novelraw Chapter 592 - 576 or die
Chapter 592 - 576 or die
Chapter 592: 576 or die Hua Country.
2012.
The scorching summer sun blazed like a giant furnace, radiating intense heat. The leaves on the trees curled under the sunlight, wrapping themselves up lazily as if drifting off to sleep.
This was a newly built residence with a classical exterior, but its interior combined the aesthetic beauty of East and West. The floor was paved with simple wooden planks, and a set of brown tea utensils sat atop a rosewood table. Beside the table, on a low stool, rested a fruit platter piled with an assortment of refreshing fruits. Bright red cherry tomatoes, cubed honeydew melon, orange-yellow mandarins, and a few glossy green olives—each shade interweaving, reflecting a tempting sheen.
A transparent glass was filled with ice-cold, thirst-quenching orange juice. Scattered around the orange juice lay a few small snack packs—potato chips, prawn crackers, and biscuits.
On the wall-mounted LCD TV, a variety show was playing. It was the award ceremony segment, and a female host in a glamourous red gown held the microphone, her cheerful voice filling the entire living room through the screen: "Next, we will announce the winner of the 26th Hua-Language Film Awards for Best Actress. The nominated actresses are... let’s watch the big screen."
The girl stared intently at the high-definition TV screen, her eyes unwavering. She listened closely to the host’s words while reaching out to the table, grabbing a bag and tearing it open. Feeling the texture—it was prawn crackers.
"Crunch." The prawn cracker made a snapping sound in her mouth.
"The winner of the 26th Hua-Language Film Awards for Best Actress is..." The host playfully blinked, pausing dramatically before announcing, "Xia Danhui! Xia Danhui, let us congratulate her!"
"Ah." The girl let out a small exclamation, standing up from the sofa. She put down the prawn crackers in her hands, clasped her palms together as she gazed at the screen, her eyes brimming with joy, with a fleeting trace of sadness.
From the front row, Xia Danhui, now 47 years old, stood up and gracefully walked to the stage. She smiled, thanked the host, and accepted the trophy. Xia Danhui—one of Hua Country’s most esteemed actresses—had collaborated with many accomplished male leads in numerous critically acclaimed films and TV dramas and had twice won the Hundred Flowers Award for Best Actress.
Even in middle age, Xia Danhui maintained her impeccable beauty, remaining the ideal goddess in people’s hearts. Time had left only faint traces on her, transforming into maturity and charm, etched deeply upon her, giving her a unique allure at every stage of life. As one critic once said, the most captivating feature of Xia Danhui was her eyes—almond-shaped with a hint of mischief—able to stir the hearts of countless men with a mere glance.
In front of the TV, the girl’s bright, gleaming eyes twinkled—eyes identical to Xia Danhui’s. This woman, who was supposed to be her mother, Xu Qingxiu, appeared only faintly in her memories. She could only observe her movements through the TV screen.
"Dad, come down quickly! Xia Danhui won! She won again!" Tian Sangsang exclaimed joyfully, her heart swelling with happiness as she turned her head and shouted toward the upstairs.
On the second floor, in the air-conditioned hall, her crisp voice echoed without any response.
Tian Sangsang shook her head and reluctantly put down the remote control, heading upstairs.
The third floor was Xu Zhenxing’s private territory. At the end of the hallway was a laboratory, usually kept locked, rarely allowing anyone inside.
Professor Xu, a biology professor from Dongping City’s A University, was deeply passionate about his field. When not teaching, he would bury himself in research, and even at home, he spent most of his time hidden in the lab, engaged in mysterious experiments.
On the pristine lab table sat a small glass tray holding two tiny cherries. Xu had already prepared three ants and placed them on the tray. The ants climbed onto the plump, red cherries.
He opened a drawer and took out a metal box. Inside the box were three miniature glass test tubes, each securely fastened with an elastic "safety belt." Unfastening one, Xu carefully took out a test tube containing a transparent liquid. Adjusting his glasses, he let out a heavy sigh, his refined face revealing a complex expression of fervor and reminiscence. He uncapped the test tube, and as the white liquid slowly poured onto the cherries, a cold mist began to emit.
If someone were to walk in at this very moment, they might think it was winter, as the entire lab seemed enveloped in frozen air.
Xu used a transparent container to cover the setup and quietly observed the activity inside.
The three ants moved about the cherries, circling them, their long antennae swaying as they sniffed around.
"Dad!" Tian Sangsang excitedly pushed open the door to the lab, shivering involuntarily. It was so cold inside. The man in a neatly buttoned shirt, wearing glasses—wasn’t that her father?
"Sangsang..." Xu Zhenxing said lovingly, shifting his gaze from the ants to his poised, elegant daughter.
Tian Sangsang pouted playfully. "Dad, I called you so many times, but you didn’t respond. You’re at it again with your experiments."
"My fault, my fault. Dad was just too focused to hear you." Xu chuckled warmly at his daughter’s pout and said gently, "Sangsang, tell me, what’s the matter? Have your college entrance exam results come out? I bet my brilliant daughter aced it and got into A University."
Sangsang groaned, smacking her forehead. Today, the results were out—her school’s group chat was surely buzzing, and yet she had gotten too engrossed in watching the award ceremony to check.
"Dad, that’s not it. I came to tell you, Xia Danhui won Best Actress at the Hua-Language Film Awards. Her gown today was golden, as if encrusted with gold—it was stunning!"
Sangsang’s bright eyes held a faint smile, her fair face and finely sculpted features bearing hints of Xia Danhui’s resemblance. Xu froze for a moment, guilt flashing in his eyes. Smiling, he responded, "Danhui has always been strong-willed. Winning this award again is a testament to her talent. There aren’t many domestic actresses who can equal her. I saw her recent film, *Xia Ji*—it was excellent."
Sangsang’s lips curled as her fingers danced across the keyboard. "Never mind, let’s reschedule. My dad’s taking me out for dinner tomorrow."
"OK, we’ll reschedule then. Where are you going to eat?"
"Shi Jin Zhai."
Meng Lan began spamming the chat. "Wow, big spender!!!"
**
"Lives up to the hype." Sangsang finished a whole crab, and the taste of its rich flavor lingered on her tongue. She looked through the ceramic vase placed at the center of the table, giggling as she was about to speak, but out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the family seated at the neighboring table. A well-dressed couple and a cute little girl. The couple took turns serving food to the child, whose face radiated pure happiness.