C10 How Could She Know Tan Ye?

Not only were the guests impressed by Sheng Yan, but even Sheng's father, Sheng Chongren, was quite pleased with her. Sheng Xiaoyun gripped her wine glass so tightly that she nearly shattered it. Today was supposed to be her moment in the spotlight, but Sheng Yan had stolen all the attention. And to top it off, even Second Young Master Tan was backing her up? How did this plain and awkward girl catch Tan Ye's eye? Where did it all go wrong?

By the end of the party, several young women were chatting with Sheng Yan, making plans to go shopping together the next day. Friendships among girls often start with shopping trips and spa days. Sheng Yan didn't refuse; she accepted their invitation with a friendly smile.

As the girls left, they whispered, "Sheng Yan is really easy to get along with, not like what Xiaoyun said at all."

"What do you know? Sheng Xiaoyun used to be the only daughter in the Sheng family. Now that Sheng Yan is back, Xiaoyun isn't the only one anymore."

"If they don't get rid of Sheng Yan, not only will the affection be divided, but when it comes time to split the inheritance, Xiaoyun will get much less."

"Xiaoyun seems so gentle and kind, but she's actually quite scary..."

Sheng Xiaoyun stood in the corner, overhearing every word, her face twisted with anger. However, she thought of her brothers who couldn't make it back for her birthday. Remembering their unconditional love and how they hadn't paid much attention to Sheng Yan since her return over six months ago, she felt a bit more at ease.

She quickly took a series of moody photos and posted a message on her social media—"Not happy today."

In less than two minutes, comments started pouring in—

Big Bro: Xiaoyun, why the long face? Didn't you like the gift I sent you?

Second Bro: Who dared to upset my little princess? I'll set them straight for you.

After a while, even her usually calm Third Bro slowly sent a message: "What's going on?"

Seeing how concerned her brothers were, Sheng Xiaoyun finally felt at ease. No matter what, she was always their favorite.

Sheng Chongren and Zhuang Lan were getting on in years, and the future of the Sheng family would be in the hands of her brothers. No matter how much Sheng Yan tried to win over Sheng Chongren, as long as her brothers doted on her, Sheng Yan would always be sidelined.

After all the guests had left, Sheng Yan returned to her room to rest. Looking around at the unfamiliar decor, she was filled with mixed emotions.

Initially, she hadn't wanted to move back to the Sheng family home, but her adoptive parents were getting old, and to ease their burden, she had no choice but to return. She had secretly vowed to bring them to the city to live with her someday.

However, her adoptive parents were simple folks who had spent their lives working the land. In her previous life, when Sheng Yan brought them to the city, they couldn't stand it for more than a day before insisting on returning to the countryside.

Sheng Yan couldn't force them, so she had to let them go home. Thinking about her adoptive parents made her a bit sad. She decided to grow up faster so she could take better care of them.

Sheng Yan took out her phone and noticed an update from Sheng Xiaoyun on social media. She clicked to take a look. She hadn't added her brothers on social media, so she couldn't see their comments, but she could read Sheng Xiaoyun's recent replies.

"Nothing much, just messed up the birthday party. Really liked the gift from my big brother, thanks!"

"No one bullied me, I'm doing great."

"Chatted with my brothers, feeling much better now..."

It seemed Sheng Xiaoyun was eager to seek attention from her brothers.

Sheng Yan gave a cold smile. Even though her brothers knew Sheng Xiaoyun wasn't their biological sister, they all gravitated towards her. Especially after Sheng Yan's elopement incident, they were indifferent to her—not hostile, but not caring either.

Moreover, after finding out Sheng Xiaoyun wasn't his real sister, even her eldest brother was charmed by her and became one of her many admirers.

Sheng Yan wasn't too interested in her brothers. She tossed her phone aside and slowly closed her eyes. The things that belonged to her in the Sheng family, she intended to reclaim, one by one. As for her naive brothers, if they wanted to play along with Sheng Xiaoyun, they could go right ahead.

She couldn't care less!