Chapter 28: I, Ling Qiong, Send Money! (28)

Shen Qinchuan narrowed his eyes. “I heard you’re competing for the Baiyun Alley project?”

Ling Qiong nodded her little head. “Mm, that’s right.”

Shen Qinchuan asked, “Do you think you can beat me?”

Even her father knew there was no way to outcompete the Shen family—where did she get her confidence?

Ling Qiong shrugged helplessly. “I’m just trying to inherit the family business, finish the homework my dad assigned. I don’t have a choice.”

Her face was written all over with, “It’s not like I want to, but I really don’t have a say.”

Shen Qinchuan was silent for a moment. “Just don’t cry when the time comes.”

Having said his piece, he brushed past her and strode inside.

Behind him, Ling Qiong rolled her eyes. Who knows who’ll end up in tears?

Hmph!

Clearly, some NPCs do favor the player! If she just worked on boosting Old Lady Shen’s favorability, maybe she could even topple the male lead and inherit the throne.

Ling Qiong happily daydreamed as she drove off in her little sports car.

Shortly after she left, someone came and hung up a fresh sign outside the old residence.

The sign read:

Su Miaomiao and dogs are not allowed inside.

If Ling Qiong had seen it, she likely would have just rolled her eyes. What does Su Miaomiao have to do with her, Ling Qiong?

…

The city streets were still slick from recent rain, pedestrians few and far between, vehicles splashing through roadside puddles.

Bai Yewei, dressed in a chic, petite suit with a faint Chanel flair, pushed open the café door.

The wind chimes jingled brightly.

She hooked a finger around her sunglasses and slid them down to scan for her contact. Once she spotted her, she pushed the sunglasses back up, straightened her back, and walked over with an air of superiority.

You can’t lose on aura!

“What do you want with me?”

The girl across from her greeted her with a smile. “Miss Bai, why don’t you have a seat and we’ll talk?”

Bai Yewei glanced around, then plopped down with a twist of her hips, keeping her sunglasses on and her presence turned up to the maximum.

“Hello, may I get you anything?” a waiter approached.

“No, thank you,” Bai Yewei declined flatly. Once the waiter left, she looked at the person opposite her. “Why did you ask me here? If you’ve got something to say, make it quick.”

“Miss Bai, I’m here to help you. Why are you being so fierce?”

“…Help me spend money?”

This woman couldn’t have good intentions, Bai Yewei thought. She’d come to understand one thing lately—she truly didn’t like Shen Qinchuan.

Without that, she wouldn’t have found this girl so disagreeable. Still, liking her was out of the question. Thinking about that ten million… she couldn’t help but find her annoying.

“What do you want, exactly?”

“You want to pursue Shen Qinchuan, don’t you?” Ling Qiong propped her chin in her hands. “I can help you.”

“You’ll help me?”

“Of course.” The girl’s eyes were dark and sparkling with sincerity. “I have loads of experience in matters of the heart—trust me, I’m a pro.”

She didn’t believe her for a second.

…

The Baiyun Alley project was a highly coveted prize, organized by those at the top; anyone with some clout wanted a piece of this pie.

Apart from the Su family, every group that thought they had a shot brought their best to fight for it. After all, what if the powers that be made an unexpected choice?

Everyone assumed Shen Qinchuan would be the fiercest competitor this time. But when his team arrived, he himself was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, the Su family—who had previously signaled their intention to withdraw—became the biggest dark horse. This infuriated the others. They’d thought the Su family would just make a token appearance, but clearly, they’d come fully prepared.

With Shen Qinchuan absent, the Shen family side, though not in chaos, was clearly at a loss after Ling Qiong played her hand.

Shen Qinchuan only arrived at the very end.

Ling Qiong emerged with her team, chatting and laughing, and bumped straight into him.

His face was thunderous, and he looked somewhat disheveled, his narrowed eyes flashing with danger as he stared at her.

Ling Qiong, utterly unafraid, greeted him with a sunny smile. “President Shen, sorry about this. Looks like I’ll have to go home and inherit the family business.”

“Su Miaomiao!!”

“Yes?”

“You’ve really done it this time!” He’d wondered why she’d suddenly gone to see the old lady—turns out it was to deal with him.

“I think I’m pretty impressive myself. After all, I put so much effort into this project—it would have been too cruel if I got nothing in return.”

He gritted his teeth. “…You know that’s not what I’m talking about.”

“Then what do you mean, President Shen?” Ling Qiong’s face was pure innocence, as if she couldn’t possibly understand.

For a moment, Shen Qinchuan doubted himself. Was it really just a coincidence?

But could it really be such a coincidence?

Later, he heard people describe what happened at the time: the Su family’s approach was utterly unlike before, and after hearing her out, everyone was clearly leaning toward her side.

Even if he’d been there, it wasn’t certain he could have secured the project.

He grew even more suspicious that he’d been set up. But if she was certain of victory, why the extra maneuvering…?

…

Ling Qiong hadn’t done much—she’d simply sold out Shen Qinchuan’s weakness and offered some strategic advice to Bai Yewei. Then today, she’d just made sure to delay Shen Qinchuan a little.

Bai Yewei was a hopeless romantic; after a little coaxing from Ling Qiong, her thoughts were completely occupied with Shen Qinchuan.

Ling Qiong hadn’t intended to keep him tied up for long—just enough to make him late. She was confident in her ability to spin a tale and wasn’t the least bit afraid of Shen Qinchuan.

She’d just wanted to seize the opportunity to cash in, and rattle him a bit for good measure.

She hadn’t expected Bai Yewei to be so effective, keeping him away until it was all over.

…

When Ling Qiong won the project, Father Su was left dumbfounded.

He’d thought, “She made this mess—let her face Shen Qinchuan and learn her lesson. Let it teach her a thing or two.”

Who would have thought she’d squeeze out Shen Qinchuan and rise to the top herself?

Father Su realized he understood far too little about his second daughter…

He had someone else take over the project, but Ling Qiong showed no sign of discontent. Instead, she strolled into his office and planted herself there.

“What is it? Not happy?” he asked.

“What?”

“I had someone else take over the project—aren’t you dissatisfied?”

“Not at all,” Ling Qiong replied sweetly. “Since I finished the task, when can I inherit the family business?”

…

Father Su was testing her, wanting to see her reaction.

But what she cared about wasn’t the project—it was inheriting the family business.

The whole company would be hers one day; what was one project to her?

She certainly had high hopes.

Father Su kept a stern face, looking as unsatisfied as ever, but he still gave her another assignment.

…

After stirring things up at the company and earning herself some pocket money, Ling Qiong spent a little on her own enjoyment, and used the rest on draws.

But the drop rates were abysmal…

All she managed to win was a spot on a variety show.

And not even a popular one…

Raising a cub is so hard.

Meanwhile, Lu Wenci had just wrapped up filming and, with no time to rest, was whisked off by Chen Fangchuan to record a variety show.

After two episodes, half a month had gone by before he finally had a few days off.

He left the airport, avoided the crowds, and waited for his assistant to pick him up.

“Hey, what are you up to?”

Someone tapped him on the shoulder. Instinctively, he turned—there was no one there. He turned the other way.

A girl had her arm slung over his shoulder, head tilted as she looked at him, her gentle smile like a spring breeze brushing over his heart.

“What are you doing here?” Surprise flashed in Lu Wenci’s eyes; he didn’t even notice what Ling Qiong had called him.

“I came to pick you up.”

He blinked in confusion. “How did you know I was coming back today?”

Ling Qiong sounded perfectly natural. “Chen Fangchuan told me you’d be back.”

Lu Wenci fell silent.

Why did Brother Chen tell her my schedule?

Did he misunderstand something?