?


    "But I also want you to know that you have me, and Mom and Dad. We have your back. You can tell us anything. You''re no longer fighting alone."


    Yao Tang''s heart ached at his words. It had been a long time since she had felt such love and support. Yet all she could muster was a short hum in reply.


    Still, Yao Yanknew that she took his words to heart, so he didn''t see the need to say anything more.


    Yao Tang closed her eyes and tried to keep her emotions at bay. She stayed that way for a while, then she remembered something.


    "I heard that Yao YuanandYao Ranhad gone their separate ways. Do you know the details regarding that matter?" She had heard about it while on the ne. Unfortunately, she had been remiss in dispatching theShadow Leagueto keep an eye onYao Ran, soYao Tangwas pretty clueless about the other girl''s movements.


    "We don''t know the exact reasons, either. But on the day after Yao Ran''sing-of-age ceremony,Yao Yuancalled the family over to the old house and informed everyone that they no longer have a daughter namedYao Ran.


    "When pressed for an exnation, he simply said that Yao Ranwas unfilial, and that they had raised a shameless ingrate all these years.


    "We weren''t particrly interested in the affairs, so we thought nothing more of it. If you want to know more, I can send someone to look into it."


    Yao Tang was going to say no at first, but after some consideration, she decided to takeYao Yanup on his offer.


    "Please do, Brother Yan. Thank you, and sorry for the trouble."


    Yao Yan instantly beamed, his eyes curving into twin rainbows.


    His adorable little sister was finally calling him "Brother"!


    To celebrate Yao Tang''s return,Jiang Wanand the family''s chef prepared a feast of her favorite dishes.Yao Rongalso got off work early so that they could have dinner together as a family.


    The next day, Yao Tangwent to school as per usual. As soon as she stepped into the ssroom, she was surrounded byQin Jing,Meng Yang, andLin Xin.


    "I heard that Yao Ranhas cut off ties with theYao family! What''s going on? Can you imagine that arrogant girl falling so low? She''s be aughingstock!"Qin Jing, ever the gossip, was the first to speak, the words falling out of her mouth in rapid-fire session.


    Meng Yang, ever the attentive friend, immediately handed her a bottle of water to soothe her throat.


    Yao Tang was well aware of her friends'' gossiping nature, so she had already expected their interrogation.


    However, she ignored them and made a beeline for her desk, taking out her homework.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    "Have you guys finished your assignments? Why are you wasting time digging up rumors?" Her tone was stern, much like that of an elderly dean in school dramas on TV.


    "Come on, Sister Tang, tell us!"Qin Jingwhined coyly as she clung toYao Tang''s arm. "If I don''t find out what happened toYao Ran, it''s going to bother me for the rest of the day."


    She turned to Lin Xin and gave thetter a meaningful look.


    Understanding the unspoken message, Lin XingrabbedYao Tang''s other arm and hung on as well.


    "That''s right, Sister Tang, do tell us! We sawYao Ranjust now, you know. She''s like apletely different person than she used to be."


    Yao Tang perked up upon hearing that. "What do you mean, she''s a different person?"


    "How should I put it?" Meng Yangsaid, tapping his chin. "She just gave off a different vibe. Her face is still the same, of course, but her general demeanor is just different."


    "If you ask me," one of their ssmates suddenly chimed in, "she just had a healthy helping of humble pie. She used to be so arrogant and domineering, unting her family''s wealth and connections. Now, she keeps a low profile."


    "What do you expect?" another student joined them. "She''s no longer the young miss of the Yao family. She has nothing going on for herself, so it''s only natural that she wouldn''t want to stand out."


    "No, no, it''s not like that," Qin Jingpointed out with a contemtive look on her face. "It''s not the kind of low-key that was brought upon by shame, but something else altogether."


    "Hey, everybody quiet," Lin Xinwhispered urgently after spotting a familiar figure approaching from a distance. "They''re here."


    Yao Tang raised her head and turned to the door.


    Yao Ran walked in wearing a light green dress. Sure enough, gone were the usual arrogance and contempt that she had always sported. They were reced by a look of gentle tranquility.Yao Ran''s expression, coupled with her refreshing getup, had people staring at her.


    Yao Ran''s eyes lit up as they met Yao Tang''s, and she walked over without a moment''s hesitation.


    "Sister! Long time no see." She looked so happy and sincere, so unlike her previous self.


    Qin Jing and the others suddenly felt bad for talking about her behind her back.


    "Yeah," Yao Tangreplied in a low voice. "Long time no see." Deep down, however, seeds of doubt started to take root in her heart.