"That's—that's not what I meant!"
The color drained from Qin Xueling's face when she heard Shen Nian, and she opened her mouth to explain.
'What was going on? Shouldn't Shen Nian be in front of her, crying about how awful her life with the Lu Family was? After hearing her words of comfort, shouldn't she be falling over herself with gratitude?'
'Why was Shen Nian's reaction completely different from what she had imagined?'
"Then what did you mean? And who told you I was unhappy with my in-laws? You can't just go around saying things like that, you know!"
"I... I just heard it from other people. Xiao Nian, don't be angry. If you say it's not true, then I'll never mention it again."
Qin Xueling didn't understand why things had turned out this way, but no matter what, she had to calm Shen Nian down first.
"'Heard it from other people?' Then tell me, who did you hear it from? I'd like to see exactly who is out there spreading rumors about me! Hmph!"
Shen Nian glared at Qin Xueling. Her anger wasn't an act. From the moment Qin Xueling had appeared, Shen Nian had been filled with rage.
"I..."
Of course, Qin Xueling couldn't say who it was. She had made it all up herself. But after Shen Nian's tirade, she couldn't possibly admit that.
If she did, and word got out, she would be the one accused of sowing discord.
'Here in Shuanghe Town, she, Qin Xueling, had always maintained a good name. Only that fool Shen Nian was gullible enough to be coaxed into taking the fall every single time.'
"Can't name anyone, can you! Hmph. Qin Xueling, you were slandering me after all! We are no longer friends. If you ever dare to slander me like this again, I'll report you!"
After saying her piece, Shen Nian grabbed Shen Xiangnan and walked off, giving Qin Xueling no chance to argue back.
This was for the best. For one thing, she didn't want to talk to Qin Xueling any longer; just looking at her made Shen Nian want to march over and strangle her. She was going to cut ties with Qin Xueling anyway, so she might as well start now.
And for another, Shen Nian had far more important things to do. She refused to waste her time on a vile person like Qin Xueling!
'In this life, I will absolutely never let Qin Xueling take advantage of me again, and I certainly won't give her the chance to harm the people dearest to me!'
"Xiao Nian! Xiao Nian!"
Qin Xueling called after her a few times, but Shen Nian didn't respond. Finally, she could only watch helplessly as Shen Nian and Shen Xiangnan left, stomping her foot in a fit of anger.
Shen Nian was just too strange today. It made Qin Xueling feel as though her puppet had cut its strings, leaving her with a faint sense of unease.
'No, I absolutely can't let her get away with this. It looks like I'll have to come up with a proper plan... I have an idea!'
An idea she considered brilliant formed in Qin Xueling's mind, and suddenly, she wasn't so bothered by Shen Nian leaving with Shen Xiangnan.
Meanwhile, Shen Nian pulled Shen Xiangnan straight ahead, walking for some time until she was certain they were far away from Qin Xueling before finally stopping.
When she turned her head, Shen Nian saw Shen Xiangnan staring at her in a daze.
"What is it? Are you stunned?"
Seeing her dazed little brother, Shen Nian smiled. 'So young and full of life... It's been so, so long since I've seen Xiang Nan like this.'
"Huh? I'm fine! Sis, what was all that about? I thought you were going to yell at me! You and Qin Xueling were..."
...so close!
However, Shen Xiangnan didn't say the last part out loud. He was the one in their family who most wanted Shen Nian to stay away from Qin Xueling. He had tried to warn his sister several times before, but she never believed him.
He had thought that in a situation like this, Shen Nian would surely side with Qin Xueling. She might have even given him a harsh scolding!
But he never expected Shen Nian to defend him from start to finish. Instead, it was Qin Xueling who had gotten an earful.
What in the world had just happened? He still hadn't quite processed it all.
"You're my brother. Why would I yell at you?"
Shen Nian patted Shen Xiangnan's shoulder, but as the words left her mouth, she recalled the several times she actually had yelled at him in the past, and she suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
"..."
Shen Xiangnan looked at Shen Nian, speechless. 'I've always been her brother, but that didn't stop her from yelling at me before,' he thought.
"Sis, Mom and Dad said you've changed. I didn't believe it before, but now I see that you really have! This is wonderful! Sis, believe me, that Qin Xueling is not a good person at all. She's always been using you!"
Shen Xiangnan was fully prepared for Shen Nian to yell at him again, but he had to say his piece, even if it meant getting an earful.
"Xiang Nan, thank you. I know now. Don't worry, I've seen the light. I won't be so stupid again."
"Really?"
Shen Xiangnan looked at Shen Nian, his face a picture of delighted surprise.
"Of course, it's true. By the way, did you tell Mom and Dad you came all the way out here?"
"..."
From Shen Xiangnan's reaction, she could tell he had snuck away from home without telling their parents.
"You should head back now, don't make Mom and Dad worry. I'll come home to see you all soon."
"Okay, Sis. I'll listen to you."
As long as his sister was alright, he would do anything she asked.
Shen Nian's eyes welled with tears. It had been a very, very long time since she and her brother had a conversation this close.
After seeing Shen Xiangnan off, Shen Nian returned to the Lu Family's home.
The moment she stepped inside, Shen Nian discovered that her mother-in-law, Mrs. Lu—Sun Yufeng—wasn't alone. There were two other people beside her.
And at that exact moment, all three of them turned to look at Shen Nian as she walked in.