Mrs. Jin, terrified that Jin Yao might cause trouble again, forbade him from going far and allowed him to speak only by the car.
Jin Yao mulled over his words for a long time before lowering his voice, "Please spare Ning Jin."
"No."
Chi Yu didn't offer even a flicker of hesitation, dismissing Jin Yao with a cold, hard monosyllable.
She turned to leave, but Jin Yao blocked her path.
Chi Yu raised an eyebrow: "?"
Jin Yao took a deep breath, as if making a weighty decision. "What must I do for you to let her go?"
Before Chi Yu could reply, he scoffed at himself, his face stiff and cold, like a clown.
"Kneel? Slap myself? Whatever you ask, I'll do it."
Chi Yu scrutinized him for what felt like several minutes.
There was no mockery, no sarcasm.
Calmly, she simply said, "You weren't like this before."
Jin Yao froze. What had he been like before?
When he came back to his senses, he wanted to ask, but Chi Yu had already walked away.
From inside the car, Mrs. Jin urged him, "Why are you standing there in a daze? Get in the car and go home!"
The soup Jin Yao had planned to drink would ultimately be consumed by Ning Jin.
Ning Jin cast a hopeful glance at Chi He, wishing he would intercede and "pardon" her.
Unexpectedly, as soon as the guests left, Chi He retreated to his study upstairs, completely ignoring her fate.
A chill crept into Ning Jin's heart.
Suddenly, she thought, it might have been better if Chi He had never told her the truth.
Before she knew she was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Chi family, every time she fought with Chi Yu and came out worse, at most, she only blamed herself for being born into the wrong family—not to the point of spitting blood in rage.
But now? Now that she knew her noble birth, it was even more infuriating to endure Chi Yu's abuse.
Beyond the anger and resentment, Ning Jin also felt utterly humiliated.
Why should Chi Yu, this imposter, be allowed to beat and scold her at will?
Why couldn't she reveal the truth?
Why didn't Chi He care for his own niece? His favoritism toward Chi Yu was absurdly excessive!
A wild thought surged in Ning Jin's mind—she wanted to reveal the truth, no matter the consequences.
Even if it meant provoking Chi He's wrath and suffering severe punishment, it would still be better than living under Chi Yu's oppressive thumb, suffocated by frustration.
Ning Jin mustered her courage, only to have her plans interrupted by Zhao Mei's sudden appearance.
Tearfully, Zhao Mei pleaded with Chi Yu, "It's all my fault. Xiaojin only went to the hospital because I told her to. If anyone deserves punishment, it's me."
This mother and son, while bearing no physical resemblance, were equally adept at playing the sympathy card.
Zhao Mei's voice was naturally sharp, and now she deliberately raised it even higher.
In no time, the servants of the Chi household began gathering from all directions.
Some lingered by the door, others pretended to sweep while eavesdropping, all eager to witness the spectacle.
The Chi residence was situated in the heart of the old city's elite district, a neighborhood of over twenty mansions and villas, surrounded by wealthy and influential families.
Handling this insolent mother-daughter duo was only fair, but Chi Yu couldn't risk the servants gossiping outside, accusing her of exploiting and bullying the help.
In the past, Chi Yu might have worried about her reputation and the Chi family's honor.
But now? She was no longer concerned. With her uncertain future, unsure if she'd live past eighteen, face was a trivial matter compared to satisfaction.
After enduring seventeen years of bitterness, Chi Yu was ready to unleash her fury. From now on, anyone who dared to cross her would be dealt with mercilessly.
"Very well then, drink the entire pot of soup," Chi Yu said, tapping the edge of the pot with a ladle.
She fixed her gaze on Zhao Mei's calculating face, her lips curling into a cold smile. "You've got two hours."
Zhao Mei's face tightened. She stopped crying and shifted to a pitiable stance.
"My poor daughter! Her father passed away not long after she was born, and she's never had a day of happiness by my side. I've failed her as a mother. If I have to burst my belly today, I'll do it—I can't let her suffer!"
With a martyr's resolve, she lifted the pot to her lips.
Ning Jin seized the moment, reaching out to knock the soup over, clutching Zhao Mei in sobbing anguish.
"Mom! How could I let you suffer on my behalf? I'll do it myself!"
Her eyes burned with a mixture of hatred and fury as she glared at Chi Yu, staggering to her feet and lunging for the soup pot.
Chi Yu saw through her instantly. Her voice was as cold and lethal as frost. "If you dare spill that soup, I'll make sure you spend the next month bedridden, subsisting on liquids."
Ning Jin froze, barely stopping herself. The pitiful mask she wore cracked as she shrieked at Chi Yu, "What do you want?!"
What do I want? A good question.
Chi Yu used the ladle to stir the pot's contents, lifting a bone from the broth. Oily drops fell onto Zhao Mei's shoes.
Zhao Mei was furious but didn't dare speak.
"For seventeen years, you've worked as a servant in the Chi household. Don't pretend you didn't know Snowball was my pet. Yet, you boiled it and tried to convince me it was nourishing meat. I didn't deal with you back then because my grandmother pleaded for you."
Chi Yu sighed lightly, flipping the ladle casually before tipping the broth over Zhao Mei's head.
"You think that just because Grandmother will visit tomorrow and plead for you again, you can bark like a dog without fear."
With a loud clang, Chi Yu tossed the ladle aside and clapped her hands. "Well done! What a performance!"
She nudged the meatbone at her feet with the toe of her shoe, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Here, have a bone. Eat up, and tomorrow you can run to your master and complain. Let's see if she can still save your worthless life."
The barrage of words left Zhao Mei paralyzed with fear.
She had always considered Chi Yu a spoiled child, foul-tempered, arrogant, sharp-tongued but ultimately harmless—more bark than bite.
But now, standing before her, this Chi Yu felt completely different.
Zhao Mei caught a glimpse of Chi He's former self in her.
Though still a mere teenager, Chi Yu carried the budding authority of someone destined to rule. Her tone was gentle, her face smiling, yet her words sent a chill down one's spine.
Zhao Mei's schemes had been laid bare with a few sharp words, leaving her nowhere to hide.
Fear gripped her. Her last card had always been Zhao Guifang.
Whenever Ning Jin made a mistake, Zhao Mei would beg for mercy, invoking Zhao Guifang's name. Though furious, Chi Yu had always relented out of respect for her grandmother.
This time, Zhao Mei didn't even mention Zhao Guifang. It was Chi Yu who brought up the card herself, stripping it of its power.
Zhao Mei swallowed nervously, putting on a flattering smile.
"Young Miss, what are you saying? Your grandmother dotes on you more than anyone. Xiaojin was foolish, but I'll make sure she drinks this soup, down to the last drop."
Ning Jin's eyes widened, "Mom?!"
Zhao Mei shot her a look.
The two of them had learned to survive in the Chi family by mastering the art of nonverbal communication.
Zhao Mei's glance told Ning Jin to calm down. They'd get through this disaster, one way or another.
Chi Yu watched their silent exchange, her lips curling into a sneer. "See? Wasn't that easier? You've made me waste so many words. No need to trouble yourself. Qi Chao."
Qi Chao, who had been enjoying the spectacle, stepped forward, "Yes, Miss."
"Be a dear and work overtime. Make sure she finishes it all."
"Understood."
(End of Chapter)