《The Goddess is Sweet and Aloof》 Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Best Actress_1 Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Best Actress_1 Qiao Xiaren woke from a deep sleep, completely immobilized. The sky was gloomy and rain pelted the ground, hitting her body with a bone-chilling cold. Her facial features were very exquisite, her skin delicate and glossy like porcelain glaze, rendering a smooth outline. However, upon closer observation, half of her face bore interlacing scars, horrific like a dreaded ghost. ¡°Haha~~¡± Perhaps they assumed she was already dead and so without any reservations abandoned her in the wilderness, covering her body haphazardly with a bamboo mat. The world could never imagine, this superstar Qiao Xiaren who had become a three-time acclaimed movie queen at the age of 24, had been made use of and betrayed by her husband and his mistress in the prime of her career. They stepped on her fame to ascend to the pinnacle of the entertainment industry. Qiao Xiaren couldn¡¯t comprehend why Ye Mohan could despise her so much, even after she had pitifully become a stepping stone for him and that woman, he continued to viciously seek revenge against her. Seemingly, their hatred towards her was relentless. Nobody could conceive the life she had been leading previously, she had even been on her knees, indulging in the dirtiest and most tiresome work of the world, yet Ye Mohan and Qiao Anchu wouldn¡¯t let her go. ¡°Ye Mohan, Qiao Anchu, even if I, Qiao Xiaren, die, I will not let you off¡­¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s voice was soft, carrying a frightening chill in the midst of the darkness and despair, akin to a ripping sound deep in her throat. She didn¡¯t know how much time had passed. In this dark despair, she was waiting for the final death. She seemed to hear a vague sound near her ear, a voice was speaking, like a cold machine. ¡°System has automatically searched for a compatible organism, beep, commencing integration.¡± ¡°Host begins integration, beep, beep, beep¡­¡± ¡°Beauty: 1000.¡± ¡°Wealth: 0.¡± ¡°Acting skills: 1000.¡± ¡°Star Luck Value: 20.¡± ¡°Affiliated space: Yet to open.¡± Qiao Xiaren had no idea what was happening, it was as if she had plunged into an endless darkness, undulating and waning in mist. It was as though she was having an interminable nightmare. Within the nightmare, her past life was replayed. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, Ranran we love you¡­ Ah¡­¡± ¡°Xiaren, only love Xiaren, never change Ranran¡­¡± Her fans were frantically cheering for her, she strode across the red carpet in a nude-colored off-shoulder dress, signing her name at the Global Film Gold Awards Ceremony. The scene suddenly transitioned to Ye Mohan and Qiao Anchu entwining lasciviously on the bed. The disheveled clothes scattered around were a clear indication of the urgency of the man and the woman. Qiao Xiaren hadn¡¯t expected that after she used her resources to help Ye Mohan become a superstar in the entertainment industry, she¡¯d be ruthlessly discarded by him in the end. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, I have never liked you, you were the one throwing yourself at me. A slut, actually thinking I want your damaged goods? Now, you may leave.¡± The two scenes toggled back and forth, replaying repeatedly, causing Qiao Xiaren to let out almost a pained sob. When she woke again, morning light was streaming in through the window. ¡°Beep, Host is physically depleted, system under repair¡­¡± Qiao Xiaren clearly heard the cold mechanical voice inside her head, a chill running down her spine. She didn¡¯t know who was speaking by her ear, wasn¡¯t she already dead? Qiao Xiaren tried to open her eyes, but lacked the strength to struggle. A surge of data suddenly flooded her mind, as if a machine was operating, various sets of data rotating crazily inside her head. Qiao Xiaren even felt as if her head was about to explode. This feeling was like being reborn. A warm current rushed in, and Qiao Xiaren could feel it ecstatically surging through the pores of her body. This unknown situation was inexplicability terrifying. Qiao Xiaren seemed to be trapped in a spell, blind and deaf, the cells and flesh inside her body were beginning to coalesce. She was unaware, that the wounds on her body were miraculously healing. ¡°Beep, system repair completed.¡± The familiar ceiling, the familiar bed, she was lying on a sky-blue soft quilt. In reality, Qiao Xiaren had already been awake quite a while. Her ears perked, she listened to the sounds coming from outside the house, her clear and striking black eyes filled with a strange, eerie chill. With trembling hands, she held them up to her face. Her hands were very beautiful, slender and delicate, with tender and translucent nails. Like a dream, Qiao Xiaren got out of bed and picked up the small round mirror on the table. The girl in the mirror looked only seventeen years old but was already stunningly beautiful. Her face was petite, emanating a sweet scent in the darkness, and her features were exquisite in their refinement. Smooth and delicate skin, fine nose, cherry lips ¨C Her lip color, naturally vibrant akin to the glory of dawn. Especially those large watery eyes, full of intoxicating ripples and vitality. Such supreme beauty, still a mere young girl at the break of dawn. Back then, Qiao Xiaren was regarded as the number one beauty in the entertainment industry. ¡°Haha~¡± Qiao Xiaren looked at the girl in the mirror, her grip on the mirror tightening until her knuckles turned pale. She was reborn, back to when she was seventeen. At seventeen, she was still following her master for training in Shanshui Town. That face indeed was enticing, no wonder Qiao Anchu had sadistically defaced half her face. Everything from the past seemed like a nightmare. And now, she had awoken from that nightmare. Only Qiao Xiaren knew the pain and despair that nightmare had contained. Shanshui Town was a place nestled in the mountains and on the waterside, with simple and honest locals. Early in the morning, people often took to the road to trade goods, so at this time, Qiao Xiaren could still hear the sounds of people walking outside. At that moment, a knock came from the door. Having been reborn, Qiao Xiaren clearly knew who was standing outside her door. She set down the mirror and got back into bed. ¡°Host, host, unidentified object approaching.¡± A sound echoed in her mind, buzzing, as if her brain was about to blow up. Why would there be¡­ A voice? Chapter 2 - Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Long Time No See_1 Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Long Time No See_1 System Little Tiantian: Congratulations on the successful fusion of the host with this system. The host has gained the opportunity to rebirth. Please make good use of this opportunity. Little Tiantian will always support you ~ System merge? Obtain a rebirth opportunity? A fact that seems absurd is hard for Qiao Xiaren to believe, but faced with reality, she has no choice but to believe. As Qiao Xiaren was still contemplating, the system spoke again: ¡°However, your current Star Luck Value is only 20. Star Luck Value is the energy that allows us to survive together. If the Star Luck Value cannot increase, the journey of rebirth cannot be initiated.¡± ¡°If it cannot be initiated, what will happen?¡± System: ¡°Both of us will perish in this world forever.¡± Qiao Xiaren was silent for a while, then asked, ¡°What is Star Luck Value?¡± System: ¡°Star Luck Value is a value related to the entertainment circle, which means it has a great relationship with the entertainment circle. By the way, host, you can call me Little Tiantian. We can communicate with our thoughts. Come on, keep it up!¡± ¡°Alright, I understand.¡± Qiao Xiaren closed her eyes, and the System Lord, who called himself Little Tian, finally fell silent. The knocking on the door persisted for a long time. After a few seconds of silence, the sound of the door handle turning could be heard. At the same time, a figure flashed into the room. ¡°Hehe, Ranran, I never thought you would actually invite me over. It seems that the little beauty is also lonely, huh?¡± Without even opening her eyes, Qiao Xiaren could imagine the sleazy man with a greasy face and a big belly. The impatient sound of the man undressing came to her ears, just like in her previous life. It has indeed been a long time. Qiao Xiaren was almost certain that she had been reborn on the day she had fallen into the water by accident at the age of seventeen. It was this day that led her fate to gradually head towards tragedy. As Huang Youde drew closer, a strong smell of cigarettes, sweat and body odor was mixed, creating a disgustingly rotting smell that made people want to vomit. Qiao Xiaren suddenly opened her radiant eyes. The darkness at the bottom of her eyes surged and enveloped everything. She lifted her foot and kicked Huang Youde in the forehead. With just one kick, Huang Youde could only let out a groan before falling onto the floor. Qiao Xiaren got up emotionlessly, curved the corner of her lips, and fatal danger emanated from her like a red spider lily. Unfortunately for Huang Youde, he didn¡¯t pass out completely from the kick. Without even batting an eyelash, Qiao Xiaren lifted her foot again and struck it on Huang Youde¡¯s forehead, precisely striking the same spot as before, but this time, she was much stronger. Huang Youde winced in pain and passed out. Qiao Xiaren laughed, stepped directly over the man¡¯s fat body. Probably because he was obese, the soft feeling of stepping on his body felt amazing. Qiao Xiaren, in high spirits, stomped on him several more times. Even in faint, Huang Youde couldn¡¯t help but utter a groan in his dreams. In her previous life, Huang Youde hadn¡¯t succeeded either, but the news of him leaving her room dishevelled was leaked by Qiao Anchu ¡°inadvertently¡±. Her scandal spread, and almost everyone in Shanshui Town knew about it. As if having had her fun, Qiao Xiaren finally stepped off. She kicked the motionless fat body on the floor under the bed. Just in time, the door was forced open at that very moment. ¡°Ranran!¡± Qiao Anchu entered with that shout. Qiao Xiaren kept her eyes on her, and her deeply dark eyes narrowed slightly. The girl in front of her had a delicate face with splendid eyebrows. The aura of arrogance between them was undeniably present. At the age of seventeen, with soft long hair falling on her shoulders, she was pretty and inviting. When they met again, she appeared much younger than before she was reborn. Qiao Xiaren wouldn¡¯t forget how Qiao Anchu stepped on her to rise to the top and mercilessly killed her. As soon as Qiao Anchu entered, her gaze began to search around as if she was looking for something. Qiao Xiaren of course knew what she was looking for, but pity, Huang Youde had already been silenced and passed out under the bed. ¡°What is Anchu looking for?¡± Qiao Xiaren deliberately asked. Qiao Anchu hadn¡¯t found what she came for, and when she heard Qiao Xiaren¡¯s clear and lazy voice, she looked a little unhappy, but she still covered it up. ¡°Nothing, he said he was going to check up on you earlier but now I do not see him anywhere?¡± Qiao Anchu cast a suspicious look at Qiao Xiaren, who shrugged and silently smiled, ¡°I don¡¯t know either, I haven¡¯t seen him the whole time.¡± Having been reborn once, Qiao Xiaren was very clear that the reason he dared to enter her room boldly was no doubt that Qiao Anchu had plotted something behind her back. The young girl had just woken up, her shining eyes seemed to have been stained with all the brilliance of the world. She lazily yawned, the aristocratic aura that formed naturally made people subconsciously feel inferior. Qiao Anchu couldn¡¯t take her eyes off her, and the jealousy in her heart began to rise little by little. Although they were all disciples of the same master, Qiao Xiaren was distinctive among them since childhood. The children in the village and town were all dirty faced, wearing earthy clothes and styling, but Qiao Xiaren wore a plain dress, her skin was fair and bright, with a simple and refreshing ponytail, she was particularly eye-catching among the several earthy kids. To them, Qiao Xiaren was like a noble swan raised among a group of wild ducks. Whether it was her beauty or her demeanor, it seemed that she was born to be looked up to and envied. With such recognition, Qiao Anchu naturally refused to accept. With a creaking sound, Ye Mohan entered the room with a bowl of medicinal soup in his hand. His alluring face was incredibly handsome, with a certain demure and charming aura, sculpting an unparalleled beauty. However, his demeanor was as gentle as jade, creating an extreme contrast with his appearance, but it didn¡¯t feel awkward. ¡°Xiaren, you finally woke up.¡± Twenty-year-old Ye Mohan, it had indeed been a long time. Qiao Xiaren smiled, lowering her eyes to hide the surging hatred. She just casually nodded in response. Hearing Qiao Xiaren¡¯s cold response, both Ye Mohan and Qiao Anchu were surprised. Who doesn¡¯t know that Qiao Xiaren is very fond of Ye Mohan? There are four disciples under their master¡ª apart from the three of them, there¡¯s also the eldest brother, Shen Sichen. Ye Mohan and Qiao Xiaren, Shen Sichen and Qiao Anchu, were recognized as two couples by all. Ye Mohan put down the medicine in his hand, his expression was a little helpless, ¡°Xiaren, are you blaming me? Blaming me for not rescuing you and instead rescuing Anchu?¡± This time the accident of falling into the water was actually Qiao Anchu and Qiao Xiaren being swept down by the surging river. Shen Sichen loved Qiao Anchu and naturally went to save her. But Qiao Xiaren didn¡¯t expect that Ye Mohan would actually jump into the river to save Qiao Anchu, leaving her alone in the river. Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: Chapter 3: No Chance for You to Hurt Me_1 Chapter 3: Chapter 3: No Chance for You to Hurt Me_1 Qiao Xiaren nearly drowned and was not rescued in time, almost permanently buried in the river. Although she luckily did not drown, the branches and stones in the river scratched her tender skin. There were shocking wounds all over her face and body. Fortunately, the system had helped her heal her injuries, otherwise her beautiful face could have been horribly disfigured. ¡°Doesn¡¯t Second Senior Brother owe me an explanation?¡± Qiao Xiaren sneered, crossing her arms and watching the man in front of her leisurely. ¡°Even refusing to call me Mohan anymore indicates that you blame me.¡± Ye Mohan shook his head, his helpless expression was like a parent coaxing an unruly child. ¡°Xiaren, I truly didn¡¯t recognize the person then, mistaking Anchu for you. I¡¯m sorry, it won¡¯t happen again.¡± Hearing the man¡¯s explanation, a gloomy darkness seemed to cover Qiao Xiaren¡¯s intense gaze. Ye Mohan¡¯s justification was exactly the same as in the previous life. In the last life, she foolishly believed him. But this time, would she be foolish enough to believe him again? In the previous life, Qiao Xiaren loved Ye Mohan and always thought that Ye Mohan loved her. But in reality, Ye Mohan had already gotten involved with Qiao Anchu and she foolishly made money to support his advanced studies at the film school. Even his living expenses were paid by her. Reality proved that she had only nurtured an ungrateful wolf that would return kindness with ingratitude. Next time? Unfortunately, there won¡¯t be a next time in this life. I, Qiao Xiaren, swear that I won¡¯t give you any more opportunities to harm me. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, please leave. I need to rest.¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s face was expressionless, unable to tell whether she had accepted his explanation or if she didn¡¯t care to listen. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, what do you mean? We came to visit you out of good intentions, and you actually show us a long face? So what if Mohan saved me? We absolutely don¡¯t owe you anything!¡± Qiao Anchu was proud, impulsive and young, unable to control her nerves. ¡°Senior Sister, I didn¡¯t say anything. Why are you getting upset?¡± Qiao Anchu was taken aback. Indeed, she hadn¡¯t said anything, but her barely concealed derisive expression, as if making fun of them, made everyone extremely upset. Observing Qiao Anchu¡¯s alternating pale and flushed complexion, Qiao Xiaren suddenly found it amusing to bully her. Her past self actually thought this senior sister was straightforward, which seemed ridiculous now. Ye Mohan stared fixedly at the young girl in front of him, shocked to find he was unable to discern her emotions. Something¡­ had changed. Ye Mohan glanced at the weight on the table, his eyes still gentle as a spring breeze, and even closed the door on his way out. ¡°Xiaren, you rest well, I¡¯ll call you when lunch is ready.¡± Qiao Anchu wanted to say something but was pulled away by Ye Mohan. Looking at Qiao Anchu¡¯s unwilling appearance, Qiao Xiaren simply chuckled and continued lying on the small bed to recuperate. She had already forgotten about Huang Youde, who she had kicked under the bed earlier. When Huang Youde regained consciousness, he lay shivering underneath, not daring to move for fear of being tortured by Qiao Xiaren again. He pitifully maintained his position, some sweat seeping out of his fat face. Qiao Anchu, that despicable bitch, actually dared to trick him into coming here! Huang Youde¡¯s face revealed a ferocious look, vowing to take revenge on her once he got out. Qiao Xiaren was woken up again by someone knocking on the door after sleeping for who knows how long. She opened her eyes again, a cold glint flashed in her black eyes, revealing a bit of annoyance. Feeling quite irritable, Qiao Xiaren got out of bed and slowly opened the door. She was not a morning person and being woken up had put her in a bad mood. Her intense gaze made the person outside the door apprehensive. ¡°What is it?¡± Shen Sichen¡¯s hand was still on the door, meeting Qiao Xiaren¡¯s sharp gaze for the first time, instinctively wanting to back away. ¡°Xiaren, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, is there anything you need, First Senior Brother?¡± Leaning against the door, Qiao Xiaren crossed her arms, appearing leisurely and at ease. Her tone was flat, her face had a faint smile. At first glance, she still looked like a carefree and innocent young girl. However, Shen Sichen started to feel an unfathomable weight in his heart when looking at her. ¡°Master summoned us for a discussion. He has something to discuss.¡± Shen Sichen hesitated for a moment, a concerned look appearing on his face, ¡°How¡¯s your health?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Upon hearing that the master was looking for them, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes slightly narrowed. Without even glancing at Shen Sichen, she casually adjusted her clothing and walked towards the living room. Watching Qiao Xiaren¡¯s receding back, Shen Sichen felt a faint sense of loss. It seemed that she had even started to become cold towards him, treating his concern as if she was completely indifferent. Did it all happen because both he and Mohan had saved Anchu together? Of course, Qiao Xiaren would not pay attention to what Shen Sichen was thinking. She remembered clearly that in her previous life, Ye Mohan and Qiao Anchu had publicly disclosed their romantic relationship. To avoid painting Qiao Anchu as the third party, they had blatantly accused Qiao Xiaren of cheating on Shen Sichen first. They even slandered her for cohabiting and having an abortion with Shichen. The most ridiculous part was that Shen Sichen admitted to these completely made-up ¡°facts¡± in front of the media, because he loved Qiao Anchu and didn¡¯t want her reputation destroyed. So because they couldn¡¯t bear to see Qiao Anchu¡¯s reputation ruined, she was supposed to be the sacrifice? Suddenly, the media slandered all the filth onto Qiao Xiaren, making her reputation in the entertainment circle stink. While Qiao Anchu and Ye Mohan, the sinful couple, had become a good story in the entertainment world. In the last life, Qiao Xiaren thought she had been foolish, and had endured enough. After reincarnating, she no longer needed friends, or family, much less love! She just needed to trample each person that had insulted, slandered, hurt and harmed her under her feet. Qiao Xiaren came out of her room, the dilapidated door made a creaking sound. The four of them lived with their master in a country house. A vegetable patch had been cultivated in front of the courtyard, and their master liked to plant some small vegetables to go along with their meals when he had spare time. The wild grass in the vegetable field had already begun to grow tall. Qiao Xiaren bypassed it, and her skirt even brushed past the wild grass. Their master had always been diligent, but now he let the wild grass grow so tall. Qiao Xiaren wasn¡¯t sure why, but her heart sank. ¡°Has Ranran arrived?¡± An aged voice came from the living room. Qiao Xiaren walked in to see the familiar yet old face of her master. His complexion seemed rather pale. She knew that he was likely to pass away soon, which was around the same time as in her previous life. Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: Chapter 4 Illness_1 Chapter 4: Chapter 4 Illness_1 Their master was trained in traditional Chinese medicine. He was heartbroken at a young age and started wandering before coming to Shanshui Town twenty years ago. He had stayed there ever since and adopted them as his disciples, teaching them Chinese medicine. ¡°Master?¡± It seemed as though the Master saw through Qiao Xiaren¡¯s thoughts, he waved his hand dismissively: ¡°Xiaren, I called you here today for an important matter.¡± Only then did Qiao Xiaren notice that Qiao Anchu and Ye Mohan were also present. Ye Mohan¡¯s gaze upon her was somewhat strange, Qiao Anchu was as arrogant as ever, but with a particularly cold expression and an annoying demeanor. Qiao Xiaren did not bother looking at Qiao Anchu. Her elder disciple sister always acted as if the world owed her something. Her gaze unconsciously fell on the yard, where she was surprised to see a stranger. In the late spring of March, peach blossoms extended over the wall, their pink petals fell like a beautiful rain of flowers. Four tall men stood in the courtyard, their backs as straight as birch trees. She glanced at them unintentionally, were they¡­ the big shots stationed in Shanshui Town? Xiaren had heard her Master mention that Shanshui Town was strategical, often attracting fugitives and criminals. Later, noble families from the Capital City responded to the call and sent people to protect the residents of Shanshui Town. Qiao Xiaren collected her emotions very well, no longer looking over there but sat upright on a chair, listening to the Master. ¡°I suppose you¡¯ve all seen the people in the courtyard?¡± The Master coughed gently, Qiao Xiaren heard a hint of exhaustion underlying his tone and couldn¡¯t help but frown, the Master¡¯s health was already quite serious. Seeing that everyone seemed contemplative, Master once again started speaking: ¡°Those people have come to invite us to treat Si Limo¡¯s younger sister, who has fallen ill with a severe disease.¡± Severe illness? Qiao Xiaren was slightly surprised. In her previous life indeed people from the stationed organization had visited, but the Master never called her to attend. All she remembered was that Qiao Anchu followed those people up the mountain. Upon returning, she looked joyful and her complexion greatly improved. Later, they left Shanshui Town, and Qiao Xiaren never saw her fellow disciple sister again, until she got together with Ye Mohan. By then, Qiao Anchu had already become a widely popular top star. Just as Qiao Xiaren was lost in thought, she suddenly heard the voice of System Lord Xiaotian in her mind: ¡°Please pay special attention, Host. This is an important turning point for you to change your destiny. Please take hold of it.¡± ¡°Alright, I understand.¡± After a moment of silence, Qiao Xiaren responded to Xiaotian. After all, they were now reliant on each other. Everything she did now was for the sake of survival, and she also wanted to completely change her life. She would definitely seize this chance. Qiao Xiaren and Xiaotian have been communicating mentally, so no one could tell that anything was amiss. They may just think Qiao Xiaren was deep in thought. Here, Xiaotian started talking again. ¡°Qiaoqiao, I must remind you, your Star Luck Value is too low right now. If it¡¯s used up, we won¡¯t be able to embark on our rebirth journey, we¡¯ll be finished.¡± Xiaotian¡¯s troubled voice echoed, ¡°Wah, wah, wah, I don¡¯t want to die¡­¡± ¡°Understood.¡± With this simple three-word reply, Xiaotian quietened like a deflated balloon. On the other hand, Qiao Anchu was particularly interested in the term ¡°Si Limo¡±. ¡°Master, are you saying that Si Limo is inviting us to treat his younger sister¡¯s illness?¡± Qiao Anchu¡¯s eyes sparkled, clearly indicating increased interest. Si Limo, the head of the mysterious family from Capital, had arrived in Shanshui Town a few years prior on a mission to protect the townspeople. The self-generated effort of protecting the townspeople had won the heart of gratitude from the whole town for the Si Family. The master nodded, coughing lightly once again: ¡°My old bones are giving up, I won¡¯t be able to perform this task. Thus, the responsibility to treat the young lady falls upon you all. As for who should go, I wish to hear your opinions.¡± After all, the patient involved was a person of high status. Since he was unable to go due to health reasons, he naturally needed to select the most suitable candidate. ¡°Master, I would like to volunteer.¡± Qiao Anchu was somewhat impatient, already calculating her gains in her heart. If she could cure Si Limo¡¯s sister, it would bring her boundless benefits. To meet that legendary man in her lifetime would be an extreme blessing. Master did not make an immediate decision but instead looked at the other three. Qiao Xiaren remained silent, seemingly playing with the end of her hair unconsciously. Shen Sichen saw that Qiao Anchu wanted to go, of course, he wouldn¡¯t fight with her. ¡°Doctor, may we depart now?¡± A man with straightforward features walked in, seeming somewhat anxious. In reality, the news of Si Limo¡¯s younger sister had long since spread within a ten-mile radius. Si Limo¡¯s sister, Si Zhilan, followed her brother to Shanshui Town three years ago. A few months later, she unexpectedly became pregnant without anyone knowing who the father was. Si Limo was infuriated and demanded several times to know the identity of the child¡¯s father. But all Si Zhilan did in response was cry, not uttering a single word about the baby¡¯s father. After a miscarriage that wrecked her health, Si Zhilan¡¯s condition deteriorated day by day. Her mental state was at an all-time low and she even started to talk nonsense at night. Watching Si Zhilan grow skinnier and skinnier due to her illness, Si Limo initially planned to send her away for treatment, but Si Zhilan refused to leave, clearly still clinging to the man. She didn¡¯t want to leave. ¡°Is such a coward worth it? You lost your child and got seriously ill for him, yet he doesn¡¯t even dare to show his face.¡± Si Limo only had this one sister and naturally cared immensely for her. ¡°Brother, you don¡¯t understand.¡± Si Zhilan maintained a fool-like demeanor, her tears flowing like they were broken, she continued to stare out of the window, seemingly waiting for someone. Only Si Limo knew that she would never wait until he arrived. ¡°I don¡¯t understand, you can tell me.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t let you understand, only when the person destined for you appears will you understand.¡± Perhaps in this world, there are always such fools. Since Si Zhilan refused to leave Shanshui Town, and Si Limo couldn¡¯t stand by and let his sister die, he could only resort to hiring traditional Chinese medical doctors from Shanshui Town to keep her alive. In fact, Si Limo didn¡¯t hold out much hope for the traditional medicine doctors. ¡­ Seeing that they were beginning to get anxious, the Master reassured them: ¡°This matter can¡¯t be solved by hurrying. I¡¯m in poor health and fear I might not be able to go. I can only have one of my disciples take up the task.¡± Qiao Anchu noticed that even though she had volunteered to go, the Master seemed to hesitate, not rushing to make a decision. She was puzzled as there seemed nothing left to consider. Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Qiao Anchu is Suppressed_1 Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Qiao Anchu is Suppressed_1 Since she proposed to go herself, the elder brothers wouldn¡¯t compete with her. As for Qiao Xiaren, she was quite a blockhead. From childhood to now, besides reading, she didn¡¯t even know the basics of pulse diagnosis, making her the least savvy amongst the disciples. How could such a waste possibly replace her? Of course, Qiao Xiaren noticed Qiao Anchu¡¯s ruffled appearance. She flashed a faint smile. She felt it was time for her to step in. A turning point to change her fate? She liked that. After being reminded by Xiaotian, Qiao Xiaren started to recall some things from her past life. She remembered in her previous life, Qiao Anchu¡¯s good fortune seem to follow after this trip, she soon left Shanshui Town and successfully enrolled in the most difficult to enter Capital Film Academy in the country. After graduation, she signed a contract with the Capital entertainment giant, SGS. With a dedicated team to shape her look and temperament, her rise to fame was astonishing, even reigning as a popular queen of the music scene for a while. She single-handedly escaped her past of poverty and rusticity, enjoying all the benefits brought by wealth and fame. As a member of the entertainment circle like her, Qiao Xiaren knew too well how smoothly Qiao Anchu led her life in her previous life. She had never been involved in any commonplace entertainment industry scandal, nor did she need hype, because good resources would continually pour into Qiao Anchu¡¯s door, regardless of the time. At that time, everyone in the circle guessed that Qiao Anchu must have had a powerful supporter behind her, so she didn¡¯t need to go through the unwritten rules of having to sleep her way to the top. Therefore, Qiao Anchu was even heralded by netizens as the purest and most innocent star in the entertainment circle. A trace of mockery appeared at the corners of Qiao Xiaren¡¯s lips. Hehe, who wouldn¡¯t want to stay clean and pure in the entertainment circle? Without support, Qiao Anchu would still be humiliated, having to struggle amidst those men. Needless to say, the man standing behind Qiao Anchu in her previous life must be Si Limo. In this life, Qiao Anchu should not even dream of climbing to Si Limo through Si Zhilan! ¡°Master, let me go.¡± At Qiao Xiaren¡¯s words, everyone, including Qiao Anchu, looked at her in surprise. Who doesn¡¯t know that Qiao Xiaren has studied traditional medicine for so many years, yet still doesn¡¯t get it, and had often been punished by the master during her childhood, unable to even diagnose pulses. ¡°Xiaren, you, a person who doesn¡¯t even understand pulse diagnosis, should not come out and boast, okay?¡± Qiao Anchu seemed to be hearing some kind of big joke as she said this. A cold, sneering smile appeared on her proud face. ¡°Why is sister so agitated? I¡¯m just making a suggestion.¡± Faced with Qiao Anchu¡¯s ridicule, Qiao Xiaren just curled the corners of her lips and lazily pushed the hair out of her temple. Her icy white fingertips were like the snow on the mountains, breathtakingly beautiful. The master didn¡¯t speak but seemed to be lost in thought. Qiao Anchu was unable to speak because of Qiao Xiaren¡¯s words, and her fists began to clench slowly. For some reason, she always felt that Qiao Xiaren had become a different person after waking up. Before, she liked to stick around them, a person of weak character, making it natural for Qiao Anchu to order her around like a maid. But now, Qiao Xiaren had a certain aura that gave people chills. Although Qiao Xiaren was also very beautiful before, she often looked like a bitter gourd, oozing a troubled look, which naturally made people unable to see her beauty. Standing next to Qiao Anchu, she looked like an ugly duckling next to a princess. But now, having changed her temperament completely, coupled with her natural beauty, she instantly grabbed Qiao Anchu¡¯s spotlight. Qiao Anchu, who was not outstanding in the first place, now appeared even more dim and lackluster. Everyone finally realized that the gap between Qiao Anchu and Qiao Xiaren was not just a little bit. When Qiao Xiaren spoke out, the eyes of the four men fell directly on her. The sight made even those with exceptional self-control unable to move their gaze away. Qiao Xiaren seemed to be different today, even the elder brother and Ye Mohan were looking at her in a daze. Seeing their gaze, jealousy and resentment began to emerge in Qiao Anchu¡¯s eyes. She was dressed in a very simple white shirt and jeans, her entire being bathed in brilliance, her left hand tucked in her pocket. Qiao Xiaren just stood there, like a ray of cool sunshine. Despite appearing bright, she exuded an unwarranted chilliness that pierced into everyone¡¯s heart. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s beauty was always flamboyant and didn¡¯t hide in the slightest. At just 17 years old, she was a high school senior. The fact that she was already a beauty, coupled with the charm and temperament that set her apart from ordinary girls, made her far superior to ordinary people. One can say that Qiao Xiaren¡¯s face was stunning from every angle, an absolute 360-degree beauty. In her previous life, she won a global award. Her every frown and smile on stage were brimming with charm and the beauty was unimaginable. Qiao Xiaren took a deep breath, greedily enjoying the fresh air of the moment. This was a completely newborn feeling; since her rebirth, she had countless nightmares, each time afraid to return to the desperate and dark scene. The man with a straight face scrutinized Qiao Xiaren. This child seemed different from the others in the village. Such appearance and aura could not have been nurtured by ordinary villagers. Chapter 6 - Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Waste_1 Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Waste_1 It must be said, these four subordinates guessed right to some extent. Although Qiao Xiaren was adopted by a mysterious old doctor from a young age, she was also sent up the mountain by her biological parents. Her biological parents lived at the foot of the mountain in Shanshui Town, but Qiao Xiaren had not descended the mountain for seventeen whole years, naturally never meeting her so-called biological parents. Her master told her that her father had accrued massive debts due to a gambling addiction which her mother could not withstand, spending all day in tears. Unable to care for Xiaren, her father simply sent the baby still in swaddling clothes up the mountain, and that¡¯s when her master took her as a disciple. It is said that from the moment she was born, she was different from other children in the village, her skin snow-white and translucent, nothing like the other wrinkly babies. Before her rebirth, she was unaware of her own origins, and always thought her parents were the resentful couple who lived at the foot of the mountain. Only later did she find out she was adopted. As for why she bore the surname Qiao, it was also a whim by her master, who saw the word on a handkerchief in her swaddle and simply named her Qiao. At this time, Qiao Xiaren did not know that this ¡®Qiao¡¯ character would be closely related to her future. ¡°Xiaren girl, are you sure you want to treat Master Si¡¯s sister¡¯s illness? This is not a joke. Have you thought about what consequences you¡¯ll face if you fail to cure Si Zhilan¡¯s illness?¡± All eyes in the room naturally fell on Qiao Xiaren, whether they were looks of awe or skepticism, nothing could shake Qiao Xiaren. With eight years of experience in the entertainment industry in her past life, she had developed an invulnerable fortitude, impervious to remarks and resilient to slander. No matter what kind of comments, even if someone openly called her a vixen, she could remain calm and even indifferent. How could this be a girl not yet seventeen? The subordinates muttered to themselves in secret admiration. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, master. If my medical skills are insufficient, I will accept the punishment myself,¡± Qiao Xiaren said firmly, causing her master to say no more, but that previously vocal subordinate chuckled and spoke up. ¡°Girl, don¡¯t be afraid, even if you don¡¯t cure Master Si, he won¡¯t really punish you. It¡¯s a civilized age now, not ancient times where every dispute leads to violence. Besides, our Master Si, although he often has a cold face and seems difficult to approach, is actually a very good person.¡± Upon hearing this, Qiao Xiaren only smiled. Si Limo having subordinates who instinctively defend him showed his high prestige. Generally, such people, aside from being more capable, are also truly formidable men, not the ¡°good person¡± as described by his subordinates. Qiao Anchu heard this and was somewhat dissatisfied. Was she really going to let Qiao Xiaren snatch away this great opportunity? It was so frustrating! She wanted to say something, but was interrupted by her master. ¡°Anchu, go back to your room and read.¡± Seeing her master¡¯s stern gaze, Qiao Anchu was furious inside, biting her lip and looking unwilling. How could she have expected that Qiao Xiaren, so foolish and clumsy, could replace her? Had her master gone mad? Watching Qiao Anchu¡¯s departing figure, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s lips curved into an inscrutable smile. Annoyed already? There would be more to infuriate her in the future. Qiao Xiaren withdrew her gaze, only to see the subordinate now smiling honestly at her: ¡°Xiaren, just come with us. This time, Master Si¡¯s sister is all relying on you. If Zhilan gets better, Master Si will definitely not mistreat you.¡± Her master waved his hand: ¡°Go on, girl, I¡¯m a bit tired. We¡¯ll wait for you to come back for dinner, I¡¯ll go rest in my room for a while.¡± Qiao Xiaren said nothing but took her master¡¯s hand, his hand full of calluses, rough yet warm. She silently sighed in her heart, her master¡¯s health was really failing. ¡°Master, I definitely won¡¯t let you down,¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s tone was soft, conveying a sense of determination. Turning towards the subordinates, Qiao Xiaren said, ¡°I¡¯ll change my clothes first, please wait for me in the courtyard.¡± They nodded in understanding, returning to the dilapidated courtyard, their upright figures unexpectedly adorning the rundown courtyard with their presence. Her master watched Qiao Xiaren¡¯s departing figure, his cloudy yet perceptive eyes emitting a hint of brightness. Xiaren, this lifetime¡¯s destiny, has to be changed by you. Qiao Xiaren went straight back to her room but saw Qiao Anchu standing at her door, arms folded, chin slightly raised, looking down at her in arrogance. Qiao Anchu had always been prideful, feeling so superior that she thought no one deserved to stand beside her. ¡°Sister, do you need something?¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s posture and tone were somewhat casual, her eyes dark and intense, covered by a thin, translucent veil, making them unreadable. ¡°Give me the chance to go to Master Si¡¯s place!¡± Listening to Qiao Anchu¡¯s commanding tone, Qiao Xiaren just glanced at her currently arrogant demeanor and lightly said, ¡°On what grounds?¡± This woman, used to bullying her before, thought it was entitled for her to make such a demand? Heh. Qiao Anchu thought Qiao Xiaren would meekly comply, and did not expect her to dismissively reject her while provocatively asking: On what grounds? This useless waste, how dare she challenge me? Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Qiao Anchu is Unwilling _1 Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Qiao Anchu is Unwilling _1 This worthless, talentless person dares to challenge me? A hint of a fracture appeared on Qiao Anchu¡¯s refined face, her heart roaring in fury. Qiao Xiaren, you damned fool, the opportunity to treat Miss Zhilan¡¯s illness was supposed to be mine! You, Qiao Xiaren, are nothing but the mud beneath my feet, living a miserable life under my oppression. Only then might I consider sparing you. But who would¡¯ve thought you¡¯d be so restless; don¡¯t blame me if I decide to destroy you! ¡°Qiao Xiaren, if you don¡¯t hand this opportunity to me, I¡¯ll expose your misdeeds, leaving you utterly disgraced!¡± Qiao Anchu spouted these words viciously, clearly aimed at provoking her. A strong sentiment of resentment burst forth from Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes. What a serious accusation. In her previous life, she was found guilty of this crime and was exploited by Qiao Anchu, ruining her reputation in both Shanshui Town and the entertainment circle. Qiao Xiaren couldn¡¯t understand why this woman had always seen her as a thorn in the side. In her last life, she didn¡¯t compete with Qiao Anchu for the opportunity to treat Si Zhilan, yet she still exaggerated her scandalous affairs, even bringing up past matters after entering show business and intentionally exposing them in front of the media, making her reputation worse and worse. Qiao Xiaren didn¡¯t believe that if she gave away this opportunity, Qiao Anchu wouldn¡¯t expose her. She had already experienced the woman¡¯s wickedness in her past life. ¡°Sister, so your venomous side is finally showing?¡± Seeing the malice in Qiao Anchu¡¯s eyes along with her sly cunning, Xiaren sneered. ¡°Qiao Anchu, I want to live a different life this time around, so let me start with you. I¡¯m curious to see who else was standing behind you in my past life, besides Si Limo.¡± Her acting career was indeed smooth sailing last time, frequently rubbing elbows with internationally acclaimed actors. Her earrings and pendants alone were worth millions. Such lavish spending was not something a typical benefactor would willingly spend on a woman. It seemed that Qiao Anchu had quite a few secrets. Qiao Xiaren laughed lightly. The smile that curled up at the corner of her lips was as brilliant as a spring flower but soon turned incredibly dark. She walked past Qiao Anchu, stretching herself in a lazy elegance, filled with satisfaction and charm, looking completely untouchable. Xiaren quickly packed her things, efficiently without dawdling, her fair and delicate face exuding unparalleled self-confidence and composure. The sunlight at this moment showered down on her, casting an enchanting dark halo around her, creating an exquisite sight to behold. Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan happened to reach the door and took in the full view of the gorgeous scene before them. They were both stunned. They had never known Qiao Xiaren could be this beautiful, this dazzling. Especially Ye Mohan, who suddenly felt his heartbeat thudding irregularly. Shen Sichen, on the other hand, was lost in a daze, staring blankly at Xiaren. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, freeze! Did I say you could leave? This opportunity was initially mine, and you craftily stole it away. Who knows what tricks you used to have the master favor you?¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s blatant disregard infuriated Qiao Anchu. At the same time, she felt a chill creeping into her heart. How was this the same Qiao Xiaren she was used to? But it was definitely still her. In a few steps, Qiao Anchu caught sight of Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan and her face contorted hideously. ¡°Brothers, is something the matter?¡± Xiaren caught Shen Sichen¡¯s shadow in the doorway, slinging her packed bag over her shoulder, ready to head out. Her lips held a faint smile, projecting confidence and composure, showing none of her former vulnerability. Ye Mohan noticed that Qiao Xiaren¡¯s bag seemed to be filled with medical equipment. He couldn¡¯t believe it. Didn¡¯t Qiao Xiaren not know how to treat people? The words he had intended to say suddenly got stuck in his throat. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, excuse me.¡± Shen Sichen was jolted back to reality by Qiao Xiaren¡¯s cool words. He stepped forward to block Xiaren¡¯s path. ¡°Xiaren¡­I have something to discuss with you.¡± Qiao Xiaren didn¡¯t say a word, only gave him an inquiring look. There was a hint of impatience in her expression. ¡°Xiaren, why don¡¯t you let Chuchu take this opportunity to treat Miss Zhilan? You know nothing, not to mention exorcism. Chuchu is much more capable than you. Can¡¯t you just let her do it?¡± Ye Mohan quickly joined in, ¡°Exactly, since Chuchu wants to do it, just let her. Aren¡¯t you two good friends? You, being so kind-hearted, will surely agree, right? Besides, it should¡¯ve been Chuchu¡¯s opportunity in the first place¡­¡± Here, Ye Mohan¡¯s eyes glistened warmly, ¡°Xiaren, what I like most about you is your innocence and kindheartedness.¡± Upon hearing this, Qiao Xiaren finally couldn¡¯t help but laugh. But that laughter held no warmth at all. So, Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan were here to help Qiao Anchu negotiate. Seeing Qiao Anchu as she stood proud and confident, Xiaren felt completely nauseated. It was as though everything in the world rightfully belonged to Anchu. Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Turtle Matched with Box Turtle _1 Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Turtle Matched with Box Turtle _1 Why should she cede this opportunity to Qiao Anchu? What in the world inherently belonged to Qiao Anchu? Did everything not come from personal efforts? Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan certainly had undying loyalty to Qiao Anchu, especially Ye Mohan, who was using every trick to encourage her at this moment. As long as there was something Qiao Anchu desired, they would fulfill it without consideration of Xiaren¡¯s feelings. It was understandable for Shen Sichen, after all, he had always been fond of Qiao Anchu. But Ye Mohan was currently Qiao Anchu¡¯s boyfriend, an identity he had not denied. Was it appropriate for him to take up another woman¡¯s cause? Before, Xiaren didn¡¯t know that Ye Mohan had always desired Qiao Anchu. On one hand, he could not bear to let go of Xiaren¡¯s heartfelt consideration for him and he enjoyed the sensation of being pursued and put on a pedestal, yet on the other hand, he vied for Qiao Anchu¡¯s favor and didn¡¯t mind letting Xiaren be wronged. That was why Ye Mohan¡¯s attitude towards Xiaren was always ambiguous and he enjoyed everything Xiaren did for him as if he deserved it. No wonder they had maliciously plotted against her for the sake of Qiao Anchu. Such selfish people were indeed a match made in heaven. They were destined to be together. Perfect, just perfect! ¡°Kindness?¡± Mu Xiaren smiled faintly. ¡°So, my kindness becomes the reason you manipulate at will and I should yield everything to my senior sister? Why should I? If such is kindness, I¡¯d rather forsake it.¡± The moment Anchu saw the sneer on Xiaren¡¯s face, she felt a sudden burst of fear and unconsciously retreated a few steps. She reconsidered her thoughts, she¡¯s a useless person, why should she be afraid of Qiao Xiaren? With these thoughts in mind, a malicious smile floated onto Anchu¡¯s face. She stealthily extended her foot towards Xiaren, attempting a trip. Yet, Xiaren reacted promptly and not only avoided the fall, but also stepped ruthlessly on Anchu¡¯s instep. ¡°Ah!¡± Qiao Anchu shouted horrendously. Her face started to perspire from the intense pain, glaring at Xiaren furiously. However, Xiaren looked back at her with an innocent expression. ¡°Ouch, senior sister, are your eyes unwell or are you consistently rolling your eyes at me?¡± Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan didn¡¯t notice the Ladies¡¯ footwork, and agreed that Qiao Anchu was actually rolling her eyes. Shen Sichen sighed, his expression toward Qiao Anchu started to reflect a disapproval. Even if he disliked Xiaren, there was no need to make it so obvious among the schoolmates. Qiao Anchu remained silent, patiently waiting while Xiaren continued to step on her foot. She endured the pain and did not dare to make a sound. ¡°What¡¯s going on? I just want the older sister to remember. What can be provoked and what cannot, shouldn¡¯t be overconfident. Understand?¡± Xiaren disregarded Anchu¡¯s pale face and walked past them, ignoring the ugly reactions of the people around. Somewhere in the distance, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s detached voice could be heard. ¡°The so-called ¡®like¡¯ from Brother Ye is an embarrassment, I don¡¯t need it.¡± Ye Mohan found it hard to believe that the Xiaren just now was the same person who was at his beck and call. Wasn¡¯t she supposed to humbly comply to every one of his requests? Could she have just said¡­ She disliked him? Impossible. From the moment she left, Xiaren suddenly chuckled. Her laughter was alluring as silver bells, unrestrained and pleasurable. Only today, while confronting these three individuals, did she truly express a sense of starting over in life, of rebirth. Starting today, she would live a carefree life and alter her tragic past. After following those four men up the mountain, Xiaren saw the green tents from a distance, their place of residence. Feeling the cool mountain breeze, she looked at the men training in the wilderness with an indifferent expression. The men also found it odd. A girl, barely 17 years old, would normally be intimidated in such a grand scenario, right? But Xiaren accompanied them all the way, her expression was serene and her steps were firm. She did not inquire about Mr. Si¡¯s affairs, which made her seem quite surprising. In fact, although Xiaren seemed just seventeen years old, she was someone who encompassed a twenty-eight-year-old soul, naturally, she was unlike other young girls. She possessed an air of maturity and calmness that made her irreplaceable. Chapter 9 - Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Si Zhilan_1 Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Si Zhilan_1 Qiao Xiaren followed a group of people to the military camp. The further they walked, the louder the discussions became. When Qiao Xiaren saw Si Zhilan, she was lying on the bed, pale and thin, almost skeletal, her eyes dim and lifeless. As if sensing someone¡¯s approach, Si Zhilan looked up. She saw a 17-year-old girl, but her eyes were as cool and detached as if she were surveying humanity from a distance, distinctly chilly, unlike girls her age. ¡°Who are you?¡± Si Zhilan didn¡¯t know that her brother had brought a doctor. She didn¡¯t want to leave Shanshui Town or the man she loved, even though they couldn¡¯t be together. If possible, it would be good to die like this, at least she could die where he resided, without enduring more torment. ¡°Your illness is very serious,¡± Qiao Xiaren sat down, casting a glance at her. Not only was her body ill, but a sickness was clearly plaguing her heart too. ¡°I know,¡± Perhaps due to being isolated for too long, Si Zhilan felt an unexpected sense of ease facing this stranger girl. This girl¡¯s words carried a sense of cool relief, a comfort that Si Zhilan couldn¡¯t comprehend ¨C why¡­ ¡°Don¡¯t move,¡± Qiao Xiaren took her pulse, trying to diagnose the issue. Caught off guard, Si Zhilan yanked her hand away, accusingly asking, ¡°Why are you touching me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m the doctor your brother asked for,¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need a doctor.¡± Si Zhilan stubbornly pulled away her hand. She had already resigned herself to death, especially after she lost the child. She would have rather died with him promptly. ¡°Suit yourself,¡± Qiao Xiaren spat out indifferently. Si Zhilan was stunned for a moment, looking at this unconventional girl in shock. Anyone else would have tried to persuade her relentlessly. Qiao Xiaren seemed not to care how she was perceived, nonchalantly leaning to the side, a medical book in her hand, leisurely browsing through, propping her head with the other hand. Her relaxed posture seemed more fitting for a library instead of here. ¡°You¡­ aren¡¯t you afraid my brother will punish you?¡± gasped the slack-jawed woman. Everybody was afraid of Zhilan¡¯s brother, Limo, even though he rarely lost his temper. Many dreaded him still. Was this young girl really not afraid of death? ¡°Medicine can cure the body, but not the heart,¡± Qiao Xiaren turned a page indifferently, ¡°Miss Si, when you can¡¯t control even your own life and death, don¡¯t meddle with others,¡± Again, Si Zhilan was left speechless. For a long moment, silence. Si Zhilan still lay on the bed, but instead of seeming like a stagnant pool as before, she now turned and tossed frequently. Qiao Xiaren didn¡¯t care what she was doing, she continued reading her book. Si Zhilan stole glances at the slender and delicate fingers that flipped through pages, yet Qiao Xiaren remained calm and composed. ¡°Child, have you told me, you¡¯ve come of age?¡± She was incredibly curious. ¡°I¡¯m 17,¡± Exactly as she had anticipated. In the following days, Qiao Xiaren stayed by Si Zhilan¡¯s side, but she neither initiated conversations nor did she entice her to accept treatment. She ate and drank as necessary and slept when tired. Si Zhilan was curious as to why a 17-year-old girl could always maintain such a calm and detached demeanour. Limo¡¯s men came repeatedly to rush Qiao Xiaren, but she was never in a hurry, spending her time reading medical books, brewing tea when free. ¡°Want a cup?¡± Si Zhilan sat up at the smell of the tea. Somehow, she felt a strong desire to drink it. She reached over to take the cup from the young girl¡¯s hands. ¡°How is it?¡± Qiao Xiaren asked. ¡°A bit bitter, but sweet afterwards,¡± Qiao Xiaren smiled at her, raising her cup in a toast, ¡°Then speak less and drink more tea,¡± ¡°¡­¡± Si Zhilan had assumed that Qiao Xiaren would seize this opportunity to give a passionate speech on the importance of cherishing life, dispensing customary wisdom on the topic, but Qiao Xiaren simply told her to drink more tea. Chapter 10 - Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Si Zhilan Successfully Persuaded_1 Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Si Zhilan Successfully Persuaded_1 ¡°You said that those who study medicine can only heal bodies, not hearts,¡± Si Zhilan suddenly uttered a bitter laugh, for some reason feeling an overpowering urge to confide, ¡°because you will never understand what I have endured, what I have encountered. Only when you truly experience those things will you realize that this world was never worth it.¡± Xiaren didn¡¯t argue but let out a light chuckle, a laugh that sounded devoid of mockery, as if it were simply innocent laughter. ¡°What are you laughing at?¡± ¡°Let me tell you a story,¡± Xiaren said, looking at her. ¡°I once heard a story, would you like to listen to it too?¡± ¡°Hm?¡± ¡°Once upon a time, there was a 17-year-old girl, a prot¨¦g¨¦ of a famous doctor, with two elder male disciples and one elder female disciple. One day, she and the elder female disciple plunged into the river. The two elder male disciples rushed to save the elder sister but abandoned the youngest in the river without a second thought. The junior sister was submerged and for a moment thought she would die. That was the first time she tasted the bitterness of being discarded by those around her.¡± ¡°Later, when they had the opportunity to enter the entertainment industry, the girl made a lot of money to support the second elder male disciple¡¯s film academy studies, feeling a sense of dependency on him. She thought they would be together. But afterward, once the elder female disciple gained fame, she hooked up with the second elder male disciple. To cover up certain facts, they shamelessly claimed in front of the media that it was the girl who cheated, and that he had gotten together with the elder sister out of heartbreak. They twisted right and wrong, black and white, ruining the girl¡¯s reputation in the industry.¡± ¡°Even her eldest male disciple on that particular occasion stood out to say that he and the junior sister had been in a relationship, that they had even lived together and she had miscarried their child.¡± At this point, Xiaren let out a low chuckle, a flicker of mockery tinged with bone-chilling coldness and sinister undertones. ¡°That¡¯s just too¡­¡± Si Zhilan was too shocked to speak. She had been brought up in the Si Family¡¯s environment, pampered from a young age, surrounded by caring people, and she could not even begin to fathom a world filled with such dark deeds and people. ¡°Later on, they still wouldn¡¯t let it rest. The elder female disciple arranged for her death in the wilderness. When she died, she was only in her twenties and had just received every honor in the industry. Yet her elder sister, crazed with jealousy, turned assassin and left her to die in that desolate place.¡± ¡°Why would it be like this¡­¡± Si Zhilan couldn¡¯t imagine what kind of hardships that woman had faced. The closest people to her betrayed her one after another, and in the end, even took her life. What depth of hatred could drive someone to such extremes? Similarly, that young girl truly had a hard life. Xiaren put down the teacup, having regained her composed demeanor, and glanced at Si Zhilan, ¡°Compared to her, you really are far more fortunate.¡± Xiaren¡¯s remark left Si Zhilan without a rebuttal. She lowered her head, thought for a moment, but said nothing. Xiaren stood up and left, pushing the door open on her way out. By the eighth day, Si Zhilan seemed to show some improvement, began to eat on her own initiative, and started cooperating with Xiaren¡¯s treatments. The subordinates were overjoyed and rushed to report to young master Si. Once the emotional issues started to improve, her physical ailments were essentially minor. After a miscarriage, a woman¡¯s body is very weak and needs proper nourishment. Xiaren prescribed several gentle and nourishing medicinal courses, combined with food for treatment. However, Si Zhilan¡¯s emotional wounds still needed that man to be fully healed. Xiaren asked Si Limo¡¯s subordinates to convey her thoughts, and Si Limo immediately ordered an investigation into his sister¡¯s affairs and had that man captured and brought to the mountain. Seeing Si Zhilan¡¯s poor state before, Si Limo didn¡¯t dare to investigate that man¡¯s matters, fearing it might agitate his sister. After all, Si Zhilan was deeply attached to that man, and there was a fear of being too harsh on him. Now that Si Zhilan showed signs of coming to terms with her ordeal under Xiaren¡¯s guidance, Si Limo no longer had any concerns. However, Xiaren wasn¡¯t concerned with what followed; she had fulfilled her obligation and that was enough. Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Si Limo_1 Chapter 11: Chapter 11: Si Limo_1 Having been living in the harsh outdoor conditions of the mountains for several days with these people, Qiao Xiaren was beginning to succumb. She was about to bid farewell to Si Zhilan when suddenly she felt her legs give way. Xiaren heard a faint sound of footsteps coming from behind her. They didn¡¯t sound like a woman¡¯s¨Cboots stepping on the ground, the subtle footprint sent a chill down one¡¯s spine. Her pupils constricted slightly as she turned to see a tall figure. It was a young man, standing against the light. Despite the sweltering heat, he showed no signs of perspiration in his formal attire, appearing calm and aloof. Could this be, Si Limo? ¡°Xiaren, what¡¯s wrong with you?¡± Si Zhilan was taken aback. How could someone who was bursting with energy just moments ago suddenly turn so weak? As she reached out to steady Xiaren, a clean, slender hand appeared from the side. The hand was particularly well-maintained, void of the typical dark and tanned texture commonly seen in army men, rather it was more towards the fair side. This hand held onto Xiaren who was so weak she couldn¡¯t even see clearly, let alone make out the man¡¯s face. However, his imposing aura sent an unexplainable chill down the spine, akin to the cold of an unsheathed ancient sword, perfectly masking his lethal and harsh demeanor. ¡°Brother, this is¡­?¡± All Xiaren heard was Si Zhilan seemingly trying to explain something to Si Limo. Feeling a bit muddled, she fainted in the arms of this man. ¡°How can this girl faint just like that?¡± It was lunchtime. The attendant who had brought Xiaren here earlier was about to beckon her to come for lunch, only to find her lying in a state of exhaustion in Si Limo¡¯s arms. ¡°Young Master Si?¡± He opened his mouth slightly in disbelief at the scene unfolding before him. Si Limo gave him a sharp, cold glance, picked up the girl in his arms, and headed towards the new recruit training camp. The gaping man was left even more stunned, and even Si Zhilan was rooted in place. She couldn¡¯t believe that her brother would actively hold a woman for the first time. ¡°Big Brother, where are you going?¡± Feeling better, Si Zhilan¡¯s steps had grown lighter. She trotted after him. Si Limo turned back to glance at Si Zhilan, his eyes trailing down towards her stomach, ¡°You feeling better?¡± ¡°Yes, it was this girl who cured me. It¡¯s truly magical.¡± Si Zhilan still hadn¡¯t completely recovered from the joy of her sudden recovery. This girl named Qiao Xiaren was truly capable. ¡°I¡¯ll take her to another tent to rest properly. After all, she fainted from saving you. We, the Si Family, owe her a debt of gratitude.¡± Si Limo¡¯s voice was filled with a certain solemnity, more like a promise. He was a man who valued loyalty and righteousness at his core. Qiao Xiaren had saved his sister, he would repay the favor. Si Zhilan caught her breath. Chapter 12 - Chapter 12: Chapter 12: The Little Village Girl_1 Chapter 12: Chapter 12: The Little Village Girl_1 After an unknown length of time, Xiaren woke up with a sore waist and back. As she opened her eyes, the sight of the green tent above her caused her to pause briefly. It was only after she came to her senses that she remembered she was still in Si Limo¡¯s territory. After getting out of bed, Xiaren stretched her aching muscles. She looked around quietly and noticed that the tent was quite large, with more than a dozen beds, one of which she had been sleeping on. The sound of organized footsteps echoed from outside, allowing Xiaren to discern that it was around seven o¡¯clock in the evening. Thankfully, the summer days were appreciably longer. Hearing a grumble from her stomach, Qiao Xiaren suddenly remembered that she hadn¡¯t eaten for a whole day. Just as she was about to find some steamed buns to eat, she saw a group of girls walk in from the outside. Upon hearing the noise, Xiaren naturally lifted her head and looked over. The group of girls was each unique in their own way with their small-sized training suits and different looks, but their aura seemed wholly distinct from the people of Shanshui Town. ¡°Oh, has the little village girl woken up?¡± Zhang Lerong stepped forward. A striking beauty with a rebellious streak, she spoke while snapping a bubble gum. ¡°A village girl who was carried in by Si Limo?¡± As Zhang Lerong spoke, she popped the bubble gum in her mouth, a malicious look crossing her face. ¡°You wretched creature, how dare you tempt my Si Limo? Are you tired of life?¡± The very thought of that dignified man carrying this woman irked Zhang Lerong substantially. The girls were from the city, here to visit their relatives stationed in Shanshui Town. They were like a bunch of spirited, rebellious teens, finding the place extremely new and exciting as they slowly let loose their city-born instincts. Qiao Xiaren, a woman with the soul of a twenty-eight-year-old, had absolutely no interest in engaging with these kids. Seeing Xiaren¡¯s indifferent expression, Wu Fang arched her brow and pointed to her bed as she ordered, ¡°Village girl, get some hot water for us and make our beds quickly!¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s lips curved slightly, her black and white-contrasted eyes sparkling with an alluring tranquility. She almost burst out laughing at the girl¡¯s impudent voice. Xiaren turned her face and looked at the girl before her with interest. As her face fully emerged into the light, she could hear the gasps echoing around. She was so beautiful. Zhang Lerong had merely noticed the simple dress Qiao Xiaren was wearing initially but had paid no attention to her face. When Xiaren turned her head, all she could feel was awe. Qiao Xiaren was barefaced, yet she looked stunningly beautiful like a hibiscus blooming from pure water. Just looking at that face was enough to hear the chaotic rhythm of her own heartbeat. Even though they were all girls, they couldn¡¯t help but stare at her. Whether it was in admiration or jealousy, they had to accept that her face was so breathtaking that it could make one swear. Qiao Xiaren stood up, her eyes sweeping indifferently across the group of girls without any reaction to their current expressions. She glanced at the outside where the darkness of the night was gradually settling in, a dangerous curve rose at the corner of her lips. She walked over, her height one head taller than the rest, exerting an oppressive presence. Zhang Lerong suddenly felt that Xiaren¡¯s aura was not like that of a village girl, but more of an artist. ¡°What did you just say?¡± Xiaren¡¯s crimson lips barely moved as she spat out these cold words. The girl who had ordered Qiao Xiaren to clean the beds reacted first, glaring at her savagely, ¡°What are you standing there for? I told you to get hot water and tidy up the beds! Do you believe we can beat you up?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, you¡¯re just a village girl!¡± Zhang Lerong also recovered from the shock. As she thought about Si Limo carrying this woman, she felt utterly disgusted. Chapter 13 - Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Fear_1 Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Fear_1 Fear and jealousy were quickly festering among the crowd, who began to shove Xiaren around. Their initial amazement at her beauty turned into envy and resentment¡ª a mere village girl, she was even prettier than them, well-bred city folk! ¡°Damn it, who allowed you to stand in front of me?¡± Ji Qin couldn¡¯t bear it anymore and pushed Xiaren, nearly causing her to stumble. ¡°Hurry up and get to work; sweep the floor, then go to heat up water and make the bed. If you don¡¯t finish within an hour, you¡¯ll pay dearly!¡± Once they saw Ji Qin bullying Xiaren so openly, everyone else lowered their guard. She was just a teenage village girl, what could they possibly have to fear? Qiao Xiaren coldly glanced at the girls before her, showing no signs of intending to engage with them. It was more like she was completely ignoring them. Zhang Lerong felt as if a ball of evil fire had started to burn in her stomach. She reached out and grabbed the person before her, even more maliciously clutching Xiaren¡¯s hair. ¡°What kind of attitude is this? You¡¯re just a dirty, uncultured, and ugly village girl, and you dare to ignore us? You¡¯re indeed the cheapest kind, brought up in a village. Low class is low class, with no manners at all¡­¡± Zhang Lerong continued both berating and tugging on Xiaren¡¯s hair whilst the others jeered in encouragement. But then, they saw Qiao Xiaren¡¯s icy smile as she stepped forward and, with a swift grip, grabbed Zhang Lerong¡¯s hair. She hoisted her hand onto her shoulder, and with a swift judo throw, fiercely flung Zhang Lerong onto the ground. Zhang Lerong managed only a stifled grunt before she lay on the floor, groaning unconscious from the pain. Everyone was stunned by the scene just played out before them, standing there slack-jawed. Their gazes towards Qiao Xiaren were all tinged with a complex mix of emotions¡ª dark and opaque. Zhang Lerong lay on the ground in disbelief, looking up at the condescending figure of Qiao Xiaren, her arms folded across her chest. ¡°You¡­ you lowly peasant¡­ how dare you hit me¡­¡± Zhang Lerong scrambled up from the ground, disregarding the aches in her body. She screeched like a madwoman and came charging over, only to have her hand seized mid-air by Xiaren, rendering her immobile. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I dare to hit you?¡± Qiao Xiaren mocked, and with a flick of her hand, sent a stumbling Zhang Lerong crashing onto the ground again, who promptly hollered in pain. Zhang Lerong was utterly stupified from the tumble. ¡°Today¡¯s judo flip is a lesson for you to watch your tongue and not shit-talk everyone you meet. Mind who you¡¯re messing with, or you¡¯ll be asking for trouble.¡± ¡°Grab her, grab that girl for me! I must kill her!¡± Zhang Lerong bellowed in fury, girls closed in, encircling Qiao Xiaren with ill-intentions. Qiao Xiaren was only by herself, how could she fight back this time? Zhang Lerong cackled viciously, throwing herself forward like a lunatic, regardless of her disheveled appearance. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s face remained unchanged. She stretched and limbered herself up, before anyone could see what she was doing, a girl was flung across the room, crashing into the others. Zhang Lerong barely could make out what was happening when a sharp pain surged from her abdomen. She was sent flying by the fierce kick from Qiao Xiaren. One by one, the girls dropped to the floor. Their previously vindictive eyes quickly filled with awe and fear, twinkling with trepidation. No one dared to step forward again. Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Wild Boar_1 Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Wild Boar_1 Qiao Xiaren slowly stepped forward, scoffing, ¡°Well, want another round?¡± Ji Qin and several other girls lowered their heads, considering Xiaren a formidable figure. Who would dare to upset her now? ¡°Go prepare some hot water and make the bed. I¡¯ll be sleeping here tonight,¡± Qiao Xiaren ordered and reclined comfortably. Zhang Lerong and the others didn¡¯t like it, but they were afraid of Qiao Xiaren¡¯s tactics. They hurriedly picked up the kettle from the ground to fetch water from outside. Xiaren closed her eyes and continued her siesta, hoping to regain her lost strength for the day. After what seemed like a while, Xiaren was awakened by someone. She opened her eyes abruptly to see Zhang Lerong with a fearful expression. ¡°The¡­the hot water is ready, you can go take a bath¡­¡± Qiao Xiaren sat up, stretched her wrists, and seeing other girls trembling with fear, she said casually, ¡°Don¡¯t be too scared. As long as you don¡¯t provoke me, I promise not to hit you. But if you dare to confront me, well¡­¡± Xiaren displayed her fist in mid-air, and Zhang Lerong immediately replied, ¡°We dare not, we dare not! From now on, we¡¯ll obey you. You are our boss!¡± The other girls chimed in, their faces showing a mix of reverence and fear. Xiaren got off the bed and went outside with the hot water. There was a dedicated place for all the girls to take a shower outside. Xiaren didn¡¯t have a change of clothes, so she took a set of women¡¯s uniform. After a bath, the sticky feeling finally disappeared, replaced by an unprecedented freshness. When Xiaren came back to the tent, the girls were already asleep, with a faint lamp light pouring in. Unable to fall asleep, Xiaren sat in the tent for a little while, then decided to go outside for some fresh air. The air on top of the mountain was very fresh and clean, and the mountain breeze was slightly chilly. Aware of the wild boars roaming in the mountain that might harm people, Xiaren, with her current physical strength, wasn¡¯t afraid. She walked upwards where the rustle of tree leaves swayed in the air. After walking for some time in the moonlight that elongated her shadow, she abruptly stopped. Sitting ahead of her was a man¡¯s back facing her. Though sitting, the man radiated an unattainable and fierce aura. Xiaren couldn¡¯t see the man¡¯s face, but his back showed an infinite darkness, mirroring the cold and indifferent abyss of the deep night. There was a brutally detached yet sharp aura about him that didn¡¯t sit right with Qiao Xiaren. A few seconds later, she turned and began to run. But, she had only taken three steps before she felt a blade-like cold wind slicing past her back. A sudden cold sweat broke out on Qiao Xiaren¡¯s back. Moments ago, the man had his back to her without even turning his head. But now, he was right behind her. The cool mountain breeze whistled through the rustling tree leaves. Qiao Xiaren put her head down and ran like the wind without daring to look back. Not understanding what she was running from, she could only feel an extreme sense of danger from the man behind her. ¡°Xiaotian, Xiaotian¡­¡± Qiao Xiaren tried to communicate with the system, but strangely, the usually responsive System Lord was silent. Minutes hadn¡¯t passed when the man had already overtaken her, blocking her path. His overwhelming masculine scent hit her hard. Xiaren stopped in time, just barely avoiding running into him. Qiao Xiaren was a seventeen-year-old girl after all. Exhausted, she started panting slightly. The faint moonlight fell upon the man¡¯s face, revealing it clearly. Chapter 15 - Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Night Attack on the Wild Boar_1 Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Night Attack on the Wild Boar_1 She gasped, looking at a face that was exquisitely handsome, his thin lips set in a straight line of tension. A straight and proud nose, his bewitching, captivating black pupils enthralled her. He seemed to embody an ethereal nobility and a frigid aloofness, two entirely different traits flawlessly converging in him. This man¡¯s aura was so intense, it felt as if it could swallow her whole. ¡°What are you doing out here so late?¡± As Xiaren was lost in thought, the man spoke first, his words ending with a prolonged note that insinuated a hint of laughter. Xiaren was somewhat surprised, their exchange was so ordinary, it felt as if they had known each other before. What surprised Xiaren even more was that the stern and cold aura around the man seemed to be suddenly blown away as soon as he opened his mouth, replacing it instantly with a clear breeze and a bright moon. This was her first encounter with a man who could instantly shift his aura and temperament, as if the solitary, dangerous man from earlier wasn¡¯t him at all. ¡°Just taking a walk.¡± These four words made Qiao Xiaren move a few steps back, wanting to escape from this man¡¯s presence. However, he seemed to see through her intentions, approaching her step by step with tread so soft that it raised Xiaren¡¯s caution. The man¡¯s cold, isolating aura began to intensify again. In that moment, Xiaren could feel his domineering energy surge to the surface. ¡°Out for a walk?¡± His voice was steady but harbored a certain coldness. The moment Si Limo reached out his hand, Xiaren lifted her foot, intending to kick him. During her 17 years of training high in the mountains, not only had she, along with three others, learned various spiritual and geomancy arts under their master¡¯s guidance, she had also honed her physical capabilities. Among the four, Xiaren was the best. Seeing how wary this young lady was of him, Si Limo raised his eyebrows slightly and evaded her like a leopard. But when Xiaren lunged a punch, it was caught by his large hand, which then held her waist firmly. Qiao Xiaren was startled, rage simmered in her eyes. Si Limo seized the opportunity to raise her hands above her head, reminiscent of surrender. Xiaren was so flustered, she didn¡¯t notice that her fingers were intertwined with his. ¡°Let me go!¡± This was certainly embarrassment turning into anger, Xiaren being subdued by a strange man for the first time. Now, looking closely at the man, Xiaren realized she had never seen such beautiful eyes. His eyes were deep like abysses, suppressing a formidable, murderous aura, suggesting an arrogance that could overlook anything. One look, and it was as if one could fall into their depths. He appeared a born ruler, and an innate conqueror. ¡°Don¡¯t go out alone like this again. It¡¯s very dangerous here.¡± Si Limo looked steadily at the woman in front of him, his eyes unreadable, making it hard to fathom. His gaze was sharp and piercing, as if he could see into one¡¯s soul. It left Qiao Xiaren at a loss. The lad looked good in a military uniform. As he finished speaking, Si Limo released one of the arms binding the woman. Qiao Xiaren freed herself, her eyes gleaming with a cold light. A deliberate rustling came from underneath a birch tree nearby. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s ears pricked up, and she squatted down to pick up a rock, ferociously throwing it in that direction. The breaking of branches could be heard. Qiao Xiaren heard the grunting sounds getting closer. Lifting his head, Si Limo spotted a group of wild boars coming their way. From the moment she heard the grunting, she figured there must be not only one but several wild boars. However, she never expected an entire group of them. Xiaren gave a chilling stare, she had no weapon to fight with, and these swarms of wild boars were ready to consume them. Chapter 16 - Chapter 16: Chapter 16 Delicious_1 Chapter 16: Chapter 16 Delicious_1 ¡°Go over there, don¡¯t come near.¡± The man¡¯s voice was indifferent, his tone steady. Before she could react, Xiaren was pushed aside by him. In the night, she saw him draw a sleek, black gun under the moonlight. His arm extended straight out, he took a shot and killed the leading boar. With one lethal stroke, the group of boars seemed disoriented and started to scatter. Xiaren counted almost thirteen wild boars that night. As the boars fled, a few ran directly towards Qiao Xiaren, showing their fierce, large teeth. The boars couldn¡¯t get close to Si Limo, yet they all rushed towards her. A cold light flashed in Si Limo¡¯s eyes as he threw her another gun from his waist. There was no hint of panic on Qiao Xiaren¡¯s face. She smoothly caught the pistol, turned the safety on in one fluid motion, hooked her pinky, and turned around to open fire on the boars. The boars let out a roaring sound that would fill ordinary people with fear. Yet Qiao Xiaren remained unfazed. Her icy face looked extraordinarily beautiful in the night. With gun in hand, she kicked a boar¡¯s sharp tooth with one foot. Her movements were graceful, yet each one was deadly. Under her onslaught, the boars let out terrifying sounds. Xiaren attacked without mercy, her breathing remained steady, and her movements were graceful, like an elegant arc drawn in mid-air. ¡°Roar¡­¡± A boar opened its yawning mouth, its sharp teeth bearing, only for Qiao Xiaren to forcefully kick it into a large rock. It hit its head violently on the rock, killing it instantly. ¡°Not bad,¡± Si Limo said, walking up to her with his gun, admiration in his eyes. The air still lingered with the scent of boar blood, which caused Xiaren to wrinkle her nose in disgust. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of the boar¡¯s carcasses,¡± Si Limo said, seeing her frown, he gave a low chuckle and motioned for her to sit and rest. However, Qiao Xiaren remained standing, eyeing the blood-soaked ground. The price of boar meat was sky-high in the market. The carcasses of the thirteen boars that now laid dead on the ground could substantially improve the meals of the soldiers. ¡°Young Master Si.¡± A few torches suddenly appeared from the bushes. Turning around, she saw a solemn-faced Zhao Jiashi holding a torch, with a gun at his waist, followed by a group of men. Hearing these fellows call him ¡®Young Master Si¡¯, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s heart skipped a beat. She did not expect the man in front of her to be the legendary youngest Young Master Si, Si Limo. The moment they heard noises from the hill, Zhao Jiashi alerted his men and rushed over. Thinking that Young Master Si might be attacked, they hadn¡¯t realized it was just boars. For someone with Si Limo¡¯s skills, boars were no match. Recently, Shanshui Town had been disturbed by fugitives hiding out, harassing Shenzhen and hurting the villagers. After all, Shanshui Town¡¯s terrain was dangerous and ideal for people who wanted to evade the authorities. Si Limo put down the gun still stained with boar¡¯s blood, stretched his neck and wrist, making a comfortable gesture. ¡°You guys came just at the right time. Help carry these boars back. We can cook them into several large pots, for everyone to enjoy something fresh.¡± ¡°Yes, Young Master Si.¡± Each man carried a boar, a rare smile appeared on Zhao Jiashi¡¯s dark face. ¡°Young Master Si¡¯s performance was rare; the cook will be working overtime this time.¡± With so many boars, they could feast for several days. ¡°I can¡¯t take all the credit, this little lass helped a lot. If you guys are enjoying a feast, you should thank her.¡± Chapter 17 - Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Attacking the Entertainment Industry_1 Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Attacking the Entertainment Industry_1 Si Limo glanced deliberately at Qiao Xiaren. Xiaren just gave a faint smile, tossing the short gun in her hand into the air, which Si Limo caught flawlessly: ¡°Tonight is quite interesting,¡± he remarked. Under 17, a young girl, she was the first person worth his special attention. Xiaren slowly hooked the corner of her mouth upward in a reserved and elegant manner. The gradual smile on her face almost dazzled Si Limo. His eyes cold, he too slowly lifted the corner of his mouth. If it weren¡¯t for her young age, he could have mistakenly thought the girl was a female spy sent to bewitch him. Just with that smile, even he was somewhat entranced, let alone those with less composure. Xiaren didn¡¯t notice Si Limo¡¯s thoughts at all. Her mind was full of cooked, mouthwatering wild boar meat ¡ª a delicacy of her dreams. She hadn¡¯t had dinner tonight, and she found herself salivating. Since her rebirth, she hadn¡¯t had a good meal. She thought about how she could finally feast to her heart¡¯s content after hunting so many wild boars today. Having dealt with thirteen wild boars, Xiaren turned around to meet Zhao Jiashi¡¯s surprised eyes, which also seemed to carry a hint of admiration. ¡°Little girl, you¡¯re amazingly skillful!¡± he marveled. The people who could earn Si¡¯s praise could be counted on one hand during his time in the military. He could hardly believe that such a young girl could catch the interest of the sharp-eyed Si. This was beyond belief. In the face of Zhao Jiashi¡¯s heartfelt praises, Qiao Xiaren did not show any significant emotional response, simply smiling lightly. Quite a composed little girl. Si Limo took a few steps forward and stopped in front of Xiaren. ¡°Young girl, have you ever thought about what you want to do in the future?¡± he asked. As Qiao Xiaren looked up, she saw admiration in Si Limo¡¯s eyes. She thought for a moment: ¡°I¡¯ll see. I¡¯m still a senior high school student now. I will be back to school in a few days.¡± Qiao Xiaren had thought about it long ago. She planned to continue her old profession and attack the entertainment industry. Furthermore, if she could no longer earn Star Luck Value, her half-life given by her rebirth might be taken away by the heavens. Si Limo didn¡¯t make things difficult for her, but instead asked with great interest, ¡°Are you studying at that little school in Shanshui Town?¡± Although the school in Shanshui Town was not very good and the conditions were difficult, there were quite a few young university students with a genuine passion for teaching. Thus, the education in Shanshui Town was still decent. Qiao Xiaren nodded. Seeing the admiration in Si¡¯s eyes, Zhao Jiashi looked at the young and frail girl with some relief. Being admired by Si, this girl was probably in for some luck. Zhao Jiashi didn¡¯t know that Qiao Xiaren understood this even better than he did. Furthermore, she was almost certain that within a month, Si Limo would surely take her out of Shanshui Town and arrange for her to study in an elite school in the Imperial Capital. Her destiny would start changing from here. Qiao Anchu, as for who exactly would emerge victorious this time, it was still unknown. The wild boars on the ground were taken away one after another, and naturally Qiao Xiaren followed Si Limo down the mountain. There was still a no-stranger-allowed aura surrounding Si Limo. Xiaren was preoccupied with her thoughts and didn¡¯t pay much attention to the road ahead. Not paying attention, she bumped hard into the man¡¯s wide back. Hunger coupled with the impact caused her head to spin. In the middle of the ensuing dizziness, Qiao Xiaren felt herself being lifted by a pair of arms. Xiaren opened her eyes to meet his dark and deep gaze: ¡°I can see that you¡¯re a bit weak on your feet. Let me carry you,¡± he said. Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: Chapter 18 Barbecue_1 Chapter 18: Chapter 18 Barbecue_1 ¡°No need.¡± Qiao Xiaren was uncomfortable. She squirmed, intending to get down, but was roughly slapped on the buttocks by the man. A low voice came, ¡°Stay still.¡± Si Limo¡¯s seemingly casual move made Xiaren¡¯s face flush with a delicate red hue, a surge of anger welling up in her eyes. She somewhat despised such overly intimate actions, especially from a man, and not even one she was particularly familiar with. If she weren¡¯t so frail at the moment, she would have toppled this man to the ground. Si Limo naturally realized the stiffness in the small body in his arms. His thick eyebrows slightly raised, and his handsome face showed no significant emotion. They finally reached the camp. Having rested along the way, Qiao Xiaren had regained some stamina. Without saying a word, she leapt from Si Limo¡¯s arms and wrestled free. Most of their patrol team was still awake. Those who had already fallen asleep were awakened by the sound of the whistle at the door. The rhythmic wake-up call had already sounded; a few team leaders were even holding stopwatches to keep time. Without saying a word, they tumbled out of bed and then clambered into their field dress. Within five minutes, all the members of the group stepped in with their synchronized tread. The resounding slogans echoed neatly in mid-air. Seven people lined up, standing tall and straight awaiting the orders of the officer. Zhao Jiashi¡¯s sharp gaze swept over the rows of people. Satisfaction slowly surfaced in his eyes, but his expression remained solemn. ¡°The reason I have you all here this late, is because Limo and Xiaren hunted more than a dozen wild boars in the mountains, and the kitchen has already boiled several pots of soup. You all have stayed with Shanshui Town and suffered for so many years. Tonight, enjoy a good feast.¡± ¡°We do not consider working for Limo a hardship,¡± someone responded stoutly. Si Limo stood up with an easy grace, signaling them to sit. Xiaren sat in front of the pot, adding some ingredients to make the wild boar meat more delicious. Si Limo¡¯s pair of deep, dark eyes scanned around before naturally taking a seat next to Xiaren. Few would dare to glance over, even though Limo was seated quite a distance away. The soldiers felt a weight of presence over them; the newbies didn¡¯t dare look his way. Iron-blooded, heartless, and indifferent were the labels consistently attached to Limo himself. Even on this lively moment, they didn¡¯t dare make noise. They barely spoke in low whispers. His sitting posture was casual, yet he remained straight and upright like a pine tree. He casually pushed some firewood onto the fire. A few days ago, the villagers downhill had sent over some peanut oil. Xiaren chopped off a piece of meat, skewered it on a sharpened stick, touched some oil, chili, and spices, and began to roast it over the fire. The sizzling sound and the rich aroma started to waft around. Everyone¡¯s salivary glands were tiptoeing on the edge, looking at the piece of meat which appeared yummier than the one being boiled in the pot. ¡°What delicious meat, Xiaren. Is it for me?¡± Si Limo¡¯s charmingly deep voice rang out. Qiao Xiaren, raising her head, met the man¡¯s deep, black eyes. His cold eyes and stern face were intimidating. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s roasting action paused. This meat was supposed to be for herself, right? As she raised her head slightly, everyone quickly turned their attention to her. Xiaren felt awkward refusing in public and grumbled inwardly. She had to sacrifice her precious meat unwillingly and resentfully, handing the well-roasted meat to Si Limo. ¡°Limo has worked hard, he deserves this meat.¡± Si Limo recognized Xiaren¡¯s gritting teeth tone of voice and saw her longing look, a flicker of amusement crossed his deep, dark eyes. Chapter 19 - Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Rise_1 Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Rise_1 ¡°Thank you.¡± Si Limo takes the roast meat and eats it elegantly. The atmosphere is quite good. Qiao Xiaren cooked a pot of meat soup. The delicious flavour of the meat was almost entirely seeped into the broth. Everyone was thoroughly enjoying their meal, with some even taking the initiative to perform a few acts. Xiaren notices that their gaze would occasionally sneak over towards her, their eyes filled with ambiguous glances. Unfortunately, the man beside her didn¡¯t seem to look up much. ¡°The girl¡¯s cooking skills are indeed excellent.¡± The people in the kitchen couldn¡¯t help but praise, ¡°If you were one of us, we would be so lucky.¡± At this, Zhao Jiashi suddenly seemed to remember: ¡°School is starting again soon, isn¡¯t it?¡± Qiao Xiaren nodded. As she was nearing the end of her senior high school, the course load was a bit heavier. The school in town would start classes early. Si Limo, with his usual elegant demeanor, took a sip of the soup from his bowl and looked at the girl beside him: ¡°Pack up your clothes and things when you get back, I¡¯ll take you down the mountain in a few days.¡± Perfect timing, his task of staying in Shanshui Town had been completed. His father had instructed him to return to Capital City immediately, citing urgent matters. What? Including Zhao Jiashi, those around the pot seemed surprised. Even though Zhao Jiashi had the inkling that Si Limo would help Xiaren with her studies, he never expected that he would be so direct, without even asking for Qiao Xiaren¡¯s thoughts. Qiao Xiaren, who had been prepared, didn¡¯t share the same surprise as the rest, and simply nodded her head lightly. Originally, she had intended to help Si Limo¡¯s sister with this very hope in mind ¨C that she could break out of Shanshui Town, attend a prestigious high school, and ensure her entry into Emperor Capital Film Academy. As the night grew darker, everyone finished and returned to their own groups after the monitor¡¯s whistle signal. The sound of uniform footsteps echoed as several groups returned to their tents. Three hours later, these soldiers would start executing a task of night march under load. ¡°Go back and rest.¡± Si Limo stood up. He could see that Qiao Xiaren was somewhat tired. Xiaren stretched gently, giving off an enchanting vibe in an instant. However, her black eyes were filled with a hint of coolness. Si Limo shifted his gaze from her and had someone escort her back to her tent. The night passed without words. The next morning, Qiao Xiaren woke up to find no one else around. She packed up some of her things and slung the backpack swiftly onto her shoulders, striding briskly towards the foot of the mountain. ¡°What¡¯s going on? This, this, this¡­ The Star Luck Value actually increased! What¡¯s happening?¡± Xiaotian was stunned. What¡¯s going on? Why? Just why? She was desperate to know what great thing occurred yesterday! Why did her Star Luck Value increase by 500 points upon waking up this morning?! How did she miss such a glorious moment last night?! In frustration, the system started counting the Star Luck Value in hand, tightly clutching it, as if afraid it would suddenly disappear. Such happiness! Xiaotian¡¯s sharp voice exploded in her head, giving Qiao Xiaren a headache. Irritated, Xiaren snapped, ¡°Shut up! You¡¯re so noisy!¡± Xiaotian felt wronged: ¡°I just want to know!¡± Hearing the pitiful system, Xiaren immediately imagined a hypersensitive kitten demanding attention. Well¡­ ¡°Have the nerve to ask me? Last night when I called you out, you pretended to be dead?¡± Qiao Xiaren began retrospecting. If it weren¡¯t for Si Limo last night, she might have been in danger. Xiaotian became even more aggrieved: ¡°Host, though I can give you advice most of the time, there are certain mysteries I¡¯m not supposed to reveal. Just like you, Si Mister¡¯s fate is unique, it¡¯s not appropriate for me to pry. Besides, at that time, you didn¡¯t even have a single point of Star Luck Value. Even if I came out, I could only watch you getting beaten¡­¡± Qiao Xiaren: ¡°¡­¡± Seriously, who speaks like this? Chapter 20 - Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Space_1 Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Space_1 So that¡¯s how it is, Xiaren lowered her eyes. Si Limo indeed did not seem like an ordinary person, considering the current situation, he was unlikely to be an enemy. A scene of Xiaotian rolling and acting cute popped into Xiaren¡¯s mind. She chuckled and clarified its confusion. ¡°The problem lies with Si Limo. I guess I managed to win over the heartthrob yesterday.¡± He is the mastermind behind the SGS Entertainment Tycoon Company. The increase in Star Luck Value must be related to Si Limo. It seems, this man¡¯s fondness for her is more than just a little. If she hasn¡¯t guessed wrong, the Star Luck Value and her fate in the entertainment industry are closely related. That is, if she does something beneficial for her Star Path, the Star Luck Value would rise. Conversely, if she does something detrimental to her Star Path, the Star Luck Value would decrease. ¡°Xiaotian?¡± ¡°Host, how can I assist you?¡± Qiao Xiaren commanded in her mind: ¡°Open the portable space.¡± ¡°Deduct 200 points of Star Luck Value, yes OR no?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Alright, deducting 200 points of Star Luck Value, remaining Star Luck Value is 300 points. Please continue to work hard, host, and accumulate Star Luck Value.¡± After Xiaotian finished speaking, it began to chatter in Qiao Xiaren¡¯s mind: ¡°Qiaoqiao, the remaining 300 points of Star Luck Value is our shared energy for survival, be mindful of how you spend it, understand?¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Suddenly feeling dizzy, Qiao Xiaren felt as if the surrounding had turned into another world, with her standing in a vast space. There were bookshelves around her, and she estimated that there were thousands of books on them. Topics ranged from acting, beauty, fortune telling, to various esoteric and hard-to-understand books that were hard for ordinary people to come by. She walked out of the space filled with books, to find the world outside was well-lit. Sharp Mountain towered into the clouds, colorful clouds littered the sky, and various small animals were playing in the fields of flowers. This place was simply another scene distinct from the real world. Qiao Xiaren walked several rounds but hadn¡¯t managed to tour the entire space. Remembering her other tasks, Xiaren exited the space, a ring now on her index finger. The moment the ring was on her finger, it seemed like words were constantly flashing and reorganizing before her eyes. Xiaren felt as if she was completely blocked off from the outside world, not seeing or hearing anything from it. A massive amount of information rushed into her mind, her brain whirring rapidly like a machine. Clamping her teeth, Xiaren bore the huge impact. By the time Xiaren came back to her senses, her clothes were already soaked through. Xiaotian¡¯s voice echoed in her mind: ¡°Space initialization successful, update complete, host please rest assured to use. All knowledge and skills have been transferred, scholastic skills have been upgraded.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Xiaren straightened up her clothes and continued her way down the mountain. Upon returning to the blue-brick house, the master was already resting in the room. Listening to the soft coughing sounds coming from the room, Qiao Xiaren¡¯s brow slightly furrowed. Qiao Anchu and Shen Sichen were both not there. Xiaren felt that Qiao Anchu was probably upset for not getting the chance to treat Si Zhilan¡¯s illness. Ye Mohan was probably busy comforting his sweetheart. No one left her any breakfast on the table, Xiaren knew it was on purpose by Qiao Anchu. It was always like this before, as long as her senior sister was angry, she deliberately didn¡¯t leave any food for her, sometimes even leaving her hungry all day. Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan clearly knew about it, but they always deliberately pretended not to see and never asked her about it. Raising the hand with the ring, Xiaren instantly entered the space. There were many small animals in the space, as well as lots of wild chickens. Chapter 21 - Chapter 21: Chapter 21 Happiness Comes Too Suddenly_1 Chapter 21: Chapter 21 Happiness Comes Too Suddenly_1 Xiaren, of course, couldn¡¯t bear to kill these adorable little creatures, so she took several fresh eggs. After leaving the space, Qiao Xiaren cooked a dish of steamed egg in the kitchen and boiled a few eggs. The freshly boiled eggs smelled delicious, and Xiaren ate several of them in succession. Although she had eggs in her space, she couldn¡¯t continue to eat just eggs all the time. ¡°Qiao Xiaren?¡± The sound of Qiao Anchu¡¯s voice came from behind, and Xiaren turned around to meet Qiao Anchu¡¯s angry gaze. Perhaps she didn¡¯t get a good night¡¯s sleep, as she looked somewhat fatigued. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s Senior Sister. Good morning.¡± Xiaren smiled amiably, her hand scooping the water out of the pot into the drain. Sunlight shone on her cheeks, casting a dreamlike glow. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, leaving a faint shadow beneath them. Qiao Anchu¡¯s breath hitched, her expression becoming even more distorted. ¡°I left you a bowl of porridge in the kitchen. How dare you steal other people¡¯s eggs! You really have the nerve, Qiao Xiaren!¡± Xiaren casually combed a lock of hair behind her ear and smiled, ¡°Senior Sister, dare I eat your porridge? It¡¯s already cold. What if I get a stomach ache?¡± Xiaren glanced at the porridge sitting over there, she genuinely hadn¡¯t expected Qiao Anchu to leave a bowl of porridge for her. There must be something fishy about such a sudden gesture. What if she was trying to frame her by adding laxatives to it? This kind of situation wasn¡¯t unheard of in her past life. At these words, Qiao Anchu¡¯s gaze shifted, evincing a flicker of guilt. Xiaren snorted coldly. She knew Qiao Anchu was up to no good. ¡°Still pretending to be a delicate princess, aren¡¯t you? You can¡¯t even drink a bowl of cold porridge.¡± Qiao Anchu mocked, but Xiaren brushed her off and marched past her, accidentally brushing Qiao Anchu¡¯s shoulder. Qiao Anchu staggered back a few steps, watching Xiaren¡¯s receding figure with venomous eyes, wishing she could shred her to pieces. Soon, it was time for the school¡¯s annual examination. Although the school was a bit rundown, birches stood majestically on both sides, and the sandy sports field bore traces of leftover morning rain. ¡°Hey, did you hear? That silly girl from class three scored the highest in our school.¡± ¡°The silly one? Are you talking about that girl called Qiao Xiaren?¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s her. It¡¯s unbelievable. She used to be one of the last few, but this time, she unbelievably ranked first in the entire school.¡± ¡°Huh, she might have cheated.¡± The schoolyard remained bustling, filled with people chatting and gossiping. People loved to gather and gossip. At that moment, the bustling crowd parted to create a path. A girl with a ponytail walked in. Dressed in a simple white shirt and jeans, she carried an air of refreshing beauty. The sunlight brought out the crystal translucent glow from her fair skin. Carrying a pile of books, she seemed unaffected by the noisy environment around her. As she walked past, not just the boys, even the girls were lost in admiration. Sudden gasps resonated around the campus, for the girl who stepped onto the scene was stunningly beautiful! Xiaren walked up to a boy and handed him the book in her hand, and said softly, ¡°Thank you for your book.¡± No¡­. Not at all,¡± the boy¡¯s face turned beet red. He used to be her classmate and later, due to his excellent academic performance, was transferred to an advanced class. He Zimin¡¯s face turned a shade of red, looking at the girl¡¯s pure and pristine white arm, he felt that every glance he took was a violation. Taking the book and accidentally touching Xiaren¡¯s arm, he smelt a faint fragrance exuding from the girl, different from anyone else. The burst of happiness had come too suddenly; He Zimin was so elated that he almost coughed. Chapter 22 - Chapter 22: Chapter 22 Cant go on_1 Chapter 22: Chapter 22 Can¡¯t go on_1 ¡°Qiao Xiaren, the principal is looking for you over there.¡± A girl ran over, panting heavily, and stammered out her words after a long pause. Why was the principal looking for Qiao Xiaren? All students were quite curious, as the principal would only summon one directly if they¡¯d earned a top-class scholarship or a higher honor. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m going now.¡± Xiaren smiled at He Zimin and then followed the girl. Not until Qiao Xiaren left did the huddle of students snap out of their daze. ¡°Qiao Xiaren is so attractive! Why didn¡¯t we notice how beautiful she is before!¡± ¡°That¡¯s because she usually keeps her head down, so we can¡¯t see her face clearly!¡± ¡°Yeah, she used to wear her hair loose and always stayed behind Qiao Anchu.¡± As the school bell rang, all students who were still on the corridor and playground scurried back to their classrooms. Entering the classroom, Teacher Zhang found it a mess, and the front seats were still vacant. Sitting at the back, Qiao Anchu, of course, noticed this was Xiaren¡¯s seat. Qiao Xiaren actually skipped class! Her eyes gleamed maliciously as a wicked smile crept onto her face. Without a second thought, Qiao Anchu stood up, an enchanting smile on her face. ¡°Excuse me, Teacher Zhang.¡± Seeing Qiao Anchu stand up, Teacher Zhang, assuming she had something important to discuss, adjusted his glasses and asked in a gentle tone, ¡°Anchu, what¡¯s up?¡± Qiao Anchu¡¯s academic grades were always in the top few ranks in town. Many teachers praised her and were fond of this talented and beautiful girl. However, for every exam, Qiao Anchu had Xiaren write all the answers on a slip of paper for her first, leaving Xiaren insufficient time to fill out her own paper. Thus, Qiao Anchu always ranked first, while Xiaren was one of the lowest. The chaotic classroom quieted down a lot the moment Qiao Anchu stood up, and all eyes turned to her. ¡°Teacher, I know where Xiaren is and why she has missed class.¡± Qiao Anchu bit her lip, lowered her head slightly after saying these words, as if she found it hard to utter something embarrassing. Teacher Zhang assumed that Qiao Anchu had some secret difficulty and his voice softened even more, ¡°Anchu, you can tell me anything. I¡¯ll certainly help you with anything regarding Xiaren. She hasn¡¯t¡­¡± Before Teacher Zhang could finish, Qiao Anchu impatiently interrupted, ¡°Teacher, Qiao Xiaren is currently messing around with someone, that¡¯s why she has missed class¡­ You know, that guy is already 48 years old. But she has bewitched him to follow him, he was initially reluctant. But Xiaren kept seducing him, last time¡­ last time I even saw them together on one bed¡­¡± As if she couldn¡¯t say anymore, Qiao Anchu fell silent, biting her lip. Her face turned pale with a appropriately mixed look of fear and embarrassment as if she was truly shocked by what she had witnessed. Certainly, for a girl her age, being seen with boys in bed, let alone having a boyfriend, would be considered audacious. As she wished, the classroom filled with gasps again, as if everyone had actually been frightened by what Qiao Anchu had said. The students started whispering amongst themselves. Qiao Anchu kept her head down, continuing to feign a mournful demeanor, as if she was truly heartbroken by what Qiao Xiaren had done. Her slightly drooping eyes concealed the flash of a vicious smile. In her heart, she gloated, thinking that this time, she would surely defame Qiao Xiaren in front of the teachers and students. Chapter 23 - Chapter 23: Chapter 23 Old Man_1 Chapter 23: Chapter 23 Old Man_1 She got involved with a man in bed¡ªa 48-year-old man who already has a wife and a daughter to boot. Let¡¯s see how Qiao Xiaren defends herself in front of everybody! Huang Xiaohua is in the same class with them too. When she goes home and tells her mother about it, Qiao Xiaren will surely get a good beating from that woman. Don¡¯t blame her, these are all due to Qiao Xiaren¡¯s ingratitude! If it wasn¡¯t for that cheap little vixen Qiao Xiaren meddling, she would already be considered the Si Family¡¯s saviour, even getting a chance to meet that god-like man. Every time Qiao Anchu thought of this, she wished she could tear Qiao Xiaren apart. Qiao Anchu did not notice the doubtful and strange glances from the teacher, as well as looks of contempt and surprise from the students, even sneers. ¡°Qiao Anchu.¡± By now, Teacher Zhang¡¯s tone was completely unlike his previous gentleness. It even carried a stern undertone. Qiao Anchu lifted her head, slightly timidly: ¡°I¡¯m sorry, teacher, I¡¯ll go home and tell my master to discipline Xiaren strictly. Please don¡¯t punish Xiaren, she¡¯s still too young and doesn¡¯t understand¡­¡± By the end, she looked like a pitiful figure, on the verge of tears. If this had been before, the teacher and students would have believed her and would even join her in criticizing Qiao Xiaren. If Xiaren were present, she would definitely applaud for her. Such a spectacular performance really made her take a new view of Qiao Anchu. No wonder she could become the rising movie queen in her previous life. But right now¡­ Everyone¡¯s gaze at Qiao Anchu had become strange. Qiao Xiaren had clearly arrived at the school, and was even called into the principal¡¯s office. Both year group heads and the headteacher were present. But Qiao Anchu actually said that Qiao Xiaren was messing around with someone. Isn¡¯t this blatant nonsense? In Teacher Zhang¡¯s mind, this was more than just nonsense, it was slander. Having not heard the teacher¡¯s reply for a long time, Qiao Anchu was somewhat surprised, and mumbled: ¡°Teacher¡­¡± ¡°I really didn¡¯t know when I got involved with a man. Sister Anchu, it seems you know about my affairs more than I do.¡± A cold voice echoed through the room, like a bucket of icy water poured on a sweltering summer day, drenching everyone present. Qiao Anchu¡¯s body stiffened, and she instinctively turned her gaze towards the doorway. Qiao Xiaren stood there with a shoulder bag slung across her body and her hands in her pockets. She stood upright like a cool beam of sunlight piercing the heart. She hooked her lips with a light smile, her pitch-black eyes displaying a look of mockery and anticipation of a good show. ¡°Xiaren, how come you¡¯re here¡­¡± Qiao Anchu had some panic on her face, but she quickly composed herself. Anyway, she had already done the smear campaign, and the teacher would definitely believe her¡ªa good student with both excellent character and academics. ¡°Qiao Anchu, Qiao Xiaren came to school just now. The head has called her over for something.¡± Teacher Zhang dropped the bomb, looking somewhat disappointed at Qiao Anchu. Sure enough, upon hearing Teacher Zhang¡¯s words, Qiao Anchu¡¯s face turned as white as a sheet. ¡°It¡¯s not possible, this can¡¯t be¡­¡± Realizing she had misspoke, Qiao Anchu quickly shut her mouth and dared not say anything more. The words she had inadvertently blurted out made Teacher Zhang understand the whole story. ¡°Anchu, Xiaren is your younger sister who grew up with you. Why did you have to¡­¡± Teacher Zhang didn¡¯t finish her words, feeling pain in her heart. She never expected a model student to do such a thing. Regardless of whether the matter between Xiaren and that man is true or not, publicly disclosing it this way could ruin her future. Chapter 24 - Chapter 24: Chapter 24 Beautiful_1 Chapter 24: Chapter 24 Beautiful_1 ¡°Qiao Anchu, what kind of nonsense are you spouting! My parents have an excellent relationship ¨C how would my father ever do anything to Xiaren? You wicked girl, stop making unfounded claims and defaming my father. I swear, my mother will not let this slide!¡± Huang Xiaohua slammed her hand on the table, her furious gaze directed at Qiao Anchu. She was well aware of her father¡¯s lecherous tendencies, but airing these dirty secrets in front of everyone was a slap in her family¡¯s face, wasn¡¯t it? A boy chimed in from the side: ¡°Qiao Anchu, you¡¯re just jealous because your junior sister has become much prettier than you, so you¡¯re spreading gossip about her, aren¡¯t you?¡± As soon as he finished speaking, the whole class burst into raucous laughter. Qiao Anchu¡¯s face turned unsightly, her fists slowly clenching. She remembered, this boy speaking up used to be her most loyal admirer. But now, he dared to humiliate her in front of so many people! Unable to resist, Qiao Anchu looked up at the obvious derisive and contemptuous smile in Xiaren¡¯s eyes. It was as if her mind had been brutally jabbed; she wanted nothing more than to tear Xiaren to shreds. This damn woman! Xiaren, of course, noticed Qiao Anchu¡¯s resentment. She walked towards her, laughing lightly. Her clear, black eyes, framed by thick lashes, shimmered like a veil of mystery. The curve of her lips as she laughed was brighter than the sun. Everyone watching Ria laughed could only think one thing. Qiao Xiaren was so beautiful ¨C so incredibly, mind-bendingly beautiful! This kind of beauty, so staggering that it pierces through to your soul. That belonged to the girl before their eyes, Qiao Xiaren. God only knew she was only seventeen, but her natural, off-the-charts beauty, that soul-stirring beauty, stirred up an urge to kneel, even worship, her. ¡°Qiao Anchu, please explain here why you¡¯re accusing me of having inappropriate relations with someone,¡± Qiao Xiaren towered over Qiao Anchu by a half head, ¡°please provide your evidence in front of everyone!¡± Xiaren looked down on Qiao Anchu, clearly wanting her to explain the accusation of ¡°seducing¡± people in front of everyone. In her past life, she was too weak and hadn¡¯t realized the importance of this matter. By the time she had caught on, Qiao Anchu had already spread her scandals on a grand scale, and the label of ¡°seductress¡± had already been unfairly pinned on her. Because of her previous ignorance, Qiao Anchu had found an opportunity to repeatedly smear her reputation in Shanshui Town, even throughout the entertainment industry, under the pretext of her ¡°seducing¡± others. This time, she absolutely wouldn¡¯t let such a thing happen again. These rumors should be dealt with strictly and eliminated promptly. Wasn¡¯t it enough to oppress her with beauty? Now they wanted to pressure her with momentum. Qiao Anchu suddenly found herself struggling to breathe in front of Qiao Xiaren. ¡°What explanation?¡± Qiao Anchu avoided her gaze, seemingly reluctant to answer this question. Seeing her attempting to evade the question, Qiao Xiaren scoffed, deciding it was pointless to further argue with her, and instead turned to the teacher. ¡°Teacher, please stand up for me.¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes were clear and righteous. The teacher looked at the girl before her and, despite her small stature, she possessed an indomitable spirit. With Xiaren¡¯s parents not around since young and being of tender age, she had no choice but to seek help from her in this case of being bullied. On thinking this, the teacher couldn¡¯t help but feel more sympathy for Xiaren. Chapter 25 - Chapter 25: Chapter 25 Is It Normal_1 Chapter 25: Chapter 25 Is It Normal_1 ¡°Xiaren, rest assured, the teacher will definitely handle this matter seriously as it concerns your reputation.¡± Teacher Zhang patted Xiaren¡¯s shoulder comfortingly, then turned to look at Qiao Anchu, ¡°What Xiaren said is right, these kinds of accusations demand proof. Anchu, you can¡¯t just arbitrarily tarnish someone¡¯s good name.¡± ¡°I did not speak arbitrarily.¡± Qiao Anchu bit her lip, seemingly wronged to the extent that she started sobbing on the spot. ¡°Teacher Zhang, Anchu would never speak irresponsibly.¡± The girl sitting next to Qiao Anchu abruptly stood up, indignantly looking at Xiaren. ¡°Teacher Zhang, Anchu might have just misunderstood the situation earlier, but if Qiao Xiaren truly is innocent, how could Anchu make up such stories? There¡¯s a saying that rumors don¡¯t start from nothing, there¡¯s always a hint of truth in them. If she really did nothing wrong, why would she be nervous?¡± Qiao Xiaren recognized her. This was her classmate Guo Yu, who usually got along well with Qiao Anchu. ¡°Guo Yu, you better stop trying to confuse everyone with claims that misrepresent the truth.¡± Xiaren sneered, ¡°Evidence is what matters in these situations. If you can present evidence, I¡¯ll admit defeat. Otherwise, I¡¯ll sue you for defamation!¡± ¡°You!¡± Guo Yu¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment, she stammered and stopped speaking. While both sides were at a deadlock, a flash of bright red appeared at the doorway. A middle-aged woman, approximately in her forties, rushed over. As soon as she saw Qiao Xiaren, she stormed over angrily. ¡°You wretched girl, I can¡¯t believe you would even do something like this. I regret ever giving birth to a troublesome child like you, I should kill you today to prevent future problems!¡± As the woman spoke, she raised her hand, intending to slap Xiaren. When Qiao Anchu saw the appearance of the woman, she quietly let out a sigh of relief. She looked at Qiao Xiaren gloatingly. This time, even if Qiao Xiaren had been skilled with words, there was no way she could defend herself! Qiao Xiaren, with a firm grip, held the woman¡¯s wrist. She said coldly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, ma¡¯am, but who are you exactly?¡± She critically looked the woman up and down. The middle-aged woman was dark-skinned, dressed in bright red with floral prints, a dirty towel wrapped around her head, and an apron tied around her waist that had long lost its original color. The woman¡¯s wrist was gripped tightly, she tried to free herself unsuccessfully. Seeing Xiaren¡¯s pure and beautiful face, a surge of anger rose from her chest: ¡°You wretched girl, dare to deny your own mother? If it weren¡¯t for me giving birth to you, would you even have the chance to confront me here? You better let go of me¡­¡± At the mention of ¡®mother¡¯, a hint of surprise crossed Xiaren¡¯s face, but it quickly turned back to calmness. ¡°I have never seen a mother who tries to slap her daughter as soon as they meet.¡± Xiaren laughed coldly and let go of the woman¡¯s hand, if she didn¡¯t know she was adopted, Xiaren would really believe that this was her biological mother. Her biological mother, who had not seen her daughter for seventeen years, not only was there not a single word of consolation, but instead she yelled at her and even tried to slap her. Was this normal? ¡°Ma¡¯am, let¡¯s discuss things calmly, don¡¯t hit the child. The matter is not yet clear, don¡¯t wrong Xiaren.¡± Teacher Zhang frowned, took a few steps forward, and stood in front of Qiao Xiaren. Initially, she felt that Xiaren, with her parents absent and facing such an unexpected incident alone, was truly pitiful. Chapter 26 - Chapter 26: Chapter 26 The So-Called Birth Mother_1 Chapter 26: Chapter 26 The So-Called Birth Mother_1 But she never expected that her own mother, who was so irrational, would come to her door and unfairly accuse her own daughter, slinging dirt at her. Even the most ignorant person should know that this matter concerns the future and reputation of their own daughter. Li Cuihua never expected that Xiaren, a girl of just 17, would dare to talk back to her own mother in public. Gnashing her teeth, she resorted to her usual tactics of creating a scene and being unreasonably persistent. ¡°Well done, you unrepentant girl. If it weren¡¯t for Chuchu taking the trouble to come down the mountain to tell me, I would never have known that you¡¯ve been tarnishing my reputation, Li Cuihua, outside! When I die now, I won¡¯t dare to meet our ancestors, I¡¯m so embarrassed, the reputation of my Li Family, has been tarnished by you, this little wretch¡­¡± Li Cuihua conveniently sat on the ground and started to make a fuss, crying and yelling ¡®aiyo¡¯. Her hair was messy, her face looked miserable, as if she was truly grieved and heartbroken for her daughter¡¯s deviation. Her voice was so loud that the students from the next classroom came by following the sound, all clustering at the window. Heads lined up outside the window, all gazing curiously inside. Seeing more people shaking and swaying, Li Cuihua wailed even louder. Qiao Xiaren stood straight, her pair of black and clear eyes quietly watching Li Cuihua, a sarcastic curve appearing at the corner of her mouth. Her gaze was too transparent, as if any shade of darkness can find no place to hide within her sight. She just stood there and watched Li Cuihua¡¯s extemporaneous performance. ¡°Mom, I don¡¯t know where you have heard these rumours from. Even if I¡¯m ignorant, I know that men and women are different, the affection between relatives outweighs everything else, I would never do such an indecent thing.¡± Li Cuihua was stunned, unconsciously meeting Xiaren¡¯s misty yet clear eyes, she somehow shivered. The moment Qiao Xiaren called her ¡®mom¡¯, it felt as though a cold wind had blown from behind, sending chills down her spine. ¡°There¡¯s no smoke without fire, as they say, ¡®flies don¡¯t bite seamless eggs¡¯, if you were innocent, would such filthy news about you have circulated?¡± Li Cuihua stubbornly clung to Xiaren, trying hard to splash the dirty water onto her. Qiao Anchu took advantage of the situation to add: ¡°Yes, little sister, as they say, ¡®there¡¯s no smoke without fire¡¯, if you haven¡¯t done it, could we falsely accuse you? If you admit your mistake now, it¡¯s not too late, just make sure not to anger aunty.¡± One line at a time, all hinting that Xiaren really did have an illicit affair. Both the students and teachers who heard this started feeling that something was not quite right. Is this really her mother? She actually insisted that her own daughter had an affair with an old man? Even though the mother and daughter hadn¡¯t seen each other since they were small, even if there wasn¡¯t much expressions of warmth and concern when they met, there wasn¡¯t need to be so ruthless was there? Teacher Zhang looked at Li Cuihua with a very odd expression, his tone a lot more serious: ¡°Madam, you shouldn¡¯t throw around accusations that tarnish a young girl¡¯s reputation. Your daughter is only just 17. This is a serious offence! Why not call the person here to confront him on the spot to clarify the real truth.¡± ¡°I agree with the teacher.¡± Xiaren stood there steadily, her back straight, calm expression, and clear eyes, all proved that she had not lied at all. Li Cuihua stuttered and couldn¡¯t say anything. She hadn¡¯t conspired with Huang Youde, what if calling him out of the blue exposed the truth? Thinking of this, she gritted her teeth and stood up. Chapter 27 - Chapter 27: Chapter 27 Peculiar_1 Chapter 27: Chapter 27 Peculiar_1 ¡°You little wretch, do you intend to air our family¡¯s dirty laundry? Since you insist on denying it, just wait till Huang Youde¡¯s wife barges in. I¡¯d like to see what you¡¯d do then! I knew you were a curse from the moment you were born, I should have smothered you right then!¡± Li Cuihua glared maliciously at Qiao Xiaren, wiped her hands on her apron, and turned to leave. Thought she could slander someone and get away with it? No chance! Xiaren chuckled coldly. Before anyone could even register, she was already standing in front of Li Cuihua, blocking her escape with a pristine, slender arm. ¡°You little wretch, what are you trying to do now?¡± Li Cuihua glared at Xiaren, looking as vile as a demon, feeling a hint of unease. ¡°Of course, to clear my name!¡± Qiao Xiaren slowly walked towards Qiao Anchu. Sunlight bathed the young girl, casting a light, beautiful shadow on her. Her every move, her every gesture, held a captivating beauty. All Qiao Anchu could do was squint painfully at the uncomfortable brightness. His hands were clenched tightly in his lap, it took him a long while before he managed to speak, ¡°Xiaren, stop making excuses for yourself. Even auntie thinks you¡¯re not clean. Who do you think would trust your excuses now? Xiaren, apologize sincerely, and we¡¯ll all forgive you. Otherwise, your life will be ruined.¡± He spoke temptingly to Qiao Xiaren, but every word was an attempt to push her into accepting the blame silently. How could Qiao Xiaren have the gall to defend herself after her own mother had openly accused her? Would anyone believe her? Indeed, those around them seemed uncertain, their doubtful eyes wandering between Qiao Xiaren and Li Cuihua. They were at a loss about who to believe. Qiao Anchu¡¯s face reminded her of a scene from her nightmare, as though he was poised to push Xiaren into the dark, fallen depths of hell. Xiaren¡¯s eyelashes were long and beautiful, casting a lovely silhouette on her eyelids. She carried herself with grace, her demeanor radiating a breathtaking beauty. She lowered her gaze, a moment of darkness and gloom flashing in her eyes. ¡°Smack!¡± Caught up in the stunning moment of beauty, no one saw it coming. The sound of a hard slap echoed through the silent crowd. Everyone, including Mr. Zhang, stared open-mouthed at Qiao Xiaren who retracted her hand and coldly faced Qiao Anchu. ¡°Sister, it seems that you didn¡¯t take my words to heart. Do you enjoy spreading rumors? Do you like pointing fingers at people for fun? Unable to find proof, so you dragged my mother here? If you can¡¯t find proof of my alleged misdeeds, I swear I will not let you off!¡± Qiao Anchu was silent, his eyes were filled with a venomous intent, glaring back at her like a poisonous snake. ¡°You brat, you goddamn whore! You dared to hit Anchu? You do such shameful things and have the audacity to deny them?¡± Seeing Qiao Xiaren slap Qiao Anchu, Li Cuihua, like a woman possessed, lunged towards Xiaren. As Xiaren saw Li Cuihua rush towards her like a mad sow, she let out a slight, contemptuous smirk. With a simple sidestep, Li Cuihua missed her completely, tumbling face-first onto the ground due to her unchecked momentum. Laughter burst out amongst the students, as Li Cuihua clumsily picked herself up from the ground, only to see a pair of feet clad in white shoes standing before her. Xiaren looked down at the woman on the ground, her gaze somewhat inscrutable. The way Li Cuihua reacted was somewhat odd to Xiaren. She had merely given Qiao Anchu a slap, yet Li Cuihua reacted as if she was ready to fight to the death with her. Chapter 28 - Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Huang Youde Appears_1 Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Huang Youde Appears_1 This Li Cuihua and Qiao Anchu don¡¯t seem to have any connection, right? Why is Li Cuihua defending Qiao Anchu so vehemently? If you didn¡¯t know better, you would think Qiao Anchu was her own flesh and blood daughter! The thought crossed Xiaren¡¯s mind in a flash. She considered it ludicrous, even found it to be a mix of shock and ridicule. With this thought, the look in Qiao Xiaren¡¯s eyes changed when she looked at Li Cuihua. Could it really be as she thought, Qiao Anchu was the daughter of Li Cuihua? If this was really the case, then who was she? Who were her parents? Why was she found by Li Cuihua? Why did Li Cuihua let her be her daughter and neglect Qiao Anchu, her own biological daughter? When Xiaren was sent to the mountain back then, Qiao Anchu was by the master¡¯s side as an orphan. If Li Cuihua was truly her mother, then things would indeed get interesting. Too strange! There must be something fishy here! Was there a profound connection with Qiao Anchu? Xiaren furrowed her brows, various thoughts and ideas flashing through her mind. Xiaren suddenly realized, things were not as simple as they seemed. Or perhaps, there was a staggering conspiracy hidden behind it all. The teachers and principals around couldn¡¯t stand Li Cuihua¡¯s foul language, and this foul language was directed at her own daughter. Who would curse their own daughter like that? It¡¯s absurd! Her tone was as if she was treating her daughter like an enemy. ¡°Principal, teachers, please stand up for me.¡± Qiao Xiaren is just a girl under 17 years old. For such rumors, she had to depend on authority figures like the teachers and principals, otherwise the rumors would continue to spread unverified. Just as in her previous life, the nightmare continued to haunt her. There will come a day when she will make Qiao Anchu personally taste the pain of being pointed at by thousands. Qiao Xiaren smiled faintly, half dark and half bright. ¡°Xiaren, don¡¯t worry.¡± The principal¡¯s expression was solemn, he patted Qiao Xiaren¡¯s shoulder as a gesture of comfort. ¡°Even if her own mother affirmed it, what else can be said¡­¡± Guo Yu muttered resentfully under her breath, looking at Qiao Xiaren¡¯s beautiful face blooming like a plum blossom in the wind and snow, her jealousy heightened. ¡°Guo Yu, you should not speak recklessly in this matter!¡± Teacher Zhang had a headache. Why was Guo Yu, who had always been an outstanding student, acting so foolish today? ¡°It¡¯s true!¡± Guo Yu¡¯s voice dropped a few pitches, looking at the teacher defiantly, ¡°Qiao Xiaren is always asking for evidence from Anchu, but she does not have evidence to prove her own innocence either! She has no evidence, what right does she have to be so defensive?¡± The more Guo Yu spoke, the more she felt justified. She looked at Xiaren with a challenging expression: ¡°You tell me, if you can provide evidence to prove your innocence, I will apologize to you in front of everyone!¡± ¡°You¡¯re serious?¡± ¡°I¡¯m serious!¡± Guo Yu looked up defiantly, her eyes filled with disdain. ¡°Alright.¡± Qiao Xiaren smiled faintly, her hand once again pointing at Qiao Anchu, ¡°If I have evidence, then I want both Qiao Anchu and you to apologize to me in person!¡± As soon as her words fell, two men in proper attire walked in, each holding a slightly chubby man between them. Huang Youde was brought in with soldiers on either side of him. He raised his head and jumped in surprise. Teachers, students, and even the principal ¨C they were all here. ¡°How did you get here?¡± The first one to get shocked was Qiao Anchu ¨C she hadn¡¯t expected Huang Youde to appear at this time. If he couldn¡¯t withstand the principal¡¯s pressure and spilled all his secrets, wouldn¡¯t that be the end of her? Chapter 29 - Chapter 29: Chapter 29 Clarification_1 Chapter 29: Chapter 29 Clarification_1 Looking at the increasingly anxious Qiao Anchu, a faint smile gradually appeared on Xiaren¡¯s face, ¡°Qiao Anchu, why are you in such a hurry? I am here to reveal the truth.¡± Xiaren¡¯s words were like a bomb to Qiao Anchu, causing her to tremble and a myriad of thoughts flashed through her mind. The truth? Had this girl already figured everything out? Or was Mr. Si helping her? Qiao Anchu¡¯s eyelashes quivered slightly, the sight of the two stern soldiers by her side confirming her suspicion. Her heart pounded heavily, and she nearly wished for a hole to burrow into. Her hands started to fidget and her mind began to race rapidly. What to do, what to do? She could not ruin Qiao Xiaren, but she also couldn¡¯t risk her own future! Seeing the tense atmosphere, Huang Youde disregarded everything and blurted out, ¡°I have nothing to do with Xiaren, last time when I found that Xiaren had fallen into the water and was bedridden, I just wanted to invite a doctor from the village to see her¡­¡± His children were both studying in town, and he wouldn¡¯t bury their future for his lustful desires. Seeing Huang Youde candidly explain everything, Qiao Anchu gritted her teeth and hurriedly said, ¡°So that was the case, why didn¡¯t you say so earlier? It led us all to a misunderstanding, I was even worried and scared that Xiaren was going astray¡­¡± As soon as she finished speaking, Qiao Anchu went up and took Xiaren¡¯s hand, pleading sincerely, ¡°Little sister, I am sorry, we were the ones who misunderstood you, it was our fault, can you forgive us?¡± With apology after apology, her soft gaze almost seemed about to spill tears¡ª pitiful, really. Qiao Xiaren crossed her arms and watched Qiao Anchu¡¯s performance. When she had cried herself out, she said lazily, ¡°Why are you crying, sister? It seems like the one whose reputation was at risk was me, wasn¡¯t it? With all your crying, others might think that I am the unforgivable sinner here!¡± Xiaren¡¯s sarcastic tone made Qiao Anchu secretly grind her teeth; if it were normal times, she would have slapped her long ago. ¡°Asking for my forgiveness? Sure, you can start by apologizing to me right here and promise never to talk about this matter again.¡± Qiao Xiaren took a pre-written note from her bag, which clearly stated the cause and effect of the matter, ¡°Here, you can sign it.¡± That cunning girl. Qiao Anchu¡¯s face turned dark. She knew she was taking evidence, so if she ever ran her mouth again, she would defend her innocence with the note. Qiao Anchu signed on the paper. ¡°And what about the apology?¡± When Qiao Anchu wanted to walk away, Xiaren raised her eyebrows, standing up in front of her, and laughed. Qiao Anchu felt a tingling sensation on her scalp, feeling humiliated under the public gaze, but had to humble herself and apologize, ¡°Sorry, I misunderstood you.¡± Each word was filled with gritted teeth. ¡°Alright, since everything has already been cleared up, anyone who dares to bring this matter up again will be severely punished!¡± As soon as the headmaster¡¯s words were uttered, the students naturally understood the seriousness of the matter. ¡°That¡¯s enough, everyone go back to class.¡± The teacher drove all the students who were watching the drama back into the classrooms, and they buzzed back into the rooms like a swarm. When she returned to the classroom, she was surprised to find a strange man standing at the podium. His tall body stood up like a birch tree, the class was so silent that even a pin drop could be heard. Chapter 30 - Chapter 30: Chapter 30 No Need_1 Chapter 30: Chapter 30 No Need_1 The classroom had already become so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Si Limo calmly stepped forward, revealing his stunningly handsome face. With his prominent and stern features, the side profile of his face was smooth and exquisite. Such a man possessed a handsome face that could astound the heavens. When silent, his cold and domineering aura remained fully intact. All the female students were staring unblinkingly at the front of the room. He really was too handsome! He removed his hat, resting his arm on the lectern. Even with the slightest bend at the waist, it didn¡¯t affect his grace and demeanor in the least. ¡°You all saw the incident just now. Rumors are stopped by the wise. You are the flowers of our nation, the pillars of our motherland. I hope none of you will let such unfounded rumors disrupt your judgment,¡± Si Limo¡¯s thick eyebrows furrowed slightly, a cold light shooting forth from his eyes. Although the curve of his smile remained light, the chill in his eyes was enough to intimidate the high school students below the podium. Xiaren sat in her seat, having the distinct feeling that the man¡¯s gaze was lingering on her for a little too long, making her slightly uncomfortable. Si Limo stepped down from the podium, his smiling eyes sweeping past Xiaren, who was seated in the front row. ¡°Today, I am here to assist Qiao Xiaren with her transfer procedures. Xiaren has her own dreams. Someday, if fate allows it, we will meet again.¡± As soon as Si Limo¡¯s words were spoken, a noticeable reaction was stirred among the class. They started to whisper to each other, seeming somewhat incredulous. Among all the students in Shanshui Town, why did Si Limo take a special interest in Qiao Xiaren? Qiao Anchu sat in her chair, her face terrifyingly pale. She unconsciously twisted her fingers together, shocked that the Si family would regard this girl so highly as to arrange her transfer to another school. Looking at the stunningly handsome face on stage, Qiao Anchu¡¯s heart bled with regret. This man should have been on her side, not Qiao Xiaren¡¯s! Everything should have belonged to her! Qiao Xiaren appeared relatively calm, as she was already fully aware of Si Limo¡¯s purpose for visiting the school, and the principal had already given his approval. The entertainment circle, here I come. Xiaren gave a slight smile, revealing a significant glimpse of a conqueror¡¯s ambition in her beautiful smile. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, you should start packing and follow Master Si immediately.¡± Teacher Zhang, who always liked Xiaren, naturally felt overjoyed at Si Limo showing favor to her. Given Xiaren¡¯s excellent academic performance, she was sure to be a valuable asset in the future. Xiaren gave a slight smile, quickly packing her belongings into her bag with a calm demeanor. She was really a very steady child. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go.¡± Qiao Xiaren slung her bag over her left shoulder and stood in front of Si Limo. The man was, after all, an impressive height of one hundred eighty-eight centimeters. Next to him, Xiaren was completely overshadowed by his towering figure. As she slightly lifted her head, their eyes accidentally met, strangely matching each other. The man¡¯s strong scent enveloping her, Xiaren felt her whole body wrap in his vivid masculine aura. His usually expressionless subordinates seemed surprised. Known for his intense and intimidating demeanor, even a glance from Si Limo was more than most men could bear, much less his chilly aura. But now they could see, this girl¡¯s calm demeanor coerced Si Limo¡¯s ferocious aura to subdue, without even speaking. Si Limo also seemed to have discovered this. His eyes flickered, revealing a rare hint of surprise. He gave a slight nod, then turned and walked towards the classroom door. Qiao Xiaren followed him calmly, still bearing the same relaxed smile on her face. Chapter 31 - Chapter 31: Chapter 31 Not Interested_1 Chapter 31: Chapter 31 Not Interested_1 She walked up to the two subordinates and patted one on the shoulder, ¡°Take care of him.¡± Qiao Xiaren¡¯s gaze dropped from Huang Youde. Just such a simple exchange of looks made Huang Youde feel chills down his spine, as if a cold gust of wind had just swept by. Watching Qiao Xiaren¡¯s retreating figure, Qiao Anchu almost gritted her teeth in frustration. How hateful, her opportunity just passed by. She was supposed to have everything! The two exited the classroom one after the other. Si Limo suddenly stopped. Qiao Xiaren quickly also halted, avoiding colliding into his back like last time. That was too awkward. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, my parents heard you cured Zhilan¡¯s illness and they want to meet you,¡± he said. Si Limo turned around and saw Xiaren¡¯s guarded look. He frowned. Was he really that scary? Si Limo¡¯s parents wanted to see her? Xiaren frowned, feeling suspicious, ¡°No need. That sounds a bit weird¡­like a daughter-in-law meeting her in-laws.¡± Xiaren swore this was the most regrettable thing she ever uttered in her life. ¡°Qiao Xiaren, you said it yourself,¡± he reminded her. Xiaren felt a sudden tightness around her wrist. Before she could react, she found herself thrown fiercely against a human wall. The overwhelming masculine scent hit her again. Xiaren¡¯s wariness deepened, her body stiffening. She could hear her heart pounding chaotically. It felt strange. ¡°What are you trying to do?¡± she demanded. Si Limo didn¡¯t answer. Under her shocked gaze, he slowly leaned in closer. Never having experienced such intimacy, Xiaren began blushing. Her heart pounded with embarrassment and annoyance. She tried to push him away, but found him as immovable as a mountain. The heavy pressure almost flattened her against the wall. Si Limo had never experienced such feelings. It was pleasant and familiar. The woman before him made him irresistibly want to get closer. To him, the current Xiaren resembled a shocked wildcat. Si Limo sighed softly. A light smile appeared in his deep, black eyes. He reached out to tease her cheek, ¡°Little girl, you admitted it yourself.¡± ¡°I was joking!¡± Xiaren pushed him away and distanced herself, warily watching the man, who now sported a wicked smile. She felt goosebumps all over her body. ¡°Young Master Si, I have things to do. I¡¯ll be going first,¡± she said. Xiaren instinctively wanted to run, but a strong hand wrapped around her waist, preventing any retreat. Xiaren¡¯s eyes flashed with determination. She made a knife with her hand, preparing to strike when he was off guard. Si Limo¡¯s hawk-like eyes scanned the woman in front of him, his brows furrowing slightly, ¡°Xiaren, from today onward, you have to start accepting!¡± Xiaren nearly fainted. She took a long time to collect herself, mute at the domineering man. ¡°Young Master Si, are you sure you want to harm the flower? Besides, I don¡¯t need it!¡± Chapter 32 - Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Speak Up_1 Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Speak Up_1 Qiao Xiaren choked, speechless to the extreme. She retreated a few steps, but he immediately advanced, each step drawing him closer to her. Suppressing the melancholy in her heart, Qiao Xiaren strained to keep her tone calm: ¡°Si Limo, I appreciate you taking me out of Shanshui Town, but I do not love you, and you do not love me. There¡¯s too much difference between us. Would you please not make such huge jokes?¡± Moreover, her heart had long since hardened into a stone. After rebirth, her goal was to break into the entertainment industry, reclaim everything that was hers, and fulfill the dreams she did not achieve in her past life. She wanted to stand at the peak of the entertainment industry, admired and revered by thousands, and claim the glory that was rightfully hers. The glory that belonged to the king. Si Limo¡¯s expression faltered, a hint of darkness flashing in his eyes. It resembled the anticipation of a predator closing in on its prey. Qiao Xiaren¡¯s heart skipped a beat and she instinctively avoided his gaze. He reached out and trailed his fingers down her back, the touch sending a shock like an electric current through her. Just when Xiaren thought she couldn¡¯t handle it, his expression suddenly turned serious, his voice low, ¡°Pack your things. We¡¯re leaving Shanshui Town at five this afternoon.¡± His completely unrelated declaration left Qiao Xiaren temporarily stunned. When she came back to her senses, all she saw was Si Limo¡¯s tall figure walking away, the steady sound of his boots echoing off the ground. Without thinking, Qiao Xiaren quickly followed in his steps. At that moment, the school bell rang, marking the end of class. The students began to whisper about what had just happened, commenting on how beautiful Qiao Xiaren had become, how handsome Si Limo was, and expressing their envy towards Xiaren and the like. Qiao Anchu listlessly laid her head on the desk, listening to the conversation around her, responding sporadically. ¡°Qiao Anchu, someone¡¯s looking for you!¡± A classmate called out as he walked past, but didn¡¯t wait for her response before returning to his seat. The peers in her class began to avoid her like the plague ever since the incident. Qiao Anchu felt suffocated but also helpless. Go to ????????????????????.co Feeling increasingly irritable and pent-up, she thought she would soon be unable to stand being in this place. When she heard that someone was looking for her, she glanced towards the window with obvious impatience. A woman in her forties was peering around the doorway, her sneakiness in plain sight. Upon recognising her, Qiao Anchu lazily rose from her seat and strolled unhurriedly toward the woman. ¡°What are you looking for me for?¡± she asked, her tone noticeably irritate. Checking to ensure they hadn¡¯t captured anyone¡¯s attention, Qiao Anchu heaved a sigh of relief. Upon seeing Qiao Anchu, a reluctant smile crossed Li Cuihua¡¯s dark complexion while she wringed her hands nervously. ¡°Anchu, I ¡­ I am here today to discuss something with you.¡± Seeing how close Li Cuihua was, Qiao Anchu recoiled a few steps, a hint of disgust in her eyes. ¡°Speak quickly, I have a class to attend soon.¡± Li Cuihua¡¯s previously jovial face dropped at Qiao Anchu¡¯s repulsion, looking somewhat hurt. As Qiao Anchu¡¯s impatience grew, she made to walk away but was detained by Li Cuihua tugging at her sleeve awkwardly. Finally, Qiao Anchu snapped: ¡°Can¡¯t you see you¡¯re being a nuisance? Say whatever you came to say!¡± Chapter 33 - Chapter 33: Chapter 33 So thats how it is_1 Chapter 33: Chapter 33 So that¡¯s how it is_1 ¡°This is for you.¡± Li Cuihua delicately pulls out a necklace from her pocket. Under the sunlight, the tiny diamonds on it twinkle brilliantly. Qiao Anchu¡¯s gaze is immediately drawn to the shiny object. She can¡¯t help but stop in her tracks and frown at the object Li Cuihua was holding. It was a necklace with a small gem embedded in it, polished and bright, featuring an elaborate yet fluid retro pattern. It seems to grow more splendid and significant with time. It¡¯s evidently valuable at first glance. ¡°What is it?¡± Before Qiao Anchu could reach out for it, Li Cuihua carefully shields the brilliance of the gem necklace with her body and solemnly hands it to Qiao Anchu. ¡°Child, you keep this,¡± she says. ¡°What on earth is this?¡± With the gem necklace now in her possession, Qiao Anchu grips it tightly, barely suppressing her excitement. She couldn¡¯t resist asking Li Cuihua about the necklace¡¯s origin. Her intuition tells her that the necklace is not ordinary. How could a woman like Li Cuihua, who labors on the farmland in Shanshui Town for generations, possess such a remarkable object? ¡°We found it on Xiaren when we discovered her at the foot of the mountain. There was also a letter with it. I can¡¯t read, so your father¡­¡± Speaking to this point, Li Cuihua suddenly covers her mouth, knowing she misspoke. The color drains from Qiao Anchu¡¯s face, and she glares ominously at Li Cuihua. Li Cuihua continues, ¡°It was your dad who asked an educated gentleman to read the letter. It seems the one who wrote the letter was Xiaren¡¯s biological mother. She claimed she was trapped in Shanshui Town when she delivered the girl, unable to take her away. So, she pleaded with a kind soul to take care of her daughter. She proposed that the daughter should look for her someday with this necklace.¡± Back then, Li Cuihua heard a story from the village head. He mentioned that a well-known, prestigious family from the Capital had internal strife. The eldest daughter-in-law from that family hid in Shanshui Town and gave birth to a daughter. She then left the ailing young girl in the town to protect her. She initially listened to it akin to a tale, but the next day, she found a chubby infant at the foot of the mountain. The infant was distinct from the others in the village, with fair skin, delicate and crystal clear small physique. She was exceptionally adorable. The letter found in the infant¡¯s swaddling clothes led Li Cuihua and her husband to instantly infer that the infant was the daughter that the esteemed daughter-in-law gave birth to. Initially, her husband was not inclined to raise the girl because they already had Anchu and were too poverty-stricken to feed. Go to ????????????????????.co However, Li¡¯s cousin, who was known for his whimsical ideas, Huang Youde, put forth a rotten scheme, to swap the identities of Anchu and Xiaren. After several days of deliberation, Li Cuihua finally made up her mind, deciding to let Anchu replace Xiaren and enjoy the prosperity of the rich family. As Li Cuihua was recounting everything in detail, she took a cautious look at Qiao Anchu, ¡°Anchu, now I give you this necklace¡­¡± Before Li Cuihua could finish, Qiao Anchu abruptly lifted her head to interrupt, ¡°So you¡¯re implying that I should find my relatives under the identity of Xiaren?¡± Of course, she could see the immense value of the necklace. It was easy to infer that the family from which Qiao Xiaren hailed was affluent. If she were to leave the mountain with the necklace, she would immediately become a young miss from a prestigious family in the Capital! An intense glow blazed in Qiao Anchu¡¯s eyes at this thought, and she gripped the gem necklace in her hand even tighter. ¡°So you¡¯ve had this plot all along, that¡¯s why you abandoned me at the master¡¯s doorstep. It was all to set it up for me to successfully assume the identity of Qiao Xiaren today!¡± Qiao Anchu sneers, she had previously grumbled about how Li Cuihua would rather accept a foundling as her daughter instead of acknowledging her, and instead chose to abandon her at the doorstep of the master. Chapter 34 - Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Turning Point of Destiny_1 Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Turning Point of Destiny_1 Qiao Anchu laughed bitterly. She had once questioned why Li Cuihua would rather accept a foundling as her daughter than acknowledge her own flesh and blood and leave her at the doorstep of her master instead. Similarly, she never understood why they insisted that she take Qiao as her surname following Qiao Xiaren, a name she harbored no affection for. Now, everything fell into place. All of this was nothing more than a premeditated scheme. Li Cuihua and her husband planned to use her as a scapegoat. So she, not Qiao Xiaren, would search for the powerful birth parents, for the luxurious life of Miss Qiao Xiaren! ¡°Chuchu, your father and I, we thought it¡¯s for your own good. If you remain in this village, you¡¯d only end up marrying some random man and live a mundane life¡­¡± Li Cuihua thought that Qiao Anchu was complaining about her abandonment years ago and wanted to clarify. But she was interrupted by Qiao Anchu¡¯s icy response, ¡°You don¡¯t have to explain anything, I should thank you and my so-called father actually, for granting me this opportunity.¡± Li Cuihua looked up, stunned, and saw a mysterious smile crossing Qiao Anchu¡¯s face, ¡°Chuchu¡­¡± ¡°Did Qiao Xiaren¡¯s parents have the surname Qiao?¡± This sudden question left Li Cuihua hesitant for a moment, but she nodded, ¡°There was a small pendant on this gemstone necklace, and when opened, there was a letter Qiao inscribed inside.¡± The color had returned to Qiao Anchu¡¯s face; she carefully tucked away the gemstone necklace and solemnly looked at Li Cuihua, ¡°Remember, my father¡¯s surname is Qiao. I am a daughter of the Qiao Family, not your daughter, Li Cuihua. Do you understand?¡± Li Cuihua stared at Qiao Anchu, stunned, as she hadn¡¯t expected her to accept this proposal so quickly. A dreadful thought crept into her mind. What if Qiao Anchu decided not to recognize her as her biological mother? This wasn¡¯t the outcome they had planned. Seeing Li Cuihua¡¯s hesitation, Qiao Anchu turned more vigilant. ¡°What, you planned this path for me, and now you regret it, huh?¡± she sneered. Go to ????????????????????.co Qiao Anchu¡¯s sharpened voice and accusatory tone made Li Cuihua hesitate further, ¡°Chuchu, it¡¯s all for your own good¡­ but you¡­ you can¡¯t deny me as your biological mother?¡± A harsh light flickered in Qiao Anchu¡¯s eyes; her fingers instinctively clenched. She knew Li Cuihua planned to squeeze some benefits from her. Once Qiao Anchu truly became a wealthy daughter, Li Cuihua and Li Qiang would stick to her like leeches. Seeing the worry on Li Cuihua¡¯s face, Qiao Anchu mustered a reluctant smile, ¡°Why would I? You are my biological parents. If I ever become a rich lady, I won¡¯t forget you.¡± ¡°Really? That¡¯s a relief!¡± Li Cuihua looked ecstatic, completely oblivious to Qiao Anchu¡¯s true thoughts. Suppressing her urge to fling away Li Cuihua¡¯s hand, Qiao Anchu thought that when she acknowledged her real relatives, she would shut them up for good. It wasn¡¯t her fault. If Li Cuihua and her family could be so ruthless to devise this plan for her, they¡¯d have to endure her relentless reprisal. Who else was there to blame? Their blood ran in her veins after all. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be going.¡± Qiao Anchu walked away without any hesitation. Watching her leave, Li Cuihua felt a pang of unease and turned to walk back home. When Qiao Anchu returned to her seat, she was still trembling with excitement and shock, struggling to come to terms with what had just happened. Clutching the gemstone necklace tightly in her hand, she knew it marked a pivotal moment in her life. Chapter 35 - Chapter 35: Chapter 35 Master Doctor Passes Away_1 Chapter 35: Chapter 35 Master Doctor Passes Away_1 Hehe~ A strange look crossed Qiao Anchu¡¯s face as she started thinking about her next move. Even if Qiao Xiaren knew her own identity, without that necklace who would believe that she was the Qiao Family¡¯s heiress? By then, they¡¯d just kick her out like a madwoman. Qiao Xiaren, you think you¡¯re so great, right? You¡¯re so arrogant, right? You took away my things, so I¡¯m going to steal your identity! Then, I¡¯ll be the high and mighty lady of a prestigious family and you, you¡¯ll be nothing more than an insect I can trample on at will. This time, I¡¯m going to enjoy torturing you to death. You brought all this on yourself, I won¡¯t make this easy for you! Nobody knew why Qiao Anchu harbored such a deep grudge against Xiaren. Since childhood, she had been jealous of Xiaren¡¯s beauty, her demeanor, and now even her prestigious identity. Why was life so unfair, bestowing all the blessings upon Qiao Xiaren alone? ¡°Anchu, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Qiao Anchu¡¯s deskmate noticed the eerie smile on her face and poked her arm timidly, his heart sent aflutter. ¡°Nothing, let¡¯s continue with the class.¡± Qiao Anchu¡¯s face quickly resumed its sweet smile, calming her deskmate who got back to work. He didn¡¯t notice the chilling smirk that had slipped onto Qiao Anchu¡¯s face when she lowered it. Lunchtime finally came and she quickly packed her bag, stuffing it with all the books on the table. ¡°Anchu, we still have classes in the afternoon and evening. Why are you taking all your books back?¡± Guo Yu felt curious and approached. Usually, they would only take home the homework assigned by the teacher. Taking all the books would be a hassle, as they would have to be brought back. Qiao Anchu, however, slung her backpack over her shoulder and curled her lips into a smile, ¡°Because, I don¡¯t plan on continuing my studies here.¡± She didn¡¯t want to spend another minute in this damn Shanshui Town. Go to ????????????????????.co Guo Yu awkwardly scratched the back of his head, not comprehending Qiao Anchu¡¯s words. Was she also planning to go to the Capital for studies like Qiao Xiaren? Regardless, it wasn¡¯t his business. Guo Yu went back to his seat, collected his homework, and left for home. As soon as he reached Master¡¯s House, he saw several men standing at the door. All of them were Si Limo¡¯s men, their upright posture exuding a commanding presence just by their simple act of standing there. The peach blossoms in the courtyard were still as gorgeous as ever but the sight of the man standing amidst them took Qiao Anchu¡¯s breath away. She didn¡¯t need to turn around to know who it was ¡ª Si Limo. His tall figure with sunlight gently illuminating the side of his face gave him an ethereal, dreamy appeal. Such a man would be remembered forever with just a passing glance. How could his demeanor, his king-like aura not be captivating? Upon closer examination, Qiao Anchu could even see the handsome contours of his face, under his military cap. His sculpted features were like a stunning work of art; his nose was straight and his thin lips, tightly pressed. Seemingly aware of the footsteps behind him, Si Limo slightly turned his head, catching sight of Qiao Anchu at the entrance and her nearly startled gaze. He appeared rather displeased, his thick brows furrowing. Without a word, he turned and walked directly into a small room. Before Qiao Anchu could recover from her astonishment, she saw Si Limo enter Qiao Xiaren¡¯s room. She bit her lip slightly, a sense of unwillingness flashing in her eyes. The disappointment deep in her heart fueled her hatred for Qiao Xiaren further. She looked in the direction of Si Limo¡¯s departure and then turned to go to her own room. Perhaps there was some kind of sign, after Qiao Xiaren packed her things, she noticed that the originally clear sky was slowly darkening. Looking up, she saw a trace of a yellow moon appearing on the horizon. Chapter 36 - Chapter 36: Chapter 36 The Old Doctor Leaves_1 Chapter 36: Chapter 36 The Old Doctor Leaves_1 Meanwhile, Xiaren heard the howling of a beast not far away. She recognized it as the cry of a creature named Tao Wu by the mountain people. These beings were very spiritual, not easily disturbed. It¡¯s said that Tao Wu usually does not make any sound, but when it does, it signifies the perception of someone¡¯s death. Her heart skipped a beat, she rose and walked towards the door. Just as Si Limo entered from outside, Xiaren plunged into his arms once more. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Si Limo reached out to hold Xiaren¡¯s waist, noticing something seemed off about her expression. Qiao Xiaren shook her head, disregarding Si Limo and stepping over the threshold. Sure enough, the increasingly urgent sound of coughing was coming from the room where her master lived. Indeed, her master was lying on the bed, barely breathing. ¡°Master.¡± She never knew the origin and identity of her master. Villagers said he wasn¡¯t originally from Shanshui Town, but twenty years ago, he brought his medical box and medical skills and settled in. From then on, he was a benefactor to the people of Shanshui Town. Though curious, the people of Shanshui Town never dared to ask about his past. The master thus became the most mysterious and hard-to-understand person in the town, spending his days treating the illnesses of villagers and gathering herbs on the mountain. That¡¯s how he had lived his life. Qiao Xiaren squatted before her master, her throat choking. In her past and present lives combined, the master had accompanied her for seventeen years. With eyes closed, he seemed to hear Xiaren¡¯s voice, his rough hand reaching out to hold hers. ¡°Xiaren, remember what the master says.¡± Listening to her master¡¯s frail voice, Xiaren leaned her ear to his mouth. The master¡¯s eyes could no longer open, straining to draw the last strength to speak, ¡°Xiaren, remember that no matter what you encounter in the future, do not easily trust anyone. Do you understand, Xiaren, do you understand?¡± Go to ????????????????????.co After saying these words, the master started to pant heavily, his face turning green and pale alternately, finally issuing a heavy cough. ¡°I understand, I understand.¡± Qiao Xiaren trembled, gripping the master¡¯s hand, tears flowing freely. There was sorrow for the master¡¯s death and tragedy for her past life. Qiao Xiaren, don¡¯t trust anyone anymore. The master¡¯s body stiffened, and he was gone. Xiaren saw the master¡¯s eyes still wide open, his facial muscles gradually stiffening. She reached out her hand to close the master¡¯s eyelids, her last teardrop drying up. Behind, Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan watched as Xiaren placed a mat over the master¡¯s head. She spoke quietly without turning her head, ¡°Find a place to dig a hole, let¡¯s bury the master.¡± Ye Mohan nodded, taking the old doctor¡¯s body with Shen Sichen. When people in Shanshui Town died, they were all buried in a hill of the town, symbolizing that the fallen leaves have returned to their roots. The master was not from Shanshui Town, but he wished to return to the source here. Naturally, choosing a burial place was not a problem for Xiaren. After a suitable place was located, a few villagers helped dig the grave for the old doctor. Chapter 37 - Chapter 37: Chapter 37 Rise Again_1 Chapter 37: Chapter 37 Rise Again_1 The funeral was held in a very simple manner. After seeing her master buried, Xiaren packed up everything and knelt down to kowtow thrice. The grace of her upbringing transcended the heavens; starting from that day, she would venture outside the mountain, perhaps never to return. After bowing, Xiaren departed without a word to them. Qiao Anchu was livid, feeling utterly disregarded by Xiaren. Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan exchanged looks, seemingly helpless. Xiaren seemed to have become thoroughly estranged from them. They acknowledged their part in failing to save her promptly during the previous mishap. Plus, there could be other reasons. In Shen Sichen¡¯s view, Qiao Xiaren was acting willfully. As fellow apprentices and siblings, was there a need for such pettiness? Xiaren, of course, did not concern herself with their thoughts. She returned to her room, gathered her belongings, and followed Si Limo down the mountain. From then on, she would no longer return to Shanshui Town. This place which had seen her growth, nurtured her, and where the villagers were kind-hearted. However, this wasn¡¯t her home; her origins still undiscovered, she didn¡¯t even know the location of her actual home. The journey that laid ahead was both foreign yet fascinating to Xiaren. This was the first time in her life that Qiao Xiaren had left the mountain. Due to the topography of Shanshui Town, they had to cross several mountains on foot, their luggage in tow. However, Xiaren was far from being a pampered girl. Like a tomboy, she walked ahead with Si Limo. Si Limo gave her a glance, his admiration for her noticeably intensifying. ¡°Do you need any help?¡± A clean and slender hand reached out, the nails well-trimmed. Xiairen looked up to see the man¡¯s profoundly handsome features, smooth and exquisite lines gracing his face. His eyes held a hint of amusement, the corners of his mouth slightly lifted. Go to ????????????????????.co Admittedly, this man possessed an enchanting and breathtakingly good-looking face. ¡°No need.¡± Xiaren cast him a lazy glance, her tone casual and indifferent. Unlike other girls, she did not have a soft aura about her. Her voice was also unique¡ªcharmingly low and captivating. A voice so mesmerizing it gave shivers of anticipation; bewitching to another level. Si Limo¡¯s breath hitched, feeling a slight flutter in his chest. Qiao Xiaren didn¡¯t notice Si Limo¡¯s actions or thoughts. Silent as ever, a familiar voice echoed in her mind, Xiaotianax raving: ¡°Qiaoqiaoqiaoqiaoqiaoqiao, your Star Luck Value increased again! Congratulations, congratulations!¡± Chapter 38 - Chapter 38: Chapter 38 Acting Cute and Charming_1 Chapter 38: Chapter 38 Acting Cute and Charming_1 ¡°By how much?¡± As Xiaotian carefully counted on his fingers, Xiaren imagined a scene where a landlady licked her fingers to count money. Xiaotian honestly reported: ¡°10 points. But the host is already doing great! Keep going, earn back the Star Luck Value and there will be meat to eat!¡± Xiaotian continued to explain, ¡°These 10 points of Star Luck Value come from the affection of Si, who is right by your side. Master, master, continue to request for Star Luck Value!¡± Hearing Xiaotian¡¯s childishness, streaks of black lines slid down Xiaren¡¯s forehead. What a spirit! ¡°Only 10 points?¡± Qiao Xiaren frowned, scoffing a bit. ¡°Take it slow, one day it will increase a lot!¡± Xiaotian hid the Star Luck Value in his hand as if it was a treasured object, almost flashing hearts in his eyes, ¡°Qiaoqiao, Xiaotian really likes you! Master is the best! Get closer to this man quickly and increase the Star Luck Value more!¡± Qiao Xiaren: ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Come on, come on?¡± Qiao Xiaren: ¡°¡­¡± Would affection increase the Star Luck Value, or was she meant to throw herself at this man? Thinking of this, more black lines appeared on Xiaren¡¯s forehead, she involuntarily glanced toward Si Limo. Si Limo quickly noticed Xiaren¡¯s intense gaze, slightly turned his head, his deep, inscrutable dark eyes met Xiaren¡¯s. Go to ????????????????????.co Such bewitching eyes, Xiaren exclaimed in her heart, her gaze haphazardly shifted away. Si Limo found this amusing and chuckled lightly. ¡°Shut up!¡± At Xiaren¡¯s roar, Xiaotian went silent like good child, and the world became much quieter. Feeling the rising value of the system¡¯s grievances, Xiaren leisurely added: ¡°To me, isn¡¯t increasing Star Luck Value a piece of cake?¡± Xiaotian¡¯s eyes instantly lit up, flashing with admiration: ¡°Qiaoqiao is the best, Qiaoqiao is the best!¡± Chapter 39 - Chapter 39: Chapter 39: The Giant_1 Chapter 39: Chapter 39: The Giant_1 Finally reaching the foot of the hill, a flat but winding road unfolded before Xiaren. Looking ahead, she saw the road continuing straight into the distance, seemingly endless. Next to the road flowed a clear river, the only access path to the outside world. Qiao Xiaren saw several green SUVs parked by the side of the road. ¡°Mr. Si!¡± A few people approached Si Limo, who lifted Xiaren¡¯s luggage into a car. Climbing into the vehicle, the leader of the group took the driver¡¯s seat while Xiaren and Si Limo sat in the back. Watching the receding landscape, Xiaren felt a wave of drowsiness washing over her. When she woke up, she was shocked to find herself leaning against Si Limo¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Awake? Did you sleep well?¡± Hearing the calm voice, Qiao Xiaren suddenly felt that she couldn¡¯t afford to appear weak before him. So, she met his eyes, flexing her wrists and neck nonchalantly and said, ¡°Not bad.¡± Si Limo¡¯s eyes grew deeper, but he remained silent. Qiao Xiaren glanced outside, busy streets and skyscrapers reaching up to the clouds. The Capital, this is the most bustling commercial street. A 99-story building made of transparent tempered glass dominated like a king, standing in the center of the Capital. Reportedly, this is the headquarters of SGS Entertainment Tycoon Company, the most famous entertainment management company in the industry. Products endorsed by today¡¯s hottest A-list female stars were plastered all over the place: passing crowds, LED billboards, bus stations, and on the enormous screen at a nearby plaza ¡ª ultra-popular jewelry stealing the limelight in the Capital. The brightness in the female celebrity¡¯s eyes overshadowed even the jewelry she wore, unable to conceal her radiant charisma. Go to ????????????????????.co Xie Yurou, as the newly crowned national goddess in recent years, filled the aesthetic void for viewers amidst the fierce competition between Leng Qingxue and Shen Dan for the title of national superstar, swiftly rising to fame due to her immense popularity. ¡°So, are you interested in the entertainment industry?¡± Upon noticing Qiao Xiaren¡¯s gaze fixed on the SGS Building, Si Limo curiously posed a question. Xiaren did not answer, she merely flashed a smile at him, then turned around to fetch her suitcase. ¡°Thank you, Mr. Si, for bringing me out of Shanshui Town. Until next time.¡± With a faint smile, akin to a winter spring, Qiao Xiaren added a sprinkle of admiration amongst Si Limo¡¯s entourage ¡ª not for her appearance, but her temperament which was simply too impressive. Indeed, even in plain clothes, she was radiant and of unparalleled beauty. A combination of elegance and allure, the curve of her lips seeming to absorb thousands of rays of light, dazzling enchantingly. People around started having accelerated heartbeats, amidst some evident confusion and entrancement. Despite being accustomed to the numerous stars of the entertainment industry, at this moment, Si Limo admitted, this woman possessed a strikingly beautiful face. When he came back to his senses, Xiaren had already walked far away. Si Limo reeled back his gaze, his dark eyes flashing with inexplicably complex emotions. Until next time. He was eagerly awaiting. Qiao Xiaren, gazing at this bustling city, had unconsciously become a charming part of the commercial streetscape. Chapter 40 - Chapter 40: Chapter 40 Capital No.1 Middle School_1 Chapter 40: Chapter 40 Capital No.1 Middle School_1 Qiao Xiaren planned to accept Si Limo¡¯s help to continue her schooling at Capital No.1 Middle School. Capital No.1 Middle School offers two specialized art classes tailored for the Capital Film Academy. The Film Academy has always been extremely strict in its admissions process, selecting merely a few dozen individuals out of thousands. Every year, people from all over the country who harbor dreams of becoming stars rush to the interviews, yet many of them are still eliminated. Physique, knowledge, appearance, potential; these are all factors the school uses for overall quality assessment. The judges¡¯ eyes are both incisive and cruel, devoid of any sentimentality. Although in her past life Xiaren managed to become a successful newcomer actress, enjoying unparalleled honor, she was still criticized by some for not being a graduate of a proper drama school. In this new life, she intends to make full use of the second chance given by fate. Qiao Xiaren took a deep breath, her black and bright pupils revealing a sense of self-confidence and a desire for victory. She clenched her fists and headed towards Capital No.1 Middle School. Before going to Capital No.1 Middle School, Qiao Xiaren stopped at a hair salon to get her hair tidied up, and then went to a mall to buy a set of clothes. Born with natural beauty, a bit of dressing up completely transformed her, leaving the salesperson in the mall almost stunned. Just moments ago she seemed like a Cinderella and now suddenly her beauty was off the charts? A breathtaking profile, a perfect smile that took one¡¯s breath away. Her eyes, as dark as the autumn waves, looked at you as if they were wrapped in a thin veil, imbued with depths of emotion. The salesperson couldn¡¯t help but take a picture on her phone. The girl in the high-definition picture was pure and beautiful, her skin so clear that one could hardly see a single pore. When the salesperson regained her senses, the girl had already left. She suddenly looked up and only saw a slender figure getting lost in the crowd. My word, she was just too beautiful! It¡¯s a good thing she managed to take a picture in time. Isn¡¯t there a recent event searching for natural goddesses? With a face like that, she¡¯ll simply eclipse all competition. ¡ª¡ª Go to ????????????????????.co Capital No.1 Middle School, art class. In the classroom, students were still in discussion, the whole room bustling with chatter. ¡°Have you heard? A transfer student is joining our class.¡± ¡°A student? Male or female? Seriously, there¡¯s only one month left until college entrance exams, isn¡¯t it a bit late to transfer now?¡± ¡°Of course it¡¯s a girl, who knows? Someone surreptitiously told their table mate, deliberately lowering their voice, ¡°I heard that this girl relied on connections to get in here. Whether she can pass the exams is still a big question.¡± ¡°Oh, and that¡¯s not all, I heard that she¡¯s from the countryside.¡± Someone said disdainfully, ¡°People from the countryside are nothing more than rustic, unsophisticated, and ugly. She actually thinks she can get into the Film Academy and become a glamorous star?¡± ¡°Exactly, she¡¯s way out of her league!¡± The Capital Film Academy not only looks at college entrance exam scores but also has a significant round of interviews. Singing, acting, recitation, and various types of dance. Even their elite class doesn¡¯t have the entire grade admitted to the Film Academy. Mostly, more than half of the students are eliminated. Not to mention a country bumpkin who doesn¡¯t understand the latest fashion trends.