Volume 1, Chapter 7: Uninvited Guests

Why are you crying?

Shen Nian’an frowned. "That is not what I meant..."

Having spent years immersed in laboratories and surrounded by researchers, Shen Nian’an was admittedly lacking in social finesse, but she was by no means oblivious. Liu Jinyue was the daughter of the house, while she was merely a prospective daughter-in-law; how could she possibly overstep her bounds?

However, Liu Jinyue did not give Shen Nian’an a chance to explain. She threw herself into Su Wanhua’s arms, sobbing even more violently. Her shoulders heaved and her nose sniffled, yet her words remained perfectly clear.

"Mom... I have no home left now..."

Liu Jinyue was the adopted daughter of the Si family. Her original name was Liu Yue, and her father had sacrificed his life to save General Si Sihan. After her father passed, her mother vanished without a trace the very next day, leaving fourteen-year-old Liu Yue all alone. Naturally, she could not be left to fend for herself. Thus, she was taken into the Si household and became Liu Jinyue, the daughter of the Si family.

Lowering her eyes to hide the anticipation in her gaze, Liu Jinyue felt confident. She knew that with just these words, Mother Si would surely side with her and reprimand Shen Nian’an. If Shen Nian’an felt slighted, she would be even less likely to grow close to Mother Si. In the long run, Mother Si would grow to despise her. As for becoming a daughter-in-law? She would be lucky if she wasn't chased off the island entirely!

"Auntie, I..."

Su Wanhua interrupted Shen Nian’an with a stern tone. Seeing this, a flicker of triumph crossed Liu Jinyue’s eyes. However, before she could even cast a provocative look at Shen Nian’an, she felt Mother Si push her away.

Her eyes widened in shock. "Mom?"

Su Wanhua might be muddled when it came to minor matters, but she was absolutely principled in significant ones.

"Jinyue." She looked at Liu Jinyue with an unusual solemnity, causing a sudden jolt in Liu Jinyue’s heart.

*Could I have overestimated my importance to Su Wanhua? But... why? I have called her Mom for seven years! And that seductress! She only arrived today!*

Regardless of how much resentment bubbled inside her, Liu Jinyue knew well that in this house, Mother Si was the only person she could rely on. She sniffled and obediently admitted her fault: "Mom, I’m sorry. I was wrong."

"Where were you wrong?"

*You’re wrong because you’re biased! You’d throw away our mother-daughter bond for a daughter-in-law who hasn't even officially joined the family yet!*

Liu Jinyue twisted her fingers until they turned red. With eyes brimming with tears, she looked at Mother Si with a mix of grievance and reproach. "Sister An’an is a guest; I shouldn't have spoken to her like that..."

"Liu Jinyue!" Seeing that her daughter still didn't realize her mistake, Su Wanhua rubbed her temples with a headache.

*Liu?*

Two different surnames in one family? Was she using her mother’s maiden name? What an exceptionally open-minded family; no wonder they were so accepting of her background as the daughter of a capitalist.

Sensing the tense atmosphere in the living room, Shen Nian’an spoke up: "Auntie, my younger sister is just young. I didn't take it to heart."

Shen Nian’an spoke with genuine sincerity, but no one believed her. Suddenly, Su Wanhua placed her hand on Shen Nian’an’s face. Shen Nian’an’s heart tightened. *Did that scoundrel Si Jinnian fail to wipe the dust off my face back in the car?* The thought of meeting her elders with a dirt-yellow face left Shen Nian’an feeling excruciatingly awkward.

"Auntie, I..."

"An’an, you are right." Mother Si gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind Shen Nian’an’s ear.

"Huh?" Shen Nian’an’s grape-like eyes widened in bewilderment.

Shen Nian’an’s appearance was naturally sweet and docile, the kind that elders adored. When she looked stunned like this, she resembled a lazy, elegant cat. The previously stern Mother Si couldn't help but let the corners of her mouth lift. Liu Jinyue saw this and turned pale, her teeth nearly grinding together.

Soon, she composed herself and said, "Mom, Sister An’an has traveled a long way and her foot is injured. She must be exhausted. Why don't I take her to rest?"

Reminded by Liu Jinyue, Su Wanhua realized her oversight. She blamed her own impatience for dragging the girl into a chat without even offering her a drink.

"Very well," Su Wanhua decided. "Jinyue, you take An’an to her room first. I’ll go to the kitchen and make An’an some powdered milk."

Usually, it was Liu Jinyue who prepared the milk for Mother Si; now that it was Shen Nian’an’s turn, the roles had reversed. Liu Jinyue’s anger flared, but as she thought about leading her to the room, her eyes darted, and a wicked idea formed.

She patted her chest and smiled. "Don't worry, Mom. I’ll get it done."

Seeing Liu Jinyue’s playful demeanor, Su Wanhua’s annoyance faded, and she chided, "You child!"

Watching their interaction, a flicker of envy crossed Shen Nian’an’s clear eyes. She was an orphan who had never known her parents. But in this life, the original owner had parents who loved her dearly; she would find a way to save them.

"Sister An’an, shall we go?"

Shen Nian’an picked up the crutch, tucked it under her arm, and stood up with some difficulty. Once she was finally standing, Liu Jinyue covered her mouth, feigning realization. "Sister An’an, I’m so clumsy. I forgot your foot was hurt and didn't help you in time. You won't blame me, will you?"

The words sounded normal, but Shen Nian’an felt something was off. However, being self-reliant and strong-willed, she didn't dwell on it. "It’s fine, I can manage."

Mother Si was truly determined to win over her daughter-in-law. She had arranged for their rooms to be next to each other to facilitate the building of a relationship.

Meanwhile, a malicious Liu Jinyue led Shen Nian’an straight to the door of Si Jinnian’s room.

"Sister An’an, this is it. You go in and rest, and I’ll go help Mom."

"Alright."

Watching Shen Nian’an enter Si Jinnian’s room, the corners of Liu Jinyue’s mouth curled upward. *If Mom won't deal with you, I don't believe Big Brother will let you off! Big Brother hates it when people touch his things more than anything!*

"Jinyue, why are you giggling in the living room?" Mother Si asked, puzzled as she arrived with the milk.

Liu Jinyue was startled and spun a lie effortlessly. "Mom, I’m just happy for you! Once Sister An’an is here, Big Brother..." Thinking of how her brother would surely kick this "Mainland bumpkin" out, her smile deepened.

Mentioning this, Mother Si couldn't help but feel delighted, her brows lifting with joy. But she didn't forget her task. "Jinyue, go wait for me in my room. I’ll deliver this to your Sister An’an, and then I have something to tell you."

*Drink powdered milk? A Mainland bumpkin like her? Does she even deserve it?*

"Mom, you go rest. I’ll take it to her." Liu Jinyue took the cup, teasing Mother Si, "Besides, if you tire yourself out, Dad won't forgive me when he comes home tonight."

Su Wanhua blushed. "You child! You shouldn't tease your father and me! Go on, quickly!"

Watching Mother Si head into her room, Liu Jinyue drank the milk herself, put the cup back in the kitchen, and skipped toward Mother Si’s room.

Inside Si Jinnian’s room, Shen Nian’an liked what she saw immediately. The room wasn't large, but it was sparse—a bed, a wardrobe, a desk, and a chair. It looked a bit plain, likely due to the rush of preparation, but it was done with care; the entire space was clean and tidy. The gray quilt was folded into a perfect, square block. Shen Nian’an didn't mind the color; in this era, practical, dirt-hiding colors were the norm. On the desk, a few books were neatly arranged, likely left there so she wouldn't be bored.

It was afternoon, and the warm, orange sunlight poured through the window, bathing the desk in a cozy glow.

Shen Nian’an wasn't particularly tired. Instead of resting, she was eager to learn more about this era. She sat at the desk, and her eyes fell upon the books: they were about military weaponry.

*Weaponry?*

Shen Nian’an’s eyes lit up—this was her field of expertise. She couldn't wait to open the pages and start reading.

As Shen Nian’an read intently, losing track of time, an unwelcome guest arrived at Si Jinnian’s office.