CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: GET YOUR BRAIN READY

Due to needing to go to Nanling with Ji Ning, Ye Tong requested time off in advance from Director Feng of "Gone with the Wind" and worked overtime to reshoot the scenes Lin Wei had previously filmed. Fortunately, Lin Wei’s role wasn’t heavy before, with only a few scenes, which could be completed in a week.

Director Feng was a bit unhappy at first, but after Ji Ning talked with him privately, he happily agreed and even proactively asked if a week in Nanling was enough for her.

Ye Tong was very surprised and pulled Ji Ning aside, whispering, "Sister Ning, what did you say to Director Feng? Why did he agree so easily?"

Ji Ning crossed her arms and glanced at her, "Your martial arts moves are not good enough now, and you need a week’s special training."

"..."

No wonder Director Feng agreed.

With this change of roles, he was under great pressure. If her performance wasn’t better than Lin Wei’s, Director Feng wouldn’t be able to explain to the investors, and Lin Wei’s fans would completely trash this show.

The day after Lin Wei was admitted to the hospital and found out about her role being changed, she already caused a stir on the internet. Because Gu Yuan didn’t want to offend Feng Zhong, she forcefully suppressed the issue, making Lin Wei unable to voice her grievances, so she would pay more attention to this show than anyone else, especially the character Yan Fei she played.

She must give her all.

After thinking about it, Ye Tong was suddenly a bit eager to go to Nanling. Although she was going to help Lin Yuanyang gather herbs, Ji Ning was serious about her special training too.

"Sister Ning, do I need to prepare anything for the trip to Nanling?"

Ji Ning thought for a moment and replied, "Prepare your mind."

"..."

***

To speed up filming, Ye Tong rented a short-term place near the film base to stay temporarily and didn’t return to Mingfu Garden.

This made Bai Xiaotang feel very uncomfortable. Facing the frozen dumplings on the table, she sighed and said, "Sister Xiao Tong’s not here, and our food standard has plummeted."

Lin Yuanyang rolled his eyes upon hearing this, "Who can you blame? Among the three women at home, only one can cook. Now you want to push me, a kid, to cook for you?"

"But we can’t eat frozen dumplings every day, can we?"

"Huh... Why don’t you order takeaway?" Lin Yuanyang untied his apron and threw it aside in annoyance.

Bai Xiaotang quickly shook her head, "No way, the food outside is too dangerous. My classmate got drugged with a hallucinogen while eating takeaway."

To avoid raising suspicion, Ji Ning and You Le had uniformly claimed that the way people were drugged with hallucinogens was through eating takeaway, resulting in Bai Xiaotang not daring to order any.

Lin Yuanyang rolled his eyes again, "Next time, you cook."

"I can’t cook."

"If you can’t, just shut up and eat."

"How am I supposed to eat with my mouth shut?"

"..."

Lin Yuanyang really wanted to hit someone.

The quarrels at the dinner table didn’t affect Ji Ning’s appetite at all; she even ate a bowl more of dumplings than yesterday.

While eating, Lin Yuanyang said to Ji Ning, "I put the things you wanted in your room."

Ji Ning nodded slightly, and Bai Xiaotang curiously asked, "What things?"

Lin Yuanyang was about to retort when Ji Ning honestly replied, "Smart Brain."

Bai Xiaotang looked at Ji Ning in surprise, "Sister Ning, you bought a Smart Brain? What brand is it?"

Lin Yuanyang gave her a sideways glance, "Just those flashy and impractical ones on the market, only meant to fool naive people like you. Sister Ning’s Smart Brain was modified by me, faster than any model on the market, and its functionality is incredibly powerful."

"Really? I want to see it."

After eating, Bai Xiaotang and Lin Yuanyang went to Ji Ning’s room.

On the desk, there was a shoe box-sized glossy black box, which housed the main unit of the Smart Brain equipment. Its capabilities were more powerful than a computer, processing files at thousands of times a computer’s speed.

"Why is it black? It’s so ugly!" Bai Xiaotang looked displeased, and Lin Yuanyang rolled his eyes, unwilling to argue with someone who only liked pink and white like a child.

Lin Yuanyang approached the desk, opened the black box, and started introducing the Smart Brain equipment to Ji Ning.

"This is the Smart Brain mini screen, which can be attached to a watch strap and worn on the wrist. This is the home screen, used for viewing large files. This is the Smart Brain sub-processor, used to connect to the Hua Continent’s main signal. It can be worn or installed in a watch strap. This component is very important; with it, you can send signals to the main brain from anywhere..."

Lin Yuanyang installed a button-sized round metal piece onto a ready female watch strap.

The glossy black watch strap was exquisite and looked prestigious, handpicked by Lin Yuanyang.

Ji Ning was very satisfied. "Thanks."

Lin Yuanyang adjusted his glasses, "No need to be formal. You probably won’t need too many functions, so this sub-processor is sufficient."

Ji Ning nodded, taking the watch strap containing the Smart Brain and putting it on her wrist.

"Owner, unit 1347 is at your service anytime."

"I’ve preloaded your fingerprint and facial recognition, so you can use it immediately. 1347 is the Smart Brain’s factory number; you can rename it."

Ji Ning thought for a moment and wrote the word "Bao Zi" in the rename box for unit 1347.

Bai Xiaotang & Lin Yuanyang: ...

"I’ve already sent the information you wanted to your Smart Brain." Lin Yuanyang reminded as he dragged Bai Xiaotang out.

Bai Xiaotang wondered, "What information?"

"What’s it to you? Let’s go." Lin Yuanyang said disdainfully, dumping most of his weight on Bai Xiaotang and having her halfway carry him downstairs.

After the two left, Ji Ning called out "Bao Zi."

"At your service, owner. Do you need Bao Zi’s help?"

"Open the information Lin Yuanyang sent."

"Sure, owner."

Soon, a detailed map appeared on the extended screen on Ji Ning’s desk.

This was the most comprehensive military map of Hua Continent, with content detailed enough to show even a few stones on the road.

If it weren’t for Lin Yuanyang, ordinary people definitely wouldn’t see this.

The map was divided into distinct areas by three colors: green for the safe zone, where ordinary people lived; yellow for the buffer zone between the safe and Pollution Zones, with certain pollution and risks but within controllable range, where major bases were stationed; and gray for the Pollution Zone, segmented by danger level indicated by color depth, with deeper colors indicating higher pollution and danger. Fully black areas were uninhabited zones, with unknown danger levels.

The place Ji Ning was looking for was in the yellowish-gray area.

"Ding——"

"Owner, you have new information. Please check."

Bao Zi timely reminded.

Ji Ning opened the message:

[You Le: Sister Ning, the shop is open today. Shall we go?]

***

Colorful neon lights filled the entire street, crowded with people, full of vibrant life.

You Le helplessly watched the figure squeezing into the crowd to buy various snacks ahead, regretting meeting Ji Ning here.

This was the snack street near her home, bustling with various snack stalls every evening.

Especially now, in mid to late October, when the weather wasn’t too hot or cold, just perfect for enjoying skewers.

You Le idly stood in a less crowded spot waiting for Ji Ning, playing with a keychain in her hand.

Until a familiar figure walked past her quickly changed her expression, straightened up, and followed immediately.