On the other hand, there was Orange Quiet Forest’s older sister, who was studying abroad—Orange Empty Spirit.
She had been interested in family affairs since she was little.
Orange Peach still remembered that when Empty Spirit was very young, whenever she herself was busy handling piles of documents and couldn’t attend to her, little Empty Spirit would drag a small stool over, lie down beside the huge desk, and stare with fascination at the dry financial reports and blueprints.
She would occasionally look up and ask Orange Peach some pointed questions in her childish voice.
And Orange Peach never discouraged her eldest daughter’s curiosity, always patiently answering each one.
Ah, that’s how it was.
Orange Peach looked at her second daughter in the mirror, who was letting the stylist help pick out accessories, and let out a long sigh deep within.
Orange Berry didn’t participate in the family business, so Orange Peach didn’t interfere with her.
As long as the child was happy and healthy, that was fine.
But Orange Quiet Forest… had gone to the other extreme.
Even though she became an idol.
That live stream of hers—Orange Peach hadn’t watched it.
Because at the time, she thought an idol doing a live stream while wearing a virtual avatar and chatting wasn’t a big deal.
And she had seen plenty of Orange Quiet Forest’s ability to interact with outsiders since childhood; she never doubted her daughter’s public performance ability.
But still…
The next day, while scrolling through videos, she came across a clip of her daughter.
Big data’s algorithm was precise and ruthless.
Thus, the internet-famous “Fujiriria Highlights Clip” was pushed onto this mother’s phone screen.
As a mother.
In those three minutes, Orange Peach experienced the longest and darkest mental shock of her life.
Looking at the wheelchair with a funny smiling face drawn on the screen…
Watching the “ice cream sandwich” made by pressing the soles of her feet together…
Hearing the crazy glass-scratching laughter coming from her daughter’s mouth…
Her feelings were truly complicated.
Generally speaking, if a daughter becomes famous, a mother should be happy, right?
In this world, there are plenty of people trying to drag their daughters into the entertainment industry.
But… if she became famous like this…
Would there really be a mother happy about it?
Hmm…
Anyway, at that moment in the car, Orange Peach was silent for a full five minutes.
Luckily, Orange Quiet Forest had enough self-awareness to never bring it up, so Orange Peach naturally didn’t mention it either.
Since her daughter didn’t say anything, Orange Peach, to preserve her blood pressure and their mother-daughter bond, wisely chose to keep her mouth shut.
“Mom, what do you think of this outfit?”
Orange Quiet Forest’s clear voice interrupted Orange Peach’s despairing memories.
Orange Peach looked up.
The young girl in the mirror had been completely transformed.
Today she wore a moon-white long dress that complemented her skin tone.
The stylist was adjusting her hem.
As Orange Quiet Forest slightly turned, the hem of the long dress revealed her long, slender legs intermittently.
“Hmm, perfect.”
“Good.”
“So, you should get going. After all, you’re considered married now, a married daughter…”
Orange Quiet Forest quickly interrupted her.
“Oh, don’t say that. It’s not like I’ve been thrown out yet. I haven’t even met that person.”
“But… you still have to enter with them.”
“I know.”
Orange Quiet Forest got into a black car and gently waved goodbye to her mother.
“Don’t worry. Just trust me, Mom. I’ll handle everything.”
Orange Peach was silent.
Trust… her?
Trust a daughter who just pulled off a hardcore ice cream sandwich stunt and then sneaked off to the main family alone?
She could only watch her delicate-faced daughter.
She was always like this—serious only when the critical moment arrived.
Usually she called her Ju Tao Nvshi, but on occasions like this, she said “Mom” and acted coquettish.
“You… just think about what you usually do. How can I trust you?”
Orange Quiet Forest wanted to scratch her head, but remembering her carefully styled hair, she stopped.
Her face was also perfectly made up, and she couldn’t casually touch her clothes.
This kind of formal attire was really inconvenient…
In the end, Orange Quiet Forest obediently sat like a young lady, hands clasped together in front of her.
“Hehe, but no matter what, the result will be good.”
“Alright, no more joking. Get going. They’re waiting for you.”
“Mm-hmm, see you at the evening banquet.”
“It’s really something—you’re only eighteen and you’ll be sitting across from me.”
“Nothing to be sentimental about. I’ll be back in a few years.”
Orange Peach smiled with mixed feelings.
“In a few years… when the term is up, you’ll be at the age to get married. Instead, you’ll need to think about your own future.”
“I know. I’ll think about it seriously.”
“I’ve always trusted you. Even this time, you went behind my back to solve the problem, but I’m just worried about you. I also believe that my child can keep her promises and do well.”
Orange Quiet Forest felt a little shy instead.
“Alright, enough talk. I’m off.”
And so, Orange Quiet Forest rode in the car and stopped in front of the high-end apartment.
When Kunomi Umi and Kunomi Miho saw Orange Quiet Forest’s car, they also came out of the lobby in their formal dresses.
Orange Quiet Forest got out to greet them.
Umi trotted over to Orange Quiet Forest in small, cute steps, and Orange Quiet Forest gently caught her.
Umi still maintained her somewhat messy, thick hairstyle, with bangs covering half her eyes.
After the last incident with Miho asking for help, Miho had clearly become completely attached to Orange Quiet Forest.
Orange Quiet Forest gladly welcomed her embrace, but due to the inconvenience of her dress, she couldn’t do anything too vigorous.
—
…
“Ju Family Branch Retainers, Lady Orange Quiet Forest, accompanied by Kunomi Umi and Kunomi Miho, entering—”
As the attendant’s formal announcement trailed off, the two heavy carved wooden doors slowly opened.
The banquet hall, which had been filled with lively conversation and clinking glasses, fell into a brief silence.
All eyes converged on the entrance.
Light poured down.
Orange Quiet Forest walked in the center.
The moon-white long dress reflected a cold, elegant sheen under the crystal chandelier, and her flawless beautiful face wore a perfect smile that was three parts aloof, seven parts gentle.
On her left and right, the twin sisters Umi and Miho followed like two obedient baby birds, in simple elegant dresses, sticking close to this “nominal mother.”
The scene was beautiful.
But also hard to keep a straight face.
I mean…
These three young ladies were actually about the same age.
Calling them a family, a mother and daughters—really?
Some sneered, some stared as if watching monkeys.
Orange Quiet Forest endured the complex gazes from all directions and forced herself to complete the entrance social etiquette.
She skillfully led Umi and Miho.
Then followed tedious and lengthy family cooperation talks and mutual flattery.
Halfway through the conversation, inevitably, someone brought up the nominal marital alliance.
But fortunately, since the family head had agreed to Orange Quiet Forest yesterday, he had handled things extremely properly.
Hmph, that guy had nothing to do with me.