Chapter 88: You Truly Know No Shame

As Aunt Yu spoke, her eyes grew faintly red with emotion. Jiang Yao kept her head down, sipping her soup, secretly marveling at this "Aunt Yu's" pitch-perfect tears-on-cue performance. If she ever tried acting, she'd win Best Actress in no time. Compared to her, Ye Yiyi was still lacking that certain spark.

It was a shame she couldn't record this scene to show Ye Yiyi; it would have made excellent study material. Lost in her own thoughts, Jiang Yao unwittingly let out a laugh. The sound was jarringly out of place at the quiet dinner table.

He Huaian's expression darkened immediately. Irene was the first to speak up. "Miss Jiang, may I ask what you find so amusing?"

"Ah?" Only then did Jiang Yao snap back to reality and quickly apologize. "Sorry, my mind wandered."

He Huaian gave a stifled, cold snort and looked at his son. "Even if you don't like your Aunt Yu, she's still your elder. What happened to basic manners and respect?"

It was hard to tell whether his words were directed at He Yunqing or meant as a slight to Jiang Yao. He Yunqing slowly set down his chopsticks, an irritated look flickering across his face. He was about to speak when Jin Nana, seated opposite him, chimed in first.

"Uncle He, you look so fierce," Jin Nana said with a bright smile. "What did I say to you and my father in the tea room just now? People your age really shouldn't get angry so often. Oh, right, I brought some health supplements for you and Aunt Yu when I came—why weren't they used in tonight's dinner? They're very good for you; you really must take them regularly."

He Huaian's expression softened considerably. "Nana, you really are thoughtful and considerate. Old Jin, you're lucky to have a daughter like her. Not like my two kids, always running off somewhere."

Old Master Jin laughed heartily. "This daughter of mine nags me to death most days. If you like her so much, I'll give her to you."

Jin Nana pouted. "Dad! How can you just give your daughter away like that?"

Aunt Yu laughed from the side. "No need to give her away. Nana and Yunqing are about the same age, aren't they? Wouldn't it be perfect if she married into our family as a daughter-in-law?"

Jin Nana flushed, her gaze flickering toward He Yunqing. "Aunt Yu, Yunqing and I grew up together. I've always seen him as an older brother—how can you make such jokes?"

He Huaian joined in the laughter. "Look, Nana's blushing!"

Everyone at the table was laughing—everyone except He Yunqing. He frowned, abruptly about to get up, but Jiang Yao, sitting beside him, caught his sleeve.

Jiang Yao pressed her lips together and shook her head at him, pulling him back into his seat. "I'm not full yet," she said, sticking out her tongue. "Your family's cook really is amazing. I want to try that one too."

She pointed at the colorful platter of meatballs at the far end of the table. He Yunqing looked at her helplessly, but finally gave in, serving a few meatballs onto her plate.

"If you want to get angry, wait until I've finished eating," Jiang Yao whispered, giving him a playful wink before burying her head in her food again.

The He family was clearly trying to embarrass her, but Jiang Yao didn't care. Her philosophy was simple: if someone treated her well, she'd repay them a thousandfold. If they didn't, she simply acted as if they didn't exist. Besides, she'd expected nothing less from the He family.

On Jiang Yao's other side, Irene glanced at how engrossed she was in her meal, a trace of disdain flashing in her eyes. "Miss Jiang, have you never eaten such good food before?"

"No, I haven't," Jiang Yao answered calmly and openly.

Irene hadn't expected her to be so blunt and immediately frowned. "You really have no shame."

She then looked toward Jin Nana, leaning closer to Jiang Yao and lowering her voice so only the two of them could hear. "Don't take it the wrong way, but Nana and Yunqing have been childhood sweethearts. Both families have always hoped to pair them together. To be honest, compared to you, Nana is in another league entirely."

Jiang Yao paused briefly, spoon in hand, then continued eating. "I see. I don't mind."

"You..." Irene took a deep breath. "You're not still dreaming of marrying into our family, are you? Let me give you a reality check: the He family would never allow a woman like you through our doors."

Jiang Yao yawned and set down her spoon. "Miss He, I respect you as Yunqing's sister, which is why I've tolerated you again and again. But don't push your luck. Since you pride yourself on your refinement, surely you know the saying: 'Do not speak while eating or sleeping.' Haven't you heard of it?"

Her voice was a bit loud, drawing the attention of the others at the table. Irene was left speechless, muttering "so ill-mannered" under her breath before lowering her head to eat, falling silent.

The meal was far from harmonious. Still, with the Jin father and daughter present, there was laughter and conversation, and no major conflict broke out.

After dinner, He Yunqing wanted to take Jiang Yao away, but was stopped by Old Master Jin. "Yunqing, it's been ages since we talked. Would you mind keeping an old man company for a while?"

He couldn't refuse after that. He Huaian and Old Master Jin led He Yunqing to the tea room for a chat.

Aunt Yu, Irene, Jin Nana, and Jiang Yao sat idly in the small parlor. Though four people sat together, it was mostly the other three chatting, while Jiang Yao, feeling like an outsider, idly fiddled with her fingers and hair.

A glance at the clock told her it was already past ten at night. She stifled a yawn and stood up. "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

The He family mansion was enormous; it took Jiang Yao quite a while to find the bathroom. After washing her hands, she glanced up to see someone appear in the mirror.

Jiang Yao looked at her, wiped her hands, then turned around. "Miss Jin, why are you looking at me like that?"

Jin Nana looked Jiang Yao up and down. "Just trying to see what's special about you. Yunqing has never brought a girlfriend home before."

"Well, have you seen enough?" Jiang Yao, never one for pointless conversation, made to leave—they were from two different worlds, after all.

But a hand appeared on the doorframe, blocking her path.

"Is there something else, Miss Jin?"

Jin Nana hesitated for a moment. "Irene has already told me everything about you."

"About me? What about me?" Jiang Yao replied.

"Do I really need to spell it out?" Jin Nana frowned. "All those scandals from years ago—do you really want me to say them out loud and embarrass you?"

"Why would I be embarrassed?" Jiang Yao was unflinching. "Even though those times were painful for me, I don't consider them shameful. The people who did wrong were the bad ones, not me. Why should I feel ashamed, when the guilty parties don't?"