Chapter One: Are Young People Always This Reckless?

“Nonsense. Director Li, is this your first day on the job?”

“He calls himself a fisherman, but no three-year-old would believe such nonsense. Yet you, our business director at Xinda Entertainment with ten years of experience in online live streaming, not only believed this absurdity but used it to shut me up. Do you really think I’m that naive?”

“There’s still an hour before the scheduled live broadcast. If you can’t find a replacement, prepare to hand in your resignation and walk away.”

Dressed head to toe in Chanel, Chen Churan glanced at her wristwatch, her pale face nearly melting with frustration.

It wasn’t just anger—anyone would be driven mad by such incompetence.

The current environment was harsh; every industry was fiercely competitive, and live streaming at Xinda was no exception.

Yet now, just as the broadcast was about to start, the treasure appraisal host had vanished.

Wasn’t this a disaster?

“Boss…”

“Don’t call me boss—you’re my boss.”

Hearing this, Director Li immediately broke out in a cold sweat, wiping it off nervously. In his heart, he thought, “I didn’t want this mess either.”

Who knew that “the fisherman” had left with a casual ‘gone fishing’ and disappeared in an instant?

What a curse—no wonder he always came back empty-handed.

“Maybe... let me give it a try?”

At that moment, a voice spoke up.

Both Chen Churan and Director Li were taken aback, turning to see a young man from the lighting crew raise his hand.

“You?”

Chen Churan and Director Li exchanged surprised glances.

The young man was in his twenties, with refined features and a tall stature—someone immediately likable.

As seasoned media professionals, they knew this type—the sunny, boy-next-door type—was currently the most popular.

“You know treasure appraisal?”

Chen Churan’s eyes lit up as she clicked her heels and approached.

Though she didn’t know him personally, judging by the light he was carrying, he must be a production assistant.

“For appraisal, I know a little!” Cheng Ziqiu smiled and continued, “But I’m more familiar with tomb raiding—like that abstract Mr. Quan the company mentioned at the meeting a few days ago. I think I have an edge over him.”

Hearing this, Chen Churan and Director Li exchanged a frown.

Mr. Quan was the top star in their live treasure appraisal stream—an expert with rich experience. For a young newcomer who didn’t even understand appraisal to claim he could outperform Mr. Quan was laughable.

Normally, Chen Churan would have dismissed him with a disdainful eye roll.

But with less than an hour before the live broadcast, and with a lot invested in this account, she had to grit her teeth and ask, “Mr. Quan is a big internet celebrity with extensive appraisal experience, which brings that live effect. You don’t understand appraisal—where do you think your advantage lies?”

Without hesitation, Cheng Ziqiu replied, “I’ve really raided tombs.”

At once, Chen Churan and Director Li froze. Was he serious?

Surely, he wasn’t just deluded by reading too many ghost-hunting tomb-raiding novels, imagining himself a big shot in the industry?

What was going on with HR lately? Didn’t anyone run a background check?

What if he had a criminal record?

There was no time to waste. Chen Churan looked into Cheng Ziqiu’s sincere eyes for a long moment, then bit her lip and pointed at the makeup artist nearby, saying, “Put makeup on him and see how he looks. Let’s try this as a last resort. Everyone, stay alert—if this live broadcast fails today, I’m docking your bonuses.”

With hands on her hips and eyes blazing, Chen Churan’s loud voice left no room for argument—she was a fierce woman from Sichuan-Chongqing, not to be trifled with.

Soon, staff led Cheng Ziqiu into the makeup room. Watching the artist pat powder repeatedly on his face in the mirror, Cheng wanted to remind her that his face wasn’t a crumbling wall under renovation next door. But seeing the artist’s determined battle with his youthful acne, he wisely kept silent.

No choice—this body was young, glowing with vitality.

To be honest, even Cheng Ziqiu didn’t understand why, upon opening his eyes, he found himself a modern-day production assistant. He was supposed to be busy in a vast ancient tomb, as the leader of the tomb raiders in the Guanzhong region, having engaged in grave robbing his whole life.

Yet, midway through a raid, he had been transported here—into the body of a recent college graduate who was lazy, clueless about farming, and whose pockets were emptier than his face was clean.

If it weren’t for the rent due in half a month, Cheng Ziqiu would never have volunteered for this ridiculous hosting gig.

Among the “Old Nine Gates” tomb raiders, everyone was talented; the unskillful ones had long been wiped out by the harsh reality.

But fame was a burden; few in this line of work ended well.

Having a chance to start anew, Cheng Ziqiu truly hoped to leave his old life behind.

“Are you done yet? Why is makeup taking so long?”

Bang! The door slammed open as Director Li rushed in anxiously.

Seeing Cheng Ziqiu freshly made-up, his face brightened.

He had thought Cheng would look good on camera, but with makeup and a change of clothes, he looked even more refined—a perfect fit.

“Your name’s Cheng... Cheng Ziqiu, right?”

“Yes, Director Li.”

“Alright, you look decent, not bad at all. But since you’re the emergency replacement, and it’s your first live broadcast, just follow my script and try to get through it.”

“Speak less to avoid mistakes. If you can’t do it well, it’s better not to do it at all. Remember, humility first, modesty second. Got it? Now repeat it loudly!”

Director Li raised his voice.

After an awkward repetition from Cheng Ziqiu, he nodded in approval.

As a veteran in the industry, Director Li had no shortage of job offers.

But the pay at Xinda was good, the work comfortable, and with a beautiful single female boss, he wouldn’t change jobs unless forced.

He led Cheng Ziqiu to the live broadcast room.

Chen Churan had clearly invested heavily; the equipment was all top-notch, exuding professionalism.

Sitting in the adjacent monitoring room, Chen tapped the microphone and said to Cheng Ziqiu, “Ready? Don’t be too nervous. If you get through this, you’ll have done a great service.”

“Alright, everyone, listen carefully. Ready? 3, 2, 1, action!”

Cheng Ziqiu took a deep breath, but felt no anxiety.

For a leader in the Guanzhong tomb raiding world, hosting a live stream was far easier than his usual work.

But following the director’s instructions, he read the script with solemnity.

Humility, modesty.

“Good evening, everyone. I’m Cheng Ziqiu, standing in for Teacher Han to answer your questions.”

“Teacher Han isn’t here today, so you might be a bit confused. He’s always been the host in this live stream. But as you know, Teacher Han’s a fisherman—sometimes he just comes back empty.”

“This is my first time on air, so please be kind. If you have questions, you can connect with me live. I’m skilled in many areas. In short, what Teacher Han can see, I can see too; what he can’t, I can still tell you a thing or two.”

No sooner had Cheng finished speaking than Director Li’s head buzzed loudly, and he collapsed from his chair with a clang, utterly dumbfounded.

What happened to humility and modesty?

Are young people today all this arrogant?

Chen Churan shot Director Li a fierce glare. He opened his mouth to explain, but suddenly Chen adjusted her headset.

The first viewer was connecting live.