Chapter 2: The Precious Gift Brought by Grandpa

This sounded like an impromptu remark, but in reality, it had long been carefully considered by Liang Jinlan.

Liang Jinlan had long regarded Jiang Zhe as a major nuisance, and the fact that this old man had come to take her back today played right into her hands.

If she hadn't been so desperate to get rid of Jiang Zhe, she would never have agreed to let this old man into her home and get involved with him.

Hearing this, Han Jiayan and Gu Jiaheng each picked up their teacups and sipped slowly.

"But Mom, Sister is used to living at the Jiang house; will she be able to adapt if she goes back?" Jiang Fanyue felt a surge of joy, then bit her lip slightly and said with a worried expression.

She was afraid Jiang Zhe wouldn't agree.

Jiang Zhe was lacking in every way, and neither the Jiang family nor the Gu family thought much of her, but she happened to be born with a beautiful face that made Jiang Fanyue both envious and jealous.

When they were younger, the shared bond of their circumstances had made Jiang Fanyue willing to be close to Jiang Zhe.

However, the aloofness Jiang Zhe carried, along with her inexplicable aura, made Jiang Fanyue fear her. Despite being born of the same mother and only a year apart, the two were vastly different in appearance and personality.

In particular, the talent Jiang Zhe occasionally displayed—which was beyond her own reach—and the mysterious people she associated with, put immense pressure on Jiang Fanyue.

Only when she left would this pressure disappear completely.

Liang Jinlan glanced at Jiang Zhe. "Doesn't she like living at school? She can continue to do so after she goes back. I'll top up her meal card with some living expenses; she won't be unable to get by."

Her tone was filled with distaste whenever she mentioned Jiang Zhe.

Jiang Yaowang, unable to bear the thought of separating the sisters, said somewhat timidly, "Then, why not let Xiao Zhe stay as well, and we can talk about it later..."

"That won't be necessary." Liang Jinlan sipped her tea. "How could I stand in the way of your family reunion? Auntie Zhang!"

"Ma'am, the eldest young lady's luggage is packed." Auntie Zhang walked over, eager to hand over Jiang Zhe's belongings.

It was a small backpack, empty and light.

After living here for over a dozen years, this was all she had to show for it.

Jiang Yaowang stood up, staring at the backpack with an unreadable expression.

With so many people watching, a trace of discomfort flickered across Liang Jinlan's face; she felt a bit embarrassed.

Gu Jiaheng, standing to the side, clearly sensed the unfairness the Jiang family was showing toward Jiang Zhe and cleared his throat. "Auntie, why not let Jiang Zhe stay for a while longer? Wait until she's an adult before talking about moving back..."

Han Jiayan reached out and nudged her son's arm.

Jiang Fanyue’s expression stiffened, and she looked at Liang Jinlan anxiously.

No one asked for Jiang Zhe's opinion, as if her only fate was to be arranged by others.

Before Liang Jinlan could speak, the silence was broken.

"No need, I'll move out right now."

A clear, cold voice rang out, still carrying that indifferent, "none of my business" attitude.

Jiang Zhe stood up from the sofa; she was slender and frail, her long legs striking.

She was still chewing gum nonchalantly, as if she didn't feel that this was a major event about to impact her life at all.

Yet, her slightly raised eyes were stunningly beautiful, with a hint of red at the corners that made her look just like a fox, compelling one to take a second look.

She was charming to the point of being bewitching, and bewitching to the point of being ethereal.

This wasn't the first time Jiang Yaowang had seen Jiang Zhe, but every time he looked closely, he became more certain: only the Jiang family could have produced a girl like this.

Jiang Zhe's words brought great joy to everyone who had been worried she wouldn't want to leave!

For the first time, Liang Jinlan found Jiang Zhe pleasing to the eye.

Her expression relaxed, and she said with a smile, "Xiao Zhe, you really have a mind of your own. Since you're so grown up, I'll respect your wishes. By the way, here is an agreement to terminate the adoption relationship. It’s perfect that your Auntie Han and the others are here to witness it..."

She gave a meaningful look.

Auntie Zhang handed over the agreement that had been prepared long ago; the paper was already slightly yellowed.

Jiang Zhe had known about the existence of this agreement for a long time. Liang Jinlan had originally intended for her to sign it the moment she turned eighteen to completely end the relationship between the two parties.

Unfortunately, due to the Jiang family's reputation and the fact that Jiang Zhe was a minor, the plan had never been realized.

Jiang Zhe actually found it a pity; she had wanted to sign this agreement for a long time as well.

Seeming afraid that she might change her mind, Auntie Zhang even had a pen ready.

Jiang Zhe signed her name with a flourish, her movements graceful and unhesitating.

Liang Jinlan looked over the agreement, put it away, and said with a smile, "We were mother and daughter once; if you have any difficulties in the future, don't hesitate to ask."

As the lady of the Jiang family, she always had to say the right things.

"Xiao Zhe..." Jiang Yaowang's voice was choked with emotion.

"Let's go." Jiang Zhe picked up her bag, her tone calm, as if this were the simplest of matters.

Liang Jinlan snorted; she was indeed ungrateful.

Jiang Yaowang looked at Jiang Fanyue with reluctance, which made Jiang Fanyue’s skin crawl.

She said softly, "With Sister by your side to show you filial piety, I can rest easy."

The subtext was that she hoped Jiang Yaowang would forget her at the Jiang house and never think of her again.

Jiang Yaowang seemed to completely miss her hidden meaning. He opened the woven bag he was carrying and brought out two bags of local produce. "By the way, these are mushrooms we grew ourselves. Mrs. Jiang, please keep these for you and Fanyue to eat. Please don't look down on them."

Seeing the two bags of dark, dried mushrooms, Liang Jinlan and Jiang Fanyue fought to suppress their disgust, though their brows couldn't help but furrow.

"You have it hard enough; take them back," Liang Jinlan said. She didn't want to accept them, and the thought of potentially having to deal with this family in the future made her feel irritable.

Poor relatives were hard to shake off.

Fortunately, Jiang Fanyue was sensible and had a bright future; her efforts hadn't been in vain.

"Yes, you should keep them to nourish yourself," Jiang Fanyue also said, pushing them away discreetly.

She felt stifled. How did she, the proper second young lady of the Jiang family and a wealthy heiress known throughout Jincheng, end up in such a situation?

If this old man kept showing up in the future, what would others think of her?

"Fanyue..." the old man tried to insist.

"Grandpa, leave them for me to eat," Jiang Zhe reached out and took them. "Let's go."

After taking them, she hadn't cared at all, but the texture in her hand made her take a deep look at the mushrooms.

Snow Ear?

It was actually Snow Ear.

Snow Ear was a premium variety of mushroom, possessing immense health benefits, especially for the sick.

This variety was nowhere to be found on the market; one had to find special channels to purchase it, and it was incredibly valuable.

Such ingredients were usually only supplied to the top-tier families in the capital, and even then, they were treated as precious treasures.

The old man had brought out two bags in one go—was it intentional, or was it just a local specialty he had stumbled upon?

Jiang Zhe only thought about it for a moment before casting it aside and walking out with her long strides.

"Sister..." Jiang Fanyue called out from behind, but Jiang Zhe didn't even look back.

Watching Jiang Zhe and the old man walk out together, the heavy stone in Liang Jinlan's heart finally fell.

This trouble had finally been resolved.