Volume One, Chapter Three: Haven't You Gotten Used to the Things You Took from Her Yet?

Nie Xingyan showed no leniency toward her just because of her status; her small mouth was like smeared with poison, cursing both her and Qin Che together.

Ling Sisi, having been pampered and spoiled all her life, could not endure such humiliation.

She wanted to retaliate with foul language but couldn’t bring herself to speak it out loud, wavering indecisively and ultimately silenced.

She dared not cry either, fearing it would be inauspicious, her face turning a dark purplish-red with anger.

Jiang Junmei, ever so cunning, knew relying on Ling Sisi to administer eye drops to Nie Xingyan was pointless, so she resorted to playing the emotional card.

“Xingyan, I heard you came to Jin Disi to deliver wine and even helped carry the goods yourself. You must be exhausted from working all day. Have you eaten? Here’s some tea and snacks to tide you over. Sisi is childish; don’t take her words to heart.”

Despite being insulted like this, Jiang Junmei remained unmoved, even showing concern for whether she had eaten!

Truly, she was no ordinary person.

After dealing with several waves of people for most of the day, Nie Xingyan had indeed not had a drop to drink.

She left the brewed black tea and fragrant snacks on the coffee table untouched, instead opening a sealed bottle of mineral water and taking a few sips.

“Xingyan, if you’re willing, I can speak to Old Ling. You could return to the Ling family and continue living a life of luxury without having to work so hard or expose yourself…”

Seeing her expression soften slightly, Jiang Junmei sized her up quietly, a new plan forming in her mind.

Several years apart, Nie Xingyan had grown even more alluring.

Her slender figure carried a graceful charm that only deepened with time, and her bright eyes and pearly teeth held one’s gaze irresistibly.

In her circle of wealthy socialites, there were several eligible young gentlemen from families of similar standing who had yet to marry, and if a marriage alliance could be forged in the Ling family’s name, it would greatly benefit Old Ling’s business.

Little did they know, a woman’s youth and beauty were capital to be artfully leveraged.

When Ling Jianfu married her, he had spent a fortune silencing the media, portraying Jiang Junmei as the unattainable white moonlight Ling Dong longed for.

His marriage to his ex-wife was merely a business alliance, exaggerated beyond belief.

The daughter Ling Sisi, born secretly after years of their union, was brought out in the open accordingly.

Unfortunately, Ling Sisi’s childhood was spent under others’ roof, living a miserable, timid life, lacking grandeur.

Even now, no amount of money could make her appear as noble as Nie Xingyan, yet she was more than enough to match the Qin family.

If it were Nie Xingyan instead, with her extraordinary beauty and the Ling family’s backing to meet wealthy merchants and magnates, it would not be impossible for the Ling family to climb even higher, achieving a leap in social class.

Nie Xingyan thought Jiang Junmei must be joking. Years ago, when she nearly starved, she never took a single bite from the Ling family, let alone now.

“When my father jumped off the building, lying disfigured in the hospital waiting for you to claim his body, you were secretly having an affair with Ling Jianfu, caught red-handed by the media. At that time, how could you forget I had a daughter?”

That scandal rocked the entire city, turning Nie Xingyan overnight from the envy of her school to the laughingstock of everyone.

Yet Jiang Junmei smoothly transformed into a wealthy madam, completely forgetting how Nie Xingyan should be treated.

“I have my dignity, which is why I bear the Nie name. I cannot accept the Ling family’s blessings.”

Nie Xingyan knew well Jiang Junmei’s selfish, opportunistic nature—years of neglect followed by sudden displays of maternal affection meant she was surely scheming something.

Those glamorous lives were like stagnant lakes hiding layers of foul mud beneath; just a slight disturbance would unleash a stench.

Jiang Junmei hadn’t expected that years of poverty had not broken Nie Xingyan’s spirit but made her more rebellious, nearly impossible to reason with.

In public, Jiang Junmei always played the role of an unassuming, non-confrontational innocent, her pitiful demeanor stirring men’s protective instincts.

But today, Nie Xingyan’s relentless counterattack nearly broke her composure.

Jiang Junmei, having lived decades, had never been scolded like this before; she took several deep breaths to keep herself from losing control.

Trying to maintain dignity, she softened her tone, “Xingyan, today is actually Sisi’s special day. I want you to share in the good fortune, not be trapped in the past.”

Seeing Nie Xingyan’s expression ease a bit, she pressed on, “You’re well into your twenties now; find a good husband and get married. I’ll be happy then. If we meet outside, Sisi will at least have to call you sister.”

She even tried to coax Ling Sisi over to reconcile, “Sisters should not hold grudges overnight. After all, the Qin family is now related to us by marriage. If you’re angry, have a quarrel, but don’t let outsiders mock us.”

Truly a woman accustomed to wealth and status, her mindset was steady—she knew Qin Che was rotten yet was single-minded in sealing this alliance.

No matter the means, just securing the goal.

Ling Sisi had thoroughly learned from her; Nie Xingyan was somewhat impressed and no longer bothered to argue further with them.

“I won’t eat. I’m afraid if I’m here, none of you will be able to eat.”

The moment Nie Xingyan left, Ling Sisi began throwing a tantrum.

“Mom, she’s just here to disgust us. Do you really want her to return to the Ling family?”

The instant the door closed, Jiang Junmei’s expression darkened completely.

Her sharp nails jabbed repeatedly at Ling Sisi’s forehead, “Isn’t it your fault for bringing her here? You wanted to show off but couldn’t outcurse her. You only have yourself to blame for being useless!”

It had been a long time since Ling Sisi had seen her mother so harsh; her heart trembled as she covered her forehead, stubbornly defending herself, “It’s all because of Brother Che—”

Before she could finish, Jiang Junmei impatiently cut her off, “Useless! Haven’t I taught you how to behave? You can’t even keep a man. After all these years, hasn’t everything you snatched from her been put to good use?”

Jiang Junmei grew angrier, the flames of her fury intensifying.

“You clearly know Qin Che has other intentions but don’t keep him in check. On your engagement day, such a slip-up still happens. You, ah!!”

She reached out to scold again but, seeing Ling Sisi’s aggrieved look, stopped herself.

Her phoenix eyes flashed fiercely, “Watch Qin Che carefully. Men are all like this—the ones you can’t reach are always the best. As a woman, you have to endure.”

Ling Sisi pouted in frustration, but no matter how much she resisted, she had to obey.

Seeing her defeated, tearful eyes, red-rimmed and on the verge of tears, was pitiful indeed.

Still, Jiang Junmei felt a pang of tenderness, “Don’t worry, your mother won’t let this grievance go to waste today…”

Only the two of them remained in the private room as Jiang Junmei cautiously leaned close to whisper in Ling Sisi’s ear.

Ling Sisi’s face, once filled with reluctance, gradually softened until she beamed with joy.

“Really?” she seemed almost unable to believe it.

Jiang Junmei snorted coldly, “Of course. My precious daughter, only you deserve the best. Those who don’t listen are useless anyway.”

Ling Sisi kissed Jiang Junmei with a smack, “I always knew Mom loves me the most.”

After leaving the private room, Nie Xingyan felt a bit dizzy.

At first, she thought it was low blood sugar, but after walking down a long corridor, she felt increasingly unwell.

Her throat was parched, her body flushed with heat, and her breathing grew rapid.

Blood coursed restlessly through her limbs as if countless ants were gnawing under her skin and burrowing into her bones.

Her face flushed a deep red; soft moans escaped uncontrollably, breath coming in shallow gasps, both itchy and hollow inside.