Chapter 289: Family Ties and Hidden Feelings

“Of course.” Father Jiang reminded her, “Alright, Qian Qian, keep working on those files. I’ll step out to call your mom and grandfather. Tonight, Dad finally gets to meet this impressive young man. I’m pretty curious about him myself.”

With that, Father Jiang grabbed his phone and left.

Jiang Qian stared expressionlessly at the spot where her father had been standing.

After a moment, she muttered to herself:

“Why does it feel so natural for my sister to come back with him? Is it just assumed they’re together?”

Fang Meng chimed in:

“You know, Qian Qian, have you noticed how whenever Uncle and Aunt talk about the Eldest Miss, they always throw in a few words about Lin Zheng Ran? It’s like”

Jiang Qian turned to Fang Meng, her eyes suddenly sharp and full of menace: “Xiao Meng, what are you saying? You’re not suggesting my parents think Lin Zheng Ran is dating my sister, are you? That’s impossible!”

Fang Meng chuckled awkwardly.

Honestly, she didn’t want to think that way either, especially since she felt the same about Lin Zheng Ran, but

the truth was staring them in the face.

Jiang Qian’s gaze turned cold:

“The reason Mom and Dad bring up Lin Zheng Ran whenever they talk about my sister is just because he saved her life. They’re curious about him, that’s all. There’s nothing between them—no secret, shameful romance or anything like that.”

Jiang Qian turned back to the files in front of her, her pen moving in precise, emotionless strokes.

“Come to think of it, my sister is only a little pretty—just a bit—but they’re from completely different worlds.

For starters, there’s the age gap. She’s way older than Lin Zheng Ran—three whole years, which might as well be thirty in this world. What eighteen-year-old guy would date someone who seems seventy? Lin Zheng Ran isn’t crazy.

Then there’s their backgrounds. Hers is so much better. If she were to date, she’d go for someone born with money, not some late bloomer like him. That’s not like me at all.

Plus, my sister has a personality Lin Zheng Ran wouldn’t like. I’ve been his desk mate for three years—I know his tastes. He goes for the cool, aloof type, not the sisterly kind. He’s not into that age-gap stuff!

And most importantly, there’s the gender difference. She’s a girl, he’s a boy—they’re not even the same. How could two completely different beings end up together?”

Jiang Qian rattled off a long string of reasons.

Fang Meng listened, sweat beading on her forehead.

She finally interrupted:

“Qian Qian, let me butt in here. I don’t think brushing this off with lies will fix anything. The fact you can spill all this means you’re sensing how Uncle and Aunt feel about Lin Zheng Ran and your sister. Denying it to yourself is dangerous.”

Jiang Qian’s hand paused on the paper for the second time, her bangs casting a shadow over her eyes, making her seem enveloped in dark energy.

She reached out: “Hand over all the work from this afternoon. I want it done in an hour!”

Then she’d rush home, shower, pick out clothes, tidy her room—all to look her best for Lin Zheng Ran and shut down her sister’s ideas for good!

“Yes.”

Fang Meng went to the cabinet to grab the files while Jiang Qian stared coldly at the desk.

Only Lin Zheng Ran is mine. I won’t let anyone else have him—not even my sister. I have to make him mine.

As Fang Meng glanced back at Jiang Qian while picking up the files, her own thoughts swirled in her eyes.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and Fang Meng pulled it out to reply.

Lin Zheng Ran… I’ll get you my way too.

——

That morning, Lin Zheng Ran had been at Zheng Shi Company with Jiang Jingshi, wrapping up work before heading to the company’s private cafeteria.

He enjoyed the lunch Jiang Jingshi had specially prepared for him.

Though Jiang Jingshi understood relationships in theory, she never imagined how she’d change once in one herself.

She wondered if she’d turn into one of those women who stick to their man, even sharing meals side by side without a break.

Now she knew.

Her feelings were even stronger than that. The thrill of falling for someone was something you only truly get by experiencing it.

Outsiders, even her past self, could never grasp it.

“Zheng Ran, let’s head home early this afternoon, okay? I want to change clothes, and you should too. I’ll have a designer pick out an outfit for you.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked at what he was wearing: “What’s wrong with this?”

Jiang Jingshi eyed him and decided it was fine for a meal—his style was always solid: “It’s okay if you want to wear that. But let’s get your hair touched up; it’ll make you look even sharper.”

She reached out, gently adjusting his sideburns: “I’ll have the designer tidy up the edges for you.”

“Sure.” Lin Zheng Ran didn’t mind; it was like just getting a haircut.

Lin Zheng Ran asked, “By the way, Jingshi, do you live with Jiang Qian and your parents?”

Jiang Jingshi shook her head: “No, I live with Qian Qian and Xiao Meng. Grandfather visits sometimes, but Mom and Dad never do—they’re always busy.”

“Oh, so Fang Meng lives with you guys too.”

“Why do you ask?”

“Just curious.”

Jiang Jingshi nodded, then realized what he might mean and looked at him curiously as he ate.

A blush crept over her. Why was Zheng Ran asking about who she lived with?

Could it mean…

She whispered, “Want a drink, Zheng Ran? I’ll grab us some cold ones to share.”

Lin Zheng Ran nodded: “Sounds good.”

Jiang Jingshi’s face flushed as she got up, went to the fridge, pulled out two cool drinks, and added:

“Do you have plans tonight? If not, after dinner with Mom and Dad, we could watch a movie in my room or chat. If you want books, I can have some bought right away. Basically, stick around and relax in my room afterward.”

Lin Zheng Ran turned to her, noticing the subtle shyness in her eyes.

He got the hint.

“I don’t have plans, but…” He thought of that time after high school when Fang Meng kissed him, and then there was Jiang Qian…

Lin Zheng Ran figured a movie night probably wasn’t in the cards.

“We’ll see about that later.”

Jiang Jingshi nodded, her cheeks still red.

“Okay, we’ll go with your plan.”

After lunch, they chatted about nothing in particular.

Jiang Jingshi leaned on Lin Zheng Ran’s shoulder and took a quick nap.

Since they’d handled most of the morning’s work, Lin Zheng Ran left the company early with Jiang Jingshi, heading to the villa where the Jiang sisters lived.