Qi Meifeng, noticing the girl's hesitation, quickly intervened.
"Mother, Fangfang, that is quite enough for now. It might be difficult for Meixia to finish all of that food if you keep adding to it." Qi Meifeng reminded them with a gentle laugh.
"Oh... I am so sorry, dear. I suppose I got a bit carried away." Old Madam Jiang immediately apologised, realising she had been hovering.
"Me too, Sister Meixia. I just wanted you to try everything!" Jiang Fenfang added, looking slightly apologetic yet still cheerful.
"Humph! If she is full, she only needs to say so. Why act so helplessly?" Jiang Chinan scoffed disdainfully from across the table.
"Sister Meixia has probably never seen or eaten food of this calibre before." Jiang Yanna added in a mock-sympathetic tone, her eyes glinting with malice. "That is likely why she feels so overwhelmed by it all."
"Exactly. What a total country bumpkin." Jiang Chinan openly mocked her, his voice devoid of any restraint or familial kindness.
"That is quite true. She likely has not had access to such delicacies before. However, you really should not say such things so openly, Chinan. After all, if Second Brother-in-law and Second Sister-in-law had not been kind-hearted enough to raise you all these years, you might not even be living such a luxurious life right now yourself, Yanna." Yin Xiuying suddenly spoke up, her voice calm but cutting like a knife.
The entire dining room immediately fell into a heavy, stunned silence.
Jiang Yanna's face instantly flushed a deep, humiliated red. She understood perfectly well that Yin Xiuying was indirectly, and quite publicly, reminding everyone of her status as an outsider to their bloodline.
"Xiuying, please watch your words. Yanna is my daughter, and that is a fact that will never change, regardless of the circumstances." Feng Lan said firmly, her expression clouding with unhappiness.
In the wake of the tension, everyone subconsciously glanced toward Qiao Meixia to see her reaction. However, they were surprised to find that her expression remained entirely calm and composed, as if the insults and the defence meant nothing to her at all.
"The Jiang Family is not poor. We can easily afford to raise another girl without issue." Old Master Jiang suddenly interjected, his deep voice carrying a warning tone.
Everyone immediately understood the hidden meaning behind his words. The matter was settled, and no one should continue discussing the topic of who "belonged" any further.
Jiang Yanna bit her lip again, struggling to suppress the white-hot anger building in her heart. Feng Lan quickly noticed her daughter's distress and reached out to comfort her.
"Yanna, do not worry yourself. You will always be my daughter." Feng Lan whispered, squeezing Jiang Yanna's hand affectionately.
"Thank you, Mom." Jiang Yanna replied, flashing a sweet, victorious smile.
She then deliberately cast a triumphant, mocking glance toward Qiao Meixia, hoping to show off the unbreakable bond between herself and Feng Lan. However, instead of the jealousy or sadness she expected to see, she realised with a start that Qiao Meixia was not even looking at her. She was busy listening to Jiang Fenfang's chatter and occasionally engaging in a quiet conversation with Old Madam Jiang.
Eventually, the dinner came to an end. Not long afterwards, Jiang Lukang's family stood up to excuse themselves, as they intended to return to their own residence.
"Father, Mother, we are leaving now." Jiang Lukang informed his parents respectfully. Then, he turned a neutral gaze toward Qiao Meixia. "Meixia, let us go."
"Why not let Meixia stay here with us for a couple of days?" Old Madam Jiang suggested, her voice filled with a lingering unwillingness to let her granddaughter go so soon.
"Mother, Meixia only just returned to us yesterday. We also want to spend some quality time bonding together as a family." Jiang Lukang replied smoothly.
In truth, Jiang Lukang was wary of Qiao Meixia becoming too close to the old couple. He feared their doting would interfere with the family's future plans for her.
***This novel is a work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If it is not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, then it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko***