Chapter 57.2

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She leaned forward slightly, voice sweet and teasing. “You do understand what negotiation means, right?”

With a coy smile, she continued, “Obviously, I have to go back and discuss this with Yin Yin. She’s the head of the household, after all. If she agrees, then sure, we’ll break up. But if she doesn’t…”

She deliberately trailed off, letting the silence stretch.

“…Well, then consider this money a wedding gift.” Her grin widened. “Don’t worry, President Chi. When we get married, we’ll make sure to send you an invitation… Mom.”

Mom?

Chi Qilan’s expression froze in sheer disbelief, her entire body stiffening on the spot.

Qiao Ziman’s grin widened with smug satisfaction.

That’ll teach you both to gang up on Yin Yin.

She playfully called out again, “Mom, bye-bye,” waving her hand cheerfully before jogging out the door.

For a long moment, silence hung in the room. Neither woman moved, still reeling from the shock. It was Chi Qilan who finally snapped out of it first, a realization dawning on her.

“…Did that little brat just play me?”

Elvis’s fists clenched tightly, her expression clouded with frustration. She was silent for a moment before speaking, her voice low and deliberate. “Auntie, she can’t stay in this company.”

Chi Qilan abruptly stood up, her gaze sharp and serious. “Because she’s someone Yin Yin likes?”

Her voice carried a hint of disappointment as she stared at Elvis.

“Elvis, I’m surprised at you. Since when did you become so unprofessional? Qiao Ziman is highly capable, and this company needs talent like hers. Besides, the project she’s handling right now is crucial.”

Elvis let out a cold, sharp laugh, stepping closer, her presence pressing in like a shadow. “Auntie, don’t tell me… you actually like her a little?”

Chi Qilan’s temper flared instantly.

“Elvis!” she snapped. “Is that how you speak to me?”

Elvis met her gaze, unwavering. “Auntie, we are nothing more than business partners now.”

“You—!”

Chi Qilan was silent for a moment before letting out a soft sigh.

“You’ve grown a lot over the years.”

She smoothed out the fabric of her blazer, then strode toward the door.

“Come over for dinner this weekend.”

“As for the rest… we’ll take our time to figure it out.”

With that, the office door clicked shut behind her.

The second she left, a surge of uncontrollable fury rose in Elvis’s chest.

“Qiao Ziman!”

With a sharp swing of her arm, she swept everything off the desk—papers, files, and documents scattering across the floor.

Meanwhile, Qiao Ziman had returned to her workstation, practically glowing with triumph as she messaged Chi Yin with an update.

[Beep beep beep, I just made five million today.]

Chi Yin’s reply came instantly. [???]

Qiao Ziman leaned back in her chair, casually crossing her legs.

[I’ll explain everything when I get home. For now, all you need to know is that I’m officially a little rich lady.]

Chi Yin, ever the quick-witted one, played along seamlessly.

[Rich lady, please sponsor me. (I’m on my way.jpg)]

[Consider it done.]

After sending the message, Qiao Ziman glanced at the clock. Still half an hour before work resumed. Bored, she opened up a “little movie” and began diligently studying its contents.

A few moments later, Elvis, now composed, stepped out of her office. As she passed by Qiao Ziman’s workstation, something caught her attention. Qiao Ziman was completely absorbed in her screen, eyes glued to whatever she was watching, her expression one of intense focus.

Elvis frowned. What the hell is she so serious about?

She couldn’t help herself—she walked over, circling behind Qiao Ziman to take a look.

What she saw made her entire body stiffen.

On the screen, two naked women were tangled together, locked in various… intimate positions.

Elvis: “!!!”

“You—you—you—this is what you meant by studying professional knowledge?!”

The icy voice came from right behind her, making Qiao Ziman jolt in surprise. With a sharp smack, she slapped her phone face-down on the desk, as if that could erase what had just been seen.

She turned around, only to meet Elvis’s horrified gaze. Recovering quickly, she curved her lips into a playful smile. “Yeah, what about it? There’s still, what, ten minutes until work starts?”

Elvis was still in shock, her brain short-circuiting.

Qiao Ziman rolled her eyes at her. “Why are you so surprised? Learning is learning, isn’t it? Oh—wait.”

She gave Elvis a deliberately pitying look. “I forgot—you don’t have a girlfriend. Of course, you wouldn’t understand how it feels to be in a relationship. If I don’t study, how can I improve? If I don’t improve, how can I make my girlfriend happy?”

Elvis was speechless. For a moment, it looked like she wanted to say something, but in the end, her face darkened, and she spun on her heel, striding away furiously.

Qiao Ziman clicked her tongue. Then, lowering her head, she sent Chi Yin a quick update.

[Double kill!]

The moment the clock struck the end of the workday, Qiao Ziman bolted out of the office, practically sprinting. From a distance, she spotted Chi Yin standing by the flower bed, waiting for her.

Her heart swelled with joy.

Without hesitation, she ran up and threw her arms around her. “Yin Yin, did you miss me?”

Chi Yin nuzzled affectionately into Qiao Ziman’s neck, her voice soft and teasing. “Mmm, I missed my little rich lady.”

Qiao Ziman pulled back slightly, her eyes falling on the large shopping bags in Chi Yin’s hands.

“What did you buy?” she asked curiously.

Chi Yin smiled. “Couple outfits. I mean, aren’t I already exclusively yours? We should match every day from now on.”

Qiao Ziman’s heart melted. She leaned in and pressed a kiss to Chi Yin’s cheek.

“My Yin Yin is so good,” she murmured. “I’ll reimburse you for everything.”

Chi Yin hummed in agreement, then suddenly remembered. “By the way, you still haven’t told me—what’s with this five million?”

Before Qiao Ziman could answer, a sharp, cold laugh came from behind them. 

“She scammed it.”

Both women turned their heads in unison.

Elvis stood a short distance away, her expression dark and unreadable. That mocking voice just now—it was hers.

Her gaze swept over Chi Yin from head to toe before she sneered again. “I really don’t know how your taste has deteriorated this much. Even your fashion sense has taken a hit.”

Qiao Ziman: “???”

Chi Yin’s expression darkened instantly. Her posture tensed, and without a word, she subtly shifted, placing Qiao Ziman behind her as if shielding her from a threat.

Elvis smirked. “Why so defensive? Are you that afraid of me?”

Her tone dropped, laced with an eerie familiarity. “Yin, long time no see. Shall we have a talk?”

Without hesitation, Chi Yin grabbed Qiao Ziman’s hand and started walking toward their car. “There’s nothing to talk about with you.”

Elvis’s voice rang out again, this time carrying a quiet but unmistakable threat.

“Don’t test my patience.”