Tang Sui paused for a moment, then softly called out, "Mother."
Those two words seemed to hit a pause button. The laughter echoing in the living room instantly vanished. Even the smile on the noblewoman's face receded as she turned her head, her eyes replacing warmth with a hint of indifference. She nodded lightly, maintaining a graceful smile and a facade of gentleness.
"You're here."
Standing by the staircase railing was a girl with delicate features and clear, black eyes, exuding a tranquil aura. She wore an off-white chiffon dress, its fine pleats as thin as gossamer, gently stirred by the indoor breeze like splashes of silvery white waves on the sea, possessing a unique charm.
Compared to Tang Sui, the girl beside her, also in a light-colored pleated skirt and not inheriting her mother's exquisite features, appeared rather ordinary.
One was a water lily blooming in a serene lake, the other a sunflower that needed to be pampered in a greenhouse. Even if their eyes bore some resemblance, their temperaments were worlds apart, making them impossible to mistake.
"Oh my, is this Sister-in-law's eldest daughter, Tang Sui? So fair and beautiful, what a darling. Truly a young lady brought up with meticulous care by the Tang family!" a middle-aged woman was the first to break the emotionless gaze between mother and daughter. She stood up with a cheerful laugh, attempting to smooth things over.
Hearing the middle-aged woman's address, the man sitting next to Madam Tang's gaze flickered. He cautiously observed her expression, and upon confirming she showed no displeasure, a hint of secret joy flashed in his eyes. He stood up, looking at Tang Sui with a warm and loving expression, saying, "You must be Sui Sui, right? My name is Lin Shen, I am... An An's father."
An An.
This was the second time she had heard this name.
Tang Sui's gaze landed on the girl who seemed to be looking at her with some apprehension. She briefly glanced at Lin Shen, her voice clear but devoid of any warmth, "I don't recall meeting you. I believe we are not that familiar, sir."
Lin Shen's smile froze. Madam Tang's brows furrowed, just as she was about to speak, the girl, An An, quickly stood up. The moment she rose, she executed a deep bow. Before Tang Sui could speak, she straightened up and declared assertively, "I'm sorry, Sister Tang Sui, for my father's rudeness just now. But... we are not guests! We are part of this family too!"
As she spoke, her back straightened, and more conviction filled her voice. "I know Sister Tang Sui you don't want to accept our presence, but blood ties are an indelible bond! Even if Sister Tang Sui you don't acknowledge it, but... Bai... some of Mother's blood flows through me, and I am your rightful sister."
Bai was Madam Tang's surname.
The Bai and Tang families were both prominent families in the capital.
Tang Zheli was Tang Sui's father, and Bai Shuyan was her mother, also Madam Tang's name.
Her parents had entered into a marriage of convenience for business.
After she was born, securing the lineage for both the Tang and Bai families, they began to pursue their own affairs.
Tang Sui had always known her family was not as harmonious as others. She also knew her parents each had lovers, but out of consideration for the families' reputations, they never brought their lovers or illegitimate children into the open.
But today...
Tang Sui ignored Lin An Nian's words and looked at Madam Tang. Her small face remained serene. "It seems this gentleman is deeply favored by you, Mother, to the extent that you would break 'rules.' However, does Father know about you bringing an illegitimate daughter into the Tang family?"
Madam Tang paused. Lin An Nian, seeing Tang Sui directly disregard her words, first froze, then her eyes welled up with tears. Like a hen fiercely protecting her chicks, she launched her attack first: "How can you insult my father like that! Father and Mother are truly in love! Even if you are also Mother's daughter, I will not forgive you!"
"An An!" Lin Shen feigned a reprimand to his daughter, but he was observing Madam Tang's expression.
As expected, Madam Tang's face immediately turned cold. Looking at her unlikable elder daughter, she said indifferently, "You don't need to concern yourself with adult matters. I asked you to come down today simply to meet your sister. From today on, she will be an adopted daughter of the Tang family, but I expect you to treat her as your own sister."
"I am an only child and have no sister. I don't know how to treat a sister," Tang Sui said, her heart aching with pain as she looked at Madam Tang's cold anger, but her words and mind were incredibly clear, as if she had split into two.
One felt heartbroken and saddened by her mother's favoritism towards another child, while the other stood coldly aside, observing it all with scrutiny.
"You..."
"Sui Sui, you and An An are both Madam Tang's daughters. Moreover, we are all from prominent families. You shouldn't be so stubborn. Otherwise, in the end, you might lose everything," the young man who had been silent all along stood up. A hint of accusation appeared on his clean, handsome face.
"Ye Nan, this is a private matter within my Tang family. It would be rather inappropriate for you to speak up."
Tang Sui watched her childhood friend, observing his anger and warning towards her for Lin An Nian. The numbness in her heart seemed to be cut again, bleeding profusely.
They... one was her mother, the other a childhood friend who had promised to always be close, but now...
They stood on opposite sides of her, criticizing her for not being generous and perfect enough.
Family... ha...
Tang Sui's mind flashed with the indistinct silhouette of a person she could no longer clearly recall. Her memory fixed on a pair of still loving and gentle blue eyes. The hands at her sides slowly clenched.