Jiang Yao's eyes lit up and her heart raced.
"Dad, Huo Zhixin...is she the youngest daughter of the Huo family?"
"Hmm," Jiang Mingyuan said calmly, "She seems to be only eighteen this year and hasn't gone to university yet. She's the youngest child in the Huo family's generation and also Huo Sanye's most beloved younger sister. If you can win over this little princess, and she puts a good word for you with Huo Sanye, you might have a chance to marry into the Huo family!"
“Dad, I know what to do!” Jiang Yao bit her lip and pondered for a moment. “I will send someone to keep an eye on Miss Huo’s whereabouts and then hold a banquet as soon as possible, preferably… preferably under the guise of a charity gala! I know that the Huo family has always liked to do charity.”
"Not bad." Jiang Mingyuan finally smiled. "After finding Huo Zhixin, you will personally write the invitation!"
"That's for sure!"
"The sooner the banquet is held, the better, lest things get complicated."
"I understand." Jiang Yao was secretly delighted.
However, Jiang Mingyuan's words ruthlessly shattered her joy.
"Let's also inform Can Can and ask her to attend the banquet!"
"What?" Jiang Yao almost screamed, "Dad, this..."
"What, you don't want to?"
Jiang Mingyuan raised his voice and glared at her fiercely.
Yang Juan, who was standing next to her, was also very angry, but she dared not say anything.
Ever since the last time his family of three traveled a long way to Yangcheng to attend Master Huo's welcoming banquet, only to be stopped at the door, Jiang Mingyuan felt utterly humiliated and had been giving Yang Juan the cold shoulder ever since.
So at this moment, Yang Juan could only let Jiang Yao swallow her anger and resentment. "Yao Yao, be good!" She winked at her. "It's just a banquet. That little bitch is no match for you!"
Jiang Yao gritted her teeth, and her fists were so clenched that the veins bulged out.
“Yaoyao,” Jiang Mingyuan scoffed, “No matter what, Cancan is still your sister. You two sisters should get along well and look after each other!”
“Okay…” Jiang Yao squeezed out the word with great difficulty, “I will inform her.”
Jiang Mingyuan nodded in satisfaction.
He knew that if he did this, Jiang Yao would hate Jiang Can to death.
When people are under extreme emotions, they are more likely to lose control and be manipulated.
In his eyes, his daughters were nothing more than tools for him to profit.
...
A few days later, Jiang Can stood at the hotel entrance.
Tonight, the place is bustling with guests and incredibly lively.
But for her, it was a completely different world.
When she received Jiang Yao's notification, she was taking care of her mother in the hospital. Looking at her mother's graying temples and dull eyes, and thinking of her tragic life, she couldn't help but tear up.
Just then, Jiang Yao called to tell her about the charity gala the next day, and even made sarcastic remarks to her:
"Your father specially granted you permission to come back; otherwise, how could you, an illegitimate daughter, have the right to enter the house!"
"No need," Jiang Can replied coldly. "I'm already married and have no connection with the Jiang family anymore!"
"Jiang Can, let me remind you!" A light sneer came from the phone. "This is Dad's decision. If you dare to disobey, do you think Dad will let you off easily? Ha, if he wanted to deal with you and your crazy mother, it would be easier for him than crushing an ant!"
These words sent a shiver down Jiang Can's spine.
So she's standing here tonight.
She didn't tell Gu Mang, only casually mentioning that she had to work overtime that night and that he didn't need to wait for her for dinner.
It's just a banquet anyway...
Jiang Can took a deep breath, forced a smile, and planned to find an excuse to leave after a while.
However, just as he stepped onto the hotel's stone steps, before even entering the banquet hall, a figure suddenly flashed before his eyes.
"Oh, you actually came?"
Jiang Yao crossed her arms and looked at her arrogantly, a disdainful and mocking smile on her face.
Jiang Can was taken aback. She had to admit that Jiang Yao had dressed up carefully tonight. The bright red fishtail evening gown really suited her figure and brought out her good complexion.
In comparison, her ordinary black and white dress seemed rather casual.
“Jiang Can,” Jiang Yao frowned, “didn’t I tell you that Miss Huo is our guest tonight? Dressed like this, are you trying to embarrass the Jiang family?”
"You said tonight is a charity gala," Jiang Can said calmly. "Does a charity gala require you to dress like you're going on stage?"
"What did you say?!"
“The theme of the charity gala is charity, not Miss Huo.” Jiang Can glanced at her. “I think dressing appropriately is enough. Being too flashy and attracting attention will defeat the purpose of charity.”
Jiang Yao's face flushed red and then turned pale with anger, but with so many guests around, she couldn't lash out. She could only grit her teeth and mutter harshly in a low voice:
"You little bitch! Trying to teach me how to do things?"
"I wouldn't dare," Jiang Can chuckled. "The banquet was hosted by my sister; I'm just here to see just how capable she is!"
Jiang Yao narrowed her eyes, and just as Jiang Can was about to walk past her, she suddenly stepped forward and blocked her way.
"Now is the time when the guests are coming in, and you're dressed like this, it's really embarrassing!"
“Okay,” Jiang Can looked into her eyes, “then I’ll go back.”
"Wait!" Jiang Yao said arrogantly. "Dad specifically told you to come, but you left. Are you trying to harm me?"
Jiang Can remained silent, speechless.
"Here's what we'll do." Jiang Yao smiled coldly. "I'll drive you home. I was cleaning the house the other day, and the maids found some old things... Ha, I recognized them as your mother's, so I told them not to throw them away and to keep them for you."
"What?"
Jiang Can was somewhat shocked.
However, since Yoon Moon-hee used to be a servant in the Kang family, it's normal that some of her personal belongings were left there.
She just couldn't understand why Jiang Yao would be so kind as to keep it for her mother.
"Why are you looking at me like that!" Jiang Yao pouted, then deliberately walked up to her, her expression softening considerably.
"Actually, I think Dad is right. After all, we are sisters and should take care of each other... Putting that aside, you helped me fulfill my engagement with the Gu family, so I should repay you."
"I'm repaying you for leaving something for your mother this time. Jiang Can, we're even!"
Jiang Can pursed her lips, thinking that perhaps Jiang Yao wasn't completely bad.
Human nature is inherently complex, and people's hearts are even more fickle.
Even the worst person probably has a kind side.
“Come home with me now and get your mother’s things!” Jiang Yao looked at her. “After you get them, the guests should be coming in. Slip in when the lights are dim so no one will see you dressed like this!”
Jiang Can hesitated, a vague unease creeping into her heart.
Jiang Yao descended a few steps, turned around and glared at her, shrieking, "Are you going or not? If you don't go back to get it, I'll throw everything away!"
"No..." Jiang Can bit her lip and followed behind her, "I'll go back with you to get it."
Jiang Yao glanced at her, then turned and continued walking forward, a cold smile playing on her lips.
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