However, even though she had doubts in her heart, Gu Xiangyun didn't dare voice them.
After all, the Su family was ruled by the old matriarch, and as a daughter-in-law, she had no real authority. All she could do was obey.
That evening, Su Mingyuan called everyone to the living room.
On the table sat a high-end gift box, luxurious and elegant in design.
When the lid was lifted, a simple yet exquisite bracelet was revealed. It was inlaid with a glowing night pearl and clearly carried the weight of history.
Su Nuo's eyes lit up with envy. She leaned closer to Gu Xiangyun and tugged her sleeve, whispering with a sour tone, "Dad really went all out this time. He actually bought Grandma a Yuan Dynasty bracelet. She's always loved antiques."
It was true—the old lady disliked flashy items and only had eyes for historical pieces.
Su Mingyuan had spent 20 million yuan—nearly $3 million—on this ancient bracelet. According to the seller, it once belonged to a queen.
Clearly, he was taking the birthday celebration very seriously.
"This bracelet is the gift I'm presenting for the old lady's birthday party the day after tomorrow," Su Mingyuan announced solemnly. "Xiangyun, keep it safe until then."
He turned to Gu Xiangyun with an expression that brooked no carelessness.
Gu Xiangyun harbored resentment in her heart. She had been eyeing a diamond necklace for months, but Su Mingyuan never bought it for her. Yet now, he had spent a fortune on a bracelet for that old woman. Was she really worth more than her?
Although bitterness surged inside, she still responded obediently, "I understand."
Su Mingyuan gave her a cold glance, clearly still annoyed. "You know what the old lady likes—don't show up tomorrow with anything inappropriate."
Gu Xiangyun stirred the soup in her bowl, the resentment in her eyes flashing briefly before she lowered her gaze. "Yes," she murmured.
Satisfied, Su Mingyuan rose from the table, pulled out his chair, and went upstairs without another word.
When the meal was nearly finished, Su Jin quietly put down her chopsticks and stood up to leave.
Just as she was about to exit the room, Gu Xiangyun's voice rang out coldly behind her. "Wait a minute."
Su Jin paused, turning her head to look back at her, eyes calm and expression frosty. "What is it?"
In the past, she would have responded with polite obedience, her attitude always respectful and cautious toward Gu Xiangyun.
But now, everything was different.
Gu Xiangyun had grown used to Su Jin's quiet obedience—head lowered, voice soft, never daring to look her in the eye. But ever since that party, something about her had shifted.
Now, Su Jin stood tall, calm and unyielding. Even the look in her eyes held a quiet, chilling force.
For a moment, Gu Xiangyun felt as if she had glimpsed a flash of killing intent.
But then she scoffed inwardly—She's just a yellow-haired girl. What kind of threat could she possibly be?
Reassured by her own arrogance, she straightened up and spoke sharply, "Go wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen."
Su Nuo, sitting nearby and watching gleefully, added with faux concern, "Mom, is that really okay? Sister is still the third Miss of the Su family… Isn't it a little inappropriate to make her do the servants' chores?"
Gu Xiangyun let out a cold snort. "Miss Su? She deserves it."
The two of them, singing the same old song in perfect harmony, made Su Jin feel nothing but disdain. Their poor acting was laughable now.
Without a word, Su Jin stepped toward the table, picked up one of the bowls, and let it slip through her fingers—crash!—shattering it at Gu Xiangyun's feet.
The sudden sound made the air freeze.
Su Jin's gaze was icy and sharp. "If I'm no different from a servant in this house," she said evenly, "then don't expect me to act like your daughter."
"Whoever likes washing dishes can wash them themselves."
Crash!
The bowl hit the ground and shattered into countless sharp fragments.
Gu Xiangyun's face went pale.
Su Nuo let out an exaggerated scream, clutching her ears and staring at Su Jin like a frightened rabbit. "Sister, are you crazy?"
The loud sound echoed upstairs, startling Su Mingyuan in his study. Moments later, he came storming out, his brows furrowed in displeasure as his eyes fell on the mess on the floor.
Before Gu Xiangyun could open her mouth to complain, Su Jin calmly spoke first. "Mother got a little dizzy just now and accidentally dropped the bowl."
Her voice was smooth, her tone composed.
Then, without waiting for anyone to respond, she knelt slightly, reaching down to pick up the fragments.
But Su Mingyuan stopped her. "The servants will handle that. You go back to your room and focus on the design drafts. That's more important."
Su Jin straightened, her lips curled in a calm, polite smile as she looked at him. "Alright then, I'll head back now."
She turned and walked away, leaving behind a stunned Gu Xiangyun, a sulking Su nuo, and an increasingly confused father who was slowly realizing that this "timid adopted daughter" might not be so easy to control anymore.