“The Qin family is holding the party this Sunday. Ranran has to be there! I’m sure that the young master will be captivated by our lovely daughter.”

Yao Yuan visibly relaxed as he took the invitation card and looked it over.

“Very well,” he nodded. “Make the necessary preparations. You must do well, Ranran. Seize this opportunity to speak with Young Master Qin and win his favor.”

“I understand, Dad.”

Qin Man grinned, pleased with herself.

…

Before bed that night, Qin Man took a glass of milk upstairs and knocked on Yao Ran’s bedroom door.

“Are you asleep, Ranran?” she called out. “Mom wanted to see if you’re feeling better.”

“Come in, Mom!”

Qin Man let herself in and found the girl at her desk, poring over a book.

She looked much calmer now; one would have never thought that she had been bawling her eyes out just a while ago.

Qin Man walked over and placed the glass of milk on the desk.

“It’s late, you should sleep. You need to take care of your eyes while you’re still young.”

Even as she said so, she felt extremely proud of her daughter. Yao Ran truly was her life’s pride and joy.

“I will, Mom. I’m almost done reading anyway.”

Qin Man plopped on the stool next to Yao Ran and gently stroked her hair.

They painted the ideal picture of the deep bonds between a mother and her daughter.

“You can just forget what happened to you today. Don’t take it to heart. You are the only daughter in this family, and you always will be. You don’t have to persuade that vermin, Yao Tang, to come back home.”

Qin Man’s face darkened at the mention of her biological child.

“I understand, Mom. I won’t bother with Sister anymore.” Yao Ran lowered her eyes and added in a timid tone: “She is so fortunate to have such considerate parents. If I were her, I won’t be making things difficult for you and Dad.”

Qin Man sighed and tapped the girl’s forehead. “Don’t compare yourself to that girl. A dozen of her isn’t even worth half of you. Mom and Dad love you very much, remember that.”

“Hmm.” Yao Ran smiled and gave her mother a hug.

“All right, you should get into bed now. I only came to tell you that we are sparing no expense in dressing you up! You will definitely be the star of the party this Sunday and win Young Master Qin’s heart.”

Qin Man pulled away and got up to leave. “Now go wash up and get a good night’s rest.”

“Thank you, Mom.” Yao Ran also got up to see her mother out the door.

The moment Qin Man was gone, her expression shifted to a condescending sneer.

“The Young Master Qin?” Yao Ran muttered under her breath.

“I’m afraid I won’t be satisfied with him. He might be popular here in City A, but he’s still no match for the young master of the Cheng family. I hope you’re prepared, Cheng Zhou, because you are my real target.”

She leaned against the door and looked wistful. “I wonder if you’re coming to the Qin Jing’s birthday party, too?”

…

Friday, at noon.

Yao Tang and her friends were in the school cafeteria to grab some lunch.

Lin Xin and Meng Yang were each carrying a rice meal set back to their table, while Yao Tang and Qin Jing went for Cantonese noodles.

They took their places and joined Chu Yao and Xiao Pang, who were already seated.

Starving, Meng Yang wasted no time and devoured the contents of his rice bowl. Yao Tang, on the other hand, slowly reached for her strawberry milk tea and took a sip.

Just then, Qin Jing took out a handful of pink envelopes from her bag.

She handed them out to her friends without ceremony. “Here, take one and pass the rest around.”

Meng Yang stopped chewing and looked at the invitation in his hand. “What’s this?” he teased. “Sister Jing, are you getting married already? Are you trying to ask us for some wedding money?”