Possessed No More: The True Star Returns to Claim Her Throne

Chapter 150: Will Do Anything When Desperate

No one else said a word. A few hundred yuan wasn’t a big deal. Failing the task wouldn’t kill them, but if they kicked up a fuss over it, there was no telling how badly they’d get dragged through the mud online.

Director Warren’s reply was incredibly smug. "Objection overruled. I make the rules; you just have to follow them. For now, shut down the livestream."

The staff did as instructed. Then, someone rolled out several clothing racks. "Everyone, pick an outfit. After you change, makeup artists will help you get ready. During this afternoon’s activity, if any of you are recognized by a passerby, your mission will be considered a failure, and you’ll have to end your money-making task for the day."

"So we can just slack off then?" Victoria Koenig asked.

Director Warren let out a devious chuckle. "Those who complete the mission get a feast tomorrow. Those who fail will be punished. Punishment to be determined."

That shut everyone up. They each picked out an outfit they could stomach, and then the makeup artists had their way with them.

Riley Perry glanced at her impossibly ugly reflection in the mirror and squeezed her eyes shut.

Only one thought ran through her mind: ’I love money, but some money just isn’t worth earning!’

Seeing the pained expression on her friend’s face, Chloe Sterling couldn’t hold back her laughter. "Riley, what’s wrong? Why are your eyes closed?"

Riley Perry opened her eyes, shot out her right hand, and pressed it against Chloe Sterling’s equally, unbearably hideous face. "Get away from me. I’m afraid I’m going to puke."

Victoria Koenig, fresh from the makeup chair herself, sidled up to the pair. "Ria..."

"You, shut up! Turn your head away when you speak, or watch it, I’ll punch you!"

Victoria Koenig: ...

Roxanne Fulton covered her own face as she giggled at Riley Perry. "Be honest, Riley Perry, are you obsessed with appearances?"

Riley Perry retorted, "What’s that supposed to mean? I’m not obsessed! I just have an appreciation for beauty."

Victoria Koenig obediently turned her back to speak. "Ria, if this gets to be too much, let’s just find a burlap sack and beat up Director Warren."

Director Warren, who had been hiding on the side enjoying the show, immediately sat bolt upright, his eyes fixed on the guests like a ravenous wolf.

Victoria Koenig felt a murderous aura wash over her and instinctively ducked her head.

Silas King chimed in, "Sounds like a plan. But who’s providing the sack?"

Victoria Koenig retorted, "Don’t sweat the details! Isn’t the important part beating up Director Warren?"

Riley Perry said, "Well now, little Miss Victoria Koenig, haven’t seen you in a few days and you’re already trying to stage a rebellion? Director Warren is right over there. Go get him!"

Victoria Koenig: ...

「An hour later.」

The livestream finally came back online.

Barrage Comments: [Here we go, here we go, here we go! I’ve been waiting forever! Let me see where the show is filming this time.]

[I can see our Fengfeng again! Huh? Where is our Fengfeng?]

[Did the show get new guests? Where did my amazing Best Actor King go?]

[Where’s Director Warren? Get your ass out here! Tell us where you’ve hidden the guests!]

The livestream audience searched for a long while before finally spotting the guests. [My Fengfeng! My handsome, dashing Fengfeng is gone! Director Warren, give me back my Fengfeng!]

[Oh my god, what was Director Warren thinking, making the guests up to be this ugly? Does he want them to beg on the streets to earn their room fee?]

[Especially Riley Perry! She’s so beautiful, but they completely ruined her face with that makeup. I’d never believe you if you told me Director Warren wasn’t targeting her on purpose.]

[Is Riley Perry going to go train dogs again? Last time, by the time I rushed over, all three dogs were already sold. The owner made a killing, but it’s a shame I didn’t get to buy one.]

[Another sword dance would be great too! I didn’t get to see enough!]

[Our Holly Summers is the best at classical dance. She’ll definitely earn enough money in no time.]

[Our Holly’s acting is better than a certain someone’s, too. I really don’t know how she got so famous.]

The casual viewers were extremely annoyed by this kind of aggressive promotion. Besides, they really couldn’t see what was so special about this Holly Summers.

As a result, Holly Summers, completely unaware, was losing a lot of goodwill from the general audience.

Walking down the street, Riley Perry was in no hurry to make money. She wandered about, looking this way and that, acting more like a tourist than someone on a mission.

Jenson, who was tailing her, was getting anxious. From a distance, a cry rang out, "Fridges, TVs, washers repaired! Appliance man is here! Got old phones? Trade ’em for cash!"

Riley Perry’s eyes instantly lit up. "See? I told you. If you walk around enough, you’ll figure out what kind of money you can make. Look, here’s an opportunity right now."

As the livestream audience watched Riley Perry walk toward a man with some white in his hair but who looked to be only in his forties, the barrage comments filled with laughter.

[Oh god, she’s not going to try and drum up business for the repair guy to earn a commission, is she?]

[When Riley Perry gets desperate, she’ll really do anything!]

"Hey there, Master. Keeping busy?"

The repairman was stunned for a moment, taken aback by the appearance of the person before him.

’Just from her voice, you’d think this girl must be gorgeous. Why is there such a huge difference in person?’

’She’s already plain-looking, and she has an ugly scar on her face to boot.’

’The scar is over an inch long on her left cheekbone. Her skin is on the darker side, too. She looks like she’s in her thirties, which doesn’t match her voice at all.’

"Ah, not at all, not at all."

The man sat on his motorized tricycle, still a bit dazed. Riley Perry didn’t mind and simply stood to the side, striking up a conversation. Before long, they were chatting like old friends, and Riley Perry casually asked about his income. "You make a living with a technical skill. You must earn a good amount each month, right?"

Master Quenton was a little embarrassed. "Not at all. It depends on luck. Some days I can make a thousand or eight hundred, but some days I don’t get any business. It’s a good month if I can make ten or twenty thousand."

"That’s still very good. A lot of recent college graduates don’t even make as much as you."

Master Quenton smiled honestly. ’That’s true,’ he thought. His own niece was a college graduate. After graduation, she joined a small company. After her probation period, she made five thousand a month, plus some subsidies. All together, her salary wasn’t more than eight thousand. After rent and utilities, there wasn’t much left over. Forget buying a car or a house; she was lucky to just support herself.

"What’s that machine behind you for? You’re not an internet celebrity, are you?"

"Master Quenton, could I ask you for a favor?"

Master Quenton said, "Go ahead."

"When I was in school, I read a few books on repairs, but I’ve never had any hands-on experience. Could I follow you and watch? If you get too busy, I can fix some appliances, and the repair fee would be mine to keep."

Master Quenton was astonished. "A young lady like you isn’t interested in things like flower arranging, but you’re into this? My son didn’t get into college, and he wouldn’t learn this even when I tried to teach him myself."

Riley Perry said, "Hey, to each their own! If your son isn’t learning this, it must be because he’s destined for great things in another field."

Master Quenton loved hearing that and agreed to Riley Perry’s request without a second thought.

And so, Riley Perry took over the job of driving the electric tricycle.