Why did you provoke me?

The old lady looked at her newly brought-back granddaughter. She sat there quietly and calmly, a smile on her face. She seemed to have a good relationship with Niannian. From the moment she entered, she had been observing Niannian, who had stayed close to her side the whole time.

Hearing that she could teach Niannian how to make these beads, I couldn't help but nod in approval. This granddaughter has a broad mind and a very good temperament. It seems her adoptive parents have raised her very well.

They discussed it for a while before stopping and returning the beads to Niannian. Then they started asking Grandma all sorts of questions.

A woman who can be the grandmother of a prominent family is no fool. The old lady was extremely patient, answering their questions one by one.

If she understands, she'll smile and nod; if she doesn't, she'll frown and ponder. Every girl works very hard.

This was the first time Xiu-jie had experienced such a scene. She was still a little unaccustomed to it. However, no one showed her any aggression or exclusion.

Sometimes they would come to her with questions they didn't understand. Sister Xiu would offer a few simple words of guidance, and they would all nod and thank her. They were very polite and friendly to Sister Xiu.

This was completely different from what Sister Xiu had imagined. She thought that during this New Year's Eve dinner, many people would target her or plot against her.

The result was that everyone sat amicably around the old lady, discussing how to make beads, how to improve their quality, and how to imbue them with a kind of spirit. It was just like the tea party she had attended before—an academic exchange, with no personal grudges whatsoever.

The old lady chuckled inwardly at her granddaughter's bewildered look. In a true tycoon family, everyone is constantly striving to learn and climb the social ladder; who would dare to slack off? And who would be spouting nonsense in this situation?

"Sister Xiu, why don't you stay here and talk to Grandma about your adoptive parents? They've raised you very well."

"They treated me very well. Like a daughter," Sister Xiu said softly.

"I can see all of that. Just the fact that they passed on this superb beading skill to you shows how good they are to you," Grandma sighed. "My granddaughter is so lucky to have met such a kind family."

Sister Xiu nodded in agreement, "My treatment is the same as that of my eldest sister and younger sister. If my brother hadn't saved me on the mountain back then, I probably wouldn't be where I am today."

Grandma Zhao was a kind old woman. She chatted slowly with Sister Xiu about everyday matters and would occasionally ask about her adoptive parents' family.

Sister Xiu wasn't averse to it; she felt she needed someone to know what was on her mind, and she was willing to share it with an elderly woman like this.

Grandma revealed the truth about how she got lost years ago.

That nanny from the Fu family was a pawn planted by hostile forces, and had been there for many years. At the time, your parents were away on a mission. And I happened to be sick, so I sent you to the Fu family.

Who could have imagined something like this would happen? Your grandmother almost jumped into the river to commit suicide. It's only because the Fu family kept a close eye on her that nothing bad has happened over the years.

The Fu family started out making weapons. Their courtyard was actually the most secure; no one expected the nanny to take you out.

Sister Xiu asked, "There should be guards at the entrance, right? Didn't they ask a single question?"

Grandma's face showed a moment of blankness. "That guard just happened to be called away by your third uncle."

"What a coincidence!"

"Yes, when your parents found out about this, your mother almost broke down. Those were her mother and brother; she couldn't blame them."

For more than half a year, she was consumed by self-blame. Until she discovered she was pregnant with your little sister.

Later I heard that a group of people were dealt with, and even your third uncle stepped down from his position as heir.

Don't blame your parents; this was premeditated. Nobody knew when they would act.

"Yes, you all have all sorts of reasons, but in the end I'm the one who bears the consequences. How old was I then? Five years old."

Grandma Zhao fell silent. She had blamed herself for so many years, but in the end, it was this child who suffered.

Sister Xiu added, "They didn't even take good care of one, so how could they want a second one? Grandma, don't you think it's ironic?"

Fu Yuxin stood outside the door, tears streaming down her face. Zhao Anbang held her hand and said, "It's not your fault. We will treat her even better from now on."

"It's too late. She's grown up and doesn't need us anymore. We even took her away from her adoptive parents against her wishes. We didn't even ask her opinion."

Zhao Anbang helped the person to a small bedroom next door. "Have some water first. She's our own daughter, she won't hold a grudge against us."

"Do you even believe what you're saying?" Fu Yuxin covered her face with her hands; she had been tormented for ten years. She thought that by bringing him back, she could make it up to him later, never imagining that he no longer needed her.

Zhao Anbang sighed, "If she wants to go back in the future, we won't stop her."

Their work inevitably means they feel guilty towards their children, and now they don't know how to handle this relationship.

"Child, we all owe you something, but you've grown up so well. Life is long, so don't hate or resent. The experiences you've had over the years have been a treasure for you," Grandma Zhao said slowly.

Xiujie poured out her grievances, thinking that the old lady would talk about how hard her parents had worked, that she would make it up to her in the future, and that good days would come.

But she didn't. She acknowledged her mistake but didn't absolve herself of responsibility. Instead, she told her that life is long and you have to move forward. She couldn't help but recall what Yu Meng had once said: "If you can let go, you will be at ease."

Sister Xiu apologized to the old woman, feeling embarrassed, "I'm sorry, Grandma, I was too presumptuous."

"You're good. You dare to say what you want to say, which is something many people can't do. They think too much, they become preoccupied with gains and losses, and they forget their original intentions."

You have confidence, not only in yourself but also in your adoptive parents. You have a backup plan, which is good; you know when to advance and when to retreat, and you have a long-term vision. They have truly raised you very well.

Grandma Zhao praised Xiujie's adoptive parents once again.

Sister Xiu is proud; praising her adoptive parents is more effective than praising her directly.

Grandma Zhao understands the art of language, which also shows that experience matters, and Sister Xiu still has a long way to go.

Niannian had already taken a nap in the small bed next to her, and saw that her older sister Xiu was still talking to her grandmother. She didn't make a fuss, and sat there listening, but she couldn't understand what she was saying.

Sister Xiu had already stopped talking about her own affairs. With a ready-made teacher, how could she let it pass? She asked about all her questions and doubts in detail.

Grandma Zhao was also surprised by what Sister Xiu knew. Not only was it extensive, but she also had her own insights into everything. In particular, the dragging of lines was something that only a level 5 film maker could access, but this child had already done it very well and was practicing lifting.

Even with family training, it's not guaranteed they could achieve this. A prime example is Sister Xiu, who has already far surpassed others in her generation. She might become the leader of their family in the future.

The elders in the family are always very happy to see such younger generations.