Cen Zhinning lowered her head and glanced at the cup.
“No need. I don’t drink green tea.”
Qi Rumei smiled faintly, without the slightest embarrassment at the obvious jab. She forcefully pushed the teacup a little closer.
“This is black tea. Have a taste~”
Cen Zhinning’s eyes lowered. She reached out to take the cup, her fingers trembling slightly. The moment her fingertips touched the porcelain, it was as if she had brushed against something terrifying. She abruptly withdrew her hand and let out a startled cry.
“Ah—sorry!”
The cup fell onto the marble floor, shattering into pieces. Tea splashed everywhere.
Her body instinctively shrank back. She looked at Qi Rumei in panic, then immediately lowered her head.
Like a frightened rabbit, she crouched down to gather the broken shards.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful next time…”
Her movements were smooth and practiced, like a conditioned reflex formed after long-term mistreatment.
The living room fell instantly silent.
Qi Yanheng looked at the crouching Cen Zhinning with suspicion.
Qi Rumei stood frozen, caught off guard.
Cen Zhenguo’s smile stiffened on his face. When had his proud, willful daughter ever been this humble?
His gaze locked onto Cen Zhinning’s pale face. Seeing those frightened eyes, his heart ached unbearably.
His precious jewel, born to be pampered and extravagant—she was supposed to spend money freely, act recklessly, and be arrogantly willful.
Not like this—cowering like a servant, trembling as she picked up broken glass.
Holding a shard of the shattered cup, Cen Zhinning’s voice was soft and shaky, tinged with tears.
“Auntie, I didn’t mean to…”
Cen Zhenguo pulled her up angrily.
“The servants will clean that up. You don’t need to. It’s just a cup.”
Her eyes immediately reddened, tears welling up but stubbornly held back.
“Dad, it’s not just a cup. When I was working part-time abroad, if I broke a cup, they would deduct a whole day’s wages. That meant going hungry for the entire day…”
Cen Zhenguo’s mind buzzed.
When had his daughter fallen to the point of needing part-time jobs and going hungry?
Cen Zhinning cast a timid glance at Qi Rumei. In truth, if Cen Zhenguo checked, he would find that every cent of the tuition and allowance deposited into her account remained untouched.
After all, the bonus she had received from successfully completing her mission was enough to last her many years.
She quickly lowered her head, as if realizing she had misspoken.
“Dad, I’ll behave from now on. Please don’t send me abroad again. Don’t abandon me…”
Cen Zhenguo’s face darkened instantly. Seeing his daughter so frightened and fragile, as if she had suffered unimaginable grievances—
And thinking about how she had been unheard from for three years—
He assumed she must have endured untold hardship overseas.
And it was Qi Rumei who had arranged for Cen Zhinning to go abroad.
He slammed the table, furious, looking at his daughter with heartache.
“Enough!”
He pointed at Qi Rumei, his voice shaking with anger.
“Look at her—look at what you’ve done to this child! This is what you call taking good care of her?”
Qi Rumei was momentarily speechless.
“Dear, I didn’t—Ningning, say something! How can you lie? I had my assistant transfer three million to your card every month!”
Cen Zhinning kept her head lowered.
“Auntie, I’m not lying. I never received any money. I earned my own tuition and living expenses these past few years…”
“You’re lying! The money was transferred to your account. There are records!”
“But when I left, you didn’t let me bring anything…”
It was true that when she left, she had said there was nothing worth bringing and she would buy everything new overseas.
“I didn’t know you didn’t bring the card. But the card could be linked to your phone—”
Cen Zhenguo wasn’t listening anymore. His heart was filled with guilt and pain for his daughter. He pulled Cen Zhinning into his arms and comforted her.
“Alright, alright. Dad’s here. No one will bully you again. It’s good that you’re back.”
He turned to the housekeeper and ordered directly,
“Immediately transfer ten million from my account to Ningning’s. Consider it compensation for her living expenses these past three years. Let her buy whatever clothes and jewelry she likes. And double her monthly allowance from now on.”
Qi Rumei stood to the side, her face livid, nails digging into her palms.
She had intended to scheme again to send Cen Zhinning back overseas. Instead, the girl had gained a fortune and left her looking villainous inside and out.
Resting against Cen Zhenguo’s shoulder, Cen Zhinning’s lips curled ever so slightly into a victorious smile before she quickly resumed her pitiful, wronged expression.
Qi Yanheng watched her performance quietly from the side, the corner of his lips lifting uncontrollably. He raised his teacup to hide the obvious amusement in his eyes.
The little girl he had watched grow up had learned how to scheme.
Once Cen Zhinning grew tired of acting—and the money safely in hand—there was no need to waste more energy. She stood up.
“Dad, I’m sleepy. There’s a time difference from abroad. I’m going upstairs to rest.”
Before Cen Zhenguo could even nod, she had already turned and walked upstairs leisurely to her room.
Qi Rumei’s face alternated between pale and green as Cen Zhenguo scolded her harshly.
“She’s young and ignorant. Are you ignorant too? No matter what, Ningning is my flesh and blood. As her stepmother, how could you treat my daughter poorly?”
“Do you have any brains at all? The group is already unstable. If this matter gets out, the Cen family will be criticized and our stock will drop again!”
Qi Rumei’s face turned deathly pale.
“Dear, I really didn’t know. I transferred the money on time…”
She looked anxiously at her nephew.
“Ah Heng, say something!”
Only then did Qi Yanheng slowly rise to his feet, smoothing the wrinkles on his clothes.
“She’s back now. Family harmony is what matters most. Let’s put this behind us.”
Hearing Qi Yanheng speak, Cen Zhenguo finally stopped pursuing the matter and softened his tone.
“Fine. Don’t let me see this happen again. Ningning just returned. Have the servants prepare more of her favorite dishes and welcome her home properly.”
Qi Rumei lowered her head obediently.
“Alright.”
At dinner, the atmosphere remained subtly strained. At the long dining table, Cen Zhenguo sat at the head seat while Qi Rumei chatted about trivial household matters.
Qi Yanheng sat quietly to the side, posture elegant.
After a nap, Cen Zhinning felt much better. She took a deep breath, plastered an overly sweet smile on her face, and walked over with light steps.
“Daddy!”
Her voice was soft and syrupy. She circled behind Cen Zhenguo, wrapped her arms around his neck, and rubbed her chin against his shoulder in a coquettish manner.
“I haven’t had dinner with you in so long.”
Cen Zhenguo was clearly susceptible to this. A smile immediately appeared on his face.
“You’re all grown up and still acting spoiled. Auntie made your favorite dishes. Come sit.”
Cen Zhinning obediently sat beside Cen Zhenguo, squeezing Qi Rumei aside. Picking up her chopsticks, she attentively placed food into his bowl.
“Dad, eat more. You’ve lost so much weight these three years. You must not have been eating properly. I don’t know how Auntie’s been taking care of you.”