Chapter 6

Chapter 6: They Thought Their Scheme Was Brilliant, but the Target Knew Everything and Watched Them Perform

Mu Mei Xi’s disgust carved into Jiang Yi Zhu like a blade, dragging every bitter memory of Trash Planet back to the surface. Tears poured down her cheeks as if she’d suffered the greatest injustice.

Mu Mei Xi turned away, refusing to look at her.

Jiang Tea Tea was gone. Where were they supposed to find another abilityless human to send to Director Zhou?

“Where’s Jiang Tea Tea?”

Jiang Zong Shen rushed out from inside, smiling like he’d just won the lottery. He looked around, then frowned. “I already arranged with Director Zhou. I’m taking Jiang Tea Tea over at eight tonight. Why don’t I see her?”

Mu Mei Xi blamed Jiang Yi Zhu for being petty and short-sighted—but in the end, it was still her biological daughter. Instinctively, she defended her. “Jiang Tea Tea argued with Yi Zhu. She got angry and left. That child… she’s getting more and more disobedient.”

Jiang Zong Shen’s brow furrowed. He didn’t buy it. “Since when does Jiang Tea Tea have the temper to argue with Yi Zhu? Yi Zhu bullied her for three years and she never said a word.”

He stepped closer, voice icing over. “Wife—tell me the truth. Did Yi Zhu bully her again and drive her away?”

Mu Mei Xi opened her mouth. “No—”

“What deal? What business?”

Jiang Yi Zhu’s grievance surged until it overflowed. She yanked herself free and roared at her father, “I was beaten until my face was swollen! I told you, and you didn’t believe me! Now my fingers are broken too, and you still don’t believe me!”

“You’re biased! You’re biased toward that fake! You want that fake to be your daughter. You want her to steal everything that should be mine!”

Jiang Zong Shen’s face went icy. “Then tell me exactly what happened.”

Mu Mei Xi tried to speak again, but Jiang Zong Shen cut her off. “I want the truth.”

Under his glare, Mu Mei Xi told him what happened.

When she finished, Jiang Zong Shen jabbed a finger at Jiang Yi Zhu and exploded. “Jiang Yi Zhu, you idiot. Do you think your mother and I are idiots too? Do you think we don’t know what you’ve done to Jiang Tea Tea?”

“You trapped her, ruined her, framed her. Everything you did—we know. We only closed our eyes because you’re our biological daughter. We accidentally switched you two. We owe you. You suffered, and you needed somewhere to vent, so we let it go.”

“But now?” His voice sharpened. “Now the family needs her, and you still can’t tell what matters. You still curse and hit her. You really are Trash Planet through and through—filthy and unfixable!”

Jiang Yi Zhu’s lips trembled. “Dad—”

“I don’t care how many fingers you broke,” Jiang Zong Shen snapped. “Use any method you want. Before eight tonight, you will make sure she ends up in Director Zhou’s bed. If you can’t—then get back to your Trash Planet.”

Jiang Yi Zhu went as still as stone.

Jiang Zong Shen turned on Mu Mei Xi. “And you. You spoil her every day until she’s lawless. She doesn’t have a single ounce of a young lady’s manners. She’s still got that Trash Planet habit—seeing something and wanting to snatch it.”

Mu Mei Xi clenched her jaw, swallowing humiliation she couldn’t spit out. She didn’t dare argue. “It’s my fault. Husband, don’t worry. Before eight tonight, I’ll make sure Jiang Tea Tea ends up in Director Zhou’s bed.”

“And I’ll teach Yi Zhu again. I’ll make her obedient and sensible. Your sweet daughter.”

“You’d better,” Jiang Zong Shen said coldly, then turned and went back inside.

“Mom…”

Jiang Yi Zhu threw herself into Mu Mei Xi’s arms, sobbing as if her heart were cracking. “You have to believe me. I didn’t lie. I really was beaten by that bitch Jiang Tea Tea. I lay in the medical pod for half an hour.”

“Now she broke my fingers too. Brother Chu Ming can prove—”

“All right, all right.” Mu Mei Xi patted her back, voice soothing. “I believe you.”

Her mouth said she believed.

Her heart didn’t.

She knew Jiang Tea Tea. And she knew her biological daughter even better.

Jiang Yi Zhu pulled back, eyes red. “Mom, you still don’t believe me.”

Mu Mei Xi’s patience flashed thin. “This isn’t about whether I believe you. This is about how we’re going to get Jiang Tea Tea to Director Zhou before eight.”

Director Zhou was the key.

If the Jiang family became a procurement officer in the military department, their future would explode with money and status. Their eldest son—S-rank water ability—would graduate in a year. Only then could he enter the front-line legions, earn war merit, and establish himself. Only then could the family truly rise and cross classes.

“Aunt Mu,” Chu Ming said suddenly. He’d followed them out and been ignored the entire time. Now he stepped in like a savior. “I’ll go find Jiang Tea Tea.”

Mu Mei Xi looked at him sharply. “You’ll go?”

He’d heard everything. Still, he volunteered.

Suspicion stirred, but she didn’t show it. Chu Ming wanted to use the Jiang family too—sell Jiang Tea Tea, then walk away clean.

Chu Ming smiled, confidence oozing. “Yes. I’m Jiang Tea Tea’s fiancé. She listens to me the most.”

Mu Mei Xi narrowed her eyes. “What excuse will you use?”

“Easy.” Chu Ming didn’t hesitate. “I’ll say my guardians want to discuss our marriage. I’ll take her wherever you want.”

Mu Mei Xi’s breath caught. It was a good plan.

“Tea Tea has always said she’d marry you once she became an adult,” Mu Mei Xi murmured, then forced herself to ask, “But you heard what we’re doing to her. Are you sure you want to do this?”

Chu Ming walked forward, took Jiang Yi Zhu’s hand, and spoke like he was swearing a vow. “Aunt Mu, meeting Yi Zhu taught me what it means to have my heart move. Love at first sight.”

“I want to pursue Yi Zhu. But Jiang Tea Tea—an abilityless waste—refuses to annul the engagement. She wants to tie me down.”

“If she won’t let go, then don’t blame me for being ruthless. I’ll do anything for Yi Zhu… even personally send Jiang Tea Tea into someone else’s bed.”

Meanwhile, far away, Jiang Tea Tea sat in a flyer running on autopilot, listening to the entire plot through the tea branch she’d left behind at the Jiang family gate.

Her fingers curled into a fist.

With one squeeze, the distant branch crumbled into ash.

Then her lightbrain vibrated.

Chu Ming was calling.

It rang once. Twice. Three times.

Jiang Tea Tea finally answered, voice soft and sweet enough to melt sugar. “Brother Chu Ming… is Sister okay? Please comfort Sister, take care of Sister. Living on Trash Planet for so many years wasn’t easy.”

Chu Ming glanced at Mu Mei Xi and Jiang Yi Zhu across from him. “She’s fine. Her hand’s already been treated in the medical pod.”

Then, smoothly, he continued, “My Dad and Mom want to see you. They want to discuss our wedding date—”

“Aaaah!”

Jiang Tea Tea cut him off with a shriek of delighted excitement. “Really? You’re taking me to meet your Mom and Dad to discuss our wedding date?”

“I knew it. Three years with Yi Zhu can’t compare to the ten-plus years we’ve known each other. You only see her as a sister. You don’t love her at all. She’s the one being delusional and clinging to you!”