Jiang Yanna glanced toward Qiao Meixia, who had already settled back into her own secluded world with her earpiece on. Originally, Jiang Yanna had intended to bring up the subject of the precious jade bracelet that Old Madam Jiang had gifted to Qiao Meixia earlier. However, seeing the current tense and volatile atmosphere lingering inside the car, she decided that it would be much wiser to bring up the matter at a later time when everyone had finally calmed down.
Not long afterward, the car finally pulled into the driveway and they arrived home. One by one, the Jiang Family members stepped out of the vehicle and began walking toward the front door. Qiao Meixia was the last person to exit the car. However, instead of following the others into the house, she remained standing quietly beside the vehicle as though she intended to leave again immediately.
When Jiang Yanna noticed that Qiao Meixia was not following them inside, she immediately stopped in her tracks and called out to her.
"Sister Meixia, where are you going?" Jiang Yanna asked curiously, tilting her head slightly to the side in a display of faux innocence.
Her voice was loud enough for the other three Jiang Family members to stop walking and turn around to look at Qiao Meixia as well.
"I am going out." Qiao Meixia answered calmly, her expression remaining entirely unreadable.
"Where exactly are you going at this hour?" Feng Lan immediately demanded, her tone carrying a heavy weight of obvious suspicion.
"I am going to see a friend." Qiao Meixia replied once again, keeping her answer short, direct, and devoid of unnecessary details.
"You actually have friends in this city?" Jiang Chinan could not help but smirk mockingly.
He appeared to have already forgotten about his embarrassing fall in the car earlier in favour of finding another opportunity to insult her.
Qiao Meixia merely glanced at Jiang Chinan once. However, that single icy glance was sharp enough to send goosebumps all over Jiang Chinan's body, causing him to instinctively take a step backwards and hide behind his mother's shadow.
"Forget about those old friends from your past. They are clearly not worth your time anymore. Yanna can introduce you to some much better and more suitable friends later on." Jiang Lukang said dismissively, speaking as though the matter had already been decided for her without her consent.
"That is right, Sister Meixia. You should listen to us. We are only thinking about what is best for your future." Jiang Yanna added softly, maintaining her gentle and saint-like expression.
"And who exactly are you to judge who my friends are?" Qiao Meixia asked coldly, her eyes narrowing slightly as she challenged them.
Jiang Lukang frowned deeply upon hearing such a defiant and blunt question.
"Qiao Meixia, do you really want to argue with me over something as simple as this?" Jiang Lukang asked unhappily, his gaze becoming increasingly stern and authoritarian.
Qiao Meixia remained silent and did not bother saying anything else in response. However, the cold and rebellious look in her eyes had already spoken more than enough.
"Sister Meixia, please, just listen to Dad. He only wants what is best for you." Jiang Yanna advised softly, continuing to play the role of the considerate and caring sister to perfection.
At that exact moment, the sharp sound of a ringing phone suddenly interrupted the tense atmosphere. It was Qiao Meixia's phone. She lowered her gaze, glanced at the caller ID, and answered the call immediately without the slightest hesitation.
"Hmm... Sure... I am already ready. I will wait outside. Come and pick me up." Qiao Meixia spoke calmly into the phone, her voice steady and resolute as she turned her back toward the Jiang Family and waited quietly for her ride.
"Meixia, why are you refusing to listen to my orders?" Jiang Lukang shouted, his voice rising in anger.
Qiao Meixia slowly turned around to face Jiang Lukang once more.
***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***