ABSML Chapter 11: Changing Skies

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The three of them were in different situations, naturally holding different scripts in their hands.

Chen Zhan played the role of a migrant worker demanding hard-earned wages from a ruthless boss. Yin Ronglan was contemplating how to maintain his persona of being utterly penniless. As for Lin Chiang… his mind was consumed by three persistent questions: Why was he here? Why was I here? And why were we here together?

“The president of the Lin Group,” Yin Ronglan greeted with a flawless smile and a slight nod as a gesture of politeness. “I’ve long admired your reputation.”

Lin Chiang remained expressionless. “That’s an overstatement. Lin Group was built by the previous generation—I’ve had little to do with it.”

After considering several possibilities, he arrived at the most likely conclusion, though it sounded utterly absurd: Yin Ronglan was pretending not to recognize him. Even more bizarre, he had taken on the role of a caregiver for half a month, likely because he was faking poverty.

A low-level game paired with a high-level player—Lin Chiang couldn’t quite figure out the layers of intrigue within.

But he was sharp enough to notice that Yin Ronglan’s so-called unintentional slip was no accident. Without revealing anything extra, Lin Chiang kept this realization from Chen Zhan.

“Secretary Qian will transfer the funds soon.” Lin Chiang turned to Chen Zhan, explaining his purpose for coming. “I have an important business deal to negotiate.”

Chen Zhan, sensing it had nothing to do with him, didn’t react much.

Lin Chiang gave him a long, penetrating look. “During this time, I need to maintain a good reputation.”

Only then did Chen Zhan stop idly glancing at the community fitness equipment nearby. He shifted his gaze to Lin Chiang and replied, “Alright.”

His agreement was so crisp and clean—without taking the opportunity to exploit the situation—that it left Lin Chiang with a nagging concern that things were slipping beyond his control.

“I hope you’ll keep your word,” Lin Chiang narrowed his eyes slightly before turning to leave.

After that brief, insignificant episode, Chen Zhan turned to Yin Ronglan. “What do you want to eat? You’ve helped me a lot these past few days.”

Yin Ronglan replied, “Beef noodles.”

There was an authentic beef noodle shop right at the entrance of the residential complex. The environment was decent, they allowed custom orders, and the prices were reasonable.

It was a well-thought-out response—not a perfunctory “anything.” Chen Zhan nodded in approval and told him to wait downstairs while he went home to drop off some things before heading out together.

The steaming bowl of noodles, enriched with chili oil, carried an extra layer of fragrance. Chen Zhan picked up a few strands and savored the chewy texture with satisfaction.

Yin Ronglan, on the other hand, had no particular preference for noodle dishes. It seemed that no matter what he ate, his expression and movements remained the same—indifferent, unchanging.

After finishing their meal, the two parted ways at the restaurant entrance.

Chen Zhan suddenly shivered as a cold gust of air hit him. He looked up and saw the sky darken dramatically. The wind picked up the dust from the ground, flinging it about in fury, making his throat sting.

His phone vibrated with a sudden alert—a storm and temperature drop warning. Not wanting to delay, Chen Zhan quickened his pace back home.

Just as he shut his apartment door, the sound of torrential rain filled the air outside. Thinking for a moment, he sent Yin Ronglan a text, reminding him to drive safely.

There was no heating in his place. The only way to stay warm was through sheer willpower. Whether it was a consequence of his past role as a villain or not, Chen Zhan had always been particularly bad at tolerating the cold. He had already broken out in goosebumps at the entrance from breathing in the chilly air, and even now, he hadn’t recovered.

“So cold.” He blew into his palms, but it didn’t help much.

The sunset had barely lasted before darkness took over completely. As the night deepened, the temperature dropped another degree. Chen Zhan wrapped himself in his blanket like a cocoon and hunched over his computer, laboriously typing on the keyboard.

Glancing at the weather forecast, he frowned. “How much redemption value do I have now?”

【System: 380.】

“Is it enough to exchange for a heater?”

【System: Ordinary household and furniture items are not included in the store.】

“What about any items that provide warmth?”

【System: Scanning… Detected: "Pure Yang Manual"—however, due to host’s frail constitution, practicing it may result in immediate death. Continuing scan… Detected: inflatable dummy—provides warmth but may lead to kidney deficiency. Continuing scan…】

The persistent beeping of the system was giving Chen Zhan a headache. “Just tell me when you actually find something useful.”

Ten minutes later—

【System: Detection complete…】

Chen Zhan interrupted, “How much?”

【System: 5 redemption points.】

Cheap.

Pressing his slightly stiff lips together, Chen Zhan said, “I’ll take it.”

With a blink of an eye, a few unopened boxes appeared on the table.

【System: Glowing Cushion Foundation X1, Radiant Light Liquid Foundation X1.】

Feeling cold? Just apply a few more layers of foundation.

Chen Zhan was silent for a moment. “Didn’t you say there were no daily necessities?”

【System: The Radiant Cushion Foundation comes with a built-in lucky aura that lasts for thirty seconds; the Luminous Liquid Foundation can permanently enhance skin smoothness by one ten-millionth.】

They were ordinary, yet not so ordinary.

The unit door seemed to be broken, and the old building echoed with banging noises.

The wind outside grew fiercer. Chen Zhan scoffed. “Even the wind lasts longer than your so-called lucky aura.”

Almost at the same moment he spoke, there was a knock on the door.

“It’s me.” A low voice came through the door panel.

Chen Zhan raised an eyebrow. When he opened the door and saw Yin Ronglan, he was momentarily stunned.

Yin Ronglan caught sight of Chen Zhan applying foundation to his face, his gaze turning complicated.

“I don’t have any special quirks,” Chen Zhan turned slightly to the side and invited him in. Wrapping himself tighter in his blanket, he moved forward slowly. “I wasted some money, so I figured I shouldn’t let it go to waste.”

Yin Ronglan handed him the plastic bag he was carrying. Chen Zhan’s nose was slightly red from the cold, and when he saw the bag full of heat packs, he muttered, “A lifesaver.”

Then, without hesitation, he stuck them all over his body.

“I remember your place doesn’t have heating,” Yin Ronglan said. “I thought these might come in handy.”

Feeling warmth return to his body, Chen Zhan solemnly thanked him. “They say kindness is like opening a door and bringing warmth. That describes you perfectly.”

Yin Ronglan glanced at the foundation on the table, unable to imagine the bizarre story behind it.

Chen Zhan, however, remained expressionless. He poured two glasses of water, not showing the slightest hint of embarrassment.

Inside, though, he lowered his gaze slightly. “System, autumn is coming.”

There’s a saying: settle scores after autumn.

The system remained silent. Chen Zhan set down the blanket and changed into a thick coat.

One advantage of being around Yin Ronglan was that he didn’t talk much, but he never let the conversation go cold either. He casually glanced at the glowing computer screen. “Haven’t finished your work?”

“Almost.”

During their conversation, Chen Zhan learned that Yin Ronglan hadn’t come just to bring him heat packs. The elderly man living across the hall suffered from post-surgery pain whenever it rained, and Yin Ronglan had come to deliver medicine.

【System: The lucky aura was still useful.】

Chen Zhan: “I timed it.”

By the time Yin Ronglan arrived, the foundation’s effect had already worn off for a full minute. Thirty seconds wasn’t enough for him to suddenly decide to buy heat packs on the way.

Something occurred to Chen Zhan. He checked the production date of the makeup. As expected, it had expired half a year ago.

【System: …That’s why it was on clearance sale.】

“Oh.”

No anger, no reprimand—just a single word.

Yin Ronglan didn’t stay long before heading across the hall.

Now that he was warm, Chen Zhan’s thoughts flowed more smoothly, and his typing speed increased—

..........

Her birthday was coming up.

To strengthen connections with fans, many celebrities held birthday events, and she was no exception.

I wanted to be the one she remembered, the one who stood out. I couldn’t just be another ordinary fan watching from the crowd.

With a carefully prepared gift, I waited in the underground parking lot, filled with excitement.

A black nanny van slowed as it entered. My heart pounded, and I rushed forward.

The car screeched to a halt. Luck was on my side—Jiang Ying’s manager wasn’t there. She was alone.

Gazing at her stunning face, I spoke with deep affection. “Do you know why I’m here?”

The parking lot was dimmer than the outside world, yet even in the shadows, her beauty remained undiminished. I was certain that at this moment, my eyes were filled with obsession and passion.

Her response to my feelings was a swift and merciless strike. Through the pain, I barely heard my muse part her red lips and say, in a voice more melodious than birdsong, “I hate people who fake accidents the most.”

..........

After publishing the new chapter, Chen Zhan flexed his stiff fingers and paced around the room. Thanks to the heat packs, the cold wasn’t as unbearable anymore.

Since Lin Chiang had come looking for him twice, Chen Zhan thoughtfully refrained from mentioning him in the new update, instead giving Jiang Ying more screen time. While considering the next chapter, he also prepared to boil some hot water.

While waiting for the water to boil, he browsed the comment section.

Wisdom is found in the comment section.

Many people read Confession not just for the story but to enjoy the sharp commentary from fellow readers.

【Goddess Unrivaled: The queen is both badass and adorable. That ‘fake accident’ line was so cute!】

【Best in the Universe: Well done!】

【Northern Lone Wolf: This chapter left me with mixed feelings. At first, I thought Chen Zhan was terrifying, but by the end, I found him ridiculous and tragic… It’s hard to describe.】

【Wandering Blossom: Deepwater tip X10. No words needed—if my goddess appears, I tip!】

Jiang Ying’s fans loved her deeply. Without exaggeration or bias, the update slightly improved their perception of Chen Zhan.

The rain gradually subsided. Standing by the window, Chen Zhan began considering how to settle scores.

He remembered that the system had obsessive-compulsive tendencies, so he deliberately misaligned the neatly stacked notebooks on his desk. Then, one by one, he rearranged various objects in his room.

A sigh, with a noticeably different tone, echoed in his mind.

【System: He was afraid of your revenge and has already shifted the blame and left.】

Chen Zhan gazed into the rain-blurred night. “You guys really swap shifts at random.”

【System: You misunderstand. The previous ones each had their reasons—one is now in therapy for severe anxiety, one quit to go into business, and one pulled some strings and ran away…】

As the system continued summarizing, Chen Zhan’s gaze darkened. “What about the one just now? What was their reason?”

【System: Maternity leave.】

Silence filled the air.

A moment later, for the first time, Chen Zhan doubted his own hearing. “What?”

【System: Maternity leave. Thirty-six months in total.】

Thirty-six months?

Chen Zhan’s expression changed. What is it giving birth to—Nezha?!

(T/N: Nezha’s birth is infamous, with his mother carrying him for over 3 years before giving birth to him as a ball of flesh that later turned into a child). 

There were too many things to dwell on, such as how the system, after selling him expired goods, had somehow managed to get pregnant in an instant and immediately gone on maternity leave… The tangled mess of minor doubts piled up, but in the end, Chen Zhan chose not to bother with it.

He had little interest in the survival and reproduction of other species.

Author's Note:

Chen Zhan: The new-generation system terminator.

_____

T/N: Please give support in my ko-fi page, thank you😊