Fang Youning stood in the courtyard, just about to hang up the freshly washed clothes, when a handsome man dressed in business casual attire appeared at the gate.
He introduced himself to her and told her his identity.
Fang Youning said, “I know who you are.”
When she had investigated Fang Dongming, she discovered that the Fang family also had a son named Fang Zhouyang, twenty-eight years old, the eldest son of Fang Dongming. However, throughout her upbringing, Fang Dongming and his wife had never mentioned that she had an older brother. They had always told her she only had a younger sister.
“We could only take care of one child. You are the older sister, so you’ll live with Grandmother. Your younger sister is frail, so we’ll keep her with us.”
If she had known earlier that she had an older brother, she would have suspected them long ago. Why would they leave only her alone in the countryside? She wouldn’t have waited until now to realize something was wrong.
“May I come in to talk?” Fang Zhouyang asked.
Fang Youning rented a small farmhouse courtyard, and she wasn’t the only tenant living there—others were also staying in the compound.
Fang Zhouyang’s attire and demeanor stood out starkly in this setting.
Because of this, other residents opened their windows to stare at him, making him feel uncomfortable.
“Come in!”
Fang Youning finished hanging the clothes, picked up the basin, and led him back to her room.
The room was very small, originally just a partitioned-off space. It was narrow and damp, with the window located in another room. Her room didn’t even have a window.
As a result, the room carried a musty smell. As soon as Fang Zhouyang stepped inside, he frowned and raised a hand to cover his nose and mouth.
“How can you live in a place like this?”
“Since you were able to find me here, it means you already know my situation. Then you should understand why I live here,” Fang Youning replied sarcastically.
Fang Zhouyang’s expression darkened as he said, “I only just heard about this from Mom and Dad. They’ve been absurd, abandoning you outside all these years because of some so-called fortune-teller’s prediction—ignoring you for over twenty years and still treating you this way. I’ve already confronted them about it, and they’ve agreed to let me bring you home. Come back with me! You are the eldest daughter of the Fang family. You shouldn’t be living in a place like this.”
Fang Youning looked at him in surprise. “You want to take me back?”
This caught her off guard. She had assumed that, as one of the beneficiaries, he would side with their parents.
“After all, we are family. Our parents were just momentarily confused. Please forgive them. I’ve also scolded Mingzhu. The person who tried to harm you last time was arranged by her—it had nothing to do with our parents. She won’t do it again, so you don’t have to worry about that,” Fang Zhouyang added.
Fang Youning’s nose tingled with emotion, and a surge of feeling welled up in her chest, lodging in her throat. She felt like crying, but at the same time, she thought shedding tears would be embarrassing.
The experiences of these past few days had felt like a nightmare!
When she opened her eyes, the world seemed dark, with no one she could trust.
But Fang Zhouyang’s appearance was like a ray of light in the darkness, making her feel that she hadn’t been abandoned by the world.
“Thank you.”
She choked out her gratitude, not knowing how much his words meant to her at that moment.
Whether he was sincere or not, she felt deeply grateful in that instant.
Fang Zhouyang sighed softly and said, “We’re family. There’s no need for such formalities. Pack your things and come with me! Actually, never mind—I don’t think there’s much worth packing here. Just bring your important documents. If you’re missing anything, I’ll buy you new ones when we get home.”
Fang Youning nodded, briefly packed her bag, and bid farewell to the landlord.
Since she had stayed for one night, the landlord was only willing to refund half of the rent.
As she haggled with the landlord, Fang Zhouyang grew impatient and said, “Just forget about that little money. Our Fang family isn’t short of cash. I’ll transfer you ten times the amount later.”
“Hard-earned money should always be reclaimed.”
Fang Youning insisted on getting back at least a portion of it. Although the Fang family was wealthy, that money wasn’t hers.
Spending her own money gave her peace of mind.
Fang Zhouyang shook his head, opened the car door for her, and helped her inside.
“Mingzhu said she sent someone to deal with you, but they were thwarted, and the person she sent was beaten up. Who helped you? A friend of yours? If it’s convenient, invite them out. I’ll treat them to a meal to thank them for protecting my sister.”
As he drove, Fang Zhouyang casually asked again.
Fang Youning’s eyes tightened, and her lips pressed together involuntarily.
After a moment, she calmly replied, “Actually, I don’t know who it was either. Maybe I was just lucky. The person they intended to help wasn’t me—they helped the wrong person.”
“Is that so? Can someone really help the wrong person?” Fang Zhouyang didn’t believe it.
Fang Youning said, “The world is full of wonders. Parents can deceive their own daughter, so what’s so strange about helping the wrong person?”
Fang Zhouyang chuckled awkwardly and fell silent, driving quietly the rest of the way.
The Fang family villa was located in a well-known villa community in Rongcheng. Fang Youning had delivered takeout here before, which was how she had managed to sneak in last time and see Fang Dongming and his wife taking Fang Mingzhu inside.
This time, Fang Zhouyang also brought her here.
She had initially doubted whether Fang Zhouyang would take her to the real family home, but it turned out she had overthought it.
“Let’s get out. Mom and Dad are home, and Mingzhu is here too.” After getting out of the car, Fang Zhouyang quickly walked over to her side and eagerly opened the car door for her.
“Thank you,” Fang Youning said.
“No need to be so polite with me. I already told you, I’m your brother. Just treat me the same way Mingzhu does—no need to be so reserved,” Fang Zhouyang said with a smile.
Fang Youning smiled bitterly, thinking to herself, You grew up with Fang Mingzhu. We’ve only just met—how could we possibly be the same?
“Young Master is back.”
The maid greeted Fang Zhouyang politely upon seeing him.
Fang Zhouyang said to the maid, “Chen Sao, this is my sister Youning, Mingzhu’s twin sister.”
“Hello, Miss,” the maid quickly greeted her.
Fang Youning nodded in response.
Li Meifen walked over, adjusted the shawl on her shoulders, and said with an unnatural expression, “Come in. Today, our family will meet formally.”
“Youning, let’s go in.”
Fang Zhouyang took her hand, intending to lead her inside.
However, Fang Youning wasn’t used to being held by the hand and quickly pulled away.
Fang Zhouyang was momentarily taken aback but only chuckled lightly, not taking offense.
In the living room, Fang Dongming sat on the sofa wearing a plaid shirt and a dark vest, his hair slicked back, holding a cigar.
He didn’t stand up when they entered.
Fang Mingzhu sat on a nearby sofa, both of her hands indeed wrapped in bandages, looking somewhat comical.
Now, as Fang Youning entered, the resentment in her eyes was impossible to hide. However, perhaps out of fear of Fang Zhouyang, she didn’t dare say anything, only waving her two bandaged hands around to show her family that she was injured.
Sure enough, Li Meifen accused Fang Youning: “You’re truly heartless. Mingzhu is your own sister—how could you lay such a heavy hand on your own flesh and blood? Our Mingzhu’s hands are meant for playing the piano. Who knows if the injury will affect her?”
“You’re blaming me without even asking for the reason. If I had really struck first, do you think someone of her temperament would let it go? She would have called the police long ago!” Fang Youning retorted.
Li Meifen, flushed with anger, snapped, “I’m your mother. Is this how you speak to me? What kind of attitude is this?”
“Oh, so you do remember you’re my mother,” Fang Youning sneered, curling her lips mockingly.
“Zhouyang, look at her! Just listen to what she’s saying! Is this the attitude a daughter should have toward her own mother?” Li Meifen fumed, patting her chest vigorously as she complained to her son.
Fang Mingzhu immediately stood up, leaning against her and urging her not to upset herself.
Li Meifen hugged her arm and cried, “Our Mingzhu is the sensible one, after all. That one is nothing but a debt collector, clashing eight characters with me from the start.”
Fang Zhouyang said coldly, “After the way you’ve treated Youning, isn’t it only fair that she vents a few words? Youning has been remarkably patient. If it were me who had been deceived like this, I wouldn’t forgive you so easily.”
“Brother, how can you take her side too?” Fang Mingzhu stomped her foot in frustration.
Fang Zhouyang scolded her further, “And you—Youning is your sister. How could you lay a hand on your own sister? That’s utterly unacceptable. Is this how I raised you? Have you no sense of propriety at all?”
Watching Fang Zhouyang lose his temper, Fang Youning thought to herself, I haven’t forgiven them, so don’t speak for me.
But before she could say anything, Fang Zhouyang turned to her and said, “Youning, don’t worry. From now on, with your brother here, no one in this family will dare bully you again.”
“Enough. Since you’re back, you’ll stay at home,” Fang Dongming declared.
Fang Youning asked, “Now that I’m home, when can I meet the other relatives? I know Grandpa and Grandma are still alive. I’d like to visit them.”
Fang Dongming replied, “Your grandparents are indeed still alive, but there’s no rush. First, correct those bad habits you picked up outside. Once you’ve improved, you can go see them. We wouldn’t want to frighten them.”
“So, what I picked up outside were bad habits.”
Fang Youning scoffed. So they knew everything—how to raise a child for the child’s own good.
“Youning, let me take you upstairs first to see your room.”
Seeing the conversation spiral further out of control, Fang Zhouyang had no choice but to interrupt and lead her upstairs.