Li Yun'er hadn't expected Meng Jingwei to react so quickly. Before she could even make a move, Meng Jingwei had already slapped her twice, leaving her ears ringing.
Furious and indignant, Li Yun'er couldn't afford to escalate the situation with Meng Jingwei here.
"Who are you calling sister? Shut your mouth!"
Li Yun'er, enduring the pain in her cheeks, lowered her voice. "Fortunately, you were smart enough not to step forward and retort just now. Otherwise, you'd be preparing coffins for your adoptive parents."
She had thought Meng Jingwei would challenge her, and Li Yun'er had even prepared her counter-arguments. To her surprise, Meng Jingwei had remained so calm and composed.
It earned her a newfound respect.
"Heh."
Meng Jingwei's red lips curved slightly. "To save Young Master Qing, he promised a reward of one hundred million. I'll give you a fifty percent discount, fifty million, as hush money. Otherwise, when Qing Shao learns the truth, as his full-blooded sister, not only will I prepare a coffin for you, but I'll likely have to trim the grass on your grave every year!"
"F-fifty million? You're dreaming!"
"Whether I dream is my business. But if you don't do as I say, I'll ensure your dream of becoming 'Mrs. Qing' becomes a fleeting fantasy."
Meng Jingwei's sharp retort left Li Yun'er speechless with anger.
Meanwhile, in the inner chamber.
Old Madam Qing explained the previous night's events to Qing Muye. "I saw it. That girl Meng Jingwei left evidence on the bed. She's a virgin. If you slept with her, you have to take responsibility!"
Qing Muye had initially thought Meng Jingwei was the one who administered the drug, leading her to follow him into the elevator with ulterior motives.
Even though he now knew Old Madam Qing was the one who gave him the drug, it didn't negate Meng Jingwei's intentions toward him.
"I already have a girlfriend. As for Meng Jingwei, we can offer her some compensation." He had heard Meng Jingwei herself say last night that she only wanted money.
If that was the case, he would oblige her.
"Hmph, you think this old woman is blind as well as old? Don't think I can't see you're using Li Yun'er as a placeholder."
"What will it take for you to believe me, Grandma?"
Qing Muye was truly exasperated.
"Let's wait. In two months, whoever gets pregnant first, I'll marry them." Old Madam Qing devised a last resort.
Qing Muye: "..."
Was his opinion so easily disregarded that he didn't even need to be asked?
"Don't look at me like that. Feelings can be cultivated." As she spoke, Old Madam Qing pondered if perhaps Qing Muye found Meng Jingwei unattractive.
She added, "One shouldn't be superficial. Although that girl is rather plain, they say beautiful women are often sources of trouble. Think of how many problems you'll avoid."
"Jingwei will be staying at the old mansion these past few days. You and Li Yun'er should leave first."
Old Madam Qing was concerned Qing Muye might force Meng Jingwei to take a morning-after pill, hence the necessity for Meng Jingwei to stay for three days to ensure her safety.
After all, the morning-after pill was only effective within 72 hours for emergency contraception. Taking it after three days would be futile.
Listening to Old Madam Qing's words, a hint of coldness flickered across Qing Muye's handsome face. He turned and walked out of the inner chamber.
"Brother Muye, you're out?"
Seeing Qing Muye emerge, Li Yun'er hurried to greet him.
Qing Muye bypassed her, walking directly to Meng Jingwei. He gently held her chin with his right hand, tilting it up, and looked down at her supposedly "ugly" face. "I'm warning you, don't try any tricks to manipulate Grandma. Otherwise, I'll make you regret being alive!"
"Hiss..."
Meng Jingwei, whose chin was hurting from his grip, pushed Qing Muye away. "Do you think I want to..."
Meng Jingwei didn't want to stay at the Qing family's residence for even a minute. But as she spoke, she caught sight of Li Yun'er's envious and resentful expression, and immediately changed her tune. "That depends on what Grandma wants."
"Calling her 'Grandma' so quickly? It seems you're eager to become my woman, Qing Muye!"
"That's hard to say. If I get pregnant, even if I don't want to marry you, I won't be able to shake you off. After all..." Meng Jingwei paused, tilting her head to look at her grandmother, who was emerging from the inner chamber, and smiled charmingly. "Grandma insists I marry you, so I have no choice."
Little did anyone know how furious Li Yun'er was upon hearing her words.
She wished she could pounce on Meng Jingwei immediately and rip her mouth apart.
Bitch!
Shameless hussy, seducing her boyfriend!
Li Yun'er thought this, oblivious to the fact that she was merely a 'pretender' and had become too immersed in her role.
Glancing at Li Yun'er's jealous expression, Meng Jingwei's mood improved significantly.
"I hope you'll still be this confident in three days," Qing Muye's thin lips curved slightly, a subtle reminder.
"Muye, what are you doing?"
Old Madam Qing scolded sternly.
Qing Muye released Meng Jingwei and said to Li Yun'er, "Let's go."
Li Yun'er bit her red lip lightly, feeling a surge of unwillingness.
She had finally made a trip to the Qing family's residence, only to leave without having a proper conversation with Old Madam Qing.
Despite her dissatisfaction, she still gave Old Madam Qing a gentle smile and a slight nod. "Grandma Qing, Muye Ge and I will be leaving now."
"Mmm."
Old Madam Qing responded perfunctorily.
Li Yun'er then walked out of the living room with Qing Muye.
Gazing at Qing Muye's retreating back, Meng Jingwei's victorious smile faded.
She mused, "Showing off feels great for a moment, but the aftermath is like facing hell!"
While she had angered Li Yun'er, she had also offended Qing Muye. Was she walking further and further down the path of self-destruction?