I Am Her Secret Beauty - Chapter 74

There are places where, just when you think you no longer belong, returning feels as natural as a fish slipping into water, requiring no time to readjust at all.

The furnishings in the living room had changed somewhat, and the butler bustling about had been replaced by someone new.

Sean poured dark reddish-brown tea for the mother and daughter, its light, elegant fragrance instantly filling the space. Nan Xi and Nan Zhiya simultaneously lifted their cups to taste it, their movements nearly identical in every way.

While they were harmoniously interacting, Mu Xi stood at the foot of the staircase, awkwardly waiting for the maid to prepare the vacant room she had chosen.

The room was fully stocked with daily necessities, so there was no need to bring anything from outside. Mu Xi was all set to move in with just her luggage, and she even recognized the maid tidying up her room.

The young girl had smiled at her earlier, looking quite excited, but the two of them tacitly refrained from greeting each other.

Equally untimely was the person who walked in through the door on her own while Nan Xi and Nan Zhiya were on their second cup of tea.

Her steps were extremely steady, but the clear, unmistakable sound of her heels clicking and scraping against the floor was impossible to ignore. She entered without any hindrance, pausing slightly after stepping inside to survey the situation.

“The research institute will be completed after the New Year. Once it passes inspection, you can…” Nan Zhiya’s voice cut off abruptly as she looked up in slight surprise at the figure standing in the doorway, her eyes a mix of shock and delight.

Nan Xi followed the sound and was equally startled to see the woman she knew all too well:

“Sister?”

Hadn’t Nan Lian refused to come home?

Why had she suddenly returned?

Was she here to pick a fight with Mom?

Could this be her chance to sneak Mu Xi away in the chaos?

Nan Xi rubbed her hands together, ready to fan the flames at any moment: “Why are you back? You didn’t even give us a heads-up.”

“I didn’t know you were home either.”

Nan Lian walked straight over to the sofa where her mother and sister were sitting and unceremoniously took a seat half a meter away from Nan Xi.

This position placed her directly across from Nan Zhiya, and now Nan Xi was certain her sister had come back specifically for their mother. But seeing how aggressively she carried herself, she couldn’t help but feel nervous for both sides.

As she anxiously observed the situation, Sean, standing behind Nan Zhiya, was equally cautious.

As the new housekeeper of the Nan family, she was already well-versed in the family dynamics. Given the current tense relationship between the head of the household and the eldest daughter, she had already placed her hand near the communication device behind her ear, ready to summon the bodyguards outside to intervene if necessary.

Noticing the new butler’s nervous movements, Nan Lian curled her lips and said to her, “I’ll have a cup of tea too, thank you.”

Was that a pointed remark?

Sean stiffly bent to pour a cup of red tea for Nan Lian and respectfully handed it to her: “Miss, please enjoy.”

Nan Lian leaned back comfortably on the sofa, sipping her tea, while everyone else felt distinctly ill at ease.

Even Mu Xi, still standing at the foot of the staircase, was no exception.

She still cared too much about this family. The moment she saw Nan Lian enter, she couldn’t help but worry for them, afraid that Nan Lian and Nan Zhiya would clash once again.

A stable and loving relationship among family members is extremely important. A family constantly plagued by conflicts cannot be happy or lasting, and it severely affects the physical and mental health of its members.

Nan Lian also noticed Mu Xi standing in punishment under the staircase.

Unaware that Mu Xi was about to be confined, she remarked to Nan Xi, “Everyone’s here.”

“Yeah, everyone’s here,” Nan Xi replied with a strained smile.

Nan Lian paid no mind to Nan Xi’s odd expression; she hadn’t come to exchange pleasantries with her anyway.

As everyone had guessed, she had returned specifically to see Nan Zhiya.

After years of silence and conflict between mother and daughter, it was time for a reckoning, a resolution that would bring solace to both the living and the deceased.

“I went to City Z to investigate Su Wen’s death, thoroughly. I handled every step myself, doing many unsavory things along the way,” Nan Lian said, looking directly into Nan Zhiya’s eyes as her mother remained silent, her gaze heavy.

Even after this confession, Nan Zhiya showed no reaction, offering no comment.

Unfazed, Nan Lian continued, “Don’t worry, I’m not here to argue with you again. I came to apologize.”

Nan Xi’s eyes lit up, while Nan Zhiya seemed slightly taken aback.

Could it be that Nan Lian had finally come to her senses and was ready to reconcile with Nan Zhiya?

“Su Wen’s death had nothing to do with you. You didn’t cause it. What I said before was wrong, I’m sorry.”

Nan Lian stood up solemnly and, without hesitation, bowed deeply toward Nan Zhiya. Her movement was straight and precise, holding the 90-degree bow for two or three seconds before straightening up again.

Her expression remained impassive, and the submission and guilt in her eyes during the apology quickly vanished into their depths as she stood upright.

“However,” Nan Lian said as she sat back down, returning to eye level with her mother, “I still can’t fully let go of the obstacles and pain you caused us in the past. Maybe I need more time to process it, so let’s just maintain our current living situation, Mom.”

Nan Zhiya wasn’t surprised.

She understood each of her children’s personalities and knew where Nan Lian’s stubbornness lay.

Perhaps she shouldn’t label this trait as mere stubbornness, as she herself had indeed crossed the line with inappropriate actions. It wasn’t about refusing to yield out of pride but a necessary protective response to hurt.

On the contrary, Nan Lian was pragmatic, apologizing for her misunderstanding showed her integrity and honesty.

Just as Nan Zhiya was about to speak, she was interrupted by a sudden voice.

“The room is ready, Miss Mu,” Xiao Li said cheerfully as she emerged from the guest room, pleased that it was already clean and required little tidying. “You can move in anytime.”

Only then did she notice the tense atmosphere in the living room. The family members were looking at her with subtle expressions, as if she had interrupted something important.

Though her salary was decent, she couldn’t afford any deductions! Xiao Li hurriedly began apologizing, “I’m sorry, Madam! I didn’t realize you were discussing something. I’ll leave right away.”

“…It’s fine.”

Terrified, Xiao Li scurried away, but the mood on the sofa had completely shifted. It was no longer an atmosphere conducive to a warm discussion of family bonds.

The words Nan Zhiya had been about to say were now silently swallowed back down.

Fortunately, Nan Lian’s attention had also been drawn to the earlier interruption. She began questioning Mu Xi, who was still standing there in a daze: “Are you going to stay at home?”

Then she turned to her sister beside her, who looked unwilling to face the situation: “Are you staying with her?”

…

Nan Xi, resigned to her fate, replied, “No, I’m not staying with her.”

“So, she’s staying at home alone, while you’re the one moving out? How strange.” Nan Lian shook her head and resumed sipping her tea.

Nan Lian hadn’t argued with Nan Zhiya, and Nan Xi’s plan to sneak Mu Xi out in the chaos had failed.

But what if Nan Lian could put in a good word for her?

Right now, their mother’s biggest wish was probably to reconcile with Nan Lian. If Nan Lian spoke up…

“No, it’s not about staying over. It’s that Mom found out about her background and is confining her at home to keep us apart.”

She spoke calmly, and Nan Lian responded just as calmly: “Is that so? Then Mom’s methods are still gentler than they used to be. Just keeping her confined at home, with good food and drink provided.”

The two sisters conspired loudly right in front of Nan Zhiya, as if she weren’t even there.

Nan Zhiya remained silent, quietly listening to their conversation.

Hearing Nan Lian’s words, Nan Xi felt something was off.

How could confining Mu Xi at home be framed as a good thing? Even though her story with Su Wen was tragic, that didn’t mean they could build their happiness on her suffering!

“Sis, why aren’t you speaking up for me?” Subtle hints having failed, Nan Xi resorted to glaring openly. “My heat is just a few days away. What am I supposed to do without an alpha at a time like this?”

Nan Lian immediately frowned, as if deeply disgusted.

Even Mu Xi, standing five meters away, blushed quietly. But the three members of the Nan family seated on the sofa remained unmoved. Mu Xi knew Nan Lian’s disgust was only superficial, in reality, she was the one who hid her true feelings well.

“How can you be so shameless, talking about such things openly in front of everyone? Aren’t you afraid Mom will scold you?”

At this point, Nan Lian’s tone shifted, all traces of surprise and disdain vanishing: “Oh, right. Mom once actively helped you find an alpha to meet your needs, didn’t she? Then it’s fine.”

Now, only Mu Xi and Nan Xi felt awkward about the topic.

Nan Zhiya chose that moment to interject: “Speaking of which, the two of you were already together back then, weren’t you?”

It wasn’t a question but a statement, leaving no room for Nan Xi to argue further. The truth was clear to everyone.

Nan Xi genuinely needed Nan Lian’s help, but Nan Lian only wanted to mock her.

Left with no choice, Nan Xi had to reveal the truth, explaining how Nan Zhiya had promised her that Mu Xi would only be released once her innocence was proven.

She didn’t mention what would happen if no evidence was found, would they keep her confined forever?

Nan Lian patiently listened as Nan Xi embellished the story.

Nan Xi still hoped Nan Lian would step in and say a few good words on her behalf.

And her sister did speak, just not in the way Nan Xi had hoped.

“With Mom personally investigating this matter for you, what more could you possibly want?”

Nan Lian reached out and ruffled Nan Xi’s hair. Nan Xi tried to shake her off forcefully but failed.

“If that’s the case, you should just wait peacefully for the truth to come out.” Nan Lian stood up from beside Nan Xi, her demeanor subtly different from when she had arrived.

She wasn’t exactly enlightened, but her heart did feel much more at peace now. She thought it was rather nice to bicker with her sister like this while their mother watched from across the room. The present moment was far better than the past, which had been filled with resentment.

She said, “Being too clingy isn’t good either. Let’s take some time apart to cool off. At worst, we can treat it as a bit of fun.”

After staying just a little while, Nan Lian stepped outside. “I’m leaving. Take care.”

It was unclear who she was speaking to.

When she left, she took with her the little hope Nan Xi had left. And when she paused, she also carried with her the rekindled hope in Nan Xi’s heart.

But Nan Lian had stopped because Nan Zhiya called out to her.

Nan Zhiya gazed at her retreating back and softly spoke the words that had been interrupted earlier: “Since you wrongly blamed me before, come back for a family dinner during the New Year.”

Nan Lian paused for a moment, then continued walking out, disappearing from the sight of those inside.

But they all knew she had agreed.