Chapter 14

The previous two backtracks happened when her life was in danger. She had assumed only extreme conditions triggered it.
Though she still didn’t understand how this “cheat” worked.
But this time was clearly different. She hadn’t even won the draw!
She was certain: she must be the chosen one, otherwise heaven wouldn’t favor her so.
Guan Shanyan was also a little surprised.
He hadn’t figured out the backtracking mechanism. Seeing Shen Youwei unhappy over missing the grand prize, he tested lightly, and it actually triggered.
The mechanism was becoming increasingly mysterious.
He looked at Shen Youwei. “Heading home? I’ll take you.”
She mechanically said, “No, I’ll get a taxi myself.”
She hadn’t driven today, expecting to have a bit of wine during the meal.
Guan Shanyan turned away, saying nothing further. At the front desk, they were again stopped by the staff: “During the opening, spend a thousand to enter the lucky draw.”
Shen Youwei stepped forward and looked at the golden eggs on the table. She asked, “Do we smash this one?”
“Yes,” the waiter said, handing her the small hammer again. “There are ten golden eggs. The first eight customers didn’t hit the grand prize. One of the remaining two contains it.”
Shen Youwei followed the procedure politely. “What’s the grand prize?”
“You can eat here free once a month for a year. These people in the photos are previous winners.”
Shen Youwei raised the hammer for the second time. “Then I’ll smash it.”
Guan Shanyan had been about to suggest she hit the right egg, but unexpectedly, Shen Youwei chose the right one herself and smashed it open.
Guan Shanyan stayed silent.
But why did she make a different choice this time?
Before he could sort out his thoughts, Shen Youwei excitedly urged the waiter: “Quick, see if we hit the grand prize!”
The waiter picked up the voucher inside and showed it to her: “Congratulations, you won a 50-yuan voucher.”
Shen Youwei: “…”
No, this isn’t right!!!
Guan Shanyan was slightly stunned as well. The first time, she smashed the left egg and got a 200-yuan voucher. The second time, she smashed the right egg and got a 50-yuan voucher.
In one go, she lost 150 yuan in vouchers.
Guan Shanyan: “…”
Was this normal?
Meanwhile, Shen Youwei realized, there was no grand prize at all. This so-called lucky draw was a scam!!!
The “winners” in the photos were probably just plants hired by the restaurant!
She removed her large sunglasses, smiled at the waiter, and asked, “Is this lucky draw legit?”
“Of course,” the waiter said, pointing to the photo wall. “These are all previous winners.”
Shen Youwei continued to smile. “Then open the left egg for me. According to your rules, it should contain a one-year free pass, not a 200-yuan voucher.”
The waiter replied, “Sorry, ma’am, the rules state that only customers can smash the eggs. We can’t.”
Heh, excuses, all excuses!
Shen Youwei asked, “Then what will you do with the egg that supposedly must contain a prize?”
“The next eligible customer will smash it.”
“So that lucky person is guaranteed to win?”
“Yes.”
“Alright.” Shen Youwei put her sunglasses back on, not in a hurry to leave. “Then I’ll wait here and see what’s actually inside this egg.”
As she was about to find a seat, Jiang Peipei’s voice rang out: “Yo, isn’t this Shen Youwei? Didn’t win the draw and making a scene here?”
Shen Youwei looked toward the voice and indeed saw Jiang Peipei. He wasn’t cross-dressing today, and there was a girl with him. Shen Youwei glanced briefly and then looked away, not wanting to speak.
Her attitude annoyed Jiang Peipei even more, especially when he recognized the dress she was wearing as a new BunnyFY design.
So she took a BunnyFY business deal, and she wanted the world to know, huh?
He snorted and walked up to the front desk: “Why don’t you call the police? I can testify that she’s causing a scene here.”
“I think you’re the one causing a scene,” Shen Youwei said, originally not wanting to engage. But he insisted on provoking her. “Every day you just stalk your aunt, and you know without me, you’ve got no attention, right?”
Jiang Peipei spat. “You use your popularity to bully a worker and still think you’re right?”
“You sound so practiced, is this something you do often?”
“Excuse me, is there anything I can help you with?” The restaurant manager came over, interrupting their argument. “Let’s go to my office. You’re disturbing the other customers here.”
Shen Youwei felt arguing with Jiang Peipei here was beneath her. She didn’t even care about the contents of the last golden egg anymore and pulled Guan Shanyan away.
Outside the restaurant, she glanced at him. “Aren’t you usually good at talking? Why were you silent during that argument?”
“…” Guan Shanyan said, “You didn’t give me a chance to speak.”
“Hmph.”
“Who was that just now?” Guan Shanyan asked.
Shen Youwei said, “A trending fashion blogger recently. Don’t know him?”
“I don’t know every Tom, Dick, and Harry.”
“Can you go back and say that to him again?”
“If you hadn’t pulled me away so quickly, I could have handled it on the spot.”
“Oh, so it’s still my fault?”
“Not what I meant.” Guan Shanyan paused, then said, “It doesn’t matter that you didn’t win the draw. For the next year of buffet, I’ll cover it.”
Shen Youwei raised an eyebrow, studying him. “Are you trying to console me?”
“If you think so, then yes.”
Shen Youwei blinked behind her sunglasses. “But I’m not coming back here. The owner isn’t trustworthy!”
At that, Guan Shanyan recalled the previous scene, Shen Youwei insisting with the staff looked very certain that the other golden egg also didn’t contain a grand prize.
He looked at her with suspicion. “How do you know the other egg doesn’t have a grand prize either?”
“…” Shen Youwei hesitated. Luckily, her sunglasses hid her eyes. “I don’t know. I was just waiting for the next lucky customer to smash it.”
Really?
Guan Shanyan said nothing. The fact that Shen Youwei changed her choice and smashed the right egg was already strange.
In his understanding, since he had used his ability to rewind the timeline, anyone else should have no memory. They would act and speak the same as before the rewind.
But Shen Youwei made two different choices.
Could it be that she remembered?
“I see the taxi, I’m leaving first.” Shen Youwei saw the car arrive and quickly got in after telling Guan Shanyan.
He watched the car drive away, then turned to walk to his own parking spot.
After returning home, Shen Youwei took a nap. She was about to get up and continue editing videos when He Man called. “What’s up?”
“You’re trending again, my dear!” He Man’s voice sounded angrier than last time. “Jiang Peipei posted a video of you online, claiming you abused your status, and that you caused a scene in the restaurant when you didn’t win!”
Shen Youwei: “…”
She immediately opened Weibo and checked her trending page.
The video did show her questioning the staff, but she had restrained herself. How was that causing a scene?! She was even smiling!
“You ran into Jiang Peipei when leaving?” He Man asked.
Shen Youwei nodded. “That guy is sneaky. He filmed secretly first, then came out to pick a fight.”
“So irritating!” He Man fumed, adding old grudges to new. “If I’d known he was there, I wouldn’t have asked you to go to that place!”
“Can’t predict everything,” Shen Youwei said, looking at the trending page. Clearly someone had hired an online army. “It’s obvious Jiang Peipei is mad about my BunnyFY deal.”
“He wants to sabotage your business! Didn’t work once, so he’s trying a second time!” He Man said, worrying about Shen Youwei’s business. “Has Bunny contacted you?”
“Not yet.”
“Do you want to test the waters?” He Man suggested. “From the video, you weren’t causing trouble. But someone’s clearly manipulating things.”
Shen Youwei knew this too. Jiang Peipei dared to attack her openly because she had no backing. When she first became popular, agencies kept approaching her to sign, but Shen Youwei only wanted to be a free agent. Freedom came with the downside of vulnerability.
Fortunately, she had built some connections over the years and had friends who specialized in PR.
While consulting a professional, new news popped up on Weibo. The restaurant they had visited posted an official apology, tagging Shen Youwei.
Because the restaurant was trending, their statement gained huge attention.
Shen Youwei checked immediately. The restaurant admitted that due to staff error, the set of ten golden eggs didn’t contain a one-year free pass. They apologized to the last two customers and offered each a one-year free voucher.
Since the other customer received theirs on-site, they contacted Shen Youwei via Weibo.
After the statement, public opinion started to turn. Shen Youwei considered whether to use this to boost her own presence. Meanwhile, a new video appeared, this time starring Jiang Peipei.