Song Qinglan smiled demurely, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
A glance back to see Feng Xue, and her expression shifted by one hundred eighty degrees.
The smile vanished from her face.
"Old Madam, you have a guest today, so I'll be going then."
Feng Xue quickly interjected, "Aunt Song, I haven't caught up with you in ages. Why are you leaving just as I arrive? You taught me piano when I was little, how about we play a duet?"
She had heard that Song Qinglan did not think highly of Cheng You, that country bumpkin.
She had also heard that Zhang Fuqiang had stepped down, and Qi Chengyan was about to take his position, being promoted to Deputy Commander.
Feng Xue's long dormant heart began to stir again.
So what if she was married? It wasn't like they couldn't get divorced.
"A duet isn't necessary. I need to go home."
Song Qinglan's refusal did not dampen Feng Xue's enthusiasm.
As if she hadn't felt Song Qinglan's rejection, she continued, "I haven't visited Aunt Song's home in a long time. Do I have the honor of being your guest today?"
"No," Song Qinglan's voice was cold.
Feng Xue faltered, instinctively reaching to rub her ear.
"Aunt Song..."
Song Qinglan had intended to maintain some semblance of politeness, but she found that Feng Xue seemed oblivious to social cues.
"Feng Xue, Chengyan is married. Everyone in the compound knows you liked him before. It's not appropriate to associate with him anymore."
With such a direct statement, if Feng Xue still couldn't understand, then she had a problem.
But Feng Xue refused to admit it. She refused to admit that Song Qinglan favored Cheng You over her. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Aunt Song, I heard Cheng You isn't very polite to you. She doesn't treat you like a mother-in-law at all. That kind of daughter-in-law doesn't seem like the type you'd like."
Song Qinglan let out a laugh, full of disdain.
"How I treat Cheng You is our family's business. You don't need to stick your nose in, you're an outsider after all."
Even when Qi Chengyan wasn't married, she hadn't considered Feng Xue as a potential daughter-in-law.
Much less now.
"Old Madam, I'm leaving now."
"Alright, come again another day. I haven't heard enough of your piano playing."
She raised her hand and beckoned for Xiao Song to see the guest out.
After Song Qinglan left, she stood up and said, "You should go back too. I'm tired and need to rest."
"Grandma..."
"I know what you want to say, but you must bear the consequences of your actions. Feng Xue, when you first came to the Feng family, I warned you. Go back."
She was old and couldn't handle any more trouble.
Feng Xue emerged from the Feng residence in a state of distress, resentment festering in her heart.
She had been scolded at home, and coming to the military compound meant facing further reprimand.
It was even worse at school, where everyone avoided her like the plague.
For a time, Feng Xue felt like a rat in the street, chased by everyone.
She clutched her fingers tightly, her face pale. Uninformed observers would have mistaken her for a pitiable damsel.
She had originally intended to try her luck at the Qi family again, perhaps to appease Song Qinglan and stir up trouble between her and Cheng You.
However, before she could reach the Song residence, she encountered Tang Jing.
Tang Jing looked at her with disgust. "You still have the nerve to show up!"
Feng Xue bit her lip and lowered her head pitifully.
"Aunt Tang, why are you speaking to me like this?"
"Why? Don't you know what you've done? Tang Yu doesn't even dare to leave her house now, and you can still go to school normally. Heaven is truly blind!"
Feng Xue wore a look of apology. "I know you have a misunderstanding about me. It's alright. As long as Aunt Tang can vent her anger, you can scold me however you please."
Tang Jing spat. "Even scolding you dirties my mouth!"
She strode forward. Meng Xin did not follow, giving Feng Xue an apologetic glance.
"My mother-in-law's temper is like that, don't take it to heart."
Feng Xue shook her head. "Aren't you going to follow your mother-in-law?"
"No, I'm going to the entrance to pick up my nephew."
Meng Xin did not dislike Feng Xue, because in this family, she had been bullied by the spoiled Tang Yu more than once.
When she learned that Tang Yu had been reported, her first reaction was joy.
Everyone hated Feng Xue, but she was grateful.
Feng Xue walked with her. "Is your nephew visiting, sister-in-law?"
"No, Jingye handled the procedures for him. He'll be attending school here from now on."
She and Song Jingye had been married for many years without children.
This had become a hidden pain for her.
When the nephew was mentioned, Meng Xin's otherwise unexpressed maternal love surged.
Feng Xue smiled faintly. "Sister-in-law is fortunate to be married into the Song family."
Otherwise, her nephew would not have been able to attend school in the military compound.
It must have taken Song Jingye a lot of effort.
"Yes, it is my fortune."
Passing by a building, Feng Xue stopped.
"I've always felt guilty about reporting Tang Yu. Since I'm passing by, I'll go in and see her."
Meng Xin didn't know what she intended to do.
At this point, the Tang family probably wouldn't want to see her.
"Alright, you go ahead."
Feng Xue nodded at her, a smile playing on her lips as she walked up the stairs, her steps light.
The Tang family lived on the third floor. The hallway was somewhat narrow and dim.
But this was a place many people dreamed of entering.
When she arrived, no one else was in the Tang residence, only Tang Yu.
Seeing Feng Xue's face, Tang Yu instinctively tried to close the door.
Feng Xue steeled herself and used her hand to block it. As a result, her fingers were forcefully caught by the door, causing a sharp pain.
She clenched her teeth tightly, bending over in pain as she clutched her fingers.
Tang Yu had only wanted to avoid her, not hurt her. She panicked for a moment.
"You were the one who reached out!"
Feng Xue managed a weak smile, sweat beading on her forehead from the pain.
Her fingers were bruised and swollen, looking quite frightening.
"It was my carelessness, I was too anxious, it's not your fault. Tang Yu, I've come to apologize. Can you hear me out for a moment?"
Mentioning the incident, Tang Yu's expression turned cold.
"You didn't do anything wrong. You're more capable than 'exposing relatives for righteousness.' What apology do you need?"
The entire military compound knew about her substituting for admission, and even her parents had faced organizational disciplinary action.
All of this was thanks to Feng Xue.
"That anonymous letter was indeed written by me, but it wasn't voluntary! You know, Wei Kun has been pursuing me relentlessly. I inadvertently revealed your situation to him, and he used it to blackmail me, demanding that I... demand that I accompany him... I had no choice but to write this letter myself. He posted it on the bulletin board; I really had no idea about that!"
Tears welled up in her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. Her slender shoulders trembled.
Coupled with her injured finger, she looked truly pitiful.
Tang Yu mumbled, "Are you telling the truth?"
"If I lied to you, may lightning strike me! Tang Yu, you are one of the few good friends I have. How could I possibly harm you?"
Tang Yu waved her hand. "Come in first, I'll get you medicine."
Feng Xue lowered her head and walked in, a smirk playing on her lips.
Fool.