Chapter 28:
The One and Only Young Lady of the Jiang Family
All the children of the Jiang family received millions in New Year’s money; moving out and buying a house was as simple as swiping a card. Yet, the three branches of the Jiang family still lived together. This was entirely because the grandfather did not allow the family to split.
Thinking about it, why did she somehow feel a little envious of Guan Xuxu’s position?
Jiang Yucheng had no idea what schemes his nephews were secretly harboring. He had known from the start that Guan Xuxu would not nod in agreement. Even before coming here, he had already been prepared.
“If you really don’t want to come back home, that’s fine too. Yesterday, I had someone buy a villa in the East Garden. If Xuxu is willing, our immediate family can move there directly.”
‘Our immediate family’ referred to him, Guan Xuxu, and Jiang Huai—the three of them.
If they moved out, the other children in the main house would no longer be able to make faces at her. And he himself could use this as an opportunity to rebuild the parent-child bond with Xuxu.
His words were sincere. That’s why the three nephews, Jiang Su and the others, who had been secretly planning to acquire a property outside, couldn’t hide their shock.
When Uncle had said last night that he would ‘take the main branch and leave,’ they thought it was just a threat. They never expected—he would actually take action! And he had already bought a house!
Guan Xuxu was also surprised. When Jiang Huai brought her back, she had been told that the Jiang family rule was ‘no splitting the family while the parents are alive.’
She herself hadn’t considered that rule when she decided to leave. But she never intended to burden the entire Jiang family because of it.
Moreover, she never thought Jiang Yucheng and Jiang Huai would move out with her for her sake. But Jiang Yucheng’s current idea was clearly for her benefit.
Guan Xuxu couldn’t bring herself to outright refuse him on the spot.
Seeing her silent, Jiang Yucheng’s expression tightened, and he prepared to continue. “If you still don’t want to—”
“…I’ll come back.”
Guan Xuxu let out the words like a sigh.
She never intended to force Jiang Yucheng into anything. But since he had actually taken action, the responsibility would fall on her shoulders. —She didn’t want to be the sinner who caused the Jiang family to split.
More than that, she had already realized: Jiang Yucheng was willing to make sacrifices for her.
That alone was enough.
That’s why Guan Xuxu also conceded. She didn’t even demand an apology from Jiang Su and the others. This was unexpected for them too.
Before coming, they thought Guan Xuxu would inevitably put on airs and force them to apologize. They felt somewhat let down, yet a strange irritation also arose deep in their hearts. —It was as if they were completely unimportant to her.
That was infuriating.
Guan Xuxu returned to the Jiang family once more.
Jiang Su and the others, knowing better now, didn’t dare to show their displeasure openly towards her anymore. After all, her returning to that small, cheap apartment would affect the Jiang family’s reputation.
Even the youngest, Jiang Ying, whether severely scolded or not, obediently greeted her.
—Just as Jiang Huai had said. When treated unreasonably, one must make their stance clear from the beginning. Only then would they not be taken lightly again.
When she entered the house, Jiang Huai was standing at the doorway. With a smile, just like the day he first welcomed her. “Xuxu, welcome back.”
In the living room, Lu Xuexi was waiting. She immediately approached, her voice soft and gentle. “Xuxu, I’m so glad you’re back. For tonight’s banquet, Grandfather has already sent out invitations to each family. If you hadn’t returned, everyone wouldn’t have known what to do.”
Her voice was gentle and beautiful. But behind it was a clear implication. —They weren’t welcoming her back wholeheartedly, but to maintain appearances for the banquet.
If she were weak-hearted, these words might have shaken her.
But Guan Xuxu only cast a cold glance at her. After a moment of silence, she lifted the corner of her mouth slightly.
“If the banquet can’t be held today, it can be held tomorrow. Outsiders wouldn’t refuse to acknowledge me as a daughter of the Jiang family just because one banquet wasn’t held, right?”
As she spoke, she deliberately looked towards Jiang Huai. “Right, Brother?”
Jiang Huai’s eyes were filled with joy. Of course, he nodded with a smile. “Naturally. You are a daughter of the Jiang family, the one and only, irreplaceable by anyone.”
The intent behind his words was all too clear.
Lu Xuexi’s beautiful face paled for a moment. But she quickly regained her smile and replied gently, “Brother Jiang Huai is right.”
Meanwhile, Jiang Ying pouted discontentedly. She looked up at her mother as if wanting to retort, pointing at herself. —If Xuxu is the one and only Jiang family daughter, then what about me?
Yao Lin could only remain silent.
“The stylist is already waiting upstairs. Xuxu, go try on your dress quickly. Tonight is an important day for your first appearance as the young lady of the Jiang family.”
Third Aunt urged cheerfully, and Jiang Yucheng also nodded with a rare soft expression. “Go on ahead.”
The evening gown and jewelry for Xuxu had already been arranged by Jiang Yuxin. She had extensive connections in the fashion world and had procured three custom haute couture dresses, not yet publicly released. Matching high heels and jewelry were also prepared for each.
Guan Xuxu had experience attending banquets back when she was with the Guan family, so she was familiar with the process.
The dress she chose was a black and white two-toned off-the-shoulder mermaid gown. The moment she appeared— even Jiang Su and the others, who usually looked down on her, were stunned, their gazes captivated.
The black off-the-shoulder top was dignified and elegant. The bottom was based on a mermaid silhouette, flaring out from below the waist into a large skirt, shorter in the front and longer in the back. The short front hem was adorned with numerous camellias made of black tulle, like cascading flowers. It added a gorgeous touch to the elegant and solemn dress.
Her skin, translucent like white porcelain, was accentuated by the black dress. The off-the-shoulder design generously revealed her beautiful collarbones and smooth shoulders.
Around her long neck was a satin ribbon with a white camellia ornament. Pearls shimmered in her hair, understated yet not lacking in nobility.
—With just one glance, the Jiang family members were breathless and speechless.
The very air in the room fell silent.
In their eyes, Guan Xuxu was like the most beautiful white camellia blooming deep in the mountains. Pure, untainted.
She had grown up quietly, unnoticed by anyone. And today, she finally blossomed into her most beautiful form within the Jiang family.
