As the city lights began to glow, inside the Jiang family villa it was dinnertime, yet a heavy atmosphere pervaded the household.
Old Master Jiang sat in the center of the living room, with members of the second and third branches arranged on either side. The younger generation on both sides remained silent.
Jiang Yucheng sat opposite the old master, his expression as cold and unyielding as ice, his presence even more oppressive. It was not until Jiang Huai had recounted in full the incident about the room earlier that he realized—before he returned, Jiang Su, Jiang Han, and the others had been trading barbs with Xuxu, even to the point where Jiang Ying had explicitly told her to get out of their home.
And he, having been unaware of the full circumstances, had initially reprimanded her for unilaterally visiting the Song family. Then, like everyone else, he had demanded that she yield the room to her younger sister.
No wonder—no wonder Xuxu was so disappointed that she declared she would move out.
As a father, he had failed.
"Big Brother, today it was just that Yingying, being a child, didn't understand and made a fuss. It's all my fault. As for Xuxu, I will explain to her and try to win her forgiveness…"
Yao Lin, sensing the wrong atmosphere, volunteered to shoulder the responsibility.
At that moment, Jiang Yumin frowned and pulled Yao Lin's hand in disapproval. "How can this be solely your responsibility? Yingying is young and says whatever she wants—it wasn't a big matter in the first place. I think Xuxu is simply making a fuss over nothing. She's only been back for two days; for such a trivial matter to cause her to run away…"
Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Yucheng coldly raised his eyes and interrupted, "Second Brother, my daughter has just returned and is being forced to leave our home. Is this just a trivial matter?"
Jiang Yumin's facial muscles twitched as he met his elder brother's piercing gaze, and he fell silent.
Jiang Yucheng swept his gaze across the group with an oppressive look:
"Jiang Ying is young and only desired that beautiful room because it's so pretty—it wasn't a big deal. The Jiang family is not a small household. If she likes it, even if you have to renovate it in a princess style, it's a simple matter. So why must Xuxu be forced to give up that room?"
The members of the second branch remained silent, and Jiang Yucheng's voice grew even more somber.
"You're not asking her to give up the room. You only think that because she's new here she should immediately try to please you and beg for your acceptance!"
"Big Brother, that's too harsh! They're all just children—how can they have such ulterior motives?"
"Don't they? If she had never been treated as an outsider from the beginning, why would anyone say such things as 'get out of my house'? Even if it were just childish anger, one should know which words are acceptable and which are not."
Jiang Yucheng's tone was heavy, and at that moment Jiang Ying trembled, shrinking into Yao Lin's arms, her mouth pursed, yet she dared not burst into tears as before.
Yao Lin looked on with a pained expression and said, "Yingying, you spoke out of turn. I'll go apologize to Xuxu. I'll beg her to forgive us and to come back. As your elder, if I personally beg her, surely she won't truly refuse to return. Big Brother, please don't blame Yingying…"
Nearby, Jiang Han, seeing his mother so obsequiously conciliating before the eldest uncle, felt a flash of irritation. Unable to hold back, he blurted out, "Uncle, she left of her own accord. No one forced her to leave, and it isn't even Mom's fault. Why should we have to grovel and beg her to come back? Perhaps she realizes that she has angered the Song family and is using this as an excuse to run away!"
Jiang Yucheng turned his gaze toward him and said in a deep, stern voice, "Xuxu's mistakes I will correct; she need not account to anyone. But Jiang Han, if you continue with this attitude toward Xuxu, then you won't be allowed to call me 'Uncle' anymore."
His voice was not loud, but it sent a jolt through Jiang Han and the others, who instinctively widened their eyes in alarm.
Then, Jiang Yucheng slowly scanned the room, including the younger ones—Jiang Su and Jiang Cheng—and said,
"You too—if you are unwilling to accept Xuxu, then you need not call me 'Uncle' in the future either."
Jiang Yucheng's voice, though not raised, carried an unprecedented severity. The younger ones straightened their backs almost instinctively, each of them silently assuring that they would not dare.
Jiang Yutong, who had always shown respect to his elder brother, slapped his own son hard and then attempted to smooth things over with a smile, "Big Brother, the kids can be sharp-tongued, but they mean no harm. Xuxu is one of our family; there's no real issue of acceptance here."
Jiang Yucheng's eyes darkened slightly, and with a suppressed tone he said,
"Xuxu was lost for eighteen years. Even if the Guan family never deprived her of food or shelter, as an adopted daughter in the Guan household, she suffered countless grievances. Now that she has finally returned, I do not want her to suffer any more injustice. I won't demand that each of you go out of your way to placate her, but at the very least, treat her as an ordinary family member."
He paused, and his voice grew even heavier, "If you cannot do that, then I will choose to live separately with Xuxu and Jiang Huai."
At those words, it was as if a massive stone had dropped into still water, and instantly the faces of everyone from the second and third branches changed.
None of them could have imagined that Big Brother would take such drastic measures—indicating a division of the family over one matter: Xuxu.
Just then, the usually silent Old Master Jiang finally spoke. His tone was devoid of any condescension yet was undeniably final, "Eldest, I do not wish to hear those words a second time."
He declared, "The Jiang family is one entity. As long as I am here, no one is to mention leaving again!"
Everyone in the room fell utterly silent, not daring to refute his words.
Even Jiang Su could only mutter to himself that Xuxu had mentioned moving out.
Old Master Jiang then shifted his gaze to the couple from the second branch, "The children of the Jiang family may have everything they desire, but while spoiling them, you must also teach them that in this world, one does not get everything simply by wanting it."
"If you cannot teach the child properly, I will personally see to it that she learns."
At the very thought of her grandfather intending to teach her himself, Jiang Ying shuddered so violently that she almost burst into tears.
This—this was too terrifying. She didn't want that.
Jiang Yumin and Yao Lin both lowered their heads silently, clutching their child tightly, each assuring that they would teach her well.
Seeing that the younger generation had profoundly recognized the gravity of the situation, Old Master Jiang said no more. He turned to Jiang Huai, who had remained languid and silent by the side, and said,
"Find a time to bring your sister back. The house has arranged a party to formally announce her status as the Miss Jiang of our family. She must return."
Jiang Huai maintained his trademark gentle smile and nodded, "I understand."
Before Old Master Jiang could speak further, the butler entered from outside and said to Jiang Yucheng, "Mr. Jiang, Mr. and Mrs. Song have arrived."
Jiang Yucheng frowned slightly. At this hour, the Song family had come in person.
Could it be regarding Xuxu's matter again?
Though Xuxu should not have gone to the Song family to spout those words, chasing her down to our home to demand an explanation seemed a bit excessive.
The younger ones, who had just been reprimanded, dared not speak out again, yet they exchanged glances with a secret hint of schadenfreude.
They assumed that Xuxu had gotten herself into trouble and that she was being held accountable.
They would claim she had left on purpose to avoid taking responsibility.
It wasn't their fault at all.
Just then, at the doorway, the Song couple briskly walked in, their faces tinged with urgency.
Jiang Yucheng, thinking perhaps Xuxu had come out first and caused a misunderstanding, softened his expression and rose to greet them, "Mr. Song, Mrs. Song, Xuxu was being mischievous today and caused you trouble. I have already reprimanded her…"
He had expected that by showing the proper attitude, Mr. Song Yongming and his wife would not hold a grudge. However, the moment his words ended, both of their faces changed instantly, turning to look anxious and ashamed.
"Mr. Jiang, please don't say that. It was our misunderstanding—we, as a couple, misjudged the situation and misunderstood Miss Jiang. Miss Jiang was only trying to warn you in good faith. We know we were wrong. Please, give us a chance to apologize in person to Master Jiang!"
As soon as the Song couple finished speaking, an eerie silence fell over the living room.
Jiang Su and the others stared in disbelief, as if they doubted their ears.
Why were the Song couple coming here? Shouldn't they be here to hassle Xuxu instead?
And besides…
Who on earth is "Master Jiang"?!