Chapter 6: Chapter 6 The Sucker Who Gives Money Away_1
Ji Yao's heart tightened instantly, fearing that Lu Jincheng had overheard Qi Huai'an's comment about the child.
She swallowed nervously, carefully observing Lu Jincheng's expression.
Lu Jincheng's face grew darker and darker.
He, however, was unaware that Ji Yao was also involved with Qi Huai'an?
Otherwise, why hide in this banana grove, so secretly?
Remembering how Ji Yao had avoided him recently and all the past interactions that revolved solely around financial benefits, Lu Jincheng felt as though he understood something.
Could it be that she had hooked up with someone else?
But in any case, this Qi Family's second young master did not seem to be richer than himself, unless Ji Yao was blind.
With this thought, Lu Jincheng's gaze fell upon Ji Yao, and he didn't expect this woman to shun a powerful support like himself to curry favor with the second young master of the Qi Family.
Unaware of Lu Jincheng's thoughts, Ji Yao also did not dare to initiate a conversation, fearing exposure.
Just when the atmosphere among the three became tense and strange, Qi Huai'an, who could not resist stirring the pot, gave a cold laugh while holding his wine glass.
"Young Master Lu, could it be that you want to play the Emperor and the Imperial Consorts, sharing one husband between two sisters?"
Such provocative words caused Lu Jincheng to frown instantly.
Ji Yao seemed to guess what Qi Huai'an was about to say next, hurriedly gave him a look, but his words were already out, "You like raising children so much, why don't I help you out in the future?"
This sentence was a double entendre, and Ji Yao could hear not only the mockery that Lu Jincheng was willing to be a cuckold but also the insinuation that he neglected his own flesh and blood.
But!
The problem was Lu Jincheng didn't know about her pregnancy at all!
Ji Yao's complexion turned pale instantly as she glanced at Lu Jincheng, unsure if he had understood the meaning behind those words.
A sharp glare stabbed viciously into Qi Huai'an's heart, and he instantly shut up, reading from Ji Yao's eyes that if he said any more, she probably wouldn't let him off the hook.
Lu's mother originally thought that with Lu Jincheng here, she could bring Ji Zimo over to interact more with him, and Ji Zimo had gladly agreed, carefully cradling her stomach as she slowly made her way over.
She had not expected to overhear anything about raising a child as she approached.
A chill ran down Ji Zimo's spine, dreading the possibility that Lu's mother might find out the child wasn't Lu Jincheng's. She immediately covered her stomach and let out an "Ouch."
Ji Zimo's abnormal behavior indeed attracted Lu's mother's attention, who immediately supported her.
This movement not only made Lu's mother concerned for Ji Zimo but also turned the heads of the three others, seeing Ji Zimo with fine sweat on her forehead.
"Zimo! What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Ji Zimo's forehead was dotted with cold sweat, truly frightened, but she could use this opportunity to feign physical discomfort and divert Lu's mother.
"Yes, Mom, could you help me sit down for a bit?"
Before Lu's mother could respond, Lu Jincheng continued to look at Qi Huai'an with a furrowed brow, "What about raising a child?"
Ji Zimo never expected the topic to turn back to this, and when glancing fiercely at Ji Yao, she saw Ji Yao smiling and mouthing a message.
Translated, it meant—add money, solve your problem.
Just recently, Ji Yao had extorted 80 million from her and now here she was, talking about money again!
As if she had truly gone money-mad!
Lu's mother also noticed the reference to raising children and looked at Qi Huai'an and Lu Jincheng with confusion.
A bead of sweat formed on Ji Zimo's forehead, wishing she hadn't come over just now!
But now, with things as they were, she could only hope for a satisfactory resolution to this situation.
She looked at Ji Yao, who was still staring at her unruffled, as if waiting for her to continue with her response.
Her fingernails dug into the flesh of her palm. At the critical moment, she had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Ji Yao immediately broke into a smile as beautiful as blossoming flowers. "Actually, it's nothing. It was just Qi Er Shao making a joke."
While speaking, she turned her head to look at Qi Huai'an, and the threat in her eyes made it impossible for him to ignore.
Shifting his gaze away, Qi Huai'an casually grunted a few times.
"Right, right. I meant that when your child is born, you can bring them over to my place to play for a couple of days."
Upon hearing this, Lu's mother beamed with joy. The Qi Family was not a small clan, and even though they weren't on par with their own family, it was still essential to maintain good social relations.
"Sure, sure. When the time comes, I'll definitely let Jincheng bring them over to your house."
Lu's mother knew Qi Huai'an, and naturally assumed that everyone at the banquet must be there for Lu Jincheng, so Qi Huai'an was probably a friend of Lu Jincheng.
But what she didn't know was that she had completely misunderstood the situation, because Qi Huai'an was there for Ji Yao.
"Mom, my stomach hurts..."
Ji Zimo spoke up again at the right moment, and Lu's mother reacted quickly, hurrying to support her and leave.
Ji Yao winked at Qi Huai'an. If it hadn't been for Qi Huai'an's cooperation, it probably wouldn't have been so easy to bluff their way through.
In that case, she could consider giving Qi Huai'an a cut of the compensation... one-fifth!
How generous!
But what Ji Yao found most joyful was that there was a sucker willing to throw money, and it seemed like Lu Jincheng was also successfully fooled.
All Lu Jincheng saw was the two of them playing off each other, followed by winking and gesturing, which really annoyed him.
Now, whatever the case, Ji Yao was officially Mrs. Lu. Flirting with another man at the banquet was like a slap in his own face, right?
Just as he was about to say something, Lu's mother's voice came from afar: "Jincheng, come over and see, Zimo still seems quite unwell!"
The words that reached his lips were forcefully swallowed by Lu Jincheng, and after a long moment, he left with just one sentence, "Remember, your identity is now Mrs. Lu."
Ji Yao ignored his words. Mrs. Lu? She was nothing more than a nanny for his unattainable dream.
Was he even going to control her in this?
Well, that was not acceptable. There would have to be extra charges!
The manager was pondering whether to extort Lu Jincheng a bit more.
Qi Huai'an, watching Lu Jincheng walk away, arched an eyebrow at Ji Yao and asked curiously, "You definitely wouldn't help her voluntarily, so why did you?"
Ji Yao's eyes curved with a mischievous sparkle and her lips formed a sly smile. "Why else? She pays, I do the job. As long as the money is right, I'd even say the child is Lu Jincheng's, despite anyone's disbelief."
Qi Huai'an was taken aback by Ji Yao's words. As Mrs. Lu, was Ji Yao really in need of money?
"Do you need money that badly?"
Ji Yao pouted, a touch of melancholy flashing in her eyes.
"Of course. Isn't money simpler, more direct, and more reliable than any vow or the like?"
Ji Yao spoke lightly, and Qi Huai'an chuckled. "From what you're saying, if I give you money, could you also be my woman?"
Ji Yao paused for a moment, realizing that Qi Huai'an was probably joking. After all, a playboy like him could have any woman he wanted; his words were surely just teasing her.
She joked back, "Sure. Show me one million in advance to see your sincerity, and then you're on the waitlist."
Chapter 7: Chapter 7 Jealousy_1
The family doctor was hastily called over to check on Ji Zimo, making sure she was fine, casually gave a few instructions, and then said they could continue attending the party.
It happened that Lu's mother also didn't want to waste this time, as the party was specially prepared for Ji Zimo, of course it would be proper for Ji Zimo to make more of an appearance.
When the three of them returned to the party, Lu Jincheng just happened to see Ji Yao standing by a table holding a glass of red wine, chatting and laughing with Qi Huai'an.
Qi Huai'an also seemed to be having a great time talking to Ji Yao, unaware of what exactly they were discussing.
The fire that had just died down suddenly flared up again, it was a discomfort that comes from seeing something that belongs to you coveted by someone else.
Following Lu Jincheng's gaze, Lu's mother saw Ji Yao, as Lu's wife, chatting so happily with another man and immediately showed displeasure on her face.
"How improper!" After saying that, Lu's mother prepared to go over and lecture the two.
Ji Zimo had a thought and suddenly spoke up, "Let it be, Mom, maybe my sister has her own unspeakable difficulties?"
Upon hearing this, Lu's mother became even more infuriated, she simply couldn't stand Ji Yao.
"What difficulties could she have? Could it be that being Mrs. Lu is too hard for her? She's truly disgraced this status!"
Ji Zimo stayed where she was, not wanting to join them, lest she becomes a target of Qi Huai'an's attacks again.
Moreover, having been blackmailed by Ji Yao twice before, she now wanted to avoid Ji Yao as much as possible.
Lu Jincheng didn't stop his mother, but followed behind the furious Lu's mother to where the two were standing.
Ji Yao naturally noticed their approach and when she raised her head, her expression had become indifferent, no longer as happy as before.
This change of expression made Lu Jincheng even more unhappy—did she not like seeing him?
"Ji Yao, Ji Yao, you're already Mrs. Lu, but you haven't prepared yourself to be a good wife!"
Ji Yao found it funny and spread her hands.
"Is that so? I haven't even enjoyed the rights of Mrs. Lu; how much more prepared do you expect me to be?"
After speaking, Ji Yao turned and walked away, too lazy to continue arguing with them.
Lu's mother was infuriated by Ji Yao's attitude; previously Ji Yao had been nice to her, but now she was like a fireworks keg, even daring to openly defy her.
This made Lu's mother even more dissatisfied with Ji Yao.
She turned her head, her eyebrows tightly furrowed, even forming the character for "chuan."
"Jincheng, you should have divorced her long ago. What's the point of keeping such a woman around? Besides, now that Zimo has returned, she should be your rightful wife!"
Lu Jincheng let his mother's words go in one ear and out the other, his mind preoccupied with the thought of Ji Yao and Qi Huai'an's cheerful conversation and their playful looks.
With a gruff hum, Lu Jincheng didn't continue to address the matter, acting very perfunctory.
Later that evening, after eleven, Lu Jincheng returned to the villa but found that Ji Yao still hadn't gone back, which made his anger rise again.
Had she just talked about staying out all night, or was she seriously planning on not returning tonight?
Picking up his phone, Lu Jincheng called Ji Yao; it connected after just two rings.
"Hello?"
Ji Yao's voice came through from the other end, and Lu Jincheng could vaguely hear a lot of noise.
Lu Jincheng suddenly remembered the incident a while back when he encountered Ji Yao at the bar, and spoke with displeasure, "You haven't gone to the bar again, have you?"
Ji Yao certainly hadn't forgotten that Lu Jincheng had specifically paid her to refrain from hanging around in places like bars, she still had her basic professional ethics—take money for a job!
Now, she was just skewering at a roadside stall with Qi Huai'an.
After leaving the banquet, she felt suffocated, so Qi Huai'an suggested they go to a roadside stall for some drinks.
Ji Yao just wanted to clear her head and agreed, but she hadn't touched either the skewers or the drinks they ordered.
"No."
"If not, then where are you? Why haven't you come back yet? Or do you not want to come back to this house either?!"
Ji Yao was bewildered by the word "home" in his sentence.
Home?
Did that really count as a home to her?
No, it felt more like just a place to live in.
With that thought, Ji Yao's eyelids drooped slightly.
A long silence made Lu Jincheng inexplicably anxious.
"Ji Yao? Who are you on the phone with? Come and drink!"
The voice of Qi Huai'an came from the other end, causing Lu Jincheng's fingers gripping the phone to tighten suddenly.
The next second, Lu Jincheng hung up the phone on his own initiative.
Ji Yao listened to the busy tone on the other end of the phone and felt a sudden lack of interest in anything.
Qi Huai'an noticed Ji Yao's lack of enthusiasm and pointed at the food on the table: "Don't worry, I'm paying for this meal, so it's on me!"
Ji Yao gave Qi Huai'an a helpless glance.
Not to mention, he made it sound as though he was being generous when in fact he had ordered the food for himself to enjoy; she hadn't touched any of it!
"Alright, Qi Er Shao, remember to be careful on your way back. I'm heading home now."
After saying that, Ji Yao waved her hand, unconcerned about Qi Huai'an being abducted in the middle of the night.
When she arrived home, the villa was pitch-dark.
As she walked through the courtyard, a cold breeze made Ji Yao shiver involuntarily.
It was nearly midnight, could Lu Jincheng already be asleep?
With that thought, Ji Yao shook her head and stopped thinking about it.
In front of the second-floor French window, the distinguished man slightly squinted his eyes, a dangerous glint flickering within them.
Expertly opening the villa's main gate, Ji Yao initially wanted to turn on the lights, but worried that doing so might disturb Lu Jincheng, she ultimately refrained.
Always so exhausted, still, she went to take a shower. The sound of rushing water in the bathroom made Lu Jincheng in the next room swallow hard.
Recalling how friendly Ji Yao had been with Qi Huai'an that day, he felt increasingly irate.
The sound of water ceased, and the moment the door opened, Lu Jincheng also stood up.
The two of them naturally did not sleep in the same room; Ji Yao's bedroom was next to Lu Jincheng's.
Ji Yao wiped her half-dry hair, wrapped in a bathrobe, exhaustion unmistakable beneath her eyes.
All she wanted now was to get some sleep, then go to Ji Zimo to get the money he had promised her today.
Everything was false; only what she held in her hand was true.
As she lay down on the bed, Ji Yao closed her eyes. Today's weariness quickly led her thoughts to become hazy, but before she could drift off to sleep, she heard a click from the door.
Ji Yao instantly became alert and looked toward the doorway, where a person stood against the light, the outline of firm muscles barely discernible.
Without even thinking, she knew it was Lu Jincheng, but what was he doing here?
"I see you were getting quite close to Qi Huai'an today—planning on becoming Mrs. Qi after the contract ends?"
The sarcasm in that sentence could not be more evident.
A foreboding feeling suddenly rose in the pit of Ji Yao's stomach.
Regardless of Ji Yao's reaction, Lu Jincheng took big strides forward. Just as Ji Yao attempted to get up, she was pushed back down onto the bed by Lu Jincheng's strong grasp.
Moonlight poured down, illuminating half of Ji Yao's face, her pale complexion visibly tense.
"Lu Jincheng, calm down!"
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