"Jiang Youli, you stop right there! I've already told you to leave, don't push your luck!" Old Madam Long warned sternly.
Jiang Youli finally stopped her hand, saying with a feigned difficulty, "Well, it was your son who said I couldn't leave. Since Old Madam Long has spoken, my mother and I will take our leave."
She walked towards her beautiful stepmother.
Zhang Susu stood up, offering a slight smile to Old Madam Long. "We've disturbed you enough today. We'll be going now."
"Mom..." Long Junyu, his speech slurred, tried to speak again.
Before he could finish, Old Madam Long cut him off. "Silence! Look at the state you're in! Do you think your face is so tough it can't be broken?"
Long Junyu's mouth opened and closed, the words at his throat swallowed back down. He could only glare fiercely at Jiang Youli, thinking to himself that he would absolutely not let this damned little brat get away with this!
Jiang Li's heart once again churned with bitterness. No matter what she said, Long Junyu never listened, but the moment his mother opened her mouth, he became so obedient!
Having achieved the purpose of their visit, Jiang Youli and her beautiful stepmother left the Long residence quite pleased with themselves.
Returning to the Jiang residence, Jiang Youli didn't get out of the car. "Mom, I need to go to the largest auction house in Jing City. I won't be going back in with you."
Having slapped Jiang Li and Second Master Long's faces, it was now time to go slap Jiang Xing and Jiang Yonghe's faces.
"Mm." Zhang Susu nodded, pulling a black-gold card from her purse. "This card was specially issued for you by your father. Take it. If you see any auction items you like, don't hesitate to bid for them."
Jiang Youli took the black-gold card, her face blossoming into a smile. "Alright then! Tell Dad I won't hold back. If I see something good, I'll bid straight away."
In truth, Jiang Youli wasn't short of money, but she also knew that her beautiful stepmother and handsome stepfather enjoyed spending on her, so she might as well spend it freely!
After all, she, her beautiful stepmother, and her handsome stepfather were family now!
Seeing her so happy, Zhang Susu couldn't help but feel delighted too. "Why be polite? Everything your father and I have will be yours someday. Alright, drive carefully."
"Okay."
After watching Jiang Youli drive away, Zhang Susu immediately took out her phone and called her husband, Jiang Yehan, giving him a detailed account of what happened at the Long residence.
"Ahan, although nothing happened to Youli and me at the Longs' today, Youli slapped Second Master Long several times for my sake. He's definitely holding a grudge and will look for a chance to retaliate against her."
She didn't regret letting Youli cause that scene at the Longs', but regarding the risks they might face later, Zhang Susu still hoped she and her husband could share some of the burden for Youli.
On the other end of the phone, Jiang Yehan said gently, "I understand the situation. Don't worry, I'll find a way to ensure Youli's safety."
"Good."
After hanging up, Jiang Yehan put away his phone and pressed a button on the back of the neck of a robot sitting before him. The robot had a neutral appearance, short hair, and its eyes were closed, making its gender indistinguishable.
With a "beep," the button lit up red. The robot opened its eyes, its face completely expressionless, its gaze utterly vacant.
"Boss, what is the mission? Please instruct," the robot said, looking at Jiang Yehan, its voice cold and devoid of emotion.
Jiang Yehan showed the robot a photograph. "Remember, Unit 001. Your only mission is this: to protect my daughter's safety at all times, anywhere."
The robot looked at the photo in Jiang Yehan's hand. It was of a young woman wearing a dazzling evening gown, radiating confidence.
The robot's vacant eyes flickered for a moment, then it spoke again in its official, business-like tone. "Your daughter's appearance has been recorded. Unit 001 will complete the mission at all costs, ensuring the boss's daughter faces no danger whatsoever."
This Unit 001 robot was Jiang Yehan's creation, the result of over twenty years of research.
This was also why Jiang Yehan had absolutely no interest in taking over the Jiang family business. His passion lay in research on full automation and artificial intelligence, which was precisely why Green Bud Technology was established.
Initially, Jiang Yehan had intended to develop Unit 001 into a domestic helper capable of household services. But after recognizing Youli as his daughter and witnessing the numerous dangers she faced, he changed his mind. The information programmed into Unit 001 was entirely that of a highly skilled bodyguard.
It could be said that Unit 001 was now fully comparable to a top-tier special agent capable of taking on a hundred foes alone!
With Unit 001 protecting Youli, he and Susu would feel much more at ease.
...
Following the location sent by Qi An'an, Jiang Youli drove to the entrance of a high-end residential complex. She parked, took out her phone, and sent Qi An'an a voice call.
The call was quickly answered.
Before Jiang Youli could speak, Qi An'an's excited voice came through. "Sis-in-law, are you here? I'll come out right now! I'll be quick!"
When Qi An'an said quick, she meant it. Three minutes after hanging up, she had already sprinted out of the complex's main gate, running up to Jiang Youli's car, completely out of breath.
"What's the rush?" Jiang Youli couldn't help but laugh seeing Qi An'an like that.
Qi An'an tried to catch her breath. "Can't keep my sis-in-law waiting too long!"
Jiang Youli gestured with her chin. "Get in."
Qi An'an looked at her eagerly. "Sis-in-law, can I sit in the passenger seat?"
"Of course," Jiang Youli replied, not understanding why she asked.
Qi An'an immediately walked around the front of the car to the other side, opened the door, and slid into the passenger seat. As she fastened her seatbelt, she said, "Hehe, I was afraid the passenger seat might be reserved exclusively for Brother Huan."
"Is there such a rule?" Jiang Youli was slightly surprised. "Nothing like that. My mom just sat here."
Qi An'an gave an "Mhm" and nodded. "That's good then!"
"Buckle up, we're off." Jiang Youli shifted gears, pressed the accelerator, and the car sped away.
Beside her, Qi An'an turned her head to look at Jiang Youli in the driver's seat, hands on the wheel, focused on driving, and secretly marveled: How can there be such a cool girl in the world!
She gazed with that infatuated look the entire way, until they arrived at Jing City's largest auction house. Jiang Youli parked the car, turned to look at her, and waved a hand in front of her face as a reminder. "Hey, wake up. We're here."
Only then did Qi An'an snap out of it. "Oh," she said, quickly unbuckling her seatbelt and getting out of the car after Jiang Youli. "Sis-in-law, what are you here to bid on today?"
Jiang Youli smiled. "I have an item up for auction today. But if I see something I like, I might bid depending on the situation."
Qi An'an's eyes sparkled again. "Sis-in-law has her own auction item! That's amazing!"
Jiang Youli couldn't hold back a laugh. "Are you always this complimentary?"
Qi An'an quickly waved her hands to clarify. "Not at all! The only people I've praised like this are you, sis-in-law, and Brother Huan! I'm different from others. I just think you and Brother Huan are a much better match, at least far better than Jiang Yonghe!"
As they spoke, they entered the auction house. Just as Qi An'an finished her sentence, while walking along the circular corridor leading to the private rooms, they ran right into Jiang Yonghe and Jiang Xing.
Naturally, Qi An'an's words happened to fall right into their ears.
Seeing Jiang Youli appear at the auction house, Jiang Xing furrowed his brow, while Jiang Yonghe spoke up with some anger, "Jiang Youli, so this is how you've been gossiping about me behind my back all along?"
