Xu Ziyan returned to the country after playing abroad for several days. The moment she stepped off the plane, she heard the system’s announcement.
【Congratulations, Host, for completing the plot: Indirectly promoted the union of the male and female leads, leading to the conception of their love’s fruit. Completed important plot, reward: 5 skill points!】
“Hahahaha——” After a moment of stunned silence, Xu Ziyan couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
The four handsome men and beautiful women accompanying her all looked at her simultaneously. Xu Ziyan waved her phone. “Saw a joke, haha it’s too funny! Let’s go, let’s go. I’m in a great mood today, I’m treating everyone to a feast!”
Xu Ziyan was practically floating with joy. 『001, I told you my luck has improved. Look at this! Isn’t this a case of rewards falling from the sky while I’m out enjoying myself? This is winning while lying down!』
001 was also super excited. It truly hadn’t expected this. It thought all the possible plotlines had been exhausted, yet this reward suddenly popped up. Those two had walked the plot themselves. Since it was stated that Xu Ziyan “indirectly promoted” it, it must have been her words and actions that stimulated the two of them, making them marry and have a child ahead of schedule. This was indeed a stroke of incredible luck.
The facts were indeed as such. Because of Xu Ziyan, Ding Jie harbored doubts about whether Bai Qingqing was truly innocent and kind, reducing his love by half. Coupled with all the incidents that had happened and facing a career crisis, he simply had no mind for romance.
This left Bai Qingqing feeling very insecure. She wanted to increase her bargaining chips to bind Ding Jie to her and cross the class divide. So, Bai Qingqing got pregnant early. Just when Ding Jie was anxious that Father Ding might train his grandson to be the heir, Bai Qingqing joyfully told him they were going to have a smart, adorable baby.
The child became a bonus point for Ding Jie at this time. Even if he couldn’t deal with Ding Yao, if Ding Yao had a child, he would also have a child to compete with Ding Yao’s offspring. Therefore, Ding Jie took it very seriously and immediately hired a nanny for Bai Qingqing to ensure a safe pregnancy.
Bai Qingqing proposed marriage. Ding Jie hesitated somewhat, thinking that finding a wife from a good family could be an asset to him. But his reputation had been terrible recently, Xu Ziyan looked down on him and went off to flirt with minor celebrities, which severely provoked him. He actually conceived the idea of marrying secretly. Then, after he made a comeback relying on the project, when Xu Ziyan came crawling back to him, he would directly show her the marriage certificate to see her regretful expression.
So, on an impulsive moment, Ding Jie and Bai Qingqing secretly obtained their marriage certificate. When he got the marriage certificate, he realized that deep down, he actually minded very much that he was an illegitimate child. So, subconsciously, he was also willing to marry Bai Qingqing, right? He couldn’t let his child suffer what he had endured or bear the shameful label.
However, once he thought this way, he became displeased with Bai Qingqing for getting pregnant without his consent. His joy diminished by more than half. He handed Bai Qingqing over to the nanny and paid no more attention to her, moving directly into the study to work on that project day and night.
Bai Qingqing didn’t care either. She was now the legitimate Little Mrs. Ding. Even if Ding Jie was kicked out, he was still of the Ding family’s bloodline and would return eventually. When that time came, her son would be the eldest grandson of the Ding Group, born with a veritable silver spoon in his mouth.
Song Jie, just a Ding family mistress, could live so comfortably. How could she, the official Mrs. Ding, fare any worse? Having already completed her class leap, she naturally no longer needed to carefully fawn over Ding Jie. The child in her womb was her magic weapon. Compared to pleasing Ding Jie, she now preferred shopping.
At first, it was under the pretext of buying matching family outfits—buying good things for the child and getting a set for herself. Later, she said that as Mrs. Ding, she couldn’t be discourteous, so she started buying clothes, bags, and jewelry, even wanting to buy a villa and a car. As a result, Ding Jie, looking at the supplementary card bills, set a spending limit for her. He told her expenses were high recently and she needed to be more frugal.
Bai Qingqing was so angry her stomach hurt. Before, when Xu Ziyan used Ding Jie’s card to spend money like water, Ding Jie had just smiled and said ‘buy whatever’. Now, how much had she even spent? Not even a few million, and Ding Jie actually begrudged it? Why?
Ding Jie was also unhappy. Was this still that pure little white flower? Before, she wouldn’t even accept an expensive bag as a gift. Now, just when he was burning money on the project, she started spending extravagantly without any consideration for him. So, she had been acting all along? Her true nature was that of a vain, gold-digging woman?
The two of them, having just become husband and wife, were already estranged. Both were dissatisfied with the other, just temporarily suppressing it without speaking out.
Considering she was the mother of his child, Ding Jie still gave in a step. On her birthday, he bought her a pink diamond necklace as a gift. Who knew Bai Qingqing, with her pregnancy mood swings, would see the pink diamond and start crying and making a scene.
Ding Jie got angry. “You’re utterly unreasonable. Don’t you like pink diamonds the most? I specially picked this for you. What are you making a fuss about now?”
Bai Qingqing cried, “The pink diamond jewelry you gave Xu Ziyan were all complete sets, each set more expensive than the last. Things like store treasures, rare auction treasures… you gave them to her without batting an eye. When it comes to me, it’s just a simple necklace, casually bought from a store. Why are you treating me like this? You still say you don’t like her?”
Ding Jie blurted out, “Why do you always compare yourself to her? You two were never the same to begin with!”
Bai Qingqing’s crying halted. She looked at Ding Jie in disbelief. “Fine. You’ve finally told the truth. She’s a wealthy heiress, the moon in the sky. I’m just an ordinary person, the mud on the ground, right?”
“That’s not what I meant at all…” Ding Jie didn’t finish his sentence before Bai Qingqing slammed the door and returned to her room. Ding Jie pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling weary. He really hadn’t meant that.
He had wanted to say that back then, he needed to coax Xu Ziyan into doing things for him. Xu Ziyan had a spoiled, difficult personality. Those gifts were things Xu Ziyan had explicitly asked for. He hadn’t given them willingly either; they were essentially fees for services rendered.
Whereas he and Bai Qingqing were one as husband and wife. Their relationship was different. The family urgently needed money now. He had to concentrate funds on important matters. For a small occasion like a birthday that happens every year, a small gift was enough. Bai Qingqing should be understanding and considerate of him. Yet she actually made a scene. It was truly baffling.
The two parted on bad terms. Xu Ziyan had no idea that although she was no longer in the ‘jianghu’ (the thick of things), the ‘jianghu’ was still in turmoil because of her. Back then, she had asked for pink diamond jewelry specifically to spite the male and female leads. Who asked her to be their stepping stone and catalyst? She just hadn’t expected the effect to be this good, still having an effect so long afterwards.
After Ding Jie was kicked out of the Ding family, his connections and influence were greatly damaged. Coupled with Fu Qixuan’s secret interference, Ding Jie had failed to discover the project’s fatal flaws. The more he researched it, the more he felt it was an excellent project. No wonder Fu Qixuan had kept it so secretive.
Xu Ziyan felt the timing was about right and added fuel to the fire. She went to Fu Qixuan’s office to chat with him about this project, leaking that the project was about to launch soon. Lin Xiaoyun, who happened to be delivering coffee to the door, overheard everything.
Lin Xiaoyun hurriedly notified Ding Jie. Feeling a sense of urgency, Ding Jie decided not to delay. He hurriedly took the project plan and all his preparations to the Ding Group.
Ding Yao, having been informed by Fu Qixuan, deliberately sneered, “Dad, you should think carefully. This brother of mine is always more of a hindrance than a help. How many jokes has he caused? Won’t this so-called project be another joke?”
Ding Jie said with a dark face, “This was meticulously planned by me. It’s…”
“Don’t you say that every time? Last time, you even schemed against Dad himself. Even if it’s a good project, we can’t let you be in charge.” Ding Yao crossed his legs, insulting both Ding Jie and his father in one sentence.
Father Ding, dissatisfied with him, told Ding Jie to present the project. Ding Jie simply said, “How about calling a meeting with several shareholders and senior executives? I have confidence in this project. Dad, believe in me. Give me one chance to atone for my mistakes.”
Ding Jie had taken Ding Yao’s words to heart. Father Ding didn’t like him now and instead valued Ding Yao. If he presented the project privately and Father Ding let Ding Yao take charge, wouldn’t all his efforts be for nothing? Better to have all the important figures of the Ding Group present, so everyone would know this project was his brainchild.
Father Ding frowned, sizing him up for a few moments before agreeing. He still knew his son’s capabilities. Although Ding Jie had suffered consecutive setbacks, that was due to youthful lack of tact, not lack of ability. Ding Yao was too disobedient. Boosting Ding Jie a bit could serve as a warning to Ding Yao, letting both sons know who was still in charge of the Ding family.
Thus, the Ding Group convened a high-level meeting. All important figures were present. Ding Jie, full of confidence, took the stage to present his project. The project’s flaws were very well hidden, requiring careful investigation to uncover. Therefore, as Ding Jie presented it now, all the senior executives were impressed.
“Did you really think of this yourself? You developed this project alone?”
No wonder someone asked; the previous gaming competition had been too much of a disgrace. Ding Jie’s expression darkened slightly, but he said firmly, “Of course it was me. I’ve been preparing for a long time. It only recently matured enough to be presented.”
After some discussion amongst themselves, the executives said, “As far as this project is concerned, it’s very good. If successful, it could even elevate the Ding Group to a higher level. We think it’s worth a try. Start with preliminary preparations, consider every aspect clearly. Once there’s a complete project plan, it can be launched. If problems are encountered during preparation, it can be stopped at any time.”
Father Ding was in high spirits. “Then let Ding Jie return to the company to be responsible for the project’s preparatory work.” Thinking Ding Jie had been acting rashly lately and might not command respect, he also assigned two experienced managers to work with Ding Jie.
Ding Jie glanced at Ding Yao, his eyes concealing triumph and malice. The Ding family was destined to be his. Ding Yao had to disappear!
For a period afterwards, the Ding Group busily began preparations for the new project. Ding Jie also instructed Lin Xiaoyun to keep an eye on the Fu Corporation, making sure they didn’t get ahead. Privately, he also urged the people tasked with dealing with Ding Yao to hurry up.
After sending Yang Anni out of town for a film shoot, Ding Yao deliberately went to a bar alone. Sure enough, someone kidnapped him!
After taking a few hits, Ding Yao cursed inwardly about how freaking painful it was! Fortunately, the bodyguards he hired were quite capable. They skillfully created some commotion, creating a sense of urgency for the kidnappers. Feeling it wasn’t very safe, the kidnappers decided to quickly fulfill the employer’s request and directly sent Ding Yao onto a ship.
After the handover of money for the person, the kidnappers didn’t forget to instruct that once abroad, the person must be crippled and made into a beggar. When the ship was about to depart, the kidnappers sent the employer a message indicating the mission was accomplished.
Seeing the message, Ding Jie downed the wine in his glass in one gulp! Excellent! That aloof, disdainful Eldest Young Master of the Ding Family who never treated him like a brother had finally disappeared! From now on, there would be no more Ding Yao in the Ding family. Instead, a crippled beggar would appear on foreign streets. He wanted Ding Yao to taste what it was like to be beneath others, to see how Ding Yao could still act so noble!
For a moment, it felt as if all the past humiliation and unbearable things had vanished. So what if he was an illegitimate child? From now on, he would be the Ding family’s sole heir!
At the same time, Xu Ziyan heard the system announcement.
【Congratulations, Host, for completing the plot: Indirectly helped the male lead deal with Ding Yao, achieving Ding Yao’s tragic ending. Reward: 1 skill point.】
Xu Ziyan knew about Ding Yao’s plan for tonight, but didn’t expect there was a part for her here, earning her a reward. Could it be because she was close to Ding Yao, gave him advice like calling the police, etc., so this ending was considered indirectly promoted by her?
She was quite experienced by now and guessed that was probably the case. Regardless, Ding Yao’s plan must have gone smoothly, which was why Ding Jie thought he had successfully harmed Ding Yao, thus counting as her having completed the plot.
Who knows what expression Ding Jie would have when he later discovered he had been kept in the dark and it was all an act? He would definitely be incredulous. After all, Ding Yao’s plan this time was to send him to jail!
As for Ding Yao, just after the kidnappers sent the message and were about to leave, they were swarmed and subdued by police. The ship, which hadn’t left yet, was also surrounded, and everyone inside was arrested.
Ding Yao walked off the ship unscathed and said, “I am still in danger. I request police protection. Until the mastermind is investigated, my whereabouts should be kept confidential.”
The related arrangements had been agreed upon long ago; they just needed to follow the procedure.
The kidnappers were wide-eyed with fury. “You let us capture you on purpose?”
Ding Yao grinned, showing his white teeth. “How else could we catch scum like you involved in kidnapping and trafficking crimes? Leniency for those who confess, severity for those who resist. Spill the beans on who hired you, and maybe your sentence will be lighter.”
Ding Yao moved into a safe house. To the outside world, he had just vanished without a trace. The police were investigating the clues and financial trail provided by the criminals. For now, they didn’t approach Ding Jie for questioning, to avoid prematurely tipping him off.
Father Ding thought Ding Yao was throwing a tantrum and had run off to play. After venting his anger, Ding Jie seized the opportunity to comfort his father, stating that he had been working very hard during this period and had already prepared the new project.
Thus, the Ding Family once again convened a high-level meeting. When Ding Jie took the stage to announce the launch of the project, he felt the entire Ding Family was within his grasp. His mood was one of unprecedented satisfaction; this time he had truly won, and no one could ever shake his position again!