Once Li Ziqing stepped out of the house, the heavy silence left behind seemed to weigh on the air. Li Jianping leaned against the sofa, his brows furrowed in thought, before finally turning to his sister.
"Jie," he asked quietly, his voice carrying both confusion and frustration, "why are you so insistent on meeting them? Last time, after everything they did, didn't you yourself say we would cut ties with the Li family once and for all?"
Li Jianfang let out a long sigh, her gaze softening as memories of that bitter day surfaced. "Xiao Ping, you're not wrong. At that time, I truly meant to sever all ties. After all, the way they treated us for years was unbearable, and what they said about A Qing that day was beyond insulting." Her hands tightened into fists before slowly unclenching. "But… if you look at it from another perspective, things are different now. We are no longer the powerless branch of the family they could trample on. They cannot take advantage of us the way they used to."
She paused, her expression turning sharper, more calculating. "And more importantly, we now have a legitimate business and a reputation to uphold. You know what kind of people our so-called relatives are. If they can't profit directly from us, they'll do everything in their power to undermine us. Meeting them isn't about reconciliation, Xiao Ping—it's about protecting our standing. Sometimes survival means showing up when it matters."
Li Jianping's anger softened into reluctant understanding. He looked at his sister and finally nodded. "I see… so this is about strategy, not sentiment. You're right. Who could understand our parents and siblings better than us? Greed and jealousy drive them. If we stay away entirely, they'll twist the story and make us the villains."
His voice carried a bitter edge, but the clarity in his eyes showed he understood his sister's reasoning.
---
Meanwhile, Li Ziqing had already arrived at the central library. The vast, echoing hall was hushed, filled only with the faint rustle of pages and the muted steps of readers moving between towering shelves. Without hesitation, she piled a stack of books on her desk—sixteen in total, some so thick they resembled ancient bricks of knowledge rather than modern volumes.
She opened the first book, her gaze steady, and the world around her seemed to fade. Hours slipped away unnoticed as her eyes flew across page after page with astonishing speed. By the time the lamps overhead dimmed with the onset of evening, she had already finished all sixteen.
What fascinated her most was a series of texts on cultural refinement. They spoke of an ancient discipline that intrigued her deeply—the cultivation of Qi Zhi, an art form rooted in traditional Chinese culture. It was a path not just of knowledge but of shaping one's very presence: the poise of one's posture, the elegance of mannerisms, the sharpness of gaze, the cadence of speech, and the ability to command respect through sheer presence of mind.
It was said that such refinement was not something one could learn mechanically. Rather, it was a quality first born within, dormant until discovered and consciously cultivated. "Not everyone is cut for this path," the text warned. "But for those who awaken it, it becomes an aura that others cannot help but notice."
She also read the old Confucian principle of self-cultivation. It spoke of the 5 steps by which scholars, nobles, and even princes and princesses once refined not just their knowledge, but their entire being.
The text divided the cultivation of personality and charm into layers, each one building upon the last.
The first step, Cultivation of Morality was the foundation of all refinement—virtue. One could not speak of charm if their character was corrupt. It began with honesty, filial piety, compassion, and respect. True charm, the text insisted, was never hollow but born from integrity.
The Refinement of Speech was the second principle, ancients believed the tongue revealed the heart. A person's grace was judged by the rhythm of their speech: calm, deliberate, and never vulgar. A noble's words carried weight because they were measured, eloquent, and gentle yet firm.
Regulation of Bearing and Conduct, Here, posture, gestures, and expressions mattered. Every movement should reveal dignity—walking neither too hurriedly nor too slow, bowing with respect, smiling with restraint. The text described it as the poetry of the body.
"One's gait is one's silent introduction to the world."
Cultivation of Gaze and Presence, The eyes were said to be windows to the soul. To cultivate presence meant training one's gaze—neither shifty nor overbearing, but calm, steady, and penetrating. A single glance, well-trained, could silence a room or command attention.
And finally the harmony with the Arts, Music, calligraphy, poetry, painting—these were not hobbies, but mirrors of the soul. To learn them was to refine one's spirit, to cultivate taste, and to enrich one's aura.
Li Ziqing finally grasped the essence of the Confucian principles that cultivated personality and charm. The understanding had sunk into her bones like a revelation, reshaping the way she viewed herself and the world.
Just as she was packing her books in the quiet library hall, the familiar metallic chime echoed in her mind.
[Ding… The reward has been triggered for the increase in Charm and Influence attribute.
Charm & Influence: 75 / 100 – Charisma, leadership potential, ability to inspire loyalty.]
Her lips curved into a rare, radiant smile. "Give me my reward."
[Ding… Congratulations, Host. You have obtained a temporary Personal Learning Space. This space is available for three days only. However, Host should not underestimate it—inside the space, time slows drastically. One day outside equals twenty days inside. Host now possesses sixty full days for cultivation.]
Li Ziqing froze mid-step on the pavement. "I… is this the same space that shows up in cultivation novels? A mystical pocket dimension with a divine spring?"
If the System had a face, it would have rolled its eyes.
[Ding… No. This is not some magical farm plot or treasure spring. It is strictly a learning chamber—a time capsule where Host may enter and exit at will to master skills within a compressed span.]
Though slightly disappointed but recovered immediately. Although it wasn't magical in the way she first hoped, yet it was still a gift bordering on the miraculous. Even temporary, it was a cheat code—sixty days of uninterrupted self-cultivation hidden inside three days.
Li Ziqing dashed for the bus stop, an irrepressible smile tugging at her lips. By the time she reached home, her mind was already racing with possibilities. From that day forward, her entire being revolved around this personal space.
From the very first moment she stepped in, Li Ziqing immersed herself in relentless practice. Days blurred together into a tapestry of discipline. She experimented, failed, corrected herself, and refined each motion until it was etched into instinct.
Within the span of that time, she had gone through more activities than most people could hope to attempt in a year.
Standing before a tall mirror, she spoke phrases again and again, adjusting her tone until each word carried weight and rhythm. Balancing porcelain bowls on her head as she crossed the room until her every step became fluid, controlled, and dignified. Holding her eyes steady in the mirror, learning to convey authority and warmth without a single word. Smiling, frowning, softening her gaze—rehearsing subtle shifts until she could command her expressions like an actor on stage. Arguing with imagined opponents, countering harsh accusations with calm reasoning. Practicing diaphragmatic breathing to steady her voice under pressure. Bowing, greeting, and exchanging courtesies with the poise of a noblewoman. Sitting in stillness, evaluating her day's growth, engraving the changes into her soul. And so many such activities.
Though she touched upon the fifth Confucian principle—cultivation through music and the arts—she set it aside for now. Her guzheng attempts remained a disaster, her brush paintings lifeless. She would return to it later, when she finds a mentor.
When she finally stepped out of the space, the change was undeniable. Her back straightened naturally, her steps carried an almost regal elegance, her voice had softened yet gained authority. Even her silence commanded attention. Li Ziqing had shed the aura of a schoolgirl; in her place stood a young woman whose presence could sway a room without trying.
Within the last three days, another reward was triggered. On the second day, the system's mechanical chime rang out once again.
[Ding… Congratulations, Host. You have obtained: Bugatti Veyron 16.4.]
Li Ziqing blinked in disbelief, her expression halfway between stunned silence and exasperation. "A… Bugatti? Seriously?" She leaned back in her chair, muttering to herself, "Does the system think I'm running a racetrack?"
She had assumed the system only bestowed rewards directly tied to her growth—books, training aids, skills. Yet here was a gleaming supercar worth millions. Shaking her head, she asked aloud, "System, why a car? Wouldn't something like a commercial tower, farmland, or another estate be far more practical?"
[Ding… Rewards are generated according to the Host's requirements. The usage is left to Host's discretion.]
Li Ziqing rolled her eyes. The explanation was as vague as ever. The Ferrari California in Blu Tour de France she had received earlier was still collecting dust in her southern district villa. Now, with a Bugatti added to the list, she couldn't help but sigh. "What am I supposed to do with two idle cars? At least give me something I can actually invest in…"
Still, she did not waste time dwelling on it. The gift could wait. Her focus was fixed on the final day inside the personal learning space, the last opportunity to sharpen herself before the space dissolved. Today, she devoted herself entirely to cultivating her speech.
She memorized entire volumes of classical philosophy, poetry, internalizing the rhythm of words until her sentences carried the cadence of poetry. Than standing alone in the vast simulated hall, reciting ancient passages she had memorized. At first her words were plain, but she forced herself to modulate her tone, to let the sentences roll like waves—gentle at one moment, crashing with force at another. She practiced until even the simplest proverb sounded like a command wrapped in elegance.
Later, she conjured scenarios where she had to persuade an invisible opponent. She spoke until her arguments not only sounded convincing but carried the unshakable weight of belief. Each round refined her timing—when to pause, when to let silence draw out tension, when to strike with a decisive word.
By the time Li Ziqing stepped out of the personal learning space, the evening sky outside was already painted in shades of violet and gold. It was precisely 7 p.m. The moment her feet touched the ground, the space behind her dissolved into nothingness, leaving no trace of its existence.
She exhaled deeply, a sigh of both relief and exasperation. Those three days—sixty within the Space—had drained her spirit and sharpened her essence. She could feel the difference in herself with startling clarity: the poise in her walk, the steadiness of her breath, the quiet confidence humming beneath her skin. Yet, what truly fascinated her was not her own perception, but the question lingering in her mind: How will others see me now?
Before she could linger on the thought, the mechanical chime of the System rang in her mind once again.
[Ding… The reward has been triggered for the increase in Charm and Influence attribute.
Charm & Influence: 81 / 100 – Charisma, leadership potential, ability to inspire loyalty.]
Li Ziqing did not immediately demand her reward this time. Instead, her gaze lingered on the hovering panel. The number 81 stared back at her, steady and unchanging. Nineteen points shy of perfection. Her brows furrowed.
"System," she asked softly, "why is it still at 81? Are you not satisfied with my progress in building charm?"
The reply was immediate, its tone mechanical yet unyielding.
[Ding… Host, your progress in outward cultivation has been commendable. You have molded your presence, speech, and bearing with discipline, but all with the sole intent of earning attribute points. Inwardly, however, your thoughts remain scattered and restless. True charm is not only an external art but an internal discipline. To cultivate the inner self, one must embrace passionate skills—practices that calm the mind, refine the heart, and inspire true serenity. That is what Host currently lacks.]
Li Ziqing fell silent. The System's words echoed against the memory of the fifth Confucian principle she had studied. She recalled how scholars of ancient times immersed themselves in music, painting, and calligraphy to cultivate stillness and clarity of spirit. So that's what it means…
But the thought weighed heavy on her. In truth, she had neither the leisure nor the guidance to take up such arts on her own. Reading about them in books would never suffice. These crafts required time, discipline, and most of all, a master to guide the hand and heart. With her days already divided between school and business, the possibility felt impossibly distant.
Her lips curved into a faint sigh. "Alright then… give me my reward."
[Ding… Congratulations, Host. Reward unlocked: Phantom Wheel Mastery Pass. Upon activation, Host will gain god-level mastery over all vehicles—be it a humble bicycle, a roaring Formula 1 car, rugged off-road jeeps, luxury supercars, or even horses and ancient chariots. Host will be omnipotent in driving anything.]
Li Ziqing froze. Her expression twisted between disbelief and a hint of dark amusement. "Yesterday a Bugatti, today… mastery in driving? What on earth are you planning, System? I'm only fourteen. Am I supposed to open a racing team?"
The System, predictably, remained silent.
Just as she was frowning over the absurdity of it all, her phone buzzed against the desk. She glanced at the screen. The caller ID displayed Zhou Yichen. Straightening, she accepted the call.
"Miss Li," his steady voice came through, warm yet tinged with excitement. "The final approval and documentation for the resort have been completed. Starting next week, we can begin planning construction. In fact, Mayor Han was very impressed with the project. He has expressed his wish to host a dinner in its honor. He has already spoken with Madam Li, and she has agreed."
Li Ziqing's tone remained calm, even though satisfaction glimmered in her eyes. "Good. Inform Uncle Feng of the progress and arrange a meeting with Uncle Song. Let them take the next steps. As for our capital and design drafts, everything is already prepared."
"Yes, Miss Li," Zhou Yichen replied crisply. Then, almost as an afterthought, he added, "And regarding our Nanjing restaurant, Yanxia Lou—renovations are nearly complete. If everything goes smoothly, we should be able to open by the end of this month."
"That's excellent," she said after a brief pause. "Make sure our presence is felt. Contact several luxury lifestyle magazines. Secure a prominent column for Qingyan Pavilion, then announce the grand opening of Yanxia Lou in Nanjing. I want the release featured in this month's closing edition, and I expect it to be placed where no one can overlook it."
"Yes, Miss Li," Zhou Yichen answered, but his voice carried a subtle hesitation.
Li Ziqing caught it instantly. "What is it?"
He cleared his throat before speaking. "One of the reasons I called today was also to inform you about… my friend. The one I mentioned earlier. He will arrive in Wuhan tomorrow and can meet you. But—" He hesitated again, then sighed. "Miss Li, as I said before, he's a little unusual. When you meet him tomorrow, if he does something inappropriate… please don't be offended."
Li Ziqing frowned slightly, her curiosity piqued. Zhou Yichen rarely repeated himself without reason. Every time this mysterious friend was mentioned, Zhou's tone carried a strange caution, as though this person were both troublesome and extraordinary. For the first time, she found herself intrigued.
Still, her thoughts quickly shifted. Tomorrow was Saturday—the day of the Li family banquet. That would already drain her patience. "Don't worry," she finally replied, her voice steady, reassuring. "I won't get mad. Arrange the meeting tomorrow evening. There's no need to pick me up; I'll go on my own."
"Understood," Zhou Yichen said at once, relief softening his tone. They discussed a few final details before disconnecting.
Once the call ended, Li Ziqing set her phone aside and let herself fall back onto the bed. She stared at the ceiling, her body finally giving in to the exhaustion she had suppressed for days. A long breath slipped from her lips, part weariness, part anticipation.
"Tomorrow," she whispered to herself, "is going to be a long day."
____
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