C25 Lanyou Continued to Provoke

After everyone was seated, the maid began to serve the dishes.

Yi Lanyou picked up her chopsticks and started eating. Fang Fang, with her keen eyes, noticed the bracelet on Yi Lanyou's wrist and, after a quick furrowing of her brows, smiled and said, "That's a nice bracelet you have there!"

"Mhm," Yi Lanyou responded, continuing to eat her meal.

"Where did you get that bracelet?" Fang Yuan asked with a hint of envy in her voice.

"It was a gift," Yi Lanyou replied.

"Who would give away such an expensive bracelet?" Yi Rui'er rolled her eyes towards Fang Fang. "You might want to check if any of your jewelry is missing later."

Yi Haoen slammed his hand on the table with a loud smack, his face seething with anger. "That's out of line."

"I was just joking," Yi Rui'er stammered, her lips pursed in a look of hurt innocence. "Who would give a bracelet to Yi Lanyou? She's a wild child. If it wasn't stolen, how did she get it?"

"It's not Rui'er's fault," Fang Fang interjected, coming to Yi Rui'er's defense. "We didn't see Lanyou with the bracelet yesterday. Rui'er is just concerned for Lanyou, worried she might be deceived or taken advantage of."

"The bracelet was a gift from Auntie Feng during lunch today," Yi Lanyou said with a slight smile. "It wasn't stolen."

"Who accused you of stealing?" Yi Rui'er retorted, her lips curling. She hadn't said that. It was Yi Lanyou's claim, not hers. Besides, Yi Lanyou was from the slums; what's so surprising about her stealing?

"Are you implying that I stole from your mother?" Yi Lanyou glared at Yi Rui'er, anger flashing in her eyes. "I don't think such an insult to my character can be brushed off as a mere joke."

"You..." Yi Rui'er frowned, taken aback by her boldness.

"Enough. Let's all eat in peace!" Yi Haoen commanded, slamming the table once more. "Remember what I told you last time."

Yi Rui'er shivered, her mouth puckering as she bit back any further comments, but she couldn't help shooting Yi Lanyou a resentful glare.

Fang Yuan glanced between Yi Rui'er and Yi Haoen, recalling what Yi Rui'er had said earlier in the day. He really would scold Yi Rui'er for Yi Lanyou's sake. Yet, she still believed Yi Haoen wouldn't treat her, his guest, poorly. "You'll be starting your first year of high school soon, right?"

"Yes," Yi Lanyou responded softly.

"Which high school?" Fang Yuan quirked a smile. "I'm starting my freshman year too."

"City No. 1 High School," Yi Lanyou replied.

"City No. 1 High School, huh? Did you earn your spot at that school?" Fang Yuan's eyes held a hint of challenge.

"I'm attending City No. 1 High School as a paying student," Yi Lanyou answered frankly before asking, "And which high school do you attend?"

"Baron Night Private High School," Fang Yuan replied with a touch of pride, lifting her chin slightly. "Unlike you, I got in based on my test scores."

"Hmph," Yi Lanyou scoffed. "Isn't Baron Night Private High School the kind of place you can get into if you have enough money? So, you had to take an exam?"

Fang Yuan, taken aback by Yi Lanyou's retort, was momentarily speechless. Indeed, Baron Night Private High School was a prestigious institution with exorbitant tuition fees and top-notch faculty. Yet, in recent years, they had indeed loosened their admission policies, accepting many wealthy but less academically inclined students, which had somewhat tarnished the school's reputation. However, she had secured her place there with her outstanding academic performance!

"Did someone from the Feng family come today?" Yi Weihai's voice interrupted Fang Yuan's thoughts, and she knew better than to speak out of turn when Yi Weihai was talking.

"He came with his wife," Yi Haoen replied, setting down his chopsticks.

"How did it go?" Yi Weihai inquired.

"They were quite taken with Lanyou," Yi Haoen said, his lips curling into a pleased smile. He was very satisfied with Yi Lanyou's conduct that day. She was his daughter, and she had carried herself with grace and poise.

"Mm," Yi Weihai nodded, then stood up. "Come to my study later," he said before ascending the stairs with the assistance of a servant.

Once Yi Weihai had left, Fang Fang spoke up, "Did the Loong family from Jingdu visit today?"

"Yes," Yi Haoen confirmed, picking up his chopsticks to resume his meal.

"This matter," Fang Fang began, her face betraying her displeasure, "how come I wasn't informed?"

"I contacted Lanyou directly," Yi Haoen explained.

"Oh." Fang Fang noticed the change in Yi Haoen's tone when he mentioned Yi Lanyou and decided it was best not to press the issue. Her gaze fell once more to the jade bracelet on Yi Lanyou's wrist, which now seemed to glare at her mockingly. The vibrant green felt like a thorn in her side, making her increasingly uncomfortable. For Fang Fang, what should have been a pleasant meal had lost all its flavor.

If Yi Haoen reached out to her, she would undoubtedly have a myriad of ways to ensure Yi Lanyou wouldn't be able to leave the house today.

We're talking about the Loong family here!

What makes Yuan Hui's daughter think she has the right to marry into the Loong family from birth? Is she even a suitable match?

Only her daughter is fit to marry into such a prestigious family. Yuan Hui's daughter is only good enough for the dregs of society!

She had always bested Yuan Hui with ease in their past confrontations. She certainly wouldn't let her daughter be outdone by Yuan Hui's. With that thought, Fang Fang set her utensils down, her appetite gone. She needed to strategize carefully about her next move.

While eating, Yi Lanyou observed everyone's expressions from the corner of her eye. After sipping her soup, she locked eyes with Fang Yuan and flashed a taunting smile.

Fang Yuan's hands were clenched tightly. She was determined to wipe that smug look off Yi Lanyou's face.

"I'm full," Yi Lanyou announced, setting her utensils down. She then stood up and, as she passed by Yi Haoen, she whispered a reminder, "Don't forget to discuss the engagement with me."

"Understood," Yi Haoen nodded, having already prepared what he would say.

After Yi Lanyou's reminder, she returned to her room. It wasn't until 8 PM that Yi Haoen knocked and entered.

"Dad," Yi Lanyou greeted, sitting up straight on her bed as she faced Yi Haoen.

"Yes," Yi Haoen responded, taking a seat in the chair opposite Yi Lanyou. "About the engagement, it was arranged by your late grandfather with the Loong family."

"My grandfather?" Yi Lanyou's brow furrowed. She had no recollection of him. She had inquired about her other relatives with Yuan Hui before, but Yuan Hui had always been evasive and never clarified. Now that Yi Haoen brought it up, Yi Lanyou saw an opportunity to ask directly, "Where is my grandfather? Is he still alive? How come I've never met him?"

"Your grandfather," Yi Haoen frowned, "I'm not sure. He vanished seventeen years ago."