The conversation between the three drifted into Di Mingjue's ears without a single word missed.
"C-Cousin..." Zhao Yanxia greeted stutteringly.
Di Mingjue sat there like a ferocious Yama, the King of Hell.
Wu Xuerou nervously snapped her newly done fingernails, cowering with her head tucked, wishing she could burrow a hole into the ground.
"Mingjue, when did you get here?" Jiang Ziyu broke free from her restraints and walked towards Di Mingjue.
Wu Xuerou and Zhao Yanxia stood frozen like statues, afraid to move.
In reality, Jiang Ziyu knew exactly when Di Mingjue had appeared.
"When you were setting up your classes," Di Mingjue replied.
As soon as he spoke, Zhao Yanxia choked on her unswallowed saliva, coughing violently.
Whether it was her flushed face from coughing or guilt, Zhao Yanxia, with a face the color of liver, shook her head and explained, "Cousin, you've misunderstood. I was just joking with cousin-in-law."
"Is that so?" Di Mingjue questioned icily.
Zhao Yanxia mechanically nodded her head rapidly to affirm.
After a moment's thought, Di Mingjue said to her, "In that case, why don't you start a class yourself? Teach people how to become eloquent!"
The compliment turned into a derogatory term when applied to Zhao Yanxia.
She collapsed onto the floor with a thud, melting into a heap of exhaustion, "C-cousin really knows how to joke."
"You're being modest. How could I possibly match your jokes?" Di Mingjue's every word was laced with barbs, silencing her.
The farce ended with Zhao Yanxia's lack of response.
After leaving the living room, Jiang Ziyu, who had been suppressing her laughter, could no longer hold it in. She burst out laughing, giving Di Mingjue a thumbs-up, "Amazing!"
She knew he was sharp-tongued, but not *this* sharp!
"You're usually quite talkative, why are you speechless when you encounter them? Or were they right about you, feeling guilty and unable to retort?" Di Mingjue turned back and taunted.
Well, a compliment was all it took for her true colors to show.
Jiang Ziyu smiled helplessly, playing along with his arrogance, "It's because I'm not as skilled as you. I was deliberately giving you an opportunity to showcase your talents."
Sensing the hidden meaning, Di Mingjue snorted and sternly warned, "You'd best behave yourself and limit your contact with other men."
"Don't worry. For the duration of this year's contract, I guarantee I won't be caught getting intimate with any man, so you won't be wearing a cuckold's hat," Jiang Ziyu said, pushing him towards the car.
Shen Lin had been waiting for a long time. Today was the quarterly shareholder meeting.
Taking the wheelchair from Jiang Ziyu, Shen Lin helped Di Mingjue into the back seat.
"I have matters to attend to today, so I won't be bringing you lunch," Jiang Ziyu said. "Please trouble Assistant Shen with lunch."
"Where are you going?" Di Mingjue pressed.
"Personal matters, it's not convenient to say."
Unfeeling woman!
Thinking of her mention of the year-long marriage contract just now, and seeing her casual demeanor, Di Mingjue's anger flared. He ordered Shen Lin to close the car door and then yelled at the driver to drive away.
Smelling the pungent exhaust fumes, Jiang Ziyu couldn't understand why he was throwing a tantrum again.
Forget it, why bother with him!
Jiang Ziyu shook her head and turned to enter the living room.
With Di Mingjue's verbal reprimand, Zhao Yanxia and Wu Xuerou dared not confront her directly.
As she moved from the living room towards the upper floor, Jiang Ziyu felt murderous gazes.
After she went upstairs, Wu Xuerou looked at Zhao Yanxia, who was looking away, "Do you think she did it on purpose? We were facing away from the stairs just now, while she was facing them. When did Cousin arrive, and she wouldn't have seen him?"
Zhao Yanxia withdrew her gaze, listening to Wu Xuerou's speculation.
"She's very capable. A while ago, when you were abroad, she managed to charm the old lady completely. She even got the heirloom jade bangles. It makes me feel it's not worth it for you. You worked hard for these three years, but the old lady is still holding back from you."