C45 Qimo's Mothers Plan

"Oh dear! Foolish girl, why on earth did you discuss this in front of Lin Yin?" Lu Yahui was so frustrated that she stomped her foot, "Why did you tell him all of this? He's bound to meddle and mess things up for you."

"Lin Yin is probably still hoping to ride your coattails, expecting a life of ease and comfort! Don't you realize that?"

"Mom, you shouldn't speak like that, okay?" Zhang Qimo said with a sense of resignation.

"What's so bad about it?" Lu Yahui asked sternly, "Do you actually consider Lin Yin your husband? He's nothing more than a figurehead, a laughingstock. You two have no emotional connection, and you haven't even shared a bed. Besides, everyone in Qingyun City's elite circles knows about this. Lin Yin is nothing but a loser, and you're still a pure and innocent young woman!"

"With your Second Aunt and your uncle by marriage vouching for you, not to mention your stellar reputation in the jewelry world, who would dare to speak ill of you?" Lu Yahui said dismissively.

Zhang Qimo let out a soft sigh, choosing to remain silent.

Lu Yahui continued with a grave tone, "Qimo, you must heed your father's and my advice on this matter. Follow your Second Aunt's guidance; she'll take care of everything for you."

"Your Second Aunt is eager to help our family. This is an excellent opportunity that you must seize," Lu Yahui urged earnestly, "Qimo, just look at the Zhang Family. Aside from your father, who isn't well-respected in Qingyun City? Now that you've come into your own, your Second Aunt is ready to make connections for you, to give us another leg up."

"Consider this: you've secured a key role in the company, and the Board of Directors holds you in high regard. Your last design shattered records, selling for a billion yuan and establishing you as a renowned designer in Qingyun City's jewelry industry," Lu Yahui explained slowly, "Given Lin Yin's current state, is he really worthy of you?"

Zhang Qimo remained silent.

Lu Yahui then turned a cold gaze toward Lin Yin and said firmly, "Lin Yin, let me lay it out for you. The men Second Aunt has introduced to Qimo are all capable. Which one isn't better than you?"

"I'm not trying to bully you, but when Qimo makes her choice, you'd better divorce her quietly and without a fuss," Lu Yahui stated with conviction, "Lin Yin, you should be grateful. Qimo made you her assistant, transforming you from a mere street vendor to a successful man within Zhang's Group. You're not only wealthy now but also well-connected. Our family has treated you well, haven't we?"

"If you had any conscience, you wouldn't stand in the way of Qimo pursuing her happiness! You two are simply not in the same league anymore."

"Of course, if you play by the rules, even after the divorce, I'll ensure that Qimo keeps you on at Zhang's Group and find a good position for you. You'll still be able to make a substantial income. That's a fair deal, isn't it?" Lu Yahui spoke slowly, exuding an air of fairness.

Lin Yin shook his head inwardly, smiling silently.

After two years of dealing with Qimo's mother, he understood her all too well.

She was solely interested in money and was fiercely power-hungry and competitive. Given the slightest opportunity to ascend the social ladder, she would seize it without hesitation.

Clearly, this time, Qimo's Second Aunt had made overtures to Qimo's family, presenting an opportunity to break into the social elite of Qingyun City. Lu Yahui was eager to leverage this chance to propel her family into the upper echelons of society.

Indeed, Qimo's rising reputation had changed the game; she had a promising future. Otherwise, why would the Second Aunt have only now shown such favor, rather than before?

"Mom, what are you talking about? I can handle my own affairs," Zhang Qimo said reluctantly.

Lu Yahui replied, "I'm not forcing you to marry anyone. Just treat it as if you're going on a blind date. You and your Second Aunt are attending an exchange meeting in the collectors' circle, which is essentially a gathering of the elite. Whomever you choose, your Second Aunt will vouch for you."

With that, Lu Yahui cast a cold glance at Lin Yin and added, "Consider this a heads-up. If you're set on attending the exchange meeting with Qimo, that's fine. Take it as an opportunity to broaden your perspective. And while you're there, take a good look at those scions of the elite and realize just how vast the gap is between you and them!"

Without a word, Lin Yin silently retreated to his room to engage in quiet meditation.

"Hmph! He dares to be angry with me?" Lu Yahui huffed, eyeing Lin Yin's door with disdain. "One day, I'll make sure you're out of this house for good!"

"Mom, please stop berating him. Lin Yin has really contributed a lot to our family," Zhang Qimo reflected aloud. "He's already spent money on favors and a car, and now he's bought a house. I feel we can't just take his generosity for granted. Shouldn't we give something back to him?"

"Remember when Third Uncle's family gave us a million yuan to resolve that issue? I think we should give Lin Yin half of that," Zhang Qimo proposed earnestly. "I'll also set aside some money to reimburse him for the car and the other expenses. Then, I'll discuss with him what to do about the house."

"Daughter, have you lost your mind?" Lu Yahui's face soured at the mention of giving money away. "He's only doing what's expected of him. Do you actually believe he's being altruistic? I've told you before, he's only able to give us these things because of you. It's his obligation to our family!"

"Moreover, that million is meant for your father and me to use later on," Lu Yahui added with discontent. "No one is taking any of it. Don't you go doing something foolish like giving him money back. He should be ashamed of himself!"

Zhang Qimo, at a loss for words, retreated to her room. It was clear she would have to find a way to discreetly give the money to Lin Yin.

...

The following morning, Zhang Qimo and Lin Yin left the house bright and early.

Wu Zheng had the car ready at the entrance of the Water Garden community.

They climbed into the vehicle, and Wu Zheng drove off towards the city center.

In the back seat, Lin Yin rested with his eyes closed, while Zhang Qimo looked visibly upset.

"Lin Yin, don't take my mom's words to heart; that's just the way she is," Zhang Qimo said with sincerity.

"You've just helped the family by buying a house, and she's already criticizing you. You must be feeling some resentment, right?" she asked, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

"Not at all," Lin Yin replied calmly as he opened his eyes. He wasn't about to squabble over such matters with Qimo's mother.

Zhang Qimo continued earnestly, "I'm going to transfer the money for the previous favors and the car to you now. However, I don't have enough to cover the two million you spent on the house. I think it would be best if you transferred the deed into your own name."