Chapter 26 Unemployed
Jiang Yunting's smile faded slightly. Looking at the cautious expectation in his sister's eyes, he felt a little reluctant, but still told the truth: "Brother Shi Yan is very capable. Six years ago, he started a business with Brother Yan Ze and Brother Jing Shen, and in just three years, he took the company public. Now it is Xie's Group, and he is the biggest leader. His annual income... is a number that we small companies can't even dream of."
He paused, his voice lower, "As for marriage... I haven't heard anything. However, there are rumors that he often attends events with the daughter of the owner of a large real estate company they collaborate with, and they seem to have a close relationship. Sister,"
He looked worriedly into Jiang Yining's suddenly dimmed eyes. "If... if he already has someone else, you..."
"I understand," Jiang Yining interrupted him quickly, lowering her head, her long eyelashes concealing the surging bitterness and disappointment in her eyes. Her heart felt like it was being blocked by something, suffocating her. Yes,
Eight years have passed. Even the ocean can turn into mulberry fields. How could he still be stuck in the same place? Xie Shiyan, who said he would "get married after graduation," must have been buried under the tombstone of Qiyun Mountain long ago, along with the deceased Jiang Yining. Only her soul, trapped in the cracks of time, is still looking back in vain.
She didn't speak again, silently following her family through the magnificent corridor towards the reserved "Ruixueju" private room. The warmth that had arisen from the family reunion was greatly diminished by this news.
Mu Qing noticed her dejection and gently tugged at Jiang Yunting's sleeve. Jiang Yunting shook his head, signaling her not to ask. Pushing open the heavy door of the "Ruixueju" private room, the scene inside once again made Jiang Yining hold her breath slightly.
A huge round table was covered with a pristine white tablecloth, with a vibrant floral art installation at its center. Crystal glasses reflected the dazzling light, and silver cutlery was set out meticulously. The understated yet luxurious decor exuded status and wealth.
Her uncle's family had already arrived. After a brief silence, they greeted Jiang Yining even more warmly when she came in. Her aunt held her hand, her eyes slightly red, and looked her up and down. The intimacy and affection she showed went far beyond that of a "long-lost niece."
Jiang Yining could clearly feel this silent acceptance and tacit agreement—they probably all knew she was her, even if they couldn't explain it, they knew. This recognition warmed her heart, but it also brought with it a lingering bitterness.
Jiang Yining looked around at this "family banquet" environment, which was completely outside her comprehension, and then at her successful cousins and younger brother. A strong sense of inferiority, feeling that she was the most useless, quietly grew within her. She felt like a child who had wandered into the adult world, completely at a loss.
No one knows a daughter better than her mother, and Jiang's mother keenly noticed the fleeting sadness and unease in her daughter's eyes. She deliberately put on a stern face and said in a slightly disdainful tone:
"What? Stunned? Suddenly feeling utterly useless? Everyone else is a boss and rich, while you're still unemployed and nothing at all?"
This precise "strike" instantly ignited Jiang Yining's fighting spirit. Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, she temporarily forgot the bitterness in her heart and glared at him, retorting:
"Mom, is that even human? I'm a college student, a proper foreign language translation major, and I was first in my class back then. How could I not find a job?"
"Oh, a college student?" Jiang's mother raised an eyebrow and added mercilessly, "Have you gotten your college diploma yet? According to your personnel file, you only have a high school diploma at best."
Pfft... Jiang Yunting, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but laugh out loud, and quickly picked up his teacup to cover it up.
Jiang Yining was speechless, feeling as if three invisible knives had been plunged into her chest. She was both angry and embarrassed, and her face turned red. She angrily moved her stool to the side, turning her back to her mother, showing with her actions that "I'm very angry, and I can't be coaxed."
Watching her daughter's familiar, childlike antics, Jiang's mother couldn't hide her amusement. Her aunt and other female relatives also couldn't help but laugh at the long-awaited banter between the mother and daughter.
The somewhat formal atmosphere in the private room instantly became relaxed and warm. They looked at Jiang Yining with eyes full of relief. Thank goodness Ningning was back; this family finally had such vibrant life again.
One after another, delicious dishes, each with its own unique color, aroma, and flavor, were served on the table. Jiang used lemon to soothe his "grief and indignation" and stimulate his appetite. With the delicious food in front of him, he temporarily put aside his troubles and ate with great immersion.
The tenderness of the steamed grouper, the rich flavor of the black truffle-baked lobster, the crispy aroma of the roast pigeon… each dish amazed her. She only reluctantly put down her chopsticks when she felt her stomach was about to burst.
"Alright, alright, you'll get sick if you eat any more, and then you'll have an upset stomach again." Seeing that she had eaten enough, Jiang's mother stopped her, "Go out for a walk to digest your food, but don't go too far."
Jiang Yining also felt a bit full, so she politely greeted the elders and got up to leave the noisy and warm private room.
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