Chapter 165

Ling Yue saw this scene, the corners of her mouth twitching nonstop; she slapped the big tiger's paws with one palm: "I'll do it myself."

Heaven knows how frightened she was seeing Jun Jun without a head; her heart almost jumped out of her chest.

Jun Jun still didn't know what he'd done wrong, shrinking his head in grievance, then suddenly glanced aside and glared fiercely at Bai Ze: "What are you looking at? No looking!"

If they weren't originally one entity, the restrictions it set up couldn't stop Bai Ze at all; Jun Jun would have already driven him away.

It turned its head to look again, where's my big Yueyue?

Jun Jun hurried inside, returning to his familiar place, feeling both nostalgic and excited; no matter how long he'd been away, he remembered this was his home.

Ling Yue was astonished; with each breath, rich spiritual energy permeated her body—this was absolutely a blessed cave paradise, though she thought that if it weren't a blessed cave paradise, she'd be surprised.

Ling Yue saw a patch of spirit fruits; just as she turned her head, preparing to search for Jun Jun's true form, the big tiger foolishly presented a large pile of fruit wrapped in lotus leaves and handed them to her.

"These fruits are especially tasty; I know you like sweet-and-sour, so I picked many that aren't fully ripe—tear open the skin and inside is a bag of juice, plus some with flesh, eating them sweet and refreshing."

Having said that, he looked at her eagerly.

A few minutes later, Ling Yue held the lotus leaves, not eating first but pinching a fruit, looking at Jun Jun and saying: "Ah~"

Jun Jun opened his mouth wide in confusion; the next moment, Ling Yue leaned in, stuffing the plump, round fruit into his mouth, its sharp canine teeth brushing against the girl's soft fingertip.

It was like touching a piece of soft tofu; in an instant, an electric sensation surged through his limbs.

Ling Yue asked it: "Is it tasty? Not tasty? Sweet or not?"

Jun Jun froze, then flopped onto the grass, refusing to lift his head; Ling Yue looked at him strangely: "What's wrong with you?"

After a while, the big tiger's muffled voice came from below: "I, I'm feeling where my body is."

Actually, that's not it.

Times have changed; it's understandable that it forgot the way home, but this place hasn't changed at all—how could it possibly forget the furnishings of its own home?

It's not looking for its true form at all; it's clearly just shy.

Previously, it wasn't enlightened, instinctively wanting to occupy all of Yueyue's attention, fierce and barbaric, like a crude child who never grew up.

Suddenly, its heart began to beat restlessly; that little seed in its heart one day suddenly popped and blossomed.

Ling Yue didn't wait with it; she prepared to search on her own first.

She gave a greeting; Jun Jun's ears twitched as he listened, then suddenly heard a light laugh, lifted his head, and Bai Ze looked at him with a half-smile: "Unpromising."

Jun Jun glared at him, his eyes seeming to spit fire.

Indignant, it quickly reacted, not uttering a word, and shot past him in a huff; Jun Jun's thought was simple: better to spend time looking for Ling Yue than talking to him.

Things turned out unexpectedly.

Bai Ze's gaze was dim, and he followed over.

Ling Yue was lucky, discovering a cave whose entrance was adorned with beautiful flowers and spirit fruits; as she approached, she sensed a familiar aura.

It was Jun Jun.

Ling Yue had just entered when she hadn't even spoken a word before locking eyes with a pair of ferocious, cold beastly pupils.

Ling Yue looked up; it was Jun Jun, oh no, to be precise, it was Jun Jun's true form.

Even in the dim cave, the big tiger's pure white fur, smooth as silk, flowed downward, still beautiful as moonlight poured over the earth. In a posture completely unfamiliar to her, it stood silently in the cave.

In its amber pupils flickered killing intent and cruelty; its tall, mighty body exuded overwhelming pressure.

A thin light poured down from above, enveloping it; the big tiger in the halo also glimmered.

As Jun Jun entered and saw her frozen stance, he thought she'd been frightened and hurried over: "Yueyue."

Ling Yue grabbed his soft chest fur: "Jun Jun."

This time Jun Jun panicked even more, almost at a loss as he awaited her judgment—only to receive a big hug from Ling Yue: "Is this your true form? So handsome."

Jun Jun now resembled a starving beggar suddenly hit by a hot, big stuffed pancake falling from the sky; she said he was handsome.

Jun Jun almost couldn't help but split his mouth open in a grin, so happy his big tail drooped low and swayed back and forth.

Once the true form is found, the fusion of soul and body is a natural progression, but according to Ling Yue's estimate, it will take at least a day.

She sighed, looking at Jun Jun—more precisely, the Jun Jun trapped in his shell—who let him be so anxious that, in his joy, he completely forgot this crucial juncture.

Ling Yue stroked its chest fur: "Don't worry, I'll come to see you these days."

Jun Jun: QAQ

He regretted deeply; unable to move, he glared fixedly at Bai Ze, who gave a gentle smile and suddenly proposed: "Otherwise, let's leave first; Jun Jun is striving to merge his body, and if we stay here, we might distract him."

Ling Yue nodded in strong agreement; hearing this, Jun Jun exclaimed: "!!!"

He wished he could stretch out his Er Kang hand and shout: "Come back! Yueyue, come back!"

【Damn Bai Ze, wait for me!】

Ling Yue went out but wasn't idle; here there were all kinds of fruits, many spirit fruits, plus some that weren't spirit fruits but tasted great.

Most had grown into tall fruit trees; later Ling Yue checked and found these fruits don't exist anywhere in the world.

In other words, they should have been extinct long ago, but thanks to Jun Jun they were preserved, and Ling Yue couldn't help but think of her own fruit wine.

Ling Yue said: "I see there are lots of fruits here; let's go find a suitable tree and try transplanting it."

She hadn't forgotten what Jun Jun had said before—fruit trees are very hard to transplant—but don't forget she also has a method; having previously aided the little bear bee softsoft, Ling Yue gained 100% plant affinity.

In other words, any plant in her hands can survive.

Thus, the biggest obstacle ceases to exist.

When leaving, for some unknown reason, Ling Yue took some sun fruits with her.

Because of the earlier purple marten Xiao Yun, she was quite interested; from Jun Jun she learned that sun fruits are a specialty of Changbai Mountain, Jun Jun also happened to discover them, they have low requirements, and one can set up small spirit-gathering arrays.

The only problem is that beyond a hundred-mile radius of Changbai Mountain, they absolutely cannot survive.

Ling Yue had only just taken two sun fruits when her body already heated up—she was practically a natural little sun.

In the north, there are months-long low temperatures each year, requiring massive heating; calculated by ground level, a year costs at least several thousand, and every year people freeze to death on the streets.

Even in the south, that doesn't mean there's no winter; dry cold, damp cold—all are cold.

Ling Yue's eyes grew brighter the more she thought, carefully putting away the two sun fruits; she probably had a plan in mind, just not knowing whether, if it succeeded, all of Qiao Qiao's worries would be no problem at all.

As she left, she didn't notice the gaze behind her; the Little Ginseng Doll wearing a red bellyband frowned, tugging at her own little topknot: "What should we do? She's gone back."

Purple Marten Little Cloud stood beside her, saying firmly: "Since she is my benefactor, I will definitely repay the kindness."

"Me too, me too!" the Little Ginseng Doll hadn't forgotten her earlier oath; it was not a sprite who casually boasted.

It scratched its little topknot, its chubby little face almost wrinkling into a bitter melon; suddenly, its eyes lit up: "I have ginseng!"

"I know a place with lots of ginseng; should we send her some ginseng?"

Purple Marten Little Cloud nodded: "Of course, I've heard humans really like this."

Ling Yue still didn't know, a big gift was being prepared to be delivered.

When she returned, it was just lunchtime; Ling Yue glanced around, didn't see Qiao Qiao, and moreover, Qiao's father and mother, who were eating, had worried frowns; only upon seeing her did they force themselves to cheer up, smiling and greeting her.

Ling Yue had only been here a few days—how could she not worry? She immediately asked: "Has something happened? Where's Qiao Qiao?"

Qiao's mother's eyes were red; she finally couldn't help but tear up: "Qiao Qiao's fine—what could happen to her? Let's eat first."

No sooner had the words fallen than a loud bang-bang knocking sounded outside, urgent and resonant, like a drumbeat, making Ling Yue's brows furrow.

Qiao's father opened the door, caught sight of the visitor, his face instantly changed, and he glowered at them: "Get lost!"

"We don't welcome you here! Get out!"

Who would have thought the man wore a carefree grin, completely unbothered by his awful attitude, while the two tall, burly bodyguards at his side were unyielding, prying open the door crack like bandits.

The man strode straight in; upon seeing Ling Yue and Bai Ze, he blinked, then turned his gaze to Qiao's mother: "Sister-in-law, long time no see—your family's meals are not bad."

He said that, then grabbed the chopsticks to snag a dish, but Qiao's mother was quick-eyed and quick-handed, covering it with a lid; Ling Yue had never seen her so angry, her face flushed crimson: "Get out! You shameless thing, get out of my house!"

Just moments ago the thick‑skinned man grinned, but in an instant his face changed; he menacingly threatened the couple: "I'm telling you, don't give me face if you've got none!"

"This land, I will definitely contract it; I'll also build a factory—pollution or not, nowadays even Antarctica has plastic bags, adding one more makes no difference, losing one makes no difference—tell Qiao Qiao, let her see clearly just how many people support her!"

"The land behind our village, I'm taking it all!"

Hearing this, the couple trembled with anger, but facing Qiao Second Uncle's shamelessness, these two honest folks couldn't think of anything to do.

Originally Ling Yue didn't understand the full story, but seeing the situation now, how could she still be unclear?

Bullying has gone too far.

Looking at the arrogant, overbearing man, Ling Yue slowly rose to her feet, coldly smiling at him: "What contract? Build a factory? Didn't Qiao Qiao tell you? I've already signed a contract with her."

"The wasteland of Rear Village—that plot bordering Long White Mountain—I've already taken it."

Qiao Second Uncle's face changed at once, because Ling Yue's accent and poise were completely unlike the locals; he could tell she was definitely not a local.

That's why he felt uneasy, lacking confidence.

"Who are you? How much are you prepared to invest? Little girl, talking big will only get you laughed at."

Just then Qiao Qiao returned, she hung her backpack on the door, was about to rub her hands and blow on them when she suddenly noticed the house was warm.

Here, Ling Yue completely ignored his words, furrowed her brows, feigning anger as she looked at Qiao Qiao: "Qiao Qiao, I already said I'd contract the field behind the village for seventy years—haven't you made that clear to him yet?"

Hearing this, Qiao Second Uncle felt like cursing, almost swearing—where did this city person come from, just to oppose him?

Qiao Qiao blinked, thinking Ling Yue was helping her, but in fact it was just an offhand remark to fool Qiao Second Uncle; she immediately linked arms with Ling Yue affectionately: "Yueyue, hear me out!"

She turned to Qiao Second Uncle: "I already said it—don't even think about that plot; I've already settled it with a friend, seventy‑year contract, fifty thousand deposit—you still don't believe me?"

Ling Yue spoke up: "So it's him—he wants to grab the land for forty thousand, not even enough for my deposit—"

She drew out her tone, mocking to the fullest.

Hearing this, Qiao Second Uncle's face flushed then paled; knowing he couldn't win today, he gave up: "You lot just wait for me!"

No sooner had the words fallen than Ling Yue laughed, as if just noticing him, a bit surprised: "Why are you still here?"

She waved her hand, like shooing a beggar: "You've got nothing to do here, yet you cling on—do you really want to stay for a meal?"

Qiao Second Uncle stormed off, turning his head and walking away.

Only halfway did it dawn on him—she wants to contract the land? Impossible!

Although the land in Mountain Gully Village is fertile, what else can you do besides farm? Though she's staying at Qiao Qiao's house, judging by her youth she might just be a tourist.

"All right!" Qiao Second Uncle slammed his thigh in anger: "These two are scheming against me!"

The bodyguards beside him halted, seeing his explosive rage, and couldn't help but ask: "Sir, should we head back now?"

"Cut the crap!" Qiao Second Uncle swore: "Just wait—see how I'll kill them tomorrow, those two wet‑behind‑the‑ears girls—what do they know?"

His words were full of contempt, even more so a determination to succeed—only by obtaining that land could he sneak into the mountains and get those things!

At that moment, the Qiao household was utterly silent.

Ling Yue sat down again, ready to eat, and Qiao Qiao told her: "Yueyue, sorry—if it weren't for your timely intervention, I'd still have no idea what to do."

Ling Yue shook her head: "What intervention?"

Qiao Qiao laughed: "We weren't just fooling that jerk together." She spoke, then suddenly caught sight of her father's furrowed brows and quickly corrected: "It's Qiao Shi—he wants to contract the land here and build a chemical plant; I certainly can't agree."

After Qiao Qiao's explanation, Ling Yue finally understood the whole story, shaking her head: "It wasn't an intervention."

Qiao Qiao blinked, suddenly not understanding her words.

Ling Yue explained: "I really want to develop here, contract the land—I can give you a fifty‑thousand deposit up front and pay the rest later; the land is contracted for seventy years—how much funding do you need? Just tell me."

Hearing this, the whole family felt as if they were sitting not on a stool but on pins and needles.

"Plop."

Qiao's father plonked himself on the floor, shocked, looking at her: "Miss, you can't say that—you need to think it over, don't waste your money!"

Ling Yue shook her head, laughing: "I dare say that because I have my reasons."

She paused—saying more wouldn't help; better to just do it.

Ling Yue took out the stored sun fruits; Qiao Qiao immediately felt the heat hit her face, sensed something was off, and asked: "What is this?"

Ling Yue: "Sun fruit."

This is a kind of fruit that can emit heat; I plan to plant it on all that land; it can be exported or sold retail.

Qiao Qiao stared at her, stunned by the meaning behind her words. Not only her, but even Qiao Dad and Qiao Mom were dumbfounded—yet at this moment, no one felt it more clearly than their family.

The time Ling Yue took to come back with the sun fruit wasn't short; it was enough for the sun fruit to take effect. In the silence, Qiao Qiao heard the drip‑drip of water droplets.

She followed the sound, looked up, and—Whoa!

The icicle hanging more than a meter long from the eaves of the house had already melted halfway, dripping down, while the snow piled on the tiles had melted considerably.

Qiao Qiao tugged at her padded jacket, feeling a bit warm—keep in mind, this is the frigid Dongbei where temperatures drop to minus dozens of degrees; even wearing padded clothes can't block the biting cold wind.

They were still in a remote rural village with no heating at all.

Qiao Qiao was the first to react, crying out as she grabbed Ling Yue's hand, as if clutching a lifesaver: "Yueyue, if your method works, you'll be our savior from now on!"

She could already imagine it—once the sun fruit became widespread, who'd need air conditioning, heating, or a huge kang bed? One sun fruit would be enough!

Ling Yue laughed at her exaggerated claim, shaking her head: "You haven't even started yet, and you already trust me this much?"

Qiao Qiao thought, I don't believe you—who else could I believe?

She had lived over twenty years on Everwhite Mountain and had never even seen scraps, let alone the sun fruit; Ling Yue turned around once and found this specialty, and hearing her say its cultivation is especially delicate, requiring careful manual care.

That also means a large number of job positions.

Anyway, she was utterly impressed, wishing she could sign a contract on the spot, but she had nothing in hand.

Afterward, Qiao Qiao was completely transformed—no longer the listless, unhappy self, she became energetic and full of drive.

Ling Yue opened the laptop she carried with her, sat on the large kang, and beside her was the fruit tray Qiao Dad had carefully prepared—red dates, walnuts, longan, kumquats, and pistachios stacked in five neat layers, clearly distinct and varied in color.

Not to mention eating, it looked like a beautiful painting that one hated to ruin.

Ling Yue glanced at the lower‑right corner of the computer screen: Saturday.

Live stream!

The two big words instantly popped into her mind.

Ling Yue opened the computer interface.

At the same time, countless followers received a backend pop‑up: 【The streamer you follow has started a live stream—click to enter】

Click click click!

What's there to hesitate about? Not clicking isn't Chinese!

Finally, the streamer went live.

Fans who had struggled from Monday to Friday, almost dried up like jerky, lamented how hard it was, never having seen such an unambitious streamer!

Frustrated beyond words!

In the privately created cute‑pet consultation group, the most common topic was how to grab the streamer and make her stream twelve hours a day, aside from eating, sleeping, and using the bathroom.

Not sure if she sensed some resentment, Ling Yue suddenly shivered.

She waved her hand: "Hey viewers, good afternoon."

The stream's viewers: "……"

【I'm not good! Really not good—streamer, I've waited for you so long my flowers have withered, and you only just showed up!】

Viewers keenly noticed she'd changed the background—wait, is this real? It's still snowing behind her!

【Good grief, this low‑ly office worker fainted crying in the toilet—streamer, you actually went on vacation? Jing Shi hasn't seen a single snowflake yet, and you've got a huge expanse of snow behind you!】【Indignant】【Indignant】

【Let's chip in to grab the streamer and lock her in a dark room, making her stream twelve hours a day!】

【Work is only eight hours—this isn't right; I think nonstop twenty‑four‑hour streaming would be even better.】

【Holy cow, this one's a heavyweight, but I'm totally swooning.】

Ling Yue saw the comments and couldn't help a soft hiss—these couldn't possibly be her cute viewers; they must have been swapped!

Ling Yue didn't believe it; she shook her head, trying to change the subject: "What dark room, what twelve hours—I can't hear you. Let's just start the lottery."

【Holy cow, ruthless!】

【The streamer's act of pretending to be deaf and mute is getting better by the day!】

Ling Yue: O(∩_∩)O

"Come on, come on, I'm about to draw."

The viewers who had just been accusing her vanished in an instant; Ling Yue watched the number of participants grow, smirked smugly, and soon the lottery results appeared.

That name… Ling Yue couldn't help coughing: "Congratulations to my world‑richest old father for winning the prize—you need to open the invitation link first, and we'll start a face‑to‑face live stream.":,,.