Brother complex, sister complex

Although, as an adult, she should not take offense at a little girl, and those words were clearly just "a child speaking without restraint," taking offense would make her seem petty...

But-

Lu Wanning tightened her grip on her wineglass, anger surging uncontrollably from her chest.

I really want to give this child a good slapping.

Jiang Yuehan froze once again.

He had never expected Jiang Jinran to keep her cards so close to her chest...

She never showed it, but did his little sister actually care about him this much?

As for today's dinner, Lu Yunxiao had invited him.

He and Lu Yunxiao had not seen each other for quite some time, because he had already thoroughly investigated what the man had been doing behind his back.

Just as Jiang Jinran had said, he was secretly winning over the people under him...

Everything lined up.

At first, Jiang Yuehan could not help having mixed feelings.

He had finally found a friend whose temperament suited him, only to discover that the man had approached him deliberately, harboring ill intentions.

During that time, Lu Yunxiao had asked to meet him several times, but Jiang Yuehan had politely declined each invitation.

Later, Jiang Yuehan thought things through and ultimately decided not to expose Lu Yunxiao's true colors.

Since he and Lu Wanning were intent on harming him, he might as well pretend he knew nothing and turn their scheme against them.

That way, he would hold the initiative.

After he figured this out, Lu Yunxiao happened to invite him again today. He knew he could not keep refusing so firmly. Lu Yunxiao was no fool; after being turned down repeatedly, he would surely notice the change in his attitude...

So today, he had accepted Lu Yunxiao's invitation.

But-

He had not known beforehand that Lu Wanning would be attending this dinner.

Her arrival had been very sudden.

This was Jiang Yuehan's first time meeting Lu Wanning.

Just as Lu Yunxiao had said, Lu Wanning was very beautiful, certainly the sort whose looks could leave people stunned.

However, Jiang Yuehan's preconceived impression of her had already made him resistant to her.

In her presence, he was not merely unmoved; he even felt a measure of disgust.

Now, seeing that Jiang Jinran also seemed to dislike Lu Wanning intensely, he naturally had to stand with his little sister.

"There's no need for that toast," Jiang Yuehan refused coolly. With that, he immediately looked away, sparing Lu Wanning not another glance.

Lu Wanning clenched her back teeth.

Anger seemed ready to overflow from her heart.

She still worked hard to control her expression, keeping a slightly stiff but proper smile on her lips, but her tightly clenched fingers betrayed the emotions she was struggling to suppress.

In the end, Lu Wanning said nothing.

At a time like this, nothing she said could keep her from feeling humiliated!

She set down her wineglass and could only act as though nothing had happened.

This was not quite what she had expected.

She was very confident in her looks, yet Jiang Yuehan had shown no reaction whatsoever upon seeing her...

But that was fine. Once he drank the spiked wine later, Jiang Yuehan would have no choice but to concede defeat to her.

For the first time in her life, Lu Wanning felt a fierce desire to win.

In the past, whenever she wanted to get close to a man, her looks made it as easy as reaching out and taking him.

Though she had suffered a brief setback today, she would not admit defeat.

Seeing that Lu Wanning had settled down for the moment, Jiang Jinran released Jiang Yuehan and began eating and drinking on her own.

Unexpectedly, the peace barely lasted before Lu Wanning, still refusing to abandon her wicked intentions, tried to strike up a conversation with Jiang Yuehan-

Quick of eye and hand, Jiang Jinran seized the initiative once again.

"Big Brother~"

She grabbed Jiang Yuehan's arm and said in a low voice, "Don't talk to her. I won't allow it!"

Her voice had a clear, crisp quality. "I don't like you talking to her."

Jiang Yuehan did not think Jiang Jinran was being unreasonable.

On the contrary, he found his little sister endearing in a way he had never seen before.

Jiang Yuehan patted Jiang Jinran's shoulder. A hint of tenderness unconsciously seeped into his deep gaze as he said reassuringly, "All right, I won't talk to them."

Everyone present, including Lu Yunxiao, could not help looking somewhat surprised.

Who would have thought that the always cold, proud Jiang Yuehan had a sister complex!

And the Jiang Family's youngest daughter, who was usually as invisible as a transparent person, actually had a brother complex!

These two really were...

Everyone wore complicated expressions, but they could hardly say anything.

Meanwhile, after repeatedly suffering rebuffs and running into walls, Lu Wanning's confidence and patience had both sunk to rock bottom.

She could not help looking at Jiang Jinran.

This little girl was definitely not simply too possessive of her brother.

She clearly could not stand her.

She harbored hostility toward her.

Lu Wanning was a woman too. How could she fail to understand this little girl's thoughts?

This was clearly her first time meeting this young lady, so where exactly had her hostility come from...

Could it be-

She's jealous of my looks?

That did seem somewhat reasonable.

The dinner continued in this somewhat strange atmosphere.

Lu Yunxiao looked at his younger sister. Their eyes met, and each understood the meaning in the other's gaze.

It was time to act.

"Oh, everyone, I brought a bottle of classic '82 wine from home," Lu Yunxiao suddenly said with a smile. "I brought it especially for everyone to try, so do make sure you have plenty."

"How thoughtful of you, Mr. Lu," someone praised politely.

Jiang Yuehan showed little expression, while Jiang Jinran's face stiffened.

Here it comes!

If Jiang Jinran was not mistaken, Lu Yunxiao was about to start his dirty tricks.

There was definitely something wrong with this wine.

Should I expose Lu Yunxiao's plot in front of everyone?

Or...

Meanwhile, Lu Yunxiao prepared to pour everyone's wine himself.

He took out several brand-new glasses, intending to fill each one.

Jiang Jinran narrowed her eyes, watching Lu Yunxiao's movements closely.

Clearly, Lu Yunxiao's only target was Jiang Yuehan.

In that case, he could not have spiked the bottle of wine...

Otherwise, everyone would fall victim.

So-

Jiang Jinran's gaze fell on the glasses.

Lu Yunxiao must have tampered with the glasses.

She noticed something else: one glass had been deliberately set a little apart. Unlike the others clustered together, this one seemed to have been specially separated.

Jiang Jinran blinked.

An idea immediately sprang to mind.

She suddenly rose from her seat and came to Lu Yunxiao's side almost soundlessly-

Jiang Jinran patted Lu Yunxiao's arm and looked up at him with innocent, harmless eyes. "Big Brother, let me help you."

Lu Yunxiao's movements faltered.

Already feeling guilty, he nearly spilled wine from the bottle when Jiang Jinran interrupted him.

But Lu Yunxiao reacted quickly. He immediately turned around, mustered a smile for Jiang Jinran, and said gently, "No need. I can handle this myself."