Chapter 3

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

All of them could clearly see how Lu Ning had changed: from a lively, cute little miss who loved to talk and laugh, to a reclusive and withdrawn girl.

Probably only those who had interacted with her would feel sorry for and remember her.

——————

In an old residential building, a family was pacing anxiously at their doorstep.

The mistress’ makeup was exquisite, and she was visibly nervous.

The man seemed rather calm as he comforted her, but there was a hint of uneasiness in his eyes.

Shen Yunci paced back and forth, unable to calm down.

Lu Zhi tugged at her. “Yunci, you’ve been walking about for quite a while, why don’t you sit down and rest? We’ll hear Little Ning’s footsteps when she arrives, seeing as we don’t have an elevator here.”

Hearing this, Shen Yunci looked at him, annoyed. “You knew there’s no elevator, so why didn’t you change to a house with one? Your daughter’s coming and you want her to climb the stairs, are you trying to wear her out?”

Lu Zhi felt a little guilty after being chided.

“I simply didn’t have the time to do that. Don’t be nervous, we’ve seen Little Ning before; she’s such an obedient child. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“I’m not afraid. Besides, it was different in the past, we didn’t know she was our daughter then. If I’d known I would’ve spoken to her much more; I don’t even know what she likes, much less whether she’ll like the food we prepared.”

She kept looking down the stairs as she spoke.

“Mommy, our house’s on the second floor, we’ll be able to hear when Sister arrives. I just saw that the taxi picked Sister up 20 minutes ago, she should be here soon.”

Perhaps seeing that Shen Yunci was especially nervous and excited today, Lu Jingzhi was comforting her and speaking more than usual.

He was actually a little excited as well.

Shen Yunci turned around and looked at Lu Jingzhi. Then, she grinned and squatted down to look at her beloved five-year-old son.

“Were you the one who got the car for Big Sister? Our Little Darling’s the most considerate! Mommy loves you the most.”

As she spoke, she planted a kiss on his porcelain face.

Lu Jingzhi frowned and used his hand to wipe the spot where his mother kissed him. He did not want to dampen his mother’s mood, so he did not say anything.

However, there were others who were not as sensible as him.

Both mother and child were frolicking about when a cold voice cut in from above. “It’s been 20 minutes, but she didn’t even call to let us know. If it was An’an she wouldn’t have done this.”

Hearing this, Shen Yunci stood up and stared at her eldest son—who was much, much taller than her—trying her hardest to suppress her anger.

She tried to keep her voice calm and not lose her temper, but that did not mean she would let him off the hook. “It’s been a month, but I haven’t heard you say you’re going to pick up Ning. Even though you’re the older brother, you don’t even know how to treat your younger sister properly; you’re worse than your little brother. And! Don’t you mention An’an in front of Ning. It’ll make her uncomfortable.”

Lu Qing looked at Shen Yunci and frowned. “Why can’t I mention her? I’ll feel uncomfortable if I don’t.”

“Even if it makes you uncomfortable you have to hold it in! Don’t give me that attitude and don’t show it to my daughter.”

Lu Qing looked at her in disbelief. “Mommy, you’ve raised An’an for so many years, how can you forget about her completely just because your real daughter is here? You don’t even want to mention An’an, how could you…”

Before he could finish, Lu Zhi interrupted him.

“Shut up! How can you talk to your Mom like that!”

Lu Qing was shocked and unsettled. He had always been a thoughtful and mild-mannered person, but this time he really could not figure out why his parents, who had always treated An’an so lovingly, had changed so much overnight. Now they refuse to even mention her name, and instead were showing so much excitement for a stranger.