Rags to Riches: The Rise of a Dual-Talent Prodigy
Chapter 27: Why Is She Such a Mess

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Why Is She Such a Mess

At first, I wasn’t mentally prepared, then I got busy earning money and forgot about it.

Seems like it’s time to see what the original owner looks like.

Qian Qi was thinking this when, on the other end of the call, a middle-aged woman paused for a moment and asked hoarsely, "Qiqi, how’s your department doing lately? Is there... anyone dead?"

Qian Qi froze for a moment, thinking the other was concerned about her, so she replied, "No, the Magic Plant Department has been safe recently."

"I see..." the middle-aged woman murmured softly, "That’s good, that’s good. So... has there been anyone in the past?"

Qian Qi raised an eyebrow, sensing something off.

If she was simply concerned about her, it seemed unnecessary to ask about the past, right?

After all, it’s a pretty obvious answer.

She silently tapped the table with her index finger and asked, "There’s been, what’s up?"

"Ah, it’s just... do you know anything about their family situation?" The middle-aged woman pondered, "For instance, whether they want to adopt a child or something."

A slight pang throbbed at her temples, and Qian Qi felt some memory slide by, but she couldn’t remember anything.

Her fingers quickly typed a search on the Light Brain, and after a while she asked, "Why ask? I’ve never heard of an orphanage proactively approaching people for adoption."

The middle-aged woman mumbled silently, and Qian Qi couldn’t grasp the tone the original owner used with her, but seeing the woman’s gentle and timid appearance, she decided to take a tough stance.

"Just say what you have to, aren’t you my family? What are you afraid of saying?"

It was unclear which phrase touched the middle-aged woman; she choked up twice before hesitantly saying, "Qiqi, the property rights for our orphanage’s land are about to expire. Renewing them requires 500,000, and the other party says if we can’t come up with the money, we’ll have to send the children away."

"So I was thinking, before we dissolve the orphanage, to find good resting places for the children, even one adoption counts."

Qian Qi slapped her forehead hard.

She finally understood why the system had just told her to save money.

Could it be she had just earned 500,000 and now had to spend it immediately?

Qian Qi glanced through her class schedule and magic plant cultivation records, finally resolving, "I’ll go back tomorrow."

Since the original owner was raised by the orphanage, she definitely needed to show some responsibility—go back first, see what Bright Orphanage’s situation is, then decide.

"Alright, you can come back whenever you want, about the adoption matter..."

"...I’ll go back first, we’ll discuss this tomorrow." She hung up the call and couldn’t help but rub her temples.

[Are you still happy? ✧(≖◡≖✿]

Qian Qi:...

Qian Qi angrily slurmed the system interface. _{free.w e bn.ov(e)l(.)com}

The slobbery-drenched system interface: [...@#￥%bleep——@#￥*]

Feeling instantly refreshed, Qian Qi stood up, ready to check her face. She leaned toward the mirror on Chen Miaomiao’s desk and scrutinized her new appearance carefully.

Hmm... how should I put it.

Qian Qi touched her chin; the face definitely wasn’t hers, but if she were to describe what it looks like in Central State language, it’s beyond words.

Not that it’s ugly, but just...

Qian Qi smiled, and then she startled herself.

"Whoa!" She nearly jumped, "Am I that scary when I smile?!"

[You finally know! ✿✿ヽ(°▽°)ノ✿]

The system’s cheerful confetti expression nearly choked her with anger. She tried to contort her face in front of the mirror, hoping to make a gentle and soothing expression, but after 10 minutes, she was left with a stiff face.

"This face is so weird." Qian Qi was exhausted, "It’s not ugly, but why does it look so scary once there’s an expression?"

Each feature, when singled out, isn’t exaggerated, but with expressions, it becomes a mess.

Only with a poker face does she look quite ordinary, retaining just a slight cold and unfeeling aura.

However...

She really suits the persona of a rogue scoundrel when she smiles?

Quickly familiarized with her new look, Qian Qi couldn’t help but admire herself contentedly in the mirror.

[... You really are a pervert...]

Right then, Chen Miaomiao came back from outside the dorm, seeing Qian Qi contorting her face in front of her mirror, couldn’t help but be at a loss for words.

But remembering something, Chen Miaomiao’s face instantly lit up with a brilliant smile, she gleefully glanced at Qian Qi, then climbed into bed, switched on the Light Brain, and hummed happily.

"Why is she so happy." Qian Qi cast a suspicious glance at Chen Miaomiao on the bed.

Not that she’s bothered by her happiness, on the contrary, she really cherishes Chen Miaomiao’s current silly smile.

After all, who knows when Chen Miaomiao might never be able to smile again.

...

Bright Orphanage is located on the outskirts of Yan City, Qian Qi had checked beforehand that it takes two and a half hours by subway to reach.

Just as she stepped out of the school gates, Qian Qi was amazed by the technology of this world.

If instances and magic plants made her feel like she was in a magical game world, then the swiftly moving hovercars, rollercoaster-like aerial tracks, and diverse light screen ads made her truly feel she had crossed into a new "future world."

Raising her head, she looked up at those cool hovercars above her, and a flicker of envy passed through her eyes, "Tongzi! Someday I’ll buy one!"

[One costs 3 billion 7 hundred and 80 million]

Qian Qi:...

"Walking is healthier." Qian Qi decisively turned and headed toward the subway.

In this world, there are many poor people, but also many wealthy people.

The emergence of instances and demons created many new professions, allowing some bold and visionary ordinary people to seize opportunities, earning immense wealth amid risks and challenges.

Yet these people are merely considered wealthy.

Those truly called tycoons are the business families with generations of A-level Awakened inheritors, and those regarded as top influential figures are the ones who, ever since instance disasters emerged, fought bloodily to carve out space for humanity’s survival, ultimately building this new world themselves—those first-generation Awakened.

Only their bloodline heirs, inheriting their will, have the privilege of controlling this world’s future development.

It’s a height ordinary people can never reach.

Meanwhile, our tiny Qian Qi squatted at the subway payment machine, fiddled around, and finally managed to get on the subway.

After a two-and-a-half-hour ride, Qian Qi stood in front of Bright Orphanage.

This orphanage took quite a large area, with an exterior looking exactly like the orphanage she lived in during her past life, sparking an instant sense of familiarity within Qian Qi. She tightened her grip on the fruit bag she held and took a deep breath before walking inside.

The yard was kept very tidy, with wide front yards flanked by rows of racks, dried and warm quilts, and children’s clothing hanging on them. A few older kids were washing clothes.

Spring water was still chilly, their little hands reddened from cold, but their immature faces showed no hint of unwillingness.

Qian Qi had no memories of this orphanage, nor was she aware of how to find the director’s office, so she lightly coughed, trying to attract the kids’ attention.

The washing kids lifted their heads instantly upon hearing the sound.

The next second, Qian Qi witnessed the wonder of changing 20 expressions in 15 seconds.