Chapter 72: There’s No Such Thing as a Good Person Driving a Black Bentley!

Jiang Zao was visibly displeased. “Mind your words.”

Li Baixiu shrugged indifferently. “You’re the one who came to me.”

Jiang Zao nodded. “Li Mingyi is pursuing Zhou Jiayan, and we both know exactly what he’s after. I believe you, like me, don’t want to see him actually succeed.”

“So?” Li Baixiu asked.

Jiang Zao replied, “So I’d like to discuss a partnership with you. After all, we share the same goal.”

Li Baixiu lowered her gaze in thought, not responding immediately.

Jiang Zao continued, “It’s alright. I know I came rather abruptly. Take a few days to consider it. Here’s my number—call me anytime once you’ve made up your mind. The New Year is just around the corner; I hope to hear from you before then.”

Li Baixiu didn’t take out her phone to record the number. Instead, she asked, “Why should I trust you?”

Jiang Zao’s smile curved her eyes, utterly unconcerned by Li Baixiu’s skepticism. “Believe it or not, it’s up to you. If not you, I can find someone else. I just thought you’d want to settle the score for that head injury, so I came to you specifically. It makes no difference—anyone will do.”

Li Baixiu immediately pressed, “How do you know my injury is related to Li Mingyi?”

Jiang Zao shook her head mysteriously. She had simply associated it with Zhou Lichuan’s previous wounds, guessing Li Mingyi was involved. Heaven was certainly on her side—her guess had hit the mark.

Li Baixiu sat there, deep in thought, while Jiang Zao sat opposite her, leisurely sipping her milk, entirely undisturbed.

A long silence followed.

At last, Li Baixiu stood, offered her right hand, and said, “Li Baixiu, senior at the Finance Department of Jingzhou University. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Jiang Zao stood as well, lightly grasping her hand. “Jiang Zao, currently unemployed, waiting at home. Let’s work well together.”

She had expected it to be difficult, but it turned out to be unexpectedly simple.

Li Baixiu sat down and promptly asked Jiang Zao what plans she had in mind.

Jiang Zao took out her phone and began showing Li Baixiu everything she had prepared—among them were details of the bleak business at Li Mingyi’s store and analyses of his personality.

“So you want me to provoke Li Mingyi, push him into making mistakes?”

Jiang Zao nodded. “That shouldn’t be hard for you, right? He’s already so rattled by your provocations that he’s grasping at straws—looking to secure his position through marriage.”

Li Baixiu raised her coffee cup in acknowledgment, her tone tinged with newfound respect. “Miss Jiang, you truly see the subtleties—nothing escapes you.”

Jiang Zao smiled quietly, choosing not to respond.

…

After returning to Jingzhou from Changzhou, Li Baixiu was taken by her biological father to the family home, where she finally met the “other relatives” she’d only heard of in rumors.

The Li family wasn’t fully accepting of this illegitimate daughter, but Li Mingyi was simply too mediocre and narrow-minded to shoulder the family’s burdens. With their “main account” ruined, naturally they turned to the “secondary account,” who had always excelled.

Meanwhile, Jiang Zao nestled at her desk, cozily mastering a drawing software.

Fortunately, the program was not difficult, easy enough to handle, and as she grew more proficient, she began creating her own works.

The principles of drawing never change just because the medium does; the logic remains consistent.

Sister Hui brought lunch to the table and called Jiang Zao to eat. Jiang Zao set aside her tablet, staring absentmindedly at the delicious spread.

She’d never liked the taste of garlic and usually favored leafy greens. But since becoming pregnant, her tastes had changed drastically—not only did she crave meat every day, she now enjoyed all sorts of garlicky dishes. Sister Hui catered to her preferences, ensuring every meal included some meat. Jiang Zao had gained so much weight—if she ate anymore, she’d turn into a pig…

Seeing the way Jiang Zao was eyeing the food, Sister Hui could guess her thoughts and laughed. “It’s alright. The doctor said at your last check-up that a little extra weight is fine. You’re young—once the baby’s born, you’ll have plenty of time to lose it.”

Jiang Zao raised her chopsticks. “Forget it. As long as it doesn’t affect my health or the baby’s, good food is worth everything.”

As she enjoyed her meal, Jiang Zao suddenly looked up and asked, “Have you bought your train ticket home for the New Year?”

Sister Hui smiled and shook her head. “Not this year. My son and daughter-in-law are spending New Year with their in-laws. No point in going back alone—I’ll stay here with you.”

Jiang Zao was deeply moved. “Thank you, Sister Hui. Thank goodness you’re here; otherwise, spending New Year alone would truly be lonely.”

Soon after lunch, Jiang Zao bundled up warmly and went downstairs for a walk.

A bit of exercise was her way of delaying her transformation into a pig, or at least slowing it down.

The streets were filled with festive cheer as the New Year approached.

Even the automatic door chime at the convenience store had switched from “Welcome” to “Wishing you prosperity.”

She bought a few sausages at the store, then strolled to the spot where the stray cats gathered. Carefully opening the sausage wrappers, she placed them in the cats’ designated dish.

The little shelter built by the neighborhood management had saved countless lives this winter.

Pregnant and wary of getting pounced on, she quickly set the sausages down and hurried away, watching from a distance as the cats emerged from hidden corners, excitedly feasting.

Those round, fluffy bundles, dirty yet bursting with energy…

If only her baby, once born, could be as lively.

As Jiang Zao mused on this, she turned and caught sight of a black Bentley parked at the entrance to the community. There was someone sitting in the driver’s seat.

Her heart began to race wildly as she stared at the luxury car, unmoving for ages.

Only when she noticed her hands and feet growing cold did she come back to herself, withdraw her gaze, and head home.

The building was old, so old it didn’t even have an elevator.

She climbed to the third floor, warming up as she went. Before she could open her door, Sister Hui came out.

“Do you want fish soup for dinner? The fishmonger messaged me—he’s got fresh carp, perfect for soup.”

Jiang Zao nodded. “Sounds good—you decide.”

Sister Hui, bundled up and carrying her keys, headed downstairs.

Jiang Zao returned home, leaned against the bathroom window, and looked down—just in time to see the black Bentley.

“What’s the point…” she muttered to herself. “Everyone is doing well now—why bother…”

The car stayed outside for as long as Jiang Zao stood in the bathroom.

She gazed at the black vehicle hungrily, wishing she could see straight through its heavy shell.

Winter. Night always falls so quickly.

As darkness crept in, the Bentley turned on its headlights and slowly vacated the spot it had occupied for so long.

Jiang Zao let out a long sigh of relief. “Next time I’ll report it and have the parking police ticket it.”

She returned to her desk and picked up the drawing she hadn’t finished that morning.

Meng Qiaoyuan’s favorite was Shin-chan. She was drawing a New Year’s greeting featuring Shin-chan, intending it as a holiday gift for Meng Qiaoyuan.