“Since it is so, Dad, what on earth is the contradiction between us and the Zhong’s Group? Does it have anything to do with business?” Ding Manman can’t help asking. “No matter where you heard this, the only thing you need to know is that our Ding Family has always been fair and upright with others and has not done anything against law or morality. Except for this, you don’t need to know anything else.” Mr. Ding says fairly and seriously, which slightly calms down Ding Manman. But as her father didn’t answer her question directly, Zhong Shaoting’s hostile words still keep echoing in her mind. If it’s really some petty contradiction, her father won’t refuse to tell, because in order to fight for resources, conflicts are very normal in this circle. But Mr. Ding even keeps this from her, so how could Ding Manman stop being skeptical?
At this moment, Mr. Ding changes his mind after Ding Manman’s question despite his previous intention to say something else. In the end he only gives a strange reply. “Anyway, we need you to resolve this contradiction. Consider it yourself.” Feeling extremely upset and lost, Ding Manman leaves the study with Mr. Ding’s words echoing in her mind. Agreeing to resolve the contradiction means that she needs to meet the demonic Zhong Shaoting again. But at the thought of that insane, Ding Manman feels the already healed wounds in her hands start to hurt again, with which Zhong’s cruel look haunts her with an overwhelming fear. When Ding Manman is struggling in agony, somebody gives a gentle pull at her hand. Opening her eyes, she finds Ding Qi shaking her arm with an unsatisfied look.
“You promised to watch movies with me.” Ding Qi’s big eyes sparkling with complaints remind Ding Manman of their appointment which she has nearly forgotten, after which she comes to herself. “Come on, I can’t wait anymore. Hurry up!” Ding Manman voluntarily holds her younger brother’s hand and walks to the living room where they start to watch a movie, during which they give hearty laughs whenever something funny appears. Nevertheless, Mr. and Mrs. Ding, who stand on the second floor watching the happy atmosphere downstairs, have no good expressions on their faces. “Does she really know that?” Mrs. Ding feels it hard to believe, as she never told Ding Manman about that matter. “Hard to tell. But according to her words, she should only be guessing.” Mr. Ding sounds very serious, but Mrs. Ding still worries.
“Is it possible that she heard that from Zhong Shaoting? Remember that she has stayed there for such a long time that I even thought she would not come back…” Mrs. Ding is interrupted by her husband. “Impossible! If Zhong had told her, she should have questioned us right after she came back. But according to her current condition, Zhong may have only abused her without telling her the truth.” Mr. Ding calmly analyzes. “That’s good. But it seems that there are no scars on her body even after such a long stay at Zhong’s house, why?” Looking at Ding Manman who sits in the living room safe and sound, Mrs. Ding feels very confused as Zhong Shaoting seems not to be a kind person, but Ding Manman is not injured at all after being long taken by him. It is too abnormal. Mr. Ding doesn’t answer her, but gives a profound smile. Ding Manman who is watching a movie with her younger brother suddenly sneezes: is there anybody thinking about her?
“If she came back half-dead, I wouldn’t let her go back to ask Zhong Shaoting for a favor.” After watching a movie, Ding Manman also plays computer games with Ding Qi, after which the latter finally goes for an afternoon nap with satisfaction. Taking a look at her watch which says it’s half past one in the afternoon, Ding Manman goes back to her room and dresses herself up. Then, she goes outside without telling anyone else. At the gate of Century Shopping Center, a taxi stops and Ding Manman gets off. Looking at the building with which she is quite familiar, Ding Manman sighs with emotion. It is the most famous and expensive shopping center in the whole country and most of the people going shopping inside are of upper class. Even if from a rich family, Ding Manman comes to this shopping center once in a while because the goods here are terribly expensive. Besides, the pocket money her mother gives her, which may be viewed as a large amount in ordinary people’s eyes, is actually much less than that of people of upper class.
Despite all this, right now she must go inside to look for a person, that is, Fang Hao’s mother. Fang Hao once told Ding Manman that his mother would come to an advanced beauty salon in this Century Shopping Center every two days to do skin care. Although Mrs. Fang is more than 50 years old now, as a woman, she still has the natural desire to look attractive. Besides, Mrs. Fang has the money and time, so she would like to take care of her skin whenever she is free. With such information, today Ding Manman wants to try her luck and see whether she can find Mrs. Fang here, as she still wishes to talk with Mrs. Fang about her family’s company. Entering the shopping center, Ding Manman sees various leading brand stores. After walking around for a time, she buys a fine emerald bracelet in a jewelry store. Ding considers that as a senior, Mrs. Fang will not be interested in gold or diamond; instead she is more likely to be interested in jade and emerald because of her belief in Buddhism. So she believes that this emerald bracelet can please Mrs. Fang. When paying the bill, Ding gasps in astonishment after seeing the price. This emerald bracelet costs 120 thousand yuan, which would not be a burden for her in the past, though it is now hardly affordable for her.
But thinking of her family’s company, at last Ding Manman makes her decision to contribute her own deposit which has been saved in her bank card in recent years. She was intended to buy herself a favorite jewel, but now she has to sacrifice. Watching her card swipe through the reading device, Ding feels her heart scratched at the same time as her 120 thousand yuan is totally gone after this. Even though the shop assistant gives her a sweet smile, she still feels bitter in her heart. Depending on her memory Ding Manman finally finds the beauty salon where Mrs. Fang stays. After consulting the receptionist at the front desk, she knows that Mrs. Fang is doing a skin care right now, so she has to wait on the sofa near the store gate in order not to disturb Mrs. Fang. Ding Manman waits quietly for an hour without any complaint. Finally Mrs. Fang, who seems to be quite satisfied with her face which looks tenderer and younger right after the care, walks out slowly from the beauty room. Ding Manman eventually becomes cheerful when seeing Mrs. Fang walk out of the room, but before greeting her, she finds Mrs. Fang followed by another person. After seeing clearly the person’s face, Ding Manman suddenly becomes frozen with shock.