Rock Climbing Crisis

Just then, a friend request popped up on Ling Yun's WeChat.

The note clearly read "Douyin Official Operations - Su Yao."

Ling Yun raised an eyebrow and clicked accept.

"Hello, Mr. Ling Yun. I am Su Yao, the head of Douyin operations. You can just call me Xiao Yao."

The message came quickly, her tone respectful.

"Miss Su, is there something?" Ling Yun was a bit surprised by the sudden contact from the official account.

"It's like this," Su Yao's reply was almost instantaneous, "Your fan growth rate... is simply astonishing! After evaluation by the platform's upper management, we believe the contract previously offered completely fails to match your current value and potential. We hope to offer you a brand new, top-tier exclusive contract on the platform."

There was an urgency in her words.

Ling Yun understood. Douyin was clearly shocked by his three million follower increase overnight and was afraid he'd be poached by competitors who were eyeing him.

"Alright, let's discuss the details."

Ling Yun's reply was concise.

For the next half hour, Su Yao demonstrated the platform's immense sincerity.

The signing bonus was increased by another two hundred million on top of the already astronomical sum! The revenue share for gifts was adjusted to an unprecedented 90/10 split (Ling Yun taking 90%).

His annual salary, which was a symbolic two million, directly skyrocketed to a hundred million.

And the required live-streaming hours were reduced from 120 hours per month to just 30 hours per month.

Looking at the key terms of the contract draft sent on the screen, even though Ling Yun had been mentally prepared, his heart couldn't help but tremble.

This was practically an all-out effort to firmly tie him to the Douyin platform, regardless of cost.

They're really going all out... willing to lose money just to keep me?

He mused inwardly. But then again, not taking free money would be foolish. Ling Yun promptly completed the electronic signing.

At Douyin headquarters, the operations director, who had been monitoring the progress, let out a long sigh of relief upon seeing the "Contract Signed" notification, a look of relief washing over his face.

The terrifying fan growth curve from the early morning, especially the projection that his followers might break ten million before tonight's live stream, filled them with both joy and fear.

Joy that they would be nurturing a platform phenomenon; fear that if a competitor managed to intercept him... this top-tier contract had to be signed before anyone else could even approach Ling Yun!

"Alright, Mr. Ling! The contract is effective immediately, and the signing bonus will be transferred to your Alipay this afternoon.

If you have any needs on the platform in the future, please feel free to contact me at any time. I'll be online 24 hours to serve you!

Wishing you a smooth live stream and a happy life!" Su Yao's message carried the ease of a completed mission.

With the contract settled, Ling Yun finally remembered to check the earnings from last night's live stream.

He opened the Douyin Creator Backend, and the earnings details popped up: 1,128,456.78 yuan! In just one night!

In my past life, I wouldn't have even touched this amount after working myself to death my entire life. Now, a million in one night...

He shook his head, closed the page, and didn't withdraw the money for now. The new contract had a higher revenue share, so withdrawing now would mean losing hundreds of thousands, which wasn't worth it.

His gaze swept over the time on his phone: 7:55! He suddenly stood up, quickly put on his jacket, rushed into the bathroom, splashed some water on his face, grabbed his phone, and dashed downstairs.

As soon as he stepped out of the building entrance, the familiar black Maybach was already parked quietly by the roadside.

Jiang Yingqing was leaning against the car door, her eyes occasionally scanning the building entrance. When she saw Ling Yun, her eyes lit up, and she waved, calling out, "Brother Ling Yun! Over here!"

"Sorry, am I late? Have you been waiting long?" Ling Yun walked over quickly, asking apologetically.

"No, I just got here too." Jiang Yingqing opened the car door, gesturing for him to get in, her smile bright. "This is Uncle Zhang."

"Hello, Uncle Zhang." Ling Yun nodded respectfully to the steady middle-aged driver in the driver's seat.

"Hello, Mr. Ling." Uncle Zhang returned the greeting, and the car smoothly started moving.

"Oh, right," Ling Yun said in the car, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he remembered something. "That 'Yun Zhong Ri Qing' from last night... that's a rather unique name, isn't it?"

"Cough!" Jiang Yingqing's fair cheeks instantly flushed, her eyes darting away. "That... I just typed it in randomly! It was just a system recommendation! Don't overthink it!"

Her voice clearly betrayed her attempt to cover up.

Seeing her flustered state, Ling Yun didn't tease her further, though the smile in his eyes deepened.

Jiang Yingqing quickly changed the subject, her tone becoming serious. "Let's talk business, Brother Ling Yun. For the rock climbing later, you... why don't you watch me climb first? Free solo rock climbing is too dangerous, with no protection at all. Even a small mistake could lead to..." She didn't finish, but her meaning was clear.

"Don't worry," Ling Yun's tone was steady. "I've learned the basics and know my limits. If I can't do it, I won't push myself. My life is my own." He paused, his gaze falling on Jiang Yingqing's face, and added, "You need to be extra careful too. Qingmang Mountain... I've heard it's not entirely peaceful."

He decided to first remind Jiang Yingqing to be careful during the climb, because in his past life, he didn't know how Jiang Yingqing died, only that it was an accident.

Seeing his firm attitude and that he seemed to know something about it, Jiang Yingqing no longer insisted. She just confidently lifted her chin. "I'm an old hand! Safety first, watch me!"

The car soon arrived at the foot of Qingmang Mountain.

The mountain, true to its name, was rugged and steep, with jagged rocks jutting out. Vegetation stubbornly grew in the cracks of the rocks, exuding a wild, primitive aura.

The air seemed to be filled with a faint, earthy, and grassy scent. Rumors of venomous snakes added an intangible sense of pressure to the mountain.

The two changed into the professional climbing shoes Jiang Yingqing had brought and carefully checked their chalk bags.

Jiang Yingqing neatly tied her long hair into a high ponytail, revealing her smooth forehead and focused gaze.

She walked to a nearly vertical rock face and tapped a slightly protruding weathered rock, producing a dull thudding sound.

"Watch this!" She turned back, flashing Ling Yun a challenging smile.

Ling Yun didn't respond. His gaze was locked onto Jiang Yingqing, while he also scanned his surroundings and the crevices in the rock face with vigilance. The vague reports from his past life about her accidental death had always loomed over him like a dark cloud.

What exactly was the accident? He desperately needed to find the answer and prevent it.

Jiang Yingqing's smile faded. She took a deep breath, her hands clamping onto the rock holds like vises. With a push from her toes, her body instantly left the ground, and she began to ascend like a nimble mountain goat.

Her movements were fluid and powerful, each grip and shift of weight executed with practiced confidence.

Ling Yun followed closely behind. His actions seemed casual, yet every step landed precisely on the most stable points, and his speed was no slower.

"Wow! Brother Ling Yun, you've been hiding your skills!"

Reaching a small platform, Jiang Yingqing looked back at Ling Yun, who was easily keeping pace below. Surprise filled her eyes. "You're no beginner, you're actually really good!"

"Focus, don't get distracted!"

Ling Yun's voice was deep as he reminded her, his sharp eyes sweeping over her footing.

Jiang Yingqing stuck out her tongue, immediately regaining her composure and continuing upward.

Ling Yun maintained a high level of alertness, most of his attention on Jiang Yingqing, ready to react to any potential emergencies.

They climbed higher and higher, the mountain wind growing stronger.

Heavy, lead-grey clouds had gathered in the sky at some point. The fierce wind whipped sand and stones against the rock face, howling mournfully. Large raindrops began to fall sporadically.

"Uh oh! It's going to pour!"

Jiang Yingqing's voice was distorted by the wind as she quickened her pace. "We need to find shelter quickly! The rock face will be slippery in the rain, the danger level is too high!"

The wind and rain made the rocks slick and cold, and visibility was decreasing.

He followed Jiang Yingqing closely, shouting, "Be steady! Don't rush!"

The two of them climbed upward with all their might. Just as Jiang Yingqing reached for a deeper crevice above, shaped like a small hole, to pull herself up—

"Hiss—!"

A venomous snake, entirely dark green with a triangular head, lunged half its body out from the shadow of the crevice. Its scarlet tongue flicked out, almost touching Jiang Yingqing's fingers!

Its cold, vertical pupils glinted with malice!

"Ah—!" The sudden fright made Jiang Yingqing scream uncontrollably, her hair standing on end!

The greatest danger in rock climbing is distraction, let alone facing the deadly shock of a venomous creature!

Just as her mind reeled and she instinctively tried to pull her hand back, a powerful gust of wind swept by!

"Careful!" Ling Yun's shout was torn apart by the gale.

Jiang Yingqing, having lost her balance, felt her footing slip. Her grip also loosened due to shock and the slippery surface!

Like a kite with a broken string, she instantly detached from the rock face, plummeting towards the bottomless abyss below!