High Ridge Flower: First Marriage, Then Love

Zhou Jianghao had known since she was a child that she wasn’t welcome in the Tan Family home. Her parents had leveraged old favors to secure her shelter there, but that was the extent of it.

She did everything she could to minimize her presence, to fade into the background. But somehow, she still managed to provoke the Tan Family juniors. No matter how much she yielded, they targeted her at every turn.

One day, they locked her in a cluttered storage room. Years of pent-up resentment finally boiled over. She kicked up a massive fuss until the door finally swung open. Charging out like an enraged little lioness, she lunged at her tormentor, sinking her teeth into their arm while clawing wildly.

A slender finger suddenly jabbed her forehead, shoving her head back. She found herself staring into eyes as deep and dark as an abyss. A woman’s voice, laced with amusement, rang out. “Where did this little dog come from? So fierce?”

Later, the Tan Family’s little aunt—who had just returned from abroad—took her by the hand. With a few casual words, she had those who had bullied Zhou Jianghao punished under family law.

The Tan Family wrote it off as bad luck, having crossed Tan Qingya on the wrong day. They heaped their old grudges and new ones alike onto Zhou Jianghao’s head.

But to their shock, the usually docile girl dared to fight back.

The Tan Family laughed in fury. “What do you think you are? The little aunt just took pity on you and tossed you a scrap. You lapdog actually believe you’ve found a master? How dare you throw your weight around?”

The words had barely left their mouths when a stunning woman in a bathrobe stepped out of Zhou Jianghao’s room. She hooked an arm possessively around the girl’s slender waist, her presence radiating dominance.

Everyone froze in terror, calling out “Little Aunt” in unison, their voices meek and respectful.

Tan Qingya arched a brow and pushed Zhou Jianghao forward with an ambiguous smile. “Don’t you know this is your Little Aunt Mom?”