Coincidence

The ladies of the upper class were well-acquainted with each other, but they knew next to nothing when it came to Madam Jiang.

She had always kept a low profile, after all, and rarely attended public events. No one could find a way to get close to her even if they wanted to.

Needless to say, they were all shocked to find her at the birthday banquet.

Nonetheless, it was a pleasant surprise.

Everyone was eager to show off in front of this illustrious figure, especially the young, unmarried girls whose eyes had never left Jiang Jinchen's face.

This was Madam Jiang's son, a handsome boy from a prominent family. He was an excellent catch, as much as he was elusive. If they missed their opportunity now, they might never find another boy like him even if they waited for a hundred years.

"I never knew that Jiang Jinchen was Madam Jiang's son," Li Jiaojiao exclaimed in surprise. "He was so low-key even at school."

Zhao Zhen snorted. "With that kind of family, do you really think they would dare to stand out in society?"

"Damn it! Zhu Xiangxiang that wench, what is she up to this time?" Li Jiaojiao's grip tightened around her wine glass, so much so that she almost broke it.

Zhu Xiangxiang was still rooted to the spot, gazing at Jiang Jinchen with undisguised pleasure and excitement.

Li Jiaojiao could already tell what was running inside the other girl's mind.

'Yeah, right! Dream on!'

Li Jiaojiao pulled back her shoulders and walked confidently toward Madam Jiang and Jiang Jinchen.

"Hello, Madam Jiang. I finally get the chance to meet you. At first, I thought you and Senior Jiang were brother and sister. You really look so young and radiant."

Madam Jiang smiled. She was pleased with this girl's pretty face and honeyed tongue. "You are Jiaojia, right? I remember holding you when you were young. Don't be so formal with me, just call me Aunt Lan."

Madam Jiang's full name was Jiang Chunlan.

As overwhelmed as she was by the sudden show of favor, Li Jiaojiao didn't hesitate to link her arm around the older woman's. On the surface, she appeared very warm and genuine, which made her adorable in Madam Jiang's eyes. "Aunt Lan," Li Jiaojiao called out sweetly, trying out the words on her tongue. The ever calm Madam Jiang couldn't help but laugh in delight.

"Elder Li, your granddaughter is a treasure."

The old man stroked his beard and let out a full belly laugh. "I'm sure she's nothing compared to your son."

Madam Jiang turned back to Li Jiaojiao. "You and Little Chen are classmates, right?"

The girl cast a shy glance at Jiang Jinchen. "Senior is a third-year, while I'm still in the second year. But Senior is really popular at school. I can't even begin to compare to him."

A few feet away, Zhao Zhen almost barfed at her friend's words. 'Li Jiaojiao, you brat. You really know how to flatter people.'

But then she noticed that Zhu Xiangxiang had paled in an obvious fret, and she had to admit she felt pretty good about Li Jiaojiao's skills.

Meanwhile, Jiang Jinchen's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. Did Li Jiaojiao think he had no idea who she was? She was a notorious bully on campus, adept in goading others into action while acting as a mere accomplice on the side.

With their elders present, however, he couldn't be bothered to expose her true self at the moment.

"Little Chen, in the future, you must take care of Jiaojiao at school, do you understand?"

Jiang Jinchen nodded without breaking his aloof expression.

Madam Jiang grew fond of Li Jiaojiao very quickly. She wanted the kids to talk more and grow closer, but then she spotted a gaggle of ladies slowly approaching her with purpose. She wasted no time and slipped away before they could trap her.

"Well, Mr. Campus Heartthrob, were you amused by my performance just now?" Li Jiaojiao secretly winked at Jiang Jinchen.

He remained cold and didn't even look at her. "I suppose I owe you an Oscar for Best Actress."

She snickered into her mouth. "Why, thank you for your kind words. I'm actually planning to enter the entertainment business in a few years."

Despite her efforts, Madam Jiang was besieged by her admirers in a matter of moments. Lin Qing struggled as she squeezed through the other women, pulling Zhu Xiangxiang behind her. "Madam Jiang…"

Madam Jiang sized up the mother and daughter in front of her. Though her gaze was kind, there was an unmistakable distance in it. "Mrs. Lin?" she asked with a small frown.

"Ah, you still remember me, Madam Jiang," Lin Qing flushed with gratification. She pulled Zhu Xiangxiang forward and quickly introduced her. "This is my daughter, Xiangxiang. She is currently a sophomore at Saint D High School. Her grades are excellent, and she receives scholarship offers every year."

"Hello, Madam Jiang," Zhu Xiangxiang greeted with a respectful smile.

Luckily, Madam Jiang was easily swayed by cute and pretty girls. She smiled and said, "Madam Lin is so lucky."

At that moment, another lady butt in. "But Madam suddenly had two daughters. She's very lucky indeed."

Lin Qing stiffened at the comment. She didn't care to discuss Ming Jing with other people, let alone mention her existence. The girl was nothing but an embarrassment for her.

Madam Jiang raised an eyebrow, a spark of interest appearing in her eyes.

The woman who had first mentioned the matter began to tell Madam Jiang all about the fiasco with much gusto. The more she talked, the uglier Lin Qing's expression became. Still, nobody paid her mind, and they continued to discuss as if she wasn't there at all.

"The life of the true daughter has really been difficult. I heard that she grew up in a nunnery. It makes me wonder how good she must have become with all those years of cultivation. By the way, Madam Lin, how come you only brought one of them to the party? You can't possibly be favoring one over the other. After all, that other girl is your biological child."

The words hit Lin Qing like a slap to the face.

Zhu Xiangxiang finally stepped in to defend her. "My sister is still unaccustomed to occasions such as this, and has asked not to come. We didn't force her since we respect her decisions."

"Well, how can she get used to these things if she doesn't come?" the other lady sniffed. She could see clearly through their insincerity. "You should still should have coaxed her and helped her adjust to her new surroundings."

"A nunnery, you say?" Madam Jiang asked curiously.

"Oh, right! I almost forgot that you're a devout believer of Buddhism yourself. It seems that you were fated to meet Madam Lin's true daughter, after all."

But Madam Jiang was already looking into the distance, her thoughts drifting far away. "I wonder how Little Master is doing now…" she mumbled.

"Little Master?"

Madam Jiang smiled before explaining. "Two years ago, I traveled to Snowy Peaks to deal with some personal business and had an unfortunate accident. I was lucky enough to have been found by a young master. Though she was still young, she was extremely proficient in the Buddhist teachings, and her demeanor immediately quelled my doubts."

"Then this young master must be quite powerful."

Zhu Xiangxiang lowered her head and frowned. 'White-Headed Mountain? Isn't that where Ming Jing came from?'

No, it must be a coincidence, nothing more.

Madam Jiang spoke again. "Madam Lin, your family's story sounds more interesting than most TV series. Now that you have two daughters, you must take it as your good fortune no matter what. Be sure to treat them both well."

Lin Qing nodded fervently in agreement. She was surrounded by the upper crust circle; she had no choice but to endure this conversation.

Even so, she still failed to get the chance to talk to Madam Jiang in private. When Lin Qing saw that she was about to leave the venue, she quickly ran after Madam Jiang.

She was flanked by two burly bodyguards, and when the men spotted Lin Qing, they immediately blocked her path and stopped her.

Thankfully, Madam Jiang kindly waved them away. "Is there anything else, madam Lin?" she asked kindly.

Lin Qing faltered for a moment. Then, with a deep breath, she stated her purpose.

Madam Jiang stood still, the moonlight shining on her face, making her look like a cold and untouchable deity. Her eyes never flickered, and they gleamed like a stormy cloud blooming in the dark of the night.

By the end of her speech, Lin Qing's heart was pounding. Her palms were dripping with sweat.

"I see," Madam Jiang said coolly. "I'm sorry, Madam Jiang, but I cannot help you with this matter."

Just then, Jiang Jinchen came to join them. Madam Jiang took his arm and left without another word or a single backward glance.

"What are we going to do now?" Lin Qing rasped. "Madam Jiang refused to help us."

Zhu Xiangxiang sidled up next to her. She narrowed her eyes at the mother and son disappearing in the distance.

"That's because the chips we hold aren't enough."