HBWMA -Chapter 285 A Manipulated Life

Jiang Huashan arrived at the café first. By the time Su Miao rushed over, one of the coffee cups had already been half emptied.

She hadn’t expected this “flower carp fish” to be so loyal—when something came up, she really showed up.

Su Miao quickly took a seat and got straight to the point.

“That woman said if I didn’t come see her, she’d go to my mother’s place. So…”

Jiang Huashan glanced at her, her tone flat and unhurried. “She’s clearly blackmailing you. Think it through—once you give in to blackmail, there’ll be no end to it. Or you could just be honest with the Su family. Strictly speaking, you’re also a victim in this. Even if Old Master Su is angry, he can’t really blame you.”

Su Miao looked troubled.

“But… I can’t bear it. I can’t bear to leave them.”

Jiang Huashan didn’t respond. That kind of reluctance was only natural.

“But…” Su Miao’s tone suddenly shifted. She hugged her bag tightly. “I’ve already come up with a plan on the way here.”

If that woman had any other intentions, even if she had to risk her life, she wouldn’t let her succeed.

Jiang Huashan pointed to the booth next to them.

“Let’s sit separately first. Didn’t you want to know her real purpose? If she sees me, she might not tell the truth.”

Su Miao thought about it and agreed. She hugged her backpack and changed seats.

Half an hour later, Su Li arrived late, stepping in on leopard-print stilettos. She scanned the café and spotted Su Miao sitting fully disguised in the corner. Her brows lifted as she walked over with a swaying waist.

“Sorry, traffic jam. You’ve been waiting long?”

Looking at the vulgar woman in front of her, Su Miao felt an indescribable mix of emotions.

Su Li sat down casually, flipped through the menu once, then closed it again. She clearly preferred a beer over all this fancy stuff.

Noticing Su Miao staring at her, Su Li deliberately put on her most gentle smile.

“Miao Miao, why don’t we change places to talk?”

Su Miao’s face darkened.

“I’m not close to you. Don’t call me Miao Miao.”

Su Li frowned slightly.

“This is how you talk to your biological mother?”

Su Miao resisted the urge to splash water in her face and said coldly, “Just say it. Why did you call me here?”

Su Li looked around, confirming no one was paying attention, then lowered her voice.

“Since you already know the truth, I’ll be direct. Your life was given by me, and even the life you’re living now was arranged by me. You’ve enjoyed sixteen years of privilege—shouldn’t you repay me a little?”

Su Miao never expected her biological mother to be this shameless—so shameless that just thinking about sharing her blood made her want to die of disgust.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Su Li said, instinctively reaching into her bag for a cigarette. She was immediately stopped by a staff member.

“Sorry, ma’am. This is a non-smoking area.”

Su Li glanced at them and put the cigarette away. After the staff left, she continued.

“I know it’s hard to accept, but that’s reality. You have to accept it. You don’t need to be so nervous or hostile—I’m your biological mother. Why would I ever harm you?”

Su Miao didn’t believe a single word.

Her expression turned cold. “What exactly do you want?”

Su Li smiled.

“What else? My daughter is now a Su family heiress. Of course I want to benefit from that.”

Jiang Huashan rested her chin on one hand, quietly listening through the earpiece.

Even as an observer, she felt a chill hearing Su Li’s words. Let alone Su Miao.

Seeing that the girl didn’t respond, Su Li continued.

“I won’t make things difficult for you. I’ve just lost a bit of money gambling recently—I want to borrow some from you. The Su family spoils you so much, this shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Su Miao sneered.

“Just money?”

Of course not.

Money was just the entry point—a way to build dependence. Today it was money; tomorrow it could be classified documents from Su Jingliu’s study.

But Su Li didn’t say that. She simply smiled.

“Yes, just money. Sounds like a good deal, right?”

Su Miao shook her head. “And if I refuse?”

Su Li’s smile deepened.

“Then I’m afraid I’ll have to inform you—your life as the Su family’s young miss will come to an end. Madam Su would surely want to know where her real daughter is. Unfortunately… I’ve had a rough few years too. That child suffered a lot with me—she dropped out and worked early. But she’s more filial than you. When she heard I was in debt, she even sold herself off.”

Su Miao froze. She had been protected too well by the Su family—she couldn’t even imagine such a life.

Jiang Huashan lifted her gaze, fingers slowly circling the rim of her cup.

This woman was lying.

But why? To intimidate Su Miao? Or was she revealing part of her real plan?

Su Li, experienced in life’s roughest edges, knew exactly how to handle a sheltered young lady like Su Miao. She continued calmly, increasing the pressure.

“Think about it. If the Su family finds out their daughter lived in misery while you—the fake one—were pampered, would they resent you? And if that real daughter finds out you took her place, do you think she’ll let you stay?”

“One is the biological daughter. The other is a mistake. Who do you think the Su family will choose in the end?”

“And if they don’t want you, you’ll only have me left. But I’m just a woman with limited ability—I can barely take care of myself, let alone you.”

Su Miao clutched her bag tightly.

Su Li smiled faintly.

“So this arrangement is best. Don’t worry, I’ll keep that girl from ever reaching the Su family. As long as she doesn’t appear, you’ll always be the Su family’s young miss.”

Su Miao expressionlessly opened her backpack and gripped the handle of a knife.

Just as she was about to pull it out, her mind went blank.

When she came back to herself, she was terrified.

The woman was right.

If this got out, even if the old master didn’t drive her away, the real daughter would.

She didn’t want to live a hard life. She didn’t want to be forced into selling herself to repay this woman’s gambling debts.

She couldn’t let her talk.

She had to keep the secret.

She absolutely had to protect it!!!

Jiang Huashan’s fingers paused slightly, her gaze fixed quietly on the top of Su Miao’s head.

A green glow slowly expanded…

Five labels—“venomous tongue, vanity, malice, jealousy, righteousness”—like puppet strings, controlled Su Miao’s every thought and action.

“Just help me keep this secret, and I’ll give you as much money as you want.”