I Am Already A Queen

Chapter 131: Chapter 131: Giving The Necklace To Qiao Meixia

However, he explained that he was stuck on the ground floor because the elevator required special security clearance to access any of the residential floors above.

Qiao Meixia completely understood the protocol. Slipping on her shoes, she made her way down to the ground floor.

The delivery rider was waiting patiently near the lobby entrance. When he caught sight of Qiao Meixia walking toward him, his eyes widened slightly in genuine surprise. He certainly had not expected the client who ordered the meal to be such a strikingly beautiful, effortlessly cool young woman.

A sudden wave of courage made him want to ask for her personal contact details. However, taking a quick glance around the opulent, high-end residential lobby, he hesitated.

A girl living in a place like this likely would not spare a second glance for a humble delivery worker. She undoubtedly hailed from an immensely wealthy, high-society family. He decided against embarrassing himself by asking for her number, preferring to avoid a swift and awkward rejection.

Qiao Meixia remained completely oblivious to the internal debate taking place in his head. She simply took the thermal bag from his hands with a courteous nod.

”Thank you.” Qiao Meixia said politely.

”You are very welcome! Enjoy your meal.” The rider replied politely.

He watched in quiet admiration as she turned on her heel and glided back toward the elevator doors, letting out a faint, wistful sigh. What a shame.

Returning to her apartment, Qiao Meixia set the takeout containers on the dining table and unsealed them one by one. The mouthwatering aroma of freshly prepared food instantly filled the room. She sat down and began eating with quiet satisfaction. Once she finished her main course, she eagerly pulled open the container holding her dessert. Retrieving the slice of cake she had ordered, she savored every rich, delicious bite.

Right as she was enjoying her sweet treat, her phone began to ring on the counter. Qiao Meixia glanced at the incoming caller ID. It was her grandmother.

She tapped the screen to accept the call and immediately switched it to speakerphone, placing it on the table so she could continue indulging in her dessert while chatting.

”My precious granddaughter... What are you up to right now?” Old Madam Jiang’s affectionate voice echoed through the speaker.

”Eating cake.” Qiao Meixia answered plainly.

”Good... Eating well is wonderful!” Old Madam Jiang sounded utterly delighted. ”Your grandfather already confronted your father regarding the details of your official acknowledgement banquet. It’s set in stone that the grand event will be hosted this coming weekend.”

”Oh... I see.” Qiao Meixia murmured neutrally.

”You don’t need to stress yourself over a single detail, my dear. Your grandfather and I will personally see to every arrangement for you.” Old Madam Jiang stated.

”Take care of what, exactly?” Qiao Meixia asked, pausing with her fork halfway to her mouth.

”The preparation, of course!” Old Madam Jiang declared with infectious excitement. ”Your custom gown, matching shoes, fine jewellery, professional hair and makeup, everything!”

Qiao Meixia stopped eating entirely.

”Wait. Eldest Brother already bought me a complete outfit for the banquet. No need to prepare another set.” Qiao Meixia stated

”Grandma knows, but having a backup ensemble is absolutely essential for an event of this scale.” Old Madam Jiang explained gently. ”We can never predict what unexpected mishaps might occur in those social circles.”

As a seasoned veteran of high-society galas and grand banquets, Old Madam Jiang knew all too well how many unfortunate ”accidents” could happen behind closed doors. Spilt red wine, ruined dresses, broken jewellery, or even jealous rivals deliberately staging drama to humiliate a newcomer were far too common. She was determined to protect her darling granddaughter from experiencing even the slightest hint of discomfort or embarrassment on her big night.

Qiao Meixia recognized that tone of voice. Even if she refused a hundred times, her stubborn grandmother would still go ahead with the lavish plans anyway. There was no point in wasting energy arguing against such fierce devotion.

”Sure. Do whatever makes you happy.” Qiao Meixia relented smoothly.

”That’s my good girl! My granddaughter is going to be the most breathtaking, radiant person at the entire banquet!” Old Madam Jiang chuckled with immense joy.

Qiao Meixia quietly resumed eating her cake. She did not particularly care whether she would end up being the most beautiful person in the room or not. Her only real wish was for the tedious event to come to a swift, uneventful conclusion. For someone like her, navigating a room full of superficial socialites was far less appealing than simply staying home in the quiet comfort of her own space.

After finishing her sweet treat, Qiao Meixia decided it was time to head back to the Jiang Family Residence. She considered herself thoroughly fortunate when she stepped into the main house and did not cross paths with a single member of the family. Eager to bypass any tedious, forced small talk, she quietly slipped upstairs and retreated into the privacy of her own room.

After taking a quick, refreshing shower, she changed into a comfortable set of loungewear and pulled up a chair to her desk. She intended to start drafting the layout for her upcoming painting. Retrieving a clean sheet of heavy sketch paper and a drafting pencil, she began mapping out the preliminary lines. She had already settled on the overall concept. She wanted to capture the quiet, hidden garden she had stumbled upon at school, rendering the lush scenery strictly through her own unique, artistic perspective.

Right in the middle of blocking out the composition, a sharp knock echoed from her bedroom door.

Qiao Meixia paused. Setting her pencil down on the desk, she stood up and walked over to unlatch the door. Standing in the hallway was her eldest brother, Jiang Suhan, carrying a sleek paper shopping bag in his hand.

”Do you mind if I step inside for a moment?” Jiang Suhan asked politely.

”Hmm...” Qiao Meixia nodded softly, stepping back to leave ample room for him to enter.

Jiang Suhan stepped into the room, his eyes instantly drifting toward the desk where a sheet of paper lay covered in fine graphite lines. It was clearly a preliminary sketch, though he could not quite decipher the exact scene she was constructing.

A flash of curiosity crossed his mind, but he quickly remembered the primary reason for his visit. Lifting the paper bag, he extended it toward her.

”What is this?” Qiao Meixia asked, her hands remaining loosely at her sides without reaching for the bag.

”A necklace.” Jiang Suhan answered, offering a warm smile.

”There is no need. I don’t really wear fine jewellery.” Qiao Meixia replied, shaking her head.

”It does not matter if you wear it daily or not. You can simply keep it as part of your personal collection.” Jiang Suhan insisted gently. ”I actually picked it out for you last week, but I completely forgot to hand it over while we were staying at the ancestral manor.”

Qiao Meixia let out a faint, defeated sigh. She knew all too well how relentless Jiang Suhan could be once he set his mind on giving her something. She had already observed that stubborn streak during their previous shopping trip together. Whenever he decided to buy something for her, he simply would not take no for an answer until she surrendered and accepted it.

”Alright, fine... I will take it.” Qiao Meixia relented, finally reaching out to take the bag.

”If you like it, you can wear it to the banquet this coming weekend.” Jiang Suhan’s face brightened with satisfaction. Pausing briefly, he added as an afterthought, ”Ah... It’s officially confirmed now. The family has set the date for your formal acknowledgement banquet.”

”Hmm... I know. Grandma already filled me in over the phone.” Qiao Meixia stated casually.

While the two were conversing near the entrance, Jiang Yanna happened to be walking down the second-floor corridor. Seeing the bedroom door standing wide open, her gaze naturally drifted inside, and instantly froze the moment she spotted Jiang Suhan standing close to Qiao Meixia. She stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes narrowing as she observed the two of them. After a brief second of hesitation, she took a bold step across the threshold into the room.

”Eldest Brother, what on earth are you doing in here?” Jiang Yanna demanded, her tone laced with sharp interrogation.

Jiang Suhan’s brow furrowed heavily the moment he registered her accusatory phrasing.

”What is that tone supposed to mean? Am I forbidden from stepping into my own younger sister’s room to have a private conversation with her?” Jiang Suhan retorted, his voice dripping with immediate displeasure.

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