C2 2
Jiang Yining paid him no mind, her captivating peach blossom eyes fixed on the girl. Ming Chengkang's brow furrowed, and he was ready to stride over and bring her back. Just then, the Ming family's butler hurried over and murmured something into his ear. His pupils dilated with a mix of shock and joy. "Is that true?" "Yes, she's already arrived!" "I'm on my way!" Ming Chengkang turned to Ming Qingcheng and instructed, "Watch her, and make sure she doesn't stir up any trouble!" Without waiting for Ming Qingcheng's response, he took Ming's mother by the arm and swiftly exited the banquet hall. Meanwhile, Jiang Yining stood there, her demeanor cool and radiant, commanding attention like an untouchable queen. She exuded not a trace of subservience but rather an air of regal unassailability. The banquet hall's lights bathed her in a glow that seemed to cast an alluring aura around her. "Sister!" Ming Qingcheng hurried over, stepping in front of Jiang Yining. She offered the girl an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry, my sister meant no harm. Please, don't hold it against her." Jiang Yining's gaze was serene, briefly sweeping over Ming Qingcheng's profile before returning to the girl. The girl, under her gaze, felt a flicker of intimidation. Intimidated by a country girl? If that got out, how could she show her face? Her eyes darted around, noticing that the crowd had thinned; the elders had followed Ming's father out, likely due to the arrival of a VIP. Emboldened, the girl lifted her eyebrows and challenged Jiang Yining with a defiant stare. "Go ahead, say it. Am I supposed to be scared of you? I say you clawed your way up using filthy tricks. What's wrong? Did I strike a nerve? Then explain it to us. We're all dying to know how a country bumpkin like you managed to cozy up to the Ming family." Jiang Yining's lovely peach blossom eyes narrowed, her fingers twitching, poised to rise, but Ming Qingcheng quickly caught her wrist, shielding her, and spoke up first. "Xuexian, please refrain from such talk. My parents have taken Yining in as their foster daughter, and from this day forward, she is my sister."
She paused, her gaze slowly sweeping the room. "From now on, if anyone speaks like that, I'll never be friends with them again!" Her serious tone brought an immediate hush to the crowd, and people exchanged glances, unsure of what to do next. Xuexian, the girl in question, looked at Ming Qingcheng and then at Jiang Yining. It took her a moment to cool down before she reluctantly said, "Since Qingcheng has spoken, I have to show her some respect..." Ming Qingcheng smiled. "Xuexian, I appreciate your understanding!" She then turned to Jiang Yining and explained, "Sister, her name is Zhao Xuexian. She's two months older than us and our cousin. Once you get to know her, you'll see she means no harm; she's just a bit blunt. Don't take it personally!" In such situations, most would opt to keep the peace and back down gracefully, but Jiang Yining fixed her gaze on Zhao Xuexian. After a brief pause, she parted her lips and said, "But... it bothers me." Zhao Xuexian was taken aback, thinking she had misheard. "What did you say?" With a cold glint in her beautiful peach-blossom eyes, Jiang Yining repeated, "I said, it bothers me. Apologize." The onlookers were shocked. How could this newcomer, barely a part of the family, dare to speak out? Where did she get such audacity? She seemed oblivious to whose territory she was in. Zhao Xuexian, infuriated yet amused, pushed Jiang Yining's shoulder forcefully. "Who do you think you are to speak to me that way? Just a village girl who thinks she's become a Ming family daughter? Do you believe I could have you thrown out this instant?" Caught off guard, Jiang Yining stumbled back a couple of steps, nearly crashing into a shelf laden with ornaments behind her.
