4. She was simply throwing a tantrum.

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At the Ning residence in Sucheng, guests had arrived!

The Ning family, founders of Sucheng’s largest textile industry, with roots tracing back several centuries, stood as the leading textile enterprise not only in Sucheng but across the entire nation.

All eyes were fixed on the current head of Ning Textiles, Ning Muhe.

She was once the closest partner and confidante of Si Yun—no, correction, she was her former closest partner and confidante.

“The Ning family has sent a betrothal gift: the partnership contract for this year’s Sucheng Embroidery Exhibition project.”

“Really? Given to the Si family? I heard many embroidery houses made sincere offers to join this time.”

“Wait, this is for the Si family’s heiress? As far as I know, Ning Muhe’s handkerchief exchange is with Si Yun. This project only happens every four years, and I heard Si Yun has put a lot of effort into it. So who’s this for?”

“Nonsense, it’s obviously for the real Si family heiress. She just returned recently and her major is precisely the heritage culture of Sucheng embroidery. She’s the true Si family member—after all the twists and turns, she’s returning to inherit the family business.”

“That former Si family heiress? I think she’s about to be discarded like an old tool. She hasn’t produced any noteworthy works in the past two years, and if Ning Muhe doesn’t support her, she’ll probably end up confined to the mansion as nothing more than a tool.”

“...”

These voices were loud enough to be overheard, but they were all just spectators enjoying the drama unfold.

But Qin Yin clenched her teeth in fury, her gaze sharp enough to kill.

“What on earth is Ning Muhe playing at? Does she even consider you a sister? Knowing how much effort you’ve poured in, she still hands such an important partnership to Si Mianmian! Has she lost her mind?!”

Qin Yin was about to step forward and argue when Si Yun hurriedly tried to pull her back, but Qin Yin moved swiftly. Si Yun had no choice but to follow. Before they reached the Ning family, they saw the Ning members warmly greeting a young couple nearby.

Ning Muhe tenderly brushed her hand over Si Mianmian’s hair.

“Mianmian, you look so beautiful today. Congratulations.”

“Sister Muhe, thank you. Thank you for loving and caring for me just like when we were children,” Si Mianmian’s eyes glistened with tears, like a little rabbit. Ning Muhe embraced her tightly, a perfect picture of sisterly affection.

Watching this scene, Qin Yin felt as if she had swallowed a fly—utterly disgusted. Even without Si Yun’s hold, she would not have approached.

“Damn it, what kind of person is she?” Qin Yin cursed, standing at Si Yun’s side.

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“Enough, let’s go back to our seats,” Si Yun said calmly. Qin Yin immediately turned to her.

“How can you be so calm? Those two—one is the man you’ve been with for ten years, the other your most important partner in life—both taken away by another woman. Are you really okay with that?” Qin Yin’s frustration poured out.

A shadow of sorrow passed through Si Yun’s eyes. Ever since Si Mianmian returned home a month ago, everything had been decided. In that month, she lost far more than just those two people.

“Si Yun.”

Before they could speak, someone looked their way—it was Ning Muhe.

Qin Yin wanted to drag Si Yun away immediately.

Si Yun was pulled along, but Ning Muhe was quicker, stepping in front of them.

“Qin Yin, what are you doing?”

“What am I doing? I—” Qin Yin didn’t finish, but Si Yun stopped her.

“We were just about to leave. Let’s return to our seats,” Si Yun replied.

Ning Muhe instantly sensed Si Yun’s distance and thought of the contract. She then spoke.

“Si Yun, as for the partnership, Mianmian needs it more than you. Next term, I will—”

“No need. Business is about fair competition. The choice lies with the Ning family. If someone else is more suitable than me, it means I still have shortcomings,” Si Yun interrupted.

Ning Muhe frowned, her expression serious, even tinged with anger.

“Are you still blaming me? After so many years of our friendship, why can’t you understand? Mianmian is younger and is the true heiress of the Si family. I was there when she was lost, and I want to make up for the years she spent away. Why can’t you be magnanimous? Or do you think that because you have been in the Si family for so long, only you deserve to be the heiress, and everyone must bow to you?”

“Are you even speaking human words, Ning Muhe?!” Qin Yin couldn’t hold back and shouted, her face flushed with anger. Si Yun’s heart warmed slightly—at least she still had a friend like Qin Yin.

Si Yun pulled her behind her, offering a comforting smile and shaking her head before turning to face one of her once most cherished close friends.

“If you think so, then so be it.”

With that, she took Qin Yin’s hand and walked back to their seats. Ning Muhe’s anger flared even higher.

“Si—”

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“Sister Muhe, am I making things difficult for you again?” a voice came from behind Ning Muhe. Her face, once burning with anger, softened considerably as she turned to Si Mianmian.

“Mianmian, this should have been yours from the start. Your sister is just narrow-minded. Don’t take it to heart. Now that you’re back, focus on your studies and get involved in this circle. I will help you, don’t worry. Everything I promised you, I will fulfill. If only I hadn’t lost you when we were kids, maybe none of this would have happened,” Ning Muhe said apologetically, while Si Mianmian looked deeply moved.

“I believe you and Brother Liang have always remembered me.”

Called upon, Liang Bo’an stepped forward. Ning Muhe glanced at him with a calm expression.

Liang Bo’an told Si Mianmian to rest in the lounge first while he attended to the guests. She obediently left, leaving the two of them alone. They both looked toward Si Yun, who was chatting with Qin Yin, their brows furrowed.

“Is she doing this on purpose?” Ning Muhe asked.

Liang Bo’an recalled the man he saw that morning.

“When did she start having a male college student by her side?”

“What?” Ning Muhe asked curiously. Seeing her clueless expression, Liang Bo’an felt a bit relieved. If even Ning Muhe didn’t know, then the man must really have been someone Si Yun casually brought along to make him jealous.

“Nothing,” Liang Bo’an said with a smirk, regaining his confident gaze. Ning Muhe looked at him.

“Liang Bo’an, I warn you, don’t play with fire between two women. I sympathize with your wish to make Mianmian happy, but if you hurt Si Yun, I won’t forgive you. And hurting Mianmian? Absolutely not! She can’t bear being hurt again.”

Liang Bo’an laughed softly.

“Our original intention was to help Mianmian reclaim the glory that should be hers. You’re overthinking it. As long as Mianmian grows stronger, I will explain everything to her. She’s kind-hearted and will understand me. As for Si Yun, she’s just throwing a tantrum. Without you or me, what does she really have? She won’t leave us; otherwise, she’d have nothing left.”

Ning Muhe thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

“She’s stubborn, afraid Mianmian will take everything she has now. She should just accept her true identity and be grateful to Mianmian. I’m really disappointed in her now. Maybe she needs a lesson.”

Any guilt Ning Muhe once felt vanished in that moment.

Not far away, Si Yun caught a glimpse of the two and felt a surge of bitter irony. Despite trying to rationalize, her heart still bled profusely. The international embroidery exhibition partnership—more than Liang Bo’an—was something she could never accept because she had no backup plan. How could she fulfill her late grandmother’s wish?

“May I sit next to you?” a male voice interrupted. Si Yun, lost in thought, looked up to see a man in a suit.

Swear to heaven, he hadn’t worn a suit when they registered their marriage yesterday.