Jiang Yi followed Jiang Sixian, joining Jiang Qionghua and Ning Wenying. They were then introduced to a series of grandparents, uncles, and aunts.
The elders who were closer to Jiang Qionghua scrutinized Jiang Yi, remarking on her resemblance to her mother. Some said things like, “Your grandmother would be so happy to know you have such a grown-up daughter,” or “Your parents would be so proud.”
Jiang Qionghua’s parents had passed away early, and she was raised by her grandmother. As a child, she’d been rather eccentric. Besides Ning Wenying, few people had liked her—a troublemaker through and through.
Having shared their youth, their bond was deep. It was no wonder Jiang Qionghua was so devoted to Ning Wenying, to the point of obsession.
Jiang Yi trailed behind Jiang Qionghua, plastering a polite smile on her face as she endured the endless compliments from aunts and uncles. Her face felt stiff from the constant grinning.
She felt like a symbol of Jiang Qionghua’s perfect life, paraded around as a conversation starter. Lost in the adults’ small talk, she’d often find herself staring blankly at the ceiling, her mind wandering.
To most parents, children are probably just tools to show off their perfect lives.
Just as this thought crossed her mind, Jiang Yi was dragged away by Jiang Qionghua to meet another guest.
Jiang Qionghua led her to a woman with sleek, shoulder-length hair, dressed in a beige suit. “Wenxu,” Jiang Qionghua greeted her.
Ning Wenxu looked up, smiling at her. “Qionghua.” Her gaze then shifted to Jiang Yi, her smile softening. “You must be Xiao Yi. You look just like your mother. I’m your Auntie Wenxu, your mother’s classmate.”
After introducing herself, the woman handed Jiang Yi a gift box, saying warmly, “Here’s a gift for you.”
“Happy birthday, Xiao Yi.”
Jiang Yi hadn’t met her before, but she looked strangely familiar. After a moment, Jiang Yi realized she resembled Ning Wenying.
Jiang Yi accepted the gift, smiling. “Thank you, Auntie Wenxu.”
Ning Wenxu looked at her, then turned to Jiang Qionghua. “This child really looks like you. We’re all so happy to know you have a daughter.”
After speaking, Ning Wenxu glanced around the room and asked, “By the way, where’s Wenying-jie?”
Jiang Qionghua replied, “She’s inside, talking to Chen Chen. Go find her.”
Ning Wenxu patted Jiang Qionghua’s shoulder. “Alright, I’ll go find Wenying-jie. You’re busy.”
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Ning Wenxu turned and entered the banquet hall. Curious about her relationship with Ning Wenying, Jiang Yi’s gaze followed her.
Jiang Qionghua noticed her curiosity and smiled. “What? Want to know how your Auntie Wenxu is related to Auntie Ning?”
Jiang Yi glanced at her, exasperated. “Isn’t that obvious?” It was clear Jiang Qionghua knew the answer, yet she insisted on teasing her like a child.
Jiang Qionghua chuckled, placing a hand on Jiang Yi’s shoulder, her eyes twinkling. “Come on, call me ‘Mom,’ and I’ll tell you.”
Jiang Yi opened her mouth, but the word caught in her throat. It wasn’t a difficult word to say, but facing Jiang Qionghua, she felt strangely awkward.
After a moment, Jiang Yi realized she couldn’t bring herself to say it tonight. She scoffed, saying sullenly, “Fine, don’t tell me. I can ask Auntie Ning myself. It’s not like you’re the only one who knows.”
Besides, compared to Jiang Qionghua, she felt closer to Ning Wenying.
Jiang Qionghua knew she couldn’t tease her any further; her daughter might actually get angry. She chuckled, saying nonchalantly, “Fine, fine, I won’t argue with a child. It’s not a big deal anyway. I’ll tell you.”
Jiang Yi looked at her expectantly, urging her to continue.
Jiang Qionghua pulled her aside, lowering her voice. “Your Auntie Wenxu is Auntie Ning’s cousin… Auntie Ning’s father was a very traditional Alpha, so in the end… it was your Auntie Wenxu who inherited the Ning family.”
Jiang Yi was stunned. She hadn’t expected the open-minded Ning Wenying to come from such a traditional family. She’d been wondering why someone as exceptional as Ning Wenying would have such a terrible ex-husband.
In some ways, having a despicable illegitimate child who slandered his ex-wife proved that Jiang Sixian’s father was indeed unworthy of Ning Wenying.
Jiang Yi frowned. “So Auntie Ning… was she bullied at home?”
Jiang Qionghua thought for a moment. “Well… not exactly bullied. Everyone liked her, but… there was definitely some bias. In families like hers, they often arrange marriages. It’s not unusual for them to be… twisted. Otherwise, why do you think Jiang Liuyun married your Auntie Ning in the first place?”
Afraid Jiang Yi wouldn’t understand, she added, “Jiang Liuyun is Xianxian’s cheap father.”
Jiang Yi realized Jiang Qionghua truly disliked her rival, otherwise she wouldn’t speak so ill of him, even to a younger generation.
Jiang Yi gave a noncommittal “Oh,” then looked at Jiang Qionghua, asking seriously, “So Auntie Ning’s marriage was arranged? She didn’t love him, right?”
Jiang Qionghua scoffed. “I don’t think your Auntie Ning could ever love that man. She only likes me a little bit, let alone that awful Jiang Liuyun.”
Jiang Yi found her mother’s narcissism truly remarkable. She gave Jiang Qionghua a disdainful look. “Ugh… you’re so arrogant!”
Jiang Qionghua looked slightly offended. “It’s the truth. One should be self-aware.”
She sighed. “Your Auntie Ning married into the Jiang family because of family pressure. She couldn’t refuse. It took her a lot of effort to divorce Jiang Liuyun and leave with Xianxian.”
“Marriage is a cage. I understand why she doesn’t want to remarry.”
When that little actress had shown up at her door with a four-year-old child, Ning Wenying had actually been pregnant. It was then that Ning Wenying’s father, the head of the Ning family, had suddenly passed away from a heart attack, leaving the Ning family in turmoil. The Songshan Jiang family, disregarding their long-standing friendship, had begun to seize the Ning family’s assets.
Devastated by the double blow, Ning Wenying had miscarried and her health had deteriorated.
Despite this, she’d still managed to help Ning Wenxu, who had just taken over the company, and together with Jiang Qionghua, they’d fought back against the Songshan Jiang family, protecting their assets. Not only that, but they’d also managed to take a chunk of the Jiang family’s shares.
After her father’s death, no one could force Ning Wenying into anything. She took what was rightfully hers and lived a free and comfortable life, determined never to be bound by tradition again.
The current Ning Wenying was far happier than she’d been before her divorce.
Jiang Qionghua understood her feelings. Even though she longed for marriage, she wouldn’t force Ning Wenying.
Loving someone meant letting them find happiness in their own way.
Jiang Yi, though unaware of the details, could sense Jiang Qionghua’s deep affection from her words. Jiang Qionghua had always been devoted to Ning Wenying.
Jiang Yi looked at her sympathetically. “Then you’re doomed. You’ll never marry someone as good as Auntie Ning.”
Seeing the pity in Jiang Yi’s eyes, Jiang Qionghua pinched her cheek playfully. “You’re just a child, what do you know? Loving someone doesn’t necessarily mean marriage.”
Jiang Yi disagreed. “A great person once said, ‘Dating without the intention of marriage is just playing games.’ If I love someone, I’ll definitely marry them.”
Jiang Qionghua clicked her tongue. “Truly a child’s perspective. When you truly fall in love, you’ll realize how naive you are.”
After chatting for a while, the banquet officially began. As the host, Jiang Qionghua had to give a speech.
After her speech, she pulled Jiang Yi onto the stage, parading her around like a prize exhibit. Feeling like a monkey in a zoo, Jiang Yi descended the stage, utterly exhausted.
Soon, it was nine o’clock. Jiang Yi and Jiang Qionghua cut the cake, poured champagne, and, under the guidance of the emcee, completed various celebratory rituals.
Finally, it was time for photos. Jiang Qionghua and Jiang Yi stood stiffly beside the champagne tower, preparing for a photo together.
Seeing their awkward poses, Ning Wenying sighed, walked over, and placed Jiang Qionghua’s hand on Jiang Yi’s shoulder. “Come on, be closer. Smile for the camera.”
Jiang Qionghua obediently wrapped an arm around Jiang Yi’s shoulder, beaming at the camera.
Pulled into Jiang Qionghua’s embrace, Jiang Yi looked up at her, and seeing her genuine smile, froze for a moment.
As she turned towards the camera, she unconsciously mirrored Jiang Qionghua’s smile.
The camera clicked, capturing the moment.
Jiang Yi watched the guests clapping, and she was reminded of last year’s Christmas. She’d been wearing a Santa hat, leaning against her mother in her hospital bed, thinking naively: If only I could stay fifteen forever. If I never turned sixteen, then Mom wouldn’t leave me.
But a year had passed, and now, looking at Jiang Sixian clapping happily in the crowd, she couldn’t help but have the same foolish thought.
If only I could stay sixteen forever. No growing up, no differentiation, no adulthood.
No living in fear, waiting for an unknown fate at twenty.
No keeping my distance from Jiang Sixian. If only this moment could last forever…
Just living happily like this.
But Jiang Yi knew time wouldn’t stop. Tomorrow would always come. Whether she’d see the sunrise after turning twenty was still unknown.
Because of this uncertainty, she would continue treading carefully.
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