I Am Already A Queen

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Cared For Her And Treated Her Like A Cherished Younger Sister

”I know.” Qiao Meixia gave a small nod.

”By the way... how is that biological family of yours treating you under their roof?” Yang Mingxia rested her chin on her palm, her cheerful tone shifting slightly into a more serious inquiry.

Qiao Meixia’s dark eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Yang Mingxia’s sharp instincts immediately picked up on the microscopic shift in her demeanour.

”Oh...” Yang Mingxia’s warm smile gradually vanished, replaced by a cold edge. ”So those people really are not good human beings.”

She snorted with blatant disdain.

”I heard the Jiang Family is considered one of the elite wealthy households in this city. If they had actually put genuine effort and resources into searching for their lost biological daughter all those years ago, they would have easily found you long ago.” Yang Mingxia looked at Qiao Meixia intently. ”Do you really still have to stay with those fake, calculating people?”

”Yes. For the time being.” Qiao Meixia nodded smoothly. She took a slow sip of ice water, continuing with absolute composure, ”I still require the official identity of being their biological daughter if I want to operate freely and establish a foothold in this specific city. It provides a convenient front.”

After a brief, meaningful pause, a faint, dangerous smile curled the corners of her lips.

”They certainly have their own hidden motives for bringing me back to their family...” Qiao Meixia’s smile deepened ever so slightly, glowing with an untouchable confidence. ”...but I am the only one who possesses the absolute power to decide whether I will walk down the path they have meticulously laid out for me.”

She let out a low, quiet chuckle. Then, as a specific handsome face flashed through her mind, her expression softened marginally.

”Besides... not everyone residing in that household is a bad person.” Qiao Meixia added.

The sole individual she was referring to was naturally Jiang Suhan. Unlike the scheming rest of the Jiang Family, Jiang Suhan genuinely cared for her and treated her like a cherished younger sister. There was no hidden corporate agenda behind his gestures, nor did he ever look down on her background.

Yang Mingxia’s tense posture visibly relaxed, her smile returning.

”I am truly glad to hear that.” Yang Mingxia said gently. ”At least there is one person in that cold house who is treating you with genuine sincerity.”

”Hmm...” Qiao Meixia nodded.

She stretched her slender arms lazily overhead before clapping her hands together with a crisp snap.

”We have been gossiping for so long that I almost completely forgot the main reason I dragged you out here!” Yang Mingxia reached over and picked up the digital ordering tablet. ”Let me order us a feast.”

”Hmm...” Qiao Meixia nodded in agreement.

Yang Mingxia quickly navigated through the menu, selecting an array of high-end delicacies before sliding the tablet across the table to Qiao Meixia.

”Your turn, my dear.” Yang Mingxia said.

Qiao Meixia accepted the device, casually tapping a few specific dishes she favoured before handing it back.

Not long afterwards, the private staff served the exquisite multi-course meal. Along with the dishes, Yang Mingxia had also ordered a bottle of vintage red wine to complement the flavours. She expertly uncorked the bottle, letting the rich aroma fill the room as she poured the crimson liquid into two crystal goblets.

Just as she was about to pass one of the glasses over to Qiao Meixia, her movement abruptly froze mid-air.

”Wait a second...” Yang Mingxia looked at Qiao Meixia with a suddenly conflicted, wide-eyed expression. ”You are only seventeen right now! You technically should not be consuming alcohol.”

Qiao Meixia merely lifted her gaze, staring at her in total silence without offering a single word of defence. Then, with supreme composure, she reached out her slender hand, picked up the crystal goblet directly off the table, and took a smooth, practised sip of the vintage wine.

Yang Mingxia stared blankly at her for a stunned second before completely breaking down into a fit of laughter.

”Hahaha... Oh, my goodness!” Yang Mingxia laughed until she had to wipe away tears once again.

”I completely lost my mind for a second...” Yang Mingxia shook her head helplessly, chuckling at her own silly mistake. ”You have been casually drinking vintage wine right alongside me ever since we were practically kids.”

Qiao Meixia remained as calm and composed as ever. She silently set her crystal wine glass back onto the white linen, picked up her utensils, and continued enjoying her multi-course dinner as though nothing unusual had happened, looking completely unbothered by the world around her.

The two of them enjoyed their meal while chatting leisurely in the privacy of the suite. Most of the conversation naturally flowed from Yang Mingxia, who happily shared lively anecdotes about her recent high-fashion photoshoots, international travel, and backstage drama. Qiao Meixia simply listened with practised patience, occasionally responding with a subtle nod or a concise, sharp remark whenever appropriate.

After finishing dinner, the two women left the private VIP suite together, stepping onto the plush carpeting of the corridor as they headed toward the elevator leading down to the underground parking garage of the Huangmei Clubhouse.

Unsurprisingly, Qiao Meixia encountered Yin Jiehao once again while waiting at the elevator bank. This time, he was entirely on his own.

Yin Jiehao was visibly startled to run into Qiao Meixia yet again in such a short timeframe. His gaze instinctively shifted toward the striking woman walking beside her. He recognised her immediately.

As one of the country’s most famous top supermodels, Yang Mingxia was practically a household name whose face graced countless luxury billboards across the nation. At first, Yin Jiehao assumed the celebrity was simply waiting for the same elevator by pure coincidence and possessed zero personal connection to Qiao Meixia.

However, his assumption was shattered a second later.

Yang Mingxia naturally slipped her arm around Qiao Meixia’s slender waist, hugging her with theatrical affection.

”My dear Meixia, I want to sleep at your place tonight.” Yang Mingxia sighed dramatically, leaning her head on Qiao Meixia’s shoulder. ”It’s been such a long time since we last shared a bed.”

Hearing that explicit statement, Yin Jiehao’s ears immediately perked up in pure shock. His eyes widened slightly in complete disbelief. He had never expected the personal relationship between the two women to be that intimate. In his mind, he instantly, completely misconstrued the literal meaning behind Yang Mingxia’s affectionate words.

What a tragedy... he thought internally, feeling a bizarre sense of loss. Both of them are breathtaking, top-tier beauties. If the millions of obsessive fans who adore Yang Mingxia ever found out about this, their hearts would probably shatter beyond repair.

”Don’t you have another major photoshoot scheduled early tomorrow morning?” Qiao Meixia asked calmly, not even flinching at her dramatic embrace.

Yang Mingxia immediately clicked her tongue in sheer annoyance, rolling her eyes.

”Tsk! That obnoxious man deliberately arranged that ridiculous schedule just to spite me!” Yang Mingxia stated.

”Did he?” Qiao Meixia asked casually, her voice smooth and unbothered.

Yang Mingxia merely scoffed in bitter response.

Ding!

The metallic elevator doors slowly slid open. The two women glided inside the cabin before turning around to look at Yin Jiehao, who was still standing outside in the lobby like a dazed statue.

”Hey,” Yang Mingxia looked at him with an impatient raise of her brow. ”Are you getting in or what? If not, I am pressing the door-close button.”

Only then did Yin Jiehao snap back to reality, his face flushing with slight embarrassment.

”Sorry! My apologies!” Yin Jiehao hurriedly rushed into the elevator cabin. ”I am coming in. Thank you.”

The elevator doors sealed shut once more. An awkward silence filled the enclosed space. Neither Qiao Meixia nor Yang Mingxia had the slightest intention of starting small talk with him.

Less than two minutes later, the elevator arrived smoothly at the subterranean private parking level. Everyone stepped out onto the polished concrete.

”Mingxia.” A deep, smooth male voice suddenly echoed through the cavernous parking garage.

Yang Mingxia’s entire body immediately stiffened in mid-step. She slowly turned her head toward Qiao Meixia, narrowing her eyes with extreme suspicion and mock betrayal.

”My dear Meixia...” Yang Mingxia asked through gritted teeth, her voice dropping an octave. ”Did you personally call him to come here?”

”Hmm...” Qiao Meixia admitted honestly, without showing the slightest trace of guilt or hesitation.

”You...” Yang Mingxia was rendered instantly speechless by her friend’s blunt betrayal.

”Mingxia...” The man walked closer with a gentle, patient smile, his long coat swaying slightly. ”I came to pick you up.”

It was Yin Zemin. Yang Mingxia glared at Qiao Meixia one final time before throwing her hands up in defeat.

***This novel is a contracted work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If you do not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, that means it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko***