Chapter 2: Inherently Burdened with Misanthropy

“Nan Xing, how dare you come back?!”

Before Nan Xing could meet the other’s gaze, an angry voice reached her ears first.

She instinctively looked over and saw Nan Zhen’er storming toward her in a white gown, radiating fury.

But upon noticing the tall figure beside the black Maybach, Nan Zhen’er suddenly changed her tone.

“Today is Dad’s birthday, and the whole family is waiting for you. Sister, isn’t it a bit inappropriate to come home so late? You wouldn’t have… gone drinking with some male friends again, would you?”

Nan Zhen’er deliberately emphasized the words “male friends” with a frown.

Nan Xing pursed her lips, her voice cold and distant. “Is there something you want?”

Nan Zhen’er’s eyes curved into a seemingly gentle smile. “You just returned to Beixin City not long ago. It’s understandable you find the big city fascinating, but as the daughter of the Nan family, you should be mindful of your status.”

“Do you even know what they say about you behind your back?”

“They say you’re aimless and only know how to hang out with wild men… Ah, in short, they say terrible things.”

“If you want to make more friends, you can tell me. I’ll take you to those high-society gatherings. You really shouldn’t be frequenting those bad places anymore.”

“Your current status represents not only the Nan family but also the Li family. It wouldn’t matter what people say about the Nan family, but do you want the entire Li family to be the subject of gossip because of you?”

Nan Zhen’er blinked her large, bright eyes as if she truly cared about her, but Nan Xing knew better—she was nothing but a scheming vixen.

Nan Xing retorted, “Could you please teach me how to write the two words ‘face’ and ‘shame’?”

Nan Zhen’er was momentarily stunned. “What do you mean?”

“That’s for you to figure out.”

Nan Xing lowered her voice, a mischievous smirk curling at the corner of her lips.

Those few words were loaded with meaning.

Nan Zhen’er suddenly felt uneasy. “Nan Xing, I’m just reminding you out of kindness. Don’t be ungrateful…”

“Get lost. A good dog doesn’t block the way!”

“…”

Seeing Nan Xing’s arm raised halfway in the air, Nan Zhen’er shivered in fright and immediately shut up.

Then, she obediently stepped aside, clearing a path.

Next to the black Maybach, the man who had witnessed everything inhaled sharply. “Fourth Master, it seems what Young Master Si Chen said was true. Miss Nan’s temper… is indeed difficult to describe.”

Finally, he understood why the young master preferred to fast rather than accept this arranged marriage.

This Miss Nan from the countryside was not only plain-looking but also crude in behavior. Compared to the second young lady, the difference was like night and day.

He now felt a bit sympathetic toward Young Master Si Chen.

Nearby, Li Beitian took a drag from his cigarette, his dark eyes narrowed slightly.

He said nothing, his gaze fixed on the retreating figure. The white smoke he exhaled veiled the unclear shadows on his face, his thoughts unfathomable.

…

Back in her room, Nan Xing locked the door behind her.

Kicking off her shoes, she collapsed onto the bed.

Occasional noise from the banquet hall drifted in. Nan Xing stared at the ceiling, blinking slowly, irritatedly pulling at her hair.

In truth, this attic was some distance from the banquet hall, near the garden, and had formerly been used for storage.

She still remembered the day she was brought back to the Nan family. Her stepmother, Qin Peicen, held her hand with a kindly smile.

“Xing’er, you’ll have to endure the attic for now. I’ll find the best decorators in Beixin City to renovate your room, then you can move in with us.”

Nan Zhen’er, with her large, watery eyes, appeared understanding.

“If Sister isn’t happy, she can move into my room to sleep. I don’t mind sleeping on the floor. Although I’m always frail and get sick easily, a few extra quilts will fix that—as long as Sister doesn’t feel wronged.”

Nan Xing merely smiled without a word, shifting her gaze to Nan Weiguo.

Nan Weiguo said, “Xing’er, Dad knows you’ve suffered a lot over the years. But your sister has always been weak, so you’ll have to endure the attic for now. When I have time, I’ll take you to see a bigger house.”

Yet that grand promise had lingered half a year with no follow-up.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

“Miss, someone from the Li family is here. The master requests your presence in the banquet hall.”

The Li family?

For some reason, the first image that came to mind was that formidable devil.

But then she thought, no way.

The Li family banquet last month was such an important occasion, and he hadn’t shown up.

How could he now deign to attend a mere birthday party?

It must be that fool Li Sicheng.

That high-end Maybach parked outside earlier was probably his show-off ride.

Nan Xing rolled her eyes and lay back on the bed, playing dead.

“Miss?”

No response. The knocking grew louder.

“The master told me to tell you not to be selfish and to consider others, like… your mother Jiang Wan.”

“Bang!”

A phone slammed heavily against the door, denting it.

Soon after, the panicked footsteps of a servant hurried down the stairs.

Nan Xing clenched her fists, sitting up on the bed, teeth tightly pressed, her peach blossom eyes tinged with red.

…

Ten minutes later, Nan Xing appeared in the banquet hall.

She scanned the room but saw no sign of the man. She sighed and prepared to find a quiet corner to eat.

At that moment, unpleasant voices reached her ears.

“Mrs. Nan is truly lucky to have such an excellent daughter. Now, with this marriage alliance to the Li family, it’s truly a perfect match. No wonder many envy Mrs. Nan.”

“Thank you, Mr. Xie, for your kind words. Zhen’er has always been well-behaved. Your daughter Ruolan is also fine, I hear she’s returning from abroad next month. Perhaps the children can meet then…”

Nan Weiguo raised his glass, proudly glancing at Nan Zhen’er without denying anything.

Nan Xing listened quietly, her smile icy and sharp.

Before she was born, her mother Jiang Wan had once saved Master Li’s life by chance. In return, he promised that if the Nan family ever needed help, presenting his written letter to the Li family would guarantee their full support.

Later, when the Nan family faced a crisis, this long-hidden arrangement was brought to light.

The most secure solution was a marriage alliance between the two families.

Only then did Nan Weiguo remember the daughter he had in the countryside and bring Nan Xing back to the Nan household.

The irony was that he dared not even acknowledge her existence in front of outsiders.

Hmph.

Sometimes Nan Xing wondered if she was truly the Nan family’s biological daughter.

Why else would she be treated so differently from Nan Zhen’er?

“Sister, you’re here.”

Just as she turned to leave, someone grabbed her wrist.

Nan Zhen’er smiled innocently and led Nan Xing to the crowd.

Nan Weiguo frowned deeply upon seeing Nan Xing, his smile vanishing.

“Nan Xing, why are you dressed like that? Don’t you know any manners in front of elders?!”

Qin Peicen was chatting with a group of wealthy ladies. Seeing Nan Xing’s heavy smoky makeup, she openly showed disdain.

Since Nan Xing’s return to the Nan family, no one had seen her natural face; she always wore an atrociously tacky style.

Rumors about Nan Xing circulated widely, branding her an ugly, unsophisticated bumpkin.

Over time, even Nan Weiguo had been influenced, believing she had simply grown unattractive.

Qin Peicen looked at her own daughter—elegant and poised in a high-end white dress, the true image of a refined socialite.

Then at Nan Xing, a country bumpkin.

Her sense of superiority was overwhelming.

“Hurry back and change your clothes. People might think we mistreat you otherwise.”

Qin Peicen finished speaking, and the wealthy ladies began whispering and scrutinizing Nan Xing.

But Nan Xing paid no mind.

Near the bar, she casually took a piece of matcha cake from the dessert table and ate slowly.

Not even bothering to look up, she said, “To each their own, it seems you’re the more cultured one.”

“You…”

Qin Peicen was taken aback, speechless at Nan Xing’s mockery.

“Sister, Mom is still an elder. She was just kindly reminding you. How can you speak like that?”

Nan Zhen’er’s eyes reddened, looking like a hurt little rabbit. “Also, what do you mean by ‘to each their own’? Sister, you must have misunderstood. Dad doesn’t love that woman; he’s forced…”

“Forced?” Nan Xing’s lips twitched as her gaze landed on Nan Weiguo.

Nan Weiguo’s face darkened, sharply reprimanding, “Nan Xing, how dare you speak to your elders like that? You have no manners! Apologize to Aunt Qin immediately!”

Seeing Nan Xing’s cold, unmoved expression, Nan Zhen’er smirked and gently coaxed, “Exactly, Sister. As a junior, how can you defy elders? You should apologize quickly—I believe Mom and Dad will forgive you.”

Tsk.

“Apologize, huh…” Nan Xing lazily raised her eyelids, a cruel smile playing on her lips. “Sorry, but I was born with low self-awareness, suffering from chronic disdain syndrome. My taste center isn’t governed by reason. Apologize? You’re not worthy.”

“…”

“Sister, it’s clearly your fault. If you refuse to apologize, fine. But why say such nasty things?”

Nan Zhen’er’s tears fell as she wiped them away, crying pitifully. “Ladies, what do you think? Should she apologize?”

Her pitiful act made Nan Xing the center of attention once more.

“So that’s the eldest daughter of the Nan family. With that attitude, she can’t compare to the second lady.”

“Forget attitude. Look at her face—what a mess. Like a monster. I don’t know how the Li family could want her.”

“I think Mrs. Nan is just too kind. If she talked to me like that, I wouldn’t even let her into the Nan family’s gates…”

Countless insults poured in. Nan Xing pressed her tongue against her upper palate, her ears nearly ringing.

Qin Peicen, sensing victory, smiled and patted Nan Xing’s shoulder.

“Nan Xing, I know you have many grievances against me, but time reveals true intentions. One day, you’ll understand my deep care.”

“Even if you’re not my biological daughter, I would treat you as well as Zhen’er.”

Her words drew approving murmurs from the crowd.

Nan Xing nearly vomited the leftovers of last night’s meal in disgust.

“Someone as beautiful, generous, and kind as Mrs. Nan can’t be found on Baidu, right?” Nan Xing sneered. “Maybe Sogou has her?”

“…”

With that, she took a glass of wine from a waiter’s tray and walked to a secluded corner.

Ignoring the pointing and whispering around her, she remained unbothered.

Soon, a commotion arose at the banquet hall’s entrance.

Some important guest had arrived, and people of all ages parted to make way as a tall figure was ushered through the crowd.

Though Nan Xing couldn’t see the face clearly, she could feel the overwhelming pressure radiating from that presence.

A bad premonition suddenly stirred within her.

She set down her wine glass and stepped aside.