“No wonder! I was wondering how she could lose weight so quickly. So she took medicine! Jian Ning, oh Jian Ning, you’ll really stop at nothing to achieve your goals!” Song Hualan looked at Jian Ning with a face full of sarcasm, sneering repeatedly.
At this moment, Xiao Zhengjun’s expression also darkened. He had always despised those who resorted to deception and shortcuts in life!
He never expected his own biological daughter to do such a thing, nearly letting her get away with it!
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. If it were his son who had done this, he would have already beaten him!
Luo Susu, however, was filled with heartache. She stepped forward and took Jian Ning’s hand, saying, “Ningning, whether you’re fat or thin, Mom and Dad love you just the same! As for the Arts Troupe, if you can get in, that’s fine, but if you can’t, it’s no big deal! Mom and Dad can help you find other jobs. There’s no need to harm yourself for these things!”
“Hmph, if you ask me, she’s just morally corrupt! So obsessed with obtaining what doesn’t belong to her that she has to take shortcuts. Fortunately, Yueyue saw it this time. Otherwise, having tasted success, who knows how many more terrible things she might have done in the future!” Song Hualan said with a curl of her lip.
Beside her, Xiao Yue wore an expression of righteous indignation, as if everything she did was for Jian Ning’s own good and for the benefit of the family.
Just then, the other members of the Xiao Family came downstairs. Hearing about this matter, they reacted differently.
Xiao Qinghe looked at Jian Ning with disgust. He simply couldn’t bring himself to like this sister. Since her arrival, the household had known no peace.
If it were up to him, he would have long since kicked her out of the house!
Xiao Qingyuan, however, found it hard to believe. He had personally witnessed Jian Ning persevering with daily exercise and controlling her diet, gradually losing weight bit by bit.
He couldn’t help but speak up, “Mom, Dad, could there be a mistake? Ningning has been working very hard to lose weight. I don’t think she would do something so deceitful!”
“Qingyuan, what are you thinking? She’s not stupid. Would she take medicine right in front of you? Of course she had to put on a show for us during the day, then secretly take the medicine behind our backs! I knew it—how dare she bet with me that she could lose weight in a month? She was already prepared! Hah, I’ve said all along that someone like her shouldn’t be allowed to stay!” Song Hualan lifted her chin, sneering contemptuously.
“Ningning, what exactly is going on? Speak up!” Second sister-in-law Xie Yan couldn’t help but interject.
Jian Ning looked around at everyone, finally settling her gaze on Xiao Zhengjun and Luo Susu. In a solemn tone, she said, “That’s right. I did take medicine.”
“What!” Xiao Qingyuan and Xie Yan exclaimed in shock simultaneously. They couldn’t believe that Jian Ning had actually done such a thing!
Hearing this, Xiao Yue was momentarily stunned, then couldn’t help but let the corners of her mouth curl upward. She never expected her random accusation to hit the mark, nor did she anticipate that Jian Ning would actually admit to it!
Song Hualan was even more triumphant. “Hear that? Hear that? She admitted it herself!”
Xiao Zhengjun and Luo Susu’s faces were filled with disappointment. They never imagined that Jian Ning had actually lost weight by taking medicine. How was this any different from cheating? How could she do such a thing? And judging by her demeanor, she seemed completely unbothered, admitting it without any burden.
Just then, Jian Ning continued, “I did take medicine. However, it was prescribed by a doctor for regulating my health. Second sister-in-law knows—she went to the hospital with me.”
At this moment, Xie Yan suddenly remembered something and stepped forward, saying, “That’s right, I just recalled. The doctor said Ningning gained so much weight due to endocrine issues, so he prescribed some regulating medicine.”
“Exactly,” Jian Ning confirmed. “The medicine targets the root cause. Once regulated, the weight loss happens naturally and quickly!”
“So that’s how it is,” Luo Susu nodded. “Mom almost thought you…”
She trailed off, suddenly filled with guilt. How could she have doubted her own biological daughter? Jian Ning must have felt so hurt and disappointed earlier. The thought made Luo Susu want to compensate Jian Ning and treat her even better.
Xiao Zhengjun shared the same sentiment. He had nearly confronted Jian Ning with accusations earlier! Now reflecting on it, he realized he had been too distrustful of his own child.
Xiao Yue hadn’t expected the trap she’d set to be dismantled so easily by Jian Ning. Feeling unwilling to give up, she wanted to say more, but seeing how Xiao Zhengjun and Luo Susu were treating Jian Ning, she knew any further words would only damage her own standing rather than convince them.
Song Hualan wore an expression of disbelief and sneered coldly, “Hmph, regulating medicine? Who would believe that! What kind of regulating medicine works so miraculously? If that were true, there wouldn’t be any overweight people in the world! I say she must have secretly taken some shady, unverified drugs!”
Xiao Zhengjun, having regained his composure, cast a cold glance at Song Hualan. “Shady drugs? Did you see it with your own eyes or catch her in the act? Don’t make baseless accusations without evidence!”
“I…” Song Hualan had not expected Xiao Zhengjun to defend Jian Ning and immediately fell silent.
Then Xiao Yue stepped forward, putting on a pitiful act. “I’m sorry, Dad, Mom. I didn’t mean to wrongly accuse Ningning. I was just worried about her, that’s why…”
“Enough! This matter ends here!” Xiao Zhengjun declared sternly before turning and striding back to his study with a dark expression.
Seeing him leave like that, Xiao Yue felt wronged and clung to Luo Susu’s arm, looking at her with tearful eyes. “Mom, is Dad angry with me? I really didn’t mean to, I…”
Tears streamed down her face as she spoke, making her appear utterly pitiful and aggrieved.
Luo Susu’s heart softened instantly, and she quickly took Xiao Yue’s hand. “Yueyue, don’t overthink it. Your father isn’t blaming you! Mom knows you meant well!”
“I only spoke up because I saw Ningning taking medicine behind our backs…” Xiao Yue sobbed.
Her words easily implied that Jian Ning had deliberately set her up, pushing her into the line of fire.
“Alright, let’s drop this subject now,” Luo Susu said, ending the discussion.
Jian Ning had no patience for Xiao Yue’s theatrics and turned to go upstairs.
As she turned, she noticed Xiao Qingyuan frowning at Xiao Yue, his eyes filled with doubt. A faint smile touched Jian Ning’s lips—it seemed there was still someone in this family with clear sight and judgment.
Xiao Qingyuan’s frown deepened. He had always doted on Xiao Yue the most, but ever since Jian Ning returned, he felt Xiao Yue had changed. She no longer seemed as pure-hearted as she once was…
Just then, the youngest of the Song Family, Song Xueer, walked in from outside with a beaming smile. “Aunt Luo, my grandfather asked me to invite you all to our home for dinner tomorrow!”