My slightest action was the system's limit.

Chapter 221 Chen Zilu's Background (Two Chapters Combined, Please Follow for More)
Jiang Ye was stunned upon hearing this.

Does it concern the safety of millions of people in Ancheng?
What is that?

“Auntie, please speak.” Jiang Ye immediately said solemnly.

"I would like to invite you to be the image ambassador for Ancheng," Chen Qingyun said solemnly. "For this, I am willing to pay an additional 50 million Federal Credits as an endorsement fee."

Jiang Ye was stunned again.

Should he be appointed as the image ambassador for Ancheng?
What does this have to do with the safety of the millions of people in Ancheng?
Putting that aside, he currently has endorsement contracts with other people.

“Auntie, I have an endorsement contract with Chen Kang, the director of Xingzhi in Penglai District.” Jiang Ye shook his head and said, “I’m afraid I can’t endorse anyone else.”

"It doesn't matter."

“He’s also from our Star Professionals Center, so you don’t need to worry about breaching the contract,” Chen Qingyun said. “You just need to transfer your image rights to me.”

Jiang Ye was stunned.

Can it still be so neat?
"Auntie," Jiang Ye couldn't help but ask, "What does this matter have to do with the safety of the millions of people in Ancheng?"

“Because of the Starry Sky Passage,” Chen Qingyun said softly.

"A starry sky tunnel?"

Jiang Ye's pupils contracted, and he immediately remembered something: "Is it that permanent starry sky tunnel?"

"good."

"Through our exploration, we have obtained information about that star tunnel," Chen Qingyun said. "On the other side of that tunnel lies an unknown world."

“There are traces of the Shadow Clan.”

“Although we have not yet discovered the Shadow Clan, all indications suggest that there is a very high probability that a Shadow Calamity will break out in the future,” Chen Qingyun said solemnly. “Moreover, it will be at least a Level 2 or higher Shadow Calamity.”

Jiang Ye's heart sank.

A Shadow Calamity of level 2 or higher?

Last time, it was only a Level 1 Shadow Calamity, yet so many people died.

If a Level 2 Shadow Calamity were to break out in Ancheng, how many people would die?

“If you become the image ambassador of Ancheng, you will attract many powerful people to Ancheng,” Chen Qingyun said solemnly. “If the Shadow Calamity breaks out, you will have enough power to resist it.”

"it is good."

“I promise you,” Jiang Ye said without hesitation.

Since it concerned the safety of his hometown, he naturally felt it was his duty to act.

Next, Chen Qingyun explained the endorsement matters to him.

A quarter of an hour later.

Jiang Ye has signed the endorsement contract.

“Jiang Ye,” Chen Qingyun stood up and said solemnly, “On behalf of Ancheng, I thank you.”

"Auntie, you're too kind." Jiang Ye shook his head and said, "This is my hometown, it's just my duty."

"Ah."

"The fifty million will arrive in your account soon," Chen Qingyun said with a smile. "If there's nothing else, you can go back now. Qingli is probably still waiting outside."

Jiang Ye nodded, said goodbye, and turned to leave.

But just as he turned around...

Jiang Ye suddenly caught a glimpse of the photo frame on the bookshelf behind Chen Qingyun.

The photo frame contains a picture of two women together.

One of them was Chen Qingyun, and the other was an extremely beautiful woman in a white dress.

Jiang Ye was stunned when he saw the photo.

"Ok?"

Chen Qingyun followed his gaze and looked behind her. When she saw the photo, a slight ripple appeared in her eyes.

"This is a photo of me and a friend."

"What's wrong?" Chen Qingyun looked at Jiang Ye again: "Do you know him?"

"You look somewhat familiar." Jiang Ye's gaze was a little strange.

"look familiar?"

Chen Qingyun's eyes also looked a little strange, and then she said, "Her name is Zhou Lu. She was the executive officer here at the time. It happened ten years ago."

"Zhou Lu? Ten years ago?" Jiang Ye's heart stirred slightly.

A photo from ten years ago.

The other party even left it at their workplace, which clearly indicates a very good relationship.

But what caught Jiang Ye's attention was the woman in the white dress, whose appearance was quite similar to Chen Zilu's.

"Ten years ago, I was Zhou Lu's deputy."

Chen Qingyun seemed to recall something and said with some emotion, "She is much more capable than me. I have learned a lot from her."

"So, where has she gone now?" Jiang Ye asked curiously.

“Her? She’s gone.” Chen Qingyun shook her head and said, “Ten years ago, she passed away due to some unforeseen circumstances.”

"Passed away?" Jiang Ye was shocked.

"Zhou Lu's life has been quite turbulent."

As if touched by certain memories, or perhaps wanting to confide in someone, Chen Qingyun said softly, "She's an ordinary person, and her health isn't very good."

"Her daughter also had a strange illness since childhood, and exhibited certain unusual symptoms."

"A strange illness?" Jiang Ye looked puzzled.

"It means that some hideous patterns will appear on the face and body, and it looks very scary." Chen Qingyun shook her head.

Jiang Ye frowned slightly but remained silent.

"Back then, I heard that her daughter was often bullied at school, and several times a group of classmates even threw her into the river as a freak, and she almost drowned. Zhou Lu was furious about this and made a scene at the school, almost losing her job."

"We've changed schools several times, but this kind of thing keeps happening. The problem lies with her daughter. Every time the strange illness flares up, it's terrifying."

Fortunately, the strange illness disappeared as her daughter grew up.

"But who could have imagined that while Zhou Lu's daughter recovered, she herself contracted a serious illness that even the people in Donghai Province couldn't cure, and she passed away not long after."

"In short," Chen Qingyun sighed softly, "Zhou Lu's life has been very bumpy."

It was more than just bumpy.

Jiang Ye felt very miserable after hearing this.

Think of this.

"Where is Zhou Lu's husband?" Jiang Ye couldn't help but ask, "Isn't the father doing anything about his daughter being bullied like this?"

“Her husband works in Donghai Province,” Chen Qingyun said, shaking her head. “He rarely comes back and has never been involved in these matters.”

"However, Zhou Lu's daughter can't be blamed for being bullied by other classmates."

"That strange disease is terrifying."

“When Qingli first saw it, she was almost scared to tears,” Chen Qingyun said, shaking her head.

Jiang Ye fell silent for a moment.

I thought about it.

He asked, "After Zhou Lu passed away, did her daughter still stay in Ancheng?"

"I stayed for a while."

“Her daughter left when she reached high school.” Chen Qingyun recalled vividly: “I also paid attention to it at the time. Although the girl’s strange illness disappeared, she was still isolated by her classmates and didn’t have any friends here.”

Jiang Ye nodded and then asked, "Do you remember her daughter's name?"

"of course."

"Her name is Chen Zilu."

Take the elevator and leave the building.

Jiang Ye stood in the elevator, his feelings complicated.

The first thing he thought of when he saw Zhou Lu was Chen Zilu.

The two look so alike.

But he had never expected what Chen Qingyun was saying.

"Senior Bai Gui," Jiang Ye thought to himself, "you just said that those were symptoms of the Soul Devouring Syndrome?"

"Ah."

“When patients with the Soul Devouring Syndrome were young, they would experience symptoms every so often,” Bai Gui’s voice rang out. “This period is called the ‘Soul Devouring Period’.”

"The Devouring God stage?" Jiang Ye asked in confusion.

“This period is very special,” Bai Gui explained. “Even without cultivation, one will feel unbearable pain.”

"However, it usually lasts for a maximum of one month before returning to normal."

"A month?" Jiang Ye's pupils contracted.

For a little girl who is only a few years old, how agonizing must it be to suffer for a month?
"What about when you grow up? Will the Devouring God stage still exist?" Jiang Ye couldn't help but ask.

“Some patients will still experience relapses,” Bai Gui said. “But on the surface, there are no visible symptoms, only pain.”

"I understand." Jiang Ye didn't say anything more.

After getting out of the elevator.

A young girl wearing a long, colorful dress with snow-white legs walked towards us.

"Eno!"

"My mom didn't make things difficult for you, did she?" Zhao Qingli asked curiously.

"No." Jiang Ye shook his head and smiled at her: "Your mother gave me back fifty million."

"What?" Zhao Qingli was shocked.

Jiang Ye briefly explained the reason to her.

"No wonder." Zhao Qingli didn't think much of it and suddenly asked, "Jiang Ye, do you have time this afternoon?"

"What's wrong?" Jiang Ye asked, looking at her.

“I just saw that Ancheng has a new attraction. If you’re free, shall we go check it out together?” Zhao Qingli asked, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"Activities?"

Jiang Ye was slightly taken aback; he had originally intended to cultivate.

"Oh dear." Seeing his hesitation, Zhao Qingli couldn't help but remind him, "You said before that you would listen to me on this holiday. If you really insist, then forget it."

"Of course I remember, let's go." Jiang Ye shook his head and smiled.

His trip back to Ancheng this time was mainly to visit his parents and spend time with Zhao Qingli.

He would do everything in his power to meet any request the other party made.

time flies.

It was already past six o'clock in the evening when Jiang Ye and Zhao Qingli came out of the attractions.

Today is Federal Remembrance Day.

As dusk settles, every household is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating a festive atmosphere.

"Squad leader, this place is quite close to my home."

At the entrance of the attraction, Jiang Ye suggested, "Why don't you come to my house for dinner?"

"Go to your home?"

Zhao Qingli was slightly taken aback, then whispered, "It's so late, isn't that inappropriate?"

"I've already told my parents to cook more dishes tonight," Jiang Ye said with a smile. "It's more fun with more people."

Zhao Qingli hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, then I'll let my mom know first."

As she spoke, she walked to the side and called Chen Qingyun.

moment.

Zhao Qingli jogged over, her pretty face beaming with joy: "My mom agreed, let's go."

As she spoke, she suddenly paused and asked, "Should we bring something?"

"No need," Jiang Ye said with a smile. "Let's go, or the food will get cold."

"Uh-huh."

The two walked towards Taoyang Residential Area.

"Mom and Dad, I'm back."

Apartment 606, Building 12, Taoyang Residential Area.

Pushing open the old iron gate, a tempting aroma of food immediately wafted out.

"Eno!"

"Ono."

"Brother!" Everyone in the room sprang to attention. But soon...

"What's this?" Li Anping looked at the girl huddled behind Jiang Ye with a puzzled expression.

"She's my classmate," Jiang Ye said with a smile. "We came together. I'm inviting her to my house for dinner. Mom and Dad, you won't mind, will you?"

"welcome!"

"Of course you're welcome," Li Anping said with a smile. "Come, come, please come in."

"Uncle and Aunt, you don't need to be so polite," Zhao Qingli quickly said.

"Brother!" a crisp voice rang out.

Jiang Ye looked up and his eyes lit up.

A fair-skinned, stunningly beautiful young woman stood gracefully in the living room.

It was Jiang Ting.

After not seeing her for more than half a year, she has become even more beautiful and her figure is gradually developing.

"Tingting." Jiang Ye walked over, smiled, and patted her head: "You've grown so much."

"She's almost 15 years old," Jiang Ting scoffed.

She is now in the second year of junior high school.

"Brother!" Jiang Ting didn't care about any of that. She looked at Zhao Qingli not far away and said, "Is this your girlfriend? She's so pretty."

"Girlfriend?" Jiang Ye turned around and glanced at Zhao Qingli upon hearing this.

Zhao Qingli, who was talking to Li Anping, glared at him upon hearing this.

"Not yet." Jiang Ye turned around and said to Jiang Ting with a smile.

Behind her, Zhao Qingli froze, her face quickly turning red.

Fortunately, Jiang Dahai's voice rang out at just the right moment: "Come and eat!"

Upon hearing this, the whole family sat down at the table.

Jiang Ye led Zhao Qingli to their seats last.

"Xiao Zhao, don't be shy." Jiang Dahai smiled at Zhao Qingli and said, "We're all very relaxed, just make yourself at home here."

"Yes, thank you, Uncle." Zhao Qingli blushed slightly and nodded quickly.

"Haha, what a shy girl." Jiang Dahai gave Jiang Ye a thumbs up: "You have good taste."

Zhao Qingli's face immediately turned as red as fire.

Even Jiang Ye couldn't hold back any longer and quickly coughed, saying, "Dad, don't talk nonsense."

"What nonsense are you talking about? I didn't say anything." Jiang Dahai said with a smile, "After you finish eating, you can go for a walk around the streets and have some fun."

"Come on, drink!"

Bang~!

Outside the window, the night sky burst into a dazzling display of colorful fireworks.

Today is Federal Remembrance Day.

Family reunion.

Just as Jiang Ye, Zhao Qingli and the others were eating.

Suburbs of Ancheng.

Nestled among the rolling mountains, a large villa stands against the mountainside, overlooking the myriad lights of homes below.

In the villa.

"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!" A snow-white figure wielded a long spear, flashing silver light, graceful as a startled swan.

a long time.

Chen Zilu stopped practicing and put down her spear.

She walked alone toward the door.

Fireworks burst in the night sky.

Very beautiful.

There was no one else in the house besides her.

On a long night when fireworks are in full bloom, being alone always makes it easy to think of many things.

The girl stood alone at her doorstep, gazing blankly at the dazzling fireworks in the night sky.

A glint flashed in her peach-blossom eyes, and those memories buried deep within her surfaced like fireworks in full bloom.
"You ugly freak, you dare to glare at me? I'll beat you to death."

A boy grabbed a girl by the hair and slammed her face against the wall.

The girl's face was covered in blood from the impact, and she looked extremely miserable.

"Disgusting stuff."

"Ugly."

"Who welcomes you? Get out of here."

Several boys and girls stood around, pointing and laughing at the girl.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," the girl kept apologizing in a low voice.

"Get out of here right now!" Someone kicked the girl, knocking her to the ground.

The girl struggled to her feet and stumbled as she ran away into the distance.

"What bad luck, I've run into that ugly freak again."

"Her mother is dead too, right? Now no one wants her."

"Serves you right."

A murmur of conversation came from behind me.

The girl ran without looking back.

She ran and ran until she finally reached the foot of the mountain and saw her family's big villa.

The villa was very large and brightly lit; all the lights were on.

"Mom," the girl murmured as she climbed along the mountain path.

She finally climbed to the front of the villa and entered through the gate.

But the huge villa was completely empty.

Before going to school, the girl always turned on all the lights so that when she came home at night, she could see the lights of her house from afar, as if someone had prepared a warm meal and was waiting for her to come home.

But the truth is, there's no one else in the house anymore.

No one was waiting for her.

"Mom, it hurts so much." The girl wiped away her tears and blood, sitting at the doorway of her house, sobbing softly.

"Bang~!"

Suddenly, a dazzling firework burst open in the night sky, its deafening roar filling the air.

The girl looked up, her eyes red-rimmed.

She knew no one at home was waiting for her.

She also knew that her mother was no longer alive.

Fireworks light up the sky, while lights illuminate thousands of homes below.

The girl sat alone at the entrance of the villa, silent, as loneliness overwhelmed her like a tide.

Today is Federal Remembrance Day.

This time last year was also the day her mother passed away.

(Chen Zilu as a child)

"Mother."

Chen Zilu gazed at the myriad lights of homes below the mountain and murmured softly.

Her mother was the only source of warmth in her heart.

So even though this city has too many unpleasant memories.

But every year on Federal Day, Chen Zilu returns here.

Even among all these lights, not one was left on for her.

“Mother.” Chen Zilu gazed at the dazzling lights in the distance, and subconsciously raised her hand to grasp the starlight on her chest.

She was slightly startled.

Look down.

A glimmer of starlight shone on her chest, twinkling beautifully in the night.

It was a necklace that Jiang Ye gave her.

A smile appeared on Chen Zilu's face.

She carefully closed her palms, holding the necklace in her hands as if it were a precious treasure.

moment.

Chen Zilu turned around and looked at the large villa behind her.

In the past, she would come here every Federal Day, practicing shooting alone in silence.

The night is long, and only my gun keeps me company.

But today...
Having always been used to being alone, she found herself feeling somewhat lonely.

Chen Zilu took out her phone and opened her contacts.

Looking at the few contacts in her address book, Chen Zilu remained silent for a long time.

At times like this, everyone else is with their family and friends, so who would want to chat with her?
Even her best friend, Zhao Yingluo, had her own things to do at this time.

suddenly.

Chen Zilu's eyes flickered as she looked at one of the contacts.

"Eno."

Chen Zilu stared at the number, her peach-blossom eyes swirling with thoughts.

She has always been very withdrawn, rarely talks to others, and few people can get along with her.

Jiang Ye was one of the few people she talked to frequently.

Although most of the time, it's done in the name of teaching.

But at least the conversation went well.

pity.

After Jiang Ye entered university, this guy, the only one she could talk to fairly well, rarely contacted her anymore.

"He's probably cultivating, right?" Chen Zilu put down her phone, not wanting to disturb him.

She knew that being disturbed during cultivation was a very unpleasant thing.

Actually, being alone is quite nice; you can think about many things and recall those few happy moments.

Just like now.

The girl stood quietly at her doorstep, her slender figure shrouded in the thick darkness of the night. She gently touched the necklace on her chest, no longer feeling lonely.

moment.

Chen Zilu swayed and left the large villa.

She wanted to go out for a walk.

As dusk settles on the streets, people come and go.

On Federal Day, many families and couples go out for a stroll in the evening.

This thrill of risking danger during a holiday only happens once a year.

Chen Zilu walked alone in the crowd.

He was holding a gift box in his hand.

"I'll bring him some local specialties from Ancheng," Chen Zilu thought to herself. "He'll be pleasantly surprised, won't he?"

The girl wandered aimlessly as she pondered these thoughts.

She held the gift box in her right hand and stroked the necklace on her chest with her left.

As her gaze swept over the couples and families lining the street, she walked slowly alone, yet she did not feel lonely.

suddenly.

She stopped in her tracks.

The girl gazed into the distance, passing through the bustling crowd, and spotted a familiar figure.

　Asking for monthly ticket
　　
　
(End of this chapter)