037

At the end of "Seeking Immortality," it was only half a month until the Chinese New Year. Jasmine's plan was to return to her hometown in the twentieth of the twelfth lunar month, spend the New Year with her grandmother, and then consider work after a few days.

Before going back, Ben and his sister Mengmeng warmly invited her, and Jasmine went to the Lu family villa as a guest.

She thought the main task was to call Ben's Grandma; they must miss her. But as soon as they met, Ben's mother Yuan Hong started complaining.

"Jasmine, I've watched all three of your dramas, why are all your roles so pitiful?"

When asked, Jasmine thought seriously.

As an actress, after receiving the script, she didn't really consider whether the role was too miserable, but rather how to perform it well. Aunt Yuan asked, and she thought, "Maybe because it's a supporting role?"

"Isn't Sweet also a supporting role?"

"Hey, in that kind of drama, which is about the stories of four girls, there is a ranking among these four people. The first female lead of the drama is the character played by Yu Zhiwei, the struggling sister."

Yuan Hong knew who the struggling sister was, but she emphasized, "I still prefer you in this role."

"It's because we have a good relationship, Auntie, you like me, you watch the drama from the perspective of my elders. There are four types of girls, and what the screenwriters and directors want to praise is the struggling sister, who relies on her efforts to succeed. If the girl who only know love end up happily, then is it worth it for so many hard-working people in the country?"

"Auntie thinks you should play more female lead roles in the future, and it should be the first female lead. Otherwise, this drama is too heart-wrenching."

When Mrs. Yuan said this, Mengmeng was arranging her snacks in front of Jasmine. After all the snacks were arranged, she glanced at her mother: "Didn't you take on these roles in the first place? How can you play the female lead right after entering the industry? Now Sister Jasmine has achieved good results, with three consecutive hits and even a natural flair for hot searches. She's proven her acting skills on that drama program, so there will be plenty of opportunities for her to play the female lead in the future."

"Sister, when will 'Waiting for Dawn' be released? What are you preparing to shoot next?"

Holding a piece of chocolate in her hand, Jasmine said while peeling it, "The movie? Maybe it will be released during the May Day holiday, if not, it will be moved to the summer season."

Ben felt that it would be during the summer season; the inside information was that Chi Yan and Jasmine had both exploded in performance, and the film's quality was very high, not afraid of competition. Directors and producers were ambitious and aimed for high box office results, so they would definitely choose a prime time slot.

Summer is a prime time slot.

"Then we have to wait a long time."

Jasmine smiled at the cute little sister in Ben's family, "After the New Year, I will take on other jobs, continue shooting TV dramas, and also participate in variety shows."

"I want to see my sister on those travel variety shows, where they travel around, do some tasks, it's so relaxing."

Ben was disdainful of this suggestion, "Don't you get it? Think about what her unique traits are?" 

Mengmeng tilted her head, "Playing a suona?" ₍ᐢ..ᐢ₎

Jasmine tilted her head, "Singing Peking opera?" ₍ᐢ..ᐢ₎

Ben: ...

"It's being naturally dark-skinned, staying calm in unexpected situations, and not being afraid of ghosts! Such traits should be featured on those mystery-solving or escape-type variety shows, especially horror specials. It would definitely be very interesting."

Ms. Yuan, who usually enjoys watching some dating shows, was originally thinking of nominating "Let's Fall in Love," but after her son's analysis, she thought it made sense: "This brat isn't just throwing money around in the entertainment industry, he knows a lot."

"Of course, think about those terrifying variety shows, several big guys scared out of their wits and hiding behind Jasmine, and Jasmine blankly ahead, isn't that a contrast? Isn't that the highlight? The ghost still wants to come scare us sisters, sister, you scare them away."

After listening seriously, Jasmine asked in confusion, "Isn't this kind of program about scaring the guests half to death? ... Let's not talk about work, let's call grandma."

It's time to call Ben's Grandma.

The Ben family was still quite excited, they had recently provided Grandma with some strange things, not only some delicious dishes from the restaurant, but also trendy internet celebrity snacks. Ben said that since Grandma's teeth were better, they should get her a little bit of everything to try.

Calling was a feedback moment.

Maybe because they had been in touch more often, Grandma didn't sound as excited hearing her grandchildren's voices, and whispered to Yuan Hong, "I saw your dad the other day, he asked you guys to give him more money."

"Last time I sent him a lot." "Lost in gambling! We have more and more people staying here due to unfulfilled wishes. To increase the reincarnation rate, they've come up with a new rule. If your dad keeps gambling like this, he'll be forced to reincarnate and undergo transformation. It might not even be a human reincarnation."

Yuan Hong: ???

Thinking of her dad, who loved playing mahjong in his lifetime, it wasn't this extreme.

Grandma continued, saying it seemed like he had made a like-minded friend, and the two bachelors had infected each other.

"You're not going to do anything about this? Gambling isn't enough to get them into trouble?"

"I told you the situation is serious and they need to undergo transformation. His friend is probably close to being reincarnated as a pig. Your dad said he wants to spend some happy time with him. Anyway, daughter-in-law, ask Jasmine to call and talk to him, without your mom around, your dad is out of control."

...

Called Mr. Yuan as well, and coincidentally, the one Grandma mentioned as "close to being reincarnated as a pig" was there. Upon hearing it was a call from above, an emotional outburst ensued, with tears flowing. 

He told Jasmine that he still had unfulfilled wishes, that he had died back then, not knowing how his wife and daughter were doing.

Jasmine: "... You gambled to the point of selling pants, and even that wasn't enough to pay off debts. In the end, you took the final desperate path and still worry about your wife and child?"

The incorrigible gambler justified confidently, "Though I may lack achievement and love to gamble, I am a good man!"

Jasmine: Oh, please... 

"Little sister, help me check on how my wife and daughter are doing. Are they living well now?"

Due to her own experience, Jasmine disliked irresponsible husbands and fathers. She was about to hang up, but Ben held her back, squeezing her and asking where they lived, and what were his wife and daughter's names.

Ben chatted with the person for a while.

After it was over, he assured him that they would check and let him know next time.

The person on the other end was very grateful.

Jasmine stared coldly at the traitor in the revolutionary ranks, "This lousy gambler, why are you helping him?"

"I'm not helping him! I'll go find out about his wife and daughter, if they're really in need, I'll help them indirectly. Next time when you talk to him, don't tell the truth, tell him how miserable things are, let him suffer and regret below. This lousy gambler doesn't deserve peace, he should repent every day and reincarnate as a pig."

That makes sense.

Jasmine was about to nod when her phone vibrated.

She took it out. 

It's a message from the underworld, informing her that she had received a thank-you from that lousy gambler, along with a magic gift *1.

Jasmine was contemplating whether to accept the red envelope, when Ben nudged her arm, "Work-related information?"

After this, Jasmine's finger landed right on the spot.

Congratulations! You have obtained the skill of "Always losing in gambling." When participating in gambling activities or games of luck, you will be blessed with bad luck one hundred percent of the time. The underworld advises you to cherish life and stay away from gambling. ~ ૮(˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)ა

Ah, this... (ᇂ_ᇂ|||)

This skill... >ᯅ<

Jasmine's hand holding the phone trembled slightly.

Beside her, Ben looked nervous, "What's wrong? Did sister Chen not behave like a human being and give you a job on New Year's Day?"

Jasmine:...

Well, what does this have to do with sister Chen?

It's you, you jerk!

Why bother with that lousy gambler, why bump into your grandaunt, I'm just messing around.

First of all, Jasmine never participates in any gambling activities, she hardly even plays cards. At first glance, this skill seems like it doesn't affect her, it might even help her to maintain a proper attitude and never touch that harmful stuff again in her life. On the surface, it seems like the lousy gambler did a good deed, right?

Not really. (˚ ˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅ )

As an actress, even if you're usually a lazy fish, when a new drama is about to air, don't you have to go out with the crew for promotions? Don't you play games on variety shows?

Jasmine now has a bad feeling, damn, will she not even win a game of rock-paper-scissors in the future... it's going to be tough on variety shows.

Just imagine, in a competition with two teams, you finally win the game, then you spin a roulette wheel, there's one empty space on the ninety-nine grid, and you land on it. If there's also a penalty, then you're done for...

Jasmine took a deep breath and said to Ben, "Turn around, don't let me see your face, I'm afraid I can't help but beat you to death, you jerk!"

Ben: ?

"What's wrong? Who bad-mouthed me in private chat? Show me what they said, I'll refute them!"

Five minutes later, her friend circle was updated -- 

"Decided to cut off contact with Ben unilaterally for a month, don't mention him to me, anyone who does will have to deal with me."

Normally, under such a post, there should be question marks all over.

In reality, the group led by Liu Yiyang rushed over and praised her, praising Sister Jasmine for her wisdom, saying she should have cut ties with him long ago.

After blowing rainbow farts at Jasmine, these people pretended to care and went into the group to @ Ben.

-- Bro Ben, what did you do to make my sister Jasmine angry?

-- What did you do? It's the first time I've seen Sister Jasmine angry at someone.

-- Didn't you invite Sister to your house as a guest? Did your family not treat her well?

-- Hahaha let you show off, let you flaunt, always talking about being a loyal water-fetching official, how's it going now? Got cut off.

Ben felt really wronged. (⌯꒪꒫꒪)੭

Just wanted to punish the lousy gambler a bit, why did it become such a big deal that even Jasmine had to intervene?

Why are people not happy about it?

Ben was very puzzled.

*

When he was puzzled, Jasmine received a message from Yu Yang, saying that his birthday was coming up, and there would be a celebration for fans, which would be live-streamed, and after that, he would have a private party and invited friends with good connections to attend.

Yu Yang said he wanted to introduce "Dog Sister" to everyone.

In this circle, the more friends, the more paths there are.

He personally came to invite Jasmine so she must go, and asked him what gift he wanted.

Yu Yang: [You can ask for anything?]

Jasmine: [...You go first.]

Yu Yang: [How about dressing up as a cat and recording a birthday song for me?]

Jasmine: [Oh, do your fans know you like Peking Opera Cat Ear Girl?]

Yu Yang: [Oh, I almost forgot you always sing in Peking Opera.]

Jasmine: [...]

Jasmine: [... Are you doing this on purpose? Teasing me?]

Jasmine: [I think you want to collect dog videos (dog head)]

...

That being said, Jasmine still chose a safe gift to send over to Yu Yang, convenient for him to take photos and post.

She also went to his birthday party, thinking it was just a casual visit, but early that day, Sister Chen came over with a stylist and makeup artist, giving her a full makeover from head to toe.

"Isn't this unnecessary? I'm not the birthday person."

Sister Chen asked her to sit still and not move around: "You reminded me that I didn't throw you a birthday party this year. Your popularity is rising, we should definitely have one next year. It won't be as simple as cleaning up half a day in advance. You'll need to go to the beauty salon a week early."

"...Let's not do it, it's not necessary."

"Why not? A well-organized birthday party can create more buzz than your last variety show appearance. There are a few well-connected teachers in the industry, celebrating your birthday every year is like a festival for your online fans. Many people go to Facebook to see the excitement, check which celebrities sent blessings, and how many fans liked it."

"But I don't..."

"You may not have a wide network in the entertainment circle, but you do in the wealthy circle. Next year, I'll throw a party for you, to show them your capabilities."

Listening to sister Chen paint a rosy picture for her, Jasmine had her makeup done by a stylist, then headed towards Yu Yang's location. It was a high-end club frequently visited by industry insiders, and when Jasmine arrived, they were already in high spirits.

As she approached, many people whistled and someone even shouted, "Yu Yang, your sister is here."

Unfortunately, they were in the middle of a game when Jasmine arrived, and upon hearing she was there, Yu Yang wanted to include her, stating that party games were the best way to bond.

Watching two people publicly kiss as part of the game, Jasmine, thinking about her luck ruined by Ben, seriously said to Yu Yang, "According to the almanac, today is not suitable for games. Why don't I arrange a suona disco for you guys?"

Yu Yang put his hand on her shoulder and teased, "Sis, tell me honestly, have you been wanting to send me away for a long time and chose today to do it?"

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#Birth of the Game Black Hole#

#818 The woman who couldn't be saved even by manipulating the dark curtain#

Jasmine: o(╥﹏╥)o