡¯ll call sister.] [Dying of laughter here. Jiang Li¡¯s status among the guests has risen to the highest just because she can cook.] [Don¡¯t you guys find it strange? How can Jiang Li, a wealthy young lady, cook? Look at Wen Jiaojiao next door, she can¡¯t even handle a crab.] [Hmmph, someone is probably a phony, right? Our Jiaojiao is the genuine rich and beautiful girl!] Seeing He Yun and Qi Tianyu, one after another, joining Jiang Li¡¯s group of followers, Shu Yan did not want to fall behind and joined in as well. She too only knew how to boil noodles, and making fried sauce noodles was a challenge for her. Since there was an opportunity to learn from a master. Why not embrace it? And so, aside from Wen Jiaojiao, the remaining five set off, each accompanied by a camera crew, marching grandly toward the small cabin at the edge of the village. Seeing this scene, Wen Jiaojiao felt even worse inside. ¡°Hmph, it¡¯s just cooking, right? This princess can do the same. A few shrimps and crabs are nothing. I¡¯ll go back and cook them all, make you drool with envy!¡± But when she actually saw the dark mass of seafood in the pool, Wen Jiaojiao still felt out of her depth. She had always despised soft-bodied creatures. Not to mention handling eels, she couldn¡¯t even glance at them without getting goosebumps. So she could only get a rubber glove, picking out the eel separately and placing it to one side. But¡­ the other items weren¡¯t that easy to handle either. She had eaten countless seafood dishes but had never dealt with such things before. Just as she caught a crab and was about to wash it, it immediately snapped at her hand. Wen Jiaojiao screamed, flinging the crab away. Commentary: [¡°Crab crab, forgive me, I¡¯m off to meet great grandma now.¡±] Despite Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s less-than-stellar culinary skills, the chaotic scene of her fumbling with the seafood managed to attract a large audience to watch. The commentary was filled with laughter. As a result, the popularity of the live stream peaked at an all-time high. While it was a smoky battlefield on one side, the other guests¡¯ live streams were much more harmonious and pleasant. Under Jiang Li¡¯s guidance, He Yun was seriously and attentively scraping fish scales. But when it came time to actually cut the fish, he ran into trouble. So, Jiang Li¡¯s knife flew swiftly, and after a flash of silver light, the grass carp was neatly split in half, its innards cleanly removed. He Yun: ? Did she¡­ just use the knife? Qi Tianyu¡¯s side was relatively easier; the beef was already processed, he just had to cut it into even chunks. Shu Yan¡¯s progress was mostly smooth too; following Jiang Li¡¯s instructions, she had boiled the noodles and was now getting ready to stir-fry the sauce. The only one encountering issues was Jiang Yan. After arriving at the cottage, perhaps sensing its impending doom, his chicken went into overdrive mode, darting and dashing madly around the yard. Where it passed, dust billowed, leaving a total mess. Jiang Yan had initially sat on the porch with his legs crossed, admiring the brave spirit of his chicken. Later, under Jiang Li¡¯s deadly gaze, he had no choice but to stand up and engage in an epic battle with the chicken. His handsome appearance contrasted starkly with his embarrassing antics, sending the live stream audience into fits of uncontrollable laughter. [¡°Fam, does this count as ¡®a chicken running amok¡¯? I¡¯m dying of laughter here. Jiang Yan, a tall man over one meter eighty, can¡¯t even catch a chicken.¡±] [¡°Hahahaha, the guests in the kitchen are rolling their eyes to the heavens.¡±] [¡°Help, is this not a comedy show? I¡¯ve been laughing from yesterday to now; my mom seriously suspects I¡¯m having a seizure.¡±] Before long, a bizarre hashtag appeared on the hot searches of Weibo¡ª#JiangYanAndChicken# Uninformed passersby thought it was some artist who got caught sleeping with someone they shouldn¡¯t. But clicking in, they discovered it was indeed a real chicken. [¡°Liars! Tricked me for my traffic!¡±] [¡°I thought some artist had a scandal again, but he¡¯s really out here catching chickens.¡±] [¡°How can it not be a scandal? After all, our young master has always had the persona of a noble, abstinent peacock, but now he¡¯s forced to consort with chickens [dog head]¡±] [¡°You¡¯re done for, sister upstairs. Wait until the young master gets his phone tonight, you¡¯ll be the first one he scolds.¡±] Director Sun didn¡¯t hold much hope for this segment. After all, a bunch of artists cooking didn¡¯t seem very appealing. Plus, it was now nap time, so the live stream¡¯s popularity was sure to drop to its lowest ebb. But to his surprise, the enthusiasm not only continued to soar but the topic also broke new records for discussion. Therefore, he immediately decided to add another task on the spot to gain even more topic points¡ª Chapter 83 - Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Can Actually Carve Flowers?! Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Can Actually Carve Flowers?! Cooking Competition Showdown! When they received the task, the three of them were already sharpening their knives in the kitchen cabin, ready to challenge Director Sun. He Yun had originally wanted to try making braised fish under Jiang Li¡¯s guidance, but as soon as he heard Director Sun¡¯s order, he decisively turned off the heat. Steaming seemed far less likely to end in disaster. Qi Tianyu had planned to cobble together a meal, especially since he¡¯d been tired from the morning and, if not for hygiene concerns, he would have eaten the beef raw. However, with this task, he could only cry as he cut the beef, which resembled bricks, into cubes. Then it was Shu Yan¡¯s turn¡­ A second before Director Sun delivered the task, her noodle dish had already been dished out, with no room for redemption. Though the taste wasn¡¯t bad. But compared to the other guests¡¯ high-grade ingredients, her plain-tasting noodles seemed very unremarkable. Shu Yan was crushed. ¡°Why is Director Sun doing this to us? Organizing tasks at noon, does he have a grudge against us? I¡¯m going to dump this bowl of noodles on his head!¡± The comments were shocked. Where was the Shu Yan who would modulate her voice to flatter Director Sun? ¡°66666 It really forced out our Sister Yan¡¯s true self.¡± ¡°I¡¯m dying of laughter, haha, Shu Yan is so cute. So, was her flirty demeanor all just an act?¡± ¡°Huh, just because her true nature is revealed, now you call her cute? She¡¯s like a tigress!¡± Jiang Li didn¡¯t say anything, her gaze then shifted to a pile of sweet potatoes in the corner of the kitchen. She picked up a suitable knife and walked over. The comments: ????? Why did she suddenly silently take a knife and head towards the door? She couldn¡¯t really be going to settle accounts with Director Sun, could she? As Jiang Li was facing away from the camera, it was unclear what she was doing. People assumed she was just venting her frustration. Now, the usually silent trolls began to make a commotion. They kept spamming about Jiang Li breaking down and her persona finally collapsing. Two minutes later, Jiang Li turned around, walked over to Shu Yan, and placed something on her plate. The camera zoomed in, and it turned out to be a lifelike peony flower. Everyone in the livestream was amazed. So was Shu Yan. ¡°My gosh, you can even carve? This peony is so realistic and beautiful!¡± Hearing this, He Yun and Qi Tianyu also came over. Qi Tianyu: ¡°What? Sister Li can carve too? Damn, that¡¯s awesome!¡± He Yun was also impressed, glanced at the sweet potato flower, then at Jiang Li, and genuinely praised, ¡°That¡¯s amazing.¡± ¡°Help, Qi, weren¡¯t you trying to maintain your suave gentleman image? Why are you swearing now?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t stop laughing, everyone¡¯s true nature is gradually revealing after being tired.¡± ¡°Jiang Li is really amazing, Princess Li, what other surprises do you have that we don¡¯t know about!¡± ¡°Lili is truly a gem, ugh, to think she carved a sweet potato flower just to help Shu Yan out, I¡¯m officially a fan now!¡± It was hard for Shu Yan not to be moved. Having been in the entertainment industry for so many years, she had seen all types of people. Those who were meticulously kind to your face but stabbed you in the back were all too common. Yet she had never met someone as pure, sincere, and genuine as Jiang Li. She didn¡¯t see a hint of desire in her eyes, nor could she detect the worldly aura emanating from her. This kind of person, precisely, made the people around her feel reassured and comfortable. So, she sincerely said ¡°Thank you¡± to her. Since all the guests were staying at Uncle Zhao¡¯s cabin, Director Sun simply decided to hold the final awarding ceremony there. Half an hour later, he swaggered in with several villagers. The small yard, already tight, suddenly felt even more crowded. As the only guest not present, Wen Jiaojiao had to carry her lunch and walk across half the village to gather. She had a frown on her face all the way. When she arrived at the cabin and saw the others laughing and chatting, she became even more indignant. God knows how much effort she had put in to cook those seafood. Director Sun had the staff move a table from Uncle Zhao¡¯s house and let the guests place all their dishes on the table. Since the plates were all covered and labeled, the contents inside became a complete mystery. Qi Tianyu looked at his plate and then at Jiang Li¡¯s, somewhat astonished. ¡°My goodness, Sister Li, when did you make your own dish?¡± Not only was Qi Tianyu caught off guard, the live audience was also taken by surprise. Due to a minor incident midway, Jiang Li¡¯s camera had been busy filming others and overlooked her, so the audience didn¡¯t know what she had been up to in the kitchen. The other guests were also curious about what Jiang Li had made. After all, in their eyes, Jiang Li had been busy step-by-step instructing them on cooking and hardly had time to handle her own stuff. ¡°I¡¯m also very curious about what Jiang Li made? It seems she didn¡¯t even have any ingredients.¡± ¡°Surely she didn¡¯t just carve a few sweet potato flowers? That would be too perfunctory.¡± ¡°How is carving sweet potato flowers perfunctory? Creating such intricate items is also Lili¡¯s talent, okay.¡± Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s face finally eased up a bit at this point. Jiang Li was so caught up in helping others craft a nice-person persona, let¡¯s see how she wraps this up! ¡°I see everyone is ready, let¡¯s start now,¡± Director Sun announced with a megaphone, scanning the plates on the table, ¡°We¡¯ll start with He Yun first.¡± He Yun uncovered the lid on her plate, and at the same time, the camera zoomed in. He Yun¡¯s fans in the live stream, who were confident in their support, cheered her on. After all, He Yun had the smoothest and most peaceful fish cooking process among the guests. But when they saw the final result, they all fell silent simultaneously. What was on the plate was not a visually appealing steamed fish but a pile of fish limbs and wreckage. It seemed she also realized the unattractive appearance of her dish and awkwardly touched the tip of her nose. ¡°Sorry, the presentation is a bit rough, but the taste should still be okay.¡± Helplessly, the fish was fine before it left the pot. But since he had no prior cooking experience, he directly handled the hot dish and instinctively flung the fish out. If it hadn¡¯t been for Jiang Li¡¯s quick reaction to catch it with another plate, He would probably have been left to drink the Northwest wind for lunch. Several villagers frowned deeply at the sorry sight of the steamed fish in front of him. The kid looked quite handsome, how could he mess up a fish like that? But once they put a piece of fish meat in their mouth, the taste was surprisingly good. Thus, He Yun scored 7 points. Next up was Qi Tianyu, who excitedly opened the plate in front of him. Though the beef slices were inconsistently large and small, the presentation was a lot better than He Yun¡¯s. He had tasted it in advance, and it tasted good. All of this was thanks to Jiang Li¡¯s patient guidance. Chapter 84 - Chapter 84: Chapter 84 Is it Just About Having Hands? Chapter 84: Chapter 84 Is it Just About Having Hands? When the villagers tasted his curry beef one by one, their faces revealed an indescribable expression. In the end, he could only secure a score of 5. Qi Tianyu found it somewhat hard to accept. ¡°Why? My dish clearly wasn¡¯t unpalatable, right?¡± An old man, speaking in an authentic local dialect, said, ¡°This dish tastes weird and looks even weirder, nobody pours this kind of sauce over their food, it ruins the appetite. If it weren¡¯t for the money, I wouldn¡¯t have wanted to touch my chopsticks.¡± [Hahaha, the old man wanted to say Qi Tianyu¡¯s curry looked like poop, didn¡¯t he? But seeing the camera, he held back.] [Indeed, the local elderly folks have very low acceptance of spices like curry, especially since this is a highland area, it¡¯s normal for them not to be used to it.] [Laughed to death. Who would have thought Qi would actually fail because the ingredients weren¡¯t locally palatable.] [Who would have guessed that Director Sun invited some locals to be the judges? Poor Qi got really unlucky this round.] Next up was Shu Yan. Although the locals rarely ate things like zhajiangmian, their acceptance of it was much higher than that of curry. Moreover, there was a lifelike sweet potato flower placed on the side, which instantly caught the eye of several aunties. Therefore, Shu Yan ended up receiving the highest score so far, an 8. Seeing the result, she immediately gave Jiang Li a fragrant kiss. ¡°Thanks, little sister. I¡¯ll share half of my zhajiangmian with you!¡± Seeing this scene, Wen Jiaojiao pursed her lips and muttered softly, ¡°What¡¯s with the pretense of deep sisterly love?¡± [Looks like Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s face turned really sour, she wouldn¡¯t be jealous, would she?] [Let me say it again, CPs can be unconventional, but not bizarre! Shipping Jiang Yan and Princess Wen is enough, how come there are people shipping Jiang Li and Princess Wen?] [I wasn¡¯t originally into it, but now that you mention it, I kind of want to ship it. Enemies-to-lovers CP is just too enticing.] The moment Wen Jiaojiao said this, the judges approached her. Wen Jiaojiao immediately shut up, but reluctantly opened the plate in front of her. Instantly, everyone nearby covered their noses. Jiang Yan even outright commented, ¡°Holy shit Wen Jiaojiao, did you put poop on the plate? It stinks!¡± The people watching the live broadcast initially didn¡¯t react much until Jiang Yan¡¯s comment made them all feel physically unwell. Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s face turned even greener. ¡°Can you watch your mouth, Jiang Yan? This is seafood!¡± ¡°What kind of seafood stinks like this?¡± Not just Jiang Yan, but several villagers also held their noses with extreme distaste. One of them even turned back to ask Director Sun if they could simply abstain. Director Sun, somewhat helplessly pinching his nose, said, ¡°Come on, give it a taste. It might be good.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Wen Jiaojiao chimed in. Qi Tianyu glanced at the dark seafood in front of her, ¡°So, have you tried it yourself?¡± Wen Jiaojiao: ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°I¡¯m, I¡¯m not very hungry.¡± It was not easy for her to prepare this already! If this was at home, her parents would have been moved to tears! Reluctantly, under the notion of ¡®a soft hand and a short mouth,¡¯ the villagers grabbed several crabs. The moment it entered their mouths, they all simultaneously ran to the side to retch. ¡°This thing is too fishy, good crabs have been ruined like this, it¡¯s such a sin!¡± an auntie complained. Others just kept spitting out, ¡°Was this even cleaned? Why am I tasting sand in my mouth?¡± Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s bravado gradually diminished a lot. She was afraid of being pinched by the crabs, so she had just rinsed them briefly with a hose. But the water pressure was strong, so it should be cleaned, right? [LOL, Princess Wen doesn¡¯t even dare to speak anymore.] [How terrible is her cooking? The villagers¡¯ reactions are way too much.] [Just look at the faces of the people beside her, you can tell. The smell alone is unbearable, let alone eating it.] At the end, Wen Jiaojiao gloriously received the lowest score so far in this competition¡ªa 3. Then, all the cameras focused on Jiang Yan. Jiang Yan¡¯s big grin suddenly disappeared. ¡°Are you sure you want to see mine?¡± Director Sun had already started yawning, ¡°Stop dawdling, if you dawdle any more, there won¡¯t be any time left for a lunch break.¡± Jiang Yan reluctantly reached out his hand. His slender and distinct fingers pressed against the unimpressive pot lid, looking exceptionally sexy and attractive. But when the pot lid was lifted, the few pale, colorless potatoes looked exceptionally tragic and desolate. Director Sun¡¯s eyes widened. He seemed incredulous and leaned in for a closer look. ¡°Where¡¯s your chicken?¡± Jiang Yan turned around and pointed towards the veranda. The previously fierce hen was now quietly pecking at rice grains next to a pillar. Then he turned back and looked into Director Sun¡¯s eyes earnestly, saying, ¡°Buddha said: ¡®Do not kill.''¡± People nearby: ¡°¡­.¡± Barrage: ¡°¡­.¡± [Thanks, if I hadn¡¯t watched the whole process, I would have actually believed it.] [Young Master acts so well, I suggest he switch careers to acting right away.] [Director Sun: You think I¡¯d believe that?] Some audience members who had just come in didn¡¯t know what had happened, so they had to turn to Weibo to search for netizens¡¯ screen recordings. In fact, Jiang Yan wasn¡¯t being compassionate. He simply couldn¡¯t catch the chicken at all. Not to mention killing it. In the end, the yard was scattered with feathers from the fleeing chickens and the excrement from their fright. Several photographers were so busy capturing the grand chicken chase that they neglected the few people in the kitchen. By the time Jiang Yan was straightened up from a beating by Jiang Li and had cleaned up the yard, Director Sun was already on the way with the judges. He had no choice but to chop up that potato, throw it in the pot, and boil it. He didn¡¯t even add salt. But fortunately, the villagers weren¡¯t picky, and the boiled potatoes still had a unique flavor, ultimately earning Jiang Yan one point more than Wen Jiaojiao. Next up was the final contestant, Jiang Li. Almost everyone was eagerly anticipating her display. After all, the three guests present were all taught by her, even Shu Yan¡¯s lifelike sweet potato flower on her plate was carved by her. If she couldn¡¯t make anything good, it would be a hard sell. However, when she slowly lifted the lid in front of her, what was displayed in front of the cameras was just a plain dish of scrambled eggs with tomatoes. Despite the vibrant colors of the eggs and tomatoes looking very appealing, Wen Jiaojiao still scoffed and laughed the moment she saw it. ¡°I thought it was something special, turns out it¡¯s just scrambled eggs with tomatoes.¡± The people in the livestream also felt somewhat disappointed. They had thought Jiang Li was concocting something great in the kitchen, but it was just scrambled eggs with tomatoes. [Pfft, and she¡¯s teaching others how to cook, isn¡¯t it just scrambled eggs with tomatoes, which anyone with hands can make?] [Although but, Jiang Li did seem rather unprepared this time.] [Isn¡¯t she supposed to be the best cook here? This is just too perfunctory.] Chapter 85 - Chapter 85: Chapter 85 They must have been bought off by Jiang Li! Chapter 85: Chapter 85 They must have been bought off by Jiang Li! Facing everyone¡¯s skepticism and curiosity, Jiang Li explained fluently: ¡°These tomatoes and eggs were given to me by an auntie from Chixia Village. The tomatoes are grown by them, and the eggs are also from their free-range chickens. I thought, since I¡¯m here, I naturally wanted to try the local farmhouse flavors.¡± ¡°More importantly,¡± Jiang Li looked toward Director Sun and smiled, ¡°I guessed that Director Sun would have the villagers serve as judges, so I chose dishes that are simple but don¡¯t lack in color, aroma, and taste.¡± Director Sun was startled. The people around were startled too. Could this even be guessed? Could Jiang Li really be some kind of reincarnated immortal? Wen Jiaojiao couldn¡¯t help but sneer dismissively, ¡°How manipulative, even thinking of this.¡± Then, Jiang Li¡¯s gaze shifted over. Her calm yet forceful voice also carried over. ¡°Ms. Wen says I¡¯m manipulative, and I don¡¯t want to rebut that because in a sense, it¡¯s also a compliment. But this isn¡¯t scheming; it¡¯s just a tactic to win the competition. Doesn¡¯t Ms. Wen have any?¡± ¡°You!¡± Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment. [Hahaha, I¡¯m dying of laughter. Is Jiang Li implying that Princess Wen doesn¡¯t have a brain?] [Poor Princess Wen, trying to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice instead.] [It¡¯s still our Sister Li, teaching me another dual-nature technique in speech.] [It¡¯s obviously Jiang Li in the wrong, don¡¯t you think? Deliberately preparing these farmhouse dishes, if that¡¯s not manipulative, what is? And you all keep saying every day she¡¯s innocent and cute? Seriously, I can¡¯t stand people with such deep schemes. I wish you all meet these kinds of people in life.] [Some people are up to their usual poor attempts at slandering again. When did we ever say Sister Li was innocent and cute? She¡¯s clearly always been like this, just look at how she dealt with Jiang Yan, and you¡¯ll see. Sister Li is no fragile flower, she¡¯s smart!] [Exactly, plus all the other guests had their ingredients set from early on. Only Sister Li received ingredients gifted by the villagers. She can cook whatever she wants, who are you to judge?] [Let me add something, I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything wrong with what Jiang Li did. After all, she taught our Qi how to cook with her own hands. If not for her, this kid would be having Northwest winds for lunch.] [+1, if it wasn¡¯t for Jiang Li, my older brother¡¯s fish would have ended up feeding Jiang Yan¡¯s chickens.] Despite many in the live broadcast siding with Wen Jiaojiao against Jiang Li, They were quickly drowned out by the voices of the villagers and fans of other guests. Even passersby couldn¡¯t help but become curious. Wasn¡¯t that Jiang Li the one mired in negative press, the least welcomed? How come after just a few days, even other people¡¯s fans are speaking up for her? Upon hearing Jiang Li¡¯s sincere and simple explanation, the villagers in the judging panel nodded their heads in satisfaction. What¡¯s wrong with tomato and egg stir-fry? Their own tomatoes, their own eggs, don¡¯t even mention how delicious those are? Moreover, they had heard that this pretty girl had saved the village chief¡¯s child and even read fortunes for the son of the Li Family at the entrance of the village¡ª and in the end, she only accepted a basket of vegetables. How could they not support a girl so beautiful and kind-hearted? Even if her cooking were not tasty, they would still give her their support. But what took the villagers by surprise was that when they took a bite of the egg, the taste turned out to be incredibly delicious. The doneness was just right, retaining the freshness of free-range eggs without being too tender and gamey. The saltiness was also controlled perfectly, with even a hint of a sweet aftertaste. And the tomatoes? They were sour-sweet. This fresh and vibrant flavor blended perfectly. No one had expected that such an ordinary dish of tomato and egg stir-fry could be made so delicious. Not to mention that it was cooked by a big star from the city. In their astonishment, several villagers gave Jiang Li the highest score, 9 points! Upon hearing this result, everyone was both surprised and pleased. After all, if Jiang Li, who had been teaching them to cook, ended up with a low score, they would have felt sorry for her. But Wen Jiaojiao didn¡¯t see it that way. She couldn¡¯t understand it, even if Jiang Li¡¯s tomato and scrambled eggs were really tasty, how could they be so much better than the dishes the others made? ¡°Director, there must be something fishy going on here,¡± Wen Jiaojiao said indignantly. ¡°They must have been bought off by Jiang Li. Look, she¡¯s the only one among us who received vegetables from the villagers. Why give them only to her and not to the rest of us?¡± ¡°This¡­.¡± Director Sun, who wasn¡¯t in the know, couldn¡¯t come up with an explanation. ¡°I can only guarantee that our judges are fair and impartial. Before we came here, I specifically told them that they have to be truthful and not fake anything. Everything was filmed so it can be verified.¡± [I¡¯m dying of laughter, Director Sun¡¯s will to survive is so strong.] [Princess Wen is being a bit unreasonable, isn¡¯t she? It¡¯s obvious that Jiang Li¡¯s cooking is more delicious.] [Actually, I still find it hard to believe that a dish of tomato and scrambled eggs can taste that good? Maybe it¡¯s because Jiang Li herself is quite likeable.] Jiang Li didn¡¯t say anything, she just pushed the tomato and scrambled eggs towards Wen Jiaojiao. ¡°Try it.¡± Wen Jiaojiao turned her head away, ¡°Who wants to eat what you¡¯ve made.¡± ¡°If you won¡¯t eat it, then you¡¯re just making trouble for no reason.¡± ¡°You¡­.¡± With no other choice, Wen Jiaojiao reluctantly picked up a pair of clean chopsticks, took a piece of egg and started to eat it. After chewing a few times, she was stunned. These eggs¡­ were actually this delicious? Even better than the eggs made by the highly-paid cook at her house. Could Jiang Li¡¯s cooking skills truly be so impressive? She looked incredulously at Jiang Li, then back at the bowl of tomato and scrambled eggs. It had to be said, just this piece of egg alone completely tantalized her taste buds. She hadn¡¯t eaten any decent meal all day, except for this piece of egg. But the next second, the plate of tomato and scrambled eggs was taken away by Jiang Li. ¡°So, do you believe now that I didn¡¯t cheat?¡± Wen Jiaojiao bit her lip, turned away her head, and tried hard not to let the camera capture her contorted expression. Even so¡­ she wasn¡¯t about to apologize to her! Who told her to never let her off the hook before, making her embarrass herself again and again! Seeing the misunderstanding resolved and to prevent things from escalating, Director Sun quickly clapped his hands. ¡°Alright, now that the results are in, let¡¯s call an end to this culinary competition!¡± ¡°These scores given by the villagers will count as a good score towards your overall score. How about it, isn¡¯t this reward satisfying?¡± Everyone cheered instantly. After all, the scores given by the villagers weren¡¯t low, so their hard work all afternoon wasn¡¯t for nothing. But Jiang Yan wasn¡¯t in such a good mood. Hearing Director Sun¡¯s words, he muttered in frustration, ¡°Damn, if I knew the score was calculated like this, I would have slaughtered that chicken no matter what.¡± Barrage: It¡¯s just catching a chicken, is it worth going all out? Chicken: cluck cluck? Chapter 86 - Chapter 86: Chapter 86: If you dont welcome me, why should I stay? Chapter 86: Chapter 86: If you don¡¯t welcome me, why should I stay? After over an hour of fuss, it was finally time to eat. Qi Tianyu, starving, crazily scooped up his curry rice into his mouth. While eating, he didn¡¯t forget to evaluate himself. ¡°Damn, this curry is so good, yet those people only gave me five points.¡± ¡°You should be content,¡± Shu Yan said. ¡°Keep talking, and both Young Master Jiang and Jiaojiao¡¯s glares could bore holes through you.¡± Qi Tianyu looked up and sure enough, he saw two resentful and indignant stares coming from not far away. Qi Tianyu: ¡°¡­.¡± He silently turned around with his bowl. Meanwhile, Jiang Li left the dining table and went into the kitchen. Just as everyone was wondering, they saw her carrying out a full basin of rice. ¡°You all have been working hard all morning, make sure to refuel with some carbs.¡± Qi Tianyu was on the verge of tears, ¡°Sister Li, how did you know I didn¡¯t have enough rice? You even cooked so much in advance, that¡¯s so thoughtful.¡± [I¡¯m dying of laughter, look at Qi getting all emotional over a basin of rice.] [Wait, could the king that Jiang Li is supposed to protect be Qi? She seems really nice to him all day!] Jiang Yan also laughed and went straight up with his empty bowl. ¡°I knew you wouldn¡¯t let your own brother go hungry. Come on, fill it up.¡± Jiang Li smiled with narrowed eyes, ¡°Just eating white rice won¡¯t do. I¡¯ve got lots of fried tomato and eggs and some pickles too, want to pair it with those?¡± Jiang Yan nodded like pounding garlic, ¡°What are you waiting for then, hurry and bring it out.¡± ¡°Okay, keep helping me in the afternoon and I¡¯ll keep you fed.¡± Jiang Yan¡¯s hand froze, ¡°Damn, even now you want to take advantage of me?¡± Jiang Li¡¯s gaze shifted to his bowl full of rice, ¡°Aren¡¯t you taking advantage of me? Aunt Li gave me the rice, I cooked it, and I made the dishes. What, you want to eat for free?¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°I¡­.¡± Qi Tianyu, from the side, snickered gleefully. Good thing he wasn¡¯t Jiang Li¡¯s real brother. His treatment was even worse than a stranger¡¯s. Looking at his own empty, protesting stomach for hours, Jiang Yan caved. ¡°I¡¯ll help you with the work.¡± After all, they had already cleared the grass from the field. He didn¡¯t believe there could be any grueling farm work left in the afternoon. Exchanging a bit of labor for food was worth it. So, they all sat around the small table and started happily enjoying the satisfying meal. He Yun also filled his bowl with rice, and then moved half the fish from his own plate to Jiang Li¡¯s. ¡°I can¡¯t finish this fish by myself, let me share half with you as a thank you for teaching me how to cook.¡± Qi Tianyu¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°Damn, Brother He, you are so generous.¡± He then felt he couldn¡¯t be outdone and served some of his untouched curry beef to Jiang Li. ¡°Brother He did this, so if I don¡¯t show some gratitude, it¡¯d be wrong.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Shu Yan also shared some Zhajiang noodles, ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Xiao Li¡¯s sweet potato flower, I doubt I could have scored as much.¡± Soon, Jiang Li¡¯s plate gathered various colorful foods. [Wow, these people are so heartwarming, it makes me feel all warm inside.] [I thought this show would be a battleground of celebrities with scandals, who knew it would turn into a harmonious rural variety show?] [The Movie Emperor is too good, giving Jiang Li the part of the fish with the least bones and the most meat, could the rumored couple not actually be a thing?] But the seemingly harmonious scene had its exceptions. Such as Wen Jiaojiao. Watching everyone chatting and laughing, a hint of unintended loss crossed her face. But then her expression became resolute and arrogant. All these mediocre dishes being passed around, she couldn¡¯t care less! Thinking this, she turned and was about to leave. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to stay and eat something?¡± A clear female voice rang out behind her. Wen Jiaojiao was all too familiar with this voice, so she was quite surprised upon hearing it. However, when she turned around, she saw Jiang Li still sitting on the stool eating gracefully, not even shifting her gaze, as if she were only asking an ordinary person an ordinary question. Wen Jiaojiao felt inexplicably annoyed. She bit her lip and muttered softly, ¡°Stay? You don¡¯t even welcome me, why should I stay?¡± ¡°Hey.¡± Jiang Yan pointed at her with a finger, ¡°You can eat recklessly but not speak recklessly, don¡¯t carelessly accuse us of bullying the weak, the camera is still here.¡± Wen Jiaojiao rolled her eyes, ¡°Since when do you care so much about your image?¡± Despite speaking disdainfully, she gradually retracted her steps to leave. Jiang Li noticed this small movement and a smile crossed her eyes, then she spoke, ¡°I¡¯ll say it again, there¡¯s no free lunch in this world. You can eat, but you have to bring all your seafood here.¡± Qi Tianyu was startled, frantically making facial gestures at Jiang Li. ¡°Sister Li, are you serious? Her seafood¡­ can it really be eaten?¡± He felt uncomfortable just watching the villagers¡¯ expressions as they ate. Even putting that stuff on the table without eating it was enough to ruin the appetite. Wen Jiaojiao was also surprised, ¡°You mean¡­ you want to eat the seafood I cooked?¡± Really? She didn¡¯t even dare to eat it herself. Jiang Li nodded slightly, ¡°You just don¡¯t know how to prepare it. I checked; much of the seafood isn¡¯t cooked, and there are no seasonings. A quick stir-fry might salvage it a bit.¡± Qi was thoroughly impressed by Jiang Li¡¯s culinary skills. Hearing this, his eyes lit up. Great, does this mean they will have seafood?! Immediately, he stood up and moved another stool over. ¡°Ah, come on, it¡¯s just adding another pair of chopsticks. I made too much curry anyway, here, have some, come and eat.¡± [Ha ha ha ha ha ha, Qi, you almost stamped ¡®wanting seafood¡¯ on your forehead!] [It feels like Qi is loosening up a lot, even better than his state on ¡°King of Roast¡±.] [Although Jiang Li made demands, it feels like she¡¯s giving Wen Jiaojiao a way out, such a proud person as Wen Jiaojiao definitely wouldn¡¯t accept Jiang Li¡¯s invitation directly.] Hearing this, Jiang Yan instantly scowled. ¡°Move the stool over there; I don¡¯t want to sit next to this Princess Disease.¡± Wen Jiaojiao was directly provoked into laughter. ¡°Who are you calling Princess Disease? You¡¯re the one with Young Master Syndrome, aren¡¯t you?¡± Having said that, she plopped down onto the stool. ¡°Today, I¡¯m sitting right here and not leaving. You better feel so upset that you can¡¯t eat.¡± ¡°Heh, joking, I might as well let you eat it all.¡± The two continued arguing while frantically hoarding dishes from the table into their own bowls. Having tasted the tomato and eggs again, Wen Jiaojiao sighed in relief, but immediately returned to her indifferent demeanor and snorted lightly, ¡°It¡¯s barely passable.¡± Chapter 87 - Chapter 87: Chapter 87 Temporary Replacement Chapter 87: Chapter 87 Temporary Replacement Luckily, at that time, Jiang Li had already taken her pot of stinky seafood to the kitchen, and she hadn¡¯t noticed. But all this still didn¡¯t escape the high-definition camera. [??? Princess Wen, can we tone down the pride a little?] [Hahahaha, looking at it this way, Wen Jiaojiao is quite cute.] [So, has Princess Wen¡¯s missing IQ all gone to boost her pride stats?] [No way, she¡¯s starting to clean up already? In everyday life, who could put up with Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s personality?] Ten minutes later, Jiang Li came out. Qi Tianyu instantly turned on his watchdog persona. ¡°Damn, what is so fragrant?¡± Everyone turned their heads and discovered that the scent was all coming from the pot of spicy stir-fried seafood Jiang Li was holding. As soon as the seafood was placed on the table, everyone gasped in surprise. Was this really the same pot of stinky, fishy seafood from before? ¡°I used some spices to neutralize the odor, but it might taste a bit strong, so anyone who can¡¯t handle spice should pass.¡± Director Sun by the monitor spat a mouthful of old blood on the screen. They were actually eating seafood??? Then all his previous efforts were wasted? At this rate, wouldn¡¯t the show completely turn into a slice-of-life variety show? Jiang Li really was a devil! Why did the head office send such a person to transform? ¡°Quick, quick, quick,¡± Director Sun said as he quickly stopped the assistant, ¡°Notify the planner to increase the intensity of this afternoon¡¯s task. We absolutely can¡¯t let these people have such an easy time.¡± Assistant: ¡°¡­¡­¡± Heartache for them for a second. ¨C In the small courtyard. Qi Tianyu had already picked up a large shrimp and put it in his mouth. The moment he chewed, his pupils dilated. ¡°Damn, this is so fragrant, I could go for two more bowls of rice with this seafood.¡± He Yun normally couldn¡¯t eat spicy food, but he couldn¡¯t resist trying a bite out of curiosity. The taste was indeed rich, completely free of any fishy smell. [!!! Everyone, take note, Mr. He is actually eating spicy food!] [He Bao, since when can you eat spicy food?????] [It¡¯s true love for the mismatched couple, sob sob sob.] Even Wen Jiaojiao couldn¡¯t resist and quietly picked up a piece of scallop. The moment she ate it, the deliciousness nearly made her eyebrows twitch. However, before she could swallow, Jiang Li suddenly said something. ¡°Forgot to mention, like Jiang Yan, if you eat and drink for free, you¡¯ll have to work for me this afternoon.¡± Wen Jiaojiao: ??????? ¡°Damn, Jiang Li, you did that on purpose, right?!¡± Jiang Li looked at her, her eyelashes slowly fluttered once, ¡°You can choose not to eat.¡± Wen Jiaojiao was silent. If she had been told at the beginning, she might have turned around and walked away. But having just tasted such a delicious scallop, not yet swallowed, if she were to leave now, she feared she would go mad with cravings. Working is just working, the worst part is just looking for an opportunity to push it all off to Jiang Yan in the afternoon. Anyway, she had to finish this meal no matter what! With that thought, Wen Jiaojiao picked up her chopsticks again and heaped another big bowl of rice for herself. [I really can¡¯t stop laughing, it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen Princess Wen eating humble pie like this.] [Sister Li truly lives up to her name, precisely striking every time.] [Jiang Li: Specializes in dealing with disobedient and rebellious people.] [Help, I feel like Jiang Li is really good at training people, can he come to my house and discipline my brother? I¡¯m driven crazy by him every day.] [+1 from above! My 8-year-old little brother is so terribly naughty too!] The dishes on the table were quickly finished. Jiang Li even specifically left a portion for Uncle Zhao and his son. Full and satisfied, everyone gradually said goodbye to Jiang Li and went back to their places to rest. The noisy courtyard gradually returned to peace. The sound of cicadas rose, the sunlight shifted, and the shadows of the trees were mottled and separated. The small mountain village on a summer afternoon was especially serene and beautiful, causing the audience in front of the screens to involuntarily start taking a nap too. At the same time, there was some unrest at a film and television base. Just off the set, Bai Lu hadn¡¯t even had time to take off her costume when her manager hurriedly called her to the office next door. Upon seeing her, the manager coldly placed a stack of documents on the table. ¡°Sign this.¡± Bai Lu, who was usually intimidated by this fierce manager, still asked quietly while gritting her teeth, ¡°What is this?¡± The manager glanced at her with some impatience, ¡°Can¡¯t you read it yourself? But I advise you to just turn to the last page and sign, to save each other¡¯s time.¡± He really had bad luck; in ten years of his career, he had finally encountered an opportunity for advancement, only to end up getting stuck with such a minor celebrity in a twist of fate. Not being famous after five years in the industry was one thing, but being so timid and dull, she couldn¡¯t become famous even in eighty years! Bai Lu bit her lip again and slowly moved to the front of the table to pick up the contract. After flipping through two pages, her face instantly turned pale, and her body couldn¡¯t stop shaking. ¡°Why, why¡­¡± Bai Lu¡¯s grip on the paper tightened, ¡°Why do I have to sign a release agreement?¡± The manager glanced at her, filled with annoyance. Look, even in this situation, she doesn¡¯t dare to lose her temper. How on earth has she survived in this entertainment industry until now? Thinking of what the boss had said before he came, the manager still softened his expression slightly and said: ¡°It was sudden, this is the company¡¯s decision.¡± ¡°¡®Shining Transformation Trip¡¯ suddenly became a hit, the whole company is taking it seriously, and you know your current status and level, right? Even though it¡¯s just a guest appearance contract you signed, if you mess up on the show by accident, it can have a huge impact. Your current drama hasn¡¯t been released yet, and if it gets negative reviews, it will impact future opportunities.¡± ¡°So the leadership decided to switch to someone else and asked me to come over and persuade you to sign this termination agreement.¡± ¡°But don¡¯t worry, the company has secured another advertising deal for you, and the payment is very substantial, so don¡¯t miss out on something bigger for something small.¡± Bai Lu lowered her head, her knuckles turning whiter. She knew all too well that these were just excuses her manager had come up with to get her to sign the agreement. Originally, she received the invitation to be a guest on this variety show because no one around her had high hopes for it, thinking it wouldn¡¯t make a splash. Also, live broadcasts test one¡¯s reflexes, and even the most experienced actors can¡¯t guarantee they¡¯ll maintain their persona perfectly. Thus, the contract had fallen into the hands of someone insignificant like her. But she didn¡¯t think it was a hot potato. She had spent three whole days researching and had prepared meticulously. Even with tight shooting schedules, she still made time to follow the live broadcasts. When Flash Change became a hit, she was happier than anyone else, feeling that after so many years, she finally had something to look forward to. But she hadn¡¯t even been happy for long when reality gave her a cold shower. Chapter 88 - Chapter 88: Chapter 88: I Call This a Test of Your Will! Chapter 88: Chapter 88: I Call This a Test of Your Will! She wanted to refuse, but didn¡¯t have the courage to do so. The Chen¡¯an Entertainment she worked for was currently the largest entertainment company in Hua Country. As the most basic of eighteenth-tier minor stars in the company, what other choice did she have but to comply with the company¡¯s arrangements? After a long time, Bai Lu trembly placed the contract on the table, her voice squeezed from her throat, so light it almost dispersed in the air. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll sign.¡± ¨C ¨C At exactly three o¡¯clock in the afternoon, the clear, loud broadcast echoed at the door of the five guests¡¯ rooms, with precise diction and resounding strength. ¡°The third set of the national middle school students¡¯ broadcast exercise¡ª¡¯Dancing Youth¡¯ starts now!¡± ¡°Dang dang dang dang dang dang¡­..¡± ¡°Ready move, one two three four five six seven eight, two two three four, five six seven eight¡­..¡± Six people turned over in bed at the same time. Go to ????????????????????.co Qi Tianyu was the first to wake up, his face full of resentment and unwillingness. ¡°Director, are you even letting people live? I¡¯ve only slept for half an hour!¡± He Yun didn¡¯t complain much, slightly furrowed her brows, then slowly sat up from the bed. The two girls next door also got out of bed begrudgingly, muttering curses under their breath. When it came to Jiang Yan¡¯s turn, he directly grabbed the pillow from under him and threw it toward the door. ¡°Dammit, does your program team even have a conscience? Collecting recyclables in the morning, broadcasting exercises in the afternoon, are you intentionally torturing me?¡± The live broadcast room was about to burst with laughter. [The moment the broadcast sounded, I jolted awake from bed and started doing the ready move.] [Help, childhood nightmare, the director team is really good at messing with us.] [Damn, I actually fell asleep too, thanks to Flash Change, it cured my insomnia just like that.] [So tragic, it¡¯s three in the afternoon, I¡¯m at home watching TV and eating ice cream, and they have to get down to work.] [The person above is too much, I¡¯m still in class! I can only sneak peeks when the teacher isn¡¯t paying attention!] [Ah, isn¡¯t it summer vacation now? Are there actually college students who haven¡¯t got a summer break?] Complaints aside, after a while, Jiang Yan still got up from the bed with a face full of grievance. As he yawned and passed by Jiang Li¡¯s door, he found she was already up, quietly sitting at the desk flipping through a book. ¡°Dammit!¡± Jiang Yan shouted as though he¡¯d seen a ghost, ¡°Do you have to be so diligent? Reading a book instead of napping in the afternoon? Jiang Li, are you possessed?¡± Jiang Li didn¡¯t even spare him a glance, ¡°The optimal time for a nap is 15 to 30 minutes, sleeping longer can affect cerebral blood flow and nervous system functions.¡± ¡°In other words, it¡¯s easy to become stupid.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­¡­¡± Was he just insulted again? ¡°All right, all right, I can¡¯t argue with you.¡± Jiang Yan ran a hand through his hair, ¡°But the director is calling us to gather, hurry up, don¡¯t make me lose points again if you¡¯re late.¡± Jiang Li returned to silence. The room was filled only with the rustling sound of pages turning. Jiang Yan felt even more indignant being ignored and was about to say something to reprimand her when he saw her slowly close the book and stand up from the chair. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Jiang Li said in a soft voice. Jiang Yan could only swallow the words that had almost reached his lips. He had forgotten that this ancestor had a lot of strength to spare recently. It was better not to provoke her. Having witnessed the director team¡¯s series of cold-hearted actions from the morning, everyone arrived quite early for the gathering this time. Upon seeing the neat and uniform line of people, Director Sun nodded in approval. ¡°Not bad, not bad, that looks more like it.¡± ¡°Help, these people look like they¡¯re in military training.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that just like military training, no, wait, they¡¯re hoeing and cooking; military training isn¡¯t even this exhausting. I feel sorry for them for a second.¡± ¡°Director Sun kind of looks like that old father figure.¡± Yawning, Wen Jiaojiao said, ¡°Director, just spill it, how are you planning to torment us this afternoon?¡± Director Sun feigned seriousness, ¡°How could it be torment? I am here to temper your willpower.¡± Jiang Li smiled for a moment, breaking her usual silence, ¡°Why doesn¡¯t the director come and temper his willpower with us?¡± The smile on Director Sun¡¯s face disappeared in an instant, and he coughed twice, unnaturally covering his mouth with his hand before abruptly changing the subject. ¡°Well¡­ let me get straight to the point, props team, bring out the gear.¡± As everyone looked on in confusion, a deafening rumbling noise suddenly came from a small path nearby. A truck-style machine pulling a flute slowly made its way over. Jiang Yan¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°That vehicle looks cool, it suits this young master¡¯s style.¡± Wen Jiaojiao looked puzzledly at Director Sun, ¡°Director, why did you have someone bring over a go-kart?¡± Director Sun: ¡°¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s not a go-kart, it¡¯s a tractor-style plowing machine.¡± Qi Tianyu, who was the first to react, exclaimed, ¡°Director, you¡¯re not saying we¡¯re going to continue hoeing this afternoon, are you?¡± Director Sun gave a thumbs-up, ¡°You¡¯re as sharp as ever, Qi. Indeed.¡± ¡°The theme for today is pioneering. This morning you merely weeded the experimental field, so, of course, the next task is plowing.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen everyone¡¯s hard work this morning, so this afternoon, I¡¯ve upgraded your props to a higher grade.¡± Upon hearing this, Shu Yan got somewhat excited, ¡°So, we can drive the go-kart to plow the fields?¡± Director Sun: ¡°¡­.¡± ¡°Let me emphasize once again, this is a tractor, not a go-kart!¡± ¡°HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA¡± ¡°I have a feeling Sister Yan is doing this on purpose.¡± ¡°Where did the crew find this plowing machine? I have to say, it¡¯s pretty cool.¡± ¡°Wait a minute, although Director Sun says so, I still smell a hint of conspiracy.¡± Sure enough, Director Sun¡¯s tone shifted the next second, ¡°Of course, there is no such thing as a free lunch, driving the go-kart, bah, the tractor, isn¡¯t without a cost.¡± As he said this, he shot a meaningful glance at Jiang Li. Jiang Yan immediately caught the look and turned to blame Jiang Li. ¡°It¡¯s all because you only know how to scheme against me every day. See, even the director has learned from you.¡± Jiang Li gave him a look, ¡°So why haven¡¯t you learned anything?¡± Jiang Yan: ? ¡°HAHAHAHA I might really die laughing from this pair of siblings one day.¡± ¡°Jiang Li: Born from the same mother, why are you so dumb?¡± ¡°Seriously, are Jiang Li and Jiang Yan really siblings? Why are they so different in character?¡± ¡°It¡¯s all because Jiang Li knows how to pretend. I¡¯ve told you before, those scandals online show her true nature, but no one believes me until now.¡± ¡°Director Sun, just tell us straight,¡± Shu Yan said, ¡°how many points does it cost to exchange for this go-kart? It can¡¯t be ten points, can it?¡± ¡°How could that be?¡± Director Sun shook his head, extending one finger, ¡°Just one point is enough.¡± ¡°One point?¡± They all exclaimed in unison. Jiang Yan immediately stepped forward, ¡°I have one point, quick, quick, quick, give me the go-kart.¡± Having suffered from weeding by hand, he didn¡¯t want to rely solely on hard labor anymore. Chapter 89 - Chapter 89: Chapter 89 Brother He, how can you be so unreasonable too?! Chapter 89: Chapter 89 Brother He, how can you be so unreasonable too?! Director Sun took a step back, ¡°What¡¯s the rush? I haven¡¯t finished speaking yet. It¡¯s true about the go-kart costing one point, but this time we¡¯re using an auction method, starting at one point, and the highest bidder wins.¡± The crowd fell silent. Then burst into protests. Qi Tianyu: ¡°Director, isn¡¯t this a bit too much? An auction? Are we going to end up auctioning off even our underwear?¡± Wen Jiaojiao: ¡°This is such a hassle, why not just sell it directly?¡± Shu Yan: ¡°This is so annoying, can¡¯t a brother bid for me? I can give you a back massage.¡± [Damn it, Flash Change crew, damn it.] [An auction, how did they even come up with that?] [Here we go, Sister Yan is at it again, trying to take advantage of the men.] [Front row selling sunflower seeds and cola, come watch the drama!] [I¡¯m dying laughing, even Director Sun got derailed by everyone, now calling it a go-kart.] Seeing the growing complaints, Director Sun had to pick up his loudspeaker again. ¡°Quiet, quiet, same as before, don¡¯t waste time, otherwise you won¡¯t complete the task before sunset and you¡¯ll go hungry.¡± Go to ????????????????????.co ¡°Let me emphasize some rules before the auction.¡± ¡°No private transactions of points, no soliciting or gifting points. If discovered, ten points will be deducted!¡± Jiang Yan, who was about to ask Jiang Li for five points, paused, his hand hanging in mid-air. ¡°Damn! What kind of rules are these?¡± Director Sun ignored him and directly clapped the slate. ¡°I declare, the go-kart auction starts now!¡± ¡°I bid one point,¡± Qi Tianyu raised his hand first, ¡°Brothers and sisters, take it easy, don¡¯t drive the price too high.¡± No sooner had he finished speaking than Jiang Yan raised his hand, ¡°I bid five points!¡± Qi Tianyu: ????? Bro, is this how we¡¯re supposed to bid? Director Sun, however, grinned even wider, ¡°Jiang Yan is quite enthusiastic, everyone should learn from him.¡± [Let me translate what Director Sun just said, it means Jiang Yan is a big spender, everyone should send more points to the crew like him.] [The sister above should just go work as a translator at the United Nations, I¡¯m not joking.] [Hahahahaha I¡¯m dying, Qi¡¯s face is green.] After yelling out five points, Jiang Yan didn¡¯t feel there was anything wrong, rather he was somewhat proud. ¡°No one else bidding? If no one else bids, then the go-kart is mine.¡± He looked around, and seeing everyone deep in thought, quickly congratulated himself and walked towards the go-kart. Luckily, he had put on his sunglasses before coming. Dressed like this and driving such a cool car, wouldn¡¯t he dazzle all the women outside the camera? However, he hadn¡¯t even touched the car when a cold male voice came from behind. ¡°I bid eight points.¡± Qi Tianyu gaped at the man beside him, ¡°Not you too, Brother He, aren¡¯t you being a bit irrational? Shouldn¡¯t you add incrementally by 0.5, how come you jumped straight to eight points?¡± He Yun squinted at the sky, ¡°The sooner it ends, the sooner we can go home, right?¡± Qi Tianyu, wanting to argue but unable to speak: ¡°¡­..¡± [I¡¯m dying, Qi battles everyone with his words in King of Roast, but in Flash Change, he is like a mute eating bitter herbs. I¡¯m dying laughing.] [This is what they call ¡®there¡¯s always a higher mountain,¡¯ hahaha.] Shu Yan bit her lip, also raising her hand, ¡°I¡¯m going all out, I bid nine points.¡± Qi Tianyu¡¯s mouth gaped even wider, ¡°Sister Yan, you¡­.¡± What¡¯s wrong with these people!!! Wen Jiaojiao, not to be outdone, also spoke up, ¡°I bid ten points, this go-kart is mine.¡± Director Sun glanced at the data pad in his hand, ¡°Just a reminder, Ms. Wen, you don¡¯t have enough points, invalid bid.¡± Wen Jiaojiao: ¡°What?!!!¡± [p>I laughed so hard hahaha, Princess Wen doesn¡¯t even have ten points anymore, what¡¯s going on hahaha] [p>Really guys, how can you make fun of the princess like that? If anyone should be mocking her, it should be me.] Wen Jiaojiao stood to one side with a dark expression, arms folded. ¡°So, does anyone else want to bid?¡± Director Sun said, ¡°If no one else bids, the go-kart will go to Shu Yan.¡± Shu Yan was startled. She just wanted to join in the fun. She didn¡¯t really want to bid!!! Director Sun looked around, his gaze finally landing on Jiang Li. ¡°Jiang Li, you have so many points, why not try to make a bid?¡± Jiang Li said, ¡°At noon, Jiang Yan and Wen Jiaojiao had already agreed to work for me in the afternoon, I don¡¯t need it.¡± Jiang Yan: ! Wen Jiaojiao: ! Damn, I forgot about that! Seeing their reluctance, Jiang Li, with a smile, pulled out his phone. ¡°I¡¯ve recorded it; I have people and evidence, don¡¯t think about backing out.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­.¡± Wen Jiaojiao: ¡°¡­.¡± Director Sun was also shocked. But Jiang Li¡¯s action indeed didn¡¯t break any rules, so he could only choose to remain silent. Seeing that she was about to end up with this fancy go-kart, Shu Yan sent a pleading look to everyone. Qi Tianyu quietly stepped back, ¡°Sister Yan¡­ I really can¡¯t help¡­¡± Wen Jiaojiao glanced at her, ¡°Don¡¯t look at me, you also heard what Director Sun said, I don¡¯t even have ten points.¡± Shu Yan sighed heavily, ¡°Alright then, I¡¯ll just accept it with tears.¡± Then, He Yun spoke up, ¡°I¡¯ll offer ten points, give the go-kart to me.¡± In an instant, Shu Yan, seeing her savior, ran over gratefully. ¡°Movie Emperor Brother, you¡¯re so nice, I¡­ I don¡¯t even know how to thank you.¡± A flicker of embarrassment crossed He Yun¡¯s face as he sidestepped her touch. ¡°No worries, this is just part of the auction.¡± [p>Aaaah He Bao, how can you be so kind!] [p>Oh my god, He Yun is really quite the gentleman, handsome and quiet, isn¡¯t he exactly the husband I¡¯m destined for?] [p>Successful Movie Emperor vs notoriously troublesome Little Hua, why does this couple feel so right?] [p>Let me say this again, a couple can be unconventional, but it shouldn¡¯t be bizarre!!!] [p>I can¡¯t take it anymore, one second I started to change my opinion about Shu Yan, the next second she¡¯s revealing her true nature again, can malicious shipping just die.] Thus, the impressive and stylish go-kart ended up with He Yun. Jiang Yan looked on enviously, his eyes shining. As the production crew were telling He Yun the driving rules, he moved closer and draped an arm around He Yun¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Good brother, I¡¯ll give you one point, can I borrow the go-kart for a minute?¡± He Yun: ¡°¡­..¡± He instinctively looked back. ¡°Isn¡¯t that a bit inappropriate?¡± ¡°What¡¯s inappropriate? The camera isn¡¯t on us right now, and Director Sun doesn¡¯t know about our deal.¡± He Yun coughed lightly, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean that, I meant, what if your sister finds out, wouldn¡¯t that be bad?¡± Jiang Yan: ? Chapter 90 - Chapter 90: Chapter 90 Are You Even a Woman? Chapter 90: Chapter 90 Are You Even a Woman? Watching He Yun gradually take control of a tractor under professional guidance, a few people simultaneously revealed looks of envy on their faces. ¡°Director Sun,¡± Qi Tianyu, having finished admiring, started to complain, ¡°don¡¯t tell me we¡¯ll have to use hoes to farm later?¡± Director Sun said, ¡°How could that be? The show has of course prepared other tools for you.¡± As he spoke, he waved over a staff member. Soon after, a prop master wearing a duckbill cap came up holding a red box. From it, he took out five cards and placed each on top of the box. Director Sun cleared his throat, ¡°To be fair, the farming tools will be selected by drawing lots, with an entry fee of 3 points each, and whatever you draw is what you get.¡± ¡°Who wants to go first?¡± Jiang Yan raised his hand again, ¡°I¡¯ll go first.¡± Having the first choice gave him the biggest advantage, and he didn¡¯t believe he would fail to draw good equipment. Clearly, Wen Jiaojiao also realized this, and quickly raised her hand after him, ¡°Me first, director, me first.¡± Jiang Yan gave her a sidelong glance, ¡°Ever heard of first come, first served?¡± Wen Jiaojiao retorted defiantly, ¡°Ever heard of men should be courteous towards women?¡± Go to ????????????????????.co Jiang Yan looked her up and down, ¡°You consider yourself a woman?¡± Wen Jiaojiao suddenly turned gloomy, ¡°Jiang Yan, what do you mean by that?!¡± Jiang Yan scoffed, ready to continue the provocation, when he caught Jiang Li¡¯s deadly glare from the side. Jiang Yan: ! ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡± Jiang Li¡¯s lips slightly moved as she uttered two words, ¡°Apologize.¡± Jiang Yan was displeased, ¡°Why should I apologize? I didn¡¯t say anything wrong.¡± But the next second, he heard a cracking sound coming from Jiang Li¡¯s wrist. Jiang Yan¡¯s face turned pale, but he stubbornly said, ¡°I don¡¯t believe you¡¯d do anything to me in front of the cameras¡ªah¡ª¡± Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Li had twisted his arm to 90 degrees. The speed was so fast that even Jiang Yan himself had not even reacted. Not to mention the people around him. Qi Tianyu¡¯s mouth dropped even wider. Sitting atop the tractor, He Yun couldn¡¯t help but slightly raise her eyebrows. ¡°Going to apologize?¡± Jiang Li asked unflinchingly. ¡°Help, help, you female devil, I apologize, is that not enough?!¡± Immediately after, he grimaced at Wen Jiaojiao and mumbled an apology. [Wow, Jiang Li is that skilled? Even managing to subdue the 185 cm tall Jiang Yan?] [Guess Jiang Yan didn¡¯t fight back because, after all, she is his younger sister.] [I think Jiang Li¡¯s pretty cool, having him apologize to Wen Jiaojiao. What he just said was indeed offensive.] [I was originally indifferent towards Jiang Li, but just for this, I¡¯ve totally become a fan. Her defense of the girl was too cool.] [Jiang Yan really had it coming. Although Princess Wen isn¡¯t that great either, his mouth really needed checking.] Not only were the people around shocked, even Wen Jiaojiao, the one apologized to, was a bit surprised. Had she heard wrong? Was Jiang Li really making Jiang Yan apologize to her? What new trick was this? Wasn¡¯t she always the most overbearing? Wen Jiaojiao was confused. She couldn¡¯t fathom the current Jiang Li. Her mind blank, she stammered out an ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted it. She should have taken the chance to humiliate the siblings further! What was that ¡°It¡¯s okay¡± about? It was so not her style! But the words were already spoken and captured by the cameras, Wen Jiaojiao could only act as if nothing had happened, and walked away with her chin up. Jiang Li finally let go of Jiang Yan¡¯s arm. Jiang Yan, with a twisted face, rubbed the sore spot, looking like he was angry but dared not speak. Jiang Li tilted her chin towards him and said, ¡°Go ahead and draw the raffle, everyone is waiting for you.¡± With no choice, Jiang Yan reluctantly walked over to the raffle box. Just as he was hesitating which one to pick, Jiang Li¡¯s voice suddenly came from behind: ¡°The one on the far right, there¡¯s a surprise.¡± Jiang Yan was taken aback! He had almost forgotten that this girl could tell fortunes. But had her skills become this proficient? Did she even know what was underneath the card? Half-doubting, half-believing, Jiang Yan eventually chose the one on the far right. Might as well trust her this once, consider it compensation for her just hurting him! It was Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s turn, and she went straight forward and took the one on the far left. Shu Yan, seeing this, nudged Qi Tianyu, ¡°Why weren¡¯t you proactive just now? They¡¯ll all be picked soon.¡± Qi Tianyu, with an air of mystery, said, ¡°I always feel that none of those are good things, better to see what they draw first and then decide.¡± After hearing this, Shu Yan quickly nodded, ¡°Makes sense!¡± The two then ran over to Jiang Yan to ask what he had drawn. Jiang Yan showed them the item on his card with a complex expression. ¡°A ring? What is this? Am I supposed to use this to plow the fields?¡± Qi Tianyu and Shu Yan looked at each other and nodded in unison. Then they ran over to Wen Jiaojiao. Wen Jiaojiao also looked puzzled. ¡°There¡¯s a wood block drawn here, am I supposed to plow the field with wood?¡± [The show crew really has some bizarre ideas; I can¡¯t guess what they¡¯ve drawn.] [Qi and Shu Yan look so funny, weren¡¯t they not getting along on the plane just now? How come they now seem like siblings.] [Sibling love, hehehe, I¡¯m okay with that.] [Some people can really ship any cp, please, this is a reality show transformation, Qi is a top graduate from a 985 university; how could he fall for an actress like Shu Yan with so many scandals?] [That¡¯s hilarious, since when did our Sister Yan become an actress full of scandals? She¡¯s so beautiful, it¡¯s Qi Tianyu who doesn¡¯t match up to her.] Qi Tianyu and Shu Yan exchanged a look, falling into silence. After a while, Shu Yan poked him. ¡°Why don¡¯t you draw and see?¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Qi Tianyu nodded and walked towards the raffle box. He drew a card marked with ¡®Fe¡¯. Qi Tianyu furrowed his brows, ¡°Fe, iron? Did I draw a shovel?¡± That would exhaust him to death in the deep mountains! Shu Yan also quickly returned; she had drawn a card with a gear on it. The last one naturally fell into Jiang Li¡¯s hands. She didn¡¯t even glance at the card and clenched it in her hand. Jiang Yan was somewhat anxious, ¡°Director, stop beating around the bush, please announce what we¡¯ve drawn.¡± ¡°Alright, since all of you have drawn, I¡¯ll announce now.¡± Immediately, Director Sun clapped his hands and had someone bring over the tool Jiang Li had drawn. It was a crude-looking rake. Seeing it, Jiang Yan burst into laughter, bending over. ¡°Hahaha, what¡¯s this, karma¡¯s a bitch, who told you to bully me just now.¡± Jiang Li smiled, ¡°Jiang Yan, did you forget something?¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°This afternoon, all my tasks are yours, so naturally, this tool is yours too.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°Hmm?!¡± Chapter 91 - Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Jiang Yan is Number One on the Trending Searches Again?! Chapter 91: Chapter 91: Jiang Yan is Number One on the Trending Searches Again?! When Jiang Li saw that he had been assigned a harrow, Qi Tianyu felt his entire world crumble. ¡°My tool couldn¡¯t possibly be a shovel, could it?¡± Director Sun chuckled mischievously, ¡°You really know your stuff, little Qi¡­.¡± Qi Tianyu:¡±¡­..¡± He really should have kept his mouth shut. [Hahaha, I¡¯m dying laughing, every time Director Sun says that, you know nothing good will come out of it.] [How does little Qi always guess so accurately? Didn¡¯t he secretly learn fortune-telling or something?] Sure enough, the next second, one of the prop teachers handed him a shovel. Luckily, the shovel was quite new and looked a lot better than Jiang Li¡¯s harrow. Aside from tearfully accepting it, Qi Tianyu had no other choice. Now, it was Shu Yan¡¯s turn to feel anxious. Qi Tianyu was a guy, after all, and probably had much more physical strength than the girls; even assigned a shovel, it wouldn¡¯t be too difficult for him. But if she ended up with something like that, she¡¯d really need to prepare for the possibility of going hungry until nightfall. Go to ????????????????????.co So she put her hands together, holding the card at a 45-degree angle, and prayed to the heavens. Director Sun couldn¡¯t stand to watch any longer. ¡°Little Shu, you don¡¯t have to be so dramatic, your tool is quite decent.¡± Right after he said that, one of the prop teachers drove up with a manually assembled tiller. Unlike He Yun¡¯s fully automatic tilling kart, this vehicle was entirely handcrafted, with the power coming from the manual gears at the driver¡¯s seat. However, compared to those rudimentary farming tools, this tiller was leagues better. Shu Yan let out a cheer and took the vehicle from the prop teacher¡¯s hands. [Oh my god, that vehicle is so cool too, where does Flash Change¡¯s prop team come from to assemble something like this?] [Give the prop team a leg up!] [I can¡¯t stop laughing, next door little Qi has already started digging soil with his shovel piece by piece, this is too funny.] Qi Tianyu¡¯s experimental plot was next to He Yun¡¯s. One was driving a kart, looking so dashing and effortless, the other was swinging a shovel with his face towards the earth and his back to the sky. The contrast couldn¡¯t be more striking. Soon, a search term shot up the trending list¡ª¡±Shocker! A 985-graduate chooses to go back to the village to farm, but what¡¯s behind¡­¡± Watching Shu Yan get assigned a modified vehicle filled Wen Jiaojiao¡¯s eyes with envy. She had already had a run of bad luck these past few days; it couldn¡¯t possibly continue, right? But the very next second, she was dumbstruck. The prop teacher presented her with a strange tool she had never seen before. Wen Jiaojiao was bewildered, ¡°Director, I¡¯m not really going to have to plow the field with this, am I? What even is this thing?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a plow,¡± Jiang Li interjected, ¡°a traditional tillage tool used in the Southwest Plateau, also called a ¡®foot plow¡¯. It¡¯s shaped like a spoon and requires you to use your foot to press it into the soil. However, because it¡¯s cumbersome and inconvenient, it was phased out hundreds of years ago.¡± Director Sun¡¯s mouth dropped open in astonishment. Jiang Li actually knew what even this was? Even he had consulted a professional to find out this region¡¯s ancient use of such agricultural tools and thought to have his guests try them out. Indeed, the younger generation was to be feared. Director Sun couldn¡¯t help but give a big thumbs up, ¡°Jiang Li is spot on, this really is a plow.¡± Jiang Yan also raised his eyebrows in surprise, looking at the unimpressive farming tool, ¡°How do you even know about this? Our family lives off the sea, we don¡¯t use this thing.¡± Jiang Li replied indifferently, ¡°Reading books wouldn¡¯t hurt. Use the phone less.¡± Jiang Yan:? Fine, he¡¯d keep his mouth shut. ¡°So what¡¯s mine?¡± Jiang Yan started to clamor again, looking at his own card, ¡°What could possibly use a ring?¡± But Director Sun revealed a profound smile, ¡°Why don¡¯t you guess first?¡± ¡°Is it a surprise?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°Is it a helicopter-style tiller?¡± Director Sun:? ¡°Hahaha, Young Master, what the heck are you thinking about eating!¡± ¡°I¡¯m dying of laughter; how the hell is a helicopter supposed to plow the fields? It¡¯d just flatten the land more like.¡± Director Sun coughed awkwardly. ¡°Let¡¯s do this, just close your eyes first.¡± Jiang Yan hesitantly closed his eyes. Then he turned to Jiang Li standing beside him and said, ¡°I picked this because I listened to you, so you better not be screwing me over.¡± Jiang Li ignored him. After quite a long while, Jiang Yan began to hear a cacophony of noises intermittently. But because there were too many staff members around, he couldn¡¯t make out anything clearly. He just felt like something was approaching him. The next second, his face received a solid, warm breath of affection. Jiang Yan instantly got goosebumps and, with a jerk, he opened his eyes to find himself face to face with a pair of huge eyes. Scared, he let out a yell and stumbled, then plopped down onto the ridge of the field. What stood before him wasn¡¯t a person but a very sturdy old yellow ox. At this moment, the old yellow ox was sticking out its large tongue, eagerly attempting to lick him again. Jiang Yan couldn¡¯t handle it and, terrified, he started to run. Since he was wearing a brightly colored ethnic costume, this instantly excited the old yellow ox. As Jiang Yan ran, he looked back to find the ox licking his behind in pursuit. He was even more devastated. Cursing echoed through the gully, mournfully resounding far and wide. ¡°Jiang Li, fuck your mom, fuck your mom aaaaaah¡ª¡± He Yun stopped driving her car to watch the chase unfold between the man and the ox. Qi Tianyu also stopped hoeing the field, his mouth wide enough to fit an egg. Eventually, he couldn¡¯t resist and pulled out his phone to snap a photo. Mom, he had seen a live ox chasing a person. ¡°Hahahahahahahahaha¡± ¡°I¡¯m seriously laughing my head off, is this guy not here to be the clown? How did he even draw an ox?¡± ¡°Hahahahahaha I can¡¯t take it anymore, I¡¯m convulsing with laughter in bed, why do animals love Young Master so much.¡± ¡°Jiang Li: Surprised?¡± ¡°Hahahahaha is this really not a comedy variety show? My face is sore from laughing.¡± Jiang Yan successfully surged to the top of the trending searches again with his super-high animal popularity. Netizens who were out of the loop were puzzled. Didn¡¯t this guy just make the hot search because of a chicken? How did he now get mixed up with an ox? Director Sun, standing on the field ridge, also laughed until he choked. It took him a while to suppress his laughter, then he directed the props master to calm the old yellow ox. However, at the same time, he had a question. So he turned to look at Jiang Li. ¡°How did you know there was a surprise in that card?¡± Jiang Li slowly said, ¡°I calculated it.¡± Director Sun: ? Comment section: ? Had this guy¡¯s Mystical Skill really reached such a bull level? Over here, after a wild flight, Jiang Yan was out of energy and collapsed in the field. His ¨C originally handsome and dashing demeanor was no more, only the mud and disarray remained. The next second, the blue sky and white clouds in his vision were obscured, and Jiang Li leaned over with a smiling face to look down at him. ¡°Jiang Yan, you have to work hard this afternoon; my field is in your and Daniu¡¯s hands.¡± ¡°Also a reminder, my mother is your mother too, think before you curse next time, and don¡¯t end up being taken for a fool before you even finish swearing.¡± Jiang Yan: ¡°¡­..¡± Chapter 92 - Chapter 92: Chapter 92 Why would a 19-year-old girl read this kind of book?! Chapter 92: Chapter 92 Why would a 19-year-old girl read this kind of book?! Jiang Li, lightened from any task, had plucked a few leaves from the nearby tree and cushioned them underneath herself as she leaned back against the trunk and sat down. She then produced a book from somewhere and began flipping through it on her lap. Her posture was lazy, yet exuded an elegance and tranquility from her very bones. Her eyebrows were like spring hills, her lips like they held cinnabar, and her already peerless appearance, due to the mottled tree shadows of the afternoon, took on a mysterious air. The following PD quickly zoomed in the camera, immediately causing continuous screams in the live streaming room. ¡°Help, Lili is too beautiful, I¡¯m actually suffocating!¡± ¡°This has gotta be her bare face, right? She looks so good with not a single blemish on her face, I¡¯m so jealous.¡± ¡°Of course, Lili is just 19. It¡¯s prime time of her youth, girls at this age are the most beautiful no matter what.¡± ¡°Hah, if someone did your work, you could also look this good. I see Jiang Li clearly just lazily passing off her tasks to others.¡± ¡°??? Are some people blind with their hate? Didn¡¯t you see when Jiang Li was cooking? Farm work is tiring, cooking isn¡¯t?¡± ¡°I¡¯m speechless, cooking just involves moving the arms, how could that possibly compare to farm work? Jiang Li obviously wants to cheat and slack, while still showing off this straight-A student persona.¡± Before long, the live stream¡¯s chat erupted into an argument over this. And a continuous influx of trolls poured in. Go to ????????????????????.co All this was largely thanks to Su Yinwan. She still had several ads yet to shoot and couldn¡¯t monitor Jiang Li all day. So, she had secretly paid to have trolls lurk in Jiang Li¡¯s live stream, ready to stir trouble at any sign of disturbance. Some netizens lacked the ability to discern the truth and were easily swayed. Moreover, Su Yinwan¡¯s die-hard fans couldn¡¯t bear the thought of letting Jiang Li continue appearing in public view, yet instead, she kept trending in searches. How could they sit still? They joined in with the trolls to slander and sway public opinion. This group has been familiar with entertainment circles for years and skilled in manipulating public opinion. They could reverse black and white in just a few words. In no time, the live stream¡¯s chat was dominated by trolls accusing Jiang Li of deliberately avoiding tasks and being lazy. Moreover, several prominent fans had spent money to trend these accusations. Lu Xingchao was on edge watching from behind the screen. He quickly contacted the other two members of their advocacy group. That¡¯s right, their fan club still only had three members. Lei Ting: ¡°Hurry, hurry, hurry, those trolls in the live stream are at it again, what do we do?¡± West District¡¯s Kang Bazi: ¡°Don¡¯t panic, I¡¯ve already been fighting back against each one of them. These people really are idly nitpicking all the damn time.¡± Shiguang: ¡°I¡¯ve spent my New Year¡¯s money to lower the trending topic, but this isn¡¯t a solution, as the opposing side has too many people.¡± Lei Ting: ¡°You¡¯ve reminded me, we need to step up our efforts and expand our team.¡± Lu Xingchao then quickly went offline and contacted a clips editing expert in his studio to create a promotional video for Jiang Li. He then posted the video on his Weibo, earnestly urging people to join the fan club and stand united. After days of trending, a growing number of people had gradually started taking an interest in Jiang Li. However, when they saw the series of membership requirements and the quiz, they all fell silent. Was this really selecting loyal fans, or investigating their ancestors? Finally, someone entrenched in the circle couldn¡¯t hold back and sent a slew of private messages to Lu Xingchao. ¡°¡­.Your fan club is way too lax, right? So many of these questions are nonsensical. Shouldn¡¯t the criteria for joining be based on support for Jiang Li?¡± ¡°And another thing, are you Jiang Li¡¯s assistant? Normally, official fan clubs are set up by the artist¡¯s entourage, but it¡¯s not unusual that Jiang Li hasn¡¯t debuted yet.¡± At the end of her question, she added, ¡°Are you really fans of Jiang Li? Why does the fan club only have three members thus far, and no one has even manipulated ratings on hot searches?¡± Lu Xingchao: ¡°¡­.¡± It was his first time being a fan of someone, and he didn¡¯t know either. He had no choice but to switch back to his main account and dredge up the long-inactive former fan club president from the dusty list. Lu Xing: ¡°How did you think of setting up a fan club back then and manage it to this point?¡± The old president: ¡°? Is the boss grilling her loyalty by faking a resurrection?¡± The old president instantly tensed up. ¡°Lu Xing, did you discover something? I admit, I was originally that black fan who photoshopped you into a greasy uncle online. My aim in joining the fan club was to better undermine you from within, but I swear, after truly getting to know you, I converted from a black fan to a loyal fan. Over the years, my feelings towards you have been genuine!¡± Lu Xingchao: ? He immediately made a phone call. He said how he had always been laughed at by rivals for being a fat, big-eared shut-in, all because of covert mischief by the old president whom he had trusted! However, over the years, the other party had genuinely helped him a lot, and the photo issue had fizzled out after some time, so Lu Xingchao didn¡¯t make it hard for her. Pretending to be angry, he reproached her before using that as leverage to ¡°blackmail¡± her into teaching him how to run a fan club. Meanwhile, Lu Xingchao¡¯s fan club plans were gradually progressing. On the other hand, Director Sun noticed Jiang Li leisurely sitting under a tree. While other guests were sweating profusely, even Shu Yan, who cared greatly about her appearance, was unbothered by the scorching sun, covering her face from forehead to chin, steaming in sweat while tilling the land. But there was Jiang Li, resting leisurely all day long. That was totally unacceptable. So, he quietly approached her with his hands clasped behind his back, feigning seriousness. Coincidentally, he glimpsed the cover of the book on her lap. It bore the glaring title ¡°Atlas of Corpse Transformations.¡± Looking closer, the pages were filled with stark, bloody images and densely packed text descriptions. In broad daylight, under the clear sky and blazing 95¡ãF heat, a chill ran up Director Sun¡¯s spine. Why would a 19-year-old girl be reading such a book¡ªand so engrossed?! Just then, Jiang Li, hearing the rustle, turned her head. ¡°Director Sun? Is there something you need?¡± Her apricot eyes, usually so clear and reflecting the greenery, now seemed strangely eerie to Director Sun. Director Sun¡¯s face stiffened for a moment, and he forced a smile, ¡°Oh, nothing much, just came to see if you were too hot.¡± Jiang Li: ? ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, then I¡¯ll continue reading.¡± ¡°Sure, sure, keep reading. Just call me if you need anything, I¡¯ll be right across.¡± Jiang Li: ? Why had Director Sun become so weird? Director Sun departed grumpily. Just as Jiang Li was about to refocus and continue expanding her knowledge, several calls came from behind her¡ª ¡°Oh my, my girl, Jiang Daxian, I finally found you.¡± Chapter 93 - Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Why Consult a Fortune Teller When a Child is Lost? Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Why Consult a Fortune Teller When a Child is Lost? Jiang Li looked back and saw several aunties linking arms, walking up the ridges of the fields and heading straight for her. The leader was indeed the aunt to whom she had read fortunes this morning. Upon seeing Jiang Li, the aunt explained with a smile, ¡°Girl, we didn¡¯t mean to disturb you deliberately. It¡¯s just that my neighbors here, after hearing that you read my son¡¯s fortune, also wanted to come and have theirs read.¡± Someone beside her tapped her lightly, ¡°What are you calling her ¡®girl¡¯ for? You should call her ¡®master.''¡± ¡°Oh right, right, ¡®master,¡¯ ¡®master.''¡± [??? Are they all here to have Jiang Li tell their fortunes? Does Jiang Li need so many extras every day?] [How can some people still not believe in Sister Li¡¯s abilities, with so many testimonials out there? Why the doubt?] [I don¡¯t think it¡¯s an act. When has anyone ever become famous in the entertainment circle just by relying on a mysticism persona? Jiang Li has always been into Buddhist Scriptures and Zhou Yi, it seems like she really is awesome.] [Exactly, setting up a mysticism persona is too difficult. Who would bother to hire so many extras to go along with their act? Even if they could coordinate, what about Lu Xingchao? Everyone knows he has a rebellious nature. He used to be a hater of Jiang Li, how could he possibly cooperate in an act?] Seeing this comment, Lu Xingchao: ¡°¡­..¡± Was it still possible for him to delete those anti-goddess posts from his Weibo? Under the tree. Jiang Li closed her book, stood up, and addressed the women with a gentle smile, ¡°Aunts, I don¡¯t mean to dampen your spirits, but my fortune-telling always relies on fate, and I don¡¯t just accept anyone who comes. Moreover, everyone has limited energy, and I cannot manage to read fortunes for so many people.¡± Go to ????????????????????.co Although she spoke words of rejection, her choice of words was tactful, and her tone was gentle, her expression sincere, making it hard for anyone to feel embarrassed or uneasy. The group of forthright aunties could only nod in agreement. ¡°That makes sense, the master doesn¡¯t have the energy to read fortunes for everyone.¡± However, a woman dressed in navy clothes squeezed through the crowd, her face anxious, ¡°Then master, can you read my fortune? It¡¯s quite urgent. I haven¡¯t seen my little girl since this morning. Can you tell me where she might be?¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes.¡± The previous aunt who sought Jiang Li¡¯s fortune-telling for her son quickly brought the woman forward, introducing her to Jiang Li, ¡°Her last name is Xu, and she lives just across from my house. Today, seeing her going door-to-door searching for her daughter, I remembered that just yesterday you helped the village chief¡¯s family find Hu Zi, so I thought I¡¯d bring her over to try.¡± Aunt Xu nodded vigorously, her eyes brimming with tears, her hands trembling slightly as they rested on her stomach. ¡°The thing is, master, the child is on summer break now, so she¡¯s been playing around a lot these last few days.¡± ¡°This morning, I personally saw her go next door to play with a classmate, but when I went to call them for lunch, her classmate said she had already gone home.¡± ¡°I was so anxious, I went door-to-door looking, but there was no sign of her.¡± ¡°My husband is still busy in the fields and hasn¡¯t come back. If he finds out I lost sight of our child, he might ask for a divorce.¡± Aunt Xu continued, wiping her tears and sobbing quietly. A few people nearby quickly came over to comfort her and reassure her. [My goodness, another missing child? Is there something wrong with this village¡¯s Feng Shui?] [It¡¯s probably just kids playing hide and seek. I did the same when I was young, and when my dad found me, I got a beating I¡¯ll never forget.] ¡°The people who said it was an act can come and slap me now, how does this look like acting? Auntie¡¯s face is practically written with the word ¡®collapse.''¡± ¡°It¡¯s not okay, if a child is lost, why consult a fortune teller?? Hurry up and call the police, can Jiang Li please stop misleading people here!¡± ¡°Exactly, it¡¯s too much, the villagers are easily confused, and now look, one by one they all run to the fortune-teller, completely oblivious to using legal measures.¡± A wave of indignant voices quickly erupted in the live broadcast room. Most people felt that relying on fortune-telling to find someone¡¯s child was utterly unreliable and might even delay the critical rescue window, and they started accusing Jiang Li. Some even called the show¡¯s producers, demanding that they step in and not let such people continue to spread bad influences on variety shows. Meanwhile, after hearing Aunt Xu¡¯s words, Jiang Li nodded and said, ¡°Okay then, tell me your daughter¡¯s birthdate, and I¡¯ll take a look.¡± ¡°Eh, okay.¡± Aunt Xu hastily reported her daughter¡¯s birthdate to Jiang Li. Jiang Li murmured it a few times to herself and then began to deduce, soon she smiled faintly. ¡°Aunt Xu, don¡¯t worry, your daughter is fine. Her Four Pillars of Destiny indicate great fortune this year, there won¡¯t be any health or life issues.¡± Aunt Xu instantly breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful, that¡¯s wonderful, but where in the world did my little girl run off to?¡± Jiang Li pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Do you have relatives in the next village over?¡± Aunt Xu glanced at the person next to her, somewhat surprised, ¡°Yes, yes, yes, master, you¡¯re really incredible, you even figured that out. My parents¡¯ home is just over the next mountain at Xu Village. It¡¯s not far, and we visit often.¡± ¡°That¡¯s it then, your daughter should be at her grandma¡¯s house. You should call and ask.¡± Aunt Xu exclaimed, ¡°Ah?¡± and quickly pulled out her cell phone to make a call. After a round of inquiries, she found out her daughter was indeed at her uncle¡¯s house! The young girl didn¡¯t want to be home being supervised by her mother to do homework, and she found her classmate¡¯s house boring, so she ran off to her grandma¡¯s house to spend a few days. Aunt Xu had taken her there a few times before, and the little girl secretly memorized the way and sneaked off without telling anyone. Her uncle was initially unaware until Aunt Xu called him. When he checked the house, he actually found his niece upstairs. Everyone was both shocked and relieved, and Aunt Xu, both scared and angry, grabbed the phone and furiously scolded her daughter. But in the end, they found the child, and after calming her emotions, she quickly turned to thank Jiang Li. ¡°Master, you really are a prophet, if it weren¡¯t for you, I would never have thought she would secretly run to her grandma¡¯s house. Thanks to you, I¡¯m relieved now.¡± Jiang Li smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing Aunt Xu, as long as the person is found it¡¯s good. But I still want to remind you about parenting methods, try not to be too extreme, leading with gentleness is the right way.¡± Aunt Xu, thinking of her recent outburst, her face blushed, ¡°Eh, eh, I¡¯ll remember this, don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t hit her. I¡¯ll go to her uncle¡¯s house right now and have a good chat with her, let her understand the dangers of children running off, but maybe I¡¯ve been too strict these past few days, I¡¯ll leave her at her uncle¡¯s house to relax a bit longer.¡± The audience who witnessed the entire process were stunned. They had watched Jiang Li predict the girl¡¯s whereabouts, and then it was verified. Even if they were hiring actors, could they really come up with such an outrageous yet plausible script? Chapter 94 - Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Finally, Someone Comes to Calculate Affection! Chapter 94: Chapter 94: Finally, Someone Comes to Calculate Affection! ¡°Jiang Li really has some skills, being able to figure that out.¡± ¡°Can the master give me a reading too? I always feel my boyfriend is cheating on me. I can pay the fortune-telling fee, any amount!¡± ¡°Count me in with the one above!¡± ¡°Hold on, are you all hyping her up just like that? This clearly looks scripted, okay? Which fortune-teller can make predictions like this? It¡¯s too fake.¡± ¡°Jiang Li has been fake from the start! Pretending to be a good person in this village and bullying our Wenwen without a single mention!¡± ¡°Right! We must firmly boycott any person with a negative past from entering the entertainment industry, no whitewashing allowed!¡± Despite many people being amazed by Jiang Li¡¯s capabilities, there were still quite a few who, due to her public image, held her in contempt. Moreover, mysticism has been quite controversial since ancient times. Not to mention in a society rapidly advancing in technology, many people believe such things are pure fabrications, acts performed by those seeking fame and profit. But the group of aunties surrounding Jiang Li didn¡¯t think so. Originally, they too were skeptical about this young girl¡¯s abilities. After all, Jiang Li looked exactly like the type of pampered young lady born with a silver spoon, beautiful as flowers and the moon, exuding elegance with every move, plus she was so young, how could she possibly be a fortune-teller from Jiang Lake? But when they witnessed with their own eyes her pinpointing the whereabouts of Aunt Xu¡¯s daughter, they were all astounded. Go to ????????????????????.co They didn¡¯t believe in any script or actors, after all, Aunt Xu was from their village, and Jiang Li was the outsider. Was this not exceptional skill, like an immortal descended to earth? And so, one by one, they started pushing their way to the front, eager to have her read for them as well. The few folks tilling the field also noticed the commotion. Shu Yan, who was sitting on the tractor, squinted her eyes and exclaimed, ¡°Wow, is Jiang Li really that amazing? Maybe I should ask her for a reading someday?¡± Qi Tianyu stroked his chin, contemplating, ¡°Although many people think mysticism is all about trickery, what I want to say is, there is documentary evidence for it. There¡¯s a professor at our school who specializes in Yin Yang Theory, and he even showed us some readings during class.¡± Shu Yan¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°Really? Then is your professor even better than Jiang Li?¡± Qi Tianyu somewhat embarrassed, ¡°That¡¯s probably not the case; Jiang Li is too miraculous. The things she deduces are too meticulous; even I wouldn¡¯t be able to figure them out. Our professor is more of an academic expert and has a high level of scholarly achievement, but as for practical experience¡­ I wouldn¡¯t know.¡± Wen Jiaojiao couldn¡¯t help but snort at this. ¡°Do you actually believe that? I¡¯ve known Jiang Li for so many years and I¡¯ve never heard of her fortune-telling abilities. The only thing in that woman¡¯s head is men!¡± That was one of the reasons she disliked Jiang Li. Previously, she had been arrogant and imposing, clinging to Shang Shaojing at a gathering just one month ago, trying to outdo her and Su Yinwan. Then, after appearing on a live reality show, she immediately set up a persona for herself as a scholar and mystic. She would never believe that Jiang Li really knew these things! ¡°Since you are all so curious¡­¡± said Qi Tianyu in a low voice, ¡°why don¡¯t we ask Brother Yan? He is after all Jiang Li¡¯s real brother, so he must know her well.¡± Upon hearing this, everyone instinctively turned their gaze to Jiang Yan on the other side. But as soon as they laid eyes on him, they immediately dismissed the thought. At that moment, Jiang Yan was on his twentieth attempt to strap the iron plow to the old yellow ox. Before he even started working, he was already drenched in sweat. ¡°` Yet, old Daniu was having none of it, far from cooperating. He either paced in circles around the field ridge or stood still, snorting and trampling the grapevine, glaring at him. Jiang Yan ran out of options and had to soften his tone, saying, ¡°Daniu, be good. Brother is going to dress you up; look how pretty this outfit is.¡± [HAHAHAHAHAHA, I¡¯m dying of laughter. What kind of otherworldly presence is Jiang Yan! Why is he coaxing a cow!]] [Question: How do you get the almighty Young Master Jiang to humbly plead with someone? Answer: Turn into old yellow cow.] [I can¡¯t take it anymore, I¡¯m laughing so hard I can¡¯t breathe. Are all of the young master¡¯s fans this witty? Ever since I joined his live stream, I haven¡¯t stopped smiling.] [No, we¡¯re not the young master¡¯s fans, merely his maids [tired laugh].] By the big tree, facing the somewhat crazed aunties, Jiang Li didn¡¯t show the slightest impatience. After pondering for a moment, she picked up a few leaves, broke off their stems, and held them in her hand. ¡°Here¡¯s the deal, I have just eight leaf stems here, two of which are the longest. Those who draw the long stems will have an opportunity for a consultation.¡± ¡°But the same rules apply, you¡¯ll need to pay the fortune-telling fee just like Aunt Xu and the others.¡± ¡°No problem!¡± the aunties proclaimed in unison. They had already learned beforehand that the fortune-telling fee was just a basket of vegetables and fruits, something they could wholly afford. Such a transaction with a high cost-performance ratio¡ªsecuring it was a strike of luck! Thus, the aunties surged forward, instantly plucking all the leaf stems Jiang Li held. In the moment the results appeared, some were disappointed while others excited. The aunt who got a long stem shouted joyfully, walking up to Jiang Li under the envious gazes of everyone else. Glancing at the camera behind her, the auntie awkwardly adjusted her clothes. ¡°That master, my family name is Lin, I¡¯ll get straight to the point. I¡¯m here to seek a marriage match for my daughter.¡± [! Finally, someone¡¯s consulting about romance, I love it!]] [ Sister Li is incomparable at finding people. I¡¯m curious how she¡¯ll do with predicting relationships. If she¡¯s accurate, I might just go harass her on Weibo.] [Here we go, I heard there¡¯s a celebrity live-streaming fortune-telling. I¡¯m here for the show!] The gossipy nature of the netizens is not without merit; although there were many skeptical voices, even more were unable to restrain their curiosity and continued to watch. Many also called their friends and relatives to join in on the spectacle. After all, fortune-telling has always been considered among the most mysterious yet down-to-earth elements in the hearts of Hua Country people. Many are hesitant to take that step but are extremely curious. Normally, they wouldn¡¯t have the chance to watch others have their fortunes told, but now with such a live stream available, of course, they would want to join in on the fun. ¡°The usual, please provide the Four Pillars of Destiny,¡± Jiang Li said. Aunt Lin quickly recited her daughter¡¯s birthdate. After Jiang Li finished making her calculations, she began to reveal her findings smoothly. ¡°Your daughter is twenty-six this year, and she has a younger brother. Your family¡¯s financial situation isn¡¯t bad, and you¡¯ve supported both siblings through college. Your daughter has an official, wealth, and seal in her destiny. Plus, she¡¯s quite ambitious and managed to get into a good college. Your daughter must be quite attractive too because I see a strong presence of Food and Injury in her Life Plate. After graduation, she successfully passed the civil service exam and got a job in the city¡¯s system. Altogether, her career and academics are well-aspected, both sailing smoothly.¡± Upon hearing this, Aunt Lin clapped her hands in astonishment, ¡°Spot on, exactly like my daughter¡¯s situation!¡± The surrounding people also nodded and agreed. They had all watched Aunt Lin¡¯s daughter grow up. She turned out lovely and spirited, both honest and academically successful. After graduating, she joined the transportation department, making her the village¡¯s most promising young lady. ¡°` Chapter 95 - Chapter 95: Chapter 95: The Problem Lies with Your Boyfriend Chapter 95: Chapter 95: The Problem Lies with Your Boyfriend Hearing others praise her daughter, Aunt Lin was smiling so wide she couldn¡¯t close her mouth. ¡°Lingling really is a good child. She has hardly given her father and me any worries over the years. Look, she¡¯s only worked for three years and she¡¯s already brought a son-in-law home. I came here today to ask the master to pick a lucky day for them to get engaged.¡± ¡°Oh my, I was wondering why you¡¯ve been in such a good mood these past few days. It turns out your daughter has brought home a suitor,¡± said a younger aunty nearby, ¡°So the car that was parked outside your house half a month ago was driven by your future son-in-law.¡± Someone in the back listened and quickly leaned in with shining eyes, adding, ¡°I heard from my own son, that car was a limited edition BMW, worth several million. Your Lingling is really fortunate to marry into such a wealthy family.¡± Aunt Lin couldn¡¯t help but let the corners of her mouth rise, but in front of the camera, she could only humbly wave her hands. ¡°Not at all, not at all. My son-in-law¡¯s family just runs an ordinary business. I¡¯ve seen the young man myself; he¡¯s clean-cut and even has a master¡¯s degree.¡± However, across from her, Jiang Li slightly furrowed her brow, her thin lips moved, and she uttered two words that surprised everyone. ¡°Unsuitable.¡± Aunt Lin was taken aback, ¡°Master, what¡¯s unsuitable?¡± ¡°This marriage is unsuitable.¡± Aunt Lin was startled and exchanged puzzled looks with the people next to her. [What? I felt that these two were quite compatible. How is it unsuitable?] [Is Jiang Li just trying to scare people here?] Go to ????????????????????.co [Isn¡¯t there a saying ¡®better to demolish ten temples than to destroy one marriage¡¯? Why is Jiang Li acting like this?] Aunt Lin was somewhat displeased, but eager to clarify the situation, she could only anxiously grasp Jiang Li¡¯s arm. ¡°Master, what exactly is going on?¡± Jiang Li spoke in an unhurried manner, ¡°Would it be convenient for you to call your daughter now, so I can ask her a few questions?¡± ¡°That¡¯s possible.¡± Aunt Lin quickly made the call to her daughter, briefly explaining the current situation. On the other end of the phone, the girl¡¯s voice carried a hint of reproach. ¡°Mom, I¡¯ve told you not to believe that deceptive stuff. Who still goes to fortune-tellers for marriage these days? She¡¯s definitely scamming you for money!¡± Aunt Lin looked at Jiang Li, her expression somewhat awkward. Jiang Li didn¡¯t take it to heart, only smiling slightly before saying to her, ¡°Pass me the phone, I¡¯ll talk to her.¡± Aunt Lin handed over the phone. After switching to speakerphone, Jiang Li said warmly, ¡°Miss Xu, hello, I¡¯m Jiang Li. I believe Aunt Lin has explained who I am. I¡¯ll get straight to the point to save you some time and ask you a few questions.¡± Xu Ling wasn¡¯t inclined to respond. But in that moment, she had also researched Jiang Li online, learning that she was currently participating in a live broadcast variety show. Given she was on camera, she couldn¡¯t afford to seem too indifferent, so she simply cleared her throat and said, ¡°Go ahead and ask.¡± ¡°Did you meet your boyfriend through a friend¡¯s introduction?¡± Xu Ling was somewhat surprised. How did she even know that? She had never told her mother how she met her boyfriend. Xu Ling¡¯s heart clenched suddenly, anxiety creeping in subconsciously as her voice softened considerably, ¡°Yes, my boyfriend and I indeed met through a friend. He was introduced to me by my college roommate who is a family friend of his.¡± [I smell something fishy here, feels like there¡¯s some juicy gossip!] [Me too! Since this lady¡¯s roommate and her boyfriend¡¯s family are old acquaintances, why hadn¡¯t both sides considered each other before?] [Damn, spot on from the comment above. I didn¡¯t think anything was amiss before turning on the ¡®bullet chat¡¯ comments.] Jiang Li didn¡¯t show any sign of reaction but continued: ¡°Your boyfriend¡¯s family is in the catering business, considered middle class. Your boyfriend must have studied in another province, if I¡¯m not mistaken, in a university far down south, and only returned here after graduating to take over the family business.¡± ¡°He is an only child, and his family structure is relatively simple. However, his parents are quite strict, especially his mother, who has a certain need for control.¡± Xu Ling¡¯s eyes widened at this. The hand holding the phone started to tremble slightly. ¡°Yes, what you¡¯ve described is exactly like my boyfriend¡¯s situation. So, is there really a problem?¡± While on the phone, Xu Ling had already opened the Flash Change live broadcast. From the ¡®bullet chat¡¯ comments, she had gotten a rough idea of the situation. Watching the beautiful, clear-eyed girl on the screen, Xu Ling felt a hint of unease. Could there really be something wrong with her boyfriend? Could she have been cheated on? Impossible. After thinking it over, Xu Ling still decided to stand up for her boyfriend. ¡°Miss Jiang, Ah Jie has been really good to me. We¡¯ve been together for a year now, and during this year, he has taken care of every little detail for me, picking me up from work every day. He even lets me check his phone, and he never forgets to give me gifts for holidays.¡± ¡°Although Ah Jie¡¯s mother is quite demanding, she has been quite nice to me. The last time I visited their home, Auntie even gave me an expensive jade bracelet, saying it was a gift from Ah Jie¡¯s grandmother to her.¡± [Wow, hearing the lady talk like this, her boyfriend actually seems quite decent. Nowadays, a man willing to let his girlfriend check his phone is a rarity.] [This mother-in-law sounds alright too. Strictness is quite normal; how could the mistress of a wealthy family maintain their wealth without some skills?] [I don¡¯t need this kind of man! Jiang Li, just stop meddling and let them live happily ever after!] [Exactly, Jiang Li must be bungling things up, right? This couple is happily heading towards marriage and she¡¯s here tossing cold water on them.] Jiang Li¡¯s expression became more reserved as she said in a muted tone, ¡°The problem indeed lies with your boyfriend. I¡¯ll be straightforward with you, his approach towards you is purposeful, and all the kindness is just an act.¡± ¡°How is that possible?!¡± ¡°Because he has some issues with his personal life, and the marriage palace is also empty.¡± Xu Ling: ?! ¡°What, what?!¡± Xu Ling¡¯s mind went blank, ¡°What do you mean he has issues with his personal life? What does that mean?!¡± The audience in the live broadcast was also startled by Jiang Li¡¯s words, flooding the ¡®bullet chat¡¯ with question marks. Aunt Lin was anxious, persistently asking for more information. Jiang Li then explained, ¡°I have looked at your Life Plate, and with the presence of the Lonely Star and this year¡¯s Floral Tribulation, it indicates misfortune in meeting the wrong people. So, I calculated your boyfriend¡¯s Four Pillars of Destiny based on your marriage fate phase and found his Life Plate to be replete with the Food Star. People with this aspect are greedy for sensual pleasures and disregard morals and ethics. After some additional calculations about his family, I have confirmed this.¡± She coughed softly, lowering her voice as she continued, ¡°Your boyfriend probably leads a very chaotic private life. His parents discovered this, but since he is an only child, they forced him to get married. Knowing about his situation, he asked that family friend to introduce him to potential matches, eventually setting his sights on you.¡± ¡°You come from a rural background with a relatively modest family situation. Fortunately, you¡¯re personally quite attractive and have a gentle nature, which makes you easy to control. His parents are terrified you might realize something is amiss and leave their son, so they have been exceedingly nice to you in an attempt to keep you. And once everything is settled, escaping might become very difficult for you.¡± Chapter 96 - Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Cant Easily Forgive the Scumbag! Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Can¡¯t Easily Forgive the Scumbag! Xu Ling was completely dumbfounded. Jiang Li¡¯s words seemed absurd, yet there also seemed to be a trace of evidence, subtly aligning with her own unease. Her hand holding the phone began to tremble uncontrollably. ¡°No, that can¡¯t be possible, Ah Jie¡­ how could he be¡­ he¡¯s always been so good to me¡­¡± At this moment, the live stream erupted. [Holy crap, what kind of explosive drama is this? I¡¯m shocked.] [Did the sister actually get conned into marriage?! For real? Could Jiang Li be making this up?] [Better safe than sorry, sister, stay alert!] Jiang Li spoke with composure, ¡°This is indeed what I saw in the divination. I can only say that he is not your true match. If you insist on bonding with him in marriage, I¡¯m afraid it may harm your fortune in many ways.¡± Aunt Lin, still immersed in Jiang Li¡¯s previous words, hadn¡¯t snapped out of it and tightened her grip on Xu Ling¡¯s arm with an ugly expression. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®personal issues¡¯? How could our Lingling be deceived?¡± An aunt standing by, seeing her increasingly agitated, quickly pulled her aside. ¡°Aunt Lin, pay attention, they¡¯re still filming here. By the looks of what Master Jiang is saying, could it be that your future son-in-law has been messing around behind your daughter¡¯s back?¡± Go to ????????????????????.co Aunt Lin looked stunned, ¡°How is that possible? I always thought Cheng Wenjie was a very honest kid.¡± Xu Ling had also collected herself and forced a smile, saying, ¡°Miss Jiang, could there have been a mistake? Ah Jie¡­ he couldn¡¯t be that kind of person. We¡¯ve been together for so long, and he¡¯s always been so attentive to me.¡± Jiang Li spoke evenly, ¡°Everyone has a side they keep hidden. Since he wants to win you over, he would naturally do all he can to conceal his misdeeds. Think back carefully, during your relationship, has he ever spoken to you about his past experiences?¡± As if struck by a revelation, Xu Ling froze, as though a thought had just hit her. ¡°He, he said that the past of two people isn¡¯t important, what matters are the present and the future. He also said he used to be immature and made many mistakes, but he¡¯s corrected them all now¡­¡± [Isn¡¯t this just PUA?! Sister, open your eyes!] [OMG, sister was almost conned into marriage, that¡¯s just outrageous. Who is this guy? Can we expose him so all our female comrades can avoid this thunder?] Watching the continuous barrage of comments, Xu Ling steadied her mind and, in a low voice, uttered her boyfriend¡¯s name. ¡°His name is Cheng Wenjie. He did his undergrad at Hai University, and his post-grad abroad. He returned to the country a couple of years ago, and then we got together¡­ Miss Jiang, is he really a scumbag? I still can¡¯t accept it¡­¡± No sooner had Xu Ling finished speaking did the live stream¡¯s comment section spew out such a piece of information. [Cheng Wenjie from the 17th grade of Hai University¡¯s School of Economics and Management??] Xu Ling¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°Yes, he studied international economics and trade!¡± [Then there¡¯s no mistake, it¡¯s confirmed. Back in his undergrad days, he even dated several girls at the same time, and got one of them pregnant. It caused a huge scandal back then.] [That¡¯s right, that¡¯s right, I¡¯m also from Hai University and I¡¯ve heard about it. This Cheng Wenjie plays around a lot! He often hangs out with a bunch and parties, and that circle of theirs¡­ they¡¯ve been known to do that sort of thing.] [Holy smokes, this is explosive. And he studied abroad, you know some overseas student communities¡­ Those who get it, get it.] [Sister, quickly give me your contact information, I¡¯ll send you proof, you can¡¯t be deceived into marriage!!!] Xu Ling covered her mouth, a wave of physical discomfort spreading from her stomach throughout her body. With so much evidence and witnesses at this point, even if she was unwilling to believe it, any denial would just be self-deception. Xu Ling couldn¡¯t contain her soft sobbing, ¡°How could this happen? Ah Jie, how could he do this to me?!¡± Two years, she was actually deceived by his hypocritical facade for two whole years! On the other end of the phone, Jiang Li¡¯s brows slightly furrowed, knowing that Xu Ling believed it, she began to console: ¡°Given the circumstances, sadness and grief will only add to your own troubles, don¡¯t harbor resentment or resort to improper means to seek revenge. Cutting your losses and turning back early, minimizing your financial damage, is the righteous path.¡± [Lili is so right! It¡¯s important to cut your losses in time!] [Oh my God, Master Jiang¡¯s values are so upright, she¡¯s even advising the lady not to take irrational revenge. It makes sense, after all, the lady is still an official employee, and it¡¯d be bad if she lost her job because of this.] [We can¡¯t easily forgive the scumbag! It¡¯s outrageous, to blatantly deceive someone into marriage!] As there were already many regulars in Jiang Li¡¯s live stream room, more people rushed over when they heard the news, causing the number of online viewers to break through a hundred thousand in one fell swoop. In an instant, the news of Xu Ling being deceived into marriage by a scumbag was known by over a hundred thousand people and immediately topped the trending searches. Marriage has always been a controversial topic, and this sparked societal public opinion. As the number of people exposing him grew, Cheng Wenjie¡¯s ugly face was revealed bit by bit. Some even posted photos of his ¡°indulgent¡± behavior from his study abroad period online. After reading all the information, all that remained in Xu Ling was anger. Angry at being deceived, angry that her genuine love had been wasted. Having sorted out her thoughts, she continuously thanked Jiang Li. ¡°Miss Jiang, I¡¯m extremely grateful for your reminder. Had it not been for you, this scumbag could have ruined my life. Thank you also for advising me to stay rational. Rest assured, I know what to do. I¡¯ll ask you to pass the phone to my mother in a bit; she might not be able to handle the truth right away. I need to comfort her.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Jiang Li promptly returned the phone to Aunt Lin. From Xu Ling¡¯s Life Plate, it wasn¡¯t hard to see she was a steady girl who knew the bigger picture; otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have come out from those mountains and transformed into the person she is now. She was sure to lead an even more brilliant and happy life after this ordeal. After comforting her mother, Xu Ling, who hung up the phone, felt as if she had just woken from a big dream. But she quickly steadied her heart, picked up her phone, and penned a 2,000-word post that she uploaded to social media. A liberal arts major, she worked a clerical job at the transportation bureau; writing was second nature to her. This social media post, every word crafted with precision, not only revealed the conspiracy of Cheng Wenjie and his parents but also warned all women to be vigilant. At the end of the article, she also expressed her deepest gratitude to Jiang Li. Once the post was published, it instantly went viral. Cheng Wenjie also saw the trending topic online and immediately called Xu Ling to confront her about her intentions. Xu Ling didn¡¯t entertain him, calmly hanging up and blocking all means of contacting him before turning to spend five thousand yuan to promote her own social media post. Jiang Li also received a notable amount of attention from this incident; her social media following shot up by hundreds of thousands, not to mention her live stream audience count skyrocketed past two hundred thousand. Director Sun was originally intended to warn her after receiving a report that Master Jiang was providing harmful guidance through her fortune telling. Seeing the numbers, he simply hung up on the reporter. Joking aside, Jiang Li was now their program¡¯s lifeline for viewership. If she got reported, what would they even film?