Chapter 12: Please Don't Be Angry, Sister

“Old Master Jiang, congratulations on finding your granddaughter again.”

“That little girl is truly blessed. After being taken away for so many years, she has finally been found.”

……

The old residence was bustling with guests. As soon as Old Master Jiang entered, a crowd gathered around him, offering congratulations and best wishes from every side.

Jiang Ming and Jiang Man were still in the inner room getting dressed. As they had anticipated, the dresses prepared by Li Baizhen were completely unsuitable—one was absurdly large, the other required her to be skin and bones to fit. Fortunately, Jiang Shi had prepared proper attire for them the day before.

The black knee-length dress accentuated Jiang Ming’s slender figure, with a sheer shawl draped just enough to cover the lingering scars on her skin. Her jet-black hair was elegantly curled and gently rested on her shoulder. Jiang Man wore a white strapless gown, her long hair swept up high and adorned with diamond roses, with a pearl necklace at her neckline, enhancing her gentle and enchanting aura.

Each possessed her own unique charm, neither overshadowing the other but both showcasing their grace in full measure.

“It’s your turn to appear now.”

Jiang Shi approached the door and knocked politely.

The lights throughout the hall dimmed, leaving only the two spiral staircases on either side illuminated.

Jiang Ming and Jiang Man descended slowly from opposite sides. The lights brightened gradually with their steps, converging into a single beam as they reached the center of the hall.

“Thank you all friends for coming to my humble home today to attend my granddaughter’s family recognition banquet. Allow me to introduce Jiang Ming and Jiang Man—they are both direct granddaughters of the Jiang family.”

Some had doubted that Jiang Man might not be a true daughter of the family, suggesting the one who returned was the real granddaughter, and that the two had been swapped at birth. But out of respect and face, the Jiang family had claimed they were twins.

Now that the old master had declared it so, anyone with objections found it difficult to voice them and reluctantly joined the applause and cheers.

Beneath the stage, Jiang Cheng and Li Baizhen smiled on the surface, but their eyes fixed on the two young women above were filled with hostility.

Besides Jiang Shi, this was the second time the old master had introduced his descendants in front of all the influential figures in Lin City—an honor even Jiang Sheng had never received.

After all, they were just two girls. What was the point of such an introduction? The continuation of the family line depended on Jiang Sheng anyway.

Speaking of Jiang Sheng, since arriving, he had yet to be seen among the guests; no one knew where he had gone.

Fortunately, Jiang Sheng was always tactful, so presumably, he wouldn’t do anything inappropriate.

“Keep an eye on him for me.”

Jiang Shi stayed upstairs, observing the scene below. Once he spotted Jiang Sheng, he instructed someone to keep watch.

With his sly appearance and scheming mind, it was hard to tell what he might be plotting.

At the banquet, glasses clinked and wine flowed. Jiang Ming and Jiang Man were kept close by the old master, following him as he toasted various guests.

“These two children are quite striking—Old Master Jiang must be very fortunate.”

……

Old Master Xie also came today, accompanied by Xie Yan.

Upon seeing the two girls opposite, he was immensely pleased, wishing one could become his granddaughter-in-law.

Glancing at Xie Yan nearby, he felt a twinge of disappointment. That boy had good looks but lacked any skill in charming girls. If either of these girls took a liking to him, it would be a miracle for the Xie family.

“These two kids’ main flaw is perhaps being a bit too pretty. They both passed the entrance exam to Lin University this year—promising indeed.”

No matter how wealthy a family, it was the achievements of the younger generation that brought true pride.

Old Master Jiang wore a smug expression, much like a peacock spreading its feathers.

“That’s great. You three are alumni now. If you ever need anything, just reach out to Xie Yan. He’s older and will help where he can.”

“All right, you youngsters go have fun. Man, take Ming around to meet people. The two of us old men will rest.”

“Yeah, yeah. Yan, come along to make some friends. We don’t need you here.”

The two elder gentlemen had their own matters to discuss. The young people, feeling bored and having met most of the guests already, let Jiang Man introduce Jiang Ming to the young men of various families.

Jiang Man recognized most of the young masters and ladies from the northern district but rarely mingled with them. She disliked their extravagant and decadent lifestyles, and they looked down on her timid nature.

“Oh, isn’t this our Miss Jiang Man? Is this your older sister or younger sister?”

As she approached, a hostile voice came from ahead.

The speaker was Han Yue, who had disliked Jiang Man since school. Jiang Man was like a wooden fish—silent and unresponsive—but always scored higher than Han Yue on exams.

Over time, whenever Han Yue saw Jiang Man, she couldn’t resist a sarcastic remark, even though the Han family’s status in Lin City was far below the Jiang family’s.

“This is my older sister Jiang Ming, and this is Han Yue,” Jiang Man introduced calmly, unmoved.

Her composed demeanor only infuriated Han Yue further, fueling her rebellious desire to provoke Jiang Man into losing her temper.

“Looking at you two, you don’t even resemble each other. Could this be some sort of baby swap scheme?”

“Miss Han, mind your words,” Jiang Ming began to retort, but someone spoke first.

“Jiang Sheng, what business is it of yours to meddle in girls’ affairs?”

Han Yue disliked Jiang Sheng even more than Jiang Man. He appeared respectable but was utterly rotten inside.

“You bully my sister, and I can’t get involved?”

Just then, a waiter arrived with a tray of wine. Jiang Sheng intercepted him, taking two cups.

One he held for himself, the other he handed to Jiang Ming. “Sister, don’t waste your anger on people like this. Don’t let it harm your health.”

While they spoke, others watched quietly. Han Yue’s careless words often offended people, and no one dared approach lest they anger the Jiang family and jeopardize their business dealings.

In front of so many, Jiang Sheng was certain Jiang Ming wouldn’t refuse the cup. Behind closed doors, she could vent however she wished, but the old master’s basic rule was unity in public.

As expected, Jiang Ming took the wine despite knowing his ill intentions. With so many eyes on them, she had no excuse to refuse and risk showing discord within the Jiang family.

“Who would drink your wine? If there’s anything suspicious in it, how would anyone know it was you who harmed them?”

Though Han Yue disliked Jiang Man, she couldn’t tolerate Jiang Sheng’s wickedness.

His demeanor clearly showed sinister intentions—he was up to no good.

“Han Yue, there’s a limit to your slander. Don’t think I’m afraid to do anything to you!”

Jiang Sheng glared at her fiercely, whispering a threat only she could hear.

“Miss Han, you’re being unreasonable. How could I be such a person?”

Feigning innocence, he gave the impression to those unfamiliar with him that Han Yue was just throwing a tantrum, making her seem irrational for speaking so boldly on Jiang family territory.

“Han Yue, those two siblings are very close. If you want to throw a tantrum, save it for when you get home.”

Someone, perhaps annoyed by Han Yue’s arrogance, began to defend Jiang Sheng.

“Yes, today is the first day your sister is home. Don’t let such an insignificant person ruin your mood.”

Seizing the moment, Jiang Sheng raised his glass to Jiang Ming.

“Of course.”

Without hesitation, Jiang Ming lifted the cup and took a small sip.

Jiang Man, standing beside her, looked as if she were facing an enemy, wanting to warn her not to drink but unsure how to speak up.

All she could do was nervously watch Jiang Ming take the sip.

At that very moment, Jiang Shi was nowhere to be found, and Xie Yan had been pulled away by a group of young masters from the southern district.