As expected, Qin Mei wasn’t surprised. Had Aunt Zhang shown just a little more patience and meticulously cared for Jing Qi after the accident, not only would Jing Qi have been able to keep her long hair, but she would have become even more grateful. With a personality like Jing Qi’s, she would have spent the rest of her life protecting Aunt Zhang, even at the cost of her own.

Aunt Zhang had been dealt a winning hand but played it terribly. It was clear from the beginning that her kindness toward Jing Qi had an ulterior motive. If Jing Qi’s accident hadn’t caused Aunt Zhang to show her true colors, her scheming would have surely ensnared Jing Qi with false affection for good.

But man’s schemes are no match for heaven’s plans. Aunt Zhang failed the test, and Jing Qi’s sincere trust was ultimately misplaced.

"I like long hair too, Jing Qi. Let’s grow ours out together." A fond, doting smile touched the corners of Qin Mei’s lips.

"Okay." Jie Jingshan nodded enthusiastically, raising her hand toward Qin Mei and extending her pinky. "Pinky promise."

A flicker of amusement crossed Qin Mei’s eyes. ’Such a little girl.’ She extended her own pinky, hooking it with Jie Jingshan’s. "Pinky promise, for a hundred years, no changing."

Jie Jingshan swallowed whatever she was about to say and happily repeated Qin Mei’s words instead: "Pinky promise, for a hundred years, no changing."

They unlinked their fingers. The smile on Qin Mei’s lips deepened, while Jie Jingshan was still beaming radiantly.

"Qin Mei, I have something for you." Jie Jingshan stood up from her wheelchair, walked over to the bed, and pulled a bankbook from under the pillow. She then returned to Qin Mei, sat back down, and presented the bankbook with both hands. "Here, Qin Mei. This is for you."

Qin Mei was stunned speechless. ’Based on what I know of Jing Qi, I would have expected her to just give me cash. Now she can’t even be bothered to withdraw it and is just handing over the entire bankbook.’

Qin Mei took the bankbook and opened it. The amount written inside gave her a shock. She quickly snapped it shut and handed it back to Jie Jingshan. "Jing Qi, I can’t accept this."

"Why not?" Jie Jingshan didn’t understand.

After a moment’s thought, Qin Mei stated bluntly, "It’s too much."

Jie Jingshan blinked. ’No one ever complains about having too much money... Qin Mei must have been frightened by the amount.’ She gazed at Qin Mei, her big, watery eyes sparkling. "It’s not that much to me, Qin Mei. Really, I’m rich."

Qin Mei raised a hand to her brow, feeling a headache coming on. ’If Jie Jingshan had offered me this much money at the very beginning, I probably wouldn’t have refused. But now... I’m conflicted.’

’Some things can’t be measured in money—things like feelings. Whether it’s the pity I feel for Jing Qi or my designs on Jie Jingchen.’

’Before, when Jie Jingchen and I hadn’t made anything official and I wasn’t trying to advance our relationship, I would have politely refused if Jie Jingshan offered money. And if she insisted, I would have accepted it with a clear conscience. But now...’

’I don’t want Jie Jingchen to think I’m only treating Jing Qi’s legs for the money. Even though, at the beginning, that was the reason—and he knew it perfectly well. Back then, I was simply captivated by his looks and hadn’t even met Jing Qi. Without the financial incentive, I wouldn’t have had any motivation.’

’Now, things are different. From Jie Jingchen, I don’t want money. I want him—his person, and even his heart. You could call me greedy, and I’d admit it.’

’After spending time with Jing Qi, I’ve come to feel pity for her, and I’ve gradually grown fond of her. Now, even without any money involved, I would still treat her legs.’

"I know you have money, Jing Qi, but I can’t take this." ’I know she has money,’ Qin Mei thought. ’Would she have given me a thousand yuan right away if she didn’t? And now she’s handing over her bankbook... This is probably all the money she has in the world.’

’This girl is so generous. We’ve known each other for less than two months, and she’s holding nothing back. Should I call that generous, or just naive?’

"Qin Mei, I have money," Jie Jingshan repeated earnestly.

Qin Mei was at a loss. How was she supposed to convince this single-minded girl? After a moment of thought, she decided to use Jie Jingchen as a shield. "Jing Qi, if I take your bankbook, your fourth brother will get angry at me."

"My fourth brother wouldn’t," Jie Jingshan said firmly.

"He would," Qin Mei insisted.

"It’s my money, and I’ll do what I want with it. I can give it to anyone I like, and my fourth brother has no say in it," Jie Jingshan declared defiantly.

Qin Mei opened her mouth, but she couldn’t find a single word to refute Jing Qi. ’The rich really can do whatever they want.’ 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Qin Mei sighed, patting Jie Jingshan’s head as she tried a new tactic. "Jing Qi, put the bankbook away. Don’t let anyone know you have this much money, or something bad could happen."

"Don’t worry, Qin Mei. My own dad doesn’t even know I have this money. Besides my grandpa and grandma on my mom’s side, only my mom and Fourth Brother know. Fifth Brother doesn’t know either." Jie Jingshan tilted her head up, her smile as radiant as the morning sun.