Volume One, Chapter 11: Playing Dead, Playing Dead

Wu Xingxue suddenly raised her voice: “Luo Jing! Do you think having Wu Yumian to protect you means you can escape unscathed?”

“Wu Yumian, stay out of our business! Hand her over immediately!”

Luo Jing cursed Wu Xingxue silently, thinking she was a mad dog. She had made a bet and now wouldn’t let go.

Wu Yumian felt a surge of excitement. Yes, the more outrageous and vicious Wu Xingxue was, the better!

“Sis! You’ve gone way too far today! You’ve already caused the death of Luo Jing’s brother, and now you want to harm her too?” Wu Yumian’s expression was serious.

Everyone looked on, amazed at the stark contrast between the two sisters.

“Miss Wu really is a true child of the Wu family, such a good person!”

“No wonder the Wu family dislikes Wu Xingxue; she’s a pushy little girl who’s really unlikeable. Wu Yumian is much better.”

“Miss Wu is truly kind-hearted. I heard Wu Xingxue often bullies her at home, which is why she was kicked out. Looks like it’s probably true!”

Luo Jing seemed to have grasped a lifeline, clinging to Wu Yumian without letting go.

“Miss Wu, please save me!”

Wu Yumian glanced at the unyielding Wu Xingxue, feeling pleased inside but wearing a look of bitter disappointment on her face.

She sighed and asked, “Sister, what will it take for you to finally let Luo Jing go? Their family has already suffered enough because of you. Can’t you just leave her alone?”

Although Shen Chi didn’t like to meddle, seeing Wu Yumian try to intervene stirred him as well.

“Wu Xingxue, that’s enough! You’re becoming increasingly petty, showing no generosity like a true Wu family member.”

Wu Xingxue remained unmoved, her gaze falling on Wu Yumian’s face, radiant with a saintly innocence.

“If you want me to let her go, fine.”

Shen Chi was about to feel relieved, thinking Wu Xingxue might finally relent, but instead, she spoke softly.

“Luo Jing just made a bet with me. If I lost, I’d pay her ten thousand United Coins a month. If she lost, she’d give me an arm.”

“Since you want to keep that arm, then pay up. According to her terms, ten thousand United Coins a month. I’m not asking for much—just—”

“One year’s worth, that’s 120,000. Transfer it now, and I’ll let her go.”

Shen Chi and Wu Yumian’s expressions stiffened.

Shen Chi exclaimed, “Ten thousand a month? Why don’t you just rob her?!”

Luo Jing lowered her head, feeling guilty and unwilling to speak. If only she had asked for less…

Wu Xingxue leaned against the counter lazily, glancing at Luo Jing. “Yeah, why doesn’t she just rob her?”

Shen Chi looked at Luo Jing in shock, a thought forming: such greed deserves to lose an arm.

Wu Yumian hadn’t expected Luo Jing to ask for so much.

Wu Xingxue cracked her stiff neck. “Hey, Miss Wu, didn’t you just say you’d save her? I’ve already given in, and now you won’t help?”

She yawned and stood up. “If you’re not saving her, then stay out of this. Stop pretending.”

—

Luo Jing clung tightly to Wu Yumian. “Miss Wu, you can’t just ignore me!”

Wu Yumian felt a headache coming on.

Today she had to show everyone Wu Xingxue’s true colors!

First, she comforted Luo Jing, then pleaded, “Sis… can you lower the price a bit?”

“Are you bargaining like you’re buying groceries?” Wu Xingxue sneered. “That alien plant on your shoulder isn’t cheap, right? You have money to buy useless things but not to save someone.”

“I don’t think you’re any kinder either, just pretending to be innocent.”

Wu Yumian hurriedly explained, “That was a birthday gift from my cousin! I didn’t buy it!”

“Oh, so you do have money. Then pay up.”

Wu Yumian was speechless.

Since leaving home, Wu Xingxue had become increasingly unpredictable.

Shen Chi couldn’t help but ask, “Wu Xingxue, why do you always talk about money? Have you squandered all your money and contribution points as a top-tier psychic?”

“Why did the Wu family raise you to be so wasteful? And now you’re even extorting people!”

Shen Chi was right—Wu Xingxue had been quite wealthy before.

As a top-tier psychic, she earned a lot from missions.

But when she left the Wu family yesterday, she had only 52 United Coins left.

She did squander money, but all on her family.

Wu Xingxue thought she was the best daughter and sister in the world, giving everything to her family, yet no one appreciated it.

The Wu family was large, and every month they paid for supplies upfront at the supply office, which delivered weekly.

Originally, the eldest brother, Wu Xunan, handled procurement, but he was too busy and left errands to Wu Xingxue.

The first month she simply handed over Wu Xunan’s order, but the family kept complaining.

Before the apocalypse, all the Wu family’s daily ingredients were imported by air, so everyone had high food standards.

Now, in this environment, vegetables and grains were grown in safe zones with great effort and expense.

Prices were exorbitant.

A single wilted cucumber could cost 100 United Coins.

Ordinary people usually ate potato pancakes; only prestigious families like the Wu’s could afford vegetables and meat regularly.

Wu Xunan’s procurement list already stretched the family’s budget but failed to satisfy their picky tastes.

So Wu Xingxue paid out of pocket, spending 90% of her savings monthly at the supply office to ensure the best and finest ingredients.

At the time, she thought simply: we’re family, I have lots of money with nowhere else to spend it, and I eat at home, so why fuss?

But after becoming incapacitated and unable to take missions, her income stopped.

Over a month passed, yet no one at home asked where her money came from or how she was living.

—

Wu Xingxue calculated the date—it was near month’s end, soon time to register food supplies at the supply office again.

Before the apocalypse, the Wu family was rich and powerful; now they were just powerful.

Everyone had to work to maintain a decent life; the once-rich and privileged heirs were just shadows of their former selves.

As far as making money went, Wu Xingxue was definitely number one in the Wu family.

Without her quiet financial support, if they wanted good food, the Wu family members would have to pay themselves.

She was curious to see how these pampered young masters and ladies would manage.

Wu Xingxue sneered, “You keep saying it’s because you can’t afford it. What a waste of time.”

She sarcastically told those around her, “You still say Miss Wu is kind-hearted? Not really.”

Wu Yumian saw the crowd pointing fingers at her, feeling like she was being roasted alive by Wu Xingxue.

Luo Jing looked at her pleadingly, gripping her tighter.

She understood now.

If she didn’t save Luo Jing today, her hard-earned gentle and kind image would collapse.

Besides, who knew how Wu Xingxue might slander her?

She didn’t want to follow in Wu Xingxue’s footsteps.

“Sis! This alien plant was bought by cousin for 90,000 United Coins at an auction. I’ll trade it with you!” Wu Yumian gritted her teeth, her heart bleeding.

It was her new treasure!

Wu Yumian loved auctions and had already spent much of her money, leaving only just over ten thousand United Coins.

That was still a considerable sum for an ordinary family.

But Wu Xingxue wanted 120,000. Offering ten thousand would never be accepted.

Her best bargaining chip was this alien plant.

Infuriating!

She vowed to make Wu Xingxue return it with both hands!

Wu Xingxue smirked.

Ninety thousand?

Clearly, a price she couldn’t pay.

Freebies are always best!