Chapter 297: Veiled Emotions

After receiving the message, both of them glanced at their phones.

Father Jiang and Mother Jiang were still reeling from the shock, but they’d spent years in the business world.

They knew that no matter how unexpected things got, staying calm was key.

In the courtyard, everyone was there except for Jiang Qian and Fang Meng’s grandfather.

Father Jiang approached Lin Zheng Ran, while Mother Jiang stared in surprise at her eldest daughter, who’d never acted so out of character before.

Jiang Jingshi ignored her mother’s gaze.

Father Jiang said apologetically:

“Lin Zheng Ran, our two girls have made quite a scene today, and we haven’t hosted you properly. Why don’t you head back for now? Your aunt and I need to deal with this.”

Mother Jiang added, “We’ll make it up to you next time we have the chance. We’re truly sorry, but we won’t keep you longer.”

Lin Zheng Ran understood the worry from the elders about Jingshi and Jiang Qian’s behavior in front of their parents.

Lin Zheng Ran smiled and said, “It’s nothing, but I hope you can understand Jingshi. Don’t blame her—the situation was so sudden, I think it was just an instinctive reaction.”

Mother Jiang glanced at her daughter again, but Jiang Jingshi stayed silent, head slightly bowed.

Mother Jiang continued, “We get it. Since you two are together now, what happened earlier was a bit improper, but it’s understandable. As for Qian Qian… that girl is just a bit impulsive. We’ll talk to her about it.”

Father Jiang sighed, as if he wanted to say more, but only added, “Sorry you had to see that.”

“It’s not about seeing a show; it was just an unexpected situation. I’ll head out then. Goodbye, Uncle and Aunt. Goodbye, Jingshi.”

Hearing his words, Jiang Jingshi looked up and said gently, “Take care on the road. Tell the driver to go slow.”

As their eyes met, Lin Zheng Ran picked up on what Jiang Jingshi was thinking.

So he smiled and replied, “Got it. I’m off then. See you at the company tomorrow.”

The words ‘see you tomorrow’ lit up Jiang Jingshi’s face. He really understands me, she thought, nodding. “Okay, see you tomorrow.”

Lin Zheng Ran got into the car and left with the driver.

The family watched as he drove away, and Jiang Jingshi kept her eyes on the vehicle until it vanished at the intersection.

Then Father Jiang suddenly coughed.

It made Jiang Jingshi jump, and she felt awkward again.

Father Jiang huffed and said to his wife, “Let’s go home! Call our runaway daughter and tell her to come back for a family meeting!”

Mother Jiang might argue with her husband on normal days, but she stayed quiet during important matters.

That was why they worked so well together in the company all those years.

Father Jiang told his eldest daughter, “I’ll call your sister. You go inside and wait.”

“Okay.”

In a nearby park outside the villa district, Jiang Qian stood silently by the pond after being caught by Fang Meng.

Even in her heartbreak, the second miss didn’t cry dramatically; tears just slipped quietly from her eyes.

Fang Meng pulled a pack of tissues from her pocket, opened it, and handed her two. “Qian Qian, wipe your tears first.”

She didn’t take them. “What’s so great about my sister? How could they really be together? Lin Zheng Ran actually likes her, and she kissed him right in front of me…”

Fang Meng recalled the earlier scene, feeling a mix of jealousy and surprise:

“I never thought the usually composed eldest miss would do something like that in front of the master and madam. But clearly, she was trying to make you give up.”

“As if!” Jiang Qian gritted her teeth. “I won’t give up. There’s only one Lin Zheng Ran in this world, and I won’t let anyone have him—not even my sister!”

Fang Meng offered the tissues again:

“Still, Qian Qian, you’re bold too—saying that straight out and doing that to Lin Zheng Ran in front of everyone. You’re just as daring as the eldest miss.”

Jiang Qian took a deep breath, then exhaled, grabbing the tissues to wipe her tears.

She seemed to gather her strength again.

“I lost this round at dinner, but it’s just a small setback. As I said, as long as they aren’t married, I still have a chance.

In the end, who Lin Zheng Ran ends up with is anyone’s guess. So what if they’re together now? It just means they can hug and kiss more often or talk on the phone all night—that’s it.”

As she spoke, Jiang Qian’s mind flashed back to something: her sister had said she didn’t understand kissing between couples, which was why she’d gone and done it with Lin Zheng Ran.

That meant her sister must have kissed him plenty of times in private…

Jiang Qian’s eyes trembled, and her lips quivered.

Finally, she couldn’t hold back and burst into tears.

It startled Fang Meng. “Qian Qian? What’s wrong?”

“Why does Lin Zheng Ran like my sister? We’re both equally beautiful—I’m even younger than her, and I’ve known him longer! We were together every day in high school! He even taught me piano. Why did he choose her? Xiao Meng, I don’t get it!”

Fang Meng hugged Jiang Qian, listening to her sob in her arms.

In all the years she’d known her, Fang Meng had never seen Jiang Qian this upset—it was like losing a massive battle with a million troops against thirty thousand and retreating in defeat.

She gently patted her back. “There, there, Qian Qian, don’t be so heartbroken. Like you said, we haven’t completely lost. There’s still a chance, right?”

“But I can’t accept my sister kissing Lin Zheng Ran! How could she do that?”

Just then, Fang Meng’s phone rang.

It was Mother Jiang calling.

“Qian Qian, it’s the madam.”

Jiang Qian’s crying stopped abruptly. “Answer it.”

Fang Meng picked up, and Mother Jiang first asked about Jiang Qian’s situation. Fang Meng said it was nothing serious.

Then she told them to come back.

Fang Meng nodded. “Okay, got it. I’ll wait for Qian Qian to calm down a bit, then we’ll head back. Don’t worry, madam.”

After hanging up, Jiang Qian asked, “Is she calling me back for a meeting?”

“Yeah, the master seems pretty upset. Your grandfather, parents, and eldest sister are all waiting for you.”

Jiang Qian reached out from Fang Meng’s embrace, her voice turning cool again. “Xiao Meng, give me another tissue.”

“Sure.”

She handed her one more.

Jiang Qian wiped her tears and stood up straight, her expression returning to normal right before their eyes.

“Can you tell I’ve been crying?”

“A little… your eyes are a bit red.” Fang Meng wiped the corners for her.

“Then come with me to wash my face. Once that’s done, we’ll go back. We started this fight, so we can’t back down! This competition with my sister is the one I absolutely can’t lose!”

Fang Meng smiled in admiration. “That’s the Qian Qian I know. No one’s ever really beaten you all these years. Just regroup and come back stronger—like with Lin Zheng Ran.”

Jiang Qian huffed lightly and turned to find a place to wash up. “In this world, only Lin Zheng Ran could ever beat me.”

She paused, then muttered to herself, “I’ll win this battle!”