"The room has been kept the same since you were lost, and now that you're back, Mom has renovated it again. Take a look and see if you like it."
The door was pushed open, and Su Mian turned on the light.
What met her eyes was a uniform pink palette, full of girlish charm, showing the thoughtfulness of the person who arranged the room.
"Do you like it?"
Qiao Yun wasn't picky about her living space as long as she could sleep. Facing Su Mian's expectant gaze, she pursed her lips and said softly, "I like it very much."
Warm light spilled into her eyes, adding a touch of gentleness.
Su Mian paused for a while, then repeatedly said, "Good, good, as long as you like it."
She seemed to remember something, her eyes full of tenderness, "When you were little, you loved to cuddle up to Mom and whine about buying this and that. So, if you need anything, make sure to tell Mom, okay? Don't feel embarrassed. Mom wants to give you the best."
Qiao Yun was silent for a long while, and finally obediently replied, "Okay."
Su Mian sighed with relief, "Your second brother couldn't come back because he has to shoot a movie, so he can't take leave. I'll have him bring you a gift later."
She was afraid Qiao Yun would feel neglected by the family, so she explained specifically.
Qiao Yun had the information about the Lu Family members and knew her yet-to-meet second brother Lu Zhanxing was a celebrity, recently participating in a variety show in the mountains, so she just nodded.
"I understand."
Su Mian, wary that Qiao Yun might be tired, didn't dare to say more and instructed her to rest well before leaving.
Once the door was closed, Qiao Yun set down her suitcase, her eyes curiously darting around, poking here and there with her finger.
Apparently, girls really liked this style of room.
She wasn't unaware of the various attitudes the Lu Family's people showed her, but she naturally had few emotions and didn't know how to express her feelings.
Her understanding of emotions mostly came from her grandfather who had adopted her.
After satisfying her curiosity, Qiao Yun finally opened her suitcase and had just taken out her clothes when her phone rang.
As soon as Qiao Yun answered, the voice on the other end carried a tone of disbelief: "Professor, I heard you're abandoning billions in assets to become someone's... ahem, daughter?"
Qiao Yun: "..."
The person lamented, "You've been resting for a year already. Professor Qiao certainly wouldn't want to see you fall like this. Don't you want to fulfill the professor's last wish?"
Qiao Yun corrected him, "Grandpa's last wish was for me to live a normal life, and I'm working hard to fulfill it."
"...? Is making money not appealing? Isn't gaining worldwide fame appealing?"
"I have money, and grandpa also said not to be greedy for fame and fortune."
The man despaired, "The professor also said that one must be responsible. You're not going to abandon us, are you?"
Qiao Yun seriously recalled for a moment, then finally nodded, "Alright then, give me six months."
The man clearly didn't believe her, "One year then six months, six months then a year, it never ends. You won't just retire, will you?"
"You're so nagging."
Qiao Yun didn't want to talk anymore. She heard a knock on the door, so she coldly ended the call.
She put down her phone and opened the door.
"Qiaoqiao," Su Mian held a cup of milk, her voice gentle, "Here, drink some milk before bed to grow fast."
Qiao Yun felt like she was being treated like a child, as only children drink milk, but knowing Su Mian meant well, she still took the milk and said softly, "Thank you."
Seeing such a quiet and obedient Qiao Yun made Su Mian's maternal love overflow; she couldn't help but vigorously ruffle Qiao Yun's fluffy soft hair.
"Mom won't disturb you anymore."
After saying that, she quickly disappeared.
Ah ah ah ah ah ah!!!
I touched my daughter's head, ah ah ah! So soft!
Qiao Yun's eyes widened, and it wasn't until after a while that she raised her hand to pat down her hair.
Her hairstyle was messed up.
...
Lu's father was a family man. After dinner, he always helped with the dishes. When Su Mian entered the kitchen with a spring in her step, she saw him staring blankly with a bowl in his hands.
She nudged his arm, "What are you thinking about?"
Lu's father snapped back to reality, "I was thinking about Qiaoqiao's school."
Su Mian sighed, "Honestly, I'm also worried. I reckon her grades are nowhere near enough, and I dread her disappointment. Just thinking about our sweet and adorable Qiaoqiao being upset makes me uneasy."
Lu Rui's expression grew solemn. "Actually, Qiaoqiao might just want to make us happy, to show us her ambition. That's probably why she said she wants to go to Shengyang High School."
Su Mian's heart ached, thinking of her daughter's first encounter with the bustling big city, surely filled with fright, "Qiaoqiao is just too stubborn."
Lu Rui felt the same and made a decision, "Let's settle the school first. Later, we can talk to Qiaoqiao, letting her know that her grades won't affect our love for her."
"I think that's a good idea," Su Mian nodded in agreement. "We'll give Qiaoqiao a way out. If she still insists on going to Shengyang, then you contact the school and see how many buildings we'd need to donate to make an exception?"
For Qiaoqiao, they were ready to go to these lengths.
Lu Ting, who had just come to the kitchen to get a drink, almost choked upon hearing this!
Why are they so strict with her, yet so indulgent with Qiao Yun?
Lu Ting bit her lip, the favoritism was just too obvious!
...
Another night without dreams.
The next day, Qiao Yunopened her eyes on time. She had just woken up, her gaze still fuzzy, as she hung languidly with long lashes over her comforter.
It took a while for her to fully wake up and acclimate to her surroundings. She let out an "Ah~."
Everything was the same as before, yet different.
Her previous life consisted of waking up, researching, sleeping, waking up, researching, sleeping, with a fixed book reading schedule every Sunday.
Today, she took a step towards a normal life.
Qiao Yun tidied up the comforter, yawned and went to the bathroom to freshen up. Afterwards, she pulled out her suitcase, opened it up, and laid out the gifts she had prepared one by one.
For Dad, a painting worth millions.
For Mom, a unique skin cream developed by the research institute.
For Big Brother, a watch worth millions.
For the adopted sister... Qiao Yun paused, moved her finger away from the diamond bracelet worth millions, and picked up another gift to place on the table.
Only then did she nod her small head in satisfaction.
Qiao Yun dressed and prepared to go downstairs. Just as she reached the stairs, she heard voices from below.
Her keen ears caught her own name, and she hesitated, lifting her fingers slightly and tapping the handrail twice before deciding not to go down.