Chapter 2: I, Ling Qiong, Send Money! (2)

"Miss Bai, you can't go in—hey—"

The door to the lounge was forcefully pushed open. A woman strode in on high heels, exuding an intimidating aura.

Ling Qiong snapped out of her thoughts and glanced at the newcomer in the mirror.

The woman wore a fitted black V-neck mermaid dress, her hair neatly gathered at the back with a simple hair accessory—elegant and understated. Just by her appearance, she was the kind of woman men would call a true beauty.

This was Bai Yewei, the male lead’s most ardent admirer.

A staff member hurried after her, nervously explaining to Ling Qiong, "Miss Su, Miss Bai, she—"

"It's all right," Ling Qiong replied, opening her nail polish and beginning to apply it with deliberate slowness. "You may go."

The staff member sighed in relief and quickly exited the room.

Bai Yewei, on ten-centimeter heels with her presence at full force, stopped three meters from Ling Qiong.

She snorted coldly, her red lips parting. "Su Miaomiao, do you really think someone like you deserves to be engaged to Qin Chuan?"

Ling Qiong didn't turn around, carefully painting her nails. "If I don't, do you?"

Bai Yewei’s confidence bordered on arrogance. "I'm the only one in this world worthy of Qin Chuan."

Her shameless sister had once tried. Now that her sister was gone, she still lingered like a ghost. The Su family must have resorted to some underhanded tactics to get the Shen family to agree to this marriage.

Bai Yewei was furious. Only she could stand beside Shen Qin Chuan. Only she was his equal!

Ling Qiong rolled her eyes inwardly. "So you barged in just to tell me that?"

You, worthy of Shen Qin Chuan? Tsk, tsk... Where does that leave the heroine? As if you deserve him.

Bai Yewei didn’t notice Ling Qiong’s expression. "I came to advise you: have some self-awareness. Don’t humiliate yourself by clinging to Qin Chuan. The engagement party hasn’t started yet—there’s still time for you to leave."

Ling Qiong put down her nail polish, flicked her fingers, and eyed Bai Yewei in the mirror, scrutinizing her from head to toe.

Bai Yewei came from a good family—a classic rich beauty. Rumor had it the Shen and Bai families were long-time acquaintances, and she’d been trailing after Shen Qin Chuan since childhood.

Bai Yewei felt uncomfortable under Ling Qiong’s gaze; it was as if she were appraising pork at the market.

Her brows knitted, her voice rising. "Su Miaomiao, don’t say I didn’t warn you—"

Ling Qiong’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she arched her brows cutely. "You make a good point. How about you give me ten million, and I’ll call off today’s engagement?"

Bai Yewei’s words stuck in her throat as she stared, both shocked and bewildered, at the girl before the mirror.

She really was beautiful—like a delicate porcelain doll displayed in a shop window. The diamond-studded gown glittered under the lights, making her look even more ethereal.

"What... did you say?"

"I said I agree," Ling Qiong turned slightly, looking at Bai Yewei. She slowly extended her hand, showing off her freshly painted, vibrant nails against her fair skin. "Ten million—would you prefer to write a check or transfer the money?"

Bai Yewei: "???"

She was actually being asked for money!

Was she crazy, or was this woman crazy?

"Why should I give you ten million?" Bai Yewei snapped. Ten million? Was this daylight robbery?

...Was this spoiled brat just toying with her? It had taken so much to get the Shen family to agree to the engagement. There was no way she'd back out now.

Right. Impossible.

She must be mocking her.

"You want me to call off the engagement," Ling Qiong said, spreading her hands innocently. "I can’t just walk away with nothing, can I?"

A golden axe, a silver axe—at least give her something for her trouble! The male lead wasn’t her cup of tea, but the money certainly was.

"Heh." Bai Yewei sneered, convinced Ling Qiong would never back out. So she played along, "Fine. If I give you ten million, you’ll call off the engagement right now?"

Let’s see how she gets out of this.

Ling Qiong promised instantly, "Of course. Money in hand, engagement canceled."

Bai Yewei thought her attitude was odd. Still, her own conviction quickly won out. "Very well! I’ll give you ten million."

Ling Qiong’s smile deepened. "Check or transfer, Miss Bai?"

A strange feeling grew stronger in Bai Yewei’s heart. Why did she seem not the least bit nervous—almost expectant?

No, she’s just putting on a brave face!

Bai Yewei steadied herself. "A check."

Ling Qiong blinked, folding her hands in her lap and sitting sweetly, waiting for Bai Yewei to write the check.

Bai Yewei stared at her for a few seconds—she’d see how long she could keep up the act.

Bai Yewei didn’t have that much cash, but her brother did. She figured she’d get the money back anyway, so it didn’t hurt; it was just a prop, after all.

So Bai Yewei asked her brother for a check, all the while imagining the moment that brat would regret her decision—how satisfying it would be.

Did she think Bai Yewei couldn’t produce ten million? She was sorely mistaken!

"Ten million," Bai Yewei announced, holding out the check as she returned to the dressing room.

Ling Qiong’s delight was unmistakable. She took the check from Bai Yewei’s hand and quickly walked out the door, waving cheerfully. "I’ll go dissolve the engagement right now. Wait for my good news!"

Bai Yewei stood there, dumbfounded, watching as Ling Qiong walked away with the check.

There was no trace of regret or remorse, nothing like Bai Yewei had imagined.

By the time she snapped out of it, Ling Qiong was already gone.

Bai Yewei: "..."

Bai Yewei: "???"

...

Ling Qiong, overjoyed with the ten million she’d just acquired, set off to find Shen Qin Chuan and break off the engagement.

[If you pursue the male lead, you’ll change the ending directly—it’s actually the most efficient route.] A sweet voice echoed in Ling Qiong’s mind.

It wasn’t the first time she’d heard this voice. She’d heard it as soon as she entered the game—it called itself the game’s AI assistant, Sparkle.

Basically, a customer service rep for the game—except this one was always on call, just for her.

According to this AI, pursuing the male lead was the easiest way to change the outcome. All she had to do was take the heroine’s place and live happily ever after with the male lead.

If not, she’d have to pick someone else.

"No," Ling Qiong refused, clutching the check to her chest.

[Why not? You know a lot about the male lead now, and pursuing him isn’t even that hard.]

Ling Qiong let out a dry laugh.

The male lead belonged to the heroine. If she went after him, not even the lid of the heroine’s coffin would stay shut! Look how the original ended—wasn’t that miserable enough?

Why should she go after the male lead? He was such a hassle.

[Isn’t the male lead appealing? And you already have a foundation—it’s convenient.]

"I like a challenge!" Ling Qiong thought the ten million in her arms was far more tempting.

[Are you sure you don’t want to choose the male lead?] Sparkle pressed on, unwilling to give up. [He really is easy to pursue.]

"No."

[...Very well.]

[Player, do you confirm selection of the second mode?]

Ling Qiong nodded her little head.

[Mode confirmed.]