Chapter 11: Blowing the Roof Off, I Mean Business!
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Regardless of whether news about the semifinals arrived, Xinghe Fang was already preparing to return home. The second semester of sophomore year was about to begin; he couldn’t stay up on the mountain forever.
The next day, after packing his belongings, it was time to say goodbye.
“Director, I’ll come back again during the summer holiday!” Xiao Duo Yu said, eyes brimming with tears, reluctant to part.
“Hm, practice well,” Master Zhong nodded gently, hands behind his back, his flowing sleeves embodying the ethereal grace of a Daoist immortal.
Xinghe Fang clasped his hands over his chest, left hand holding the right, thumbs tucked in, fingers together, bowing respectfully.
“Director, I dare not forget the kindness you showed in passing down your art. Please take care.”
“Gathering and parting are natural; no need to dwell on it.”
Though he said this, Master Zhong stroked his beard, holding back his emotions, and still added, “Don’t slack off when you return. When you have the time and energy, I’ll introduce you to the other two major branches of the complete Bajiquan style: the Mengcun Old Frame and the Luotan Hard Frame. After that, it’s up to you how far you can go.”
Xiao Duo Yu thought: So am I really the one with the better constitution? It seems like he’s getting much better treatment…
Xinghe Fang naturally appreciated such favor, bowing deeply in gratitude.
After bidding farewell to his senior brothers one by one, he set off on the long journey home.
Another forty hours on the road, and by the time he stepped onto the county town’s soil again, it was early spring.
He dropped his things at home, went to the bathhouse for a thorough wash, scrubbing off half a pound of dead skin. Standing before the mirror, he saw a strikingly handsome young man with regal bearing.
When he was first reborn, he was nothing more than a common wild grass. Now, his appearance rated 99, height 174 centimeters, a skill set brimming with accomplishments, no time wasted.
[Attributes Panel]
Appearance Attributes: Looks 99, Physique 72
Physical Attributes: Strength 54, Speed 80, Endurance 61, Agility 75, Flexibility 73
Hidden Attributes: Coordination 72, Perception 60, Recovery 74, Immunity 61, Health 71
Artistic Attributes: Writing 79
[Skills Panel]
Wudang Taiji Standing Post: 42
Wudang Taiji Thirteen Movements: 33
Basic Swordsmanship: 28
Basic Footwork: 27
Basic Leg Techniques: 25
Mengcun New Frame Bajiquan: 10
Six Harmonies Spear: 12
[Starlight Panel]
[Follower Count: 128]
[Starlight Points: 4,758]
[Starshine Points: 0]
Xinghe Fang was still in a growth phase, all attributes improving.
However, compared to the explosive rise in physical attributes, the hidden attributes crept up slowly, inch by inch.
There was probably no way around this; external attributes were easier to train, but innate talent was harder to improve. He could only pin his hopes on starlight.
His follower count was increasing quickly; most people he interacted with daily held some fondness for him.
But over such a long period, 128 followers had contributed less than 5,000 starlight points — a pitifully low amount.
This implied a hard truth: when nothing noteworthy happened, ordinary fans’ emotional investment in their idol was clearly insufficient.
No wonder — everyone had their own lives; who would think of you without reason?
True die-hard fans were a tiny minority.
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To solve this problem, there must be enough works.
With many works, fans would casually glance and naturally be reminded.
The quantity of works solved the issue of association frequency, or how often fans were triggered, while the quality of works addressed emotional investment, or how deeply moved they were.
When works were both numerous and excellent, an artistic life would be healthy and enduring.
Yet there remained a subtlety: numerous and excellent works did not equal many loyal, devoted fans — those were two different things.
There was so much nuance that one could write multiple theses on it, and Xinghe Fang, seasoned in frontline marketing, could sort it out clearly. Yet nowadays, even agencies and stars themselves were largely clueless.
So, looking at the dazzlingly handsome self in the mirror, Xinghe Fang felt deeply satisfied, full of hope for the future.
“The first step is successfully taken. From now on, just charge forward. Let’s go, handsome devil!”
Happily returning to the small courtyard, Bao Fu and Tao Dang had already sneaked in with the young hawks. Upon seeing Xinghe Fang, they all burst into exclamations.
Everyone, except the usual surplus, was amazed.
“Damn!”
“Bro, you’re getting more and more handsome!”
“Yeah! You were handsome before, but this is on another level…”
“Your eyes have changed, haven’t they?”
“Oh my god, I can’t take it; my heart’s pounding… Boss, do you need a housewife? I can do anything!”
“Go away, you flashy ugly freak!”
“You’re the one who should go, bean sprout!”
The two female hawks began arguing inexplicably. Although it wasn’t serious, Xinghe Fang felt guilty.
Alas, it was all his damned charm’s fault.
He did not bother explaining his sudden improvement to his friends.
Originally a 75 in looks—not ugly at all—now gradually developing to the limit, a simple “I just grew up during puberty” was enough to brush it off; no one would guess the truth.
For now, he’d just indulge in vanity.
Moreover, the shabby clothes and awful hairstyle capped at least nine points off his potential.
Just wait until I get properly dressed; then you’ll truly understand what “shockingly handsome” means.
After some cheerful teasing, Xinghe Fang treated them to skewers. Over a dozen half-grown kids plus drinks cost just over a hundred yuan.
Even the cold dishes were delicious. Although grown out of season in greenhouses, cucumbers were flavorful, and tomatoes sweet, tangy, soft, and juicy — fragrant enough to tingle Fang Huai’s scalp.
He couldn’t understand why such tasty varieties were discarded.
No matter, from now on, I’ll show off two every day.
After a satisfying meal, Bao Fu sneaked over and asked, “Bro, the county just opened a new dance hall…”
“What dance hall?” Xinghe Fang felt this kid was really drifting and smacked him on the back of the head. “Isn’t the internet café enough for you?”
The slightest noise was overheard by Fang Dadan, who hurried over, bouncing excitedly, “Take me with you! Take me with you!”
Alright, then everyone goes.
A group of over ten people rushed to the internet café, which was still not quite an internet café by modern standards.
After booting up and settling in, Xinghe Fang was busy dealing with clingy Fang Dadan when a familiar yet strange “beep beep” sounded from nearby.
Huh? There’s QQ now?
He asked Zhang Qi, “What’s that software for?”
Zhang Qi excitedly explained, “Chatting and making friends! Big brother, I’ll help you download it. It’s super fun!”
“Okay.”
Despite his fumbling, soon a little penguin icon named QICQ appeared on the desktop.
After a quick look, Xinghe Fang successfully registered an account. Wow, a five-digit number starting with 1 — 11588!
Is Tony Ma really doing that badly now?
Just as he laughed, Fang Dadan and the others each made an account and began adding friends.
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Xinghe Fang awkwardly fiddled with the simple software when suddenly a smart aleck sent a message: “Hello! Are you a boy (GG) or a girl (MM)?”
Who was this? Learning fast.
He casually replied, “I’m a boy (GG).”
Then he clicked the sender’s avatar and saw… huh? 10001, the number one QQ account — wasn’t that Tony Ma’s?
Still confused, Tony’s reply came: “What a coincidence, I’m a girl (MM)! Hello.”
Pfft!
Xinghe Fang nearly sprayed his ice-cold cola onto the screen, feeling it was hilariously surreal.
What’s going on, big brother?!
He thought maybe it was a mistake, so he probed, “Really? I don’t believe it.”
Qiu Ye: “Really! Don’t believe me? Look at my avatar!”
He saw it change from a blue male icon to a purple-haired big-eyed female one.
What a fool… Clearly a science and engineering guy—who gave you the courage to play this game?
Xinghe Fang laughed uncontrollably and replied, “Alright then, I’m the big boss of society. I’ll protect you, GG!”
Qiu Ye: “Really? You’re amazing! Where are you from?”
Xinghe Fang beamed: “Everything north of Shanhaiguan is my territory. Remember, if you ever need anything, just mention my name. Want someone taken care of? Just say the word!”
Tony Ma stayed silent, probably stunned…
Xinghe Fang laughed heartily, then browsed the news online, finding it dull, and prepared to head home.
Before leaving, clingy Fang Dadan came close again, pouting, “When are you leaving for Magic City? Will you bring gifts for us?”
“Oh, so you remember to bring Lu Tingting when you want gifts?”
“We’re good sisters!”
“Then you should spend your own money on your sisters; that’s sincerity. I’m just a runner, so I’ll charge a handling fee. Not unreasonable, right?”
“Eh?!”
The little girl was caught in his argument. Just as she was about to figure out what was wrong, the water army leader used his usual trick: “I’m probably leaving on the 23rd. The green train is too slow and miserable.”
Upon hearing this, Fang Yuting felt both disappointed and pained.
“That is tiring. It’s a pity I didn’t pass the preliminaries; otherwise, I could have gone with you…”
Better if you hadn’t passed, he thought bitterly, coaxing Fang Yuting and Lu Tingting together like children, then quickly left.
Thirteen years old! What a crime…
Back home, he was restless and kept busy.
Xinghe Fang drew two designs and found an experienced tailor at the market.
“So you want a fitted Zhongshan suit?”
The tailor worried about the cost: “But you’re still growing, right? Fitted clothes might only fit for a short time!”
Is one time looking good not enough?
Xinghe Fang smiled: “There’s an important occasion, so it must look good.”
“Alright then, come pick it up in a week.”
The tailor sighed, then muttered softly, “I have to say, a fitted Zhongshan suit without breast pockets looks quite good…”
Xinghe Fang knew nothing about fashion design.
It was just a simple, minimalist, slim-fit Zhongshan suit paired with a small stand-collar white shirt.
Even in the future, it would highlight his looks and physique; now… well.
This would definitely blow the scene away. And he was serious.