After leaving the Star Disc, Li Xin’s consciousness returned to his body. Glancing at the time, he realized Aunt Fei and Xueyin would be back soon. He looked over at the typewriter, extended his hand, then withdrew it, suddenly feeling an urge to cook.

When dinner was almost ready, the door opened, and Lin Fei and the bouncing Xueyin returned. Smelling the aroma of the dishes, Xueyin quickly tossed her school bag aside and dashed to the kitchen. "Wow, I can finally eat Ah Xin’s cooking."

"Aunt Fei, it’s almost ready," Li Xin said.

Lin Fei smiled helplessly. After a long and tiring day, coming home to a delicious dinner made her feel relaxed, giving her a sensation of happiness.

Dinner was a simple three dishes and a soup, and the three of them enjoyed it thoroughly. Li Xin noticed Lin Fei seemed distracted during the meal, "Aunt Fei, what’s wrong? Are things not progressing well?"

Lin Fei remembered the creator of the beauty pageant idea, "We’ve been promoting it these days, but strangely, the response hasn’t been strong. If this continues, our offline plan might stall. Why is that?"

The editorial team believed the plan was feasible, and even some editors wanted to participate. Yet, after the promotion, there wasn’t much positive feedback; more was cynical and questioning. Some people thought the Citizen Daily had started to decline, trying to compete with the Flying Bird Daily. Even the Justice Daily recently began contacting the Celestial Principle Academy often to see if they were reconsidering their partnership, putting a lot of pressure on the Citizen Daily. Fortunately, the Celestial Principle Academy showed no intention of changing partners, but if the situation continued to heat up, it could become unpredictable.

"Aunt Fei, I don’t think the Celestial Principle Academy would change partners. It’s normal for any new thing to be questioned initially. I think people are contemplating it but have reservations. We need to find a way to break those reservations," Li Xin thought aloud, noting that while women in Dragon Capital weren’t as open as those in Hedan, thanks to Luthor’s reforms, they had a lot of freedom. "People might not understand the significance of this pageant. Why don’t we focus offline efforts on the Canon Law School? Students there are more daring and willing to try new things."

Lin Fei found this quite reasonable. Though under pressure and somewhat worried, she wasn’t indecisive. She believed in the plan; what’s left was adjusting the approach. Students at the Canon Law School were more enthusiastic and had the desire to showcase, which could also elevate the pageant’s stature and prevent ill-intentioned people from derailing it.

"Ah Xin, you’re a real genius." With a solution to her troubles, Lin Fei’s mood improved significantly as she felt hungry.

"Haha, everyone says that about me," Li Xin laughed proudly.

"Yeah, yeah, they say that about me too," Lin Xueyin mumbled, her mouth full.

"What should the headline be?"

"Beauty Can Save the World?" Li Xin said offhandedly, "Are the morals guided by the looks? Beauty is Justice?"

"Where did you learn to be so slick-tongued?" Lin Fei widened her eyes and picked a large drumstick from the plate, "Here’s a drumstick as a reward."

After dinner, Lin Fei firmly refused Li Xin’s offer to clear the table. Wanting to hang out with Li Xin, Xueyin was sent off to do her homework, while Li Xin returned to his room to write, ultimately unable to escape the fate of writing.

Hedan, Royal City.

Estella rose from her bed, "Arthur, help me dress."

"Yes, Princess," Arthur replied.

In a formal gown, Estella proceeded to the Kingdom’s treasury. Since the new King ascended the throne, entry was restricted exclusively to the King and Estella. After the last invasion of the Song of Hell, Royal Palace security was entirely reinforced.

Arthur remained outside waiting as Estella entered the treasury, navigating expertly to the world of the Golden Tree.

The Golden Tree had regained its past lushness, yet to Estella, everything felt different. The Golden Tree still shook its leaves, creating a rustling sound to welcome Estella’s presence.

Estella approached the tree’s roots, standing beside its largest burl, "Teacher, I’ve come to share some good news with you."

The burl’s surface undulated with difficulty, gradually forming a human face.

***

Li Xin wrote late into the night yesterday. Initially without inspiration, he revised his earlier work, making considerable edits. It was embarrassing how poorly he’d copied it initially. Gradually immersing himself in the book’s world, the words flowed, and seeing the manuscript pile up felt comforting. Each piece a small income—this was a writer’s sense of security.

By midday, Li Xin was woken by the dice’s movement, signaling his entrance into the Twelve Zodiac Star Disc. Miss Aries was highly efficient.

"Nice to see you again, Mr. Gemini," Estella greeted cheerfully.

"Good morning, Miss Aries," Li Xin repressed a yawn, feeling somewhat impolite, "I was up late writing yesterday."

"Looking forward to it, Mr. Gemini," Estella’s voice was melodious. "Although I might not have brought useful news, Chris returned with your friend’s response: ’Oh dear, Master, I’m just an ordinary old man halfway to my grave, knowing nothing at all. Bring less news, bring more money.’"

Li Xin chuckled wryly, "Thank you, Miss Aries. This is useful information too. The case hasn’t identified victims or generated negative consequences. If Mr. Cancer doesn’t have further leads, we might have to suspend the investigation."

"Do you need me to join you?" Estella offered.

Li Xin shook his head, "I’ll handle it myself."

With Miss Aries around, he feared he wouldn’t get anything out of it.

"Then see you, Mr. Gemini. Remember to inform me when the manuscript is ready. I’m your loyal reader."

"My pleasure, Miss Aries, farewell."

Miss Aries gracefully took a step back, lifting her skirt in a curtsey, and disappeared from the Twelve Zodiac Star Disc.

Li Xin focused on the Cancer constellation on the ceiling, directing his consciousness there. If Miss Aries were present, nothing would be revealed.

Li Xin patiently waited; it wasn’t long before a figure appeared on the Cancer’s high-backed chair.

Christian responded swiftly; he had been anticipating this since Taurus sought him out a while back. Where were the others, particularly the one he awaited?

Recognizing Gemini, Christian glanced around,...

"Good morning, Mr. Cancer," Li Xin’s earnest voice resonated.

"Gemini, what do you want?" Christian replied indifferently. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Haha, you saw right through me, Mr. Cancer. I’m indeed facing a challenge and seek your advice," Li Xin admitted.

Christian noncommittally replied, "How do you know I’m willing to answer you?"

Prepared for Cancer’s pride, Li Xin flattered, "Mr. Cancer is the most knowledgeable at our Round Table, our guiding beacon. When facing challenges, you’re the first I think of to help, of course, that is after exhausting all my options before coming to you, Mr. Cancer."

"Oh, let’s hear it." Christian piqued interest, figuring it was better than doing nothing.

Li Xin explained the case and his investigations. "We’ve ultimately deduced that some hidden entity might be using disguises, or those involved are simply puppets. Yet, we can’t discern their motives."