Chapter 38
Chapter 38
Wang Ming drove the little Beetle out of the residential complex just as Zou Mengmeng was walking through the main gate.
She immediately noticed the familiar car. Turning her head to get a better look at the license plate, she confirmed it was indeed her mother’s car.
“Huh? I thought Mom got a new car. Where is she driving off to?”
Zou Mengmeng went upstairs and opened the front door, only to find her mother at home, folding a quilt on the sofa.
She changed into her slippers and walked into the living room, frowning as she asked, “Mom, did we have a guest last night?”
Zou Shuqing’s tone was a bit flustered, and her hands became clumsy as she folded the quilt.
“Ah, no. I wanted to lie down and watch a movie yesterday, so I just ended up sleeping on the sofa.”
Zou Mengmeng thought back to the car she had just seen driving out of the complex and suddenly realized something.
“That’s not right. If you’re at home, then who was driving your car just now?”
She glanced toward the breakfast on the dining table.
Although only one portion remained untouched, there were two sets of bowls and chopsticks.
Zou Mengmeng crossed her arms and teased with a smile, “Oh, just tell the truth. You wouldn’t let me drive your old car after you got a new one, but it turns out you gave it to someone else. My future daddy stayed the night, didn’t he? Strange, though-if he’s that rich, why does he want your old car?”
Zou Shuqing grew even more flustered, her words beginning to stumble. “He… he…”
Zou Mengmeng walked over to Zou Shuqing’s side, leaning down to look her in the eye with a raised eyebrow. “If he’s already staying over, why make him sleep on the sofa? You should just sleep in the bedroom with him. Mom, I’m serious, don’t be so conservative. One of these days, he might actually get fed up and run away.”
Zou Shuqing grew indignant. Thinking about the three years Zou Mengmeng had spent with Wang Ming, a wave of jealousy rose in her heart. “Like you? Staying out all night since your freshman year! Go and clean up your room right now! Also, didn’t you say you were going to pay me back this month?”
Zou Mengmeng pouted and huffed.
“Are you even my mother? You really want me to pay you back? Liu Guohua didn’t hesitate at all when he gave me forty thousand to buy a bag, and he even promised to buy me a two-hundred-thousand-yuan car when we get married!”
Zou Shuqing’s expression instantly turned serious. “Married?”
Zou Mengmeng nodded. “Guohua and I have been discussing it lately. Once the plans are set, I’ll arrange a meeting between you and his parents.”
“That’s fine. His family might not be incredibly wealthy, but if you marry him, you shouldn’t have to worry about money. A normal family really couldn’t afford to keep you.”
Zou Mengmeng smiled. “I guess I was just born under a lucky star. You adopted me when I was five, and now Guohua is taking over for you. Bye-bye, I need to catch up on some sleep.”
Zou Shuqing watched as Zou Mengmeng walked into her bedroom and shook her head helplessly. She prayed in her heart that her daughter’s future in-laws would be able to tolerate her willfulness.
Meanwhile, Wang Ming was speeding toward the funeral.
When he had completed the task for Zou Shuqing yesterday, he had fallen straight asleep. He hadn’t paid any attention to the new task related to her.
[Zou Shuqing takes the initiative to give you three gifts (0/3)]
Given Zou Shuqing’s current feelings for him, three gifts didn’t seem too difficult.
Wang Ming looked at the reward for the task he had completed that morning on the System Panel: two million Daxia Coins.
It was much less than last time.
It seemed the task rewards were random and wouldn’t necessarily get better and better.
Including his previous balance, he was still six hundred thousand short.
He hoped Zheng Shushuang’s Hidden Task could cover that gap.
Wang Ming arrived at the funeral.
The ceremony was already in its middle stages. He hurriedly found a spot to stand and looked at the portrait in the funeral hall, his expression somewhat solemn.
“Jia Fang, oh Jia Fang… I’m the one who harmed you.”
“It’s not entirely my fault. You’re the one who insisted on making such a big scene at home.”
As the ceremony neared its end, Zheng Shushuang spotted Wang Ming in the crowd and walked over.
“I called you this morning but you didn’t pick up. What happened?”
“My phone was on silent.”
Zheng Shushuang looked at his eye bags, which were swollen like walnuts. “Are you… are you sad because of what happened to me?”
Wang Ming froze for a second before nodding immediately. “Yeah.”
“Thank you for coming.” Zheng Shushuang’s eyes were red and puffy; she had been crying almost every two hours since last night.
Wang Ming looked at the task under Zheng Shushuang’s avatar on the System Panel.
[Live under the same roof as the target for one month.]
Hidden Task: [When attending her mother’s funeral, ask her why her mother didn’t come.]
This Hidden Task was absolutely inhumane. It was definitely designed to screw with people.
Motherfucker. Why hasn’t the System’s consciousness appeared yet? I’d definitely give its parents a piece of my mind.
What was he supposed to do? How could he even say that out loud?
He was still six hundred thousand short. There was only one funeral; if he missed this, the Hidden Task would likely be gone for good.
I’m sorry, Jia Fang! In memory of the night we spent together, please forgive my offense!
Wang Ming’s left brain battled his right brain, and the right brain won by a narrow margin.
He spoke up timidly, “Why didn’t your mom come?”
“What?” Zheng Shushuang’s eyes widened instantly, her expression one of pure shock as she stared intently at Wang Ming.
Wang Ming waved his hands frantically. “Ah… I mean, damn it, why didn’t they come? The professional mourners I hired!
I thought hiring them would make the atmosphere more somber. Luckily, I didn’t pay the deposit yet.”
Zheng Shushuang’s wide eyes softened, and she nodded slightly. “Oh… It’s just as well they didn’t come. I want my mother to go in peace.”
[Hidden Task completed. Rewards have been distributed.]
Wang Ming breathed a long sigh of relief. Thank goodness he hadn’t enraged Zheng Shushuang.
He noticed an old lady standing before Jia Fang’s funeral portrait-it was Zheng Shushuang’s grandmother.
She had seen him before. To avoid being recognized and causing unnecessary trouble, Wang Ming bid Zheng Shushuang farewell.
“I should get going.”
Zheng Shushuang grabbed Wang Ming’s hand and let out a sob.
“I’ve already broken up with my boyfriend. I’m going to be liquidating my assets over the next few days. I’ll contact you in a while.”
Wang Ming broke out in a cold sweat. Zheng Shushuang was clearly interested in him now.
Her plan to investigate wasn’t just a heat-of-the-moment idea either; she was already selling off her property.
This was getting harder and harder to handle. Jia Fang, oh Jia Fang, I hope your spirit in heaven can dissolve your daughter’s hatred!
Wang Ming left Zheng Shushuang and returned to his car, clicking open the reward package.
[Congratulations on obtaining 300 System Coins.]
System Coins!
He could finally buy things from the System Mall!
Last time, the System’s consciousness had unlocked several enhancement items.
[Kidney Function Enhancement: 100 System Coins]
[Muscle Enhancement: 100 System Coins]
[Bone Enhancement: 100 System Coins]
…
There were enhancements for all sorts of attributes, but they could only be purchased once a week.
As far as his kidneys were concerned, he was perfectly fine for now.
He might as well buy a Muscle Enhancement. Not only would it add some bulk, but it would also increase his stamina in that department!
He clicked purchase.
[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining a 10% Muscle Enhancement.]
Wang Ming felt a distinct change in his muscles; he had visibly put on some size.
“If I enhance this ten times, wouldn’t I be able to send Liu Guohua flying with one punch?”
He had 200 System Coins left. Scanning the other items in the System Mall, a sudden impulse to spend took over.
A high-end, custom A6 happened to cost exactly 200 System Coins.
This car was worth six hundred thousand Daxia Coins!