"Don't make a scene, it's embarrassing," Jiang Mo said, flushing with awkwardness.
She glanced at Li Zheng over her shoulder. "When we're out, carry yourself with confidence. Don’t let others laugh at us."
Li Zheng stuck close to Jiang Mo, still skeptical. "Sis, are we really eating here? No joke?"
Though his sister often treated him to meals, this was the first time she’d taken him somewhere so expensive.
Jiang Mo pursed her lips. "We’ve already stepped inside. Do you really think I’d joke about this?"
"Hard to say. It’s not like we haven’t done this before," Li Zheng scratched his neck.
Back when Jiang Mo was in college, she’d earned some money from a part-time job and took him to Donghu Lake for a day trip on the weekend.
That evening, she’d promised to treat him to dinner and led him into a stylish private kitchen by the lake.
The moment the server handed them the menu, they were stunned.
The prices were anything but budget-friendly.
As they scanned the menu, their frowns deepened. The waitress cheerfully served them tea and asked what they’d like to order.
"Sorry, but these prices are way over my budget," Jiang Mo said, closing the menu before grabbing Li Zheng’s hand and bolting out the door under the weight of humiliation.
Once outside, they exchanged looks.
Li Zheng, young and thin-skinned, flushed crimson. "Sis, didn’t you know how expensive that place was before we went in?"
"Of course not! If I had, I wouldn’t have taken you there," Jiang Mo retorted, salvaging her pride before dragging him off to eat somewhere else.
In their youth, who hadn’t experienced moments of empty pockets?
Did they think things would improve after landing a job? That their wallets would magically fill?
How naive.
Hearing Li Zheng’s remark, Jiang Mo was clearly reminded of that awkward memory.
"Times change, fortunes shift. Don’t mock the young for being poor—your sister’s got money now," Jiang Mo declared, puffing out her chest with confidence.
Judging by how effortlessly she’d swiped her phone to pay for shoes earlier, Li Zheng believed she really had made some cash this time.
"Heh, in that case, I’m eating like there’s no tomorrow today."
His steps lightened as he eagerly followed her inside.
Once seated, Li Zheng couldn’t hold back. "Sis, what do you want? I’ll grab it for you."
"No need. I’ll rest here for a bit. Go get whatever you want," Jiang Mo waved him off.
Li Zheng obeyed, returning shortly with a plate piled high.
Jiang Mo glanced at it—mostly seafood and meat.
Given the price they’d paid, which included a hot pot, Jiang Mo took a sip of her drink before heading out to raid the buffet herself.
Soon, their table was covered with plates.
Li Zheng dug in enthusiastically, only pausing to ask about Jiang Mo’s job.
"Sis, how’s working at the Gu family? They treating you okay?"
"It’s fine, no issues," Jiang Mo sighed, nibbling on seared foie gras. "Actually, I kinda regret something."
Li Zheng blinked. "Regret what?"
"Not going sooner! Mom should’ve arranged this for me ages ago," Jiang Mo grumbled, taking an irritated bite of sweet shrimp. If she’d started earlier instead of lazing around at home, her savings would be even fatter now.
"But didn’t you say before that no job in this world is worth doing?" Li Zheng was baffled. Women really could change their minds in a flash.
Jiang Mo shook her head. "You don’t get it. The cushy jobs? Ordinary folks like us can’t even sniff them without connections or insider info."
Li Zheng didn’t understand the working world yet—he was still a student, years away from joining the grind.
The bitterness of a wage-slave’s life was lost on him.
But he did know good food. He slid a lamb chop from his plate toward her. "Sis, try this. It’s amazing."
"Really? Let me see," Jiang Mo took it, watching him devour his meal with gusto. "Little bro, eat with some grace, will you? Slow down. No one’s fighting you for it."
"Sis, you’ve changed. You never used to criticize how I ate," Li Zheng accused. "The rich life’s really gotten to you, huh? A few months in, and you’re already looking down on me."
"Next thing you know, you’ll disown me as your brother."
Jiang Mo glared. "Don’t put words in my mouth. I never said that. Eating slower is just healthier."
"Blame school for this. Everyone scarfs food down there—it’s hard not to rush. You know how it is," Li Zheng defended, though he did slow his pace.
"Just a friendly reminder."
Li Zheng studied Jiang Mo. After not seeing her for a while, she seemed… glowier. Prettier.
"Sis, tell me the truth—did you secretly get cosmetic treatments?"
"Your sister’s naturally gorgeous. I’d never waste money on that," Jiang Mo fished beef from the hot pot. "Spit it out. What’s on your mind?"
"Heh, I just think you’ve gotten even more beautiful."
Jiang Mo smirked. "Little bro, your flattery skills are improving."
Li Zheng protested, "I’m serious! Ugh, how’d you end up so pretty while I look like a genetic experiment gone wrong?"
That was an exaggeration, but side by side, it was clear nature had favored Jiang Mo.
Once, when she’d attended a parent-teacher meeting for him, his classmates had all learned Li Zheng had a stunning older sister.
Some even tried to pry for details, only to get shut down by him—not that he ever told Jiang Mo about it.
Jiang Mo gave him a once-over. "You’re a handsome guy too. Just… smaller eyes, flatter nose, darker skin than mine."
She paused, then delivered the killing blow: "Anyway, take it up with Old Li. We share the same mom."
The implication was obvious.
Somewhere far away, Li Daming: Don’t @ me. Thanks, but no—I’m not taking the blame for this.
Li Zheng tsked. "No humility at all, sis. Aren’t you scared Old Li will come back and whoop you for slandering him?"
"After this meal, I trust you won’t betray me," Jiang Mo grinned mischievously.
Looking at the feast before him… yeah, she had him cornered.
In the throes of teenage growth spurts, Li Zheng was a bottomless pit. Even as Jiang Mo felt full, he was still demolishing meat like a champ.
"Sis, you dodged my question about your salary earlier. Spill—how much do you make?" Li Zheng wheedled. "Help me pick a major that’ll earn big bucks later. Medicine? I hear doctors make bank."
Jiang Mo shook her head. "Ever heard ‘curse those who push others into medicine’?"
"What about IT? Everyone says that field pays well."
Jiang Mo: "Oversaturated."
Li Zheng: "Then law, like you?"
Jiang Mo sat up straighter. "Ah, law! The salaries are fantastic!"
"How much?" Li Zheng perked up, though he was wary—her pay during internships hadn’t seemed impressive.
Jiang Mo held up two fingers.
Li Zheng gasped. "Twenty thousand?!"
"No, no, don’t overestimate us law grads. Starting salary—two thousand," Jiang Mo chuckled.
From what he could remember, even back when he was a kid, his parents' salaries had already been higher than two thousand a month.
Li Zheng was almost done eating, finishing off with some ice cream as his grand finale.
"Sis, what you just said—you weren’t joking with me, right? Two thousand a month isn’t even enough for food."
Jiang Mo pursed her lips. "Does my face look like I’m joking?"
Sometimes, she felt like society itself was the real joker, playing cruel pranks on people.
Li Zheng’s worldview felt like it had just been flipped upside down. This wasn’t how he’d imagined things at all.
"So what do I do? Sis, what major should I even pick?"
From the looks of it, every field seemed like a dead end.
"Eat when it’s time to eat, drink when it’s time to drink. The boat will straighten itself out when it reaches the bridge," Jiang Mo said breezily. "We’ll figure it out later. Why rush? Even if you graduate and start working, that’s still years away."
"And if it really doesn’t work out..."
She trailed off mid-sentence.
Li Zheng nudged her. "If it doesn’t work out, then what? Sis, why’d you stop?"
If it really didn’t work out, they’d just pull some strings again—what else could they do?
But she couldn’t tell him that now. No need to inflate his ego.
"If it doesn’t work out, you can always pick up trash. Hard work leads to wealth."
Li Zheng: "......"
The siblings ate until they could barely walk, and Jiang Mo rode her electric scooter home with her little brother in tow.
After their feast and gifts, once they got home, Jiang Mo immediately assumed her role as the Empress Dowager, bossing Li Zheng around like her personal servant.
Li Zheng scurried to obey without complaint.
Jiang Mo sighed in satisfaction. "Homegrown servants really are the best."
"Of course. Outsiders could never compare," Li Zheng said, grinning like an eager lackey.
Jiang Mo hummed smugly and sprawled on the couch to scroll through her phone.
Li Zheng shuffled closer. "So, uh, I’ve got something to report. Requesting your approval."
"Go on, let’s hear it."
"My laptop—you know the one. It’s been through thick and thin with me, fought countless battles, served loyally for years. But lately, it just can’t keep up with my demands. I think it’s time for it to retire and live out its golden years in peace."
"So, I was wondering if I could submit a request for a new one—just a slightly higher-spec model."
Buying a new computer just to play games, and he made it sound so noble.
Jiang Mo shook her head. "That’s a major financial decision. Above my pay grade. Maybe ask Mom in the family group chat."
Li Zheng nodded. "Fine. But back me up, okay?"
Two minutes later, a notification popped up in the family group.
Royal Council Chamber
Young Master Li: "Mr. Li, Mrs. Wang, my current laptop is getting old. Requesting permission to purchase a new one. Please approve."
Li Daming, apparently not busy at the moment, replied instantly.
CEO Li: "Buy it! What brand do you want, son? How much?"
Young Master Li: "Thanks, Dad! Love you!"
But his joy lasted less than two minutes before Wang Xia chimed in.
Empress Dowager Wang: "No. That laptop still works fine. Wait until you start college."
Sensing the shift in power, Li Daming immediately switched sides.
CEO Li: "Listen to your mother."
Seriously, Dad? You folded that fast?
Wang Xia’s verdict was final.
"Sis, can’t you say something to help me out?"
Jiang Mo glanced at the chat. "What’s there to say? The Queen has spoken. We commoners just obey."
