Chapter 11: Sweeping Away Morality, Returning to Oneself

"Oh, how can someone from the countryside compare to someone educated in a big city?"

"She hasn't had anyone to look after her for so many years; she’s probably been influenced by hanging out with hoodlums for too long..."

"But since she's back now, we can just educate her properly. Everything can still be salvaged before she marries into the Li family."

Qin Peicen spoke with a sour tone, intentionally raising her voice for Li Sichen to hear. "The Li family is a prestigious, noble clan; we cannot let Nan Xing tarnish their reputation."

"That's right, Sister. You really shouldn't joke about such things. It was your mother who saved Elder Li, so naturally, it is you who should be on good terms with the Li family. Why would it ever be my turn?"

Nan Zhen'er suppressed the excitement in her heart, thinking how wonderful it would be if that were true. She couldn't wait for Nan Xing to get lost and clear the path for her. However, she could only keep those thoughts to herself, maintaining the appearance of an innocent little rabbit on the surface.

"Enough, all of you stop speaking up for her. I know exactly what kind of person Nan Xing is!" Nan Weiguo settled the matter with a firm tone, then turned to Li Sichen. "Sichen, our Nan Xing is ignorant; please don't take it to heart. Just tell your uncle what you'd like to eat, and I'll see to it."

His attitude changed faster than the weather.

"No need for the trouble." Thinking of the injuries on Li Beitian, Li Sichen had no appetite left. "You should just keep a better eye on Nan Xing! It’s all because of her that my fourth uncle got hurt today..."

Being used as a scapegoat like this, Nan Xing suddenly felt that in front of these people, even her breathing was a mistake. Since that was the case, she might as well cast aside all moral constraints and be herself! The sky wasn't falling, and if they were crazy, she would just play along.

"Are you finished?" An ill-timed voice interrupted them. Everyone looked at Nan Xing.

Nan Xing replied, "If you're finished, I'm leaving. I've been exhausted all day, I'm tired."

Nan Zhen'er glanced at the sky outside and muttered, "I usually see you coming home late from playing and you're never tired, and it's not even night yet..."

"I'm only sleepy when I’m supposed to be awake, but otherwise, I'm too tired to even think straight."

Nan Zhen'er: "..."

Nan Weiguo was furious and just about to speak when a frantic ringtone broke the silence.

"Hello, President Li? Yes, yes, I understand... You say..."

Nan Xing watched breathlessly as Nan Weiguo’s livid expression shifted from cloudy to clear, finally breaking into a broad, joyful smile. She couldn't help but frown.

"Xing'er, didn't you say you were tired? Hurry home and get some rest. You've worked hard taking care of Sichen today; we'll handle things here."

Hanging up the phone, Nan Weiguo walked over to Nan Xing with a cheerful demeanor, his attitude a complete reversal from before.

Nan Xing: ??

"Your fourth uncle said you should get some good rest." Nan Weiguo smiled at Li Sichen in the hospital bed. "Sichen, we will stay and keep you company. Just let us know if you need anything."

"No need. I want to be alone for a while. You should all leave." Li Sichen had a headache from the noise. Even though he hadn't heard exactly what was said on the phone, he knew he had angered his fourth uncle today, so it was better to behave.

Walking out of the hospital building, a fine rain was still falling. The driver saw Nan Xing from a distance and trotted over with an umbrella. "Miss Nan Xing, the Master told me to take you home first."

"Mm."

Nan Xing was indeed weary. Once in the car, she leaned back in the seat, exhausted, her mind preoccupied with one thing: What exactly had Li Beitian said on the phone to make Nan Weiguo so happy?

Her phone suddenly vibrated. It was a message from Grandma Jin: *Good girl, what are you doing now? Have you eaten?*

Nan Xing perked up a little. Before she could send her drafted reply, Grandma Jin sent a voice message: *Jin Yao just ordered some Seven-Star Fish Ball Soup from a restaurant in the east of the city for me. They say it's their signature dish and it tastes wonderful. Good girl, I'm pushing Jin Yao's WeChat contact to you. Let him take you to try it another day.*

Nan Xing didn't even have a chance to refuse before Grandma Jin sent over her eldest grandson's contact card. Nan Xing understood Grandma Jin's intentions, but she had absolutely no interest. To put it bluntly, Jin Yao was not her type.

Her gaze lingered on the words "Seven-Star Fish Ball Soup," and a ripple of emotion stirred in her heart. She wondered how Li Beitian was doing. Thinking of him, she found herself stealthily typing his name into a search engine.

There was very little information about him—not even a single photo—only his status as the head of the Li Group. Feeling somewhat unwilling to give up, Nan Xing scrolled down and discovered the contact information for the Li Group president’s special assistant. A glimmer of light flashed in Nan Xing’s eyes; she copied Assistant Qi's number and saved it to her phone.

She then sent a message to someone: *Busy?*

This time, the reply was deferential: *Baba, I'm not busy. Please tell me, what do you need?*

Nan Xing sent the phone number over: *Use your account IP to help me copy a contact list.*

After giving the instruction, Nan Xing closed the chat window and politely replied to Grandma Jin's message. On the way back, she had the driver stop at a street stall to buy her favorite grilled sweet potato skin. By the time she reached home, it was already dark.

Nan Xing took a hot bath and was drying her hair when her phone vibrated on the table. Her long lashes fluttered, and she swiped the screen with wet fingertips.

"Baba, it has been sent. Please check it."

Nan Xing curled her lips slightly, took a deep breath, and opened Assistant Qi's contact list. She barely had to look before her gaze locked onto the contact at the top.

*Note: A—Sweetness Supplier.*

Nan Xing’s brows twitched, thinking what a peculiar name that was. She didn't rush to the next step, instead murmuring the number—which ended in a sequence of eights—to herself. Once she had memorized it, she opened WeChat and entered the number in the "Add Friend" section.

*User does not exist.*

Nan Xing gripped her phone tightly, the light in her eyes dimming, a faint sense of disappointment washing over her. But the more this happened, the stronger her desire became, pushing her to achieve her goal.

After a few seconds of hesitation, she boldly sent a text message to the owner of that number.

"Fourth Uncle, are you okay? Remember to change your dressing on time."

There was no reply for a long time, and just as Nan Xing thought her message had vanished into the void, he replied: *Mm.*

*Mm?* That was it?

Nan Xing’s expression tightened, looking somewhat displeased. However, since the other party was so cold, she didn't want to send another message. It felt a bit like her warm face was pressed against a cold backside.

Just as she was about to toss the phone onto the bed, the screen lit up: *In a meeting, will talk later.*

Nan Xing looked at the message and wisely didn't reply, though a soft smile bloomed at the corners of her eyes. She obediently set her phone aside and got up to continue drying her hair.

Time ticked away, and by ten o'clock at night, she still hadn't received another message. Nan Xing looked at the wall clock, feeling her eyelids grow heavier, as if a century had passed.

Just as she was drifting off to sleep, the phone rang. A low, magnetic voice came through the receiver: "Just finished. Are you asleep?"