Chapter 45 An Unexpected World for Two (Part 1)

Ji Anning pursed her lips and smiled, not saying a word. Yang Yufang suddenly leaned in excitedly, lowering her voice, "Your grandfather said that once your uncle is married, you and Jingfeng's matter can also be settled."

Upon hearing this, Ji Anning's complexion changed.

She opened her mouth, looked at Yang Yufang, wanting to tell her that Jingfeng's heart... belonged to someone else.

Yang Yufang suddenly reached out and gently fondled her hair with indulgent tenderness, her tone barely concealing her excitement, "Anning, your mother's wish for so many years is finally about to come true."

She looked at Ji Anning with a face full of maternal love, especially with that self-referred 'mother.' She really treated her as if she were her own daughter, making Ji Anning reluctant to let down her affection and her long-standing expectations for her and Ji Jingfeng.

In the end, Ji Anning just gave a slight smile and swallowed back the words she had impulsively wanted to say.

Forget it, no matter whether Jingfeng's heart had room for her or whether he had been with someone else, she was the Ji Family's adopted grandchild and future daughter-in-law, as Ji Ruoqian had said, she was sold here.

So as long as Ji Jingfeng was willing to marry her, the Ji Family must make it happen, and then she would still have to marry him.

Imagination is always impulsive, emotional, and reckless.

But in reality, one must think thrice before taking a step, even more so when uttering a single word.

...

That night, Ji Jingfeng did not return home; at breakfast the next day, his presence was nowhere to be seen.

Everyone arrived at the dining room early, with the patriarch as the last to enter. Upon entering, he glanced at the number of people at the table and asked with a stern face, "Has Jingfeng been very busy with his studies lately?"

Yang Yufang hurriedly explained with a smile, "He's preparing to study in Europe this semester. He was researching with a classmate last night, and they worked until late, so he just stayed overnight at the school."

At her words, the patriarch's expression softened slightly. He took his seat and said, "Let's eat."

Only after seeing the patriarch pick up his chopsticks did everyone else start to use their cutlery.

"There's a cultural event on Friday at the Cultural Bureau. Take Anning with you," he suddenly said, lifting his head to look at Yang Yufang.

Yang Yufang was taken aback, raising her head to look at Ji Zhengdao. The patriarch, having spoken, lowered his head again to eat.

With happiness coming so swiftly, Yang Yufang was stunned for a good while before excitedly nodding, "Okay, thank you, Dad."

For many years, she had merely held the empty title of the Ji Family's second wife, and her authority in the family was even less than Ji Xiangting's, the oldest granddaughter.

For many years, no matter the event, she was never involved; it was always Lin Yanqin representing the patriarch.

This was the first time the old man had agreed in person for her to appear in public.

She felt as if she were finally about to make it, bowing her head to silently rejoice in her heart.

When one person rejoices, another is bound to be upset.

Lin Yanqin was very puzzled by the patriarch's arrangement and frowned as she looked at him, "Dad..."

But before she could finish speaking, the patriarch quelled her with a commanding gaze.

"In this family, I do not tolerate anyone questioning my decisions."

With that said, no one dared to challenge him.

Lin Yanqin bit her teeth and clenched her fists under the table, twisting the hem of her clothes in anger and frustration.

As usual, the patriarch was the first to leave the dining room, and the atmosphere immediately relaxed as soon as he was gone.

Putting down her knife and fork, Yang Yufang excitedly said to Ji Anning, "Anning, if you don't have class this afternoon, come back early. Mom will take you to buy a couple of outfits."