The recent PK between Chi Yu and First Hammer created quite a stir, especially among Chi Yu’s devoted fans.

They had been waiting for him to come online and were about to lose interest, but when Chi Yu finally appeared, he defeated First Hammer, who had much better equipment and improved skills.

This excitement increased interest and curiosity about Chi Yu, especially since he was so mysterious and rarely seen.

His fans were even more enthusiastic, and discussions about this event were all over game forums and message boards.

Ning Qiuxiu asked Qu Hua to keep an eye on the situation and ensure that the game company didn’t use it for marketing or to trend on social media.

She didn’t want Chi Yu to receive too much attention, and Chi Yu himself wasn’t keen on it either.

Qu Hua agreed to keep watch and the next day informed Ning Qiuxiu that the game company wanted Chi Yu to film a promotional ad, offering a fee that would definitely satisfy him.

Ning Qiuxiu replied, “Reject it. Chi Yu doesn’t need the money.”

Qu Hua, knowing Chi Yu was Ning Qiuxiu’s mysterious boyfriend, said, “I’ve already declined. I told them one thing and they didn’t argue further.”

Ning Qiuxiu was curious, “What did you say?”

Qu Hua responded, “I told them Chi Yu owns six properties within the fourth ring of City A, and the only way to satisfy him would be to buy him a seventh one.”

Ning Qiuxiu thought to herself, “You’re really something.”

Then Qu Hua mentioned, “With the New Year approaching, many local TV stations have invited you to their New Year’s Eve parties. Are you interested?”

Ning Qiuxiu realized this was like local New Year’s galas and asked, “Which stations?”

Qu Hua listed a few, none of which were major players in variety shows.

The major shows had been mostly taken by the national and Lemon TV stations, leaving the other stations with limited significance.

Ning Qiuxiu felt these stations weren’t impressive compared to spending time with her family during the New Year.

She didn’t express her thoughts directly but asked, “What do you think, Qu Hua?”

Qu Hua responded, “The Mystery Girl Group has been invited to Lemon TV’s Spring Festival Gala.”

Ning Qiuxiu was upset, “…So why are you even talking to me about this? My old group is performing on the most prestigious local TV station, while I’m stuck with smaller ones. This will definitely be a hot topic on social media.”

She felt losing to her former group would look bad, making her seem less successful.

“Oh, I just wanted to let you know that you haven’t been forgotten by the world. There are still people inviting you to the Spring Festival Gala. Doesn’t that make you a bit happier?”

“… Well, thank you very much!” Qu Hua had never even thought about this.

Zhou Yang had been recalled by Zhan Qingyue to serve as an assistant.

He stayed at Ning He to help the company of Mrs. Zhan through difficult times.

With Zhan Qingyue’s support, Ning He made significant progress and gradually overcame its troubles.

Recently, with a new capable CEO on board and Zhan Qingyue needing him, Zhou Yang was withdrawn from Ning He to assist with Zhuosen’s affairs.

— It must be said that Assistant Zhou is like a useful brick; wherever needed, he is moved.

One day, he was called to Zhan Qingyue’s home for a small video conference with executives from Zhuo Sen.

After the meeting and handling some business, Zhan Qingyue left his study.

The floors in the Zhan family home were covered with carpets, so his footsteps were silent.

This allowed some sneaky individuals to go unnoticed.

Jingjing received an important task from Ning Qiuxiu: to handle a “switch” operation in the small living room.

Previously, Mrs. Ning had accidentally broken a jade piece that Zhan Qingyue had specially ordered, due to a scare from Miaomiao.

Jingjing had secretly replaced it without Zhan Qingyue knowing.

Now that the replacement was ready, Jingjing was to sign for it and place it in the small living room at a time when Zhan Qingyue was not around.

She planned to do this when Zhan Qingyue was working in the study, and the housekeeper and Miaomiao were out for a walk.

She carefully timed it so that others were busy elsewhere.

However, Jingjing had a stroke of bad luck and was caught by Zhou Yang, Zhan Qingyue’s assistant.

Zhou Yang was unfamiliar with Jingjing but knew she was Zhan Qingyue’s caregiver.

Seeing her acting suspiciously, he followed her quietly.

Jingjing carefully closed the door.

Zhou Yang was at the door, contemplating whether to break it down or wait for someone to come out.

Jingjing made the decision for him when the door creaked open.

Jingjing was shocked to see someone outside.

Startled, she dropped the item she was holding.

Without a carpet on the floor, it fell and shattered into pieces.

It was the replacement jade piece.

“Damn,” Jingjing sighed in relief when she saw it was only Zhou Yang and not Zhan Qingyue.

Afraid of disturbing Zhan Qingyue, she lowered her voice and said, “Why are you standing there silently and scaring me?”

Looking at the broken jade pieces, Jingjing was worried about having to pay for them. “Selling me won’t cover it!” she thought.

She needed Zhou Yang to take the fall for this.

Unfortunately, Zhou Yang was not cooperating.

With a blank expression, he said, “Does catching a thief require noise?”

Jingjing, who was picking up the pieces, was confused, “What do you mean?”

This remark made Jingjing cut her finger on a sharp piece of jade, and blood flowed out immediately.

She was too distracted by the pain to pay much attention.

Pressing her finger to stop the bleeding, she stood up to argue with Zhou Yang: “Explain yourself. How am I a thief? I’m a very proper caregiver!”

“Witnesses,” Zhou Yang pointed to himself and then to the shards of jade on the floor. “Evidence. You’re caught red-handed. If you’re not stealing, why are you acting so sneaky? Please explain yourself, Miss Caregiver.”

Jingjing was at a loss.

If she told the truth, would Zhou Yang tell Zhang Qingyue?

He certainly would, judging by his appearance—he looked like a bootlicker.

Jingjing, annoyed, thought unkindly of him for calling her a thief.

“No explanation?” Zhou Yang sneered. “Using your position and the trust of your employer to steal, Miss Caregiver. You’re young but quite bold.”

“I really didn’t!” Jingjing couldn’t believe this usually polite and well-dressed guy would accuse her so recklessly. “I just… let me tell you the truth.”

“No need to explain to me,” Zhou Yang cut her off. “See if Mr. Zhang believes you.”

Jingjing was infuriated by his cold attitude.

Just as she was about to speak, the study door opened again—Zhan Qingyue had finished his work.

Jingjing thought, “Oh no, this can’t be happening. I’m so unlucky! Miss Ning warned me a hundred times not to let Mr. Zhan find out. Now… Miss Ning will definitely be furious with me.”

Zhan Qingyue saw the two at the doorway and asked, “What’s going on?”

Zhou Yang replied, “She stole something.”

Jingjing was furious and shouted internally, “What do you mean ‘stole’?!”

Zhan Qingyue, who trusted Jingjing and didn’t believe she was a thief, approached in his wheelchair.

Jingjing, realizing she had to find a way out, closed her eyes and said, “Mr. Zhan, I can explain!”

Zhan Qingyue glanced at the broken jade pieces on the floor and raised his eyebrows. “Go ahead.”

Jingjing apologized to Miss Ning in her mind, then revealed the truth: “Miss Ning was worried that you’d be upset if you found out. She did this out of concern and affection for you, so she made an exact replica and quietly put it back. Ugh, this true love is so touching.”

Zhang Qingyue listened to her elaborate explanation and nodded. “Hmm, quite touching.”

He understood that she had secretly replaced the broken jade piece.

“Yes, yes, I’m moved to tears,” Jingjing said, wiping nonexistent tears from her eyes.

Zhou Yang: “……”

He thought that this caregiver was quite dramatic, and it was surprising that Zhan Qingyue tolerated her.

It seemed that Zhan Qingyue really did prefer people with interesting souls.

“Don’t mention today’s incident to anyone,” Zhan Qingyue said, glancing at them. “Just clean up the mess.”

“Then… are you not upset with Miss Ning?” Jingjing tentatively asked.

Zhan Qingyue replied, “Depends on my mood.”

Jingjing: “……”

After Zhan Qingyue left, Jingjing, feeling dejected, squatted down to pick up the pieces.

Before her hand could reach the shards, a long hand reached in and took them first.

At the same time, Zhou Yang’s voice, always seeming cold and distant, came through: “Let me handle this. I’m sorry for accusing you earlier.”

“Hmph!” Jingjing was still annoyed from being called a thief.

If it weren’t for him, she wouldn’t have been caught by Zhan Qingyue.

Now she was worried about how to explain this to Miss Ning and feared she might get scolded.

So, she said curtly, “Make sure to clean up the small pieces too. Don’t leave any residue.”

“Okay,” Zhou Yang agreed without objection, adding, “And remember to bandage your hand, so it doesn’t get infected.”

Jingjing ignored him and quickly left.

Zhou Yang: “……”

Ning Qiuxiu was unaware that her “switch” plan had been discovered.

Jingjing had told her that it was “already taken care of,” so Ning Qiuxiu assumed it was a success and didn’t think further about it.

She was busy with the recording of a variety show on the national channel.

The national channel’s variety show was indeed as hardcore as rumored.

The first episode’s light activities made the guests feel relieved, thinking that the show might not be as extreme as they had imagined.

However, in the second episode, the show took them to experience demining.

This was not a simulation; they actually joined deminers in real demining work.

This was far scarier than survival on a deserted island or wilderness escape.

After filming, everyone felt like they had walked through the gates of hell.

The third episode featured medical professionals, the fourth episode was about forest firefighters, and the fifth was a live-action “Tomb Raider”…

In just half a month, they had experienced things they had never imagined or tried before.

Especially the “Tomb Raider” episode filmed today.

She wasn’t afraid of ghosts; after spending some time in the world of cultivation, she had seen enough to no longer find them frightening.

The scene and atmosphere, combined with a few scared guests occasionally screaming, made Ning Qiuxiu increasingly frightened.

Although the national channel’s goal was to help people better understand the archaeology profession, it felt more like a horror movie due to the way it was presented.

When she was finally allowed to leave, Ning Qiuxiu was so touched that she almost cried—she was still alive and in one piece, with all her limbs intact.

Back in A City, she didn’t ask the company car to pick her up but had Xiao Chi come back on his own.