[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-player-reboot":3,"chapter-player-reboot-player-reboot-chapter-18":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Player Reboot",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2271983,4438,"Chapter 18: Happiness","player-reboot-chapter-18",18,"\u003Cp>\"Lucky day—Old Wolf’s treating me to chicken~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Cheng rode his bike happily, the fine rain drifting from the sky doing nothing to dampen his joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Tan Liu’s envelope, besides his daily wage, there was five thousand yuan in bonus—quite a substantial “fortune” for a high schooler still outside society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His once-dwindling savings account was refilled again; Li Cheng turned the corner on his bike, heading toward the supermarket, muttering to himself: “Buy some high-calorie near-expiry food, and a new pair of shoes—these ones got soaked in the rain and are starting to come apart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar figure appeared in his line of sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Jiaying, with a cello case on her back and one hand holding an umbrella, was being harassed by a middle-aged man in a suit, holding a professional camera.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Listen, little girl, I’m really a talent scout—have you heard of Yue Hua Entertainment? The big company behind the hottest idol talent show right now. Here’s my card.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The talent scout walked ahead of Ye Jiaying in the rain, trying to explain: “Your condition is excellent—your physique, appearance, and aura all exceed the standard. You carry a cello, so you love music, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One year as a trainee, one year as an artist trainee, one year in artist management—you can debut as an idol in three years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked too fast, didn’t watch his step, nearly stepped into a puddle and fell, but quickly steadied himself and kept urging: “Maybe you can’t make such a big life decision yet—just take my card, let your parents talk to me, hire a lawyer or agent if you want!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder this talent scout was so eager to flatter—there’s a vast gap between “good-looking” and “good-looking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To ordinary eyes, a seven- or eight-out-of-ten handsome or beautiful person, under flashlights and lenses, reveals every tiny flaw, every imperfection in facial contours—the so-called “camera-unfriendly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Jiaying’s features were exquisitely refined, her facial lines fluid, her facial depth near-perfect—she was born with a star’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the word “parents,” Ye Jiaying took a deep breath, quickened her pace, and said politely but firmly: “I’m not interested. Please stop bothering me. Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The talent scout’s face twisted into a bitter gourd; he hurried after her and blocked her path: “But it’s such a pity, little girl, your condition—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, old man!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lazy voice came from behind. Li Cheng jumped off his bike with effortless swagger, strode over with arrogant steps, glanced at the talent scout, and snorted: “Are you harassing my girlfriend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The talent scout looked utterly bewildered. Li Cheng rolled up his pant legs, tilted his eyes, oozed street-trash energy—he looked every bit the delinquent hoodlum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Jiaying froze for a moment, then broke into a smile, perfectly in sync—she subtly tilted the umbrella to shield Li Cheng from the drizzle, leaned gently against his shoulder, and cooed sweetly: “You’re here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the talent scout’s expression turned bizarre, as if watching a graceful, elegant flower being planted into a pile of cow dung: “You—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What ‘you’? Hand over the camera.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Cheng snatched the camera without hesitation, quickly deleted the several street photos that had captured Ye Jiaying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he tossed the camera back at the talent scout, snatched the business card, read out the name and address on it: “You live in the city, right? Don’t let me or my girlfriend run into you again—or I’ll beat you every time I see you, dump shit on your doorstep, slash your tires, and piss in your gas tank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Cheng’s attitude was wildly arrogant; he jabbed his index finger into the talent scout’s chest: “Don’t act tough in front of me, got it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he tore the card in half with one hand, slung his arm around Ye Jiaying, and turned the corner, leaving the talent scout stunned in the rain and wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two, now far away, gradually slowed to a stop, exchanged glances, and burst out laughing together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They laughed for a long while until the rain intensified, then ducked under the bus stop’s awning to shelter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vehicles kept passing, splashing through puddles by the roadside, shattering the city’s neon reflections on the water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The misty dampness brought by the rain spread silently; Li Cheng pointed at the cello on the girl’s back: “You go out to practice even on rainy days?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rain or shine,” Ye Jiaying shrugged. “I don’t even know what good learning cello will do, but I’ve studied so many years—I can’t find a reason to quit suddenly. By the way, you? Why are you out in this downpour?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Cheng let his pant legs fall back down, speaking casually: “Me? I’m working.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding ling ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His phone rang—it was Mu Yulu calling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, Xiao Cheng?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu Yulu’s voice on the other end sounded dull: “I’m at the hospital—my mom’s condition isn’t stable, I need to stay with her. I can’t make it to your birthday. Sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine. Just take good care of your mom.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Cheng whispered comfortingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a long-time friend, he knew Mu Yulu’s family wasn’t well-off. Her mother had been chronically ill, undergoing constant surgeries; her father had to take two jobs just to make ends meet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Cheng, his mood complicated, hung up the phone, propped his chin on his palm, and stared at the glistening curtain of rain ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s hesitation, Ye Jiaying asked softly: “Is today your birthday?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm-hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Cheng smiled. This wasn’t even the worst birthday of his life—when he was six, he’d earnestly wished for his parents to appear, and his aunt had then meticulously explained exactly how his father had abandoned him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if she already knew the answer, she didn’t ask why he wasn’t home so late. Ye Jiaying stopped swinging her legs, and said seriously: “. Close your eyes, wait a moment—I’ll tell you when to open them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confused, Li Cheng shut his eyes, listening as her footsteps retreated, then returned a while later—Ye Jiaying’s voice came to his ear: “Open your eyes now~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Cheng opened his eyes. On the bench beside him sat a four-inch fruit cake, with candles stuck in it—clearly bought hastily from a nearby bakery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ta-da~ Birthday cake~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Jiaying declared in the exaggerated tone of Doraemon pulling out a magical gadget: “Effect: improves your mood, makes you happy all year long.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She struck a match, lit the candles, then snapped her fingers right in front of Li Cheng’s dazed face to snap him back: “Take a photo, make a wish~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coming to his senses, Li Cheng quickly pulled out his phone. Beside him, Ye Jiaying clapped gently and hummed the birthday song under her breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, Li Cheng didn’t take a photo—he recorded a video, capturing the girl’s singing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you make a wish?” Ye Jiaying blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What was it?” Ye Jiaying pressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… better not say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?? Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wishes don’t come true if you say them out loud,” Li Cheng said seriously. “Once, I’d just blown out the candles and was still talking about my wish when the deceased’s family kicked me out of the funeral hall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“???” Ye Jiaying paused a moment before bursting into laughter and punching him lightly—she took it as a joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding ling ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the girl’s pocket, her phone rang—the caller ID read 【Mom】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With visible speed, the liveliness in Ye Jiaying’s eyes vanished; she turned slightly, lowered her head, and answered the call: “Hello, Mom?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What time is it?! Get home now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clear but fiercely angry woman’s voice came through the line—even without speakerphone, it was loud and clear: “It’s almost dark!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m already waiting at the bus stop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come home right away! Don’t you know the midterm exams are coming? You’ve got only one year left before senior year—if you don’t seize every second now, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ye Jiaying slowly hung up, turned to face Li Cheng, and put on her bright smile again: “Family’s calling—I should go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm-hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every family has its own hard-to-sing song. Li Cheng, fork in hand, pressed his lips together: “Be careful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1382,"2026-06-19T22:31:22.154Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","d77065711920ee3b86405a27e4435c4d2fba2a543ee036288773d5fe899b6a4b","player-reboot-chapter-19","player-reboot-chapter-17",612,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fplayer-reboot-cover.jpg"]