Downstairs, the atmosphere remained thick with resentment.
"Husband, she is incredibly rude." Feng Lan complained bitterly to Jiang Lukang the moment she was certain her biological daughter had disappeared from their sight.
"Just ignore her for now." Jiang Lukang said indifferently, waving his hand as if dismissing a minor annoyance.
He certainly did not like the girl's defiant behaviour or the way she carried herself, but he chose to suppress his irritation for the sake of the bigger picture.
"Dad, Mom, please don't be angry. She is still your daughter, after all." Jiang Yanna intervened, her voice dropping into a gentle, soothing register. "She must have been looking forward to meeting both of you for a long time. She probably just doesn't know how to react to such a big change right now. Just give her a little bit of time, and she might slowly begin to open up to us."
"Yanna, you are far too kind-hearted. I am truly glad that you are so willing to get along with her despite her attitude." Feng Lan said, her voice filled with emotion as she reached out to squeeze her daughter's hand.
Jiang Yanna maintained a sweet, angelic smile on her face. Inwardly, however, her thoughts were much sharper. Of course, she would act like she wanted to get along with that girl. But judging by Qiao Meixia's icy personality, Jiang Yanna knew it would be a difficult task. The girl clearly looked like the type who preferred solitude over social niceties.
Naturally, Jiang Yanna's words were not sincere at all. She was merely terrified that her parents might start to shift their focus or lose their affection for her if she openly rejected the newcomer. She had to play the part of the perfect, welcoming sister to secure her own position.
"Yanna... you must be exhausted from your studies. Go upstairs and get some well-deserved rest. I will have a servant call for you as soon as dinner is ready." Feng Lan said softly.
"Okay, Mom." Jiang Yanna replied, standing up gracefully. Then, she suddenly remembered something and paused. "By the way, Mom, where is Chinan? I have not seen him since I got home."
"That boy... I honestly don't know what he is up to right now." Feng Lan admitted with a helpless, frustrated sigh as she thought about her biological son's unpredictable nature.
"Don't worry your head about him. I will personally discipline him when he returns later." Jiang Lukang added, his voice turning cold and authoritative.
She scrolled down the digital page she had been reading with intense focus, her eyes moving steadily and rhythmically across the glowing screen as she absorbed every piece of information displayed on the encrypted website. Just as she was about to click a sub-link, several sharp knocks echoed against the wood of her door.
She paused for a fleeting second, her fingers hovering over the trackpad, before finally standing up from her chair. When she pulled the door open, she found the same man who had escorted her to the room earlier standing waiting in the hallway.
"Miss Qiao, dinner is now served. Please follow me to the dining room." Butler Jun said, his voice a perfect blend of professional politeness and emotional distance.
The moment the word 'food' reached her ears, her stomach immediately sent a sharp, undeniable signal that it was overdue for a meal. The long journey from Zhao Village had clearly taken more out of her than she realised.
"Okay." Qiao Meixia replied with a short, economical nod.
She stepped out of the room and pulled the door shut behind her. However, after taking only a few steps down the corridor, a sudden thought struck her, and she stopped in her tracks.
"I need a moment." Without waiting for a response, Qiao Meixia quickly pushed the door open again and retreated back into the room.
***This novel is a work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If it is not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, then it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko***