Chapter Six: The Martial Double

Jiang Hu slowly tried to decipher Mo Nianian’s thoughts, and discovered that what she liked most was when he behaved obediently and docilely. What’s more, she had changed profoundly compared to the past: her appetite, temper, and preferences were all different. He even suspected that she had been replaced by someone else.

But after living together day and night for three years, Jiang Hu was intimately familiar with everything about her. This person was indeed Mo Nianian.

Jiang Hu didn’t know what tricks Mo Nianian was playing now. All he wished for was to survive these next two years in peace. Once he came of age, he swore he would personally end this vicious woman’s life.

Playing the part of the sensible, well-behaved child, Jiang Hu brought the dishes he had prepared to the table. “It’s ready. We can eat now.”

Mo Nianian sauntered over and glanced at the two bright green vegetable dishes on the table. “We’re having greens today?”

Jiang Hu lowered his head. “Mm… We’re almost out of money for groceries.”

He fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, clearly anxious and uneasy.

Mo Nianian: “…”

She was truly poor—really.

As someone who couldn’t live without meat, Mo Nianian looked at the vegetables with some distaste, even though the child’s cooking wasn’t half bad.

Jiang Hu hurried to say, “I can go out and earn some money, I—”

Before he could finish, Mo Nianian cut him off. “What could a kid like you do to make money? Right now, your top priority is to take good care of your health. Just look at your skinny arms and legs.”

Her face showed nothing but disdain. In all honesty, with Jiang Hu’s frail build, she felt she could make him cry with a single punch.

Mo Nianian absentmindedly nibbled at the vegetables. “I’ll figure out the money. You don’t need to worry.”

It was truly a headache—making money was just too difficult.

Jiang Hu looked up at her, his dark eyes fixed intently on Mo Nianian, a flicker of emotion glinting beneath their surface.

She hadn’t laid a finger on him even now—was she really the same cruel woman?

The system offered Mo Nianian a series of ways to make money, but she discovered she couldn’t do any of them. To make matters worse, the rules stipulated that, during a mission, the system could only help the host with small tasks that wouldn’t affect the little world.

Helping her earn money clearly wasn’t considered a “small task.”

The system’s suggestions were all rejected. In a weary tone, it asked, [So, Host, what exactly can you do?]

Mo Nianian pondered for a long time. […Fight?]

The system pasted on a smiling face. Don’t get angry, don’t get angry—if I drop dead, there’s no one left to help.

[Host, I think I’ve come up with a job that’s perfect for you.]

[Oh? Let’s hear it.]

[A stunt double! Aren’t you from the film academy? Being a stunt double fits your training perfectly, and your skills are unmatched!]

[Does it pay well?]

[Seems decent. At the very least, you won’t starve.]

Mo Nianian considered it for two seconds before happily making up her mind.

Given that the two of them were on the verge of starving in this little world, Mo Nianian immediately sent in a résumé and applied for a stunt double position. The requirements weren’t high—as long as you could fight.

Her résumé contained only a single line: “Stunt double—one versus ten is no problem.”

Most people thought she was joking. Still, there were a few film crews who were interested; after all, anyone who could boast like that was either truly talented or a fool.

The next day, Mo Nianian received an interview notice from a crew. She tidied herself up and headed over.

When the crew saw a delicate, frail beauty walk in, their disappointment was palpable. But since she’d come all this way, they figured they might as well give her a try.

The assistant director casually found a martial arts instructor to spar with her.

A few minutes later, everyone on set looked at the heap of martial arts instructors sprawled across the floor and began to question their entire existence.

Mo Nianian straightened her sleeves. “Did I pass?”

The assistant director looked at her as if he’d just discovered a hidden gem, his eyes shining with disbelief. “Are you really just a stunt double? Any interest in taking a part in our show?”

Such a beautiful face, such astonishing martial skill—she would be a sensation on the big screen.

“Acting? Not interested.”

She only needed money to eat, and besides, she was afraid that if she lost her temper, she’d end up beating an actor to death.

Even the system doubted whether someone as lazy as Mo Nianian, who spent three hundred and sixty out of three hundred and sixty-five days in a state of uselessness, could handle acting.

The assistant director was truly reluctant to let such talent go to waste. He did his best to persuade her, but Mo Nianian was impervious, her impatience obvious the more he spoke, as if she might leave at any moment.

With no other choice, the assistant director tearfully signed her on as a stunt double, holding out a faint hope that perhaps she might change her mind.

One had to admit, being a stunt double was truly exhilarating. Mo Nianian was so skilled that the martial arts instructors begged her to teach them a few moves.

What’s more, she was doubling for a heroine renowned for her martial prowess—the entire show was full of face-slapping fight scenes, and Mo Nianian had the time of her life beating people up.

The assistant director, cherishing her talent, and impressed by how her performances exceeded all their expectations, rewarded Mo Nianian with a handsome payment.

Delighted, Mo Nianian took the little one out for hotpot that very day.

Hotpot was truly a delicacy beyond compare—how could anything taste this good? Mo Nianian’s eyes narrowed in utter satisfaction.

During this period, Mo Nianian had treated Jiang Hu quite well. Jiang Hu, cautious and wary, tested her boundaries little by little, only to discover… this woman seemed to be indulging him.

Occasionally, he would deliberately do things that in the past would have infuriated her, yet now, she didn’t react at all.

Jiang Hu was completely baffled by whatever game Mo Nianian was playing. This lack of control left him deeply unsettled.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Mo Nianian looked up at him, her gaze bright and utterly clear, without a trace of darkness.

She chewed slowly on a piece of beef tendon, swallowed, and then asked, “Does it not suit your taste?”

As she spoke, she had the waiter bring over the menu so he could order something else.

Staring into her transparent eyes, Jiang Hu felt a strange surge of rage rise within him—how could she maintain such a look after all the terrible things she’d done?

It was as if all his past suffering was just a figment of his own imagination, while she remained immaculate, watching his pain with cold detachment.

Darkness and malice swelled within him, wrapping around his heart, twisting his downcast gaze even further.

Why?

Jiang Hu truly hated her.

A thousand dark and wicked thoughts flashed through his mind. As the waiter passed by with a tray of tea, Jiang Hu quietly stretched out his foot.

“Bang! Crash!”

“Hiss—”

“Oh! I’m so sorry! Did you get burned? I’m really sorry—do you need to see a doctor?” The waiter apologized over and over, on the verge of tears from guilt.

Fortunately, the hot water hadn’t splashed directly onto her skin, so there were no serious burns. She stood up and dabbed at her clothes with a napkin. “It’s fine. I’ll go to the restroom to take care of it.”