They arrived with ill intent, looking aggressive and imposing.
Xu Shiyan, however, merely curled her lips, glancing at everyone in the room with a look of indifference. Finally, her gaze settled on Xu Nuo.
"Did Xu Nuo tell you all this?" she asked, a light chuckle escaping her.
Beside them, Xu Mingxuan simply swept a complex look at this younger sister of his, but remained silent.
Xu Nuo looked at her and said softly, "Sister, I am only doing this for the sake of the Xu Family."
"You have the gall to do those things, but not the face to speak of them?" Xu Minghua said impatiently. "Mentioning that incident from three years ago right in front of Nuonuo, and even trying to lay hands on Bo Jinke? It’s a good thing Bo Jinke was willing to smooth things over for Zhiyu’s sake; otherwise, our Xu Family would have lost all face! It seems three years have passed, and you haven't learned a single thing!"
Xu Shiyan couldn't help but laugh.
"Is that so?" She gave Xu Minghua a meaningful look. "Third Brother, they say remote mountains breed unruly people. Since I left a place like Qiongzhou Island, I suppose I can only be an unruly person. Besides, if Mr. Bo doesn't mind, why are you all so anxious?"
"Yanyan, that’s not the way to put it," Mother Xu said, filled with worry. "That Bo Jinke is not someone to be trifled with. You and Zhiyu are engaged, and with the scene you caused tonight, everyone is saying that the Xu Family has raised a wicked daughter. If these rumors reach the Sheng Family, it won't be good for you. If Zhiyu refuses to marry you, who will you be able to marry in the future?"
Mother Xu felt a sense of guilt toward this daughter. However, having not seen her for three years, the two had grown particularly distant. Precisely because of that, she could not allow her to continue acting out. Fortunately, Elder Sheng was fond of her.
"Starting tomorrow, you will follow your eldest brother and learn something properly. Nuonuo will also be going to the company, and she will help you get started. Do not act like you did today again... Once the family banquet is over, you and Zhiyu should finalize your engagement."
Xu Mingxuan, who had remained silent all along, thought about Xu Shiyan’s behavior and couldn't help but twitch his lips. He finally took over the conversation: "Mom, don't worry. I will keep an eye on her."
Originally, he had no intention of paying any attention to this sister, especially after seeing how she behaved today—skipping work, leaving early, and being perfunctory. However, the Xu Family could not afford to keep a complete failure.
Xu Nuo also seized the opportunity to put Mother Xu’s mind at ease: "Mom, don't worry. I will help Sister adapt as quickly as possible."
Only Xu Minghua was dissatisfied with this arrangement: "Mom, three years ago, Xu Shiyan stole Nuonuo’s draft drawings. It’s one thing to let her slack off at the company, but are we really going to have Nuonuo drag her along? This is too unfair to Nuonuo."
The incident of the stolen drafts Xu Minghua mentioned referred to a painting competition Xu Shiyan and Xu Nuo had entered three years ago. At the time, it was discovered that the work Xu Shiyan used for the competition bore traces of Xu Nuo’s signature. Everyone concluded that Xu Shiyan had stolen her sister’s drawings for the contest, including the members of the Xu Family.
Three years had passed, and Xu Shiyan didn't remember many things clearly; the pain had caused her to forget much. However, being framed for the first time in her life was something she remembered deeply.
That was fine. If they didn't bring it up, she would have almost forgotten what she had been through.
Xu Shiyan’s eyes fell on Xu Nuo. She suddenly curled her lips and spoke unhurriedly: "Third Brother, that is precisely why I should go. Otherwise, wouldn't I always be dependent on my sister, causing trouble for Nuonuo?"
She said it with confidence and frankness. The disgust in Xu Minghua’s eyes only deepened.
Mother Xu finally made the final decision: "Alright, your father is of the same mind. Let Shiyan obediently learn from the second brother and Nuonuo, so she doesn't wander around... In short, it is settled."
With Mother Xu’s final word, Xu Minghua could say no more. The crowd dispersed.
Xu Shiyan went upstairs, intending to return to her room. As she passed Xu Nuo, she paused abruptly. In a corner where no one could see, Xu Shiyan lifted Xu Nuo’s chin with her fingertips. Her red lips curled in a wicked manner, and her voice was low, yet sharp and clear.
"Xu Nuo, they all call me a wicked woman, and I’m a very petty person. I always repay grievances. Guess how I survived on Qiongzhou Island? And guess what I’ll do to pay you back for everything you once gave me if you provoke me again?"
Xu Nuo’s entire body went rigid.
Xu Shiyan chuckled lightly and added, "How about... we start by getting you kicked out of the Xu Family?"
Xu Nuo looked at her in almost total disbelief.
Xu Shiyan released her, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and strolled leisurely upstairs. She wasn't trying to scare Xu Nuo. The three years on Qiongzhou Island allowed her to stop caring about the Xu Family’s favoritism and to endure their indifference and neglect. But she could not forget the intentional frames and traps Xu Nuo had set for her, or what those three years had been like.
She kept track of every little debt; she always repaid her grudges. She just hadn't expected Xu Nuo to be so faint-hearted.
That same night, Xu Nuo came down with a high fever.
When Xu Minghua came knocking, Xu Shiyan was logged into an app exclusive to Qiongzhou Island. Qiongzhou Island was like an island for the wicked. Almost everyone who arrived there was homeless or rejected by society. After Aunt Qing arrived, she specifically created this unique app so the people on the island could chat and exchange information.
Once Xu Shiyan logged in, many people sent their regards.
Uncle Lin: "Girl, how is life out there? Your family must miss you a lot now that you've returned, right?"
Grandpa Meng: "What kind of nonsense is that? What family wouldn't love their own daughter? Girl, do you have enough money? Even though I don't intend to leave, I have plenty of money, and my disciples and grand-disciples can always lend you a hand."
Uncle Zhang: "Yanyan, don't forget to visit your auntie for me on your way. I can never go back in this life, but as long as my wife is fine, I can rest easy."
...
Looking at these messages, Xu Shiyan couldn't help but lower her eyes, an indescribable sense of bitterness rising in her heart. Even if the world on Qiongzhou Island turned upside down, most of them would never leave. They were once people who had committed crimes, yet they cared for her more than the Xu Family ever did.
Xu Shiyan replied to them one by one and promised Uncle Zhang she would go see how his wife was doing. She was just about to click on the files sent by Ghost Doctor Grandpa to check on Elder Sheng’s condition when the door was pushed open from the outside.
Xu Minghua stood at the door with a gloomy face, looking at her coldly: "What on earth did you say to Nuonuo to give her such a fright that she’s running a high fever? You know she’s in poor health—why did you have to terrorize her?"
Hearing this, Xu Shiyan curled her lips with interest.
"Third Brother, you’re asking the wrong person. You should ask her why she was so scared. After all, if you don't do anything shameful, you don't fear a knock at the door."
She paused, then chuckled: "Also, Third Brother, the way you look right now, anyone who didn't know better would think Xu Nuo wasn't your sister, but the apple of your eye."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Minghua’s expression changed instantly.