Chapter 995: Chapter 1005: Breaking Off the Engagement (1)

Because there were too many onlookers outside, Yu Zexiao decided to first check in and then head to the VIP lounge after passing through security.

Thus, as soon as Jian Anning returned, Yu Zexiao hurriedly took her to go through security.

When Jian Panying returned, what she happened to see was Anning holding her own luggage, preparing to pass through security!

The VIP lounge has a dedicated green channel, so one doesn’t have to squeeze into the regular security area with the crowd; instead, they use a special security passage where there are fewer people.

Jian Panying was about to set off with her bag when she caught sight of a fleeting glance of Jian Anning’s profile! She was stunned!

Although Jian Anning’s changes over the past few months have indeed been significant, Jian Panying is her biological mother, so how could she not recognize her daughter?

Jian Panying indeed treats Cheng Tingting and Jian Anning differently.

Firstly, Jian Panying’s marriage to Anning’s father, Ma Xinyu, was more of a family alliance with no emotional foundation. The couple didn’t get along well post-marriage. Ma Xinyu was the gentle, easygoing type, while Jian Panying enjoyed lively activities. They had no common ground and hence, spoke different languages. After Anning was born, she divorced Ma Xinyu. But Cheng Juye was different; though a bit older, he was adept socially and made her happy. They had a daughter, and over the years, Cheng Juye was gentle and considerate to her. Even, when measured against husbands, she’d naturally favor Cheng Juye over Ma Xinyu, giving more love to Cheng Tingting.

Secondly, Jian Panying and Jian Anning were apart for over ten years, and by the time Anning returned, she was already sixteen. Cheng Tingting, however, was raised personally by her, naturally making her closer than Anning.

Furthermore, although Cheng Tingting was bold outside, she spoke nicely and made them happy when with her and Cheng Juye. On the other hand, after Anning’s father and grandparents passed away, she underwent a drastic change, becoming silent and introverted, lacking the eloquence that Cheng Tingting had to please the parents.

Still, even if she were cold-hearted, Jian Anning was undeniably her daughter. Initially, when Cheng Juye told her about securing a good marriage for Anning—an alliance with Situ Xuan—she was taken aback. Though aware that Situ Xuan was ruthless, he was indeed powerful and handsome. Although marrying Anning to the Situ Family might mean stepping into a den of wolves and tigers, she couldn’t find anyone more formidable than Situ Xuan.

She also thought that if the quieter, obedient Jian Anning married into the Situ Family, at least Situ Xuan wouldn’t let her live too miserably. But if Cheng Tingting were to marry into that family, there would be chaos in no time; forget about a smooth beginning and end, they wouldn’t even manage a normal relationship.

This turned out to be true for Jian Panying’s foresight. At least, now, Cheng Tingting doesn’t get along with Situ Xuan at all, whereas Situ Xuan is completely enamored with Jian Anning!

In the beginning, when Jian Anning eloped from the arranged marriage, she did harbor some resentment. After all, she believed her daughter marrying into the Situ Family, to the head of the overseas Chinese premier family, wouldn’t have been possible without Cheng Juye and the Cheng Family’s efforts.