Chapter 7: Huai City

The next morning, at the Si family residence.

Si Yimian and Si Ningyou were discharged from the hospital one after another and returned home.

On Auntie Zhang's side, the police had interrogated her all night long.

She insisted it was because she held a grudge against Ningyou for deducting her bonus last time, and that the act was impulsive.

She did not implicate anyone else.

At this moment, the entire family sat in the living room. Even Grandmother Song Yuehua, who lived far away in the old estate, had rushed over.

"Auntie Zhang has served me for over a decade. She was momentarily confused and has already realized her mistake."

"But ultimately, no lives were lost. That is a stroke of luck."

"Auntie Zhang has been fired. Let's leave it at that."

A few light words drew a sloppy period to last night's events.

Si Congshan frowned tightly and immediately objected.

"Mom, that was intentional injury."

"If Mianmian hadn't recorded the video, she would be the one sitting in jail right now."

Song Yuehua raised her eyes and swept them across the room.

"So isn't Mianmian fine now?"

"The evidence points to Auntie Zhang, and Auntie Zhang has confessed. Do you still want to dig deep into your own household?"

"Do you have to unearth dirty laundry just so outsiders can laugh at us?"

Si Congshan was silenced by her rebuttal.

Ruan Qiutang pressed his hand back, signaling with her eyes that he shouldn't defy the old lady.

In the Si family tradition, an elder's word fell like a stone into a pit—final and unchangeable.

Si Congshan pinched the bridge of his nose, his face weary.

He looked at Si Yimian, who was sitting in the single-seater sofa peeling an orange, his expression complex.

Si Yimian had known this outcome long ago.

When Si Ningyou acted, she always left herself three parts of a retreat.

Auntie Zhang's mouth could not be pried open.

Plus, back then, Si Ningyou's mother had insisted on marrying her uncle, that poor young man.

The old lady declared a severance of ties and maintained her haughty demeanor, never seeing them again.

The next news she received was the tragic death of her daughter and son-in-law.

Later, the old lady poured all her guilt toward her daughter into this granddaughter.

Therefore, Si Ningyou naturally carried a "death-defying golden medal" within this household.

Even if she insisted Si Ningyou was the mastermind, without evidence, it could only result in a presumption of innocence.

Holding onto it stubbornly would only make her appear unreasonable when she had the right on her side.

It wasn't necessary.

Toppling Si Ningyou was a war of attrition; there was no rush for this moment.

Moreover, her true intention lay elsewhere.

What mattered more now was striking while the iron was hot to exchange this situation for tangible benefits.

"If Grandma says let it go, then let it go."

She split the orange, handing half to Ruan Qiutang and half to Si Congshan.

"Mom, eat some. Dad, eat some too."

Ruan Qiutang took the orange, her heart swelling instantly from this display of obedience.

Si Congshan held the segment of orange, stunned.

The old lady's words had suppressed the issue, but the scale in his mind wavered violently.

The things Si Yimian said last night felt like a small thorn stuck in his heart.

Not deep, but its presence was extremely strong.

"Mianmian, the family was negligent this time, causing you grievance."

"If there is anything you want, Dad will compensate you."

This was exactly what Si Yimian had been waiting for.

She wiped her fingers and sat up straight.

"I want to join the project team for Chenxi's entry into the Yu'an branch."

As soon as the words fell, the living room suddenly went silent.

Yu'an was the medical group owned by the He family.

It was He Sichen's territory.

This project was the most important strategic chess piece for the Si family in the next three years—a medical project worth tens of billions.

Entering meant direct access to the core resources of the He family.

In the original story, Si Ningyou relied on this project to secure a 15% increase in equity holdings.

She intended to cut off Si Ningyou's path to promotion.

Si Congshan deliberated, not responding immediately.

Si Ningyou, sitting on the other end of the sofa, had already changed color.

She had polished this project for a full six months, just waiting to take office next week.

Did Si Yimian think she could intercept the fruit with a mere flick of her lips?

Si Ningyou spoke first: "If Mianmian wants it, I'll give it to her, but regarding Brother Sichen..."

She hesitated, letting her gaze fall upon Si Yimian.

"He has always disliked Mianmian. If she goes, she'll only suffer humiliation."

"Besides, Mianmian isn't familiar with company operations. Entering a core project rashly might prove to be thankless work."

Si Yimian nodded, looking perfectly obedient.

"That works out perfectly."

"I've been feeling itchy lately and need someone to tighten me up. With Dr. He personally guiding me, I can progress faster."

Si Yimian looked at Si Congshan.

"Dad just said you wanted to compensate me. The best compensation is giving me an opportunity to grow."

Si Ningyou: "......"

What kind of logic was this?

Ruan Qiutang was amused and reached out to tap her forehead.

"Our Mianmian has become humorous too."

She put down the orange, her tone becoming enthusiastic.

"Staying at home is just staying at home. Going out for training is perfect timing."

The gentleness on Si Ningyou's face froze for a second.

The old lady put down her tea cup, her tone sinking slightly.

"Mianmian, the family doesn't lack this job position."

"Ningyou grew up without parents because of you, and her health is poor. What's wrong with yielding to her?"

Si Yimian sneered coldly in her heart.

Why yield something that could be seized?

The original host had yielded.

Yielded until she lost even her own place.

Only the fortunate choose the principle of concession; she was unfortunate, so she chose the principle of aggressive seizure.

"Sister has poor health, and my mental state is also poor."

"I have antisocial personality disorder. I'm prone to episodes when taken advantage of. The doctor advised me not to suppress myself."

"So, look—who should yield to whom?"

Song Yuehua was startled, then pulled a long face.

"Nonsense."

"You are the younger sister; you must be sensible."

Si Yimian threw the orange peel in her hand into the porcelain dish.

"I am the younger sister, not a Bodhisattva."

"Saving all sentient beings is not my duty; inheriting the family assets is."

Ruan Qiutang couldn't help but snort, then quickly pressed her lips together.

Si Congshan's mouth twitched.

After just one night, this girl's tongue had become sharp enough to perform crosstalk.

Song Yuehua looked at this family, her chest heaving with anger.

"Congshan, are you just going to watch her defy her elders?"

Before Si Congshan could speak, Si Yimian answered first.

"Don't be angry, Grandma."

"I defied you because you showed favoritism first."

"I got lost at five years old; I didn't commit murder at five."

"You feel sorry for Sister having no parents. So whose parents are mine now?"

One sentence stumped Song Yuehua.

Si Congshan rubbed his temples, his head about to explode.

On one side was his biological mother; on the other, his biological daughter.

Sandwiched in between was an adopted daughter.

"Let Mianmian try the Yu'an project."

Song Yuehua wanted to say more, but Si Congshan raised his hand first.

"Mom, I've decided on this matter."

"Ningyou still has three projects in hand. Sharing one with her sister isn't excessive."

"Besides, she indeed needs an opportunity to prove herself."

"Daughters of the Si family cannot only know how to cry."

Upon hearing this, Si Yimian's eyes lit up for a fleeting moment.

"Thank you, Dad."

She suddenly turned her head, smiling as gently as a spring breeze.

"Sister, please guide me well in the future."

Si Ningyou felt a lump in her throat.

Her project, which she had polished for six months, was gone just like that?

But she couldn't say no.

She could only nod, smiling worse than crying.

"Okay. If Sister is needed, I will definitely help."

"Then thank you in advance, Sister."

Si Yimian picked the largest orange from the fruit platter and stuffed it into Si Ningyou's hand.

"No problem."

Si Ningyou smiled gracefully and appropriately.

Si Yimian looked at her and smiled too.

This sister really was holding back her anger.

Si Ningyou gripped the orange, her fingertips digging crescent marks into the peel.

Juice seeped out, making her hands sticky.

For eight years, she had thrived in this family.

From the day Si Yimian returned, she knew this was a threat.

So she suppressed her everywhere and framed her in every matter.

Only if Si Yimian was the villain could she turn borrowed advantages into her own possessions.

If fortune came, she enjoyed it; if not, she forcibly seized it.

Anyway, she had no parents; the Si family owed her.

Si Ningyou took a deep breath.

It's okay.

She had won for eight years; missing this round wasn't a big deal.

This bitch was just experiencing a final flare-up before dying.

Wait two days, and she would have plenty of ways to reclaim the stage.