Luo Susu and Xiao Zhengjun exchanged a glance. Luo Susu’s eyes revealed reluctance—after all, this was her own daughter. How could she not care for her?
But Jian Ning had truly gone too far this time. If she wasn’t punished, it would be difficult to convince others, not to mention…
She also worried that Jian Ning might not repent and could do something even more outrageous.
Xiao Zhengjun looked at Jian Ning, his stern face showing a hint of impatience. “Jian Ning, apologize to Aunt Guihua and the two children!”
Wang Guihua stared coldly at Jian Ning, her eyes filled with disdain and mockery.
Jian Ning raised her head, met Xiao Zhengjun’s gaze, then turned to Luo Susu before speaking. “You don’t believe me? You’ve already decided it was me based solely on their one-sided account?”
In the past, no matter what happened, her adoptive parents had never doubted her and had always firmly stood by her side.
But her biological parents had convicted her based on a few words from others, without even giving her a chance to explain.
A wave of desolation washed over Jian Ning. No matter how poorly Song Hualan and Xiao Yue treated her, no matter how they schemed against her, it never upset her as much as the fact that her closest relatives didn’t trust her.
“Ning Ning, I…” Luo Susu couldn’t bring herself to meet Jian Ning’s eyes. She didn’t know what had come over her earlier. No matter what others said, as a mother, she should have given her child a chance to explain!
Thinking this, Luo Susu grew even more remorseful and immediately said, “Ning Ning, tell us what really happened then.”
At that moment, Xiao Zhengjun’s expression also shifted, and he was about to speak to Jian Ning.
But Song Hualan immediately jumped in, pointing at Jian Ning and scolding, “Mom, Dad, don’t listen to her nonsense! How old are Dahu and Xiaohu? Would they lie? It’s obvious Jian Ning staged this rescue act to gain a good reputation and to seduce my brother! Someone like her should be driven out immediately and never allowed to set foot in the Family Compound again!”
Song Hualan’s words were highly inflammatory. The onlookers couldn’t help but chime in, “That’s right, drive her out! Someone like her doesn’t deserve to live in our compound!”
“Get out! We don’t want to hear your explanations. What truth could someone like you possibly tell? It’s all lies!”
“Please, everyone, stop this!” Xiao Yue quickly stepped forward to intervene. Xiao Zhengjun and Luo Susu watched this scene, their guilt toward Xiao Yue growing even stronger!
Xiao Qinghe was also furious, glaring coldly at Jian Ning. “It’s all because of you! You’ve made our family so ashamed!”
If only he had stopped his parents from bringing this troublemaker home back then!
Now, everyone knew he had a sister as fat as a pig—that was embarrassing enough. And now she had to go and do something like this? If word got out, he’d really have no face left to show anyone!
All he wanted now was to quickly send Jian Ning back and never see her again.
At that moment, Xiao Qingyuan, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward. He shielded Jian Ning behind him, glanced at the crowd, and said, “Everyone, quiet down! Let’s hear what Jian Ning has to say! It’s not fair to only listen to Aunt Guihua’s one-sided story.”
Xiao Qingyuan was well-liked in the compound, and his words immediately quieted everyone down. However, their gazes toward Jian Ning still carried traces of disdain and contempt.
Xiao Yue hadn’t expected Xiao Qingyuan to step forward and speak up for Jian Ning, which made her quite uncomfortable. Still, she put on an understanding expression and chimed in, “Third Brother is right. We should at least give Ningning a chance to explain.”
Song Hualan curled her lips and lifted her chin haughtily. “Hmph, go on then. Let’s see what kind of excuses she can come up with! Can she really turn black into white?”
Xiao Qingyuan gave Jian Ning an encouraging look. She met his gaze, feeling a warmth in her heart. Xiao Qingyuan reminded her of Jian Junhui—both were people who would protect her, though Jian Junhui tended to be sharper with his words.
Jian Ning stepped forward. Glancing at Dahu and Xiaohu, who were hiding behind Wang Guihua with their heads lowered, she addressed them, “Dahu, Xiaohu, I know you’re both good kids. You saw what happened. If you don’t tell the truth today, I’ll really be taking the blame for this!”
“What do you mean by that? Are you saying my boys are lying? Don’t you dare accuse them! My children are honest—they never lie!” Wang Guihua immediately pulled the two boys behind her, glaring coldly at Jian Ning.
“Let’s assume for now that children don’t lie. But that doesn’t rule out someone deliberately guiding them to say what they want to hear!” Jian Ning retorted coldly.
“What are you trying to do? Are you accusing me now? Huh? Do you think you can bully us just because everyone’s watching?” Wang Guihua squared her shoulders and argued back fiercely.
Hearing this, the onlookers couldn’t help but look at Jian Ning with scorn. She had only been back for a few days—did she really think she was the Xiao Family’s precious young lady? Aside from her, probably no one else acknowledged that status!
“Heh, who’s accusing whom—you know it, and I know it!” Jian Ning stared at her coldly and continued, “Let the children step forward now and say in their own words what really happened!”
“The children are shy—they can’t speak clearly in front of others!” Wang Guihua evaded.
“You just said the children can’t speak clearly, so how can you use their words as evidence to condemn me?” Jian Ning shot back directly.
Wang Guihua faltered, then stammered, “The children… the children are shy around others, but not around me! Of course they can explain clearly at home! But with so many people here now, of course… of course they can’t speak clearly! Anyway, don’t think you can deny this!”
“Exactly, Jian Ning, stop trying to change the subject! The matter is already clear—it was obviously you! Don’t even think about denying it!” Song Hualan chimed in immediately.
“Ningning, why don’t you just apologize to Aunt Guihua? I’m sure she won’t make things difficult for you. If you apologize, we can let this go. As long as you’re willing to change, Mom and Dad won’t send you away!”
Seeing that the situation was slipping out of control, Xiao Yue grew anxious. She just wanted to settle the matter quickly. Even if Jian Ning wasn’t driven away this time, seeds of doubt would be planted in their parents’ and everyone else’s minds, making it easier to find opportunities later.
If Jian Ning managed to turn this around, all their efforts would be wasted, and it would be much harder to find another chance like this!
“Th-that’s right… just apologize to us, and we’ll let it go. I w-won’t hold it against you anymore!”
“Apologize?” Jian Ning sneered at Wang Guihua. “Sorry, but I really can’t bring myself to apologize!”
Originally, she had wanted the two children to voluntarily explain what really happened at the time. Now it seemed that approach wouldn’t work.
But she still had another way.