Chapter 402: With this ability, you're just going to chase after stars?

Ying Duo didn't respond; he already knew that principle.

In this wasteland world, there's no law to speak of; those who are good‑looking or famous either find a patron for themselves or become playthings traded by the nobles.

In this world, idols and singers are priced from the day they debut; most are snatched up by various nobles before they truly become famous, so anyone who reaches this level of fame has someone behind them.

Qi Ran looked at Ying Duo's indifferent expression, impatiently reaching out his hand.

"Fifty thousand—I'll transfer it to you right now; delete the photo and we're square."

Ying Duo thought it over, then obediently handed over his communicator; seeing that he was sensible, Qi Ran immediately transferred the money into Ying Duo's account without another word.

Qi Ran took back his own communicator, lifted his chin, and said, "All right, delete the photo in front of me."

Ying Duo also opened his album in front of her and turned the screen toward her to look.

It was empty—there was nothing in the album.

No photos, no screenshots, not even anything in the recycle bin.

Qi Ran stared at the blank screen, the corner of his mouth twitching; the face with delicate makeup directly gave Ying Duo a white‑eye roll.

"You didn't even take any?" Her voice sounded a bit airy.

Ying Duo put the communicator away, saying, "No, I was busy eating meatballs."

Qi Ran looked at the empty paper bag in Ying Duo's hand, then his gaze fell on the fluorescent‑green strands of hair sticking out from the edge of his hood.

"... You're playing me." Qi Ran said through gritted teeth.

Ying Duo thought for a moment, then seriously corrected her: "It was you who insisted on giving me the money."

"Fine." Qi Ran was so angered by that remark that he laughed outright, giving Ying Duo a once‑over; though his appearance was hard to make out, his voice still carried a youthful tone.

He's probably not very old.

"Consider this fifty thousand hush money—today you saw and heard nothing."

She turned and walked away, her heel striking the concrete with a crisp click.

Ying Duo stepped forward and followed her.

Qi Ran turned and walked off in another direction.

Ying Duo followed again.

Qi Ran irritably looked back at him, shouting, "What else do you want?!"

Ying Duo lifted the paper bag he hadn't found a place to throw away, glancing at the newly triggered side quest.

"I want to go see the other members of your group."

【Side Quest Triggered: Strange Idol Group.】

【Quest Description: A blind bump let you run into one member of the idol group, but she seems to be hiding something—or perhaps the whole group is concealing a secret?】

【Quest Reward: Title "Paparazzi Squad" (greatly increased stealth success rate)】

Anyway, his brother hasn't messaged him yet, and this side quest won't take long—might as well take a leisurely walk around.

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"Where's Qi Ran?"

The makeup artist was helping the girl put on various accessories on her head, making sure they were secured so they wouldn't fall off during singing and dancing.

The one who asked the question was the captain of Neon‑X, Xie Jingyan.

Xiao Huiyu was sitting in her own spot, having finished her outfit, with an open book spread before her.

Her silver‑gray long hair hung down from her shoulders, with several mechanical‑gear hair ornaments clipped into it.

Her finger paused as she turned the page, and she said, "She took a call and went out."

Xie Jingyan's brow twitched; she reached for the communicator on the makeup table, about to send a message urging the person to return.

"Sorry sorry—"

Qi Ran's voice came from the doorway, a little out of breath, as if he'd run over.

She stood in the doorway, the corner of her mouth already curled into her usual bright smile.

"I stepped out briefly and got delayed."

Xie Jingyan put down the communicator and looked at her without speaking.

"Forget it—there's still a bit of time before the meet‑and‑greets start; the makeup should be finished in time."

Qi Ran, however, didn't go straight in; instead he stepped aside to clear the doorway, saying, "Um… my brother suddenly said he wanted to come have a look, so I brought him in for a while—it won't interfere with work."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huiyu immediately looked up; they indeed knew Qi Ran had a younger brother, that boy's health was poor and he'd been staying in the Dome's hospital, with most of Qi Ran's salary going toward his treatment.

So when Qi Ran stepped aside to let someone in, Xiao Huiyu was genuinely a bit curious.

A dark gray scarf was wrapped from his neck to his chin, covering the lower half of his face completely, and underneath he wore a mask.

The lighting in the dressing room was bright enough to make every pore on everyone's face visible, yet this person's face was shielded by a hat, glasses, mask, and scarf—four layers of protection—so not a sliver of skin showed.

"... Your brother?" Xie Jingyan looked at this person, also a little curious.

Qi Ran gave an affirmative hum, shifted to block Ying Duo, and said, "He's not in good health; he can't handle the wind."

Xie Jingyan merely nodded, not pursuing the matter further.

"Let your brother find a seat first—don't just stand."

Qi Ran could only smile as he led Ying Duo inside, placing him nearest to himself; immediately a makeup artist came over to finish the half‑done makeup she'd been working on.

Qi Ran could only smile and bring the Ying Duo in, placing it at the spot nearest to herself, and a makeup artist immediately came over to finish the makeup she had only half done.

Originally Qi Ran was already fuming about that other matter, and then, while rare­ly taking a smoke break to vent, he got smack‑dab hit by this weird little ghost that came out of nowhere.

She said, "How could an ordinary little ghost possibly slip past all the security and run straight backstage?" This kid actually is an aberrant arts practitioner!

And he's a space‑type aberrant arts practitioner!

When that little ghost just now pushed his luck, saying he wanted to come backstage to meet the others, she directly and clearly refused Ying Duo, warning him that if he lingered she'd call security—but Ying Duo shoved a gun straight to her temple.

Just now, when that Little Ghost, getting greedy, said they wanted to go backstage to see the others, she outright refused Ying Duo, warned him that if he lingered here and didn't leave she'd call security, and Ying Duo then pressed a handgun straight against her head.

This is the unfairness of this world; even if one possesses great power, ordinary people still have no ability to resist when facing a Special Ability Practitioner.

This person has such a rare spatial Aberrant Arts; why not go to the Dome to earn a minor post, instead of coming here to chase a star???

Could it be that, because they failed to get a ticket, they awakened a spatial Aberrant Arts and teleported themselves in?

Fortunately, this Little Ghost is really just a Little Ghost; it seems they truly came in just to see their idol, and they haven't done anything extreme.

Qi Ran secretly sighed in relief; if nothing happens, that's best. After getting rid of this Little Ghost, she will surely notify the Dome right away.

Xie Jingyan and Xiao Huiyu still didn't know Qi Ran's thoughts; Xiao Huiyu saw a few strands of fluorescent-colored hair escaping from under Ying Duo's hood, and in the room's light, it wasn't apparent that the hair itself had a glowing effect.

Xiao Huiyu was also somewhat surprised; she had always thought Qi Ran's hair was dyed, but maybe it's natural?