After Ji Xu'an left for work that day, Jiang Jiang did not stay idle either. She first went to Songhe Nursing Home to pay her respects to the old madam.
Although there was no custom of paying formal respects here, Jiang Jiang still wished to do so. First, etiquette should not be abandoned; second, she truly wanted to see Grandma Ji.
Sure enough, the old madam was very happy to see her. Jiang Jiang had arrived rather early—Grandma Ji had just finished breakfast and was strolling in the back garden accompanied by Xiao Chen.
With Jiang Jiang there, Xiao Chen did not continue following them. She stood at a distance instead, secretly observing the newly minted fiancée of President Ji.
Jiang Jiang had a face that made it difficult for anyone to feel guarded against her. Only someone like Ji Xu'an, who was born emotionally indifferent, could withstand Jiang Jiang's eye attack.
As for Xiao Chen, her first impression of Jiang Jiang was quite good.
Well-behaved and sensible, and sincerely treating Grandma Ji as her own grandmother—such a likable young woman, yet she had such a pitiful background…
Although President Ji was currently extremely resistant to this marriage, for some reason, Xiao Chen always felt that Ji Xu'an would definitely soften later on.
President Ji worked so hard every day. The only family she had by her side were her grandmother and her younger sister, yet those two could only accompany her for a time. President Ji must have moments of loneliness as well, and so she precisely needed someone to warm her and fill the emptiness in her heart.
Xiao Chen had already constructed an entire redemption drama in her mind.
This was surely going to be a warm, angst-free little sweet story!
With President Ji holding great power, her marriage required only the old madam's approval. And since Grandma Ji liked Jiang Jiang very much, there was absolutely no possibility of a "beating apart a pair of mandarin ducks" scenario! (forcibly separate a couple who are deeply in love)
Wasn't this clearly a marriage first, love later?
She was shipping them, she was shipping them!
Upholding the basic cultivation of a CP fan, although her CP were still merely a couple in name for now, she had already planned how many children they should have after marriage.
In simple terms, although the story of Ji Xu'an and Jiang Jiang had only just written its opening chapter, Xiao Chen had already imagined the epilogue.
At this moment, utterly addicted to shipping CPs, she did not know that the person she believed would never appear—the one who would beat apart the mandarin ducks—was already on the way.
—
Ji Heyuan was one step slower than Jiang Jiang. When she hurried back to the old residence, Jiang Jiang had already set off for the nursing home.
Butler Chen had not expected Ji Heyuan to return at this time. "Second Miss, why didn't you inform us in advance?"
Hearing this, Ji Heyuan felt a moment of guilt, because her plan had been precisely to catch Xie Xiao off guard. Of course, this absolutely could not be known by Butler Chen.
What if he complained to her sister?
Ji Heyuan avoided answering, her gaze darting about, all her little schemes written plainly across her face. "Uncle Chen, where's that person?"
Butler Chen raised his brows, feigning ignorance. "Whom does Second Miss mean?"
Ji Heyuan stammered, anxious inside while maintaining composure on her face. "That… Xie Xiao."
In any case, she could not bring herself to say the word "sister-in-law." Besides, the engagement between Xie Xiao and her sister was merely a verbal promise; they had not even held an engagement banquet yet.
So Ji Heyuan had perfectly legitimate grounds for not calling Xie Xiao "sister-in-law."
With a beaming smile, Butler Chen replied, "Miss Xiao has gone to the nursing home to accompany the old madam."
Ji Heyuan's expression shifted slightly. After running wild outside for so long, she should have gone to see Grandma first thing upon returning. It was only because her mind was preoccupied with Xie Xiao that she had gone back to the old residence first.
Xie Xiao truly had her methods—putting on such a show, she made herself appear more filial than Ji Heyuan, the biological granddaughter.
Ji Heyuan shoved her suitcase aside and turned to leave. "I'm going to see Grandma too. It's been so long since we met—Grandma must miss me!"
Butler Chen said nothing, yet immediately turned and made phone calls to both Grandma Ji and Ji Xu'an.
Ji Xu'an was busy and did not take such a small matter to heart, replying casually, "little Yuan has a sense of proportion. She won't act recklessly."
Besides, with Grandma there, who could bully Xie Xiao?
As for Grandma Ji, she answered the call in front of Jiang Jiang without any intention of avoiding it, so Jiang Jiang learned of the news at once.
Thinking of the dream she had had, Jiang Jiang felt an inexplicable itch in her teeth.
Holding Grandma Ji's arm, she asked with an innocent expression, "Grandma, she seems to be a few days older than me. How should I address her?"
Her eyes were filled with pure confusion and shyness; no one would suspect she was being deliberate.
Grandma Ji pondered for a moment. "That doesn't matter. After all, you are Xu'an's fiancée. Just follow Xu'an's way of addressing her."
Jiang Jiang secretly curved her lips, feeling the pleasure of finally gaining the upper hand over the dog crown princess.
No wonder Xiao had wanted her to become Ji Heyuan's sister-in-law. The saying "the elder sister-in-law is like a mother" was indeed correct. With Grandma's words here, at least on the surface, Ji Heyuan would not dare show her disrespect.
"Jiang Jiang, don't be afraid. Just settle down in the Ji family with peace of mind." Grandma Ji gently patted the back of her hand. "If you suffer any grievance, tell Grandma."
Meeting the old madam's gaze full of concern, Jiang Jiang's eyes reddened unconsciously, her voice sounding muffled. "I know. Thank you, Grandma."
Whether it was the Empress Dowager or Grandma Ji, they both loved and cared for Jiang Jiang in the same way. Thus, upon their second meeting, Jiang Jiang told Grandma Ji her real name.
Anyone else calling her Xie Xiao, she could ignore—but only from Grandma Ji did Jiang Jiang hope to hear her true name.
The atmosphere between grandmother and granddaughter was exceedingly warm, making the later-arriving Ji Heyuan feel like an outsider.
When she arrived, Jiang Jiang was brewing tea for Grandma Ji.
Drinking tea was one of the old madam's few hobbies. However, due to her age, she did not drink much—only once or twice a week.
In the past, this task had always been done by Xiao Chen. Today, Jiang Jiang volunteered, and Xiao Chen was delighted to give her the chance to show herself, immediately stepping aside without hesitation.
At first, Grandma Ji merely watched with a smiling gaze filled with indulgence toward the younger generation. But when she realized that Jiang Jiang's tea-brewing technique was extremely skillful, a trace of admiration appeared on her face.
It had to be said that some people were simply born more outstanding than others. Clearly, Jiang Jiang did not perform many flashy techniques, nor were her movements affected in the slightest, yet she carried an exceptional gentle elegance about her, as though every gesture and movement were suffused with a rich air of refinement.
She resembled a young lady meticulously cultivated by an aristocratic household in ancient times—every action observing propriety, truly carving the words "dignified and tranquil" into her very bones, leaving not a single flaw to be found.
Not only did Grandma Ji feel this way; even Xiao Chen sensed that at this moment Jiang Jiang seemed to have suddenly become a different person. No—rather, certain things that Jiang Jiang had hidden were finally revealing the tip of the iceberg.
When Jiang Jiang presented the teacup to Grandma Ji, the old madam took it, lifted it to her lips, and took a light sip. At once, her mouth filled with a delicate, secluded fragrance of tea.
"Not bad."
Receiving her praise, Jiang Jiang let out a silent breath of relief, her previously taut body relaxing somewhat.
She answered sincerely, "As long as Grandma likes it."
It was at this moment that Ji Heyuan walked in.
Jiang Jiang was facing sideways toward the door of the tea room. At the first sound of movement, she turned her eyes and met Ji Heyuan's assessing gaze directly.
That face—at least eighty or ninety percent similar to the crown prince in her memory—caused Jiang Jiang's fingertips to tighten instinctively. Yet she quickly came back to herself, realizing that the current Ji Heyuan was nothing to fear.
After all, in this world there was no imperial throne for her to inherit.
Moreover, the one currently in power within the Ji family was Ji Xu'an. Ji Heyuan was merely a young woman supported by her elder sister.
With this thought, Jiang Jiang suppressed the guard in her heart and slowly offered Ji Heyuan a faint smile.
That somewhat perfunctory smile, in Ji Heyuan's eyes, became nothing but provocation.
"Xiao Yuan, you're here?" Grandma Ji turned and, seeing Ji Heyuan, beckoned to her affectionately.
"You've come at just the right time. The tea Jiang Jiang brewed tastes quite good. You should try some too."
Jiang Jiang?
Ji Heyuan was startled for a moment before realizing that this must be Xie Xiao.
A sour feeling rose in her heart. Xie Xiao had only been here two days, yet Grandma was already calling her by her nickname.
If this went on longer, would there still be any place for Ji Heyuan in Grandma's heart?
Clenching her teeth, Ji Heyuan plopped down opposite Jiang Jiang. "Is it really that good, Grandma? This wouldn't be you deliberately saying something against your conscience so as not to hurt someone's self-confidence, would it?"
Grandma Ji shot her a look. "What are you saying?"
Even more indignant, Ji Heyuan—spoiled and doted upon by both Grandma Ji and Ji Xu'an out of pity for her having no parents—had developed an arrogant and willful temperament.
She lifted her chin toward Jiang Jiang, utterly impolite. "Hey, pour me a cup too. I'd like to see how good it really is."
Jiang Jiang did not grow angry. Unhurriedly, she poured a cup of tea, holding it with slender jade-white fingers, and extended it before Ji Heyuan.
"Little Yuan, have some tea."
Caught off guard by her addressing her as "little Yuan," Ji Heyuan choked, clutching her chest as she coughed forcefully several times, glaring at Jiang Jiang in annoyance.
Only to meet Jiang Jiang's concerned gaze.
"Little Yuan, are you all right?"
Her repeated "little Yuan," and that unintentional bearing of an elder, nearly infuriated Ji Heyuan to death.
Xie Xiao had gone too far in bullying her!
—
Author's Note:
Jiang Jiang: (using drinking tea to hide the triumphant smile at the corner of her lips) This feels amazing, hehe.
P.S. Don't worry, Ji Heyuan is just a comic punching bag. Her daily life consists of being angered by Jiang Jiang to the point of vomiting blood, yet she can neither argue nor fight her, and can only endure Jiang Jiang's irritation day after day.
Their future daily routine will probably be like this:
Ji Heyuan: She's acting! Can't you all see it?!
Grandma Ji: Is she?
Ji Xu'an: (meeting her wife's innocent gaze, softening in one second) Probably not.
Ji Heyuan: K.O.'d.jpg
—
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