Volume 1, Chapter 10: I Do Not Need Your Service

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Jiang Yunmiao still remembered that two years ago, a client suddenly went bankrupt and couldn’t pay the final installment, so they mortgaged a villa under their name to the company. Because she was very fond of the villa she currently lived in, she left that other property aside.

She never expected that Duan Yixiao and Chen Nianke would so quickly set their sights on that villa.

She asked Li Ye for the relevant information and quietly saved it for future use.

Half an hour had passed, and Aunt Qi still hadn’t brought out the fruits and coffee, so Jiang Yunmiao urged her again.

Only then did Aunt Qi sluggishly come out carrying a plate of sliced apples.

Jiang Yunmiao looked at the apples, her lips tightening instantly, and a flash of anger clouded her eyes as she glared sharply at Aunt Qi. “What do you mean by serving guests such apples?”

The apples were dry and shriveled, clearly old and no longer fresh. Although they were cut into small pieces, the surface was pockmarked and evidently spoiled.

Aunt Qi was intimidated by her anger and took a cautious step back. After a moment, she finally mustered the courage to say, “It’s a bit inconvenient; we have no fresh fruit at home.”

She said this submissively but raised her eyebrows at Jiang Yunmiao with a hint of provocation. She had been hired by Zhou Manhua and didn’t care much for appearances—there was no way Jiang Yunmiao could do anything to her.

Jiang Yunmiao gave her a somber glance, taking in all her arrogance and insolence.

With a serious expression, she stood up and walked into the kitchen.

Opening the refrigerator, she found cherries, mangosteen, pitaya, and blueberries neatly arranged in the fresh-keeping compartment.

If Zhou Manhua had come today, Aunt Qi would have eagerly brought all these fruits out.

But since it was Jiang Yunmiao’s relative visiting, she dared to be so blatantly negligent.

Jiang Yunmiao laughed bitterly at her own foolishness over the years. Even the housekeeper didn’t take her seriously, yet she had poured her heart and soul into helping that man rise.

She then glanced at the coffee beans nearby. Since she had become pregnant, she had drunk less coffee, and sure enough, the beans had expired.

Coldly, she shot Aunt Qi a glance and threw the coffee beans directly into the trash bin.

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Aunt Qi saw the deep frown on Jiang Yunmiao’s brow, her eyes emitting a cold light like a winter night, her gentle face devoid of any smile, making her feel unsettled.

Her eyelids twitched uncontrollably as she slyly asked, “What’s wrong with the coffee beans?” She pretended to pick the beans out of the trash and looked them over. “Oh, they’re expired? Look at me, getting old and forgetful.”

Her tone was full of pretense and evasion.

In fact, Zhou Manhua had already told her that Duan Yixiao was originally supposed to be with a wealthy heiress, but Jiang Yunmiao meddled behind the scenes, causing Duan Yixiao to break up with the heiress. Jiang Yunmiao had used countless means to force Duan Yixiao to marry her.

Zhou Manhua’s words were filled with disdain and contempt for Jiang Yunmiao and pessimism about their marriage.

So Aunt Qi despised Jiang Yunmiao sincerely, believing that without Jiang Yunmiao’s relentless interference, Duan Yixiao would have developed far better by now.

Aunt Qi, relying on her kinship with Zhou Manhua, considered herself an elder and never took Jiang Yunmiao seriously. She had worked here for three years and knew Jiang Yunmiao’s temper very well.

Jiang Yunmiao was just an easy target, very easy to intimidate. Aunt Qi was sure that no matter how angry Jiang Yunmiao got, she wouldn’t dare lash out at her.

Jiang Yunmiao clearly understood Aunt Qi’s thoughts. She relaxed her brows and said lightly, “Yes, you’re getting old. It’s time to retire at home and enjoy life.”

Aunt Qi was momentarily puzzled by her words, sensing a hidden meaning.

“I just thought since you and Ayi are busy, and while I still have some strength, I’d help you for a few more years. You’re about to give birth soon, and with a new child at home, you’ll have even more to do.”

Her words sounded as if she was making a great sacrifice.

But Aunt Qi earned a five-figure salary every month, had four days off, and Jiang Yunmiao even gave her red envelopes during holidays. Whenever the company gave gifts, Jiang Yunmiao would always bring one for Aunt Qi.

She also knew Aunt Qi often took good fruits and vegetables home for her grandson, and out of respect for Duan Yixiao, Jiang Yunmiao had always turned a blind eye.

But tolerance had its limits. Keeping such a traitor in the household was a disaster.

The dishes for lunch seemed already prepared by Aunt Qi, who had carelessly arranged a pile on the stove.

Jiang Yunmiao glanced at them calmly. “Aunt Qi, what dishes have you prepared to serve my sister for lunch?”

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Hearing Jiang Yunmiao change the subject, Aunt Qi was even more certain she was an easy target. A smug smile appeared on her sagging face. “Green vegetable tofu, scrambled eggs with green peppers, smashed cucumber salad, and a radish pork rib stew is already in the pressure cooker.”

Jiang Yunmiao nodded and then operated her phone.

Immediately, Aunt Qi’s phone buzzed with a message alert. She stopped what she was doing and checked her phone.

“Aunt Qi, your salary for this month has been settled and should have already been credited. You can pack your things and leave now. You don’t need to come back.”

Jiang Yunmiao no longer tolerated her arrogant and domineering attitude. She no longer hid her cold detachment and sharp clarity, nor restrained the keen edge within her bones.

Her kindness toward this old woman ended here.

Aunt Qi’s smug expression froze. “W-what do you mean?”

She staggered, barely steadying herself against the glass railing. Her cloudy eyes widened in shock as she stared at Jiang Yunmiao.

Jiang Yunmiao’s voice was cold and steady, “I mean—Aunt Qi, you’re fired.”

Aunt Qi panicked but, for reasons unknown, her expression suddenly turned harsh. She glared fiercely at Jiang Yunmiao and sneered, “You… you must know your place! I was hired by Manhua; you have no right to fire me!”

Jiang Yunmiao’s lips curled faintly with a hint of disdain. “I already told you yesterday that I’m the one who pays your salary. Even my great-grandfather knows who’s in charge.”

“You! You’re calling me a dog?” Aunt Qi was furious.

“I’ll give you half an hour to pack your things.” Jiang Yunmiao didn’t want to argue further and turned to leave the kitchen, making a call to Sister Xu.

“Sister Xu, from now on, our family will be relying on you.”

During her hospital stay, Sister Xu had taken good care of her, and Jiang Yunmiao was very satisfied with her.

Aunt Qi chased after her but overheard that replacements had already been arranged and immediately began throwing a tantrum. “Fine! You were planning to fire me all along. I’m telling you, it’s easy to summon a spirit but hard to send it away. Eight thousand yuan won’t get rid of me so easily!”

She then called Zhou Manhua to complain tearfully, “Manhua, your daughter-in-law is something else. I can’t serve her anymore…”