Tang Guangyuan had remarried after Le Ning’s mother passed away. At first, Le Ning hadn’t minded. She figured her father was lonely in his old age, and having someone to keep him company was a good thing. She had even been friendly toward Tang He, Zhu Mingyan’s daughter from a previous marriage.
But people were never satisfied. Over time, Zhu Mingyan’s kindness toward Le Ning became superficial, while her true feelings were far less pleasant.
The same went for her stepsister.
Tang He wanted everything Le Ning had. If Le Ning bought a dress, Tang He would have the same one the next day.
Le Ning enjoyed makeup, and Tang He started liking it too.
Oh, and it’s worth mentioning—Tang He was also a moderately well-known beauty blogger.
After pocketing the card, Le Ning lingered in the study for a while before heading downstairs, where the banquet had already started.
She didn’t enjoy socializing, and many guests were unaware that Tang Guangyuan even had a daughter. He didn’t force her to participate, as long as she came home for dinner.
After making a brief circuit around the room and finding it boring, she decided to step out into the yard.
Just as she was about to leave, someone sat down beside her.
“Le Ning?”
Startled, she looked up at the man before her.
The person approaching was slim, with delicate features and bright eyes. However, he wasn’t very tall, standing around 1.75 meters. Le Ning had a sharp eye for appearances.
“You know me?”
The man smiled and nodded. “I do.”
After a brief pause, he added, “My name is Qiu Wei.” Then, noticing the puzzled look on Le Ning’s face, he softly asked, “Does that ring a bell?”
Le Ning’s expression stiffened slightly. She offered an apologetic smile. “Sorry… I don’t really remember.”
“That’s okay.”
Qiu Wei reassured her, “I’ve changed a lot.” He added a hint: “We were high school classmates.”
Le Ning’s eyes gradually widened as a faint memory surfaced.
Qiu Wei… The name did sound somewhat familiar, though she couldn’t recall him clearly.
Qiu Wei didn’t press her further and smoothly shifted the conversation.
“Are you going to the school anniversary celebration?”
Le Ning nodded hesitantly. “…Probably.”
Qiu Wei smiled. “I’ll be there too. We should see quite a few classmates.”
“Mm.”
Le Ning felt slightly awkward. She could chatter endlessly with people she was familiar with, but when it came to strangers—especially male ones—she usually clammed up.
Sensing her discomfort, Qiu Wei tactfully ended the conversation and left after a few more exchanges.
As soon as Qiu Wei left, Tang He appeared again.
Le Ning silently rolled her eyes.
“Sis, your charm really hasn’t faded a bit.”
Tang He grinned cheekily. “Even Qiu Wei came over to chat with you.”
Le Ning looked at her with a blank expression. “Say what you need to say. If there’s nothing, don’t bother me.”
Tang He’s smile froze. “Sis… how can you say that to me? I just wanted to chat with you more.”
“Heh.”
Le Ning gave her a forced smile.
Tang He, fed up, snapped, “Le Ning, what’s your problem? Don’t think you can do whatever you want just because Dad spoils you!”
Le Ning nodded unapologetically. “That’s exactly what I’m doing.”
She smiled faintly. “At least I can act freely while carrying the Tang family name—unlike you.”
Without caring about how dark Tang He’s face became, Le Ning got up and left.
She’d come to check on the old man, and it was about time for her to leave anyway.

When she got home, Ruan Qiu and Ji Chuchu gave her a thumbs-up after hearing about her “victory.”
The three were on a voice call—
Ruan Qiu: “Tang He didn’t go crying to your dad?”
Le Ning: “Even if she did, I’m not worried.”
Ji Chuchu chuckled. “Why would you be? President Tang obviously sides with you.”
Ruan Qiu sighed. “Why can’t I have a dad who hands out credit cards whenever he’s in the mood?”
Le Ning replied flatly, “At least your family doesn’t have all this drama.”
Ji Chuchu laughed. “This is the kind of problem only rich families have.”
“Not necessarily. Depends on the situation.”
Le Ning said this while pulling some clothes from a bag—ones Zhou Ran had returned to her.
But as soon as her hand touched the clothing, something felt off.
“Le Ning.”
“Hmm?”
Le Ning froze, staring at the coat she’d pulled out. For a moment, her mind wandered.
“Why aren’t you talking?”
Le Ning hesitated for a moment, then sat down on the carpet in her walk-in closet. Examining the garment carefully, she said, “Let me ask you something.”
“Go ahead.”
“If someone dirtied your clothes, took them for cleaning, and then returned a brand-new item instead, what does that mean?”
Ruan Qiu replied without much thought, “Probably couldn’t get the stain out.”
Ji Chuchu, on the other hand, laughed lightly. “Who dirtied your clothes and gave you a new one?”
Le Ning: “…”
Meanwhile, Zhou Ran was still at work analyzing a case when he got a message from Le Ning.
Le Ning: [Transferring you 30,000 yuan.]
Zhou Ran raised an eyebrow, puzzled by her move.
Zhou Ran: [?]
Le Ning thought for a few seconds and then typed: [For the clothes.]
After sending it, she wondered if Zhou Ran would feel offended. But she didn’t want to owe anyone anything.
She stared intently at her phone, and then Zhou Ran called her directly.
“Hello,” Le Ning answered, trying to keep her tone calm.
Zhou Ran’s voice was composed, not angry. “What does this mean?”
“The clothes,” Le Ning explained. “You bought me a new one, but my old one wasn’t worth that much—it’s been worn many times already.”
She paused before adding, “And it was pretty expensive in the first place. There’s no need for you to do that.”
Hearing this, Zhou Ran seized on one key point. “You’re worried I can’t afford it?”
Le Ning: “…”
Why was he so good at zeroing in on irrelevant details?
“No.”
“Don’t worry,” Zhou Ran said calmly. “You don’t need to be concerned about that.”
Annoyed, Le Ning raised her voice slightly. “I’m not worried! I just don’t want to take advantage of you.”
“Take the money,” she insisted, and then hung up decisively.
Two minutes later, Zhou Ran rejected the transfer.
Just as she was about to send the money again, Zhou Ran texted her.
It was a screenshot.
She opened it.
It was… a bank account balance!
Zhou Ran: [I’m not as broke as you think. I can afford clothes.]

Author’s Note:
Zhou Ran: I can also afford to support you.
Le Ning: I’ve got an inheritance.
President Tang: Exactly! My daughter doesn’t need anyone’s support. We have plenty of money.
Zhou Ran: Life is tough for me.jpg