Dating Show Side Character, Getting Rich by Roasting People

CHAPTER 33: The Small Goal Of Becoming A Multi-millionaire!

　　But since he had already said it, Qin Shuo couldn’t just turn his face on camera in front of so many viewers.

　　Besides, if he actually argued with Chu Ling over this, he would only come across as petty.

　　So he forced himself to swallow his irritation, pretending to joke as he said to the others, “So everyone’s just thanking Chu Ling, huh?”

　　【Exactly! It’s clearly Qin Shuo who’s treating everyone, so why is Chu Ling the one getting all the credit just by flapping her mouth?】

　　【She didn’t pay a single cent, ate and drank for free, and still walked away with all the goodwill. How can someone be so shameless?】

　　【Not a single thank-you to Qin Shuo. They’re all ungrateful! Pay him back!!】

　　They're the ones who don’t get it.

　　She gave their actor some free PR, okay?

　　Chu Ling thought to herself. Sure, the credit fell on her here, but if Qin Shuo’s team were smart, they could easily spin this into a trending topic. Push out a press release about “Qin Shuo caring for his staff,” and boom, instant goodwill boost.

　　If she hadn’t brought it up, would Qin Shuo have even thought of it?

　　Of course not. He had only wanted to treat Wen Shu to dinner!

　　This whole feast was nothing more than his ploy to catch Wen Shu’s eye, born entirely out of jealousy at being ignored.

　　If she hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have remembered to cover everyone at all!

　　“Oh right, there’s still one more person we should thank.”

　　Chu Ling curled her lips into a smile. “Teacher Qin only wanted to treat one person, but ended up treating our whole team. How romantic. So let’s thank—”

　　She suddenly shifted her hand, pointing at the person behind her. “Thank Wen Shu! We’re all just riding on your blessing today.”

　　Wen Shu was startled, quickly waving her hands. “No, no, not at all.”

　　But the people around them immediately chimed in together. “That’s right! Thank you, Wen Shu!!”

　　Even after thanking Wen Shu, no one turned to thank him.

　　Qin Shuo’s face was practically green with rage.

　　The whole group then marched grandly toward the VIP restaurant.

　　The place was a bit out of the way, and by the time Qin Shuo arrived, he was already carrying a belly full of resentment.

　　And then, looking at the menu, he saw that even in a VIP restaurant, the dishes were nothing special. Hardly anything looked appetizing, yet the prices were outrageously sky-high.

　　The thought that he had only meant to treat Wen Shu, yet now had to pay for a whole table of staff who had nothing to do with him, left Qin Shuo a bit bitter.

　　Still, that amount of money was nothing to him.

　　If Wen Shu was happy, then it was worth it.

　　Qin Shuo glanced at the people across from him.

　　Chu Ling was the first to pick up the menu. As if deliberately pressing his buttons, she glanced at his face a few times, then happily ordered every single expensive dish on the list.

　　Sheng Yi was even simpler. “I’ll have whatever she’s having.”

　　Qin Shuo: “…..”

　　Were these two teaming up to scam him?

　　Finally, the menu landed in Wen Shu’s hands.

　　She skimmed it casually. She was a picky eater, and none of the dishes looked appealing. In the end, she only ordered a salad.

　　Qin Shuo: “…”

　　All this money for a salad? Was he an idiot with money to burn?

　　He asked Wen Shu, “That’s all you’re eating?”

　　Wen Shu nodded. “Yeah.”

　　“Have a bit more. You’re already so thin, are you still trying to lose weight?” Qin Shuo said with a concerned look.

　　Wen Shu was speechless. Without thinking, she muttered under her breath, “…Who says eating less automatically means dieting?”

　　Qin Shuo blinked. “What?” He hadn’t caught it.

　　This time Wen Shu raised her voice. “Who says eating less automatically means dieting?”

　　Once she said it, her chest felt lighter, almost unexpectedly free.

　　After refusing Qin Shuo once, she realized it wasn’t actually that scary.

　　They were divorced now. She didn’t love him anymore. There was nothing left binding her to him.

　　In fact, snapping back at his annoying comments like Chu Ling did felt pretty good.

　　Chu Ling stifled a laugh, patted Wen Shu’s hand under the table, and gave her a big thumbs-up. Then she looked at Qin Shuo and said, “Teacher Qin, why don’t you just worry about what you want to eat?”

　　Qin Shuo: “..…”

　　Forget it.

　　He was already full on anger.

　　—

　　After finishing their meal, the four of them strolled around for a few more attractions, took some photos with park staff who were also wearing face paint, and then got ready to head home.

　　Before they left, a staff member introduced, “Our amusement park has some signature merchandise. You can check out the shop if you’d like.”

　　“Let’s pick out a few things we like?”

　　Wen Shu looked interested. “We can bring them back as gifts for Weiyang Jie and Gao Yan.”

　　Chu Ling said, “Sounds good.”

　　They headed over to the gift shop near the park exit.

　　The place was filled with all kinds of creative products, so many that it was almost overwhelming to choose.

　　Qin Shuo stayed close by Wen Shu, trying to make one last effort.

　　He knew Wen Shu liked rabbits. From the plush toy earlier to the face paint she wore, it was obvious that rabbits were her favorite.

　　So he picked out a rabbit-shaped headband, held it up, and asked Wen Shu, “Do you like this?”

　　Without waiting for her answer, he went on, “I think it suits you. I can buy it for you—”

　　“No need.”

　　Wen Shu refused. “I mainly just want to buy gifts for the people who didn’t come.”

　　Qin Shuo thought quickly and said, “But people who give gifts to others should also get one themselves. You can take this as a little reward from me.”

　　Wen Shu: “…Reward?”

　　Qin Shuo smiled. “A reward for little Wen Shu, for being so kind and thoughtful toward others.”

　　Wen Shu: “…..”

　　Sorry, but that was way too greasy.

　　She shook her head. “I don’t like it.”

　　She did like rabbit plushies, but wearing a headband like that herself… she didn’t want Qin Shuo looking at her that way.

　　“Teacher Qin.”

　　Chu Ling cut in on the side. “If someone wants an apple, forcing a pear on them isn’t exactly a good move, don’t you think?”

　　Qin Shuo: “…..”

　　Why can’t she just shut up!

　　After a pause, Qin Shuo backed off a little. “Fine, then you pick out what you like, I’ll pay for it.”

　　Wen Shu looked at him, then gave a small smile.

　　She hadn’t smiled at him in a long time. When she did, it was soft and gentle, almost like the way she used to look when Qin Shuo first met her.

　　Then he heard Wen Shu say, “Do you think I don’t have money of my own?”

　　Qin Shuo: “..…”

　　Who taught her to talk like this?

　　Obviously, it had to be Chu Ling rubbing off on her!    

　　He glanced at Chu Ling, but Chu Ling just looked innocent. “If Teacher Qin wants to give me a gift, I won’t say no. After all, I picked out gifts for everyone too.”

　　Qin Shuo: “..…”

　　Who would want to give you anything? Keep dreaming!

　　Chu Ling wandered around the store and ended up buying herself a little bear hat, then picked out matching gifts for the others as well.

　　After they left the shop, she handed out the gift bags one by one.

　　Wen Shu opened hers and found a rabbit keychain inside.

　　The color matched her bag perfectly, and she was delighted. “Thank you.”

　　Sheng Yi opened his bag next.

　　Inside was a small teddy bear, identical to the one he had won at the shooting game earlier, only much smaller.

　　“I took your big one, so I’m giving you a small one in return.”

　　Chu Ling blinked playfully. “Say hi to your niece for me, and don’t go telling people I stole a child’s toy.”

　　Sheng Yi pressed his lips together, then couldn’t help but laugh. He tucked it away carefully. “Alright.”

　　In the end, Qin Shuo hesitated to even take his bag. It was Chu Ling who insisted, handing it over. “And here's yours, Teacher Qin.”

　　Qin Shuo hadn’t expected to get one at all.

　　He didn’t believe for a second that Chu Ling had suddenly grown a conscience. More likely it was something weird meant to mess with him. “What is it?”

　　“You’ll know once you open it,” Chu Ling said. “Don’t worry, it’s not a prank toy.”

　　Nervously, Qin Shuo opened it. Inside was… a toy megaphone.

　　Chu Ling said calmly, “Now whenever you feel like lecturing us, you can make sure the whole world hears you.”

　　Perfect, and so fitting for him.

　　Qin Shuo: “…..”

　　Once everyone had finished shopping, their long day at the amusement park finally came to an end.

　　Qin Shuo felt completely drained. All he wanted was to leave quickly. He didn’t even want to ride the return bus arranged by the crew, and decided to take his own car instead to relax a little.

　　He hadn’t eaten well, drunk well, or played well today. Emotionally, he felt like everything was in shambles.

　　It was just a variety show, yet somehow it turned out this exhausting.

　　Since it was his personal request, the crew didn’t dare object and agreed.

　　That wrapped up the live broadcast for the amusement park group.

　　After Qin Shuo left, the other three prepared to ride back in the van arranged by the crew.

　　“Oh, I won’t be leaving with you guys.”

　　Sheng Yi said, “I’ve got something else to do.”

　　“What a coincidence,” Chu Ling added. “I’ve got something of my own to handle too. Wen Shu, will you be alright going back by yourself?”

　　Since Qin Shuo wasn’t going with them anyway, Wen Shu didn’t mind. “Sure, I’ll head back first. Give me all the gifts, I’ll bring them over for everyone.”    

　　—

　　What Chu Ling meant by “having something to do” was actually circling back to the amusement park after everyone else had left.

　　To her surprise, she ran into Sheng Yi, who had also come back.

　　“…..”

　　Chu Ling asked, “Didn’t you say you had something to do?”

　　Sheng Yi looked at her and chuckled. “So did you. Why are you still here?”

　　“I… had something to…” Chu Ling made up an excuse, but when she met his eyes she couldn’t help laughing too. “Forget it, I get it. You came back for the same reason as me, to take advantage of the no-lines amusement park, right?”

　　Sheng Yi, caught red-handed: “…”

　　He cleared his throat lightly. “Wen Shu’s afraid of heights, so she couldn’t go on the big rides. I understand that. But for me, coming to an amusement park and skipping the roller coasters feels like such a waste.”

　　Exactly, a no-lines amusement park!

　　Normally those rides take one or two hours of waiting, enough to wear anyone out.

　　Chu Ling probably had even fewer chances than him to come here. With his low level of fame, he could slip by without a mask and barely be recognized.

　　Chu Ling, though, had the kind of face that would draw a crowd instantly.

　　“Same here.”

　　Sure enough, Chu Ling nodded openly. “Since I got famous, I’ve hardly ever gone to an amusement park.”

　　Now that she finally had the chance, and with a few hours left until closing, she planned to enjoy it while she could.

　　Sheng Yi asked, “But us sneaking off like this, without the others… is that really okay?”

　　“What’s wrong with it?” Chu Ling replied confidently. “Work is over. We can do whatever we want now.”

　　Sheng Yi laughed. “You make it sound like filming a dating show is actual work.”

　　Chu Ling blinked. Maybe because there were no cameras on them, she relaxed and blurted out, “Well, for me it really is work.”

　　The production team gave her a script and a role to play. She worked hard at it, stirring up drama. How was that not professional work?

　　That was her main job.

　　As for her side job…

　　Chu Ling glanced at her backend page.

　　So far, just from arguing with people on this variety show, she had already earned close to ten million. By tonight, she would officially cross into eight figures and hit her small goal of becoming a multi-millionaire.

　　Truly, the more annoying she was, the luckier she got!

 

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