“Qianhe’s skin is delicate — wearing cheap clothes will give her rashes!” Song Qin rebuked Jiang Lai for being “ungrateful.”
Jiang Lai stood up abruptly, the chair legs scraping harshly across the marble floor.
“And what about me?”
“You used to complain that my clothes were too cheap and embarrassing — why aren’t you saying that now, Madam Gu?”
Each word Jiang Lai spoke was sharp and cutting.
Song Qin’s voice turned shrill. “I already told the servants to deliver luxury custom pieces to your room every season. If you don’t wear them, what can I do?”
“I’ve always treated you and Qianhe equally — whatever she has, I never withheld from you. Don’t make an issue out of this.”
Jiang Lai let out a sudden laugh, then went upstairs and brought down the so-called “luxury custom pieces,” spreading them across the sofa.
Several garish red-and-purple outfits came into view — the kind of clothes that would make people laugh if worn outside.
Song Qin pursed her lips, looking slightly uncomfortable.
“I really can’t accept your ‘kindness,’ Madam Gu. Let my sister wear these,” Jiang Lai said coolly, glancing at the clothes again.
Every season, Song Qin personally went to boutiques to carefully select outfits for Gu Qianhe and had them delivered to He Feng Villa.
As for Jiang Lai’s clothes — they were all chosen by Gu family servants on Song Qin’s orders.
Servants read their masters’ attitudes. Knowing Jiang Lai wasn’t accepted, they picked clothes that were barely presentable.
“You deserve to wear this kind of thing!” Song Qin lifted her chin arrogantly and told the servants to take the clothes away.
“Qianhe is our family’s lucky star — no amount of high-end couture is good enough for her.”
“As for you, the Gu family raising you is already more than generous!”
“Is that so?” Jiang Lai sneered.
She had heard these words countless times.
Song Qin always said that ever since Gu Qianhe was born, the Gu family’s business had flourished — from a small household in South City to a minor wealthy family today.
But Jiang Lai and Gu Qianhe were born on the same day.
The Gu family’s so-called “good fortune” actually came from Jiang Lai’s special destiny, not Gu Qianhe at all.
“I hope Madam Gu can keep saying that in the future,” Jiang Lai replied calmly.
“Of course!” Song Qin frowned and stepped away from her as if she were unlucky.
Gu Anchang came over with a gentle smile, putting his hand on Song Qin’s shoulder.
“Enough, don’t stoop to her level. She’s still young — how could she understand your good intentions?”
Then his expression turned cold as he looked at Jiang Lai.
“And you — being frugal won’t kill you. Stop trying to compare yourself to others!”
Jiang Lai’s meaningful gaze fell on the limited-edition bag in Gu Qianhe’s hand, and she let out a light scoff.
Three thousand yuan in living expenses is “comparing,” but a bag worth millions isn’t?
What twisted logic.
Gu Qianhe accidentally met Jiang Lai’s eyes, bit her lip, and hid the bag behind her back.
“Little sister, I—”
Before she could explain, Pei Jingchuan walked into He Feng Villa and stood beside Jiang Lai.
Gu Qianhe clenched her teeth secretly, jealousy flashing in her eyes.
“It seems the Gu family looks down on the Pei family,” Pei Jingchuan said casually.
Gu Anchang’s flattering smile froze. “President Pei… what do you mean?”
“My personally chosen fiancée can’t even afford decent clothes — doesn’t President Gu think something is wrong?” Pei Jingchuan replied calmly.
He took out a black gold card from his wallet and held it toward Jiang Lai.
“I’ve already contacted South City Global Mall. Every month they’ll send a batch of the latest couture here. And this card — buy whatever you want.”
“That… doesn’t seem appropriate,” Jiang Lai blinked innocently, glancing at Gu Anchang. “But President Gu doesn’t plan to give me more allowance…”
“You are not allowed to take it!” Gu Anchang snapped.
Jiang Lai being the Gu family’s daughter was common knowledge in elite circles. If people found out she was fully supported by her fiancé before marriage, he would lose all face.
“Lailai, take Dad’s secondary card,” Gu Anchang immediately shoved a bank card into her hand.
Jiang Lai played with the thin card for a second, then slipped it into her pocket.
In truth, she wasn’t short of money — she had earned a fortune following her master to read feng shui and perform rituals. Her savings were already in the nine figures.
With her connections in the metaphysical world, she could practically walk sideways across China.
But this was what the Gu family owed her.
She had no obligation to save them money like in her previous life, when she emptied her own savings to rescue Gu Corporation during a financial crisis.
Isn’t it more interesting to watch them dig their own graves?
“President Gu is suddenly generous,” Pei Jingchuan said coolly. “Jiang Lai, come out with me.”
Outside He Feng Villa
Pei Jingchuan took a document from the back seat and handed it to Jiang Lai.
The title on the folder made her heart jolt.
“As you see — this contains all the information about the car accident’s driver and vehicle,” he explained.
“Thank you.” Jiang Lai began reading carefully.
The driver’s name was Liu Guohong, over fifty years old, making a living by hauling goods. Two days before the accident, he suddenly resigned for unknown reasons.
The day of the crash was his last delivery.
Due to suspicious details in the surveillance footage — and because Madam Gu didn’t pursue the matter after she survived — the police let him go after he wrote a statement and paid a fine.
After reading once, Jiang Lai had memorized everything. She handed the file back.
“I’ll investigate this myself. Thank you for the trip, President Pei.”
She paused. “Also — send me the total amount you spent today and your bank account number.”
“No need.” Pei Jingchuan smiled faintly. “Spending money to support my fiancée is only natural.”
“Thank you,” Jiang Lai said quietly.
“If the Gu family gives you trouble again, you can contact me anytime,” he added, taking her phone and saving his number as an emergency contact.
“I don’t want anything happening to my partner — or my fiancée.”
Jiang Lai curved her lips slightly. “Don’t worry.”
She would never again be the Gu family’s cash cow.
She had plenty of ways to fight back.
She watched Pei Jingchuan drive away, then turned back into the villa.
At the entrance stood Gu Qianhe, eyes red, hesitating.
“Little sister… when did your relationship with Brother Jingchuan get so good? Did you already… before…?”