"Yes, Master. The Old Master and Old Madam have been waiting in the living room since dawn." The servant replied with a deep bow.
At that moment, the rest of the family also stepped out of the car one by one. The servants' eyes flickered with momentary surprise at the sight of Qiao Meixia's unfamiliar face. However, they were too well-trained to let the surprise linger.
"Let's go inside." Jiang Lukang directed.
Jiang Lukang and Feng Lan walked into the house first, followed closely by Jiang Yanna and Jiang Chinan. Qiao Meixia remained the last one to follow behind the group. She lifted her head slightly, her eyes finally showing a flicker of interest as she surveyed the large courtyard in front of her. Her gaze swept across the ancient, traditional buildings and the peaceful, quiet surroundings of the estate. She gave a faint, almost invisible nod, feeling somewhat impressed by the sheer grandiosity of the residence standing before her.
When they finally stepped into the spacious, sun-drenched living room, the elderly couple immediately rose from their high-backed chairs. Their seasoned gazes swept across the group before landing squarely upon the familiar, yet strangely haunting face standing quietly at the rear of the Jiang family procession.
"You... You..." The old woman's voice trailed off as she pointed trembling fingers toward Qiao Meixia.
Her eyes widened visibly, brimming with a mixture of shock and recognition as she stared at the girl who had suddenly materialised before her.
Sensing the gravity of the moment, Jiang Lukang turned around and signalled for Qiao Meixia to close the gap between them.
"Come here. Meet your grandparents." Jiang Lukang urged in a firm, commanding tone that brooked no delay.
Qiao Meixia stepped forward with her trademark composure, approaching the elderly couple without a trace of the nervousness or social hesitation that usually plagued newcomers to the estate. Old Madam Jiang immediately reached out with frail, elegant hands and gently seized Qiao Meixia's hand. She held it with a delicate, protective grip, as though she were afraid the girl might dissolve into a mirage if she let go.
"Hmm... You are indeed my granddaughter." Old Madam Jiang murmured, her voice a low, reverent whisper as she meticulously examined every detail of Qiao Meixia's face from inches away.
"That's right. She is practically a carbon copy of you when you were in the bloom of your youth." Old Master Jiang added, nodding in solemn agreement while he, too, observed the girl with an intensity that felt like a silent blessing.
Qiao Meixia lifted her gaze and carefully studied Old Madam Jiang in return. Indeed, the structural similarity of their features was undeniable, the same high cheekbones and the same sharp, intelligent brow. However, the thing that startled Qiao Meixia the most was not their physical resemblance. It was the old woman's eyes.
Old Madam Jiang was looking at Qiao Meixia with eyes that shimmered with unmistakable warmth, deep-seated affection, and a genuine, unburdened love. It was the very first time in Qiao Meixia's entire life that someone had looked at her with such a tender, soulful gaze.
For a brief, staggering moment, Qiao Meixia genuinely did not know how she was supposed to react. Usually, when people looked at her, they scrutinised her from head to toe with judgmental or calculating eyes, precisely as Jiang Lukang had done upon their first meeting. At that time, it had felt as though he were an appraiser, silently weighing her market value and deciding exactly how he could best utilise her.
"My dear child, come and sit beside me." Old Madam Jiang said warmly, her voice trembling with emotion as she gently pulled Qiao Meixia over to the plush sofa.
"What is your name, my dear?" The grandmother asked kindly, her tone soft, patient, and inviting.
"Qiao Meixia," The girl answered simply and directly, her voice cutting through the heavy air of 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***