Chapter 3

Fang Junrong and her close friend Xu Weiwei discussed the matter for quite some time. Among everyone, Xu Weiwei was the one she trusted the most. To avoid alerting anyone prematurely, Fang couldn’t afford to make too many moves herself and had to entrust the task to her.

As she stepped out of the private room, Fang suddenly heard a somewhat familiar voice.

“Let go of me. If you keep touching me like this, I’ll call the police.”

It was a voice that had haunted her nightmares for countless nights—stubborn yet tinged with a pitiable vulnerability, unmistakably Jiang Yage’s. Whenever she spoke in that tone, the knights around her would rush to her defense, eager to shield her from harm.

Turning her head, Fang saw Jiang Yage dressed in the establishment’s staff uniform, which perfectly accentuated her slender figure. She stood tall and graceful, like a flower on the verge of blooming. Her fair skin and delicate, though not strikingly beautiful, features gave her an air of purity that set her apart from the crowd. Combined with her slightly rebellious demeanor, it was no wonder she had caught the attention of the wealthy young heirs in the club. For these privileged young men, conquering a girl like her would be all the more satisfying.

The man in front of her laughed at her feeble threat, his tone teasing. “Go ahead and call the police. If you’re working in a place like this, why pretend to be so innocent?”

His grip tightened around Jiang Yage’s wrist as his gaze roamed over her curves with a lewd expression.

Had it been anyone else, Fang might have stepped in to mediate. But when it came to Jiang Yage, the memory of her daughter’s tragic fate in her past life extinguished any sympathy she might have felt. Besides, Jiang Yage’s luck was uncannily good—she always managed to escape unscathed. This time would likely be no different. Fang hadn’t known that Jiang Yage had worked at this club before coming to the Fang household. Li Wangjin probably hadn’t yet informed her of his intention to adopt her; otherwise, she would have quit this job long ago.

Fang was acquainted with the club’s owner and knew a thing or two about the place. The staff here were carefully selected—each one attractive and well-paid, with a monthly base salary in the tens of thousands. While no serious harm usually came to them, it was inevitable that some unruly patrons would try to take liberties.

The young master’s words, though crude, weren’t entirely wrong. Those who worked here had to be mentally prepared for such encounters. With Jiang Yage’s education, she could easily have taken up tutoring—less lucrative, but far safer. Fang couldn’t fathom why she’d chosen this path instead.

Jiang Yage lifted her chin slightly, her expression a mix of defiance and restraint. “I’d rather lose this job than endure your insults.”

With that, she forcefully shook off his hand.

Humiliated by a mere waitress, the young master’s face darkened.

“You’re pushing your luck! Today, I insist you pour my drinks.Just then, a young woman with a delicate, almond-shaped face suddenly appeared. Compared to Jiang Yage’s innocent charm, this woman was far more alluring, her eyes seemingly capable of hooking hearts. Her form-fitting uniform emphasized her ample bust, leaving little to the imagination. “Young Master Gu,” she cooed, “Yage isn’t much of a drinker—she might spoil the mood. Why don’t I keep you company instead?”

Fang Junrong recognized the girl—she was Zhong Yi, Jiang Yage’s close friend from her past life. Later, they seemed to have fallen out over a man, and Zhong Yi turned against Jiang Yage. Fang Junrong had once heard her son mention that Zhong Yi was a scheming person who merely used Jiang Yage as a stepping stone to snag a wealthy husband.  

Though Fang Junrong didn’t know what became of Zhong Yi afterward, those who crossed Jiang Yage rarely met a good end—Zhong Yi was likely no exception.  

This encounter, however, slightly altered Fang Junrong’s impression of her. Zhong Yi had risked offending someone to help Jiang Yage out of an awkward situation, showing she was a loyal friend.  

Anyone could see Zhong Yi was offering Jiang Yage a way out. If the rich young man was willing to take the hint, the matter could have ended there. But Jiang Yage, ever unconventional, frowned at Zhong Yi and said, “Xiao Yi, don’t bother with people like him! What if he takes advantage of you while drinking?”  

“We can just quit this job if we have to!”  

She spoke with righteous indignation, while her friend Zhong Yi couldn’t hide her discomfort. “Yage…”  

Fang Junrong was speechless. After a brief pause, she changed her mind and walked over.  

“Could you two help tidy up my private room?” she asked Jiang Yage and Zhong Yi. She wondered what expression Jiang Yage would wear when they inevitably met again at the Li family residence later.  

Jiang Yage wasn’t entirely witless and quickly replied, “Of course. What’s your room number?”  

Zhong Yi also visibly relaxed.  

The wealthy young man clearly recognized Fang Junrong and greeted her warmly, “Oh, President Fang! Since you’ve taken an interest in them, I won’t stand in your way.” He even gestured politely for her to proceed.  

Fang Junrong smiled faintly and returned to her room.  

Jiang Yage and Zhong Yi followed. Once the door closed, Fang Junrong asked casually, “Why are you two working in a place like this?”  

She realized her self-control had grown stronger—she could suppress her hatred. Or perhaps it was because Jiang Yage was merely one of the culprits; her true loathing was reserved for Li Wangjin and Li Shize.  

Jiang Yage explained, “I need money for next semester’s tuition. My uncle took my parents’ compensation money.” As she spoke, her eyes glistened with unshed tears, making her appear pitiful.  

Fang Junrong’s friend Xu Weiwei raised an eyebrow and said bluntly, “I’m pretty sure most universities offer financial aid. If you worked as a tutor over the summer, you could earn enough for living expenses if you’re diligent.”  

Fang Junrong shot her friend an approving glance—truly kindred spirits, thinking alike.  

Jiang Yage seemed to realize this for the first time and stammered, “Oh… I didn’t think of that.”  

Zhong Yi bit her lower lip and said, “My grandmother is sick and needs expensive medicine. Tutoring wouldn’t cover the cost of her treatment.”  

Despite her fox-like beauty, which many might distrust, her personality was unexpectedly resolute.  

Fang Junrong’s lips curved slightly. “You’re quite filial—it reminds me of my own grandmother. I had a wonderful one too, but she passed away long ago. ‘A son wishes to serve his parents, but they are no longer here.'”  

She sighed, then regarded Zhong Yi with warmth. “I admire you. Would you like to become my adopted daughter?”

Since the Li family was already planning to adopt Jiang Yage as their foster daughter, adding Zhong Yi wouldn’t make much difference. In any case, it wouldn’t be her assets being divided. Didn’t Li Wangjin love adopting other people’s daughters? Then let him adopt a few more!  

In her past life, Jiang Yage had relied on the Li family’s status to condescendingly patronize Zhong Yi. So when the two later fell out, public opinion overwhelmingly condemned Zhong Yi as an ungrateful wretch, even pushing the hashtag *”The world owes me a best friend like Jiang Yage”* to the top of trending searches.  

This time, with both standing on equal footing, she wondered how things would unfold. Suddenly gaining two pitiable younger sisters—which one would her good-for-nothing son favor now?  

Zhong Yi looked as if she had been struck by a stroke of unbelievable luck, her gaze dazed. It took her a while before she stammered, “Is—is this for real?”  

Fang Junrong smiled warmly. “Of course. Here’s my business card. If you’re interested, you can come see me next weekend. You have a week to think it over.”  

She handed the card to Zhong Yi, deliberately ignoring Jiang Yage standing nearby. After that, she leisurely left with Xu Weiwei.  

After walking for a while, Xu Weiwei asked, “Why the sudden interest in adopting a foster daughter?”  

Fang Junrong replied indifferently, “Consider it a daily act of kindness.”  

She was giving Zhong Yi an opportunity—it was up to her to seize it.  

Xu Weiwei shook her head. “You’ve never struck me as the type to randomly adopt people.” Given her status, if she so much as hinted at wanting a foster daughter, countless candidates would line up.  

Fang Junrong said, “It’s nothing. I just thought it’d be nice to have one more person dividing Li Wangjin’s assets. Doesn’t he love playing the good guy?” She paused, then mused, “Do you think I should adopt a few more?”  

Might as well form a whole soccer team.  

Xu Weiwei’s lips twitched. Was it her imagination, or had Junrong grown even more unconventional lately? Well, she must have been provoked by that scumbag Li Wangjin!  

“Come on, let’s go buy some jewelry.”  

Why should she save money for the Li family? The more she spent, the better.  

——  

Back in the private room, Zhong Yi clutched the business card tightly, feeling as though she was floating on clouds. Was she dreaming?  

“Xiao Yi, what if she’s a scammer trying to lure you in and sell you off?” Jiang Yage’s voice snapped Zhong Yi back to reality.  

Zhong Yi frowned. “I don’t think so. Even Young Master Gu recognized her, and because of her, he let us go. You know his status—most people wouldn’t dare cross him.”  

Jiang Yage insisted, “Even without her, Young Master Gu couldn’t have actually done anything to us.”  

Zhong Yi gave her a strange look. “Yage, don’t you like her? President Fang helped us—she’s a good person.” Especially since she hadn’t judged Zhong Yi for her appearance and had been very kind instead.  

Jiang Yage’s expression stiffened momentarily. “No, I just think there’s no such thing as a free lunch. I don’t want you to be tricked. You’re my best friend—I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”  

Zhong Yi lowered her head to examine the card again. “Her name’s on here—Fang Junrong… That sounds so familiar.”  

She pulled out her phone and searched the name, then gasped sharply.

“Wow, look, that AiRong Group is the company she and her husband founded. There’s even her photo here—it’s definitely her!” Her voice brimmed with excitement. “I can’t believe she’s already in her forties. She looks so young.”

Her expression grew distant. After so many years of misfortune, had Lady Luck finally decided to favor her?

Jiang Yage frowned slightly, biting her lip in surprise.