From Trashy A to the Heiress’s Little Son-in-Law After the Idol Competition (GL, ABO) - Chapter 24

The production team informed her that there was some family emergency and she needed to take leave to handle it.

With some time still left before the second performance, Xiao Yanjin could afford to step out a few times without issue.

However, when she answered the phone, she heard her mother crying on the other end: “Yanjin, come home quickly. Someone showed up at the house and is trying to take all the furniture. Your father was so angry he collapsed.”

Xiao Yanjin’s mind went blank. After securing her leave, she rushed out immediately.

The night before, Wei Qin had discovered that Ji Yunuo had left the talent show camp but hadn’t gone straight home, and her expression darkened considerably.

On top of that, after seeing the trending posts about Xiao Yanjin online, she had specifically arranged for someone to bring Ji Yunuo back.

Upon arriving home, Wei Qin was sitting on the sofa sipping tea, embodying the image of an elegant noblewoman to perfection though with a hint of ruthlessness that wasn’t usually there.

“I called you, but you didn’t answer. I sent messages through others, but you acted like you didn’t know. Even when I had someone bring you home, you dragged your feet. Nuonuo, you used to be the one who listened to me the most.” Wei Qin’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried through the entire house.

Butler Ji and the housekeeper, Aunt Shang, exchanged glances before quickly scurrying away.

Seeing her daughter remain silent, Wei Qin had no choice but to let Ji Zhiye speak.

Ji Zhiye sighed. “Your mother saw you defending Xiao Yanjin on Weibo and thought there might really be something between you two. She panicked and called you back to ask if it was true.”

“Mom is being overly sensitive.” Ji Yunuo sat upright on the sofa, her posture mirroring Wei Qin’s, an elegance cultivated since childhood.

“Sensitive? You have no idea how much I care about you. I’ve always treated you like my most precious treasure. How could someone like Xiao Yanjin ever be worthy of you? If you were with her, my heart would shatter.” Wei Qin pressed a hand to her chest, her eyes filled with distress.

Her daughter calling her sensitive? That nearly made her faint from anger.

Ji Yunuo smiled faintly.

“What are you smiling about?”

“Xiao Yanjin isn’t the same as before. We’re in the same group, I know what kind of person she really is.”

“So you just let her casually hold your hand?”

Wei Qin had been watching every episode. The sight of her daughter physically interacting with an alpha had nearly made her pass out from rage. She wished she could storm onto the set, tear them apart, and then lock Xiao Yanjin in a steel cage to sink to the bottom of the ocean—never to see her daughter again!

“That was part of the choreography.”

“And then you went out to eat with her?”

“There was someone else with us too.”

“And then you taught her the dance alone?”

“Mom, what exactly do you want?”

“I didn’t want you entering the entertainment industry because I’ve experienced its darkness firsthand. Some people may seem glamorous on the surface, but they’re ruthless underneath. One wrong step, and you could fall into an abyss!”

“What does that have to do with Xiao Yanjin?”

“Nuonuo, promise me one thing.”

Ji Yunuo stayed silent.

“Ji Yunuo!”

Ji Yunuo: “Go on.”

Wei Qin sighed. This daughter of hers was beyond her control now. “Your popularity is soaring, you’re definitely debuting. Once the group disbands, you’ll leave the industry. While you’re in the group, the Ji family will ensure no one dares touch you. But you have to promise me that, whether Xiao Yanjin debuts or not, you’ll cut all ties with her! After you leave the industry, you’ll work for the family company and never set foot in entertainment again.”

Celebrities may be wealthy, but they’re mere ants compared to capital. And what Wei Qin wanted Ji Yunuo to become wasn’t a star, but capital itself!

Ji Yunuo’s beautiful eyes flashed with complex emotions playing across her face.

Seeing her silence, Wei Qin pressed harder: “Did you hear me?”

“If I debut… I can’t avoid having connections with her.” Ji Yunuo avoided eye contact. Unlike her mother who appeared strong but was actually soft, she seemed uncertain, as if troubled by something.

“I know. Honestly, I don’t think she’ll ever debut. Who would like someone like her? And your group only has a year and a half contract anyway. After that, you’ll cut all ties and return to the Ji family!”

Ji Zhiye embraced his wife who was about to erupt in anger. Over the years, he’d spoiled Wei Qin to the point of lawlessness.

Though she still maintained some maternal dignity before their daughter, she often spoke recklessly when angry.

“Your mother, me, and the entire Ji family don’t want you entering the entertainment industry. You understand that, don’t you?”

“Correct.”

“My only requirement is that after the group disbands, you return immediately to inherit the Ji family fortune,” Ji Zhiye coaxed gently.

Ji Yunuo pressed her lips together, her slender frame swaying like reeds. Finally raising bright, determined eyes, she said: “I understand.”

Xiao Yanjin rushed back to her family mansion, only to find it occupied. In the living room, Liang Zhi held the newly awakened Xiao Liangmu, her eyes lighting up at Xiao Yanjin’s arrival.

“Yanjin,  you came at the perfect time! These people have gone completely rogue!”

Xiao Yanjin surveyed the crowd.

Faces gradually registered in her memory.

They were Xiao Liangmu’s cousins, the Xiao Xiren family, who had long coveted this century-old mansion. Now that the Xiao family was bankrupt, they’d hurried back from abroad to seize it!

“What brings Uncle here?” Xiao Yanjin addressed the middle-aged alpha leading the group. She remembered him being close to Xiao Liangmu in childhood. Hah, childhood friendships meant nothing when interests drove people apart in adulthood.

“Niece, weren’t you supposed to be in that talent show? What brings you home? Could it be,  you got eliminated?” Xiao Xiren mocked shamelessly.

Xiao Yanjin smiled back, settling calmly onto the sofa.

“Sorry to disappoint, Uncle. Not only wasn’t I eliminated, I actually rose several ranks. Strange how people keep voting for me could it be you secretly paid for votes?”

Xiao Xiren snapped: “What does your ranking have to do with me!”

Xiao Yanjin countered: “Then why suggest I was eliminated!”

Xiao Xiren choked momentarily before shouting:

“This house is mine!”

“The deed determines ownership!” Xiao Yanjin’s gaze turned icy.

“If Uncle wants this house, he can wait until I’m old to inherit it.”

“You little brat! Who are you insulting!” Xiao Xiren roared.

“Don’t rush, Uncle. If you can’t enjoy it, your son certainly can.”

Xiao Ruohua yelled: “Xiao Yanjin! After years apart, your tongue’s gotten sharp! Since your cousin didn’t discipline you properly, you’ve been running wild in this city. Now you dare defy your uncle?”

Xiao Yanjin gave a cold laugh as she stood up, towering several centimeters taller than Xiao Ruohua, the male Omega, completely overwhelming him with her presence. “What? You think I wouldn’t dare just because you’re here, cousin? Have you forgotten what you looked like as a kid? I’ve always been one step ahead of you, while you just hid behind me crying. What was it they used to call you back then? Oh right, ‘Little Chick.'”

Xiao Ruohua rolled up his sleeves, glaring. “Fine, Xiao Yanjin. You may not have much courage, but you sure have a temper. Let your big brother teach you a lesson.”

Having trained daily in the building, Xiao Yanjin naturally surpassed Xiao Ruohua, whose proportions were laughably poor, in both physique and stamina. She straightened up, her expression stern. “Go ahead, if you dare!”

Intimidated by her aura, Xiao Ruohua hesitated briefly before lunging at her. But in a flash, Xiao Yanjin twisted his arm and flung him aside, leaving him writhing in pain.

Xiao Ruohua howled in agony. “Xiao Yanjin, you actually hit me?! Someone, get someone here to beat her up!”

“Don’t you dare lay a finger on my daughter! Get lost if you know what’s good for you!” Xiao Liangmu suddenly grabbed a fruit knife and shielded Xiao Yanjin.

“Xiao Liangmu, still doting on your daughter, huh? Should I tell her about all the stupid things you’ve done?” Xiao Xiren sneered triumphantly.

Xiao Liangmu’s face instantly paled. Xiao Yanjin had no idea what “stupid things” he was referring to.

Xiao Liangmu rushed forward and punched Xiao Xiren in the face.

Blocking the blow, Xiao Xiren chuckled. “Getting desperate, aren’t you? Seems your daughter still doesn’t know about your past! Fine, I won’t say anything now there’ll be plenty of time to torment you later. If you want to blame anyone, blame yourself. You’re the one who crossed me back then. Did you really think we could still talk about family bonds?”

Xiao Liangmu’s eyes welled up. “Xiao Xiren, you!”

Xiao Xiren smirked. “Face it, your company’s gone. If you don’t hand over the house, you can forget about surviving in Lancheng!”

After they left, Xiao Liangmu let out a despairing sigh. “Yanjin, what should we do now?”

“Don’t panic yet. I’ll think of something.”

“Maybe we should sell the house and leave. I can’t live in fear like this anymore.”

“No! This house carries the legacy of generations!” Xiao Liangmu refused firmly. “My father gave it to me personally. I won’t let his most treasured possession fall into their hands!”

“Dad, what did he mean about the things you did?”

Xiao Liangmu stopped sighing. “None of your business. Just focus on the audition.”

Xiao Yanjin shot him a cold, disdainful look. What an idiot. Calls me here just to tell me to go back to the audition, am I a dog or something?

Hungry, she decided to grab a meal outside.

After eating, Xiao Yanjin walked to the riverside, only to find a dozen thugs approaching her.

Their leader grinned lazily. “Well, well, if it isn’t the fallen rich girl, Xiao Yanjin.”

She immediately realized Xiao Ruohua had sent these street punks to teach her a lesson. How pathetic.

“What do you want?”

“What else? We just don’t like you.”

Though her original body seemed frail, she had spent every night partying till dawn, giving her far better stamina than most. Plus, she had trained in Taekwondo in her past life. There was no way an Alpha like her would lose to these Little Chicks!

With a single kick, Xiao Yanjin sent one of the thugs reeling, utterly humiliated.

Xiao Yanjin pursed her lips in a faint smile. She had only kicked him in the crotch, it couldn’t be that serious, right?

The other thugs swarmed forward, cornering Xiao Yanjin by the riverside.

Staring at the rippling waves on the river, Xiao Yanjin shouted, “Mom, Dad, I’m sorry!”

The thugs exchanged glances.

The gang leader frowned. “Is this idiot about to jump into the river?”

“We can’t have a death on our hands!”

While they were distracted, Xiao Yanjin immediately slipped through the gap and escaped.

Fools. This was called a diversionary tactic!

The leader, furious, yelled, “After her, quick!”

Xiao Ruohua, still sitting in her car enjoying the show, saw Xiao Yanjin running toward her and hurriedly tried to roll up the window but it was too late. Xiao Yanjin snatched a half-empty bottle of mineral water from the ground and splashed it inside, drenching Xiao Ruohua from head to toe.

Xiao Ruohua wiped the water off her face and roared, “Xiao Yanjin, you bitch!!”

Xiao Yanjin wasn’t done yet. She slapped Xiao Ruohua hard across the face, leaving her dizzy and seeing stars. She had hired these thugs to teach Xiao Yanjin a lesson, yet here she was, the one getting beaten. The gang was closing in, and Xiao Yanjin knew she couldn’t take them head-on, what if they damaged her flawless face?

But there were too many of them. Just as she thought she’d escaped, another group spotted her and gave chase.

Xiao Ruohua, her face marked with red fingerprints, snarled, “Run all you want, Xiao Yanjin! When I catch you, you’ll regret it!”

Xiao Yanjin felt no fear, only excitement. She lazily retorted, “Cousin, we were so close as kids. And now you’re hiring thugs to beat me up? Where’s your conscience?”

Xiao Ruohua sneered, “No wonder people call you ‘Trash Xiao.’ You’re still talking about family ties at a time like this? You and your father are both worthless. Your dad squandered the entire Xiao family fortune, and now you want to cling to me with this ‘family’ nonsense? In the face of profit, family means nothing! Just hand over the house already. Whoever catches Xiao Yanjin gets 100,000 yuan!”

At the mention of money, the thugs sprinted even faster.

Damn, these little chickens sure knew how to play dirty.

Outnumbered, Xiao Yanjin knew she couldn’t win in a direct fight. She had to think fast.

Spotting a car with its window rolled down ahead, she didn’t hesitate, she leaped inside, her dancer’s flexibility making the move effortless. She ducked low, hiding.

Xiao Ruohua, approaching, scanned the area in confusion. “Weird. I swear I saw her come this way.”

“Boss, should we keep looking?”

“Of course!” Xiao Ruohua snapped. “Search every inch!”

With that, the dozen or so thugs scattered. Xiao Yanjin finally exhaled in relief. That Xiao Ruohua, what a piece of work!

“Hmm.” A soft moan suddenly filled the car, and Xiao Yanjin froze.

There was someone else inside!

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude. I had no choice. I’ll leave soon, please forgive me.” She hadn’t meant to interrupt whatever was happening, and honestly, getting interrupted mid-act would piss anyone off.

The other person didn’t speak, only breathing heavily.

Summoning her courage, Xiao Yanjin opened her eyes and found herself face-to-face with none other than Ji Yunuo, the young mistress she’d been desperately searching for!

She wore a blue spaghetti-strap dress with a white knitted cardigan over it, exuding an artistic vibe, yet there was an icy aura around her that kept others at bay, making her shiver involuntarily.

But soon, the chill dissipated, replaced by a tipsy, languid air that carried the faintly mature scent of a woman.

Xiao Yanjin: “…”

Only when she moved closer did she catch the scent of alcohol on her.

Looking down, she saw several empty liquor cans scattered haphazardly on the floor.

What? The proud and aloof Miss Ji actually drank?

Xiao Yanjin took a closer look, good heavens, it was a cocktail bucket! Was she trying to kill herself?

Ji Yunuo finally recognized the newcomer as Xiao Yanjin, and the furrow between her brows eased slightly.

But this was her first time drinking, and she was far too intoxicated to speak.

“What’s a proper young lady like you doing drinking, huh?”

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