“Little Xiao, the ceiling wasn’t like this when I rented it to you, was it?”
“Right, right…”
“How did such a large hole get there?”
“This… the process is a bit hard to explain…”
“Sigh, Little Xiao, I’ve only rented this to you for three months, and the ceiling is already ruined like this. It’ll be hard to rent out again.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Little Xiao, don’t blame me. I’m just being honest. I can’t rent this house to you anymore, and I can’t refund the security deposit.”
“Fine…”
“Well, let’s leave it at that. You should go find a suitable place. I won’t make things difficult for you; I’ll give you one more night, all right?”
“Okay, thank you, ma’am.”
Xiao Nanchu stood at the door, bowing and nodding as he saw the Landlord Aunt off. Afterward, he stared expressionlessly at the bathroom.
“Luo Taozhi! Did you hear that? Thanks to you, the house I rented for only three months is gone, along with my three-month security deposit.”
“Even better news: I have no money left, and I can’t rent a new place.”
“Does the Great Fairy Luo have any thoughts on the high probability that we’ll be sleeping on the streets tomorrow?”
The bathroom door slowly opened, and a cute little head poked out sneakily.
“I’m… I’m sorry. I… I don’t have any money. How about I go rob a bank?”
“Don’t worry, with my strength, as long as they don’t use Massive Destruction Weapons, they definitely can’t hurt me!”
That snow-white little head bobbed up and down, and pink hair occasionally drifted out. She looked incredibly adorable.
However, the words coming out of her mouth made Xiao Nanchu’s face turn darker.
“Great Fairy Luo, have you been away from human society for too long? Should I remind you that even if you rob a bank, you won’t be able to spend the money normally!”
“Then… then I don’t have any other ideas. I’m sorry~”
Following Xiao Nanchu’s scolding, that cute head immediately shrank back tremulously.
‘Tsk, so cute.’
Xiao Nanchu felt that this scene truly struck a chord in his heart.
‘He suspected this girl was doing it on purpose; she knew his preferences. There was a high chance she was doing it intentionally.’
‘But he just so happened to fall for it.’
With a long sigh, Xiao Nanchu finally spoke.
“Actually, I have another way for us to get a sum of money and a place to live immediately.”
“Really!”
This time, Luo Taozhi poked half her head out, her large, watery eyes looking at Xiao Nanchu.
“It’s just that I need you to cooperate a little.”
“No problem! Whatever you want me to… but I won’t sell my body!”
“Do I look like that kind of person?”
“Then I’ll do whatever you say!”
Luo Taozhi’s entire head emerged from the bathroom. Her face was full of guilt, mixed with the excitement of being able to make amends.
“Come here.”
“Okay~”
A figure scurried over to Xiao Nanchu, looking at him expectantly.
“In a moment, just stand here and follow my lead. Just say ‘okay’ and nod. Do you understand?”
“Mhm, okay!”
Seeing how cooperative Luo Taozhi was, Xiao Nanchu nodded in satisfaction and pulled his phone from his pocket.
He opened WeChat and found the profile picture of someone named [Empress Mother]. He opened the chat and clicked the video call button.
*Ring… Ring…*
“I can’t fly out of… this flowery world…”
“It turns out I am a… Drunken Butterfly…”
“A pair of…”
“Hey? Eldest son, what’s the matter?”
The video call connected, and a middle-aged woman appeared on the screen. She shared a 70% resemblance with Xiao Nanchu and appeared to be very well-maintained.
“Hey, Mom. I’ve recently started dating someone, and I need a little… financial support.”
“My dear son, how many times have you said that? I can’t help you anymore. Your father said that if he doesn’t see a girl this time, he’ll never send you another cent.”
“What are you saying! It’s real this time. Come look at your daughter-in-law!”
Xiao Nanchu held the phone and adjusted the camera’s direction, bringing Luo Taozhi into view.
Then, he wrapped his arm around Luo Taozhi’s shoulder and said, “Come, Taozi, this is my mom.”
Before Luo Taozhi could react, she followed his lead and said, “Hello, ma’am~”
The moment she saw Luo Taozhi, the woman on the other side of the phone hesitated for a second before letting out a startling shout.
“This is my daughter-in-law?! For real? Xiao Nanchu, tell the truth! Did you hire an actress to lie to me?”
“No, not an actress. Even those filtered stars on TV aren’t this beautiful! Oh my god! She’s too pretty!”
“Xiao Nanchu! Come clean right now. Where did you trick her from? You aren’t using an AI to deceive me, are you?!”
Xiao’s Mother looked like she wanted to jump through the phone. Her voice was full of praise for Luo Taozhi’s appearance and suspicion toward Xiao Nanchu.
“How could I lie to you? How could this be AI? I’m literally holding Taozi right now.”
As he spoke, he gave Luo Taozhi’s cheek a little tug.
It was only after being pinched that Luo Taozhi snapped out of it.
‘Wait! Didn’t we agree I wouldn’t have to sell my body?’
‘This is the same thing!’
She wanted to question Xiao Nanchu, but her gaze caught the hole in the ceiling, and she remembered what the Landlord Aunt had just said.
Then she looked at the excited Xiao’s Mother on the phone and at Xiao Nanchu, who was constantly signaling her from off-camera.
‘Whatever. I’ll… I’ll just go along with him.’
Then, she gave a sweet smile to the screen.
“Ma’am, I’m real~”
“Oh my~ what’s your name, little girl? Where do you live? Has that brat Xiao Nanchu been bullying you? If he does, you tell me! I’ll have him send my WeChat to you later. How did you two meet? You…”
Xiao’s Mother’s voice was constant, firing off one question after another.
“Ma’am, my name is Luo Taozhi. I… I’m currently living with Xiao Nanchu. He hasn’t bullied me; he’s very good to me. I…”
Although Xiao’s Mother spoke extremely fast, as an Immortal Cultivator, Luo Taozhi’s mental strength was very powerful. Describing her as having a photographic memory was an understatement, so answering the mother’s questions was no trouble at all.
She answered fluently!
Xiao Nanchu was stunned.
He hadn’t expected Luo Taozhi to be so cooperative!
‘In his estimation, it would have been good enough if she just nodded along, but he hadn’t expected her to be so professional!’
‘Impressive!’
“Mhm, mhm. Mom, I’ll send your contact info to Taozi later. About that thing I mentioned earlier…”
“It’s a small matter! I’ll send you 20,000 yuan right away. Ask me for more when you’re done with that. Also, that apartment downtown—I’ve already spoken to the property management. Move in tomorrow with Little Taozi. Don’t let her suffer, you hear me!”
“Yes, yes. Okay, bye Mom!”
“Wait, I—”
Before Xiao’s Mother could finish, Xiao Nanchu hung up.
He then waved his phone and looked at Luo Taozhi triumphantly.
“So? We’ve got the money and the place, haven’t we?!”