C3

Su Lili beamed as she leapt into Old Madam Su's embrace, cooing, "Grandma, who was it you said is going to Liya High School?"

Old Madam Su hastily set aside the bottle of disinfectant she was holding, her smile so wide it nearly split her face.

"Has my little princess arrived?"

With a cool glance at Su Ningning, Old Madam Su remarked, "Some people just don't understand their place and insist on playing second fiddle to you. But let her go ahead."

Su Lili's eyes followed to where Su Ningning stood.

With feigned naivety, she said, "Grandma, is this my big sister? She's really beautiful!"

"Rest assured, I'll take good care of my sister as well." Su Lili's lips curled with a hint of mockery, yet her voice remained sweet and innocent.

Old Madam Su scoffed, "What kind of big sister is she? Better keep your distance, lest her bad luck rubs off on you."

Su Ningning quietly observed the duo in the hall, their back-and-forth banter, a sardonic smile playing on her lips.

"Grandma, please don't be upset. Big Sister didn't choose to be left out in the cold," Su Lili said, her relief thinly veiled.

Such an awkward person.

No wonder she's looked down upon.

"You're too kind-hearted; just be careful not to be devoured by wolves!" Old Madam Su made no effort to conceal her contempt for Su Ningning.

Liu Zhilan watched in distress as her daughter was belittled by the others, her heart aching with anger. Deciding to leave the scene, she led Su Ningning to a room on the first floor.

The room was small and poorly lit.

She felt a pang of guilt for her daughter, and tears involuntarily streamed down her face. "Ningning, I'm so sorry."

"Mom..." Su Ningning was at a loss for words.

She wasn't accustomed to intimacy, yet she could sense Liu Zhilan's protective love.

Even though her mother's fragility was a source of frustration.

"Ningning, this room isn't suitable. I promise I'll find you a better one," Liu Zhilan said, holding back her tears. She knew she shouldn't cry in front of her child.

Su Ningning surveyed the room and slowly stepped into the adjoining space, whispering, "It's quite nice, actually."

She was fairly content. The tranquility here was a blessing, with no one to disturb her. Privacy was what she needed.

Liu Zhilan's heart ached for her daughter, Su Ningning, whom she considered very sensible. As she was about to speak, the black phone in Su Ningning's hand suddenly flashed. Liu Zhilan glanced over instinctively.

Su Ningning quickly pressed the phone and whispered, "Mom, I'm tired."

"Perfect timing. I have some unfinished business. You go ahead and rest," Liu Zhilan said, sensing that Su Ningning might have other matters to attend to. She made an excuse to leave.

Once the door closed softly behind her, Su Ningning turned on her phone and her fingers flew across it, rapidly entering a series of codes that filled the screen.

...

In the private enclave of Half Bay Ridge, excitement was palpable.

"Third Master, we've got a signal," Chen Xiao said, gripping the tablet with fervor.

The elusive Godly Doctor had been tracked near Luan Mountain in Sea City, only to vanish unexpectedly. But fortune favors the persistent, and now the Migratory Bird had reappeared.

The return of the Divine Doctor's Migratory Bird signaled a significant chance for improvement in the old man's health.

The saying went that the Migratory Bird never failed.

"Where is it?" asked Chu Yichen, his face betraying a hint of joy.

Chen Xiao replied with a smile, "The Imperial Dragon Court."

Chu Yichen's gaze was contemplative as he murmured, "The Imperial Dragon Court?" His fingers, defined and rhythmic, tapped on his phone.

"Yes, Third Master."

A flicker of suspicion crossed Chu Yichen's eyes. After a moment, he commanded, "Keep a close watch."

His grandfather's condition was deteriorating, and the Migratory Bird's movements were erratic. Yet, there was a startling resemblance between its trail and that of a certain someone. He couldn't afford to take this lightly.

However, the immediate concern was his grandfather's heart condition—and his fiancée.

A subtle smile played on Chu Yichen's lips as he mused, hoping it was just his imagination running wild.