Chapter 148 Chairman Miao, The Beginning of Everything

Chapter 148: Chairman Miao – The Genesis

Miao Yuanjin suddenly shrieked, "Aah!!!"

Jiang Hui, mid-snack, and Yu Xing, about to head out, both jumped. Yu Xing, alarmed, asked, "What's wrong?"

"Dog! Dog..." Miao Yuanjin stammered, pointing a trembling finger at the little black dog by Jiang Hui's feet. "Why is it here?! Didn't it die?"

Yu Xing: "..."

Yu Xing had no choice but to lie through her teeth, "Oh, you're mistaken. That's not the dog from the slums. This is... a dog that just happens to look similar."

Most little black dogs looked alike; Yu Xing doubted Miao Yuanjin could tell the difference.

"Do you really think I'm that stupid?" Miao Yuanjin stomped her foot in exasperation. "Its corruption aura is so strong, and you're telling me it's not the same dog?!"

Yu Xing: "..."

Yu Xing quickly ushered Miao Yuanjin out of the clinic.

Inside Miao Yuanjin's luxurious sports car, she asked Yu Xing gravely, "Are you truly a follower of the Evil God?"

"Absolutely not," Yu Xing waved her hand wearily. "Let's just go. I'm eager to meet your grandfather."

Miao Yuanjin looked concerned. "Why are you so eager to meet my grandfather? Do you have some ulterior motive?"

Yu Xing found this incredulous. "Why would you think that? Your grandfather is so old—what could I possibly want from him?"

Miao Yuanjin was left utterly speechless...

***

The sports car sped into Zone B. Just before entering Zone A, Miao Yuanjin suddenly said, "Security checks in Zone A are very strict. You'll need to possess me before we enter."

Yu Xing hesitated, but Miao Yuanjin reassured her, "Don't worry, my car is on autopilot. It doesn't matter if you don't know the way."

Relieved, Yu Xing slowly took out the Undead Necklace. Miao Yuanjin glanced at it, swallowed hard, and asked nervously, "Can I use this thing?"

Yu Xing didn't reply. She put the necklace around her neck, and a chilling aura permeated the car.

Miao Yuanjin immediately grew uneasy. Even though she knew the terrifying presence beside her was Yu Xing, she still felt profoundly uncomfortable. That cold, deathly sensation... it was truly unbearable.

The undead Yu Xing reached out towards Miao Yuanjin. Miao Yuanjin's body stiffened, her expression blank, as a thin layer of frost formed on her skin.

A minute later, the frost faded. Miao Yuanjin blinked, gazing ahead with a hint of curiosity.

Since arriving in this world, she had never been to Zone A.

Zone A was unlike the other three zones; there were no direct public buses. Only residents of Zone A and those with official business were permitted entry.

The car was stopped before entering Zone A. An officer saluted and said, "Hello. Due to recent heightened security, residents must undergo a genetic test before returning to Zone A."

"Understood," Yu Xing replied calmly, extending a hand.

The soldier took a drop of blood from Yu Xing's finger for the genetic test. Soon, the machine displayed a green light, showing Miao Yuanjin's photo and basic identity information.

"Thank you for your cooperation," the soldier saluted again. "You may proceed."

The car smoothly entered Zone A. The moment they crossed the boundary, Yu Xing's eyes widened in shock. She could hardly believe what she was seeing.

She saw mountains, small streams, and lush greenery everywhere, not just along the roads. Trees were abundant, and colorful flowers bloomed along the streets. Yu Xing even thought she could smell their fragrance. It was like... a botanical garden.

Yu Xing noticed there were almost no high-rise buildings here. Most houses were one- or two-story villas, spaced far apart, each with its own garden.

The people here, men and women alike, seemed leisurely. Some strolled on the grass, others played by the streams. Parties were held in gardens, and laughter filled the air.

All of this left Yu Xing bewildered. She thought of the house she'd bought in Zone B—the one she'd never even lived in.

Before, she'd been quite satisfied with it, thinking its size and environment were excellent. But now, the neighborhood where that house stood seemed like a slum in comparison.

Having once been a Divine Chosen, Yu Xing knew exactly how much it cost to maintain an environment like Zone A.

First, they had to select specially cultivated, mutation-resistant plants. Second, to prevent sudden mutations, a significant number of people had to inspect these plants daily. Any issues had to be addressed immediately, and in case of emergencies, personnel—even Divine Chosen—had to be ready to intervene. These were tasks robots couldn't replace.

Moreover, land within the walls was incredibly valuable. Even in Zone D, no one could afford a villa, and the precarious slums were packed with people. Yet in Zone A, nearly everyone lived in villas, and there were even dedicated spaces for pets to play...

Those who had never entered Zone A would likely never comprehend the vast chasm between them and the true elite.

The car stopped beside a building by the mountainside. From the outside, the structure appeared to have only two floors, but it covered a large area. At the top was a prominent logo: Eternal Entertainment. Armed robots patrolled the perimeter, and Yu Xing's car was stopped at the gate.

Then, to Yu Xing's surprise, a man in a blue suit appeared—someone she didn't expect to see.

Yu Xing stared in shock at the man outside the car. Wasn't he Gu Ya's father? What was his name again...?

"Aren't you getting out?" Gu Muyao smiled gently and opened the car door for her like a proper English gentleman. "The Chairman is waiting for you."

Yu Xing: "..."

Miao Yuanjin had only mentioned that someone would take her to see her grandfather—she hadn't said it would be Gu Ya's father.

Meeting her boyfriend's dad so abruptly left Yu Xing feeling extremely nervous.

She stiffly stepped out of the car, looking at Gu Muyao, unsure of what to say.

Gu Muyao didn't press her. He simply turned and led the way. Yu Xing exhaled in relief—at least she didn't have to talk.

"It's rare for the Young Mistress to visit the company," Gu Muyao remarked casually as they walked. "You should come more often. The Chairman is very lonely."

Though Yu Xing wasn't Miao Yuanjin, she knew a bit about her family. For instance, Miao Yuanjin's grandfather had once adored her, but after she became a Divine Chosen, he grew distant. Now, they rarely saw each other, communicating only occasionally via terminal.

"Grandfather..." Yu Xing tried to mimic Miao Yuanjin's tone. "...I thought he didn't want to see me."

"Of course not," Gu Muyao said as they entered the elevator, turning to smile at her. "You should know better than anyone—out of all the younger generation, the Chairman favors you the most."

Yu Xing thought, *I don't know that at all.* She found the old man of the Miao family rather strange. She'd even suspected that Chairman Miao had been possessed, which would explain his sudden coldness toward Miao Yuanjin.

"Heh," Yu Xing gave a nervous laugh. "Perhaps."

The building didn't seem large from the outside, but its underground space was much larger than Yu Xing had imagined.

The elevator descended over twenty floors before stopping—nearly matching the depth of a research center. Yu Xing was stunned. *Is this really just an entertainment company?* She didn't dare ask, afraid of revealing herself.

Beyond the elevator was a long corridor. Only when they reached the end did Gu Muyao knock on a door and announce, "Chairman, the Young Mistress is here."

The door slid open automatically, revealing no one behind it.

Yu Xing looked inside—and saw a vast forest!

Yu Xing: "What the—?!"

"Hah." Gu Muyao chuckled. "It's just a holographic projection. The chairman likes this kind of setting. I heard you also enjoy playing our *Perfect World*—this is a scene from the game."

Now Yu Xing understood. So that was it.

"Go on in," Gu Muyao said. "The chairman is waiting for you."

Yu Xing stepped inside but noticed Gu Muyao didn't move. She turned around just as he closed the door behind her.

Yu Xing looked around. The holographic projection here was incredibly lifelike, making it feel as if she were truly in a primeval forest. She could even hear birds chirping and the rustling of leaves.

After hesitating for a moment, Yu Xing decided to end the possession now.

The moment Miao Yuanjin regained consciousness, she found herself standing in what seemed like a primeval forest. She startled and jumped. "What the heck? Where is this? Yu Xing, where did you take me?!"

"It's just a holographic projection," Yu Xing said from behind her. "This is your grandfather's office."

"Ah? Oh!" Realizing the situation, Miao Yuanjin immediately praised, "As expected of my grandpa. He's got great taste."

She then began sneakily glancing around. "So where's my grandpa? Have you met him already?"

"No," Yu Xing replied, eyeing a small path in the holographic projection and suspecting the grandfather intended for them to follow it.

Just as the two were at a loss, a figure appeared on the path ahead. It was a gorgeous woman in a fitted white gown.

The woman showed no surprise at seeing two people there. Instead, she moved aside and said, "The chairman is waiting for you. Follow me."

Yu Xing glanced at Miao Yuanjin, who shook her head and whispered, "I don't know her. That's weird—my grandpa's notorious for not liking beautiful women..."

At this point, Yu Xing grew even more curious about Miao Yuanjin's grandfather.

If he used to dislike beautiful women but now kept one by his side, was someone else in his body now?

After passing through the primeval forest, they arrived at another door. The woman in white opened it, and Yu Xing and Miao Yuanjin cautiously stepped inside, finding a plain-looking office. A white-haired man in a suit stood with his back to them by the window.

"Please, have a seat," the woman said to them. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Tea," Miao Yuanjin answered impatiently, eager for the unrelated person to leave.

The woman nodded and exited the office.

"Grandpa," Miao Yuanjin called out, her voice trembling. How long had it been since she last saw him?

The white-haired old man by the window turned around, revealing a face that, though aged, was full of life.

Yu Xing's head spun.

A memory flashed unbidden in her mind.

It was from two and a half years ago, when the original her was about to graduate from middle school. That day, she had gotten in another scrap with kids from the slums and was injured. As she hauled a trash bag toward home, a man in a black suit approached and stopped her.

"Young lady," the man, someone she'd never met before, gestured to a fancy car nearby. "My boss wants to talk to you."

Hesitantly, the original her followed the man to the car. The window lowered, revealing an old man's face.

"Kid, would you like to go to Seventh Middle School?"