Chapter 128: Wuyong

The Crystal Ball experience ended, but she didn’t exit through the same door she came in.

Instead, a staff member guided Qin Qing out through a small side door.

Qin Qing glanced at the staffer a couple more times, confirming that she was indeed a new hire—someone she didn’t recognize.

The exit led to a staircase. They descended one floor to reach the actual exit.

There, a crowd had already gathered, bustling and waiting.

At the front stood Wuyong, followed by Han Jun, Qin Fanghao, Zheng Yi, and a group of veteran employees.

Wuyong grinned when she saw her. “I heard from the staff monitoring the cameras that the boss was in there touching the Crystal Ball. I thought they must’ve seen wrong. You didn’t say you were coming.”

Qin Qing waved it off. “Ah, it’s a long story.”

She greeted the others as well.

Though it had been months since they’d last met, there was no awkwardness at all.

The group chatted and laughed as they walked out together.

Only then did Qin Qing notice that this floor had been completely transformed.

It was now divided into two functional areas: the inner section was a staff lounge, visible through a half-open door, with cozy beanbag chairs and a small bar counter. The outer section was split into a merchandise area and a café.

“This…”

Wuyong reached out to the staff in the merchandise area, who handed her two plush toys.

She held them up for Qin Qing to see.

“Check out our new products.” Wuyong presented the plushies like precious treasures.

The design of the two toys was simple—round, oversized heads with no bodies, limbs made of matching colored string, and tiny round hands and feet sewn on at the ends. One was made of soft velvet, fluffy and warm to the touch; the other was smooth cotton filled with tiny pellets, giving it a unique tactile feel.

“These are…” Qin Qing took the plushies and turned to look at the shelves. Three rows of wooden display racks were neatly lined with similar toys in various sizes. The largest ones were half as tall as a person, while the smallest were thumb-sized and could be hung on a keychain. Each plushie had a slightly different expression—some smiling, some wide-eyed, others with looks of surprise.

“These… are all Crystal Ball?” she asked uncertainly.

Wuyong snapped her fingers.

“Customers come all the way here, and just a few minutes of touching the ball isn’t enough. They need something to take home. Crystal Ball plushies, available in all shapes and sizes—take your pick.”

Though “all shapes and sizes” was a bit of a stretch. The only real difference was size.

From half-human height to thumb-sized, they ranged from display pieces to bag charms.

Wuyong poked the smaller one Qin Qing was holding.

“Don’t underestimate this little guy. It’s our best-seller. 39.9 yuan each, or three for 100.”

Qin Qing: “…”

Impressive. They were even selling merch now.

Han Jun chimed in from the side, “We hired a designer for these. The character design is copyrighted.”

Qin Qing was a bit embarrassed. “We’re not exactly a big IP. Who would bother to knock off something this small and seemingly useless?”

“Who says no one would? There are already bootlegs on Xianyu,” Wuyong said, spinning a plushie by its keychain loop. “I was actually planning to talk to you about launching an online store. Fans from out of town who can’t come here in person could at least buy a plushie or two to satisfy their curiosity.”

Past the toy counter was a photo wall, covered with freshly printed snapshots.

Qin Qing was surprised to find several candid shots of herself from the experience room already up there.

There was a profile shot of her gazing intently at the Crystal Ball, one where she was frowning slightly in thought, and most striking of all, a photo where she suddenly turned to look directly at the camera—her gaze so sharp it seemed to pierce through the photo paper.

She had to admit, the photos were pretty good.

Especially that one where she turned to face the camera.

“The look in your eyes in this one is amazing!” Qin Fanghao carefully took the photo down and held it up to the light. “That aura makes it seem like the Crystal Ball behind you is yours. No one else could pull off that kind of vibe. We have to keep this one!”

Qin Qing pointed at the “19.9 yuan per photo” label on the wall, along with a QR code beside it.

She pretended to pull out her phone. “Should I scan the code and pay?”

That got everyone laughing.

She then asked about the café.

“Upgraded service,” someone explained. “The 99-yuan package includes a free drink. If you come early and don’t want to wait downstairs, you can hang out here. We’ve got plenty of comfy seating. You can also order snacks.”

She glanced at the menu—definitely not cheap. At least pricier than your average street milk tea shop.

Was there any kind of money Wuyong *couldn’t* make?

Qin Qing sighed inwardly. Wuyong was managing the studio better than she, the actual boss, ever did.

She really shouldn’t be called Wuyong—“Useless”—because she was anything but.

The barista looked familiar to Qin Qing. When the woman finished serving a customer and came over to say hello, Qin Qing recognized her as Han Jun’s wife.

She’d once made her black truffle cookies—absolutely delicious.

Wuyong linked arms with her and Qin Qing. “Sister Huihui’s snacks are a big hit. Other companies in the park even come over to buy them for afternoon tea.”

She went on, dreaming aloud, “If we launch the online shop, we could sell Sister Huihui’s snacks too. Give her a cut based on sales.”

Qin Qing couldn’t help but laugh. “Young Heavenly Master, could you rein in your stampeding business empire just a little?”

The employees all went off to their respective tasks.

Only then did Wuyong pull Qin Qing aside for a more private chat. “I’m trying to find more business footholds for the company. You’re getting busier and busier, and I might have to go back and take over Baiyun Temple soon. If the next generation of academic cultivators doesn’t rise up, we’ll have to pivot the company’s direction. I’m laying the groundwork now so we’ll have more options later, and won’t be scrambling when the time comes.”

Qin Qing understood all too well.

Without Wuyong, there was no way anyone else could have held this whole operation together after she left.

She didn’t even know how to begin expressing her gratitude to Wuyong.

Qin Qing sighed, “When I first started all this, I didn’t think too much. I just wanted to find a better way to monetize my skills. I never expected things to develop like this. Thank goodness you were here.”

Wuyong slung an arm around her shoulders with the easy camaraderie of old friends ready to take on the world together.

She thumped her chest with a loud smack.

“This is what you call mutual support. If it weren’t for you, I never would’ve imagined Baiyun Temple could reach new heights before I even officially took over. Our senior brother, the sect leader, is so jealous. He keeps whining about how when he took charge, everything was a mess. I’m just glad I could help you out.”

Qin Qing didn’t say anything more. Any more words would just come off as sentimental.

She would remember Wuyong’s kindness.

Just then, she spotted Zheng Yi coming to the café corner for coffee and smoothly changed the subject.

“Shouldn’t the bride-to-be be busy with wedding prep? The ceremony’s the day after tomorrow and you’re still working?”

Zheng Yi gave a helpless smile. “If it were up to me, I’d just have a meal with close friends and family and be done with it. But Yang Sang wants something more elaborate, so I left everything to him. I’m happy to stay out of it.”

Wuyong nodded. “That’s how it should be. As long as both of you are happy.”

But Zheng Yi’s expression still held a trace of worry.

“The Master of Ceremonies we booked got hospitalized last minute, and the wedding company couldn’t find a replacement in time. Yang Sang’s been stressing out these past couple of days. Honestly, we could get by without a formal ceremony, but he insists it wouldn’t feel official enough. I tried talking him out of it, but he wouldn’t budge. I think he even took the high-speed train to Fuxi today, hoping to find a last-minute replacement.”

A married colleague overheard and chimed in, “Booking a Master of Ceremonies last minute? That’s tough. When we got married…”

But Qin Qing’s mind was already turning. She asked Zheng Yi, “Do you have any specific requirements for the MC?”

“Not really. As long as they can keep the event running smoothly.” Then she added, “Ideally, someone who speaks naturally. No cheesy lines, no awkward jokes, and definitely no over-the-top sentimentality.”

Qin Qing had an idea. “A little humor is okay though, right?”

“If it’s natural and not forced, that would be perfect.”

“I think I know someone who fits the bill. Let me check if he’s available.”

She was thinking of He Xu. She’d seen in his blog that back when he didn’t have acting gigs, he used to fill in as a Master of Ceremonies.

He’d definitely know the ropes.

Since Youth Journey had been suspended due to the Jiang Yuan incident, he probably wasn’t working at the moment.

She gave him a call. Not only was he free, he was actually in the city.

After hearing the situation and realizing it was a last-minute rescue, he agreed without hesitation.

He didn’t even ask for payment.

“Rare chance to be of help to Teacher Qin.”

Even so, Qin Qing wasn’t about to let him do it for free.

Forty minutes later, He Xu arrived at the studio to meet her.

He didn’t act like someone who’d recently become famous. No mask, no disguise.

Before he even stepped inside, he was recognized by the customers waiting in line outside.

“He Xu?!” someone shrieked from the crowd.

In the blink of an eye, he was surrounded.

Sensing trouble, Qin Qing quickly sent Shi Jiang to handle the situation.

Shi Jiang, clearly annoyed, pushed through the crowd with practiced ease and “rescued” He Xu like she was picking up a stray kitten.

She wasn’t exactly gentle about it. His shirt got a little rumpled, but He Xu still managed to smile and wave goodbye to his fans.

Even long after He Xu was inside, Qin Qing could still hear the commotion outside.

With a scene like that, she could already imagine how the customers—who were great at jumping to conclusions—would start spreading rumors.

Would people soon be saying that celebrities came to the studio to get their fortunes told?

Would that make appointments even harder to book? Would scalpers make a killing?

But the internet was fickle, and netizens’ attention spans and imaginations rarely followed anyone’s plans.

A day later, Qin Qing saw online discussions about the incident. But the focus wasn’t what she expected…

#He Xu’s badass female bodyguard#

The comments were flooded with praise like “That woman is so cool,” which, for once, actually got a reaction out of Shi Jiang.

She grumbled irritably, “What’s it got to do with me?”

Being caught on camera and talked about by so many people made her feel exposed and uneasy.

But that was a matter for later.

Back to the present.

Qin Qing led He Xu into the office and introduced him to Zheng Yi.

“Here, your last-minute savior. You two can discuss the details yourselves.”

The studio staff had seen their fair share of celebrities, but even so, Zheng Yi’s reaction was a bit over the top when she saw He Xu.

Her lips parted slightly, eyes widened, and her lashes fluttered a few times. Her gaze flicked between Qin Qing and He Xu before finally settling on his smiling face.

Then she turned to Qin Qing and asked, “Boss, are you serious? Him? The Master of Ceremonies?”

“What? Not satisfied?”

Once she got confirmation, Zheng Yi clapped her hands and exclaimed, “More than satisfied! But Boss, you never mentioned that this MC also moonlights as a celebrity!”

He Xu pretended to wipe nonexistent sweat from his forehead and looked at Qin Qing with mock concern. “Boss, you didn’t tell me the bride was this funny. She’s cracking jokes right out the gate. Now I’m feeling the pressure. I might have to charge extra!”

Zheng Yi burst out laughing.

Only then did He Xu compose himself and say seriously, “Miss Zheng, hello. I’m He Xu. I’ve officiated at no fewer than a hundred weddings, so I bring plenty of experience and a quick wit to the table. I’m not particularly handsome, so I won’t outshine the groom, but I’m not unattractive either, so I won’t lower the tone of the ceremony. May I have the honor of serving as the Master of Ceremonies for your wedding?”