AITAMITB Chapter 64

Tao Zijin’s information was quickly placed in front of Shen Zhifei.

She didn’t have any nostalgic feelings for Rong Zhen, and naturally, she didn’t care much about who he was involved with now. When she first heard about Tao Zijin, she was somewhat surprised, but she didn’t pay much attention to the person.

That changed when Tao Zijin and Zhao Xiaokui appeared on the same program.

She wasn’t well-versed in the entertainment industry, but she knew about Rong Zhen. She still remembered the disdainful look Luo Ziwei gave her when Zhao Xiaokui took over “Little Ox Charges Forward.”

Rong Zhen wouldn’t provide such resources to someone he had no interest in.

Her gaze rested on the information, fingers gently tapping on the desktop.

Tao Zijin had debuted on a talent show.

Initially, she wasn’t highly regarded, burdened with scandals, low popularity, and lacked talent. Despite having a good appearance, she failed to win the audience’s favor and lingered on the edge of elimination.

However, not long after, a GIF of her smiling at the camera went viral on Weibo. She was hailed as a fairy sister, her looks stood out, attracting a large number of fans, and her popularity soared.

After that, the typical narrative unfolded – the harder she worked, the luckier she got. Her abilities improved, and she went from being a trailing contestant to the lead, debuting in the top spot.

Looking at this journey, there didn’t seem to be any issues.

Shen Zhifei couldn’t find any faults.

After her debut, she crossed paths with Rong Zhen in the company. Rong Zhen was immediately smitten, launching a passionate pursuit and delivering several resources into her hands, determined to propel her to stardom.

However, it’s unclear whether she had bad luck or was naturally not destined for stardom. Zhao Xiaokui, this laid-back person, has trended several times, and despite Rong Zhen pouring in significant amounts of money for Tao Zijin, he couldn’t elevate her to the level of a top-tier influencer. It only gave her a bit of recognition, not even surpassing several girls who debuted around the same time. Online, there were constant jeers from black fans mocking her supposedly naturally unlucky fate.

But no matter how unlucky she might be, it shouldn’t lead her to participate in shows like “Little Ox Charges Forward.”

Shen Zhifei pondered for a moment, then called Zhao Xiaokui’s assistant, instructing her to take precautionary measures.

The assistant responded coldly, her discreet gaze subtly shifting towards Tao Zijin on the high platform.

Officially, she was an assistant, but in reality, she acted as a bodyguard. Even though Miss Zhao had shown off her shooting skills better than her at times, she doubted the purpose of her existence.

Fortunately, a legitimate job finally arrived.

Being on-site felt entirely different from sitting in front of a television.

With the latter, she could watch for a while, eat some fruit, go to the bathroom, and if she got bored, switch to other shows to change her mood. The former had her on edge for every round. Regardless of which team’s participant faced a challenge, she was incredibly anxious, wondering how anyone could fail such simple levels.

As the whistle sounded, signaling the end of the competition for both teams, Zhao Xiaokui’s group descended from the high platform. Upon meeting, the male guest from the red team arrogantly remarked, “Haha, Xiaokui, our team completed two more stages than yours. We’ve won, get ready to accept the punishment later.”

Zhao Xiaokui crossed her arms, contemptuously raising her chin, “Later, there’s still a guest PK. Just two stages, young man, don’t underestimate us.”

After finishing their conversation, the group returned to the main stage where they initially appeared.

The host announced, “All members of both teams have completed their challenges. The blue team passed a total of twenty-five stages, while the red team completed twenty-seven stages. Currently, the red team is in the lead. Congratulations to the red team.”

He led the applause and continued, “Next is the much-anticipated captain’s challenge segment. I wonder which captain from the red and blue teams will participate in the challenge?”

The male guest from the red team raised his hand without hesitation.

On Zhao Xiaokui’s side, the guest smiled shyly, took a step back, and said, “Our team’s challenging guest is Sister Xiaokui.”

The host looked surprised, but that expression only lasted a moment. He quickly continued, “It seems our Xiaokui is not to be underestimated today. Han Dongye, you better be careful.”

The male guest from the red team, a tall guy almost 1.9 meters tall, clenched his fist and struck a few bodybuilder poses, humorously saying, “Even if my opponent is Sister Xiaokui, I won’t take it easy.”

Zhao Xiaokui snorted lightly, pointing at the large muscles on his arm with her finger, shaking her head, and commenting, “All show, no substance.”

“Let’s see about that.”

Han Dongye boasted, taking the lead to the track. The camera focused on him as he prepared for the course.

Meanwhile, Zhao Xiaokui’s gaze subtly drifted toward Tao Zijin standing to the side.

Not sure if it was her imagination, she felt like she had just heard something.

She smoothed out the high ponytail she tied today, regretting that she couldn’t let her hair down to cover her ears.

The mermaid form would enhance various abilities in her body, especially those innate to mermaids.

Without the corresponding organs for assistance, the effects might be slightly weaker.

Fortunately, what was least lacking at today’s competition venue was water. Looking around, it resembled a water amusement park. Coupled with the hot weather, thick water vapor pervaded the air. Zhao Xiaokui didn’t seem bothered; despite jumping around on stage for a while, she remained refreshingly cool. However, both the host and her temporary teammates were now sweating profusely.

As she diverted her attention from the competition and fully opened her ears, a faint voice finally reached her ears.

“…Analysis complete. Soul match confirmed; it’s the original Zhao Xiaokui.”

“You said the original hosts I’m transmigrating into are already dead. Why is Zhao Xiaokui still alive?”

“The system is not clear on that.”

Tao Zijin’s voice?

And what in the world was this system?

Zhao Xiaokui’s mind conjured up various internet-related scenarios.

She intended to continue listening, but unfortunately, the program didn’t provide her with the opportunity. Just as she heard these two sentences, Han Dongye fell into the water for the third time, failing to overcome the sixth stage.

“Han Dongye’s best result is the fifth stage, meaning the red team now has a total of thirty-two stages, surpassing the blue team by seven stages. Xiaokui, do you have confidence in yourself?”

Zhao Xiaokui took the microphone and suddenly asked, “I remember there’s a rule in the show, that if the team leader can successfully pass all the levels, the final stage count doubles, right?”

The host was surprised, “Oh, does Xiaokui plan to complete all the stages?”

“What a joke… Zhao Xiaokui is exaggerating too much.”

“Really, can a female celebrity like her do that?”

The Xiaokui fans were as steadfast as ever, but their words sounded like they were consoling a child, saying things like “Go for it, my Xiaokui, Mom believes you can” or “Don’t get hurt, my daughter.”

In a certain university laboratory,

While waiting for the data, several graduate students sat together, watching the live broadcast of “Little Ox Charges Forward” on a laptop.

Hearing Zhao Xiaokui’s words on the screen, someone shook their head, “I don’t think it’s possible.”

Another person said, “Although it’s a bit chuunibyou, she’s quite cute. I’m a fan now.”

“The blue team is definitely going to lose.”

“Lose what?”

“It’s ‘Little Ox Charges Forward’…”

As they were talking, the female graduate student who was watching the program suddenly felt something was wrong. She stood up abruptly and said, “Boss!”

Gu Siyuan smiled and said, “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Sit down. I just came to see what you guys are watching.”

Although he worked for the Nightwalker, he also had his responsibilities at the university, where he recruited a few graduate students to conduct research in some publicly known directions.

Gu Siyuan wasn’t too strict with his graduate students. So although they were caught watching variety shows in the lab, after a brief nervous moment, they explained it to him.

“Zhao Xiaokui?” Gu Siyuan, wearing glasses, looked at the screen and recognized the familiar face. He chuckled and said, “Haha, let’s make a bet. I bet she can definitely pass all the levels. If I lose, I’ll treat you all to dinner.”

A girl exclaimed, “Teacher, you’re also a Xiaokui flower?”

Gu Siyuan, puzzled, asked, “What is a Xiaokui flower?”

“It’s Zhao Xiaokui’s fans,” the excited girl explained, “Since Zhao Xiaokui is called Xiaokui, those who like her are called Xiaokui flowers.”

Hearing this explanation, Gu Siyuan found it cute. Thinking of the girl who helped him solve the puzzle on the stone tablet and occasionally came to the research institute to ask him questions, he smiled and said, “Well, I do quite like her. If you think I’m a Xiaokui flower, then so be it. But I should be considered an old Xiaokui flower.”

“Pfft—”

While they were laughing, on the other side, Zhao Xiaokui was already standing at the starting point.

She jumped in place, took a few deep breaths, looked up at the level, struck a starting pose, and gave an OK sign to the camera.

With the sound of a whistle, she moved like an arrow, swiftly stepping on the foam blocks floating on the water.

The first level wasn’t difficult, almost like a freebie, just a matter of speed. However, when Zhao Xiaokui passed the level, she still left everyone with a sense of amazement—

She gracefully leaped onto the floating board, resembling a weightless deer as she danced over it, her posture elegant and unbelievably beautiful.

During the passage of each level, she even had the mood to turn her head and wink at the camera.

The wink before the live broadcast almost caused the audience to collectively explode.

From the aerial view, several floating boards on the water showed almost no changes, only creating a shallow ripple on the water’s surface.

“Wow—this is like martial arts on water, right?”

“I suggest Zhao Xiaokui go film a wuxia drama.”

“Just one level; the following ones will test endurance and physical fitness. She’s just a girl, definitely won’t make it.”

At this moment, the camera conveniently switched to Han Dongye’s side.

Zhao Xiaokui’s teammate shouted loudly, cheering her on, while Han Dongye stared at the track without blinking, commenting, “Just one level, can’t see anything yet.”

“Ding dong—”

Hearing the familiar ding-dong sound, Tao Zijin looked at the screen that suddenly appeared in front of her.

【Temporary Mission: Win the competition.

Mission Description: Defeat the blue team and win the competition.

Punishment: Unlucky for 24 hours.

Reward: Foresee the future once.】

The system never issued missions that guaranteed victory. Tao Zijin’s expression changed slightly, thinking, “What does this mean? Are you saying that Zhao Xiaokui will definitely pass the seventh level and win the competition? Why didn’t you issue the mission earlier? She’s already started the competition; what can I do to stop her?”

As her words faded away, the text dispersed, and a black card suddenly appeared before her eyes.

“Stealing Fortune Card: Steal the good luck of anyone within the range of your vision for one day, can be specified.”

The system practically recommended the use of this card, as if pointing at Tao Zijin’s nose, saying, “Now, immediately, use this card for me.”

Tao Zijin hesitated.

This was a typical item that harmed both parties. She could steal someone’s good luck for a day, but she had to pay a corresponding amount of money as a cost. If the stolen person died during the stealing process and the money was not enough to compensate, she might even suffer some damage herself. Unless necessary, she was reluctant to use this card.

Seemingly sensing her thoughts, the mission description panel popped up again, but this time, the “Unlucky for 24 hours” punishment was highlighted in red and bold, directly confronting her.

At this moment, Zhao Xiaokui had already passed the first four levels at an extraordinary speed, including the relatively easy ones that most people could pass. She was now rushing towards the subsequent levels.

“Unlucky for 24 hours” might sound simple, but it was essentially a weakened version of the “Death Note.” If she stayed at home for a whole day, it might not be too bad, but if she had to go out, passing by downstairs would be like encountering falling objects from a great height, and crossing the road would undoubtedly involve brake failures. Even drinking water could choke her. Most importantly, if she had any activities to attend on that day, they would inevitably fail.

She just wanted to win the competition; it wasn’t a big deal.

Self-consoling, Tao Zijin looked at Zhao Xiaokui, who was sprinting toward the fifth level, and whispered, “Activate the Stealing Fortune Card.”

The fifth level consisted of ten rolling balls suspended by ropes, making it extremely difficult to pass. Nine out of ten participants rolled down during this level.

However, for Zhao Xiaokui, it was not difficult at all.

With her speed, she could easily run past the balls before they reacted, making it almost as easy as walking on flat ground.

However, when she reached the fifth ball, her feet suddenly slipped, and unexpectedly, she tumbled down.

“Oh, damn—”

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