Jiang Jiaojiao stood nearby, grinding her teeth in silent fury.
Jiang Wanyi, however, was delighted by the sight. Anything that made Jiang Jiaojiao uncomfortable brought her a sense of satisfaction. But this was merely the appetizer; every humiliation she had suffered in her previous life would be repaid in full in this one.
After dinner, Jiang Wanyi gently knocked on her mother’s bedroom door. Pushing it open, she found Du Yinyue carefully ironing Jiang Changxing’s shirt.
"Mom, you should let the servants handle those things," Jiang Wanyi said, frowning as she stepped inside. Her mother was in poor health and shouldn't be overexerting herself; she hated seeing her do everything by hand.
"Your father is used to wearing clothes ironed by me. He doesn't like the way others do it," Du Yinyue replied without looking up, her movements practiced and smooth as she pressed the collar.
"You really spoil him," Jiang Wanyi said, brow furrowed. She felt a pang of resentment. Jiang Changxing was so protective of Jiang Jiaojiao, yet Du Yinyue still sacrificed herself for him unconditionally. It simply wasn't worth it. However, she knew that in all their years together, Jiang Changxing had always been attentive to Du Yinyue’s health, even if he favored Jiang Jiaojiao. Still, haunted by memories of her past life, she suddenly felt a tremor of doubt.
Du Yinyue paused, looking up at her daughter with a gentle smile. "Wanyi, don't always butt heads with your father. He actually cares for you, too; he’s just not good at expressing it."
"I know exactly how my father feels about me," Jiang Wanyi said, sitting on the edge of the bed. She asked in a seemingly casual tone, "Mom, are you and Dad getting along well?"
Du Yinyue hesitated, a girlish blush spreading across her cheeks. "You silly child, what are you saying? Your father treats me very well. He has a bit of a temper, but he has a gentle side, too."
"Really?" Jiang Wanyi frowned, feeling that something was off.
"Not long ago, your father put aside all his work just to take me on a trip," Du Yinyue said softly. "Don't let your imagination run wild. Your father still thinks of you often."
Hearing this, Jiang Wanyi gave a self-deprecating laugh. Could she really have been overthinking things?
As Du Yinyue finished ironing, she suddenly grew dizzy. Jiang Wanyi rushed over to support her and skillfully poured her medication. After taking the pills, it took a long time for Du Yinyue to recover. It seemed the medicine was becoming less and less effective.
"How long have you been taking this?" Jiang Wanyi asked, her brow furrowing.
"About three years, I suppose," Du Yinyue said, coughing twice.
"Three years and no improvement?" Suspicion crept into Jiang Wanyi’s mind.
Du Yinyue missed the implication in her daughter’s words and said lightly, "Although the effect is slow, Dr. Liu said it’s a chronic condition and requires gradual treatment."
Jiang Wanyi picked up the medicine bottle and noted the name. "Why not see another doctor? I know several excellent respiratory specialists who are quite knowledgeable about asthma."
"No need," Du Yinyue said, waving her hand. "Dr. Liu is an expert your father specifically invited from abroad. If not for him, my springs these past few years would have been even harder to bear." Since giving birth to Jiang Wanyi, Du Yinyue’s health had been poor, and she had developed asthma. She had taken plenty of medicine over the years, yet she never seemed to get better.
"It wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion. Even if traditional medicine works slowly, it shouldn't take three years without any progress at all," Jiang Wanyi persisted, still uneasy. Her mother had died of asthma in her previous life, so she was hyper-vigilant, terrified of that tragedy repeating itself.
But Du Yinyue was stubborn. "No, no. Different medications can interact, and other doctors might not understand my condition. If they prescribe the wrong thing, it could be even worse."
Seeing this, Jiang Wanyi dropped the subject. She knew her mother’s temperament too well; when it came to doctors, she could only proceed one step at a time. "Mom, get some rest. I’ll come to visit you another day."
Du Yinyue nodded wearily. "Don't work yourself too hard. And if you really intend to divorce into the Li Family, don't make it too ugly. After all, the two families have ties."
"I know," Jiang Wanyi interrupted, forcing a smile. "Don't worry about that."
As she walked out of the room, laughter echoed from the end of the corridor. Jiang Jiaojiao was leaning against Jiang Changxing, saying something that made him roar with laughter as he patted her head with doting affection.
The scene stung like a thorn in Jiang Wanyi’s heart. Jiang Changxing had never shown her such tenderness; often, she felt that Jiang Changxing and Jiang Jiaojiao were the true father and daughter.
Jiang Wanyi withdrew her gaze and turned to leave, expressionless. Love she couldn't have was better left behind. From now on, she would learn to love herself.
"Sister!"
As she reached the front door, Jiang Jiaojiao chased after her with a deliberate smile. "Why are you leaving so soon?"
Jiang Wanyi didn't break her stride. "Is there something you need?"
Jiang Jiaojiao trotted a few steps ahead to block her path, feigning innocence. "An'an invited me to dinner at the Li residence tomorrow. The little one said he missed me. Would you like to come along?"
Jiang Wanyi sneered. "Jiang Jiaojiao, are you confused about something?"
"What?" Jiang Jiaojiao blinked.
"If Li Cheng'an misses you, then you go. Why are you asking me?" Jiang Wanyi didn't care in the slightest; her heart had long since turned cold toward that ungrateful father and son. Bad genes were hereditary. Li Cheng'an had the blood of the Li family flowing through his veins—it was filthy, and she didn't want any part of it. Even if she had given birth to him? She was herself first, and a mother second.
Jiang Jiaojiao hadn't expected such a cold reaction. Her expression flickered, but she forced a smile. "Sister, you’ve misunderstood. I meant no harm. I just thought, as his biological mother, you might want to join us."
"Jiang Jiaojiao, you’re in your twenties. Don't you feel embarrassed acting so childish just to show off?" Jiang Wanyi said coldly. "If you have all this free time, you'd be better off hounding Li Jinchuan to sign the divorce papers."
She leaned in closer, dropping her voice. "Or do you really think that by fawning over a child, you can become the mistress of the Li household?"
The smile finally vanished from Jiang Jiaojiao’s face. "Jiang Wanyi! Don't go too far!"
"Going too far?" Jiang Wanyi chuckled. "Compared to sneaking into your brother-in-law's bed, I think I’ve been quite merciful." She turned to pull the door open, her heels clicking crisply against the floor. "Oh, and remember to pay back the money soon, unless you want to be labeled a deadbeat."
Jiang Jiaojiao stomped her foot in rage, her face twisted with resentment. That bitch Jiang Wanyi—did she really think she was some noble heiress? Everything she had would soon be hers!