Volume One, Chapter Two: The Trial

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Song Siyen completely ignored Song Zhuo and directly pulled Song Min into the car before driving away.

Song Min pressed her face against the window, anxious. “Sister, please admit your mistake quickly. Apologize to our eldest brother. He will forgive you.”

Song Siyen stood at the wheel, glancing sideways at Song Zhuo.

After all, she was his beloved younger sister of more than ten years; he couldn’t just let this go.

As long as she admitted her fault, he would forgive her this time.

But Song Zhuo, standing where she was, only hung her head, then turned and walked over to a trash bin to start packing her suitcase.

Her solitary figure by the trash bin looked pitiful.

Seeing this, Song Siyen felt no sympathy at all. He sneered coldly, “Good, very good. Over these years, you haven’t made any progress at all; your tricks have only become more cunning.”

“Playing the pity card doesn’t work anymore.”

With a slam, he shut the car door and drove away.

Song Zhuo finished packing her things and tied her suitcase, which was already unlatched, with a rope, standing there bewildered.

This city and its people had become so strange to her.

Until a hand gently took the suitcase from hers, accompanied by a gentle voice: “Get in the car.”

Song Zhuo looked up. “Second brother?”

Song Sinen looked at her with a mix of helplessness and affection. “You, you’re restless the moment you come back. Eldest brother finally agreed to let you return, and now you want to be sent away again?”

The gentle second brother made Song Zhuo’s eyes redden; tears welled up, and she said sadly, “I’m not. It’s clearly Eldest Brother and Song Min bullying me…”

“Zhuo Zhuo!” Before she could finish, Song Sinen turned his face away coldly. “Don’t I know Eldest Brother’s temper? Don’t I understand Song Min’s personality?”

Tears clung stubbornly to Song Zhuo’s eyes, refusing to fall. She looked at Song Sinen in shock.

Seeing her like this, Song Sinen’s expression softened with concern. “Zhuo Zhuo, this time you’ve come back, so please stop making trouble, alright?”

He reached out and stroked her head. “Do you want Eldest Brother to send you abroad again?”

Thinking of her years living overseas, Song Zhuo fell silent.

Song Sinen raised his hand gently to wipe away the tears at her eyes. “Alright, now come home with second brother. Mom and Dad are waiting for you.”

Once inside the car, Song Zhuo turned her head to look at the familiar city.

Five years had passed.

This city had undergone tremendous changes.

The people in this city had changed drastically as well.

She lowered her head and glanced at the contacts list, where the top entry was “WHY” in all capital letters.

Seeing those three letters, her eyes softened for a moment. She quickly typed and sent a message.

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[I'm back.]

Even if everyone she once knew in this city abandoned her, even if no one wanted her,

He would never reject her.

The unease brought by the Song family faded upon seeing this number, replaced by a sense of comfort.

Soon the car arrived at the Song family residence.

Song Zhuo stepped out, looking around at the unfamiliar surroundings. “This is…”

“The new home,” Song Sinen said with a smile as he carried her suitcase. “Song Min entered the entertainment industry and has done well these past few years. Worried about irrational fans, the whole family moved here.”

“How do you like it? Not bad, right?”

This was one of Jiangcheng’s most prestigious neighborhoods, known not only for tight security but also for its beautiful environment.

Right ahead was one of Jiangcheng’s famous lakes.

When the wind blew, ripples shimmered on the water’s surface, resembling scattered gold under the sunset.

Beautiful.

But so unfamiliar.

Entering the new house, beautiful roses grew along the courtyard wall, making the entire fence look like a painting.

“Song Min loves roses, so we planted them according to her taste. Pretty, isn’t it?”

Song Zhuo felt a sharp pang in her heart. “Very pretty.”

Near the wall stood a sturdy tree, with a beautiful swing hanging beneath it, painted with colorful letters saying “Song Min’s Special.”

Song Sinen explained, “Song Min always wanted her own swing since childhood, so we made one for her.”

His tone was indulgent yet helpless. “She’s very possessive—no one else is allowed to sit on it.”

The deeper they walked inside, the more evident Song Min’s presence was.

“The fountain is shaped according to Song Min’s zodiac; you’ll see it at night.”

“That’s a painting pavilion. Song Min needs quiet when she paints, so it was built just the way she likes.”

“And that…”

Near the doorway, Song Sinen noticed Song Zhuo was unusually silent. After a moment, he understood.

This younger sister had been spoiled by the family since childhood and was used to monopolizing their affection.

“Zhuo Zhuo, don’t overthink it. This is your home too.”

“You can do whatever you want here.”

“You and Song Min are both our sisters. Do whatever you want. Renovate this home however you like.”

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“Song Min never thought of competing with you. Our kindness to her is just to make up for the past.”

“Zhuo Zhuo, do you understand what second brother means?”

Song Zhuo forced a small smile and nodded.

Of course she understood.

From the moment Song Min returned home, she had known this all along.

“Song Min really wants you to come back, too.”

“She wanted us all to go pick you up, but Eldest Brother didn’t agree.” Song Sinen spoke quickly, afraid she would misunderstand.

He hoped the two sisters could get along peacefully.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Song Min’s voice echoed from inside the villa.

“Eldest Brother, we left sister at the airport without looking after her. Don’t you think she’d be angry?”

“Hmph!” Song Siyen sneered. “Angry? Today she was putting on airs like a little lady! And you… how many times have I told you not to abuse your kindness? Have you forgotten what happened five years ago?”

Song Min pouted. “Oh, that was so long ago. I can’t believe Eldest Brother still remembers. I believe sister must have changed over these years. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have waited at the airport for so long today.”

“Sister passed the test today, didn’t she?”

Test?

Song Zhuo looked at Song Sinen in confusion.

Song Sinen gave an awkward chuckle and lowered his voice. “Eldest Brother worried you hadn’t changed your temper, so Song Min came up with a plan to test you.”

He gently pinched Song Zhuo’s cheek. “Zhuo Zhuo has really grown up. Back then, how could you stand in the sun for hours? You’d have thrown a tantrum in less than two minutes.”

“Our Zhuo Zhuo really has learned to be sensible.”

“Mom, Dad, I’ve brought Zhuo Zhuo home.”

Song Sinen called out loudly, holding Song Zhuo’s hand with one hand and carrying her suitcase with the other as he stepped inside.

The once lively living room fell silent in an instant.

Jiang Zhiyi immediately stood up, her eyes anxious as she looked toward the door. When she saw Song Zhuo, her voice choked with emotion: “Zhuo Zhuo!”

She ran over and embraced Song Zhuo. “You’ve lost weight! How did you get so thin?”

Held by her mother, Song Zhuo’s heart ached deeply. She slowly raised her hand to hug back.

“Mom, I told you sister has changed a lot! Look, she’s even willing to wear such cheap clothes and shoes.” After speaking gently, Song Min looked puzzled. “Sister, why did you bring these things back? You’re home now. Don’t we already have these things?”

Her expression was hurt. “Is sister still angry? Angry with me? Angry with Mom, Dad, and the brothers?”