Pretending to Cultivate in Kindergarten-Chapter 225: The New Three All Have Their Thoughts

And if things really developed between her and Lin Zhengran... then wouldn’t that make Qianqian the little sister who fell for her future brother-in-law?

Jiang Qian turned and walked back inside. From behind, Fang Meng followed her.

“In the future, when Mom asks about me, just say you don’t know anything—like you did today,” she said.

Jiang Jingshi smiled. The sisters, one ahead and one behind, walked back into the living room.

Their grandfather had already returned and was sipping tea on the sofa. He asked casually:

“Jingshi, how are things going between you and that Lin kid from the Lin family? Things should be going pretty well, right?”

Up ahead, Jiang Qian and Fang Meng both stopped in their tracks.

The former’s face went icy cold, while the latter’s expression subtly shifted.

Jiang Jingshi smiled and turned around.

“Pretty well, Grandpa. Everything’s going smoothly.”

Her grandfather nodded with satisfaction.

“Earlier, while you were out, your parents already told me and Qianqian about it. Said you and Lin Zhengran started a company together a couple of years ago? Something called Zhengshi Corporation? Said it’s doing quite well now? Your parents couldn’t stop praising that boy.”

“It’s Zhengshi Company. It’s not quite at ‘corporation’ level yet.”

He let out a hearty laugh, sipping his tea animatedly.

“It’s only a matter of time. That Lin boy, I told you he was talented. Grandpa didn’t lead you wrong, did he? He’s the grandson of my old war buddy—we’ve been through life and death together. You two should cherish what you’ve got.

If things feel right, I think it’s time to make it official. Get engaged first, then when he hits legal age, you can go ahead and get married.”

Jiang Jingshi blushed, but she quickly realized something.

So it turns out that before she even came into the room, her parents had already talked about her starting a company with Lin Zhengran.

No wonder Qianqian had looked so cold all evening—and when they spoke outside, she had even shown a flicker of hostility.

So that’s what it was.

She was just about to say something when—

Jiang Qian suddenly spoke up coldly from up front:

“My sister said things are going well, but I think it just means they’re good friends. Starting a company together means they’re compatible as business partners, not necessarily suitable for anything else.

Grandpa, I don’t think you need to worry about this. And besides, my sister’s still young. It’s way too early to be thinking about marriage. That kind of thing can’t be rushed.”

Grandpa didn’t quite catch on to the subtext and argued back:

“Your sister’s not that young! She’s already in her twenties. By the time Lin Zhengran reaches legal age, won’t your sister be twenty-five or older?”

Jiang Qian replied without hesitation,

“That’s still too early! Twenty-five is too early to get married. Aren’t we supposed to be encouraging later marriages and childbirth now?”

Grandpa clicked his tongue.

“Later marriage and fewer kids? That was your generation’s slogan! That policy changed years ago.

And if twenty-five is too early, then what about you? You’re even younger than your sister. You planning to wait ten more years to get married?

I know you’ve never been into socializing or dating, but—”

Jiang Qian interrupted him sharply,

“I’m not like my sister. I can get married early.”

Grandpa was stunned. He hadn’t expected Qianqian—who had always steered clear of anything related to romance—to say something like that.

“Huh?”

Even Jiang Jingshi couldn’t help but look at her sister in surprise.

Jiang Qian repeated herself:

“I said I can get married early.” Her face reddened, and she quickly added before Grandpa could dig deeper:

“Anyway... I’ll just say it outright—I don’t think my sister and Lin Zhengran are a good match. Or rather, they’re only suited to be friends. Not a couple.”

Grandpa looked confused. “What’s not a good match?”

“Everything. They’re just not meant to be together.”

With that, Jiang Qian stormed upstairs, unwilling to say more.

Because earlier, when she heard her parents say her sister and Lin Zhengran had been secretly running a company together—and for over two years—she’d almost lost her breath from anger.

Calling it “anger” didn’t even do justice to how she felt. Her chest was tight, like something precious had been stolen from her.

She and her sister had always had their ups and downs growing up.

But deep down, Qianqian still cared about Jiang Jingshi. She was willing to share many things with her sister—even company shares, no matter who had more or less. Family was family.

But Lin Zhengran...

She would never give him up to anyone. Not even a single hair.

When she got to the second floor, she said,

“Xiao Meng, you go rest too,”

Then shut her bedroom door.

Downstairs, Jiang Jingshi had been watching her sister’s every reaction.

Strangely, it seemed like Qianqian cared even more about Lin Zhengran now than she had before...

Could something have happened between them recently?

On the sofa, Grandpa looked up toward the second floor, watching his youngest granddaughter storm off and slam her door.

“What’s going on with her?” he asked Jiang Jingshi.

“I don’t get it. Why doesn’t Qianqian want you and Lin Zhengran together?

I know they go to the same school. Did he do something to upset her? Does she hate him or something?”

Jiang Jingshi gave a wry smile.

If Qianqian hated Lin Zhengran, this whole thing would be a lot easier.

But the problem was—she liked him too.

And while she usually let Qianqian have her way in most things...

When it came to him—even if Qianqian got upset, even if she was against it—if he needed her, she would stay by his side.

No one would stand in her way.

She said to Grandpa,

“Grandpa, don’t worry about it. I’ll figure it out. You should get some rest—I’m heading to bed too.”

Grandpa sighed.

“Alright, alright. It’s true—these things are out of Grandpa’s hands now. But I really do think Lin Zhengran is an exceptional young man. A rare talent.”

She smiled gently. “He really is one of a kind.”

Then Jiang Jingshi headed back to her room.

No one noticed that upstairs, Fang Meng had been watching her retreating figure.

Her expression was subtle, conflicted.

Hearing Jiang Xueli’s parents say that Jiang Jingshi and Lin Zhengran had already been running a company together for over two years had genuinely shocked Fang Meng.

She had long known that the eldest miss had feelings for Lin Zhengran—but she didn’t expect her to make a move so early.

And Qianqian...

From what she knew, Qianqian wouldn’t give up even an inch.

But the most important part was—herself.

I like him too...

That night, Fang Meng lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, completely lost in thought.

Jiang Qian lay under the covers, sleepless the entire night.

Jiang Jingshi’s gentle eyes stared out the window, also wide awake.

Each girl with her own thoughts, her own heartache.

The only one sleeping soundly in the entire villa was Grandpa, his snores echoing through the house.