Ji Yao's lips twitched several times, wanting to say it didn't matter, she was just a worker, her contract was about to expire, it was really superfluous!
After Mother Lu left, Ji Zimo toyed with eucalyptus leaves, brought them close to her nose for a sniff, beneath the façade was scorn, "Sometimes I really admire you, your skin is thick enough."
"Takes one to know one," Ji Yao, glancing at her swelling belly, said, "I didn't expect you guys hid it so well, mom doesn't know yet, does she? That the child in your belly is someone else's seed!"
"I'm with Jincheng, and he doesn't mind, so why do you care?" Ji Zimo sneered, leisurely leaning against the sofa, "Tell me, how much money do you want to leave Lu Jincheng?"
To Ji Zimo, Ji Yao was a shallow and vulgar thing, like a dog with a bone when given money.
Ji Zimo's disdain was apparent.
Ji Yao didn't feel humiliated; instead, her eyes shone brightly, "You're willing to give?"
She was fretting about where to make money, and here came the God of Wealth!
The contempt in Ji Zimo's eyes grew stronger, "Intolerably vulgar, I'll give you thirty million, get lost now! You disgust me just by looking at you!"
Thirty million!
Ji Yao was thrilled, if it weren't for her longstanding grudge with Ji Zimo, she would've been tempted to rush up to this arrogant sister and give her a shoulder rub, a leg massage.
It seemed her three years drifting outside wasn't without gain after all!
However, her inner jubilation didn't show on her face, Ji Yao was expressionless, shaping an "eight" with her hands.
Thirty-eight, three-eight, just like Ji Zimo's character!
"Eighty million? Why don't you go rob someone!" Ji Zimo suddenly sat up straight, a raging fury in her eyes.
She had underestimated Ji Yao who was not only greedy, but also had the audacity to ask for so much!
Thirty million was already more than generous!
Ji Yao was stunned, her intention was thirty-eight million… With the mindset of earning a bit more if possible.
It turned out that the elder sister's unit of measure was based on tens of millions?!
In that case...
Ji Yao's eyelids drooped, "It's no issue for me, but for you, if the child is born and you need a paternity test or something, you can't wrap fire in paper, it's going to look bad."
"You!"
A surge of bile stuck in Ji Zimo's throat.
She had to admit, Ji Yao made sense. She must secure her position as Mrs. Lu before the child's birth.
Swallowing her fury, Ji Zimo looked deathly pale, "It's not a small sum, I can't produce it right away, you can take thirty million to divorce first, and later I'll..."
She agreed?
Ji Yao was more excited than if she had won the lottery!
Yet, in the midst of negotiation tug-of-war, how could she act recklessly? She interrupted with feigned depth, "How old do you think I am? Sister, there are two more months, I can wait."
Having said that, she also pulled a mocking smile, a sneer, a roll of her eyes – the full set.
It was just like being handed a pillow when you're sleepy.
The contract was only for three more months, and suddenly she was coming into a windfall!
With Ji Zimo's money, why worry about her mother's surgery fees!
She seemed decisively cool as she turned around, her back to Ji Zimo, but she couldn't help bursting into laughter…
Meanwhile, Ji Zimo's complexion kept changing, itching to pounce on Ji Yao and tear her to shreds. To think that Ji Yao would drive such a hard bargain, why didn't she just become a bandit!
Ji Zimo had grown up under Mother Lu's gaze, who, in her own words, treated her as her own daughter.
Now pregnant with the "Lu family's" flesh and blood, and having returned from studying abroad, of course she deserved a grand reception, to welcome and cleanse her from her journey.
"White roses! It has to be white roses, filling up the backyard."
"All tableware must be imported from Italy!"
"As for ingredients, the freshest Wagyu beef, tuna, black truffles, and caviar..."
Ji Yao was bustling about, directing the house servants, and estimating the number of guests expected based on the invitations sent out.
"Western snacks, French tea, there must be no shortage!"
She attended to every little detail; who would have known she was the legitimate young mistress, creating momentum for the home-wrecking mistress.
It was tiring, indeed, but that did not hinder Ji Yao from seizing an opportunity in the chaos.
The wool comes from the sheep; Lu's mother gave her a large sum of money for expenses, and after calculating, she found she could still pocket a tidy sum of one or two million.
Money, the more the better...
On the day of the banquet, all the guests on good terms with the Lu Family attended, a gathering of the elite, either from prestigious families or business magnates.
Ji Yao stood under the shade of a banana leaf, watching Lu's mother leading Ji Zimo through the crowd, providing utmost care, all smiles and grace.
In the sunlight, Ji Zimo's inherently pale complexion looked even more wan and gentle, like a star that had descended from the heavens.
A hint of dimness touched Ji Yao's gaze. Despite both bearing the name Ji, why did heaven favor her so much more?
"Go on, kick her. Announce loud and clear to everyone that you are the rightful empress."
The teasing words rang in her ear, and as Ji Yao glanced sideways, she saw a man donned in a white tailcoat, holding a Margarita, his lips curving into a naked, mocking smile.
Qi Huai'an, the second young master of the Qi Family.
With a confidence that seemed to enchant all who looked upon him, Ji Yao drew back her gaze and said lazily, "Why isn't Qi Er Shao accompanying your flock of admirers instead of bothering me?"
"For you, a drink I mixed myself. How about it? Isn't your brother quite unique?" He gently swirled his glass, ice and mint intertwining, bubbles rising in the liquid, exuding a refreshing aura.
"No thanks, I quit," she replied, clutching her coconut juice and taking a sip.
Qi Huai'an stared at her as if she were a ghost, "You quit?"
Lu Jincheng didn't know, but how could he not?
He first met Ji Yao at a graduation party where she, alone, out-drank all the men!
Was this woman, who drank liquor like it was water, really abstinent now?
Qi Er Shao, who had roamed through a myriad of romances, had a keen judgment of women and darted a look into the party, "You couldn't possibly be pregnant too, could you?"
He deliberately emphasized the word "too," and Ji Yao froze as if under a spell.
Seeing her reaction, Qi Huai'an sharply inhaled, "My god..."
Before he could express his earth-shattering speculation, Ji Yao tiptoed up, covered his mouth, and pushed him behind the banana tree.
Under the broad leaves, she threatened through clenched teeth, "Speak of this and I'll end you!"
Her words were indeed threatening.
Her expression also showed aggression.
Yet, she didn't feel the least bit threatening.
Qi Huai'an removed her hands, puzzled, "What, the child doesn't carry the Lu surname?"
?
Ji Yao was taken aback, then quickly stepped on his shiny, polished shoes, squeezing out her indignant words through gritted teeth, "Do you think everyone's like you?"
"Can't you be a bit gentler, like your sister?" Qi Huai'an stumbled back, "There's no ghost, why won't you let me talk..."
Gentle, she was very gentle!
Ji Yao was about to add a few more kicks when she suddenly felt a chill.
Instinctively turning around, she saw a tall figure backed by light, staring at her unblinkingly.
Lu Jincheng?
When had he arrived!