"Brother Zhou Yi, go ahead, what's the matter?" Jiang Youli asked directly.
On the other end of the line, Zhou Yi cleared his throat and explained earnestly, "It's like this—I have a friend whose family owns an entertainment company. They’re interested in buying the rights to your latest novel, Ambition of the Clouds, and wanted to know if you’re free in the next couple of days to meet and discuss the details in person. If it’s convenient, I can personally come pick you up from the village."
Jiang Youli teased, "A friend? Brother Zhou Yi, not just an ordinary friend, right? Otherwise, why would you go out of your way to contact me?"
There was an awkward cough on the other end. "Just tell me if you have time."
Jiang Youli couldn’t resist continuing to poke fun. "Brother Zhou Yi, seems like you’ve really been burying yourself in writing, completely unaware of the outside world. I’m not in Jianshan Village anymore—I’m in Jing City now."
Zhou Yi on the phone sounded genuinely surprised. "You’ve moved to Jing City? That’s even better. Let’s meet up there and have a proper discussion."
Jiang Youli agreed readily. "Sure, how about tomorrow at noon?"
Zhou Yi quickly responded, "No problem. I’ll pick the place and send you the details tonight."
After hanging up, Jiang Youli met Qi Huan’s curious gaze and explained, "It’s the son of Uncle Zhou, who often looked out for me in the village. He wants to meet tomorrow to discuss the copyright sale of my novel with his friend."
"You write novels? And you’re selling the rights?" Qi Huan’s admiration grew visibly.
Jiang Youli shrugged. "Yeah, just wrote a few casually in my spare time."
Qi Huan’s praise was unrestrained. "Casually writing a few and already selling the rights—that’s impressive. What’s your pen name? I’d love to read your work."
A faint smile played on Jiang Youli’s lips as she uttered four words softly, "Grass on the Plain."
Hearing the pen name, Qi Huan froze momentarily. "I don’t read much fiction, but I’ve actually heard of Grass on the Plain."
Jiang Youli raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh?"
Qi Huan gave a wry smile. "Actually, it was Qi Yu who mentioned it to me. Someone online publicly suggested that I should play the male lead in Grass on the Plain’s adaptation."
Jiang Youli clapped her hands in realization. "You know what? There’s a novel of mine where the male lead fits you perfectly. Too bad you’re not an actor—what a waste of that face and aura."
Qi Huan had zero interest in stepping into the entertainment industry, so he steered the conversation back. "Can I come with you tomorrow?"
Jiang Youli arched a brow. "Why? To stake your claim? Don’t overthink it—there’s nothing between Zhou Yi and me. Besides, he’s probably reaching out because of a girl he likes."
Qi Huan was pleased that she took the initiative to clarify their relationship, as if worried he might misunderstand. "As your fiancé, it’s good for me to get to know your friends. That way, when we send out invitations for the engagement banquet, I’ll know how to greet them properly."
Seeing his reasoning, Jiang Youli found it sensible and didn’t object. "Fine, you can come with me tomorrow to meet Brother Zhou Yi."
Jiang Youli yawned, stretching lazily as she stood up. "Alright, enough drama for today. Treatment’s done, stomach’s full—time for a nap."
She turned to Qi Huan and asked casually, "What are your plans for the afternoon?"
Qi Huan’s lips curved into a tender smile. "Preparing for our engagement banquet. Next Saturday’s the big day. Grandfather promised it’ll be grand, but since it’s our engagement, it’s extra special. I want to oversee everything personally, making sure it’s perfect—a memory you’ll cherish forever."
Jiang Youli thought for a moment. "Do you need my help with anything? Like picking decorations or finalizing the guest list?"
Qi Huan shook his head gently. "No need. Just give me your side of the guest list. If you have any special requests, let me know. Leave the rest to me—I don’t want you stressing over the details."
Jiang Youli stretched again. "Fine by me. I’m not big on planning these things anyway. The engagement banquet’s in your hands, then."
Qi Huan nodded solemnly. "Youli, I promise this banquet will make you the envy of everyone. No one will dare laugh at the Jiang Family’s true heiress for marrying a 'cripple' like me instead of Jiang Yonghe."
---
By the time Jiang Youli returned to the Jiang Family estate, it was already four in the afternoon. She had hoped to sneak in a quick nap before dinner, capping off what had been a fulfilling day.
But fate had other plans.
As she approached the eastern villa’s entrance, the sound of a heated argument reached her ears.
"Second Master Jiang, Second Madam, I’ve already told you—Miss Youli isn’t home. Whatever business you have with her, you’ll have to wait until the master and madam return."
"If we wait for them, that wild girl will slip away again! Is that brat hiding inside, too scared to face us?"
Jiang Youli narrowed her eyes—Qin Yulian again.
But this time, Jiang Yangxu had joined her, flanked by bodyguards in a tense standoff with the villa’s own security.
Clearly, they were here for revenge over this morning’s incident.
Jiang Youli smirked and strode forward. "Uncle, Aunt, back for more? I get that Aunt has nothing better to do, but Uncle, aren’t you supposed to be running the Jiang Family’s pharmaceutical business? If you’re this free, maybe it’s time to retire."
Hearing her voice, Nanny Wang—who had been blocking Jiang Yangxu and Qin Yulian—whirled around in alarm, frantically signaling for Jiang Youli to retreat. "Miss Youli! The master and madam aren’t home yet. Get inside—don’t engage with them!"
Jiang Yangxu and Qin Yulian had come with a vengeance, and without the family heads present, Jiang Youli was outnumbered.
Jiang Yangxu turned, his sharp gaze boring into his rebellious daughter.
"Jiang Youli, what a fine daughter you are! First, you humiliate your second brother, and now you dare lay hands on your own mother! Next, will it be your own father?!"
After receiving Qin Yulian’s tearful call detailing Jiang Youli’s actions that morning, Jiang Yangxu’s long-suppressed frustration had erupted. He’d rushed home from the company and stormed straight to the eastern villa, ready to settle the score.
Jiang Youli walked up to him and corrected him calmly, "Uncle, let’s be clear about our roles. I’m not your daughter, you’re not my father, and she’s certainly not my mother. Repeating this is getting tiresome."
Jiang Yangxu’s expression darkened. "So you’ve made up your mind—no forgiveness. And that threat you made to your mother about stripping us of everything wasn’t just empty words, was it?"
Jiang Youli let out a light chuckle, "So Second Master Jiang came all this way just to confirm whether that statement was true?"
