"How may I help you?" Lin Xuan Qi said.
The person on the other end of the phone told him of their intention, "We are a variety show called the Bucket List.
"Our show is about helping guests fulfill their dreams.
"We got to know of your condition so I'm reaching out to you to invite you on our show."
Lin Xuan Qi was intrigued, and he asked, "Do I get a fee for participating? There are many offers now and I'm having a hard time considering."
Even though he didn't really have anything else lined up he lied to try and get a better deal.
"Definitely! We are willing to pay $10K for your appearance.
"However, there's a condition that you'll have to be on it with the hot and rising young star, Zhang Xi.
"It would be a paid for luxury tour to the Mountain Lai."
Lin Xuan Qi wasn't surprised with the requirement and he pretended to think for a moment.
"Are you there?" The person on the line asked.
"Sorry I was just answering to a message offering me $20K." He said and waited for the other side's response.
He didn't know what their limit was, so he made a guess of having a counteroffer that was double of what they offered.
"Er... Hold on please, I'll be right back real quick." The person on the line said.
Lin Xuan Qi knew he had a chance since the person on the line didn't reject him outright.
The person came back and said, "Hello, are you there. My producer agreed to increase the offer to $20K."
"Let me consider and let you know later." Lin Xuan Qi pretended that he was considering among the offers and hang up.
$20K! Who could believe that it would come in so easily.
It would take him at least two years of working to save up so much.
But ironically, when he was ill, it's so easy for him to get it by giving up all pretense of face.
As the saying goes, if you are shameless, you are invincible.
He checked on Zhao Jia Rui next and saw that she was already getting ready to go to bed.
[Ding!]
A notification appeared on the screen.
[Zhao Jia Rui's affection to Host: 71%]
[She thought about you for 30% for the duration she was awake.]
[The top recurring thought was 'Can the Ancestor see me?']
[Gain more affection points for more rewards, as she reveals more of herself to you.]
Lin Xuan Qi coughed at what he saw.
To think that there was now a daily summary of her activities.
But what's this about 'Can the Ancestor see me?'.
I'm not that type of person. He protested as he double tapped the screen to zoom into Zhao Jia Rui's room.
...
Lin Xuan Qi had agreed to the deal and so the next day, he woke up early for the Bucket List variety show recording.
He packed his luggage and checked for everything.
Especially his charging cable for his phone.
It would mean that he wouldn't be able to see Zhao Jia Rui for a few days if he left it out.
He took a cab to the meetup point.
The Mountain Lai was two hours of travel from his place.
When he arrived at the foot of the mountain, the production crew was all ready.
Lin Xuan Qi thought he was late, and he quickly hastened his pace towards the production crew.
"Hi, I'm Cindy, I spoke with you yesterday. Thanks for coming." A woman who sounded familiar came up to him.
"Take your time, we are waiting for the other guest anyway." She waved at him and said.
Knowing his conditions, she didn't want anything bad to happen to Lin Xuan Qi.
He nodded and said, "That's good, I thought I was already late."
"Take a seat and let the makeup artist work on you first." Cindy directed him to his seat.
When the other crew members heard what Lin Xuan Qi said, they grumbled with their black face.
They've been waiting for this hot and young rising star, Zhang Xi, for a few hours.
She was supposed to record her segment first before Lin Xuan Qi arrived.
Now, all their planning must be changed because of her.
They couldn't help it but compared Lin Xuan Qi's attitude to hers.
Despite the fact that Lin Xuan Qi was actually the person with the least fucks to give, but he was still polite and professional.
Whilst make up was being done on his face, Lin Xuan Qi picked up his phone and had a look at it.
Zhao Jia Rui woke up to a field of greens.
The spirit crops she had planted had already grown to half a meter tall.
Which was shocking to her as usually the spirit crops would take at least a year to grow up to half a meter tall.
And how much days was it that she had planted them.
One or two days?
It didn't matter the precise number of days.
She got up and tended to the fields immediately.
Ignoring the breakfast Lin Xuan Qi had purchased for her.
"Go away." She banished her broken sword at the bugs that was now attracted to the spirit crops.
Lin Xuan Qi saw it and clicked on the "Shop" option.
He searched and finally found a category for weapons.
Inside it there were different weapons for sale.
He selected a pretty looking sword and clicked on purchase.
[Purchase the Qing Feng Sword for $500? Yes/No]
He couldn't believe the price when he saw it.
If it was a few days ago, he would never have thought about buying something so expensive.
But now that he had some income, he didn't hesitate.
At least Zhao Jia Rui would look nicer with the sword. He thought.
He tapped onto the 'Yes' button.
The skies turned dark, and winds howled.
Zhao Jia Rui didn't know what to expect and she scanned her surroundings frantically.
A bright glow appeared in the sky, and it slowly descended onto Zhao Jia Rui's hand.
At the same time a red dot appeared on the map.