Miss Lin is a hunky VTuber today?

But even the young lady didn't expect that the few photos she casually sent to Lingyue would become the first step this autistic child took out of the house.

Chapter 22, Section 315: VUP's Mountain Climbing Adventure

"Wake up, wake up, we're getting off the bus."

At 6:38, Sister Feng woke up the only one who was still asleep, Chiena, and the group got off the high-speed train together, pulling their suitcases.

Although Daidai was still a little sleepy due to lack of sleep, she was not in much trouble because she had Fengling and Shuangxue, who were the closest to her, to take care of her.

The rest of the people were either overworked office workers or night owls, all of whom frequently stayed up late, so even though they hadn't slept for long, everyone was still very excited.

The boss's arrangement was somewhat unethical. He claimed it was to improve their physical condition for future work, so he made everyone take a one-hour bus ride after having breakfast on the high-speed train overnight, and then go hiking without any rest time.

Although everyone protested, they didn't complain after being promised a big meal and a villa by the boss. So what if they went hiking? Anyway, the ESC club had a day off and had already eaten dinner, so they were free to do whatever they wanted.

Although greening efforts have been ongoing, and there are even statements about achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, that means China's overall carbon emissions will be zero, not just in one province or one particular event. In reality, the air in small southern cities is indeed fresher than in big cities like Yehai.

Xu Lin and Sister Yan, both from the Northeast, a province known for its heavy industry, said they had never enjoyed such fresh air before, and even felt more energetic.

This little-known rural town has few people and is not a tourist city. It is just an ordinary mountain town in the south. The town's buildings are a mix of modern and old-fashioned styles. They are not the kind of old-fashioned buildings that have been deliberately renovated and then aged, but rather houses that have been left over from that era.

As Xu Lin passed by, he wondered if it was a dilapidated building.

But upon closer reflection, the ancient Chinese architecture is indeed incredibly sturdy, so it becomes acceptable.

We quickly ate breakfast to fill our stomachs, and since there wasn't much to see in the town, we just stocked up on some snacks at the local supermarket before setting off.

Although it's not a tourist city, people still often come to climb the mountain. It's not a completely undeveloped barren mountain; there are stone steps of varying heights leading up the mountain. However, it seems that because no one has maintained it for a long time, the surrounding weeds and trees have grown so much that they shade the entire path.

The dew was heavy, and the patches of moss meant you had to be careful where you stepped; it looked like it wouldn't be easy to climb.

Of course, there is a road built on this mountain, a winding, narrow path that can barely be considered a two-way road.

So Fuli and the other staff members in charge of equipment who were going to make preparations in advance took the bus, while the other operations and post-production staff who didn't have much work were also eager to share the hardships with the Livers.

Yes, 'enthusiastic'.

"Ruoye, you're really a damsel in distress. Sister Feng and the later ones told me to tell you that you're finished, just wait until you get up the mountain."

Xiao Zhi, who was in operations, was quite familiar with Xu Lin. This somewhat outgoing girl jogged up the mountain road and caught up with him, sticking out her tongue and looking at the white-haired girl with a resentful expression. She only said this one sentence before stopping to rest, which shows how deep the staff's resentment was.

As for why this is the case...

Because when the boss was about to take the staff up the mountain by car, Xu Lin suddenly said that hiking with the staff would improve their relationship and make future work collaboration easier. The boss thought she made sense...

In short, Lin Jiang deserves the blame.

Of course, the boss didn't run away either. Isn't the goal to improve relationships and make work easier? Then you, as the boss, should set a good example!

Considering that the boss's face was beaming like a chrysanthemum in full bloom when Xu Lin made the suggestion, then the suffering he endured was not unjustified.

Right now, they're at the very back of the line, climbing up step by step.

It really crawls, using both hands and feet.

From a distance, it looks like a ball of flesh rolling down the mountain, and its spirit is truly moving.

Deeply moving.

In short, don't even think about staying out of trouble at ESC; from the boss to Liver, none of them are good people.

This is a collective act of inhumanity.

The only silly, clueless one is still the darling of the group, protected by the first-generation members and pampered by the staff. What can you do about it?

As for those who aren't protected by others and whose cunning isn't quite up to par?

Just look at how low Ye Jun's status is in the group, you'll know. He's only one level higher than the boss on the fifth floor of the basement.

"You're stirring up trouble everywhere, but I'm not helping you this time. Don't even think about dragging me down with you."

Xu Youyue glanced at the white-haired girl whose face instantly turned bitter, and quickly distanced herself from her, determined not to get involved in this mess.

"Wow, Miss, are you really that heartless?"

Xu Lin was dumbfounded. Was it really true that couples are like birds in the same forest, each flying away when disaster strikes? Youyue, how did you manage to sell me out so skillfully?!

Oh, she forgot that the young lady has been a mole ever since they first got to know each other. Betraying her is her daily routine. It's already a good thing if she doesn't find it funny and join in kicking her when she's down.

"Tsk tsk tsk, with that mouth of yours, haven't you learned anything in all these years?"

Li Huiyan, who was walking at the front, stopped when she heard the two talking, clicked her tongue, and turned around with a look of disdain.

Because the road was really difficult to walk on, as the eldest sister of the ESC company, and mainly because she had the best physical strength and could climb without much effort, she automatically and consciously took on the task of clearing the way.

Originally, there should have been two other people with good stamina following behind, but considering the lack of stamina in this company, and the fact that Fuli, the only one with good stamina because she carries photography equipment all year round, went to the main company first, so only this couple could follow.

Sister Yan really doesn't want to eat this dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection), you have to believe her.

Of the remaining three boys, Ye Jun, who had the best stamina, stayed at the back of the group to take care of those who had fallen behind and occasionally help the boss. Sal and Shuangxue were actually not very strong, but they were still stronger than the girls, so they stayed in the middle and kept an eye out for anyone who fell.

It mainly serves as a human cushion, which is really tough.

"If I had learned my lesson, would I still be a VUP?"

Xu Lin hummed in response.

"Talking nonsense is an essential part of life's fun! It's impossible not to talk nonsense, it's impossible in this lifetime."

"It's hopeless, just wait to die. Goodbye."

Sister Yan turned and left, not wanting to pay any attention to this person at all.

She's been a girl for so long and still can't get rid of that sharp tongue; it's clear that being a jerk is in her nature.

It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature!

"You're really something else."

Xu Youyue couldn't help but laugh.

She knew Xu Lin's personality well, and although she was sometimes annoyed by her sharp tongue, she was mostly happy with her.

Just like today.

She could already imagine the scene of Lin-chan being chased by everyone that night.

P.S.: What was I going to say? Oh well, I forgot. So, I'll just ask for a vote!

Chapter 23, Section 316: Zen Master Lin Jiang

Humans are truly strange creatures.

As Xu Lin climbed to the top of the mountain, he couldn't help but think this.

The girl stood up straight, letting the mountain breeze pass through thousands of leaves and seep into her clothes through tiny gaps, carrying away the damp sweat and dissipating into the distance.

With a swift movement, her pristine white hair, styled in a single ponytail, cascaded down like a torrential downpour, a breathtaking sight.

He turned around abruptly and looked at the crowd that was gradually climbing up.

I feel inexplicably relaxed.

Climbing a mountain is an extremely painful experience. The difficult and slippery paths, the uneven steps, the glaring sunlight, and the damp mountain air are all things that bring pleasure, not to mention the physical exertion involved.

"But when you reach the top of the mountain, you will feel happy, as if all the pressure on you has been left behind in the past as you climbed the steps."

"All that's left are our reborn bodies."

The girl with white hair and red eyes looked earnestly into Sister Feng's eyes, her expression extremely sincere.

"Is this your excuse for ripping us off?"

Sister Feng fell into deep thought, then asked in a light tone with a hint of amusement.

Behind this petite yet dignified girl, a group of staff members were rubbing their hands together, clamoring to teach Wakaba a lesson and let the Livers know that they were not to be trifled with.

"This is not a reason, it is a principle, a principle that you need to calm down and understand carefully."

The white-haired girl had a compassionate and peaceful expression, radiating a Buddhist glow, like a Zen master who had seen through the illusions of the world gently instructing the angry crowd.

"You should tell them that."

Sister Feng shrugged, pointed to the thousands of brothers and sisters behind her, and sighed.

She herself didn't really care about being tricked into climbing the mountain by Xu Lin, since she had originally planned to do it anyway, but the otaku girls in the post-production department obviously didn't think so.

Making these people exercise is like making Daju (a popular Chinese orange vendor) go on a diet—it's a matter of life and death.

"Alas...you fools..."

The white-haired girl's long sigh seemed to weigh heavily on everyone's hearts. She raised her head slightly, her gaze passing over the crowd who were discussing how to deal with her, and looked towards the distant, clear blue sky. She shook her head, clasped her hands together, and looked kind and gentle.

The hand gesture used for chanting Buddhist mantras was replaced with an internationally recognized hand gesture, instantly exuding an aura of irritation.

"Hahahaha! You bunch of idiots! You can't catch me, can you? Hehehe!"

Xu Lin made a face and then immediately ran away.

All that's left are the staff with the tic-tac-toe mark on their foreheads and flames raging around them, and the livers who are completely dumbfounded, thinking, 'Holy crap, how dare you do that, Wakaba-nii?!'

"This guy is beyond saving. Maybe we should just make do from now on."

The young lady looked up at Sister Yan, her tone cold and devoid of any emotion.

It was as if the person being hunted was a complete stranger.

"If you're willing, then I'm fine with it too."

Sister Yan smiled slightly and took the young lady's hand.

The way he said it was practically a proposal on the spot, on one knee.

"Hey, hey, hey, sister-in-law, I can't pretend I didn't hear what you said."

Yuzu squeezed through the gap between the two, forcefully ripped their clasped hands apart, and said with a serious expression.