After that night, Lu Chen never appeared again, as if the cold yet familiar eyes that Tang Ning saw on that snowy night were just her imagination.

Tang Ning was even more patient than Lu Chen with his inaction.

Two days passed, and before Tang Ning could hear Lu Chen's move, she was greeted by Tang Jun, one of the twins.

Sitting on the imported leather sofa, Tang Ning, whose throat was a little sore from the winter and singing, was sipping the rock sugar stewed pear that the maid had specially made for her. Hearing the noise at the door, she turned around and saw Tang Jun being led into the hall by the butler.

"Big sister!"

Upon seeing Tang Ning, twelve-year-old Tang Jun immediately abandoned his reserved demeanor in front of the housekeeper and rushed straight towards her.

"Xiao Jun, what brings you here?"

Tang Ning hurriedly put down the porcelain bowl in her hand, reached out and touched Tang Jun's cold fingers, and asked with a frown.

"I... Mom asked me to come and call you home. She said she has something to tell you..."

Tang Jun hurriedly said this, and as soon as he finished speaking, he immediately moved closer to Tang Ning. Tang Ning, who understood his little move, immediately put her ear close, and then heard Tang Jun's voice with a hint of worry and unease, "Big sister, be careful, I saw that Mom's expression, she seems a little unhappy..."

As soon as the boy finished speaking, Tang Ning raised an eyebrow.

Just then, Xu Sinian was pushed in from outside.

Upon seeing him, Tang Ning didn't react much. Tang Jun, who was always too shy to get close to Xu Sinian, instinctively shrank back. But perhaps remembering how Xu Sinian had helped them take their mother to the hospital not long ago, the boy clenched his fists and, before Tang Ning could speak, mustered his courage and called out, "Sister... Brother-in-law!"

Almost as soon as he finished shouting, the boy's face turned bright red, and he shrank to the side, clutching Tang Ning's clothes.

This address surprised not only Tang Ning, but even Xu Sinian looked over in astonishment.

"Hmm... Xiao Jun is here..."

Xu Sinian's gentle reply made Tang Jun unconsciously loosen his grip on Tang Ning's clothes, finally feeling less nervous than before.

"Yes, I came to find my older sister."

Having started, Tang Jun was less hesitant when he spoke.

Tang Ning swore she saw a faint smile in the eyes of the man in the wheelchair.

Then he casually waved, and Ah Sheng, who was walking beside him, quickly bent down. After the man whispered something in Ah Sheng's ear, Ah Sheng immediately ran out.

As soon as Ah Sheng left, Xu Sinian pushed the wheelchair to Tang Ning and her brother's side, then reached into his shirt pocket and took out a fountain pen. "Xiao Jun, you don't seem to have been to the Xu family much. Since this is your first time here, I can't let you leave empty-handed. This fountain pen is for you."

Xu Sinian's voice was gentle yet firm. Tang Jun's eyes widened as he looked at the exquisitely crafted fountain pen handed to him.

"No, no, no, I can't accept this. It must be very expensive. I can't accept such a valuable gift from you, brother-in-law!"

Tang Jun was so frightened that he quickly waved his hand.

"Since you've already called me brother-in-law, I can't just leave you without giving you a little something. Here you go."

Tang Jun wanted to refuse, but Tang Ning smiled and pushed his back, "Just take it, it's okay."

Seeing that his elder sister had said so, Tang Jun finally stopped refusing. His face flushed, he respectfully accepted Xu Sinian's fountain pen with both hands, his joy and excitement almost impossible to contain. "Thank you, brother-in-law!"

Xu Sinian's current favorability rating: 69.

Um?

Caught off guard, Tang Ning heard that her favorability rating had increased and immediately turned to look at Xu Sinian, who was smiling beside her.

This works?

This guy's a closet pervert, isn't he? He must be!

Who would have thought he liked being called brother-in-law?

Tsk tsk tsk.

Tang Ning smiled, pursing her lips.

Just then, Ah Sheng, who had left earlier, finally returned. However, he didn't come back empty-handed; he was carrying a paper bag from Mary's Bakery in his right hand and walked straight over to Xu Sinian.

The cakes and pastries at this place aren't cheap, this is...

"When you leave, take this back with you and share it with your sister. I have some things to take care of later, so I won't entertain you any longer. When Xiaojun leaves, have the family car take him home."

From beginning to end, Tang Ning was so thoughtful that she didn't know what words to use to praise Xu Sinian.

Tang Jun, who was then given another bag of cakes that smelled sweet even through the wrapping paper, was even more surprised. "Thank you, brother-in-law..."

Meanwhile, Tang Ning saw that Xu Sinian was about to leave after maxing out Tang Jun's favorability, so she quickly said, "Are you still going out? I might have to go home with Xiao Jun in a while. My mom said she needs to talk to me, so we might be back a little late tonight."

Upon hearing this, Xu Sinian paused slightly, as if he had thought of something, and frowned slightly. "Alright, I'll have Ali wait outside the Tang family's courtyard. Whenever you want to come back, I'll have him bring you back, okay?"

"OK."

Tang Ning smiled and agreed, but Xu Sinian's furrowed brows showed no sign of relaxing.

Because Tang's mother suddenly wanted to call Tang Ning back, he felt it was related to his scolding of Tang Yin at the movie theater entrance that day. Tang Ning's second sister didn't seem like someone who could hide her feelings, and Tang's mother's favoritism was obvious to everyone. He was worried that if Tang Ning went back, she would probably be scolded by Tang's mother.

However, due to his slackness the day before yesterday, he couldn't put aside his work at all, and besides, it wasn't convenient for him to get involved in the Tang family's affairs.

All we can do is ask Ali to keep an eye on the Tang family's movements.

Ten minutes later, after saying goodbye to Xu Sinian, he got into the car on his way to the Tang family's house.

Tang Jun suddenly leaned close to Tang Ning and whispered, "Sister, I think... your husband is really good to you!"

Hearing this, Tang Ning looked down at the fountain pen he was so fondly hiding in his arms, and chuckled as she tapped his little head. "You took their gift, and now you're praising them? You're such an honest little guy..."

"It was always like that...it was always like that."

Tang Jun immediately covered his forehead, still stubbornly insisting, "Anyway, I can see with my own eyes that my brother-in-law treats you very well..."

Hearing his words, Tang Ning smiled but remained silent.

It's not good now; we'll only know what he's really thinking once Lu Chen comes out.

About ten minutes later, the black sedan finally stopped in front of the Tang family's house.

Holding Tang Jun's hand, Tang Ning pushed open the door of the Tang family home with a smile. When she looked up, she saw Tang Yin sitting on one side of the sofa with red eyes, while Tang's mother sat in the center of the sofa with a serious and cold expression. When she saw Tang Ning appear at the door, she only said a lukewarm "You're back".

"Mm." Tang Ning nodded and led Tang Jun to change his shoes at the door. Just then, Tang Ruo, who had been hiding somewhere, ran out in slippers and immediately hugged Tang Ning's arm, "Big sister..."

Seeing that she was about to say something, Tang Ning first stuffed the paper bag containing the cake into the little girl's arms and said with a smile, "Xiao Jun brought some cake back. You go upstairs with him to eat. Your mother, your second sister, and I have some things to talk about..."

"But eldest sister..."

Tang Ruo still wanted to say something.

"Good girl."

Tang Ning patted her fluffy little head. Seeing the comforting smile on Tang Ning's face, Tang Ru pouted, hugged the cake, and led Tang Jun, who was completely unaware of what was happening and even wanted to show off her newly acquired fountain pen to her twin sister, upstairs.

As soon as Tang Jun and Tang Ruo left, Tang Ning immediately took off her coat and hung it on a hanger. She then took two steps forward and hugged her mother's arm, affectionately massaging her shoulders. "Mom, what's wrong? You asked Xiao Jun to call me back, and now you seem angry? Did someone offend you? Is it...?"

As soon as Tang Ning said this, Tang's mother was about to seize the opportunity to say that who else would offend her but Tang Ning? How could you have used such words to scold your sister before? Your second sister has been unhappy these past few days and has even secretly cried several times. If she hadn't accidentally discovered this today, she wouldn't have known that Tang Ning would say such things about her sister outside. She even said that if it weren't for her, your second sister would have become a beggar and might have even given birth to a child.

If it weren't for her and Lao Tang, Tang Ning would probably not even be able to be a beggar now, and she might not even be alive!

Of course, Tang Ning wouldn't give her the chance to say these words aloud.

"You found out that my second sister skipped class to go out dating and watch movies with a boy?"

As she spoke, Tang Ning ignored her mother's shocked expression, frowned, and glanced at Tang Yin, who was starting to panic, her face full of helplessness. "Yin Yin, why did you tell Mom? I was just angry before, that's why I said I would tell Mom, but you know, from childhood to adulthood, I've never told Mom about the mistakes you've made. I've even taken the blame for you. How could you... Mom was just discharged from the hospital a few days ago, can't you give her a break, instead of..."

Before she could finish speaking, Tang Ning sighed heavily, her brows furrowed, and she looked helpless.

Tang's mother's hands were trembling with anger.

Even though feudal society has been dead for decades, Tang's mother still seems to be living in the old society. Her requirements for girls are still that they be pampered young ladies who never leave the house and should not have any contact with men outside. Tang Yin was basically taught by her. Because she spent too much time and effort on Tang Yin, she even neglected Tang Ruo and Tang Jun, the twins. These two were almost taught by the original owner of this body.

Heaven knows how many times Tang Ning argued and quarreled with Tang's mother after Tang's father died and Tang Ning later had money so that Tang Yin could go to school.

It was these repeated arguments that made Tang's mother look at her adopted daughter, Tang Ning, with disdain, especially since Tang Ning worked in a place like Lidu.

You should know that Tang's mother used to like Tang Ning very much, thinking that she was well-behaved, sensible and obedient. Especially after her husband died, Tang Ning took over the burden and supported the whole family, which made Tang's mother feel even more heartbroken.

It's a pity that they're not biological children after all; how can they withstand repeated clashes and arguments stemming from their own differing beliefs?

She didn't know when it started, but she began to dislike Tang Ning.

Around the same time, she began to cherish and love Tang Yin more and more, to the point that she even neglected the two younger children.

The current Tang Ning can no longer find in the original owner's memories what Tang Yin did when she argued with Tang Yin's mother for Tang Yin's sake.

But it's certain that they didn't do nothing.

It can be said that Tang Yin played a crucial role in the subsequent falling out between Tang Ning and her mother.

Perhaps some people are just born this way; she is always innocent and blameless, and others fight for her, even if they suffer setbacks, but in the end, she reaps the benefits and is the one praised by others.

"Is that so? Yinyin, I've already sent you to school, how could you be so bold as to go to the movies with a strange man, and even talk... talk... Do you even know what shame is?"

Tang's mother immediately became irritable.

"But Mom, I think that boy treats Yinyin quite well, and judging from his clothes, his family background seems to be decent!"

"You still dare to talk back! What kind of older sister are you? Your sister was taken advantage of by some other guy, and you just stood by and made sarcastic remarks. If I had known this would happen, I would have..."

Before Tang's mother could finish speaking, she suddenly grabbed Tang Yin's arm.

"Mom, no, that's not it. My sister has misunderstood. Zeng Kang and I are innocent. We've never been dating..."

But Tang's mother, who was in a fit of rage, didn't care about any of that. She grabbed Tang Yin's arm and started running towards Haicheng University.

"Mom, don't do this... Where are you taking my second sister?"

"I'm going to take Yinyin to Haicheng University to find out which boy is so shameless, and to find out if this is how the university teaches and educates people? Is it just teaching people to seduce other people's good girls..."

Tang's mother was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky.

Startled, Tang Yin immediately looked at Tang Ning in terror. Although she didn't say anything, her eyes were filled with pleading, "Sister, please save me!"

With that same look in her eyes, from childhood to adulthood, Tang Yin never spoke her mind about what she wanted or didn't want. She would always give the original owner a look, and the original owner would happily do it for her. She even developed a superb skill in reading people's expressions.

"Mom, aren't you putting Yinyin in a difficult position?"

Tang Ning offered a half-hearted piece of advice, and as soon as her mother waved her hand, she pretended to fall to the ground as if it were real, then covered her forehead, which hadn't actually been hit, and hurriedly turned around, shouting, "Mom, don't go..."

Tang Ning shouted quickly, but her mother ran even faster. She even requisitioned Ali's car parked at the door. By the time Tang Ning chased after her, the car's rear end was nowhere to be seen.

At this moment, the twins, who had been startled by the commotion downstairs, rushed to Tang Ning's side and asked in unison, "Big sister, are you alright? Mom went too far. Second sister did something wrong, why did she push you?"

"that is."

The two little ones clenched their fists in indignation.

The two had identical little faces, identical little expressions, and even the same spot on their faces where cream was smeared. Tang Ning, who had just been holding back her tears, couldn't help but burst out laughing. She then reached out and affectionately patted their little heads.

"It's okay, I'm used to it..."

The word "habit" made the two younger children's expressions even more resentful, but they were helpless against their mother's favoritism, only feeling more sorry for their older sister.

As for the aftermath of Tang's mother dragging Tang Yin away, it wasn't until about a day later that Tang Ning finally heard about it.

I heard that Tang's mother single-handedly caused a huge scene at the entire Haicheng University, and even found the boy with glasses from back then, forcing him to swear a solemn oath never to associate with Tang Yin again. Even the teachers came out to vouch for him before the matter was finally settled.

However, Tang Ning was no longer in the mood to pay attention to the jokes that Tang Yin and her mother had made, including whether Tang Yin would be ostracized by her classmates.

because--

A charity ball?

In the dim light, Tang Ning, who was sitting in front of the dressing mirror and had taken off the pearl necklace around her neck, glanced at Xu Sinian behind her in surprise through the mirror.

"Yes, it's just a formality, it won't take up too much of your time."

"Oh, sure, I'll make time for that day."

Tang Ning gently placed the pearl necklace into her jewelry box.

Charity, masks, balls...

Isn't this the ball in the story where the original owner was absolutely certain that Lu Chen had returned?

At the same time, Lu Chen, who was toying with the invitation in his hand, also curled the corners of his mouth.

"Tang Ning, finally, we'll meet again..."