Zhou Ninger returned home that day, and I wore the ruby necklace given to me by Zhou Lin. I looked exceptionally radiant.

When he saw me, his expression froze, and something ignited in his eyes.

"Jiao Jiao, you look incredibly beautiful today."

I shyly smiled and placed my index finger on his approaching lips.

"Today is the day of Ninger's engagement. It's a grand occasion, and I mustn't embarrass you."

My words filled him with joy and he sealed my lips.

Just then, laughter from a young woman echoed in the courtyard.

It had been five years.

Zhou Ninger was still as arrogant and domineering as ever.

She gracefully stepped out of the car, wearing an exquisite luxurious dress.

Zhou Lin had arrived in the courtyard earlier and deliberately wore a cold expression.

"Ninger, be well-behaved when you return home. You can have fun, but don't cause any more trouble resulting in someone's death."

Zhou Ninger threw herself into his arms, greedily holding on tightly.

"Daddy, I finally came home after so much difficulty. You didn't even bother to take a good look at me. Do you think I've become much prettier?"

"I missed you so much. I'm going crazy thinking about your scent."

I stood in the shadows of the mansion.

Watching Zhou Ninger lift her face and touch the corners of her biological father's lips.

Zhou Lin embraced her, indulging her every whim.

Without a sound, I gently lifted my skirt and walked from the shadows into the garden.

They both turned around simultaneously.

Zhou Ninger furrowed her eyebrows slightly and instinctively held Zhou Lin's hand, not hiding her disgust towards me.

After all, I appeared to be about the same age as her.

"Daddy, who is this?"

Zhou Lin's expression changed slightly, but he didn't directly reveal my identity.

"Ninger, this is Jiao Jiao."

Zhou Ninger glanced at me from head to toe, her face full of disdain.

She thought I was a kept canary that Zhou Lin had grown tired of and would naturally be kicked out of the house.

"Daddy, I don't like this kind of vixen."

"Ninger." Zhou Lin spoiled her and never spoke harshly to her.

I stood meekly by.

"Ninger's straightforward nature is indeed inherited from Lin," I said gently.

Zhou Ninger raised her proud face and sneered at me.

"You, someone who crawled into bed, dare to call me 'Ninger'? Can you even say that?"

Zhou Lin furrowed his brows slightly.

Back then, it was he who took advantage of me in his office while under the influence of alcohol.

It was also him who promised me that he would let me marry into the Zhou family.

"Ninger, you are a young lady. You must not speak such vulgar words."

Zhou Ninger wanted to retort, but I gently spoke before her:

"Miss Zhou, if you don't like it, I can change."

"However, during the engagement banquet this afternoon, Miss Zhou should be mindful of her words."

"After all, the guests who will be attending..."