Sending a message to Qin Wei, but Qin Wei is not replying either, seems like she's busy...
Want to go find her to hang out, but also afraid of running into Qiao Sixiao...
So bored...
Shen Qingqing sits in the Maserati SUV, staring blankly out the window.
When the red light turns on and the car stops, she inadvertently sees a mannequin at the mall entrance that looks a bit familiar...
It's Vivi!
And there's a whole lot of people lining up next to her.
Shen Qingqing tells the driver to park the car on the roadside and asks him to go see what event is happening at the mall.
The driver gets out of the car, and soon runs back:
"There's a limited edition summer milk tea being released at the milk tea shop, does the young miss want to try it?"
"The one Qin Wei endorsed?"
"Yes, it's endorsed by Miss Qin."
Shen Qingqing nods and leans back into the leather seat, taking out her phone while reading messages and says:
"Then buy two cups, one for me and one for you to try."
The driver expresses gratitude but also rejects her offer to pay:
"I still need to drive for you today, so I won't drink any. Let me grab my ID first, please wait here for me, there's a line so it might take some time."
Shen Qingqing is a bit surprised.
"They require ID to buy limited edition drinks? It's just a milk tea, isn't that going overboard?"
The driver takes out his ID, shakes his head:
"No, it's required by China's law that any beverage containing alcohol must be purchased with ID verification, meaning underage people cannot buy them."
"The milk tea contains alcohol?"
This is Shen Qingqing's first time hearing of such, while waiting for the driver to line up, she opens her phone and searches for "ty Milk Tea". The search engine automatically filters out the latest and hottest news articles for her -
【ty Milk Tea: The taste of first love? Sweet "Viv"? Cool "Viv"? Of course there's also Tipsy "Viv"! ty brings spokespersons @Qin_Wei_VivianxSaki whiskey spokesperson @Qiao_Sixiao to share the summertime “Vivthought” season! (“Drink responsibly if of age", no drinking and driving, under 18 can choose non-alcoholic Four Seasons Green Tea in-stores)】
Shen Qingqing: "......"
...
"Qin Wei, did no one teach you proper manners? Like not drinking it all and spitting it back into someone else's cup, especially."
Hong Dou has been coaxed back to sleep again, one issue resolved. Qiao Sixiao is going to start resolving the second issue.
"Spicy."
"Spicy?"
"There's alcohol in it, try it."
Qin Wei slides her cup towards Qiao Sixiao, which Qiao Sixiao disgustedly pushes aside:
"Do you have any manners?"
Qin Wei props up her chin with one hand, looking out the window with dissatisfaction:
"Of course there's alcohol in it, why would perfectly good milk tea be mixed with alcohol? This is just..."
Turns out it sold pretty well, Boss Tang Yuan has good foresight and taste, many people have already tried it and those who did said it was delicious. Only the two spokespersons haven't gotten to try it themselves.
It was a small thing to begin with anyway, and the anger dissipates after the words have been said. But there's one thing Qiao Sixiao remains very curious about:
"You really can't drink alcohol?"
Qin Wei nods:
"Mm~"
"But there were paparazzi shots of you going to bars in earlier years right?"
"Just because you go to a bar doesn't mean you have to drink alcohol! Who's to say I don't just order milk at bars..."
Qiao Sixiao points to the bed behind them, indicating Hong Dou is still asleep:
"And now you're breaking out into song??”
It’s rare that Qiao Sixiao shows curiosity about her matters, and so she continues asking:
“So why can't you drink alcohol?”
Qin Wei gives the same reason:
“Poor health, can't drink.”
Qiao Sixiao continues probing:
“What happens if you do drink?”
Qin Wei reveals an enigmatic smile, curling her finger to gesture her to come closer.
Qiao Sixiao obliges.
Qin Wei whispers softly next to her ear:
"I would die..."
Qiao Sixiao's eyes widen in surprise:
"Huh? Really? Not even a tiny sip? None at all?"
"You seem quite eager to try..."
"Not really."
Qiao Sixiao says as she leans back into the sofa, changing topics,
"Bought the house?"
Qin Wei nods.
This also surprises Qiao Sixiao a bit:
"Wow, pretty efficient! Where'd you buy it? Enough money?"
Qin Wei scratches her nose as she answers:
"Yunjin Phase II, mm...enough..."
...
In reality, when Qin Wei saw the housing prices, she was also a bit shocked that it exceeded her budget. So inside the VIP reception room at the sales office, Qin Wei and Li Yao had a private chat.
With just the two of them, Qin Wei finally softly admits the truth:
"Li Yao, I don’t have enough money..."
"How could you not have enough? I calculated it for you, just barely fits..."
Li Yao opens the notes app on his phone to show her,
"Adding up all the money across your cards and the gold bars in your bank account, it's just enough..."
Qin Wei blinks, looking at him aggrievedly:
"So I have to starve from then on? Judging by your...your calculations here I really don't have a single cent left!
And the money on this card is for sponsoring underprivileged children’s education and living expenses, you can’t just randomly appropriate that... "
Li Yao takes notes while recalculating:
"......Minus those, and leaving you some living expenses, you still fall short by this amount."
Li Yao gestures to show the number.
A seven digit figure. And not small.
Qin Wei wants to give up now, despite liking this apartment quite a bit, clearly she can't afford it.
Li Yao persuades her: "I understand you wanting to do charity work, but you also don't let me make that public...anyway, isn’t the amount you’re saving a bit excessive?"
Qin Wei tells him:
“Any publicity would draw unwanted media attention that would inevitably disrupt the children’s lives. I took out this money hoping they can learn more knowledge, have more options available in the future, rather than be gawked at and directed by others, becoming tools for me to build a goody-two shoes image.
Whether good or bad judgments, they don’t need any of that. Not everyone should have to showcase their lives under the spotlight, no matter what time period, don’t ever make this public, leave the children some dignity, this gives me dignity as well.
As for saving more, first there are a large number of children, secondly with my job, hot today stale tomorrow, I don’t want my own issues to suddenly cut off their education...I don’t want them seeing the light then plunging back into darkness after getting used to it...”
Li Yao pats the back of her hand:
"Tsk tsk tsk! Young miss what nonsense are you spouting! You’re destined to be the center of worldwide attention, a big shining star, you’re not allowed to go stale! We won’t touch this money, I’ll continue keeping it a secret for you.
Also, only this apartment is suited for my precious young miss, as for the amount you’re short for buying it, I’ll lend it to you, no need for an IOU, you can pay me back after getting the payment once filming for this drama completes. We have a promising future ahead, there’s no limit to how much money we can make!
Wait for me here, I need to give my wife a call..."
...
And so, Qin Wei happily attained an apartment in Yunjin Phase II, obtaining real estate for the first time ever, but at the same time her account balance dropped to zero, while owing her agent a sum of money.
Her agent is also very thoughtful, leaving her a bit of living expenses.
...
“Yunjin huh...good eye, I wasn’t just paying you lip service that day. When are you moving in? Throwing a housewarming party? What kind of gift do you want?”
Qiao Sixiao’s words interrupt Qin Wei’s train of thought.
Qin Wei feels life’s bitterness...
She’s not looking forward to moving in for the time being, only looking forward to paying back money quickly, so she can start renovations afterwards.
Qin Wei looks at Qiao Sixiao with utmost sincerity:
"What gifts...really don't need to go through that much trouble...why don't you just put in money to renovate my place?"
Qiao Sixiao: "?"
