Chapter 191: Chapter 191: Get to Know Me Again, I’m Just Meng Jiahe

The question was not only anxiety-inducing for Sang Shen and Mrs. Sang, forgetting to breathe, but even Mr. Sang Senior was staring intensely at Sang Qiao, waiting for her response.

Even Qingran, who had declared just a few days earlier that they should clear all debts, clenched her phone tighter and tighter.

Their entire family was waiting for this answer, even though they knew in their hearts that the answer they desired was unlikely to come; still, they hoped against hope.

“No need, I have my own family.” Sang Qiao didn’t even spare them a glance.

She leaned against the sofa casually, fiddling with an orange in her hand.

Her declaration of having a family made everyone feel uncomfortable; Mrs. Sang was deeply touched, her eyes red as she murmured, “Sang Qiao, I didn’t mean to treat you that way before, I was sick, I couldn’t control myself…”

“Yes, Sang Qiao, please forgive our family. Your mother’s medical report does state she has a severe psychological disorder, she didn’t really mean to be so cruel to you.”

Sang Zheng nodded along, feeling like Sang Qiao was making a mountain out of a molehill. Why make such a fuss within the family? What did past favoritism matter? Wasn’t she living just fine?

Why hold such a grudge!

“That’s your business, don’t try to morally bind me with the past. Just like how you treated me badly despite my kindness, you can choose not to accept me, and I can also choose not to accept you.”

Sang Qiao’s grip on the orange unintentionally tightened, bursting the small fruit open in her palm, its juice flowing out.

Her eyes were so cold and distant, now looking directly at Mrs. Sang.

Mrs. Sang, unable to bear the gaze and the words, covered her mouth and ran outside, a couple of tears stealthily sliding down her cheeks.

“That’s enough, stop talking all this nonsense, go prepare what needs to be prepared.”

Mr. Sang Senior, sensing his granddaughter’s displeasure as a warning sign, didn’t dare let them continue speaking disagreeably. If it agitated Sang Qiao further, she might end up not returning to the old house ever again…

Sang Qingran stood up and walked to the kitchen, carrying a cup of hot water, from which he took a gentle sip.

He knew where his oldest and fourth brothers were today, even what they were about to do. They were all figuratively on their knees hoping for Sang Qiao’s forgiveness, humbly offering whatever they could, hoping she would spare them a glance.

But he disdained such actions; he wouldn’t beg, he didn’t need Sang Qiao’s forgiveness. As long as he repaid her kindness to him, he would eventually let go. It was just a sister, after all.

Even Mrs. Sang he could let go; there was nothing he couldn’t let go of.

As he was deep in thought, suddenly a sweetly cloying female voice spoke from behind, “You regret it now, don’t you, Sang Qingran.”

Sang Qingran looked up at her, glancing down at her ankle; it was healing quickly.

“I told you I’d be the first to come and laugh at you,” Meng Jiahe chuckled lightly.

“Yes, you’ve won,” Sang Qingran set down his water glass, planning to head outside.

Meng Jiahe shifted and closed the door behind her, trapping him in the kitchen, and looked up at him intently.

Sang Qingran instinctively frowned, “Is there something else?”

“Let’s reintroduce ourselves. I’m Meng Jiahe, the vice president of Rose Entertainment, and that’s all. May I have Doctor Sang’s contact information?”

Meng Jiahe extended her hand, waiting for him to shake it, fully aware that her being with someone who had once hurt Sang Qiao might not look good to Sang Qiao.

But one doesn’t get to care for many people in their lifetime; having finally met him, she didn’t want to miss this chance.

Besides, Sang Qiao didn’t hate Sang Qingran; they were like strangers, which was the main reason she dared to take this step.

“Sang Qingran.” Sang Qingran graciously touched her small hand briefly without making contact and then gentlemanly let go.

Mr. Sang Senior, who just happened to want to come to the kitchen for water and had just opened the kitchen door: “!”

Sang Shen, dumbstruck, exclaimed, “!” Damn, I didn’t realize my younger brother was so capable.

Meng Jiahe, “…” I feel like I should find a hole and bury myself in it.

“You guys continue,” Mr. Sang Senior stepped back a step and very considerately closed the door for them.

Meng Jiahe’s face turned even redder, regretting that she had chosen the kitchen to talk about such matters.

Sang Qingran, however, remained completely calm. He slipped his hands into his trouser pockets, turned his head away, and forced himself to suppress the subtle emotions he felt inside as he looked down.

“Meng Jiahe, find someone else to like, we’re not suitable.”

“You’re refusing without even getting to know me?” Meng Jiahe blinked, trying to hide her discomfort.

“I’m someone who won’t like someone I didn’t like at first sight, not in the future either.”

Sang Qingran gave a bitter smile. Did he not like Meng Jiahe at first sight? Not really.

But he couldn’t say he liked her either, there was just a faint fondness, but they were not suitable.

He had already hurt Sang Qiao enough, and as for his feelings for Meng Jiahe, he’d rather not pursue them. He didn’t want to make her suffer; he always felt he didn’t deserve happiness.

He wasn’t good enough, and there would be someone better and more suitable for Meng Jiahe.

“Okay, I understand,” said Meng Jiahe as she turned and opened the door to leave. She sat back down on the sofa as if nothing had happened.

But the absence of joy on her face was apparent to everyone; clearly, things had not worked out between them.

Sang Qingran had just come out from the kitchen and hadn’t even sat down when Sang Shen grabbed him by his clothes and dragged him to the restroom.

“You refused Meng Jiahe? Are you crazy? She could have been our best approach to getting close to Qiaoqiao!”

“She shouldn’t become a tool for us to get to Qiaoqiao,” Sang Qingran adjusted the collar that had been pulled askew, his eyes unblinking.

He had never thought of using anyone.

“What you’re saying… this isn’t using her. We would really love her, and our conditions aren’t bad, we might not be unworthy of Meng Jiahe…” Sang Shen suddenly deflated and let go.

He might have understood why Meng Jiahe could fall for his younger brother but never gave them a second glance.

That was the difference between them…

“That’s what you think. Dinner’s about to start, let’s go out,” Sang Qingran said indifferently, almost seeming apathetic if not for his slightly stiff posture.

Sang Shen leaned weakly against the wall, “Qingran, aren’t you afraid you’ll never be forgiven in your entire life?”

“I’m not afraid.” Sang Qingran’s voice grew fainter as he walked away.

The table was laden with dishes, several of which were Sang Qiao’s favorites.

Mr. Sang Senior pulled out two red envelopes from his pocket, one for Meng Jiahe and one for Sang Qiao.

“You two are the youngest girls; it’s still appropriate for you to receive red envelopes.”

“Grandpa Sang, I don’t need one. Just give it to Qiaoqiao,” Meng Jiahe hastily took the red envelope and handed it back, clearly aware that Grandpa Sang was trying to spare her any awkwardness.

So he had prepared both portions together.

“Keep it. You and Qiaoqiao are both like granddaughters to me. Qiaoqiao used to come to your house for New Year’s, and Mrs. Meng did give her a red envelope then too, don’t be shy.”

Mr. Sang Senior placed the red envelope in front of her on the table.