Chapter Eight: What Secrets Does Second Brother Truly Conceal?

He was unwilling to speak. Ning Lebao recognized this clearly.

What was happening?

Why, after just a short absence, was Ning Pengyi no longer under her control?

She had put considerable effort into earning the full affection of her second brother, even stirring discord between him, the Ning family, and others—all to ensure he cared for no one but herself. Now, with this sudden problem, she felt a stir of panic.

But Ning Pengyi refused to say anything, and she could not force him.

Ning Lebao’s smile remained sweet and unchanging.

“Alright then, second brother has a little secret—I understand, so I won’t pry. Remember to apply medicine to your wound.”

“Mm, I know.”

Ning Ershao nodded and hurried past her.

Once he left, Ning Lebao’s smile vanished instantly.

She followed the path Ning Ershao had taken—it led to the guest room.

At present, the only occupant of the guest room was Ning Huaizhi.

Ning Lebao’s fingers clenched tightly, her nails digging into her flesh as if she no longer felt pain.

Hmph, Ning Huaizhi, thinking she could take what’s in my hands? No way.

Ning Lebao turned and left to find the housekeeper.

...

Back in his room, Ning Ershao carefully examined the wound on his face.

In such a short time, it had already become swollen and red—one could only imagine how much force Ning Huaizhi had used.

He poked it with his hand and instantly cried out in pain.

If left untreated, the swelling would worsen by tomorrow. He certainly did not want to walk around school with such a face. It seemed he would have to apply some ointment.

Ning Ershao stood and prepared to find the housekeeper. Just as he reached the door, there was a knock.

“Second Young Master, the young lady asked me to bring you some medicine,” came the housekeeper’s voice.

Ning Ershao opened the door to see the housekeeper standing outside.

The housekeeper repeated the message.

“This is the medicine the young lady asked me to deliver.” He glanced at the wound on Ning Ershao’s face, raising an eyebrow. “Second Young Master, your injury looks quite serious. Shall I call the doctor to take a look?”

“No need.”

Ning Ershao refused outright, holding out his left hand. “Just give me the ointment.”

...

The housekeeper, seeing he would not be persuaded, ceased pressing the matter and placed the ointment in Ning Ershao’s palm, cautioning, “Second Young Master, apply this ointment twice daily, morning and evening. It works best before sleep. When you lie down, sleep on your side to avoid putting pressure on the injured face...”

“I know.”

Before the housekeeper could finish, Ning Ershao slammed the door in his face.

The housekeeper sighed and turned away.

Ning Ershao stood by the window, rubbing the ointment between his fingers, a smile curling at the corner of his mouth. The anger that once consumed him had vanished, replaced by a serene pleasure.

A pity the ointment was not delivered personally by Lebao.

He raised his gaze, looking through the window toward Ning Lebao below.

Her pale pink dress harmonized with the flowering branches nearby. She held a watering can gently, gazing tenderly at the flowers. Sunlight bathed her fair neck, soft as mist.

Though separated by distance, and unable to see such details with the naked eye, Ning Ershao imagined every nuance.

His fingers tightened around the ointment as if clutching Ning Lebao’s hand, closing his eyes in blissful reverie.

Ning Lebao paused her watering, secretly glancing toward Ning Ershao’s window.

He must have received the ointment by now and surely felt grateful to her.

Hmph, Ning Huaizhi is nothing. She could never surpass me to become Ning Pengyi’s acknowledged sister.

Only Ning Lebao could be Ning Pengyi’s sister.

The Ning family needed only one young lady.

...

Ning Father and Ning Mother, perhaps ashamed or unwilling to face anyone, had not appeared all day.

No one was seen at lunch. When Ning Huaizhi went out for a stroll in the afternoon, she only heard that they had gone out and not returned for noon.

Ning Huaizhi did not care until dinner, when she finally saw the couple at the table.

The meal was quiet; no one spoke first.

Only when they were nearly finished did Ning Father clear his throat and say, “Huaizhi, tomorrow when you go to school, you should go with Lebao. You’re sisters and should get along well. It would be embarrassing if others saw us as a family divided.”

“Alright,” Ning Huaizhi replied lazily, uninterested in arguments.

It was a trivial matter and she did not mind.

If anything, Lebao might resist more.

Sure enough, Ning Lebao grew restless.

“Father, there’s no need for that—”

“That’s enough!” Ning Father sharply interrupted. “No matter what, Ning Huaizhi is still your sister. You should show her respect. This matter is settled; no more discussion.”

With that, Ning Father stood and left the table.

...

Ning Lebao sat motionless, helpless.

Her second brother patted her shoulder gently, offering quiet comfort.

Ning Lebao paid no heed, her gaze fixed intently on Ning Huaizhi.

As soon as the meal ended and she looked up, Ning Huaizhi caught her eye and curved her lips into a mocking smile.

This only stoked Ning Lebao’s fury.

Ning Huaizhi wiped her mouth with a white handkerchief, took the tea offered by a servant, and rinsed elegantly, unaffected by Ning Lebao’s presence.

Walking down the corridor, a cold wind blew, and Ning Huaizhi pulled her clothes tighter.

Ning Father was in a foul mood today, even treating Ning Lebao with cold indifference.

As for the reason? She had some suspicions.

When he brought her home, Ning Father had put on a perfect facade before outsiders, showing equal love for both daughters, biological and adopted alike. Neither was to leave the Ning family; he was not unable to support them.

This earned praise from the uninformed, extolling his magnanimity and boosting Ning family stocks considerably.

Yesterday’s events were witnessed by many at the banquet. Those unfavorable to the Ning family naturally kept quiet, but the Ning family never lacked adversaries.

Those rivals, learning of the incident, probably laughed their heads off and eagerly spread the news. Even if it caused no major harm to the Ning family, it was enough to trouble Ning Father.

Ning Huaizhi had checked her phone that morning: the Ning family’s stocks had plummeted overnight, and news reports prominently featured Ning Father, though none were flattering.

He was likely busy dealing with this mess today. Serves him right.

Ning Huaizhi felt content and naturally enjoyed a good night’s sleep.

...

“Third Miss, Miss,” the driver called upon seeing the two.

The Ning family once had only one young lady, so servants simply called her “Miss.” Now, with two born at the same time and indistinguishable in seniority, the servants were at a loss for how to address them.

In the end, Ning Lebao had taken a step back, calling Ning Huaizhi “Sister,” establishing clear titles and forbidding servants from calling herself “Fourth Miss.”

Ning Huaizhi saw through her intentions clearly.

It was merely an attempt to maintain the previous order, so servants would still only address her as “Miss,” as if she remained the sole young lady of the Ning residence.

Without acknowledging Ning Huaizhi.

A futile and self-deceiving tactic.

Ning Huaizhi sneered.

She stepped into the car first. After Ning Lebao boarded, the driver headed toward Jing City University.