C12 You Were Pushed down the Stairs!

Soong Yu overheard the conversation between her brother and sister without missing a word. She gave a wry smile and went back inside, closing the door behind her. Sitting down, she began to think things over.

She started jotting down everything she remembered from her past life, things old Zhao Quan had told her, and other stories she had heard later on. In 1990, her parents were likely still working in the southern part of the country. The incident happened in 1991, the year she started her senior year of high school, and her brother began his freshman year of college. It was probably in the first half of 1991, around the Dragon Boat Festival. She vaguely recalled Soong Shan leaving for a while, and when he returned, he started having secret conversations with Gao Yueqin.

Unconsciously, Soong Yu wrote Gao Yueqin's name in her notebook, crossing it out several times until the pen tore through the paper. The only regret was that she couldn't remember her brother's school phone number. It would have been great to contact him.

By February next year, once she was free from her divorce with Huo Tian, she planned to take her money and leave the capital. Her first stop would be Small River Village to find her brother, Soong Wen. Then, she would look for her parents and help them avoid the disaster.

In the living room, the three of them were enjoying their meal. The Huo family loved spicy food, but they were cautious about eating it, especially Huo Zhen, who adored it but rarely indulged due to his age. Huo Tian had mentioned this to Soong Yu before. As they ate, Huo Tian's mind was racing, trying to make sense of everything.

When Huo Zhen finished his second bowl of rice and wanted more, Huo Tian stopped him. "Grandpa, it's late, and eating too much isn't good for you. It could upset your stomach."

Huo Zhen glanced at his grandson, "Then I won't have more rice, just some vegetables."

"Grandpa..." Huo Tian said with a mix of amusement and concern, "How about we save it for tomorrow? Eating too much at night isn't good, especially since the fish is quite spicy."

Huo Zhen knew his grandson meant well.

Finally, he had to put down his fork, though the look of regret on his face was quite amusing.

The consequence of overeating was that Huo Zhen woke up in the middle of the night with a stomachache.

Huo Tian, ever alert, heard his grandfather's groans and quickly got up to check on him, discovering the source of his discomfort.

The commotion upstairs also woke Soong Yu downstairs. She hurried up to see what was happening.

As soon as Huo Ning saw Soong Yu come up, she gave her a shove without a second thought. Soong Yu, caught off guard, lost her balance and tumbled down the stairs, landing at the corner.

Huo Ning was startled; she only meant to give a little push, not send her down the stairs.

Huo Tian heard the noise and came out to see his sister looking a bit panicked and Soong Yu trying to get up from her fall. Huo Tian frowned, glared at Huo Ning, and quickly went over to help Soong Yu up.

"Are you okay?"

Soong Yu, looking a bit uncomfortable, shook her head. "How's Grandpa?"

"He's much better after taking some medicine."

"I'm sorry," Soong Yu said apologetically to Huo Tian. "I... I seem to be forgetting a lot of things lately..."

Huo Tian studied her, as if trying to determine the truth of her words.

They locked eyes, and Huo Tian, seeing the clarity in her gaze, felt something was off. After a moment, he said, "You should go rest."

Soong Yu hesitated, then nodded. As she took a step, she realized her foot hurt, probably twisted from the fall.

"Is your foot okay? I have some medicine."

"I'm fine," Soong Yu replied, holding onto the railing as she slowly made her way downstairs.

Huo Tian watched her retreating figure, and instead of feeling satisfied at her misfortune, he felt an indescribable sensation.

He glanced at her once more before turning back upstairs, glaring at Huo Ning, who stood there.

Huo Ning initially felt guilty, but knowing she'd get scolded by her brother because of Soong Yu made her resent Soong Yu all over again.

"You... when did you become so arrogant and rude?"

"I..."

"Don't say you're standing up for me again..." Huo Tian said, hands on his hips, clearly frustrated. "Did everything I said earlier just go in one ear and out the other? That's no excuse for pushing someone."

Huo Ning felt incredibly wronged, tears streaming down her face.

Seeing this, Huo Tian sighed, "Huo Ning, I know you're trying to look out for your brother, but I don't want you turning into someone unreasonable because of me. You're a young woman, and you should carry yourself as such. I'll handle things with her. Right now, you're a student, and your job is to focus on your studies, understand?"

Huo Ning pouted, staying silent.

"Once you develop certain habits, they're hard to break. Like spreading rumors about her. Sure, it might make you feel better, and she might be embarrassed, but have you thought about the future? When you're ready to settle down, do you want people saying, 'Oh, that girl from the Huo family, she's always gossiping and stirring up trouble'? Is that the kind of reputation you want? I don't want that for you either, got it?"

Huo Ning looked up at Huo Tian, realizing she hadn't considered any of this. Her only thought had been to humiliate Soong Yu to defend her brother.