Chapter 8: The Adopted Daughter of a Wealthy Family Leaks Telepathy 8 Said to Do Nothing…

Chapter 8: The Adopted Heiress Speaks Her Mind (Part 8)

Ding Jie didn’t notice anything unusual. In fact, he was in a great mood after Xu Ziyan had just made Ding Yao lose face. He stepped forward and swiped his card, asking gently, "Is that all? Would you like to look at anything else?"

"Of course! These are all from the same collection, so the styles are similar. I still need to pick out some other styles. Oh, and I also need to choose some jewelry, shoes, and bags to match. Ding Jie, look at those crystal shoes over there—aren’t they beautiful? They’d be perfect with this dress, right? Will you put them on for me?"

Xu Ziyan sat down on the sofa, looking at Ding Jie expectantly. "You wouldn’t… say no to such a little favor, would you? Just let me be Cinderella for once, okay?"

The smile on Ding Jie’s face faded as he studied Xu Ziyan suspiciously. Was she really trying to be sweet, or was she just messing with him? Asking him to put shoes on for her? What gave her the right?

Xu Ziyan blinked. "I’ve done so much for you, and you won’t even do this little thing for me?" As she spoke, she casually took her bag back from him.

Ding Jie’s gaze fell on the bag, reminding him of the hard drive. He took a deep breath. "You’re acting very different today. Do you really enjoy ordering me around?"

Xu Ziyan replied coolly, "If you were the one thrown out of your family, you’d be acting differently too."

That made Ding Jie understand. Xu Ziyan had always been just a foster daughter in a wealthy family, and now she’d been cast out for his sake. She’d lost everything, so of course she’d feel insecure and resentful.

Especially since someone had whispered in her ear, "Someone who truly loves you wouldn’t make you do such things." Naturally, she was holding in frustration with nowhere to vent it, and without hearing any promises from him, she’d become this touchy.

Ding Jie suppressed his suspicions and, after a brief internal struggle, took the crystal shoes from the sales assistant. Kneeling down, he helped Xu Ziyan put them on, saying guiltily, "If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have to go through this hardship."

His hands were gentle, but his lowered gaze was sharp—he could’ve broken her ankle right then and there.

No one had ever treated him like a servant like this. If he weren’t an illegitimate son, if he weren’t powerless, would Xu Ziyan dare treat him this way? All that talk about loving him—she was just another person looking down on him.

Ding Yao couldn’t hear their conversation, but the sight shocked him. Ever since his half-brother had been recognized by the family, he’d carried an innate arrogance. On the surface, he was mild-mannered, but in reality, he was hypersensitive about his status, keeping everyone at arm’s length, always trying to prove his worth. And now he was willingly kneeling to put shoes on a girl, chatting and laughing?

It seemed Xu Ziyan was someone Ding Jie truly cared about.

Just then, Ding Yao’s date raised her phone and snapped a couple of photos, quickly sending them to him. Ding Yao frowned. "What are you doing?"

The woman smirked. "They just humiliated you. Of course, we’ll take these photos back and report them—make him pay."

Ding Yao rolled his eyes. "Don’t be ridiculous." He had no interest in petty schemes. The Ding family’s fortune was vast—what did it matter if his half-brother got a share? There was no need to stir up trouble.

As Ding Yao turned to leave, he heard that voice again.

"The hero’s really good at playing along. To get the game in my hands, he’s peeled shrimp, served me food, carried my bag, and now even put on my shoes—what excellent service. If you’re going to mooch off someone, you’d better have the right attitude. Thinking you can act entitled while sponging? Dream on.

And he still hasn’t given me any money—how shameless. Today, I’m draining his card!

But he does seem pretty well-off. Lao Dingtou gives him and his mother more in private than he gives Ding Yao. Ding Yao’s clueless—he doesn’t even know how much his own mother’s inheritance was worth. Lao Dingtou tricked him, and even his mother’s favorite jewelry ended up in Song Jie’s hands.

Too bad I don’t know how many days I have left. I can’t worry about others. When the whole world collapses, at least no one will die horribly. Maybe I’ve done them a favor by doing some good?"

Xu Ziyan took a few steps in the shoes, smiling at her own thoughts.

This time, Ding Yao saw and heard clearly—Xu Ziyan hadn’t spoken a word, yet the voice could only be hers. He marched up to her, about to demand an explanation, when suddenly, he choked, his body freezing in place at the store entrance.

Ding Jie and Xu Ziyan both turned to look at him, puzzled. Was he here to start something? Ding Jie spoke first. "Brother, is there something else?"

Ding Yao stared at Xu Ziyan, but the moment he gave up on questioning her, he regained control. His expression shifted before he said, "Since we’ve run into each other, why not shop together? We’re all shopping anyway."

Ding Jie found it ridiculous—they weren’t children needing to stick together while shopping. But given Ding Yao’s status and his own carefully crafted image, he couldn’t refuse outright. He glanced at Xu Ziyan, hoping she’d decline instead.

To his surprise, Xu Ziyan shrugged indifferently. "Sure. Let’s see which of you brothers is richer. Don’t regret it when your wallets start hurting later."

She’d been planning to clean Ding Jie out, and now Ding Yao had handed her the perfect opportunity—a ready-made rivalry. Why not take advantage?

Xu Ziyan didn't even look before ordering every style of shoes in the store, one pair each, and picked out two handbags. She smiled at Ding Yao's female companion and headed to another store to select jewelry, even picking out two expensive pieces, saying they suited her well.

The female companion caught on immediately and pointed out several high-end jewelry sets, saying they'd look perfect for Xu Ziyan.

When Xu Ziyan saw a pink diamond set among them, she thought, *Pink diamonds seem to be the female lead’s favorite. After Ding Jie finds out, he gifts them to her every time he sees pink diamonds, and it's become a sweet tradition for them.*

*Oh right, Ding Yao’s mother once bought a top-tier pink diamond set at an auction, which Song Jie later took and presented as a gift for her son's future wife.*

This was the second time Ding Yao had heard about Song Jie taking his mother’s jewelry. Song Jie was Ding Jie’s birth mother, a famous airhead beauty in the entertainment industry who had ridden on her looks her entire career. In truth, how could she have stayed popular without the Ding family’s backing?

Staring at the pink diamond set, he wracked his memory. He finally recalled his mother mentioning five years ago that she had loved the pink diamonds at the auction. However, after acquiring them, she found them unsuitable and stored them away, just to satisfy her girlish fancy.

Such a trivial thing from so long ago—he'd completely forgotten. When his mother passed away and it came to signing inheritance documents, he'd only focused on the shares and real estate. Jewelry wasn't formally cataloged, and he hadn't paid attention to the specifics. Whatever his father handed over, he'd simply stored away. Now it seemed many valuable pieces had been given to Song Jie?

So… Xu Ziyan’s inner monologue was all true?

Ding Yao’s mind was in turmoil, but his rising fury made him glare at Ding Jie with disdain. He couldn't resist a jab. “Ding Jie, why are you just standing there? Pay for it. Step up your game when accompanying a girl shopping.”

Ding Jie had no choice but to frown and hand over his card. Ding Yao’s female companion, pleased to have cooperated in milking money from Ding Jie, happily took photos with Xu Ziyan after they both put on the jewelry. Shopping and taking selfies with the Fu family’s second daughter was something she could brag about for ages—plus, Ding Yao had bought her two sets of jewelry!

From then on, the group kept up the same routine: Xu Ziyan picked high-end wines for the female companion, who in turn selected even more expensive ones for Xu Ziyan; Xu Ziyan chose stylish bags for her, and the female companion reciprocated with exclusive designer handbags.

Finally, at the female companion’s suggestion, they visited an upscale club, where they ended up paying for a five-year membership—all charged to the Ding brothers, though Ding Jie footed most of the bill.

Ding Yao wanted to dig for more information but found no opportunity. Watching his overeager date, he felt a headache coming on and decided to arrange a private meeting with Xu Ziyan another day. He practically dragged his female companion away.

Xu Ziyan quickly asked, “What’s your name?”

The female companion beamed. “I’m Yang Anni, an actress. I’m in the hit TV series *Palace Schemes*. Could I… add you as a friend?”

“Of course!” Xu Ziyan immediately took out her phone and added Yang Anni on WeChat. She had thoroughly enjoyed shopping with her today—Yang Anni’s shopping prowess had saved her a lot of effort and further infuriated Ding Jie. Smiling, she said, “Let’s grab coffee and go shopping again sometime.”

Yang Anni nodded eagerly. At that moment, Ding Yao also extended his phone with his QR code. “Since we’ve met, let’s connect. Feel free to reach out if needed.”

Though Xu Ziyan found it odd, she didn't overthink it and casually scanned the code to add him. Only then did Ding Yao leave with Yang Anni.

Ding Jie’s patience had reached its limit. He forced a smile and asked Xu Ziyan, “Still playing?”

Xu Ziyan was tired and wanted to stop, but she said, “Of course. We agreed to go to a bar. You promised to accompany me for a full 24 hours.” She placed her bag on a nearby table. “I’m going to the restroom. Order me a drink and think about how we can keep the fun going.”

As Xu Ziyan left for the restroom, Ding Jie stared at her back as she walked away with a dark expression before sitting down in silence. Suddenly, his gaze fell on her bag—unzipped, the hard drive faintly visible inside.

Remembering the humiliation he'd endured all day, he couldn't take it anymore. He reached in, grabbed the hard drive, stood up, and walked out without a word.

From a distance, Fu Qiming was stunned. *He just left? Wait—isn't this theft? Even if it was originally meant for him, Xu Ziyan explicitly said she wouldn't hand it over yet. Taking it like this is stealing, right? Is this the so-called male lead’s character?*

When Xu Ziyan returned, Fu Qiming wondered if she'd be furious or shocked.

Xu Ziyan came back to find Ding Jie gone. Opening her bag and discovering the missing hard drive, she indeed looked panicked and angry before storming out with heavy footsteps.

But Fu Qiming heard her inner voice:

*Haha, the game’s in the scumbag’s hands now, and he stormed out mad—surely this counts as mission success, right? He stole it himself. Even if the game has issues, he can’t blame anyone else. Serves him right for being so grabby!*

001: *Congratulations, Host, on successfully completing the mission. Reward: 1 skill point.*

Fu Qiming suddenly understood—Xu Ziyan had planned this all along? She claimed to do nothing, yet she'd manipulated the “male lead” effortlessly. He had a feeling the days ahead would be very interesting.

But what was up with Ding Yao? Did he also hear Xu Ziyan’s thoughts? He'd have to find a chance to test that.

He caught up with Xu Ziyan from behind, and she exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing here?"

Fu Qiming casually replied, "I was at the club for a meeting and saw you as soon as I stepped out. Everything alright?"

"Of course, thanks for asking." Xu Ziyan smiled.

"This 'convenient' little brother of mine is actually quite sweet, but is it really such a coincidence?"

She teased, "You weren’t following me to protect me, were you?"

Fu Qiming knew his excuse was flimsy, so he simply admitted, "Yeah, I was worried you might give yourself away, so I came to have your back."

Just then, Fu Qiming’s phone rang. After hanging up, he said excitedly, "My sister and her husband are back—they just got off the plane and said they’ll be home for dinner tonight. And there’s more good news—she’s pregnant!"

He remembered Xu Ziyan’s inner thoughts mentioning that the original host would cause his sister to become comatose. Now that Xu Ziyan was here, of course, his sister would be safe. Plus, with her return, there’d be one more person to discuss the matter of hearing inner voices.

Thinking about Fu Yazhen’s situation, Xu Ziyan mused inwardly, *"Pregnancy is a fatal omen. Who would’ve thought the seemingly loving and devoted Zheng Wenbo is actually a scumbag out to get the Fu family? Fu Yazhen is going to end up in a coma."*

Fu Qiming: ??? *Wasn’t it the original host who harmed my sister? Now it’s brother-in-law? Zheng Wenbo is seeking revenge? Revenge for what?*