Jiang Jiang's words made Xie Wanwan's expression grow even uglier. Ji Heyuan at the side wanted to laugh but did not dare, holding it in until her face looked somewhat twisted.
It was the first time Fu Xihe and the others had heard about Jiang Jiang's background. Hearing this, they were all somewhat shocked.
Jiang Jiang, however, did not feel that she had said anything particularly startling. She looked at Xie Wanwan at her leisure, not missing any subtle reaction on the other's face.
Xie Wanwan first awkwardly tugged at the corners of her lips. After realizing she truly could not smile, she took a deep breath and said tearfully, "Cousin, how can you say that?"
"Aunt must have you in her heart. If she knew we had turned things into this, even underground she would not be at peace."
If Jiang Jiang were truly Xie Xiao, she might have been stung by those words. Unfortunately, she was not.
So Jiang Jiang said nothing. She simply watched Xie Wanwan perform quietly.
She kept refusing to respond, leaving Xie Wanwan alone and unable to step down.
After several times, Xie Wanwan probably figured out Jiang Jiang's temperament and realized this trick was useless on her.
She simply went straight to the point. "Cousin, where are you living now? Why haven't you contacted us?"
While saying this, Xie Wanwan intentionally or unintentionally glanced at Ji Heyuan.
Jiang Jiang understood. She had indeed come for Ji Heyuan. Or rather, she had come for the Ji family's wealth.
"Where I live is not important." Jiang Jiang paused. "What about you? Where are you living now?"
Xie Wanwan had been waiting for exactly that question. As soon as Jiang Jiang finished speaking, she immediately replied, "We rented an apartment in an old residential complex. But the rent is about to expire, and we don't know where we'll go next."
As she spoke, she wiped her tears again. Her choked tone moved Yan Ke and the others, who did not know the full story.
"Mom is sick. Treating her requires a lot of money. Dad was anxious to earn money, but he accidentally injured his leg." She looked at Jiang Jiang with tearful eyes. "Now both of them are in the hospital."
Jiang Jiang pondered. Would Xie Wanwan's parents look like the Duke and Concubine Zhou?
If so, Jiang Jiang really wanted to go take a look, to see how the two who had once been glorious and dignified in another world were living here.
There was no other meaning. She was simply narrow-minded and wanted to mock them.
Xie Wanwan did not know what Jiang Jiang was thinking. Seeing Jiang Jiang's thoughtful expression, she thought Jiang Jiang had believed her, and she could not help feeling delighted.
She had long heard that this cousin of hers was a brainless fool. Just now she had almost been bluffed by Jiang Jiang, almost believing the rumors were wrong and that "Xie Xiao" had become harder to deceive.
Who would have thought? A fool was still a fool. A few simple words were enough to trick her.
Xie Wanwan felt disdain in her heart, but her face looked even more pitiful. "Cousin, I really have no other way. I heard you're studying at S University, so I could only come and rely on you."
She truly was not good at acting. No matter how hard she tried to disguise it, the fleeting mockery at the corner of her eyes and brows was still caught by Jiang Jiang.
Jiang Jiang nodded slightly. "I deeply sympathize with your family's experience. However, I myself am currently living under someone else's roof. I'm afraid I can't help you."
After hearing this, Ji Heyuan and the others all had different reactions.
They were not fools. Although Xie Wanwan looked pitiful, Jiang Jiang's repeated refusals were enough to explain everything. Her relationship with this cousin was far from as close as Xie Wanwan claimed.
Although Jiang Jiang was currently staying at the Ji family's home, she was Ji Xu'an's fiancée. Even Ji Heyuan had to listen to her. If she truly wanted to help Xie Wanwan, it would only take a single sentence.
Her refusal was not because she was incapable, but because she was unwilling.
Xie Wanwan grew anxious. "Cousin, I heard you're in a relationship. Your girlfriend is the chairwoman of Linghai Group?"
Jiang Jiang answered with a question. "Who did you hear that from?"
Xie Wanwan stammered, "Just heard it from others. It's not some secret, right?"
At this moment, Ji Heyuan also sensed something was wrong. Why did this cousin seem to be targeting her sister?
Could she have been sent by Arkle?
Ji Heyuan took two steps back and quietly took out her phone to send her sister a message.
[Ji Heyuan: Come quickly to the entrance of the second cafeteria!]
After sending it, she put her phone back in her pocket and continued listening to the conversation between Jiang Jiang and Xie Wanwan.
Seeing Jiang Jiang remain silent, Xie Wanwan continued, "I know you two aren't married yet. Asking you to speak up and request President Ji's help is indeed making things difficult for you. But my parents really can't wait any longer."
As she spoke, she suddenly bent both knees and knelt heavily in front of Jiang Jiang.
This action stunned everyone present. Even passersby could not help but cast frequent glances, and some even stopped to watch.
From the moment Xie Wanwan had deliberately chosen the place with the heaviest foot traffic to stop her, Jiang Jiang had guessed that she likely had a plan.
At this moment she felt no surprise at all. She even had a sense of relief, as if finally it had come.
"I'm begging you, Cousin. Please help us!"
Tears streamed down Xie Wanwan's cheeks. She looked up at Jiang Jiang through blurry eyes. "I'll do anything you ask!"
"I know I don't have any skills. I only have strength." As she spoke, she bit her lip. "I can go to your house and work as a maid to take care of you."
She deliberately emphasized, "No pay!"
Jiang Jiang looked at her for a few seconds, then slowly lifted her head and glanced at the surrounding onlookers. She noticed someone holding up a phone taking photos, and her brows furrowed slightly.
Seeing this, Ji Heyuan stepped forward and grabbed Xie Wanwan's arm. "If you want to talk, then talk. Why are you kneeling?"
"And telling Xie Xiao is useless. In our family, my sister makes the decisions. Even Xie Xiao has to get money from my sister."
"Instead of begging Xie Xiao, you might as well talk to me. I'm richer than she is."
When Ji Heyuan said this, she did not dare look at Jiang Jiang at all.
Others did not know the truth and felt that Ji Heyuan made sense. Only Jiang Jiang knew that in reality, Ji Heyuan was poorer than she was now.
Jiang Jiang still had the pocket money Ji Xu'an gave her. Ji Heyuan, however, had given all her savings to Zheng Zhouzhou and could not take out any money at all.
But no one else knew that!
Hearing this, everyone only felt that Jiang Jiang was not actually living that well. Although her fiancée was quite wealthy, that money was not hers!
Maybe she also had to tread carefully at home.
Sigh. This was the consequence of being mismatched in status!
Xie Wanwan was somewhat stunned. But being able to obtain Ji Heyuan's promise meant this trip had not been in vain. So she followed Ji Heyuan's strength to stand up and, in turn, grabbed Ji Heyuan's hand.
"Are you really willing to help me?"
As she said this, she subtly glanced at Jiang Jiang.
"Xie Xiao" was indeed a useless waste. She had been in the Ji family for so long and still had to live by watching the expressions of the Ji sisters. If it were her…
Ji Heyuan felt as if she had been stuck with a piece of chewing gum. Xie Wanwan grabbing her hand also made her feel very uncomfortable.
Ji Heyuan turned back and looked at Jiang Jiang as if asking for help. She did not realize that her current predicament also had something to do with Jiang Jiang.
Jiang Jiang pondered for a moment. "Little Yuan, what do you think we should do?"
She blinked at Ji Heyuan.
At that moment, Ji Heyuan suddenly had a flash of inspiration. Her usually muddled brain was rarely clever for once. She patted her chest and turned to Xie Wanwan. "It's fine. Our family has money. As long as it's something that can be solved with money, for our family it's nothing."
Before Xie Wanwan could show joy, Ji Heyuan changed her tone. "However, our family's money didn't come from a strong wind."
"I still need to confirm whether what you're saying is true."
Xie Wanwan wiped her tears and looked at Ji Heyuan with burning eyes. "Classmate Ji, don't worry. I really didn't lie to you."
Her voice was much gentler than when she had been speaking to Jiang Jiang.
"I have photos and videos. If you really don't believe me, I can also take you to the hospital to see."
As she spoke, Xie Wanwan quickly took out her phone from her pocket and showed Ji Heyuan the photos she had prepared in advance.
Jiang Jiang moved closer without leaving a trace and glanced at them. Immediately her brows lifted slightly, and deep thought surfaced in her eyes.
Sure enough, old acquaintances.
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