“Shut up!” Luo Susu also thought of a certain possibility, her face turning pale.
“Ningning isn’t that kind of person…” Xiao Qingyuan couldn’t help speaking up, though he sounded somewhat guilty himself.
“Hmph, then tell me, where is she? Being this restless on her very first day—what will she be like in the future!” Song Hualan’s eyes reddened with anger. If that fat pig actually succeeded, Song Yan would probably want to die!
Just then, the front door suddenly clicked open, and Jian Ning walked in from outside. Her clothes were soaked with sweat, and she was breathing heavily as she walked.
Entering the room and seeing everyone staring at her, she frowned in surprise. “What’s wrong?”
“How dare you ask! What shady business have you been up to so early in the morning?” Song Hualan demanded angrily.
At this, the other members of the Xiao Family turned to look at Jian Ning. Luo Susu couldn’t help saying, “Ningning, when did you go out? I didn’t even know.”
Jian Ning wiped the sweat from her forehead. “Mom, I woke up at four and went out for a few laps.”
Hearing this, Xiao Zhengjun’s previously stern expression softened, and a look of appreciation appeared on his face.
Jian Ning continued, “I’ve made a weight loss plan. From now on, I’ll go running every morning and evening. You can eat first—no need to wait for me. I’m going upstairs to shower.”
“Alright, come down to eat after you’ve showered,” Luo Susu said to her with a smile.
“Mm.” Jian Ning nodded and headed upstairs.
Covered in sweat from running, Jian Ning felt very uncomfortable. After showering and changing into clean clothes upstairs, she immediately felt much better.
Meanwhile, Luo Susu had the servant prepare another meal for Jian Ning before returning to her seat.
She glanced at Song Hualan and said, “Ningning is really motivated. From now on, none of you are allowed to discourage her or undermine her confidence, understand?”
“Don’t worry, Mom, we won’t,” Xiao Qingyuan immediately assured her.
Luo Susu looked at Song Hualan. “Hualan, as the eldest sister-in-law, you should set an example for your younger siblings. Watch your tongue and stop criticizing people all the time!”
“Understood, Mom,” Song Hualan replied reluctantly, though she couldn’t help cursing “scheming woman” in her heart.
Soon, Jian Ning came downstairs after showering and changing.
Luo Susu was about to go out. Seeing Jian Ning, she said, “Ningning, your father and I have been quite busy lately and don’t have time to accompany you. You can stay home if you like, but if you want to go out, ask your sister-in-law or Yueyue to take you.”
“Got it, Mom. You go ahead with your work,” Jian Ning agreed.
After Luo Susu left, she walked toward the dining room.
Song Hualan and Xiao Yue exchanged glances when they saw her arrive. Then Song Hualan looked at Jian Ning, her eyes filled with mockery.
Jian Ning completely ignored them, sat down, and prepared to eat.
Song Hualan reached out to take the food in front of Jian Ning, taunting, “Aren’t you trying to lose weight? Then you might as well not eat at all.”
Xiao Yue watched from the side, a sarcastic smile curling her lips.
Jian Ning looked up at Song Hualan with icy eyes. “Let go.”
Her voice was quiet, but it carried an undeniable chill. Her gaze was as cold as if she were looking at a corpse.
Under her piercing gaze, Song Hualan felt an overwhelming discomfort and instinctively released her grip.
“What… what are you so proud of? Do you think I’m afraid of you?”
Realizing she had been intimidated by Jian Ning moments earlier, Song Hualan flushed with anger and glared at her furiously.
Jian Ning kept her head down, eating her meal, completely ignoring the other woman’s futile rage.
Xiao Yue gently tugged at Song Hualan’s sleeve and said softly, “Let it go, sister-in-law. If Ningning wants to eat, we shouldn’t stop her. Though we mean well, others might misunderstand and think we’re bullying her.”
Hearing this, Song Hualan seemed to recall something, her anger instantly dissipating as she broke into laughter. “Right, right, eat up! Eat all you want. I can’t wait to see how you’ll join the Arts Troupe a month from now! When the time comes, let’s hope certain people don’t forget their bold declarations and end up clinging to our family like stray dogs!”
By then, Jian Ning had finished her meal. She stood up and cast a cold glance at Song Hualan. “If I do make it into the Arts Troupe, let’s hope certain people remember their own bold words too!”
With that, she turned and left.
Watching her retreating figure, Song Hualan burst into loud laughter. “Yueyue, how does she have the nerve to say such things? With her current state, she actually thinks she can join the Arts Troupe? Hahaha, it’s too ridiculous!”
Xiao Yue couldn’t help but chuckle along. Though she had harbored some doubts before, she now felt certain that Jian Ning stood no chance of entering the Arts Troupe. To maintain her figure, Xiao Yue ate very little at each meal, yet Jian Ning had consumed in one breakfast what she would eat in an entire day. With such habits, how could she possibly lose weight? It was utterly laughable!
Jian Ning went upstairs to change her clothes, grabbed her bag, and prepared to go downtown for some shopping.
Naturally, she had no intention of asking Xiao Yue or Song Hualan to accompany her. Their hostility was obvious, and she knew she had to stay wary of them.
As Jian Ning came downstairs, she ran into her second sister-in-law, Xie Yan, who had just returned from outside.
Xie Yan greeted her briefly before heading upstairs.
Jian Ning suddenly spoke up, “Second sister-in-law, may I borrow your bicycle?”
Xie Yan paused in surprise, then nodded. “Of course.”
“Thank you, second sister-in-law,” Jian Ning expressed her gratitude.
Just then, Song Hualan and Xiao Yue also descended the stairs. Overhearing the conversation, Song Hualan couldn’t resist sneering, “Second sister-in-law, you’re quite brave! Aren’t you afraid she’ll break your bicycle?”
Xie Yan remained silent and continued upstairs.
Song Hualan shot a fierce glare at her retreating back. Hmph, a country girl putting on airs! If she hadn’t shamelessly clung to Second Brother, how could someone like her ever dream of marrying into the Xiao Family? She was just as detestable as Jian Ning! Country folk truly had no class!
Ignoring her, Jian Ning walked outside.
Riding the bicycle out of the Family Compound, Jian Ning took a deep breath of fresh air—it felt wonderfully refreshing!
Humming a tune as she pedaled, Jian Ning was in high spirits.
Suddenly, two children came darting from the side, rushing recklessly toward her.
“Move aside! Move aside!” Jian Ning shouted at them.
The two children, caught up in their chase, were running too fast to notice Jian Ning. By the time they saw her, a collision seemed inevitable.
Just then, a car came speeding from the opposite direction, about to hit the two children.
At the critical moment, Jian Ning leaped from her vehicle. Using all her strength, she grabbed both children and rolled sideways with them.
Amid the screeching of brakes and the pain shooting through her leg, just as Jian Ning thought it was over, she suddenly felt a force at her waist pulling her to safety.