Rong Yu chatted with her aunt for a while.
Her aunt invited her to come for the hundred-day celebration banquet later, and after they made the arrangement, she finally left.
As soon as she returned to Hibiscus Manor, Ji Zhiyuan approached her: "Great-grandmother, the tenfold compensation from Lan Zigang has been transferred to the Ji family's finance department."
Rong Yu called Secretary Jiang: "The case regarding Lan Zigang illegally profiting from the Ji family has been settled. Please go to the police station to withdraw the charges."
"Thank you, Great-grandmother." Ji Zhiyuan expressed his gratitude and immediately called Lan Rouxue to share the good news.
Lan Rouxue insisted on coming to the Ji family to express her thanks in person.
Holding Lan Yue's hand, she walked into Hibiscus Manor and spotted Rong Yu sitting with Old Master Ji from afar.
Rong Yu lounged there in a completely relaxed manner, even directing Old Master Ji to serve her tea and water. The old man happily handed her the cup and even personally peeled an apple for her.
How had she misjudged things before, thinking Rong Yu was merely the old man's chosen granddaughter-in-law?
This was clearly a relationship far closer than that…
Aside from being lovers, she couldn’t think of any other possibility.
Seeing Old Master Ji acting so lovestruck, she wondered what kind of spell Rong Yu had cast on him. Who knew? Maybe one day he’d cross all boundaries and marry her into the family.
If Rong Yu became the matriarch of the Ji family, wouldn’t she inherit a massive fortune once the old man passed away?
Lan Rouxue’s chest tightened.
She had to think of a way to get the old man to transfer all his shares and assets to Zhiyuan’s name—that way, Rong Yu wouldn’t get a single thing.
"Great-grandfather." Lan Yue stepped forward first. "My uncle was foolish and upset you. I apologize on his behalf. Can you forgive him?"
Old Master Ji handed the peeled apple to Rong Yu and replied indifferently, "An adult’s mistakes aren’t for a child to apologize for."
"Old Master, my brother was misled by his so-called friends and momentarily lost his judgment, which led to this grave mistake," Lan Rouxue said humbly. "After three days in detention, he’s learned his lesson. He’d never dare to break the law again."
Old Master Ji remained expressionless.
He used to think Lan Rouxue was gentle and well-mannered, but now, every time she spoke, it all felt fake.
Pretending to be busy, he stood up and retreated into his bedroom.
Only then did Lan Rouxue’s gaze settle on Rong Yu.
Rong Yu had an English picture book resting on her lap, with Duoduo nestled against her as they took turns reading aloud, looking perfectly harmonious.
Lan Rouxue gave Lan Yue a meaningful glance.
"Duoduo," Lan Yue sidled up to her. "Can we go play in your room for a bit?"
Duoduo hesitated.
But then she remembered her family’s words—her father wanted her to spend more time with Lan Yue, believing it would make her more lively and likable.
Closing the book, she took Lan Yue’s hand and led her upstairs.
Lan Rouxue spoke up, "I’d like to sincerely apologize to Miss Rong. I was prejudiced before and misunderstood you. I hope you won’t hold it against me."
"Of course not." Rong Yu smiled. "Secretary Lan—oh, pardon me, Miss Lan—please make yourself at home."
Just as she was about to go upstairs, Old Master Ji’s door cracked open slightly, and she was abruptly pulled inside.
Lan Rouxue: "..."
The sun hadn’t even fully set.
There were still guests in the house.
Was Old Master Ji really this impatient?
"What’s with all the sneaking around in your own home?" Rong Yu glared at her son. "If you have something to say, just say it openly."
Old Master Ji coughed. "I want Zhiyuan to break up with Lan Rouxue, but he won’t listen. Mom, do you have any ideas?"
Rong Yu: "Why make them split up?"
"Lan Rouxue has ill intentions. She’s not worthy of Zhiyuan," Old Master Ji admitted bluntly. "And most importantly, she’s targeted you more than once."
"Obstacles only make love feel more epic," Rong Yu said with a faint smile. "Let them be. Don’t worry about it. Focus on sleeping early and waking early—good health means a longer life."
Old Master Ji: "..."
Rong Yu opened the door and stepped out.
Through the window, she saw Lan Rouxue and Ji Zhiyuan strolling hand in hand across the manor’s lawn—a picturesque scene.
She headed upstairs, passing by Duoduo’s room on the second floor.
Duoduo’s room was spacious, with a princess bed in the bedroom, an oversized balcony, and a walk-in closet larger than most people’s living rooms.
This wasn’t Lan Yue’s first time in Duoduo’s room.
Last time, it had been filled with sportswear and all sorts of ugly clothes and shoes.
But now, there were countless princess dresses, crystal shoes, tiny purses, and glittering hair clips—more than Lan Yue had at home.
"Auntie bought all these for me," Duoduo said with a smile. "She’s so good to me. Whenever she sees something pretty, she gets it for me."
Lan Yue had always loved flaunting her mother.
Now, Duoduo finally had someone to boast about too.
Lan Yue bit her lip.
That woman was just spending the Ji family’s money.
The Ji fortune would eventually belong to her father—and her father’s money was hers. Why did Duoduo have more than she did?
Her eyes burned with envy at the sparkling dresses.
In a fit of anger, she yanked the crystal beads off one of the dresses, sending them scattering across the floor with a clatter.
Duoduo gasped. "What are you doing?"
Lan Yue clenched her jaw.
She grabbed a delicate crystal shoe and hurled it to the ground.
Duoduo rushed to stop her.
Suddenly—
Lan Yue stumbled backward, her head slamming against a shelf as she let out an ear-piercing wail.
Within seconds, Ji Zhiyuan and Lan Rouxue burst into the room.
"Yueyue!" Lan Rouxue scooped her daughter into her arms. "What happened? Where does it hurt? Tell Mommy."
"Duoduo bullied me!" Lan Yue sobbed uncontrollably. "I accidentally broke her things, and she pushed me! She called me a fatherless child and told me to get out of her house… I just wanted to be friends with her. I didn’t mean to…"
Duoduo’s eyes widened. "I didn’t—"
"Apologize." Ji Zhiyuan loomed over her. "If you did something wrong, you apologize!"
"Don’t be too hard on her," Lan Rouxue said softly. "Yueyue broke something first. It’s understandable that Duoduo got upset. And… Yueyue really doesn’t have a father…"
Ji Zhiyuan’s expression darkened.
Duoduo felt as if shards of ice were pelting her—her small frame couldn’t withstand it. Tears welled up as she whispered, "I’m sorry, Daddy."
Ji Zhiyuan’s voice was stern. "Not to me. Apologize to Yueyue."
After a long pause, Duoduo finally murmured, "I’m sorry, Yueyue. I shouldn’t have pushed you."
The corner of Lan Yue’s lips curled in triumph.
See? She knew Daddy would always take her side, no matter what.
Daddy belonged to her alone… Sooner or later, she’d make sure Ji Duoduo was kicked out of the Ji family.
"Tsk."
Rong Yu leaned against the doorframe.
The moment Lan Rouxue saw her, her eyelids twitched—an inexplicable sense of foreboding creeping in.
