I Became the Alchemy Master by Picking Up Trash-Chapter 290 - 288: Trending Topics

Recently, the Chu Family has become the focus of everyone in Qianyuan, and any topic related to the Chu Family has seen a surge in clicks.

The first scoop revealed was that the second young miss of the Chu Family, who had been missing for eighteen years, was found. What shocked everyone even more was that this person was none other than the military school’s star contender, the genius girl with the Double Heaven Armor, Li Xing!

The topic of "Li Xing is Chu Yunyou" was still trending when the Chu Family dropped another bombshell — the current Family Head Chu Yu and his wife Ye Lan announced their divorce!

The fact that Chu and Ye had a marriage of convenience was an open secret in high society. But the laypeople didn’t know, and because Chu Yu kept up appearances for decades in public, many believed he and Ye Lan were a perfect couple.

The sudden divorce of what seemed to be a very loving couple sparked many speculative posts online about the reasons for their separation. Some insiders using pseudonyms left comments under posts, and soon all of Chu Yu’s deeds were exposed.

The Chu Family’s stock also dropped due to the divorce incident but quickly surged again when the third scoop came out — the new commander of the Second Legion, Chu Yunyi, officially transferred the highest command of the Freedom Army to Yang Zhou.

Only then did people realize that the elusive commander of the Freedom Army was actually Chu Yunyi!

For three consecutive days, one big scoop per day, the Chu Family has greatly contributed to the Qianyuan media industry.

Datang City.

Li Yi switched through several channels, all filled with tabloid news about Chu Yunyou. These reports unsettled him, claiming that after returning to the family, she abandoned her simple ways, indulging in luxury, fancy parties, and frequent high society interactions — all lies. He knew the child he raised, and she was nothing like that!

The more Li Yi watched, the angrier he got, so he turned off the TV and went to the backyard to practice.

After a set of sword skills, Li Yi finally felt the frustration in his chest ease up. At this moment, a familiar voice came from behind, "Uncle Li, you’ve been slacking off lately, your sword skills have gotten rusty."

Li Yi turned around abruptly to see Li Xing holding Anna’s hand, standing at the door and laughing at him.

Li Yi dropped the sword and rushed over with a broad smile, "Xiao Xing? What brings you back!"

Anna glanced at Li Xing and playfully chided, "Yi, why do you still call her Xiao Xing!"

Li Yi smacked his forehead, "Right, right, I’m so used to it, I should be calling her Miss Chu now."

Li Xing quickly waved her hand, "In front of you, I will always be Li Xing. If possible, I hope you continue to call me by my old name."

Li Yi and Anna exchanged glances, seeing joy in each other’s eyes. Even though she’s returned to her family, this child still wants to be close to them, proving that they haven’t lost this daughter.

"Alright, then we’ll keep calling you Xiao Xing."

Li Xing’s face finally brightened up, "I’m hungry, I want to eat Aunt Anna’s roasted Fire Crown Chicken."

Li Yi laughed, "You’re in luck, we were planning to eat Fire Crown Chicken today, it’s almost ready, wash your hands and get ready to eat!"

"Okay!"

Seeing the roasted chicken on the table, Li Xing suddenly felt like she was back twelve years ago, on the first night she came to the Li Family.

Just like twelve years ago, Li Yi raised his glass and said the same words, "Come, let’s toast to Xiao Xing’s new life—!"

Three glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound.

After finishing her drink, Li Xing joked, "Uncle Li, Aunt Anna is pregnant, I understand why she drinks berry milk, but why am I drinking it too? I’m eighteen, can’t I have some adult beverages?"

Li Yi glared at her, "In my eyes, you’ll always be a child. No alcohol for you!" He then refilled her glass with milk.

Anna placed a piece of chicken on Li Xing’s plate and asked, "Xiao Xing, how long do you plan to stay this time?"

"I’m heading back to Tianyi City first thing in the morning."

Anna seemed a little reluctant, "Can’t you stay a bit longer?"

"I’ve got too much going on lately, both at school and home. It’s better to return early."

Li Yi: "Can you come back during the holidays?"

Anna’s due date is by the end of next month, which happens to be when the school holiday starts.

Li Xing: "I’ll try."

Li Yi nodded, "Got it. No matter how busy, don’t forget to rest, your health is the most important."

Anna: "Xiao Xing, I’ve been having some bad dreams lately, dreaming that you’re hurt. Yi tells me dreams are the opposite, but I still can’t help worrying. You must be careful during classes and competitions."

Li Xing’s gaze darkened slightly, then she smiled, "Uncle Li is right, dreams are opposite. Dreaming of me being hurt just means I’m actually safe and sound. Later, I’ll prepare some soothing and calming medicine for you, since a good sleep is important for an expecting mother. Don’t let your mind run wild."

After dinner, Li Xing took out the prepared gifts and gave them to Li Yi and Anna.

Li Yi touched the smooth fabric in awe, "Wow, is this the famous Yueya Silk?"

Since the Xi Yuan competition, people learned that sand snakes are not entirely extinct and that a few still dwell deeper underground. Thanks to the Divine Skills of the Merchant Guild, under Jiang Hongfei’s guidance, they managed to acquire some Yueya Silk.

Rare as it is, Yueya Silk’s reappearance after many years has made it so expensive that even noble families find it unattainable.

Li Xing has a good stockpile, secretly making dozens of outfits, keeping a few for herself, and distributing the rest among family and friends.

Anna’s dress was more exquisite, along with a precious Fairy Tears necklace, making her feel unworthy as a mere mortal.

"Xiao Xing, this is too valuable, I can’t accept it! Take it back!"

Li Xing smiled, "Uncle Li, Aunt Anna, I acquired these through my abilities. As my foster parents, you absolutely have the right to enjoy them, please don’t decline."

With things said so far, Li Yi and Anna couldn’t refuse anymore.

"There’s still quite a bit of Yueya Silk fabric, I’ve left it in this space button. Once the baby is born, have someone make a few outfits for him. It’ll be my gift to him as his sister."

Anna blushed and lowered her head while Li Yi laughed heartily, "Alright!"

During the quiet of the night, Li Xing walked alone in the vegetable garden. The Spirit Stones buried long ago had dulled, and the Spirit Gathering Array had weakened significantly. However, thanks to over a decade of Spiritual Energy enrichment and refinement, the Li Family’s vegetables surpassed noble-exclusive purified vegetables by a mile.

Li Xing replaced the Spirit Stones on the Spirit Gathering Array and set up a Concealing Array around the entire vegetable garden. Unless faced with a talisman array expert like Chu Yunyi, it would be difficult to notice any abnormal Spiritual Energy within the Li Family’s garden.

Taking out a flower pot, Li Xing used her Divine Sense to sense its condition. Hui Hui was curled up with leaves draped over its head, deeply asleep.

Placing her hand on the pot as if caressing Hui Hui’s round head, Li Xing murmured, "Hui Hui, the path ahead is uncertain, I cannot take you with me. Wait for me here, if I survive, I’ll definitely come back for you."

With that, Li Xing carefully moved the soil layer in the center of the garden, along with the vegetables on top, placed the pot inside, then returned the soil to its original state, adding a defensive formation until there was no visible sign of anything different.

After completing all these tasks, the eastern sky had begun to pale with dawn. Li Xing took one last wistful look at the small Li Family house, then turned and left.