Chapter 70: Come and Snatch the Bride (13)-2
Jiang Zhiyan and Jiang Ciqiu went back to the Jiang family the next day. They hadn’t been back since their allowance was cut off. The Rong family was already helping the Jiang family find their real daughter, and Jiang Zhiyan secretly gave them some guidance, they should be able to find her soon.
Jiang’s parents, in all their years, had never experienced such chaos. If they had heart problems, they would probably be in the hospital by now.
It was the same familiar living room, the same familiar seating arrangement, the four of them sitting facing each other in pairs.
Jiang’s father looked much older than the last time they saw him, looking very tired, clearly having not slept much last night.
It was understandable. The daughter they had almost disowned not long ago was actually a member of the Rong family. If he had known this earlier, he would have directly broken off the engagement, so their relationship wouldn’t be so strained now.
They had just recently discovered that Xie Liaoyi looked exactly like Jiang Ciqiu, and were planning to talk to Jiang Zhiyan about it, who knew, Xie Liaoyi had also taken a paternity test with the Rong family.
Just thinking about it made him dizzy.
How could there be such coincidences? It was so coincidental that it felt unnatural.
None of the four spoke, the atmosphere extremely awkward.
Jiang Zhiyan picked up the juice on the table and took a sip: “Don’t worry, we won’t cause you any trouble. After all, we’ve been family for so many years, and we understand that we’re able to live such good lives because of you.”
Jiang Ciqiu glanced at Jiang Zhiyan; this person really wasn’t a crybaby, and she knew exactly how to make the atmosphere even more awkward.
Jiang’s father looked at Jiang Zhiyan: “You’re in a relationship with someone who looks so much like your sister, you…”
“We’re not blood-related, and we like each other, there’s nothing wrong with being together, even sister has no objections.” Jiang Zhiyan raised her glass. “Speaking of which, my ability to bet on the right person is indeed much better than yours.”
Jiang’s mother looked at Jiang Zhiyan, trembling slightly: “YanYan, you’ve changed so much that I don’t even recognize you.”
“That’s normal, because when you forced her to go through with the engagement, I also felt like I didn’t recognize you. This family is very different from what I imagined, it seems like you’ve never respected us, never treated us as independent individuals.” Jiang Zhiyan put down her glass.
“I know why you asked us to come here, rest assured, we really won’t take revenge on you. And the Rong family is already helping you find your real daughter. Not only that, but the Rong family will also express their gratitude to you,” Jiang Zhiyan said.
“Are you planning to sever ties with us?!” Jiang’s father slammed the armrest, his voice loud.
“Anger only exposes your panic, you’ve already received the promise you wanted,” Jiang Zhiyan looked at him, her tone unexpectedly calm.
Jiang Ciqiu felt like there was no need for her to speak, and honestly, she wasn’t feeling well right now. Jiang Zhiyan had no feelings for this family, but she still did, the three of them had shared many happy times, she couldn’t understand how things had become like this.
“Let’s just coexist peacefully from now on.” Jiang Zhiyan glanced at Jiang Ciqiu. “Let sister be happy, don’t listen to unpleasant things. When the paternity test results come out, regarding the engagement… you can discuss it with the Liang family yourselves.”
“Are you so sure that Qiuqiu is the Rong family’s child?”
“We’re pretty sure,” Jiang Zhiyan nodded.
“Let’s eat,” Jiang’s father said, regaining his usual composure.
The three stood up. Jiang Ciqiu walked beside Jiang Zhiyan: “This atmosphere is so awkward.”
“Just be thick-skinned, you’re the only one who’s embarrassed.” Jiang Zhiyan patted Jiang Ciqiu’s shoulder.
Jiang Ciqiu: …
Jiang Ciqiu looked at the two people in front of her; she felt like her long-held impression of them was constantly crumbling: “I’m too sentimental, looking at it now, it’s all about benefits.”
“I’ve always believed that most relationships in the world are ultimately related to benefits, unconditional love is rare,” Jiang Zhiyan said. “When benefits are involved, many so-called loves have to take a backseat.”
“Then what about you? You and Xie…”
“We are indeed unconditional,” Jiang Zhiyan said.
“You’re really good at praising yourself.” Jiang Ciqiu paused. “Oh, that includes me too.”
The four of them were mostly silent during dinner.
Jiang Zhiyan ate the most heartily, the strange atmosphere not affecting her appetite at all. Jiang Ciqiu initially couldn’t eat, but looking at Jiang Zhiyan, she finished everything in her bowl.
“You two should move back tonight,” Jiang’s father said.
“Okay,” Jiang Ciqiu immediately agreed.
Jiang’s father and mother breathed a sigh of relief; they thought Jiang Ciqiu was accepting their olive branch. In reality, she simply couldn’t stand the two of them making trouble in the middle of the night.
“Great, little sister, we’ll move back right away, I’m so sorry for disturbing your girlfriend for so long,” Jiang Ciqiu clapped her hands, smiling kindly.
“Indeed, good sister, I can’t wait to go home,” Jiang Zhiyan said, imitating Jiang Ciqiu’s tone, her hands clasped together by her cheek.
“I’m not that pretentious!”
“You can look in the mirror,” Jiang Zhiyan said with a charming smile.
On the day the paternity test results came out, Xie Liaoyi took a day off from the hospital, and Jiang Zhiyan went with her.
“As your girlfriend,” Jiang Zhiyan held Xie Liaoyi’s hand in one hand and Jiang Ciqiu’s in the other, “and as your best little sister, I think I have the right to participate in such an important occasion.”
“Ha.”
Jiang’s parents were also invited to the scene. Many people from the Rong family came. Judging by the number of people, Xie Liaoyi and Jiang Ciqiu’s identities were confirmed.
“Thank you, fate, for allowing our family to be reunited. I initially thought I could only find my younger daughter, but I didn’t expect…” Father Rong wiped away tears. He originally wanted to hold both his daughters’ hands, but seeing Jiang Zhiyan standing in the middle, he put his hands down.
“As expected, the bug automatically fixed itself,” Jiang Zhiyan said. “One child lost here, another child lost there, impressive.”
“Whose fault is it?” the System asked.
“Not mine anyway.”
Jiang Zhiyan let go of their hands, patted their shoulders, and didn’t participate in the father-daughter reunion scene any further. She glanced at the Rong family members with their various expressions, then at the male lead standing in the corner, who had been offline for half a century.
“Has this person appeared in the game before?” Jiang Zhiyan asked.
“He has, Jiang Ciqiu beat him up in the arena… mm, five times in a row,” the System said. “They were supposed to team up and go to a newly opened secret realm, but because he was beaten up by Jiang Ciqiu five times, when the male lead applied to join the team, Jiang Ciqiu thought he was too weak and didn’t let him in.”
“Never would have thought, as expected, the plotline has gone off the rails.” Jiang Zhiyan looked at Jiang Ciqiu. “She’s truly something.”
“Indeed unexpected, the rage buff gave Jiang Ciqiu a huge advantage, originally, the five matches should have been draws, thanks to you.”
“Don’t say that, you also contributed.”
The male lead looked over, and Jiang Zhiyan looked away.
Father Rong’s attitude towards Jiang’s parents was very amiable, making it impossible to tell what he was actually thinking. The Jiang family’s biological daughter was already on her way back. Originally, “finding their daughter” would have taken at least two years, but with Jiang Zhiyan’s cheating, the progress was rapid.
In the evening, everyone went to a pre-booked hotel. The Rong family members were unhappy, but they still had to put on congratulatory smiles.
They had already planned how to divide Father Rong’s assets, who knew two inheritors would suddenly appear.
“What a pity, my nephew is about the same age as Xie Liaoyi.”
“Perhaps we can start with that Jiang Zhiyan, I’ve investigated her, she’s easily swayed by material possessions, the fact that she likes her shows that the older princess is nothing special…”
“Didn’t they say the second princess and her younger sister had a bad relationship? Why do they seem to be getting along so well now?”
“They’ve become close recently.”
“Being with someone who looks exactly like her older sister, heh, who knows what their relationship is like.”
…
Everyone was smiling, whispering to each other.
This dinner was just an ordinary family gathering. In a few days, the Rong Corporation would hold a press conference to announce Xie Liaoyi and Jiang Ciqiu’s identities.
“So many people are looking at me, I’m a little nervous,” Jiang Ciqiu said.
“You’ll get used to it.” Jiang Zhiyan lowered her voice. “Be careful recently, some people from the Rong family might cause trouble for you.”
“Like what? I don’t have any dirt on me.” Jiang Ciqiu flicked her hair. “I’ve been a model student since I was young, actively involved in charity, never bullying others with my family’s influence.”
“They can write eight hundred gossip articles just about the relationship between the three of us.” Jiang Zhiyan lowered her head and cut a piece of steak, putting it in her mouth.
Jiang Ciqiu put down her hand and gave a strained smile: “Haven’t even been in a relationship for a day, and I’m already carrying so much baggage.”
“I’m still working at the hospital, don’t worry, I’ll be easier to find,” Xie Liaoyi said. “You’re not the one in the relationship, it has nothing to do with you.”
“If you get scolded, just redirect it to me, public opinion can be manipulated. Anyway, I’m not afraid of being scolded, Xie Liaoyi didn’t know you at first, and you didn’t know Xie Liaoyi, I’m the only one with ulterior motives,” Jiang Zhiyan said casually.
“Sigh, I can’t do that.” Jiang Ciqiu smiled, stood up, clinked glasses with someone who came over, exchanged a few words, and sat back down.
“You don’t have to do anything, I’ll handle it,” Jiang Zhiyan said. “This is something we have to face eventually.”
“I’m not afraid of being scolded either, as long as she’s protected,” Xie Liaoyi held Jiang Zhiyan’s hand.
Jiang Ciqiu felt a pain in her left hand. Did they have to hold hands so tightly? She really didn’t understand, secretly rubbing her left hand.
After dinner, the three went to Father Rong’s private room. He didn’t speak, but his assistant briefly explained the reason for this meeting, which, as expected, was related to the current power struggle within the Rong family.
“I’m old, and my health isn’t very good, I’ll have to rely on you in the future,” Father Rong said. The assistant behind him handed over a thick stack of documents. “Everything you need to know is basically in there, if you have any questions, you can ask me.”
Father Rong looked at Xie Liaoyi: “Actually, I also hope you can come back to the company, but I won’t force you, after all, it would be a pity to waste your talent in medicine, I respect your choice.”
Father Rong then looked at Jiang Ciqiu: “I’ll arrange an assistant for you, you’ll be a senior in the second half of the year, come to the company this summer vacation and learn the ropes, is that okay?”
Jiang Ciqiu felt her vision darken. She had actually planned to travel for three years after graduation, but looking at his expression, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.
“Finally, you.” Father Rong looked at Jiang Zhiyan. “I don’t object to your relationship, so I hope you won’t disappoint me.”
“Regarding the public opinion later…” Jiang Zhiyan shared her thoughts.
“The Rong Corporation will handle it, we have a professional and trustworthy team,” the assistant said. “Please don’t worry about this.”
“The Rong Corporation isn’t so incompetent as to let a child bear all that alone.” Father Rong took a sip of tea, looking much older than he actually was.
Jiang Zhiyan just thought it would be more convenient this way, they wouldn’t be staying here for long anyway.
When they left, the Rong family gave them many gifts, even Jiang Zhiyan received one, a property worth eight figures, the transfer procedures would be completed tomorrow.
“So rich,” Jiang Zhiyan exclaimed.
“Didn’t you say my good days would start with the Rong family?” Jiang Ciqiu didn’t understand, flipping through the documents she brought back, feeling overwhelmed. She didn’t know who compiled it, but it was a very detailed account of the current situation within the Rong family and the various relationships.
“You’ll grow rapidly during this period and gain a lot of support, those people are all cannon fodder, don’t worry, you can do it,” Jiang Zhiyan said.
“I thought my good days would be like a pie falling from the sky,” Jiang Ciqiu sighed. “As expected, I was dreaming, I suddenly feel so busy.”
Jiang Ciqiu turned her head and looked at the two holding hands: “I’m so jealous, can we switch my and Xie Liaoyi’s soul fragments?”
“Can you perform surgery?” Jiang Zhiyan looked over.
“No.” Jiang Ciqiu paused, then her eyes widened. “We can really switch?”
“No, but it’s possible to separate you and merge you with Xie Liaoyi,” Jiang Zhiyan said, looking at Jiang Ciqiu’s expression. “But I suggest you don’t, communicating with the female lead is too troublesome, have some confidence in yourself, you can do it, good sister, I’m relying on you to take care of me.”
“You only call me good sister when you want money,” Jiang Ciqiu said expressionlessly.
Although the press conference hadn’t been held yet, well-informed reporters had already gotten wind of the news. Many rushed to the school, wanting to interview Jiang Ciqiu to get firsthand information. They were quickly driven away by security, but there were always some with good disguises who weren’t discovered. At the hospital, Xie Liaoyi no longer went to the outpatient clinic, she stayed in surgery. The hospital was crowded, and Xie Liaoyi’s disguise skills were excellent, no one could find her. Many people also gathered at the entrance of the Jiang family’s company, but those two were working remotely.
Some also tried to interview Jiang Zhiyan, but they couldn’t catch her, she was too agile and too fast.
Finally, only Jiang Ciqiu was cornered when she left school in the evening. She stood there, looking at the people in front of her, and suddenly regretted not bringing bodyguards, and also regretted not practicing with Jiang Zhiyan.
Jiang Zhiyan was originally planning to run away herself, but thinking about Jiang Ciqiu’s pitiful appearance, she went back, called the police, and during the chaos, pulled Jiang Ciqiu out and into an inconspicuous car parked by the roadside.
“It’s already so hot, they were surrounding me so tightly I could barely breathe,” Jiang Ciqiu said, clutching her chest. “Those people are so scary, should I just skip school for the next few days?”
“I’ve contacted the assistant, he’ll handle it, there won’t be so many people tomorrow, so just focus on your studies.”
Jiang Ciqiu looked at Jiang Zhiyan, her expression extremely dejected.
She didn’t like going to school in elementary school, and she still didn’t like going to school in university.
“Of course, you can say you suffered a huge psychological trauma today.”
“I’m not that thick-skinned yet.” Jiang Ciqiu waved her hand. “But don’t worry, I’ll study hard with you two.”
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