Chapter 17: "Paying Back" Sister Zheng Also Got Into Lending! She Got Rich! Truly Wealthy Now!! [Please Support with Votes]

Lü Ming had no idea that with just a short essay, he had remotely manipulated Teacher Huang into completing the didi ride for Qian Bao. Had he known, he wouldn’t have minded writing a few more.

After sending his regards to Teacher Huang, he turned his attention to his deadbeat ex-girlfriend, posting a message tagging her:

“I had a dream last night.”

“I dreamed of you!”

“In the dream, I was already the brightest dual superstar in both the music and film industries!”

“All my peers were openly jealous of my talent!”

“After finishing a day’s work, I came home to find a scruffy beggar arguing with the security guard. When she saw me, the little beggar excitedly rushed over. The bodyguard thought she was an overenthusiastic fan, so he stopped her and teased me about my influence—so big that even beggars were crazy about me.”

“The little beggar waved excitedly: ‘Baby! It’s me, your ex!’”

“I signaled the bodyguard to step aside and, holding my nose, took a closer look at this foul-smelling, disheveled beggar. Though her hands were blackened as if she had just rummaged through trash, and a terrible stench surrounded her, I immediately recognized her—my ungrateful ex-girlfriend.”

“I was shocked that once a glamorous goddess of the entertainment world could fall so low.”

“She tearfully recounted her recent hardships…”

“Turns out she owed a huge debt she couldn’t repay. The court had frozen all her assets. Facing countless creditors’ demands, she hid her identity, scavenged through garbage, lived under bridges, constantly evading, barely managing to get by.”

“For years, she was a deadbeat, clinging to my leg, begging for shelter.”

“Though she still owed me ten million, since we once had a connection, I was willing to help her out and arranged for her to stay in the doghouse by the villa.”

“That was Kele’s house. The five-year-old dog, already as smart as a child, resented her for abandoning him and now fought fiercely every day to defend his home!”

“To appease Kele’s anger, the housekeeper let the dog lick the food twice before serving it to her.”

“She was blissfully unaware and praised the taste!”

“Sitting on the balcony, sipping 1982 Lafite worth more than her life, watching her in the doghouse, I couldn’t help but reminisce…”

“The elders say fate sends us signs through dreams.”

“Perhaps this is the final fate for a deadbeat…”

“@Not Chu Yuxun: If you don’t want your dreams to come true, better pay up quickly!”

With this post, netizens were instantly stunned.

“Damn, I’m laughing out loud!”

“Others dream of exes as sweet first loves, all nostalgic and lovely. But this guy dreams of his ex living in a doghouse, eating dog food, sheltering under a bridge, barely scraping by—hilarious!”

“After being backstabbed by Sister Zheng like that, he’s still so optimistic, putting on a show for the fans. That’s impressive.”

“I don’t know if he’s having a hard time, but his talent definitely shines through the screen!”

“Two essays a day—if he hadn’t chosen to enter showbiz, he’d probably be a top web novelist by now.”

“Back in the day, if Li Bai had his ambition, Tang poetry would have three hundred more masterpieces!”

“@Sister Zheng, pay up already!”

While the crowd enjoyed the spectacle, some sympathized with Lü Ming’s plight and rallied to help him collect the debt.

After all, no matter how washed-up Lü Ming was, repaying debts was a matter of principle. Even if die-hard fans tried to slander him and twist the truth, such a clear-cut issue couldn’t be spun white. Faced with netizens’ questioning and scolding, many of his detractors deleted comments and fled to avoid backlash.

#LüMingDreamsOfSisterZheng#

#SisterZhengPayUp#

These hashtags quickly topped the trending charts.

...

In the capital, on the set of a current idol drama.

At lunchtime, Sister Zheng sat comfortably in her trailer, enjoying a meal of eight dishes and one soup, with two assistants serving tea and water. Life couldn’t be more comfortable.

Her Weibo had been unblocked yesterday. Although some debt-collection comments remained, most netizens had shifted focus due to the Mushroom House incident. Compared to yesterday’s furious crowd that got her account temporarily suspended, these few complaints were a mere drizzle.

Judging by the trend, within a week, people would completely forget her debt issue, and in a month, it would be ancient history.

Feeling pleased, Sister Zheng even found today’s lunch tastier.

“How dare he recklessly post those petty essays to shade Teacher Huang? Hmph, if you don’t court death, you won’t die. Just wait until this heat dies down, he’ll be soft-banned by the industry. Then he’ll be begging for help, and I want to see how he’ll disgust me then!”

Sister Zheng smirked confidently.

Suddenly, her phone chimed with a special notification.

Her once-smiling face turned cold immediately.

Her clingy ex-boyfriend had posted again, tagging her.

“Why is he like a sticky plaster, clinging to me no matter what?” Sister Zheng thought, already knowing the bastard was probably demanding money again.

But when she clicked in, she was shocked.

It wasn’t a demand for money, but a declaration that he dreamed of her?

Ew—how tacky!

“Is he realizing his mistakes and thinks he’s gone too far recently? Now he wants to publicly confess and beg me to get back together?” Sister Zheng sneered. “Hmph, a dog can’t change its nature. He only pretended to be tough for a few days before cracking.”

“I knew it! Such a childish trick!”

Though she mocked him, pride gleamed in her eyes.

She knew it all too well!

That damned bastard thought sweet talk could win her back? That sugar-coated lies could make her forget everything?

Did he know how much humiliation she had suffered lately?

She was a national goddess, countless childhood crushes’ white moonlight, always revered by fans. Never once had a netizen insulted her like this!

The thought made her eyes well up with tears.

“That clingy dog, if he doesn’t transfer me 5,200,000 yuan as an apology, I will never forgive him!” Sister Zheng sobbed.

Her two assistants were delighted for their boss.

Finally, a clear sky after the storm!

“Sis, scroll down and see how he confesses to you in front of the whole internet,” the manager urged.

The assistant beamed, “Usually, when a man says he dreamed of you last night, it’s followed by some really greasy lines. Sister Zheng, brace yourself.”

“Yeah, my ex used this trick to lure me back. Men are shameless; you have to play hot and cold with them. Never give too much face,” the other assistant shared her experience.

Sister Zheng found it reasonable.

She swiped down, but after just a glance, her hopeful expression froze.

The manager and assistants also froze in place, peeking over.

“Damn… bastard!” Sister Zheng slammed the table, teeth clenched, “That’s a personal attack, a blatant personal attack! Send a lawyer’s letter right now!”

Manager and assistants were speechless.

“He even dreamed he became a dual superstar? With that raspy voice and cringe-worthy acting? I know better than anyone.”

“Even if the entertainment industry regressed 20 or 30 years, someone like him would only be a pretty waste of space!”

“A little beggar… living in a doghouse… a bottle of Lafite could buy my life?”

“And begging you to take her in?!”

“My mansion alone could buy his life!”

“No, I’m seriously drunk!!” Sister Zheng laughed in anger, trembling, “That washed-up loser is bound to get into a car accident!”

The manager weakly said, “Sis, he’s drinking three meals a day now. He probably won’t be driving anytime soon.”

“Hit by a car while crossing the street, how about that?!” Sister Zheng’s eyes glinted fiercely.

The manager hurriedly shut up, afraid to speak further.

Sister Zheng stared at her phone with watery eyes. With each word she read, her frustration grew until it felt like ants were crawling in her chest.

Then she completely lost it:

“Ahhhhh!”

She clawed fiercely at her pale arms and delicate calves like a crazed cat.

Clear scratch marks appeared instantly on her smooth skin.

Her meltdown frightened the assistants, who rushed over to calm her.

The manager quickly dialed the number.

Soon, Lü Ming’s voice came through: “Hello, who’s this?”

“You scumbag!! Waaaaa… I’m going to kill you! Waaaa…” Sister Zheng sobbed and cursed, snatching the phone.

Lü Ming: “??? Who’s crying at whose funeral?”

“Going to a wake and still calling me?”

Sister Zheng cursed, “Are you insane?”

“I’m crying at my vicious ex’s funeral!”

“Oh, your crying scenes have been pretty intense lately!” Lü Ming sneered, “Planning to snag Best Actress this year with that skill?”

Sister Zheng collapsed, “During our time together, what did I ever do to deserve your revenge?”

“Ten million! The rest of the petty debts I’m waiving as a favor,” Lü Ming said coldly. “You always say true love is lifting each other up. As long as you don’t pay me back, I’ll keep lifting you to the top of the trending charts every day, making you famous nationwide!”

Sister Zheng ground her teeth, “You’re waiting for me to die, right? Say yes, and I’ll show you right now!”

“Fine!” Lü Ming said.

Sister Zheng: “…”

“Hello? Showing it?”

“…”

“If not, you know the bank account.”

“…”

“Baby?”

“Don’t call me baby! It annoys me!”

“So can you pay now?”

“Money, money, money! You only care about money! Do you know why I broke up with you? Because you’re too materialistic! After all that time together, does our relationship really mean less than that stinking money?”

Lü Ming sneered, “Deadbeat! You just know how to be a deadbeat. Do you know why I agreed to break up? Because you’re so hypocritical! After all this time, doesn’t our relationship deserve your honesty once?”

Sister Zheng was speechless.

Her tears streamed, voice choked, “If you keep this up, I’ll really get mad!”

“Oh? You’re quite good at getting mad. Want me to give you an award?”

“Men, don’t push me too far!” Sister Zheng yelled, tears streaking her face.

Lü Ming: “Woman, your eyes are full of greed!”

“Delete your Weibo. I’ll figure out the money. Don’t slander my reputation!”

“Pay first, then I delete!”

“You delete first! With my level of fame, why would I lie to you? Ten million doesn’t even cover my reputation damage fees!”

“Baby, stop bragging. That ten million could buy your life!”

Knock knock knock knock…

Sister Zheng’s eyes widened, chest heaving, “Bastard!!!”

“Loser! I curse you to eternal poverty!” she screamed.

The manager, seeing her boss out of control, cautiously took the phone, afraid Sister Zheng might smash it like last time. Seeing her red eyes with veins bursting, she said weakly, “Sis, stop cursing. The other side hung up already…”

Sister Zheng clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, dazed.

The manager saw this wasn’t working and carefully said:

“Sis, the company has been complaining about you lately. This deadbeat clinging to you isn’t good. If you keep being tagged as a deadbeat on the trending charts, in time, you won’t just lose the chance to compete for one of the four young actresses this year—I’m afraid your career will suffer too. You might lose your status soon…”

“If I had the money, I’d have paid it back!” Sister Zheng stubbornly said.

“Maybe we can get a loan from the company…”

“Loan?!” Sister Zheng glared, “Loans don’t have to be paid back?”

“No, Sis, with your status, you’re untouchable by that loser. Plus, resources are good now. You could probably pay it off within a year. If you play it right, maybe two months’ work would cover it.”

Sister Zheng said nothing.

“You still have a mansion, your assets are much stronger than his. Worst case, you can handle it.”

“You’re hoping my house gets auctioned off?!” Sister Zheng shot back.

The manager hurriedly waved her off. Seeing Sister Zheng’s situation, she reluctantly agreed, “Fine, fine, get the loan!”

“Pay the loser back first, then issue a statement to end this.”

“Loser, you’re done for. I’ll see when you’ll ‘show’ again!” Sister Zheng gritted her teeth. “Dual superstar? Dream on! That’s only in your fantasies!”

“The loser is basically soft-banned by the industry now. When this hype dies down, no one will care,” the assistant envied. “He’ll probably come crawling back, begging Sister Zheng for mercy soon.”

“Hmph, I’m waiting to see him fail!” Sister Zheng sneered.

...

[Bank notification: Account ending 5499 received a transfer of 10,000,000.00 yuan on May 11 at 16:52. Balance: 16,065,800.00 yuan. (Industrial and Commercial Bank of China)]

At home on vacation, Lü Ming had been happily watching dramas. At first, he didn’t pay attention when his phone rang. But when he casually picked it up and saw the message, tears welled in his eyes.

The debt was finally recovered!

These days, borrowing money was king—easy to borrow, hard to collect. No one knew how he had survived the debt chase, with his only house auctioned off, left with nothing, too poor even to pay legal fees, forced to obey Huayue Entertainment, running around day and night. When home, he cramped in a shabby single apartment.

Now, with ten million recovered, he was truly wealthy again!

Along with previously withheld appearance fees now in hand, it was a double blessing. His personal savings had reached a staggering 16 million yuan, enough to buy a decent house in the expensive metropolis. Though he still had a way to go before investing in dramas, this was a solid starting capital.

Once free from Huayue’s control, he could immediately start his career and rise swiftly!

Thinking this, Lü Ming felt reassured and secretly thrilled with anticipation.

In this parallel entertainment world, he had countless dreams to fulfill!

Online, the #SisterZhengPayUp# hashtag was removed, and his “dream” post quickly dropped from the trending list. His fans, seeing the debt settled, became cocky, repeatedly mocking Lü Ming’s old clingy quotes.

But with a full wallet, Lü Ming had no interest in arguing with haters.

Having finally made it, he celebrated lavishly, buying two bottles of Wuliangye from the supermarket. He had Xiaoya drive the housekeeper’s car to a well-known private kitchen restaurant, treating the assistants who had suffered with him.

Both his appetite and spirit were thoroughly satisfied.

As the expensive liquor hit his stomach, the system’s pleasant chimes rang one after another in his mind.

[Ding! Detected host drinking Wuliangye: “Charisma” +3!]

[Detected host entering mild intoxication: “Basic Arrangement” +30!]

[“Basic Arrangement” advanced to LV3!]

[Ding! Detected host drinking Wuliangye: “Appearance” +5!]

[Detected host entering moderate intoxication: “Basic Vocal Technique” +100!]

[“Basic Vocal Technique” advanced to LV2!]

[Ding! Detected host drinking Wuliangye: “Constitution” +5!]

[Detected host entering deep intoxication: “Basic Acting” +100!]

[“Basic Acting” advanced to LV3!]

Though he didn’t trigger an ability lottery, the skill gains today were explosive—several times higher than when he drank beer before. Lü Ming happily thought it was worth spending 1,500 yuan a bottle on such fine liquor to celebrate. The price really had its perks.

His “Basic Arrangement,” “Basic Singing,” and “Basic Acting” skills had all reached LV3, with the newly upgraded “Basic Vocal Technique” at LV2.

Though he wouldn’t dare to compete with kings and queens of the industry just yet, these three musical skills were more than enough for him!

In his dreams, he had already begun envisioning himself dominating various music shows...

As for why it was just a dream—after settling the bill at the restaurant, Lü Ming completely blacked out. He didn’t even remember how he got back to his apartment.

...