Volume One, Chapter 10: The Exceptional Second Brother

"You actually swore a poisonous oath just to frame your own sister? Su Ningxia, when did you become so malicious?" Fu Zhilin sneered coldly.

It wasn't until the eldest son of the Su family returned, looking utterly dejected, that the tension in the house thickened. He was still carrying the wine meant for the Commander. Now, upon seeing Su Tingxue, his face was filled with resentment. "Xue, do you realize that because of this, the Commander is sending me to the front lines? He said it’s a great opportunity to earn merit, and if I make it back, he'll promote me! My name’s already on the list. It’s nearly impossible to change it now!"

Su Mother’s vision swam, and she nearly fainted on the spot.

"Is what you say true? The Commander’s really sending you to the front lines?" Su Father’s eyes widened in disbelief.

As for Fu Zhilin, he looked at the eldest Su with sympathy, thinking his situation was indeed unfortunate.

"Xue, you shouldn't have lied today. It was clearly Ningxia who saved the Commander, so why did you insist on taking the credit? And you even clung to the Commander in public, making a spectacle so he lost all face!"

Su Tingxue bit her lip. "I was just afraid my sister couldn't handle it, so I took the initiative to help. Who could have predicted she would expose me?"

"She did it on purpose—she wanted to see me embarrassed!" Tears streamed down Su Tingxue’s face as she continued to cry.

But at that moment, the eldest Su could only think of the looming warfront. Several soldiers from neighboring families had gone to the front lines; some died, others returned maimed. Making it back in one piece was a blessing in itself!

"Did you just say that it was Ningxia who saved the Commander?" Fu Zhilin asked with confusion. "Xue, didn't you say you were the one who saved him?"

Su Tingxue covered her face and whimpered, "Brother Lin, I was afraid you’d all like my sister more than me! She already has so much, and I have nothing. I really can’t afford to lose all of you."

"Besides, isn’t a life-saving act something that belongs to the family as a whole? Why should we distinguish between each other? But I didn't expect my sister would expose me like that and force me to beg the Commander for our brother’s sake, which ended up hurting him instead!"

Hearing this, Fu Zhilin began to comfort Su Tingxue.

Su Tingxue had grown up away from home, endured much hardship, so it was normal for her to be a bit sensitive now that she was back.

"Xue, it’s my fault. I should have trusted you. Our Xue is so lovable—all of us cherish her."

"And to be honest, Xue is right. Brother Su, this really was Ningxia’s fault. If you all had coordinated in advance, the Commander wouldn’t have gotten angry, would he?"

After all, it was just because she failed to cover for her sister.

In a moment, everyone sided with Su Tingxue, their eyes full of blame turned toward Su Ningxia.

"Yes, it’s all Ningxia’s fault!"

"How can you be so petty with your sister? She suffered so much in the past, and as her elder sister, you should let her have her way!"

Su Tingxue looked smugly at Su Ningxia, but Ningxia simply gathered her things and left without looking back.

"Such an unfilial daughter!" Su Father slammed the table. "She can’t even take a few words of criticism—she’s clearly not one of our Su family!"

When she returned to her dormitory, it was already late at night. Su Ningxia’s small figure dragged her belongings to the doorway, only to see a dark silhouette approaching.

Startled, Su Ningxia saw the man pick up all her things and say, "Su Ningxia, I live here too. Let me help you."

Faced with this unexpected kindness, Su Ningxia felt awkward, but she nodded. After all, it was better to have help than none.

Her room was on the seventh floor, a long move indeed.

When Qin Zhaochuan finally set her things down and was about to leave, Su Ningxia spoke up, "Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?"

"No, no," Qin Zhaochuan replied nervously, the tips of his ears tinged red. "It’s already late. It wouldn’t be appropriate."

"If you don’t tell, and I don’t tell, no one will know," she replied.

Hearing this, Qin Zhaochuan braced himself and entered.

She poured him a cup of tea, then started arranging her study materials. When he saw the books, Qin Zhaochuan paused and asked, "Are you preparing for university?"

Even her best friend Li Xiu didn’t know about this. Su Ningxia hesitated, still unwilling to confide in him. The fewer people who knew, the better—otherwise, if the Su family found out, her university spot would definitely go to Su Tingxue.

"My family has the exact same set," Qin Zhaochuan said first, making Su Ningxia inexplicably relieved.

"I am planning to take the entrance exams, but I’m not sure I’ll succeed," she said with a light laugh, not expecting him to stammer, "You’ll definitely make it!"

It was as though he, too, had lived this life before, so sure she would get in.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Su Ningxia’s face went stiff. She glanced at Qin Zhaochuan, who hurried to his feet, uncertain what to do.

"Hide in the wardrobe," she whispered.

He slipped in quickly.

Su Ningxia opened the door and found her second brother standing there. He had night duty every week, and as soon as his shift ended, he came to find her.

"So this is where you’re living?" He frowned, about to say the place was unsuitable for her and that he’d take her home, but he had to admit, this room was much better than the cramped, messy storage room at home.

Ever since Su Tingxue returned, the largest room had been given to her, and Su Ningxia was forced to sleep in the storage room among piles of clutter and dust. The bed was so hard it was impossible to sleep.

"Brother, it’s late. Whatever it is, let’s talk tomorrow," Su Ningxia said, trying to close the door, but her brother squeezed inside.

He was always concerned about his image. The news that his sister had left home and was living outside had spread among his colleagues, making him feel embarrassed. Lately, Su Ningxia hadn’t been currying favor at the clinic either, which had lessened the director’s regard for him. The eldest brother was ambitious.

He didn’t want to spend his life in the office doing odd jobs—he aimed to take over the entire clinic!

"Ningxia, you’ve been slacking off lately. The director even mentioned it to me. You used to help out all the time—moving things, delivering popsicles, doing odd jobs. Why aren’t you helping anymore?"

"You shouldn’t give up halfway. No one’s taking out the trash at the clinic. I told them you’d be back tomorrow to handle it. Don’t embarrass your brother."

"Brother, I’m still job hunting. Let Su Tingxue do it—she’s not busy lately, is she?"

Hearing this, her brother protested, "You just can’t stand Xue. She suffered so much in the past while you enjoyed the family’s care. Now that she’s back, you want her to work? Do you have a heart at all?"

"Besides, you’re the best at this kind of thing. If you do it, nothing will go wrong. Understand?"

"I really don’t have time, brother," Su Ningxia insisted.

He was the type to care deeply about reputation, unwilling to do such menial tasks himself, so he’d delegate them to his sister. As for currying favor with the director, he was too rigid and pompous to lower himself, so of course he thought Su Ningxia was the one who should do the work.

When she refused yet again, he slammed the table in anger.

"Ningxia, I’ve spoiled you too much! That’s why you’re so willful and disrespectful to your elders. If only you were even a thousandth as considerate as Xue!"

"You must report to the clinic tomorrow. If not, don’t blame me for being harsh!"

He stood up, looked around, and said, "This dorm isn’t bad—spacious and close to my workplace. Go home and pack up my things so I can move in. It’ll be more convenient for me."

Su Ningxia smiled coldly.

Truly shameless.

If he wanted to be director, he should make the effort himself instead of making his sister slave away for him.

Looking back, she realized just how blind she’d been in her previous life, working so hard for him for nothing but trouble.

Suddenly, a noise came from the wardrobe. Her brother narrowed his eyes and moved toward it.

"What’s in the wardrobe?"

Su Ningxia’s heart leapt into her throat. She moved to block him, only to see something scurry out, startling her brother.

A large, fat rat darted from the wardrobe!

Her brother recoiled in disgust. He was a doctor with a mild case of OCD, after all.

"Forget it—I’ll go home after all," he sighed, but not without another warning.

"Remember, you have to be there tomorrow. I’ve already told everyone!"

Su Ningxia’s thoughts turned to Su Tingxue. Wasn’t it her favorite thing to meddle? Why not let her handle it? After all, work was work, and she wasn’t the favored sibling.