Chapter Thirty-Three: Timely Rain

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Su Wannin’s livestream was abruptly interrupted by a call from Qin Jingchen. If he weren’t half a sponsor to her now, she wouldn’t have bothered picking up.

The next second, the call was cut off from his end without a single word exchanged.

Frowning, Su Wannin put her phone back on the table, muttering under her breath, “What the heck…”

[What happened? Why did it suddenly disconnect just now?]

[I think I heard a ringtone—was it a phone call? Was it your brother-in-law?]

[You really don’t let any chance for hype slip by, do you? Just made it onto the trending list, and you’re already in a hurry to clarify?]

[Came here from the trending topics—let me just say, women who bully children won’t last long; it’s only a matter of time before she gets exposed!]

[Ha, how many times has Su Wannin been exposed already? Yet she still manages to hang on in showbiz with a face thicker than a city wall!]

In his office, Qin Jingchen tossed his phone onto the desk, but within seconds picked it up again and found a replay of Su Wannin’s earlier livestream.

Qi Rui’s figure appeared on the screen, and the voice was exactly the same as what he’d just heard through the receiver.

He’d thought Su Wannin would be devastated after the online smear campaign. To his surprise, she wasn’t alone—she had that pretty boy by her side.

Qin Jingchen’s expression darkened like the sole of a shoe. He intended to let it go, but his fingers, as if beyond his control, clicked into Su Wannin’s livestream.

Meanwhile, Su Wannin, who’d just hung up, also noticed a sudden influx of trolls in her chat.

She didn’t pay them much mind, but caught sight of the word “clarification” rolling by in the barrage of comments. Remembering what Qi Rui’s manager had told her before, Su Wannin deliberately shifted the camera to include Qi Rui.

“I do need to clarify something today. Qi Rui and I really weren’t acquainted before; he’s here today because we happened to be cast in a project together.”

“I hope you’ll all be reasonable and not direct your anger at Qi Rui. It’s already great that he’s willing to join us.”

With her sincere expression—and Qi Rui chiming in to support her—the mood in the livestream began to change.

“Uh, I’m a bit nervous, but let me clear this up: I really didn’t know Miss Su before. But after working together, I found her very witty. Please, let’s not gossip anymore.”

[No need to clarify—we know our idol wouldn’t get involved with you, okay?]

[I’m just here to see your serious face; I won’t say a word.]

[Su is stunning on her own; her popularity isn’t any less than Qi Rui’s these days, all right?]

[Aw, our idol is so earnest!]

Back in Qin Jingchen’s office, the gloom lifted. A faint smile appeared on his face, and even the woman on screen seemed more haggard than before.

Her makeup was lighter, her complexion paler, and she looked noticeably thinner.

Qin Jingchen frowned in puzzlement, then relaxed and tapped on his phone a few times.

Moments later, Su Wannin—who had just finished her noodles at the market—received a notification on her phone.

“Qin Jingchen has transferred 2,000,000 yuan to your account ending in xxxx on June 20 at 13:36.”

Su Wannin’s eyes widened in shock. She brought the phone closer and counted the zeros carefully.

Holy crap!

Two million!

It wasn’t even time for her next monthly allowance. Did something get into Qin Jingchen?

[That’s scary—why did she suddenly shove the screen so close?]

[She looks like me at the beginning of the month, eyes sparkling after getting paid.]

[Su Wannin’s looks really hold up; even this close, her skin is flawless, and her features are perfect.]

[What the heck? That big face is starting to look like a ghost!]

On the other end, Qin Jingchen caught the gleam of delight on Su Wannin’s face and put his phone down, satisfied.

“Mommy, what’s wrong?”

Nian Nian’s voice sounded at her feet, bringing Su Wannin back to reality. She stood up with a beaming smile. “Come on, let’s go visit the vineyard in the village!”

This money came at the perfect time—solving her urgent problem like rain after a long drought!

[Why are we suddenly going to the vineyard again?]

[With our idol still here, why not milk his popularity a bit more? I don’t think Su Wannin is planning to end the stream today.]

[Can we get more screen time for Sui Sui and Nian Nian?]

“I saw a huge vineyard in the village ages ago. People always ask how I look so young. Besides good genes, my biggest secret is eating grapes.”

[Dead from laughter—is she just bragging in a roundabout way?]

[Highlight: Born with it!]

[Help! I love her narcissism. It makes me feel more confident too.]

Off camera, Qi Rui watched Su Wannin with a complicated look in his eyes.

She seemed nothing like the rumors—no diva attitude, no arrogance or scheming, and even a touch of endearing cluelessness at times.

Su Wannin was still going on, “Of course it’s true! Eating grapes can extend your life—didn’t you know? And trust me, never peel the skin; most of the nutrients are in there…”

As they reached the vineyard, they saw a villager coming out. Su Wannin approached him with her phone.

“Hello, sir, could we buy a few bunches of your grapes?”

The old man knew there were people filming in the village lately. Though he didn’t really understand it all, the sight of someone wanting to buy his grapes had him nodding eagerly.

“Of course! I’ve got plenty—take as much as you want!”

“We just need a few bunches,” Su Wannin replied.

Hearing this, disappointment flashed across the old man’s face, but he still waved his hand. “No need for money—just go in and pick what you’d like.”

Before Su Wannin or Qi Rui could respond, Nian Nian piped up, “Grandpa, Daddy says we must always pay for what we eat.”

“What a good little girl. But really, there’s no need. These grapes would just go to waste if they stayed here. Take more, so there’s less waste.”

[Huh? Why can’t he sell them? People here love grapes!]

[Grandpa looks so pitiful—he’s about to cry.]

[Such a big vineyard… If nothing sells, it’s a huge waste.]

Watching the comments scroll by, Su Wannin recalled she’d noticed this vineyard the first day she arrived.

It was harvest season, yet the grapes still lay quietly in the fields.

“Grandpa, how about this? How much for all your grapes? I’ll help you sell them!”

A look of doubt crossed the old man’s face as he glanced at her. “You?”

“Of course! There are lots of people here who want to buy—see for yourself!”

She brought her phone closer, and for the first time, the viewers cooperated, flooding the chat.

[Yes! I’ll buy—three, two, one, jump in!]

[My company is planning to buy a huge batch of fruit. Who can I talk to about a big order?]

[Support for Grandpa! Su Wannin finally did something good.]

Playing to her strengths, Su Wannin deftly directed Qi Rui to pick a bunch of grapes, set them on the field ridge for a photo, and put up a purchase link.

Within minutes, the grapes were set for presale online.