The Abandoned Daughter's Second Chance

Chapter 291: Chapter 264: Bullying

Jun Ran’s appearance made Xiao Man stop in her tracks. ’She was perfectly fine when I saw her just a moment ago. How did she end up like this? Judging by the hurt and grievance on her face, someone must have bullied her.’

’It’s New Year’s Day, a time for celebrating and welcoming guests. A young woman arrives perfectly fine to offer holiday wishes, only to leave distraught and in tears. What would people think? No matter what really happened, everyone’s first instinct would be to question and blame the hosts.’ Since the Gu and Tang Families were practically one family, Xiao Man felt she had to intervene now that she’d seen this. At the very least, she should ask what was wrong and if she could help. Thus, she called out, "Sister Jun Ran, what’s wrong?"

With tears welling in her eyes, Jun Ran stormed forward as if she hadn’t even seen Xiao Man, heading right for her. Xiao Man wasn’t afraid of being bumped into, but before she could move, Zheng Shaolian yanked her to his side. He frowned at Jun Ran. "What’s the matter with you? Watch where you’re going!"

Jun Ran did indeed want to shove Xiao Man out of her way, as if brushing aside an annoying obstacle. She stopped and turned her head to look at the two of them standing so close together, Zheng Shaolian’s arm still around Xiao Man’s shoulder. She sniffled, managing to pull the corners of her mouth into a semblance of a smile. Her voice was hoarse and dry, lacking its usual sweet gentleness. "Has anyone ever told you two that you’re a perfect match?"

Xiao Man was baffled that, in such a state, Jun Ran still had the energy to comment on whether other people were a good match. After a brief pause, she replied, "You’re reading too much into it. Brother Shaolian and I are just like siblings."

"Hah! Siblings? Are you actually related by blood? Look how chummy and close you are... It’s truly enviable! And you, Zheng Shaolian, what do you think?"

Zheng Shaolian shot her a cold glare. "Jun Ran, all these years have passed. You’ve gone to college, gotten a higher education... and you still haven’t changed a bit."

"How have I not changed?"

"I remember I sat with you through three consecutive showings of *The Flower as Matchmaker*. I watched it so much I wanted to puke! I knew what your ambition was even back then—you’re obsessed with being a matchmaker!"

"Zheng Shaolian, go to hell!" Jun Ran flew into a rage, balling up the handkerchief in her hand and throwing it at him.

Xiao Man couldn’t help but let out a laugh. ’I can’t believe Zheng Shaolian actually had the patience to sit with someone through three showings of the same play.’ An enraged Jun Ran, however, seemed far more genuine.

Seeing Jun Ran about to make another dash for the door, Xiao Man quickly said, "Sister Jun Ran, your hair is a mess, your eyes are red and swollen, and your makeup is smudged. You’re a public figure, you know. I’m sure people would rather see you looking elegant, composed, beautiful, and gentle... Do you want to wash up and fix your hair? I can show you where."

But Zheng Shaolian cut in, "Don’t bother with her. She knows her way around the Gu estate better than you do. Her house isn’t far, just two alleys over. Besides, everyone in this neighborhood watched her grow up. This isn’t the first time they’ve seen her running around with her hair all over the place like a lunatic. She’ll be fine!"

Jun Ran had actually paused, considering going back to find a place to wash her face. But after hearing what Zheng Shaolian said, she gritted her teeth in fury, stomped her foot, and charged out the main gate, disappearing in a flash.

Xiao Man glared at Zheng Shaolian. "What if people see her leaving like that and get the wrong idea, thinking you bullied her?"

"That would be perfectly normal. We might act like strangers now, but Shaozheng and I actually went to school with her when we were kids. Nine times out of ten, when she came over to our house to play, she ended up going home in tears!"

Xiao Man was speechless.

"You and your brothers bullied one little girl?"

"Shaozheng, only occasionally. It was mostly me."

"But why?"

"I couldn’t stand the sight of her."

"But you just said you went to plays with her. Didn’t you have a good relationship?"

"Good relationship? Hardly. She has such a foul temper she doesn’t have a single friend. But the Jun Family has a huge collection of antiques. For the sake of the treasures she’d bring out to play with, I’d deign to keep her company now and then. I hate talking, so it was limited to just walking around the streets or sitting silently in a park or movie theater!"

Once again, Xiao Man was left speechless. ’What on earth could Jun Ran have offered to convince a hot-tempered young master like Zheng Shaolian to keep her company?’

By the time Gu Shaojun reached the main gate, Zheng Shaolian had already driven off with Xiao Man. He had no choice but to return to the main hall for now. The family was hosting a banquet for their guests starting at Noon, something the adults had specifically reminded them about. He figured Zheng Shaolian wouldn’t go too far.

As for Jun Ran, taking Xiao Man’s reminder to heart, she stopped as soon as she rounded the corner. She pulled a small compact mirror from her pocket to take a look, quickly tidied herself up, and only then lowered her head and hurried home.

When she entered her home, the New Year’s guests had just left, and only family members were sitting in the living room. They were all shocked to see Jun Ran’s eyes red and swollen, her face stained with tears. Old Sir Jun immediately asked what was wrong with his darling granddaughter. Mrs. Jun, her heart aching for her, rushed forward to embrace her daughter, asking what could have possibly happened to leave her in such a wretched state.

Mr. Jun remained silent, his gaze fixed on his daughter with concern.

Three generations of the Jun Family lived together under one roof. Old Sir Jun and Old Mrs. Jun had only one biological son, Jun Ran’s father, Jun Heng. Jun Heng originally had an older, adopted brother, but he had unfortunately passed away at a young age. He left behind the family’s eldest grandson, Jun Yang, who also tragically sacrificed his life while on a mission with the military. His grieving widow had returned to her own family’s home to live. Now, the only grandchildren left were Jun Ran and her brother, Jun Rui. Fortunately, both siblings were exceptional, and the entire family was immensely proud of them.

In public, Jun Ran maintained an image of an understanding, rational, and independent woman. At home, however, she was as thoroughly spoiled as Gu Shaoling, coddled like a princess. Her mother’s comforting embrace only made her feel more aggrieved. She clung to her mother, tears streaming down her face. Seeing this, Old Sir Jun felt his heart ache and pressed her again for an answer. Jun Ran let go of her mother and threw herself into her grandfather’s arms, sobbing.

"Grandpa, you have to help me! I love Gu Shaojun! I want to marry him!"

Old Sir Jun, Mr. Jun, and Mrs. Jun were all stunned. Her mother, Huang Wei, chided, "The Gu and Tang Families have a marriage agreement. The Gu family announced years ago that Gu Shaojun would one day marry the Tang Family Girl. It’s not like you didn’t know!"

"It’s a childhood betrothal from a hundred years ago! Who still abides by things like that? It’s feudal, old-fashioned thinking! Utterly ridiculous! It should have been cast aside long ago!"

Huang Wei retorted, "Don’t be ridiculous. What do you mean, ’feudal thinking’? Plenty of families still honor these kinds of arrangements!"

"Mom! Besides the Tang family, what other family do you know that still insists on a childhood betrothal? And look at the scandal the Tang family caused! They couldn’t even look after their own child properly and let her get switched with another baby. Now that the real one is back, she’s not nearly as refined, educated, or cultured as the fake one. If Shaojun has to honor the agreement, isn’t he getting a raw deal? He’s so exceptional, yet he’s being forced to marry some coarse country girl. Do you think he’s happy about that?"

"You..."

Jun Heng opened his mouth to reprimand his daughter, but Old Sir Jun raised a hand to stop him. He said, "Ranran, did you see Shaojun today? Are these your own thoughts, or is this what Shaojun told you?"

Jun Ran’s eyes darted for a moment before the words tumbled out. "Of course Brother Shaojun told me! Grandpa, I just love Brother Shaojun! I don’t care about anyone else. I only love him, and I want to marry him! You have to help me!"

"Alright, alright, Grandpa understands," he soothed. "We’ll discuss this later. No more crying, okay? For now, go back to your room, wash your face, and freshen up. It’s the New Year. You should be happy!"

"Okay. Thank you, Grandpa!" Jun Ran wiped away her tears, stood up, and went to her room to wash up and change her clothes.