CHAPTER 586: CHAPTER 584: THE MIDDLEMAN

Based on Lin Jiayi’s implication, isn’t it just Time causing mischief intentionally and hyping up Zhi Mei?

To put on such an air of superiority and then dump the blame on Time, sickening!

Jiang Lingling wished she could stand up right there and expose what kind of person Rose really was, but before coming, Mai Qiqi had repeatedly admonished her not to act rashly, so Jiang Lingling could only forcefully suppress her anger.

With the situation online being very unfavorable for Zhi Mei, Lin Jiayi managed to muddle through the crisis with her little trick of substituting one thing for another, though some astute observers could immediately see what was going on and Lin Jiayi’s ploy. But if it doesn’t concern them, they wouldn’t bother doing the thankless task of playing the villain and just mentally decide never to shop at Zhi Mei again.

However, the world never lacks people, and Lin Jiayi planned to wait for some time after this incident then spend a big sum to hire a few popular celebrities to endorse and regain some reputation.

Jiang Lingling found it suffocating to stay there any longer, and without waiting for everyone to leave, she went straight to Lin Jiayi. Not caring that Lin Jiayi was talking to someone else, she said bluntly, "I’ll tell you a secret, do you want to hear it?"

Lin Jiayi was infuriated by Jiang Lingling’s high and mighty posture, but with important guests around, she couldn’t show her anger. She had to suppress it, and after cheekily apologizing to the guests and thanking them for their support, she took Jiang Lingling aside to a corner.

She wanted to hear what secret Jiang Lingling had to tell her.

Jiang Lingling said mockingly, "Don’t force yourself if you don’t want to hear it. You look so two-faced, it’s truly irritating."

"You! Jiang Lingling, don’t go too far!" Lin Jiayi hissed through gritted teeth.

Seeing Lin Jiayi angry but restrained by the occasion, Jiang Lingling felt exhilarated. She smiled and said, "Do you want to know why your Zhi Mei’s designs were released by us in advance?"

Lin Jiayi stared at Jiang Lingling and demanded, "Did Wan Chu’er bribe someone on my team?"

"Ha ha..." Jiang Lingling laughed again, mockingly adding, "Don’t assume everyone else is as despicable as you."

"You!" Lin Jiayi was so angry her veins were bulging. Now Jiang Lingling opposed her at every turn, becoming Wan Chu’er’s lackey. It was infuriating for her.

Jiang Lingling, seeing Lin Jiayi’s demeanor, leisurely said, "You might want to check on your Rose. All her designs are those drawn by our Director Yu two years ago." After saying this, she took pleasure in Lin Jiayi’s shocked and disbelieving expression before sauntering off happily.

When Jiang Lingling had disappeared, and someone else came to call her, Lin Jiayi finally snapped out of it. She took a moment to cover her real emotions and put on an appropriate face before continuing to tend to friends and VIPs who were there to support.

Whether what Jiang Lingling said was true or not, this matter had to be dealt with behind closed doors. The immediate priority was to tidy up the aftermath of today.

In response to Zhi Mei’s alleged plagiarism, that very day Time posted online audio recordings of Lin Jiayi bribing Time employees during the transaction, dealing another heavy blow to Lin Jiayi.

Even though the evidence was solid, Lin Jiayi adamantly claimed the recording was fake, not her voice, and refused to respond further, barely keeping Zhi Mei from collapsing.

A few days later, Wan Chu’er suddenly received a call from Mrs. Jiang, asking her to find time to return to the family estate.

Wan Chu’er agreed, but couldn’t figure out what it was about. Mrs. Jiang didn’t clarify on the phone, and Wan Chu’er felt like not bothering Jiang Kechu with this trivial matter since he had been busy lately, so she decided to just go to the estate and see.

That afternoon, Wan Chu’er found time to visit the estate. Mrs. Jiang was waiting for her outside early on and whispered, "It’s Mr. Jiang who wants to see you. No matter what he says, don’t take it to heart and don’t be nitpicky with him."

Grandpa Jiang wanted to see her? What’s the old man up to this time? Wan Chu’er mused to herself, while nodding to Mrs. Jiang—surely she wouldn’t really argue with an elderly man who had trouble getting around!

Upon entering, she saw Mr. Jiang sitting on the sofa with a stern face.

"Grandpa, I’m here," Wan Chu’er greeted proactively.

Mr. Jiang looked at her with irritation, "What, should I come out to greet you?!"

Such anger from the get-go! Did he eat gunpowder?

Afraid that Wan Chu’er would also lose her temper, Mrs. Jiang hurriedly played peacemaker, saying, "Dad, look what you’re saying. Xiao Chu is just being a junior and greeting you proactively." Then she asked Wan Chu’er to sit down.

Alright, for Mrs. Jiang’s sake, Wan Chu’er held back, but didn’t take the initiative to speak further.

Mr. Jiang kept up his pretentious demeanor, remaining tight-lipped with an increasingly dark face, giving no pleasant looks towards Wan Chu’er.

Having no choice, Mrs. Jiang had to intervene again, "Dad, Xiao Chu is here, whatever you have to say, please say it."

Mr. Jiang huffed, prodded his cane, and then in a condescending tone asked, "Have you been bullying Jiayi again lately?"

So it was about Lin Jiayi. It seemed that Lin Jiayi had complained to the old man or had Jiang Lirong do so on her behalf. Wan Chu’er thought coldly, without Jiang Lingling acting as a spearhead against her for Lin Jiayi in this life, Lin Jiayi turned to Mr. Jiang.

In fact, Wan Chu’er had misjudged Lin Jiayi. After this incident, Lin Jiayi realized yet again that Wan Chu’er was too cunning to be easily provoked, or else she herself would suffer.

So, she decided to yield to Wan Chu’er in this matter, hoping for peaceful coexistence. She thought it over and over and chose Mr. Jiang as the mediator.

Mr. Jiang was the only one in the family who wasn’t afraid of Wan Chu’er. If Mr. Jiang were to mediate, Wan Chu’er would likely give face. So, Lin Jiayi went to him, but wanting to save face, she made her plea sound vague. She just wanted her grandfather to tell Wan Chu’er that regardless of what unpleasant things had happened in the past, they were relatives, a family, and they should get along amicably rather than tripping each other up.

But Mr. Jiang, already disliking Wan Chu’er for acting like Jiang Family mattered little to her because of her powerful grandfather, always wanted to keep Wan Chu’er down. He added his own interpretation, thinking Wan Chu’er had bullied his granddaughter Jiayi, prompting Jiayi to complain to him. The old man, finally finding something he could control, naturally put on airs.

When he had his daughter-in-law call Wan Chu’er, he ordered there be no advance warning.

Wan Chu’er calmly replied, "Did Lin Jiayi say I bullied her? Then let her say it to my face. I also want to know how I’ve bullied her."