Lu Yunling had a look of holding back tears: "Why are you treating me like this just because of her?"
Qi Linhan looked puzzled: "Wake up, I've always found you annoying."
Sui Yan gradually became more unrestrained: "Yes, you've always found me annoying."
Lu Yunling bit her lip, unable to hold back as she burst into tears and ran away.
Sui Yan shrugged: "Why is she so petty?"
Qi Linhan opened the car door for Sui Yan: "Don't mind her. Did she used to bully you like this before?"
Sui Yan nimbly climbed into the car, smiling mischievously as she asked, "Would you bully her back for me?"
She was just joking around, but unexpectedly, Qi Linhan looked serious as he said, "I would."
The smile on Sui Yan's lips faded slightly as she pursed her lips, saying nothing more.
Qi Linhan seemed to guess something as he reached out and patted Sui Yan's head: "Don't look at anything she sends you when we get back."
Sui Yan shrugged: "You know I'll still look, don't you?"
Qi Linhan sighed: "You really are a handful."
Sui Yan initially wanted to pretend she didn't hear him, but after some thought, she slyly said, "How about this, if you send me two bottles of alcohol every day from now on, I won't look at what she sends me. How's that?"
Qi Linhan showed no expression: "Not happening."
Sui Yan pouted: "So stingy."
She turned to look out the window, immediately jumping out of the car as it arrived at the small courtyard where she lived.
"I'm going back to work, see you next time!"
Qi Linhan helplessly watched her joyful back until she was out of sight before starting the car and leaving.
Unusually, Sui Yan didn't go looking for Ti Zi as soon as she entered. Instead, she sneakily hid in the screening room, ready to take a good look at the USB drive Lu Yunling had given her.
Even before opening the file, she had guessed what it was about. After all, only those people could affect her... even if she appeared indifferent to them.
Sui Yan took a deep breath, her profound gaze fixed on the computer screen. With a slight movement of her finger, she opened the file.
It was a video, with the screen completely black at first, but faint voices could be heard in the background.
Gradually, the voices grew clearer, and Sui Yan started to make out what they were saying.
"You broke up with Qiao Ze?" This sounded like Lu Yunling's voice.
Shen Nian's voice sounded dejected: "Yes, he said I was too dramatic."
Lu Yunling seemed a little incredulous: "Why? Just because you said his relationship with Sui Yan was too close?"
Shen Nian fell silent for a long while before saying, "He said he's her brother and has always failed to take care of his sister properly, so he feels guilty towards Sui Yan now."
Lu Yunling's voice sounded a little annoyed: "But Sui Yan and he are not actually related by blood at all. And Sui Yan herself should have been more tactful too, knowing you and Qiao Ze were together."
Shen Nian hesitated before saying, "It's not that serious, is it...?"
Lu Yunling cut her off: "They're both adults now, even siblings should know to avoid impropriety."
Shen Nian fell silent, not saying anything more.
Sui Yan stared coldly at the still-black computer screen, feeling only a sense of absurdity and ridiculousness.
She and Qiao Ze only contacted each other once or twice a year at most, and it was always Qiao Ze who initiated by sending her a message or a small red envelope gift.
That was all there was to it.
As for Shen Nian, Sui Yan did feel a bit disappointed in her.
But before she could recover from that, the computer automatically played the next video segment.
This time, the voices of Ye Anning, Sui Yu, and Sui Zhi could be heard.
Ye Anning frowned as she looked at Lu Yunling in front of her, her tone unpleasant: "What is this hypocritical woman doing at my house?"
Lu Yunling smiled: "Don't be like that, I just came to tell you about Sui Yan."
The recent upheavals in the family had left Ye Anning looking a bit haggard and short-tempered as she responded, "If she has something to say, why doesn't she come tell us herself? Why have you come to pass on messages?"
Lu Yunling sneered: "You want to guess why she hasn't actively contacted your family all these years?"
Ye Anning fell silent, for she knew the reason - it was only natural for Sui Yan to not want to deal with her family.
Seeing the situation wasn't looking good, Lu Yunling quickly added, "Don't tell me you feel guilty towards her? Don't forget, it was her fault that caused your mother's miscarriage years ago. Your mother's health has never recovered since then."
Ye Anning's movements froze for a moment before she coldly said, "What does that have to do with you?"
Lu Yunling, seeing that she had struck a nerve, relaxed a little as a confident smile returned to her lips: "Of course it has nothing to do with me, but... it has everything to do with Sui Yan."
After watching for a while, Sui Yu finally spoke up: "Are you done? If so, get out."
Lu Yunling's smile faltered for a moment: "Don't be so agitated, I'm not finished yet."
Sui Zhi coldly said, "We don't want to hear it. Get out of our house now."
...
Sui Yan lowered her gaze, lost in thought.
She remained in that position for a long time until the screening room door opened and Ti Zi slowly walked in, only then regaining her senses.
The computer screen was completely black, so Ti Zi couldn't tell what had just happened. But judging from Sui Yan's current state alone, it was clear it wasn't anything good.
It approached Sui Yan and cautiously nuzzled her lap.
Sui Yan gave a faint smile, gently stroking Ti Zi's head: "I'm fine, let's go out."
Although still a little uneasy, Ti Zi didn't show any further signs of concern.
Sui Yan walked slowly, her mind replaying the words she had just heard over and over again.
She made her way to the courtyard and sat cross-legged on a rattan chair, gently rocking back and forth.
Lost in thought, she was suddenly startled by Ti Zi calling out twice.
Sui Yan wearily massaged her temples: "Ti Zi, what are you doing?"
Ti Zi carried two bottles of alcohol over to Sui Yan and placed them at her feet.
Sui Yan couldn't help but laugh a little: "Ti Zi, you didn't steal these from the housekeeper, did you?"
Ti Zi nodded solemnly: "Woof~"
If Sui Yan drinks a little alcohol, she won't be sad anymore.
