After Fang Yuan opened every Cartier gift box and looked them over, she stared for a long while, then held up the receipt and said to Zhou Ying: "What exactly is your relationship with this classmate of yours?"
Zhou Ying knew what Fang Yuan was really asking.
"We're just ordinary classmates."
Fang Yuan clearly didn't believe her. She studied Zhou Ying and said, "Ying'er, be honest with Mom—did you turn down Wang Yuan because of him?"
Zhou Ying shook her head and denied it again.
"I don't like Wang Yuan because of his character, not because of anyone else."
"Then what happened today with this classmate of yours? Why did he suddenly give you all these things?" Fang Yuan pressed, unwilling to let it go.
"We just bumped into each other and had a meal together."
"Then why did he buy you such expensive things? You two haven't already...?"
Seeing Fang Yuan's imagination running wild, Zhou Ying quickly refuted, "You're overthinking it. My classmate is loaded; in his eyes this stuff is probably worthless."
"Four hundred thousand yuan is worthless?" Fang Yuan stared at her daughter in shock.
Zhou Ying gave a helpless sigh and told Fang Yuan how she'd run into Jiang Cheng.
After hearing the story, Fang Yuan frowned. "Ying'er, do you like him because he's rich?"
"No. Right now we're only classmates, but even if I were with him, it wouldn't be because of his money. As long as I like him, I'd be with him whether he has money or not."
Fang Yuan smiled, shook her head teasingly and said, "You're young and clueless. What's the use of love? Can it fill your stomach? I'm doing this for your own good. Our family can still pull a few strings, and I don't want you to suffer all your life."
Seeing her mother start the usual lecture, Zhou Ying packed the things in annoyance and headed to her room.
Fang Yuan rolled her eyes in exasperation when Zhou Ying ignored her.
"This child is so foolish—just like I used to be."
Jiang Cheng arrived home soon after. The moment he walked in he saw Li Yan holding a plate of fruit while watching the evening news; Jiang Jianming was on the balcony making a phone call.
From his furrowed brow, it was clear the conversation wasn't going well.
Jiang Cheng sat beside Li Yan, took the fruit she offered, and asked while eating, "What's up with Dad?"
"The amusement-park project—looks like he won't get it. He's worried sick."
"Amusement park? I thought the talks were going smoothly a while ago."
"Something came up. Forget it; if he can't sign, let it go. Anyway, now that you can earn money, you don't need us anymore."
"..."
Jiang Cheng looked at Li Yan speechlessly; ever since he'd come clean, she'd become completely carefree.
Not only was she no longer worried he'd go cold or hungry, now she was even ready to stop earning money herself... The next noon, the moment Jiang Cheng woke up he checked for nearby big malls where he could swipe his card.
After all, he still had four Consumption Cashback Cards sitting in his system.
He located the newly opened luxury mall SKP.
Chengdu's SKP had noticeably fewer shoppers than Taikoo Li.
Everywhere he looked were high-end luxury brands.
After strolling casually for a bit, Jiang Cheng took the elevator to the second floor.
Just as he was studying the directory on the second floor—
a pair of soft, childish hands tugged at his trouser leg.
Then a cute little voice rang out: "Handsome big brother, why are you here?"
Jiang Cheng looked down and raised an eyebrow. "Annie?"
Seeing her alone, his face darkened. "You're by yourself?"
Annie shook her head and quickly pointed behind her. "My mom's right back there."
Jiang Cheng followed her finger and saw An Xin walking toward them with a gentle smile. "Mr. Jiang, what a coincidence."
Jiang Cheng nodded to her. "Sister Xin, you're out with her alone?"
An Xin knew what he meant and said apologetically, "It's safe here, so I go out alone. Just now this naughty child dashed off again."
Annie grabbed Jiang Cheng's pants and cooed, "Handsome big brother, I'm not running around anymore. I know Mommy's behind me, and I even wait for her."
Jiang Cheng patted her head resignedly. "At least you know. Don't dash off like that again—what if your mom can't catch up?"