C12 A Joke

The tension in the restaurant was palpable, and though Yi Weihai appeared unfazed, his clenched jaw betrayed his inner turmoil, filled with displeasure and anger.

Yi Haoen's brow furrowed in concern. Yi Lanyou was his daughter, after all, the young mistress of the household. Yi Rui'er, usually playful, had never shown such disrespect. By suggesting her sister dine with the servants, she was putting him, her father, in an embarrassing position.

He had always harbored doubts about Yi Lanyou's kindness and hoped that the bonds of family would inspire a change in her. However, Yi Rui'er's actions had fallen short of his expectations, leaving him deeply unsatisfied.

"This..." Fang Fang offered an awkward smile and said, "This must be your sister playing a prank on you. Haven't I mentioned it before? Your sister has always been a bit of a trickster since she was young. She loves to play jokes."

"Exactly, it was just a joke! Lanyou, why do you get angry so easily?" Yi Rui'er, relieved by Fang Fang's words, rolled her eyes dismissively.

"So, a person's upbringing doesn't matter? If you do something rude, you can just say it was a joke, and all is forgiven?" Yi Lanyou feigned innocence with a smile, "I see now!! Thank you, Auntie. I've learned my lesson!"

Fang Fang, at a loss for words, wore a dark expression.

"If you dare to make such a joke again, I will punish you according to our family's rules!" Yi Haoen declared sternly. His indulgence had gone too far; she had blatantly disregarded the rules.

Yi Rui'er bit her lip, her hands nervously scraping at the edge of the chair. Yi Haoen, not usually one for closeness with his children, had never reprimanded her so severely, even threatening punishment. She blamed Yi Lanyou for all of this.

Once breakfast was over, Yi Weihai and Yi Haoen set off for work. Yi Lanyou retreated to her dimly lit room. Meanwhile, in the sunniest bedroom on the second floor, Yi Rui'er was in a fit of rage. "What's that wench so smug about? She's nothing but a poor girl; what gives her the right to be my sister? Does she not realize what she is? Nothing but a lowlife!"

"Have you had enough of your antics?" Fang Fang asked with poised elegance as she sat to the side, casting a glance at Yi Rui'er. Her voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable authority. It was fortunate that Yi Haoen and Yi Weihai weren't home at the moment; otherwise, Yi Rui'er would have certainly faced their reprimands.

Yi Rui'er bit her lip and looked at Fang Fang with a hint of complaint. "Why did you let Dad bring her back? He even went to pick her up himself. What makes her so special?" Yi Haoen had never personally taken Yi Rui'er to or from school.

"It was your grandfather who requested her return," Fang Fang explained, beckoning Yi Rui'er closer. Once Yi Rui'er approached, Fang Fang smiled, gently placing her index finger on Yi Rui'er's lips, and continued, "She's merely a jester. Bullying her would be all too easy. You are the legitimate heir of the Yi family. Yi's Food will be yours and your brother's in the future; no one can take that away from you. You must always be mindful of your conduct."

"Sure!" Yi Rui'er's eyes sparkled at the suggestion, and internally she seethed with resolve: Yi Lanyou, this time I will make sure you regret it!