C6 The Remaining Value

Ji Xinling always had one approach to dealing with people like this: ignore them. The more attention you give, the more they thrive on it.

Seeing Ji Xinling's indifference and disdainful expression, Lee Pingqiu only got more riled up. With her hands on her hips, she yelled even louder, like a fishwife on a rampage: "Who do you think you are? So what if you know how to flirt with men? You don't even respect your elders. What are you, anyway? If you were really capable, why don't you find a way to save the Ji family? Your grandpa's in the hospital, and here you are, flirting with men. Just because you look a bit charming doesn't mean you're anything special..."

The sharp insults were too much for Ji Xinling's uncle, sitting in the living room. He tried to intervene, saying, "You don't have to talk like that," but that only made Lee Pingqiu turn her wrath on him.

"What? Why do you always take others' sides, you useless thing? Even a dog knows how to be grateful. Look at what this ungrateful wretch has done!"

Her uncle dared not speak again, knowing he had no way to handle his fiery wife.

Lee Pingqiu only got more fired up as she continued. She had been holding in her anger, waiting for the right moment to let it out. She used to live like a high-society lady, and now she couldn't buy this or use that, feeling even worse off than an average woman. She was not going to take it lying down!

It's all that wretched Xinling's fault! So, she seized every opportunity to vent her anger on Xinling.

"Ahem." A cough echoed down the stairs as Old Madam Ji stood at the landing, watching them.

"Oh, Mom, you're coming down. Be careful, let me help you." The moment Lee Pingqiu saw the old lady, his demeanor changed instantly, and he rushed over to support her.

Xinling walked over, and Old Madam Ji gazed at her with a gentle expression, her words not too sharp: "Xinling, you're back. The hospital just notified us that your grandfather needs surgery as soon as possible. He always doted on you the most, so you should find a way to help him."

Her calm words were laced with shrewdness and calculation, especially those eyes of hers, which sparkled with an undeniable sharpness.

Xinling understood what the old lady meant. Her heart felt cold, and her head throbbed. This house was as cold as an ice cellar in the dead of winter, and she really didn't want to stay here any longer.

"I'll find a way." She was already trying her hardest to figure something out.

But the situation was worse than she had imagined.

Old Madam Ji's eyes gleamed with intensity as she patted the stair railing, her voice turning stern: "If you could find a way, would your grandfather's surgery be delayed until now? I've already arranged everything for you. You're a person with assets, and your beauty is your asset. The Ke family has agreed that if you're willing to be with Young Master Ke, they'll give us eighty million."

Before Ji Xinling could respond, Old Madam Ji continued in a stern voice, "Your grandfather has always doted on you the most. With this eighty million dollars, he can have the surgery he needs and get better. Are you really going to be selfish and refuse to help your grandfather? Are you unwilling to fulfill your duty to him?"

Old Madam Ji's words grew harsher as she positioned herself on a moral high ground, casting a heavy moral judgment on Ji Xinling.

Ji Xinling couldn't decide whether to be angry or amused. So, she still had value in the old lady's eyes—eighty million dollars' worth, no less. It seemed this was beyond what the old lady had "budgeted."

Before she could reply, Lee Pingqiu shot her a sideways glance, clearly enjoying her predicament.