CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: DIFFICULTIES

The next day, Su Lingzhi was helped downstairs by Tong Yan, looking intimate as if she had already treated Su Lingzhi like her own sister.

Seeing the sisters getting along well, Su Yao and Du Qin were pleased, and praised Tong Yan generously at the dining table.

"Dad, Mom, is there anything Sister needs to avoid eating? I’ll remember it."

"The doctor said just eat lightly. Oh, right, your sister is allergic to peanuts and doesn’t eat cilantro."

Tong Yan smiled, "Okay, I’ll remember that."

Su Lingzhi, wearing sunglasses, turned her head to the side suspiciously at Tong Yan’s sudden change today.

But no matter what, as long as there are no disputes, everything can be discussed.

Du Qin then said, "Mom has to go to work today. You need to take good care of your sister at home. There are many things in the house, don’t let her get hurt."

"Mom, don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Sister."

After breakfast, the couple left together.

Once they left, only the two of them were left at home, and Tong Yan was obviously not as attentive, with her gaze towards Su Lingzhi also becoming colder.

Last night, she was still so domineering, asking her to leave the Su Family, Su Lingzhi did not believe she would suddenly change her nature and truly be good to her.

Besides, when she first met Tong Yan, she gave the impression of being weak and needing protection.

Now that she became the real daughter of the Su Family, she had changed.

Su Lingzhi didn’t want to share the same room with her and couldn’t find her guide cane after searching for a while.

Aunt Liu quickly came up to help but was frightened by Tong Yan’s fierce gaze, yet still resolutely handed the guide cane to Su Lingzhi, "Miss, where do you want to go? I’ll help you."

"I want to go to the garden."

Watching their departing backs, Tong Yan was furious.

When Aunt Liu returned, Tong Yan stopped her, "Aunt Liu, I think you should know very well who is the true master in this house."

"Second Miss, the eldest Miss is already pitiful enough being blind, why make things difficult for her?" Aunt Liu had never thought that this seemingly innocent real daughter was actually a duplicitous person, pretending so well in front of Mr. and Mrs. Su, but secretly causing trouble.

"Me, making things difficult for her? Clearly, she’s the one who took everything from me. Just because she can’t see, everyone in the Su Family pities her and sides with her. Now even a servant won’t listen to me. So who’s going to compensate for the grievances I suffered outside for all these years?"

Aunt Liu comforted, "Mr. and Mrs. Su are already trying their best to compensate you, it’s just a matter of time, Second Miss, patience is a virtue."

"Since when was it your place to chastise me here?" Tong Yan frowned tightly, threatening, "If you dare defy me again, believe me, I will fire you immediately."

Upon hearing the word "fire," Aunt Liu instantly panicked, her face turning pale, suppressing her emotions.

The Su Family was generous, treating their servants better than other employers, and the family’s livelihood almost depended on her maintaining it. She couldn’t afford to lose this job.

Seeing her becoming a little more compliant, Tong Yan sneered contemptuously, "Call all the servants here."

Although the Su Family was divided, they all lived in this courtyard, interacting with each other but not interfering with each other’s household matters.

Thus, in the building they resided now, it was headed by Su Yao, while other Su brothers lived in separate buildings.

Shortly after, Aunt Liu called all the servants out, lining them up in a row.

Tong Yan looked over them one by one, stating, "Remember, who is truly your employer. Su Lingzhi is an outsider. If any of you dare side with her, don’t blame me for being ruthless. Also, if my words reach Dad and Mom’s ears, then none of you will have a good time."

The Su Family greatly feared disputes, let alone the servants filing complaints against the masters, all nodded obediently in agreement.

Tong Yan smiled satisfactorily, experiencing for the first time the taste of money and power at home, inexplicably feeling a sense of victory.

...

When Zhuang Xiaoxi arrived at the Su Family, she was informed by a maid that Su Lingzhi was not home.

On her way out, she dialed a phone call.

"Zhizhi, where have you gone?"

"I’m at home."

Zhuang Xiaoxi halted her steps, "Why did your maid say you weren’t home?"

Upon hearing this, Su Lingzhi immediately realized something, replying, "Wait for me a moment, I’ll come out right away."

After hanging up, Su Lingzhi stood up with her guide cane and called out, "Is anyone here?"

Her call was met with silence.

There had just been someone pruning the flowers beside her, but now there was no response.

Su Lingzhi’s face darkened, planning not to ask for help, she groped her way towards the door alone.

Two maids stood silently watching from the side, hesitated but didn’t step forward.

The Su Family was large, with many steps, if she were to stumble or trip, Mr. and Mrs. Su would definitely question them.

However, it was equally unwise to offend the Second Miss of the Su Family.

Seeing her walk past and step onto the fish pond bridge, just one step away from falling in, the maids shouted out in fear, "Eldest Miss!"

Su Lingzhi stopped, followed by the sound of quick footsteps heading her way, accompanied by a strong breeze.

Before she could react to what was happening, she was forcefully embraced.

The sudden loss of gravity made her instinctively grab onto the man.

Feeling the rise and fall of the man’s chest, Su Lingzhi also became somewhat nervous.

Jiang Chenglin glanced at the person in his arms, slowly setting her down, glaring angrily at the hurried maids, "Is this how you take care of her?"

The two maids trembled with fear, speechless.

Zhuang Xiaoxi rushed over with concern, "Zhizhi, are you okay?"

Su Lingzhi shook her head.

"You almost fell into the pond just now."

Pond?

Su Lingzhi’s face stiffened, knowing her situation was embarrassing, she didn’t want her friends to worry about her, comforting, "It’s nothing, my eyes will be fine soon."

Zhuang Xiaoxi looked at her solemnly.

The doctor said recovery could be as soon as two months, but if not cared for well during this period, it might take longer.

In situations like today, if she had moved one step or had not stood firm, she would definitely have been seriously injured.

Thankfully, Jiang Chenglin arrived just in time...

Zhuang Xiaoxi pointed the blame at the two maids, "What’s going on with the Su Family’s servants? First, falsely claiming Zhizhi isn’t home, then watching her walk into the pond without offering help."

Facing their questioning, the two maids found it hard to defend themselves, remaining silent was the best choice.

But Zhuang Xiaoxi persisted, "I asked you a question, are you mute?"

"Xiaoxi." Su Lingzhi held her hand, speaking softly, "The Su Family has nurtured me, I don’t want to make things difficult for Dad and Mom."

She sensed what had happened.

Everything was fine in the morning; after Tong Yan gathered them, everything changed. Their drastic shift was probably at Tong Yan’s behest.

"But..." Zhuang Xiaoxi worriedly looked at her, then spoke, "I’m here for you, if the Su Family can’t take care of you, I’ll take you away."