Chapter 23: The Adopted Daughter of a Wealthy Family Leaks Telepathy 23 New Story Started “Mom…

Chapter 23: The Adopted Heiress's Hidden Feelings (New Story 'Mom...' Now Live)

While Ding Jie was getting treated at the hospital, he ran into Bai Qingqing, who was there for her stomach issues. They had already met, though Bai Qingqing didn’t know Ding Jie’s true identity.

The moment Bai Qingqing saw Ding Jie, her heart ached, and she burst into tears. "What happened to you? Were you in a fight? Did you call the police? How could someone beat you so badly?"

Ding Jie wanted to smile and reassure her that he was fine, but the moment he pulled at the corner of his mouth, pain shot through him. He could only whisper, "Don’t cry, I’m okay. It looks serious, but it’s just superficial wounds; they’ll heal in a few days. What about you? Stomach pain again?"

Bai Qingqing nodded, clutching her stomach with a pale face. "The flower shop’s been busy these past couple of days. The owner made me work overtime, and I’m not used to outside food, so my stomach’s been acting up."

Ding Jie frowned, feeling a surge of displeasure towards the flower shop owner. "If the job’s making you unhappy, just quit. I’ll help you find something easier."

Bai Qingqing gave a weak smile. "What job is truly easy? Besides, we’re just ordinary people. You should focus on taking care of yourself."

Ding Jie hesitated, still not revealing his identity. He was reluctant to break the comfortable atmosphere they shared, fearing that Bai Qingqing’s attitude might change if she knew he was wealthy—whether she started fawning over him or distancing herself, neither was what he wanted. For now, he’d let her believe he was just a poor guy. Bai Qingqing was the only sanctuary in his world.

The two had a meal together. Despite his own pain, Ding Jie meticulously and thoughtfully cared for Bai Qingqing. Just seeing her smile made him feel a little better, as if he, too, had been comforted.

To him, Bai Qingqing was like a projection of his own inner vulnerability. As soon as they parted ways, he ordered someone to buy out the flower shop, strictly demanding that the staff be provided with stomach-nourishing work meals, no overtime, and light work.

He wanted to protect her, to shield her from life’s hardships—as if by doing so, he could also protect that vulnerable part of himself.

For some reason, on a whim, he decided to video call Xu Ziyan.

The moment Xu Ziyan answered, she recoiled in shock before recognizing him. "You were beaten up?!"

Ding Jie touched his face, hissing in pain. "Ding Yao did it."

Xu Ziyan said with relief, "Lucky me, being a girl—Fu Qiming’s never hit me, no matter how angry he gets. Well, apply your medicine and recover well. Don’t always be busy with work."

Her words sounded caring, but to Ding Jie, they felt perfunctory—nothing like Bai Qingqing’s genuine concern. Bai Qingqing had cried for so long, but Xu Ziyan? Not a flicker of emotion. She could even think about Fu Qiming not hitting her, and she didn't ask if he was in pain, let alone curse Ding Yao on his behalf.

Truly, Bai Qingqing was different.

【Congratulations, Host! Mission Complete: Ding Jie’s Disappointment, Ding Jie discovers he’s fallen for Bai Qingqing. Reward: 1 skill point.】

Xu Ziyan stared at Ding Jie through the screen, sneering inwardly. 【This bastard is still comparing us, as if he’s picking cabbages at the market!】

But this did remind her—it was time to advance her own plotline with Bai Qingqing!

Overachiever Rule #1: Secure easy wins first, then tackle the hard stuff.

Xu Ziyan called for her driver and security detail and headed straight for Bai Qingqing’s flower shop. The moment she stepped inside, her eyes locked onto Bai Qingqing behind the counter.

Noticing Bai Qingqing’s clearly evasive gaze, Xu Ziyan arched an eyebrow. 【Well, well—she knows who I am! Wasn’t she supposed to be an innocent little white flower who knew nothing about my connection to Ding Jie? Seems like this plot has more holes than Swiss cheese.】

001’s CPU nearly short-circuited before concluding, 【The plot is only what’s written in the book. The world likely auto-corrects to fill in logical gaps and details. Perhaps Bai Qingqing saw those photos Yang Anni posted (from that viral mall trip)—the ones that trended everywhere—and discovered Ding Jie.】

Those photos had mainly featured Xu Ziyan and Yang Anni, but Ding Jie and Ding Yao had been in the background, perhaps a bit of their profile or reflections in the windows were visible. Given how viral the posts had gone, it wasn’t strange if Bai Qingqing had stumbled upon them. Casually following online gossip would reveal they were all heirs to wealthy families.

Xu Ziyan removed her sunglasses and, without another glance at Bai Qingqing, went straight to the shop owner. "I’m buying this place. Name your price—we’ll handle the paperwork now."

The owner was baffled. "I wasn’t planning to sell—"

Xu Ziyan slid a check across the counter. "Is this enough? You can open a better shop elsewhere."

The owner’s eyes widened at the sum—twice the market value—and immediately snatched the check, beaming with joy. "More than enough. Let me grab a few things, and we’ll get the transfer done."

Bai Qingqing panicked. "Ma’am, don’t do this! This shop is your blood, sweat, and tears—your passion!"

The boss packed up his things while saying, "I'm just an ordinary person running a business to make money. I've been so exhausted lately that I even developed a slipped disc—I need a good rest for a few days."

Xu Ziyan walked up to Bai Qingqing, who instantly tensed up. "What...what do you want?" she stammered, one hand in her pocket already dialing Ding Jie's number.

Xu Ziyan didn’t stop her little maneuver. Instead, she patiently waited until the call connected before staring at Bai Qingqing’s face and saying, "Don’t move—there’s a bug!"

With a loud *clap*, Xu Ziyan clapped her hands near Bai Qingqing’s face—the sound was sharp, but she had actually struck her own palms, only brushing Bai Qingqing’s cheek with her fingertips. However, Bai Qingqing, thinking Xu Ziyan was about to hit her, squeezed her eyes shut and turned her face away with a yelp.

【Congratulations, Host! Mission Complete: Slapping Bai Qingqing!】

Xu Ziyan chuckled. "Just scaring off a bug."

Ding Jie, hearing the scream, urgently asked what was happening. Then, upon recognizing Xu Ziyan’s voice, he saw red—he was certain Xu Ziyan had discovered his special feelings for Bai Qingqing and was picking on her.

The phone wasn’t on speaker, so neither of them could hear what Ding Jie was saying. Xu Ziyan leaned on the counter and continued, "This shop is mine now. I’m going to renovate, so it’ll be closed for a while. That means you’re fired. I’ll give you extra severance pay according to market regulations. You can leave now."

Bai Qingqing felt humiliated. She knew Xu Ziyan and Ding Jie had an unusual relationship and was convinced Xu Ziyan had come to demean her. But Xu Ziyan had done everything by the book, leaving her no way to fight back. She couldn’t just burst out and accuse Xu Ziyan of bullying her, could she?

Bai Qingqing took off her work apron, placed it on the counter, grabbed her bag, and walked out.

【Congratulations, Host! Mission Complete: Making Bai Qingqing Lose Her Job!】

Xu Ziyan smirked, then read aloud from the original script, "Some people knowingly play the other woman, clinging to the wealthy—how utterly shameless. Hiding behind an innocent face, pretending to be pure and kind, as if they’ve lived untouched by the world for over twenty years, growing up on dew drops.

And yet, some people fall for this act, blind to the schemer's disguise. If their elders found out, they’d probably be too ashamed to show their faces, wouldn’t they?"

Bai Qingqing couldn’t take it anymore. She turned back to face Xu Ziyan, first hanging up the call, then said with a mix of hurt and anger, "I have no idea what you’re talking about! If you’re deliberately targeting me, then you’ve got the wrong person!"

Xu Ziyan put on a show of surprise, turning to show her phone screen. "I was reading lines from a script. Did you think I was talking about you? Why are you taking this personally?"

The boss glanced over curiously. Bai Qingqing, humiliated and furious, burst into tears and ran out of the flower shop.

Xu Ziyan looked around at the others and just shrugged speechlessly. If her conscience was clear, why react like that? Absurd!

But this way, she could finish the plotline involving Bai Qingqing without any guilt.

【Congratulations, Host! Mission Complete: Making Bai Qingqing Feel Deeply Humiliated!】

Xu Ziyan said happily, "Add all three skill points to Luck. I think my luck’s already improving—how else could everything go so smoothly?"

Ding Jie’s people arrived too late—the flower shop had already been sold. After hearing what had happened, Ding Jie scolded them harshly before rushing to the shop himself. There, he found Xu Ziyan arranging flowers. He stormed up to her and demanded, "What’s the meaning of this? Are you spying on me? How else would you know about this place?"

Xu Ziyan sneered. "Oh? Guilty conscience? Afraid I’d find out? I was worried when I heard you were hurt, but turns out you already had a female confidante doting on you. Ding Jie, cheating behind my back—how could you do this to me?"

Ding Jie hated being questioned like this. He emphasized in a cold voice, "You and I were never in a relationship, and Bai Qingqing is not a mistress. Besides, I’m single and not involved with anyone. Don’t let your imagination run wild about our relationship."

Xu Ziyan’s expression darkened. She stared at him and lowered her voice. "Ding Jie, do you take me for a fool? Leading me on all this time, and now you think you can just brush it off with ‘not in a relationship’? Are you playing me? Have you forgotten everything I’ve done for you?"

Ding Jie, already furious because Bai Qingqing was wronged and still burning from his earlier beating, snapped. "I never forced you to do anything! You offered to help me. Now you want to settle scores? If every woman who likes me expects me to