Chapter 27 - 27: Making the First Move (1)
In Song Zhizhi’s room, Xiaochun stood in front of Song Zhizhi, trembling. Her eyes were red.
The young maid was not yet 20 years of age. She was thin and timid looking. She had probably taken a scolding from Aunt Zhu not long ago, and was now holding back tears.
“Xiaochun,” Song Zhizhi briefly looked her up and down before she spoke, slowly.
‘Yes, Miss.”
“When did you become a maid at our house?”
“More than half a year ago,” Xiaochun quickly replied, “Did I do anything wrong, Miss? If you tell me, I’ll correct it right away. I’ll definitely do my job properly.”
Song Zhizhi tried to soothe her, “Wait, don’t be so nervous. I just want to ask you some questions. Why are you working as a maid at your age when you should be studying?”
“My family is poor. My parents live in the countryside and don’t make much money. I’m the oldest of 6 siblings. All my younger siblings are still attending school, so my family is depending on me for their tuition fees,” said Xiaochun. The more she said, the redder her eyes became, and the fiercer her tears flowed. “Please don’t dismiss me, Miss.”
“I never said I’ll dismiss you. Don’t be so nervous,” Song Zhizhi again comforted her, “I only want to know some basic information about you. Who recommended you to my family?”
“Uncle Zhang,” replied Xiaochun, “Uncle Zhang is a distant relative of mine. My parents found him using family connections. He recommended me to Aunt
Zhu.”
Uncle Zhang was all right.
At least Xiaochun was not one of Aunt Zhu’s people.
Nie Wenzhi had managed the Song family’s affairs for so many years; it would not be a problem for her to buy out a few servants. Someone may very well be watching Song Zhizhi at this very moment. As the housekeeper in charge of the servants, Aunt Zhu was naturally the biggest suspect.
Song Zhizhi lightly pursed her lips, then asked, “Besides my bedroom, are you also responsible for cleaning my father’s and Xiaofei’s bedroom?”
“Yes, Miss. I’m the one cleaning both master’s and second miss’ bedroom, and young master’s bedroom as well,” Xiaochun replied without delay.
“I’d like you to do something for me. This matter cannot be disclosed to anyone else, ” Song Zhizhi told her bluntly.
Xiaochun nodded in a hurry, “Yes, Miss.”
“If Aunt Zhu or anyone else, including Lady Wenzhi, ask you why I summoned you here today, tell them that I’m dissatisfied with your cleaning, especially in the bathroom area, so I’ve asked you to clean again.”
‘Yes, Miss.”
Song Zhizhi said, “Make sure to keep your promise, or I won’t be able to guarantee if you can still continue working here afterwards.”
“Don’t worry, Miss, I promise I’ll do everything I can to complete your task!”
“Good,” Song Zhizhi nodded. She knew very well that, considering the amount of time Xiaochun had worked here, she was not fit to be Nie Wenzhi’s confidant, so she was naturally not bought yet.
She slowly spoke, “When you clean Lady Wenzhi’s room and the second miss’ room tomorrow, steal a strand of their hair from their rooms and give them to me. Lady Wenzhi and my father share a room, but she has long hair, so you should be able to tell. Nie Xiaofei’s will be easier as she has her own room.”
“I’ll do it, Miss,” Xiaochun quickly agreed.
“Remember not to tell anyone.” Song Zhizhi warned.
“I won’t,” Xiaochun assured her.
“That’s all. You can go now,” Song Zhizhi dismissed Xiaochun.
Xiaochun promptly left the room.
Zhizhi pondered. Nie Wenzhi and Nie Xiaofei lived with her under the
same roof, so obtaining their hair was not difficult, but what about Yi Wenhan?
The quickest way to expose the Nie family and disgrace them so they get kicked out was to do a DNA test!
In the evening.
Song Shan came back for dinner. The whole family was very quiet at the big dinner table.
Song Zhizhi broke the silence, “Dad, for the press conference tomorrow, are Xiaofei, Ji Baijian and I the only ones attending?”
“I’ll be there too,” Song Shan answered gently.
“I mean, is Yi Wenhan’s not going to show up?” Song Zhizhi suggested.
Nie Xiaofei’s hands visibly trembled for an instant.
Nie Wenzhi’s expression also changed slightly.
“Yi Wenhan is the instigator of this incident. Since we’re doing this press conference to make the media shut up, someone as crucial as him should most definitely make an appearance,” Song Zhizhi said in a seemingly casual manner.
“That’s true.” Qin Ciling spoke, “If it wasn’t for Yi Wenhan, we wouldn’t have so much problem!”
“I really can’t bring myself to like this Yi Wenhan guy,” Song Shan said unhappily, “But since he has a relationship with Xiaofei, if we reject him, people will say that we’re looking down on those below us. Ask him to come tomorrow. Tell him to prepare well for it too so that he doesn’t make a fool of himself in front of so many people.”
The latter part was said at Nie Wenzhi and Nie Xiaofei. Despite what he said, he was obviously looking down on Yi Wenhan.
Naturally, Nie Wenzhi was secretly upset. Hearing her own son so belittled could not have felt good. However, she was still able to answer without showing any reaction, “Okay. I’ll give Yi Wenhan a call later to explain things to him.”
“From what I understand, Yi Wenhan has always been pretty poor financially.
He probably has no decent clothes. He usually wears very simple clothes. Although it makes him look clean and tidy, it’s ultimately unsuitable for formal occasions,” Song Zhizhi stated bluntly, “I suggest asking Yi Wenhan to come by our house early morning tomorrow. The stylist will be here tomorrow; we can just ask the stylist to prepare a set of clothes for him too.”
“Good idea. A low-born like Yi Wenhan must dress up properly before he can be presented.” Qin Ciling nodded, and said in satisfaction, “Zhizhi has really become more mature. You consider things more thoroughly now.” “Thank you, Grandma.” Song Zhizhi smiled sweetly.
Song Zhizhi’s face made Nie Xiaofei feel like tearing her apart.
Song Zhizhi really had the upper hand in everything at the moment, as if everything was revolving around her.
After dinner, Nie Xiaofei cried and complained to her mother again in her room.
Nie Wenzhi’s mood was not any better than her daughter’s. She said in a chilly voice, “Shut up. All day long I hear you cry. Can’t you make yourself more useful instead?”
Nie Xiaofei, who was already upset, got even more upset after her mother scolded her.
“But what the hell is Song Zhizhi up to again?” Nie Wenzhi’s eyes were vicious. Every time Song Zhizhi make a move, she would feel really uneasy.
“Trying to ridicule my brother, of course. What else? Song Zhizhi, this vicious woman; she’ll definitely meet a horrible end sooner or later!”
Nie Wenzhi’s gaze was grim. Hopefully that really was the case — ridiculing Yi Wenhan would achieve nothing but make Song Zhizhi feel better. Nie Wenzhi was just afraid that Song Zhizhi was planning something again!
“Mom, I feel like dying whenever I remember that I have to act all lovey-dovey with Wenhan in front of the media tomorrow.”
“So do I!” Nie Wenzhi was furious, “But bear with it! I’ll give Wenhan a call
later. Take sure you two perrorm rms Play wen. we can easily ao away witn Song Zhizhi in the future after we’ve achieved our goal!”
When Nie Xiaofei saw how angry her mother was, she did not dare say another word and could only endure it. She secretly fantasized of the pleasure of stepping on Song Zhizhi in the future. She must make sure Song Zhizhi suffer a fate worse than death..