Chapter 4: Painted Realm Star System

Painted Realm Star System · Capital Planet.

To the people of Earth, this planet seemed like something out of a dream. It was as if it had been painted by an Impressionist, its colors magnificent and fantastical, utterly unlike anything on Earth.

Every corner was a perfect composition, worthy of being immortalized in a painting. The people of this star system possessed an innate artistic sensibility, so it was no wonder that someone as talented as Qing Lan could emerge from here.

Tranquility and harmony—these were the first impressions the Painted Realm Star System gave to the Earth negotiation team.

Faced with such an atmosphere, the members of the delegation unconsciously relaxed; the tension that had gripped them since the journey began finally eased.

The Painted Realm officials responsible for receiving them noticed this at once, and the smiles on their faces deepened.

To make visiting guests feel at ease and happy—this was the greatest affirmation of their hospitality.

The accommodations arranged by the Painted Realm Star System were specifically for foreign dignitaries. The accompanying officials helped the team settle in, informed them that someone would come the next day to notify and arrange their schedule, exchanged contact information, and then politely took their leave.

Once their hosts had departed, the negotiation team was left to their own devices.

Cen Lan gave few instructions; everyone who had made it onto the team knew their responsibilities well. She simply told them to rest well, then returned to her room and took out her terminal to contact Feng Jingyu.

·

The pre-production for Youjian Entertainment’s animated film *Fifty* was complete. The animation told the peaceful, happy life story of Zhou Wanqing, an ordinary Earthling.

She was born in a southern town in the 1980s, an only child under the one-child policy, doted on by her parents and blessed with a comfortable family life. She completed her studies smoothly, graduated from a highly regarded university, and found work in a field she loved.

The greatest setback in Zhou Wanqing’s life was discovering that her college boyfriend had cheated on her. The two had been discussing marriage, but she found out before the wedding. She broke up with him decisively and, a year later, met her true love. Her married life was happy. Then came the expected milestones: having a child, raising that child, watching him graduate, start work, get married, and have children of his own.

In the end, Zhou Wanqing celebrated her hundredth birthday and passed away peacefully in her sleep, never waking again.

After reading the script, Feng Jingyu did something she’d never done before—she read it over and over, again and again, before contacting the writing team.

The head of the writing team waited anxiously for a response, and finally received one: the script needed no changes and could be used as is.

The *Fifty* project team immediately plunged into intense production, determined to bring the animation to life as soon as possible.

They believed that once released, this film would spark a new wave of sensation across the Interstellar Federation.

·

When Feng Jingyu arrived at Yu Huaiyin’s home, he was discussing arrangements for his new album with his arranger over the terminal. The song selection was complete, and Yu Huaiyin was working to finish the rest.

After the smart housekeeper informed him of Feng Jingyu’s arrival, Yu Huaiyin ended the call and went to the living room, where he found Feng Jingyu sitting on the sofa with a cup of milk tea.

Feng Jingyu looked up and smiled at Yu Huaiyin. “I came to check on the album’s progress. Since I picked all the songs myself, I have to give some input on the arrangements, don’t I?”

Yu Huaiyin sat down on the sofa across from her. “Didn’t you say you never wanted to hear heavy metal rock again? What, not afraid your brain’s going to explode?”

“It’s not like the whole album is heavy metal. I can still handle the ballad rock and post-rock tracks,” Feng Jingyu protested weakly.

“Too bad—all we’re discussing now are those heavy metal songs.” Yu Huaiyin crossed his arms, striking a superior pose.

“Huh?” Feng Jingyu’s brows furrowed in distress.

Yu Huaiyin finally broke into a smile. “Come on, let’s go to the studio.”

Feng Jingyu happily stood up, grabbed her milk tea, and followed Yu Huaiyin into the studio.

Yu Huaiyin pulled up a demo and played one of the tracks. “The arrangement for this song is really clean. I haven’t figured out a direction yet. Do you have any ideas?”

Feng Jingyu found the lyrics and glanced over them. “What was your state of mind when you wrote this one?”

“The melody came to me suddenly, not driven by emotion,” Yu Huaiyin recalled.

“Then maybe make it cold and detached? That style aliens like so much?” Feng Jingyu quickly suggested.

“That works. You’ll need to rewrite the lyrics, though,” Yu Huaiyin agreed.

“OKK,” Feng Jingyu said, signaling for Yu Huaiyin to play the next song.

As he switched tracks, Yu Huaiyin asked casually, “Last time you said you wanted to make a new game. Any progress?”

At the mention of the new game, Feng Jingyu shot Yu Huaiyin a look full of grievance. “You’re one to talk. I was going to make a rhythm game, but your heavy metal scared me off. Now I’m planning a detective game.”

“Detective game? Won’t you need someone to write the script? That’s not really your strength, is it?”

“No need—I’ll just adapt,” Feng Jingyu said, cupping her face. “I’m going to turn Arthur Conan Doyle’s *Sherlock Holmes* stories into a holographic game. Let the aliens experience medieval London.”

“Just make sure Earth players don’t spoil it. That book’s too famous,” Yu Huaiyin reminded her.

“Of course.”

·

Third Star System · Capital Planet · First Spaceport.

As soon as S-77’s private ship docked, someone came to stand at the exit, ready to welcome his return.

S-77 stepped out of the hatch and addressed the spaceport manager. “Prepare for my trip to the Decision Center. The application for the dedicated route was submitted seven interstellar days ago.”

After a formal salute, the manager replied, “Your application has been received, but the Governor wishes to see you first.”

“The Governor?” S-77’s brows lifted slightly. “Does he have time now?”

“The Governor has been waiting for you.”

“Let’s go,” S-77 said.

·

The Third Star System had always followed a pragmatic path, evident even in their naming conventions. The entire star system exuded practicality and simplicity, especially in its architecture, which perfectly embodied the principles and beauty of mechanics. The lines were smooth, the sense of science fiction strong, and the result was a unique, understated elegance.

S-77 sat in the hovering car, his expression grave. The Administrators would never summon him lightly, and the Governor would never insist on seeing him at such a critical moment unless something had happened.

It could only mean… S-77 opened his terminal, found Cen Lan’s name in his contacts, and sent a text message.

[What is Earth planning to do?]

·

Painted Realm Star System · Capital Planet · Administrative Center.

The official in charge of reception led the negotiation team to the meeting room, where the senior leadership of the Painted Realm Star System was already waiting.

After the initial pleasantries, Cen Lan noticed that the Governor of the Painted Realm, Jian Shi, looked somewhat familiar.

What followed confirmed her suspicion.

“My daughter, Qing Lan, is currently working at Youjian Entertainment. She’s very happy there, and has even been accepted by Elder Chen as his last disciple. Her painting skills have improved greatly. Deputy Minister Cen, thank you all for taking care of her,” Jian Shi said, her gratitude unmistakably sincere.

Only then did Cen Lan understand why Yuhui had told them to come straight to the Painted Realm Star System—Qing Lan was the Governor’s daughter. Of course, with Yuhui’s background, her friends would never be ordinary. Not realizing this immediately had been their oversight.

No wonder Qing Lan had looked so strange when she heard Cen Lan wanted to present a painting personally created by Elder Chen.

“Qing Lan joined Youjian Entertainment entirely on the strength of her exceptional talent. Now, under Elder Chen’s tutelage, her skills will surely reach new heights in time,” Cen Lan said with a smile.

“She still has much to learn. The child has a strong will; I hope she hasn’t caused you any trouble,” Jian Shi said with a laugh.

“Not at all,” Cen Lan replied. Just then, she felt her terminal vibrate twice. Only those she had marked as special contacts could reach her at any time.

Without changing her expression, Cen Lan excused herself to use the restroom.

Once there, she confirmed she was alone, then opened her terminal. It was a message from S-77.