Сhaptеr 24: Yоu Rеаllу Have Nо Shаme.
Reаlizing it was her оwn misundеrstаnding, Jing Gе fеlt nо embаrrаssmеnt аnd eagеrly wanted to shаrе the dеtаils оf hеr triр with him.
But bеfоrе she cоuld sаy mоre than a сouрle of sentеncеs, her рhоne rang.
It wаs Amanda.
Аsking if shе hаd rеturned.
Jing Ge hung uр thе рhоne and sаid hurriedlу, “Uncle, I hаve to gеt back tо the comраnу first. I’ll write уоu a five-thousаnd-word еssаy befоre neхt month—hесk, I сould writе fifty thousаnd, or evеn fivе hundrеd thousand words might not cover it all. I might аs wеll write you a milliоn-wоrd novel! Bуе!”
And with that, she dashed off.
Li Musi: “…”
A friend of similar age beside him craned his neck, following Jing Ge’s direction. “Whose kid is that, so noisy and excitable? You actually had the patience to listen?”
Li Musi shot him a cold glare. “Our family’s.”
The friend looked suspicious. “Doesn’t your family’s next generation only have Yingying?”
Li Musi’s expression was unreadable. “Li Zhan’s.”
“Oh—” The friend suddenly understood. “That little girl. She’s grown up; I didn’t even recognize her.”
Li Musi stared at him. “How old are you?”
The friend paused. “Twenty-nine.”
Li Musi: “I’m younger than you.”
“…”
Li Musi: “Stop acting like an old-timer here.”
The friend gave him a thumbs-up. “I’m even younger, because you’ve already pissed me off enough to turn me into your grandson.”
Jing Ge didn’t even go home, heading straight to Womei instead.
The company held its first meeting after the New Year.
Everyone received a big red envelope.
Combined with her salary and bonus from before the New Year, Jing Ge rounded up the amount and transferred it to Li Musi.
Even though she couldn’t repay it all, she couldn’t just take it for granted without giving anything back.
She had to show some sincerity.
Back in her office, Jing Ge rummaged through her belongings like a little hamster and pulled out another red gemstone, saved for Amanda.
She gave one to Li Musi because he knew about her trip.
She gave one to Amanda because Amanda also knew she had gone on a trip, though she didn’t know where.
She gave one to Li Ying because Li Ying was young and could be easily placated with any excuse.
But she absolutely couldn’t give one to anyone else.
Otherwise, it would expose the fact that she had sneaked off to Antarctica.
Before work ended, Jing Ge received a call from Father Jing.
Ordering her to come home.
The joy that had yet to subside in Jing Ge’s heart was silently overshadowed by gloom, much like the still chilly weather outside.
This trip was ultimately short-lived.
Her escapist behavior would eventually have to be faced upon her return.
Someone contacted her on the software.
Jing Ge tried her best to perk up, not letting one phone call affect her work state.
It was a new client.
Wanting to order a batch of accessories through her.
However, the styles were numerous, the quantities small, and they demanded wholesale prices—conditions that could be described as extremely stringent.
But the client added that if they were satisfied with these goods, they would immediately place an order for ten containers.
Jing Ge hesitated.
Amanda glanced at it for her. “It’s not a scam; it’s a legitimate company. But it’s very troublesome. For large orders, they’ll require full inspection. You decide whether to take it or not.”
That was indeed very troublesome.
Womei’s current clients mostly required sampling inspections of 30% to 40%.
At most, 60%.
Jing Ge: “Would you take it?”
“No,” Amanda said bluntly. “I already have enough clients.”
She didn’t need to spend time and energy worrying about the follow-up ten containers.
With that time, she could develop higher-quality clients.
Jing Ge felt a bit tempted.
She replied to the client’s email, asking them to raise the price.
The client refused.
But to show sincerity, they were willing to transfer the full payment in advance to Womei’s account.Jing Ge did not agree immediately, replying that she needed to go to the market to source goods and see if she could secure wholesale prices through retail purchases.
After work, Jing Ge returned to the Jing family home.
Jing Beile, now in his third year of junior high—a critical period for the high school entrance exams—had already moved into the school dormitory.
At the moment, only the three elders were present.
“How can you be on a business trip even during the New Year?” Cai Zhi said with concern, pulling her aside to check on her. “Who does such a thing, not even letting you celebrate the New Year?”
Jing Ge explained, “There’s overtime pay. I’ll transfer it to you later.”
Cai Zhi replied, “Keep it for yourself. A girl your age should have some money saved. When you’re with Li Zhan, don’t always let him pay for everything.”
“If he wants to spend money on her, he needs the chance to do so,” Father Jing interjected sharply. “You were nowhere to be seen the entire New Year. When I went to the Li family on the third day, Li Zhan didn’t even come to see me. You caused this, so you go and smooth things over.”
Jing Ge widened her eyes slightly. “If he didn’t come to see you, that’s his lack of manners. What does that have to do with me?”
Father Jing retorted, “If you hadn’t upset him, would he treat his future father-in-law like this?”
Jing Ge shot back, “Maybe it was you who upset him?”
Cai Zhi quickly tugged at her sleeve.
Father Jing roared, “You insolent brat!”
“He only missed seeing you once, and your pride and self-respect can’t handle it,” Jing Ge said word by word. “I live in the Li family, and every single day of my life is like this—without exception!!”
For someone who has fallen from a high place, self-respect is as fragile as soap bubbles, especially when they have to lower their head to receive favors from the Li family.
Regardless of the reason, Li Zhan’s failure to greet him was, in Father Jing’s eyes, a sign of disrespect.
Father Jing gasped heavily. “Tomorrow, I’ll prepare gifts and take you to the Li family to apologize.”
“Apologize for what?” Jing Ge laughed bitterly. “What did I do wrong? He’s the one at fault. I’ll call Uncle Li and Aunt Man right now and ask them to force Li Zhan to come apologize to you!”
Father Jing slammed the table violently.
The sound made Cai Zhi tremble.
“Quit your job,” Father Jing said coldly. “Whether you stay at the Jing family home or the Li family, just stay put. When Li Zhan needs you, be ready to accompany him at any time.”
Jing Ge retorted, “If he becomes disabled or incapacitated, I’ll quit my job and take care of him!”
Father Jing shouted, “How dare you!”
“Enough,” Fan Congyun interjected impatiently as the father and daughter argued fiercely. “Ge Ge, your father has been exhausted lately. Stop talking back.”
Jing Ge’s face was full of mockery.
Fan Congyun looked at her. “The family has started a new company, reviving some of the old business.”
Jing Ge froze.
“Your father managed to bring back some of the old clients and former employees,” Fan Congyun continued. “We need to learn from past mistakes and keep up with current technology and development, which requires a lot of money.”
For some reason, the eerie chill of the winter night seemed to grow tendrils, creeping up Jing Ge’s spine.
Fan Congyun said calmly, “That money came from the Li family.”
Jing Ge felt as though her spine had snapped.
It broke so easily.
But it didn’t hurt.
It just felt searing hot, as if branded by a red-hot iron, burning so intensely that it felt as though layers of her skin were being stripped away.
“I… I don’t understand,” Jing Ge finally found her voice after a long pause. “Why… why the rush to start a new company?”
Fan Congyun replied, “The Li family has been bankrupt for ten years. For these ten years, your father and I have counted every single day.”
Jing Ge understood.
They wanted to restore the Li family’s former glory.
They couldn’t wait to move back into the old mansion tomorrow—the one with a yard as vast as a golf course, complete with a swimming pool, servants, bodyguards, chauffeurs, and luxury cars for every outing.A haze clouded Jing Ge’s eyes. “Why did you take the Li family’s money? Why did you go to them for money again?”
“Because my daughter is marrying into their family!” Father Jing said. “I didn’t ask them for a bride price—I’m just borrowing some money. That’s only right and proper. There’s no ‘why’ about it!”
Jing Ge looked at him. “You really have no shame.”