Chapter 10

The variety show recording methods in this world were, in Mù Yú's eyes, rather rudimentary. Or perhaps, precisely because the outcome was too clearly defined and the script carried too much weight, it all felt like a painstakingly prepared and meticulously presented display of talent.

Mù Yú did not leave Yàn Sǔn's line of sight, and walked towards the staff members not far away. He exchanged a few words with the director. The Assistant Director who had approached him earlier also hurried over, rubbing his hands and pacing back and forth, radiating an awkward nervousness and a clumsy attempt to please.

Mù Yú was about to leave but seeing his ineffable demeanor, he stopped. "What does Mr. Cumberland want me to do?"

The Assistant Director's face turned pale at the first few words. He choked on a breath of cold air and coughed violently. "N-nothing!"

Although he was indeed... following Mr. Cumberland's instructions to discreetly look after this "Yu the screenwriter" who had appeared out of nowhere and whose background was unknown. However, the other party had also strictly warned him that not the slightest hint of suspicion must be revealed. The Assistant Director didn't know where he had gone wrong and feared getting entangled in unseen currents that ordinary people shouldn't touch. Trembling with dread, he could barely explain clearly, "Yu the screenwriter, you, uh, actually—"

"I owe him a favor to repay," Mù Yú said. "Relax."

He did indeed have something to say to Cumberland, and the other party's current state meant that even a walkie-talkie might not convey it clearly. The Assistant Director lowered his head, trembling and desperately trying to relax. "..."

Mù Yú wouldn't leave Yàn Sǔn alone for too long, especially with Mother Yan standing not far away, her expression complicated and gaze somber, constantly observing their direction. Mù Yú signaled the Assistant Director to follow him and spoke to him as they walked towards a corner, heading back to retrieve Little Snowball, who was still fiercely guarding the plastic bag. The Assistant Director followed closely, listening to Mù Yú's words. His initial fear of hearing some wealthy family secrets was unfounded, but then he stopped in shock upon hearing the full content. "It's not a simple matter. The investigation period will be very long, and fluctuations in stock prices and public opinion in the early stages are inevitable. We need to take a long-term view..." Mù Yú turned back. "What's wrong?"

The Assistant Director quickly glanced at the backstage preparation area not far away and asked in a low voice, "Are you saying they might all—" He didn't finish the sentence. The Assistant Director looked at Mù Yú, closed his mouth, and swallowed the words. ...It was indeed quite absurd.

When Yu Mù had applied for the position of a temporary replacement screenwriter, it was he who interviewed him. The focus of this job was on writing skills, and the Production Crew, when hiring, mostly focused on paper qualifications and didn't pay much attention to Yu Mù as a person. But even without much attention, their impressions after several interactions were similar – the Assistant Director's impression of Yu Mù was nothing more than a weak-willed individual thoroughly spoiled by indulgence, who spent his days eating, drinking, and indulging his senses, his talent long since depleted. Such people were not uncommon. "The Greenhouse" could cultivate quite outstanding next generations. However, once they were removed from constant supervision and grading, a significant portion of them devolved much faster than expected. No one expected that when Yu Mù actually arrived at the variety show set, he would seem like a completely different person. Previously, as he was engrossed in taking care of the child, his demeanor had subtly changed, but it wasn't too obvious. ...I wonder what made that Mrs. Yan think it was a good idea to go find Yu Mù and say something to him in private. When the Assistant Director came to find Yu Mù again, upon seeing him, he was genuinely astonished.

Mù Yú had finished most of what he wanted to say and, without further delay, returned to the corner. He half-crouched to receive Yàn Sǔn. He put away the untouched plastic bag of candy, ruffled the little guy's hair, and awarded him a "Candy Protection Medal." This was the second time Little Snowball had received an award. He tightly clutched the wooden-carved hard candy, pressed himself against Mù Yú's pant leg, and looked up at him, his pupils dark and his stance perfectly straight. Mù Yú lowered his head and took his hand, a smile in his eyes. Yàn Sǔn was staring at him, and the smile in his eyes fell, landing precisely in the dark, clear pupils. It was as if ripples spread, silently parting the deep, coldness, and thus, the ice began to melt.

...

The next segment of the variety show was "Ice Experience." The program had invited young figure skating team members. The five families would be led into the core part of Snow Valley—the virtual ice rink that was once invested in by the Berghead Club, and was said to have cost countless efforts, sacrificing the hairlines of at least dozens of modeling teams to create. There are still jokes circulating about it. A core programmer from one modeling team was driven mad by the perfectionist manager of Berghead and resolutely resigned to switch jobs. He carefully selected a new employer. ...Then, on the second day of his happy new life, he was pulled together with his new team to the Berghead Club and lay down in a sleep pod to continue building the ice rink. The database scripts were untouched, and even the sleep pod was the same familiar one. The transition between the two jobs was seamless, ultimately sacrificing all of that programmer's hair.

"It's called a virtual ice rink, but anyone who's been there knows 'Ice World' is a more fitting name." The director announcing the schedule gave a brief introduction. "Next, you will spend a week of ice life inside with the junior figure skating team members undergoing training—don't worry, it's just simulated time." He glanced at his watch. "It's 8:40 PM now. This show will finish recording before 11:00 PM tonight." "Thank you all for your hard work today," the director said. "When the time comes, you can all go home." Recording a show was not as comfortable as being at home, and they had to constantly follow their parents' instructions to behave well on camera. Many children were already starting to lose their patience. Upon hearing that they could go home, many families breathed a sigh of relief, and some children couldn't help but cheer.

As the director explained and distributed equipment, Mù Yú took the communicators for himself and Yàn Sǔn, half-crouched, and helped Yàn Sǔn put his on. When he mentioned "going home," the little guy tightly clutched his clothes, his face pale, pupils dark, his chest rising and falling slightly, yet he remained silent. Mù Yú knelt to help him fasten his communicator, not standing up immediately, and looked up at the seemingly frozen Little Snowball. Mù Yú asked, "Don't you want to go home with teacher?" Yàn Sǔn probably didn't understand such complex words yet. He stood still, his eyes wide open, quietly looking at him. The System was anxious, hiding behind and dubbing in a loud voice: "Yes! Yes!" It was annoyed by Yàn Sǔn, who was learning to speak, causing its database to become chaotic. It couldn't understand why the little villain had turned into a mute again at this moment. Eagerly, it pushed Yàn Sǔn, urging him to learn to say "yes." Although others couldn't see it when the System was invisible, the force of contact remained the same. Yàn Sǔn seemed to be stumbled by a gust of wind, and Mù Yú caught him in time, allowing him to regain his footing. Little Snowball's face was paler than usual, making his eyelashes and pupils appear darker. He stared intently at Mù Yú. Mù Yú, annoyed by the System's chatter, pressed his forehead and straightened up, leaning on his knees, and offered his hand to hold. As soon as his hand was extended, it was tightly grasped by a small, cold hand. Mù Yú returned Yàn Sǔn's grip. "I will be your teacher," Mù Yú said. "Problems that need solving, teacher will solve them." He wasn't speaking to Yàn Sǔn, so he didn't deliberately slow down his speech or enunciate clearly. When spoken, it was actually softer than usual. Mù Yú said, "I will give you a home."

/

After entering the virtual ice rink, it was not difficult to understand the director's concept of "Ice World." Everything here seemed to be made of ice. Ice sculptures were everywhere, exquisite and beautiful, crystal clear under the lights. Auroras surged at the end of the dark sky, making it appear extraordinarily mysterious. The junior figure skating team members invited by the Production Crew were already waiting for them. They were all about ten years old, boys and girls, all with long limbs, slender waists, narrow shoulders, and light physiques, wearing form-fitting black one-piece training suits. Unlike the children who had just entered the rink, excitedly looking around and talking non-stop, they seemed uninterested in the surrounding scenery and were simply doing their pre-skating warm-ups.

The five participating families, with Mù Yú and Yàn Sǔn separated, became six groups. The one assigned to guide Yàn Sǔn's group was an exceptionally taciturn boy named Gāo Yìmín. The System took the opportunity to check some data; he was a child of parents with D-class ratings. He was eleven years old and had been brought to the club at the age of seven after testing positive for related talents. He had been training under Father Yan for four years. "He wants to achieve results, even a single gold medal would suffice, so that his parents can be promoted in rating." By the end, the System still couldn't teach Yàn Sǔn to say "yes." It flopped dejectedly on Little Snowball's head and reported to the Host through the consciousness sea: "Gāo Yìmín also has a younger sister who is very weak and he has to support her." Children with weak bodies mean they get sick easily and require more detailed and comprehensive care, which in turn means needing a higher-level incubator. Some D-class individuals brought it upon themselves, like Yu Mù, who almost dropped a level. Others were D-class due to limited talent, barely passing the "Greenhouse" exams and staying within the passing margin without being eliminated, but trapped at the fringes of society, relying on basic labor for resources. Gāo Yìmín's parents were of this type. Their income was meager, and they relied entirely on the subsidies from Gāo Yìmín's training at the club to support the consumption of a high-level incubator. "However, Host, this family is actually very happy." The System added, "Gāo Yìmín's parents work very hard, they are very good to him, and they often bring his sister to watch him train. The family saves money to eat ice cream."

Mù Yú's walking stick was placed beside him. He had wrapped the grip end with anti-slip tape and tested it on the ice. The healing effect of the Recovery Card had mostly worn off. These repair cards had a twelve-hour buffer period, and even if used again today, they wouldn't have much effect. Mù Yú folded his walking stick, picked up Little Snowball, who was nestled on his lap, and ruffled his head. "How are his competition results?" "He hasn't competed..." The System searched for a long time, from the current world line to the original world line. "He is Yàn Xī's sparring partner." Yàn Xī, hindered by his talent, could no longer achieve results as he grew older, nor was Gāo Yìmín allowed to practice the difficult jumps he couldn't perform. Gāo Yìmín spent four to five hours every day accompanying Yàn Xī in meaningless training. Then, he would ask Father Yan for another training plan and spend another four to five hours privately, practicing jumps and techniques. By the age of fifteen, Gāo Yìmín was ruined. His training load was too high, and he was almost constantly in a state of extreme fatigue and injury. These injuries were etched into his consciousness and could no longer be erased. At fifteen, Gāo Yìmín's regular incubator expired. He participated in a real-world figure skating competition, took seven painkillers, and during his first attempt at an Axel jump, he fell heavily, breaking one of his feet. The System, reaching this point, suddenly detected a hint of familiarity. "...Host, Yu Mù's last script!" Those ruined, trained-to-death young figure skating team members! Mù Yú was also flipping through. "Gāo Yìmín was the first." The scripts written by Yu Mù always had a clear logic: an accident would occur in the Yan Family that needed to be covered up, so they would frame Yàn Sǔn for it. These "accidents" mostly came from Yàn Xī. After all, even a bestselling author on parenting like Mother Yan could not change someone with a naturally anti-social personality. And the cover-ups by the Yan Family to protect their social status only served as further implicit indulgence. In all the scripts, the final one completely ruined Yàn Sǔn's life and subtly pushed him towards a fatal end. --In the year Yàn Sǔn turned fourteen, it was revealed that he had maliciously tampered with Father Yan's training plan, ruining countless trainees under Father Yan. The rage and irrational revenge from these victims became the final straw that crushed Yàn Sǔn's fate. The Yan Family's selfishness, Gāo Yìmín was the first victim. The detailed world line was with Mù Yú. The System, tugging on Little Snowball's hair, leaned over to look with him. "Host, did Gāo Yìmín participate in that final act of revenge?" "No," Mù Yú closed the script. "He went to work with his parents." The Gāo family were honest and diligent people. For generations, their ratings had been C or D, never higher. Gāo Yìmín trained in figure skating from seven to fifteen years old. He only knew how to skate. He was quiet and introverted, lacked coaching talent, and with a lame foot, he could no longer be on the ice. After his rating dropped to D, his life began to repeat the daily grind of his parents. He lived frugally with his parents to raise his sister, and then lived an ordinary life. The days of spinning and flying on the ice, watching the spray of ice flowers bloom under the lights, were like a bizarre dream. ...

Mù Yú put Yàn Sǔn down and, holding the little guy's hand, went onto the ice with him. Their group didn't need guidance. Even the five-year-old toddler skated well. Upon realizing this, Gāo Yìmín avoided the crowd and found a spot to continue practicing jumps silently. This was a variety show, and Yàn Xī wouldn't cause trouble openly. Gāo Yìmín hadn't finished his training for the day and had no time to waste. Mù Yú observed Gāo Yìmín's movements for a few minutes. Yàn Sǔn observed Mù Yú for a few minutes. The System observed Yàn Sǔn for a few minutes. "Host, Host," the System had a new discovery. "Yàn Sǔn doesn't mind your attention being elsewhere at all." ...Or rather, except when he was extremely happy, so happy that he forgot to be nervous, the little villain seemed to prefer it when Mù Yú was thinking about other things or looking elsewhere. At these times, Yàn Sǔn would appear relaxed, staying by Mù Yú's side, hopping around and playing by himself, and whenever there was an opportunity, he would quietly look up at Mù Yú. Conversely, every time Mù Yú crouched down to look Yàn Sǔn in the eye, the little villain would instantly turn into a motionless, unbreathing little snowman. "Shh," Mù Yú said. "My attention is not elsewhere." The System, holding Yàn Sǔn's white woolen hat, tilted its non-existent head. "?" Mù Yú, unperturbed, removed the System that was swinging by the woolen hat and quickly reached out, steadily catching Little Snowball, who was about to fall due to being off-balance. On set, one had to be aware of everything around them. Off set, one had to guard against constant surveillance. Mù Yú, having grown up in such an environment, multitasking was simply a basic survival skill. While taking care of Yàn Sǔn, observing the technical movements of these young figure skaters and understanding Father Yan's coaching methods was not too difficult for him. Besides... the little guy did seem much more at ease when he thought he wasn't being watched. It was also Mù Yú's first time being a teacher to such a small snowball. In his consciousness sea, he discussed amicably with the System: "Should I create a table?" "What kind of table?" the System asked. "Correlation between attention and immobility," Mù Yú said. "It will be more natural to interact at home in the future." The System was stunned for a few seconds when it heard Mù Yú casually mention "at home" for the first time. Mù Yú, already acting decisively, began collecting data for the table. While most families were practicing and adapting on the ice rink and mastering basic skills, the System, from shock to silence to numbness, witnessed its Host's first detailed examination of the current world's villain. The main procedure involved suddenly crouching down and staring at the child with extreme childishness when Yàn Sǔn was most happily playing by himself. The little villain, thinking Mù Yú wasn't paying attention, quietly put the roundest hazelnut into Mù Yú's pocket. When he met Mù Yú's gaze, he instantly froze: "..." The little villain, thinking Mù Yú wasn't paying attention, secretly hugged Mù Yú's leg to warm his knee. When he met Mù Yú's gaze, he instantly turned into a big, warm compress: "..." The little villain, thinking Mù Yú wasn't paying attention, wanted to steal a candy from the Yan Family to get revenge for Mù Yú. He was promptly caught by the System, which tugged on his hat and pulled him back. When he met Mù Yú's gaze: "..." The little villain, thinking Mù Yú wasn't paying attention, flapped his arms and spun around Mù Yú, hopping. When he met Mù Yú's gaze, he instantly became motionless, with arms outstretched, flying out numbly: "..." Mù Yú caught the little snowball, who was like a kite, and used one hand to support himself on the ice. He couldn't put weight on his right leg, but he fell skillfully, dispersing the force and landing almost seated on the ice, enveloping the little guy in his arms from head to toe. Yàn Sǔn was terrified. He forgot about his shyness and blushing and frantically hugged Mù Yú, making "Ah, ah" sounds. When he met the laughter in those eyes, he became hot and froze in Mù Yú's arms. The System had also never seen Mù Yú laugh so heartily before. Before this, it had thought its emotion detector was selectively broken, as its Host's emotional fluctuations had never exceeded ten percent. Mù Yú held Little Snowball, pressing one hand to his temple, unable to stop laughing. He had to take a deep breath. He lowered his head and slowly taught Yàn Sǔn to pronounce: "Teacher." The pronunciation of this word was much more difficult than "thank you" or "amazing." Yàn Sǔn couldn't learn it after several attempts, sweating anxiously, his little face turning red. "It's okay, no rush," Mù Yú said. "We have a lot of time. We'll correct the mistakes." Mù Yú smiled and ruffled Yàn Sǔn's hair. "We'll grow up well." After repeated desensitization practice, Little Snowball seemed to have made some progress. When being watched by Mù Yú, he could now remember to breathe. The System happily watched the little villain nestle into Mù Yú's arms, radiating warmth. Just as it was about to snuggle in too, it suddenly saw the knee Mù Yú was supporting with one hand. It floated in mid-air and looked at the young figure skater practicing jumps not far away, suddenly recalling something. Injuries etched into consciousness could only leave a mark if they were repeatedly experienced during the growth period, relentlessly, without escape, trapped in that situation. Mù Yú's old injury was left from that time.