Jian Dan curled her lips into a cold smile and said bluntly:
"I'll follow Father's arrangements. After all, I've just returned—it wouldn't be right to make sudden demands when you're unprepared. There's no hurry; we have plenty of time."
Listening to his daughter's meaningful words, Zhao Mufeng suddenly felt uncertain. He wasn't sure if his plans would proceed as smoothly as he hoped.
After some casual small talk that lasted about half an hour, Jian Dan excused herself, declining the invitation to dine together. She claimed she needed to catch up on her beauty sleep and returned to the guest room.
From the moment she stepped into the Zhao household, Jian Dan had been suppressing her dislike for them. But facing their schemes and manipulations only deepened her impatience. If not for her desire to avoid drawing the attention of the state, she had countless ways to deal with them.
In her past life, these people had gone to great lengths to manipulate an eighteen-year-old girl like her. While her own naivety and inability to recognize deceit had played a part in her downfall, the four members of the Zhao family had contributed significantly.
Her mother had taken her away from the capital back then precisely to escape this quagmire. Because of that, many of the Jian family's long-held possessions had been left behind, seized tightly by the Zhaos. The only reason they had given her mother 20% of Zhao Corporation's shares was to save face.
Under such circumstances, her mother could only secretly pass down a small portion to her. Now that she had obtained the most crucial treasure—the magnolia space—the rest hardly mattered to her. But she refused to let the Zhaos benefit from it.
Especially Zhao Zihan, who had schemed against her in her past life. She would reclaim everything that belonged to her—down to the last item.
Over the next few days, Zhao Ziyu became her self-appointed tour guide, taking Jian Dan around the capital's major attractions and shopping districts. Armed with Zhao Mufeng's black card, Jian Dan splurged on herself—and naturally, Zhao Ziyu benefited as well, growing even more attached to her.
Jian Dan played the generous sister, spending freely since it wasn't her own money. Meanwhile, Zhao Ziyu seized every opportunity to shop lavishly. The darkening expression on Zhao Mufeng's face during dinner each night said it all.
But what did she care? Aside from shopping trips with Zhao Ziyu, she barely left the house, carefully staying within the Zhao family's surveillance and avoiding any suspicious behavior.
Every night, after resting, she would enter the magnolia space with her spiritual sense to continue cultivating. She practiced both spells and physical refining, steadily improving. It wouldn't be long before she broke through to the late-stage of Qi Refining.
One day, Zhao Ziyu took her to a high-end spa for a beauty treatment. Midway through, Zhao Ziyu received a call and left for half an hour. Jian Dan didn't ask what it was about. After finishing her treatment, she left the room and waited in the private lounge, sipping a cup of Blue Mountain coffee.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
The door opened, revealing a woman in a white professional dress. She was around twenty-five, with wavy hair cascading over her shoulders, delicate features, and impeccable makeup. Walking in on five-centimeter heels, she introduced herself gracefully:
"Hello, Miss Jian. I'm Sun Kailin. My father holds a position at Zhao Corporation—he's one of the shareholders."
Jian Dan appreciated her directness and shook her hand. "Hello, Miss Sun. Just call me Jian Dan. Please, have a seat."
Sun Kailin sat down without hesitation, studying Jian Dan's youthful face before smiling lightly.
"Miss Jian, it's a pleasure to meet you. Truthfully, ever since we learned of your return to the Zhao family, we've wanted to visit. But Chairman Zhao kept postponing, saying he'd formally introduce you at the company's annual meeting. So we've been waiting eagerly. Running into you here today is a happy coincidence."
Jian Dan didn't react to the we in her words, merely smiling sweetly as she set down her porcelain coffee cup. "You're too kind. I'm still adjusting—I didn't grow up here, after all."
Sun Kailin, getting no useful information, decided to cut to the chase: "Actually, my father is very interested in your 20% stake in Zhao Corporation. Price isn't an issue—we hope you'll consider selling."
"But my mother wanted me to return those shares to the Zhao family. Besides, he's my father—he wouldn't shortchange me."
Sun Kailin chuckled. "Miss Jian, remember—your surname is Jian. Do you know why your mother left the Zhao family in the first place? Don't you want justice for her?"
"Oh? Are you implying there's more to my parents' story? And how would you know? You've had people watching me these past few days just for these shares."
"So you're aware. Then I won't waste words." Sun Kailin handed her a sleek black smartphone. "Here's my number—speed dial '1' connects to me directly. We'll await your call."
Jian Dan twirled the phone in her hand, amused. "The latest Pear phone. How thoughtful—more considerate than my father."
She casually dropped it into her bag, where it instantly vanished into the magnolia space.
Before Sun Kailin could react, the door burst open. Zhao Ziyu stormed in, her expression darkening at the sight of Sun Kailin.
"Well, well. If it isn't 'Madam Sun'? What brings you here?"
Unfazed, Sun Kailin flicked her hair and stood, looking down at Zhao Ziyu with a smirk. "Just paying a visit to the Zhao family's true heiress."
The jab hit its mark. Zhao Ziyu's face twisted, but she suppressed her anger and turned to Jian Dan.
"Let's go, Jian Dan. After a spa day, you should rest—it'll do wonders for your complexion."
"Alright."
Without another word, Jian Dan followed her out, but not before giving Sun Kailin a subtle wink.