Ning Bingchao sat opposite her, looking at her quiet appearance, and sighed inwardly.
The news of her husband's death was undoubtedly a huge blow to Ning Yuan, but she chose to bury her grief deep in her heart.
He didn't know how to comfort her, so he could only sigh to himself.
Ning Bingchao didn't say much, but reached out to tidy Ning Yuan's wind-blown hair, his movements as gentle as if he were handling a fragile porcelain doll: "Get in the car, little sister, your third brother will take you home."
Looking at the pity and gentleness in his eyes, Ning Yuan nodded gently: "Okay."
Although the pity and kindness shown to her by her third brother were rather temporary.
but……
Having lived two lifetimes in her life, she had finally come to terms with things a little better.
We spend our entire lives pursuing unconditional and eternal love—whether it's familial or romantic love.
However, everyone has too many ties in life, and only by weighing the pros and cons can one live a slightly better life.
So what if love is conditional?
Discard the dross and select the essence. Even if the love is short-lived or conditional, as long as your own interests are not harmed, then accept it.
This "love" doesn't need to be grand and dazzling.
but……
A bowl of hot porridge at dusk, a cup of warm tea in the morning—these moments warm my heart and stomach, and that is the best time of my life.
There is no need to ask this love to last forever.
after all……
When you think about it carefully, isn't the love you give to others also somewhat conditional, or you expect something in return?
Of all the things in this world, to have them is my fortune, to not have them is my fate.
My only wish is that neither you nor I will suffer from "unrequited love," whether it be familial or romantic love.
Live in the present, strive for today, for this very moment is the best time in this mortal world.
...
The car smoothly drove into the Ning family mansion, and the carved iron gate slowly opened, revealing a garden shaded by green trees inside.
As the car drove into the Ning family's old residence, before it had even come to a complete stop, Ning Yuan saw the head maid, Angela, directing a group of maids to push out several LV suitcases and hangers full of haute couture gowns one after another from the elevator.
If you didn't know better, you'd think it was a scene from a popular movie.
Ning Yuan raised an eyebrow, thinking to herself, "This is quite a big fuss, what's going on?"
"What's going on? Is someone moving?" Ning Bingchao frowned.
The children of the Ning family's two branches may not all live in the old house, but the old house must have provided each of them with a suite with a living room, balcony, bathroom, and dressing room.
Before she finished speaking, Ning Manfei walked down the spiral staircase.
Even with a mask and a custom-made Chanel wide-brimmed hat, the red and swollen marks on her face could not be hidden, and even the bloodstains on the side of her ear were clearly visible.
She hung her head, like a ravaged camellia, her pretentious arrogance and beauty gone, leaving only a disheveled state.
When Ning Manfei saw Ning Yuan, old and new grudges surged up in her heart. She glared at her hatefully and cursed through gritted teeth, "Are you satisfied now! It's all your fault! You jinx!"
Before she could finish her tirade, she was interrupted by the voice of Butler Tian behind her—
"Second Miss, the car to Macau is ready. The master said that if you can't leave on time, he will have to send you on a plane to England."
Butler Tian's tone appeared respectful, but it actually contained a hidden warning.
Ning Manfei shuddered, her chest heaving violently as if she were about to explode.
She stared intently at Ning Yuan, as if she wanted to devour her alive.
In the end, she swallowed her anger, like a wilted eggplant, lowered her head, brushed past Ning Yuan, and quickly left in her high heels.
Just as they were passing each other, Ning Manfei deliberately bumped into Ning Yuan's shoulder.
Ning Yuan was prepared and deftly sidestepped, avoiding the collision.
She's not some saintly white lotus, how could she let anyone bully her, especially since she's pregnant!
As she dodged, a cold glint flashed in Ning Yuan's eyes. She then casually extended her foot and gently hooked Ning Manfei, who was wearing sky-high heels, to the ground.
"Ouch!" Ning Manfei lost her balance in her high heels and fell flat on her face.
Her knees slammed heavily onto the ground, and she screamed in pain.
Ning Yuan, quick as a flash, "fell" into Ning Bingchao's arms, exclaiming, "Third Brother!"
Ning Bingchao was startled and quickly helped Ning Yuan up, asking anxiously, "Are you alright? Did you bump into anything?"
He looked down at Ning Yuan's slightly protruding belly, his eyes filled with worry.
Ning Yuan clutched her stomach, her face pale, and weakly shook her head in a very "green tea" and "white lotus" manner: "I'm fine... I was just a little scared..."
All of this happened so fast that Ning Manfei hadn't even had time to react before she was completely disoriented from the fall.
She lay sprawled on the ground, her knees scraped and bleeding, her high heels askew, and a sharp pain shooting through her ankle.
Under the astonished gazes of the servants, a mix of shame, pain, anger, and grievances overwhelmed Ning Manfei, causing her to burst into tears.
This is utterly shameful!
She struggled to stand up, pointing at Ning Yuan while crying and cursing, "You...you tripped me on purpose! You bitch..."
But Steward Tian merely frowned and coldly ordered, "Take the Second Miss away!"
Two strong maids immediately stepped forward, grabbed Ning Manfei without a word, and half-carried, half-dragged her out of the villa: "Second Miss, let's go, it's time to get in the car!"
Ning Bingchao watched Ning Manfei being dragged away, then looked at Ning Yuan, his expression somewhat complicated.
He hadn't realized it at first, but now he could see that these two sisters were truly remarkable, each one more impressive than the last.
He shook his head and said to Ning Yuan, "Yuan Yuan, don't take it too hard on her. She's in a bad mood right now, so just take pity on her."
Having spent so much time among women and coming from a prominent family, how could he not see through such a basic "trick"?
Ning Yuan stood up from Ning Bingchao's arms and straightened her clothes.
She said with a half-smile, "Third Brother, I'm pregnant. She tried to bump into me, so of course I had to move aside. Besides, when have I ever held a grudge against her? She tripped and fell by accident; it has nothing to do with me."
Ning Bingchao sighed helplessly. This little sister of his was really sharp-tongued and unwilling to suffer any loss.
"Alright, alright, I know you're amazing, little sister. But be careful next time. You're heavily pregnant now, so don't act up like this anymore."
Ning Yuan nodded and said calmly, "I understand."
She was in a good mood. Ning Manfei, that impulsive fool, had been sent to Macau and probably wouldn't be back anytime soon, which saved her a lot of trouble.
"Aheng, you go upstairs with your little sister first. I'll go find my older brother." Ning Bingchao looked at Aheng.
I still need to tell my older brother about my younger sister's collaboration with the Li family.
Ning Yuan knew his intention and waved her hand, "Thank you, Third Brother, for bringing me back."
Ning Bingchao was going to report to her elder brother about her cooperation with the Li family. She knew this in her heart, but she didn't say it out loud.
She simply smiled slightly and looked at Ah Heng: "Let's go."
"Ningning, you're pregnant, it's too dangerous to take the stairs, let's take the elevator!"
Ah Heng quickly followed, worried that her Xiao Ning might get hurt!
Ning Yuan waved her hand and said in a relaxed tone, "It's okay. Climbing stairs is good exercise. Besides, the doctor said that appropriate exercise is good for pregnant women and fetuses."
Ah Heng was completely bewildered; this was quite different from what she had heard.
"But...isn't it said that pregnant women should rest more and move less? And they should eat more during pregnancy so that the baby can grow strong..."
Ning Yuan chuckled, earnestly explaining the science as she climbed the stairs—
“Aheng, those old sayings are outdated. Now everyone advocates scientific pregnancy, more exercise, and keeping muscles and body flexible, which makes childbirth easier.”
"Pregnant women should not overeat. A fetus that is too big is not good. Around seven pounds is about right, which is more conducive to the safety of women during childbirth."
Ah Heng nodded as if she understood, although what Ning Yuan said was different from what she had heard before, she inexplicably felt that what Ning Yuan said made a lot of sense.
The two chatted and laughed as they slowly walked uphill, with Aheng following closely behind Ning Yuan, afraid that she might accidentally fall.
When I got to the second floor, I saw a figure standing at the top of the stairs.
The man changed into a silver-brown home Tang suit, which accentuated his thin, handsome features, making him appear as ethereal and dashing as someone who had stepped out of a traditional Chinese ink painting.
But those deep eyes held a misty quality that made it impossible to discern any emotion.
Ning Yuan raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her voice: "Brother Bing'an, you're back. You're blocking my way, move aside?"
Ning Bing'an glanced indifferently in the direction where Ning Manfei was being dragged away, and said calmly, "Second sister isn't a bad person, she's just stupid. Don't hold a grudge against her."
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