Chapter 6: One-click demolition

Shi Qingqian quickly swept up all of Wang Xiuqin’s private stash of money into her personal space before continuing to plunder the house. Aside from a few coins hidden in cloth bags and clothing pockets, the biggest prize was found in the basement: several large chests.

When she pried them open, the dim light revealed a dazzling sight—Shi Qingqian’s eyes lit up instantly. Inside, the boxes were filled with treasures: gold and silver jewelry, diamonds, gems, and even some antique calligraphy and paintings. These things clearly could not belong to Wang Xiuqin. The only possible explanation was that they had been left behind by the original host’s father. Which meant that her father was no ordinary man.

Since they belonged to her father, Shi Qingqian accepted them without the slightest hesitation. She carefully stored everything into her space, arranging the valuables as neatly as possible.

Just as she was about to leave the space, her attention was caught by the floating panel within. Several mysterious characters flickered across it. She leaned in closer—and saw a new option: “One-Click Demolition.” Her eyes lit up again.

Shi Qingqian used the remote control to purchase it. The point balance instantly went from 0 to -10. She hadn’t even figured out how to earn points yet, and she was already in debt. But curiosity about this new feature outweighed her concern.

Without hesitation, she pressed Activate.

In an instant, a strange power surged from within the space. It was as if an invisible pair of giant hands were casting spells over the house.

The walls began to peel, plaster falling off in chunks to reveal the rough brick beneath. The once-smooth surfaces crumbled into patches of decay. The floorboards trembled violently, creaking and popping as they were ripped up one by one, like they were protesting the destruction.

Through the space, Shi Qingqian could watch the chaos unfold. The corner of her lips curved upward in satisfaction.

Before long, the house was stripped bare—walls and floors dismantled, nothing left but wreckage. Meanwhile, Wang Xiuqin and Shi Qingyao were still sleeping soundly, completely oblivious.

Shi Qingqian looked at the result and smiled with deep satisfaction. She knew that when Wang Xiuqin woke up, she’d be furious enough to go mad. But Shi Qingqian felt no regret—this was the punishment Wang Xiuqin deserved for years of cruelty to the original host.

Silently, Shi Qingqian slipped out over the courtyard wall and vanished into the night.

---

The next morning, the sun rose warm over the land. Wang Xiuqin awoke, only to discover the house utterly destroyed. All the money and treasures were gone. She let out a piercing scream.

Shi Qingyao jolted awake, terrified at the sight of her mother’s frantic state.

“My money! My things! And the house—what happened here?” Wang Xiuqin tore through the rooms in desperation, but found nothing. Her face went pale, her eyes filled with despair.

“Mom, what’s wrong? What happened?” Shi Qingyao asked, panic-stricken.

“Our money and valuables were stolen! The house has been torn apart!”

“It must be her—it must be that little wretch!” Wang Xiuqin hissed through gritted teeth.

“Which wretch?” Shi Qingyao asked, not yet catching on.

“Who else? That dead girl Shi Qingqian! She must have done this for revenge—stole our money, took our treasures, and destroyed the house!” Wang Xiuqin shouted in fury.

Shi Qingyao’s expression darkened. Reason told her it couldn’t be Shi Qingqian alone—such destruction was beyond her ability. But she didn’t say that aloud.

“Mom, what do we do now?” she asked instead.

“What else can we do? We find her! We get the money and things back! And then we teach her a lesson she’ll never forget!” Wang Xiuqin snarled.

But they had no idea that Shi Qingqian was already far away, riding a train with Xu Huai’an to the western province, leaving their rage behind to fester into nothing but helpless sighs.

---

On the train, Xu Huai’an had managed to get her a sleeper berth. Since he bought the ticket at the last minute, only one sleeper was available, so he had taken a seat ticket for himself.

In the past, Shi Qingqian would never have tolerated such conditions. She had always lived in comfort, demanding quality in every aspect of life. But now she had no choice but to endure the crowded carriage and its mix of unpleasant smells.

“Qianqian, I’ll put my things at my seat. You lie down and rest. When it’s time to eat, I’ll bring food over,” Xu Huai’an fussed, sounding like an overprotective father.

Shi Qingqian looked at him, surprised—how had she never noticed this paternal streak in him before?

“I know, go on,” she said softly.

When he left, Shi Qingqian spent a long while psyching herself up before finally lying down.

“Such an act. Disgusting,” a sharp voice cut through the air.

Shi Qingqian frowned, sitting up. She turned to see a fashionably dressed young woman glaring at her with disdain.

“Were you talking about me?” Shi Qingqian’s voice was cool, her eyes tinged with displeasure.

“Of course I was. Look at you, all shabby and pathetic. First time on a sleeper, huh? Acting like you’re too good for it—don’t you find that disgusting?”

Before leaving, Xu Huai’an had insisted she wear the plainest clothes. So she had put on one of the original host’s washed-out outfits and added a touch of makeup to dull her beauty for safety.

But now, hearing herself mocked as shabby, she felt her temper flare.

“Oh, what is this, do you live by the seaside? Why are you so nosy? I bought this sleeper ticket myself. Whether I like it or not, what’s it to you? You think having a big face makes you important? Who do you think you are—fashion’s ambassador? Morality’s judge? You look more like a petty gossip.”

The woman’s face flushed red, then white. Her eyes widened as she scrambled for a comeback, but no words came.

“You… you’re unreasonable!” she finally spat.

Shi Qingqian gave a cold laugh. “And who’s really unreasonable here? I’m lying on my own sleeper berth, minding my own business. You attack me out of nowhere, and still think you’re in the right? Dressed like some intellectual, yet your manners were clearly eaten by a dog.”

The surrounding passengers, overhearing the quarrel, turned curious eyes toward them. Some began whispering among themselves.