Dashang Federation.
Chuzhou, Xingguang City, Hexie Garden Community.
"Ding-a-ling!"
A phone call jolted Ji Fuyou awake from his bed.
"Just a little more! This time, I almost counter-killed!"
His eyes still held a lingering sharpness that hadn't faded.
As the phone continued to ring, seemingly pulling him back to reality, this sharpness gradually dissipated.
Ji Fuyou glanced at the number on his phone and answered the call.
"Sis."
"What took you so long?"
A crisp voice came from the other end.
Ji Fuyou got up and dressed: "I overslept during my nap."
He glanced at the mirror on the table beside his bed.
It reflected a twenty-one or twenty-two-year-old man with delicate features, a thin face, and a scholarly air.
However, his eyes were sunken, with thick dark circles, and he looked inexplicably tired.
"Get ready and leave early. I'm taking you out for dinner in the suburbs tonight to discuss your onboarding."
"Understood."
Ji Fuyou acknowledged.
The call ended.
He let out a long breath.
Another nightmare.
In the dream, he couldn't distinguish directions; everything around him was enveloped in a thick mist.
Terrifying monsters would burst from the mist and devour him alive.
He had been transmigrated for four years, and the nightmares had continued intermittently for four years.
Previously, because they were too bizarre—star-devouring monsters, titan beasts, unrealistic things—he hadn't paid much attention.
But this past month, things were different.
The dreams had become incredibly clear, incredibly real.
The gasping of a desperate flight, the leaden weight in his feet, the pungent stench of monsters rushing at him, and the pain, fear, and horrific sight of his head, arms, and body being bitten off piece by piece—flesh, bones, nerves slowly crushed—all repeatedly replayed in his mind.
They were vivid and persistent.
This gave him a deep psychological shadow concerning sleep.
If he didn't get rest soon, he feared he might die suddenly.
"Whew!"
Ji Fuyou shook his head and went to the bathroom.
Whether he died or not could wait.
Right now, he had to tidy himself up and hustle for a living.
The current job market was extremely tough. International trade was interrupted, border skirmishes happened daily, and the volatile situation led to a nationwide economic downturn. Finding a suitable job was not easy.
Since his senior year, heaven knew how many resumes he had sent out.
"Such a failure. A transmigrator, and for four whole years, I've achieved nothing."
Ji Fuyou grumbled to himself.
What's the scariest thing about transmigration?
Transmigrating to a time period similar to your past, leaning towards the future, but not significantly so, especially when class structures are more rigid, capital monopolizes almost all industries, and all upward mobility is blocked.
Relying on past life experience to write songs?
In an era dominated by流量 (traffic) and prevalent AI, that skill was already outdated.
To the point where he had to rely on family help to find a job.
After getting ready, Ji Fuyou left his old apartment, which cost 600 in rent. Downstairs, he got on his electric bike, bought only a month ago, and headed towards the address his sister, Ji Qingqing, had sent him.
"Boom!"
As soon as he left the complex, a roar came from overhead.
Ji Fuyou looked up to see more than a dozen armed helicopters in tactical formation, soaring over the city with a roar, flying menacingly towards the outskirts.
"Spectacular."
He curiously watched for a few moments.
At the same time, he was a little surprised: "Xingguang City isn't a coastal or border city; a sight of a dozen or so helicopters like this isn't common."
Though uncommon, he only watched for the spectacle. Once the helicopters vanished, he went about his business.
Flash Media Company
Ten minutes later, the electric bike stopped in front of a building with a "Flash Media Company" neon sign.
In 2031, an era where poverty was ridiculed more than prostitution, and there was an fervent worship of money, everyone had long cast aside morality and shame.
As long as one could earn money, people would stop at nothing.
In other industries, positions were passed down through generations, and class had long been solidified.
Influencers, who entertained the public, were considered the most promising path for ordinary people to change their fate, and countless individuals flooded into this field.
Ji Qingqing was a top streamer under Flash Media with 2 million followers, wielding significant influence. That's why she thought of getting her younger brother a position there.
Upon arriving at the company building, Ji Fuyou sent a message to Ji Qingqing.
"Wait a moment."
Ji Qingqing replied.
After about half an hour, Ji Fuyou, who had been scrolling through combat and workout videos, finally received her message.
He walked a few steps to the road outside the company entrance.
Soon, a white Maserati sedan pulled up in front of him.
Ji Qingqing, with her makeup still on, wearing silver hoop earrings, exuding the refined aura of a city woman, rolled down the car window and motioned with her head: "Get in the back."
Ji Fuyou opened the car door and got in.
Inside the car, besides her, there was also a tall woman wearing a white camisole dress.
She leaned against the car window, her milky-white skin glazed with sunlight like honey. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, tracing down her slender, fair neck to her smooth, white shoulders. The patterned neckline was slightly open, revealing a rose gold feather pendant nestled in the hollow of her collarbone, brushing the lace edge of her V-neck as she breathed.
Suddenly, Ji Fuyou's breathing seemed to slow by half a beat.
"Sister Xiaoyu?"
"Xiaoyou."
The woman smiled and shifted sideways: "Come sit."
"Okay."
Ji Fuyou got into the car, sitting down somewhat uncomfortably.
Yu Xiaoyu.
Ji Qingqing's best friend.
She was twenty-three, two years his senior.
Compared to his sister Ji Qingqing, who he only knew was pretty but didn't evoke much feeling in him, Yu Xiaoyu's figure, appearance, and demeanor were almost perfectly aligned with Ji Fuyou's aesthetic preferences.
But...
She was too beautiful, too dazzling, her external conditions too exceptional.
So exceptional that he, being utterly ordinary and having accomplished nothing, felt a sense of inferiority standing before her, a self-consciousness that made his hands and feet feel out of place when sitting beside her.
"Xiaoyu has gained some popularity after appearing in my videos for the past few months and has also signed an A-class contract with Flash Media."
Ji Qingqing glanced at her good friend through the rearview mirror.
Her milky-white skin seemed to be so delicate it could break with a touch, as tender as if water could be squeezed from it: "Her fan growth is much faster than mine; in just a few months, she's already surpassed 430,000."
"I can't compare to you, Qingqing. We both know how much of my follower count is fake."
"Mainly, your niche is too competitive. Most people use so much beauty filter they wouldn't recognize themselves. But now that you're streaming, with your one-in-a-million foundation, you'll definitely become famous quickly."
"It's not that easy. I don't have your high emotional intelligence, Qingqing. I can't retain viewers when I stream. I'm already very satisfied with 430,000 followers."
Yu Xiaoyu said, not really caring about her image.
Firstly, in front of familiar people, there was no need to maintain an act.
Secondly, she knew her own worth.
Besides her figure and looks, she was good for nothing.
"You're at least a graduate of a top-tier university; it's not as exaggerated as you make it sound."
"What about being a top-tier university graduate? In today's market, there are plenty of top-tier university graduates who can't find jobs. Of course, that excludes those who completely abandon their standards and have no demands for work or salary."
Yu Xiaoyu leaned back lazily: "Besides, even if I find a good job, working my whole life, can it give me financial freedom? Can it let me cross classes?"
"Your group stream yesterday was so successful, with an average of over 20,000 concurrent viewers and over 100,000 in gift revenue. Keep up the hard work, and financial freedom isn't out of reach. That's why I plan to have Xiaoyou be your hype group leader, so he can quickly latch onto your future sugar mommy legs."
Ji Qingqing chuckled softly: "We'll go to Yunmengju outside the city first to find Manager Wang from the Operations Department. We need 50 high-weight accounts for Xiaoyou to boost your stream's popularity, and also train him in conversational techniques to guide viewers to spend."
"A hype group leader?"
Yu Xiaoyu's spirits lifted: "If I really take off, I'll have Xiaoyou be my assistant."
"Assistant? He's a guy..."
"What about him being a guy? What kind of relationship do we have? Would I not trust Xiaoyou?"
Yu Xiaoyu said, smiling as she glanced at Ji Fuyou: "Besides, guys are stronger and can do more work. Xiaoyou doesn't look bad either, so bringing him along wouldn't be embarrassing. He also seems very honest. I really think he's suitable."
"You really don't hold back at all."
Ji Qingqing massaged her forehead.
"Why would I hold back with Xiaoyou? We're so close."
Yu Xiaoyu said casually.
Ji Fuyou listened and understood that Yu Xiaoyu probably truly thought that way.
No reservations at all.
He was too ordinary.
He had accomplished nothing.
Whether it was Yu Xiaoyu herself or the circles she moved in...
Including Ji Fuyou himself, he felt that anyone who knew her even a little would not believe that someone like her, who was especially good at showcasing herself and waiting to achieve class transcendence through marriage, would seek out an utterly ordinary person like him.
"Forget it, don't let it affect your career."
Ji Qingqing said.
She was also worried that if her brother spent too much time with Yu Xiaoyu, his aesthetic standards would rise, and he wouldn't be able to recognize his own place.
A young man should not meet someone too stunning too early.
Even if it's just a pretty face.
He wasn't worthy.
"What career? Find a rich benefactor? A benefactor who can make me financially free in one go isn't easy to find."
Yu Xiaoyu said lazily, but she didn't insist on Ji Fuyou becoming her assistant.
Unsettling Fog
The car continued towards the outskirts, and the traffic suddenly became heavy. They could also see some vehicles turning back.
Ji Qingqing slowly drove forward for a while, confused. A traffic director shouted from afar through a loudspeaker: "There's been a landslide on Fulong Mountain ahead; no entry to the mountain."
"Fulong Mountain hasn't had any rain, yet there's a landslide?"
Yu Xiaoyu was confused.
"Call Manager Wang and ask what's going on?"
"They just sent a message in the group chat a minute ago, they're having a drink."
"Then never mind. I've been to Yunmengju several times, I know a shortcut. Let's go that way, business is important."
Ji Qingqing turned the steering wheel.
"Maybe another day."
Ji Fuyou said.
"Today's business must be done today. Yunmengju is right at the foot of the mountain, no need to go up."
Ji Qingqing glanced at Ji Fuyou: "Xiaoyou, it's not like before. Even the internet is facing increasing restrictions due to various regulations, making opportunities smaller and smaller. If you don't seize the last chance to climb up, you'll never see hope of turning your life around!"
"I know."
Ji Fuyou had a headache.
He had previously applied for so many jobs by himself without asking Ji Qingqing for help, partly due to male pride.
On the other hand, whenever she got a chance, she would give him a long lecture.
"Xiaoyou, you're still young, you haven't entered society yet. For us ordinary people, every opportunity must be firmly grasped..."
Ji Qingqing, as expected, began again.
Fortunately, Yu Xiaoyu, who was beside them, seemed to have heard enough and chuckled unladylike: "I fully agree with Sister Qingqing! In this era, incompetence is the greatest sin! To use Sister Qingqing's motto, 'Better to twist like a maggot than be lowly like dust'..."
"Nonsense, when did that become my motto?"
"Then what should it be? 'Know that youthful lofty ambitions once promised to be first-rate among mortals'?"
"You should at least read the poem correctly before reciting it."
"Who cares, as long as I like it."
The two women chatted and laughed, bathed in the glow of the neon lights.
"It's getting foggy."
At this moment, Ji Fuyou suddenly spoke.
"Temperature difference, fog in the mountains morning and evening, it's normal."
Ji Qingqing said, slightly slowing down the car.
"But we haven't even gone up the mountain yet."
Ji Fuyou looked up.
Fulong Mountain, with its low altitude and an area of only tens of square kilometers, stood silently in the dark night. Enveloped in mist, it resembled a terrifying beast hidden in mystery.
After just a few moments, Ji Fuyou suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of dread.
His entire body's hair stood on end.
An unprecedented chill swept through him.
"Don't... don't go!"
Ji Fuyou suddenly urged.
His expression was somewhat tense.
"It's just ahead, only one or two kilometers left."
Ji Qingqing said, turning on her fog lights and switching to low beams.
"The fog's too thick, don't drive any further!"
Ji Fuyou quickly urged.
His voice held a slight tremor.
But Ji Qingqing glanced at him through the rearview mirror, her eyebrows slightly furrowed: "Are you nervous? Because of the upcoming interview? It's not even a formal interview, what's there to be nervous about? If you lack even this much composure, how will you handle big occasions?"
"No! I'm not nervous, it's just..."
Ji Fuyou looked outside the car.
Dark, dim.
And...
The impenetrable mist enveloping the surroundings.
It looked so similar.
This scene was too similar to the scenes he had recently dreamt of.
Although his rationality told him that dreams were dreams and reality was reality.
But...
This scene, so familiar that it felt like a dream stepping into reality, still made his throat involuntarily convulse: "The fog is too thick, it's unsafe to drive. I... let's turn back."
"Are you joking? Will turning back make the fog disappear?"
Ji Qingqing was clearly displeased with her brother's lack of ambition.
Yu Xiaoyu even chuckled and said: "Xiaoyou, being honest and well-behaved is one thing, but being this timid won't do. Stay with me, I'll protect you."
"Sizzle!"
As soon as she finished speaking, the car...
Stalled.
The surrounding light quickly dimmed.
Under the shroud of mist, not even the lights of some roadside villages or houses could be seen.
It was pitch black all around.
Ji Qingqing froze, pressing the ignition button a few times, but there was no response.
At this, Yu Xiaoyu also smoothed her dress and sat up: "What happened?"
"I don't know, it suddenly stalled."
Ji Qingqing was a little exasperated: "Yunmengju should be just ahead. I'll call the manager; I remember Liu, who's with them, knows how to fix cars."
Saying this, she picked up her phone.
But on it...
No signal.
"What's going on!? No signal at a time like this? Xiaoyu, your..."
"My phone has no signal either."
Yu Xiaoyu held up her phone.
"Then what do we do?"
Ji Qingqing helplessly: "Should we wait, or just walk over and ask for help? It's not far anyway..."
"Don't get out of the car!"
Ji Fuyou suddenly said quickly: "Close the doors tightly!"
Yu Xiaoyu, who was beside him, saw the fine sweat breaking out on his forehead and couldn't help but lower her impression of him.
She used to think he was just honest, obedient, well-behaved, and trustworthy, but now...
He seemed too timid, probably lacking responsibility.
It was just thick fog and a stalled car.
A small incident could make him break out in a cold sweat.
This kind of psychological fortitude.
It was too poor.
"We don't know when this fog will clear, and we're on a small road with very few cars..."
Ji Qingqing directly unbuckled her seatbelt: "I looked, Yunmengju is only one or two hundred meters away. We'll use our phone flashlights and walk over."
With that, she opened the car door.