"Hmm... I honestly don't see why we need to cater to her every single whim and need as though she's some honoured, high-ranking guest." Jiang Chinan scoffed loudly. His young, immature face twisted openly with a mixture of disdain and blatant dissatisfaction. "Just give her the basic care required and be done with it. It's not like she's actually done anything of merit to deserve more than that."
"Chinan, you absolutely cannot say something like that." Jiang Yanna intervened immediately.
Her voice turned sharp and authoritative as she scolded Jiang Chinan for his rude, unfiltered words. However, she quickly shifted her attention toward Qiao Meixia, softening her expression almost instantly and speaking with a mask of gentle, sisterly concern.
"Chinan is still quite young and impulsive. He truly does not understand the heavy weight of the things he says sometimes. I sincerely hope you would not take his words to heart or mind them too much." Jiang Yanna continued.
Qiao Meixia was far too mentally exhausted and fundamentally uninterested to engage in such a meaningless, hollow conversation, so she merely offered a single, dismissive nod in response.
That indifference, silent action instantly ignited the embers of Feng Lan's anger. In her eyes, Qiao Meixia was being extremely disrespectful and inexcusably ill-mannered by failing to provide Jiang Yanna with a proper verbal reply, especially after the girl had made such a polite and graceful gesture toward her.
"Meixia, Yanna is speaking directly to you. Can you not at least show some basic manners and give her a proper, dignified response?" Feng Lan scolded Qiao Meixia sharply, her voice rising several decibels with clear irritation and mounting displeasure.
Jiang Yanna almost allowed a small, triumphant smile to slip onto her face the very moment she heard Feng Lan publicly reprimanding Qiao Meixia in front of everyone at the dinner table.
"Hmm..." Qiao Meixia responded lazily, uttering nothing more than a single, vague, and non-committal sound that lacked any substance.
Feng Lan became so furious at this blatant, public disregard that she nearly lost control of her volatile temper on the spot. She could feel the strong, pulsing urge to scold Qiao Meixia all over again rising rapidly and uncontrollably inside her chest.
"You!" Feng Lan opened her mouth wide, fully prepared to unleash another scathing tirade.
However, before she could continue her outburst, Qiao Meixia abruptly placed her chopsticks down onto the table with a quiet click and stood up from her seat without a moment's hesitation.
"I have finished eating, so I am going back to my room now." Qiao Meixia stated calmly. Her tone was as flat and emotionless as a stagnant pool of water.
Feng Lan was forced to choke back her words midway, leaving her unresolved frustration hanging heavily and uncomfortably in the atmosphere.
"Butler Jun, do not forget to ask him about what I requested earlier today." Qiao Meixia added after pausing briefly by the exit, specifically directing the sharp reminder toward Butler Jun.
Butler Jun looked visibly startled for the briefest of moments before quickly regaining his ironclad professional composure. He replied respectfully, "Yes, Miss Qiao. I shall look into the matter immediately."
Qiao Meixia then turned on her heel and continued walking away, exiting the room without sparing her family even a single, fleeting backward glance.
"Butler Jun, what exactly is she talking about?" Jiang Lukang asked, his curiosity finally piqued by the strange, private exchange.
"Miss Qiao requested that I change the lock on her bedroom door." Butler Jun explained clearly, presenting the facts without hesitation.
"And why would she suddenly want something like that?" Jiang Lukang asked, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully as he tried to decipher her intentions.
"Miss Qiao did not explicitly mention her reason, Master." Butler Jun replied simply as he gave his head a light, respectful shake.
***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***