After hearing what Jiang Qin said, Jiang You’s expression soured.
Although she didn’t care that her fiancé was partnering with another Healer, she was definitely annoyed by the implications. So, she still had to put on a little show for Jiang Qin.
"Sister You, I really didn’t know he didn’t ask you to partner up for Secret Realms." Seeing Jiang You’s sour expression, Jiang Qin put on an apologetic look, then glanced toward the living room and deftly changed the subject. "Come on, let’s go. Granny is waving at us. Let’s hurry over."
Jiang You didn’t say anything more.
The two of them arrived at the main living room.
Rows of cousins were all seated neatly on the sofas on both sides.
Regardless of age, they all sat ramrod straight, not daring to whisper among themselves.
On the sofa in the very center sat an old woman with a reserved and gentle aura. She seemed approachable, yet unapproachable at the same time.
Sitting beside her was a woman with her hair in a neat, high ponytail. It was Jiang Xue, the daughter of Jiang You’s second uncle and one of the most distinguished soul masters.
Grandma Jiang was holding Jiang Xue’s hand and speaking with her.
When Jiang You and Jiang Qin went over, they greeted her respectfully in unison, "Granny."
Granny Jiang’s eyes crinkled in a gentle smile as she nodded.
Jiang You and Jiang Qin said no more and sensibly found seats on another sofa.
The older one was, the closer they sat to Granny. Of course, exceptional grandchildren like Jiang Xue, who was an S-Class soul master, sat right beside her.
Jiang Qin, who had been so lively outside, didn’t dare say much after coming in.
Jiang You also remained quiet.
She glanced around; there were about twenty-odd cousins, all within a ten-year age range of each other.
While Granny Jiang was speaking with Jiang Xue from the second uncle’s family, Jiang Yu, the daughter of the eldest uncle who was sitting closest, would chime in with a smile, "That’s right. Our Sister Xue is an officer in the Third District now. I heard it’s incredibly difficult to get into the Ten Major Military Regions. She secured a position within the Empire right after graduating from university. As expected of our family’s number one from the Combat Department."
Jiang Xue’s cool expression remained unchanged. She simply said, "You flatter me, Eldest Sister."
Jiang Yu was only a year older than Jiang Xue. She was a Healing Soul Master, but her Soul Beast Healing Level wasn’t high—only B-level, which was rather mediocre. She was often overshadowed by Jiang Xue, so it was hard to tell if her praise was sincere.
Everyone knew this deep down; they were just polite pleasantries.
"Number one in the Combat Department? I’m not so sure I agree with that." A carefree laugh drifted in. "I think I could contend for that title, you know."
A man dressed in simple grey casual wear strolled in leisurely.
He had black hair and amber eyes that seemed to shine with the brilliant, carefree glow of a sunset.
It was Jiang Qi, Grandma Jiang’s adopted son, who was now the commander of the Empire’s Third District.
Jiang You and the others all had to call him Little Uncle.
When Jiang Qi walked in, all the members of the younger generation, including Jiang You, stood up and greeted him, "Little Uncle."
"Mm-hm." Jiang Qi waved his hand casually with a smile.
The man then sat right down next to Granny and started cutting an apple for her, his smile becoming much more genuine. "My old treasure, how have you been lately? Have you been eating well?"
"You’re a commander now, yet you still speak so casually." Granny seemed to say with fond exasperation, taking Jiang Qi’s hand and patting it. "Now that Xue’er has also tested into your Third District, you must look after her."
Jiang Qi seemed to lift his gaze, his eyes landing on Jiang Xue for a moment. For a second, he couldn’t recall which niece this was.
He had too many nieces and nephews to tell them apart.
Or rather, he had never made a special effort to remember them.
"Little Uncle, I’m Jiang Xue," she said, having clearly noticed his confusion.
Jiang Qi smiled. "Ah, Niece Xue’er, you’re all grown up. You tested into the Third District, not bad at all. Your uncle holds a pretty high position there, so feel free to come to me if you need anything."
"Yes, thank you, Little Uncle. I’ll work hard and won’t cause you any trouble," Jiang Xue said quickly, her fingertips nervously gripping the fabric of her pants.
"Mm," Jiang Qi replied with a casual smile.
After that, it was just Jiang Qi talking with Granny.
Unlike the reserved Jiang Xue, the man chatted with Granny Jiang about everything under the sun, making her laugh nonstop.
Jiang You finally understood why the family dinner was being held at the main house.
’It was because Little Uncle, the commander of Zone Three, had returned.’
This treasured Little Uncle of Granny’s was stationed at his military region year-round and rarely came back.
Now that he was back, she was bound to call everyone for a meal together.
The group of cousins where Jiang You sat had no opportunity to speak at all.
The hierarchy of favor was immediately clear.
Finally, Granny grew tired and told them to go out and play.
Jiang Qi told Granny to get some rest, then headed to the Old Master’s study.
He had no intention of saying anything to his nieces and nephews. After all, they were just juniors, and he wasn’t close to them anyway. There was nothing to say.
Even if they ran into each other, they would just exchange simple, polite greetings.
"Sister You, let’s go play on the court," Jiang Qin said, coming over with a few other female cousins to link arms with Jiang You.
"Okay." Jiang You didn’t refuse.
After all, it wasn’t time for dinner yet, and they had to stay here until after the meal. They needed something to pass the time.
Jiang You went with her cousins to change into athletic wear, and they started playing tennis on the Jiang Family’s court.
The girls took turns playing.
After playing for a while, Jiang You went to sit down and rest.
She opened a bottle of water and took a drink. Her gaze was originally on the players, but it inadvertently fell upon a figure.
Beneath the cover of leaves,
a handsome man was leaning against a vine-covered wall, a cigarette dangling from his lips. Next to him, what appeared to be a subordinate was reporting something with his head bowed and eyes lowered.
Jiang Qi’s expression was cold and reserved, his aura steady but with a hidden, sharp edge.
It was a far cry from the charming and playful front he put on for the old woman.
In private, the man seemed much more formidable, with none of his previous lightheartedness.
Jiang You didn’t dare to look for long. She put down her water and quickly rejoined the tennis game.
Jiang Qi seemed to notice a gaze on him. When he looked up, he only saw the back of a figure in athletic wear. Leaves obscured the upper body, making it impossible to see clearly.
He withdrew his gaze, unconcerned, and casually put out his cigarette before heading inside.
He knew his nieces and nephews were playing there.
"I know. We’re heading back tomorrow," Jiang Qi said, tossing the half-finished cigarette into a trash can.
The subordinate said nothing more, simply assuming Jiang Qi wanted a new cigarette and offering one with both hands.
Jiang Qi waved him off. "No need. If that old treasure finds out her nieces and nephews saw me smoking, she’ll probably lecture me about being a bad influence on them."
The man put the cigarettes away. "Yes, sir."
At dinner, the large family ate together at a long table.
The juniors like Jiang You didn’t dare to speak, nor was it their place to.
The elders, such as Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, and Fourth Uncle, returned for dinner.
There were so many people that Jiang You could barely tell them apart.
Fortunately, she didn’t have to speak.
The elders all chatted with Jiang Qi, occasionally bringing up their own younger family members.
Her parents were busy and hadn’t come back.
So, thankfully, no one mentioned her.