C10 Go Home

Although the timeline in her memory was clear, with Qiao Hui facing trouble either tonight or tomorrow night, she still felt uneasy, worried she might be too late.

"Don't worry, we won't be delayed."

As they were about to leave, Lyi Yang turned to her with a serious expression and said, "Ms. Niannian, remember, we're like brothers who'd risk our lives for each other. No matter what happens or what difficulties arise, I'll be there for you."

"Yes, I know."

Shi Niannian smiled gently and nodded as she left. She was well aware that Qiao Hui and Lyi Yang were her closest friends, willing to risk everything for each other.

In the past, Qiao Hui had always warned her about Shi Ranran's ill intentions, which led to Shi Ranran harboring a deep grudge and resorting to ruthless harm. Eventually, overwhelmed by the flood of accusations and insults, Qiao Hui took her own life by jumping off a building. Lyi Yang, too, was left disabled while trying to protect her.

This time, she would not allow such tragedies to happen again.

— Lakeside Villa —

Standing at her doorstep, Shi Niannian was overwhelmed with emotions. She never imagined that returning home would feel like living a second life.

In her previous life, after marrying Chenhan, she refused to step foot in this house again. Back then, she resented her father for forcing her to marry Chenhan against her will. She thought her father was only interested in Chenhan's power and influence. But now, she realized her father had the foresight to see that Chenhan was an extraordinary man worth entrusting her life to.

"Miss, you're back! Why are you standing at the door instead of coming in?"

"Mrs. Ping?"

Niannian almost didn't recognize her. It had only been a few years since she'd last seen Mrs. Ping, but she seemed to have aged so much. Mrs. Ping had been there since her mother was alive and had watched her grow up. Hadn't she left a few years ago?

"Don't you recognize Mrs. Ping?"

"How could I not recognize you? You always spoiled me as a child."

Niannian said this as she happily threw herself into Mrs. Ping's arms, acting playfully.

Mrs. Ping affectionately patted her head. "Aren't you a bit old to be acting like this?"

"Hehe... I'll always be a kid in front of you. What brings you here today?"

She couldn't help but voice her curiosity. When Mrs. Ping had left, Niannian had sensed something was off but hadn't asked about it.

"I heard through the grapevine that your father isn't feeling well, so I came to check on him."

Not feeling well? That answer seemed odd.

If she were still as carefree as she was in her past life, she might not have picked up on it. But now, if she couldn't tell that Mrs. Ping was hinting at something, she'd have wasted two lifetimes.

Mrs. Ping must be hiding something from her, or perhaps she was in a difficult situation she couldn't talk about. Otherwise, she wouldn't have hurriedly said goodbye to her father and left the day after Niannian's eighteenth birthday.

Could it be that Mrs. Ping discovered something shady that Gu Xinmei did, or did Gu Xinmei do something to Mrs. Ping?

It seems like I need to find a good time to ask Mrs. Ping about this matter. Today clearly isn't the right moment, and at the Lakeside Villa, she probably wouldn't tell me anything anyway. Wait, did I miss something? Mrs. Ping just mentioned that Dad isn't feeling well. One sentence with two meanings—I've got to hand it to Mrs. Ping for her impressive communication skills and her meticulous mind.

As I linked arms with Mrs. Ping and walked inside, I asked, "Why didn't anyone tell me Dad wasn't feeling well? What's wrong with him? Did they call a doctor to check on him?"