CHAPTER 108: CHAPTER 108: SLAPPING THE FAKE RICH GIRL 9

Song Ruyi comforted Anning while fretting over the situation.

Zhao Han’s face also bore a look of concern.

Seeing Anning’s state, it was impossible for her to share a room with Zhao Mingzhu.

It wasn’t that Anning couldn’t tolerate Zhao Mingzhu; it was truly that the Liu Family had treated her too harshly. The mere sight of Zhao Mingzhu filled Anning with irresistible fear.

If the two children were forced to stay together, Anning might endure it for a day or two. However, in the long run, who knows what might happen to her—she could either become so frightened that she withdraws into herself or could erupt in pent-up frustration and possibly lash out and hurt someone.

Zhao Han had seen too much of such cases, but experiencing such matters with others compared to her own daughter felt entirely different.

Since the two children couldn’t stay in one place, one of them would inevitably have to leave.

Send Anning away?

How could that be possible?

She was their biological daughter, the one they failed to care for for fifteen years. They had finally found her, and Song Ruyi personally brought her home. There was no way they would send her away on the first day she entered their home.

Not to mention that Zhao Han and Song Ruyi felt emotionally unable to do so, it wasn’t right by any stretch of logic.

There was no sense in favoring an adopted daughter over their biological child.

Zhao Han frowned and glanced at Zhao Mingzhu: "Mingzhu, go upstairs first. When it’s time for dinner, I’ll have Aunt Zhang bring it up to you."

Song Ruyi also looked apologetically at Zhao Mingzhu: "Mingzhu, your sister suffered from domestic abuse for many years in the Liu Family. When I found her, she had attempted suicide by slitting her wrists. She’s still not psychologically recovered. We need to consider her feelings. Do you understand your mother’s intentions?"

Zhao Mingzhu actually wanted to call Anning ’Sister Anning.’

But here, in front of Song Ruyi, Anning was directly referred to as Zhao Mingzhu’s younger sister.

Because, in Song Ruyi’s biased view, the elder sister should always give way to the younger one.

With Anning’s frail and pitiable appearance compared to the radiant Zhao Mingzhu, it was clear who should accommodate whom.

Inside, Zhao Mingzhu felt quite aggrieved.

She had long thought things through, planning to show goodwill to Anning as soon as she arrived, to gain some favor. Then she would gradually handle this disgraceful wretch.

But before she could enact her plan, Anning had already broken down.

What was she to do now?

Moreover, the Zhao Family clearly favored Anning.

Why should she hide upstairs because Anning could not bear to see her? Why not send Anning up instead?

Zhao Mingzhu’s heart was filled with grievances, yet she still said with a smile: "It’s okay, I understand what mom means. I’ll go upstairs now. Over time, I’ll get to know my sister better so she won’t be afraid of me anymore."

Zhao Mingzhu did not linger but consciously turned and went upstairs, even showing pity and concern for Anning on her face without a hint of complaint.

Anning saw and remembered all of this.

An Xin jumped around in her Divine Soul: "This Zhao Mingzhu is really not simple, so scheming for someone her age."

Anning pondered: "She is indeed scheming, and her IQ is also high. She’s not someone easy to deal with."

An Xin wasn’t worried at all: "Ningning is the most powerful one. There’s no one Ningning can’t handle. Go for it, Ningning."

Anning continued discussing with An Xin while cuddling up to Song Ruyi and acting affectionately: "Mom, I was really too scared just now, I’m sorry... Maybe we should ask Sister to come down. We are a family after all; we have to get used to each other."

Song Ruyi patted Anning’s back: "It’s okay, your sister won’t mind."

She pulled Anning to sit on the couch, and Zhao Han personally poured a glass of water for Anning: "Take a sip of water, take your time."

Anning timidly accepted the glass and turned to Zhao Han with a pleasing smile.

Her smile was shy and coy, carrying a hint of ingenuity. Seeing this, Zhao Han was reminded of a puppy he had taken care of when he was young.

That puppy used to look at him with such joy and obedience, wagging its tail excitedly whenever it saw him.

"Your father is aware of everything about you."

Thinking of the deeply attached puppy, Zhao Han felt even more accommodating towards Anning: "You’ve suffered a lot in the past, but it’s all behind us now. We shouldn’t dwell on those things. Look forward to the future, from now on your mother, I, and your brother and sister will take good care of you."

"Mm, I know."

Anning sipped her water demurely: "When I was with the Liu Family, I guessed maybe it was because I wasn’t their biological child, they always seemed not to like me. Now that I have my biological parents, it’s definitely different."

Just hearing this sentence made Zhao Han’s heart skip a beat.

He couldn’t help but think more deeply.

Zhao Mingzhu was also not their biological child, but Zhao Han believed he had never neglected her in all these years.

Zhao Mingzhu grew up adored and pampered in the Zhao Family.

However, being likewise not biologically related, what Anning experienced in the Liu Family was appalling and infuriating.

The Liu Family’s living conditions weren’t too bad either; Mr. Liu and Mrs. Liu were both working, earning a decent monthly salary, and they owned their own house. Although it was no villa like the Zhao’s, a 100-plus square meter house was still considerable among average workers.

Logically, even if Anning didn’t enjoy rich material conditions in the Liu Family, she shouldn’t have been starved to the point of malnutrition or beaten to psychological trauma.

Zhao Han narrowed his eyes.

The same mistakenly taken daughters but with such contrasting treatment; there must be something he didn’t know.

Zhao Han decided to have someone investigate the Liu Family thoroughly and delve into the events of the past.

Song Ruyi exchanged a few more words with Anning, then looked at Zhao Mingrui: "Your sister has been staying at home these past few days, you should take good care of her. Also, when you have time, take her out to have some fun, don’t just stay at home all the time."

Originally, Song Ruyi was hoping to have Zhao Mingzhu accompany Anning out.

But now that Anning was so afraid of Zhao Mingzhu, she couldn’t let them be too close anymore, and could only rely on Zhao Mingrui to look after Anning.

Zhao Mingrui had no complaints.

His relationship with Zhao Mingzhu wasn’t very deep, so naturally, he wouldn’t see his biological sister as an intruder and be disdainful towards Anning like in those melodramatic novels.

"I know."

He smiled, sitting across from Anning: "Day after tomorrow is Saturday, I’ll take you out to have fun."

Anning responded with a hum: "Okay, it’s just that I... I’ve never been out to play before and don’t know how to, brother please don’t despise me."

"Not at all."

Zhao Mingrui patted Anning’s head: "In the future, big brother will take you out more, and once you’ve played more, you’ll learn everything."

"Thank you, brother."

Anning’s eyes gradually lit up, shining like the twinkling stars in the night sky, her eyes filled with pure delight.

Seeing her like this, the Zhao Family were all quite pleased.

At this moment, the room was filled with warmth, everyone’s attention was on Anning, and they had completely forgotten about Zhao Mingzhu.

When it was time for dinner, Anning sat at the table looking at the full spread of dishes, and her heart was filled with unease.

"What’s wrong?"

Song Ruyi was the first to notice Anning’s discomfort: "Are these dishes not to your taste?"

Anning shook her head, her smile tinged with bitterness: "No, it’s just... this is the first time I’m sitting at a table to eat in my entire life, I..."

She lowered her head, nervously rubbing the corner of her clothing.