"Sit down, I have something to talk to you about today!"

  Madam Qin's attitude was getting worse, and she could only endure it silently. After all, she was a member of the Qin family and had married Qin Zhenyang, so these were things she had to consider, even if they weren't what she wanted.

  Ji Xiaoli nodded slightly, her obedient appearance somewhat easing Qin Lao's expression.

  "I actually wanted to call you over for a talk a long time ago, I've seen how well Lao San treats you, but what I really want to know is your attitude?"

  Ji Xiaoli was taken aback at first, then slightly curled her lips and said with a hint of a smile: "What attitude are you asking me about, Old Madam? But I think my attitude isn't important, what's important is your attitude! No matter how I feel, you'll still make sure to separate me from Qin Zhenyang, won't you?"

  If she says she wants to be with Qin Zhenyang, that's a pipe dream, overreaching! If she doesn't look favorably on this marriage, the old lady might think she has other ideas in mind, so no matter what she says, it won't do her any good.

  Madam Qin saw that she had thrown the topic to herself, and her expression was somewhat unpleasant, but she didn't get angry. She stretched out her hand and said, "You and Lao San are not the Cowherd and Weaving Maiden, and I am not the Queen Mother of the West. You two just aren't suitable for each other, you know it in your heart!"

  Ji Xiaoli was of course clear in her mind that she had hesitated before getting the certificate. But now that they were married, wasn't it a bit too late to say this?

  "What do you want me to do?"

  Madam Qin didn't expect her to be so direct, and coldly laughed: "Of course it's leaving him! Without you, he can choose a woman who is one hundred times better than you. The daughters of the aristocratic families in the capital are all available for him to choose from. He can pick a girl whose family status matches the Qin family's, and they will definitely be happier together than with you! More importantly, he won't quarrel with his family because of a woman!"

  "Does the old lady think that a matching door and house will definitely bring happiness?" This old woman still holds the traditional views of the old society, but in fact, Ji Xiaoli didn't understand. However, many wealthy families nowadays, just like the Zhao family, also think that a matching door and house is better.

  In her view, these so-called marriages are not necessarily happy. On the contrary, a couple without feelings for each other can only be polite to each other at best, and if that's not possible, they might as well just live separate lives, which is fundamentally unhappy.

  Although there are also examples that prove door-to-door marriage is a good way of alliance, she and Qin Zhenyang were not destined to be this kind.

  "Mrs. Qin sneered, 'I'm not sure, but one thing I can be certain of is that if you're not a good match, it won't last long! You can't bring anything to Eldest Third, only drag him down in life. Even if he's infatuated with you now, what about in the future?'"

  "Since the old lady has already determined that I can't bring anything to him, what's the point of saying these things? Indeed, I can't bring anything to him. All I can do is take care of him in life. He likes me and I will return his affection equally! Emotions are mutual, I know you think it's ridiculous for me to talk about emotions at this time, but I have to admit that apart from giving my emotions, I really don't seem to have anything better to give him."

  Ji Xiaoli smiled faintly and said, "What else is there besides equal emotional investment? She's even freeloading off others now. Although she's starting her own business, it's just the beginning, and who knows how far she'll go in the future?"

  "Can't you see that's all lies? You're just trying to get a free ride, and now even Third Brother is being deceived by you. He's never been in love before, so he's easily fooled. Now he won't even come home! And you have the nerve to talk about feelings?"

  Ji Xiaoli's face turned pale and bloodless, her fists clenched unconsciously in her handbag. She was that man's wife, but she was being talked about like a mistress or a concubine. No matter who it was, they wouldn't get away with this!

  Just now, I treated these two with kindness and respect because of Qin Zhenyang's face, but they can insult me without hesitation. What am I still being cautious about? Am I going to let them trample my dignity to the ground?

  Ji Xiao Lian's face turned cold, and she looked at the two with sarcasm. "Since everything I say is considered a lie, then why did Old Madam ask me to come over? If it's just to say these things, then sorry, I have something else to do, I'll leave first!"

  "How arrogant! Old lady is still here, really thinks she's the legitimate wife of Lao San!" Zhang Xiuxiu chimed in with a nasty tone.

  When these words reached the ears of Mrs. Qin, they transformed into another meaning. What she couldn't bear most was the rudeness of her juniors and being deceived by them. She sternly said: "Miss Ji, you and Lao San are together, aren't you seeking status and position? If Lao San wasn't a member of the Qin family and didn't have this identity background, would you still choose him?"

  Ji Xiao Li laughed after hearing this, with a hint of sarcasm: "To be honest, if he weren't from the Qin family, just an ordinary person, I wouldn't have hesitated for a moment when getting married. Marrying an ordinary person would mean no worries at all! We could strive together, work hard together, and live a happy life without anyone saying I'm relying on him or eating soft rice, thinking about becoming a phoenix from a sparrow! But he's not just anyone, he's a Qin family member. That's why I hesitated back then - I was afraid his family wouldn't agree, after all, I'm just an ordinary person. However, his persistence told me that maybe this choice is right. We registered our marriage and have been together since, and I think life has been pretty good. He takes care of me and spoils me, he's a qualified husband. Sometimes I even forget that I married into a wealthy family, a prestigious clan! But you, madam, reminded me - I married the son of heaven, your precious son. Are you telling me to give him up?"

  The old lady didn't say a word. Ji Xiao Li continued with a tone of disapproval, "Actually, it's not that it can't be done. If you want me to agree unilaterally, how will your son explain himself? Have you thought this through?"

  "As long as you agree, there won't be any problem on his side!" Old Lady Qin said stubbornly, thinking that her son still listened to her and assuming that San was still the immature child he used to be.

  But she forgot that Old Three had his own ideas a long time ago, and his parents' views were just a weak reference to him. Being able to reach the position of Shangxiao was more about decisiveness!

  Ji Xiaoli shrugged and leaned lazily to one side, "So what do you want me to do? I promised him that I wouldn't easily give up on the feelings between us. Are you asking me to betray my promise?"

  Madam Qin frowned and sneered, "Isn't what you want money and power? As long as you agree to leave Lao San, I can give you a check for 5 million. I believe that if you don't squander it, it will be enough for the rest of your life! If you still want a good job, leave Beijing, and I can also arrange one for you. The prerequisite is that you never appear in front of Lao San again and divorce him immediately!"

  "Is it that simple?"

  Madam Qin snorted coldly and thought that this woman was nothing more than a greedy little thing.

  Ji Xiaoli smiled calmly and quietly: "Madam, I've heard of this trick 800 years ago. Isn't it the most common plot in Hong Kong dramas? Handing me a check for $5 million to get rid of a greedy woman like me is the best way to make me leave?"

  "Isn't it?"

  "Old lady, you didn't misunderstand me, I'm greedy! Everyone is greedy, it's nothing special. But I'd rather keep the money I earn myself than take yours! If you really think I'm disgusting, go tell your son and let him divorce me, I won't complain even if I leave with nothing!" Ji Xiaoli was really too lazy to continue arguing with this old lady. Although they were both over 60 years old, Wang Shu was much more lovable in comparison. Talking to this old lady one more sentence made her feel like she was forcing herself to eat bitter melon.

  Tired and bitter.

  Mrs. Qin originally thought that by putting out a check for five million, this woman would definitely accept, but she was suddenly rejected, and her self-esteem was also hit, the feeling was like being punched in the cotton, not painful or itchy, very uncomfortable!

  In her opinion, this woman's refusal of her was not entirely innocent, thinking about what she wanted! She refused the money, but only to get more, kept Lao San, and didn't lose a single penny or power! Only getting more and more endlessly!

  "I don't want to hear this! Are you really not considering leaving Lao San?" Madam Qin said impatiently.

  Ji Xiaoli didn't say anything, her expression unchanged.

  Mrs. Qin clapped her hands, and the servant beside her had already opened the living room screen. A dynamic picture appeared on the big screen, which was surveillance!

  The more Ji Xiaoli looked down, the deeper her frown became...

  She had already guessed eight or nine out of ten that it was something that happened in that big hotel! The surveillance footage had been edited, and the ones released were some misleading scenes.

  If I'm not mistaken, this thing was sent over by Ji Xuewei.

  Ji Xiaoli's eyes narrowed coldly. She really was planning to use the same method to deal with him, wasn't she? That's why she had been holding back this one hand for revenge!

  "Did you see it clearly?"

  Ji Xiaoli smiled and said, "What does the old lady want to say to me?"

  Zhang Xiujiao glared at her, "You've all been seducing us with Qin Zong, and yet you say it's for the sake of emotions. If you really care about Lao San, would you sneak out to meet Qin Zong in secret?"

  "Miss Ji, you're no stranger to this either. What do you have to say for yourself about being with Qin Zong?" Madam Qin asked in a cold tone, seemingly leaving no room for explanation.

  Ji Xiaoli spread her hands: "I've said what I needed to say, you don't believe me. As for this, all I can say is that it's not like the surveillance footage showed, Qin Zong and I have nothing going on, even if we did, it would only be limited to those scenes from just now."

  "You're lying!"

  "Qin's aunt doesn't believe me, and I have no way to convince her."

  Madam Qin's demeanor changed from gentle to stern, her eyes gleaming with a fierce intensity that seemed capable of swallowing someone whole: "I don't care if what you said is true or false, but the fact remains that you and Qin Zong have an unclear relationship! Therefore, you must cut off all ties with Lao San!"

  She would not allow such a shameful thing as two uncles and nephews fighting over one woman to happen in the family.

  Ji Xiaoli knew that today she might not be able to escape unscathed, so she shrugged and smiled: "Alright, but even if I agree, the divorce agreement requires both parties' consent. You don't need to put in effort on me, Madam. As long as he agrees, I absolutely won't cling to him!"

  Madam Qin was taken aback, her heart not quite certain. She remained silent for a long time, sipping tea before speaking in a cold tone: "Since that's the case, then you'll make him agree, no matter what method! As long as you two get divorced, the Qin family won't treat you unfairly!"

  In the end, it's still about using material things to buy her over.

  Ji Xiaoli is greedy for wealth, but she never intended to take this money. Madame Qin's idea was wrong from the start.

  "Old lady, I don't quite understand what you're saying? Your son's temperament and character are clearer to you than anyone else. I've never thought that I could change him in any way."

  "I heard you've been setting up a workshop recently, with all the necessary personnel in place. Hasn't it officially started yet? Miss Ji, you're a woman who knows how to seize the moment, you should know what's the right thing to do! If you agree, I'll naturally send over the most professional team to help you. Of course, if you oppose it, things won't be so simple. Not to mention whether the workshop will succeed or not, but in the future, your clothing store... as long as the Qin family is involved, do you think it will go smoothly?"

  Ji Xiaoli stood up and said coldly: "You're threatening me!"

  "I'm just stating a principle, it's up to Miss Ji whether she listens or not!"

  Ji Xiaoli hated it the most when someone threatened her. She wasn't very capable, but she had perseverance and determination. However, if she was constantly being manipulated and threatened...

  She furrowed her brow tightly, clenching her fists in her hands...

  "I..."

  "Xiao Li, how are you here? Mom? Grandma?" Just as Ji Xiao Li was about to say something, Qin Zhen rushed in from outside the door with an inexplicable tension on his face.