Zheng Miaoning leaned back in her chair, watching the scene unfold.
Zheng Lihui and his wife were in desperate need of an emotional outlet, and the unlucky Xu Zhenjing became that target. Seeing her pathetic state, Zheng Miaoning felt a tiny flicker of guilt in her heart—just a flicker.
“Alright, Auntie just slept with someone; it’s not like she killed someone,” Zheng Miaoning said with a flat expression, cupping her glass with both hands.
First, Xu Yingzhi and Xu Qingshi froze.
Then, the entire room fell into a dead silence. Xu Hexuan, who had been ranting non-stop, stood there awkwardly with her mouth open. The words of reprimand for her sister were stuck in her throat, impossible to voice.
Taking the opportunity, Xu Zhenjing scurried to Zheng Miaoning’s side and gave her a loud, resounding kiss on the cheek. “My niece is right!”
“You still dare to speak?” Xu Hexuan pressed her temples, suffering from a massive headache.
Zheng Miaoning could see her aunt’s helplessness. In front of the newly adult Xu Qingshi, Xu Hexuan couldn’t continue her lecture. Zheng Miaoning pretended not to notice Zheng Lihui’s disapproving gaze and silently sipped her tea.
Zheng Lihui looked at his embarrassed wife and spoke up. “Ningning, do not recklessly comment on the private lives of your elders.”
After Zheng Miaoning endured a couple of lukewarm rebukes, the family dinner finally, officially, began.
Everyone tacitly avoided the morning’s headlines.
Zheng Miaoning bit her lip. How could that be allowed?
She picked up the decanter and looked at Xu Zhenjing, who already had a flush of alcohol on her face. She coaxed, “It’s been so long since we met. Come, Auntie, let me toast you another glass.”
“Mm, okay, okay.” Xu Zhenjing thought nothing of it.
Beside them, Xu Qingshi, who was focused only on the food, bit her chopsticks in confusion, looking at Zheng Miaoning with puzzlement.
Could the person who initiates a toast actually keep pushing drinks without drinking a single drop themselves?
If Xu Qingshi didn’t say anything, Xu Yingzhi certainly wouldn’t. Zheng Lihui and Xu Hexuan were so consumed by their own guilt that they avoided looking at Zheng Miaoning, naturally failing to notice that she was persistently plowing Xu Zhenjing with alcohol.
It wasn’t until Xu Zhenjing waved her hand with a beet-red face. “No… I can’t. I’m full of wine.”
Zheng Miaoning: “…Alright, then Auntie, eat more food.”
As she spoke, Zheng Miaoning used the serving chopsticks to pile half a bowl of food for Xu Zhenjing.
Xu Zhenjing looked at her sister with a pained, indignant expression.
As if sensing something, Zheng Miaoning put down her chopsticks and picked up her wine glass, taking tiny, dainty sips of red wine.
“Xiao Ning is such a good child!” Xu Zhenjing slammed her chopsticks onto the table and opened fire in anger. “Sister, this time I really have to say something to you!”
“Xiao Ning is excellent, thoughtful, and obedient. Why did you two have to pull a stunt like this? Even if you really wanted a second child, why couldn’t you discuss it with Xiao Ning? Why did you have to keep it from her while making the other child suffer? Now that the secret is out, the result isn’t any better than if you had told her directly. Why do this?”
In Xu Zhenjing’s eyes, even if Zheng Miaoning had torn a hole in the sky today, it would be justifiable.
Yet, Zheng Miaoning was being so accommodating—not only calling her aunt’s family to clean up the mess of Zheng Lihui’s “family dinner” but also constantly working to liven up the atmosphere.
In contrast, the sister and brother-in-law who had actually done wrong hadn’t shown a single good face since the meeting began.
Xu Zhenjing’s reaction was exactly as Zheng Miaoning had anticipated.
She had a decent relationship with her aunt. Otherwise, when she was settling scores with those who spread rumors, she wouldn’t have spared Xu Qingshi. She didn’t make Xu Qingshi suffer any broken limbs; she simply used the title of “cousin” to find her several strict one-on-one tutors.
Xu Hexuan glanced at Xu Zhenjing. “Jingjing, you’re drunk.”
These words were both a reminder to Xu Zhenjing and a silent plea for Zheng Lihui’s patience.
Zheng Miaoning, having seen enough of the show, stepped in to “remedy” the situation: “Auntie, I am very grateful to you for saying these things. But… forget it.”
The pause after “But” lasted for a long time.
After that long silence, there was only a simple “forget it.”
Anyone hearing this would find Zheng Miaoning pitiable.
Zheng Miaoning stood up, stopping Xu Zhenjing from speaking further. With a forced smile, she stood behind her aunt and looked at her parents, who were standing in a united front.
Her lips, usually so clever and eloquent, trembled slightly. A flicker of heartache crossed her round, bright almond eyes.
Xu Hexuan, who was about to scold her sister again, found herself unable to say a word.
Zheng Miaoning let out a long sigh and said somewhat reluctantly, “Forget it, Auntie.”
“Since when do children have the right to restrain their parents? Whatever they do, I just have to accept it.”
These words were the core of Zheng Lihui’s educational philosophy.
Zheng Lihui and Xu Hexuan exchanged glances.
They had always hoped Zheng Miaoning would remember and live by this principle. Therefore, at this moment, they didn’t think she was being sarcastic; instead, they were profoundly surprised.
How did their daughter suddenly become so sensible?
The rebellious Xu Zhenjing couldn’t stand hearing such things.
Zheng Miaoning held her down firmly. When she looked down at her aunt, her eyes were red—a redness that even makeup couldn’t hide—and her gaze was filled with pleading.
Xu Zhenjing’s movements stopped.
Zheng Miaoning sniffled, forcing her tears back before continuing, “It’s a family dinner. Let’s just have a happy meal as a family. Let’s not mention the unhappy things, okay, Auntie?”
Stared at by her niece with such imploring eyes, what else could Xu Zhenjing say?
She could only nod.
A truce requires both parties to sign off. Zheng Miaoning looked up again; her tone and expression had returned to normal, though her eyes remained red. “Is that okay, Dad, Mom?”
Zheng Lihui and Xu Hexuan had been waiting for Zheng Miaoning to soften.
Seeing their daughter looking like she was about to cry but holding it back, Xu Hexuan immediately said, “Of course it’s okay. Ningning, come, sit down and eat more. You’ve been so thin since you came back from abroad. Mama is worried about you.”
Discerning a few hints of sincerity in those words, Zheng Miaoning smiled and did as she was told.
A family war was averted.
Xu Qingshi tilted her head; knowing her cousin was upset, she took the initiative to chat with her. Though her words weren’t always polished, Xu Yingzhi would occasionally step in to smooth things over.
Regardless, the meal ended somewhat harmoniously.
After saying goodbye to her aunt’s family, the three of them returned home the same way they had arrived.
In the car, Xu Hexuan hesitated to speak several times.
Zheng Miaoning knew exactly what she was worried about—she wasn’t sure if Zheng Miaoning had truly let go of her anger or if she would accept the olive branch being offered.
Seeing Xu Hexuan’s distress, Zheng Miaoning gave her an opening: “It’s a bit cold.”
“Hurry and close the windows tight. The wind is too strong tonight,” Zheng Lihui immediately said to the driver.
Xu Hexuan caringly took Zheng Miaoning’s hand. “Why didn’t you say your hands were so icy? Was it just the wind? Should we have the family doctor come check if you became anemic while studying abroad?” Her tone was one of gentle reproach.
“How is that possible? The only person who could let themselves become anemic is—” The voice stopped abruptly.
Zheng Miaoning didn’t want to mention the past she shared only with Wen Zhao in front of her parents, so she decisively changed the subject: “Whether I’m anemic or not… do you two still care?”
“You silly child,” Xu Hexuan brushed the stray hairs from her forehead.
Zheng Lihui’s thick brows furrowed deeply. “What kind of talk is that? When have we ever lacked concern for you?”
Indeed, their “conditional concern” had never been lacking.
Zheng Miaoning put on a hesitant look, awkwardly peeking at them. When her eyes met theirs, she hurriedly turned away.
It was the perfect image of a child caught stealing a glance.
Xu Hexuan’s gaze softened further, and even the resentful Zheng Lihui’s expression loosened significantly.
The hand resting on her knee was taken by Xu Hexuan. Zheng Miaoning didn’t speak until another, larger hand covered both of their joined hands. Only then did Zheng Miaoning give a cold glance.
She knew she had performed enough of a conciliatory gesture.
After all, the current Zheng Miaoning hadn’t officially broken ties with her parents yet. She merely treated Zheng Pingchun with cold indifference and hadn’t even uttered an insulting word. No matter how angry the couple was, she wouldn’t be hard to appease.
Especially when Zheng Miaoning was the one in the right.
“Regarding Pingchun’s matter, Daddy apologizes to you, Ningning. This was something Mama and I did poorly; we shouldn’t have hidden it from you.”
“That’s right,” Xu Hexuan chimed in. “We were just worried you wouldn’t be able to accept having a sister. Ningning, don’t worry, you are the future of the Zheng family.”
Zheng Miaoning gave a soft huff.
All night, they finally said something useful.
On the surface, Zheng Miaoning still kept her neck stiff and remained silent, but her head gradually leaned toward Xu Hexuan. She hesitantly rested her head on her mother’s shoulder, just like she used to depend on her as a child.
Xu Hexuan’s nose felt a bit stingy, and Zheng Lihui didn’t say anything more.
Under Zheng Miaoning’s deliberate guidance, both Zheng Lihui and Xu Hexuan believed that the family war they expected to last a long time had quietly dissipated.
The eldest daughter sitting beside them—who only rarely showed vulnerability—wasn’t as rebellious and disobedient as they had imagined.
She still loved her parents.
Zheng Lihui sighed with a frown, his heart feeling complicated.
After all, he was the one who had insisted that Zheng Miaoning would spiral out of control.
Feeling Xu Hexuan’s acceptance, Zheng Miaoning tiredly closed her eyes. Her mumbled whispers echoed in the car’s interior, though it was unclear who she was speaking to.
“Mom, I’m in so much pain…”
Hearing this, Xu Hexuan—who hadn’t been able to stop her husband from creating this sudden farce—guiltily pulled Zheng Miaoning into a tighter embrace.
Undoubtedly, a mother’s embrace is the warmest place in the world.
Regrettably, Zheng Miaoning no longer viewed Xu Hexuan as her mother.
When her head hit the pillow, the rustling sound of a blanket being pulled over her reached her ears, and Zheng Miaoning’s blurry consciousness gradually returned.
Her eyes were so dry it felt like there was a layer of sandpaper between her eyelids and her eyeballs. Her temples throbbed with pain. Images of Zheng Lihui shouting at her, Xu Hexuan crying while pushing her away, and Zheng Pingchun gloating to her—memories she didn’t want to recall—flashed through her mind.
Zheng Miaoning was so tormented by physical and mental distress that she felt like she wanted to die.
Unable to sleep, she propped herself up with her arms.
After staring into space for a while, she tidied her appearance and grabbed her keys.
Taking the elevator to the second basement level, Zheng Miaoning walked toward the car she drove most often. When her fingertips touched the car door, she suddenly pulled back.
Wen Zhao didn’t expect the system to pull such a move.
It had explained the essence of this world to Qin Zhuyu in its entirety. During that time, Wen Zhao had been worried the system would get struck by lightning.
After all, that’s how it was written in other novels.
Those who reveal the secrets of heaven would be struck by an angry Great Way.
After an hour of trembling with fear, a dazed Qin Zhuyu was sent away. Wen Zhao voiced her concerns to the system.
The system gave an “un” of acknowledgment and said, “Your concern is valid. Therefore—”
It reached out its hand, palm up, toward Wen Zhao.
Wen Zhao saw a thin, long silver needle in its palm and was still confused.
“This is a lightning rod I requisitioned from my cultivator ‘rebellious son’.” The system’s tone was flat.
Wen Zhao’s expression was beyond words.
It was partly because of the stereotypical look of the lightning rod, and partly because of the system’s act of being cowardly yet acting cool.
The system had secretly instructed Qin Zhuyu on many things.
When it came to Wen Zhao, it simply said, “Just don’t meet with Zheng Miaoning.”
Wen Zhao had no other choice but to believe it.
Even though she was already feeling anxious and sad due to a mere few dozen hours of separation.
As long as it was beneficial for Zheng Miaoning, Wen Zhao was willing to do it.
Before Wen Zhao even realized it, Zheng Miaoning’s needs had become the best nourishment for her life. Wen Zhao felt joy because of this and became more vibrant.
Separation was a form of torture for both of them.
Can Zheng Miaoning, who returned home, get a good night’s sleep?
Lying in her own bed, Wen Zhao tossed and turned. Questions about Zheng Miaoning flew around in her head.
Therefore, even though the bed in Wen Zhao’s home was many times more comfortable than the one in the small guesthouse in Songping County, Wen Zhao still couldn’t sleep.
It clearly wasn’t like this before.
Wen Zhao thought with a frown.
When she said “before,” she meant the two-plus years after she had transmigrated and Zheng Miaoning had graduated high school.
The world line’s self-repair had given Wen Zhao a legitimate identity and even school records. Wen Zhao had lived rightfully in a place very close to Zheng Miaoning.
As a high school with the most superior educational conditions in the country, their school was never stingy about giving students holidays.
Back then, Wen Zhao often didn’t see Zheng Miaoning for several days because of holidays, yet this kind of distress had never occurred.
In the darkness, Wen Zhao clutched her collar, feeling a bit at a loss.
This abnormal behavior startled her.
Wen Zhao thought it must be because she hadn’t eaten dinner. Should she get up and cook some midnight snacks for herself?
Right now, she desperately needed something to distract her.
Soon, the aroma of instant noodles permeated the small kitchen. Wen Zhao’s arm, holding a soup spoon, froze in mid-air.
Uncontrollably, she thought of Zheng Miaoning again. She thought of her somber face when she came to question her on that rainy night. She thought of the hem of her dress and windcoat soaked by melting snow and the bedraggled mud. She thought of her eyes, which were feigning coldness but revealing hope.
The night of the blizzard was so cold.
Wen Zhao hated herself for not comforting Zheng Miaoning, for not filling her expectations in time, and she hated herself for remembering every detail about Zheng Miaoning so clearly.
If at that time…
“Are you planning to burn yourself to death?” A pair of ice-cold hands grabbed Wen Zhao’s wrist. The speaker’s tone was even colder than her hands, but Wen Zhao didn’t mind the hostility.
She had only ever given the keys to her home to one person.
The only person who could break in without Wen Zhao’s permission was Zheng Miaoning.
The stove’s fire had already been turned off. The pot of nearly boiled-dry instant noodles was emitting waves of a burnt smell.
Wen Zhao tossed the soup spoon back into the pot.
After slowly turning around, Wen Zhao didn’t dare look at Zheng Miaoning’s face. She simply stared straight ahead, her body leaning back slightly against the counter.
“Are you cold?” Wen Zhao asked.
Zheng Miaoning was confused, but she didn’t show it. Her face still bore a visible trace of lingering anger.
God knew how scared she was when she opened the door, smelled the burning, and saw Wen Zhao standing dazed next to the flames.
Wen Zhao gave an embarrassed smile. Her red-rimmed eyes looked fragile and pitiable. “That night, when you came to H City to find me… were you cold?”
Perhaps it was a bit late to ask.
But Wen Zhao thought she still wanted to apply a little medicine to the wound Zheng Miaoning had already formed.