Although Zhong Yunde was Zhong Lin's father and technically the owner of the villa, Jiang Yi noticed the household staff, especially Butler Lin, treated Zhong Lin with far more respect than his father. Zhong Lin himself seemed rather distant towards Zhong Yunde.

Breakfast was much quieter and more subdued than usual. Jiang Yi kept her eyes on her plate, focusing solely on eating.

Liang Yan tried to lighten the mood, but Zhong Lin ignored her. Feeling bad for her mother, Jiang Yi made an effort to respond to her attempts at conversation.

On the second day of the New Year, Liang Yan traditionally returned to her family home. Zhong Yunde accompanied her, and Jiang Yi naturally went along.

Liang Yan was close to her siblings and, without fail, returned to their hometown every year for a reunion. Liang Yan's parents, Jiang Yi's maternal grandparents, had passed away, but the tradition continued, the gathering now held at her second uncle's house next door.

Jiang Yi found it fascinating how her mother, despite her outward persona, the materialistic, even harsh woman she'd become after the divorce, seamlessly transformed back into a younger sister upon returning home.

Even though her hometown was just a small county, and her siblings lived modest lives compared to her current standards, Liang Yan never brought her city airs and graces back with her.

Similarly, her relatives in the county treated her no differently now that she had married into wealth.

Jiang Yi and her mother made their rounds, greeting their relatives. The exchanges were genuine, devoid of calculation or disdain. It was far more relaxed than the New Year's gathering at the Zhong family home.

It's so nice, Jiang Yi thought, the warmth of her mother's family.

However, Liang Yan had returned with Zhong Yunde, and while she was comfortable with simpler accommodations, he was not. They ended up staying at a hotel in the city. Jiang Yi stayed at her second uncle's.

The next day, Zhong Yunde returned to the city, and Liang Yan came back from the hotel to tidy up an old room in the family home.

During the day, they helped with chores at her second uncle's, ate together, chatted, and in the evenings, they visited other relatives. This continued for several days. On the sixth day of the New Year, they prepared to leave the province and return to Beijing.

The driver came to pick them up, and Zhong Yunde arrived as well.

Jiang Yi was a little surprised to see him. "Hello, Uncle," she greeted.

"Mm," Zhong Yunde responded, looking at Liang Yan. "Let's go."

Jiang Yi noticed Liang Yan's demeanor instantly shift. She adopted a more refined posture, smiling coquettishly and somewhat fawningly at Zhong Yunde.

Jiang Yi instinctively moved towards the front passenger seat, but Zhong Yunde stopped her. "Sit in the back with your mother."

"...Oh."

Jiang Yi glanced at Liang Yan, whose smile faltered slightly. "Get in," she said, tilting her chin.

During the drive back, Jiang Yi watched the changing scenery, lost in thought.

One thought suddenly surfaced and grew stronger and stronger.

After a moment of hesitation, she turned to Liang Yan. "I want to live at school next semester."

Liang Yan, maintaining her elegant posture, was engrossed in her phone. Without looking up, she replied, "Isn't the villa nice? It's not far from school. If you live at school, you'll have to attend evening study hall."

"My grades slipped a little this semester," Jiang Yi explained. "Next semester is my last semester, and I want to focus all my energy on preparing for the college entrance exams."

Liang Yan continued to look at her phone, her expression unchanged, seemingly unconcerned.

She opened her mouth to speak, but before any sound came out, Zhong Yunde spoke.