Chapter 47: The Malicious Supporting Female Character
[Little Five, after I leave this world, what will happen to Dream Home?]
005 replied: [Dream Home is the host’s golden finger and will disappear on the day the host passes away.]
Mu Lantu pondered, [If that’s the case, once I reach my goal of getting rich, I’ll let the people of Earth develop Dream Home for a few years as compensation.]
In every world, the standard for “getting rich” is different. In this modern world, Mu Lantu estimated the goal to be at least a hundred billion.
[Host, officials from the Jasmine Nation have left many comments on the rental site, hoping to communicate with the people behind Dream Home. Other countries have also caught wind of it and are hoping to enter Dream Home.]
Mu Lantu took an apple and walked to the balcony, looking up at Dream Home hovering overhead.
[Tell the officials from the Jasmine Nation that Dream Home has no malicious intent. It’s simply meant to provide a home for those without one. In at most 80 years, Dream Home will disappear. Before that, they will be allowed to develop it for five years. As for other countries, don’t bother—they can’t even get a “ticket.”]
[Will they believe that?]005 asked.
Mu Lantu frowned at the bitten apple. It looked big and red, but it tasted terrible—like chewing on wood.
[They have no choice but to believe it. I’ve allowed military and police to enter Dream Home to signal that it has no intent to become an independent nation. The people living there are still citizens of the Jasmine Nation and must abide by its laws. From now on, don’t respond to their messages. I’m just a landlord. I won’t get involved in anything else—the more you mix in, the messier it gets.]
[Understood, Host.]
[Little Five, display an 80-year countdown under “Dream Home,” accurate to the hour.]
[Roger.]
The “Dream Home Departure Countdown” silently appeared beneath the floating Dream Home and was quickly noticed by observers from various nations, who reported it to their superiors.
Whatever stir this caused had nothing to do with Mu Lantu. Displeased with the apple, he tossed it in the trash and picked up a fragrant, juicy orange.
Then, he got a call from He Cuifang.
Mu Lantu turned on speakerphone while slicing the orange. “Mom.”
“Lantu, how are things lately? Is work going well?”
Mu Lantu had told his family that he was working as a livestreamer but hadn’t shared details like his nickname, room name, or content. Online life was online life; real life was real life. He had no intention of mixing them.
“It’s going well. How are you and Dad?”
“We’re both fine! But your dad’s been getting a little full of himself lately! Anyway, never mind that. I called to ask if you’re free this Saturday—your niece is turning ten and we’re holding a banquet. Can you come home? You’re her uncle—it’d be best if you came. Plus, now that you’re earning money, if you don’t come, your brother and sister-in-law might take offense, and the relatives will gossip.”
Mu Lantu didn’t care about gossip, but he had to save face for his parents.
“I’m free. But I thought Xuan Xuan was turning nine this year?”
He Cuifang replied, “You don’t get it. Our local custom is to celebrate the tenth birthday when the child turns nine.”
“How much should I give as a gift?” Mu Lantu had no clue about this.
“Just the same as your sister—1,000 yuan. Do you have the money? If not, Mom can give you some.”
“I’ve got it.” Mu Lantu noted that Saturday was only a few days away. “I’ll head back Friday and stay at a hotel.”
“Sigh,” He Cuifang sighed with mixed feelings. “Alright.”
Mu Lantu didn’t ask her why she sighed—probably about the last incident.
“I might bring a few friends home with me. I’ll take care of them, so don’t worry. Just wanted to let you and Dad be mentally prepared.”
It was the first time her younger son was bringing friends home from out of town. He Cuifang nervously asked, “Friends from the capital?”
“Yes.”
“Even if we don’t have to host them, we still need to prepare something. What do they like to eat, drink, or do?”
Mu Lantu said, “They like beef and shrimp. Prepare some fruits and candy. Also, get some lollipops—but no durian. That’s about it.”
“Alright, got it! Anything else? If not, I’ll hang up now—I need to buy more snacks for the banquet. Your sister-in-law already prepared some, but I’ll get more!”
Mu Lantu had more to say and quickly stopped her. “Wait, Mom!”
He Cuifang asked in a rush, “What is it?”
Mu Lantu said, “Buy good-brand candy and snacks. Don’t get those no-name cheap ones. Remember when I was in high school, and you brought back wedding candy from cousin’s wedding?”
“I remember. What about it?” Her tone softened with nostalgia.
Mu Lantu winced at the memory. “Two pieces of candy were expired—there were bugs and cobwebs inside!”
“What?!” He Cuifang’s voice jumped. “That really happened?”
“Yep.” Mu Lantu recalled clearly. He’d been lucky to unwrap the candy carefully—if he hadn’t noticed, he might’ve eaten the bugs.
“Then we’re not using what your sister-in-law bought. She went cheap and got all generic brands! I’ll go buy new ones. I don’t want to embarrass myself and your dad!” He Cuifang sighed again.
Mu Lantu transferred her 10,000 yuan. After finishing his orange and washing his hands, he was getting ready to go out when Xu Huazhang returned—holding a small cake.
“Baby, I’m officially on break—one whole month.” Xu Huazhang noticed Mu Lantu with car keys. “Going somewhere?”
Mu Lantu said, “My brother is holding a birthday banquet for my niece this Saturday. I’m going to buy her a gift and bring it back Friday.”
“You’re going back home?” Xu Huazhang handed the cake to Ge Tao, held Mu Lantu’s hands, and gently pinched his fingers. His tone carried a trace of danger. “Baby, you’ve made plans for yourself. What about me?”
“Of course you’re coming with me. Where else would you go?” Mu Lantu replied, puzzled.
Ge Tao and Zhou Ye had already retreated to the balcony—they’d had more than enough of this public display of affection.
Xu Huazhang smiled dazzlingly.
Mu Lantu ignored his unruly heartbeat and placed a warning hand on Xu Huazhang’s shoulder. “You’d better not smile like that at anyone else!”
Jealous?
Xu Huazhang leaned in, about to act, but caught sight of the two “third wheels” and gave up. “I only smile for you. Let’s go to the mall together—I’ll get a gift for your niece too. And since it’s a banquet, we need new clothes. Also, first time meeting the parents—”
“Meeting the parents? You’re overthinking it.” Mu Lantu coldly interrupted. This guy had a talent for twisting words.
Xu Huazhang sighed dramatically, “Whatever you say.”
At the mall, Xu Huazhang dragged Mu Lantu to a boutique. After efficiently picking out four couple outfits, he finally feigned a polite question.
“Baby, how about these four sets?”
Mu Lantu examined them carefully. Xu Huazhang was measured—the outfits didn’t scream “couple wear,” and only the observant would notice.
He intended to subtly reveal their relationship to his parents. This was perfect.
“They’re fine.”
Xu Huazhang added, “My family knows about us and doesn’t mind. When you’re ready, you can meet them anytime.”
Mu Lantu felt warmth bloom in his heart. He would manage his family’s reaction just as he expected Xu Huazhang to. If Xu Huazhang couldn’t, he would leave without hesitation. After two lifetimes, he couldn’t stand even a bit of mistreatment.
So far, Xu Huazhang’s behavior was excellent. Mu Lantu’s voice softened slightly.
“Those hats are couple items too.”
Xu Huazhang, oblivious to how close he came to being dumped, ordered the clerk to pack everything.
At the store entrance, a stylish and glamorous girl was about to step in. Seeing Mu Lantu, her rhinestone heels paused. Her sharp gaze caught the watches on both men’s wrists, and her surprise turned to disgust.
She raised her chin and strutted in loudly, “Mu Lantu, you’re being kept by a man? As a college-educated person, how could you sink so low?”
The clerk and other customers looked over. Even passersby stopped to watch, their eyes bouncing between Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang.
Meng Jiaqi basked in the attention, raising her chin even higher.
Mu Lantu’s good mood took a hit.
Xu Huazhang’s gentle demeanor vanished, his cold gaze turning blade-sharp toward Meng Jiaqi.
She sneered, unfazed. Did they think she’d be scared?
Mu Lantu gently shook Xu Huazhang’s hand, signaling that he’d handle it.
Ge Tao, in the corner, lifted his phone to record.
“Miss, do I know you? Or have you seen so many sugar-baby relationships around you—or even experienced them yourself—that you assume every pair is like that?”
Meng Jiaqi’s face twisted briefly. “If you’re not being kept, how could a rural bumpkin like you afford a watch worth over a million?”
The onlookers didn’t like that comment. What’s wrong with coming from the countryside? Most people had rural roots.
A pretty girl in pink hanfu used a fan to cover her mouth and loudly whispered to her friend, “Qianqian, doesn’t she look like a typical malicious supporting female character?”
The whole crowd burst into laughter.
“Hahahahahaha…”
Meng Jiaqi glared around but couldn’t find the speaker—helpful bystanders had already shielded her.
She turned her fury back to Mu Lantu.
“Mu Lantu, if you’re being kept, be ready to get exposed! Otherwise, explain how a fresh graduate can afford a million-yuan watch?”
“If you’re sick, stay home and take your meds. If not, prepare for a court summons. Publicly insulting or slandering others, especially with serious consequences, can get you up to three years in prison, detention, or restriction of political rights.” Mu Lantu spoke meaningfully. Meng Jiaqi’s appearance reminded him that it was time to deal with the Meng family properly.
Meng Jiaqi laughed maniacally. “You’re the sick one! I must’ve been blind to like you. Thank God you rejected me—otherwise, I might’ve caught something! If you like men, just say it. Why keep it secret from our classmates? Let me help you spread the news!”
Xu Huazhang’s gaze darkened completely. In his eyes, Meng Jiaqi was already a dead woman.
