Chapter 158: The Superfluous Person

Arriving at the Jin household, Jiang Yao realized how foolish she had been.

How could a birthday celebration for the renowned Elder Jin possibly be a quiet affair?

From early morning, well-wishers had been arriving in an endless stream to offer their congratulations. By the time evening fell, the crowd had grown even larger, and the gifts brought as tokens of respect were piled as high as mountains.

Knowing that Elder Jin lacked nothing, Jiang Yao had deliberated before deciding to bring two jars of homemade fruit jam she had previously prepared alongside Ye Yiyi.

Elder Jin was genuinely delighted to see Jiang Yao. He led her to a small, private sitting room and instructed his staff with utmost care to store the two jars of jam safely.

"I thought you weren't going to come again. This is more like it," Elder Jin said, looking at Jiang Yao seated in her wheelchair. "What happened to your leg?"

"It's nothing, just a sprain," Jiang Yao replied casually.

Elder Jin pondered this for a moment. "A sprain severe enough to put you in a wheelchair? Later, I'll have Dr. Zheng take a look at you. He is an orthopedic specialist, and conveniently, he's here today."

"There's no need," Jiang Yao hastily declined. "I've already been to the hospital. It's not a serious injury, and treatment is underway. It's just that Ye Yiyi worries too much and tends to make a fuss, insisting that I use a wheelchair."

Jiang Yao felt that her skill at telling falsehoods had truly improved lately.

Only then did Elder Jin set his mind at ease. "Your friend did the right thing; it should be handled this way. When you're young, you don't pay attention to such minor injuries and ailments, but by the time you reach my age, you'll regret it."

Jiang Yao offered a vague assent. "I've seen you now, so I should be going."

"What's the rush? Stay and have dinner with us." Elder Jin patted Jiang Yao's shoulder. "A-Yao, there is no need for you to be so distant with me. I know you dislike noisy crowds, so I won't force you to go out and meet the guests right now, but later this evening, I'll have someone come fetch you."

Thinking it over, Jiang Yao decided that would be fine. Left alone in the small sitting room, she drifted off to sleep before she knew it.

Perhaps due to the continuous deterioration of her illness, she was always overwhelmingly sleepy, prone to dozing off almost anytime and anywhere. Her mind constantly felt hazy, and she frequently forgot what had transpired just a second before.

As soon as Elder Jin stepped out of the room, the housekeeper hurried over and whispered in his ear, "Sir, Madam and the Young Miss are about to arrive."

Elder Jin nodded.

Jin Nana had left the house at the crack of dawn, linking her left arm through Madam Jin's and her right arm through He Yunqing's, spending the entire day shopping everywhere.

Part of the purchases were for Madam Jin, seeing as the mother and daughter had not seen each other for a very long time after the former spent so much time abroad. The rest were gifts intended for Elder Jin.

Seeing her daughter behave in this manner, Madam Jin nodded while wiping away tears. "Good, good. My Nana has grown up and learned to be considerate of her parents."

Even though the credit card used to purchase those gifts was linked to Elder Jin's account...

After roaming about outside for the entire day, the trio finally returned by evening.

Amidst the gazes of all the guests who had come to offer congratulations, Jin Nana walked step by step toward Elder Jin, called out a sweet "Dad," and then presented the gift she had prepared.

It was a priceless antique calligraphy scroll.

Elder Jin looked at the scroll, unable to put it down as he showered it with continuous praise. "This is truly magnificent! How did you know your father has always wanted to find this particular piece of calligraphy?"

What could the Jin family not afford to buy if they wished? Yet because this calligraphy scroll was a gift from Jin Nana, elevated by the sentiment of father-and-daughter affection, it appeared infinitely more precious.

The housekeeper standing nearby chimed in, "Indeed. The gift presented by the Young Miss is more precious than anything anyone else has brought."

"Quite right. Of all the gifts, this is my favorite," Elder Jin said, nodding in satisfaction. "Tell me, Nana, what is it that you desire? Father will grant it."

Jin Nana smiled gently. "Dad, what are you saying? Today is your birthday; isn't it only natural for me to give you a gift? However, if you truly wish to grant me a wish, there is indeed something I would like to ask your permission for."

With that, Jin Nana leaned in close to Elder Jin's ear and whispered something softly.

"Oh?" Elder Jin smiled knowingly and cast a glance at He Yunqing.

Jin Nana shot He Yunqing a look and softly called out, "Yunqing..."

Back in the sitting room, Jiang Yao had just woken up. Glancing at the time, she saw it was already past eight o'clock in the evening.

"Oh dear, how could I have fallen asleep here?" Jiang Yao gently tapped her own head, scolding herself for being muddle-headed at such a time. She vaguely recalled that she had come here to attend Elder Jin's birthday banquet, but try as she might, she could not remember what she had said to Elder Jin earlier.

She hurriedly pushed the door open and stepped out. Standing by the second-floor railing, she happened to witness the bustling scene unfolding downstairs.

Jin Nana had returned, entirely unbeknownst to Jiang Yao.

Standing right beside her was that elegant, refined man untouched by worldly dust.

Both of them were blessed with striking appearances, and standing together, they looked like a match made in heaven, a wonderfully suited pair.

The moment Jiang Yao caught sight of He Yunqing, her heartbeat skipped a beat.

Two years later, He Yunqing appeared much more mature than before. He carried the unique charm of a mature man while remaining as dashing and handsome as ever.

Jiang Yao looked down at her own legs and subconsciously turned away, wanting to hide.

Yet she could not resist the urge to steal one more glance at him.

Downstairs, He Yunqing was completely unaware of Jiang Yao's presence above.

He exchanged a tender, affectionate gaze with Jin Nana, then offered a gentle smile and bowed politely to Elder Jin. "Uncle Jin, you watched me grow up, and you have always treated me like your own child. Today, I have a request: I hope you will consent to let Nana marry me."

From the very moment Elder Jin had agreed to let He Yunqing take Jin Nana abroad with him, he had already tacitly approved of the relationship between the two of them.

Hearing He Yunqing make this request now, a look of gratification spread across his face. "This child Nana has been spoiled by me since she was young, willful and headstrong..."

"Dad!" Jin Nana tugged at Elder Jin's arm, acting coy.

Elder Jin chuckled heartily. "Very well, very well, Father won't say any more. Yunqing, I am handing Nana over to you now. You must take good care of her in the future and you are not allowed to bully her."

As soon as these words were spoken, thunderous applause erupted through the entire hall.

Everyone present began offering their congratulations to He Yunqing and Jin Nana.

"Elder Jin is truly blessed to have such a wonderful daughter and son-in-law."

"Indeed, indeed! When are you planning to hold the wedding ceremony?"

Amidst the lively festivity, Jiang Yao quietly lowered her head and began picking at her fingernails.

The celebration belonged to others; it had nothing to do with Jiang Yao.

She should not have come today.

In terms of blood ties, she was Elder Jin's daughter.

Yet aside from that, there was nothing else.

Here, she remained forever a superfluous person.

Perhaps she should leave right this instant, as if she had never appeared here at all.