Volume One, Chapter 11: Connections

As soon as Second Brother Su left, Ningxia Su went to the wardrobe and pulled out Zhaochuan Qin.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Ningxia said, embarrassed.

Zhaochuan had heard long ago that Ningxia wasn't a biological child of the Su family. Before this, she had been the most cherished woman in the Su household, but ever since the real daughter returned, Ningxia's status plummeted; rumor had it she even lost her job at the radio station.

Now she was being squeezed out by her own family, forced to work in such a place—it made his heart ache just thinking about it. He wasn't good with words, but after fumbling in his coat, he pulled out a packet wrapped in parchment.

"Ningxia," he said, "take this. It's just a small gesture from me. Don't let yourself live too hard."

Especially after seeing Second Brother Su order her around, Zhaochuan's heart ached all the more. He wished instinctively to protect Ningxia, but he didn't even have the right to stand by her side.

Back at the radio station, Ningxia had never made more than fifteen yuan and eighty cents a month. She felt the thick wad inside the parchment packet—it was probably Zhaochuan's entire stipend from the past few months. He gave her everything, while her own brothers did nothing but boss her around and use her.

Compared to Zhaochuan, they were utterly lacking.

"I can't accept this," Ningxia said. "Brother Qin, I still have some money left—if I tighten my belt, I can manage."

Zhaochuan frowned. All her textbooks were bought from street vendors, yet she still claimed to have extra money. She was clearly just putting on a brave face.

But seeing the stubbornness in her eyes, he pressed his lips together. "If it's not enough, just ask me. You call me 'big brother,' so I'll protect you like a little sister from now on."

He was never good with words, and somehow it turned into a brother-sister relationship, making his handsome face freeze in embarrassment.

He really was a fine-looking man. Ningxia recalled how, in her previous life, Zhaochuan Qin had been so dazzling: a university graduate, successful and wealthy. To call such a man 'brother' was no loss to her. Who knew—she might need his help in the future.

It was getting late, and after seeing Zhaochuan off, Ningxia returned.

The following morning, Eldest Brother Su arrived with a grave expression. He strode straight to the dormitory door and knocked.

When Ningxia opened it, he let out a sigh and started complaining. "I'm being sent to the front lines."

Hearing this, Ningxia frowned. What did he mean by this? Was he implying it was her fault he had to go?

"Ningxia, could you go speak for me again? I’m begging you as your brother. Please, talk to Commander Ma, ask him not to send me to the front. There are still our younger siblings to look after, and our parents are getting old. I can't just go off to die, can I?"

Ningxia's brows knit even tighter at his words.

"Brother, what are you saying? Earning merit and building a career—how can you call that going off to die? If you come back, it'll mean promotion and a raise. You don't want to spend your whole life stuck at the bottom, do you?"

Eldest Brother Su hesitated, tempted. He had intended to use his sister's favor with Commander Ma to get a promotion, but now that wasn't an option. He felt frustrated.

Especially since Tingxue had been whispering in his ear all evening, blaming Ningxia for not handling things well—so now he had come early to confront her.

He sighed and resigned himself. "I'm doing this for you, to earn military merit and get promoted. You'd better treat Tingxue and our parents well while I'm gone—don’t be willful!"

"Tingxue is still young—don’t bully her!"

Ningxia's frown deepened. From a distance, Tingxue Su came running over in a white dress, cheeks flushed. She called out, "Last night, did Second Brother come see you?"

"He said the day before that he wanted you to help him again? What kind of help? I want to help him too!"

Eldest Brother Su beamed, "See, Tingxue knows how to help our family. Why can’t you learn from her? You used to be so considerate, but now you’re just getting more selfish!"

Selfish? Ningxia pressed her lips together and looked at Tingxue, then said slowly and deliberately, "Second Brother was given an urgent task at the clinic by the supervisor. He couldn’t handle it alone, so he asked me to go. It’s a chance for him to get promoted. Do you want to go instead?"

Hearing of such an opportunity, Tingxue's eyes spun with calculation.

She was still hoping for a good job, and work at the clinic was highly coveted. If she could help Second Brother get promoted, she might secure a stable position herself—a job like that could lead to a good marriage and a much better life. As for Ningxia, she would make sure she never stood out.

Ningxia could read Tingxue’s scheming at a glance. Just as in her previous life, Tingxue was already fighting for favor. Before, she had felt sorry for her little sister, only to be betrayed over and over, forced to do all the dirty work while Tingxue reaped the rewards.

Well then, let Tingxue take her place and handle those tasks.

"Second Brother’s at the clinic right now. You should go," Ningxia said.

Tingxue pouted. "Big brother, I’ll go then."

Eldest Brother Su smiled fondly at Tingxue and sighed at Ningxia. "No wonder father always says you’re not really part of our family. You’re nothing like any of us. All the brothers and Tingxue look out for each other, but you’re just selfish and only ever think of yourself! Our parents never favored you over Tingxue, and you’ve never shown any gratitude. We’ve managed to raise you this far—thank goodness for that!"

Ningxia laughed to herself. The Su family truly owed her nothing.

She had paid back everything in her previous life, even at the cost of her own life. She had worked herself to the bone for her three brothers and given everything to Tingxue. Had that not been enough gratitude?

But if they expected the same now, they were gravely mistaken.

"Big brother, safe travels," Ningxia said, her eyes void of emotion or attachment, treating him like a stranger.

Eldest Brother Su clenched his jaw, unable to understand how his sister had changed so much! Could she really not even help with this small request to speak to the commander? But then again, Commander Ma had already cut them off and barely tolerated seeing them.

Still, he couldn't help but blame Ningxia. In his mind, it was all her fault.

He didn’t realize that once such a thought took root, it would only grow more intense.

At the clinic, Tingxue Su arrived in her lovely new shoes and the latest dress, turning heads as she walked up—she was a striking sight.

Since returning to the Su family, Tingxue had loved nothing more than showing off.