Chapter 30
[This frog has maxed out its divination and prophecy skills, ribbit. The overall score of 30 is definitely accurate.]
【This frog is actually quite capable. The data it detected is even more accurate than mine. Quickly tell me the formula for this overall score, and I’ll steal Zuo Bian’s milk to feed you!】
Zuo Bian wanted to remind 555 that she could hear everything it was saying.
[Hmph, this is a natural talent, ribbit. There’s no formula, ribbit, you can’t learn it, ribbit. Xiao Bianbian, can I have some milk, ribbit? Am I not amazing, ribbit?]
Zuo Bian smiled. ‘Okay, I’ll give you some milk when we get back.’
“Have a seat.”
While Zuo Bian was chatting with Little Frog and 555 in her mind, she and Lin Qingqing had arrived at the milk tea shop. Lin Qingqing chose a table in the corner.
Zuo Bian sat down across from her and immediately started looking at the menu. “Which one is the milkshake you mentioned?”
“The peach oolong milkshake.”
Zuo Bian turned to the waiter. “I’ll have a peach oolong milkshake, please.”
“One black coffee.” Lin Qingqing closed the menu.
After the waiter left, Lin Qingqing continued, “Sister Qin and I…”
“Wait a minute.” Zuo Bian suddenly interrupted her.
“What’s wrong?”
“I want to wait until the drinks arrive so I can listen to you while I drink.”
Lin Qingqing’s expression showed impatience, but she agreed nonetheless.
Soon, the milkshake and coffee arrived. Lin Qingqing eagerly began telling Zuo Bian things she didn’t know about her and Qin Ai’s past, her tone full of superiority.
“Miss Zuo, you probably don’t know this, but Sister Qin can play the piano. When we were young, she could spend the whole afternoon in the music room. When she was in a good mood, she liked to play ‘Lullaby,’ and when she was in a bad mood, she played ‘Moonlight Sonata.’”
Zuo Bian didn’t respond, she silently took a big sip of her milkshake. Lin Qingqing wasn’t lying, the drink was really good.
Seeing that Zuo Bian didn’t reply, Lin Qingqing assumed she really didn’t know. The smug look on her face intensified. “Actually, I don’t really hate you. I just think you don’t understand Sister Qin, so I wanted to let you know more about her. If you have any questions about Sister Qin, you can ask me.”
Zuo Bian finally released the straw from her mouth and asked sincerely, “If I want to know more about Ai Jiejie, why don’t I just ask her directly?”
The fake smile on Lin Qingqing’s face froze. Faced with Zuo Bian’s question, she actually found it quite reasonable, but she would never admit that she was almost persuaded!
“Just say it, how much do you want?” Zuo Bian spread out her hand and said bluntly, “Give me a check.”
“Huh???” Lin Qingqing was completely confused, not understanding what was going on. This wasn’t how she imagined the conversation would go.
【This Lin Qingqing’s words are so nauseating, always calling her ‘Sister Qin, Sister Qin.’ If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was calling her ‘Lover Qin.’ It seems like she came here to show off without even bringing any money. I heard her family is quite wealthy, why is she so stingy? Negative review!】
Zuo Bian extended her hand further, hinting, “Where’s the check? Five million should be enough, right?”
In the novels that 555 had recommended as reference materials for the conquest, there was always a female supporting character who would appear when the protagonists had just gotten together and ask the female lead to meet at a cafe or somewhere similar.
These characters would either directly offer a check and tell the female lead to get lost, or they would subtly assert their dominance and make the female lead misunderstand and give up voluntarily.
“I don’t have a check with me.” Lin Qingqing’s face flushed red. She felt that this Zuo Bian was really difficult to deal with. She was the daughter of the Zuo family, yet she acted like a gold digger.
Zuo Bian frowned. “If you don’t have a check, then give me a bank card. I’m not picky. Or do you not have any money? You’re so poor.”
Lin Qingqing felt a vein throbbing on her forehead. She forced a smile and took out a card from her wallet, placing it on the table. “Here’s the bank card. Since you’ve taken my money, you must promise to stay away from Sister Qin.”
Zuo Bian slammed her hand on the table, making the bank card jump. “Hmph, Miss Lin, what do you take me for? Do you think I’m the kind of person who would leave Ai Jiejie for money? Or do you think Ai Jiejie is only worth this much?”
Lin Qingqing pretended to suddenly understand. “Oh, so it’s not enough money. I’ll add another card.”
Zuo Bian finished the last bit of her milkshake and said in a monotone, “Miss Lin, it seems like your life revolves around money. That’s truly sad. I don’t think we have anything else to talk about. Burp.”
Zuo Bian picked up her heavy bag and left, leaving Lin Qingqing staring at her departing figure.
‘My acting was pretty good just now, right?’ Zuo Bian asked in her mind.
【I’d give it a 70.】
[One hundred, one hundred, ribbit!] Little Frog, who wanted milk, desperately tried to please Zuo Bian.
Zuo Bian happily strolled through the mall, noting the locations of the watch and jewelry stores. She then bought a “body” for 555 that would allow it to move around more easily and headed home.
555’s “body” was a doll the size of a seven or eight-year-old child, with arms and legs, much more convenient than its previous Caogenyantuanzi body.
After returning home, Zuo Bian settled down in her room to read, while 555, now inhabiting its new doll body, was playing with Little Frog, lifting it up and down.
Actually, Zuo Bian wanted to have a video chat with Qin Ai, but when she messaged her, Qin Ai said she was working, so Zuo Bian didn’t disturb her.
The book Zuo Bian was reading now wasn’t the romance novel 555 had recommended. It was “Records of the Grand Historian,” a historical text. She was learning about this world.
She liked this world, and she liked the family and friends in this world. In order to live a better life here, Zuo Bian felt that she needed to learn more about its history and culture.
Time flew by as she was absorbed in reading, and before she knew it, it was dark outside. Du Yundong personally came to call Zuo Bian for dinner. “Xiao Bian, dinner’s ready. I asked Aunt Chen to cook your favorite dishes today.”
“Coming.” Zuo Bian put down her book and followed Du Yundong to the living room with a smile.
=====================
At the Qin family home, Qin Ai rushed back after a long day of work. She usually had dinner at home unless something unexpected came up.
Although her family was no longer complete, it was still her warm home.
“Ai Ai, why are you so busy today?” Tian Yumeng served Qin Ai a bowl of radish and pork rib soup with concern.
“Thank you, Mom.” Qin Ai took the bowl. “I have to accompany someone tomorrow, so I wanted to finish all my work first.”
Tian Yumeng asked with a smile, “Is it the friend you brought home last time?”
“Mm.” Qin Ai nodded.
Qin Tian, who was focused on eating, suddenly looked up with sparkling eyes, as if a switch had been flipped. “Is it Older Sister Zuo Bian? I haven’t seen her for a long time, I miss her! Sister, can you take me with you tomorrow?”
Qin Ai smiled at Qin Tian, and just as he was about to thank her, she said mercilessly, “Tomorrow is Wednesday, you have school.”
“Okay…” Qin Tian immediately deflated like a punctured balloon.
“I’ll take you with me next time.” Qin Ai said casually.
Qin Tian, who had just been dejected, immediately perked up. “Thank you, Sister! I love you the most!”
Tian Yumeng watched their interaction with a gentle smile.
Late at night, Qin Ai, dressed in her bathrobe, didn’t go to sleep immediately. She stood by the window in the music room, gazing at the dark night outside.
The window was open, and the night breeze played with her hair. She stood there like a statue.
The Qin family had regained its former glory, but there were still a few pests trying to make trouble.
The coldness in Qin Ai’s eyes intensified. She sat down at the piano and played “Moonlight Sonata” in the darkness.
The sorrowful melody flowed out like cold water. Even though she couldn’t see anything, Qin Ai could still play the piece flawlessly.
The melody repeated endlessly, as if it would never stop.
Until a ringing phone interrupted everything. Qin Ai answered the call, and the moment she heard the other person’s voice, all her coldness melted away like ice and snow.
“Hello.”
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