CHAPTER 566: CHAPTER 564: BREAKING OFF THE FRIENDSHIP

Everyone was startled by Jiang Lingling’s outburst, and Third Aunt Jiang glared at Lin Jiayi even more unfriendly. After Jiang Lingling had idled her days away since graduation, she finally settled down and was willing to engage in work, so why did Lin Jiayi have to stir up trouble now?

"Jiayi, you are wrong to do this! How could you do such a thing? Lingling always talks about you, and regards you as a leader in everything."

Lin Jiayi’s face turned awkward, but mixed with that awkwardness was a hint of grievance, as if Third Aunt Jiang and her daughter had misunderstood her.

Seeing her daughter being bullied, Jiang Lirong immediately stepped in, "What’s wrong with our Jiayi? Can’t our Jiayi open a fashion studio? There are so many fashion studios in the world, is it only right for you to open one but wrong for others? Where’s the sense in being so overbearing and unreasonable? Besides, Jiayi has been wanting to open one since last year; she told me she wanted a fashion studio so we could have convenience in clothing, maybe Lingling and Xiao Chu heard about Jiayi’s plans and jumped ahead to open theirs first."

Having seen shameless, but never such blatant blame-shifting, Wan Chu’er found it absurd and scoffed sarcastically.

Jiang Lingling was infuriated and cursed herself, "Nonsense, Lin Jiayi, who are you? Everyone knows, don’t act so aggrieved."

Everyone was surprised by Jiang Lingling’s words since they knew how close Jiang Lingling had always been to Lin Jiayi. If Lin Jiayi said left, she would never go right, so they never saw the day they would turn against each other.

Lin Jiayi was utterly shocked and heartbroken, incredulously asking Jiang Lingling, "Lingling, were all our past good times fake? Is this how you see me?"

Jiang Lingling stiffened her neck, glaring at her without speaking, just gasping in anger.

Second Aunt Jiang and Second Uncle Jiang tried to smooth things over, "Alright, alright, we’re all family. It’s not such a big deal, no need to fight. If worst comes to worst, we can just alternate buying clothes from Lingling and Jiayi. Today is the old man’s 80th birthday; let’s all be happy."

At that moment, Mr. Jiang pointedly poked his cane hard and huffed loudly, "If you don’t want to show some respect, get out!"

But no one took his words seriously, as this was Boss Jiang’s home, and his word didn’t count. Still, it startled Chuanqi and Hunter, as Wan Chu’er hugged them and quietly comforted them.

"Lingling, I really had no other intentions, you know I’ve always loved beauty. Now with Simon’s support, I want to do what I love. Don’t worry, I won’t compete with you," Lin Jiayi spoke softly, hoping Jiang Lingling would understand her.

Jiang Lingling still clenched her teeth and glared at her, and when Lin Jiayi tried to reach out to touch her, Jiang Lingling swiftly pushed her arm away. Lin Jiayi staggered a few steps to the side, and if Jiang Lirong hadn’t caught her, she would have almost fallen.

"Jiang Lingling, don’t be disrespectful, Jiayi has already apologized to you, what more do you want?" Jiang Lirong couldn’t help but scold Jiang Lingling.

It’s too shameful!

That was Jiang Lingling’s only feeling; finally, she spoke slowly, "Lin Jiayi, I’m cutting ties with you!" After saying that, she turned to leave, not even wanting to stay for her grandfather’s 80th birthday.

"Lingling, where are you going?" Third Aunt Jiang urgently called from behind, but Jiang Lingling ran out without turning back.

The ever-observant Mrs. Jiang sighed and said to Wan Chu’er, "Xiao Chu, please go check on her; Lingling listens to you."

Listening to me?

Wan Chu’er looked up at her, momentarily stunned. In her past life, Jiang Lingling was utterly devoted to Lin Jiayi, and everyone said Jiang Lingling always listened to Lin Jiayi. And in this life, it suddenly turned out that Jiang Lingling was listening to her? Was it really the case that fortunes take turns?

She left Chuanqi and Hunter under the care of Mrs. Jiang and ran after them herself.

Near the entrance of the courtyard, Wan Chu’er caught up with Jiang Lingling.

Jiang Lingling’s eyes were somewhat red, and she was actually crying, which surprised Wan Chu’er. She consoled her, "Is it really worth it? It’s just a little matter. Jiang Lirong is right about one thing, there are so many studios in the world, what’s one more or less?"

Jiang Lingling pursed her lips and glanced at her, then turned her face away to hide the moisture in her eyes and sulkily said:

"I am disappointed; can’t I reminisce about my once innocence? It has nothing to do with Lin Jiayi!"

Stubborn as a mule, probably disappointed at how Lin Jiayi has backstabbed her.

Wan Chu’er smiled, but this smile drew a glare from Jiang Lingling, "Why aren’t you worried at all? You have a stake in that studio, and you put in all the money."

"What’s the use of worrying? It’s still not clear who will have the last laugh," Wan Chu’er said softly. She believed that doing business was also about character; with Lin Jiayi’s two-faced, extremely hypocritical, and malice-filled nature, she might thrive for a while, but she didn’t believe such a person could prosper for a lifetime.

As they say, karma is a cycle; look up, who does the heaven spare!

"Alright, let’s go back. You see how well Lin Jiayi can pretend, acting like she’s the victim when she’s clearly not. We haven’t even started fighting, and you let her chase you away. If our studio really has to compete with hers, and you get driven away by a few words from her, how can we get anything done?

Don’t boost others’ morale and undermine your own dignity. Walk back proudly, don’t even glance at her properly; let her feel upset and choked up by seeing you."

Jiang Lingling was amused by Wan Chu’er’s persuasion, her eyes still red, but she couldn’t hold back her irritation anymore and complained, "Looking at her makes me feel choked up and miserable."

"Then treat her like your whetstone, sharpen yourself, and don’t tear up so easily," Wan Chu’er frowned and said.

The two of them then walked back together. As they neared home, Jiang Lingling suddenly sighed and said, "I understand Lin Jiayi less and less."

Wan Chu’er almost laughed out loud: You never really figured out Lin Jiayi at all! Maybe you were just a fool and follower in your past life.

Seeing them return, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Third Aunt Jiang even awkwardly thanked Wan Chu’er and took the chance during dinner to say,

"From now on, I won’t make subtle digs at you anymore. Please be nicer to our Lingling."

Wan Chu’er tugged at the corner of her mouth, unsure whether to laugh or be annoyed.

Seeing Jiang Lingling return, Lin Jiayi and her daughter were not so pleased. Having such a thorn like Jiang Lingling around, one might get retorted at any moment, making it hard even to enjoy their meal, yet they couldn’t leave and had to keep up appearances, enduringly.

Wan Chu’er saw all of this clearly and was greatly amused. She shared what she saw with Jiang Lingling secretly, prompting Jiang Lingling to retort even more spiritedly.