As He Yan thought about her clever and promising daughter, she felt her resolve begin to waver. The memory of her daughter's potential tugged at her heartstrings, making her question her previous thoughts.
After taking a moment to compose herself, He Yan switched to a gentler tone, attempting to persuade the middle-aged woman on the other end of the line. "You shouldn't overthink this. Everything you do is ultimately for your daughter's future. She possesses both beauty and talent; she deserves every opportunity to shine. If she misses the chance to attend a good high school or university simply because of financial concerns, it could become a lifelong regret for her. Just take a look at her—she's excelling academically and forming friendships with peers from prestigious families. Her future is bright!"
He Yan's words struck a chord with the woman, who was acutely aware that her daughter was her greatest vulnerability.
"I understand. I'm willing to do anything for her. As for what I owe the master and mistress, I'll repay it in my next life!"
Satisfaction washed over He Yan at the woman's response. "Then let's leave it at that for now. I'm still at the old residence. I'll check in on that girl later to see what her sudden change of attitude is all about!"
After hanging up, He Yan felt a growing sense of urgency. She had hoped to get insights from Mo, but it appeared she would need to investigate Jian Yiling's sudden transformation herself.
---
At the dining table, Jian Yiling was introduced to her cousin, Jian Yujie, for the very first time.
Jian Yujie, sharing the same age as Jian Yunzhao, was also seventeen years old. Apart from Jian Yiling, they were the youngest members of the Jian family, standing out in a household where most cousins were already in their twenties.
The family had originally not planned on having any more children. However, during one particular Lunar New Year, Old Lady Jian insisted on wanting a granddaughter, prompting her eldest son, Jian Shuxiang, and second son, Jian Shuhong, to make another effort. To everyone's astonishment, two grandsons were born that same year, leading the family to believe that they had finally completed their brood.
Just when everyone thought that would be the end of it, a year later, Wen Nuan unexpectedly became pregnant. And this time, she delivered the much-anticipated granddaughter, bringing immense joy to Old Lady Jian. It seemed that despite careful planning, fate had a way of intervening—where one might expect flowers, unanticipated willows would flourish instead.
Upon seeing Jian Yiling, Jian Yujie's face lit up with a warm smile. While He Yan harbored resentment toward Jian Yiling and her relationship with the family, Jian Yujie genuinely cherished his only little cousin. She was the family's sole sister and was exceptionally cute, resembling a little doll during their childhood. This innocence had deepened his affection for her.
Unfortunately, with so many older brothers, he had never been able to compete for her attention. He had often watched from a distance, longing for the chance to connect with her. After all, both he and Yunzhao were the youngest among the brothers, which meant they were considerably smaller and weaker than the others.
Opportunities for Jian Yujie to spend time with Jian Yiling were few and far between. Typically, family gatherings at the Jian ancestral home provided the rare occasion for interaction, but such settings were crowded, and it was difficult for him to forge a bond with her. However, now that they were alone without anyone else vying for her attention, Jian Yujie seized the chance to win her over, determined to make the most of this rare moment.
"Yiling, you should eat more! You need to grow taller! When I was fifteen, I was already half a head taller than you!" he urged enthusiastically, filling her plate with generous helpings of food.
Jian Yiling, often slightly shorter than her peers, was still in high school but looked more like a middle school student.
"That's right! Yiling, you need to eat more. Don't restrict your diet just to maintain a certain figure. You're still young, and this is the time for you to grow! You can worry about your appearance later!" He Yan chimed in eagerly, fully supporting Jian Yujie's encouragement. She wanted to ensure that Jian Yiling was nourished and healthy, free from unnecessary pressures regarding her weight or appearance at such a young age.
Jian Yiling smiled softly, appreciating the attention from her cousin and the care from He Yan. It felt good to be surrounded by family, even if there were underlying tensions and complexities in their relationships. Despite the atmosphere thick with unspoken sentiments, she found comfort in the warmth of her cousin's affection and the encouragement from He Yan, creating a small oasis of support amidst the family dynamics that could sometimes feel overwhelming.
As they continued their meal, Jian Yujie made it a point to engage Jian Yiling in conversation, asking her about school and her interests. With each question, he hoped to draw her out of her shell, to get to know her better, and to let her know that he was there for her. He genuinely enjoyed these moments, feeling as though he was finally getting a chance to connect with his long-admired little cousin.
The warmth of family, the laughter, and the clattering of dishes created an atmosphere of camaraderie, momentarily dissolving any tensions that might have existed. For Jian Yiling, this meal marked a moment of connection and a chance to enjoy the simple pleasures of being surrounded by loved ones. As she looked around the table, she couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging—something she had longed for amid the complexities of her family life.