Evolutionary Superstar

Jinhai City

Nanqiao Student District

Jagged bolts of lightning tore through the cloudy skies as the cold wind howled, and the heavy rain threatened to drown the coastal city of stars, along with its night beauty.

Within an old apartment complex, a weary young man furiously typed away on his battle-hardened keyboard as he raced against his deadlines.

10,000 words, completed!

After tapping the final key, Lin Haoren checked the time before heaving a sigh of relief.

11:45 pm

Only 15 minutes until midnight, but more than enough time to submit his drafts without incurring penalties.

Buzz!

The computer screen suddenly blackened with a brilliant flash in the night sky, followed by the loud cackle of thunder seconds later.

Lin Haoren froze on the spot.

No! It can’t be! Not the black screen of death!

Lin Haoren hurriedly tapped the power button, but his computer remained unresponsive and lifeless.

"Ah, my brother! You can’t go down like this, Comrade! How will I live without you?" Lin Haoren mourned.

His old pal had finally decided to kick the bucket after a power surge. He knew, because it had already been on its last legs for a while. The bad weather was just the last straw that broke the camel’s back.

The ceiling lights had only flickered, but the computer’s power was completely dead. The scent of smoke was also faint but present.

All clues pointed to one conclusion.

Lin Haoren slumped back on his chair, listless and loss.

A food delivery driver by day, and a NovelPhoenix writer by night. That was how he had lived his life for years after graduating from Jinhai Film & Television University.

With neither looks nor talent, he had repeatedly failed to secure acting roles.

The entertainment industry was highly competitive, and he was just an ordinary person among thousands of others chasing their dreams of becoming a star.

Even at 25, he stubbornly stayed in Jinhai City to pursue his dream. He believed that diligence is rewarded, that as long as he persisted, he could land small roles and be one step closer to his dream.

Unfortunately, without his old pal computer, it would be difficult to afford the rent in Nanqiao Student District on food deliveries alone.

Although he could continue his writing on his old phone, his writing speed would suffer severely.

The keyboard was irreplaceable.

If there were one talent Lin Haoren could be proud of, it would be his keyboard writing speed. And now, it could no longer be utilized, at least not until he replaced Old Pal.

Sigh!

Lin Haoren felt a surge of unwillingness in his heart.

Leaving the Nanqiao Student District means missing out on many potential connections and opportunities, making it much more difficult to pursue his dream.

Forget about securing small acting roles; he might not even be granted audition chances once he moves out.

After all, the rent in Nanqiao Student District was already at the lowest compared to anywhere else in Jinhai City, the city of stars.

11:55 pm

Lin Haoren glanced at the time on his phone and sighed again.

If he missed one day’s update, this entire month’s bonus would be gone. Then, he wouldn’t be able to cover his rent.

Although he still had two weeks to pay this month’s rent, where could he find another 200 yuan to make up the deficit with his current qualifications?

Take more food delivery orders?

Ha!

Everyone living in Nanqiao Student District was mostly poor struggling students or part-time workers like him, living on instant noodles.

Where would they find the funds to order takeout?

Even if he could take better orders farther outside Nanqiao Student District, the time and fuel costs wouldn’t make the trips worthwhile.

It was better to pray for lucky orders and with handsome tips from the minority of wealthy people living in Nanqiao Student District.

But would he have such luck?

The food delivery business itself was also competitive, with many food delivery drivers like him. The chances were too low.

It seemed his inevitable outcome was to move out of Jinhai City and return to the countryside.

His eyes couldn’t help but become misty.

"Meow..."

A small tuxedo cat rubbed against Lin Haoren’s leg, temporarily bringing him out of his depressive thoughts, and a kind yet helpless smile was soon formed.

Picking up the stray cat he had adopted, Lin Haoren showered it with his kind affection.

It purred with joy, which also helped lift Lin Haoren’s mood a bit.

Oreo was a stray kitten he had saved and adopted a year ago.

"Say, Oreo, if I hadn’t saved and adopted you that day, my living expenses might not have been so tight, and I might still have savings to tide me over a few months."

"However, if I were given the chance to return to that fateful day, I would still make the same choice to save and adopt you."

"It was not wrong for you to cry out for help that day, and I was also not wrong for emptying my savings to save you. I can only say this beautiful city just wasn’t big enough to accommodate the two of us."

Lin Haoren smiled sadly as he spoke to Oreo, not minding whether Oreo understood him.

He just needed a little listener as he reminisced.

His heart felt heavy as he felt it was time to accept the reality of his situation. Everyone had a dream, but not everyone could realize it. He was just one of the many.

Oreo purred under Lin Haoren’s playful fingers.

Although he felt sad, he didn’t have any regrets. He didn’t have the ability to achieve his own happiness, but he could at least give happiness to a small little life.

If he had to sacrifice his kind heart to continue a blind pursuit of his dream, then he would rather just give up on his dream.

Dreams were beautiful, but reality was cruel. It was time to wake up.

Who said effort rewarded the diligent? He had been diligent all his life, but where was the reward?

It was all a lie.

Ding!

[Congratulations, Host. The Versatile Superstar System is now bound to you.]

[System initializing: The Proficiency Talent - Effort Rewards the Diligent is now unlocked.]

[Effect: Every output of effort ensures an inputting reward, no matter how insignificant it might be. The system will help you track it.]

[Every great legend has a humble beginning. Host is fated with Blue Star, but your destiny lies in the sea of stars. Please work hard to become the brightest and warmest star in the vast universe, Host!]

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