ATFBETIBM Chapter 508

After returning to the rebel base, Li Cancan locked herself in her room.

Xia Chi’s sixth sense probably sensed something. The person who was always cheerful and like a little sun became a little taciturn and quiet.

On the third day, Li Cancan, who was sporting panda eyes, knocked on Bai Lixin’s door.

“It’s done.” Li Cancan found a place to sit down, pointing the translucent blue screen at Bai Lixin. “I cracked the encryption of the virtual space and created a replica door on the periphery of the virtual space. You can enter this virtual world through the door, but the virtual world comes with an anti virus system that defects and eliminates foreign intruders. If the data chain exceeds the standard, it will attract the attention of the antivirus system.”

“With my current ability, I can only send one person in.”

Bai Lixin: “I’ll go in.”

Li Cancan hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Okay, I need to do some preparation. What time point do you want to enter the virtual world, God Xin?”

Bai Lixin pondered for a moment. “When I enter the virtual world, the time point inside was February 10th, U9105. I heard that string of signals when answering the phone in the call area of the Order District. But according to my understanding, that signal first appeared five years ago. Can you send my consciousness to around February, U9100?”

Li Cancan: “Alright, I’ll try. Show your wrist, God Xin.”

Bai Lixin extended his right wrist, and Li Cancan clasped a slightly cold wristband around it. After about three seconds, Li Cancan removed the wristband.

She checked the wristband briefly, then picked up her computer and walked straight out. “I’m going to prepare, come to my room in three hours.”

….

Three hours later, Bai Lixin knocked on Li Cancan’s door and was surprised by what he saw as soon as he entered.

For those familiar with the layout, this was Li Cancan’s lounge, but to the unfamiliar, it looked like a computer control room.

The bed had been transformed into something resembling an experimental bed, with many wires connected to it. The floor and walls of the room were covered with numerous cables, while on a nearby desk lay nearly ten large and small translucent blue screens and keyboards, with one screen being the largest and displaying the most content.

Li Cancan smiled at Bai Lixin. “You’re here. I’ve just finished preparing. Take off your shoes and coat, and lie down on the bed, God Xin.”

Following Li Cancan’s instructions, Bai Lixin lay down on the bed. Li Cancan attached several metal pieces to Bai Lixin’s forehead and temples, then put back on the wristband she had removed from his wrist earlier.

The cold metallic sensation increased gradually, and after a moment, lines were also connected to Bai Lixin’s wrists and ankles.

Li Cancan explained, “God Xin, count from one to ten in your mind. I need to read your brainwaves to perform the final adjustments on the equipment.”

After Bai Lixin finished counting, he saw two bands of waves appearing on the screen in front of Li Cancan. The bands were rising and falling, like brain wave readings in hospitals.

The two bands gradually approached each other and overlapped, and eventually merged into one.

Once the two bands merged, the computer displayed “99%” on the right side.

Li Cancan: “They’ve overlapped, but it’s a bit strange.”

Bai Lixin asked, “What’s strange?”

Li Cancan: “Although the fusion seems perfect, the alignment of the lines is not 100%. I feel like there’s a slight tremor in your brainwaves, as if there’s still some bands that haven’t been read.”

S419M: [it’s us, it’s us!]

Bai Lixin: [……]

Bai Lixin: “Does it have any effect?”

Li Cancan smiled. “Not much. As long as the overlap is above 90%, it’s fine.”

“The wristband I put on you earlier is a time controller. With it, you can perform time jumps in the virtual world. This controller will accompany you into the virtual world, as it’s linked to your brainwaves. Only you can see it.”

“Brainwaves may undergo distortion when invading the virtual world, which may cause some slight side effects.”

Bai Lixin inquired, “What side effects?”

Li Cancan: “Your body in the virtual world will be unstable, for example, your appearance will change, or time will be unstable, etc.”

“I’ll monitor your condition outside while you’re in the virtual world. If I notice that the overlap between you and this waveband is below 90%, I’ll immediately interrupt the transmission and pull your consciousness back to the real world.”

“Your consciousness enters the virtual world attached to this waveband I’ve created. If the overlap drops below 90%, your consciousness will be trapped in the vortex of the virtual world and left behind.”

“Also…” Li Cancan paused. “You may encounter yourself. Don’t acknowledge it, as it will cause a time paradox. Your consciousness will instantly detach from the fabricated waveband and become a dead soul in the virtual world, which will then be detected and corrected by the antivirus system.”

Bai Lixin nodded. “Understood.”

Li Cancan: “Are you ready?”

Bai Lixin lay on the bed obediently. “Ready, you can start.”

Li Cancan hesitated, her gaze fixed on Bai Lixin as if she had something to say.

Bai Lixin: “What’s wrong?”

Li Cancan: “If… if you find that message. If… I mean, if, if there’s anything about me, could you…?”

Bai Lixin assured her, “I’ll tell you.”

Li Cancan smiled gently, her face serene. “I’m starting now.”

“Next, start the waveband.”

“The waveband has been successfully activated.”

“Locating the time node.”

“The time node is located on February 5th, U9100. The time node is located successfully.”

“”Prepare for invasion. The countdown to the invasion is 3 seconds. The countdown begins below.”

“3, 2, 1, the invasion begins.”

Bai Lixin felt as if his consciousness was being pulled down by a powerful black hole, and he saw a whirlpool of blackn pass before his eyes.

When the dizzying sensation subsided, and light reappeared before him, his consciousness still felt muddled, and his vision hadn’t returned to normal; everything was still blurry.

In a daze, he saw a figure swaying in front of him, and someone’s vague voice came from nearby, “Huh, someone’s actually here for an interview? Come in quickly, it’s just you.”

Bai Lixin was pushed forward and he stumbled into a room.

His vision hadn’t fully recovered; this must be the negative effect on the body Li Cancan mentioned.

He now felt like a person with severe myopia of over a thousand degrees. He only saw blurry patches of color in front of him and could only mentally fill in what they might represent.

This should be an office. In front of him was a desk, and someone was sitting in front of it.

The sound of high-heeled shoes approached, and the person came to his side, surveying him before exclaiming, “Not bad, a good seedling.”

Bai Lixin listened intently.

The voice sounded somewhat familiar.

The person continued, “Choosing our entertainment company shows you have good vision. Not only do you have good vision, but my eye for talent is also sharp. I’m sure, within a few years, your name will be famous throughout the star network.”

Bai Lixin: “…”

‘I have no vision now, I only have astigmatism.’

The person: “Since you walked into this office, it means you are willing to join us.”

“You haven’t spoken since you entered this office. Are you mute? Do you have some misunderstanding? This is a singing entertainment company, are you here to tease me? Handsome, say something so I can hear you.”

Bai Lixin blinked several times in succession, and his blurry vision gradually cleared up.

What came into view was a beautiful blue-skinned face that was a little strange but also a little familiar.

Bai Lixin: “… Miss Elsa?”

The beautiful woman with blue skin covered her mouth. “Darling, your voice is so charming. I’m sure your songs will be very popular! Only rising companies like ours can discover your talent and make you a star across the galaxy! You’ll definitely become a top star in my hands. You’ll be grateful for choosing our company today.”

Bai Lixin glanced at the calendar on the desk behind the woman. The date displayed was February 10th, U9100: “… Uh, Miss Elsa, isn’t your company about to go bankrupt?”

He remembered Elsa telling him that her company was on the verge of bankruptcy five years ago.

Elsa took two steps forward, stood on tiptoes, and widened her eyes. “My company will never go bankrupt. It’s just my competitors spreading rumors to discredit me. You also know that the entertainment industry is like a big dye vat, it’s full of all sorts of minsters and ghosts. There are those who can’t do anything but pretend to be experts, and there are also those who have real skills like me. If you choose the right employer, you will choose the right future.”

“I knew we were destined to meet from the moment I saw you.”

“I’ve even thought of your stage name.”

“Your eyes are beautiful, like they hold the vastness of the stars and can speak for themselves.”

“Pris Xingchen, what do you think of this stage name?”

A familiar name echoed in Bai Lixin’s ears, shocking him. In an instant, he woke up, and even the last bit of confusion disappeared.

Elsa had leaned in, and Bai Lixin looked into her gray-blue eyes.

A face with golden hair was reflected in the crystal clear eyes.

The facial features were handsome, familiar yet unfamiliar.

It was the face of Pris Xingchen.

Bai Lixin: “…”

So, I am Pris Xingchen? Pris Xingchen is me?

Memories of his few encounters with Pris Xingchen flashed through his mind, and suddenly everything that didn’t make sense before suddenly made sense.

No wonder he found Pris Xingchen’s songs so familiar, like he was listening to his own songs.

Because he was listening to his own songs?

No wonder Pris Xingchen also had a mosaic snake on his wrist.

Bai Lixin rolled up his sleeve, revealing the mosaic snake coiled on his upper arm.

Bai Lixin: “…”

‘Wow.’

S419M: [Wow.]

Escape System: [Oh! Wow!]

“Hey, kid.” Elsa’s voice suddenly became serious. “You suddenly rolled up your sleeves, are you trying to seduce me?”

Bai Lixin: “???”

Elsa’s expression turned serious. “I invited you to join because I saw potential in you. If you’ve already learned the dirty tricks in the entertainment industry before even stepping into it, it’ll only harm you. If you want to do music, do it cleanly. While other methods might make you instantly famous, without solid work, you’ll just be a flash in the pan, unable to withstand the test of time.”

“I understand the desire for fame, and I won’t oppose it, but I don’t approve either. If you want to succeed using such methods, then you probably don’t fit the philosophy of our company. You can leave.”

Bai Lixin lowered his sleeve, looked at Elsa who was about to call her assistant to chase the guest away, and interrupted her : “Miss Elsa, I can help you get through the bankruptcy crisis.”

Elsa’s hand that was about to press on the phone stopped in mid-air, and she looked at Bai Lixin with a complex expression.

Bai Lixin: “My songs can spread across the star network. As long as I’m here, your company won’t go bankrupt.”

Elsa raised her head. “Who do you think you are? Even if the former Song Emperor came, he wouldn’t dare to make such bold claims. I praised you just now because you look good, and I wanted to keep you around for some training. Young people nowadays like to listen to pleasant music. I praised you so much when I haven’t even heard your songs, and you’re already panting with excitement ?”

Bai Lixin: “I can sing for you now, and you can evaluate after listening.”

Elsa looked at Bai Lixin. “There is no accompaniment and I want to hear a clear voice . Can you sing now?”

Bai Lixin: “Sure.”

He cleared his throat and sang the song “Mist”.

The song ended, and Elsa was still standing in a daze. After a few seconds, she stared at Bai Lixin with a tangled expression. “With this song, all the record companies will give you the green light. My company is about to go bankrupt, you’re wasting your talent here. You can leave.”

She was a natural talent scout. When the young man finished singing this song, she knew this song would definitely be a hit.

The company was on the verge of bankruptcy. She originally favored this young man because he was good-looking and she might be able to make some money through packaging to save the company’s economy.

She didn’t expect that the other party was really capable.

The financial situation of her company wasn’t a secret in the industry. Who with real talent would come to her company for an interview?

The people who could choose her company weren’t high-level talents. With her packaging, maybe they could become seventh or eighth-tier stars in the entertainment industry, but without her packaging, it would be difficult for them to even debut.

She never thought this person had real talent.

But just now, when she heard him finish singing this song, she realized she was wrong.

This person didn’t just have real talent, he was really talented. He was so talented that choosing her company was a waste of his abilities.

She could make money with a talentless starlet that only has face, but she couldn’t ruin a future star of the music industry.

However, after hearing his words, the other party shook his head. “Since I’m standing here, it means I’ve chosen your company. I want to sign with you, but there’s a condition.”

Elsa: “What condition?”

‘Yes, tell me what terrible conditions it is to let you choose my entertainment company, which is about to go bankrupt!’

Bai Lixin: “I don’t have a strong desire for fame, so I’m not interested in becoming a Song God or Song Emperor. I can give you all the money I earn, but I have only one condition, absolute personal freedom. You can’t force me to participate in any activities, and if there are events, I’ll come to you and it will be up to me to decide what songs to sing.”

Elsa was stunned. “Are you crazy?”

Bai Lixin: “Just tell me if you agree or not.”

Elsa hesitated again, carefully considering. “Are you sure you want to sign with me?”

Bai Lixin: “I’m sure.”

Elsa slapped the table. “Then I definitely agree. I’ve told you everything I should anyway. I’m not stupid, who would reject money put into their pocket! Let’s sign the contract now!”

Elsa spent ten minutes revising the contract based on the previous artist’s contract, and handed it to Bai Lixin as if afraid he might regret it. “This is a draft contract. Take a look to see if there are any modifications needed.”

Bai Lixin quickly scanned the contract.

Although he had told Elsa that all the money would given to the company, she still allocated quite a bit to him. From the contract, he didn’t lose out, but he earned a little less money.

Bai Lixin: “You also need to prepare a place for me to stay, somewhere I can settle down. This place will be my residence for the next few years, so it needs to be long-term. I don’t like changing residences frequently. Also, I value privacy. No one should disturb me there, including paparazzi or artists from the same company.”

Elsa: “That’s not a problem. Is there anything else?”

Bai Lixin pointed to the part about the amount. “You can take all the money, I probably won’t need it.”

Elsa hesitated; she really needed money right now. With more money, she could get through this difficult time. “Okay, thank you. Let’s do this, I’ll change it to a short-term contract. In the first year, all the money you earn goes to the company, and I’ll give you a monthly allowance for necessary living expenses. We’ll revise the contract in the second year.”

After saying this, she glanced at Bai Lixin cautiously, observed his expression and asked tentatively, “Is this okay?”

“Okay, whatever you arrange.” Bai Lixin redirected the conversation to the main topic. “Do you know about the Order District’s call center, Miss Elsa?”

Elsa felt that she had taken advantage, but actually, he hadn’t lost out.

He didn’t know anyone in this area, and Elsa was his only connection and the helper who could make things easier.

Elsa continued to revise the contract while answering Bai Lixin’s question. “Yes, what’s wrong?”

Bai Lixin: “I want to visit that place. Can you help me?”

Elsa lifted her head from the screen. “I’m not very familiar with the people in the Order District.”

“Can I arrange a visit to the Love District’s call center?”

Bai Lixin’s dim eyes lit up again. “Alright.”

Elsa continued her work, “But what’s there to visit? It’s just answering phone calls all day, it’s so boring.”

“…Actually, I’m working on a song about a day in the life of a call center operator. Don’t you think it’s romantic how operators communicate with strangers they don’t know when they answer the phone, a collision of thoughts and emotions?”

Elsa looked up again, tilting her head to look at Bai Lixin. “No wonder you can create such excellent music; your brain is really different from ordinary people’s. I don’t feel it was romantic, but since it’s for your creation and work, I’ll fully support you. Although my company is on the brink of bankruptcy, I still have connections. This small matter, I’ll handle it for you.”

After pausing for a moment, she continued, “What will be your stage name? Pris Xingchen, how about this name? It’s sure to be a hit.”

Bai Lixin’s expression was somewhat subtle. “Um, okay, let’s go with that.”

That day, Elsa found him a place to stay, and provided him with a communicator and transportation.

The next day, Elsa used her connections to send him to the Love District’s call center.

Sure enough, even in the virtual world, “connections make things easier.”

Bai Lixin chose to visit the call center before the morning shift. As the night shift prepared to leave and the morning shift prepared to take over, the first call of the morning shift hadn’t come in yet.

Because Elsa had given prior notice, the staff who accompanied Bai Lixin were very polite. So when Bai Lixin expressed a desire to experience the work of an operator, they didn’t refuse and enthusiastically found him a workstation to sit at.

Bai Lixin put on the headphones skillfully.

The staff member was puzzled. “You’re quite skilled, brother. Have you worked as an operator before?”

Bai Lixin fumbled for the power button, his face remaining calm. “No, I just learned by watching the operators earlier.”

The blue screen lit up, and the familiar telephone icon appeared in the upper left corner, just like in the Order District.

After a long wait of about ten minutes, the first call came in.

Bai Lixin immediately answered, and on the other end came the familiar “crackling” of static noise.

“Zzt—Zzt—Annihilation… Plan, codenamed ‘D+’—Top Secret—Zzt-Zzt—Area 6—Zzt A46—Zz-Zzt… Hello, is anyone there? Can you hear me? I want to talk to someone.”