Jian Junhui stood up from the sofa and asked her, “What do you want to eat?”
“Not eating. I’m on a diet,” Jian Ning replied without turning her head.
“What’s gotten into you now? Why are you dieting all of a sudden?” Jian Junhui said angrily.
“None of your business. I’m definitely going to lose weight this time.” After saying this, Jian Ning went straight back to her room.
She had made up her mind—she had to shed these extra pounds. Not only did she look unattractive like this, but it was also affecting her health.
Over the next two days, Jian Ning worked hard at dieting and exercising. She managed to lose a few pounds and began putting effort into dressing up.
Though she was overweight, her facial features were pretty, and her skin was good. Once she slimmed down, she was sure to become a real beauty!
Soon, the third day arrived. Jian Junhui knew Lu Changzheng would come today to deliver the money. He wanted to stay with Jian Ning, but she refused.
Not long after Jian Junhui left, Lu Changzheng and Lin Hongyun arrived.
Seeing Jian Ning, Lu Changzheng no longer hid the disgust in his eyes. With a cold expression, he slapped two thousand yuan on the table, his tone threatening.
“Jian Ning, take the money, and we’re done. Don’t you dare bother me again!”
“Don’t worry, I’m not interested in shit.” Jian Ning rolled her eyes, picked up the money, and started counting it.
“You…” Lu Changzheng’s face turned as red as a persimmon.
Lin Hongyun quickly tugged at him, signaling with her eyes not to make a fuss.
Only then did Lu Changzheng calm down, but he grew even more disgusted with Jian Ning. This money-grubbing woman—he had really misjudged her before!
Soon, Jian Ning finished counting the money and waved them off. “You can leave now!”
Lin Hongyun hurriedly took a piece of paper from her pocket. “Jian Ning, this is a receipt. Please sign it.”
Jian Ning gave her a mocking look, picked up a pen, and quickly signed it.
Seeing her sign, Lin Hongyun finally breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at Jian Ning and said, “Jian Ning, since you’ve taken the money, please keep your promise and don’t go back on your word.”
“Can you leave now?” Jian Ning said coldly, staring at them.
Lu Changzheng hadn’t expected Jian Ning to take the money so readily and act as if she didn’t care at all.
But how was that possible? Everyone knew exactly how Jian Ning felt about him!
He didn’t believe she would really let go. Who knew what schemes she was still hiding?
But no matter what she planned, he wouldn’t give her another chance!
With that thought, Lu Changzheng shot a cold glare at Jian Ning, then turned and left.
Jian Ning put the money away and was about to close the door when she saw Lu Xiaomei approaching from a distance.
Hah, perfect timing!
Lu Xiaomei also spotted Jian Ning. She quickly hid her angry expression, pretended to wipe her tears, and stepped forward. “Sister Jian Ning, didn’t you promise me the job at the textile factory? Why did you sell it to someone else? I trusted you so much—how could you play me like this! When I went to work today, they just kicked me out. They even… said someone like me isn’t fit to work in the factory, and they said…”
People nearby, hearing Lu Xiaomei’s sobbing complaints, couldn’t help but gather around.
Lu Xiaomei had deliberately drawn them over so she could better guilt-trip Jian Ning.
That way, even if Jian Ning didn’t want to, she’d have to give up the job for her!
Jian Ning watched her performance quietly, a mocking smile curling at the corners of her lips.
Playing the victim, fishing for sympathy, and then seizing the opportunity to get what she wanted—this was Lu Xiaomei’s usual trick.
“They’re right, you really aren’t worthy!” Jian Ning looked down at Lu Xiaomei from her superior position.
Lu Xiaomei choked back her words.
She hadn’t expected Jian Ning to humiliate her so directly. Resentment burned in her heart, but she maintained a pitiful expression on her face.
“Waa… Sister Jian Ning, even though you and my brother are no longer married, I’ve always treated you like my own sister! How… how can you say such things to me!”
“Can’t handle a few harsh words? I was just about to hit you!”
As she spoke, Jian Ning flexed her wrist, adopting a posture ready to strike.
Lu Xiaomei gritted her teeth and suddenly dropped to her knees before Jian Ning, looking up at her with tearful, pleading eyes.
“Sister Jian Ning, you just took the 2,000 yuan compensation from my brother. You clearly don’t need the money from selling your job!”
“But I’m different—I’m penniless and jobless. I’ll really die if this continues!”
“Sister Jian Ning, please, have some pity on me. Is that too much to ask?”
Lu Xiaomei tugged at her clothes, weeping pitifully.
Jian Ning shook her off coldly. “Whether you live or die is none of my business! I’m not your father—I have no obligation to take care of you!”
At this, the surrounding crowd couldn’t help but murmur, “How could she do this? She’s driving this poor girl to despair! What if the girl does something foolish? Could she take responsibility for that?”
“Exactly, this young lady is so pitiful. Jian Ning should just give her the job!”
“If you think she’s so pitiful, why don’t you give her your job?” Jian Ning shot a sidelong glance at the speaker, who immediately fell silent in fear.
Those two siblings from the Jian family—one reckless, the other a fat pig—were not to be trifled with.
Pushed to the ground, Lu Xiaomei seethed with hidden hatred before letting large tears roll down her cheeks, looking utterly wretched. She scrambled up from the ground and grabbed Jian Ning’s arm again, pleading pitifully, “Sister Jian Ning, I’ll buy it! I’ll pay for your job. Will that work?”
“Where’s the money?” Jian Ning directly stretched out her hand, demanding payment.
Lu Xiaomei bit her lip. “I… I don’t have that much right now.”
“But I can pay you back slowly. I’ll give you my entire salary every month until the debt is paid off. How about that?”
“You think there’s such a good deal in this world? Do you take me for a fool?”
“Get lost! If you don’t leave now, don’t blame me for being rude!”
Jian Ning let out a scornful laugh.
“Why? Why are you treating me like this, Jian Ning? Aren’t you afraid of karma?”
Lu Xiaomei cried while pointing an accusing finger, stirring up murmurs from the crowd.
She dared mention karma!
Looking at Lu Xiaomei’s face, Jian Ning suddenly recalled her previous life—how this woman had come to flaunt her superiority, cursing Jian Ning’s own parents as “old fools” with every breath.
That arrogant, triumphant face when she had viciously choked Jian Ning.
“I am your karma!”
Unable to restrain the impulse any longer, Jian Ning charged forward, pinned Lu Xiaomei beneath her, and began slapping her face repeatedly from both sides.
Pinned under Jian Ning’s nearly 200-pound frame, Lu Xiaomei had no chance to resist. Soon, her face was swollen and bruised, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth—a terrifying sight.
For a moment, everyone around stepped back fearfully.
Just then, a military vehicle stopped behind the crowd. Two men in military uniforms got out and witnessed the scene the moment they stepped down.