Chapter 116: The Seven-Inch Mark

Upon hearing the word "mistress," Nan Zhi instinctively thought of Mu Sihan. She had nearly been forced into the ignoble role of a mistress herself.

“Nan Zhi, don’t pay attention to Bai Weiwei’s words. My uncle said your proposal is excellent. If any sponsors at the investment promotion meeting are moved by your plan, we might not even need Bai Weiwei’s patrons. Actually, the sponsorship money she gets is pitifully small,” Xia Xi said, resting her chin in her hands with a worried expression. “My uncle has had a streak of bad luck this whole year; nothing seems to go right.”

Nan Zhi gently patted Xia Xi’s head, her smile faint yet sincere. “There will definitely be rewards after you put in the effort.”

At noon, Nan Zhi and Xia Xi went to the cafeteria to eat.

Bai Weiwei, Yu Xiaoting, and Zhuang Jingjing stood together in a group.

“Today is Madam Nan’s birthday,” Zhuang Jingjing exclaimed excitedly, unable to contain her enthusiasm. “I heard she’s hosting a banquet at the most luxurious and prestigious Royal Court Hotel in Ning City. And Nan Yao sent invitations to every colleague in our ‘Dreams Come True’ program!”

Bai Weiwei glanced at the invitation in Zhuang Jingjing’s hand with envy. “You’re so lucky to work in the same team as Nan Yao. We share the same surname, but the one on my team—aside from her looks, what does she have? Nan Yao is truly fortunate: a powerful family, a handsome fiancé, and her own talents.”

“Good thing I’m not a Nan, or else comparing myself to them would be infuriating!” Bai Weiwei scoffed.

Bai Weiwei deliberately raised her voice as Nan Zhi and Xia Xi passed by.

Xia Xi gritted her teeth in anger. “She’s just flattering the high and belittling the low. It’s too much. What’s wrong with having the surname Nan? Did she offend her somehow?”

Nan Zhi saw Xia Xi’s expression, as if ready to confront Bai Weiwei, and pulled her back with a cold look. “Forget it. If a dog bites you, do you have to bite back?”

Bai Weiwei glared fiercely at Nan Zhi. “Who did you call a dog?”

“Who else but the one I said?” Nan Zhi sneered lightly, her brow arching and her demeanor icy and captivating.

Bai Weiwei was about to retort, but the cold glint in Nan Zhi’s eyes stopped her dead in her tracks. For a few seconds, she was chilled to the bone by that cold stare.

“Nan Zhi, how can you bully my friend?” a gentle voice interrupted.

Bai Weiwei saw Nan Yao and immediately wore a look of grievance as she approached. Before Nan Yao joined the TV station, she had acted alongside Bai Weiwei in a drama, and their relationship was fairly good.

Nan Yao pulled an invitation from her bag. “Weiwei, this is for you.”

Bai Weiwei gasped in delight. “Yao Yao, I have one too! Thank you so much! Without you, I’d never get to go to a place like Royal Court Hotel in my lifetime!”

Nan Yao smiled with a hint of pride. She glanced at Nan Zhi but was surprised to find Nan Zhi didn’t even look at her, calmly and coldly eating with Xia Xi.

Stepping forward in her heels, Nan Yao drew another invitation from her bag. “Today is my mother’s birthday. If I’m not mistaken, it’s yours too, Nan Zhi. Do you want to go and see how Dad spoils Mom?”

With that, Nan Yao pressed hard on Nan Zhi’s vulnerable spot.

Since Nan Weiye married Ding Shuman, he only remembered Ding Shuman’s birthday every year. More than that, on that day he shed his image as a benevolent father; whenever he saw Nan Zhi, his face would darken as if he despised her deeply.

He never personally celebrated her birthday. The only time she had a coming-of-age ceremony, Nan Yao was the one who drugged her, destroying her innocence.

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This is the fourth update. To thank everyone for their recommendation votes and support through tips, there will be an additional chapter added tonight.