Chapter 6: Living Hell, Learning

Once the two had walked away, Zhao Long finally snapped out of his shock and turned his head to observe the stern-faced regimental commander.

In his memory, the commander was cold and ruthless, known as the “Living King of Hell.”

A third-generation military child, his grandfather had participated in the Long March, his father and uncles held important positions in various military units, and his mother was the director of a military hospital. Yet, he had climbed the ranks on his own to become a regimental commander.

Such an outstanding man had suffered a critical injury during a mission, and the doctors concluded he would never be able to father children.

Even so, many women still tried to get close to him, only to be scared off by his icy demeanor.

But just now, that same man smiled?

Not only smiled but smiled at a woman?

Was this a joke?

The Living King of Hell, the man who was like a woman-repelling magnet, actually smiled?

Zhao Long thought he must be dreaming. He pinched his thigh so hard it turned purple, but he still stood there, dumbfounded.

Until.

“You’ve seen a ghost, lost your soul be careful, or the enemy will shoot you dead!”

Nangong Ye was talking about some business to take care of later when he noticed the person next to him wasn’t responding. One look, and he was stunned.

Zhao Long’s eyes were vacant, his face full of disbelief and confusion. Without hesitation, Nangong Ye kicked him hard.

Only then did Zhao Long return to his senses.

The pain from his backside and thigh made his face twist in agony. Limping toward Nangong Ye, he asked, “Commander, did you just smile?”

“Do you like that comrade?”

“Did you reject the star of the performing troupe because your heart already belongs to someone?”

“You”

Before he could finish, he was kicked again.

Nangong Ye gave a cold warning: “Shut that gossipy mouth of yours. If I hear you spouting nonsense around the unit, I’ll skin you alive!”

With a sharp glare, Nangong Ye marched forward, limbs slightly stiff. If one looked closely, they’d see a faint blush behind his ears.

After taking two solid kicks, Zhao Long followed obediently, not daring to say another word.

Now that the job offer letter was safely dealt with, it was time to handle that scummy couple.

Actually, she could’ve just stored it in the space, but who would’ve expected Nangong Ye to mention the job offer?

She was also worried that something might go wrong with the space, and she’d end up empty-handed.

As for Nangong Ye’s character…

It should be good… right?

Back at the guesthouse, Zheng Qingning entered the space. Everything inside was unfamiliar to her. Even when her stomach growled with hunger, she stared at a fridge full of ingredients and still couldn’t make a bowl of noodle soup.

She took some fruit from the fridge, washed it, and filled her stomach.

Then she went to the study, hoping to understand everything through the books.

Luckily, she found a manual on the desk.

Opening it revealed that it was a TV manual.

With it in hand, she left the room and found the corresponding button on the television. Soon, it turned on.

She found the remote and followed the steps listed in the manual, one by one, until she located the short video section.

She had always been a quick learner. Even with all the household chores she had to do, she still managed to rank first in every exam that’s why.

Scrolling through the videos, she found one about lighting a gas stove. She memorized the steps, went to the kitchen to try it out, and after a few attempts, managed to light the stove.

With fire available, Zheng Qingning first made herself a bowl of beef noodles.

After eating, she took a whole chicken from the fridge to stew. Then she returned to the sofa and continued watching videos.

Through the videos, she learned everything: how to use a washing machine, a range hood, a television, and a bathroom.

Especially the recording studio it had many complicated controls that she hadn’t figured out yet.

But she saw the magic of the recording studio.

Soup simmering on the stove, fingers playing piano keys, eyes on the sheet music, adjusting the tones with the press of a button.

She had never learned to play the piano, but she believed she could.

She just needed time…

No now she had plenty of time to learn.

She played the piano for a while, then watched more videos, following along to learn how to dance.

Standing in front of the full-length mirror, Zheng Qingning began to dance.

Her toes lightly touched the ground, arms extended like wings forming elegant arcs. She smiled, eyes sparkling like stars, and each leap was as graceful as a dragonfly skimming water.

In that moment, she seemed to find her confident self again.

No longer someone who lived in fear each day, afraid of angering her parents and facing punishment.

No longer terrified of hunger or freezing to death at night.

Now, she was like a bird in the sky, free and fearless.

Drenched in sweat, she sat on the floor and looked at herself in the mirror. Then she laughed softly.

“So, I can look this good too?”

But then…

Zheng Qingning crawled closer to the mirror, studying herself carefully.

“But still so ugly!”

Her features were fine, but her skin was terrible covered in acne scars. Years of hunger had left her with a sallow complexion, a thin frame, and dry, yellowed hair.

Looking like that, no matter how talented she was, she was still a nobody in the performing troupe.

No…

She was going to change her fate.

She would no longer be a supporting role.

She would be the lead.

Just then, she caught a glimpse of a beauty care video playing on the television.

Zheng Qingning turned toward the TV, eyes fixed.

She watched the person in the video pour various bottles into their palm, rubbing them on their face to create a lather…

Thinking of the skincare products on the vanity, Zheng Qingning got up, gathered all the bottles, brought them to the living room, and followed along with the skincare routine.

She spent two hours learning, finally understanding which ones were for cleansing, which were for moisturizing, which were masks, how to wash and care for her hair, and how to apply essential oils.

After drinking the chicken soup, she took a bath, wrapped herself in a towel, and walked to the wardrobe. Inside, clothes and shoes were sorted by color and type.

Zheng Qingning chose a loose pajama set, changed into it, and put her dirty clothes in the washing machine to run a cycle. Then she entered the recording studio.

When she finally exited the space, dawn had broken.

But her stomach was full, her body warm, and her mood bright.

After a whole night of learning, she had mastered many new things.

No wonder the text said Zheng Jiaojiao would have a perfect future.

With such an incredible cheat tool, she could too.

Zheng Qingning changed back into the clothes from the previous day, opened the door, and walked out of the guesthouse.

She hadn’t slept all night, yet still felt full of energy.

【That damned supporting girl made our precious girl cry all night. Now she’s off begging the male lead for comfort. Why doesn’t she just die already?】

【Calm down. There’s going to be a good show tonight.】

【The female lead’s mother already contacted the lame old man. He’ll come pick her up tonight.】

【Even if the plot stays on track, the female lead has lost her golden finger.】

【The male lead is here.】

【The female lead finally worked up the courage to confess, only to be pushed away. My heart aches for her.】

【The male lead is hurting too, okay? He didn’t want the one he loves to bear his burdens. Didn’t you see him trying so hard not to look back?】

【That wretched supporting girl! That job offer belonged to our female lead, but she stole it and gave it to the sterile King of Hell.】

Zheng Qingning read the comments like they were entertainment.

Because everything they were talking about had already been rewritten.

Who’s really starring in tonight’s drama?

Well… that’s still to be seen.