Her voice wasn’t too loud or too soft, just enough for the surrounding servants to hear.
There’s gossip!
Thus, the servants who had felt a bit awkward before now all stopped in their tracks. They busied themselves with random “work” while pricking up their ears to eavesdrop.
Jin Jing was stunned for a moment, not expecting this idiot Jin Ran to ask directly. She nearly lost her grip on her pure, innocent character.
She looked suspiciously at her cousin. Although they were sisters, one was from the main branch and the other from the secondary branch, so their relationship was actually average.
Due to her weak health, Jin Jing had lived with the Jin family patriarch in the old mansion since childhood. Jin Ran, however, had stayed by her parents’ side and, as a result, was spoiled rotten by her aunt and uncle.
Not only was she crude and unreasonable, but she also loved snatching Jin Jing’s things. When they were young, it was toys; when they grew up, it became clothes, bags, and cosmetics. Now, she had even snatched away Jin Jing’s arranged marriage opportunity.
People are like that; the more they can’t have something, the more they care about it.
Jin Jing had almost forgotten that initially, she had been resistant to this arranged marriage.
The once-glorious Jin family was facing a bankruptcy crisis. Overnight, the wall collapsed with everyone pushing it. The Jin family members were like rats scurrying across the street, avoided by all.
However, few knew that the Jin family still held an overseas mineral vein.
Few, but not none. The Jin family possessed a treasure but lacked the ability to protect it. Like a child carrying gold through the market, even the finest thing became a hot potato.
The wise Jin patriarch immediately decided to use the mineral vein as a bargaining chip to benefit the family.
As for who to give it to, first, this person needed capability and boldness. Second, they couldn’t be too formidable, completely suppressing the Jin family.
After much deliberation, Jiang Mingzuo, who came from a humble background, became the best candidate.
But then a new problem arose—giving the thing away was easy, but oral guarantees were hard to trust. The Jin patriarch didn’t dare gamble and simply came up with the idea of marrying a granddaughter to Jiang Mingzuo.
Having grown up by the patriarch’s side, Jin Jing knew the inside story well.
She strongly resisted being used as a bargaining chip by the family. After learning the news, she thought about how to extricate herself. But before she could act, Jin Ran, who was ill at the time, suddenly stepped forward, saying she was willing to marry Jiang Mingzuo.
Faced with this outcome, Jin Jing should have been happy.
But for some reason, seeing an opportunity that was supposed to be hers snatched away by Jin Ran, she began to hold a grudge.
On the wedding day, she deliberately didn’t show up to express her disdain for the arranged marriage. Later, hearing from others that Jiang Mingzuo had been indifferent throughout, she even felt a faint sense of satisfaction.
Since then, Jin Jing appeared not to care on the surface, but in reality, she kept checking Jin Ran’s social media updates.
She saw the mall post too. What she thought deep down, no one else knew, but she had come today specifically to sound out the situation.
Now, seeing the woman acting so self-righteous, Jin Jing cursed inwardly.
Outwardly, she still maintained a concerned demeanor: “Ranran, what’s wrong? Weren’t you the one complaining before that Xiao Li was ignoring you?”
She sighed, her tone carrying a hint of disapproval: “Actually, children can be a bit tsundere. As long as you give your sincere effort, Xiao Li will definitely feel it. And we’re adults; we need to learn tolerance and forgiveness. Even if there are unsatisfactory aspects, we shouldn’t hold it against a child like…”
Hold on?!
Jin Ran couldn’t listen anymore. What kind of century-level saint was this?! She hadn’t expected the original host’s sister, who looked young, to be a seasoned practitioner of ‘wifely submission and maternal virtue’!
According to her logic, if Jiang Xuli accepted her, it was because she gave her sincere effort. If he didn’t, would it then be blamed on her lack of sincerity?
Jin Ran had originally planned to keep her cover low and develop discreetly, but now she really couldn’t hold back. She decisively interrupted the other’s words, asking in feigned surprise: “What are you talking about?!”
Comparing acting skills?
Do you know how terrifying the performance desire of a four-year-deepened normal university student can be?
Almost in the blink of an eye, Jin Ran’s bright eyes welled up with tears. They welled up in her eye sockets, yet she bravely held back the sense of grievance, since it was a close relative speaking.
“Elder sister, you must have misunderstood. Xiao Li is obedient and well-behaved. He and I have been getting along very well.”
Third floor.
Jiang Xuli swore he only came out to take a look because he heard the butler knocking on his door.
At this moment, hearing those gentle but clear praises drifting into his ears from downstairs, the young man’s toes inexplicably curled tightly inside his shoes.
Of course, he knew Jin Ran wasn’t actually praising him.
Apart from the unavoidable interactions in the past two days, they rarely saw each other at other times. Even if they met, he chose to ignore her, so it could hardly be called “getting along well.”
Therefore, such words against her conscience were most likely deliberately said for the other person present.
Jiang Xuli calmed down. Those descriptors still made his ears burn, but he could finally listen to them composedly.
He looked at the guest downstairs.
The butler explained: “That is Madam’s elder sister.”
“Cousin sister?”
“She’s a paternal cousin sister, sharing the same grandfather.”
Jiang Xuli was puzzled. From the situation, he thought they were enemies.
But then again, since they were sisters, why were they quarreling?
Equally puzzled was Jin Jing, standing opposite Jin Ran.
First, she was baffled by Jin Ran’s uncharacteristic words. Coming to her senses, a sense of vigilance immediately arose in her heart.
Her cousin had always been foolish. Every time she casually said a few words, the other would jump right into the trap. Why had she suddenly become clever this time?
Moreover, she hadn’t wronged her.
Last time she visited home, Jin Ran had cursed Jiang Xuli as an ungrateful wretch in front of her aunt and uncle. Jin Jing had heard it clearly herself.
She opened her mouth, ready to say something, but Jin Ran over there didn’t give her a chance to speak: “Oh, it’s been so long, I forgot something. Elder sister, do you have children?”
Jin Jing’s smile froze abruptly. Finally unable to maintain it, her expression turned cold: “I’m single!”
“That’s right!”
To her surprise, Jin Ran actually clapped her hands, showing a triumphant expression of ‘I knew it’: “That’s why I said elder sister, you’ve misunderstood. Since you don’t have children, you don’t understand that you can’t blindly trust everything books say about raising kids. Let me ask you, if you had something good, would you go around announcing it?”
Hearing this, Jin Jing instinctively shook her head.
Of course, she would hide it secretly. Just like with the Jin family’s current situation; if they hadn’t been coveted by others, why would they need to make a deal with Jiang Mingzuo?
“Exactly! Parents think the same way as you, elder sister!” Jin Ran stated with conviction. Standing there gracefully, her serious expression made people unconsciously want to believe her. “When parents say their child is rowdy, they’re actually praising their child’s athleticism. When they say the child ignores people, that’s praising the child’s ability to concentrate!”
“Xiao Li’s concentration is excellent. I’ve heard children like that are smart and will definitely get into a good university later. As his stepmother, I can enjoy the benefits too.”
At this point, two faint blushes appropriately appeared on her cheeks. Jin Jing felt like she’d swallowed a fly; her features twisted together in disgust.
Are they your children for you to enjoy benefits?
She thought Jin Ran had probably gone mad, completely mad. What was there to be proud of! Did she really think marrying Jiang Mingzuo gave her a license to be reckless? She’s just a stepmother! When that child grows up, he might very well take all the family assets and then kick Jin Ran out of the Jiang family penniless!
Thinking of such a scene, Jin Jing’s mood lightened again: “Hehe, so that’s how it is. The family was just too worried and misunderstood you. Ranran, you’re so understanding, don’t be angry.”
Jin Ran also smiled: “It’s fine. It’s my fault for being so busy shopping lately and forgetting to stay in touch with the family. By the way…” She changed the subject, sounding somewhat troubled, “Back at home, everyone always praised the Jiang family. I didn’t know they had so many misunderstandings and grievances. It must be some little b**** gossiping behind my back. Elder sister, remember to explain clearly when you go back, alright?”
As she spoke, she glanced at the little b**** opposite her.
Jin Jing: “…”
Her face turned pale with anger. Feeling the servants’ gazes, it was as if a fire were burning inside her. Her body swayed, looking like she was about to faint to the side.
But Jin Ran had been guarding against this move since the moment she learned her identity. Just as she was about to step back, a dark shadow suddenly “whooshed” over.
“Ah! A rat!”
And then, everyone present witnessed a medical miracle.
The previously swaying Jin Jing suddenly let out a sharp scream and leaped onto the sofa in one swift movement. Where was there any sign of illness or weakness?
Seeing this, Jin Ran nearly died laughing.
She bent down to pick up the little calico, suppressing her laughter: “Elder sister, you saw wrong. It’s not a rat; it’s a cat.”
Then added: “Since elder sister isn’t in good health, you should go out less. Since everything’s fine, you’d better head back soon. Oh, and don’t forget to explain things clearly to the family.”
Jin Jing left almost in a state of embarrassment.
The triumphant Jin Ran received looks of admiration from the gossip-loving servants.
Regarding this, Jin Ran kept a low profile about her achievement.
In her previous life, when she was battling unreasonable parents of spoiled brats, Jin Jing probably hadn’t even existed in some corner somewhere.
However, today’s incident sounded an alarm for her.
She didn’t have the original host’s memories. Many things were a complete mystery to her. Good things were fine, but bad things could only be dealt with passively.
Jin Ran was a planner (a ‘J’ type), but that didn’t mean she couldn’t be flexible.
When she realized she couldn’t stay aloof, she immediately decided to change her next strategy. At the very least, she needed to figure out the original host’s family relationships to be prepared.
As for the oddly-behaved Jin Jing, there would be plenty of opportunities to deal with her in the future.
Scratching the cat’s chin, Jin Ran praised with a smile: “Good job. You did a great service today. I’ll give you extra food.”
“Meow~”
The calico cat meowed, as if understanding the words “extra food.”
One cat, one human went to find the butler for food.
Strangely enough, half an hour had passed since the butler went to call Jiang Xuli for a meal, but the two hadn’t come down yet.
When Jin Ran went over, she saw the butler supporting Jiang Xuli coming out of the bathroom. The young man had one hand pressed against his stomach, his face deathly pale, forehead covered in cold sweat. Not far away on the floor was a pile of vomit.
“Madam, the young master has vomited twice now,” the butler said anxiously. “Do you think we should…”
Jin Ran immediately said: “To the hospital!”
Vomiting and likely diarrhea? It looked a bit like food poisoning. With something this serious, what was there to hesitate about?
But soon she understood the butler’s dilemma.
Hearing her words, Jiang Xuli actually frowned: “I’m not going.”
Jin Ran: “???”
Do I look like I’m discussing this with you?
Veins throbbed on her forehead. At the tender age of twenty-five, she was getting a premature taste of a parent’s mindset facing a rebellious teenager.
Jin Ran ignored Jiang Xuli and directly told the butler: “Have Xiao Sun bring the car out. You go get the documents. We’re going to the best hospital in five minutes!”