Song Qingchi was slightly taken aback. Unconsciously, his gaze followed her departing figure. It took him a moment to regain his composure. He couldn’t help but lower his head and chuckle softly, the curve of his lips impossible to suppress.
He knew that Ji Xingzhu’s words were likely a deliberate act to create the illusion of “liking him.” But even though he knew those words were false, Song Qingchi still felt an indescribable sense of pleasure in his heart.
Perhaps it was because it was so rare to see Ji Xingzhu willing to even humor him. Song Qingchi didn’t dwell on it further.
Song Qingchi followed Ji Xingzhu as they began their outing for the day. They drove for nearly two hours, finally arriving at… the largest commercial center in the area.
Staring at the tall buildings and the various luxury brand stores within, Song Qingchi was momentarily at a loss. “Why come here?”
Shouldn’t they be visiting famous local scenic spots? Why come to a shopping mall with no distinctive features?
Ji Xingzhu gave him a “what a stupid question” look, snorted lightly, and said, “Of course to buy things!”
Ji Xingzhu headed straight for her favorite brand store and, under the care of the sales associate, enthusiastically began picking out clothes. She strolled gracefully, slowly looking over one garment after another. When she found something suitable, she would pull it out and hand it to the assistant. In just ten minutes, she had browsed the entire store and selected all the clothes she fancied.
From the moment Ji Xingzhu entered the store, Song Qingchi had quietly followed behind her, neither disturbing nor rushing her, patiently waiting. At one point, he even took the initiative to pick out a dress for her, holding it up in front of her with a smile. “This one would suit you very well.”
Ji Xingzhu glanced at the dress he chose—a French-style skirt with vibrant colors. She initially wanted to nitpick, but in the end, she pretended to casually accept it.
Hmph, the male lead has decent taste.
She couldn’t be bothered to try on each piece one by one. She directly gave her size and had all the selected clothes wrapped up.
Then, she naturally waved at Song Qingchi. “Come here.”
Song Qingchi’s eyes flickered slightly, a vague premonition rising in his heart. His expression, however, remained unchanged as he walked over and asked, “What is it?”
Ji Xingzhu tilted her chin toward the side, stating matter-of-factly, “Go pay!”
Song Qingchi: “……”
As expected. Strangely enough, he wasn’t surprised at all.
Before he could respond, Ji Xingzhu sniffed arrogantly. “It’s only because I find you somewhat pleasing today that I’m reluctantly giving you this opportunity to spend money on me.”
“It’s because I like you that I’m willing to let you please me, understand?”
She adjusted her sunglasses on the bridge of her nose, displeased. “Why aren’t you going to pay yet? You don’t mean to say you can’t even afford this little bit?”
The next second, Ji Xingzhu’s consciousness swiftly took over, using the sunglasses to hide her vacant, absent-minded eyes.
“Host, your fiancée is simply too detestable! She dares to look down on you and even says you have no money!” Ji Xingzhu said with a mischievous laugh. “Shouldn’t you prove your capabilities right away?”
“Host, quickly swipe your card for your fiancée~”
Song Qingchi fell into an eerie silence for a moment before asking, “Didn’t you say she’s already fallen for me?”
Ji Xingzhu chuckled. “She has fallen for you, but she will still look down on you for being poor!”
Song Qingchi: “……”
Ji Xingzhu: “Also, host, even though I made Ji Xingzhu fall for you, love… is a very shallow thing. And as you know, Ji Xingzhu has a bad temper. So, if you do something to upset her, her liking for you might vanish like foam—very quickly!”
Song Qingchi: “……”
Song Qingchi was momentarily at a loss for words. This line of reasoning was actually quite logical. Plausible.
Song Qingchi ignored the gloating voice in his head and walked forward calmly. He pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to the sales associate.
Without saying much, he obediently went to pay. After paying, he didn’t even try to claim credit or show off.
Ji Xingzhu raised an eyebrow in surprise, seemingly not expecting Song Qingchi to play the fool so easily.
Song Qingchi turned to look at his extravagant fiancée and asked with a smile, “Do you like this brand?”
Considering he’d paid, Ji Xingzhu gave a faint acknowledgment. “Hmm.”
Song Qingchi thought for a moment and said gently, “I can help you contact them about their current season’s high-end ready-to-wear and couture. You can select a few more pieces? But we might only be able to see them once we return to the capital.”
Ji Xingzhu was genuinely surprised this time. For the first time, she seriously examined him for a long while. Throughout, Song Qingchi maintained a proper, gentle smile. After a good while, Ji Xingzhu revealed a bright smile and said cheerfully, “Alright.”
Even though she could buy so-called haute couture herself, she wouldn’t refuse someone willing to be the fool.
Most importantly, Song Qingchi had handled this matter gracefully and beautifully. She was very satisfied.
Initially, she had deliberately made Song Qingchi pay, fully intending to make things difficult for him. She hadn’t expected Song Qingchi not only to remain unruffled but to handle it even more comprehensively and thoughtfully, leaving absolutely no room for criticism.
Ji Xingzhu sighed to 999, “9, this male lead is really not simple.”
To be so tolerant even toward such a detestable fiancée… No wonder he’s destined for success!
Ji Xingzhu then added, “By the way, don’t forget about hiring online shills to create buzz as I asked.”
The Cannon Fodder System hesitated. “Are you really sure about this?”
Ji Xingzhu affirmed, “Absolutely!”
“You need to steer public opinion online. Say that I’m vain, malicious, deliberately making the Male Lead pay to take advantage of him. Then promote how gentlemanly, generous, and rich the Male Lead is, actually willing to foot the bill for a spoiled young lady like me.”
“With me, the villainous female supporting character, as a contrast, everyone will surely appreciate the gentlemanly, magnanimous Long Aotian Male Lead. The Male Lead can then become explosively popular, just like in the original story.”
Ji Xingzhu grew more excited as she spoke. “As long as the Male Lead becomes popular, this dating show will naturally become a hit too. And as the behind-the-scenes investor, I’ll definitely make a fortune!”
Cannon Fodder System: “…I knew you were doing this for your own benefit!”
“But…” 999 still hesitated. “Won’t you be upset if netizens curse at you?”
Ji Xingzhu scoffed lightly. “Their curses won’t stop me from counting my money.”
Cannon Fodder System: “…Alright.”
Under Ji Xingzhu’s direction, the Cannon Fodder System immediately got to work. However, it soon found itself dumbfounded.
It discovered that there was no need for it to secretly manipulate things. The dating show “Love on the Journey” had already exploded in popularity! It had sparked heated discussions across the entire internet, reaching a phenomenal level of engagement.
Similarly, the Male Lead, Song Qingchi, had also become explosively popular as per the original story. 999 no longer needed to worry about the plotline!
It was just that the public opinion regarding Ji Xingzhu was a bit unexpected…
【Ahhhh! The young lady accepted Song Qingchi’s gifts! Does this mean she’ll accept Song Qingchi himself next? I’m dying from the sweetness!】
【LMAO, not only did Song Qingchi swipe his card, he proactively offered to send Ji Xingzhu even more and more expensive items. He’s utterly smitten!!!】
【Wait a minute, don’t you think Ji Xingzhu is being too much? She actually made a male guest she’s known for barely a day pay for her, and she bought so many luxury items. She’s practically a gold digger!】
【I also think Ji Xingzhu is unbelievable! And she said something about letting Song Qingchi pay because she “looks favorably upon him.” How can a woman be so hypocritical and greedy!】
【??? Are you joking? With Ji Xingzhu’s family background, would she be a gold digger?】
【Someone dug up Ji Xingzhu’s identity yesterday: last name Ji, wealthy, and has a father who’s a live-in son-in-law—she’s the Ji family heiress! That Ji Group with businesses spanning real estate, catering, new energy, etc. It’s a top-tier wealthy family nationwide~】
【And Ji Xingzhu is the Ji family’s only daughter. The Ji Group will be hers in the future! With her family wealth and assets, which man is worthy of being “dug” by her? Ridiculous.】
【Want to bet… if Ji Xingzhu was willing to give the chance, countless men would line up to pay for her. If spending some money could win Miss Ji’s favor, that would be a huge bargain, okay!】
【Young lady, I want to be your dog! Let me spend money on you!】
…
In short, due to Ji Xingzhu’s identity as a wealthy family heiress, there were very few people online criticizing her actions as vain or taking advantage. Everyone seemed to genuinely believe that Miss Ji’s willingness to let Song Qingchi pay for her was a sign that she somewhat liked him…
Cannon Fodder System 999: “…Unbelievable.”
After swiping the card, Song Qingchi very naturally asked, “Shall we continue shopping?” He didn’t show a hint of heartache over the money.
Ji Xingzhu observed Song Qingchi seriously for a while, focusing on the smile at the corner of his lips. After a moment, she sniffed lightly, “Of course!”
Actually, she wasn’t particularly in the mood for shopping today, but the opportunity was rare. She absolutely had to make the detestable Male Lead hemorrhage money this time, to teach him a lesson!
Let’s see if he dares to make unreasonable demands to the “System” in the future!
He wants me to fall for him, huh? Let’s see if he can handle my “affections”! Ji Xingzhu ground her teeth secretly.
She went all out, visiting almost every luxury store in the mall. Once inside, she didn’t even look carefully. If something caught her eye as suitable, she bought it—all swiped on the detestable Male Lead’s card.
After shopping for a while, Ji Xingzhu actually started to feel quite refreshed. Spending the Male Lead’s money to buy things for myself—so satisfying!
Ji Xingzhu secretly observed Song Qingchi again. His expression remained calm, without a trace of heartache or displeasure. She couldn’t help but say to 999, “System, it seems the plotline really has deviated severely! In the original story, the Male Lead was still penniless at this point. Look at Song Qingchi now. He bought so many things for me, and his card still hasn’t been maxed out. It’s clear he has a little bit of capability.”
The Cannon Fodder System felt utterly exhausted. “Host, take it easy. Don’t overplay your hand.”
“Relax,” Ji Xingzhu said dismissively.
Then, Ji Xingzhu deliberately put on a surprised expression and sniffed, “I didn’t expect you to be quite wealthy. Young and accomplished, Mr. Song.”
After saying that, she swiftly switched consciousness, acting like a fox spirit brainwashing Song Qingchi: “See, host? Your efforts have borne fruit! By spending lavishly, you’ve finally made this arrogant fiancée look at you in a new light! Doesn’t it feel great? Do you have a sense of face-slapping satisfaction?”
Song Qingchi: “…”
She’s quite the smooth talker.
Song Qingchi gave Ji Xingzhu a slight smile and modestly said, “You flatter me, Miss Ji.”
Ji Xingzhu’s face showed nothing, but inwardly she was brimming with pride. Being able to manipulate the detestable Male Lead so easily, I’m truly brilliant!
After shopping for so long, Ji Xingzhu was also a bit tired and directed, “Let’s stop shopping for now. Let’s find a place to eat.”
Song Qingchi naturally had no objections and asked gently, “Alright, what would you like to eat?”
Ji Xingzhu sniffed haughtily. “Of course, the most expensive thing. And—you’re paying again!”