Shen Rong was from a modest background. She managed to marry into the Lan Family by scheming her way through, leveraging her resemblance to Lan Jin's mother, and then tried hard to play the part of a gentle and virtuous wife.
In Lan Yanhao's presence, she always spoke softly and seductively, her voice soothing his oncoming rage each time.
Lan Jiaojiao did the same, always acting sweet and endearing, and at that moment, she joined in persuading:
"Dad, my brother is already hurt like that. Let him go back to his room and rest. Whatever it is, we can talk about it tomorrow."
As a result, Lan Yichen would feel grateful to the mother and daughter. Over time, he came to follow their words obediently.
As if they were his biological mother and sister.
While Lan Jin was redundant, almost as if she didn't matter at all.
Upon hearing Lan Jiaojiao calling "dad," a chill touched Lan Jin's gaze. Just three years ago, Jiaojiao hadn't changed her ways, still calling him Uncle Lan.
Now, not only had she changed her last name to Lan, but her address had also changed, smoothly referring to herself as the true lady of the Lan Family, even to outsiders.
"Huh, Sister, Sister...?"
Lan Jiaojiao, sharp-eyed, noticed Lan Jin, her gaze flickering uncertainly.
Is this that wretch? How did she become so beautiful?
Not only had she become beautiful, but her very aura had undergone a dramatic transformation.
It seemed as if wherever she stood, she owned the spotlight, drawing people's gazes involuntarily.
Her indifferent expression and the arrogant aura she projected, with just a casual glance, were enough to startle anyone.
Lan Jiaojiao's heart sounded alarm bells, an unprecedented sense of crisis sweeping over her, enflamed with jealousy from just the sight of Lan Jin's face.
But soon, Lan Jiaojiao forced down her unease, reminding herself that no matter how beautiful Lan Jin was, she was still an imbecile, a good-for-nothing fool.
"Sister, are you... moving back in?"
Lan Jiaojiao walked over to her with a smile, glancing at the luggage by her feet, and spoke with a hint of surprise.
The matter of Lan Jin's five fiancés was actually a secret, both internally and externally, known only to the parties directly involved, the old master of the Lan Family, Tang Yue, and Zhang Man. Apart from them, nobody was aware.
This included Lan Yanhao and Lan Jiaojiao. They simply assumed that Lan Jin had been living in the villa bought by the old master.
"Is there a problem?"
Lan Jin glanced at her coldly and distantly, her gaze soon moving past her to rest on the father and son nearby, her expression slightly startled.
Although the emotion was not as intense as when she saw the old master, Lan Jin couldn't help but feel her eyes redden quietly.
After all, this was her biological father and younger brother. Her father used to cherish her, and her brother relied on her. It was such a shame that it all went to ruin.
At the same time, Lan Yanhao and Lan Yichen were also watching her, taking measure of one another as if they were strangers, their expressions quite peculiar.
"This little... rascal?"
Lan Yanhao muttered to himself, his eyes showing admiration. He intended to come closer for a better look when, unexpectedly—
"I'm going upstairs."
Lan Jin withdrew her gaze and casually dropped these words as she lazily picked up her luggage and headed upstairs.
Lan Yanhao stood there, stunned. Although he was happy in his heart that his daughter was moving back home, outwardly he was very displeased, erupting in fury:
"You little rascal, just back and already running upstairs, not even calling your dad, this is sheer rebellion!"
"It's a good thing our child is moving back in. It's also getting late; let's talk about everything else tomorrow."
Shen Rong quickly stepped in to mediate, softening Lan Yanhao's anger with a few gentle words.
Lan Yichen, on the other hand, remained staring in the direction of the stairs, dazed, his eyes flickering uncertainly, his thoughts unclear.
Lan Jiaojiao watched the changing expressions of the father and son, biting her lip.
Lan Jin found the room's décor to be the same as it was three years ago, without much change, which relieved her.
After taking a bath, she thought of Lan Yichen's injuries and found a tube of ointment that a stranger had used. She sniffed at it by her nose first; it seemed natural, just probably mediocre in effect.
It seemed she would have to concoct her own ointment for bruises and injuries at some point, guaranteed to work wonders and be good for skin care too.
She knocked on the door of the room next to Lan Yichen's, stood at the doorway, and tossed the ointment to him.
Although she cared deeply for her younger brother, her face remained expressionless, "Make do with this for now."
As soon as she finished speaking, without waiting for a response, she closed the door behind her and returned to her room.
Lan Yichen looked somewhat dazed, standing still for a long while before letting out a "tsk."
He glanced at the ointment and then tossed it aside.
He chose to use the ointment that Lan Jiaojiao had brought earlier.