Chapter 501: Chapter 501

Both of them didn’t notice the troubled expression of the sales assistant who was holding the clothes and seemed hesitant to speak.

Jiang Lingling lifted her head, her eyes displaying a brave and resolute look, fists clenched tightly as if she had made a significant decision.

"Cousin, I’m sorry, but I can’t give you this dress. This dress was a gift from my sister-in-law, and I cannot betray her kindness. Please pick another dress for the gathering in three days. Your husband is so good to you, as long as you’re willing to spend the money, you’ll definitely be able to buy a better one."

As soon as these words were spoken, the few people in the store were stunned.

Nobody expected Jiang Lingling to reject Lin Jiayi, especially after she had just agreed and then reneged.

Wan Chu’er was also somewhat surprised. The phrase "I cannot betray her kindness" touched her, and the corners of her mouth slightly curled upwards.

Lin Jiayi was somewhat incredulous; firstly, she was surprised that Wan Chu’er could be so generous to give Jiang Lingling such an expensive dress. But after thinking about it, she felt relieved. Wan Chu’er certainly didn’t lack money, and as far as she knew, the deal with Hailang fetched a good price, so Wan Chu’er must have gotten a considerable amount of money from it.

Another shock, and also a source of annoyance for her, was that Jiang Lingling dared to go back on her word and refuse her, and to do so for Wan Chu’er’s sake.

Wei Feng was also surprised. She glanced at Wan Chu’er and thought to herself that it seems like Wan Chu’er really knows how to win over the people of the Jiang Family. Seeing how Jiang Lingling and Jiang Xiaoxiao were both so protective of Wan Chu’er, they used to be with her too.

Thinking about past events, Wei Feng lowered her gaze to hide the bitterness within.

"Lingling, you’ve changed," Lin Jiayi said to Jiang Lingling with a hint of sadness in her voice, only saying just this and then falling silent.

Wan Chu’er was not someone to be trifled with. She had realized that early on, and with Wei Feng, Mai Qiqi, and Jiang Xiaoxiao present today, continuing to argue would only make her look petty and fond of scoring small advantages.

She’d better find another time to deal with that stubborn girl Jiang Lingling. Unconsciously she had drifted over to Wan Chu’er’s side, and this was not a good sign.

"Cousin, I’m sorry," Jiang Lingling said with slight difficulty but ultimately did not give in.

"Sales assistant, please package up my dress," called Wan Chu’er. She bent down to pick up the clothing bag and made to walk outside.

Only then did Lin Jiayi and Jiang Lingling realize that Wan Chu’er had already paid. Their recent quarrel seemed somewhat ridiculous.

Wan Chu’er truly was not to be underestimated; quietly she had positioned herself at the high ground, both Lin Jiayi and Wei Feng thought to themselves.

"It’s almost mealtime; let’s have a meal together. There’s a great restaurant on the top floor here, it’s rare for us to meet up , I’ll treat," Lin Jiayi quickly adjusted her mood, not bothering with Jiang Lingling anymore and smilingly inviting Wan Chu’er.

Wan Chu’er revealed a light smile, "No thanks, I’ve been out for quite some time, I should go back and check on the children."

She’d have to be crazy to go have dinner with Lin Jiayi and Wei Feng.

Lin Jiayi wanted to insist, but Wei Feng stopped her, smiling, "Jiayi, don’t force others. There will be other chances to eat together."

And so Wan Chu’er, Mai Qiqi, and the others left the place and headed directly to the underground parking lot.

During the ride, Jiang Lingling didn’t speak. Although she was holding the dress that she had longed for, there was none of the initial excitement and enthusiasm; it was obvious that Lin Jiayi’s recent actions had affected her. Wan Chu’er didn’t pay her any heed. After dropping Jiang Lingling near her home, she also dropped off Mai Qiqi and then returned to the compound with Jiang Xiaoxiao.

After bringing the children home, the old master said to her:

"In three days, there’s a banquet that you should attend on behalf of your grandfather. If you like it there, stay a while longer; if not, just deliver the gift and come back."

Chuchu immediately thought of the banquet Lin Jiayi mentioned they were attending at the mall today, which is also in three days; could it be the same banquet?

"What banquet is it?" she asked.

"An old buddy I’ve been through thick and thin with; his grandson’s engagement party," the old man said, "Li Shan has already prepared the gifts, you just need to bring them when the time comes. If you want to know about the banquet, ask Li Shan."

The next day, Chuchu didn’t take the twins to the Jiang Family’s courtyard. She had agreed with Mai Qiqi to take the twins and Little Lizzi and her brother to the amusement park for fun.

Little Lizzi and her brother were thrilled to meet the twins. Chuanqi excitedly hugged brother Little Lizzi, then hugged Erya, shouting loudly, "Brother, sister—"

Hunter was not as outgoing as his sister and just smiled and greeted "Brother, sister," without hugging them tightly.

The amusement park had many attractions and was bustling with parents taking their children out for fun.

Initially, Little Lizzi was a bit reserved and shy, but after playing for a while, she went wild with joy, and all four little ones were over the moon.

Chuchu and Mai Qiqi stood outside the ball pit playground, watching the four children inside, chatting away.

"These days, my mom’s driving me crazy, constantly talking about Chen Ke in my ear," Mai Qiqi complained, "I mean, what does Chen Ke have to do with me? And yet, that day Chen Ke gave us a ride home, my mom saw it and can’t stop thinking about him."

Chuchu couldn’t help but laugh and asked, "What does your mom like about Chen Ke?"

"That day at the doorstep of our house, guess who I ran into?" Mai Qiqi remembered her encounter with Xu Jiaojiao and quickly shared it with Chuchu, "An Zihao’s new fling. I don’t know what she was thinking, coming up to me all high and mighty, saying, ’From now on, you’re not allowed to have any contact with An Zihao!’ I swear, if Little Lizzi and her brother weren’t in the car at the time, I would have spat in her face and slapped her twice."

"How did you handle it in the end?" Chuchu asked curiously.

"In the end, Chen Ke chased her away, but coincidentally, the neighbors in the courtyard saw the whole thing and told my mom about it, which made her start fancying Chen Ke."

Chuchu pushed her playfully, "What do you mean ’fancy Chen Ke’? If your dad heard you say that, he would disown you in a heartbeat."

Mai Qiqi pouted, "Well, you know what I mean."

Chuchu actually didn’t know much about Chen Ke, only that he was Jiang Kechu’s trusted aid, earned Jiang Kechu’s trust, and was a decent person. As for his family background, marital status, or romantic prospects, Chuchu knew nothing. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on Novᴇl_Fire(.)net

She knew that the Mai Family cared a lot for Mai Qiqi, so she was a bit puzzled about Mrs. Mai fancying Chen Ke and couldn’t help but ask:

"Does your mom know about Chen Ke’s family situation?"

"My dad said the current Chief Prosecutor is Chen Ke’s father," Mai Qiqi said excitedly, ready to gossip, "Did you know? Actually, Chen Ke’s mother is his stepmother. I think when he was in his teens, his father married her. They were first loves, you see. Less than a year after Chen Ke’s mother passed away, his dad brought the stepmother home, and she brought along a son. Then they had another son after getting married, so they actually have three sons in their family."

"Those three sons, tsk tsk, just thinking about the situation is complicated as hell; no wonder Chen Ke often has a poker face." Mai Qiqi seemed to be enjoying the gossip, not noticing Chuchu’s puzzled expression at all.