As Shen Mei spoke, she reached out with an intention to twist Qin Sheng's arm, but Qin Sheng shot her a cold, piercing glance that conveyed her disdain clearly.
Fearful, Shen Mei promptly withdrew her hand, her bravado crumbling under the intensity of Qin Sheng's gaze.
Frowning deeply, Shen Mei muttered curses under her breath, her frustration boiling over in a string of bitter invectives directed at Qin Sheng.
With evident impatience, Qin Sheng seized Shen Mei's middle finger with a firm and unyielding grip, her voice calm yet filled with an icy edge, "You have no right to insult me."
Shen Mei's face contorted in agony as she yelled at Qin Sheng, "You ungrateful wretch! Do you think that just because you're now a young lady of the Qin family, I won't deal with you?"
Her shrill, accusatory screams sliced through the air, causing Qin Sheng to cover her ears briefly before letting go, a mixture of disdain and pity visible in her expression.
Bending slightly, Qin Sheng leaned near Shen Mei's ear and whispered with a light, mocking laugh, "Rest assured, I will settle the score with you for everything your family has done to me, including your precious daughter."
With that, she pulled out a piece of candy, methodically unwrapped it, and popped the white milk candy into her mouth with a sense of deliberate calm before stepping into the car.
"Ungrateful wretch, you've truly gone against the heavens. After all these years of raising you, you dare to speak to me this way. Without me, you would have been dead long ago." Shen Mei was momentarily stunned by Qin Sheng's audacity, but then her anger reignited, and she began to rant and spew curses with renewed vigor.
"Drive."
Qin Sheng commanded with a tone of finality. She had long grown accustomed to Shen Mei's verbal abuse. It was only when she was brought back and discovered she was not their biological daughter that she understood the full extent of her parents' disdain.
She had swapped places with Qin Churuo; while Qin Churuo enjoyed the status and privileges of the Qin family's beloved daughter, she had endured torment in the countryside, far removed from the comforts of city life.
After being brought back, her so-called biological parents had eyes only for Qin Churuo, their favor unwaveringly directed at the other girl.
Ironically, she had always yearned for even a fragment of their affection, desperately clinging to any warmth that Qin Churuo might extend, hoping against hope for a semblance of familial connection.
As Qin Sheng sat in the car, watching the scenery blur past outside the window, a faint smile played on her lips, but her eyes remained cold and resolute.
She would never again be deceived by such shallow gestures of warmth.
Qin Churuo, I am back.
Upon arriving at the Qin residence, Qin Sheng was greeted by the sight of the family gathered around the dinner table, engaged in their evening meal.
The butler led her in with a polite nod, and the Qin family fell into a momentary, uneasy silence as they took in her presence.
Lin Shiya scrutinized Qin Sheng's appearance with a discerning gaze, her brows furrowing in visible disapproval as she assessed the girl's demeanor and attire with a critical eye.
"Elder Sister."
Qin Churuo was the first to react, a practiced smile spreading across her face as she put down her chopsticks and approached Qin Sheng with an attempt to link arms. Qin Sheng deftly avoided the gesture, her rejection unmistakably clear and intentional.
Qin Churuo's expression stiffened momentarily, but she quickly composed herself, adjusting her demeanor with practiced grace, "Elder Sister, you must be hungry. Come, join us for dinner."
She then instructed the maid with a sharp tone, "Bring a set of chopsticks and a bowl for my sister."
Qin Sheng glanced at the table, noting their apparent forgetfulness regarding her return with a mixture of contempt and resignation. A trace of derision crossed her eyes as she walked over and took a seat at the table with quiet determination.
Qin Churuo served Qin Sheng a piece of meat with an overly familiar smile, saying, "Elder Sister, eat more. You must have had very little of these delicacies in the countryside."
Qin Hai added with a dispassionate air, "Sheng'er, this place is different from your rural home. You need to adapt quickly to the ways of life in H City."
Qin Hai's paternal affection toward Qin Sheng was non-existent, his sole interest lying in arranging a strategic marriage to enhance the Qin family's influence and social standing.
His disdain for Qin Sheng was palpable, revealing itself in his condescending tone and cold demeanor.
Clearly, she was regarded as a mere country bumpkin in his eyes, not worthy of much consideration or respect. He held no expectations for her success or potential.
Qin Sheng disregarded the insincere father-daughter display with practiced indifference.
She glanced at the food in her bowl, grimaced in silent distaste, and set it aside with visible displeasure. Rising from her seat, she made her way to the kitchen to fetch a new bowl, her resolve unshaken.
**(End of Chapter)**