Chapter 8

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

During that time, Shi Yan stayed in the Jiang family’s old mansion in Sea City. She either read books in the small courtyard where she lived eor went out for a walk. However, she didn’t go far. Occasionally, she would take a book to the small pavilion beside the lotus pond and read.

She didn’t go to the main building to eat again. It was Xiao Zhao who sent her to the small courtyard. Therefore, she didn’t see the young master of the Jiang family these last two days. She didn’t even see Jiang Hai very often. The person she saw the most was Xiao Zhao, who was in charge of taking care of her food and living.

It was evening, and a sunset filled the sky.

Shi Yan sat in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in the study, reading a book. She leaned against the tatami mat in front of the window, and because she was at home, her hair was not tied up. It was just hanging loosely.

Her soft, ink-black hair was tied up, and the ponytail reached her waist. It hung loosely, and when she sat on the floor again, it scattered all over the floor.

The door to the study was not closed, so as soon as Little Zhao arrived, she saw the scene in the study.

The girl was dressed in a simple white t-shirt with black pants. She leaned back against the sofa and sat on the carpet, her knees bent. As her black hair scattered, she held a book with both hands and focused all her attention on it. The sunset glow fell on her through the floor-to-ceiling glass window, the scene gentle and containing a soul-stirring beauty.

Little Zhao was completely rooted to the spot. She was deeply attracted by this scene and could not regain her senses for a long time. It was only when Shi Yan raised her eyes and looked over that she saw her.

“Sister Zhao, is there something you need from me?”

Xiao Zhao finally regained her senses.

Although Old Madame Jiang was suppressing them, very few people in the Jiang family’s old residence dared to privately discuss the guests that Old Madame Jiang personally invited over. Still, there were always people who could not help but gossip. They might not have any bad intentions; they just couldn’t help but secretly discuss it.

She had overheard it by accident.

They said that Miss Shi came from the countryside and was an orphan. She would not be used to coming to such a big family. In front of others, Miss Shi would be cautious and at a loss. If other guests came to visit and Miss Shi happened to be present, she might even embarrass Old Madame Jiang and the Jiang family.

To put it bluntly, some of them were saying that Miss Shi was not presentable.

How was this person in front of them, who could casually sit there like a beautiful painting, not presentable? How many people could compare with her looks and temperament?

Those who were discussing it in private had never seen Miss Shi with their own eyes. As soon as they saw her, they would definitely not have such thoughts.

Speaking of this, some people were even secretly guessing at Old Madame Jiang’s intention of bringing Miss Shi to the old house.

Miss Shi was Old Madame Jiang’s savior and was very much liked by her. Old Madame Jiang was not someone with a good family background, and Miss Shi was an orphan and a young girl. Old Madame Jiang had been urging the young master, who had been single for the past two years, to find a partner.

Forget about the others, even Little Zhao could not help but have this thought. However, unlike the others, who thought that Shi Yan was not worthy of the young master of the Jiang family, Little Zhao did not think so.

Of course, no matter what guesses and thoughts she had in her heart, Little Zhao did not show it, nor did she talk too much about these things.

Seeing that Little Zhao was in a daze and could not speak, Shi Yan smiled and asked, “Did you bring dinner over for me?”

Her pleasant voice was indescribably gentle, making people feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze simply by listening to her voice.

There were countless times where Little Zhao had lamented in her heart that it was a kind of enjoyment to be in the same space as Miss Shi.

“No, Old Madame Jiang and the eldest miss have returned. They asked me to invite you over.”

“Grandma Jiang is back?” Shi Yan asked, but she did not look surprised.

The eldest young master of the Jiang family had said that they would be back in about three days. Today was the third day, so if they were not back tonight, they would be back by tomorrow morning.

“Yes, she’s back. She’s waiting for you in Old Madame Jiang’s courtyard.”

Shi Yan closed the book and stood up. 

“Sister Zhao, wait for me for three minutes. I’ll tidy up a little.”

Three minutes meant three minutes.

She put the book back on the bookshelf and returned to her room. When she came out of the room, her hair was tied up and she was carrying a few gift bags in her hands.

It didn’t take more than three minutes.

“Why did Miss Shi tie up her hair? You looked so good just now.”

Looking at the things in Shi Yan’s hands, Xiao Zhao knew that this was a greeting gift prepared by Shi Yan. She did not ask further, only saying, “Let me help you.”

Shi Yan did not refuse, placing two of the gift bags into Xiao Zhao’s hands.

At her earlier comment, Shi Yan chuckled and said, “Am I not pretty just like this?”

Xiao Zhao raised her head to meet her smiling face, and once again, her beauty exploded!

She shook her head like a rattle-drum, “No, no, no! Of course not! No matter what, Miss Shi looks good.”

She only felt that the Miss Shi who had her hair scattered had more feelings than the Miss Shi who had her hair tied up in a high ponytail.

With a faint smile, Shi Yan said, “Let’s go.”

When they went downstairs, she asked Little Zhao, “How is your brother?”

Little Zhao had returned from the hospital to resume work. Shi Yan knew that her brother had been in a car accident when she left the mall that day. It was not serious, but the injury would take 100 days to heal. He had to recuperate for a period of time.

“He’s much better now. He’ll be able to get out of the hospital after some time. Thank you for your concern, Miss Shi.”

“That’s good.”

Old Madame Jiang’s courtyard was next door. It was only a two-minute walk from the courtyard.

Xiao Zhao led Shi Yan inside.

“Xiao Yan, come here. Come here and show Grandma Jiang. You’ve grown into a big girl after three years. You’re getting more and more beautiful!”

As soon as she entered the door, she heard Old Madame Jiang’s joyful voice.

In the living room, Old Madame Jiang was sitting on a specially made big chair. Beside her stood a woman in her fifties, and on the sofa sat a girl that was eighteen or nineteen years old.

Old Madame Jiang was kind-looking, but she did not lose her dignity. The woman standing beside her had a smile on her face, and it was also a very kind face. The girl sitting on the sofa had a beautiful face, and her eyes were beautiful and lively.

She stared at Shi Yan, full of curiosity as she sized her up.

“Grandma Jiang,” Shi Yan nodded with a smile.

The old lady was so happy that her eyes narrowed into slits. She waved at her, “Xiao Yan, come here, come here!”

Only then did she see the thing in Shi Yan’s hand.

“Why are you still bringing things?”

“It’s my first time visiting. This is the greeting gift I have prepared for you, the two ladies, and Miss Jiang.”

The greeting gift she prepared was only for the ladies. As a girl, it was somewhat inappropriate for her to prepare a greeting gift for the men of the Jiang family.

“The journey here was rather far, so it was inconvenient to bring too much luggage. I only went to buy it after I came here. I hope Grandma Jiang won’t mind.”

“Why would I mind? I’m more than happy. You said you would come here as soon as you came to the city, so why did you prepare a greeting gift?”

The woman next to the old lady took it and smiled at Shi Yan, “Miss Shi, you’re too kind.”

At this moment, Jiang Rui, who was sitting at the side, also stood up in joy.

“There is actually one for me. Thank you, Xiao Yan.”

Seeing Shi Yan look at her, Jiang Rui smiled and said, “I’ve heard grandmother mention you more than once, and I’ve finally met you today.. It’s too strange to directly call you by your name, so do you mind if I call you Xiao Yan?”