"You guys are… from the livestream chat?"
"That's right. We're here to 'fact-check' you."
Zhang Rui said bluntly, a cold smirk on his face.
On the way to Mount Tai, he'd already started a private group chat with a few skeptical viewers who were determined to expose Chen Huaian as a fraud. To avoid him slipping away, they had agreed to gather at the entrance first, so the four of them could block any escape routes.
"Nice to meet you all," Chen Huaian greeted with a smile, sounding completely unfazed.
"Honestly, I thought this journey would be a solo one. I'm glad to have some company now."
But Zhang Rui wasn't here to make friends. He pointed at Chen's leg.
"That lump—special effects makeup, right? Pull up your pant leg and show us."
Without hesitation, Chen lifted his pant leg.
The group leaned in with their phone flashlights.
The punk girl even reached out and gave the lump a poke—then immediately gasped, covering her mouth.
"Oh my god… it's real. Subcutaneous tumors… so many of them. How does he even walk?!"
Wait—he's not faking?
Zhang Rui's face stiffened. He quickly averted his eyes and muttered,
"Tumors don't necessarily mean it's bone cancer…"
"It's osteosarcoma," Chen replied calmly.
"You can search online and compare my symptoms with the diagnostic data. Anyway… it's time. I'm going to start the climb."
Zhang Rui opened his mouth, wanting to say more.
But Chen had already turned and started walking, holding up his livestream rig.
"You're kinda out of line," punk girl Su Xiaoqian said, shooting a glare at Zhang Rui.
"Whatever the case, his leg clearly has serious issues. Judging by everything we've seen, he's probably not lying. The least we can do is show some empathy."
"She's right," another middle-aged man chimed in.
"My father passed away from bone cancer too—osteosarcoma. I know what it looks like. The fact that this kid is even standing here instead of lying in a hospital bed… That's already remarkable."
"Exactly," said another man.
"Bone cancer can cause spontaneous fractures. Patients are advised to avoid even light exercise. And he's here climbing Mount Tai? That takes serious guts."
Zhang Rui scratched the back of his neck, cheeks red with guilt.
He shut up.
The group hurried to catch up to Chen Huaian.
"Hey streamer, that rig looks heavy. Want me to carry it for you?"
Su Xiaoqian offered help, clearly feeling guilty.
"No need," Chen shook his head with a faint smile.
"I promised my viewers I'd carry it myself. Helps me control the camera angle anyway."
"Respect, little bro," one of the older men said, giving him a thumbs-up.
"You're amazing."
Everyone began cheering him on.
Even Zhang Rui finally spoke up:
"Bro… sorry about earlier. Lost a ranked match before coming here, fried my brain a little. Said some stuff I shouldn't have."
"It's okay," Chen replied without turning around.
"I understand. Everyone has doubts. Money's not easy to come by these days."
"Tell you what, I'll send you a gift. Consider it my apology."
Hearing that, Chen immediately turned around, flashing a gentle, money-loving smile:
"Oh? What gift are we talking about?"
"Uh… I'll send you a Big Rocket. That 2000 yuan one."
"Awesome! Thank you! You're a great person."
Zhang Rui: "…"
Okay. He got the message.
The disease was real—and so was the hustle.
But honestly, it made sense. With a condition like that, of course he wanted to make money while he could.
Though… wasn't climbing a mountain with bone cancer kind of dangerous? Wouldn't it make things worse?
Still, Zhang Rui had money.
If Chen needed it, then why not?
He opened the streaming app, followed Chen's channel, and immediately dropped ten Big Rockets.
[Whoa! What a boss!]
[Isn't that the guy who came to "expose" him? Must be feeling guilty now. Guess the streamer really does have cancer.]
[First time seeing an exposé go wholesome. Front row seats, let's go.]
[Man… this streamer's life is rough. I'm gonna toss a few gifts too. Don't worry about reaching the summit—we've got your back.]
The ten Big Rockets triggered a chain reaction of viewer donations.
More and more people flooded the stream.
Drawn in by the dramatic banner—"Late-Stage Bone Cancer: 5-Hour Challenge to Climb Mount Tai"—they stuck around.
"Big thanks to Boss Zhang for the ten Rockets!"
Chen's heart leapt with joy. He quickly turned the camera to give Zhang Rui some face time.
Zhang Rui looked a little embarrassed and ducked away, face red.
After platform fees, ten Rockets netted Chen about ¥10,000.
Enough for 100 pulls of the "Lucky Fortune" gacha.
"The internet really is the fastest way to make money…"
As he watched the gift count pile up, Chen couldn't help but sigh.
Those cab drivers, day laborers, food delivery guys—working all day, and they might not even earn what one streamer does in thirty minutes.
But it wasn't like he wasn't paying a price.
His legs were on fire.
Each step up the stone steps sent blinding pain through his bones.
Sweat poured from his forehead in thick drops.
The sarcastic comments in the chat faded.
So did the skeptical ones.
Even Zhang Rui and the others fell silent.
They just followed quietly behind, watching Chen stumble upward.
Slow. Struggling.
But still moving.
None of them said a word.
Their throats felt tight.
Chen Huaian was hurting. Badly.
The sweat soaked into the amulet hanging on his chest.
Its faint fragrance grew stronger, curling softly at the tip of his nose.
In that moment, a certain face drifted through his mind—
Li Qingran.
"What's that girl up to now?"