Jiang Yuanshan looked at the gift box with a complicated expression. He did not believe she had truly turned over a new leaf; she was likely up to some scheme. Was she complaining that her allowance was too low, wanting more money to go out and fool around with those no-good people? If that were the case, this gift wasn't worth accepting.
Seeing his dark expression, Jiang Nianxi guessed he thought she had ulterior motives, which was to be expected. Deep-seated prejudices cannot be changed overnight. She held the gift box out toward Jiang Yuanshan again. "Dad, won't you take a look? I spent a long time picking it out."
Jiang Bai leaned on his cane and walked over, snapping, "What are you standing there for? Your daughter is giving you a gift, why are you being so difficult?"
Jiang Yuanshan reluctantly took the box. When he opened it, he found a deep blue striped tie, its craftsmanship and material clearly exquisite.
"Dad, this is a limited edition, handmade in Italy; every single one has its own serial number," Jiang Nianxi said sweetly. "I remembered that you like deep blue, and since you don't like overly flashy patterns, I chose this subtle, dark motif."
It was indeed his favorite color and style. She had actually remembered. Jiang Yuanshan’s expression softened considerably. "You’ve put in some effort."
"I'm glad you like it."
After waiting a moment and hearing nothing else from Jiang Nianxi, Jiang Yuanshan couldn't help but ask, "Is that it?"
Was she not going to make any unreasonable demands?
Jiang Nianxi knew what he was thinking, but feigned confusion. "Dad, what do you mean by that?"
Jiang Yuanshan fell silent. He wasn't used to this, so he simply said, "It seems you’ve changed. That’s good. Keep it up."
"Yes, I will work hard to ensure I don't let you down, Dad."
Lin Shuran gritted her teeth. That wretched Jiang Nianxi—how had she started playing the good girl? She was becoming more and more inscrutable! Suppressing her anger, she took out a beautifully wrapped gift for Jiang Bai. "Grandfather, this is a gift I prepared for you. Please, do accept it."
Jiang Bai did not take it, saying flatly, "Nianxi has already given me a gift. There is no need for anything from anyone else."
With the servants watching, Lin Shuran’s face burned. She was used to the old man refusing her things, but she insisted on offering them repeatedly, so that everyone could see how she was being shunned. This way, Jiang Yuanshan and the servants would surely feel she was the one being mistreated and wronged.
Lin Shuran picked up another gift box and held it out to Jiang Nianxi. "Sister, this one is for you."
Jiang Nianxi sat beside her grandfather, tucking her arm into his, and said matter-of-factly, "Grandfather doesn't want yours, so neither do I."
Lin Shuran’s eyes reddened instantly. "Dad..."
Jiang Yuanshan reflexively began to scold Jiang Nianxi, but Ye Mei quickly interjected, "Honey, don't blame Nianxi. It's normal for her to have trouble accepting me and Shuran for the time being. After all, I’m not her biological mother, and Shuran isn't her biological sister. *Sigh*... it's just that Shuran and I haven't been trying hard enough to be good enough for her."
"Don't mention my mother. You think you’re worthy?" Jiang Nianxi stared at her coldly.
Jiang Yuanshan spoke sternly, "That's enough! Your mother has been gone for years. Now, she is your mother, and Shuran is your sister! Whether you like it or not, you will accept it!"
"Heh, accept them? That will never happen."
"You—" Just as Jiang Yuanshan was getting flustered, Ye Mei stepped in again to play the saint. "Honey, don't be angry. Nianxi is still young; give her some time."
"Young? She's a twenty-year-old adult, how is that young!"
Mentioning this reminded Jiang Yuanshan of something. He looked at the red-eyed Lin Shuran and softened his tone. "That’s right, Shuran, your twentieth birthday is next week. What gift would you like?"
Lin Shuran looked moved. "Dad, just knowing you remember my birthday makes me happy enough. The gift isn't important."
The girl was so thoughtful and sensible. Jiang Yuanshan was very pleased with her. "How could it not be important? You only turn twenty once. By the way, don't you like jade? There’s a charity auction next week, and I heard there are some fine jade pieces there. How about I bid on one for you?"
Lin Shuran’s eyes lit up instantly. "Really? Thank you, Dad!"
Jiang Nianxi gave a mocking laugh. Jiang Yuanshan hadn't been half this attentive on her twentieth birthday. That day, she hadn't wanted to eat the cake that this mother-daughter duo had hypocritically prepared, nor did she want to look at their fake, pretentious faces, so she went out to have a party with her classmates. Her father had scolded her severely over the phone. She hadn't told him about the party, yet he knew; it had to have been Lin Shuran who snitched.
As she was thinking this, Jiang Bai suddenly said to her, "Nianxi, you should come along to that charity auction next week as well!"
Jiang Yuanshan was stunned. "Dad, why are you letting her go? She’s not exactly easy to manage. What if she causes some kind of scene..."
Jiang Bai narrowed his eyes. "What kind of scene could she cause? Can't you see that Nianxi has changed a lot lately?"
Jiang Yuanshan scoffed. She had changed a bit, but who knew if it was real or just an act?
Jiang Nianxi figured her grandfather had a reason for wanting her to go, and it must be for her own good, so she chimed in, "Dad, if Lin Shuran can go, why can't I?"
"Is that the same thing?"
This girl had no idea what she was worth; she was nowhere near as refined as Shuran. Besides, most of the attendees at the charity auction would be business elites. If she went and pulled some stunt, where would he hide his face?
"Why wouldn't it be?" Jiang Nianxi retorted. "Oh, wait, I’m your biological daughter, and she isn't. I guess that really is different."
Stung by the jab, Lin Shuran immediately put on a pitiful, fragile look for Jiang Yuanshan.
Jiang Nianxi didn't give her a chance to speak. "Dad, if you bring your stepdaughter but not your own daughter, aren't you afraid people will get suspicious and say you're playing favorites? They might even start to wonder if the Jiang Family is in turmoil and suspect that I, the legitimate daughter, am being pushed aside!"
What she said actually made some sense.
Jiang Yuanshan said impatiently, "Fine, fine, you can go. But you behave yourself! If you cause any trouble, I won't forgive you!"
"Dad..." Lin Shuran called out weakly.
Jiang Yuanshan reassured her, "It's alright, letting her come along won't hurt. You can help me keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't cause trouble."
Since he had already decided, Lin Shuran couldn't say much else and had to agree, though it went against her wishes. "I understand."
As she spoke, she shot a vicious look at Jiang Nianxi from the corner of her eye. So, she wanted to steal the spotlight, did she? Don't even think about it!
Jiang Yuanshan straightened his cuffs and stood up from the sofa. He looked at the tie Jiang Nianxi had given him, hesitated for a moment, and eventually took it upstairs along with the gift from Lin Shuran. Ye Mei followed close behind; noticing his action, her eyes darkened.