Chapter 19 Mao Wenjie, I'll give you thirty million.

Today was the day Mao Wenjie was being released from the detention center.

The almanac said: Auspicious for paying a visit!

Before heading out, she decided to try her luck with a prize draw.

"Today is a good day~ Everything I wish for will come true~~ La la la la~~"

The needle spun and spun, then suddenly gave a little shudder.

Could it be that it was shaken by her wonderful singing voice?

She watched as the needle wobbled and came to a stop in the silver triangular zone: [Mysterious Prize].

The little turntable really knew its stuff!

She didn't just sing for anyone.

And it was so supportive the moment she opened her mouth.

Ling Yue held her cheeks, feeling quite pleased with herself.

The last Mysterious Prize was a '10x Draw Card'!

What would it be this time?

So exciting~

Ling Yue pressed her palms together and rubbed them back and forth, as if performing a clumsy 'good luck' ritual.

Her hot fingertips lightly touched the cold panel, and the mahogany treasure chest sensed it, beginning to shake violently.

Before long, the chest let out a burp like a full toad and spat out a card: Grudge Multiplier Card.

A line of small text appeared beneath the card: Can be used on 1 designated person. Within 24 hours, multiply the total resentment value they generate toward the host by 10. The card is consumed after use.

Drinking herbal tea in the dog days of summer—it was just the right time!

This Grudge Multiplier Card came at the perfect, perfect time!

As for the designated target, Ling Yue happened to have one in mind.

She was just about to go see him today.

She first clicked 'Do Not Use' and put the card away.

The lid of the mahogany treasure chest opened and swallowed the card.

It shrank to the size of a thumbnail and settled in the bottom-left corner.

[Remaining Draws: 4]

Ling Yue called for Housekeeper.

"I want to hire a few bodyguards. Do you have any recommended security companies?" Ling Yue's eyes were clear.

Using bodyguards already!

What big purchase was she going for today?

Many guesses popped up in Housekeeper's mind, but she kept her professional smile. "Yes, we do.

Our hotel occasionally hosts large-scale conferences and celebrity receptions.

We have a close partnership with a local security company."

Ling Yue received the bodyguard profile cards.

As if browsing Taobao, she carefully selected five sturdy men.

The daily wage for a single person was 4,000!

It wasn't cheap at all.

Each of them had majestic pectoral muscles, well-defined abs, and bulging biceps; one look and you knew they had serious strength.

If a fight broke out, that little weakling Mao Wenjie probably wouldn't last two punches.

The business car didn't have enough seats, so Ling Yue specifically spent 1,200 to rent a van today.

She also specifically requested Master Qin to drive.

Before leaving, Ling Yue deliberately changed into old clothes, lest the battle later get too intense and her new clothes get torn up.

"Let's go."

She waved her hand.

The bodyguards swished into the back row and took their seats in unison.

They were already bulky, and the five of them squeezed into the back without leaving a single gap.

The suffocating sense of spatial pressure created by such physiques gave Ling Yue a full sense of security!

Ling Yue had used her Meituan account many times to order takeout for Mao Wenjie's mother, so she knew the Mao family's address.

That old woman was incredibly picky!

She wanted chicken soup from a classic, famous restaurant; a single portion was 568, deathly expensive.

She would only eat braised pork made by a specific private chef; they didn't do delivery, only errand services. The pork was 128 per portion, and the errand fee alone was 20.

She didn't drink milk tea but liked sweet soup. The old-brand sweet soup shop didn't do delivery either, so she had to spend 25 to hire an errand runner to buy it.

Yet to this day, Ling Yue had never eaten a single meal from Maos Mother, never drank a bottle of water from her, and hadn't even received a thank you.

Maos Mother's orders were relayed through Mao Wenjie; Ling Yue didn't even have Maos Mother's WeChat.

In the past, she didn't think anything was wrong with this, assuming it was a test from her future mother-in-law.

Thinking back now, Maos Mother both looked down on her and wanted to take advantage of her—a total hypocrite.

If she hadn't woken up this time, she might have actually ignored her illness on New Year's Eve and rushed to Mao Wenjie's house to cook.

Thinking of this, Ling Yue couldn't empathize with her past self at all; she even wanted to slap herself.

She had been so eager to suck up to them; no wonder Maos Mother didn't care about her! No wonder Mao Wenjie dared to bring a girl home to have sex!

After a ninety-minute drive, they arrived near the residential area where the Mao family lived.

Ling Yue had Master Qin drive around the neighborhood twice before finally choosing to park in a corner of a park.

It was close to the residential area and gathered a group of uncles and aunties around the same age as Maos Mother.

In a novel, this would be a classic gossip corner!

Ling Yue looked back at the burly bodyguards.

"Let me repeat: after getting out of the car, disperse and follow me, but pretend you don't know me.

When things happen later, don't overact. Don't make it look like I'm looking for trouble, okay?"

Isn't this exactly looking for trouble?

The five bodyguards exchanged looks.

Forget it, they would just do whatever the employer said.

The lead man patted his chest and guaranteed, "Don't worry, Boss, we're professionals at this! We've done it plenty of times before; we're skilled workers."

How could she break into a strange environment and attract attention in the shortest amount of time?

The simple way.

Ling Yue wiped non-existent sweat from her forehead and first paced anxiously around a corner of the park three times.

On the fourth lap, a woman in her fifties called out to Ling Yue, "Hey, girl, young lady, you! Yes, you!"

The woman asked, "I've seen you pacing around here several times. What's wrong? Are you looking for someone?"

Ling Yue licked her dry lips and approached her with a quiet, well-behaved smile. "Yes, Sister, do you know Mao Wenjie?"

The woman covered her mouth, her laughter bursting through her fingers. "Oh my~ What 'Sister'? At my age, I'm the same generation as your mother. You should call me Auntie. My surname is Liu; you can just call me Auntie Liu."

"Auntie Liu~" Ling Yue gave a shy smile, suppressing her disgust as she took the initiative to speak. "I'm Mao Wenjie's girlfriend. Something happened to him, so I came to find Auntie Zhang.

The address I was given is right here, but I've been looking for a long time and just can't find it. Do you know where Mao Wenjie's house is?"

"You're Xiaojie's girlfriend? I haven't heard Zhang Lichun mention you."

Her looks were alright.

But her clothing and aura were lacking.

Judging by her accent, she wasn't a local either.

She understood now.

Zhang Lichun looked down on her for being from out of town and hadn't acknowledged her at all.

Ling Yue let out a soft sigh, her face scrunched up in self-reproach. "Auntie Zhang originally invited me over for the New Year, but unfortunately I got sick and couldn't make it.

I happen to be free today, and there's a big happy event. I purposely didn't say I was coming because I wanted to give Auntie Zhang a surprise."

Ah, this young girl wasn't bad, and she was so sensible!

But it was understandable; if it were her, she would also want her son to marry a local girl.

Wait.

She said there was a happy event.

Auntie Liu's face practically had the word 'Gossip' written on it. "What happy event is it that you'd come all this way to say it in person?"

Ling Yue bit her lower lip and gave a bashful smile. "Auntie Liu, it's not that I won't tell you, but I want to tell Auntie Zhang first."

Oh my god!

Could the girl be pregnant!

She was here today to ask for official status.

Good heavens, a scoop, a massive scoop!

"Auntie, tell me, since it's my first time visiting my future mother-in-law's house, what should I prepare?" Ling Yue asked with innocent naivety.

Auntie Liu glanced at Ling Yue's stomach and gave a teasing smile. "What else do you need? It's enough that you're here!"

"That won't do. It's too rude not to bring gifts on a first visit."

Look at that, how sensible this girl is!

Zhang Lichun's eyes must be as blind as a pig's with hair in them; she couldn't even appreciate this? Her standards were truly in the clouds.

"There's a supermarket nearby. Just go buy some health supplements and bring them over." Auntie Liu had a thought. "How about this, I'll go with you. Health supplements are heavy; I'll help you carry them later."

Zhang Lichun was such a boring person, always putting on airs and loving face. She usually acted all high and mighty, looking down on everyone, but in the end, her son got a girl pregnant before marriage. Even though times were more open now, it still didn't sound good. Let's see how she puts on airs today!

"This... this is too much trouble for you." Ling Yue thought to herself: if you want to see the gossip, just say so.

Auntie Liu put on a warm-hearted act. "Zhang Lichun and I live on the floors above and below each other; we see each other every day.

Besides, I watched Xiaojie grow up. When his girlfriend comes, it's only right for us neighbors to look after her."

Ling Yue gave in with feigned hesitation. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Auntie."

"It's nothing. So, how did you and Xiaojie meet?" And so the probing began.

"We were university classmates..."

They chatted all the way to the supermarket entrance.

Ling Yue bought a box of bird's nest, two cases of premium milk, two boxes of expensive-looking chocolates, and two bottles of Wuliangye.

Just as they walked out of the supermarket with the items, Auntie Liu ran into an acquaintance.

Big Sister Wang: "Sister Liu, buying groceries?"

Auntie Liu smiled and shook her head. "No."

Big Sister Wang thought it was strange. Was she possessed by a ghost in broad daylight? She was smiling like she'd picked up money; it was quite creepy.

Auntie Liu deliberately stepped aside.

Big Sister Wang's puzzled gaze naturally fell on Ling Yue. She hissed, "Hey, this isn't your daughter, is it?"

"Hello, Auntie, I'm Mao Wenjie's girlfriend." Since Auntie Liu had created the opportunity, Ling Yue naturally stepped forward to explain.

Big Sister Wang's eyes widened as she looked Ling Yue up and down. "Zhang Lichun's son's girlfriend?"

Ling Yue nodded.

Big Sister Wang seemed very shocked.

Her eyes seemed to say, 'How did Mao Wenjie find someone like this?'

Auntie Liu pulled her aside and whispered a few words.

Ling Yue secretly saw Big Sister Wang wearing a schadenfreude-filled smile.

Could she be Maos Mother's arch-rival?

That would be perfect; it meant she wouldn't be fighting alone today.

Big Sister Wang turned back, her attitude suddenly warm. "Xiao Ling, is it? Oh, what a sensible girl.

You're lucky you ran into us. Come on, I'll take you to Zhang Lichun's house."

As she spoke, she even took the two bottles of liquor from Ling Yue's hands.

"Thank you, Auntie!" Ling Yue was full of gratitude.

Along the way, the two aunties greeted everyone they saw.

Those coming home with grocery baskets, those dancing or playing cards in the park, those returning after dropping their grandkids off at school.

It started as a small team of three.

By the time they entered the residential area and reached the small garden, the group had somehow expanded to fifteen or sixteen people.

Ling Yue opened a box of chocolates on the spot and handed them out to everyone.

"The young girl is so generous; these chocolates aren't cheap."

"You uncles and aunties live in the big city and have seen all sorts of good things. It's just a few pieces of chocolate; I hope you don't mind."

Ling Yue's smile was pure and her eyes were bright. Anyone who saw her would have to say: This girl is so sweet!

"Zhang Lichun has found a treasure. What a sensible girl!"

Ling Yue gave a shy smile.

"Little girl, Zhang Lichun is back!" an uncle on the outskirts called out.

Then they saw Maos Mother, dressed elegantly, leading a scruffy and wretched-looking Mao Wenjie appearing at the end of the road.

Suddenly being called out, Maos Mother quickly lowered her head like a startled bird.

Ling Yue took advantage of everyone's attention being drawn away.

She quickly opened the mahogany treasure chest and 'used' the Grudge Multiplier Card.

A green cursor appeared over the crowd.

When Ling Yue's gaze locked onto Mao Wenjie, the screen showed: Use on him?

Yes, yes, yes!

The cursor disappeared, and the center of the screen displayed a countdown: 23:59:58.

The entire operation took only two seconds.

After that, Ling Yue rushed out from the crowd.

She stood still in front of Mao Wenjie, who had a terrified look in his eyes.

Ling Yue cupped her hands, wearing a festive smile as if it were New Year's. "Mao Wenjie, congratulations on getting out of prison!

Here, I'm giving you thirty million.

You must be impotent! You must have a rotting, festering crotch! You must be notoriously infamous!

Everyone, applaud!!!"