Chapter 39: The Self-Cultivation of a Canary (4)

Shen Hanlan claimed to live here, but it would be more accurate to say he was under house arrest. No wonder he had to sneak around just to grab a midnight snack. Tsk. What a miserable existence...

[Darling, do you want to draw a card?]
[You won’t lose out, won’t be cheated, but you can draw for a brighter future for your mission.]
The scammy pop-up instantly bombarded her with brainwashing slogans.

Ling Qiong: "..."

Go away!

She didn’t have a penny to her name—what was she supposed to draw, a hammer?

Her original self’s gambler father had long since drained her finances dry.

Ling Qiong shoved the pop-up aside and rubbed her chin in thought.

No wonder she found that witch so peculiar. Clearly, the woman wasn’t here to care for him, but to torment him—truly vicious.

Ling Qiong pressed her ear to the door, listening for any sounds outside. Once she was sure the coast was clear, she slipped out and dashed into Shen Hanlan’s room.

The once chaotic floor was now tidy, with even a new carpet laid down. The witch was efficient, at least.

Shen Hanlan was still lying in bed, only his head visible.

Ling Qiong went over and leaned on the edge of his bed, calling to him softly, "Young Master."

Shen Hanlan grabbed the blanket and swiftly covered his head.

Ling Qiong tugged at his blanket, "Young Master, I want to ask you something."

A hand emerged from under the covers, pointing to the door—clear indication for her to leave.

Ling Qiong gripped his hand, "Young Master, listen to me."

Shen Hanlan sat up abruptly, shaking off her hand and glaring at her.

Ling Qiong remained at the bedside, tilting her head up with an innocent, bewildered expression.

Shen Hanlan’s chest rose and fell; his fingers brushed the place Ling Qiong had touched.

He stared at the girl, his voice dark and fierce, "Don’t touch me without my permission!"

"You did before—"

He glared at her.

Ling Qiong wisely shut her mouth.

Young Master, after all.

He could touch others, but others couldn’t touch him.

An eccentricity! I get it!

Father indulges your little temper, mischievous as you are.

Shen Hanlan sat against the bed, looking at her out of the corner of his eye, impatient. "Speak."

"Was it you who sent for me, or that witch outside?"

Shen Hanlan’s attention caught on the last two words, "Witch?"

"Oh, that woman," Ling Qiong tilted her head, "Don’t you think she seems like a witch?"

"…"

---

Shen Hanlan gave it some thought. She really did resemble one.

"Don’t focus on that, answer my question."

"...," Shen Hanlan stared at her for a few seconds, then finally replied, "Me."

Recently, he’d learned his stepmother wanted to find him a woman, so he decided to take the initiative. The profiles were sent over, and he could only choose from them.

Though these candidates were likely arranged, there were so many that they couldn’t know exactly whom he’d pick, so the preparation wouldn’t be as thorough as if they’d sent someone directly.

So, from that pile of profiles, he chose the girl before him.

"How much am I worth, then?"

Shen Hanlan expected a different question and was surprised by this one. He expressionlessly held up five fingers.

"Five hundred thousand?" Was the original so cheap?

"Five million."

Ling Qiong’s eyes brightened, inching closer, "Who’s paying?"

As the heir, Shen Hanlan, even under house arrest, had access to funds.

And since he initiated this, the payment would come from his account.

"Me."

The girl’s eyes sparkled even more, "Did you pay them yet?"

Shen Hanlan gestured for her to keep her distance, coldly replied, "No."

Ling Qiong sat obediently, "Then give the money to me."

Shen Hanlan: "…"

Shen Hanlan: "Why?"

Ling Qiong smiled adorably, "You bought me, so the money should be mine."

Shen Hanlan: "If you take it, your father will be ruined."

Ling Qiong pouted, "What father sells his daughter? I can barely take care of myself. Why should I care about him?"

Shen Hanlan: "…"

Ling Qiong counted her fingers, explaining to Shen Hanlan.

"I’m just a pitiful girl. My father is irresponsible, using me to pay his debts. Am I supposed to accept his arrangements? I earned this money with my own blood, why shouldn’t it be mine?"

Shen Hanlan listened to her chatter, his head aching, and raised a hand for her to stop.

He pulled a card from the bedside table, "If you take this money, you’ll lose your freedom."

Ling Qiong happily accepted it, seemingly indifferent to his warning, and promptly exclaimed, "You really are a good person!"

Shen Hanlan: "…"

A good person?

Ling Qiong, now flush with funds, didn’t bother with Shen Hanlan anymore and slipped out.

Shen Hanlan: "…"

---

Lunch was downstairs. Since Ling Qiong wasn’t a servant, she could eat with Shen Hanlan.

He wore white pajamas, slowly descending the stairs.

"Hurry up, I’m starving," Chu Zhen urged.

---

"Mind your manners!" the witch snapped.

"I’m talking to the young master, what’s it to you?" Chu Zhen turned to her, "He hasn’t said anything to me."

"…"

Shen Hanlan said nothing, simply walked to the table and sat.

The witch’s face was sullen as she began to serve the dishes.

The curtains were drawn tight, leaving only the overhead lamp, which cast a gloomy light.

Shen Hanlan sat across, listlessly poking at his food with a fork, but not eating.

Ling Qiong found the witch annoying, but her cooking was quite good.

After a few bites, she suddenly asked, "Do you have candles?"

The witch stood behind her, "What?"

"Candles."

"Miss Ye, what are you planning?"

"I want a candle."

The witch insisted, "Why do you want a candle, Miss Ye?"

Ling Qiong grew impatient, cheeks puffed, "Can’t I just eat?"

"Give her one," Shen Hanlan spoke up.

"…"

The witch stared at her for a while, then went to fetch a candle.

Ling Qiong took the candlestick from the other end of the table and lit all the candles.

The room brightened considerably.

She placed the candlestick in the center and said sweetly, "I don’t like it this dark. You don’t mind, do you?"

The warm yellow candlelight danced in Shen Hanlan’s eyes. He remained silent, watching the flames flicker.

Though the girl asked, she clearly had no intention of removing the candles if he objected.

Shen Hanlan ate little, sitting across from her dividing his food into tiny fragments.

Ling Qiong finished eating and glanced over; Shen Hanlan happened to set down his knife and fork.

The food on his plate was arranged into the shape of a skull.

He dropped the utensils and headed upstairs.

Ling Qiong immediately tried to follow, but the witch grabbed her arm.

"Miss Ye, I need to speak with you."

"Young Master!" Ling Qiong called out.

Shen Hanlan paused, turning back.

Ling Qiong smiled at the witch, broke free, and dashed after him.

The witch: "…"

—— Little Event ——

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[It’s really simple!!]