Early the next morning, Ning Meng finally received the call from the production crew.
【Current life countdown: 65 hours, 12 minutes, 48 seconds.】
Another night had passed, and she had lost more than six hours of life. The sense of urgency whipped at her like a lash. Ning Meng quickly packed her things, putting on the most nondescript outfit she could find in the original owner's suitcase. Looking into the mirror, she saw a face that was delicate but pale. Her dark circles were heavy, and her lips lacked color. She looked like a textbook example of an overworked, malnourished corporate slave—or rather, a starving ghost.
Ning Meng sighed. Forget it. Looks didn't matter; staying alive did. Before leaving, she fished two raw eggs out of the refrigerator. They were the only slightly decent "food" left in the original owner’s fridge—the most ordinary eggs imaginable, the kind bought on clearance at the supermarket. She carefully wrapped them in a tissue and tucked them into her pocket. Better than nothing; what if she had to wait a long time for the production team to provide ingredients? She couldn't just sit around and wait for death.
The car sent by the production team was already waiting downstairs—a luxury van that looked expensive. Ning Meng climbed inside; the cabin was spacious and comfortable, filled with a subtle, pleasant fragrance. It was a world away from the pathetic little shack she had stayed in yesterday.
The car drove smoothly toward their destination: the Heart Signal Cabin. It was a luxury villa located in the suburbs. Ning Meng leaned against the window, watching outside. The SUV pulled into a high-end villa complex with lush landscaping and fresh air. The standalone villas featured beautiful gardens and swimming pools, their glass facades gleaming in the sunlight.
"Tsk, it’s nice to be rich," Ning Meng muttered to herself. If she could just live here for a month... No, as long as she could eat whatever she wanted, she’d be happy living in a doghouse.
The car stopped at the villa entrance. Staff members were already waiting, leading her toward the main door. The foyer was spacious and bright, with polished marble floors reflecting the dazzling crystal chandelier overhead. The air smelled fresh and clean, not like the mixture of cheap perfume and dust from her rental apartment.
【Current life countdown: 64 hours, 38 minutes, 15 seconds.】
Ning Meng took a deep breath, suppressing the rising urgency. It had arrived: her life-extending buffet!
Several people had already arrived in the living room. Men and women, all of them polished and glamorous, with exquisite makeup and stylish clothes. They were clearly dressed to impress. They were sitting around a huge, white velvet sofa, chatting in low tones, the atmosphere appearing quite harmonious.
As Ning Meng entered, everyone’s gaze shifted to her for a brief moment, carrying a hint of subtle appraisal and curiosity. Ning Meng could feel those eyes linger on her only for a split second before they scanned past her and returned to one another. After all, she didn’t look like much right now—the kind of person you’d lose in a crowd. That was fine; she knew her place as mere background scenery. She just wanted to find the kitchen.
A young woman who looked like a director's assistant walked over with a professional smile. "You must be Teacher Ning Meng, right? Welcome to the Heart Signal Cabin."
"The other guests have already arrived. Let me take you over to meet them."
Ning Meng nodded, though her eyes couldn't help but dart around. The living room was massive, decorated in a modern minimalist style. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows were lush green lawns and a glittering swimming pool. On the coffee table sat a delicate flower arrangement.
Wait!
Ning Meng’s gaze locked onto a glass bowl in the corner of the coffee table. Was that... chocolate inside? It wasn't the kind you bought in cheap, jumbo packs at the supermarket. These were wrapped in high-end, colorful foil with foreign text printed on them. Imported chocolate!
Ning Meng’s heart skipped a beat. The System rules stated: the higher the quality and rarity of the ingredients, the greater the bonus! This stuff had to be miles better than that pathetic sausage! Her eyes went straight, as if a starving wolf had spotted prey.
"This is Ning Meng," the assistant said, leading her to the sofa. The people on the sofa gave a symbolic nod. There was a stunningly beautiful woman with a powerful presence in a perfectly tailored dress—that was the actress Jiang Yuwei. Sitting next to her was a sweet, energetic girl with a high ponytail named Lin You. On the other side were a man and a woman playing up their "CP" chemistry—actress Su Manni and actor Gu Xinglang. Then there was a young man in trendy streetwear with a slightly rebellious look, lounging in an armchair—that was the younger idol, Zhou Yichen.
They were indifferent to Ning Meng’s arrival, offering only polite nods as a greeting. Ning Meng returned the gesture absentmindedly, her attention still glued to the chocolate bowl.
"Take a seat, Teacher Ning Meng. We’re still waiting for two more guests," the assistant said before heading off to handle other tasks.
A subtle silence descended upon the living room. Everyone seemed to be secretly observing one another. Only Ning Meng sat there, restless. The chocolate bowl was just a coffee table’s distance away, diagonally in front of her. She wanted to eat it. She wanted to eat it right now.
But... there were so many people watching. And hidden cameras. She was just a substitute guest, a nobody. If she started stuffing her face with snacks the moment she walked in, wouldn't that be humiliating? Would she be branded a "starving ghost"?
【Current life countdown: 64 hours, 35 minutes, 02 seconds.】
The countdown continued its ruthless ticking. Who cares about embarrassment? Staying alive is what matters!
Ning Meng gritted her teeth. She pretended to be interested in the flowers on the coffee table, leaning forward slightly. Her gaze swept over the chocolate bowl as if by accident. Confirmed: it was an imported Belgian brand, over 70% dark chocolate, made with rare cocoa beans. High quality! The life-extending effect definitely wouldn't be bad!
The chance had come!
Nearby, Jiang Yuwei and Lin You were discussing skincare. Su Manni and Gu Xinglang were whispering to each other, sharing an occasional laugh. Zhou Yichen was looking down at his phone. It seemed no one was paying attention to the background character in the corner.
Perfect!
Her hand reached stealthily toward the glass bowl. Her fingertips touched the cold foil wrapper. She gently picked up a small piece, pulled her hand back at a steady, slow pace, and tried to keep her expression natural. Thankfully, no one was looking at her. She bowed her head slightly, peeling back the foil with anticipation, and popped the piece of dark chocolate into her mouth.
The rich, slightly bitter cocoa aroma instantly flooded her palate, with a hint of subtle fruitiness. It was silky, melting the moment it touched her tongue. Delicious! It was better than any chocolate she had ever tasted!
As she savored the taste, a notification chimed in her mind.
【Ding!】
【Consumed 'Imported Dark Chocolate' made from rare cocoa beans.】
【Quality: Excellent.】
【Craftsmanship: Refined.】
【Comprehensive Rating: Good grade.】
【Life time increased: 30 minutes.】
Thirty minutes! Ning Meng’s eyes lit up with wild joy! Great! A tiny piece of chocolate added half an hour! That was much better than the sausage! It seemed her judgment was right: quality really did matter! This villa was truly full of treasures!
She fought the urge to grab another handful. No, she couldn't be too obvious. Besides, thirty minutes still wasn't enough. She needed a more efficient method. Right—the System said that things she cooked herself yielded double the effect!
Ning Meng thought of the two ordinary eggs in her pocket. Even if the ingredients were basic, if she cooked them herself, the results would double! If one boiled egg gave a base of thirty minutes, doubling it would mean an hour! Two eggs would be two hours! That cost-performance ratio was much higher than stealing chocolate!
She had to get to the kitchen immediately! But how to make an excuse? She couldn't just say, "I need to go cook to extend my life," could she?
Ning Meng rolled her eyes, then had an idea. She clutched her stomach, putting on a perfectly pained expression and curling her body slightly.
"Um... excuse me..."