However, Qiao Yun’s languid demeanor instantly made her choke on a breath.
Why did it feel like she was showing off to thin air?
Lu Ting did not believe that Qiao Yun was indifferent, after all, who wouldn’t have feelings about losing so many years and then returning to find their place in the family taken?
She was definitely calm on the surface, but internally she might be seething with anger.
“Tingting, this is Qiaoqiao, your sister.”
Su Mian explained gently, “Tingting’s parents were friends of mine and your dad, but they passed away in an accident, so we adopted Tingting. She is a month younger than you, so technically, she is your younger sister.”
She was afraid Qiao Yun would mind seeing Lu Ting, hence she specifically explained the reason behind adopting her.
“From now on, Tingting, you and she are also family; you must get along well.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Ting felt a surge of discomfort as if she was the outsider being inserted into their family!
Qiao Yun had been lost for half a year when she was adopted, and she had no memory of her biological parents; the members of the Lu Family were her true family.
However, now that Qiao Yun had returned, their affection and attention toward her immediately dispersed.
What was this? Was she merely Qiao Yun’s substitute before?
Struggling to suppress her discomfort, Lu Ting called out sweetly yet coyly, “Hello Sister, I’m Lu Ting.”
Qiao Yun looked at her with her clear, distinct eyes and after a long while, nodded her head nonchalantly, “Alright.”
Seeing Qiao Yun’s frosty demeanor, Lu Ting bit her lip and guiltily said, “Sister, are you mad at me? I’m sorry, it’s my fault for not taking good care of myself and getting a fever. Mom and Dad were worried about me, so they couldn’t pick you up. Please don’t be upset, okay?”
Though it sounded like an apology, the tone was almost a boast of how her family cared for her.
The Lu couple suddenly wore embarrassed expressions.
Yesterday, Lu Ting was deliriously feverish, crying and making a fuss whenever they left her side, looking truly pitiful. Just then, Mrs. Lu heard that Qiao Yun was found and kindly offered to help pick her up.
But in the end, they had not considered everything thoroughly.
Lu Ting, having been pampered since childhood, now looked meekly self-reproachful, making Lu Jingzhi frown and quickly speak to comfort her.
“Tingting, don’t overthink it; getting sick isn’t something you can control. Besides, it’s normal for someone who is ill to feel vulnerable and want companionship. Qiaoqiao will surely understand.”
Qiao Yun ignored Lu Ting and instead turned to Su Mian, “I’m hungry.”
This person is noisy, endlessly chattering.
Lu Ting, seeing Qiao Yun remain indifferent, felt unjustly aggrieved. How come she ended up upsetting herself instead of angering Qiao Yun?
Father Lu, Lu Rui, who had been wanting to speak but found no opportunity, immediately said, “Let’s head back, the meal is ready.”
Lu Ting tentatively took a step forward, “Let me help you with your luggage.”
Qiao Yun glanced at her slight figure, then remembering the delicate instruments in the suitcase, refused: “No need, you can’t handle it.”
With that, she easily lifted the suitcase and walked away.
Lu Ting watched in surprise as Qiao Yun handled the small 14-inch suitcase, feeling that Qiao Yun was definitely mocking her pretense of weakness!
Hmph.
She had indeed been pretending just now.
She stood in place, tightening her hands, watching Su Mian and Lu Rui surrounding Qiao Yun from both sides, seemingly forgetting about her as they headed for the house; her face turned alternately pale and green, looking quite fetching…
Lu Jingzhi saw her standing motionless and immediately called out to her, “Tingting, let’s go.”
Lu Ting looked aggrieved and looked up at Lu Jingzhi, hesitantly asking, “Big brother, am I disliked?”
Meeting Lu Ting’s anxious gaze, Lu Jingzhi felt a lump in his throat and after a long moment, he vaguely said, “Why are you thinking such messy thoughts again? Aren’t you still ill? Qiaoqiao was just concerned about your health; that’s why he didn’t want you to help.”
Lu Ting sighed in relief, half-jokingly saying, “So that’s it, I almost thought sister was showing me who’s boss.”
Hearing this, Lu Jingzhi frowned immediately, a hint of doubt forming about Qiao Yun’s attitude, but since Qiao Yun was his own sister, he didn’t want to think the worst of her.
He looked at Lu Ting, who appeared simple and sensible, and said earnestly, “Tingting, whether you are my biological sister or not, I will treat you well and will absolutely not favor Qiaoqiao over you. I will give you both the same attention and care. So, you don’t need to be so cautious in this family.”
Lu Jingzhi certainly cared about and considered Qiao Yun’s feelings, but Lu Ting was his sister too.
He would not favor one over the other.
*
The Lu Family had started from scratch, so even though they had some capital, the place they lived in was not very luxurious. It was a three-story villa, but it was still worth quite a bit of money in the costly Shangjing City.
At the dining table.
Qiao Yun had good eating habits, sat upright, and behaved elegantly, clearly well-educated.
Watching her manners, Su Mian felt a bit off but didn’t think too much about it and kept serving Qiao Yun food.
Jealousy was nearly spilling from Lu Ting’s eyes. Pretending to be casual, she curiously asked, “Sister, you’re starting high school this term, right?”
Qiao Yun looked up nonchalantly and asked her, “What grade are you in?”
Lu Ting felt unexpectedly flattered. She wasn’t usually so dismissive, was she? Internally contemptuous but smiling broadly, she said, “I’m starting my senior year; if you have any questions, you can ask me. I still remember what I learned in my freshman year.”
Always looking for a topic of conversation, their father spoke up with a hint of pride, “If you have any questions about your studies, you can ask Tingting. She’s among the top ten students at her school. You are sisters; don’t hesitate to ask.”
Qiao Yun did not respond but asked Lu Ting, “How old are you?”
Lu Ting paused, “I’m eighteen.”
Qiao Yun put down her chopsticks and raised her eyebrows, “I’m eighteen too, so I’m also a senior.”
As soon as she said this, everyone at the table looked at her in amazement, apparently not expecting her to make that decision.
Now, Lu Ting looked at Qiao Yun as if she were looking at a walking joke.
Jumping straight to senior year? Was she not afraid of not keeping up with the academic pace and being famously demoted?
Even though Lu Ting didn’t know about Qiao Yun’s academic performance, the education resources in the countryside could definitely not compare to those in Shangjing City; it was like night and day.
If Qiao Yun ended up ranking last, that would be ideal—it would highlight her own intelligence.
Lu Jingzhi thought Qiao Yun was being a bit overconfident and coughed lightly, saying, “Sister, up to which grade did you study in the countryside?”
Qiao Yun’s eyes were clear; she didn’t even have to think, “I was homeschooled.”
Lu Jingzhi, incredulous, thought, Are you kidding me?