Deep down, she silently concurred with his assessment of Qiao Meixia's lack of style. The girl's fashion sense was, in her opinion, utterly non-existent.
Qiao Meixia, despite being the primary target of their petty barbs, ignored the siblings entirely. She sat down in the heavy silence and began eating her breakfast with focused, methodical precision.
Feng Lan observed her daughter from across the table, her inner monologue echoing Chinan's harsh judgment. What kind of cheap, unremarkable rags was she wearing? They were far too ordinary for someone representing the prestigious Jiang bloodline.
At that moment, Feng Lan silently resolved to take Qiao Meixia to a high-end boutique later. This was not about affection. It was about the Jiang family's public reputation. She would not allow outsiders to whisper that they neglected their biological child.
"Finish your breakfast quickly. We leave for the Old Residence momentarily." Jiang Lukang urged, checking the expensive, gleaming watch on his wrist.
Qiao Meixia finished her final bite before meticulously wiping her mouth with a silk napkin. She stood up from the table without uttering a single unnecessary word.
Jiang Lukang glanced at her, his expression a mask of unreadable frustration, but he chose to remain silent.
"Let's go." Jiang Lukang announced firmly, signalling the departure after finally putting down his own chopsticks.
Everyone followed Jiang Lukang's lead immediately, standing up and preparing to leave the villa.
"Dad, shouldn't we wait for Elder Brother?" Jiang Chinan asked, looking around.
"Elder Brother is away on a vital business trip." Jiang Yanna answered quickly, her tone smooth and informative.
"Oh... I see. I actually did not know about that." Jiang Chinan said, sounding a little surprised by his brother's sudden absence.
Outside the villa, a sleek, black luxury sedan sat idling, its engine a low, expensive hum. The driver stepped forward with practised professionalism to hold the door open. Jiang Lukang and Feng Lan took the primary seats, with Yanna nestling beside her mother. Chinan scrambled in next to claim the window, leaving Qiao Meixia to enter last. She took her place at the far end of the seat, instinctively creating as much physical distance between herself and the others as the car would allow.
Inside the car, the atmosphere felt strangely quiet and heavily stifled. Jiang Chinan remained preoccupied, busy playing a game on his phone, while Jiang Yanna occasionally cast a subtle, calculating glance at Qiao Meixia.
The journey was marked by a stifling, heavy atmosphere. Jiang Chinan was buried in a game on his phone, while Jiang Yanna cast occasional, calculating glances at Qiao Meixia.
From her observations, Jiang Yanna felt a growing sense of security. Qiao Meixia seemed entirely incapable of integrating into high society. Initially, Jiang Yanna had feared this "true daughter" might usurp her position, but seeing the girl's cold, detached behaviour, she realised she had nothing to fear. If not for a certain hidden, pressing matter, her father likely never would have brought Qiao Meixia back at all.
However, Qiao Meixia herself did not seem excited or even remotely moved by the idea of reuniting with her biological family. In fact, she appeared much calmer and more detached than anyone else present in the vehicle. It was almost as if this entire life-changing matter had absolutely nothing to do with her personally.
As the car passed through the grand gates and the city noise faded into the exclusive quiet of the residential district, Qiao Meixia stared out the window. Thirty minutes later, they came to a halt before a sprawling, traditional courtyard estate.
This was the prestigious Jiang Old Residence.
The car stopped before the enormous main house, where a small army of uniformed servants had already gathered. Jiang Lukang stepped out first, adjusting his suit sleeves.
Jiang Lukang stepped out of the car first, adjusting his suit jacket.
"Is my parent awake?" Jiang Lukang asked one of the senior servants.
***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***