Ning Wanciu felt her heart in turmoil.
She couldn’t help but start overthinking.
Just a moment ago, she thought it was fine to let things flow naturally, yet now she found herself wondering why An Yu wanted to get close to her in the first place.
Come to think of it, An Yu always seemed to be sniffing around her, ever since the day they were on duty together.
Everything strange began from that day onward.
At first, Ning Wanciu thought there was something odd about her own scent.
The next morning, she even made sure to take a shower before heading to school.
But that didn’t seem to matter—An Yu still liked to sniff her.
Although I’m not sure… somehow, I feel like that’s exactly her reason.
Looking at the sleeping An Yu, Ning Wanciu suddenly wanted to pinch her little cheeks.
“Really… sleeping so soundly…”
Ning Wanciu pressed her lips together helplessly, but in the end, she didn’t act on the impulse. Instead, she gently stroked An Yu’s head.
Mainly because An Yu was sleeping so sweetly—it would be a shame to wake her.
“Mmm…”
Sensing the touch on her head, An Yu unconsciously nuzzled against Ning Wanciu’s palm, her little mouth slightly opening and closing in comfort.
Seeing this, Ning Wanciu’s lips curved into a soft smile.
Watching An Yu happy made her happy too.
An Yu was like another little sister to her—a sister who never caused trouble, who was affectionate and easy to be with.
As her hand gently brushed through An Yu’s hair, Ning Wanciu couldn’t help but think of her own sister again.
Unlike An Yu, perhaps because she’d been brushed off too many times, Ning Dongli always chose silence.
Even when facing her as an older sister, she stayed quiet.
If only Dongli could be like An Yu…
Ning Wanciu couldn’t help but think so.
If it were An Yu—whatever she wanted to do, or whatever she encountered—she would probably tell Ning Wanciu directly.
Though they hadn’t known each other long, Ning Wanciu had already formed a clear impression of her.
An Yu’s behavior was sometimes unpredictable, but she was always straightforward—rarely beating around the bush.
If Dongli were like that, Ning Wanciu wouldn’t have waited until things almost became irreversible to realize something was wrong.
A hint of sorrow flickered in Ning Wanciu’s eyes. Every time she thought of Ning Dongli’s situation, her heart ached.
Though Ning Dongli was now willing to talk to her, it was only with her.
If anyone else was mentioned, she’d return to that silent, expressionless version of herself.
Although… An Yu didn’t talk much either.
Blinking unconsciously as she looked at the sleeping An Yu, a thought crossed Ning Wanciu’s mind.
Right… An Yu!
If it’s An Yu—if it’s really her!
Maybe she could become friends with Dongli! After all…
Recalling how her two close friends had instantly fallen for An Yu’s charms, Ning Wanciu grew excited, nodding to herself.
After all, Cheng Shimumeng and Huai Xiang only acted that way toward An Yu.
Anyone else, and they wouldn’t even bother looking their way.
But… would An Yu be willing to meet Dongli?
And did she even have time to?
As if remembering something, Ning Wanciu’s excitement cooled, replaced by a solemn expression.
Her brows furrowed tightly—she almost forgot. Something unpleasant might be happening around An Yu too.
The Recognition Banquet of the An Family… was tonight.
She’d be attending as well, representing her family.
Ning Wanciu had long wanted to ask An Yu about it, but the girl always looked carefree and indifferent, as if she didn’t care about the banquet at all.
So Ning Wanciu let it slide.
As someone from a prestigious family, she knew full well what such banquets were for.
They existed for one purpose—to elevate the banquet’s star.
It didn’t matter whether An Qing was a daughter born out of wedlock being “legitimized,” or a long-lost heiress of the An Family, or something else entirely.
The An Family would pour resources into her regardless.
If the An Family truly loved their daughters, that would be fine—but if not…
Ning Wanciu shook her head. She didn’t want to think further.
Lowering her gaze at the sleeping An Yu, she let out a helpless smile.
There was probably nothing to worry about. After all, An Yu herself didn’t seem to care.
Still, even if something did happen, it was fine.
Raising one sister or two—it made no difference.
An Yu lay sleeping peacefully on Ning Wanciu’s lap, utterly unaware that she had just gained another place to belong.
She’d probably never have to worry again about being driven out of the An Family—someone was already willing to take her in.
Even though An Yu had done nothing at all—she was simply sleeping.
An Qing couldn’t understand. She absolutely couldn’t.
Ever since the moment she saw An Yu and Ning Wanciu walking hand-in-hand out of the classroom, she had been unable to sit still.
In the end, unable to bear it any longer, she found an excuse to slip out alone.
Taking a deep breath of fresh air, An Qing’s hands trembled slightly, completely out of her control.
She didn’t understand—didn’t understand her own actions.
Whatever An Yu and Ning Wanciu were doing, it shouldn’t concern her. Yet she still followed.
To avoid being seen, she even hid in a far corner, secretly watching the two interact so closely.
An Qing clenched her fists tight. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t make sense of it.
She couldn’t understand why that opportunistic schemer An Yu was doing this—or what she wanted to gain from Ning Wanciu.
Rage burned in An Qing’s chest. There was only one thing she was sure of.
An Yu was lying again.
It was the same as in their previous life—An Yu only acted close to someone when she wanted something.
But this time, she’d done it with Ning Wanciu more than ever before. What was so special about that girl?
An Qing’s fists tightened again, her eyes locked fiercely on An Yu.
No. She couldn’t just stand by and watch someone else fall into An Yu’s trap. At least…
An Qing froze mid-step. Then she shook her head hard, driving the dangerous thoughts out of her mind.
Looking down at the foot she’d almost moved, she bit her lip.
She had nearly lost control. Right now, she couldn’t do anything.
After all, she wasn’t even close to Ning Wanciu—whatever she said wouldn’t be believed. And more importantly, she couldn’t expose herself in front of An Yu.
That girl was clever—too clever. She could always twist her around her little finger.
An Qing had no intention of making An Yu any more alert.
Taking a deep breath, she forced her anger down and regained her composure.
Calmly, she stepped out from her hiding spot, no longer peeking at An Yu as if nothing had happened.
There was no point in watching anyway. An Yu was asleep—and she couldn’t exactly enter her dreams.
She didn’t know what An Yu was planning, but this time, things would be different.
An Qing had prepared for everything.
Tonight’s Recognition Banquet would mark the beginning of her revenge.