Chapter Two: Better Check the Surveillance Footage First-Depois que a verdadeira filha cortou laços e abandonou o amor, toda a família enlouqueceu de arrependimento(Corvo de Água Branca)

Ning Lebao was finally pulled ashore, lying on the grass and gasping for air.

He Mingyuan stared at Ning Huaizhi, his expression incredibly complex.

"You... why did you ask me to save Ning Lebao just now?"

Clearly, she shouldn't have known about the deal between him and Ning Lebao. Could it be that she actually knew?

"Isn't it because you're the only one who can swim? There's no one else around, or did you think she shouldn't have been saved?" Ning Huaizhi looked at him.

"No, that's not it."

He Mingyuan turned his head away, not daring to meet her gaze. He didn't even understand the reason himself. He suddenly felt an urge to rip off his tie and catch his breath; standing here felt suffocating.

Before he could make a move, Ning’s parents arrived in a rush with a crowd of people. Seeing Ning Lebao lying on the ground, unresponsive, they panicked instantly.

Ning's mother was the first to rush forward. She knelt on the ground, indifferent to her expensive gown being soaked by the water. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she hovered her hands over her daughter, not daring to touch her for fear of causing further harm.

Suddenly, she looked up and glared at Ning Huaizhi: "How did you look after your sister? Why did she fall into the water? Why weren't you the one who fell in?"

She always loved to speak like this—without using a single vulgar word, yet striking right at the heart. Even though she knew Ning Huaizhi and Ning Lebao had swapped lives for eighteen years, she still flaunted her preference for Ning Lebao right in front of Ning Huaizhi and everyone else, turning the daughter who had finally been found into a laughingstock.

In her past life, Ning Huaizhi had suffered for a long time because of this, but now, she only looked at the two of them coldly, her expression unmoved.

Ning Lebao raised her hand weakly, her voice raspy: "Mom, don't blame my sister. She didn't push me into the water on purpose; she was just joking with me. It’s my own fault for being so useless."

Ning Lebao coughed violently, tears welling in her eyes, threatening to fall—a sight designed to stir one's protective instincts.

Sure enough, Ning’s father stepped forward.

"Ning Huaizhi, ever since you returned, Lebao has made so many concessions for you, treating you as a sister with genuine sincerity and affection. Yet you remain unrepentant. I see that unless you are taught a lesson, you will never realize your mistakes."

"What have I done wrong?"

After everyone had finished speaking, Ning Huaizhi finally spoke slowly.

"You pushed Lebao into the water; isn't that malicious enough? Lebao has a kind heart and doesn't want to hold a grudge against you, but if it were someone else, would they be so forgiving?"

"Ning Huaizhi, you are old enough that you should have learned to be sensible. We have always been considerate of your age and have never been too harsh on you, but being young is no excuse. You must learn to take responsibility. Your father is disciplining you for your own good. I don't ask that you stop resenting us, only that you reform yourself and learn to be a decent person. That would be enough to satisfy us."

Ning’s parents stood together, one playing the villain and the other the saint, appearing as if they truly cared for Ning Huaizhi.

Others whispered among themselves.

"A parent's heart is always full of sorrow. It's truly a misfortune for the Ning family to have such a child."

"If she were my child, I wouldn't have brought her back in the first place. I’d have acted as if I never gave birth to her. Bringing her back was just inviting trouble."

"The Ning parents are still too kind to her. Ning Lebao is a credit to their upbringing—kind, gentle, and with the poise of a true matriarch. Only with such a woman can a family thrive."

Listening to the gossip, Ning Huaizhi let out a cold laugh.

"One needs evidence to speak. Isn't it a bit premature for you to pass judgment based solely on her words? What if I said she jumped in on purpose to frame me? Would you believe me?"

"Ning Huaizhi, even if you don't like Lebao, you shouldn't frame her like this. She’s just a girl; do you intend to ruin her by saying such things?" Ning’s mother accused her angrily.

Ning Huaizhi shifted her gaze to her, her expression earnest: "But isn't that exactly what Ning Lebao is saying about me? Why is your first reaction to believe her? Yet when I say the same, you accuse me?"

"Lebao is a good child; she wouldn't lie."

"So, you mean to say I am a bad child, and therefore I am a liar? Since you decided on my guilt from the start, why bother pretending to care about me?"

Ning’s mother stammered, unable to reply.

Ning Huaizhi continued to watch her intently. She truly wanted to know the reason.

"Enough," Ning’s father said with a dark face. "Lebao, you tell us—do you have any proof that Ning Huaizhi pushed you into the water?"

"I do." Ning Lebao, wrapped in a coat brought by a servant, remained calm.

"What evidence?"

Ning Lebao pointed at He Mingyuan nearby: "He—he can testify for me."

Everyone looked at He Mingyuan. Perhaps because the night wind was too strong, He Mingyuan, still soaking wet from the water, was shivering in the breeze.

He Mingyuan forced a smile: "Yes, I can testify. It was indeed Huaizhi who pushed Miss Ning into the water."

He turned to look at Ning Huaizhi, his expression unchanging: "Huaizhi, just admit it. As long as you apologize, Miss Ning won't hold it against you."

A flash of triumph crossed Ning Lebao's face, quickly replaced by a look of sorrow: "Sister, I know you must resent me for taking eighteen years of your life, but I was unaware of everything back then. I don't know how I can make it up to you. As long as you ask, I will try my best to compensate. Please don't be angry with me, even if you want me to leave the Ning family, I am willing."

"Lebao," Ning’s mother cried out, "what foolish things are you saying? You are a child of the Ning family for one day, and you are for a lifetime. I will never let you leave. Seeing you so self-deprecating breaks my heart."

"Mom." Ning Lebao was pulled into her mother's arms, burying her tear-filled face in her shoulder.

Everyone present was moved.

"Clap, clap, clap."

The sudden sound of applause was quite jarring.

When Ning’s father saw it was Ning Huaizhi, he was instantly furious.

"Ning Huaizhi, what on earth are you trying to do? Isn't it enough to have pushed your sister to this point? Do you want to tear this family apart?"

"No, no, no," Ning Huaizhi waved her index finger. "You are a family, and you should stay locked together forever. Why would I want to tear you apart? I just think this scene is truly touching."

"Sister, I know you resent me, but you don't have to be like this. I don't blame you for what happened today. Let's go back." Ning Lebao looked up and smiled at her.

The sight of her well-behaved appearance made Ning’s mother feel even more heartbroken.

"The matter hasn't been clarified yet, so how can we just leave? Since you insist that I pushed you into the water, let's check the surveillance footage. Who is lying will be clear at a glance."