After Mistakenly Marking Her Stunning Omega Stepsister - Chapter 40

“It’s her…”

“Wanwan?”

Wen Xiangzhu blinked, walking over to her curiously and following her gaze outside. “Do you know those two?”

“Huh?”

Jiang Wanwan snapped out of her daze, stammering, “Not really.”

When she looked again, the figure had vanished from the garden.

Feeling a pang of disappointment, Jiang Wanwan sighed.

But soon, a knock came from the door. “Wanwan?”

The voice was familiar to Jiang Wanwan, yet carried a hint of unfamiliarity.

Surprised, she got up and opened the door.

Standing outside was a woman in a denim outfit, her short, neat haircut framing a striking and confident demeanor that drew attention.

Jiang Wanwan stared at her, lips parting as she struggled to speak. After a long pause, she finally managed a single word: “Cousin.”

“Is this Wanwan?” Another voice suddenly appeared beside Jiang Qing.

Jiang Wanwan froze, glancing over. Her eyes reflected a vivid orange-yellow hue.

It was her.

Jiang Qing smiled and introduced them. “Wanwan, this is Sang Shinian, a study abroad friend I met overseas.”

“Shinian, this is Wanwan.”

“I know. It’s a pleasure to meet you again! We actually saw each other not long ago!”

Sang Shinian chuckled at Jiang Wanwan’s bewildered expression. “What? Don’t you remember me?”

“I… do remember.”

Jiang Wanwan’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, her face remaining calm. Only she knew that her heart was racing and her breathing was disordered.

“Hmm?” Jiang Qing glanced back and forth between Jiang Wanwan and Sang Shinian. “You two know each other?!”

“Didn’t I tell you about picking up a sobbing little girl by the roadside the day I returned? That was Wanwan.”

At this, Jiang Wanwan’s face flushed crimson, and she lowered her head in embarrassment.

“Um… let’s go inside and sit down first.”

Once inside, Jiang Qing spotted Lin Sui sitting in the room. “Suisui? You’ve grown so much!”

“Stop trying to get an advantage over me. You’re not much older than I am,” Lin Sui retorted with a dismissive look.

The room instantly came alive with chatter.

Wen Xiangzhu blinked, greeting Sang Shinian before she couldn’t help but keep staring at her.

She felt this person looked very familiar.

As if she had seen her somewhere before.

Wen Xiangzhu pursed her lips, trying to remember for a long time before giving up.

After all, her gaze was too obvious, and Sang Shinian had noticed it several times…

How awkward.

Several hours before the banquet, the people in the room chatted for two hours.

Jiang Qing glared at Jiang Wanwan, displeased. “Wanwan, what’s wrong with you? I’m your older sister!”

“Huh? What?” Jiang Wanwan paused, tearing her gaze away from Sang Shinian.

Jiang Qing was so angry she almost laughed. “Why are you always staring at Shinian? Is there a flower on her face or something?”

Sang Shinian chuckled at this.

“You’re just jealous. Wanwan clearly likes me a little more.”

“What? You dare say that again!”

Jiang Qing stood up, smiling. “Wanwan, tell us, who do you like more?”

Jiang Wanwan: “……”

“I like both of you,” Jiang Wanwan said with a forced smile, trying to be fair.

Jiang Qing scoffed.

“It’s the same thing again. Last time I asked you if you liked me more or Suisui, you said the same thing.”

Jiang Wanwan: “……”

What else could I have said?

Lin Sui, suddenly called out, paused for a moment before smiling helplessly.

She noticed that Jiang Wanwan seemed to treat Sang Shinian differently.

Earlier, she had taken the time to send a message, asking someone to investigate Sang Shinian’s background.

This person truly… didn’t belong to any wealthy family in the country; her family was completely ordinary.

In other words…

If they were daughters of noble families in ancient times, Sang Shinian would be like a scholar who passed the imperial examination and became a top-ranked Zhuangyuan through her own efforts.

But this society was so ruthless. Even with sufficient ability, without a platform or opportunities to showcase it, it remained useless.

“Alright, it’s about time. I need to go get my hair and makeup done.”

Jiang Qing stood up. “Shinian, let’s go.”

“Mm.”

Sang Shinian smiled and looked at Jiang Wanwan. “Wanwan, see you later.”

“See you later…”

Jiang Wanwan watched the two leave the room, remaining motionless for a long time.

Lin Sui glanced at Wen Xiangzhu, noticing she seemed to want to talk to Jiang Wanwan. She tactfully excused herself. “I’m going back to my room to lie down for a bit. You two can talk first.”

After speaking, she left the room.

The once lively room suddenly fell silent.

Wen Xiangzhu gathered her thoughts and asked, “Wanwan, is Sang Shinian… the person in your drawing?”

As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Wanwan stiffened, staring at Wen Xiangzhu for a few seconds before letting out a helpless chuckle.

“Is it that obvious?”

“I feel like you see her differently,” Wen Xiangzhu said softly. “Someone you’d take the time to draw… she must be…”

Jiang Wanwan lowered her head, a bitter smile twisting her lips. “Wenwen, to be honest… I was willing to accept the arranged marriage. I didn’t mind because Sister Sui has always been so kind to me. I knew about it since childhood, so I always thought of her as my future wife. But…”

She paused, her voice wavering. “But now… I’m hesitating.”

“Is it because of Sang Shinian?”

“Mm.” She paused again. “I’ve realized some things can’t be forced. I don’t want a marriage for family gain, a superficial union, or a polite but distant partnership. I want a real marriage, one built on love. Do you understand?”

Wen Xiangzhu gazed at her, her eyelashes trembling slightly. “Yes, I understand.”

Jiang Wanwan sighed, her brows furrowed with worry. “I was born into the Jiang family, and as an Omega, I’m destined to make no significant contributions to the family’s power. Fortunately, though strict, the family has never neglected me. I’ve grown up following the rules, never making mistakes or defying the wishes of my elders, even on something as important as marriage…”

“I feel… I’ve grown accustomed to it.”

Wen Xiangzhu pressed her lips together, watching her quietly.

“Wanwan, you’re too obedient.”

“Hm?” Jiang Wanwan paused, looking at Wen Xiangzhu in confusion. “What do you mean?”

Wen Xiangzhu smiled. “Being too obedient and enduring everything silently only ends up hurting you in the end. Why not express your true feelings? Like… the arranged marriage with Sister, and Sister Sang’s situation.”

“If I speak out…”

Jiang Wanwan frowned. “If I refuse the marriage, Mother will be angry.”

“Wanwan, don’t worry so much about others. If you’re always concerned about their feelings and opinions, who will care about yours?” Wen Xiangzhu said urgently. “You need to… put yourself first. If you don’t love yourself, how can anyone else love you?”

After she finished speaking, the room fell silent for a long moment.

Jiang Wanwan pressed her lips together tightly before finally saying, “Then… I’ll try.”

******

“Done talking?”

Lin Sui’s door remained open. She sat at her desk, idly flipping through Sang Shinian’s files.

During the crowded gathering in Jiang Wanwan’s room earlier, she’d only skimmed the documents. Now, examining them carefully, she found herself somewhat impressed.

Sang Shinian has real talent and untapped potential. From a business perspective, she’s definitely worth investing in.

If we could develop her into an ally for the Lin Corporation…

As Lin Sui pondered this, Wen Xiangzhu appeared in the doorway.

“Mm,” Wen Xiangzhu acknowledged, stepping inside. “Sister, I want to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“Do you like Jiang Wanwan?”

Lin Sui froze, startled by the question.

“Why are you asking this all of a sudden?”

“Answer me,” Wen Xiangzhu pressed, her expression unusually serious. “Forget about the marriage alliance. Do you truly have feelings for her?”

Lin Sui fell silent.

For a moment, she didn’t know how to answer.

More than that, she didn’t even know what she felt.

She couldn’t understand her feelings toward Jiang Wanwan, nor toward Wen Xiangzhu herself.

After a pause, she shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“Don’t know?” Wen Xiangzhu blinked. “Think about it carefully. Do you ever find yourself thinking about her when you’re not busy?”

Lin Sui was silent for a moment, then shook her head. “No.”

“Have you ever felt an urge around her?” Wen Xiangzhu asked bluntly. Lin Sui narrowed her eyes, shooting her a piercing glance, but answered honestly.

“No.”

“Then that’s right.”

Wen Xiangzhu seemed to sigh in relief. “When you like someone, you can’t help but think of them often, and you want to be close to them…”

As she spoke, she walked over and sat down beside Lin Sui.

“So, if there was no arranged marriage, you wouldn’t be together.”

“So what?” Lin Sui chuckled softly. “There’s no ‘what if’.”

“True, there’s no ‘what if’ about that, but there are other possibilities.” Wen Xiangzhu paused. “Like… canceling the engagement.”

For a moment, the room fell silent.

Lin Sui’s expression darkened. “Wen Xiangzhu, do you know what you’re saying?”

“I do. I know exactly what I’m saying,” Wen Xiangzhu replied firmly.

“What were you two talking about just now?”

Lin Sui steadied herself and asked.

Wen Xiangzhu hesitated. “Wanwan… she doesn’t want the arranged marriage either.”

“Did she say that herself?”

“Yes.”

Lin Sui pressed her lips together and nodded.

“I see… What about Wanwan?”

“She…”

Wen Xiangzhu hesitated. “She went to see Sister Jiang Qing. She said if Sister Jiang Qing agreed, she’d go and confess everything to Auntie Jiang.”

Lin Sui looked at her and sighed silently.

“Jiang Qing… probably wouldn’t refuse, right?”

“What? Break off the engagement?!”

Jiang Qing hadn’t even finished drawing her eyebrows when Jiang Wanwan’s abrupt declaration startled her, nearly making her draw crooked.

She took a deep breath and asked the stylist to leave first.

Sang Shinian looked a little awkward. “Um, I should probably go too…”

“No, stay,” Jiang Qing sighed.

Seeing this, Sang Shinian raised an eyebrow and sat back down, preparing to pretend she was a statue to minimize her presence and pretend she couldn’t hear anything.

“Cousin, I’m serious.”

Jiang Wanwan pressed her lips together and murmured softly.

“I need a reason,” Jiang Qing said.

The marriage between Jiang Wanwan and Lin Sui was crucial for the Jiang Corporation, promising significant benefits. As the future heir of the Jiang Corporation, Jiang Qing would never agree to this arrangement.

But… she was also Jiang Wanwan’s elder sister.

“I… I only see Sister Sui as a friend. I have no romantic feelings for her,” Jiang Wanwan murmured, cautiously glancing up.

“Is that all?” Jiang Qing raised an eyebrow. “If that’s your only reason, it’s not enough.”

“Why not?”

“Wanwan, isn’t every marriage among wealthy families tied to family interests? Do you think Lin Sui had a choice? She had to accept it too. You need to consider the bigger picture. Compared to other unfamiliar Alphas, Lin Sui grew up with you, and we know her well. She wouldn’t mistreat you.”

Jiang Wanwan stood, looking wronged. Despite being the birthday girl, her eyes were red and teary, as if she was about to burst into tears.

The atmosphere remained tense and unresolved.

Sang Shinian, standing to the side, couldn’t bear to watch any longer. She pulled Jiang Wanwan over and sat down with her, her tone carrying a hint of reproach as she spoke to Jiang Qing. “What’s with this? Wanwan is still so young. Can’t you just talk things out properly?”

“I am talking properly…”

“Wanwan’s so upset. How is that ‘proper’?”

Jiang Qing fell silent.

“Alright, Wanwan,” Sang Shinian asked gently. “Is there any other reason?”

“I… do.”

Jiang Wanwan sniffled. “I have someone I like.”

“What?” Jiang Qing’s eyes widened slightly. “Who? Which bastard?!”

Jiang Wanwan pressed her lips together, too afraid to speak.

After a moment, she asked, “Is that reason enough?”

“Then you have to tell me who it is. I need to see him for myself…”

Jiang Qing facepalmed in exasperation. “What if you’re blind and end up with some idiot or scumbag? You’ll regret letting Lin Sui slip through your fingers!”

“…”

Jiang Wanwan lowered her gaze, conflicted and silent.

Just then, a timid voice spoke from the doorway.

“Um… it was actually me.”

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