Quick Transmigration: Snatching Golden Fingers

by Usui Takumii

not mine, Konila. Total: 148 chapters. Chapters split in translation so the numbers are wonky.

15. 141 to 150

Chapter 141: Superstar Cultivation System [7]

Wen Qing's worries were unnecessary. Han Junqing was a very focused person, and his focus was reflected in the fact that when he set his mind on something, he would not be distracted by anything else. At the moment, he was focused on pursuing his career and completely disregarded matters of the heart.

However, while Han Junqing remained unresponsive to matters of the heart, Gu Ruoying had developed feelings for him.

After truly getting to know Han Junqing, it was hard for anyone not to like him, especially the opposite sex of the same age. His gentle temperament and warm attention were captivating. He was the epitome of a gentleman - considerate, mature, and steady. Additionally, his tall and handsome appearance matched the ideal romantic image that many girls have in mind.

Gu Ruoying had spent the majority of her life in the limelight as a child star. Her years of experience had given her a maturity beyond her years. She found herself frustrated by the immaturity and inconsistency of her peers. She longed for someone who was steady and mature, but most men of that caliber were older than her, and the age gap proved to be an obstacle. But fate intervened when she met Han Junqing, whose similar age and compatible character made him the perfect match for her, and she couldn't help but fall for him.

The young girl's thoughts towards Han Junqing have not yet been noticed by him, but as an experienced driver, Wen Qing could tell at a glance that there was something fishy going on. Although Gu Ruoying's behavior was dignified and composed, she occasionally flashed a shy look when facing Han Junqing, and from a distance, her eyes lit up whenever she saw him. She pretended not to care, but her gaze constantly followed him... All these details indicated that the thing Wen Qing worried about has happened.

Gu Ruoying was the daughter of the female protagonist Gu Nian and the eldest son of the Gu family, Gu Qingfeng. Interestingly, Gu Qingfeng was also the biological uncle of Han Junqing, making them first cousins. Although they were not siblings, first cousins could not marry either.

Wen Qing was worried about this kind of misunderstanding from the beginning, that's why she reminded Han Junqing not to play pretend. She didn't expect the problem to arise not from Han Junqing, but from Gu Ruoying.

As the saying goes, parents' issues should not be passed down to their children. Gu Nian took over the identity of Han Wenqing, along with all of its associated complications, grudges, and favors. These were her own responsibilities, and had nothing to do with her daughter, Gu Ruoying, who was not even born at the time. Just like Han Junqing couldn't choose his background, Gu Ruoying had no choice in hers either.

Given this, Wen Qing deemed it necessary to inform Han Junqing about his identity and allow him to address Gu Ruoying's feelings, thus putting an end to this misunderstanding before it could grow further.

"...I've been so caught up in work that I lost track of time. I've been on set for three months now and haven't kept up with the news about Qing Ke's fans. It seems that acting is my true passion and singing is just a side gig. I'll make sure to carve out some time to record new songs, otherwise, I'll always feel guilty towards the fans..." Han Junqing ate while chatting with Wen Qing through his thoughts.

[Hold on a minute, there's something I need to tell you.]

"What is it? I'm all ears."

Han Junqing's expression at this moment was very relaxed and casual. He had no idea what Wen Qing was about to reveal. Wen Qing was somewhat hesitant to tell him the truth, as sometimes ignorance is bliss. From her understanding of him, learning about his identity would only cause shock and bring no happiness.

As expected, after Wen Qing laid out the truth for him, Han Junqing was speechless for a long time, his expression was a mix of emotions. "So, all the struggles and hardships that my mother has gone through all these years were because of someone else? She should have been a princess with a life of luxury, surrounded by wealth and privilege. She grew up with fine clothes and food, but because she was taken away wrong, she grew up in poverty, had to drop out of school at a young age, and almost got sold by her foster father. She had to endure all these pains that she should never have had to bear?"

Wen Qing took a deep breath. [At this point, it can only be said that fate is unpredictable. There's always two sides to things. You think about it from another angle. If it weren't for this messed up life, how would you have met your mother and become a son?]

Wen Qing could only comfort him like this. If he hadn't known that there was another possibility, he would have been able to endure all of this. But now that he knew, he still couldn't help but feel uneasy.

"Heh!" Han Junqing sneered, "Exchanging a dazzling life for an illegitimate son whose father is unknown. This deal is not worth it."

[Whether it's worth it or not isn't up to you to decide. When the princess became a commoner, others might think she's unwilling and uneasy, but she herself would never think this way. Because in her heart, you are her most precious treasure, and she is willing to exchange everything for you!]

[Think from another perspective. If it were you, would you be willing to abandon your mother for a good background?]

"No!" Han Junqing said without thinking.

[Look, you don't want to either, so you don't have to feel unhappy for your mother. Poverty and wealth may be the arrangements of fate, but can you say that your mother's life was not happy?]

Not happy? Han Junqing's mind flooded with memories from the past. He couldn't help but remember the warmth and love his mother had always radiated. When he came home from school, his mother who was cooking in the kitchen turned her head and smiled at him. He was doing homework under the lamp, and the mother knitting a sweater next to him watched him with a smile on her face. At parent-teacher conferences, his mother's smile was always the brightest in the crowd... In his memory, his mother always had a smile on her face and was never bent by poverty.

Maybe... she was happy.

[You don't have to feel unhappy for your mother. She didn't care about wealth and glory, all she cared about was you. As long as you are good, she will be fine. Besides, she's already passed away. All the worldly things don't matter to her. You are the one who is most affected. Having such a wealthy family as an in-law, it's definitely more beneficial than harmful to you. So do you want to consider recognizing them?]

"There's no need for me to consider. I won't recognize them." Han Junqing said firmly. If he recognized them, his mother's life would become a joke.

Wen Qing understood his thoughts and didn't say more. [It doesn't matter if you recognize them or not. With me here, what do you need a family for? The problem now is that your cousin, Gu Ruoying, seems to have feelings for you. If you don't recognize them, you'll have to think of other ways to dispel her feelings. It's better to solve it early, to avoid any soap opera-like love-hate relationships between siblings.]

Han Junqing was still immersed in the recent sorrow. He had no reaction to Gu Ruoying's liking for him. He just nodded and said, "I know, I'll think of something."

Wen Qing knew that he would keep his promise, so she let down her guard.

However, reality proved her wrong. Han Junqing's so-called "think of something" was simply to tell other in a harsh and blunt manner-

"I don't have any feelings for you, and I never will. Don't waste your time on me."

Chapter 142: Superstar Cultivation System [8]

Gu Ruoying never thought she would have such a terrible day. She had never met a boy she liked before and had not yet built up the courage to confess, but received such a cold and ruthless rejection from him. This left her feeling embarrassed, wronged, and strangely perplexed. How could he not like her?

Even though he was under no obligation to feel fondly towards her, everyone she had encountered had been very welcoming and she had never been so coldly refused before. Even if he didn't like her, he at least...shouldn't dislike her this much?

A woman in love is sensitive and can pick up on even the slightest emotions from the person she loves. Although he had hidden it well and may not have even noticed it himself, she could still feel his disgust towards her.

At that moment, as proud she was, Gu Ruoying wanted to lift her chin arrogantly and say disdainfully, "Who likes you? Self-deluded!"

But the inexplicable sourness in her heart made her hold back. She was afraid that if she said that, she would truly never have another chance. Therefore, she used the last bit of strength to keep her rationality, and smiled politely, "It's alright. Liking you is my business alone, it has nothing to do with you."

Gu Ruoying's tears fell as she turned to leave, thinking that perhaps she will never like someone this much again in her life, to the point of trampling on her self-esteem.

Gu Ruoying returned home with red eyes, and the Gu family was immediately in chaos.

"Which bastard dared to bully our little Ruoying? See if I don't break his legs!"

Back then, Gu Nian was the beloved member of the Gu family, just like Gu Qingfeng's daughter now. Gu Ruoying was the little princess who was held dear by the whole family. When she was wronged, the family, who always protected her, would not give up easily. They rallied around her to comfort her, with several uncles inquiring about who had harmed her. Gu Ruoying, who was mocked by her grandparents, accidentally mentioned Han Junqing's name.

The look of shyness and sorrow on her face, the Gu family could almost guess what had happened with just a little thought.

Ok! Not only did he quietly steal the heart of their little princess, he even dared to make her sad. He definitely deserves a beating! Their little princess is not someone just anyone can try to pursue!

The Gu family's business was big, and they quickly found out all of Han Junqing's information. Good! His mother was a lady, and it seemed like trying to hook up with rich people runs in the family. But he's not just following in her footsteps, he's actually better at it than she is. He must have something special to be able to get the attention of the Gu family.

Han Junqing was a star, and all of his information was publicly available online. The Gu family didn't bother to look into it too much and just accepted what was said online. Because of their preconceptions, the Gu family didn't have any good feelings towards Han Junqing, and even less so now that he hurt their little princess. How could the protective Gu family tolerate this?

The uncles maintained their composure and didn't go beat him up themselves. They just prepared to give some of their connections a call and teach him a lesson. But the younger members couldn't control their anger and gathered a group of people to go block Han Junqing and beat him up indiscriminately.

While beating him, they said, "A toad wants to eat swan meat, but don't you even look at your own moral standing? How dare you try to pursue our little princess! Do you think our Xiaoying is someone you can pursue? You can only look at your face, did you use this face to deceive my sister? Believe it or not, I'll scratch your face, let's see how you can charm people!"

Han Junqing came back to his senses from his confusion and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. He looked at the leader, Gu Changjun, with cold and disgusted eyes and said, word by word, "Your Gu family is truly disgusting."

He was now very grateful that his mother didn't return to such a morally bankrupt family.

Gu Changjun was even more angry now. This time it's not just about his cousin, but about insulting the entire Gu family!

"Hey! This kid is quite arrogant. If I don't give him a lesson, he won't know how to write the word 'Gu'! Brothers, let's go. I'm going to kill him!"

Wen Qing was speechless. The so-called protagonist's aura can be quite frustrating to look at from an outsider's perspective. The setting of the Gu family was to protect their own. Everyone in the family protected their own, without any reason, regardless of right or wrong. The family members were always right! This kind of setting, from the protagonist's point of view, is indeed cool, but from an outsider's point of view, it really tests three views.

In the original work, as long as Gu Nian was harmed, several brothers would beat up the other party without considering right or wrong. They believed that anyone who hurt their sister was definitely wrong!

Their sister was a treasure, and other people's sisters were grass? Wen Qing didn't understand this kind of behavior when she saw it, and now that she has encountered it, there's nothing to say. Regardless of the reason behind it, she firmly believed that her host was not at fault! If they were wrong, it must be the other party being unreasonable!

[Oh my god, I can't take it anymore! Host! Give me control of your body for half a minute, and I'll show you how I'll take revenge for you on this group of trash!]

Han Junqing was shocked as Wen Qing took control of his body. He found himself unable to control his own movements as he watched from a god-like perspective as his body killed in all directions. He saw himself easily defeating eight strong men, moving so quickly that it was almost impossible to see his movements. The enemies fell to the ground, wailing and screaming in pain. He also saw himself looking down on them with a cold, noble and elegant gaze. "I was polite to you before because my upbringing doesn't allow me to bully the mentally challenged, but you have managed to piss me off. I must teach you a lesson. Or you won't know how to write 'Han'!"

Han Junqing inexplicably wanted to applaud for "himself". Well done! It was truly a breath of malice from his heart!

The few people on the ground were not so relaxed. They wanted to stand out for their sister, but they ended up kicking a hard board and getting beaten up. It can't even be mentioned how humiliated they were! It could be seen that they had realized the unpredictable martial arts level of Han Junqing, and they couldn't raise the will to resist!

Han Junqing returned to his own body and didn't stay for long. He stood up and hid his face behind his collar, then lowered his head and left. Gu Changjun and several others returned to the Gu family with swollen noses and faces, and it was another uproar.

However, this time Grandfather did not lose his temper. He asked calmly, "Who beat you?" As a grandson, he naturally didn't need to be pampered like a granddaughter.

They were quite embarrassed, and no one dared to say that they were beaten by one person in such a disgraceful way. Gu Changjun, as the eldest grandson, had to step forward and answer, "Han Junqing..."

Grandfather's face immediately turned black, "Just him alone? No bodyguards?"

"No..."

Grandfather slammed his cane down before finishing his sentence, "Do you have any skills? Not listening to adults and getting into fights! If you had really beaten him, it would have been okay, but you eight people couldn't defeat him and got beaten up instead. You have brought shame to our Gu family."

Gu Changjun and several others held their heads, in pain and gasping for air. Grandfather's hits were heavy and real, but no one dared to dodge. They could only bear it.

After Grandfather finished venting his anger, he threw away his cane and said, "Hmph! I'll give you three days. If you can't beat him, you'll all have to go through half a year of special training!"

Now Gu Changjun and several others' expressions were even more gloomy. Grandfather's special training would be deadly!

Grandfather scolded them, but the fact that several children were bullied could not be ignored. New grudges added to old hatreds, and now the situation with Han Junqing has become even worse. The small losses made the adults more cautious, and they carefully formulated a plan. They told the people in the circle to isolate Han Junqing for a while. After all, it was just children playing around, and it was not appropriate to involve higher authorities. They wouldn't interfere with the behind-the-scenes manipulations, but just give Han Junqing a lesson by isolating him for a year.

Hearing their plan, Wen Qing could only express her feelings with the two words. A year is not long, but for an actor, sometimes a chance is only a momentary thing, fleeting. Their inexplicable beating of Han Junqing and then isolating him for a year, and still pretending to be fair and just, truly made her sick to her stomach.

[What do you think?]

"It makes me see their true nature more clearly. Being a member of their family may bring happiness as they will always support you, regardless of whether you are right or wrong. However, the world does not revolve around them and if everyone were like them, it would be chaos. In the end, they are just selfish and can only see things from their own perspective."

"I don't want to become like them or get involved in their conflicts. As long as they don't come to provoke me, everything will be fine. If they want to boycott me, let them do it. I won't compromise and reveal my identity just to avoid being shunned by them."

Wen Qing appreciated Han Junqing's uprightness. If he had revealed his identity, his family would have definitely given up, but he refused to compromise.

[That's good, do as you wish. I will help you!]

Having already experienced the system's power, Han Junqing did not doubt her words. He just casually asked, "What are you going to do?"

[Young man, your mother wasn't the Virgin Mary. You got a father too!]

Chapter 143: Superstar Cultivation System [9]

[But your father is already dead.]

Han Junqing's slight sense of expectation that had just risen was instantly crushed, and his expression was somewhat bitter. "Can you speak without gasping?"

Every child expects their father, especially for boys. Han Junqing was no exception. When he was young, he saw that other children had both parents, and he also fantasized about his father. But his mother never mentioned it, so he didn't ask.

From childhood to adulthood, he never knew who his father was. The first time he heard about it was when his mother's past was exposed, and netizens said his father was a gigolo. In fact, he knew deep down that this speculation was very likely true, otherwise his mother wouldn't have refused to refute.

However, this result was difficult for him to accept. In his fantasy, his father might be an upright police officer who sacrificed himself while on duty; perhaps he was a doctor who saved lives and helped the injured, but had no time for his family, so his mother divorced him; or maybe he was just an ordinary office worker who died in an accident... among all his guesses about his father, there was no gigolo.

The more beautiful the fantasy, the more disappointed it was. Maybe deep inside, he couldn't accept this explanation, so after his mother's death, he never thought about his father again. He unconsciously avoided the discussions about his father's identity. Now, suddenly hearing the system talk about his father, implying that his father was some kind of important person, he suddenly felt a slight sense of expectation again.

But this expectation was instantly crushed by the system's ruthlessness before this thread of hope would turn into joy. It seems that he was destined to have no family ties; as soon as he received news of his father, he was already dead.

[Don't expect anything. Your dad was a playboy, a womanizer. If he's alive, he might not even want to see you! Your father is dead, but you still have your grandfather!]

Han Junqing was speechless now, and he was waiting for the system to finish speaking.

[Your grandfather is the famous stock king Lin Tiance, and you are left behind by his youngest son in a one-night romance.]

Han Junqing immediately recognized Lin Tiance due to his fame and near-billionaire status. However, he became famous not because of his wealth, but because of the Lin family's property dispute war. Lin Tiance was romantic and heartless, and when he was young, he married several wives, but only had three sons. The fact that the three sons were not from the same mother and all three mothers were still alive added to the level of excitement in the family. Lin Tiance was getting older, but he had not yet established an heir. Wasn't it something to remember?

Two years ago, the Lin family was in chaos, just like ancient times. First the eldest son's only son was kidnapped and extorted for money, and then the second son's wife and children were in a plane crash, none survived. The youngest son, who had no ambition, only knew how to enjoy life with food, drink, and entertainment. He was a regular visitor at all sorts of leisure activities, not picky about meeting new or strange women, and lived a carefree and extravagant life. Last year, he died in a car accident and never got married, let alone leaving behind a son or a daughter. Then this year, the eldest son of the Lin family came forward saying that the third son was killed by the second son, but the second son denied it and bit back, saying that the first son framed and implicated him for killing his younger brother... In the end, the Lin family's eldest and second sons both suffered defeat and died together, and Lin Tiance, in his old age, had no one left behind! This matter caused a lot of noise in China, and Han Junqing naturally heard about it.

At that time, he was just a spectator, and did not take it to heart, but he never thought that the Lin family had a connection with him.

[So, the Lin family only has you as the sole heir. If Lin Tiance knows of your existence, wouldn't he treat you as a treasure? Forget taking care of the Gu family, even if the king of heaven dares to harm you, he would fight with all his might.]

Han Junqing suddenly felt bewildered. He felt that the events he experienced in the past few days were too thrilling. He was just a child from a single-parent family, and suddenly he was told that his mother was a wanderer from a noble family and his father was a prince from a super-rich family. Among the three of them, he was the most ordinary!

[No, no, no! How could you be ordinary? You're just like the typical protagonist in a novel who is a poor guy making a comeback! Any male lead who starts off in a tough situation must have a hidden identity that is off the charts. You have already achieved that. Why don't we change the main storyline? Instead of becoming a superstar, why don't you cultivate into a dragon who can rival the sun and moon?]

Han Junqing was awakened by Wen Qing's enthusiastic proposal, "No, I still like acting!"

Wen Qing was a little disappointed, [There's nothing we can do about it then.]

Afraid that she would have another whimsical idea, Han Junqing quickly changed the topic, "I think it's best to forget about it. The Lin family's business is huge, let's not stir up trouble. I'll just be banned for a year, right? I'll take this opportunity to attend more acting classes."

[Aren't you tempted by the family's wealth?]

"I am indeed tempted...," Han Junqing answered honestly, "but a gentleman loves wealth with principle. The money is hot to handle. I'm happy being a simple man, acting, singing, and spending the money I earn in peace."

"Most importantly, I'm afraid Lin... I'm afraid he'll make me go back to inherit the family business and won't let me act anymore."

[...]

Did she encounter a real-life version of 'if you don't work hard, you'll have to go back and inherit a fortune'?

Wen Qing refused to give up and kept trying to convince him. [Being alone is lonely for anyone, including you and Lin Tiance. You wouldn't want an elderly man to spend his remaining years in loneliness, would you? And as his only grandson, he would likely follow your lead. When it comes to the family business, the grandson is more important than anything else. Throughout Lin Tiance's life, he's been very open-minded. Your concerns may not even be a reality!]

Han Junqing was moved by her words, deep down he still had expectations for his family. He always envied the children who were taken by their grandparents to buy toys and snacks, but he didn't even have a father, he could only look on with envy.

[Otherwise, you risk encountering the Gu family today and facing a year-long ban, only to come across the Shen family tomorrow. It may not be simple. Powerless or powerful individuals can both crush you. When will this cycle end? Having Lin's support as a strong backing, like leaning against a big tree for shelter, provides peace of mind. Then you can do whatever you like to do.]

"Alright." Wen Qing persuaded Han Junqing, finally making him change his mind. Then Wen Qing went off excitedly to do something. Although the Lin family's private life was chaotic, there were still rules. Lin's own morality was also known, and he never interfered with his son's romantic affairs. However, in order to avoid the situation where offspring would fall outside, he specifically kept some people to record the private lives of his sons. Who they slept with, where they slept, etc were all recorded, like an ancient emperor's daily record.

Although it's a bit weird, it's also a method, and overall the effect was good. Even though the Lin family was so chaotic, there hasn't been any hearsay of illegitimate children. But there were still fish that slipped through the net, such as Han Junqing's mother.

Lin Laosan and Han Wenqing had a rocky relationship, but Lin was quirky and indiscriminate in his tastes. He was willing to try anything new and unusual, as long as it looked appealing to him. Han Wenqing was naturally very beautiful, so they ended up having Han Junqing due to a series of unexpected events.

After Lin Laosan went back, he even forgot about this matter, so Han Wenqing was not recorded in the "Household Record" of the Lin family. But Wen Qing didn't mind, she simply added Han Wenqing in. Meanwhile, Lin Tiance was in a hurry to see a doctor, finding women who had slept with his sons and administering paternity tests to determine any missed offspring. When the Lin family eventually discovered Han Wenqing and conducted a paternity test, they would have to express gratitude towards her.

Since they had to deal with the Gu family's difficulties, they naturally had to do it quickly, so that night the Lin family "checked" Han Wenqing, and the next day Han Junqing's paternity test report was on Lin Tiance's desk.

Lin Tiance held three identical paternity test reports. This was to prevent accidents. He had three groups of people do it at the same time. His excited hands were shaking, his cloudy eyes were tearful, "Good good good! God bless, I didn't let my Lin family go extinct! Prepare the car, I will personally go and pick up my grandson home!"

On the other hand, Wen Qing knew that the situation was determined. She wanted to play along with the Gu family. She deliberately arranged for the Gu family to know Han Junqing's identity.

So the Gu family was also collectively stunned. They found their long-lost biological daughter! She dropped out of junior high school, she had an early love affair, she was vain and greedy, she was a young lady... she was dead! After a brief surprise, mixed feelings, heartache, and loss, the Gu family's old man decided to take back the only son of their daughter, the bloodline of the Gu family couldn't flow outside. Because they neglected their daughter so much, they must compensate their grandson well.

The old man felt relieved after finding out about Han Junqing's information. He was glad that the child had not grown crooked. Not only was he of good character, but he was also remarkable, being able to defeat eight of his cousins! He was indeed their family's seed.

"But what about Xiaoying?"

One sentence, like pouring a bucket of cold water, suddenly cooled the atmosphere.

Ah, Han Junqing's return to the family and the young princess' crush on him - a tricky situation indeed! Wouldn't she feel heartbroken? The person she liked was her own cousin. How was she supposed to cope with that?

Chapter 144: Superstar Cultivation System [10]

"Let's secretly recognize Junqing," Grandpa Gu said with guilt after a short pause. "He shouldn't return home yet, we'll wait for the opportunity. Let's keep it a secret from Xiaoying. And Junqing is the elder brother, I'm sure he'll understand our difficulties."

"That's good," everyone agreed.

While Gu Ruoying was occupied with filming, they made their way to find Han Junqing in a grand manner.

"Junqing, I am your grandfather!"

"I am your uncle!"

"You little scamp! I am your older cousin. Let's put the past behind us and keep pushing each other in the future!"

"My child, you have suffered all these years!"

"When you return home in the future, your grandmother will make up for lost time with all the love and tenderness you deserve."

"From now on, you won't be alone anymore!"

...

A group of people were talking animatedly, all wearing big grins. They were elated to have discovered their long-lost relative and it showed on their faces. Who wouldn't be overjoyed in their shoes?

Han Junqing, who was among the crowd, finally snapped out of his daze. Though his face didn't match the exuberance of his family members, he felt a flicker of happiness inside. Despite the lack of apology for his earlier beating and the lifting of his banishment, the ties of family blood proved unbreakable. The Gu family's warmth and hospitality had transformed Han Junqing's perception of them, and he smiled politely with a composed demeanor.

Grandpa Gu sighed, "I didn't expect your mother to have raised you so well."

"Ha-ha, the finest bamboo shoots come from bad roots!" Gu's second son chimed in, causing everyone to chuckle.

Only Han Junqing's expression turned frosty, but Gu's family kept on chatting and laughing, oblivious to the change.

This further irked Han Junqing. People's subconscious reactions are the best indicators of their attitudes. While Gu's family felt remorse for their daughter's pain, they also disapproved of her being a hooker due to their lack of emotions. They made a clear distinction between right and wrong. However, for Han Junqing, his mother will always be the greatest and best in his heart, no matter her actions. How could he be pleased with Gu's family referring to her as inferior bamboo roots?

This highlighted the disapproval of Gu's family towards Han Junqing's mother. He felt uncomfortable with their lack of understanding and wished that they would embrace her as a mother regardless of her past actions. Why didn't these close relatives see what others saw? Who was responsible for her downfall? Would she have faced such fate if she remained in the Gu family?

Han Junqing spoke out, "It doesn't matter if I don't reunite with my family, but I wish you would recognize my mother. She made some choices in her youth that were not well-received and has faced constant criticism. With support from my family, I believe these rumors will finally cease. It doesn't have to be a grand announcement to the public, just let it be known."

The expressions on the faces of the Gu family members suddenly became uncomfortable. They had originally intended to handle the situation discreetly, as having a daughter who once acted as a hooker was not something they wanted to publicize. However, Han Junqing's request was not unreasonable, and they shouldn't feel ashamed of their daughter. Despite this, they couldn't fully reconcile their feelings.

Gu's second son cleared his throat and said, "You might not be aware, but your uncle is about to be promoted. It's a crucial moment, and with your mother's situation… so to avoid any complications, we've planned to keep things low-key."

"If I return to the Gu family and others inquire, won't the truth still be revealed?" Han Junqing asked with a neutral expression, showing neither sadness nor happiness.

Gu family was even more embarrassed. Gu's second son stammered, trying to explain the situation to Han Junqing. "Junqing, you're aware that Xiaoying had feelings for you before. But now, the person she likes is her cousin. It's going to be hard for her to face you. So, let's just take it slow and give her some time to adjust. I know you're a good kid and the family is also very happy to have you back, but..."

Han Junqing cast his gaze downward and offered a self-deprecating smile. "So, you actually still dislike my mother, dislike her being a hooker?"

He shouldn't have entertained any hope in the first place, but he was too trusting, appreciative of the kindness of others.

Just as the room was plunged into an awkward atmosphere, a convoy of cars arrived outside the small villa that Han Junqing rented, and a group of black-clad bodyguards emerged, creating a secure perimeter. With the aid of a crutch, Lin Tiance stepped out of the car and called out, "Grandson, Grandpa has come to take you home!"

Lin Tiance entered the living room with a rosy complexion and was unsurprised to see the people there. He had thoroughly investigated Han Junqing from the moment he learned of his relationship and was aware of what had taken place earlier. Naturally, he was aware of the Gu family's existence, but he held no fondness for those who rivaled him for his grandson.

The appearance of Lin Tiance took the Gu family by surprise and elicited delight. "Mr. Lin, what brings you here...?" Despite the Gu family's involvement in military, political, and business ventures in recent years, they still fell short in comparison to the highly influential and deeply rooted Lin family. Establishing good relations with the Lin family was a source of great pleasure.

Lin Tiance paid no attention to the Gu family and headed directly towards Han Junqing, exclaiming joyfully, "My dear grandchild, I am your grandfather!"

Han Junqing showed no sign of surprise, but the Gu family was collectively in the dark. Is Han Junqing Lin Tiance's grandson? How could this be? Wasn't it said that Lin Tiance had no descendants? How could there be a grandson appearing now? Why is it Han Junqing?

So, did the daughter of the Gu family carry the offspring of the Lin family?

In other words, they were related by marriage to the Lin family?

In a matter of moments, the wise Gu realized the issue and saw the great benefits it held. Of course, this was just an unconscious thought, he still liked his grandson. But the additional gains made this moment all the more joyful.

"Haha, what a coincidence! Junqing is my daughter's and Mr. Lin's child. Imagine, a family not even realizing they are related. This is a big moment!" Grandpa Gu laughed joyfully. Despite Lin Tiance's previous ignorance, in the face of such surprise, Grandpa Gu unconsciously excused it, attributing it to Lin Tiance's overwhelming excitement at seeing his grandson.

Lin Tiance finally looked at them with a friendly smile, "No need to rush, let's see if my grandson is willing to acknowledge you all as family." Ignoring the awkward faces of the Gu family, Lin Tiance turned his face to Han Junqing with a flattering smile, "My dear grandson, what do you say?"

Han Junqing didn't realize that he was venting his anger on himself. However, upon looking at Lin Tiance who looked like an old child in front of him, he suddenly felt that acknowledging him as a grandfather may not be a bad thing after all.

Han Junqing calmly looked into Lin Tiance's eyes and stated, "I want my mother included in the Lin family lineage."

"No problem. I'll take care of it. Your mother will be recognized as the official third wife of the Lin family."

"I want to return to the Lin family openly."

"Of course! Grandpa has to tell the whole world that you are the sole heir of the Lin family."

"I want to continue acting."

"No problem. I can still live for thirty more years. I'll support the Lin family. You can do whatever you like."

Lin Tiance agreed to everything Han Junqing said, joking around. What could be more important than his grandson? And as for reputation, did the Lin family ever care about such things? The fact that Han Junqing was making demands was a clear indication that he was willing to accept him, and Lin Tiance was overjoyed. It seems that earlier, the Gu family must have hurt Han Junqing's feelings, otherwise he wouldn't have agreed to return to the Lin family so happily.

Han Junqing broke into a sudden laugh, feeling a weight lifted from his heart. He gazed at Lin Tiance and affectionately called out, "Grandpa."

"Ah!" Lin Tiance was overjoyed at finally hearing the word "grandpa." He hugged Han Junqing, tears streaming down his face, and patted his shoulder repeatedly, "Good! Good! Good!"

The scene of the grandfather and grandson meeting each other was too touching and warm, and the butler and others who accompanied Lin Tiance could not help but be happy for them. On the other hand, the members of the Gu family present couldn't even muster a smile, their expressions as stiff as a board, faces burning with embarrassment just like before. Now, their faces must hurt!

Weren't you unwilling to acknowledge the child's mother publicly? Now she's been recognized as the third wife of the Lin family. You don't have to hide or be afraid of people finding out about your illegitimate grandchild, do you? People are openly declaring him as the sole heir of the Lin family! Don't you feel remorse for your grandchild's mistreatment? Now, people can choose whether to acknowledge you or not!

It was painful. The faces were burning hot. But at that moment, they couldn't say anything. Han Junqing hadn't revealed his stance, and they didn't want to risk angering him and causing the separation of the child from them.

Wen Qing, who was watching attentively and eating melons within the system, was having a better time than if she were watching a comedy show on TV!

After watching, Wen Qing patted her butt and continued to do things. Can't you just make the Gu family suffer? When everyone hurts, that's what really hurts.

#Exclusive breaking news! Qing Ke is Han Junqing!#

#Breaking news! The lead actor in Darcy's new work is Han Junqing!#

Wen Qing leaked the news herself with evidence to support it, leaving no room for doubt.

The internet exploded.

"Wow! It's really him! At first I was a bit skeptical when I first heard his voice. I thought it wouldn't be possible for someone who got out of the entertainment industry to come back and sing."

"What a deceit! Pretending to be someone else and waiting for the chance to regain fame and wash away the past events... This is a complete cheat on fans!"

"I'm done with this! If I had known it was him, I would never have listened to his music!"

"Having such a mother indeed shows one's character!"

"Actually, I don't think he's as bad as everyone says. His background wasn't a choice of his, and looking at the content of his songs, he probably has a deep affection for his mother. I don't think a filial child can be that bad."

"How could Darcy choose such a person as the lead actor? It's ruining a good show!"

"If he's really the lead actor, I won't watch the show for sure!"

"Change the male lead! Change the male lead! Change the male lead! Say important things three times!"

"Is he coming out to clear his name and look for a new project? I bet there will be a statement soon about how hard his mother worked to raise him and how she had to become a maid, etc. Haha, it's all just a routine."

"Han Junqing get out of the entertainment industry! Han Junqing get out of the entertainment industry! Han Junqing get out of the entertainment industry!"

…

Chapter 145: Superstar Cultivation System [11]

The online boycott against Han Junqing didn't last long. In less than a day, even more sensational news broke out.

The stock market king, Lin Tiance, found his long-lost grandson.

The multi-billion-dollar empire now had someone to inherit it, dispelling the worries of netizens who were fretting over its future.

Those who were kneeling and calling someone else "daddy" now have to face their disappointment.

After the news about the Lin family broke out, many people felt heartbroken for Lin Tiance. It was so pitiful that nobody would inherit such a massive business. Many people wished they were Lin Tiance's long-lost grandson, dreaming of inheriting the billions of dollars. There were even jokes online that said, "I am ready, just waiting for grandpa to come and get me." Little did they know that someone actually had the good fortune to become Lin Tiance's grandson. How could others not be jealous and envious?

"Grandpa, don't go. You still have another grandson here!"

"I just want to know which bastard impersonated me and pretended to be his grandson?"

"Grandpa, please be more serious! How can you just decide so casually? I have the Lin family's ancestral birthmark!"

"I also have the Lin family's ancestral charm!"

...

Before Han Junqing's name was revealed, netizens were still able to joke around with a lighthearted tone. But the following day, the Lin family held a press conference to introduce him. The air was tense as Lin Tiance was about to reveal Han Junqing's identity. With a confident stride, Han Junqing emerged on stage, impeccably dressed in a suit that complemented his graceful and elegant posture, and calm and composed demeanor. The lively venue seemed to have suddenly been paused, with everyone silenced.

Wait a minute? This person looks familiar.

Holy shit! Isn't that Han Junqing? The same guy who was blacklisted by netizens and faced calls to be expelled from the entertainment industry? Did he mistakenly show up on this set?

Lin Tiance's face lit up with affection as he wrapped his arms around Han Junqing's shoulders. "Allow me to introduce you to my grandson, Lin Junqing, the sole heir to our family legacy!" he declared with pride.

The whole audience fell silent!

What is an unexpected surprise? What is a shocking reversal? What is a life full of surprises? This is! This was truly shocking! The person who was just being criticized by the public a moment ago, transformed into a wealthy young master that everyone envied and was jealous of!

Han, no, Lin Junqing now, was previously despised by netizens, not only because his mother was a prostitute, but also because of the rumors of his involvement in unethical practices and his chaotic private life that stemmed from it. Some led the charge, and the masses believed the allegations without question. But now, as the biological grandson of the prestigious Lin family, did he still need to climb the ranks? Could he soar any higher?

Just ask those trolls. Are you surprised? Were your expectations exceeded? Is this not exciting enough?

"Uh...I want to say...hiss, my face hurts, I better not say it."

"So, Han Junqing is the lucky guy who stepped in dog poop and got lucky?"

"I'm telling you, from the moment I saw Han Junqing, I knew he was someone extraordinary. That aura all over him, he must be rich and noble! Sure enough, I was right!"

"When you said that, could you please change the profile picture that said 'Han Junqing, get out of the entertainment industry' first?"

"Is it still possible for me to take back what I said?"

"Is it still possible for me to take back the fart I let out?"

"Is it still possible for me to retrieve the brain I lost?"

"Is it still possible for me to apologize to the little brother?"

"Is it still possible for me to go and kiss him?"

…

Because there's a screen in between, some people could still maintain their composure even when they're getting called out or felt embarrassed about their actions. They could quickly turn their backs and change their stance, after all, no one knew who they really were. They could even act like they're having a great time while throwing insults left and right.

Of course, this was only a part of the story. There were also those who got their faces beaten up and now hide behind fake identities, unable to come out and face the music. They were once so arrogant, but now they're nothing but cowards.

And then there were those who, out of jealousy or a desire for attention, continued to spout nonsense.

"Even if he tries to trace his ancestry, it doesn't change the fact that his mother was a prostitute!"

"The truth is out! Her customer was none other than the third young master of the Lin family!"

But these comments were quickly opposed by "righteous netizens".

"You're just sour grapes! What does it matter what someone's mother does as long as they're not committing crimes or hurting anyone? Why do you care so much?"

"She's already the third wife of Lin's family! It's even in the family register!"

"Who hasn't made mistakes when they were young? So what if they took a wrong turn? They've turned their lives around and have children now. A prodigal son returns with gold. Why do you keep dwelling on their past?"

"You're just talking nonsense from behind a screen! If you have the guts, say it to Lin Tiance's face!"

"Um, I just want to remind everyone that this forum platform is a subsidiary of the Lin Family Group and requires real-name registration."

"..."

"..."

"Damn! I forgot about that! Thankfully, I didn't say anything I shouldn't have! Take care, guys who were hurling insults!"

"233333, you can imagine the look of those few guys with a confused face!"

"Hahaha! They thought they could just spew crap online without consequences, but now they'll pay for it!"

…

In the end, the situation ended in a strange way. The keyboard warriors who were in the middle of their tirades disappeared instantly, and the internet reached an unprecedented level of unity and harmony, with a flood of praises.

As for those few who were the most vocal in their insults, believe it or not, the Lin Family actually found them. The Lin Family didn't go public or report them to the police, as the punishment for such behavior would be too lenient. With their own means, the Lin Family had plenty of ways to make the offenders pay the price without making a fuss.

This matter was personally instructed by Lin Tiance himself. How dare anyone slander his grandson behind his back? Humph! They had to pay some price!

Regardless of what was happening online, Han Junqing had already confirmed his ancestry and returned to his roots. Although he tried his best to remain calm, he was still dizzy and found it difficult to adapt to his new identity for several days.

Before, when Lin Tiance promised him something, it wasn't just to humor him. After everything was taken care of, Lin Tiance really did let him go to act.

The crew of "The Rightful Emperor" had been filming for almost a year and was approaching its end. Han Junqing's scenes were already running out, meaning there were only a few scenes left for him to shoot. However, when news broke that he had been recognized by the Lin family as their heir, the entire cast and crew were dumbfounded. The director was not only baffled but also somewhat worried: the lead actor had returned home to inherit his family's business, but would he continue to shoot the remaining scenes? Those scenes were crucial, and without them, the film couldn't be edited into a cohesive piece. On the other hand, if they replaced the lead actor and started over, it would be a daunting task.

Just as the director was at a loss, Han Junqing returned to the set, accompanied by a strengthened bodyguard.

There was no way around it. Lin Tiance was so protective of his only grandson that he treated him like the apple of his eye. He was afraid that any mishap would cause harm to his only heir.

In the face of this, Han Junqing could only reluctantly accept it. While enjoying the protection provided by the Lin family, he had to give up some things out of necessity. This might seem a bit hypocritical, but the truth was that he was no longer as free as he used to be.

When Han Junqing returned to the set, the crew was delighted, but couldn't help but wonder. They just couldn't understand the thinking of these wealthy people. They already had billions of dollars in assets, so why bother coming back to act in movies?

One could only say that everyone has their own aspirations, and everyone pursues different things, leading to different choices.

As Han Junqing busied himself with filming, the Gu family had given it some serious thought and finally made their final decision: they were going to recognize Han Junqing!

In other words, fully accepting his mother and openly bringing him back to the Gu family.

So, just when the internet had calmed down for a few days, another piece of news shocked everyone.

"Oh my god! There's still a sequel!"

"Wow! He's not only the only heir of the Lin family, but also the legitimate grandson of the Gu family!"

"Isn't it amazing that his mother, Han Wenqing, is the real badass here? Born into a wealthy family but fallen from grace, yet still managed to enter the door of a super-rich family! And she gave birth to the only heir of the Lin family!"

"Awesome! This isn't just the story of a girl who made a mistake and stumbled into the world by chance. It's the epic journey of a legendary woman!"

"Am I the only one who wants to know how Han Wenqing, a wealthy heiress, ended up in such a place? Was the wrong baby picked up? Life is not a TV drama. Even if the Gu family is a wealthy family, can they really pick up the wrong child?"

"While Han Wenqing's background is impressive, it's an undeniable fact that she never had a good day in her life. Why didn't the Gu family do anything about the fake daughter who took her identity?"

"Oh my god! The Gu family is also weird! Their own son married a fake daughter, and they really became a family! Even if there's no blood relationship, she's still their adopted daughter! And they raised her as their own for more than 20 years! What were they thinking when they were still siblings?"

"Doesn't the fake daughter feel any guilt? She took someone else's life and made them suffer for her own benefit. It's one thing if both families are equally wealthy, but one was rich and the other was poor! Why did she have the right to do that? If I were Han Wenqing, I would definitely crawl out of the ground in anger!"

"I suddenly feel sorry for Han Wenqing. She was originally a well-bred young lady, but ended up in such a situation! If she knew about it, she would be very unwilling, right?"

"Of course, who would be willing?! If it was really an accidental mix-up, it would be okay since it was an accident, but if it was intentionally done, that would be really shameless!"

"Could it be that Han Wenqing's foster mother envied the glory and wealth of the Gu family and wanted her own daughter to live such a life, so she secretly switched the children?"

"If that's the case, Han Wenqing and her son are really pitiful, aren't they?"

...

Chapter 146: Superstar Cultivation System [12]

As netizens were busy coming up with all sorts of conspiracy theories, Gu Ruoying finally learned that her beloved was her cousin.

"How can this be? No, no, no, this must be a mistake, right? How could he be my brother? I don't have a cousin. I don't believe it!"

Watching her suffer and struggle, the Gu family couldn't help but feel sorry for her. But at this point, all they could do was try to console her.

Gu Ruoying simply couldn't accept this reality. She had thought that as long as she worked hard enough, she could win Han Junqing's heart. But now she was being told that they were siblings, and that they could never be together. No matter how hard she tried, there would be no happy ending. This realization nearly broke her.

"This isn't real! I don't believe it! I don't want this brother, I don't want him to be my brother! Grandpa, please don't let him come back to the Gu family. Please don't let him come back! I can't accept it!"

If he didn't come back, she could continue to deceive herself into believing that it wasn't true. She knew that her request was unfair to Han Junqing, but she just couldn't face him. She couldn't bear to live under the same roof as him.

Gu Ruoying begged and pleaded, her eyes filled with despair that broke everyone's hearts. Seeing his granddaughter in such pain, Grandpa Gu couldn't bear it and quickly promised, "Don't cry, Xiaoying. Grandpa promises you that we won't let him come back, okay?"

What happened in the Gu family was unknown to outsiders, but Wen Qing saw everything clearly. She never had much hope for this unpredictable family that lived in their own little world. Han Wenqing was lucky not to be found.

When Wen Qing broadcasted these images to Han Junqing, the last bit of restraint in his heart finally disappeared without a trace. "I don't need to pay attention to the Gu family anymore. They have nothing to do with me."

At first, Lin Tiance was worried that the Gu family's announcement would make his grandson think. But he saw clearly that the Gu family's feelings for his grandson were not deep, and their status in the Gu family's heart was even lower than that of the fake daughter. Moreover, the Gu family's habit of protecting their own regardless of right and wrong meant that when there was a conflict of interest between his grandson and them, they would definitely side with their own and make his grandson suffer.

How could he allow his own precious grandson to be mistreated by them? But if his grandson really chose to acknowledge the Gu family, he would consider his grandson's feelings and endure the nausea of socializing with their family. Now it seemed that his grandson's eyes were bright!

So after the Gu family posted that announcement, there were no more updates, which only fueled the conspiracy theories of the onlookers. Just like the "conclusive evidence" that was once made about Han Junqing, the fact that Gu Nian's biological mother exchanged the two children for the sake of fame and wealth became the so-called "truth".

"I knew it, how could there be so many coincidences? It turns out someone did it on purpose."

"I think when Han Wenqing was sold by his adoptive father, Gu Nian was involved. Maybe Gu Nian had already recognized Han's father at that time, and Han's father knew that Han Wenqing was not his daughter, so he sold her!"

"That's terrifying if you think about it! Wasn't it also Gu Nian who blacklisted Han Junqing before? She was afraid that Han Junqing would get angry and be discovered by the Gu family, so she wanted to get him out of the entertainment industry!"

"That makes perfect sense! I was wondering at the time why even actors who had filmed adult films could still stay in the entertainment industry, but Han Junqing's mother's actions 20 years ago were so hated. Obviously, someone was manipulating the situation!"

"Someone is definitely trying to manipulate public opinion! Looking back now, was there any solid evidence for those who claimed that Han Junqing had a chaotic personal life? Since his debut, he hasn't even had a rumored romantic partner, so how could his personal life be chaotic? And as for those who said he used underhanded tactics to climb the ranks, where is the evidence? There is none! At first, there were words like 'possibly' and perhaps', but later they all became facts! However, many of these things cannot withstand scrutiny!"

"The spectators are all stunned! The corruption of the wealthy is beyond what we commoners can imagine!"

"The Gu family is also very strange. They still protect and favor the person, who took their own daughter's place and even caused trouble for their own grandson!"

"Did the Gu family find out something? Is there no follow-up to the announcement? Gu Nian is definitely not innocent, but she has lived with the Gu family for over 40 years. Their relationship is not comparable to that of a biological daughter who has never met them! It's obvious that the Gu family's silence is to protect her. When faced with a biological daughter and an adopted daughter, the Gu family chose the latter!"

"I feel sorry for Han Wenqing. What kind of people are in this Gu family!"

"I hope Han Junqing can see the true nature of this family and not return to them!"

"The waters run deep in the world of the wealthy!"

...

Netizens turned into Sherlock Holmes one by one, and found the "truth" from the slightest clues, and condemned the Gu family and their fake daughter, Gu Nian, for it.

In fact, there was no conspiracy or trickery in the events of the past. Han Wenqing's foster mother was taken ill on the road and was urgently sent to the nearby hospital by a passerby, coincidentally the same hospital where Gu's mother was. At that time, the Gu family was being targeted by their enemies and they were caught up in a riot in the hospital. Amidst the chaos, the child was mistakenly taken.

After Han's mother gave birth to the child, Han's father heard about the high medical fees from the nurse and knew that they couldn't afford it. So, the couple took the child and left without leaving any information. This is why the Gu family couldn't find Han Wenqing twenty years later.

It can be said that everything was just a series of unfortunate events.

However, the netizens' accusations against Gu Nian were not entirely unfounded. Although she had been reincarnated, her soul was that of an adult. Even as a baby, she could sense that something was wrong outside and was aware of being switched at birth. She just used the excuse of "being confused after just reincarnating" to deceive herself, so that she could enjoy Han Wenqing's life with peace of mind.

At first, she felt guilty about occupying someone else's identity. But now, she no longer felt any guilt about it, in the face of all the conspiracy theories online.

She didn't choose to be switched at birth, she was also a victim who was separated from her biological parents. Why did they have to use such malicious thoughts to speculate about her? She wanted to come forward and clarify the truth, but she also knew that taking it too seriously would only make things worse. Nevertheless, seeing all those hurtful comments made her feel so frustrated.

She had traveled through time and had lived a smooth-sailing life for more than 40 years. Yet, for the first time, she encountered such a heart-wrenching situation. In the past, whenever she was wronged, her family would always stand up for her. However, this time was different. Even the Gu family couldn't stop the netizens from spreading rumors. Having been used to a luxurious and pampered life for more than four decades, Gu Nian couldn't stand this kind of injustice, and her anger boiled inside her.

When there's fire burning inside someone's heart, it's easy to make mistakes and say the wrong things. And that's exactly what happened to Gu Nian, as she offended a few wealthy ladies with her thoughtless words. The Gu family had always been protective of their own, and they always sided with their family members regardless of the circumstances. But this time, their blind support had consequences. These wealthy ladies were once close allies of the Gu family, and their relationship was built on mutual benefit. However, Gu Nian's actions had a negative impact on their relationship. In the business world, there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests. Sometimes, a single misstep can lead to a complete disaster. The Gu family wasn't irreplaceable, and if there were other potential partners available, why would they choose someone who treated them poorly?

This wasn't the first time something like this had happened. Gu Nian could have swallowed her pride and tolerated the other party's behavior, considering the Gu family's power and status. But this time, there was someone supporting this from behind. Who would be willing to endure such humiliation in this situation?

It was the Lin family who stood behind this. If it weren't for the old man's statement, everyone would have thought that the Gu family had formed a kinship with the Lin family. But that wasn't the case. The old man's statement was clear - the Lin family has nothing to do with the Gu family. Those who were shrewd enough could see the underlying meaning behind his words. The old man didn't want the Gu family to use his influence, and his intentions were crystal clear.

With the Lin family's position and attitude, they were not hesitant to cut off ties with the Gu family. With the Lin family taking this stance, the Gu family had no support and were left in a sorry state.

No matter how powerful they were, they could not withstand being isolated and ignored by everyone! Looking at the current state of the Gu family, their downfall was only a matter of time.

Wen Qing watched this family self-destruct with a cold gaze and did not make any further moves. When Han Junqing asked her not to pay attention to the Gu family, she stopped telling him about their affairs. Now that Han Junqing's "The Rightful Emperor" has finished filming and he has recorded his first album, there were various appointments. He knew that these opportunities came with his identity rather than his acting skills, and he refused them one by one, calming down and settling himself.

It wasn't until "The Rightful Emperor" aired that Han Junqing's superb acting skills completely amazed the audience and garnered praise from various industry professionals. Only then did Han Junqing consider accepting another role.

It was a small independent film, and the character he chose wasn't even the male lead, but the second male lead. Since he wasn't acting for fame or fortune, he naturally chose the character he liked.

Chapter 147: Superstar Cultivation System [13]

At the end of the year, Han Junqing was nominated for the Best Actor award and won it in one fell swoop. At the same time, his debut album sales surpassed ten million, making him a dark horse in the declining music market, shocking both the industry and the public.

He refused to appear on variety shows or attend any commercial activities, but he portrayed classic characters on the screen. His acting skills were excellent, recognized unanimously by both his peers and fans. In fact, his talent was so outstanding that every character he played became a classic.

His family background only added to his fame, but it did not stop him from pursuing his passion. He was truly devoted to doing what he loved.

At the age of 20, he won his first Best Actor award, and from then on, he received various awards every year. At 27, he made his international debut in a film and won the Oscar for Best Actor. No one suspected any behind-the-scenes manipulation because his talent was indisputable.

That same year, he directed his first film, "My Mother". Without fabrication or exaggeration, the film portrayed his mother's entire life.

After watching the film, the audience fell silent. Han Junqing had never defended his mother, not even after being accepted into the Lin family. People had believed that everything that happened was true and he had no defense. But after watching the film, they realized that he didn't need to defend her, because his mother had never done anything that needed defending.

Dropping out of school as a teenager, getting into fights over first love, being sold by his father, and being led astray by others...his mother's experiences seemed like choices forced upon her by fate. Whether it was her strange background or giving birth to Han Junqing later in life due to a twist of fate, her story left everyone feeling emotional.

The woman who had never been favored by fate was like a wildflower blooming alone, stubborn, willful, and humble, resisting the malice of the world and strong enough to make people feel sorry for her.

And this film not only earned Han Junqing the Best Director award, but also won numerous other awards, once again pushing Han Junqing's fame to new heights.

As Wen Qing said, even without this system, Han Junqing would eventually become a revered figure among the masses. Hardworking people never get disappointed.

When Han Junqing was 30 years old, he got married, not to a noble lady from a prestigious family or a celebrity in the entertainment industry, but to his assistant, Zhou Nianshi, who had been by his side since he had nothing.

Although Zhou's family was neither wealthy nor noble, they were a scholarly family. Zhou Nianshi initially joined the crew as a summer intern and later fell in love with Han Junqing. She volunteered to be his assistant. Ten years of companionship had already made them the closest people to each other.

As someone who grew up in a single-parent family, Han Junqing was somewhat guarded about love. Compared to love at first sight, silent companionship was what could really break down his defenses.

However, Wen Qing was the person who had been with Han Junqing the longest and had been the most considerate. Yet, Wen Qing had never revealed her true identity. Although Han Junqing had deep feelings for her, it was more akin to a familial love. Wen Qing had never thought about developing a cross-racial love with him. Moreover, the client entrusted her to make sure Han Junqing got married and had children, living a normal life, rather than being with her.

Therefore, the gentle, pure-hearted, caring, and beautiful Zhou Nianshi, who was incredibly compatible with Han Junqing, was undoubtedly the most suitable person for him. Witnessing them coming together, Wen Qing was happy for them.

As she watched his happy marriage, his two children, the faint smile on his lips, and the subtle happiness in his eyes, Wen Qing appeared less and less in his life, fading away until she left.

"So, you're leaving?"

[...Yes.]

"Then I might as well die."

Wen Qing was silent.

"I've always been curious about your origin, and why you came to me in the first place."

[Your mother found me and asked me to come help you.] As he was near death, Wen Qing had nothing left to hide.

"Of course," Han Junqing's face was filled with sorrow and yet there was a hint of relief as he smiled, "I knew it was related to my mother. Otherwise, how could it be so coincidental that you appeared just after her death?"

"Never mind, I won't ask about your origin anymore, but I still want to thank you. Thank you for telling me about my mother and for coming to help me. Meeting you as a friend and companion is my greatest luck. I don't know if the good things I did helped you..."

[They did.]

"That's good. Otherwise, I would feel very guilty..."

His smile became more and more relaxed, his eyes bright and shining as they were before. He sat in a rocking chair, looking at the warm sunshine outside the door. His youngest great-granddaughter was running in the garden, everything was so beautiful.

As his consciousness gradually became hazy, he asked his last question, "Can I... see you?"

The next moment, he saw a beautiful girl slowly materializing in front of him - black hair cascading down like a waterfall, bright eyes shining like gems, and skin as soft and delicate as snow... stunningly beautiful. He slowly curved his lips, "Just as I imagined..."

His life gradually faded away, his smile frozen on his face, preserving his last expression. Wen Qing sighed and also disappeared.

Watching Han Wenqing jump into the reincarnation pool, Wen Qing flicked her finger and sent a trace of merit power into the other's soul. Wen Qing wasn't a saint, indiscriminately bestowing kindness on anyone, but for those poor souls with troubled destinies, she didn't mind sending a wisp of merit power to help them have a better next life. So far, only Xu Wenqing from the imperial harem world and Han Wenqing from this world had received her merit blessings.

After seeing Han Wenqing off, Wen Qing suddenly felt that the space was too quiet, like something was missing. It wasn't until she saw the little phoenix wrapped in a cocoon on the tree that she realized what it was - the phoenix was missing.

Wen Qing walked over and examined it carefully. The little guy had evolved again, with spiritual energy enveloping it like a cocoon, making it impossible to see what was happening inside. Wen Qing guessed that the phoenix would have reached adulthood by the time it came out.

The summoning bell rang, and Wen Qing returned to the courtyard to wait for the next client to enter.

The person who arrived was dressed in a black outfit and exuded a powerful and aggressive aura, like an unsheathed sword with its sharp edge exposed with a heavy bloodthirsty aura. Wen Qing quickly scanned the information on the death stone and learned that the person came from the end of the world, which didn't surprise her.

The end of the world... sigh! It was the world she least liked.

"What is your unfulfilled wish?"

"Unfulfilled wish..." The client's face was calm, but her gaze was cold. "Being at the end of the world, death is liberation. What kind of wish can there be?"

Wen Qing opened her eyes again, finding herself in a cramped room, her body immersed in an indescribable pain. She endured the discomfort and reached under the pillow to retrieve her phone. Glancing at the time, it was 13:07 on August 18, 2102, the first hour of the apocalypse.

Fortunately, this time period wasn't too bad.

Outside the window was a pitch-black darkness, nothing could be seen. The entire world had fallen into a death-like silence. Wen Qing knew that all living creatures were in a state of coma and would gradually wake up tomorrow. Thus, without hesitation, she entered the space.

Spiritual energy nourished her body, and the pain slowly faded. Wen Qing prepared a muscle-cleansing and marrow-purging decoction for herself while organizing the information in her mind.

This world was originally a typical modern world, but due to an unknown substance colliding with the Earth, some abnormalities occurred. Some people evolved with supernatural powers, some turned into walking corpses, and the same applied to animals and plants. Thus, the apocalypse came.

The client, Lin Wenqing, was a typical senior student who awakened dual abilities during the apocalypse and obtained an end-of-the-world survival system. She was cautious by nature and didn't become reckless and arrogant just because she had a cheat system. Instead, she kept a low profile like everyone else around her, gradually adapting to this collapsing world.

After experiencing betrayal from friends, being cheated on by a lover, and witnessing the depravity of human nature, she gradually became the cold-blooded queen of the apocalypse and the only female leader among the seven major bases. Of course, there was no plot of meeting a stronger man along the way. She followed the path of the strong men, overcoming obstacles and finally becoming a ruler.

Her death was due to being besieged by another base, and she wasn't too upset about it, as this was a common occurrence in the apocalypse. But...

"I want to know the truth about my death!"

"I feel like this is a conspiracy against all of humanity! Someone is behind this!"

"Because at the moment of my death, I heard a voice similar to my system's voice saying - Task completed, and the reward points are 100,000."

...

Her guess was correct, there was indeed someone behind this.

At the moment when Earth was struck by the unknown substance, the barrier that had shrouded the planet's outer reaches for billions of years was unexpectedly shattered, revealing it to the interstellar beings. A previously undiscovered native planet suddenly caught the attention of the people in the universe.

When the Interstellar Alliance discovered that Earth was in its second evolutionary period, they didn't send a fleet to explore the planet's secrets. Instead, they released tens of thousands of invisible live-streaming devices, broadcasting the apocalypse evolution live globally.

A historic grand live broadcast, yet the most brutal disaster that humanity has ever experienced.

Although the Interstellar Alliance had no obligation to assist the people of Earth, nor did they take any action to worsen the situation, watching the calamity of others through a screen was a cruel and heartless experience. They watched as people fought to the death for a piece of bread, as they schemed and plotted against each other, and as their ugly nature was exposed under the apocalypse...all while high up and criticizing the darkness of humanity, mocking the ugly faces of the end times. The indifference they showed was a cruelty beyond imagination.

The live broadcast was not enough, and some bored and powerful members of the Alliance even deployed seven intelligent systems on Earth, each selecting their own players to remotely control and stage a real-life killing game.

Lin Wenqing was one of those seven.

A real-life version of Earth Online, complete with a live broadcast, and yet amidst it all, all Wen Qing could say was, "F**k you!"

Chapter 148: Global Live Broadcasting [1]

After Wen Qing had completed her tendon and bone marrow cleansing in the spatial realm, she immediately began to cultivate by drawing in the Qi. In a world ravaged by the apocalypse, only martial prowess could provide a sense of security.

Lin Wenqing's awakened abilities were the Wood Element and Devouring, representing life and death, perfectly corresponding to Yin and Yang. Thus, she once again chose to cultivate the "Yin Yang Technique". She adjusted the time difference between the spatial realm and the outside world and managed to reach the Foundation Building stage in just one day.

After stabilizing her cultivation, Wen Qing left the spatial realm without lingering. It was still after one o'clock in the afternoon, and the sky outside was brighter than yesterday, though still gloomy.

Lin Wenqing lived in a housing complex outside the school, having moved out on her own to focus on her postgraduate studies. Her tiny room could only accommodate a bed, a desk and chair, and a simple cabinet. The desk was piled high with study materials, and under the desk was a box of instant noodles containing snacks such as potato chips, chocolate, and fruit. Wen Qing dug out a travel bag from the cabinet and packed the snacks into it.

Although she didn't eat them, appearances still mattered. Wen Qing picked a spiritual fruit from the spatial realm to satisfy her hunger, and then packed a few pieces of clothing along with the snacks, filling up the backpack.

She left the room and descended the stairs. The world was silent, and humanity was still unconscious. The apocalypse had arrived at noon, leaving many pedestrians unconscious on the streets and causing chaotic traffic accidents. Lin Wenqing didn't have a car, and she didn't just take any car parked on the side of the road. Who knew if it might be someone else's lifeline? If she took it and the owner was subsequently bitten by zombies because they couldn't find their car in time, it would be a grave sin.

Wen Qing's phone still had power, so she opened an app and scanned a shared bike, riding leisurely away. It wasn't that she was skilled and brave, but that only bikes were feasible here, and she was the only one who could move around the entire city.

Calculating, there's still an hour to go before the comatose humans gradually wake up. As for whether they will still be human after waking up, no one knows. Wen Qing had no plans to crazily plunder resources during this opportunity. She didn't lack these things, as there were not only cultivation resources but also essential daily necessities stored from her previous world in her space. There was no need to compete with ordinary people for these things.

As fellow Earthlings, we should watch out for and help each other, build a beautiful home together, spread truth, kindness, and beauty, and maintain world peace... Okay, that's too far-fetched. She planned to find a Feng Shui treasure land as her base. She had already made her choice, which was the newly developed villa area that she had escaped to in the original story.

In the original story, she followed her classmates to escape the city, and the first place they settled was this villa area. It was also here where she met the friends and lover who later betrayed her.

Wen Qing chose an unoccupied but decorated villa that suited her taste and settled down. At this point, faint screams could already be heard from outside, indicating that some people had already awakened.

Wen Qing didn't have the mentality of a saint running out to save people. This was just the beginning of the zombie outbreak, when zombies were weakest and easiest to deal with. If there was no courage to face the zombies directly at this time, it would be even more difficult in the future. She could only save them for a moment, but not for a lifetime. Running out to save people at this time would only harm them.

Moreover, it was easiest to awaken superpowers at a critical moment. If she went out to save people, she might have awakened her powers, but she may also have lost the opportunity because of her interference. It was like helping a butterfly break out of its cocoon. Although it reduced their pain, it also deprived them of their ability to fly.

She had to learn to adapt.

Wen Qing worked hard to cultivate and improve her cultivation level while waiting for the third day of the apocalypse to arrive.

In the distant Interstellar Alliance, a fierce meeting was being held by the alliance government.

"...This blue planet belongs to an F-class planet, with a technological level in the medieval era, and is currently undergoing a second evolution. It's a rare opportunity that only comes once in ten thousand years. I suggest that we use the blue planet as an experimental specimen for further observation."

"But there are still humans on it. According to the Alliance Convention, every interstellar being has equal rights and obligations, and no one can deprive them of these rights for any reason!"

"Planet evolution has always been a difficult problem for the Alliance to overcome. If there's a breakthrough, Alliance technology will enter a new era! There will inevitably be sacrifices in the development of any new thing!"

"And why should we grant these monkeys from the Middle Ages the same rights as us?"

"Why not take a win-win approach? Neither acknowledging nor denying, let nature take its course and just observe and record. Perhaps, studying the humanities during the planet's evolution period could also be an interesting topic."

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

...

In the end, the outcome was the same as the original plot. Tens of thousands of invisible live-streaming devices were deployed on Earth, starting the grandest live broadcast in history.

"Colonel Albalo, do you want to play an interesting game?"

"What game?"

"A game of hunting."

Here it comes!

Wen Qing suddenly opened her eyes, and the invisible live-streaming devices transmitted by the Alliance were now visible to her. The black metallic pieces, the size of a button, floated down from the sky, making it look somewhat terrifying. Soon, these black buttons scattered and dispersed into various corners of the world.

In front of Wen Qing, there was also one quietly hovering one meter away from her. She took a step, and it followed; she turned around, and it quickly flew over, always maintaining a one-meter distance in front of her.

Wen Qing lowered her eyes and smiled. She continued to wait for another black technology to appear.

The intelligent system was even smaller than the live broadcaster, only half the size of a rice grain. It flew rapidly towards Wen Qing's head with its silver-white color, and just as it was about to reach her head, Wen Qing quickly reached out and blocked it with her hand. It directly melted into her fingertips.

[Beep, binding the end-of-world survival system.]

Wen Qing put down her hand and looked at the faint mark between her middle fingers on her left hand, her lips slowly curving into a smile.

The system's selection was based on scanning the player's body data, and since it was a game, the player with the best physical fitness would naturally be chosen. As one of the first dual-ability "awakened" people, Wen Qing's physical fitness was not the best, but it was not far off.

[System binding successful, scanning body data...]

[Scanning complete:

Name: Lin Wenqing.

Age: 21.

Speed: 17.

Strength: 11.

Spirit power: 37.

Abilities: Wood element, Devour.

Points: 0.]

[Hello! I am your system manager. You can consult me if you have any questions.]

A mechanical voice echoed in Wen Qing's mind. As someone who had owned a system before and also pretended to be a system, Wen Qing was extremely familiar with this setup. She was always the one tricking others, but this time, it was finally her turn to be tricked.

Wen Qing was ready to play with him.

So she asked, "What's your name?"

[You can call me System.]

Wen Qing neither confirmed nor denied, as she knew that this intelligent system was actually a man named Albalo disguised as a system!

"Are you a man or a woman?"

[...A man.]

"Are you handsome?"

[Very!]

"How old are you?"

[Sorry, the system does not differentiate by age.]

"I'm asking about your manufacturing date."

[...Three months.]

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

[...]

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

[...]

"Sorry, your clearance level is not high enough for me to answer that."

"Do you have a d**k?"

[...]

…

In the depths of interstellar space, Albalo's face was as black as charcoal. Was he being teased by someone?! He regretted choosing this woman! He glanced at the chat records on the left side of his screen, the player he selected was anxiously asking, "System Lord, how can I earn points?"

On the right side of the screen, Costa's chat record was, "Are you really the system? Oh my god! I'm so lucky! I actually got the legendary system!"

This was the right way to open up the game as a player!

Feeling extremely depressed, Albalo cut off his connection with the system. He now regretted agreeing to participate in this game, feeling like he had dug a hole for himself. However, once a player had made their choice, it could not be changed, and the system was already genetically bound and could not be removed. Choosing to quit now was equivalent to admitting defeat. Albalo had been undefeated in the interstellar world for many years and could not afford to tarnish his record like this!

Feeling refreshed, Albalo logged back in and coldly issued a mission:

[Mission: Kill ten zombies. 10 points for mission completion. Mission failure results in lightning punishment!]

Wen Qing sneered. It's precisely to guard against various mental punishments that she integrated the system into her fingertips. The head is an incredibly important place. If the system were integrated into her brain, she would be completely under its control and subject to all kinds of punishment through mental hints.

Of course, there were also rewards for completing missions, with the most significant being points. Points can be used to buy things in the system's store: gene modification liquid, mental strength restoration liquid, quick-healing agents, interstellar body forging training, and so on. They are all ordered from this side, delivered by Albalo through the Alliance Express using an invisible delivery robot, creating the effect of appearing out of thin air.

Note: Dear readers! As the translator of this novel, I wanted to take a moment to provide a brief note about the current arc. This particular arc is unlike anything I have translated before, and I am eager to hear your thoughts and feedback on how I have approached the translation.

I have done my best to convey the author's intended meaning and tone in a way that is faithful to the original text, while also ensuring that the translation is readable and enjoyable for English-speaking readers. However, I acknowledge that there may be aspects of the translation that could be improved, and I welcome any constructive feedback that you may have.

Thank you for your support and for taking the time to share your thoughts with me.

Chapter 149: Global Live Broadcasting [2]

Warning: This chapter has delicious food descriptions that may induce hunger. Have a snack before reading. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by cravings for Chinese takeout. The translator is not responsible for empty wallets or full bellies. Please read with care.

"What's the use of points?" Wen Qing knowingly asked.

[Points can be used to redeem items in the system's store, such as gene modification liquid that can improve your physical fitness, spirit-enhancing pills that can repair and enhance your mental strength, various interstellar body forging techniques, and the most scarce food in the apocalypse, all of which are currently the things you need most.]

Albalo deliberately said this to tempt Wen Qing to take the bait. He didn't believe that she wouldn't be moved!

"Oh." Wen Qing's response was flat, showing no interest.

Oh? Is that it? Albalo was bewildered. [But that is a gene modification liquid! Do you know what gene modification liquid is? With it, your physical fitness will definitely be greatly enhanced, which means your chances of surviving in the apocalypse will be greatly improved! Interstellar body forging techniques are even more precious than gene modification liquids. You will know how amazing it is after you practice it! And food, the scarcest thing in the apocalypse. A single ordinary nutritional supplement from the system store can make you feel no hunger for 48 hours! This means you don't have to compete with others for food...]

Albalo thought that Wen Qing didn't know the value of these things, so she wasn't interested in doing tasks at all. Therefore, he patiently explained it to her.

However, Wen Qing still had that indifferent look on her face, and even seemed a little disappointed. "Is that all? Isn't there a marrow cleansing pill that can transform me completely?"

Albalo was taken aback. What was that?

"And what about a beauty pill that whitens the skin, removes all acne, and slims and shapes the body with just one pill?"

?

"No one-click elemental skill books? Wind blades, fireballs, ice swords?"

[...]

"Nothing that provides infinite farm space for planting crops and raising small animals?"

[...]

"There are no snacks in the four major flavors of the eight major cuisines of Greater China?"

[...]

...

"So, what's the use of your system if you don't have anything?"

If you want...you...why...use...

Albalo felt ashamed. After being questioned like this, he seemed really useless!

Wait a minute, he was a disguised system, his purpose was to play games! Albalo suddenly realized this and became angry. [Even if this system has nothing, you still have to complete the missions. I don't think you would want to bear the punishment for failing the missions!]

Wen Qing neither agreed nor disagreed. Both temptation and threat were tricks of the trade.

"You can try."

[What do you mean?]

Wen Qing ignored him and walked into the kitchen. She checked and found that the water and electricity were out, but the natural gas was still working, which was good news. Wen Qing used the only bucket of pure water in the kitchen to clean the pots and pans, then took out two pork ribs from the space, cut them into pieces, washed them, and blanched them... she was going to make sweet and sour pork ribs.

Of course, it wasn't for her own consumption, but...

– She wanted to do a live cooking show in the end times!

It may sound unbelievable, but it was a desperate measure. The apocalypse had come, irreversible and unstoppable. Perhaps humanity could have overcome this crisis if they united, but even without the intervention of the Interstellar Alliance, unity was a daunting task. In the face of disaster, the worst of human nature would magnify infinitely, order would collapse, morality would be lost, and the emergence of supernatural powers would render the existing legal system obsolete. At this time, any external factor could become the last straw that crushes humanity.

That's how it was in the original story. Seven "lucky" ones were selected and pushed by a hidden hand to kill each other, resulting in another sharp decline in the human population after the disaster until only one person was left standing: the protagonist, Ye Qiong.

Ye Qiong was originally a special forces soldier who, after the apocalypse, led his brothers to establish a base. Like Lin Wenqing, he did not overly rely on the system and remained skeptical of its appearance, eventually discovering its conspiracy. He wanted to stop this plot, but the others had already been enchanted by various items within the system, leaving him powerless and forced to fight. After the other six bases were destroyed, Ye Qiong was in agony and eventually chose to commit suicide as a way of apologizing.

Therefore, this was a tragic story, not only for the protagonist but also for all of humanity.

Throughout the novel, the seven intelligent systems and their masters behind them were the last straw that crushed the earth. The easiest way to relieve this pressure would be to kill the other six people. To begin with, the other five could be dismissed, but Ye Qiong was beyond Wen Qing's hands. Furthermore, who could guarantee that even if these six were eliminated, they wouldn't simply choose another six in their place?

Therefore, it was necessary to start at the root to completely eliminate this hidden danger.

However, it was impossible for Wen Qing to cross the universe to find them from the source, and Earth's technology could not produce such a spaceship. Thus, the only option was to lure them over…

– And what could be more tempting than the great Chinese cuisine?

That's the true purpose behind Wen Qing's opening of the food broadcast.

Albalo hit a snag with Wen Qing and felt frustrated. He used the system to locate Wen Qing's coordinates and found the live broadcaster there by following the coordinates. Fortunately, the camera was pointed directly at her. Albalo cut to this view on his smart screen.

"She's quite pretty," Albalo praised silently in his heart, then focused intently on the person on the screen. He watched her calmly and leisurely wash some discs, moving with a slow and steady pace that was even more meticulous than a mecha repair worker. Albalo was perplexed for a second, then he exited the screen and saw that the other live broadcasts were still showing scenes of people escaping the apocalypse. He then opened the live broadcast again.

What are you doing? He almost thought that her place was not the apocalypse! Everyone else was busy running for their lives and hiding. Only Wen Qing remained motionless!

Albalo couldn't help feeling anxious for her. Just as he was about to log in to the system to complain about her, he suddenly saw the person on the screen take out two bones out of thin air!

"This is...a space portal?"

Albalo was extremely shocked. Space portals were very expensive and rare things even in the interstellar world, let alone on an F-class planet like this one.

Now Albalo was no longer calm. He immediately sent an email to report this discovery and then continued to watch the person on the screen.

He saw her cut the two bones into pieces, wash them, put them in water, take them out, change the water, and put them back in... He roughly knew she was processing food using an ancient method recorded in the history of the Alliance, but unfortunately, it had long been lost in the Interstellar Alliance.

On the screen, Wen Qing took out the golden fried pork ribs and set them aside, then started preparing the sauce. Sugar, cooking wine, soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, and water were added in the sauce, creating a tantalizingly bright and translucent color. After heating the wok and stir-frying the scallions and ginger until fragrant, she poured the sauce and the pork ribs into the wok.

Wen Qing deliberately chose a white plate to serve the dish. The neatly arranged and brightly colored pieces were topped with the crystal-clear and shiny sauce, making it exceptionally appealing to the eye. Of course, the taste was also delicious, but for the interstellar people, they couldn't taste or smell the aroma, so the color had to be visually pleasing.

Wen Qing picked up a piece, sniffed it, and then closed her eyes, enjoying the aroma with a slightly exaggerated tone. "This smell, sweet and sour, is like the smell of love." Then she took a bite and exclaimed with an even more exaggerated tone, "Oh my god! It's so delicious! It's so good that I want to swallow my tongue!"

Albalo in front of the screen couldn't help but swallow his saliva, watching her devouring one piece after another. Finally, he couldn't resist asking her through the system, [Is it really that delicious?]

"Huh? How do you know I'm eating?"

Albalo was shocked and quickly replied, [I can scan your body data, of course, I know what you are doing!]

"Oh, okay." Yeah right, as if I believe you!

Albalo breathed a sigh of relief, that was close. He almost exposed himself!

[What are you eating?]

"This dish is like a symphony of flavors in every bite. The sweet and sour pork ribs are a classic of Chinese cuisine. It's a delightful balance of sourness and sweetness that dances on your palate, leaving behind a trail of mouthwatering aroma. And fear not, this dish is not at all oily or greasy, but rather boasts tender and juicy meat that's bursting with flavor. When you take a bite, the delicious flavor explodes on your tongue. You'll first taste the sweetness of the sugar sauce that hits you like a first love, followed by the meat's savory flavor..."

Albalo's throat rolled again, trying hard to control his salivation, [Stop talking about it!]

Why describe it in such detail? What if it makes one even more hungry?

Not only him, but when Albalo reported to the Space Station that Wen Qing might have a space portal, someone else also noticed Wen Qing's live broadcast. The Space Station hadn't discovered it yet, but they were first drawn in by Wen Qing's delicious-looking food.

"What is this?"

"Food from the Middle Ages?"

"It looks so good!"

"Do all Blue Star people eat this?"

"I don't know, but it could be a topic worth studying."

...

Apart from them, there were other citizens of the Alliance who also noticed this live stream, but it was only one among the 100,000 live broadcasts, so it didn't stand out much and not many people followed. However, most of those who did follow were attracted by Wen Qing's descriptions of the food, and it really looked so tempting!

Albalo was the most deeply affected by this. He watched helplessly as Wen Qing finished a plate of sweet and sour pork ribs, wishing he could lick the plate clean of all the sugar sauce. He wanted to lick his screen.

Chapter 150: Global Live Broadcasting [3]

After eating, Wen Qing grabbed her streamlined backpack and a baseball bat, then headed out.

This was a newly developed villa area, where only a few sets of houses had been sold. As a result, the community was almost deserted. With few people, there were also few zombies, and only a few sporadically wandered aimlessly on the road.

When Wen Qing rode her bike past them, she stopped to observe. Their eyes were grayish-white with bloodshot veins. Their skin was stiff and pale, their nails sharp and thin, their bodies dry and thin as if they had been drained of water. They looked almost identical to the zombies she had encountered in the second world, and the zombie settings in the novel world were probably all the same.

Wen Qing unleashed her spiritual energy, and the male zombie in a real estate work outfit standing in front of her immediately turned around and pounced towards her. After dodging, Wen Qing used her spiritual energy to wrap herself up again, and the zombie spun around aimlessly, as if it had lost its target.

It seemed that zombies were not sensitive to spiritual energy. Wen Qing was relieved. With the aura of "insulating clothes", she didn't have to resort to violence unless necessary.

Wen Qing rode her bike leisurely, as if she was going on an outing. The live camera in front of her dutifully followed her. Meanwhile, Albalo, watching from behind the screen, was annoyed. Why are her players different from others? This is the end of the world, can you be a little nervous like everyone else?

"Why didn't the zombie bite her?"

"Is it because of her ability? What kind of ability does she have?"

"Zombie immunity?"

"What is she riding?"

"It's a transportation vehicle from the medieval era."

"It's so slow! And without any protection, isn't it easy to get injured by zombies?"

"Why doesn't she go and rob for food? Didn't they say they need to eat three times a day?"

"According to the latest research by experts, what she's riding is called a bicycle, a type of transportation tool from the Middle Ages that relies on human power. The most important thing is that it's free to use and available for everyone to share. You can stop and go as you please, making it incredibly convenient!"

"Oh my god! The welfare on Blue Star is so good! They even share their transportation tools! Alliance Government, you should learn from Blue Star and share the interstellar battleships too!"

...

The imaginative audience has gone from shared bikes to shared battleships, filling the screen with bullet comments. Unfortunately, Wen Qing couldn't see them. She rode her bike out of the gate of the community and turned north, heading towards the city center.

Wen Qing was located in the southern suburbs, and there was a provincial road at the gate of the community that was the main artery of the entire Ningcheng. Ningcheng was just a third-tier city, with flat terrain and a dense population. These innate conditions meant that Ningcheng was not a good place to stay, as it was highly susceptible to zombie attacks.

In the original story, Lin Wenqing chose to establish her base here for three reasons. Firstly, she was born and raised in this city and was the most familiar with it. Secondly, Ningcheng was a city primarily focused on food processing, located in the grain-rich Luodong Province. And thirdly, the provincial military district was less than a hundred miles south of Ningcheng, and conventional weapons were still useful in the early days of the apocalypse. These three reasons ultimately led Lin Wenqing to decide to establish her own base here.

Wen Qing had no intention of establishing a base, but chose to stay in this place because she was most familiar with the plot that had taken place here.

Heading north, the road was initially quite smooth, but as she got closer to the city center, the traffic became increasingly congested. Private cars, motorcycles, and buses were all crowded together, completely blocking the road. With no other choice, Wen Qing parked her bike on the side of the road and started clearing the way.

Wen Qing controlled her spiritual energy to push the vehicles aside, placing them neatly on the green belts on either side of the road. She completely cleared the road and refused to allow any disorderly parking, promoting civilized traffic starting with herself.

[What the hell! What kind of black technology is this?]

Albalo was shocked. Wen Qing's abilities had completely stunned him. How did she manage to move objects out of thin air?!

Wen Qing responded nonchalantly, "Is this such a big deal? Don't worry, you'll be even more amazed in the future!" Finally, she added mysteriously, "The Earth is not as simple as you think."

"Damn! Has she awakened her spiritual ability? Didn't you see how all those cars were moved?"

"Even General Castro, who has the highest psychic ability in the Alliance, can't move objects from a distance. Doesn't she have a psychic ability?"

"Then what is it? Why does she always awaken these strange abilities?"

"Am I the only one curious about why she always talks to herself? There's no one else around her, is there?"

"Upon careful consideration, is it possible that there are people around her that we cannot see?"

"According to unreliable sources, Captain Seinstein played a game with others on the Blue Planet, where he chose players and pretended to be an intelligent system in order to compete and determine the winner. This person should be one of the selected players."

"Is it true or false?"

"It's true, I heard about it too."

"I can't even express my thoughts, all I can say is that they really know how to have fun!"

"Will they not violate the laws of the Alliance? Isn't it not allowed to violate the rights of citizens?"

"It's not within the jurisdiction of the Interstellar Alliance, they are not Alliance citizens."

...

Wen Qing did not conceal the fact that she was talking to the system, she just wanted to bring this matter to the attention of the general public. Perhaps, some viewers who couldn't bear to see it would stop it?

Passing by a duck neck shop, Wen Qing said to Albalo, "Let me tell you, the duck neck at this shop is unparalleled! People from the neighboring city even drive over to queue up for it! The owner has inherited the secret recipe for three generations. The duck neck taste is superb, it's fragrant, spicy, sweet, numbing, salty, crispy, and tender! Even extra spicy isn't enough, it must be insanely spicy! Spicy to the point of sweating all over the body, the mouth on fire, not to mention how satisfying it is!"

On the surface, Wen Qing was talking to Albalo, but in reality, she was addressing the audience of the Interstellar Alliance who were watching her live stream. As she spoke, she kept swallowing saliva, and the viewers in front of the screen also subconsciously followed her lead.

"The spicy crayfish here is also not bad. They're large and fresh. The owner is honest. The crayfish are cleaned thoroughly, and there's plenty of seasoning! A plate of bright red spicy crayfish is enough for three or four people to eat!"

"The small wontons from this place are so fresh! The skin is thin and the filling is tender, with a delicious and rich broth. They use big bones to simmer the soup, which turns into a thick milky white color. They add some tender green onion, fresh red chili oil, shrimp, and seaweed. I also like to sprinkle some pepper powder. After taking a sip of the soup and a bite of the wonton, the taste is so fresh that it makes your tongue swallow!

*Wonton: A type of dumpling commonly found in a number of Chinese cuisines.

"The grilled skewers from this place are especially delicious! The beef and mutton are all freshly picked by the owner in the morning, marinated with their unique secret sauce for eight hours, and then grilled in the evening. The fresh and tender beef and mutton are placed on the grill, and when they start to sizzle and oil comes out, the fragrance can be smelled from several blocks away! Sprinkle some cumin, dip in some chili, and sprinkle some roasted sesame... Oh my goodness, just thinking about it makes my mouth water!

Albalo and other viewers in front of the screen were extremely resentful. Are you promoting food? Why do you have to describe it in such detail and make it so tempting?

"I finally understand why the Blue Star people eat three meals a day, plus fruit, afternoon tea, and late-night snacks! If it were me, I would probably eat ten meals a day!"

"My ignorance has limited my imagination. I used to ridicule the Blue Star people as backward for not having long-term nutritional supplements, and wasting about three hours a day on eating. It turns out that they eat this kind of food! Ignorance is really frightening!"

"Has the route to Blue Star for tourism been opened? I want to go to Blue Star to eat duck neck, wontons, sweet and sour pork ribs, spicy crayfish..."

"When will the Alliance government efficiently respond to public opinion? The sharing battleship can wait, can you open the route to Blue Star first?"

"The ticket can be expensive, but the time must be fast!"

"+1!"

"+2!"

...

As Wen Qing cleaned the streets, she introduced the local delicacies. Little did she know that her plan to lure the interstellar people with food was beginning to show results.

With several lifetimes of experience, Wen Qing had become extremely proficient in controlling spiritual energy. She could use it effortlessly, directing it wherever she wanted. In no time, she had cleaned half the street. This commotion naturally drew the attention of both the zombies and the people hiding in the shadows.

Dealing with the zombies was easy; Wen Qing simply expanded her spiritual energy shield around herself, creating a vacuum zone with a diameter of three meters. When the zombies approached, they were blocked by the shield and couldn't get near her. But those humans spying on her from the shadows were not so easily dealt with.

In fact, quite a few people had already discovered her. They were shocked and incredulous to see her cleaning the streets amidst the zombie horde. They couldn't believe that anyone would do such a thankless job in the apocalypse.

"Is she crazy?" inquired a man, hiding with over 20 other men and women behind the goods shelves in a supermarket, observing the scene outside through the glass.

"I don't know if she's crazy or not, but it's obvious that she has supernatural powers!" replied someone else.

"This power is too damn useful! It's immune to zombies, and can even move things remotely! It's the perfect tool for killing and looting in the apocalypse!"

"But why is she cleaning the streets?"

"To train her powers? It can't be to maintain traffic order and create a beautiful city, right?"

Translator's Two Cents: Who needs nukes when you have food? If aliens invade, just feed them dumplings!