For the children of the Jiang family, each of whom held millions in New Year's lucky money, buying a house and moving out was as simple as a swipe of a card. Yet, all three branches of the Jiang family still lived together, solely because the old Master Jiang refused to let them split the household.
With that in mind, why did they suddenly feel a twinge of envy toward Guan Xuxu?
Jiang Yucheng was oblivious to the restless thoughts of his nephews. Seeing that Guan Xuxu remained silent, he was not surprised; he had already made preparations before coming here.
"If you truly are unwilling to return to the ancestral home, it's fine," Jiang Yucheng said seriously. "Last night, I had someone buy a villa in Dongyuan. If you wish, the three of us from the First House will move there directly."
The "us" he referred to was himself, Guan Xuxu, and Jiang Huai.
If they moved out, the other children in the family wouldn't be able to give her any more attitude, and he could use the opportunity to salvage some of their father-daughter bond.
Jiang Yucheng spoke with gravity, but his words sent a shock through Jiang Su and the other two cousins, who had been secretly plotting to get their own place to hide out. Their Eldest Uncle had mentioned moving the First House out the night before, but they had assumed he was just speaking in anger to scare them. Who would have thought he was serious?
He had even bought the house already!
Guan Xuxu was clearly caught off guard. After all, when Jiang Huai first brought her home, he had mentioned that the Jiang family rule was for the children to stay together as long as the parents were alive. Although she had been recognized by the Jiangs, she hadn't considered that rule when she decided to move out. She never intended to force the family to change their ways.
Yet, Jiang Yucheng's plan was clearly for her sake. For a moment, she found herself unable to voice a harsh refusal.
"You don't have to do this," she said, her voice calm. "You don't owe me anything."
By the same token, she didn't owe him.
Hearing her level tone, Jiang Yucheng felt a sudden pang in his chest. No, he did owe her. He owed her eighteen years.
"I know saying I'll make it up to you is meaningless now," Jiang Yucheng said, his voice softer than ever before, carrying a trace of a plea. "But Xuxu, starting today, your father and brother want to give you a real home. Is that okay? A home that belongs only to you."
Guan Xuxu felt a slight tremor in her heart, and her hands at her sides clenched slowly.
Seeing her hesitate, Jiang Yucheng gathered his thoughts and spoke again. "If you really don't want to leave here, Papa can move in as well..."
The moment he said that, not only was Guan Xuxu stunned, but the three Jiang cousins beside her wore expressions of utter disbelief. Had their Eldest Uncle gone mad?
Jiang Yucheng ignored their gazes, instead surveying the small apartment. "This place is too small. I'll have your brother buy the two adjacent units and knock the walls through..."
He was actually serious!
The "Three Jiangs" were about to open their mouths to stop their uncle when Guan Xuxu finally spoke.
"I'll move back."
Her voice was calm, though it held a hint of resignation. She had never intended to force Jiang Yucheng's hand, but seeing him go to such lengths, she realized she wasn't as indifferent as she thought. She was still moved by the actions of this man called "Father."
More importantly, she had seen Jiang Yucheng's attitude. He was willing to sacrifice things for her, and for her, that was enough. Furthermore, she didn't want to be the one responsible for fracturing the Jiang family. She would only be staying there for two months anyway; after that, she would be heading off to university.
Guan Xuxu's obedient concession, especially without demanding an apology from Jiang Su and the others, was something the cousins hadn't expected. Before coming, they had imagined how she would put on airs and force them to admit their wrongs. They had been feeling incredibly frustrated at the prospect.
But now that she wasn't making demands... they felt even more unsettled. It made them feel utterly insignificant in her eyes. It was truly annoying.
Guan Xuxu returned to the Jiang residence. This time, Jiang Su and the others didn't dare glare at her. Their main concern was making sure she didn't return to that shabby rental and embarrass the family. Even little Jiang Ying, who had clearly been given a stern talking-to, greeted Guan Xuxu obediently upon her return.
It was exactly as Jiang Huai had said: when facing injustice, you must assert your attitude decisively from the start. Once they know your temper, they won't dare provoke you lightly again.
When Guan Xuxu arrived, Jiang Huai was standing at the entrance, looking at her with a smile, just as he had the day they first met. "Xuxu, welcome home."
Lu Xuexi was also waiting in the hall. She immediately stepped forward with an intimate air. "Xuxu, it's good that you're back. For tonight's banquet, Grandfather already sent out invitations to all the major families. If you hadn't returned, no one would have known what to do."
Her voice was soft and pleasant, yet her words subtly implied that everyone had only coaxed her back for the sake of the family's reputation at the banquet, rather than out of genuine care. If Xuxu were a sensitive soul, she would have started overthinking right then.
Guan Xuxu shot a cool, indifferent look at Lu Xuexi. After a long pause, a slight smirk played on her lips.
"It's just a banquet. If it can't happen today, it can happen tomorrow. People won't stop recognizing me as the young lady of the Jiang family just because a party was canceled." As she spoke, she didn't forget to cue the man beside her. "Brother, isn't that right?"
The smile in Jiang Huai's eyes deepened. He echoed her immediately. "Of course. You are the young lady of our Jiang family unique and irreplaceable."
The weight behind his last words was heavy with intent. Lu Xuexi's beautiful face turned pale for a split second before she recovered her usual smile. "Brother Jiang Huai is right."
Beside them, Jiang Ying pouted, looking aggrieved. She wanted to throw a tantrum but feared her Eldest Uncle's wrath. She could only look up at her mother, Yao Lin, and point to herself as if to ask: If Guan Xuxu is the unique Miss Jiang, then what am I?
Yao Lin remained silent.
"The stylists are already waiting upstairs. Xuxu, go up and try on your dress. Tonight is your first appearance as the Jiang family's daughter; it must be grand," the Third Aunt called out with a smile. Jiang Yucheng also showed a rare gentle side, looking like a father eager to see his child in new clothes as he urged her, "Go on."
The gowns and jewelry for Guan Xuxu had been arranged early on by Jiang Yuxin. Jiang Yuxin had extensive connections in the fashion industry and had brought three sets of high-end custom gowns that hadn't even hit the market yet, along with matching heels and jewelry sets.
Guan Xuxu had attended many banquets during her time with the Guan family and was no stranger to the process. She quickly selected a black and white, off-the-shoulder mermaid gown. The moment she stepped out after finishing her makeup, even Jiang Su and the others who had always looked down on her couldn't help but stare.
The black off-the-shoulder gown featured a high-low hem that was shorter in the front and flowed into a long mermaid tail in the back. The front hem was made of black tulle adorned with clusters of handmade white camellias, adding a burst of radiant beauty to an otherwise formal and dignified dress.
Guan Xuxu was tall and slender, and her skin was so pale it seemed to glow. Against the backdrop of the black fabric, she looked as fair as alabaster. The off-the-shoulder design perfectly showcased her elegant collarbones and delicate shoulders.
A silk ribbon adorned with a white camellia was tied around her slender neck, matching the skirt, and pearls were nestled in her hair low-key yet luxurious.
With just one look, all the Jiangs stood frozen in place. Words failed them; they simply stared in silence, their breathing growing shallow.
The Guan Xuxu before them was like the most beautiful white camellia blooming in a mountain valley pure and flawless. She had grown silently while no one was watching, and today, she was finally blooming in all her glory within the Jiang family.
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