Chapter 144: The Birth of the Ultimate Inspirational Icon

After thinking about it, Zhang Yang just replied casually and didn’t directly address the question.

The reason his little cousin was so worried was that she was afraid he wouldn’t be able to handle it, afraid he would mess things up and end up shooting himself in the foot.

But in truth, speaking rationally and somewhat coldly-

Mess things up? Yes, that possibility existed.

But so what?

Even if everything fell apart, Zhang Yang would still be Zhang Yang-still impossibly handsome, still financially powerful, and still lacking none of the things he already had.

When strength comes from within oneself, then naturally, losing anyone doesn’t really matter.

“Isn’t that way of thinking a little too cold-blooded?” Zhang Yang looked at himself in the mirror and laughed softly.

After all, a hypothetical was just a hypothetical. He still had enough confidence in himself. Besides, girls who were too intense, too extreme, or the type who mindlessly caused trouble were not girls Zhang Yang would ever get involved with.

Thinking that, Zhang Yang got into the car and headed straight for his place at COFCO Seaview No. 1.

Late at night, inside the large flat.

Zhang Yang walked into the bathroom and took a long bath, his phone placed by the bathtub.

On the phone, Le Man-still excited-kept sending him messages one after another.

Le Man: The most meaningful birthday I’ve had in years. By the way, how did you know it was my birthday?

Zhang Yang: Your sister posted it. I saw it, so I prepared something. You know me-I never disappoint anyone. By the way… does it still hurt?

Le Man: Mm-hmm. What, are you thinking about something?

Zhang Yang: Of course not. I’m just checking on you. That kind of thing… isn’t all there is to life. Besides, it’s not like I’m lacking.

Although Zhang Yang seemed to bring it up casually, he actually had a purpose.

He was simply testing Le Man’s reaction and tolerance. No man disliked a girl who was sensible and obedient-when he looked for her, she was there; when he didn’t, she didn’t make a fuss and simply waited quietly.

Le Man: Hmph, can you not bring that up? It’s my birthday today.

After finishing his bath, Zhang Yang put on his robe and walked out. Only then did he glance at his phone again-and when he did, he couldn’t help laughing.

Le Man had just sent him a selfie.

Her skin was fair and slightly flushed after a bath, and the new necklace was shining brightly.

The necklace was dazzling, and her skin was incredibly pale.

“Hm? The video’s already been edited?” Zhang Yang had just walked into the bedroom when he was surprised to see the sample video sent by photographer Xiaomi.

Xiaomi: Mr. Zhang, the video is edited. Please take a look and see if you’re satisfied with the result.

Zhang Yang: That fast? Your efficiency is impressive.

Xiaomi: Mainly because you’re just too photogenic. The visuals were insanely good, so there wasn’t actually much post-production work for me to do.

Zhang Yang found it rather amusing and felt that Xiaomi was too honest.

Most people would emphasize how hard they had worked and how much effort they had put in, but she just honestly admitted that she hadn’t done much.

“Let me watch it first,” Zhang Yang muttered to himself, then opened the sample.

Long shots, close shots, scenery flashing past like a carousel through the car window.

A tall figure beneath tree shade, by the Bund, then standing by the river and looking up at the Shanghai skyline, with that absurdly handsome profile and wind-tousled hair.

As for the text and background music, she had directly used the “the light boat has already passed ten thousand mountains” template from the short video platform.

And when the video ended, the angle shifted from profile to front view.

That impossibly handsome face turned toward the camera, accompanied by a youthful male voiceover saying: “Looking back, the light boat has already passed ten thousand mountains. Looking forward, the road ahead is long, but also bright.”

The result was incredible.

Zhang Yang watched it with his face growing hot. As the person in the video, he felt that some of those poses and angles looked a little too deliberately cool.

But honestly, it really was handsome. Absurdly handsome.

Placed on a short video platform, among all those influencers buried under filters and makeup, his close-up shots showed even his pores clearly. It was high-definition, natural, bare-faced beauty from every angle.

It completely crushed them.

It was genuinely unbeatable.

Xiaomi: Are you satisfied, Mr. Zhang? Brother Zhang?

Zhang Yang: OK

He didn’t waste time or play any games about delaying payment. He transferred the agreed amount immediately.

Then, thinking back on how serious, responsible, and enthusiastic Xiaomi had been throughout the whole day, he sent her an extra red envelope.

Xiaomi: You… you’re being way too generous!

Zhang Yang: Take it. You earned it.

After finishing the chat with Xiaomi, Zhang Yang opened the backend of his RedNote account.

Ever since he posted that recent update after a long silence, more and more private messages and comments had flooded in again. Many followers were curious about how he was doing now.

“What’s your current situation? Share it with us. Why did you disappear again?”

“Has life not been going smoothly? It’s okay, just keep working on changing yourself. Everyone only cares about you and wants to know how you are. Don’t feel embarrassed.”

“Exactly, no matter what you become, we’ll keep supporting you as always. Keep going.”

Reading all those comments of encouragement, Zhang Yang would be lying if he said he felt nothing.

People were made of flesh and blood.

Not only did he feel something, he even felt a warmth in his heart.

“Let’s post it,” Zhang Yang said softly to himself, and uploaded the video summarizing his recent journey.

As for the title: The End Is Also a Beginning.

It served as a temporary full stop to the first stage of his journey of taking advice and changing himself.

Why call it the first stage?

Because, from the perspective of an ordinary person, he had already reached a point where there was nowhere higher to go. Calling him the ultimate inspirational example wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

As for what came next, that would be another kind of persona, another beginning, under a different identity.

After uploading it, Zhang Yang didn’t look too closely. He went to sleep soon after.

The next morning, he opened his eyes, reached for the phone beside him, and casually unlocked it.

The moment he did, countless notifications filled the screen.

“What the hell?”

Zhang Yang woke up instantly, sat up in bed, and quickly logged in to his RedNote account.

“My god… over nine thousand likes in a single night? It’s almost at ten thousand?”

“And the comments-two or three thousand comments?”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. That was just overnight!”

Zhang Yang stared in stunned silence, then opened the comment section under the video.

This is insane. I woke up and the blogger who used to ask for advice on changing himself has straight-up become a male god!

Fashion sense: top-tier! Looks: top-tier! Skin and body: top-tier! I officially declare that you have now become a male god I can only admire from afar!

This is way too surreal, isn’t it? I just went through a breakup and still haven’t recovered, and now what do I see? Little Yang has quietly become my youth?

I’m a guy and even I think the blogger is ridiculously handsome. Handsome as hell, good temperament too, and damn-it’s high-definition bare face!

Did we just witness the birth of a male god?

I want to kiss him.

I officially declare that the most inspirational blogger on the entire internet is none other than Little Yang. Too inspirational, too surreal, too unbelievable!

Please, I’m begging you, tell me how to change, how to become a male god.

Wake up. The truth is, the blogger’s foundation was already amazing to begin with. The best way to describe it is that once the dust was washed away, gold finally revealed itself; once the flashy surface was stripped away, the true essence returned. Of course, if all of you work hard, changing yourselves to some extent is still possible.

Saying the comment section had exploded was not an exaggeration at all.

Zhang Yang felt his face heating up as he read. He was a little embarrassed, because although his name was Zhang Yang, his actual personality wasn’t all that flamboyant.

Now, faced with this flood of praise, he really did feel a little shy.

As for private messages, there were even more.

So many girls were messaging him for his WeChat, using the excuse of wanting to learn from his experience to get to know him.

Months ago, it was just an ordinary day when I followed you, and I even mocked you a little. I really deserve to die, male god.

Hello blogger, I’m from Apex Media. Are you interested in becoming an influencer? Your conditions are excellent. Of course, what I admire even more is your inspirational journey. I hope we might have the honor of working together.

Among all kinds of private messages, there were many from MCN agencies introducing themselves, all hoping to package him and make him famous.

As for those, Zhang Yang either ignored them or politely refused.

Yes, becoming an influencer could absolutely make money.

But he wasn’t lacking money, so why should he pay that kind of price-putting in enormous effort to operate an online persona, livestream, and sell products?

There was no need.

While checking his messages, Zhang Yang suddenly lit up with joy.

Because the familiar system notification for completing a task sounded right on time in his mind.

Ding!

The task is complete!

Please claim your rewards in time.

The experience points were obtained, naturally.

But the true reason Zhang Yang had wanted to complete this task had always been for the second reward.

“The Luck Stone!”
“Claim!”

A moment later, Zhang Yang looked at the pitch-black, smooth-surfaced stone in his hand and fell into thought.

“This is it?”

He played with it for a moment, then immediately checked flights to Ruili Airport.

No matter how lucky he became, there still had to be quality raw stones available.

If all the stones were worthless to begin with, then even all the luck in the world wouldn’t help.

Coincidentally, there was a direct afternoon flight from Shanghai to Ruili on the very same day.

“Maybe I should wait a bit longer. My little cousin is still in Shanghai.”

Zhang Yang temporarily gave up the idea of buying a plane ticket immediately and decided to wait until his cousin went back.

He had just contacted her and was planning to spend a few more days showing her around Shanghai. Unexpectedly, Song Yumeng herself took the initiative to say she wanted to go back.

At noon, inside a restaurant.

“Bro, you’ve got your own things to do. I’ll head back early. My parents have been urging me too,” Song Yumeng said, sounding a little reluctant.

“If you still want to stay and play for a few more days, that’s fine. You don’t need to rush back,” Zhang Yang said with a smile as he looked at her reluctant expression.

“I mean… I do want to, but forget it. I shouldn’t keep bothering you and sister-in-law,” Song Yumeng shook her head.

Of course, deep down she still wanted to stay longer.

The days she had spent in Shanghai had been so enjoyable she almost didn’t want to leave.

Not to mention the food, entertainment, and sightseeing. Staying in a river-view hotel, strolling through the city streets every day, experiencing all of Shanghai.

More importantly, her cousin bought her a bag, and her future sister-in-law bought her clothes and even gifted her skincare products.

She had been so happy she felt like she was floating.

“Alright then. Go back earlier,” Zhang Yang nodded.

It seemed he could also buy the ticket to Ruili earlier.

That afternoon, Song Yumeng got out of the car carrying a pile of things, her heart full of happiness.

Zhang Yang turned off the engine and got out as well, helping her carry her luggage and escorting her all the way into the station.

“Head back. Come visit often in the future.”

As he spoke, Zhang Yang rubbed his cousin’s hair.

“Bro, I’m not a kid anymore. Look, you messed up my hair,” Song Yumeng complained, though she still hugged his arm and refused to let go, acting a little spoiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely come often in the future. After all, I have such a good sister-in-law here.”

“Call her sister,” Zhang Yang reminded her.

“Nope.” Song Yumeng laughed mischievously. “I’m sticking with calling her sister-in-law. After all, she treats me so well.”

Zhang Yang felt slightly helpless and didn’t bother correcting her anymore.

When it came time to say goodbye, there wasn’t any dramatic farewell scene between the two cousins.

After all, they could see each other anytime, and the distance between them wasn’t that far.

“I’m off, bro.” Song Yumeng waved happily and pulled her suitcase away.

Zhang Yang lowered his head and casually bought himself a plane ticket to Ruili for the next morning.

“Oh right, I should probably give my parents a heads-up first.”

No matter how much the raw stone he bought in Ruili would eventually be worth, whether it made a lot or a little wasn’t the main point.

The important thing was that it would be another source of money he could legitimately show his parents.

He casually sent Zhang Zhaohai a message asking how things were going at home.

“Don’t worry, we’ve hired people, we’ve hired people. The new restaurant will open soon too. Business will definitely be booming.”

Zhang Zhaohai sent back a voice message. The background noise was loud, clearly showing he was busy-understandable, since it was almost dinner time.

Zhang Yang quietly sent his father a screenshot of the flight ticket to Ruili.

“A plane ticket? To Ruili? Why are you going to Ruili for no reason?” Zhang Zhaohai clearly didn’t understand his intention.

Zhang Yang gave an awkward laugh, already predicting the storm that would follow. After all, last time he had promised his father he wouldn’t develop a gambling habit just because he got lucky once.

Honestly, if it weren’t for the Luck Stone, he wouldn’t even have had this idea.

“There’s a raw stone market in Ruili.”

“Kid, what did I tell you last time? That was luck. Pure luck. You think good luck will always follow you? Have you lost your mind?” Sure enough, Zhang Zhaohai unleashed a storm of criticism.

“I’ve recently learned a bit about identifying raw stones. I just want to try my hand this time. Dad, don’t worry-I’ll stop at the right point and definitely won’t get addicted,” Zhang Yang promised casually.

“Once there’s a first time, there’ll be a second time. Whether you lose or win, it’s never good. If you win, you’ll want to try again. As long as you keep thinking about getting rich from it, sooner or later you’ll lose everything,” Zhang Zhaohai said seriously.

Zhang Yang wasn’t the type to rely on luck, but after hearing his father’s words, he suddenly felt somewhat ashamed.