Wen Jiang’s main purpose for returning home was to get some things and take a look at Nian Jian. Thɪs chapter is updated by n0velfire.net
Nian Jian was indeed very honest. After being rescued by Wen Jiang, she had genuinely been investigating news about her mother. As someone unaware of the inside story, she had no way of knowing the truth about the System, nor did she understand why her mother had abandoned her years ago.
Even after learning Wen Jiang was from the nobility, Nian Jian didn’t seek help. Being saved by Wen Jiang was already a stroke of incredible luck, and she couldn’t bring herself to ask for more.
Besides, Wen Jiang didn’t restrict her movements in any way, apart from not allowing her to leave the premises, and Nian Jian herself didn’t dare to venture out.
Hua Zhuo, on the other hand, was rather skeptical about Nian Jian’s identity and couldn’t understand why Wen Jiang would keep this person in the Jimo Family. Since it involved Wen Jiang’s private matters, Wen Jiang wouldn’t elaborate, and naturally, Hua Zhuo didn’t press further.
It was also a certainty that Nian Jian had used a card to alter her genes, because even Hua Zhuo, who harbored such deep hatred for Nian Jian’s mother, couldn’t detect any resemblance between Nian Jian and the woman.
If Hua Zhuo knew that the daughter of her enemy was being sheltered by Wen Jiang, she wouldn’t be able to remain as calm as she was now.
Perhaps things just happened to align, because Wen Jiang hadn’t been upstairs for long before the Butler came to report that the young Miss from the Qiao Family had come to visit.
Wen Jiang still remembered this person, mainly because Zero Egg did.
Zero Egg exclaimed in surprise, "What is she here to see you for?"
Wen Jiang replied, "You go ask her."
Qiao Yuxiao was indeed a young Miss of the Qiao Family, but not the heir. If she were the heir, she wouldn’t concern herself with an illegitimate son like Song Yingchen at all.
Still, her status was at least more distinguished than Song Yingchen’s; after all, she was the legitimate second young Miss.
If it concerned business dealings, it also shouldn’t have been Qiao Yuxiao visiting Wen Jiang; her arrival was indeed peculiar.
Wen Jiang had recently heard from Hua Zhuo that many people were curious about the Jimo Family’s suddenly emerged heir. Since Wen Jiang was busy with the competition, Hua Zhuo had used this as an excuse to turn away many who wished to visit.
Hua Zhuo had just left when Qiao Yuxiao arrived. With only Wen Jiang present at the Jimo Family residence, she was truly the only one who could receive the guest.
If word got out that Wen Jiang was home but refused to meet Qiao Yuxiao, it would reflect poorly on the Jimo Family.
Tsk, troublesome rules.
The Butler, aware of Wen Jiang’s notoriously short temper since her return, was afraid she might refuse.
Fortunately, she made her way to the parlor.
Qiao Yuxiao was seated there, perfectly composed.
Upon seeing Wen Jiang approach, a hint of surprise flickered in her beautiful eyes.
Initially, Qiao Yuxiao had been greatly surprised to learn that Wen Jiang was the Jimo Family heir, and then she had felt sympathy.
She pitied Wen Jiang for having lived in the slums for so long before returning, only for her father to pass away shortly thereafter; it would be a significant blow for any normal father and daughter.
But the young woman before her was still as she remembered; Wen Jiang was someone who left a lasting impression. Seeing her in person now, Qiao Yuxiao realized that sympathy seemed an unnecessary sentiment to offer her.
"Miss Qiao," Wen Jiang greeted as she walked over, adding casually, "Hello."
She sat down, crossing one leg, her demeanor lazy and relaxed.
The contrast with the demurely seated Qiao Yuxiao was immediately apparent.
Qiao Yuxiao nodded. "Hello, Miss Wen. I hope you don’t mind my unannounced visit."
Wen Jiang didn’t waste time on pleasantries. "Are you here on business with the Jimo Family?" After all, she now represented the Jimo Family.
Qiao Yuxiao, slightly taken aback by Wen Jiang’s directness, slowly shook her head. "No, I came specifically to see you."
"Oh?" Wen Jiang found this amusing. "What could you possibly want with me?" On the surface, the two of them had no connection whatsoever. The Qiao Yuxiao Wen Jiang knew before was an unattainable heiress, practically out of reach.
Qiao Yuxiao fell silent for two seconds before suddenly asking, "Did your breakup with Song Yingchen have anything to do with me?"
Zero Egg immediately grew excited. "Here it comes, here it comes! I knew it! Classic storylines never die. My mission wasn’t wrong. Indeed, Qiao Yuxiao is here to question you about Song Yingchen!"
Wen Jiang scanned Qiao Yuxiao from head to toe, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Which idiot has been stirring things up?"
She and Song Yingchen had, in a way, broken up, but I never acknowledged that relationship in the first place. So, to me, Song Yingchen was nothing more than a scumbag. Our business had nothing to do with anything or anyone else, so how could it possibly involve Qiao Yuxiao, who was miles away? Clearly, someone was maliciously stirring the pot.
COUGH! COUGH, COUGH, COUGH!
Qiao Yuxiao had expected Wen Jiang to be surprised; instead, she was met with bluntness.
However, despite the almost rude directness of her words, Qiao Yuxiao strangely didn’t find it offensive.
So much so that she almost choked.
Qiao Yuxiao looked up in surprise. "You... Actually, it wasn’t that someone told me. It’s rather embarrassing to admit, but after you became the heir to the Jimo Family, details of your past relationship were suddenly dug up and became a topic of avid gossip. Now, everyone knows you once dated the illegitimate son of the Song Family."
Song Yingchen’s supposedly discreet actions hadn’t escaped the notice of these people.
Given that Song Yingchen was publicly seen with Qiao Yuxiao, some speculated whether the breakup was related to her.
The Song Family, Qiao Family, and Jimo Family—three noble families all mixed up in this. What a laughingstock this would be for so many people! Even within the Qiao Family, they were questioning me. The most troubling thing recently was the Jimo Family’s sudden reversal, wanting to terminate the card cooperation. Although Xie Lingyan had always handled this matter, it had recently been passed to Hua Zhuo. It was said to be Wen Jiang’s decision, and Xie Lingyan had made some vague statements publicly, suggesting Wen Jiang was very displeased with the cooperation. Some in the Qiao Family even wondered if this incident was the cause. I knew that once I got entangled in these matters, it would be hard to shake them off. I didn’t like Song Yingchen and found the rumors absurd. But what did Wen Jiang really think? Could she actually believe Song Yingchen and I had something going on?
Moreover, since this matter involved some cooperation between the Jimo and Qiao Families, she thought it over and decided to visit in person to clarify things.
Wen Jiang, who could also piece together the convoluted situation, snorted in disdain. "This matter has nothing whatsoever to do with you. I ended things with Song Yingchen simply because he’s an idiot. It’s true that it was my decision to terminate the cooperation with the Qiao Family. However, I’m sure you’re also aware, Miss Qiao, that the Qiao Family’s involvement in the Jimo Family’s card business was opportunistic from the start. It was facilitated because of my cheap uncle Xie Lingyan’s greed. For the Jimo Family, such cooperation offers no benefits whatsoever."
Qiao Yuxiao was rendered speechless.
She wasn’t in charge of the cooperation between the Qiao and Jimo Families and wasn’t privy to the inner workings. She hadn’t expected Wen Jiang to be so brutally honest.
She quickly understood. If the cooperation held no benefit for the Jimo Family, it was no wonder Wen Jiang wanted to terminate it. And it seemed my own Qiao Family was reluctant to let it go.