Chapter 123 – Impressive, My Kid (Part Two)
“What does that mean?”
“Understand it yourself.”
Jiang Pengji maintained an air of cool indifference, while Liu Zhi wore a slight smile. “Hmm, this is Lan Ting.”
At this point, he showed no intention of further introductions. The young girl seemed to realize this, her face turning a bit awkward.
Jiang Pengji sat down, her eyes seemingly fixed on the cup of tea, but she was actually assessing the “girl” and Liu Zhi without leaving a trace.
This girl had little to say. She appeared to be playing smart, yet her flaws were all too apparent.
Jiang Pengji was certain that even if her eyes were blind, she could still smell that repugnant odor emanating from “her.”
What piqued interest, however, was Liu Zhi’s demeanor.
Despite the man’s seemingly friendly yet distanced smile as he seriously entertained guests, the changes in his gaze and subtle shifts in his facial muscles, along with the movements of his fingers, all pointed to one thing—he despised that girl.
No!
Saying he despised her seemed too mild!
That feeling was more akin to discovering a platter filled with decaying animal corpses and other biological waste during a New Year’s feast, utterly nauseating.
The girl tried to shift the conversation toward Jiang Pengji, but Liu Zhi subtly redirected it. They exchanged what seemed like warm pleasantries for quite some time. Finally, the “girl” mentioned the main purpose of her visit—hoping to see the Stepmother.
Jiang Pengji had expected Liu Zhi to refuse or delay, but to her surprise, he agreed without a second thought.
Furrowing her brow, she proactively addressed Liu Zhi, “The physician said that Mother’s emotional turmoil isn’t good for her recovery. If she could hear from her family, she would likely feel happier. Cousin hasn’t visited Liu Residence for quite a while; she might not be clear about things here. Xi Jian, take her to see Mother.”
Liu Zhi frowned slightly but said nothing.
“What are you staring at Xi for, cousin?” Jiang Pengji seemed to have eyes in the back of her head, accurately catching the girl’s gaze.
Caught red-handed, the girl blushed. “Lan Ting is just walking ahead. How can you say I was peeking at you?”
Jiang Pengji coldly replied with an “oh,” leaving everyone dumbfounded. The audience was waiting for her to boost the loli’s favorability, but instead, it just vanished?
【Monkey Dandan】: Host, you can’t do this! QWQ Shouldn’t you engage more with the loli?
【Face-Off】: Feels like something’s off with the host’s reaction. Seems like she’s holding back something huge.
【Old Driver Alliance】: Can I say, as an old driver, I’ve figured out the host’s intent? That girl has a hidden agenda.
The keywords “old driver” and “girl has a hidden agenda” implied that the term Jiang Pengji used earlier held deeper meaning.
In an instant, the entire audience was like—feeling intense curiosity!
Yet, some innocent children expressed their confusion and asked naive questions.
【Eating Grapes and Spitting Grape Skins】: Why does it feel like you all know something? Can someone explain?
The crowd felt like they had found a pure seedling among a bunch of dirty old drivers and decided not to taint it.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Pengji interjected.
【Host V】: When you grow up, you’ll naturally understand.
【Eating Grapes and Spitting Grape Skins】: Huh? With so many comments, the host noticed mine and even replied! I feel so honored!
Jiang Pengji chuckled inwardly. It wasn’t just this one person’s comment she noticed; she saw all of them crystal clear.
Their luck was pretty good; the Stepmother had just woken up and seemed to be in good spirits.
Upon hearing Jiang Pengji’s message to the maidservant, the Stepmother slightly paused, her brows furrowing as she said, “Help me sit up.”
Sitting in front of the dressing table and gazing into the bronze mirror at her haggard face, she held a neutral expression, allowing the maidservant to tend to her.
Her long hair was styled in a bun; since she was still unwell, she didn’t wear many decorations—just a couple of hairpins to avoid looking too shabby. The wrinkled nightgown had been changed for a home garment that still held a hint of soapberry fragrance.
Under the maidservant’s skilled hands, she was no longer the weary figure from before but had taken on a sense of lazy elegance.
“This looks good; go meet that…” The Stepmother’s tone stiffened for a moment, then she broke into an exceptionally striking smile like a blooming peony, adding a bit of a formidable air, “My lovely niece!”
Was that powerful aura reminiscent of the usual haughty Lady Die?
For a moment, some less experienced maidservants whispered quietly amongst themselves, yet they dared not voice their thoughts, instead opting for even greater respect.
Jiang Pengji, seeing the newly refreshed Stepmother sitting at the head of the main house, felt her heart skip a beat — truly, the more you fear, the more it comes.
“Mother, you look much better today than yesterday.”
Jiang Pengji said casually, trying to shield the young girl and the Stepmother’s gaze from meeting. Unfortunately, this body was still that of a twelve-year-old child, not yet fully developed, and stood nearly a head shorter than the “girl” behind her.
“And who is this?” the Stepmother nodded, looking affectionately at Jiang Pengji, but upon spotting that annoyingly familiar “girl” trailing behind her, the smile on her lips faltered slightly, then returned to normal as she teased, “Which family is this lady from? Her appearance is so charming! Could it be you’ve brought her here with romantic intentions?”
Now it was Jiang Pengji’s turn to be speechless, her expression deadpan as she replied, “Mother, please don’t tease, lest you ruin her reputation. Didn’t the maidservant who informed you mention there are guests today, who are actually your maternal relatives?”
Only then did the Stepmother stifle a laugh into her handkerchief, casting a glance at Jiang Pengji laced with a hint of playful charm.
“You’ve really grown, haven’t you? Can’t your aunt tease a little?” After saying this, the Stepmother finally directed her attention toward the “girl,” observing her thoroughly with a seeming haze of familiarity, “Your looks are quite familiar. I wonder which sister’s child you are? What brings a young girl like you all the way to Hejian?”
The girl appeared somewhat embarrassed, glancing at Jiang Pengji, nervously pulling at her handkerchief, while casting a longing and pained look toward the Stepmother.
What was this rhythm?
Was she signaling that there were important matters to discuss with the Stepmother, and this “outsider” shouldn’t be present?
Jiang Pengji silently observed the girl’s actions and expressions, coldly sneering within.
She was insightful enough to see through the girl’s hints.
However, she had no intention of following the girl’s desires.
Not budging an inch, she denied her a one-on-one chatting opportunity with the Stepmother.
The atmosphere was awkwardly tense.
In the end, it was the Stepmother who spoke first, asking Jiang Pengji to step out for the time being.
Though she was expelled, her senses heightened in that moment; even from a distance of thirty to fifty meters, she could clearly hear the conversation inside. It wasn’t that she was overly concerned; she just… didn’t quite trust the Stepmother.
Once Jiang Pengji was far enough away, the Stepmother turned to the girl. “You’ve grown.”
As soon as the Stepmother opened her mouth, the girl suddenly dropped to her knees, crawling towards the Stepmother, her voice tinged with a bit of sobbing.
“Mother! I miss you!”
To everyone’s shock, that voice was distinctly one of a boy!
