Ji Yanxiu spoke with a smug expression, "Did you see what she bought?"
"I did. It was from your favorite luxury brand," Lin Shuran replied, nodding. "Brother Yanxiu, it seems she’s looking for an opportunity to apologize to you. So... what do you plan to do next?"
"If she apologizes, I’ll reluctantly forgive her. Then I’ll see how she behaves, and when the timing is right, I’ll agree to date her. That way, our plan can officially begin."
Dating officially...
Although this was something she and Ji Yanxiu had discussed long ago, the thought of her boyfriend being with another woman, appearing in public together while she, the real girlfriend, was relegated to the status of a secret mistress, made her feel deeply uncomfortable.
She vowed that once the plan succeeded, she would make Jiang Nianxi pay dearly!
Lin Shuran secretly steeled herself and reminded Ji Yanxiu, "You have to promise me you won't kiss her, and you certainly aren't allowed to sleep with her."
Under normal circumstances, Ji Yanxiu would have agreed without a second thought; after all, Jiang Nianxi dressed like a ghost all day, and he had absolutely no desire for her. But now... she was different.
Today, just the thought of her lips had stirred an impulse within him. He couldn't even believe it himself.
Ji Yanxiu gave a dry laugh, turned to look at her with a serious expression, and said, "Of course. She’s nothing more than a tool. You are the only one who is my girlfriend. I would never do anything to betray you. Once we succeed, we’ll get married."
Lin Shuran beamed, already picturing their future together. "Mhm, Brother Yanxiu, I believe you."
Her coy expression made Ji Yanxiu’s gaze darken. "Ranran, you’re doing this again... and now I want to—"
"Oh, stop it. If I get home too late, my dad will definitely grow suspicious."
Ji Yanxiu looked regretful. "Alright, then."
...
Jiang Nianxi had bought a wool sweater for her grandfather. It wasn't an extravagant gift, but Jiang Bai was incredibly touched.
His granddaughter had actually bought him a gift!
Jiang Nianxi urged him, "Grandpa, hurry up and try it on. See if it fits."
"Yes, yes, right away." Jiang Bai’s face split into a wide grin. He pulled the sweater on and spread his arms, walking a few steps in front of her. "How does it look?"
"It looks great! Grandpa, you’re still so handsome. If you went out like this, you’d sweep a whole crowd of old ladies off their feet, wouldn't you?" Jiang Nianxi praised him sincerely.
Jiang Bai feigned sternness. "Nonsense! I’m at this age, and you expect me to worry about old ladies?"
"What’s wrong with that? Old men have the right to date, too," Jiang Nianxi chuckled.
Come to think of it, her grandfather was a very devoted and loyal man. After her grandmother passed away from illness years ago, his hair had turned white overnight, and he had never remarried.
She knew he wouldn't look for anyone else; she was just teasing him. When she was little, she used to intentionally annoy him all the time. He would always puff out his cheeks and glare at her, but he never truly lost his temper.
It wasn't until she foolishly started chasing after Ji Yanxiu that he had truly been furious with her...
Jiang Bai waved his hand. "Forget it. I’m afraid that when I go down to see your grandmother later, she’ll beat me. When I married her, I promised her I’d only have her for the rest of my life."
"That’s so romantic."
"That’s why you need to find a man as loyal as me. If I ever find out you’re seeing another jerk, I’ll break both of your legs!"
His tone was fierce, but if he were actually forced to hit her, he wouldn't have the heart.
Jiang Nianxi laughed. "Yes, yes, I’ll be sure to find one who’s as handsome, wealthy, loyal, and considerate as you, Grandpa."
"That’s more like it. In any case, I have to vet him first."
Seeing her grandfather admiring himself in the full-length mirror as he spoke, she could tell he was truly pleased. Jiang Nianxi felt a pang of sadness, and her eyes grew hot.
So this was all it took to satisfy her grandfather—just a wool sweater, and he cherished it so much. But ever since she’d met Ji Yanxiu, she had lost her mind and never paid attention to her grandfather again.
To the point that... she didn't even know until after she died that her grandfather had been killed by Lin Shuran and her cohorts.
Those wretches had hidden the truth and framed her for it, causing her grandfather to die with his reputation tarnished!
Hatred surged in her chest again. Jiang Nianxi gritted her teeth.
If she remembered correctly, it was after her grandfather’s annual physical that year that Lin Shuran and the others had replaced his routine blood pressure medication with a very similar, slow-acting poison.
This time, they wouldn't get away with it!
Just then, a servant knocked respectfully on the door. "Sir, Miss, dinner is ready. Also, the master and the second young lady are home. The second young lady brought a gift."
Jiang Nianxi raised an eyebrow. *She* brought a gift, too?
That wasn't surprising, though. Lin Shuran often brought gifts home, even for the servants. When it came to currying favor, she was quite skilled.
When she helped Jiang Bai walk downstairs, Lin Shuran was beaming with a sweet smile, handing a gift box to Jiang Yuanshan, who had just returned from the office. "Dad, I went shopping with some friends and bought a gift for you."
Jiang Yuanshan was pleased. "Is that so? Let me see. What is it this time?"
He opened the box to reveal a small, high-tech speaker—a novel little gadget.
Lin Shuran said in a soft voice, "Dad, this is the latest tech; the sound quality is incredible. I heard Mom say you’ve been busy at work lately and feeling stressed, so I thought I’d get you this small speaker. You can keep it in your office and listen to it when you’re tired; it’ll soothe your mood and be good for your health."
These words made Jiang Yuanshan feel even warmer inside. "Shuran is so sensible and caring."
Standing nearby, Ye Mei smiled. "I just happened to mention your recent situation to Shuran in passing; I didn't expect her to take it so to heart."
"She has always been so thoughtful," Jiang Yuanshan said. Suddenly, he noticed Jiang Nianxi coming down the stairs, and his face, which had been full of joy, fell instantly.
Jiang Nianxi took the initiative to greet him. "Dad, you're home."
This took Jiang Yuanshan by surprise, though his expression remained cold. "What? Are you not happy that I’m back?"
Jiang Bai said irritably, "What is this? You come home and start talking to Nianxi with such snide remarks. Do you have no respect for me?"
Jiang Nianxi gave Jiang Bai a look, signaling him not to get worked up.
Once she reached the bottom of the stairs, she smiled. "Dad, I know that because of my poor behavior in the past, you’ve been very angry and disappointed. But could you give me a chance to make amends? I will do my best to prove myself."
Jiang Yuanshan looked at her suspiciously. "What kind of trick are you pulling now?"
Just how much had Ye Mei whispered in his ear to make him so distrustful and hateful toward his own daughter?
It seemed it would take some effort to change Jiang Yuanshan's opinion of her.
Jiang Nianxi wasn't trying to reclaim his fatherly love. From the day he betrayed her mother's marriage, she had held no hope for him.
However, if she wanted to seize control of the Jiang Family, she couldn't let Jiang Yuanshan lock her out!
Jiang Nianxi didn't get angry. Instead, she presented the gift she had prepared. "Dad, I actually prepared a gift for you as well. Would you like to see if you like it?"
*Hmph*, so she wanted to act like the favorite? Did she think only Lin Shuran knew how to do that?
She could play that game, too!