Chapter 14: Revealing One's Identity

“Sweetheart, the video you recorded for the production can be uploaded, and you need to file an application to register the food you plan to sell. Tomorrow, a specialized review robot will come to inspect it. Once approved, you’ll be able to sell on the Star Network.”

Xiao Linshuang explained everything meticulously. This was her beloved daughter’s first venture, so naturally, no detail could be overlooked.

Qiao Xin listened attentively while operating the system, submitting all the necessary materials and documents. Under Xiao Linshuang’s guidance, she even applied for a patent.

Although she had no intention of hiding anything, she knew she had to protect her own interests.

After completing these tasks, there was nothing left but to wait for approval. Xiao Linshuang then took Qiao Xin out shopping.

Watching her daughter’s curious expressions at everything around her, Xiao Linshuang’s eyes welled up with tears, but she fought hard to hold them back.

She could sense her daughter’s changes and knew that this girl before her might not truly be her biological child. Yet the identical closeness they shared made her unwilling to question it.

But where, then, was her real daughter?

Qiao Xin was unaware of her mother’s emotional fluctuations, but her AI assistant, Xiao i, noticed and hesitated before informing her.

“Host, your mother may have noticed something unusual about you.”

Qiao Xin was momentarily stunned. “Does that mean the version of me from this era still exists?”

“According to the original storyline, six months later your parents met with tragedy. The original owner, lacking any supernatural talent, was driven out by the Qiao family. Pampered and without survival skills, she soon met a tragic end.”

Qiao Xin: …

Born in Rome, to think she would perish for lacking independent survival skills was unbearable to accept.

“So, am I the reason she died prematurely?”

“No, you were the one she prayed for before she died,” Xiao i said, unusually somber.

Qiao Xin felt a pang in her heart. If she were in the original owner's place, knowing there was a way to change her parents' fate before dying, she would have made the same choice.

Even if this was a different world, her love for her parents surely remained unchanged!

“Can I tell my mother about this?”

“Everything except the system itself can be shared,” Xiao i replied. It called itself a culinary system but was really just an auxiliary tool with abilities limited to the marketplace opened by the main system.

“Alright, thank you.”

Without Xiao i, she might never have noticed her mother’s suspicion. After all, every time she saw her mother, she was overcome with excitement and longing — how could she possibly reveal that she was no longer the daughter she once knew?

But the original owner was the ‘good child’ her mother recognized, and she could not easily claim her place.

No matter how much she longed for her parents, these parents of this world were not hers alone…

“Mom, let’s go out. I have something important to tell you and Dad.”

“Not going shopping a bit more?” Xiao Linshuang still hadn’t realized she’d let her emotions slip.

“What I have to say is more important.” Qiao Xin took her mother’s hand and looked at her seriously.

Only then did she notice the complex emotions in her mother’s gaze — a mixture of tenderness and fear.

“Alright…” Xiao Linshuang logged out of the Star Network with her.

Xiao Linfeng and Qiao Zhenxing had already cleared the table and were surprised to see them come out so quickly.

“Already finished?” Qiao Zhenxing asked.

Qiao Xin forced a smile. “Dad, I have something important to tell you both.”

She had exchanged for a concealed brain shield in the marketplace and now looked earnestly at Xiao Linfeng and her parents.

“I’m Qiao Xin, but I’m not the Qiao Xin you know. She…”

She recounted the storyline Xiao i had told her, then waited for their judgment.

The three were struck dumb as if struck by lightning. Hearing that the original owner had died tragically, Xiao Linfeng’s eyes reddened as he wanted to confront the Qiao family, while Xiao Linshuang covered her face and wept bitterly.

“That’s why my younger brother’s family suddenly became so arrogant. They actually…”

Qiao Zhenxing clenched his fists tightly, his eyes bloodshot.

“You mean, we’re still going to die six months from now?”

“I don’t know exactly what will happen, but I will do everything I can to change our family’s fate,” Qiao Xin said, keeping the knowledge about exchanging for refuge talismans to herself.

Because it concerned the system, Xiao i forbade her from mentioning it, and there was no need to challenge such taboos.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’re not that weak,” Qiao Zhenxing reassured her, holding his wife close for comfort.

Their precious child — no matter which world she came from — was their pride!

Xiao Linshuang wiped her tears and said with a pained heart, “You’re our sweetheart, too. Mom knows your wishes and will live well for you!”

Although both she and Qiao Zhenxing possessed only B-level talents, it wouldn’t be easy for anyone to take them down!

“Yes! We’ll all live well!” Qiao Xin finally received their verdict — her parents truly were the best parents!

“This is something we keep to ourselves. No need to tell anyone else. Our sweetheart is our sweetheart,” Xiao Linfeng said, glancing at his reddened sister and brother-in-law.

“Big brother, we understand,” the couple nodded.

With their doubts dispelled, Xiao Linshuang mourned once more before everyone went to rest.

But Qiao Xin couldn’t sleep. She lay by the window, gazing at the starry sky of the interstellar world.

Though unfamiliar constellations and galaxies shone above, the sky was equally beautiful.

Several stars streaked across the sky; just as she was about to call out “shooting star,” one shot straight toward her.

A piercing alarm shattered the night’s silence.

Energy shields activated one by one as patrol drones swarmed from all directions toward the incoming meteor.

Boom—

A massive collision erupted, the sky bursting into dazzling fireworks as patrol drones were destroyed and fell onto the shields, completely wrecked.

Explosions continued for hours. Xiao Linfeng and Xiao Linshuang rushed upstairs to check on her. The whole family watched the disaster unfold from her room.

When the blasts finally ceased, Xiao Linfeng received an urgent summons and hurriedly left.

At last, the three of them could rest.

Just as Qiao Xin finally fell asleep, countless vines wrapped around her. Because they were loose, she lazily brushed them off, but Xiao i immediately shouted.

“Host, wake up!”

“What?” Qiao Xin opened her eyes and met a face so beautiful it seemed elfin, especially those pale green eyes that made her stare wide-eyed.

“New story character detected: the crazed and dark overlord Hua Qinmo, possessing SSS-level wood-element talent and the domain ‘Elf Garden.’ Random mission triggered: soothe Hua Qinmo to prevent him from descending into madness and destruction.”

“Xiao i, do you really think I can calm him down right now?” Qiao Xin shifted slightly, and the vines tightened. She had no choice but to relax completely.

“Host, we can’t just sit around and do nothing! Try your best!” Xiao i urged anxiously.

“Let fate decide! This garden is actually quite beautiful,” Qiao Xin said, looking around. Aside from the bed, everything was covered in flowering vines, truly resembling an elven garden.

Xiao i???