Meng Deyou’s face was heavy, thinking of his daughter being subjected to such severe punishment. His eyes reddened, and in his mind automatically appeared the image of Meng Shining looking wronged, calling out “Dad.”
Ji Yao, seeing his expression, knew exactly what he was thinking. “Let’s stay here a few more days. We’ll return the night before Ningbao’s engagement.”
Meng Deyou nodded. “Alright. Seeing her when we return will still make me worry.”
After giving his parents the preemptive warning, Meng Ci’an paused for a moment before sending Jiang Wenyan a message.
Meng Ci’an: [If Meng Shining asks you for money, don’t give her a single cent.]
Once everything was arranged, Meng Ci’an leaned back in his office chair, feeling much more relaxed.
Meng Shining decided that before her parents returned, she wouldn’t leave the house. With food, drinks, and entertainment at home, why go out unnecessarily?
The next morning, she didn’t even sleep in. After breakfast, she waited in the living room for Ji Yao and Meng Deyou to return.
She waited until nightfall. Meng Ci’an had already come home from the company, yet there was no sign of her parents.
Growing restless, Meng Shining called Ji Yao.
“Ningbao, didn’t brother tell you? We’re staying a few more days before returning. Don’t worry, Mom and Dad will be back the night before your engagement.” Ji Yao soothed her gently.
Hearing Ji Yao’s words, Meng Shining felt as if the sky had collapsed. In a daze, she saw the frog plush toy waving at her.
Meng Ci’an came downstairs and immediately noticed the screen above Meng Shining’s head.
On the screen, Meng Shining was slumped on the floor, quietly sobbing while staring at the empty air.
Floating above was a frog toy identical to her avatar, waving at her.
Frog plush toy: “Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit!”
Meng Shining: “No, Brother Frog, don’t leave me~”
Frog plush toy: “Ribbit, ribbit ribbit, ribbit ribbit!”
Meng Shining: “I don’t have the ability to keep you with me right now. Sorry, ribbit!”
Frog plush toy: “Ribbit ribbit ribbit ribbit ribbit, ribbit, ribbit ribbit, ribbit ribbit!”
Meng Shining: “I’m sorry. I’m not worthy to be the Sexy Charming Big Frog. I can’t even keep you—I can’t leave anything behind! Ribbit!”
Then came the sound of the frog plush toy crying: “Wuwu… ribbit ribbit… Ribbit… wuwu…”
Followed by Meng Shining wailing loudly: “Wuwu… wa wa… wuwu… wa wa wa… Brother Frog!”
Meng Ci’an felt his head buzzing—the scene hurt his eyes, and the sounds hurt his ears.
Meng Shining was saying goodbye to her Brother Frog. Raising her eyes, she saw Meng Ci’an standing not far away, frowning at her.
She got up and ingratiatingly walked over to him, tugging at his sleeve. “Brother~ I’ve been reflecting properly at home today. I’ve deeply realized my mistakes.”
Meng Ci’an said nothing. The random object above her head—he still didn’t fully understand what it was. But based on his observations over the past few days:
He was the only one who could see the screen connected to Meng Shining’s thoughts.
“Brother~ I only realized this afternoon how big a mistake I made. I cried for three hours, reflected for three hours, and realized for three hours.”
“Meng Shining, I left and returned within less than nine hours,” Meng Ci’an interrupted her rambling.
Meng Shining froze. “Uh… it was simultaneous! I cried, reflected, and realized at the same time.”
Meng Ci’an snorted. “Well, aren’t you just amazing!”
Meng Shining scratched her head shyly. “Not as good as you praise me.” Meng Ci’an glanced at her sideways, wondering why she couldn’t seem to take a hint.
“Brother~ I know I was wrong. I know mistakes deserve punishment. But…” Meng Shining pouted. She really wanted that frog.
Meng Shining: “Brother~ penniless and unable to move a step!”
“My demand isn’t high. Could you give me ten thousand?” Meng Shining waved a finger at Meng Ci’an.
Seeing no response, she pursed her lips. “Five thousand is fine too.”
Still no answer. She continued to compromise: “Brother~ not five thousand, then three thousand, three thousand is fine.”
Meng Ci’an was silent. He had suspended her cards. While she didn’t have much, she should still have tens of thousands somewhere.
From her words, she had literally zero money?
Meng Shining raised her hand and solemnly swore, “Brother, I swear, from now on I will only follow you. You tell me east, I won’t go west. I won’t go north or south either.”
Meng Ci’an lowered his gaze. In the end, he took out his phone and transferred 50,000 to Meng Shining.
Receiving the money, Meng Shining was overjoyed, hugging Meng Ci’an and jumping around. “Brother, you’re the best!”
Meng Ci’an felt a sudden softness in his heart.
In the past, Meng Shining had coquettishly acted in front of him before, but it always irritated him.
This was the only time her coquettishness made him feel comfortable.
The first thing Meng Shining did after receiving the money was purchase the frog plush toy she had been eyeing.
Standing 1.8 meters tall, priced at 2,100, she would have hesitated before—but now, as a wealthy heiress, 2,100 was trivial!
After purchasing it, Meng Shining secretly observed Meng Ci’an. He wasn’t bad, especially when transferring money to her.
After dinner, Meng Shining happily sat on the sofa eating fruit, and suddenly had a bright idea.
She seemed to have forgotten something. Yes, she had forgotten something.
But what exactly?
She couldn’t remember for the moment.
Bao Linglong returned from the headquarters meeting and found that the host’s task had not yet been completed.
[Host, when are you going to complete today’s task?]
Hearing Bao Linglong’s voice, Meng Shining sprang from the sofa. She realized there was indeed something she hadn’t done.
She had forgotten today’s task.
No, she hadn’t even heard of the task issued this morning. Last night, drunk, she slept through it.
“What is today’s task?” Meng Shining asked.
[Task 4: Spread rumors in front of Meng Ci’an that Lin Siqing is unchaste.]
Seeing the task target, Meng Shining breathed a sigh of relief. At least she didn’t have to involve Jiang Wenyan or Lin Siqing. Otherwise, she would waste time looking for them.
Watching Meng Ci’an go upstairs, Meng Shining followed him all the way to the doorway of his room.
Meng Ci’an turned to look at her. “Do you need something?”
Meng Shining chuckled. “Brother, let’s go inside. I have a particularly serious matter to tell you—this isn’t the place to speak.”
Meng Ci’an stared at her for a few seconds before opening the door to let her follow in.
Once the door closed, Meng Shining got straight to the point. “Brother, could you keep a distance from Lin Siqing?”
As Meng Shining spoke, Meng Ci’an again noticed the screen above her head.