If it were discovered now, not only would the bracelet be lost, but the obedient image she had painstakingly built within the Meng family would also be completely ruined.
Her heart bled with hatred, cursing Meng Jiao and Meng Jianhua a thousand times over, yet she dared not show even a hint of it on her face.
“I… I remember now!” Meng Feifei hurriedly spoke up. “When I went upstairs earlier, I saw Mom place the box by the bedside. It seemed like something round rolled under the bed…”
Hearing her words, Meng Jiao’s lips curved into a slight smile.
Meng Feifei turned away resentfully and returned shortly after.
She pulled something out from the inner pocket of her padded jacket.
It was exactly that mutton-fat white jade bracelet.
The jade was warm and smooth, glowing softly under the light.
Meng Feifei’s heart roared and bled.
This was rightfully hers, her opportunity, yet she had no choice but to hand it over!
All because Meng Jiao had their grandmother’s will, and Meng Jianhua stood by her side.
When others took things, it was called justified and proper. If she forcibly kept it, she would be labeled unreasonable and disrespectful toward their grandfather.
Putting on an innocent and wronged expression, she tremblingly handed the bracelet to Meng Jiao.
“Sister, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I really didn’t know this was Grandma’s bracelet…”
She cried pitifully, tears streaming down like pear blossoms wet with rain.
Lin Hanqiao saw this and immediately felt heartache again.
“Oh, it’s just a misunderstanding! Feifei is young and doesn’t know better. She picked it up and thought to keep it safe for the adults—what’s wrong with that? Jiaojiao, don’t be so nitpicky!”
Meng Jiao sneered inwardly. A misunderstanding?
That excuse wouldn’t fool a ghost!
Outwardly, however, she showed no emotion. She simply reached out and steadily took the jade bracelet, still warm from Meng Feifei’s body heat.
The moment her fingertips touched the bracelet, she followed the memory from her past life of blood-binding ownership, pressing her freshly bitten fingertip against the inner circle of the bracelet.
Strangely, as soon as they made contact, the bracelet grew slightly warm.
A stream of light, invisible to others, flashed by.
Instantly, that wondrous dimension seemed to appear before her eyes.
It worked! Meng Jiao felt a surge of joy. Now, this belonged to her.
Once bound, the dimension could manifest even without a physical vessel.
So, this bracelet was no longer useful.
Old Master Meng, seeing the bracelet returned, looked slightly relieved and waved his hand impatiently. “Alright, alright, everything’s accounted for. Take it back and keep it safe! No one is to mention this matter again!”
The storm seemed to have calmed.
Meng Jiao held the wooden box and the now blood-bound jade bracelet but did not put them away immediately.
Her gaze swept over Meng Feifei, whose eyes hid resentment and unwillingness, and she quickly began to calculate.
Since the bracelet was already bound to her, keeping it would only invite trouble.
Meng Feifei and Lin Hanqiao would never let this go—there would be endless disputes in the future.
Moreover, her third uncle, Meng Jianhua, had spoken up for her and helped her greatly. She owed him this favor.
To avoid future troubles, an idea quickly formed in her mind.
Meng Jiao took a deep breath, looked up, and addressed Old Master Meng, “Grandfather.”
Her voice drew everyone’s attention to her.
Meng Jiao walked up to Meng Feifei and, under her suspicious and uneasy gaze, took her hand.
Then, to everyone’s astonishment, Meng Jiao gently slipped the mutton-fat jade bracelet onto Meng Feifei’s wrist.
“Sister?”
Meng Feifei was completely baffled, utterly unable to comprehend what Meng Jiao was trying to do.
Had she gone mad?
Lin Hanqiao was also stunned.
Old Master Meng furrowed his brow. “Jiaojiao, what is this?”
Meng Jiao released her grip, took half a step back, and looked at the warm white jade bracelet now adorning Meng Feifei’s wrist, her voice choked with emotion.
“Grandfather, Uncle, Second Uncle, Aunt Lin.”
“Grandmother’s belongings are keepsakes, and I treasure them more than anyone. But this bracelet… since Feifei likes it so much, even going so far as to… never mind, let’s not bring up the past.”
She paused deliberately, leaving room for endless speculation, making herself appear magnanimous while not explicitly exposing the other party’s embarrassment.
“Grandmother often said that family should live in harmony. I was raised by Grandmother, and I will always remember her kindness, as well as the fact that I am part of the Meng family.”
“Rather than letting this bracelet create resentment among us, it’s better to give it to Feifei. She just returned home and is still young. Consider it a greeting gift from her older sister.”
“I hope she can be upright from now on, and not… anyway, we are family.”
Her words were exquisitely crafted.
They were like silent slaps across Meng Feifei and Lin Hanqiao’s faces.
Meng Feifei stared at the bracelet on her wrist – lost and regained – but felt no joy whatsoever. Instead, the bracelet seemed to burn fiercely against her skin.
It was easy to put on, but receiving it as a gift was completely different from obtaining it through her own schemes!
She was so frustrated she nearly coughed up blood. That bitch Meng Jiao, how dare she! How was she worthy!
Lin Hanqiao’s face shifted through multiple expressions. She wanted to say something, but Meng Jiao’s words left her speechless.
What could she say?
Refuse it? Then who was the one insisting on having the bracelet earlier?
Accuse Meng Jiao of fake kindness? But the girl had presented herself perfectly – invoking family bonds and offering a greeting gift. If Lin Hanqiao made more trouble now, she would appear ungrateful.
Meng Liyang looked at Meng Jiao, his gaze growing softer and more guilt-ridden. “Jiaojiao, you… you’ve been wronged. It’s Uncle’s fault for not handling this properly.”
Even the perpetually drunk Meng Jianhua lifted his eyelids to glance at Meng Jiao, the corner of his mouth seemingly curling into a meaningful smile.
Old Master Meng looked at Meng Jiao with a complex expression that held a trace of appreciation.
“Jiaojiao, you’re a good child – sensible and understanding of what’s important! Unlike your… ah, Grandfather understands. Let’s handle this matter as you suggested. Feifei, aren’t you going to thank your sister?”
Meng Feifei’s chest heaved violently, her silver teeth nearly grinding to dust.
Under Old Master Meng’s compelling gaze, she could only force out three words through gritted teeth: “…Thank… you, sister.”
Each word felt like a knife cutting her flesh.
Meng Jiao nodded slightly, a pure and relieved smile appearing on her face. “I’m glad my sister likes it.”
If you like it, then wear it well. After all, it’s just an empty shell now.
The dimension inside, along with the true treasures Grandmother left behind, now all belong to me.
Through this incident, Meng Jiao earned herself a reputation in Old Master Meng and her uncle’s hearts as sensible, magnanimous, considerate of the bigger picture, and valuing family bonds.
As for Meng Feifei, although she obtained the bracelet, she had tried to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice, nearly choking on her own frustration until she developed internal injuries.
Watching Meng Feifei’s forced smile that looked uglier than crying, Meng Jiao sneered inwardly.
This is only the beginning.
My dear sister, we have plenty of time ahead.
In the end, Old Master Meng instructed Meng Jiao to stay at home for three more days. Once Meng Jianhua completed the procedures, she could leave for the countryside.
With one more person, the procedures naturally increased by one step.
Meng Jianhua didn’t say anything more – the matter was already settled.
Meng Jiao returned to her room on the second floor and closed the door. Only then did she completely remove the mask of obedience and understanding from her face.
She spread open her hand, looking at the small wound on her fingertip that had already clotted. Her heart finally settled with relief.
She had already obtained the real treasure her grandmother left behind.