C2 The Child Raised in the Temple Was Unlucky!

The Su family estate was a picture of tranquility, nestled around an artificial lake, its surroundings serene and picturesque.

Upon arriving, the car came to a stop in front of a grand and opulent villa. A bodyguard promptly opened the door, and Su Ningning nodded her thanks before gracefully stepping out into the unfamiliar setting, a sense of bewilderment washing over her.

"We've arrived, my dear daughter," Liu Zhilan said with a burst of excitement, eagerly ushering her towards the entrance.

But then, suddenly, large droplets began to fall from the sky, quickly soaking her hair and shoulders.

At the threshold, an elderly woman brandished a willow branch, chanting under her breath as she flicked it towards her, "Misfortune, misfortune! Begone, evil spirits, demons, and ghouls..."

"Mother, what are you doing?" Liu Zhilan stepped protectively in front of Su Ningning, shielding her.

"Hehe, such an ignorant fool! This is not your place to speak!" Old Madam Su snapped bitterly. "She's been holed up in that decrepit temple for over a decade—who knows what kind of malevolent aura or filth she's carrying. If she brings any of that into our Su family, the consequences could be dire!"

Liu Zhilan's cheeks flushed with indignation, yet she bit back her words, only managing to utter a plaintive, "Mom..."

Old Madam Su's gaze upon Su Ningning was fraught with disapproval, her disdain growing by the second.

The birth of this wretched girl had caused irreversible harm to that fool, leaving him unable to father more children. With Su Jiancheng's lineage at risk of ending, how could she, as his mother, find any joy in the situation?

Liu Zhilan seemed to have bewitched Su Jiancheng in some inexplicable way.

Despite everything, he had refused to consider divorce over the years.

To Old Madam Su's further astonishment, after Su Ningning disappeared, her husband had also perished in a car accident while searching for her whereabouts.

These memories fueled Old Madam Su's rage to the point where she fantasized about flaying and dismembering the girl to quench her thirst for vengeance, yet it did nothing to alleviate the bitterness festering in her heart.

Now, with her husband gone and Su Jiancheng's son nowhere to be found, this detestable girl had the audacity to return?

Old Madam Su's eyes, clouded with contempt, seethed with the word, "Misfortune."

Following this display, several servants positioned a fiercely burning brazier at the entrance.

With a disdainful droop of her eyelids, Old Madam Su commanded imperiously, "Cross it. You're only permitted to enter the Su family's home once you've stepped over the flames."

Liu Zhilan's eyes blazed with anger, her fingers clutching her aching chest tightly.

This was no exorcism; it was outright expulsion.

As she was about to speak up, Su Ningning stepped forward, her brow furrowed. After a moment's struggle, she managed to leap over the brazier.

"Is this the way it is?" she asked, her gaze steady and voice icy as she looked at Old Madam Su.

The old lady was taken aback, then sneered, "You've got quite the nerve to join the Su family. Just don't lead our Lili astray!"

Her own chilly demeanor couldn't compare to Lili's sweet and tender nature, which naturally endeared her to everyone.

Liu Zhilan quickly skirted the brazier and pulled Su Ningning into a protective embrace.

"Mother, this is too much!" Liu Zhilan, usually so meek, murmured with uncharacteristic firmness.

The warmth of Liu Zhilan's care flowed into Su Ningning's heart, giving her a new understanding of the word 'mother.'

Old Madam Su rolled her eyes dismissively.

She procured some disinfectant from somewhere and sprayed Su Ningning again.

"The mountain children carry so many germs. Lili has her grade ten violin exam coming up; we can't afford any mistakes," Old Madam Su said, glancing sideways at Liu Zhilan as if Su Ningning were some kind of contaminant.

Su Ningning's long lashes quivered, a shadow of defiance flickering in her eyes. Her pale fingers had unconsciously balled into fists.

Her gaze moved past Liu Zhilan, and she suppressed the surge of resentment within her once more.

Liu Zhilan's eyes reddened with fury as she held Su Ningning close, cursing her own helplessness.

If only she had the means, Su Ningning wouldn't have to face such hostility upon her return home.

In plain terms, Old Madam Su simply scorned her as a daughter-in-law.

Chen Lili, Old Madam Su's granddaughter, had later taken the Su surname.

Her daughter, Su Qing, was doted on excessively and ended up marrying a man of little substance.

After the wedding, the whole family settled in with the Su family. Old Madam Su was exceedingly kind to them, cherishing Su Lili as the apple of her eye.

Liu Zhilan clenched her teeth in frustration, "Ningning, this is your grandmother. Let's go upstairs so you can rest."

Old Madam Su scoffed, "Upstairs? Does she deserve that? Let her match Lili by half, then we'll talk!"

Liu Zhilan's face turned ashen.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of defiance passed through Su Ningning's eyes before she quickly lowered them, concealing her feelings.

Old Madam Su, with her sharp eyes, caught the brief display of emotion and snapped, "From now on, she's to stay on the first floor."

The only space available on the first floor was a tiny room meant for the live-in housekeeper.

And now, it was to be given to the legitimate daughter of the Su family?

"Mother, I'm going to call Jiancheng. You can't treat her like this."

Su Jiancheng had just left to handle Su Ningning's school enrollment. If he were here, he would never allow his wife and daughter to be treated this way.

Old Madam Su let out a scornful laugh, "Jiancheng? Useless. He agreed to the first-floor room. That was her condition for attending Liya High School.

A girl who hasn't even been properly educated dares to dream of Liya High School, ridiculous!"

"Who's going to Liya?" came a voice of surprise from the corridor...