Chapter 169: Plotting and Schemes

Deng Jinfeng first checked the bathroom on the ground floor, but finding the door open and the room empty, she headed to the second floor, only to find it deserted as well. Left with no other choice, she checked Jian An'an’s room. The room was sparsely furnished—a bed and a wardrobe—allowing Deng Jinfeng to see at a glance that there was no one inside. Unable to locate her, she told Jin Jianyi to call her.

The guests, losing interest in their meal, insisted that Jin Jianyi put the call on speaker.

"Beep... beep... beep..."

The ringing continued, and just as everyone began to think the call would go unanswered, Jian An'an’s voice finally came through.

"Hello? Jianyi... brother, why are you calling me?"

Everyone could hear that her voice sounded rather weak. Jin Jianyi asked with concern, "What’s wrong? Why do you sound so strange?"

Jian An'an glanced at Shen Yue beside her, deliberating for a moment before replying, "My stomach is feeling a bit unwell..."

It wasn't just her stomach. Had it not been for the thick grass below, she would have surely suffered a concussion from her fall.

"Where are you right now?"

"Wait a moment, I'm still feeling a bit faint."

"Do you want me to come and get you?"

"No, it's fine. I'll be better after resting for a while."

"You..."

Before Jin Jianyi could finish, Jian An'an interrupted him anxiously, "That's enough for now, I'll be back soon."

Seeing Jin Jianyi get hung up on, the guests at the table began to tease him. "Who would have thought, Jianyi is henpecked." "You better treat Jian An'an well when she gets back."

Although they were joking, the comments left a sour taste in Deng Jinfeng’s mouth. She slammed her hand on the table. "Eat!"

With just that one word, everyone fell silent. The guests seemed quite afraid of Deng Jinfeng. It is said that two tigers cannot share one mountain; Deng Jinfeng was a strong-willed woman who had even managed to keep her gambling-addicted husband in check. She would never allow a woman like Jian An'an to enter her family.

Meanwhile, after hanging up, Jian An'an grabbed Shen Yue’s hand and spoke urgently: "Shen Yue, are you not hateful that you can't reach the man you love because of Song Wanning?"

Shen Yue’s mournful face shifted into a look of malice. "I hate her!"

"Then there is an opportunity for revenge. Are you in?"

"No matter the cost, I'm in!"

"Good. Since you have the resolve, I will tell you the method. Just do exactly as I say."

Shen Yue nodded heavily, her eyes filled with determination. Jian An'an leaned in and whispered in her ear. As she listened, Shen Yue’s eyes grew brighter. Once Jian An'an finished, she gripped her hands. "Thank you so much! As long as I can take revenge on Song Wanning, money is no issue! I’m going back to find my father now!"

"Go on then."

Jian An'an watched her with a meaningful look and waved goodbye. Once the car pulled away, she took out her phone and sent a message to Song Xin.

[Don't be sad for too long; your days will be happy soon enough.]

Song Xin replied immediately with a string of question marks, but Jian An'an had other things to attend to and silenced her phone without replying.

After climbing back over the wall into the Jin family living room, she found Deng Jinfeng sitting there, radiating an air of superiority. "Where have you been? Why couldn't I find you anywhere?"

Jian An'an lowered her eyes, feigning innocence as she explained that she had been feeling unwell and went to find medicine. Jin Jianyi stepped forward to ask after her, but with no evidence, Deng Jinfeng couldn't do much despite her annoyance. She simply dismissed the servants and, once the guests had left, ordered Jian An'an to wash the pile of dishes alone.

As Jian An'an scrubbed the dishes, she seethed with resentment, thinking, "Song Wanning, you're finished. Your good days are coming to an end!" She never stopped to consider that it was her own lack of substance combined with her desperate desire to climb the social ladder that led to her being ostracized and unable to fight back. These were all her own choices, and she had no one else to blame.

By midnight, Jian An'an had finally finished cleaning the living room. Her waist felt like it was about to snap, and her hands were aching. Looking up, she saw Jin Jianyi peeking at her from the stairwell.

"Why are you here?"

Deng Jinfeng had forbidden him from coming down to help her, and he had obeyed. He had done so right in front of her, showing a clear disregard for her feelings. Because of this, Jian An'an felt a touch of resentment toward his perceived uselessness and was less than warm toward him.

Jin Jianyi knew he couldn't protect her and lacked the confidence to speak up. "Ah... right, I just wanted to see if you were asleep yet."

Jian An'an rolled her eyes. "Almost."

She headed upstairs, brushing past him without another word.

"An... An'an."

Jin Jianyi was truly caught between two women, daring not to defy either.

Back in her room, Jian An'an checked her phone and saw several messages from only two people. She ignored the ones from the insignificant Song Xin and turned her attention to Sister Yu.

Sister Yu rarely messaged her, as she was busy managing other, more promising young stars. Though they didn't have as much popularity as Jian An'an yet, their momentum threatened to eclipse her soon.

She opened the chat. Sister Yu had sent a message earlier: [Qisheng is still holding onto your contract and refusing to let you go. They are at the end of their rope, so they won't let you leave easily, but it doesn't matter. We have time to wear them down.]

[Don't be anxious, and don't pay attention to the news online. For people like you, even bad publicity is publicity. Just listen to my arrangements. Go to Qisheng the day after tomorrow to check the situation; I hear a new shareholder is coming.]

Receiving no reply, Sister Yu had sent a few question marks. After a long pause, she added: [I see you're quite busy on the variety show. Reply when you have time.]

Jian An'an noticed the two periods at the end of the message. Being sharp, she knew Sister Yu's habits—even if her words seemed polite, she was clearly displeased. Jian An'an quickly typed out a long, apologetic essay, knowing that was what Sister Yu liked.

As expected, Sister Yu replied in the next second.

[So the busy bee has finally appeared.]

[Perform well on the show. Having Jin Jianyi’s mother as a shield is a good opportunity to clean up your image. Strive to get a good score with Jin Jianyi so you can free up time for the day after tomorrow. It's late now, get some rest.]

Jian An'an replied obediently, but as she put her phone away, her expression turned grim.