Liu Zhenzhen had worked so hard to get into Beijing No. 1 Middle School, an elite school for the children of wealthy families, just so that she could meet more children of rich families and rise up in the world. If she got expelled from school because of this, her life would be over!
Thinking about this, tears started streaming down her face.
"Auntie, I was wrong, I shouldn't have tried to threaten you with those photos. I really know I did something wrong..."
Sheng Mumu hated it the most when someone tried to use tears to sway her, even if it was a little girl ten years younger than herself, and she immediately became irritated.
Raising her voice, she sternly said:
"Don't cry!"
If the girl kept crying like this, it would seem as if Sheng Mumu was bullying her.
When Liu Zhenzhen finally managed to hold back her tears, Sheng Mumu spoke again:
"Those photos you took of me weren't a threat. I don't have any weaknesses that could be threatened, and the relationship between me and that man isn't what you think."
Liu Zhenzhen sniffled, not daring to sob out loud.
Sheng Mumu said, "I'm telling you this so that you don't think I'm bullying a little kid.
Liu Zhenzhen said, "No, auntie, it was all my fault..."
"Of course it was your fault," Sheng Mumu nodded decisively. "You shouldn't be thinking such crooked thoughts at such a young age, and you mustn't lead our Qi Shaobai astray."
Hearing this, Qi Shaobai, who had been staring out the window the whole time not wanting to join the conversation, slowly turned his head and looked at Sheng Mumu.
His ears shouldn't have a problem.
Did she just say "our Qi Shaobai"?
Qi Shaobai: "..."
Sheng Mumu had already gotten into character and didn't notice Qi Shaobai's strange expression as she continued speaking to Liu Zhenzhen:
"Sister understands what you're thinking at your age. I was young once too. I just hope that you stop thinking like that from now on. Studying is the main duty of high school students. Our family is quite traditional, and his father and I don't allow him to date early."
After saying all this in one breath, Sheng Mumu had a sense of déjà vu, as if she was a mother-in-law slapping a bank card down in the face of the mistress and saying, "Here's 5 million, now leave my son alone."
Of course, she only felt this way a tiny bit.
After all, Qi Shaobai wasn't her son.
She would also never do something as silly as trying to buy someone off with money like in those clichéd plots.
That would just be stupid.
Beside her, Qi Shaobai had just taken a sip of iced water. Upon hearing Sheng Mumu refer to herself as "sister", he choked on the water. Through sheer willpower, he managed to force back the cough.
Sister? What the heck?
When others called you auntie, you voluntarily lowered your status?
Your thought process is quite interesting.
To think Dad married such a stepmother...
Dad's taste in women...
Is quite unique...
This ridiculous farce ended after Liu Zhenzhen swore again and again that she would never bother Qi Shaobai again.
Sheng Mumu suddenly remembered that the female lead of the book wouldn't appear for a while yet.
By then, she might have already divorced Qi Mo.
Helping the female lead resolve a little green tea bitch* early could be considered her contribution as a nominal mother-in-law.
Do good deeds without seeking credit.
Instantly, Sheng Mumu felt like the red scarf on her chest shone even more brightly.
Her expression became proud along with it.
Only Sheng Mumu and Qi Shaobai were left sitting at the table.
Qi Shaobai looked at Sheng Mumu with a trace more admiration in his eyes.
With his hands folded in front of him, he clearly felt his stepmother was quite capable, yet he still maintained an indifferent expression, casually saying:
"I was sick of her pestering me too. Thank you for helping me resolve this annoyance. I didn't expect you to be so eloquent."
She had resolved the matter in just a few sentences without saying anything harsh.
Not only did she clarify the photo incident, but she also got Liu Zhenzhen to stop buzzing around him like a fly in the future.
Awesome.
Sheng Mumu was also quite satisfied with how she had handled things today. Raising an eyebrow, she jokingly teased:
"Little boy, do you suddenly feel like kneeling down and calling me Daddy?"
Qi Shaobai's expression froze, and the corner of his mouth twitched. "..."
His face instantly transformed into one looking at an idiot.
There's something seriously wrong with you.
No need to go that far.
Really no need.
Sheng Mumu read the contempt on his face. She raised her hand and pretended to smack him.
"You little punk, what's with that look on your face?"
For some reason, Qi Shaobai found it funny but didn't retort. Instead, his expression became serious as he slowly said:
"Right, can you not tell my dad about this matter?"
Sheng Mumu narrowed her eyes, wondering what Qi Shaobai was scheming.
What was up with this father and son? Why were both so unwilling to let the other know about their matters?
Qi Shaobai's gaze was evasive, his voice carrying a youthful stubbornness.
"I don't want my dad to know."
Sheng Mumu suddenly understood.
A prideful man indeed.
She could understand.
While she understood in her heart, she wasn't willing to directly promise with her mouth.
She hadn't forgotten the contemptuous look Qi Shaobai had given her earlier, as if looking at an idiot.
Sheng Mumu took a sip of coffee arrogantly and slowly said:
"I can promise, but there's a condition."
Qi Shaobai's brows furrowed. "What condition?"
Sheng Mumu looked outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.
They were on a street behind the school. Even on weekends, many students came here to hang out, and many of the restaurants and shops were filled with people.
"Treat me to a meal as a landlord should. You're familiar with this area."
To be brutally honest, Sheng Mumu was tired of eating the exotic mountain and seafood dishes made by the Qi family's chef ever since transmigrating to this world.
Just now when she got out of the car, she had smelled the scent of fried chicken strips.
The tender chicken coated with breadcrumbs then fried to a crisp in oil, sprinkled with cumin and chili powder.
The Sheng Mumu next door was practically drooling.
Because they had serious business to deal with earlier, Sheng Mumu didn't have the nerve to suggest randomly going to buy chicken strips.
Now that the matter was resolved, her previously suppressed appetite rose up again.
Upon hearing this, Qi Shaobai couldn't help but let out a laugh through his nose.
He had thought it would be some kind of outrageous demand.
That's it?
He rubbed the back of his neck and got up, walking to the door and arrogantly throwing over his shoulder:
"Let's go, order whatever you want."
Sheng Mumu: "..."
Sheng Mumu walked slowly behind him.
Inwardly mocking him.
Must you act so much like a rich boss just to leave? You little punk.
Qi Shaobai had originally resolved himself to being ruthlessly exploited by Sheng Mumu, but unexpectedly, she showed no interest in the high-end restaurants around the school. Instead, her gaze kept landing on the small carts of street vendors.
Red bean wheel cakes, baked sweet potatoes, assorted grain pancakes, charcoal-grilled chicken legs, green bean soup...
It wasn't until Sheng Mumu contentedly said, "Thank you Qi classmate for the treat, I'm full now," that he had spent less than 100 RMB.
100 RMB to buy Sheng Mumu's silence over keeping the secret.
A bit of a profit.
Sheng Mumu also felt she had gotten the better deal.
She thoroughly understood the meaning behind the idiom "a wild boar that can't eat fine grains."**
After eating so many exotic delicacies, she really missed the affordable snacks behind the school.
Just as the two were about to head back, Sheng Mumu noticed that Qi Shaobai had stopped in front of a stand and wasn't moving.
