Qin Yue lay on the sofa, not saying a word.
It was getting late, and Qin Mom had already gone home, leaving only Qin Yue, Qin Xin, and Bai Ningning in the Shuiyue Tingyuan.
It was just the three of them, a typical family setup. With only familiar faces around, there was no need to be as cautious as before. However, Qin Yue still chose to remain silent, not wanting to speak.
Bai Ningning tentatively broke the silence, "What exactly happened? Why did they tell their families about this?"
Even with her not-so-great emotional intelligence, she could understand that this kind of matter was a family disgrace that shouldn't be aired publicly. Those interns were trying to please Qin Yue; how could they let this information slip out?
"They think they are doing a good deed," Qin Xin said lightly. "They believe that you often bully your sister at home, making her suffer greatly and endure a lot of grievances. So, by telling this, they think they are reporting it, which would prompt the elders to intervene and seek justice."
Bai Ningning was taken aback, "Can the elders really seek justice?"
Qin Xin smiled knowingly, "They think they can."
Qin Xin was aware of what had happened because Su Le and Lin Yi thought she was on their side, so they had discussed it with her.
In fact, Qin Xin could understand their perspective. After all, for Su Le and Lin Yi, the elders in their family were like deities; the younger generation had to listen to what the adults said.
So, they didn't realize that the Qin family was different. More specifically, Qin Yue was different.
"Then it was all for nothing," Bai Ningning shrugged. "It didn't achieve any effect; only Yueyue is hurt?"
Qin Xin curled her lips, "Not necessarily. At least it achieved one of their intended effects—like lowering your favorability in the eyes of the Qin family elders."
"Favorability? Then it's fine," Bai Ningning said nonchalantly. "There was never much favorability to begin with."
After the last confrontation at the dining table, where she had said "No way, no way," any favorability had already hit rock bottom. It wouldn't matter if it dropped a little lower.
Meanwhile, Qin Yue, who was watching TV, suddenly felt a tightness in her chest.
Upon hearing Qin Xin's earlier words, she finally understood why the elders in her family believed that rumor without a doubt, and didn't even bother to investigate.
Because it had already been demonstrated before. Last time, during a meal at her hometown, when Qin Yue wanted to stand up and say a few words, Bai Ningning had scared her back down with a "Want to sleep on the sofa?" From that moment on, her image as someone who was controlled by her wife had been solidified, which is why everyone believed this rumor so readily.
"You all chat," Qin Yue slowly stood up. "I'm going to my room to rest."
She felt a bit tired both physically and mentally and needed to lie down for a while.
Watching her older sister leave, Bai Ningning felt worried.
To be fair, although she couldn't fully understand, since her older sister really couldn't compete with her, the rumors circulating outside were all based on facts.
But Qin Yue was still her older sister, and seeing her in such distress made Bai Ningning want to help her share the burden.
"Qin Xin, junior," she asked the second young lady of the Qin family, "What should we do about Yueyue now?"
Qin Xin was indifferent and replied lightly, "She just can't figure it out for the moment. Heart problems need heart medicine; she'll come to terms with it herself."
Qin Xin meant that her sister would eventually understand, and there was no need to worry; just leave her be. However, the speaker was oblivious while the listener took it to heart. Upon hearing it was a psychological issue, Bai Ningning immediately took it seriously.
If it was a psychological issue, then they needed to find a psychologist!
She picked up her phone and opened her contacts.
......
At the Si family, the family was sitting together for dinner. Si Father looked at his daughter, who had been eating only the main course, and tentatively asked, "Ah Xue, I heard you... went to sleep yesterday?"
Si Youxue put down her rice ball, puzzled, "Father, which day do I not sleep?"
"I heard you... went to sleep with someone?" Si Father asked more clearly.
Si Youxue put down her chopsticks, "What exactly do you want to say?"
Si Mother couldn't hold back any longer, "Ah Xue, those two kids told us that you went to Qin Yue's house yesterday, and they didn't see Qin Yue, but you went into the bedroom with that Bai... Bai..."
"Bai Ningning," Si Youxue calmly prompted.
"Yes, Bai Ningning. You went into the bedroom with her," Si Mother sighed, "How could you do that?"
After Su Le and Lin Yi returned home yesterday afternoon, they had exaggerated the situation to the fullest. However, the way they reported today's two incidents was somewhat different.
Qin Yue was taken down by Bai Ningning; they told everyone they met, and soon all four families knew about it.
As for what Si Youxue did, they only told Si Youxue's parents with embellishments. After all, there was no evidence, just speculation. Telling Si Youxue's parents was enough to get her into trouble.
Si Father sighed repeatedly, "We sent you to the Qin family to find a way to get close to Qin Yue, and you said you were a straight girl, not planning to get involved with girls. But now, in the blink of an eye, you've gone to Bai Ningning's bed... She's your rival!"
His beautiful daughter had repeatedly claimed she wasn't interested in dating, so she was unwilling to accept the family's arrangements. Yet, here she was, turning around and rolling in bed with her love rival.
"They said that, and you just believed it?"
Father Si was taken aback.
"I asked for a job with something to do at the company, and ended up being assigned to Bai Ningning's team. Going into her bedroom was just to discuss work," Si Youxue said succinctly.
Mother Si let out a slight sigh of relief: "So, there's no such thing?"
"What else could it be?"
Putting down her chopsticks, Si Youxue stood up and walked towards her room: "I'm full."
The girl walked for a few minutes, and the table remained silent. After a while, Father Si said quietly, "Maybe Ah Xue really didn't, we were too anxious."
"Maybe," Mother Si's expression was complicated, "But I'm more worried about another thing they said."
"They" referred to Su Le and Lin Yi, who came to report what they had said.
"What thing?" Father Si asked, confused.
"Well, if this is true, the two kids from the Su and Lin families said that our Ah Xue was out in just an hour."
Dressed and entering the bedroom, if something really happened, then from undressing, preliminary work, formal work, body cleaning, to getting dressed again, all of that would take just one hour in total.
Mother Si's mood was complicated.
......
Doctor Chen was in a good mood today; she had just helped a patient in need and maintained her usual kind demeanor, nurturing both body and mind.
When she finished organizing the medical records and was about to go to bed, her phone suddenly rang.
Ding ding ding, the caller was Bai Ningning.
Her previously beautiful mood from the morning suddenly dimmed.
She closed her eyes, pretending she was already asleep. Sorry, Dr. Chen is not taking emergency calls today.
The call went unanswered and hung up. A few seconds later, the phone rang again.
Still that dreaded name.
Doctor Chen took a deep breath and gritted her teeth.
If it's a blessing, it's fine; if it's a disaster, there's no avoiding it.