Chapter 21: A Strategem of Self-Inflicted Suffering

The father and mother of the Qiao family had already sent people to urge her multiple times, and Mother Zhang kindly reminded her as well.

"Old Mistress, we should head out now. Many guests have arrived today; we mustn't keep them waiting too long."

Grandma Qiao’s face darkened, clearly displeased at being hurried.

Mother Zhang rolled her eyes, then quickly changed her approach. "Old Mistress, Young Master Qiao is coming back soon. You wouldn't want him to be kept waiting, would you?"

As soon as she mentioned me, Grandma immediately set off. "You're right. I mustn't let my Yunzhou wait."

Mother Zhang chuckled. "Old Mistress, you are truly wonderful to Young Master Qiao."

"That goes without saying." Grandma Qiao huffed, a hint of pride in her expression. But immediately after, she sighed. "In this house, I am the only one who treats him well. Those people, they talk about how much they care for Yunzhou, but when something actually happens, look at any of them—do they ever think of him?"

"By the way, did you prepare the share transfer agreement I asked for?"

Hearing this, Mother Zhang hurried to the inner room and brought out a contract. "Rest assured, Old Mistress, everything is ready."

Seeing the share transfer agreement, a smile finally appeared on Grandma Qiao’s face. "They bully Yunzhou only because he isn't a true Qiao and doesn't hold any family shares, right? Well, today I will give him all the shares I hold. Let's see who dares to bully him after this!"

Grandma Qiao held five percent of the Qiao family’s shares—even Qiao Yanxin only had ten percent. That was only because the family was grooming her as the successor. Most of the younger generation in the Qiao family would be lucky to hold even two percent.

If Grandma gave these shares to me, my standing within the family would grow significantly. My heart softened; I never imagined Grandma would be willing to go this far for me. But I wasn't even a true child of the Qiao family, yet she didn't mind my identity or the fact that I was an outsider. A lump formed in my throat, and the urge to cry washed over me.

Mother Zhang pushed Grandma toward the front hall. Passing through a long corridor, we unexpectedly heard a voice—strange, yet somehow familiar.

"Has the person been found yet? A grown man, and you still haven't found him? What exactly are you people good for?"

"President Qiao, we have searched everywhere we could. Unless the person can fly, it is impossible that he hasn't been found. There is only one possibility left..."

"Shut up!"

The voice stopped abruptly. Upon seeing Grandma and Mother Zhang, the two people ahead fell instantly silent.

Hearing Qiao Zhuxin’s words, I felt a bit puzzled. What was she looking for? It couldn't be me, could it? I gave a self-deprecating smile, chiding myself for being so thick-skinned. We had barely met a few times; why would she be looking for me? Even Qiao Yanxin, who grew up with me, didn't care about my whereabouts—what reason did Qiao Zhuxin have to look for me?

Heavy snow fell in thick flakes. Qiao Zhuxin wore a black coat, her curly hair draped softly behind her. There was an indefinable emotion in her dark green eyes.

Upon seeing Qiao Zhuxin, Grandma’s expression shifted. "You are..."

Mother Zhang interjected, her tone revealing a trace of disgust: "It is the Master’s illegitimate daughter, Qiao Zhuxin."

Grandma paused, her expression unreadable. In truth, Grandma and Grandfather had a marriage of convenience, with little affection between them. Grandfather had been a philanderer in his youth, always chasing after women. However, as long as he didn't cross the line, Grandma generally turned a blind eye. Over these many years, their marriage had long been a hollow shell. Moreover, Qiao Zhuxin’s mother had not been a homewrecker; she had mistakenly believed Grandfather was single and only discovered he was married after she became pregnant. Besides, Grandma wasn't the type to take her frustrations out on a younger generation.

Seeing Qiao Zhuxin, Grandma Qiao gave a reserved nod.

Qiao Zhuxin bowed slightly toward her. "Junior Qiao Zhuxin is here to offer birthday wishes to you, Grandmother."

As she spoke, she clapped her hands, and someone behind her immediately presented a wooden box. Qiao Zhuxin respectfully handed the box to Grandma Qiao. "Please accept this gift. May you be as blessed as the Eastern Sea and as long-lived as the Southern Mountains."

Grandma Qiao opened the box to reveal a ginseng root. By the scent, it was clearly of excellent quality. She smiled slightly, handed the box to Mother Zhang behind her, and said politely, "Since you're here, go to the front hall and take a seat."

Qiao Zhuxin waved her hand. "No, thank you, Grandmother. I don't care for that atmosphere, so I will take my leave."

Mother Zhang glanced at Qiao Zhuxin and pushed Grandma forward. "Let us be off quickly; we mustn't let Young Master Qiao wait."

Hearing this, Qiao Zhuxin, who had been about to leave, paused and turned back.

In the front hall, Mother Qiao was complaining irritably, "What is wrong with Yunzhou? It’s Grandma’s sixtieth birthday; how could he be absent?"

Hearing Mother Qiao’s words, I gave a self-deprecating smile. She was kind to me, but only under the condition that I did nothing to harm them. Their feelings for me were like those for a pet cat or dog; they would be sad and cry if I went missing, but nothing more.

Father Qiao walked over to Qiao Yanxin and nudged her with his elbow. "Have you and Yunzhou not made up yet?"

Qiao Yanxin’s face stiffened, not knowing how to respond. She couldn't very well admit that she hadn't been in contact with me for days. If she said that, Father Qiao would surely lose his temper.

"He must be on the way. It’s snowing today, the roads are surely difficult."

"Fine, as long as he's on his way. You go and meet him; it’s dark and gloomy out, the roads are indeed treacherous."

"Alright." Qiao Yanxin agreed readily. She stood up and walked outside. Glancing around, she caught sight of Qiao Zhuxin. Seeing her indifferent expression, a nameless fire surged in Qiao Yanxin’s heart. She glared at Qiao Zhuxin, but immediately looked away when the other girl turned.

Qiao Yanxin was certain I hadn't returned only because of the traffic. Given how close I was to Grandma, how could I possibly miss her sixtieth birthday? I didn't know what Qiao Yanxin was thinking, but she stood under the streetlamp without an umbrella, letting the swirling snow cover her head and body.

I knew she was doing it on purpose. When I returned, the first thing I would see was her covered in snow, waiting for me. Even if I were angry, my resentment would surely melt away, right? This kind of "bitter meat" tactic was Qiao Yanxin’s specialty.

However, it wouldn't work this time.