On the other side, Little Le'an was already crying in fright, abandoning her noodles as she reached into her throat with snot and tears streaming down her face, trying to force out what she had eaten. "Auntie, I won’t eat anymore, please don’t sell me, okay?"
This was something Le Qing couldn’t stand. She had no experience dealing with children and felt utterly helpless, only managing to frown slightly. "Stop crying."
The child clamped her mouth shut, tears pooling in her eyes, looking so pitiful that Le Qing felt a pang of guilt. She had been too harsh.
Little Le'an’s small hands were covered in saliva from her desperate attempts. Le Qing paused, then pulled out two tissues to wipe them clean. "Who said I was going to sell you?"
"You’re nice to me," Little Le'an sniffled, presenting her logic. "You took me outside."
"..."
[This train of thought is more convoluted than a client’s demands.]
Le Qing rubbed her temples, wondering if leaving the child behind would make her errands more efficient.
"I went out to handle my own business, not to sell you," Le Qing tried to explain, unsure if the child would understand. "I brought you along because I was worried it wouldn’t be safe to leave you home alone. If you don’t want to come, you can stay, and I’ll figure something out."
[If not, I’ll just mail the bag to the buyer online. The money will come a day later, and bringing the other child home will have to wait another day too.]
Little Le'an’s crying stopped abruptly as she searched Le Qing’s eyes for any trace of ill intent—but found none.
Had she delayed her aunt from picking up her brother?
After a long pause, she clutched her phone, remembering her brother’s words: if she ever encountered bad people, she should immediately call 110 for the police.
Mustering her courage, Little Le'an spoke up. "I’ll go."
Le Qing was surprised. So not all children were unreasonable.
Just like the day before, she bundled the child up snugly before heading out. To stay competitive in society, Le Qing had obtained every possible certification during college, including a driver’s license, so driving the original owner’s car was no issue.
She had arranged to meet the buyer at a café outside a shopping mall and arrived over ten minutes early to show sincerity.
For Little Le'an, this was her first time in such a place. Though she knew she had to behave, her eyes couldn’t help lingering on the beautifully decorated little cakes at other tables.
They looked so delicious, so sweet.
Her small hand reached into her tiny bag, feeling the lollipop Le Qing had given her. She wanted to take it out to satisfy her craving, but then remembered it was meant for her brother, so she held back.
Le Qing noticed every little movement, including the longing in the child’s eyes.
But... Le Qing didn’t even have enough money for a coffee.
Silently, she asked the staff for two glasses of warm water, handing one to the child with a pang of guilt. "Drink some water. We’ll go home to eat after we’re done."
Little Le'an nodded obediently, discreetly hiding her phone, which was already on the 110 dial screen. "Thank you, Auntie."
Le Qing’s conscience ached even more.
[Once I get the money, I’ll buy her a slice of cake first.]
Little Le'an’s ears perked up at that. She... she could have one of those adorable little cakes?
But how could her aunt be short on money? She had just sold her brother.
Before she could make sense of it, a sharp voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Le Qing?"
Hearing her name, Le Qing looked up. Having just transmigrated, she naturally didn’t recognize people from the original owner’s life, so she didn’t rush to respond, only giving a slight nod.
The woman approaching was Yu Shuqi, a minor internet celebrity dressed in expensive fur and a short skirt, her scrutinizing gaze hidden beneath flawless makeup.
Le Qing and Yu Shuqi technically moved in the same circles—people who dabbled in luxury goods, took photos, and schemed their way into high-end parties, all to gild their social status.
But Le Qing had always looked down on them. While they relied on secondhand luxury items or group purchases to maintain their "socialite" personas, Le Qing prided herself on her "noble" background, refusing to touch pre-owned items. If they crossed paths at an event, she never missed a chance to sneer at them.
Yet the woman by the window now was nothing like her usual flashy, exaggerated self. Dressed in a simple black knit sweater and long skirt, her dark hair cascading smoothly, her face free of makeup but still radiant, her cool gaze accentuated by the small mole on her nose—everything about her exuded an ethereal grace.
Yu Shuqi had been drawn to her aura upon entering, intending to discreetly study her outfit, only to realize it was someone she knew.
How had Le Qing’s style changed so much in such a short time? And she wasn’t even looking down her nose at people anymore.
When Yu Shuqi called her name but said nothing else, Le Qing raised a brow. "Hmm?"
Better to say less and keep the upper hand.
Yu Shuqi immediately regretted speaking. They weren’t friends—why invite trouble? Rolling her eyes, she turned to leave, but then her gaze caught on the familiar branded packaging beside Le Qing.
Wait... the secondhand buyer’s ID was "LQ."
She spun back around. "You’re here to sell a bag?"
Le Qing was surprised but quickly pieced it together, nodding lightly. "You’re the buyer?"
Now it was Yu Shuqi’s turn to smirk.
She didn’t care about being seen buying secondhand—everyone in their circle did it. What delighted her was that Le Qing had once declared, "Even if I don’t like something, I’d rather let it rot than sell it. It’s not like I need the money."
And now she’d caught her red-handed.
This was too good an opportunity to pass up.
"Yeah," Yu Shuqi said, sitting across from her with a scoff. "But the great Miss Le actually selling a bag? Didn’t you say you didn’t need the money?"
Le Qing had faced countless snide remarks growing up and recognized the mockery instantly. Clearly, this wasn’t a friendly relationship.
But such words meant nothing to her. She never let petty taunts bother her, replying calmly, "I need it now."
Yu Shuqi was thrown off by her unruffled admission. "Did you go bankrupt or something?"
"More or less."
"Selling a basic bag like this won’t get you much. Would it even cover one of your usual outfits?"
Le Qing thought for two seconds. "Enough to buy a whole store’s worth on Pinduoduo."
Yu Shuqi choked, realizing her attempt to provoke had fallen flat. "But wouldn’t clothes from Pinduoduo make your delicate skin break out in hives?"
Le Qing remained unfazed. "Not anymore."
Now Yu Shuqi was genuinely convinced something had changed. How could someone’s personality shift so drastically in such a short time? Narrowing her eyes, she suddenly smiled. "You must really need this money, huh? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have rushed to meet me in person the same day."
"Mm."
"In that case," Yu Shuqi spread her hands, "I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want it anymore."
Little Le'an, who had been quietly shrinking into Le Qing’s side—avoiding strangers for a sense of security and not wanting to disturb her aunt’s business—suddenly tensed.
Having grown up under the influence of a wicked aunt, she could sense the malice in the woman's words and peeked out curiously.
Yu Shuqi finally noticed the child. "Where did this kid come from?"
Le Qing subtly shifted forward, blocking her view. "My niece. If you're not interested, we'll be leaving now." She was in a hurry to find the next buyer.
"Wait." Yu Shuqi, frustrated that she hadn’t managed to provoke any reaction from Le Qing, sneered, "Aren’t you desperate for money? Beg me, and maybe I’ll buy it."
[Go on, beg. Weren’t you always looking down on and humiliating us? Now it’s your turn to taste what it feels like.]
"Auntie," Little Le'an tugged lightly at Le Qing’s sleeve. "This lady really dislikes you. She wants to... um... humiliate you?" Was that the right word? It didn’t sound good.
The child’s voice was soft, but the café was quiet, and the other two heard her clearly.
In the adult world, some things didn’t need to be spoken aloud to be understood—but once voiced, their meaning changed.
Yu Shuqi’s expression darkened. "Kids shouldn’t—"
But she froze the next moment because, instead of getting angry, Le Qing calmly said, "Please."
"…What?" Yu Shuqi straightened. "What did you just say?"
Le Qing took out the handbag, carefully handling it with gloves. "Before you knew I was the seller, you were interested in this bag. It’s my duty to show it to you. I do need the money urgently. If you’re satisfied, we can proceed with the deal as discussed. If you’d rather walk away because of past grudges, I accept that too. What do you think?"
Yu Shuqi felt like she’d punched cotton. "Are you out of your mind? Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell everyone about this? How will you survive in our circle after this?"
Le Qing knew better than anyone that she’d never truly fit into that glamorous world. She simply smiled. "Needing money isn’t shameful. If anyone else in your circle is interested in my bags, I’m open to selling."
Strangely, Yu Shuqi almost felt like she was on Le Qing’s side for a moment.
She had always been open about her vanity and pursuit of status, even buying secondhand without shame. And now, Le Qing was just as unapologetic about her financial struggles.
Having said her piece, Le Qing had no time to waste. She carefully packed the bag. "If there’s nothing else, we’ll be going."
"Wait." Yu Shuqi pulled out her phone. "You really don’t care if I tell people?"
Le Qing chuckled. "Go ahead."
Yu Shuqi stared at her for a few seconds before scoffing. But she didn’t let it go—instead, she sent a voice message in their group chat right in front of Le Qing: "Just bought a bag from Le Qing. She says she’s strapped for cash. If any of you want her stuff, feel free to reach out."
She raised an eyebrow at Le Qing, but the other woman remained unfazed.
Of course, Le Qing didn’t react. The original owner’s actions had nothing to do with her. Her only goals now were to take care of the children, cover her financial gaps, and eventually start a new life once they were gone.
Yu Shuqi was both frustrated and oddly amused. She put her phone down and lifted her chin. "Fine. Forget the platform—I’ll transfer the money directly."
"Don’t you want to inspect it?"
Yu Shuqi rolled her eyes. "If you were selling fakes, we wouldn’t have let you get away with it for so long."
Le Qing didn’t argue. She repacked the bag, and when the payment came through, her eyes curved slightly. "Pleasure doing business."
"By the way," Yu Shuqi couldn’t resist the urge to show off Le Qing’s current state, "there’s a themed party in a couple of days. Some actual rich kids will be there. You coming?"
"No." Le Qing had already guessed this woman knew the original owner. "Too much to do at home."
She then handed the café menu to the child. "Which one do you want?"
Little Le'an clutched the menu, stunned that her aunt was keeping her promise.
"…" Yu Shuqi’s eyes widened. "You’re so broke you had to wait for the money to buy her cake?"
"Yes."
Now Yu Shuqi was genuinely curious. "What’s your plan? Keep selling bags forever?"
"No." Le Qing paused, then suddenly seemed more interested. "I know photography and have modeling experience. If you ever need someone for shoots, I’m available—for a fee."
"???" Yu Shuqi looked baffled. "You’re hustling like this?"
Le Qing shrugged. "Nothing shameful about earning a living with your skills."
Their influencer circle did need photographers, and professional ones were often too expensive. Having someone readily available was tempting, and Yu Shuqi wasn’t about to refuse—especially since her main goal was to show everyone how far Le Qing had fallen.
"Fine," she agreed quickly. "I’ll send you the address."
Once the payment was settled, Yu Shuqi left. Le Qing waited as the child ate her cake, calculating how to budget the money.
Everything was for the kids—basic necessities like bowls, utensils, and gloves, plus warmer clothes. She hadn’t even met the other boy yet and wasn’t sure if she could get his size right.
Lost in thought, a small hand pushed a slice of cake into her view.
She blinked.
"Auntie, eat too." Little Le'an gazed at her expectantly.
"No, thanks." Le Qing had never been one for indulging in food—or anything, really. Her life had always been about simplicity and stability.
This transmigration was her only unexpected twist.
"It’s really sweet!" The child insisted, unwilling to enjoy it alone, especially after her aunt had spent their last bit of money on her. "And soft."
She stubbornly held the spoon up to Le Qing’s mouth, half her weight leaning in.
Trapped, Le Qing stiffened for a second before giving in and quickly taking a bite.
"Sweet, right?" Little Le'an beamed. "Do you feel happier now?"
"What?"
"Auntie got bullied. That’s sad." She fed her another bite. "This helps."
Le Qing was taken aback. The child thought she was upset?
It wasn’t sadness—just detachment. This world and its people felt unreal to her. She could accept it but couldn’t immerse herself in it. Even if Yu Shuqi had exploded in anger, she doubted she’d have felt anything.
Yet the child’s words made her wonder—was she actually upset?
The overly sweet cream lingered on her tongue. Le Qing murmured a quiet "Mm," her fingers fidgeting slightly on the table. "I’m not sad. And I wasn’t bullied."
She truly didn’t have a sweet tooth, but every now and then, she would buy a slice of cake and take a few bites—because so many people loved desserts, and she wanted to borrow this habit to create the illusion of fitting in.
Yet, for a fleeting moment, she actually tasted the sweetness of the cake.
"Thank you," she said.
"You're welcome." Little Le'an carefully split the remaining half and asked hopefully, "Can I save this for my brother? He hasn’t had any."
Le Qing shook her head. "This is just for you. When your brother comes back, I’ll buy him a fresh one."
Finally reassured, Little Le'an quickly polished off the rest of the cake.
After wiping the child’s hands and adjusting her scarf and hat, Le Qing couldn’t help but smile when the little girl obediently tilted her head to cooperate.
"Auntie, why are you smiling?"
"No reason."
[I just think you’re more adorable than other kids.]
She stood up, paused for a second, then asked, "Your name is Le An?"
"Mm-hmm!" Little Le'an seized the chance to correct her. "It’s Le An, not 'kid.'"
Le Qing smiled again. "Right, Le An."
She wasn’t one for sweet talk. Leading the child into the mall to shop, she kept in mind the need to pick up the other child later. She quietly refunded the payment from the buyers’ couple and sent a message to arrange a meeting.
Just as the message went through, a commotion erupted nearby—a child wailing loudly.
Le Qing couldn’t help but appreciate how well-behaved her own kid was.
The noise grew closer, and she glanced over to see a little boy sprinting ahead, swinging something in his hand, with two frantic adults chasing after him.
The boy yelled as he ran, "I don’t need this! I gotta poop!"
Le Qing was about to steer Little Le'an away when the girl suddenly shouted, "Brother!!!"
Brother?
Le Qing stared in shock at the approaching boy, now clearly seeing the diaper flapping in his grip.
"..."
Recalling how the novel’s plot described the boy going to extreme lengths to reunite with his sister, she instantly realized what he was up to.
If their future father found out about this, she’d have another black mark against her.
[No, what he’s about to drop isn’t just poop—it’s my doom.]
Little Le Jia hadn’t noticed his sister yet. Having picked a prime spot, he was about to squat down, ready to secure his ticket home in one decisive move.
But before he could turn, he felt something catch his tiny backside—the very diaper he’d discarded.
Furious, he whipped his head around and locked eyes with a face both familiar and unfamiliar: the features were known, but the expression was new.
And then… his overly bundled-up, not-so-bright sister peeked out from behind. "Brother, what are you doing?"
Little Le Jia yanked his half-dropped pants back up mid-squat. "I—"
For a split second, he considered going through with it—maybe if the evil aunt saw, everyone would be disgusted with him!
But then he met Le Qing’s icy gaze. "If you poop here, I’ll film it and loop the video at your kindergarten opening ceremony for all the kids to see."
"!!!"
Little Le Jia’s world shattered. He clenched with all his might and forced the urge back down.
