ALL NOVEL Chapter 18
Surprise
Cheng Yuqi stepped into the living room, where an array of display racks showcased clothing and bags that seemed tailor-made for her. She eagerly navigated through the racks, filled with joy and contentment.
Auntie Wang yearned to disclose the truth, but witnessing Cheng Yuqi’s delighted expression, she couldn’t bear to shatter her fantasies.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Fang Yuan had just finished handling her tasks and was preparing to take a break when a knock resounded at her door.
Outside, Auntie Du respectfully announced, “Sixth Miss, the Master and Madame are awaiting your presence in the garden.”
Fang Yuan comprehended that the surprise must be ready. She followed Auntie Du to the garden, and as they approached the entrance, darkness enveloped the entire area. The lights in the mansion were extinguished, and after a brief pause, the garden illuminated with a whimsical glow.
“Please, Sixth Miss,” Auntie Du gestured.
Fang Yuan stepped into the garden, greeted by an enchanting scene. Colored lights adorned every tree, countless balloons floated in the air, and ribbons in macaron hues cascaded from above. Were all these surprises meant for her?
Throughout her memory, Fang Yuan had never received presents or surprises from Fang Liguo and Song Ling. Now, she could feel the love and regard emanating from her birth parents.
Meanwhile, Cheng Yuqi, still lost in her own reverie, noticed the changing lights in the garden. Although she hadn’t arrived yet, the lights had already illuminated the surroundings. However, that worked well for her. She planned to capture the moment and share it on her WeChat Moments, certain that many would appreciate such a grand surprise.
Just as she was about to take pictures in the garden, she caught sight of her parents rushing toward her, calling out, “Darling daughter!”
Cheng Yuqi couldn’t help but feel a tad bashful. It was the first time her parents had addressed her with such affectionate endearment. They must have missed her dearly, assuming she was already in the garden and hastened to greet her. How adorable they were! However, their precious daughter hadn’t yet arrived!
Cheng Yuqi’s face radiated happiness as she made her way towards the garden. After a few steps, she caught sight of her parents, engrossed in an intimate conversation with a stranger.
The girl was slender yet curvaceous, her fair skin shining with a natural glow. Cheng Yuqi had undergone whitening injections, indulged in spas, and used countless expensive skincare products to achieve her current complexion. However, in comparison to the girl, she still fell short in terms of fairness.
As they approached, Cheng Yuqi got a clear view of the girl’s face. Although she wore plain attire, her facial features were strikingly remarkable. Her complexion was fair and flawless, and her delicate features were exquisitely small. She bore a resemblance to Cheng Yuqi’s mother.
Guests at home? Cheng Yuqi felt perplexed. It seemed that her parents held deep affection for this girl, which left Cheng Yuqi feeling somewhat disheartened.
“Yuanyuan, do you like this garden?” Cheng Ye began to speak but was suddenly taken aback upon seeing Cheng Yuqi nearby. “Qi, weren’t you returning tomorrow?”
From Cheng Ye’s words, Cheng Yuqi deduced that the surprise in the garden was intended for this girl. She felt shocked and bewildered, unable to comprehend why her parents held such high regard for an outsider.
However, in the presence of guests, Cheng Yuqi maintained her composure and greeted them with a gentle smile. “Dad, Mom, I returned on my best friend’s plane. Who is this?”
Caught off guard by Cheng Yuqi’s unexpected appearance, Cheng Ye regained his composure and smiled. “You’ve returned at just the right time. Let me introduce you to Fang Yuan, your sister!”
Sister? What sister? Wasn’t she a distant relative from another family? The girl’s ordinary attire seemed incongruous with being a close relative. Their close relatives were typically individuals of status. Surely, a mere distant relative like this girl wouldn’t be here to seek favor or borrow money, right?
Cheng Ye failed to grasp Cheng Yuqi’s thoughts. He turned to Fang Yuan and said, “Yuanyuan, this is Cheng Yuqi, the one I mentioned to you. She has just completed her college entrance exams and is on vacation. She’ll be staying at home for a while.”
Fang Yuan understood the situation and greeted politely, “Hello.”
Cheng Yuqi forced a smile and replied in a gentle tone, “Hello, sister.”
She referred to Fang Yuan as her sister, yet she held no genuine regard for her. Cheng Yuqi treated her as an insignificant relative, someone beneath her notice.
“Old Master, Madame Qiao, the clothes and bags you ordered have been delivered. The person in charge of the brand delivered them personally. They are all over there.”
“Are they here already?” Qiao Xinhui was overjoyed. She took Fang Yuan’s hands and said, “Go and see if you like them. Yuqi, mom has something to tell you.”
Cheng Yuqi was startled again. Those limited-edition clothes and shoe bags were not for her, but for this girl? Who was this girl? Why did her parents think so highly of her?
Accompanied by Cheng Yuqi and Qiao Xinhui, Fang Yuan came to the living room, where the manager of the brand was standing respectfully.
“Mr. Cheng, Mrs. Cheng, good afternoon. I am Qian Dawei, the manager of FY brand. You can just call me David. These clothes and bags are the latest works of our founder, Yanli. I heard that you ordered them for your daughter?”