TNSFC – Chapter 71

“What? A golf course? I think I have some recollection of that.”

Hou Manni immediately composed her expression, speaking as if she were reminiscing.

Que Yining watched her quietly, thinking that she and Que Linyang truly deserved to be called husband and wife; they were both accomplished actors.

Que Yining didn’t say anything, but her gaze made Hou Manni, who already felt a little uneasy, feel her hair stand on end.

She gave a dry laugh. “Ningning, why are you suddenly asking about this?”

Que Yining answered slowly, “Well, it’s because someone told me that Big Brother seems to go to that golf course quite often, almost every week. But Big Brother never mentioned he had such a hobby, so I was just a bit curious and wanted to ask you.”

But Que Yining’s expression didn’t look curious at all, making Hou Manni wonder if she knew something. Her smile felt strained, but she tried her best to maintain it.

Hou Manni said, “Yes, he does seem to enjoy playing golf quite a bit. But I don’t share that hobby, so I’ve never gone with him.”

“Oh, is that so? I thought since you and Big Brother are so loving, your interests and hobbies would be quite similar too.”

Que Yining seemed to be saying this sincerely, but Hou Manni felt restless upon hearing it, feeling uncomfortable all over.

“By the way, Older Sister-in-law, why didn’t Big Brother come?”

Hou Manni replied, “Isn’t he very busy with the company? He couldn’t get away, so I came to see you.”

“But Big Brother used to care about me so much. In the past, if I got even a small injury, he’d be terribly worried. Now that something so serious has happened to me, he’s only visited me once. Does he think the company is more important than I am?”

Que Yining looked disappointed, her eyes fixed on Hou Manni.

“How could that be? But Ningning, you’re all grown up now. You should know how hard your brother works for the company. He…”

“Then I’ll ask Papa to give him less work. If he’s too busy, he’ll wear himself out.”

Que Yining was a natural at playing the spoiled young lady. The dissatisfaction was practically overflowing from her face.

Hou Manni quickly tried to persuade her, constantly playing the emotional card. Que Yining pretended to listen, but sneered inwardly.

It seemed this couple had a decent relationship; even knowing the other was cheating, they resolutely protected each other when it came to their interests.

Que Yining didn’t find it strange. After all, even enemies who couldn’t stand each other could be bound by common interests and present a united front. People like Hou Manni and Que Linyang, who had been married for many years, had a child, and appeared to have a very stable family on the surface, had long become a community of shared interests.

Que Yining had initially wanted to sound out Hou Manni, to see if she could be a breakthrough point. Now, it seemed unlikely. She would have to find someone else to create some friction in their relationship.

Hou Manni looked at Que Yining, who seemed tired and had stopped talking, and sneered inwardly.

This Eldest Miss truly was naive and ignorant of the world. She had thought Que Yining might have changed after achieving some success, but now it seemed Que Linyang had completely exaggerated, and had even been extremely nervous about it.

Human nature is what it is; how could it change so easily?

The hospital room wasn’t quiet for long. You Lanqing soon returned with Xiaoxiao.

“Youngest Aunt, I’ll go wash the strawberries for you.”

Xiaoxiao carried a bag of large strawberries in her hand, swinging it as she walked towards the bathroom.

“Our Xiaoxiao is so well-behaved.”

You Lanqing watched Xiaoxiao tiptoeing in the bathroom to wash the fruit, a loving smile gracing her lips.

“Our Xiaoxiao is the cutest.”

Que Yining nodded, her eyes full of tenderness as she looked at Xiaoxiao’s profile.

But inwardly, she wasn’t as happy as she appeared. She even wondered why Xiaoxiao had to be this couple’s child. If she had to oppose them in the future, what would happen to Xiaoxiao then?

If Que Linyang was truly the mastermind behind this incident, she would absolutely not let him off.

After washing the strawberries, Xiaoxiao stood by the hospital bed and carefully fed Que Yining. Seeing the wound on Que Yining’s arm, she couldn’t help but pout and blow on it gently.

Que Yining used her good hand to pat Xiaoxiao’s hair and gently pinched the little girl’s nose.

Hou Manni and Xiaoxiao didn’t stay long. It wasn’t the weekend, and Xiaoxiao had school in the afternoon.

Xiaoxiao left reluctantly, bumping into the nurse who had come to change the dressing.

Xiaoxiao pursed her lips. Usually introverted, with slight autistic tendencies and a reluctance to speak to people, she mustered her courage and tugged at the corner of the nurse’s uniform.

“Jiejie, can you please be a little gentler? Don’t let my Youngest Aunt feel pain. Please help her get better quickly.”

“This child…”

You Lanqing couldn’t help but smile, though her eyes welled up a little.

“Okay, little one, I’ll definitely be gentle. I won’t let your Youngest Aunt feel any pain.”

The nurse said gently, pushing her cart to the bedside.

Xiaoxiao left reluctantly, waving goodbye to Que Yining.

“Linyang and Manni really know how to raise children. Xiaoxiao is so well brought up by them, so smart and polite.”

You Lanqing couldn’t help but remark, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

Que Yining looked at her expression but ultimately said nothing.

Papa Que and Mama Que were truly good people. Kind individuals often assume others are as kind as they are, unaware of the ugliness rampant in the world and the many instances of kindness being repaid with malice.

Que Yining endured the pain as her dressing was changed, her mind already on her next plan.

She officially began her period of recuperation, but she didn’t remain idle during this time.

She asked Gu Shanxue to help investigate that girl. Que Yining had limited resources at her disposal, and Lin Zhen was busy keeping an eye on another matter for her, making it difficult to manage everything.

Gu Shanxue’s feedback was swift. In less than three days, she had identified the person with Que Chuling who resembled Jiao Shanyue.

Such strange coincidences do happen in the world—two unrelated people bearing a striking resemblance to each other.

The girl’s name was Zhu Wanqi. She was from a city in a neighboring province and had come to Lu Su City for university. She was currently a third-year student at a teachers’ college.

Her family background was simple and ordinary, with nothing much to investigate. So, the investigation focused mainly on how she and Que Chuling met.

An unscheming university girl was easy to get to know. It didn’t take much effort to learn how she had met Que Chuling.

“It’s just like a romance drama.”

Que Yining remarked as she looked at the information.

Gu Shanxue sat beside her, holding her phone to prevent her hand from getting too tired.

Zhu Wanqi had met Que Chuling in the rain—an innocent, inexperienced university student with a naive understanding of society, and a gentle, sophisticated older woman driving a luxury car. It all started with a ride and had continued to this day.

Reading the information, Que Yining actually felt quite sympathetic towards this girl who had fallen in love, completely unaware she was being used as a substitute. She finished reading all the documents.

“Shanxue, are your people still in contact with her?”

Gu Shanxue: “Yes. Are you thinking of…?”

Que Yining smiled. “Of course, it’s to have my Second Sister come and see me.”

Regarding the love triangle involving Que Linyang, Que Yining found it difficult to make a breakthrough with the other two individuals, so she decided to start with Que Chuling.

This Second Sister ought to be on her side. After all, judging from the current situation, she had no reason to be allied with him.

Seeking a substitute, with lingering feelings for her past love, how could she possibly forgive the Big Brother who had slept with her lover back then?

Que Yining didn’t actually know if Que Linyang was innocent in that past incident, but she knew that hatred could be redirected. Especially when one of two hated individuals died and the other remained alive, that hatred would only accumulate and intensify over time. Letting go was not such an easy thing.

Gu Shanxue asked, “What do you need me to do?”

“Have that person convey my regards.”

Que Yining said with a smile, looking at the IV drip in the back of her hand.

Her complexion had improved somewhat after a few days of rest, but she still looked paler and thinner than usual. Gu Shanxue immediately arranged for Que Yining’s request to be carried out. Feeling Que Yining’s hand was a bit cool and damp, she quickly went to the bathroom, wet a cloth with warm water, and gently wiped Que Yining’s hands.

Que Yining watched her intently, then used her good hand to take Gu Shanxue’s, affectionately rubbing her palm against Gu Shanxue’s fingers.

Que Yining sighed softly. “Shanxue, it’s so good to know you.”

“You’re always helping me, always taking care of me. On the other hand, knowing me has probably caused you a lot of trouble, hasn’t it?”

Que Yining lowered her head, her voice tinged with guilt.

“No,” Gu Shanxue said, not understanding why Que Yining would think that, and firmly refuted her. “I also think it’s very good knowing you.”

Gu Shanxue was an emotionally reserved person who rarely expressed herself directly. She preferred practical actions over words.

Because of Que Yining’s words, Gu Shanxue found herself unconsciously recalling Que Yining’s kindness. She knew Que Yining genuinely cared for her; she remembered all the things Que Yining had done and said.

“Don’t overthink it. You’ve never been a trouble to me.”

Seeing Que Yining with her head still lowered, Gu Shanxue still felt a little uneasy and added another sentence.

If Gu Shanxue had turned back on her way to the bathroom, she would have seen that Que Yining, who had just spoken so plaintively, had no trace of sadness on her face, only a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Miss Gu is so adorable, Que Yining thought with an inward smile.

Lu Su City was currently at the cusp of spring and summer, with lush, green trees.

Que Chuling and Zhu Wanqi had arranged to meet. Seeing her girlfriend jogging over, Que Chuling couldn’t help but smile.

But her smile quickly faded at Zhu Wanqi’s words, her expression even turning a little grim.

“Ling Jie, later, could I go with you to the hospital to visit your younger sister? I feel like she’s a really nice person.”

“My younger sister? How do you know she’s in the hospital?”

Que Chuling’s heart sank as she looked at the bewildered girl.

“It’s just… I have a friend who’s friends with her. She gave me a gift and said you’d be visiting her today…”

Zhu Wanqi said cautiously, looking at Que Chuling’s expression and feeling as if she had caused trouble.

“Did I do something wrong? Otherwise, I’ll return her gift. It’s a bracelet.”

Zhu Wanqi jiggled her wrist, revealing a silver-white bracelet.

“No need, keep it,” Que Chuling said with a glance, then frowned and asked, “Do you know my younger sister’s name?”

“My friend told me. Her name is Que Yining.”

Que Yining!

Que Chuling didn’t think this was a coincidence. She was in no mood to continue the date. After reassuring her young girlfriend, she drove to the hospital.

In the hospital room, Que Yining was reading a book. She looked up at Que Chuling, her expression unsurprised, as if she had been expecting her for a long time.

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