Chapter 30: In This Round, Jiang Zhiyue Lost

"This..." Jiang Qingyan bit her lower lip, appearing hesitant, as if unsure whether she should speak.

Jiang’s mother urged her from the side, "Yanyan, if your father is asking, just speak your mind."

"Oh, let me guess. Jiang Zhiyue didn't have the audacity to claim she was Lu Yan's fiancée just to get inside, did she?"

Clearly, the others in the Jiang family were inclined to agree with Jiang Chen's speculation. Otherwise, they couldn't fathom how Jiang Zhiyue, who had always done nothing but cook and tend to flowers at home, could possibly attend such an auction. If she had used the title of Lu Yan's fiancée, perhaps they really would have given her some face.

Jiang Qingyan shook her head. "No, Sister was... she was..."

"She was what?" Jiang’s mother asked.

"She was with the young master of the Pei family."

"The young master of the Pei family? Which Pei family?" Jiang Chen was the first to ask, sounding suspicious. As a member of the socialite circle in the capital, he had no impression of any "young master" from a Pei family.

"Brother Yan said it was the son of the president of the Pei Group."

Jiang Chen thought for a moment, then realization dawned on him. "Oh, is that the Pei young master you're talking about? You mean that sickly weakling who doesn't even dare step outside his own door? Wait, that's not right. Isn't it rumored that the young master of the Pei family suffers from a severe illness, so grave that even breathing the outside air could endanger his life? How did they end up together? Sister, are you sure you didn't mistake him for someone else?"

"Brother Yan had it investigated personally, so it shouldn't be wrong. I don't know how Sister managed to get involved with the Pei young master. You know, Sister hates me for taking her place, so she wouldn't talk to me at all." Jiang Qingyan sounded increasingly aggrieved.

Jiang Chen rolled his eyes. "I didn't expect Jiang Zhiyue to be so calculating. She was cavorting in the woods with some random men for a bite to eat at noon, and by the afternoon, she was already clinging to the Pei family."

Jiang’s father frowned. "What random men?"

At the mention of this, Jiang Chen became interested and vividly recounted what he had encountered at noon, emphasizing that those three men were old, ugly, and foul-smelling migrant workers.

Hearing this, Jiang’s mother went dark and nearly fainted. "Fifth son, you must never say such things outside. She is your sister!"

Jiang Chen curled his lips. "If she dares to do it, why should she be afraid of me saying it?"

"Call that rebellious daughter and tell her to get home immediately! If she stays out any longer, she’ll ruin the reputation of our Jiang family!" Jiang’s father commanded.

Jiang’s mother sighed. "I already called. Zhiyue must be in a fit of rage; she’s blocked all of us."

"How dare she!" Jiang’s father was furious. "It’s a good thing we didn't publicly announce her identity when we first found her, or our family's reputation would have been completely destroyed by her!"

He looked at Jiang’s mother, dissatisfied. "Look at this, look at the shameless thing you’ve raised. How is someone like this fit to be the eldest daughter of the Jiang family? She needs to learn her place properly; until she does, I will never acknowledge her as my daughter!"

As the head of the family, no one dared to contradict him once he had spoken. Jiang Qingyan curled her lips imperceptibly.

"Dad, don't be angry; be careful for your health. Maybe Sister connecting with the Pei family will bring benefits to the Jiang family in business later on. It’s just..." She paused, then continued, "It’s just that Sister shouldn't have offended Boss Chen and Master Qin Chong, especially while relying on the fact that she's Brother Yan's fiancée and has the Pei young master backing her!"

Jiang’s father slammed his hand on the table. "What is this about now?"

Jiang Qingyan quickly explained how Jiang Zhiyue had cursed Boss Chen at the auction, claiming he would face a disaster involving bloodshed within seven days, and how she had insulted Master Qin and snatched an item he had his eye on. After finishing, she added self-reproachfully, "Dad, it’s all my fault. If only I had managed to stop Sister in time."

The more Jiang’s father heard, the darker his face became. Finally, he stood up, slamming his hand on the table again.

"Yanyan, this has nothing to do with you! That rebellious daughter! Keeping her in the Jiang family will only bring disaster sooner or later! Pass the word down: from now on, without my permission, no one is to acknowledge Jiang Zhiyue’s status. Since she wants to sever ties, then let her! I will have the legal department draw up a contract to cut off all relations. From now on, the Jiang family will act as if Jiang Zhiyue does not exist!"

With that, Jiang’s father ignored Jiang’s mother’s pleas and headed upstairs, rubbing his temples. A daughter who could do nothing but cause trouble was better off cast aside.

A smile remained on Jiang Qingyan’s face. She knew she was going to win. Did Jiang Zhiyue really think that gaining the favor of the Pei young master with a bit of beauty would change the Jiang family’s attitude toward her? The Jiang family might need a daughter for a political marriage, but it would never be with the Pei family. In the capital, everyone knew the Pei and Lu families were long-standing rivals, and the Jiang family had chosen the Lu family.

She suspected the Pei young master was only approaching Jiang Zhiyue to get close to the Jiang family, perhaps to steal trade secrets or solicit their support. But that plan would likely fail. Given her years of history with Lu Yan, Jiang’s father would always trust the Lu family more. Not only that, but to demonstrate his loyalty to the Lu family, her father would actively sever ties with Jiang Zhiyue.

In this round, Jiang Zhiyue had lost!

She waited to see how the Pei family would discard Jiang Zhiyue once they learned she had been abandoned by the Jiangs. She certainly didn't believe Old Master Lu would ever allow a woman who was "unclean" and had been close to a business rival to enter their family! She was the true daughter of the Jiang family, and she alone would be the young mistress of the Lu family!

At that moment, Jiang Zhiyue had no idea that even after leaving, she was still being gossiped about by the Jiang family.

She slept remarkably well that night. Without chaotic people living under the same roof, sleeping alone was truly comfortable. When she woke up, it was already ten in the morning.

She unlocked her phone, and a small red dot appeared next to the only contact in her chat app.

[Pei, the Great Benefactor Heng: Little Jiang, remember to open the door for me when you wake up. I've brought some beautiful new bowls to apologize to you.]

Hmm? The message was sent at eight in the morning.

In other words, her big-shot benefactor had arrived at eight o'clock? And now, checking the time—well, it was past ten. She had kept her benefactor waiting for over two hours. Would she get her pay docked?

Thinking this, she didn't dare to delay, immediately rolling out of bed to open the door. If she had slept in late at the Jiang household, she would have been subjected to endless criticism and lectures. Something about "as the eldest daughter of a noble family, one must never be lax"—to hell with those rules! In this world, nothing felt better than freedom.

Opening the door, Jiang Zhiyue couldn't help but twitch her eyes at the sight before her.

It was the same person, but today Pei Heng was wearing a white tracksuit, a few strands of hair falling over his forehead, looking clean and refreshing.

"You are..."

Hearing the door open, Pei Heng immediately stood up, his eyes curving into a smile as he revealed a row of white teeth. "Little Jiang, you're awake! Look, do you like these bowls?"

Jiang Zhiyue didn't look at the bowls; instead, she stared curiously at his face. "Did someone beat you up last night?"