Chapter 34: I, Ling Qiong, Send Money! (34)

Ling Qiong was just one card away from completing her collection. Staring at the yet-unfinished album, her mood soured. She’d already sunk so much into this, and the final card simply refused to appear.

Damn it, was it being hoarded like some precious offspring?

Not drawing the last card and finishing the collection left her thoroughly unsatisfied.

She was truly suffering!

Then, on a breezy, sunlit afternoon, after who-knows-how-much money spent, Ling Qiong finally drew the last card—the Peach Blossom Cottage.

The card depicted a shower of falling peach blossoms.

Just as she obtained it, Lu Wenci called, asking, “Want to go out and have some fun?”

Ling Qiong, flush with excitement from completing her main album, couldn't hide her giddy delight. “Where to?”

Lu Wenci’s voice was gentle, indulgent. “I’ll pick you up in a bit. Pack your things.”

“Alright.”

After hanging up, Ling Qiong hopped off her chair, humming as she began to pack.

...

An hour later.

Lu Wenci’s lips twitched as he eyed the two suitcases beside Ling Qiong.

“You’re bringing all this?”

“Mhm.” The young woman nodded obediently.

“No need to bring so much—we’re only going for three days,” Lu Wenci explained. “Just two changes of clothes will do.”

He opened her suitcase as he spoke.

It was stuffed, though everything was neatly arranged. Most of it was clothing, with other odds and ends as well.

Lu Wenci began taking things out. “You won’t wear this, you won’t need that, and they’ll have these there...”

As he took things out, Ling Qiong put them back in.

She said nothing, cheeks puffed in protest as she glared at him with those lively, dark eyes.

He took one item out, she put another back in—she was determined to oppose him at every turn.

Lu Wenci: “...”

In the end, he relented.

“Hmph.” Triumphant, Ling Qiong snapped the suitcase shut and dragged it out the door.

Lu Wenci called, “Leave it, I’ll carry it.”

“Nope.”

She darted off with the suitcase, moving swiftly.

“Be careful!”

Her answer was the sound of her footsteps descending the stairs.

...

Peach Blossom Cottage.

It was a hot springs resort. Despite the name, there weren’t actually any peach blossoms, but the scenery was pleasant enough.

It was the off-season, so guests were few.

Wheeling the luggage into their room, Lu Wenci remarked, “I told you, you wouldn’t need all that.”

Ling Qiong replied, “I like it this way. Can’t I just have them with me?”

“...Fine,” Lu Wenci managed after a long pause.

...

Lu Wenci came to a realization: he must never let her pack her own suitcase.

If he did it for her, she rarely cared what he put in. But if she packed herself... well, this was the result.

...

Lu Wenci couldn’t go to public areas, so he booked a private hot spring.

At first, Ling Qiong didn’t understand why such an ordinary place had been the last card she drew.

Until, on the second day, Lu Wenci suddenly proposed to her.

He’d somehow gotten hold of peach blossoms, which rained down from above, transforming the world into a dreamy pink wonderland.

Kneeling in the shower of petals, he proposed.

“I want to take care of you for a lifetime. Will you let me?”

Ling Qiong was stunned for only a few seconds before offering her hand with a bright smile. “Yes.”

Relief flooded Lu Wenci’s face. He quickly slipped the ring onto her finger, then stood and swept her into his arms.

...

The days at Peach Blossom Cottage were a taste of decadent luxury for Ling Qiong—a glorious life indeed!

No wonder so many longed to be pampered monarchs. Clearly, there was logic to it.

The greats of the past were great for a reason!

Though she didn’t have a royal harem, her beautiful Lu was more than a match for three thousand palace beauties.

Lu Wenci’s schedule was cobbled together with difficulty, and after their trip, Chen Fangchuan whisked him away.

Ling Qiong—the self-proclaimed pampered monarch—returned home to rest. Once she’d caught up on sleep, she opened her card album.

The largest card at the top shimmered. Ling Qiong tapped it.

The card slowly turned over.

Ling Qiong clasped her hands under her chin, waiting expectantly.

But—

What was this?

Really, what was this?!

On the card, Lu Wenci stood beneath a flowering tree, gazing up at falling petals—a picture straight from a fashion magazine. Beautiful, yes, but so... proper.

She’d been expecting something more exciting, not just an official portrait.

Irritated, Ling Qiong wanted to file a complaint.

But complaining was impossible; this wretched game offered no such option.

...

Ling Qiong had thought that once she drew the final card and flipped the big one, her spending spree would be over.

Who could have guessed...

It was far from over.

She still had to make purchases.

This was not how you scam for money!

“There are no more cards—what am I even paying for?” she grumbled. This was not how you scam for money!

[Sweetie, there are still cards in the pool!] The sparkling voice chimed with syrupy sweetness.

“They’re not even in the album. What’s the point?” She’d already collected them all—every single one!

[After use, these cards convert into the item ‘Thousand Gold Cloak,’ which can be exchanged for special cards later.]

[Special cards can’t be drawn directly from the pool—they’re only available via exchange.]

Ling Qiong: “...”

You guys will do anything for money.

I’m not spending another cent! Get lost!

[...]

Soon enough, Ling Qiong realized that if she didn’t keep spending, Lu Wenci’s status would plummet, and he’d quickly be overtaken.

The truest form of pay-to-win parenting.

If she didn’t pay, her “child” would be out of the game.

Ling Qiong couldn’t stand seeing her darling lose out. If others had something, hers had to have it too!

So, in the end, she had to cover her face and pay up, woefully resigned.

She’d sacrificed so much for her darling.

She had to find happiness in him in return.

...

Lu Wenci maintained his “superstitious constitution”—his popularity entirely dependent on luck.

But Lu Wenci himself was already a hot topic, so no one really worried about hiring him.

Even if he did fade from the spotlight, curiosity about why he’d fallen would only reignite his fame.

He’d become a different kind of internet traffic phenomenon.

Yueying Company made a tidy profit off Lu Wenci.

Back when they’d signed him, given his situation, they’d thought they were being swindled, blinded by impulse.

Who could have known...

Now, Lu Wenci’s schedule was packed, and it was tough for Ling Qiong to see him.

But she was always willing to make the trip, so they still spent a decent amount of time together.

“Where’s my darling?” Ling Qiong twirled an unfamiliar work badge, peeking in everywhere.

The only one in the room was Chen Fangchuan.

“Who?” Chen Fangchuan glanced at Ling Qiong’s stomach, suspicion and wariness in his eyes.

“Lu Wenci.”

“...”

Lu Wenci is Lu Wenci—what’s with calling him your darling? When did you become such a doting fan?

“He went to the restroom,” Chen Fangchuan replied.

“Oh.” Ling Qiong twisted the blue lanyard of her badge around her finger. “How long ago?”

“Just now.” Chen Fangchuan let her in, not wanting her to loiter outside. “He should be back soon. Wait here.”

Ling Qiong waited for a while, but as Lu Wenci didn’t return, she wandered off to look for him.

He had an ad shoot soon, and the place was buzzing with people preparing for it.

*

That’s a chapter, hehe~

This world will conclude tomorrow.