Si Nian used to cling to Fu Yang relentlessly.
Back then, she was happy about it, but now she dreaded the thought.
After all, Si Nian was beautiful and had grown up with Fu Yang. No matter how strained their relationship was, it was still better than Si Si’s.
She was worried her golden bachelor might be snatched away.
"Isn’t this about discussing the wedding arrangements with my birth parents? We can’t just rush to get the marriage certificate without any ceremony. A woman only gets married once in her life..." Faced with her adoptive mother’s attitude, Si Nian didn’t get angry. Instead, she lowered her long lashes, her soft voice tinged with sadness.
Her demeanor made Zhang Cuimei seem unnecessarily harsh.
Even though there had been a mix-up with the children, Zhang Cuimei had raised Si Nian for eighteen years—surely there was some affection there.
Yet now, she wouldn’t even give the girl time to plan a proper wedding, insisting on a hasty registration instead. It was downright cruel!
The Lin Family had assumed their daughter was living a comfortable life in such a wealthy household.
They never expected her to be treated this way.
Though Si Si had grown up with them in modest circumstances, they had never once scolded her harshly. Even for her wedding, they planned to make it a grand affair!
Seeing the treatment their biological daughter endured and hearing her subdued tone, Lin's father and mother felt their hearts shatter.
They quickly stepped forward to shield their daughter. "Mr. Si, Mrs. Si, our daughter isn’t lying. She and Comrade Zhou really came to discuss the wedding. We’re grateful for your years of raising her, but marriage is a lifetime event—how can we let her suffer? The mistake back then was ours, but the child is innocent."
"It’s alright, Mom. My adoptive mother is just concerned about me. I don’t blame her."
Zhang Cuimei was taken aback.
She had wrongly accused her daughter, yet the girl was defending her instead.
In the past, Si Nian had been stubborn and never this accommodating.
Had such a huge ordeal forced her to mature?
The thought of the daughter she’d raised for eighteen years now calling someone else "Mom" while referring to her as "adoptive mother" made Zhang Cuimei’s chest tighten.
Lately, she had been so focused on her biological daughter that she’d neglected her adoptive one.
Now, hearing Si Nian’s birth mother say, "The child is innocent," she was overwhelmed with shame.
The mistake was theirs, yet Si Nian was the one bearing the consequences alone.
Mr. Si, too, couldn’t bear seeing his once-proud daughter reduced to this state.
Si Nian might have been spoiled, but she was brilliant—photographic memory, excelling in everything she learned, and stunningly beautiful. Every time he took her out, he swelled with pride as people praised his daughter’s looks.
It was because of that beauty that the Fu Family had favored her.
Yet now, she was being forced to marry a divorced older man—all because of their pressure.
And instead of resenting them, she endured it silently.
They had even suspected her of ulterior motives.
How despicable of them!
Both parents were drowning in guilt.
Watching everyone’s expressions of remorse toward Si Nian, Lin Sisi grew uneasy.
Something about Si Nian felt different.
Before, she had been willful—the type of spoiled young lady who couldn’t handle criticism.
A little provocation would send her into a tantrum.
But now, she endured their lectures and even played the victim.
Lin Sisi couldn’t stand it. Her birth parents were one thing, but even the couple who had raised Si Nian for eighteen years were looking at her with concern.
Meanwhile, no one had even acknowledged Lin Sisi since she arrived.
A wave of resentment surged inside her.
"Then, Sister Si Nian, why did you sell your job to Fu Yang’s sister? People are saying you did it to stay close to him—that you’re trying to win Fu Qianqian’s favor so she’ll help you reconnect with him..."
"Of course, I believe you’re innocent. But others are saying these things, so Mom and Dad are just worried."
Lin Sisi lowered her head, feigning innocence.
Si Nian scoffed inwardly, raising an eyebrow dismissively.
The original Si Nian, with her prideful nature, would never deign to explain herself—especially not when Lin Sisi brought up such accusations. The old Si Nian would’ve exploded in anger.
This was exactly why the Si Family, who had initially planned to keep her, changed their minds a month later—not only forcing her to leave but even heartlessly making her take Lin Sisi’s place in marrying Zhou Yueshen.
Lin Sisi was a master at stirring up drama behind the scenes, while the original Si Nian refused to explain, adopting an attitude of "believe what you want." She would even lash out at Lin Sisi, who would then play the victim, making the Si Family see her as the unreasonable one.
We raised you for eighteen years, and instead of gratitude, you bully our real daughter? How could we keep you under our roof?
But the current Si Nian wasn’t foolish enough to clash with her. That would only make her look guilty while painting Lin Sisi as the victim.
If she wants to play the pity card, two can play that game.
Si Nian had binge-watched Empresses in the Palace five times—she’d seen every trick in the book.
"What outsiders say doesn’t matter. I know Mom and Dad are fair-minded and wouldn’t believe such slander. They’re just looking out for me. But since you brought it up, I should clarify so no one misunderstands."
"Mom, Dad, remember when the Fu Family pressured me into dropping out of school for the wedding?"
This was reverse psychological manipulation at its finest—making them believe it was their fault, evoking both guilt and admiration for her maturity.
Sure enough, Mr. and Mrs. Si’s expressions grew even more remorseful.
In their adoptive daughter’s eyes, they were noble and just.
Yet they had failed her.
"Of course we remember." Their daughter had been an excellent student, but because the Fu Family’s son was older and eager to marry, they made her quit school.
They hadn’t even considered whether she could return to her studies later.
Back then, all they cared about was securing the Fu Family’s status.
Who could’ve predicted things would turn out like this?
Now, not only was the marriage off, but her education was ruined too.
If Si Nian hadn’t mentioned it, they might’ve forgotten entirely.
Their shame deepened.
"I sold my job because of this. I thought, since I’m still young and no longer tied to the Fu Family, I shouldn’t give up on my education. I plan to use the money for university. You wouldn’t object, would you?"
"O-Of course not." What parent wouldn’t want their child to attend university and secure a bright future?
