Qi Hong's home was an old building with peeling walls and no elevator, requiring a climb up five flights of stairs.
Upon seeing Qi Hong's living conditions, Zhao Xinya's brows slightly furrowed. As soon as her BMW stopped, children gathered around, and the elderly and some shirtless men downstairs looked on with curiosity, mixed with a hint of envy.
Opening the car door, Zhao Xinya stepped her high heels onto the ground. The uneven surface, still wet from the morning rain, splashed as she stepped, scattering the puddles.
Qi Hong also got out of the car, somewhat awkwardly inviting her best friend upstairs.
Creak, creak...
The sound of high heels clicking on the stairs was crisp. Five flights weren't high, but for the pampered Zhao Xinya, it was quite a challenge.
Finally reaching Qi Hong's doorstep, Zhao Xinya took a moment to catch her breath, adjusting her breathing and calming her mind.
Qi Hong opened the door to reveal a pair of cartoon slippers shaped like little white rabbits, apparently worn by Qi Hong, with stains at the heels from long use. Naturally, Zhao Xinya wouldn't wear someone else's slippers. Without a word, she stepped into the living room and sat on the sofa.
After changing her shoes, Qi Hong showed no displeasure at Zhao Xinya walking in with shoes on. In her best friend's eyes, her living conditions weren't much better than a dog's kennel.
'Xiao Gui, we have a guest.'
Qi Hong's voice was loud, even carrying a hint of anger.
It seemed Qi Hong didn't have a good attitude towards her stepson, who lived with her.
As Qi Hong's voice faded, the bedroom door opened a crack, revealing a small head peeking out tentatively. Seeing Zhao Xinya on the sofa, he didn't dare come out, only meekly acknowledging.
Qi Hong had already closed the door and, turning to see Xiao Gui's behavior, was very displeased: 'Come out quickly, why are you afraid to see people? Did you do something bad at home again?'
The boy called Xiao Gui then opened the door and appeared before Zhao Xinya.
As for Qi Hong's stepson, Zhao Xinya had some impression of him. It was at the funeral of Qi Hong's husband after the car accident, a little boy who only followed Qi Hong around, meek and submissive. She didn't have much impression of this little ghost at the time, but now, meeting again, he already looked like a young man.
The little ghost was about 1.6 meters tall, very thin and weak, with a poor complexion, clearly malnourished. His skin was quite fair, and his appearance was handsome. If he were in Thailand, he might have been able to pursue the most promising profession.
At this moment, Qi Hong was also sitting next to Zhao Xinya, glaring fiercely at the little ghost, then remembered the bet with her best friend. Now, the little ghost was like her god of wealth, and it wouldn't do to offend him too much.
The little ghost stood in front of the two women, feeling like a prisoner on trial, very uncomfortable. Moreover, the woman sitting next to Qi Hong exuded nobility, dressed exquisitely, her wealth almost palpable.
Just as the little ghost was secretly observing Zhao Xinya, Qi Hong had already taken off her flesh-colored stockings and waved them in front of him. She was about to speak when Zhao Xinya said, 'Little ghost, come over to Auntie, I have something to tell you.'
The little ghost hesitated, his hand reaching out for the stockings frozen in mid-air.
Seeing the boy called little ghost show a joyful expression and reach out with both hands to take the stockings from Qi Hong, Zhao Xinya felt an inexplicable anger rise in her heart. She was a woman with a strong sense of possession, unwilling to share anything with others, even if it originally belonged to someone else.
So, Zhao Xinya's cold voice suddenly rang out, startling Qi Hong, who quickly reacted and hurriedly gave the little ghost a look, signaling him not to defy the 'god of wealth's' will.
The little ghost looked at the sacred object within easy reach, feeling very reluctant. He had no feelings for this strange woman in front of him and wasn't well prepared for the fate that was about to befall him. He still harbored illusions, hoping Qi Hong would keep him, after all, they had lived together for five or six years, familiar with each other, with an indescribable attachment.
But the little ghost also knew that Qi Hong's life was now in trouble, even affecting basic sustenance, and the key to solving all this naturally lay with the somewhat arrogant woman in front of him.
Xiao Gui obediently walked to Zhao Xinya's side, keeping about half an arm's length away from the woman's crossed legs. He could smell the fragrance that only mature women emit, which was completely different from Qi Hong's scent.
Qi Hong's fragrance was rich and spicy, while Zhao Xinya's body scent seemed to penetrate deep into the bones, making one's heart and soul fall into it.
Especially with Xiao Gui lowering his head, the woman's graceful figure was displayed up close before his eyes. In all his years, this was the first time he had been in such prolonged close contact with a woman.
It seemed he hadn't even had such a quiet and comfortable time with his stepmother. Every day was spent under Qi Hong's scolding and beating. So, wouldn't leaving this home be a good thing?
Just as Xiao Gui was lost in thought, the woman's voice rang out again.
"Kneel down!"
"Oh."
Xiao Gui was stunned. He thought he had misheard. A woman he was meeting for the first time was actually commanding him to kneel, which was utterly against common sense.
"This child, usually so clever, why is he acting foolish now."
Qi Hong, standing by, grew anxious, almost wishing to pinch Xiao Gui's neck and force him to kneel on the ground.
Zhao Xinya's gesture stopped Qi Hong from further action, saying calmly, "You don't need to interfere with this. Just watch from the side. If he satisfies me, everything will be fine. If he fails to meet my demands, our previous agreement will be null and void."
Zhao Xinya's voice was not loud, but it carried authority. Qi Hong, knowing her friend's temperament, said no more, only hoping Xiao Gui would be more compliant and not let her down.
Turning back, Zhao Xinya's gaze softened as she said to Xiao Gui, "I need an obedient child. Only if you can satisfy me will I consider taking you in. Otherwise, I don't want to waste my time."
"Oh, this..."
Xiao Gui didn't fully understand the implied meaning behind the woman's words yet, so he secretly glanced at his stepmother Qi Hong, who gave an almost imperceptible nod with her head, then crossed her arms with a stern face.
"Alright, you can kneel down now. I'll give you ten seconds to think it over."