Chapter 22: Brother Doesn’t Seem to Like Me Anymore

Su Heng forced down the anger burning in his chest. “Su Rong, can’t you just speak properly for once? Must you always speak with thorns in your words?”

She also wanted to speak properly, but he never gave her that chance.
“When you pushed me down the stairs, did it ever cross your mind that I might have been framed?”

At that moment, Su Heng hadn’t had time to think—his instinct was to protect Su Xue’er. “About last night, I apologize. No matter if you were trying to push Xue’er down or not, I shouldn’t have pushed you.”

He could apologize, but he refused to admit she was innocent, that she had been wrongly accused.

“Then we really have nothing more to say.” Su Rong brushed past him and walked forward.

“Su Rong!” Perhaps guilt from last night made him call out to her. “Let’s talk.” At last, he was willing to speak calmly with her.

But Su Rong didn’t feel there was anything worth talking about. “What do you want to say?”

Her attitude made his patience wear thin. “Can’t you calm down?”

Behind the door, Su Xue’er had her ear pressed against it, listening. It sounded like Su Heng was trying to make peace with Su Rong. She hurriedly ran out.

“Brother, Sister, what are you two talking about? Brother, do you like my dress today?” She pinched the hem of her skirt and spun once in front of him.

This was something Su Rong used to love doing in front of him too. Every time, he would flick her forehead with a fond smile and say: ‘Our little princess looks so pretty today! Where did you get this dress? It’s gorgeous!’

Su Rong remembered it all clearly. But later, Su Heng began treating Su Xue’er the same way. Perhaps so as not to hurt Xue’er, he grew less affectionate toward Su Rong. She, in turn, stopped playfully spinning in front of him.

Now, Xue’er looked at him with eager eyes.

For the first time, Su Heng’s response was cold and stiff: “Looks nice.”

With Xue’er there, he lost the mood to continue ‘talking’ with Su Rong. He turned and walked away.

Su Xue’er immediately sensed his change in attitude. She ran after him. “Brother! Are you alright? Did Sister upset you again? Don’t blame her, I don’t think she meant it…”

Su Heng stopped and looked at her, suddenly realizing that the sister before him felt unfamiliar. Sometimes, even when he knew she was pretending, he had been willing to play along. But after what happened last night, he felt a subtle distance growing between them.

“I’m not mad at her. I know she didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Huh?” Tears welled in Xue’er’s eyes. She had meant to stir trouble—this tactic had always worked. What was wrong with him today?

“You… you’re not mad? That’s good.”

Su Heng walked off without comforting her as before, without the usual indulgence.

Xue’er’s heart sank. She turned and glared at Su Rong. “How dare you try to drive a wedge between me and Brother!”

Su Rong ignored her and went straight to the dining room.

Seeing Xue’er’s pitiful expression, Bai Fei felt distressed. “What’s wrong, Xue’er? Why so unhappy this early in the morning?”

With a choked voice, Xue’er said, “It feels like Brother doesn’t like me anymore.”

Bai Fei thought it must be because of last night. “How could that be? You’re his real sister. He loves you the most, doesn’t he, Ah Heng?”

She wanted Su Heng to remember that Su Xue’er was the biological sister—even if she did something improper, she must still be tolerated.

But Su Heng’s heart was heavy. “Tolerating isn’t the same as condoning. Even though I spoil her, I still have basic principles of right and wrong. From now on, she needs to be more careful.”

Xue’er burst into tears, refusing even to eat breakfast. “Brother hates me now, thinks I can’t tell right from wrong. What’s the point of me staying here? Sister is so obedient and sensible—you’ll all be fine with just her.”

In the past, Su Heng would have immediately gone to hold her and comfort her. But now, he only felt irritation. He ate a few bites, then got up and left for work.

“Brother doesn’t like me anymore…” Xue’er cried, tears streaming like pear blossoms in the rain. She turned to Su Rong. “Sister, what did you say to him to make him hate me so much?”

Su Rong said nothing, unwilling to play along with her act.

Bai Fei hugged Xue’er, distressed. “Don’t be sad. He’s your real brother. How could he not like you? When he comes back, I’ll make him apologize. Rongrong, Xue’er has suffered so much outside. You should be more understanding, more tolerant. How can you try to stir up discord?”

Su Rong wanted to protest, but would they believe her? Xue’er had suffered in her place for nineteen years—did that mean she must unconditionally accept every wrong Xue’er committed now?

Old Madam Su sighed. “Enough, can’t even eat breakfast in peace. Whether it’s Rongrong or Xue’er, you are both Su family children. You should be treated equally.”

Wiping her tears, Xue’er said pitifully, “I’m sorry, Grandma. It’s all my fault. From now on, no matter what Sister does to me, I won’t hold it against her. Sister, we’re family. I don’t want Grandma to worry about us. Last night was my fault, everything is my fault. I’m sorry…”

Su Rong only felt disgust. “I’m full. Grandma, Father, Mother—I’m going to the Imperial Palace.”

Aunt Yun came over with her medicine, warmed to the perfect temperature. Su Rong drank it in one go and left, her body still sore.

How laughable—out of the entire family, only Su Heng had asked about her that morning. Everyone else seemed to have forgotten she had been pushed down the stairs last night. Not a single word of concern.

That morning, she had a painting lesson. The teacher was Ye Shuyi.

Su Rong knew her well—she was a national first-class painter, a professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and had held several exhibitions. She was also the wife of Xie Mosheng, chairman of the Xie Group.

The Xie family was one of the top families in the capital. The Xie Group owned numerous businesses, mainly casinos. Xie Mosheng was known as the “King of Gambling,” someone who had a foot in both black and white worlds.

Since childhood, Su Rong had loved painting. It seemed to be a natural gift. But Bai Fei, being a pianist, focused more on training Su Rong in piano, leaving painting as just a hobby.

Su Rong truly admired Ye Shuyi’s paintings. But because the Su and Xie families weren’t on good terms, she never had the chance to study under her.

Ye Shuyi was elegant, dignified, and decorated with many awards. With that came a touch of arrogance. She had looked into her students beforehand—especially Su Rong, the Su family’s “fake daughter” who had even been in prison.

Her first impression of Su Rong was poor. In fact, she felt someone like Su Rong wasn’t even worthy of entering her classroom. She heard that Su Rong was only admitted because of Sheng Qiye’s special approval—this made her dislike her even more.

What was Sheng Qiye thinking, letting someone like this into the Imperial Palace? It lowered the entire standard of the socialite circle.

Today’s lesson was on figure sketching. A beautiful model sat on the stage. After explaining the key points, Ye Shuyi let the students begin drawing.

Su Rong studied the model, then picked up her pencil and began sketching on the board.

Ye Shuyi strolled around, correcting students. Here, painting was not only about skill—it was about cultivating artistic refinement. Posture and elegance while drawing were just as important.

Slowly, Ye Shuyi made her way behind Su Rong.

Su Rong instantly felt a suffocating pressure. Ye Shuyi was her idol since childhood. Now, meeting her face-to-face for the first time, she wanted all the more to prove herself.