"Mother, I heard them say that Sister-in-law's money was given to her by Heir Pei because she happened to save his life! The Heir sent someone to ask her about Su Hexiao. Her money came from legitimate means!"

"The Heir? Oh, heavens!" Madam Wu felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck her on the head, rendering her mind blank.

Old Man Qi was just bringing lunch to the table when he heard her. He stammered nervously in response, "We… We've made a big mistake."

Madam Liang said indignantly, "Not a big mistake, but a huge one! We threw a pot of gold away!"

Madam Wu's head slumped to the side and she keeled over toward the floor.

"Mother!" screamed Madam Liang in shock.

…

When Qi Qingyao made her way back to Ma Sanye's house, Jiang Yeqian was there, calm and collected, as if he had not moved an inch. He raised his brow and said, pretending to be nonchalant, "What did he come here for?"

"To help me solve my problem," Qi Qingyao said casually.

"That, huh? Heir Pei's pretty kind to have done so."

"Hmm…"

After saying that, she turned to look at Si Jin, who had followed her in. She said to Si Jin with a grin, "Si Jin, you're with me from now on. I'll pay you." Whatever the boy said somehow always quickly came true. She had to try to make him stay!

Si Jin said innocently with puffed cheeks, "Sister, I've always been with you."

"So obedient."

Qi Qingyao pinched Si Jin's puffed up cheeks with a grin on her face.

Jiang Yeqian was furious for no apparent reason after seeing the smile on her face as she pinched the young boy's cheeks. "Men and women should keep their distance. What are you doing, standing so close to each other?"

Qi Qingyao did not care about that and pinched Si Jin's smooth cheeks again. "This child is so cute. So what if I pinch his face some more, am I right?"

Si Jin closed his eyes, appearing to enjoy getting his cheeks pinched. He looked as satisfied as a cat that was being caressed by its owner.

This scene made Jiang Yeqian so incensed that he was about to shove the table to the ground and leave.

However, the moment he almost got up, he sat back down; restraining himself with the last bit of consciousness remaining in his mind.

It was like he had woken up from a dream.

What was he doing?

What was he getting all riled up for?

Why was he furious at the sight of this woman pinching Si Jin's face…

Jiang Yeqian, who came to realize that, found even himself beyond comprehension.

…

After Qi Qingyao saw Ma Sanye walk in, she bowed, hands placed in front of her chest. "Village Chief, I'll be leaving the village soon seeing that I've proved my innocence."

Better than getting herself into a mess with those unreasonable people!

Immediately after she said that, and before Ma Sanye could reply, Zhang Tieyuan walked to the front. He said, "Qi Qingyao, wait."

Qi Qingyao grinned excitedly. "What? Are you going to question me again? Will it be my gender this time?" Her voice was laced with derision.

Zhang Tieyuan pretended not to hear the sarcasm in her voice, as his mind was still preoccupied with thoughts of the deal worth 100 taels. He gritted his teeth. "Didn't you say something about a deal? Do your words from then still apply?"

Qi Qingyao blinked, her twinkling large eyes stared at Zhang Tieyuan, a grin plastered on her face.

The man was still hung up on the 100 taels, huh.

Too bad. She had already given him a chance.

It was a different story now.

He could have taken the chance when it was offered, but he had chosen to do things the hard way.

Qi Qingyao bowed toward him with a smile before saying slowly, "Uncle Zhang—I'll call you uncle with due respect—do you think I'm still going to agree to the deal after you kept doubting me and forced me to utter Su Hexiao's name?"

Zhang Tieyuan stammered. He averted his gaze and did not dare to speak up.

Qi Qingyao answered her own question for him, "So the deal that should've happened has now been cancelled!"

Indignant, Zhang Tieyuan retorted for his own sake, "It's perfectly within reason for us to question where you got your money from. You can't blame me for that!"