CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 28: WATER OF LIFE

Artie Vaughn’s toy room, much like the Dior haute couture Talia Tate wore, is non-realistic.

To be more precise, Artie’s toy house is surreal.

On the left side as you enter, there’s a row of cabinets filled with an endless sea of ugly Molly dolls.

Don’t even mention small Pop Mart vending stores—Artie’s collection surpasses what’s available in even flagship stores by more than twenty times.

Artie possesses the complete Molly collection.

From the 2006 first-generation Molly to the latest models.

Artie has the basic models, the hidden ones, and the special editions.

Besides the designer of Molly herself, there’s probably no more complete collection than Artie’s.

The widely-known blind box concept of Molly doesn’t even apply in The Devilish Lolita’s house.

What Artie can pull from a box, she’ll pull from a box.

What she can’t, her brother will buy for her no matter the cost.

Artie has the ones made before, the ones currently for sale, and will still have the ones made in the future.

The Nation’s Gentleman spends no less than two million every year on his sister’s collecting hobby.

And this is without brands like Kaws teaming up with luxury brands like Dior for a pink plush doll.

The Winters Spirits Group’s Wine Winters Ambassador was previously too well-protected, never appearing in the public eye.

If people had known about Artie’s everyday life earlier, Leo Vaughn’s title of "Nation’s Gentleman" would have surely been replaced with "National Heartthrob."

The sister-adoring fanatic Leo Vaughn once spent two million to bid on a pink KAWS figure the same height as Artie, as her 21st birthday gift.

Two million. For one. Doll.

A plush toy that could equal a regular family’s house.

When adults become obsessed with toys, the extent of their madness and luxury is often beyond what children can dream of.

But what can be done?

The Devilish Lolita was born with a twin brother who earns well and fulfills all her wishes.

If her brother wants to spoil his sister this way, what does it matter to "regular families"?

No matter how much envy and jealousy there is, it can only be pure, unadulterated envy+jealousy+hatred.

For blind box enthusiasts, Artie’s toy room holds a fatal attraction.

For those aware of the value of these trendy toys, it definitely makes one drool.

Summer Fairmont, who frequently joins Artie to draw blind boxes, is well aware of the expensive extent of The Devilish Lolita’s "little hobby."

Besides Molly and KAWS, Artie also collects countless limited edition figures.

When Artie said she could pick whatever, Summer Fairmont listened as if she hadn’t heard anything at all.

She didn’t even lift her head nor did she glance around Artie’s toy room.

Summer Fairmont simply left behind the emotionally detached words "No, thanks" and coolly turned away, ending the toy room tour.

Summer Fairmont’s childhood memories were devoid of dolls.

Little Summer had desires but never got her wishes.

From a young age, Summer Fairmont understood the truth, that having expectations leads to disappointment.

At five, perhaps six, Summer stopped having undeserved expectations.

Until she became completely independent at thirteen, Summer Fairmont hadn’t extra money for toys.

Facing such circumstances while growing up typically results in two outcomes.

The first is seen in many adults who collect toys: unable to afford toys as children, they buy them out of revenge when grown.

The second is like Summer Fairmont’s choice—complete disconnection. A girl who never owned a doll wouldn’t want to recall past hardships as an adult.

The Pouting Siren probably believes everyone in the world is like her, both fortunate and leisurely.

Summer Fairmont doesn’t entertain thoughts of retaliatory spending; she only wants to drink the strongest liquor and live the coolest life.

Toys?

Who cares.

"Ah Summer, you’re leaving just like that without even looking? Don’t you see anything you like?" The Pouting Siren felt a little disappointed.

It’s the kind of disappointment when you share your most precious treasure with someone, only for them to completely overlook it.

Summer Fairmont didn’t like the disappointment in Artie’s eyes, so she responded: "The most expensive. Sell it."