Chapter 222 - 86: A Short Play for Vindication

Two days passed in a flash. The first thing Jiang Li did when she woke up was transfer 10 million to Jiang Manshu.

Stunned by the sudden, enormous sum, Jiang Manshu immediately video-called Jiang Li, a reproachful look on her face. "Xiao Li, what is this for?"

Jiang Li pulled Shen Yanzhi, who was standing by the bed, into the frame. "This is a little something from Ah Yan and me."

Shen Yanzhi gave Jiang Li a resigned glance, then nodded at the screen. "Mom, just accept it."

Jiang Manshu pursed her lips. "Even if you wanted to give me something, this is far too much!"

Jiang Li grinned. "It’s fine. Just take it and spend it. Otherwise, Ah Yan won’t have any motivation to earn more money."

Jiang Manshu chuckled and shook her head. "Oh, you and that mouth of yours. You’re such a sweet-talker."

"I’m not! I’m just telling it like it is."

Glancing at the time from the corner of her eye, she saw it was already almost ten. She quickly said, "Mom, it’s getting late, so we have to go. We’ll talk more when we get there."

"Okay, see you in a bit then."

After hanging up, Jiang Li playfully punched Shen Yanzhi’s arm and pouted. "Honestly, you... It’s almost 10 o’clock. Why didn’t you wake me up earlier?"

Shen Yanzhi reached out and took her hand. "It doesn’t take long to get there. And even if we’re late, it’s not a big deal. There’s no need to rush."

Jiang Li couldn’t help but tsk. "I can’t get through to you."

She pulled her hand from his, immediately throwing back the covers and getting out of bed.

After quickly washing up, she went into the walk-in closet and picked out a brown and white checkered sweater, paired it with a brown skirt, and put on a white woolen coat.

She casually clipped up her hair with a claw clip. Noticing her bare ears, she found a pair of pearl studs in her jewelry box. After pulling on a pair of combat boots, she said, "Let’s go. We’ll grab some breakfast downstairs first."

Looking at her outfit, Shen Yanzhi instinctively frowned. "Shouldn’t you wear a scarf?"

Jiang Li shook her head. "No need."

The car had heating, they would go straight from the parking garage into the private room, and the room would be heated too. There was no way she would get cold.

Maybe it was the pregnancy, but she got hot really easily these days.

If she wasn’t afraid of catching a cold, she wouldn’t even want to wear a coat, let alone a scarf.

Shen Yanzhi wanted to press the issue, but he figured Jiang Li probably wouldn’t listen and it would only make her unhappy. In the end, he just let her be and went to the walk-in closet to grab a thicker coat for himself.

Because they were short on time, breakfast was simple: a sandwich without lettuce and a tea egg.

But her daily glass of milk was non-negotiable.

They arrived at Jinyuan at nearly 11:30. Just as she got out of the car, she received a call from Zhou Jiawen. "Sister-in-law, where are you guys?"

Jiang Li kept it short. "Parking garage."

Zhou Jiawen’s voice sounded like she was on the verge of tears. "Hurry up! I can’t handle this alone."

Jiang Li chuckled. "We’re on our way."

Seeing Jiang Li looking so happy on the phone, Shen Yanzhi asked with a hint of jealousy, "What’s so funny?"

Jiang Li put her phone back in her pocket. "Nothing. Wenwen’s just telling us to hurry up."

Shen Yanzhi’s tone was a bit tart as he said, "Sounds like you two get along pretty well."

Jiang Li nodded. "We do."

’Sisters-in-law don’t have to be difficult. As long as you’re both sincere, you can have a great relationship.’

Shen Yanzhi reached out and wrapped an arm around Jiang Li’s waist. "Let’s go. We shouldn’t keep them waiting."

Jiang Li glanced down at the hand on her waist and raised an eyebrow. "We’re going, we’re going. Why are you getting all handsy?"

Shen Yanzhi tightened his grip, pulling Jiang Li flush against him. "I can’t even hug my own wife now?"

Taken aback by his blunt words, Jiang Li didn’t know how to respond. She could feel heat rising to her cheeks.

’This guy just doesn’t play by the rules.’

When Jiang Li didn’t answer, Shen Yanzhi stopped walking. "Hmm?"

Annoyed, Jiang Li stomped on Shen Yanzhi’s foot and broke free from his grasp. "Hurry up already! You talk too much!"

Watching her figure striding away, Shen Yanzhi shook his head with a doting smile. "Slow down."

They got on the elevator, and in what felt like the blink of an eye, it went DING.

The first thing they saw was a professional portrait of Jiang Manshu. Above it, large words read: "Welcome to Ms. Jiang’s Birthday Banquet!"

Jiang Li nodded with satisfaction. ’As expected, Liu Qian wouldn’t let me down.’

As soon as they stepped off the elevator, a staff member came forward. "Are you here for Ms. Jiang’s birthday banquet?"

Jiang Li nodded, and the staff member gestured for them to follow. "Right this way, please."

They followed the staff member for just a few steps before they saw, from a distance, Zhou Jiawen standing beside Jiang Manshu to greet guests. She was wearing a red, Chanel-style tweed suit, a polite smile fixed on her face.