Chapter 42: Finalizing the Business Deal

"I never thought Qin Yun, such a good young man, would get divorced too—what’s the world coming to these days?"

Wang Lili’s mother sighed with deep emotion.

Wang Lili said: "What’s so surprising? Divorce rates are sky-high now—every day, more people divorce at the Civil Affairs Bureau than get married. That’s why birth rates are so low."

"Sigh... today’s youth are nothing like we were back then. Overthinking never helps."

She turned to Wang Lili: "You, don’t just sit there working all day—go meet some boys. You’re already twenty-eight. If you don’t marry now, you’ll be thirty. At thirty, you’re an old maid—no one will want you."

Wang Lili rolled her eyes: "Better not. I’m perfectly happy living alone—no pressure at all."

"You little brat, you’re trying to make me furious."

"Hahaha!" Wang Lili ran ahead a few steps, breaking free from her mother’s grasp. "Keep pushing me, and I’ll just marry Qin Yun."

"How can a girl even say something like that... Oh my goodness... you’re killing me!"

An hour later, the three generations returned the same way along the shore—the fallen sesame snails were enough to fill three bowls.

Grandfather still kept the traditional earthen stove; though he didn’t light it for every meal, he’d use it every few days. Yesterday, for example, when they slaughtered a chicken, hot water was needed—and a regular kettle wouldn’t do; they’d have to boil water multiple times.

But with the earthen stove, one pot of water could fill six or seven thermoses.

As a child, at Grandfather and Grandmother’s, they’d use the stove to slow-cook rice cakes and roast buns—even if they got covered in ash, no one cared. The joy of eating them was unmatched.

"Xiao Yun, we’re out of firewood—go grab a bundle from the shed in the field."

"Got it, Grandpa."

"Woof!"

Qin Yun walked toward the field with Dahei. The one-third acre plot grew vegetables, pomelos, tangerines, and even a persimmon tree. Right now, it was harvest season—the persimmons were fist-sized, still greenish, but delicious.

Pick them, place them in a rice bin, or cover them with plant stems—within days, they’d fully ripen.

But the best method? Put them in a bag with apples or bananas—within two days, they’d be perfectly sweet, the astringency gone, the flavor sinking deep into your bones.

Qin Yun carried a bundle of dry firewood—at least fifty pounds. Grandfather was startled when he saw him lifting it with one hand.

"Xiao Yun, when did you get so strong?"

Qin Yun set the firewood beside the stove and smiled: "I’ve been working out. Stronger arms are normal."

"Hmm. Health comes first—you’re doing right."

Grandfather praised him, then moved to light the stove—but Qin Yun beat him to it.

"Grandpa, go do something else—I’ll light the fire."

"Alright. First, boil a pot of water. For lunch, we’re having turnip rice cakes—no need for a fierce flame."

"Got it."

He used a lighter to ignite thin twigs, then laid slightly thicker branches across the fire. Once those caught, he added even thicker logs, layer by layer—soon, the stove’s heat rose steadily.

When the fire stabilized, Qin Yun sat before the stove, his face glowing red in the flickering light.

He pulled out his phone, checked his Douyin backend data—the new video had surpassed ten thousand likes, but it had clearly peaked. Carving isn’t rare on Douyin, and his video was long—few people watch it all the way through.

Still, the comments were mostly positive—many praised his carving skills. Several even offered prices outright, asking him to list the finished carvings in his storefront.

Qin Yun smiled and sent a WeChat message to Su Huan.

"I’m planning to go to Shengsi in a couple days. There’s a cliff called Duan Long Zhan—seventy meters vertical drop. I’ll be attempting traditional rock climbing there."

He sent the message. Less than five minutes later, Su Huan called him directly.

"Hey, Qin Yun—are you sure you mean traditional climbing, not free solo?"

Qin Yun laughed: "Definitely traditional climbing—with protection."

"Good. I’ll contact DJI’s marketing lead—I should get you a decent deal."

"Mm. The price doesn’t matter—just give me a drone with great stability and battery life."

"Alright. I’ll negotiate. I’ll get back to you."

After hanging up, Qin Yun suddenly noticed a shadow lurking by the door.

"Mom, what are you doing?"

Hu Fen walked in as if nothing happened. "Nothing. Just on the phone—who was it? Sounded like a girl."

Qin Yun chuckled: "Just a college classmate. Why are you asking?"

"Hehe, I said it’s nothing." Hu Fen smiled when she heard it was a female classmate and dropped the subject.

Su Huan moved fast. After dinner, she called again.

As soon as the WeChat voice message connected, laughter came through: "Done. Eight thousand yuan deal—just need your video to end with a clear shot of their product model."

"Impressive." Qin Yun genuinely thought Su Huan was amazing. A creator with only 100,000 followers landing an eight-thousand-yuan sponsorship? He’d expected three thousand to be the max.

"Of course. Don’t forget who you’re talking to."

"Class president still is class president—I have to admire you." Qin Yun showered her with praise, then noticed three pairs of ears leaning in.

He didn’t care—he turned on speakerphone. Immediately, he regretted it.

"By the way, they were really impressed by your first video’s technique. If this collaboration goes well, they might consider long-term partnership."

"Perfect. Tell them they won’t be disappointed."

Qin Yun’s mind raced. Then—a flash of inspiration.

"Su Huan, what if I go live? After the stream, I’ll edit the footage into a video—then DJI gets two rounds of exposure."

"Live stream?" Su Huan frowned. "Won’t that be too stressful? It’s not the same as climbing alone."

Qin Yun laughed: "I’m fine. It’s not free solo—way easier for me."

Su Huan fell silent for a moment. "If you’re set on streaming, I’ll need to renegotiate with them. They’ll need to advise on equipment. I’ll call you tomorrow."

"Alright. Thanks."

"It’s just talking—what’s hard about it? What are you doing?"

"Me?" Qin Yun glanced at his grandparents and mother. "I’m at my grandparents’ place—on Huidao Island in Zhoushan."

"The scenery must be beautiful?"

"It’s fine. You get used to it. Everyone here’s old—no young people left."

"I actually love places like this—rise with the sun, rest with the sunset. When I’m old, I’ll find somewhere just like this."

"Heh, you’re dreaming. Someone used to digital life here? Three days max—you’d go crazy. Your express delivery from Hangzhou takes two days. Here? Two weeks minimum."

"You have to do everything yourself—even if a lightbulb burns out, you can’t buy a replacement. Thank god China’s cell towers are everywhere—otherwise, no internet at all."

"Hmph. No charm. Goodbye."

Click. The call ended. Hu Fen scolded: "You idiot—she wanted atmosphere, and you dumped a pile of reality on her."

Qin Yun was speechless: "I’m not dating her. Why talk about atmosphere?"

Hu Fen pointed at him, exasperated.

The next day, Sunday afternoon at three, Qin Yun sent Su Huan his shipping address—officially confirming the deal with DJI.

The package included live streaming plus video exposure—total value thirty thousand yuan. DJI would sponsor: one high-end action camera and one drone with live-streaming capability, capable of mounting six auxiliary cameras, automatically switching angles—highly advanced.

Like a smart AI switchboard.

Of course, the gear wasn’t a gift—only loaned. Must be returned after use.

A drone with live-streaming and AI features cost over two hundred thousand yuan. DJI could afford it—they just didn’t consider Qin Yun worthy of a free gift.

Qin Yun stared at DJI’s official product page—his mouth watered.

Minimum power: four-hour battery life. Maximum power: one-hour flight. Satellite communication included—even in remote areas, it could find signals and connect to the network. During live streaming, it supported hot-swappable batteries thanks to an internal backup battery.

Also, because it supported live streaming, it carried an eight-inch screen—easy to read comments.

"Amazing! Made in China is amazing!"

Qin Yun gave DJI a thumbs-up!

Hu Fen, however, remained anxious after learning of Qin Yun’s upcoming work.

Only when they bid farewell to his grandparents and boarded the small boat did she whisper: "Really no danger?"

"Mom, there’s protection. No danger. Your son can handle free solo—this is nothing. Just relax."

Qin Yun could only offer this reassurance.

Hearing him say that, Hu Fen relaxed slightly. She stared at the video on her phone—she’d watched it countless times, yet it still sent chills down her spine.

Dancing on the edge of death—that’s what it felt like.

"You absolutely must never do unprotected climbing again, understand?" Hu Fen gripped his hand after stepping off the boat. "If anything happens to you, I won’t know what to do."

"Mom, don’t worry. I never do anything without confidence."

Qin Yun felt guilty but couldn’t tell her about the system. Besides, she’d find out eventually—better she learn sooner. Maybe she’d get used to it.

Back at the Zhoushan Fishery dormitory, two days later, after Qin Yun finished carving a Buddha and a Bodhisattva, the courier arrived.

It was from DJI: one drone, one action camera.

Qin Yun had owned action cameras before, but compared to DJI’s, his were inferior in resolution and specs—so he’d use DJI’s camera.

Paired with the live-streaming drone and three auxiliary cameras, that made five camera positions total.

Equipment ready. Next step: site survey. He planned to drive to Shengsi tomorrow to scout the location.