Jian Junyu felt a pang of doubt after he spoke, thinking that if there was no delay to the flight, then his little sister couldn't have told him the wrong time, or he himself had remembered it incorrectly.
Jian Junruo found it both amusing and exasperating. "Little brother, we arrived ages ago."
"You arrived early?" Jian Junyu slapped his forehead and said with disappointment, "I specifically came early to pick you up, and I still missed you."
After so many years, his sister had finally come to the capital, and he had failed to meet her. This made him feel exceptionally annoyed.
However, Jian Junruo's next sentence left him stunned.
"Little brother, we came by Young Master Qi's helicopter, not by plane." Jian Junruo also gave a wry smile. "I didn't know you were coming to pick me up, so I just told you the approximate arrival time and didn't mention this."
"Ah, this?" Jian Junyu was utterly bewildered and asked somewhat dazed, "Then where are you now? Have you found a place to stay? If not, come home. Mom and Dad miss you very much."
After a few seconds of silence, Jian Junruo said, "Young Master Qi arranged our accommodation, so you don't need to worry, little brother. I'll take Sheng Sheng back to see them tomorrow. The Jian family... is not suitable for me."
Jian Junyu also fell silent. After a long while, he managed to say, "That's fine too. Little sister, where are you staying now? I'll come and see you."
Jian Junruo shook her head. "I'm just about to take Sheng Sheng out to play. You must be tired after waiting for so long, little brother. Go home and rest well."
After hanging up the phone, Jian Junyu recalled fragmented memories from his childhood. The identical twin boy and girl, who were just toddlers back then, used to run around the Jian family mansion, filling it with laughter and joy.
Until they were four years old, the twin sister was kidnapped by bandits. After receiving the ransom, they disappeared with the sister.
The next time he saw his sister, she was already in high school. Beneath her seemingly soft and introverted exterior, she harbored coldness and rejection towards everyone.
Jian Junyu sighed. In the end, things couldn't go back to how they were.
Dejectedly, he waved his hand at the increasingly impatient young man beside him. "I can't pick anyone up. Little Huan, let's go back."
Jian Xiuhuan tutted. Sensing his uncle's bad mood, he didn't make any more sarcastic remarks. He pulled down his baseball cap and got back into the car to enjoy the cool air conditioning.
-
"That little brat, does she really dislike our Jian family that much? She hasn't been home for so many years, and now that she's in the capital, she won't even come home to see us. Who does she think she is? Dayu? Passing by her own home three times without entering?"
At the Jian family home, Jian Junyu and Jian Xiuhuan returned to explain the situation.
The elderly matriarch, whose hair was now streaked with silver, sat on a chair, trembling with anger. Her walking stick continuously tapped the ground, and her eyes were red.
Jian Junyu lowered his head, not daring to look at the old lady's eyes. This was their mother. Although she had hurt many people with her momentary lapses in judgment, she was, after all, a mother. After several separations between mother and daughter, how could she truly be indifferent?
However, while Jian Junyu cared about his mother's dignity, Jian Xiuhuan didn't care about such things.
At this moment, Jian Xiuhuan had already taken off his hat, glasses, and mask, revealing a handsome and flamboyant face. He retorted mercilessly, "Before you blame little aunt, why don't you think about why she doesn't want to come back? After being kidnapped by bandits for years and finally returning home, she was still forced to become a tool for family alliances. If it were me, I wouldn't come back either."
Jian Junyu quickly grabbed his arm. "Little Huan, how can you talk to your grandmother like that?"
Jian Xiuhuan's pair of amorous peach blossom eyes were filled with sarcasm and mockery. "Did I say anything wrong? They always talk about family interests, but essentially, aren't they prioritizing their own ambitions? As for the thoughts of their descendants who are arranged perfectly? What business is that of theirs?"
The old lady became even more enraged. Her withered hand tightly gripped the armrest of her chair, but for a long time, she couldn't utter a word of retort.
Jian Junyu roared, "Jian Xiuhuan! Say less!"
Jian Xiuhuan curled his lips into a cold smile and turned to leave without a care.
The old lady slumped back into her chair, murmuring, "Did I really do wrong?"
Jian Junyu remained silent.
He really wanted to comfort the old lady, but he couldn't speak words that went against his conscience.
-
In the evening, Jian Sheng stared blankly ahead at the congested traffic, her eyes unfocused.
They had been stuck on this road for over half an hour, and in that time, they had only managed to pass two traffic lights.
Indeed, traffic jams were not something that money or powerful cultivation could solve.
Jian Junruo, seeing Jian Sheng's dispirited expression, couldn't bring herself to ask her if she was having fun in the capital.
Seeing that the traffic flow might continue indefinitely, Jian Junruo said, "Just leave me here. I'll take a taxi or the subway back to the manor myself."
"Mommy!" Jian Sheng suddenly became energetic and quickly tugged at her mother's sleeve, preventing her from leaving.
Jian Junruo pointed at the densely packed vehicles outside and explained, "It's rush hour now, and I don't know when the traffic will clear. If I wait for you to take me back and then go to the Qi family, it might already be evening. Mommy knows the way and can get back on her own."
"Sheng Sheng, go to the Qi family by yourself. Be good, and don't cause trouble for others~"
Qi Sui Bai said solemnly, "Don't worry, Auntie. I will definitely take good care of Sheng Sheng. No one will dare to bully her once we get to the Qi family."
-
In the evening, the Qi family had lit up all their lights, decorating the entire mansion brilliantly.
A long red carpet stretched from the front yard all the way to the road outside, and festive red lanterns hung from the eaves.
However, amidst such festive surroundings, the entire Qi family lacked any sense of joy, instead exuding a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
"Have all the arrangements been checked? The guests we are welcoming today are very important. If there is the slightest mistake, none of you can bear the responsibility!" a hoarse roar came from within the high courtyard walls. After receiving a neat reply, the person then rushed to check the next arrangement.
The main entrance of the Qi family was wide open, with congratulatory speeches and banners displayed on both sides to welcome esteemed guests. The Qi family members stood neatly at the entrance to greet them.
Occasionally, pedestrians passing by the Qi family would see the lights and shouts within the mansion and couldn't help but wonder.
What major event had happened to alarm this family so much?
Could it be the owner's birthday or something? But why were there no guests?
Some who knew the identity of the mansion's owner were even more astonished by the display the Qi family had put on.
In this capital, or rather, in this world, who else could be worthy of such a grand reception from the Qi family?
Those who knew the Qi family's background found this discovery almost terrifying.
However, the Qi family had cleared the area in advance, leaving curious onlookers to watch from afar.
As time passed, while everyone eagerly awaited, Jian Sheng's car finally arrived, albeit late.