Evolutionary Superstar

Lin Haoren softly sighed after sending his guests out.

Although he knew he was unlikely to get a role on the A Thousand Lifetimes With You production, he still felt a little bit disappointed.

Even so, getting the contact information from an A-list celebrity was quite the gain.

He only received the system last night, but his opportunities and gains were enormous. It was as if his fortune and luck had undergone a 180-degree transformation.

However, Lin Haoren knew the biggest transformation was in himself.

Opportunities were always present, but only the capable could grasp them firmly.

The world didn’t owe him anything, and there was no reason to throw him any treats. He had to fight for his own fortune.

Even the stars in the night sky did not rely on outside forces to burn brightly. They relied on themselves to shine brilliantly against the smothering darkness of the vast universe.

True strength came from within.

Lin Haoren had lived within a small world, part of the real world yet simultaneously disconnected from it. All it took was a change of mind to open up new possibilities.

He was aware he had been stuck in a vicious loop, and it was difficult to break out on his own.

As such, he very much treasured the opportunity given by the system.

Ding!

[Wiping table, improving spotlessness: Housekeeping Skill Proficiency +4]

[Washing dishes, improving cleaning efficiency, water management, stain removal, and sanitation: Housekeeping Skill Proficiency +11]

[Cleaning sink, improving sanitation, grease management, drain management, and polishing: Housekeeping Skill Proficiency +7]

After cleaning up the dining table and kitchen, Lin Haoren washed his hands and face, receiving extra proficiency points in Body Management.

"Did you have fun today, Oreo?"

"Meow!"

Oreo grumbled with dissatisfaction at the reminder of earlier activities and ignored him.

Lin Haoren snickered and gave it no chance to ignore him; he directly scooped it up in his arms to punish it with tickles and rubs, startling it.

Oreo: ?!

Put me down, Human!

"Dare to ignore me? Take this!" Lin Haoren messed with Oreo, poking it in various spots.

At first, Oreo was tolerant, but then it turned into annoyance. Its body twitched under his persistence pokes, prompting it to snort and retaliate.

It raised its paws and smacked away his incoming fingers one after the other.

Dare to mess with me?

Come, this Sacred One isn’t afraid of you, Human!

Seeing Oreo’s defensive raised paw, Lin Haoren laughed and stopped teasing it, instead rewarding it with pats, rubs, and scratches.

Lin Haoren leaned back on the sofa, relaxed, while listening to Oreo’s pleased purrs.

"It’s been awhile since we’ve enjoyed a relaxing moment like this," Lin Haoren commented.

Oreo was too comfortable to respond, but it silently agreed.

Lin Haoren knew he had neglected many things in the past due to the increasing pressure and stress of earning enough money.

His life had been quite suffocating. He was actually dying for a breather.

Now, he finally had that chance.

Ding!

[Animal Taming Skill has reached intermediate-level proficiency, Proficiency: 104/1,000]

[Feline Affinity Skill has reached intermediate-level proficiency, Proficiency: 101/1,000]

[Animal Communication Skill has reached intermediate-level proficiency, Proficiency: 105/1,000]

[Cat Language Skill has reached intermediate-level proficiency, Proficiency: 104/1,000]

[Intelligence +1]

Hearing the notifications, Lin Haoren’s lips curved into a smile.

"Oreo, my pal. I’ve always thought it was my choice to save you back then, but perhaps it was your choice to be saved by me."

"Regardless, we will continue to share wealth and hardship, as we always have. This will not change, not now, not ever. As long as I have food to eat, you will not starve."

"You know, it has always been my dream to become a star. Now, I have the chance to be the brightest star in the world."

"It might be lonely on the way up there. How about you accompany me all the way? How about that? Want to become famous with me?"

"We’ll become the most awesome man and cat duo."

Oreo wasn’t too interested, since it was plenty content with its life compared to its previous life as a stray.

It meowed lazily, thinking Lin Haoren’s idea was too troublesome and tiring.

"Damn, aren’t you usually proud and haughty? Can’t you have some ambition? Don’t you want to become the king of cats, adored by all kinds of women and female cats?" Lin Haoren persuaded.

Oreo cast him a dirty glance, as if looking down on him.

What kind of great ambition is that?

Seeing his trick didn’t work, Lin Haoren decided to change tactics, provoking him, "Do you not want a wife? Are you planning to be a single dog all your life?"

Oreo’s face scrunched into an unmistakable frown, questioning the intelligence of its human.

Are you sick?

How can I be a single dog?

I’m clearly a cat!

"Ahem, a single cat." Lin Haoren pretended to be regretful and said, "Since you aren’t interested in finding a wife, I guess you don’t need your balls either."

"How about I book a neutering appointment for you next week? Otherwise, won’t you cause too much trouble for me while I am out hustling for our livelihood?"

What!

Oreo reacted as if its tail was stepped on. It jumped to its feet and stared at him in shock. A cold chill ran down its spine.

Damn, you are ruthless!

I treat you as my closest brother, and you want to end my family line?!

Alright! Isn’t it just becoming famous? I’ll do it! Big Brother, please spare my children!

Lin Haoren laughed upon seeing Oreo’s groveling and pleading. This was not the behavior of an ordinary tuxedo cat.

Oreo was intelligent, but not to this degree.

This was the result of intermediate-level communication, animal taming, and affinity.

With the elevation of relevant skills, true communication could be achieved between man and cat. It was no longer difficult to understand Oreo’s exact words.

He could even communicate with it in its own language.

Since he had acquired such skills, how could he not make the best of them? Under his training, Oreo had the potential to become an internet sensation.

At the very least, Oreo’s early popularity growth would be much faster than his own.

"Damn, my cat is going to be the breadwinner!"