I laughed. "That's because I have a good background. I have Jing Tian and my little uncle to back me up. I am merely using their power to intimidate others." I shrugged. "Ultimately, it has its upsides. At the very least, smart people like you won't bully me."
Lu Yan patted my shoulder with a smile. "Nanxing, there's no need to belittle yourself. Even though you have powerful backers, you've never relied on them. I do not want to be your enemy simply because you are better as a friend than an enemy."
That was high praise, and I appreciated it.
We both knew this was the first and last time we'd talk so openly like this. After tonight, I'd return as Sky City's Sister Xing, and she'd no longer be the poor student who had to work multiple part-time jobs to support herself and her brothers. She would be the eldest daughter of the Gu Family, and her status would rise higher than Gu Yan.
But some details didn't bear to be scrutinized. For example, did Lu Yan didn't know about the tattoo on her shoulder? Did she really not plan the shooting? Did Si Nan deliberately trick Gu Yan? How much more intelligent was Gu Yan than Si Nan? Also, did Gu Nian really know nothing about all this?
Fortunately, these had nothing to do with Sky City. We focused on recovery. I didn't even ask for the outcomes of our kidnappers. Jing Tian, my little uncle, and Qu Hao would deal with them. They wouldn't have us testify in court, and we didn't even have to go to the police station to make a statement.
Lu Yan was right about one thing. It was good having a powerful backer.
The next morning, Mai Qi pushed Jing Ni downstairs to enjoy the sun. I didn't join them because I had a feeling someone would come to visit me. I took out a book to read.
I was quite sleepy when my visitor arrived.
Ye Qian carried a big bouquet of baby's breath with her. They were beautifully in bloom. I loved them dearly. I thanked her and placed them in the vase beside my bed.
"I knew you'd like them." Ye Qian said with a smile.
I returned to my bed and sat down with a smile. I invited Ye Qian to sit on the chair beside me. "Recently, I find many people trying to guess my preference, and everyone is quite accurate."
I was only making a casual observation but Ye Qian's expression darkened. In just a day's time, she lost so much of her spirit. We were both silent.
I was the one to break the silence, "Lu Yan has been accepted back into the Gu Family?"
Ye Qian nodded. Then she let out a long sigh of relief. The rest came easier to her.
"Sometimes, I wonder if I would end up like Lu Yan, taking care of four younger brothers and having to work multiple jobs if I hadn't gone to the Gu Family. Or would my life be completely different?"
I thought for a moment. "In an alternate universe, after Lu Yan returned to the Gu Family, she would come to fetch all of you. All of you will have better opportunities, but since the opportunities would be shared, none of you in the other timeline would fare better than you do now."
Tears flashed in Ye Qian's eyes. "You're right, Nanxing. You understand me best."
That was too big of a hat for me. I quickly corrected, "I was merely making a casual hypothesis. It doesn't mean anything."
Ye Qian smiled. "You're right again. Everyone's life is fated. There is no right or wrong. I don't think I've done anything wrong. I did what I did for survival. I have the right to pick the choice that is best for me. I have to take care of myself first before the others. Nanxing, I've done nothing wrong."
We looked at each other.
I smiled.
The biggest difference between Ye Qian and Lu Yan was that Ye Qian didn't think she was wrong; Lu Yan didn't think she had violated the general morality.
Humans are such curious creatures.