Chapter 62: World Two [32]

Jing Ke was somewhat puzzled, but after ruling out the absolutely impossible scenarios, the one remaining, highly improbable possibility seemed to become an undeniable truth.

Resonance could only occur between existences that were fundamentally the same.

Shao Qing’s Fortune could resonate with the thing sealed within Jing Ke’s core, signifying that, to a certain extent, they shared a common origin.

Jing Ke couldn’t guarantee they were the exact same existence, but the fact that they were connected was undeniable.

“Was that it? How are you going to take my Fortune?” the still-oblivious Shao Qing asked, her gaze falling on the contract that had vanished from the table. “It didn’t fail, did it?”

“It didn’t fail. It succeeded,” Jing Ke said, her gaze towards Shao Qing growing more complex.

“I’ve already received your Fortune. So, are you willing to join New Life Entertainment?” Jing Ke swiftly concealed the thoughts in her eyes, suppressing the flood of questions that had surfaced for the time being.

“After the New Year, I’ll discuss it with Sister Ke and try to peacefully terminate my contract with the company,” Shao Qing said, feeling the burden in her heart lessen significantly now that she had paid a corresponding price.

—

Identify the problem, then solve it.

That was Jing Ke’s consistent approach. Once she realized Shao Qing had a connection to the memories she had sealed within her core, Jing Ke didn’t dwell on it for too long. After saying goodnight to Shao Qing, she began earnestly examining her core.

The core could be said to be Jing Ke’s origin. As long as it existed, so did she. If her core were destroyed, she would likely be declared completely annihilated.

Moreover, the memories within the core originally belonged to Jing Ke. Retrieving her own possessions posed no burden to her whatsoever.

It was just that the overwhelmingly rich emotions were somewhat difficult for Jing Ke’s body to bear. From deep into the night until the first light of dawn broke, she only slowly regained her composure, conveniently stuffing most of the memories back inside.

In one world, a targeted scientific genius; in another, a targeted talented actor.

If it happened once, it was a coincidence. Could it be a coincidence the second time?

With countless new memories swirling in her mind, Jing Ke began to think seriously, unable to help recalling the original purpose for which the System had created her.

If she remembered correctly, the System’s initial reason for creating her was to help maintain the stability of various small worlds.

The method for maintaining stability was quite simple: create one or multiple influential Anchor Points. That is, by binding Systems to natives and helping them reach the pinnacle of life, the small world would gain more Support Points.

A System required energy to operate, so after helping a native become a World Anchor Point, the System would take half of the excess Fortune generated for its own use, thus creating more Systems to help maintain the stability of even more worlds.

But did Xue Fan from before, and Xu Yin from this world, truly qualify to become World Anchor Points?

Was the System’s choice random, or some kind of inevitability for reasons she didn’t understand?

Jing Ke couldn’t analyze the operating logic of the System. Moreover, with only two situations for comparison, she could only tentatively conclude that it might be a coincidence.

Every world had its villains. Perhaps the System’s selection of people was indeed completely random. The probability of selecting two scumbags in a row was small, but not zero.

—

“Good morning. Looks like you didn’t sleep well?” Shao Qing, an early riser, noticed the faint dark circles under Jing Ke’s eyes and the barely visible bloodshot veins.

“Remembered some things, so I didn’t sleep much,” Jing Ke said.

Shao Qing gave Jing Ke a different feeling than Shang Siyu. They existed in different worlds, with different experiences and personalities. So, upon confirming they shared the same origin, Jing Ke didn’t crudely equate them directly; instead, she tried to treat them as distinctly as possible.

“What were you thinking about? Something to do with investments?” Shao Qing helped carry the breakfast Jing Ke had prepared from the kitchen, pulling out a chair to sit opposite her.

“No, just some things from the past.” Jing Ke took a sip of her soy milk, changing the subject. “Oh, right, the New Year is almost here. Do you have many upcoming schedule arrangements?”

“As for schedule arrangements, I just need to record a few New Year’s greetings. I can do that at home with my phone,” Shao Qing said, taking a bite of her fried egg.

“The only other event should be the company’s Annual Meeting at the end of the year. I’ll probably just have to make an appearance.” Shao Qing tilted her head slightly to look at Jing Ke. “Will you come with me then? The company Annual Meeting allows you to bring friends and companions.”

“I’ll go. I’ll come with you. Do I need to prepare anything?” Jing Ke agreed without hesitation.

“Nothing to prepare. Just come with me when I go to get my styling done,” Shao Qing said very casually.

This kind of Annual Meeting was, at most, about releasing red carpet photos and short videos. After completing the necessary formalities, those who could remain in the inner venue were all insiders. The media and paparazzi trying to sneak shots couldn’t get in.

Jing Ke nodded somewhat absently. Revisiting a lifetime’s worth of memories in one night last night had, to some extent, affected her state.

Shao Qing could see that Jing Ke was a bit off today, but Jing Ke was clearly avoiding the topic, only offering a vague answer, so Shao Qing didn’t press further.

“I’m going to work out. If you’re tired, go catch up on sleep. For lunch, I’ll pan-fry some steak and make pasta for you. My simple Western cooking is pretty decent,” Shao Qing said.

Seeing Jing Ke still slowly sipping her milk, Shao Qing couldn’t resist touching her dark brown hair as she passed by. “Let you have a taste of a limited-edition Chef Shao’s skills.”

“Alright, I’ll look forward to it then.” Jing Ke smiled, a complex look flickering in her eyes.

Come to think of it, Shang Siyu had taught her how to cook, guiding her hands personally.

Now in a different world, she was cooking the dishes she learned for someone suspected of sharing the same origin. Could this be considered reaping the shade from a tree she planted herself?

—

This year’s Spring Festival was at the end of January. Zongheng Entertainment was relatively accommodating, setting the Annual Meeting for the twenty-third day of the twelfth lunar month.

To make the Annual Meeting appear more lively, the banquet hall had no fixed seating, opting for a casual, go-with-the-flow vibe. Aside from leadership speeches during the raffle segment, the so-called Annual Meeting was just a large-scale social networking event.

Shao Qing chose a dark red long dress for the day. Wearing seven-centimeter high heels, her height could rival even some male celebrities wearing elevator insoles.

Jing Ke didn’t do much styling. Choosing to be the green leaf to Shao Qing’s rose, she wore a relatively uniquely styled silver-grey suit, following behind Shao Qing the whole time.

Jing Ke had invested money in quite a few projects over the past two months. Although she rarely made public appearances, those in the circle who were well-informed had already gathered information on Jing Ke’s status.

Upon seeing Jing Ke appear on the red carpet, many artists had been secretly looking for an opportunity to approach her.

Sure enough, Shao Qing had only stepped away temporarily to touch up her makeup in the restroom when Jing Ke, waiting outside, was cornered by a male artist in his early twenties.

“President Jing, I’ve long admired your reputation. I never expected to see you at the company Annual Meeting.” The male artist had a decent appearance, though his height was lacking. Standing perfectly straight, he could only barely match Jing Ke’s height.

“And you are?” Jing Ke raised an eyebrow slightly.

“I’m a newcomer at Zongheng Entertainment. I debuted a few months ago, placing third on ‘Star of Tomorrow.’ President Jing, just call me Xiao Xuan,” Xiao Xuan said, bowing slightly, his tone blatantly ingratiating.

“President Jing, my singing and dancing skills are well above average. If you’re ever bored, you can call me to sing for you anytime,” Xiao Xuan said, flashing what he believed was a perfect and compliant smile, trying to attract Jing Ke with his good looks.

Upon hearing Xiao Xuan’s words, Jing Ke’s slightly raised eyebrow furrowed into a frown.

Just last month, a bunch of cancers had been dug out of the circle. Had these insiders, like the netizens, forgotten those incidents so quickly after New Year’s Day, starting to offer themselves to her on a platter?

“I’m not very interested in singing and dancing,” Jing Ke expressed her displeasure very directly. “I’d like some peace and quiet for a bit. Could you please move away from me?”

Xiao Xuan’s expression stiffened slightly, but he quickly adjusted. “I apologize, that was insensitive of me. I’m terribly sorry.”

As he spoke, Xiao Xuan took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray and downed it in one gulp in front of Jing Ke before leaving with his head lowered. The whole process was extremely practiced; it didn’t seem like his first time doing this.

Jing Ke’s finely shaped brows knitted together. She didn’t much like the atmosphere at this Annual Meeting.

The previous “Clean Air” campaign targeting the entertainment industry seemed to have only wiped the surface through a glass pane; it hadn’t eradicated the unspoken rules within the circle.

Sure enough, after seeing the male artist fail, another female artist looking to take a shortcut proactively approached.

This female artist wasn’t quite as blatant. She just came over to introduce herself and express her admiration for Jing Ke, trying to lead the conversation from Jing Ke’s amber eyes to discuss her life abroad, thereby gathering some relatively private information.

Jing Ke had originally intended to ignore this female artist, but after the other party proactively mentioned Shao Qing, she couldn’t help but glance at the woman.

“President Jing, there’s been talk within the company that Teacher Shao plans to leave once her contract expires this year. Have you heard about that?” the female artist asked.

“Is that so? I wasn’t aware,” Jing Ke said, her expression unchanging.

“Quite a few people in our company are discussing it. They’re also saying the higher-ups might test Teacher Shao’s intentions today. If Teacher Shao doesn’t stay with the company, her schedule in the first half of the year might be somewhat light.”

The female artist was clearly very perceptive. Realizing Jing Ke was only interested in matters related to Shao Qing, she spilled all the gossip she had heard.

Jing Ke frowned slightly upon hearing this. She couldn’t immediately judge whether the female artist was telling the truth or lying, but from a purely capitalist perspective, Zongheng Entertainment probably wouldn’t easily let Shao Qing leave.

“What are we chatting about? Mind if I join?” Just as Jing Ke was handing her business card to the female artist, Shao Qing, having finished touching up her makeup, appeared behind them. She walked over with a smile and proactively linked her arm through Jing Ke’s.

“Oh, nothing, just some recent gossip in the circle.” The female artist tactfully stepped back, clutching the business card tightly. “Then I won’t disturb President Jing and Teacher Shao any longer. I’ll be in touch with you, President Jing, at an appropriate time.”