"That Qiao Yun, this lass, has finally seen the end of her hardships."

"Her heartless biological mother who abandoned her while she was still so young to marry into a wealthy family, now has the audacity to come back for her?"

"I heard she also brought Qiao Yun's grandmother to Lin City for treatment."

"It's as if the sun has risen from the west! I hope that girl keeps getting better!"

Early in the morning, the village was full of people.

After hearing that Qiao Yun's biological mother had returned to acknowledge her, almost the entire village turned up.

Everyone watched Qiao Yun enter a luxurious car, their expressions complex.

The luxurious car left the village.

It was headed towards the Ling Family in Lin City.

The Ling family is wealthy, ranked second on Lin City's list of the richest.

The one Zhao Yulan remarried to was the widowed second young master of the Ling family, Ling Yunxiu.

She had been in the Ling family for many years her entire demeanor that of a lady of luxury, and she had learned to be highly haughty.

In the car.

Looking at her daughter who just got on the car, Zhao Yulan's eyes were filled with disdain.

Qiao Yun was dressed in all black sweatclothes, carried a black bag, and wore a black duck tongue hat, which covered half of her face.

She was thin with a cold demeanor. Her eyes, half-shut under the brim of her hat, carried an outright roguish feel.

Just like some street thug.

"Did you hear everything I said?" Zhao Yulan pressed her temples, slightly impatient.

Along the way, she had explained many things to Qiao Yun. However, the damn girl always seemed careless and indifferent, as if ignoring her completely.

This was a crucial matter, so Zhao Yulan had to repeat herself, "The opportunity to form a marriage alliance with the Si family was originally your sister's. However, out of concern for you, I persuaded the Ling family to give this opportunity to you!”

“The Si family is even more powerful than the Ling family in Lin City, ranked first among the four wealthiest families in the capital!”

"Though the young master of the Si family is seriously ill and doesn't have much time left, once you marry into their family, you will be the young mistress, leading a life of wealth and prosperity.”

"I know you fight a lot in school and you don't even have a college diploma. It’s likely you won't be able to find a decent job once you leave school!"

"As your mother, I’m giving you this opportunity and even brought your grandmother to the hospital in Lin City for treatment. I paid your grandmother’s medical fees, which are four hundred thousand a month, without blinking!"

"You must appreciate this opportunity, listen obediently, and seize this pie that’s fallen from the sky, got it?"

In the face of her endless preaching, Qiao Yun lifted her head and suddenly smiled. It was so beautiful it could be likened to the ice melting away with the warmth of the sun.

She curiously asked, “If this opportunity is so great, why isn’t it given to your second daughter?”

The "second daughter" mentioned by Qiao Yun was Ling Yue, Zhao Yulan's daughter from her second marriage, and the cherished daughter of the Ling family.

It was rumored that six months ago, Si Heng, the eldest son of the Si family, had an accident and his appearance was completely ruined; he was also left with only two years to live.

Ever since then, Si Heng had changed dramatically, turning cruel and ruthless.

To conduct business, the Ling family had no choice but to engage in a marital alliance with the Si family.

However, the one originally planned for the arranged marriage, Ling Yue, refused to get married. So did Zhao Yulan turn her interest to her instead?

And she even had the audacity to say it was for her benefit; that she was being partial towards her?

Zhao Yulan's face changed slightly at Qiao Yun's questioning.

She subconsciously blurted out, "How could Yue get married? I've put in so much effort into educating her, she deserves better..."

Before she could finish, she realized what she just blurted out was her true thoughts.

Looking at Qiao Yun's coldly mocking and disdainful gaze, Zhao Yulan suddenly understood something, her anger had nowhere to vent.

"Did you already know about the Si family's situation?!"

Qiao Yun's lips curled slightly, remaining silent.

However, her expression was evident.

Zhao Yulan was livid.

So, this little wretch knew the truth all along, but had been watching her perform all this while?

Did she even consider her as her own mother!

Zhao Yulan wanted to scold her, but the thought of her purpose for being here to fetch her, made Zhao Yulan reluctantly soften her tone, employing a peaceful strategy.

"Qiao Yun, since you already knew, I'll tell you everything."

"You must understand, dear, these past years have not been easy for your mother in the Ling family. The matriarch looks down on me, and the people from the main family have also bullied me. Thankfully, your sister is smart and obedient, helping me to secure my footing, and my life has gotten a bit better because of her."

"I absolutely cannot allow your sister to marry into the Si family. Only you, marrying over, can save the Ling family's business, and also save me. In return, I promise I won't treat you unfairly, nor will I treat your grandmother unfairly."

Qiao Yun watched her dispassionately, her expression tinged with mockery.

Just as she expected.

This was her mother.

Dressing her own selfishness and self-interest as a last resort.

Truly nauseating.

Qiao Yun couldn't stand to look at her anymore, she averted her gaze, leaned back in her seat, using a hat to cover her face as she decided to catch up on some sleep.

She didn't like riding in vehicles, it made her feel irritable.

"What do you mean by this?" Zhao Yulan's temper flared up once again. She tried to suppress it as she spoke, "Did you hear what I just said to you?"

Qiao Yun remained unmoved, simply offering a non-committal "Hmm" in response.

Getting her desired response, Zhao Yulan ceased her haranguing.

However, when she turned her head and saw Qiao Yun's unbothered and unaffected manner, she clenched her teeth in anger.

With such a lack of manners, wouldn't she embarrass Zhao Yulan in front of the old lady later on?

Zhao Yulan wanted to scold her some more, but seeing Qiao Yun's already asleep, she could only swallow the words she was about to say.

The journey was long and grueling.

After driving for more than half a day, they finally arrived at the old Ling Family mansion.

Just before alighting from the car, Qiao Yun woke up.

Zhao Yulan quickly took the opportunity to lecture him, "This isn't some rural area, it's the Ling Family's place. You need to know your manners. After we go in, you should greet everyone proactively. Don't say what you shouldn't, and don't act like some uncouth layabout. You can’t disgrace me, understand?”

Qiao Yun got out of the car, noncommittally waving a hand at her from behind.

Whether he heard her or chose to ignore her, Zhao Yulan was left fuming mad.

Entering the old family mansion, it was clear that all the people from the Ling family main house had already gathered, they were by the side of the elderly Madame Ling.

Zhao Yulan, who had suffered quite a bit in the hands of Madame Ling, was naturally very wary of her and spoke cautiously, “Mother, I've brought Qiao Yun over."

Madame Ling nodded her head, her murky eyes surveying Qiao Yun, as if sizing up some piece of merchandise.

Qiao Yun stood quietly with his hands in his pockets, head slightly down.

Madame Ling seemed somewhat displeased and spoke, "This is Qiao Yun? He is all grown up, how does he not have any manners? Does he not know how to greet his elders?”

Ling Jiaojiao, the daughter of the Ling family’s main house, scoffed and said, “Grandma, she's just a country bumpkin, living off of you and not doing much else. Where would she get any manners from?”

Qiao Yun suddenly raised his eyes; his cold pupils reflected a sharp light, solidly landing on Ling Jiaojiao.

Ling Jiaojiao immediately felt her heart tighten with fear and fell into a curious panic.

"Sorry, I really am a country bumpkin and don't know what manners are," Qiao Yun retracted his gaze and responded in a bland tone.

This attitude enraged quite a few people.

"What a shameless creature!"

"She and the Eldest Young Master Si are indeed a perfect match, one foolish and arrogant, the other cruel and fierce."

Qiao Yun turned a deaf ear to these outrages, taking out her mobile phone.

Someone sent her a message, and she responded slowly with her head bowed.

Upon seeing Qiao Yun daring to play with her phone in her presence, Madam Ling was boiling with anger.

It was as if she wasn't worth a glance in Qiao Yun's eyes.

Suppressing her anger, she asked out loud: "Has your mother told you about the marriage alliance?"

After responding to the message, Qiao Yun glanced at the crowd with her cold eyes and spoke indifferently: "She has mentioned it."

Madam Ling nodded, asking: "So, do you agree to get married?"

Normally, this question wouldn't have to be asked again, but Qiao Yun was obviously a rebellious girl who wouldn't follow discipline.

Madam Ling had to confirm this personally. She could not take any risks when it came to important matters.

Upon hearing Qiao Yun's nonchalant reply: "Sure."

Not just Madam Ling, even Zhao Yulan sighed in relief.