The small rental room is cramped and narrow, resembling a prison at first glance, where you can only enter but not leave. The penniless choose this tiny room as their place of refuge because it has all the necessary amenities: a kitchen, toilet, living room, and bedroom.
Ji Xiaoxiao sat cross-legged on the wooden bed, a sinister and shameful smile plastered on her beautiful face. Hearing Li's mother's inquiry about Li Ling'er's whereabouts, Ji Xiaoxiao felt a cruel stab to the heart.
"Auntie, Ling'er isn't here with me." Ji Xiaoxiao opened the door and invited Li's mother in. "Auntie, did something happen to Ling'er?"
Li's mother looked anxious and had no time to observe Ji Xiaoxiao's doghouse. Her bewildered eyes scanned the small rented room, but she didn't find her beloved daughter. Her hunched body bent even lower to the ground.
“Ling’er went to her cousin’s party last night, and she hasn’t come back yet. I asked her cousin this morning, and she said that Ling’er left halfway through the party. Xiaohua, I’m so scared. I’ve searched everywhere Ling’er knows and places she frequents, but I just can’t find her.” After explaining, Li’s mother turned to leave.
In the vast sea of people, finding someone is no easy task. Li Ling'er is now her friend, and she can't just stand by and watch her die. Ji Xiaoxiao grabbed a coat and joined Li's mother in the search for the beauty. By nightfall, Li Ling'er was still nowhere to be found.
"If anything happens to Ling'er, I won't live either." Li's mother held a handkerchief in her hand, looking at Li Yan who kept pacing back and forth in the living room, her expression filled with grief and indignation but also a glimmer of hope.
Ji Xiaoxiao sat to the side, her little hand idly stroking Li's mother's back. According to the original owner's memories, Li Ling'er had an accident in her previous life, but lived a peaceful and uneventful life under Zhao Batian's protection. Who was responsible for her mysterious disappearance in this life? Ji Xiaoxiao was lost in endless speculation.
Some wept, others remained silent. In the vast, opulent living room, the crystal chandelier silently emitted a soft glow, showcasing the owner's luxurious elegance. Thin silver threads connected individual teardrop-shaped imitation diamonds, hanging vertically in strings that shone dazzlingly under the light.
Ji Xiaoxiao glanced at the lamps above her head, silently estimating the price in her mind, looking as relaxed and carefree as if she were on a picnic. Feigning nonchalance, Ji Xiaoxiao was actually feeling incredibly anxious, like she was carrying fifteen rabbits in her arms.
"Master, Madam, Miss is back." An elderly woman strode along, talking animatedly as she walked. Her neatly combed hair, which was meticulously styled, had a couple of silver strands that broke free and started to playfully wriggle as she moved quickly.
The good news came so suddenly that Ji Xiaoxiao jumped to her feet and looked outside. Li Ling'er was in a terrible state, her fair face streaked with red, and mud was everywhere on her body; she looked utterly wretched. Despite her physical abuse, Li Ling'er's spirit was high. She was holding someone's arm with her right hand and waving her left hand vigorously, shouting loudly, "Dad, Mom, your daughter is back!"
Ji Xiaoxiao was genuinely happy for Li Ling'er's safe return. However, upon seeing Zhao Batian beside Li Ling'er, Ji Xiaoxiao's eyes narrowed into slits.
The group returned to the living room, where Li Ling'er, without pausing for a moment, launched into a passionate speech, recounting her and Zhao Batian's heroic deeds. Ji Xiaoxiao listened patiently to every word, and thirty minutes later, the long speech concluded.
Zhao Batian must be the illegitimate son of Lady Luck, otherwise how could he have stumbled upon such a miraculous encounter while simply gathering herbs, rescuing Li Ling'er from being kidnapped? Li Ling'er, too, possesses a magical constitution that seems to be plagued by bad luck; she should just stay home and not wander around causing trouble for others.
Ji Xiaoxiao frowned, thinking that by rescuing Li Ling'er first, Zhao Batian's support would be reduced, and she could manipulate him as she pleased in the future. But judging from Li Ling'er's words, which revealed her admiration for Zhao Batian, it wouldn't be long before friends became lovers.
Ji Xiaoxiao realized that Zhao Batian had outmaneuvered her and she had suffered a crushing defeat. Ji Xiaoxiao was a typical stubborn mule who wouldn't turn back until she hit a brick wall. Despite her resentment, she continued to fight relentlessly, her anger burning ever brighter.
Through these social interactions, Zhao Batian became a frequent visitor to the Li family. A month passed, and the visits continued. The two villagers, working together seamlessly, pretended not to know each other, acting as complete strangers.
"Alas, Old Master Situ's illness is getting worse and worse. I don't think he'll make it through the year. That girl Yutong is very filial; she even promised a large sum of money with no demands for the old man's sake. But a person's fate is not in their own hands," Li Yan shook his head and sighed.
Upon hearing this, Ji Xiaoxiao indeed heard that Situ Yutong, one of Zhao Batian's wives, had arrived shortly after. When Zhao Batian learned of the Situ family's hefty reward, he immediately went to treat her. In just one night, the nearly lifeless old man, Situ, seemed to have been given a miraculous cure; the next morning, he appeared before everyone, radiant and full of energy. Zhao Batian gained immense fame, wealth, and even won the heart of a beautiful woman with this act. It was a near-risky deal, yet the returns were in the tens of millions.
Just like in her previous life, Zhao Batian volunteered himself, and Li Yan, out of consideration for Zhao Batian being Li Ling'er's savior, couldn't refuse and reluctantly agreed. Ji Xiaoxiao, of course, wouldn't let such a good opportunity slip away. Since Zhao Batian could use his gratitude to coerce her, she wasn't going to be left behind and followed him closely.
Upon arriving at the Situ residence, Ji Xiaoxiao kept her eyes straight ahead, showing no interest in appreciating the beautiful scenery within the courtyard, and followed closely behind Li Yan step by step.
“Uncle Li.” Situ Yutong walked out of a house, her firm steps slightly unsteady.
Ji Xiaoxiao looked in the direction of the voice and saw Situ Yutong wearing a silk dress. The dress was elegant and simple, highlighting her beautiful face beneath her healthy skin, making her appear even more ethereal. Her pure black hair reached her waist and was styled in a natural updo with a jade hairpin. Her phoenix eyes were clear and bright, like a still lake when she looked up. When she was angry or upset, her gaze was cold and sharp, beyond description.
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