GRMFBS CH30

Jian Yan first replied to Fang Pai.

Approaching Science: “No need to raise the price.”

“I’ll give you an answer tomorrow.”

After closing the chat window with Fang Pai, Jian Yan directly sent a private message to the hacker’s account.

Approaching Science: “Fang Pai asked me to look into ‘CuteLittleSkirt.'”

“I haven’t told him yet.”

The hacker saw it almost immediately. He wasn’t actually busy—he just didn’t know how to handle the situation and had been avoiding people. In reality, he’d been online more frequently than usual during this time.

After reading the private message from “Approaching Science,” his heart skipped a beat, but at the same time, he felt an inexplicable sense of relief.

Hacker: “I see.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll talk to him myself.”

With that, he transferred a large sum of points to Jian Yan.

Jian Yan felt dizzy looking at the string of nines. Just like that, transferring points without hesitation! Was the hacker’s personality this domineering?

But why send him points? To thank him for not telling Fang Pai directly?

Still, with the hacker giving him so many points, would Fang Pai still help promote him on the forum?

Ah, whatever. At least the most troublesome issue was resolved—he didn’t have to be the one to tell Fang Pai that his online girlfriend was actually his cross-dressing best friend!

Jian Yan happily counted the points and started browsing the forum. He could manage his reputation on his own.

The “Looks Appreciation” post from a week ago was still pinned on the front page, now filled with more non-HD photos. The love for beauty truly was a universal instinct, transcending species!

The post had devolved into chaos. Aside from photo-sharing, there were fans of various looks arguing over whose appearance was the best, tearing each other apart.

Jian Yan scrolled through it all, ignoring the fan wars, and quietly saved some pictures.

This forum had humans, demons, the living, the dead—members of all races, each with different aesthetic standards, especially among the demons. It was impressive how the top-tier looks that emerged from such diverse preferences were undeniably stunning.

He came across a photo of the Chongming Demon King in his true form—a radiant divine bird draped in blazing sunset clouds, leaving the most vibrant shadows across the sky. It was a beauty that took one’s breath away, transcending worldly aesthetic standards. It had nothing to do with height, weight, feathers, or scales—nothing to do with personal preferences at all.

Like a sunrise, a sunset, like golden light shimmering on a river, like a breeze rustling through hibiscus flowers. No matter what kind of appearance one preferred, no one could deny the beauty of such a sight.

And yet, this divine bird flew daily from Qixia Mountain, soaring over cities at heights unseen by mortals, casting down its protective radiance.

A profound sense of regret suddenly welled up in Jian Yan’s heart.

He really wanted to see this divine bird that had sheltered the city he lived in for so many years. Unfortunately, he was system-certified as a “muggle.” Even with the forum’s workarounds, his gaze couldn’t pierce through the spells and clouds to witness the majestic beauty of the divine bird.

Right-click, save image.

Damn it! When will the Demon Alliance’s “Looks Appreciation Club” start accepting outsiders?

I want to see HD versions!

Perhaps because the Chongming Demon King had recently appeared on the forum under his real account, discussions about him had surged.

Jian Yan stumbled upon a post asking:

{Who is the Chongming Demon King? Why is everyone talking about him lately?}

Someone replied below:

2F:  

One of the Ten Great Demon Kings of the Demon Alliance. Couldn’t you just search the forum for him?

3F:  

Is the OP genuinely clueless or just pretending?

OP:  

Is it really that weird not to know? The Chongming isn’t even famous. With all these posts about him lately, what’s wrong with me asking?

6F:  

“The Chongming Demon King isn’t famous…” OP, you’re something else.

OP:  

Normally, when people think of famous bird demons, they’d name phoenixes, Chongmings, bluebirds, or even nine-headed birds or firebirds. Who even knows what the Chongming has accomplished? Isn’t it normal not to have heard of him?

OP:  

These more famous ones don’t get discussed, but it’s all about the Chongming every day. What’s wrong with me asking?

Jian Yan couldn’t let this slide.

He pulled up the gossip system, searched for a bunch of the Chongming Demon King’s achievements, and pasted them one by one.

So what if the Chongming Demon King didn’t have many legends? He wasn’t one to boast!

After he posted the info, others quickly chimed in:

14F:  

LMAO  

“Approaching Science” gathered all this info—are you a Chongming Demon King fan or what?

15F:  

I wanted to say this last time. It was “Approaching Science” who brought up how good-looking the Chongming Demon King is in that post, which led to the whole “Looks Appreciation” thread.

18F:  

I thought “Approaching Science” was just a looks fan, but turns out you’re also a career fan, huh? LOL

Jian Yan wasn’t actually a fan of the Chongming Demon King. He was just grateful for the years of protection.

But being mistaken for a fan didn’t bother him.

The OP, however, seemed triggered.

OP:  

Oh, wow, you’re all so knowledgeable. You know everything.  

But what I found says the Chongming’s feathers fall out, leaving nothing but bare, fleshy wings.  

You think a bald chicken is good-looking too, huh?

Jian Yan could tell—this guy wasn’t actually clueless about the Chongming Demon King. He was just here to stir trouble!

26F “Approaching Science”:  

If you found that part, then you should also know that even when the Chongming fights until its feathers are gone, it still battles fierce beasts and wolves, ensuring disasters and evils cannot harm others.  

The fact that you can hide in your dark little corner and yap on the forum might just be because your ancestors were once protected by the Chongming Demon King. Honestly, the Demon King wasted his effort protecting trash like you. It’d have been better if you’d never been born, right?  

27F “Approaching Science”:  

Oh, and I shouldn’t assume you’re a proper person or demon—my bad. Maybe you’re from one of those worthless families the Chongming Demon King couldn’t be bothered to protect. Calling you a vile, ugly disaster he once beat up would be too generous. A coward who only dares to run your mouth online—you’d probably piss yourself and flee if you ever actually sensed the Chongming Demon King’s presence, huh?  

28F:  

LMAOOOO!!! “Approaching Science” goes hard with the insults! More please, I’m loving this!  

29F:  

OP, come on, keep arguing!  

Last time someone who slandered “Approaching Science” got exposed for actual crimes and sent to jail. If OP hasn’t done anything illegal, don’t back down now.  

34F:  

LMAO what a roast!  

Can we confirm “Approaching Science” is a Chongming Demon King fan now?  

…  

The OP never showed up again. Satisfied, Jian Yan logged off. If people wanted to think he was a Chongming Demon King fan, so be it—it didn’t affect him.  

He had to work at the news agency tomorrow, so he decided to sleep early tonight!

However, going to bed early doesn’t necessarily mean waking up early.  

At 6:30 the next morning, Jian Yan was still deep in dreamland.  

Perhaps because he had browsed so many beautiful pictures and discussed the Chongming Demon King on the forum before bed, Jian Yan dreamed that he was surrounded by many gorgeous large birds. These birds started arguing over who was the most beautiful, and when they couldn’t decide, they made Jian Yan judge.  

Jian Yan felt he couldn’t possibly choose, but the birds stared at him menacingly. He tried to run but found he couldn’t move—because he had turned into a tree.  

Just then, he saw a magnificent bird with double pupils, exceptionally majestic and beautiful, so he declared that bird the prettiest.  

The other birds were furious and insisted that the double-pupiled bird’s feathers were fake.  

The double-pupiled bird shook off its splendid plumage and looked at Jian Yan apologetically. “Sorry, I’m actually a woodpecker,” it said, then started pecking at him.  

Tap tap tap, tap tap tap.

Jian Yan felt the sound was right next to his ear. He opened his eyes, staring dazedly at the dim ceiling as the tap tap tap continued.  

“I got pecked awake by a woodpecker,” he thought.  

A few seconds later, Jian Yan fully woke up.  

Pfft! What woodpecker? Did he really think he was a tree?  

The tap tap tap was someone knocking on his door. Jian Yan struggled out of bed and staggered to open it.  

His father, full of energy, stood outside. “Yan Yan, get up.”  

Jian Yan was so sleepy he could barely keep his eyes open. “Dad? What time is it?”  

Zhan Yunkai: “It’s already 6:30. Not early anymore. Come wash your face and wake up.”  

Jian Yan: “…Dad! I usually get up at 7:30!”  

His sleep schedule was already good! He went to bed at 10:30 PM and woke up at 7:30 AM—a full nine hours of sleep.  

Why was he being woken up an hour early out of nowhere?!  

“Didn’t you say yesterday you wanted to start morning workouts?” Zhan Yunkai held a damp towel and unceremoniously pressed it onto Jian Yan’s face.  

Jian Yan jolted awake, wiping his face with the cool towel as he remembered.  

Yesterday, after dragging his father out of the crowd under the blazing sun, he had been so thirsty he gulped down two glasses of water and collapsed on the couch. Meanwhile, his dad, carrying a bag of groceries, acted like nothing had happened.  

Jian Yan had been deeply provoked and immediately declared he would start training his stamina. And so, his morning workout routine was set.  

…This was the definition of digging your own grave.  

“Dad, I could’ve just gotten up at 7:30…”  

“Don’t you still have work?” Zhan Yunkai urged. “I woke up even earlier than you. How can someone so young sleep so much?”  

Jian Yan: “…”  

Miserably yawning, he went to wash up and get ready for his morning run.  

His dad was already wearing his sneakers.  

Ji Yueming was also awake. Seeing the two at the door, she asked, “Morning workout?”  

Zhan Yunkai nodded cheerfully. “It’s Yanyan’s first time. I’m going to guide him.”  

Ji Yueming: “It’s not a good time for you to go out lately.”  

Jian Yan froze. Oh right, his dad had just been recognized and mobbed yesterday.  

“Ah, right, I forgot. You’ll have to train by yourself for now,” Zhan Yunkai said apologetically. “Just run a lap around the neighborhood. Don’t go too fast.”  

Jian Yan: “Okay…”  

By the time Jian Yan finished his run and returned, his dad had already made breakfast and was taking pictures, looking pleased.  

Jian Yan knew he was about to post food pics on Weibo again.  

His fans had been speculating whether, after everything that happened, Old Zhan would finally learn to engage with his audience—after all, when he was slandered before, hardly anyone could speak up for him. His small group of looks-focused fans on Weibo couldn’t even get decent photos of him, leaving them powerless in any fan wars, crumbling at the first sign of opposition.  

Jian Yan wondered how they’d react when, after days of waiting, the update they finally got was stir-fried broccoli, pumpkin red bean cake, pan-fried fish, and watermelon juice.  

As for him? He was quite happy.  

Mmm! Delicious!

A good breakfast led to a good day. Jian Yan headed to work in high spirits.  

The editor-in-chief, Zhen Hua, wasn’t in. The person assigning him tasks was a stern-looking man with two deep lines at the corners of his mouth, reminding Jian Yan of his high school’s disciplinary director.  

“I’m Xi Wen, the chief editor. I’ll be overseeing your work from now on. Zhen Hua should have already introduced me,” the disciplinary director-esque man said.  

Zhen Hua had sent Jian Yan a message earlier, explaining that their chief editor and reporter had returned from fieldwork. While she was away, Xi Wen would be in charge of Jian Yan’s assignments.  

Xi Wen handed Jian Yan a stack of files to organize into digital documents.  

Oh— So they thought he was doing well enough to start handling archives now?  

Jian Yan happily took the files. In his eyes, these were all experience packs! 

Xi Wen studied him sternly for a few seconds. “Don’t rush. Take your time. If you feel unwell while working—headaches, for example—you must tell me immediately. Our news agency isn’t a high-pressure workplace. We don’t overwork people.”  

Jian Yan nodded eagerly. “Got it!”  

He was in a hurry to devour those experience packs! 

Xi Wen scrutinized him a few more times, still uneasy, before returning to his office.  

The moment he stepped inside, he received a message from Zhen Hua:  

“Well? Didn’t I tell you the kid’s good?”  

He was good—his mental state seemed stable. But he was also too enthusiastic. Were all fresh graduates this energetic?  

Xi Wen was deeply concerned.  

Archivists weren’t easy to hire. Zhen Hua had mentioned that, based on her observations, Jian Yan had already been exposed to some anomalous information during overtime and remained mentally stable. Right now, there wasn’t much work, and Xi Wen had pre-screened these files—none contained dangerous anomalies. He thought it was safe to let Jian Yan try.  

But seeing the kid’s current attitude, he couldn’t help but worry.  

Jian Yan, meanwhile, was overjoyed looking at the files. Work tasks? What work tasks? These were his experience packs!

With the help of the gossip system, Jian Yan quickly sorted through the files. He noticed that most of them involved conflicts between the Abnormal Affairs Management Bureau and the Demon Alliance, with a few involving spirits but not many. Only two or three were anomaly-related.  

[A Boyi demon suffering from insomnia was finally asleep when a cultivator searching for herbs in the mountains woke it up, leading to a fight.]  

[The Abnormal Affairs Management Bureau built a base in Qingping Mountain, digging out tunnels and reinforcing the walls before pausing due to other matters. Ten years later, when they returned to finish construction, they found a family of local bear demons had already moved in. A battle over ownership ensued.]

[The Bureau’s southern coastal branch went on a team-building fishing trip. Three times in a row, they hooked the same sunfish demon, leading to yet another fight.]

…  

The Abnormal Affairs Management Bureau and the Demon Alliance had deep grudges.  

Not only did their daily activities clash, but their missions often overlapped too. Jian Yan had seen multiple instances where both sides pursued the same lead, only to run into each other and start fighting.  

Jian Yan worked as efficiently as ever. By 2 PM, he had finished organizing all the files. He had hoped Xi Wen would give him another stack, but no such luck.  

“That’s all for today. If you’re done, you can head home early,” Xi Wen said.  

Jian Yan was stunned. He knew the news agency had good benefits, but this good? If you finished your tasks, you could just leave? And he knew there were more files waiting in the archives! Yet Xi Wen wasn’t assigning him anything new!  

“Can I—”  

“No! You cannot!” Xi Wen firmly refused. “Today’s tasks end here. Once you’re done, go rest.”  

Though the kid seemed mentally stable, he was too eager to work! Xi Wen decided he had already been exposed to enough supernatural information for one day!  

Fine. Today’s experience pack drops were over.  

Jian Yan checked the gossip system’s energy bars. Strangely, all the other categories had increased somewhat, but the “Ling Yu” bar hadn’t budged at all.  

Yet he had already collected quite a few location-related keywords. Was this energy bar just that long, making progress imperceptibly slow?  

After packing up, Jian Yan wasn’t sure what to do next.  

He pulled out his phone and searched for normal work routines. Once again, the ungraduated college student had to recalibrate his understanding of the workplace.  

He suddenly felt like a lucky man.  

Zhenke News Agency really did have exceptional benefits. Though there might not be much room for career advancement, getting paid and farming experience packs was a sweet deal. Should he consider officially working here after graduation…?

Jian Yan suddenly came across a local recommendation post—a classmate had found a part-time job during the break. The work was extremely easy: just cleaning up once or twice a week. The boss was rarely around, and the space could be used freely. The pay was 3,000 a month. Though not high, compared to the workload, it was an incredibly sweet deal.  

Hmm… Suddenly, Zhenke News Agency doesn’t seem as appealing anymore. He only makes 2,800 a month!

With nothing else to do in the afternoon, Jian Yan thought for a bit and sent a message to Zhan Suiru:  

“Sis, are you at the studio?”  

Zhan Suiru replied a few minutes later: “Yeah, what’s up?”  

Jian Yan: “I’m off work. Can I come over?”  

Zhan Suiru: “Sure! Bring me some snacks while you’re at it!”  

So Jian Yan happily grabbed a big bag of snacks and headed to his sister’s place.  

Apart from Zhan Suiru, there was one other person in the studio—a girl with round glasses who looked about Jian Yan’s age.  

“My new assistant, Qi Ye,” Zhan Suiru introduced. “My little brother, Jian Yan.”  

Qi Ye was a student from a nearby art academy, working part-time at Zhan Suiru’s studio.  

Her job duties included: cleaning the studio, restocking supplies, and playing video games with the boss.  

Qi Ye had a little secret: besides being an art student, she was also a gaming streamer—the kind who could beat professional players in matches! Of course, she’d never actually compete, because that would be a bit unfair—she was a network-type supernatural, after all.  

Yet, when playing games with the boss, she never won.  

Even without using her abilities, the passive enhancements from her powers made her skills terrifyingly strong.  

Before Jian Yan arrived, the two had been playing games on the console in the corner of the studio, with Qi Ye getting utterly destroyed. The job was great in every way except for the massive blow to her self-esteem.  

How is the boss’s reaction speed and combat sense so insane?!  

Zhan Suiru had already started digging through Jian Yan’s snack bag: “Tomato chips!”  

She happily tore open a bag. “Knew you’d remember my favorites.”  

“Here,” she motioned for Qi Ye to join in.  

“You’re off work this early today?” Zhan Suiru asked.  

“Finished my tasks, so my boss let me leave early,” Jian Yan said, pulling out a pack of cookies while glancing at the gaming console.  

“Wanna play a round?” Zhan Suiru offered.  

“Sure!” Jian Yan was more than willing.  

Qi Ye breathed a sigh of relief and gave up her seat, sitting back comfortably to munch on snacks.  

The boss’s brother looks like he’s good at games. The boss’s terrifying skills must’ve been honed playing with him, right?  

Then she watched as Jian Yan’s character used whatever skill was off cooldown, in no particular order.  

Qi Ye: …Must. Not. Say. “Wow, you suck.”  

Her boss and Jian Yan were going back and forth evenly.  

Qi Ye: …Boss, you’re going way too easy on your brother! This isn’t just letting him win—this is draining the entire ocean for him!  

Jian Yan, completely unaware, was fully immersed, playing with great enthusiasm.  

After a few rounds, Zhan Suiru set down the controller. “You’ve improved since last time.”  

Qi Ye: …Was there even room to regress from “press whatever button isn’t grayed out” gameplay?  

Still oblivious, Jian Yan grinned. “Really? I did feel like my mechanics got a bit better.”  

Qi Ye silently stuffed another chocolate pie into her mouth.  

Jian Yan got up to grab more snacks, accidentally knocking over the white cloth covering a nearby easel while stretching.  

The acrylic painting on the easel was somewhat abstract, but the rich colors and smooth lines made it beautiful even if the subject wasn’t immediately clear.  

Jian Yan stopped in front of the painting, impressed. “Sis, your artistic sense has improved so much!”  

“…That’s Xiao Ye’s work,” Zhan Suiru said flatly.  

Jian Yan froze for a second before weakly uttering, “Oh.”  

Qi Ye: What do I do? I want to help the boss save face, but I can’t in good conscience call her… ‘artistic creations’… visually appealing…  

She had always felt her boss’s career path was deeply flawed. Instead of galloping in the opposite direction of artistic talent, she should just embrace her god-tier gaming skills!  

But Zhan Suiru insisted that gaming was fun, and turning it into a job would ruin that.  

Qi Ye had to admit her boss had a point. Besides, the boss didn’t seem short on money. This studio was probably some kind of artistic dream thing.  

The boss’s brother might be terrible at games, but his social skills were maxed out—he was incredibly pleasant to be around.  

Hearing Jian Yan say he never played multiplayer games because he didn’t want to drag his teammates down, Qi Ye impulsively added him as a friend and promised to carry him in the future.  

Zhan Suiru smiled. “That’s great! Xiao Ye’s really good at games. With her, you’ll be fine!”  

Qi Ye: …That’s not wrong, but coming from you, Boss, it feels so disingenuous!  

Jian Yan thanked her with shining eyes. “That’s awesome! I’ve only ever dared to play with my sister—at least I don’t get completely stomped or hold her back.”  

Qi Ye silently glanced at Zhan Suiru.  

This kid has no idea how terrifying his sister actually is at games!  

As dinnertime approached, Zhan Suiru and Jian Yan left together, while Qi Ye stayed behind to tidy up the studio.  

Summer days were long, and the boss clocked out early. Sunset was still a while away. Leaning against an easel, Qi Ye pulled out her phone, a haw flake candy stick between her teeth.  

Opening the private messages on the Supernatural Forum, she saw a message from Wan Shitong and began typing a reply.  

Play With Me: “What’s the issue with the game?”  

Wan Shitong: “Not the game itself—the investor’s partner ran into some trouble.”  

Wan Shitong: “Serious? Need us to step in?”  

Wan Shitong: “Not for now. The investor says they’ll handle it.”  

“If they can’t, we’ll intervene. The investors are all normies—better to avoid using supernatural methods if possible.”  

Play With Me: “OK.”  

People on the forum thought she and Wan Shitong had met as fellow top-tier network-type superhumans, but they’d actually bonded over games. Both had dreams of developing their own game but lacked funding. Fortunately, they’d found a company willing to invest.  

Qi Ye closed the forum and opened her gaming streamer account, updating her daily log:  

Coconut’s Work Diary #8:  

Today at work: played games with the boss.  

Got wrecked by the boss again.  

Met the boss’s little brother.  

Little brother is adorable.  

Gaming skills: tragic.