Chapter 77: Adoration
Shanshan’s position in the Ling family, far from being shaken by the turmoil, had actually become even more secure.
She was still the little sun of the family, cherished in the palm of their hands.
Ding Qin and Ling Zhenkang’s affection for her grew with each passing day, becoming even more apparent than before.
Whenever they had a spare moment, the old couple would vie for the chance to take her out.
Every weekend, there was always one thing on their schedule.
Spending time with Shanshan.
Her name gradually began to spread within their social circle.
As she attended more and more gatherings, Shanshan’s wardrobe underwent a dramatic transformation.
At first, she only had a small cabinet that could barely hold a few changes of clothes.
But now, that wall had been completely converted into a walk-in closet.
Pulling open the closet doors revealed row upon row of colorful little dresses.
Even the aunts and uncles in the residential compound began to whisper about it amongst themselves.
"Have you heard? That little girl the Ling family took in, she’s so fair and delicate, like a little powder puff. Mr. Ling and his wife dote on her like she’s the apple of their eye. If anyone dared to lay a single finger on her, the masters of the Ling family would turn this whole compound upside down."
Who would dare provoke the Ling family’s princess?
That wasn’t just having a death wish—it was being tired of living altogether.
This time, Ling Anxun received another invitation to a gathering of old friends.
The moment the notice arrived, Ling Zhenkang couldn’t sit still.
He sat on the living room sofa, eyes narrowed, the gears in his mind turning furiously.
’So many old friends and former subordinates, but which of them has met Shanshan?’
’This is the perfect opportunity!’
’How can I possibly miss it?’
’If I don’t use this chance to show off my precious granddaughter, when will I ever get another one?’
So, a good four or five days in advance, he began urging his daughter-in-law, Zou Hui.
"Hurry up and buy her a dress! We can’t be careless this time. It has to be the prettiest, the most photogenic one! We need people to know at a glance that our Ling family’s little princess is precious!"
But as soon as he finished, he hurriedly added, "But, well, it can’t be too flashy either. Being too ostentatious isn’t good. We have to be tasteful. Clean, fresh, elegant, and proper will do."
Zou Hui nodded. ’How hard can that be?’ she thought.
She carefully selected a simple and elegant light blue dress with a slightly flared skirt and a few small daisies embroidered on the collar.
But when Ling Zhenkang saw it, his face immediately fell.
"This won’t do! It’s far too plain! If Shanshan wears this, how will anyone see the Ling family’s prestige? No, no, try again! You must pick another one!"
And so, they went through four or five rounds of dresses, ranging from simple to grand, from cute to dignified.
Finally, they settled on a small, pearl-white formal dress.
This time, both grandfather and granddaughter nodded in satisfaction.
Surprisingly, Shanshan didn’t fuss at all from beginning to end; on the contrary, she was exceptionally cooperative.
While changing, she stood before the mirror, looking from side to side.
These days of being cherished by the whole family and being meticulously dressed up...
...were an unprecedented experience for her.
In her past life, when she was a high and mighty Golden Dragon, she possessed endless power and majesty but had never felt such delicate and meticulous affection.
To her, changing clothes and picking out dresses felt like playing a game.
On the day of the gathering, the weather was clear and sunny.
The old couple woke up early, meticulously checked Shanshan’s attire, and tucked her favorite little bunny handbag into her hands.
Only then did they lead her to the car, ready to head to the reunion with their old comrades.
The car slowly drove out of the Ling family compound.
No one expected that at this supposedly ordinary gathering, they would run into a familiar face that nobody wanted to see.
Shanshan’s biological father, Cao Daqiang.
The people attending this gathering were all prominent figures.
Therefore, the security arrangements could not be the least bit sloppy.
The entire venue, inside and out, was filled with personnel on duty.
The entrance was even manned by a two-person rotating guard post, and credentials had to pass a three-level verification process before anyone was allowed through.
Ordinarily, Cao Daqiang shouldn’t have been doing this kind of gate-guarding duty.
He was once the deputy political instructor in his company, exceptionally capable and somewhat well-known.
But his luck was terrible, and he happened to be assigned to that one overseas mission.
Now, all he could do was stand guard at the gate.
Every day, he stood ramrod straight to one side of the main gate, wearing a heavy military overcoat.
Exposed to the wind and sun, no one paid him any mind.
When his comrades saw him, they would only nod in acknowledgment; no one spoke more than a word to him.
The job wasn’t easy, either.
The old injury in his ankle throbbed with excruciating pain every day.
After he took over his shift in the morning, the sky turned gloomy, and a light snow fell all morning long.
Guests arrived one after another at the entrance, all familiar faces.
Cao Daqiang mechanically saluted and checked their credentials.
But he never expected to see a black sedan slowly drive through the gate.
It had a special access pass hanging on the body.
There was a lead car in front and an escort behind.
This was the kind of treatment reserved for Old Leader Ling’s exclusive vehicle.
The moment the car door opened, the first person to get out was an old woman in a luxurious woolen coat, her silver hair neatly tied up.
Immediately after, a young girl stepped gracefully out of the back seat.
’Cao Xueshan? What is she doing here?’
Cao Daqiang’s pupils contracted. He could hardly believe his eyes.
’Is it really her?’
’The little girl who, just a few years ago, was nothing but skin and bones in my eyes, dressed in patched-up clothes?’
’How could she be standing here?’
She was wearing an exquisitely tailored, deep purple velvet dress, with a pearl necklace around her neck.
On her wrist was a jade bracelet, so translucent it was clear it wasn’t cheap.
She slightly bowed her head to help the old woman, a sweet and well-behaved smile on her face.
’Is she being treated like a granddaughter?’
The surrounding guards and staff all addressed the old woman as Grandma Ling.
And to the girl, they said respectfully, "Miss has arrived."
Cao Daqiang’s mind went blank, his head buzzing.
"Hey, that little girl over there, who is she?"
"Which one? The one with Grandma Ling?"
"Yes! That’s her!"
Cao Daqiang nodded eagerly, his heart pounding and his palms sweating.
"Isn’t she... that poor girl from our hometown?"
"Oh, that’s Old Leader Ling’s granddaughter."
His comrade replied nonchalantly.
"You’ve heard of Ling Anxun, right? Did you know? They say he was an orphan adopted by the Ling family. And this girl, she’s an adopted granddaughter personally claimed by Old Leader Ling himself. Her status is anything but ordinary."
Cao Daqiang stared blankly and nodded, his throat dry, unable to utter a single word.
His palms were covered in sweat, and when the cold wind blew, it felt icy and clammy.
’A girl from a mountain gully, a wild child who was never cared for or educated.’
’How could she so easily be cherished and put on a pedestal by the Ling family?’
’And now she’s the Miss of a powerful and noble family?’
’If... if the Ling family could just give me a little piece of the benefits... ’
’Couldn’t I make a complete comeback?’
The more he thought about it, the more agitated Cao Daqiang became, his face flushing bright red.
He stood rooted to the spot, his breathing ragged and his eyes flickering.
A comrade beside him glanced over, his brow furrowed with a hint of concern.
"Old Cao, you’re not running a fever, are you? Why is your face so red, and why are you sweating so much?"
"I’m fine, I’m fine!"
He waved his hands frantically, his movements so abrupt he nearly knocked over the thermos next to him.
"I just remembered some happy news at home, and it’s quite urgent. I... I have to go! We’ll talk another day!"
He immediately turned and strode quickly in the direction of Ling Zhenkang and the others.