Chapter 58 The Gift

However, aside from Liang Sixuan and the ladies of the Liang family, Qin Miaoyu had very little interaction with the other members of the Liang household, so she didn’t recognize anyone at the time. She had always been grateful to the person who had given her an umbrella back then, but upon learning it was Liang Sixuan’s second brother, that gratitude faded considerably.

Liang Siyuan seemed oblivious to her somewhat sour mood and began inquiring about Qin Miaoyu’s past life. Qin Miaoyu was reluctant to talk, but in light of his kindness with the umbrella, she still offered brief answers.

“Liang Siyuan, where are your table manners?” Shi Ruofen glanced at the two of them as they spoke.

Liang Siyuan shot a glance at his stern-faced mother. “I don’t live here most of the time. It’s rare for me to come home and see my little sister, so I’m not going to fuss over etiquette.”

At that, Shi Ruofen said no more.

Qin Miaoyu and Liang Siyuan chatted briefly while sampling the two heavily flavored dishes before them. The rest of the table remained silent, the only sounds the faint clink of utensils against porcelain.

Liang Siyuan didn’t linger after the meal. He pulled something from his pocket and handed it to Qin Miaoyu.

“What is it?” she asked.

“It’s just a little trinket, a welcome gift for you. I’ve got things to do, but I’ll make up for the missing gifts next time.”

With that, he pressed the item into her hand. Then, after bidding farewell to his mother, Shi Ruofen, Liang Siyuan left the old Liang residence.

No sooner had he gone than other members of the Liang family started gravitating toward Qin Miaoyu.

The old Liang residence wasn’t just home to Liang Huiyi and his immediate family. The two auxiliary buildings housed the families of Liang Hui Ruo and Liang Hui Ming, so their members were present at the meal as well.

“Miaoyu, right? Come on, let’s see what Siyuan gave you. He’s never been particularly generous, but since you’ve just come back, he wouldn’t have picked something shabby for your first meeting.”

The words sounded pleasant, but Qin Miaoyu could hear the underlying tone of mockery. She glanced at the speaker—was that her third aunt?

Others were equally curious about what Liang Siyuan had given her and chimed in, even Liang Sixuan. In her heart, Liang Sixuan was certain the gift in Qin Miaoyu’s hand wouldn’t be anything special; after all, as her third aunt had said, her second brother was notoriously stingy. She only ever received a present from him on her birthday each year.

Shi Ruofen spoke as well, “Why not let everyone see what gift you’ve received? You’ll have to open it sooner or later anyway.”

Sensing the eager anticipation in everyone’s eyes, Qin Miaoyu remained perfectly composed.

From her brief interaction with her second brother, she felt he was a decent sort. Even if the present wasn’t anything extravagant, he wouldn’t have chosen something to embarrass her.

She unwrapped the small paper package, no bigger than her palm, and finally revealed the gift inside.

Liang Sixuan caught sight of it and shrieked, “Impossible! How could Second Brother give that to you? He must have picked up the wrong package!”

Everyone else was startled as well.

For the welcome gift in Qin Miaoyu’s hand was none other than a teardrop-shaped blue diamond Liang Siyuan had recently acquired at auction for nearly eighty million.

Liang Siyuan never bid on such things. When he suddenly bought a blue diamond, everyone thought the perennial bachelor might finally be courting someone. Who would have guessed it was a gift for his own sister?

Now, all eyes turned to Liang Sixuan, their meaning impossible to decipher.

After all, the priciest gift she’d ever received from Liang Siyuan was no more than five million.

As someone explained the origin of the item in Qin Miaoyu’s hand, she found herself at a loss for words. She had never imagined anyone from the Liang family would give her something so costly, and she instantly felt the diamond was burning hot in her palm.

Just as she was about to put it away to return to Liang Siyuan later, Liang Sixuan reached out for it.

“Give it to me. Second Brother must have made a mistake. That’s meant to be my gift!”

Of course, Liang Sixuan knew full well that her brother hadn’t been seeing anyone. So when he acquired that blue diamond, she was convinced it was for her. Who could have imagined it would end up in Qin Miaoyu’s hands!

But with Liang Sixuan reaching for it, Qin Miaoyu instead pulled it away and examined it closely.

“If Second Brother gave it to me, then it’s my welcome gift. If you think it was a mistake, why not ask him yourself? I’m tired—I’ll go to my room now.”

With the blue diamond in hand, Qin Miaoyu retreated to her room in plain sight, then hurriedly messaged Liang Siyuan, asking him to take the diamond back.

Liang Siyuan immediately called her on video. “You don’t want it?”

Qin Miaoyu nodded. “It’s far too valuable.”

Liang Siyuan was a bit surprised, but then, recalling the Qin family, he understood.

“If you think it’s too valuable, get used to it. I haven’t even given you all your gifts yet. Didn’t Mom say whatever the others have, you should have too? It’s the same for me. I’ve always prepared presents for Sixuan on her birthday, and yours will be no different.”

Qin Miaoyu hadn’t expected Liang Siyuan to be so matter-of-fact, but she realized that of everyone in the Liang family, her second brother was the one who truly welcomed her home.

Her mother insisted she should have what the others had, yet hadn’t even prepared a room for her in advance. As for her father, she hadn’t met him at all.

Their attitudes set the tone for the other two families, making their behavior toward her all the more ambiguous, and her mother never spoke up on her behalf.

But she hadn’t expected Liang Siyuan to take his mother’s words so literally.

“There’s really no need for all this trouble,” she said.

“How is there no need? Or do you just not want to accept the Liang family’s money? Don’t worry, your brother earns his own money now. This isn’t much. I’m still driving, so let’s talk later.”

Though he said he was driving, Liang Siyuan gently pulled over to the side of the road.

Seeing Qin Miaoyu, he was suddenly reminded of his younger self.

His eldest brother had long been designated the heir to the Liang Group, the focus of the entire family’s attention. As for him, fearing rivalry between brothers, the family forbade any involvement in business, even though he loved management and commerce. Instead, they pushed him down an artistic path, despite his lack of interest or talent.

Later, he went abroad to study…

Qin Miaoyu’s experiences were different, but their circumstances were strikingly similar.

Ah, there was nothing worth reminiscing about. Liang Siyuan stubbed out his cigarette and drove off.

It wasn’t until noon the next day that Qin Miaoyu finally saw her father.

Years of authority had lent him an imposing, solemn air. He gave her a cursory glance, then instructed Shi Ruofen to find a few people to tutor her.

“There’s no need,” Qin Miaoyu replied. “Isn’t the Liang family not planning to announce my identity yet? Isn’t all this unnecessary?”