Chapter 17

After being treated this way by Qin Wei, Lin Qiqi felt very aggrieved. Along with her bad mood these past few days, she got into the car and lowered her head without saying a word.

Qin Wei bought her an ice pop, but Lin coldly rejected it.

"Cameraman, you can have this."

Qin Wei didn't force her and handed the ice pop to the cameraman instead.

This made Lin Qiqi even more annoyed. Her tears kept flowing as she told the driver to stop the car.

"Stop the car, I want to get off!"

Lin Qiqi wiped away her tears and patted the driver's seat.

"Teacher Lin, the car is having some minor issues right now. If we turn off the engine, it might be hard to start again."

The staff member tried to persuade her patiently.

But this made Lin Qiqi even angrier. She kept hitting the seat and crying,

"Stop the car! I don't want to film anymore. Stop the car!"

She almost stood up if not for the seatbelt holding her down.

"Just stop. Don't cause any trouble..." Qin Wei was annoyed by her behavior and told the staff to stop the car.

The staff member was also helpless but could only pull over to the side of the road.

Lin Qiqi got off the car angrily and asked the staff for a phone.

The staff said the phones were back at the lodge and they would give her one when they got back.

"Give me a phone quickly!"

In her emotional state, Lin Qiqi couldn't listen to reason at all. It was impossible to get through to her.

Even inside the car, they could hear the two arguing.

Of course, it was mainly Lin Qiqi venting angrily.

"Lin Qiqi, that's enough."

Qin Wei couldn't stand it anymore. She also got out of the car and silenced Lin with one line.

Lin looked at Qin tearfully, not daring to speak for a moment. But she soon reacted - things were different now. Qin was just a nobody.

When a tiger loses its territory or a dragon leaves the water, anyone can now stand on top of you, Qin Wei.

Everyone still respectfully calls you "Teacher Qin" on camera for sake of appearances.

How dare you yell at me? Who do you think you are?

Overcome by anger, Lin asked her,

"Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to control me? Just because I'm not a big star like you, you always make things difficult for me! All I wanted was a little dog, and they were willing to give it to me. But you refused just so I wouldn't feel happy! Do you hate dogs? You just don't want me to feel good!" As Lin spoke, she lost control and squatted on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

Qin Wei said: "They make money by selling dogs. No one owes us anything, so we can't just take them for free..."

Antis commented:

[Geez, crying like this over a dog...isn't that going overboard?]

[I think what Sister Qin said makes sense. She's just being considerate that the boss needs to make money. A dog can sell for 300-500 yuan. It's not much for a celebrity, but it's income for ordinary people!]

[I remember Qin Wei carried a 200,000 yuan luxury bag once, and called it affordable and durable. She even argued with netizens, saying quality brands charge higher prices. And today she understands the suffering of common people?]

[Oh well, it's just a variety show script. Just take it as entertainment.]

...

Qin Wei stood by and watched her cry. A staff member walked over and whispered in her ear,

"Teacher Qin, we can't keep going like this. Or...should I lend her my phone?"

"Let her cry it out. We'll talk after she's done. I'm in no rush, let's wait."

The staff was relieved hearing Qin Wei was not angry.

In the past, she had quite a temper and was not someone to provoke easily. Although she was down on her luck now, her fortunes could turn again tomorrow.

People in the entertainment industry are cunning, yet they never seem to understand this. Whoever falls from grace gets trampled on. But he could see clearly behind the scenes -

Qin Wei had changed, in personality and in her path forward. From now on, her road would be different.

Thinking this, he felt the director and producer had keen insight to still be willing to work with her even during her downfall. When she makes her comeback, she would remember their kindness.

[Director & Producer: Ehh...we just wanted to ride her popularity wave and make money...]

After about five minutes, Lin Qiqi had cried herself out. Her sobs turned soft with little energy left.

Now was the time to have a proper chat.

"Come take a seat, let's talk it through."

Qin Wei gestured to the car.

"People on the road are all watching. If someone takes a photo and spreads it online, they might think I hit you."

Lin Qiqi looked around and saw some passersby looking their way. She wavered a little.

Qin Wei could see through her thoughts and said,

"I don't care, I already get cursed at everyday, one more doesn't bother me. But your eyes are swollen from crying, very ugly."

Lin Qiqi quickly got back in the car.

Everyone was relieved.

After closing the door, Qin Wei said to her,

"Dogs are cute, but I didn't do this to upset you. I really have no money left."

"The boss said...said to give it..."

Lin stammered between sobs, unable to get a full sentence out.

"I know, and I could've asked for it too. But it's not for my pride." Qin patiently explained,

"What pride do I have left? I get cursed out online everyday. I'm one step away from retiring. I don't care about pride anymore. They run a business, not a charity. We can buy one next time if there's a chance, okay?"

After venting her emotions, Lin's mind cleared up a bit. She could take in some of what Qin said and reluctantly nodded.

Qin let out a breath in relief.

"Let's go back and cook. We'll put this past us. I won't bring it up once we're back."

Lin mumbled in agreement and wiped her tears without arguing further.

Qin patted the seat, "Alright, let's head back!"

"Teacher Qin..."

"Yes?"

"The car broke down. It won't start once we turn off the engine..."

"..."

Antis commented:

[One step from retiring? What does she mean? Is Ms. Qin retiring?]

[No way, right? I'm kinda panicking now...]

[But isn't making her retire what we've been working towards all this time?]

[I've been cursing at her for years. If she retires now, what do I do when I'm bored?]

[Come to think of it, all the dumb things Qin did over the years brought me quite a bit of entertainment...]

[Is she really retiring? Or just messing with fans?]

[Her fan club already disbanded. Most fans have left. Who is she messing with, antis?]

...

After much trouble, although a bit late, they finally made it back.

Daniel and the others also came back from shucking corn. Seeing Lin Qiqi's red swollen eyes, they gathered around her.

"Sister Qiqi, were you crying?"

Lin was at a loss for words and quickly looked to Qin Wei.

"It was the wind. She rubbed too hard."

Qin Wei breezed through an explanation before grabbing ingredients and heading to the stove.

[Qin Wei's acting is pretty good! She made it seem like Lin Qiqi was fine so they shouldn't worry. Fitting for someone called "Master".]

[Are you a fan, person above? I thought she only had antis now...]

...

The chicken soup on the stove had been simmering for hours. The aroma was wafting out as Qin Wei walked over to Sun Dan:

"Thanks for your hard work, Teacher Sun. Go rest, I'll take over from here."

Sun Dan hesitated, "Are you sure you can handle it?"

Before Qin could respond, they heard Daniel shouting from the door:

"Teacher Sun, the new guest is here!"