Once the news was disclosed, it soon spread across the internet. Given the speed at which information travels online, it took less than half a day for the entire upper-class society to learn about the Lu Family matriarch recognizing Ji Zimo's status as Mrs. Lu.
Holding her phone, Ji Zimo watched the various derogatory and mocking comments about Ji Yao with a smile that wouldn't close.
Ji Yao had only heard about the incident, but she didn't pay much attention to it, because her most pressing concerns were still medical expenses.
The specific medicine she had been using was almost gone, and she also planned to earn money for her mother to receive different treatments, which just made Ji Yao feel headache-stricken and busy.
But the headaches didn't come from the burden her mother placed on Ji Yao; it was from figuring out where to get more money.
At that moment, Ji Yao wished the powerful legs she was embracing would take a fancy to her and reward her with a lot of money.
But that was nearly impossible, especially after the events of yesterday.
Ji Yao sighed softly, understanding that Lu Jincheng must have misunderstood her, and their interactions would definitely be even more difficult than before.
Looking at the payment notice sent from the hospital, Ji Yao massaged her temples and took a taxi to the hospital.
After paying the fees, she had used up most of the balance in her card.
This made Ji Yao think back to yesterday at the banquet, where Ji Zimo had promised her money if she helped her out of a tight spot, and Ji Yao still hadn't received that amount.
But meeting Ji Zimo now probably wouldn't be that easy.
Pulling out her phone, Ji Yao lingered on the dial screen for a long time, wanting to shamelessly ask Lu Jincheng for money once more, just in case.
But after what she did to her yesterday, whether she would even answer the call was another matter.
After much hesitation, she made the call anyway, but after only two rings, it was disconnected by a figure that approached.
Ji Yao saw clearly that the person was none other than Ji Zimo.
Ji Zimo's face was filled with anger; she had just seen Ji Yao lurking about here and immediately thought she was up to no good. Coming over to check, indeed, she was on the phone, harassing Lu Jincheng.
Luckily, Ji Zimo was quick and hung up the phone.
In face of Ji Yao, Ji Zimo didn't bother to put on a hypocritical mask and snorted coldly, "What? Don't you know who is now officially recognized by the Lu Family as Mrs. Lu? Why are you still harassing Jincheng?"
Ji Yao, looking at Ji Zimo, did not show any displeasure; instead, her eyes shone sharply.
"Dear sister~"
This address of 'dear sister' caused Ji Zimo's skin to crawl.
Has Ji Yao gone mad? Why would she call herself sister, or did she hear wrong?
"What do you want? Don't go crazy!"
Ji Yao coughed lightly twice, striving to soften her tone.
"About the eighty million you promised me..."
As Ji Yao spoke, she raised a hand, rubbing her thumb and index finger together, the gesture couldn't be more clear.
Ji Zimo's forehead was throbbing with veins; she couldn't believe that Ji Yao's first words upon meeting were to ask for money—she truly felt Ji Yao was obsessed with cash.
"I don't have that much money yet!"
Ji Yao helplessly spread her hands, then proposed, "Alright, then how about you transfer the money you promised me yesterday for helping you out of a tough spot?"
At Ji Yao's mention, Ji Zimo suddenly remembered that yesterday Qi Huai'an was going insane, talking about raising children, and in her panic, she had agreed to Ji Yao's demand to settle everything with money.
"How much do you want? Ten thousand!"
Ji Yao curled her lip, then said with a laugh, "Miss Ji, are you trying to dismiss a beggar? You think you can send me away with ten thousand? A flat price, one million."
That such a small incident would lead Ji Yao to ask for a million, Ji Zimo really believed Ji Yao had lost her mind!
But since he had promised Ji Yao, if he suddenly broke his promise, Ji Yao could do anything unpredictable.
Clenching his teeth tightly, Ji Zimo glared at Ji Yao with both eyes.
"You really know how to make a lion's mouth demand."
Thinking of something, Ji Zimo's attitude suddenly softened a bit.
"All right, since you want money, I agree. Come get it tonight at the Lu Family mansion, and I have a requirement. You can only take the money and nothing else—if you say anything else, don't expect to get a penny of that eighty million!"
Ji Yao did not know why Ji Zimo had so readily agreed, but since the promise was made, that was enough for Ji Yao.
After all, be a soldier to block, and dirt to dam the water—there was nothing to fear.
Evening.
Ji Yao arrived at the Lu Family mansion as agreed.
Originally, when Ji Zimo came back, she moved out of that Lu Family mansion, intending to buy a house on her own. But Lu Jincheng asked her to stay at his place first.
At that time, Ji Yao needed a lot of money, and she thought of taking advantage of a free place to stay, so she agreed. She hadn't returned to that place for quite some time.
As soon as she entered, Lu Mother furrowed her brows in the living room, not expecting that dead girl to come back and start trouble with Ji Yao.
"What are you doing back here? We don't welcome you! Get out!"
Ji Yao glanced at Lu Mother and remained silent.
Lu Jincheng heard the noise and came down from the second floor, still holding two folders, probably returning home to get some documents.
Seeing Ji Yao at the Lu Family mansion, even Lu Jincheng was a little surprised.
When Ji Yao saw Lu Jincheng, she originally didn't plan on dealing with Lu Mother, but suddenly blurted out, "If it weren't for something important, I wouldn't care to come here."
Lu Mother was so angered by Ji Yao's words that she almost erupted, and even Lu Jincheng couldn't help but frown.
Ji Zimo, as if just hearing the commotion outside, walked into the living room with a pure smile on her face.
She cradled her belly with one hand and slowly approached Ji Yao, "It turns out my sister has come. I didn't bring so much money this morning, so I thought of having you come to our house to get it. I hope it hasn't delayed you."
Ji Yao's mouth was taut, her voice cold, "You did interrupt."
Ji Zimo's smile stiffened on her face, somewhat at a loss, but she soon recovered her previous demeanor, laughing, "My sister is joking again. Come, this is the one million you asked for this morning from me."
Hearing Ji Zimo's words, Ji Yao had already realized what game she was playing.
Wasn't it just to embarrass her, to make the Lu Family misunderstand her?
Ji Yao snorted coldly and took the card.
"The password?"
Ji Zimo just smiled, without speaking.
Ji Yao had long learned to discern from micro-expressions what the other person was thinking. Her expression was clearly telling Ji Yao that she would give her the password only if Ji Yao kept quiet about everything else.
Fine, fine, this is really interesting.
Ji Yao sneered, slipping the card into her trouser pocket.
"Well, now that I have the money, I'll be leaving."
Lu Mother had heard from Ji Zimo earlier that Ji Yao was always asking her for money; now Ji Yao dared to come directly to the Lu Family mansion to demand it. Wasn't this even more disrespectful to them?
"Do you have no shame at all? As a former Mrs. Lu, did our Lu Family ever mistreat you? All you ever ask for is money; you show none of the grace of Mrs. Lu!"
Listening to Lu Mother's reprimand, Ji Yao let it go in one ear and out the other—she was long accustomed to these words and never took them to heart.