"Your name isn't on it either, the property deed bears the old man's name, and his inheritance is all left to you, that's not fair. The old lady is still alive, how is it that the inheritance falls to you? Even if we went to court, we would be in the right. Are you the only one who is the old man's bloodline, aren't we?" Lv Mengxi's voice grew sharp, she had heard the story about this apartment too.
How could she be willing to give it to Qiao Xia.
"My father's name is on the property deed, along with a will left by my grandfather."
"All this time, I've been yielding at every turn, always leading you to believe I'm a sick cat, so anyone dares to snatch what is mine." Qiao Xia turned and walked away, then suddenly turned back with a smile, "You're all cut from the same cloth, truly disgusting."
"What are you quarreling about?" A commanding voice came from upstairs, Qiao Xia stopped in her tracks and looked up at Grandma Qiao.
Grandma Qiao had always favored her youngest son, doting on Qiao Guang from a young age and being extremely hostile towards Qiao Xia. When Mother Qiao was pregnant, Grandma Qiao had a dream that the baby would be the Qiao family's eldest grandson, and she was thrilled, which improved her attitude towards Mother Qiao too.
However, when Qiao Xia was born, she was disappointed and went to a fortune-teller.
The fortune-teller said Qiao Xia's fate was too strong, that she had 'killed' the eldest grandson and was born under an ominous star. Since the day Qiao Xia was born, Grandma Qiao blamed her, but fortunately Qiao Guan and his wife both adored Qiao Xia and did not favor boys over girls.
Grandma Qiao also felt that heeding a wife over a mother was wrong, so she held a bias against Mother Qiao.
After the custody of Qiao Xia was granted to Qiao Guang,
Grandma Qiao couldn't wait to bring her youngest son back home and treated Qiao Xia as the bearer of bad luck, a jinx.
Qiao Lan stepped forward, her face awash with grievance, tears staining her cheeks, "Grandma, Qiao Xia said we have to move out of the house. She said this is the house grandfather left for her, and that we have no right to live here. You must speak up for us."
"Nonsense!" Grandma Qiao's cloudy eyes instantly sharpened, her gaze at Qiao Xia filled with loathing, "I'm not dead yet, who has the right to say it's her house? You jinx, is this your house?"
Qiao Xia's heart was filled with desolation, Grandma, from my earliest memories, you've never looked at me with kindness.
She blamed the deaths of my parents, the death of my sister, all on me because I chose to go to Egypt. It led me to consider suicide at one point, wanting to end it all, unwilling to endure being called a curse, blamed for the death of those closest to me every single day.
A servant came in, speaking softly, "Sir, madam, the guests have arrived."
Qiao Guang took hold of Qiao Xia, "Xiao Xia, go upstairs and sit for a while, if you have something to say, we'll talk after your uncle is done with his work."
Qiao Xia returned to her bedroom upstairs.
This place was filled with the carefree memories of her childhood; she had been very resistant when Qiao Guang's family moved into the house, yet she had no choice. Since she was young, it had always been ingrained in her mind that this was her house.
It was what her father had left for her.
As soon as Qiao Guang arrived, he took over his parents' master bedroom, Qiao Lan took Qiao Dong's bedroom, and they even threw out their belongings. She moved all her parents' and sister's things to her own room. Qiao Guang and Lv Mengxi were eager to erase all traces of her parents and sister's existence as if it would cover up his ambition and greed.
Looking at the family portrait, scene after scene seemed to unfold before her eyes—her parents, her sister, those vivid lives. She just couldn't bring herself to accept the bad news.
Qiao Xia held the family portrait and fell asleep within her memories.
When she awoke, it was eight o'clock.
Downstairs was bustling.
The hall was filled with guests, glittering with jewels, celebrities and stars gathered all in one place. Since Qiao Lan was a movie star, the parties hosted by the Qiao family always had many celebrities in attendance. Qiao Xia spotted Qiao Lan and Li Hui in the center of the crowd immediately.
Qiao Lan wore a champagne-colored evening gown, radiant and dignified, adorned with jewelry that made her appear noble and enchanting. Li Hui was handsome and upright. The two danced gracefully, like a perfect pair. Qiao Lan, looking up and seeing Qiao Xia, held her chin up in pride, like a victorious princess, and leaned to kiss Li Hui's cheek, who wore a tender smile on his face.
This scene pierced Qiao Xia's eyes with pain.
She retreated back to her room, a place that no longer belonged to her. She had always known it deep down but didn't want to accept it.
Qiao Xia, why torment yourself?
Sister Gui came in with a glass of corn juice, "Miss Qiao Xia, you haven't eaten anything since the afternoon. I've made you some noodles, they'll be ready soon. Have some corn juice to tide you over."
"Sister Gui, no need to trouble yourself, I'm about to leave."
Sister Gui sighed, "Miss, try to be more open-minded. You and Young Master Li were just not meant to be. Don't go against Grandma Qiao; be more compliant with her, and life will be easier for you."
"Thank you, Sister Gui."
After Sister Gui left, Qiao Xia zoned out, actually feeling quite hungry, so she drank all the corn juice.