But even though Mei Lin kept going on about what she would do if she wasn’t picked, she was actually still hoping to win the draw.

After all, news kept trickling in from her social circle about others receiving celebratory messages.

However, as time ticked by, Mei Lin still hadn’t received an invitation.

She was so angry that she actually unfollowed Jiang Qiuqiu and spent the whole afternoon sulking.

The Young Lady was truly angry. Jiang Jiang had rarely seen her like this, so he said, "Young Lady, it’s okay if you didn’t get an invitation."

He said softly, "We can just buy a spot when the time comes."

"No way!" Mei Lin huffed. "We’re all her fans, so why do I always have to pay for everything I want to do?"

"I could let it go when the lotteries were smaller, but now there are so many people—and I’m still not among them! It’s not about the money, but why am I the only one who has to pay?!"

To put it bluntly, the Young Lady just felt she had terrible luck.

Jiang Jiang was at a loss.

"Well, how about I contact Young Master Qian? He’s that broadcaster’s boss, so he’s bound to have some extra spots. I—"

"No!" Mei Lin refused instantly. "What would that make me, begging for a spot?"

With this and that both being unacceptable, Jiang Jiang was helpless. He stood to the side without a word, but the more Mei Lin thought about it, the angrier she became. "For a while, I’m not going to follow her outside of her livestreams." (Note: In the streaming app, fans who do not follow a broadcaster cannot claim the food they give away.)

This anger lasted until evening. Jiang Qiuqiu wasn’t streaming today, so Mei Lin accepted a classmate’s invitation to a ball.

Jiang Jiang watched her leave the Dais Family castle in a Hovercar.

Watching her magnificent, dazzling gown and the priceless necklace and jewels, Jiang Jiang felt a stir in his heart.

Those were things an ordinary family couldn’t afford in a lifetime, yet to the Young Lady, they were just another toy like a glass bead in her jewelry box.

He thought the Young Lady would be out very late.

But unexpectedly, she returned less than two hours after leaving, and in an even worse mood than when she left.

He hurried forward to greet her. "Young Lady, what’s wrong?"

"’What’s wrong?’" Mei Lin was already displeased, and going out had only made her more miserable. "What a foul gathering. And the people they invited..."

’I guess I can’t be friends with her anymore. I already told her I hate those guys, and she still invited them without telling me? And expected me to dance?’

’Just being in the same venue as them was polluting.’

And so, Mei Lin had rushed back home.

After coming back, she didn’t remove her makeup or change into her regular clothes. Instead, she went to her room, propped her chin on her hands, and stared at the stars outside her window.

The hour grew later and later, until it was her usual time to rest.

As the housekeeper, Jiang Jiang had no choice but to go to her room and remind Mei Lin. "Young Lady, it’s time for bed, isn’t it? Why don’t you get some rest?"

"You’re one of the top-ranked fans on Jiang Broadcaster’s list. Maybe she’ll release more special spots for the New Year’s Eve dinner tomorrow—"

He thought Mei Lin was still upset about the lottery spot.

But the Young Lady just glanced at him over her shoulder. Mei Lin was already beautiful—she wouldn’t have been called the number one socialite of the Federation otherwise.

After all, anyone who sets the standard can’t be ugly.

Her beauty was a bright and vivid kind, a luxurious aesthetic cultivated by gold and jade. Mei Lin always dressed to the nines for balls, and with her red lips and snow-white skin, the visual impact was so powerful that it left Housekeeper Jiang momentarily stunned.