Chapter 59 Boredom

Liang Huiyi gazed at Qin Miaoyu with a blank expression.

“There’s no need? You’re a member of the Liang family, so you must follow our rules. What the Qin family taught you isn’t nearly enough for the Liang family.”

Qin Miaoyu remained unruffled.

If she had begged to return to the Liang family, she would have done whatever was asked of her. But since she had no desire for any of it, Father Liang’s demands held no threat for her.

She shrugged. “If what the Qin family taught me isn’t enough, that’s hardly my fault, is it? After all, I wasn’t the one who got switched at birth.”

For such a wealthy and powerful family, the nurse couldn’t have made the mistake unintentionally. The fact that such a thing happened only showed that the Liangs didn’t care much about her when she was born.

At the mention of this, Father Liang fell silent, abandoning the topic of learning family rules and instead asking about Qin Miaoyu’s fiancé.

“I’ve heard your husband is just an ordinary office worker in Jingcheng?”

“Yes.”

After that question, Liang Huiyi said nothing more.

Qin Miaoyu had no intention of continuing the conversation.

Xi Ruofen spoke up.

“When will you bring him here to the Liang family, so he knows how to find us? It’d be a shame if he gets lost later.”

“There’s no rush. With phone maps these days, it’s hard to get lost.”

Xi Ruofen knew Qin Miaoyu was being deliberately evasive, and studied her curiously.

She’d heard from the Qins that Qin Miaoyu was gentle and good-tempered, and in the few times they’d met over the years, she’d shared that impression. But now, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Then again, people change. From what they’d learned, Qin Miaoyu had spent little time at home after going to university in Jingcheng. Perhaps it was the lack of supervision during those years that led to her change in character, just like Siyuan.

Thinking of Liang Siyuan, she frowned.

“Take care of what your second brother gave you. After all, you’re siblings. But your second brother is rather unruly—he doesn’t listen to the family’s rules or arrangements, and he’s indifferent to the rest of us. Don’t follow his example.”

Qin Miaoyu hadn’t expected such a frank assessment from Mother Liang. The expression on her face was unmistakably displeased, so unlike her attitude toward Liang Siquan and Liang Sixuan.

Yet, in Qin Miaoyu’s eyes, Liang Siyuan, whom she’d only met twice, seemed more agreeable than the other Liangs.

At that moment, Liang Sixuan flew down the stairs, ignored Qin Miaoyu entirely, greeted Mother Liang, and sat close to Liang Huiyi, chatting affectionately.

“Daddy, it’s been so long! Did you bring me any gifts?”

A smile appeared on Liang Huiyi’s face. “Assistant Lin left it in the study. Go get it later.”

“Okay, thank you, Daddy.” Liang Sixuan then turned, as if only now noticing Qin Miaoyu. “Daddy, Miaoyu just came home. Did you prepare a gift for her too?”

Liang Huiyi looked at Qin Miaoyu. “I forgot this time. Next time, I’ll bring one for you as well.”

Qin Miaoyu didn’t respond; she had no curiosity about the gifts Father Liang mentioned.

Liang Sixuan, however, was quick to say, “Daddy, when you buy gifts next time, I’ll remind you. That way Miaoyu and I will each have one!”

Hearing such thoughtful words, Liang Huiyi’s smile deepened.

Qin Miaoyu watched this scene of fatherly affection and filial piety without feeling anything. Even when Liang Sixuan cast her a provocative glance, she remained unmoved.

She also realized that Liang Sixuan’s hostility and provocation toward her would never be open or direct. Perhaps she cared about how Father and Mother Liang saw her, or maybe there was another reason.

But, as it was, there was little meaning to it. After all, she’d read plenty of novels about switched daughters, and the likes of tumbling down the stairs, framing others, or self-injury to blame someone else. If Liang Sixuan ever did that, she’d almost look forward to it!

Liang Sixuan noticed the excitement in her eyes, thinking her actions had achieved their effect. She felt secretly triumphant, convinced that once she drove Qin Miaoyu to lose her composure, the rest of her plan would be easier to carry out.

Since Liang Sixuan only provoked her in secret, Qin Miaoyu found it dull and couldn’t stay with the Liang family much longer. She decided to find Gu Jing and Ji Xuan instead.

“Ji Xuan went to work?”

When Qin Miaoyu arrived at the hotel room, she saw only Gu Jing.

“Yes, she said there was some gossip she wanted to follow, so she went out. But you—why are you here? I was about to head out myself.”

“It was boring there, so I came over. Where are you going?”

Gu Jing, busy with her makeup, glanced at her. “With all this effort, where do you think?”

Qin Miaoyu understood.

Gu Jing must be planning to meet Xia Lingyan.

“Then I shouldn’t disturb you.”

Gu Jing hurried to stop her. “Hey, hey, am I the kind of person who puts men before friends? With you and Ji Xuan here, what’s a man worth? If you and Ji Xuan hadn’t been busy, I wouldn’t have invited Xia Lingyan. Wait, I’ll finish my makeup and tell him not to come.”

Qin Miaoyu wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but Gu Jing already finished the last touches, took out her phone, and called Xia Lingyan to cancel.

On the other end, Xia Lingyan sounded a bit helpless—he’d already arrived, only to be told not to come.

“Where are you now?”

“At the hotel.”

Gu Jing felt a slight headache. She’d specifically asked him over, and now that he was here, she couldn’t just leave him hanging.

Seeing Qin Miaoyu nearby, she suddenly had an idea.

“Miaoyu, is Lu Qi’an still staying here?”

Qin Miaoyu nodded.

“Then let them meet. Let Lu Qi’an entertain him—men can always find things to talk about!”

Gu Jing and Qin Miaoyu discussed this, unaware that Xia Lingyan was already sitting in Lu Qi’an’s room.

Hearing Gu Jing’s question, Xia Lingyan looked at Lu Qi’an with an ambiguous smile.

After a few more words, the call ended. Xia Lingyan said, “So, your wife still doesn’t know who you are? Soon we’ll be not just uncle and nephew, but brothers-in-law, and they don’t even know we know each other, or that we’re uncle and nephew?”

Lu Qi’an touched his nose. “If there hadn’t been an accident, she should have known by now. But the whole switched-at-birth thing interrupted everything, and she’s still bothered by it, so she hasn’t had a chance to say anything.”

“So, she doesn’t even know you’re from the Lu family?”

If she did, she’d understand the connection between the Lu and Xia families.

Lu Qi’an nodded.

Xia Lingyan was impressed. “You said you were hiding a few things—I thought it was just minor stuff. But you’re hiding your true identity. If your wife finds out, you’re in for trouble…”

Lu Qi’an managed a strained smile; how could he not know that?