Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Jiang Suhan’s Attitude Toward Qiao Meixia
When Jiang Yanna was little, she had often whined to Feng Lan about wanting to become a famous painter when she grew up. Because of that whim, Feng Lan had immediately ordered the premium space to be renovated into a high-end art studio for her beloved daughter.
However, if someone actually counted the number of times Jiang Yanna had entered the room to paint over the years, it could practically be counted on one hand. Jiang Suhan had never said anything about it before because he simply did not care about their petty indulgences. The room had been sitting there completely empty and unused for years.
But now that his real, biological sister had finally returned home and did not even have a dignified place to sleep, he felt it was only reasonable to convert the wasted space into a suitable environment for her.
"Begin the construction tomorrow." Jiang Suhan’s tone was absolute and final. "I don’t want to see a single day of delay."
"Yes, Eldest Young Master." Butler Jun nodded immediately, not daring to question the heir’s authority.
Jiang Yanna could not bear to stay there and witness her humiliation for another second. Her eyes reddened with tears before she suddenly turned around, covered her face, and ran away down the hall.
When Feng Lan saw her beloved adoptive daughter looking so utterly heartbroken, she shot Qiao Meixia one last sharp, resentful glare before hurrying frantically after Jiang Yanna. Jiang Chinan also felt incredibly uncomfortable and awkward remaining there under his older brother’s cold gaze. Without saying another word, he turned on his heel and left as well.
"You really don’t have to do all this." Qiao Meixia finally spoke up once the hallway cleared, her voice completely flat.
Jiang Suhan’s icy expression melted instantly. He smiled warmly and reached out, gently rubbing the top of her head.
"There is absolutely no need for you to worry about that," Jiang Suhan’s voice was incredibly warm and reassuring. "It is my responsibility as your eldest brother to make sure you are fully comfortable in your own home."
He smiled down at her again. "Just leave everything to me. Oh, it is almost dinner time. Make sure to come down and eat with us later."
After saying his piece, Jiang Suhan turned and left the wing.
Qiao Meixia remained standing there by her doorway, momentarily stunned. Her slender hand subconsciously reached up, her fingers lightly touching the top of her head where his palm had rested.
It was the first time in either of her lives that someone had rubbed her head like that. The feeling was... surprisingly nice.
After standing in the quiet hallway for a brief moment, Qiao Meixia entered her room. She quickly washed up in the bathroom and changed into a fresh set of loose, comfortable clothes. After finishing her routine, she prepared to head downstairs. However, the exact moment she swung the door open, she saw a young maid standing outside, her hand frozen mid-air, just about to knock.
"S-Second Young Miss! Dinner is ready. Please come down to the formal dining room." The maid said, her voice trembling slightly with nervousness.
By now, most of the household servants had become utterly terrified of accidentally offending the newly returned Second Young Miss. At first, many of them had foolishly assumed she would be completely powerless and unfavored by her parents, and some had even considered bullying or ignoring her to please Jiang Yanna.
However, after witnessing a servant being instantly fired and severely reprimanded by the master for mocking and mistreating Qiao Meixia, the staff quickly changed their tune. No one wanted to lose their position here. The salary was excellent, the benefits were incredibly generous, and everyone knew that being dismissed from the prestigious Jiang family for misconduct would completely ruin their future employment prospects elsewhere.
After delivering the message with a bowed head, the maid quickly scurried away down the hall.
Qiao Meixia calmly made her way down to the grand dining room. All of the core Jiang family members were already seated around the long table, including the family patriarch, Jiang Lukang.
"Qiaoqiao, come sit over here." Jiang Suhan called out, patting the empty seat directly beside him with a welcoming smile.
Looking at Jiang Suhan’s highly expectant, protective expression, Qiao Meixia found herself unusually unable to refuse his kindness. She walked over smoothly and sat down beside him.
Coincidentally, because of the seating arrangement, she ended up sitting directly across the table from Jiang Yanna. The moment she looked up, she caught Jiang Yanna secretly glaring at her with eyes full of hidden venom.
Qiao Meixia looked away, completely ignoring her existence.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yanna clenched her teeth so hard they ached beneath the table, her fingernails digging deep into her own palms. She could not comprehend why her eldest brother, who was usually so cold and detached, was treating Qiao Meixia so incredibly well. She had never once received that level of warmth from him in all the years she had lived as his sister.
Jiang Suhan had always been perfectly polite toward her, but he was also incredibly distant, calculating, and reserved. He had never spoiled her, never smiled at her so genuinely, and certainly had never treated her with the same fierce protective care he had displayed toward Qiao Meixia today. Was it really simply because Qiao Meixia shared his biological blood? The burning jealousy inside Jiang Yanna’s chest threatened to choke her.
"Meixia, I heard that Suhan wants to completely renovate Yanna’s painting studio." Jiang Lukang was the first to break the tense silence, his deep voice carrying the heavy weight of a family patriarch. "So, what exactly is your opinion on this? Do you think he should go through with it?"
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