Chapter 134: Two Months of Rent Awaited
"You told them I was your sister?"
Ignoring the person who spoke up for Xia Jiaojiao, Yun Zijin looked directly at Xia Jiaojiao instead.
How could she have the nerve to say such a thing? If someone who didn't know the truth sided with the Xia family to curry favor, wouldn't that leave Zijin at a big disadvantage?
"Why is my sister eating here? Didn't Mom and Dad give you any pocket money?
Mom just bought me a Porsche 718 Spyder RS this month, worth over a million. I said I didn't want it, but Mom insisted.
Sister, did Mom buy you something even more expensive? I'll be jealous if she did!"
Xia Jiaojiao seemed not to grasp what anyone was saying, rambling about things she clearly wanted to show off to Zijin.
"If you hate this place so much, why are you here? You're not actually here to eat, are you following me?"
She turned slightly. "Ling Er, your performance needs improvement."
Ling Er stood up swiftly. "Miss, I'll seek the boss's guidance when I return!"
The reason Zero One is called Zero One is because his comprehensive abilities are the strongest. Here, Zijin's words sounded like they were directed at Ling Er, but in reality, they were pointed at the people who had accompanied Xia Jiaojiao.
Sure enough, after Zijin finished speaking, those who came with Jiaojiao all glanced at her questioningly. Zijin had a point: If she disliked this place so much, why agree to it in the first place? Everyone voted on a hot pot venue together, and Jiaojiao herself cast a vote for hot pot. Now that they were here, everything she said dripped with disdain. If she hadn't wanted it, she could have just said so from the start. She didn't have to come.
"No! I don't hate it here, it's just… I usually go to some fancy European or Western restaurants. The prices are pretty high, and I worried suggesting them might embarrass all of you, so…sorry, I didn't mean any harm…"
In truth, Xia Jiaojiao was quite adept at manipulating people. She omitted mentioning her actual dislike of hot pot, instead emphasizing how her personal spending level differed from everyone else's, implying she had "compromised" for them.
As expected, hearing this explanation made the group's expressions soften somewhat.
"Oh, so you were worried we couldn't afford pricier places, and you accommodated us. We're sorry for inconveniencing you, Jiaojiao."
"It's alright. I'm fine. As long as you enjoy yourselves, I'm happy!" she replied sweetly.
Qin Sitong watched the exchange, noticing how much Zijin clearly disliked Jiaojiao. But she wasn't entirely sure why Jiaojiao insisted on calling Zijin "sister."
Still, that didn't stop Qin Sitong from subtly helping Zijin apply "eye drops" to Jiaojiao.
"Zijin, thanks for treating me to such a delicious hot pot today! This place isn't cheap; usually I wouldn't be able to afford it."
"It's alright—order whatever you want. I have money, enough to treat you," Zijin said lightly. She also caught Qin Sitong's drift and cooperated with a cheerful tone, adding, "Maybe next time, you'd like authentic French or Japanese cuisine? Let me know, I'll take you. My treat, of course!"
"Yes, yes!" Qin Sitong chimed in.
One person (Jiaojiao) essentially compromised and claimed to be doing it for everyone's sake, while the other (Zijin) straightforwardly offered to treat them all. The contrast was glaring. Jiaojiao's face turned pale and blue at their conversation. Her monthly pocket money was limited; usually, when she went out with her girlfriends, they all split the bill. Asking her to treat a bunch of graduate students—some of whom might not even have 20,000 yuan on hand—was not something she was eager to do. But Zijin said she'd treat her friends; if Jiaojiao didn't want to be left out, she'd have to treat them as well, and it couldn't be at some cheap place!
Why must Zijin oppose me at every turn? Jiaojiao fumed inwardly. Isn't it enough she's just an orphan? Why did she let her brother find her! Why bother with that paternity test! Why not just die quietly out there! We messed up 21 years ago—couldn't she just never come back!
The more she brooded, the more she lost control, and her expression grew increasingly ferocious. Qin Sitong, glancing upward, caught sight of her twisted face and recoiled unconsciously, trying to put some distance between them.
Zijin, noticing Sitong's reaction, followed her gaze—and saw Jiaojiao's contorted expression. Moments ago, Zijin had almost commended Jiaojiao's improved acting skills, but apparently the mask had slipped off already.
"She doesn't look right. Maybe you should take her to a doctor," Zijin remarked.
Without Zijin's reminder, the group that came in with Jiaojiao realized something was off about her as well. However, none dared approach or call her name, yet none dared leave either. She was the daughter of the Xia Group in the Imperial Capital. If they abandoned her here and the Xia family came after them, no amount of money would suffice to make reparations.
Still, they were curious about Zijin's identity. She could make Xia Jiaojiao call her "sister," yet she obviously disliked Jiaojiao, speaking to her in a borderline hostile manner. Meanwhile, Jiaojiao acted oblivious and rattled off a bunch of enviable claims. No one knew her aim.
Luckily, Jiaojiao soon snapped out of it. Almost instantly, she morphed back into the "holy white lotus" persona that seemed otherworldly. Regardless of what people thought, they could only revert to the same attitude toward her as before. After all, their research funding still hinged on the Xia daughter's influence.
Yes, the reason Jiaojiao got into grad school at Dijing University wasn't just her passable academic performance, but also her status as the Xia family daughter. Between a wealthy second-gen who possesses decent skills and might bring the team investments, and an ordinary but possibly more talented candidate lacking connections, in most cases a team will choose the wealthy second-gen. Such is the tragedy of being born without privilege—there's no absolute fairness in the world.
Jiaojiao glanced at Zijin and suddenly laughed. "I'm not as capable as my sister, who already bought a house before graduation. But Mom mentioned she never gave you any allowance. I truly admire you for getting your own house in Dijing with just your own abilities. I wonder if my sister would share her secret to making money?"
Zijin shot her a bored look. "You called it a secret, so why would I share? Also, I'm an orphan; I have no sisters, so cut the familial act."
Then she added casually, "Oh—by the way, Mr. Wang told me you and your mother rented a place at Emerald Lake. You only paid one month's rent after signing the contract. If I recall, the contract states rent is paid quarterly. I'd like to see your payment in full by today, or… I have the right to end that lease, unilaterally."
Zijin maintained a pleasant smile, but to Jiaojiao it felt icy enough to give her chills.
"Y-you're lying! I never rented any house at Emerald Lake!"
"Oh, you had someone else do it for you. I know everything. There's two months' rent due. Make sure you pay on time." Zijin's sweet smile had the effect of poison to Xia Jiaojiao.
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