Hearing this, Jiang Xing let out a relieved sigh. "Xiaohe, I owe you big time for your help this time. If we can secure the copyright for the last novel by Lili Yuanshang, I’ll be in your debt."
Jiang Yonghe couldn’t hide the pride on her face. "Big Brother, I’m your sister. I’m happy to help. Don’t talk about debts."
Jiang Zhao chimed in boastfully, "Big Brother, don’t worry. With Xiaohe personally stepping in, her friend will definitely go all out to persuade Lili Yuanshang. I dare say, after this meeting, you’ll definitely get the copyright for the last novel!"
At this point, Jiang Zhao shoved his hands into his pockets and glanced mockingly at Jiang Youli inside the door. "With Lili Yuanshang’s IP as the starting point, Starlight Entertainment will only grow stronger. I’d love to see if someone’s skills are as sharp as her tongue—enough to ruin our business."
Jiang Youli burst into laughter. "Oh, so confident, huh? Just one meeting and you’re 100% sure Lili Yuanshang will sell the copyright to Starlight Entertainment?"
Jiang Zhao sneered. "You think Xiaohe’s connections are a joke? She’s not like you. The people she knows actually have influence. Since they’ve agreed to meet, it’s practically a done deal."
He then added sarcastically, "I really don’t know where you get the nerve to boast about ruining our business. Unless… you actually know Lili Yuanshang and can stop her from selling the copyright to Big Brother?"
Jiang Youli nodded. "That’s right. I do know her, and I can indeed make sure she doesn’t sell the copyright to Jiang Xing."
Jiang Zhao couldn’t help but laugh. "You? Know Lili Yuanshang? Next, you’ll say you know the King of Heaven! Stop spouting nonsense."
Jiang Youli shrugged. "Don’t believe me? Fine."
Jiang Yonghe also smiled, her eyes carrying a hint of provocation. "Sister Youli, I know you’re eager to prove you’re better than me at everything. I admit, you won last night. But connections aren’t built overnight. You’ve been living in the village, surrounded by farmers. Where would you even get the chance to meet a famous writer like Lili Yuanshang?"
"What’s wrong with farmers? Are they not connections? Who do you think you’re looking down on? If you’re so high and mighty, stop eating rice." Jiang Youli shot back coldly.
Jiang Yonghe ignored her retort, turning to Jiang Xing instead. "Big Brother, why did you come to see Sister Youli?"
Before Jiang Xing could answer, Jiang Youli kicked a bag leaning against the wall. "Your big brother is coming to help me till the soil tomorrow. He just dropped off the tools in advance."
Hearing this, Jiang Yonghe’s expression turned complicated. "Big Brother, why are you helping Jiang Youli with manual labor—and something as rough as tilling the soil?"
After a pause, she forced a bitter smile.
"Are you trying to win Sister Youli’s forgiveness? But Big Brother, your right leg was injured by her…"
Jiang Xing quickly shook his head. "Xiaohe, it’s not like that."
Jiang Yonghe secretly sighed in relief, pretending to be concerned. "Then… are you afraid Sister Youli might actually sabotage your career? Big Brother, don’t worry. I guarantee you’ll successfully secure the copyright for Lili Yuanshang’s last novel tomorrow."
Jiang Xing didn’t know how to explain the poisoning incident, so he changed the subject. "Xiaohe, it’s a long story. It’s late, and Mom and Dad are probably waiting for us to eat. Let’s go home."
Jiang Youli scoffed. "Afraid of losing face in front of your dear sister? Don’t worry, your sweet, understanding sister won’t mind. If you’re short on hands tomorrow, you can always bring her along to help."
Jiang Xing seethed at Jiang Youli’s mocking tone but couldn’t show it. He just wanted to leave as quickly as possible, but his lame right leg slowed him down.
Then, he heard Jiang Youli call out from behind, "With that lame leg, don’t push yourself too hard. If it’s too much, just let Jiang Zhao or your dear sister carry you."
Jiang Yonghe finally realized Jiang Xing wasn’t trying to appease Jiang Youli—he was being threatened!
The once-proud man was now repeatedly humiliated by Jiang Youli yet didn’t dare to fight back. It was pathetic. Absolutely pathetic!
"Dammit! Big Brother, I can’t stand this wild girl anymore!" Jiang Zhao couldn’t take Jiang Youli’s attitude any longer. He stopped and turned to warn her, "Jiang Youli, don’t get too cocky. I’ll find a way to deal with you sooner or later!"
"You should worry about cleaning up your own scandal on Weibo first."
With that, Jiang Youli turned and went back into the villa.
Jiang Zhao clenched his fists and muttered under his breath, "That damn wild girl!"
…
After dinner with her beautiful stepmother and handsome stepfather, Jiang Youli returned to her room and received a message from Zhou Yi with an address—Mimi’s Hometown.
[See you tomorrow at noon, Xiao Li.]
Mimi’s Hometown was a famous restaurant in Jing City and one of the businesses owned by Zhou Yi’s family. Its produce and poultry suppliers came from Jianshan Village.
Over the years, since Zhou Yi’s father was obsessed with village explorations and neglected the family business, and Zhou Yi himself was devoted to web novels, Jiang Youli had arranged for Yeying’s people to invest in the restaurant and manage it.
Under Yeying’s management, Mimi’s Hometown flourished, nearly rivaling some of Jing City’s most prestigious hotels.
Thinking about how Jiang Yonghe was Zhou Yi’s friend, Jiang Youli looked forward to tomorrow’s meeting even more. She replied:
[OK]
After showering and feeding her pets—Xiao Hei, Xiao Bai, and Xiao Lü—Jiang Youli lay in bed and picked up her phone. Another message from an unknown number popped up.
[Jiang Youli, think carefully. You’ll regret marrying Qi Huan!]
Attached was a link to an article.
This was yet another new number. She had no idea where Duan Jinghan kept getting so many SIM cards.
Jiang Youli glanced at the article’s title—hey, wasn’t this the same piece she’d forwarded to Qi Huan about his infertility?
[Duan Jinghan, don’t bother. Did I ever tell you I’m actually childfree? So if the man has azoospermia, even better!]
There was no immediate reply.
Jiang Youli figured Duan Jinghan would finally give up on her now. Unless… he was willing to give up having children for her?
…
Qi Family Mansion.
"Qi Huan! Kneel!"
The moment Qi Huan returned home, Qi Tianxiang’s thunderous roar echoed through the grand hall.
Qi Huan slowly raised his hand, signaling Cheng Jing—who was pushing his wheelchair—to stop. Then, he looked toward the source of the voice: his father, Qi Tianxiang, seated imposingly on the main seat, his face dark with fury.
"Father, what do you mean? What have I done wrong?"
"How dare you even ask what you did wrong?! How could you be so heartless—kicking Qi Yu out over some trivial matter was bad enough, but then you had someone smash her kneecaps! You’re nothing short of a monster!" Qi Tianxiang slammed his hand on the armrest and shot to his feet, jabbing an accusing finger at Qi Huan. "And what about your own younger brother, Qi Yue? Back then, you went to great lengths to beg your grandfather to bring him back into the family. But now? You’d stoop to harming your own flesh and blood—have you no conscience left?!"
His voice trembled with fury as he spoke, his entire body shaking with rage. In a fit of anger, he snatched the teapot and cups from the nearby table and hurled them violently to the ground.
The sound of shattering porcelain exploded through the grand hall, shards scattering in every direction.
