Chu Ci was dressed in clothes she had brought from her shabby little apartment—a simple, inexpensive cotton T-shirt. Her pants and shoes were just as affordable; anything she owned was low-cost. Even the servants of the Chu family wore better clothing.
No one in the room, including Old Master Chu, believed Chu Ci's words.
"Cousin, this watch is different from your old ones," Meng Yuxin explained.
What reason could Chu Ci have to be dissatisfied?
Meng Yuxin felt a pang of sadness. This was her first time owning such an expensive watch, and she was actually very reluctant to give it to Chu Ci.
However, in front of Old Master Chu, as well as her aunt and uncle, she felt she had no choice. She hadn't expected Chu Ci to not only be ungrateful but also shamelessly claim that she already had a watch. Did she really think that the watch in front of her was just some cheap trinket worth a few hundred or a few thousand yuan?
Chu Ci carefully examined the watch in the box. "Except for the serial number, everything else is the same," she remarked.
Her watch was number 01, while this one was number 89. Aside from that, there really was no difference between them.
It sounded incredibly realistic.
The counterfeits these days are indeed quite convincing.
However, with limited editions like these, it's easy to detect a fake.
Meng Yuxin smiled awkwardly.
Grandpa Chu said, "Just accept it. Your father bought it for you." His words implied that the watch was originally intended for Chu Ci by Chu Yuheng and had nothing to do with Meng Yuxin.
Meng Yuxin was embarrassed by Grandpa Chu's words and quietly returned to her seat.
Chu Ci didn't hesitate to accept the watch.
Why refuse a gift? There was no reason not to take it. She could always donate it later and earn some merit points!
Chu Ci's merit points were consistently low, usually below 15 points.
If it hadn't been for recently becoming Lin Nuo's deskmate, which allowed her to earn a few merit points from him whenever possible, Chu Ci would still be struggling to extend her lifespan the following week.
After the meal, Old Master Chu immediately had someone assist him back to his room.
His physical condition prevented him from standing or sitting for long periods. Even coming downstairs for a meal today had been a struggle.
"Chu Ci, come upstairs with me," called Old Master Chu as they reached the top of the stairs.
Chu Ci followed him.
After they left, a group of people remained at the table, their expressions reflecting a range of emotions.
Chu Ci's presence had disrupted the family's original balance.
Old Master Chu's attitude toward Chu Ci was unpredictable.
Given how Old Master Chu defended Chu Ci today, it was highly likely that Chu Ci would receive a considerable sum of money. This was something the rest of the Chu family was not pleased about.
Neither Third Master Chu Muping nor Chu Ci's father, Chu Yuheng, seemed to want this outcome. However, as long as the old man was alive, the Chu family's fate rested in his hands. Whether Chu Ci stayed or left was not up to them.
Chu Ci followed Old Master Chu to his room. After Old Master Chu lay down on the bed, he asked Chu Ci, "Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?"
"I don't have anything specific in mind," Chu Ci replied.
"Nothing at all?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Before, you might have had very few options, but now that you're back in the Chu family, there are many possibilities if you're willing to pursue them," Old Master Chu reminded Chu Ci.