Dating Show Side Character, Getting Rich by Roasting People

CHAPTER 43: This Car Isn’t Even Yours

　　From the start of the show, Jiang Yicheng had been carefully building his image as a lonely rich second-generation.

　　Sure, he had money, but his parents rarely gave him attention, he had very few genuine friends, and along the way, he had been deceived plenty of times.

　　Just like that, the persona of a kindhearted, pitiful, deeply affectionate but constantly let-down little young master was established.

　　Up until now, it had worked pretty well. Quite a few viewers even grew fond of him and sympathized with him, saying rich people often turned out more gentle and generous toward the world.

　　While dating Gao Yan, this trick had also helped him “close the distance” between them. For CP fans, it was a key moment where their relationship seemed to warm up.

　　But this time, he ran into Chu Ling, who didn’t buy it at all.

　　“...Hahaha.”

　　Jiang Yicheng let out two awkward laughs. “You’re really good at joking.”

　　“My suggestion is very serious.”

　　Chu Ling’s tone was light. “I can take that pain for you. No family by your side, no true friends. It’s fine, you just transfer all that trouble to me, and then you can finally go live your life freely.”

　　The system thought to itself that Jiang Yicheng had walked right into her trap.

　　Chu Ling was the exact opposite. She didn’t need endless love. What she wanted was endless money, even if it came with endless hate.

　　“Or if you don’t want to give it to me, you can use the money to do some charity work. Help people who really need it. Then you’ll gain all the genuine affection you’re looking for, won’t you?”

　　She counted on her fingers and held up two of them, wiggling them playfully. “See? You lose money but gain the sincerity you wanted, and your troubles are gone. On the other side, people in need receive help. That’s a win-win. Isn’t that great?”

　　Then Chu Ling tilted her head with an almost innocent look. “Don’t tell me the reason you won’t do it is because you can’t bear to part with your money?”

　　In that case, what was the point of pretending to be a saint here?

　　Jiang Yicheng: “...”

　　Meanwhile, the comment section was completely split.

　　【Chu-jie cracks me up. Classic Chu-jie. Playing the pity card does nothing with her.】

　　【Isn’t this just moral blackmail to force him to donate? Don’t act so entitled to other people’s money. Looks like resentment toward the rich.】

　　【Resentment? Really? Wasn’t Jiang Yicheng himself saying being rich brought him nothing but pain? Then why not let me be rich for a couple days?】

　　【Chu Ling will roast anything for clout now. Did Jiang Yicheng say anything wrong? Can rich people not have troubles?】

　　【If you’ve watched earlier episodes, he already pulled this sad story once with Gao Yan. Now he’s recycling it again. There’s nothing inherently wrong with it, but it does feel off. Does he really think his life is that miserable? I don’t buy it.】

　　Chu Ling didn’t buy it either.

　　She doubted very much that he really had no friends.

　　When you reach a certain level in life, you naturally have friends of the same level. Even rich second-gens have their own circle of second-gen friends. Since everyone already has money, it’s not like they’re hanging around each other because of it.

　　And as for dating, that’s even more true. Why would someone like that need to come on a romance variety show?

　　The whole story doesn’t add up.

　　Jiang Yicheng’s image-building sounded pitiful on the surface, but if you looked closer, it was full of holes.

　　“…”

　　Forcing himself to hold on, Jiang Yicheng said, “Of course… of course I sometimes do charity work too, but you know, the feeling you get from that is still different.”

　　“So, that’s why I decided to open this bar.”

　　He quickly switched the topic. “By the way, do you want to try one of our new drinks?”

　　Chu Ling asked, “What is it?”

　　Jiang Yicheng didn’t answer directly. “If you want a drink, I can mix it for you myself.”

　　Chu Ling thought for a moment, then gave him some face. “Alright.”

　　The two of them went over to the counter.

　　Jiang Yicheng unbuttoned his cuff, pushed up his sleeve to reveal his watch, then reached for the liquor.

　　He pulled out a bottle of bourbon. The amber liquid poured smoothly from the neck of the bottle, followed by a splash of lemon juice and a few ice cubes. His movements were fluid, like a real professional bartender.

　　The livestream chat was full of comments about how handsome he looked.

　　Chu Ling’s gut told her that he had practiced this routine many times just for the show.

　　“Here, give it a try.”

　　Jiang Yicheng placed the finished drink in front of her. “It’s not officially on the menu yet, so think of this as a little test run for me.”

　　Chu Ling took a light sip.

　　…The flair had been flashy, but the taste itself was perfectly average.

　　If the bar only sold the drink for its flavor, it probably wouldn’t sell very well.

　　She asked casually, “Got a name for it yet?”

　　“Not yet,” Jiang Yicheng said with a smile. “But if possible, I’d like to call it Butterfly Dream.”

　　Chu Ling: “…”

　　She glanced at the drink.

　　What’s the connection supposed to be?

　　It didn’t seem to fit at all.

　　After a moment’s thought, she realized. First, the keepsake she had exchanged with Jiang Yicheng earlier had been a butterfly, so he was trying to play off that. Second, Gao Yan also liked butterfly motifs, so this name could double as a nod to another CP.

　　One drink, two angles.

　　A very businessman move.

　　“I let my guard down,” Chu Ling sighed to the system. “He’s using me as free advertising. Later he’ll say this is Chu Ling’s signature custom drink to attract customers.”

　　The system sounded doubtful. “Do you really think anyone would come here just to order your ‘signature’ drink?”

　　Chu Ling pretended to be offended. “I might not be a big star yet, but I do have commercial value, alright? Normally you’d have to pay for endorsements and promotions!”

　　So in the end, Jiang Yicheng was getting her to promote him for free.

　　Keep dreaming.

　　So she said, “Butterfly Dream doesn’t really stand out. Why not change it to something else?”

　　Jiang Yicheng perked up. “Do you have a better idea?”

　　Chu Ling swirled the glass in her hand and said casually, “Sixty Points Forever.”

　　Jiang Yicheng blinked. “Why?”

　　“A beginner’s cocktail that just barely passes the mark deserves to be celebrated. Long live sixty points.”

　　Chu Ling’s lips curved into a smile. “You can keep practicing next time.”

　　“…”

　　Jiang Yicheng nearly coughed up blood. He had worked so hard to make it look good, bracing himself for praise, and this was what he got?

　　Who are you calling barely passing!

　　Jiang Yicheng gave an awkward little laugh. “Guess the taste didn’t really hit the mark.”

　　“I really am a beginner, still need to improve. I’m not a professional. Opening this bar is just for my own interest.”

　　After he said that, Chu Ling didn’t ask anything, so he had to add on himself, “Aren’t you curious about the reason?”

　　Chu Ling: Like hell I care.

　　But usually, when someone says that, it means they’re dying to tell their own story.

　　She propped her head on her hand and drawled lazily, “Why? Just to give yourself something to do, otherwise people will call you a spoiled kid leeching off your parents?”

　　Jiang Yicheng: “…”

　　How did the people who hung out with Chu Ling before manage it?

　　He could only tolerate her for half a day before he was at his limit.

　　“Because here, I’m not my parents’ child. I’m not some Young Master Jiang.”

　　His gaze turned slightly melancholy. “I’m just the owner of Whisper. Nobody here knows my background. Sometimes I chat with the customers, listen to their stories, share their joys and sorrows. In those moments, I feel like I’m living as myself, as an ordinary person.”

　　“Even though it doesn’t earn much, this is the meaning of my life.”

　　Chu Ling: “?”

　　Wait, buddy, are you supposed to be some kind of world-famous figure? There are plenty of people out there who don’t know who you are.

　　And besides, if you really didn’t want people to know, then why drop your bar’s name in the middle of your speech?

　　She had every reason to suspect he just wanted free promotion for his bar.

　　But clearly, the livestream chat was eating it up.

　　【Our young master has really had such a hard life.】

　　【A rich second-gen personally mixing my drink—so what if it doesn’t taste great? Who cares!】

　　【He’s not doing it for money! This is pure idealism!】

　　【So heartbreaking. Does Chu Ling not have any empathy, making fun of him like that!】

　　Chu Ling: “?”

　　Heartbreaking?

　　You don’t even pity yourself but you’re pitying a rich second-gen in designer clothes?

　　Have you even looked at that watch on his wrist? You can still feel sorry for him after seeing that?

　　Chu Ling glanced at his watch again, and suddenly something felt off.

　　“System.”

　　She asked, “Can you look into someone’s real background, or check their belongings?”

　　The system replied, “I can only see the information the original story provides me. Why?”　　

　　“That watch of his…”

　　Chu Ling thought for a moment. “Why do I feel like it doesn’t look real?”

　　The system was shocked. “You’ve bought one before?”

　　Chu Ling smirked. “If I had, would I still need you to earn money for me?”

　　Of course she’d never bought such an expensive watch.

　　“But I’ve seen someone borrow it before,” Chu Ling explained.

　　Sure, most celebrities are wealthy, but for red carpet events they often borrow branded accessories. On one hand it boosts their image, and on the other, the brand gets exposure.

　　Back when her drama crew did a red carpet promo, their male lead had borrowed this exact same watch.

　　In her memory, that watch was a global limited edition. If it was real, it would be worth at least eight figures.

　　Because it was such an expensive watch, Chu Ling had looked at it several more times back then.

　　She might not have a photographic memory, but after what happened at the golf course earlier, a seed of doubt had already been planted, so she couldn’t help being suspicious.

　　Combined with Jiang Yicheng’s behavior, Chu Ling started to form a guess.

　　“Nice.”

　　She followed along with Jiang Yicheng’s words. “So if I come drink here in the future, it’s on the house, right?”

　　Jiang Yicheng generously said, “Of course, you’re always welcome.”

　　“That’s perfect.”

　　Chu Ling pushed her luck. “Actually, we’re short on drinks back at our little villa. Why don’t we move some tonight? Maybe in a while we can even throw a party.”

　　Jiang Yicheng: “…”

　　What, was she here to stock up from his bar?

　　Even without playing up his rich-kid persona, he could not really say no at a time like this, or he would look stingy.

　　Forget it, it’s just alcohol. How much could she take anyway?

　　He quickly agreed. “Of course, no problem.”

　　But to his shock, once Chu Ling got the invoice, she went straight for several cases of the bar’s most expensive liquor and had them loaded into the trunk.

　　As Jiang Yicheng carried the boxes into the trunk, his heart was bleeding.

　　With a single gesture, she had taken away nearly a few hundred thousand worth of alcohol!

　　Seeing his hesitant expression, Chu Ling guessed he was secretly aching inside.

　　For a typical rich kid, that amount would be nothing at all. There would be no reason to feel the pinch.

　　So clearly, Jiang Yicheng was not, or at least not as wealthy as he made himself out to be.

　　All he could think about was the alcohol worth hundreds of thousands Chu Ling had just hauled away.

　　So much so that on the way back, Jiang Yicheng was driving a little absent-mindedly.

　　Chu Ling sat in the passenger seat playing on her phone. Suddenly, there was a sharp screech of brakes, followed by a loud bang. Her heart skipped a beat as she looked up. “What happened?”

　　The livestream viewers were startled too.

　　【What’s going on?】

　　【Did they crash!?】

　　【Are they okay!?】

　　“Oh, that guy changed lanes too fast. I didn’t notice and hit him.”

　　Jiang Yicheng’s voice carried a guilty edge. “Who told him to switch lanes so suddenly? I didn’t have time to react.”

　　But he knew perfectly well he had been distracted, which was why he hit a car that had changed lanes normally.

　　Thankfully, it was just a minor scrape. No one was hurt.

　　“I’ll go check.”

　　Jiang Yicheng quickly turned off the engine, unbuckled his seatbelt, and got out. The first thing he saw was the dent on the left front corner of the Rolls-Royce. His face turned green instantly.

　　The driver of the other car also got out and immediately started yelling, “My car had already ¹merged fully, so this was you rear-ending me. That makes it your fault. So, what now?”

　　Wearing a mask, Chu Ling got out as well. After glancing at the damage on both cars, she said, “Call the insurance.”

　　But at the mention of insurance, Jiang Yicheng’s face darkened even more.

　　One look at him and Chu Ling knew something was off.

　　“What’s wrong? You can’t call them?”

　　She raised a brow. “Or is it because this car isn’t yours, so you can’t?”

________________

Glossary:

¹In driving, “merge” means moving from one lane into another, or from a smaller road (like a ramp) into a bigger one, smoothly joining the flow of traffic.

So when I wrote “fully merged”, it means the driver is claiming:

👉 “I was already completely in the lane when you hit me.” 

Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter