Chapter 77: 075 Slapping their faces openly

The voice, although habitually cold, was even-toned.

Such a casual utterance of “Miss Ying” shocked the secretary so much that he couldn’t regain his composure for quite a while.

Jiang Moyuan’s actions also froze abruptly.

The usually indifferent expression on his face shattered in an instant, revealing an incredibly incredulous look.

Ying Zijin paused, then turned around.

She lifted the brim of her hat slightly, her phoenix eyes veiled with a hazy mist, “Mr. Nie.”

“You’re too kind,” Nie Yi replied slowly, “Miss Ying assisted my younger brother, and I have yet to thank her.”

Ying Zijin, however, wasn’t surprised and nodded slightly, “I have a bit of understanding, it wasn’t really me who saved him.”

She had said that first sentence upon meeting as a casual remark, which could fool Nie Chao, the sweet and naive one.

But fooling Fu Yunshen or Nie Yi was not possible.

After stepping into the 21st century, diviners gradually disappeared from the public eye, but not entirely. However, only a few were truly proficient.

Major clans usually had their own Feng Shui Master.

“Regardless, Miss Ying still warned my younger brother.” Nie Yi paused for a moment, “If you have time, I’d like to treat you to a meal.”

“Sure.” Ying Zijin nodded lightly, “If Mr. Nie doesn’t have anything else, I’ll be leaving now.”

“There is actually something,” Nie Yi fell silent briefly before asking a question left untouched, “What does Miss Ying like?”

“…”

Jiang Moyuan’s jaw tensed, and his face looked unpleasant.

The secretary was shocked, his mind buzzed again, Nie Yi’s words had once more blown his sense of direction away.

Initially, he had followed Jiang Moyuan to Qingshui County to pick up Ying Zijin; how could he not know exactly what she was worth?

Poor in studies, yet wishing to climb up by depending on men, it was highly disagreeable.

But now?

The legitimate grandchild of Imperial Capital’s Nie Family actually asked Ying Zijin what she liked?

Wasn’t this a blatant slap in their faces?

Ying Zijin’s eyebrows raised slightly: “Good food.”

“I understand.” Nie Yi thought for a moment, now knowing how to reply to Fu Yunshen, “Let me drive Miss Ying back.”

“There’s no need for the trouble,” Ying Zijin yawned, “Also, thank you for today, Mr. Nie.”

Nie Yi didn’t insist: “Until next time.”

He glanced at his watch, also ready to leave.

On his way out, he didn’t even spare a glance for the two people beside him, as if they weren’t worth a look.

The secretary didn’t know what Jiang Moyuan was thinking. He felt both embarrassed and uncomfortable.

Especially standing at the entrance of the King Club, with the constant flow of people and eyes drifting over from time to time.

After all, no one in Shanghai City didn’t recognize Jiang Moyuan.

The Nie Family’s legitimate grandchild ignored them but stopped to speak with a foster daughter instead.

With his head down, the secretary’s face burned with embarrassment: “Sire, we…”

“Cancel today’s engagements,” Jiang Moyuan said, the pressure around him noxious and his countenance terrifyingly cold, “Push back other matters to three days later, say I need to rest.”

The secretary was startled.

Jiang Moyuan was extremely diligent at work, often pulling all-nighters, barely resting all year round.

This was unexpected…

But the secretary dared not ask further: “Yes, sir.”

He bowed slightly, then opened the car door, managing a smile: “Sire, this Second Miss Ying really is capable; seeing that one path wasn’t working for you, she switched her target.”

“Just a month ago, she was with Seventh Young Master Fu. Isn’t this a bit too fast?”

Jiang Moyuan remained silent, his lips pressed tightly, knowing those were just words of consolation.

To get involved with the Nie Family’s legitimate grandchild?

Forget the Four major noble families of Shanghai; even some medium-sized wealthy families in the Imperial Capital didn’t qualify.

As for Ying Zijin…

Jiang Moyuan turned his head towards the car window, his eyes dimming.

**

In the evening.

As netizens joyfully shared Old Master Zhong’s lottery event, they stumbled upon a fresh juicy piece of gossip.

[@TopAllNetGossipKingV: Turns out, a certain pianist who visited the hospital late at night wasn’t pregnant, but disfigured!]

The image was thoughtfully arranged into a 3×3 grid, showcasing different angles to ensure clarity for the viewers.

[Holy shit, that’s terrifying!]

[My mom’s asking why I’m so scared I closed my eyes.]

[This… how dare Ying Luwei set herself up as a beautiful pianist???]

[Wow, she must apply a ton of makeup on her face regularly, no wonder her skin’s so thick.]

Ying Luwei’s fans, already incensed by Old Master Zhong, saw this post and were livid.

[Here comes the smear campaign again, right? Luwei isn’t even part of the entertainment industry, can you stop badmouthing her?]

[The photo is so blurry, how could anyone recognize her? Marketing accounts, please don’t stir up trouble and look forward to Luwei’s concert on May 16th.]

[Luwei will play ‘Sun and Moon’ by Vera Hall at the concert, everyone’s welcome to watch.]

However, since Ying Luwei’s image had taken quite a hit, her fans alone couldn’t suppress the onslaught of truthful comments.

[I’m dying of laughter, weren’t you guys bragging about recognizing Ying Luwei by her legs alone? This picture doesn’t look that blurry to me, how come you can’t recognize her now?]

[Fans just being selectively blind, I guess. But on a serious note, looking at that face, Jiang Moyuan can still… respect.]

That last Weibo post only lasted three hours before it was deleted.

The netizens knew why, sighed “wealthy families are untouchable,” and moved on to sharing the lottery event.

**

Three days later.

Almost a month into the school term, Class 19’s atmosphere had improved significantly.

Quite a few students started studying, even asking each other questions after class.

It wasn’t that they genuinely wanted to learn; it’s just that after listening to Ying Zijin’s several biology classes, it didn’t seem right to let her down.

With Daddy Ying being such an Academic God, how could they have the audacity to lag behind?

“Daddy Ying, we bought barbecue and beer.” The underlings happily carried in a few bags, “To reward you.”

Ying Zijin put down her pen, “I’m not hungry yet, you guys go ahead and eat.”

“No worries, we can buy more when you’re hungry.” One of the underlings glanced around, “Where’s Sister Yu?”

Ying Zijin looked down again, “She’s out walking the pig for me.”

The underlings: “…”

It’s an outrage!

They wanted to walk the pig too.

“No way, we can’t let Sister Yu monopolize Dudu.” One underling walked out indignantly, making a call, “Sister Yu, where are you? Oh, near Dong Lake, okay, okay!”

He hadn’t stepped out the door when Ying Zijin suddenly stood up.

The underling was startled.

The girl’s eyebrows were stern, her voice cold, “I’ll go with you.”

**

Dong Lake was one of Verdant’s major attractions. The school even kept a few black swans, and students liked to stroll by the lake.

But now, it was lunchtime, so the place was relatively empty.

A female student walking arm-in-arm with Zhong Zhiwan pointed ahead, “Zhiwan, what’s that over there?”

Zhong Zhiwan glanced over indifferently and saw what looked like a very small pig.

“Ah, I remember now!” The girl slapped her forehead, “That’s Ying Zijin’s pet, those good-for-nothing show-offs from Class 19 flaunt it all the time.”

Zhong Zhiwan frowned, “A pet?”

“That’s just so Qingshui County.” The girl sneered, “Keeping a pig, what a peculiar taste. I really can’t handle her.”

“Pets are not allowed in school.” Zhong Zhiwan, looking at the water’s surface, said coldly, “Go pick it up and throw it into the lake.”