Volume One, Chapter 19: Su Tingsnow Causes Trouble Again

The moment Su Tingxue began to cry, Fu Zhilin’s heart ached unbearably. His gaze turned fierce as he looked at Su Ningxia. “Xiaxia, you were never like this before. Aren’t you being too harsh with Xiaoxue? What Xiaoxue said is true—it’s what you owe her, you should make it up to her!”

“Now your friends can insult Xiaoxue, and you’re just going to stand by and watch?”

“Sister, I know you don’t like me, but can’t you even give me the most basic respect? I know everything you and Li Xiu say behind my back. You say I’m trying to seduce Brother Lin, that Brother Lin is your fiancé, and that I’m shameless because I’m close to him!”

The anger in Fu Zhilin’s eyes deepened.

He stepped in front of Su Tingxue.

“I’m the one who wants to be with Xiaoxue. I insisted on bringing her to the military camp. If you must blame someone, blame me. Why do you speak this way to your sister?”

Su Ningxia’s gaze was cold and indifferent.

She walked up to Fu Zhilin. “So you admit it—you like Su Tingxue?”

“Whose fiancé are you, really?”

Su Ningxia pressed on, her eyes showing a touch of curiosity.

It was just like in her previous life.

This man feigned a face of unwavering loyalty to her, but when things went awry, he didn't hesitate to get involved with Su Tingxue.

To Su Ningxia, the two of them were nothing but a pair of despicable lovers.

“Xiaxia, I’m your fiancé. That’s all the more reason I should help Xiaoxue. I can’t let discord arise between you sisters!”

“And I’m a soldier. I must uphold justice rather than favor family!”

Su Ningxia’s lips curled into a faint smile.

“You’re not wrong, but whether Su Tingxue’s life is good or bad has nothing to do with me. Am I the one who must steal her life? If there’s blame, blame the one who was switched at birth—it’s definitely not me!”

“You blame me—isn’t that just venting your anger? You two aren’t nearly as reasonable as you pretend. Why put on this act?”

“Xiaxia, you…!”

Fu Zhilin was completely at a loss for words.

He couldn’t even muster the strength to argue, and actually—he felt that Su Ningxia had a point.

Seeing this, Su Tingxue’s shoulders trembled as she spoke softly, “Is Brother Lin blaming me too? Does he think I’m deliberately making things hard for Sister, bullying her?”

“Brother Lin is Sister’s fiancé. It’s normal for him to help her. I really envy Sister, being able to have Brother Lin as her fiancé, and brothers who protect her. Unlike me—no one likes me, I’m just a nuisance. I should just leave!”

Fu Zhilin stepped forward, grabbing Su Tingxue’s wrist.

His eyes were filled entirely with concern.

“Xiaoxue, that’s not what I meant. I treat you like a real sister. I’ll always protect you!”

Su Ningxia rolled her eyes.

“Despicable lovers.” That was what Li Xiu said.

“Xiaxia, let’s not bother with people like them.”

She hooked Su Ningxia’s arm, leading her away from the scene.

Su Tingxue nestled into Fu Zhilin’s embrace, clinging to him.

Her eyes brimmed with smug satisfaction.

What was hers could never be taken away!

…

Su Ningxia needed to earn some money before heading to the countryside, so she had to find a job.

The one recommended by Old Su Third was a good opportunity, but unfortunately, Su Tingxue snatched it away. Still, there were people eager to introduce Su Ningxia to work.

One family was looking for a tutor, requiring high academic credentials and good temperament.

Su Ningxia went straight there, without informing her family.

By coincidence, Su Tingxue worked nearby, and both families’ children attended the same school.

Whenever Su Ningxia saw Su Tingxue, the latter would walk ahead with her head down, paying no attention to the three children trailing behind.

Sometimes, when a child lagged due to short legs and fell, Su Tingxue would complain, “Can’t you walk faster? What are you dawdling for?”

“I’m rushing to clock out, and you little brats are holding me up!”

Annoyed, she would simply march ahead, not caring about the children’s well-being.

Su Ningxia watched intently, until one child dashed out onto the street, and the other two deliberately slowed their pace.

By the time Su Tingxue arrived home, all three children behind her had disappeared.

She was utterly dumbfounded—these were the mayor’s children, and not a single mishap could be allowed.

Moreover, the mayor had three sons, and his wife constantly bragged about it, showing just how much she cared for them.

A resounding slap landed on Su Tingxue’s face, leaving her trembling with fear.

“I’m going to report you! Where did you take my children?”

“If anything happens to them, I’ll never forgive you!”

Su Tingxue was instantly quivering, and she hurried to call Fu Zhilin, crying miserably.

…

Thus, the following scene unfolded.

Fu Zhilin rushed to find Su Ningxia, standing outside her door and saying, “Xiaoxue made a mistake, but she can’t go to jail. She’s still young. Luckily, it was registered with your ID. Figure out a way to take the blame for her.”

In these times, scapegoats were common. If the three children weren’t found, even execution was possible.

Su Ningxia crossed her arms, watching Fu Zhilin.

She tried to find a trace of guilt on his face, but there was none at all.

“Fu Zhilin, what right do you have to say such things to me?”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll get life imprisonment?”

“But Xiaoxue is your sister, you’re her elder sister—that’s what you should do!” Fu Zhilin insisted, “Isn’t it your duty to make it up to Xiaoxue?”

This was the classic moral coercion.

Su Ningxia’s expression darkened, and she laughed coldly at Fu Zhilin. “She made the mistake herself, but wants someone else to take the fall.”

“Fu Zhilin, with your noble character, why don’t you help her yourself? Why must it be me? Am I just some worthless thing? Su Tingxue makes mistakes and I have to pay for them? You really must have something wrong with your brain!”

She moved to shut the door.

Fu Zhilin wedged himself in, grabbing Su Ningxia’s arm tightly. “You must go!”

His grip was painfully strong.

As a soldier, it was easy for Fu Zhilin to handle Su Tingxue, and out of worry for her, he used all his strength, leaving Su Ningxia suffering.

Then, someone grabbed his shoulder, and in the next moment, Qin Zhaochuan threw him out.

“Who gave you the right to bully her?”

The man’s face was cold, his tone tinged with annoyance.

“Brother Qin, he was trying to drag me away—he’s a kidnapper, hurry up and throw him out!” Su Ningxia said urgently.

Qin Zhaochuan had also served in the military.

Even though he was retired, dealing with someone like Fu Zhilin was nothing—he could defeat five of them.

Fu Zhilin was indignant. Especially in the army, few could challenge him. Where did this Qin Zhaochuan come from, protecting Su Ningxia? Su Ningxia was supposed to be his fiancée!