[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-ring-of-fate":3,"chapter-the-ring-of-fate-the-ring-of-fate-chapter-978":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Ring of Fate",{"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},2298947,4496,"Chapter 978: Strategizing","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-978",978,"\u003Cp>For those who had previously rented the Magic Mirror, Lu Mi and the others had made many guesses, but they never imagined it was Peng Deng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did Peng Deng get so much money?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did Peng Deng rent the Magic Mirror Arodes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly is Peng Deng trying to do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Mi, Jianna, and Franca looked at each other, all feeling it necessary to adjust the order of questions and temporarily add inquiries about Peng Deng’s rental of the Magic Mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the pale white text on the silver mirror twisted and writhed, re-dyed crimson, stretching into individual ancient Fussak words:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to the principle of equivalence, it is my turn to ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you answer incorrectly, lie, or refuse to answer, you will be punished.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jianna nodded slightly, beginning to consider what question to ask next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blood-dripping words on the mirror changed into new content:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you considered how you would interact intimately with Lu Mi and Franca if, in the future, you transitioned to the ‘Hunter’ Path and became male?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question was surprisingly subtle… Jianna sensed Arodes’ kindness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was embarrassing, for the former “Exaggerated Woman,” closing her eyes made it possible to answer:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she thought about being on top or being on top? Franca’s mind suddenly flashed such a thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She steadied herself and looked at the mirror:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fourth question: What did Peng Deng do with the great Arodes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surface of the ancient silver mirror rapidly faded its crimson, the water-like glow receded, losing its dark, profound aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Franca’s question received no response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only three questions allowed…” she sighed in disappointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Mi thought for a moment and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Try asking again before returning the Star Dream Grocery Store’s mirror this afternoon—perhaps the interval isn’t counted by the number of rentals, but by time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.” Jianna nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would return the one she rented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Friday morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Mingrui, busy at his desk, felt his phone beside him vibrate once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked it up and saw the message was from Luo Shan:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I might lose my job. Let me treat you to dinner tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happened?” Zhou Mingrui asked, puzzled and concerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Shan sent a “laughing-crying” emoji:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll tell you over dinner tonight. Oh, Luo Fu will be there too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, should I pick the restaurant, or will you?” Zhou Mingrui asked politely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m treating you, so I pick!” Luo Shan replied quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After putting down his phone, Zhou Mingrui focused on his computer screen, as if seriously evaluating his previous work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he was thinking about Luo Shan:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would she suddenly lose her job? At our last dinner, Luo Shan praised Huang Zong for paying well and said the work atmosphere was relaxed—she showed no sign of wanting to quit…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it because her uniqueness forces her to change workplaces, or is the company trying to fire her—or both?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“About half of the administrative department came because of Huang Zong. Luo Shan is a very qualified employee; HR has no reason to fire her voluntarily. Besides, the company’s overall revenue and profits have hit new highs, and they recently said the administrative department was short-staffed, specifically hiring Luo Fu…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has Luo Shan shown any unusual behavior or done anything problematic lately?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pondering, Zhou Mingrui felt Luo Shan’s life had been perfectly normal since she discarded her old paintings—except for secretly forming a group with Luo Fu and Li Ming, and warning him to beware of Zarathustra.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The group is negotiating a merger with Zarathustra’s company… Luo Shan warned me twice to be careful of Zarathustra… and now she’s suddenly been fired…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is there a connection between these events?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, after Luo Fu warned me last time, she acted strangely for a few days. Tonight, she and Luo Shan might hint at something again…” Since previous interactions with Luo Shan and Luo Fu had brought no abnormalities or attacks, Zhou Mingrui had no objection to having another dinner with them and hearing what they had to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, if not for Luo Shan and Li Ming subtly warning him three times since Sunday to beware of Zarathustra, he would have thought everything around him was calm and normal, as if he had never drunk the “Assassin” beverage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the more normal everything seemed, the more strange it felt to Zhou Mingrui—as if he were trapped in a cocoon, with all kinds of anomalies circling outside, waiting for a chance to invade, yet invisible to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he was carefully probing—contacting Luo Shan and Luo Fu was one part of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hol Film Company, Talent Department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young employee who had previously introduced Jianna to the department’s workings smiled at her:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Jiang Yue. I handle coordination between you new hires and the company’s various departments. Feel free to come to me with any questions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Small world,” Jianna replied with a smile, now wearing a short-sleeved chiffon blouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yue glanced left and right:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not coincidence—it’s fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why was I waiting outside the conference room to escort interviewees out? Because I was assigned to handle this exact task. And yes, I’m not the only one responsible for you new hires—but I picked you first. I have high hopes for you. Keep it up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether Jiang Yue meant it sincerely or not, her words made Jianna feel valued and affirmed, stirring genuine joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yue continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought you’d start on Monday. Your posture training and media response courses are scheduled for next week. Today, let’s just chat casually—I’ll give you a tour. If we run into a producer or director, you might get a screen test soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I’d started next week, Jia Yu might’ve already paid the breach fee and left… Jianna followed Jiang Yue through the Talent Department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced at Jia Yu’s office and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hasn’t Jia Yu come in? I have a friend who’s his fan—I wanted to get his autograph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. After ‘The Great Pirate 3’ became a hit, he’s come to the company less and less,” Jiang Yue said with a complex tone. “He’s attending a film-related event today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jianna’s face fell with disappointment, and she nodded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“‘The Great Pirate 3’ is really popular—huge box office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Critics say it’s just a decent popcorn flick, but audiences love popcorn flicks. The other films released at the same time couldn’t even qualify as decent—what do they have to compare with us?” Jiang Yue sounded slightly indignant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jianna seized the moment to ask:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, is the company planning to make ‘The Great Pirate 4’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yue lowered her voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s a plan, but the problem is, that romance diva is dragging her feet. We’ve already finished and released ‘The Great Pirate 3,’ but her script for ‘The Great Pirate 4’ isn’t even written yet!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the original person had been completely kicked out… after all, the dream-image’s pen name was “A Fish Without Dreams”… Jianna followed Jiang Yue’s lead with a few remarks, then said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, I think ‘The Great Pirate 3’ succeeded mainly because of the adventurer character Germain Sparrow. If the next one doesn’t feature him as the protagonist, I think it’ll be a big problem—maybe even a box office disaster, like ‘The Great Pirate 1’ and ‘The Great Pirate 2’ films, which never gained any fame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was laying groundwork for the squad’s backup awakening plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yue paused, startled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“‘The Great Pirate 1’ and ‘The Great Pirate 2’ never had movies made.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Jianna blinked for two seconds. “Then why is this movie called ‘The Great Pirate 3’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know,” Jiang Yue replied, bewildered. “The boss himself named it. No one else ever objected. You didn’t mention it, I’d even forgotten the series never had films one and two…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s going on? How could they skip ‘The Great Pirate 1’ and ‘The Great Pirate 2’ and go straight to ‘The Great Pirate 3’? Even if they skipped them, why not change the name and avoid the ‘3’? As Jianna puzzled, she vaguely grasped a key point:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was linked to Anderson Hood’s earlier warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The master of the dream city is a symbol of flaws and errors. So no matter how real this dream seems, it still contains dissonance, gaps, and unsettling details—it still reveals its nature as a dream!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The dream normally runs smoothly, but if an outsider performs certain extraordinary actions that point toward a flaw, could it create problems? For example, something illogically accepted by the masses, or something absurdly horrifying at its foundational level…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After ‘Justice’ forced this movie to be called ‘The Great Pirate 3’ instead of ‘The Great Adventurer,’ the dream-images accepted it naturally. Only outsiders like us notice the inconsistency—and if reminded, even dream-images can sense the problem?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did ‘Justice’ not mention this because it’s tied to Anderson’s car accident? She was forced out of the dream and forgot?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is the flaw—‘The Great Pirate’ having a third film but no first or second—because ‘The Fool’ subconsciously believes this book series truly should be adapted into films?” Jianna instantly thought of many possibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She did not pursue the topic further, fearing Jiang Yue, as a dream-image, would grow more confused and contradictory, causing the dream to destabilize and affect her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since the next film can’t be made yet, why not turn ‘The Great Pirate 3’ into a stage play, animation, TV series, or video game? While the movie’s popularity is still high, expand it in every direction,” Jianna said, acting like an enthusiastic, well-meaning fan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Yue nodded in agreement:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She then self-deprecatingly added:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But can we decide that? Next meeting, I’ll mention it to Boss Mei Xin—maybe she can whisper a suggestion to the big boss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside a high-end hotpot restaurant with a proper stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a private room on the second floor, Huang Zong introduced to Zarathustra:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This hotpot restaurant has a unique feature—later, you’ll see one of our local intangible cultural heritage performances: face-changing…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zarathustra, seated near the window, glanced at the screens behind and around the stage, smiled, and nodded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I look forward to it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Zong was about to say more when his phone suddenly rang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The caller was “Beibei.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excuse me, I need to take this call,” Huang Zong said, standing and walking toward the room’s door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1724,"2026-06-20T06:22:37.987Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e1146647bdf85d7a48bb9f357c99ab4fa417423ca51d168ef2f41385a6aea2e1","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-979","the-ring-of-fate-chapter-977",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-ring-of-fate-cover.jpg"]