I Am Already A Queen

Chapter 146: Chapter 146: You Should Know Better Than Anyone Why I Am Here

However, knowing Feng Lan’s defensive and volatile temper, she realised that making such a direct request right now would only trigger an explosive argument. She decided it was wiser to bide her time and observe how Feng Lan treated Qiao Meixia moving forward. If that woman continued to mistreat the poor girl, Yin Xiuying was fully prepared to step in and pull Qiao Meixia out of that toxic household once and for all.

”Meixia, why don’t you come over and spend the night at the main estate with me tonight? You can head back home tomorrow,” Old Madam Jiang invited gently.

Qiao Meixia suddenly recalled Yin Junjie’s invitation to check out the racing track today. That event was scheduled for this afternoon, and since she was quite keen on going to see it, she had to decline Old Madam Jiang’s offer.

”No... I already have other plans lined up for today.” Qiao Meixia said, looking at Old Madam Jiang while giving a firm shake of her head.

”Ah, that’s perfectly alright, my dear! If you already have plans, go right ahead and enjoy yourself.” Old Madam Jiang replied with a warm smile, not taking the refusal to heart in the slightest.

Once breakfast drew to a close, the family members said their goodbyes and began parting ways.

Qiao Meixia made her way back to the main Jiang Family Residence alongside Jiang Suhan. The very moment they stepped through the front doors, they were greeted by the piercing, cold glare of Feng Lan sitting in the living room.

Feng Lan was still thoroughly fuming over the events of the previous night. Her precious, beloved daughter had come dangerously close to being exposed and sent away, all because of Qiao Meixia’s sudden return. And in her eyes, Jiang Suhan was just as guilty. He was actively taking the old couple’s side instead of standing up for his own parent.

”So, you two finally decided to grace us with your presence and come home.” Feng Lan spat out, her tone dripping with venom.

”Mom, why are you starting up again like this?” Jiang Suhan asked, letting out a tired sigh.

”You actually have the nerve to ask me that?! Have you already completely forgotten what happened last night?” Feng Lan demanded, her voice rising in anger.

Qiao Meixia had zero desire to waste her time engaging with Feng Lan’s dramatic outburst. Completely ignoring her mother’s presence, she walked right past her and headed straight for the grand staircase leading up to the second floor.

”Stop right there! I am not finished talking to you!” Feng Lan shrieked behind her.

She was absolutely livid seeing Qiao Meixia treat her with such total, dismissive indifference.

”Mom, regardless of how furious you feel, Qiaoqiao is completely innocent in all of this. You don’t need to bark at her like that.” Jiang Suhan said, his brows furrowing deeply into a heavy frown.

”Innocent?! Because of her, my poor, darling daughter was almost banished from this family!” Feng Lan yelled, her eyes flashing with rage.

”Mom, Grandpa and Grandma never once said that Yanna had to be sent away! All they asked was for the family to tell the truth to the public.” Jiang Suhan pointed out sternly.

”Telling the truth is the exact same thing as throwing her out! If the rest of high society finds out about her true origins, how is she ever supposed to hold her head up or survive their cruel judgment?!” Feng Lan cried out, her voice trembling violently as she fought back tears of frustration.

Qiao Meixia, who had paused mid-step near the landing of the staircase, passively absorbed Feng Lan’s hysterical words. She did not utter a single word in her own defence. After a brief pause, she resumed her steady climb up the steps, leaving the drama behind her. As she reached the second-floor hallway, she found Jiang Yanna standing near the railing.

It was glaringly obvious that Jiang Yanna had been lurking there, listening to every single word of the intense shouting match down below.

The second Qiao Meixia drew near, Jiang Yanna raised her head, staring at her with a deeply convoluted, unreadable expression mixed with jealousy, insecurity, and underlying malice.

Qiao Meixia brought her steps to a halt directly in front of her, meeting her gaze with cool, unbothered eyes.

Jiang Yanna took a few steps closer to Qiao Meixia, leaning in.

”Did you hear that?” Jiang Yanna whispered under her breath, careful not to let her voice carry down the stairs to her mother and brother.

”Hear what?” Qiao Meixia asked, her tone entirely unbothered.

”Mom and Dad don’t want me to suffer.” Jiang Yanna said, dropping any pretence of being a sweet, welcoming sister now that they were alone. ”So they had no choice but to sacrifice you instead.”

”So what?” Qiao Meixia countered coolly.

”What?” Jiang Yanna blinked, completely taken aback by the response.

”I don’t care about their feelings.” Qiao Meixia stated flatly.

”Then why are you even here?” Jiang Yanna demanded.

”You should know better than anyone why I am here.” Qiao Meixia replied quietly.

Without waiting for a response, Qiao Meixia brushed right past her, her shoulder forcefully bumping into Jiang Yanna’s and sending her stumbling backwards.

Jiang Yanna quickly caught her balance to keep from falling. As she straightened up, her heart dropped. Jiang Suhan was already standing on the second-floor landing just a short distance away. Flustered for a split second, she forced a quick recovery and offered him a soft, sweet smile.

”Eldest Brother.” Jiang Yanna greeted him, desperately hoping he had not overheard their exchange.

”Hmm,” Jiang Suhan hummed neutrally, stepping past her and heading straight toward his room.

Relief washed over Jiang Yanna. Judging by his calm demeanour, he clearly had not heard a thing.

’Thank goodness.’ Jiang Yanna rubbed her chest.

...

A short while later, Qiao Meixia emerged from her room and headed down to the ground floor. She cast a passing glance toward the living room to check if Feng Lan was still around. Just dealing with that woman was utterly exhausting, and Qiao Meixia honestly could not wrap her head around her logic.

The woman was practically bursting with rage over the fact that Qiao Meixia had been brought back home.

Stepping out of the house, Qiao Meixia headed straight for the garage. She unlocked her heavy-duty superbike and swung a leg over the seat. The moment she hit the ignition, the engine roared to life with a powerful, deep rumble.

She rode out through the front gates, which had already been drawn open. Gliding smoothly out onto the main road, she navigated toward the racing circuit, having already memorised the route beforehand.

After an hour’s ride, she arrived at the track entrance.

A sizeable crowd had already gathered around the venue. As Qiao Meixia pulled up, dozens of onlookers turned to stare, whispering among themselves about the mystery rider on the impressive bike.

When she unbuckled her helmet and shook out her hair, the crowd gasped in surprise. Her features were striking and undeniably gorgeous. However, her choice of attire raised a few eyebrows. Unlike the flashy, designer streetwear most of the crowd wore to the track, she was dressed in a simple, understated dark outfit that stood out precisely because of how unpretentious it was.

”Brother Junjie, she is here!” Someone in the crowd shouted out.

Before the guy could say another word, a heavy hand smacked him right across the back of his head.

”Shut your mouth.” Yin Junjie warned, glaring at the teenager.

The guy just grinned sheepishly, rubbing his sore neck.

Yin Junjie strolled over to Qiao Meixia with a welcoming smile.

”You actually came.” Yin Junjie said.

”Hmm... Came to check it out.” Qiao Meixia nodded.

Yin Junjie leaned in slightly and lowered his voice. ”Come inside with us. Bring your bike along too. It’s not safe to leave a ride like this out in the open lot.”

Qiao Meixia was of the same mind. She wheeled her superbike over to the designated spot Yin Junjie pointed out.

”You can park it right here. My guys will keep an eye on it.” Yin Junjie assured her.

Qiao Meixia glanced at the sharp-looking men in black suits standing guard nearby. They looked exceptionally sharp and alert, actively monitoring every movement around the high-end bikes.

”Let me take you up to the viewing platform.” Yin Junjie said, leading the way.

Qiao Meixia followed him and his inner circle up to a private, glass-walled VIP suite that overlooked the sweeping curves of the entire track below.

”There are two major races scheduled for today, and the first one is about to kick off.” Yin Junjie explained, gesturing toward the starting line.

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