Chapter 55
Qin Ai was adorable as a child, at least in terms of appearance. In reality, she was the leader of the pack, always the center of attention.
Even though her mother always dressed her in pretty princess dresses and adorned her hair with delicate clips, a single glance from Qin Ai was enough to make other children tremble.
From Tian Yumeng, Zuo Bian learned that Qin Ai, Chang Wensi, Chang Wenyan, Lu Letian, and Lin Qingqing had all grown up together.
Chang Wenyan and Lin Qingqing were Qin Ai’s followers. Zuo Bian couldn’t believe that Chang Wenyan used to be a crybaby who would burst into tears if someone raised their voice at him, and that the now calm and collected Qin Ai was a little hell-raiser.
【Host, why are you so surprised? Qin Ai is a demon king now, it’s normal for her to have been a little demon king as a child!】
[Demon king, ribbit? Are there demons in this world too, ribbit?]
【Demon king is just a figure of speech. It describes someone who’s domineering, unreasonable, and fierce, making people afraid. It doesn’t mean she’s literally a demon.】555 patiently explained to Little Frog.
[Ribbit, I see, ribbit.]
‘Qin Ai was so cute as a child.’
【Hopeless. This host is completely smitten.】555 gave up.
Zuo Bian finished looking through the photo album with Qin Tian and Tian Yumeng. She also saw photos of Qin Ai’s father and grandfather.
Tian Yumeng didn’t hide anything from Zuo Bian, telling her that Qin Ai’s father and grandfather had died in a car accident, and that Qin Group had faced difficult times afterwards. It was Qin Ai who had single-handedly carried the burden and revived the company.
There was no need to hide these things. Anyone who was interested could easily find out with a little digging. They could even piece together the story from news articles from back then.
Zuo Bian had heard about the Qin family’s situation from her own mother before, but hearing it again from Qin Ai’s mother made her feel even more sorry for Qin Ai.
“I miss her a little,” Zuo Bian said, looking at a photo of Qin Ai.
Tian Yumeng smiled. “If you miss her, just give her a call. Maybe she’s waiting for you to contact her.”
“Mm.” Zuo Bian took out her phone and sent Qin Ai a message first, asking if it was convenient for her to talk.
Qin Ai replied quickly, saying she was free.
Zuo Bian thought for a moment and initiated a video call.
After the call connected, she saw Qin Ai’s face. Judging from the background, Qin Ai was in her lounge.
“Qin Ai, are you taking a break?”
Qin Ai nodded. “Mm, just a short break.”
“I’m at your house now, and I just…” Zuo Bian wanted to say that she had just looked at Qin Ai’s childhood photos, but she realized that would reveal her true intentions, so she swallowed her words.
“Sister, Sister! I’m here!” Qin Tian squeezed into the frame, excitedly greeting Qin Ai.
Zuo Bian turned the camera towards Tian Yumeng.
Tian Yumeng greeted Qin Ai through the phone. “Xiao Ai, when are you going to take a break?”
Qin Ai said, “Mom, next week.”
Seeing that Tian Yumeng wanted to say something more, she added, “I’ll take a half-month break.”
Tian Yumeng’s frown finally eased. “Mm.”
After Qin Ai finished talking to her mother, she turned her attention back to Zuo Bian. They chatted for a while, then the intercom in the lounge rang.
“It seems like I have some things to take care of.”
“Go ahead, Qin Ai. We can talk later tonight.”
“Mm.” Then Qin Ai hung up the phone.
Zuo Bian stared at the phone screen, her smile lingering.
“Older Sister Zuo Bian, let’s play games! I have a collection of Sister’s old games. They’re quite difficult, I’ve never been able to beat her records.” Qin Tian’s brows furrowed as he spoke.
The words “Sister’s old games” struck a chord in Zuo Bian’s heart. She liked playing games, but she wasn’t addicted. She only played when she had free time. But if these were games Qin Ai used to play, she couldn’t wait to try them.
Qin Tian led Zuo Bian to the game room. It used to be Qin Ai’s game room, but she hadn’t entered it since her father and grandfather passed away.
In high school, Qin Ai seemed to like rock music, but in reality, she loved playing the piano and even considered studying music in college. But life was full of unexpected turns. The loss of her father and grandfather forced her to grow up quickly and abandon her passions, becoming the person she was today.
Although Qin Ai no longer used this room, many of her things were still here.
Posters of pianists on the walls, CDs on the shelves, and a few sets of old comics and games.
In a box in the corner were the game controllers and consoles Qin Ai used to use. They still worked.
Qin Tian took out a few games. “These are the ones. I’ve never been able to beat Sister’s records. Older Sister Zuo Bian, you’re so good at games, you’ll definitely be able to beat them!”
“Let me see the rules first.”
“Mm-hmm.” Qin Tian loaded the game into the console and handed Zuo Bian a controller.
Of course, it was a new controller, not the one Qin Ai used to use.
Although Qin Ai’s old controller still worked, it was outdated.
Zuo Bian studied the gameplay and quickly got the hang of it.
Because she was just starting, she hadn’t mastered the tricks yet and didn’t beat Qin Ai’s record on her first try. But after gaining some experience, she caught up to Qin Ai’s record on her second try. Qin Tian, watching from the side, clenched his fists excitedly. “Older Sister Zuo Bian, you’re so amazing! No matter how many times I tried, I could only reach level 28.”
Zuo Bian had already reached level 99. After level 99, it was considered a complete victory.
She pursed her lips, her focus entirely on the game.
The character she was controlling passed the final obstacle and jumped into the exit. A celebratory fanfare played, and fireworks exploded on the screen.
“Wow! You cleared the game! Older Sister Zuo Bian, try this one next!” Playing the games Qin Ai used to play, Zuo Bian imagined a young Qin Ai sitting here, engrossed in the game.
She spent the entire day playing with Qin Tian. He wanted to learn some gaming skills from her, but his hand speed couldn’t keep up, and his overall strategy and intuition were inferior to Zuo Bian’s.
So Qin Tian was still a noob, carried by Zuo Bian, the gaming goddess.
As the sky darkened, Zuo Bian called Qin Ai. Qin Ai said she would be home for dinner soon, and Zuo Bian said she would wait for her.
After hanging up the phone, Zuo Bian smiled, as if remembering something.
【Host, why are you smiling?】
‘I just suddenly felt like our conversation was something a married couple would have after many years together.’
【You’re not even married yet! But I guess it won’t be long. Sigh, I still don’t know when I can propose. I need to save at least ten thousand points for the betrothal gifts, or who would marry me?】
[555 is under so much pressure, ribbit.]
‘Actually, I have a question. Do you systems have genders?’
【Not really.】
‘Then how can you be sure that you’re not the one getting married?’ Zuo Bian asked sincerely.
555 paused for a moment. 【Although I don’t have a gender, I firmly believe that I’m the “gong” (the dominant one in a relationship).】
‘Are you?’
【Yes!】555’s reaction was as if someone had stepped on its tail.
Zuo Bian sensed 555’s agitation and quickly comforted it. ‘Okay, okay, 555 is the most “gong.” ‘
[But I think 555 is more “shou” (the submissive one), ribbit.] Little Frog had learned about “gong” and “shou” from its time hanging out with 555.
【I don’t want to hear you talk! Aaaaaargh!】
Zuo Bian comforted 555 while waiting for Qin Ai to return.
She also called her mother, saying that she was at Qin Ai’s house and wouldn’t be home for dinner.
When Qin Ai arrived home, dinner was ready. The four of them sat at the table and enjoyed a meal together.
Halfway through the meal, Qin Tian’s alarm clock suddenly rang. His eyes lit up, and he immediately put down his chopsticks and ran to the TV.
“The drama Older Sister Zuo Bian is starring in is airing tonight! I’m so excited! Older Sister Zuo Bian is so beautiful, she must look even more beautiful on TV!” Qin Tian praised Zuo Bian as he switched to the channel airing “Ascending to Immortality.”
The alarm was perfectly timed. Just as Qin Tian switched to the channel, the opening theme song of “Ascending to Immortality” started playing.
The theme song was composed by the renowned musician Zhou Zhou and sung by a top singer. The opening theme alone showcased the crew’s dedication and raised expectations for the drama.
After all, it was a drama starring the Zuo family’s precious daughter. Even if it was just a hobby project, they wouldn’t spare any expense. Everything had to be top-notch!
=======================
Meanwhile, the Zuo family was also watching TV. Zuo Bian’s parents and brother were all looking forward to the drama. Did it matter if the drama was good or not? They were there to see Xiao Bian.
“Ascending to Immortality” had been highly anticipated since its production began. The scandals involving the female lead and the second female lead had further fueled the hype, and even more people were watching the premiere tonight.
Many were just curious, while others were fans of Zuo Bian’s beauty, believing that her looks alone were enough to keep them entertained.
But to their surprise, the plot was actually quite good, drawing them in unconsciously.
Qin Tian held his bowl, the rice inside already cold, his eyes glued to the TV screen.
Qin Ai flicked his forehead with her finger. “Are you going to skip dinner just to watch TV?”
Qin Tian snapped out of his trance and mumbled a response, continuing to eat while watching TV.
Zuo Bian ate quickly tonight. After finishing her meal, she focused on the drama.
It felt strange watching herself on TV. She couldn’t describe the feeling. Seeing Qin Tian so engrossed, completely immersed in the world of “Ascending to Immortality,” Zuo Bian felt a sense of accomplishment.
“555, I think I might continue acting in the future. Creating a character, building a world, it feels amazing. I really like this feeling.”
【If you like it, then go for it.】
Leave a Reply