《I Unlocked Beast Language and Became a Bigshot After My Rebirth!》 Chapter 1: Rebirth

Chapter 1: Rebirth

BEEP! The system has activated, binding is in progress¡­ ''Binding what?'' Xia Xin thought to herself that she had read too many novels and was dreaming about it. ''But that was not right. Aren''t I on a mission in the African grasnds? What happened next? I thought I was being chased by a pride of lions. What happened after that? Ouch, my head hurts. This system kept loading, and the noise was so loud that my head was about to explode.'' Xia Xin thought. Xia Xin shouted, "Shut up!" Yes, Master. Turning on silent mode. It was finally quiet, but the panel in front of Xia Xin kept updating all kinds of data. She suddenly felt her body light and then fell asleepfortably. When Xia Xin opened her eyes again, the curtains were suddenly pulled open, allowing the strong sunlight to shine into the room. She blocked her eyes with her arm. ''How could there be someone in this world who woke me up like my mother?'' Xia Xin thought. Xia Xin flipped over and covered her head with the nket. "Xin, wake up! Sleepyhead, you have an appointment with the director today. Have you forgotten? Hurry up and get up. I''ll go and see if the congee is ready." the person said and patted Xia Xin''s butt and pulled the nket off her head. Xia Xin was in a daze as she listened to the conversation outside. She thought it sounded familiar. "There''s no room for discussion about the house. You don''t have to tell me about this anymore." The woman''s voice was filled with impatience. "We''re all family. Why can''t we help?" asked the man. He looked helpless and sighed. "Why didn''t they think of helping out when they were taking care of Mom and Dad? Now that they were going to demolish the buildings and divide the houses, they finally remembered us." said the woman. Her unyielding attitude did not leave any room for negotiation. ''House? Demolition? Could it be?!'' Xia Xin thought. Xia Xin suddenly sat up. She got up too quickly and felt dizzy. She held her head and looked around. This was the bedroom of her old house, where she had lived since she was young. However, ever since Xia Xin''s parents passed away, she had moved out of this ce. Later on, it was also directly demolished. This ce that carried the family''s memories disappeared without a trace. Xia Xin happily jumped out of bed barefoot and opened the door. Her parents at the dining table turned to look at their disheveled daughter. Before Gu Fan could reprimand Xia Xin for not wearing her shoes, Xia Xin rushed over and hugged Gu Fan, saying, "Mom! My dear mother!" Xia Xin''s action confused Gu Fan. Then, Xia Xin let go of Gu Fan and ran to hug Xia Song''s neck. She said, "Dad! Dad!" Xia Song patted Xia Xin''s back and said, "Okay, okay, okay. Seems like your favorite is your mom, and I''m just Dad to you." Gu Fan finally reacted and pped Xia Xin''s butt. Gu Gan said, "Hurry up and wash up. You''re going to bete, okay?" "Yes, madam. I''ll go now," said Xia Xin. She let go of Xia Song and saluted themander at home. Then, she hopped into the bathroom. While humming a song and turning on the tap, Xia Xin looked at herself in the mirror. She was so happy that shepletely realized what was going on. She was reborn. Moreover, it was before his parents passed away. Their family of three was still around. ''But... Was I dreaming? Where was the system fromst night?'' Xia Xin thought. [Congrattions, Master. You have sessfully unlocked the Beast Language System.] There was only a line of text in front of Xia Xin, but there was no movement. Xia Xin frowned and asked, "Why is it a mute system? Can''t you make a sound?" BEEP! Silent mode has been turned off. ''It has intelligence?'' Xia Xin thought. As she washed up, she recalled what had happened before. Xia Xin was indeed on a mission in the African grasnds. The zoo staff followed the television production team to Africa to film a documentary on wild animals. As expected, an ident happened. Xia Xin, the unlucky one, was chased by the pride of lions. At that time, Xia Xin''s mind was thinking, ''What are these guys thinking? Why did they attack me for no reason? I should at least know why the lion pride suddenly chased after me. I''m not a prey, and I can''t die just like that!'' Then, Xia Xin was pushed down by the pride of lions, and then she saw the system. Recalling the things that happened before her rebirth, Xia Xin''s heart could not help but tighten. Her death was too tragic, and she died without aplete corpse. It was not a surprise that she could unlock the Beast Language System. However, the most important thing was Xia Xin''s parents outside the door. Today was the day she met the zoo director, which was also the day of the car ident. Xia Xin was the only person who survived the car ident. Since Xia Xin had been reborn, she would not repeat the same mistake and would protect her parents. Standing at the door of the bathroom and looking at her parents, who were still arguing at the dining table, Xia Xin suddenly broke the argument between them and said, "Let''s take the subwayter. I''m going to bete. Plus, there''s a traffic jam on the way." Xia Xin''s parents turned to look at Xia Xin. Gu Fan looked at the time on her phone and asked, " Why don''t you call your uncle, the director? It''s fine to postpone the time." "We''ve already made an appointment. How can we break our promise?" said Xia Xin. After she sat down, she picked up a spoon and scooped up the congee in her bowl. It was her favorite pumpkin congee. Gu Fan and Xia Song looked at Xia Xin in surprise. They felt that their delicate child had indeed grown up. Xia Xin, who had loved animals since she was young, wanted to work in the zoo after graduating from university. Gu Fan and Xia Song had no choice but to contact their old friend, who was the director of the zoo. While waiting for the train at the subway station, Xia Xin said emotionally, "It''s been a long time since we went to the zoo as a family." Xia Xin said that because she had not had her parents by her side for a long time, but when her parents heard it, it felt different. Chapter 2: Zoo

Chapter 2: Zoo

After Old Mrs. Xia had a stroke, Gu Fan and Xia Song had to work and take care of Old Mrs. Xia, so they did not have time to apany Xia Xin on a trip. Other children had parents to y with on weekends, but Xia Xin could only be alone. Sometimes, she even had to take care of her grandmother. Recently, the old house they lived in had beenbeled for demolition. When Xia Xin''s uncle and aunt heard that their filial piety that had disappeared for a long time suddenly came back. They immediately brought Old Mrs. Xia to Xia Xin''s home. However, Gu Fan and Xia Song had the time to apany Xia Xin because of that. But in Xia Xin''s previous life, this rare opportunity became a rope that imed her life, causing Xia Xin to lose her parents. "The car is here!" Xia Xin said. She did not want to think too much about the past. The source of everything was the demolition. When her job was stable, she would think of a way to prevent the demolition. When Xia Xin and her parents arrived at the zoo, they were led to the reception room by the staff. Not long after, a tall and thin middle-aged man in a suit walked in. "Hello, Uncle Lu!" Xia Xin immediately greeted him politely. Lu Yuan looked at the cute and obedient Xia Xin and smiled. He said, "Time flies. Xin graduated in the blink of an eye. I still remember that Xin loveding to the zoo when she was young. How about this? Why don''t we go to the various exhibition areas first?" Xia Xin''s family naturally had no objections. The four of them left the reception room and boarded the zoo''s sightseeing bus. On the way, Lu Yuan teased Xia Song and Gu Fan for treating Xia Xin like a treasure. They were worried about Xia Xin like a delicate vase. It sounded almost impossible for them to let here to the zoo and work. Gu Fan smiled and said, "Since Xin likes it, we will support her." Xia Xin held her mother''s hand and listened to the three adults chatting while looking at the animal exhibition area. Suddenly, Xia Xin was shocked to find that when those animals made sounds, she could actually understand what the animals were saying. ''Could this be the change brought about by the Beast Language System? It was too magical!'' Xia Xin thought. Xia Xin heard a peacock not far away grumble impatiently, "You only know how to ask people to open up my feathers. You don''t even look at your own appearance." A giraffe scornfully listened to a child telling his parents that its neck was very long. It said, "These short-necked creatures are obviously envious." When Xia Xin and the others passed by the lion area, Xia Xin clearly heard, "These people look like delicious snacks." Xia Xin''s body trembled violently. In her previous life, she believed that the lions had the same thought when she was struggling desperately before she died. "Xin, what''s wrong? Why did you suddenly look so pale? Are you feeling unwell?" Gu Fan immediately asked with concern as she looked at Xia Xin, who had just poked her head out to look outside, and suddenly sat like an obedient baby, but her face was pale. Xia Xin forced a smile and said, "I''m fine." After visiting a few major exhibition areas, the four of them went to the hotel that Xia Song had already booked for a meal. At the dining table, Lu Yuan briefed Xia Xin''s job description. After that, Lu Yuan chatted with Xia Song about their school days. The more they chatted, the happier they became. It was sote when they got home that they could not catch the subway, so they could only take a taxi. When Xia Xin and her parents got into the car, Xia Song sat in the passenger seat while Xia Xin and Gu Fan sat in the back seat. Xia Xin suddenly had a bad feeling because her parents were sitting in the same seats as in her previous life. After the car started moving, Xia Song did not talk much with Gu Fan before they started arguing about the house again. Xia Xin was puzzled and wondered why it was happening. "Dad, Mom, stop arguing¡­" Xia Xin urged as her face turned pale. Her brain was spinning rapidly, thinking about what to do. ''No, we had to get out of the car!'' Xia Xin thought. Xia Xin''s intuition told her that if this continued, something would definitely happen. Xia Xin grabbed Gu Fan''s hand and showed a painful expression. She said, "Mom, I don''t feel so good. I think I''m going to throw up." Gu Fan was shocked and hurriedly asked the driver to stop the car. After the driver stopped the car, Xia Xin immediately rushed out and ran to the tree. She held the tree trunk and bent over to retch. Because Xia Xin was pretending, she naturally could not spit out anything, but to make it look real, Xia Xin still tried her best to "vomit" for a long time. Gu Fan patted Xia Xin''s back anxiously, her heart aching, and asked worriedly, "What''s wrong? Could it be that there was something wrong with the meal earlier? Should we head to the hospital and have a checkup?" After Xia Xin finished vomiting, she straightened her back and waved her hand. She said, "It''s fine. I''m fine now. I might have been a little carsick just now." Xia Song took out her phone and searched for a while. Then he said, "There''s a hospital nearby. Turn left and cross a street. Let''s go and have a doctor look at you! We can''t ignore your sickness!" Xia Xin''s face stiffened. She had originally refused, but in the end, her parents, who were worried about her condition, helped her to the hospital. At the hospital, the doctor listened to Xia Xin''s "illness" description and suggested that Xia Xin do a blood test. The corner of Xia Xin''s mouth twitched. She was most afraid of drawing blood. But there was no other way because she pretended to be sick. Xia Xin endured the bitterness and helplessness in her heart and went to theboratory department. She queued up and waited for the nurse to draw her blood. While waiting, Gu Fan and Xia Song stood guard beside Xia Xin. Gu Fan held Xia Xin''s hand with heartache andforted her, "Xin, don''t be afraid. It won''t hurt that much. Just treat it as a mosquito bite." Gu Fan naturally knew that Xia Xin had been afraid of drawing blood and injections since she was young. At this moment, she was coaxing Xia Xin like she was coaxing a child. "After the blood is drawn, I''ll buy you some delicious food," Xia Song immediately said. The people in the queue could not help but turn to look at the three of them. When the people found out that Xia Xin, who wasforted by Gu Fan and Xia Song, was not a child but an adult who was close to 1.7 meters tall, everyone''s expressions were a littleplicated. A little boy who had just drawn blood looked at Xia Xin with disdain. Xia Xin wanted to cover her face. Although she was afraid of drawing blood, she was no longer a child. ''Mom, Dad, can you not be so exaggerated? This is so embarrassing. People would think that I''m a big baby.'' Xia Xin thought. Just as Xia Xin was feeling embarrassed, she suddenly noticed a man in the queue. Chapter 3: Idol

Chapter 3: Idol

The man was very tall. He wore a cap, a ck jacket, and a ck mask. Although Xia Xin could not see his entire face, the man''s eyes were extremely beautiful, as deep as the vast starry sky. Probably because only Gu Fan and Xia Song were talking tofort their daughter in the queue, that person also took a casual nce. His gaze stopped on Xia Xin''s family for less than a second before he looked away. Xia Xin noticed that man not only because of his superior appearance but also because Xia Xin felt that man looked familiar as if she had seen him somewhere before. When it was Xia Xin''s turn to draw blood, Gu Fan and Xia Song were even more nervous than Xia Xin. When Xia Xin finished drawing blood, Gu Fan immediately heaved a sigh of relief and then looked at Xia Xin with concern and heartache. She asked, "How is it? Does it hurt?" Xia Song praised Xia Xin, "Xin is so brave. She didn''t even frown just now! I will buy you a custard roll as a rewardter!" Xia Xin had already given up at this moment. She knew that the people around her must think that she was a big baby who was doted on by her parents. She smiled and rejected Xia Song''s suggestion, "No need, Dad. I don''t want to eat. Let''s go home." Xia Xin left the hospital with her family. She did not notice that the man in ck''s gaze lingered on her and her family''s backs for two seconds. A man who was holding the hospital diagnosis report and receipt walked over. He asked, "What are you looking at? Yo, have you taken a fancy to that youngdy?" Jing Mo nced coldly at his agent, Sun Hu. Sun Hu immediately stopped smiling and changed the topic, "The doctor said that you can''t continue like this. Why don''t I cancel a few of your schedules and let''s rest for a few months? You''re not fit to work in your current state." Jing Mo did not respond. It was his turn to draw blood. He stretched out his arm and the nurse who was about to draw blood nced at him. Her eyes widened and she almost screamed, " Jing¡­" Shocked, Sun Hu hurriedly made a shushing gesture. The nurse immediately covered her mouth, her face flushed red. She looked at Jing Mo with glowing eyes and said softly, "I-I''m your fan! I''ve seen all your shows! You''re my idol¡­" Sun Hu smiled helplessly when he heard the nurse''s incoherent expression of admiration, but he was not surprised. He had seen this situation too many times. After the blood was drawn, Jing Mo retracted his arm and said lightly, "Thank you." The young nurse was still immersed in excitement as she watched Jing Mo''s receding figure. ... Xia Xin went home to rest for two days. In these two days, she roughly understood the impact of the Beast Language System on her. Xia Xin could nowmunicate with most animals without any obstacles, and animals generally had a good impression of her and were willing to take the initiative to approach her. The reason why it was said to be the vast majority of animals was because some animals could notmunicate and had almost no intelligence. They only relied on instinct to act, such as some insects and worms. Thus, Xia Xin could notmunicate with that species of animal, but she could control it, and her control could gradually be proficient. In other words, the Beast Language System could evolve. The only thing was Xia Xin had no idea how it would evolve. At present, it seemed that this system was still very useful to Xia Xin, but she also had some worries in her heart. As the saying goes, there is no free lunch in the world. Xia Xin had somehow bound herself to a system and obtained the benefits that the system gave her. If one day, the system wanted to ask for something from her, and the price was something that she could not afford, she had no idea what to do. Xia Xin knew that there would be no result in considering this problem now, so she did not dwell on it for the time being. Before going to work at the zoo, Xia Xin rented a house in a residential area in the West District. There were two rooms in the house, and Xia Xin could decide whether to rent out the other room. Xia Xin posted the information on the inte and was ready to choose her roommate. Xia Xin rented the entire house because she was worried about her roommate. If she could not find a suitable roommate for the time being, she nned to live in this house alone. It was a little expensive, but she was at ease and saved trouble. After learning that Xia Xin wanted to rent a house, Xia Xin''s best friend, Zhao Nan, offered to help Xia Xin move her things. "Xin, Zhang Liang, and I will help you move your things since your mom and dad have to work. His parents just happened to buy him a carst month," Zhao Nan said enthusiastically. When Xia Xin heard Zhang Liang''s name, she subconsciously frowned and immediately said softly, "It''s okay, I''ll just contact the movingpany. Thank you, Zhao Nan. When I''m done packing, I''ll invite you over!" Chapter 4: Doubts

Chapter 4: Doubts

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Nan looked at Zhang Liang, who was staring at her, and said, "Xin said she doesn''t need our help." The anticipation and excitement hidden in Zhang Liang''s eyes instantly cooled down, and a sullen expression gradually appeared on his face. He said, "She was just being polite to you. Can''t you be more enthusiastic?" Zhao Nan looked at Zhang Liang nervously. She did not understand why Zhang Liang had be so fierce in an instant. Zhao Nan exined softly, "Xin is a girl who won''t change her mind once she makes a decision. Besides, I''m her best friend. She''s definitely not pretending to be polite to me, so I naturally can''t force her¡­" Zhang Liang wanted to scold Zhao Nan at that moment. After hearing from Zhao Nan that Xia Xin was moving, he was excited for a long time. He thought that he could use Zhao Nan as an excuse to help Xia Xin move and meet Xia Xin again. Moreover, if Zhang Liang helped Xia Xin move this time, Xia Xin would owe him a favor and would definitely not continue to avoid him in the future. But now, Zhao Nan had messed up Zhang Liang''s n. He thought, ''This brainless woman!'' Zhang Liang suppressed the frustration and anger in his heart and took a deep breath. Then, he said, "Did she say anything else? By the way, which neighborhood does she live in?" Zhao Nan subconsciously felt that Zhang Liang was a little strange. It did not have anything to do with him with which neighborhood Xia Xin lived in now. Seeing Zhao Nan''s puzzled expression, Zhang Liang''s heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly exined, "Xia Xin is your best friend. In the future, when we get married, we might even invite her to be our bridesmaid. You are a careless person by nature, and Xia Xin is probably as scheming as you. You girls don''t know how dangerous society is. The rental transactions in the West District are very chaotic. I''m afraid that your best friend will be cheated by a heartless agent. I can help her inquire about the security situation and average rental fees in her neighborhood..." After Zhang Liang exined a lot, Zhao Nanpletely dispelled the doubts in her heart. She still felt a little sweet in her heart. Her boyfriend actually considered her best friend''s matter for her. He was really too considerate. Before Zhang Liang could ask again, Zhao Nan told Zhang Liang the address of Xia Xin''s rented house. ... Xia Xin spent a day moving. After moving in, she stayed in the master bedroom of the rental house that night. Gu Fan and Xia Song were very worried about Xia Xin renting a house alone. Gu Fan almost asked for a long leave from thepany to live with Xia Xin. Fortunately, Xia Xin stopped her in time. That night, Gu Fan called and chatted with Xia Xin for more than an hour. Gu Fan basically reminded Xia Xin to remember to lock the door at night, or to be careful when heating food and not to burn her hands and stuff like that. Xia Xin smiled. If it was before, she would have felt a little impatient and thought that her mother treated her as an idiot. But now, Xia Xin felt that being able to hear her mother''s nagging was the happiest thing in the world. "Alright, it''s already past ten. Are you still going to let Xin rest? Xin still has to go to the zoo to work tomorrow!" said Xia Song. Although he was also worried about Xia Xin living alone, he was still much more rational than Gu Fan and urged Gu Fan to stop nagging. Xia Xin also hurriedly said, "Dad, Mom, don''t worry. I live very near to the zoo, and the security in the neighborhood is also very good. When the holidayse next week, I''ll bring you over to have a look." Gu Fan finally hung up the phone reluctantly. The bedroom fell silent. Xia Xin took out a stick of incense from the box and lit it. This was a habit she had in her previous life. After her rebirth, she bought some from the Inte. In Xia Xin''s previous life, her parents died because they wanted to send Xia Xin to the zoo. This incident made Xia Xin''s grandmother almost hate Xia Xin to death and was determined not to see Xia Xin again. Xia Xin also hated herself very much. She could not sleep every night. In just over a month, she had lost more than 10 kilograms. Later, Xia Xin''s good friends were afraid that she wouldmit suicide, so they took her to see a psychiatrist. After going through some psychotherapy, Xia Xin slowly walked out of the shadow of her life, but she was not as lively as before. There was no longer a bright smile on her face, and she suffered from insomnia. She had to light incense every night to sleep a little morefortably. Smelling the warm and delicate fragrance, Xia Xin''s body and mind rxed, and she fell asleep with a smile on her face. Xia Xin knew she was no longer alone. Her loved ones were still by her side. After a night without dreams, Xia Xin woke up refreshed the next day. After washing up, she rushed to the zoo. When Xia Xin arrived at the zoo, Lu Yuan had already arranged for the staff to take Xia Xin through the entry procedures. Then, Lu Yuan gave Xia Xin a work pass and assigned her a workce for the probation period. Chapter 5: First Day of Work

Chapter 5: First Day of Work

Neers who came to work in the zoo usually had a probation period, and the probation period was different for different positions. During the probation period, the neer had to be familiar with the various matters with the current staff. If the neer felt that it was hard during this period, he could give up. If he could persist, he could sign a formalbor contract with the zoo. Xia Xin did not know if she was lucky, but Xia Xin was assigned to the panda exhibit. The panda exhibit was one of thergest exhibits in the zoo. In addition, three pandas in the zoo had just given birth. The current staff of the panda exhibit was busy taking care of the cubs, so there was not enough manpower to take care of the other pandas. Ten minutester, Xia Xin arrived at the third exhibition area of the panda exhibit. Li Li, a senior employee in the third exhibition area, took Xia Xin around the exhibition area while introducing her to today''s work tasks. "There are a total of three pandas in our exhibition area, Bao, Dodo, and Pipi. Dodo is the most popr and is a famous panda on the Inte. Therefore, when Dodo goes to the outer area, there will be a lot of tourists. You have to pay attention to whether the behavior of the tourists will affect Dodo. "Pipi is also very popr. It is Dodo''s younger brother. This cub is the naughtiest panda in the entire panda exhibit. It usually likes to climb the wall and has even climbed out before. Mr. Lu raised the wall a few days ago, but Pipi has been trying to climb over the wall for the past few days. "As for Bao, it''s the youngest. Its two hind legs are disabled and it can''t stand up. It usually likes to hide in a corner and is very obedient. As long as you give it a ball, it can y in the corner for a day," said Li Li. At the mention of Bao, Li Li revealed a distressed expression. She sighed and continued, "I''ve written everything else down on the paper. Also, the feeding time is from 8 to 9 in the morning and 2 to 3 in the afternoon. Bao can''t move easily, so he needs to be fed alone." Xia Xin remembered every word Li Li said and nodded seriously. "Alright, you can go over after you change into your work clothes." After Li Li finished speaking, Xia Xin was instantly extremely excited and was about to turn around and leave. Li Li stopped her and added, "Wait a minute. When the zoo opens, many tourists will take photos or videos. If you''re not used to it, put on a mask and a hat." Xia Xin nodded. Seeing that Li Li seemed to be thinking seriously, she asked cautiously, "Ms. Li, is there anything else I should pay attention to?" The man who brought Xia Xin to the panda exhibit said that Li Li''s memory was not particrly good and she might forget something important. Li Li smiled gently and said, "No, you can go." Only then did Xia Xin leave with relief in her heart. After changing her clothes, and putting on her hat and mask, Xia Xin went to the inner court. The staff living in the panda exhibit had already brought the pandas to the outer court. At this moment, there were no pandas in the inner court. However, Xia Xin''s work today started from the inside. She picked up the cleaning tools and went to the room where the giant pandas lived. Xia Xin saw a pile of messy mixtures on the ground, including bamboo leaves and a lot of feces left by the giant pandas. The first thing Xia Xin had to do today was to clean up the panda''s excrement. Lu Yuan told Xia Song that Xia Xin did note to the panda exhibit to enjoy herself and y with the animals every day. She would definitely suffer a lot when she came here to work. He wanted Xia Xin to be mentally prepared. If she felt that it was hard, she could give up as soon as possible. Obviously, Lu Yuan underestimated Xia Xin''s love for animals. Especially now that the animal she was in charge of was the giant pandas. Not many people in the country had the chance to hold a panda. Xia Xin now had the opportunity to hug a panda casually. So, there was nothing wrong with shoveling a panda''s poop. She just treated them as raising a big cat. Xia Xin cleaned up the pile of the mixture and poured it into the bag. Then, she weighed the bag and recorded the weight of each bag of feces. This was because the feces of giant pandas could indicate their health status to a certain extent. If a panda had too little feces, the caretaker would have to consider giving the panda extra food. After Xia Xin had finished cleaning up the feces, the sun hadpletely risen outside. When she listened carefully, she seemed to hear the noise of the crowd in the distance. Then, she knew the zoo must have begun to receive tourists. Chapter 6: Panda

Chapter 6: Panda

"Hurry up, or we''ll be squeezed to the back and won''t be able to see Dodo!" A girl with red hair urged as she tugged at her boyfriend''s sleeve in the crowd. "It''s still early, maybe the pandas are still sleeping, or maybe they''re like me, didn''t sleep well and watch to catch up on sleep." The boy, who hade to the zoo early in the morning because his girlfriend loved pandas, yawned and spokezily. The red-haired girl kicked her boyfriend on the buttock and said, "Youzy bum! If you dy me from seeing Dodo, I''ll make sure to deal with you when we get back!" The two of them squeezed through the crowd and finally came to the railing, where they could see the scenery outside the enclosure. Not far away was a dense bamboo forest, a shallow pond, and severalrge wooden climbing structures. "Why isn''t Dodo out yet?" The red-haired girl anxiously waited, her camera ready to capture every moment. "Here theye! The caretaker ising out to feed the pandas with apples, Dodo and Pipi will be here soon!" Someone nearby quickly spotted the new development and eximed with joy. The red-haired girl''s eyes lit up. As a panda enthusiast, she knew that pandas did not always appear in front of the visitors, but whenever the caretaker came out to feed them, they would definitelye. "Wow, is this keeper new? She seems like a youngdy!" As the pandas had not appeared yet, the visitors directed their attention toward the caretaker. "Really. I think this youngdy is beautiful. A beautiful caretaker with adorable pandas, that''s a greatbination. I''m sure many people would love to watch videos of this!" The person speaking took out his phone and started filming the new caretaker in the enclosure. At that moment, on the pathway below the fence, Xia Xin held a bamboo pole in her left hand and a basin in her right hand, filled with cut apples. Xia Xin looked up and could see the dense crowd behind the railing. She thought, ''It seemed that the zoo''s poprity was increasing. When I came here two years ago, there weren''t as many people.'' But what puzzled Xia Xin was why the visitors were pointing their cameras and phone cameras at her instead of the pandas. Then she only realized that the pandas had note out yet. She thought the visitors must be waiting to capture the moment when the pandase to her to eat the apples. Xia Xin realized that she should not keep the enthusiastic visitors waiting for long. Following Li Li''s instructions, Xia Xin shouted in a slightly local ent, "Dodo, Pipi! It''s time to eat apples! Come here quickly!" Xia Xin repeated her call several times until she finally saw two pandas walking towards her from the depths of the bamboo forest. One of them was tall and robust, walking swiftly, while the other was short and plump, with a slow and adorable gait. Its four short legs moved slowly, melting everyone''s hearts. The taller panda was Pipi, the "Little Tyrant" of the panda exhibit, while Dodo, the most popr panda in the past two years. Xia Xin felt her excitement rise as she saw the furry pandas. Before, when she visited the zoo, she could only watch the pandas from behind the fence like the other visitors, but now she had be their caretaker. As theizen would say, she had be the "Mommy" of Pipi, Dodo, and Bao, the three pandas. Xia Xin, who had not had children of her own, was overflowing with motherly love. At the same time, her unique Beast Language System activated its passive function, automatically tranting the conversations between the two pandas as they approached Xia Xin. "Who is that? Shorty, do you know her?" Pipi asked. "You big dummy, speak more politely to me. I''m your older sister!" said Dodo. Xia Xin could not help but smile. She had heard that Pipi and Dodo were a pair of pandas with noticeable size differences, but she did not expect Pipi to be so rude to its older sister. When Pipi and Dodo reached her, Xia Xin picked up a small apple from the basin and fixed it on the top of the bamboo pole. Then she raised the bamboo pole and let the apple sway on the heads of Pipi and Dodo. Pipi and Dodo both stood on their tiptoes to bite the apple. Dodo''s two short hind legs could barely stand properly. He swayed and looked extremely cute, causing the surrounding audience to let out excited cries. A child held by an adult on the railing shouted excitedly, "Panda fishing, hahaha!" Chapter 7: Favorable Impressions

Chapter 7: Favorable Impressions

Xia Xin heard that remark and could not help but feel like she was fishing for pandas, a smile ying at the corners of her mouth. After Pipi and Dodo finished eating the apples, Xia Xin walked up and patted their heads. Xia Xin could cross out petting a panda in her bucket list now. Xia Xin wore a satisfied smile. After being patted by Xia Xin, Pipi and Dodo didn''t immediately turn and leave. Pipi suddenly hugged Xia Xin''s thigh and rubbed against it, while Dodo raised her head and shook her panda head as if inviting Xia Xin to pet her again. Witnessing this scene, the surrounding spectators were astonished. "Are Pipi and Dodo in a good mood today? Why are they so affectionate? Usually, they finish eating and go back to sleep without wasting a minute." "Could it be that pandas also like beautiful girls? Look, Dodo seems to be smiling! It''s so cute!" The visitors, who rarely saw such intimate interaction between giant pandas and the caretakers, hurriedly took photos and recorded videos. At that moment, Xia Xin looked at the two pandas that were pestering her and felt a little helpless. She thought it must be the Beast Language System activated its passive function again. As long as animals approached her, they would have a good impression of her and would be willing to take the initiative to approach her. Xia Xin still had to feed Bao an appleter. Now that she was entangled by the two pandas, she could only pet the panda''s head with one hand. After five or six minutes, she forced the two pandas back into the bamboo forest. The two pandas turned and looked at Xia Xin reluctantly. At that moment, the two security personnel patrolling by the railing observed this scene and found it quite intriguing. One of them said, "Pipi and Dodo are close to the caretaker, but they don''t usually show such exaggerated behavior. They only get excited like this when they see the apples. It seems like the girl is a new caretaker. I heard she got in through connections. I thought she would just loaf around and not do anything, but I never expected Pipi and Dodo to like her so much." On the other side, the red-haired girl, who was enthusiastically capturing videos and photos, watched Pipi and Dodo disappear into the bamboo forest and contentedly closed her mirrorless camera. "We are really lucky this time. Pipi and Dodo stayed in the outdoor area longer than usual, and we even saw them being affectionate with the caretaker!" said the red-haired girl. The red-haired girl''s boyfriend smiled and asked, "Maybe pandas like pretty girls too?" The red-haired girl rolled her eyes and said, "Do you think pandas are as shallow as you?" However, after her sarcastic remark, the red-haired girl could not help but open her camera and y back the recorded video. After watching it for a while, she sighed, "But that new caretaker does seem quite beautiful. Even though she''s wearing a mask, you can tell she''s a beauty just by looking at her eyes!" Compared to men, women''s appreciation of other women was genuine and pure. At that moment, the red-haired girl was filled with curiosity about the new caretaker. In addition, her favorite pandas seemed to have a strong liking for the new caretaker, so she looked at Xia Xin with a friendly gaze. After Pipi and Dodo returned to the bamboo forest, many of the onlooking visitors dispersed and went to see other pandas in different enclosures or visit other animal enclosures. Only a few people noticed Bao hiding in the corner under the railing. When Xia Xin approached Bao, she saw its two front paws pushing a slightly dirty ball, which seemed to be losing air. Li Li had mentioned that the ball was Bao''s favorite, and it had a strong emotional attachment to it. That was why the staff did not rece it with a new ball. Xia Xin walked towards Bao and perhaps she was a stranger, Bao seemed a bit flustered upon noticing her. It tried to move with its front paws toward the corner while holding onto its ball, appearing nervous and unsure of what to do. While feeding Pipi and Dodo earlier, Xia Xin could hear them happily conversing. They were two happy pandas loved by the caretakers and visitors, lively and joyful. But Bao waspletely different from them. Bao was very quiet, appearing timid and submissive. As if all it had was that dirty and worn-out ball. They were all pandas, but their destinies werepletely different. Xia Xin felt a twinge in her nose. She slowed her steps and slowly crouched down. With a small apple in her hand, she used her gentlest voice to reassure the anxious Bao, "Bao, I''m the new caretaker, and I''m d to meet you. Don''t be afraid, I''vee to bring you a small apple." Chapter 8: Trending Topic

Chapter 8: Trending Topic

Xia Xin did not use the Beast Language System, so Bao could not fully understand her words, but it seemed to sense Xia Xin''s goodwill and became less nervous. Two minutester, Bao finally bit into the apple in Xia Xin''s palm. After finishing the apple, it quickly hugged its ball and retreated into the corner. When night fell, Xia Xin finished her day''s work, changed out of her uniform, and went to the staff cafeteria for dinner with her colleagues from the various enclosures. Suddenly, a colleague who was watching videos while eating eximed, "Xin, you''re on the trending!" ''Trending?'' Xia Xin pondered. She did not understand what her colleague meant. "Quick, take a look! It''s this one!" The colleague held the phone in front of Xia Xin. Finally, Xia Xin saw it. On the cultural and entertainment trending list, there was a hot topic titled "Beautiful Caretaker and Pandas" currently ranking second with high poprity. Xia Xin was startled. It was surprising enough for an ordinary person to trend once in their lifetime, but now she found herself in the second spot on the trending list. On the discussion tform for the trending topic,izens were activelymenting. [Wow, is the new caretaker at the Capital Zoo so good-looking? I think she could be a female star in the entertainment industry!] [Yes, although she wears a mask, it can''t hide her beauty. And she''s so gentle! Pipi and Dodo, make way for me. I also want the beautiful caretaker to pet my head.] [Did you all see? Pipi and Dodo stayed in the outdoor area for a long time this time. They seem to really like the beautiful caretaker. Indeed pandas also appreciate the beauty!] [I hope I can see the interaction between the beautiful caretaker and Pipi and Dodo when I visit the Capital Zoo next time. I''m going to buy tickets now!] [Don''t bother. I just tried to book tickets, but they''re sold out for today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow. You guys are horrible!] ... Xia Xin scrolled through thements,pletely unaware thatizens were paying such close attention to her. She felt somewhat uneasy. ''Is this what it feels like to suddenly go viral?'' Xia Xin pondered. Seeing Xia Xin''s difort, her colleague hurriedly reassured her, "Don''t worry too much. Because Pipi and Dodo hold a high position in the hearts of the nation, their caretakers have often trended alongside them before. However, the previous caretakers did not generate such intense discussion and enthusiasm. Being a beautiful woman is indeed different." Another colleague chimed in, "If it weren''t for Jing Mo taking the top spot on the trending list, I think this time Xin would have had a good chance of iming the first ce with Pipi and Dodo. Then Xin might even be able to ask Mr. Lu for a bonus. Haha, being on the trending list is equivalent to giving our zoo nationwide advertising." ''Jing Mo?'' Xia Xin felt that the name sounded familiar. She clicked on the title upying the first ce on the trending list and saw several brand endorsement photos. In the photo, Jing Mo was wearing a simple white shirt, with the top two buttons undone, revealing a glimpse of his delicate corbones and a small portion of his chest. The cold light illuminated his well-defined features, making his temperament appear even more aloof and noble. His face could withstand every frame captured by a high-definition camera from any angle. Xia Xin stared nkly at Jing Mo''s enchanting eyes that could captivate thousands of young girls, feeling a sense of familiarity. Xia Xin''s colleague looked over, admiring Jing Mo''s stunning beauty, and sighed, "Just a regr endorsement ad, yet it effortlessly soared to the top of the trending list. He truly deserves the title of the top male god in the entertainment industry today. His face is simply the embodiment of love..." Listening to her colleague''s admiration, Xia Xin looked at the photo of the man with extraordinary looks and suddenly remembered where she had seen him before. ''Those beautiful eyes... It was the man from the hospital that day!'' Xia Xin came to a realization. Xia Xin did not expect that after her rebirth, she would coincidentally encounter a top celebrity at the hospital. However, since she did not idolize celebrities in her previous life, she did not recognize Jing Mo at the time. Knowing that the man at the hospital was Jing Mo, Xia Xin became even more puzzled, ''If that man was a big celebrity, I shouldn''t have had any contact with him. So why did I feel a sense of familiarity when I saw Jing Mo at the hospital?'' That feeling was as if Jing Mo was someone important to her, but she could not remember who he was. After finishing dinner, Xia Xin returned home. As soon as she changed into her slippers and turned on her phone, she received texts from her friend Zhao Nan and several ssmates. [Xin, is that person on the trending list you? I can tell it''s you! You became an inte sensation on your first day of work at the zoo. Amazing!] Chapter 9: Interface

Chapter 9: Interface

Xia Xin replied to Zhao Nan, [I just rode on the poprity of Pipi and Dodo. They are the real superstars. I''m just their caretaker.] Most of Xia Xin''s ssmates recognized Xia Xin after seeing the trending topic and messaged her to ask, Xia Xin replied to each of them and then messaged her parents to let them know she was well before getting ready for bed. For most people, bing an inte sensation overnight would make it difficult to fall asleep out of excitement, but Xia Xin did not really care about it. She saw herself as an ordinary person. Of course, Xia Xin was not entirely ordinary. She was someone who had died once and now possessed a peculiar Beast Language System. Xia Xin could not control the passive effects of the Beast Language System, but she had not actively used itsmunication function today. On one hand, Xia Xin still could not determine whether the system was good or bad. On the other hand, she felt that she could handle her job as a caretaker well enough on her own, and she did not need to rely on the Beast Language System for now. After experiencing a rebirth, Xia Xin hoped for a peaceful life. She thought it would be better not to casually use the Beast Language System that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. Just as Xia Xin closed her eyes, ready to fall asleep while enjoying the elegant scent of incense, a page suddenly popped up in her mind. Host: Xia Xin Age: 21 Stamina: 65 Appearance: 78 Charisma: 75 Beast Mastery: Beginner ''What''s this?'' Xia Xin pondered as her sleepiness vanished, and she almost sat up in bed. Soon, another option page appeared. Today''s umted Animal Affinity: 200 points Today''s umted Human Affinity: 3000 points Do you wish to increase your basic attributes? Do you wish to exchange items in the Shop? ''Affinity? The animal affinity should have been umted through my interactions with the pandas, while human affinity was likely due to the public''s interest in me after I trended or because I was Pipi and Dodo''s caretaker, which led visitors andizens to develop a favorable impression of me.'' Xia Xin thought. After hesitating for a moment, Xia Xin chose the option to increase her basic attributes. The page switched, showing that 200 points could be exchanged for 2 basic attribute points, which could be added to any of the basic attributes. ''Where should I add it?'' Xia Xin hesitated for a moment between her Stamina and her Beast Mastery. Her Stamina points were the lowest right now, probably due to her poor physique since she was young. As for Beast Mastery, Xia Xin felt that this ability might be useful in the future. It was an ability worth cultivating. However, Xia Xin was not sure how many attribute points were needed for the upgrade of that ability at the moment. In the end, Xia Xin chose to strengthen her Stamina. After all, physical health was the most important. Next, Xia Xin selected the [Exchange items in the Shop] option. A giant screen simr to a shopping page appeared in Xia Xin''s consciousness, and she browsed through it briefly. Charming Elixir: 100,000 points Misfortune Talisman: 200,000 points Basic Divination Talisman: 30,000 points Master Chef''s Recipe: 400,000 points ... The Shop had a wide variety of items, and everything was avable, but the prices were exorbitant. Xia Xin had initially thought that the 3000 affinity points she received from visitors andizens today were already a lot, but she did not expect that she could not even afford the cheapest item in the Shop. ''Forget it, I could look at itter. Besides, I don''t really need any of these items right now.'' Xia Xin thought. Xia Xin exited the selection page. Although she did not buy anything, she felt much more at ease. From what she could see, the system seemed to require an equivalent exchange. Equivalent exchange meant the system was conducting transactions with Xia Xin. If the system unconditionally gave her a bunch of things without asking for anything in return, that would make her uneasy. In the morning, Xia Xin turned off her rm clock, got up from bed, made a simple omelet for herself, and then arrived at the zoo without putting on any makeup. "Xin, you''re here so early?" Li Li greeted Xia Xin when she saw her. Xia Xin smiled and said, "You''re even earlier. The weather is nice today, so there should be a lot of visitors." "I guess today''s visitors might be overwhelming since you trended yesterday. Well done, Xin. I didn''t expect Pipi and Dodo to like you so much, but now I can rest assured," said Li Li. "I never expected it to go viral, but if it helps bring more visitors to the zoo, then it''s beneficial," said Xia Xin. After chatting with Li Li, Xia Xin changed into her work uniform and began a busy day. Chapter 10: A Dog

Chapter 10: A Dog

During the lunch break, Xia Xin and her colleagues went to a newly opened buffet restaurant near the zoo for lunch. Xia Xin ate rtively quickly, and her appetite was notrge, so she finished her meal quickly. As she watched her colleagues still eating, Xia Xin yed with her phone while waiting for them. While boredly scrolling through videos, Xia Xin suddenly saw a video that featured herself. A blogger named "Happy Potato" posted a video taken at the zoo yesterday. In the video, Pipi and Dodo were yfully interacting with Xia Xin. Xia Xin was caressing one panda with one hand, showcasing the harmony and affection between humans and animals. The video had already received over 700,000 likes, and there were manyments. As one of the main characters in the video, Xia Xin naturally sparked a new round of discussions amongizens. Once again, Xia Xin felt that she had truly be famous. "If the Beast Language System calcted human affinity points by resetting them daily, would I receive a significant amount of affinity points today? If so, I might be able to purchase something rtively cheap from the shop in a dozen days, thanks to my sudden poprity.'' Xia Xin thought. While Xia Xin was lost in thought, she suddenly heard someone impatiently shouting, "Damn dog, get lost! If you don''t leave, I''ll catch you and make you into a hotpot meat slice!" Xia Xin looked over and saw a restaurant staff member shooing away a small dog outside the restaurant. The dog was dirty, with tangled fur, and could barely be recognized as a white dog. It was of medium size. It was currently summer, and the outside temperature was high, while the restaurant had air conditioning. When customers entered or exited, some cool air would escape, making the entrance cooler. The dog was likely seeking relief from the heat by staying near the entrance. However, the restaurant staff clearly did not wee it. After all, a dirty dog lying by the entrance was not a pleasant sight and could affect the restaurant''s business. Since Xia Xin had loved small animals since she was young, she felt sorry for the dog. At that moment, her colleagues had finished their meals, so Xia Xin walked to the entrance, getting closer to the dog. After hesitating for a moment, Xia Xin used the Beast Language System tomunicate with the dog, saying, "Do you want toe with me? The ce where I work has air conditioning, it''s cool, and I can find some food for you." The dog stared at Xia Xin with round eyes, taking a long time to realize why a human couldmunicate with it. The dog was actually afraid of humans, but Xia Xin did not make it feel scared at all. The dog opened its mouth, emitting a hoarse sound from its throat. Afraid that Xia Xin could not understand, it approached her and wagged its tail, indicating that it was willing to go with her. Xia Xin was taken aback and thought, ''It could not bark?'' Xia Xin felt something was off. She walked up to the dog, relying on the buff from the Beast Language System that attracted animal affinity, and daringly opened the dog''s mouth. To her shock, Xia Xin discovered that the dog had no tongue. She was so angry that her body trembled. ''Who did this? How could someone be so malicious in this world!'' Xia Xin thought angrily. Looking at the dirty dog in front of her, Xia Xin felt her heartache and tears almost welled up in her eyes. "What are you doing, Xin?" a male colleague asked in confusion as he saw Xia Xin squatting on the ground, holding a dirty dog. Xia Xin looked at her colleague, Tang Hai, and said, "Mr. Tang, can I bring this dog into the zoo? I''ll take it home after work, so it won''t cause any trouble for the zoo." "Do you want to keep it?" Tang Hai was momentarily surprised but advised, "Xin, I know you''re kind-hearted, but there are so many stray cats and dogs in this world. You can''t help them all... Well, bring it along. I can get some food for it from the nearby enclosure." "Thank you, Mr. Tang." Xia Xin gratefully replied, then turned to the dog, saying, "Let''s go! You''ll have something to eat soon!" At the zoo, Tang Hai brought some food, and Xia Xin took out a stainless steel bowl and ced the food inside. Since the dog had no tongue and had several teeth missing, it was extremely difficult for it to eat. Xia Xin watched the dog struggle and clumsily stuff the food into its mouth, then swallow it, feeling a mixture of sadness and anger in her heart. Chapter 11: Layle

Chapter 11: Layle

For a dog, the tongue is crucial. Without a tongue, it cannot chew or rely on its sense of smell to distinguish food. Even drinking water bes challenging. ''To what extent must a person be corrupted tomit such inhumane acts!'' Xia Xin pondered. Suppressing her intense emotions, Xia Xin watched as the dog finished eating. She reached out and gently touched the dog''s head, using the Beast Language System tomunicate, "I have to go to work now. You can rest here or wander around nearby. When I finish work, I''ll take you to the vet for a check-up." In the dog''s mind, there was no concept of work or the vet, so it could not fully understand what Xia Xin was saying. But it knew that Xia Xin had no ill intentions. She brought it into a cool and spacious ce, and she provided food. In the dog''s world, Xia Xin was the best human. The dog happily wagged its partially bald tail, making strange sounds from its mouth. Xia Xin guessed that if it had a tongue, it would probably emit cheerful barking sounds. Tang Hai squatted next to Xia Xin, observing the tongueless dog, and sighed, "In this world, there are always scumbags who derive pleasure from the suffering of animals." Tang Hai wanted to reach out and pat the dog''s head, but as soon as he approached, the dog''s eyes revealed a look of fear. It quickly moved closer to Xia Xin''s side, trembling slightly. Xia Xin hurriedlyforted the dog and smiled apologetically at Tang Hai. "It has been mistreated by humans, so it''s naturally scared of people." Tang Hai did not mind, but he found it peculiar and asked, "But why isn''t it afraid of you? It''s strange. Not only do Pipi and Dodo adore you, even this dog that has been hurt by humans likes you. Xin, your charm is irresistible even to animals." As Tang Hai said thest sentence, he looked at Xia Xin with a gaze that revealed a hint of unusual ardor. Xia Xin suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. "Mr. Tang, I have to go to work now. Thank you for your help today." Tang Hai watched Xia Xin hastily leave and sighed, regretting that he had let his feelings slip out. He thought, ''I hope I didn''t scare Xia Xin.'' Tang Hai was 28 years old, single, and Xia Xin was currently in the most beautiful and youthful stage of her life. Tang Hai believed that it was normal for him to develop feelings for Xia Xin. He had initially nned to gradually get to know Xia Xin better during work and see if they could develop a rtionship. But now, it seemed like he had rushed things. However, there was nothing Tang Hai could do. After all, it was difficult to hide one''s feelings, and love would always find a way to reveal itself through one''s gaze. He smiled helplessly. In the afternoon, the number of visitors to the zoo showed no signs of decreasing, and they seemed even more excited than yesterday. When Pipi and Dodo appeared, the visitors shouted loudly. When Xia Xin appeared, the visitors treated her like a fan, disying great enthusiasm. Xia Xin was somewhat overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the visitors and had some concerns. The noise created by the visitors was clearly affecting Pipi and Dodo negatively. Both pandas were bing restless and irritable. If it were not for Xia Xin patiently calming them down, their moods today would have been far from good. As for Bao, it was even more unfortunate. It usually preferred to lie in the hidden corner below the railing, and visitors generally did not pay attention to it. Bao''s reaction to the outside world was usually slow. However, due to therge number of visitors and the loud noise today, Bao began to show signs of panic and fear. Xia Xin noticed that something was off with Bao and quickly carried it back to the inner court of the panda exhibit. Xia Xin wanted to ask the visitors to be quieter, but she was afraid of being criticized byizens if she did so. After all, the visitors had paid to see the pandas, and their attitude was so enthusiastic. If the zoo staff members showed any dissatisfaction, it might anger the visitors. Finally, Xia Xin endured until the end of her shift and let out a long sigh of relief. She hurriedly walked to the end of the corridor on the first floor and saw the white dog leaning against the wall, lying on the ground, seemingly asleep. However, as soon as the dog heard Xia Xin''s footsteps, it immediately opened its eyes, stood up, and staggered toward her, circling around her feet while wagging its tail happily. A smile formed at the corner of Xia Xin''s mouth. "From now on, you''ll live with me. Let me give you a name. How about Layle?" Chapter 12: Husky

Chapter 12: Husky

Xia Xin believed that the dog must have gone through many unpleasant experiences before meeting her. She only hoped that from now on, it would be happy every day. When the dog heard its new name, its eyes brightened, as if it was happy to have a name. Xia Xin originally nned to take Layle to the veterinary hospital for a check-up, but her colleagues informed her that there was only onerge veterinary hospital nearby, and it was usually crowded. If she went after work, considering the waiting time for appointments, she might not be able to return home untilte at night. After some consideration, Xia Xin decided to take Layle to the veterinary hospital during her days off. As for today, she would bring Layle to a bath. There were quite a few pet shops nearby. Xia Xin found a pet shop with good online reviews. When she arrived, the staff inside were busy cleaning and grooming several pets. Compared to those noble breeds with smooth fur and beautiful appearances, Layle, whom Xia Xin had just picked up today, looked like a dirty bundle. After entering the pet shop, Xia Xin could sense that Layle was very uneasy. Layle kept its head lowered, afraid to look at the other pets. It did not even dare to rub Xia Xin''s pants anymore as if it feared that Xia Xin would discover it was the ugliest dog in the shop and abandon it once again. Xia Xin rubbed Layle''s head, unsure how tofort it. She thought perhaps only time could heal Layle''s inner insecurities and anxieties, letting it know that it was also worthy of love. The pet shop staff also noticed that Layle was a stray dog, but they did not show any disgust. On the contrary, they asked about Layle''s condition with concern. After learning about Layle''s tongue issue, the staff were filled with anger. Most people who work in pet shops are animal lovers; otherwise, they would not have the patience to clean and care for small animals. They condemn those who harm animals more than ordinary people. Perhaps due to sympathy for Layle''s ordeal, one staff member pointed to a room inside and said, "Ms. Xia, please wait in there for a moment. That''s the VIP grooming room. We have some medicine inside, so after the bath, we can apply some ointment to your dog''s wounds." Xia Xin nodded and went to the VIP grooming room with Layle. The VIP grooming room was slightlyrger than the regr grooming room. There were beautiful potted nts on the windowsill, and a curtain at the entrance provided better privacy and soundproofing. It did not take long before it gradually quieted down outside. It was already past 8 o''clock, and the busiest period for the pet shop had passed. Xia Xin patiently waited when suddenly, after the pet shop door was pushed open, continuous barking filled the air with dissatisfaction and anger. It seemed like a dog with a big temper had arrived. As Xia Xin was thinking that, the curtain was suddenly lifted, and a man wearing a ck sports suit and a hood walked in, apanied by a staff member. The man held a leash, and an extremely handsome husky was desperately trying to break free, its entire body exuding resistance and discontent while barking. Xia Xin could understand perfectly what the husky was saying. At the entrance, the husky was saying, "Two-legged creature, you''ve deceived me into this hellish ce again! If I trust you again, then I''m a dog!" At that moment, Xia Xin thought, ''But you already are a dog.'' Seeing that it was a husky, Xia Xin was no longer surprised. After all, everyone knows about Huskies'' intelligence. Now, the husky was saying, "I don''t want a bath! You wretched two-legged creature! I lick my paws every day, and they''re cleaner than your face! I want to go home!!" The man in the ck casual sportswear seemed ustomed to his pet''s behavior. He skillfully lifted the husky and ced it directly into the grooming tub next to Xia Xin. He then held the husky''s head firmly, picked up a nearby basin of water, and sshed it onto the husky''s body. His actions were swift, rough, and practiced. Xia Xin stared in disbelief, and the husky also widened its eyes in terror, showing a look of despair as if saying, "I''m dirty now." The man turned and looked at the pet shop staff. He said, "He''s ready for a bath now." The pet shop staff, who had been watching the scene from the side, seemed to be ustomed to it. Xia Xin even suspected that the basin of water had been specially prepared for the man. The husky''s resistance significantly diminished after getting soaked. Two pet shop staff worked together and were able to fully put the husky under control. As the man in the ck casual sportswear turned around, Xia Xin finally noticed his exquisitely chiseled jaw, and she was momentarily stunned. Chapter 13: Shut Up

Chapter 13: Shut Up

''Jing Mo? How could it be him? The man who just had a battle of wits with the husky, was it Jing Mo?!'' Xia Xin pondered. Jing Mo also noticed Xia Xin, and there seemed to be a hint of fluctuation in his eyes, but it quickly returned to calm. Xia Xin was not sure if he remembered her. ''Well, it''s better if he doesn''t remember. That day at the hospital, I must have left an impression on everyone as an overindulged child.'' Xia Xin thought. Xia Xin shifted her gaze, pretending not to recognize Jing Mo. After all, she was not a fan of Jing Mo, so there was no need to rush forward for autographs or photos. "Ms. Xia, because this gentleman had made an earlier appointment, you may need to wait a while longer," the pet shop staff who was grooming the husky looked at Xia Xin and exined. "It''s okay, I''m not in a hurry," Xia Xin said and smiled gently. Then, the pet shop staff exined to Jing Mo, "I''m sorry, we thought you would bring Bobo after nine, so we let Ms. Xia enter the grooming room to wait. We didn''t expect you toe so early." Jing Mo nodded slightly, showing no signs of being bothered, and his voice was low and hoarse as he said, "It''s alright." Xia Xin looked at the husky, who was still struggling restlessly in the pool. She thought, ''So this husky was named Bobo.'' Bobo also noticed the presence of another dog in the room, looking towards Layle with surprise, and said disdainfully, "Why is this dog so dirty and ugly? I don''t want to be with such a dog. You despicable two-legged creatures, let me go!" Bobo''s struggles became even more intense. Layle, crouching beside Xia Xin, lowered its head even further, feeling at a loss and curling up into a small ball after hearing Bobo''s grunt. After a while, Bobo was almost done with bathing. The remaining tasks were grooming and blow-drying, which could be handled by a single pet shop staff. Another pet shop staff approached Xia Xin and said, "Ms. Xia, now we can proceed with grooming your dog. Let''s go to the grooming station across." Xia Xin nodded and reminded the pet shop staff of the wounds on Layle''s body. As the pet shop staff groomed Layle, it behaved very obediently, perhaps because Xia Xin was right beside it. It did not show any stress response to the pet shop staff''s touch, and even when the wounds were identally touched, it did not make a sound despite the pain. The pet shop staff was amazed and remarked, "Ms. Xia, your dog is really well-behaved. I''ve groomed some stray animals before, and although some of them have low aggression, none of them were as docile as this one. It''s truly reassuring." Xia Xin looked at Layle with gentle eyes and said, "Yes, Layle is the most well-behaved dog I''ve ever seen." Meanwhile, Bobo, who was being blow-dried by another pet shop staff, watched the two humans chatting andughing about Layle which, in its eyes, was extremely dirty and ugly. Even though Bobo could not understand human words, it could still sense from their expressions that they were praising the dirty and ugly Layle. Bobo felt deeply insulted. It thought, ''How could they not praise a noble and beautiful purebred husky like myself and insteadpliment a mutt that seemingly crawled out of a garbage dump?'' Bobo became extremely agitated and started struggling again. It even raised its head and howled at Layle with anger. Layle sensed Bobo''s anger, which was clearly directed at it, and its eyes showed fear and nervousness. It instinctively tried to crawl toward Xia Xin. Xia Xin understood what Bobo was howling about. It was saying, "You mutt, quickly go back to your garbage dump, or I''ll bite your throat offter!" Xia Xin furrowed her brows and almost could not resist using the Beast Language System to scold the impolite and ill-tempered husky. "Shut up!" A chilling male voice rang out as Jing Mo walked up to Bobo and firmly held its snout, silencing its wild words. Perhaps because Jing Mo was Bobo''s owner, although Bobo had a bad temper, it did not dare to truly provoke his anger. It simply cast an angry nce at Layle and did not continue to taunt and humiliate it. After Bobo finished blow-drying, Jing Mo led it out of the pet shop. Xia Xin nced at Jing Mo''s back for a couple of seconds before retracting her gaze. "Ms. Xia, didn''t you recognize who that gentleman was?" the pet shop staff who was blow-drying Layle could not help but ask. Chapter 14: VIP Card

Chapter 14: VIP Card

"I recognized him. He''s Jing Mo." Xia Xin replied calmly. The pet shop staff smiled and said, "I knew it! Mr. Jing is so popr, and you should know him. But why did you react so calmly after seeing him? Most people would be shocked and excited when they meet a big star. I remember the first time I saw Mr. Jing, I was dumbfounded and thought I was dreaming." Xia Xin did not know how to exin, so she awkwardly smiled and said, "I''m not a fan." After Layle finished blow-drying, the pet shop staff applied some medicine to its wounds. Just as Xia Xin was about to leave with Layle, the curtain of the grooming room was lifted, and another pet shop staff walked in and said to Xia Xin, "Ms. Xia, the owner of that husky asked me to apologize to you on his behalf." Xia Xin was taken aback. The pet shop staff then took out a delicately crafted VIP card and handed it to Xia Xin. "The gentleman just bought a six-month VIP card and asked me to give it to you." Holding the VIP card, Xia Xin feltplicated. Although Jing Mo''s dogcked manners, she could not dislike Jing Mo himself. She could only sympathize with him for owning a dog that did not match his own temperament. Looking at the VIP card in the pet shop staff''s hand, Xia Xin felt that Jing Mo did not need topensate her. It was just a small matter, and she was not that petty of a person. ''Could it be that Jing Mo was afraid she would be dissatisfied with him and would post negativements online, so he specially expressed his apologies?'' Xia Xin thought. In the end, Xia Xin epted the VIP card. Since it was a gift, there was no harm in epting it. She could not let Layle be bullied by that husky for nothing. Not far from the pet shop, a ck minivan was parked by the roadside. The van door opened, and Sun Hu jumped out. Seeing Jing Mo walking over with the husky, Sun Hu hurriedly approached and said, "I called you several times, Why didn''t you answer? And you still have the mood to walk the dog?" "It was on Silent Mode." Jing Mo answered matter-of-factly. Sun Hu fell silent and chose to give up discussing the matter further. He said, "Get in the car quickly. The g is about to start, and it will take at least an hour to do your styling. There are several top executives from global major brands at the g. Take the opportunity to learn some basic information about them and try to chat with themter." The current career n for Jing Mo, set by hispany, was to maintain his poprity and fame as a top domestic male celebrity while expanding into the international market. As Sun Hu continued talking nonstop, Jing Mo''s face remained expressionless. He looked at Bobo, who seemed somewhat impatient by his feet, but his mind was filled with the slight frown of the girl at the pet shop. At that time, Bobo suddenly went crazy and yelled at the stray dog, causing the owner of the stray dog to frown. The faint anger made her exquisite features appear even more vibrant, like a thorny wild rose. Before leaving the pet shop with Bobo, Jing Mo had the pet shop staff issue a VIP card and asked them to give it to the girl who owned the stray dog. Jing Mo knew that this gesture was somewhat unnecessary. Jing Mo was not usually someone who liked getting involved in unnecessary matters, and he maintained a detached attitude toward everyone and everything. But for some reason, when he thought of the slight frown on that girl''s face, he felt like he should do something. ''The pet shop staff called the girl "Ms. Xia," and her parents called her "Xin" at the hospital. So, perhaps her name was Xia Xin?'' Jing Mo wondered. Bobo, seeing its owner seemingly looking at it but also seemingly not, wagged its tail in confusion. "Did you even listen to what I said?" Sun Hu asked, his voice became dry and hoarse. When he looked up, he saw Jing Mo staring at a dog, and he suddenly felt greatly humiliated. ... After returning home, Xia Xin found arge cardboard box andid an old piece of clothing on it. It would be Layle''s temporary bed. Layle happily climbed into the box and poked its head out, looking at Xia Xin with bright eyes. It no longer showed the unease and nervousness it had at the pet shop. Perhaps seeing that Xia Xin did not abandon it, Layle finally felt at ease. After freshening up and lying on the bed, Xia Xin opened a shopping app and made some purchases. She also had a video call with her parents, telling them that she had picked up a stray dog and nned to adopt it, naming it Layle. Chapter 15: A Pay Raise

Chapter 15: A Pay Raise

Xia Xin''s decision to adopt a stray dog did not surprise Gu Fan and Xia Song because Xia Xin had always loved animals since she was young. She would often go and feed the stray cats and dogs in the neighborhood. Due to Old Mrs. Xia''s poor health and mild asthma symptoms, the Xias could not keep pets. Now that Xia Xin lived alone, it was not a problem for her to have a dog. Gu Fan was quite happy and said with a smile, "You''ve always envied others who could have cats and dogs. Now you can have your own dog. Dogs are great; if there are bad people who want to harm you, the dog can protect you." "Alright, let''s talk more when Xin has her day off. She had a busy day, so let''s not disturb her rest." Xia Song urged Gu Fan to hang up the phone. After the video call, Xia Xin prepared for bed. Before falling asleep, she saw that the data panel of the system had been updated after closing her eyes. Today, Xia Xin had umted 400 animal affinity points and her human affinity points had increased to 4000. Xia Xin spected that the reason her human affinity points had not decreased but instead increased might be due to the continued public opinion of her. More and more people had seen the videos of her interacting with the pandas and developed a favorable impression of her. After hesitating for a moment, Xia Xin tried to "inquire" with her consciousness, "Can I know where these 400 animal affinity pointse from?" After two seconds of silence, a light screen panel popped up. Behind the photos of Pipi and Dodo, it showed "+100" and behind the photo of Layle, it showed "+300". Today, Xia Xin had taken care of Pipi and Dodo, soothing their emotions. The two pandas had be more familiar and reliant on her, so it was not surprising that their affinity points had increased. However, what Xia Xin did not expect was that Layle had instantly given her a 300-point increase, which was more than Pipi and Dodobined. ''Perhaps it was because Layle genuinely liked me...'' Xia Xin thought as she looked at Layle, who was peacefully sleeping in the box, and a gentle smile formed on her lips. Xia Xin allocated all 400 affinity points to her Stamina. Currently, her Stamina has reached 71 points. After the Stamina points were updated, Xia Xin clearly felt her tired body instantly bing energized. It even gave her a feeling that she could do a hundred push-ups right now. She adjusted to the changes in her body, regted her breathing, and quickly fell asleep. The next day, when Xia Xin arrived at the zoo, she saw Lu Yuan standing at the entrance of the panda house, seemingly waiting for her. Xia Xin immediately called out, "Good morning, Mr. Lu!" Before Xia Xin started working at the zoo, it was normal for her to call Lu Yuan "Uncle Lu". Now that she had joined the team, their rtionship had be that of superior and subordinate. Lu Yuan smiled and nodded. "I didn''t expect that you would be a star caretaker in our zoo just two days after joining. The number of visitors to the zoo has increased a lot these days, and it''s all thanks to you. I have already spoken to the finance department, and you will receive a pay raise." Xia Xin was somewhat surprised, but of course, she would not refuse the boss giving her a raise. She felt happy inside but still honestly said, "I just did what I should do." Lu Yuan was very satisfied with Xia Xin''s attitude. Originally, he only brought Xia Xin in due to Xia Song''s face, and he did not have any expectations for her. But to Lu Yuan''s surprise, even Li Li praised Xia Xin for quickly adapting to the work environment. Both the pandas and the visitors really liked her. After seeing Lu Yuan off, Xia Xin cleaned the panda house and also had to tidy up the outdoor area. As she cleaned the outdoor area, the visitors had already entered the zoo, and there were crowds of people by the railings. While Xia Xin was sweeping the ground with a big broom, Pipi and Dodo saw her and immediately ran over to y with her. One hugged her leg, and the other sat on the broom. Xia Xin could not help but cry andugh. She had to put down the broom, pick up Pipi, and ce it on a nearby climbing frame, patting itsrge panda head to indicate that it should y by itself. Then she found arge bamboo basket and stuffed Dodo inside. Dodo did not like ying on the climbing frame, but enjoyed crawling into various cages and holes. A few days ago, Xia Xin saw a panda climbing into a bamboo basket in the next-door enclosure, which gave her inspiration, so she immediately borrowed one. ''Sometimes the passive function of this Beast Language System is quite troublesome. These two pandas I''m raising were too clingy! As soon as I appeared, they would immediately stick to me like mas to iron.'' Xia Xinined in her heart. Chapter 16: Splashed Water

Chapter 16: Sshed Water

After temporarily settling the two pandas, Xia Xin continued to clean the ground when she suddenly heard amotion among the visitors. Xia Xin was taken aback and immediately realized that something must have happened. She hurriedly walked over. "Ms. Caretaker, someone poured mineral water on that panda!" As Xia Xin appeared, someone from the crowd immediately informed her loudly, pointing toward Bao''s location. Xia Xin was shocked and quickly rushed toward Bao. When she reached Bao''s side, Xia Xin was astonished to find that Bao''s originally fluffy fur was now wet, like a ck and white ball of yarn thrown into the water. There were two empty mineral water bottles on the ground. Bao was trembling, using its front paws to crawl towards a corner, as if trying to hide. Xia Xin could tell that it was very scared at the moment, as it did not even care about its old toy ball. Bao was not very popr among visitors, and many did not even know its name or pay much attention to it. Initially, only a few people noticed someone pouring water on Bao. By the time everyone noticed the situation, Bao waspletely drenched. Xia Xin was filled with anger, but she did not have time to find out who did such a thing. She quickly walked towards Bao, picked it up while it was still trying to crawl into the corner, and tightly embraced it. As she wiped the water off Bao''s body, sheforted it with the Beast Language System, "It''s okay, Bao. Don''t be afraid. I''m sorry I arrivedte, I''m sorry..." Bao had physical disabilities, and it knew that it was not liked by people. It never yed with the other two popr pandas and always stayed in a corner by itself. After being sshed with water by a visitor, it not only trembled in fear but also believed that it was being hated because of its disabilities. When Xia Xin picked it up, it did not even dare to move. Tears welled up in Xia Xin''s eyes as she haphazardly wiped them away with her hand. She continued to hold Bao tightly andforted it in a gentle voice. Under her soothing words, Bao''s extreme reaction gradually subsided, and it began to calm down. Bao cautiously curled up in Xia Xin''s arms, as if her embrace was the only safe ce in the world. After learning about the situation, the zoo''s security personnel rushed over but could not find the visitor who poured the water. Xia Xin held onto Bao until other zoo professionals arrived, and only then did she let go of Bao and hand it over to them. "Bao is usually timid, and now it''s been scared. I''m afraid it won''t dare to go to the outdoor area anymore." Li Li sighed as she watched Bao being taken away. The more Xia Xin listened, the sadder she felt, ''Bao never ran around. It always quietly stayed in its little corner. Yet, even in this state, its small territory was invaded by some despicable person.'' "I''m sorry, it''s all my fault." Xia Xin apologized. She felt that she was partly responsible for everything because she had not given Bao enough attention and failed to notice the visitor''s actions in time. Li Li sighed, "How can you me yourself for this? Don''t me yourself. No one could have anticipated such a thing." Xia Xin remained silent, not saying a word. "Now that the incident of Bao being sshed with water has probably spread online, I wonder what kind of impact it will have. Let Fu take care of your afternoon tasks. You should have some rest for now," said Li Li. Xia Xin looked up and asked, "Can I go and see Bao?" Li Li shook her head and said, "There will be a professional team providing psychological therapy for it. You don''t need to worry too much." Xia Xin bit her lip and nodded. Li Li''s spection and concerns quickly became a reality. Two hourster, the incident of Bao being sshed with water made it to the trending search rankings. Bao had never been popr before, and not many people even knew its name. However, this time, almost everyone who loved and paid attention to pandas learned about Bao. [This is despicable! Pandas are our national treasures. How dare they do such a thing??] [Doesn''t the zoo have surveince cameras? Let''s quickly find those people who poured the water! I want them to experience how Bao felt at that time!] [I never expected that our Bao would be popr because of this incident. I have been following Bao for a long time. Every time I go to the zoo, I visit it. It always sits alone in its little corner, ying with its toy ball. It''s the cutest and most well-behaved panda in my heart. After watching the video of Bao being sshed with water, I actually cried.] [Yeah, Bao is already self-conscious. Would it think that it was sshed because of its disabilities? How sad it must have been at that time?] Chapter 17: Explanation

Chapter 17: Exnation

[What were the caretakers doing? Didn''t they notice someone bullying the pandas? Is it okay to ignore a disabled panda?] [What does this have to do with the caretakers? Instead of ming them, why don''t you scold the people who poured water? Didn''t you see the caretaker girl crying while holding Bao? If it weren''t for herforting Bao in time, Bao''s condition would have been even worse! ... The arguments amongizens grew increasingly intense. Anger made everyone desperately seek an outlet. Thement section of the Capital Zoo''s official ount was quickly taken over byizens. Some demanded that the zoo publicly reveal the identities of the visitors, while others used the zoo of not providing sufficient care and attention to the disabled panda. After reading the news for a while, Xia Xin felt a growing headache and turned off her phone. In the end, the zoo did not disclose the identities of the visitors who poured water because it was illegal. The zoo could pursue the responsibility of those visitors privately, but if their identities were made public, they would undoubtedly face severe online harassment. The situation would only be worse. Netizens were very dissatisfied with the zoo''s actions. They did not understand the situation, and from their perspective, the zoo had failed to take care of Bao and failed to punish the person who harmed Bao. After the incident, they saw no action from the zoo, as if it was ying dead. In an instant, the reputation of the zoo was affected, and there were even individualizens calling for a boycott of the "unscrupulous zoo". Before the end of the afternoon shift, Tang Hai informed Xia Xin that Lu Yuan wanted to see her. Xia Xin''s heart trembled, feeling nervous, ''Is Mr. Lu going to hold me responsible?'' Although Xia Xin knew this possibility was small, she could not guess why Lu Yuan would want to meet with her. After entering Lu Yuan''s office, Xia Xin saw his serious expression. The incident may not be Xia Xin''s fault, but she felt that since the ident had happened, as a caretaker, she definitely had a certain degree of responsibility. Xia Xin stood in front of Lu Yuan''s desk and said, "I''m sorry, Mr. Lu. I was wrong in this matter." Lu Yuan paused for a moment and smiled. Then he said, "I may be old, but I''m not senile yet. What does this have to do with you? I didn''te to criticize you. I wanted to ask if you could help me, and of course, help the zoo as well." Xia Xin suddenly raised her head, wondering how she could be of assistance. Seeing Xia Xin''s puzzled expression, Lu Yuan exined, "Here''s the thing. Now, theizens think that our zoo is not taking responsibility. However, we can''t publicly reveal the identities of those visitors. I think we need to find another way to appease theizens'' anger. Otherwise, the reputation of the zoo will be severely affected." Xia Xin listened quietly. "You were just on the trend search a few days ago, andizens are quite familiar with you. You have a good image, and Pipi and Dodo like you. Netizens have a favorable impression of you. If you cane forward and exin the situation, perhaps theizens will be willing to understand the difficulties our zoo is facing. Of course, this is just my personal suggestion. If you don''t want to do it, I won''t force you." After a two-second silence, Xia Xin nodded and said, "Mr. Lu, I''m willing to exin the situation." Lu Yuan let out a long sigh of relief, and the wrinkles on his face rxed a bit. He said, "Good. Set up a streaming ount. After you publish the content, our zoo''s official ount will mention you. Now you can go back and think about what to say. Don''t feel pressured. Say whatever you want to say." Lu Yuan did not ask Xia Xin to deliver an official statement. After all, such statements would not be effective. Currently, what was most important was for the zoo to have a spokesperson with a favorable image, to help calm theizens'' anger. After the conversation with Lu Yuan, Xia Xin returned home. When she pushed open the door, Layle wagged its tail and rushed over, then sat obediently on the ground, looking at Xia Xin with bright eyes. Xia Xin gently rubbed Layle''s head and apologized, "Layle, is it boring at home alone? Wait a few days, the things I ordered will arrive, and then you''ll have new toys." Xia Xin worked at the Capital Zoo, and it was not appropriate to bring her pet to the zoo every day, so she left Layle at home today. Xia Xin noticed that there was still a lot of leftover dog food in the bowl that she poured in before leaving in the morning and realized that Layle was not the kind of dog that ate without restraint. Xia Xin went to the kitchen and cooked some fresh chicken breast as an extra meal for Layle. Then she entered the bedroom, sat in front of the desk, and turned on the camera on her phone. She hesitated about how to exin to theizens. After thinking for a long time, Xia Xin took a deep breath and pressed the record button. Chapter 18: Video

Chapter 18: Video

Xia Xin, who rarely faced the camera, felt nervous but managed to maintain herposure. She looked into the camera with sincere and clear eyes. First, Xia Xin exined that the zoo was currently providing psychological counseling for Bao, reassuring theizens not to worry too much about Bao''s condition. Then, she indirectly mentioned the difficulties the zoo was facing, hoping that theizens could understand the zoo''s actions. After finishing recording the video, Xia Xin sent it to Lu Yuan, and he quickly replied. Seeing that there were no issues on Lu Yuan''s end, Xia Xin posted the video on her own ount. After publishing the video, Xia Xin did not pay attention to the views andments. Instead, she made a video call to her parents. After a brief conversation, Xia Xin suddenly felt that something was off between her parents. In the past, when Xia Xin video-called her parents, they would always gather together to talk to her. But today, Gu Fan and Xia Song were sitting far apart, like two mas repelling each other. Xia Xin immediately understood that it must be about thepensation money issue. In Xia Xin''s previous life, Gu Fan and Xia Song''s idental death led to all thepensation money falling into Xia Song''s younger brother, Xia Bai''s hands. Xia Xin''s grandmother had always favored males and resented Xia Xin, ming her for Xia Song''s death. She did not even allow Xia Xin to enter their home. In this life, Xia Xin''s parents were safe and sound, but thepensation money had still not been distributed. "Mom, Dad, did you visit Grandma?" Xia Xin asked. She did not directly ask about thepensation money. Xia Song nodded and said, "Yes, your grandmother''s health has improved a lot. It''s our day off this week, so let''s go to your grandmother''s house for a meal." Hearing Xia Song''s words, Gu Fan frowned and sneered, "I dare not go to your brother''s house. If they think I''m going there to snatch their property certificate, they''ll kick me and Xin out directly!" "You, why would you say these things in front of the child?" Xia Song, feeling nervous, interrupted Gu Fan. "Dad, what property certificate? What''s happening with the property certificate?" Xia Xin actually already had an idea, but to confirm, she still asked. Seeing that Xia Xin had sensed something was wrong, Gu Fan no longer bothered to hide it and said straightforwardly, "Today, when your dad and your grandmother talked on the phone, I overheard that your grandmother had already given the property certificate to your uncle and aunt. Your dad didn''t even n to tell me about this. It really makes me furious!" Xia Song opened his mouth, looking embarrassed, and said, "I wasn''t nning to keep it from you. I didn''t tell you because I thought you would overreact and go directly to confront Xia Bai. What if you end up fighting?" Xia Xin understood immediately, ''So, that was the case. Uncle Bai and his wife were unbelievable. They managed to deceive Grandma and obtain the property certificate.'' Actually, Xia Xin did not attach much importance to thatpensation money. Although their family was not wealthy, they were notcking in money either. It was normal for her grandmother to want to distribute thepensation money to her uncle. But not attaching much importance to the money did not mean that Xia Xin would not handle the matter. Gu Fan had worked hard to take care of Old Mrs. Xia all these years. When Old Mrs. Xia was in the hospital, Gu Fan went to deliver meals and help with personal hygiene while juggling work. She treated Old Mrs. Xia as if she were her own mother. But Xia Bai and his wife had not done anything useful. To avoid taking care of Old Mrs. Xia, they made excuses to leave the city and did not even make a phone call to Old Mrs. Xia. Worse, they did not even pay a single cent for the hospital bills and medicine expenses. Xia Xin knew she had to handle this matter well to avoid potential trouble in the future. Afterforting Gu Fan for a few moments and promising that the whole family would visit Xia Bai''s house this week, Xia Xin hung up the phone. The next day, after waking up and hurriedly getting ready, Xia Xin arrived at the zoo. Afterpleting her cleaning duties, she suddenly remembered that she had posted a video the day before. She tidied up her cleaning tools, took out her phone, and opened the streaming app. When Xia Xin opened the app, Xia Xin was startled. The background of her app usually had no likes,ments, or notifications about people following her. But at this moment, all three of those notifications showed "999+". Although Xia Xin had prepared herself mentally, when Xia Xin saw that her video had already received over 1.2 million likes and 500,000 shares, it still felt unreal, as if she was dreaming. She clicked on thement section, and the firstments disyed were a few highly liked ones. [Wow, the caretaker girl posted a video! I knew you conspiracy theorists were maliciously specting. Do you really think the zoo doesn''t know how to take care of pandas?] Chapter 19: Mockery

Chapter 19: Mockery

[Sorry, I''ve been focusing on the wrong thing. Thedy caretaker is so gentle and beautiful. No wonder Pipi and Dodo like her so much.] [Let''s all understand the difficulties faced by the zoo. They obviously can''t release the surveince footage. As for Bao''s situation, I believe the zoo will give us an exnation.] ... After watching the video Xia Xin posted, mostizens expressed their understanding of the zoo''s challenges. However, there was a small group of people who questioned Xia Xin''s video, iming it was just a publicity stunt. These mockingments were quickly rebutted by otherizens. [So what if it''s a publicity stunt? We love watching beautiful women. Are you jealous of her? Thedy caretaker came forward on behalf of the zoo to exin and make a statement. Do you live by the seaside? Why do you care so much!] Xia Xin turned off her phone and breathed a sigh of relief. She was about to take some food to feed Pipi and Dodo in the outdoor area when two researchers in whiteb coats walked by in the corridor. "Well, if it isn''t our popr star from the panda exhibit. Looks like you''re about to be an inte celebrity and then enter the entertainment industry, right?" one of them, a woman with wavy curly hair, said with a hint of mockery. "Wen Ya, keep your voice down!" the person beside said as she pulled Wen Ya''s sleeve. Wen Ya snorted and cast a disdainful nce at Xia Xin, then walked past her with her head held high. Xia Xin heard Wen Ya say behind her, "She got in through connections anyway. Do you really think she''s a caring and kind caretaker? She just wants to ride on the poprity of Pipi and Dodo to be an inte celebrity!" Xia Xin furrowed her brow,pletely unaware that some people saw her that way. If it had been the Xia Xin from her previous life, she probably would have confronted Wen Ya and had a heated argument. But now, Xia Xin simply shook her head without any trace of anger. After packing up her things, Xia Xin walked to the outdoor area and saw that the number of visitors today had not decreased significantly. It seemed that the video she exined yesterday had made an impact, andizens had stopped their impulsive boycott of the zoo. After lunchtime, Xia Xin was called to the director''s office again. "Xin, thank you for exining things yesterday. The voices questioning our zoo online have decreased a lot thanks to you," Lu Yuan said, his wrinkles rxing as he finished speaking. Lu Yuan took a sip of tea and added, "I didn''t expect your ount to already have 170,000 followers." Xia Xin was surprised. The number of followers she saw in the morning was only 110,000. In just a short while, she gained so many more followers. Lu Yuan suggested that Xia Xin continue to operate her personal ount. "You young people should know more about social media. You can post your daily life in the zoo or share some interesting animal facts. It''s all possible! Also, this ount ispletely yours. If you gain more followers in the future and advertisers approach you for endorsements, you can earn ie from it. Don''t worry, I won''t interfere with that," said Lu Yuan. Xia Xin had never thought about handling a social media ount before, but Lu Yuan''s words made sense to her. Perhaps this ount could be used to do something useful. In Lu Yuan''s view, Xia Xin managing this ount was equivalent to promoting the zoo, so he encouraged and supported her. ... After a few more busy days, it finally came to Xia Xin''s day off. She quickly tidied up her things in the rental house, preparing to take Layle back home. Sensing that they were going out, Layle looked excited and bounced around on the floor. Xia Xin packed some dog food into her backpack and also put the water dispenser from the water filter in there. She had made the water dispenser herself, with a small steel ball at the tip to help Layle drink water easily without a tongue. Looking around, Xia Xin contemted what else she needed to bring. At that moment, she had a thought and awakened the system in her mind. A light screen appeared in her consciousness, and she checked her current "ount bnce." Animal Affinity: 200 points, Human Affinity: 170,000 points. Previously, Xia Xin had sighed about not being able to afford anything in the store, but now she actually had room to choose. Apart from a few very expensive items, she could buy most of the mid-range and low-end goods. All of that was thanks to Xia Xin''s video which received attention and love from arge number ofizens. Xia Xin wondered if she should buy something from the Shop. Chapter 20: Beast Mastery

Chapter 20: Beast Mastery

Xia Xin thought for a moment and looked at Layle, who was waiting obediently by her feet. She took the initiative to ask the system, "I want to ask, is there a way to let Layle''s tongue grow back?" Xia Xin thought the system''s functions were so amazing, perhaps it could help Layle. After asking, Xia Xin eagerly waited for a response. Two secondster, an emotionless mechanical voice sounded, "Not at the moment." Xia Xin caught the key point and asked, "Not at the moment? When will it be possible?" "After I''m upgraded," the mechanical voice replied. Xia Xin was taken aback, "When will you upgrade?" "When your Beast Mastery reaches..." The Beast Language System seemed to be evaluating, pausing for a moment, "Level 3." Through the conversation, Xia Xin obtained two important pieces of information. First, the system could be upgraded, and second, the system upgrade was linked to her Beast Mastery. Xia Xin had not paid much attention to the Beast Mastery before. In her opinion, as a human who could understand animalnguage, that was already a strong ability, and there was no need to learn Beast Mastery. But now it seemed that learning Beast Mastery not only had literal benefits but also upgrading her Beast Mastery could lead to system upgrades, which might bring her more advantages in the future. Although Xia Xin was already satisfied with the fact that she was reborn and did not expect to gain so many benefits from the Beast Language System, now she had to make efforts to help Layle be a normal dog. Determined, Xia Xin asked again, "How can this Beast Mastery be upgraded? Does it require umting animal affinity? Are there any benchmarks?" "The conditions for each level upgrade are different. To go from Level 1 to Level 2, you need to collect 500 affinities from 49 different animals." Xia Xin did not expect the requirements to be 49 different animals. Such a requirement might not be easy to achieve elsewhere, but since she was currently working at the zoo, with some effort, it should not be too difficult. With a goal in mind, Xia Xin felt less confused. She politely thanked the Beast Language System and left the rental house with Layle. After arriving home, Xia Xin was greeted by an excited embrace from Gu Fan. Gu Fan looked at Xia Xin with concern and said, "You seem to have lost weight. Is it hard working at the zoo? I heard that you''ve be a star zookeeper at the zoo. There''s a saying, ''Men are afraid of being famous''. It''s better to keep a low profile." Xia Xin could not help butugh and cry. She could not believe that her motherpared her to a pig. Although Xia Xin did not have the desire to be a celebrity, her increased poprity did bring her some benefits. Netizens'' affinity towards her skyrocketed, and now she could afford many things in the Beast Language System''s Shop. "Look at what you''re saying. This shows that our Xin is so outstanding, shining at the zoo, and gaining the admiration and praise ofizens. Isn''t that a good thing? How many people in their lifetime want to be famous but never get the chance? Our Xin is now so prominent, which will give her an advantage in choosing a boyfriend in the future..." Xia Song retorted to Gu Fan''s words. Hearing Xia Song going off on a tangent, Xia Xin quickly changed the topic. "Dad, are we going to Grandma''s house for lunch?" "Yes, we''ll go over for lunch and stay overnight at their ce," said Xia Song. "What about Layle?" Gu Fan asked as she patted Layle''s head. She had already heard that Layle had its tongue cut by a bad person. She felt sympathy for Layle and, in addition, as Layle was like their precious daughter''s dog, she had already considered Layle a member of the family. "We can leave Layle in the garage at Xia Bai''s house, just don''t let Mother see it," said Xia Song. After discussing these matters, Xia Xin and her family went to the mall to buy some supplements for Old Mrs. Xia. They took the subway and then a taxi, arriving at Xia Bai''s house before noon. When Old Mrs. Xia saw Xia Song, her eldest son, she was quite happy and chatted with him for a long time. Gu Fan also kept busy and went to the kitchen to help with cooking. At noon, as the meal was almost ready, Xia Bai knocked on a door. After a few minutes, a teenager wearing pajamas with messy hair pushed the door open and walked out. That was Xia Bai''s son, Xia Jin, who had just started his first year of high school. He was not tall, but he weighed 75 kilograms. It was almost 1 PM by now, and Xia Jin had just woken up. After leaving his room, he did not even greet Xia Song and Xia Xin, nor did he look at them. Hezily went to the bathroom to wash up. Xia Song frowned and asked displeasedly, "Why did Jin just wake up?" Chapter 21: Argument

Chapter 21: Argument

Seeing that Xia Song seemed to be about to scold Xia Jin, Old Mrs. Xia hurriedly exined on Xia Jin''s behalf, "Jin has strict regtions at his school. He has been tired all week, so we let him rest a bit on Saturdays." Hearing Old Mrs. Xia''s words, Xia Xin''s mouth twitched, and she had to suppress her sneer for a long time. Xia Xin remembered very clearly that when Old Mrs. Xia lived with them, she would scold Xia Xin for beingzy when she woke up after nine in the morning and even told Gu Fan not to leave breakfast for her. Xia Song was already used to his mother''s doting on her grandson. He sighed inwardly and did not say much. He asked again, "Which high school did Jin go to? Is it New Moon High School or North Top High School?" Old Mrs. Xia shook her head and said, "Neither. It''s Anton International High School. The tuition is quite expensive. £¤30,000 per semester. Your brother said it would cost at least £¤200,000 for three years!" Xia Song''s eyes widened in shock and asked, "£¤30,000 per semester? Xia Bai, what were you thinking? Is it necessary to send the child to such an expensive high school?" Hearing Xia Song''s words with a hint of me, Xia Bai, who was eating grapes, frowned unhappily. Xia Bai said, "Brother, what do you mean? Isn''t Jin worthy of going to a good high school? Besides, it''s not your money, so what''s the worry?" "Where did you get so much money? You and Ma Lin can save up at most £¤60,000 in a year if you don''t eat or drink. You''re spending it all on tuition. Are you going to starve yourselves? Listen to me, there''s still time to transfer now. Look at Xin, she''s attending an ordinary high school, but she can still get into a prestigious university." Xia Song''s tone was heavy and filled with concern for Xia Bai. However, to Xia Bai''s ears, Xia Song''s words sounded like a show-off, as if Xia Jin could notpare to Xia Xin at all. Xia Bai''s gaze turned cold and said, "Brother, I know you all think Jin''s academic performance is not good, but boys naturally developter. Jin has potential, and this school has strong faculty. It''s an investment in Jin''s education. If you don''t understand, don''t speak nonsense!" "Have you ever thought about Xia Bing? She''s still retaking the university entrance exams in our hometown. You''re spending £¤30,000 to send Jin to an international high school. Why don''t you think about renting a better house for Bing in our hometown, so she can study well?" Xia Song asked with some anger. Xia Bing was Xia Bai''s eldest daughter. When Xia Bing was attending school, Xia Bai had not bought a house in the city yet, so Xia Bing had to return to their hometown to study. She did not attend a good high school, and the dormitory conditions were extremely poor, with twelve people sharing one room. When Xia Jin started school, Xia Bai borrowed money from rtives and took out a bank loan to finally buy a house in the school district, so Xia Jin could study in the city. "Isn''t it good for Xia Bing to live in the dormitory? Besides, Xia Bing''s grades are so poor, even with retaking the exams, can shepare to Jin? Jin is aiming for a top-three university! This is my family''s affair. You don''t need to interfere!" said Xia Bai. He was extremely annoyed and impatient in his tone. "Xia Bai, I didn''t even bring up thepensation money. I just thought your family was in a difficult situation, but you''re wasting money like this. You''re willing to spend £¤200,000 to send Jin to an elite international school, but you''re not willing to spend a little money on your daughter. Your favoritism is too much!" Xia Song finally could not bear it anymore and shouted loudly. Xia Song treated Xia Xin like a precious gem, and seeing how Xia Bing was neglected by her parents made him feel both heartbroken and angry. "Compensation money again! I knew you didn''te here today to visit Mom. You just want to get a bigger share of thepensation money, right?" Xia Bai shouted as he mmed the table and stared at Xia Song with red eyes. "Let me tell you, I have the property ownership certificate now. If you provoke me again, I won''t let you get a single cent!" Old Mrs. Xia waspletely taken aback by her two sons quarreling so fiercely. She looked panicked and said, "Stop fighting, both of you. Xia Song, that''s enough. Your younger brother did not spend the money recklessly. Besides, don''t you want Jin to get into a good university?" "Mom, that''s not what I meant!" Xia Song was both angry and anxious. "It''s just that the money waspletely unnecessary, and Xia Bai has money but neglects Xia Bing. Can that be justified?!" Xia Xin sat on the sofa, watching the argument with cold eyes. In her past life, she had heard such arguments many times. Xia Xin felt sad that she was born into a family that favored boys over girls. Her mother, Gu Fan, had been looked down upon, criticized, and mocked by Old Mrs. Xia for not being able to give birth to a son for more than a decade. But Xia Xin also felt fortunate. Her parents loved her very much, and her father treated her like a treasure. Unfortunately, Xia Bing did not have such good luck. Chapter 22: Lament

Chapter 22: Lament

"What are you all arguing about? Lunch is almost ready,e and help serve the dishes!" The kitchen door opened, and Xia Xin''s aunt, Ma Lin, shouted loudly. The table was filled with delicious food, but there was no joy orughter around the dining table. Xia Song, Xia Bai, and Xia Xin''s grandma had unpleasant expressions. Ma Lin forced a smile and patted Xia Jin''s arm. She said, "Jin,ter on, ask Xin for study tips. She is diligent and hardworking in high school. Although you are smart, you shouldn''t be arrogant. You need to be down-to-earth, understand?" Ma Lin''s words seemed harmless, but she was actually mocking Xia Xin''s sess in getting into a good university solely due to her diligence. She believed that her son was smarter than Xia Xin but had poor grades in the past because he did not study properly. Xia Xin suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. Xia Jin nced at Xia Xin, and his gaze seemed to look down on her. He said, "No need." Gu Fan''s face darkened, and her grip on the chopsticks tightened. Xia Xin ced her hand on Gu Fan''s leg, gently patting it with a calm smile, indicating that she did not care about her aunt''s mockery. The meal was long and oppressive. In the afternoon, Xia Bai and Ma Lin took Old Mrs. Xia to the hospital for a follow-up visit, while Gu Fan went to the market to buy groceries. She would have to prepare dinner alone that evening. Xia Xin apanied Gu Fan to the market, and Layle, released from the garage, followed them. As Gu Fan picked vegetables, she sighed. "Xin, don''t pay attention to your aunt. She just wants to save face. I don''t think Jin will be able to get into a good university at all. I''m not cursing him, it''s just a feeling I have!" Xia Xin could not help but cover her mouth and smile. She said, "Mom, I believe in your sixth sense!" Gu Fan was not wrong. In her past life, Xia Jin''s final university entrance exam results were not impressive. He only scored 20 points above the undergraduate admission line. Let alone top-tier universities, even entering a better undergraduate school was difficult. In this life, there probably would not be any unexpected changes. "Poor Xia Bing. Putting aside everything else, when she finds out that her parents spent £¤200,000 to send her brother to high school while leaving her alone in the hometown for years without care, how sad do you think she would be?" said Gu Fan. She did not like Xia Bai, Ma Lin, and Xia Jin, but she genuinely felt sorry for Xia Bing. Since Xia Bai and Ma Lin did not pay much attention to Xia Bing, during Xia Bing''s summer breaks from elementary and middle school, she often stayed at Xia Xin''s house. She had a good rtionship with Xia Xin, and Gu Fan often took the two girls out to buy new clothes. Most of Xia Bing''s childhood clothes were bought by Gu Fan. Lost in her thoughts, Gu Fan finished shopping and returned to Xia Bai''s house, preparing a sumptuous dinner. After dinner, some matters finally had to be discussed openly. Probably because he had obtained the property ownership certificate from Old Mrs. Xia, Xia Bai spoke with confidence, "This is what I''m thinking. Both of my children had not gotten into university yet, and the house loan hasn''t been fully paid off..." After stating his difficulties, Xia Bai directly requested 70% of thepensation money. As for the newly arranged house provided by the government, it would be left for Old Mrs. Xia, and the remaining 30% of thepensation money would go to Xia Song''s family. Xia Xin raised an eyebrow and thought, ''Uncle Bai''s n was quite cunning. He intended to put Grandma in the newly arranged house, iming that it had the potential to appreciate in value. By doing so, he and Ma Lin could use the excuse of being busy and leave Mom and Dad to take care of Grandma. Did he think he could deceive Grandma with the property ownership certificate and then neglect her? No way!'' Before Xia Song could express his opinion, Xia Xin immediately spoke up, "Grandma is old. It''s not suitable for her to live alone in the newly arranged house. In my opinion, we might as well sell the arranged house and let Grandma live with you, Uncle Bai. Grandma loves Jin, and she would definitely like to see her grandson more often, right?" Xia Xin''s tone was gentle, and every word touched Old Mrs. Xia''s heart. Old Mrs. Xia looked towards Xia Jin''s bedroom with a loving expression. She said, "I also suggested selling the arranged house, but your uncle said it could appreciate in value, so he insisted on keeping it." Hearing that, Gu Fan could not help but roll her eyes. She thought, ''The house provided by the government was only meant for living. How could it appreciate in value? Xia Bai''s nonsense might fool Mother, but it wouldn''t work on me.'' Xia Song opened his mouth, seeming to want to say something, but Xia Xin quickly spoke before him, "How about giving us the newly arranged house? I just graduated and I happen to want to buy a small apartment. We won''t take any of thepensation money, and you can keep it all." Upon hearing that, Gu Fan was greatly surprised, and even Xia Song was taken aback. Xia Bai was momentarily stunned, but soon a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes. He thought, ''That was a steal!'' Thepensation money that Xia Song would receive was quite substantial. It was worth more than that small rundown house. Chapter 23: A Treat

Chapter 23: A Treat

Initially, Xia Bai wanted to appear reluctant, but fearing that Xia Xin might change her mind, he immediately said, "Well, you said it! Brother, Gu Fan, Xin wants the newly arranged house. Do you have any objections?" Gu Fan had intended to object, but when Xia Xin gave her a look, Gu Fan hesitated and did not say anything. Naturally, Xia Song had no objections. He did not have as many schemes as Xia Bai and had no idea about the market value of the newly arranged house. Seeing that Xia Xin wanted it and considering his love for his daughter, he naturally agreed. After discussing the allocation of thepensation money, Xia Bai and Xia Song both let out a sigh of relief. That night, Xia Bai and Ma Lin took out the property ownership certificate in their bedroom. Ma Lin sighed, "I never expected that they would only want an arranged house. But this means that Mother will have to live in our house." Ma Lin did not actually want Old Mrs. Xia to live with them, but seeing that her husband wanted to get his hands on Xia Song''spensation money, she did not say much. "What''s the big deal? It''s just feeding one more person. Song gave us all thepensation money. We''ve taken a huge advantage," Xia Bai said with great satisfaction. In the guest room of Xia Bai''s house, Gu Fan and Xia Xiny on the same bed, while Xia Song slept on the sofa in the living room. "Xin, why do you want that arranged house? Its location isn''t good at all, and there aren''t even a few decentpanies nearby. You''re not really nning to move there, are you?" Gu Fan could not help but ask. "Of course not," Xia Xin said. She looked at the wrinkles at the corners of Gu Fan''s eyes, sighed, and held Gu Fan''s hand as she whispered, "Mom, if Grandma moves into that arranged house, you would still be the one taking care of her. Uncle Bai and Auntie Lin won''t bother. Only if Grandma lives in their house will they have to bear the responsibility of supporting her." Once the procedures for transferring ownership of the arranged house werepleted, Xia Xin would immediately sell it to prevent Xia Bai from neglecting Old Mrs. Xia by using the excuse that Xia Xin''s family had two houses and sending Grandma over to their ce. Gu Fan did not expect that Xia Xin was considering her in all of this. Gu Fan said, "Xin, taking care of the elderly is something we should do. I don''t think it''s too difficult..." "Mom, I know you have filial piety, but when Grandma lived in our house, not only did you not have any rest time, but Grandma also criticized andined about you every day. Your rtionship with Dad was affected because of that. You have taken care of Grandma for so many years and fulfilled your responsibility. Now that Uncle Bai and Auntie Lin have taken all thepensation money, if they still don''t support Grandma, all the rtives around them will look down on them." Xia Xin further exined. Xia Xin had already nned that after thepensation money was distributed, she would publicize this matter and let all the rtives know that Xia Bai and Ma Lin had taken all thepensation money. In this way, it would be impossible for Xia Song and Ma Lin not to support Old Mrs. Xia properly unless they did not care about their reputation. As long as Old Mrs. Xia did not live in Xia Xin''s house, Gu Fan would be much more rxed. She would not be scolded and humiliated by Old Mrs. Xia all day long, and her rtionship with Xia Song would not be affected. Xia Xin felt that her mother''s happiness was more important than thepensation money. After spending the night at Xia Bai''s house, the next day, after Xia Xin returned home, she received an invitation from Zhao Nan. To celebrate Xia Xin finding a job, Zhao Nan wanted to treat Xia Xin to a meal. The restaurant was a popr one near Xia Xin''s house, and when Xia Xin arrived, she saw many people waiting in line outside. "Xin!" Upon seeing Xia Xin, Zhao Nan rushed over and gave her a bear hug. "I''ve missed you so much. Ever since you started working at the zoo, we haven''t been able to go out for meals and shopping often." Xia Xin returned the hug, and when she looked up, she saw Zhao Nan''s boyfriend, Zhang Liang, smiling at her. "Long time no see, Xia Xin." Zhang Liang''s tone had a hint of deeper meaning as if implying that they hadn''t met often since graduating from university. Xia Xin''s smile stiffened for a moment, but she simply nodded lightly and did not continue to pay attention to Zhang Liang''s implications. "Let''s go in. This restaurant was opened by Zhang Liang''s uncle. Order whatever you want today!" Zhao Nan linked her arm with Xia Xin''s, and the two of them entered the restaurant. Watching Xia Xin''s back, Zhang Liang''s gaze turned deep and gloomy. After the waiter brought the ordered dishes, Zhao Nan opened two bottles of fruit wine, one plum-vored and one peach-vored. "Xin, Zhang Liang says that the fruit wine at this restaurant is really good. Let''s give it a try!" Zhao Nan said excitedly. Upon hearing that it was rmended by Zhang Liang, Xia Xin instantly lost interest in the fruit wine. However, seeing Zhao Nan''s excited expression, she did not know how to refuse for a moment. Chapter 24: You’re Crazy

Chapter 24: You''re Crazy

Seeing that Xia Xin seemed to be contemting something, Zhao Nan quickly said, "It''s fine even if we get drunk. Zhang Liang can take you home." Xia Xin had no intention of drinking now. She worried that both she and Zhao Nan got drunk and Zhang Liang had ulterior motives. Xia Xin had realized in university how low Zhang Liang''s moral bottom line was. Xia Xin took the cup handed to her by Zhao Nan and took a sip, saying, "It''s alright, but I don''t really like these two vors." With that, Xia Xin put down the cup, seemingly indicating that she did not want to continue drinking. "Huh? You don''t like it? Do you want to try other vors?" Zhao Nan felt a bit guilty. "Ah, I didn''t ask you in advance about your preferred vor. It''s all my fault." Xia Xin shook her head with a smile. She said, "It''s alright, let''s focus on the food. If I go back after drinking too much, my mom will scold me." The three of them started eating. Xia Xin did not drink, and Zhang Liang could not drink either because he would be driving. Therefore, Zhao Nan ended up drinking most of the two bottles of fruit wine. Soon, her cheeks started to flush, and her eyes became unfocused. Xia Xin took away the wine ss from Zhao Nan''s table and said, "Stop drinking. If you drink more, you''ll get drunk." "I''m not drunk! My alcohol tolerance is great now!" Zhao Nan said as she tried to grab the wine ss but suddenly leaned against Xia Xin''s shoulder, hugging her like a ko. Xia Xin sighed helplessly. She remembered that Zhao Nan used to not drink alcohol and thought that Zhao Nan must have started drinking after dating Zhang Liang. Seeing that Zhao Nan was drunk, Zhang Liang walked over, pulled Zhao Nan up, and ced her on the sofa opposite their dining table. Then, he casually sat in Zhao Nan''s original seat, which happened to be next to Xia Xin. Xia Xin started to tense up, and she immediately moved a little to the side. Zhang Liang did not seem to notice Xia Xin''s movement and casually exined, "Nan doesn''t have a good alcohol tolerance." "Who says..." a hand was raised under the table across from them, "I can still drink..." Zhang Liang ignored the tipsy Zhao Nan, turned his head to look at Xia Xin, and said, "I heard you started working at the zoo and became an inte celebrity. Not bad. Have you considered bing a video blogger? It''s a lucrative profession." Suppressing her annoyance, Xia Xin casually replied, "I just want to work at the zoo." I haven''t been to the Capital Zoo yet. Once I''m done with this project, I''ll buy a ticket to the zoo to see you," Zhang Liang stared straight into Xia Xin''s eyes. ''Here ites again!'' Xia Xin thought. She felt like she was back in university when Zhang Liang relentlessly pursued her like this. Because Xia Xin was not sure if Zhao Nan was conscious at the moment, an increasingly angry Xia Xin had to lower her voice and say, "Zhang Liang, Nan is a good girl. I hope you can cherish her." Hearing Xia Xin''s words, Zhang Liang finally could not contain his inner emotions. His eyes filled with unwillingness and anger. He said, "Xia Xin, don''t you understand yet? My heart has always been only for you! I don''t like anyone else. Why won''t you give me a chance?" "What about your rtionship with Nan? Are you deceiving her feelings?" Xia Xin asked. She was extremely angry and she could not understand what was going on in Zhang Liang''s mind. "Zhao Nan liked me from the beginning. I''m just giving her a chance to fulfill her dream," said Zhang Liang as his anger slowly subsided. He looked at Zhao Nan, who was lying on the sofa across from them, with a cold smile and said, "Besides, don''t you really know why I got together with Zhao Nan? If it weren''t for her, would I have a chance to sit here and have a meal with you?" "Zhang Liang, you''re really crazy!" Xia Xin had nothing more to say. Her gaze becamepletely cold and merciless. "I won''t like you. I didn''t like you before, and I won''t in the future. You''d better give up early!" The atmosphere between the two became tense. The seemingly drunk Zhao Nan on the opposite side seemed to have awakened, opening her eyes drowsily and looking at her best friend and her boyfriend. She asked, "What are you guys talking about? Are you badmouthing me?" Zhang Liang''s emotions instantly converged upon hearing Zhao Nan''s words, and he revealed a loving smile. He said, "You guess." Xia Xin looked at Zhang Liang''s smile and felt chills run down her spine, filled with fear. She could not continue eating this meal. Xia Xin picked up her bag without even looking at Zhang Liang and said, "You take Zhao Nan home." Zhang Liang watched Xia Xin leave without turning back, tightly clenching the bamboo chopsticks in his hand, his gaze cold. CRACK! The bamboo chopsticks suddenly broke. ... Xia Xin returned home, still thinking about Zhao Nan and Zhang Liang. She pondered, ''What should I do in this situation? Should I tell Nan that Zhang Liang had been deceiving her?'' Chapter 25: Comfort

Chapter 25: Comfort

''Would Nan believe me? It was evident that Nan waspletely immersed in the appearance of a woman in love and was probably considering marriage with Zhang Liang.'' Xia Xin pondered. BEEP! BEEP! Xia Xin''s phone rang, indicating a friend request from an unknown person. Without much thought, Xia Xin could already guess that it was from Zhang Liang. She could not understand what Zhang Liang wanted this time. During their university days, Zhang Liang relentlessly pursued Xia Xin, so she deleted him as a friend and blocked all his ounts and phone numbers. She never expected that this man would still appear in her life after graduation. He was like a lingering ghost. Xia Xin took a deep breath and epted the friend request. Suppressing her anger, she texted, [What do you want?] After a few seconds of silence, Zhang Liang''s message came through, [You know what I want.] Xia Xin was speechless. She replied, [Well, forget about it!] Once again, Xia Xin deleted and blocked Zhang Liang''s ount. Back in Xia Xin''s bedroom, Layle, who was drinking water, immediately stopped and walked towards Xia Xin, wagging its tail. Its eyes looked at Xia Xin with confusion, as if asking her what was wrong. Although dogs could not speak and did not possess human-level intelligence, they were actually very smart and could sense changes in their owner''s emotions. Xia Xin patted Layle''s head and forced a smile. She said, "It''s nothing, just encountered a very annoying person." ''Forget about Zhang Liang for now. I should focus on my work.'' Xia Xin thought. As for Zhao Nan, Xia Xin could try to find an opportunity to hint at the issues with Zhang Liang and hopefully make Zhao Nan realize it. Back at the zoo, Xia Xin had been keeping an eye on Bao''s condition. After several days of psychological treatment, Bao''s condition stabilized, but it still did not want to go out into the open area. Li Li advised Xia Xin to pay more attention to Bao when she was not busy. On this day, after feeding Pipi and Dodo, Xia Xin went to the panda house to see Bao. She found Bao still huddled in a corner by itself. Xia Xin squatted down, slowly approaching Bao, and used the Beast Language System tomunicate with it. "Bao, do you remember me?" Bao froze. For a moment, it thought it had misheard, ''How could this humanmunicate with me?'' Then Bao looked up with his round head, his eyes filled with confusion. Xia Xin smiled and said, "Bao, don''t be afraid. Nobody will ssh water on you anymore. The weather is nice today. Would you like to go outside and bask in the sun?" Upon hearing Xia Xin''s words, Bao drew his two front paws closer to the corner, clearly refusing. Xia Xin did not give up; instead, she continued to approach Bao. With the passive effect of the Beast Language System, Bao did not resist her approach much, but it still did not want to go out into the sun with her. "Bao, the person who hurt you is just a few bad people. But many people in this world love you. You are not an unloved panda. Many uncles and aunties care about you." Xia Xin exined to Bao usingnguage that pandas could understand. Bao raised its head in confusion. After a long time, it let out a weak voice in response to Xia Xin, "N-Nobody likes me." Xia Xin felt heartbroken, but seeing that Bao was willing tomunicate with her, she felt a bit relieved. She continued, "How can that be? Look at this." Xia Xin turned on her phone and scrolled to a video posted by a blogger. She clicked on the video, and Bao''s figure appeared in it. Before Bao''s incident, it did not have much poprity, but there were still people who loved him. Every time they visited the zoo, they would specifically find angles to film Bao and document his growth from a cub. Bao stared nkly at the video, seemingly unable to believe it. After the video ended, Xia Xin smiled and said, "See, there have always been people who like you. So, do you want to go out and see? Perhaps those who like you are waiting for you outside?" Bao hesitated for a long time, nervously rubbing its two front paws on the floor. Finally, it agreed. Xia Xin''s eyes lit up, and she carefully picked up Bao, walked through the corridor and cave, and arrived at the outdoor area. The sunlight outside was indeed great, and the leaves of the trees were shining brightly from being exposed to the sun. Sitting on arge rock with Bao in her arms, Xia Xin pointed to Pipi and Dodo ying not far away. "Bao, that''s Pipi and Dodo. Do you want to y with them?" Bao immediately buried its head in Xia Xin''s embrace, clearly refusing. At that moment, the visitors behind the railing were shocked and excited to see Xia Xin holding Bao and bringing it to the outdoor area. They whispered in low voices. Chapter 26: Walking Out of the Shadow

Chapter 26: Walking Out of the Shadow

"Bao actually came out. I thought he wouldn''te to the outer field anymore." "It must have been brought out by thedy caretaker. It still looks very timid and is unwilling toe down and walk around." "Bao must have been scared out of his wits by what happenedst time. I heard that the zoo is preparing to set up a cklist system. If anyone dares to hurt animals in the zoo again, they will be permanently cklisted." "Sigh, I hope Bao can quickly walk out of the shadows and be a happy panda like Pipi and Dodo." "Keep your voices down. Xia Xin just posted a new video yesterday, reminding tourists not to make too much noise when watching animals to avoid causing a bad influence on the animals." .. Although the visitors were very emotional, everyone tried to speak as softly as possible. No one shouted when they saw a panda like before. For the next few days, as long as the weather was clear, Xia Xin would carry Bao out to bask in the sun and chat with him. Most of the time, Bao would not respond to Xia Xin, but Xia Xin knew that Bao would listen to every word she said. Xia Xin could also feel that Bao''s mental state was much better than the first day he came out. In the past few days, Pipi and Dodo had only watched Xia Xin holding Bao in the sun from afar. The two pandas'' eyes revealed envy because they had never been coaxed by Xia Xin into her arms. However, both Pipi and Dodo knew that Bao had met with an ident some time ago, so they did not mind that Bao had received extra attention and love from Xia Xin. Today, after Pipi and Dodo rolled a few rounds on the grass, they slowly walked toward Xia Xin. Seeing Pipi and Dodo approaching, Bao suddenly tensed up and Xia Xin caressed its body,forting its emotions. Fortunately, Pipi and Dodo stopped a few meters away. Then, one of the two pandasy down and the other sat down to scratch the itch. Xia Xin guessed that Pipi and Dodo were also concerned about Bao, but Bao had been too introverted and nevermunicated with any pandas, so naturally, Pipi and Dodo had no chance to get close to him. Xia Xin''s heart skipped a beat. She stood up, carried Bao to thewn beside Pipi and Dodo, and sat down beside Dodo. Dodo turned his head and looked at Bao, who was in Xia Xin''s arms. After a few seconds, he moved his round and fat head over, as if he was sniffing Bao''s scent, and then gently rubbed Bao with his nose. At first, Bao was very nervous and scared, but under Xia Xin''sfort, he did not have too serious of a stress reaction. After feeling that Dodo did not have any malicious intent towards him, Bao timidly poked his head out of Xia Xin''s arms and looked at Dodo for a while. The situation seemed to have changed since that day. The next day, Xia Xin tried to put Bao on thewn. Bao did not resist leaving her arms anymore and instead crawled two steps forward. Xia Xin gave Bao''s old ball to it and deliberately fed the three pandas at the same time. Xia Xin wanted to slowly let Bao know one thing. It was indeed a disabled panda, but like other pandas, it had the right to bask in the sun, roll on the grass, and eat the small apples given by the caretaker. Theizens also noticed the change in Bao. Bao was actually willing to y with Pipi and Dodo. Moreover, Bao, who used to stay in the corner for an entire day, now ran to the bottom of the climbing frame and tried to climb up the wooden frame with his two front ws. Although it failed again and again, Bao did not give up. He got up and continued to practice. Beside Bao, Pipi had been watching it patiently. It would hold it when it was about to fall or show it how to climb up. Someizens posted the video of Bao trying to climb on the Inte, and the poprity quickly rose to the hot search list. When theizens saw it, they were deeply moved. [Wow, Bao is awesome! He really walked out of the shadows!] [A disabled panda like Bao deserves to be loved. I hope everyone can pay more attention to them.] [Thedy caretaker is really an angel! She was the one who brought Bao out of the shadows bit by bit. She was the one who encouraged Bao to make friends with Pipi Dodo. I really cried when I saw her!] Along with Bao''s transformation, Xia Xin''s care and gentleness in taking care of Bao also made more and moreizens like her. The number of fans on her video app''s homepage quickly exceeded 280,000, and the number of likes andments on each video wasparable to that of a popr celebrity. Chapter 27: Koala

Chapter 27: Ko

At the Phoenix Town Entertainment Production Base near the capital city, the actors had finished their day''s work. Jing Mo took off his actor''s outfit and sat in the minivan. Before Jing Mo could catch his breath, Sun Hu called, "I''ll be there in a moment. First, repost the brand''s post on your Weibo. Oh, by the way, today is the birthday of a senior in the industry. Go to thements section and wish him a happy birthday." Jing Mo hung up the phone and followed Sun Hu''s instructions toplete the tasks. After that, Jing Mo nned to turn off his phone but unexpectedly saw a Weibo notification on his homepage. [The angelic caretaker inspires Bao to emerge from the shadows; it''s so touching! The Weibo post had a picture of a young girl in work clothes holding a panda. The girl was slightly bowing her head, seemingly talking to the panda, while the panda raised its head to look at her. This beautiful scene was like a scene from a fairy tale, and everyone who saw it could feel the quiet flow of trust between humans and animals. Jing Mo quietly gazed at the picture. He immediately recognized the girl in the picture as the stray dog owner he had met at the pet store that day. ''I didn''t expect her to be a panda caretaker.'' Jing Mo thought. ... After Bao''s condition stabilized, Xia Xin did not need to worry too much about him. She had the idea of going to other animal exhibits to interact with more animals. To upgrade her Beast Mastery to Level 2, Xia Xin needed to gain the favor of various animals. For her, who possessed the Beast Language System, the task was not difficult, but it was still somewhat troublesome. Xia Xin quickly went to find Lu Yuan and asked him if she could visit other animal exhibits in the afternoons to interact with other small animals. Lu Yuan knew that Xia Xin was a person who loved animals, so he was not surprised by her request. After pondering for a moment, Lu Yuan nodded and said, "Alright, the New Media Publicity Department has a vacancy, so I''ll ce you there. This way, you''ll have a legitimate reason to visit other animal exhibits." Xia Xin smiled happily and said, "Thank you, Mr. Lu!" That afternoon, Xia Xin received a camera from the New Media Publicity Department and openly entered other animal exhibits. Using the excuse of shooting promotional videos, Xia Xin had the opportunity to interact closely with other animals. She even had the chance to feed fierce animals like the leopards under the guidance of the staff. When Xia Xin went to the ko exhibit, the staff were preparing to weigh the kos. Seeing Xia Xin''s interested expression as she looked at the kos hanging from the trees, they invited her toe and hold one of the kos to weigh it. "Kos move slowly, so you can''t rush them." said the staff member who demonstrated how to coax the ko down from the tree. Xia Xin followed the staff member''s example and patted the tree where one of the kos was hanging. The kozily moved its paws, then its plump body slowly twisted as it climbed down. As the staff member said, the ko''s descent was indeed slow, and it even paused on the tree trunk for a while, as if contemting why it wasing down. At that moment, Xia Xin patted the ko''s plump bottom, urging it toe down. Having only seen kos in cartoons and nature documentaries before, Xia Xin now had the chance to touch a ko in person. She found its fluffy bottom adorable and felt incredibly satisfied. After the ko climbed down, Xia Xin held it in her arms like a baby and transferred it to another hanging branch. The hanging branch had a scale, and with the ko hanging from it, Xia Xin and the staff member read the disyed weight. In this way, the task of weighing the kos waspleted. The chubby ko hung from the branch, and when the staff member recorded the weight, it remained obediently still. Xia Xin could not help but rub its head affectionately, saying with a smile, "You''re such a super obedient little ko baby." During the interaction, several female visitors standing outside the ss window held their phones and captured the process of Xia Xin weighing the ko. Seeing the slow and cute actions of the ko, the girls could not help but exim in excitement, "It''s so adorable!" Chapter 28: Increase in Stats

Chapter 28: Increase in Stats

In the following days, Xia Xin wandered around various enclosures at the zoo. At first, the staff in other enclosures were surprised by her presence, butter on, they ignored her and let her take photos of the animals or even touch and feed them. What surprised the other zoo employees the most was that no matter how aggressive and disobedient the animals usually were, they would be gentle and friendly when they saw Xia Xin. It seemed like all the animals had lost their aggressiveness toward humans in her presence. Because Xia Xin often appeared in other enclosures, many visitors would also take photos of Xia Xin when she and the other caretakers took videos of animals. Hence, theizens saw the following scenes: The giraffe plucked a red and big fruit from the tree, bit it, and handed it to Xia Xin, as if saying, " Here, eat it." The dolphins in the aquarium floated up and down in front of Xia Xin, showing an extremely enthusiastic "smile". The cute little sea otters took out all kinds of "treasures" hidden in their armpits and gave them to Xia Xin. ¡­ In front of Xia Xin, all the animals did not seem to have any aggression and were extremely friendly to humans. Netizens could see the harmony and friendship between humans and animals from Xia Xin and the small animals. For young people living under great pressure in modern society, the videos of Xia Xin interacting with the animals appeared rxed and beautiful. They gradually fell in love with watching Xia Xin''s interactions with the animals, feeling a magical "stress relief" from the videos. In just over half a month, Xia Xin''s fan base on the streaming tform had reached 470,000. For an ordinary person, gaining so many followers in less than a month was incredible. Netizens gave Xia Xin affectionate nicknames like "Elf Princess" and "Little Sunshine." The high-intensity interaction with various animals every day also rapidly increased the Animal Affinity points in the Beast Language System. Xia Xin''s Stamina point quickly rose from 71 to 80. She could only allocate the remaining points to her Appearance and Charisma. The basic stats panel was soon updated. Host: Xia Xin Age: 21 Stamina: 80 Appearance: 80 Charisma: 80 Beast Mastery: Newbie After reaching 80 points in all basic stats, Xia Xin could continue to increase them further by earning 1000 Animal Affinity points. After Xia Xin''s Appearance and Charisma, both reached 80 points, she could feel a noticeable change in herself. Her originally fair skin became even smoother and more delicate, almost like that of a newborn baby. Her facial features became more exquisite and radiant. The increase in Charisma made Xia Xin''s aura even more charming, though she did not feel it herself. However, she noticed that the attention from the opposite sex seemed to be growing. Tang Hai''s attitude towards Xia Xin became even warmer, and he had asked her out for dinner and a movie several times, all of which she had refused. Xia Xin felt somewhat uneasy. She did not want to increase her Appearance and Charisma; she just wanted to live as an ordinary person after being reborn. Xia Xin had also asked the system if she could maintain her current stats, but the system said that if the basic stats did not improve, it would have an impact on the subsequent upgrades in Beast Mastery. The system did not explicitly exin the specific impact, but Xia Xin vaguely guessed the connection between the two. She had no choice but to ept the setting from the system. Since Xia Xin could not maintain a low profile, she tried to calm her mind and stop worrying about it. After all, there were many beautiful women in this world, and nothing wrong with it. Xia Xin smiled helplessly. She found her current thoughts somewhat strange. Most people would hope to be more beautiful, but she wanted to be more ordinary. Xia Xin estimated the time. At the current rate, she could meet the requirements for advancing her Beast Mastery to Level 2, Beast Tamer, next month. She wondered what changes this ability upgrade would bring. "Miss, we''ve arrived." The taxi driver''s voice interrupted Xia Xin''s thoughts, and she paid by scanning the QR code before getting out of the car. A colleague had resigned, so everyone gathered for a farewell dinner after work. As the next day was Saturday, they continued to a karaoke bar after dinner, and Xia Xin joined them. After leaving the karaoke bar, it was already quitete. Xia Xin shared a car with a female colleague, and they arrived at the residential area. Xia Xin checked her phone and saw that it was already past 10 p.m. Chapter 29: Disgust

Chapter 29: Disgust

Xia Xin got out of the car, walking towards the north gate of the residential area. The south gate usually closed around ten o''clock, but the north gate remained open 24 hours a day. Under the bright streetlights, Xia Xin noticed her shadow, but suddenly another shadow appeared beside hers. Xia Xin became instantly alert, turning her head, and saw Zhang Liang''s face. Xia Xin took two steps back, shocked, and asked, "Why are you here?" Zhang Liang looked at Xia Xin, and after only a few days, he was not sure if it was his imagination, but Xia Xin seemed even more beautiful. She exuded a captivating charm that intertwined between a young girl and a woman, a purity with a hint of allure. In the eyes of the men, Xia Xin seemed to be standing there, enticing them without doing anything. Xia Xin felt uneasy about Zhang Liang''s increasingly profound and eerie gaze. She quickly nced around her. There was no one around, and the security guard''s office at the main gate was dark, with no sign of any guards. Seeing Xia Xin''s guarded expression, Zhang Liang sighed, "Xin, what are you afraid of? Do you think I would harm you?" Xia Xin had intended to question Zhang Liang angrily, but she did not want to provoke him, so she suppressed her anger and coldly said, "What do you want? Did you find out my address and wait here for me? Don''t you find your behavior disgusting?" Zhang Liang''s eyes showed a trace of sadness. "Disgusting? Is that how you see me? I just want to see you. If I didn''t do this, would you be willing to meet me?" "I don''t want to see you. Can you leave me alone and spare yourself the trouble?" Xia Xin spoke while thinking about how to break free from this situation. Zhang Liang sighed again, looking forlorn with a bitter smile. He said, "If I could control myself, my obsession with you wouldn''t havested for so many years. Xin, when you love someone, you can''t control yourself." Hearing that made Xia Xin feel like vomiting. She thought, ''Love? He thought what he had done to me was love?'' When they were in college, Zhang Liang courted Xia Xin, but after being rejected, he falsely believed that she was ying hard to get. He even spread rumors within the student council, iming that they were already together. When Xia Xin found out about that, she was furious. She rified their rtionship on the campus''s website, but no one believed her. They thought she and Zhang Liang were deeply in love and just having a lover''s quarrel. Since then, Xia Xin had detested Zhang Liang. Seeing Xia Xin''s silence, Zhang Liang took two steps forward and looked at her affectionately. "Xin, why won''t you give me a chance? If you''re not satisfied with anything about me, I can change. By the way, now that you''re famous, do you have many suitors? Do you already have a boyfriend?" As Zhang Liang spoke, his tone turned into an interrogation, as if Xia Xin having a boyfriend would be a betrayal to him. Xia Xin finally could not bear it anymore. She said, "What does it have to do with you? We''re not even friends. Zhang Liang, how many times do I have to tell you? I don''t like you at all. I really can''t stand you!" It was as if Zhang Liang hadn''t heard what Xia Xin said, and he asked again, "Tell me, do you have a boyfriend?" Zhang Liang looked at Xia Xin, who was radiant and beautiful, and the more he thought about it, the more he believed that Xia Xin might have already started dating someone else and that she would not treat him with such an attitude. ''It must be.'' Zhang Liang thought. Seeing Zhang Liang''s eyes quickly turn dark and even reveal a hint of madness, a warning bell rang in Xia Xin''s heart. She wanted to retreat, but Zhang Liang quickly reached out and grabbed her wrist. "What are you doing?" Xia Xin asked and struggled, but she was, after all, a woman, and Zhang Liang often exercised at the gym, making him much stronger. She could not break free. Zhang Liang''s other hand wrapped around her shoulder, pulling Xia Xin closer to his car parked by the side of the road. "Let''s talk in my car. I want to know if you''ve been touched by another man." Panicked, Xia Xin wanted to call for help, but after a short plea for help, Zhang Liang covered her mouth with his hand. He said, "Shut up!" Xia Xin struggled desperately, but she could not free herself. She was getting closer and closer to Zhang Liang''s car. ''If I got into Zhang Liang''s car, who knows what he would do to me in his current mental state!'' Xia Xin thought as she felt angry, anxious, and desperate. Chapter 30: Help

Chapter 30: Help

Zhang Liang opened the car door, feeling Xia Xin struggling in his arms. Anger and desire burned inside him, and he wished he could have her right there in the car. Zhang Liang thought he had been too considerate of Xia Xin''s feelings before. If he had made her his woman earlier, maybe she would not be so disobedient and rebellious now. ''Women were so cheap. When I tried to reason with them, they wouldn''t listen. I had to be forceful, and only then would they submit!'' Zhang Liang thought. Zhang Liang opened the car door, intending to push the struggling Xia Xin inside. Suddenly, a deep growl echoed in the quiet air. Zhang Liang was taken aback, and he immediately saw a huge figure charging toward him. Zhang Liang felt a tearing pain in his calf as he screamed in agony, letting go of Xia Xin''s hands. He fell to the ground, clutching his injured leg. Xia Xin was in a daze, staring at the red-eyed husky. ''Bobo?'' Xia Xin thought. After attacking Zhang Liang, Bobo''s wild instincts were triggered. It had originally wanted to continue biting Zhang Liang, but it heard a man''smand in the air, "Come back!" Xia Xin turned her head and saw a man wearing thin dark gray sportswear and a mask on his face. ''Is that Jing Mo?'' Xia Xin wondered. Xia Xin saw Jing Mo walking toward her, and he grabbed her arm, pulling her gently behind him. Jing Mo looked at the writhing Zhang Liang on the ground and asked Xia Xin, "Did you know this guy?" Xia Xin hesitated for a moment, opened her mouth, and found her voice again. She said, "I have nothing to do with him." "Hmm." Jing Mo''s voice was muffled by the mask, sounding low and dull. Xia Xin noticed Jing Mo taking out his phone and making a call. He quickly reported the location, and soon two security guards in uniform ran over. During that time, Bobo stood in front of Xia Xin and Jing Mo, ready to protect them from any harm that mighte from the injured Zhang Liang. The two security guards who arrived seemed to be security guards from Jing Mo''s residential area. They were exceptionally respectful towards him. Jing Mo briefly exined the situation and asked them to call the police to handle the matter. The security guards dragged Zhang Liang up from the ground. Xia Xin then noticed that Bobo''s bite was deep, and a pool of blood had formed on the ground, looking quite terrifying. Jing Mo moved in front of Xia Xin, blocking her view of the blood. He then looked towards the nearby residential area. "Do you live here?" Xia Xin nodded. "I''ll take you back." Jing Mo''s voice was steady, without any emotions. Xia Xin was indeed feeling weak in the legs andcked a sense of security, so she did not argue with Jing Mo. Holding the dog leash, Jing Mo, Xia Xin, and Bobo walked toward Xia Xin''s residential area. Bobo''s behavior seemed a bit unusual as it kept looking up at Xia Xin with a silly smile on its face. Its smile seemed to reveal a hint of anticipation. Moreover, Bobo seemed to have forgotten that its owner was Jing Mo. It constantly leaned towards the direction where Xia Xin was and asionally approached her, rubbing against her trouser legs. Looking at Bobo''s expectant eyes, Xia Xin seemed to understand what was on its mind. She smiled gently and reached out to pat Bobo''s furry head, "Bobo, thank you for earlier." After that, Xia Xin looked up and saw Jing Mo. She did not forget to thank Bobo''s owner too, "Mr. Jing, thank you." Xia Xin did not hide the fact that she recognized Jing Mo. Previously, in the pet store, Jing Mo had taken off his mask after entering the washroom. His face, which had be famous nationwide, was hardly unknown to anyone. Jing Mo seemed a little unustomed to Xia Xin''s direct gaze. He turned his head slightly, remained silent for a couple of seconds, and then asked, "Do you want to move out?" Xia Xin slowly shook her head, "No, I''ve already paid four months of rent." Xia Xin had just started working, and four months'' worth of rent in the capital was not a small sum. Moreover, Xia Xin did not think moving out would help. Zhang Liang knew that she worked at the zoo and had detailed information about her family. It would not be difficult for him to find out where she moved. Taking a deep breath, Xia Xin showed a soothing smile to Jing Mo and said, "Don''t worry too much about me. I onlye back thiste asionally. Usually, I finish work early when there are more people around, and Zhang Liang doesn''t dare to do anything." Chapter 31: Standoff

Chapter 31: Standoff

Xia Xin had already spoken, and Jing Mo did not press further. The two of them, along with the dog, walked into the residential area. Feeling a bit awkward without anything to say, Xia Xin casually asked, "Why are you still out walking the dog sote?" Jing Mo paused for a moment and looked at Bobo. He said, "The servants and nannies don''t want to walk it." Xia Xin fell silent too. She thought, ''It seemed that Bobo''s temperament was not very good, and the wild nature of huskies was notorious for turning dog walks into a struggle. Looks like only Jing Mo could manage Bobo.'' "But you must be very busy with work, right?" Xia Xin asked again. Jing Mo nodded slightly and said, "Yes. So I can''t take it out every day either. There''s nothing I can do." Though Jing Mo''s tone did not reveal any emotions, Xia Xin could still sense his subtle helplessness and guilt. Large dogs have a lot of energy, and their owners must take them out for walks to release energy and reduce stress. The dogs also need regr exercise to maintain a healthy physique; otherwise, they might gain weight, which was not good for their bones and muscles. Soon, Xia Xin, Jing Mo, and the dog arrived at Xia Xin''s doorstep. As she opened the door, she asked Jing Mo casually, "Would you like to have some water?" Xia Xin knew that inviting a stranger into her home was not a good idea, but Jing Mo had done her such a huge favor today, and he even apanied her back home. It would seem impolite not even to offer a ss of water. "I''ll pass," said Jing Mo. He shook his head and then tugged on the dog leash, intending to take Bobo away. To Jing Mo''s surprise, Bobo, who usually looked down on humans, began scratching at Xia Xin''s shoe and showed a very reluctant expression. At the same time, it looked at Xia Xin with puppy eyes and made some whimpering sounds. In Bobo''s mind, he was saying, ''You, man, are you that resistant to beautiful women? Didn''t you see a beauty inviting you inside? If you don''t go, I still want to go in!'' Although Bobo could not understand humannguage, he observed Xia Xin''s expressions and actions and sensed that she had just invited Jing Mo inside. Xia Xin did not expect Bobo to be so smart. At the same time, she felt a bit awkward, ''What should I do now? The passive function of the Beast Language System seemed to have made Bobo develop some good feelings toward me.'' The passive function of the Beast Language System needed close contact with animals to trigger, and Xia Xin had not gotten close to Bobo during their first time meeting at the pet store. Therefore, Bobo did not react unusually back then. Xia Xin watched as Bobo scraped at her shoe, feeling both amused and exasperated. On the other hand, Jing Mo found Bobo''s behavior today really unusual, which was also embarrassing for him. He kicked Bobo''s butt harshly and said, "Let''s go!" Bobo, in turn, red at Jing Mo, whimpering even more loudly. Xia Xin was startled, quickly squatting down to pat Bobo''s head, urging him not to bark. They were in a residential building, and it was already past 10 PM. If Bobo kept barking, he would be disturbing the neighbors. Jing Mo suddenly realized a problem and thought, ''Why did I walk Xia Xin all the way to her doorstep? I should have left when they were still downstairs.'' After calming Bobo down, Xia Xin said to Jing Mo, "Why note in for a while..." Xia Xin thought it was inappropriate to stand awkwardly at her doorstep with Jing Mo and Bobo. Jing Mo fell silent for a few seconds, then slowly loosened the dog leash. Bobo reacted quickly and immediately climbed up, hopping over and entering Xia Xin''s home. Once inside, Bobo saw Layle, who had been hiding at the bedroom door, and he took a step back, feeling somewhat anxious. Bobo''s emotions did not seem very pleasant at the moment. In his view, ''How could a beauty like Xia Xin have such an ugly mixed-breed dog? I was at a loss for words about her taste in pets.'' Bobo barked loudly at Layle. Xia Xin heard it say, "What are you looking at? I saved your master just now. If it wasn''t for me, your master would have been bullied by the bad guy! It''s fine if you''re ugly, but you''re useless. I really don''t know how you met such a good master. You''re really lucky! What are you still doing? Come over and massage my legs!" Xia Xin was extremely helpless and went over to pick up Layle, leading him into the bedroom. She whispered to Layle, "Layle, that''s Bobo. He really helped me just now, but don''t take what he said to heart. Don''t overthink it, okay? You y in the bedroom for a while, and I''ll go talk to Bobo''s owner." Chapter 32: A Suggestion

Chapter 32: A Suggestion

Afterforting the dejected and guilty Layle, Xia Xin closed the bedroom door. When she went out, she saw Jing Mo sitting on the sofa, still holding the dog leash. Jing Mo was not looking around Xia Xin''s house but had his eyes slightly lowered, focused on the coffee table in the living room. He appeared to be very well-mannered, and the light shining on his handsome profile created an indescribable sense of elegance. Xia Xin poured hot water from the dispenser and took out some snacks, cing them on the table. Even though she knew that Jing Mo probably would not eat them, as a host, she felt obliged to show some hospitality. Afterward, Xia Xin took out some dog treats she had bought for Layle and attempted to give them to Bobo. Xia Xin originally thought that Bobo, being the dog of a superstar, would have a rather discerning pte and probably would not eat the ordinary pet treats she bought. However, to her surprise, Bobo opened his big mouth and obediently swallowed them. Jing Mo''s pupils trembled slightly. He had not expected that Bobo, who usually was a picky eater, would eat these regr dog treats without any coaxing. He suspected that his dog''s reluctance to eat in the past was just a yful act to tease him. Xia Xin patted Bobo''s head and then looked at Jing Mo. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Mr. Jing, you helped me this time, and I don''t have much to repay you. You said you''re usually busy with work and may not have time to walk your dog. If you find it convenient, I can walk your dog for you in the evening. If it''s not convenient, that''s okay too." Xia Xin was not someone who liked to owe others, so after some hesitation, she still put forward this suggestion. She usually finished work rtively early and would take Bobo for a walk after dinner anyway. Walking one more dog would not be a big problem for her. Also, when Xia Xin thought about a husky not being able to go out for a walk regrly, she felt sorry for Bobo. As an animal lover, her sympathy could not help but overflow. Jing Mo had not expected that Xia Xin would make such a proposal. If it were someone else saying that, he would have immediately rejected it and thought that the person was finding an excuse to get close to him. However, the one requested was Xia Xin, and Jing Mo knew that she had no intention of getting close to him. He believed that she probably just wanted to repay his help. Jing Mo carefully considered Xia Xin''s suggestion and found that it was quite suitable for him. Bobo liked Xia Xin, and he did not have time to take him out. With such a big husky staying at home all day, Bobo would always look at Jing Mo with pleading eyes, and its temper could get even worse. "Wouldn''t it be too much trouble for you?" Jing Mo asked. Xia Xin guessed that Jing Mo probably found her suggestion eptable, so she said, "Not at all." After pondering for a moment, Jing Mo said, "Alright, Miss Xia, you can walk my dog for one week for free. Consider it as repaying me." "No problem," Xia Xin said with a rxed smile. She suddenly felt that Jing Mo was not as cold as he appeared; he was surprisingly easy to talk to. She had originally thought that Jing Mo would suspect her of having ulterior motives, but she did not expect him to agree so readily. Jing Mo looked at the time and slowly stood up. He nced at Bobo with a threatening expression in his eyes and said, "Since you''ve eaten, it''s time to go." Bobo reluctantly wagged his fluffy tail, looking discontentedly at Jing Mo. Xia Xin crouched down, petting Bobo''s smooth and healthy fur, and smiled, saying, "You go back with Mr. Jing first, alright? Tomorrow, I''ll take you out for a walk, okay?" Comforted by Xia Xin''s gentle smile, Bobo finally got up reluctantly and sulkily walked to Jing Mo''s side. Jing Mo took out his phone and looked at Xia Xin, saying, "Let''s add each other as friends, and I''ll send you my address." After adding each other as friends, Jing Mo led Bobo away. Before leaving, he remembered something and said, "About that man''s matter, if you don''t mind, I''ll take care of it for you." Xia Xin naturally did not want to deal with Zhang Liang. Upon hearing Jing Mo''s offer, she immediately nodded and said, "Sure, thank you." After closing the door, Xia Xin breathed a sigh of relief. She really had not expected this night to be so eventful. Xia Xin still felt a bit frightened at this moment. If she had not coincidentally met Jing Mo, she would have fallen into Zhang Liang''s hands tonight. She did not dare to imagine what would have happened then. In other words, Jing Mo was her savior. Xia Xin took a sip of water, calming herself down. She felt that she could not rely on others to save her every time. With a thought, Xia Xin immediately summoned the light screen of the Beast Language System into her consciousness. Chapter 33: Shopping

Chapter 33: Shopping

Entering the Beast Language System''s Shop, Xia Xin checked her current affinity points avable for purchasing items. She had a total of 1,050,000 points. Perhaps because Xia Xin was now a small inte celebrity with quite a few online fans, her Human Affinity points grew very quickly. In less than a month, she umted 1,050,000 Human Affinity points. Xia Xin became increasingly aware that it would be challenging to keep a low profile after binding with this Beast Language System. Whether it was spending in the Shop, increasing basic stats, or upgrading her Beast Mastery, it all implied that she could not be an ordinary person anymore. Carefully browsing the items in the Shop, Xia Xin finally found something that met her needs. Item Name: The Twenty-Four Martial Arts Techniques Description: An entry-level martial arts technique, easy to learn, beginners can master it within three months. It consists of twenty-four forms with endless variations. Upon mastering, the user can reach the level of martial arts proficiency. Price: 400,000 The descriptions of "easy to learn" and "beginner-friendly" made Xia Xin very tempted, and the time investment required was not too long, which suited her well. As for achieving martial arts proficiency, that had nothing to do with Xia Xin. She did not n to be a martial arts master; she just wanted to be able to defend herself. Xia Xin immediately purchased The Twenty-Four Martial Arts Techniques. Afterward, she bought a few other low-cost items from the Shop. After deducting her bnce, a beam of light floated toward Xia Xin. Her head felt a tingling sensation as the beam disappeared, and theplete contents of The Twenty-Four Martial Arts Technique were now in her mind, including descriptions of each form, practice tips, andbination techniques. Xia Xin breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much more at ease. She could have joined a real-world martial arts ss like Karate or Taekwondo, but that would have consumed too much time. Xia Xin had to work and also meet the requirements for her Beast Mastery. She simply did not have the energy for it. With the items from the Shop, Xia Xin would directly acquire all the knowledge in her mind after purchase, without the need for additional exnation. All she needed to do was spend time practicing, which would be much more efficient. Today, Xia Xin was too tired. She decided to start practicing the Twenty-Four Martial Arts Techniques tomorrow. After purchasing the other items from the store, several floating spots of light appeared in front of Xia Xin. This unscientific scene startled her. Fortunately, there was no one else around at the moment; otherwise, it would have been troublesome. Xia Xin hurriedly reached out to catch those spots of light. The spots of light transformed into tangible items in her palm. A Charming Elixir, a Basic Divination Talisman, and an Enchanted Puppet. Xia Xin carefully examined those items, her face full of curiosity. The Charming Elixir was a small porcin bottle. The description said that once opened, the illusion gas inside could immediately spread. When ordinary people smelled the illusion gas, they would lose consciousness within three minutes and fall into a dreamlike state. The person holding the Charming Elixir would be immune to the gas, and one bottle could be used multiple times. The Basic Divination Talisman could divine natural events within three months. The description exined the specific divination grammar and range. The talisman could only be used once. The Enchanted Puppet was a worn-out-looking puppet. Once activated, it could gradually induce the designated target''s body and mind to enter a puppet-like state, losing their ability to act and think. It could be used an unlimited number of times. Xia Xin bought Enchanted Puppet because it could be used an unlimited number of times. This item was more expensive than The Twenty-Four Martial Arts Techniques, costing her 500,000 affinity points. After buying all these items, her bnce was down to 200,000 points, almost back to where she started the night before. Xia Xin put away the purchased items, checked the doors and windows, and went to rest in her bedroom with peace of mind. The next day, after getting off work from the zoo, Xia Xin went home to pick up Layle and then took him to Jing Mo''s house. Jing Mo probably would not be back untilte today, and when he returned, he naturally would not have time to walk the dog. So, he informed Xia Xin in advance that she could take Bobo out today. Arriving at Jing Mo''s doorstep, Xia Xin entered the password on the smart electronic lock. After a beep, she pushed the door open and stepped into Jing Mo''s home. Although Jing Mo was a big celebrity, his residential area was rtively low-keypared to other wealthy individuals; it was just a luxurious vi area in the western district. However, Xia Xin spected that Jing Mo probably owned more than just this one property. Chapter 34: A Misunderstanding

Chapter 34: A Misunderstanding

After entering the house, Xia Xin was greeted by a minimalist ck-and-white interior design. If not for therge husky lying in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, she might have thought that no one lived there. ''It''s so in¡­'' Xia Xin thought. Xia Xin herself enjoyed buying various little things. After moving into her rented apartment, she decorated it with lots of decorative paintings,ce curtains, and floor ornaments, making her home vibrant and colorful, in stark contrast to Jing Mo''s ce. Xia Xin could not help but wonder if Jing Mo would find her decorations too shy. Bobo seemed very surprised by Xia Xin''s arrival and rushed toward her as she entered. It spun around Xia Xin while making excited barks. Xia Xin heard it say, "No way! Did that jerk manage to win you over? I can''t believe he did it. Wow, are you nning to move in and live with us?" Xia Xin was speechless at what was Bobo thinking. She could not help but wonder if Bobo thought she and Jing Mo were together. Somehow, Xia Xin finally believed that the husky''s thought process was truly something to admire. Xia Xin did not respond to Bobo''s words. Up until now, Bobo did not know she couldmunicate with animals, and Xia Xin had no intention of revealing it for now. In fact, unless necessary, Xia Xin would not activelymunicate with animals. She felt that the ability tomunicate with animals through the Beast Language System was already against thews of nature, so it was better to use it cautiously. Seeing the dog leash on the table in the living room, Xia Xin assumed it was left there by Jing Mo. She picked up the leash and put it on Bobo, preparing to take it for a walk. At that moment, Bobo started chatting with Layle, who was cowering in the corner, using the same arrogant tone as before. However, Xia Xin had already done some work on Layle''s mindset beforeing to Jing Mo''s ce, so the current Layle was not affected by Bobo''s arrogant behavior. Moreover, after spending these days with Xia Xin, Layle had be more certain that it wouldn''t be abandoned again and had gained a sense of security, making it immune to Bobo''s words. In Layle''s eyes, Bobo was just a rather annoying dog. It did not care whether Bobo liked it or acknowledged it. The most important person in its heart was Xia Xin. As long as Xia Xin liked it, it would be the happiest dog in the world. Xia Xin walked towards the door with the two dogs and suddenly heard a sound. The door in front of her was slowly pushed open. Xia Xin was startled, thinking it was Jing Mo returning. However, upon closer inspection, she saw a man in his thirties entering the house. He had a handsome appearance, a refined temperament, and a hint of shrewdness in his eyes. Sun Hu pushed open the door and was startled to see a woman and two dogs standing there. For a moment, he even thought he had entered the wrong house. He widened his eyes in shock, his first thought was, ''Did Jing Mo secretly in love with someone else behind my back? Has he finally opened up?'' As Jing Mo''s manager, Sun Hu did not actually oppose Jing Mo dating. In his opinion, Jing Mo was not pursuing the idol celebrity route but was instead following the path of a talented actor. Therefore, it was perfectly reasonable for him to be in a rtionship. Jing Mo had a reserved and aloof personality, having endured too much in his heart. Sun Hu really hoped that someone could enter Jing Mo''s heart and understand the real him. ''''Has that person finally appeared? Was it the woman in front of him?'' Sun Hu thought. Sun Hu observed Xia Xin and felt like he had seen her somewhere before. "You... Aren''t you..." Sun Hu pondered for a while before finally remembering, "You''re the panda caretaker, right?" Xia Xin did not expect herself to be so well-known. She smiled modestly, "Yes, I''m Xia Xin. I came to help Mr. Jing walk the dogs. I already informed him beforehand." Sun Hu nodded with understanding and looked down at Bobo. He was astonished to see the usually uncontroble Bobo now behaving so well, showing no resistance at all. He could not help but wonder, ''Is Bobo behaving so well because it knows Xia Xin will be thedy of the house?'' Seeing theplexity in Sun Hu''s eyes, Xia Xin guessed that he might have misunderstood something. She took the initiative to exin, "Actually, I''m just here to help Mr. Jing. He has helped me before, and he''s a really warm-hearted person." ''Warm-hearted?'' Sun Hu thought as he looked at Xia Xin with a strange expression. ''I had known Jing Mo for so many years, but why have I never seen that side of him?'' Sun Hu thought. He had even suspected that Jing Mo had emotional barriers and could not express human emotions normally. Chapter 35: Baked Buns

Chapter 35: Baked Buns

Sun Hu did not express his doubts and instead showed a polite smile. After a slight nod, he introduced himself, "I see. By the way, my name is Sun Hu, and I''m Jing Mo''s manager." After they got acquainted, Sun Hu did not disturb Xia Xin''s dog-walking and made way for her to pass. Once Xia Xin left, Sun Hu immediately took out his phone. He had initially wanted to message Jing Mo and ask him about this situation, but he thought this was a rare opportunity. Sun Hu wanted to bring up the matter in front of Jing Mo and see how he would react because Sun Hu was fed up with Jing Mo''s poker face. ... For the next few days, Xia Xin''s dog walking went smoothly. Aside from Bobo being lively and running around a lot, pulling her along, there were no unbearable issues. However, something interesting happened during one of their walks. On the second day of dog walking, Xia Xin decided to change the route to see some new scenery, so she took a different path. Along that road, there were many food stalls, and among them was one selling baked buns. The business was booming, and the buns were generously filled and crispy. When Xia Xin brought the two dogs to the baked buns stall, Layle stopped in its tracks and gazed at the buns. Xia Xin stopped as well and used her eyes to ask Layle if it wanted to taste a bun. She received an affirmative response. Xia Xin bought a bun for Layle and was about to continue walking with the two dogs. However, her other dog''s leash was stuck suddenly. She saw Bobo staring at the bun in Layle''s mouth, then looking at the bun stall, and finally directing its gaze at Xia Xin. Its eyes clearly showed grievance and dissatisfaction saying, "Aren''t you getting one for me?" Xia Xin was speechless. With Jing Mo''s financial situation, Bobo must usually eat the best dog food. She could not understand how Bobo suddenly was tempted by the bun Layle was eating. But Xia Xin could not ignore Bobo''s eyes, so she ended up buying another bun for it. The bun stall owner looked at Xia Xin, who had just bought two buns for her dogs, with aplicated expression. Realizing something, Xia Xin bought herself another bun, took a bite, and praised, "Boss, your buns are delicious!" Seeing the bun stall owner rx, Xia Xin breathed a sigh of relief. So, with one person and two dogs each enjoying their bun, they continued walking. Xia Xin thought that the matter would end there. However, on the third day, when she took Bobo and Layle out, Bobo insisted on going to the bun stall, tugging on the leash. Xia Xin was shocked and thought, ''Is that for real? Bobo has fallen in love with buns?'' Jing Mo had told Xia Xin that Bobo was quite picky when it came to food. Helpless, Xia Xin took Bobo and Layle to the bun stall again and bought three buns this time. The stall owner was much more enthusiastic this time, thinking that both Xia Xin and her dogs could not resist the charm of his buns. He kindly selected the three best-baked buns for Xia Xin. While it was not a big deal that Bobo had taken a liking to the buns from this stall, Xia Xin suddenly thought of something, ''I had only agreed to walk Jing Mo''s dog for a week. After that, if Bobo still wanted buns, what would he do? Should I ask the owner to personally deliver the buns to Jing Mo''s house?'' But Xia Xin had already asked, and the stall owner did not offer delivery services. To eat the buns, one had toe to the shop personally. With a glimmer of hope, Xia Xin hoped that Bobo would forget the taste of the buns after a week and fall in love with its various imported and precious dog food again. A week passed, and Xia Xinpleted her task. Jing Mo even sent her a message to thank her for her help over these past few days. Xia Xin thought that the matter was over and that she and Jing Mo would probably have no further interactions. However, to her surprise, after the night without walking Bobo, she received a message from Jing Mo the next morning, [Sorry, Bobo was acting strangelyst night. It refused to eat anything and kept looking towards the door. What''s wrong with it?] After seeing that message, Xia Xin was shocked and felt helpless and guilty. She had kindly helped Jing Mo walk his dog, but she did not expect that it would lead to such an issue. Xia Xin spected that Bobo probably wanted the buns. After all, it had eaten them continuously for several days and seemed to like them. Feeling somewhat guilty, Xia Xin replied to Jing Mo''s message, [When I took it out before, it wanted to eat the buns from Vernicia Street. I bought some for it, and it ate them for several days. Could it be... it still wants more?" Chapter 36: Part-time Job

Chapter 36: Part-time Job

On the other end of the phone, Jing Mo could not believe the answer he got. ''Baked buns? What does it have to do with Bobo? Am I dreaming or something?'' Jing Mo thought. For a moment, silence filled the air. Seeing Jing Mo''s silence, Xia Xin became even more uneasy. She thought, ''What should I do now? I thought Bobo could manage to live with Jing Mo, but now, after I took it for a walk, it seemed like they might not get along anymore.'' Xia Xin gritted her teeth and tentatively replied, [How about I continue to walk the dog for you?] On the phone, Jing Mo hesitated for a moment. He did not expect Xia Xin to say that. He was actually just thinking about how to deal with Bobo. Jing Mo fed it so much top-notch dog food, but now it was obsessed with ordinary baked buns. That made him suspect that Bobo had been toying with him all along. "Actually, I usually walk my dog, and I have plenty of time..." Xia Xin exined. Xia Xin did not think it was a big deal to continue walking Bobo for Jing Mo. Bringing Bobo along would just mean a bit more exercise for her, which she could see as a way to lose weight. After all, Xia Xin thought it was her fault that Bobo had be addicted to eating baked buns. She felt a bit guilty about letting Jing Mo bear the consequences. After Xia Xin finished speaking, Jing Mo finally recorded a voice message on the other end. His maic baritone sounded even more alluring over the phone. "Miss Xia, I appreciate your help, and you have already repaid the favor. I know you are doing this out of kindness, which is why you are willing to continue walking the dog for me. However, I cannot be so at ease about it. How about this? I can pay you by the hour for your assistance, treating it as a part-time job. What do you think?" Jing Mo''s proposal was very reasonable, and after a moment of contemtion, Xia Xin agreed. The problem was perfectly solved. Xia Xin not only helped Jing Mo, making up for the mess she caused by buying baked buns for Bobo, but she also earned some money on the side with this part-time job. As a big star, Jing Mo naturally had no shortage of money, and thepensation he offered her was very generous. Xia Xin even felt a bit embarrassed to ept it. After turning off his phone, Jing Mo looked at the listless Bobo on the floor, holding back the urge to beat it up. The door to the guest room opened, and Sun Hu, who had just taken a shower, walked over and sat on the sofa opposite Jing Mo, legs crossedfortably. Though Sun Hu was officially Jing Mo''s manager, their rtionship was more like that of friends. Sun Hu would often stay at Jing Mo''s ce when he was busy with work, and they would asionally y basketball or go for a jog together. Jing Mo looked at Sun Hu and thought for a moment before briefly telling him about having found someone to help walk the dog every day. Xia Xin might appear at his ce more often, so he wanted to let Sun Hu know in advance. Sun Hu''s eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a cunning expression. He looked at Jing Mo with a strange smile and asked, "Oh? Miss Panda Caretaker will be walking your dog long-term?" Jing Mo furrowed his brow and wondered, ''How did he know Xia Xin?'' Sun Hu suddenly sat up straight, leaning forward with a fox-like cunning look in his eyes, and said, "Jing Mo, tell me the truth. Is there something going on between you two?" ''Something going on? What something?'' Jing Mo thought as he looked at Sun Hu as if he were dealing with a lunatic. Jing Mo said, "Pack up your boring imagination. It''s not what you think." Sun Hu shrugged and waved his hand. "Alright, forget it. It''s your business, and I won''t meddle. Just make sure it doesn''t affect your work." Sun Hu said it as if there really was something between Jing Mo and Xia Xin. Jing Mo pursed his lips, wanting to say something, but in the end, he remained silent. ... After taking on the part-time job of walking the dog, Xia Xin''s daily exercise increased steadily, and she felt that her body and posture were getting better. She developed distinct muscle lines, appearing both graceful and strong. At the same time, Xia Xin''s Beast Mastery was about to level up. Working at the zoo was convenient, and Xia Xin had easy ess to various animals. Over the period, as she umted goodwill from the animals, she gained deeper insights into their habits and characteristics. It would not be an exaggeration to say Xia Xin had be an amateur expert in animal behavior. One day, Xia Xin was having lunch with her colleagues, and they curiously asked, "Xia Xin, since you love all kinds of animals, why haven''t we seen you visit the lion enclosure? The lion enclosure is one of the most popr exhibits in our zoo, and the environment there is beautifully designed." Chapter 37: Advertisement

Chapter 37: Advertisement

Xia Xin''s expression stiffened, unsure of how to respond. It was true that Xia Xin liked animals, but in her past life, she died in the ws of a lion, which left her with some psychological trauma. Xia Xin quickly came up with an excuse to brush off the question and continued eating. Just as she was about to finish her meal, her phone suddenly received a message from Lu Yuan, asking her to go to the director''s office. ''What could be the matter?'' Xia Xin pondered. She off her phone, clear her te, and immediately headed to the director''s office. Pushing open the door, Xia Xin saw not just Lu Yuan but two other people inside, both dressed in formal shirts and trousers. When the two people noticed Xia Xin, they nodded politely. Although their gazes were not entirely clear, Xia Xin could still feel them appraising her. "Mr. Lu, did you call me for something?" Xia Xin asked. Lu Yuan pointed to a chair, gesturing for Xia Xin to sit down, and then looked at the other two people in the office. He said, "It''s not me who called you; these two have something to discuss with you." Xia Xin was a bit surprised and looked at the two individuals with confusion. The older of the two men, with a small mustache, stood up immediately and handed Xia Xin his business card. "Miss Xia, my name is Ding Bei, and I am the executive director of Creative Light Media. This is my assistant." Xia Xin quickly scanned the card and epted it with a polite smile. She said, "Hello, Mr. Ding. May I ask why you are looking for me?" Ding Bei coughed, as if he had already prepared a draft in his mind, and smoothly said, "Here''s the thing, Miss Xia. Some time ago, I came across your video ount and saw you interacting with an Indian python in one of your videos. That scene was really beautiful." "Thank you." Xia Xin adjusted her sitting posture, vaguely guessing that the man might have something for her to help with. Indeed, Ding Bei continued, "Coincidentally, ourpany is currently nning the promotion of Chang''an Group''s gship wine¡ªTrimere." There was a hint of helplessness and exhaustion in Ding Bei''s tone. He hade to find Xia Xin today because he had run out of options. Chang''an Group was a well-known liquorpany and Creative Light Media''s most important client. The annual promotion of Chang''an Group''s Trimere series was a major project for theirpany, personally nned by the chief creative director. That chief creative director was very famous in the country and was known as a "genius ad man." He proposed that this time, the advertising should reflect the theme of the rtionship between humans and nature and then segue into Chang''an Group''s Trimere series. Trimere was not only the name of the wine but also a type of snake. So, this advertisement required shooting with this type of snake interacting with people. The concept sounded fine, but in the execution process, they encountered many difficulties. After the n was confirmed, thepany approached several popr celebrity artists to negotiate, but as soon as they heard that they had to interact with real snakes, they immediately refused. However, at Chang''an Group''s level, they could not just hire some unknown actors and inte celebrities for the advertisement. For a time, they could not find anyone willing to shoot the ad. Finally, a popr female actress agreed to try, but she took the opportunity to raise the price. After going back and forth for several days, they temporarily settled on a cooperation n. But during the shooting, the female actress acted very stiffly, not daring to touch the Trimeresurus at all, let alone interact with it. This made the chief creative director very unhappy, and he lost his temper several times. The actress was a famous star and had her own temper, directly stating that she could just quit and told them to find someone else to shoot the ad. The pressure naturally cascaded down to the lower levels. The chief creative director med Ding Bei for finding such a poorly performing and unprofessional actress, telling him toe up with a solution quickly, either by resolving the actress''s concerns or finding someone else. Over these few days, Ding Bei had been busy with this matter, neglecting sleep and with red eyes. Naturally, he could not resolve the actress''s concerns. It was normal for her to be afraid of snakes, and her status in the industry made it impossible for him to exert pressure on her. As for finding someone else, if Ding Bei could find someone more suitable, he would have done so long ago. Since he could not find anyone before, it was even harder to find someone now. Just when Ding Bei was overwhelmed with anxiety, he came across Xia Xin''s video and thought it was perfect. The content of that video was Xia Xin interacting with an Indian python. In the video, the Indian python behaved like a well-behaved puppy, without any aggressiveness, allowing Xia Xin to y with it in various ways. Chapter 38: Contract

Chapter 38: Contract

In that instant, a sh of inspiration crossed Ding Bei''s mind, like a drowning person clutching at thest straw. He thought he should let Xia Xin shoot the advertisement. Xia Xin''s current status was somewhere between an ordinary person and an inte celebrity. Although she could not be considered a big star, she was a panda caretaker, and what were pandas? They were national treasures. That instantly raised the level. Moreover, Xia Xin was beautiful, no less so than the top stars in the entertainment industry. Most importantly, Xia Xin was not afraid of snakes at all! Ding Bei was ecstatic and immediately wanted to contact Xia Xin. However, he quickly calmed down and decided to first talk to the director of the Capital Zoo about this matter. If the director agreed, the chances of sessfully getting Xia Xin to shoot the advertisement would be even higher. Although Ding Bei and Lu Yuan did not have much of a rtionship, he felt that Xia Xin shooting the advertisement would also benefit the zoo. From Lu Yuan''s support of Xia Xin''s social media videos, it was evident that he was using Xia Xin''s poprity to bring more traffic to the zoo. After finding Lu Yuan, Ding Bei mentioned the matter, and Lu Yuan did indeed show interest. However, he stated that it would depend on Xia Xin''s willingness and that he could not force her. During the break, Lu Yuan called Xia Xin over. After listening to Ding Bei''s exnation, Xia Xin fell into a brief silence. She thought, ''So, Ding Bei wanted me to shoot an advertisement. Should I do it?'' Xia Xin was actually a low-key person, but ever since she bound the Beast Language System, she became more and more high-profile. Now, she was one of the fastest-growing bloggers on the live-streaming tform. Of course, bing popr had its benefits for Xia Xin. Not only did Lu Yuan increase her sry, but she could also exchange many useful items in the Beast Language System''s Shop using her Human Affinity points. After hesitating for a moment, Xia Xin nodded slowly, "I can give it a try, but I don''t have any experience in shooting advertisements, so if my performance isn''t good..." Upon hearing Xia Xin''s agreement, Ding Bei was so excited that he almost jumped up. He quickly assured her, "It''s alright,ck of experience isn''t an issue. Ourpany''s focus is on presenting authenticity and nature in the advertisement. You just need to naturally interact with the animal." Then, Ding Bei showed Xia Xin pictures of the Trimeresurus that would be involved in the shoot and informed her that the snake was a captive-bred one with a very gentle temperament. Thepany would also provide her with safety precautions, ensuring that nothing unexpected would happen. As Xia Xin looked at the pictures, an ordinary person might not see anything remarkable, but after being bound to the Beast Language System for so long, she had developed some ability to judge animals based on their "demeanor". From the appearance, the Trimeresurus looked quite elegant among its kind, slightly plump in body shape, with no aggression in its eyes. It was highly likely to be a pet snake bred in captivity. Xia Xin nodded, indicating that she had no problem with it. Beforeing to the zoo, Ding Bei had already prepared the contract. Seeing that Xia Xin agreed, he excitedly took out the contract and introduced the terms to her. As Xia Xin finished reading the contract, she finally realized another benefit of shooting this advertisement: she would receive a generous reward! Looking at the string of zeroes, Xia Xin felt like she was dreaming. If she had to earn this much money on her own, she did not know how many years it would take. "Miss Xia, do you have any objections to the remuneration? If you have any objections, we can discuss it further," Ding Bei asked cautiously. In reality, with a businessman''s mindset, Ding Bei did not need to add that sentence. After all, for an ordinary person, such a high advertising fee was already quite good. But now, in Ding Bei''s eyes, Xia Xin was his life-saving straw, and he had to ensure that she was satisfied with every use in the contract. If Xia Xin changed her mind halfway, then he would not have a ce in the advertisingpany either. Shaking her head, Xia Xin said, "I have no objections." Ding Bei breathed a long sigh of relief. He immediately proceeded to sign the preliminary contract with Xia Xin, and upon seeing that contract, the exhausted face that had been worn down by staying upte finally revealed a hint of relief. After Ding Bei left, Lu Yuan joked, "Xin, with your qualifications, it would not be a problem for you to join the entertainment industry. Have you never considered it?" If Xia Xin wanted to be a star, with her current poprity, there would be no shortage of entertainmentpanies willing to sign her. Lu Yuan always felt that he wouldn''t be able to keep Xia Xin in his zoo for long. Smiling, Xia Xin shook her head and said, "Uncle Lu, don''t tease me. I don''t have such thoughts for now." Chapter 39: Shooting the Advertisement

Chapter 39: Shooting the Advertisement

Sunday, inside the Creative Light Media Company''s studio. "Isn''t she here yet?" The photographer asked as he checked his watch. Ding Bei smiled apologetically and said, "The traffic in the west district is bad, but she''ll be here soon." The photographer saw that he still had to wait for a while, so he sat down and chatted with Ding Bei, "You actually managed to convince Chang''an Group to ept a social media influencer for their advertisement." Chang''an Group''s previous ads only featured A-list celebrities. Ding Bei''s expression showed a hint of pride and said, "Chang''an Group has coborated with our Chief Creative Director many times and greatly admires his talent. When I mentioned Xia Xin to him before, he said that with her qualifications, she could easily be a top-tier actress in the entertainment industry." The photographer raised an eyebrow in surprise. He never expected that the legendary "genius adman" would give Xia Xin such a high evaluation. Suddenly, a slim figure appeared at the door. Xia Xin had a little sweat on her forehead, and her breathing was slightly hurried. She walked into the studio, greeted Ding Bei, and said, "I''m sorry, I didn''t expect the traffic to be so bad. Sorry to keep you waiting." "It''s alright, you''re notte," Ding Bei introduced Xia Xin to the photographer, and then said to her, "If everything''s fine, you can go change your clothes and get ready. If all goes smoothly, we''ll finish shooting today." Over an hourter, Xia Xin looked at her reflection in the mirror and felt unfamiliar with herself. Under the transformation of the stylists and makeup artists, she had apletely different look. For this advertising campaign, Xia Xin''s character was positioned as a swordswoman in the bamboo forest. She was dressed in a traditional long robe with a blue and white pattern, and her waist was entuated by a ck waistband, highlighting her slender waistline. A bamboo-made hat covered the upper half of her face. The makeup artist did not use overly exaggerated eye shadows and highlights, just simple enhancements to Xia Xin''s natural features, as she was already beautiful enough. In addition, Xia Xin''s eyebrows were groomed to be sharper, fitting the identity of a swordswoman. The photographer was stunned when he saw Xia Xin. He said, "Your temperament is really good, not at all inferior to the other one!" The photographer was referring to the A-list celebrity who had participated in the previous advertisement. In his opinion, Xia Xin''s overall feeling was more in line with the role''s positioning. Soon, the formal shooting began, and the Trimeresurus was held by its caretaker and gently handed over to Xia Xin. The owner of Trimeresurus knew that although the snake in his care was gentle in nature, it could still get nervous around strangers. However, he was surprised to find that after the snake came into contact with Xia Xin, it did not show any difort or nervousness. Instead, it obediently climbed onto Xia Xin''s arm and lightly rubbed its head against her wrist. As Xia Xin gently caressed and yed with the Trimeresurus, she worked to bring the snake back to its most lively and spirited state. Since Xia Xin had received such a high remuneration, she naturally did not intend to take it lightly. She wanted to achieve the best possible advertisement effect. With Xia Xin''s reassurance, the Trimeresurus quickly adapted to the unfamiliar environment of the studio and gradually became more lively. The surrounding staff were shocked as they watched Xia Xin interact with the Trimeresurus. They never expected that a panda caretaker like Xia Xin would be so skilled at handling snakes. In fact, although Xia Xin was not the owner of the Trimeresurus, with the enhancement from the Beast Language System, she could now be called a snake tamer. "Miss Xia looks very professional, worthy of being the caretaker at the Capital Zoo." The owner of the Trimeresurus remarked to the familiar staff nearby. After a simple adjustment of the conditions, Xia Xin began to perform ording to the creative n. Although she had not studied professional acting, luckily, shooting an advertisement did not require much acting skill. She just needed to immerse herself in the interaction with the small snake while also embodying the identity of the swordswoman. The shooting went very smoothly and was quicklypleted. After changing her clothes and removing her makeup, Xia Xin bid farewell to Ding Bei and the others and left. After Xia Xin left, the footage of the advertisement shoot was sent to Creative Light Media''s Chief Creative Director, Luo Ao, that very evening. Chapter 40: The Husky’s Owner

Chapter 40: The Husky''s Owner

After finishing his other work, Luo Ao returned to his office and opened the advertising footage for the Chang''an Group''s Trimere series of aged liquor. Sinking into his chair, Luo Ao watched the footage quietly once and then pondered for a few seconds before clicking the mouse to watch it again. He rarely watched videos repeatedly; he would only do so when he felt aesthetically pleased. In the footage, a secluded and elegant swordswoman in the bamboo forest held a sword in one hand and had a bright green Trimeresurus snake crawling in the other. The contrast between the swordswoman''s slender and fair fingers and the lush green color of the snake created an extremely intense visual impact. After a few seconds of eye contact between the woman and the snake, the central focus of the scene shifted to jars of anciently brewed wine. The camera then turned to the swordswoman elegantly and freely drinking a bowl of wine, her cold eyes showing a hint of carefree rxation. The background showed green mountains and bamboo forests, making the entire scene look like an ancientndscape painting, leaving a lingering impression on viewers. ... Afterpleting the advertisement shoot, Xia Xin''s bank bnce suddenly increased, making her feel as if she had be a little rich woman. During Xia Xin''s days off, she took her parents to buy some new clothes. Although Gu Fanined about wasting money, his smile grew brighter, and the wrinkles around his eyes smoothed out. At Xia Xin''s request, the government-allocated housing had already been sold for over £¤400,000. Gu Fan nned to use this money to buy a new house for Xia Xin in the city, while Xia Song wanted to buy her a car to make it easier for her toe home in the future. Although their opinions differed, they both intended to save the money for Xia Xin, which deeply moved her. With the money from selling the house and the earnings from the advertisement, Xia Xin had enough for a down payment on a house in the city. However, she had not decided yet whether she wanted to buy one. Perhaps it was because she had died once already; she no longer attached much importance to material possessions like a house. Since she was reborn, Xia Xin felt she should make good use of this advantage. She nned to look for some good investment projects and try them out with the money she had. With her current full-time job and the part-time job walking Jing Mo''s dogs, she could save a considerable amount of money each month. Although it could notpare to being a millionaire, it was enough to provide her parents with a worry-free life andfortable retirement. Xia Xin felt quite satisfied with her life. "Miss, here''s your baked buns." The voice of the baked buns stall owner brought Xia Xin back to reality. She took the baked buns and handed them to Bobo. Xia Xin could not understand why Bobo liked to eat baked buns. Even Layle did not eat baked buns anymore, but Bobo still enjoyed them every day. But ever since they starteding out to eat baked buns every day, Bobo seemed to be in a much better mood. Jing Mo said it no longer got up in the middle of the night to wreck things. Xia Xin left with Bobo and Layle, not noticing that the baked bun stall owner took out his phone and took a picture of her with her two dogs. Two dayster, Xia Xin saw a popr video on the homepage of a live-stream app. In the video, a girl in a loose casual dress was walking two dogs and bought a baked bun for the husky next to her. For several consecutive days, the girl woulde over every evening with her two dogs and buy a baked bun for the husky. That girl was Xia Xin, and the husky was Bobo. The video had already reached 1.02 million likes, and in thements section,izens found it very intriguing. [Just how tasty is that baked bun? It makes a huskye over every day.] [It''s rare to see such a dedicated husky.] [My husky at home says this is an act; no husky would eat baked buns every day.] [Has no one noticed? It seems that the owner of that husky is Xia Xin? Am I not mistaken?] [It''s really Xia Xin!] ... Whether it was because of theizens'' curiosity or Xia Xin''s poprity, the video''s poprity continued to rise. Of course,izens also found the husky in the video to be silly and adorable. No husky could run over every day like clockwork to eat a baked bun. Netizens quickly gave Bobo a nickname and called him "Bun Boy". Xia Xin looked through thements section, feelingplicated. The baked bun stall owner documented the interesting events in life, and she could not me him. It was understandable thatizens enjoyed seeing something interesting. As for herself, it was not the first time Xia Xin had been in the spotlight. But the only problem was, theizens thought Bobo was her husky now. If they found out that Jing Mo was Bobo''s real owner... Chapter 41 - 41: An Explanation Chapter 41: An Exnation Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin believed that no matter what, she needed to exin the situation to Bobo¡¯s owner and resolve the issue. So, she dialed Jing Mo¡¯s phone number. ¡°Hello,¡± Jing Mo¡¯s voice waszy, and there were sounds of destruction from Bobo in the background. ¡°Mr. Jing¡­¡± Xia Xin awkwardly began, feeling like she had done something wrong. Jing MO responded calmly, his expression unchanged as he looked at Bobo, who was causing a ruckus. Xia Xin gathered her courage and briefly recounted the incident with the baked buns to Jing MO, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for causing misunderstandings among inte users. But I will do my best to cooperate and resolve the issue.¡± Jing MO remainedposed, maintaining his gaze on Bobo. He asked, ¡°So, what¡¯s your solution?¡± Xia Xin cautiously proposed, ¡°This incident will undoubtedly have an impact on you and Bobo. Therefore, I won¡¯t ept payment for walking Bobo for the next few days. The solution I can think of for now is to temporarily stop walking Bobo, reducing our joint appearances. At the same time, I¡¯ll post a video rifying that Bobo isn¡¯t my dog. Once some time passes and the hype dies down, people will probably forget what Bobo looks like.¡± Jing MO nodded slightly, though there was a fleeting sense of unexinable disappointment in his heart. Fortunately, Bobo didn¡¯t understand the humannguage very well; otherwise, if it knew Xia Xin wouldn¡¯t be walking it anymore, it would probably cause an even bigger scene. On the same day, Xia Xin released a video exining that the dog was one she was walking part-time for someone else. This rification should help inte users understand that the dog belonged to Jing MO if they found out in the future. Thements fromizens were quite cooperative, and the storm seemed to temporarily calm down. With the Bun Boy incident settled, Xia Xin had only a few days of leisure before more problems arose. The number of visitors at the Capital Zoo was increasing, and to protect the animals, each enclosure had limited the number of visitors. The panda exhibit, in particr, would sell out almost immediately upon ticket avability, making it even harder to get than concert tickets. Whether it was Xia Xin¡¯s imagination or a woman¡¯s intuition, she felt that many visitors weren¡¯t there to see the pandas but to see her. It wasn¡¯t just the panda exhibit; other areas where Xia Xin usually helped out were also overcrowded, and she could often spot familiar faces among the front-row crowd. However, Xia Xin didn¡¯t think about these people as obsessive fans. She sensed that their gazes upon her were akin to assessing amodity, filled with scrutiny, valuation, and greed for money. It didn¡¯t seem like the gaze of obsessed fans, but it still made Xia Xin quite ufortable. It wasn¡¯t until someone handed Xia Xin various business cards when she finished work that she realized those individuals were talent agents from agencies that nurtured online celebrities. Due to Xia Xin¡¯s growing online presence, her independently operated amateur ount naturally attracted the attention of talent agencies. But in this life, Xia Xin only wanted to be an ordinary person, to lead a simple and unremarkable life. So she declined all offers, except for one agent who had connections with Zhao Nan, and she agreed to have a meal with them. During dinner, the influencer talent agent Zhou Tian handed Xia Xin a business card and started introducing the agency, discussing the value of Xia Xin¡¯s ount. The dinner started to feel more like an interview, causing Xia Xin to lose her appetite. Zhou Tian saw Xia Xin was even more vibrant and lively in person than she appeared in her videos. He was convinced that he had discovered a potential star; Xia Xin would undoubtedly be a dark horse overtaking others on the track of streaming tforms. Speaking in an encouraging tone, Zhou Tian expressed the agency¡¯s intention to coborate with Xia Xin. He even showed Xia Xin the ount of the owner of the baked bun stall. Xia Xin was surprised to find that the shop owner¡¯s ount had gained tens of thousands of followers, and there were numerous videos of people queuing up to buy baked buns. The once unremarkable baked bun stall that never had queues had now be a trendy spot and was even ranked second on the list of ¡°Must-Try Baked Buns in the Capital¡±. All of this was thanks to the dividends from Xia Xin¡¯s ount. Xia Xin fell silent, not expecting to have such influence one day. Although the ie from being an online celebrity was substantial and tempting, Xia Xin still preferred her work at the zoo, where she could interact with animals genuinely. It felt more valuable to her than mechanically earning money.. Chapter 42 - 42: Escalation of Contradictions Chapter 42: Esction of Contradictions Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin simply wanted to do what she loved for work, spend more time with her parents, and so she politely declined the enticing offer from Zhou Tian. Disappointed, Zhou Tian settled the bill and left. Throughout dinner, Zhao Nan hardly said a word, herck of enthusiasm evident as she listened to Zhou Tian and Xia Xin¡¯s conversation. Xia Xin had thrown countless inquiring nces at her, but it seemed like Zhao Nan hadn¡¯t noticed at all. This left Xia Xin feeling somewhat disheartened. Zhao Nan was her best friend from university, and she didn¡¯t want their rtionship to be affected by some jerk. Xia Xin decided to address the issue directly, ¡°Nan, you¡¯ve been responding to my messages lesstely. Is there some misunderstanding?¡± Zhao Nan hesitated, eventually let out a long sigh, and said, ¡°Xia Xin, you¡¯re a social media influencer now. We¡¯re different. Xia Xin was taken aback, and it felt odd hearing her call her by her full name after bing such close friends. Before she could inquire further, Zhao Nan¡¯s phone rang¡ªit was Zhang Liang saying he wasing to pick them up. Hearing Zhang Liang¡¯s name made Xia Xin feel nauseated. Outside the restaurant, Zhang Liang waited for Xia Xin and Zhao Nan with a carefree smile, acting as if nothing had happened before. Xia Xin gave Zhang Liang a cold stare, standing on the side of the road, waiting for a taxi. Surprisingly, Zhang Liang came over, hugging Zhao Nan, and provocatively said to Xia Xin, ¡°Xia Xin, we¡¯ll give you a ride home.¡± Xia Xin couldn¡¯t be bothered to look at him, kept her head down, and replied with undisguised annoyance, ¡°No thanks. My taxi is about to arrive.¡± However, it was the peak of rush hour, and taxis were nearly impossible to find. Feeling that Xia Xin wasn¡¯t treating her boyfriend well, Zhao Nan felt a bit upset. Unable to hold back anymore, she said, ¡°Xia Xin, I know you¡¯ve never approved of Zhang Liang and me dating. I¡¯ve been trying to amodate your feelings and rarely mention him in front of you. But even after all that, you¡¯re still unsatisfied. A few days ago, he helped me give you a gift, and you let your dog bite him. You¡¯ve gone too far! Now that you¡¯re an influencer, you want to stop being friends with me, right?¡± Xia Xin was surprised and unintentionally ignored thest sentence. Zhang Liang had actually twisted the truth, making her look bad instead. ¡®Turns out, on that day, Zhang Liang had suddenly appeared outside my apartment. He had somehow managed to get my address from Zhao Nan. Disgusting!¡¯ Xia Xin thought. Xia Xin began exining, ¡°Zhao Nan, you¡¯ve misunderstood¡­¡± but then stopped abruptly. If she revealed what happened that night, Zhao Nan would definitely be heartbroken. Zhang Liang wrapped his arm around Zhao Nan, looking at Xia Xin provocatively, ¡°Baby, don¡¯t get angry. People change over time. We don¡¯t need to be petty anymore.¡± Hearing those words, tears welled up in Zhao Nan¡¯s eyes. She was more upset that Xia Xin had be popr and was drifting away from her. Furious, Xia Xin clenched her fists, unable to find words to say. If Zhao Nan weren¡¯t there, she would¡¯ve wanted to give Zhang Liang a shoulder throw right then and there, while also contemting how to exin things to Zhao Nan. Suddenly, a discreet ck Jeep Wrangler stopped in front of them. Everyone looked at the car, and the rear window slowly rolled down. A chubby head eagerly emerged, two front paws resting on the window sill. Bobo excitedly barked, ¡°Xia Xin, pet me!¡± Xia Xin was taken aback for a moment, ¡®The driver should be Jing Mo.¡¯ Seeing Bobo happy, Xia Xin walked over and rubbed its head. Jing Mo¡¯szy voice came from inside the car, ¡°Need any help?¡± Xia Xin turned around, seeing Zhao Nan who didn¡¯t want to look at her, and Zhang Liang who looked smug. She nodded and got into the back seat. Before getting into the car, she said to Zhao Nan, ¡°Nan, I know you have misunderstandings. I¡¯lle find you in a few days and exin everything.¡± Zhang Liang¡¯s gaze turned sinister, and he clenched his teeth with jealousy. He deliberately added fuel to the fire, ¡°Look, even when she¡¯s out, she gets picked up in a luxury car. She probably looks down on you, her poor friend.¡± Xia Xin red at Zhang Liang fiercely, while Bobo barked at him from herp. Zhang Liang was frightened and instinctively touched the wound on his leg, the pain of being bitten resurfacing. Zhao Nan cried even harder in his embrace. The Jeep Wrangler weaved through traffic, heading in the direction of Xia Xin¡¯s home. As Xia Xin petted Bobo for a while, her mood gradually improved. Boboined, ¡°Xia Xin, did you bring that dog with a disability of yours out to y instead of me these days?¡± Chapter 43 - 43: Another Wave of Controversy Chapter 43: Another Wave of Controversy Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin pretended to be angry and warned Bobo, ¡°Layle is a good dog. If you keep treating him like an enemy, I¡¯ll get mad.¡± Because Jing MO was in the car, Xia Xin didn¡¯t use the Beast Language System. Bobo didn¡¯t fully understand, but from Xia Xin¡¯s expression, it could tell she was warning it, causing Bobo to whimper softly in protest. Jing MO was amused, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be so childlike. You can reason with a husky too.¡± Xia Xin yfully stuck out her tongue. Of course, it was because shemunicated with animals without barriers. She scratched Bobo¡¯s chin, continuing to y with him. For the rest of the journey, the three of themmunicated without words. Later that night, Xia Xin updated another statement, exining that she just wanted to be an animal caretaker and had no ns to sign up with apany. She hoped that influencer agents wouldn¡¯t upy public resources, leaving the space for genuine visitors to the zoo. Within ten minutes of Xia Xin¡¯s video release, thousands ofments were ignited. Almost half of thements criticized the difficulty of getting tickets to the zoo. People hadn¡¯t seen the three pandas for a long time, and Xia Xin¡¯s videos were their only way to alleviate their longing. The remainingments sparked arguments. Someonemented, [Another innocent-acting character who¡¯s iming not to want money, not to be a social media influencer. Isn¡¯t she just aiming to enter the entertainment industry in the future?] A rebuttal followed, [She simply loves animals. Don¡¯t judge her intentions with your own pettiness.] Amidst this debate, within an hour, Xia Xin was once again propelled to the second spot on the trending list. The first trend was an official notification about Jing Mo¡¯s nomination for the Golden Jade Award for Best Actor. Sun Hu was leading his army of online supporters in maniptingments. He clicked on the sudden rise of the second trend out of boredom and, after looking it over, smirked with the air of someone enjoying a spectacle. He handed the tablet to Jing MO, who was sitting beside him, deep in thought about what food to feed Bobo. While Jing MO browsed thements with a furrowed brow, Sun Hu leaned back on the sofa with his hands behind his head, saying, ¡°This woman isn¡¯t simple at all. I¡¯m familiar with this kind of strategy. It won¡¯t take two days for her to enter the entertainment circle, then take on a bunch of low-budget web dramas and variety shows. Her fame won¡¯tst long. I wonder whichpany is pulling the strings behind her?¡± Jing Mo¡¯s hand stopped in the middle of scrolling, but it was an unconscious action. He had already shifted his thoughts elsewhere. Sun Hu had long grown ustomed to Jing Mo¡¯s absentminded state and continued, ¡°I thought she was just an innocent girl. I was happy that you were finally dating after all these years of being your friend, but it turns out she¡¯s just another opportunist. This youngdy is quite calcting.¡± Jing Mo t s hand paused for a moment. He said calmly, ¡°She¡¯s not that kind of person.¡± He then used his slender fingers to rub his slightly throbbing temple, his gaze carrying a threat as he looked at Bobo. ¡°I¡¯ll ask you again, are you going to eat or not?¡± Bobo, who had been ignoring premium dog food for days, raised its proud head stubbornly. As if it was saying no. The news of Xia Xin trending again spread throughout the zoo. Many staff members whispered and pointed at her back as she passed by, making her feel ufortable. She couldn¡¯t care less about this trend. However, what surprised her, even more, was that the next trending topic arrived so quickly, and it shot straight to the top. The advertisement for Trimere had been released. The title closely followed the trending topic, ¡°Forest Princess Dances with a Snake.¡± With thebination of video views and paid advertising, the topic reached the top of the trends list within thirty minutes, effortlessly surging to the number one spot. This advertisement was a direct p to Xia Xin¡¯s face. Her once-supportive onlinemunity was left dumbfounded. They used her of hypocrisy and ridiculed her for enjoying video profits while rejecting the identity of a social media influencer, branding her as a scheming girl who wanted to enter the entertainment industry. Xia Xin had initially admired the advertisement for its grandeur. The Trimere¡¯s mascot was cute and endearing. It even defied the nature of snakes by being clingy and adorable. But as soon as Xia Xin looked at thement section, she was stunned. For Xia Xin, once the advertisement was shot and the money was in her pocket, it was unrted to her. She hadn¡¯t thought about these aspects while filming and only wanted to avoid using public resources. Unexpectedly, logical-mindedizens had used this as a weapon to attack her. In the past, Xia Xin would have felt upset and embroiled in a war of words when seeing such negativements and ounts already drowning in insults. But now, she remained calmer and focused on finding solutions. With no public rtions experience, Xia Xin was concerned that exining too much might create more confusion. So, she decided not to respond for the time being.. Chapter 44 - 44: Adding Insult to Injury Chapter 44: Adding Insult to Injury Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion However, just as Xia Xin shut down herputer, she heard the system¡¯s alert tone in her mind. Warning! The system detected abnormalities, affinity level continuously decreased. Xia Xin was startled. She immediately opened the system interface and discovered that her remaining affinity points, which were already quite low, were steadily decreasing and approaching zero. It turned out that affinity points could not only increase but also decrease. If online discussions continued like that, Xia Xin might even end up with negative affinity points. Xia Xin¡¯s mood was finally affected. She had no idea whatsoever how to solve it. She didn¡¯t follow celebrities or trending topics, and she knew nothing about public rtions. Animals have the keenest sense, and Layle might have sensed Xia Xin¡¯s distress. He came over, rubbing his furry head against her ankle, and Xia Xin held him in her arms. After half a month of careful care by Xia Xin, Layle¡¯s wounds had healed, and his fur was getting shinier. Except for his tongue, Layle was hardly distinguishable from a normal dog anymore. However, Xia Xin hadn¡¯t noticed that something new was quietly growing at the base of Layle¡¯s tongue. The impact of this incident was enormous and even reached the zoo. Initially, people said that Xia Xin had used connections to get into the zoo, but now the situation had escted, reaching the director¡¯s office. Lu Yuan was left with no choice but to temporarily suspend Xia Xin¡¯s activities throughout the zoo, confining her to the panda exhibit. Lu Yuan earnestly told Xia Xin, ¡°Xin, your image represents the entire Capital Zoo. Keeping you at the panda exhibit is the only solution.¡± Xia Xin expressed her understanding, but she still felt regretful. Upgrading the system to level two required 500 affinity points from 49 different animals. Now, with only one animal left, she had lost the opportunity to learn from various areas of the zoo. Two days passed like that, and the situation hadn¡¯t calmed down. Although Xia Xin had stepped away from the trending topics, discussions were still ongoing on various social media tforms. There was even a poll online specting about when Xia Xin would announce her entry into the entertainment industry. Xia Xin¡¯s poprity remained high, but her affinity points continued to steadily decrease, stabilizing at zero. Looking at the red text, she could only sigh helplessly. The most immediate effect of this incident was that Xia Xin was no longer as busy as before. She left work on time every day and had nowhere else to go, so she returned home early. Xia Xin had tried to invite Zhao Nan over to her ce for a gathering, but Zhao Nan declined each time. Consequently, Xia Xin¡¯s activities to pass the time became walking her dog. With the increasing poprity of a nearby baked bun stall, more and more tourists came to the neighborhood. As a result, Xia Xin¡¯s dog-walking territory was confined to the apartmentplex. Another person affected by this change was Jing MO, who also needed to walk his dog. In the garden of theplex. Xia Xin sat bored. watching Layle rolling around in the grass. Suddenly, she heard a familiar bark. Turning her head, she saw a beautifully fur-coatedrge dog leaping at her, knocking her onto the grass. Bobo excitedly licked Xia Xin¡¯s cheek, continually saying, ¡°Xia Xin, it¡¯s been so long since you walked me. Take me to eat baked buns!¡± Jing MO tried to pull Bobo back but with little effect. He could only struggle to hold the leash and pull Bobo away from Xia Xin, then helped her up and apologized. Xia Xin said, ¡°It¡¯s okay. Bobo probably hasn¡¯t seen me in a while, so he¡¯s excited.¡± Both of them sat on the grass, watching Bobo and Layle y, without muchmunication. After a while, Jing MO finally couldn¡¯t stand it anymore and asked, ¡°Are you bothered by thements fromizens?¡± Embarrassed, Xia Xin crookedly smiled. She had a habit of unconsciously sighing when she was annoyed. Thinking that she had no idea how to handle this, Xia Xin decided to ask Jing MO for advice. He was a big star, so he surely had experience in handling public rtions. So, after briefly exining the onlinements on her video, Xia Xin asked Jing MO how to deal with them. Jing MO asked her in return, ¡°Do you really not want to enter the entertainment industry?¡± Xia Xin candidly shook her head. Jing MO said calmly, ¡°Your poprity is high now, and discussions about you even exceed that of many celebrities. You¡¯ve already been exposed to the public eye, and it¡¯s hard to return to the quiet life of a zookeeper. I¡¯ve seen the ads you¡¯ve done. You¡¯re camera-friendly and have a screen presence. You have all-around advantages. I¡¯d say you¡¯re naturally suited for a career in showbiz. You might want to consider entering the entertainment industry..¡± Chapter 45 - 45: Snub-Nosed Monkey Chapter 45: Snub-Nosed Monkey Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin was somewhat convinced by Jing MO¡¯s words. Jing MO had just been nominated for the Best Actor award in the prestigious Golden Jade Awards. If even a star of his caliber said she was suited for the entertainment industry, she could really give it a try. Previously, Xia Xin had declined to sign with a talent agency to avoid overwhelming busyness. But now, she found herself at the center of public opinion, and evading it seemed futile. However, Xia Xin still felt that the entertainment industry was far from her grasp. Still, she thanked Jing MO and said she would carefully consider his suggestion. The day after their conversation, a new addition arrived at the zoo¡ªa snub-nosed monkey. Snub-nosed monkeys were a nationally protected species, and the Capital Zoo had never been granted permission to keep them. This particr monkey had been sent from another city¡¯s zoo because they were unable to care for it. That snub-nosed monkey had suffered from bullying within its troop, bearing numerous injuries. It was also significantly smaller in size and had been diagnosed with depression by the zoo¡¯s veterinarians. Thus, it had to be kept separately. Arriving at the Capital Zoo, it was very fearful of the unfamiliar environment, and any unfamiliar objects triggered its alertness. It was wary of any actions taken by the zookeepers, even refusing to eat or drink and locking itself in its cage. Lu Yuan was deeply concerned, and nearly every zookeeper in the zoo had tried to get the snub-nosed monkey to eat, but none could make it drop its guard and consume anything. As ast resort, Lu Yuan sent the zoo¡¯s image ambassador, Xia Xin, to handle the situation. With Xia Xin¡¯s passive skill in the Beast Language System, the snub-nosed monkey hesitantly ate the food she offered, though it remained guarded around her. Seeing a glimmer of hope, Lu Yuan handed over the responsibility of feeding the snub-nosed monkey to Xia Xin. However, after a few days of feeding, Xia Xin noticed that the snub-nosed monkey didn¡¯t be any morefortable around her. It remained as cautious as it was on the first day, only eating the food she provided and resisting her touch. Xia Xin attempted to apply medication to the snub-nosed monkey, but it always evaded her efforts, which left her feeling heartbroken. So, Xia Xin came up with the idea, ¡®Could introducing the snub-nosed monkey to other animals help with its depression?¡¯ The gentlest animals at the zoo were, of course, the giant pandas. However, Xia Xin quickly dismissed the idea; pandas were significantlyrger than the snub-nosed monkey, and having one near it would likely only increase its fear. Just as Xia Xin was pondering, she suddenly thought of Layle. Layle was very intelligent and emotionally sensitive. Having once suffered from self-esteem issues itself, Layle might be able to understand the snub-nosed monkey¡¯s feelings. That afternoon, Xia Xin brought Layle to the zoo to introduce the two animals. cing Layle outside the cage, Xia Xin hid in the distance to observe. Initially, the snub-nosed monkey merely watched Layle from a corner. Layle, on the other hand, yed with the little ball Xia Xin had brought for it. After about an hour, the snub-nosed monkey tentatively reached out its hand through the bars, touching Layle¡¯s rear. Seeing no reaction from Layle, it increased its force and touched Layle¡¯s hind leg. When Layle turned around, the snub-nosed monkey timidly looked at it. Encouraged by Layle, the snub-nosed monkey finally left its cage. Another hourter, the snub-nosed monkey was ying boldly with Layle and even used its arms to embrace Layle¡¯s neck. That night, the snub-nosed monkey¡¯s appetite was noticeably better. Over the next few days, Xia Xin brought Layle to the zoo to apany the snub-nosed monkey. The snub-nosed monkey¡¯s mood visibly improved, and it could now y with Layle in front of Xia Xin. After another couple of days, with the help of her passive Beast Language System, the snub-nosed monkey finally stopped resisting Xia Xin¡¯s touch. It even opened its arms in response to her attempts to hold it, gazing at her with a bewildered expression. Perhaps because the snub-nosed monkey hadn¡¯t fully epted Xia Xin yet, its affinity points increased very slowly. After all these days, her affinity points with it were only at 200. However, Xia Xin remained patient and took good care of the snub-nosed monkey. Another week passed, and the veterinarian examined the snub-nosed monkey once again. He was amazed to find that the snub-nosed monkey¡¯s mental health had significantly improved, to the point where it could leave its cage. Lu Yuan set up a special enclosure for the snub-nosed monkey, and the only caretaker for it was Xia Xin. Under Xia Xin¡¯s care, the snub-nosed monkey grew more cheerful. It even peeled bananas and handed them to Xia Xin to eat.. Chapter 46 - 46: Shooting a Variety Show Chapter 46: Shooting a Variety Show Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Due to the psychological issues of the snub-nosed monkey, Xia Xin had been hesitant to use the Beast Language System tomunicate with it, fearing it might scare the monkey. Now, she finally felt ready to give it a try. ¡°Little monkey, don¡¯t be afraid. In this enclosure, you¡¯re the only monkey, and nobody will bully you. If you want anything, just let me know,¡± said Xia Xin. The snub-nosed monkey was surprised, but it was clever and quickly epted that Xia Xin couldmunicate with it. As a result, it became closer to her, which made other keepers quite envious. After the snub-nosed monkey¡¯s condition improved significantly, it started getting used to visitors, so Lu Yuan decided to open up exhibition tickets for the snub-nosed monkey¡¯s enclosure. The Capital Zoo became even more crowded. Xia Xin named the snub-nosed monkey, Slowpoke because it took a long time for it to adapt to the environment after arriving at the zoo, slower than other animals. On this day, just after Xia Xin had finished feeding Slowpoke and was about to finish her work for the day, Lu Yuan suddenly called her into his office. Given that thest two times Xia Xin went to Lu Yuan¡¯s office, nothing good had happened, she felt a bit nervous on her way there. In the office, besides Lu Yuan, there were two middle-aged men that Xia Xin didn¡¯t recognize at all. Lu Yuan introduced them as the director, Sun Tao, and the assistant director of a variety show. The theme of the show was centered around animals, so they wanted to use the Capital Zoo as a frequent shooting location. Since the snub-nosed monkey had recently gained a lot of poprity, Sun Tao intended to feature it in the first episode of the show. Because Slowpoke wouldn¡¯t let anyone except Xia Xin approach it, Sun Tao hoped she could be the technical advisor and appear on screen in the first episode. After listening to the director¡¯s exnation, Xia Xin hesitated a bit. She looked at Lu Yuan and said, ¡°Mr. Lu, it¡¯s a good thing to use a variety show to encourage people to get closer to animals. However, our zoo is always packed with visitors, and I¡¯m afraid we don¡¯t have time avable for the crew to shoot.¡± Sun Tao reassured her, ¡°Miss Xia, you don¡¯t need to worry about this. We¡¯ve already considered it. Each filming session will only take up one day and one enclosure. It won¡¯t affect the regr visitors. Furthermore, we¡¯ll only allow 80 audience members for each episode, which is even fewer than the usual visitors. It won¡¯t disturb the animals.¡± Since Xia Xin always prioritized the well-being of the animals, with this concern resolved, she was more than willing to cooperate. Next, they discussed the filming schedule in detail and the main content of the first episode. The assistant director gave Xia Xin a rough script for her to familiarize herself with the flow in advance. As Xia Xin looked at the script, she noticed that the guests for the first episode were the popr male celebrity Xu Zhi and the female idol group member Wan Wan. Xia Xin¡¯s eyes lit up at the mention of Xu Zhi¡¯s name. He was a university mate, two years younger than her. He had been scouted by talent agents and had been in the entertainment industry for two years. Ever since Xu Zhi debuted, Zhao Nan had been a fan of his. Xia Xin hadn¡¯t expected him to be a guest on this show. She had to secure a ticket for Zhao Nan. Xia Xin asked the director, ¡°Mr. Sun, can I have one ticket to the live recording of the first episode? I¡¯m willing to give up my fee for this episode in exchange for the ticket.¡± Supporting celebrities was a normal thing, and this kind of effect was precisely what Sun Tao wanted. So, he readily agreed. On their way back, the assistant director said to Sun Tao, ¡°Mr. Sun, that girl from today is Xia Xin, a popr zookeeper recently. She really is beautiful and seems suitable for entering the entertainment industry.¡± Sun Tao had been busy writing the script for the variety show and hadn¡¯t paid much attention to current trends. Hearing the assistant director¡¯s words, he immediately started thinking, ¡°Since she¡¯s gaining poprity, we can use her for publicity. It will definitely help increase the discussion around our first episode!¡± Just as they were discussing that, Sun Tao¡¯s phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, he signaled to the assistant director to stay quiet. After answering the call, Sun Tao adopted a somewhat ttering tone, ¡°Mr. Sun, the great busy manager, it¡¯s nice to finally get a call from you.¡± On the other end of the line, Sun Hu¡¯s voice was courteous, ¡°Mr. Sun, I apologize. It¡¯s just that Jing MO¡¯s schedule has been packedtely. That¡¯s why I haven¡¯t been able to get back to you. I can confirm a time for the recording day and give you an hour for shooting. However, I want to make it clear that we¡¯ll only appear as special guests for one segment and then leave.¡± Sun Tao didn¡¯t mind how long Jing MO would appear on the screen. As long as he showed up in the first episode, the variety show¡¯s impact would be maximized. The show had just started, and the investors would assess its performance during the first season before deciding whether to continue their investment. Regardless, Sun Tao was determined to make the first episode as engaging as possible.. Chapter 47 - 47: System Upgrade Chapter 47: System Upgrade Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion On the other hand, Xia Xin happily saved the e-ticket in her phone and headed home, thinking that with this opportunity, she could soon reconcile with Zhao Nan. Unable to wait until she got home, Xia Xin immediately called Zhao Nan and informed her of the situation. Zhao Nan¡¯s attitude was awkward. At the beginning of the call, her tone was very cold and dismissive, but when she heard that she could see Xu Zhi in person, she couldn¡¯t keep up the act anymore and eximed excitedly. Xia Xin emphasized that she only had one ticket, and she didn¡¯t want her hard-earnedbor toe cheap for Zhao Nan. But at this point, Zhao Nan didn¡¯t even care about getting things cheap. She readily agreed. Xia Xin chuckled. She knew Zhao Nan well. She knew that Zhao Nan couldn¡¯t resist the temptation of Xu Zhi. When she met Zhao Nan that day, she would exin everything clearly to her. After returning home, Xia Xin calcted that the affinity she had gained from the snub-nosed monkey over the past two days should be around 500 points. So, she opened the system interface in her mind, and the system notification sounded. Upgrade conditions have been met. Do you want to upgrade? ¡°Of course, I want to upgrade!¡± Xia Xin said excitedly. Then, a circle of white light illuminated Xia Xin¡¯s surroundings, enveloping her in the middle. The intense light momentarily blinded her. When Xia Xin could finally see the system interface again, her level had changed to a Level 2 Beast Tamer. She also noticed a new attribute, Reflex. However, the starting value was only five points. ¡®What is this? I wonder if Reflex was like stamina, making me more agile in my actions? But why was it listed separately?¡¯ Xia Xin pondered. She tried to increase the attribute but failed. Warning! Adding one point of Reflex requires 2000 affinity points with animals. ¡°That¡¯s a lot!¡± Xia Xin eximed. For other attributes, adding one point required only 1000 affinity points after reaching 80 points. Yet, this attribute required 2000 for just one point. Xia Xin felt that it was absurd. Since Xia Xin had just upgraded her Beast Language System, the affinity points with animals had already reset to zero. So, she didn¡¯t dwell on increasing the attribute. Instead, she checked for any other changes after the upgrade. Xia Xin noticed her passive skill had been upgraded. Previously, it only made animals have affection towards her, but now, there was an additional ability. She couldmand young animals to perform actions. It was easy to understand since insects were considered young animals. With that passive skill, Xia Xin could even make ants dance on chopsticks, which seemed pretty interesting. Xia Xin was also still concerned about curing Layle¡¯s tongue. The system had stated that it could be done after reaching level 3, so she was eager to see what the conditions were for the next level upgrade. However, the interface was nk. Xia Xin was taken aback and asked, ¡°System? Why is it nk? Does that mean I can¡¯t upgrade anymore?¡± Just as Xia Xin said that, the word, unknown, appeared on the system interface. The task for the upgrade of the Beast Language System is determined based on the owner¡¯s capabilities. The system is currently evaluating these capabilities, so the information cannot be essed temporarily. Suddenly, Xia Xin had a thought. If the system was so personalized, then the 49 animals required for her to reach level 2 might have been chosen due to her job at the zoo. If she changed her job, the tasks would probably bepletely different. Without dwelling on it too much, Xia Xin ruffled Layle¡¯s head and went to sleep. The first filming session was scheduled for three dayster. The crew had already started promoting it, and the tickets released were snatched up within half a minute. The zoo also sent out a notice: on the day of the variety show filming, the snub-nosed monkey¡¯s enclosure would be closed. On that day, Xia Xin was worried that arge crowd might scare Slowpoke, so she arrived at the enclosure very early to prepare. Recently, Xia Xin noticed that after the upgrade of the Beast Language System, animals not only developed affection towards her but also became clingy. The benefit made it much easier for her to umte affinity points with animals, and she had already umted 3000 points. Driven by curiosity, Xia Xin had increased her Reflex slightly the previous night, causing her affinity points with animals to drop to 1000 points. She felt a bit sorry for it. However, up until now, Xia Xin still didn¡¯t know the exact purpose of the Reflex attribute. The assistant director was worried that Xia Xin might make mistakes during her first time filming a variety show. So, before shooting began, he came to confirm the details with her once again. ¡°Miss Xia, during the filming of the variety show this time, the snub-nosed monkey won¡¯t need to appear in many scenes. You just need to follow our instructions. When you receive our signal, bring Slowpoke onto the stage. The entire interaction segment will take about an hour..¡± Chapter 48 - 48: Familiar Acquaintance Chapter 48: Familiar Acquaintance Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion After the assistant director left, Xia Xin nced toward the audience seats, checking for Zhao Nan¡¯s presence before heading backstage with a sense of relief. Due to therge crowd today, Xia Xin was concerned about Slowpoke¡¯s mood, so she brought Layle along to apany it. When Xia Xin found a moment to rest backstage, she realized that the backstage area was quite small. Xu Zhi and Wan Wan were getting their makeup done, with their manager exining the script beside them. The backstage space felt quite crowded. Xia Xin was wearing the zoo¡¯s staff uniform. On stage, she would wear a cap and mask, so there was no need for makeup. It was August, and the weather was too hot. Only backstage had air conditioning, so Xia Xin took the opportunity to cool down for a while. When she grew a bit bored, Xia Xin closed her eyes to rx. Suddenly, she sensed a shadow before her. Curious, Xia Xin wondered if her seating position was bothering someone in the dressing room, as she didn¡¯t expect anyone here to recognize her. Quickly, she opened her eyes and shifted slightly to the side. The person approached her again, and Xia Xin finally recognized him as Xu Zhi. Curious, Xia Xin asked, ¡°Is there something you need?¡± Xu Zhi smiled at her, revealing a row of bright white teeth. His main selling point was his youthful appearance, and his smile truly matched the image of a young person that people had in mind. Calling out to Xia Xin, Xu Zhi said, ¡°Hello, Xia Xin.¡± Indeed, Xia Xin was Xu Zhi¡¯s senior, but considering that he had barely been on campus due to being scouted by talent agents early on, she wondered how he could recognize her. Seeing the puzzled look on Xia Xin¡¯s face, Xu Zhi looked a bit disappointed. He said, ¡°It seems you¡¯ve forgotten about me.¡± Xia Xin still looked puzzled. Xu Zhi exined, ¡°At the beginning of the semester, you and Zhao Nan helped me move my luggage. Don¡¯t you remember?¡± Xia Xin pondered carefully and indeed, there seemed to be such a thing. Back then, she and Zhao Nan had helped a male student move his belongings at the freshmen registration area. However, they had only helped him because he was very good-looking. But Xia Xin didn¡¯t expect his luggage to be so heavy and numerous. The boys¡¯ dormitory was on the sixth floor with no elevator. They had run up and down three times before finishing. Her back and waist ached for a whole week afterward. At that time, Xia Xin and Zhao Nan vowed never to judge people by their looks again. However, that determination was about as believable as saying, ¡°I won¡¯t have midnight snacks anymore!¡± It was such a coincidence that the idol Zhao Nan liked turned out to be the younger student they had helped. But when Xia Xin thought about how Xu Zhi had caused their backs to hurt for a whole week, she found it hard to put on a good face. Fortunately, the assistant director urged them to start filming, so Xia Xin didn¡¯t need to engage in small talk with Xu Zhi. Before leaving, Xu Zhi even made a point to say, ¡°Xia Xin, after recording the show tonight, please join me for dinner. You must wait for me!¡± Xia Xin thought that she could enjoy a free meal and have Zhao Nan and her idol sit at the same table. That was indeed quite nice. Since everyone was now out recording the show, the backstage was empty except for Xia Xin. So, she brought Layle and Slowpoke backstage to enjoy the air conditioning. Amid this sweltering summer, only air conditioning could bring true happiness. Feelingfortable, Xia Xiny back on the sofa and drifted off to sleep again. Half-asleep and half-awake, she once again saw a shadow. Xia Xin thought to herself, ¡®Why does Xu Zhi always seem to appear when I¡¯m closing my eyes and resting?¡¯ Unwillingly, Xia Xin opened her eyes and was met with the handsome and aloof face of Jing Mo Xia Xin immediately woke up. She thought, ¡®Why hadn¡¯t the director informed her that Jing Mo would also be participating in this episode? ¡°You¡¯re also here to record the show?¡± Xia Xin felt that her question was quite silly. If Jing Mo wasn¡¯t here to record, he wouldn¡¯t be backstage. What was even stranger was that Xia Xin felt a bit nervous. Xia Xin thought that it might be due to just waking up. She adjusted her mood, sat up, and made space for Jing Mo to sit. As Jing Mo watched Layle and Slowpoke ying, he suddenly asked, ¡°What should I do if my dog is a picky eater?¡± ¡°Ah?¡± Xia Xin realized he was talking about Bobo. But when Xia Xin walked Bobo, it ate everything, even baked buns. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Bobo was simply not interested in the food Jing Mo offered. However, Xia Xin only considered it without daring to say it out loud. She said, ¡°It might be throwing a tantrum. Huskies can be stubborn. You¡¯ll have to coax it.¡± Jing Mo fell silent and thought, ¡®Maybe I should just let that rebellious boy go hungry for a couple of days.¡¯ Chapter 49 - 49: An Accident Chapter 49: An ident Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion The interactive segment with Slowpoke¡¯s appearance was quite simple. It only required following Xia Xin¡¯s directions to shake hands and pat heads with the two guests. The segment concluded with a video of Slowpoke climbing and ying on the rockery. However, due to it being the first episode and the enthusiastic response from the audience, the director added an impromptu segment. A lucky audience member would be selected to join the guests in a game. Jing MO would also participate in this segment. The game was straightforward: the four participants would be divided into two teams, and they needed to search for bananas hidden within obstacles around the rockery. The team that found a banana and fed it to Slowpoke would win the game. Jing MO had already prepared his appearance when he arrived, so he didn¡¯t need any makeup. When the assistant director called them, they could go on stage directly. Xia Xin wore her mask and cap. The assistant director nced at her outfit and stopped her from putting on the mask. He said, ¡°Wearing a mask and cap on screen doesn¡¯t look very appealing. Just don¡¯t wear the mask, and we¡¯ll give you fewer close-up shotster.¡± Obeying, Xia Xin removed her mask and interacted with Slowpoke and the guests before proceeding to the designated area on the rockery to y. The next segment involved selecting an audience member. Today, Xu Zhi was tasked with selecting the lucky audience member. He scanned the audience area and naturally spotted Zhao Nan, who had helped him move his luggage. So, he chose Zhao Nan toe on stage. Zhao Nan was still unaware of the reason and was pleasantly surprised, thinking that today was her lucky day. For the game, Xu Zhi and Zhao Nan were on one team, while Wan Wan and Jing MO were on the other. The production team had hidden five boxes around the rockery, with only one containing a banana. The oue of the game would determine which box each team chose based on their performance. The teams would then take the keys to open the boxes and check for bananas. This part was scripted, and the box containing the banana would naturally be thest one discovered, while the oue of the game was randomized. The first game involved a male guest carrying a female guest while navigating a pressure-sensitive path. The first to reach the finish line would win. Xu Zhi lowered his body so that Zhao Nan could climb onto his back. Zhao Nan hesitated, looking at Xu Zhi¡¯s broad back. Recently, due to her bad mood, Zhao Nan turned her frustrations into an appetite and gained 2.5 kilograms. She was worried that if she were toy on her idol¡¯s back, he would surely find her heavy. Seeing Zhao Nan¡¯s hesitation, Xu Zhi turned around and smiled innocently at her. He said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I exercise regrly and have a lot of strength. Besides, you¡¯re not overweight at all. Come on up!¡± Zhao Nan heard only the reassurance that she wasn¡¯t overweight andpletely ignored her thoughts. She climbed onto Xu Zhi¡¯s back happily and even developed a crush on him. She loved the appearance of this young man. Xu Zhi carried Zhao Nan on his back across the pressure-sensitive path, moving lightly as if it were nothing, and easily won the game. The production team handed them five keys to choose from. They selected the box near Xia Xin and Slowpoke. Following the assistant director¡¯s instructions, the two of them entered the rockery, took out the key, and prepared to open the box. Since Xia Xin was very close to them, she was afraid of being caught by the camera and criticized byizens, so she kept her back turned on them. As Xu Zhi and Zhao Nan began to open the box, Xia Xin suddenly had a bad feeling. It was as if she heard a strange sound, like something breaking. Acting on her intuition, she looked up and saw arge stone on top of the rockery losing its support and swaying dangerously. ¡°Watch out!¡± Xia Xin eximed, not hesitating for a moment. She rushed over to pull Xu Zhi and Zhao Nan away. Just after Xia Xin had moved them, the stone fell, smashing into several pieces where they had just been standing. Flying fragments narrowly missed Slowpoke. If Xia Xin hadn¡¯t moved, the fragments might have hit her directly in the back. When Xia Xin pulled Xu Zhi and Zhao Nan away, she slipped on the debris on the ground and her arms were scraped. After getting hurt, Xia Xin¡¯s initial reaction wasn¡¯t to check her own injuries but to stand up and look at Slowpoke, whom she had ignored a moment ago. Xia Xin searched around for its figure and finally saw the trembling Slowpoke hiding in a crack between rocks. She quickly embraced Slowpoke,forting it in her arms, and said, ¡°It¡¯s okay, don¡¯t be afraid.¡± Slowpoke clung to Xia Xin¡¯s arm tightly and didn¡¯t let go. It was clear that thetter part of the show couldn¡¯t be recorded. At this point, other zoo staff rushed over to deal with the ident.. Chapter 50 - 50: Bandaging the Wound Chapter 50: Bandaging the Wound Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion The director paused the shooting, and everyone gathered around, including Jing MO, who also walked over immediately. He gently lifted Xia Xin¡¯s arm with his fingers and said, ¡°You¡¯re injured.¡± Xia Xin was momentarily stunned, only then did she notice that blood droplets had started to emerge from the wound on her arm. There were fragments of gravel, dust, and blood on her entire arm, making it look quite severe. Having been focused on taking care of Slowpoke, Xia Xin hadn¡¯t felt the pain. But now, seeing the extensive wound, she suddenly felt the pain. She frowned and smiled at everyone. She said, ¡°It¡¯s okay. You guys continue with the show. I¡¯ll go tend to my wound.¡± With that, Xia Xin carried Slowpoke and left. Jing MO checked the time. An hour had passed, and he had to make it to the next set. He bid farewell to the director and the crew. Before leaving, Jing MO nced in the direction Xia Xin had gone. She was probably going backstage to find some iodine to treat her wound. However, the backstage area only had makeup and filming equipment; there was nothing else. So, he asked Sun Hu to invite Xia Xin over. ¡°Miss Xia, we meet again.¡± Sun Hu caught up with Xia Xin at the entrance of the backstage makeup room and greeted her. Xia Xin looked at Sun Hu, carefully recalling before recognizing him as Jing Mo¡¯s manager. She replied, ¡°Hello.¡± Sun Hu said, ¡°They don¡¯t have gauze or adhesive bandages backstage, but we have some in our car. If you don¡¯t mind, you cane with me to the car to treat your wound. Jing MO is in the car.¡± Blood was flowing more as time passed, and with no supplies to treat it, Xia Xin could only use tissues to lightly wipe the wound. It was bing more painful. So, she nodded in agreement. Xia Xin brought Slowpoke backstage and ced it in its cage, having Layle apany it. Then she followed Sun Hu to the parking lot. Jing MO had prepared a first aid kit. He began by using mineral water to clean the dust from the wound. When the cold water touched the wound on her arm, Xia Xin shivered in pain, but she quickly adapted to the sensation. It even seemed less painful. Next, Jing MO used a cotton swab to apply iodine for disinfection. Seeing Xia Xin¡¯s slightly grimacing expression as she endured the pain, he smiled and tried to divert her attention. He praised, ¡°You were very brave today.¡± Suddenly praised by Jing MO, Xia Xin was taken aback and somewhat ttered. She said, ¡°Well, I just felt the rock was going to fall, so I rushed over without thinking much. It didn¡¯t really hurt that much.¡± Xia Xin was afraid everyone would worry, so she emphasized that she was fine. Jing MO took out gauze and cut it to the appropriate size for the wound on Xia Xin¡¯s arm. He asked, ¡°How did you know the rock was going to fall?¡± At the time of the ident, the three of them in the rockery weren¡¯t aware of the situation. However, those outside the rockery had a clear view. Xu Zhi and Zhao Nan were focused on opening the boxes, while Xia Xin was attentively apanying Slowpoke with her back to the two. There was no way anyone would have noticed the change above their heads. Moreover, the stone didn¡¯t fall at that moment and made no sound. Yet, Xia Xin seemed to anticipate something, suddenly looking up at the stone and then rushing over. Xia Xin paused for a moment, not knowing why she had acted that way. It seemed she had heard a noise and subconsciously looked up. It could be her sixth sense. Teasing Jing MO, she said, ¡°Maybe I have spider-sense like Spiderman.¡± Jing MO chuckled and didn¡¯t say anything. After a moment of silence, he suddenly asked, ¡°Have you ever bought my album?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Xia Xin¡¯s smile froze on her face. She pondered, ¡®Why was he suddenly asking such a nonsensical question?¡¯ Xia Xin had never been a fan of stars and didn¡¯t recognize many celebrities, so she didn¡¯t buy any albums. But she couldn¡¯t just tell him that she didn¡¯t listen to his songs. Xia Xin could only give a casual response, ¡°I¡¯m not really into music.¡± Disappointment flickered in Jing Mo¡¯s eyes for a moment. He silently secured the gauze with adhesive tape,pleting the bandaging. Jing MO was extremely skilled at this process, and the bandaging was done neatly. Xia Xin joked, ¡°Mr. Jing, if you weren¡¯t a star, you could have been a doctor.¡± Jing MO put away the first aid kit and calmly replied, ¡°Getting injured during filming ismon and practice makes perfect. I need to continue shooting, so I won¡¯t be able to take you back.¡± After thanking Jing MO, Xia Xin got out of the car and watched them leave. Somehow, she had a feeling that Jing MO was upset. 9 O COMMENT VOTE SEND GIFT 0ment 2 left Xia Xin thought it must be her imagination. With Jing Mo¡¯s personality, Xia Xin believed that he couldn¡¯t possibly be upset just because she hadn¡¯t bought his album.. Chapter 51 - 51: Reflex Chapter 51: Reflex Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Sun Hu felt that Jing MO was acting unusually today, he hadn¡¯t said a word throughout the journey. Although Jing MO usually remained silent in the car, there was an especially heavy atmosphere today. With a tone of certainty, Sun Hu said, ¡°You¡¯re treating Xia Xin differently. Could it be that you¡¯ve fallen for her?¡± ¡°No.¡± Jing MO immediately denied it. Sun Hu¡¯s gaze became teasing and said, ¡°Looks like you have. Come clean. What happened between you two while I was away?¡± Jing MO had initially been resting his eyes, but he suddenly opened them, his narrow eyes fixed on Sun Hu. Sun Hu felt a chill down his spine, a wave of murderous intent washing over him. He shut up immediately. However, after only half a minute of silence, curiosity got the better of him. He continued, ¡°Jing MO, we¡¯ve known each other for almost ten years. There¡¯s nothing about your life or the people you know that I don¡¯t know. Did you and Xia Xin know each other ten years ago?¡± Jing MO didn¡¯t answer, instead, his gaze drifted out of the window, rejecting conversation. Meanwhile, Xia Xin was still contemting why she had suddenly sensed the falling rock. If Jing MO hadn¡¯t brought it up, she would have overlooked this detail. Xia Xin spected, ¡®Could the newly added attribute, Reflex, from the system upgrade refer to the ability to perceive danger? If that were the case, this Reflex attribute was truly a significant enhancement! In the future, I would be increasingly sensitive to danger. Not only could I avoid trouble for myself, but I could also timely help others before idents happened. It was indeed a multi-faceted advantage!¡¯ Xia Xin¡¯s phone suddenly began to receive a series of messages, so she quickly checked it. Zhao Nan had sent her over a dozen WeChat messages, asking about her current whereabouts, and how her wound was being treated, and her tone in typing was filled with urgency. Before Xia Xin could reply to the messages, Zhao Nan¡¯s call came in. Anxiously, she asked, ¡°Xin, how¡¯s your arm? Is it serious? Where are you now? Why haven¡¯t I seen you backstage? Send me your location, and I¡¯lle find you.¡± Xia Xin smiled and said, ¡°You¡¯re bombarding me with so many questions at once. Which one should I answer first?¡± Zhao Nan wasn¡¯t in the mood for jokes and said, ¡°The filming has ended. Where are you now? I¡¯ming to find you.¡± Xia Xin replied, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s just a scratch and nothing serious. The wound has been treated. You can go to the rest area in the panda enclosure and wait for me. There was an issue with the rockery, and I need to discuss it with the director.¡± Zhao Nan was very worried about Xia Xin but didn¡¯t want to disrupt her work, so she could only follow Xia Xin¡¯s arrangement. Xia Xin also reminded Zhao Nan to bring Layle and Slowpoke from backstage to the rest area in the panda enclosure. When Zhao Nan was packing up to leave, Xu Zhi suddenly called out to her, ¡°Miss Zhao Nan, wait a moment.¡± If it weren¡¯t for her concern about Xia Xin¡¯s arm, Zhao Nan, who was normally indifferent to star power, would have been ecstatic to be addressed by her idol¡¯s name. At this moment, Zhao Nan would have been ready to jump up with excitement and record this moment for posterity, sharing it on various social media tforms. However, Zhao Nan quickly came to her senses and asked, ¡°Wait a minute, what did you just call me?¡± Xu Zhi blinked his bright, clear eyes at Zhao Nan. He said, ¡°Yeah, is there a problem? Don¡¯t tell me you have forgotten about me too?¡± Zhao Nan looked at Xu Zhi¡¯s handsome face so close to hers, and couldn¡¯t help but gulp, cursing her bad luck secretly. While doing so, she extended her arm, creating some distance between them, and said, ¡°Let¡¯s just talk. Don¡¯t get so close.¡± Xu Zhi looked somewhat dejected. He obediently stepped back and then exined the incident of moving luggage to Zhao Nan. Zhao Nan still vividly remembered that luggage-moving incident. She eximed in surprise, ¡°It was you!¡± The next scene was about to be shot. The assistant director came to urge Xu Zhi onto the stage. As Xu Zhi was leaving, he instructed Zhao Nan, ¡°After today¡¯s recording is done, I¡¯ll treat you and Xia Xin to dinner. Wait for me at the back door of the zoo. Make sure to wait for me!¡± Xu Zhi emphasized that with concern. Zhao Nan nodded nkly. Having dinner with her idol and Xia Xin was something that would make any fan in the entire fandom envious. It felt like a dreame true. Zhao Nan couldn¡¯t help but feel very lucky today. After treating her wound, Xia Xin went straight to the office of the zoo director to exin the situation. Lu Yuan saw Xia Xin and was very concerned about her wound. After confirming that it had been properly bandaged, he discussed the main topic.. Chapter 52 - 52: Clearing Misunderstandings Chapter 52: Clearing Misunderstandings Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Lu Yuan told Xia Xin solemnly, ¡°Xin, this time the falling rock might not have been idental.¡± Surprised, Xia Xin asked, ¡°Did you notice something strange about it?¡± Lu Yuan showed Xia Xin the on-site photos of the incident. He said, ¡°Look at the edges of these rocks. There are clear marks of ax cuts. If it were a natural fracture, the cut wouldn¡¯t be so clean.¡± Xia Xin carefully observed the edges of the rocks and indeed saw the white marks left by the friction between the ax and the stone. She thought, ¡®Who would intentionally damage the rockery? Could it be to halt the production of the show?¡¯ Xia Xin knew that the entertainment industry had many unknown insider dealings. There were often behind-the-scenes actions taken to hinder someone¡¯s progress. However, only the employees of the zoo who had ess to the animal enclosures and knew the exact shooting schedule could be involved in this. Xia Xin looked at Lu Yuan, and it was clear that he had the same thoughts. Lu Yuan asked, ¡°Do you have any suspects in mind?¡± Shaking her head, Xia Xin replied, ¡°I¡¯ve been responsible for the snub-nosed monkey enclosure all along. If there¡¯s a suspicious person, the first person to be suspected would definitely be me.¡± Lu Yuan responded, ¡°You treat Slowpoke with such care. You wouldn¡¯t do anything that might harm him. So, I believe it couldn¡¯t be you.¡± ¡°Thank you for trusting me, Mr. Lu. The priority now is to find out who this vandal is and hand them over to the police for investigation!¡± Xia Xin said. Lu Yuan put away the photos on the table and instructed Xia Xin, ¡°You can go rest now. I¡¯ll give you a day off tomorrow. I¡¯ll personally check the zoo¡¯s surveince footage and make sure to find the person responsible.¡± After dealing with matters on this end, Xia Xin went to the rest area in the panda enclosure to find Zhao Nan. Just as she entered, she saw two figures rushing toward her. One was Zhao Nan, anxiously checking Xia Xin¡¯s wound, and the other was Layle, excitedly seeing his owner. Layle had been circling around Xia Xin¡¯s feet and yfully tapping her calves with his tail, indicating that he wanted to be picked up. However, Xia Xin was currently being pulled by Zhao Nan to check the wound, so she couldn¡¯t divert her attention. Seeing that the wound was properly bandaged, Zhao Nan finally felt relieved and said, ¡°You scared me! Next time you encounter danger, just tell us to leave quickly. Don¡¯t rush towards it. Or better yet, let¡¯s avoid having a ¡®next time¡¯!¡± Xia Xinforted Zhao Nan with a smile and said, ¡°I was too anxious at that moment and didn¡¯t think things through. Plus, it¡¯s just a minor scratch. Don¡¯t worry.¡± Xia Xin intentionally used this opportunity to resolve the misunderstanding between them. So, she yfully teased Zhao Nan, ¡°You were mad at me, right? Now that you¡¯re showing concern, why aren¡¯t you continuing to be angry?¡± Only then did Zhao Nan recall that she was still angry at Xia Xin. She pouted, turned her back, and ignored her. Xia Xin coaxed her, saying, ¡°Alright, don¡¯t be mad anymore. I was just kidding. If you¡¯re mad at me, you should at least tell me the reason, right? That¡¯s the only way we can resolve things.¡± Zhao Nan sighed, ¡°I just feel that you¡¯ve be so popr now, with so many fans. Everyone likes you a lot. Our worlds are different now, and with your poprity, you¡¯ll naturally make new friends and won¡¯t care about me anymore.¡± Pretending to be upset, Xia Xin said, ¡°Who told you all this nonsense? Regardless of how many people I know, you will always be my most important friend. That¡¯s something that won¡¯t change! How can you doubt our friendship over these trivial matters?¡± Zhao Nan felt wronged and said, ¡°It¡¯s because of what Zhang Liang told me. He specifically delivered something to you on my behalf and saw you with a man. That man even let a dog bite him. That¡¯s why I got angry.¡± Xia Xin knew that it must be Zhang Liang trying to create misunderstandings. She was very angry and asked Zhao Nan, ¡°What exactly did Zhang Liang say to you? Tell me everything!¡± Zhao Nan hesitated, but eventually spilled everything, ¡°Zhang Liang said that you¡¯re a big inte celebrity now, and wherever you go, people will be watching you. He said you wouldn¡¯t care about us friends anymore, so I should keep my distance from you to save myself from embarrassment.¡± ¡°He¡¯s just talking nonsense!¡± Xia Xin eximed as she clenched her fists in anger, her eyes filled with the desire to immediately give Zhang Liang a good beating.. Chapter 53 - 53: A Dinner Chapter 53: A Dinner Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin eximed in annoyance, ¡°Last time Zhang Liang came to see me, he didn¡¯t bring anything at all. And him getting bitten by the dog was his own fault. He¡¯s just trying to shift the me and sow discord between us. Someone like him isn¡¯t worth your affection. Yet you¡¯re still stubbornly going after him.¡± Hearing her best friend speak ill of her boyfriend Zhang Liang, Zhao Nan felt somewhat ufortable. She didn¡¯t quite understand why these two always seemed to be at odds, making her feel stuck in the middle. Zhao Nan changed the subject, ¡°Xia Xin, now that the misunderstanding is cleared, let¡¯s not dwell on it. Tonight, Xu Zhi invited us to dinner. Let¡¯s think about where to eat.¡± Xia Xin could tell that Zhao Nan didn¡¯t want to discuss Zhang Liang further, so she didn¡¯t press the matter and went along with the change of topic. She said, ¡°The guest should follow the host¡¯s lead. We¡¯ll go where Xu Zhi arranges.¡± That evening, Xu Zhi had his agency send a car to pick Xia Xin and Zhao Nan up and take them to a high-end restaurant. The restaurant had excellent security measures. To reach the interior of the restaurant, they had to walk through andscaped area. Rows of bamboo were nted around the private room, serving as sound barriers to ensure a tranquil environment without any disturbances. However, this serene ambiance was a bit at odds with Xu Zhi¡¯s lively personality. Even when Xu Zhi himself entered the private room, he seemed somewhat uneasy. Zhao Nan teasingly remarked, ¡°The whole inte knows you don¡¯t like overly quiet ces. Why did you choose this restaurant?¡± Xu Zhi helplessly replied, ¡°My agent made the reservation. He said eating here would minimize the chances of paparazzi catching us. It¡¯s safer this way.¡± Zhao Nan was a fan of Xu Zhi and understood the importance of maintaining an artist¡¯s image. She fully grasped the reasoning behind the agent¡¯s choice and said, ¡°You¡¯re a popr rising star now. If paparazzi caught you privately meeting fans, who knows what kind of scandal they¡¯d spin?¡± Xu Zhi chuckled dismissively and said, ¡°Both of you, hurry up and order. Today¡¯s dinner is my way of thanking you for helping me move my stuff back then!¡± Xia Xin jokingly responded, ¡°Your thank-you dinner is a bit dyed, isn¡¯t it?¡± Ever since Zhao Nan found out that the idol she had admired for two years was actually the freshman she had once helped, there was ayer less of an idol-filter in her interactions with Xu Zhi. So, she didn¡¯t get as starstruck as most fans would when they meet their idols. While eating, Zhao Nan curiously asked Xu Zhi, ¡°We barely exchanged a few words that day, yet after two years, you still remembered us. Howe?¡± Xu Zhi shed his trademark smile, his rows of dazzling white teeth making one¡¯s eyes dazzle, and said, ¡°Because other people, after seeing me with such heavy luggage, only pointed me towards the dormitory and left. It was only you two who were so enthusiastic and helped me with my bags.¡± Thinking of those several huge bags of luggage that they struggled with for a week, Zhao Nan and Xia Xin rolled their eyes inwardly. They had truly been fooled by Xu Zhi¡¯s innocent appearance back then. Unconsciously rubbing her waist, Xia Xin asked, ¡°So, what did you bring to the dorm right after the semester started? We had to move three times to finish carrying everything.¡± With an innocent look in his eyes, Xu Zhi earnestly counted on his fingers and said, ¡°Oh, many things. Clothes for all four seasons, nkets¡ªbecause the dorm bed was so small and hard, I found it ufortable, so I brought extra nkets to put under me. Then there were my model figures. If I left them at home, my parents would have thrown them away for sure. So, I had to carry them around. Also, a whole box of books I usually read¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough, you don¡¯t need to continue,¡± said Zhao Nan. She and Xia Xin listened with their heads spinning. Apparently, they had been the real suckers in this situation. With a yful smile, Xu Zhi looked at Zhao Nan and said, ¡°Zhao Nan, you probably don¡¯t know, butter I heard you were the president of the badminton club. I even applied to join the club, but I haven¡¯t had a chance to interview yet.¡± Excitedly, Zhao Nan eximed, ¡°If I had known, I would have scheduled the interview a few days earlier. Maybe I could¡¯ve met you!¡± Xu Zhi nodded and asked, ¡°I also knew you were majoring in Cultural Industry Management at the time. What do you do for a living now? Are you a manager?¡± Embarrassedly, Zhao Nan replied, ¡°Sort of.¡± Zhao Nan had just graduated this year and had faced numerous obstacles in her job search. Originally, she had hoped to work as a manager and get closer to idols, but due to her limited experience, she had to settle for starting as an assistant. Continuing the conversation, Xu Zhi said, ¡°Thepany is nning to establish a personal studio for me. When the timees, you cane to work as my manager at the studio..¡± Chapter 54 - 54: Initiating Friendliness Chapter 54: Initiating Friendliness Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Zhao Nan¡¯s eyes brightened; this was a great opportunity for her. She really wanted to take up the offer. Besides, she had been a member of Xu Zhi¡¯s fan support group, so handling Xu Zhi¡¯s work should be well within her capabilities. However, setting up a studio would take at least a few months of preparation, and Zhao Nan didn¡¯t want to get her hopes up too high. During the rest of the dinner, Zhao Nan and Xu Zhi discussed the studio¡¯s details. The dinner only concluded when Xu Zhi¡¯s agent came to remind him of his schedule on set. Zhao Nan¡¯s mood visibly improved after dinner. Xia Xin invited Zhao Nan to stay at her ce for the night, and just as they were leaving, Zhao Nan received a call from Zhang Liang, saying he woulde to pick them up. As soon as Xia Xin heard that, she knew Zhang Liang was up to something. She suddenly remembered the Enchanted Puppet she had purchased from the system¡¯s Shop and an idea formed. After studying the usage and effective duration of the Enchanted Puppet, Xia Xin knew that as long as she spoke the designated person¡¯s name to the puppet, that person would gradually lose their ability to move and think. Everything that person did afterward would be determined by the controller of the puppet. The effectsted for ten minutes. It was a short time, but Xia Xin thought it was enough for Zhang Liang to reveal the truth. Xia Xin believed that instead of allowing Zhang Liang to keep sowing discord between her and Zhao Nan, she could make him tell the truth using the Enchanted Puppet. Then, it would be up to Zhao Nan to decide whether to continue her rtionship with Zhang Liang. With this n in mind, Xia Xin unexpectedly suggested, ¡°Nan, it¡¯s gettingte, and I¡¯m concerned about taking a taxi at this hour. Why don¡¯t we let your boyfriende to pick us up? Touched, Zhao Nan interpreted this as Xia Xin¡¯s way of making amends. From her perspective, Xia Xin was finally no longer pushing Zhang Liang away. On the other end of the phone, Zhang Liang smirked, thinking that Xia Xin was showing weakness by inviting him. He believed she was regretting her closeness to another guy before and wanted to make amends tonight. He immediately rushed to the restaurant. A smug Zhang Liang even opened the passenger door for Xia Xin, trying to get her to sit in the front seat. With a furious re, Xia Xin stared at him, grabbed Zhao Nan, and directed her to the back seat. Zhang Liang was in high spirits, teasing Zhao Nan with vulgarnguage during the drive, and asionally saying disgusting things to Xia Xin. His intentions were clear. Xia Xin felt like she was going to throw up the dinner she just had. Sheforted herself, thinking that she just needed to endure a little longer and Zhang Liang would reveal his true colors soon enough! Upon arriving at the residentialplex, as Zhao Nan and Xia Xin stepped out of the car, Zhang Liang followed them, asking, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you invite me, the driver, toe up for a while?¡± Zhao Nan wondered why Zhang Liang was so insistent oning up to Xia Xin¡¯s house. However, Xia Xin immediately said, ¡°Of course, I¡¯d invite you. You came all the way to pick us up sote; we should at least invite you up for a cup of tea.¡± After all, Zhang Liang was the highlight of the evening, so Xia Xin couldn¡¯t possibly not include him. With Xia Xin¡¯s invitation, Zhang Liang grew even more pleased. While Zhao Nan went to the restroom, Zhang Liang intentionally walked up to Xia Xin from behind, getting very close to her. He even let his breath touch her neck, saying, ¡°I knew you still have feelings for me deep down. Otherwise, you wouldn¡¯t have invited me to your ce.¡± Feeling repulsed, Xia Xin pushed him away and said, ¡°You¡¯re reading too much into it. I invited you up out of politeness. Please keep your distance from me.¡± Zhang Liang saw that as a ploy by Xia Xin to keep him interested. He said, ¡°No worries, there¡¯s always tomorrow.¡± Although it was the first time Layle had seen Zhang Liang, it could sense that he was harassing its owner. It was extremely angry and disliked him. If it had a tongue, it would have roared at Zhang Liang by now. Since Layle couldn¡¯t, it could only glower at Zhang Liang. Ignoring it, Zhang Liang shot it a nce, then suddenly kicked it hard in the belly, sending it tumbling far away. He then returned to the couch. Seeing Layle get kicked made Xia Xin really angry. She held Layle, massaging its belly to soothe it, then took out the puppet and focused on Zhang Liang¡¯s image in her mind. The worn-out-looking puppet suddenly changed. After about ten seconds, it actually transformed into Zhang Liang¡¯s appearance, even wearing the same clothes he was wearing today. While Zhang Liang was still having tea with Zhao Nan, he suddenly twitched. Zhao Nan asked him, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Rubbing his temple, Zhang Liang said, ¡°Maybe I¡¯m just tired from driving.. Xia Xin, do you have a room here? How about I stay the night?¡± Chapter 55 - 55: Taking Action Chapter 55: Taking Action Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion As soon as Zhang Liang finished speaking, he suddenly became dazed and lost consciousness. His hand, which had been holding a cup, remained frozen in that position. Xia Xin mentallymanded Zhang Liang to speak the truth. Zhang Liang blinked, as if receiving amand. He put the cup down and looked at Zhao Nan, saying, ¡°Zhao Nan, there¡¯s something I¡¯ve never told you. When I courted you back in university, it was because you were easier to chase, and your best friend was Xia Xin, that¡¯s all.¡± Zhao Nan was taken aback by the revtion and was temporarily at a loss for words. Zhang Liang continued, ¡°After being with you, I used your name to harass Xia Xin. However, she¡¯s better at ying hard to get than you. Also, that night when you asked me to give something to Xia Xin, I didn¡¯t give it to her. I confessed my feelings to her and told her how much I liked her. But she yed hard to get. On the surface, she acted annoyed and rejected me, even sending someone to have a dog attack me. But isn¡¯t she the one who made a proactive move today? Don¡¯t think she¡¯s a good person. And don¡¯t think too highly of yourself; you¡¯re just a toy I y with.¡± Zhang Liang even revealed many things that even Xia Xin didn¡¯t know. She didn¡¯t expect the Enchanted Puppet to have this effect ¨C making someone reveal all their truths. She had originally intended to test whether Zhang Liang would confess about hiding things from Zhao Nan. Xia Xin hadn¡¯t anticipated such a good oue. While Xia Xin was lost in thought, she suddenly heard a loud p. With tears in her eyes, Zhao Nan pped Zhang Liang¡¯s face in anger and said, ¡°Stop it, that¡¯s enough!¡± Zhao Nan¡¯s p was forceful, knocking Zhang Liang¡¯s head to the side. He took a while to straighten his head. Xia Xin felt something was off, but she attributed it to Zhang Liang being in an unconscious state, causing a dyed reaction, so she didn¡¯t think much of it. Suddenly, Zhang Liang frowned and reached to touch his pped cheek, looking at Zhao Nan. He asked, ¡°Are you fucking crazy?¡± ¡°Uh-oh!¡± Xia Xin became alert and thought, ¡®Zhao Nan¡¯s p had been too powerful, causing Zhang Liang to wake up prematurely!¡¯ Xia Xin realized things were turning bad. She quickly moved to protect Zhao Nan. As expected, due to his anger, Zhang Liang raised his hand to hit Zhao Nan. Fortunately, Xia Xin managed to pull her away in time. Zhang Liang wasn¡¯t stupid; he realized something was wrong. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn¡¯t have spilled these truths, considering he hadn¡¯t finished ying with Zhao Nan yet. However, he had seemed to lose consciousness a moment ago, unable to control his body. Without a doubt, he believed that it was because Xia Xin had drugged his drink. Looking at Xia Xin with fury, he cursed, ¡°You damn woman, what did you make me drink?¡± Xia Xin smirked and said, ¡°Just regr tea to clean up your foul mouth.¡± Zhang Liang¡¯s fury turned into a twisted smile. Using his tongue to press against his pped face, he looked at Xia Xin and Zhao Nan in a deranged manner. He said, ¡°Fine, since you¡¯re asking for trouble, don¡¯t me me for taking action. ¡± Normally, Zhang Liang acted carefree and had a good temper. He never lost his temper like today, which frightened Zhao Nan. She took two steps back and asked, ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± ¡°What am I trying to do? My foolish girlfriend, of course, I¡¯m going to teach you both a lesson!¡± Zhang Liang said as he approached step by step. The sense of danger made both girls very afraid. Xia Xin stood in front of Zhao Nan. Since she bought The Twenty-Four Martial Arts Techniques skill book, she had been practicing its moves every day. Today was the day to put her skills to the test. However, while Xia Xin had be proficient in these moves, she hadn¡¯t used them in actualbat. She was a bit nervous despite her familiarity with the techniques, especially with a tall guy like Zhang Liang standing before her. She was pretending to be brave; she couldn¡¯t deny she was feeling fear. But to protect Zhao Nan, Xia Xin had to appear calm. Summoning her courage, Xia Xin said, ¡°Nan, stand back a bit. I¡¯m worried that if we start fighting, we might identally hurt you.¡± Zhang Liangpletely dismissed Xia Xin¡¯s attempts atbat. Heughed and said, ¡°It¡¯s been a few days, and you¡¯ve grown bold.. Remember that day you begged me for mercy? If that dog hadn¡¯t suddenly appeared and ruined my ns, you would¡¯ve been mine long ago!¡± Chapter 56 - 56: A Heroic Rescue Chapter 56: A Heroic Rescue Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion As soon as Zhang Liang spoke, Layle pounced on him, biting his leg. However, Layle was too small to cause any harm. Zhang Liang winced in pain and kicked Layle in the stomach, sending it flying a considerable distance. Xia Xin even saw Layle cough up a mouthful of blood. ¡°Layle!¡± Xia Xin cried out in anguish at the sight of Layle¡¯s injury. Seizing the opportunity while Xia Xin was distracted, Zhang Liang moved in to restrain her. Thankfully, Xia Xin¡¯s reflexes were swift. She bent over, evading Zhang Liang¡¯s grasp, and simultaneously grabbed his wrist, using her skill to lower his upper body. Xia Xin raised her knee, knocking it against Zhang Liang¡¯s head. Blood instantly trickled from his nose. Zhang Liang was thoroughly enraged. He said, ¡°Very well, it seems you¡¯ve learned something. But do you think this is enough to deal with me?¡± Zhang Liang lunged at Xia Xin again, but she skillfully used a soft approach to ovee his aggression. After a few rounds of confrontation, Zhang Liang hadn¡¯t gained any advantage and was left bruised all over. Fueled by anger, Zhang Liang abandoned any sense of sportsmanship. He grabbed a vase from the table, emptied the flowers from it, and attempted to use the vase to strike Xia Xin. Although Xia Xin had learnedbat techniques, she couldn¡¯t defend against such a hard object. She used her uninjured elbow to shield her head, but the vase shattered upon impact, and ss shards cut into her arm. The pain left her temporarily incapacitated. As Zhang Liang prepared to strike again, Xia Xin quickly retrieved a bottle of Charming Elixir from her pocket, intending to incapacitate him and then call the police. In this critical moment, the sound of a dog barking echoed from outside the door, along with the doorbell ringing. Outside, Jing MO was still hesitating about whether he should disturb Xia Xin sote at night. However, no matter how hard he tried to pull Bobo back home, Bobo¡¯s temper remained stubborn. Jing MO had been walking the dog downstairs when he noticed a car parked outside Xia Xin¡¯s building. Two women had gotten out of the car, but he couldn¡¯t clearly identify them due to the backlight. Yet, Bobo immediately recognized Xia Xin¡¯s scent and almost rushed over. Seeing how agitated Bobo was, Jing MO knew that the person who got out of the car must be Xia Xin. He stopped Bobo and said, ¡°She¡¯s entertaining friends, you can¡¯t disturb her. Otherwise, she might stop walking you.¡± Only then did Bobo reluctantlyply, but halfway there, Jing MO sensed that something was off. Even Bobo seemed to feel that person¡¯s aura was very familiar. It was only then that Jing MO recalled the man driving the car was the same guy who had attempted to harass Xia Xin that night. However, Jing MO noticed that Xia Xin hadn¡¯t argued with the man after getting out of the car, and they were in a group of three. Charging in without knowing the full situation would be inappropriate. He had been absent minded while walking Bobo, unsure whether he should go inquire about the situation. But guided by Bobo¡¯s instincts, Jing MO was dragged to Xia Xin¡¯s doorstep, and it was then he heard the sound of shattered ss from inside. Realizing the situation was dire, he immediately pressed the doorbell. Bobo also sensed that Xia Xin might be in danger, as it had caught the scent of blood. Bobo started barking frantically. Zhao Nan was worried about Xia Xin, but she knew she wouldn¡¯t be of any help. If she interfered, it might make things worse for Xia Xin. So when she heard the doorbell. she immediately opened the door. Just as the door opened slightly, Bobo squeezed in and lunged at Zhang Liang, biting his shoulder. Zhang Liang screamed in pain, but Bobo¡¯s grip was too strong for him to break free. Seeing Zhang Liang subdued by Bobo, Xia Xin discreetly put away the Charming Elixir. Jing MO approached and helped Xia Xin up, inspecting the injuries on her arm. His eyes were filled with tenderness and anxiety, and he even felt a tinge of self-me. Growing increasingly weary, Xia Xin felt her vision blur and weakly uttered, ¡°Call the police.¡± Then she fainted in Jing Mo¡¯s arms. With Zhang Liang now immobilized by Bobo, Zhao Nan assisted Xia Xin, guiding her to sit on the couch. Jing MO called the security guards of the residentialplex to handle the situation and had them and the property management look after the scene. After arranging everything, Jing MO immediately lifted Xia Xin and rushed her to the hospital. Meanwhile, Zhao Nan cradled the barely conscious Layle and followed them to the hospital. Jing Mo¡¯s anxiety was evident as he drove hurriedly, running several red lights and even exceeding the speed limit, determined to get Xia Xin to the nearest hospital as quickly as possible.. Chapter 57 The Backlash Chapter 57 The Bacsh Although Bobo and Layle bickered every day, and it looked down on Layle, it was currently most concerned about Layle. Bobo could sense that Layle was in a bad state, and was even afraid of losing this littlepanion. So, it apanied Zhao Nan to take Layle to the veterinary department, while Jing Mo carried Xia Xin to the emergency room. Seeing Xia Xin unconscious, the doctor assumed the situation was severe and temporarily abandoned other patients to attend to her. After a thorough examination, the doctor hung a stethoscope around his neck, instructed a nurse to tend to Xia Xin''s arm injury, and then prepared to leave. Jing Mo stopped the doctor and asked, "Doctor, how is my friend? Why aren''t you prescribing anything for her?" The doctor replied impatiently, "Your friend is just tired and sleeping. If you really want to give her something, buy her a glucose drink." Before leaving, the doctor added aint, "You seemed so anxious when you brought her here, I thought it was something serious. You''re just wasting medical resources!" Jing Mo apologized quickly, then looked at Xia Xin, who was sleeping soundly in the bed. ''This girl had a bold heart. She managed to fall asleep even in such a critical situation. Come to think of it, she had indeed experienced a lot today. Both her arms were injured, and she had been through a fight. It was normal for her to be asleep.'' Jing Mo thought. After covering Xia Xin with the nket, Jing Mo stood in the hospital corridor and called Sun Hu, "Go to the police station now." Sun Hu was in the middle of a game when he heard about the police station from Jing Mo and immediately became restless. He asked, "What happened? Did you hit and run? Did you hit someone? Bro, you''re a celebrity! Your image is crucial! Don''t pull a stunt like before..." Sun Hu''s words became more and more absurd. If he continued, Jing Mo might end up beingbeled as a murderer. Impatiently, Jing Mo interrupted Sun Hu. "There''s nothing like that. There''s a scumbag at the police station. Go take care of him. I don''t want him to appear in Xia Xin''s life again." Sun Hu finally breathed a sigh of relief and said, "You should have said it wasn''t about you. You scared me." Jing Mo''s lips curved into a mischievous smile. He casually added, "By the way, I might have run a few red lights just now." "You!" Sun Hu was infuriated. He immediately put down his gaming device and left for work. The next morning, Layle emerged from the operating room and was wheeled into the hospital room. Zhao Nan finally had the chance to take Bobo to see Xia Xin. Bobo seemed quite sensible. It knew Xia Xin was ill, so it refrained from barking loudly. With its two front paws on the edge of the bed, Bobo gazed pitifully at Xia Xin, its head resting on its paws. It made a soft whimpering sound like it was saying, "Xia Xin, please wake up. Layle needs you." Xia Xin''s fingers twitched slightly, but she still hadn''t woken up. energy consumption will decrease. The way to replenish energy is by sleeping. Xia Xin was concerned. She had only used the Enchanted Puppet for about ten Jing Mo had work to attend to today. After entrusting Xia Xin to Zhao Nan, he took Bobo and headed home. Xia Xin regained consciousness around five or six in the afternoon. Zhao Nan was called to the police station to give a statement, so there was no one with Xia Xin by her bedside. Xia Xin first adjusted to her surroundings. Then, she tried to prop herself up using her elbows, but both her arms were injured, so she gave up on that idea and obedientlyy back down. To others, it seemed like Xia Xin had been asleep for a whole day and night, but only she knew her consciousness had been clear. She knew everything that had happened, and she had even heard what Bobo said to her. She just struggled to wake up. Seizing the opportunity while she was alone, Xia Xin immediately questioned the system about what had happened. Master, using any item from the Shop consumes a significant amount of the user''s energy. The amount of energy consumed depends on the user''s stamina and the affinity needed to purchase the item. Xia Xin understood. No wonder the system had told her that her body''s basic attributes needed to increase if she wanted the Beast Language System to level up. It was rted to these things. Xia Xin asked again, "What exactly are the specifics of this connection?" Master, the higher the favorability required to purchase an item, the more energy it consumes. However, if the user''s stamina points are higher, the rtive energy consumption will decrease. The way to replenish energy is by sleeping. Xia Xin was concerned. She had only used the Enchanted Puppet for about ten minutes and had ended up sleeping for nearly a whole day. She couldn''t help but wonder, ''If I used more expensive items in the future, wouldn''t I have to sleep even longer?'' Chapter 58 - 58: Healing Ability Chapter 58: Healing Ability Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Hearing Xia Xin¡¯s doubts, the system exined. The reason you slept for so long this time is that you experienced bacsh from being prematurely awakened during the use of the Enchanted Puppet, causing excessive fatigue. Furthermore, if your attributes continue to improve, energy consumption will gradually decrease. Xia Xin still had questions, but Zhao Nan returned afterpleting the statement at the police station. Seeing Xia Xin awake, Zhao Nan walked happily to her bedside, her eyes welling up with tears, and said, ¡°You slept for so long, you scared me.¡± Xia Xin¡¯s throat was a bit dry, and her voice sounded slightly hoarse. She said, ¡°It¡¯s okay, it¡¯s just that fighting took too much energy.¡± The police officer from the station entered after Zhao Nan left. ¡°Miss Xia, now that you¡¯re awake, we¡¯d like to ask you some questions if you¡¯re willing.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Xia Xin had Zhao Nan help her sit up so she could answer their questions. After the officer briefly understood the situation and left, Xia Xin immediately inquired about Layle¡¯s condition. Zhao Nan said, ¡°Layle¡¯s condition is a bit critical. The kick from Zhang Liang was too strong, and it injured its liver directly. Fortunately, it was brought to the hospital in time, and the doctor performed surgery immediately. It¡¯s in the ward now. Layle should be in pain, but it can¡¯t make any noise since it doesn¡¯t have a tongue.¡± Worried about Layle, and since she was awake and her body was fine, Xia Xin went through the discharge procedures and then went to see Layle. Layley on the hospital bed. When it saw Xia Xin, it weakly opened its eyes and even extended its front paw to ce it on Xia Xin¡¯s palm. It had just undergone surgery, and the blood on its abdomen mixed with dark fur had coagted into scabs. Every breath pulled at the wound, causing it great difort. Xia Xin tenderly stroked Layle¡¯s head. She didn¡¯t know if it was her imagination, but she felt that every time she touched Layle, it seemed to be morefortable. Even its breathing seemed stronger. However, that effect onlysted a few times. After a few strokes, it had no more effect. After asking the nurse, Xia Xin learned that Layle would need to be observed in the hospital for at least another week. Then, Xia Xin and Zhao Nan left the hospital. Since it was Monday tomorrow, Zhao Nan had to go to work. Xia Xin originally wanted to take her home, but Zhao Nan said she wanted Xia Xin to stay overnight with her. After experiencing the incident with Zhang Liang, Zhao Nan was somewhat fearful and didn¡¯t want to be alone. At night, the two of themy on the bed. Xia Xin had slept for so long and she couldn¡¯t fall asleep now. Zhao Nan was still shaken and couldn¡¯t sleep either. Moonlight streamed through the window and cast a faint light into the dark room. Zhao Nan sat up, hugging her knees, and whispered, ¡°Xia Xin, are you having trouble sleeping too?¡± Xia Xin also sat up, and Zhao Nan leaned her head on Xia Xin¡¯s shoulder. Zhao Nan asked, ¡°Do you think I¡¯m stupid? You advised me so many times, but I didn¡¯t listen to you. I got into a rtionship with Zhang Liang and things got to this point today.¡± Xia Xin also felt somewhat guilty. If she had known that Zhang Liang was so extreme, she wouldn¡¯t have let Zhao Nan know the truth in this way. She feared that Zhao Nan would have psychological traumas when looking for a partner in the future. ¡°Zhao Nan, this is the scum¡¯s fault. How can you me yourself?¡± Xia Xin said. Zhao Nan forced a bitter smile, tears flowed from her eyes, sliding into the neckline of Xia Xin¡¯s clothes. Zhao Nan said, ¡°Actually, I didn¡¯t like Zhang Liang that much. I always felt strange when I was with him. Many of his demands made me want to refuse, but I still dated him. On one hand, he fooled me, and I didn¡¯t know how to refuse. On the other hand, I wanted to prove you were wrong because you didn¡¯t approve of us being together.¡± Xia Xin said, ¡°I should havemunicated with you earlier.¡± Zhao Nan sniffed and said, ¡°You were doing it for my own good, that¡¯s why you didn¡¯t tell me those things. I know Zhang Liang is terrible, but I didn¡¯t expect his character to be this bad. I always evaded epting the fact that he wasn¡¯t good because I didn¡¯t want to admit that I had bad judgment. Many things between us happened because we never tried to solve them properly, which made things get worse and worse.¡± After this incident, Xia Xin felt like Zhao Nan had grown up in an instant. The previous Zhao Nan definitely wouldn¡¯t have been able to say these things.. Chapter 59 - 59: Long-term Guest Chapter 59: Long-term Guest Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Zhao Nan sighed heavily and said, ¡°Sooner better thanter. Discovering that Zhang Liang is terrible now is a good thing. I was able to cut my losses in time. If it had been a bitter, we might have gotten married, and then I wouldn¡¯t be able to escape.¡± Xia Xin hugged Zhao Nan¡¯s shoulder to offerfort. Zhao Nan¡¯s personality was such that she could always find her own equilibrium. She didn¡¯t need others¡¯fort for everything that happened to her; she could pull herself through. She could reason through every situation and constantly improve herself. This was the charm of Zhao Nan and the reason why Xia Xin wanted to cherish this friend no matter what. Because of Zhao Nan¡¯s presence, Xia Xin was always inspired to be better. After wiping away her tears, Zhao Nan sat up straight, returning to her usual positive self, and said, ¡°Let that scum stay at the police station! Don¡¯t let him affect our lives. We need to focus on our careers in the future!¡± Xia Xin agreed, ¡°You¡¯re right!¡± Suddenly, Zhao Nan turned toward Xia Xin and said, ¡°I¡¯ve been busy all day and forgot to ask you. What¡¯s going on between you and Jing MO? You two seem to have known each other for a long time, so why have you been hiding it from ¡°Uh¡­ it¡¯s not that long, I think?¡± Xia Xin said. She thought about Jing MO, realizing that since she woke up, she had been busy with other matters and forgot to tell him that she had awoken. ¡°Don¡¯t daydream, confess the truth!¡± Zhao Nan reminded Xia Xin. Xia Xin honestly recounted the process of how she met Jing MO to Zhao Nan and concluded, ¡°I originally intended to tell you, but after we had a fight, I never had a chance to tell you.¡± Zhao Nan smiled and asked, ¡°Do you think Jing MO likes you?¡± Even though it was nighttime and expressions were hard to see, Xia Xin suddenly felt her face heat up and said, ¡°D-Don¡¯t make random guesses.¡± Zhao Nan didn¡¯t press further and simply said, ¡°Love is part of life just as humans need water to survive; only the person who¡¯s experiencing it knows.¡± She then drifted off to sleep. Xia Xin took out her phone and messaged Jing MO, [Mr. Jing, I¡¯m awake now. Thank you for your help yesterday. When are you free? I want to treat you to a meal as thank you for sending me to the hospital.] Seeing that it was already 1 a.m., Xia Xin believed Jing MO should be asleep. However, Jing MO¡¯s reply came quickly, [Got it. I¡¯ll let you know when I¡¯m avable.] Now Xia Xin couldn¡¯t sleep even more. Her mind was filled with thoughts of whether Jing MO really liked her. She thought, ¡®But we hadn¡¯t spent that much time together. How could Jing MO possibly develop feelings for me?¡¯ After resting at home for two days, the wounds on Xia Xin¡¯s arms had mostly healed. The wound had formed scabs, and the cuts from the ss had been stitched up; she just needed to wait a few more days before the stitches could be removed. This didn¡¯t affect her usual activities, so she went back to work at the zoo. Mainly, Xia Xin returned to work because she had been overthinking things too much at home. Working would help her distract herself. Xia Xin had been worried that Slowpoke might not eat properly, but when she went to the rockery, she found that its mental state had improved significantly. It was willing to eat the food others fed it as well. Only then did Xia Xin feel relieved. After that, Xia Xin went to the zoo director¡¯s office to request to cancel her leave. Lu Yuan saw Xia Xin and said happily, ¡°Xin, you¡¯ve done well. We¡¯ll give you a bonus at the end of the month.¡± Xia Xin was confused and asked, ¡°Mr. Lu, did something happen? Why are you suddenly giving me a bonus?¡± Lu Yuan exined, ¡°Haven¡¯t you been online these past few days?¡± Xia Xin had been busy taking care of Layle and herself these past two days; she didn¡¯t have time to check onlinements. Lu Yuan said, ¡°The first episode of the variety show has been aired, and the response is great. Online discussions have reached 110 million, you can go and see everyone¡¯sments.¡± Xia Xin opened the onlinements and realized that the negativements from the previous incident had been pushed down by positive ones. Netizens¡¯ments about her had changed from bad to good, with many praising her. It turned out that because Xia Xin took care of the snub-nosed monkey, everyone could see that she truly loved animals. Coupled with her brave rescue, she had gained a lot of positive sentiment. Somements read, [Xia Xin risked her own safety to save someone and got hurt in the process. Her first reaction wasn¡¯t to check her own injuries but to take care of Slowpoke. She¡¯s really full ofpassion.] Anotherment followed, [Isn¡¯t this the Forest Princess, Xia Xin from the Capital Zoo?] [Exactly! So when she says she wants to be a dedicated zookeeper and not enter the entertainment industry, she¡¯s telling the truth.. Some people shouldn¡¯t always suspect others¡¯ motives!] Chapter 60 - 60: Another Accident? Chapter 60: Another ident? Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion The official ount of the Capital Zoo took advantage of the positivements to follow up with promotional messages, highlighting that all the zookeepers were professionals who loved animals, which garnered more positive sentiment. Since this variety show was animal-themed, featuring animals in each episode and mainly filmed at the Capital Zoo, many viewers were calling for Xia Xin to be a long-term guest. After Xia Xin finished reading thements, Lu Yuan exined, ¡°The production team contacted me again. They want you to be a long-term guest and technical advisor for the show, responsible for the animal segments. I¡¯ve also inquired about thepensation. Almost every episode¡¯s pay is equivalent to your monthly sry here at the zoo. I think it¡¯s a good opportunity. You should consider it.¡± Hearing thepensation offer, Xia Xin was tempted. From the first episode¡¯s recording, it seemed she wouldn¡¯t need to appear frequently, and it wouldn¡¯t be too taxing. More importantly, she would have the chance to interact with animals. After Lu Yuan, the zoo director had previously canceled Xia Xin¡¯s opportunity to study animals throughout the zoo, she rarely had the chance to interact with different animals. With this variety show, she could now connect with various animals to increase her animal affinity points, which was a good thing for her. Xia Xin said, ¡°Since you¡¯ve already spoken to the director, please contact them to let them know I agree to be a long-term guest.¡± Then, Xia Xin mentioned another matter that concerned her, ¡°Mr. Lu, regarding the investigation into the intentional damage to the rockery, have there been any leads?¡± Lu Yuan sighed and said, ¡°We¡¯ve been investigating for a while, but we¡¯ve had no results. The surveince footage was tampered with, and we lost all the footage from that day. However, I¡¯ve informed the production team about this, and they will be cautious. Hopefully, there won¡¯t be any more issues.¡± Xia Xin furrowed her brows but didn¡¯t press further. At that moment, both Xia Xin and Lu Yuan thought that this incident was simply a case of fiercepetition among peers. The schedule for the second episode was announced, and it would take ce at the panda enclosure. It was already quiterge due to its poprity, making it thergest area in the entire zoo. It could amodate two hundred spectators, doubling the number from the previous episode. Despite the increase, tickets were still quickly sold out. Zhao Nan had initially wanted to try her luck to get tickets, but since she wasn¡¯t sessful, she gave up. Xia Xin offered to help Zhao Nan get tickets from the director, but Zhao Nan stopped her and said, ¡°You¡¯re going to be a long-term guest on this show from now on. If they prepare a ticket for you every time, other staff might start gossiping behind your back. Plus, this episode doesn¡¯t have Xu Zhi involved; I¡¯m not that interested.¡± Only then did Xia Xin realize that she didn¡¯t even know who the guests were for this episode. Zhao Nan was speechless and said, ¡°You really pay no attention to the entertainment industry at all. The female guest for this episode is Wan Wan from the previous episode, and the male guest is MO Shu, who debuted in a boy¡¯s band. He¡¯s quite popr recently.¡± Xia Xin nodded, somewhat understanding. But in truth, she didn¡¯t know who these two were. Zhao Nan exined to her that MO Shu had acted in a recently popr idol drama in ancient theme, gaining arge following and ranking tenth on the list of hottest male stars. Not fullyprehending, Xia Xin didn¡¯t ask further. Zhao Nan was toozy to exin and just reminded her, ¡°Pay attention to your safety during the recording and try not to have another ident like thest time!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, idents are called idents for a reason. They can¡¯t happen every time,¡± said Xia Xin. It¡¯s worth mentioning that, as a result of the first episode¡¯s poprity and the revtion of the second episode¡¯s guest list, onlinements about Xia Xin became increasingly positive. Xia Xin¡¯s number of fans began to rise steadily, and marketing ounts started creating videos about her. On some social tforms, fans even formed Xia Xin fan groups. Happily, Xia Xin discovered that her affinity points had started increasing again, and the rate of increase was even faster than before. Unknowingly, her affinity points had already reached 30,000. After experiencing the rockery incident, Xia Xin began to attach great importance to Reflex. She would increase her Reflex attribute whenever she gained enough affinity points, almost immediately. It had now reached ten points for Reflex. The day of the recording happened to coincide with the day she would be picking up Layle. Xia Xin nned to finish recording and leave work early to pick up Layle.. Chapter 61 - 61: A Group Photo With Fans Chapter 61: A Group Photo With Fans Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Learning from the incident where fans were almost injured during the previous episode, the director decided not to have any segments where audience members were invited onto the stage. Instead, the guests would follow the script andplete the game activities. For this episode, the game was about feeding bamboo to the giant pandas. The panda enclosure had just built a new wooden shelter for the pandas, providing them a ce to rest. However, they would still be taken back to their separate enclosures at night. The setup for today¡¯s game was to have the pandas hide in the wooden house, and the guests would use bamboo to entice them toe out. The person who sessfully lured out a panda would be the winner. While the actors were getting ready backstage, Xia Xin brought the three pandas to the wooden house. Having taken three days off, Xia Xin¡¯s return surprised the giant pandas, who eagerly gathered around her. Pipi and Dodo even climbed onto her legs. Xia Xin chuckled and said, ¡°You mischievous little ones are getting chubbier by the day. I can¡¯t carry both of you.¡± After upgrading the Beast Language System,municating with them had be much easier. They could even understand normal speech. The two little pandas pouted and said pitifully, ¡°Xia Xin, you are biased. You only pay attention to the little monkey and ignore us. You even say we¡¯re fat!¡± Xia Xin reassured them, ¡°You chubby ones are adorable. I wish you both could get even rounder!¡± Bao remained timid, but he couldn¡¯t resisting closer. He looked at Xia Xin with concern and asked, ¡°Xia Xin, are you hurt? There¡¯s a smell of blood on you.¡± Xia Xin exposed her arm and said, ¡°Nothing to worry about, it¡¯s just some scratches. Bao, you¡¯re so attentive!¡± After praising Bao, Xia Xin gave a final reminder to the three pandas, ¡°You three need to behaveter. Hide inside the house, and if a kinddy or gentlemanes to feed you, be good ande out. Don¡¯t be afraid; they won¡¯t hurt you.¡± The three pandas nodded, revealing extremely cute smiles. They obediently followed Xia Xin and entered the wooden house one by one. Before the official filming began, there was an interactive segment with fans. Fans who came to watch the variety show filming could take group photos with their idols and receive autographs. One girl, wearing two ponytails and a baseball cap, nervously approached Xia Xin and asked, ¡°Miss Xia, can I have your autograph?¡± Xia Xin hadn¡¯t expected to have fans among those who came to see the pandas and the variety show. She was pleasantly surprised and said, ¡°Of course you can.¡± Xia Xin picked up a pen and signed for the young girl. The girl looked at it with joy and said, ¡°Your handwriting is so nice! Can I take a group photo with you and the giant pandas?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Xia Xin quickly agreed. Then, she called out the three giant pandas and took group photos with the fans. After that, a couple more fans came up to get Xia Xin¡¯s autograph, and she cooperated enthusiastically. Wan Wan had finished taking photos with all the fans and was now resting in a shaded area. Seeing that even a zookeeper had fans, she was puzzled. She asked her manager, ¡°Li Jie, who is that? How did she be a regr guest on the show and seem quite popr with the audience?¡± Li Jie held a small fan for Wan Wan and said, ¡°She¡¯s a zoo employee who recently became popr. She has over six hundred thousand fans already, and her fan base is growing faster than yours.¡± Initially, when Wan Wan heard that Xia Xin was an employee, she didn¡¯t react much. However, Li Jie¡¯sst sentence made her ufortable. She rolled her eyes and walked away. It wasn¡¯t until the staff came to maintain order that the fan photoshoots ended and everyone returned to their positions. The director had the guests y a game first, and the feeding of the pandas wouldeter when the recording was almost finished. Xia Xin¡¯s main role was to provide the guests with fresh bamboo and guide them on how to entice the pandas out of the wooden house. She also instructed them on how to feed the pandas without harming them. After a few attempts, the two guests couldn¡¯t get the pandas toe out. Feeling frustrated, Wan Wan pouted, ¡°These pandas are too shy. They don¡¯t want toe out at all. Miss Zookeeper, can you help me? Just call them out directly.¡± Xia Xin awkwardlyughed. It seemed like there wasn¡¯t a cheating option for this segment, as mentioned by the director. She wasn¡¯t sure how to respond.. Chapter 62 - 62: Admitted to the Hospital Again Chapter 62: Admitted to the Hospital Again Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion MO Shu stepped forward to lighten the situation, jokingly saying, ¡°We agreed on fairpetition. How could you ask for help secretly from Miss Zookeeper, Wan Wan?¡± Wan Wan yfully red at MO Shu, not saying anything further, and continued to use bamboo to lure the giant pandas. In the end, with the efforts of both of them, they managed to sessfully entice Pipi and Dodo out of the wooden house. Pipi and Dodo were ecstatic when they received the bamboo. They called for Bao toe out too, but Bao remained unmoved. Just as everyone assumed that Bao was shy and unwilling toe out, Xia Xin keenly noticed something amiss. She heard the sound of a fractureing from the wooden house, and Bao seemed to be whimpering. Xia Xin didn¡¯t have time to exin to the others but urgently shouted, ¡°Move back quickly! This house seems unstable and might copse!¡± Xia Xin simultaneously herded Pipi and Dodo, not letting them get too close in case they were injured. The director realized that something was wrong and loudly asked what was happening. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t answer him in time, as she was more concerned aboutforting Bao. She went straight into the wooden door. The wooden house was very low, preventing her from standing up straight, and it was dim inside. Xia Xin tentatively called out for Bao, and he weakly responded, ¡°Xia Xin, I think I can¡¯t move.¡± Hearing Bao¡¯s words, Xia Xin felt panic rising and wondered if Bao was injured. She firstforted him, ¡°Bao, don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯m here to help you.¡± Then, Xia Xin crawled closer to Bao step by step. When she got closer, she realized that a piece of wood had fallen and there wasn¡¯t enough space for a person to crawl through. Xia Xin could only stretch out her hands with difficulty and said, ¡°Bao, crawl over here slowly.¡± Trembling with fear, Bao made a great effort to crawl towards Xia Xin. He kept going until Xia Xin held him in her arms. Only then did she notice that Bao¡¯s fur was damp, and it seemed like he had a wound. Xia Xin followed Bao¡¯s fur downward and felt a wooden splinter near his buttocks. It was probably a splinter from the broken wood. She thought Bao must have identally sat on it, causing the injury. At this moment, Xia Xin heard more cracking sounds from the wood, realizing that the house might copse. She had to get out immediately. Xia Xin didn¡¯t have time tofort Bao. She held him tightly and crawled out. The cracking sounds grew louder, and the wooden house copsed just as Xia Xin was crawling out of the wooden door. Xia Xin managed to push Bao out in time, but her left leg was pinned down by the copsed wood. Fortunately, the wooden house was small, and the wood wasn¡¯t too heavy. Xia Xin¡¯s leg was temporarily trapped, but she had a feeling that her nerves weren¡¯t affected. Calmly, Xia Xin directed the approaching staff to handle the situation. She said, ¡°Send the pandas back to their enclosure and take care of them. Bao is injured; call the veterinarian to treat him.¡± Pipi and Dodo, sensing that Xia Xin was injured, tried to help by pushing the wood off her. Xia Xin told them, ¡°I¡¯m fine. Stay back a bit so you won¡¯t get hurt.¡± Afterward, the three pandas were led away by other zookeepers. Xia Xin remained in the pile of wood until they were gone. Wan Wan had moved away when Xia Xin told them to, and MO Shu was still on the scene, looking for any way he could assist. When the staff took the pandas away, he immediately came forward to help move the wood. With MO Shu and the staff¡¯s assistance, Xia Xin finally managed to crawl out. MO Shu supported her as she stood up and said, ¡°Your leg seems quite serious. Your pants are torn.¡± Xia Xin took a tentative step and felt a bit of pain in her leg. She walked with a limp and said, ¡°It¡¯s not too bad. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s broken.¡± MO Shu admired Xia Xin and praised, ¡°You¡¯re pretty tough.¡± The director arranged for Xia Xin to be taken to the hospital. The on-duty doctor looked slightly surprised when he saw Xia Xin and said, ¡°You¡¯re quite a regr visitor, youngdy. You¡¯re back again.¡± Embarrassed, Xia Xin scratched her head and asked, ¡°Doctor, how do you recognize me?¡± The doctor said, ¡°Last time, your boyfriend brought you here in a hurry; I thought it was some major issue. Turns out, you were just sleeping so soundly that you didn¡¯t hear everyone calling you.¡¯ Xia Xin became even more embarrassed. She had just identally fallen asleep, and now she had somehow managed to make herself familiar to the doctor.. Chapter 63 - 63: A Hospital Visit Chapter 63: A Hospital Visit Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion The young intern who apanied Xia Xin to the hospital was still a university student. She was very eager to hear about this kind of thing and immediately caught onto the topic of a boyfriend, teasing, ¡°Xia Xin, you¡¯re so pretty. Your boyfriend must be handsome!¡± Xia Xin hurriedly exined, ¡°It¡¯s just a misunderstanding. I don¡¯t have a boyfriend. It was my friend who brought me here, and the doctor misunderstood.¡± The doctor said, ¡°Well, your friend must really care about you. I saw him anxiously waiting by your bedside all night.¡± The young intern gave Xia Xin a knowing look and said, ¡°Xia Xin, your face is all red, and you¡¯re still calling him a friend?¡± Xia Xin was used to being teased in school and had always been quick to rify. But this time, the teasing was about Jing MO, and for some reason, she didn¡¯t know how to exin. Nervously, she said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯m already at the hospital. Hurry back to the set.¡± The young intern did indeed have a lot to do back on the set, so she didn¡¯t decline and left. Xia Xin involuntarily recalled the scene where Jing MO had held her that day. Unfortunately, she had fallen asleep and couldn¡¯t quite picture that scene. She thought it was a shame she missed it. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but wonder, ¡®No matter what happened, Jing MO always appeared calm andposed. Would he truly be anxious for me? I wonder what he would look like when he¡¯s genuinely worried¡­¡¯ While Xia Xin was lost in thought, her leg suddenly twinged, and she couldn¡¯t help but cry out. The doctor had picked up a pen to write on a prescription pad. He said, ¡°Your leg had a slight discement due to the weight pressure. I¡¯ve realigned it. Although it¡¯s not as severe as a fracture, you should still take it easy.¡± Xia Xin nodded and tentatively moved her leg. Indeed, it wasn¡¯t as painful as before. The doctor couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What kind of work do you do? Are you a stunt double for martial arts? Howe you¡¯re injured every day? A few days ago, you had ss shards in your arm, and now you¡¯ve twisted your leg.¡± Xia Xin rubbed her leg and said, ¡°They¡¯re all idents. I didn¡¯t expect to be so acquainted with the hospital.¡± The doctor thought Xia Xin might be enduring hardships for the sake of earning money, and couldn¡¯t help but feel a little sorry for her. He advised, ¡°While money is important, you should cherish your health more. When you¡¯re young, you¡¯re trading your body for money, but as you get older, you¡¯ll trade money for good health.¡± Xia Xin couldn¡¯t argue and could only agree. She said, ¡°Thank you for your concern, doctor. I¡¯ll be more careful in the future.¡¯ The doctor said, ¡°You should be observed in the hospital for a while. Tomorrow morning, we¡¯ll take an X-ray to check for any fractures. I¡¯ll transfer you to the orthopedics department; they¡¯ve prepared a room for you on the third floor. You can head up there.¡± Hobbling, Xia Xin took the elevator with her treatment n and messaged Zhao Nan on the way up. Xia Xin was afraid that Zhao Nan would worry if she didn¡¯t find her at home in the evening, so Xia Xin informed Zhao Nan that she was at the hospital due to an emergency shoot and would be back home tomorrow. Zhao Nan was also working overtime these days and didn¡¯t think much of it. She just reminded Xia Xin to rest well. It was only after getting off the elevator that Xia Xin remembered today was the day she was supposed to pick up Layle. Xia Xin smirked and thought, ¡®I hadn¡¯t even managed to bring Layle back yet, and now I was back in the hospital again. I guess I could only go home with Layle tomorrow.¡¯ Xia Xin worried that Layle would be anxious not seeing her today, so she endured the pain and hobbled her way to the veterinary department to see Layle. After Xia Xin exined that they would be back home tomorrow, Layle gave her a concerned and caring look. Even the nurse joked, ¡°Your little dog acts just like a person, understanding how to care for its owner.¡¯ Proudly, Xia Xin replied that her precious dog was indeed intelligent. Returning to her ward, Xia Xin had justid down when she received a call from Tang Hai, a colleague from the zoo. It had been a while since she had contacted Tang Hai. Previously, Tang Hai had been very attentive to her and even expressed his feelings for her. After learning about his feelings, Xia Xin had deliberately distanced herself from him, and the two hadn¡¯t been in touch for a long time. She was surprised to receive his call today. Answering the call, Xia Xin asked, ¡°Hi, Mr. Tang. Is there something you need?¡± Tang Hail s hearty voice came through, ¡°Mr. Lu heard that you had another ident and is really worried about you. He asked me to represent the zoo toe and see you. Which room are you in?¡± After Xia Xin heard that it was Lu Yuan who sent Tang Hai, she let down her guard and said, ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mr. Tang. You don¡¯t need toe all the way here. There¡¯s nothing major happening here..¡± Chapter 64 - 64: Attentiveness Chapter 64: Attentiveness Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Tang Hai said, ¡°I¡¯ve already bought the things and I¡¯m downstairs at the hospital. Just tell me your room number, or else the things I bought will be wasted.¡± Xia Xin had no choice but to tell Tang Hai her room number, and he arrived shortly after. Setting down the fruit basket and milk, Tang Hai went through the usual routine of inquiring about her condition. Xia Xin thought he was about to leave, but unexpectedly, he offered, ¡°Since your leg isn¡¯t convenient right now, let me wash an apple for you.¡± After saying that, Tang Hai took an apple and left, not giving Xia Xin a chance to refuse. Then Tang Hai proceeded to help Xia Xin get hot water and cut fruit, behaving like a boyfriend would. Even ady in the same ward said to Xia Xin, ¡°These days it¡¯s hard to find such diligent men. You should cherish him!¡± Xia Xin hurriedly exined, ¡°Ma¡¯am, you¡¯ve misunderstood. He¡¯s just my colleague.¡± Thedy continued, ¡°Well, this young man must like you a lot. He¡¯s treating you so well. You should agree quickly!¡± Thedy¡¯s tone was upbeat, and it gave Xia Xin a headache listening to her. Tang Hai, who had just walked in, heard the conversation. He smiled shyly, didn¡¯t say anything, and seemed to tacitly ept this rtionship. Xia Xin felt it was about time and urged Tang Hai to leave. She didn¡¯t want to hear more from thedy. ¡°Mr. Tang, I¡¯m fine now. It¡¯s gettingte, so go back and rest. You¡¯ll have to work tomorrow,¡± said Xia Xin. Tang Hai said, ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll stay here with you tonight.¡± Tang Hail s eagerness made Xia Xin ufortable. She was about to refuse, but before she could say anything, thedy in the next bed spoke again, ¡°Everyone needs someone to take care of them. Just let him stay.¡± Xia Xin was caught in the middle and was in a dilemma. If she refused again, it might seem like sheckedmon courtesy. Tang Hai had already taken control and went to get a folding bed from the nurse. He swiftly prepared the bed, and his speed left Xia Xin dumbfounded. ¡°Mr. Tang, you really shouldn¡¯t stay! We don¡¯t have any rtionship, how do I exin to others if you stay?!¡± Thedy, thinking she was being helpful, wanted to chime in but was silenced by a single nce from Xia Xin. Xia Xin said angrily, ¡°Ma¡¯am, please don¡¯t speak without knowing the situation! I already have a boyfriend, and if you keep talking like that, my boyfriend will be angry!¡± In her panic, Xia Xin conjured up a fictional boyfriend. ¡°You have a boyfriend?¡± Tang Hai asked in a raised tone, sounding a bit annoyed. Xia Xin was just about to admit it when Zhao Nan¡¯s call came in at the perfect time. Zhao Nan¡¯s voice on the other end sounded urgent, even a little angry. She asked, ¡°Xia Xin, why didn¡¯t you tell me you were hospitalized?¡± Before Xia Xin could respond, Zhao Nan continued, ¡°Quickly tell me which ward you¡¯re in. I¡¯m at the hospital right now!¡± Xia Xin hadn¡¯t had time to exin when she felt like she had caught a lifeline. She hurriedly let Zhao Nan know her room number and told Tang Hai, ¡°Mr. Tang, you should hurry back. My friend is here. She will take care of me tonight. ¡± Tang Hai looked somewhat disappointed, a hint of disappointment shing in his eyes. Before Tang Hai could say anything, Zhao Nan had burst into the room in a flurry and was standing by Xia Xin¡¯s bedside, inspecting the injury on her leg. Seeing Xia Xin¡¯s calf, which was swollen even more than her thigh, Zhao Nan angrily said, ¡°You¡¯re always like this. You never tell me when you¡¯re injured. If I hadn¡¯t seen the video from the scene online, I wouldn¡¯t have known you were hurt! You lied to me, saying you were busy with work just to avoid worrying me. You¡¯re not allowed to do this again next time!¡± Xia Xin obediently admitted her mistake, ¡°I know, it was an ident. Thanks foring!¡± In truth, Xia Xin¡¯stter sentence was meant to say that she was d Zhao Nan hade to chase away the pursuer she didn¡¯t like. Seeing the fruit basket on the table, Zhao Nan asked curiously, ¡°Who came to see you? They even brought a fruit basket.¡± Xia Xin subtly indicated behind her that there was someone else. Zhao Nan finally noticed Tang Hai, who had been standing behind her the whole time. Due to the poor lighting where Tang Hai stood, he looked a bit eerie at first nce. That startled Zhao Nan, but she quickly regained herposure and asked, ¡°Who¡¯s this?¡± Xia Xin introduced, ¡°This is my colleague from my department. The director asked him to represent the zoo and bring a fruit basket for condolences.¡± As soon as Zhao Nan saw Tang Hai, she didn¡¯t like him. She felt that his gaze was very strange.. Chapter 65 - 65: An Intruder Chapter 65: An Intruder Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Zhao Nan and Xia Xin¡¯s unspoken understanding made it clear that Xia Xin also disliked Tang Hai. So, Zhao Nan straightforwardly said, ¡°We thank you for your gifts and trouble. You may go home and rest now. I¡¯ll take care of the rest.¡± Tang Hai wanted to say something, but Zhao Nan noticed the reclining chair behind him andmented, ¡°Mister, you are so considerate. You even set up a reclining chair for me. Thank you.¡± Without giving him a chance to speak, Zhao Nan ushered Tang Hai out of the ward. Tang Hail s expression grew increasingly sinister, but he left without saying anything more. After seeing Tang Hai off, Zhao Nan returned to Xia Xin and asked, ¡°Don¡¯t you think there¡¯s something odd about that person¡¯s gaze? It makes me ufortable.¡± Xia Xin agreed, and while she was at it, she nced at thedy in the room. Realizing she had caused an awkward situation, thedy didn¡¯t dare to say anything more and obediently closed her eyes to sleep. Worried that Zhao Nan wouldn¡¯t befortable sleeping, Xia Xin proposed, ¡°How about we both sleep on the bed? You have work tomorrow, and that reclining chair won¡¯t be veryfortable to sleep in.¡± Zhao Nan casually replied, ¡°It¡¯s fine. You know my sleep quality, even if the sky falls, it won¡¯t wake me up. It¡¯s just a reclining chair, not the floor. It won¡¯t affect my sleep. Rest up, and if there¡¯s anything tonight, remember to call me.¡± The next morning, Zhao Nan stayed with Xia Xin until theypleted the X-ray. The X-ray showed that Xia Xin¡¯s leg bones were fine, and the disced bone had already been attached. She just needed to avoid intense exercise for about a month. After the examination, Xia Xin took the X-ray and the prescribed medication and went to pick up Layle to go home together. At her doorstep, Xia Xin noticed a sticky note stuck on the door. There was nothing written on it, only a paw print of a dog. Xia Xin recognized it as Bobo¡¯s paw print, left by Jing MO and Bobo when they came to her home and couldn¡¯t find her. However, she didn¡¯t know when it was left. It seemed like it had been there for quite a while since the edges were curling. Thinking about how the seemingly aloof Jing MO would engage in such a childish game with a dog like Bobo, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but smile. She took the sticky note down, straightened it, and put it into her pocket before entering her home. Before entering, Xia Xin felt a bit uneasy. Since thest time Zhang Liang caused a scene here, she hadn¡¯t been home. The ce was probably a mess, and she didn¡¯t want to deal with cleaning while nursing her injured leg. However, to Xia Xin¡¯s surprise, the house was very clean and tidy, obviously having been meticulously cleaned. But she had no idea who could have done it so thoughtfully. She pondered, ¡®Zhao Nan didn¡¯t pay much attention to details, so it probably wasn¡¯t her. Could it have been something I instructed Zhao Nan to do before losing consciousness?¡¯ While Xia Xin was lost in thought, she suddenly smelled the aroma of food. She wondered if she was so hungry that she was hallucinating. She was the only one in the house, so it was weird that she could smell food. Xia Xin sniffed again carefully, confirming that she wasn¡¯t mistaken. Immediately on high alert, she picked up a broom and cautiously made her way towards the kitchen. Layle followed her lead, sticking close to the wall. ¡®Thieves were bing bolder; now they were even cooking in my house!¡¯ Xia Xin thought. But just as Xia Xin took a couple of steps, she realized something wasn¡¯t right, ¡®Wait a minute, this scent was too familiar, just like the smell of the braised pork ribs my mother used to make!¡¯ Then, Xia Xin immediately realized that it was Gu Fan. Gu Fan had a spare key and could enter and exit Xia Xin¡¯s house at will. Hearing movement, Xia Xin knew Gu Fan was about toe out. She quickly ced the broom on the floor and stood at attention. Gu Fan came out carrying a te of sweet and sour pork ribs and another te of crispy pork belly. Seeing Xia Xin, she was startled for a moment, then smiled and said, ¡°You little girl, you¡¯re back without making a sound. You scared me. Wash your hands quickly and sit down to eat.¡± Gu Fan ced the dishes on the table and then took a moment to really look at Xia Xin. Seeing Xia Xin holding X-rays in her hand, Gu Fan grew nervous and asked, ¡°Whose X-rays are those?¡± ¡°Uh, mine.¡± ¡°What happened? Where are you injured?¡± Xia Xin hurriedly lied tofort Gu Fan, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s just that I sprained my foot a bit today at the zoo. I went to the hospital, but there was no serious issue. Don¡¯t worry.¡± Relieved, Gu Fan scolded Xia Xin slightly and looked at her with a hint of irritation. Gu Fan said, ¡°Be more careful in the future. You¡¯re all grown up, but you can¡¯t take care of yourself when you¡¯re out. You always make me worry..¡± Chapter 66 - 66: A Mother’s Love Chapter 66: A Mother¡¯s Love Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Feeling touched, Xia Xin¡¯s eyes welled up with tears, and she couldn¡¯t help but hug Gu Fan, saying, ¡°Mom, thank you. I love you so much.¡± Gu Fan replied, ¡°Silly child, no need to thank me. Wash your hands quickly and sit down to eat.¡± Looking at the table full of dishes she loved, Xia Xin¡¯s appetite grew, and she ended up eating two bowls of rice without realizing it. After finishing her meal, she couldn¡¯t help but burp. Having devoured her meal, Xia Xin suddenly remembered to ask Gu Fan, ¡°Mom, why did youe all of a sudden? You didn¡¯t even tell me. I¡¯ve been staying at Zhao Nan¡¯s ce for the past couple of days. If I hadn¡¯te back today, the meals you prepared would have gone to waste.¡± Gu Fan, looking very content, gazed at her daughter and said, ¡°It¡¯s not wasted at all. I had the spontaneous idea toe and cook a meal for you today. I have to go to work in the afternoon, so I didn¡¯t inform you. I nned it out; if you didn¡¯te back, I was going to freeze these dishes in the fridge, and you could just heat them up whenever you want.¡± Xia Xin savored another piece of sweet and sour pork rib, feeling a deep sense of happiness. The feeling of being cared for by her mother was wonderful. There was nothing in this world more valuable than the love of parents that she should cherish. Once Xia Xin finished eating, Gu Fan started to collect the dishes to wash them. Xia Xin stopped Gu Fan and said, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t bother. You¡¯ve already cleaned the house so nicely. Let me take care of the rest.¡± Gu Fan looked puzzled and said, ¡°Take care of what? Isn¡¯t it you who cleaned the house so nicely? I was wondering why you suddenly changed today, actually being willing to clean up the house. It¡¯s so clean that I even doubted if I went to the wrong house. I thought maybe your dad secretly told you I wasing, so you cleaned up ahead of time.¡± Xia Xin was stunned and thought, ¡®I hadn¡¯t cleaned the house so thoroughly. Who could it be? It couldn¡¯t be Layle, right?¡¯ While Gu Fan continued to tidy up, she couldn¡¯t help but nag at Xia Xin, ¡°Look at you, all grown up, yet your home is always so messy. What if guestse over and see this? And also, don¡¯t cover the peephole with that sticky note at the door! The peephole is for you to see who¡¯s knocking. If you cover it with a note, how will you see outside? What if a bad persones and you open the door?¡± Xia Xin was mentally resisting and thought, ¡®I¡¯m no longer a child, so why did I need to be told not to open the door to strangers! Wait a second, the sticky note! Right, it must be Jing MO!¡¯ Xia Xin suddenly realized. Jing MO had put a sticky note on the door, maybe not to tell her that he had been there, but to let her know that the house had been cleaned. Xia Xin wasn¡¯t sure, though. She nned to text Jing MO to confirm. Having listened to Gu Fan¡¯s many words without really paying attention, Xia Xin replied somewhat flustered, ¡°I heard you! I¡¯ll be careful. This residential area has good security service. You don¡¯t need to worry about me.¡± Gu Fan said, ¡°There¡¯s no parent in the world who doesn¡¯t worry about their child. A couple of days ago, you mentioned selling the house for relocation and buying a new one. I inquired about the property prices in this neighborhood. If you¡¯re buying a second-hand house, thepensation from the house for relocation should just about cover it. If you¡¯re interested, we can buy this one. If you want a new one, it might require a bit more. But your dad and I have saved enough money in thest couple of years to buy a new house. What are your thoughts?¡± ¡®My parents worked hard their whole lives, and they¡¯re willing to use their savings to help me buy a house.¡¯ Xia Xin thought. Tears welled up in Xia Xin¡¯s eyes again, and she hugged Gu Fan tightly. She said, ¡°Mom, I¡¯m lucky to have you!¡± In her heart, Xia Xin added, ¡®I¡¯m lucky to have both of you by my side in this life. ¡°Silly child, think about it yourself. I need to hurry to work,¡± said Gu Fan. Xia Xin personally saw Gu Fan off in the elevator before returning to rest. She calcted the money she had earned recently from work, including advertising fees and earnings from participating in variety shows. It amounted to about 500,000 yuan. Xia Xin nned to use the money she had to take her parents on a trip abroad first. If she needed more to buy a new house, the remaining money should be enough. However, Xia Xin didn¡¯t want to rush into things. The house had to be to her liking; she couldn¡¯t just buy any house.. Chapter 67 - 67: Harassment Chapter 67: Harassment Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion The house Xia Xin¡¯s parents lived in was a small two-bedroom apartment, old and cramped. Sometimes, Xia Xin and her family would still manage to live together in it, but now that she was older, it felt a bit crowded. Xia Xin wanted to buy a bigger and better house for her parents so that they could all live together as a family. After thinking about that, Xia Xin remembered the sticky note that Jing MO had left at the door. She messaged him, [Did you arrange for a cleaningdy toe and clean for me?] After waiting for a while without getting a reply, Xia Xin assumed that Jing MO was probably busy filming and didn¡¯t have time to check his phone. Tired from the previous day¡¯s hospital visit, she fell asleep holding her phone. Xia Xin was awakened by a WeChat message and saw that it was already 3 p.m. Jing MO replied, [Yes, I arranged for a cleaningdy. The broken things have been cleaned up, and I also installed a camera at the entrance.] Following that, Jing MO sent Xia Xin instructions on how to connect to the surveince footage on her phone. Once again, Xia Xin was surprised by Jing Mo¡¯s thoughtfulness and replied, [Mr. Jing, thank you for your help. How much was the cleaning fee? I¡¯ll transfer it to you.] After Jing MO received the payment, he suddenly asked, [About the meal you mentioned treating me to, when do you n to fulfill that?] ¡°Huh?¡± Xia Xin was taken aback and thought, ¡®Would Jing MO say something like that? Could it be that Sun Hu was the one using his phone to chat?¡¯ But Xia Xin still gave a response, [How about tomorrow evening?] Since it was already 3 PM, it was toote for today, and Xia Xin¡¯s leg still hadn¡¯t fully recovered, so going out was not a good idea. Tomorrow would be the most suitable time. Jing MO quickly replied with a single word, [Okay.] Stretchingzily, Xia Xin got ready to get up, and then she received a call from Tang Hai. Xia Xin found it strange because she thought that afterst night¡¯s incident, Tang Hai would understand her attitude and wouldn¡¯t bother her anymore. She couldn¡¯t understand why he was calling her again today. Xia Xin answered the call, and Tang Hai didn¡¯t wait for her to speak before asking directly, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you at the hospital?¡± Tang Hail s tone sounded more like an usation. Xia Xin furrowed her brows and asked, ¡°How do you know I¡¯m not at the hospital?¡± Tang Hai said, ¡°I came to the hospital to see you. Thedy in the same ward told me that you were discharged this morning.¡± Xia Xin felt like she was being watched, making her ufortable. Moreover, Layle seemed visibly agitated upon hearing Tang Hails voice. Xia Xin could only pat Layle¡¯s head to calm him down. Xia Xin replied, ¡°Mr. Tang, we¡¯re just colleagues. You don¡¯t need to worry about me this much.¡± Tang Hai didn¡¯t speak and instead asked forcefully, ¡°Where¡¯s your apartment? I¡¯lle and see you.¡± Xia Xin found Tang Hai increasingly strange. When she had turned him down before, he had maintained a polite social distance. She wondered why he was suddenly so persistent, like a piece of ster. Xia Xin said, ¡°You can¡¯te. My apartment is not convenient right now.¡± Tang Hai persisted, ¡°Why not? Is it because your boyfriend is at home?¡± Suddenly, Xia Xin realized that yesterday, to turn him down, she had made up a boyfriend. ¡®But what¡¯s with his tone? I had nothing to do with him. Whether I had a boyfriend or not was none of his business. His tone was so nauseating that it seemed like he was suspecting me of cheating on him.¡¯ Xia Xin thought. Xia Xin¡¯s tone was not very friendly as she said, ¡°Mr. Tang, unless it¡¯s work-rted, we shouldn¡¯t contact each other anymore. I find it inappropriate! And everyone has their private life. The life after work belongs to me. I would rather enjoy it on my own than be disturbed by others!¡± After ending the call, Xia Xin called the veterinarian to inquire about Bao¡¯s condition. After confirming that Bao had been sessfully treated, Xia Xin felt relieved. The veterinarian chatted with Xia Xin, ¡°There¡¯s something strange. When Bao was brought in, the bleeding from the wound had already stopped, but the wound couldn¡¯t have stopped bleeding without removing the splinter. Perhaps Bao¡¯s recovery ability is better than other giant pandas. This seems like a case worth studying!¡± The veterinarian got more and more excited, while Xia Xin could only agree without expressing an opinion. Bao was able to stop bleeding in time because of Xia Xin¡¯s Beast Language System¡¯s passive healing ability. As long as Xia Xin got close to Bao, she could speed up its recovery. Of course, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t say this out loud.. Chapter 68 - 68: Targeted Chapter 68: Targeted Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin¡¯s leg injury wasn¡¯t too severe, but it still hurt on the second day, and even getting out of bed was a struggle. She realized that she had overestimated her physical stamina. Even with her attributes raised to 80 points, it couldn¡¯tpensate for her inherent weakness. Xia Xin called Lu Yuan to request a leave of absence. Lu Yuan¡¯s tone was serious as he answered, ¡°Xin, your call couldn¡¯t havee at a better time. I was just about to contact you about something.¡± Lu Yuan rarely sounded so serious, so when he used that tone, Xia Xin knew that something significant had happened. She thought it might be rted to the person who damaged the rockeryst time and got caught. However, Lu Yuan told her an even more shocking piece of news. ¡°I had someone examine the wood left from the copsed cabin and discovered marks on the wood inside the cabin¡¯s side that indicate it was sawed through with a saw. This caused the unstable wood inside the cabin to be knocked over when the giant panda entered. Bao was injured and unable to move, so he temporarily supported the cabin. Once Bao moves, the cabin will lose support and naturally copse,¡± Lu Yuan said. ¡®So, it was another case of sabotage caused by a person¡­¡¯ Xia Xin pondered. She found this matter extremely terrifying. ¡°Mr. Lu, what does the director of the show say about this? Their industrypetition has now endangered the safety of the animals and even harmed people. Are they going to just turn a blind eye?¡± Xia Xin asked. Lu Yuan¡¯s tone grew even more serious and said, ¡°Xin, this matter isn¡¯t just a simple business rivalry. Haven¡¯t you noticed that no matter what this person does, it doesn¡¯t affect the filming of the variety show or even the airing of the episodes? After the show airs, there¡¯s a series of positive feedback. Also, this person isn¡¯t using the inte to control things. This indicates that their target is not the show, but the zoo.¡± Xia Xin thought about it carefully, and it was indeed the case. The person¡¯s actions always only targeted the zoo¡¯s facilities and animals. But she couldn¡¯t figure out why the person would target the zoo. Xia Xin had a sudden realization. She recalled that the things the person damaged were all traceable. Because the guests¡¯ positions were random, and the timing of things falling was also random, this person couldn¡¯t predict in advance. Therefore, the rockery incident could only have targeted Xia Xin, who was standing by the rockery, leisurely ying with the pandas. And the second time, only Xia Xin and the three giant pandas were by the cabin. The appearance of the guests was merely an ident. But because there were guests present both times, they overlooked this detail, thinking that the person was targeting the variety show. In reality, it wasn¡¯t; the person¡¯s true target was Xia Xin. Realizing that, Xia Xin suddenly felt a chill. She had no idea who she had offended so much, and why that person would target her everywhere. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder if the person thought it was a joke. If Xia Xin hadn¡¯t sensed it with her keen perception beforehand in each ident, she could very well have died in these idents. Xia Xin¡¯s spection aligned with Lu Yuan¡¯s. Lu Yuan was worried as he asked, ¡°Xin, think carefully, have you offended anyone?¡± Xia Xin couldn¡¯t think of anyone. She rarely interacted with people, and she was friendly. She also wondered who could hate her to the point of wanting her dead. Lu Yuan suggested, ¡°Xin, maybe we should report this to the police.¡± Xia Xin hesitated and said, ¡°But these are just our spections. Reporting it won¡¯t help without evidence.¡± Lu Yuan sighed, ¡°Indeed, this person is cunning. They know to disable the surveince before acting, so there¡¯s no trace to follow.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Xia Xin suddenly realized something. ¡°Mr. Lu, are you saying that this person manages to disable the surveince every time they act?¡± Lu Yuan said, ¡± Yes, because there¡¯s no sign of damage to the surveince.¡± Xia Xin suddenly had a hunch. Whoever could disable the surveince must have free ess to the control room and be able to move around each section of the zoo. This person had to be a senior member of the zoo, and there were only seven individuals in the zoo with that level of ess. That could be easily investigated. A bold idea suddenly struck Xia Xin, and it horrified her. She said, ¡°Mr. Lu, I have a way to make this person expose himself!¡± Lu Yuan asked, ¡°How?¡± Xia Xin said, ¡°Allow me to keep you in suspense for now. This will also require the cooperation of the crew. Do you know when the next episode of the show will be recorded?¡± After checking the schedule coordinated with the production crew, Lu Yuan answered, ¡°In three days..¡± Chapter 69 - 69: Comments Chapter 69: Comments Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin said, ¡°Sure, Mr. Lu, I¡¯ll trouble you with that when the timees. But things inside the zoo might still get damaged.¡± Lu Yuan replied, ¡°As long as we catch the troublemaker, those things don¡¯t matter.¡± Xia Xin felt that capturing this person was the most important thing now, so she had to recover and be ready to confront her adversary. So Xia Xin messaged Jing MO again, [Mr. Jing, I have something going on recently. Can we schedule dinner next week?] Jing MO was still reading the script. As soon as he heard the notification sound for the message, he picked up his phone. After reading the message, his eyebrows involuntarily furrowed for a moment. This micro-expression was coincidentally caught by Sun Hu. Sun Hu looked at Jing MO with an amused expression and said, ¡°To be honest, after knowing you for so many years, this is the first time I¡¯ve seen a girl reject you.¡± Then, Jing MO gave Sun Hu a cold nce. Sun Hu shut up obediently but couldn¡¯t resist continuing, ¡°Apart from being slightly good-looking, what¡¯s so special about Xia Xin that makes you care so much? The entertainment industry is full of good-looking people, and countless others are better-looking than Xia Xin. I¡¯ve never seen you care about anyone like this before. What¡¯s going on?¡± Jing MO put down his phone and continued to read the script. However, he still answered Sun Hu¡¯s question, ¡°Actually, I¡¯m not entirely sure if she¡¯s the person I¡¯m looking for. I had that idea after she saved someone during the first episode recording. I¡¯ll let you know the details once I confirm.¡± Sun Hu didn¡¯t ask any more questions. He knew Jing MO had been searching for someone for a long time, but he never revealed what kind of person it was. Sun Hu understood that this topic was best left untouched. This was the first time Jing MO had actively brought up the topic in so many years. Sun Hu thought that Xia Xin had a high likelihood of being the person he was looking for. Xia Xin spent three whole days resting at home and didn¡¯t go out. What puzzled her was that she could always hear footsteps outside her door. After Gu Fan had prepared a lot of food and put it in the fridge, enough for Xia Xin for three days, it couldn¡¯t be food delivery. The owner of those footsteps paced back and forth, as if deliberately marking time. Saying Xia Xin wasn¡¯t scared was a lie, but fortunately, every time the footsteps sounded, Layle would position himself in front of her and stay there until the footsteps moved away. For her own safety, Xia Xin didn¡¯t leave her home for three days. What she didn¡¯t anticipate was that after the second episode aired, one person was criticized and trended on social media because of her. That person was Wan Wan. Although the production team tried their best to prevent videos of the idents from spreading, many audience members recorded videos on-site. Therefore, the situation at the time wasrgely captured and uploaded online. Netizens saw that MO Shu remained in the same spot by the copsed cabin, waiting for Xia Xin toe out, while Wan Wan distanced herself and kept far away. Thus, thements overwhelmingly criticized Wan Wan for being selfish and disregarding the safety of herpanions. Theizens also believed that even if Xia Xin wasn¡¯t an actress, Wan Wan should have helped her. Instead, Wan Wan only cared about her own safety. After the show aired,izens magnified Wan Wan¡¯s moments of acting cute and used her of overacting. When she acted affectionately towards Xia Xin, it seemed like they were close friends, but when something happened, she was the first to turn and walk away. A video of Wan Wan rolling her eyes during a fan meeting event was also found byizens. For a while, it seemed like the whole inte was criticizing Wan Wan. What made Wan Wan even angrier was that due to thements, the production team decided not to invite her for the third episode. Instead, they reced her with another team member who debuted with her and happened to be the one she disliked the most, Gao Xin. However, Xia Xin was unaware of this matter because she used the three days of rest to thoroughly examine her newly upgraded system. Xia Xin unexpectedly discovered that her Beast Language system now had a new passive skill with a calming effect. Although she didn¡¯t know exactly how it would be useful, having an additional skill made her happy. This could serve as an extra card when dealing with the twisted person who harmed animals and her. For the rest of the time, Xia Xin spent almost all of it sleeping, making up for the sleep she had missed over the past few days. She had no time to read onlinements. However, Wan Wan attributed this incident to Xia Xin, who remained silent throughout.. Chapter 70 - 70: Mysterious Guest Chapter 70: Mysterious Guest Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Due to the bacsh Wan Wan faced from trending on social media, Li Jie was constantly on the phone dealing with public rtions issues. He was so busy that he felt dizzy, and even the production team informed him that they wouldn¡¯t be inviting Wan Wan for future episodes. As Li Jie anxiously paced, Wan Wan was in a fit of anger and said, ¡°It¡¯s all because of that woman! Who exactly is she? There must be a powerful backer supporting her from behind! Otherwise, how could all theizens¡¯ments be overwhelmingly in her favor?¡± Li Jie rolled his eyes internally and thought, ¡®Did she not know her own princess¡¯s temper? She had caused so much trouble, and now she was ming others.¡¯ But to avoid being scolded, Li Jie kept his mouth shut. The more Wan Wan thought, the angrier she became, clenching her fists, her long and elegant nails digging into her skin. She muttered, ¡°Xia Xin, I¡¯ll make sure you taste what it¡¯s like to be subjected to online bullying!¡± The filming of the third episode of the variety show took ce in the lion¡¯s area. Upon hearing about lions, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but recall the final scene from her previous life, where a lion had opened its blood-stained mouth and bitten her delicate neck clean off. Whenever Xia Xin recalled that scene, she couldn¡¯t help but shiver. This fear of lions persisted, and even though time had passed, she still asionally had nightmares of her neck being torn apart. She would wake up in a cold sweat, clutching her neck in terror. However, for the sake of her safety, Xia Xin was determined to push through this time, to muster her courage. Becausepared to ferocious lions, the most terrifying thing was the deceitful human heart. She must catch that person. The female guest for the third episode had been confirmed, but the identity of the male guest remained a mystery. The director of the show even teased, revealing that it was a heavyweight guest, dropping a hint that the person was an uing award-winning male actor. This gimmick stirred up a lot of buzz, with many fans debating the mystery guest¡¯s identity. As a result of the heightened discussion and the man¡¯s mysterious nature, only the director and assistant director were privy to the guest¡¯s identity among the crew members. Due to the intense spection and the guest¡¯s enigmatic status, Xia Xin¡¯s curiosity had been piqued. So much so that when Jing MO appeared in the backstage dressing room, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but exim in surprise, ¡°Why is it you?¡± Jing MO looked at Xia Xin and asked, ¡°Who were you hoping for?¡± Xia Xin didn¡¯t have any expectations because she could count the number of male celebrities she knew in the entertainment industry on one hand. Moreover. when the director announced that the male actor might win an award, Xia Xin¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She had a small glimmer of hope that it might be Jing Mo. So her current surprise was also partly a result of her correctly guessing the oue. Seeing another female celebrity in the room applying makeup, Xia Xin was aware of howplex the entertainment industry could be. She was concerned that if her acquaintance with Jing MO was discovered, it might be overly sensationalized. She wanted to change the topic and go sit on the couch while waiting for the recording to start. However, Jing Mo¡¯s gaze shifted to Xia Xin¡¯s leg, and he asked, ¡°How¡¯s your Xia Xin was slightly taken aback. ¡°How did you know?¡± ¡°Anyone who goes online should know, I suppose,¡± Jing MO said. ¡®He¡¯s got a point there¡­¡¯ Xia Xin realized she had asked a somewhat foolish question. Xia Xin stood up to move her leg, showing Jing MO that it waspletely fine. She said, ¡°It¡¯s already recovered. It was just a sprain. A few days of rest and it¡¯s all good.¡± Jing MO sat at the makeup table, ncing at the script, and casually remarked, ¡°Being your creditor, I¡¯ve always worried about whether you¡¯ll be able to afford the next meal.¡± Gao Xin, who was sitting nearby and unable to move while her hair and makeup were being done, seemed to have heard some major news. Even though she couldn¡¯t turn her head, she shifted her eyes in their direction and said with a yful smile, ¡°It seems like I¡¯ve heard a secret.¡± Xia Xin was also taken aback and in an instant, a myriad of thoughts rushed through her mind, ¡®Is Jing MO not concerned about online public opinion? What if news about us knowing each other spread online and it got exaggerated? Was he not afraid of fans discussing and unfollowing him? Especially since there was another female celebrity here. Didn¡¯t people in the entertainment industry value privacy? I had thought Jing MO might pretend not to know me intentionally. Why was he saying things that could easily be misunderstood?¡¯ Seeming to sense what Xia Xin was thinking, Gao Xin smiled mischievously and exined, ¡°If it were someone else, Jing MO might worry a bit. But because it¡¯s me, the bigmouth, he doesn¡¯t need to worry. Besides, everyone backstage is one of us, so no one would spread rumors..¡± Chapter 71 - 71: Gao Xin Chapter 71: Gao Xin Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion From that conversation, it was clear that the two of them had a good rtionship. Despite Gao Xin calling herself a bigmouth, it was evident that Jing Mo trusted her a lot. Looking at Jing MO in the mirror, Gao Xin couldn¡¯t resist teasing him, ¡°Dude, I¡¯ve never seen you care so much about a meal before. Why is it that when others invite you for a meal, you¡¯re unwilling to go no matter how much they insist? It seems you¡¯re waiting eagerly for this one!¡± Jing MO didn¡¯t reply. Xia Xin felt a bit embarrassed, but it was the makeup artist for Gao Xin who couldn¡¯t hold back. She forcefully turned Gao Xin¡¯s head straight and said, ¡°Miss, could you please keep your head still for a moment? Let me finish your makeup and hair. I won¡¯t evenin if you start doing a neck dance!¡± Gao Xin didn¡¯t dare to argue back and could only make a face in silent protest. Xia Xin was immediately drawn to this girl, finding her amusing and friendly. Gao Xin was outgoing by nature and couldn¡¯t help striking up a conversation with Xia Xin, ¡°Hey, you¡¯ve been so popr online recently. Why do all the animals like you so much? Do you have any secrets?¡± Xia Xin found it hard to exin the reason and could only be vague. She said, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯ve had a connection with animals since I was young. I even studied biology in college and researched on small animals.¡± Gao Xin pouted, ¡°That¡¯s quite an enviable skill. The script says we¡¯ll be interacting with lions in this episode. Lions are so fierce. Won¡¯t there be any danger?¡± Xia Xin exined, ¡°There will be professional lion keepers present today for this segment. There won¡¯t be any danger. Also, we won¡¯t actually be in direct contact with the lions. We just need to ce raw meat in front of their cages, and the keepers will take care of the rest.¡± Jing MO was curious and asked, ¡°What¡¯s your role?¡± Xia Xin answered, ¡°Actually, I have very little screen time in this episode. If it weren¡¯t for the contract with the show, I probably wouldn¡¯t need to appear at all. So, my responsibility is to find the meat with you all and bring it to the lion cages.¡± Jing MO nced at Xia Xin and advised, ¡°Stay safe.¡± Gao Xin chimed in, ¡°Indeed, safety should be a priority. I¡¯ve noticed that Miss Xia Xin here seems to be at odds with this show. She¡¯s been injured in almost every episode.¡± After Gao Xin spoke, her agent, Zhou Ping, handed her a phone, saying, ¡°It¡¯s Wan Wan calling for you.¡± Gao Xin furrowed her eyebrows and said, ¡°Why would she suddenly call me? If she needs something, doesn¡¯t she usually go through Li Jie to contact you? It¡¯s strange for her to call me directly.¡± Xia Xin felt puzzled and thought, ¡®Aren¡¯t they both members of the same debut group? Their rtionship should be good, so why did they seem unfamiliar with each other?¡¯ Gao Xin answered the call with an indifferent tone, asking, ¡°What¡¯s up? Wan Wan asked, ¡°Are you currently filming the next episode?¡± Gao Xin impatiently replied, ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°I heard that the guest for this episode is Jing MO,¡± Wan Wan said. Gao Xin was exasperated. ¡°If you have something to say, just say it directly. We¡¯re about to start filming.¡± Wan Wan deliberately used a cutesy tone, ¡°You¡¯re always so impatient. I don¡¯t have anything serious, just wanted to remind you. That Xia Xin is quite a troublemaker. You should keep your distance from her. Don¡¯t end up being scolded and trending someday without realizing it.¡± Gao Xin snorted, ¡°Wan Wan, if you were only being scolded and trending because of your actions, I¡¯d think youck emotional intelligence at most. But the fact that you¡¯re saying all this to me makes me believe you¡¯re actually quite foolish.¡¯ ¡°You!¡± Wan Wan was furious, her voice bing sharp. She was about to start yelling, but the call had already been hung up. Wan Wan angrily tossed her phone onto the couch and said, ¡°That infuriating Gao Xin! Just because she knows Jing MO and has a good entertainmentpany doesn¡¯t mean she can be arrogant. She even dared to hang up on my call! ¡± Li Jie listened from the sidelines, regretting his decision to be Wan Wan¡¯s manager. He was certain that her emotional intelligence truly wasn¡¯t suited for being an actress. If she ended up ruining herself someday, that was one thing, but he hoped she wouldn¡¯t drag him down with her. Wan Wan seemed dissatisfied with her current managementpany,ining that she shouldn¡¯t have signed the contract back then. She even thought if only she hadn¡¯t agreed, they wouldn¡¯t have brought her so much trouble. Because the backstage was quiet, everyone could hear Gao Xin¡¯s conversation with Wan Wan clearly. Xia Xin stood awkwardly to the side, not knowing what to say, just wanting to escape the scene, and said, ¡°Maybe I should go to the set and see if there¡¯s anything I can help with. You guys continue with your makeup..¡± Chapter 72 - 72: Recording Chapter 72: Recording Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Gao Xin stopped Xia Xin, saying, ¡°It¡¯s okay, Xia Xin. You don¡¯t have to avoid it. This kind of thing ismon among celebrities. Just get used to it. Since you¡¯re Jing Mo¡¯s friend, I didn¡¯t intend to hide from you. Although I won¡¯t help you, I won¡¯t at least do anything to harm you behind your back.¡± Xia Xin was touched by Gao Xin¡¯s honesty. She realized that not everything about the entertainment industry beingplicated was true. At least there were people like Gao Xin who were straightforward. Xia Xin thanked Gao Xin and then the assistant director came to call everyone to start filming the show. Since they were in the lion¡¯s area, Xia Xin wasn¡¯t a main participant. She didn¡¯t need to be by the lions¡¯ side constantly like in the previous two episodes. She would only appear during her segments. Xia Xin rested backstage until a crew member came to call her for her appearance. She put on a baseball cap and applied a neutral-colored lipstick to improve herplexion. Then, she took a deep breath and said to herself, ¡°I hope I don¡¯t get injured today!¡± The crew members were puzzled, wondering if they had misheard, ¡®Is this a high-risk job? Her demands for herself were so low, as long as she didn¡¯t get injured? Maybe we should stay away from the zoo from now on.¡¯ When Xia Xin appeared, the game was mostly over, with Gao Xin having won. She was happily posing in front of the camera. Jing MO stood nearby, but the camera didn¡¯t focus on him after a close-up, so Xia Xin ended up standing next to him when she entered. Jing MO softly reminded Xia Xin, ¡°Be careful. The lions today seem a bit unusual.¡± Xia Xin looked at the pacing lion and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Jing MO answered, ¡°It seems this lion is a bit agitated. It hit the cage during filming.¡± Xia Xin observed the lion closely. She and Jing MO weren¡¯t far from the cage, so she could see that the lion¡¯s eye sockets were reddened, a clear sign of agitation. It impatiently blew air out of its mouth and whipped its tail against the cage several times, disying nervous and anxious behavior. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but recall the lions she encountered during her exploration in Africa. They were just like the situation today¡ªrestless, staring at the crowd as if looking at prey. It was a mixture of resistance and the urge to tear apart as if they could devour everyone at any moment. Fear welled up within Xia Xin, and her palms started to sweat nervously. Sensing her tension, Jing MO inquired, ¡°How are you feeling? If you are not feeling well today, I can talk to the director to stop the shoot and cancel this segment.¡± After some mental preparation, Xia Xin declined Jing Mo¡¯s suggestion. Although Xia Xin was afraid, she didn¡¯t want to cause any idents on the show due to her own fear. That would only put her back into the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Additionally, Xia Xin had resolved to use this opportunity to expose the person behind the scenes. She couldn¡¯t let him keep causing destruction unchecked. From any angle, Xia Xin wouldn¡¯t easily back down. ¡°It¡¯s okay, I can do it,¡± Xia Xin said and gave Jing MO a determined look. Jing MO nodded slightly, not interfering with Xia Xin¡¯s decision anymore, but nning in his mind how to protect her if necessary. As Xia Xin expected, that troublemaker had indeed taken every precaution to ensure that the lion remained under his control. Xia Xin initially thought that the rampaging lion was that person¡¯s only trick. However, she didn¡¯t expect that he would even damage the cage and tamper with her. From the moment Xia Xin stood by the cage, she felt something was off. The lion became visibly more agitated, repeatedly ramming the cage, and the lock on the lion¡¯s cage even showed signs ofing undone. Xia Xin felt that the lion¡¯s agitation might be rted to her somehow. She wondered, ¡®Could it be something on my body that was provoking the lion? Was there something that had triggered the lion¡¯s restlessness?¡¯ Xia Xin carefully thought about what she had encountered today. As she had already guessed that someone would make a move, Xia Xin had been extremely cautious, avoiding contact with anything unfamiliar and only staying in familiar areas. She just couldn¡¯t figure out why the lion became so agitated. She pondered, ¡®Is it something on me that caused this?¡¯ Suddenly, Xia Xin remembered that the cap she was wearing on her head had been handed to her directly from backstage. It was the only thing on her from head to toe that didn¡¯t belong to her.. Chapter 73 - 73: Crisis Chapter 73: Crisis Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin quickly took off her cap and tossed it aside. Indeed, the lion kept staring in the direction of the cap and continued ramming the cage. Xia Xin had alreadymunicated with the director of the show, so when he sensed that something was wrong, he promptly halted the filming. They began to pack up the valuable filming equipment, and the lion¡¯s keepers were ready. They would seize the lion promptly if any issue arose. Despite their caution, the situation unfolded in a way that exceeded their expectations. The lion was far more furious than they had anticipated. It broke the lock on the cage and burst out, even before the keepers could react. The lion lunged directly at the cap, tearing it to shreds, then shifted its gaze toward Xia Xin, who had been wearing the cap. Jing MO grabbed Xia Xin¡¯s arm, pulling her behind him, protecting her. With great solemnity, Jing MO observed the lion that was about to pounce, his fear of carnivorous animals causing him to slow his breathing, trying not to provoke the lion. Just as the lion was about to charge, Gao Xin suddenly shouted, ¡°Don¡¯t you love eating meat? There¡¯s plenty of meat here for you to enjoy!¡± Gao Xin then tossed the fresh raw meat she had won into the air, aiming it at the lion. The meat sessfully deterred the lion¡¯s attack. The keepers seized the opportunity to use their capture tools and managed to subdue the lion. However, the captured lion struggled wildly, emitting furious roars. Each roar challenged Xia Xin¡¯s endurance, making her feel as if she was back on the vast African savannah. Cold sweat formed on her forehead and her lips turned pale. Jing MO held onto Xia Xin¡¯s wrist tightly, hoping to provide her with some support. Watching the struggling lion, it took Xia Xin a while to calm down. She finally gathered the courage to gently free herself from Jing Mo¡¯s grasp and slowly approached the lion. Xia Xin¡¯s actions weren¡¯t foolish; rather, she had two reasons. First, she couldn¡¯t bear to see the lion in distress, and second, she had confidence in her Beast Language System. Xia Xin¡¯s three days at home hadn¡¯t been wasted. She had meticulously studied the system¡¯s passive abilities and was convinced she could control the lion, which was why she dared to approach. Although the lion continued to struggle, its emotions became somewhat stabilized as Xia Xin drew closer. Xia Xin said, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, I won¡¯t hurt you.¡± The lion¡¯s eyes showed surprise, but they were more wary and fearful. It said, ¡°Human, you can actually talk to me?¡± Xia Xin thought to herself that the lion truly lived up to its title as the king of beasts. Even when captured, it maintained its proud posture. By this point, Xia Xin was close enough to the lion. She crouched down cautiously in front of it and slowly reached out her hand, attempting to touch the lion¡¯s head. Unexpectedly, the lion struggled fiercely, letting out an angry roar towards Xia Xin, which startled her, causing her to sit down on the ground. ¡°Stay away from me, human!¡± the lion roared at Xia Xin. Although the lion had been raised by humans and should¡¯ve been more ustomed to them, Xia Xin¡¯s scent made it wary. However, at the same time, when Xia Xin approached, the lion strangely felt a sense of calmness that it couldn¡¯t control. It couldn¡¯t help but want to get closer to her and felt a fondness for her. The lion was conflicted, and there was a hint of anthropomorphized struggle in its eyes. Seeing Xia Xin fall to the ground, the others wanted toe over and help her, but she stopped them and said, ¡°I¡¯m fine, you don¡¯t need to worry.¡± Due to the crowd around them, Xia Xin could only slowly crouch down in front of the lion. She whispered, ¡°Why do you have such hostility towards me?¡± The lion disdainfully turned its head away and said, ¡°Hypocritical human, you stole my cub and now you want to deceive me here?¡± ¡®A cub?¡¯ Xia Xin suddenly understood. The cap carried the scent of the lion¡¯s cub, which was why the lion became agitated upon seeing her. Its cub was missing, and it believed Xia Xin had taken its cub. Xia Xin said, ¡°I know you don¡¯t believe me now, but rest assured, I will help you find your cub. Don¡¯t struggle right now, the capture tools might hurt you. Go back to your cage obediently. I promise to help you find your cub!¡± For a lion, especially one that had just lost its cub, trusting a human was a tall order. However, the way this woman spoke made it involuntarily believe her. Moreover, it felt that this woman could speak the beastnguage, so it figured things probably wouldn¡¯t go too far astray.. Thus, it obediently stopped struggling, but it still warned Xia Xin, ¡°Human, if you can¡¯t find my cub, I will eat you for sure!¡± Chapter 74 - 74: Capturing the Mastermind Chapter 74: Capturing the Mastermind Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Seeing the lion calm down under Xia Xin¡¯s soothing touch, she smiled with relief and gently stroked its head. She said, ¡°You can trust me. Maybe others have deceived you, but I absolutely won¡¯t.¡± The onlookers were amazed to see that the lion had quieted down under Xia Xin¡¯s reassurance. Xia Xin instructed the lion¡¯s keeper, ¡°It has calmed down. It just gave birth recently. When you take it back, be careful and don¡¯t hurt it. It won¡¯t harm anyone anymore.¡± The lion¡¯s keeper was a fellow colleague who had started at the same time as Xia Xin. He was tall and burly, looking at Xia Xin in astonishment. He said, ¡°I never thought someone as petite as you would be able to tame such a fierce lion. Although it¡¯s already the most docile lion in the zoo, getting it to calm down is quite a challenge. You¡¯re really impressive.¡± Xia Xin modestly smiled. The variety show still needed to continue filming, and there were still many audience members present. Although Jing MO was concerned about Xia Xin, he didn¡¯t approach her to avoid arousing suspicion. He watched from a distance, relieved to see her unharmed. After handling these matters, Xia Xin had to attend to something even more important¡ªcatching the culprit. Xia Xin went to the zoo director¡¯s office, where Lu Yuan was watching the lion enclosure¡¯s every move through surveince cameras. When Xia Xin arrived, he couldn¡¯t help but praise her, ¡°That scene just now was truly thrilling. Xia Xin, you¡¯re quite courageous. You dared to approach a lion in such an agitated state. Weren¡¯t you afraid it might actually harm you?¡± Xia Xin thought to herself that she was indeed afraid. If she didn¡¯t have the Beast Language System protecting her, she wouldn¡¯t have dared to get close. Xia Xin exined, ¡°Mr. Lu, I¡¯ve already learned the reason behind the lion¡¯s sudden rampage. It smelled its cub¡¯s scent on me, so it must have thought I stole its cub, which is why it was so furious.¡± Lu Yuan was astonished. He asked, ¡°Has a lion given birth recently in the lion enclosure? I had no idea about that. I recall the lion keepers told me about a lion that had a difficult birth, and the cub died inside its womb. Could it be that lion?¡± It seemed that someone had tampered with things right under Lu Yuan¡¯s nose. The lion had given birth about half a month ago, even before the filming of the first episode had begun. That person couldn¡¯t have known in advance about the show¡¯s recording schedule. Thus, their intention in stealing the lion cub couldn¡¯t have been to frame Xia Xin; instead, they likely aimed to steal the lion cub and sell it. Smuggling animals was a criminal offense. Xia Xin said cautiously, ¡°Mr. Lu, it seems we need to thoroughly investigate where the lion cub went. However, the most urgent matter now is to apprehend the mastermind behind this.¡± Lu Yuan nodded and then dialed Tang Hai¡¯s phone number. Tang Hail s voice sounded normal on the other end. There was nothing suspicious, and his tone was simple and honest. No one would suspect that he was the one orchestrating these malicious actions. He asked, ¡°Mr. Lu, is there something you need?¡± Lu Yuan asked, ¡°Where are you right now?¡± Tang Hai didn¡¯t detect anything amiss and truthfully replied, ¡°I¡¯m cleaning the tiger enclosure.¡± Tang Hai had always been responsible for taking care of these ferocious animals and cleaning their enclosures. He had been doing an excellent job for many years without any mistakes, so Lu Yuan hadplete trust in him. Lu Yuan continued, ¡°Put aside what you¡¯re doing for now ande to the office. I have something to discuss with you.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± said Tang Hai. Around twenty minutes after hanging up the phone, Tang Hai arrived at the office. Seeing Xia Xin, Tang Hai appeared slightly surprised. He said, ¡°Xia Xin, you¡¯ve alreadye to work at the zoo with your leg healed? You¡¯re really dedicated. Mr. Lu, you should consider giving her a raise.¡± Tang Hail s tone was casual, as though his previous strong insistence on taking Xia Xin to the hospital or visiting her at home had never happened. He behaved as though there were twopletely different sides to him. Looking at Tang Hai, Xia Xin asked, ¡°How did you know my leg was better?¡± Tang Hai was puzzled. He said, ¡°I saw you walking without any problems, so I guessed your leg had healed. Is there a problem?¡± Seeing Tang Hails innocent expression, Xia Xin genuinely began to doubt whether she had misjudged him. He really didn¡¯t seem like someone capable ofmitting those acts. With a stern expression, Xia Xin asked, ¡°Tang Hai, are you still going to pretend?¡± Tang Hai didn¡¯t understand her meaning and asked, ¡°Xia Xin, what are you trying to say? I really don¡¯t understand..¡± Chapter 75 - 75: Contradiction Chapter 75: Contradiction Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin said, ¡°Tang Hai, I really didn¡¯t expect you to be this kind of person. You tampered with the rockery to make the stones fall, injuring people. It was also you who damaged the panda¡¯s wooden structure causing harm to Bao. And today, you contaminated my hat with the scent of a lion cub, which drove the lion crazy. You even damaged the cage lock, allowing it to escape. It¡¯s all you.¡± Tang Hai wore an incredulous expression and said, ¡°Xia Xin, I¡¯ve treated you decently before. How can you use me like this?¡± Xia Xin couldn¡¯tprehend and asked, ¡°Why haven¡¯t you admitted it yet?¡± Tang Hail s frustration turned into anger and he asked, ¡°What have I done? What am I supposed to admit? I¡¯ve treated you well, so why are you framing me like this?¡± Xia Xin, furious but amused, said, ¡°I knew you wouldn¡¯t admit it so easily. Without evidence, you¡¯ll never confess. Mr. Lu, show him the evidence.¡± Lu Yuan turned theputer screen towards Tang Hai and pressed the y button. The surveince footage disyed Tang Hai sneakily entering the backstage dressing room. He indeed swapped the hat. Then, lowering the brim of the hat, he left the dressing room. Although his face wasn¡¯t fully visible, the body shape in the footage indicated that it was Tang Hai. In another clip at the lion enclosure, Tang Hai wore the hat but didn¡¯t wear a mask, making his face very clear. He nced around to make sure no one was watching and then took out a saw from his pocket. He sawed through the lock on the cage, then used glue to mend the lock, ensuring it wouldn¡¯t be noticed. Afterward, he even smirked maliciously in the direction of the camera, sending shivers down the viewers¡¯ spines. Tang Hai finished watching and was also in disbelief. He took two steps back, astonishment written all over his face, and eximed, ¡°Xia Xin, where did you get this video? You¡¯re wrongly using me! Mr. Lu, this really isn¡¯t me!¡± Xia Xin furrowed her brows and said, ¡°Tang Hai, we¡¯ve reached this point, and you still won¡¯t confess? Could surveince footage be fake? You¡¯re clever; every time you acted, you would disable the surveince in the control room. To catch you this time, we borrowed a miniature camera from the production team and installed it near the lion enclosure to capture your actions. I never thought that even now, you would still try to argue your way out!¡± Tang Hai felt a fit of intense anger and shouted, ¡°If I had really done this, I wouldn¡¯t argue. But I didn¡¯t do this!¡± Seeing Tang Hails serious expression, both Lu Yuan and Xia Xin started to waver. They wondered if they had made a mistake. Tang Hail s gaze was pure and innocent, devoid of the cunning expression seen in the video. However, Tang Hai¡¯s face in the surveince footage was extremely clear. It was difficult to dismiss the evidence even if everyone wanted to admit they were wrong. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but specte that Tang Hai might have a twin. Tang Hai red at Lu Yuan and said angrily, ¡°Mr. Lu, I¡¯ve worked at this zoo for five years, putting in effort even when there was no reward. If you think I¡¯ve done something wrong, just tell me straightforwardly. Don¡¯t try to frame me behind my back! I absolutely couldn¡¯t have done something like this!¡± Because Tang Hail s expression was so earnestly righteous, Lu Yuan also began to question whether they had apprehended the wrong person. With a grave expression, Lu Yuan said, ¡°Indeed, you¡¯ve been working at the zoo for five years. I know your character very well. At first, when Xia Xin used you, I didn¡¯t believe it. It was only when the video was exposed that I had to believe it. I want to believe you, but when faced with irrefutable evidence, you can¡¯t exin it away. Unless you can prove that this evidence is fake.¡± Tang Hai said furiously, ¡°I can¡¯t prove it. I¡¯m just a keeper, not a video editing expert. How would I know how to manipte this stuff?¡± The situation remained at a stalemate, and nobody knew how to proceed. Seeing that everyone remained silent, Tang Hai grew even angrier. He removed the ID badge hanging from his neck and mmed it onto Lu Yuan¡¯s desk. He said, ¡°Since you doubt me so much, then I have no reason to continue working here. I¡¯m resigning right now!¡± Xia Xin was at a loss for words. Her lips opened and closed, unsure whether to stop him or continue arguing with him. She could only watch as Tang Hai put down his ID badge and turned to walk out of the office, removing his staff uniform as he went.. Chapter 76 - 76: Eerie Chapter 76: Eerie Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion As he reached the doorway, Tang Hai suddenly halted and emitted a series of strangeughter, sounding as eerie as if it wereing from an animal. Humans found it difficult to produce such sounds, and both Lu Yuan and Xia Xin were creeped out. Tang Hail s figure against the backlight seemed as if he had traversed from hell, stillughing. Theughtersted for about two minutes. He bent over whileughing, then abruptly straightened, even his voice turned somewhat sinister. He said, ¡°You¡¯ve discovered, so what? Why bring it up?¡± Both individuals were left dumbfounded. Lu Yuan mmed the table in anger and asked, ¡°Tang Hai, what are you saying?¡± Tang Haiughed again and said, ¡°Hehe, don¡¯t you understand the literal meaning? Even if you¡¯ve found out that I did these things, what can you do about it? Those animals deserve to die! A monkey with psychological issues, a disabled-legged panda, and a lioness who lost her cub, what¡¯s the point of them being alive? Why don¡¯t they just die?¡± Tang Hail s words filled Xia Xin with fear and dread. Trembling, she asked, ¡°Are you admitting that you did these things now?¡± ¡°Yes, I admit it. What¡¯s there to not admit? Unlike that coward who, when falsely used, can only leave without arguing back, a true waste!¡± Tang Hai said. Xia Xin was taken aback for a moment. She thought, ¡®This way of speaking¡­ it sounded so much like¡­ split personality?¡¯ Tang Hai smirked coldly and said, ¡°You¡¯re no saint either. What gives you the right to discuss me?¡± Xia Xin countered, ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± ¡°Clearly, you have a boyfriend, yet not telling anyone, putting on an innocent face to the world. Then you flirt with other men everywhere. You¡¯re nothing more than a b*tch!¡± Tang Hai said. Xia Xin had never heard such offensive insults before. Angrily, she retorted, ¡°Whether I have a partner or admirers is none of your concern. What gives you the right toment on my affairs?¡± Tang Hai turned to look at them. His gaze was no longer the honest and genuine one from before. Instead, it was fierce and full of resentment. He said, ¡°I can¡¯t stand the fact that you have a boyfriend and still try to seduce me, using that innocent appearance of a pure white rabbit to seduce people every day. In reality, you¡¯re just a promiscuous fox! I kindly went to the hospital to see you, and you dared to reject me in public! Also, why didn¡¯t you tell me when you were discharged? I wasted a trip to your house, waiting downstairs for you. You dared to say that I was disturbing you? I waited for you at your door for three days. You, this wretched woman, didn¡¯t leave the house for three days! If it weren¡¯t for you noting out, you would have died long ago.¡± After hearing thest sentence, Xia Xin took a step back in fright. The expression and tone of Tang Hai¡¯s words made her spine tingle. The stark contrast in Tang Hai¡¯s attitude before and after left her in a state of shock. Rong Qi often heard footsteps outside her door and it wasn¡¯t her imagination. Tang Hai had been monitoring her all along. Xia Xin found it hard to imagine what would have happened if she had actually gone out that day. The fear of narrowly escaping death caused her undergarments to be instantly damp with cold sweat. Tang Hai continued, ¡°That¡¯s right, I stole that lion cub too. I smeared its scent on your hat because you deserve to die! You should have died. To think you didn¡¯t was a pity. I wonder what tricks you have up your sleeve to make those animals so docile around you. It seems you have a way with not just men but animals too!¡± Xia Xin couldn¡¯t bear to listen any longer, her eyes reddened with anger. She shouted, ¡°Shut up! Don¡¯t project your filthy thoughts onto others!¡± ¡°Heh, pretending to be righteous. Don¡¯t use your fake innocence to deceive me. I¡¯ve long seen through your true self. Do you think I¡¯m as gullible as the others? Dream on!¡± Tang Hai eximed. Xia Xin calmed herself down. She couldn¡¯t let Tang Hail s words get into her mind. She shielded herself from his words. Looking at Tang Hai, Xia Xin retorted sharply, ¡°Because your heart is dark, you see everyone as unworthy of respect, just like you. Ultimately, you don¡¯t respect yourself. You¡¯ve never acknowledged yourself. You¡¯re just a coward, too afraid to admit your failures, so you put the me on others. You¡¯re aughable coward!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Tang Hai shouted as he clenched his fists, his gaze as if he wanted to tear Xia Xin apart alive.. Chapter 77 - 77: A Chaotic Mess Chapter 77: A Chaotic Mess Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Possibly because Tang Hai had been a keeper for carnivores like tigers and lions, his current gaze was as fierce as a lion¡¯s, as though he might open his bloodthirsty jaws in the next moment and sink his fangs into Xia Xin¡¯s neck. Instinctively, Xia Xin covered her neck and took a step back. Lu Yuan also stood up, mming the table, ¡°You¡¯ve worked here for five years, and I never imagined you were this kind of person. You even shifted your me onto a young girl. Since you want to resign, then leave quickly. You¡¯re not wee here!¡± Tang Hai emitted that chillingughter again, saying, ¡°I don¡¯t want to leave now. I¡¯ve decided to stay and watch how you all scramble like clowns to clean up tne mess.¡± Lu Yuan, shocked, asked, ¡°What are you up to?¡± Tang Hai replied, ¡°What am I up to? You¡¯ll find out soon enough. You might as well take a look at the surveince footage and see how your zoo has turned into chaos.¡± Lu Yuan, increasingly infuriated, immediately brought up the surveince footage. He saw the zoo inplete disarray. All the locks on the cages were like illusions; they automatically opened before the animals could even collide with them. Tang Hai had destroyed every single cage in the zoo. Now, animals were running everywhere. The lions were under control, but there were still tigers, hippos, and moreing out of the cages, and wandering around the zoo. Visitors were panicking, running around, shouting in rm. Their foody scattered on the ground. The entire zoo looked like a mess, chaotic just like the streets in a post-apocalyptic movie. The more Lu Yuan watched, the angrier he became. Pointing at Tang Hai, he scolded, ¡°You lunatic, do you know what you¡¯ve done? What if the animals harm the visitors?¡± Tang Hai said, ¡°Don¡¯t act all righteous. Are you really worried about people getting hurt? You¡¯re just concerned that, after these things happen, the zoo won¡¯t be able to operate anymore.¡± Lu Yuan looked at the young man before him in disbelief and asked, ¡°How can you think this way about me?¡± When Lu Yuan established the zoo, Tang Hai was his first employee. Back then, Tang Hai seemed honest and simple, exuding an aura of reliability. Lu Yuan believed that having someone like Tang Hai, who loved animals, working at the zoo would ensure good care for all the animals and propel the zoo to greatness. Back then, the zoo didn¡¯t have many animals, and Tang Hai even apanied Lu Yuan to other zoos to borrow more animals. It could be said that Tang Hai had been by Lu Yuan¡¯s side throughout his journey to sess. This was why Lu Yuan had such faith in Tang Hai. As the zoo grew, Lu Yuan didn¡¯t micromanage but instead treated Tang Hai well, allowing him to move freely throughout the zoo. Lu Yuan was now infuriated, not just angry. Seeing Tang Hai transformed into this person, he was even angrier at himself. He was angry that he hadn¡¯t seen through this person¡¯s true nature in five years. More than anything, he was angry at himself for being fooled. Lu Yuan was so upset that he almost lost his bnce. Xia Xin hurriedly went forward to support him, helping him calm down. She said, ¡°Mr. Lu, please calm down. Don¡¯t let your anger affect your health because of someone like him.¡± Tang Hai sneered, ¡°What kind of person am I? I¡¯m just magnifying your desires, merely showing you your dark side. Why can¡¯t you ept it? When those thoughts arise in your hearts, why don¡¯t you find them disgusting?¡± Tang Hai suddenly looked at Xia Xin, a smug smile on his face and he said, ¡°Oh, right, and your stinky dog.¡± ¡®Layle?¡¯ Xia Xin thought. ¡°Didn¡¯t you always want to know who pulled its tongue out? Well, I¡¯ll tell you. I pulled it out because it bit me! A dog that bites people recklessly doesn¡¯t deserve to have a tongue! Not only did I pull out its tongue, but I also tortured it. I broke its leg and left it on the street to fend for itself. Since it doesn¡¯t have a tongue anymore, there¡¯s no point in being alive. It¡¯s better off leaving this world, wouldn¡¯t you agree?¡± said Tang Hai. Xia Xin was infuriated.. She yelled, ¡°You¡¯re insane! You¡¯re truly horrifying, to be so ruthless toward animals! And you call yourself a zookeeper!¡± Chapter 78 - 78: Heroic Rescue Chapter 78: Heroic Rescue Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin felt that the person before her hadpletely lost control. She could reasonably guess that Tang Hai must have some mental issues. The drastic shifts in his emotions indicated that there was something wrong with his mental state. Xia Xin didn¡¯t want to listen to Tang Hai continue speaking. By now, the security guards should have arrived. She looked at Tang Hai and said, ¡°If you have something to say, go to the police station and talk to the police. Yes, we¡¯re just ordinary people. We can¡¯tmunicate with someone like you, who thinks so highly of themselves. You should reflect on your life in prison and stop disturbing ours! ¡± Tang Hail s expression turned cold and asked, ¡°What have you done?¡± As Tang Hai was about to charge forward, the security guards arrived in time. They grabbed one of Tang Hai¡¯s arms each and escorted him to the security office, waiting for the police to take him away. With solid evidence now, Tang Hai had no escape. After dealing with Tang Hai, the next thing needed to do was to quickly secure the escaped animals to the zoo. Xia Xin said, ¡°Mr. Lu, I¡¯ll organize the keepers to help catch the animals. Please arrange for the cages to be repaired as soon as possible to prevent them from escaping again.¡± Lu Yuan sat down, heaving a sigh of relief. He said, ¡°Sure, go handle it. I¡¯ll take care of the rest. When Xia Xin walked out of the office and reached the animal areas, chaos reigned. Security guards were directing visitors to leave the zoo in an orderly manner, while the remaining staff were chasing after the animals. Hippos, elephants, and giraffes were all wandering around the zoo, minding their own business. Xia Xin could control young animals, but she didn¡¯t know if it would work on suchrge animals. Regardless, she was going to give it a shot. Using her mental powers, Xia Xin first guided the hippos and giraffes back to their enclosures along the designated zoo paths. Then she carefully approached the elephant, making sure not to startle it and end up getting kicked by ident. Curious, the elephant moved its trunk around, looking around, and asked, ¡°Are you Xia Xin?¡± Xia Xin was surprised that the elephant remembered her. During her visits to various enclosures, she had spent about a week in the elephant area. Xia Xin said, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me. Why did you alle out? Quickly return to your enclosures. Your presence here can scare people!¡± The elephant exined, ¡°It¡¯s not that we wanted to escape. Someone lured us out, and after we came out, we couldn¡¯t find our way back.¡± Xia Xin reassured, ¡°It¡¯s alright, I¡¯ll guide you back.¡± The elephant added, ¡°I saw a white tiger escape from its enclosure earlier. However, it passed by me in a sh, so I don¡¯t know where it went.¡± ¡®A tiger!¡¯ Xia Xin was shocked. Other animals were manageable, at least they were docile herbivores that wouldn¡¯t harm people. But tigers were different; they were carnivores. If a tiger encountered people, it would definitely pose a threat to visitors. Xia Xin asked, ¡°Which direction did you see the tiger go?¡± Using its trunk, the elephant pointed in a direction. Xia Xin quickly told the elephant, ¡°Your enclosure is straight along the way with balloons.¡± Then, Xia Xin hurriedly went after the tiger. The very thing Xia Xin was concerned about happened. When she found the tiger, it was approaching a person. With elegant strides, the tiger gradually closed in on the terrified person, as if savoring the struggle of its prey before it died. Xia Xin ran closer and only then saw that the person on the ground pushing backward with her feet was Gao Xin. Xia Xin hurried over and stood between Gao Xin and the tiger. ¡°Calm down!¡± Xia Xin said. The words weren¡¯t directed at Gao Xin, but at the white tiger before her. Xia Xin¡¯s abrupt movement startled the tiger, making it somewhat agitated. It roared but then stopped and actually calmed down. The zoo was filled with screams. Other visitors must have heard the tiger¡¯s roar and were scared, crying out in fear. Xia Xin tried to use the Beast Language System to warn the tiger not to harm anyone. But the tiger innocently responded, ¡°I¡¯m hungry and need to eat. Move out of the way quickly, or I might eat you too.¡± The tiger¡¯s roar had attracted more people, including the tiger keeper and Jing MO, who was searching for Gao Xin. Xia Xin didn¡¯t have time to exin. She said to Jing MO, ¡°Quickly take Gao Xin away..¡± Chapter 79 - 79: Capturing the Tiger Chapter 79: Capturing the Tiger Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing MO approached cautiously, grabbed Gao Xin¡¯s arm, and pulled her up from the ground. Then he pushed her toward her manager Zhou Ping and said, ¡°Take her to a safe ce.¡± Having done that, Jing MO turned around swiftly and joined Xia Xin in facing the tiger. Anxiously, Xia Xin said, ¡°This ce is dangerous. You shouldn¡¯t stay here.¡± Jing MO frowned and said, ¡°You know it¡¯s dangerous, yet you still came here. Are you only interested in dangerous ces?¡± Xia Xin pursed her lips and thought this wasn¡¯t the time to bicker. The tiger let out an unhappy roar, and Xia Xin refrained from speaking any further, focusing her attention on the tiger. Currently, controlling the tiger was crucial. While her Beast Language System could control young animals, she wasn¡¯t sure if it would work on a tiger. At this point, it was a desperate measure. Xia Xin struggled, attempting to use her ability to control the tiger through her mind. However, it was evident that she had failed. The tiger continued to approach slowly. Jing MO grabbed Xia Xin¡¯s wrist and instructed, ¡°Listen to me. When I count to three, run with me!¡± Sweat formed on Xia Xin¡¯s forehead. She now realized that controlling animals was truly exhausting. She was concerned that her strength might give out. If she slowed them down, Jing MO might be harmed. She said, ¡°Don¡¯t let me hold you back. If there¡¯s real danger, make sure you escape quickly!¡± Jing Mo t s tone was resolute and said, ¡°I¡¯ll never leave you behind.¡± Seeing how determined Jing MO was to stay, Xia Xin was torn between hoping to control the tiger and ensuring they both remained unharmed. With a deep breath, Xia Xin closed her eyes, focusing her attention and making a concentrated effort to control the tiger mentally. Although the control was weak, it was effective enough to slow the tiger¡¯s approach significantly. Finally, the tiger started struggling but was unable to move forward anymore. Just in time, the tiger keeper arrived with capture tools. They quickly put an iron muzzle on the tiger to prevent it from biting and used the tools to restrain it, sessfully capturing the tiger. Others turned to Xia Xin and asked, ¡°Are you okay?¡± Sweat covered Xia Xin¡¯s forehead, her lips turned pale, and she panted. She answered weakly, ¡°I¡¯m fine for now.¡± The tiger keeper couldn¡¯t help but admire Xia Xin and praised, ¡°Xia Xin, you¡¯re truly brave to endure in front of a tiger for so long.¡± Growing weaker by the moment, Xia Xincked the strength to continue the conversation. A faint smile tugged at her pale lips before she copsed backward. Luckily, Jing MO caught her in time. Worriedly, Jing MO held Xia Xin and immediately started running towards the exit of the zoo. As they ran, he scolded her with an affectionate tone, ¡°You¡¯re always like this, rushing forward in every situation. Aren¡¯t you afraid of getting hurt? Don¡¯t you know that if you¡¯re hurt, the people who care about you will worry about you?¡± However, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t reply. She had already fallen asleep again. Once again, Xia Xin was rushed to the emergency room. The doctor, having seen this situation before, looked at Jing MO helplessly and asked, ¡°What happened this time?¡± Jing MO looked at Xia Xin¡¯s pale lips and thought for a while before responding, ¡°Probably just shocked.¡± The doctor seemed exasperated by Jing Mo¡¯s answer and asked, ¡°Is this girl in a high-risk profession? She falls ill every few days. As her boyfriend, you should take care of her and advise her to change her job instead of letting her get hurt!¡± Jing MO didn¡¯t argue. He urged the doctor to start the treatment. The doctor said, ¡°I understand you¡¯re worried sick, but you¡¯ll have to wait for the treatment. It takes time, and I need to listen to her heartbeat and check for any unusual sounds in her chest first.¡± The doctor slowly took off his stethoscope, listening to Xia Xin¡¯s heartbeat and checking for any abnormal sounds in her chest. Then he looked at her pupils and concluded, ¡°It¡¯s probably due to excessive frightbined with exhaustion. That¡¯s why she fell asleep again.¡± ¡°Um¡­ how long will she sleep this time?¡± Jing MO asked. ¡°It¡¯s hard to say. It depends on her recovery speed,¡± said the doctor. With a helpless look at Xia Xin, Jing MO picked her up and carried her into the ward. Xia Xin slept for a long time this time¡ªa whole day and night. Jing MO had spent a whole day and night in her ward. When he saw Xia Xin waking up, his emotions wereplex. He said, ¡°Sleeping beauty, you finally decided to wake up.¡± Still a bit dazed, Xia Xin looked at Jing MO with vacant eyes. She tried to move, only to find an IV needle in her hand.. She asked nkly, ¡°Is it serious? Why am I hooked up to an IV?¡± Chapter 80 - 80: Reunion Chapter 80: Reunion Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing MO replied casually, ¡°It¡¯s not serious. You just slept for a day and a night. You can¡¯t skip meals, so they gave you IV drip.¡± That reassured Xia Xin. She confirmed that forcibly controlling animals was too energy-consuming. However, she needed to think about ways to exercise and strengthen herself with items from the Shop. Fainting like that wasn¡¯t a good situation to be in. While Xia Xin was pondering that, her stomach suddenly let out a loud rumble. She awkwardly smiled and looked at Jing Mo. She said, ¡°Are you free tonight? Let me treat you to dinner.¡± Jing MO hadn¡¯t expected the dinner to unfold in this way. He replied helplessly, ¡°What do you want to eat?¡± ¡°Whatever you like. Since I¡¯m treating you, you can decide,¡± Xia Xin said. Jing Mo¡¯s expression remained unchanged as he asked, ¡°Are you sure?¡± Blinking, Xia Xin said, ¡°I want to have budae jjigae, hehe.¡± After sleeping for a day, Xia Xin felt she needed a good meal. She ordered the budae jjigae, grilled meat, and double cheese. The sight of the food made her appetite surge. Xia Xin was ravenous by now, so she didn¡¯t care about maintaining her image and just dug in. Jing MO wasn¡¯t fond of greasy food to begin with, and as an actor, he had dietary restrictions. He couldn¡¯t consume high-calorie foods, so he only had some vegetables and mostly watched Xia Xin eat. Jing MO had initially suspected that Xia Xin might be someone he knew, but now he was certain. Xia Xin was the person he had been searching for. Finally finishing her meal, Xia Xin looked up and saw Jing MO staring at her all this time. She blinked in confusion and asked, ¡°Is there something on my face?¡± Jing MO chuckled, ¡°No.¡± Perplexed, Xia Xin questioned, ¡°Then why are you looking at me like that?¡± Jing MO replied, ¡°I find it amusing watching you eat. It¡¯s very appetizing.¡± Xia Xin looked at the barely touched chopsticks in front of him and said, ¡°Do you really find it appetizing? You hardly ate anything.¡± Jing MO didn¡¯t answer. After a moment, Xia Xin suddenly asked, ¡°Why do you always treat me so well? It¡¯s like ever since we met, you¡¯ve been really kind to me. Do you like me?¡± Jing MO couldn¡¯t help butugh. ¡°This seems more like the real you. You used to be so polite all the time.¡± Xia Xin exined, ¡°That¡¯s because we weren¡¯t familiar back then, so of course, I had to be polite. Now, after experiencing life and death together twice, aren¡¯t we considered friends?¡± Jing MO nodded slightly and said, ¡°Yes.¡± Continuing, Xia Xin said, ¡°If I think about it, you¡¯ve saved me many times. It seems like you always appear at the right moment, like a guardian angel sent by the heavens to protect me.¡± Jing MO smiled and said, ¡°You ttered me.¡± Wiping her mouth, Xia Xin looked at Jing MO seriously. She said, ¡°Alright, now you can honestly tell me why you¡¯ve always been so kind to me.¡± Jing MO gazed at her with indulgence and asked, ¡°Is this the only thing you¡¯re curious about?¡± Xia Xin thought for a moment and said, ¡°There might be other things, but I can¡¯t think of them at the moment. So, Jing MO asked Xia Xin, ¡°Do you remember saving a young man when you were young?¡± Xia Xin thought hard for a while but couldn¡¯t recall. Her little face wrinkled in concern, then she suddenly looked surprised and eximed, ¡°I-it¡¯s you!¡± She burst intoughter. ¡°You¡¯re so different from back then. No wonder I didn¡¯t recognize you. But anyone seeing you now would never imagine you were the same person from before.¡± Xia Xin continued talking to herself, not requiring a response from Jing MO, ¡°No wonder the first time we met at the pet store, I felt like your eyes were familiar. We really knew each other a long time ago!¡± Jing MO pretended to be serious and teased, ¡°So, you forgot about me?¡± Xia Xin said, ¡°Not really. It¡¯s just¡­ It¡¯s been so long. I didn¡¯t expect us to meet again, so I didn¡¯t remember. It¡¯s not my fault!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve remembered all this time,¡± said Jing Mo. Xia Xin pouted yfully and said, ¡°That¡¯s why I treated you to dinner today, as an apology.¡± Jing MO couldn¡¯t help but smile at Xia Xin¡¯s yful demeanor. He said, ¡°You¡¯re like a child. I won¡¯t hold it against you.¡± Defiantly, Xia Xin retorted, ¡°I¡¯m not a child. I¡¯ve already graduated. I¡¯m an adult..¡± Chapter 81 - 81: The Past Chapter 81: The Past Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing MO asked Xia Xin earnestly, ¡°Do you remember promising me that you¡¯d buy my album if I released one in the future?¡± Xia Xin¡¯s face immediately turned red. Of course, she remembered the promise she had made, but she never thought that young man would actually be a celebrity, let alone that he would be Jing Mo. ¡®No wonder on the day Jing MO had helped bandage my wound, he had asked if I had ever bought his album. It all made sense now.¡¯ Xia Xin thought. Xia Xin changed the subject, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. When I go back, I¡¯ll buy all the albums you¡¯ve released so far. That way, I¡¯ll be keeping my promise.¡± Jing MO raised an eyebrow and smirked. He said, ¡°Okay.¡± Suddenly, Xia Xin propped both elbows on the table, rested her chin on her hands, and looked at Jing MO intently. Jing MO turned his head to Xia Xin and asked, ¡°What are you looking at? Is there something on my face?¡± Xia Xin said, ¡°I don¡¯t know if there is now, but there used to be. And your face was covered in blood from being beaten up!¡± Jing MO pretended to think deeply and teased, ¡°So, since you¡¯ve seen me at my worst and know all my embarrassing stories, should I kill you to keep you quiet?¡± Quick to appease Jing MO, Xia Xin said, ¡°My bad. I¡¯ll act like I lost my memory. Nothing from before ever happened. Spare me, sir.¡± Jing MO chuckled and said, ¡°I don¡¯t want you to forget. I want you to remember forever. You¡¯re probably the only person left from that part of my past.¡± Xia Xin pondered for a moment and chose not to argue this time. At that time, Jing MO was a lonely individual. Xia Xin had never seen such a profound aura in someone before. It even made the fourteen-year-old Xia Xin feel a twinge of heartache. So, the current Jing MO was definitely better. Later that night, Xia Xiny on her bed, staring at the starry sky outside the window. So much had happened recently, and she had nned to sort everything out in her mind, but she couldn¡¯t help but be fixated on one thing¡ª the encounter with Jing MO ten years ago. On that day, Xia Xin¡¯s after-school tutoring had ended and it was already dark. Her parents had some sudden business to attend to at her grandmother¡¯s house, so they let Xia Xin go home by herself. Xia Xin was the leader in her neighborhood, and all the kids listened to her obediently. She was also very familiar with the area, so her father was at ease letting her go home alone. Humming a tune, Xia Xin skipped along the road, but suddenly she saw a tall, handsome young man running towards her. She stared in surprise, rooted to the spot. The young man was good-looking in every way, except his face was bruised with patches of blue and purple and smeared with blood. Xia Xin kept her eyes fixed on the approaching figure,pletely forgetting to feel scared as she watched him. As the young man ran past Xia Xin, she noticed that people were chasing after him. Jing Mo even took a moment during his run to warn Xia Xin, ¡°Kid, move out of the way.¡± But at that moment, Xia Xin didn¡¯t know where she found the courage. She dared to step directly between Jing MO and the group of people, yelling loudly, ¡°Stop right there! ¡± Jing MO was taken aback by the audacity of this young girl¡¯s actions. He didn¡¯t quite understand what she was trying to do. The alley was quite dark, and there was only a dim light above the heads of the group. So, they couldn¡¯t see the little girl clearly, except Jing MO, who saw her trembling little figure. Jing MO was intrigued by the meddlesome little girl and ended up standing at a distance, watching her act foolish. Terrified, Xia Xin¡¯s tears were flowing freely. She held back her sobs and cried out, ¡°I¡¯ve already called the police. They¡¯ll be here soon. M-my dad is a cop! I suggest you leave now!¡± To Jing Mo t s surprise, the group of people was actually scared off by a little girl. Maybe they had considered that if her dad really was a cop, it could cause them more trouble, so they retreated. Once everyone was gone, Xia Xin made sure they were far away before allowing herself to cry loudly. Jing MO, who was standing behind Xia Xin, was startled. He asked, ¡°Why are you crying?¡± Sniffling, Xia Xin replied, ¡°Because I was scared! There were so many of them, and I couldn¡¯t beat them!¡± Jing MO was amused by the cuteness of this little girl. He revealed a row of neat teeth and asked, ¡°If you were scared, why did you step forward?¡± Honesty in her eyes, Xia Xin said, ¡°But they were going to hurt you, and I wanted to protect you!¡± At that moment, Jing MO found Xia Xin was truly a silly girl.. Chapter 82 - 82: Buying the Albums Chapter 82: Buying the Albums Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin continued to sob uncontrobly, and no matter what Jing MO did, he couldn¡¯tfort her. His head was starting to ache from her crying. He asked, ¡°What will make you stop crying?¡± Sobbing, Xia Xin replied, ¡°I-I¡¯m scared. I can¡¯t stop crying.¡± Jing MO finally couldn¡¯t bear it anymore and said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll sing for you. Just stop crying. ¡± Xia Xin, with teary, blurry eyes, looked at Jing MO, and then she heard his melodious singing. Unbeknownst to herself, Xia Xin was gradually lulled to sleep by his singing, drooling slightly as she rested her head on Jing Mo t s leg. It took over half an hour for Xia Xin to finally wake up. Xia Xin eximed sincerely, ¡°Mister, you sing so beautifully! You should be a singer, like those stars on TV, singing for everyone.¡± At that time, the young Jing MO inexplicably asked Xia Xin, ¡°Then, if I release an album in the future, will you buy it?¡± The little Xia Xin replied, ¡°Of course! I¡¯ll definitely support you, Mister. I¡¯ll buy every album you release and listen to every song you sing until I know them all by heart!¡± Jing MO said, ¡°It¡¯s a deal. But if I ever find out that you didn¡¯t listen seriously, I¡¯ll have to punish you.¡± Xia Xin patted her little chest, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t let you down.¡± Then, Xia Xin extended a pinky, saying, ¡°Pinky promise, never break it.¡± Jing MOughed and called Xia Xin childish, but he still extended his own finger and hooked it together with Xia Xin¡¯s. Thinking back, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help butugh at herself. She had been young and foolish back then, boldly making promises. After a goodugh, Xia Xin went to buy Jing Mo¡¯s albums. She added all the albums to her cart, but when she was about to check out, she was dumbfounded. She thought, ¡®Are his albums really that expensive? The total cost for the whole set was 30,000 yuan! Jing MO, you owe me this!¡¯ Xia Xin silently wept as shepleted the payment. Then, she remembered that she needed something to enhance her physical strength. She opened the system and first checked her Affinity ratings. Surprisingly, her Affinity with animals had increased even more than expected, reaching 10,000 points, thanks to her recent appearances on variety shows. But Xia Xin wondered, ¡®Why my Affinity points increased faster than before, despite not having much contact with animals these past few days. Could it be rted to controlling animals?¡¯ So, Xia Xin asked the system, ¡°Does controlling animals allow me to gain more Affinity points with them?¡± The system replied. Yes, the longer you control an animal, the more Affinity points you gain. ¡®No wonder it had reached 10,000 points so quickly.¡¯ Xia Xin thought. Without hesitation, Xia Xin allocated all her Affinity points to her Reflex attribute, raising it to 15. As she watched the Reflex attribute increase, she felt more reassured. Xia Xin then visited the system¡¯s Shop, searching for a while before finding something called Bone Cleansing Elixir. The elixir could indeed enhance her bone and muscle strength, simr to soaking in a bath bomb. It required soaking in bathwater for half an hour to strengthen her bones and muscles. However, the elixir needed to be used ten times toplete the entire body¡¯s tempering. Xia Xin thought, ¡®As long as it helped me improve my physical fitness, ten times was fine. If this elixir could turn me into a superhuman in one go, I would be suspicious of its authenticity. In any case, regardless of what I do, I prefer to progress gradually.¡¯ After making up her mind, Xia Xin checked the price. That¡¯s when she was stunned, ¡®This elixir is too expensive! One small bottle cost 500,000 Affinity points! I needed to use it ten times, which meant I needed 5 million Affinity points! I only had 100,000 Affinity points now! When will I ever be able to sessfully temper my body?¡¯ Xia Xin began to feel a sense of hopelessness, and even her previous thought of gradual tempering was discarded. Since that was the case, Xia Xin even nned to just forget about it. She believed that as long as she exercised regrly, it would be the same. Besides, controlling animals required sleep, so she could simply sleep more. Just as Xia Xin was about to give up, the system¡¯s notification sounded at an inopportune time. A friendly reminder! The Beast Language System can help you gain the favor of animals, but it may also bring you some troubles. Alerted, Xia Xin asked, ¡°What kind of trouble?¡± Chapter 83 - 83: Trouble Chapter 83: Trouble Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion The system stated. You will be more susceptible to attracting harassers than the average person. ¡®What?!¡¯ Xia Xin was shocked. She thought carefully and realized the meaning behind those words. ¡®So, encountering people like Zhang Liang and Tang Hai was due to the passive attraction caused by the Beast Language System? What a mess!¡¯ Xia Xin had thought her luck was bad this year, leading her to meet some odd people. It turned out it was because of the Beast Language System. She suddenly realized that there were no free lunches in life; every seemingly good opportunity came with its own traps. The system continued to warn Xia Xin. As the Beast Language System upgrades, your attraction to danger will also increase. Xia Xin felt helpless and questioned, ¡°So, to ensure my safety, should I avoid upgrading the Beast Language System?¡± The system reassured Xia Xin. There¡¯s no need to worry. There¡¯s a way to deactivate the passive danger attraction of the Beast Language System. You just have to find true love. Xia Xin became even more disheartened. She had been single for twenty-four years, and in her previous life, she had remained single as well. Finding a partner wasn¡¯t as easy as it sounded! This was when Xia Xin realized once again how urgently she needed the Bone Cleansing Elixir. Only by quickly bing stronger could she cope with the increasing troubles. Xia Xin¡¯s phone rang, and the system interface disappeared. She answered the call; it was from the police station. The police officer said, ¡°Miss Xia, from our investigation, we have determined that Tang Hai sutters trom dissociative identity disorder. The triendly, honest Tang Hai you usually see is his primary personality, while the one whomitted the crimes that day is his secondary personality.¡± Although Xia Xin had suspected that Tang Hai might have had mental issues, she didn¡¯t expect it to be a dissociative identity disorder. She asked, ¡°But Tang Hai doesn¡¯t seem to have much stress at work, and Mr. Lu treats him well. Can you exin how the secondary personality emerged?¡± The police officer exined, ¡°We looked into Tang Hai¡¯s background. His parents divorced, and his stepmother treated him poorly. His father also wanted to rid himself of the burden and would mistreat Tang Hai behind closed doors. Over time, Tang Hai developed the secondary personality as a means of self-preservation.¡± Xia Xin never imagined that the kind and friendly Tang Hai she knew had such a painful past. She asked the police officer, ¡°So, how will Tang Hail s actions be dealt with?¡± The police officer replied, ¡°Tang Hai will be sent to a mental institution for supervision. His future actions will be determined based on his recovery progress.¡± ¡°Thank you for informing me,¡± Xia Xin said. The police officer added, ¡°Tang Hai is currently in control of his primary personality, and he would like to speak with you to apologize for his previous actions. Would you be willing to take his call, Miss Nia?¡± Xia Xin thought that even if Tang Hai hadmitted many wrongs, it was his secondary personality that had done them. It wasn¡¯t his fault. It was just a phone call, so she agreed. When Tang Hai answered the phone, he hesitated for a moment before tentatively saying, ¡°Xia Xin?¡± Before Xia Xin could respond, Layle had already be anxious, in a defensive posture by Xia Xin¡¯s side, vigntly watching the phone. Xia Xin understood that it was Layle¡¯s stress response. She reached out and stroked Layle¡¯s head, soothing his emotions. Soon, Layle calmed down. Xia Xin replied, ¡°Tang Hai.¡± Tang Hai let out a sigh of relief; he had been worried that Xia Xin wouldn¡¯t answer his call, denying him the chance to apologize. He said, ¡°Thank you for taking my call. To be honest, when the police contacted you, I was really anxious.¡± Xia Xin felt sympathy for Tang Hai, who was also a victim. She patiently listened to him. Tang Hai continued, ¡°I deeply regret my actions and the harm I caused you. I can¡¯t expect your forgiveness, but I genuinely want to apologize to you. Even though it was my secondary personality¡¯s actions, I can¡¯t forgive myself.¡± Xia Xin replied, ¡°Tang Hai, actually, I don¡¯t me you anymore. What happened is in the past, and at least now, we¡¯re both okay.¡± Tang Hai sighed, ¡°You¡¯re a very kind-hearted girl, always willing to help others, be it humans or animals. I¡­ really liked you, but I didn¡¯t expect that my feelings would only bring you more and more harm. I¡¯m truly sorry. I just hope you¡¯ll have a better future.. Chapter 84 - 84: Apology Chapter 84: Apology Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Tang Hai hesitated for a moment and said, ¡°Layle is a very well-behaved dog, and I like it very much. It¡¯s a stray dog wandering outside the zoo, and I used to feed it regrly. However, I couldn¡¯t bring it home, so I could only asionally bring it some food. It must have been hurt by my secondary personality when it emerged. That¡¯s why it¡¯s changed so much from the ck dog before. When you brought it to the zoo, I didn¡¯t even recognize it. I hope you can apologize to Layle for me. If possible, I¡¯d even prefer to have my tongue pulled out.¡± As Tang Hai continued, his voice carried a hint of sadness. Xia Xin sighed. She knew that Tang Hail s words came from the heart. He was someone who loved animals deeply. Whenever he saw an animal hurt, he would feel deeply troubled. He was a person who could be friends with ferocious tigers and lions, yet he was also a lonely person. Animals were his only friends and such a person couldn¡¯t be a sadistic animal abuser. Xia Xin was certain that when Tang Hai used to feed Layle, he must have cared for it deeply. However the unconscious actions of his secondary personality had harmed Layle, and when Tang Hai discovered the truth, it must have caused him immense pain. Tang Hai had already received his due punishment, and Xia Xin didn¡¯t want to hurt him further at this moment. She reassured him, ¡°Tang Hai, don¡¯t worry. I will take good care of Layle. I believe that its tongue will heal one day. I will slowly nurse it back to health from all the harm it has suffered.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± That was Tang Hail s final words before the call ended. Xia Xin picked up the now calm Layle, feeling heartbroken. She was sure that Layle had once been an innocent and carefree dog, but it had been mistreated by Tang Hails secondary personality, resulting in its current fearful and scarred state. Even the sound of Tang Hail s voice would make Layle bristle with fear. Xia Xin stroked Layle¡¯s head and said, ¡°Layle, don¡¯t worry. No matter what, I will help you grow a new tongue!¡± Then Xia Xin recalled the system¡¯s hint. Once the Beast Language System reached level 3, she could help Layle. So, Xia Xin reopened the system to check the upgrade conditions. ¡®A week had already passed, so the system should have detected my status and updated the upgrade conditions, right?¡¯ Xia Xin thought. Eagerly, she checked the upgrade conditions. ¡°Yes! It¡¯s updated!¡± Xia Xin cheered in delight. This time, there were three conditions. ¡°1. Obtain 3,000 Affinity points from forty-nine different animals.¡± Xia Xin was confident that she could achieve that quickly. Since the upgrade of the Beast Language System to Level 2, gaining Animal Affinity points had be quite easy. She continued reading. ¡°2. Complete the Bone Cleansing.¡± Xia Xin hadn¡¯t expected her physical condition to be a requirement for upgrading the Beast Language System. It meant she needed to reach five million Human Affinity points to fulfill this condition. This posed a significant challenge. It seemed that these three conditions were bing progressively more difficult. The second one was already causing Xia Xin distress. She wondered what the third condition would be and continued reading the rest. ¡°3. Third, evade harm twenty times.¡± Xia Xin felt like crying and thought the system was ying tricks on her. It had just warned her about the increasing passive harm, and now it required her to learn how to evade harm. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but asked the system, ¡°Would my life be free from troubles if I didn¡¯t have the Beast Language System?¡± But the system didn¡¯t answer that question. Xia Xin could only console herself with the thought that great responsibilitiese with great power, and she needed to toil repeatedly to achieve her goals. Xia Xin checked her task progress again. She had avoided harm twice, her Human Affinity points were at one hundred thousand, and she had bonded with three animals. After reviewing the task¡¯s progress, Xia Xin cuddled Layle and drifted into a dreamy sleep. Just before she slept, herst conscious thought was, ¡®Would Bone Cleansing help me stop feeling sleepy all the time¡­¡¯ That night, Xia Xin had a dream. In the dream, a white-haired old man asked her, ¡°Xia Xin, there¡¯s an opportunity now to make all your troubles disappear, but your Beast Language System will also vanish.. Would you be willing?¡± Chapter 85 - 85: Debut Chapter 85: Debut Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin hesitated. She wasn¡¯t reluctant to give up the Beast Language System out of greed, but because she genuinely loved animals. Having the opportunity tomunicate with them, understand their thoughts, and fulfill their wishes was something she truly desired. Compared to the ability tomunicate with animals, the troubles in her life seemed less bothersome. After resolving Tang Hail s issue, the recording of the program became much smoother. The fourth episode of the show went by without any surprises. Even the director found it unusual, saying, ¡°We¡¯ve filmed four episodes of this show, and three of them had unexpected incidents. Suddenly, we have one episode that runs smoothly. Why does it feel like something is missing?¡± The assistant director quipped, ¡°Maybe you¡¯ve been scared off.¡± Sun Tao retorted, ¡°Those idents don¡¯t scare me at all. What scares me is poor ratings! Fortunately, the first three episodes had excellent viewership, and many businesses have increased their investments. Otherwise, I¡¯d certainly give Tang Hai a good dressing down!¡± Just as Xia Xin was about to leave, she overheard Tang Hail s name mentioned while passing by Sun Tao. She stopped and nced at Sun Tao. As she was about to leave, Sun Tao called her, ¡°Xia Xin,e here for a moment.¡± Xia Xin asked, ¡°Is there something you need, Mr. Sun?¡± Sun Tao said, ¡°Nothing serious, just having a chat. I¡¯ve noticed that your performances in the past few episodes have been excellent. You have a great presence on camera, and you¡¯re very photogenic. Have you ever considered bing a celebrity?¡± Xia Xin was momentarily taken aback. This wasn¡¯t the first time someone had mentioned the idea of her bing a celebrity. With the repeated suggestions, she was beginning to feel interested. She asked, ¡°Mr. Sun, are you suggesting an opportunity for me?¡± Sun Tao said, ¡°I have a friend who¡¯s currently shooting a web drama and needs a stunt double. I think you¡¯d be a great fit.¡± Xia Xin hesitated for a moment, ncing at her petite frame. She wasn¡¯t entirely sure and asked, ¡°Mr. Sun, are you sure it¡¯s a stunt double role?¡± Sun Tao chuckled and rified, ¡°I might not have exined it properly. You¡¯ve misunderstood. This stunt double role doesn¡¯t involve dangerous actions. Instead, it¡¯s about mimicking a cat. The plot of this web drama is about a cat turning into a human and falling in love with a human. There are some scenes where you¡¯ll need to mimic cat-like actions. The cat scenes are limited,sting about four or five days of shooting. If you¡¯re interested, you can contact me, and I¡¯ll make the introduction.¡± Xia Xin replied, ¡°Alright, Mr. Sun. However, I hadn¡¯t considered bing a celebrity before, so I may need some time to think it over. I¡¯ll get back to you with my answer tomorrow.¡± Sun Tao said, ¡°Sure, there¡¯s no pressure. Even if you don¡¯t pursue an entertainment career, you can think of it as shooting an advertisement.¡± Xia Xin agreed to give it serious thought and then left. On her way home after work, Xia Xin continued pondering the director¡¯s proposal. Suddenly, she heard someone warning her, ¡°Miss, be careful! You¡¯re about to step into a puddle!¡± Xia Xin snapped out of her thoughts, only to realize that she was about to step into arge puddle. Her left foot had already moved forward, almost stepping into it. In a moment of crisis, her body reacted faster than her mind. She swiftly moved her left foot out of the way, but her right foot hadn¡¯t caught up, causing her to stumble and almost tall. The person who had warned her rushed over to help. ¡°Miss, you should be careful while walking. It¡¯s easy to have idents when you¡¯re distracted.¡± With the help of the person, Xia Xin regained her bnce. She was about to thank him when she saw a kind-hearted and honest-looking young man. Instantly, rm bells rang in her mind. She immediately pulled away from his grasp and swiftly ran off, leaving the well-intentioned young man looking puzzled. Ever since she learned about the passive abilities of the Beast Language System, Xia Xin was on high alert. Any unfamiliar man approaching her made her feel that there might be danger. However, she had forgotten that sometimes danger coulde from women too. That night, while walking her dog in themunity, Xia Xin suddenly remembered Jing Mo. Now that she knew Jing MO was her old acquaintance, she didn¡¯t need to be so formal with him. Her attitude toward him had changed, and they were now more like old friends. Xia Xin called Jing MO on the phone and said, ¡°I¡¯m walking my dog. Do you want to join me?¡± Jing MO had just finished work and was looking at his stubborn husky who was throwing a tantrum again. He asked, ¡°Where are you?¡± ¡°Just the walkway near my house. Come over quickly, ¡± said Xia Xin.. Chapter 86 - 86: Walking the Dogs Chapter 86: Walking the Dogs Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing MO took out a dog leash, thinking that he would need some effort to put it on Bobo. However, to his surprise, it seemed like the dog knew he was about to meet Xia Xin. Bobo walked over very obediently, raising his paw as if asking to be leashed. Jing MO was amazed and wondered what kind of magic Xia Xin possessed to make Bobo so well-behaved! Bobo, with some dignity, walked to the grassy area and, upon seeing Xia Xin, revealed its true nature and rushed toward her. Xia Xin had been sitting on the ground, her bnce unsteady, when Bobo pounced on her, it knocked her down. Bobo happily licked Xia Xin¡¯s cheek, making her face ticklish. She chuckled and said, ¡°Alright, Bobo, it¡¯s really ticklish. Go y with Layle; he¡¯s been missing you.¡± Bobo gave Layle a disdainful look and said to it, ¡°I knew dogs like you wouldn¡¯t die easily.¡± Bobo was clearly being haughty with his words, but deep down, he was worried about Layle. Unable to resist, he walked over to Layle, sniffing to ensure that he was truly unharmed. While Bobo yed with Layle, Jing MO sat down beside Xia Xin. Curious, he asked, ¡°How did you manage to make Bobo so obedient?¡± Xia Xin smiled with a hint of pride and said, ¡°Personal charm.¡± Jing MOughed and said, ¡°That¡¯s more like you. I knew the overly polite person from before couldn¡¯t be the Xia Xin I knew; it must have been a case of mistaken identity.¡± Xia Xin pursed her lips unhappily and asked, ¡°So when did you recognize me? Why didn¡¯t you recognize me at first?¡± Jing MO said, ¡°At first, I didn¡¯t think that the little fat girl who used to have short hair every day would grow up to be such a beauty.¡± Xia Xin pouted, ¡°So, you¡¯replimenting me on being attractive?¡± Jing MO gently tapped her forehead, ¡°Don¡¯t be a narcissist.¡¯ Xia Xin yfully made a face at Jing Mo. Jing MO continued, ¡°And you don¡¯t have the same energy you had when you were younger, so it was hard for me to be certain.¡± Xia Xin sighed inwardly. People grew up, and they couldn¡¯t be as carefree as they were in their childhood. ¡°But when you saved those people by the rockery, I saw a glimpse of your childhood self. I knew it was you, still the same, standing in front of others even when you¡¯re scared. You have to be careful from now on; it¡¯s easy to get hurt this way. No matter what, you must protect yourself first before protecting others,¡± Jing MO emphasized seriously. Xia Xin nodded obediently, ¡°I understand, I¡¯ll be more cautious in the future.¡± Both of them watched their dogs y, lost in thought. Suddenly, Xia Xin turned towards Jing MO, her hand instinctively grabbing his forearm, and said, ¡°By the way, I have a question to ask you.¡± Jing MO didn¡¯t pull his hand away and said, ¡°Go ahead.¡± Xia Xin recounted what Sun Tao had told her today, asking, ¡°So, should I go for it or not?¡± Jing MO countered, ¡°Do you want to go? Or, do you have any interest in acting or the entertainment industry in general?¡± Xia Xin remained silent for a moment before saying, ¡°I¡¯ve always heard that the entertainment industry is veryplicated, so I haven¡¯t been very interested. I don¡¯t want to deal with troublesome rtionships. But since I met Gao Xin, I¡¯ve realized that there are good people in the entertainment industry too. It all depends on whether I can meet them.¡± Jing MO kindly reminded Xia Xin, ¡°But there aren¡¯t many people in the entertainment industry like Gao Xin.¡± After another moment of silence, Xia Xin brought up her next concern. She said, ¡°As for acting, I¡¯m not a professional, and I don¡¯t understand it. I¡¯m worried that if I don¡¯t perform well, what should I do?¡± Jing Mo replied, ¡°While learning is important in this industry, talent matters even more. Some people are born to be actors. I believe you have a certain amount of talent. Of course, the most important thing is whether you have an interest. If you¡¯re interested, you can learn acting anywhere, regardless of your background.¡± However, Xia Xin still wasn¡¯t sure if she was truly interested. Jing MO continued, ¡°I know a bit about this web drama you mentioned. Your role has limited screen time, and the difficulty of the scenes is not high. You¡¯ll mainly need to mimic cat-like movements. You can watch Batman to observe Catwoman¡¯s postures carefully; it could help you with the role..¡± Chapter 87 - 87: A Dinner Date Chapter 87: A Dinner Date Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin objected, ¡°I haven¡¯t agreed to go yet, and you¡¯re already talking about learning. ¡± Jing MO chuckled and confidently stated, ¡°I know you¡¯ll agree and I think you¡¯ll enjoy acting.¡± Xia Xin wasn¡¯t even sure what she liked, so she didn¡¯t understand why Jing MO was so certain. She looked at him curiously and asked, ¡°Why are you so sure?¡± Jing MO exined, ¡°Because actors experience different personalities and life stories. Your personality is naturally inclined towards experimentation. Plus, your overall qualities and your camera presence suggest you¡¯d be great as an actor. As for your concerns about rtionships, don¡¯t worry; with me in the entertainment industry, I¡¯ll definitely protect you.¡± Xia Xin yfully smiled and said, ¡°Just like how I protected you back then!¡± Jing MO gazed at her affectionately and said. ¡°Yes.¡± Seeing Xia Xin somewhat intrigued, Jing MO added, ¡°Do you know who the leading actress in this web drama is?¡± Xia Xin shook her head and said, ¡°I haven¡¯t had a chance to ask.¡± Jing MO said, ¡°You know her.¡± Now, Xia Xin was even more curious. She asked, ¡°Who is it?¡± ¡°Gao Xin.¡± Jing MO replied. Upon hearing Gao Xin¡¯s name, Xia Xin¡¯s face lit up with a smile. She still had a soft spot for Gao Xin. If working on this drama gave her the chance to be friends with Gao Xin, she would dly ept it. As they discussed Gao Xin, Jing Mo¡¯s phone rang. Jing MO showed Xia Xin the screen before answering the call. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Jing MO answered the phone and asked. Gao Xin sounded a bit annoyed. She said, ¡°Jing MO, can you stop being so serious and aloof every time you answer the phone? Can¡¯t you be more lively? You¡¯re only 28, not 48! You talk like an old man.¡± Jing MO was speechless and replied coldly, ¡°Get to the point.¡± Gao Xin said, ¡°Fine, fine. I just wanted to ask if you have Xia Xin¡¯s contact information. When Xia Xin heard her name mentioned, she perked up and listened more attentively. Jing MO questioned, ¡°Why do you need her contact information?¡± Gao Xin exined, ¡°I want to thank her for saving me from the tiger at the zoo before. Otherwise, I might have lost an arm or a leg by now. I n to get in touch and invite her to dinner.¡± Jing MO replied, ¡°You¡¯re in luck, she¡¯s right here with me. If you want to thank her, you can do it directly.¡± Jing MO handed his phone to Xia Xin, who greeted Gao Xin cheerfully, ¡°Hi, Gao Xin.¡± Gao Xin sounded surprised and asked, ¡°Why are you with him?¡± Xia Xin replied, ¡°It¡¯s a coincidence. I rented a house in the same neighborhood as Jing MO, and we¡¯re out walking our dogs together.¡± Gao Xin listened and said seriously, ¡°Xia Xin, I¡¯m just offering a friendly reminder here. I suggest you keep your distance from this guy. He¡¯s a man-eater!¡± Gao Xin¡¯s yful tone made Xia Xin burst intoughter. ¡°Indeed, he doesn¡¯t just eat people; he eats dogs too! His own dog is afraid of him!¡± The two teased Jing MO, and they all burst intoughter. Gao Xin continued, ¡°When are you free? I¡¯d like to treat you to a meal, as a token of my gratitude. Don¡¯t refuse, even if it¡¯s not for thanks, you shoulde for the sake of making a new friend!¡± With the conversation reaching that point, Xia Xin naturally didn¡¯t refuse. She said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯m free tomorrow. Send me the location, and I¡¯lle find you.¡± Gao Xin agreed, ¡°Okay, see you tomorrow.¡± After hanging up, Xia Xin handed the phone back to Jing Mo. Jing MOmented with a hint of irony, ¡°Your personalities really suit each other; you¡¯ll make great friends.¡± Curious, Xia Xin asked, ¡°How did you and Gao Xin meet? Your rtionship seems quite close.¡± Jing MO exined, ¡°She¡¯s a friend of my father¡¯s. We weren¡¯t close initially. Later, when she entered the entertainment industry, her father asked me to look out for her. We happened to be contracted under the samepany, and after getting to know her, I realized she¡¯s a nice girl. So, we became friends.¡± After sharing that, Jing MO stood up and dusted himself off. He gazed down at Xia Xin and said, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte; let¡¯s go back and rest.¡± Xia Xin obediently nodded and held out her hand for Jing Mo. Since they had recognized each other, their rtionship had be increasinglyfortable.. Chapter 88 - 88: Having Dinner Together Chapter 88: Having Dinner Together Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Gao Xin was a member of a girl group. She often participated in programs that required the group¡¯s presence. Today¡¯s variety show featured all nine members of her group. She was the first to arrive in the makeup room, where she feltfortable calling Jing Mo. During their call, when Gao Xin and Xia Xin made dinner ns, Wan Wan walked in. Wan Wan didn¡¯t expect Gao Xin and Xia Xin to be so close and have dinner ns already, and this immediately irked her. Deliberately, Wan Wan took a seat next to Gao Xin, trying to get closer, and asked, ¡°Since when did you be so familiar with Xia Xin?¡± Gao Xin, busy browsing her phone for a restaurant rmended by fans, unconsciously replied, ¡°Just now.¡± Wan Wan remarked, ¡°I advise you not to get too close to her. Xia Xin is not a good person; she¡¯s just a little influencer trying to gain fame. I¡¯ve been on a show with her, and she doesn¡¯t have any real talent.¡± Gao Xin, frowning at Wan Wan¡¯s negativity, replied with a casual, ¡°Oh.¡± Wan Wan knew her words wouldn¡¯t make a difference, so she came up with another idea. She said, ¡°Are you looking at restaurants? I have a great one to rmend. I went there just the other day.¡± Gao Xin, finally putting down her phone and looking at Wan Wan, asked, ¡°Where is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a Thai restaurant, pretty good. It¡¯s right near the Capital Zoo,¡± Wan Wan said. Since Gao Xin was nning to treat Xia Xin to a meal, she thought it was best to choose a ce close to Xia Xin¡¯s workce. The restaurant happened to be conveniently located near where Xia Xin worked. So, Gao Xin was instantly interested. She asked Wan Wan, ¡°Send me the details; I¡¯ll go there tomorrow.¡± Seizing the opportunity, Wan Wan probed further, ¡°Who is this Xia Xin, anyway? Why does the director like her so much, giving her frequent appearances on the show? Are you getting close to her because the director has taken an interest in her?¡± Gao Xin¡¯s expression immediately changed and said, ¡°Don¡¯t project your own dirtiness onto others. Not everyone is as dirty as you. If you have the time for this nonsense, why don¡¯t you practice dancing properly? You can¡¯t keep up with us every time. Do you think you can thrive in the entertainment industry just by acting cute on TV? Although our girl group only has a year, I don¡¯t want to spend that year working with an idiot like you.¡± ¡°You!¡± Wan Wan was infuriated, her face contorted. ¡°Why do you speak like this? We debuted together; who does Xia Xin think she is?¡± Gao Xin remained unfazed. ¡°I¡¯ve always been like this. If I see something I don¡¯t like, I say it. I can¡¯t stand you, and it¡¯s been a while. There¡¯s no need for fake pleasantries between us. The best way for us to get along is to stay out of each other¡¯s way. Don¡¯t bother me, and I won¡¯t seek you out.¡± Furious, Wan Wan mmed her bag on the table and moved to a seat farthest away from Gao Xin. The next day, as soon as Xia Xin finished work, she rushed to the restaurant Gao Xin had rmended. Gao Xin had arrived a bit earlier. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Xia Xin took a seat across from Gao Xin and said, ¡°I¡¯m really sorry for beingte.¡± Gao Xin replied, ¡°It¡¯s okay. I was worried we¡¯d have to wait in line if we came here after your shift, so I arrived early.¡± Today, Gao Xin was wearing a tight-fitting tank top and ultra-short shorts, revealing her toned arms and legs. Her long, wavy hair was casually held up with a hairpin. Since Gao Xin had been dancing, she had a sleek physique and a sizzling aura. Though her outfit was casual, it was hard not to be captivated by her. Gao Xin handed the menu to Xia Xin and said, ¡°Today, I¡¯m treating you as a token of my gratitude. You don¡¯t have to go easy on me.¡± Xia Xin joked, ¡°Don¡¯t worry; I won¡¯t save a single cent.¡± When Gao Xin first met Xia Xin, she was very reserved. Gao Xin was worried that she wouldn¡¯t be able to get along with Xia Xin. Today, seeing Xia Xin¡¯s cheerful personality, Gao Xin was relieved. After all the dishes were served, Gao Xin started scooping food for Xia Xin and said, ¡°Besides expressing my gratitude today, I also have a mission.¡± As she enjoyed the meal, Xia Xin inquired, ¡°What mission is that?¡± Gao Xin exined, ¡°The director has spoken to me. They want you to be the stunt double for the cat-girl¡¯s movements, but since you haven¡¯t agreed yet, I¡¯m here to persuade you.¡± Xia Xin raised an eyebrow and asked, ¡°Why is everyone getting involved in this?¡± Chapter 89 - 89: Confirming the Role Chapter 89: Confirming the Role Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Gao Xin was puzzled. She asked, ¡°Who else tried to persuade you?¡± Xia Xin exined, ¡°Last night, Jing MO also mentioned that I¡¯d be suitable for the role. But I don¡¯t understand anything about it, so I¡¯m still hesitant.¡± Gao Xin rified, ¡°I know why Jing MO advised you. If you don¡¯t want to take on the role, the director can find someone else. But both Jing MO and I believe that you are well-suited for acting. Moreover, this role fits you perfectly. You have a deep understanding of animals, and animals are very fond of you. If you were to imitate a cat, you could certainly do it convincingly.¡± Gao Xin made a yful face and said, ¡°I also have a personal motive. I hope to have the chance to work with you. You don¡¯t know how boring it is to go to work every day. I need a friend by my side.¡± Xia Xin hesitated and said, ¡°But I know nothing about being a stunt double.¡± Gao Xin exined, ¡°The script revolves around the transformation of a cat before and after. It originallyes from another, where it has a certain form. When it arrives on Earth, it inhabits a human body with a different appearance, while I y the human character. So, we need someone to portray the cat¡¯s original form on the cat, which will be a more cat-like being.¡± Xia Xin had seen movies of a simr genre, so she quickly understood the role. Gao Xin continued, ¡°The workload isn¡¯t very demanding; you¡¯ll probably only need to be on set for about a week to finish filming. What do you think? Will you consider it?¡± Xia Xin replied, ¡°I¡¯m really tempted. I¡¯ll call the director tonight to confirm my participation.¡± Gao Xin happily eximed, ¡°I¡¯ve recruited another key yer for the production. The director will surely treat me to a meal! ¡± Xia Xin modestly responded, ¡°Oh, don¡¯t exaggerate. I¡¯m not that good. Please don¡¯t praise me too much.¡± The two of them enjoyed their meal tremendously. Afterward, Xia Xin stood by the roadside, rubbing her belly, waiting for Gao Xin¡¯s manager to pick her up. Originally, Gao Xin had offered to drive Xia Xin home, but Xia Xin declined, saying, ¡°No, I ate too much today. I need to walk off some calories; besides, it¡¯s not far.¡¯ Gao Xin said, ¡°Alright then. By the way, if you talk to the director about this tonight, you¡¯ll probably be on set tomorrow.¡± Xia Xin was pleasantly surprised. She asked, ¡°Does that mean I¡¯ll see you again tomorrow?¡± Gao Xin grinned and said, ¡°I¡¯ll be at the studio tomorrow, waiting for you. I¡¯ll order some milk tea for you!¡± Then, the two ot them reluctantly said their goodbyes. On her way back, Xia Xin felt happy because she had made a new friend. She was practically skipping down the street. During her walk, she noticed a crowd gathered on the roadside. Among them, a man and a woman were in a heated argument. Xia Xin wasn¡¯t one to enjoy such spectacles and tried to bypass the crowd to head home. However, the crowd suddenly parted, and a disheveled young girl rushed out, colliding with Xia Xin. The girl, in a panicked state, tightly gripped Xia Xin¡¯s arm, tears in her eyes, and pleaded, ¡°Miss, please save me!¡± Though Xia Xin was unfamiliar with this situation, she quickly reassured the girl, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. First, tell me what happened.¡± The girl, trembling, pointed behind her and said, ¡°That man attempted to assault me. I didn¡¯t want to, and he hit me. I managed to escape only with great effort, but he¡¯s chasing me!¡± Xia Xin looked towards the man now standing among the crowd. He was wearing nothing but a bathrobe and hotel disposable slippers, his face flushed, and he appeared furious. Based on his attire, Xia Xin didn¡¯t need any further confirmation; she knew the girl¡¯s words were true. The man, upon seeing the girl had found help, grew even angrier and stepped closer towards them. He yelled, ¡°You, woman, don¡¯t meddle in this! It was clearly you who seduced me. I didn¡¯t want to, and now you¡¯re falsely using me! You vile woman!¡± Xia Xin, without a doubt in her mind that the man was the aggressor, didn¡¯t bother listening to his words. She quickly ced herself between him and the girl, warning, ¡°I suggest you don¡¯te any closer! I¡¯ve already called the police. If you don¡¯t want to be charged with harassment, I advise you to step back!¡± The man, clearly frightened, retreated to a safe distance and retorted angrily, ¡°I warn you not to interfere too much.. Do you even know who¡¯s behind you? Are you helping her? Don¡¯t let her deceive you!¡± Chapter 90 - 90: A Beauty Rescued Another Beauty Chapter 90: A Beauty Rescued Another Beauty Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin countered, ¡°I can distinguish between right and wrong myself. Justice is innate to human hearts. I advise you not toe near us, or you might find yourself used of harassment!¡± After saying that, Xia Xin pulled the girl along and walked away. It wasn¡¯t until they were out of sight that the girl¡¯s nervousness began to subside, and she loosened her grip on Xia Xin¡¯s arm. The girl breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. She said, ¡°Thank you so much, Miss.¡± Xia Xin noticed that the girl didn¡¯t seem as frightened as she should be, but she still reassured her, saying, ¡°It¡¯s okay; girls should help each other. You¡¯re safe now. Can you tell me exactly what happened?¡± The girl replied, ¡°I had juste to this city to work and met that man at the bus station. He said he could take me to a cheap youth hostel, so I followed him. But unexpectedly, he took me to a hotel and tried to assault me. It was a struggle to escape from him.¡± The girl spoke confidently, not appearing too shaken, but her tears flowed freely. Xia Xinforted the girl and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯re safe now. How about I take you somewhere to stay temporarily?¡± The girl hesitated and said, ¡°I don¡¯t have any money right now, and all my belongings are still in that hotel. I don¡¯t want to inconvenience you by staying with you. Are you sure it¡¯s okay?¡± Xia Xin kindly replied, ¡°It¡¯s not a problem. My apartment has two bedrooms, and one of them is empty. You can stay there for now.¡± The girl still seemed unsure and said, ¡°But I don¡¯t have a job yet, and I won¡¯t be able to find one quickly. I don¡¯t have any money. If I stay with you, it might be for a long time. Are you sure it¡¯s okay?¡± Xia Xin said, ¡°It¡¯s fine; the room is empty anyway. Don¡¯t worry.¡± The girl wiped away her tears and followed Xia Xin home. What Xia Xin didn¡¯t see was that the girl¡¯s eyes, which were covered by her hands as she wiped her tears, shed a hint of a triumphant smile. Xia Xin enthusiastically brought the girl home and even bought her new toiletries and pajamas from the supermarket downstairs. After returning home, Xia Xin arranged the things and said, ¡°You can stay in this small room first. If you don¡¯t have any clothes to wear recently, you can wear mine. My wardrobe is in the room. You can go in and get it.¡± Xia Xin pointed at Layle, who was wagging its tail at her feet, and said, ¡°This is my puppy, but his tongue is injured, so he can¡¯t talk very well now. I need to go to work during the day. If you¡¯re at home, let it apany you.¡± The girl smiled and wanted to get close to Layle but it suddenly stopped wagging its tail and hid back in fear. The girl¡¯s eyes shed with darkness. Xia Xin picked up Layle and said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, it¡¯s a little afraid of strangers.¡± Grateful, the girl said, ¡°Thank you, Miss. I don¡¯t even know your name.¡± Xia Xin introduced herself, ¡°I¡¯m Xia Xin. You can call me by my name. By the way, what¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°I¡¯m Wu Jia,¡± said the girl. Xia Xin nodded, ¡°Nice to meet you, Wu Jia. Go freshen up; I need to make a phone call.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Wu Jia agreed and happily went to freshen up. After settling with Wu Jia, Xia Xin called Sun Tao to confirm her participation in the web drama. Sun Tao said, ¡°The web drama team hopes you can join them tomorrow. As for your job at the zoo, I can help you request leave from Lu Yuan.¡± ¡°Thank you, Mr. Sun, for helping me with the leave,¡± Xia Xin said before also sending a message to Lu Yuan, exining the situation. When Xia Xin returned to the room from the balcony after the call, she saw Wu Jia standing in the middle of the living room, staring straight at her. Xia Xin was startled, nearly dropping her phone. After recovering, Xia Xin awkwardly smiled and asked, ¡°Have you finished getting ready? Why are you standing here?¡± Wu Jia smiled and replied, ¡°Oh, I just saw you making a call when I came out, and I got lost in thought.¡± ¡°Maybe I¡¯m not used to having someone else in my home,¡± Xia Xin added. ¡°In the future, try not to stand behind me suddenly; I¡¯m easily startled. It¡¯s gettingte; you should get some rest. There are two sets of keys by the front door; take one with you when you go out.¡± Wu Jia agreed and headed back to her room. After Xia Xin saw the closed door, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of unease. However, she quickly dismissed the thought. She figured it was because she had been under a lot of stress recently, making her overthink things. After all, a young girl who had just arrived in the city to pursue her dreams and had been mistreated surely wouldn¡¯t have any ill intentions. It was probably just her own imagination. Xia Xin, too, went to freshen up and theny down in bed. Before falling asleep, she sent a message to Jing MO, informing him that she would be joining the project tomorrow. Jing MO might have been busy because he didn¡¯t reply immediately. Xia Xin eventually drifted off to sleep.. Chapter 91 - 91: Joining the Set Chapter 91: Joining the Set Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Early the next morning, Gao Xin made a special trip to pick up Xia Xin and drive her to the film set. Gao Xin opened the car door and handed Xia Xin a cup of bubble tea. She said, ¡°I thought I¡¯d pick you up; otherwise, it would be quite a hassle for you to take a cab by yourself. Plus, I remembered you and Jing MO live in the same neighborhood, so I thought I¡¯d try my luck, and it paid off.¡± Xia Xin, getting into the car, teased, ¡°You do enjoy surprises. What if you didn¡¯t run into me? Then your trip would have been in vain. Next time, you can give me a call in advance.¡± Gao Xin chuckled, ¡°Okay, you¡¯re quite the talker. I got you some breakfast¡ªbuns, steamed buns, and a sandwich. You can pick whichever you like.¡± Xia Xin happily enjoyed her breakfast and said, ¡°Thanks.¡± ¡°We¡¯re friends, no need to be polite,¡± said Gao Xin. Upon arriving at the film set, Xia Xin realized that she actually knew the male lead of the production, MO Shu, who had been on the variety show with her a few days ago. MO Shu saw Xia Xin and came over to greet her politely, ¡°I heard about your adventures on the variety show; you¡¯re quite brave.¡± Xia Xin replied, ¡°Thinking back, I¡¯m still a bit scared.¡± MO Shu politely said, ¡°If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. Wee aboard.¡± Afterward, everyone went about their business. Xia Xin was summoned by the director, Jia Bing, to discuss her scenes scheduled forter. After exining, Jia Bing showed Xia Xin some pictures of the cat that would appear in the production. Observing the cat in the photos, Xia Xin saw that it was apletely white Ragdoll cat, cute and adorable with expressive eyes. Jia Bing continued, ¡°This is my wife¡¯s cat, and she¡¯s very fond of it. She insisted on having it in this film.¡± Xia Xin immediately realized that Jia Bing was showcasing his affection publicly, so she didn¡¯tment. Jia Bing then instructed Xia Xin to go and have her special effects makeup done. He informed her that her scenes would be filmed in two hours. To make Xia Xin¡¯s appearance resemble that of the Ragdoll cat, white makeup was applied to her face, a process that took nearly two hours. Just as she finished, Jia Bing came to notify her. Due to too many retakes by actors earlier in the day, they had run behind schedule, so her scenes would be dyed. The makeup artist said, ¡°After you¡¯re done with makeup, you can wait at the set. This way, when it¡¯s time for your scenes, we can start right away. Also, Mr. Jia seems to be shooting a scene where MO Shu appears shirtless now. It¡¯s worth a watch.¡± Looking at the makeup artist¡¯s expectant expression, Xia Xin politely returned a smile and went to the set. Then, Xia Xin only understood why the makeup artist was looking forward to it when she arrived at the scene. This scene was worth watching. MO Shu¡¯s figure was indeed very good. He had an eight-pack and a perfect chest. Water droplets hung on the lines of his muscles. Coupled with MO Shu¡¯s gentle and handsome face, any girl would probably blush when they saw him. However, Xia Xin didn¡¯t have time to admire MO Shut s physique; she was focused on her own performance. Although she had done somemercial work before, this was a different ballgame. The set was crowded, and she couldn¡¯t help but feel self-conscious under the gaze of so many people. Her body felt rigid, like a robot. In this role, Xia Xin had to mimic a cat¡¯s graceful and confident movements while walking. However, Xia Xin¡¯s walk was anything but graceful; it was stiff, and she even tripped. After just a few steps, the director angrily called for a cut! Jia Bing red at Xia Xin with frustration. His demeanor was a stark contrast to the affectionate behavior he had disyed earlier. He seemed like an irritated monster ready to scold anyone he caught. Xia Xin felt embarrassed and apologized profusely. Jia Bing said, ¡°You¡¯re a person, not a zombie! You¡¯re walking like a mummy; there¡¯s no grace at all. Let¡¯s take it from the top again!¡± However, even after several retakes, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t find her groove. The director, now in an irritable mood, decided to postpone her scenes and shoot others first. Feeling guilty, Xia Xin left the set. As she walked away, she overheard some people whispering, ¡°Why did the director hire someone with no experience? It¡¯s a waste of everyone¡¯s time, isn¡¯t it?¡± Another person chimed in, ¡°Lower your voice. She¡¯s here with Gao Xin, so she must have some connections¡­¡± Chapter 92 - 92: Taking a Break Chapter 92: Taking a Break Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin listened and felt even more ufortable, remaining silent in the corner. She wanted to figure out how cats walked, but the more she thought about it, the more she couldn¡¯te up with an answer. Her mind was filled with the words of the crew members, using her of dying everyone¡¯s progress. She couldn¡¯t help but contemte giving up. As Xia Xin was lost in thought, someone suddenly handed her a bottle of water. She looked up and was surprised to see it was MO Shu. Xia Xin epted the water and thanked MO Shu. He sat down on a portable chair beside her and asked, ¡°Are you upset because the director scolded you?¡± Xia Xin nodded. MO Shu leaned back in his chair, legs crossed. He gazed at the set where Gao Xin was filming and said, ¡°Do you see how natural Gao Xin looks when she¡¯s acting? Xia Xin looked at Gao Xin, who was currently facing a stand-in actor with a green screen on his head. Her expressions were genuine as if she was truly acting with someone, even shedding tears while smiling. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but praise, ¡°Gao Xin¡¯s acting is really good, and she looks very natural. It¡¯s a pleasure to watch her perform on set.¡± ¡°You only see her performing well now, but the first time she appeared on camera, she was just like you, very unnatural, and she was scolded by the director,¡± MO Shu exined. Surprised, Xia Xin asked, ¡°Even with such good acting skills, she was scolded by the director?¡± MO Shu chuckled, ¡°Everyone has a first time; how can you expect to perform well right from the start? My first time was even worse than yours, and I ended up trending on social media for all the wrong reasons.¡± MO Shu¡¯s tone was gentle, and his words managed to ease Xia Xin¡¯s negative emotions. He had a pair of gentle and mesmerizing eyes. Even when he wasn¡¯t smiling, there was a slight upward curve at the corners of his mouth. His face exuded warmth, making him look exceptionally tender. Standing at 1.88 meters tall, he had a near-perfect body proportion, with almost no ws. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but blush as she recalled MO Shu¡¯s shirtless scene earlier. This was probably what people referred to as looking thin in clothes and muscr when undressed. Suddenly, MO Shu turned his head towards Xia Xin. Their eyes met unexpectedly, causing Xia Xin to feel nervous, as if she had been caught doing something she shouldn¡¯t. She calmly averted her gaze. MO Shu continued, ¡°Just treat everyone like carrots and cabbages. Although there are many people on set, everyone is busy with their own tasks¡ªsome adjusting equipment, and some monitoring power sources. Not everyone has the time to scrutinize your performance. So, don¡¯t pay attention to others¡¯ opinions, and you¡¯ll be able to act naturally.¡± After giving Xia Xin this advice, MO Shu left. His scenes for the day were already finished, and now it was his private time. MO Shu had a habit of leaving the set immediately after finishing his scenes. When he didn¡¯t have any scenes, he was nowhere to be found on set. However, if he had scenes or there werest-minute additions, he always arrived on time. Therefore, the director didn¡¯t ce any additional demands on him. Following MO Shu¡¯s advice, Xia Xin adjusted her mindset. In the following shoots, although she didn¡¯t perform perfectly without any retakes, she did make significant progress. After filming, Jia Bing gave Xia Xin a day off to adjust her state and study how cats walk and move. When Xia Xin left the film set, it was already dark. She checked her phone and saw numerous missed calls, all from Wu Jia, who had been asking when she would return home and how hungry she was. Xia Xin wondered, ¡®Wu Jia is not a child, why couldn¡¯t she order takeout or go out to eat. If nothing else, there was food in the fridge. Did she really need to wait for me toe back before eating?¡¯ Although Xia Xin had those thoughts, she quickly headed home. Upon her return, Xia Xin was taken aback by the mess that greeted her. It looked like her ce had been ransacked, with potato chip crumbs and wrappers scattered all over the sofa. Seeing that scene, Xia Xin was astonished. She looked at Wu Jia, who waszily lying in the middle of the potato chip crumbs, wearing the silk pajamas Xia Xin had just bought. ¡°What have you been doing at home all day?¡± Xia Xin asked. After a tiring day, she couldn¡¯t help but sound a bitining.. Chapter 93 - 93: Being a Nuisance Chapter 93: Being a Nuisance Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Wu Jia put on a pitiful expression and said, ¡°I was so bored, and I haven¡¯t found a suitable job yet, so I ended up watching TV at your ce. And, of course, watching TV requires some chips, so I bought some.¡± An exasperated Xia Xin replied, ¡°But why did you have to make such a mess at home?¡± Tears welled up instantly in Wu Jia¡¯s eyes. She said, ¡°Are you ming me? I didn¡¯t do it on purpose. When you eat, crumbs are bound to scatter around. I identally dirtied the sofa, that¡¯s all. Are you mad at me?¡± Xia Xin thought, ¡®How could tears flow so easily?¡¯ Suddenly, Xia Xin felt that something was amiss. It seemed like something was missing from her home. She searched the living room and then realized that Layle was gone! Panicking, Xia Xin raised her voice and asked, ¡°Where¡¯s Layle?¡± Wu Jia pointed towards Xia Xin¡¯s room with her chin and said ¡°Oh, it¡¯s ying in your room.¡± Xia Xin was confused. Even if Layle was in her room, it usually rushed out to greet her and offer her slippers as soon as Xia Xin returned home. But none of that happened today. Approaching her room, Xia Xin could still hear the sound of paws scratching the door. rmed, she quickly opened the door and discovered that Layle had been locked inside. Its paws had been continuously scraping the door, leaving a pile of wood shavings on the floor. Xia Xin opened the door, and Layle immediately rushed out, circling her legs while crying. Tears streaked down its face; it must have been terrified. Xia Xin quickly picked up Layle andforted it. She gently stroked its head and said, ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯m back. Don¡¯t be scared.¡± Then Xia Xin turned to Wu Jia, her anger growing, and asked, ¡°Why did you lock it in the room?¡± Wu Jia looked at Xia Xin with an indifferent expression and said, ¡°It¡¯s just a dog. Are you going to lose your temper at me? Look at the wood shavings on the ground that it made. You didn¡¯t scold it.¡± Xia Xin was getting angrier and angrier. She felt like she was a powder keg that could be ignited at any time. She reasoned, ¡°This isn¡¯t about a dog at all! You would be scared if you were locked in a room, but you actually locked it in a room! Had it not been eaten for a day?¡± Wu Jia picked up the bag of chips beside her and stuffed a few chips into her mouth. She chewed loudly and said, ¡°How can animals be the same as humans? I only locked it in the afternoon. I haven¡¯t eaten for a day either. It won¡¯t starve to death if it doesn¡¯t eat. Besides, if Layle hadn¡¯t been disobedient, I wouldn¡¯t have locked him in. I just wanted to eat potato chips on the sofa, and he kept scratching me with his ws. Look, my hands are red from his scratching.¡± Wu Jia stretched out her hand to let Xia Xin see the back of her hand. There was only a light pink mark. If Xia Xin hade back a littleter, the wound would have disappeared. Xia Xin suddenly noticed the bracelet on Wu Jia¡¯s wrist and walked over, grabbing her hand. She asked, ¡°Why are you wearing my bracelet?¡± The bracelet had been given to Xia Xin by Zhao Nan on her twenty-fourth birthday, and she cherished it dearly. She had never worn it and always kept it on her dressing table. Wu Jia impatiently pulled her hand away and said, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say I could use your things as I pleased? So, I decided to wear it. Don¡¯t tell me you are turning back on your words?¡± Xia Xin was irritated and shouted, ¡°I said you could borrow my clothes, not take my things! And there¡¯s a difference between borrowing and taking!¡± Wu Jia started to tear up again. She said, ¡°I know I was careless and did something wrong. That¡¯s why you hate me, right?¡± Xia Xin suddenly saw Wu Jia crying and said in a daze, ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not what I meant.¡¯ Wu Jia continued, ¡°I know I made a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes, right? I promise I¡¯ll change. Why are you so angry? You¡¯re really scary. I was almost assaulted by a man yesterday, and I¡¯m already scared. Now you¡¯re scolding me.¡± As Wu Jia spoke, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of guilt. She thought of Wu Jia as a pitiable young girl. She softened her tone and didn¡¯t know how to continue the argument. Seeing Xia Xin seeming to soften, Wu Jia quickly changed her attitude, wiped away her tears, and said, ¡°I¡¯m hungry.. Can you make me some food?¡± Chapter 94 - 94: Frustration Chapter 94: Frustration Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin, somewhat manipted by Wu Jia, found herself in the kitchen. When she took some vegetables out of the refrigerator, it finally struck her, ¡®Wu Jia could order takeout, so why did she wait for me to return home and cook?¡¯ Xia Xin went back out and asked, ¡°If you were really hungry, why didn¡¯t you just order takeout? Did you have to wait for me toe back and cook?¡± Wu Jia had just finished thest potato chip and was licking the seasoning off her fingers. She said, ¡°The food from outside is unhealthy. Only homemade food is good for me as my stomach is delicate.¡± As Xia Xin felt her anger building up, Wu Jia quickly yed the sweet card and said, ¡°I know you¡¯ve been working hard. How about this, I¡¯ll cook tomorrow, and you can eat when youe back, okay?¡± Under Wu Jia¡¯s relentless persuasion, Xia Xin, even if she was upset, couldn¡¯t express her anger. She had no choice but to obediently ept and start cooking for Wu Jia. After finishing their meal, Wu Jia showed no intention of cleaning the dishes. Instead, she casually sat at the table, engrossed in her phone. Xia Xin, looking at her, spoke with an annoyed tone, ¡°Please put away the dishes and go wash them.¡± Wu Jia impatiently replied, ¡°In our family, the one who cooks also washes the dishes. Since you cooked today, shouldn¡¯t you be washing them?¡± Helpless, Xia Xin coldly stated, ¡°In our family, the rule is that the one who doesn¡¯t cook washes the dishes. Today, I cooked, so you wash them. Tomorrow, you cook, and I¡¯ll wash.¡± Wu Jia rolled her eyes with great reluctance, collected the dishes, and headed for the kitchen. Xia Xin had nned to tidy up the living room. But before she could start, she suddenly heard the sound of dishes breaking in the kitchen. She rushed into the kitchen and found shattered fragments scattered across the floor. Even her favorite porcin bowl, kept in the cupboard, had fallen and shattered into pieces. Meanwhile, Wu Jia stood amidst the shards, her expression innocent, disying no trace of guilt. Xia Xin, her patience worn thin, demanded, ¡°What exactly are you trying to Wu Jia extended her hand to show Xia Xin a faint red mark on her index finger. She said, ¡°Look, I was going to put away the dishes in the cupboard, but I lost my grip, and all the dishes fell to the ground. My hand got scratched, it hurts so much.¡± Xia Xin, unable to express her anger even though she was on the verge of losing it, thought Wu Jia was more suited to be an actress. Her tears flowed so effortlessly, without any need for preparation. Exasperated, Xia Xin watched Wu Jia for a moment. She felt utterly drained. Just then, Xia Xin¡¯s phone rang. She answered with a mechanical tone, ¡°Hello, who is it?¡± It was the first time Jing MO had heard Xia Xin sound so defeated. He asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Hearing Jing Mo¡¯s voice, Xia Xin said, ¡°Wait a moment; I need to deal with something.¡± Then she turned to Wu Jia and said, ¡°You should go back to your room and rest. Leave these things here; I¡¯ll clean up.¡± Wu Jia, once again rolling her eyes, left the room arrogantly. Xia Xin breathed a sigh of relief, trying to sound less irritable. She picked up the phone and said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just some dishes broke.¡± Jing MO asked if anyone was injured. Feeling a day¡¯s worth of grievances welling up inside her,bined with the exhaustion of her daily life and the troubles Wu Jia had caused, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t hold back her tears any longer. She spoke with a choked voice, ¡°No¡­ no one¡¯s hurt.¡± Layle, sensing its owner¡¯s emotions, approached Xia Xin and nudged her leg, offeringfort. Kneeling down, Xia Xin stroked Layle¡¯s head. At this moment, she wished there was someone who could pat her head and offer her somefort and strength. Jing MO inquired about the reason for her tears, and Xia Xin managed to say with great effort, ¡°It¡¯s really nothing. Some dishes just broke.¡± Jing MO had just put a leash on Bobo. He had wanted to ask Xia Xin out to walk the dog, but when he heard Xia Xin cry, he put the leash down and put on his shoes, preparing to go out to see Xia Xin. ¡°I¡¯lle help you. Be careful of your hands,¡± Jing MO said. ¡°I¡¯m really fine. There¡¯s no need for that!¡± said Xia Xin. Xia Xin was worried that Wu Jia would find out about Jing Mo¡¯s rtionship with her, so Xia Xin quickly stopped Jing Mo. ¡°I have a guest at home. It might not be convenient for you toe.¡± Jing MO stopped putting on his shoes and retracted his feet to change the topic, ¡°I heard that your filming was not going well?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± said Xia Xin. She simply med all these grievances on filming and told him about what happened today.. Chapter 95 - 95: Companionship Chapter 95: Companionship Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing MO consoled Xia Xin, ¡°The first time filming can be like this.¡± After a moment of silence, he continued, ¡°How about this? Tomorrow, I¡¯ll take you to a cat cafe for a close encounter with some cats. It might help.¡± Since tomorrow was a day off, and Xia Xin needed a break, she agreed. After ending the call, Xia Xin stared at the mess of broken dishes on the floor. Feeling overwhelmed, she left everything as it was, carelessly dropping the broom on the ground, and went back to her room to lie down. Layle, on the other hand, obedientlyy by Xia Xin¡¯s feet and soon drifted off to sleep as well. That night, Xia Xin had a dream. She dreamt that Wu Jia constantly followed her, calling her, and gradually took away all her belongings, destroying her home piece by piece. In that dream, Wu Jia seemed to transform into a home-wrecking Husky, relentlessly tormenting various pieces of furniture, leaving her home in disarray. At one point, Xia Xin even heard Wu Jia pounding the wall with her fists. However, the sound was so clear and so real. Xia Xin suddenly woke up, realizing that it wasn¡¯t a dream; there was indeed a pounding sounding from the wall. Xia Xin rushed out to see Wu Jia holding a hammer and nailing something to the wall. Xia Xin quickly intervened, ¡°What are you doing?¡± Wu Jia, still standing on a chair with a hammer in hand, replied, ¡°I think this ce is too empty, and I want to hang a painting here.¡± Xia Xin¡¯s anger red and shouted, ¡°But this is my home! If you want to hang anything, you should have asked me first, right?¡± Wu Jia remained nonchnt and said, ¡°I feel like I¡¯ll be living here for a long time. I value my living environment. Won¡¯t you allow it?¡± Xia Xin, infuriated beyond measure, dered, ¡°That¡¯s enough! Stop doing that. We¡¯re probably the same age. I¡¯m not older than you and I said you can call me Xia Xin!¡± Wu Jia pouted, ¡°Fine, Xia Xin. But can¡¯t I hang a painting here? Would it hurt?¡± Fuming, Xia Xin responded, ¡°I don¡¯t need those things, and this is a rented apartment. If you hang things all over the ce, how will I return the house in the same condition to thendlord?¡± Wu Jia, undeterred, said, ¡°It¡¯s just a nail. If thendlord doesn¡¯t allow you to use nails, then you shouldn¡¯t rent from her.¡± Exasperated, Xia Xin ordered, ¡°Go back to your room!¡± Unhappy butplying, Wu Jia returned to her room. Before entering, she looked at Xia Xin with a curious expression, ¡°You must have a boyfriend, right? That¡¯s why you find me annoying?¡± Confused, Xia Xin didn¡¯t understand what Wu Jia meant. Wu Jia casually tossed the hammer aside and said, ¡°I heard your phone call yesterday. It was definitely a male voice on the other end. Now you¡¯re so irritable; it must be because I¡¯m disturbing your private time with him. In that case, you shouldn¡¯t have invited me to stay at your ce. You could have arranged for me to stay in a hotel, which would be morefortable for both of us.¡¯ ¡°You!¡± Xia Xin was so angry she couldn¡¯t even speak, and Wu Jia had already turned and gone back into her room. Just then, there was a knock on the door. Xia Xin opened it to find that it was Zhao Nan. Carrying two bags of snacks and groceries, Zhao Nan entered and said, ¡°I took a day off today and came specifically to prepare a big meal for you!¡± Xia Xin felt like she had seen a family member and rushed to hug Zhao Nan. Xia Xin said, ¡°You¡¯re finally here! Save me!¡± Zhao Nan, still bewildered from the hug, observed the chaos in the room and eximed, ¡°Calm down, Xia Xin. Could you tell me what happened to you? And your house?¡± Setting down her things, Xia Xin sat dejectedly on the sofa. Potato chip crumbs were still scattered about, and there were potato chip wrappers on the floor. The whole ce looked as if it had been ransacked. Zhao Nan found a rtively clean spot to sit down and, in amazement, looked at the decor around her and said, ¡°I was just gone for a few days, and your home looks like it¡¯s been looted.¡± Xia Xin, overwhelmed, finally let her tears flow and briefly exined the situation to Zhao Nan. After hearing everything, Zhao Nan was furious. She headed towards Wu Jia¡¯s room, and Xia Xin pulled her back, asking, ¡°What are you going to do?¡± Zhao Nan replied, ¡°Resolve the issue!¡± Xia Xin, her face full of grievances, asked, ¡°You¡¯re not going to hit her, are you?¡± Zhao Nan, speechless, said, ¡°Do I look like that kind of person?¡± With teary eyes, Xia Xin nodded.. Chapter 96 - 96: Driving Away Chapter 96: Driving Away Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Zhao Nan was speechless and felt like giving Xia Xin a good shake. Zhao Nan thought, ¡®Could she not differentiate between friends and foes in such situations?¡¯ With a serious tone, Zhao Nan said, ¡°I¡¯ll just reason with her. I won¡¯t resort to violence. Don¡¯t worry. However, when I speak, it¡¯s best if you don¡¯t interrupt. You tend to be too soft-hearted, and if you butt in, the issue won¡¯t get resolved.¡± Feeling helpless, Xia Xin nodded in agreement. Zhao Nan then proceeded to knock on the door. After what seemed like forever, Wu Jia finally answered the door. Wu Jia had changed into a different outfit and applied makeup. Irritated, she eximed, ¡°Will you ever stop bothering me? First, you asked me toe into the room, then you asked me toe out. What¡¯s the matter now? Don¡¯t you know I need rest?¡± After saying that, Wu Jia looked up and realized that the person knocking wasn¡¯t Xia Xin. She added, ¡°Oh, there¡¯s a guest at home, and you didn¡¯t inform me? But you are Xia Xin¡¯s guest, not mine. Do I really need toe out and greet you?¡± Zhao Nan sneered, ¡°You don¡¯t need toe out because we¡¯re not here to see you. We came to talk about the matter of you staying at Xia Xin¡¯s ce.¡± Wu Jia, visibly annoyed, asked, ¡°What¡¯s there to talk about? Make it quick; I have ns and need to head out soon.¡± Zhao Nan said, ¡°I¡¯ll keep it short. I hope you can move out.¡± Indignant, Wu Jia replied, ¡°Why should I move out? When Xia Xin invited me, she didn¡¯t mention staying only for two nights. She said I could stay here until I found a job.¡± Zhao Nan stifled augh, ¡°Xia Xin only invited a guest home. Do you consider yourself a guest?¡± Wu Jia looked around at the mess she had made in the apartment and cheerfully said, ¡°Indeed, I¡¯ve been treating this ce as my home. But there¡¯s no need to thank me.¡± Zhao Nan couldn¡¯t help but be amazed. Despite having encountered all kinds of shameless people in the entertainment industry, she had never met anyone quite like Wu Jia. ¡°Miss Wu, am I right? Your shamelessness has reached a point where you no longer care about others¡¯ opinions, hasn¡¯t it?¡± Zhao Nan said. Wu Jia replied, ¡°I advise you to watch your words. You¡¯re not the owner of this apartment, and you¡¯re just a guest. You have no right to kick me out.¡± Zhao Nan was gritting her teeth in anger. Worried that Wu Jia might lose her temper, Xia Xin motioned for Zhao Nan not to speak. Then, she sat up straight and said, ¡°I¡¯m delighted that you understand the concept of rights. Let me be clear: this room is upied. I hope you can move out.¡± If Zhao Nan had said that, Wu Jia might have yed dumb. But hearing it from Xia Xin, Wu Jia had no valid counterarguments. With a frown, Wu Jia asked, ¡°Why? When you invited me to stay, you didn¡¯t mention that I could only stay for two nights. You said I could stay here until I found a job.¡± Xia Xin pointed to the mess around her and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t anticipate that you¡¯d spend these two days doing nothing butzing around, causing chaos at home. I¡¯m not a wealthy person, and this is my own home. I don¡¯t want to create trouble for myself. Initially, I helped you out of goodwill, but your actions have crossed the line.¡± After hearing that, Zhao Nan was shocked. She thought, ¡®Is this still my good friend Xia Xin, who used to be easygoing and tried to avoid conflicts at all costs?¡¯ Wu Jia began to y the victim again. She grabbed Xia Xin¡¯s arm and said, ¡°But I¡¯m currently broke. Where do you expect me to go?¡± Xia Xin sneered, ¡°Didn¡¯t you order takeout? It seems like you still have money. So, why did youe here in the first ce?¡± Before, Xia Xin hadn¡¯t thought much about it. She hadn¡¯t realized that Wu Jia would act so unreasonably. Besides, Wu Jia¡¯s actions didn¡¯t directly affect her interests, so she tried to be friendly. But now, the situation has changed. Wu Jia¡¯s behavior had be a nuisance, and Xia Xin wasn¡¯t the kind of person to tolerate trouble when she saw it. Wu Jia was silenced by Xia Xin¡¯s words and couldn¡¯t respond for a while. Xia Xin continued, ¡°We¡¯re all adults here, and we should maintain some dignity. I hope you can leave my ce. As for the toiletries and pajamas I bought for you, consider them gifts. If you want them, take them. If you don¡¯t, leave them here; it doesn¡¯t matter..¡± Chapter 97 - 97: A New Roommate Chapter 97: A New Roommate Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion With things having reached this point, it wouldn¡¯t be appropriate for Wu Jia to stay any longer. Angrily ring at Xia Xin, Wu Jia suddenly remembered something, triumphantly packed her things, and before leaving, she said to Xia Xin, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll meet again soon, and I won¡¯t be as easy going as today.¡± After saying that, Wu Jia prepared to leave with all her belongings. But Xia Xin stopped her, saying, ¡°Wait.¡± Wu Jia coldly asked, ¡°What now? Do you want me to go back in? I¡¯m not in the mood for chit-chat.¡¯ Xia Xin said, ¡°You¡¯ve misunderstood me. I just want you to return the bracelet you¡¯re wearing; it belongs to me.¡± Wu Jia paused, anger evident on her face, and she took off the bracelet, seemingly intending to throw it on the floor. Zhao Nan stopped Wu Jia, saying, ¡°There¡¯s a jade bead on this bracelet, and if you break it, it will be expensive to rece. Moreover, its value is enough to get you into trouble with the police. Think carefully before you toss it.¡± Wu Jia choked up and obediently walked inside to ce the bracelet on the coffee table. She then left, wearing a sour expression. After Wu Jia had left, Xia Xin and Zhao Nan high-fived each other. Zhao Nan couldn¡¯t help but praise, ¡°Impressive, Xia Xin. You¡¯ve grown up; you know how to assert your rights now.¡± Xia Xin heaved a sigh of relief and sank into the couch. She said, ¡°Finally got rid of that jinx. You have no idea how exhausted I was every day. I¡¯d feel so overwhelmed when I saw her messing up the ce like this every evening!¡± Looking around at the chaotic apartment, Zhao Nan said, ¡°Alright, today I¡¯ll work for you as a freeborer. I¡¯ll help you tidy up the ce.¡± Xia Xin waved her hand and said, ¡°No need. I have ns to go out this afternoon. I¡¯ll call a cleaning service.¡± ¡°What do you have going on?¡± Zhao Nan asked. So, Xia Xin mentioned that she had ns with Jing Mo. Curious, Zhao Nan leaned in closer and asked, ¡°Come on, tell me honestly, what¡¯s your rtionship with Jing MO now?¡± Xia Xin lightly tapped Zhao Nan¡¯s forehead and said, ¡°Don¡¯t make wild guesses. We don¡¯t have any special rtionship.¡± Then, Xia Xin briefly recounted how she had met Jing MO and added with nostalgia, ¡°It¡¯s such a small world. I used to stick with him all the time when I was a kid, and now he¡¯s be a big star.¡± Zhao Nan patted her chest and said, ¡°Alright, you can rx and go on your date. Leave the house to me. You¡¯ve hired a cleaning service, and I¡¯ll keep an eye on things here.¡± Xia Xin and Zhao Nan each held a throw pillow, sitting on the couch, lost in their own thoughts. After a few minutes, Zhao Nan suddenly said, ¡°Xin Xin, how about I move in with you?¡± Xia Xin sat up straight, looking at Zhao Nan, and asked, ¡°You refused to move in before, and now you suddenly want to? What¡¯s changed?¡± Zhao Nan exined, ¡°Before, I was in a rtionship with that scumbag, but now that I¡¯m single, I can decide to move in freely. Plus, if I live with you, we can split the rent, and it¡¯ll save me half of my living expenses.¡± Happily pulling Zhao Nan closer, Xia Xin said, ¡°As long as you¡¯reing to live here, you don¡¯t have to pay rent. I can afford it now. Youing here to keep mepany makes me the happiest. I¡¯ll arrange for a movingpany to help you relocate this afternoon.¡± Zhao Nan, after observing Xia Xin closely for a while, made her feel a bit uneasy. Xia Xin asked, ¡°What are you looking at?¡± Zhao Nan said, ¡°I¡¯m trying to figure out if you¡¯re really Xia Xin. You¡¯ve changed so much from before. You¡¯ve be so decisive and efficient, doing things as soon as you decide to.¡± Xia Xin rolled her eyes at Zhao Nan and then went to prepare for her afternoon outing. At 2 0¡¯clock in the afternoon, Xia Xin arrived promptly at the entrance of the cat caf¨¦. Jing MO was dressed in a loose, pure white short-sleeved T-shirt and baggy jeans, wearing a dark-colored duckbill cap and a mask. Standing at 1.8 meters tall, he was undeniably eye-catching. Someone whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t you find that person familiar? He looks like Jing Xia Xin worried that Jing MO might be recognized, causing rumors, quickly passed by him under his gaze and slipped into the cat caf¨¦. Jing MO didn¡¯t quite understand Xia Xin¡¯s actions but followed her into the caf¨¦. After they entered, Xia Xin realized that they were the only two people in the entire ce. After Jing MOmunicated with the staff, they were led to a more secluded area inside the caf¨¦.. Chapter 98 - 98: Relaxation Chapter 98: Rxation Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion It wasn¡¯t until they entered that Jing Mo removed his hat and mask. Xia Xin breathed a sigh of relief and said, ¡°No wonder you had the confidence toe to the cat caf¨¦ so openly. Turns out, you¡¯ve reserved the whole ce.¡± Jing MO replied, ¡°Being a public figurees with certain constraints; I have to be cautious when I go out. Anyway, please tell me what happened yesterday.¡± So, as Xia Xin yed with the cats, she recounted briefly everything that had happened over the past couple of days. Jing MO, hearing Xia Xin¡¯s rxed tone, knew the issue had been resolved. He said, ¡°Next time you have a problem like this, just contact me. But also, you need to be careful not to bring random people home.¡± Xia Xin yfully stuck her tongue out and said, ¡°Got it. I¡¯ve learned my lesson. I won¡¯t help people indiscriminately in the future.¡± Being at the cat caf¨¦ felt like Xia Xin was in her element; all the cats came close to her, surrounding her. Some even took naps in the cat beds beside her. Even the staff was surprised and said, ¡°Some of these cats are usually aloof and never approach people. It¡¯s unusual for them to behave like this today.¡± Xia Xin didn¡¯t find them aloof; instead, she found each one of them well-behaved and incredibly cute. She spent the entire afternoon ying with the cats while Jing MO kept his distance and observed. In the evening, Jing MO took Xia Xin out for dinner, and they weren¡¯t going home until around 7 or 8 p.m. On their way back, Xia Xin asked Jing MO, ¡°The cats are so adorable, why didn¡¯t you y with them at all this afternoon?¡± ¡°I¡¯m allergic to cat furs,¡± said Jing Mo. Panicking, Xia Xin checked herself for any cat fur, and as she did, she said, ¡°If you¡¯re allergic, why did you bring me to a cat caf¨¦? What if you end up in the hospital? Sun Hu will definitely not spare me.¡± Jing MO held Xia Xin¡¯s arm, guiding her away from puddles on the road, and reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry; my allergy isn¡¯t severe.¡± With a slightly apologetic tone, Xia Xin said, ¡°But I waspletely clueless this afternoon, and if I still can¡¯t get into character tomorrow, won¡¯t that mean I wasted your afternoon¡¯s effort?¡± Jing MO said, ¡°Actually, I didn¡¯t bring you here to teach you about cats; I brought you here to help you rx. You can only perform at your best when you¡¯re in a rxed state. Don¡¯t overthink it. Just act based on your understanding of cats.¡± After carefully reflecting on her afternoon of y, Xia Xin realized that she had indeed emptied her mind. She hadn¡¯t been troubled by thoughts of acting, and she felt much more rxed than before. She had probably ced too much pressure on herself. Continuing, Jing MO suggested, ¡°If you still can¡¯t get into character quickly, I rmend staying at the hotel arranged by the production for a week. Watch the other actors on set; maybe it will help you rediscover what acting means.¡± Xia Xin still had some reservations. She had been scolded by directors so many times that she had lost confidence in acting. Jing MO ced his hand on Xia Xin¡¯s shoulder, looked into her light brown eyes with his deep ck ones, and said, ¡°Xia Xin, I believe in you.¡± Xia Xin felt a surge of motivation and the courage to give it her all once again. When they arrived at the residential area, Xia Xin looked at Jing MO seriously and suddenly joked, ¡°Jing MO, you¡¯re such a caring big brother. Why haven¡¯t you been in a rtionship for so many years?¡± Jing MO was stunned for a moment. His gaze suddenly shifted elsewhere and he did not answer the question. Xia Xin didn¡¯t ask further and said happily, ¡°I finally got you. Yay, I won!¡± With that, Xia Xin happily went upstairs. The next day, Xia Xin followed Jing Mo t s advice and booked a hotel room provided by the production. She spent almost every day at the film set. When she didn¡¯t have scenes, she observed other actors, gradually regaining her acting senses. One day, while Xia Xin was shooting a scene, the cat caretaker, responsible for looking after the cat, rushed onto the set. Anxiously, she said to Jia Bing, who was directing the scene, ¡°Something bad happened; the cat escaped!¡± Jia Bing was originally directing the scene but stopped everything. He was initially angry and scolded the person, ¡°Do you know your voice will be recorded?¡± Then Jia Bing quickly reacted and asked, ¡°What did you just say? Say it again!¡± Chapter 99 - 99: An Argument Chapter 99: An Argument Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion The cat caretaker urgently eximed, ¡°The cat has escaped!¡± Jia Bing immediately got furious and said, ¡°That cat is my wife¡¯s favorite. If it¡¯s lost, how can I exin it to her? Stop filming! Everyone, put down what you¡¯re doing and hurry to find the cat!¡± While Xia Xin was still clueless about the situation, Jia Bing had already followed the caretaker to search for the cat. At that moment, Gao Xin approached and said, ¡°Looks like we won¡¯t be able to film today. Let¡¯s go; I¡¯ll take you to remove your makeup, and then we can grab something to eat.¡± Concerned, Xia Xin asked, ¡°Is the cat alright? Shouldn¡¯t we help the director search for it?¡± Gao Xin replied, ¡°You don¡¯t even know where the cat went; how can we search? You¡¯re better off not getting involved.¡± Although Xia Xin had a n to ask the stray cats if they had seen the Ragdoll cat¡¯s whereabouts, she decided to say, ¡°Every little bit helps. If you¡¯re hungry, you go ahead and eat. I¡¯ll assist in searching for the cat.¡± Gao Xin didn¡¯t have the time to join the search for the cat, so she allowed Xia Xin to go. After removing her makeup, Xia Xin obtained a picture of the cat and hit the streets. She remembered there was a ce nearby where stray cats gathered. She headed there first, approaching the stray cats and using the Beast Language System to ask if they had seen a white Ragdoll cat. Those cats were familiar with Xia Xin because she had fed them before, and with the help of the Beast Language System, they listened attentively to her. One cat eagerly said, ¡°We think we saw a white cat running out from where you came.¡± Excited, Xia Xin asked, ¡°Do you know where it went?¡± The stray cat shook its head and said, ¡°That cat seemed very proud. It said we were dirty and didn¡¯t want to get close to us.¡± Xia Xin apologized on behalf of the Ragdoll cat and continued, ¡°This cat belongs to my friend and is very important to him. Can you help me find it?¡± All the stray cats nodded and then gathered nearby cats to search together. About half an hourter, a calico cat came over to Xia Xin and said they had found the cat. It had fallen into a pond but had just been rescued. Xia Xin had the stray cats lead her to the Ragdoll cat. So, a scene unfolded on the street: a calico cat led a person on a wild chase through the streets, heading towards the pond. When Xia Xin arrived, she saw the soaking-wet white Ragdoll cat trembling in a man¡¯s arms. It seemed to have been severely frightened by the ordeal. Approaching them, Xia Xin focused on the Ragdoll cat, not noticing the identity of the man. She politely said, ¡°Sir, hello. This cat belongs to me. Thank you for saving it. Please return it to me, and I¡¯d like to offer you my gratitude.¡± The man appeared unwilling, speaking in an unfriendly tone, ¡°You im this cat is yours, but how can I trust you? Maybe you want to sell the valuable Ragdoll cat for money?¡± Xia Xin originally reached out to take the cat but was dodged by the man, leaving her hand awkwardly hanging in the air. She withdrew her hand, furrowing her brow as she looked up at the man. Suddenly, she felt that he looked somewhat familiar. After some thought, she realized he was the man who had attempted to assault Wu Jia that night! Despite his tall and ordinary appearance, he hadn¡¯t stood out in the crowd, so Xia Xin hadn¡¯t immediately recognized him. By sheer coincidence, Xia Xin hadn¡¯t expected to encounter him again. The man sneered, ¡°Don¡¯t praise yourself too much. I think you¡¯re the one after money. First, you used me of attempted rape, and now you¡¯vee to im this cat. Are you targeting valuable cats? You people are quite selective.¡± Xia Xin retorted, ¡°Don¡¯t give yourself undue credit. I believe you¡¯re the one driven by money. If it weren¡¯t for the cat¡¯s value, you wouldn¡¯t have gone down to save it.¡± While they were locked in this confrontation, someone from the crowd approached them, asking, ¡°Why are you two arguing? You found the cat, so why don¡¯t you hurry and return it to the director?¡± Both Xia Xin and the man turned simultaneously to look at the neer, and to their surprise, it was MO Shu. Xia Xin and the man simultaneously said to Mo Shu, ¡°Quick, call the police and have this man arrested!¡± Again, they turned to each other, this time in unison, and said, ¡°Do you know each other?¡± Chapter 100 - 100: Misunderstanding Resolved Chapter 100: Misunderstanding Resolved Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Continuing with synchronized actions, they both looked at MO Shu as though mirroring each other. MO Shu, feeling puzzled, asked, ¡°Are you two mimicking each other?¡± As MO Shu was a public figure, they decided to escape the crowd and find a more secluded ce to rify the situation. After a round of exnations, Xia Xin learned that this man was, surprisingly, MO Shut s agent. His name was Zhang Chao, and he was well-known in the industry. Xia Xin looked at MO Shu in disbelief and asked, ¡°Why would you let someone like him be your agent?¡± Zhang Chao, clearly irritated, retorted, ¡°Watch your words! You know nothing about that night, yet you¡¯re making baseless usations here. I bet you¡¯re in cahoots with the girl from that night.¡± Xia Xin frowned and said, ¡°Could you please speak more politely?¡± MO Shu, sensing another argument brewing, quickly intervened, ¡°How about this, both of you exin your sides of the story calmly. What really happened? Can we avoid arguing from the start?¡± So Xia Xin exined what she had witnessed, but the man immediately countered, ¡°It didn¡¯t happen like that!¡± MO Shu gave Zhang Chao an odd look, interrupting him, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that when I asked you to pick someone up that night, it turned out like this.¡± Zhang Chao, feeling misunderstood by MO Shu as well, got frustrated and said, ¡°Why are you getting involved? Are you doubting my character? It was that girl who falsely used me!¡± So, what happened on that night was, MO Shu received a call from Wan Wan, asking for help in picking someone up from a bar. MO Shu felt embarrassed to refuse because he had worked with Wan Wan on a few shows before, so he sent Zhang Chao. However, when Zhang Chao arrived, he didn¡¯t find the person Wan Wan had mentioned. Instead, a drunken girl suddenly pounced on him and started flirting. Zhang Chao was not the type to engage in such behavior and had tried to push the girl away. But since she was too intoxicated, he couldn¡¯t break free from her. Eventually, the girl vomited on him and passed out. Zhang Chao had no choice but to take her to a hotel. Covered in vomit and unable to leave immediately, Zhang Chao had to buy new clothes, intending to take a shower before departing and leaving the girl alone in the hotel room. Unexpectedly, when the girl woke up, she used him of molesting her and ran out onto the streets, falsely using him in public. To make matters worse, she encountered Xia Xin, who was quick to threaten to call the police. Xia Xin fell silent. She recalled that someone like Wu Jia might indeed be capable of such actions. After all, Wu Jia¡¯s behavior at her house was far from typical human behavior. Feeling guilty for once again trying to do a good deed that had gone wrong, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help butin inwardly. The system always said she¡¯d encounter various troubles, but it never mentioned they coulde from people of the same gender. The system replied. It¡¯s your own failure to rify things properly. Seeing Xia Xin lost in thought, Zhang Chao couldn¡¯t help but shout, ¡°Hey, how do we resolve this now?¡± Xia Xin awkwardly smiled and said, ¡°I¡¯m truly sorry. The situation at the time made it easy for misunderstandings. I sincerely apologize to you. I hope you can forgive me.¡± MO Shu intervened, trying to mediate, ¡°Don¡¯t me her. Given the circumstances, and with you still wearing a bathrobe, anyone would have misunderstood.¡± With MO Shu taking Xia Xin¡¯s side, Zhang Chao didn¡¯t want to argue further with a young woman. The matter was dropped. The three of them then returned the cat. To express gratitude to Xia Xin, the director added an extra scene for her. Originally, all of Xia Xin¡¯s scenes involved her wearing heavy makeup, and mimicking cat-like movements. Her face wouldn¡¯t even be recognizable on screen. Therefore, the director added a scene where she appeared in regr attire. As for MO Shu, the director informed him that a very promising television project was currently casting for the male lead. He could rmend MO Shu to audition. While rmending him might not sound sincere, it was a very promising project, and it was in a different leaguepared to low-budget web dramas. In normal circumstances, MO Shu would have no chance to audition. Now, with the director¡¯s rmendation, he felt a secret joy. If MO Shu did get the role of the male lead, once the show aired, fame and fortune would be his.. Chapter 101 - 101: Wan Wan Again Chapter 101: Wan Wan Again Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Due to the dy caused by searching for the cat, what should have been thepletion of Xia Xin¡¯s scenes for the day was postponed to the next day. Early the following day, an unexpected person arrived at the set, Wan Wan. Gao Xin frowned as she looked at Wan Wan and asked, ¡°Why are you here?¡± The weather was nice and Wan Wan stood out in her eye-catching dragon fruit-colored pencil skirt. She walked towards Gao Xin with a seductive gait, and in a throaty voice, said, ¡°Of course, I¡¯m here to see you.¡± Gao Xin responded coldly, ¡°No thanks.¡± Wan Wan didn¡¯t care and yfully adjusted her hair with her hand. The strong scent of her perfume made Gao Xin furrowed his brow. Wan Wan said, ¡°I know you don¡¯t need me here, but it¡¯s thepany¡¯s arrangement. Do you think I wanted toe? It¡¯s just that the production team wants to leverage the poprity of our girl group for publicity in their drama. I¡¯m making a contribution for you. Why are you so picky?¡± Gao Xin sneered, ¡°No thanks.¡± Rolling her eyes, Wan Wan replied, ¡°Then talk to thepany about it. Since I¡¯m already here, and the director¡¯s role for me is already scripted, I don¡¯t mind leaving right now. It¡¯s up to you to persuade the director.¡± With that, Wan Wan swayed her hips and walked away. Gao Xin was clearly annoyed. Just because they debuted in the same girl group, Wan Wan stuck to her like glue, following her around all the time. It was one thing to appear together on variety shows, but now she even wanted to make a guest appearance in the TV series. It was incredibly irritating. Gao Xin turned and returned to her dressing room in frustration. Meanwhile, Xia Xin found it strange. Before leaving, Wan Wan had nced at her with a certain meaning, a look that sent shivers down her spine. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that Wan Wan¡¯s look held some sinister intent, as if she had a hidden agenda. Before Xia Xin could dwell on it further, she was called by the director to shoot her scenes. After wrapping up the final scene, Xia Xin went to the dressing room to change, and as she exited, she noticed that reporters were interviewing Gao Xin. So, she stood a little way off, waved to Gao Xin, and prepared to leave. Suddenly, Wan Wan grabbed Xia Xin¡¯s arm. Her eye-catching dragon fruit-colored skirt had drawn the attention of the reporters. The reporters rushed over to invite Wan Wan and Gao Xin for a joint interview. Since they were both from the same girl group, conducting a joint interview wasmon. However, Wan Wan nced at Xia Xin and said, ¡°This is the recently famous zookeeper, Xia Xin. Why don¡¯t we invite her for the interview as well?¡± The reporters exchanged nces and believed that Wan Wan had been trending recently because of Xia Xin. One reporter asked, ¡°Wan Wan, can you tell us about your rtionship with Xia Xin?¡± Wan Wan blushed coyly and said, ¡°We¡¯re really good friends. We¡¯ve worked together on variety shows, so when I had the opportunity for this interview, I thought of bringing her along.¡± The reporters chimed in, praising Wan Wan for being considerate and taking care of her friends. It was Xia Xin¡¯s first time facing so many cameras and shes, and she felt a bit overwhelmed standing beside Gao Xin. Gao Xin held Xia Xin¡¯s hand and whispered, ¡°It¡¯s just a small interview. Don¡¯t be nervous.¡± Xia Xin tried to maintain herposure and listened to the reporters¡¯ questions. Since the main focus of the reporters was Gao Xin, the questions directed at Xia Xin were rtively simple. The primary interest was in interviewing Gao Xin. However, suddenly, one reporter shoved the microphone in Xia Xin¡¯s face and asked, ¡°Miss Xia, we¡¯ve heard rumors that you were able to join the cast because of an intimate rtionship with the director. Do you have anything to say about this?¡± Xia Xin froze in her tracks. It was the first time someone had used her directly like this, and being under the scrutiny of countless cameras, she felt at a loss. Gao Xin stepped in to defend her, saying, ¡°There¡¯s no evidence to support such ims. Please refrain from making baseless usations. Are you reporters, or are you supposed to rely on facts?¡± After that, Gao Xin tried to lead Xia Xin away, but the reporters had surrounded them, and there was no way to push through. The persistent reporter continued, ¡°What if I say I have evidence for my im? Haven¡¯t Miss Gao and Miss Xia seen the trending videos?¡± Xia Xin and Gao Xin exchanged puzzled nces. They had just finished filming, so they hadn¡¯t had time to check their phones. Wan Wan suddenly stepped forward and said, ¡°Please, everyone, don¡¯t be hasty. We¡¯ve just finished filming, and we haven¡¯t had a chance to check the trending topics yet. Please don¡¯t spread rumors, and don¡¯t make baseless spections. Just like the incident a while back when Xia Xin¡¯s safety was at risk, and I left first, it was falsely portrayed on the inte as me being selfish and not caring about Xia Xin¡¯s safety..¡± Chapter 102 - 102: A Big Misunderstanding Chapter 102: A Big Misunderstanding Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Reporters continued to question Wan Wan, ¡°Are you suggesting that the onlinements are entirely fabricated?¡± Wan Wan replied, ¡°It could also be someone trying to generate buzz. After all, in our line of work, buzz is essential.¡± Wan Wan¡¯s statement seemed ambiguous, leaving the reporters specting. One of them directly asked, ¡°Wan Wan, are you implying that Xia Xin deliberately did this to create a public rtions topic?¡± Then, some reporters even whispered among themselves, ¡°Who would have thought that Xia Xin, who looks so innocent, is so cunning?¡± Seeing that the cameras were about to focus on Xia Xin again, Gao Xin seized the opportunity and pulled her back towards the film crew. Both Xia Xin and Gao Xin were anxious and didn¡¯t have time to exin. They turned on their phones to find out what had happened. On the trending page, there was a video that upied several posts, and surprisingly, it was posted by Wu Jia. In the video, Wu Jia was sobbing, looking very pitiful. People tended to sympathize with those in vulnerable positions, so seeing her like this naturally led to the assumption that what she said was true. Wu Jia imed that she and Xia Xin were originally friends. When she was living at Xia Xin¡¯s ce, Xia Xin asked her to pay rent since she didn¡¯t want Wu Jia to stay for free. However, Wu Jia didn¡¯t have the money at the moment and hoped to postpone payment for a couple of days. Xia Xin, on the other hand, wanted to kick her out for not paying rent. Wu Jia continued, tearfully exining that Xia Xin wanted her gone because she had overheard Xia Xin¡¯s phone call with the director, which sounded intimate. Afraid of her secret being exposed, Xia Xin threw her out with nowhere to go. In the end, Wu Jia appealed to Xia Xin, saying that she hoped Xia Xin would understand. She was willing to pay the rent for these past few days. With that story,izens started bashing Xia Xin. They used her of having a questionable character, of being two-faced, and even used her of using her body to get ahead. All sorts of nastyments were hurled at her. Xia Xin hadn¡¯t realized that Wu Jia not only caused trouble but also had a knack for distorting the truth. It was her own fault that led to Xia Xin evicting her, but she managed to shift all the me onto Xia Xin. Xia Xin suddenly recalled that night when Wu Jia had taken a shower and then didn¡¯t return to her room. Instead, she had eavesdropped on Xia Xin¡¯s phone call in the living room. It turned out that Wu Jia was trying to find out who Xia Xin was talking to, leading to this predicament. With no concrete evidence to defend herself, Xia Xin felt utterly helpless. Gao Xin, who naturally believed Xia Xin, couldn¡¯t leave her alone in this situation. However, they were in a hurry, as Xia Xin couldn¡¯t stay at the film set any longer. Gao Xin decided to have her agent, Zhou Ping, drive Xia Xin back home. Zhou Ping hesitated, ¡°I¡¯ve just arranged to pick up an advertising deal for you, and I need to meet with the advertisers. I really can¡¯t leave right now.¡± Gao Xin was in a dilemma; Xia Xin couldn¡¯t be left alone to face this, but she also couldn¡¯t apany her. In this moment of uncertainty, MO Shu stepped in and suggested, ¡°Let Zhang Chao take her home for now.¡± With no other solutions avable, Xia Xin reluctantly agreed. While sitting in the car, Xia Xin let out a long sigh, clearly in a bad mood. Zhang Chao tried to console her, saying, ¡°I¡¯ve been falsely used of assault by that woman, and you¡¯ve been used of having an affair with the director. We¡¯re both in the same boat now.¡± Xia Xin forced a smile, but she didn¡¯t need this kind of simrity with Zhang Chao. Zhang Chao became serious and said, ¡°The key issue now is whether you have any evidence to prove that what she said is false. If not, and online harassment continues, it could harm you greatly.¡± Xia Xin shook her head, feelingpletely helpless at the moment. As soon as she arrived home, Zhao Nan called. Zhao Nan first scolded Wu Jia angrily and then asked Xia Xin about her ns. Xia Xin sighed and said, ¡°I have no idea what to do right now, and I¡¯mpletely clueless about handling public rtions.¡± This wasn¡¯t the first time Xia Xin had faced online harassment, but the previous incident had been vague, and she hadn¡¯t paid much attention to it. This time, it was even more significant, and she felt even more lost. Zhao Nan worked as a celebrity agent and had experience dealing with such situations. She reassured Xia Xin, ¡°Don¡¯t panic. Leave it to me. I¡¯ll think about how to handle this to minimize the damage to you. Look for any evidence that can prove she¡¯s lying, andpile everything she did at your ce into an article and send it to me. I¡¯ll take care of the rest.. Chapter 103 - 103: Zero Affinity Points Chapter 103: Zero Affinity Points Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin was too preupied with taking notes on what she needed to do, forgetting to respond. Zhao Nan raised her voice in urgency, ¡°Are you listening?¡± ¡°Yes, I heard!¡± Xia Xin hastily replied. Zhao Nan reiterated, ¡°Remember, until you have concrete evidence that can entirely debunk their ims, don¡¯t make anyments or release any videos. Do not try to defend yourself! Stirring up debates and discussions on the inte will only make matters worse.¡± Xia Xin nodded and said solemnly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll follow your advice.¡± Zhao Nan continued, ¡°For now, take a leave of absence from the zoo these next couple of days. You¡¯re not suitable for public appearances at a time like this. I¡¯m busy with work right now, but when I¡¯m off duty, I¡¯ll exin everything in detail. ¡± After giving her instructions, Zhao Nan hurriedly hung up the phone. Meanwhile, after Wan Wan finished her interview, she returned to her empty dressing room, dialed a number, and sounded triumphant, ¡°I can¡¯t believe that after disappearing for a few days, you managed to pull off such a big stunt for me.¡± On the other end of the call, Wu Jia lounged in a bathtub filled with rose milk, smugly saying, ¡°Of course. Dare to bully my cousin, and I¡¯ll make sure she pays dearly. She made you the target of online hate, so I¡¯m going to make sure she experiences the same.¡± Wan Wan burst intoughter at the thought of how Xia Xin had been teary-eyed and overwhelmed. She said, ¡°My good little cousin, when I return, I¡¯ll treat you to a feast!¡± Wu Jia yed with the flower petals in her bath and said, ¡°A feast isn¡¯t necessary, but can you help me with one thing? Do you remember the guy who came to pick me up that night? I¡¯ve taken a liking to him, and I want to get him.¡± Wu Jia hadn¡¯t experienced trying to seduce a man and failing, and that challenge aroused herpetitive spirit. In her mind, any man could be hers if she wanted him, and the fact that the man that night had taken her to a hotel but did nothing, only nning to take a bath and leave, left her feeling defeated. Wu Jia was determined to make him fall at her feet, unless, of course, he wasn¡¯t interested in women. Wan Wan only knew that she had sent MO Shu to pick up Wu Jia that night, not realizing that it was actually Zhang Chao who went. Consequently, she assumed that Wu Jia had set her sights on MO Shu. Wan Wan said, ¡°You can rest assured; I¡¯ve got it covered.¡± After hanging up the phone, Wan Wan reviewed her carefully orchestrated n, marveling at how wlessly it had unfolded. The whole situation began a week ago when Wan Wan learned that her cousin, Wu Jia, wasing to visit. She immediately started plotting and sent Wu Jia a picture of Xia Xin in advance. Wan Wan intentionally rmended a restaurant to Gao Xin to ensure she could confirm Xia Xin¡¯s whereabouts that night, hoping to obtain her home address by having someone follow her. Due to waiting for news, Wan Wan didn¡¯t answer Wu Jia¡¯s calls, which led to those misunderstandings. However, fate had other ns. That night, Wu Jia unexpectedly ran into Xia Xin, and she took matters into her own hands to trip up Xia Xin. Xia Xin had been too preupied with the online hatements to focus on anything else. To pass the time, she decided to browse the Beast Language System¡¯s Shop. Little did she know what awaited her there. When Xia Xin opened the Shop, she was dumbfounded. All her Affinity points were gone. She repeatedly opened and closed the page, hoping she was mistaken, but no, it was zero. Xia Xin even looked at Layle, pointing at her bnce, and asked, ¡°Zero? All gone?¡± Layle nodded, confirming the bnce was indeed zero. Xia Xin was in shock. She knew that negativements fromizens could affect her Human Affinity points, but she never expected it to drop so quickly. In just one day, she had lost all her umted Affinity points of one hundred thousand. Xia Xin wanted to cry, but she didn¡¯t have the energy for that now. She just wanted to track down Wu Jia and give her a piece of her mind. Xia Xin vowed never to pick up random people and bring them home, not even cats or dogs! At that moment, Xia Xin¡¯s phone suddenly rang with an unknown caller ID. She was puzzled, ¡®Who would be calling me at this hour?¡¯ Xia Xin answered, ¡°Hello, who¡¯s this?¡± The caller on the other end immediately started hurling insults, ¡°You wretched woman, you¡¯re a homewrecker, a mistress..¡± Xia Xin couldn¡¯t bear to listen any longer and hastily disconnected the call.. Chapter 104 - 104: Harassment Chapter 104: Harassment Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin hadn¡¯t even recovered herposure when her phone rang again, disying an unknown number. She answered the call cautiously, saying, ¡°Hello?¡± It was another passionateizen on the line said, ¡°Xia Xin, I can¡¯t stand someone like you who relies on seduction to climb up in the entertainment industry. No matter what you do, I¡¯ll boycott you! And you¡¯d better stay away from Wan Wan. Not everyone is easy to mess with¡­¡± Before the person could finish, Xia Xin hung up again. Xia Xin suspected her information had been leaked, and she was certain that Wu Jia was behind this. Feeling extremely irritated, Xia Xin¡¯s phone continued to ring incessantly. She decided to ignore all calls, as the pointless conversations were draining her energy. She powered off her phone, preferring not to see or hear any more of it. If Zhao Nan hadn¡¯t instructed Xia Xin not to take any action, she would have loved to engage these people in a heated argument to defend herself. For now, Xia Xin could only keep her distance. Xia Xin tossed her phone aside and slumped on the couch, lost in thought. She reflected on how foolish she had been to bring Wu Jia into her home. It was an act she now deeply regretted. Once this ordeal was over, Xia Xin was determined to make Wu Jia apologize to her personally. Later in the evening, feeling hungry, Xia Xin decided to go to the supermarket to buy some snacks. While perusing the snack aisle, she overheard people whispering behind her. ¡°Isn¡¯t that Xia Xin?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s her. She¡¯s the one who schemed against Wan Wan and seduced the director. I heard the director is already married. She¡¯s a homewrecker! She used her body to get ahead! She even kicked her friend out of her house. It¡¯s disgusting to have someone like her in the neighborhood!¡± Unable to endure it any longer, Xia Xin, her hand gripping a bag of potato chips, turned around to face the gossipers. She said firmly, ¡°Do you know the truth about what happened? Spreading rumors here, do you have any idea how many people could be hurt because of your words?¡± One of the gossipers retorted loudly, ¡°If you dare to do it, don¡¯t be afraid of others talking about it. Nowadays, even being a homewrecker, you dare to act so tough?¡± Xia Xin stared coldly at these people and warned, ¡°Think carefully before you speak. If you falsely use me, I will report you for defamation!¡± The person was left speechless, staring at Xia Xin without saying another word. Although Xia Xin had won the argument, more and more people were gathering around, and someone even picked up a mineral water bottle and threw it at her. Instinctively, Xia Xin raised her hand to protect herself, but just as the bottle was about to hit her, someone grabbed her waist and pulled her aside, shielding her from the impact. The water bottle was kicked aside, knocking over a disy shelf and creating a mess. With her heart pounding, Xia Xin found herself sheltered in the arms of a familiar person. When she looked up, she met a pair of dark, intense eyes. Jing MO wore a mask and a cap, but the anger in his eyes couldn¡¯t be concealed. ¡®Why is he here?¡¯ Xia Xin thought. She stood there, stunned, in Jing Mo¡¯s embrace, as he led her out of the convenience store. It wasn¡¯t until they entered Xia Xin¡¯s apartmentplex that Jing MO finally let her go and carefully checked if she was injured. Xia Xin smiled and bounced on her toes a couple of times, saying, ¡°I¡¯m fine. The water bottle didn¡¯t hit me, and you arrived just in time.¡± ¡°Are you feeling regret that you didn¡¯t get hit? Why did you go out alone at a time like this?!¡± Jing MO frowned and said. Xia Xin rarely saw Jing MO this angry, so she obediently stayed silent. Jing MO realized he had been too harsh with his words and softened his tone, saying, ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to snap at you; I apologize. But it¡¯s just too dangerous for you to be out alone right now. If I hadn¡¯t seen the trending topic and couldn¡¯t reach you on the phone, guessing you might be in danger, I might have been toote to prevent you from getting hurt.¡± Xia Xin looked up at Jing MO and asked, ¡°So, did youe here just to find Jing MO felt like Xia Xin was changing the subject and was so annoyed he wanted to flick her forehead. Xia Xin anticipated Jing Mo¡¯s reaction and quickly shielded her forehead, saying, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect thatizens would be so aggressive. They resort to violence so easily. Don¡¯t be angry anymore. I promise I won¡¯t go out alone in such situations in the future!¡± Jing MO finally let the matter drop. As they walked out of the elevator, they were shocked by what they saw: someone had sshed red paint on Xia Xin¡¯s front door. Xia Xin stood there, stunned.. She hadn¡¯t expectedizens to go this far, even finding her home address! Chapter 105 - 105: A Temporary Shelter Chapter 105: A Temporary Shelter Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion On the door, there was a note that Xia Xin peeled off and read aloud, ¡°Woman, if you dare to bully Wan Wan again, we won¡¯t scare you!¡± After reading it, Xia Xin raised the note to show it to Jing MO andughed, ¡°Haha, look, she even made a spelling mistake. It should be spare, not scare.¡± Jing MO furrowed his brows, wondering how Xia Xin could still find that amusing at a time like this. Xia Xin tossed the note into the trash bag and stared at the red paint on her door, feeling anxious. She suddenly thought of Layle, who was still alone at home and quickly took out her keys, calling out Layle¡¯s name as she opened the door. Sure enough, when Xia Xin entered, she found Layle cowering in a corner, trembling. She hurriedly rushed over to pick up Layle,forting it and telling it not to be afraid. ¡®Those people must havee to bang on the door and caused a scene; otherwise, Layle wouldn¡¯t be so scared.¡¯ Xia Xin thought. Xia Xin became furious and said, ¡°These people are too audacious! Aren¡¯t they afraid of the police holding them ountable?¡± Xia Xin took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She then turned to Jing MO and said, ¡°It¡¯s okay; I¡¯ve safely returned home. You should go back now.¡± Jing MO looked at Xia Xin with concern. He had rushed over as fast as he could, hoping to prevent such a situation, but he had arrived a step toote. He gazed at Xia Xin, who was trying to feignposure, and said, ¡°Xia Xin, you don¡¯t need to act tough in front of me. If you¡¯re scared, just say it. I¡¯m here.¡± Xia Xin still kept her head down and remained silent. The two of them stood at the doorway, and no one broke the silence. After a while, Xia Xin sighed and said, ¡°I¡¯m just angry. I tried to help Wu Jia, and she turned around and used me. What¡¯s more frustrating is that my misced sympathy got me into trouble!¡± Jing MO gently ced his hand on Xia Xin¡¯s shoulder. The warmth of his hand transferred to her, bringing her a sense of reassurance. He said, ¡°Your ce is definitely not safe in this condition. I have a spare room in my house. Pack your things ande stay at my ce.¡± ¡®These fans are bing increasingly crazy, and now that they knew Xia Xin¡¯s home address, who knew if they woulde back to cause trouble in the middle of the night? It was clear that she couldn¡¯t stay here.¡¯ Jing MO thought. Xia Xin had no choice but to find a temporary ce to stay and return when the situation had calmed down. The only thing she could be grateful for now was that when she had offered to help Zhao Nan move, Zhao Nan had been dyed due to other matters and hadn¡¯t moved in yet. Otherwise, Zhao Nan would have been dragged into this trouble as well. Xia Xin packed her things and called Zhao Nan to inform her of the current situation, also letting her know that she didn¡¯t need toe over that evening. Although Zhao Nan was worried, her ce had aplicated environment that would be even more detrimental to Xia Xin. All she could do was instruct Xia Xin to take good care of herself. After packing a few changes of clothes and essential toiletries, Xia Xin, with Layle, left with Jing Mo. Upon returning to Jing Mot s ce, Xia Xin was greeted by a joyous Bobo, who rushed over and greeted her enthusiastically. Bobo¡¯s excitement was so great that Xia Xin would have been tackled to the ground if Jing MO hadn¡¯t intervened in time. Bobo happily bounced around, saying, ¡°Xia Xin, did youe to see me? Quick, pet me on the head!¡± Bobo¡¯s enthusiasm managed to lighten Xia Xin¡¯s mood somewhat. She rubbed Bobo¡¯s head affectionately and asked, ¡°Of course, I came to see you. Have you been eating well these days?¡± Jing MO stood behind them, watching their interaction with a puzzled expression. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder how Xia Xin could tame Bobo, who was usually quite arrogant. Jing MO ced a pair of new slippers by Xia Xin¡¯s feet and said, ¡°I¡¯ll go tidy up the room. You two can y for now. If you are hungry, there¡¯s food in the fridge. Just heat it up in the microwave.¡± Xia Xin and Jing MO were quite familiar with each other. In the past, young Xia Xin had visited Jing Mo t s house for meals. At that time, Jing MO lived alone, and his years of living alone had turned him into a skilled cook. The food in his fridge was all pre-prepared, frozen meals. Stirring the green beans and rice together, Xia Xin heated it in the microwave. She leaned against the door with her bowl, calling out to Jing MO, who was making the bed, ¡°It¡¯s been so many years since I¡¯ve had your cooking. You¡¯re even better than my mom. I¡¯ll take advantage of staying at your ce today and eat a bit more.¡± Jing MO had just made the bed with a gray bed sheet. Even the casual clothes he was wearing were a cool shade of ck and gray. He replied, ¡°I only have bed sheets and covers in these colors. You can use them for now. I¡¯ll buy a pink set tomorrow.¡± Xia Xinughed, ¡°I¡¯m all grown up; I don¡¯t need pink bed sheets anymore..¡± Chapter 106 - 106: Being Chased Away Chapter 106: Being Chased Away Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion After having dinner, Xia Xin went to bed early. She had been emotionally drained all day and quickly fell asleep. Bobo and Layle apanied Xia Xin in the guest room, behaving well without causing any trouble. Jing MO looked at Bobo and couldn¡¯t help but wonder if the dog had a grudge against him. Since Bobo hade to the house, it had always slept in its dog bed. One time, Jing MO had reced it with a new one, and Bobo had refused to sleep for three days straight, howling all night. Today, it actually left its beloved dog bed to stay with Xia Xin. Jing MO couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Xia Xin put a spell on Bobo. Jing MO checked to see if Xia Xin had kicked off her nket before heading to bed. The next morning, Xia Xin woke up and found her phone had over a hundred missed calls and was bombarded with text messages. Her phone had been vibrating non-stop, and she almost thought it was going to explode. Xia Xin didn¡¯t want to answer the calls at first, but then a call came in, and it happened to be from herndlord. She quickly answered. Thendlord¡¯s sharp voice came through, ¡°Where are you?¡± Xia Xin replied, ¡°I¡¯m at a friend¡¯s house.¡± Thendlord sneered, ¡°You¡¯ve turned my ce into this mess, and I bet you don¡¯t dare toe back! I thought you were honest when I rented you the ce. Look at what it¡¯s be now. The house won¡¯t be rented to you anymore. I¡¯m giving you today to move all your stuff out!¡± Xia Xin was distressed. She was suddenly being asked to move out and had no idea where to go. She wanted to argue, but thendlord had already hung up. ¡®This is a disaster on top of another.¡¯ Xia Xin sighed as she looked at her phone. Jing MO had just brought breakfast for Xia Xin and overheard her on the phone with thendlord, realizing that she had been kicked out. After the call ended, he knocked on the door and entered with breakfast. ¡°No ce to go?¡± Jing MO asked, sympathetically. Suddenly, Xia Xin froze. She had always thought Jing MO was handsome, but today, in his casual home attire, with his hair naturally tousled, and some loose strands covering his eyebrows, his pair of deep ck eyes looked even more profound. It was the first time Xia Xin didn¡¯t just think he was handsome; she thought he was utterly captivating. Jing MO put down the breakfast and asked, ¡°What are you looking at?¡± Xia Xin grinned foolishly and said, ¡°I¡¯m looking at your handsome face.¡± Jing MO was speechless. He said, ¡°You¡¯re only realizing this now?¡± It took only one sentence to make Xia Xin return to her former self. Xia Xin¡¯s expression changed and she made a silly face at Jing Mo. She said, ¡°You¡¯re handsome, but you¡¯re also too conceited!¡± Then she added, ¡°Take the breakfast away; I haven¡¯t brushed my teeth, and I don¡¯t feel like eating right now.¡± Jing MO helplessly watched Xia Xin and said, ¡°You¡¯re really making yourself at home.¡± Xia Xin shrugged and said, ¡°With anyone else, I might be a bit more polite, but you¡¯re like a brother to me. So I skipped the formalities.¡± Jing MO looked at Xia Xin with indulgence and said, ¡°I heard yourndlord is kicking you out.¡± Xia Xin sighed, ¡°Yes, it seems I¡¯ll have to find another ce to stay.¡± Jing MO suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t you stay here for now? My ce is quite spacious, and it¡¯s just me and Bobo. Having one more person around might liven up the atmosphere.¡± Xia Xin¡¯s eyes lit up and eximed, ¡°I think that¡¯s a great idea!¡± Jing Mo¡¯s apartment had a differentyout from Xia Xin¡¯s. Xia Xin had a two-bedroom apartment, which was rtively small. In contrast, Jing MO had a three-bedroom apartment with an additional loft that he used as a study. The apartment wasrge, but it was only upied by him and Bobo, which made it feel a bit empty. Xia Xin didn¡¯t hesitate to agree and said, ¡°Well, I guess I¡¯ll have to trouble you for a while. Is there anything I should be mindful of in your house? Like, do you have OCD, or are there any areas I can¡¯t enter, such as your study?¡± Jing MO casually replied, ¡°No. Anywhere in my house, you can go.¡± Xia Xin found Jing Mo¡¯s face exceptionally radiant, especially when he said those words. She quickly lowered her head, covering her flushed face. Inwardly, she scolded herself, ¡®What¡¯s wrong with me? How could I develop feelings for him?¡¯ Sun Hu arrived shortly after Xia Xin finished her breakfast. He yawned and copsed onto Jing Mo t s extremelyfortable couch. Heined, ¡°Jing MO, what¡¯s so urgent that you had to call me over so early? I checked your schedule; you don¡¯t have any shoots or personal appointments these days.. I finally took a break for myself, and you still won¡¯t leave me alone!¡± Chapter 107 - 107: Living Together? Chapter 107: Living Together? Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Sun Hu was in the middle of talking when he looked up and saw Xia Xin standing there, staring at him. He paused and then turned to Jing MO, ¡°Are you two living together? That escted quickly!¡± Sun Hu¡¯s voice grew louder, and Jing MO just rolled his eyes at him. Xia Xin calmly exined, ¡°No, I¡¯m just staying temporarily.¡± Xia Xin then briefly recounted the situation, and although Sun Hu understood, he still gave Jing MO a meaningful look and said, in a drawn-out tone, ¡°Oh, just staying temporarily. I see. You called me over early in the morning just to help you out of this predicament.¡± Xia Xin started to feed Sun Hu some ttery. She said, ¡°But mainly because your PR skills are exceptional. You¡¯re a well-known talent agent in the industry. Even someone like me, who doesn¡¯t pay much attention to the entertainment circle, knows your name. Who else could I turn to for help in this matter?¡± Compliments were music to anyone¡¯s ears, especially Sun Hu¡¯s. When he heard someone praising him, he became all proud, flipping his hair and saying, ¡°Well, that¡¯s true. It¡¯s hard to find another outstanding talent agent like me in the entertainment industry. You can leave this matter to me.¡± After his boast, he suddenly felt something wasn¡¯t right. He spoke with a ferocious tone, ¡°You two, no wonder you can get along so well, both experts at manipting people! Jing MO, how did you manage to turn Xia Xin, who used to be such a quiet and sensible girl, into this?¡± Jing MO casually remarked, ¡°This is her true nature.¡± Sun Hu was speechless. He thought, ¡®Is it toote to run away now?¡¯ Jing MO retrieved three bottles of drinks from the fridge, and everyone sat down on the couch to brainstorm. After Sun Hu briefly analyzed the situation, he said, ¡°Theizens are going crazy, and they¡¯ll definitely flood the social media tforms of your TV drama and variety show with negativements. The directors will most likely cut all your scenes from all of it.¡± Xia Xin frowned and said, ¡°I don¡¯t mind all that. I¡¯m just angry about being falsely used, and I don¡¯t want Wu Jia and Wan Wan to be too smug. I want them to know that I¡¯m not easy to mess with!¡± Sun Hu drank most of his drink before saying, ¡°Don¡¯t me me for being a downer, but you¡¯re in a situation where everyone is against you. Unless you can provide evidence to prove that Wu Jia¡¯s usations are false, you¡¯ll have to swallow your pride. Do you really expect Wan Wan or Wu Jia to issue a statement telling the truth? That¡¯s wishful thinking.¡± ¡®Telling the truth themselves?¡¯ Suddenly, a lightbulb went off in Xia Xin¡¯s head. She had the Enchanted Puppet; she could control both of them and make them apologize through online videos. That would solve the problem! Xia Xin pped her forehead with her palm, wondering, ¡®Why didn¡¯t I think of this sooner. What a waste of time!¡¯ However, Xia Xin didn¡¯t know if she could use the Enchanted Puppet remotely. If she couldn¡¯t it would be a bummer. While everyone fell into contemtive silence, Xia Xin excused herself and said, ¡°You guys think about it. I¡¯m going to change my clothes.¡± In her room, Xia Xin immediately essed the system to check if she could use the Enchanted Puppet remotely. The system replied. The Enchanted Puppet can be used remotely, but based on your current stamina and control abilities, the maximum remote distance is fifty meters. Xia Xin¡¯s mood fluctuated greatly with that information. Her stamina was already at eighty points, and she could only control the Enchanted Puppet remotely up to fifty meters. She wondered how much it would take to achieve full remote control. Xia Xin decided it wasn¡¯t important now; the key was that she needed to meet with Wan Wan and Wu Jia in person. With the n in mind, she joined the others in the living room. Sun Hu, however, was still looking at Jing MO with a meaningful expression. He asked, ¡°Come clean now, what¡¯s going on between you and Xia Xin?¡± Jing MO gave Sun Hu a sidelong nce and remained silent. Sun Hu didn¡¯t expect Jing MO to tell the truth; he continued with his spection, ¡°I¡¯ve never seen you so concerned about any girl before. You¡¯re a guy who has OCD, remember? I tried convincing you to live together, but you wouldn¡¯t even consider it back then. Now you¡¯re letting Xia Xin stay with you; there¡¯s definitely something going on!¡± Jing MO rolled his eyes again and said, ¡°Do you think you two are the same? You are a man, Xia Xin is a girl, she has no ce to go, of course I have to take her in.¡± Sun Hu didn¡¯t believe Jing MO one bit.. He thought, ¡®This guy was saying one thing but probably thinking another; he thought he could fool me with his words!¡¯ Chapter 108 - 108: Evidence Chapter 108: Evidence Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Back when Jing MO hadn¡¯t yet recognized Xia Xin, he had seen her injured and nervously helped her with her wounds, even causing dys in subsequent shoots. Later, Jing MO even had Sun Hu personally call Sun Tao to express his willingness to participate in the third episode of the variety show, which made Sun Tao ecstatic. At that time, Sun Hu had already sensed that Jing MO treated Xia Xin differently. After all, with Jing Mo¡¯s tight schedule and high status, he couldn¡¯t possibly agree to participate in an obscure variety show unless it was for more opportunities to be around Xia Xin. Sun Hu cursed Jing MO in his heart, ¡®Keep pretending to be aloof, but you¡¯ll regret it someday when she runs off with someone else! I¡¯m eagerly waiting for that day!¡¯ After changing into a new outfit and tying her long hair into a ponytail, Xia Xin looked like she was ready to go out. She came out and said to the two of them, ¡°I have a n, but I need your help.¡± Sun Hu scoffed, ¡°Let me hear what brilliant n you¡¯vee up with.¡± To keep them in suspense, Xia Xin said, ¡°I¡¯ll keep it a secret for now. You¡¯ll know when the timees. But I need you two to help me arrange a meeting with Wan Wan.¡± Jing MO said, ¡°Meeting her is easy. She has a shoot today, so she must be on set. I can take you to the filming location under the pretense of visiting the set. But before we go, there¡¯s something that might help you.¡± Xia Xin and Sun Hu asked simultaneously, ¡°What is it?¡± Jing MO exined, ¡°Do you remember the surveince cameras I installed outside your house?¡± Xia Xin suddenly realized and said, ¡°Right! Because Tang Hai was arrestedter, no one bothered me anymore, and I forgot about the surveince. Now that you mention it, I remember that the events when I brought Wu Jia home and when she left should have been captured in the footage! I recall that when Wu Jia left, she tried to throw my bracelet on the ground. Although these videos may not prove everything, they can at least show that Wu Jia¡¯s ims aren¡¯t entirely true.¡± ¡°Exactly. Now, export the video clips from the surveince camera and send them to Sun Hu. Also, give him ess to your social media ounts so he can post a statement on your behalf. I¡¯ll take you to the filming location,¡± said Jing Mo. Sun Hu protested, ¡°I haven¡¯t agreed to post a statement for her yet. You can¡¯t make decisions on my behalf!¡± Jing MO responded coldly, ¡°Your protest is invalid!¡± Xia Xin immediately used her phone to retrieve the surveince footage. She sorted through the video clips based on the time when Wu Jia arrived at her house and when she left. As she did, she stumbled upon an unexpected discovery. It turned out that Wu Jia hadn¡¯t just caused trouble inside Xia Xin¡¯s house; she had even convinced Wan Wan to visit. The day Wu Jia hade over, she had brought snacks and potato chips, all of which were gifts from Wan Wan. The surveince even showed them chatting andughing outside Xia Xin¡¯s door, with their entire conversation recorded. They had been discussing how to frame Xia Xin. Sun Hu, after seeing the surveince footage, said, ¡°These two are brainless. They chatted so openly right outside your door, and they didn¡¯t even think that you might have surveince. With this evidence, you should be able to clear your name. There¡¯s no need to meet Wan Wan.¡± Xia Xin, however, was adamant, and said, ¡°No, I still want to meet her! Even though I can exin this matter with the evidence, I want her to apologize to me!¡± Sun Hu seemed to hear a joke, ¡°You¡¯re a dreamer. Wan Wan is very arrogant, and even if you present evidence, she definitely won¡¯t apologize to you. I advise you not to stir up trouble for yourself.¡± Xia Xin confidently said, ¡°You just wait and see.¡± Meanwhile, Jia Bing had just finished filming and was discussing with the assistant director, Chen Ping, ¡°Have you found a stand-in to reshoot all of Xia Xin¡¯s scenes?¡± Chen Ping clearly disagreed with this decision. He said, ¡°Mr. Jia, why not keep Xia Xin¡¯s scenes tor now!¡± Jia Bing said with annoyance, ¡°Haven¡¯t you seen how many negativements there are now? Keeping her in the show will only lead to bacsh. We¡¯re producing on a small budget, and we can¡¯t afford any controversies!¡± Chen Ping exined, ¡°But, I believe Xia Xin will resolve this issue quickly.. We¡¯ve already spent the money; can¡¯t we give her a couple of days?¡± Chapter 109 - 109: Controlling Wan Wan Chapter 109: Controlling Wan Wan Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jia Bing sneered, ¡°She¡¯s just a little influencer. What can she do to resolve this issue? She doesn¡¯t even have the support of apany behind her. Do you think she can outmaneuver Wan Wan?¡± Chen Ping had anticipated that Jia Bing would react this way and pulled out his phone to show him something. Chen Ping said, ¡°Take a look at this. Within 24 hours of the incident, Gao Xin publicly voiced support for Xia Xin on social media. If Xia Xin didn¡¯t have someone backing her, why would Gao Xin support her like this? Gao Xin and Wan Wan are in the same group. Isn¡¯t this a direct challenge to Wan Wan¡¯s credibility?¡± Jia Bing fell silent as he considered that. Gao Xin¡¯spany, Ster Entertainment, was one of the top talent agencies in the entertainment industry. Aside from Gao Xin and Jing MO, their most popr artists included MO Shu. If Ster Entertainment was willing to support Xia Xin, it was highly likely that they had orchestrated this to boost Xia Xin¡¯s poprity, even if it meant taking a controversial route. Chen Ping continued to persuade, ¡°Xia Xin will undoubtedly enter the entertainment industry in the future. Think about it; if we keep her scenes for now, it¡¯s like she owes us a favor. It¡¯s equivalent to giving Ster Entertainment some face.¡± Jia Bing no longer insisted and changed his stance. He said, ¡°Let¡¯s keep her scenes for a couple of days, then.¡± At that moment, Sun Hu entered the room and approached Jia Bing and Chen Ping. Sun Hu said, ¡°Jing MO is here today to visit Gao Xin¡¯s set and has brought boxed lunches from Matcharia for everyone. How about taking a short break?¡± Since it was already noon, Jia Bing decided to allow everyone to take a break. Gao Xin brought Jing MO to her trailer and asked, ¡°Why did youe over suddenly, and how is Xia Xin?¡± Jing MO nced outside and replied, ¡°Ask her yourself.¡± As soon as Jing MO said that, Xia Xin sneaked into the trailer from outside. She removed her mask and hat only after ensuring that no one was around. She had waited in the parking lot for an hour beforeing out, to avoid any rumors about her and Jing MO being together. Gao Xin was puzzled. She asked, ¡°Why did youe to the set? Aren¡¯t you afraid of reporters swarming you?¡± Xia Xin jokingly replied, ¡°Of course, I¡¯m afraid. But first, go and check the trending topics.¡± Gao Xin had been busy with the shoot and hadn¡¯t had time to check her phone. She opened the trending topics and found that an hour ago, Xia Xin had posted a video showing Wan Wan and Wu Jia talking. It turned out they were cousins. Within half an hour of the video being posted, it had garnered over 100,000 discussions and quickly climbed to the top of the trending topics. Theizens who had initially been overwhelmingly criticizing Xia Xin had now shifted their support to her and were criticizing Wu Jia and Wan Wan instead. Thement section on their social media profiles was flooded with negativity. Gao Xin breathed a sigh of relief and said, ¡°Thank goodness you have evidence to prove that they conspired against you. Otherwise, I would have been really worried for you.¡± Xia Xin sincerely said, ¡°Thank you for supporting me during this challenging time. By the way, how far is your trailer from Wan Wan¡¯s?¡± Gao Xin didn¡¯t understand why Xia Xin was asking this, but she pointed to the neighboring trailer and said, ¡°Her trailer is right next to mine.¡± Xia Xin nced outside, estimated the distance, and found it to be exactly fifty meters. She then asked, ¡°When does Wan Wan usually return to her trailer?¡± ¡°She¡¯s out for lunch right now. She¡¯ll probably be in the trailer resting in the afternoon. Why are you asking this?¡± Gao Xin inquired. Xia Xin replied, ¡°Just wanted to have a chat with her and ask for an apology.¡± Gao Xin advised Xia Xin, ¡°There¡¯s no reasoning with someone like her. I suggest you give up on that idea.¡± Xia Xin neither agreed nor disagreed. Instead, she changed the topic, and after finishing their meal, Gao Xin had more scenes to shoot. Jing MO hade to visit, so he needed to make an appearance on set. The two of them left for the filming location together. Meanwhile, Xia Xin waited alone in the trailer. In thete afternoon, Wan Wan finally returned. From a distance, Xia Xin could see that something was amiss with Wan Wan¡¯s expression. She seemed extremely angry and was even scolding Li Jie, who was with her. It appeared that Wan Wan had seen the trending topics. Shortly after, Li Jie was chased out of the trailer by Xia Xin, leaving Wan Wan inside. This meant that there was now only Wan Wan in the trailer. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xia Xin quickly retrieved her Enchanted Puppet and began to visualize Wan Wan¡¯s appearance in her mind. Gradually, the puppet transformed to look exactly like Wan Wan. Then, Xia Xin issued amand to the puppet, instructing Wan Wan to take out her phone and post a statement on social media, admitting her mistakes and apologizing to Xia Xin.. Chapter 110 - 110: Out Cold Again Chapter 110: Out Cold Again Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion As Xia Xin held her phone, she watched as more and more peoplemented, liked, and shared Wan Wan¡¯s post. Xia Xin murmured to herself, ¡°I¡¯m just fighting fire with fire. Does that really count as doing something bad using the Beast Language System?¡± Checking the time, Xia Xin realized that ten minutes had nearly passed, and Wan Wan would soon regain control. Xia Xin quickly took screenshots of Wan Wan¡¯s post and shared it on her own social media tforms. Then, she put her phone away, donned her mask and hat, and secretly returned to Jing Mo¡¯s car. As soon as Xia Xin settled into the back seat, exhaustion overcame Xia Xin. She hadn¡¯t even had a chance to read thements from her followers before she fell asleep. Before drifting off, Xia Xin hadined about her current physical condition. It seemed that her body couldn¡¯t handle the strain of such powerful control for too long. When Jing MO returned to the trailer, he didn¡¯t find Xia Xin there. He tried calling her, but her phone went unanswered. Jing MO began to worry and was about to head over to Wan Wan¡¯s trailer to find her when he received a call from Sun Hu, who informed him that Xia Xin was in the car. He rushed back immediately. Relieved to see Xia Xin in the car, Jing MO couldn¡¯t help but wonder why she always fell into such prolonged slumber after these incidents. Sun Hu nced at his phone and reminded Jing Mo, ¡°This girl, Xia Xin, really has some talent. She actually made Wan Wan apologize for real. Look at thements; there are already over two hundred thousand. With Xia Xin¡¯s current fan base and topic discussions, if she decides to enter the entertainment industry, her resources won¡¯t becking. Do you think she has any intentions of debuting?¡± Jing MO shook his head. He had always been the one to suggest that Xia Xin had potential in acting, but she had never shown strong desire to enter the entertainment industry, so he was unsure about her intentions. Sun Hu, who was driving, continued to talk enthusiastically. ¡°If we could sign Xia Xin, I¡¯m confident I could cultivate her into another top star!¡± Jing MO, however, was preupied with thoughts about Xia Xin¡¯s peculiar tendency to sleep for extended periods after these incidents. He asionally nced back at her. When Xia Xin finally woke up, it was the following morning. She opened her eyes, taking in the grayish room. She felt relieved to be in Jing Mo¡¯s home, realizing that this time he hadn¡¯t taken her to the hospital, sparing her from further embarrassment. Xia Xin stretchedzily, then walked out of the room. Jing MO was in the living room, watching the news. He sat on the couch with perfect posture, paying full attention to the screen rather than sinking into its softness. Bobo and Layle were lying listlessly in their dog beds. As soon as they saw Xia Xine out, they perked up and rushed over, circling around her. Bobo barked, ¡°Xia Xin, you¡¯re finally awake! Jing MO locked us out and wouldn¡¯t let us into your room. How mean!¡± Hearing themotion, Jing MO looked at Xia Xin and said, ¡°You¡¯re awake atst. I¡¯ve prepared breakfast for you in the kitchen. You slept for over ten hours. Start with something to eat.¡¯ Xia Xin nodded and went to get her breakfast, cing it on the dining table and starting to eat. The TV was still on, broadcasting the news. Jing MO approached and sat down next to Xia Xin. Seeing her enjoying her meal, he suddenly asked, ¡°Why do you often fall into such long periods of sleep, almost like aa?¡± Xia Xin froze, even forgetting to chew her food. She had a mouthful of buns and couldn¡¯t utter a word. ¡°Is it something you can¡¯t discuss?¡± Jing MO asked again. Xia Xin hurriedly nodded. After a moment of silence, Jing MO continued, ¡°If you don¡¯t want me to ask, I won¡¯t. But you should know that it¡¯s your own body, so take care of yourself.¡± Xia Xin nodded in agreement. Jing MO went on, ¡°I¡¯ve called a movingpany, and your belongings have been brought here. They¡¯re in the small room. You can sort them out when you have time. As for your previous apartment, thendlord camest night to help you terminate the lease. Because the door was vandalized with red paint, your deposit and remaining rent weren¡¯t refunded.¡± Xia Xin struggled to swallow the bun and managed to say, ¡°Thank you.¡± Xia Xin realized that every time she fell into such a deep sleep, it was Jing MO who helped her sort things out afterward. However, apart from thanking him, she couldn¡¯t seem to say anything else. After this incident, Xia Xin gained a surge in followers. Netizens praised her for her wisdom, noting that she stayed silent until she had evidence and then effectively countered Wan Wan and Wu Jia, ultimately exposing them.. Chapter 111 - 111: Cooking a Meal Chapter 111: Cooking a Meal Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion As Xia Xin watched her growing number of followers, she felt a mix of joy and concern. After Wan Wan¡¯s apology was made public, Xia Xin¡¯s followers skyrocketed to nine hundred thousand overnight. When Xia Xin checked her system¡¯s Human Affinity points the next morning, she was astonished to find it had reached two hundred thousand! Xia Xin boldly spected that her sudden increased amount of Affinity points was linked to the speed of gaining followers. If she could continue to attract more followers, her Affinity points would undoubtedly increase. Lying casually on the sofa, Xia Xin gazed at the TV screen absentmindedly. The TV show featured Sun Tao¡¯s variety program. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but admire how good she looked on camera. Thanks to her Charisma attribute, she possessed an innate air of elegance, even outshining the other actresses on the show. Suddenly, Jing MO walked out of his study. Startled, Xia Xin quickly sat up and lowered the TV volume. She looked upstairs at Jing MO and asked, ¡°Did I disturb you with the loud sound?¡± Jing MO shook his head and replied, ¡°No, the groceries I ordered have been delivered, and I¡¯m going to pick them up.¡± Xia Xin instantly perked up and inquired, ¡°What delicious dishes are you nning to make for lunch today?¡± Jing MO chuckled as he walked down the stairs and said, ¡°Do you remember how, after school, you used toe over and ask me to make braised fish for you? Today, I bought a carp, and I¡¯m nning to make braised carp for you.¡± Xia Xin cheered, ¡°I¡¯ve been missing the taste of your braised fish ever since you left! I¡¯ll help you with the preparations!¡± After preparing the vegetables, Xia Xin stood by and watched as Jing MO began cooking. The chopping, stir-frying, and other cooking techniques flowed smoothly and seamlessly like a choreographed dance. In Jing Mo¡¯s hands, the spat was like a warrior¡¯s weapon, wielded with great proficiency. The leaping mes in the pan seemed like serpents licking the wok, releasing an intoxicating aroma. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but exim, ¡°I thought you might have lost your cooking skills after all these years of acting, but you¡¯re as skilled as ever!¡± Jing MO proudly replied, ¡°It¡¯s a talent.¡± Just as the meal was about to be ready, Sun Hu arrived. He was about to enter the house as usual but found that the password to the door lock had been changed. He couldn¡¯t open the door, so he had to knock. Seeing Sun Hu, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t resist teasing, ¡°Do you have a dog¡¯s nose? You must have followed the scent here.¡± Surprised by the aroma, Sun Hu eximed, ¡°Jing MO, you¡¯re actually cooking! This smell is amazing, and I haven¡¯t had breakfast yet. Hurry up and give me a big bowl of rice!¡± Sun Hu entered the house and sat down at the dining table. Jing MO gave Sun Hu a cold look and said, ¡°Serve yourself.¡± Sun Hu protested, ¡°I¡¯m a guest. It¡¯s not right to make a guest serve.¡± Xia Xin burst intoughter and said, ¡°I don¡¯t see you as a guest at all.¡± Sun Hu made a funny face and turned to Jing Mo. Sun Hu said, ¡°Why did you change the password lock? What¡¯s the new password?¡± Jing MO removed his apron and replied, ¡°There¡¯s a girl in the house now, and your unauthorized entry isn¡¯t appropriate.¡± Sun Hu was left dumbfounded, feeling like he had been locked out due to Jing Mo¡¯s fondness for beautiful women. He nced at the empty room in the house and suggested, ¡°I see there¡¯s still an empty room here. How about I move in?¡± Both Xia Xin and Jing MO immediately shouted in unison, ¡°No!¡± They were stunned for a moment after speaking in unison. Sun Hu smirked, deliberately fixing his gaze on Xia Xin. He said, ¡°It¡¯s fine when Jing MO doesn¡¯t want me toe in, but why don¡¯t you want me here? Are you afraid I¡¯ll intrude on your lovebirds¡¯ world?¡± Xia Xin blushed instantly and averted her gaze, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t make wild guesses. I refuse because that room is meant for storing my things, and if you move in, I won¡¯t have any ce to put them.¡± Jing MO nodded in agreement. Sun Hu shrugged and said, ¡°Birds of a feather flock together. The more time you two spend together, the sharper your tongues be.¡± Admitting defeat, Sun Hu helped himself to food. During the meal, he couldn¡¯t stop ncing at Xia Xin and even tried to serve her dishes, making Xia Xin feel ufortable. She stared at him and said, ¡°If you have something to say, just say it directly and stop staring.¡± Sun Hu grinned and said tteringly, ¡°Hehe, you¡¯re smart, Xia Xin. You can tell at a nce that I have something to say..¡± Chapter 112 - 112: Signing a Contract Chapter 112: Signing a Contract Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin savored a piece of fish as she spoke, ¡°You¡¯ve been eyeing me throughout this meal. I¡¯m not nearsighted, you know. I can tell you have something on your mind. So, spill the beans; I¡¯d like to hear what you¡¯re up to.¡± In fact, Jing MO had already guessed Sun Hu¡¯s purpose foring, and deep down, he hoped that Sun Hu¡¯s visit would be sessful. Sun Hu swallowed a mouthful of fish and cleared his throat before saying, ¡°I noticed that your followers increased again after the trending event. I wanted to check in and see how you feel about your rising poprity.¡± Despite being secretly delighted, Xia Xin maintained an indifferent facade in front of Sun Hu. She replied, ¡°It¡¯s nothing special.¡± Sun Hu rolled his eyes internally, finding Xia Xin¡¯s way of speaking strangely reminiscent of Jing Mo¡¯s cheeky mannerisms. Sun Hu continued, ¡°I assume many talent agencies have approached you by now?¡± Xia Xin¡¯s expression shifted slightly, showing that she was genuinely interested. Having spent so long in the entertainment industry, Sun Hu possessed the ability to read between the lines. He could tell from Xia Xin¡¯s expression that she indeed had ns. So, he continued to coax her, ¡°I understand that you might not be familiar with these matters. Instead of signing with an unfamiliar agency, why not consider joining me? I guarantee that you¡¯ll be as popr as Jing MO in no time, winning numerous awards. You know the resources I have, and by joining me, you¡¯ll have the opportunity to act in any role you desire. Roles wille to you, rather than you having to choose them. Isn¡¯t that tempting?¡± Xia Xin was genuinely swayed. Earlier when Xia Xin checked her social media, she found many private messages, not only from her fans but also from talent agents inquiring whether she was interested in signing with theirpanies. Since checking her Human Affinity points earlier in the day, Xia Xin had developed an interest in starting a career. However, she didn¡¯t know much about the entertainment industry and hadn¡¯t responded to any of the inquiries. Sun Hu¡¯s offer seemed tailor-made for Xia Xin. Moreover, one aspect of Sun Hu¡¯s proposal resonated with her. Rather than approaching an unknown talent agency, she preferred to work with someone she knew. However, Xia Xin had another candidate in mind for that familiar person, her close friend Zhao Nan. Zhao Nan was currently upied with her demanding job, working with a temperamental celebrity who frequently assigned her various tasks. Xia Xin hoped to use this opportunity to convince Zhao Nan to switchpanies. Xia Xin nced at Sun Hu and said, ¡°Let¡¯s not discuss the signing for now. I have something else for you to see.¡± Xia Xin then forwarded Zhao Nan¡¯s resume to Sun Hu. Sun Hu opened the file and read the resume, looking puzzled. He asked, ¡°You¡¯re not suggesting that if I sign with you, I should also hire this girl as your assistant, are you?¡± Xia Xin shook her finger and said, ¡°No, no, it¡¯s not as an assistant, but as my agent.¡± Sun Hu looked at Xia Xin with concern. He asked, ¡°Have you asked for her opinion on this matter?¡± Xia Xin remained silent for a moment. This decision had indeed been made on a whim, and she hadn¡¯t had the chance to discuss it with Zhao Nan. Sun Hu continued, ¡°She just graduated this year, and her capabilities and resources are limited. Starting as your assistant might be more suitable. If you decide to sign with me, I don¡¯t mind helping you secure an assistant.¡± Sun Hu spoke seriously, and Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but adopt a serious tone as well. After finishing the meal, Sun Hu turned to Jing MO and said, ¡°I¡¯ve received ast-minute notice for a shoot this afternoon. After you finish eating, get ready, and we¡¯ll go out together.¡± While Jing MO had to attend to his matters, Xia Xin took on the responsibility of washing the dishes. After everything was cleaned up, she called Zhao Nan. Zhao Nan was in the midst of buying coffee for her celebrity. Despite her busy schedule, she managed to answer Xia Xin¡¯s call. Her first words were, ¡°I saw the trending news. Your video really embarrassed Wan Wan. She¡¯s like a mouse in a corner now; she probably won¡¯t dare to harm you again.¡± With coffee in hand, Zhao Nan received four bags full of coffee from a waiter and hurriedly made her way to the film set.. Chapter 113 - 113: Personal Studio Chapter 113: Personal Studio Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion After leaving the coffee shop, Zhao Nan asked, ¡°Why did you call me?¡± Knowing that Zhao Nan was busy, Xia Xin briefly exined what Sun Hu had mentioned earlier. Zhao Nan listened and eximed joyfully, ¡°Great! My best friend is going to debut! When I be a top talent agent, I¡¯ll poach you over!¡± As she spoke, Zhao Nan deftly navigated through the crowd of people. Xia Xin, upon hearing Zhao Nan¡¯s response, said, ¡°Why wait for the future? You can do it now! Come to Ster Entertainment and be my assistant.¡± Zhao Nan hesitated for a moment. Ster Entertainment was a top-tierpany in the industry, representing many A-list artists. It was undoubtedly far better than Zhao Nan¡¯s current agency. Naturally, she wanted to join them. However, Zhao Nan considered the current state of the entertainment industry. She said, ¡°Xin, I¡¯d love to be your assistant, but having me start with you right after your debut might lead to gossip within thepany and the industry. If I don¡¯t perform well in the future, it might drag you down.¡± Xia Xin realized she hadn¡¯t considered Zhao Nan¡¯s perspective. Taking on such a role with her as a neer could bring immense pressure and Zhao Nan might not be able to handle the challenge. Zhao Nan continued to exin, ¡°Sun Hu is right. With my current abilities, I¡¯m not yet capable of being an artist¡¯s dedicated agent. While the work is exhausting now, I believe I can learn a lot. I hope to be able to support you with my skills rather than bing a burden.¡± After a moment of silence, Xia Xin apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Nan. I didn¡¯t think about all of this. Zhao Nan replied in a casual tone, ¡°We¡¯re besties; there¡¯s no need for all these formalities. Anyway, it¡¯s great that you¡¯re getting signed. When I have some free time, I¡¯ll visit you, and we can go shopping to celebrate!¡± ¡°Sounds good.¡± After ending the call, Zhao Nan struggled to free one hand to hold her phone. Another call came in from an unknown number. ncing at the time, she had five minutes to spare. She decided to stand in an open area, cing the coffee on the ground, allowing both her hands to be free to answer the call, ¡°Hello, Zhao Nan speaking.¡± The voice on the other end sounded pitiful, ¡°You¡¯re a meanie, Zhao Nan. You didn¡¯t even have my number saved.¡± Zhao Nan, being a loyal fan for so many years, immediately recognized it as Xu Zhi¡¯s voice. Her initial excitement was evident in her tone as she replied, ¡°Xu Zhi! How did you get my number? Do you need something from me?¡± Xu Zhi quickly returned to his usual cheerful tone and said, ¡°My personal studio has just been established, and I¡¯d like to formally invite you to apply for the position of artist assistant. Would you be interested? Maybe you coulde for an interview tomorrow?¡± Excitement welled up inside Zhao Nan, who had initially thought Xu Zhi was casually suggesting she be her assistant. She hadn¡¯t expected it to be a genuine offer. She said, ¡°Of course, I¡¯m interested! When should Ie?¡± The two of them agreed to meet at the studio at 10 AM the next morning. Although both offers were for artist assistants, Zhao Nan declined Xia Xin¡¯s suggestion and decided to ept Xu Zhi¡¯s offer. The main reason was that Xu Zhi was already an established artist, and Zhao Nan believed she could learn a lot from her. After gaining more experience, she could then assist Xia Xin without causing her any trouble. Just after finishing her call with Zhao Nan, Xia Xin received a private message on her social media tform, [Helping you out with such a big favor, shouldn¡¯t you treat me to a meal as a thank you?] Xia Xin recognized the ount name as Zhang Chao, remembering that Zhang Chao had once helped her evade the press and escorted her home. Feeling that it was only right to repay the favor, she agreed to treat him to a meal. They arranged to meet at 5:30 PM at the popr Matcharia, located in the bustling heart of the bar district. At that moment, across the street from the Matcharia, inside a deserted and quiet music bar, two girls sat at the bar counter, sipping on their drinks with discontent. The bartender, who was resting since the bar was usually closed in the afternoon, had been abruptly woken by the arrival of these two girls. Their behavior was rude and demanding as they ordered drinks. This deserted bar was the exact opposite of the busy Matcharia, and the two girls were none other than Wan Wan and Wu Jia.. Chapter 114 - 114: A Chance Encounter Chapter 114: A Chance Encounter Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Wan Wan couldn¡¯t contain her frustration and mmed her hand on the table. She said, ¡°This is despicable! I can¡¯t believe Xia Xin installed a camera right outside her door. It¡¯s beyond low!¡± Wu Jia, equally furious, chimed in, ¡°Why did you post that apology statement? It¡¯s basically admitting that we were wrong, isn¡¯t it?¡± Wan Wan was perplexed. She said, ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on. I didn¡¯t post that Weibo message at all. It must have been Li Jie, doing it sneakily while I was napping. By the time I saw it, it was toote.¡± Wu Jia, angered by the situation, ced her Chanel handbag prominently on the table. The clinking of the chain against the ss counter was sharp. She said, ¡°I think you and Li Jie aren¡¯t on the same page. Why don¡¯t you just fire him and get a new agent?¡± Wan Wan felt even more troubled now. She used her fingers tob her hair back and said, ¡°I do want to change my agent, but this is already my second agent switch since I debuted. If I switchpanies now, it will definitely raise eyebrows.¡± The bartender brought their drinks, and after hearing Wan Wan¡¯s words, he sneakily nced at her. Wan Wan red at the bartender and said, ¡°I¡¯ll file aint if you keep staring at me!¡± The bartender hastily left. With a drink in hand, Wan Wan and Wu Jia became tipsy, and as the alcohol took effect, Wan Wan started venting about thepany¡¯s mistreatment. As she vented, Wu Jia suddenly noticed a red Lincoln parked across the street. A man wearing a short leather jacket, jeans, and brown Martin boots stepped out of the driver¡¯s seat. Wu Jia squinted her eyes, recognizing him as Zhang Chao, the guy she had met at the bar that night. She nudged Wan Wan and said, ¡°Hey, look! Over there, who¡¯s that?¡± Wan Wan looked up and saw a man wearing a fisherman¡¯s hat and a mask step out of the car. She hadn¡¯t recognized him at first, but since Zhang Chao hadn¡¯t covered his face, she recognized him. Wan Wan also recalled Wu Jia mentioning her interest in MO Shu. An idea crossed her mind. She asked Wu Jia, ¡°Do you still have that ¡®energy-draining powder¡¯ you usedst time? Give me some.¡± Wu Jia, who was intently watching the opposite side where Zhang Chao had already entered Matcharia, didn¡¯t hear Wan Wan clearly. She took out a sachet of the powder from her bag and handed it to Wan Wan. Wu Jia said, ¡°You can have it. I¡¯ll be right back after a quick errand.¡± Without waiting for Wan Wan to reply, Wu Jia hurriedly left, not noticing her attempt to ask why she needed the powder. With her friend gone, Wan Wan took out her phone and sent a message to MO Shu, [I happened to see you at the Matcharia. I¡¯m at the music bar across the street. Come in for a drink.] MO Shu received the message, looked around discreetly, and then locked eyes with Wan Wan through the bar¡¯s window. Wan Wan was sitting cross-legged, her tight short skirt entuating her sensual curves. She raised her hand and waved at MO Shu. Although Wan Wan and MO Shu weren¡¯t very familiar, people in the entertainment industry rarely let rtionships sour. Besides, MO Shu was here today because Zhang Chao wanted to sign Xia Xin, so while they discussed business, he had some free time. Thus, he entered the bar. MO Shu took a seat at the bar counter, politely saying to the bartender, ¡°Could you please make me a Long Ind Iced Tea? Thank you.¡¯ In contrast to Wan Wan¡¯s demeanor, MO Shu was courteous, which was evident in the way he interacted with the bartender. The bartender took another nce at MO Shu before going to make his drink. ¡°Why are you in such a good mood today? Why did youe out for a drink in the afternoon?¡± MO Shu asked politely. Wan Wan elegantly stirred the remaining wine and ice cubes in the ss with a straw and said with a smile. She said, ¡°It¡¯s because the crew has finished filming and it¡¯s a rare day off, so I came out to rx.¡± MO Shu paused for a moment and did not speak. In fact, after Wan Wan had been on the trending searches for the past two days, the director ended Wan Wan¡¯s scenes ahead of time. Now, he had already asked the editor to delete all of Wan Wan¡¯s scenes. However, MO Shu still maintained his silence politely, not wanting to disturb Wan Wan¡¯s elegant mood. After the drink was served, the two of them engaged in light conversation. Wan Wan, however, was waiting for an opportunity to use the powder discreetly. Eventually, she pretended to knock over her drink, spilling it all over the table. Wan Wan pretended to fumble in her pocket, distressed, and said, ¡°Oh no, I don¡¯t have any tissue on me. Do you have any?¡± MO Shu shook his head. Wan Wan sighed and asked, ¡°How about you ask the bartender for a couple of napkins?¡± Chapter 115 - 115: Spiked Drink Chapter 115: Spiked Drink Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion MO Shu had just a sip of his drink and nned to leave, but now he had no choice but to go borrow some napkins. While MO Shu was away, Wan Wan quickly sprinkled the powder into his drink. Simultaneously, she sent a message to Wu Jia, saying, [Come to the hotel above the music bar tonight. There¡¯s something good waiting for you.] Wu Jia nced at the message and wondered what good could possibly be happening tonight. However, she had no time to deal with it now; Zhang Chao was right in front of her, and her priority was to handle her business. Zhang Chao had booked a private room, and a server led him to the room. Once inside, the server closed the door and left. Following closely behind, Wu Jia sneaked into the room unnoticed. Zhang Chao was engrossed in his phone, thinking it was the server who had returned. Without looking up, he said, ¡°I¡¯m not ordering yet. I¡¯ll let you know once everyone is here.¡± Unbeknownst to him, the door remained closed. Zhang Chao eventually lifted his head and saw that it was Wu Jia. He couldn¡¯t hide his displeasure and asked, ¡°Why is it you?¡± Wu Jia gave Zhang Chao a charming smile and said, ¡°I thought you¡¯d be thrilled to see me again.¡± Zhang Chao smirked and said, ¡°Thrilled? More like surprised. using me wasn¡¯t enough for you? What kind of trick are you pulling today?¡± Wu Jia, dressed provocatively in a tight tank top and low-rise jeans, emphasized her slender waist, exuding sensuality. She sat down beside Zhang Chao with one leg crossed and leaned slightly toward him, striking a highly provocative pose. With flirtatious eyes, Wu Jia looked at Zhang Chao and said, ¡°Why are you so hostile toward me? It was a misunderstanding that night. I¡¯m just a vulnerable girl who got drunk and woke up to find a man taking a shower in my room. Wouldn¡¯t I be scared?¡± Zhang Chao wasn¡¯t buying Wu Jia¡¯s act and said, ¡°You can be scared, but was it necessary to have me arrested without asking any questions? You even called the police right there.¡± Wu Jia adopted a pitiable expression and said, ¡°I was just protecting myself. Besides, it wasn¡¯t me who called the police; it was Xia Xin.¡± Seeing through Wu Jia¡¯s antics, Zhang Chao said, ¡°Protecting yourself by clinging to another man in a bar. Quite a unique approach.¡± Wu Jia yfullyughed, covering her mouth, and said, ¡°Do you find me unique, or could it be that you¡¯re smitten with me?¡± Zhang Chao leaned back to distance himself and said, ¡°I suggest you not get too carried away.¡± Undeterred, Wu Jia moved closer and continued her inquiries, ¡°What¡¯s your name? Who did you arrange to meet? And why did you book such a discreet private room?¡± Zhang Chao only nced at Wu Jia but didn¡¯t answer, continuing to fiddle with his phone. Ignoring Zhang Chao¡¯s sarcasm, Wu Jia took his phone and taunted, ¡°With a beauty like me by your side, why are you so engrossed in your phone?¡± Zhang Chao replied coldly, ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t have the privilege to enjoy yourpany. I suggest you go do something else with your time. Give me back my phone.¡± Wu Jia ignored Zhang Chao and left the private room with his phone in her hand. He shouted, ¡°What are you doing? Give it back!¡± At that moment, Matcharia was already filled with customers. They turned and looked at Zhang Chao and Wu Jia when they heard themotion. Zhang Chao didn¡¯t want to openly quarrel with a woman in public, considering his image. So, he allowed Wu Jia to lead him outside the restaurant. As for Xia Xin, she arrived at the restaurant as nned but didn¡¯t see Zhang Chao. She inquired with a server who led her to the private room that Zhang Chao had booked. Inside, she found a freshly brewed pot of tea but no sign of Zhang Chao. Since Xia Xin didn¡¯t have Zhang Chao¡¯s contact information, she had no choice but to wait in the room. She also sent a message to Zhang Chao via social media, but he never responded. Puzzled, Xia Xin muttered to herself, ¡°Didn¡¯t he invite me here? Why is he nowhere to be found?¡± After waiting for approximately twenty minutes with no sign of Zhang Chao returning, Xia Xin decided to give up and left the restaurant. Meanwhile, MO Shu had finished his drink, unaware of the drug in it. He began to feel dizzy and weak. He sensed that something was amiss with his drink and cast a suspicious nce at Wan Wan. However, Wan Wan was looking at MO Shu with an innocent smile. MO Shu knew that Wan Wan was willing to use any means to achieve her goals, and getting her to tell the truth was impossible. If he stayed here any longer, who knew what would happen? He couldn¡¯t risk being falsely used by Wan Wan; his career would be ruined.. Chapter 116 - 116: Escape Chapter 116: Escape Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion MO Shu, while he still had some strength left, quickly stood up, preparing to leave. Wan Wan blocked MO Shu¡¯s way and asked, ¡°Where are you in such a hurry to MO Shu nced at Wan Wan but didn¡¯t answer. He attempted to leave in a hurry but was stopped by Wan Wan. He stumbled back into his chair, only managing to push Wan Wan¡¯s hand away before standing up again. Already feeling dizzy, MO Shu became even weaker due to this struggle. He had no choice but to hope the bartender would help. MO Shu staggered toward the bartender, grasping his arm firmly, and said, ¡°Do me a favor, stop that woman!¡± The bartender, who already had a poor impression of Wan Wan, was more than willing to assist. He stepped forward to block Wan Wan and said politely, ¡°Ma¡¯am, please refrain from disturbing the other guests here.¡± Wan Wan shot the bartender an irritated look and retorted, ¡°What¡¯s it to you?¡± She then looked up, only to find that MO Shu had already reached the door. She couldn¡¯t stop him now. Meanwhile, Xia Xin had given up on finding Zhang Chao and was about to leave the restaurant. Just as she turned around, she felt someone approaching her. She instinctively tried to move away, but the person was heading straight for her, directly in the direction she was avoiding. They collided with each other. The man¡¯s upper body weight pressed onto Xia Xin. She took a step back to barely support her body and prevent herself from being knocked over. Frowning, she tried to push the man away. The man, however, whispered, ¡°Xia Xin, please help me.¡± Surprised, Xia Xin lowered her gaze and realized it was MO Shu! MO Shu was leaning on Xia Xin¡¯s shoulder, and she had to awkwardly turn her head to see him clearly. Only now did Xia Xin notice how weak MO Shu was. His face, hair, and neck were drenched in sweat, and without her support, he would probably have copsed on the spot. ¡®This was a public ce, and if MO Shu fainted here, it would surely be a trending topic tomorrow.¡¯ Xia Xin thought. In a hurry, Xia Xin handed MO Shu a fresh mask from her bag and helped him prop his arm over her shoulder. Together, they navigated through the crowd. Feeling overwhelmed, Xia Xin asked, ¡°Where are we going now?¡± MO Shu showed his ID card and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go upstairs and book a room. I don¡¯t have the energy to make it home right now.¡± Given the circumstances, Xia Xin didn¡¯t want to take him to unfamiliar ces. She reluctantly agreed, ¡°How about we go to the hospital?¡± MO Shu shook his head and said, ¡°If I go to the hospital in this state, it¡¯ll surely make headlines tomorrow. Don¡¯t worry; it¡¯s probably just something I drank. A good night¡¯s sleep should fix it.¡± Xia Xin had no choice but to take MO Shu to a hotel. When they arrived, the front desk requested both their IDs to register. Xia Xin exined, ¡°I¡¯m just helping him inside; I won¡¯t be staying.¡± However, the front desk insisted that both IDs were required for entry, no matter how Xia Xin exined it. They demanded to see both IDs before allowing them into the hotel. Feeling MO Shu¡¯s condition was worsening, Xia Xin finally took out her ID to expedite the process. After they were registered, she helped MO Shu to his room. As they entered the room, MO Shu copsed onto the floor. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t lift him. His forehead was covered in sweat, and he appeared extremely ufortable. With the door securely closed, Xia Xin wet a towel with hot water and gently wiped the sweat from MO Shut s face and neck. MO Shu had a paleplexion, but his lips were rosy, and his state of weakness added a touch of vulnerability to his good looks, making him irresistibly charming. However, Xia Xin had no time to appreciate his handsomeness. Xia Xin found MO Shu¡¯s phone and unlocked it, searching for Zhang Chao¡¯s number. She immediately called him, but at this crucial moment, Zhang Chao was refusing to answer his phone. While Xia Xin was worrying about what to do next, the system notification rang out in her mind. Master, you can choose items from the Shop to boost your stamina. ¡®Since when did the system be so intelligent?¡¯ Xia Xin pondered. With no time to contemte it further, Xia Xin quickly essed the system¡¯s Shop and found a suitable item, Popeye¡¯s Canned Spanish. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but grumble, ¡°Has this system watched too much Popeye? Does it think that eating spinach will make a person super strong?¡± Chapter 117 - 117: Fell Into Slumber Again Chapter 117: Fell Into Slumber Again Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion As she grumbled, Xia Xin clicked on the Canned Spinach¡¯s description. It allowed her to temporarily gain the strength of a weightlifter capable of lifting 200 kilograms for ten minutes. Xia Xin thought it would be just enough time to lift MO Shu onto the bed. However, just as Xia Xin was about to make the purchase, she saw the price, 200,000 Human Affinity points. ¡®Well, it seemed like the system had set the price ording to my bnce, didn¡¯t it? It must have been determined to drain my money!¡¯ Xia Xin thought. But Xia Xin couldn¡¯t leave MO Shu lying on the floor unattended. With no other option, she reluctantly selected the purchase and immediately devoured the Canned Spinach. Surprisingly, it tasted delicious. Once she finished the spinach, Xia Xin felt an instant surge of energy. She effortlessly picked up MO Shu in a princess carry style and ced him on the bed. MO Shu was sound asleep and showed no reaction. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but wonder if it was the same as when she fell into slumber and Jing MO carried her to the hospital. ¡®Fell into slumber?!¡¯ Suddenly, Xia Xin realized that every time she used the system¡¯s abilities and items, she ended up falling asleep. She couldn¡¯t stay in the same room with MO Shu in this condition, so she had to leave quickly! Fortunately, the Matcharia was close to her apartment. Xia Xin didn¡¯t want to dy, so she hailed a taxi immediately. On the way back home, Xia Xin became increasingly drowsy. She was afraid she couldn¡¯t stay awake and might fall asleep in the taxi. The taxi driver assumed she had been through a breakup andforted her, ¡°Youngdy, you¡¯ll meet someone better in the future.¡¯ Xia Xin mumbled sleepily in response. As soon as she arrived home, she rushed in, bypassing the bedroom and not even ncing at the two dogs. She copsed on the couch and fell asleep. When Xia Xin woke up, it was pitch ck outside, and she was covered with a nket. The living room remained dark, with only the bright light from the bar counter in the dining room. Jing MO sat there, lost in thought. Jing Mo t s tall and slender figure, juxtaposed with his lean silhouette on the floor, formed a simple sketch within the monotonous ck-and-white room, making him appear lonely and deste. Xia Xin unexpectedly felt a pang of pity. Hearing Xia Xin¡¯s movements as she got up, Jing MO turned to look at her. Approaching her, he stood in front of Xia Xin and, from his elevated position, gazed down at her. Backlit, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t discern his expression. Jing MO asked, ¡°Did you encounter something again today?¡± Xia Xin was momentarily taken aback and replied, ¡°Why are you asking all of a sudden?¡± Jing MO exined, ¡°Every time you fall asleep like this, I know you¡¯ve run into trouble. ¡± Xia Xin realized that she couldn¡¯t keep secrets from Jing Mo. So, Xia Xin briefly recounted the events of the afternoon and then said, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t sav it¡¯s trouble this time; I was just helping someone, so I¡¯m exhausted.¡± Having finished speaking, Xia Xin nced at the wall clock and noticed that it was alreadyte at night. Compared to her previous episodes of sleeping for a whole day and night, a few hours of rest seemed short. Suddenly, Xia Xin¡¯s stomach emitted a loud growl. Sheughed and looked at Jing MO, ¡°Is there any food left? I¡¯m starving.¡± Jing MO turned and went into the kitchen. After a while, he brought out a bowl of warm rice congee and said, ¡°I noticed you hadn¡¯t eaten when I found you sleeping on the couch. I had already made this and kept it warm in the rice cooker. Enjoy.¡± Xia Xin sipped the congee and checked her phone for messages. She noticed that Zhao Nan had called her multiple times, but she hadn¡¯t answered. Zhao Nan had sent her a message, saying that Xu Zhi¡¯s talent agency was now established and they wanted to invite Zhao Nan to be an assistant talent manager. After reading the message, Xia Xin casually discussed it with Jing Mo. After hearing the summary, Jing MOmented, ¡°Actually, going to Xu Zhi¡¯s agency would be a better choice for Zhao Nan. Xu Zhi is already an established artist with years of experience in the industry. He has ess to various resources and opportunities that can enhance Zhao Nan¡¯s experience. On the other hand, you¡¯re a neer in the entertainment industry without a solid foundation. It¡¯s difficult for you to protect her.¡± Xia Xin¡¯s personality often led her to rush ahead, shielding those around her and putting herself in danger. Jing Mo hoped that she would be stronger, not only to protect others but also to safeguard herself. Xia Xin found Jing Mo¡¯s words reasonable. She replied to Zhao Nan, telling her to follow her own instincts and not to feel burdened by her decision¡­ Chapter 118 - 118: Contract Signed Chapter 118: Contract Signed Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion After Xia Xin texted Zhao Nan, Xia Xin said to Jing MO, ¡°Help me contact Sun Hu. I¡¯ve decided to sign with him.¡± Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of regret at how quickly her Human Affinity points were being depleted. She wondered, ¡®When would I ever reach level three? Layle was still waiting for me to heal its tongue.¡¯ Jing MO remained silent for a moment and then said, ¡°Zhang Chao contacted you this afternoon, probably also to discuss signing with you. Are you sure you don¡¯t want to hear his terms?¡± Curious, Xia Xin asked, ¡°As far as I know, Zhang Chao and Sun Hu are from the same talent agency. Does it really matter which one I sign with?¡± Jing MO shook his head and exined, ¡°Even if they are from the same agency, there is stillpetition between talent agents. However, both of them are excellent agents with seven or eight artists under their management, so there isn¡¯t much difference in their choices. Xia Xin said, ¡°Since there isn¡¯t much difference, I¡¯ll choose Sun Hu. Besides, we live together, so it¡¯s more convenient for work. If I signed with Zhang Chao and our living arrangement was discovered, it would probably cause you a lot of trouble, right?¡± Jing MO looked at Xia Xin, who was focused on her congee, and thought to himself, ¡®No, it wouldn¡¯t. After a brief silence, Xia Xin suddenly put down her bowl and looked at Jing Mo, asking, ¡°Why did you suddenly disappear without a word back then?¡± Jing MO froze for a moment, maintaining eye contact with Xia Xin. It seemed as if he were looking far into the distance when he replied in a calm tone, ¡°There were some family matters.¡± Xia Xin didn¡¯t say anything, lowering her head to sip her congee. Only after nearly finishing it did she speak softly, ¡°I looked for you many times. Later, thendlord rented the ce to someone else, so I gave up.¡± The truth was, Xia Xin had waited at the entrance of the apartment almost every day after school. Thendlord told her that the tenant had moved out, but she didn¡¯t believe it. She continued waiting until the next tenant moved in, and even then, she was reluctant to leave. The new tenant eventually drove her away. Over time, she slowly forgot about Jing Mo. Jing Mo¡¯s hand, hidden under the table, clenched into a fist and then rxed. He said with a tinge of sorrow, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± That night, after Xia Xin hadposed her resignation letter and sent it via email to Lu Yuan, she expected a reply the next morning. To her surprise, Lu Yuan hadn¡¯t slept either and replied promptly. He called her briefly, showing concern as a senior and wishing her well. He also mentioned that the zoo would always be her home, and she could return at any time. Jing MO went to his room and called Sun Hu. After informing him of Xia Xin¡¯s decision, Sun Hu rushed over to Jing Mo¡¯s ce early the next morning, bringing the contract. Without much conversation, Xia Xin signed with Sun Hu, who then took the signed contract to thepany for formalization. When Xia Xin logged back into her social media ount, she noticed that her profile verification had changed from ¡°Zookeeper¡± to ¡°Signed Artist at Ster Entertainment.¡± Sun Hu, feeling proud, came out of the office and happened to run into Zhang Chao, who wore a displeased expression. Sun Hu boasted, ¡°Sorry, I beat you to it.¡± Zhang Chao nced at Sun Hu and said, ¡°If that jinx didn¡¯t cling to me when I went out, I would have seen Xia Xin yesterday afternoon.¡± Zhang Chao and Sun Hu were rivals in thepany. They often bickered, and everyone was used to it. Sun Hu continued, ¡°You only saw Xia Xin in the afternoon, but I went to see her yesterday before noon. Firste, first served, understand?¡± Zhang Chao, clearly irritated, shot him a re and said, ¡°Show off! You don¡¯t need to brag about it. Xia Xin is a new artist. We don¡¯t even know if her future will be sessful.¡± Sun Hu continued to gloat, ¡°When was thest time you saw such a promising neer? If you thought she wouldn¡¯t seed, you wouldn¡¯t have put in so much effort to sign her. You¡¯re just jealous now.¡± Zhang Chao couldn¡¯t be bothered to argue with Sun Hu and turned to leave. Sun Hu, however, stopped Zhang Chao and said, ¡°Your face looks bruised. What happened?¡± Zhang Chao, thinking about what happened yesterday, became even angrier. He muttered, ¡°It¡¯s that Wu Jia again!¡± ¡°You ran into her again?!¡± Sun Hu eximed. Chapter 119 - 119: Hot Trendsetter Chapter 119: Hot Trendsetter Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Sun Hu was surprised. After the incident with Wu Jia, Zhang Chao and Sun Hu discussed the matter. Zhang Chao had also told Sun Hu about being falsely used by Wu Jia. Sun Hu had thought that these two individuals would never cross paths again, but fate had other ns. Yesterday, Zhang Chao had been lured out of Matcharia by Wu Jia. He had followed her to a narrow alley. Initially, Zhang Chao had intended to grab his phone and leave, but in the ensuing argument, their clothes had be somewhat disheveled. To Zhang Chao¡¯s surprise, when Wu Jia¡¯s scheme didn¡¯t work, she got furious and, in a fit of rage, actually damaged Zhang Chao¡¯s phone. She loudly used him of inappropriate behavior, causing Zhang Chao to once again be surrounded by onlookers. Zhang Chao felt that this year had truly been unlucky for him. He seemed to keep running into all sorts of troubles. Just as Zhang Chao and Sun Hu had finishedining about Wu Jia, MO Shut s assistant rushed over in a hurry. She said, ¡°Something big has happened! MO Shu is trending!¡± MO Shu had just finished filming his new drama, and it was currently in the promotional phase. Trending online was amon urrence during such times, so Zhang Chao dismissively said, ¡°So what if he¡¯s trending? Why make a big deal out of it?¡± The assistant sighed in relief before continuing, ¡°This time it¡¯s different! MO Shu is trending because of a rumored romantic rtionship!¡± ¡°What!¡± Both Zhang Chao and Sun Hu were shocked. MO Shu had been in the industry for three years without a single scandal, let alone a rumored girlfriend. Now, he was trending due to a romantic rtionship? They quickly checked the trending topic, and to their astonishment, the rumored girlfriend was none other than Xia Xin! The trending topic was filled with pictures of them hugging and getting cozy in front of a bar, taken from an angle that made their poses look intimate. Their faces were incredibly close! In an instant, Sun Hut s mind was blown. He said, ¡°Xia Xin was so low-key, and now she suddenly stirs up such a big mess!¡± Just earlier, Zhang Chao had mocked Xia Xin as a new artist prone to making mistakes, and now, the subject of her mistake had be his own artist. Both of them hurriedly grabbed their phones and started making calls to handle the situation. When Sun Hu called Xia Xin, she was at home ying Five-in-a-Row with Jing Mo. It was a tense moment in the game, with the board almost filled up, but no winner had emerged. Just as it was Xia Xin¡¯s turn to make a move, her phone rang, startling her so much that she nearly tossed the game pieces across the room. She answered the call and was greeted by Sun Hu¡¯s furious shout, ¡°Where are you right now?!¡± Confused, Xia Xin replied, ¡°I¡¯m at home. What¡¯s wrong? You seem really agitated.¡± Sun Hu exploded, ¡°And you dare to ask! Look at the trending topics! Stay at home and don¡¯t move. I¡¯ming to find you! You¡¯d better exin what¡¯s going on with this trending topic!¡± Xia Xin and Jing MO exchanged a nce. They both took out their phones to check the trending topic. After reading it, Xia Xin eximed in shock, ¡°Why does it look so ambiguous even though it was just a girl saving a hero scenario?!¡± Thements fromizens were a mixed bag. Some were supportive, saying things like, [Have you noticed that Xia Xin changed her profile? It turns out she signed with Ster Entertainment just to be in the samepany as MO Shu. What a golden couple. I support it!] But there were more negativements. One of MO Shu¡¯s die-hard fans wrote, [This woman is just an inte celebrity. She jumps on anyone¡¯s bandwagon when they¡¯re popr. Why did MO Shu end up with her? I¡¯m gonna unfollow him!] Anotherment insinuated, [Didn¡¯t you notice that MO Shu was drunk? He must have been tricked into bed by Xia Xin!] With various opinions, Xia Xin once again became the target of online criticism. She looked at thements and muttered, ¡°Why are theseizens making such randomments? I was just trying to help, but they make it sound like I¡¯m causing trouble.¡± Xia Xin casually put her phone down, but when she looked up, she saw Jing Mo¡¯s stern and silent expression. Feeling inexplicably guilty, she snatched his phone and set it aside. She said, ¡°Forget it, don¡¯t read thements. Theseizens don¡¯t differentiate right from wrong; they just throw around baseless usations.¡± Jing MO, with an expressionless face, gazed at Xia Xin and said, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say it was just helping someone? You didn¡¯t tell me about such an intimate encounter. ¡± ¡®Uh¡­ was that the main point?¡¯ Xia Xin thought. Panicking, Xia Xin quickly exined, ¡°He was so weak at that moment; if I didn¡¯t support him, he wouldn¡¯t have been able to walk.¡± Jing MO remained silent.. Chapter 120 - 120: Pretending as a Couple Chapter 120: Pretending as a Couple Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing Mo t s expression was dark, and his gaze was icy, leaving Xia Xin too afraid to speak. Xia Xin was puzzled. She thought, ¡®I hadn¡¯t done anything wrong, so why did I feel like I had?¡¯ Jing MO remained silent, and Xia Xin couldn¡¯t stand the silence any longer. She asked, ¡°You¡¯ve been silent the whole time. Is this issue really serious?¡± Still, Jing MO didn¡¯t speak. Xia Xin muttered to herself, wondering why he wasn¡¯t saying anything. On the other hand, Bobo whimpered softly, ¡°Oh no, Master seems angry. Master rarely gets angry, but when he does, the consequences are severe. He might even stop giving us snacks!¡± Hearing Bobo¡¯s words, Layle shrank back, taking two steps back in fear. Both dogs hid in their kennel, not daring to show their faces. Xia Xin and Jing MO sat there awkwardly, neither of them saying a word. It wasn¡¯t until Sun Hu arrived, his anger evident, that Xia Xin finally rushed to the door and opened it. As soon as Sun Hu entered, he impatiently asked Xia Xin, ¡°Can you exin what¡¯s going on with those pictures circting online?¡± Xia Xin felt that now wasn¡¯t the time to discuss this matter, so she gave Sun Hu a meaningful look, silently urging him not to bring it up. Unfortunately, Sun Hu didn¡¯t understand her gaze and asked, ¡°Why are you winking and making faces at me?¡± Xia Xin was at a loss and nced at Jing MO, who had been sitting there silently the whole time. Suddenly, Jing MO stood up and said, ¡°You two can talk. I¡¯m going upstairs.¡± With that, Jing MO headed upstairs to his study. Sun Hu waspletely out of the loop and asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with him?¡± Xia Xin shook her head, indicating that she didn¡¯t know. However, Sun Hu seemed to suddenly understand something and gave a meaningful look toward the closed door. Xia Xin asked Sun Hu, ¡°Do you think Jing MO is angry?¡± Sun Hu sighed, ¡°I think he¡¯s pretending to be mute. Don¡¯t mind him.¡± Xia Xin looked at Sun Hu,pletely puzzled. Sun Hu, sensing Xia Xin¡¯s confusion, said impatiently, ¡°You¡¯re not in any position to care about others right now. Exin to me what happened!¡± Xia Xin realized that Sun Hu was in an agitated state and tried to calm him down. She then proceeded to tell him what had happened yesterday afternoon. After listening to Xia Xin¡¯s exnation, Sun Hu furrowed his brow, put his thumb on his chin, and rubbed it thoughtfully with his index finger, looking like he was deep in thought. Then he said, ¡°In MO Shu¡¯s case, it seems he was drugged. He never gets drunk in front of others. You happened to be nearby, and he sought your help. You should consider yourself lucky that it was just a spiked drink. If it were something stronger, you¡¯d be in serious trouble.¡± Hearing that possibility, Xia Xin suddenly felt a chill. Sun Hu sighed helplessly, ¡°I swear, you seem to encounter every stroke of bad luck. You realize that anything you do now can affect your fanbase, right? Fans can be terrifying, you know?¡± ¡°Then can¡¯t I make a rification statement now?¡± Xia Xin asked tentatively. Sun Hu sat down on the couch, opened a bottle of mineral water, and drank half of it. He had been busy all day and had not had the time to drink a mouthful of water, which made him extremely thirsty. Xia Xin sat down beside Sun Hu and waited for his reply. Sun Hu finished his water and threw the empty mineral water bottle on the ground. He said, ¡°No, your photos are too clear. It¡¯s easy to exin if it¡¯s a little blurry. Such a clear picture is solid!¡± Xia Xin got up and picked up the mineral water bottle and threw it into the trash can. Sheined, ¡°Stop making trash around. It¡¯s very hard to clean.¡± Sun Hu shrugged and apologized, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m used to the cleaningdying to clean every day.¡± Sun Hu continued, ¡°And since you¡¯ve just debuted, any action you take could potentially harm your career. So, there¡¯s only one solution for now.¡± Xia Xin stood up straight, lower her gaze at Sun Hu, and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the solution?¡± Sun Hu said, ¡°It¡¯s simple. Zhang Chao and I have discussed it. You and MO Shu will pretend to be a couple to minimize the impact of this situation on both of you.¡± Xia Xin repeated in shock, ¡°What?! Pretend to be a couple?¡± ¡°No!¡± The study door swung open, and Jing MO walked out. ¡°I disagree.¡± Xia Xin stared nkly at Jing MO and then at Sun Hu. She nodded and echoed, Sun Hu sighed in exasperation, ¡°Neither of you agrees to anything right now, so how am I supposed to resolve this? I don¡¯t want my newly acquired artist to go cold so soon. Do you know how scary fans can be?¡± Xia Xin nodded. She, who had frequently been the target of online attacks, was all too familiar with this.. Chapter 121 - 121: Severity Matters Chapter 121: Severity Matters Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Sun Hu nced at Xia Xin, then at Jing MO, and deliberately asked Xia Xin, ¡°Do you like MO Shu?¡± Xia Xin immediately replied, ¡°Of course not! I don¡¯t even know him well. We only worked together on a few scenes in the past, and we hardly exchanged a few words. If it weren¡¯t for the coincidence of him running into me yesterday, he probably wouldn¡¯t have asked for my help. We¡¯re not even friends, so where does the likinge from?¡± Sun Hu looked at Jing MO again, carefully observing all of his expressions, and said, ¡°Alright, think about my suggestion for now. I¡¯lle backter to discuss it with you.¡± Xia Xin obediently agreed, and then Sun Hu went upstairs to find Jing Mo. Sun Hu closed the door behind him after he and Jing MO entered the study. Jing Mo¡¯s study featured a wall of bookshelves, a desk by the window, and a wooden rocking chair beside it. On the windowsill sat a lush pot of green ivy. Jing MO sat down in the rocking chair, remaining silent. Sun Hu approached, leaning on the desk, and asked, ¡°Xia Xin¡¯s situation is about pretending to be a couple. Why do you disagree?¡± Jing MO remained silent. Sun Hu was ustomed to Jing Mo¡¯s habit of staying silent when he didn¡¯t want to answer certain questions, so he didn¡¯t expect a response to this particr query. Sun Hu continued, ¡°This is the only way to handle the situation now. Unless you want Xia Xin¡¯s career to end before it even begins.¡± Jing MO looked up, puzzled, and asked, ¡°There are many ways to solve this kind of problem, and with your capabilities, you should be able to find a solution. Why must it be pretending to be a couple?¡± Sun Hu took out his phone, found the photos from his media friends, and showed them to Jing Mo. Sun Hu said, ¡°Take a look for yourself. These are the photos of Xia Xin and MO Shu in a hotel room. With these pictures, if they don¡¯t announce to the public that they are a couple, their connection will be questioned.¡± Jing MO knew that for Xia Xin, this would ruin her career before it even started. Sun Hu¡¯s tone grew more serious. ¡°Not only one media outlet has this picture. I can suppress one, but I can¡¯t suppress dozens or hundreds. What I can do right now is to buy time, and find a way to respond before this photo goes public. You should understand this better than I do.¡± Jing MO looked at the photos on the phone, his hand gripping the device so tightly that it seemed like he might crush it. Sun Hu quickly pulled the phone away and said, ¡°Don¡¯t take your anger out on my phone.¡± Jing Mo hung his head in silence.. Sun Hu continued, trying to provoke him, ¡°Xia Xin is an adult and can make her own judgments. You don¡¯t need to make decisions for her in everything.¡± Jing MO still didn¡¯t say a word. Sun Hu didn¡¯t press further and waited quietly. In thete summer season, even the cicadas had fallen silent, leaving only the echoes in the quiet room. Finally, Jing MO spoke, ¡°Xia Xin is important to me. She¡¯s the first person who made me feel warmth. She protected me back then, and now it¡¯s my turn to protect her.¡± Sun Hu, looking at the reserved individual, remarked, ¡°You finally decided to speak the truth? I¡¯ve told you before, don¡¯t just keep things to yourself. If you have thoughts, just tell her directly. But now, things can only be handled this way. MO Shu is one of the rare good men in the entertainment industry, and he has many admirers. We can only hope that Xia Xin won¡¯t develop feelings for him.¡± After their conversation, they both left the study together. Sun Hu handed a script to Xia Xin and said, ¡°There¡¯s no need to make this situation public. Let¡¯s handle it discreetly. asionally, post something together with MO Shu to make the fans think you have a secret rtionship. This script is one we¡¯ve chosen together; it¡¯s a low-budget web series with only 12 episodes, and the shooting period is very short. Finish filming this series first, air it, and then gradually distance yourselves. Eventually, you can announce a breakup, and that should clear your name.¡± Xia Xin scrolled through the script¡¯s synopsis. The title of the drama was ¡°Love¡¯s Unleashed,¡± and it told the story of a girl who found a homeless boy one night and took him home. Over time, she began treating him like a pet, and their hidden feelings for each other grew. Sun Hu said, ¡°You¡¯ve lucked out in a way. You¡¯ve got the lead role in your debut drama, and you have Mo Shu as your co-star. I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s good or bad luck for you. Stay at home these next few days, and I¡¯ll bring you to the set in three days¡­¡± Chapter 122 - 122: Sweet Persuasion Chapter 122: Sweet Persuasion Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin had no choice but to obediently agree. After Sun Hu left, Xia Xin looked at Jing MO again and asked, ¡°So, are we still going to finish this chess game?¡± Jing MO nced at the almost-filled chessboard but remained silent. He then turned and went to the study. Xia Xin could only y with Bobo and Layle in the living room. Bobo was particrly well-behaved, keeping its voice down and even reducing the height of its jumps. Xia Xin asked Bobo, ¡°Do you have any idea why Jing MO is angry this time?¡± Bobo replied, ¡°It¡¯s probably because you caused trouble. Every time I chase the nanny away, Jing MO gets angry. He punishes me by not giving me canned food for the evening.¡± Xia Xin thought about it. It must be because she had caused trouble right after her debut, which was why Jing MO was upset. Since her social media ounts had been taken over by Sun Hu, Xia Xin spent the entire afternoon watching TV out of boredom. In the evening, she decided to cook dinner herself as a way of apologizing. Although her dishes didn¡¯t look as appetizing as Jing MO¡¯s, they were at least edible. Xia Xin went to knock on Jing Mo¡¯s door. He hadn¡¯t left his study all afternoon, and Xia Xin guessed that he might have fallen asleep. So, she knocked lightly on the door, but as soon as she finished, she heard Jing MO say, ¡°Come in.¡± Xia Xin took a deep breath, put on a smile, and entered the room, saying, ¡°Dinner¡¯s ready. Come, let¡¯s eat.¡± Jing MO was sitting in his rocking chair, reading a book. However, he had been on the same page for almost the entire afternoon, unable to concentrate on it. He listened to Xia Xin¡¯s words and replied simply, ¡°Okay.¡± He then ced a bookmark in his book, closed it, and left it on the chair. He followed Xia Xin downstairs. The dinner consisted of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, spicy and sour shredded potatoes, and white rice, which were Xia Xin¡¯s specialties. Xia Xin looked at the dishes, trying to conceal her embarrassment with a smile, and said, ¡°Although it may not look very appealing, it doesn¡¯t affect the taste. Let¡¯s eat!¡± Throughout the meal, Jing MO didn¡¯t make anyments. His demeanor was noticeably quieter than usual. Xia Xin nervously bit her chopsticks and gathered the courage to ask, ¡°Is it because I caused trouble that you¡¯re angry?¡± Jing Mo¡¯s hand, while picking up a dish, paused briefly. He looked at Xia Xin and asked, ¡°Is that what you think?¡± Xia Xin nodded. Jing MO sighed deeply and said, ¡°So you still haven¡¯t understood why I¡¯m upset. It¡¯s not because of these incidents. I¡¯m not afraid of you getting me into trouble. I¡¯m just angry because, at the time, all you thought about was saving someone without considering how serious the consequences could be. When you told me about it, you didn¡¯t even mention how severe MO Shu¡¯s condition was. Have you ever thought about your own safety? Can you please take care of yourself and not constantly make me worry?¡± Xia Xin stared at Jing MO in a daze, unable to find words to respond. Finally, she hesitated and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t think that much.¡± Xia Xin¡¯s previous life had not been easy. Her parents had passed away, friends had left her disappointed, and she had lived a solitary life, almost like a hermit. She was even attacked by a pride of lions in Africa. It had been incredibly frustrating. So, in this life, she was determined to make amends for the regrets of her previous life, doing everything in her power to keep the people she cared about close and protect her friends. That led her to neglect the fact that human nature could be treacherous at any time, and she had repeatedly fallen into difficult situations. Xia Xin promised Jing MO, ¡°You can rest assured, I¡¯ll be more careful in the future and won¡¯t let you worry anymore. Please don¡¯t be angry.¡± After Jing Mo¡¯s expression had eased up, Xia Xin joked, ¡°Besides, if anything happens, don¡¯t I still have you by my side? In the past, I protected you. Now, you will protect me, right?¡± Jing MO found it hard to get angry when Xia Xin said that. He let out a long sigh and smiled. He said, ¡°I hope I can really protect you all the time.¡± Jing Mo¡¯s words made Xia Xin¡¯s heart skip a beat. She was stunned for a moment before she put aside the strange feeling and said, ¡°Alright, it¡¯s all in the past. Let¡¯s not think about it for now. Quickly help me take a look at this script. It¡¯s my first time shooting aplete web drama and I don¡¯t have any experience. I¡¯m still a little nervous.¡± Hence, Jing MO began to exin the process of filming to Xia Xin. She had to read the script and thenmunicate with the director. Xia Xin listened attentively. After the two of them finished chatting, they realized that it was already past one in the evening. Xia Xin yawned and Jing MO said, ¡°Let¡¯s stop here for today. Go to your room and rest.¡± Xia Xin, still half-asleep, nodded again and went back to her room to sleep.. Chapter 123 - 123: Divination Chapter 123: Divination Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing MO stared at Xia Xin¡¯s bedroom door and couldn¡¯t help but think about what Sun Hu had said earlier in the afternoon. He wondered if he had really done something wrong. He had always hoped to protect Xia Xin like an older brother, but when he saw that photo yesterday, he suddenly realized that something seemed to have quietly changed. Jing Mo¡¯s feelings for Xia Xin had evolved beyond mere care; it seemed like there were some other emotions mixed in as well. The next morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the gray curtains, casting a glow on Xia Xin. She slowly woke up from her slumber. Stretchingzily in bed, she nced at the time and realized it was already noon. She remembered that she had promised to prepare lunch today as Jing MO had done yesterday. However, she had overslept. Xia Xin hurriedly sat up and prepared to get out of bed. Suddenly, the system emitted a notification sound. Master, a friendly reminder, the Basic Divination Talisman is about to expire. Would you like to use it? Xia Xin then remembered the Basic Divination Talisman she had purchased in the system¡¯s Shop when she first started this life. She had initially thought it would be permanently effective, so she had never remembered to use it. Thinking about the Human Affinity points she had spent when buying it, Xia Xin felt a pang of regret. She replied, ¡°Of course, I should use it. I can¡¯t waste my Affinity points!¡± The system automatically opened an interface and began. The Basic Divination Talisman will start divining your career, love, or health for the next three months. Which aspect would you like to divine? Perhaps because Xia Xin¡¯s basic attributes had changed somewhat by now, the description of the Basic Divination Talisman differed slightly from what she had initially purchased. However, these minor details didn¡¯t affect its usage, so Xia Xin didn¡¯t inquire further. After some consideration, Xia Xin thought that her recent life had been quite challenging, especially with the troubles she encountered right after starting her new job. She decided to check her career aspect to see if there were any unfavorable events she could avoid in advance. Just as Xia Xin was about to make her selection, she suddenly received a text message from Zhao Nan. Zhao Nan informed Xia Xin that she had passed the interview at Xu Zhi¡¯s personal studio and could start working there. Zhao Nan also mentioned that she was nning to return to thepany to handle her resignation and rted handover procedures, and she should be able to start the new job in three days. In the end, Zhao Nan added, [I must be one of the rare cases where a star chaser turns their idol into their boss, right? I¡¯m so excited!] Xia Xin read the message and felt genuinely happy for Zhao Nan. Suddenly, a sh of memory from her previous life, which she hadpletely forgotten, surfaced. Xia Xin remembered that after her parents passed away, she had be reclusive and distanced herself from her friends. Even Zhao Nan had severed ties with her due to her difficult personality. However, Xia Xin had heard about Zhao Nan¡¯s newster. Zhao Nan had be the manager of her favorite idol and gradually, their rtionship had grown closer. Three yearster, they announced their marriage. Xia Xin mused to herself, ¡°I never expected that their love story would begin from here. And I unwittingly became a part of their rtionship.¡± Before Xia Xin could delve deeper into the implications of this revtion, the system suddenly said. Alright, I will now divine your love fortune for the next three months. Xia Xin was taken aback. She hurriedly said, ¡°Wait a minute! Since when did the system be so sensitive? It can even recognize my inner thoughts! Change it to career, please!¡± The system responded. Change is not possible. Xia Xin gave up. She had expected the divination to be like tarot cards, with a lengthy exnation of her fortune. Instead, it was a simple sentence. It¡¯s near at hand and far in the distance. Xia Xin was baffled by this cryptic statement. She said, ¡°What kind of vague message is this? Is it saying I¡¯ll find love, or is it saying I won¡¯t? Can you be any more ambiguous?¡± Xia Xin remembered the system had advised her that once she found true love, the passive state of encountering bad people would be lifted. However, she hadn¡¯t expected the system to provide such a cryptic answer, making her regret wasting her Human Affinity points. Sighing over the Human Affinity points she had lost, Xia Xin was about toment further when she heard a knock at the door. Jing MO said, ¡°Lunch is ready. Come out and eat.¡± Xia Xin promptly replied, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll be right there!¡± So, what had initially been Xia Xin¡¯s n to cook ended up with Jing MO taking over once again.. Chapter 124 - 124: Grudge Chapter 124: Grudge Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Zhao Nan had initially thought that the process of resigning and handing over her responsibilities would take at least two days. To her surprise, the rtively unknown but quite temperamental little artist had promptly arranged for her resignation procedures as soon as she mentioned it. Not a minute was wasted, and she was asked toe to thepany on the same day to pack her belongings and leave. Zhao Nan considered that a good thing. With her things neatly packed, she could start her new job at Xu Zhi¡¯s studio the next day. Xu Zhi¡¯s personal studio had just been established and was short-staffed, so no matter what needed to be done, Xu Zhi personally took care of it. When Zhao Nan arrived, she saw him cleaning the office himself. Upon seeing Xu Zhi, Zhao Nan immediately put down her belongings and grabbed a broom to help. However, Xu Zhi stopped her, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t bother. This ce is dusty, but you should take a break first. I can handle the cleaning.¡± Zhao Nan jokingly replied, ¡°You¡¯re the boss, and I¡¯m the employee. When did it be the norm for employees to rest while the boss works?¡± Xu Zhi smiled, revealing his trademark smile with his eight dazzling white teeth. He said, ¡°I didn¡¯t ask you toe here to be aborer. Since you¡¯re reporting for your first day, help me organize some recent contracts. The files are piled up in the office. The contracts that should be suitable for me have likely been pre-selected by my agent, Wang Da. Put them on top, and then call to cancel the rest of the contracts. Wang Da was Xu Zhi¡¯s agent. Although he wasn¡¯t as famous in the agent circle as Sun Hu and Zhang Chao, his status had risen significantly because he discovered Xu Zhi. Their rtionship was more like mutual assistance, and they had helped each other grow. Even after Xu Zhi became famous, they hadn¡¯t abandoned each other. They had be the best partners and had even founded their personal studio together, breaking away from thepany. They took care of all their contracts, negotiating with investors and production teams. Although leaving thepany was tiring, it gave them the power of choice. They no longer had to ept contracts forced upon them by thepany, which was a good thing for Xu Zhi, who had always valued his freedom. Zhao Nan obediently went to handle the contracts. While working, she came across a script titled, Love¡¯s Unleashed. She scanned the script and realized that it was the web series that became the trending topic. In addition, the male lead was the trending MO Shu and Xia Xin was the female lead. It seemed that they were looking for Xu Zhi to y the male supporting role. Aside from her personal bias because Xia Xin was cast as the female lead, Zhao Nan carefully evaluated the script and the cast. She believed that this could be beneficial for Xu Zhi¡¯s career. ying the male supporting role in this series, especially with Xia Xin as the female lead, would undoubtedly boost Xu Zhi¡¯s poprity. So, Zhao Nan took the script and went to ask Wang Da whether he would be willing to ept this contract. However, as soon as Wang Da saw the cover page of the script, his expression changed dramatically. He seemed to be on the verge of losing his temper, but Xu Zhi stopped him. Xu Zhi exined to Zhao Nan, ¡°You might not know, but I don¡¯t take any projects rted to Ster Entertainment.¡± Zhao Nan was puzzled. As a loyal fan of Xu Zhi since his debut, she tried to recall all the events and activities he had participated in over the years. She thought, ¡®It seemed that he had never coborated with Ster Entertainment. But how had I, as a fan, never known the specific reasons behind that decision?¡¯ Curiosity got the better of Zhao Nan, and she couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Why?¡± Wang Da, who was initially impatient, realized that his attitude had been somewhat excessive, and he eased up a bit. ¡°Just know that we don¡¯t cooperate, that¡¯s all. Why ask so many questions?¡± Zhao Nan didn¡¯t press further and returned to her work. After taking two steps, she turned back and said, ¡°May I ask if you have any other taboos? You can tell me all of them at once. I¡¯ll remember them so that I won¡¯t make any mistakes in the future.¡¯ Wang Da saw that Zhao Nan¡¯s attitude was so positive and realized that his attitude just now was a little too much. His expression softened slightly, and his tone became much better. He said, ¡°You cane and ask me again if you are not sure of anything.¡± Although Zhao Nan continued with her work, her curiosity about the reasons behind the unified stance of Xu Zhi and Wang Da grew stronger. There must be significant conflicts between them and Ster Entertainment. Zhao Nan remembered that when Xu Zhi first debuted, he became famous due to a drama but was only nominated and did not win at an award ceremony. Furthermore, he had faced verbal attacks from the host during the event.. Chapter 125 - 125: Filming Chapter 125: Filming Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion At that time, fans were very angry, but the managementpany didn¡¯t take any action. Xu Zhi was just a neer in the industry, and the fans knew that there was little they could do about it, so they had to let it go. Zhao Nan wondered if Wang Da¡¯s anger was rted to this incident. On the other hand, Xia Xin had also been taken to the film set by Sun Hu at the agreed-upon time. On the way there, Xia Xin asked Sun Hu, ¡°The male supporting role hasn¡¯t been decided yet, so why are they starting filming so early?¡± Sun Hu exined, ¡°Even though the male supporting role hasn¡¯t been decided, we can start filming your scenes first. This is quitemon in the entertainment industry. When the timees, we can easily find a free actor from the studio to fill in. Sun Hu then asked Xia Xin, ¡°Have you seen the scenes you¡¯re filming today?¡± Xia Xin nodded. Perhaps intentionally, the first scene she was to shoot involved MO Shu fainting from a fever and being supported by Xia Xin. It was almost identical to the scene on the street when Xia Xin helped MO Shu. Sun Hu brought Xia Xin to the film set and reminded her, ¡°Because of the recent scandal and theck of rification from your side, many fans will be present to watch this scene today. There will also be a lot of news leaking after this scene, so your goal is to make your rtionship with MO Shu look extremely ambiguous like you¡¯re in the honeymoon phase of a rtionship.¡± Xia Xin didn¡¯t quite understand and asked, ¡°But won¡¯t fans assume we have a real rtionship if we do that?¡± Sun Hu exined, ¡°That¡¯s exactly what we want. You don¡¯t fully understand fans. As long as there¡¯s no concrete evidence, they can continue to imagine that MO Shu is single and deny your rtionship. Meanwhile, fans who support you as a couple will believe that something is going on between you two, and the frenzy in the fan circles will boost your poprity. Remember, it¡¯s the subtle clues that drive fans crazy.¡± Xia Xin nodded, halfprehending. Upon arriving at the set, MO Shu, who saw Xia Xin first, apologized, ¡°I¡¯m very sorry that you got caught up in a scandal because of helping me.¡± Xia Xin replied, ¡°It¡¯s okay. You¡¯ve also helped me before. idents happen, and now we¡¯re friends. There¡¯s no need to dwell on these things.¡± MO Shu hesitated for a moment before asking, ¡°I remember that before Ipletely lost consciousness, I was at the hotel room door. I fell to the ground. But why was I already in bed when I woke up? You shouldn¡¯t have been strong enough to carry me over, right?¡± ¡®Oh no!¡¯ Xia Xin suddenly realized. She hadn¡¯t expected MO Shu to remember so much, and she hadn¡¯t prepared a good excuse. In her panic, she fabricated a hasty response, ¡°I happened to run into the cleaningdy. She was tidying up the room, so I asked her to help me carry you to the bed.¡± MO Shu was somewhat skeptical. He faintly remembered that someone had carried him, but he didn¡¯t press further and went to discuss his schedule with the director. Originally, the director of the web series didn¡¯t want Xia Xin as the female lead, but due to her association with Ster Entertainment, he reluctantly agreed. The director had expected Xia Xin, a neer from the inte world, to make mistakes during filming. However, after the first scene, where Xia Xin acted very naturally and got it done in one take, albeit not perfectly, the director was quite satisfied. After shooting MO Shu¡¯s scenes and interacting with fans, MO Shu disappeared again, leaving only his assistant, Li Xiang, to handle business on the set. Sun Hu reminded Xia Xin, ¡°Since you don¡¯t have much to do right now and I have other matters to attend to, you should stay on the set. If you have any questions, just give me a call. Remember, you¡¯re a celebrity now. Be careful with everything, don¡¯t show up casually, and if you go out, be discreet. This is a film studio, and if you want to go shopping nearby, make sure to conceal your identity.¡± Xia Xin nodded and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I got it.¡± The film set could be quite boring at times, especially when Xia Xin didn¡¯t know anyone, and the only person she knew, MO Shu, disappeared whenever he didn¡¯t have scenes to shoot. As a result, Xia Xin became quite bored, and gradually, she formed a close bond with Li Xiang. Li Xiang had just graduated from university, with short and neat hair, mostly dressed in workwear-style outfits. She had an outgoing personality, much like a tomboy. They chatted and got along very well.. Chapter 126 - 126: Dancing Ants Chapter 126: Dancing Ants Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion One day, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t contain her curiosity anymore and asked Li Xiang, ¡°Where does MO Shu go every time he finishes shooting a scene? He¡¯s never around.¡± Li Xiang, squatting next to Xia Xin, casually replied, ¡°MO Shu has many hobbies. He enjoys various sports and even ys snooker. Basically, when he¡¯s not needed for a scene, he¡¯ll go y a round or go swimming. It¡¯s quite difficult to find him on set. If there¡¯s an emergency, people usuallye to me, and I¡¯ll call him.¡± ¡°But what if he didn¡¯t hear his phone while swimming or doing other activities?¡± Xia Xin asked. Drawing with a stick on the ground, Li Xiang exined, ¡°Zhang Chao knows where to find him. If it¡¯s something urgent that I can¡¯t handle, Zhang Chao will go look for him directly.¡± Just as Li Xiang was speaking, the assistant director suddenly called her to the set. Dropping the stick, Li Xiang hurriedly ran off. With Li Xiang gone, Xia Xin returned to her state of boredom. She picked up the stick that Li Xiang had been ying with and started doodling on the ground. Suddenly, she noticed a small hole in the soil. She was certain it was an ant nest. That made Xia Xin think. Ever since her Beast Language System had upgraded, aside from forcibly controlling a tiger to save someonest time, she hadn¡¯t tested the system¡¯s capability on lower-level animals. Xia Xin grew intrigued. She thought, ¡®What would it look like if I controlled ants to pole dance around the stick?¡¯ Moreover, Xia Xin spected that the strong adverse effects of controlling the tigerst time were because the tiger¡¯s consciousness had been resisting her. She also wondered if controlling lower-level animals wouldn¡¯t drain her energy. If using any skill or item from the system made Xia Xin fall into deep sleep, it would be too inconvenient. Then, aside frommunication, the Beast Language System would be rather useless. Considering that she had already finished shooting for the day and fainting wouldn¡¯t affect anything, Xia Xin concentrated and sent her thoughts toward the ants,manding them toe out and pole dance around the stick. Controlling lower-level animals turned out to be much simpler than Xia Xin had thought. Unlike the exhausting experience of controlling the tiger, she effortlessly saw a line of ants emerge from the hole and obediently crawl up the stick. Some even managed to walk stably on their two hind legs on the stick. Xia Xin found it quite entertaining to control the ants this way and was deeply engrossed when her phone suddenly rang. Startled, she forgot to control the ants. The ants lost their guidance and started falling off one by one. The stick was close to the ground, but given the ants¡¯ size, a fall would be akin to a human falling from a three-story building. Xia Xin hurriedly reached out her hand to catch the falling ants. Only after she had safely ced all of them back on the ground did she answer the call. The caller was Jia Bing. Xia Xin wondered, ¡®I hadn¡¯t been in contact with him since wrapping up the previous film, so why would he suddenly call?¡¯ Curious, Xia Xin answered the phone. ¡°Xinxin, I heard you and MO Shu are working on the same film?¡± Jia Bing inquired. Hearing such a familiar nickname made Xia Xin¡¯s skin crawl. People in the entertainment industry can really adjust their formality depending on their needs. Then Xia Xin confirmed that she was. Jia Bing continued, ¡°I had promised to rmend MO Shu for an audition, and it¡¯s scheduled for this afternoon. I¡¯ve tried calling him multiple times, but he¡¯s not picking up. Could you please notify him and have hime to the film studio for the audition?¡± ¡°Why should I be the one to notify him?¡± Xia Xin blurted out. ¡°Aren¡¯t you two dating? I couldn¡¯t reach him, so I thought to contact you,¡± Jia Bing countered. Only then did Xia Xin remember they were pretending to be in a rtionship. She amended her reply, ¡°Okay, leave it to me.¡± After hanging up, Xia Xin sighed and thought, ¡®How am I going to contact MO Shu? What was the point of asking me?¡¯ Just then, Xia Xin recalled what Li Xiang had said earlier. If she needed to get a hold of MO Shu, she could contact Zhang Chao. So, Xia Xin promptly called Zhang Chao, exining the situation to him.. Chapter 127 - 127: The Swimming Pool Chapter 127: The Swimming Pool Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion It seemed like Zhang Chao was busy on his end. After quickly hearing out the situation, he promptly hung up the phone. With nothing else to do, Xia Xin decided to pack up and head back to the hotel for some rest. Shortly after, her phone rang again. It was Zhang Chao. ¡°Xia Xin, I can¡¯t get a hold of MO Shu, and I¡¯m tied up with something at the moment. Could you please go find him for me?¡± Zhang Chao asked. Xia Xin was bored anyway, so helping out wasn¡¯t a big deal for her. She asked, ¡°Sure, where is he?¡± Zhang Chao replied, ¡°I¡¯ve sent you his location. He should be swimming at the pool. I¡¯ll also send you a QR code for entry. However, he¡¯s in a private area, so if the staff at the swimming pool stop you, just say you¡¯re his girlfriend.¡± Just after saying that, Xia Xin received the location of the swimming pool along with the QR code. She immediately hailed a cab and set off to find MO Shu. The swimming pool MO Shu was at wasn¡¯t far from the set, but it was well-hidden. It was also a high-end private club, providing a lot of privacy, and the risk of overly enthusiastic fans infiltrating was minimal. Xia Xin entered by scanning the QR code, but the staff still routinely asked who she was looking for and why she was there. Following Zhang Chao¡¯s instructions and telling them she was MO Shu¡¯s girlfriend, she was led to the pool. MO Shu was swimming alone in the entire area. Xia Xin stood by the poolside and waited for him. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but admire MO Shu¡¯s impressive physique. As he swam, his muscles flexed beautifully, and even when he came up for air, there was something incredibly alluring about him. Xia Xin thought that if MO Shu¡¯s fans were here, they would be screaming with delight. After waiting for a while, it became evident that MO Shu was too engrossed in his swimming to notice her. Concerned that the director might be getting impatient, she waved her arms at the poolside, trying hard to get his attention. Finally noticing Xia Xin, MO Shu swam to the edge, a puzzled look on his face. ¡°What brings you here?¡± he asked. Xia Xin quickly briefed MO Shu on the situation and said, ¡°You should hurry up and go; it¡¯s been an hour since the director called me. If you¡¯rete, you might miss this opportunity.¡± MO Shu nodded, hoisted himself up, and leaped out of the pool. He walked over to the resting area to check his phone, leaving a trail of water behind him. Looking at the water all over the floor, Xia Xin felt goosebumps erupt on her skin. She quickly followed MO Shu, wanting to move away from the water. Suddenly her vision blurred, and she slipped on a puddle, losing her bnce and tumbling into the pool. As Xia Xin hit the water, she snapped back to her senses just long enough to yell, ¡°Help, I can¡¯t swim!¡± And with that, Xia Xin plunged into the water. In a panic, Xia Xin iled about underwater. She had always been afraid of water and usually avoided it at all costs. She hadn¡¯t expected the system¡¯s side effects to kick in at such a moment, making her momentarily dizzy before she lost her footing and fell into the pool. ¡®I¡¯m doomed.¡¯ Xia Xin thought as she began to sink. Just as Xia Xin had inhaled a few gulps of water, a pair of strong hands gripped her waist, and another hand supported her neck, pulling her to the surface. Xia Xin finally came out of the water and panted heavily. Although her instinctive reaction made her want to struggle, her consciousness told her that MO Shu was saving her. If she struggled too much, it would only cause both of them to drown. Therefore, Xia Xin restrained her urge to struggle and tried her best to remain calm. Finally, Xia Xin was rescued ashore by MO Shu. Able to breathe, Xia Xin was still shaken and blurted out, ¡°Thank you.¡± MO Shu looked at her, puzzled, and said, ¡°If you¡¯re so afraid of water, why did you agree toe here? You should have sent Li Xiang instead.¡± Catching her breath, Xia Xin helplessly said, ¡°Li Xiang was called away by the assistant director, and I couldn¡¯t get a hold of her. This is a big production, and if you were to participate, it would definitely help your career. I couldn¡¯t just stand by and do nothing.¡± Seeing Xia Xin in her disheveled state, a warm feeling washed over Mo Shu. He couldn¡¯t help and thought, ¡®What a silly gir!.: Chapter 128 - 128: Buying Clothes Chapter 128: Buying Clothes Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion MO Shu smiled as he yfully tousled Xia Xin¡¯s hair. Xia Xin winced ufortably, shaking her head a little. Realizing he¡¯d overstepped his bounds, MO Shu quickly pulled his hand back and said, ¡°Thank you for helping me so many times,¡± he said sincerely. Avoiding eye contact with the pool, Xia Xin waved her hand dismissively and said, ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. Oh, and please don¡¯t tell anyone I¡¯m afraid of water.¡± ¡°Why are you so scared of water?¡± MO Shu asked, looking at Xia Xin¡¯s damp hair. Memories of a frightening childhood incident shed through Xia Xin¡¯s mind. She frowned, not wanting to dwell on it, and said, ¡°Maybe because I fell into the water when I was young? Once bitten, twice shy.¡± MO Shu had a sudden realization. He asked, ¡°Don¡¯t you know that there¡¯s a scene tomorrow where you have to go in the water? Why didn¡¯t you object when it was announced?¡± Startled, Xia Xin looked up, her eyes momentarily dazzled by the fluorescent lights on the ceiling. She eximed, ¡°That wasn¡¯t in the script! How did you know?¡± A droplet of water trailed from Xia Xin¡¯s eyshes, down her cheek. MO Shu was momentarily entranced but quickly snapped back to reality. He said, ¡°It wasn¡¯t in the original script. The director decided to add it this morning and announced it to everyone. You must have missed it because you weren¡¯t paying attention. I thought you were okay with it since you didn¡¯t say anything.¡± Feeling slightly suffocated, Xia Xin realized she needed to be more attentive. She said, ¡°How could I be okay with it? I was too focused on figuring out how to perform my scenes today.¡± Once Xia Xin¡¯s breathing steadied, MO Shu spoke, ¡°Your clothes are soaked. Let¡¯s go to the mall to get you something dry to wear.¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that dy your audition?¡± Xia Xin asked cautiously. MO Shu nced at his watch and said, ¡°The audition is at 3 PM, and we still have an hour. Let¡¯s go, or you¡¯ll catch a cold.¡± MO Shu draped a clean towel over Xia Xin and led her out of the swimming hall through a private exit. Since Xia Xin waspletely drenched, it was impractical for her to go into the mall herself. MO Shu donned sunsses and a face mask before entering the mall to pick out clothes for her. He found an outfit¡ªa loose, sleeveless cotton-linen top paired with floor-length jeans¡ªthat was casual yet exuded a gentle charm. In MO Shut s eyes, Xia Xin had always been beautiful, gentle, and strong, distinct from many female celebrities in the industry. Imagining her in the outfit, he was certain it would suit her perfectly. Without hesitation, he bought it. Back in the car, Xia Xin had dried her long hair. However, her clothes were still sopping wet. MO Shu directed her to a public restroom to change. When Xia Xin emerged, looking refreshed and smart in her new outfit, MO Shu knew he¡¯d made the right choice. Due to time constraints, MO Shu couldn¡¯t drive Xia Xin back to the film set and instead took her along to his audition. As non-staff were not allowed inside the audition hall, Xia Xin waited in the car. After his audition, MO Shu came out in high spirits. He said, ¡°I¡¯ll treat you to dinner. What would you like?¡± ¡°Did the audition go well?¡± Xia Xin asked as she observed MO Shut s expression. MO Shu slightly shook his head and said, ¡°They¡¯ll inform us about the results tomorrow, but I have a strong feeling it went well.¡± Xia Xin realized that MO Shu was a very restrained person. Even though he was in a good mood now, from his expression, one could not tell that he wascent. Only a faint smile hung on the corner of his mouth. If it were Xia Xin, she would be humming happily right now. However, due to the earlier incident with the pool, Xia Xin wasn¡¯t in the mood for a meal and declined MO Shu¡¯s offer. MO Shu didn¡¯t seem to mind and said, ¡°That¡¯s alright, I¡¯ll treat you to a meal another time.¡± That night, both of them found themselves on trending searches. The headline read: [Certain Male Actor¡¯s Romance Confirmed]. The trend featured photos of MO Shu buying clothes for Xia Xin and her waiting for him in the car. Netizens were busy analyzing the photos, painting a picture of an inseparable pair deeply in love when in reality, it was nothing of tne sort.. Chapter 129 - 129: Jealousy Chapter 129: Jealousy Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing MO stared at the content on his phone while on the film set, his grip tightening. He red venomously at Sun Hu. Sun Hu raised his hands in innocence and said, ¡°I didn¡¯t arrange any of this, okay? All I did was tell her to y up the couple act when they¡¯re in public, in front of fans. I never said anything about them going on private dates or doing some kind of ¡®wet allure¡¯.¡¯ Sun Hu¡¯s exnations only seemed to darken Jing Mo t s mood further. Jing MO wasn¡¯t interested in Sun Hut s excuses. His eyes seemed to say, ¡°If you hadn¡¯te up with this lousy idea, none of this would¡¯ve happened!¡± Sun Hu rolled his eyes in resignation, but also in some amusement. He said, ¡°Bro, if you weren¡¯t ying mute, none of this would have happened. Aren¡¯t you the one pretending to be her boyfriend? No, wait, you¡¯re actually her boyfriend!¡± At Jing Mo¡¯s piercing gaze, Sun Hu quickly shut up and changed the topic, ¡°But seriously, Xia Xin is a trending machine. She hit the hot search charts several times even before she entered the industry. After signing with ourpany, her poprity has only soared. Looks like I¡¯ve signed another ace, haha!¡± Jing MO had no interest in listening any more. He put down his phone, turned around, and walked back onto the set. But it was clear his mind wasn¡¯t in the game today. His expression was so dark it was as if someone owed him money. The director was speechless. He thought, ¡®Isn¡¯t Jing MO said to be the most professional actor in the industry? With the fewest NGs? Never one to bring personal feelings to the set? Today¡¯s Jing MO seemed entirely different from what the rumors had suggested.¡¯ Left with no choice, the director decided to give Jing MO a break and said, ¡°Jing MO, why don¡¯t you take a couple of days off? We can focus on scenes with the extras for now.¡¯ Jing MO didn¡¯t reply; he just walked off the set, leaving the director sweating bullets. The director wondered if Jing MO was throwing a diva fit and worried that all these days of filming would have been in vain. Fortunately, Jing MO just walked away coldly. Sun Hu rushed over to apologize to the director, ¡°Don¡¯t take it to heart. Jing MO probably has some personal matters to deal with.¡± After that, Sun Hu ran off to catch up with Jing Mo. As they drove home, Jing MO suddenly told him to stop. Confused, Sun Hu pulled over and asked, ¡°What¡¯s up? Where do you want to go now?¡± Jing MO said, ¡°Turn around.¡± Sun Hu frowned, ¡°Man, the director gave you three days off, and you want to go back? Shouldn¡¯t we go home and rest?¡± With an emotionless face, Jing MO said, ¡°Going to visit the set. To see Xia Xin.¡± Sun Hu was shocked. He thought, ¡®Is Jing MO out of his mind? Going back to the set at this time, wouldn¡¯t he be stirring the pot and creating gossip? Is he just looking for trouble?¡¯ Sun Hu said firmly, ¡°No way. What capacity will you be visiting in? As her cohabitating roommate?¡± Jing MO fell silent, then calmly dialed Gao Xin¡¯s number. Gao Xin was engrossed in ying her Nintendo Switch when she paused to answer the phone, intrigued. She said, ¡°Well, well, well. The great hermit who never calls anyone is suddenly interested in reaching out?¡± Jing MO was brief. He asked, ¡°Xia Xin is filming. Wanna visit the set?¡± The moment Gao Xin heard Xia Xin was filming, Gao Xin agreed immediately. Gao Xin hadn¡¯t seen Xia Xin in a while and had only heard some updates from Zhou Ping. Gao Xin had been meaning to catch up. Gao Xin had barely agreed when Jing MO said, ¡°Meet downstairs in 20 minutes. Be quick.¡± After hanging up, Gao Xin felt frustrated. She thought, ¡®Didn¡¯t he know that women need time to put on makeup?¡¯ But Gao Xin also knew Jing Mo¡¯s one-word-isw personality. If he said 20 minutes, it was 20 minutes¡ªno more, no less. Unable to fully prepare, Gao Xin grabbed her makeup and clothes and headed downstairs. Shepleted her makeup in the car. On the way, Gao Xin looked at the silent Jing MO and asked Sun Hu, ¡°What¡¯s up with him? Did someone owe him money or something? With that look on his face, it must be a lot!¡± Sun Hu motioned with his mouth and said, ¡°No one would dare owe him money. Someone stole something from him. He¡¯s throwing a rich young master tantrum..¡± Chapter 130 - 130: The Hero Rescues the Beauty Chapter 130: The Hero Rescues the Beauty Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Gao Xin seemed to have heard the biggest news of her life and leaned forward to the front row, eximing, ¡°Someone actually dared to steal from him? Tell me all about it!¡± Gao Xin and Sun Hu grew increasingly animated in their discussion, going so far as to speak recklessly right in front of the person involved, until Gao Xin dered, ¡°He must be jealous! After all, Xia Xin is so likable. MO Shu is pretty handsome too. They¡¯d make a great pair!¡± Jing MO frowned at Gao Xin and Sun Hu, a single nce from him was enough to silence the duo. Sensing that Jing MO was in a bad mood, Gao Xin and Sun Hu remained silent for the rest of the journey. As for Xia Xin, she was getting her makeup done. The makeup artist, noticing her nervousness, teased, ¡°You¡¯ve been filming for half a month, why are you so jittery today? Is it because you¡¯re filming an underwater scene with MO Shu? Feeling shy?¡± Xia Xin, preupied with the thought of swimming, had no mood for jokes. She had always been afraid of water. Even approaching a pool triggered her anxiety. Therefore, she suspected that her fainting spell the day before wasn¡¯t just due to the side effects of her system, but also because she had been too close to the water. To cope with the day¡¯s filming, Xia Xin came up with a solution, the system¡¯s Shop. Her poprity was on the rise, and her Human Affinity points were umting quickly. She had just reached 100,000 points. Conversely, her Animal Affinity points were growing much slower. The system¡¯s Shop indeed offered a potion that could temporarily grant her the skills of a champion swimmer for half an hour. The potion cost exactly 100,000 Human Affinity points. Feeling frustrated at how quickly her hard-earned points were spent, Xia Xin bought the potion. She even arranged with the director to film this scenest, fearing the potion might make her drowsy and affect subsequent shoots. Though puzzled, the director agreed. Once her makeup was done and the artist left, Xia Xin was alone in the room. She took a deep breath to prepare herself mentally and drank the potion. Instantly, she felt energized. Every pore in her skin seemed to crave water. By the time Xia Xin arrived on set, her fear of the water was gone. She even confidently approached the pool and dipped her hand in the water. MO Shu, concerned, walked over and asked, ¡°I thought you were afraid of water. Are you okay being this close?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡± Xia Xin assured MO Shu. ¡°At least for the duration of this scene.¡¯ Still worried, MO Shu offered, ¡°If you get scared, I can hold onto you during the shoot.¡± Politely, Xia Xin declined. The scene involved both of them yfully frolicking in the water. It was brief, and with a bit of luck, they¡¯d finish quickly. When Jing MO arrived, they had justpleted the water part of the scene and were sitting on lounge chairs by the poolside, draped in towels. Having gained experience from days of shooting, Xia Xin was much more at ease in front of the camera. Gao Xin couldn¡¯t help but praise Xia Xin¡¯s progress, ¡°I can¡¯t believe how quickly Xia Xin has improved. She¡¯se so far in just half a month¡ªfar more than I did when I started.¡¯ Jing MO remained silent, his eyes fixed on the scene. He sensed something off with Xia Xin, something no one else, including MO Shu, seemed to notice. His mood shifted from irritation to concern. Just when Xia Xin felt her consciousness wane, she internally panicked. She thought, ¡®This is bad. The side effects are kicking in!¡¯ Luckily, the director yelled, ¡°Cut!¡± After the filming was concluded, everyone moved to review the footage. As Xia Xin stood by the pool, ready to leave, she suddenly felt dizzy and lost her bnce, stumbling towards the water. Just when Xia Xin thought she was about to fall into the pool, a pair of hands firmly gripped her waist and pulled her back.. Chapter 131 - 131: Rage Chapter 131: Rage Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin found herself safelynding in a broad embrace. Groggy and caught between sleep and wakefulness, she only managed to catch a glimpse of Jing Mo¡¯s beautifully sculpted jawline. Then he lowered his head, his eyes filled with a rage she couldn¡¯tprehend. He seemed to be saying something, but Xia Xin couldn¡¯t hear him; she fell into a drowsy stupor. Ignoring the stares of onlookers, Jing MO scooped Xia Xin up in his arms and swiftly left the film set. He drove Sun Hu¡¯s car, taking her straight home. If Jing MO didn¡¯t know that Xia Xin faints every time she¡¯s in danger, he¡¯d be worried that she suffers from anemia or some other condition causing her frequent fainting spells. Suppressing his urge to take Xia Xin to the hospital, Jing MO took her home. He had just ced her on the bed and pulled the covers over her when their dogs, Bobo and Layle, rushed in, gathering around Xia Xin with worried expressions. Guessing that the two dogs were concerned for Xia Xin¡¯s safety, Jing MO assured them, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. She¡¯s just sleeping; don¡¯t disturb her.¡± before leaving the room with the dogs. No sooner had Jing MO closed the door than Xia Xin slowly stirred awake. She called out Jing Mo¡¯s name in a weak voice, thinking he wouldn¡¯t hear her through the door. But he promptly re-entered, asking, ¡°You¡¯re awake?¡± The dogs also cautiously approached the bed, careful not to harm Xia Xin. Recognizing her surroundings¡ªa familiar monochrome of ck, white, and gray¡ªXia Xin thanked Layle with a pat on the head and queried, ¡°Why did you bring me home?¡± Jing MO scowled and thought, ¡®You¡¯ve just had a brush with death, and you¡¯re asking why you¡¯re home?¡¯ Annoyed, Jing MO said, ¡°Do you have any idea how dire the situation was? If I hadn¡¯t caught you in time, you could have fallen into the pool and possibly drowned!¡± Startled, Xia Xin felt her heart rate spike. It wasn¡¯t her first brush with death, but the terror had not diminished. Finally regaining herposure, she murmured, ¡°Jing MO, thank you.¡± Jing Mo¡¯s expression softened slightly. He asked, ¡°What happened today? Why did you faint so suddenly?¡± Xia Xin decided to tell Jing MO a half-truth, ¡°I¡¯m terrified of water. I think it was a stress response that made me pass out.¡± Xia Xin¡¯s voice faded as she spoke, wary of another scolding. Quickly changing the subject, she asked, ¡°Why were you at the set today?¡± Unamused, Jing MO replied, ¡°I came to find you.¡± ¡°Find me?¡± Xia Xin chuckled. ¡°You don¡¯t think I¡¯m a child who needs supervision everywhere, do you? I¡¯ve had experience filming; I can manage myself on set. You don¡¯t have to worry about me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re sure about that? Look at what happened today¡­¡± said Jing Mo. Before Jing MO could lecture Xia Xin again, she interrupted, ¡°See? Everything¡¯s fine. I promise it won¡¯t happen again!¡± Xia Xin even raised her right hand in a pledge. Jing MO finally relented. After a moment¡¯s silence, he inquired, ¡°What¡¯s going on between you and MO Shu?¡± ¡°We¡¯re just acting.¡± Xia Xin replied. ¡°You both trended on social media again,¡± Jing MO said. Stunned, Xia Xin realized she hadn¡¯t checked her phone all day. Looking around, she discovered her phone was still on the set. She asked, ¡°May I borrow your phone to check?¡± Jing MO unlocked his phone, still on the page disying their trending topic, and handed it to Xia Xin with a frown. After scanning the page, Xia Xin eximed, ¡°These media outlets really know how to make stuff up! It¡¯s just a gift, there¡¯s nothing suggestive about it!¡± As Xia Xin spoke, she looked up to find Jing Mo¡¯s dark expression and immediately closed her mouth. Then she caught herself wondering why she was feeling guilty. Smiling in a manner one uses to cate children, Xia Xin exined, ¡°It¡¯s not what it looks like. I was just running an errand and identally fell into the water.¡± After recounting the entire incident, Jing Mo t s eyes softened slightly. Then he suddenly asked, ¡°What did MO Shu do after you choked on the water in the pool?¡± ¡°He patted my back to help me cough up the water. I only choked a little; it was nothing serious..¡± Chapter 132 - 132: Tongue-Tied Chapter 132: Tongue-Tied Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing MO awkwardly stayed silent for a moment before finally speaking, ¡°So, was there mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?¡± ¡°How could there be! I wasn¡¯t unconscious!¡± Xia Xin immediately retorted. Reassured, Jing MO picked up his phone and said, ¡°Your phone should be delivered back to you shortly by Sun Hu. Just stay home today, and you can go back to the set tomorrow.¡± Xia Xin readily agreed; after all, she didn¡¯t want the hassle of going back and forth. Staying at home was far morefortable than being on set. It wasn¡¯t long before Sun Hu returned with Xia Xin¡¯s phone. Gao Xin initially worried that Xia Xin would insist oning along, but Gao Xin ultimately went home after Sun Hu persuaded her. Sun Hu thought it would be hard to exin if Gao Xin found out that Xia Xin and Jing MO were living together. Sun Hu took back his car keys, looked at the troublesome pair before him, and sighed, ¡°Do you know how much trouble it would be if the media captured you carrying her? Xia Xin is a neer to the industry, not well-known. She can¡¯t afford any scandals. She¡¯s just starting to gain some traction; one wrong move and her reputation could be ruined.¡± As Sun Hu finished speaking, Xia Xin walked out of the room. Seeing Xia Xin, Sun Hu awkwardly rubbed his nose, realizing that she had heard his words. Handing her the phone, Sun Hu said, ¡°I don¡¯t know if you were spotted by paparazzi on your way back. I have to clean up after you guys.¡± Sun Hu exited, reminding them before leaving, ¡°I¡¯ll pick you up for the set tomorrow. In the meantime, both of you stay home and avoid trouble!¡± Xia Xin obediently nodded, and Jing MO remained silent. After Sun Hu left, an awkward silence enveloped the room, only to be broken by the growling of Xia Xin¡¯s stomach. Pouting, Xia Xin looked at Jing MO and said, ¡°I haven¡¯t been eating well during the set¡¯s lockdown. Look, I¡¯ve lost weight!¡± As Xia Xin spoke, she rubbed her already slim face. Hearing Xia Xin said that, Jing MO couldn¡¯t help but relent. He gently pinched Xia Xin¡¯s cheek and said affectionately, ¡°You¡¯ve definitely lost weight.¡± Both froze for a moment, and Jing MO quickly released Xia Xin¡¯s face, mumbling, ¡°I¡¯ll go cook, er¡­ I mean, I¡¯ll go buy fish.¡± Stuttering, Xia Xin replied, ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll¡­ prepare the vegetables for you.¡± After exiting, Jing MO realized just how inappropriate his actions were. Touching her flushed cheek, Xia Xin reflected on their interaction and surprisingly felt a bit happy. By the time Jing MO returned with groceries, Xia Xin had already prepared the vegetables. Like before, Xia Xin watched as Jing MO put on an apron and began cooking, this time frying fish. Jing Mo t s tall, broad figure had Xia Xin mesmerized. She imagined that if he ever had a scene requiring him to be shirtless, fans would swarm the set. ¡®Who would end up with such a handsome guy? Probably a gentle and stunning beauty.¡¯ Xia Xin thought. However, the thought of Jing MO cooking for another woman made Xia Xin ufortable. While Xia Xin was still in a daze, Jing MO had finished cooking the meal and the aroma was alluring. He waved his hand in front of her face and said, ¡°Stop daydreaming. Wash your hands and let¡¯s eat.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Xia Xin cheerfully agreed and went to wash up. After that, she helped bring the dishes out to the dining table. They chatted while eating, and Xia Xin enthusiastically talked about recent happenings on set. ¡°I¡¯ve encountered some difficulties in my acting,¡± said Xia Xin. ¡°I wanted to ask for your advice, but MO Shu was there and gave me some tips. They were really helpful.¡± Jing MO coldly responded with a mere acknowledgement. Continuing, Xia Xin said, ¡°However, I¡¯ll soon be filming a kissing scene. It¡¯s my first time, so I¡¯m a bit nervous.¡¯ ¡®A kissing scene?¡¯ Jing MO thought. Jing MO gripped his chopsticks too hard, breaking the delicate fish meat on his chopsticks. Teasing Jing MO, Xia Xin adopted a parental tone, ¡°Fish meat is fragile; you can¡¯t grip it so hard.. Don¡¯t you know how to use chopsticks?¡± Chapter 133 - 133: Blackmail Chapter 133: ckmail Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing MO ignored Xia Xin, his thoughts still lingering on the fact that she was going to film a kissing scene, and the co-star for that was none other than MO Shu. Xia Xin, oblivious to Jing Mo¡¯s unusual demeanor, continued, ¡°Luckily, I asked the director if we could use a body double. The director was puzzled and asked why we¡¯d need one when we¡¯re a real couple, which really startled me! I was worried our fake rtionship would be exposed, but thankfully MO Shu said he was recently infected with Helicobacter pylori and needed to avoid close contact. That¡¯s how the director let it go.¡± Relieved, Jing MO picked up another piece of fish and continued eating. After dinner, Xia Xin volunteered to wash the dishes. While she was in the kitchen, her phone on the dining table buzzed with a new text message. Jing MO casually nced at it, initially intending to give it to Xia Xin. However, the content caught his eye. [Miss Xia, I have evidence of your two-timing. Pay me 500,000 yuan in two days, and I will destroy all the evidence. Otherwise, tomorrow¡¯s front-page headline will be about your affair with Jing MO! ] As the messages appeared one after another, Jing Mo¡¯s expression darkened. The media had captured images of him carrying Xia Xin in his arms as they left the set earlier today. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder, ¡®Who dared to ckmail Xia Xin?¡¯ Jing MO considered asking for Xia Xin¡¯s phone password to secretly delete the messages, but she had already returned from the kitchen and picked up her phone. Clearly, there was no way to hide it now. Upon reading the messages, Xia Xin¡¯s face turned as grim as Jing Mo¡¯s. Setting aside that she didn¡¯t have 500,000 yuan, even if she did, she couldn¡¯t feel such hical journalism. Xia Xin clenched her phone and resolved to address this issue. Not wanting Jing MO to be implicated because of her, she prepared to tell him not to get involved. But before she could speak, Jing MO interrupted, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about this. I¡¯ll handle it.¡± ¡°But¡ª¡± ¡°Listen to me this time!¡± Jing MO emphasized. Realizing Jing MO was more experienced in handling such matters, Xia Xin reluctantly remained silent. Yet, she was still anxious and pondered ways to resolve the issue. Jing MO stayed upte in his study, thoughts drifting back to years ago. He had left abruptly back then because his presence was causing harm to Xia Xin. His lingering guilt towards her couldn¡¯t be easily mended, no matter how well he treated her now. Jing MO never thought that, after all these years, his actions could still harm her. He agreed to meet the reporter at a caf¨¦ the next afternoon, precisely when Xia Xin had filmingmitments and couldn¡¯t intervene. Xia Xin hid outside the door and secretly heard their conversation. After grasping the time and ce, she nned to go ahead the next day. She naturally guessed the purpose of Jing Mo¡¯s arrangement, but Jing MO couldn¡¯t stop her. Xia Xin returned to her room and asked the director for a leave of absence. She would return to the crew tomorrow night to shoot the night scenes. Because Xia Xin almost fell into the pool and had a major ident, the director didn¡¯t say much this time and immediately agreed. When Xia Xin called the director, MO Shu happened to have some plot that he didn¡¯t understand and wanted to ask the director for advice. The director called Xia Xin in front of MO Shu. When the director hung up the phone, he couldn¡¯t help butin, ¡°Nowadays, the female celebrities are getting weaker and weaker. If we dy the filming, we don¡¯t know how many things will be dyed.¡± After saying that, the director realized that MO Shu and Xia Xin were a couple and quickly tried to smooth things over. He said, ¡°Of course, Xia Xin is already very dedicated to her work. It¡¯s inevitable that she will fall sick.¡± MO Shu smiled awkwardly and did not say anything. However, no matter what the director said, he was listless. The director, being rtively unknown and without much clout in the entertainment industry, worried that he had offended MO Shu but was relieved when MO Shu remained polite throughout. After the discussion, Mo Shu returned to his room andy on his bed, staring at the ceiling. For a moment, he felt a sense of loss, his thoughts drifting back to the afternoon when Jing Mo had carried Xia Xin away.. Chapter 134 - 134: A Heart Settled Chapter 134: A Heart Settled Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion During that incident, MO Shu¡¯s hand was just inches away from Xia Xin, close enough to touch her with a single step. And yet, it was Jing MO who made that crucial step ahead of him. MO Shu lifted his hand and stared at his empty palm, emotions tangled in aplex web. For some reason, he felt that this one step symbolized an insurmountable distance between him and Xia Xin. He couldn¡¯t help butugh at his own thoughts, ¡®What was this inexplicable heaviness in my chest? I¡¯d never felt this way before, and the unsettling feeling refused to dissipate.¡¯ As Jing MO carried Xia Xin away, MO Shu found himselfpelled to ask Zhang Chao, ¡°What¡¯s the rtionship between Xia Xin and Jing MO?¡± Zhang Chao answered nonchntly, ¡°Who knows? They¡¯re probably just good friends, considering both are artists under Sun Hut s management.¡± But MO Shu wasn¡¯t convinced. Whenever Jing MO looked at MO Shu, there was an undertone of hostility, a strange animosity that reminded him of a romantic rival. For years, Jing MO had avoided scandal in the entertainment industry. The only female celebrity close to him was Gao Xin, but everyone in thepany knew about their tonic friendship. This was the first time MO Shu had seen Jing MO care so much about someone else. In MO Shut s opinion, there was panic, relief, and an intense desire in Jing Mo t s eyes. As if Jing MO desired deeply for Xia Xin. Their rtionship isn¡¯t as simple as it seemed. After all this contemtion, MO Shu sighed deeply. He couldn¡¯t fathom why he was suddenly so concerned about the situation. He reminded himself that Xia Xin was merely a partner in a staged rtionship. Their lives were, after all, a theatrical production. Yet, some subconscious part of him couldn¡¯t shake the idea that having Xia Xin as a girlfriend wouldn¡¯t be so bad. That thought rmed MO Shu, sending him rushing to the bathroom to ssh cold water on his face. To avoid further idle thoughts, he decided to forgo sleep and headed to the hotel gym to run on the treadmill. He kept at it untilte into the night, returning to his room only when exhaustion finally imed him. The next day, Xia Xin arrived early at the coffee shop, picking a table shielded by nts. It gave her a convenient cover from all angles. She nned to use her Enchanted Puppet on the reporter, forcing him to delete all his photos. But her n went awry when the reporter showed upte¡ªafter Jing MO had already arrived. Jing MO sat on the sofa, legs crossed, arms folded, a model of erect posture. He didn¡¯t ce an order, simply waiting. About ten minutester, the reporter arrived, donning a ck windbreaker, sporty trousers, and sneakers. He even wore a baseball cap, presumably to blend in better while tailing people. Taking his seat, he apologized, ¡°Sorry for beingte, I got caught in traffic.¡± Jing MO didn¡¯t respond. After ordering two iced Americanos, the reporter removed his cap. He said, ¡°I never expected Xia Xin¡¯s allure to be so potent that two A-list artists would fall head over heels for her. She¡¯s dating MO Shu while secretly involved with you. So, who is her real love? Or is this all an act?¡± ¡°Watch yournguage,¡± Jing MO warned, his eyes icy. Sipping his coffee, the reporter pressed, ¡°You really seem to care for Xia Xin, going so far as to shield her. What attracts you to her? Her looks or her figure? Those aren¡¯t exactly rare qualities in your industry.¡± Jing MO continued to regard him with icy detachment. Feeling somewhat deted, the reporter gave up probing for inside information. He said, ¡°Look, in my line of work, we have rules. Cash on delivery, no keeping of evidence. You can trust me.¡± Saying this, he ced a memory card on the table and stretched out his hand for payment. Jing MO¡¯s hand moved as if preparing to make the transaction.. Chapter 135 - 135: Dare You Take It? Chapter 135 - 135: Dare You Take It? Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Hidden from view, Xia Xin watched in disbelief as Jing MO seemed about to actually hand over the money to the reporter. In a sudden panic, she reached for her Enchanted Puppet, preparing to take control of the reporter. But her system chimed in unexpectedly. Master, something is off about that man¡¯s aura. Distracted but determined, Xia Xin replied while fiddling with the puppet, ¡°We¡¯ll deal with it after I¡¯ve controlled him.¡± The system interrupted her again. Master, he¡¯s giving off an animal scent, and the life force of that animal is extremely weak. I suspect he¡¯s been abusing a small animal. ¡°What?!¡± Xia Xin couldn¡¯t contain her anger. ¡°He¡¯s been abusing animals too? That¡¯s outrageous!¡± However, this diversion cost Xia Xin the perfect moment to use her Enchanted Puppet. Jing MO had already taken action. He nced at his phone to check the time and then ced it back on the table. Locking eyes with the reporter, he countered, ¡°Do you really dare to take my money?¡± The reporter was momentarily stunned, lost for words. In all his years in the reporter circle, he had never heard of anyone daring to extort Jing Mo. ¡®Did Jing MO have some formidable force behind him that reporters shouldn¡¯t mess with?¡¯ the reporter pondered. Fear crept into the reporter¡¯s mind. He thought, ¡®Had I identally provoked someone way out of my league? I was only nning on scamming some money from Xia Xin; I had never intended to create problems for myself.¡¯ Seeing the reporter¡¯s silence, Jing MO continued, ¡°You must have weighed the pros and cons, otherwise, these photos would have been sent to me, not Xia Xin.¡± The reporter¡¯s nerves tightened; he felt his palms begin to sweat. Jing MO went on, ¡°Whatever the nature of my rtionship with Xia Xin may be, it¡¯s not for you to concern yourself with. You should be worried about what you¡¯ll face after today.¡± ¡°What¡­ what are you nning to do?¡± The reporter¡¯s voice trembled. Jing MO spoke nonchntly, ¡°First, I could hire a hacker to infiltrate yourputer and delete all the pictures.¡± The reporter scoffed, ¡°If you could do that, why would you bother meeting Jing MO narrowed his eyes, his tone growing icy, ¡°To remind you to stay away from Xia Xin in the future.¡± Hearing her name, Xia Xin was momentarily taken aback. She had grown used to solving all her problems herself. This feeling of being protected wasn¡¯t so bad. Still defiant, the reporter asked, ¡°And the second option? A slight smile crept onto Jing MO¡¯s lips, ¡°You¡¯re free to publish the photos. But I can assure you, they¡¯ll make no ssh. Furthermore, you¡¯ll lose your job and nopany will dare to hire you ever again.¡± The reporter felt a genuine shiver down his spine; he no longer doubted the veracity of Jing MO¡¯s words. Surrendering, he handed over the memory card, assuring there were no backups, and left the caf¨¦ with far less ease than he had arrived. Overhearing the exchange between the reporter and Jing MO helped Xia Xin understand something crucial. Jing MO¡¯s years in the entertainment industry had not been smooth sailing. His adept handling of the situation demonstrated he had faced challenges like this multiple times before. Xia Xin grew increasingly curious about Jing Mo. She found herself dwelling on that one question that had troubled her¡ªwhy had Jing MO disappeared without a word? Just as she was about to follow the departing reporter to find out why he emanated the weak aura of an abused animal, she heard a voice behind her, tinged with coldness and a veiled threat. ¡°Xia Xin.¡± Xia Xin got a shock and her spine stiffened. She said, ¡°I¡¯ve been discovered.¡± She stood still, turned to face Jing MO, and offered a sheepish smile. ¡°Oh, what a coincidence.¡± By the time Xia Xin could chase the reporter, he had already disappeared. Standing up straight, she looked at Jing Mo. He sighed, taking long strides past her and saying as he passed, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Sensing she hadn¡¯t followed, he turned back to her and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Would you like to stay and have more coffee?¡± Though Jing MO¡¯s tone was gentle, Xia Xin, guilty as charged, found herself unable to reply.. Chapter 136 - 136: The Argument Chapter 136 - 136: The Argument Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin obediently followed Jing MO and said, ¡°It¡¯s okay, I¡¯ve already had a drink. Heh.¡± The drive back home was marked by Jing MO¡¯s silence, which unnerved Xia Xin. She awkwardly nced at him, his eyes fixated on the road, and ventured, ¡°Would you like to say something? Even a sound would be fine. You¡¯ve been exceptionally serious today.¡± A brief pause hung in the air before Jing MO curtly responded, ¡°Did you take my words as mere wind passing by your ear?¡± ¡°Ah, no¡­¡± Xia Xin¡¯s voice was a soft murmur, nearly a mosquito¡¯s whine. ¡°So when I told you to leave things to me, why did you sneakily follow? Do you find our predicament not troubling enough? Or do you want to faint on some street again, waiting for some good Samaritan to rescue you?¡± Xia Xin instinctively wanted to argue back but found herself speechless; she had no ground to stand on. Jing MO was right. Had she intervened with the reporter today, she might have ended up fainting again. While she had nned to take a cab home to sleep, ns seldom go as envisioned. Looking down in guilt, Xia Xin realized that Jing MO had grown all too familiar with her inconsistent fainting spells. He parked the car at the side of the road and looked into her eyes with an earnest seriousness. ¡°Before, you were merely overconfident, but you never took risks that endangered yourself. What about now? You¡¯re treating your own well-being like a joke! What if you faint in the middle of nowhere and something terrible happens that even I can¡¯t help you with?¡± said Jing Mo. Xia Xin froze. She¡¯d never considered how her recklessness might cause someone else genuine concern. For a moment, she was at a loss for words. ¡®Was Jing MO¡¯s care for her merely that of an older brother toward a sister?¡¯ Xia Xin asked. Both apologized in unison after a pause. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Jing MO began, ¡°I was too harsh. I¡¯ll be more mindful in the future.¡± Xia Xin conceded, ¡°l shouldn¡¯t have lost my temper at you. You¡¯re only concerned about me.¡± She grasped his arm, using her tried-and-true tactic to lighten the mood. ¡°Jing MO, don¡¯t be mad. I realize I¡¯ve been careless. From now on, I¡¯ll be more cautious¡ªI promise!¡± Jing MO was skeptical; she¡¯d made the same promise just yesterday. Xia Xin sought to charm her way out, ¡°When I was younger, I was always the one rushing ahead and protecting you. You never said anything then. So why do you treat me like a child now that I¡¯m grown up?¡± Seeing Jing MO¡¯s expression soften, Xia Xin continued earnestly, ¡°Jing MO, I¡¯ve grown up. During the years you weren¡¯t beside me, I learned to handle things maturely and to rely on myself. It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust you; I¡¯m just ustomed to solving my own problems.¡± Jing MO was hit with a pang of regret, ¡®Had I not abruptly left her years ago, would she have turned out differently? But staying would have meant risking that ¡®incident¡¯ happening again.¡¯ Jing MO wanted to exin his absence over the years but found himself speechless, unable to find the right words. The years he¡¯d been gone had already done their damage to Xia Xin. All he could do now was protect her. Breaking the silence, Jing MO suddenly asked, ¡°How much of our earlier conversation did you catch?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Xia Xin was momentarily confused before answering honestly, ¡°I heard it all.¡± ¡°Have no questions?¡± Jing MO inquired. ¡°Whatever you want to tell me, you will,¡± Xia Xin added after a pause, ¡°And the same goes for me.¡± Both harbored secrets, but avoiding those topics would perhaps not affect their current rtionship. Jing MO lowered his gaze, saying nothing more. Remembering Xia Xin had a shoot in the afternoon, Jing MO drove her toward the set. A few hundred meters away, Xia Xin asked him to stop. ¡°Why?¡± Jing MO parked and looked at her. ¡°I¡¯m afraid if you drop me off right at the set, reporters will snap photos and stir up rumors,¡± Xia Xin exined.. Chapter 137 - 137: Kissing Scene Chapter 137 - 137: Kissing Scene Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion On the way home, Xia Xin was lost in thought, so engrossed that she seemed to be in another world altogether. MO Shu noticed Xia Xin¡¯s dazed expression and approached her, ¡°Did Jing MO drop you off?¡± Subconsciously, Xia Xin nodded before realizing her mistake. She hastily looked up at MO Shu, shaking her head, and said, ¡°No.¡± MO Shu chuckled, ¡°We¡¯re not really a couple, you know. No need to be secretive.¡± Relieved, Xia Xin replied, ¡°Yes, that¡¯s true.¡± Both sat down on small chairs near the set, creating an intimate circle of conversation. Seeming nonchnt, MO Shu asked, ¡°So what¡¯s the deal between you and Jing MO now?¡± ¡°We¡¯re friends,¡± Xia Xin said. ¡°Friends who can give rides to and from work?¡± MO Shu inquired. Xia Xin didn¡¯t respond to that. Finding that no exnation would suffice, Xia Xin finally conceded, ¡°It¡¯splicated, and not what you¡¯re thinking. So please, don¡¯t jump to conclusions.¡± MO Shu didn¡¯t press Xia Xin further on the topic. He said, ¡°The director says our kissing scene has been moved up. We¡¯re shooting it tonight.¡± Startled, Xia Xin sprang up, ¡°What? Tonight? Why the sudden change?¡± MO Shuughed, ¡°It¡¯s not umon for scenes to be shuffled around. You¡¯ll get used to the unpredictability as you do more projects.¡± Though Xia Xin¡¯s reaction filled MO Shu with a vague sense of disappointment, he shifted the conversation, ¡°I have some good news. I passed the audition from the day before yesterday. After wrapping up this drama, I¡¯m moving on to the next project.¡± Xia Xin¡¯s face lit up and said, ¡°Really? That¡¯s fantastic!¡± MO Shu eyed Xia Xin carefully and said, ¡°There¡¯s a role for a third female lead, the younger sister of the second male lead. Would you be interested? I could put in a good word for you with the director.¡± Quickly doing the math, Xia Xin said, ¡°So the second male lead¡¯s sister would essentially be your sister on screen, right?¡± MO Shu nodded and said, ¡°And it¡¯s a big-budget production. With our ¡®rtionship¡¯ hyping things up, it could boost your fan following.¡± The prospect of gaining more fans clinched it for Xia Xin. She instantly agreed. They settled on auditioning the next afternoon, with MO Shu apanying her to the set. After making their ns, he forwarded her the script segments for the audition. As Xia Xin was deeply engrossed in her script, MO Shu mischievously asked, ¡°Nervous about the kissing scene we have to shootter?¡± Xia Xin¡¯s face scrunched up like a bitter gourd. She said, ¡°I had forgotten about it until you reminded me. Now I¡¯m anxious again.¡± MO Shu tried tofort her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll use stage tricks; we won¡¯t actually kiss. But in this industry, intimate scenes are inevitable. If not now, then definitelyter.¡± Xia Xin sighed, ¡°Better to dodge one bullet while I can.¡± Xia Xin couldn¡¯t bear the idea of such intimacy with someone she had no feelings for. Surprisingly, the scene was filmed faster than Xia Xin had anticipated, and it went off without a hitch. MO Shu¡¯s emotions felt unusually authentic andpelling, easily drawing her into the narrative. At moments, Xia Xin felt as though MO Shu was looking at her with the eyes of someone deeply in love. It was so persuasive that she, too, found herself engrossed, even heartbroken at times. The one moment Xia Xin broke character was when MO Shut s face drew increasingly close to hers. Instinctively, she wanted to pull back, but he cupped the back of her head just in time andnded a soft kiss at the corner of her lips. Stunned, Xia Xin looked into MO Shu t s eyes. They were so close that she could see her own astonished reflection in his pupils. For a moment, Xia Xin was puzzled. She thought, ¡®Isn¡¯t the n to avoid contact? Why did he kiss mv lip¡¯s corner?¡¯ MO Shu was equally shocked. He had intended to stage it, yet somehow, he¡¯d ended up kissing the corner of her mouth. Fortunately, he snapped back to reality. Otherwise, the target could have easily been her soft, luscious lips. Frozen in their intimate pose, both seemed to forget how to react until the director called, ¡°Cut!¡± Slowly, MO Shu released his hold on her and stepped back, leaving Xia Xin still bewildered as the crew went off to review the take. During yback, the director said to Mo Shu, ¡°You two really make a convincing couple. This is why scenes like this are so much easier to shoot. One take, and it¡¯s perfect.¡± Chapter 138 - 138: Meeting the Reporter Again Chapter 138 - 138: Meeting the Reporter Again Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion MO Shu subconsciously nced at Xia Xin, who was still standing there, lost in thought. She didn¡¯t seem to pay attention to what the director was saying. Although the earlier moment was just part of the act, Xia Xin¡¯s instinctive avoidance stung MO Shu. He knew she was avoiding him. Xia Xin was awash with conflicting emotions. As an actress, she knew she shouldn¡¯t harbor such feelings of repulsion, but she felt deceived and even a little angry. They had agreed MO Shu wouldn¡¯t actually kiss her. That evening, after returning to her hotel room, Xia Xin received another message from the reporter. Reporter: [Miss Xia, I wonder if you have some time to meet.] Xia Xin was taken aback. She hadn¡¯t expected the reporter to seek her out after failing to get money from Jing Mo. Besides, Xia Xin was even more intrigued by Jing Mo¡¯s mysterious influence. She wondered, ¡®How could he make a reporter back down so easily after gaining leverage over him?¡¯ Before Xia Xin could reply, the reporter sent her another message. Reporter: [Besides thepromising photos, I believe you¡¯d be quite interested in Jing MO as a person.] Even without that additional line, Xia Xin was already nning to meet the reporter. She wanted to resolve the issue her own way, rather than bothering ling Mo. The reporter seemed rather anxious. Upon receiving Xia Xin¡¯s agreed reply, he immediately responded, [I¡¯ll be waiting for you at the pub in the center of the hotel¡¯smercial street. If you don¡¯t show up within half an hour, I will reveal everything I know.] Xia Xin raised an eyebrow. She thought, ¡®How dare he threaten me? He¡¯s asking for trouble. Disguised with a baseball cap and a mask, Xia Xin threw on a jacket and hurried out the door. It was already past 10 p.m., but the bar district was still bustling. The small pub was almost packed, but Xia Xin quickly spotted the reporter in his gray windbreaker, sitting by the window. She took a seat across from him. The reporter said, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be so punctual, Miss Xia.¡± The reporter didn¡¯t seem as rxed as when he met Jing Mo; he looked visibly tense. The apparent nervousness intrigued Xia Xin. ¡°I see you¡¯re sweating, ¡± Xia Xin said, her tone tinged with curiosity. ¡°Everything alright?¡± Annoyed, the reporter retorted, ¡°I¡¯m fine; it¡¯s just hot in here. I¡¯ve got some information about Jing Mo; twenty grand and it¡¯s yours.¡± Truth be told, the reporter hadn¡¯t unearthed any valuable info. Even if he had, he wouldn¡¯t dare publish it. Desperate for money, he took a chance and approached Xia Xin stealthily, having confirmed that Jing MO wasn¡¯t around. Xia Xin noticed the reporter¡¯s youthful looks, akin to a college grad with little experience. She decided to tease him a bit. ¡°Twenty grand for top-tier information about Jing MO?¡± Xia Xin chuckled. ¡°Even my lesser scandals are worth fifty grand.¡± Gulping, the reporter ventured, ¡°So¡­ fifty grand then?¡± ¡°That¡¯s kinda less,¡± Xia Xin said. ¡°Then¡­ sixty grand?¡± the reporter said. ¡°Not enough,¡± Xia Xin waved her finger. The reporter hesitated, stuttering, ¡°How much do you want to offer?¡± With a burst ofughter, Xia Xin replied, ¡°How much do you want?¡± Realizing he had been yed, the reporter snapped, ¡°Hand over the money, or else I¡¯ll expose everything tonight and ruin Jing MO!¡± Remaining calm, Xia Xin responded, ¡°You¡¯re quite the drama queen. But if you were actually willing to expose it, you wouldn¡¯te to me; you¡¯d go directly to Jing Mo. Coming to me means you¡¯re scared of him.¡± Caught in his own trap, the reporter became flustered. ¡°Fine, then gamble to see if this information is worth it!¡± Xia Xin was enjoying this far more than she had expected. This naive, freshly graduated reporter was much more entertaining than those seasoned in the field. Wiping away a tear that had trickled down fromughing so hard, Xia Xin finally said, ¡°I won¡¯t be giving you any money. I came to see what you could possiblye up with, and trust me, you didn¡¯t disappoint.¡± Chapter 139 - 139: The Truth Chapter 139 - 139: The Truth Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion The tension in the air thickened as the reporter¡¯s face darkened, almost pleading as he said, ¡°Fine, fifty grand will do.¡± Xia Xin tilted her head in confusion. She asked, ¡°Why are you so desperate for money? You¡¯ve just graduated; it¡¯s not like you have any pressing financial obligations, right?¡± Visibly flustered, the reporter retorted, ¡°That¡¯s none of your business! If we can¡¯te to an agreement, let¡¯s just agree to disagree. I¡¯ll see you on the trending topics tomorrow!¡± With that, the reporter grabbed his bag and stormed out of the caf¨¦. Xia Xin could have easily manipted the situation then and there. But what puzzled her more was the scent of a weakened animal wafting from him. Intrigued, she intentionally agitated him so she could tail him covertly after he left. She quickly paid the bill and followed him outside. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but feel triumphant. Although she had never stalked anyone before, her stamina proved quite useful. She managed to keep up with the reporter without any difficulty, reveling in the excitement of her newfound pursuit. Navigating through the crowd, the reporter took a series of twisted turns. Xia Xin almost lost track of him several times, but her acute awareness, bolstered by her system¡¯s timely alerts, kept her on course. Soon, Xia Xin found herself outside a pet store, where the reporter went in. Reluctant to enter, Xia Xin took cover in a nearby bush, even as mosquitoes feasted on her. After about thirty minutes, he finally emerged with a bag of cat food, cans of fish, and some treats. Xia Xin¡¯s curiosity was piqued. The purchases didn¡¯t align with the profile of a cat abuser. Rather, they suggested someone lovingly caring for a felinepanion. She was familiar with the store¡¯s offerings and knew that these items were among the priciest. Continuing Xia Xin¡¯s stealthy tailing, they eventually reached a less popted area. Feeling uneasy, Xia Xin became more cautious. Despite her best efforts, the reporter turned abruptly and demanded, ¡°Who are you? I¡¯ve noticed you following me. What do you want?¡± The dimly lit street concealed her identity, but as he approached, Xia Xin felt increasingly anxious. She wondered, ¡®Am I really going to resort to physical confrontation without first understanding the situation?¡¯ Just then, a stray cat burst onto the scene, positioning itself between her and the reporter. Another cat scampered over and whispered, ¡°Xia Xin,e with me! I know the way!¡± Recognizing the stray she had once fed during a film shoot, Xia Xin decided to follow it, avoiding an unnecessary sh. Yet, she couldn¡¯t help but shoot a worried nce at the cat left behind. ¡°Will Little White be okay? That man won¡¯t hurt him, will he?¡± Xia Xin asked the guiding cat, dubbed Little ck. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Chen Li won¡¯t harm us. He¡¯s a good man,¡± Little ck reassured as they walked. ¡°A good man?¡± Xia Xin¡¯s curiosity intensified. ¡°Little ck, what¡¯s going on? Tell me, why did you say that Chen Li is a good man? Isn¡¯t he a cat abuser?¡± Little ck nuzzled Xia Xin¡¯s palm affectionately before exining, ¡°We thought he was abusive too because he carried the scent of sick cats. We animals are highly perceptive, you know. We avoided him, refusing to eat what he offered. That changed one day when¡­¡± Little ck recounted how they, along with other strays, followed Chen Li home, intending to rescue a cat they sensed was ill. Looking through Chen Li¡¯s window, they saw a sickly cat named Anan. Her eyes gleamed with envy when she saw the strays outside. ¡°We¡¯ll save you, Anan!¡± the strays wed at the window, trying tomunicate. Weakly, Anan shook her head. She said, ¡°No need to save me. My owner is kind, but I have an incurable disease. Doctors have given up on me. I wish he¡¯d spend more time with me rather than taking me to the hospital..¡± Chapter 140 - 140: The Negatives in Hand Chapter 140 - 140: The Negatives in Hand Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Upon learning the truth, the stray cats ceased to resist Chen Li¡¯s offerings of cat food. Gradually, everyone began to grow fond of him. Little ck continued, ¡°But Chen Li is out of money, and he¡¯s still spending on treating Anan and feeding us. We don¡¯t want him to spend any more. Xia Xin, could you please convey to Chen Li that he should let go of treating Anan and instead spend more timeforting her?¡± Xia Xin was taken aback. She thought, ¡®So this is the real story. No wonder Chen Li had the aura of weak animals around him; it wasn¡¯t because he was mistreating them, but because he was treating his ailing cat.¡¯ Agreeing to the stray cats¡¯ request, Xia Xin set off the next morning. She left the film crew during her free time before shooting and arrived at Chen Li¡¯s neighborhood at the time agreed upon with the strays. By the time Xia Xin arrived, Chen Li was already waid by the stray cats. In his arms were two felines, Little ck and Little White, purring and demanding his affection. Both cats seemed well-fed, no doubt due to Chen Li¡¯s recent caregiving. After preparing some cat food, Xia Xin squatted beside Chen Li, a teasing tone coloring her words. ¡°Fancy meeting you here, Chen Li.¡± Stunned, Chen Li turned his head. He asked, ¡°How do you know my name?¡± Smiling, Xia Xin responded, ¡°If you can investigate me and Jing MO, I can certainly investigate you. Isn¡¯t knowing your name the simplest thing?¡± Suspicion flickered in Chen Li¡¯s eyes. He inquired, ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Waggling the cat food in her hand, Xia Xin said, ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? I¡¯m here to feed the cats.¡¯ Chen Li scrutinized her, clearly not buying her exnation. He had always disliked Xia Xin because he believed she had gained her fame by falsely portraying herself as an animal caregiver. However, what happened next left him dumbfounded. Little ck and Little White, with no hesitation, leaped from Chen Li¡¯s arms to Xia Xin¡¯s. They nuzzled their heads against her neck, making her giggle with delight. Chen Li was aghast. He had spent over a week winning the affection of these two strays, and yet Xia Xin had done it in mere minutes. Suspicion rising again, Chen Li questioned, ¡°When did you get so acquainted with them?¡± Xia Xin answered honestly, ¡°When I was shooting my previous drama, there were some stray cats nearby who were often hungry. So, I¡¯d feed them whenever I had free time. Chen Li¡¯s hostility lessened. ¡°I thought you were just posturing for public image. You genuinely care, then?¡± Defensively, Xia Xin retorted, ¡°Who told you that? I love animals, and my major was zoology. I used to work as a zookeeper. How can you say that I¡¯m putting on a persona?¡± Disdainfully, Chen Li spoke, ¡°I know the entertainment industry too well. With your frequent appearances on trending topics and rapid fan growth, you must have capital backing you. Otherwise, how could your fan base increase so rapidly?¡± Xia Xin frowned slightly. ¡°I¡¯ve pondered that as well. Perhaps it¡¯s luck? However, things have gone in directions I never anticipated. Initially, I simply wanted to be a zookeeper and spend my days close to animals; that alone would have made me happy.¡± Chen Li appeared moved, and his animosity toward Xia Xin waned. Observing that, Xia Xin cautiously asked, ¡°May I ask you something a bit intrusive?¡± Pretending to be aloof, Chen Li said, ¡°You ask even knowing it¡¯s intrusive?¡± Ignoring his tone, Xia Xin continued, ¡°Do you have a sick cat at home?¡± Immediately, Chen Li¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°How do you know that?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just something I sensed,¡± Xia Xin imed. Intrigued, Chen Li asked, ¡°How did you sense it?¡± Teasing him, Xia Xin said, ¡°It¡¯s very mystical, almost like a sixth sense. I could smell a unique aroma on you¡ªthe scent of a sick cat.¡± bbergasted, Chen Li blurted out, ¡°You can actually smell that?¡± Nodding, Xia Xin replied, ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s a special ability of mine. Since childhood, I¡¯ve been able to detect scents others can¡¯t.¡± Of course, Xia Xin was just making that up.. Chapter 141 - 141: A Lesson Learned Chapter 141: A Lesson Learned Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin continued, ¡°You might be feeding these stray cats, but you look so worried while you do it. You¡¯re obviously concerned about your own pet cat, aren¡¯t you? You¡¯re also desperate for money¡ªprobably to pay for its medical treatments.¡± Chen Li remained silent, which didn¡¯t bother Xia Xin. She continued, ¡°The sickness must be severe to have you so distressed. Have you ever considered letting go and just spending quality time with it instead? Your news-hounding and ckmail might make you quick cash, but you¡¯re breaking thew and missing out on precious moments with your cat. Cats, like humans, cravepanionship.¡± Chen Li didn¡¯t respond, but he was clearly wrestling with his thoughts. Anan had been with him for four years, ever since he started college. Now that Anan was sick and needed money for treatment, the idea of giving up was heart-wrenching. Even though every veterinarian had dered Anan beyond help, Chen Li still couldn¡¯t bring himself to believe it. But Xia Xin¡¯s words had touched a chord in him. He thought perhaps what Anan really needed now was hispany, not medical interventions. Xia Xin gently patted Chen Li¡¯s back andforted, ¡°Spend quality time with your cat. I can give you the money for treatments if you¡¯d like, but don¡¯t be too hard on yourself if it doesn¡¯t work out. Cats love their owners more than anything. Anan wouldn¡¯t want you to be sad because of its departure.¡± As if on cue, two stray cats¡ªLittle White and Little ck¡ªmewed in unison and ran to nuzzle Chen Li, as thoughforting him. Moved by their gesture, Chen Li finally dropped his guard and said, ¡°I apologize for misunderstanding you earlier, and for ckmailing you. I hope you can forgive me.¡± Treating the moment like a courtroom verdict, Xia Xin said, ¡°Given that your intentions were for the sake of a cat, I¡¯ll overlook it this time. But be warned, not everyone will be as forgiving next time.¡± Chen Li nodded and handed over the memory card containing the ckmail evidence. He had to get back to Anan. Just as he was leaving, Xia Xin stopped him. He looked back, puzzled, and asked, ¡°Is there anything else? I¡¯ve given you the evidence.¡± Xia Xin disyed a QR code on her phone and suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s be friends. I promised to help you with Anan¡¯s treatment, remember?¡± Chen Li actually already felt that Xia Xin was not a hypocrite, so he was too embarrassed to ept her money again. So he pretended to be cold and said, ¡°I don¡¯t want your money!¡± ¡°This money isn¡¯t for you, it¡¯s for the cat. You can pay me back when you have money,¡± Xia Xin said. Chen Li was struggling. He really needed the money. Anan¡¯s illness couldn¡¯t wait any longer, so under Xia Xin¡¯s request, he epted the money half-heartedly. Later, Xia Xin returned to her film set, leaving behind cat food for the strays. Sadly, Anan couldn¡¯t hold on and passed away two weekster. Xia Xin heard from Little White and Little ck that Anan had departed peacefully, even asking them to thank her. The news left Xia Xin pensive. She was suddenly struck by the realization that animals also possess a range of intricate emotions, just like humans. This understanding seemed to rify the purpose of her unique gift tomunicate with animals. Xia Xin suddenly had an idea. Since she had be a celebrity and had a certain amount of influence, she must make use of the advantages of her identity to help more animals, so that humans can value animals and live peacefully with animals instead of hurting them, invading their homes, ignoring their thoughts, and wantonly using them as a way to profit. Resolute, Xia Xin called an animal welfare organization, inquiring about charitable initiatives. She wanted to make a donation in Anan¡¯s name for animal protection. The staff told Xia Xin that there were many people doing charity work. They noted her interest and promised to involve her in uing projects. Then, a message from Chen Li popped up, surprising Xia Xin. Chen Li: [Anan has passed away. Thank you for your help and advice. I¡¯m sorry for my previous actions. If there¡¯s any way I can assist you in the future, please let me know.] Though Xia Xin did have something in mind that Chen Li could help with, she chose to let it pass for now. He had just lost Anan, and his emotional well-being was a priority.. Chapter 142 - 142: Film Wrap Party Chapter 142: Film Wrap Party Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion On the day the filming wrapped, Xia Xin sent Chen Li a text inviting him to the set. She had two motives: one, to support his work, and two, to take the opportunity to ask him what he¡¯d found out about Jing Mo. True to his word, Chen Li arrived, bringing with him a bouquet of lilies for Xia Xin. Clutching the flowers, Xia Xin teased Chen Li, ¡°You have a unique way of giving flowers. Why lilies?¡± A little shy, Chen Li replied, ¡°I think you¡¯re as pure as a lily, so I chose this flower for you. If you don¡¯t like it, I can always pick something else.¡± ¡°I love them,¡± Xia Xin said with a smile. ¡°Thank you for the flowers.¡± After the wrap-up scenes were shot, MO Shu initially wanted to have a chat with Xia Xin. But by the time he had finished with the reporters and went to look for her, she had already left the set with Chen Li. As they stepped out of the set, Xia Xin wasted no time and asked, ¡°You mentionedst time you found out something about Jing Mo. What is it?¡± Curiosity piqued, Chen Li questioned, ¡°What is your rtionship with Jing MO? Why are you so interested in him? Could it be that you¡¯re actually in love with him but settling for a rtionship with MO Shu due to circumstances?¡± Xia Xin chose not to answer, not because she didn¡¯t trust Chen Li but because the matter involved MO Shu as well. ¡°So, are you going to tell me?¡± Xia Xin urged. ¡°I¡¯m just curious.¡± Chen Li didn¡¯t press on. Instead, he furrowed his brow and said, ¡°Actually, I didn¡¯t find anything. Jing MO is a mysterious figure in the entertainment circle. Even with my capabilities, I couldn¡¯t uncover any details. My previousments were a ruse¡ªwhy would information on Jing MO be worth only a hundred thousand? I¡¯m not that naive.¡¯ Xia Xin felt a wave of disappointment wash over her, exhaling a long sigh. ¡°But,¡± Chen Li continued. ¡°I did hear something minor.¡± Interest reignited, Xia Xin prompted, ¡°Why do you always leave your sentences hanging? What did you find out?¡± ¡°I heard Jing MO has some underworld connections. Nobody dares to mess with him. Moreover, his family seems to hold some kind of power¡ªthey¡¯re influential and wealthy,¡± Chen Li revealed. This was the first time Xia Xin had heard such things about Jing Mo. She never asked about his family, even when they were younger and Jing MO lived alone near her school. Back then, Xia Xin was too engrossed in how good-looking he was and how well he cooked to ponder over anything else. As their conversation reached its natural conclusion, MO Shu called Xia Xin. The director had arranged a wrap party for the evening at a certain hotel and had texted her the address. He asked her to be there by 7:30. Noticing that the crew had dispersed, everyone had gone to the hotel. Xia Xin thought of not going to the party. After all, she wasn¡¯t close with anyone in the event. ¡°You should go,¡± Chen Li advised her before she could decline. ¡°Why?¡± she inquired, puzzled. ¡°You need to build rtionships within the industry,¡± Chen Li reasoned. ¡°That way, you¡¯ll be top of mind for future roles.¡± It made sense. So, Xia Xin decided to head for the hotel. ¡°Why waste money on a taxi? Let me take you,¡± Chen Li offered, intercepting her. ¡°You have a car?¡± Xia Xin asked in astonishment. Puffing out his chest confidently, Chen Li led her to the parking lot. They stopped before a sleek motorcycle, and Xia Xin¡¯s eyes widened in awe. Xia Xin had already imagined the wind blowing through her hair, offering her a sense of liberation, as they sped on the highway. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you could ride something this cool,¡± she eximed. Scratching his head, Chen Li patted Xia Xin¡¯s shoulder and pointed to a small electric scooter parked next to some dirt bikes. He said, ¡°Actually, it¡¯s this one.¡± Xia Xin¡¯s fantasies came crashing down, but she obediently took her seat on the scooter. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The roads were congested due to rush hour, but the scooter weaved through the traffic effortlessly. They were the first to arrive at the hotel. Soon after, MO Shu joined them. ¡°How did you get here so quickly?¡± he marveled. With a p on Chen Li¡¯s shoulder, who was standing beside her, Xia Xin eximed, ¡°Scooters are fast!¡± Mission aplished, Chen Li strutted off, leaving the set with his head held high.. Chapter 143 - 143: A Nightmare Chapter 143: A Nightmare Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion MO Shu was chatting with Xia Xin, casually taking a seat next to her. He said, had no idea you were friends with a reporter.¡± Pondering theplexity of that rtionship, Xia Xin replied, ¡°It¡¯splicated, but yes, we¡¯re friends now.¡± As they conversed, Xia Xin¡¯s thoughts drifted to Jing Mo. Considering MO Shu and Jing MO worked at the samepany, she couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°You¡¯re in the samepany as Jing Mo. You must know him pretty well, right?¡± MO Shu¡¯s tone tinged with a hint of jealousy, he replied, ¡°Not as well as you do.¡± After a moment¡¯s thought, Xia Xin realized if there was something about Jing MO she didn¡¯t know, it was probably something he didn¡¯t want to share. So, she decided not to pry further. Curiosity getting the better of him, MO Shu asked, ¡°Why the sudden interest?¡± Evasively, Xia Xin answered, ¡°I find Jing MO mysterious and somewhat friendless. Just wanted to know more about him.¡± While Xia Xin spoke with no hidden motive, MO Shu felt a pang of jealousy and decided not to pursue the subject further. A silence settled over them, heavy with unspoken words. During dinner, the director kept insisting on pouring drinks for MO Shu and Xia Xin. Flustered, she declined, citing her low alcohol tolerance. But the director, now tipsy, wasn¡¯t pleased. He said, ¡°What¡¯s the matter, do you look down on me?¡± Caught off guard by the director¡¯s sudden abrasive demeanor, Xia Xin frowned. Rising swiftly to his feet, MO Shu interjected, ¡°Xia Xin doesn¡¯t drink. Allow me to take this one for her.¡± After MO Shu downed a ss of white wine, apuse and cheers erupted from the crowd. Someone boldly dered, ¡°MO Shu is taking the hit for his girlfriend!¡± Thement left Xia Xin embarrassed. MO Shu didn¡¯t refute the statement, making them the center of attention and gossip, as if they were jesters thrown on stage for the crowd¡¯s amusement. Needless to say, the dinner left Xia Xin feeling rather disheartened. After the meal, Xia Xin¡¯s manager Sun Hu came to pick her up, which surprised her. She said, ¡°I never thought you¡¯d be so attentive as a manager, picking me up sote.¡± Sun Hu had his reasons, unspeakable as they were. It wasn¡¯t his choice but a relentless series of calls from ¡®someone¡¯ that forced him toe. He escorted her to her apartment building and then left. When Xia Xin arrived home, Jing MO was still awake. All the lights were on, illuminating the space like daylight. Seeing her return safely, he felt relieved, but his brows furrowed upon smelling alcohol. He asked, ¡°Did you drink?¡± Shaking her head, Xia Xin said, ¡°No, MO Shu took the drinks for me. But I got a bit of the smell on me.¡¯ Jing MO simply nodded. ¡°Take a shower and get some sleep.¡± Jing MO advised before disappearing into ms room. Gazing at the closed door, Xia Xin found herself pondering, ¡®Chen Li¡¯s findings about ¡®gang-rted,¡¯ ¡®wealthy,¡¯ and ¡®influential.¡¯ Why did thesebels not match the Jing MO I knew? To me, Jing MO seemed more like a caring and considerate big brother.¡¯ After her shower, Xia Xin yed with her two dogs for a bit before heading to bed. But her sleep was restless. It was as though something was strangling her in her dreams, something she couldn¡¯t break free from. Just when she felt she couldn¡¯t breathe, she was awakened by a tickling sensation on her palm. Layle, one of her dogs, had been pawing at her hand. And Bobo, the other dog, was lying squarely on top of her, which exined her suffocating feeling. Thank heavens for Layle¡¯s timely wake-up call, she thought. Otherwise, she might have suffocated in her sleep. Blinking awake, Xia Xin told Bobo, ¡°You¡¯re getting too heavy, little guy. I can¡¯t breathe with you on top of me. Be good and sleep in your doggy bed, okay?¡± Disgruntled but obedient, Bobo retreated to his bed. Now with the weight lifted, Xia Xin soon drifted back to sleep, only to find herself in another dream¡ªa dream that took her back to her childhood home. Xia Xin saw herself as a child, cheerfully hopping towards Jing Mo¡¯s rental apartment, backpack in tow. Watching her younger self, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but marvel, ¡°Ah, youth is truly amazing. Look at how adorable I was, my skin full of cogen.¡± Lost in nostalgia, Xia Xin was startled when two figures suddenly appeared behind her younger self, using a cloth to cover her mouth and nose. After a few struggles, young Xia Xin copsed, unconscious¡­ Chapter 144 - 144: The Hidden Secret Chapter 144: The Hidden Secret Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin couldn¡¯t make out the faces of the two individuals. She only heard the one holding her younger self ask, ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s her?¡± The other replied with conviction, ¡°Absolutely. She¡¯s always hanging around that guy. She¡¯s also the same girl who tricked us and called the police that night.¡± ¡°Quick, someone¡¯sing,¡± another voice urgently cried out. Immediately, the two men hoisted the younger Xia Xin onto their shoulders and sprinted toward the riverside. Upon reaching the edge of the water, one of themmanded, ¡°Throw her in, quick. That guy is catching up.¡¯ Without a second thought, the man carrying the young Xia Xin hurled her into the river. At that moment, Xia Xin, who had been hovering above the scene in a dream-like state, suddenly felt as if she were pulled into her younger self, plunging into the icy river. The chilling water filled her nose and mouth. She wanted to struggle but found she had no strength. She just realized that she had been drugged and she couldn¡¯t possibly fight back. Mustering all herposure, Xia Xin told herself not to panic. ¡°It¡¯s just a dream,¡± she reasoned. She thought she was experiencing sleep paralysis, and her dogs, Bobo and Layle, would wake her up. However, Xia Xin¡¯s younger self¡¯s body quivered with irrepressible fear. The sensation of drowning enveloped her, the cold biting into her flesh as tears involuntarily slipped down her cheeks. Then, Xia Xin heard the distant sound of a dog barking. She reached out for something, anything, but grasped only air. Overwhelmed with suffocation and helplessness, she thought she was going to die. Just as Xia Xin epted her fate, a pair of strong hands grasped hers, pulling her ashore with desperate urgency, saying, ¡°Xia Xin, wake up! Wake up!¡± Hearing the cries, Xia Xin jolted awake, gasping for air as if she had actually been drowning. Her chest twisted in agony, her heart pounding with an uncontainable anguish. When Xia Xin finally came to her senses, she noticed the sky was already bright. Bobo and Layle were lying beside her legs, their eyes filled with concern. Jing MO was standing at the foot of her bed, tightly holding her hand. Confused, Xia Xin gazed at them and said, ¡°What happened? Why are you all in my room?¡± Jing MO looked at Xia Xin, concern knitting his brows together. He said, ¡°You were probably having a nightmare. Bobo sensed something was wrong and started howling. I rushed over and found you, face flushed, struggling to breathe. What did you dream about?¡± Tears still dampening her face, Xia Xin touched her cheeks and said, ¡°I think I fell into the water. I can¡¯t remember much else.¡¯ Jing MOforted Xia Xin, rubbing her back gently, and said, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s from that drowning scene you filmed a couple of days ago. It could have traumatized you.¡± Xia Xin nodded, getting up to dress. Even after waking up, she felt a lingering mncholy. She tried to recall whether any such incident had happened in her childhood but drew a nk. Moreover, Xia Xin realized that she couldn¡¯t remember why she was afraid of water. She only remembered that one day, she suddenly became afraid of water. Once, when Xia Xin and her father went to the swimming pool and saw water, Xia Xin was so afraid that she hid far away. Xia Song was puzzled and asked her, ¡°What happened? I thought you wanted toe and swim. Why aren¡¯t you going into the pool?¡± Xia Xin was afraid and kept retreating. She said, ¡°I don¡¯t know, Dad. I¡­ I¡¯m afraid of water. I don¡¯t want to swim anymore!¡± Xia Song was still puzzled. He asked, ¡°You¡¯ve never been afraid of water. Why are you suddenly afraid of water?¡± Now that she thought about it, Xia Xin wondered if she had forgotten something. For example, if the dream was real and she had fallen into the water before, that could be the reason why she was so afraid of water. While eating breakfast, Xia Xin remained lost in thought, mindlessly picking up food from the table. Noticing Xia Xin had actually forked a mouthful of air, Jing MO finally asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Still shaken from the dream?¡± Snapping back to reality, Xia Xin exhaled sharply and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know. The dream just felt so real.¡± As they continued eating, Xia Xin paused and looked at Jing Mo. She asked, ¡°Do you remember a time when I went to look for you after school, but you weren¡¯t home? I think I fell asleep waiting for you, and when I woke up, I was in a hospital.. Do you remember that?¡± Chapter 145 - 145: The Variety Show Chapter 145 - 145: The Variety Show Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion The past felt so distant that Xia Xin almost forgot it until the dream brought it rushing back to her. The events were strange to ponder upon, ¡®Why was I at the hospital in the first ce?¡¯ ¡°I remember,¡± Jing MO said, nodding his head. ¡°You had a fever because you didn¡¯t cover yourself while sleeping. I was so worried that I took you to the hospital. Why are you bringing this up now?¡± Xia Xin¡¯s expression grew solemn, as though she was on the brink of uncovering a hidden secret. She asked, ¡°Not long after that happened, you disappeared without a word. Didn¡¯t you?¡± Jing MO hesitated, his hand pausing mid-air as he was about to pick up a dish. He recovered quickly, masking his expression with a feigned smile. He said, ¡°Did I? It¡¯s been so long that I don¡¯t remember. Maybe I did.¡± Yet Xia Xin sensed that something was off about Jing Mo¡¯s reaction. She thought, ¡®He seemed to remember, or why else would he insist twice that he didn¡¯t?¡¯ Xia Xin¡¯s curiosity piqued, she wanted to dig deeper, to understand what exactly had transpired back then that led her to lose her memory and why Jing MO was so evasive about it. But before she could press further, there was a knock at the door. ¡°I¡¯ll get it,¡± Jing MO said, almost too relieved as if making his great escape. Sun Hu burst into the house, kicking off his shoes carelessly in the entryway, not even bothering to put on slippers before sitting down at the dining table. He said, ¡°Pour me a ss of water. I¡¯m parched!¡± Jing MO frowned at the scent of alcohol emanating from Sun Hu and turned to fetch the water. Jing MO despised drinking and smoking; neither he would let those things within a five-meter radius of him. Even Sun Hu was usually careful; today was an unusualpse. Distracted by Sun Hu¡¯s sudden arrival, Xia Xin forgot what she wanted to ask Jing Mo. Her curiosity shifted to Sun Hu instead. She asked, ¡°Where have you been so early in the morning to be this exhausted?¡± Grabbing the water Jing MO handed him, Sun Hu downed it in one gulp and said, ¡°Not early morning. All night. I¡¯ve been negotiating a project for you, Xia Xin. What else?¡± Xia Xin was astonished. He said, ¡°We just wrapped up the previous show yesterday. Are things really moving this fast?¡± Sun Hu rolled his eyes and exined, ¡°Ever heard of striking while the iron is hot? Now that you¡¯re trending, you should get involved in numerous variety shows and dramas. That way, you stay in the public eye all year round. In this inte age, out of sight means out of mind.¡± Jing MO took a seat next to Xia Xin, intrigued. He asked, ¡°So what project did you snag for her?¡± Grinning triumphantly, Sun Hu took a bite of a fried dough stick and said, ¡°It¡¯s a live reality show. The theme is about going back to nature and interacting with animals. The show is tailor-made for Xia Xin! She gets along great with animals, and anytime she¡¯s involved in animal-rted content, her fan base grows. As soon as I found out about it, I ran to get drinks with the director. Took me an entire night to convince him to bring Xia Xin on board.¡± Sun Hu gulped down arge mouthful of soy milk and added, ¡°Get ready, you¡¯re joining the team tomorrow.¡± ¡°So soon?¡± Xia Xin eximed. Sun Hu nodded and continued, ¡°The variety show you shot in the zoo has already aired, and the heat from your faux rtionship with MO Shu is fading. This live show will put you back in the spotlight quickly. By the time it ends, your web drama should be edited and ready to air in another month.¡± Xia Xin had to admire the relentless pace of the entertainment industry; from start to finish, it was just three short months. Her appetite dwindled, but watching Sun Hu devour his meal made her nibble on another half of the fried dough stick. She dipped it into her soy milk and then asked, ¡°So who are the other participants in the show?¡± ¡°Coincidentally, you¡¯ll be reuniting with an old acquaintance¡ªXu Zhi,¡± Sun Hu revealed. Xia Xin¡¯s eyes lit up. She thought, ¡®Does that mean I¡¯d get to see Zhao Nan? Ever since I started filming and Zhao Nan became Xu Zhi¡¯s assistant, we hadn¡¯t seen each other in over a month..¡¯ Chapter 146 - 146: Jing MO Is the Target Chapter 146 - 146: Jing MO Is the Target Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion In the dimly lit dining room, Xia Xin remembered that these variety shows usually have at least three guests. She continued her inquiry, ¡°Is it just the two of us?¡± Sun Hu coughed discreetly, covering his mouth, then looked at Jing MO with great interest. Though Jing Mo t s face was impassive as he focused on his breakfast, Sun Hu noticed that he had slowed his movements. He knew that Jing MO was acting aloof when, in reality, he was very interested in who the other guests might be. Sun Hu gestured towards Jing MO and said, ¡°Just the one next to you.¡± A faint but satisfied smile crossed Jing Mo¡¯s face. Although subtle, Sun Hu caught it and knew Jing MO was secretly pleased. Irritated, Xia Xin pouted, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say so as soon as you walked in? What¡¯s with all the buildup?¡± Sun Hu thought, ¡®How else would I see someone so aloof get nervous?¡¯ Sun Hu exaggerated, ¡°Do you have any idea how much effort it took to squeeze both of you into this show? How much alcohol do I have to consume? I¡¯ve done a great service here! You¡¯re wee.¡± Though he said that, Sun Hu¡¯s face was clearly hopeful as if waiting for praise. Jing MO merely said, ¡°Oh,¡± extinguishing Sun Hut s enthusiasm like water poured to fire. Xia Xin chuckled but still gave Sun Hu some credit, ¡°Thank you, Mr. Sun, for letting us appear on the show together.¡± Sun Hu added cautiously, ¡°Remember, this is a live show. You¡¯ve got a 30-second dy to correct any blunders. Especially for a neer like you, I¡¯m genuinely concerned.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Xia Xin assured Sun Hu. ¡°With Jing MO watching over me, nothing will go wrong. Is there anything I should prepare?¡± ¡°Everything is arranged. It¡¯s an outdoor episode¡ªstorm jackets, insect repellent. it¡¯s all taken care of. I¡¯ll Dick you both tomorrow.¡± Sun Hu said. The variety show¡¯s assistant director and scriptwriter were siblings. Because it was a live broadcast and the script needed to be written in real-time, the scriptwriter needed to be on the scene the entire time. The scriptwriter, a chic woman with gold-framed sses, radiated a refined, elegant aura distinct from typical entertainment industry beauties. She was different from the scriptwriter that Xia Xin had imagined. She had the exquisite beauty of a white-cor worker. One could tell at a nce that she was different from the beauties in the entertainment industry. Her appearance was very unique. The assistant director, the twin brother of the scriptwriter, was somewhat unkempt inparison, likely due to frequent outdoor shoots. His hair was always slightly disheveled, with a persistent tuft that refused toy t. After Sun Hu introduced Xia Xin and Jing MO to the directors, she overheard some of the crew whispering, ¡°Ster Entertainment sure treats its people well. They even got Jing MO on board for this variety show.¡± ¡°Xia Xin looks even better in person than on TV, probably the best-looking among all the female artiststely.¡± ¡°Yeah, but she sure knows how to flirt. Just the other day she was rumored to be with MO Shu, and now she¡¯s with Jing Mo. She¡¯s really riding whoever¡¯s trending.¡± Upon hearing thosements, Xia Xin¡¯s eyes narrowed in anger, silencing the gossiping crew members. Just then, Xu Zhi and his manager, Zhao Nan, arrived. Seeing Zhao Nan, Xia Xin ran excitedly to hug her, both bursting into chit-chat about recent events. Xu Zhi had guessed that the two besties must have many things to share with each other. So he purposely cleared Zhao Nan¡¯s schedule for the whole morning. Zhao Nan teased, ¡°Ah, look who it is, my celebrity sister. Finally found time to see me?¡± Xia Xin returned the jest, ¡°You¡¯re the busy one. Haven¡¯t heard from you in a month. How does it feel to work with your idol?¡± Zhao Nan grinned, ¡°Absolutely amazing!¡± Meanwhile, Sun Hu couldn¡¯t resist ribbing Wang Da, another manager, ¡°Ah, if it isn¡¯t Mr. Wang.. Weren¡¯t you the one who vowed never to work with Ster Entertainment? What changed your mind to let Xu Zhi join this show?¡± Chapter 147 - 147: Lend a Hand Chapter 147: Lend a Hand Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Wang Da cast a disdainful nce at Sun Hu and said, ¡°We¡¯ve only sworn off participating in shows and dramas produced by Ster Entertainment. This live broadcast isn¡¯t funded by yourpany, so why shouldn¡¯t we be here?¡± ¡°Fine, fine, fine. Keep pretending,¡± Sun Hu retorted, his tone dripping with condescension. Wang Da felt like his words didn¡¯t affect Sun Hu but caught himself being emotional. After listening to the exchange, Xia Xin turned to Zhao Nan, her brows furrowed. She asked, ¡°Why is Xu Zhi so adamant about not coborating with Ster Entertainment?¡± Zhao Nan shook her head. Even after working for a month, she couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of the situation. What¡¯s more, she¡¯d noticed something peculiar. Every show and drama Wang Da arranged for Xu Zhi seemed deliberately designed topete with Jing Mo. The two seemed engaged in a silent battle. Whenever Jing MO yed a domineering CEO, Xu Zhi would immediately take on a simr role, regardless of whether it suited his persona or not. Knowing that Jing MO would also be on this variety show and that Ster Entertainment was not an investor, Wang Da quickly contacted the actual investors to parachute Xu Zhi into the lineup. Xia Xin¡¯s puzzlement deepened. She asked, ¡°You were his fan before. Didn¡¯t you notice anything off?¡± Zhao Nan shook her head again and said, ¡°I was a fan of his, but I never paid attention to Jing Mo. Now that I¡¯m an assistant, I¡¯m closer to the core issues and starting to see these inconsistencies. Given the tension between ourpanies, we should also be cautious in our interactions.¡± As they spoke, Xu Zhi walked up and greeted them, ¡°Hello, dear upperssmen.¡± Delighted, Xia Xin returned Xu Zhi¡¯s greeting, and the three struck up a warm conversation, seemingly unperturbed by the tension between their studios and Ster Entertainment. As they chatted, Xia Xin caught a glimpse from the corner of her eye: the female scriptwriter was leaning too close to Jing MO while discussing script details. The scriptwriter used the pretext of script discussion to sidle up to him, and Jing MO, visibly annoyed, tried to retreat, only to have her follow. Step back, step forward, and soon they found themselves beside a clump of bushes. Something heavy settled in Xia Xin¡¯s chest. She couldn¡¯t help but inquire about the scriptwriter. Zhao Nan filled Xia Xin in, ¡°The scriptwriter and the assistant director are twins. One¡¯s named Xu Ping, the other Xu An, signifying peace and safety. They rose to fame with short video content and have been handling projects on major tforms. This is their first venture into the entertainment industry.¡± Though she¡¯d only found out about Xu Zhi¡¯s involvement in the live broadcast the night before, Zhao Nan had diligently reviewed all the relevant information. Listening absentmindedly, Xia Xin¡¯s gaze kept drifting back to Jing Mo. He looked cornered and displeased. He finally asked Xu An, ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± Xu An straightened up and adjusted her disheveled cor, revealing an unfastened button and a delicate silver ne with an ¡®M¡¯ pendant. Her eyes met Jing Mo¡¯s respectfully. He said, ¡°Master wanted me to inquire when you n to return home, Young Master.¡± Jing MO shot Xu An a sidelong nce, attempting to sidestep her but found her blocking his way again. He said, ¡°He knows my stance. It hasn¡¯t changed. I won¡¯t be returning. Now move.¡± As Jing MO looked up, his eyes met Xia Xin¡¯s. She initially wanted to avoid his gaze but saw the plea in his eyes and decided to intervene. Before Xu An could say anything, Xia Xin stepped between them, cutting Xu An off, ¡°Ms. Xu, it¡¯s my first time doing a live broadcast, and I¡¯m a little unsure. Could you exin what I should be aware of?¡± Xu An nced at Xia Xin disdainfully because she had interrupted her, ¡°Pleasee with me, Miss Xia. I¡¯ll exin.¡± An alert struck Jing Mo¡¯s mind. He gripped Xia Xin¡¯s arm, not allowing them to part. He made a quick excuse, ¡°Ms. Xu, please go ahead. Xia Xin and I have matters to discuss.¡± With the grace of a swan even in her eight-centimeter heels on muddy ground¡ªXu An elegantly walked away.. Chapter 148 - 148: On Alert Chapter 148: On Alert Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion After Xu An walked away, Jing MO turned to Xia Xin with a serious expression and said, ¡°Keep your distance from Xu An; she¡¯s not to be trusted.¡± Xia Xin¡¯s tone was tinged with jealousy, ¡°She doesn¡¯t seem interested in getting close to me. It looks like she¡¯s more interested in getting closer to you.¡± Caught off guard by her own words, Xia Xin paused. She thought, ¡®Am I jealous? No, it must just be difort at seeing someone getting too close to my big brother.¡¯ Lost in his thoughts, Jing MO didn¡¯t notice the jealousy in Xia Xin¡¯s tone. His gaze followed Xu An as she retreated. On her way to find Zhao Nan, Xia Xin was intercepted by Xu Ping, ¡°Miss Xia, could you lend me a hand? This equipment is heavy, and I need to transport them to a temporary tent. It¡¯s not far.¡± Always willing to help, Xia Xin agreed readily. The equipment was indeed heavy. As Xia Xin picked them up, she focused intently on her path, vignt not to trip over any stones. Before she knew it, Xu Ping had led her away from the crowd. Sensing danger, Xia Xin set down the equipment, preparing to retreat. Xu Ping, abandoning his equipment too, tried to block her. He said, ¡°Miss Xia, leaving halfway through helping isn¡¯t very honorable, is it?¡± Eyes narrowing, Xia Xin scanned her surroundings for any weapon within reach. Noticing a wasp nest above Xu Ping¡¯s head, a n formted in her mind. Using her control powers, she directed the wasps to sting Xu Ping, simultaneously diverting his attention. She said, ¡°Mr. Xu, I suddenly remember having some other matters to attend to. I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t help you any further. I¡¯ll find someone else to assist you.¡± Just as Xu Ping lunged toward Xia Xin, he was stopped by a swarm of wasps. Seizing the opportunity, Xia Xin fled. From behind a tree, Xu An emerged. Spraying some liquid on Xu Ping, the wasps dispersed. Rubbing the spots where he was stung, Xu Ping¡¯s eyes darkened. He said, ¡°She¡¯s highly vignt. This failure makes any future moves difficult.¡± Xu An¡¯s icy gaze followed the direction in which Xia Xin had vanished and said, ¡°Once the shoot starts, she¡¯ll be under our control. We can handle her then.¡± Xu Ping hesitated and asked, ¡°Are you sure we should take action against her? It might be hard to exin to the young master.¡± Already walking towards the camp, Xu An spoke without looking back, ¡°Our mission is to bring her back, by any means necessary.¡± The initial allure of this reality show was its outdoor setting. Each participant had to choose an animalpanion for the journey. The selection ranged from kittens and puppies to donkeys and hedgehogs, and even a white stoat. Knowing his pet dog Bobo¡¯s temper, Jing MO opted for a hedgehog, to avoid any jealousy from Bobo upon his return. Xu Zhi, ever the gentleman, let Xia Xin choose first. Xia Xin¡¯s eyes were drawn to the snow-white stoat, but Xu An suddenly suggested to the director, ¡°Foredic effect and higher viewership, Xia Xin should choose the stubborn donkey.¡± Convinced, the director ryed the idea, and Xia Xin, despite her preference for the stoat, had no choice but to select the donkey. Seeing Xia Xin¡¯s affection for the stoat, Xu Zhi picked it as his animalpanion. The nearby mountains of Azuralis were numerous, yet the director had chosen a wild, unexplored mountain. Without any man-made stone steps, the paths were all natural trails created by animals. A perpetual mist made the ground damp, and each step on the soft mud felt ufortable. Moreover, the forest floor was rife with strange nts. Some had thorns pointing upwards from their roots, easy traps that could scrape or cut anyone who wasn¡¯t careful. The trio was tasked with surviving in the mountains for two days, equipped with tents and essential survival gear. Each of them would be apanied by a camera operator to live-stream their adventure. Looking down at the thickyer of mud caking the soles of her shoes, Xia Xin felt grateful for her choice of a donkey. If need be, she could even ride it. The donkey snorted as if in agreement, ¡°I¡¯ll carry you, but only if you keep me fed. No food, no work.¡¯ Smiling, Xia Xin stroked the donkey¡¯s long neck and said, ¡°You¡¯re a little glutton, aren¡¯t you? Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t let you go hungry..¡± Chapter 149 - 149: Separated Chapter 149: Separated Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion The trio set off together, but upon reaching the first fork in the road, a change of n came through Xu An¡¯s walkie-talkie to the trailing cameraman. She said, ¡°Let¡¯s split them up; that¡¯s when the magic happens. The mountain isn¡¯t thatrge; they¡¯ll inevitably run into each other again. Have them go their separate ways for now.¡± The cameraman ryed the message, and reluctantly, the trioplied, each choosing a different path. Xia Xin chose the road that led upward. It seemed like a path to enlightenment ¡ªthe farther you go, the broader your vistas, the brighter the light. The two gentlemen graciously left this road to her. With a gentle tug, Xia Xin led the obstinate donkey onward. The cameraman was curious. He said, ¡°Usually, this donkey is quite stubborn, but it seems quite docile with you.¡± Smiling softly but not responding verbally, Xia Xin secretly whispered to the donkey, ¡°You¡¯re not stubborn at all. I¡¯ll reward you with three carrots once we reach the summit.¡± They walked some more, but the audience¡¯s reaction was lukewarm at best. The director signaled to Xu An for a new twist. With a sly grin, Xu An used the walkie-talkie and instructed the cameraman, ¡°Remove all the carrots from the donkey¡¯s pack. Once it realizes there¡¯s nothing to eat, it¡¯ll start making a fuss.¡± The cameraman was uneasy about deliberately making life difficult, but he had a role to y. Heplied, throwing away all the carrots¡ªthough he secretly stashed two inside Xia Xin¡¯s bag, just in case. As Xia Xin proceeded, she asionally turned back to ask if the cameraman was tired, offering to take breaks. ¡°Thanks, but I¡¯m used to carrying heavy equipment,¡± the cameraman politely declined, and they kept moving. Suddenly, a gust of wind swept across the trail. The sky darkened, and distant rumbles of thunder suggested that rain was imminent. Suggesting that they find shelter, Xia Xin offloaded the cameraman¡¯s bag onto the donkey and went searching for cover. After an undetermined period, she found a cave. It was only about three meters deep, but it offered some protection from the rain. That¡¯s when she noticed the cameraman was missing. Frantically, Xia Xin reached for her phone to contact the crew, only to find there was no signal. She was cut off. Once the rain stopped, the mountain path turned into a series of puddles, making it impossible to retrace her steps. Dejected, Xia Xin returned to the cave. Xia Xin calmed herself and focused on the essentials. Everything they needed was on the donkey, so she set up the tent. The tent wasrge, and she couldn¡¯t manage it alone. Seeing her struggle, the donkeyzily ambled over and held the ropes with its mouth. Together, they sessfully erected the tent. ¡°I¡¯m hungry,¡± the donkeymented. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I have carrots,¡± Xia Xin reassured as she rummaged through her bag. To her astonishment, she found only two carrots. ¡°This is strange. I had packed plenty; where did they all go?¡± Besides the missing carrots, Xia Xin had only twopressed biscuits and three bottles of water. As darkness began to envelop the sky, she wondered if this meager stash couldst until they found their way back. After feeding the carrots to the donkey, she scattered insect repellent around the area. Ensuring that no poisonous bugs like centipedes could infiltrate their space, she crawled into her sleeping bag. Exhausted from the day¡¯s trek, Xia Xin fell asleep almost instantly, waking only when daylight broke. The donkey was lying limply by the tent, clearly famished. Xia Xin fumbled for her phone to search for a signal. There was barely enough to send out her location before her phone died. Now thoroughly disconnected from the base, she felt despair creep in. She couldn¡¯t sit idle; if the location information was inurate, she and the donkey wouldn¡¯tst long without food or water. She remembered a narrow trail they had passed on the way up, worn from the passage of feet. She thought, ¡®Maybe, just maybe, people were living up the mountain.¡¯ With renewed determination, Xia Xin decided to investigate. But the donkey refused to move. Stubborn as ever, it took an hour of cajoling and pleading, but still, the donkey wouldn¡¯t budge. Finally, Xia Xin conceded, leaving her supplies with thenguishing donkey. Equipped only with a bottle of water, she set out alone to climb higher up the mountain.. Chapter 150 - 150: After Her Chapter 150: After Her Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin decided to venture up the mountain to see if there were any residents. If she found any, she would ask for something to eat and hopefully get in touch with her television crew. Hauling her backpack up the steep incline, she stumbled upon a log cabin that gave her an eerie feeling. But with no other options, she had to swallow her reservations and proceed. Just as she was about to knock on the door, a whiff of some strange fragrance wafted from the cabin¡¯s wooden surface. Xia Xin instinctively felt that the smell was far from benign. Before she could retreat, she sensed a rush of wind behind her, aimed straight for her head. Terrified, Xia Xin dropped and rolled away. A loud ¡°thud¡± reverberated through the air¡ªsomething had struck the door. Raising her eyes, she found Xu Ping brandishing a stick, while Xu An stood a short distance away, observing her. ¡°What do you want?¡± Xia Xin asked, her voice icy. ¡°Juste with us,¡± Xu An replied, equally cold. ¡°I don¡¯t remember ever having any dealings with you,¡± Xia Xin said. All the while, her eyes darted through her system¡¯s Shop, scanning for any items she might be able to use. Oblivious to Xia Xin¡¯s discreet item exchange, the twins assumed she was just lost in thought. ¡°This woman is up to something. Be cautious,¡± Xu An whispered to Xu Ping. Xu Ping nodded. Earlier, when Xia Xin had escaped, he had been swarmed by wasps. If not for Xu An, he would¡¯ve been stung multiple times. ¡°Ms. Xia, rest assured, we have no intentions of harming you,¡± Xu Ping assured Xia Xin. ¡°We just want you toe with us.¡± ¡°Why waste time talking? Just tie her up!¡± Xu An reached for the rope behind Xu Ping and advanced toward Xia Xin. Just in time, Xia Xin found the perfect item in her system, a Mighty Tonic, which she exchanged for 50 ,ooo Affinity points. But considering her surroundings, she decided against drinking it just yet. ¡°I can go with you, but you have to promise not to harm me,¡± Xia Xin negotiated. ¡°What¡¯s your game?¡± Xu An halted, intrigued. ¡°I don¡¯t even know you,¡± Xia Xin retorted, her voice measured. ¡°The moment you approach me, you want to tie me up. Isn¡¯t it normal for me to be wary? Besides, do you really think I can take both of you on?¡± Xia Xin mentally scrolled through every memory she had, convinced she had never crossed paths with the twins in this life or any other. Clearly, they wanted something from her, and until they got it, they were unlikely to harm her. ¡°Very clever, Ms. Xia,¡± Xu An said, tossing aside the rope and securing her wrists with zip ties instead. ¡°These are just to limit your movements; as long as you don¡¯t struggle, they won¡¯t hurt you.¡± Surveying the narrow stic ties, Xia Xin was relieved she hadn¡¯t consumed the Mighty Tonic. A sudden application of force could cause the ties to slice Into ner wrists. ¡°Where are you taking me?¡± Xia Xin inquired. ¡°We¡¯re going to Azuralis,¡± Xu An responded. ¡®Azuralis?¡¯ Xia Xin was puzzled but refrained from asking further questions. She decided she would find out more once she had the opportunity to escape. Seeing Xia Xin calm down, Xu An was pleased and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go, Ms. Xia.¡± Being extra cautious, Xu Ping and Xu An didn¡¯t lead Xia Xin back down the way they came. Instead, they went into the log cabin. Xu An fiddled with some controls, and suddenly a portion of the ground sank to reveal a staircase leading underground. They led her through a dim, narrow underground passage. The musty smell made Xia Xin nauseous, but she held it together; this was no ce for resistance. After what felt like an eternity, her eyes adapted to the darkness, and Xia Xin noticed a sliver of light in the distance. They were nearing their destination. Sure enough, they emerged into daylight amid towering mountains. To Xia Xin¡¯s astonishment, they were at the foot of a different mountain, far from where her television crew was located.. Chapter 151 - 151: The Kidnapping Chapter 151: The Kidnapping Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin nced around, taking in thebyrinthine mountains that surrounded her. It was not an ideal ce to make an escape. After weighing her options, she decided to go along with her captors for the time being. Noticing that Xia Xin showed no intention of running away and obediently got into the car with them, Xu An and Xu Ping looked pleased. ¡°I must say, you¡¯re remarkably calm,¡±mented Xu An. ¡°Would you actually let me go if I tried to escape?¡± Xia Xin asked as she lifted her eyes nonchntly and looked at Xu An. In reality, Xia Xin had used the moment to swiftly scan thendscape outside the window under the guise of casual observation. ¡°Of course not,¡± Xu An admitted. ¡°Exactly.¡± Xia Xin ceased to speak further, closed her eyes, and leaned against the car seat. She didn¡¯t intend to sleep; conserving energy was her goal. Meanwhile, the cameraman who had been left behind at the filming location had been knocked unconscious. He woke up in a cave, and upon discovering only Xia Xin¡¯s donkey and not her, panic set in. The cameraman checked his belongings and found that his camera had been mysteriously turned off. Stepping out of the cave, he called out Xia Xin¡¯s name a few times. Receiving no reply, he pulled out his phone. If Xia Xin had been there, she would have realized that the cameraman¡¯s phone was receiving a signal. It turned out that Xu An and Xu Ping had set up a signal jammer nearby, which had run out of battery after Xia Xin was taken, thus restoring the signal to the cameraman¡¯s phone. Elsewhere, Jing MO, having chosen his path, suddenly felt a pang of unease. ¡°I wonder how Xia Xin is doing,¡± he mumbled to himself. The feeling of unease increased as Jing MO walked, prompting him to call Xia Xin. The busy tone that greeted him indicated her phone was off, intensifying his anxiety. Ignoring the ongoing filming, Jing MO turned back. The director, who had been watching the live feed, was puzzled and wanted to stop Jing Mo. However, Jing MO began to run, making it impossible to catch up. ¡°Follow Jing MO!¡± the director ordered through his walkie-talkie. Obliging, the cameraman picked up his camera and chased after Jing MO, who retraced his steps to the starting point and followed the path Xia Xin had chosen earlier. Soon, Jing MO found donkey hoof prints on the ground. He followed them to the cave, where he found the cameraman fiddling with his phone. ¡°Where did Xia Xin go?¡± Jing MO inquired. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I passed out for some reason and when I woke up, only the donkey was there. Xia Xin was gone, and I couldn¡¯t reach her by phone. I¡¯m in the process of contacting the director for help,¡± the cameraman exined, showing Jing MO the emergency page on his phone. Listening to the cameraman, Jing MO felt his heart skip a beat. He stepped out of the cave and immediately called Sun Hu, asking him toe to the mountain immediately. Jing MO surveyed the surroundings and found a narrow path leading up the mountain. He thought, ¡®Knowing Xia Xin, she¡¯d try to find another way out. This path is a clue.¡¯ Following the narrow trail, Jing MO discovered a wooden cabin with signs of a struggle. rmed, he opened the cabin door and without a second thought, entered the underground tunnel. The cameraman who had been filming captured all that and fans began toment on the livestream. [Oh my god, is this still a variety show?] [Why does it feel like a tunnel war?] [I don¡¯t think this is a warfare tunnel. This is transmigration.] [Oh my god, did the production team prepare this? Did they dig a tunnel for a variety show?] [Why does it feel so eerie here?] [Why is Xia Xin missing?] [Yeah, what¡¯s going on?] At the same, there was an increase in the livestream¡¯s viewership. The director, thrilled by the unexpected rise in viewer numbers and the trending topic, encouraged the cameraman to continue following Jing Mo. The cameraman continued to follow behind Jing MO and was only able to catch up with him at the exit. Jing Mo¡¯s expression was solemn. He noticed the tire tracks of a car and concluded his spection. Jing MO informed Sun Hu of his findings and Sun Hu arrived shortly with his team. ¡°Are you saying Xia Xin disappeared from here?¡± Sun Hu asked. Jing MO nodded. ¡°And the film crew?¡± Jing MO was on the verge of asking specifically about Xu An and Xu Ping when he noticed that the camera was still rolling. He quickly changed his question. Deep within, a suspicion was taking root, one that involved some sensitive issues he was reluctant to reveal on camera.. Chapter 152 - 152: Search for Xia Xin Chapter 152: Search for Xia Xin Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion ¡°The director is still around. The twins are organizing some props for the afternoon shoot,¡± Sun Hu reported. ¡®Just as I suspected! She¡¯s missing!¡¯ Jing MO thought. Jing MO nced at the camera before patting Sun Hut s shoulder and said, ¡°Have someone bring the car around.¡± The online audience in the live chat grew even more intrigued. [Is Xia Xin kidnapped?] [Oh my God, is this some kind of reality show plot?] [Does anyone else think this is intentional? And why is Jing MO so worried about Xia Xin?] [Is there something going on between them?] [Isn¡¯t Xia Xin supposed to be MO Shu¡¯s girlfriend?] [Don¡¯t jump to conclusions. Neither of them has said anything.] [What more is there to say? They¡¯ve already hooked up and gone on dates.] [Do Xia Xin and Jing MO have that kind of rtionship?] [I doubt it.] [Maybe Jing MO is just eager¡­] Thestment seemed to silence the live chat for a moment, only for it to erupt again a minuteter. [Jing MO, the willing third wheel in the name of love!] [Jing MO loves in vain!] Sun Hu, engaged in a discussion with Jing MO, remained oblivious to the online frenzy. [What are they discussing?] [Is this whole thing staged by Jing MO?] [If he can y the third wheel for love, what can¡¯t he do?] [Someone should call the police!] The director grinned as he watched the chat room explode with spection. This was exactly what he needed¡ªa controversial hook to set the show on fire, making him a legend. Whether Xia Xin was genuinely kidnapped or just ying a part was inconsequential. If things went awry, they could always call the police. All he wanted was a captivating focal point for the audience. The director grabbed his walkie-talkie and whispered, ¡°Get the camera closer. Let¡¯s hear what they¡¯re discussing.¡± As the cameraman tried to move in, Sun Hu¡¯s associates blocked the way, further fueling the online audience¡¯s detective instincts. [Did you see the look in the eyes of those guys who blocked the camera?] [Could they be criminals? Is Jing MO a criminal too?] [Let¡¯s not jump to conclusions.] [I¡¯ve already called the police. Let¡¯s see how it unfolds.] [The director is useless; someone should¡¯ve called the police by now.] [We should boycott the show!] [Let¡¯s find her first!] Having finalized their n, Jing MO hopped into the car, instructing the driver to follow the tire tracks. Meanwhile, in another vehicle. ¡°Let me out!¡± Xia Xin demanded. ¡°Xia Xin, I thought you were clever, but it turns out you¡¯re quite ridiculous,¡± Xu An sneered. ¡°I need to go to the bathroom. If you¡¯re worried I¡¯ll run, just apany me,¡± Xia Xin retorted. ¡°What are you plotting?¡± Xu An asked, suspicion etched on her face. ¡°What can I possibly plot? I told you I need to go. If you don¡¯t trust me, apany me. If you don¡¯t let me go, I can¡¯t guarantee I can hold it. Don¡¯t me me for the foul smellter,¡± Xia Xin warned. Xu An hesitated, finally relenting. ¡°Fine, pull over. I¡¯ll go with her.¡± ¡°But she¡¯s cunning and maniptive. We can¡¯t be careless,¡± Xu Ping cautioned. ¡°I don¡¯t fancy riding with the smell of urine. That¡¯d be disgusting,¡± Xu An argued. Xu Ping relented, stopping the car. ¡°Stay close,¡± Xu Ping instructed. Xu An followed Xia Xin into a grove of trees. ¡°Help me undo my pants,¡± Xia Xin said. ¡°You think I¡¯m going to help just because you asked?¡± Xu An rolled her eyes. Xu An stiffened. ¡°What do you know?¡± ¡°I¡¯m only guessing. From the start, you¡¯ve been trying to get close to Jing Mo. Kidnapping me seems to serve his interests. Why, I can¡¯t say,¡± Xia Xin probed. ¡°What else can you discern?¡± Xu An asked, curiosity piqued. ¡°I can also tell that you¡¯re afraid of Jing Mo. If I get hurt, you¡¯ll have a lot to answer for,¡± Xia Xin said, watching Xu An¡¯s expression change subtly. Xu An softened, ¡°It seems you¡¯re quite perceptive..¡± Chapter 153 - 153: Escape Chapter 153 - 153: Escape Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion ¡°Do you want to share the reason behind it all?¡± Xia Xin inquired further. ¡°I am quite observant, you know.¡± Xu An choked on Xia Xin¡¯s words and frowned in annoyance. Xu An said, ¡°Don¡¯t think you can weasel information out of me.¡± ¡°I never intended to,¡± Xia Xin countered. Xu An finally nodded in satisfaction and said, ¡°Good, since you¡¯re so obedient, let me give you some advice. Jing MO isn¡¯t someone you should get close to. Keep your distance.¡±
¡°Oh, is that because you¡¯re smitten with him?¡± Xia Xin asked. For some inexplicable reason, Xia Xin felt a knot tightening in her chest; her eyes and nose tingled ufortably. Caught off guard by the question, Xu An pondered for a moment, ¡®Do I like him?¡¯ shes of Jing Mo¡¯s handsome face crossed her mind as she mumbled, ¡°He¡¯s not someone I can afford to fall for.¡± Silence enveloped Xia Xin. Though she was deeply curious about Jing Mo¡¯s identity and the rtionship between him and Xu An, she refrained from probing further. Knowledge could be perilous, and sometimes the more you knew, the quicker you¡¯d find yourself in mortal danger. Just by innocuously getting closer to Jing MO, she¡¯d already caught the eyes of the twins¡ªclear evidence that too much knowledge could be fatal. Xia Xin wasn¡¯t willing to gamble her life on this. ¡°Are you stalling for time?¡± Xu An asked as she squinted suspiciously at Xia Xin. ¡°Not at all. I¡¯ve been asking you to help me take off my pants since I got here. You¡¯re the one who¡¯s been evading and engaging in small talk,¡± Xia Xin quickly replied. ¡®If Xu An found out I¡¯m nning to escape, my uing scheme would go up in smoke.¡¯ Xia Xin thought. Xu An paused. She thought, ¡®True, Xia Xin had immediately requested help to relieve herself, and it was Xu An who had digressed. She nced at the zip-ties around Xia Xin¡¯s wrists, her eyebrows knitting together, and finally assisted her in lowering her pants.¡¯ ¡°Go ahead,¡± she instructed. ¡°Turn around. I may have let you help me take off my pants, but I can¡¯t do my business if I¡¯m being watched,¡± Xia Xin said. ¡°Don¡¯t try anything funny,¡± Xu An warned. Xia Xin sighed, ¡°Well then, why don¡¯t you take off your pants and let me watch you?¡± ¡°Why would I do that?¡± Xu An retorted, feeling a momentarypse in her reasoning. Xu An took a deep breath to calm herself, pointing to an open area. ¡°I¡¯ll stand over there. I won¡¯t look, but I¡¯ll hear if you make any noise. Call me when you¡¯re done.¡± Seizing the opportunity, Xia Xin watched as Xu An turned her back and walked away. Quietly, she pulled her pants back up. In her haste, the zip-ties dug into her skin, trickling blood down her wrists. She took out the Weak Dust she¡¯d exchanged earlier and sprinkled it where Xu An stood. The powder hit its mark and Xu An copsed, unable to even open her mouth to shout. Just then, the sound of rustling came from Xia Xin¡¯s direction. Xu An tried to look, only to catch a glimpse of Xia Xin making her escape. Xia Xin quickly drank the Mighty Tonic, freeing herself from the wrist ties. She didn¡¯t know where she was but thought that if she could make it to the main road, she¡¯d be safe. Xu Ping, growing impatient, left the car cursing, ¡°Women are such a hassle!¡± Following the path taken earlier, Xu Ping soon found Xu An, panic-stricken and lying on the ground. It took considerable effort to lift her up due to his average physical strength. Once they were back in the car and he had given her some water, she slowly recovered. Weakly, yet with a sense of urgency, Xu An informed Xu Ping, ¡°Xia Xin has escaped! Go after her!¡± rmed, Xu Ping rushed to the driver¡¯s seat and drove in the direction Xu An had indicated. Meanwhile, Xia Xin had run quite a distance but was now blocked by a river, her path forward unclear. Chapter 154 - 154: Highway Chapter 154 - 154: Highway Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion The river¡¯s rapid currents churned noisily, filling Xia Xin with unease. She had a deep-seated fear of water and knew she couldn¡¯t possibly swim across. The path she had just taken was the only one in sight¡ªno other way to go. Surveying the surroundings, she realized that although there were no roads wide enough for a vehicle, there were some narrower trails that a person could traverse. Trees and waist-high grass would provide her with cover. If she could just make it to the forest, she¡¯d be effectively concealed from the twins hunting her. Resolute, Xia Xin braved the thorny path. Her clothing snagged and her skin was scratched, the pain turning herplexion ashen. Finding a secluded spot, she redeemed some healing ointments and bandages from her system, tending to her wounds first. Just when she thought she was safe, the sound of an engine revved in the distance. ¡®It must be Xu Ping and Xu An!¡¯ Xia Xin thought. She couldn¡¯t afford to move recklessly now. Every step she took would rustle the grass around her, giving away her location. Even if she had consumed a Mighty Tonic, she couldn¡¯t guarantee victory against the twins. The tonic had a time limit, and once it wore off, she¡¯d be helpless, possibly falling into a deep sleep. Xu Ping and Xu An, meanwhile, had their car stalled by the river. They got out but found no trace of Xia Xin.
¡°The woman has actually escaped!¡± Xu An snarled, incredulous that despite frisking Xia Xin and confirming she had nothing, thetter had still managed to drug her. ¡°What should we do now?¡± Xu Ping frowned. After some thought, Xu An dered, ¡°We¡¯ll call for reinforcements and search the other side of the river. We can¡¯t give up looking around here either.¡± Trusting her gut, Xu An was convinced that Xia Xin was a woman full of guile and needed to be apprehended with extreme caution. Having issued their orders over the phone, the pair drove off, allowing Xia Xin to breathe a sigh of relief. She decided her first move would be to find a popted area and borrow a phone to call the police. Everything else could wait until she reached the station. The police arrived at the show¡¯s filming location right after Jing MO had left. For a brief moment, the director felt a surge of panic, but it quickly vanished. Convincing himself that Xia Xin, being an adult, bore the primary responsibility for her own disappearance, he thought thatpensating financially would be the worst-case scenario. Conflict and drama were, after all, the key to attracting audiences. The police started taking statements to gather clues. When they learned an actor named Jing MO had left the scene, they sent a team to find him. Zhao Nan, learning of Xia Xin¡¯s disappearance, became frantic. Calls to Xia Xin¡¯s phone were met with a notification that the device was off. ¡®What to do? What to do?¡¯ Zhao Nan pondered, just as a police officer approached her for her statement. ¡°Miss Zhao, is it convenient for you to record your statement now?¡± The police officer walked to Zhao Nan¡¯s side. When Zhao Nan saw the police, she quickly said, ¡°Yes, yes. Officer, please find Xia Xin. She is my good friend. I beg you!¡± ¡°Miss Zhao, we understand how you feel. Please cooperate with us and record your statement.¡± said the police officer who followed the procedures. He had to record her statement first. Only when he had clues would he know how to find her. Unbeknownst to Xia Xin, her disappearance had caused quite a stir. After walking for a while, she discovered a winding mountain highway. Opting not to walk on the open road, where she could easily be pursued by a car, she stuck to the concealment offered by the tree line, hoping to g down any passerby for help. But time wore on and she encountered no one. ¡°What¡¯s that on the human¡¯s feet? It looks odd. ¡°Hmm, I smell medicine on her. Is she hurt¡± ¡°Hey there, magpie, since when have you been so interested in humans?¡¯ Hearing the chatter, Xia Xin¡¯s face lit up and thought, ¡®I¡¯d finally encountered animals!¡¯ Without missing a beat, shemunicated with the little birds. ¡°A human who can talk to me?¡± The magpie flew right up to Xia Xin, visibly astonished. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve run into some difficulties. Is there any way you could assist me?¡± ¡°What can we do to help you?¡± Chapter 155 - 155: Set Fire Chapter 155: Set Fire Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion As it sensed no threat from Xia Xin, the little bird cautiously alighted on her shoulder. ¡°Could you deliver a letter for me?¡± Xia Xin requested, exchanging in-system currency for paper and pen. She quickly jotted down a few lines and handed the paper to the bird, intended for Jing Mo. ¡°But I have no idea what this man you¡¯re talking about looks like,¡± the bird piped up. Xia Xin offered a rough description of Jing Mo. ¡°That should suffice,¡± she said,cking any other option¡ªher phone was dead, and she certainly wasn¡¯t carrying a photo of Jing MO around with her. She could only pin her hopes on this petite avian courier. ¡°You sure you¡¯ll be alright alone? You¡¯d best avoid that direction; there are lions there. Approach and they¡¯ll tear you to shreds,¡± the bird warned. ¡®Lions?¡¯ A thought flickered across Xia Xin¡¯s mind. ¡®Finding Jing MO was far from guaranteed; I need a backup n.¡¯ ¡°I understand. Thank you,¡± Xia Xin told the bird, who then flitted off, letter in tow. Left alone, Xia Xin pondered her next move. ¡®Should I venture toward where the lions were?¡¯ ¡°Where the hell is she? She¡¯s got legs like a sprinter!¡± Xu Ping¡¯s voice pierced the air,ced with frustration. ¡°And you! What good are you if you let a woman get the better of you?¡± Xu Ping berated Xu An, his sister. Time was slipping through their fingers, and still, they hadn¡¯t found Xia Xin. Xu Ping was livid, and Xu An became increasingly aware that their n might fall apart. But there was a glimmer of hope: word came that Jing MO was still searching. ¡®We must find her before Jing MO does,¡¯ Xu An thought. Xu Ping and Xu An¡¯s voices, like a distant roll of thunder, reached Xia Xin¡¯s ears. Xia Xin thought, ¡®Had they really found me so quickly?¡¯ Her eyes darted around, seeking a hiding ce. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Xu An pointed to some ttened grass in the distance. ¡°What do you think it is? Grass,¡± Xu Ping retorted, irritated. ¡°That¡¯s not what I mean. Look, the grass here is knee-high. Over there it¡¯s ttened. Could it have been trampled by Xia Xin?¡± Xu An rified. The penny finally dropped for Xu Ping. ¡°Let¡¯s check it out.¡± ¡°Be careful. This tall grass could hide snakes,¡± Xu An warned cautiously. ¡°As if that woman isn¡¯t scared, why should we be?¡± Xu Ping replied dismissively. Xu An wanted to retort but didn¡¯t know what to say. Xia Xin¡¯s heart rose into her throat as they drew nearer. How she wished for a snake, or a handful of them, to intervene. The footsteps grew louder, driving her to desperation. She scanned her surroundings for any helpful wildlife. Then Xia Xin¡¯s eyesnded on an anthill. She seized control of the ants and sent them toward Xu Ping and Xu An. Just as they were about to step closer, the swarm of ants blocked their path. ¡°Ants!¡± Xu Ping yelped. ¡°So what? Step on them,¡± Xu An said, rolling her eyes. ¡°No, look!¡± Xu Ping¡¯s voice trembled as he pointed at the ground. Xu An¡¯s gaze followed, and her scalp tingled with unease. ¡°Did we kick an anthill or something? Let¡¯s get out of here! Who knows if these ants are poisonous,¡± Xu Ping hastily suggested. Ignoring the potential danger of poison, the sheer number of ants could leave them covered in painful bites. ¡°Let¡¯s burn them!¡± Xu An said as she clenched her teeth. ¡®We are so close. If we turn back now, we¡¯ll lose the chance of getting her and she will seek revenge on us.¡¯ Xu An thought. At the thought of that, Xu An lit the dry grass at their feet with a lighter she grabbed from Xu Ping. In the wind, the dry grass became kindling, and a wall of fire spread rapidly. An overwhelming heat began to fill the air; sweat trickled down Xia Xin¡¯s forehead. The fire was intensifying! ¡®Xu Ping and Xu An had lost their minds¡ªthey were setting the mountain on fire! This area was home to numerous protected species, some even residing in conservation zones. The damage would be devastating.. Were they not afraid of the repercussions?¡¯ Chapter 156 - 156: Lions Chapter 156: Lions Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Amid the sweltering heat that seemed to intensify with each passing wave, Xia Xin knew she couldn¡¯t wait any longer. Yet, she couldn¡¯t flee in the open; Xu Ping and Xu An were just outside, and if she dashed out, capture would be imminent. Weighing her options, Xia Xin decided to take cover among the tall, unburned grasses, making her way up the road toward the mountain. ¡®The firefighters will surelye for a ze this big,¡¯ Xia Xin thought. ¡®If I can hold out until then, I¡¯ll be safe.¡¯ What Xia Xin forgot was a warning from a bird she¡¯d encountered earlier¡ªshe was heading straight into the lion¡¯s territory. Before she knew it, a guttural roar echoed through the wilderness. She stopped dead in her tracks, not even given a moment to assess the situation before the sound of crackling and burning grass erupted from behind her. ncing back, she saw that the raging fire had nearly devoured thendscape. Taking a deep breath, Xia Xin resolved to move forward. ¡®Maybe I can reason with the lions,¡¯ she thought. But upon reaching the pride, she realized that the lions were in the middle of¡­ mating. ¡®Is this for real?¡¯ she thought, eyes widened in disbelief. Sensing the presence of an outsider, the male lion let out a low growl. Quickly, Xia Xin attempted tomunicate. ¡°I apologize for the interruption. There¡¯s a wildfire not far from here. I ran this way without realizing I was encroaching on your territory.¡± Intrigued by the human who could speak to it, the lion released the lioness it had been with and turned its attention to Xia Xin. Ordinarily, it would¡¯ve killed any creature that dared to disturb it, especially during such a moment. But this was no ordinary situation, there was a wildfire. ¡°You¡¯re saying there¡¯s a wildfire?¡± the lion mentally inquired, scrutinizing the direction of Xia Xin¡¯s outstretched finger. Though Xia Xin couldmunicate with the lion and it didn¡¯t seem aggressive, the reality that she was surrounded by a pride of lions unnerved her. Another roar came from the lion upon seeing the billowing smoke. It walked over to Xia Xin, making her heart pound faster than ever. In her past life, she¡¯d been killed by a lion. The fear was deeply ingrained. ¡°You canmunicate with me?¡± the lion mentally questioned. ¡°Yes,¡± Xia Xin simply replied, battling her innate fear of the majestic creature. ¡°Human, thank you for notifying me,¡± said the lion, puzzled by its own growing affinity for the fragile being from another species. ¡°Could I possibly stay with you all?¡± Xia Xin ventured, preferring thepany of lions to be caught by Xu Ping and Xu An. Just then, a furious shout pierced the air. ¡°Xia Xin!¡± Xia Xin turned to find Xu Ping and Xu An approaching. They had caught up to her. They halted about thirty meters away, visibly hesitant due to the lion beside her. ¡°Come here!¡± Xu An yelled. ¡°Human, get on my back,¡± the lion gestured, crouching down. Its initial reluctance was overridden by gratitude for Xia Xin¡¯s warning about the wildfire. And now she was in trouble. It seemed only fair to lend her a hand ¡ªor in this case, a ride. Without hesitation, Xia Xin thanked the lion and climbed onto its back. Ignoring whatever thoughts Xu Ping and Xu An might have had, the lion, apanied by a few lionesses, carried Xia Xin away. Stunned, Xu Ping and Xu An watched her disappear into the distance. ¡°Has she gone mad?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go after her!¡± Xu An impetuously decided, only to be stopped by Xu Ping. ¡°Are you insane? That¡¯s a lion, the king of the forest! We could be killed in an instant, ¡± Xu Ping retorted angrily. His exasperation was at its peak. ¡®Both Xia Xin and Xu An had gone mad. Even I¡¯m mad. Why had I taken this mission in the first ce? And why did we start a wildfire, endangering not just us but everything around us? If people realized what we did, we could be jailed for it. If the situation allowed, I would have beaten Xu An up now.¡¯ ¡°If we lose her now, what then?¡± Xu An argued. ¡°We go after her, and we¡¯ll be the ones to lose¡ªour lives! We have no weapons, no guns. Are you nning to wrestle a lion for her? You must be the mad one!¡± Xu Ping could no longer contain his irritation.. Chapter 157 - 157: Beast Master Chapter 157 - 157: Beast Master Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion ¡°But what if we lose her? If we fail the mission, we¡¯ll be in even bigger trouble,¡± Xu An furrowed her brows, a storm of worries clouding her face. Xu Ping shot her an exasperated nce. ¡°All you ever think about is the mission. Haven¡¯t you considered that we could die if we follow? Forget it, there¡¯s no talking sense into you. If you want to tail her, go ahead. I¡¯m going back. ¡± Without waiting for her response, Xu Ping turned and left, leaving Xu An in a quandary. She watched his retreating figure, then nced toward Xia Xin, who was distancing herself farther and farther away. Gritting her teeth, Xu An made her choice and tried to keep up with Xia Xin. But could Xu An with two legs ever catch up to a lion¡¯s four? Ultimately, Xu An could only watch in despair as Xia Xin and the lions vanished into the distance. ¡°Damn it,¡± Xu An muttered under her breath.
Left with no other options, Xu An continued forward; mes had already consumed the path behind her. As for Xu Ping, she had no idea if he¡¯d made it out safely. As the fire loomed ever closer, Xu An quickened her pace. But the pride of lions receded further into the distance, leaving her sprinting aimlessly, driven solely by the urge to put as much distance between herself and the encroaching inferno as possible. Meanwhile, Xia Xin rode the lion to a sanctuary, where a firebreak ensured temporary safety. ¡°Human, this is a sanctuary set up by your kind. The smaller animals will be safe here, and so will you,¡± the lionmunicated. Puzzled, Xia Xin asked, ¡°Are you leaving?¡± ¡°Of course. I am the King of the Forest. If this forest is destroyed, I must find a new home. Will youe?¡± ¡°No, thank you,¡± Xia Xin replied, stroking the lion¡¯s mane with affection. Just then, Xia Xin heard a shout. ¡°Xia Xin!¡± Turning around, Xia Xin saw Jing MO approaching and heaved a sigh of relief. ¡°Until we meet again, Xia Xin,¡± the lion said before leading its pride away. As Jing MO reached Xia Xin, he saw Xia Xin was caressing the lion¡¯s mane and was taken aback. Although he was aware that Xia Xin couldmunicate with animals, he thought he should be careful because the lion was the King of the Forest. The lions were already gone when he reached Xia Xin¡¯s side. Xia Xin was about to say something but she noticed that Jing MO was being followed by a cameraman. Sensing her puzzled gaze, he quickly exined the circumstances. Understanding, Xia Xin nodded. They were, after all, live on camera, so she selectively shared bits of information with him. However, Jing MO was no fool; he pieced together the entire sequence of events. Thinking about Xu Ping and Xu An, a sense of infuriating helplessness engulfed Jing Mo. After taking a deep breath, he mustered a weak smile. ¡°I¡¯m d you¡¯re okay.¡± The smile seemed forced, but Xia Xin didn¡¯t give it much thought, attributing Jing Mo¡¯s difort to being on camera. At that moment, the onlinements exploded. [Oh wow, Xia Xin is so cool!] [Yeah, yeah, she touched the lion¡¯s mane!] [This is better than touching a tiger¡¯s butt. Who dares to touch it?] [Isn¡¯t that so? Not only did Xia Xin touch the lion¡¯s mane, but she alsomunicated with the lion. The lion just left obediently and didn¡¯t bite!] [That¡¯s amazing. The lions in the zoo look very fierce and hot-blooded. Why are wild lions as obedient as kittens and puppies under Xia Xin?] [Do you guys think Xia Xin is the reincarnation of a goddess?] [Am I the only one who noticed it? There was a scene of Xia Xin riding a lion just now.] As soon as thatment appeared, it was as if the screen had been cleared. But soon, thements appeared again, flooding the screen. [Are you saying that Xia Xin is riding a lion? Are you sure?] [I watched the rey just now and paused it for a moment. It¡¯s indeed true!] [Oh wow, is Xia Xin that amazing?] [Isn¡¯t this like those Beast Masters from a novel?] [No, Xia Xin is a goddess, the daughter of the Goddess of Luck!] Thements were unrelenting. But Xia Xin remained blissfully unaware that she had once again be a hot topic on social mediathis time as a ¡®Beast Tamer¡­¡¯ Chapter 158 - 158: Secrets Chapter 158 - 158: Secrets Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion [Could be a stunt by the production team, not necessarily that she¡¯s a Beast Master.] [Look, they¡¯re probably in a conservation area. It¡¯s not unusual for lions and other animals to appear there.] [Right, maybe the show struck a deal with the conservation area to let Xia Xin get close to animals as a way to encourage us to protect them.] [Anything¡¯s possible. Let¡¯s not be fooled by this.] [It might just be for the show. Don¡¯t take it seriously.]
Jing MO was oblivious to how wildly spective the online discussion had be. Had he known, he would have instructed Sun Hu to squash the trending topics, especially since superstitious beliefs were thest thing anyone should endorse. Such public attention was not beneficial for Xia Xin¡¯s emerging career. Moreover, Jing MO had sensed certain irregrities from the two birds that had flown to him with the news. It was only then that Xia Xin noticed the two birds perched on Jing Mo¡¯s shoulder¡ªthose were the same birds she¡¯d encountered on the side of the road. Clearly, their intervention had led Jing MO to her. ¡°Mr. Jing MO, Ms. Xia Xin, the director says we should return to the production team,¡± said the cameraman, turning off the camera and approaching them. ¡°Alright,¡± both Jing Mo and Xia Xin responded curtly. The charges of kidnapping and arson were significant; the production team¡¯s involvement with Xu Ping and Xu An couldn¡¯t simply be swept under the rug. On their way back, Jing MO briefed Xia Xin on the current situation. The police were also searching for Xu Ping and Xu An. Xia Xin frowned. There were many questions she wanted to ask Jing MO, but she hesitated, not wanting to intrude on his privacy. Upon their return, they found the police waiting. Zhao Nan rushed toward Xia Xin and hugged her tightly. ¡°Xin, where were you? I was so worried!¡± Zhao Nan said, her voice tinged with tears. ¡°I¡¯m okay, Zhao Nan. I¡¯m back, see?¡± Xia Xin patted Zhao Nan¡¯s shoulderfortingly. After consoling Zhao Nan, Xia Xin went to give her statement to the police. With her identification, they quickly found evidence: a lighter with the twins¡¯ fingerprints and an abandoned car. Originally, Xu Ping drove away after leaving, but he did not expect the fire to be so big that he could not see the road clearly and directly hit the guardrail. Fortunately, the speed was not very fast. He only stopped after hitting the guardrail. Coincidentally, Xu Ping met a firefighter who came to put out the fire, so he left with the firefighter. As for Xu An, she was burned by the fire and was finally found by the firefighters and sent to the hospital. Sun Hu filled them in on his findings during the drive home. ¡°I don¡¯t know who¡¯s backing Xu Ping and Xu An, but they¡¯re seriously well-protected. I can¡¯t dig any further,¡± he expressed, frustrated. ¡°Stop the investigation,¡± Jing MO unexpectedlymanded. ¡°What do you mean, ¡®stop¡¯? They¡¯re a threat to your lives!¡± Sun Hu protested. ¡°I said, stop it!¡± Jing MO snapped, unusually angered. In Sun Hu¡¯s impression, although Jing MO was a little cold, he rarely got angry. Now, he was actually angry. Sun Hu recoiled, muttering, ¡°I¡¯m just worried about you, no need to get mad¡ªunless¡­¡± Sun Hu¡¯s words trailed off, catching Jing Mo¡¯s dark gaze. At home, Sun Hu left, and Jing MO sank into the sofa, mulling over the day¡¯s events. After returning home and Sun Hu had left, Jing MO sat down on the sofa and thought about what had happened the whole day. Fresh from the shower, Xia Xin found Jing MO deep in thought. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± she inquired. Jing MO looked up but hesitated, uncertain how to exin. ¡°It¡¯s about you, isn¡¯t it?¡± she pressed. He opened his mouth, wanting to clear the air, but fear gripped him. He couldn¡¯t gamble with Xia Xin¡¯s safety. Seeing him like this, Xia Xin¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. She sifted through her memories of their past life but found nothing concerning ling Mo, the superstar. ¡°Big brother, is there really nothing you want to tell me?¡± Xia Xin questioned again.. Chapter 159 - 159: Trending Topic Chapter 159: Trending Topic Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion The moment Xia Xin questioned Jing MO, he felt something in his heart soften. He sighed, closed his eyes, and leaned back into the couch, taking a long pause before he began to speak. ¡°I¡¯m from the Jing family in Azuralis,¡± he finally said. Xia Xin was momentarily stunned. ¡®The Jing family in Azuralis? I¡¯d heard of them, but didn¡¯t know much.¡¯ She had a barrage of questions she didn¡¯t voice because she knew, all she had to do was be a good listener. ¡°You saw me years ago not because I was being bullied. Rather, the people from the Jing family in Azuralis wanted to take me back. I left the city because my philosophies shed with those of my family,¡± Jing MO borated. Xia Xin wasn¡¯t entirely surprised. From the grace with which he conducted himself, she could tell he was more than just a popr star. That sort of innate elegance couldn¡¯t be faked. But she hadn¡¯t expected his background to be so grand¡ªbelonging to the prestigious Jing family of Azuralis. Jing MO and Xia Xin spoke for nearly the whole night, though he only told her about some of his past experiences. Many things he kept to himself, knowing that Xia Xin was better off not knowing. The more she knew, the worse it could be for her. ¡°Is there anything I can do for you, Jing MO?¡± Xia Xin asked. Warmth surged within Jing Mo. He looked at Xia Xin, moved. She was the sole willing ear for his burdens, a single ray of light that had shone through the darkness of his past. ¡°Thank you, Xin,¡± Jing MO said, suddenly pulling her into a hug. Xia Xin didn¡¯t struggle, but rather gently patted his back,forting him. Just then, the sound of the front door opening broke the moment. Both of them froze as a voice came from behind, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry! I didn¡¯t realize the door was unlocked.¡± Sun Hu swallowed hard. He¡¯d returned to take care of some unfinished business and had not expected to walk into this intimate moment. Both Xia Xin and Jing MO hastily separated. Xia Xin¡¯s cheeks flushed crimson. ¡°We were just talking¡­¡± she began, but Sun Hu cut her oft. ¡°I know, I know. You were just hugging, just talking. Nothing more. I saw nothing. I¡¯ll leave now,¡± he said, turning to go. The blush on Xia Xin¡¯s face deepened. Sun Hu¡¯s exnation seemed to make things worse, not better. ¡°Come back here,¡± Jing MOmanded, his expression darkening. Reluctantly, Sun Hu returned, sensing that perhaps there was something more serious at hand. ¡°What is it?¡± Jing MO inquired. Jolted, Sun Hu nearly forgot why he¡¯de back. ¡°Ah, right. About the show. We will continue filming tomorrow, live, just like before.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t we take a break for a few days?¡± Jing MO frowned. ¡°After everything Xia Xin¡¯s been through, she needs rest.¡± ¡°The director says the show¡¯s too hot right now; we have to strike while the iron¡¯s hot,¡± Sun Hu exined. ¡°Fine. You could have just called,¡± Jing MO snapped. ¡°There¡¯s another matter, concerning Xia Xin. I¡¯d prefer to discuss it without you,¡± Sun Hu added, his face turning serious. Jing MO wasn¡¯t keen on leaving. Xia Xin sensed his reluctance and whispered in his ear, ¡°I¡¯ll fill you inter. Please go to your room.¡± For some reason, hearing her say ¡°Go to your room¡± gave him an unusual sensation, and his cheeks tinged with color. Afraid of betraying his feelings, he swiftly stood and retreated to his room. ¡°What¡¯s the matter concerning me?¡± Xia Xin asked Sun Hu. ¡°The inte is buzzing, iming you¡¯re a Beast Master,¡± he dropped the bombshell. Since leaving the show, Xia Xin hadn¡¯t checked her phone and was utterly unaware of this revtion. Upon hearing the term ¡®Beast Master¡¯, her eyes widened in disbelief. Her first thought was, ¡®I¡¯m doomed.¡¯ ¡°Exactly, it¡¯s absurd. If I didn¡¯t know you, I¡¯d consider it a ludicrous rumor too. But you canmunicate with Bobo, with that stubborn mule on set, and even ride a lion. So, I had to ask what¡¯s going on?¡± Sun Hu probed.. Chapter 160 - 160: Trust Chapter 160: Trust Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion For every word Sun Hu spoke, Xia Xin¡¯s face grew darker. Reflecting on her recent actions, she had to admit her behavior had been excessively bold. Her eyebrows furrowed as a Question suddenly struck her. ¡°What did you mean by saying that I rode a lion? Who knows that I did that?¡± Xia Xin questioned Sun Hu. ¡°Jing MO saw you. He was caught on camera for a brief moment when he went to look for you. A sharp-eyedizen spotted it,¡± Sun Hu replied. At that, Xia Xin¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°Is there any way to clear things up? ¡®The term ¡®Beast Master¡¯ sounded mystic and fantastical. If people actually believed that about me, wouldn¡¯t that make me a target for those with nefarious intentions, possibly wanting to dissect me for experiments?¡¯ The thought sent a chill down her spine. ¡°I initially thought there was no need for rification. A mix of truth and fiction could heighten public interest in you. There are even people hailed as ¡®Rain Gods¡¯ byizens, aren¡¯t there? But considering the recent issues with Xu Ping and Xu An, I think it¡¯s better to set the record straight,¡± Sun Hu advised. Hearing this, Xia Xin nodded frantically. ¡°Yes, yes, let¡¯s clear things up, no more of this nonsense. ¡°So, will you tell me the truth? What¡¯s going on?¡± Sun Hu asked, his face grave. Caught off guard, Xia Xin hesitated. Exining that she was a ¡®Beast Master¡¯ would seem absurd, but denying it would only raise more questions. She didn¡¯t know what to say to counter Sun Hu¡¯s ims. Sun Hu, sensing her hesitation, sighed deeply. ¡°I¡¯ve sent Jing MO away; it¡¯s just the two of us now. I won¡¯t expose your secret. What is really happening? Letting this fester online is not in your best interest.¡± A shadow crossed Xia Xin¡¯s face. ¡°Could I still leave the entertainment industry at this point?¡± By now, Sun Hu felt fairly certain about his suspicions. ¡°It¡¯s toote for that. From the moment you step into the public eye, almost everything you do is now public knowledge. You have your own fan base who will keep tabs on you¡ªthey¡¯re deeply invested in every aspect of your life.¡± ¡°Backing out is not an option now. So, what¡¯s the truth?¡± Sun Hu pressed. Sighing, Xia Xin finally spoke. ¡°I can indeed sense animals¡¯ emotions. I can understand their feelings, but I¡¯m far from the Beast Master status thatizens are attributing to me. I don¡¯t want to end up as someone¡¯sb experiment.¡± She didn¡¯t reveal everything to Sun Hu, only providing him with enough information to proceed. Even the selective disclosure stunned him. ¡°You can clearly understand animals¡¯ emotional states and even get them to help you?¡± Sun Hu confirmed. After receiving Xia Xin¡¯s nod, he rxed. He said, ¡°That¡¯s not a big deal. Plenty of animal rights activists can do simr things, just not as effectively as you. I know how to handle this now. Get some rest; you have a variety show to attend tomorrow.¡± With that, Sun Hu hurriedly exited the house. Only then did Jing MO, who had been waiting upstairs, descend. ¡°What happened, Xin?¡± Jing MO inquired. Xia Xin ryed the matter about the trending topic, exining Sun Hut s visit. Jing MO nodded, choosing not to probe further. ¡°Aren¡¯t you curious?¡± Xia Xin asked. ¡°I am, but it¡¯s your private matter. You¡¯ll tell me when you¡¯re ready,¡± Jing MO responded. Jing Mo¡¯s words implied that Xia Xin had her own space, and he wouldn¡¯t invade it under the guise of concern. If she wanted to share, she would. Touched by Jing Mo t s trust, Xia Xin opened up. ¡°I canmunicate with animals, and understand what they say, but I haven¡¯t reached the level of a Beast Master.¡± Xia Xin believed that she shouldn¡¯t divulge too much to Jing MO, yet her heart trusted him implicitly. This trust made her willing to share some of her secrets with him.. Chapter 161 - 161: Unexposed Chapter 161 - 161: Unexposed Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing MO was momentarily stunned, but then a wave of tion washed over him. ¡®Xia Xin trusted me!¡¯ ¡°Thank you for your trust,¡± Jing MO said softly. ¡°What¡¯s there to thank me for? You trust me too, don¡¯t you?¡± Xia Xin responded. He¡¯d shared his own secrets with her as well. ¡°Guess we¡¯re both in the same boat, aren¡¯t we?¡± Jing MO managed a wry smile. He faced dangers because his family pressured him to return home, while she was at risk due to online rumors that branded her a Beast Master. ¡°I¡¯m a bit concerned,¡± Xia Xin confided, her face clouding over. ¡°Sun Hu came over earlier to discuss this. He said he knows how to handle it, but I¡¯m not fully convinced. One person¡¯s exnation can¡¯t silence everyone. If someone with ulterior motives catches wind of this, I won¡¯t be safe.
Safety was her deepest concern. If government agencies approached her, she wouldn¡¯t fear a thing; she¡¯d have the backing of the state. But if criminal organizations found out about her first, they might force her to manipte animals intomitting crimes. Just imagining that scenario sent a chill down her spine. ¡°Get some rest. Stop overthinking it,¡± Jing MO advised. After Xia Xin retired to her room, Jing MO went back to his own, but he didn¡¯t sleep. Instead, he called Sun Hu. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Sun Hu answered. ¡°Any good solutions for handling Xia Xin¡¯s situation?¡± Jing MO inquired. Sun Hu frowned, ¡°Just tell people she can sense the emotions of animals. It¡¯s amon trait among animal lovers.¡± ¡°That won¡¯t work, ¡± Jing MO immediately rejected the idea. ¡°Why not? Do you have a better solution?¡± Sun Hu challenged. ¡°Xu Ping and Xu An have been arrested for arson and attempted kidnapping,¡± Jing MO began. ¡°We can use their situation to quell the public¡¯s spection about Xia Xin.¡± Sun Hu paused, not grasping the connection immediately. ¡°How does that work?¡± Sun Hu was a top-tier agent. In the past, he could handle these small matters, but he was too busy at the moment. He was so busy that he couldn¡¯t react immediately. Jing MO borated, ¡°First, go with your n¡ªinform the public that Xia Xin has a special connection with animals. Then, tell them that Xu Ping and Xu An had tried to kidnap her because of such rumors. Urge people not to believe or spread such tales as they can put Xia Xin in harm¡¯s way.¡± Sun Hu finally caught on, ¡°You really missed your calling, you¡¯d make a great agent. What a mind!¡± Then, as if it just hit him, Sun Hu said, ¡°Wait, why are you so keen on solving Xia Xin¡¯s problems when you can¡¯t even solve your own?¡± Jing MO chose not to respond. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Xu Ping and Xu An. They won¡¯t talk. And regarding them, set up a meeting for me. I want to see them.¡± With that, he hung up. On the other end, Sun Hu stared at his phone as the call ended, cursing under his breath, ¡°Selfish jerk. Use me and then dump me.¡± ¡°I just mentioned you seemed overly concerned about Xia Xin, and you hung up on me?¡± Sun Hu grumbled. Despite hisints, Sun Hu didn¡¯t ignore Jing Mo¡¯s request. After all, clearing Xia Xin¡¯s name was crucial, and Xu Ping and Xu An were the key to that. Jing MO visited the police station before the recording of his variety show. ¡°Is it possible for them to be released on bail?¡± Jing MO asked the police officer. ¡°The fact that you¡¯re allowed to visit them is already a special favor,¡± the police officer replied. ¡°They¡¯re charged with arson in a forest reserve, not to mention attempted kidnapping. They won¡¯t be bailed out. We¡¯re letting you see them because you¡¯re a public figure and also a victim. Maybe you could persuade them to confess. ¡°I understand,¡± Jing MO said. ¡°I was just asking for the sake of it. I have no intention of bailing them out. They¡¯re not good people..¡± Chapter 162 - 162: Discussion Chapter 162 - 162: Discussion Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll take you there. Each visitor gets ten minutes, so use your time wisely,¡± the police officer led Jing MO into the visitor¡¯s room. Visiting two people at the same time wasn¡¯t permitted, so Jing MO had to choose between the two siblings, Xu An and Xu Ping. He opted for Xu An first. Even though she was technically the younger sister, she had always been the more dominant force in their rtionship. Whether it was on a mission or something else, Xu An was the decision-maker. Jing MO knew that if he could convince Xu An, he wouldn¡¯t have to work hard to persuade Xu Ping. He was careful with his words, knowing he was in a police station and couldn¡¯t discuss anything illegal. Instead, he vaguely mentioned some trending topics from recent days and inquired if they¡¯d kidnapped Xia Xin because of these discussions. Xu An caught on immediately. She nodded, understanding that if Jing Mo¡¯s true identity was exposed, she and her brother would be ruined. ¡°So, why didn¡¯t you guys just tell the truth?¡± Jing MO asked.
¡°Who would believe us? If you¡¯vee to mock us, you¡¯ve seen enough. You can leave now,¡± Xu An said, effectively ending the conversation. Jing MO watched as Xu An left the room, making way for Xu Ping. ¡°I¡¯ve spoken to Xu An. She told me the real reason behind your kidnapping of Xia Xin,¡± Jing MO told Xu Ping. Xu Ping looked puzzled. He thought, ¡®But if he already knows why we did it, why did he need to ask her?¡¯ ¡°You kidnapped Xia Xin because she has a special connection with animals? You actually think she¡¯s a Beast Master?¡± Jing MO questioned, skepticism etched into his features. Xu Ping remained silent, unsure of how to respond. He thought that could cover up Jing Mo¡¯s identity. ¡°It¡¯s absurd,¡± Jing MO stated icily before leaving the room. As Jing MO stepped out of the police station, Sun Hu approached him. ¡°So, how did it go?¡± ¡°Not well. I wanted them to reveal the real motive so we could close the case and protect Xia Xin, ¡± Jing MO replied dismissively. To Jing MO, his own past was of no concern. After all, Xu Ping and Xu An had already been apprehended. Their purpose was no longer of importance. Sun Hu nodded and went on to pick up Xia Xin to escort her to the TV show set. It was nearly time for the broadcast. Then, he directed his PR team to publicize the siblings¡¯ kidnapping motive. [It¡¯s said that a new popr girl can sense the emotions of animals, making the bad guys unable to sit still. To verify it, they actually kidnapped people. Fortunately, the girl was smart and escaped.] As soon as the news broke, everyone suspected it was about Xia Xin¡ªthe rising star who had recently gained traction in the entertainment world. Social media tforms lit up withments both for and against Xia Xin. [I can sense animal emotions too. There¡¯s nothing special about it.] [That¡¯s right. I know best whether my puppy is happy or not.] [You¡¯re right. I can also sense the emotional changes of small animals. Xia Xin should be just a little better than us. After all, she works in a zoo and has more contact with animals.] [Isn¡¯t that so? Xu Ping and Xu An were really bad to kidnap someone because of such a thing.] [A few days ago, I saw the trending searches saying that Xia Xin was a Beast Master. Isn¡¯t that too fantastical? Where can there be such a thing in the world?] [I¡¯ve also heard what you said. I even went to support it. Xia Xin is beautiful and kind, so I went to support her. Now that I think about it, I really shouldn¡¯t have.] [Isn¡¯t that so? It¡¯s causing trouble for Xia Xin.] [No wonder Xia Xin works in the zoo. It¡¯s because of her ability. I think she is also a person who loves animals very much.] However, the majority of voices online were in favor of Xia Xin. Naturally, some were not in her favor. [What do you mean by sensing the emotions of animals? That was too ridiculous. If she could, why didn¡¯t she go to the forest tomunicate with those endangered species?] [If it¡¯s really that mysterious, Xia Xin should stop being a celebrity. Can¡¯t shemunicate with animals directly?] However, as soon as the voices of opposition came out, they were drowned out. Most of theizens still supported Xia Xin, leading the topic to trend consistently until the broadcast of the TV show, much to the delight of the show¡¯s director.. Chapter 163 - 163: A Fear of Women Chapter 163 - 163: A Fear of Women Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion ¡°Xia Xin really is a trending topic setter. With her positively electrifying presence, the reputation of our variety show just keeps soaring,¡± the director said with a beaming smile. The director¡¯s warmth towards Xia Xin had noticeably intensified since her arrival. ¡°Ah, it¡¯s Xia Xin and Jing Mo! d you could make it. Take a seat and get your makeup done; we¡¯re going live in half an hour. The show has changed a bit; we¡¯re pairing people up this time. At least you can watch each other¡¯s backs,¡± the director exined. The director subtly shifted the mission parameters to ensure their safety, making a point to Xia Xin that he was not in league with Xu Ping and Xu An. ¡°Ah, also, meet our new scriptwriter, Li Da. To enhance safety, we¡¯ve expanded the guest list to six¡ªpairing everyone into three teams. The pairings will be determined by drawing lots.¡±
The director outlined the new game rules in one breath, leaving Xia Xin pleasantly surprised. ¡°Thank you,¡± Xia Xin said graciously. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. Go get your makeup done while I brief the others,¡± the director responded with an affable smile. The director¡¯s effusive manner left Xia Xin feeling slightly uneasy. She turned a puzzled nce towards Jing Mo. ¡°It¡¯s because he wants to distance himself from Xu Ping and Xu An. Plus, you¡¯ve hit the trending topics again,¡± Jing MO rified. Xia Xin hadn¡¯t checked her phone and was unaware that the inte was buzzing with discussions about her. She asked, ¡°Are they talking about me being a Beast Master?¡± ¡°Not entirely, ¡± Jing MO exined briefly. Xia Xin went silent, pondering theplexities. She wondered how Xu Ping and Xu An could know what was being discussed online, unaware that Jing MO had a hand in it. All she could do was marvel at the extensive reach of the media. Jing MO saw her confusion but chose not to rify; she didn¡¯t need to know the intricacies. ¡°I wonder who the new guests are,¡± Jing MO smoothly changed the topic. ¡°We¡¯ll find out soon enough,¡± Xia Xin replied. The makeup artists soon arrived, and before long, it was time to start filming. The director announced, ¡°Today, we¡¯ve invited three new celebrities. We¡¯re pairing them up to minimize injuries. As for the pairings, we¡¯ll make it fair by drawing lots.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s wee our three new additions!¡± said the director with a grin. Three individuals walked in¡ªtwo actresses and one actor. Upon seeing the male star, named Lu Shi, Xia Xin¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. While Jing MO had a ster reputation, Lu Shi was his pr opposite¡ªinfamous for his numerous affairs and even caught leaving hotels with various starlets. And yet, he would im they were discussing ¡®scripts.¡¯ Unable to suppress an eye-roll, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but feel that once might be an ident, but constant scandals were a pattern. Upon entering, Lu Shi¡¯s eyes immediately fixed on Xia Xin. He had taken notice of her when she was the trending zookeeper beauty, and now seeing her in person, he was genuinely captivated. ¡°Come, get to know each other. We¡¯ll start drawing lots in ten minutes,¡± said the director. He let the three new celebrities sit down while he went down to prepare for the drawing of lots. ¡°Hi, I¡¯m Lu Shi. You must be the beautiful zookeeper?¡± He sauntered over to sit beside Xia Xin, edging closer as though testing her boundaries. Xia Xin¡¯s brows tightened, and she discreetly moved away. Catching her reluctance, Lu Shi signaled to one of the actresses who¡¯d arrived with him. She approached, shing a sharine smile, and asked, ¡°May I sit here?¡± Before Xia Xin could respond, Jing MO sharply said, ¡°No.¡± Moving even closer to Xia Xin, he added, ¡°I have a fear of women.¡± The actress¡¯s face stiffened; her veneer of sweetness shattered by awkwardness. [LOL, this sweet little flower just got pricked!! [Seriously, Zhou Lian is a hypocrite, and I don¡¯t like her either.] (Jing Mo never disappoints. Only he coulde up with such ame excuse¡­ A fear of women? Then why is he so close to Xia Xin? Chapter 164 - 164: Narcissism Chapter 164 - 164: Narcissism Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin shifted a little closer to Jing MO, and in turn, Jing MO also moved a smidge closer to her. The space between them shrank, bing more intimate. ¡°I guess I¡¯ll sit here then,¡± Zhou Lian said. She walked over and took a seat far from Jing Mo. ¡°Lu Shi, Jing MO, my name is Tian Mei, and I¡¯m a huge fan of both of you. Can I have an autograph from both of you?¡± A voice, sharine and melodious, broke into the scene. All eyes turned to Tian Mei, her face adorned with an innocent, sugary smile. She approached Xia Xin and asked, ¡°I wonder if I could get up close and personal with my idols?¡± Usually, anyone sitting where Xia Xin was would stand up to offer Tian Mei a seat. But Xia Xin was different, smiling, she said, ¡°There will be plenty of opportunities for up-close interactions. Good luck.¡±
Xia Xin wasn¡¯t about to let another woman get close to Jing Mo. Something about Tian Mei irked her. ¡®Irked?¡¯ Xia Xin was startled by her own feelings. ¡®Since when did I care who got close to Jing MO?¡¯ Though her thoughts tried to rationalize, her heart felt uneasy with a strange, sour sensation. Seeing the fluctuating emotions on Xia Xin¡¯s face, Jing MO leaned in and whispered, ¡°Is everything okay? Do you feel unwell?¡± Tian Mei¡¯s smile faltered, bing awkward as Jing MO ignored her to speak with Xia Xin. Onlinements erupted. [Why is Jing MO being so harsh on our Tian Mei?] [Yeah, all Tian Mei did was express her affection.] [That guy¡¯s disgusting! Can¡¯t he see that Tian Mei is almost crying?] [Oh my God, can Tian Mei¡¯s fans just stop embarrassing themselves?] [That¡¯s right. Do you think you own the world? Does the whole world revolve around you?] [Isn¡¯t she too good at pretending? So what if she expressed her good feelings? If the other person doesn¡¯t like it, then the other person should reject it.] [Initially, I didn¡¯t have anything against Tian Mei, but after hearing what her fans said today, I¡¯m starting to hate Tian Mei from now on.] [I really hate people like her. I really can¡¯t stand watching Tian Mei on this variety show.] [What¡¯s in that director¡¯s mind to invite such a ¡°top-notch¡± person?] [What are you guys talking about? If it weren¡¯t for Tian Mei, we wouldn¡¯t have watched this variety show!] The show¡¯s director, pleased by the buzz, picked up his walkie-talkie.¡± Tell Xia Xin to give up her seat for Tian Mei, ¡± he instructed the cameraman. The cameraman subtly ryed the message. Xia Xin frowned, reluctant to move. She startled herself with that instinct, but before she could dwell on it, Jing MO suddenly stood up and took a seat beside her. So now, a new dynamic was set. Jing MO and Xia Xin on one side, Xu Zhi on the other, and the neers¡ªLu Shi, Zhou Lian, and Tian Mei¡ªfilled the remaining spots. As Lu Shi, Zhou Lian, and Tian Mei spoke, their eyes often met Xia Xin¡¯s, hinting at an air of undeniable self-assurance. Xia Xin was disgusted by Lu Shi¡¯s gaze and furrowed her brow. Noticing her difort, Jing MO subtly adjusted his position to obstruct most of Lu Shi¡¯s line of sight. Lu Shi¡¯s brow twitched ever so slightly but he wasn¡¯t deterred. In his eyes, anyone he fancied couldn¡¯t escape his grasp. As a hunter, he had ample patience to wait for his prey to fall into his trap. The atmosphere turned awkward, prompting the director to hurriedly prepare for the next segment. ¡°We¡¯ll determine our teams by drawing lots. Please get ready; those drawing the same numbers will form a team.¡± Soon, the lot was cast. Xia Xin and Jing MO both drew number three. Xu Zhi and Zhou Lian were number one, while Lu Shi and Tian Mei were number two. ¡°It seems I¡¯m lucky,¡± said Jing Mo. ¡°How about a switch, Jing MO? I¡¯m really interested in our beautiful zookeeper here. My next drama involves a zookeeper, and I¡¯d like to consult with her,¡± Lu Shi casually suggested, shing what he considered to be a charming smile at Xia Xin. Jing Mo¡¯s brow tightened but he said nothing, leaving Lu Shi to set his charming eyes on Xia Xin once more.. Chapter 165 New Rules 165 New Rules Xia Xin and Jing Mo wore identical furrowed brows; it was obvious that she didn''t want to agree. Not one to let her refuse, Lu Shi got up, intending to walk over to her. She interjected, "I don''t have the time, sorry." "We could use the time when we''re filming the show to have a quick lesson," Lu Shi retorted. "Maybe you don''t get it, but what I mean is that I''m not interested," Xia Xin said, her gaze indifferent as it met Lu Shi''s. Lu Shi paused mid-step, his face darkening. As the son of a wealthy family, he was used to getting what he wanted, both in the entertainment industry and at home. No one had ever refused him like this before. Well, perhaps someone had¡ªbut no more than once. Those women knew that he was impatient, or perhaps they were just trying to catch his attention. Undeterred, Lu Shi asked again, "Ignoring me, are you? Is Miss Xia harboring such malice towards me upon our first meeting?" Suddenly, the direction of the livements shifted. [What''s up with Xia Xin?] [Exactly, our Lu Shi asked her politely, and she''s acting like this?] [Lu Shi is such a gentleman, he must be heartbroken.] [Is Xia Xin ying hard to get?] Comments criticizing Xia Xin flooded the screen, much to the director''s delight. More drama meant higher ratings, after all. "Lu Shi, if you''re having trouble understanding, I can repeat it for you," Jing Mo interjected. Lu Shi''s expression stiffened momentarily, a shadow flickering across his eyes. Facing Jing Mo, he knew better than to act arrogant. Even with the power of his family backing him, he dared not openly confront Jing Mo. So, Lu Shi chuckled, "No problem. When you have the time, we can talk then, Miss Xia." With a casual shrug, he leaned back into his sofa. "Alright, everyone has gotten to know their team members, so let''s move on to the rules of the game. The theme is still aboutmunicating with animals, but to align more closely with it, we''ve decided to film this episode on a small ind. The main task is to survive on the ind for eleven days, and the secondary task is to rescue animals. The evaluation will be based on thepletion of the secondary tasks. "You will not be provided with any supplies, and you''re free to choose whether toplete the tasks as a group or individually," the director paused to read the expressions of the participants before adding, "Any questions?" "Me." Tian Mei raised her hand like a well-behaved schoolgirl. "Does that mean we have to manage everything on the ind? Are there any facilities for us to bathe, or will someone cook for us?" The director sighed internally, ''Why had I agreed to include Tian Mei? This Tian Mei seemed to be brainless. I had already said that they were going to live on the ind for eleven days. This is a survival on a deserted ind show!'' Tian Mei was baffled. She thought, ''My agent had told me this is a return-to-nature show with animals. When did it be a survival show? Aren''t we going to choose a small animal for the first episode?'' "Can I bring my personal assistant to the ind to assist me?" Tian Mei inquired. "If you can''t manage, you''re wee to drop out. We have substitutes," the director''s tone grew cold. Tian Mei seemed to be asking for special treatment, and the director wasn''t pleased. "No, what I meant is, I have other workmitments. I''ll need my assistant to help manage those," Tian Mei quickly realized she was on live broadcast and feigned vulnerability. [We feel for you, Tian Mei. You have to live in such harsh conditions and are worried about your work.] [Tian Mei is so strong, not even forgetting her job under these circumstances.] [Take care of yourself, Tian Mei, don''t only focus on your work.] [Yes, darling, take good care of yourself. We''ll be heartbroken if you fall ill.] Chapter 166 Preparation 166 Preparation Upon seeing thesements, Sun Hu''s mind was blown away. He thought, ''Are these people joking? Isn''t filming this variety show a form of work as well?Did only Tian Mei need to work, and need a manager, while everyone else was free to lounge? Look at my two talents¡ªJing Mo and Xia Xin¡ªthey were so obedient and understanding. Ah, when Ipare them to others, it just makes me want to scream in frustration.'' If Xia Xin knew what Sun Hu was thinking, she''d undoubtedly burst outughing. Describing Jing Mo as "obedient" was rather peculiar. "If you can''t fit this into your schedule, then drop out of the filming," the director said, not keen on wasting more words on Tian Mei. ''The show was about to start, and she had the gall to say she wanted to bring an assistant for work? Isn''t that a p in my face? The theme of the show leaned towards survival on a deserted ind. Under such conditions, I needed artists who were physically fit and knowledgeable about wilderness survival, not a fragile damsel like Tian Mei.'' the director thought. Tian Mei''s expression stiffened considerably. She hurriedly rified, "No, no, no, I can make it work. It''s just a small matter. I''ll sort it out with my assistant. It won''t affect the filming." "Now that the teams have already been formed. You all have the afternoon to prepare. Remember, the crew won''t be giving any help. You will have to survive on the ind with what you bring," the director dered. "Also, it''s a small ind in the sea. After the car ride, you''ll be spending the night on a boat." Thus, after an hour or two of filming, another break was called. The artists were instructed to be at the filming location by 4:00 in the afternoon. The crew would transport the teams to the ind afterward. After pausing the filming, Sun Hu took the pair back to his home. "When I got the notice, I prepared all these for you. See if it''s enough," Sun Hu said, his brow furrowed. Sun Hu had prepared the items based on a wilderness survival standard, something he had only seen in videos and never really understood. The abrupt change in program format had thrown off his ns. He was tempted to take both his talents and leave. But the show''s theme was aboutmunicating with animals and connecting with nature. Opting out of such minor inconveniences would disappoint their fans. Xia Xin approached to inspect the baggage Sun Hu had prepared¡ª11 daytime outfits, 11 sets of pajamas, some cosmetics, skincare products, mosquito repellent, and other things like fishing lines for wilderness survival. "We don''t need this many clothes, and we certainly don''t need a suitcase," Xia Xin said. "I get that we don''t need all these clothes, but what about the suitcase? How do we carry all this?" Sun Hu questioned. "I didn''t say we wouldn''t need something to carry our things. I said we wouldn''t need a suitcase," Xia Xin exined earnestly. "We don''t know the situation on the ind; it could be uninhabited. A suitcase would be too cumbersome. A backpack would be much more convenient. "We should only bring three sets of clothes¡ªone for sleeping and two for daytime. Also, a windbreaker, mosquito repellent, and the survival gear. Additionally, we''ll need sr lights, a foldable tent, and a water bag," Xia Xin detailed, removing unnecessary items and making room in the baggage. Sun Hu watched Xia Xin reorganize and said, "Even if we switch to backpacks, doesn''t this all seem too little? We''ll at least have room for another backpack''s worth of stuff." Since Xia Xin and Jing Mo were on the same team, they could fit Xia Xin''s list of essentials in one backpack, leaving another one empty. "Didn''t you hear the director''s rule? We need to assist animals. We can bring some animal food, medicine, and bandages. The second backpack should be about full with these," Xia Xin advised. "What about sunscreen and food for you two?" Sun Hu asked. Xia Xin pondered for a moment and said, "Not necessary. This is akin to surviving on a deserted ind. We can bring a bit of non-perishable food. Once we get ay of thend, we can find resources there." Chapter 167 - 167: The Show’s Effects Chapter 167: The Show¡¯s Effects Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin gave Sun Hu onest piece of advice. ¡°Make sure to buy thergest travel bags avable, and also a foldable stic bucket.¡± Listening to Xia Xin, Sun Hu immediately set out to prepare the remaining items. Roughly an hourter, he returned with all the essentials Xia Xin had requested. After neatly packing everything into her travel bag, Xia Xin tried hoisting it onto her back. The bag was gigantic¡ªalmost towering over her¡ªand it wasn¡¯t exactly a breeze to carry. Jing MO also hoisted a bag onto his back. Before he had be an artist, he¡¯d often been an avid traveler, adept at lugging around enormous bags like this one. He quickly grasped the knack for it and offered Xia Xin some pointers. ¡°Considering the issue of electricity, I brought along a sr panel for you guys, and themp is sr-powered as well,¡± Sun Hu said. ¡°A bit of sun during the day and it should charge up just fine.¡± Xia Xin and Jing MO separated their belongings into differentpartments. There was only one tent, but it was spacious enough to amodate four people. Still, Xia Xin figured the other cast members probably wouldn¡¯t think that far ahead. Seeing the size of their tent, they¡¯d likely want to crowd in with them. The two grabbed a quick bite and, well before four o¡¯clock, had Sun Hu drop them off at the show¡¯s set. When they arrived, Xia Xin could hardly keep a straight face. Aside from Xu Zhi, who had a regr-sized travel bag, everyone else had brought along multiplerge suitcases. The director appeared exasperated. However, uponying eyes on Xia Xin and Jing MO, he brightened. ¡°Impressive! I have no idea what you¡¯ve packed, but those bags look perfect for wilderness survival,¡± he said, giving them an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Viewers quickly flooded the screen withments. [Why is the director so biased? We have artists with plenty of baggage too, why doesn¡¯t he praise them?] [That¡¯s right. Lu Shi has also prepared a lot. Why didn¡¯t the director praise him?] [My goodness, only that two-faced brought a small bag. The others are carrying big baggage. Don¡¯t beg our idol when you don¡¯t have enough things.] [I¡¯m curious what Xu Zhi has in that tiny bag of his.] Seizing the moment, the director threw in an impromptu segment. ¡°Let¡¯s have our artists open up their bags and show the audience what they¡¯ve packed.¡± Exchanging a nce, Xia Xin and Jing MO unslung their bags. ¡°Our stuff is bulky and challenging to repack. Unzipping the bag should suffice for now,¡± Xia Xin exined as she opened her travel bag. Inside, viewers could see neatly packed food and medical supplies. ¡°Why¡¯d you bring medical supplies? Wouldn¡¯t more food be practical? I¡¯ve got enough here tost me eleven days on that ind.¡± Tian Mei. cocking her head. queried Xia Xin. Her words were fraught with hidden barbs, suggesting that Xia Xin was ill-prepared and ignorant. ¡°The director mentioned that final scores are based on thepletion of subtasks, which include helping animals on the ind,¡± Xia Xin responded. ¡°As for food, I don¡¯t believe that ind is uninhabited by anything edible.¡± Xia Xin rarely exined so much, but since this was a live broadcast and Tian Mei wanted to sabotage her. Xia Xin naturally wouldn¡¯t fall for that easily. Tian Mei¡¯s sweet smile vanished, reced by an expression of faux innocence. ¡°I was just concerned about you, Xia Xin. I¡¯ve no ill intentions.¡± [Why is this Xia Xin so vicious?] [She really doesn¡¯t know how to appreciate a good person. Tian Mei is only concerned about her. How can she bully her?] [So disgusting! Boycotting Xia Xin!] Thements erupted in outrage against Xia Xin. Unperturbed, Sun Hu knew that they had prepared well for every contingency. In his mind, barring unexpected developments, this episode¡¯s winners would undoubtedly be Jing MO and Xia Xin.. Chapter 168 - 168: Seasickness Chapter 168: Seasickness Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xu Zhi unzipped his backpack, revealing its contents. ¡°I¡¯ve brought food, water, medicine, and a sleeping bag.¡± Zhou Lian and Lu Shi did the same with their baggage. They had an assortment of cosmetics, skincare products, clothes, food, and water. To their credit, they had also packed sleeping bags. This meant that out of the trio, only Tian Mei was without a sleeping bag. A bewildered look washed over Tian Mei¡¯s face. ¡°Why would you bring sleeping bags?¡± she asked, incredulous. Zhou Lian snickered. ¡°Well, you don¡¯t have to. You could always sleep while saving small animals.¡± ¡°Sleep while saving small animals? What kind of animal would you save by sleeping?¡± Tian Mei feigned naivety as if she truly had no inkling of the world around her. ¡°Ah, mosquitoes,¡± Xu Zhi kindly exined. As he said that, Xu Zhi felt a surge of relief that he wasn¡¯t on Tian Mei¡¯s team. With her high-maintenance personality, she could turn out to be a liability rather than an asset. Visibly startled, Tian Mei uttered, ¡°Mosquitoes?¡± Tian Mei had brought mosquito repellent¡ªfive bottles of it, no less. But she kept this information to herself, calcting that half a bottle per day shouldst her for the eleven days on the ind. She couldn¡¯t have been more wrong. Barely a day into her ind life, she realized even five days¡¯ worth would not suffice. Sensing that the conversation had already sparked viewer discussion, the director signaled for the artists to be ferried to the ind. It was a rough ferry ride for Tian Mei, who was so seasick she nearly doubled over the railing. [Can¡¯t the crew be more humane?] an onlinement read. Another retorted, [What do you want them to do? Have the artists swam there? That¡¯s pretty humane, provided they don¡¯t need to save any animals along the way.] Zhou Lian¡¯s snidement about ¡°sleeping while saving small animals¡± had gone viral, setting social media aze. The term was being applied to all sorts of scenarios. For instance, if the celebrities swam to the ind and got eaten by sharks, they¡¯d be ¡°saving animals,¡± too. Tian Mei¡¯s fans were devastated. She had been throwing up incessantly ever since boarding the ferry and had not been able to maintain her on-screen persona, opting toy low in her room instead. Zhou Lian managed to keep her seasickness at bay, although she did look a bit pale as time passed. Lu Shi, the trust fund baby, was perfectlyfortable, as ustomed as he was to sailing and yacht parties. Xu Zhi was also doing fine. After curiously exploring the ship and having a meal, he retreated to his room, instructing his assistant to somehow send more supplies. As for Xia Xin and Jing MO, they were the most rxed of all. Their supplies were in order, and they had nothing to worry about. Come nightfall, the two savored champagne, lounging on deck chairs, feeling the sea breeze against their skin. It was a moment of serene bliss. [I can see them having children together,] someonemented. [Me too, and I thought it was just me!] [Isn¡¯t Xia Xin dating MO Shu? Why is she with Jing MO?] [Shut up. MO Shu hasn¡¯t admitted it yet.] [Don¡¯t say that MO Shu didn¡¯t admit it. Just look at these two people. They¡¯re lying on the recliner and there¡¯s a person¡¯s distance between them. Why do you think they¡¯re in a rtionship?] Eventually, the director motioned for the cameramen to discreetly remind them to conserve their energy for the next day¡¯s activities. After all, he was banking on this duo to set the contrast with the other, more mediocre teams. Satisfied, the pair nced at the time¡ªit was already 9:30 p.m. Rising from their chairs, they retired to their rooms.action By the time everyone woke up the next morning at 7:00 a.m., the ship had already docked. Eager to step onto solid ground, Tian Mei was the first to disembark, leaving her plethora of baggage behind. Once everyone was off the ferry, she timidly approached Lu Shi.. Chapter 169 - 169: Age Matters Chapter 169: Age Matters Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Pretending to be in distress, Tian Mei turned her doe eyes toward Lu Shi and said, ¡°Lu Shi, I get seasick. Could you help me get my baggage off the ferry?¡± Taking pride in his reputation as a considerate man¡ªespecially with cameras rolling¡ªLu Shi offered Tian Mei a gentle smile. He said, ¡°It would be my pleasure to assist you, Tian Mei.¡± After uttering those words, Lu Shi boarded the ferry again to retrieve Tian Mei¡¯s baggage. At the same time, the live-streaming chatbox erupted. [OMG! I just let out a wolf howl! Lu Shi is too hot!] [Super hot!] [He¡¯s handsome, rich, and thoughtful. He¡¯s the man of my dreams!] [Dream on, Lu Shi is mine! I want to have his babies!] [Am I the only one who thinks Tian Mei is being a bit too theatrical?] [No, you¡¯re not the only one. I think so too.] [Absolutely, Tian Mei is overdoing it; it¡¯s annoying.] [Flirting is one thing, but she¡¯s treating people like manualbor. She brought quite a lot of stuff herself.]action [I bet $10 that by the time Tian Mei reaches the destination, she will have, at most, one suitcase left¡ªor none.] As the live chat continued to disy mixed opinions about Tian Mei, she remained blissfully unaware. Even some of the crew were rolling their eyes at her, tired of her melodrama. Lu Shi could only carry two suitcases at a time, and Tian Mei had four. After making two trips, he was starting to get irritated. He began to feel as if he were being reduced to a mereborer by Tian Mei. Once he finished unloading the baggage, a crew member came over with a map. ¡°Here¡¯s the map for each team. You all have the same one. You need to reach the red dot in the middle¡ªit¡¯s the safe zone where you can rest for the night.¡± The maps were distributed among the artists. When Tian Mei received hers, she looked distressed. ¡°Lu Shi, I¡¯m not familiar with survival games, and I don¡¯t understand this map.¡± Tian Mei could understand, of course, but she didn¡¯t want to use her brain. She knew Lu Shi would take care of everything responsibly. Lu Shi nced at the map and exined, ¡°There are three routes; we can choose one.¡± The director smirked and thought, ¡®This is exactly what I wanted. I wanted the three groups to take different routes, making the show more interesting.¡¯ ¡°How you choose is up to you,¡± said the crew member. ¡°Why can¡¯t we go together?¡± Tian Mei pouted. ¡°I was hoping we could get to know each other better. Lu Shi even mentioned his next project involves animal caretaking. If we walk together, he can discuss it with you, Big Sister Xia Xin.¡± Xia Xin felt even more exasperated, especially when called ¡®big sister¡¯ by someone older than her. ¡°You got something wrong,¡± interjected Jing MO, who had been silent till now. Tian Mei was ted to be addressed by Jing Mo. ¡°Really? You know so much, Jing Mo. What did I say wrong? I¡¯ll correct it immediately!¡± ¡°Xia Xin is younger than you,¡± Jing MO said. Chuckles broke out among the crew. Tian Mei had been a child star and had always called everyone older than her ¡®big brother¡¯ or ¡®big sister.¡¯ But in this case, Xia Xin was actually younger. Tian Mei looked visibly upset. She said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m just used to it. You won¡¯t hold it against me, will you, Xia Xin?¡± ¡°Of course not,¡± Xia Xin replied, stealing a nce at Jing Mo. ¡®Jing Mo¡¯s straightforwardness was endearing. I was quite drawn to it¡­ Drawn?¡¯ A tiny flutter seized Xia Xin¡¯s heart. ¡®Was I attracted to Jing MO?¡¯ Tian Mei bit her lip, eyes moistening, looking forlorn. This roused her supporters in the chat to a frenzy. [Why is Xia Xin targeting our Tian Mei since yesterday?] [Seriously, Tian Mei has already given in so much, and she¡¯s still not satisfied? Does she want Tian Mei to embarrass herself to be happy?] [She¡¯s too vicious. I think her reputation as apassionate zookeeper is just for show.] [That¡¯s it, I¡¯m going toin to the director. How could he let Xia Xin make life difficult for our Tian Mei?] [Oh, please, what targeting? Xia Xin simply said ¡®It¡¯s okay,¡¯ and you call that targeting? I question your intelligence.] [Exactly, she¡¯s been over-the-top since she got here. It¡¯s like she expects the world to cater to her.] [Xia Xin is younger than Tian Mei.. What¡¯s wrong with stating the facts?] Chapter 170 - 170: The Wolf Pup Chapter 170: The Wolf Pup Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Unaware of the heated online chatter surrounding them, the three groups of artists set out on their respective paths after receiving their maps. Xia Xin and Jing MO chose the leftmost route, while Xu Zhi and Zhou Lian opted for the right. Lu Shi and Tian Mei settled on the middle one. ¡°But I have so much baggage,¡± Tian Meimented, biting her lip in distress. Her suitcase was filled with skincare products and stylish clothes, items she had no intention of leaving behind. She was hoping others might share the load. Without missing a beat, Lu Shi stepped forward and said, ¡°I can carry one for you.¡± Three more remained. Tian Mei¡¯s eyes darted toward Xia Xin and Jing Mo. The pair was traveling light, each with only a backpack. If each could just carry one of her cases, she could manage thest one herself. Unfortunately, they paid her no attention. They had chosen their path and walked away, looking like holidaying campers from behind. Frustrated yet hesitant to call out to them, Tian Mei turned her gaze toward Xu Zhi. Initially reluctant, Xu Zhi found his mind wandering back to a time when Xia Xin and Zhao Nan had helped him with his baggage as upperssmen. Softening, he said, ¡°I¡¯ll help you,¡± and picked up two suitcases. ¡°Thank you, Big Brother Xu Zhi,¡± Tian Mei beamed. ¡°I heard Xu Zhi and Xia Xin were from the same university,¡± Zhou Lian mentioned, her words tinged with meaning. ¡°He even refers to Xia Xin as his upperssman.¡± The implication was clear: if Xia Xin was younger than Tian Mei, then Xu Zhi, who referred to Xia Xin as his upperssman, was undoubtedly younger too. Tian Mei feigned ignorance, seizing the opportunity to build up her image as a naive and innocent girl. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Lu Shi,¡± Tian Mei said, dragging one suitcase as she left. Soon enough, both Lu Shi and Xu Zhi were on the verge of madness. Normally, rolling suitcases on a t surface would not be an issue. But here, the path was filled with bumps and holes, making it impossible to pull the baggage smoothly. Throughout the journey, Lu Shi kept hinting at Tian Mei to discard some unnecessary items. She, however, pretended not to understand. She wouldn¡¯t get rid of her treasures that ensured she looked wless on camera. Frustrated but restrained by the need to maintain his on-camera image, Lu Shi refrained from tossing her belongings. Xu Zhi felt the same. Although he could have asked Zhou Lian for help, she already seemed to be struggling with her own suitcase. The two teams had multiple rests on the way and spent quite some time walking to the destination. Meanwhile, Xia Xin and Jing MO, unburdened by excessive baggage and armed only with their backpacks, advanced swiftly. Along the way, Xia Xin encountered a few injured animals, a seagull, and a wolf pup. While the seagulls were easily appeased with some crumbled crackers, the young wolf was injured. Xia Xin used antiseptic and bandages from her backpack to dress its wounds. After receiving Xia Xin¡¯s care, the wolf pup seemed to take a liking to her and trailed behind her, making soft sounds. Unbeknownst to Jing MO, the pupmunicated its fondness for Xia Xin, saying things like ¡°Human, take me with you. You smell really nice and I love your scent.¡± Jing MO was bewildered. Wolves are carnivorous, wild, and highly suspicious creatures. They are strong and agile, even known to harm livestock and humans under certain circumstances. He couldn¡¯t understand how a wolf pup, even if it was young, took a liking to Xia Xin. As the wolf nestled its head into herp, Xia Xin sighed and asked, ¡°Where are your parents?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t know. Got lost,¡± the pup replied. ¡°You got lost?¡± Xia Xin was speechless, struck by the childlike innocence of the wolf pup. ¡°I¡¯m here to film a show and can¡¯t stay here long term. While we¡¯re filming, I¡¯ll try to find your parents. Once we find them, you¡¯ll go back to them, okay?¡± Although clueless about the concept of filming, the wolf pup was thrilled to hear that Xia Xin would help find its parents. It snuggled further into herp in a disy of affection. The scene set the chat room aze. [Wow, is that a wolf pup? Why is it as adorable as a dog?] [I want one!] [That pup is so well-behaved, just like the husky at my grandma¡¯s ce. So cute!] Seeing the audience¡¯s reactions, the director was pleased. Inviting Xia Xin to the show had clearly paid off in spades, boosting the show¡¯s entertainment value to new heights.. Chapter 171 - 171: It’s My Fault Chapter 171: It¡¯s My Fault Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion | Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing MO and Xia Xin were the first to arrive at the designated location. Upon reaching, they didn¡¯t waste any time. They quickly selected a spot and set up their tent. As they were finishing the setup, the other two teams finally arrived, huffing and puffing with exhaustion. When Tian Mei saw the erected tent, her face lit up with joy. Eagerly grabbing her baggage, she started heading inside. ¡°Stop!¡± Jing MO frowned, visibly displeased by Tian Mei¡¯s approach. ¡°This tent is our own; we brought it.¡± Tian Mei paused, bewildered. She looked at the cameraman and asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t the tent provided by the show¡¯s crew?¡± The cameraman shook his head, growing increasingly exasperated. Ever since disembarking from the ferry, he had been subjected to Tian Mei¡¯s affectations¡ªan experience he found profoundly annoying. ¡°But what are we supposed to do without a ce to stay?¡± Tian Mei¡¯s lips quivered as she spoke as if she were on the brink of tears. ¡°Yourck of preparation is your issue. It¡¯s not our responsibility topensate for your mistake,¡± Xia Xin replied. She had no patience for people like Tian Mei, who seemed to thrive on drama. They were participating in a reality show where, as explicitly stated by the producers, everyone was responsible for their own food and shelter. Despite that, Tian Mei had only brought impractical items. It was her fault. Tears gushed from Tian Mei¡¯s eyes. She said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry! It¡¯s all my fault, and I¡¯ve let everyone down.¡± Online reactions were mixed. [Oh my God, don¡¯t cry, Tian Mei! It¡¯s not your fault; the producers didn¡¯t exin things clearly.] [Xia Xin, you don¡¯t have to be so cruel. It¡¯s Tian Mei¡¯s first time on the show; she didn¡¯t know better.] [Why is Xia Xin so selfish? Her tents arerge enough for three people each! Even Jing Mo¡¯s could fit in male artists! Why can¡¯t they let her in?¡± [It¡¯s Tian Mei¡¯s own problem! Xia Xin is right; they have no obligation to cover for her mistake!] [Tian Mei has been a burden since the beginning of the show. She has so much baggage and she asked Lu Shi to help her carry it. She even asked Xu Zhi to help. God knows how tired Xu Zhi and Lu Shi were on the road.] [That¡¯s right. They had to carry her baggage along the bumpy roads. They couldn¡¯t use the wheels at all. They were all exhausted. Tian Mei is a jinx!] [Exactly!] Many fans showed their support towards Tian Mei and some naturally felt the opposite. They were all at war for their frustrations. After securing her belongings inside the tent, Xia Xin began to rummage around. She had brought along some instant food items, a portable stove, and an alcoholmp. She decided to cook some noodles. Concerned that the smell might linger in the tent, she chose to cook outside instead. ¡°Jing MO, what vor do you prefer?¡± Xia Xin inquired. ¡°I¡¯m good with anything,¡± he replied. Xia Xin took out packs of instant noodles, poured some mineral water into a pot, and started cooking. After walking for so long, both of them were tired and hungry. They decided to eat and rest a bit before exploring further. Meanwhile, Tian Mei was left sobbing on her own. Lu Shi, clearly agitated, walked away and set up his hammock between two trees. With a background of owning a private ind, he was no stranger to outdoor living. Once the hammock was secure, he used a portable strap to hang his baggage from a tree, then began to eat a sandwich. Xu Zhi ced Tian Mei¡¯s two bags next to her and also took his leave. Zhou Lian and Xu Zhi had brought their own tents as well. Though not as spacious as Jing Mo¡¯s or Xia Xin¡¯s, they at least had shelter from the elements. In the end, all the participants had settled down, except for Tian Mei, who stood crying alone. Nobody paid her any attention. After a while, feeling humiliated, Tian Mei stopped crying. She had no choice; her baggagecked essentials. Her assistant had warned her that this was an ind adventure with no luxury hotels or gourmet meals, but she assumed the crew would provide necessities. She was wrong. If given another chance, she would bring another baggage filled with survival gear. ncing at Xia Xin¡¯s tent, then at Zhou Lian¡¯s, a new thought started forming in Tian Mei¡¯s mind.. Chapter 172 - 172: Stepped on Her Head Chapter 172: Stepped on Her Head Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Tian Mei unzipped her baggage, revealing an array of carefully packaged food items. From signature dishes of renowned hotels to snacks from cake shops and some ready-made bread, her baggage seemed like a mini gourmet supermarket. Tian Mei grabbed a few treats and walked over to Zhou Lian, offering her a selection with her trademark sweet smile. ¡°Zhou Lian, I have an assortment of edibles here, and my baggage is quite heavy. I¡¯d appreciate it if you could lighten my load by having some.¡± Zhou Lian looked at Tian Mei with an expression of slight surprise, then cast her gaze toward the baggage behind her. It seemed as though she had figured out what Tian Mei was up to. ¡°Thank you,¡± Zhou Lian said, epting the food and cing it inside her tent. Then she went back to her own affairs, essentially ignoring Tian Mei. Feeling somewhat slighted, Tian Mei had expected Zhou Lian to at least thank her and perhaps even invite her to share the tent. Now, with Zhou Lian continuing to ignore her, Tian Mei was at a loss for what to do next. Tian Mei¡¯s eyes caught sight of Xia Xin and Jing MO, noticing that Xia Xin was fiddling with a foldable bucket. An idea struck her; she could try to win over Xia Xin, as Xia Xin seemed to possess resources that could benefit her. With that thought, Tian Mei returned to her baggage and grabbed another assortment of snacks. She felt heartache to give out so many snacks. But she had no other choice because she needed a ce to sleep. ¡°Xia Xin,¡± Tian Mei started, almost calling her big sister out of habit before meeting Jing Mo¡¯s cold, dark gaze. It served as an instant reminder of a previous exchange when Jing MO had pointed out that Tian Mei was actually older than Xia Xin. Biting her lip, she revised her approach. ¡°Xia Xin, here are some snacks I brought along. I thought you might like some.¡± Xia Xin nced at the offerings and replied tly, ¡°We have our own food, thanks.¡± ¡°But you¡¯d hardly have time to prepare anything now. Why not have some of these snacks to tide you over? Later, you can¡­¡± Tian Mei¡¯s voice trailed off as a tantalizing aroma filled the air. Turning away, Xia Xin approached her portable stove,dling out a bowl of noodles, and handed it to Jing Mo. ¡°Thank you for lunch,¡± Jing MO said, graciously epting the bowl. Although the noodles Xia Xin cooked were nice, Jing MO didn¡¯t want to trouble her much. He decided to cook for her the next round. When he told Xia Xin his thoughts, she agreed to it and began to enjoy the lunch together. Feeling embarrassed, Tian Mei held her bag of snacks and thought about the unfinished sentence. Her cheeks flushed a vivid red. She was about to suggest they have something since it¡¯s going to take a while to cook. Yet, Xia Xin had made a steaming bowl of homemade noodles with meat and vegetables in just seconds. Dejected, Tian Mei returned to her pile of baggage, looking around for another option. Her eyesnded on Lu Shi, who was enjoying his meal in a hammock. After some hesitation, she decided to try to win him over as well. She wasn¡¯t initially inclined to share her goodies with Lu Shi since his sleeping arrangement was a mere hammock. But having been rebuffed by both Zhou Lian and Xia Xin, Tian Mei felt desperate. Understanding Tian Mei¡¯s intentions, Lu Shi put aside his meal and pretended to nap in his hammock as she approached. Taken aback, Tian Mei was puzzled. She couldn¡¯t believe that Lu Shi suddenly ignored her when he had been kind to her throughout the trip. Lu Shi¡¯s thoughts were straightforward: If Tian Mei had tried to befriend him in the first ce, he would have been more than willing to extend his hospitality for the remaining days. But instead, she had first tried to gain the favor of Jing MO, and that irked him. Lu Shi was aware that he was not as good as Jing MO, but it didn¡¯t mean he was no better. Lu Shi believed that he was on par with Jing MO and they were equally good. Feeling cornered, Tian Mei decided she had no choice but to extend her charm offensive to Lu Shi as they were part of the same group. Holding her snacks, she said in a voice loud enough to wake him, ¡°Lu Shi, I¡¯ve brought some snacks for you, would you like to try them?¡± Hesitant but unable to ignore Tian Mei any longer, especially given the chance of what his fans might say, Lu Shi opened his eyes and prepared to dismount from his hammock. Because Tian Mei was standing under his hammock and he couldn¡¯t see her, he just jumped down straight away. But the moment he set his foot down, he felt something soft beneath it¡ªsomething pleasantly furry. Intrigued, he rubbed his foot against it a couple more times. Stunned, Tian Mei looked up to find a mud-caked foot pressing down on her head. She unleashed a piercing scream that echoed through the skies.. Chapter 173 - 173: A Startling Moment Chapter 173: A Startling Moment Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin jumped in surprise. She and Jing MO were already dining outside their tent; all they had to do was lift their eyes to see what was unfolding. Zhou Lian and Xu Zhi peeked their heads out from their tent as well, equally intrigued. In no time, they saw Lu Shi¡¯s foot¡ªstill suspended in mid-air¡ªand Tian Mei beneath it. After stifling herughter for a while, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but burst into giggles. Hearing herughter, Zhou Lian and Xu Zhi joined in, their giggles bubbling over like champagne. Jing MO didn¡¯tugh aloud, but the uplifted corners of his lips revealed his inner delight. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t know you were underneath,¡± Lu Shi said, pulling back his foot and peering down from his hammock. As his eyes met Tian Mei¡¯s tear-streaked face, he realized what he had just stepped on. Normally, Tian Mei wasn¡¯t a striking beauty, but she did have an air of delicate vulnerability. Under ordinary circumstances, Lu Shi would have murmured a gentle apology and soothed her. But, from the dock they journeyed here, her make-up was smeared from all the sweating. Now that she cried, her face was beyond recognition. When Tian Mei heard that Lu Shi only apologized and didn¡¯t do anything else to calm her down, she cried even louder. ¡°Stop crying, you¡¯ll have eleven more days to shed tears,¡± Zhou Lian quipped, ncing at Tian Mei. ¡°Besides, the hammock is right above you. It¡¯s not like Lu Shi could have seen you there. If youck such basicmon sense, how will you survive on this ind?¡± Taking Zhou Lian¡¯s words to heart, Tian Mei finally ceased her crying. In a choked voice, she apologized to Lu Shi, offering him some of her snacks as a peace offering. Lu Shi¡¯s face rxed. He dismounted from his hammock and unrolled another one from his bag. He was used to carrying two; one for regr use and another as a waterproof shield for rainy days. ¡°I have an extra hammock. Let me help you set it up,¡± Lu Shi told Tian Mei. ¡°Thank you, Lu Shi,¡± Tian Mei replied, her face glowing with gratitude. However, inside she thought, ¡®Would I even choose a hammock if I had other options?¡¯ Lu Shi finished setting up the hammock, and Tian Mei bestowed upon him an adoring gaze. ¡°You¡¯re so prepared, Lu Shi. This is my first time on a show like this. I had no idea what to bring, and my assistant wasn¡¯t much help. But I think food is important.¡± Lu Shi simply offered her a mild smile and returned to his hammock, making no reply. Tian Mei, seeing the height difference between the two hammocks, hastily inquired, ¡°Why is my hammock so low and yours so high?¡± Zhou Lian butted in, ¡°Because you can¡¯t climb.¡± epting the statement without protest, Tian Mei realized the truth in Zhou Lian¡¯s words. Climbing a tree would ruin her carefully constructed image of a gentle and delicate young woman. Meanwhile, Xia Xin and Jing MO were relishing their meal, unfazed by the drama around them. ¡°This noodle is delicious,¡± Xia Xin remarked to Jing Mo. Jing MO grunted in agreement. It was delicious indeed, but not just because of the taste. It was because Xia Xin had prepared it just for him. ¡°Hey Xia Xin, do you have a sr charging panel I could borrow? I just realized I brought the wrong shlight, and it¡¯s out of charge,¡± Xu Zhi asked. ¡°Sure,¡± said Xia Xin, handing over her sr charging panel, which had been umting energy on top of their tent. Xu Zhi took the sr charging panel and said thanks to Xia Xin. After a satisfying meal, Xia Xin and Jing MO decided to scout the nearby area for a clean water source. Equipped with folding buckets and first-aid kits, they were ready to set off. ¡°I¡¯m thinking of taking the wolf pup along. Maybe we¡¯ll find its family in the mountains and can return it,¡± Xia Xin mused, cradling the pup in her arms. Before waiting for an answer, Tian Mei reached out to touch the little wolf¡¯s head. Just as Tian Mei was about to descend from her hammock, she saw the adorable wolf pup in Xia Xin¡¯s arms. ¡°Oh wow, Xia Xin, your puppy is so cute! Can I pet it?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t touch!¡± Xia Xin warned, but it was toote¡ªTian Mei let out a piercing scream.. Chapter 174 - 174: Persona Chapter 174: Persona Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion | Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Tian Mei clutched her hand, which had been scratched by a wolf pup. Her eyes were wide with disbelief as she stared at Xia Xin. ¡°You let your pet attack me on a live show? If I don¡¯t get a rabies shot, who knows what could happen? And if I do, it¡¯ll dy the production!¡± Listening to Tian Mei, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but frown. Jing MO, who was sitting beside Xia Xin, sensed her growing impatience. He interjected, ¡°Tian Mei, it¡¯s your fault for touching her pet without permission. Xia Xin didn¡¯t encourage her pet to harm you.¡± The set fell into silence. Tian Mei was taken aback. She found herself thinking that if she ignored his harsh words, Jing MO was still incredibly attractive. She apologized, ¡°Jing MO, I¡¯m just in so much pain, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Normally, an apology like that would evoke sympathy, but Jing MO was different. What he detested most were pretentious people like Tian Mei¡ªno royal blood, but a heap of princess syndrome. ¡°The one you should apologize to isn¡¯t me,¡± Jing MO told Tian Mei. Tian Mei was bbergasted. ¡®I¡¯d been scratched by Xia Xin¡¯s pet and now he expects me to apologize to Xia Xin?¡¯ ¡°Look, there¡¯s no need to apologize. This wolf pup was a stray I rescued. If you want someone to take responsibility, find its mother,¡± Xia Xin said coolly. ¡°A wolf pup?¡± Tian Mei eximed, quickly stepping back. Wolves were known to be fierce, and despite the pup¡¯s cuteness, it couldn¡¯t hide its true nature. ¡°I-It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s my fault. I was too careless,¡± said Tian Mei.bender The attention of the others shifted to the revtion that Xia Xin had rescued a wolf pup, no less. This meant her team was already ahead. Zhou Lian looked envious and said, ¡°Congrats.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t rescue him just toplete a task,¡± Xia Xin rified. Even before the variety show, Xia Xin would rescue any injured little creatures when she saw them. Zhou Lian nodded in agreement. She had heard of Xia Xin¡¯s name as the benevolent zookeeper and never doubted her words. Tian Mei, however, couldn¡¯t help but make a snide remark. ¡°It¡¯s just so altruistic of you, Xia Xin! Funny how we didn¡¯t encounter any injured animals on our path.¡± Tian Mei¡¯sment set the show¡¯s live audience abuzz with spection about possible corruption within the production team. [Is she implying that the show is rigged?] [As far as I¡¯m concerned, the show¡¯s been rigged from the get-go. Besides, Tian Mei has a point. Did they even encounter any injured animals?] [Rigged! Rigged!] [Looks like the top-scoring team is already pre-decided by the production team.] [What are you talking about? There were seagulls everywhere. It¡¯s not just Xia Xin and Jing MO who encountered them; the other teams did too and nobody fed them.] [Tian Mei has a way of speaking that easily creates misunderstandings. Is she doing this on purpose?] Xia Xin scoffed, ¡°You chose your path before we did. If you didn¡¯t encounter any injured animals, it¡¯s just bad luck. The side task was to rescue an animal, not specifically an injured one.¡± ¡°Fine, but we didn¡¯t even encounter any other animals. If I had taken your route, I would have,¡± Tian Mei argued. ¡°If you can¡¯t urinate, would you me it on your toilet for not being luxurious enough to stimte you?¡± Xia Xin retorted before walking away. Tian Mei looked at Xia Xin¡¯s back, still convinced she wasn¡¯t wrong. Just as Tian Mei was about to turn around, a bird narrowly missed her,nding just in front of her. She jumped in surprise and looked up to see seagulls flying overhead. Excited, Tian Mei fetched some bread crumbs from her bag, scattering them on the ground, imagining a grand spectacle of seagulls descending to eat. But time passed, and no seagulls came. She was left standing awkwardly, not knowing whether to keep feeding or give up, her expression one of stifled tears. Lu Shi watched from the side, his eyes narrowing as he mentally summed up Tian Mei. He thought to himself, ¡®This woman is such an idiot.. Chapter 175 - 175: The Wolf Pack Chapter 175: The Wolf Pack Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Not far from their campsite on the ind was a mountain that had caught the eye of Xia Xin and Jing Mo. They had decided to venture up its slopes to get a better understanding of their surroundings.bender When they¡¯d first disembarked from the ferry, they¡¯d thought it was just another low-altitude mountain. However, up close, they found it imposing, its summit hidden from sight. Mist veiled the forest on its slopes, causing both of them to instinctively furrow their brows. ¡®It¡¯s dangerous,¡¯ Xia Xin immediately thought. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t go into the mountains. It¡¯s not safe,¡± Jing MO warned, gripping Xia Xin¡¯s arm and pulling her back. ¡°Where do you live?¡± Xia Xin asked the wolf pup. The wolf pup let out a couple of mournful howls, a note of sadness reverberating in its voice. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Jing MO inquired. Shaking her head, Xia Xin sensed the wolf pup¡¯s calls were an expression of longing for its family. It made her think of her own parents, leaving her with a sense of emotional heaviness. ¡°We should just walk around the perimeter. Let¡¯s not go any deeper into the mountain,¡± Jing MO suggested. The cameraman received directions from the director to push them further into the mountain, at least to the mid-levels. But Xia Xin was reluctant. Her gut told her that something perilous lurked within, an unsettling feeling that enveloped her entire being. Exchanging a nce, both Xia Xin and Jing MO seemed to instantlyprehend each other¡¯s reservations. They chose to ignore the cameraman¡¯s instruction and continued walking around the outskirts. Annoyed, the director grabbed his walkie-talkie to urge the cameraman to force them deeper into the mountain. ¡°I can see that it¡¯s dangerous in there. I¡¯m not risking my life for your TV ratings, ¡± Xia Xin retorted. Her response left the livestream audience stunned. For a moment, the barrage ofments stopped as if the screen had been wiped clean. Then, a minuteter, a flurry of questions aimed at the production team began to flood the chat. [Oh my God, does the director even care about the artists¡¯ safety?] [Even we can tell it¡¯s unsafe in the mountains through the screen.] [Look there, what a massive flower! It¡¯s as tall as half a person. Could it be a man-eating nt?] [Where, where? Does the man-eating nt have teeth?] [Is the man-eating nt even the issue here? We should be discussing the danger in the mountain!] [What is the production team doing?] [Are they disregarding human lives for the sake of ratings?] Frustrated, the director considered exining that as long as they didn¡¯t venture deep into the mountain, they would be safe. But before he could even pick up his walkie-talkie, arge hand pressed it down. Looking up, he met the eyes of Sun Hu. With a wry smile, Sun Hu admonished, ¡°You have to consider the artists¡¯ safety.¡± ¡°My instructions were just to have them go up to the middle of the mountain, not deeper,¡± the director tried to justify himself. Sun Hu didn¡¯t want to hear any excuses. He had a bad feeling about all this. He had invited Xia Xin to join the show as its theme suited her public persona. Jing MO was merely an added bonus¡ªhe knew Jing MO had a soft spot for Xia Xin and thought this would offer them some quality time together. An abrupt wolf howl interrupted Sun Hu¡¯s thoughts. Turning his gaze to the live stream, he saw that Xia Xin and Jing MO were now confronted by a pack of wolves. Their eerie, green eyes filled him with dread. ¡°We need to rescue them,¡± Sun Hu urged. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Xia Xin will handle it. I trust her abilities,¡± the director assured. Meanwhile, Jing MO and Xia Xin were facing down the pack of wolves. Jing MO had positioned himself protectively in front of Xia Xin and said solemnly, ¡°If I tell you to run, you run.¡± Shaking her head, Xia Xin intervened. ¡°Big Brother, trust me, we will be fine.¡± Turning to the wolf pup nestled in her arms, she asked, ¡°Is this your family?¡± The pup nced at the pack andmunicated, ¡°Yes, the one leading them is my father.¡± Xia Xin looked more closely at the wolves. They showed no signs of aggression; the alpha wolf even sat down, his front paws elegantly crossed in a signal of peaceful intentions. ¡°Is this your son?¡± she bravely stepped in front of Jing MO and spoke to the alpha wolf. The alpha wolf responded with a couple of low howls. ¡°Yes,¡± he seemed to say. Though Jing MO noticed the wolves were not hostile, Xia Xin¡¯s bold action still left him feeling incredibly anxious. ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s okay?¡± he whispered to her.. Chapter 176 - 176: The Alpha Wolf Chapter 176: The Alpha Wolf Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Jing Mo. Everything will be alright,¡± Xia Xin assured Jing MO, her voice tinged with a soft warmth. As she spoke, her fingers gently caressed the wolf pup nestled in her arms. ¡°I should let you go back to your family now,¡± she whispered to it. ¡°No!¡± The wolf pup¡¯s refusal was resolute, its tiny paws clutching desperately at Xia Xin¡¯s clothing as it looked up at her with a face full of anguish. Unable to hold back a smile, Xia Xin asked, ¡°Don¡¯t you want to return to your parents?¡± The wolf pup shook its head vigorously. [Anww, that pup is too adorable! I want one just like it!] [Why doesn¡¯t Xia Xin adopt it? It¡¯s so cute.] [This live stream is so uplifting. It¡¯s an instant mood booster.] [Crowdfund the wolf pup!] Unaware of the animated conversation taking ce among her viewers, Xia Xin was preupied with prying the wolf pup¡¯s paws off her clothes. But the wolf pup was unyielding, leaving her feeling somewhat exasperated. ¡°What exactly do you want?¡± Xia Xin finally voiced her perplexity to the wolf pup. Holding onto her clothing, the wolf pup said, ¡°Being close to you feels soforting, and I can eat my fill here. I like it.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t get enough food at home?¡± Xia Xin queried, her eyes narrowing. ¡°Yup¡­¡± The wolf pup hesitated, feeling somewhat guilty but nevertheless forced itself to admit that it couldn¡¯t get enough to eat at home. Skeptically, Xia Xin¡¯s gaze shifted to the alpha wolf. To her surprise, the regal creaturey there with its eyes partially closed, resting on its front paws as if disinterested in vindicating itself. [The alpha wolf seems incredibly sentient.] [I don¡¯t know why, but I sense a message in the alpha wolf¡¯s gaze, saying, ¡°It¡¯s up to you, humans.¡±] [Same here.] Just as Xia Xin reached out to touch the alpha wolf, intending tomunicate with it, a loud crash broke the silence. Turning around, she found the cameraman hanging upside down, his camera shattered on the ground. Heart pounding, Xia Xin hurried over to assess the situation. Finding no immediate danger, she and Jing MO lowered the hapless cameraman back to the ground. ¡°Why would there be a trap here? That was terrifying!¡± The cameraman was visibly shaken. ¡°What would¡¯ve happened if something had gone wrong?¡± Frowning, Xia Xin acknowledged that it did indeed seem like a trap for capturing prey. She wondered, ¡®Could someone be living in these mountains?¡¯ ¡°I have to report this to the director since the camera is broken. Let¡¯s go back,¡± suggested the cameraman. Shaking her head, Xia Xin said, ¡°I have something else to attend to. You go on ahead.¡± Then Xia Xin turned to Jing Mo. ¡°What about you, Jing MO? Will you stay with me?¡± ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll stay with you,¡± Jing MO affirmed, adamant that he wouldn¡¯t leave her alone to face potential danger. ¡°You two are not leaving?¡± The cameraman was astonished. Typically, artists wouldn¡¯t opt to stay behind in circumstances like this. ¡°We have this, so it¡¯s fine,¡± Xia Xin said, pointing to the recorder strapped to her shoulder. Unlike live streaming, the recorder could capture their animal rescue activities less immediately. Meanwhile, viewers found their screens plunged into darkness, the audio gone. [What just happened? The screen turned upside-down for a moment, and then it went dark.] [Did something go wrong?] [They should be fine. The screen flipped, but both of them were still standing there motionless, so it must be the camera or maybe the cameraman.] Not wanting to keep the viewers in suspense for long, the production team sent a message after contacting the cameraman. [An unexpected incident caused the camera to malfunction. Both the artists and the cameraman are safe. Please do not worry.] [Phew, that gave me a scare. I was so worried about Xia Xin.] [The production team better take good care of them. This isn¡¯t actually a survival show.] [Agreed. They must be well taken care of.] Blissfully unaware of the chatter among the livestream viewers, Xia Xin and Jing MO remained where they were. Jing MO noticed that after Xia Xin approached the alpha wolf and gently touched its head, she acquiesced to keeping the wolf pup with her. Frowning slightly, Jing MO felt the stirrings of suspicion. When Xia Xin returned to him, he chose not to press the issue but rather subtly warned her, ¡°Your talents are extraordinary. If the world ever found out about them, it could cause quite a stir.¡± Caught off guard for a moment, Xia Xin smiled back, ¡°I don¡¯t possess any special abilities, really. I just understand animals¡¯ emotions a little better and know how to calm them down, that¡¯s all..¡± Chapter 177 - 177: Cooperation Chapter 177: Cooperation Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin and Jing MO decided not to dwell on their previous topic any further. They continued their trek at the foot of the mountain, saving numerous distressed animals along the way. Just as they were about to leave, a chilling animal cry echoed from a nearby thicket. ¡°Do you think there are tigers around here?¡± Xia Xin cast a wary nce toward the source of the sound. To her surprise, she found a rare white Bengal tiger, its icy blue eyes locking onto theirs. ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving,¡± Jing MO urged, gripping her hand. ¡°We¡¯re here to win thepetition by doing our show, not by wrestling with something as ferocious as a tiger.¡± Xia Xin was about to agree when the wolf pup in her arms wriggled free and darted toward the tiger. ¡°Drumstick!¡± she called out, having nicknamed the pup after its favorite food¡ª chicken drumsticks. Whatever Drumstickmunicated with the tiger was beyond her, but the majestic creature lifted its head to lock eyes with Xia Xin. She didn¡¯t need words to understand the desperate plea in the tiger¡¯s eyes. ¡°Are you going there?¡± Jing Mo¡¯s eyes flicked between her and the tiger, brimming with cautious skepticism. ¡°No,¡± she said, her voice tinged with unspoken tension. When Jing MO was around, she didn¡¯t dare to disy her ability tomunicate with animals. She would be a freak to others if words got out. So, Xia Xin decided to meet the tiger at night after everyone fell asleep. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Jing MO asked again. ¡°Better not. Even in zoos, tigers are tamed. This one is wild and potentially dangerous. I dare not to approach it.¡± Xia Xin exined. Drumstick returned and ryed the tiger¡¯s message to her. Apparently, the tiger had injured its leg and was seeking her help. ¡°We¡¯ll have toe backter tonight. Tell the tiger to wait for us,¡± Xia Xin instructed Drumstick after pulling some food from her bag for the majestic animal. Drumstick conveyed Xia Xin¡¯s message, eliciting a low growl and a nod from the tiger. ¡°That tiger seems incredibly sentient,¡± Jing MO said, visibly stunned. ¡°Is it just my imagination?¡± Xia Xin grinned softly. ¡°If you truly connect with them, you¡¯ll find that many animals are remarkably perceptive.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Jing MO was intrigued. ¡°Let¡¯s call it a day,¡± Xia Xin suggested, looking at her watch. ¡°It¡¯s already four in the afternoon. Let¡¯s find something edible on our way back.¡± ¡°Sounds good to me,¡± Jing MO agreed. Along the way, they gathered some bamboo shoots and wild fruits and even caught some fish from a pristine stream they found. They filled their copsible buckets with water, designating one for drinking after boiling, two for cleaning, and one for storing the fish. ¡°Today¡¯s dishes would be something lighter,¡± Xia Xin said. ¡°Better than nothing to eat in such a ce,¡± Jing MO said. When they returned to the camp, they found that most of their teammates were still resting. They quietly divided the water amongst themselves. Soon, Xu Zhi and Zhou Lian awoke and found them cooking. Curious, Xu Zhi went up to Xia Xin and Jing MO and saw them busy preparing food. ¡°Is this food fresh? Where did you find it? And this water, is it potable?¡± Xu Zhi bombarded Xia Xin with questions. ¡°The bamboo shoots were dug up, and the fish were caught in a nearby stream,¡± Xia Xin pointed in the direction they hade from. ¡°Just follow the path and take the left fork. You¡¯ll find the stream.¡± ¡°Do you have any extra buckets we can borrow?¡± Xu Zhi inquired eagerly. ¡°Sure, let me grab a couple for you,¡± Xia Xin said, thankful that she¡¯d packed extra copsible buckets. Armed with the buckets, Xu Zhi and Zhou Lian gratefully thanked Xia Xin before heading off on their own quest for resources. ¡°Thank you,¡± Zhou Lian said, taking one of the buckets. ¡°We¡¯ll be on our way now..¡± Chapter 178 - 178: A Plan Chapter 178: A n Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion ¡°Stay close, it¡¯s getting dark soon. Going too far might be dangerous. Make sure toe back quickly,¡± Xia Xin cautioned them. Beside her, Jing MO couldn¡¯t help but let his lips curl into a smile. [Wow, Jing MO is smiling! So handsome!] [How can anyone be this good-looking?] [What¡¯s he looking at?] [Could he possibly be looking at Xia Xin?] [Newssh!] [Is Jing MO trying to be a third wheel?] [Xia Xin is MO Shu¡¯s girlfriend; Jing MO shouldn¡¯t be doing this.] [But, I think Jing MO and Xia Xin look good together.] The tone of the onlinementary shifted suddenly.bender While Xia Xin and Jing MO were still busy, Zhou Lian and Xu Zhi returned, Xu Zhi holding a skinned rabbit in his hands. ¡°Xia Xin, we¡¯ve taken care of this by the river. You can cook it if you¡¯d like. I see you only have fish there. We¡¯ve also caught a rabbit; how about we diversify our meal?¡± Xia Xin marveled at Xu Zhi¡¯spetence as she took the skinned rabbit. Suddenly, a trending phrase popped into her head. She said, ¡°Bunnies are so cute; how can we eat them?¡± Xu Zhi grinned, ¡°Xia Xin, how about we divide thebor for meals? In the future, we¡¯ll gather the food, and you cook it. Deal?¡± Jing MO, who had been silently listening, scowled, evidently not keen on Xu Zhi¡¯s idea. Xu Zhi borated, ¡°I can¡¯t keep taking advantage of you without giving something in return. Gathering food or fetching water is the least we can do. Why not do it together?¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do it that way,¡± Xia Xin agreed. Jing MO gave Xia Xin a disapproving nce. As soon as the others left, he asked, ¡°Why did you agree to that?¡± Noting his displeasure, Xia Xin nced around; thankfully, the camera was far enough away not to pick up their conversation. ¡°If the viewers heard you, who knows what they¡¯d say. We¡¯re just sharing meals; it¡¯s not like we¡¯re merging our lives. This way, we can save time foraging and focus onpleting our tasks,¡± she exined. Jing Mo t s brows remained furrowed, making it clear that he didn¡¯t particrly like Xu Zhi. ¡°I¡¯ll go prepare the food,¡± Jing MO dered, spinning on his heels to walk away. When the scent of cooking wafted through the air, Xu Zhi and Zhou Lian returned, buckets filled with water in tow. Xia Xin lent them some of her cooking gear. Upon seeing the prepared dishes, Xu Zhi was amazed. ¡°Xia Xin, you¡¯ve outdone yourself! This is more like a vacation than wilderness survival!¡± ¡°It¡¯s just for a few days; after that, we¡¯ll have to live off thend. Let¡¯s eat first, and we can talkter,¡± Xia Xin said. By then, Lu Shi and Tian Mei had awakened. Attracted by the aroma, Tian Mei climbed out of her hammock. She eximed, ¡°Wow, what are you guys eating? It smells amazing!¡± Tian Mei¡¯s words fell on deaf ears. Everyone was too busy eating to pay her any mind. Annoyed, Tian Mei clenched her teeth. She felt infuriated because no one had ever treated her like that. She ventured another attempt, ¡°What are you guys eating? I¡¯m really hungry.¡± Usually, any girl mentioning she was hungry would prompt guys to show a bit of chivalry. However, Xu Zhi and Jing MO barely acknowledged her, their brows contracting slightly in a sh of distaste. Lu Shi noticed Tian Mei¡¯s behavior but didn¡¯t stop her. He, too, was hungry and if Tian Mei could score some food, he could as well. Plus, he had a n, one that would require using Tian Mei to its fullest. His eyes fixed on Xia Xin, and a yful smile twinkled in his gaze. Whoever he set his sights on had to be his.. Chapter 179 - 179: Lu Shi Chapter 179: Lu Shi Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing MO felt the weight of someone¡¯s gaze. As he looked up, he saw Lu Shi eyeing Xia Xin in a way that suggested he was staking a im. In Jing Mo¡¯s opinion, Lu Shi wasn¡¯t exactly Xia Xin¡¯s type, but he wasn¡¯t someone to be dismissed lightly either. Born into wealth, Lu Shi was notorious for his womanizing ways. He¡¯d exploit his family¡¯s riches and influence to quash any resistance from the women he¡¯d toyed with. The chatter on the screen only fueled the crowd¡¯s sentiments. [Haha, it feels good to see Tian Mei knocked down a peg or two!] [Absolutely! Tian Mei is a selfish woman who doesn¡¯t think about anyone but herself. She¡¯s a bad apple!] [Our Xu Zhi even said he feels guilty for taking stuff from others and thinks aboutpensating them. But Tian Mei just expects handouts!] People were already disowning Tian Mei as a result of her behavior. Those who remained were her most stubborn and loyal fans, believing she was being framed. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Zhou Lian retorted, ¡°Didn¡¯t you bring your own food? Eat that and you won¡¯t be hungry.¡± Zhou Lian didn¡¯t enjoy being watched while she ate, which was why she responded to Tian Mei. ¡°But your food tastes so much better,¡± Tian Mei said, taking a theatrical bite of her thumb. ¡°We¡¯ve finished eating,¡± Xia Xin dered, packing up their empty tes and getting ready to wash them. Tian Mei was incredulous. Her hands clenched into fists, and she burst into noisy tears. Xia Xin frowned, turned around, and walked away without saying a word. ¡°Do all of you really dislike me? I know I¡¯m a burden to you all. You guys don¡¯t like me because I asked you to help carry my baggage. I¡¯m sorry, okay?¡± Tian Mei apologized while crying. She¡¯d always had peoplefort her when she cried. She assumed this would be no different.bender Exasperated, Xia Xin joined in the weeping, her cries even louder than Tian Mei¡¯s. Stunned, Tian Mei forgot to continue her own sobbing. Xia Xin halted her tears. ¡°Done crying? No more?¡± ¡°Done¡­¡± Tian Mei mumbled, almost involuntarily. ¡°Good. If you¡¯re hungry, say so. We might not share, but your behavior is downright off-putting, ¡± Xia Xin said and walked away. Zhou Lian snickered and followed Xia Xin. ¡°Wait up, Xia Xin! I¡¯ming with you!¡± Xia Xin slowed down her footing. Xia Xin would prefer to befriend Zhou Lian more than Tian Mei. At the same time, Zhou Lian found Xia Xin easy to get along withpared with Tian Mei. In Zhou Lian¡¯s opinion, Xia Xin was straightforward; if one didn¡¯t cross her, she was perfectly fine to be around. Thements on the screen were going wild. [Why are they ostracizing our beautiful Tian Mei? She¡¯s such a wonderful girl!] [Beautiful? Wonderful? Are you dreaming?] [I can¡¯t stand Tian Mei, she¡¯s so fake.] Lu Shi figured the online chatter would probably center on that line of debate. He decided not to approach Tian Mei for the time being. After some thought, Lu Shi trailed behind Xia Xin and Zhou Lian. Convinced of his own irresistibility, he thought he¡¯d easily win over Xia Xin with his good looks, deep emotions, andvish gifts. She was, after all, just an ordinary girl who hadn¡¯t seen the world. As Xia Xin and Zhou Lian stopped by the river, Lu Shi frowned at the surrounding darkness. It wasn¡¯t safe to be out here at this hour. Stepping closer, he offered, ¡°Ladies, let me help you. How could your friends let you two wander off like this, especially at night?¡± Lu Shi reached out to take the dishes from Xia Xin, but she sidestepped, ensuring he couldn¡¯t touch her.. Chapter 180 - 180: Game (Part 1) Chapter 180: Game (Part 1) Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Lu Shi couldn¡¯t believe that Xia Xin would evade him. When she stepped away, he had thought it was mere coincidence. He reached for her again, and once more she dodged his touch. His smile nearly faltered. ¡°Ladies, I only mean to assist. It¡¯s dark and the wilderness can be dangerous.¡± Zhou Lian and Xia Xin exchanged nces. They ced the dinnerware in Lu Shi¡¯s hands. ¡°Thanks. Please proceed. We¡¯re heading back.¡± And just like that, they walked away, leaving him standing alone in disbelief. Taking a deep breath, Lu Shi looked at the dinnerware in his hands and then nced at the camera not far off. With resignation, he squatted down by the river to wash up. If not for the live camera, he¡¯d have probably tossed them away. Lu Shi offered to help as a way to bridge the distance between him and Xia Xin. Little had he expected her to walk away like that, and it irked him. When he returned to camp, he found people gathered around the campfire, chatting away. Even Tian Mei had sat down. He approached Xia Xin. ¡°I¡¯ve washed the dinnerware, Xia Xin. Would you like me to ce them in your tent?¡± And then, he made to walk toward her tent. [Why do I feel like these two got surprisingly close after that little trip to wash the tableware?] [It¡¯s just our Xia Xin. Not only can she befriend animals, but she seems to have the same effect on humans.] ¡°No need.¡± Before Xia Xin could respond, Jing MO stood, taking the dinnerware from Lu Shi. ¡°These belong with me. It¡¯s not appropriate for them to be in Xia Xin¡¯s tent.¡± The double entendre in Jing Mot s voice was a warning to Lu Shi¡ªstay away from Xia Xin¡¯s tent. Lu Shi feigned ignorance, gave a little smile, and walked back to the fire. He attempted to sit beside Xia Xin, wanting to disy his gentlemanly manners. ¡°This spot is for Jing MO,¡± Xia Xin spoke up loudly, ensuring everyone heard her. Lu Shi had no choice but to acknowledge. ¡°No worries, anywvhere is fine with me.¡± He settled himself near Zhou Lian instead. As he did, Zhou Lian stiffened imperceptibly, unnoticed by the rest. Jing MO put away the dishes and rejoined the group. The director radioed the cameraman. ¡°Have them y a game around the campfire, any game will do.¡± Receiving the cue, Tian Mei¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Why don¡¯t we all y a game?¡± ¡°What shall we y?¡± asked Zhou Lian. ¡°Truth or Dare,¡± said Tian Mei. Groans and raised eyebrows met the suggestion. It was an old, tired game and nobody seemed enthusiastic. Sensing their reluctance, Tian Mei pushed, ¡°This is the perfect setting for it. We can choose ¡®truth¡¯ to get to know each other better.¡± Lu Shi¡¯s lips twitched into a subtle smile. ¡°Indeed, we¡¯ll be spending the next ten days together. Knowing each other¡¯s preferences will make cohabitation more pleasant.¡± Xia Xin¡¯s eyebrows narrowed. For some reason, she found Lu Shi even more annoying than Zhang Liang. ¡°If you¡¯re not up for it, we don¡¯t have to y,¡± Jing MO said softly to Xia Xin. ¡°I was just pondering what to eat tomorrow,¡± she replied. ¡°In that case, let¡¯s draw sticks,¡± said Lu Shi, breaking off a couple of twigs from a nearby tree. ¡°Long sticks will be for dare, short ones for truth.¡± Lu Shi prepared the sticks and brought out a dice cup from his belongings. ¡°I¡¯ll put 3 long and 3 short sticks in here.¡± ¡°Wow, Lu Shi, you¡¯re so resourceful to have a dice cup!¡± Tian Mei said, clearly impressed. Ignoring her, Lu Shi shook the cup and had everyone draw sticks. Xia Xin, Lu Shi, and Zhou Lian ended up with short sticks, while Xu Zhi, Tian Mei, and Jing MO got the long ones. Tian Mei grinned as she looked at her long stick. She¡¯d drawn the same as Jing Mo. She thought perhaps the game would afford her a chance to get closer to him¡ªmaybe even win a kiss..bender Chapter 181 - 181: Game (Part 2) Chapter 181: Game (Part 2) Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion ¡°Let¡¯s start with those who got short sticks, shall we? I¡¯ll go first.¡± Lu Shi¡¯s gaze flicked toward Xia Xin, making it abundantly clear that she was his target for the moment. ¡°So, what do y¡¯all wanna know about me?¡± Lu Shi inquired, eyes filled with anticipation. Everyone remained silent. Slightly puzzled, Lu Shi¡¯s eyes settled on Xia Xin, ¡°Ladies, Ms. Xia, Ms. Zhou, and Ms. Tian, got anything you¡¯re curious about? Since I got the short stick, I have to tell the truth. I¡¯m an open book right now.¡± Xia Xin stayed quiet, disying no interest in Lu Shi¡¯s true confessions. Zhou Lian also refrained from speaking, her furrowed brow indicating a simrck of interest. Tian Mei, on the other hand, was clearly thrilled. She chirped, ¡°Well then, Lu Shi, what type of girl do you like? Is there anyone here you¡¯ve got your eye on? Who is it?¡± Lu Shi smiled approvingly at Tian Mei¡¯s question, but said, ¡°Sweetheart, that¡¯s three questions you got there. How ¡¯bout I answer two of ¡¯em for ya? I fancy girls who are gentle and cute. Yes, there¡¯s someone here that I like.¡± Hearing that, Tian Mei¡¯s cheeks flushed a brilliant shade of red. She thought Lu Shi was admitting that he liked her. If Lu Shi could read her mind, he would probablyugh in disbelief. Tian Mei was anything but gentle and cute; one had to wonder where she got her delusions. ¡°Oh my, you¡¯re quite straightforward, aren¡¯t ya, Lu Shi?¡± Tian Mei giggled. The rest of the people present didn¡¯t quite know what to say. It was evident that Lu Shi wasn¡¯t talking about Tian Mei; she was a far cry from gentle and cute. Tian Mei had cultivated this persona of a naive, innocent little miss, but no one was buying it. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t care less about deciphering who Lu Shi was attracted to¡ªit was irrelevant to her. ¡°I¡¯ve answered, now it¡¯s your turn,dies,¡± Lu Shi said, grinning at Xia Xin and Zhou Lian. ¡°Who wants to go first?¡±bender ¡°I¡¯ll go,¡± Xia Xin said curtly. She wasn¡¯t fond of the game and wanted it over with as quickly as possible. ¡°Alright then, Xia Xin, among the three gentlemen here, is there anyone who tickles your fancy?¡± Lu Shi questioned. ¡°Yes,¡± Xia Xin answered without hesitation. She was thinking of Jing MO, although she kept that part to herself. Lu Shi¡¯s lips curled into a pleased smile, convinced that Xia Xin¡¯s affection was directed towards him. ¡°Your turn, Zhou Lian,¡± Lu Shi turned his attention to Zhou Lian, noticeably less intrigued. ¡°Among the three men here, is there anyone who catches your eye?¡± Lu Shi asked. ¡°No,¡± Zhou Lian replied curtly. For a moment, Lu Shi wondered if he had misheard. ¡®Zhou Lian didn¡¯t like me?¡¯ Lu Shi looked at Zhou Lian, who turned her face away, clearly uninterested in engaging with him. ¡°You¡¯ll get a penalty if you lied.¡± Lu Shi warned. Once upon a time, Zhou Lian had been Lu Shi¡¯s girlfriend. He still vividly remembered her despondent state after their breakup, as if she couldn¡¯t go on without him. He didn¡¯t expect her to have moved on so quickly. ¡°Prove it,¡± Zhou Lian retorted. ¡°The burden of proof lies on the user.¡± Lu Shi smirked. He didn¡¯t believe that Zhou Lian had moved on; he assumed she was just ying hard to get. ¡°Just a little reminder, no harm done,¡± Lu Shi concluded. [Does anyone else find Lu Shi acting strange tonight?] [A little. Did Zhou Lian¡¯s ¡®no¡¯ bother him?] [Or does he like Zhou Lian?] [Possible. There were rumors about them, you know.] [Those weren¡¯t rumors. My cousin works at a hospital. He heard Zhou Lian once slit her wrists over him. She was rushed to the hospital.] [Really? Herpany had announced she was sick. Never thought it was an attempted suicide.] [After that, she changed. Became a workaholic. No longer that pure, innocent girl.] The director nced at the screen, intrigued by the chatter. He hadn¡¯t expected such intricate dynamics between the two. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder about Lu Shi¡¯s rtionship with Tian Mei. Lu Shi had even put in a good word for her to join this show, citing her as a promising inte sensation. ¡°Add an audience Q&A segment,¡± the director ordered his staff. The staff wrote the director¡¯s instructions on a whiteboard and held it up for everyone to see. Of them all, Lu Shi seemed the most pleased with this development.. Chapter 182 - 182: Rumors Unveiled Chapter 182: Rumors Unveiled Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion ¡°We just received a notification from the crew that we¡¯re allowing some time for the audience to ask questions. So, as our ¡®Truth or Dare¡¯ segment hase to an end, is there anything you folks watching would like to ask us?¡± Lu Shi asked. [Who does Xia Xin like?] [Who is Zhou Lian¡¯s love interest?] [Who is Lu Shi attracted to?] The audience was nothing if not direct. But these weren¡¯t the kind of questions the director had in mind. He was aiming for something a little less straightforward, a question that left room for the imagination. The director signaled for a chair to be brought over, and he took a seat himself. ¡°Hello everyone, I¡¯m the director of this show. We¡¯ve decided to include a Q&A segment due to popr demand. But the number of questions flooding in is overwhelming, so we¡¯re going to randomly select ten lucky viewers to connect with us. Our guests will answer your questions.¡± [Wow, the director has finally done something! Letting everyone answer is a great move. I want to ask Jing MO!] [Yes, yes, yes! Pick me, pick me. I have a question for Jing Mo.] ¡°I understand you all are eager,¡± the director continued. ¡°Let¡¯s first wrap up the ¡®Dare¡¯ portion of our game, and then we¡¯ll proceed to the Q&A.¡± [Why would the director do this? Can¡¯t he wait till this round is over to announce that?] [I was so looking forward to this.] [This is so annoying.] The director¡¯s announcement lured even more people into the livestream. Everyone was excited about the opportunity to connect with their favorite artists. ¡°As we¡¯re done with ¡®Truth,¡¯ let¡¯s move on to ¡®Dare.¡¯ I believe Jing MO, Xu Zhi, and Tian Mei were the ones who got the long sticks, right? So, let¡¯s start with Xu Zhi. What would you all like him to do?¡± The director looked towards the guests. ¡°Let¡¯s have Xu Zhi dance,¡± suggested Lu Shi. Born into affluence, Lu Shi had received a modern education, of which dance was an integral part. Xu Zhi, known for his singing and acting skills, surely couldn¡¯t dance. This was Lu Shi¡¯s chance to demonstrate his superiority to Xia Xin. However, Xu Zhi¡¯s expression was one of difort. It wasn¡¯t because he couldn¡¯t dance, but because of a past foot injury that prevented him from engaging in strenuous physical activity for long periods. ¡°You can¡¯t dance?¡± Lu Shi questioned. [What is Lu Shi thinking? Everyone knows Xu Zhi had a foot injury. What if he gets hurt again?] [Lu Shi is clearly targeting Xu Zhi.] [I know right. He didn¡¯t dare to do it to Jing MO so he targeted Xu Zhi. He¡¯s just disgusting.] [Lu Shi didn¡¯t mean it. He doesn¡¯t know about the injury!] [Exactly, Lu Shi is a genuinely good guy. He wouldn¡¯t do this if he knew.] Lu Shi¡¯s fans kept defending Lu Shi without pause. On the other hand, Xu Zhi was visibly troubled, unsure of how to bring up his past injury without losing face. ¡°I remember that Xu Zhi had a foot injury,¡± said Xia Xin. Xu Zhi¡¯s face lit up. ¡°You remember?¡± ¡°Of course. You were almost forced to take a semester off, weren¡¯t you?¡± Xia Xin remarked. Lu Shi¡¯s eyes narrowed at the evident rapport between Xu Zhi and Xia Xin, clearly not pleased. ¡®Xu Zhi was just an emerging new artist, andpared to someone who had been in the entertainment industry for many years like me, he was still quite inexperienced. Could it be that Xia Xin has a liking for someone like Xu Zhi?¡¯ Lu Shi pondered. ¡°Xu Zhi¡¯s injury is no secret. A variety show once pushed him into dancing for their opener, and he had to take a six-month break before making hiseback,¡± Zhou Lian chimed in. ¡°Really? Xu Zhi, are you alright?¡± Tian Mei rushed over, concern filling her features. ¡°I¡¯m fine, it happened years ago,¡± Xu Zhi replied, smiling. ¡°Must have been painful, right? What happened to you?¡± Tian Mei persisted. Xu Zhi fell silent, reluctant to revisit that part of his history. ¡°Xu Zhi,¡± Tian Mei pressed.bender Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. It wasn¡¯t that shecked empathy. It was just that the incident was so notorious, that anyone who mentioned Xu Zhi would instantly recall that scandalous rumor.. Chapter 183 - 183: Shaking Up the Scene Chapter 183: Shaking Up the Scene Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion [Gossip alert! Years ago, Xu Zhi tried to climb a tree to pick some fruit. Well, the tree couldn¡¯t handle his weight, and he fell right into a sewage pit where some construction was going on. Lucky for him, some workers saw it happen and pulled him out. But boy, did he run out of there, ashamed as ever. Would you believe he tripped and injured his foot while running away?] [Oh my, is that story for real? That¡¯s hrious!] [I kid you not! I was in the same university as Xu Zhi. The story made it to the university¡¯s top trending list; he became quite the infamous character.] [But in all seriousness, I heard he got an infection from falling into the pit, on top of injuring his leg. The nurse in the infirmary had to hold her nose and clean him up before sending him to the hospital.] [LOL, now that¡¯s an image I can¡¯t unsee. Too funny!] Online, discussions about Xu Zhi¡¯s ¡®valiant¡¯ past were buzzing like a beehive. ¡°My, oh my, Xia Xin, what¡¯s so funny? It must have been painful for him, and here you areughing at his misfortune?¡± Tian Mei frowned. Holding back herughter with great difficulty, Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but find the story amusing, though she knew Xu Zhi would find it utterly embarrassing. Tian Mei, on the other hand, thought Xia Xin stoppedughing only because she had pointed out the impropriety of it. ¡°Seems you¡¯ve realized that it¡¯s wrong to mock people,¡± Tian Mei said. ¡°Uh-huh, absolutely, ¡± Xia Xin agreed, her innerughter threatening to break through. Tian Mei felt as if she were punching a cotton wall, her words falling t and frustrating her.bender ¡°I apologize for not knowing about Xu Zhi¡¯s injury earlier. Why don¡¯t we shift gears and sing a little? I remember Xu Zhi has a good voice,¡± Lu Shi interjected, cutting Tian Mei off. ¡°Alright,¡± Xu Zhi cleared his throat and delivered a heartfelt performance of a popr love song. Tian Mei was ted, her heart pounding. Xu Zhi had not only sung a love song, but he had also nced her way while doing so. ¡°Bravo!¡± Lu Shi led the apuse. ¡°You sang wonderfully, Xu Zhi! I loved it,¡± Tian Mei moved closer to Xu Zhi. ¡°So, what¡¯s next?¡± Tian Mei¡¯s eyes darted toward Jing Mo. ¡°Next up, it¡¯s your turn, Tian Mei,¡± Lu Shi interrupted. ¡®Me?¡¯ Tian Mei hesitated. ¡®These men were all desirable, and I had my eyes on Jing MO, but if I made the first move, wouldn¡¯t I appear too forward?¡¯ If Xia Xin knew what Tian Mei was thinking, she¡¯d say, ¡°Girl, you¡¯re dreaming!¡± ¡°What do you want me to do, Lu Shi?¡± Tian Mei was a little tense. ¡®What if Lu Shi would ask for a kiss? No, I can¡¯t. I just want Jing Mo.¡¯ Tian Mei to find herself in another internal struggle. Lu Shi¡¯s expression turned stern. ¡°Go hug that tree over there and shout out loud three times, ¡®I am ugly.¡±¡® Tian Mei hesitated. ¡°Oh my, why would you ask me to do that? I¡¯m not ready for such a task.¡± Before Tian Mei could finish speaking, she froze. It wasn¡¯t what she had expected at all. ¡®Why did Lu Shi ask me to hug a tree and even say that I was ugly?, Her eyes widened in disbelief. ¡°Lu Shi, do you think I¡¯m ugly?¡± Lu Shi chuckled, ¡°It¡¯s not about being ugly or pretty. You proposed this Truth or Dare game. So, are you going to y or not?¡± Tian Mei¡¯s eyes brimmed with tears. ¡°But¡­¡± ¡°Lay off the waterworks,¡± Lu Shi was losing patience. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to y, just say it. No one is forcing you. What¡¯s with the crying?¡± Ignoring his words, Tian Mei continued sobbing. Xia Xin was fed up. She rose and relocated the campfire. ¡°Let¡¯s sit somewhere else. We don¡¯t need her wailing to kill our vibe.¡± Everyone followed suit, leaving Tian Mei alone and bewildered. ¡°How could you all just leave me like this?¡± Tian Mei approached them again. Xia Xin threw a log toward Tian Mei¡¯s feet with a thud. ¡°Don¡¯t take our kindness for granted. We don¡¯t owe you anything. If you want to cry, do it somewhere else, and don¡¯t kill our mood.¡± ¡°How can you be so cruel, Xia Xin? I just wanted to¡­¡± ¡°Wanted to what?¡± Xia Xin interrupted. ¡°Let me guess, you wanted us to pamper and coddle you? Dream on! If you were my child, I¡¯d have spanked you by now..¡± Chapter 184 - 184: Repulsion Chapter 184: Repulsion Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Tian Mei waspletely baffled by Xia Xin¡¯s words. What does this have to do with spanking kids? Why would she want to hit me?¡¯ ¡°Let¡¯s move on, Jing Mo. It¡¯s your turn for a dare,¡± Xia Xin pivoted, ignoring Tian Mei altogether. At this moment, the live chat went wild. [Oh my! Xia Xin is so cool!] [She¡¯s amazing, seriously my idol.] [She¡¯s straightforward and doesn¡¯t mince words. So unlike Tian Mei.] [I love girls with Xia Xin¡¯s kind of personality. She¡¯s so likable.] The audience loved Xia Xin¡¯s genuine and direct demeanor. Jing MO nodded, ¡°Alright, what should I do?¡± ¡°Just sing us a song, Big Brother.¡± Xia Xin suggested. ¡°Sure,¡± Jing MO replied with a smile. Lu Shi, who was standing to the side, was visibly unhappy. He was supposed to be the star of this game, and his n had been to sidetrack Jing Mo. Yet Xia Xin had thrown a curveball into his ns. Jing MO sang a heartfelt song. When he finished, everyone went silent. Xia Xin felt a unique emotion in his singing. She looked up at him and found his eyes were locked onto hers as if their souls had been entangled for lifetimes. ¡°That was beautiful,¡± Xia Xin stood up and pped, her face beaming. ¡°Thank you,¡± Jing MO responded. Lu Shi couldn¡¯t stand the chemistry between the two and interrupted, ¡°Has everyone else heard this song? I¡¯m a big fan of Jing MO, and I don¡¯t remember ever hearing this one. Is it a new song?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not,¡± they both answered in unison, sharing another brief, knowing nce. ¡°It¡¯s a song I wrote before my debut, while I was overseas. I¡¯m touched that you keep tabs on me,¡± Jing MO said. ¡°Of course, I¡¯m your biggest fan!¡± Xia Xin dered. The chat went wild again. [Did anyone hear someone call out ¡®Big Brother¡¯ just now?] [I heard it!] [Who was it?] [It sounded like Xia Xin.] [Ah, I was so focused on Jing Mo¡¯s response that I subconsciously ignored that ¡®Big Brother¡¯.] [What¡¯s going on? Have they known each other for a long time? Or does ¡®Big Brother¡¯ have a special meaning?] [Ah, I¡¯m so curious! Please satisfy our curiosity.] The director saw the audience¡¯s requests in the live chat and used the walkie-talkie, ¡°Let Lu Shi ask Xia Xin why she called Jing MO ¡®Big Brother¡¯.¡± Soon, the staff wrote a few words on a whiteboard and asked Lu Shi to pose the question. Lu Shi frowned, his expression unclear and enigmatic. He had also overlooked the three words ¡®Big Brother¡¯ just moments ago. He, spurred by the production team, asked, ¡°Why do you call him Big Brother?¡± Xia Xin shot a re at the nosy crew, then looked at Jing Mo. ¡°I¡¯ve been calling him that since we were young. We lost touch but when we met again, it just felt natural. Is there something wrong with that?¡± [Ah, so sweet, these two are so sweet!] [Why do I get the vibe of childhood sweethearts from this?] [I approve of you two being together.] [Start dating already!] [But isn¡¯t Xia Xin with MO Shu?] [Ah, what¡¯s going on with these three?] [No, even if she¡¯s with MO Shu, she can break up. Xia Xin and Jing MO are a better match!] ¡°Aren¡¯t you in a romantic rtionship with MO Shu?¡± Lu Shi asked again. Lu Shi had already checked, MO Shu was her rumored boyfriend, and they hadn¡¯t denied or confirmed their rtionship. Jing MO, subtly positioning himself between Xia Xin and Lu Shi, said, ¡°That¡¯s private information. No need to discuss it on the show. Besides, why should the names ¡®Big Brother¡¯ and ¡®boyfriend¡¯ be linked?¡± Xia Xin felt warmed by Jing Mo¡¯s protective stance. ¡°I agree. What does my rtionship status have to do with you?¡± Just then, Tian Mei, who had been itching to join the conversation, saw her chance and piped up, ¡°Xia Xin, why are you always like this? Why do you have to target people to be happy? Xia Xin shot her a mocking smile, ¡°Weren¡¯t you just off to the side, crying? Are you done?¡± Xia Xin wondered why the producers even invited Tian Mei onto the show. In Xia Xin¡¯s opinion, Tian Mei was incredibly annoying.. Chapter 185 - 185: New Group Formation Chapter 185: New Group Formation Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion ¡°You¡ª¡± Tian Mei¡¯s face flushed with irritation. She¡¯d hoped to slip into the group unnoticed, but Xia Xin called her out, and that set her on edge. ¡°Whether I¡¯m crying or not, Xia Xin, shouldn¡¯t you be exining why you always seem to single people out?¡± Tian Mei retorted. Xu Zhi frowned. ¡°Xia Xin hasn¡¯t targeted anyone. Her love life is her private affair, and she¡¯s under no obligation to share it. On the other hand, you¡¯ve been taking jabs at her repeatedly, Tian Mei. Care to exin?¡± ¡°I¡­¡± Tian Mei started, her voice breaking as if she was on the brink of tears again. ¡°Oh, spare us the waterworks. You¡¯re only making yourself more unlikable,¡± Zhou Lian snapped. ¡°If you can¡¯t behave, I¡¯m going to talk to the director about whether it¡¯s you who should leave or us. I don¡¯t think I can take eleven days with someone like you.¡± Xu Zhi was a guy and, even in his anger, he tempered his words. This was the harshest thing he could think to say. But Zhou Lian was different; she didn¡¯t like Tian Mei either. Tian Mei had consistently been a burden, hampering their taskpletion rate. It was infuriating. The director sensed the atmosphere turning increasingly tense and grew anxious. Tian Mei was brought on by Lu Shi, who was an investor in the project. The director couldn¡¯t just ask her to leave, but the artists on set were bing visibly angry. Resigned, the director gestured for the crew to bring Tian Mei aside, hoping to realign her attitude. ¡°Miss Tian Mei, since you were rmended by Lu Shi, your behavior reflects his judgment. You could stand to be a bit more gracious,¡± the director advised, tiptoeing around the issue. ¡°But I don¡¯t see anything wrong with my attitude. All my questions are legitimate,¡± Tian Mei feigned ignorance, tilting her head quizzically. ¡°Besides, don¡¯t you think Xia Xin is a bit too theatrical?¡± she added. The director held his tongue. He thought Tian Mei was the theatrical one, but he kept that opinion to himself. ¡°Miss Tian Mei, if you can¡¯t adjust your attitude, then there¡¯s no point in continuing the filming,¡± he said, sternly. Tian Mei¡¯s eyes welled up again. Rolling his eyes, the director finally understood why the other artists found Tian Mei so off-putting. ¡°I am talking about work. If we can¡¯t continue this conversation productively, then let¡¯s not have it at all,¡± the director said icily. Realizing she¡¯d angered the director, Tian Mei quicklyposed herself. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Director. I promise to control my emotions during the rest of the filming and put my best foot forward.¡± The director wanted to tell Tian Mei that it¡¯d be better if she didn¡¯t put any foot forward at all, but he held back. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll return and join the group,¡± Tian Mei said. ¡°Just control your emotions, no need to show off,¡± he waved her away. Tian Mei thanked the director and rejoined the group, her face red as the other artists eyed her skeptically. She bit her lip, holding her head low, saying nothing. ¡°Hmph,¡± Zhou Lian snorted, choosing to ignore Tian Mei. Everyone else did the same, resuming their games. After another round, the director announced that they could vote for two team leaders¡ªone for the guys and one for thedies. Starting tomorrow, the groups will coborate on tasks. Xia Xin shot the director a puzzled look. ¡®Didn¡¯t he know that this ind was dangerous for threedies to be on their own?¡¯ The director wiped the sweat from his forehead, clutching his phone. He¡¯d just received demands from the investors and it was their request. Once filming wrapped for the day, Xu Zhi approached the director. ¡°Sending threedies out on their own is too risky. This ind is only safe around our campsite. I don¡¯t support sending thedies out,¡± he stated. ¡°I never said thedies would go out alone. They¡¯ll just be in a separate team from the men. As for the details, you can discuss those tomorrow,¡± the director replied. Xu Zhi pondered for a moment before saying, ¡°Alright.¡± As Xu Zhi returned, Zhou Lian inquired, ¡°What did the director say?¡± Xu Zhi ryed the director¡¯s words. ¡°We¡¯ll discuss the specifics once everyone¡¯s up tomorrow..¡± Chapter 186 - 186: Privacy Chapter 186: Privacy Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion ¡°Alright, folks, we¡¯re moving on to our final segment¡ªrandomly selecting ten lucky viewers for a live call-in,¡± announced the director. With a single bang of the director¡¯s gavel, no one else could object. The team started making the arrangements for the live call-ins. ¡°Our first lucky viewer is now joining us,¡± said the director, as the first viewer was connected. ¡°Hello, everyone!¡± The voice belonged to a youngdy, her face radiating youthful cuteness. When she smiled, her eyes seemed as if they were almost speaking. ¡°Hello there! What¡¯s your name, and which of our artists would you like to ask a question?¡± the director inquired. ¡°Myst name is Yu. I¡¯m a huge fan of Jing MO and his music, so I¡¯d like to ask him where he gets his inspiration for songwriting?¡± she said. Her question was polite, and well within the bounds of eptable queries. Jing MO, now in the spotlight, responded courteously, ¡°Inspiration, you ask? Well, it varies. It really depends on my mood and luck on any given day. Sometimes, something as simple as drinking a ss of water or taking my dog Bobo for a walk sparks the muse.¡± ¡°Thank you, Jing MO! I absolutely love your songs,¡± the youngdy eximed. ¡°Thank you,¡± Jing MO replied, smiling warmly. Disconnecting from the first viewer, they moved on to the second. ¡°What¡¯s your name, and which guest would you like to ask a question?¡± the director asked again. ¡°Myst name is Li. I¡¯d like to know who Lu Shi is in love with,¡± the viewer inquired. Everyone fell silent. Lu Shi nced at Xia Xin with a soft smile before turning back to the screen. ¡°That¡¯s a personal matter, and I¡¯d prefer to keep her identity a secret to protect her.¡± ¡°That answer isn¡¯t really an answer. We already know you¡¯re in love, so tell us: is it a man or ady? An artist or?¡± the viewer probed. Laughing lightly, Lu Shi shared, ¡°Well, she¡¯s ady, and yes, she¡¯s an artist, though not terribly famous.¡± This elicited audible gasps from the audience. ¡°Now you¡¯ve made me even more curious, Lu Shi! I¡¯m sure everyone else is dying to know who it is, too,¡± said the viewer. ¡°As I said, I¡¯d like to protect her and avoid causing her any unnecessary problems,¡± Lu Shi firmly replied. Meanwhile, the live chat was exploding. [Not famous? Could be a newly debuted artist or someone who¡¯s been around but never made it big.] [I¡¯ve narrowed it down to a list of 40 people. How on earth are we going to guess?] [How¡¯d you narrow it down?] [Newly debuted and long-time non-famous artists. There are 40 in total.] [Add ¡®has interacted with Lu Shi¡¯ as a criterion.] [That leaves us with six.] [Which six?] [Xia Xin, Tian Mei, Li Li, Fang Qiao, Yuan Meng, Cai Cai.] [Wow, if I remember correctly, all except Xia Xin had rumors with Lu Shi. Nothing was confirmed, though.] [So excluding Xia Xin, that leaves five. This is going to be hard.] [Why exclude Xia Xin? Didn¡¯t you hear Lu Shi? He wants to protect her, which means no rumors, making Xia Xin a likely choice.] [But Xia Xin¡¯s dating MO Shu. How could she be the one Lu Shi loves?] [You all are nuts! Lu Shi loving Xia Xin? Impossible!] [Why not? Haven¡¯t you seen the loving gaze he casts her way?] [What¡¯s wrong with Xia Xin? Why wouldn¡¯t he love her?] [She¡¯s despicable¡ªstringing along multiple men! She doesn¡¯t deserve our Lu Shi.] The live chat was turning increasingly hostile toward Xia Xin. ¡°Alright, thanks to our viewer. Let¡¯s move on to the next caller,¡± the director interrupted, cutting off the ongoing conversation. ¡°Hello everyone, myst name is Yuan. I¡¯d like to ask Xia Xin about her romantic rtionship with MO Shu,¡± said the next viewer. Jing Mo t s heart skipped a beat as he looked toward Xia Xin. He wondered how she would answer. ¡°That¡¯s my privacy,¡± Xia Xin stated, keeping her response brief. ¡°But you and MO Shu are considered the golden couple among artists. Everyone is quite invested in your love life,¡± said the viewer.. Chapter 187 - 187: Refusal to Answer Chapter 187: Refusal to Answer Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion At that moment, the expressions on the faces of Xia Xin and Jing Mo darkened, visible for all the audience members in the live broadcast to see. ¡°This is a matter concerning my personal privacy, and I refuse to discuss it. If you continue with such questions, it¡¯ll be intrusive,¡± Xia Xin stated, her tone firm. Sensing the tension, the director interjected hastily, ¡°Ah, let¡¯s steer clear of personal privacy then. Next question, please.¡± The line was promptly cut, and another audience member¡¯s voice came through. ¡°Xia Xin, do you not admit to being in a rtionship with MO Shu?¡± Jing MO was about to speak up but hesitated when he heard Xia Xin softly clear her throat. He nced at her and noticed her subtle shake of the head, which reassured him. ¡°It seems you all are rather intrigued by my personal life. Despite me stating that it¡¯s off-limits, there¡¯s still so much curiosity. So, what if I don¡¯t say anything? Are y¡¯all nning on wasting your chances to ask questions?¡± Xia Xin posed. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll switch gears then. In your opinion, among MO Shu, Lu Shi, and Jing MO, who do you think is the most outstanding?¡± the audience member pivoted. Xia Xin would have preferred not to answer but relented. ¡°Each of these three gentlemen excels in his own field. They¡¯re not even in the same league, so how could onepare them?¡± Her answer was evasive, appearing as though she¡¯d answered while not truly doing so. Seizing the opportunity, the director chimed in, ¡°Alright, next audience question, please.¡± Soon it was the fifth question. Tian Mei sat there, growing more frustrated. No one had asked her anything, affecting her visibility on the show. She had negotiated hard with Lu Shi for this chance and didn¡¯t want to waste it. As the next question came through, she suddenly eximed, ¡°Ah, a mosquito!¡± and pped her calf for effect. Everyone nced at her, including the audience member currently on the line. Satisfied, Tian Mei thought, ¡®Good, now I¡¯ve caught their attention.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯d like to ask Xu Zhi, is it true that your agent once imed that you would never participate in any shows or dramas produced by Ster Entertainment? If so, why the animosity?¡± the audience asked. The color drained from Tian Mei¡¯s face. She thought, ¡®Despite my antics, why did the audience not direct the question toward me?¡¯ Pouting petntly, Tian Mei thought she looked rather cute. Lu Shi, sitting beside Xia Xin, wondered whether she might know the answer. After all, she shared an agent with Jing MO, and Xu Zhi knew her. Essentially, she was amon link between Jing MO and Xu Zhi. ¡°How do I put this¡ªdo you find us ipatible on this show?¡± Xu Zhi directed the question toward Jing Mo. Jing MO merely smiled and remained silent. ¡°So, the rumors are false then. I was just curious,¡± the audience member said, ?satisfied. ¡°Thank you for clearing that up.¡± Another line cut and another question from the audience. Thus far, the questions were reasonable¡ªnone too inappropriate. Even Zhou Lian was asked about her love life but declined to answer, citing privacy, much like Xia Xin. Eventually, the final question came around, and no one had inquired about Tian Mei, leaving her increasingly irate. ¡°Lu Shi, do the audience not like me? Why is no one asking me anything?¡± Tian Mei whispered to Lu Shi. ¡°Why would you think that? You¡¯re exceptional, too,¡± Lu Shi reassured her. ¡°Really?¡± Her eyes gleamed. ¡°Do you also think I¡¯m exceptional, Lu Shi?¡± Lu Shi didn¡¯t particrly want to respond. ¡°Let¡¯s listen, the audience is asking a question.¡± ¡°Xia Xin, if you and MO Shu are lovers, why are you still interacting with Jing MO? It looks like Lu Shi also has feelings for you. Are you having your cake and eating it too?¡± came the pointed query. Both Xia Xin and Jing Mo¡¯s faces darkened considerably. Jing MO regretted ever agreeing for MO Shu to pretend to be in a rtionship with Xia Xin, as it had led to this troublesome situation. Quickly regaining herposure, Xia Xin shed a wry smile. ¡°Are youplimenting me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not praising you, Xia Xin. Please answer the question directly,¡± the audience member pressed. ¡°So you¡¯re not saying I have an irresistible charm that has ensnared three dashing men? That¡¯s why I asked,¡± Xia Xin cheekily retorted. Laughter rippled through the room, and Xia Xin had effectively lightened the mood.. Chapter 188 - 188: Jealousy Chapter 188: Jealousy Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin paused for a moment, then continued, ¡°You im that MO Shu and I are lovers¡ªneither of us has ever confirmed that. Then, you talk about my interactions with Jing Mo. We were assigned to the same team; how could I not interact with him? Are you saying that when we¡¯re rescuing animals, should the points go to him or me if we don¡¯tmunicate?¡± ¡°As for this Lu Shi you say has feelings for me¡ªsorry to break it to you, but I only found out about Lu Shi¡¯s existence a few days ago. I can¡¯t believe one¡¯s affection is so shallow. We know next to nothing about each other. Even if he does like me, that¡¯s none of my business. I can¡¯t control how others feel about me. Right, Lu Shi?¡± Xia Xin turned her gaze toward Lu Shi. Lu Shi¡¯s expression darkened. He thought to himself, ¡®Is she saying my feelings were shallow? Ah,dies¡ªalways saying one thing and meaning another.¡¯ ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Lu Shi smiled. ¡°No one¡¯s affection is that shallow. Like love, affection withstands the test of time. Perhaps, there¡¯s no need to be so vehement, dear audience.¡± ¡°Lu Shi, we¡¯re loyal fans of yours,¡± an audience member chimed in. ¡°We just don¡¯t want to see you get deceived.¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re fans of mine? I appreciate your concern,¡± Lu Shi brushed it off, not wanting to go into details. His tone sounded more like he was cating them. The fan furrowed her brows even more. She was about to say something when the director abruptly cut her off. Wiping his nonexistent sweat, the director was relieved that they¡¯d avoided a broadcasting disaster. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s enough for today. Go and rest. A reminder to you all, the cameras will be over there,¡± he pointed in two directions. The show was broadcast 24/7, so even when the artists were sleeping, cameras would be rolling¡ªthough they wouldn¡¯t capture them directly. Without another word, Xia Xin collected her belongings and entered her tent. She pulled out her phone and texted Jing MO, [Goodnight, Big Brother.] Jing MO, who¡¯d also returned to his tent, wore a slight smile. He replied, [Goodnight. Sweet dreams.] Except for Tian Mei and Lu Shi, everyone else soon fell asleep. Tian Meiy in her hammock andined, ¡°Lu Shi, I didn¡¯t shower today; I feel disgusting.¡± Tian Mei¡¯s words seemed to light up Lu Shi¡¯s eyes. He thought to himself, ¡®That¡¯s right, we could shower.¡¯ ¡°Tian Mei, it¡¯ste. We can look for a river or something tomorrow, and find some food along the way,¡± Lu Shi suggested. ¡°But I want afortable bathroom and a nice bathtub to soak in,¡± Tian Mei pouted. Lu Shi grew impatient. ¡°Listen, there are no luxurious amenities on this ind. I told you the show wouldn¡¯t be easy. You said you could handle it.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t think it would be this hard. You have to fend for yourself, even for sleep. I would have never agreed to this,¡± Tian Mei replied. ¡°You can still back out,¡± Lu Shi said, clearly annoyed. Panicked, Tian Mei rushed to say, ¡°But Lu Shi, you promised to take care of me.¡± ¡°Have I not?¡± he retorted. ¡°I mean, I want to shower. Don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I told you, we¡¯ll look for a river tomorrow. It¡¯s going to be cold, but it¡¯s the best we can do. We can also find food on the way.¡± ¡°But, it¡¯s too cold,¡± Tian Mei retorted. ¡°If you¡¯re going toin, then don¡¯t do it. It¡¯s getting on my nerves,¡± Lu Shi snapped. Tian Mei shut her mouth, gritted her teeth, and tried to sleep. But this was her first time sleeping outdoors, she couldn¡¯t sleep. She tossed and turned, ncing at her suitcase. She got up, rummaged through it, and pulled out some clothes and skincare products. Tian Mei thought she may not be able to shower, but she could still look good. ncing at the camera, she moved behind a wide tree, confident she was out of its sightline. While changing, her eyes narrowed jealously toward Xia Xin and Jing Mo¡¯s tents, which emitted a soft glow. ¡®They could sleep infort and even shower. Why couldn¡¯t I?¡¯ Tian Mei thought.. Chapter 189 - 189: Make-Up Chapter 189: Make-Up Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Tian Mei was in a foul mood. She¡¯d heard from Zhou Lian that both Zhou Lian and Xu Zhi had showered using Xia Xin¡¯s bucket. She was an artist on this reality show too, and it felt like Xia Xin was ying favorites. The more Tian Mei thought about it, the angrier she became. She fumed, ¡°Why¡¯s Xia Xin acting like this? Just because I¡¯m more popr? Well, that¡¯s just unfair!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be asking for a bucket tomorrow. I want to use it too.¡± What Tian Mei didn¡¯t realize was that her clothes-changing actions were caught on camera. The director had pointed out where the cameras were, but Tian Mei had only paid attention to one of them. [Wow! Wardrobe change! Is this a special treat?] [Her figure¡¯s not bad, but she¡¯s not brave enough to take it all off.] [She did this on purpose, right? The director told her about the camera.] [Did you hear what she said? She¡¯s iming that Xia Xin¡¯s treating her differently.] [How thick-skinned can she be? Saying she¡¯s so popr?] [She¡¯s so self-centered. Always ming others.] [I need to cleanse my eyes. She¡¯s too ugly.] [Why does she sound so entitled about asking for a bucket?] Tian Mei had no idea her rant about Xia Xin had been seen and heard by the audience. After changing into her new outfit, she returned to her hammock with skincare products in tow. The camera that had caught her changing now captured her makeup removal in all its glory. With a self-satisfied expression, she applied her skincare products, oblivious to the fact that her bare face was unbearable for viewers to look at. [She looks so old without makeup!] [I almost threw up my dinner.] [Her bare face looks older than my mom¡¯s. Is she in her 40s or 50s?] [She¡¯s not putting on makeup; she¡¯s putting on a new face!] [I gotta admit, her makeup skills are impressive.] [She could be likable as a makeup artist if she was less self-centered.] [At this point, I can¡¯t even¡­ I¡¯m speechless.] Unaware of the online disdain, Tian Mei continued to grumble about Xia Xin. Lu Shi, who was already asleep, didn¡¯t hear her rant about Xia Xin. The next morning, Xia Xin woke up early and checked her phone. Their show, ¡°Nature¡¯s Allies,¡± was trending, with some attention-grabbing headlines. [#Astonishing! Fifty-year-olddy shows off makeup skills on #Nature¡¯s Allies.] [#Middle-ageddy uses Xia Xin of favoritism on #Nature¡¯s Allies.] [#The Importance of Makeup Skills Revealed on #Nature¡¯s Allies.] Intrigued, Xia Xin clicked the links and discovered a shocking secret. She thought to herself, ¡®Tian Mei was this old! And she¡¯d been prancing around calling people big brother or big sister? And then there was Tian Mei, caught changing her clothes on camera. ¡® Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter, which caught the attention of Jing MO, who texted her asking why she wasughing. Xia Xin sent him screenshots, and he too chuckled. ¡®Tian Mei actually dared to say such things about Xia Xin?¡¯ Jing MO thought to himself. Jing MO, along with Lu Shi, Zhou Lian, and Xu Zhi, had all seen the trending topics. Lu Shi felt aplex emotion stirring within him. He¡¯d slept with Tian Mei, who never took off her makeup. He hadn¡¯t minded at that time, thinking as long as they didn¡¯t kiss, it would be fine. Little did he know that beneath the makeupy such an old face. He began to question his taste. Tian Mei was still sound asleep, her face thered with a thickyer of overnight mask. Lu Shi stared at her, lost in his thoughts. Half an hourter, Tian Mei woke up to find Lu Shi gazing intently at her. Smiling coyly, she felt satisfied with her wardrobe choices which highlighted her figure, and her face was conveniently covered with a thick mask, hidden from view.. Chapter 190 - 190: How Old Are You? Chapter 190: How Old Are You? Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion ¡°Morning, Lu Shi,¡± Tian Mei greeted cheerfully. Lost in thought, Lu Shi snapped back to reality upon hearing Tian Mei¡¯s sharine voice. Startled, he met her gaze. Tian Mei¡¯s smile deepened at Lu Shi¡¯s reaction. ¡®Excellent, just as I¡¯d expected.¡¯ ¡°I should get going. You can rest up,¡± Lu Shi said, hopping off the bed to hurriedly look for his toiletries. Tian Mei watched Lu Shi with her eyes half-closed in a smile. She took advantage of the camera¡¯s focus being elsewhere to peel off her face mask and spent a few minutes applying makeup. Then she took her own toiletries to freshen up. While others used toothbrushes and toothpaste, she swished her mouth with mouthwash. It appeared both normal and high-end. If people hadn¡¯t noticed she had removed her makeup, they¡¯d likely assume she was a young girl leading an exquisite life. Xia Xin was curious, too. Tian Mei had cried multiple times, yet her makeup never smudged. Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but wonder what kind of quality products Tian Mei was using. Unable to resist, Xia Xin observed Tian Mei a little more. Tian Mei took notice. She assumed Xia Xin regretted her earlier behavior and was attempting to make amends. ¡°Miss Xia Xin, is there something you¡¯d like to ask me? You¡¯ve been looking at me quite often this morning,¡± Tian Mei queried. ¡°I was just curious about your makeup skills. They must be impressive,¡± Xia Xin responded. Upon hearing that, Tian Meiughed. ¡°I¡¯m not really wearing makeup. Just a touch of natural makeup and color-changing lip balm. That¡¯s all. If you¡¯re asking about makeup techniques, you¡¯re asking the wrong person.¡± Tian Mei was annoyed. She¡¯d thought Xia Xin was approaching her for some reconciliation, but instead, Xia Xin just wanted to talk about makeup. ¡°Alright then,¡± Xia Xin said, staying silent afterward. [My God, Tian Mei has thick skin. How manyyers of face powder did she apply, to boldly im she¡¯s wearing ¡®natural¡¯ makeup?] [It¡¯s so awkward to watch her.] [Do they not know we¡¯ve all seen her without makeup?] [That said, has anyone wondered about Tian Mei¡¯s real age?] [The inte says she debuted as a child star. So, she¡¯s 26 now.] [So how long ago did she debut?] [About fifteen years ago. She yed a 10-year-old in a TV drama then.] [But look at her face! Even if she was 10 back then, making her 25 now, why does she look like she¡¯s in her 50s or 60s?] [Yeah, her face-to-body ratio is so odd.] [How can you have the body of a 20-something and the face of someone in their 50s? What¡¯s her real age?] The director sighed at the online discussion about Tian Mei. No one in the industry would¡¯ve known about her true appearance if not for this show. After freshening up, Tian Mei took a small piece of cake from her luggage. ¡°Would anyone like to join me?¡± she asked, only to be ignored by everyone. ¡°Lu Shi, would you like some?¡± Tian Mei offered, extending the cake towards Lu Shi. Had Lu Shi not seen her real face online, he would have epted. But now, he couldn¡¯t stomach anything Tian Mei offered. ¡°No, thanks. I have my own food,¡± Lu Shi declined.bender Tian Mei furrowed her brows, puzzled by everyone¡¯s attitude. She approached Zhou Lian and asked, ¡°Zhou Lian, what¡¯s going on today? Why do I feel like everyone is avoiding me? Did I do something wrong? Is it because of what happenedst night?¡± ¡°I know I was wrong, and I apologized. Isn¡¯t that enough?¡± Tian Mei pouted, looking aggrieved. Zhou Lian let out a heavy sigh. ¡°Tian Mei, let me ask you, how old are you?¡± Upon hearing Zhou Lian¡¯s query, Tian Mei grew more convinced that people were mad at her because of the previous night. ¡°I really know I messed up, Zhou Lian,¡± she quickly said. ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯m asking,¡± Zhou Lian interrupted. ¡°How old are you?¡± The issue wasn¡¯t Tian Mei¡¯s looks or her age; those could be forgiven. What couldn¡¯t be forgiven was how she used her alleged youth to take advantage of others, avoiding doing her share of work. But who wouldn¡¯t prefer to rest if they could? Moreover, they had no obligation to do anything for her.. Chapter 191 - 191: Injured Chapter 191: Injured Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion ¡°I¡¯m 26 years old,¡± Tian Mei told Zhou Lian, her eyes sparkling with optimism. ¡°Is it because everyone thinks I¡¯m too young to handle anything big? I can learn, you know. I really can.¡± Zhou Lian was speechless. ¡®Why didn¡¯t Tian Mei get it? Even after all the talk about age, she remained oblivious. I should just let it go.¡¯ ¡°Xia Xin, if there¡¯s anything I can do to help, just say the word,¡± Zhou Lian offered. ¡°Would you like toe with me to find something to eat?¡± Xia Xin asked. [Now why does it sound so much more pleasant when Xia Xin talks to Zhou Lian than when with Tian Mei?]bender [Tian Mei has a sugary voice that would sound charming if she cooed, but the minute I remember her face, that voice seems lethal.] [Ah, the imagery. Please stop, you¡¯re killing me!] ¡°I can assist you while Xu Zhi and Jing MO go find food,¡± Zhou Lian suggested. ¡°We can wait for them here.¡¯ [The way they are behaving, I feel like they¡¯re waiting for their husbands to return from hunting in ancient times.] [That¡¯s so vivid! If they were in historical costumes, it would definitely look great.] [But wearing historical costumes for this event wouldn¡¯t be appropriate; it¡¯s not practical.] [True, let¡¯s just watch and stop talking.] Xia Xin chuckled as well. ¡°We could also take a walk around the area; we don¡¯t have to wait here.¡± ¡°Can I join? I promise to be well-behaved,¡± Tian Mei interjected. ¡°Sure,¡± Xia Xin agreed. Zhou Lian wanted to say something but caught Xia Xin shaking her head. To Xia Xin, Tian Mei¡¯s persona was irrelevant. At most, she was curious about Tian Mei¡¯s makeup skills; she¡¯d already asked and had received no answer. And that was that. Lu Shi, noticing Xu Zhi and Jing MO preparing to leave, hastily caught up. ¡°You¡¯re going to look for food? I¡¯lle too. Didn¡¯t the director say we¡¯re splitting into two groups this morning?¡± Neither Xu Zhi nor Jing MO responded. They just continued working, each with a bucket in hand, while Lu Shi stood empty-handed. They reached the riverbank and Lu Shi¡¯s face lit up at the sight of water. ¡°I¡¯ll go take a bath and catch up with you after.¡± Lu Shi hurried off, leaving Xu Zhi and Jing MO to their tasks. [Why does it feel like there¡¯s something off between Xu Zhi and Jing MO?] [I seem to have that feeling too. Is it just an illusion?] [It must be an illusion. I think these two are doing well; they¡¯re working hard.] [The strange thing is that they work hard, but there¡¯s nomunication between them. Did you notice that they¡¯re working separately?] [Oh, yeah, I remember the segment with the audiencest night. Someone asked if they weren¡¯t getting along, and Xu Zhi¡¯s managementpany made it clear they wouldn¡¯t invest in their projects, right?] [Exactly, that¡¯s the one.] [I can¡¯t stand this weird atmosphere anymore. I¡¯d rather watch the olddy being cute.] [Right, right. Let¡¯s go see how that olddy with her self-esteem intact is doing. I feel embarrassed for her. I wonder if she¡¯ll get even more wrinkles on her face when she finds out the truthter.] When Lu Shi returned, the others had already left. He was irate and asked the cameraman where they went. The cameraman told Lu Shi that Jing MO and Xu Zhi had returned to the campsite. Lu Shi frowned. ¡®They went back?¡¯ He quickly returned to the campsite, and upon seeing everyone busy with their tasks, an expression of dissatisfaction appeared on his face. He said, ¡°Didn¡¯t I say to wait for me? How can you just take off without saying anything?¡± Jing MO gave him a cold look but said nothing. Xu Zhi frowned, ¡°We don¡¯t have time to wait for you; we have tasks toplete.¡± Frustrated, Lu Shi snatched the object Jing MO was working on, dering, ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± But in his haste, Lu Shi caused Jing MO to cut his fingers with the knife he was using. ¡°Jing MO!¡± Xia Xin rushed over, concerned. ¡°Thank goodness, it¡¯s not too severe..¡± Chapter 192 - 192: Furious Chapter 192: Furious Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin pulled out some disinfectant and bandages from her bag, treating Jing Mo¡¯s wound with meticulous care. ¡°There you go,¡± she said. ¡°Thank you,¡± Jing MO responded. Then, with a frosty gaze, Xia Xin turned to Lu Shi. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to help, that¡¯s one thing. But creating more problems? That, I just can¡¯t understand.¡± Lu Shi had initially felt a twinge of guilt; he hadn¡¯t intended for Jing MO to get hurt when he took the knife. Just as he was about to apologize, Xia Xin¡¯s words ignited a fire within him. ¡°It¡¯s you people who are ostracizing me! I told y¡¯all I was going to take a shower and help out afterward. You didn¡¯t want to wait for me, that¡¯s fine. But why are you sidelining me now?¡± Lu Shi eximed. ¡°When did we ever sideline you?¡± Jing MO retorted. ¡°You¡¯ve been sidelining me from the get-go. If you don¡¯t like thisdy, then just send her away. Why push me away? I¡¯m not responsible for her actions,¡± Lu Shi insisted. Lu Shi thought everyone was treating him poorly because of Tian Mei as if it was his fault. Xu Zhi frowned, visibly disliking Lu Shi¡¯s nitpicky demeanor. ¡°Weren¡¯t my words clear enough? We need toplete tasks, earn points, and have breakfast. By the time you¡¯re done showering, everything here will be almost ready. Waiting for you would be a waste of time.¡± ¡°And another thing,¡± Xu Zhi added, ¡°You told us to wait for you to help, but what could you do with your empty hands? Use them to carry water back?¡± ¡°But you had a bucket, right?¡± Lu Shi questioned. ¡°That bucket? Xia Xin lent it to me and Zhou Lian. Jing MO has his own. We work as a team to aplish our tasks. So, are we supposed to be helping you, or are you helping us?¡± ¡°Weren¡¯t y¡¯allbining efforts to find food?¡± Lu Shi was perplexed. ¡°Yes, and we¡¯ve brought it back,¡± Xu Zhi gestured towards the pile of gathered food: wild fruits,mon mushrooms, and even rabbit meat. Lu Shi wondered, astounded at how Xu Zhi could go hunting in this day and age. Before Lu Shi could speak again, Jing MO interrupted, ¡°We don¡¯t have time for chit-chat. If you want to help, then do something useful. If you want to share the meal, bring back some food supplies. Rice, oil, and salt are on us. As for firewood, you¡¯ll need to find it yourself.¡± ¡°You people¡­¡± Angered, Lu Shi recalled the audience¡¯sments about Jing MO and Xu Zhi not getting along. He felt his bad luck had rolled over onto him due to their discord. He sighed resignedly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I understand I¡¯m not in sync with your pace. Starting tomorrow, I¡¯ll adapt. Today was my mistake. I shouldn¡¯t have expected you all to match my timing.¡± Lu Shi¡¯s straightforward apology left the group stunned. They¡¯d pegged him as someone petty, pretending to be carefree. His sudden contrition was unexpected. ¡°Jing MO, don¡¯t go near the water today. I¡¯ll clean your wound and apply some medicine tonight. Let it air overnight, and you should be fine tomorrow,¡± Xia Xin advised Jing Mo. ¡°I¡¯ll be okay. It¡¯s just a minor wound,¡± Jing MO assured her. ¡°Even minor wounds can get infected if not properly cared for,¡± Xia Xin cautioned. ¡°Alright, I know. Help me prepare the mealter?¡± Jing MO asked. Lu Shi, witnessing the interactions between Jing MO and Xia Xin, seethed with irritation. ¡®After shing with me, she was now cozying up to another man. How infuriating! Once I had her, I¡¯d make sure she¡¯d beg me for more¡ªin every way.¡¯ Taking a deep breath, Lu Shi finished his task and handed the items to Xia Xin. ¡°Today was my mistake for not pitching in earlier. I promise to make up for it tomorrow.¡± Xia Xin took what he offered, remaining silent as she and Jing MO continued preparing the meal. Once the food was ready, Lu Shi moved to join them but hesitated. The food and utensils were set for four people. He thought to himself, ¡®Had they intentionally excluded me? I apologized and even promised to do better tomorrow, yet they still shut me out. The audacity!¡¯ Furious, Lu Shi felt like he was about to explode.. Chapter 193 - 193: The Hidden Motive Chapter 193: The Hidden Motive Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion [Look y¡¯all, Lu Shi is steaming mad. Any guesses what¡¯s bugging him?] [That¡¯s easy. Just look at where he¡¯s staring. Only four people are eating, with four sets of dishes. Poor guy, he¡¯s the odd one out.] [Odd one out? Nah, he just didn¡¯t lift a finger to help but expects to be treated like royalty. How naive can he get?] [I¡¯ve suddenly lost all fondness for Lu Shi. What an entitled man.] Lu Shi stood frozen on the spot as if he had nails on the soles of his shoes. Anger and malice flickered in his eyes, impossible to hide. ¡°Lu Shi, would you like a bite?¡± Tian Mei approached him, offering a small cake. Without a word, Lu Shi turned away, heading back to his hammock to grab some food. Tian Mei felt like she wished the earth would swallow her up. In the past, even when Lu Shi declined her, he¡¯d do so gracefully. His abrupt departure left her feeling embarrassed. Tian Mei nced spitefully at the group that had excluded her and Lu Shi. ¡°It¡¯s them, isting me, isting Lu Shi. How loathsome.¡± Xia Xin was in the middle of her meal when she sensed someone staring at her. She looked up, locking eyes with Tian Mei, whose gaze wasced with undisguised malice. Noticing Xia Xin was watching her, Tian Mei gave a scornfulugh and walked away. [Looks like Tian Mei can¡¯t keep up her sweet girl act anymore, huh? That was some mean re.] [She¡¯s likely scheming something nasty.] [ce your bets, folks. Tian Mei and Lu Shi¡¯s team will definitely score zero points if they don¡¯t switch teammates.] [Agreed, no bets needed.] Zhou Lian nced around, noting the cameras were too far to catch their conversation if they whispered. ¡°Watch your backs. Lu Shi has a strong vengeful streak. After today, he won¡¯t let us off the hook,¡± Zhou Lian cautioned in a low voice. ¡°He thinks he can get a free ride? The nerve of that man,¡± Xu Zhi scoffed. Zhou Lian was surprised, ¡°You really don¡¯t like him, huh?¡± ¡°He¡¯s the most shameless person I¡¯ve ever met,¡± Xu Zhi retorted. Zhou Lian burst intoughter, ¡°Bro, you¡¯re cuter than I thought!¡± ¡°Eat your food. Stop yapping,¡± Xu Zhi snapped back. Zhou Lian turned serious again. ¡°Especially you, Xia Xin. Keep an eye out for Lu Shi.¡± ¡°Why should I be concerned? I barely even know the guy,¡± Xia Xin questioned. ¡°Never underestimate Lu Shi¡¯s pettiness. He¡¯s the kind of man who¡¯d hold a grudge for the smallest offense. Do you know why he¡¯s on this reality show?¡± Zhou Lian probed. ¡°For fame and money? What else could there be?¡± Xia Xin replied. ¡°You¡¯re underestimating him. He¡¯s a wealthy heir, he doesn¡¯t care about the paycheck. And he¡¯s already got a good reputation, so it¡¯s not for the fame,¡± Zhou Lian said. Xia Xin frowned even more. She didn¡¯t like beating around the bush. She thought to herself, ¡®If Zhou Lian wanted to say something, she should just say it, and if not, she shouldn¡¯t waste so much time. Perhaps sensing Xia Xin¡¯s displeasure, Zhou Lian continued, ¡°Lu Shi came this time with funding for the production, as he owes me a favor. He also invited me. As for that woman, she¡¯s just a side note. He¡¯s after you, Xia Xin.¡± Xia Xin was taken aback, ¡°Me? Why?¡± ¡°Well, sugar, you¡¯re beautiful and gentle, not to mention uplicated. You fit his criteria for a romantic pursuit,¡± Zhou Lian exined. She added, ¡°I¡¯ve known him for a while. We¡¯re under the same agency. Trust me, I know the kind of man he is.¡± Jing Mo¡¯s expression darkened at the thought of someone having an eye on Xia Xin. He lost his appetite. He said to Xia Xin, ¡°Stick close to me during tasks and set a mousetrap behind your tent p at night.¡± Xia Xin chuckled at Jing Mo¡¯s stern advice, lightening the previously tense atmosphere. ¡°I mean it, stopughing,¡± Jing MO insisted. With a soft smile, Xia Xin leaned in and whispered, ¡°I know you¡¯re concerned for me. Thank you..¡± Chapter 194 - 194: Awkwardness Abounds Chapter 194: Awkwardness Abounds Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing MO felt an odd sensation as Xia Xin whispered ¡°big brother¡± into his ear. He quickly turned his face away. ¡°Are you blushing?¡± Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help butugh. Xu Zhi watched their exchange, his brow furrowing in response. [Why can¡¯t the camera zoom in a bit? What are they whispering about?] [Guys, I¡¯m reading their lips; they¡¯re discussing about Lu Shi. It seems like they¡¯re not impressed with him, saying he¡¯s inept. No offense meant, apparently.] [They¡¯re talking about our Lu Shi?] [How dare they! Lu Shi is so generous, handsome, wealthy, and a true gentleman. How could they badmouth him?] [Exactly, they must have nothing better to do.] [It¡¯s got to be Zhou Lian; she¡¯s the chatty one.] [That woman is a piece of work, clung to Lu Shi, and got rejected. Now she¡¯s spreading lies about him, after all the trust he ced in her.] [Our Lu Shi takes such good care of his fans. You can tell he¡¯s got character.] [My goodness, are these Lu Shi¡¯s deluded fans? They don¡¯t think before they speak, do they?] [Lu Shi¡¯s all about the idol image, not real talent. If he were mean to his fans, he¡¯d be finished.] [Not every artist with talent acts high and mighty. At least our Jing MO isn¡¯t like that.] [You think Jing Mot s a saint? Anyone who gossips is no good!] [Who did Jing MO gossip about?] [They were implying Jing MO talked smack about Lu Shi!] [Shush; Jing MO was just advising Xia Xin to be cautious.] [No matter what, they were discussing Lu Shi, and only then did Jing MOe to the safety conclusion. I used to be neutral, but now, I¡¯m starting to dislike him.] [Oh my, are Lu Shi¡¯s fans always this annoying? Now I¡¯m starting to dislike him because his fans can¡¯t be reined in.] The debate amongst Lu Shi¡¯s fans took over the live feed, focusing mostly on their defenses of him. Meanwhile, Lu Shi, oblivious to the online fervor, was busy munching on his snacks, ncing over at Xia Xin every now and then. ¡®Why hadn¡¯t she given me any face? No, I must have a proper chat with Xia Xinter.¡¯ Lu Shi thought. As soon as everyone headed out for the day¡¯s tasks, Lu Shi had tail Xia Xin¡¯s group. It would be great if he could scavenge something. If not, he¡¯d find an excuse to talk to her, make his presence felt. Once everyone had their fill, they started nning for the new day. ¡°We¡¯ll head this way,¡± Xu Zhi pointed out a path to Zhou Lian. ¡°There are three directions here. Why don¡¯t we all go together?¡± Zhou Lian suggested, looking towards Xia Xin. Xia Xin shook her head, ¡°No thanks, I prefer doing things my own way.¡± ¡°Oh, alright then. So, we¡¯ll find food while we¡¯re out, and we¡¯ll all eat together when we return, right?¡± Zhou Lian asked. ¡°Of course, we¡¯ve got to eat. I need to rest at noon or I¡¯ll get headaches,¡± Xia Xin replied. After agreeing on their routes, everyone grabbed their gear and prepared to leave. Lu Shi hurried down from his hammock, calling out to Tian Mei, pretending they had a task at hand. Tian Mei¡¯s spirits lifted at his call, ¡°Okay, Lu Shi, wait for me!¡± [Do those two even have a clue?] [They¡¯recking more than a clue; they seem to becking calcium, too.] [They¡¯re going out empty-handed; do they think they can heal injured animals by touch?] [Our Lu Shi must have forgotten, that¡¯s all!] [Remembering to do a task but forgetting what it is? His brain might as well be decorative.] [Tian Mei¡¯s got snacks, right? Let her carry the food. Why should she get her hands dirty with the rough work like treating the animals?] [Are they here for a holiday or a task? If they can¡¯t handle the dirty work, why sign up for the show?] [Brains are useful, a pity neither you nor your idol have one..] Chapter 195 - 195: Selfish Ambitions Chapter 195: Selfish Ambitions Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Lu Shi and Tian Mei¡¯s actions had stirred up a storm of displeasure among the audience, all unbeknownst to them. At this moment, Lu Shi was scheming on how to subtly reveal his affection for Xia Xin. Xia Xin and Jing MO, leading the way, could feel a cold, serpent-like gaze on their backs. She halted her steps and settled herself on the ground. ¡°Big brother, I want to enjoy the scenery.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Jing MO settled next to her. Seeing them pause, Lu Shi frowned, ¡°Why are we stopping?¡± ¡°We¡¯re admiring the view, ¡± Xia Xin replied nonchntly. Lu Shi forced a smile, hoping to share in the appreciation of the beauty before them. ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s quite lovely over there.¡± Lu Shi gestured to a spot in the distance but Xia Xin, utterly unconcerned, simply sipped her water without even a nce in his direction. ¡°Xia Xin!¡± Lu Shi called out, prompting her to finally look his way. ¡°Aren¡¯t you here to see the scenery?¡± Lu Shi asked. ¡°Yes,¡± Xia Xin said simply, then turned her attention elsewhere. Lu Shi was seething¡ªshe waspletely ignoring him! But he refused to be dismissed so easily. Plopping down beside her, he dered, ¡°I¡¯ll join you.¡± But Xia Xin abruptly stood, pulling Jing MO to his feet, and marched off. Lu Shi¡¯s forced smile stiffened. His temper red as he addressed Xia Xin, ¡°Do you have something against me?¡± ¡°Me?¡± Xia Xin¡¯s surprise was evident as she pointed to herself. ¡°What makes you think that?¡± ¡°Why did you stop when I approached, and decide to move on when I suggested admiring the scenery? Do you dislike us, or not want to walk with us?¡± Lu Shi questioned. Xia Xin sighed, ¡®How could he even think that.¡¯ Sheid it out inly. ¡°Look here, Superstar Lu Shi, we¡¯re rivals in this game. You walking with us? I¡¯m more concerned about you leeching off our hard work. Plus, my unique way of treating injured animals is a trade secret, not to be shared.¡± Before Lu Shi could retort, Xia Xin added, ¡°As for stopping because of you? I can¡¯t see behind me, so how could I know you were there? And of course, I¡¯d move on when you talk about scenery¡ªI can¡¯t let you beat us, can I?¡± Xia Xin¡¯s flippant but logical response left Lu Shi at a loss for words. Tian Mei couldn¡¯t help but interject, ¡°Xia Xin, you¡¯re too pragmatic. We¡¯re all here together for a reason; we should be helping each other.¡± Xia Xin¡¯sughter broke out, leaving Tian Mei puzzled. ¡°Why are youughing?¡± Tian Mei demanded. ¡°You talk of mutual aid? Expecting me, who¡¯s well-prepared, to assist someone cking basic life skills? Are you sure it¡¯s mutual help and not just piggybacking off my efforts?¡± Xia Xin asked bluntly. Tian Mei paled, her body wavering as she opened her mouth to speak, but Xia Xin didn¡¯t let her, ¡°Don¡¯te any closer, lest you faint and try to pin it on me. There are plenty of paths here. Pick any, just not mine. I¡¯m not so charitable!¡± [Wow, Xia Xin is so cool!] [She¡¯s awesome! And pretty! Ugh, I mean¡­ she¡¯s so good-looking!] [I love her no-nonsense attitude!] While Lu Shi bristled with anger, the cameras rolling meant he had to keep hisposure. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he replied, ¡°You know we weren¡¯t prepared enough, and so¡­¡± Xia Xin cut Lu Shi off mid-sentence, ¡°No, yourck of preparation is your problem, not mine. I¡¯m under no obligation to help you.¡± Xia Xin then gestured to Tian Mei, ¡°Since you¡¯re unprepared, you might as well quit this game. Don¡¯t worry about losing face; after all, your teammate has just said I¡¯m being pragmatic.¡± Lu Shi was fuming but struggled to maintain a pleasant facade. ¡°I wasn¡¯t asking for help, just to borrow something. I hesitated earlier, which led to those misunderstandings. You¡¯ve lent buckets to Xu Zhi and the others, proving you¡¯re kind-hearted and helpful.¡± ¡°So, if I don¡¯t lend to you, I¡¯m suddenly heartless and unhelpful?¡± Xia Xin challenged back.. Chapter 196 - 196: A Fatal Punch Chapter 196: A Fatal Punch Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing Mo t s face was a canvas of fury. From the moment Lu Shi had neared Xia Xin, Jing Mo l d been itching to throw a punch. ¡°I¡¯m not that saintly. I lent the bucket to Xu Zhi because we had spares. Sorry, but I don¡¯t have anything extra for you.¡± Having said that, Xia Xin grabbed Jing Mo¡¯s arm, and they left without looking back, his icy nce the only farewell. Lu Shi shivered at Jing Mo t s departing look, its loaded meaning stirring unease in his chest. ¡°How can you do this? It was a chance for us to be on this show together. Can¡¯t we help each other out?¡± Tian Mei¡¯s shout chased after them. ¡°Shut up!¡± Lu Shi snapped, fed up with her incessant noise. Tian Mei¡¯s lips quivered. ¡°Lu Shi, I just felt sorry for you. They trample over your dignity¡­¡± ¡°Enough!¡± Lu Shi cut Tian Mei off. ¡°But it¡¯s the truth,¡± Tian Mei persisted. ¡°Do you not realize how ugly and old you are? How can someone your age still act so naively? You¡¯re nothing but a wrinkled old hag!¡± With that, Lu Shi turned on his heel and strode away. Tian Mei stood in disbelief, reying his words. ¡®Old and ugly? A hag riddled with wrinkles?¡¯ ¡°Ah!¡± She let out a shrill scream, stomping her foot before storming off. The cameraman, only assigned to one group, hesitated between following Lu Shi or Tian Mei. Then came the director¡¯s orders through the walkie-talkie to stick with Tian Mei. Despite herck of youth and beauty, she was still a woman, and for her safety, it was better to have someone with her. Plus, she was bound to stir more controversy than Lu Shi, whose path they¡¯d make sure was crossed by Jing MO and Xia Xin¡¯s team. Receiving the director¡¯s hint, Xia Xin and Jing MO were told to pair up with Lu Shi for the tasks ahead. ¡°Whose contribution counts if the task ispleted?¡± Xia Xin inquired. ¡°If youplete it, it¡¯s yours. If he does it on his own, it¡¯s his,¡± the director answered. ¡°What if he uses my things toplete it?¡± Xia Xin prodded further. The director was momentarily speechless at Xia Xin¡¯s persistence. ¡°It counts as yours! When I say ¡®on his own¡¯, it means without any help, including from objects,¡± the director rified. Lu Shi, too, received word from the director and felt a surge of glee. Remembering the direction Xia Xin and Jing MO had headed, he wasted no time pursuing that path. ¡°Woof.¡± Drumstick, who had been tailing Xia Xin suddenly called out, ¡°Master, have you forgotten something?¡± ¡°Uh?¡± Xia Xin seemed puzzled. ¡°You didn¡¯t treat that big white tiger!¡± Drumstick reminded Xia Xin. Xia Xin paused, realization dawning on her. She had promised the tiger and hadpletely forgotten. She patted Drumstick and told Jing MO, ¡°Big brother, my stomach¡¯s really upset. I need to take care of it and might be a while.¡± Only by citing a bathroom break could Xia Xin evade the cameras and attend to the tiger¡¯s wounds. ¡°Alright, take care,¡± Jing MO responded, giving no indication of disbelieving Xia Xin¡¯s excuse. Xia Xin departed, and shortly after, Lu Shi arrived. ¡°Where¡¯s Xia Xin?¡± Lu Shi asked Jing Mo. ¡°She had a stomachache and went to take care of it,¡± Jing MO replied. ¡®What a golden opportunity,¡¯ Lu Shi thought. He said, ¡°How can you let her go alone? It¡¯s dangerous here! I must find her!¡± Jing MO tripped Lu Shi with a foot and stated emphatically, ¡°She had a stomachache and went to deal with it.¡± ¡°A girl going to the bathroom, and you want to follow? Not so pure-hearted, are you?¡± Jing MO questioned sharply. ¡°I¡¯m just concerned about her! It¡¯s far too dangerous for her to be alone,¡± Lu Shi argued. Jing Mo¡¯s eyes narrowed, a sliver of amusement coloring his voice. ¡°She could knock out a tiger with one punch, while the sight of one turns your legs to jelly. Who¡¯s the dangerous one now?¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Lu Shi was at a loss for words. Xia Xin could knock out a tiger with one punch? Since when? In the distance, the white tiger couldn¡¯t believe its ears. It thought, ¡®That woman could knock out a tiger with one punch?¡¯ It backed away, puzzled at understanding human speech. It was a mutated tiger and it understood! It wanted to flee, but here came Xia Xin. ¡°Where are you hurting? I¡¯m sorry aboutst night. I got so busy and I forgot,¡± Xia Xin apologized, unaware of how long the great beast had been waiting.. Chapter 197 - 197: A Dead Pheasant Chapter 197: A Dead Pheasant Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion ¡°No worries, I¡¯m all good,¡± assured the white tiger, engaging in a peculiar conversation with Xia Xin. ¡°Didn¡¯t you tell Drumstick you felt under the weather?¡± Xia Xin furrowed her brow in confusion. ¡°Exactly! You told me you were unwell yesterday, and that¡¯s why I brought her here. How can you just be fine all of a sudden? Weren¡¯t you feeling poorly for a while now? You should let her take a look,¡± Drumstick interjected anxiously. The white tiger felt as if its fur might stand on end, it backed away continuously, protesting, ¡°I¡¯m fine, really!¡± After some coaxing from Xia Xin, the white tiger calmed down and shared its troubles, which left Xia Xin gaping in disbelief. ¡®Who in the world imed I could kill a tiger with one punch?¡¯ ¡°Now hold on, pal,¡± Xia Xin questioned the white tiger, squishing her fist for emphasis. ¡°You didn¡¯t actually think this tiny fist of mine could kill you, did you?¡± She yfully showed off her fist before the white tiger¡¯s eyes. Realizing its misunderstanding, the white tiger sheepishly covered its eyes with a paw, conceding its mistake. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s have a look at your wound,¡± Xia Xin said, shifting to a more serious tone. The white tiger extended its paw, indicating the problem: ¡°My joints hurt.¡± ¡®Joint pain?¡¯ Xia Xin was surprised. ¡®Could it be rheumatism or arthritis?¡¯ She felt the tiger¡¯s joints but couldn¡¯t detect any issue, leaving her bewildered. ¡®Wait a minute, I can talk to beasts, not a vet! Is there any medicine for this in the system?¡¯ Xia Xin pondered briefly before checking the exchange interface and found a rheumatism ointment meant for humans. She wasn¡¯t sure if it worked for a tiger. Seeing the white tiger in distress, she decided to take a chance. Xia Xin exchanged for the ointment and thered a generous amount over the tiger¡¯s painful areas. ¡°This medicine¡­ it¡¯s not bad,¡±mented the white tiger. Xia Xin felt a tinge of guilt. The ointment was meant for humans; she had only hoped to give the white tiger some relief. Given the tiger¡¯s robust constitution, the wrong ointment shouldn¡¯t cause much harm. Now, it appeared the medicine was not only fit for humans but effective on tigers too. ¡°It¡¯s cool to the touch and seems to relieve the pain,¡± the white tiger added. Xia Xin nced at the ointment in her hand, unsure how many applications would be needed for a cure. ¡°I¡¯ll try toe back tonight,¡± she promised. The medicine needed to be applied twice a day. Having applied it now, Xia Xin decided to return in the evening. Hopefully, a few days¡¯ treatment would make a difference. ¡°Make sure you do,¡± the white tiger insisted, recalling the previous night¡¯s misery from the mosquitoes. Xia Xin nearlyughed out loud at the tiger¡¯s adorableint. She wondered, ¡®Could its thick skin even feel a mosquito¡¯s bite?¡¯ ¡°Remember, no water for the next four hours,¡± she advised. ¡°How long is that?¡± the tiger frowned, puzzled. Checking her phone and gauging the position of the sun, Xia Xin gestured to the sky, ¡°Wait until the sun reaches there before you get wet.¡± The tiger needed to drink and eat; avoiding waterpletely would be unreasonable. ¡°But I won¡¯t be able to eat then,¡± the white tigerined. Hunting would inevitably involve its paws, and tearing into its prey would certainly get them wet. Xia Xin took out some snacks from her bag. ¡°This should tide you over for now. If you get wet, the medicine won¡¯t be as effective.¡± The white tiger eyed the dog food in Xia Xin¡¯s hand and smiled, ¡°Tastes good, I actually quite like it.¡± Though not as satisfying as meat, the unique vor of the kibble had almost weaned it off raw flesh entirely. ¡°Enjoy. I¡¯ve been out a while, so I should head back before suspicions arise. I¡¯ll make time toe out tonight,¡± Xia Xin assured as she prepared to leave. On her way back, with Drumstick¡¯s help, Xia Xin came across an injured seagull. It seemed a bug had bitten its leg while it was eating. She activated her recorder, treated the seagull, and then departed. Upon returning to Jing Mot s location, Xia Xin found that he had gathered quite a spread, including something for Lu Shi. ¡°Xin Xin, you¡¯re back,¡± Lu Shi said with a smile, holding out his find. ¡°Look what I¡¯ve got. We can enjoy a feast together at lunch.¡± Xia Xin grimaced slightly at the familiarity¡ªshe wasn¡¯t close enough to Lu Shi to befortable with such terms of endearment. ¡°Are you done? Let¡¯s go,¡± said Jing Mo. It was almost time for lunch and they had to make preparations with the food they found. ¡°While I was out gathering ingredients, a wild pheasant crashed into a rock and died, so I brought it back with me,¡± Jing MO exined, gesturing toward the lifeless wild pheasant at his feet.. Chapter 198 - 198: Culinary Catastrophes Chapter 198: Culinary Catastrophes Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Xia Xin couldn¡¯t help but smirk. She thought, ¡®Considering Jing Mo¡¯s luck, how could a wild pheasant have flown straight into a rock beside him and he just happened to pick it up? ¡°Then let¡¯s take it back and get cooking,¡± Xia Xin suggested. Xu Zhi and Zhou Lian, upon seeing the wild pheasant, suddenly found the rabbit in their hands less appealing. ¡°My goodness, Xia Xin, how did you manage that? You even found a wild pheasant!¡± Xu Zhi tossed the rabbit aside in excitement. ¡°Hey, why are you throwing away the rabbit?¡± Xia Xin quickly put down Drumstick and went to retrieve the rabbit. ¡°Woof, woof,¡± Drumstick wailed, feeling abandoned because of a rabbit. Apart from Xia Xin, everyone else wondered why Drumstick was suddenly making a fuss. ¡°For lunch, you¡¯ll get a roasted rabbit leg. How¡¯s that?¡± Xia Xin whispered to Drumstick. Suddenly, Drumstick¡¯s wails ceased, and it wagged its tail, nuzzling Xia Xin¡¯s pant leg affectionately. ¡°This little wolf pup is so adorable, is it trying to be cutesy?¡± Zhou Lian squatted down for a closer look. ¡°Ah!¡± Zhou Lian eximed suddenly. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Xu Zhi asked immediately. Zhou Lian patted her chest and said, ¡°I think I just saw contempt in the little pup¡¯s eyes.¡± ¡®Contempt?¡¯ Xu Zhi was taken aback. ¡®Could a little wolf pup actually look down on people? That was almost too human!¡¯ ¡°Zhou Lian, you must be mistaken. It¡¯s just a little wolf pup,¡± Xu Zhi reassured her. Drumstick paid no mind to their spections. It was busy enjoying the attention from Xia Xin, knowing well it had been promised a rabbit leg. Having been fed raw meat all its life, which was rather tasteless, Drumstick had developed an affinity for the vorful food Xia Xin provided. Now, it felt inseparable from Xia Xin. Xia Xin patted Drumsticks head and said to Zhou Lian, ¡°I¡¯ve named the little wolf pup ¡®Drumstick¡¯.¡± [Ahaha, this gal nearly killed me withughter! Why not call the wolf pup ¡®Big Drumstick¡¯ or ¡®Little Drumstick¡¯?] [So cute, naming it Drumstick!] [Quick, let¡¯s crowdfund to get little wolf pups to pamper¡ªno, no, to call ¡®Drumstick¡¯.] [I¡¯d love to have a little wolf pup like that.] [Dream on, you lot, that wolf looks expensive.] Hearing Xia Xin¡¯s unique choice of name for the wolf pup, Zhou Lian couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter. ¡°Quite the character you are, giving a little wolf pup such a name. By the way, what are we having for lunch? I see you¡¯ve got a wild pheasant,¡± Zhou Lian brought up the lunch n. ¡°We¡¯ll make a soup with the legs, wings, head, and some mushrooms. The rest we can stir-fry, and the rabbit is perfect for roasting. I¡¯m afraid we might not have enough rice left, probably just enough for a couple of days,¡± Xia Xin shared her n. ¡°No worries about the rice; we can eat something else. Besides the rabbit, we¡¯ve also found some wild greens,¡± Zhou Lian presented the greens they had collected.bender ¡°Wow, we¡¯re in for a treat at lunch today!¡± chimed in Tian Mei, who had been silent until now. ¡°I¡¯m in for a real feast!¡± ¡°And what were you up to this morning, Miss Tian?¡± Xia Xin inquired, curious about Tian Mei¡¯s morning activities. ¡°I was feeding the animals,¡± Tian Mei¡¯s eyes darted away as she spoke. To dodge work, Tian Mei had feigned stomach trouble, ensuring the cameraman wouldn¡¯t follow her. Then she found a shady spot to rest, intending to return in time for lunch. She hadn¡¯t anticipated Xia Xin calling her out so tantly. ¡°You¡¯re wee to join us if you¡¯ve put in the work. But you haven¡¯t done anything, ¡± Xia Xin pointed out. ¡°I can help cook!¡± Tian Mei offered eagerly. At that, Zhou Lian spoke up, ¡°Let¡¯s not. Everyone in the entertainment circle knows you are notorious for being a kitchen disaster.¡± ¡°I did not! That¡¯s just a rumor!¡± Tian Mei¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment. Tian Mei couldn¡¯t remember ever causing an actual explosion. Sure, there were incidents with overcooked dishes and forgotten water for rice, but years had passed. She refused to believe she hadn¡¯t improved. ¡°Find something else to eat for yourself,¡± Xu Zhi said dismissively, as he began to prepare the rabbit. As everyone got to work, Tian Mei hesitated, wanting to help. But she was startled by the sight of Xu Zhu skinning the rabbit, and equally grossed out by Jing MO plucking chicken feathers. ¡®Ugh, cooking is so messy. I couldn¡¯t bring myself to do it.¡¯ Tian Mei thought to herself. Before Tian Mei could decide where to lend a hand, the others had already finished their prep work.. Chapter 199 - 199: An Impending Downpour Chapter 199: An Impending Downpour Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing MO took up the cooking, crafting dishes that were a feast for the senses. The delicious aroma tempted even Tian Mei¡¯s deepest cravings, drawing her nearer. ¡°It smells so good.¡± But the others simply ignored Tian Mei. Mistaking their silence for consent, she eagerly awaited someone to serve her a te. Yet, as everyone finished their meal, she remained overlooked. ¡°You¡¯re all too much, just eating away and ignoring me! This is simply outrageous!¡± Tears welled up in Tian Mei¡¯s eyes once again. ¡°Tian Mei, I¡¯ve said it before. If you want to eat, you have to work for it. Expecting us to serve you when you haven¡¯t lifted a finger is downright delusional,¡± Xu Zhi retorted coldly. Regret washed over Xu Zhi. He wished he could ask himself why he had ever bothered to help Tian Mei with her luggage when they disembarked. ¡°Xu Zhi, how dare you talk to me like that! I wanted to help, but you were too cruel when handling the rabbit. And Jing MO, plucking that chicken, it reeked! Zhou Lian and Xia Xin were making such a mess with the fire, and Lu Shi didn¡¯t do anything, so why did he get to eat?¡± Tian Mei protested. ¡°Do you see these side dishes? Those mushrooms and the fruits, as well as the bamboo shoots, were all provided by your teammate,¡± Zhou Lian said, pointing to the food in the bowls. ¡°You¡¯ve done nothing. Since you im you rescued animals, there should be a record of that. Even if the cameraman wasn¡¯t following you, you had a recorder on you, right?¡± Zhou Lian pressed. ¡°I forgot! And besides, in such an emergency, who has the time to start a recorder? My heart just breaks at the sight of injured animals,¡± Tian Mei defended herself. ¡°If you didn¡¯t do it, then you didn¡¯t do it. Tian Mei, your behavior is contemptible. Even if what you¡¯re saying is true, please enlighten me. What exactly did you use to help these injured animals? I recall your luggagecked anything practical,¡± Xu Zhi questioned. ¡°You can¡¯t use me like that. You¡¯re being extremely unfair!¡± Tian Mei argued. [Can Tian Mei switch up her script? She keeps saying they¡¯re being too much, and it¡¯s getting on my nerves.] [She¡¯s bing more and more unbearable. Can¡¯t the production team rece her?] [She¡¯s obviously cking off, yet ims she¡¯s beenpleting tasks.] [No, I¡¯m filing aint!] After cleaning up, everyone settled down for a rest. The midday sun was zing, not an ideal time for tasks. Xia Xin was awoken shortly after by Drumstick tugging at her trousers. She sat up, looking at Drumstick with mild annoyance. ¡°What is it, Drumstick? Is there something you need?¡± ¡°Master, there¡¯s a massive storming!¡± Drumstick warned. ¡®A storm?¡¯ Xia Xin was taken aback and nced at her spacious tent. ¡®It should withstand a heavy downpour. Xu Zhi and Zhou Lian also had a basic tent. They should be fine. But Lu Shi and Tian Mei only had hammocks, so they might end up crowding in. No can do! I don¡¯t want to share my space with Tian Mei.¡¯ With that in mind, Xia Xin quickly flung open the tent p, observing the sky¡¯s ominous clouds. Indeed, there were signs of an imminent downpour. She approached Zhou Lian¡¯s tent, calling out, ¡°Zhou Lian! Wake up!¡± Zhou Lian, groggy from sleep, roused at the sound of her name. Just stepping out of her tent, she too noticed the weather turning. She remarked, ¡°Looks like we¡¯re in for a heavy rain, huh?¡± Nodding, Xia Xin suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t you bunk with me and give your small tent to Tian Mei?¡± Instantly grasping Xia Xin¡¯s intent, Zhou Lian knew if the rain poured down, Tian Mei might barge into the tent, and Xia Xin wouldn¡¯t be able to turn her away. Hence, Xia Xin hade to Zhou Lian before the storm hit. ¡°Sure, no problem,¡± Zhou Lian agreed, quickly packing her belongings and transferring them to Xia Xin¡¯s tent. ¡°Your tent is quite spacious, and it even fits into a backpack!¡± Zhou Lian admired upon entering. Zhou Lian¡¯smotion roused the others from their slumber.bender Xia Xin shared her n with Jing MO, asking, ¡°Would you mind bunking with Xu Zhi?¡± Chapter 200 - 200: Screams Chapter 200: Screams Trantor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Editor: EndlessFantasy Trantion Jing MO responded to Xia Xin, ¡°I¡¯m fine either way.¡± Jing MO didn¡¯t really hold any grudges against Xu Zhi; old issues had faded from his mind. It was Xu Zhi¡¯s management that couldn¡¯t let go. Xu Zhi didn¡¯t reject Xia Xin¡¯s kindness either, and he began moving his stuff into Jing Mot s tent. ¡°Looks like rain¡¯sing. Do you guys want these small tents? If not, I¡¯ll pack them up,¡± Zhou Lian indicated the tents they had previously used. Lu Shi was irked. ¡®Why all the fuss? Wouldn¡¯t it be simpler for me to share Jing Mo¡¯s tent and Tian Mei to move into Xia Xin¡¯s?¡¯ But then it dawned on Lu Shi, and he turned to Tian Mei, ¡°You take the tent. I¡¯m going to repurpose my hammock to shield myself from the storm.¡± Lu Shi¡¯s custom-made hammock can be doubled as a shelter. He didn¡¯t need their tents, but he was quite annoyed by their decision. And he was painfully aware that it was Tian Mei who had dragged him down. Just the thought of being implicated by Tian Mei infuriated him. Tian Mei found the small tents unappealing, but upon seeing Xia Xin¡¯s spacious tent, her eyes lit up. She tried to persuade, ¡°Xia Xin, your tent¡¯s so big, let me in. ¡± ¡°My tent¡¯s full, and Zhou Lian¡¯s sharing with me. There¡¯s no room unless you n to stand and sleep,¡± Xia Xin replied. Undeterred, Tian Mei squeezed in, only to find that there really was no space for her to sleep! ¡°Ah! You guys are the worst!¡± Tian Mei was angry and thought of storming off, but she didn¡¯t have the guts. She had begged to be on this show; leaving now would be too great a loss. Zhou Lian, thoroughly annoyed, moved toward Tian Mei as if to take down the tent. ¡°What are you doing?!¡± Tian Mei shrieked. ¡°If I¡¯m so bad, then let me be thoroughly bad!¡± Zhou Lian said, her face grim as she proceeded to dismantle the tent. ¡°Ahhh!¡± Tian Mei screeched again. Now beyond caring about her image, Tian Mei was just appalled by how much these people were against her. ¡°Keep screaming, the louder you are, the more I enjoy it!¡± Zhou Lian spoke coldly. [She¡¯s killing me, Zhou Lian¡¯s too funny. Is she role-ying a hoodlum harassing a virtuous woman?] [What virtuous woman? More like an old hag.] [Right, right, I almost forgot what Tian Mei looked like.] [Seriously, she¡¯s hideous. Tian Mei is just hideous.] [Can we not talk about this? I¡¯m losing my appetite.] For some reason, Tian Mei had avoided her phone for days, acting as if the phone radiation would mar her beauty, leaving everyone more bewildered about her. Tian Mei, deluded into thinking she¡¯s lovely and sweet, was a woman so contrived, that shecked any self-awareness. ¡°Zhou Lian! You¡¯ve gone too far!¡± Tian Mei protested. ¡°Too far? Let me tell you, allowing you to use it was already merciful. I¡¯ve tolerated you for too long! Your affectation¡­ Do you think you¡¯re beautiful? Your face is so wrinkled, it makes me lose my appetite. Every time I think of your creased face, I feel like vomiting!¡± Stunned by Zhou Lian¡¯s words, Tian Mei reflexively touched her own smooth skin. ¡°What are you talking about? A face full of wrinkles, are you talking about me? Are you ndering me?¡± Tian Mei questioned. ¡°ndering? I don¡¯t have the time for that. Don¡¯t you know?¡± With that, Zhou Lian showed her the phone, revealing Tian Mei¡¯s wrinkled visage. At the sight, Tian Mei let out another ear-piercing scream, ¡°Ah!¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t me, it can¡¯t be me!¡± Tian Mei shrieked in denial. [What¡¯s with Tian Mei? Constant screaming, I¡¯m wearing headphones and my ears feel like they¡¯re not mine anymore.] [Can¡¯t she just ept it? The live feed caught everything clearly!] [She trulycks any self-awareness.] [I can¡¯t watch this anymore; I¡¯m leaving the livestream.] But Tian Mei persisted in her delusion of being misrepresented. Dismissing Tian Mei, Zhou Lian retreated into Xia Xin¡¯s tent. As for the two small tents Zhou Lian and Xu Zhi used, they didn¡¯t pack them up. They didn¡¯t have the heart to be cruel. Once inside, Xia Xin gave Zhou Lian a thumbs-up and said, ¡°Zhou Lian, you¡¯re amazing. I really can¡¯t stand her, but considering we¡¯re filming a show¡­¡± Just as they began to converse, a sudden scream from Tian Mei cut through the air, ¡°Ah! Help!¡± The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!