Shen Yumian disappeared from the shadows behind Linzhou University, originally intending to head straight back to the Shen Family Main Hall.
But the next second, what her foot landed on wasn’t the main hall carpet, but the damp, mossy stone slab beside the backyard pond.
One more half-step forward and she would have stepped directly into the pond.
Shen Yumian glanced down at her shoe tip, then at the koi fish swimming lazily past in the pond, and fell silent for two seconds.
Spatial teleportation—outsiders saw it as convenient, but in reality, every use required confirming coordinates, distance, barriers, and landing point stability.
Not to mention she’d never been able to control the landing position with any precision.
Especially with longer-range teleports. Short distances were fine, but the main family always thought she was suited for running errands. ‘Suited, my ass.’
Shen Yumian couldn’t be bothered to complain. The main hall lights were still on at this hour.
This grand courtyard estate nestled in the heart of the Capital City was the Shen Family Main House—the place Shen Huaixue had grown up in since childhood.
Shen Mu sat in the main seat, an untouched cup of tea resting at her side. Her features bore a resemblance to Shen Huaixue’s, though her temperament was heavier, less razor-sharp than her daughter’s.
She wasn’t the type you’d instantly know not to cross just by looking at her—but a single moment of eye contact was enough to stir inexplicable fear.
The moment Shen Yumian stepped inside, Shen Mu looked up.
Perhaps it was due to strong genes—from the eyes and brow alone, she shared a noticeable likeness with both Shen Huaixue and Shen Yumian. The only difference was the few wrinkles time had left on her face.
“I heard movement from the backyard just now. I thought you’d landed in the pond again.” Clearly, Shen Mu was well aware that her daughter’s ability was slightly… unstable.
Shen Yumian paused mid-step, then walked expressionlessly to the sofa and sat down, sinking slightly into the cushions.
“Nothing… it’s nothing. Just… Mom, I think I might not be suited for this kind of work…” Shen Yumian was an incredibly lazy creature. If not for her mother’s nearly coercive tone, she would never have gone to Linzhou City at all.
However, before she could finish, she was silenced by the icy glare Shen Mu shot her way.
That cold, piercing look—exactly like Shen Huaixue’s.
Looking at her third daughter, Shen Mu picked up the teacup beside her and took a sip.
She didn’t rush to ask about Shen Huaixue’s condition. It was as if she already knew Shen Yumian would throw a little tantrum upon returning.
Compared to that ‘good-for-nothing fourth daughter,’ she was far more interested in the man rumored to have ‘straightened out’ Shen Huaixue.
“Sit down, take your time. I know you’re tired, but about today—I really do want to hear it from your own mouth.”
Shen Yumian leaned back into the sofa and raised a hand to rub her brow.
“Mom~ you know me. I think Fourth Sister’s still the same—still a rebellious teenager.” Hearing her mother’s words, Shen Yumian looked up with a somewhat helpless expression.
“You don’t exactly have room to talk about your sister like that. After all, you’re not that much older than her.” Among the four sisters, Shen Mu seemed to hold special affection for Shen Huaixue.
Though, thinking about it, it made sense—a child born in one’s later years. She’d already had three daughters before, but by instinct of her nature, Shen Mu doted on Shen Huaixue from the bottom of her heart.
And naturally, the three older sisters above Shen Huaixue cared for her as well—except for Shen Yumian.
That wasn’t to say Shen Yumian hated Shen Huaixue. It was probably just a difference in personality.
“Tell me about that boy. I can roughly guess how Huaixue is doing. What I want to hear is your take on Lin Jianqing—after seeing him with your own eyes, what did you think of him?”
Shen Yumian leaned back into the sofa and rubbed her brow again.
“I did stop by to check out that boy on the way. But because of my ability… ugh, I teleported directly right in front of his face. He probably doesn’t know who I am.”
“Hopefully he doesn’t connect me to Fourth Sister.” Thinking about her lack of mastery over her ability, Shen Yumian couldn’t help but feel a bit deflated.
Shen Mu listened, her fingertips lightly tracing the rim of her teacup.
Shen Yumian continued: “He was at a convenience store, holding some things. Looked like an ordinary student. Pretty, though—like a porcelain doll. And… just from his face, you could tell he’s someone easy to push around. Probably gets bullied by Fourth Sister a lot.”
Listening to Shen Yumian’s account, Shen Mu unconsciously let out a slightly strained smile.
Yes—that was Shen Mu’s only concern. She’d tried before to correct Shen Huaixue’s orientation issues, but every attempt had ended in failure, and quite ungracefully at that.
Shen Yumian looked somewhat helpless. “And honestly, I don’t think that boy can handle Fourth Sister. Fourth Sister is so dominant…” Thinking of Lin Jianqing’s appearance, Shen Yumian paused for a moment.
She had indeed forgotten one thing—Lin Jianqing’s face really did resemble that person…
But… Shen Yumian’s previously deflated expression suddenly turned serious as she looked at Shen Mu. She was debating whether to tell her about this.
Shen Mu set down her teacup, her voice still steady: “I just think—no wonder Huaixue noticed him. It must be his looks. That child is quite handsome. But that’s not the reason Huaixue approached him, is it?”
As a mother, she naturally understood her own daughter. And regarding that matter—it was something the Shen family simply didn’t bring up unless necessary.
Shen Yumian looked at her. Shen Mu didn’t avoid the topic.
“I can probably guess, so don’t look at me like that. But it’s fine—at least it’s a good start. If I get the chance, I’d quite like to meet this young man.” As Shen Mu said this, her relaxed expression turned somewhat grave.
Shen Yumian listened, her expression growing complicated.
She glanced down at the old photo album on the edge of the table. The cover was worn, the corners yellowed with age.
Shen Yumian had noticed it when she walked in but hadn’t asked. Those were probably photos of Shen Huaixue as a child.
“Huaixue wasn’t as rebellious when she was little,” Shen Mu suddenly said.
“She had a temper—whatever she liked, she had to keep where she could see it. What she didn’t like, she’d push away. When she was angry, she’d ignore people, but she’d deliberately sit somewhere I could see her, waiting for me to come comfort her.”
“Later, she grew quieter and quieter, more and more like what the Shen family needed her to be. People outside said she was composed and steady—I never liked hearing that.”
Shen Yumian said nothing. Shen Huaixue really had changed a lot over the years.
She was beautiful, capable, and ruthless in her actions. That probably also led to a gradual admiration for the strong simmering inside her. Eventually… well. By now, her aversion to men was no longer ordinary disgust—it was more like instinct.
Shen Mu’s fingers rested on the photo album, but she didn’t open it.
“After Lin Jianqing appeared, she at least started having reactions. Those reactions might seem childish on anyone else, but on her… they’re enough to let me breathe easy.”