"Grandmother, Grandfather, you really should not get so worked up." Jiang Yanna suddenly intervened. Her voice dropped into a sweet, gentle, and concerned tone as she continued. "I am truly afraid that your hearts will not be able to handle such a sudden surge of excitement."
It was a calculated move, performed as if she wanted to demonstrate to everyone in the room that she was the one deeply concerned about the old couple's fragile health. At the same time, she was subtly presenting herself as the quintessential caring and thoughtful granddaughter, the one who was uniquely attentive toward her grandparents' well-being.
"You really do not have to worry yourself about that, Yanna. We are going to be just fine." Old Madam Jiang responded, her voice calm and dismissive.
Jiang Yanna's practised smile froze slightly upon hearing those blunt words. Seeing his sister's discomfort, Jiang Chinan could not help but move closer to Jiang Yanna's side, positioning himself as though he wanted to physically protect her from being wronged or overlooked.
"Grandmother, Grandfather, you cannot be so blatantly biased." Jiang Chinan burst out, his voice tinged with indignation as he pointed his finger directly at Qiao Meixia. "Sister Yanna was your beloved granddaughter long before this girl ever appeared!"
Old Madam Jiang's gaze shifted immediately to Jiang Chinan, a deep, disapproving frown settling on her face.
"It is incredibly rude to point your finger at someone in that manner. Where are your manners, boy?" Old Master Jiang reprimanded Jiang Chinan sternly, his expression darkening with unhappiness at the youth's lack of decorum.
Sensing that the atmosphere was rapidly beginning to turn sour and tense, Feng Yan quickly stepped into the fray to ease the awkward situation.
"Mother, Father, please understand that Chinan is only being fiercely protective toward his elder sister. That is the only reason he acted out like that." Feng Yan explained in a soft, conciliatory tone. "And Yanna, of course, is simply worried about the strain on your health."
"Fine... Fine..." Old Madam Jiang sighed, waving her hand dismissively as if to brush away the tension, clearly unwilling to waste any more energy arguing about the matter.
Then, with a complete shift in demeanour, she turned her soft attention back toward Qiao Meixia once again.
"My dear, tell me, where have you been living all these long years?" Old Madam Jiang asked softly, her heart genuinely aching to know what kind of life her granddaughter had endured throughout those lost years.
Qiao Meixia hesitated for a brief moment, her eyes downcast, before finally providing an answer. "I grew up in City B."
"City B? Were you staying with the Qiao family there?" Old Master Jiang asked, his curiosity piqued.
"No." Qiao Meixia replied, shaking her head lightly.
"Then how did you end up with the surname 'Qiao'?" Old Madam Jiang asked, her brow furrowing with confusion.
"Everyone in the orphanage where I stayed shared the same surname." Qiao Meixia explained calmly, her voice devoid of self-pity.
Old Madam Jiang's expression immediately turned complicated. A mixture of sorrow and shock, when she heard that stark answer.
"We are so terribly sorry that we found you so late in life. Otherwise, you would not have had to suffer like this all these years." Old Madam Jiang said, her voice thick with a hint of heavy regret and lingering guilt.
"I was not suffering." Qiao Meixia replied quietly, her tone steady.
Hearing those words only made Old Madam Jiang feel even sadder. How could she possibly not have suffered, growing up in a world without a proper family to care for her? In Old Madam Jiang's eyes, Qiao Meixia was only saying such things because she was a kind soul who did not want them to feel the weight of sadness or guilt over what had happened.
Old Madam Jiang reached out and gently squeezed Qiao Meixia's hand once again, offering a silent promise.
***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***