Pursing her lips into a smile, Ji Anning did not say a word. Suddenly, Yang Yufang happily came close to her ear to mutter softly, “Your grandfather said after your little uncle gets married, you and Jingfeng can get yours done too.”
At the sound of that, Ji Anning’s expression altered.
With her mouth gaping, she wanted to tell her that Jingfeng had given his heart… to someone else.
Yang Yufang abruptly reached out to straighten her hair gently with a fondness as she said excitedly, “Anning, after all these years, Mom’s wish is finally about to be fulfilled.”
Gazing at Ji Anning lovingly, it sounded like she treated her like her own blood, especially when she called herself her mother. Hence Ji Anning could not bear letting her down for all the love she showered on her all these years and her hopes for both her and Ji Jingfeng.
In the end, Ji Anning only smiled gently and swallowed the words she wanted to say on impulse.
Forget it. Regardless of whether she was in Jingfeng’s heart, or if he had someone else, she was the Jis child bride. Just as Ji Ruoqian mentioned, she got sold to them.
As long as Ji Jingfeng was willing to marry her and the Jis insisted on it, she had to marry him regardless of what she wanted.
In her imagination, she was always rash, emotional, and ready to risk everything.
But in reality, she thought and thought again for every move she made and even deliberated repeatedly before uttering a word.
…
That night, Ji Jingfeng did not return home. At the breakfast table the next morning, he did not emerge either.
Everyone arrived at the dining room early, and the Old Master was last to turn up. After setting foot through the door, he scanned the people at the dining table and asked sternly, “Has Jingfeng been busy with school lately?”
Yang Yufang hurried to explain smilingly, “He’s going to Europe for his studies this term and busy preparing. Last night, he was with his classmate doing research. Since he finished late, he went ahead and spent the night at school.”
On hearing that, Old Master’s face relaxed a little before walking up to take his seat, “Let’s eat.”
Seeing that Old Master had started, everyone picked up their cutlery.
“This Friday, there’s an event at the Cultural Affairs Bureau. Why don’t you attend it with Anning?”
Raising his head, the Old Master looked at Yang Yufang and told her suddenly.
Yang Yufang was dumbfounded. She looked up at Ji Zhengdao, who lowered his head and continued eating after he finished saying his piece.
As the blessing came out of the blue, Yang Yufang was momentarily speechless before she nodded her head ecstatically, “Yes. Thanks, Dad.”
For so many years, she was only the second Young Madam Ji in name, when in reality, her standing at the Jis got surpassed even by their oldest granddaughter, Ji Xiangting.
All these years, regardless of the activities, she never got the opportunity to go. It was always Lin Yanqin who represented the Old Master.
It was the first time the old man personally let her to appear publicly.
Feeling like she had finally gotten liberated from endless suffering, she lowered her head, secretly delighted in her heart.
One man’s gain was another’s loss.
Lin Yanqin got so baffled by the old man’s arrangement that she frowned and looked at him, “Dad…”
But before she managed to speak, the Old Master interrupted with a stern gaze.
“In this home, I do not wish for anyone to question my decisions.”
The moment he spoke, no one dared to challenge him.
Gritting her teeth, Lin Yanqin wrung her skirt hem angrily under the table.
As usual, the Old Master was the first to leave the dining room. The moment he left, the atmosphere instantly became forgiving.
Yang Yufang put her cutlery down and told Ji Anning enthusiastically, “Anning, if you don’t have any classes this afternoon, come back earlier. Mom will take you shopping for a couple of outfits.”