Originally, Su Wanli thought the map provided by the system would be a simple flat layout, marked with a few labels like “bedroom” or “kitchen.”
However, when she closed her eyes, what she saw instead was a finely detailed 3D model.
With just a single thought, she could inspect the entire interior in real time.
The only downside was that the model only included the structure of the building—there were no people inside.
If only it worked like a surveillance system that could show what everyone in the mansion was doing… that would be perfect.
[That’s actually possible, but the host will need to keep working hard. Once you reach a certain level, this function can be unlocked.]
“So basically, I have to do your work and find a way to upgrade my tools on my own?”
[All unreasonable aspects of the system have been noted down and will be actively reported for you.]
“…Heh.”
Su Wanli curled her lips in annoyance and couldn’t be bothered to argue further with the system.
Instead, she began examining the model of the Su family residence.
Hmm… Leaving aside the massive garden and courtyard outside, the first floor of the mansion was clearly for receiving guests and dining.
Most of the space was taken up by a grand hall with an enormous chandelier, along with the banquet hall where they had just eaten.
There was also the reception room she had seen earlier, and a gallery room for guests to admire the family’s collection.
The second floor housed several guest rooms and the living quarters for the servants, along with some small storage rooms.
Technically, Meng Wange could’ve stayed in one of the guest rooms, but for some reason—perhaps out of poor judgment—Su Heng had actually assigned her the same kind of room as Su Wanli.
Clearly, he wasn’t afraid of stirring up trouble…
As for the third floor, that was where Su Wanli and Meng Wange’s bedrooms were.
In addition, there were bathrooms, a gym, a toilet, and an entertainment room.
It was a fully functional private floor.
The Su family patriarch, Su Heng, lived alone in the attic on the fourth floor.
Though it was called an “attic,” the space was anything but small.
It included a large terrace—complete with a private swimming pool.
Even though Su Heng rarely stayed at home, the pool water was still changed two or three times a week.
Yep… classic capitalist decadence.
Still, when she remembered that, once she completed the story arc, she’d be able to transfer the Su family’s assets into her original world at a 1:1 ratio, Su Wanli’s mood brightened considerably.
As long as she could tough it out, a luxurious and happy life was clearly within reach.
Filled with fresh motivation, she took a deep breath and marched confidently into the second-closest room—the Su family’s collection room.
***
The moment she pushed the door open, she thought for a second that she had walked into a national museum.
Inside, various antiques—calligraphy scrolls, paintings, Buddhist statues, and sculptures—were displayed in beautifully lit display cases.
Each item came with its own carved stone tablet that described its history in detail.
The fancy text on the tablets didn’t interest her much.
What caught Su Wanli’s attention were the estimated prices marked next to them—
‘Hmm… 230,000 yuan… 550,000… 1.2 million… f-four million six hundred thousand!?’
Su Wanli swallowed hard.
“System… Do these items count toward the Su family’s total assets?”
[Of course. While you won’t be able to physically take the antiques with you, their value will be converted into cash and transferred to your account once the storyline ends.]
“Seriously!?”
For a brief moment, Su Wanli thought of dozens of ways to frame Meng Wange using this room…
But her naturally frugal instincts quickly shut that idea down.
‘Please. Forget the antiques in the middle—even those paintings and teacups on the edge are worth tens of thousands. If I accidentally damage anything, I’d be losing my own future money!’
All these items would eventually be converted into her wealth.
She wasn’t about to risk that.
Ahem.
Framing Meng Wange in the collection room was off the table for now.
Better to check the other rooms first.
Aside from the reception room and the collection room, the only rooms on the first floor she hadn’t seen yet were the restroom and two more guest parlors.
The restroom… hmm…
A lot of school bullying incidents happened in bathrooms, but that was because school bathrooms had a lot of stalls—very convenient for shady behavior.
But her own mansion’s restroom? Not quite the same.
Even trying to dump water on someone would risk splashing herself.
“Guess I’ll check out the remaining two parlors first, then explore the second floor—”
Just as Su Wanli was about to make a move, two clear footsteps echoed from the staircase nearby, followed by Aunt Zhang’s loud voice.
“Meng, miss, the second floor is just where the servants’ rooms are. There’s also a small storage room, nothing too interesting to see. Let’s take a quick look around, then head down to the first floor, shall we?”
Meng Wange’s gentle and clear voice followed closely behind.
“Mm, sounds good.”
‘…Huh!?’
The moment she heard their voices, Su Wanli sucked in a sharp breath.
“Wait a second, system—didn’t you say I had half an hour!? I’ve only looked through two rooms and they’re already coming down!?”
[…Apologies. Due to the Su family head’s unexpected absence, Meng Wange and Aunt Zhang decided to skip the fourth floor. They didn’t visit the attic or the rooftop terrace, which significantly reduced your available preparation time.]
“How much is ‘significantly’!? How long until they’re downstairs!?”
[Based on system calculations, the time remaining before they finish their tour of the second floor is: twelve.]
“Only twelve minutes left!?”
Su Wanli quickly scanned the map again, desperately searching for any way to make Meng Wange embarrass herself.
But the system’s voice didn’t stop—
[Eleven, ten…]
“You son of a—”
‘What now?’
There was no time left to think.
Only one plan remained—her first idea, and the only one she had!
Su Wanli gritted her teeth and dashed into the first-floor bathroom.
[Nine, eight, seven…]
‘Where’s my water basin?’
Her eyes darted around the bathroom, scanning frantically—
Ivory white marble floors, a large half-body mirror trimmed with gold, a massive crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling…
‘Wait—is this really our house’s bathroom? Did I walk into a department store!?’
‘Where’s my basin!? That cheap plastic one! The round kind you can use for washing your face or hair!?’
[Six, five…]
She looked past the sink, eyes flicking toward the back—
An obsidian-carved standalone bathtub, a platinum shower head, and even an intelligent toilet with blue lights blinking on the side…
[Four, three…]
‘Is there really nothing here that can hold water!? Even a toothbrush cup would work!’
Just as Su Wanli was about to lose her mind, her eyes landed on a semi-transparent black perfume bottle sitting above the toilet.
‘No choice—it’ll have to do!’
She rushed forward, dumped out the original contents into the sink, and turned the tap on full blast, filling the bottle with tap water.
[Two, one—]
In the next second, Su Wanli clutched the now water-filled perfume bottle to her chest and bolted out of the bathroom.
[Zero. Host, they’ve reached the staircase landing and are preparing to come downstairs.]
“Yeah, yeah, I get it! Shut up already!”
Cutting off the system’s irritating countdown, Su Wanli gritted her teeth and scrambled toward the door of the first parlor.
With a swift step, she slipped inside.