CHAPTER 23

The emaciated woman on the sofa nodded while Ji Shulan tightly covered her mouth, suppressing her crying, which seeped out from behind her palms.

Qin Yinong stood still, stunned for three seconds, then turned and walked away.

She must be dreaming. She had to be dreaming. How could this person be her sister?

Qin Yinong stumbled out of the door, and no one chased after her. She aimlessly wandered around the neighborhood, her tear silently streaming down her face. When she returned home, it took her several months to come to terms with reality.

She had a strong sense of unreality that persisted until Ningning was born. It was just an excessively long and terrible nightmare she had created. Once she woke up, everything would be fine. Qin Luning would still be that extraordinary woman, the shining star, conducting groundbreaking projects at the world's top biological research institute, alongside a group of remarkable individuals, earning the admiration of many.

The photo on the tombstone, Qin Luning looked serene, with a gentle smile, still exuding her graze. She was the sister that Qin Yinong had known for many years.

She would forever remain at twenty-nine, forever resting in peace.

Qin Yinong felt a warm little hand wrapping around her index finger. She wiped the moist corners of her eyes and looked down.

Ningning held onto her finger, her eyes reddened, and her small face filled with concern. "Mom, don't cry."

Qin Yinong raised the corners of her mouth and said hoarsely, "Mom didn't cry."

"Liar." Ningning pouted, tears welling up in her eyes. She spoke with a teary voice, "Mom always cries whenever she comes here."

There was something hidden in her heart that she didn't say. She wanted to say that if Mom cried again next time, she shouldn't come to see Aunt anymore. But she knew she couldn't. There was a time when she said something bad about Aunt, she couldn't remember the exact words, but Qin Yinong's face turned pale, and she even hit her on the bottom. Ningning had never been hit before, and she became very angry, retorting a couple of times, only resulted in a harsher punishment. Sobbing, Ningning ran to tell Ji Shulan what happened, but Ji Shulan, who always loved her dearly, said nothing and quietly walked away. After being punished, Qin Yinong would hold her and comfort her with a gentle voice, saying that Aunt was the most important person to her and that no one should speak ill of her.

After that, Qin Yinong changed her approach to parenting. She only spoke of how good her older sister was to her and how much Qin Luning loved her Mom. By extension, she would come to love the crowning glory, Qin Luning.

"Really, I didn't cry." Qin Yinong smiled, tears falling from her eyes. She raised her hand and wiped the tear strains on Ningning's face, saying, "Mom is happy. Do you know the phrase 'tears of joy'?"

Ningning shook her head.

Qin Yinong gave her a lesson in idioms right in front of the grave.

The innocent words added a touch of warmth to the chilly breeze brushing against their faces. Children's bodies are not as resistant to the cold, and being exposed to the wind for too long can easily cause them to catch a cold. Qin Yinong gently covered Ningning's cold little hand and led her to face the tombstone, saying, "Sister, we're leaving for now, but we'll come visit you again next time."

Ningning obediently replied, "Mama, I'm going back now. I will study hard and listen to Grandma and Mom."

The two of them stood quietly for a while before stepping down the stairs.

Two clouds passed by in the sky, obscuring the sun momentarily, and the ground suddenly darkened. A gust of wind suddenly swept through, causing the placed crane orchids and carnations in front of the tombstone to tremble slightly.

Ningning looked at Qin Yinong, looking quite surprised.

Qin Yinong said, "It's Mama talking to you."

Ningning tilted her little head and asked, "What did she say?"

Qin Yinong closed her eyes and listened to the wind, then said earnestly, "She said she heard it, that Ningning is such a good girl."

Ningning giggled.

"Did Mama talk to you too?"

"Yes."

"What did she say? Are you being good too?"

"She told me to take good care of you and Grandma." Qin Yinong turned to look at the tombstone.

The clouds moved away, and the sunlight shone brightly on the earth, even brighter than before.

Ningning looked up and exclaimed, then hopped down a step with a light and cheerful voice, "Grandma and I can take care of each other. You just take care of yourself."

Qin Yinong lovingly patted Ningning's head, not taking the child's words to heart.

Back at home, Ji Shulan and Aunt Fang were watering the flowers in the garden. They stood side by side, with Aunt Fang holding a watering can, while Ji Shulan pointed at the flowers and seemed to be saying something, and Aunt Fang nodded from time to time.

Qin Yinong sat in the car that had just pulled in, watching this scene from a distance through the car window. She felt a strange feeling in her heart, but couldn't quite pinpoint what felt off. As soon as Ningning got out of the car, she ran towards the flower garden, calling out, "Grandma! Grandma Fang!"

She was full of energy.

Ji Shulan noticed Qin Yinong behind Ningning and nodded towards her.

Aunt Fang shifted uncomfortably, creating some distance between her and Ji Shulan. "Miss."

Qin Yinong held back for a moment, but couldn't hold it in any longer. She said, "Aunt Fang, we've known each other for so many years. Doesn't it feel awkward to keep calling me 'Miss'?"

Aunt Fang hesitated and replied, "It's alright."

Some people don't put shackles on her, but she willingly puts a rope around her own neck.

 Qin Yinong was rarely angry and said, "Aunt Fang --"

Ji Shulan interrupted, "The clothes I left on the balcony haven't been washed yet..."

Aunt Fang immediately said, "I'll go wash them."

Qin Yinong watched her quickly disappearing figure and muttered unhappily, "Mom."

Don't think she doesn't see it. Ji Shulan deliberately tried to defuse the situation.

Ji Shulan shifted her gaze from Aunt Fang's figure and advised, "Forget it. She's at this age now, let her say and do whatever she wants. She takes the salary you give her, maybe that way she can feel more at ease."

Qin Yinong sneered, "It was clearly you who gave her the salary, why doesn't she show the same deference to you?"

"She does show deference. She calls me 'Madam'." Ji Shulan flicked her finger at the tulip blooming in front of her and said with a faint smile.

Qin Yinong was inexplicably stunned for a moment.

"Mom, I want to play a game." Ningning tugged at her hand.

Qin Yinong snapped back to reality and let the child pull her into the house. Just before entering the house, Qin Yinong turned to look at Ji Shulan, who was holding the watering can and calmly watering the flowers.

.....

The thesis defense was scheduled in the multimedia classroom, with groups going in one by one. The time had not yet arrived, but the corridors were filled with fourth-year graduating students holding their graduation theses. An atmosphere of anxiety and nervousness permeated the air.

Among the nervous graduates, there were always a few who stood out, the so-called academic elites, like the entire Room 405 dormitory. Except for Cui Jiaran, who went for a drama performance, the other three could be considered an all-star lineup. It was already impressive for one star to emerge from the acting class, but in Room 405, there were three, not to mention the fact that one of them had received one of the "Three Golden" awards for best actress. Even Cui Jiaran, who was into drama, signed with a prestigious national theater representing the highest level of acting skills.

The dazzling stars of the Room 405 caused a stir as soon as they appeared, and those who were unfamiliar with them from other majors had their classmates nearby explain. Wen Shuxian, enjoying the attention, casually held her thesis under her arm. If it weren't for needing to give it to the defense teacher, she wouldn't have bothered bringing it.

Wen Shuxian impatiently glanced at her watch for the fifth time and complained, "The group chat notification said the defense starts at 8:30, and we should arrive at 8 o'clock. It's already 8:30, where is everyone?"

Fu Yujun shrugged, "Stay calm. The official time is actually 9 o'clock, but as it gets passed down, it gets earlier and earlier."

Even Cui Jiaran couldn't help but comment, "It's always like this, wasting our time."

"It's so hot." Wen Shuxian used her thesis as a fan and stood closer to Tang Ruoyao, the ice queen.

Tang Ruoyao was wearing a sleeveless white dress today. Apart from discreet embroidery on the chest, there were no excessive accessories. Overall, it was simple and elegant. She wore low-heeled sandals with straps, her fair feet contrasting against the white dress. Following the slender ankles, the gaze moved upward to her well-proportioned and slender calves, which were fair and smooth.

Wen Shuxian's eyes slightly drooled as she swept her eyes over, and she couldn't help but say, "Tang Tang, your legs are absolutely stunning. There's not a trace of excess fat on your calves. How did you train them? I'm sure they feel amazing to touch."

The surrounding air suddenly dropped a few degrees.

"And this waist, it's as slim as a willow. I really want to hug and squeeze it." Wen Shuxian swallowed, making an audible gulp, "These curves, what a heavenly beauty. This chest, these legs..."

Tang Ruoyao raised an eyebrow and stared coldly at her.

The silver long earphones by her ears swayed slightly as she lifted her head, emitting a chilling light.

Wen Shuxian suddenly felt like she was in the midst of a harsh winter, and a triumphant smile flashed in her eyes. "How refreshing."

Cui Jiaran whispered, "Tang Tang, your fingers are so long."

Tang Ruoyao: "..."

Wen Shuxian turned her head and scolded, "Get lost!"

Those who imitate me will live, those who resemble me will die, don't you know?"

The two of them started arguing.

Fu Yujun looked helpless.

Tang Ruoyao remained calm, her eyelids half-lowered as she flipped through the thesis booklet with its curled edges. Fu Yujun, on the other hand, observed the various expressions and behaviors of the people in front of her.

She enjoyed observing people and was skilled at it.

When the defense time arrived, the members of the Room 405 were unfortunately assigned to different groups.

"Smooth graduation!" The four of them stacked their hands together, looking at each other with confident smiles. Suddenly, their smiles widened, and they shouted, "Let's do our best!"

Before Fu Yujun and Tang Ruoyao separated, Fu Yujun whispered to her, "I didn't see Hu Yuke."

Tang Ruoyao was a bit surprised that she suddenly mentioned it, but she nodded in response.

The four of them entered different classrooms and started defending in order. Once inside the classroom, Tang Ruoyao stopped looking at her thesis and closed her eyes, mentally going over the content and rehearsing potential questions the teacher might ask.

Someone called out Tang Ruoyao's name at the entrance. Tang Ruoyao opened her eyes, her gaze clear and confident, and walked towards the multimedia classroom where the defense teacher for the adjacent group was located.

They had agreed to meet in the lobby on the first floor.

As the defenses ended one by one, Fu Yujun arrived first, followed by Cui Jiaran. Tang Ruoyao was the third to arrive. After a brief exchange, they learned that everyone had done well, which put their minds at ease. They knew Wen Shuxian was scheduled later, so the early arrivals patiently waited.

Minutes and seconds ticked by, but Wen Shuxian was still nowhere to be seen.

Wen Shuxian and Hu Yuke were in the same group for the defense. Could there be a conflict?

Fu Yujun glanced at Cui Jiaran, who nodded and took out her phone. "I'll send her a message."

Just as she sent the message, Wen Shuxian finally arrived, appearing within the sight of the three of them. She walked quickly, her mouth moving incessantly. Judging by her extremely unpleasant expression, it was clear that she wasn't speaking kindly. Mostly likely, she was venting her frustration.

Fu Yujun took the initiative to approach her and asked, "What happened?"

Wen Shuxian looked around and spoke in a low voice, "Let's talk about it when we get back."

Back in the dormitory, Wen Shuxian closed the door and started cursing loudly, "That damn Hu Yuke! If I don't beat her up this time, my name isn't Wen!"

The three of them: "..."

Fu Yujun sighed and said, "What did she do this time? Can you at least tell us?"

Wen Shuxian glanced at Tang Ruoyao, her eyes suddenly turning red. It was unclear whether it was due to feeling wronged or angry. Her chest heaved a couple of times, and she choked out, "I-I just finished defending and was hiding in the restroom. I overheard Hu Yuke talking with her little minions. They have already chosen her as the representative of the outstanding graduates for our year, not Tang Tang."

Tang Ruoyao was stunned, her gaze growing heavy.

Author's note:

Next, you will witness the group from Room 405 beating up Hu Yuke. [Just kidding]

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