The Favored Heiress
Chapter 137: Crushing Li Qiao

Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Crushing Li Qiao

Duan Yilang stood in front of Li Qiao, looking at her indifferent expression, the corners of his lips twitching, but he didn’t know how to start the conversation.

He had always known that Qiaoqiao was not close to them because of Duan Yixuan and felt a strong sense of distance.

Duan Yilang wanted to break this status quo, but he clearly lacked the ability.

Soon, Li Qiao finished sending a WeChat message, held her phone, and raised her chin toward the front courtyard, "It’s almost time for dinner, let’s go."

Duan Yilang responded and followed her back, trying to make conversation, "Qiaoqiao, what birthday gift have you prepared for Grandpa this time?"

"A trinket," Li Qiao replied succinctly.

Duan Yilang gave an embarrassed laugh, knowing she didn’t want to elaborate, so he didn’t ask further.

...

Manchurian Garden was the dining room of Other Residence, a name chosen by Duan Jingming himself, implying a house filled with children and grandchildren.

At noon, the birthday feast began, with people of all ages gathered together.

Li Jun and Li Yan, the eldest and second brothers, were also present, sitting on either side of Li Qiao. They kept putting food into her bowl after the meal started.

Among the younger generation of similar age, there were only Li Qiao, Duan Yilang, and Duan Yixuan.

The children of Aunt Duan Shuhua were studying abroad and hadn’t returned home, while the younger uncle was... a golden bachelor.

At that moment, Duan Yixuan, several seats away, looked at the scene with disdain, clenched her chopsticks, and muttered under her breath, "Don’t you have hands? Need others to help you pick dishes while eating!"

Duan Yilang nudged her with his knee under the table, "Eat your food, don’t start trouble."

Duan Yilang knew the importance of not making a scene at the dinner table, but he couldn’t understand why the more he did this, the more Duan Yixuan resented Li Qiao.

Midway through the meal, everyone raised their glasses to celebrate Duan Jingming’s birthday. When it was Duan Yixuan’s turn, she stood up, gracefully approached the old man, "Grandpa, wishing you fortune as vast as the East Sea, and a lifespan longer than the Southern Mountains. May there be a day like today every year, and a moment like this morning every year."

"Good, good, grandpa will take your auspicious words," replied Duan Jingming, patting her shoulder contentedly. He sipped the clear wine and was about to put down the glass when Duan Yixuan spoke again, "Grandpa, we haven’t looked at the birthday gifts we prepared for you today, have we?"

As she spoke, she raised her eyebrows provocatively at Li Qiao, her triumphant posture indeed looking quite naive.

In fact, Duan Yixuan had a very innocent look, with a bit of the feeling of a modest family’s young lady, but when compared with Li Qiao, she immediately seemed much duller.

At this moment, Duan Jingming’s smile was faint as his peripheral vision swept towards the outer hall’s living room, "Right, I haven’t seen them yet, Xuanxuan. I would have forgotten if you hadn’t mentioned it."

"Then after we finish eating, let’s accompany Grandpa to unwrap the gifts, I’m really looking forward to it."

Looking forward to seeing how she would put Li Qiao in her place!

Duan Yixuan was convinced that her gift this year would definitely be the one that pleased Grandpa the most, crushing Li Qiao effortlessly.

...

At one-thirty in the afternoon, the gathering was over.

The whole family, young and old, all sat in the outer hall. The butler brought a square table and displayed the gifts from each family upon it.

There were gift boxes, health products, beautifully packaged brocade boxes, and a plain-looking suitcase.

Gifts large and small, more than a dozen in total.

"Old Master, which one shall we open first?" The butler approached Duan Jingming and asked quietly.

Duan Jingming waved his hand nonchalantly and looked at Duan Yixuan, "Xuanxuan, weren’t you going to help Grandpa unwrap the gifts? Why don’t you choose which one to open first?"

Duan Yixuan rose and approached the square table, glanced over it, her gaze lingering on the brown suitcase. With a scornful smile, she said to Duan Jingming, "Grandpa, the gift boxes are of different sizes. How about we open them from smallest to largest?"

"Alright, we’ll do as you say."

Thus, Duan Yixuan began unwrapping the gifts with evident self-satisfaction, alongside the butler.

Duan Jingming’s seat was very close to the square table, close enough that he could see the items in the gift boxes without having to lean forward specially.