Chapter 5: I, Ling Qiong, Send the Money! (5)

—Certain locations will trigger automatically.

So this is what they call an automatic trigger?

Then what am I supposed to do now?

[You can check out Lu Wenci’s profile.]

Profile?

Ling Qiong searched through the illustrated guide and finally found a tiny label marked “Character Profile.”

It was really tiny, and the font color was almost the same as the background, making it nearly invisible unless you looked closely.

So small… Is this a vision test?

[Didn’t I just remind you?]

“…”

The character profile wasn’t long—only two or three hundred words—enough for Ling Qiong to skim through in a glance.

The gist of it was:

Lu Wenci was now a bottom-tier actor, so obscure he was practically invisible. After offending the wrong people, he was left with no resources and led a miserable life.

Without any exposure, even someone who once stood on the altar would eventually be reduced to cannon fodder.

His agent, desperate to squeeze the last bit of value out of him, actually conspired with someone to trick him into a hotel.

Lu Wenci ultimately fell to his death.

…

2618.

Ling Qiong checked the room number to make sure she was in the right place.

Today was exactly the day Lu Wenci was lured to the hotel, and she’d also drawn card 2618.

As he was her mission target, she obviously couldn’t let him die.

So now she had to find a way to get him out of there.

But how exactly was she supposed to do that…?

Just barge in and snatch him?

Ling Qiong muttered quietly to herself, “No, no, that’s too dangerous. I’m a little scared…”

[Sweetie, you can draw a card! Some of the cards can help you resolve crises. First-time draw is half off~]

Shanshan coaxed her.

One development card could be used for a single draw.

And the price of one card was 1,000… real-world coins.

Yes, you read that right, real-world coins!

“Are you guys robbing people?” Ling Qiong furiously searched the homepage for a complaint button.

But after staring for a long time, she only saw three bare icons—no complaint option to be found.

“…”

So… if I don’t give you a complaint channel, you can’t complain about me?

[Sweetie, this ‘real-world coin’ refers to the currency in this instance, not actual money.]

Ling Qiong fell silent and gave up looking for a complaint channel. “Money from this world?”

[That’s right.]

Some cards could resolve crises, but could she draw the right one? Which one would work? How many would she need to draw before getting it?

All unknowns.

This was a pitfall. Card-drawing games were always a scam!

Only a fool would fall into this trap!

Ling Qiong pondered for a moment, then firmly refused: “Heh, not spending. Goodbye.” She would never pay to win!

[Then you’ll have to figure something out on your own.]

Shanshan didn’t press her further and fell silent.

“…”

What kind of attitude is that!

Who’s the player here? Who are you supposed to serve?

Complaint! …Still no complaint option.

Ling Qiong puffed up her cheeks, glaring at the wall in frustration. She was about to explode!

Her gaze swept down the corridor, spotting a cleaning cart parked in the distance.

Her eyes spun quickly, and suddenly, she had an idea.

…

Ling Qiong slipped cautiously into the room, where voices drifted out.

“Don’t worry, he’s still conscious and knows you don’t like that sort of thing… Take your time, and when you’re done, let me know. I’ll come pick him up.” A woman’s voice, dripping with flattery and obsequiousness.

As she spoke, someone emerged from inside.

Ling Qiong immediately ducked into the open bathroom nearby.

Her dress was a bit long, so she quickly gathered up the hem and pulled it inside with her, holding her breath.

As the last bit of her skirt disappeared, the person walked over, opened the door, and left.

The bathroom was spacious, with two exits. Ling Qiong moved to the other side and peeked out.

On the bed lay a young man. His face was flushed as he struggled to sit up, but his body was so weak that he fell back every time.

Ling Qiong could see his face clearly—her eyes lit up… He was astonishingly good-looking!

It was a pure, beautiful face, the sort that instantly seized your attention.

Not the same type as the male lead, but equally striking.

Ling Qiong felt her heart pounding. She could do this.

Who doesn’t love a beautiful boy?

Especially one this beautiful!

How wonderful it would be to keep him for herself!

“If you serve me well today, there’s nothing you can’t have…” Another voice sounded.

A figure entered Ling Qiong’s view.

The young man shrank back, but the other grabbed his shoulder, pressing him down. “If you were just a bit more obedient, I wouldn’t have to use these methods, would I? Silly boy.”

The tone was almost indulgent.

But the voice itself was so oily and disgusting that it made her skin crawl.

Not everyone can pull off the domineering CEO’s lines!

Ling Qiong shuddered, hugging herself against the goosebumps, and peeked out again.

This time, the youth happened to turn his head and their eyes met unexpectedly.

His eyes were misted, hazy with anger and despair intertwined.

But upon seeing her, a spark of hope flickered in his gaze.

Ling Qiong raised a finger to her lips, the corners of her mouth curving up as she silently mouthed: “Don’t make a sound.”

She drew back and paced in place, thinking, How am I supposed to save him?

Ling Qiong called out to Shanshan. Was there really no help for new players?

[Sweetie, just draw a card! You won’t be fooled or lose out, and the first draw is cheap—plus there’s a bonus!]

Shanshan kept sweet-talking, trying to tempt Ling Qiong into paying for a card draw.

“Not drawing!” Ling Qiong was resolute.

Trying to trick players into spending from the start—what a scam!

[Then I wish you a pleasant game.]

“…”

Your mother… is she well?

Outside, there were rustling sounds and a warning from the man as the youth struggled.

Ling Qiong spread her hands and gazed thoughtfully at her palms before slowly clenching her fists.

…

Bang—

The man who had been laying hands on the youth suddenly rolled his eyes and collapsed to the side.

Lu Wenci shrank back on the bed, his eyes drifting upwards to the figure standing beside the bed.

She wore a pure white, floor-length gauze dress, a small silver crown inlaid with gems on her head, and her fingernails were painted a vivid shade. She held an ornament aloft, hovering it in the air.

Lu Wenci’s vision was blurry. He couldn’t tell if this person was a figment of his imagination, or if someone had truly come to save him.

Ling Qiong tossed aside the ornament, as if she’d startled herself, and patted her chest with relief.

She kept patting her chest as she asked the youth, “Are you all right?”

Lu Wenci, weak all over, shook his head after a long pause.

At this moment, he looked like a despairing, bullied cub—eyes rimmed red, the corners wet, evoking a fierce desire to protect.

What an adorable little angel!

Ling Qiong’s heart melted instantly. “I’ll take you out of here first. Don’t be afraid.”

She helped him off the bed. Lu Wenci was so weak he could only lean on her.

His body was burning, even his breath was hot, but the person supporting him radiated a coolness that made him want to draw closer.

Ling Qiong walked a couple of steps, then glanced back at the man on the bed. Her eyes flicked, and she settled the youth on a chair nearby. “Wait for me here.”

Lu Wenci couldn’t see what Ling Qiong was doing, only heard the sound of dragging as she moved toward the bathroom.

A moment later, she returned, head lowered, and asked, “Did you bring your phone?”

*

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