Chapter 127: Sisters’ Hidden Rivalry

Jiang Qian’s car passed right by the taxi carrying Lin Zheng Ran.

In the taxi, Lin Zheng Ran spotted the familiar car, and Jiang Qian caught a glimpse of the figure inside, her expression shifting slightly.

After the taxi vanished, the Rolls Royce pulled to a stop.

Jiang Jingshi’s red lips curved into a smile as she crossed her arms and watched Jiang Qian and Fang Meng step out of the car with curiosity.

Jiang Qian approached her sister with a cool, intense gaze, her presence commanding.

Though Jiang Jingshi was gentle, she held her ground without backing down.

In a tone that sounded deliberately soft and affectionate, she said, “Qian Qian? What brings you here so late at night? Out for a drive with Xiao Meng?”

Jiang Qian’s pretty brows furrowed as she scanned the surroundings until she spotted the pet store with its lights off but door open.

She clenched her fist, realizing her sister had just met Lin Zheng Ran inside.

What a sneaky spot to choose.

The two sisters locked eyes, tension crackling between them like electricity, the air thick with unspoken challenges.

Meanwhile, Fang Meng at the back had already checked out of the drama.

She stood there, pulling a carrot from her pocket and taking a bite.

Crunch, crunch, she ate while enjoying the show.

Her task for the day was done anyway, and the clashes between the eldest and second miss had been ongoing since childhood—best to get used to it.

Jiang Qian said, “You knew who he was all along, didn’t you? That’s why you kept me away.”

Jiang Jingshi looked at her sister gently: “I have no idea what you’re talking about, my dear sister. And what do you mean by keeping you away? I don’t understand.”

“There’s no point pretending now. I’m talking about the arranged marriage partner!”

“Oh, that? I didn’t know who it was before. I only found out the night Grandfather arrived. And today’s meeting was important to me, so I couldn’t let anyone interfere.”

Jiang Qian stared hard at Jiang Jingshi: “Important?!”

“Yes, of course. It’s a date between a man and a woman.”

Fang Meng chimed in quietly from behind: “Just to clarify, about when the eldest miss found out it was Lin Zheng Ran—that’s true, Qian Qian. She really only learned it the night Grandfather came.”

Jiang Qian shot back: “But he’s my classmate! We promised as kids that we’d never disrupt each other’s lives or the people around us. You broke that rule!”

Jiang Jingshi laughed:

“Qian Qian, we did say that, but it’s a bit ridiculous now. I only learned it was Lin Zheng Ran that night, but we both knew the arranged partner was a high school student long ago.”

Jiang Jingshi huffed: “And your reason is weak. Lin Zheng Ran is my fiancé anyway. You coming here today to interrupt my date with him is disrupting my life too. So you’re guilty as well.”

“What did you say? I’m disrupting your life?”

“Isn’t that right? And I’ll say it again—maybe a third time. You’re interrupting my date, Qian Qian! Interfering with my time with my fiancé.”

Fang Meng knew from the back that Jiang Qian was at a disadvantage here—Jiang Jingshi had solid grounds, while Jiang Qian…

Jiang Qian: “Since when is Lin Zheng Ran your fiancé?!”

Jiang Jingshi said confidently: “He’s mine, of course. Otherwise, whose would he be? It was always mine years ago. Even if you got involved due to some accident, so what? I asked you twice that night if you wanted to give him back, and you agreed both times.”

“But I didn’t know it was Lin Zheng Ran!”

“That’s just you being stubborn. That night, you said you didn’t want to look. And does it matter if it’s Lin Zheng Ran? Would you have refused to give him back if you knew? Do you like him? You’ve been saying at home that you don’t.”

Jiang Qian knew her argument was shaky: “What about you? Do you even like Lin Zheng Ran? You don’t know him! If you don’t, then this date was pointless. You wouldn’t end up together anyway. Why not just call?”

“He’s Grandfather’s old comrade’s grandson—calling would be rude. Like you, who didn’t think of calling at first. Now you’re suggesting it? You’re getting desperate, Qian Qian.”

Before Jiang Qian could respond, Jiang Jingshi added: “Besides, who said I don’t like Lin Zheng Ran? I know him, and I like him a lot. In fact, I’ve decided to be with him, to marry him. What can you do about it?”

“Jiang Jingshi, what are you saying?!” Jiang Qian hadn’t expected her sister to be so blunt: “Do you even believe your own words!”

“Jiang Qian, I’ll say it straight! And why not believe it? I really like him. One day, I’ll have a little baby with Zheng Ran and make our child call you aunt. If it’s a girl, we’ll name her Lin Shi Shi.”

“Don’t you dare! I won’t agree to this! I won’t let you be with him!”

“How funny. Does your agreement matter? If you don’t want to, just skip the wedding and watch the video later.”

Jiang Qian clenched her fists, grinding her teeth as she glared at Jiang Jingshi, who gripped her arms tightly, her eyes sharp and fixed on her sister.

Their foreheads were almost touching.

Jiang Qian: “Jiang Jingshi, you’ve always taken my things since we were kids—it’s not the first time. But I warn you, everything else is fair game, but not Lin Zheng Ran! Don’t even think about it!”

“As if he’s yours. Qian Qian, I usually let you have your way because I’m easygoing, but on this, I won’t indulge you. Do you think I’m scared of you?!”

The tension was explosive: “You say you let me have my way?”

“What about it? How many times have I looked out for you since we were little?”

“Looking out for me? Is that your way of saying you’ve always caused me trouble, taken my things, and tried to one-up me? Well, if that’s the case, I’ve looked out for you too—and for real. Like when you got into messes as a kid, how many times did I take the blame?”

“You call that taking the blame? Like when I broke that expensive antique vase Dad loved—it was you throwing things and me dodging that caused it. You’re the one who started it!”

“Why did you dodge? And why did I throw at you? Wasn’t it because you ate my stuff that day for no reason!”

“Your stuff? That snack was from Dad—when did it become yours?!”

“It was Dad’s gift for me! Something I liked!”

“Nonsense! Dad started buying those for me before you were even born!”

Fang Meng listened from behind, feeling the conversation had gone off track into nonsense.

Still, she figured today’s argument wouldn’t resolve anything—they probably just didn’t get along.

Half an hour later, the fight paused, but both still eyed each other defiantly.

Jiang Qian knew she was losing ground and wanted to end it: “Anyway, you’ve met him today, so no more seeing Lin Zheng Ran. The arranged marriage is over.”

Jiang Jingshi: “Why should I?”

Jiang Qian: “Then what more do you want?” But she suddenly froze and stepped closer to Jiang Jingshi.

She stared at the faint smudge on her sister’s right lip from the lipstick and gently wiped it: “Why is your lipstick so faded? It’s like”

Jiang Jingshi’s face flushed: “Like it got on something, right? Yeah, you’re right. My lipstick rubbed off on my fiancé’s shoulder when he hugged me.”

Jiang Qian, who had been ready to drop it, widened her eyes at the word ‘hug’ and snarled through gritted teeth: “Jiang Jingshi!”