Luckily, with those three thousand ron and the money the original body had saved from summer jobs, Zhang Yichen finally found some direction in life.
He was going to continue studying!
Only through collage could he quickly understand this world and blend into it.
When he didn't have money for food, he worked part-time.
When others went to evening classes, he asked for leave to do tutoring jobs.
Fortunately, this world's history and culture were nearly identical to Earth's. The original owner had already been a good student, and after Zhang Yichen transmigrated, he gained a photographic memory. His grades didn't just stay steady—they soared. Even the head professor allowed his unusual request to skip evening self-study.
After a year, he had basically figured out how this world worked.
Now, Zhang Yichen felt it was finally time to make use of his "golden finger."
That golden finger came from a neuro–machine chip.
In his previous life, he had been an orphan. An accident during a performance left him in a vegetative state. The neuro–machine chip had been one of the experimental methods to awaken vegetative patients.
But when medical staff implanted the chip, they made a mistake. A flood of vast information poured into his mind. It was so much that it should have exploded any human brain.
And indeed, his brain gave out. He thought he was truly dead.
But for reasons unknown, a rift in time and space opened at that exact moment.
His soul was swept into this world.
Over the past year, he had absorbed and mastered all that knowledge. He was confident: with just a fraction of it, he could make a name for himself here.
That was one of the reasons he chose to stay at Sichuan Vocational and Technical College—this so-called "low-teir collage."
"Dinner's ready."
Zhang Yichen set the food on the coffee table, ladling a generous bowl of rib soup for the woman.
It wasn't forgiveness—far from it. But a guest was a guest, and he still knew basic courtesy.
Besides, he didn't have the time or energy to care for this "little sister." His plan was to talk some sense into the woman.
After serving, he ignored her and focused on his own meal.
"Thank you."
The woman didn't stand on ceremony. She went to the bathroom, removed her disguise, washed her hands, and sat down to eat.
She really was starving. Ever since being kicked out of her rental that morning, she hadn't had a drop of water.
Yet even in her hunger, her eating was graceful and composed.
The food wasn't a feast, but for her, it was the best meal in eight long months. Even during confinement after giving birth, she had barely managed to eat her fill.
Luckily, her milk supply had been good—at least the baby had never suffered.
They ate quickly. Before long, every dish on the table had been wiped clean. Fortunately, Zhang Yichen always prepared extra for breakfast; otherwise, it wouldn't have been enough.
"Full?"
He lifted his eyes slightly, asking casually.
"Mhm. You're a really good cook."
For Chen Xiaoxi, the meal had been more than just filling—it felt warm. Yes, warm. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd felt this way. For once, she savored the moment.
"I'll clean this up," she offered.
Zhang Yichen stood to tidy the table.
But as he rose, his gaze fell fully on her face for the first time.
"You're not… my biological mother?"
Her skin was pale and worn, clearly marked by hardship. Yet none of it could hide her breathtaking beauty.
She looked about twenty-five—far too young to be his so-called "scumbag mother."
And more importantly, he recognized her.
In fact, more than half the country would recognize her.
She was none other than Chen Xiaoxi, the rising diva of the music industry.
But almost a year ago, she had suddenly canceled all her shows and endorsements. Even long-term contracts she couldn't avoid—she broke, paying astronomical penalty fees.
Her company dropped her, and she went bankrupt.
Eight months ago, she completely vanished from the public eye.
No one knew why she'd given up a future so bright. At that time, she was just one platinum album away from becoming the youngest singing queen in history.
Speculation swirled. Some said she'd married into a wealthy family. Others whispered she had secretly married and given birth. Still others claimed she was terminally ill.
Zhang Yichen never imagined that this missing superstar would appear in his tiny apartment today.
Even worse, he had almost mistaken her for his own mother.
"Um… so… the child…?"
His mind raced. The baby resembled him too much. It couldn't just be coincidence.
She wasn't his younger sister. Which left only one possibility—she was his daughter.
But when had he ever had anything to do with Chen Xiaoxii?
Could it have been the original body?
No—there was no such memory in the original's mind.
Could it have been… him?
Zhang Yichen's thoughts tangled as he stared at her. He was certain he'd never crossed paths with this star. So how could she have his child?
"This is Yixi," Chen Xiaoxii finally said softly. "She's your biological daughter. Here—this is the paternity test."
She handed him a document.
Zhang Yichen's fingers trembled as he took it, eyes reddening as they locked on the words: "Confirmed: biological father."
His throat bobbed twice before he managed to speak.
"When… did this happen?"
Her voice was steady—he could tell she wasn't lying. His absolute pitch allowed him to hear every emotional nuance, like a human lie detector.
He didn't even care whether the child belonged to him or the original body. Either way, he had inherited this life. That meant the child was his, and the responsibility was his.
But he had to know the truth.
There were many ways to conceive a child.
What if he'd been set up?
What if his transmigrator identity was at risk?
The original body had been timid and weak, with no memory of ever being with Chen Xiaoxi. And he himself had never even met her before.
So how did this child exist?
Test tube? Impossible—neither of them had ever donated.
"One year ago. The Sichuan Festival."
Seeing the confusion written across his face, Chen Xiaoxi gave him a gentle reminder.