Chapter 2: Stay Here, Don’t Return to That Hell

"It is I who replaced her in life, but fortunately, it is not too late, and I am willing to return."

Jiang Man spoke with genuine sincerity. In the eighteen years she had spent in the Jiang family, she had not exactly lived a life of smooth sailing, but she had certainly never lacked for anything. Meanwhile, another girl, blossoming in her youth just like her, had suffered in her stead for those same eighteen years.

With her goal achieved, Jiang Baodi had no intention of continuing the argument with the Jiang couple; she simply took hold of Jiang Man’s hand.

"You don't have to go back. Stay here. Don't return to that hell."

Their hands formed a stark contrast—one fair and soft, the other sallow and calloused. She knew the status of women in that household and saw no reason for another woman to endure the first eighteen years of her life.

Hearing this, the Jiang couple’s demeanor immediately softened. "This is the true character of a daughter of the Jiang family."

They scrambled to make amends, realizing their previous words had indeed wounded their biological daughter, yet they remained unwilling to let Jiang Man, whom they had painstakingly cultivated, leave.

"However, I have conditions."

"First, I want to change my name. Jiang Ming—'Ming' for a bright and radiant future." As for "Jiang Baodi" (Protecting the Younger Brother), anyone who wants to protect him can go ahead and do so.

"Second, I want a spacious and bright room." Just like her future: vast and luminous.

"Third, I want my own bank card. As for how much money is in it, you can decide that yourselves." She was gambling on the fact that she still held utility value for the Jiang couple.

"I will agree to these on their behalf."

Before Jiang Cheng could state his stance, the voice of an elderly man with white hair interrupted from the doorway.

A young man who bore a striking resemblance to Jiang Cheng helped the old master inside. "As for the matter of Jiang Man’s biological parents, you must resolve that yourselves. To people like them, money is far more useful than a daughter."

"But leave no room for future trouble. Do not let them bother these two girls again."

Old Master Jiang was cautious, truly looking out for the interests of both girls.

The young man helped the old master sit and then personally handed him a cup of tea brought by a servant. The Jiang couple’s expressions turned somber. They did not know the purpose of the old master's visit, but it was undoubtedly the man in front of them—the so-called second younger brother, Jiang Shi—who had informed him.

He was merely an adopted son; they could not fathom why the old master valued him so highly. Even if he wished to repay the debt of a comrade who had once saved his life, there was no need to adopt the man’s grandson into the Jiang family.

"Child, come here."

Old Master Jiang beckoned to Jiang Ming, signaling her to approach.

From a distance, he had thought the girl looked much like his late wife. Now, seeing her up close, it was as if she had been carved from the same mold, yet this child possessed a resilience and tenacity that his wife had never needed to develop.

"Have you finished high school? Do you have plans for the future?"

He had long since ceased to involve himself in the affairs of the younger generation, though he knew his sons mostly used their daughters to consolidate their business interests. He felt powerless and unsure of how to intervene.

But for this granddaughter who resembled his wife in nine out of ten features, he felt a spark of compassion. Having grown up in such a wretched family, he assumed her education would have been difficult to maintain, yet by her bearing and conduct, she still retained the backbone of the Jiang family.

"I have graduated. I plan to finish university first."

"Oh? Where were you accepted? Do you need your grandfather's help?"

If it were a subpar school, he was willing to use his lifelong connections to secure her a better place. A swan should not be forced to dwell in the nest of a sparrow.

"Thank you for your kindness, but I have received an admission letter from Lin University."

Lin University was a premier institution, unparalleled in the country. Everyone knew that Jiang Man had reached her position through the constant tutoring of renowned instructors; they had not expected this girl, in such dire circumstances, to gain admission on her own.

At these words, the Jiang couple were stunned.

They had not expected this biological daughter—whom they had disregarded from the start and even felt some aversion toward—to have qualified for Lin University just like Jiang Man.

What followed was an overwhelming wave of joy. Suddenly, the household had two daughters at Lin University.

"As expected of my, Jiang Cheng’s, daughter!"

He reached out to pat Jiang Ming’s head, but she dodged him.

He was not angered, merely calculating in his mind how he would arrange Jiang Ming’s life from here on.

"A good child! You have the same bearing your grandmother had in her day."

The late Mrs. Jiang had been born into a scholarly family, remarkably clever and bright, and her wit had left the old master longing for her throughout his life.

Jiang Ming only offered a polite smile, making no response.

Standing to the side, Jiang Man watched Jiang Ming cautiously. She seemed completely different from her. When receiving praise, Jiang Ming accepted it as a matter of course, and her entire aura was something Jiang Man had never seen before.

Resilient, tenacious, and possessed of her own aspirations, her eyes were filled with an ambition that commanded respect.

"This is Jiang Shi, your little uncle. He is also studying at Lin University, currently in his third year."

Jiang Shi nodded in acknowledgment, meeting the gaze Jiang Ming cast toward him.

No one else paid any attention to their interaction.

Jiang Ming had remained cold and detached since entering the house, treating everyone the same; Jiang Shi was of the same temperament, rarely warming up to anyone in the Jiang family except for the old master.

But the look in their eyes was distinctly different, as if they were already familiar acquaintances.

"This is my contact information. Once you have changed your ID, get your bank card set up and contact me. I will deposit the money into your account."

"As for everything else, I trust you all can arrange it for her."

"Of course, Father, rest assured."

Jiang Cheng eagerly walked over, using both hands to support the old master and escort him to his car.

Meanwhile, Li Baizhen arranged for Jiang Cheng’s assistant to go to the Jiang family’s village to resolve the household registration matters. She had not expected this girl to earn the old master’s favor; it seemed bringing her back was, in fact, a good thing.

"Ming, do you want to rest today, or would you like to go shopping for some clothes?"

Li Baizhen walked over, attempting to take Jiang Ming’s arm, but was skillfully evaded.

"I would like to rest."

In truth, Jiang Ming was barely holding herself together. Before this, she had spent several days with her sleep cycle inverted, working to earn the tuition and living expenses for university.

Honestly, if she hadn't accidentally overheard the Jiang couple’s conversation, she would never have known she wasn't their biological child, nor would she have believed the man who brought the DNA test to the Jiang family.

"Jiang Man, take Ming to your room to rest for a while."

"Mother Wang, help the eldest young miss clear out a room. Let it be on the same floor as the second young miss, and ensure the scale is identical."

The Jiang villa had five floors. The first was for guests and staff; the second was currently occupied by Jiang Man, with three rooms combined into a bedroom, a walk-in closet, and a music room. The third floor was for leisure and guests, the fourth belonged solely to the Jiangs' only son, Jiang Sheng, and the fifth was for the couple.

Li Baizhen did not want the old master to think she was playing favorites. Fortunately, the house had many rooms, and replicating the suite was simple.

"Then please, go upstairs and get some rest."

Jiang Man looked at Jiang Ming cautiously, fearing that Jiang Ming might mistake her for putting on airs as the lady of the house, or acting as if she were justified in occupying someone else's nest.

"Very well, thank you. Please lead the way."

Jiang Ming did not display any malice. In this situation, she and Jiang Man were both victims.