The engagement was with the younger brother, but I've fallen for the older brother.

Si Ningyou still wore that gentle and proper smile on her face, but in her heart she had already cursed him eight hundred times.

Is this brat a hamster?

Have you been hiding those rotten grains and sesame seeds in your cheeks for eight years, only to spit them out at this very moment?

She cried her eyes out at the banquet back then, but didn't utter a single word. Now she's suddenly become so perceptive?

Who is this person?

But she couldn't afford to turn against him.

With so many people watching, Ruan Qiutang's tears hadn't even dried yet, but Si Congshan's face had already darkened.

If I can't handle this wave, my public image will collapse.

Si Ningyou took a deep breath, suppressing the surging profanities, and put on an apologetic smile.

"Mom, it's my fault for not thinking things through, and Mianmian has been wronged."

"That seller was recommended by my friend, and I never expected her to sell inferior goods as superior ones."

"If I had known earlier, I would have definitely gone with Mianmian to choose it myself."

She turned to Ruan Qiutang, her tone sincere.

"Mianmian hasn't given me gifts all these years. So that's what she was upset about. It's because I haven't been a good older sister."

These words are logically consistent and emotionally resonant.

They instantly transformed themselves from perpetrators into victims.

But Ruan Qiutang didn't accept her role.

"Ning You, eight years ago when Mianmian first came back, she wasn't familiar with anything in the house."

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name 1110 ...

"You're older and more sensible than her, you shouldn't be negligent in this kind of thing."

Si Ningyou was taken aback.

This was the first time Ruan Qiutang had spoken ill of her in public, and it was all because of Si Yimian.

Si Ningyou gritted her teeth.

"Mom is right, I will definitely pay more attention in the future."

She lowered her eyes and softened her voice.

"Mianmian, your older sister apologizes to you."

"Sister, don't be like that, it's not a big deal."

Si Yimian shook her head, her attitude so sincere that no one could find fault with her.

"After all, I was only fifteen years old back then, and I had just come back from the mountains. I didn't know anything."

"Unlike my older sister, who has more pocket money and is more worldly-wise, otherwise I wouldn't have been so easily fooled."

Si Ningyou's apologetic smile was about to crumble.

That brat is trying to poison her mind with every word she says.

Speaking is like playing Go; the surface appears smooth and even, but after a few moves, you discover it's full of pitfalls.

What's most infuriating is that she can't even respond to his challenge.

Si Ningyou had to take notes on this operation.

Si Ningyou took a deep breath, carefully choosing her words, and just as she opened her mouth...

"Mom, I understand now."

Si Yimian turned to look at Ruan Qiutang, not giving her a chance to speak at all.

"I don't care whether others think it's good or bad, expensive or not, or worth it."

"I only care whether you're happy when you receive it."

Ruan Qiutang looked at Si Yimian, her heart aching as if someone had squeezed it, and tears fell again.

"Mianmian is right, Mom is very happy."

Si Yimian smiled and reached out to wipe away her tears.

"Mom, don't cry."

"It's your birthday today, smile!"

Ruan Qiutang took a deep breath and forced a smile.

Si Yimian tilted her head and looked at it.

"My mom's smile is the most beautiful."

Ruan Qiutang cried again.

Si Yimian sighed and looked at Si Congshan.

"Dad, try to comfort him."

Si Congshan paused for a second, then walked over and pulled Ruan Qiutang into his arms.

"Don't cry, the child is watching."

This scene of parental love brought tears to the eyes of several women nearby.

"This child is so sensible."

"Yes, these years have not been easy."

"The second daughter of the Si family is truly a good child."

The old lady, Song Yuehua, remained seated, her lips moved, but she ultimately did not utter a word.

She looked at Si Yimian with a complicated expression.

When did this child become like this...?

She couldn't explain it.

He Nanxian stood aside, not saying a word from beginning to end.

He looked at Si Yimian as if she were a stranger.

Is this the same Mianmian he knows?

Before, when she stood in the crowd, she was like a light that was about to go out.

Now she stands in the light, and she herself is the source of light.

Everyone liked her, even her mother started to favor her.

He should be happy.

But he found that he preferred her to the one he knew.

Huo Siyue sniffed and muttered to herself.

"Oh no, my makeup is ruined."

She turned her head and glanced at He Sichen.

"Did you see that? That's what a human being does."

"Why give me imperial green jade? If you're so capable, give me your true feelings."

Qin Enyu, who was standing nearby, heard this, wanted to say something, but then swallowed her words.

To make sarcastic remarks at this point would be tantamount to walking into the line of fire.

He Sichen didn't rush to respond to Huo Siyue; his gaze fell on Si Yimian.

This little thing really knows how to charm people.

In just two short weeks, the same face, the same name, but two different people.

He suddenly realized something.

This person is not Si Yimian.

Or rather, it wasn't the Si Yimian he knew.

I used to only want to sleep with her.

Now I want to sleep with her, talk to her, and get to know her better.

He hated this feeling.

You hate someone so much that you want to get close to them.

He Sichen withdrew his gaze and suddenly spoke.

"Miss Si's gift is priceless."

All eyes turned to him.

Time cannot be reversed, and memories cannot be copied.

"What can heal regrets is never jewelry or diamonds."

"It's the present moment."

These words carry a different weight when they come from He Sichen's mouth.

The ladies looked at each other and nodded sincerely.

Si Yimian turned to look at him, and their eyes met in mid-air.

Something in the air seemed to be taut and tense.

Huo Siyue glanced left and right, and the corners of her mouth slowly curled up.

understood.

I understand everything.

Ruan Qiutang wiped her eyes, her voice still nasal, but her tone had calmed down.

"I have received many gifts in my life."

She lowered her head and stroked the photo album, her fingertips lingering on the embossed pattern on a certain page.

"But this photo album is the most precious thing I've ever received."

Immediately afterwards, Ruan Qiutang looked at Si Ningyou, her gaze becoming more somber than before.

"Ning You, let Mianmian make her own decisions about things from now on."

"I need help. There are adults at home, my dad, and me."

"Mind your own business."

Upon hearing this, Si Ningyou felt as if a fly was stuck in her throat.

I can't swallow it, and I can't spit it out.

She's run this family business for so many years, and all Si Yimian does is kick her back to the outside world with a tattered photo album?

Is this reasonable?

Is this scientifically sound?

Si Ningyou gritted her teeth, her jaw tightened for a moment, then relaxed.

She lowered her eyes, her eyelashes trembled, and she squeezed out two tears.

"Mom is right. I will be more careful about what I do with Mianmian in the future."

Row.

So you're not letting us get involved?

After that, she started using underhanded tactics, taking things slowly in the shadows.

Anyway, this family is soft-hearted. She'll have a good cry in a couple of days, and then everything will be over.

Ruan Qiutang's eyes softened for a moment when she saw her aggrieved look.

After all, it's a child you've raised for over a decade; even harsh words hurt you when they're spoken.

Si Congshan coughed and stepped in to smooth things over.

"Alright, alright, it's Qiu Tang's birthday tonight, let's not be so serious."

He released Ruan Qiutang and turned towards the band.

"It's time for the opening dance, otherwise the band members will be off work."

The crowd laughed and the atmosphere relaxed.

Si Congshan extended his hand to Ruan Qiutang in a gentlemanly manner.

"Mrs. Si, would you do me the honor of dancing?"

Ruan Qiutang wiped her eyes and placed her hand in his palm.

"Since you've already asked, what else can I say?"

Si Congshan led her to the dance floor, then turned back and smiled at everyone.

"Please make yourselves at home. I'll dance with my wife first."

The music started, and the lights dimmed.

After many years of marriage, their tacit understanding remained, and they caught up with each other after a few steps.

Si Yimian stood by the dance floor, watching this scene, and felt a warmth in her heart.

The original owner's parents were actually quite easy to coax.

She was lost in thought when He Nanxian's voice came from behind her.

"Mianmian".

Si Yimian turned around, and he stood a step away, his hand outstretched towards her.

"May I have this dance?"

Si Yimian didn't rush to agree.

She glanced subconsciously in He Sichen's direction.

He Sichen stood at the boundary between light and shadow, his knuckles pressing against the wall of the wine glass, his grip slightly tight.

His gaze met hers, then he abruptly looked away.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

He brought the cup to his lips and took a big gulp.