The car moved slowly along the road.
According to Shen Menglan, the military had assigned the car to Grandpa and Grandma Jiang because they were elderly and needed convenient transportation. Grandpa Jiang had even asked his eldest grandson to drive it personally to pick up the granddaughter he had never met before.
It was clear that he wanted to give Jiang Wanxi a proper and dignified welcome.
Jiang Jin, sitting in the front passenger seat, curiously studied his younger sister.
He still remembered his first impression of her when he saw her at the train station.
He had seen photographs of his grandmother when she was young. Although the old photos were somewhat blurry, it was still obvious that she had been a great beauty in her youth. One only had to look at his father and second uncle to know that both of his grandparents had been quite good-looking.
As for this newly found younger sister, aside from her eyes—which were exactly like their mother’s—she looked almost identical to their grandmother in her younger days.
Her skin was lightly tanned, unlike his younger sister Jiang Yu’s fair, almost luminous complexion. Her hair was tied in a high ponytail, and she wore a beige shirt with black trousers and a pair of Warrior sneakers that were about eighty percent new.
The designs of her shirt and trousers were quite fashionable. They weren’t as loose and baggy as most clothes these days, yet they weren’t overly flashy either.
Everything about her seemed just right.
Even the way she spoke was neither timid nor awkward.
When their parents introduced them earlier, she hadn’t acted overly enthusiastic, nor had she behaved cautiously as if she were afraid of offending them. Even the smile on her face had been perfectly natural.
“Hello, Eldest Brother, Second Brother. I’m Jiang Wanxi. I’ll be counting on my two brothers to look after me from now on.”
Jiang Jin secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
From the looks of things, this younger sister should be able to get along well with Ah Yu.
After all, one was his biological sister, while the other was the sister who had lived with him for more than a decade. He didn’t want there to be any unpleasantness between them.
Jiang Rui, who was driving, was also secretly observing Jiang Wanxi through the rearview mirror.
Unlike his younger brother, however, he wasn’t nearly as reassured.
He noticed that Jiang Wanxi showed no anxiety despite visiting the capital for the first time. Nor did she curiously look around at everything outside the window.
That calm and composed demeanor was something Ah Yu probably couldn’t match.
Ah Yu had been pampered since childhood. Even now, she still couldn’t accept the fact that she wasn’t their biological daughter and continued throwing little tantrums over it.
This biological sister of theirs probably wouldn’t be such an easy person to deal with.
Their household was likely going to become quite lively.
But perhaps that wasn’t such a bad thing.
It might finally teach Ah Yu to rein in her spoiled young-lady temper. She was always acting as though she were above everyone else. Letting her experience a little hardship might actually do her some good.
Their mother, Shen Menglan, repeatedly reminded Jiang Rui to drive slowly because his younger sister suffered from motion sickness.
Their father, Jiang Hongtao, had always maintained a stern expression in front of his children. He still looked serious now, but anyone familiar with him could tell that he was in an exceptionally good mood.
The car eventually entered the military compound.
Soldiers were stationed on duty at the entrance. Even though they recognized the vehicle as belonging to the retired senior officer, they still dutifully saluted and carried out the necessary inspection.
Jiang Hongtao rolled down the window and said to the young soldier who came over to inspect the car, “This is my daughter—my biological daughter. She’ll be living here from now on. Don’t stop her when she enters or leaves.”
“Yes, Chief!”
The young soldier gave a crisp military salute before allowing them through.
By now, practically everyone in the compound had heard about it.
Chief Jiang’s daughter had been switched with another baby sixteen years ago.
The car stopped in front of a small two-story building.
Shen Menglan took Jiang Wanxi’s hand as they got out.
“Wanwan, let’s meet your grandparents first. After that, I’ll take you home.”
Jiang Wanxi allowed her mother to lead her upstairs.
The door was already open.
The moment Shen Menglan appeared at the entrance holding a young girl’s hand, all conversation inside abruptly stopped.
Everyone turned toward the doorway.
And the moment they saw Jiang Wanxi, they froze.
The young girl stood obediently beside Shen Menglan. Her large, bright eyes were exactly like her mother’s.
But when they looked at the rest of her features, several people couldn’t help drawing in a sharp breath.
She looked far too much like Old Madam Jiang!
Combined with Shen Menglan’s beautiful eyes, the girl actually appeared even more lively and spirited than Old Madam Jiang had been in her youth.
One glance was enough to tell that she was unquestionably a member of the Jiang family.
The two elderly people, who had originally remained seated, immediately rose to their feet in excitement.
Grandpa Jiang felt as though he were looking at his wife from decades ago, while Grandma Jiang couldn’t stop smiling at the sight of what seemed like a younger version of herself.
“This must be Wanxi! It’s good that you’re back. It’s good that you’re finally home!”
Jiang Wanxi remembered that the original novel had mentioned how well the original owner’s grandparents had treated her.
Unfortunately, both elderly people had passed away before the original owner ever returned from the countryside.
If Jiang Wanxi wanted her future life to be a little easier, then naturally, she had to stay close to these two powerful supporters!
Without hesitation, she dropped firmly to her knees and respectfully kowtowed to the two elders.
Then she called out sweetly, “Grandpa! Grandma!”
Seeing how sincere and respectful their granddaughter was, the elderly couple were delighted.
Grandpa Jiang pulled out the red envelope he had prepared in advance and was about to hand it to Jiang Wanxi when he suddenly felt that it wasn’t enough.
He discreetly tugged at his wife’s clothes.
“Old woman, let’s add something more.”
Their granddaughter was so well-behaved and looked so much like his wife. He simply wouldn’t feel right if they didn’t give her more.
Grandma Jiang smiled as well.
“Of course we’ll add something. Tomorrow, we’ll get her a bicycle—one suitable for a young lady.”
She had originally wanted to suggest adding a wristwatch, but then she noticed that her granddaughter was already wearing one. At a glance, she could tell it wasn’t cheap.
The watch also looked like it had been worn for some time, so it was probably a gift from the family who had raised her.
Thus, Grandma Jiang decided to buy her a ladies’ bicycle instead.
After meeting her grandparents, Shen Menglan introduced Jiang Wanxi to her second uncle, Jiang Hongbin; her second aunt, Liu Na; and her younger cousin, Jiang Jue.
Her second uncle and aunt also gave her red envelopes and promised to take her to the department store another day to buy some new clothes.
Since it was still summer vacation, Jiang Jue didn’t have school.
The young boy curiously studied Jiang Wanxi before saying, “Sister Wanxi, you’re really pretty!”
Jiang Jue was around the same age as her seventh younger brother, Jiang Anguo.
Thinking of her younger brothers back in the countryside, Jiang Wanxi’s heart immediately softened.
She reached out and gently pinched Jiang Jue’s cheek.
“Thank you for the compliment, Ah Jue. You’re very handsome too. As expected of my little brother.”