The Ceo‘s Caged Melody

At the dining table, no one spoke besides the patriarch.

The whole family tacitly avoided bringing up Jiang Muwan in conversation.

However, it was the patriarch who constantly had his estranged granddaughter, who had been away for many years, on his mind.

He mentioned Muwan again and again in his talk.

The seat that should have belonged to Jiang Sinan today was taken by Jiang Muwan.

Next to her, Jiang Wei seemed to have finally recovered her composure and smiled gently at Muwan as she said, "Don't leave tonight. Auntie has prepared a room for you, so stay at the house."

These polite words were laced with probing intent.

She meant to ask how long Jiang Muwan would stay and when she planned to leave, but out of respect for the patriarch's presence, she didn't inquire directly. Instead, she took a roundabout approach and expressed her concern. If Jiang Muwan refused, Jiang Wei could rest assured, but if Jiang Muwan accepted, she would have to plan her next move carefully and ponder the true purpose of her return.

Quite a case of killing two birds with one stone.

On the surface, she expressed concern, but she also fished for the answer she wanted in secret.

How clever is that?

But was the person in question easy to take advantage of?

Clearly not.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Muwan looked at Jiang Wei, her pale face breaking into a soft smile as she gently replied, "I'll listen to Auntie."

Her words held hidden meaning, implying that she knew how to deflect with equal subtlety.

As her words settled, the expression on Jiang Wei's face wavered for a moment between bewilderment and astonishment, as if she hadn't expected to be outmaneuvered by Jiang Muwan, who had done so with such gentle grace.

The phrase "I'll listen to Auntie" might seem like the dutiful acquiescence of a younger to an elder.

But who could say these words didn't carry a hidden edge?

At this point, if Jiang Wei openly made the decision for her to stay, it would be an affront to the current sister-in-law, Yang Shan.

Yet if she didn't allow her to stay, it would undoubtedly displease the patriarch.

Now, Jiang Wei knew that this young niece was no longer the same little girl she once was.

"Auntie naturally hopes you will stay," she replied with a word laden with depth.

However, Jiang Muwan didn't inquire further as she looked at Jiang Wei with a tender smile, maintaining her stance, "I'll listen to Auntie."

There are many ways to achieve one's goals, and Jiang Muwan had employed the least effortful.

She lowered her gaze, scooped up some soup from the bowl, and slowly suppressed the depth in her eyes.

No one could discern the truth.

Jiang Lin sat across from her, looking at Jiang Muwan for a long time without speaking.

He probably hadn't seen her for so long that he didn't know how to begin a conversation.

In contrast, Yang Shan on the side was warmly attending to everyone, adding dishes and ladling soup, putting on the full display of a hostess. Her fervor only served to emphasize Jiang Muwan as an outsider.

The type of enthusiasm that extends to a person is one of two things: it's either born of deep affection or profound estrangement.

And clearly, it was the latter.

This was the first time in half a month that the Jiang family had all sat down to eat together.

This meal was a celebration.

A celebration for the patriarch's discharge from the hospital.

A celebration for Huazhong overcoming tough times.

Yet, on such an important occasion, the presence of Jiang Muwan was unexpected.

And it caused much discomfort among those present.

"Sister, have you been living in the Capital all these years?" This question came from Jiang Sinan.

Perhaps sensing the awkwardness at the table, he thought he could find more common ground with someone closer to his age and initiated the conversation.

Jiang Muwan gave him face and responded with a simple "Hmm," looking his way and continuing, "I've been in the Capital all along."

"What year are you in your studies?" The conversation took a turn as she adopted the role of a sister concerned about her "younger brother's" education.

Without delving deeper, the conversation appeared harmonious on the surface.

But whether it was truly harmonious or not, everyone had their own assessment.

"I've just started my first year of graduate studies," Jiang Sinan replied obediently.

Jiang Muwan nodded slowly, took a sip from her soup, and uttered a brief "That's good," before closing the topic.

This dinner had some eating joyously and others with a feeling of unease.

The patriarch's attention on Jiang Muwan far exceeded what he had shown Jiang Sinan in the past.

Though people didn't voice their thoughts, turbid currents churned within their hearts.

Jiang Wei seemed to be eating calmly but had actually gone over the implications of Jiang Muwan's return in great detail in her mind.

She speculated and deliberated with great care.

But the motives of the patriarch were truly hard to fathom.

Jiang Wei reached for a glass of water on the side, took a sip, and her gaze fleetingly crossed Jiang Muwan's figure, before seemingly offhandedly but cunningly inquiring, "How is your mother's health?"

The mention of Jiang Muwan's mother caused a change in the demeanor of a few present people, such as Yang Shan.

And also Jiang Lin.

"Thanks to your concern, she's quite well," Jiang Muwan replied with a shallow smile, a faint air of gratitude washing over her face, as if truly appreciative.

As if Jiang Wei was genuinely concerned about her mother.

As if Jiang Wei and her mother shared a close friendship.

Seconds later, Jiang Wei belatedly realized she had been played again.

The closer Jiang Muwan appeared to her, the more it was a silent slap to the face of the current sister-in-law, Yang Shan.

This young lady proved to be a smiling tiger.

She bit without being noticed.

After dinner, the family sat on the sofa conversing leisurely.

Before Jiang Muwan arrived, they talked exclusively about business matters.

After Jiang Muwan arrived, the conversation shifted to more mundane family issues.

Both Jiang siblings were subtly guarding against her.

And Jiang Muwan, although aware, was not in a rush.

Sitting aside, holding a cup and sipping water.

She was unhurried, having resolved to stay.

Their chatter about household trivialities, how hurtful it was.

It was like taking a knife and gouging her heart repeatedly.

Buddhism always says, good and evil will eventually be repaid.

But in real life, good people often do not reap good rewards.

While the wicked can live long and prosper.

Fairy tales, or myths, they're all fake.

Only reality can teach you how to be a sober person.

"Don't leave once you're back, stay in C City," the old man's deep and powerful voice brought the house's chatter about family affairs to an abrupt halt and made Jiang Muwan, who was mulling over her thoughts with her eyes lowered, look up at him, a flash of astonishment passing through her eyes.

"Stay in C City," the old man repeated.

"Dad," as the word landed, the first to become anxious was Yang Shan, why?

It was better to reign supreme alone than to suddenly have someone share the fruits, her incredulous gaze fell on the old man, that "Dad" came out forceful.

She spoke out urgently, perhaps realizing that she had lost her composure, then she reined in her emotions, saying, "Sister Rong must feel lonely in the Capital by herself."

At this mention of "Sister Rong," Jiang Muwan pressed the cup she was holding down hard.

Her fingertips turned slightly white.

As her wrist turned, Jiang Sinan's gaze fell on her pale wrist, and there was a moment of surprise.

It was a scar several centimeters long, extending from one end of her wrist to the other.

It looked, somewhat startling.

Upon closer inspection, her face still maintained its usual calm and breezy demeanor, as if, she truly looked down on everything the Jiang family had.

With a slight lowering of her eyes, a flash of fierce resolve swept through them.

"Am I not lonely if she is lonely? When I die one day, Muwan will have plenty of time to accompany her. Could I possibly live longer than her?" the old man scoffed as he threw out this sentence.

For an elderly man of advanced years, the mere mention of death is something few can withstand.

Especially someone as eminent and well-known as the Jiang family's patriarch.

Especially a distinguished house like the Jiang family.

"What does Muwan think," seeing her remain silent for a long time, looking as if she enjoyed the spectacle, Jiang Lin asked.

In past years, whenever she was occasionally brought back to C City, she never thought about staying.

And now?

When the women were engaged in their heart-to-heart struggles, Jiang Lin, the current head of Huazhong, undoubtedly seized on the key point.

Jiang Muwan, upon hearing this, slowly shifted her gaze from Yang Shan to Jiang Lin and only after a while, she said, "My home is in the Capital."

In short, this place is not my home.

The moment Jiang Muwan finished speaking, everyone, both openly and secretly, breathed a sigh of relief. Jiang Wei, sitting quietly without speaking, even picked up her glass and took a sip of water as if to calm her nerves.

And the old man?

Just as she was letting down her guard,

With a "clang," the old man flung the cup from his hand, shattering the fine blue-and-white porcelain teacup beyond repair.

Shards of glass littered the coffee table, the carpet, everywhere.

This fling silenced everyone in the room; nobody dared to breathe.

"Come upstairs with me," he said, naturally addressing Jiang Muwan.

She remained unmoved.

"I told you to come upstairs with me," the old man's voice rose again, his stern face filled with boundless rage.

Seeing her still motionless, the butler beside her urged, "Miss, the old master has just been discharged from the hospital."

In other words, he couldn't be upset.

He'd just come out of the hospital, so let's not send him back with more aggravation.

She still did not move.

Steady as Mount Tai.

"Can I no longer call you?" the roaring voice rose once more.

How cruel was Jiang Muwan's heart?

Perhaps all the people here combined wouldn't match one ten-thousandth of hers.

So what if the old man called her?

She was waiting for Jiang Lin to speak up, or for another member of the Jiang family to do so.

Regardless of whether the old man was raging, she remained resolute, without the slightest intention of wavering.

Beside her, Jiang Lin looked at his red-faced, angry father and then slowly shifted his gaze to the unwavering Jiang Muwan. The former was his father, who had just been discharged from the hospital, while the latter was his estranged eldest daughter.

At this moment, Jiang Muwan's stance was one of absolute refusal to bow to the Jiang family.

Proud as a phoenix perched atop a parasol tree.

No matter how the old man roared, she seemed as if she saw none of it.

"Muwan, grandpa just got out of the hospital," after a while, Jiang Lin spoke amidst his deliberations.

His words tacitly pushed Jiang Muwan one step forward.

In choosing between his father's health and Jiang Muwan's calculations, he clearly chose the former.

As the words fell, Jiang Muwan's gaze settled on Jiang Lin, as if to ask, are you sure you want me to go up with him?

Understanding her, he spoke again, "Grandpa's health isn't good, and as a younger generation, you should respect the elderly."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Muwan coldly sneered inside.

Her gaze casually fell upon Yang Shan as she bent over, reluctantly setting down the cup in her hand.

But deep down, a triumphant satisfaction spread through her.

If she, Jiang Muwan, wanted it, there was nothing she couldn't have.

Turning around, in a corner unseen by the crowd, a sly smile replaced the reluctance on her face.