I could not explain how happy I felt, yet my heart was still heavy with doubt.
Knock! Knock!
Nanny Lin Lan's voice followed, "Can you please come down for dinner, dear?"
"Okay, I'm coming," I replied, though deep down, I wanted to avoid the so-called family dinner. To them, I was nothing but an unwelcome guest they had given shelter to out of obligation.
Reluctantly, I made my way downstairs. I greeted everyone, knowing full well that no one would bother to respond. I took my seat, served myself, and began eating in silence.
"Here, have more of this. It's very good for you. Look at you—you're so skinny. Weren't they feeding you anything over there?" my grandmother said, passing me a bowl of vegetables.
Her kind gesture caught me off guard. I sat, staring at her with my mouth slightly agape, too surprised to speak.
"Mm-mm! Can you please close your mouth? We're eating here. Where are your manners?" Yang Shao sneered, his voice filled with mockery.
"Keep your mouth shut if you have nothing important to say," Yang Luo snapped back at him. "She's still the eldest among us." Then he stood up abruptly and left the dining table.
"My dear Jie," my grandfather began, his tone unusually sweet, "don't mind him. He doesn't know what he's saying. Now tell me, do you by any chance have a relationship with one of Wen's sons? Don't be shy; you're of the age, after all. It's only natural, isn't it?" His sharp eyes bore into mine, searching for answers I wasn't ready to give.
This family of mine never ceased to amaze me with their audacity.
"We also heard," he continued, "that he came here with a job opportunity for you. Am I right?"
"No, Grandfather," I replied firmly, "his assistant mentioned the job only to ensure I agreed to meet him. And we don't have any kind of relationship. We only met once."
My words sparked instant anger in my father.
"What the hell are you talking about?!" he bellowed, slamming his fist onto the table. "Fine, let's accept that he didn't offer you a job. But what about the bracelet you're wearing? What about this letter and this card?" He held up the very items I had kept in my room. "Will someone write these kinds of words to a mere friend? The richest young heir of the largest company on the continent sends his assistant to you, a nobody! Explain yourself!"
The room went silent as all eyes turned toward me. So this was it—their warmth and subtle kindness were nothing but a facade. They had gone through my things, violated my privacy, and exposed my vulnerabilities, all to further their selfish ambitions.
I stood, my chair scraping loudly against the floor.
"Now listen to me, all of you!" I declared, my voice trembling with anger. "Wen Lin is just a friend. We've only met once. Yes, I have feelings for him, but I don't even know if what he wrote was out of love or simple kindness. I didn't even know he was the Wen family heir! And I'll tell you this—I'm not going to let any of you use me for your benefit!"
My father's face turned red with rage.
"Then let me tell you something!" he roared, kicking his chair aside. "Go to your room, pack your belongings, and leave this house immediately. You are no longer part of this family. I want you gone before the guests arrive for your brothers' banquet! You've shamed us long enough. Get out!"
His words struck me like a physical blow, but I refused to let them see my pain. Without a word, I turned on my heel and walked upstairs to gather my belongings, my head held high but my heart breaking into a thousand pieces.