Chapter 108: Not So Naive and Sweet
Although Bai Zhi looked like she was picking out bracelets, she was actually all ears, listening to their conversation.
When she heard Wan Qing’s ridiculously love-struck comment, she was speechless.
’How did she manage to become so completely love-struck?’
Besides, her so-called friend didn’t seem like a good person either. Bai Zhi had no doubt that if Wan Qing weren’t an Earl’s daughter, she would have been eaten alive.
Bai Zhi casually picked a couple of bracelets that looked nice enough. "These two will do."
Hearing Bai Zhi’s voice, Wan Qing snapped out of her daze and glanced over, frowning. "Just two? You don’t want any others? Don’t you like this shop’s selection?"
She muttered to herself, then briskly paid for the two bracelets Bai Zhi had chosen. She told the Sub-female attendant, "Wrap them up."
Then she turned to Bai Zhi and said, "Let’s go check out some other shops."
She then used her Light Computer to send a message to Zelda: [She picked out two bracelets. We’re off to check out other shops now~!]
After sending the message, she eagerly awaited a reply. Even when Zelda didn’t respond, she didn’t seem to mind, simply leading Bai Zhi to the next shop.
A moment later, Zelda replied: [K.]
That single letter was enough to keep Wan Qing excited for a long while. It even made her more attentive as she continued shopping with Bai Zhi.
While clothes shopping, she even gave Bai Zhi advice on which outfits looked best and how to style them. After they picked out clothes, they moved on to shoes, and then accessories to match.
Bai Zhi had to admit, Wan Qing had excellent taste. She always offered unique suggestions and even came up with some stunning combinations that Bai Zhi absolutely loved.
Wan Qing sized up Bai Zhi, then suddenly blurted out, "You know, you’re actually quite pretty."
Bai Zhi, who had just finished changing, was taken aback. She clearly hadn’t expected such a sudden comment.
But she quickly smiled and replied, "You’re very pretty, too."
Wan Qing tilted her chin up proudly, her eyes filled with undisguised smugness. "I’ve always been pretty. But I’ll admit, you have good taste."
At that, Bai Zhi offered a small, knowing smile.
Wan Qing led Bai Zhi from one shop to the next, buying not only a great deal for Bai Zhi, but also plenty for herself.
After they finished shopping at each store, Wan Qing would message Zelda to give him an update.
Zelda, who had replied to her first few messages, eventually started responding to only one out of every few. Even so, Wan Qing’s enthusiasm never waned.
Because of Bai Zhi, Zelda’s attitude toward her was unusually friendly today. This made Wan Qing determined to get on good terms with Bai Zhi.
’As long as she doesn’t try to compete with me for Zelda, anything goes!’
As Wan Qing and Bai Zhi happily shopped, the other female, Yalan, was a complete third wheel. Not receiving so much as a glance from Wan Qing, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.
She had sucked up to Wan Qing for so many years just to barely earn a spot by her side. Wan Qing had never bought her anything like this. Yet Bai Zhi, simply because she was the wife of Zelda’s friend, was getting such lavish treatment. It felt so incredibly unfair.
’But she couldn’t afford to offend either Zelda or Wan Qing. That only left Bai Zhi...’
’But anyone who could be friends with Zelda... Bai Zhi’s Beast Husband must be a somebody. At the very least, I can’t offend her openly.’
She pressed her lips together and said to Wan Qing, "I’m not feeling well. I think I’ll head home."
Just then, Wan Qing was holding a pair of earrings up to Bai Zhi’s ear. "Here, try these on."
Without turning around, she just nodded and said, "Okay, got it."
Seeing Wan Qing’s complete lack of reaction to her departure, Yalan unconsciously clenched her fists.
It was Bai Zhi who glanced over upon hearing she was leaving. "Are you not feeling well? Is it serious? Do you need me to contact a Healer for you? I have some basic medicine with me, if that would help."
Wan Qing said dismissively, "Don’t worry about her. It’s not like she doesn’t have legs. If it’s really that bad, she can call the Female Alliance to take her."
Hearing this, Yalan forced an awkward, pained smile. "It’s nothing, just an old problem. I’ll be fine after I go home and rest a bit."
Only then did Bai Zhi nod and go back to trying on the earrings.
The moment Yalan turned away, the smile vanished from her face, her expression instantly turning grim.
After she left, Bai Zhi cast a thoughtful glance in the direction she had gone.
Seeing her lost in thought, Wan Qing asked, "What is it?"
Bai Zhi smiled. "It’s nothing. I was just a little worried something might happen to her leaving on her own."
Wan Qing’s expression didn’t change at her words. She said coolly, "Her? She just wants my father to put in a good word for her brother to help him get ahead. A couple of years ago, when my father was stripped of his authority, her attitude became pretty obvious. But now that he’s regained some power, she’s back to her old tricks. ’Not feeling well’? She’s just jealous that I’m being nice to you."
Her words left Bai Zhi stunned. She hadn’t expected Wan Qing to be aware of all that. She had previously assumed Wan Qing was just a spoiled, naive girl who had no idea Yalan wasn’t a real friend.
’But it made sense. How could anyone truly be that naive when tainted by the politics of the nobility?’
While adjusting her earrings, Bai Zhi said, "You’re surprisingly perceptive. So why are you doing all this? Are you hoping I’ll put in a good word for you with Zelda? You know, I don’t actually know him that well. I’m afraid all the money you’ve spent today might go to waste."
Wan Qing shook her head. "As long as you’re not competing with me for him, then everything I spent today was worth it."
Hearing this, Bai Zhi suddenly felt a pang of pity for her. Wan Qing knew Zelda didn’t feel that way about her, yet she was still determined to bang her head against a brick wall.
Since Wan Qing had spent so much, Bai Zhi felt bad just taking everything for free. After a moment’s thought, she said, "Have you ever considered someone else? You’re a great catch. There’s no need to hang all your hopes on one person, is there?"
Wan Qing immediately puffed up like a proud peacock. "Of course I’m a great catch! The line of Beastmen who want to be my Beast Husband would stretch from here to the Seine River."
But in the next moment, she lowered her gaze and said softly, "He saved me when we were children. From that day on, I swore I would make him my Beast Husband. He’s never had a female by his side all these years, so I’ve been clinging to this tiny shred of hope... that if I just chase away all the other females, maybe he’ll finally see me."
Bai Zhi pressed her lips together and gently pointed out, "Don’t you think that will only make him dislike you more?"
Wan Qing looked completely unfazed. "I know. But at least that way, he’s paying some attention to me, right?"
At that, Bai Zhi could only say, "You can’t force matters of the heart."
Wan Qing paused for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled. "You’re right. So maybe I’ll give up the day he finally gets a female partner."
"I know what you’re going to say. I know it all, really. It’s just that every time I think about giving up, I can’t bring myself to do it."
She gave Bai Zhi another look-over, her tone light again. "Those look great. They really suit you. We’ll get this pair, then."