I Really Can't Afford to Raise These Transmigrated Sons (ON HIATUS)

2: Won't that just be a complete and utter waste of your youth?

In the end, like the world's most capable but least wanted fairy godmother, Bai Wei Lan sent her cousin to the hotel where the banquet was being held with beautifully styled hair, makeup, and clothes.

"Diamond centerpieces at every table, a menu that includes abalone, white truffles and caviar, and gift bags that contains actual gold? Did Bai Shu Yao really have to spend that much money on a two-year wedding anniversary celebration?" asked Bai Qing Mei dryly as she scanned their blindingly opulent surroundings.

"Well, you know how she is," replied Bai Wei Lan insipidly as she swirled the red wine in her glass. "If she doesn't make a grand affair of even the most mundane occasions then her heart will feel unsettled."

Just as Bai Wei Lan's last words fell, an annoyingly saccharine voice called out, "Sister Wei Lan, Sister Qing Mei!"

Turning towards the direction of the voice, Bai Qing Mei and Bai Wei Lan saw a woman dressed in a floor-length metallic gold gown and a sparkly diamond tiara sashaying over to them with an exaggerated smile.

Bai Qing Mei raised her own glass of wine to her lips and took a deep swig. "Speak of the devil."

"Now, remember. No matter what she says later, you can't fight her like you did in high school," reminded Bai Wei Lan sternly.

"I only fought her because of you," muttered Bai Qing Mei.

"What?"

"...Nothing." Bai Qing Mei adjusted her expression and raised her glass towards the approaching Bai Shu Yao, "Long time no see, Shu Yao. Congratulations on your anniversary."

"Yes, congratulations."

Bai Shu Yao covered her mouth and giggled. "Thank you, thank you. I'm glad both of you could join us here tonight, especially you Sister Qing Mei! I feel like I haven't seen you in forever. Although it's good to be passionate about your work, you shouldn't spend all of your time drawing at home alone, you know. We wouldn't want people to start gossiping about how you're a pitiful recluse without a social life now would we?"

Bai Qing Mei smiled insincerely. "What can I say? It's easy to lose track of time while I'm working on my manuscripts. Fortunately, it seems that spending all of that time drawing has made my eyes become more discerning. For example, compared to last time, I can see that the length of your eyes has increased by 3 mm while the width of your nose has been decreased by nearly 4 mm. It's interesting how people's faces always tend to change when you haven't seen them in a while isn't it?"

Bai Shu Yao subconsciously touched her face before she realized what she was doing and laughed airily. "Makeup and lighting can be so deceptive. I have a professional do my makeup nowadays and she's phenomenal. Her rates are quite high but considering the price of the gown you have on tonight, maybe you could afford to hire her for very special occasions."

Because Bai Qing Mei had only revealed the fact that she drew under the pen name「 Ordinary Ribbon Plant 」 to a select group of people, most of her extended family members were under the impression that she was a mediocre manhua artist being propped up by her older cousin.

Bai Qing Mei hummed thoughtfully. "I don't think I'll be in need of her services any time soon but seeing that she can even change the structure of one's jaw with makeup, I can't deny that she's skilled beyond reason."

Bai Shu Yao's feigned pleasant expression cracked. Why did this hateful cousin of hers always have to pick apart her every lie? Was it a crime for her to not want everyone to know that she had gotten a few minor touch-ups? "Heavens, I almost forgot how funny you could be. I happen to know someone else who's also very funny and coincidentally, he's single too!"