Chapter 21 – Su Xue’er Gets Exposed

Su Heng let go of Su Xue’er and came downstairs.
“There’s no need to check the surveillance. I saw it with my own eyes—she tried to push Xue’er down the stairs.”

Old Madam Su sighed.
“There must be some kind of misunderstanding. Rongrong isn’t that kind of person.”

Su Heng’s tone was cold.
“Grandmother, people change. After three years inside, she didn’t learn anything good, only picked up the bad. She’s no longer the Su Rong she used to be.”

Su Xue’er knew the security camera was broken—otherwise, she would’ve thought twice before putting on such an act. Putting on a pitiful expression, she said,
“Brother, better to follow what Sister said and check the surveillance. Otherwise, people will say I falsely accused her.”

Su Rong instantly understood. The cameras must really be broken, or else Su Xue’er wouldn’t speak so confidently. She raised her left hand.
“These bloody marks were just left by Su Xue’er. Should we compare them with her fingernails?”

Su Xue’er cried as she explained,
“I only grabbed your hand out of self-defense—otherwise you would’ve pushed me down! Sister, does it hurt? I’m sorry… I know you hold grudges against me. After I came back, I affected Mom and Dad’s love for you. But I’m the Su family’s real daughter. If I don’t come back here, where else can I go?”

Su Heng’s face darkened.
“How did you become so vicious?”

Su Rong knew that without surveillance footage, nothing she said would matter. The Su family would rather believe Su Xue’er. She no longer wanted to explain and, dragging her weary body, prepared to return to her room to lie down.

Then Qin Chufeng suddenly spoke:
“We can check the surveillance—I repaired it just yesterday.”

Su Xue’er froze. At this time, why did he have to stir things up?
“Re… repaired? Brother Chufeng, do you not even believe me?”

Qin Chufeng replied righteously,
“Of course I believe you. I just don’t want certain people twisting words and ruining your reputation. Grandma, Uncle, Aunt—let’s check the cameras.”

“You mustn’t!” Su Xue’er blurted out. She quickly added in a pitiful tone,
“I trust my sister didn’t do it on purpose. Everyone’s tired—let’s not let this incident trouble us any longer. From now on, I’ll give in to Sister more.”

The cameras hadn’t been repaired at all. Qin Chufeng had likely said that just to trick Su Xue’er.

Bai Fei, protecting her own daughter, said,
“The two sisters should just get along. We’re all family; let’s not make the house sound like a marketplace. Rongrong just had a fall—she should go to the hospital to get checked, maybe do an X-ray, just to be safe.”

Old Madam Su looked at Su Rong.
“Rongrong, what do you think? Why not listen to your mother and go to the hospital?”

Su Rong didn’t know if the cameras were working or not, but since Bai Fei had said so, everyone here must already know the truth in their hearts. Though her fall hurt badly, it was probably only external injuries.
“No need. I’m fine, Grandma. I’m tired. Please rest early too.”

She turned her head, giving Su Heng a glance filled with disappointment and anger, then limped upstairs, clutching the railing.

Su Heng, watching her struggle, followed her up. Su Rong sensed someone behind her but didn’t look back. He wanted to ask if she was all right, but the words stuck in his throat. Instead, he went back to the living room, fetched the medicine box, and chose some ointment for bruises and sprains.

Standing at the foot of the stairs, he hesitated. He knew he was wrong for pushing her, but Su Rong’s cold face made him unwilling to lower himself and apologize. In the end, he handed the medicine to Aunt Yun.
“Take this upstairs to her.”

“I’ll go,” Old Madam Su said, taking the medicine herself.

She entered Su Rong’s room.
“This is the medicine your brother found. He was too embarrassed to bring it himself, so he asked me. Rongrong, I know you’ve been wronged. About earlier… the cameras in this house aren’t actually fixed. We all saw Xue’er’s reaction, but without proof, I couldn’t scold her. Between sisters, it’s hard to take sides. I know you’re sensible and considerate. I hope you can understand.”

Su Rong couldn’t understand, but she didn’t want to upset the old lady.
“It’s okay, Grandma. I’ll be fine after some rest.”

“Then I won’t disturb you. Remember to take the medicine and apply the ointment.”

Old Madam Su left, supported by Aunt Yun.

Closing the door behind her, the old lady sighed.
“That Xue’er… too much! After making Rongrong spend three years in prison and even stealing her fiancé, I thought she’d leave her alone. Who knew she’d still stir up trouble?”

Three years ago, in order to cover up Su Xue’er’s crime, everything had been blamed on Su Rong. The old lady had spent much effort arranging that.
“I’m treating Rongrong better now because I want to make it up to her. I raised her, she’s always been by my side. In my heart, she’s my real granddaughter.”

Aunt Yun, the Su family’s trusted housekeeper, replied,
“Miss Rong knows you truly care for her. It’s normal for Miss Xue’er to feel resentment—she bore nineteen years of hardship in Rongrong’s place. As for Young Master Qin, his engagement was originally with the Su family’s true daughter—Miss Xue’er. That’s fate. What belongs to her will eventually return to her.”

The old lady sighed.
“You’re right. All I can do is try to make it up to Rongrong. Tell me, how did she end up entangled with President Sheng? I even heard they had dinner together?”

Aunt Yun smiled knowingly, always saying what would put the old lady at ease.
“It must be because of your influence, Old Madam.”

“Perhaps.” The old lady took off her coat and went to wash up.

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Su Xue’er and Qin Chufeng were still standing, having just argued.

“Whose side are you on? Why did you even interfere?” Su Xue’er snapped.

Qin Chufeng’s face was grim.
“I told you long ago—don’t provoke Su Rong. You’ve already harmed her—”

Su Xue’er sneered coldly.
“Harmed her? Why don’t you say it was you? Don’t pretend to be noble in front of me. You and I are the same. Do you know you almost embarrassed me completely in front of the Su family?”

Seeing his silence, her tone softened.
“I’m your fiancée. You should defend me. Don’t ever do that again, or I won’t forgive you.”

Qin Chufeng sighed helplessly.
“Got it. It’s late. Rest early. I’ll head back.”

—

The next morning.

When Su Rong opened her door, she found Su Heng standing there. She froze, opened her mouth without speaking, then shut the door again, intending to bypass him.

“Are you okay? If it still hurts, you should go to the hospital,” Su Heng said, looking conflicted. He had lowered his pride to apologize, but the words “I’m sorry” still wouldn’t come out.

Su Rong recalled how close they once were as siblings, then thought of the recent coldness and last night’s cruelty. She answered politely,
“Thank you for your concern, Young Master Su, but I don’t need to go to the hospital.”

Her voice was distant, laced with both bitterness and resentment.