Chapter 296: Unexpected Family Revelations

In the joyful atmosphere as everyone raised their glasses, Jiang Qian’s words hit like a thunderbolt.

The entire table froze, everyone stunned, like a painting frozen in time.

Father Jiang and Mother Jiang’s smiles stiffened, their eyes narrowing in confusion.

Grandfather widened his eyes, his mouth hanging open.

Even Fang Meng hadn’t expected Qian Qian’s so-called attack to be such a straightforward declaration of war!

This was at the dinner table, in front of the whole family—including Lin Zheng Ran!

Normally, even in private, Qian Qian wouldn’t dare tell Lin Zheng Ran, ‘I like you,’ but here she said it out loud.

Facing the crowd’s incredulous stares, Jiang Qian kept her face expressionless, though inside she was anything but calm.

Under the table, one of her delicate hands clenched into a fist to hold back her racing heart.

Her pulse quickened; she knew confessing like this needed the right moment, but it all depended on the vibe.

Today, the way her sister and Lin Zheng Ran were acting felt off. Jiang Qian tried to convince herself they only had a crush, but worry gnawed at her.

Backing down now meant losing!

The enemy forces—meaning Jiang Jingshi—had already surrounded her base. Without a bold move to break through, defeat was certain!

In the heavy silence, Eldest Miss Jiang Jingshi was the first to react.

She shot to her feet, brows furrowed: “Qian Qian, what did you say?!”

Jiang Qian replied coolly: “If you didn’t hear me, sister, I can say it again. I like Lin Zheng Ran. I have to be with him. He’s mine. If you still didn’t catch that, I can repeat it a third time, or a fourth.”

By the second time she said it, no one could dismiss it as a trick of the ear.

Jiang Jingshi never imagined her sister would pull such a stunt to disrupt her plans.

And it was outright stealing. Thinking back, from the bedroom photos earlier to Qian Qian’s recent attitude toward Zheng Ran, she must be fully smitten and determined to have him.

But Qian Qian, in this world, Lin Zheng Ran is something I’ll never give up to you. No woman hands over a man she loves and who loves her back.

If anyone does, it’s because she doesn’t love enough. Women are the most possessive creatures, driven by deep desires.

Jiang Jingshi set down her glass with a firm gaze, her tone gentle:

“Since Qian Qian has said her piece, let me say mine, Dad, Mom, Grandfather, Qian Qian, Xiao Meng: I’m… I’m with Zheng Ran now. He’s my boyfriend.”

She looked at Lin Zheng Ran and asked: “Right, Zheng Ran?”

Though shocked, Lin Zheng Ran confirmed the truth: “Yes, Jingshi and I are together now.” Jiang Jingshi beamed with happiness!

But as soon as they spoke, the shock on everyone’s faces intensified, eyes widening even more.

Their expressions were pure astonishment, jaws practically dropping.

Grandfather gaped, and Father Jiang and Mother Jiang stared in utter disbelief.

Fang Meng was speechless; she hadn’t realized Lin Zheng Ran and the Eldest Miss were really an item.

Jiang Qian’s eyes trembled, unable to accept it: “Lin Zheng Ran, what are you saying… what is this?”

Jiang Jingshi answered:

“If you didn’t hear, Qian Qian, I can repeat it. I’m with Zheng Ran—your brother-in-law now. I’m his girlfriend, and he’s mine. If you need me to say it again, third time, fourth time, no problem.”

After a moment of daze, Jiang Qian jumped to her feet.

All eyes turned to her again.

Her clenched hand tightened further; after hesitating, she looked straight at Lin Zheng Ran.

As someone who never loses to anyone growing up (except Lin Zheng Ran), even when it seemed defeat was inevitable, Jiang Qian searched for any sliver of hope.

For Lin Zheng Ran—and only him—she wouldn’t let go.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Jiang Qian suddenly stepped to Lin Zheng Ran’s side.

She cupped his face, leaned in, closed her eyes, and kissed him on the lips.

Her red lips met his.

Father Jiang, Mother Jiang, Grandfather, and Fang Meng’s minds went blank.

Jiang Jingshi’s eyes widened in shock.

After the brief kiss, Jiang Qian stood back up, leaving even Lin Zheng Ran stunned—he never saw that coming.

Jiang Qian blushed, biting her lip as she looked at him.

“Sorry…”

Jiang Jingshi quickly stepped between them, demanding loudly: “Qian Qian, what are you doing to your brother-in-law?! He’s your sister’s!”

Jiang Qian glanced at her sister, feeling a twinge of guilt, but her possessiveness for Lin Zheng Ran kept her fighting:

“So what if you’re together, sister? As long as you haven’t married or gotten a certificate, it’s not official! We haven’t truly settled this yet—I still have a chance.

Before you marry, I won’t accept him as my brother-in-law. Lin Zheng Ran is eighteen now, and legal marriage is four years away. In college, I’ll make sure he sees that I’m the one who suits him better. I hope you’ll bless us at the wedding then.”

For the first time, Jiang Jingshi gritted her teeth:

“Not on this, Qian Qian—forget it! Now that I’m with him, I’ll never let him go to anyone!

Besides, is that even a kiss? Lips touching isn’t a real kiss. You don’t know how couples kiss anyway.”

Lin Zheng Ran stood up, about to speak.

But Jiang Jingshi turned, grabbed a wet wipe from the table, and gently wiped his lips. Then, in front of everyone,

she tiptoed up and kissed him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

It was a bold, open-mouthed kiss.

Jiang Qian watched, her face flushing with embarrassment and anger; she couldn’t bear to look, her heart aching.

Seeing the boy she liked kissed so passionately by her sister, tears welled in her eyes.

She turned and ran out.

Fang Meng couldn’t stand watching her crush being kissed either, so she stood and chased after her: “Qian Qian! Qian Qian!”

Once Jiang Qian left the villa, Jiang Jingshi pulled back from the kiss. Normally gentle, she’d never done anything like that in public before.

But she had to stake her claim.

She lowered herself, face red, and murmured an apology to Lin Zheng Ran, just like her sister had.

Then she turned to watch her sister run off, glancing at her bewildered parents whose views of their daughters were shattered.

Jiang Jingshi rested her forehead on Lin Zheng Ran’s chest, eyes closed, lips pursed.

That lavish dinner was ruined beyond saving.

A few minutes later, as the fresh, expensive dishes were cleared from the table.

The professional chefs looked puzzled: “Why are they taking it all back? Did the master and madam not like the food?”

The staff clearing the plates had no idea what happened, as the servants weren’t there for the scene.

Soon after, in the villa courtyard, Lin Zheng Ran and Jiang Jingshi got a message on their phones.

It was from Fang Meng: “Eldest Miss, Lin Zheng Ran, don’t worry. I’m with Qian Qian—she’s okay.”