"Hehe, it was actually quite nice to sleep—the garden lounge chairs are super comfy," Jiang Mo answered honestly.
She had followed everyone into the club, but all the activities inside cost money, and the prices were outrageous. A bottle of water alone cost a hundred bucks—she’d have to be insane to spend like that.
Sleeping was much better. And free.
Su Yunjin burst out laughing when she heard this. This kid was just too funny.
But she could also understand where Jiang Mo was coming from.
"Play whatever you want—just charge it under my name."
"Exactly, Yunjin. Your family’s loaded—how much could a maid possibly cost? Don’t be so stingy with her, it’s embarrassing. It’s not like we’re short on cash," Jiang Rou remarked snidely as she picked up a tile, frowned, and tossed it away.
Jiang Mo propped her chin in her hands, blinking her big eyes innocently before chiming in, "Our Madam is actually super generous! She comes from a well-off family, makes her own money, and is beautiful inside and out. She treats me really well—I totally admire strong women like her. Unlike some people who just get all sour and jealous."
This little—
Trying to drive a wedge between me and Madam? As if I wouldn’t notice?
Jiang Rou choked. Was this girl out of her mind?
She’s the capitalist boss exploiting you! You’re just a maid—why are you idolizing her?
Then again, she probably never got much education. No wonder she seemed a little… off.
Without waiting for Jiang Rou’s reaction, Jiang Mo noticed Su Yunjin’s teacup was empty and promptly refilled it.
"It’s a bit hot—let it cool first."
She topped up the tea for the other two ladies as well before retreating to Su Yunjin’s side to observe the game.
Jiang Rou, her throat dry, picked up her cup and snapped at Jiang Mo, "Hey, little maid—yes, you! Refill my tea. Don’t just stand there like a block of wood with no sense of awareness."
"Oh, sorry, the teapot’s just been emptied," Jiang Mo replied sweetly.
Su Yunjin could see there was still water in the pot but didn’t call her out. Instead, she picked up the tile Jiang Rou had discarded.
"Mahjong! All one suit—two, five, eight of bamboos."
Jiang Rou, parched and now having fed Su Yunjin a winning tile, groaned. "Today’s just not my day."
Su Yunjin glanced at her growing pile of chips and smiled without a word, standing to pat Jiang Mo’s shoulder. "Little Mo, take over for me. I need to use the restroom."
"She’s never played before, so go easy on her."
"Take your time in the bathroom—let your little maid play," Jiang Rou said, suddenly cheerful. "And don’t worry, little maid, just play whatever if you don’t know how."
Having lost all afternoon, Jiang Rou was itching for a comeback. With Jiang Mo stepping in, she saw her chance to recoup some losses.
"You’ll all have to go easy on me then."
Playing the meek card, Jiang Mo took her seat at the table—but once the game started, she handled the tiles with surprising ease, drawing, discarding, and claiming others’ discards with precision.
Like a seasoned pro.
Ten minutes later, Jiang Mo won by self-draw.
Not long after, Jiang Rou fed her another winning tile.
…
Su Yunjin, after her bathroom break, stepped out to take a call and ran into a business partner. They ended up chatting over coffee in the lounge.
She wasn’t in a hurry, but the others at the table certainly were.
When she finally returned, Jiang Rou immediately complained, "You said you were just going to the bathroom—what took so long?"
"Ran into a friend and talked for a bit." Su Yunjin glanced at Jiang Mo’s pile of chips and grinned.
No wonder Jiang Rou was so worked up.
She was practically down to her last penny.
Jiang Mo stood to give Su Yunjin her seat and reported her results. "Four self-draws, five wins off others’ discards."
"You’re pretty good at this," Su Yunjin said, patting her shoulder again. "Keep playing—I’ll rest for a bit."
Old fox! What rest?!
Get back here and play!
Jiang Rou protested, "You’ve already been ‘resting’ for a while!"
"Ah, but my hands are still sore." Su Yunjin flexed her wrists.
Without her say-so, Jiang Mo stayed firmly seated.
Eventually, Jiang Rou couldn’t take it anymore and shoved the tiles away. "That’s it—I’m done for today."
She glared at Jiang Mo. "You’ve really never played before?"
Jiang Mo shook her head. "Not never—just never at a club like this."
"…Well, you must have incredible luck."
"Luck aside, I think I’m just naturally good at it." Jiang Mo pulled out her phone, scrolled through her album, and showed a photo. "Back in college, I played all the time. Even competed in the World Mahjong Championship and won."
In the picture, Jiang Mo beamed triumphantly.
Jiang Rou was speechless. She turned to Su Yunjin.
Damn it.
She’d been set up—this pair had played her like a fiddle.
Su Yunjin, equally surprised, chuckled awkwardly. "I only just found out she’s this good too."
Jiang Rou: Like I’d believe that.
"That maid of yours is no good—seems a bit slow, dresses like a pauper. You should fire her. She’s an embarrassment, dragging you down," Jiang Rou spat, directing all her frustration at Jiang Mo.
Jiang Mo tilted her head, studying Jiang Rou. "Madam Jiang, you don’t look so good—kinda pale. Are you okay? Really, are you okay?"
Maybe eat some candied plums to cool off!
So what if she’s bad at mahjong?
No need to get personal!
What’s wrong with being a maid? It’s not like she’s mooching off you!
Jiang Rou bristled. Did this little maid just call her pathetic?
"You’re the pathetic one!"
Jiang Mo sniffled. "I was just concerned about your health. If I said something wrong… well, I’m just a kid. You’re an adult—you wouldn’t hold it against a child, right?"
Su Yunjin backed her up. "Exactly. Why pick on a kid? She’s straightforward, maybe a little blunt, but she means well. If it bothers you that much, I’ll let you win a couple of rounds next time."
A kid?
A twenty-something kid?!
Jiang Rou clutched her chest, feeling like she’d been cornered—now she looked like the unreasonable one.
"Fine, I can’t be bothered with you two. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Yunjin. I’ve got things to do—I’m leaving."
She stormed out in a huff.
The other two, sensing the tension, made their excuses and left.
Once they were gone, Su Yunjin doubled over laughing at the thought of Jiang Rou’s fuming, speechless expression.
"That was satisfying—finally put her in her place."
"You’re sharp, kid—quick with your words and your wits."
Jiang Mo counted the chips on the table. "Madam, how much are these worth?"
"About a million or so," Su Yunjin glanced at them. "Small profit for today."
A million is small?!
Jiang Mo thought, If I had a million, I’d retire on the spot.
Hell, even a hundred grand would do.
By the time they returned to the Su residence, the luxury stores had already delivered their purchases.
Jiang Mo dashed into the kitchen—only to freeze at the sight of a familiar face: her dad, Old Li.
"Old Li, you’re back!"
