Chapter 11: Min'er Yu Has Returned

Fan City Airport. A young woman clad head to toe in designer brands emerged from the VIP passageway.

Zhou Ping followed behind, lugging a pile of luggage.

Min'er Yu climbed into the nanny van, took off her sunglasses, and revealed a lovely face.

"Min'er, should we head to the company first?" Zhou Ping asked cautiously.

"I'm going home first. Later, you go to the company and fetch me a few things," Min'er replied.

"Oh, alright."

By the time the nanny van reached Green Garden, it was already six in the evening.

"Mom, I'm home." Min'er called.

Qin Lin heard her voice and rose from the sofa.

"My precious daughter is back!"

"Sis! You're finally home!" Jiaxuan Yu set down his phone.

"Has Dad not come back yet?" Min'er asked, directing two servants to collect her luggage.

"Your father's busy at the company, he's working on a collaboration with the Nie family."

"Oh." Min'er nodded.

"Sis, you've returned from filming in Phoenix City—did you bring me a gift?"

Phoenix City was once the imperial capital of ancient Hua Nation. Its old quarter had restored ancient buildings and palaces, turning it into a scenic area, with film crews often shooting there. The new district was bustling, even more lively than Fan City.

"Of course." When the servants brought over her suitcase, Min'er pulled out a beautifully wrapped box.

"Wow! Sis, is this the latest RT phone? It just launched today in R Nation!" Jiaxuan Yu was excited. The RT Group was undoubtedly the world's leader in artificial intelligence!

But RT's newest model wasn't about money—most couldn't even buy it!

Min'er smiled. "A friend helped me get it. Do you like it?"

Jiaxuan nodded enthusiastically.

"Mom, when I was shopping in DL, I saw a necklace that suits you perfectly." She produced a black box edged in gold, embossed with the italicized letters DL.

"You didn't need to get me anything—I hardly lack for jewelry," Qin Lin feigned complaint, but her smile grew ever brighter.

"Mom, look how thoughtful Sis is!" Jiaxuan hugged his phone.

Qin Lin opened the box. Inside lay a silvery necklace, its pendant a maple leaf-shaped ruby, clearly of considerable value.

"Mom, let me put it on for you." Min'er picked up the necklace.

Qin Lin's skin was fair, and though in her forties, she maintained herself well, appearing barely over thirty. The gem necklace set off her complexion, lending her an exceptional air.

"Where's Sister Shen Qing? I brought her a gift too."

"Sis, buying her anything is just a waste," Jiaxuan grumbled at the mention of Shen Qing. The girl spent her days hiding in her room or disappearing all day when she left, making it impossible for him to mess with her.

"Jiaxuan, since Shen Qing's here, we're one family. Don't speak of her that way," Min'er said, her face shadowed with a faint sadness.

Jiaxuan made a face. "She's nothing but an ingrate."

Min'er gave him a reproachful look, then took Qin Lin's hand. "Mom, where's Sis's room? I want to give her the gift myself."

Qin Lin frowned. "You're the eldest daughter, there's no need for you to deliver a gift personally."

Min'er smiled. "Mom, I've never met my sister before."

She had seen Shen Qing once, at age six. Shen Qing's mother brought her back to divorce Yu Fei. Min'er, hiding in a corner, glimpsed the girl her own age: beautiful, cold-faced, bristling like a hedgehog.

Her grandmother spoke often of Shen Qing's mother—a gangster's mistress, and Shen Qing a little bandit.

"Just let a servant take it up," Qin Lin insisted, not wanting Min'er to have much contact with Shen Qing. Shen Fangfei was a woman with a stained reputation, and Shen Qing's name was poor in Jiang City. She didn't want her well-behaved daughter led astray.

Min'er lowered her gaze, eyes shining with smugness, her voice soft and sweet. "Alright then."

Before long, Yu Fei returned home. Min'er produced a bottle of wine she'd prepared, coaxing Yu Fei into laughter, filling the house with warmth and familial affection.

The sound of slippers scuffing on the stairs echoed, irritating all who heard it.

Qin Lin furrowed her brows, looking toward the staircase. A girl in white pajamas and slippers descended, hair tousled, her beautiful face expressionless.

Min'er glanced over, her gaze darkening. She was even more beautiful than in childhood.

"Qingqing," Yu Fei, caught off guard by his eldest daughter's sudden appearance, seemed at a loss.

Shen Qing glanced at them, said nothing, took a can of soda from the fridge, and prepared to head upstairs.

Jiaxuan Yu ground his teeth. Rustic fool, so rude!

"Qingqing, don't go upstairs. Join us for dinner."

Shen Qing paused. "No appetite."

"Sister, I'm happy to meet you." Min'er approached, stepping close.

"How happy?" Shen Qing raised her eyes, her smile slightly wicked.

Min'er hesitated, then produced the gift she'd prepared.

"This is a welcoming gift—a custom-made fountain pen."

"Hey! That pen's six or seven hundred. You've never used such an expensive pen before!" Jiaxuan jeered.

"I skip class and fight—I don't care for studying," Shen Qing replied, not even glancing at the gift, her tone arrogant, showing no delight at receiving it.

Min'er's face changed; she lowered her head, seeming dejected by the rejection.

Yu Fei, seeing his favored daughter so crestfallen, couldn't help but speak. "Qingqing, Min'er is your sister."

"My mother only gave birth to me."

"You..." Yu Fei was at a loss, his face shifting from blue to pale.

Shen Qing ignored him, drink in hand, heading upstairs.

"Dad, look at Shen Qing—she's trying to drive you mad!"

Yu Fei glared at Jiaxuan. "Shut up!"

If Shen Qing didn't infuriate him to death, this little brat would.

Qin Lin steadied Yu Fei. "Fei, Shen Qing is just rebellious—don't let her get to you."

Yu Fei glanced at the stairs, but said nothing.