Jiang Youli glanced at Jiang Zhao and said bluntly, "Stop smiling. Your forced grin is downright ugly. If you can’t smile genuinely, save it for your precious little sister. Don’t disgust me."
With that, she followed Zhang Susu to the two empty seats beside Jiang Yehan.
Zhang Susu sat next to Jiang Yehan, while Jiang Youli took the seat beside her.
Jiang Zhao: "..."
Publicly humiliated, he was so furious he could barely keep his smile intact. It took him a while to suppress his anger before he finally sat down.
Jiang Yangxu said sternly, "Youli, stop causing trouble."
Jiang Youli didn’t even bother looking at him. "Uncle, I’m not your daughter. You have no right to discipline me."
Hearing her call him "Uncle," Jiang Yangxu’s face visibly darkened.
Qin Yulian forced an awkward smile and said, "Youli, your father and I admit we were wrong. We’re apologizing to you here. Please don’t hold a grudge. Come sit by your brother."
Jiang Youli retorted without hesitation, "Auntie, are you deaf?"
Jiang Zhao finally snapped. "Jiang Youli! They’re your birth parents—show some respect!"
Jiang Youli scoffed. "Dropping the act already? Jumping at me like a rabid dog—is this how you admit your mistakes? Pathetic."
Just then, Old Master Jiang’s commanding voice cut through the tension. "Why are you arguing again?"
Jiang Zhao immediately reined in his temper. "Grandfather, we weren’t arguing. I just thought my sister might not be familiar with high-society etiquette since she’s just returned. I was teaching her."
Jiang Youli shot back, "If you understood etiquette, you wouldn’t overstep my parents’ authority. How do you think your behavior reflects on them?"
"You’re using Uncle and Auntie to pressure me now?" Jiang Zhao glared in disbelief.
Zhang Susu, however, stood firmly by Jiang Youli’s side. "Youli is right. She’s our daughter now. Your uncle and I will handle her upbringing. There’s no need for you to interfere."
Old Master Jiang took his seat at the head of the table. "Since Youli has just returned, I’ll make things clear once and for all."
He turned to Jiang Youli. "Granddaughter, I’ll ask you one last time—are you certain about recognizing your uncle and aunt as your parents? The entire Jiang family is here today, except your third aunt. Think carefully."
All eyes locked onto Jiang Youli.
"Youli, sweetheart, answer your grandfather. This isn’t the time for stubbornness," Qin Yulian urged nervously.
Jiang Zhao, still seething, refused to speak insincerely.
Jiang Yangxu warned coldly, "Think hard. We’re your real parents. Everything we have will go to you and your brother. Yonghe, as an adopted daughter, can never threaten your status as the true heiress. But with your uncle and aunt, you’ll just be another charity case like her. This is your last chance."
"Second Brother! I’ve never treated Youli as just an adopted daughter!" Zhang Susu interjected, her voice trembling slightly. "From the moment she called me ‘Mom,’ she became my own flesh and blood." She didn’t dare meet Jiang Youli’s gaze, her palms damp with sweat.
She was terrified—terrified that at this final moment, Youli might still choose her birth parents.
Jiang Yehan gently covered her hand and murmured, "Susu, relax. We must trust Youli’s decision."
Ignoring Jiang Yangxu and Qin Yulian, Jiang Youli declared with unwavering resolve, "Grandfather, my answer is final."
Qin Yulian gasped. "Youli!"
Jiang Youli didn’t spare her a glance. "Auntie, you’re being noisy."
The title "Auntie" made Qin Yulian’s chest tighten with frustration.
Old Master Jiang silenced them with a stern command. "Enough. Youli’s stance is clear. She won’t acknowledge you."
Relief washed over Zhang Susu.
Jiang Yehan patted her hand, smiling. "See? I told you not to worry. Youli adores you."
Zhang Susu chuckled weakly—she’d simply wanted so badly for Youli to officially become her daughter.
Then, Jiang Yonghe, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "Grandfather, since Sister Youli is back, shouldn’t we throw her a grand homecoming banquet?"
The family was stunned. After all, such an event would expose Jiang Yonghe as an impostor to high society!
Jiang Yonghe continued sweetly, "I just want all of Jing City to know that Sister Youli is the Jiang family’s one true heiress."
Old Master Jiang’s expression softened slightly. "That’s thoughtful of you."
Jiang Yonghe turned to Jiang Youli, eyes brimming with sincerity. "I only hope Sister Youli can accept me. I don’t care about the Jiang name—I just can’t bear to leave Mom, Dad, and Brother. And they feel the same."
Qin Yulian choked up. "Yonghe, your selflessness breaks my heart."
Jiang Youli watched their sentimental display with mocking amusement.
Old Master Jiang simply instructed, "Eldest Son, you and your wife will arrange Youli’s banquet. Ensure it’s a magnificent affair."
Meeting Jiang Yonghe’s veiled challenge, Jiang Youli turned to Zhang Susu and said calmly, "Mom, spare no expense for the banquet. The grander, the better."
Zhang Susu, reassured by her composure, nodded. "Of course. Your father and I will make it unforgettable."
Jiang Yonghe’s face remained serene, but inwardly, she relished the thought of Jiang Youli’s impending humiliation.
So what if she’s the real heiress? A country bumpkin who doesn’t know the first thing about high society—does she really think she can become a phoenix?
Since she’s so delusional, I’ll make sure those elite brats tear her apart at the banquet. Let’s see how long her arrogance lasts.
---
Dinner concluded.
Old Master Jiang retired to his quarters.
"Jiang Youli."
As Jiang Youli prepared to leave with Zhang Susu’s family, Jiang Zhao’s icy voice rang out.
He strode over with Jiang Yonghe in tow. "See for yourself."
Jiang Youli looked up and nodded. "Ah, I see. Two mutts barking at me."
Jiang Zhao had intended to say: Look at how kind and gracious Yonghe is, even when you treat her so poorly.
Instead, she’d called them dogs!
His frosty demeanor shattered into rage.
"Jiang Youli! Watch your mouth!"
