Cen Ning was far away in the United States.
At this hour, it was early morning there. Cen Ning was still in the hospital; her surgery had been completed a year and a half ago, and she was still under observation during her recovery period.
Her condition was neither good nor bad.
She lay on the hospital bed, her lips faintly pale, her face lacking much color. She looked at the video call and clearly saw Cen Xi’s figure.
A dark, hollow look settled in her eyes. She pressed her lips together and forced a smile. “Yaoyao, then please say hello to her for me.”
Seeing her weak appearance, and then looking at Cen Xi on the other side, Zhu Xinyao felt even more indignant.
The marriage arrangement with the Shang family should have belonged to Cen Ning.
“Cen Xi, I’m telling you, everything you’re going to buy today—I’m taking it all.”
It was obvious hostility. She simply didn’t like her and was deliberately targeting her.
Cen Ning heard this, but said nothing more. She curved her lips slightly and motioned for her caregiver to serve breakfast, slowly beginning to eat.
As soon as she heard that, Lin Xingyou immediately flared up.
The marriage with the Shang family had nothing to do with Cen Xi. Why was she always the one being blamed?
“You—”
She was about to speak when Cen Xi grabbed her hand. “Youzi, don’t rush.”
Because of her profession, Cen Xi had seen too many life-and-death situations. She had always been calm. She ignored Zhu Xinyao’s words completely and instead called over a sales assistant, whispering a few instructions.
The assistant immediately understood and brought over rows of clothes.
A hint of interest finally appeared in Cen Xi’s expression. Seeing this, Zhu Xinyao immediately cut in.
“I’m buying all of these.”
She meant not to leave a single piece for her.
“You’re going too far!” Lin Xingyou said angrily.
Seeing her reaction, Zhu Xinyao grew even more pleased. “I have money. What can you do about it?”
“Hurry up, I’m buying them!”
She urged the staff to pack everything up. Her friends, however, looked at the clothes and felt something was off.
“Yaoyao, maybe you should think about it first.”
These designs looked outdated—not like this year’s styles.
Zhu Xinyao snorted. “There’s nothing to think about. I already said it—while I’m here today, Cen Xi won’t buy a single thing.”
“Miss Zhu, the total is 7.23 million.”
The price announcement came from behind her. Zhu Xinyao’s triumphant expression stiffened.
Over seven million…
Recently, she had been spending a lot. Earlier that morning, she had been in a minor car accident while street racing, and her father had restricted her spending limit.
She could only access five million at most.
She froze in place, suddenly caught in an awkward situation.
“What? Weren’t you just so confident that you’d buy everything? Now you can’t? Don’t act rich if you can’t afford it!”
Lin Xingyou didn’t miss the chance to mock her.
“You think I’m like you people?” Zhu Xinyao snapped back.
Everyone knew that before being brought back to the Cen family residence, Cen Xi had lived with her mother in an unknown rural area. Without the backing of the Cen family, she would never even have entered a luxury store.
Biting her lip, Zhu Xinyao forced herself to pay. She swiped two cards before finally completing the transaction.
After payment, she exhaled deeply. “See that? Poor people should stay in their place. When Ningning recovers and comes back, you should give up your position.”
Lin Xingyou was furious, but Cen Xi gently pulled her back.
Her expression remained calm. She even smiled at Zhu Xinyao.
“Miss Zhu is indeed wealthy—and kind. You’ve helped the store clear out old inventory. I’m sure everyone here will be very grateful to you.”
Then she turned to Lin Xingyou. “Youzi, let’s go somewhere else.”
Only then did Lin Xingyou realize her intention. The frustration in her instantly disappeared, replaced with amusement. “Seven million for old-season stock. Miss Zhu really is a rich lady.”
“Thank you, Miss Zhu. Welcome again next time.”
The store assistants were all smiling as they packed the items up.
This had been a huge sales performance for them.
At that moment, Zhu Xinyao finally processed Cen Xi’s words.
Seven million—for outdated inventory.
Had she just been played by a rural-born illegitimate daughter?
“Agh!”
She kicked at the bags in front of her. Clothes spilled out onto the floor, looking even more outdated and ugly without the store display lighting.
The staff were startled, but since she had already paid, they had no choice but to pick everything up again.
“Miss Zhu, should these be sent to the Zhu family as usual?”
“Get lost!”
Her face turned green with rage.
She could not even bear to look at them anymore. Furious, she turned and chased after Cen Xi.
“Cen Xi! Stop right there!”
Her voice was sharp and piercing.
At that moment, the elevator doors opened.
A group of people stepped out, surrounding a man.
Under the summer heat and strong air-conditioning inside the mall, he wore a white shirt with a dark vest that outlined his tall and powerful frame. He was strikingly handsome.
A faint scent of bergamot filled the air.
Sensing trouble, Cen Xi immediately grabbed Lin Xingyou’s hand and rushed toward the elevator.
The doors opened.
She ran in headfirst—
Only to collide directly into someone’s chest.
She stumbled backward, almost falling.
A warm hand caught her waist.
She froze.
Lifting her gaze, she met a pair of dark, deep eyes.
It was Shang Hanzhou.
Why was he here?
“Cen Xi, just you wait—you’re not getting away!”
Behind them, Zhu Xinyao caught up, furious.
The hand at Cen Xi’s waist did not move away. Shang Hanzhou narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze cold and unhurried as he looked at Zhu Xinyao.
His voice was calm and indifferent:
“What do you want with my Madam?”
He stepped forward and naturally shielded Cen Xi behind him.