Ming Zhu ended the call, cursing under her breath. Her fingers twitched as she flung the phone across the couch like it had personally insulted her, causing the phone to bounce off the cushions and hit the floor with a loud thud, but she didn't care. Her eyes were filled with frustration.
"Damn it! What the hell is wrong with these people…" she let out, biting his lower lip in anger.
Right on cue, the door creaked open and Zhi Hui walked into the living room, the sound of her heels making noise on the floor.
"Mum?" Zhi Hui called, stepping in. "What is it now? Who pissed you off?"
Ming Zhu didn't look up. She was still raging, pacing around with one hand on her waist. "That was the bank. They're on our neck again. I seriously cannot continue to deal with this."
Zhi Hui took a few steps forward, her expression darkening. "Again?"
Ming Zhu breathed out. "Yes. Apparently, they're done being patient with us."
"Wait? Didn't we settle part of that last month?" Zhi Hui, looking at her mom with questioning eyes.
"We did," Ming Zhu snapped, "but it was just the interest. The real debt is still staring us in the face and it keeps increasing. We need to pay back as soon as possible."
Zhi Hui pressed her palm to her forehead and walked over to the couch, crashing into it. "This is ridiculous."
Ming Zhu shot her a look. "I am not even done. They want the payment by next week or they'll start seizing our properties."
Zhi Hui groaned, smacking her forehead again, frustration rolling off her like waves. "Oh gosh."
Ming Zhu walked over to the couch that Zhi Hui was sitting on and sat down too, grabbing her wrist.
"We can't keep living like this, Zhi. We need the money really fast."
Zhi Hui pulled her hand back gently. "I understand, mum and I'm really trying to be of help on my part."
"Try harder," Ming Zhu's voice came out, holding a demanding edge. "Speed up your romance with Yong Li. That's the only easiest way we can bounce back."
Zhi Hui rolled her eyes, shifting a bit. "Do you think I'm not trying? I'm doing everything in my power but he barely pays any attention to me."
"And so?" Ming Zhu corrected, "his reaction doesn't stop you from making him yours. You have to marry him because marrying him is the only way to stay rich."
Zhi Hui groaned. "Mom, I'm doing my best, okay? I've done everything. I've chatted him up, tried to set up dates with him, but he always finds ways to avoid me. He doesn't even look at me like he's interested."
Ming Zhu curled her lips and leaned in, lowering her voice. "Then stop waiting for him to make the first move. Make him yours forcefully."
Zhi Hui blinked, caught off guard. "Forcefully? What does that mean? What are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying, take control. Don't sit around like some wallflower waiting for a proposal," Ming Zhu said, a smirk appearing on her face. "If you want wealth and power, you have to fight for it. You have to do everything in your power to get it."
Zhi Hui tilted her head. "What are you suggesting, mother? Can you just go straight to the point and stop beating around the bush?"
Ming Zhu leaned in, her eyes gleaming. "Fine. Did I ever mention how your father ended up marrying me?"
Zhi Hui frowned. "No, not really. Why? I always thought it was a love at first sight thing."
Ming Zhu let out a chuckle. "Far from it. Your father was never the type to believe in love. He used to be a notorious womanizer and a drunk, with no interest in marriage or in settling down. He was all about women, drinks, and money. And I was one of the many women in his bed, another disposable plaything to him."
Zhi Hui exhaled slowly. "So how did you end up becoming his wife? What did you do?"
Ming Zhu sat back, waving her hand. "Calm down and let me get to the point."
Zhi Hui nodded and she continued. "I have always been a greedy type, so hanging around your dad made me start to want more. He was filthy rich, so I couldn't remain a whore to warm his bed."
Zhi Hui folded her arms, keenly paying attention, without uttering a word.
"He had wealth, connections, and a legacy I could only dream of back then. So one day, I made a decision. I drugged his drink, spent the night with him, and when I found out I was pregnant, I publicly let him know. His family found out and with all of them breathing down his neck, he had no choice."
Zhi Hui stared at her mother, stunned. "So you're telling me that you trapped him into marrying you?"
"Voila, I gave him a reason to," Ming Zhu replied with a grin. "A legacy. You."
Zhi Hui blinked rapidly, tightening her jaw. "So you want me to do the same thing? Trap Yong Li with a baby?"
Ming Zhu gave her a full smile now. "That's exactly what I'm saying."
Zhi Hui didn't reply right away. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. She looked away and her jaw tensed.
Ming Zhu noticed the hesitation. "Is there a problem?"
"You know it's not as easy as it sounds? Yong Li doesn't even touch me. He treats me like… like I'm one of his mom's annoying little projects. How am I supposed to spend time alone with him?"
"And that's where you need to think smarter," Ming Zhu said. "There are ways to get a man alone. But we'll need help."
"Help?" Zhi Hui raised an eyebrow.
Ming Zhu waved her hand like it was a minor detail. "Don't worry. I can speak to Madam Li Na. She'll help."
Zhi Hui scoffed. "Li Na? Why would she help us pull a stunt like this?"
"Because," Ming Zhu said smoothly, "she hates that her son is obsessed with a low-life girl and she wants him to marry you. She is willing to do anything to get what she wants."
Zhi Hui tilted her head. "Even set him up?"
"She won't need to know the full plan," Ming Zhu said slyly. "All I need her to do is convince her son to spend more time with you."
Ming Zhu continued. "All we need is a setting and the right moment."
Zhi Hui still looked unsure. "And when it's time… what? I drag him into bed?"
"No," Ming Zhu said. "We'll need someone strong enough to handle that part. Someone who can be trusted."
Zhi Hui's eyes lit up suddenly. "Lei Feng."
Ming Zhu looked up. "What about him?"
"We know what he did to Yong Li," Zhi Hui said, a dangerous smile forming. "I made a recording of his conversation about it with Li Na, we can use it to threaten.
Ming Zhu grinned. "Right." She sat back slowly. "That could work."
"If we show him the recording, he won't dare refuse to help us."
"Yes," her mother said slowly, "I'm sure he doesn't want Yong Li finding out."
Zhi Hui giggled and threw her arms around her mother. "You're the best mom in the world."
Ming Zhu hugged her back, whispering, "We're getting our lives back. Just watch and see, I'm glad you are a smart."
"If this works out, we'll make it look like a romantic accident. A few drinks, some soft music, a faint memory of passion…" she added.
"And then boom," Zhi Hui said with a small laugh. "I'm pregnant and standing at the altar with him."