Chapter 57: The Liang Family

Recalling the paternity test she had just completed that morning, Qin Miaoyu’s eyes shimmered with a subtle, inscrutable light.

“If it’s confirmed that I am a child of the Liang family, then the Qin family can no longer do as they please with me. At the very least, they’ll have to consider the Liang family’s influence. As for the Liangs, since they’ve never raised me, it will be hard for them to bind me with moral obligations. Besides…” Qin Miaoyu’s lips curled higher, as if she had just remembered something amusing.

“Even if I can’t truly threaten Liang Sixuan by going to the Qin family, isn’t it enough to keep her constantly on edge?” Qin Miaoyu had never forgotten who was truly responsible for her past suffering.

If it had only been those people acting under Liang Sixuan’s name, it would have been one thing. Before she knew that Liang Sixuan was one of the masterminds, she felt nothing in particular toward her. But fate had it that she learned not only of Liang Sixuan’s indifference, but also that she had personally approved those minions’ schemes.

Yet the wider Qin Miaoyu’s smile grew, the more uneasy Gu Jing and Ji Xuan became. After all, who would react this way unless they’d been hurt too deeply?

“It’s good. If anything happens, let us know,” they said.

The next day, Xi Ruofen called Qin Miaoyu to inform her—the results were in. Qin Miaoyu was indeed the daughter of the Liang family.

“So, what do you plan to do? Continue with the confusion, or restore everyone to their rightful places?”

Xi Ruofen’s displeasure was obvious: “The Liang family is wealthy and influential; one more child is no burden.”

Qin Miaoyu understood—this meant Liang Sixuan would not be returning.

“Since you are a child of the Liang family, what your brothers and Sixuan have, you’ll have too. When the time is right, we’ll formally introduce you to the public.”

“Alright, then shall I move in today?”

Xi Ruofen considered for a moment. “Tomorrow. Your room isn’t ready yet.”

An unexpected anticipation stirred in Qin Miaoyu for this journey to the Liang family. She was truly curious why the Liang family had suddenly decided to acknowledge her now.

After all, they hadn’t even prepared a room for her. It was clear the Liangs weren’t exactly welcoming her with open arms. In fact, it seemed they hadn’t initially intended to bring her back at all, but rather to legitimize Liang Sixuan as an adopted daughter, so she could openly enjoy the affection of her ‘biological’ parents.

That very day, Qin Miaoyu arrived at the gates of the Liang family’s ancestral home, suitcase in hand, escorted by Lu Qi’an.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go in with you?” Lu Qi’an asked, a note of concern in his voice.

“No need, don’t worry. If anything happens, I’ll contact you right away.”

Only after watching Lu Qi’an leave did Qin Miaoyu ring the doorbell.

The door was quickly opened by the family’s butler, who greeted her with a warm smile. “Second Miss, you’re home.”

Qin Miaoyu handed her suitcase to the butler. “Second Miss? Does that mean Liang Sixuan is the eldest?”

The butler’s expression did not change. “Yes, madam said that according to the actual time of birth, the eldest miss was born a few minutes before you.”

Qin Miaoyu’s smile was laced with irony. Why not mention that, according to the paternity test, Liang Sixuan wasn’t even a member of the Liang family?

The butler led the way with her suitcase, bringing Qin Miaoyu to the room that had been prepared for her.

She asked, “Is this room the same as everyone else’s?”

“Whom do you mean by everyone else?”

“My brothers and Liang Sixuan, of course. Madam said what they have, I should have too.”

The butler replied, choosing his words carefully, “It’s more or less the same.”

Qin Miaoyu turned. “‘More or less’?”

“The rooms in the ancestral home are limited, so yours is a converted guest room. It's slightly smaller, but everything else is the same.”

Qin Miaoyu glanced around. The décor was decent, but not to her taste.

“Could I have another guest room instead? I don’t like the decoration here. Could it be redone according to my preferences?”

“The décor was chosen by Madam. Perhaps you could wait and discuss it with her when she returns.”

“Fine. For now, just find me a guest room where I can rest.”

When Qin Miaoyu emerged from her nap, she found two people sitting on the sofa in the downstairs living room.

Even as she came down, Xi Ruofen did not push away Liang Sixuan, who was snuggling up to her.

“I heard from the butler you want to change the room’s décor? Why don’t you like it?”

“I just don’t. Must there be a reason? You never asked what I wanted, did you?” Qin Miaoyu settled herself on a small sofa at the side.

“If you have a preference, tell the butler. He’ll arrange it for you.”

At this, Liang Sixuan immediately sat upright. If they all had similar décor, why should Qin Miaoyu be allowed to change hers?

“Mom, I want to change my décor too!”

“You don’t like it either? Why didn’t you tell me? If you want to change it, go ahead.”

“Thank you, Mom!” Liang Sixuan clung to Xi Ruofen’s arm, shooting a smug look at Qin Miaoyu.

Qin Miaoyu couldn’t care less; she was feeling hungry.

“Can I eat now?”

“No. We wait until your father and brothers come home. That’s the Liang family’s rule.”

“Then may I ask what’s for dinner?”

Xi Ruofen told her to ask the butler.

After hearing the menu, Qin Miaoyu frowned. All the dishes were bland. Her tastes had grown heavier lately, and these dishes hardly whetted her appetite.

“Could we add spicy chicken and braised fish?”

The butler looked hesitantly at Madam.

Xi Ruofen was displeased by the two dishes Qin Miaoyu mentioned. “Everyone in the family likes light food. Why do you want such heavy flavors?”

“Because I prefer strong flavors,” Qin Miaoyu replied, meeting her gaze. She hadn’t come back to suffer.

“Let her have them,” Xi Ruofen finally relented.

As dinnertime approached, all the Liang family members except the patriarch gradually returned.

Most offered only a brief greeting before sitting some distance from Qin Miaoyu.

Only her second brother, Liang Siyuan, noticed the spicy chicken and braised fish before her and unhesitatingly took a seat beside her.

“It’s rare to see these dishes at the old house. I might actually eat more tonight!”

Catching the kindness in his words, Qin Miaoyu glanced at him.

Liang Siyuan smiled at her. “Little sister.”

Qin Miaoyu gave a slight nod, saying nothing more. She was unfamiliar with the family and couldn’t tell if his friendliness was sincere.

But Liang Siyuan seemed not to notice her reserve. “I’ve met you a few times before.”

Qin Miaoyu thought, In the same city and not far apart—meeting isn’t unusual.

“It was at South City First High School. I once lent you an umbrella.”

Qin Miaoyu’s expression darkened instantly.

She remembered that day—a downpour. She’d brought her own umbrella and was about to head home when one of Liang Sixuan’s followers snatched it from her. She’d had to retreat to the corridor, watching helplessly as her umbrella disappeared into the rain, anxiety gnawing at her.

At that moment, someone had walked over, handed her an umbrella, and told her to hurry home.