I May Be Dumb, But Not an Idiot
Chapter 19: My Family Chose Me… and Now I'm Surrounded
Zian Hausi had reached a very dangerous stage in her life, a stage she had never planned for, never prepared for, and definitely never wanted, because for the first time ever she was not being ignored, not being misunderstood, not being laughed at endlessly—
But being supported.
Which, in her opinion, was far more terrifying.
She walked into the living room the next morning with her usual calm expression, her steps slow, her posture relaxed, her face unreadable, but inside her mind there was only one clear thought repeating again and again like a warning she refused to ignore.
Something is wrong.
The house was quiet.
Too quiet.
This is suspicious.
She stopped at the entrance.
Looked inside.
Everyone was there.
Her father, Fiang Huo, sat as usual, composed and serious, her mother Shengling beside him, calm but observant, Huo Lou quietly reading something, Sterling leaning back—but not laughing—and Fiang Sheng standing near the window instead of the wall, his posture slightly more relaxed than before.
Zian narrowed her eyes slightly.
They're all here.
Pause.
This is definitely a trap.
"…Why are you standing there," Shengling said calmly.
Zian stepped in.
"…Evaluating danger," she replied.
Sterling snorted—
But did not burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Progress.
"…Sit," Huo Lou said gently.
Zian paused.
She said it like a normal person.
"…Fine," Zian replied, walking over and sitting down slowly, her movements cautious, her gaze scanning each of them as if expecting someone to suddenly accuse her of something again.
Nothing happened.
Silence.
Zian blinked.
This is worse.
Sterling leaned forward slightly.
"…You're acting like we're going to attack you," he said.
Zian looked at him.
"…That is based on experience."
Sterling exhaled.
"…Fair."
No laughter.
Just—
Agreement.
Zian leaned back slightly.
This is very uncomfortable.
Huo Lou spoke softly.
"…Did you sleep well?"
Zian froze for half a second.
That is a normal question.
"…Yes," she said.
Pause.
"…Why."
Huo Lou smiled faintly.
"…Just asking."
Zian stared at her.
This is unnatural behavior.
Sterling shook his head.
"…You're unbelievable," he muttered.
Zian looked at him.
"…You stopped laughing," she said.
Sterling shrugged slightly.
"…Didn't feel like it."
Zian blinked.
Everyone is changing.
Fiang Sheng spoke.
"…You handled yesterday well."
The room went quiet again.
Zian turned her head slowly toward him.
Did he just… compliment me?
"…That was expected," she replied.
Sterling leaned back.
"…She can't even accept a compliment properly."
Zian nodded.
"…Correct."
Huo Lou smiled again.
Shengling observed everything quietly, her eyes moving between them, her expression thoughtful, as if she was watching something slowly grow, something fragile but real.
Fiang Huo spoke next.
"…You didn't hesitate," he said.
Zian looked at him.
"…Hesitation wastes time."
Silence.
Fiang Huo nodded slightly.
"…Good."
Zian paused.
Another one.
She leaned back more.
This is becoming dangerous.
Sterling suddenly spoke again.
"…If she comes back," he said, referring clearly to Jiang Nanshu, "we won't let her talk like that again."
Zian looked at him.
"…You say that like you were useful yesterday."
Huo Lou let out a small laugh.
Sterling placed a hand on his chest.
"…That hurts."
Zian nodded.
"…That was the intention."
A small smile appeared on Huo Lou's face again.
The atmosphere—
Was lighter.
Different.
Not tense.
Not chaotic.
…Comfortable.
Zian noticed it.
I don't like this.
Pause.
…I don't hate it either.
Sterling leaned forward again.
"…Also," he said, "if anyone accuses you again…"
Pause.
"…we're on your side."
Zian looked at him.
Then at Huo Lou.
They didn't look away.
They meant it.
Zian leaned her head slightly to the side.
"…That sounds like unnecessary responsibility," she said.
Huo Lou shook her head softly.
"…It's called family."
Silence.
Zian didn't answer immediately.
Because that word—
Felt different.
Family.
She looked away slightly.
"…Do what you want," she said.
But her voice—
Was quieter.
Softer.
And that was enough.
Because they understood.
Fiang Sheng watched her.
Not cold.
Not distant.
Just—
Thinking.
For the first time—
He wasn't just observing her actions.
He was trying to understand her.
And that—
Was the beginning of something new.
Zian stood up slowly.
"I'm going out," she said.
Sterling blinked.
"…Voluntarily?"
Zian looked at him.
"…Don't ruin it."
Huo Lou smiled.
"…Be careful."
Zian paused for a second.
They say that now.
"…I always am," she replied.
Then she walked out.
Calm.
Unhurried.
But inside—
This is new.
And somewhere deep down—
She knew—
Things were changing.
Not fast.
Not loudly.
But steadily.
And for the first time—
She wasn't facing everything alone anymore.
Even if—
She would never admit it out loud. 😈