At dusk, a smear of the lingering sunlight spilled onto the balcony.
The buzzing of cicadas echoed around.
Jiang Zhe stood on the balcony, her slender and pale fingers typing swiftly on an old-fashioned mobile phone.
The sunlight coated her in a warm yellow hue, making her skin appear even more translucent.
Her thick black hair cascaded loosely down her back, like a waterfall, reaching her delicate waist.
The girl wore a very common school uniform—a plain white blouse and black checkered skirt. The legs exposed beneath her short school skirt were long and slender, blindingly white, almost making the uniform seem as if it were custom-made.
She leaned languidly against the railing with her fox-like eyes half-drooped, casually enjoying the sunshine of the moment.
Jiang Fanyue's gaze flickered with jealousy over her for a few moments before she asked, "Sister, I heard our biological grandfather is coming today. Have you decided whether you want to go back with him?"
"What's it to you what I think?" Jiang Zhe replied indifferently, not even bothering to look up while chewing her gum with a roguish air.
Jiang Fanyue clenched her fingers—how could it not matter?
Both were adopted by the Jiang Family at the ages of two or three, and before they knew it, they were already sixteen or seventeen.
As one of Jincheng's prominent wealthy families, the Jiang Family's two daughters, although adopted, were the center of attention, with many a young talent and families with power and influence setting their sights on them.
Especially the famed Gu Family of Jincheng, who had long set their sights on a marital alliance with the Jiang Family's children. The fiancée of Gu Jiaheng, the eldest son of the Gu Family, was to be one of these two daughters of the Jiang Family.
However, since the sisters were still young, the Gu Family had not yet clearly indicated which daughter they were interested in.
The biological family coming to take someone back, as Jiang Fanyue had heard, was just an ordinary family without power or status, not fit to be presented in public.
Clearly, whoever stayed with the Jiang Family had the chance to secure a marriage with Gu Jiaheng.
"Sister, I'm just looking out for your best interest, I want to discuss something with you," Jiang Fanyue said, biting her lip slightly.
Only then did Jiang Zhe look up, "Discuss what? That you stay and I go?"
Her pointed words struck directly at Jiang Fanyue's innermost secret intentions, causing her complexion to suddenly pale.
How hateful Jiang Zhe was!
"Jiang Zhe! How can you speak to Fanyue like that?" Mrs. Liang Jinlan approached, frowning at Jiang Zhe's conspicuously bare legs.
Her brows furrowed, that skirt was far too short! Absolutely scandalous!
Jiang Zhe ignored her, continuing to tap away on her phone.
This indifferent attitude left Liang Jinlan breathless with irritation—what kind of behavior was this!
"Mom, please calm down, Sister must be busy with something," Jiang Fanyue said gently, taking Liang Jinlan's arm, "Don't let it affect your health."
Liang Jinlan looked at Jiang Fanyue pleasingly. This daughter was the better one, not only excelling academically, but also adept at music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, having brought much honor to the Jiang Family over the years.
Her appearance was like that of a demure jade, endearing at first glance.
Especially with her filial nature; though not her own flesh and blood, she was as good as any biological daughter.
Not like Jiang Zhe, whose beauty was almost enchanting, suggesting she was not a good child. She'd been difficult since childhood; poor grades aside, she lied, fought, had early romances, and now she was getting even worse.
"Ma'am, that old man, Jiang Yaowang, has arrived," the housekeeper Auntie Zhang approached, hesitating before asking, "Should we let him in?"
"Let him in," said Liang Jinlan irritably.
Jiang Yaowang was indeed the biological grandfather of the two sisters.
Jiang Fanyue couldn't help but look out the window, only to see an old man with white hair entering, dressed in very plain clothes, carrying an old-fashioned cloth bag, his expression timid, forming a stark contrast to the affluent Jiang Family.
Her gaze quickly dimmed, no wonder Aunt Zhang hesitated about letting him in.
Following such a person back home, she could foresee her own future fate.
As if sensing her unease, Liang Jinlan patted the back of her hand.
Jiang Fanyue looked up and met her mother's eyes, understanding the unspoken secret in them.
Downstairs, when Jiang Zhe was called down, the living room was already full of people.
Jiang Fanyue and Liang Jinlan were sitting together, the young and handsome Gu Jiaheng and his mother Han Jiayan were also present as today's heavyweight guests.
The old man named Jiang Yaowang sat across from Liang Jinlan, fidgeting and rubbing his hands together, seemingly out of place.
Jiang Zhe chose a spot in the corner to sit down, still casually typing on his phone, an attitude that made Gu Jiaheng frown and Han Jiayan shake her head in disapproval.
The mother and son exchanged a look, no wonder Liang Jinlan allowed Jiang Yaowang to step foot into the Jiang Family home; it looked like she already had plans.
Yet, the mother and son had their own plans; they came today also to confirm the future daughter-in-law candidate for the Gu Family.
Jiang Yaowang opened his mouth uneasily, "Mrs. Jiang, I thank you for the nurturing kindness you've shown to the sisters. This time, my visit is to take them..."
Liang Jinlan's expression was indifferent as she interrupted him unhurriedly, "Both daughters were raised by us, adopted through official procedures. Now, they can't just leave casually."
"I will do my best to gather and send over what I owe for the foster care fees…"
"It's not about the foster care fees. My daughters, whom I raised myself, would I be willing to give them up?" Liang Jinlan disliked Jiang Yaowang's habit of talking about money at every turn.
Besides, what could he gather? Looking at his poor appearance with that burlap sack, he might not earn enough in a year to match even one piece of clothing on Jiang Fanyue's back.
"So, what does Mrs. Jiang mean?" Jiang Yaowang asked cautiously.
Liang Jinlan looked towards Jiang Fanyue, "Fanyue, what do you think?"
A complex hesitation flashed across Jiang Fanyue's face, but she eventually placed her hand in Liang Jinlan's palm.
"Mom, I want to stay and perform my filial duties to you and Dad. You've had a hard time raising me." Jiang Fanyue had already made up her mind.
Liang Jinlan smiled with satisfaction, "I knew it, you're the most sensible."
She then told Jiang Yaowang, "You see, it's not that I'm deliberately not letting go, Fanyue and I have a deep bond, she can't bear to leave, and I certainly can't give up."
"This... this..." Jiang Yaowang rubbed his hands together, still wanting to fight for them.
Jiang Fanyue nervously clenched her fingers; there was no way she could leave here and go back with Jiang Yaowang.
She leaned slightly towards Liang Jinlan and glanced again at Gu Jiaheng and Han Jiayan.
The dignified and luxurious Han Jiayan spoke a word of fairness, "Jinlan, you see, after all, they are the old man's granddaughters, we shouldn't make him too sad, right?"
Liang Jinlan slowly put down the tea cup in her hand, then addressed the old man, "You're right, we shouldn't be too domineering, keeping both children to ourselves. Putting ourselves in his place, it really wouldn't be fair."
Jiang Yaowang's murky eyes filled with hope as he looked at Liang Jinlan.
Liang Jinlan continued calmly, "How about this, you take Xiaozhe, and Fanyue stays here."