Chapter 61: Saving the World

The evening performance was scheduled to begin at eight. Shen Qing dined with Mrs. Lin at Star Plaza, accompanied by Lin Ruiyang.

"Qingqing, you don't look well. Has studying been exhausting?" Mrs. Lin asked with concern.

Shen Qing smiled. "Studying isn't tiring. Saving the world is what's exhausting."

Lin Ruiyang shot her a cold glance, remaining silent. She never studies, of course she's not tired. As for saving the world, that probably just means killing a few people in a game.

"Qingqing, you need to take care of your health. Next time, I'll share a dietary remedy with you."

"I'm done eating. I'll head out first," Lin Ruiyang said, putting down his chopsticks, his face expressionless.

Mrs. Lin glared at him and pulled him back. "Where are you off to? Don't forget you promised Min'er you'd watch her performance."

Lin Ruiyang's steps halted. He vaguely remembered such a promise.

Hearing Yu Min'er's name, Shen Qing narrowed her eyes. "Auntie, is Yu Min'er performing tonight?"

"Yes, I think she's even opening the show. Qingqing, do you want to go? I heard she's singing An Ning's song tonight."

"Not interested," Shen Qing replied, arching an eyebrow with a smile, radiating cool indifference.

Mrs. Lin adored her for this roguish charm.

"Even if she went, it would be pearls before swine," Lin Ruiyang thought to himself, glancing at his starstruck mother.

After dinner, Shen Qing parted ways with them and took a taxi home alone.

Mrs. Lin dragged Lin Ruiyang to the performance. At eight o'clock sharp, the plaza erupted with excitement.

The audience was packed, but thankfully Yu Min'er had given Mrs. Lin two VIP tickets, so their area was spacious and comfortable.

Colorful lights swept the stage, and a lively figure appeared at the center—a young woman in a red dress, her makeup flawless, a sweet smile on her lips.

The crowd burst into cheers, fans waving support banners and screaming Yu Min'er's name at the top of their lungs.

Startled by the frenzy, Mrs. Lin patted her chest and said to Lin Ruiyang, "My goodness, does your classmate really have this many fans?"

All through the audience and even standing outside, people waved banners with her name.

Was Yu Min'er really this popular?

Lin Ruiyang pressed his lips together. "No idea."

Mrs. Lin rolled her eyes; of all people to ask, she picked him.

As the lively melody began, Yu Min'er took the microphone and sang, the cheers growing louder with each note.

Listening to the tune, Lin Ruiyang frowned slightly.

Mrs. Lin yawned, feeling a bit weary. "This An Ning song doesn't sound that impressive," she muttered, rubbing her eyes, nearly lulled to sleep.

"It's not An Ning's song," Lin Ruiyang said suddenly.

"What?" Mrs. Lin didn't catch his meaning, looking puzzled.

Lin Ruiyang glanced at the performer on stage and spoke in a low voice, "She changed the melody. This is Yu Min'er's song, not An Ning's."

An Ning was someone who had walked out of the abyss; no one else could truly sing her songs.

**

Back home, Shen Qing took a shower, lay on her bed, and received a message on her phone—five hundred million had been deposited into her bank account.

She opened her contacts and dialed a number. The call was answered instantly.

"Well, well, Qingqing, missing me already?" Xia Mang teased—it was rare for this big shot to reach out first.

"You sold the goods already?" Shen Qing's voice was low and hoarse.

"Yeah, sold them to the Gu family. The real question is—did you get a thrill out of it?"

Shen Qing scoffed. Sold for three billion and she only got a sixth? Stingy.

"Look at you, acting so poor."

Xia, the so-called penniless: ...

"Hey? Why aren't you saying anything?" After a long silence, Xia Mang began to worry Shen Qing had hung up.

"I'm dealing with your loose ends," Shen Qing replied, setting her phone aside and typing rapidly on her computer.

"You've caught the Gu family's attention—they're already investigating the middleman."

Xia Mang froze. The Gu family was acting this fast? She quickly steadied herself. "Doesn't matter. We've got Dragon Overlord and you in Tengu—we're not afraid!"

"Dragon Overlord has no interest in helping you," Shen Qing said as she closed her laptop and lay back down.

"You've taken care of it?" Xia Mang heard a sharp snap through the line.

"Mm."

"I knew it—Qingqing, you're the best!"

"I'm a bit tired. Hanging up now."

"What have you been up to today? Worn yourself out like this?"

"Mm... saving the world."

"…"

After hanging up, Shen Qing got up again and switched her computer back on.

**

Somewhere in the continent of F.

In a smoke-filled black room, the computer screen suddenly turned blue, and a line of blood-red text drifted slowly across it: Oceanic Garbage.

Bang!

In the darkness, a hand slammed heavily onto the table.