The True Heiress And The Fake Heiress Ended Up Together - Chapter 4

Jian Ying’an held the wind chimes, caught between giving them to Qin Mianmian or keeping them. After less than two seconds of contemplation, Jian Ying’an decided to keep them.

She planned to cherish them along with the candy wrapper.

Qin Mianmian: “Have some snacks!”

Her focus shifted quickly. Seeing Jian Ying’an accept her gift, she eagerly recommended more.

“Mom never lets me eat too many snacks, but I want to eat them with you!”

“Mm.”

Jian Ying’an wasn’t interested in Qin Mianmian’s parents. She picked up a piece of bread and found it was still warm. The fresh bread was incredibly soft; when pressed, it quickly sprang back.

It tasted wonderful, too.

Qin Mianmian smiled: “It’s good, right?”

Delicious.

Jian Ying’an took two bites and set it down, starting to coax Qin Mianmian to eat more, telling her to ignore Mrs. Qin’s words and treat them like meaningless noise.

This was the contempt from Jian Ying’an.

She was rebellious to the core and couldn’t stand the sight of the Qin couple being comfortable.

They were nothing.

Downstairs, Qin Wen was abandoned.

She was still a bit slow to react, but she felt even angrier leaving like this, so she simply waited in the living room for the Qin couple to return.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the Qin couple came home, bringing Qin Hang with them.

Qin Hang was only five years old then, an age where he couldn’t sit still. After a day out with his parents, his energy was restless. He ran in excitedly, asking, “Where’s my sister?”

The five-year-old boy was holding something, ready to share his joy with Qin Mianmian.

Mr. Qin’s hair was meticulously combed. He was wearing a custom-made suit and hadn’t taken it off after arriving home, preparing to go upstairs to continue working.

Mrs. Qin stopped him: “Did you forget? The child who was switched is back today.”

Mr. Qin paused, only then remembering.

That daughter, he thought, was named Jian Ying’an. After being swapped by the nanny, she had been raised by the nanny and, he heard, hadn’t even started school yet. He snorted: “What kind of child could that produce?”

A nanny, even if it was his daughter, would raise a useless child.

Mr. Qin had no desire to recognize a failure, he just didn’t want to be criticized by others.

He went upstairs alone: “You handle it.”

Mrs. Qin’s expression was cold. She glanced quickly at her son, who was clinging to Qin Wen, and asked flatly, “Where is Mianmian?”

Qin Wen was initially curious about the treasure Qin Hang had brought back and wouldn’t let her see.

Hearing her sister-in-law’s question, she remembered and said angrily, “Mianmian actually took that dirty child back to her room! She wouldn’t listen to anything I said. They’re still playing in the room now!”

Mrs. Qin’s brow furrowed tightly. How impolite.

To not wait for them in the living room, but run off to the master’s room! Such audacity, would she even respect them in the future?

She was already considering which city to dump Jian Ying’an in, leaving her to fend for herself.

Qin Hang, hiding the object in his hand, heard his aunt’s words and asked curiously, “What dirty child?”

Mrs. Qin: “Don’t ask too many questions!”

Mrs. Qin went upstairs and arrived at the door to Qin Mianmian’s room. Hearing the happy laughter inside, she curled her lip in disdain, her eyes carrying a subtle chill. She prepared to raise her hand and push the door open.

Irritated, impatient—Mrs. Qin withdrew her hand and knocked twice.

Qin Mianmian’s cheerful voice sounded inside: “Is that you, Mom?”

The voice was muffled through the wooden door.

Mrs. Qin finally allowed a slight smile to appear.

“Yes, Mom is home.”

Footsteps followed, and Qin Hang knocked as well: “Sister, I’m back too!”

Qin Mianmian came over to open the door for them.

As the door opened, they were greeted by the sweet scent of snacks. Mrs. Qin was not angry: “I told you to eat fewer snacks, or you’ll get cavities.”

The tone was full of affection.

Qin Mianmian smiled shyly: “It won’t happen next time.”

Qin Hang peeked out from behind Mrs. Qin. He handed the thing in his hand to Qin Mianmian: “I brought a present for you, Sister!”

Qin Mianmian cheered.

As Qin Mianmian accepted the gift, the mother and son both saw the other girl in the room.

Jian Ying’an’s gaze was cold as she looked at this happy family, as if everything had nothing to do with her. That sense of being out of step with the world swept over her again, causing Mrs. Qin to freeze, not delivering a public humiliation immediately.

There was an inexplicable sharpness, a strong presence, that even the pink dress she wore couldn’t soften her fierceness.

Mrs. Qin saw Mr. Qin’s shadow in her.

Mrs. Qin was surprised as she scrutinized the girl.

And Qin Hang had already shouted: “Who are you, and why are you in my sister’s room?!”

Qin Mianmian followed Qin Hang’s voice and looked at Jian Ying’an.

In this brief moment, Jian Ying’an immediately disguised herself, as if what they had just seen was an illusion.

She offered a shallow smile to the mother and son outside the door, her eyes timid and hopeful, looking like a typical child longing for her mother’s approval.

Mrs. Qin pondered, remaining silent.

She didn’t reveal Jian Ying’an’s identity, watching to see how she would react, like evaluating a subordinate to see if she was qualified to stay; if she performed well, she could be tolerated.

Jian Ying’an saw right through Mrs. Qin.

But she didn’t want to be the Qin couple’s daughter, nor did she want to be Qin Hang’s sister.

None of it mattered.

She was thinking about what to say that would fit the image of a six-year-old child, preferably flawless and not seeming too smart.

Jian Ying’an prepared her words, about to speak.

Then she heard Qin Mianmian: “Mom, I like her, can we keep her?”

Jian Ying’an closed her mouth, choosing to let Qin Mianmian handle it.

Even if Qin Mianmian didn’t know her identity, but simply wanted her to stay, Jian Ying’an knew: it was secured.

Mrs. Qin didn’t agree immediately. Her gaze was cold as she looked Jian Ying’an up and down.

Wearing Qin Mianmian’s dress, eating Qin Mianmian’s snacks, and with the wind chimes they had given Qin Mianmian beside her, was she trying to take everything from Mianmian?

Mrs. Qin narrowed her eyes, suddenly piqued by a little bit of interest. She curled her lips, interested.

How ambitious.

Before Mrs. Qin could speak, Qin Hang rushed forward.

Unintentionally avenging the slap he hadn’t dared to give in his past life, he grabbed the skirt Jian Ying’an was wearing, madly and recklessly trying to tear it apart.

While pulling, he forcefully shoved Jian Ying’an out.

Qin Hang was a boy who never lacked food or drink, while Jian Ying’an was severely malnourished, often missing meals. The vast difference allowed Qin Hang’s action to be effortless.

He was about to push Jian Ying’an to the doorway, shouting, “You’re not allowed to wear my sister’s clothes!”

Qin Mianmian quickly went up to pull Qin Hang away.

“You can’t drive her out!”

Qin Mianmian was angry.

Pulled away, Qin Hang was anxious and upset. He saw the small wind chimes, picked them up directly, and smashed them.

With a clatter, the small wind chimes were shattered, covering the floor in glass shards. A piece of the glass flew up, cutting Qin Mianmian’s face and drawing a hint of blood.

Qin Mianmian was stunned, standing there as if she couldn’t feel the pain, without making a sound.

Qin Hang started to panic: “Sister, I didn’t mean to.”

“She was stealing your things, these little wind chimes were clearly yours!”

Qin Mianmian pressed her lips together, her expression showing an unspeakable sense of grievance. Listening to Qin Hang’s stiff and clumsy words, tears dropped down her cheeks.

A maid heard the noise and rushed upstairs.

She thought Mrs. Qin had gotten angry and was going to punish the recently-recognized child, but unexpectedly, it was Qin Mianmian who was hurt.

While everyone was in a state of chaos, Jian Ying’an walked back and knelt down to pick up the shards.

The room was covered with so much carpet, it was truly a misfortune for Qin Hang that the chimes happened to break in a spot where the carpet wasn’t laid. Jian Ying’an lowered her head, her eyes burning with anger.

She needs a lesson. How dare she—

The maids didn’t dare to step forward. They observed Mrs. Qin’s expression.

But they found that Mrs. Qin… looked quite satisfied. Unable to guess their madam’s mood, the maids exchanged glances, watching Jian Ying’an carefully pick up the shards.

She stood up, holding a pile of tiny glass fragments in her small hand, having collected them diligently, leaving nothing behind.

She instinctively wanted to blame the maids, but then remembered her current identity.

Jian Ying’an reluctantly spoke, asking Qin Mianmian and reminding the stunned maids: “Does the cut on your face hurt?”

The maids snapped out of their daze, quickly finding the first aid kit to treat the wound on Qin Mianmian’s face.

The cut was shallow and had already started to close. The alcohol still stung a little, but Qin Mianmian didn’t make a sound.

Qin Hang watched Qin Mianmian, completely at a loss.

The room was in an uproar. Mrs. Qin stood calmly at the door, next to her was Qin Wen, who had come up to watch the show. Qin Wen said: “This is outrageous! Causing such a scene on her first day back!”

She was pointing the blame at Jian Ying’an.

Jian Ying’an looked at Mrs. Qin.

Would she get angry? Would she drive her away? Jian Ying’an’s furrowed brow didn’t relax.

Mrs. Qin was decisive; anything useless would be discarded. Everything to her only had varying degrees of utilitarian value.

Jian Ying’an knew this clearly, which was why she was able to lay countless traps for Mrs. Qin in her previous life.

Successfully toppling the Qin couple.

Now Jian Ying’an was only six years old, with nothing. She couldn’t throw out bait that would make Mrs. Qin see her as valuable.

Showing weakness was definitely not an option.

Jian Ying’an clenched her jaw, looked at Qin Mianmian, who was surrounded by maids, and spoke to Mrs. Qin: “Hello.”

It had been a long time since she had greeted Mrs. Qin this way.

She was used to mocking this woman; she never expected to have to use a respectful address one day.

Pfft, Jian Ying’an thought, clenching the glass fragments in her hand.

She was currently Jian Ying’an, who had just returned to the Qin family, holding fantasies about the future. Fantasies… that had long been shattered in her previous life! Jian Ying’an tried hard to pretend.

She hid the hatred in her eyes. A six-year-old child could only use stilted, formal language.

“I will be very well-behaved.”

Let her stay in the Qin family, lay low, until one day, she could bare all her claws and bite the Qin family’s throat!

What she could do in her past life, she could do in this life too!

Mrs. Qin finally responded to Jian Ying’an: “Hello.”

She then turned and left.

By the time Qin Wen reached out to stop her, Mrs. Qin was already gone.

Qin Wen hesitated. She didn’t want Jian Ying’an to watch her. She didn’t know why, but whenever she saw Jian Ying’an, she felt uneasy, as if they were natural-born enemies.

Even telling herself it was an illusion, she didn’t want to linger.

The butler walked over, seemingly having received instructions from Mrs. Qin.

Qin Wen finally steadied herself. She told the butler: “Don’t be too kind to her.”

The “her” referred to Jian Ying’an.

The butler replied in a flat tone: “Understood.”

After speaking, Qin Wen, emboldened by being acknowledged, glared fiercely at Jian Ying’an, then quickly clattered downstairs in her high heels.

Tonight, she would find a random apartment outside; she absolutely would not come back!

Jian Ying’an looked at the butler. Neither of them reacted much.

The butler was around sixty years old. He had come to the Qin family when Mr. Qin was a child, making him older than anyone else in terms of tenure. He looked like a servant, but the Qin couple would actually listen to his advice.

He held a lot of authority in the Qin family.

His reply to Qin Wen was merely a perfunctory agreement.

The butler said: “Madam asked me to arrange your room.”

This was acceptance; Jian Ying’an was allowed to stay.

Jian Ying’an nodded, hesitating for a moment: “Thank you, Grandpa.”

Pretending not to know anything.

The butler glanced at Jian Ying’an but didn’t think much of it. He followed Mrs. Qin’s instructions, assigning Jian Ying’an a room, buying clothes, and contacting a school.

With the Qin family’s wealth, even if these things hadn’t been prepared beforehand, they were quickly taken care of.

It was the same room as in her previous life, but the prices of the brands had more than doubled. Jian Ying’an took note of all the changes.

The cut on Qin Mianmian’s face had been disinfected and covered with a bandage.

Qin Hang was still lingering in the room. The maids couldn’t persuade the young master to leave, so they had to let the two of them stay inside.

Qin Mianmian was deeply saddened.

She had loved the little wind chimes, so much that the moment she saw them, she wanted to give them to Jian Ying’an, whom she liked even more.

The little wind chimes were broken.

Qin Hang was still insistent: “The little wind chimes belonged to Sister, she can’t take them away!”

Things that are taken are better destroyed; they absolutely cannot belong to anyone else—this was what Mr. Qin had taught him!

He hadn’t expected his sister to be so upset.

Qin Hang also knew she really loved those wind chimes: “I’ll get you more presents, okay, to make up for it?”

Qin Mianmian replied softly: “Okay.”

Qin Hang cheered up. As long as his sister forgave him!

Jian Ying’an walked in, heard Mianmian’s answer, and her anger flared up without warning.

Seeing Qin Hang genuinely acting like it was no big deal, assuming the incident was over, she snapped: “You can’t make up for it!”

“You!”

Qin Hang saw Jian Ying’an and his temper rose again.

Jian Ying’an: “What’s lost can never be made up for. Mianmian forgives you only because you’re her brother. Have you truly considered her feelings? Do you really think this is just going to pass?”

Qin Hang was angry? She was angry!

The hatred, compounded by the wind chime incident in her past life, made Jian Ying’an dizzy with rage.

She finally caught her breath, secretly blaming herself for her poor physical condition and for wasting time arguing with Qin Hang.

Why bother reasoning with a child?

Jian Ying’an was utterly malicious. After recovering, she rushed forward and slapped Qin Hang, then threatened him: “If you go tattling, I’ll look down on you for the rest of your life! You’re just a cowardly snitch who only knows how to tell on people!”

Qin Hang hadn’t expected Jian Ying’an to actually rush up and slap him.

The slap stung his face. Before he could make a fuss, a torrent of words completely overpowered him.

Qin Hang didn’t want to admit he was a snitch.

He didn’t fully understand what “snitch” meant, but even a child knew it wasn’t a good word.

But that wasn’t enough.

Jian Ying’an pointed at Qin Mianmian’s face: “She got hurt on her face. You feel that. Does it hurt?”

Qin Hang covered his face.

It hurt.

He lowered his head: “I’m sorry, Sister.”

Qin Mianmian stared at Jian Ying’an in a daze, finding her so cool.

Although it was her brother who was hit, she was genuinely cool! Qin Mianmian’s small face flushed red. She didn’t even hear her brother’s apology, all her attention focused on Jian Ying’an.

Qin Mianmian said mournfully: “The little wind chimes are broken.”

The first gift I gave you is broken.

This sentence made Jian Ying’an’s heart ache again, making her feel she should have hit him harder just now.

She glared at Qin Hang: “Hurry up and comfort her!”

“Oh.” Qin Hang meekly went over, the little man practically on his knees begging for forgiveness: “I’ll figure out a way to buy an identical one…”

I’ll just go back to that country and buy one!

The arrogance brought by wealth filled Qin Hang with confidence. Buying an identical one was simply a trivial matter!

Qin Mianmian was downcast: “You can’t buy it.”

It had her name on it; it was specially customized.

But Qin Mianmian was a good child. She remembered that the gift her brother had specially brought for her hadn’t been opened yet. So she tore open the packaging and saw the delicate, small glass cup inside.

It was shaped like a cat’s paw, very adorable.

She held up the cup, looking at Jian Ying’an first: “I’ll give it to you!”

Everything I like, I’ll give to you.