"Stop!"
Shen Nian had been listening to their conversation from the side, but she could no longer hold back and stepped forward when she saw Qin Xueling was actually about to strike Shen Xiangnan.
Qin Xueling froze at the sound of Shen Nian's voice. Turning around to see Shen Nian jogging over, a flicker of panic crossed her face.
"Xiao Nian, what are you doing here?"
'I wonder if she heard what I just said to Shen Xiangnan. It would be best if she didn't. Although that idiot Shen Nian is easy to fool, I'd rather not deal with the trouble.'
Shen Xiangnan had come here today looking for Shen Nian, but he hadn't expected to run into her.
His lips moved, wanting to call her "Sis," but the word died on his lips when he remembered the past arguments between Shen Nian and Qin Xueling.
But as he looked at Shen Nian, a sliver of hope sparked within him. 'Did she see Qin Xueling try to hit me? I wonder how she'll handle this.'
'Will she still believe Qin Xueling, or will she believe me, her own brother?'
"That's a strange question. Why wouldn't I be here?"
"My mistake, I'm being silly. Your in-laws' house is nearby, so of course it's normal for you to be here."
Shen Nian's reply made Qin Xueling falter, but she quickly recovered and smiled at Shen Nian, acting just as she always did when they were together.
"I came here especially to see you today. We haven't seen each other for a while, not since you got married."
As she spoke, Qin Xueling moved closer to Shen Nian, even reaching out to take her hand as she usually would.
However, she never expected that before she could take Shen Nian's hand, Shen Nian would completely ignore her and suddenly walk away, leaving her enthusiastic gesture hanging in the air.
Qin Xueling's outstretched hand froze mid-air. She stared in disbelief as Shen Nian walked straight past her to Shen Xiangnan.
"How are you? Are you okay?"
The surprise on Shen Xiangnan's face was just as great as Qin Xueling's. In fact, upon hearing Shen Nian's voice, he was too stunned to react for a long moment.
"Xiang Nan, what's wrong?"
When Shen Xiangnan didn't respond for a moment, Shen Nian grew anxious. 'Don't tell me Qin Xueling actually hurt him when I wasn't looking? But... this didn't happen at this time in my previous life!'
"Ah, I'm fine, Sis. You..."
At that, Shen Xiangnan truly snapped back to his senses.
He had come here because after returning home, he'd heard from their parents that his sister had woken up one day a completely different person—that she'd become sensible.
Of course, Shen Xiangnan had his doubts. As her younger brother, he had seen with his own eyes what Shen Nian used to be like. How could she possibly change just like that?
But now, seeing Shen Nian standing before him with such a concerned expression, seeing her ignore Qin Xueling to check on him, Shen Xiangnan finally believed it. His sister really had changed.
'She's really changed for the better!'
"As long as you're okay. You scared me to death!"
Shen Nian patted her chest, sighing in relief.
However, Shen Nian had barely breathed her sigh of relief when someone tactless piped up beside them.
"Xiao Nian, I was just joking around with Xiang Nan. He's your brother, so in my heart, he's like my own. I came here today especially to find you. I heard you haven't been very happy at your in-laws' these past few days, so I..."
Qin Xueling wasn't one to back down so easily. And while Shen Nian's actions had surprised her, she simply chalked it up to Shen Nian worrying about her brother. A person's foolish nature wasn't something that could change so easily.
"Who said I'm not happy? Qin Xueling, and to think you always claim to be my best friend. Were you actually hoping I'd be miserable after getting married?"
Shen Nian's expression, which had already turned cold at the sound of Qin Xueling's voice, became even frostier after she finished speaking.
'This Qin Xueling really has her sources, doesn't she? I cause one scene at my in-laws' on my wedding day, and the moment I'm back, she shows up to start sowing discord!'