Chapter Seventy Putting on Airs

  "Zi Peng, I heard you got into trouble again recently?" Over the weekend, Mrs. Fang unexpectedly called back her children, Fang Zi Xuan and Fang Xin Lan, to the old mansion for dinner. "Your mom is really something, only thinking about herself running around everywhere, without even knowing how to discipline the kids at home."

  "It's all because I didn't teach Fang Zikun well." Fang Zixuan immediately put down her chopsticks and bowed her head in apology.

  "It's none of my sister's business, it's all my fault." Fang Zipeng also immediately apologized.

  Mrs. Fang was taken aback, "This can't be blamed on you, you're still just a child."

  "Alright, alright, which kid doesn't have a mischievous streak? Zǐ Péng didn't cause any big trouble." Old Master Fang waved his hand. Although the Fang family valued propriety, Fāng Zǐ Xuān's politeness was overdone, making everyone in the family feel somewhat embarrassed. Meanwhile, Fāng Zǐ Yǎn was sitting at the table using a spoon to scatter rice from her bowl everywhere, and compared to this brother-sister pair, Chén Gē's face looked particularly unpleasant.

  "After all, it's a family member who is still so polite when they're together, isn't it especially awkward?" Chen Ge said with a smile, his eyes casually glancing over the sister and brother, and he didn't know how Zhang Yun had taught them, but they really could be trained to be like this.

  "Grandpa and grandma, have some soup." Fang Xinlan carefully added a bowl of soup for the two elderly people and smiled understandingly on the side, "Zi Peng didn't do it on purpose either, besides someone else made the first move. Later I also scolded him, he won't make the same mistake again."

  Mr. Fang and Mrs. Fang had a satisfied look on their faces, nodding and smiling, but Fang Zipeng was not having it, slamming his chopsticks on the table, "Who do you think you are? Are you qualified to lecture me?"

  Fang Zikai's most respected person is Fang Zixuan. The person he hates the most is Fang Xinlan, thinking that not paying attention to her was already a sign of self-cultivation, but unexpectedly this woman actually dared to be so presumptuous.

  Chen Ge was also startled, and thought that Fang Zikai had really become well-behaved. It turned out to be just a facade, no wonder, someone as arrogant as Zhang Yun could only produce a good-for-nothing like him.

  Fang Xinlan's face showed a sorrowful expression, and she choked back tears as she said, "Zi Peng, I'm also your sister."

  "Fang Zipeng, where is your manners?" Fang Zixuan said in a low voice, "Apologize!"

  Fang Zikong looked at her and understood the threat in her eyes. He finally spoke reluctantly, "Sorry."

  "Copy 'Zeng Guofan's Family Letters' self-cultivation chapter 'Letter to Fourth Brother: Not Suitable for Mocking or Criticizing Others' twenty times." She, as usual, set the punishment.

  He opened his mouth, looking wronged and wanting to say something, but in the end he didn't say anything.

  "Zi Xuan is becoming more and more like her sister." Fang Jianping said with a sarcastic smile.

  "Third Brother is also very lucky, he and Third Sister-in-law are living a carefree life, but fortunately there are Zi Xuan and Xin Lan two sisters to help them take care of Zi Peng. Unfortunately, our family's Zi Yan doesn't have such good sisters." Fang Jianzhong also smiled and echoed.

  "A child like that should be the head of the household." Old Lady Fang also smiled, but there was no smile in anyone's eyes, only a faint sarcasm. Fang Zikun saw it and hated it to death, but considering Fang Zixuan, he didn't dare to erupt.

  "Xinlan, you should learn well from your sister Zi Xuan." Old Master Fang nodded slightly, after all, he still acknowledged this granddaughter.

  "Really?!" Fang Xinlan's face lit up with a mix of excitement and fear as she looked at Fang Zixuan. "Sister, I'm about to take the college entrance exam, can you teach me?"

  Before Fang Zi Xuan could respond, Old Lady Fang said, "Zi Xuan, Heart Orchid's studies are now in your hands. Even if she can't become the top scholar, you must do your best to help her get into First Middle School."

  Fang Zi Xuan rarely argued with adults, so she naturally nodded her head in agreement without any hesitation.

  "Sister, it's too good! Xīn Lán is so happy." Fang Xinlan was as innocent and pure as a little white rabbit.

  It's really over the top! Fang Zikeng endured his disgust and just focused on eating, even Fang Zichen couldn't help but take a glance at Fang Xinlan, thinking that this cousin was indeed different from others, after all, she was raised outside, not as good as the authentic Fang family miss, yet still trying to curry favor with Fang Zixuan in such a cautious and careful manner.

  Unfortunately, Fang Zixuan still had no expression on her face. Whether Fang Xinlan was happy or sad, it didn't have much to do with her, and besides, she didn't think Fang Xinlan's happiness was genuine anyway.

  Fang Xinlan, however, was not discouraged and continued to speak with a smile, sometimes showing concern for the old man's health and sometimes telling jokes to please the adults. The atmosphere at the dinner table was exceptionally harmonious, even Fang Lao Yezi, who rarely smiled, revealed a long-lost smile, let alone Fang Lao Tai Tai, who loved it when younger people tried to win her over.

  Nowadays, Fang Ziyu and Fang Ziqian, the two sisters, are both studying abroad and rarely come back. Fang Ziqian has almost never returned to the Fang family due to her mother's relationship. Fang Zixuan is a cold and introverted person, and there isn't even a grandchild who can play with her and make her happy around Old Lady Fang. The appearance of Fang Xinlan undoubtedly meets her expectations, and she can't help but be more affectionate towards her.

  When leaving the old house, Fang Xinlan proudly stroked the Tiffany diamond watch on her wrist. The watch, inlaid with 168 round-cut diamonds, flashed dazzling light under the reflection of the passing streetlights outside the window. This was given to her by Mrs. Fang when she was pleased, and it seemed that she had only worn it once or twice, but it still looked very new and shiny.

  "Sister, do you think it looks good?" Fang Xinlan asked in a soft and gentle voice, with an air of pride that she couldn't hide, which made Fang Zipeng snort coldly.

  Fang Zixuan was leaning back in her chair and dozing off, still a bit dazed from being called out like that. She glanced at her wrist and nodded, "It's fine."

  "I don't know why I get along particularly well with my grandmother, she was so happy that she gave me this diamond watch." Fang Xinlan's excitement had not yet subsided, although Shen Qinqin had never treated her poorly, but after all, she was just a 15 or 16-year-old girl. How could Shen Qinqin possibly buy her too many luxury goods? Her food and clothing were only slightly better than those of her classmates, it wasn't until she entered the Fang household that she realized how wealthy they were. The masters' clothes were all high-end custom-made, not to mention their food, clothing, and daily necessities which were all extremely exquisite and luxurious, casually spending money was always on world-famous brands, designed by famous designers.

  "Sister, you won't be angry, will you?" Seeing Fang Zixuan didn't react, Fang Xinlan pulled her sleeve and pouted.

  "What's wrong?" She suppressed the urge to yawn and slightly furrowed her brow, looking at her with complete incomprehension.

  Fang Xinlan smiled knowingly and said, "Grandpa and grandma are old, they're also afraid of loneliness. Sister, you and brother should spend more time with them, they'll definitely like you."

  "Hmph!" Fang Zipeng finally couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter.

  "Oh." Fang Zi Xuan nodded perfunctorily, too lazy to think deeply about her underlying meaning.

  Fang Xinlan looked at Fang Zixuan's unresponsive face, as if her diamond watch was just a stone, without even the interest to take another look, only concerned with dozing off, muttering "bookworm" under her breath. Her originally excited heart also became disheartened. If these luxury goods couldn't bring about envy and admiration from others, or even jealousy, what sense of accomplishment could they still bring people?

  Fang Zixuan has never been sensitive to the jewelry, accessories, clothes, and bags that girls like, let alone pursue trendy fashion. In school, she wore uniforms, in college, it was t-shirts and jeans, and after work, it was a plain black suit. For her, as long as the clothes are suitable and practical, she doesn't have time to consider dressing up or following trends. Even if Fang Xinlan wears a diamond-encrusted outfit, apart from being flashy but useless, she won't have any other feelings about it.

  Zhang Yun is not at home, and Fang Xinlan's attitude becomes more and more arrogant. Originally, there was still a Fang Zipeng who could suppress her, but now Fang Zipeng is being held in the house by Fang Zixuan to study every day, with his words and deeds restricted everywhere, almost becoming a lady who doesn't go out of the gate or step out of the door. In the whole mansion, only Fang Xinlan points fingers at the servants.

  "Miss Ying, why hasn't my bird's nest been delivered yet?" She raised her head and put on the airs of a thousand-gold miss.

  "It's just done, and I was about to send it up." Ying Jie hastily brought out a bowl of bird's nest from the kitchen.

  "No need, I'll come down and eat." Fang Xinlan coquettishly lifted the lid of the stew pot, curled up her fingers like a orchid and took a shallow taste with a small spoon. "Ah, how scalding! Ying Jie, what have you done? Are you intentionally trying to scald me to death?"

  "It's just been stewed and it's naturally hot." Ying Jie said indifferently, secretly thinking "Can't you even blow on it before eating? So stupid!"

  She smiled coldly and said, "Ying Jie, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

  "What's with the attitude?" Ying Jie turned around and rolled her eyes, this Fang Xinlan was really putting on airs, did she really think she was the legitimate young lady of the Fang family?

  "Is this how you treat your master?" Fang Xinlan slammed the spoon on the table and spoke with great momentum, "Don't you want to work anymore?"

  "It's not for you to worry about whether I want to work or not," Ying Jie replied with a sarcastic smile, "I followed the mistress to the Fang family and it's also the mistress who pays my salary. If I don't want to work, I'll naturally have to discuss it with her."

  Fang Xinlan was furious and could only vent her anger on the swallow's nest, devouring it fiercely.

  No breeding! The English sister looked at her with disdain, unable to understand why Old Lady Fang would treat such an ill-mannered girl as a treasure.

  "Sister's bowl of bird's nest, I'll help her take it up." Swallowing the last mouthful of bird's nest, Fang Xinlan's eyes rolled a few times before suddenly reverting to her original gentle and elegant demeanor as a young lady from a wealthy family.

  Ai Duan had long been disliked by Ying Jie for her hypocritical and deceitful attitude, knowing that she would often make faces and gestures behind people's backs, but in front of them, she would be overly flattering and try to win over Fang Zi Xuan and his siblings, so she coldly followed along with her.

  Who would have thought that Fang Xinlan was holding a bowl of bird's nest, but intentionally shouted loudly, "It's too hot!" and slammed the entire bowl of bird's nest to the ground. Then, she stroked her fingernails with satisfaction and smiled at Ying Jie, "Ying Jie, I didn't do it on purpose, this bird's nest was really too hot, you shouldn't blame me, right? It's not too late now, hurry up and stew another bowl."