Chapter 115: Whispers of Family Legacy

The lights in the villa’s living room glowed brightly as the elderly grandfather stared at his two silent, beautiful granddaughters with a cold, stern gaze.

Though neither spoke, his elder granddaughter Jiang Jingshi looked on with an air of amusement, while the younger one mirrored the old man’s expression, her face tight as she stared at the coffee table, lost in thought.

What a family gathering.

Assistant Fang Meng approached from the side, carrying some tea and setting it before them. “Grandfather, have some tea.”

Grandfather hummed in acknowledgment and said thanks, picking up the cup to blow on the steaming hot tea.

He even made small talk: “It’s been a while since I saw you, Xiao Meng. How’s it going since you and Qian Qian started high school? Any troubles with studies or life?”

Fang Meng thought to herself that there was no such thing: “No, Grandfather, everything’s fine.”

“That’s good. If anything comes up, just tell Grandfather, and I’ll handle it right away.”

Fang Meng then served tea to Jiang Jingshi and Jiang Qian. Jiang Jingshi gave Fang Meng a meaningful smile, leaving her a bit helpless.

Jiang Qian said nothing and didn’t touch her tea.

Only after Fang Meng sat down did Jiang Qian suddenly reply: “I haven’t seen him.”

The elderly grandfather was about to take a sip when he heard this and glanced at his younger granddaughter: “Haven’t seen him? Why not?”

“Because I’m not interested.”

“What?” He set down his teacup.

Jiang Jingshi chuckled, knowing her grandfather’s temperament. Though the Jiang family was now vast and prosperous, his influence in the clan remained strong, thanks to the first fortune he had built.

“Grandfather, Qian Qian is just starting high school and has a lot of schoolwork. It’s only been a month since classes began, so she might just not have time to meet that arranged match.”

Grandfather picked up his teacup again.

But Jiang Qian interjected:

“It’s not that, sister. I’m not busy with schoolwork, though I have been lately—it’s just not the reason. Grandfather didn’t come over before, so why should I go out of my way to meet someone? I think not refusing outright is already pretty good.”

Jiang Jingshi blinked at her sister, realizing she had a point.

Arranged matches like this—who would bother unless they really liked the person or wanted to date?

The teacup in the elderly grandfather’s hand paused. He knew girls these days were different from before.

In the past, family-arranged meetings were jumped on by both men and women, but now no one seemed in a hurry.

He sighed: “Fine, whatever your reasons for not meeting early, I understand. Times have changed, and even arranged matches don’t mean marriage is guaranteed.”

He added: “But I wouldn’t set you up with just anyone. I saw the boy’s photo from my old comrade and checked his background from childhood. His family isn’t as wealthy as ours, but the kid’s got real talent—I see a bright future in him.”

Grandfather still wanted that first sip of tea and asked: “Even if you haven’t met him, you must have looked at his file, Qian Qian? I sent it to you a month ago.”

“I didn’t look.” Jiang Qian answered honestly.

Grandfather turned to look at her.

Jiang Jingshi chimed in: “Grandfather, why don’t you take that first sip of tea? All this back and forth must be tiring.”

Grandfather set the tea down: “How can I drink it now? Qian Qian, how could you not even look at the file I sent?”

Jiang Qian said confidently: “I figured I’d look when we meet.”

“But you haven’t met!”

“Exactly, so why look before? I’ll check it when we do meet.”

Grandfather: “.”

Jiang Jingshi: “.Still, she has a point.”

Grandfather was speechless and turned to Fang Meng: “Xiao Meng, did you look at it?”

Fang Meng hesitated: “I didn’t, since Qian Qian hadn’t, so I never opened it.”

“Then go print a copy now. Let’s look at it together.”

“Oh, okay, Grandfather, just a moment.” Fang Meng got up and headed to the study.

Grandfather continued with his granddaughters:

“Anyway, I came here specifically for this arranged match. I’ve already talked it over with my old comrade—Qian Qian just needs to meet the boy once. Whether you like him or not, at least see if there’s any spark. That doesn’t seem too much to ask, right?”

Jiang Qian said coolly: “Just meeting isn’t a problem.”

Grandfather finally relaxed and took that first sip of tea, savoring its sweetness.

In the study, Fang Meng opened the computer and pulled up the file from Grandfather’s email, sending it straight to the printer.

The printer hummed as page after page of personal history printed out.

Fang Meng marveled at how much there was. Was this boy from a wealthy family too? Not everyone had such detailed records.

She casually picked up a page to glance at.

It read: “Second grade: First in the town’s math, first in language, model student. Third grade: First in math, first in English, first in language, first in moral education.”

The file listed every exam result and honor in exhaustive detail.

Fang Meng was amazed: “This boy is incredible? Straight top scores from the start?” She recalled something: “Grandfather said he’s at the same high school as us. Is there really someone this talented in our school?”

She found the first page with the color photo, name, and background info.

Holding it, she murmured to herself before seeing the name:

“From what I know, the top student in our high school is probably Lin Zheng Ran, the one Qian Qian’s been paying attention to lately. I remember checking his records briefly, and he was always first too—”

Her last word trailed off.

Because when she looked at the name and photo on the file, Fang Meng’s eyes widened in shock, wondering at the smallness of the world.

The file showed that Jiang Qian’s arranged match was named…

Fang Meng: “Lin Zheng Ran?!”

The printer stopped buzzing, and Fang Meng rubbed her eyes to confirm she wasn’t mistaken.

What a coincidence?

And wasn’t Lin Zheng Ran her own arranged match?

How did he become Qian Qian’s now?

“This is too wild!”

Her exclamation slipped out and was heard by Jiang Jingshi, who was coming to check on things.

Pushing open the study door: “Xiao Meng, what was that? Is the file not printed yet?”

Fang Meng tried to compose herself, glanced at the photo and name, and laughed awkwardly before answering seriously: “It’s printed, just… it’s pretty unbelievable.”

Jiang Jingshi asked curiously: “Unbelievable? How so?” She eyed the stack of pages: “This much info?” Her interest piqued: “Let me see what Qian Qian’s match looks like.”

“Here you go.”

Jiang Jingshi took the file and read carefully: “Qian Qian’s match is named Lin Zheng Ran. Hmm… hmm?”

She froze, her pretty eyes wide with disbelief as she looked at Fang Meng.

“Lin Zheng Ran?” The Zheng Ran she knew.

Fang Meng chuckled awkwardly: “I didn’t expect this twist either. Maybe Grandfather was right—Qian Qian should have checked the file sooner.”