Jiang Mengran felt a chill run through her entire body. She clenched her fists tightly, as if hearing endless mockery and laughter in her ears, making her feel utterly ashamed.
Jiang Mengmei also finally sensed something was wrong, especially after hearing what Chu Rong said to the security guards. She was stunned. How could her brother-in-law treat her like this?
"Brother-in-law..." she reached out to grab Chu Rong.
Chu Rong's brows furrowed, and he avoided her, his eyes betraying his disgust.
Wang Xiao quickly turned to the security guards, "Don't you want to work here anymore?"
The two security guards jolted, and immediately grabbed Jiang Mengmei from both sides, dragging her towards the exit.
Jiang Mengmei was both angry and humiliated, screaming, "Sister, sister, save me quickly. Let go of your pig trotters, let go of me."
Jiang Mengran felt as if countless slaps were landing on her face, making her dizzy with anger. Tears welled up in her eyes, "ARong, even if you're angry, you can't treat me like this. Have you forgotten us back then?"
Chu Rong strode forward, leaving only his back to Jiang Mengran.
The receptionist who had been hit finally felt a sense of relief, her mockery evident. "I think someone is crazy about climbing into our CEO Chu's bed, so shameless. If it were me, I wouldn't be able to show my face."
"But someone's skin is thicker than the city walls. Our CEO Chu hasn't even glanced at her, yet she shamelessly tries to get close. She's really trying hard to get ahead," another receptionist chimed in with a laugh.
Jiang Mengran's eyes burned with hatred, but the sound of Jiang Mengmei banging on the door from outside made her feel even more ashamed. She walked out a few steps, grabbed Jiang Mengmei, and pulled her to a more secluded spot before slapping her without a word.
Jiang Mengmei froze for a few moments after being hit, then roared, "You hit me, how dare you hit me."
"Because I..." Jiang Mengran paused abruptly, then continued, "Because I'm your sister. It's one thing that you're brainless usually, but you actually came to my company to embarrass me. Are you a pig's brain?"
Having been provoked twice, Jiang Mengmei's anger had reached its peak. She retaliated fiercely, gritting her teeth and slapping Jiang Mengran across the face. "Who embarrassed whom? I see it clearly now. You're not even a speck of dust in Brother Chu's eyes. And you're still pretending in front of me.
No wonder I've always been bullied and ridiculed? Turns out Brother Chu never took you seriously. Well, after all, you're past your prime, so don't dream of a spring romance. If you can't do it, I will."
Jiang Mengran covered her face, shocked and furious. "You hit me, you dare to hit me. And what do you mean by that? Explain yourself."
Jiang Mengmei snorted, "This slap is to tell you that I've grown up, and you can't boss me around anymore." With that, she turned and left, her high heels clicking loudly.
The receptionist hiding in the corner had recorded the entire scene and immediately sent it to the group chat. In an instant, the rumors about the design department director attempting to climb the corporate ladder spread throughout the company.
...
At the door of Unit 1004, Building Seven, in Lijing Yuncheng, Mimi, holding a bouquet of paper roses, said in a childish voice, "It's Mommy's birthday today, what birthday gift did you prepare?"
Tutu proudly opened his schoolbag, "I'm going to give Mom a sky full of stars."
Chu Rong's steps involuntarily halted because of the children's words. He looked over. They were the children from the opposite apartment, a boy and a girl, twins, looking similar yet with distinct features, appearing to be about four or five years old.
Chu Rong's gaze was uncontrollably drawn to the two children's faces. An indescribable sense of closeness and familiarity made him frown slightly. What was this suffocating feeling?
Before he could think further, the two children opened the door and went inside.
Chu Rong stood in the empty hallway for a long time before coming back to his senses, opening his door, and entering the house.
He walked into the bedroom and opened the walk-in closet. Inside, besides his daily wear, there were more women's items. Clothes, jewelry, and shoes of all kinds were present.
Chu Rong opened a drawer. Inside, four boxes were neatly arranged, each with a different star. He took out another box and placed it in the drawer. Then, he stared blankly at the box, lost in thought.
Beneath the box lay a yellowed piece of paper, but the five characters at the top were still striking. Chu Rong stared at the paper, his gaze growing increasingly gloomy. Finally, with a dark expression, he closed the drawer, left the walk-in closet.
...
Quan Jiu arrived at the kindergarten but was informed that her son and daughter had already returned home. She then turned back home.
As soon as the door opened, the house was pitch black. Quan Jiu found it strange and was about to turn on the light when the room suddenly lit up, revealing a dazzling starry sky, as if she were in an ocean of stars.
Mimi, holding a bouquet of paper roses, presented it, "Mommy, happy birthday."
Tutu held a paper cupcake and smiled, "Mommy, happy birthday."
Seeing her son and daughter so well-behaved and sensible, Quan Jiu was deeply moved. She crouched down and pecked each child on the cheek, "Thank you, my darlings. I'm so happy to have you."
Tutu fed Quan Jiu a bite of the cake, then swallowed enviously, "Mommy, I want to eat braised pork ribs tonight."
Quan Jiu's mouth was full of sweetness. She stroked Mimi and Tutu's heads, saying affectionately, "Okay, okay. Although it's not made by Mommy, it will surely taste good. Today, Mommy will take you out to eat."
Just as she finished speaking, her phone rang. It was Jiang Nan Chen.
Quan Jiu answered the phone, "Hello, I'll be ready to leave soon."
Jiang Nan Chen's voice was full of apology, "Jiujiu, the Minister of Investment from Chu Group called me just now, saying they wanted to discuss investment matters. I initially refused, citing that I was hosting a banquet for you tonight, but he took the opportunity to say he wanted to join as well. I couldn't directly refuse. Do you mind? If you do, I'll push him away."
Chu Group.
Quan Jiu's hand holding the phone began to tremble uncontrollably. She gripped the phone, trying her best to keep her voice from sounding abnormal, "I don't want people to know Nine's identity yet, but you don't need to push him away. Business is important. You talk to him about the investment first. We can have dinner anytime, it doesn't matter."
"But..." Jiang Nan Chen sounded reluctant, "Then I'll arrange another time with him. It's not urgent anyway."
"It's fine, it's best if it can be settled today, so we don't have to meet again later," Quan Jiu said truthfully.
Since that was the case, Jiang Nan Chen couldn't say anything more. After a moment's pause, he tentatively asked, "My mother is having a birthday banquet next week. If I invite you, will you come... Wang Feifei will also be there. I've only invited a few friends like you."
"Okay," Quan Jiu smiled and agreed.
Jiang Nan Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief and hung up the phone.
Tutu took Quan Jiu's phone and said regretfully, "Tsk... the free meal that was almost in our mouths is gone."
Quan Jiu pinched Tutu's cheek, "Let's go buy groceries, Mommy will make you braised pork ribs."
Mimi and Tutu cheered. The mother and children left with their shopping bags.
...
Lijing Yuncheng lived up to its reputation as a high-end residential area. Just diagonally across from the complex was a large supermarket, where anything could be found.
However, in the five years Chu Rong had lived there, he had only visited the supermarket a handful of times. He asked several sales assistants before finally finding the daily necessities section. After browsing the daily necessities section for several laps, he finally found toothpaste.
After taking a tube of toothpaste from the shelf, Chu Rong intended to go to the checkout. But as he turned, he caught sight of a familiar figure. His whole body stiffened, and the toothpaste in his hand was directly squeezed out of shape.