Chapter 226: Sisters’ Secret Bonds

After Father Jiang and Mother Jiang left, the two sisters stood in the doorway, watching until they disappeared around the corner.

Jiang Qian then asked the person beside her in a cold voice, “Let’s get this straight—I don’t care what you and Mom talked about, but don’t bring up my business.”

Jiang Jingshi glanced at her sister with a sly, peach-blossom eye, sensing a sharp edge to Jiang Qian today. “Funny thing, we actually did touch on it a bit.”

“What topic?”

“Mom asked if you have someone you like and whether I know who it is.” She didn’t hold back.

Jiang Qian frowned at that, a hint of embarrassment crossing her face. “So, what did you say?”

“I told her I have no idea, since even as your sister, I don’t know if you actually like anyone.” She watched Jiang Qian meaningfully, probing her thoughts about Lin Zheng Ran.

To Jiang Jingshi’s dismay, she caught a flash of shyness in her sister’s eyes—the kind that showed up when Jiang Qian thought of someone special.

The idea that she and Jiang Qian might both fall for the same guy was something Jiang Jingshi had never imagined before.

Especially if she ended up with Lin Zheng Ran—it would mean her sister had a crush on her own brother-in-law…

Jiang Qian turned and headed back home, with Fang Meng following close behind. “From now on, if Mom asks about me, just play it like today and say you don’t know anything.”

Jiang Jingshi smiled, and the sisters walked one after the other back to the living room. By then, Grandfather had returned to the sofa, sipping tea as he asked,

“Jiang Jingshi, how’s things going with Lin Zheng Ran from the Lin family? Seems pretty smooth, right?”

Jiang Qian and Fang Meng stopped in their tracks; the former’s face turned icy, the latter’s expression shifted slightly.

Jiang Jingshi just smiled and turned back. “It’s going well, Grandfather, really good.”

Grandfather nodded, pleased.

“While you were out, your parents told me and Jiang Qian all about it—they said you’ve been teaming up with Lin Zheng Ran for a couple of years now, starting a company called Zheng Shi Company? It’s doing great, from what they say. They went on about how impressive Lin Zheng Ran is.”

“It’s Zheng Shi Company, and we’re not at the group level yet.”

He chuckled and took a sip of tea, speaking vividly,

“It’s only a matter of time. I always said that boy from the Lin family has real talent. Didn’t I steer you right, Grandfather? He’s the grandson of my old comrade, a bond forged in life and death. You two should make it work.

If it feels right, we could set things in motion—get engaged first, and handle the wedding once he’s of age.”

Jiang Jingshi blushed but quickly caught on.

So, before she arrived, her parents had already spilled the beans about the company she and Lin Zheng Ran started.

No wonder Jiang Qian had been so frosty all evening, even with that faint hint of anger when they talked outside—it all made sense now.

She was about to speak up,

but Jiang Qian cut in sharply from the front,

“My sister said it best—they’re better as friends. Working together just means they’re good partners, not that they’re meant for anything more. Grandfather, you shouldn’t worry about this. Besides, she’s still young; marriage is too soon. These things can’t be rushed.”

Grandfather didn’t grasp the underlying tension and just replied,

“Your sister’s not that young anymore! She’s already in her twenties. By the time Lin Zheng Ran is ready, she’ll be heading toward twenty-five!”

Jiang Qian shot back without hesitation, “That’s still too early! Getting married at twenty-five is way too young these days. Everyone’s pushing for later marriages and families.”

Grandfather clicked his tongue,

“What late marriage stuff? That was all about fewer kids for better quality—that was back in your childhood, over a decade ago. Policies have changed now.

And if twenty-five is early, you’re even younger than your sister. Are you planning to wait ten years? I know you never liked making friends or anything, but”

Jiang Qian looked at Grandfather and quickly said, “I’m different from my sister. I could get married early.”

Grandfather froze, surprised that Jiang Qian, who always avoided talk of romance, would say that. “Huh?”

Even Jiang Jingshi couldn’t help but glance at her sister curiously.

Jiang Qian repeated, “I said I could get married early.” Her face flushed a little, but she pressed on, “Anyway, I’ll say it straight— I don’t think my sister and Lin Zheng Ran are right together. They’re better as friends, not lovers.”

Grandfather didn’t get it. “Why not?”

“They’re just not. They shouldn’t be together at all.”

With that, Jiang Qian stormed upstairs, done with the conversation. Hearing that her sister had secretly started a company with Lin Zheng Ran and worked together for so long had nearly made her explode with anger earlier.

Even ‘angry’ didn’t capture it—she felt a deep ache, like something precious had been snatched away.

From childhood, the sisters had their ups and downs, but Jiang Qian always cared for Jiang Jingshi. They could share almost anything, even company shares without a fuss—family didn’t keep score.

But Lin Zheng Ran? Jiang Qian wouldn’t let him go to anyone. Not even a single hair.

Once upstairs, she told Fang Meng, “You should get some rest, Xiao Meng,” and shut the door.

Jiang Jingshi watched her sister’s reactions the whole time from downstairs.

It seemed like Jiang Qian cared even more about Lin Zheng Ran lately—was something new going on between them?

Grandfather looked up from the sofa at his youngest granddaughter’s angry retreat, staring at her closed door in confusion.

“What’s going on?” he asked Jiang Jingshi. “I don’t get it. Why doesn’t Jiang Qian want you with Lin Zheng Ran? I know they go to the same school. Did he do something to upset her? Does she hate him?”

Jiang Jingshi gave a half-smile, thinking that if Jiang Qian hated Lin Zheng Ran, this would be easier to handle.

But no, she liked him too…

“Though I’m always on your side for big things, Jiang Qian, when it comes to him… if he needs me, I’ll be there no matter what. No one can stop it.”

She wouldn’t give him up either.

Jiang Jingshi said to Grandfather, “Don’t worry about this, Grandfather. I’ll figure it out. You should rest. I’m heading to my room too.”

Grandfather sighed, “Alright, young people’s business is beyond me. All I know is that Lin Zheng Ran is a catch—a real talent.”

“He truly is one of a kind.”

With that, Jiang Jingshi went to her room. No one noticed Fang Meng on the second floor, watching the eldest miss with a subtle expression.

Earlier, hearing from Father Jiang and Mother Jiang that Jiang Jingshi and Lin Zheng Ran had been running a company for over two years shocked Fang Meng too.

She knew Jiang Jingshi had feelings for Lin Zheng Ran for a while, but didn’t realize she’d moved so quickly.

And Jiang Qian? From what Fang Meng knew, she wouldn’t back down an inch.

Most of all, there was Fang Meng herself.

That night, Fang Meng lay in bed staring at the ceiling, Jiang Qian tossed in her covers without sleeping, and Jiang Jingshi gazed out the window with gentle eyes, lost in her own thoughts.

The whole villa echoed only with Grandfather’s loud snores, sound asleep.

She felt the same way about him…

Everyone had their own worries.