Chapter 11: The Online Love Rival Becomes a Charmer (11)

Chapter 11: From Web Novel Side Character to Crowd-Pleaser (11)

After returning to the dorm, Tang Qing freshened up her look. Her hair was still damp, but every strand was carefully arranged to reveal her smooth forehead. A few loose strands framed her temples, messy yet adding a touch of delicate charm.

Tang Qing knew very well that the best feature of her current body were her eyes. She deliberately intensified the smoky rose blush under her eyes, enhancing a youthful, innocent look.

Standing with her back to the window of the rented room, the sunset-drenched rooftops served as the perfect backdrop. Tilting her head slightly, she looked like the picture-perfect college girl who had just returned from a part-time job.

She quickly edited a Weibo post: "Successfully received payment for today’s mascot gig! Though there was a little mishap, it’s all resolved now. Special thanks to the generous Mr. Zhang for the extra 30 yuan! Debt reduced by 150. ?(′???`) Hearts!"

The post included the meticulously prepared photo and a screenshot of her debt repayment record.

"Wait, she actually paid back? Isn’t this just for show…?"

"Speaking as an A University student, I did see Tang Qing at the gym today. The temperature inside felt like over 30°C, and she was working hard—running around nonstop as the mascot. Proof here ↓"

"Um, can we talk about how pretty Tang Qing is? Her face looks so flushed in the photo—she must’ve worked really hard…"

"I was gonna say the same! Stunning girl, the vibe in this pic is perfect!"

Some were curious about the "little mishap" Tang Qing mentioned. With so many people present, details of what happened were pieced together through comments, and soon, more and more began sympathizing with her.

"Are college students these days really this mean? Arguing over a bottle of water? And they’re roommates too!"

"Not to mention taking over Tang Qing’s bed. If it were me, I’d go ballistic on the spot!"

"Seriously? That's straight-up bullying…"

"Why do I suddenly feel bad for Tang Qing? Someone slap me awake!"

Tang Qing didn’t bother reading the rest of the comments—her goal was already achieved. Soon, her online persona shifted from "scammer" to "blogger paying off debts."

She understood human nature. 270,000 yuan wasn’t a small sum. By setting such a repayment goal from the start, people would inevitably track whether she actually cleared the debt.

And thus, steady engagement was guaranteed…

"Yang Mingyue’s favorability points have increased by 12. Also detected a 2-point increase from the male lead, Si Yuechen. Current favorability level from him: 12 points."

"Tang Qing, Si Yuechen now holds a mildly positive impression of you—just above average!"

"Among the general public, your favorability points have risen by 1,790. That’s 1,790 people who think you’re decent!" The system updated the data in Tang Qing’s ear, its voice equal parts excited and shocked.

The progress was too fast!

Without relying on any cheat codes, Tang Qing had single-handedly completely changed the game on her initial predicament. Both the male lead and the Second Male Lead in this world had taken notice of her, and given the current trajectory, the system was confident about what lay ahead.

She… was truly nothing like her original host, Gu Xiaoman.

No sooner had this thought appeared, the system immediately dismissed it. "Pfft! How can she compare to my host? My host is the best in the world!"

"What’s wrong? Shocked speechless by my progress?" Tang Qing teased. "Don’t tell me you’re thinking about that idiot Gu Xiaoman again?"

"*You're* the idiot! If my host were here, she’d cruise through it just fine!"

Tang Qing smirked. "Oh, absolutely. With a cheat device like you, Gu Xiaoman would’ve cruised through it."

"By the way, how’s the original song contest going now?"

The system chimed in, "Your song is currently ranked first, and the streams keep climbing. The organizers have already sent you a message—the second round starts next week."

"The second round is a nationwide livestream. Are you going to tell everyone that the song is sung by you?"

Tang Qing replied, "Wouldn’t the reveal pack more punch if I disclose it’s me during the livestream?"

"A fraud like me singing so well—netizens would be pretty shocked, right?" Scheming gleefully, Tang Qing pondered her next move.

Just then, the door of the rental apartment was banged loudly. The visitor clearly had no manners—the thunderous "bang-bang" was accompanied by curses. "Dead girl, open the door!"

"Tang Qing, it’s your cheap, bloodsucking mother. Maybe we should hide for now." The system, knowing the plot, was well aware of this mother’s destructive power—rude and unreasonable, she had been exploiting Tang Qing for years.

"Hide? Perfect timing!"

Tang Qing yanked the door open, causing Jiang Xiaoe to stumble and nearly fall. "Dead girl, was that on purpose?! You trying to kill me?!"

Jiang Xiaoe’s voice was loud and aggressive as she muscled her way in, grumbling, "Goddamn furnace out there! What kind of dump did you rent? Don’t city homes have AC? Even the countryside’s cooler than this!"

"Dead girl, what are you standing there for? Get your mother some water!"

Flouncing down onto Tang Qing’s small sofa, Jiang Xiaoe’s eyes darted around greedily but couldn’t find anything worth pawning.

"What do you want?"

"Where's my goddamn money?!" Kicking off her shoes rudely, Jiang Xiaoe sat cross-legged on the sofa. As she spoke, Tang Qing could practically see the spit flying from her mouth.

"Didn’t you say you’d send me money on the 15th every month? Where’s this month’s payment?"

"Hmph, girl, don’t forget how you even got into college!" Jiang Xiaoe narrowed her beady eyes.

"Mom, this month I gave Tang Chai 220,000 for a car," Tang Qing said, keeping her distance. "Do you think I’m printing money here, churning it out whenever you want?"

"Don't you sass me when I ask for money!"

Jiang Xiaoe knew full well—when her youngest wanted to go to college, the whole family had opposed it. They’d deliberately set the condition at 6,000 yuan to make it impossible for Tang Qing. Who’d have thought she’d actually manage to magic up 6,000 every month?

And just the other day, she’d forked over 220,000 in one go!

Tang Qing definitely had money! Jiang Xiaoe didn’t care how her daughter got it—as long as she had it, that money was hers, for that useless son of yours to land a wife.

With a wife would come a grandson. The more Jiang Xiaoe thought about it, the happier she got. "I pushed you out of my womb, Jiang Xiaoe’s daughter! If your mother asks for money, you better pay up!"

"And I haven’t even squared things with you yet! That 220,000 you gave—Tang Chai said it’s just for the car. There's taxes and tags on top of that. You’d better fork that over too, or else your brother’s car will just sit there useless!"

"Your brother’s counting on driving that new car to impress girls at the market soon. This is his shot at a wife! If you ruin this, I won’t let you off!"

Hah, some mother you turned out to be—treating her own daughter like a slave!

Even the system couldn’t take it anymore, ranting a blue streak. "Damn this old hag! You worked so hard for that 150 yuan today, and she’s shaking you down!"

"I’m so mad! So mad! Tang Qing, we aren’t giving her another damn cent!"

Right. She wasn’t getting another damn cent.

The glass of water originally meant for Jiang Xiaoe suddenly changed direction—dousing her right in the face!

Before Jiang Xiaoe could react, her once-obedient daughter loomed over her, arms crossed, looking down coldly. "Old hag, cooled off now?"

"You think this is a charity? Marching in here with your hand out for your good-for-nothing Tang Chai? Does he even deserve it?"

"Even if you hadn’t come today, I was going to find you. It’s time we reckon who's been bleeding who dry."