Chapter 11: Madam Tian

"WHAT THE HELL JIANG YANNNN!"

Jiang Yan pulled her phone away from her ears as soon as she heard the screaming.

She had just left the room, to attend the call, but who would have thought that the caller on the other side would be so loud? The people in the corridor were looking at her.

Embarrassed, Jiang Yan quickly made her way to the roof.

"What happened Hua Mei?" Jiang Yan asked, cautiously, this time keeping the phone slightly away from her.

As she waited for the scream, she heard a sobbing voice.

"Are you breaking up with me Yanyan?" Hua Mei felt aggrieved.

Previously, Jiang Yan had asked Hua Mei to keep her identity hidden, and despite her reluctance, Mei Hua had agreed. When they had a video call to discuss their plans further, Mei Hua was shocked to discover that Jiang Yan was still a high school student.

But even more surprising was her elegance and beauty, which immediately caught Mei Hua's attention. She pestered Jiang Yan to become her muse and model her work, but Jiang Yan heartlessly refused.

Today, Mei Hua received a message from Jiang Yan that she won't be attending the upcoming fashion show. They have been preparing for months and Jiang Yan's designs had been a last-minute addition, which would be showcased under their studio Grace. Jiang Yan's designs were the showstoppers. To Mei Hua's dismay, Jiang Yan refused to show her face at the Fashion show.

"What happened Meimei?" Jiang Yan asked.

"You are asking me what happened? How can you refuse to come to the Fashion show. Your designs will be the showstopper, and how can my muse not attend my first fashion show of this year?" Hua Mei felt distressed.

"You know I don't want any unnecessary trouble. I would be soon attending college," Jiang Yan said, trying to reason with her.

"But...but...you look so elegant and beautiful! I thought you would at least show your face on the when we showcase your designs!" Mei Hua gushed.

Jiang Yan chuckled, "Thank you, Mei Hua. But I'm still a student, and my studies come first."

Mei Hua pouted, "Fine, but can't you at least come for the show? It's in three months!"

Jiang Yan sighed, "I'll see what I can do, Meimei. But I can't promise anything."

"Please, Yanyan! You're my muse, my inspiration! Without you, my show is nothing!" Mei Hua begged.

Jiang Yan chuckled again, "Okay, okay. I'll try my best to come. But you owe me one, Meimei!"

Mei Hua let out a squeal of delight, "Yes, yes! Thank you, Yanyan! You're the best!"

As the call ended, Jiang Yan couldn't help but smile at Mei Hua's antics. She may be a talented designer, but her new friend had a knack for drama. And somehow, Jiang Yan always found herself getting roped into it.

***

The opulent mansion was filled with the sound of crashing objects as a furious woman hurled things at the floor. The servants cowered in fear, watching their mistress with wide eyes as she vented her anger.

Just then, Aunt Chen, the loyal servant of Madam Tian, burst into the room with urgent news. "Madam," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "Young Master Jun has returned from his travels."

Madam Tian paused her rampage, turning to face Aunt Chen with a raised eyebrow. "Tian Jun? My brother?" she asked, her voice tinged with surprise.

Aunt Chen nodded quickly. "Yes, Madam. He is waiting for you in the study."

Madam Tian's anger dissipated, replaced by a sense of excitement at the thought of seeing her brother again. She straightened her dress and composed herself before heading towards the study, the servants following behind her with timid steps.

Tian Jun was her closest family, and she knew that he would be able to help her make sense of her frustrations. As she walked, she tried to shake off the anger that had consumed her just moments before, knowing that her brother's calming presence would help her regain her composure.

As Madam Tian entered the study, she found her brother lounging in one of the plush armchairs, a glass of whiskey in hand. At the sound of her approaching footsteps, Tian Jun looked up and rose to his feet, greeting her with a warm smile.

"Welcome back, Jun," Madam Tian said, embracing him tightly. "It's been too long."

"I've missed you, sister," Tian Jun said smoothly, returning the embrace. He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "I heard about your… situation. Are you alright?"

Madam Tian's face darkened as she let out a frustrated huff, pacing across the room. "Alright? Far from it!" she seethed. "I had everything planned perfectly. Perfectly! And yet those fools still managed to mess it up!"

Tian Jun listened, his expression calm, though beneath the surface, his mind was racing. He had known about his sister's scheme from the beginning—not just known, but silently aided it from the shadows.

He had ensured the right people were in place, subtly cleared obstacles, and made sure everything unfolded as planned. Or at least, that was how it should have gone.

Yet, despite his careful maneuvering, something had gone terribly wrong. The mission had failed, and to his growing frustration, he couldn't trace how or why.

The kidnappers had vanished, leaving behind no trace, no explanation. That alone was unsettling. But one thing was certain—he couldn't let his sister know about his own involvement, nor about the gaps in his knowledge. There were things he had kept hidden from his sister, and he intended to keep it that way.

"Sister, have you heard from the kidnappers?" he asked carefully, masking his concern with a thoughtful expression.

Madam Tian shook her head, her anger shifting to unease. "No. And that is the real problem," she admitted. "They've disappeared. Even the leader isn't answering her phone. It's as if they've been... erased."

Tian Jun's grip on his glass tightened slightly. Erased? That was no ordinary failure. Someone had interfered. Someone powerful enough to wipe out a group of hired criminals without a trace. The thought sent a ripple of unease through him.

"You need to be careful, sister," he warned, his voice steady but firm. "If anyone finds out about this, it could bring disgrace to our family. And if Old Master Jiang were to hear of it..."

Madam Tian shot him a sharp glare, cutting him off with a wave of her hand. "I know," she snapped. Then, lowering her voice, she added, "But what choice do I have? Jiang Yan is a threat to our family's honor. I refuse to sit back and let her win."

Tian Jun placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, though his mind was elsewhere. "I understand," he said smoothly. "But we need to be smart. The last thing we want is to attract the wrong kind of attention. Let's step back, reassess, and strike when the time is right."

Madam Tian exhaled slowly, some of her anger easing, though her resentment remained. "You're right. We can't afford another mistake. But I will make that girl pay."

Noting the flicker of rage still burning in his sister's eyes, Tian Jun decided it was best to shift the conversation before she lost control again. With a casual smile, he leaned back and asked, "How is my beloved niece doing? I hear she's been keeping busy with her acting career."

Madam Tian's expression softened at the mention of Jiang Yixuan, the one person in the Jiang family she truly cherished. "Yes, she's doing well. She called earlier—said she'll be returning home soon once filming wraps up."

Tian Jun's lips curled into a proud smile. "That's wonderful news. She's always been talented and hardworking. I have no doubt she'll go far."

"Yes," Madam Tian agreed, a rare warmth in her tone. "She's been diligent since she was a child. I'm so grateful to have her as my daughter."

For a brief moment, the tension in the room eased. The siblings allowed themselves to revel in the one bright spot in their lives, setting aside the troubles that loomed over them.

But Tian Jun's mind never truly rested. As his sister spoke of Jiang Yixuan, he maintained his composed demeanor, yet beneath it all, he was already planning his next move.

The failed kidnapping wasn't just a setback—it was a warning. Someone had interfered, and that meant someone was protecting Jiang Yan.

Who? And more importantly… why?

***

Jiang Yixuan was in the midst of a dramatic scene when her assistant, Qin Ran, received a call. Without a flicker of emotion, Qin Ran answered, her expression unreadable as she listened intently. Her eyes narrowed slightly as the conversation unfolded.

Once the scene concluded, Jiang Yixuan settled into a chair, her posture as poised as ever. She glanced at Qin Ran, who remained silent, waiting for an update. "What's happening?" she asked, her voice betraying a rare trace of concern.

Qin Ran hesitated for a moment, her calm demeanor unchanged, before delivering the news with icy precision. "Your mother," she began, her voice steady. "She's had another outburst. Apparently, she's been throwing things around the house."

Jiang Yixuan's gaze remained unwavering, though a brief flicker of emotion flashed across her features—barely noticeable. She had long been accustomed to her mother's volatile temper, but this sudden escalation caught her off guard. "Is anyone hurt?" she asked, her voice betraying none of her inner thoughts.

"No," Qin Ran replied flatly. "No one's hurt, but the servants are frightened."

Jiang Yixuan nodded, her expression unchanged. "Tell Aunt Chen to prepare her special tea. Also, keep an eye on the servants. No word of this should leave the house."

"Understood, Miss Jiang," Qin Ran responded with a slight nod. "Also, your uncle has returned from abroad. He's visiting your mother now."

The mention of Tian Jun caused Jiang Yixuan's sharp eyes to narrow ever so slightly. It had been months since she last saw him, and his sudden return piqued her interest. "Really?" she replied coolly, her tone tinged with a trace of intrigue. "That's unexpected. I wonder what brings him back."

Qin Ran offered a neutral nod, her expression as impassive as always. "I don't know, but something about it doesn't sit right. You know how your family operates."

The words lingered in the air, but Jiang Yixuan's thoughts moved quickly, her sharp mind already calculating the potential implications. Despite the mounting tension, a faint smile curled at the corner of her lips—more enigmatic than reassuring. "Maybe," she murmured, "it's just another game."

Qin Ran made no further comment, recognizing the subtle shift in her boss's demeanor. She knew well that Jiang Yixuan never revealed her true intentions unless she chose to.

***