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I weakly leaned against Jiangcheng, feeling his body warmth, a barely noticeable cold smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. Jiajiao, compete with me? You're still too inexperienced!
As soon as we returned to Jiangcheng's home, I began my "performance."
"Oh dear, Cheng'er," I sighed dramatically while sitting on the sofa, pretending to be exhausted. "My legs are not what they used to be; I'm really causing you trouble."
Jiangcheng was busy in the kitchen. Hearing my words, he quickly set aside what he was doing and hurried over to my side, asking with concern, "Mom, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
I gently shook my head, dabbing at the corners of my eyes with a handkerchief, my tone laced with a hint of grievance. "I'm fine, it's just that seeing you work so hard makes me feel bad. Look at you, working all day and still having to take care of this Old Woman; it's really too much."
Jiangcheng hurriedly comforted me, saying, "Mom, that's not true! You're my elder; taking care of you is what I should do."
I patted his hand and said earnestly, "Cheng'er, I know you're filial, but you shouldn't neglect Jiajiao. After all, she's a girl; how can she serve this Old Woman every day?"
Upon hearing this, Jiangcheng's expression became somewhat troubled. He opened his mouth as if to say something but ultimately held back.
I secretly laughed in my heart and continued to stoke the fire. "How about this, Cheng'er? Tomorrow you can take me shopping at the mall and buy some gifts for Jiajiao. Just say they're from Mom to thank her for taking care of me during this time."
As soon as Jiangcheng heard this, he let out a sigh of relief and quickly nodded in agreement. "Okay, Mom, I'll take you tomorrow."
I nodded in satisfaction but was secretly laughing inside. Jiajiao, didn't you want to compete for my affection? I'll show you what true "favor" looks like!
The next day, I intentionally had Jiangcheng take me to an upscale jewelry store. As soon as we entered the store, the dazzling array of jewelry left me awestruck. I pretended to be someone who had never seen such luxury before, looking around with wide eyes and gasping in amazement.
"Cheng'er, what do you think of this necklace? Isn't it beautiful?" I pointed at a diamond-studded necklace and asked innocently.
Jiangcheng glanced at the price tag and immediately gasped in shock. The price of this necklace was nearly equivalent to his entire year's salary!
"Mom, this necklace is too expensive; let's look at something else," Jiangcheng said awkwardly.
I pretended to be displeased and frowned, "What do you mean it's too expensive? Jiajiao is your wife, so what's wrong with buying her a nice necklace? Does she not deserve to wear one?"
Jiangcheng was left speechless by my words and could only force himself to say, "That's not what I meant, I just..."
"Just what? You can't possibly be reluctant, can you?" I interrupted him, my tone becoming sharper.
Jiangcheng immediately panicked and hurriedly explained, "No, I'm not reluctant, it's just..."
"Enough, don't say anything more. We'll take this one!" I cut him off decisively. "If you really care about Jiajiao, then hurry up and pay for it!"
With no other choice, Jiangcheng gritted his teeth and swiped his card to buy the exorbitantly priced necklace.
As we walked out of the jewelry store, I looked at Jiangcheng's pained expression and felt secretly pleased. I wanted to see if Jiajiao would still appreciate me as a "good mother-in-law" after receiving this "gift"!
====================
I affectionately linked my arm with Jiangcheng's and smiled brightly, saying, "Come on, let's go home! Today, I’m going to cook a delicious meal for you two lovebirds!"
Once we got home, I took the dazzling diamond necklace from Jiangcheng's hands and happily walked over to Jiajiao, who was sitting on the sofa playing on her phone.
"Jiajiao," I said warmly as I gently patted her hand, my tone so soft it almost didn't sound like myself. "Come here and take a look at this necklace. Do you like it?"
Jiajiao was clearly startled by my actions. She suddenly looked up, and upon seeing the necklace in my hand, a fleeting look of panic crossed her face but was quickly replaced by surprise and delight.
"This... is this for me?" Jiajiao's voice trembled slightly, her eyes sparkling with greed.
I smiled and nodded, putting the necklace around her neck. After examining it closely, I said with satisfaction, "It's truly beautiful! Consider this necklace as a welcoming gift from me as your mother-in-law!"
Jiajiao caressed the necklace around her neck, her face beaming with happiness. She excitedly stood up and walked over to me, linking her arm with mine and sweetly saying, "Thank you, Mom! You are so good to me!"
I watched her hypocritical performance, sneering inwardly while maintaining a calm facade. Instead, I responded with even more enthusiasm, "Silly child, why be so polite with Mom? Now that you are married to Jiangcheng, you are my dear daughter. As your mother, I will naturally take good care of you!"
As I spoke, I gently patted her hand and said earnestly, "Jiajiao, I know you've suffered a lot in the past, but now that you’ve married into our family, you can settle down here without worrying about anything. Jiangcheng and I will take good care of you."
Upon hearing my words, Jiajiao's eyes slightly reddened as she choked out, "Thank you, Mom. I... I understand."
I looked at her reaction with satisfaction, secretly pleased. This necklace was my carefully prepared first "big gift" for her!
In the following days, I transformed completely, showering Jiajiao with warmth and care, frequently buying her various expensive gifts that made her overjoyed.
Seeing how well Jiajiao and I got along, Jiangcheng also let go of his previous reservations and gradually lowered his guard around me.
I watched all of this with a cold smile in my heart. My plan was progressing step by step...
====================
I held Jiajiao's hand and affectionately patted it. "Good child, from now on, treat this place as your own home. Buy whatever you want; don’t be polite with Mom!"
Jiajiao was taken aback. Having endured years of grievances, she felt warmth from her mother-in-law for the first time and was so moved that she almost cried. "Mom..."
I smiled and shook my head, interrupting her. "Silly child, why be so distant with Mom?" After saying this, I turned to Jiangcheng and meaningfully said, "Jiangcheng, you should also pay more attention to Jiajiao. Don’t just focus on work, okay?"
Jiangcheng had been quietly watching me interact with Jiajiao. Upon hearing my words, he immediately nodded vigorously. "I understand, Mom. Don’t worry; I will take good care of Jiajiao from now on!"
I nodded in satisfaction; finally, this kid was getting it! "Alright then, you two chat while I go rest in my room. If you want anything for lunch, just tell Liu Ma to prepare it for you."
I turned and walked upstairs with a barely noticeable cold smile on my lips.
Back in my room, I sat in the lounge chair by the window and picked up a cup of fragrant red tea, taking a gentle sip.
"It seems that the plan is going smoothly," I murmured to myself as I gazed out at the bustling cityscape at night.
The next day, I took Jiajiao to a high-society charity gala under the pretext of helping her familiarize herself with the environment.
The gala was held at a seven-star hotel owned by the Lu Group, filled with elegant attire and clinking glasses.
"Mom, this place is so impressive..." Jiajiao appeared a bit anxious, as it was her first time attending such an event.
I gently patted her hand for reassurance and said, "Don't be nervous; just treat it like a fun outing." Then I pointed to a distinguished man in a suit not far away. "Do you see that man? He is Lu Jingshen, the president of the Lu Group."
Following my gaze, Jiajiao saw Lu Jingshen surrounded by a group of people. He spoke elegantly and moved with poise, exuding the charm of a successful individual.
"Wow, he’s so handsome..." Jiajiao couldn't help but exclaim.
I smiled and lowered my voice deliberately, saying mysteriously, "I heard that Mr. Lu is still single and has very high standards; ordinary women can't catch his eye at all."
Upon hearing this, a peculiar light flashed in Jiajiao's eyes.
Halfway through the gala, I excused myself to go to the restroom and left the banquet hall. I made my way to the hotel's garden, which was serene and far from the noise.
Just as I was about to make a phone call, a deep and magnetic voice suddenly came from behind me. "Ms. Zhang, what a coincidence?"
I turned around to see Lu Jingshen standing not far behind me, a playful smile on his lips and his deep-set eyes seeming to see right through everything.
"Mr. Lu?" I feigned surprise and raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"
Lu Jingshen walked steadily toward me and glanced at the financial magazine in my hand. "It seems Ms. Zhang has an interest in business?"
I smiled lightly and replied noncommittally, "Just a little knowledge."
"Oh? Is that so?" Lu Jingshen's smile deepened. "I've heard that Ms. Zhang has a keen eye for investments. Recently, she has made quite a bit of money with her ventures."
I was taken aback internally but maintained a calm demeanor. "You're joking, Mr. Lu. It's just good luck."
Lu Jingshen looked at me intently, not pressing further. He picked up his phone and handed it to me. "May I have your contact information? I'm very interested in Ms. Zhang and hope we can communicate more in the future."
I took the phone, entered my number, and smiled as I said, "Of course, I look forward to working with you as well."
---
I returned the phone to Lu Jingshen, my fingertips accidentally brushing against his. A warm sensation coursed through me. His fingers were long and strong, the pads slightly calloused, as if carrying some kind of electric current that spread throughout my body in an instant.
I calmly withdrew my hand and smiled lightly. "Mr. Lu, it's getting late; I should take my leave."
Lu Jingshen nodded slightly, watching me depart, his deep-set eyes glimmering with intriguing light.
After the banquet ended, I didn't rush to leave but instead went alone to the hotel's outdoor bar. The night was enchanting, with city lights reflecting on the shimmering pool surface; the distant skyscrapers seemed within reach yet also far away.
"A martini, please," I said softly to the bartender, my gaze drifting toward a nearby skyscraper—the headquarters of Lu's Group and one of the city's most dazzling landmarks.
"Ms. Zhang, drinking alone isn't a good habit," a familiar voice said beside me.
I turned to see Lu Jingshen had somehow appeared next to me, holding two glasses of red wine—one for me and one for himself—as he elegantly sat down across from me.
I accepted the glass and gently swirled it, a playful smile forming on my lips. "Mr. Lu, staying up this late—is it because you're concerned about me?"
"Concerned is not quite the word," Lu Jingshen took a sip of his wine, his deep eyes seeming to see through my thoughts. "I just feel that an interesting woman like Ms. Zhang shouldn't be overlooked."
I raised an eyebrow and remained silent, simply watching him quietly.
Lu Jingshen put down his wine glass, leaned slightly forward, and looked at me intently. "I heard that Ms. Zhang is currently looking for investment projects?"
"Mr. Lu is quite well-informed," I replied with a smile, not denying it.
"I have a project that I wonder if Ms. Zhang would be interested in," Lu Jingshen said, his tone laced with a hint of temptation.
Curiously, I asked, "Oh? What project could make Mr. Lu value it so highly?"
However, Lu Jingshen did not directly answer my question. Instead, he gazed into the distance and spoke in a deep tone, "Ms. Zhang, do you know? This city appears prosperous but is actually fraught with crises. Resources are depleting, the environment is polluted, and there is a widening gap between the rich and the poor... One day, this city will be destroyed."
His tone carried an indescribable worry but also concealed an ambitious desire.
I remained silent, listening quietly while my heart stirred with tumultuous waves. Lu Jingshen's words undoubtedly opened a corner of his inner world to me and revealed a side of him that was starkly different from his outward appearance.
"I want to change all of this," Lu Jingshen withdrew his gaze and looked at me with determination. "And you, Ms. Zhang, will become my most important partner."
...
"Mom, why are you watching financial news again? Do you even understand this stuff?" Jiangcheng asked in surprise as he came home from work and saw me sitting in the living room, engrossed in a financial program on TV.
Without turning around, I replied, "What? Can't I keep up with national affairs?"
"That's not what I meant..." Jiangcheng chuckled helplessly. "I just thought you weren't really interested in these things before..."
I put down the remote control, turned to face Jiangcheng, and said earnestly, "Jiangcheng, I used to be confused, always thinking of relying on others. Now I realize that relying on mountains can lead to collapse and relying on people can lead to abandonment. Only when you have money in your hands can you feel secure."
Jiangcheng paused for a moment before nodding in understanding, a look of approval in his eyes. "Mom, it's great that you think this way. Don't worry; I'll work hard to ensure you and Dad have a good life."
I smiled with satisfaction and patted Jiangcheng's shoulder. "Good child, Mom believes in you."
...
"Slut! How dare you sneak around with Lu Jingshen behind my back!" Jiajiao stormed into my room, pointing at me and cursing loudly.
I let out a cold laugh, slowly putting down the teacup in my hand, and looked at her with icy eyes. "Jiajiao, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't just say anything. My relationship with President Lu is purely a normal business partnership. If you slander me like this, aren't you afraid I'll sue you for defamation?"
"Business partnership? What a joke!" Jiajiao scoffed, her face filled with disdain. "Do you think I don't know? You're getting close to Lu Jingshen just for his money! You old hag, have you even looked in the mirror? Do you think you're worthy?"
I suddenly stood up and walked in front of Jiajiao, looking down at her with a sharp gaze like a knife. "Jiajiao, you'd better understand your position. You're just a daughter-in-law of the Jiang family. What right do you have to point fingers at me here? Don't forget that everything you have now was given to you by the Jiang family!"
Jiajiao was intimidated by my aura, stumbling back a few steps, her face pale. Her lips moved, but she didn't dare to say anything further.
I snorted coldly and turned to the window, overlooking the brilliantly lit city nightscape. In a chilling tone, I said, "Jiajiao, you'd better behave yourself and not challenge my bottom line again. Otherwise, I won't be polite anymore!"
Jiajiao stood there, her body slightly trembling, her eyes flashing with resentment.
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