Chapter 292: Whispers in the Villa

The three of them climbed the stairs to the second floor again.

The second floor had mostly bedrooms, so it featured more rooms—seven in total.

Starting from the stairwell, Fang Meng introduced them one by one:

“Over here is Grandfather’s bedroom, next to it are two guest rooms, then mine. Jiang Qian’s bedroom is at the far west end—it’s the largest room. The remaining ones in the middle are the piano room and the collection room.”

“A collection room? What’s that?”

Jiang Qian’s face took on a strange expression as she said, “It’s for storing important but seldom-used items. Back in the day, Fang Meng and I, along with my sister, kept our important things there—like a warehouse. But now, only my sister and I use it.”

Fang Meng smiled, knowing the items inside had become quite special, so she couldn’t store her things there anymore.

Lin Zheng Ran recalled the two study rooms downstairs and thought that even though the sisters each had their own study, they still had this collection room.

Clearly, they had more house than they knew what to do with.

“Oh, right, doesn’t your sister live on the second floor? How come there’s no room for her up here?”

Jiang Qian said flatly, “My sister’s room is on the first floor. As for why not up here, we’ve never gotten along since we were kids. We avoid doing anything together, so she picked the first floor, and I took the second. Out of sight, out of mind.”

Lin Zheng Ran chuckled, but he remembered how Jiang Qian had teared up in the hospital over Jiang Jingshi’s illness and later showed gratitude when she learned he could save her sister—it wasn’t fake.

So, were these sisters the type who acted like they didn’t get along but actually cared about each other deep down?

It definitely fit Jiang Qian’s style.

It even reminded him a bit of Lily.

What a fool!

Total fool!

As Fang Meng spoke, she opened the door to the piano room: “Besides, Grandfather and Grandmother never stayed here because of work, so we didn’t set up a room for them.”

The piano room’s spacious and bright interior made Lin Zheng Ran’s eyes light up.

Inside, there were two pianos, the same models as the ones Jiang Qian had donated to the school, surrounded by various sheet music.

Jiang Qian added, “This is where I usually play the piano, but I haven’t touched it lately since I’ve been at the company.”

She looked at Lin Zheng Ran with anticipation: “Want to play together?”

“Sure.” Lin Zheng Ran was interested.

So, they sat in front of the pianos and discussed a piece for a duet.

As their fingers danced across the keys, harmonious and elegant music filled the villa.

Fang Meng stood gracefully nearby, watching Lin Zheng Ran’s focused and handsome profile, a light blush coloring her face.

Downstairs, Grandfather Jiang sipped tea on the sofa and glanced up curiously.

Surprisingly, this young man could play the piano too.

He sighed quietly, “Given Jiang Qian’s personality, dinner might be awkward.”

Even Jiang Jingshi, who had just changed and stepped out of her bedroom, was caught off guard by the duet.

Since Fang Meng didn’t play piano, the only one who could be duetting with her sister right now was Lin Zheng Ran.

She tiptoed up the steps, careful not to disrupt the lovely music.

At the piano room door, she rested a hand on the frame and gazed at Lin Zheng Ran seated at the piano.

Jiang Jingshi’s gentle, almond-shaped eyes widened in surprise and admiration at his straight profile.

Once the piece ended, both Fang Meng and Jiang Jingshi applauded.

Jiang Qian praised, “Your piano skills are still top-notch. They seem even better than at the graduation ceremony a few days ago.”

Lin Zheng Ran replied, “Not really. It’s only been a few days, and I haven’t practiced. But our chemistry is definitely stronger than before.”

“Is that so?”

He turned around, knowing Jiang Jingshi had been watching from afar.

Yet, seeing her outfit now, Lin Zheng Ran was impressed.

She wore a V-neck white long-sleeve top with a skirt, her wavy hair falling over her snowy shoulders and graceful neck.

Her shoes were low-heeled sandals, her delicate feet peeking out subtly. With the outfit change, her earrings and necklace had been swapped too.

Now they were subtle star-like accents.

The whole look made her seem regal and divine, no wonder reporters compared her to an angel in the news.

Not just a goddess or anything else.

With Jiang Jingshi’s beauty, she truly looked like an angel, just missing a pair of wings.

Jiang Jingshi hurried over: “I had no idea you played piano so well! When Jiang Qian mentioned her skills weren’t as good as yours, I thought you two were about even, but you’re amazing. That was beautiful.”

Jiang Qian was used to her sister’s blunt honesty.

Though it was true her own skills fell short of Lin Zheng Ran’s by a lot, she saw no need to argue.

Lin Zheng Ran said politely, “Jiang Qian’s skills are nearly on par with mine, and she’s improving quickly.”

As Jiang Jingshi approached, he added, “But Jingshi, you look great in anything. The ladies’ suit suits you, yet this casual style is even more stunning.”

The Eldest Miss blushed at the compliment.

“Really? Thank you.”

However, Fang Meng and Jiang Qian both zeroed in on something odd.

Because when Lin Zheng Ran addressed Jiang Jingshi just now, he didn’t use a nickname, title, or even her full name—just

Jingshi

That kind of address wasn’t for just anyone! Especially since Jiang Jingshi had accepted it!

Jiang Jingshi stepped up to Lin Zheng Ran and asked, “Where have you all toured so far? Finished already?”

“Pretty much. Fang Meng showed me everything.”

Jiang Jingshi hadn’t expected them to cover so much ground: “You haven’t seen the bedrooms yet, right? Let me show you mine—the decor was custom-designed.”

No sooner had she spoken than Jiang Qian stood up and blocked their way.

This time, she felt a real sense of threat and didn’t say anything to her sister; she just wanted to pull Lin Zheng Ran away:

“Let’s check my bedroom first. It’s right next door, and your sister’s is way down on the first floor. You can see it later or skip it. Come on! Fang Meng!”

Fang Meng quickly added, “Lin Zheng Ran, follow me. Jiang Qian’s room is just outside the door.”

With that, she led Lin Zheng Ran away.

Jiang Jingshi reached out in the room, puzzled, clenching her fist in frustration: “Is this outright stealing? He’s practically your brother-in-law, you know.”

She followed right after.

Jiang Qian, gripping Lin Zheng Ran’s arm, stared ahead seriously, wondering about that earlier address.

She didn’t get it—why had Lin Zheng Ran called her sister so intimately?

The nickname ‘Jingshi’ was reserved for Grandfather, Dad, and Mom; no one else used it for her sister.

Did he really like her sister? That couldn’t be.

It must have been a mistake—she probably misheard. Yeah, her ears must be playing tricks; she’d get them checked at the hospital later.

After thinking it through, the Second Miss gritted her teeth again.

“That sneaky sister!”