Jiang Youli shrugged and said, "He threw the first punch. I was just defending myself."
"Jiang Youli! No wonder you’re nothing but a ruffian from the backwoods—reeking of banditry! You uncivilized brat, let go right now! Or I’ll chop your hand off—ah!"
Jiang Youli ground her foot down on Jiang Zhao’s hand until his screams drowned out his curses, then finally stepped back.
Jiang Yonghe immediately crouched down, clutching Jiang Zhao’s arm in concern. "Second Brother."
With Jiang Yonghe’s support, Jiang Zhao tried to stand, but the kick Jiang Youli had delivered to his knee—seemingly casual—had left him in excruciating pain.
Combined with the throbbing ache in his crushed hand, he found himself unable to rise.
Halfway up, he collapsed back onto his knees with a heavy thud.
Jiang Youli burst into laughter. "Jiang Zhao, seems your knees aren’t as tough as your mouth. So eager to kneel, are you?"
"Jiang Youli!" Jiang Zhao struggled to stand again but failed once more.
Looking down at his pitiful state, Jiang Youli said coolly, "Now that you know what I’m capable of, don’t provoke me again."
Jiang Zhao glared up at her, humiliation burning in his eyes. "...Fine, Jiang Youli. Don’t expect me to ever acknowledge you as my sister again!"
Jiang Youli scoffed. "Acknowledge you? I’d rather claim a stray dog."
With that, she turned and walked away.
...
"What’s Young Master Jiang Zhao kneeling for?"
"No idea, and I’m not brave enough to ask."
The murmurs of passing maids only deepened Jiang Zhao’s humiliation. He roared, "What are you staring at, you idiots?! Hurry up and help me!"
The maids snapped to attention, rushing over to haul him inside and settle him onto the sofa.
Jiang Yonghe carefully rolled up his pant leg to inspect his knee, her brow furrowing in distress. "Second Brother, it’s all bruised and swollen."
Jiang Zhao looked down—the spot where Jiang Youli had kicked him was mottled with dark bruises.
"Youli-jie went too far. If she had any resentment, she should’ve taken it out on me, not you..." Jiang Yonghe’s voice trembled with tears. "Second Brother, I’m so sorry. This is all my fault."
Jiang Zhao quickly reassured her, "Xiao He, this isn’t on you. That ugly wretch Jiang Youli is just petty and jealous—she can’t stand you!"
Jiang Yonghe sniffled. "Second Brother, don’t talk anymore. Let me get some ice for your knee." She hurried off to prepare an ice pack.
Watching her fuss over him, Jiang Zhao’s anger eased slightly.
How could he ever drive such a sweet sister out of the Jiang family, just because that ugly Jiang Youli couldn’t stand her?
What a joke!
"Here, Second Brother. This might hurt a little—bear with it." Jiang Yonghe gently pressed the ice pack against his knee.
Jiang Zhao paled but forced a smile. "It’s fine."
He tried to appear unaffected, though the pain made his jaw clench.
Jiang Yonghe adjusted the ice pack, hesitating before asking, "Second Brother... should we tell Mom and Dad about this? Maybe we shouldn’t... I don’t want to worry them."
Jiang Zhao’s eyes darkened with fury. "No. That wild girl Jiang Youli—I’ll make her pay double for today’s humiliation. I won’t let her off!"
Jiang Yonghe bit her lip, her voice laced with worry. "...But then Youli-jie will hate me even more."
Jiang Zhao’s expression hardened. "Xiao He, I’ve figured it out. The only way to protect you is to make sure Jiang Youli is despised by the whole family—especially Grandfather. That’s the only way she’ll never hurt you again."
"Second Brother..." Jiang Yonghe trailed off, as if wanting to say more.
"Don’t try to stop me. I’ve made up my mind! She brought this on herself by targeting you!" Determination burned in Jiang Zhao’s eyes.
Hearing this, a faint smirk flickered in Jiang Yonghe’s gaze. Perfect. Now she wouldn’t even need to lift a finger—Jiang Youli and Jiang Zhao were officially sworn enemies.
...
After settling into the Jiang household, Zhang Susu took Jiang Youli shopping for clothes.
At the luxury mall, Zhang Susu kept insisting, "Youli, buy whatever you like. Don’t hold back."
Though Jiang Youli was supposed to be picking, Zhang Susu was far more enthusiastic, piling up mountains of outfits for her.
Jiang Youli finally said, "Mom, you’re picking too much."
Zhang Susu waved her off cheerfully. "No such thing! If you can’t try them all, we’ll just buy them anyway."
Jiang Youli realized Zhang Susu was treating this like a real-life dress-up game.
But seeing her so happy, Jiang Youli couldn’t bring herself to ruin the fun. She let Zhang Susu buy everything.
That evening, as they returned home, the head butler handed Jiang Youli her ID card and presented Zhang Susu with the updated household register bearing Jiang Youli’s name.
"The master has completed the paperwork for the young miss’s registration."
"Really? Let me see!" Still buzzing from their shopping spree, Zhang Susu eagerly flipped through the register. When she saw Jiang Youli’s details on the last page, her eyes sparkled with tears of joy.
"Youli, now we’re truly family."
Touched by her unrestrained happiness, Jiang Youli softly replied, "Mm."
Family—a word that once felt impossibly distant—was now within her grasp.
Jiang Yehan draped an arm around Zhang Susu’s shoulders and said warmly,
"Youli, your welcome banquet is set for this Saturday at 7 PM. The invitations have been ordered and will be delivered to the elite families tomorrow. Many distinguished guests will attend, but don’t stress—just treat it like a casual family dinner. Your mother will teach you the basics of banquet etiquette, and no matter what happens, we’ve got your back."
Jiang Youli nodded. "Got it."
Zhang Susu asked, "For the evening gown—any preferences? What style do you want?"
The banquet had been Jiang Yonghe’s idea, and Jiang Youli knew better than to trust her goodwill. Jiang Yonghe undoubtedly planned to outshine her and humiliate her in front of high society’s elite.
That night, the competition for the most dazzling gown would be fierce.
And Jiang Yonghe would surely try to sabotage her.
But since this was her banquet, Jiang Youli intended to be the star. Jiang Yonghe’s schemes would crumble.
"For the gown, Mom, just get me the best one you can."
"Consider it done."
Suddenly—
A shrill woman’s voice cut through from outside.
"Jiang Youli, you heartless wretch! We, your father and I, brought you back home, and not only did you refuse to acknowledge us, but now you’ve even raised your hand against your own flesh and blood—your elder brother!"
