Hearing this, Jiang Youli stepped directly onto the clothing bags. "Yeah, what’s so special about these clothes? I usually can’t be bothered to wear them anyway."
Her mind was entirely focused on her career. Clothes were just accessories—something to wear when the occasion demanded it. Otherwise, she’d just throw on something comfortable. Who in their right mind treated designer labels like sacred relics?
How ridiculous!
With that, Jiang Youli turned to head downstairs.
At that moment, Jiang Yonghe muttered under her breath, just loud enough for Jiang Youli to hear, "Jiang Youli, do you really think Mom and Dad would have brought you back to the Jiang Family if it weren’t for me?"
Jiang Youli paused mid-step and glanced back. "Oh? Finally dropping the act?"
Jiang Yonghe lifted her chin proudly. "Do you know why Mom and Dad brought you back?"
"Why?" Jiang Youli feigned ignorance.
"Because I refused to marry Young Master Qi, that cripple. They couldn’t bear to ruin my future happiness, so they decided to use their real daughter as a substitute. Doesn’t that just make you the saddest little thing?" Jiang Yonghe sighed dramatically for effect.
Jiang Youli gasped in mock delight. "What a fantastic deal! The Qi Family is one of the top elite families, isn’t it? Marrying Young Master Qi is practically a dream come true for me!"
Seeing that her words had no impact, Jiang Yonghe felt as though she’d punched cotton—no reaction, no pain. It frustrated her to no end.
But in her eyes, Jiang Youli was just putting on a brave face.
"Dream come true? You do know Young Master Qi is a cripple now, right?"
"Oh~ A cripple? No problem. I can cure his legs." Jiang Youli leaned in closer. "But you—since you’re so quick to reject him now, don’t come crying to me when his legs are healed and you regret it."
Then, she abruptly changed the subject. "By the way, that escaped convict last night—you hired him, didn’t you?"
At the mention of the convict, Jiang Yonghe’s face paled.
"Tsk, what a failure, just like you." Jiang Youli shook her head in pity. "Watch your back. I’ll return last night’s ‘gift’ to you… slowly."
Humming a tune, she skipped downstairs with light steps.
Jiang Yonghe clenched her fists, staring venomously at Jiang Youli’s retreating, carefree figure.
After a long moment, she finally turned back, picked up the trampled clothing bags from the floor, and followed downstairs.
......
"Youli, come take a look. Which of these clothes do you like? What’s your size? Pick a few sets for tonight, and I’ll have the shop deliver them. We can go shopping properly tomorrow if you’d like." Zhang Susu held a tablet in her hands, glancing up at Jiang Youli as she descended the stairs.
"Sure, thanks, Mom." Jiang Youli walked over, nuzzled affectionately against her, and then took the tablet.
Jiang Yonghe, trailing behind, tightened her grip on the clothing bags and forced a smile. "Uncle, Aunt, Sister Youli, I’ll be heading back now."
Jiang Yehan gave a noncommittal hum.
Zhang Susu nodded but said nothing.
Jiang Youli, however, turned to her with a bright smile. "My advice? Stop embarrassing yourself in front of me from now on~"
Jiang Yonghe left the eastern villa with a stiff smile.
Once she was gone, Zhang Susu asked, "What did she say to you?"
Jiang Youli scrolled through the clothes on the tablet. "Just the usual taunts—that Uncle and Aunt brought me back to replace her in marrying Young Master Qi, the cripple."
Zhang Susu froze, then turned to her husband, her gentle eyes now blazing with anger. "So, our suspicions were right! How dare they scheme like this!"
Jiang Yehan wrapped an arm around her shoulders, soothing her. "Don’t worry. Youli is our daughter now. I’ll never agree to let her take their adopted daughter’s place in marrying Young Master Qi."
Zhang Susu nodded firmly in agreement. "Mm."
But then, Jiang Youli unexpectedly declared, "Dad, Mom, I’m willing to marry Young Master Qi."
Jiang Yehan and Zhang Susu both stiffened. "What did you say?"
Jiang Youli repeated firmly, "I’m willing to marry Young Master Qi."
Zhang Susu snapped out of her shock and hurriedly explained, "Youli, you’ve only just come home. You don’t know the full situation with the Qi Family. Before, Young Master Qi was indeed the most sought-after bachelor in Jing City, but last month, he was in an accident. His legs were crippled—he can’t walk anymore."
Jiang Youli smiled faintly, unfazed. "I know. But it’s fine. I’m skilled in medicine. I can heal his legs."
Seeing her confidence, Zhang Susu hesitated before finally saying, "Let’s not worry about this for now. Just pick your clothes first."
......
"Yonghe, she didn’t take the clothes?" Qin Yulian eyed the dirtied clothing bags in Jiang Yonghe’s hands and immediately guessed what had happened, her expression darkening.
Jiang Yonghe lowered her gaze, her voice tinged with hurt. "No… Sister still refuses to accept me."
"She’s ungrateful!" Jiang Zhao scowled. "Yonghe, don’t lower yourself to please her anymore. It’s not worth it."
Jiang Yonghe said softly, "I just didn’t want to leave everything to you, Brother. You already have so much pressure."
Jiang Zhao’s irritation melted into fondness. "Silly girl, protecting my sister is only natural. Stop doing unnecessary things like this. Mom, Dad, and I chose to keep you here. You don’t have to put up with her attitude."
Qin Yulian sneered, "She doesn’t know how to appreciate kindness!"
Jiang Yangxu’s expression was grave. "Enough. We’ll see how she behaves at dinner tonight."
......
Jiang Family dining room.
Everyone was seated, waiting for Old Master Jiang to arrive.
Apart from him, Zhang Susu and Jiang Youli were also missing.
Jiang Zhao checked the time. "Uncle, it’s already late. Why aren’t Aunt and the others here yet?"
Jiang Yehan explained, "Your aunt picked out two new outfits for Youli. They arrived a bit late, so they’re still changing."
Jiang Yangxu spoke up, "Elder Brother, this isn’t right. Youli is mine and Yulian’s biological daughter. She’s just throwing a tantrum right now. You can’t seriously be thinking of claiming her as your own?"
Jiang Yehan replied coolly, "Youli isn’t throwing a tantrum. She’s already handed her ID and household register to Father to transfer her legal guardianship to Susu and me."
Jiang Yangxu argued, "Brother, Father only said those things in anger. How could he just reassign family ties? Yulian and I have reflected on this. We pushed Youli too hard right after bringing her home. For now, we’ll do as she says. Once she spends more time with the Jiang Family and sees how good Yonghe is, they’ll get along."
Jiang Yehan glanced at him and said helplessly, "Second Brother, if you still believe Jiang Youli is just acting out of spite, then she will never accept any of you."
Just then, Jiang Youli and Zhang Susu arrived.
All members of the Jiang Family turned their eyes toward them in unison.
Jiang Youli was wearing a bright orange dress, radiating youthful energy and bold confidence.
Remembering his parents' words, Jiang Zhao suppressed his dislike for Jiang Youli and forced a smile as he stood up, waving her over. "Little Sister, come sit here. I saved a seat just for you."
