Countless people had exhausted every possible connection, spent fortunes and favours, all just for a chance to reach the Wang family and now, because of a single transaction, that coveted contact was being handed to him openly. Suppressing his excitement, he immediately completed the transfer. Two hundred thousand, sent successfully. Fang Liyun glanced at the notification, then looked up and said evenly, "I've proven my abilities today. May I go home now and officially join from tomorrow?" Ma Rongde nodded at once. "Of course."
In his heart, however, he knew very well that Madam Wang would never truly come to work as a boutique manager. Today had been an exception, the one made solely because of Wu Qingyi. His curiosity burned fiercely. What exactly is the relationship between these two? But he also understood one golden rule all too well - Curiosity kills the cat. So, he wisely swallowed his questions and said nothing.
The ex-manager watched the scene unravel before her eyes, her face draining of all colour. She had lost. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that the "beggar" she mocked would close a deal worth twenty million where ten million had already seemed impossible, let alone this. Regret clawed at her heart, each arrogant word she had spoken earlier now returning like a slap to her own face. Seizing the moment while everyone's attention was elsewhere, she tried to slip away quietly, hoping to vanish before anyone remembered the bet.
But how could she escape Wu Qingyi's eyes? The instant she took a step toward the exit, a sharp, commanding voice cut through the air. "Stop right there." Her footsteps froze. "You're not leaving," Wu Qingyi said coldly, her gaze piercing, "until you kneel and apologize to my pretty sister." The ex-manager's body stiffened. After a long, humiliating pause, she turned back slowly. Pride burned in her chest, she could lose her job, but kneeling? That was too much. Forcing an awkward smile, she said stiffly, "Let's just forget about the bet. I was only joking. It was all said in fun." Her words rang hollow in the suffocating silence.
Wu Qingyi did not retreat in the slightest. She turned calmly toward Ma Rongde, her voice light yet carrying an unquestionable chill. "She kneels and apologizes to Sister Fang," she said evenly, "or I won't mind seeing Royal Meridian Mall shut down." The words struck Ma Rongde like a thunderbolt. Cold sweat broke out on his back. He knew better than anyone that this was no empty threat. If he failed to satisfy this little ancestor, the mall, his career, his reputation, everything would collapse overnight.
His expression hardened instantly. Striding toward the ex-manager, he lashed out with a sharp kick to the back of her knees. She cried out as her legs buckled, her body crashing to the floor with a dull thud. "Kneel," Ma Rongde barked coldly. "You have two choices. First - kneel and apologize. Second - you're banned from the entire industry. No mall, no brand will ever hire you again." The ex-manager's face turned ashen. She knew all too well that he had the power to make good on that threat. A total ban meant the end of her livelihood, her future, everything. Panic flooded her chest. No… she couldn't afford that. Scrambling forward on her knees, she rushed toward Fang Liyun, her earlier arrogance shattered completely. "I'm sorry! I was wrong!" she cried, voice shaking as tears streamed down her face. "Please forgive me! Please don't let the director ban me! I beg you, please!" Her forehead nearly touched the ground as she pleaded, dignity crushed beyond repair.
Fang Liyun glanced at the time and realized she had already been delayed far too long. She had no interest in dragging the matter out any further. Her expression remained calm as she spoke lightly, almost dismissively. "It's fine," she said. "Just leave." Those two simple words were like a pardon from the heavens. The ex-manager's eyes lit up with relief. She didn't dare say another word, nor did she dare linger. Turning on her heels, she fled the boutique as if chased by ghosts, terrified that staying even a second longer might cost her everything and earn her a permanent ban. With the farce finally over, Wu Qingyi, Fang Liyun, and Su Nian walked out of the boutique together.
As they stepped outside, Wu Qingyi looked up at Fang Liyun with bright, sincere eyes and said softly, "Pretty Sister Fang, you're really too kind." Su Nian nearly burst out laughing. She hurriedly turned it into a cough, pressing a fist to her lips, her shoulders shaking slightly. In her heart, she couldn't help but think - this little ancestor was probably the first person in the world to ever describe her boss as kind.
Fang Liyun shot her assistant a sharp glance, instantly silencing whatever thoughts were dancing behind Su Nian's eyes. She knew that look far too well. Then she turned to Wu Qingyi, her expression softening as she explained, "Actually, my son and daughter-in-law are registering their marriage today. I still need to buy gifts for them, so I didn't want to waste time on someone so undeserving. That's why I let her go so easily." Wu Qingyi listened attentively, then nodded in understanding. A bright, excited smile bloomed on her face. "Really? That's wonderful!" she said happily. "What a coincidence… Today, I'm also getting my marriage certificate with my husband."
Fang Liyun suddenly recalled the message Aunt Qiao had sent her earlier, the one that mentioned her future daughter-in-law being mentally challenged. Thinking back on everything that had happened today, the pieces slowly began to fall into place. Wu Qingyi's innocence, her unguarded words, her fearless sincerity, and the way she interacted with people… all of it now made sense. A realization stirred quietly in Fang Liyun's heart.
Could it be her?
If Wu Qingyi truly was the daughter-in-law Aunt Qiao had mentioned, Fang Liyun knew she wouldn't feel disappointment but only joy. In fact, she found herself liking this girl more and more with every passing moment. Still, such matters couldn't be decided on feelings alone. She needed to be certain. After a brief pause, Fang Liyun looked at Wu Qingyi and asked gently, "Qingyi, can you tell me what your husband is like?" Her tone was casual, but her eyes were keen, quietly observing every reaction.
Standing to the side, Su Nian stiffened slightly. She knew exactly why her boss had asked that question. Before coming here, Fang Liyun had already told her about the situation with her future daughter-in-law. As Su Nian looked at Wu Qingyi now, the same thought crossed her mind - Could this girl really be the future young madam of the Wang family? The air seemed to grow subtly tense as both women waited for Wu Qingyi's answer.
Wu Qingyi's eyes lit up instantly when the topic shifted to her husband. Without the slightest hesitation, she began to speak, her tone bright and sincere.
"He's very handsome."
Fang Liyun and Su Nian exchanged a glance and silently checked the first point.
✔ Could be Wang Lingxuan.
Wu Qingyi continued happily, "He's quite tall."
Another look passed between them.
✔ Second match.
Then she added, "He's a businessman."
Though she knew he no longer managed the company personally, in her heart he still carried that bearing. She said it with quiet certainty.
✔ Third match.
Fang Liyun's heart lifted, and even Su Nian felt a surge of anticipation. For a fleeting moment, both of them truly believed that this girl standing before them might be Wang Lingxuan's future bride.
But then…
Wu Qingyi's smile faded. Her voice softened, tinged with sadness.
"But…"
Both Fang Liyun and Su Nian stiffened at once.
"But?" they asked in unison.
Wu Qingyi fell silent for a moment, then let out a small sigh.
"He's very innocent and kind," she said softly. "Weak… and poor. He lives in a small, single-room house and only has three or four sets of clothes. That's why I came here today to buy clothes for him. I want him to have the best in the world."
The silence that followed was deafening.
In Fang Liyun's and Su Nian's hearts, a huge red cross appeared at the same time.
✘ Kind?
Impossible.
✘ Innocent?
Absolutely not.
✘ Weak?
A complete joke.
✘ Poor? Single-room house? Only a few clothes?
The Greenwillow Estate alone had entire rooms dedicated just to wardrobes, a garage that could house a fleet of luxury cars, and assets spread across multiple industries.
This description was completely out of syllabus.
Both women arrived at the same conclusion without exchanging a word - This girl could not possibly be Wang Lingxuan's bride.
Wu Qingyi suddenly spoke again, her tone earnest and a little stubborn, as if defending a priceless treasure. "Pretty Sister, your son must be handsome since you're so beautiful," she said seriously, then added with firm confidence, "but I'm sorry, my husband will definitely be the most handsome." The words were childish, yet pure. Fang Liyun couldn't help but smile at her certainty. However, the smile faded almost as soon as it appeared. A familiar ache tightened in her chest as memories surfaced unbidden, the long scar marring her son's once-perfect face, the shattered legs that had never fully healed, all born from that tragic accident. Her gaze dimmed. Wu Qingyi noticed it instantly. She stepped closer, her brows knitting together in concern. "Pretty Sister, what happened?" she asked softly. "Why are you sad?"