"Simple Sis, can I call you sister directly? I've always wanted a sister to go shopping with, buy pretty clothes together, and eat delicious food together. My brother only cares about studying and never keeps me company. Tomorrow I'll take you out to have fun."
Zhao Ziyu had perfectly inherited Qian Yi's looks and was quite a little beauty herself. Dressed in a red sleeveless dress, she looked exceptionally vibrant. Being adept at acting cute and taking advantage of others while playing the card of her youth, in her past life she had frequently managed to get her hands on her mother's dowry items from Jiandan.
Jiandan simply nodded generously:
"Of course, no problem. I want to rest for a day tomorrow, and the day after we can go out and wander around together! There are still some matters I need to discuss with Father."
With that, she turned her gaze toward Zhao Mufeng. Understanding what Jiandan meant, Zhao Mufeng nodded and said:
"Mhm, let your sister rest first and get familiar with the family environment. Afterward, you can be your sister's guide; no one is going to steal your job."
Zhao Ziyu nodded obediently:
"Alright! I'll listen to Dad."
The family enjoyed a warm and affectionate reunion dinner, followed by some after-dinner desserts.
Zhao Mufeng asked Jiandan about her studies and life over the past few years, with Ziyu chiming in from time to time to liven up the atmosphere. Only Zhao Zihan remained rather silent; after sitting for a while, his complexion turned ghostly pale, prompting Qian Yi to persuade him to go back and rest.
As soon as she returned, Qian Yi appeared absent-minded and preoccupied. Jiandan smiled faintly:
"Aunt Qian, you don't need to keep me company. Let Ziyu show me around the courtyard. I noticed Zihan's complexion doesn't look too good—is he feeling unwell? You should go check on him."
Since the guest of honor had spoken, the others naturally had no objections. Zhao Mufeng exchanged a glance with Zhao Ziyu, and then he and Qian Yi both went upstairs together to check on Zhao Zihan.
Zhao Ziyu affectionately linked her arm through Jiandan's, leading her out to the courtyard for a stroll while conveniently fulfilling the task assigned by her father.
The backyard of the villa was a small garden featuring an octagonal pavilion in the center and a glass greenhouse tucked away in one corner. Ziyu brought Jiandan inside to take a look.
"These are flowers my mother cultivated herself. She really likes camellias, so she brought in some new varieties and tried growing them on her own. The survival rate is quite good now, and the family hosts a floral banquet every year. It's a pity this year's has already passed, but Sister, you can attend next year."
"That's fine, there will be opportunities in the future."
Jiandan agreed verbally, but in her heart, she was pondering the language of camellias: aspiring love, modesty, and noble character; white camellias symbolize pure love; red camellias represent innate beauty; pink camellias stand for cuteness and idealized love. The symbolism was all very pleasant, but it didn't seem to have anything to do with Qian Yi.
Afterward, Zhao Ziyu led Jiandan to sit at a stone table inside the octagonal pavilion, had someone bring out some fruit, and made small talk.
"Ah!" Ziyu let out a long sigh.
Jiandan smiled faintly and asked:
"What's wrong? You're so young, yet you've already learned how to sigh?"
"Sis, you have no idea. The atmosphere at home hasn't been good for the past six months, and I don't have anyone to vent to. Now that you're here, I'm telling you, but you must promise not to let slip that I told you, otherwise Dad will definitely punish me."
With that, she gave a charming smile, making her seem like an ordinary child gossiping behind her parents' backs rather than someone who would provoke annoyance.
"What is it? Tell me about it."
"Sis, I overheard it myself; I haven't even told Mother, so you have to keep it a secret for me."
Jiandan nodded, waiting to hear her earth-shattering secret.
"Zhao Corporation hasn't been developing very smoothly over the past six months. Dad managed to turn the tide with great difficulty by enlisting the help of Second Uncle and Third Aunt, but then, during a recent family health checkup, it was discovered that Brother is sick. Mom and Dad didn't tell me what kind of illness it is, only that a shareholder in the company can help.
Only, this shareholder wants our Zhao Corporation shares in exchange. But I heard that if Dad gives up his shares, he will lose his position as the largest shareholder and won't be able to remain chairman anymore. So I'm really worried, but I don't have much money of my own, and I don't know how to help Mom, Dad, and Brother."
Listening to Ziyu recount this so-called "secret," Jiandan felt no ripples in her heart whatsoever. These were merely pretexts and appetizers; the main event came later. Therefore, she feigned worry and said:
"It's that serious? Then I'll ask Dad tomorrow to see if I can help him. You shouldn't worry either; for now, we should just let Zihan recuperate properly, and leave things outside our concern alone."
These words caused Zhao Ziyu to nod repeatedly. Once both of them had achieved their respective goals, they each returned to their own rooms.
Back in the guest room, Jiandan took a change of clothes from her suitcase and entered the bathroom. She turned on the bathtub faucet to let the water run while simultaneously expanding her spiritual sense across the room, discovering a pinhole camera hidden in the central air conditioning vent.
There was none in the bathroom. Next, she extended her spiritual sense throughout the entire villa and discovered that the people who should have all been resting in their respective rooms had gathered together at that moment.
In Zhao Mufeng's study, he sat in the pearwood armchair at the head of the reception area, with the remaining family members seated in order beside him. He tapped his fingers on the armrest of the wooden chair and looked at his family:
"What do you all think?"
Qian Yi wore a look of disdain:
"Just a little yellow-haired girl, what kind of waves could she possibly make?"
"Jiandan seemed quite easy to talk to. Just now, when I probed her, what she said matched up with what we investigated. Even when she went to Jingdu, she only kept in touch with that little pauper named Du Yanran."
Zhao Ziyu's expression was identical to Qian Yi's.
Zhao Zihan shook his head and said:
"Hard to say. I can't read her; her words and actions are completely airtight!"
"Mhm, I get it. Let's see how she performs tomorrow before we decide what to do. Rest assured, Zihan, with Dad here, I will never let you suffer any harm."
Hearing Zhao Mufeng's words, Jiandan revealed a trace of a sarcastic, light smile. If she had heard these words in her past life, she might still have felt wounded and heartbroken, but now they failed to stir even the slightest ripple in her heart.