142: The Fox Fairy's Medicine

In the folds of the newspaper,

the line of bold text was like an ugly scar, stretching across the glossy, vibrant pages.

The news article was short, consisting of only a few hundred words.

The gist was that a junior university student named Chen Mou, in pursuit of the so-called "internet celebrity face,"

was induced by an illegal cosmetic surgery clinic to sign a massive "Beauty Loan."

The interest compounded, ballooning into an astronomical figure.

Collection calls bombarded her contact list.

Overwhelmed by shame and despair, she jumped from the roof of her dormitory building.

"One million..."

Liu Hui gasped, unconsciously touching her cheek, her voice trembling slightly.

"Just for a face? Is it worth it? That's a life."

"Why wouldn't it be?"

The classmate behind her sighed and smoothed out the newspaper.

"You guys don't really watch short videos.

Nowadays, all those 'Pure Desire Ceilings' and 'once-in-a-lifetime beauties' online,

which one isn't selling anxiety to the extreme?

If you watch too much, even I start feeling like I look like a potato. You'd feel embarrassed to go out without getting some work done."

Li Bowen adjusted his thick-rimmed glasses, his brows knotted tightly,

his finger unconsciously tracing patterns on the desktop:

"One million... a few hyaluronic acid injections, some silicone implants, industrial materials that cost a few thousand yuan at most."

His voice grew softer, as if he couldn't find the solution to the problem,

and he looked up at everyone blankly:

"To take on a million-yuan usurious loan for this? How... how does this math work?"

"Math?"

Lin Que leaned against the bookshelf, his gaze falling on the blurry accompanying news photo.

It was a censored photo of the scene,

only a high-heeled shoe lying on the ground was particularly striking.

"Old Li, this problem has no solution."

"In the past, people prayed to gods and Buddha to change their skin; now, they use scalpels and loans to change their face.

The methods have changed, but the desire to defy fate hasn't.

This problem is beyond the syllabus."

He thought silently as he spoke.

"In this world without *Painted Skin* or the dark original version of *Cinderella*,

the craving people have for physical appearance is shockingly naked."

"Defy fate..."

Liu Hui murmured the phrase, suddenly feeling that the words carried a scent of blood.

"To become beautiful, no matter the cost."

Lin Que looked at the headline, and a flash of inspiration suddenly struck his mind.

In this world of highly developed technology but sparse culture and entertainment,

the pursuit of "beauty" seems more pathological and direct.

Without the support of a deep cultural foundation, aesthetics have become singular and extreme.

This is not just a piece of news.

This is... Lin Que's pupils constricted slightly, deep in thought.

"Tap, tap, tap."

At that moment, the rhythmic sound of medium heels hitting the floor approached.

The previously noisy classroom instantly fell silent.

The few people who had been gathered in the reading corner quickly scattered like startled birds,

burying their heads in piles of books, pretending they had been studying for a long time.

Shen Qingqiu walked in, holding her lesson plan.

She stepped onto the podium, her gaze sweeping across the classroom like a radar.

"Before class starts, I have something to say."

Shen Qingqiu put down the lesson plan.

"Regarding the 'Fu Zhi Yao Competition' writing competition. I have submitted the registration forms."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over Zhang Ya, Liu Hui, and Li Bowen, finally resting on Lin Que.

"In the next few days, the few of you should use your spare time to organize the outline or ideas for your first drafts.

Especially Lin Que..."

"I've read your piece, *listening to snow*."

The entire class's attention immediately focused on Lin Que.

"The concept is profound, and the entry point is sharp."

Shen Qingqiu rarely gave such high praise in front of the whole class.

"If nothing unexpected happens, passing the preliminary submission selection should be fine.

But the next stage is an on-site composition, which tests quick wit and depth of knowledge.

You... mustn't take it lightly."

"Understood, Teacher."

Lin Que nodded lazily, twirling the black gel pen in his hand.

"Alright, open your textbooks. Today we're covering *Yangzhou Slow Tune: Famous City of Huai Left*."

Shen Qingqiu lectured fluently for the entire class.

Lin Que, however, was somewhat distracted.

His mind was filled with the fallen high heel and the story of the physical appearance he was pondering.

He finally managed to endure until the dismissal bell rang.

"Ring—"

Lin Que practically launched himself into motion.

"Hey? Brother Que, where are you going? Didn't we agree to go to SDC (Search, Fight, Retreat)..."

Before Wu Di could finish his sentence, he only saw Lin Que's back disappear out the back door.

"Another day! Something big is happening today!"

Lin Que's voice drifted back from afar.

He didn't go home, nor did he go to an internet cafe,

but instead jogged all the way straight to the SOHO Future City studio.

Pushing open the door, the cool, quiet air rushed toward him.

Lin Que didn't turn on the main light, instead skillfully turning on the computer.

The blue light of the screen illuminated his slightly excited face.

He logged into the Red Fruit Reading backend.

The data was still skyrocketing.

The number of active readers for *soul ferry* had broken through a terrifying figure,

In contrast, the copycat *ferry convenience store*,

although barely maintaining its popularity through paid commenters and advertisements,

had already dropped below the passing score, and the comment section was full of criticism.

In the bottom right corner of the computer, the Red Penguin icon was flashing frantically.

[Hong Hu]: Great Master! The settlement statement for last month's royalties has been sent to your email! Please take a look!

[Hong Hu]: Oh, and the readers requesting updates are about to blow up the comment section.

Everyone says that now that *the ferryman* is finished, they feel empty and desperately need some Poisonous Chicken Soup from Hell Dream Weaver Great Master to clear their minds!

[Hong Hu]: Great Master? Are you there? You haven't gone into seclusion to cultivate some Peerless Divine Skill, have you?

Lin Que glanced at the long string of numbers, feeling no emotional change.

Money, to him, was just a number now.

It was merely enough to ensure his parents lived well and to give him the confidence to do what he wanted.

He clicked open the comment section.

[Update Request]: Even the Donkey on the Production Team wouldn't dare rest this much! Dream Weaver Great Master, if you don't update soon, I'm going to take my obsession and come find you at Convenience Store No. 444!

[Discussion]: I read the *convenience store* next door; it's Absolute Garbage. I still miss that chilling, severe feeling from Dream Weaver. Please update!

[Hot Topic]: Did you guys see the news? That girl who jumped... sigh, if only she had read *soul ferry*, maybe she wouldn't have been so foolish?

Lin Que stared at that comment for two seconds.

Since someone wants to see the real hell, then he would grant their wish.

Without any change in expression, his fingers rested on the slightly cool keycaps.

The rapid clattering of keys echoed in the empty studio.

New Chapter.

Title: [the fox immortals medicine].

The cursor blinked, and Lin Que typed the first line.

"It was a potion that smelled of the Scent of Corpse Oil.

Just one drop could make dry bones grow flesh and ugliness blossom into beauty.

But what the girl didn't know was that the Fox Immortal never took money; it only took... life."

...