High-Altitude Worker, Unfortunately a Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Role - Chapter 23

Lü Yikang greeted her from inside the room, “Long time no see! What happened to your arm?”

Zhao Ke waved her hand with a smile. “Brother Kang, it’s just a minor injury. It’s almost healed.”

A small wound? How could that stop Zhao Ke from showing her prowess a hundred meters in the air?

“Sister Ke, if you ask me, that Qiao…” Zheng Yang, having been briefed by his girlfriend, naturally wanted to defend Zhao Ke.

But he barely started before Zhao Ke shot him a warning glare.

Zhao Ke playfully shook her fist at Zheng Yang, threatening, “Don’t make me tell your Master on you!”

I almost forgot Zhao Ke’s arm was injured. Damn, she acts like nothing happened!

This woman is too badass! I love her so much!

After clearing away all the broken glass, Zhao Ke pulled out a screwdriver and began prying off the old sealant around the glass frame.

This sealant was crucial for securing the glass, but it had to be completely removed before the new glass could be installed and resealed properly.

Wait, everyone, the glass looks fine. Why are they replacing it?

Mind your own business, client’s orders.

Many older buildings used single-pane or standard double-pane glass, which have poor insulation. Over time, this leads to massive energy waste from air conditioning and increased carbon emissions. Replacing it with vacuum-insulated glass can significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint.

Got it, got it.

Inside the building, Lü Yikang firmly attached a vacuum suction cup to the new glass and handed it to Zhao Ke.

The suction cup served as a handle, allowing Zhao Ke to install the glass without risking cuts from its sharp edges.

The precisely measured glass fit snugly into the empty frame.

Zhao Ke then retrieved her caulking gun and applied a bead of black sealant along the glass’s perimeter.

OCD satisfaction!

So smooth, so seamless, like piping frosting!

That’s Zhao Ke’s skill. Look at the blond kid next to her!

Zhao Ke’s experience showed as the sealant flowed smoothly from the gun, forming a uniform, airtight seal along the glass edge.

Meanwhile, Zheng Yang’s sealant came out in globs, either due to poor angle or shaky hands, leaving unsightly clumps clinging to the exterior wall.

It was functional, but ugly.

Zheng Yang, clearly aware of the laughter behind the camera, flushed crimson like a monkey’s backside. “Don’t laugh!” he retorted stubbornly. “Give me some practice, and I’ll definitely surpass Sister Ke!”

Zhao Ke shrugged indifferently. “Then surpass me.”

Over the next few days, Zhao Ke took on several odd jobs: painting exterior walls and cleaning windows.

Then came the torrential downpour that struck City A.

Rainy days were Zhao Ke’s days off. She lounged comfortably at home, live-streaming and chatting casually with her viewers.

The sky was a gloomy gray, and a fierce wind raged outside the window. Raindrops pounded against the glass like firecrackers, while fragile branches were uprooted and hurled a hundred meters into the air.

Is this what they mean online when they say extreme weather can shatter the order of human society?

Enough talk, we’ve already returned to nature! I’m going out to get soaked in the rain.

Wow, this feels like a death-defying confession from an infinite flow protagonist before their final parting!

I can already picture the scene in my mind!

Zhao Ke felt drowsy.

Seriously, this kind of weather is perfect for curling up in a warm blanket and sleeping.

Suddenly, her phone screen lit up with a WeChat call.

The caller was Yhx.

Zhao Ke frowned, struggling to recall her vague impression of this wealthy boss. After a moment’s hesitation, she answered.

“Hello?”

“Hello, I’m sorry to bother you,” Yhx’s voice, usually as crisp as jade striking ice, now carried a hint of tension. “Could I ask for your help with something?”

Zhao Ke glanced sideways at the live stream interface.

The next moment, the stream was muted.

???

What’s so secret that even a VIP member like me can’t hear?

Turn it back on! I already heard it—that voice definitely belongs to a handsome guy!

Two minutes later, Zhao Ke reactivated the volume, her tone urgent. “I need to go out.”

She casually threw on a windbreaker, grabbed her toolkit and live stream stick, and hurried out the door.

After returning from the mountains, Zhao Ke bought herself a used pickup truck—black, two-seater, with an open cargo bed—for just a few tens of thousands of yuan.

She casually tossed her toolbox and livestreaming pole onto the passenger seat, stomped on the gas, and sped off.

From the livestream’s perspective, viewers could only see the buildings and sky receding rapidly outside the passenger window.

Why is she suddenly leaving? Where is she going?

What’s happening? Did the Production Team announce anything?

I don’t think so. Even Yin-ge’s outdoor training class was canceled today.

The pickup truck cruised smoothly through traffic, passed through the Imperial City Garden’s gate without stopping, and parked at the foot of Building 8.

Zhao Ke took the elevator straight to the 36th floor.

The constantly shaking camera made it impossible for viewers to discern their surroundings or know where Zhao Ke was taking them.

But the next moment, Yan Huaixu’s breathtakingly handsome face—as if sculpted by the goddess Nuwa herself—appeared in the livestream.

!!!

Oh my god, am I seeing things?

Is this a pre-recorded video, Production Team?

Holy crap, Yan Huaixu! Is this for real?!

Yan Huaixu’s white shirt was inexplicably half-soaked, clinging to his skin and revealing glimpses of his striking physique with each movement. Rain clung to the tips of his hair as he looked at Zhao Ke with urgent hope.

“Where is it?” Zhao Ke asked, hurrying out of the elevator.

Yan Huaixu’s eyes widened for a moment before he quickly recovered. He turned and flung open his apartment door, gesturing for Zhao Ke to follow. “Come with me.”

What’s going on? Isn’t this supposed to be a video?

Aaaaaahhhhh!

Holy sh1t, holy sh1t, is that really Yan Huaixu? Is this real? Is this real? Is this real?

Aaaaaahhh! What’s happening? Do they know each other?!

The pair hurried to the study. Yan Huaixu shoved open the side window, revealing a narrow ledge designed to house air conditioning units. Zhao Ke leaned out and peered into the gap between the unit and the wall. There, barely visible, was a ball of white fur trembling in the wind and rain.

Zhao Ke frowned. “Is that a cat? What’s it doing in a place like this?”

Yan Huaixu’s voice was hoarse and cold, as if soaked through with rain. “I’m not sure.”

“Can we save it?” he asked again.

Zhao Ke surveyed the study and nodded confidently. “Of course we can.”

Ah, you mean that on this ordinary day, I not only saw the Film Emperor’s home and his abs, but now I’m going to save a kitten with him?

I’m going to hyperventilate! I’m so excited!

Salt Grain came to Weibo, Salt Grain confirmed the situation, Salt Grain fainted from shock.

“I need to hammer some nails into your wall. Is that okay?” Zhao Ke asked Yan Huaixu.

“Of course,” the man nodded.

The next moment, Zhao Ke shoved the live stream stick into his arms. “Hold this for me.”

Ahhhhh, those abs are so close!

Can someone explain what’s happening? I’m completely lost!

Who cares? I’m screen recording this!

Zhao Ke’s actually at Yan Huaixu’s house?! I’m going!

Zhao Ke hammered an anchor point above the window and another into the side wall. After confirming the double-secured stability, she stepped onto the windowsill and flipped herself outside.

Yan Huaixu held the live stream camera closer to the window. “Be careful,” he said.

Such a soothing voice! I’m getting a nosebleed!

It’s pouring outside! Why did Keke go out? It’s so dangerous!

The moment Zhao Ke stepped outside, she was drenched by the torrential rain. Still, she gave Yan Huaixu an okay sign.

The air conditioner’s outdoor unit formed a ninety-degree angle with the study window, about two meters away in a straight line.

Zhao Ke pressed against the wall, slowly inching toward the unit.

The fluffy creature was hiding in the unit’s crevices. Zhao Ke gripped the rope with one hand and carefully reached down and to the left with the other.

She dared not step on the unit, fearing the noise might startle the little animal and cause it to jump in panic.

The heavy rain blurred Zhao Ke’s vision. The creature’s white fur almost blended seamlessly with the unit, and the dim light made it even harder to see.

Wiping the rain from her face with her gloved left hand, Zhao Ke’s dark pupils sharpened, cutting through the darkness like lightning.

Even knowing the climbing rope was incredibly secure, Yan Huaixu still freed one hand to grip it tightly.

So nervous, I can’t even speak anymore.

The next moment, Zhao Ke’s fingers dug into the gap, her palm clamped firmly around the small animal’s neck. Ignoring the kitten’s sharp, terrified cries and the constant trembling of its frail fur, she maintained her grip, refusing to release her hold on its neck.

With a sudden twist, she pressed herself against the window.

Yan Huaixu, his focus laser-sharp, quickly reached out to take the kitten from Zhao Ke’s hand.

Zhao Ke gently placed the kitten in Yan Huaixu’s palm before flipping back inside.

Mission accomplished! Everyone, give them a round of applause!

So, an award-winning actor and a top-tier celebrity braved a torrential downpour just to rescue a kitten?

It’s both reasonable and endearingly melodramatic.

So cool! So cool! (I don’t even know who I’m praising anymore!)

Yan Huaixu cradled the kitten in his arms, trying to warm its icy body.

Then he turned to Zhao Ke, who was dismantling the nails. “Your clothes are soaked. Let me find you something dry to change into.”

The study was dimly lit, half of the man’s face hidden in shadow.

Zhao Ke glanced back, her gaze lingering briefly on Yan Huaixu’s face before quickly shifting to the kitten in his arms. “No need. As long as the cat’s okay, I’m fine.”

Her gaze was calm, but Yan Huaixu distinctly sensed a hint of reproach. He quickly explained, “It’s not my cat. I just happened to see it.”

His voice softened, carrying a barely perceptible note of grievance. “No one else was around in this weather. I had no choice but to call you.”

Zhao Ke blinked once, her expression completely obscured by the dimness as she stood with her back to the window.

After a long pause, she murmured, “Understood, Boss.”

Okay, let me get this straight. So Zhao Ke received Yan Huaixu’s SOS call and braved the torrential rain to come over… all to rescue a cat he just happened to see?

Who cares about the cat? The real question is: how did these two even meet?

How did they meet?

How did they meet?

“How did we meet?”

Zhao Ke sat in her car, her phone propped up on the steering wheel for the live stream.

She brushed a strand of wet hair away from her face, her dark eyes fixed on the camera.

So cool, so feminine.

Her collarbones are gorgeous.

Tell us already! How did you two meet?

“This Boss Yan hired me to install privacy film on his windows before,” Zhao Ke said in a flat tone, as if recounting an unremarkable incident.

“After he paid me, we added each other on WeChat.”

Zhao Ke grabbed the half-empty bottle of mineral water from the car and took two large gulps, tilting her head back.

“In short, we have a purely professional client-contractor relationship. Don’t overthink it, and definitely don’t spread rumors.”

Tch, Zhao Ke’s just trying to piggyback on his fame. This whole explanation is just a cover-up.

The person above should donate their eyes if they can’t use them properly. Yan Huaixu was the one who called Zhao Ke first, okay?

Wait, Zhao Ke knew she was live-streaming and still deliberately let the A-list actor appear on camera. Isn’t that just clout-chasing?

Wow, my eyes have been opened! Then I’ll say Yan Huaixu deliberately called Zhao Ke knowing she was live-streaming, just to be seen with her. Besides, Zhao Ke doesn’t have three heads and six arms. How could she hold the live-streaming stick and rescue the cat at the same time?

Come, let me tell you what real clout-chasing looks like. Zhao Ke should have accepted the A-list actor’s offer to change clothes, then deliberately walked up to him while changing, acting all coy, and squeaked, “Huaixu-gege~ The clothes are too big~” That’s what you call clout-chasing, got it?!

I said that’s what you call clout-chasing, understand?!

The person above, speak up! I said that’s what you call clout-chasing!

…Zhao Ke would never do something like that.