When Su Nian’an returned to the Su family home, dusk had nearly fallen.
She had wandered about all day, buying only what she truly considered essential for the countryside—never too much at once.
Clothing, daily necessities, simple medicines, and a few snacks. She dared not purchase in bulk; just a little of each item.
It was fine. Sooner or later, she would get her hands on that spatial bracelet belonging to the male lead—ah, borrow it, that was!
And “borrow” was really the right word. Once married, they would be family. The male lead had no idea what the bracelet actually held; it was wasted on him, after all.
Su Nian’an found herself having to admire the sheer imagination of the story’s author.
In most novels, such treasures were snatched away by the female lead from cannon-fodder characters like her, or from vicious supporting actresses like Su Nianxi.
This story, however, followed no such predictable path—the female lead was meant to deceive the male lead into giving it to her.
For that matter, she had no idea whether the hero and heroine had even crossed paths yet. Su Nian’an certainly had no intention of letting the heroine set her sights on that bracelet prematurely; she needed to leave for the countryside as soon as possible.
Su Aiguo seemed to breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing her return, hurrying over to greet her.
“Nian’an! I spoke with our relatives of the Gu family this afternoon. A young man has agreed to escort you to the countryside to meet them. Tomorrow morning at first light, head for the train station and travel with him.”
Su Nian’an nodded, acknowledging his words.
Though Su Aiguo was displeased by what he perceived as her lack of respect toward him, the knowledge that she would be gone by morning—sent in the Su family’s stead to repay a debt of gratitude—meant he cared not to argue further on this, her final night at home.
But if Su Aiguo was willing to overlook her behavior, his wife Liu Cuilan was not.
In Liu Cuilan’s eyes, Su Nian’an was flesh of her flesh. Had she not given birth to her, Su Nian’an would not exist at all. She owed this daughter nothing—and she treated her accordingly.
“Su Nian’an! Is that any way to speak to your father? Have you lost your tongue? Answer him!”
No matter what, Liu Cuilan simply could not bear the sight of her.
Even if Su Nian’an had just acknowledged her father’s instructions, Liu Cuilan would have found some other fault to pick. At its core, the truth was simple: she simply did not like this daughter.
Su Nian’an found herself baffled. Just whose daughter was Su Nianxi? How could this couple dote on their adopted daughter so completely, while showing such open disdain for their own flesh and blood?
It was absurd—so absurd that a woman from the twenty-first century like Su Nian’an could scarcely comprehend it.
Still, if Liu Cuilan wished to pick a fight, Su Nian’an was hardly afraid.
What better way to make clear to the Fu family how deeply estranged she was from the Su family, than to stir up a little commotion right here at home?
She had yet to determine whether she could rely on the Fu family as an ally—but Su Nian’an never waged a battle without preparing first.
Now was the perfect time to make a scene. Let every neighbor hear it: her bond with the Su family was broken, severed entirely.
“Father? Are you truly unaware? I have already written a formal declaration severing all ties to this household. Between us now, there exists at most an arrangement—certainly no familial respect owed on my part. I suggest you treat me with respect. Remember: I have not yet departed. I could still choose to walk away at any time.” Su Nian’an replied, her voice laced with cold amusement.
The words struck home, and Liu Cuilan flew into a rage.
“Ungrateful wretch! Before you leave this house for good today, I shall teach you some proper manners! We have given you coin and support—and now you would turn your backs on us? This is insolence beyond measure!”
Rolling up her sleeves, Liu Cuilan lunged to strike her.
Su Nian’an made no move to defend herself. Instead, she turned and fled straight out the front gate.
As she ran, she called out loudly enough for all to hear:
“Spare me! I have already agreed to marry into the Gu family! Why must you still strike me? Our ties are severed—what more do you want from me?!”
Though she appeared frail and delicate, Su Nian’an possessed a voice that carried far.
At her outcry, neighbors from every household along the lane opened their doors and poured out to watch the spectacle.
Su Aiguo’s face darkened instantly. He had not the slightest doubt Su Nian’an was making this scene entirely on purpose.
And yet his own wife and other daughter were so utterly foolish—giving her every opportunity to create such a disturbance.
“Enough! Come back inside at once and cease this foolishness!” Su Aiguo commanded, frowning as he watched her standing boldly before the gate.
“Am I the one creating a scene?” Su Nian’an retorted, her voice rising as more onlookers gathered. “I agreed without protest to take Su Nianxi’s place and go to the countryside as a bride! Why must you still treat me so? This is my final night under this roof—could we not part in peace? All I receive here is blows and insults! What debt do I owe this family, that I should suffer so?”
Liu Cuilan’s expression shifted sharply. Meanwhile, Su Nianxi—who had been watching the drama unfold quietly from the shadows—rushed out at once, terrified that Su Nian’an might say something that would turn public opinion against her.
“I am your daughter too!” Su Nian’an continued, tears welling in her eyes. “I have severed our ties at your command—was that not enough? I return home from a long journey, and you greet me with raised hands! I am a human being—not some beast you may beat and bully!”
She paused, as though struck by a sudden thought, and turned her gaze directly toward Su Nianxi.
“Could it be… could it be that you truly believe what Su Nianxi has always said? That I am worth less than the lowest cur in this household?”
The question sent the assembled neighbors whispering amongst themselves.
“Who on earth is that girl?”
“I’m not certain… though she does seem to be one of the Su family’s daughters.”
“Theirs? That cannot be—surely the Su family has but one daughter?”
“This one was raised in the countryside, I believe. Only brought home a few days ago. I heard Liu Cuilan speak of it herself.”
“Their treatment of her… it appears dreadfully cold.”
“Indeed it is. They have kept the other daughter close at hand all these years. One can only assume they favor the one they raised themselves.”
“Hearts are human, after all. I suppose you grow attached to the child you keep beside you.”
“Still—this is cruel injustice to the one who grew up in the country! Truth be told, had they not brought her back now, I would never have known the Su family had a second daughter at all.”
“Nor I. And it seems she was called back for but one purpose—did you not hear? She is to marry into the Gu family in Su Nianxi’s place.”
“Tut-tut. One would never have guessed the Su family could be so ruthless.”
The murmurs grew louder with every word, and every comment cut deep into the hearts of Su Aiguo and Liu Cuilan.
“Nian’an, my child—please come inside at once. Do not give the neighbors cause to laugh at us.” Su Aiguo pleaded. He had felt guilty enough already—forcing his own daughter to wed in his adopted daughter’s place. Now, with the entire neighborhood whispering and judging, he felt as though his face and reputation were being flayed away.
Su Nian’an stood before them, eyes glistening with tears, dressed in clothes patched and worn nearly to rags. She looked utterly heartrending—pitiable beyond words.
Her face was naturally delicate and disarming; added to that, years of poor nutrition had left her thin and frail. She looked as fragile as a flower, the very picture of innocence and suffering.
Seeing her thus, every onlooker concluded the same: the Su family had acted shamefully. Their conduct was heartless, cruel, and entirely without humanity.