Chapter 18
As soon as she approached, she saw Zhong Zinuan suddenly rush up and hug Xie Shiqing.
The Convallaria flowers hung from the tender green stems like strings of beaded lanterns, resembling fluffy white clouds—pure and serene. The malleable vines of the fragrant wood climbed over the trellis, clusters of soft yellow blooms like gosling, peppering the leaves beneath in spots of ivory. Dangling spider plants, thriving columbines, and budding white camellias… countless flowers and plants, regardless of the season, bloomed in competition inside the glass conservatory.
The sweet and rich fragrance of the flowers gathered into an illusory stream, swirling around the two people inside the flower house.
Zhong Zinuan looked pure like a white lotus, while Xie Shiqing resembled a rose with thorns. The sight of the two embracing appeared especially picturesque.
In the next second, they parted, and the former even staggered a few steps.
Zhong Ning walked over, her expression natural, her tone concerned with a hint of curiosity. “What were you talking about?”
A few broken flower branches lay on the ground. Zhong Zinuan’s expression looked a bit unnatural, but she quickly smiled and said, “Nothing much, just talking about the past.”
However, Xie Shiqing looked displeased, let out a cold laugh, and asked meaningfully, “Did you see it?”
Zhong Ning was confused. “See what?”
Suddenly, she seemed to realize and asked in puzzlement, “Ah! I saw it, why?”
Zhong Zinuan bent down to pick up the broken flower branches from the ground and said with a graceful smile, “I just twisted my ankle a little, and Shiqing helped me up.”
Xie Shiqing curled her lips, didn’t add anything to the explanation, but in her heart, she was watching like it was a show, waiting for Zhong Ning’s reaction.
Zhong Ning responded with concern. “Twisted your ankle? How could that be! Can you still walk?”
She looked worried, her tone was caring, and she even reached out to support Zhong Zinuan’s arm. “Sister, let me help you walk.”
Zhong Zinuan’s smile froze. The feeling on her arm was particularly distinct. That kind of gripping sensation, to her, was no different from being grabbed by a madwoman.
What did she mean by this?
On purpose? Was she trying to payback?
Or was she mocking her? Sarcastically ridiculing her?
Using that disgusting fake “sisterly care” to mock her lies?
Thinking carefully, since her return, Zhong Ning’s attitude had completely changed. Toward their mom, she pretended to be overly affectionate. Where did she learn such sickening tricks?
She would rather it be like before—quarreling as soon as they met. At least Zhong Ning was stupid and straightforward. Quarreling never cost Zhong Zinuan anything; she only needed to act the part of the tolerant and gentle victim, and their mom would naturally take her side and scold Zhong Ning.
Now Zhong Ning had learned to be disgusting too, pretending to be a respectful sister and obedient younger sibling. Their mom would only be pleased to see that, while she and her mother were the ones truly revolted. (They have two moms—mom is the family head and mother is madam Zhong).
The last time she had physical contact with Zhong Ning, Zhong Ning had slapped her four times. Even though Zhong Ning was punished afterward, what use was a verbal reprimand and an allowance cut?
Her face was swollen for a whole week before it healed!
That entire week, she was forced to wear a mask, saying it was allergies, she even missed the Le family’s gathering!
Though she looked down on Zhong Ning’s intelligence, Zhong Zinuan still had to admit a shadow of fear regarding her destructive power and capacity for action.
Fools had far greater destructive force than smart people, precisely because they never considered the consequences.
If it weren’t for the mask, Zhong Ning would have walked out with her face like that, showing everyone without a care! She probably wished for nothing more than a huge fallout between them to become public.
Ever since that day, Zhong Zinuan had been mindful to restrain herself. Even if she wanted to say something provoking, she had to weigh her words carefully, afraid of getting slapped again.
Now, being approached so closely once more, Zhong Zinuan’s body stiffened. She didn’t want to take another step. Suppressing the urge to scream, she barely maintained her smile and pushed away, saying, “It’s just a slight twist. I can still walk, no need for your help.”
Zhong Ning leaned in a little closer, speaking with concern, “Really? Sister, don’t push yourself. A sprained ankle can be really serious. I read in the news before—someone twisted their ankle and ignored it, kept enduring the pain, and later their ankle swelled. When they finally went to the hospital, it turned out to be a fracture.”
She still had a good impression of this sister—so gentle and elegant—so her words of concern were sincere, filled with heartfelt care.
But hearing that, Zhong Zinuan’s face turned pale.
Was that a threat? Was she saying she’d break her ankle?
Her smile nearly crumbled. She forcefully shook off Zhong Ning’s hand and hurried out of the flower house. “I can walk on my own, no need for you to worry.”
“Ah… she’s walking so fast.” Zhong Ning looked at her retreating back, utterly bewildered.
Beside her, Xie Shiqing couldn’t hold it in anymore. She burst into loud laughter, bending over, unable to straighten up.
Zhong Ning was even more confused.
Xie Shiqing laughed so hard she was leaning forward and back, the corners of her eyes even turning misty. Oh heavens, it had been such a long time since she had been this happy.
Watching Zhong Zinuan suffer a setback was more satisfying than closing a huge business deal.
Indeed, when you move trash into a new position, it might actually become useful. Hadn’t that just been proven?
It definitely wasn’t a twisted ankle—it had been a hug.
Zhong Zinuan had hugged her when she wasn’t looking, and she had immediately pushed her away.
This person who appeared pure but was inwardly filthy truly disgusted and repulsed her.
If she herself was a mentally twisted person, then Zhong Zinuan was a maniac even more despicable and deranged than she was. Anyone fooled by that innocent exterior would pay the highest price.
Maybe… maybe…
Xie Shiqing thought with interest that the current Zhong Ning might really be able to make Zhong Zinuan suffer.
“You came to find me?” she asked.
“Yes, it’s time for dinner,” Zhong Ning replied quickly, brushing off her earlier confusion. “Let’s go back together.”
She hesitated a bit and asked, “Should we hold hands?”
A slender, white hand came into her vision.
The nails were round and neat, though lacking in color, looking rather pale.
Zhong Ning grasped the hand as she had hoped, but what she thought about was Xie Shiqing’s appetite. Eating so little—how could she possibly be getting enough nutrition?