CHAPTER 48: 048: SEEING THAT BITCH’S DAUGHTER (3 MORE CHAPTERS)

On the way back, Lai Yang huddled by the car door, curled up like a quail.

Ning Guiwan was also silent. Quan Yu sat in the front passenger seat directly in front of her. If she happened to look up, she could see the neat hair on the back of his head and a small part of his exposed black shirt collar.

The man’s skin was rather fair, and against the black, it exuded a cool impression.

As they were about to arrive at the Quan Family mansion, Quan Yu received a phone call. Ning Guiwan couldn’t make out what the person on the other end was saying, but she heard him answer in a deep voice, "I’ll come over in a while."

When they arrived, he didn’t get out of the car. Lai Yang, holding Ning Guiwan’s arm, stood by the car and politely waved goodbye.

Quan Yu’s heavy gaze swept across Ning Guiwan’s face before the car quickly started up again.

Ning Guiwan breathed a light sigh of relief.

Over the next few days, Lai Yang stayed in the mansion to recover from her injuries. Ning Guiwan, aside from keeping her company, also had to visit Old Madam Quan in the hospital. During this period, Ning Honghua and Ning Rongyue came to the hospital together to visit the old lady.

Old Madam Quan strongly disapproved of Ning Honghua due to his extramarital affair, and their visit ended on an awkward note.

The old lady was discharged from the hospital on her fifth day there, in late October.

By then, Lai Yang’s knee had also mostly healed, forming a thick scab.

The afternoon after Old Madam Quan returned home, Quan Heng and He Yunqing came to visit her.

Quan Heng was not Old Madam Quan’s biological son, and their relationship had never been particularly close, but they maintained a cordial appearance. That evening, Old Madam Quan invited the couple to stay for dinner. When Ning Guiwan arrived after work, He Yunqing was accompanying the old lady on a walk in the courtyard.

Quan Heng sat under the setting sun drinking tea, the scene rather tranquil.

Upon seeing Ning Guiwan, He Yunqing was momentarily stunned before quickly recovering and smiling warmly. "You and Xiaoyang used to be inseparable. After being apart for four or five years, your relationship seems even better than before."

Lai Yang had seen Ning Guiwan’s car from upstairs much earlier and had run out. Hearing He Yunqing’s words, she affectionately linked her arm through Ning Guiwan’s and said cheerfully, "Of course! We’re the closest."

He Yunqing smiled. She casually plucked a golden chrysanthemum from a nearby bush and gently stroked its petals with her other hand. After glancing at Quan Heng, she turned to Ning Guiwan. "Xiangru and Qinghan are also coming for dinner tonight," she said. "You girls should talk more. Whatever grudges there were in the past, sisters are sisters. Blood is thicker than water."

Ning Guiwan just smiled, saying nothing.

When Old Madam Quan heard Ning Qinghan was coming, she frowned in displeasure. She hadn’t known about this beforehand and had no intention of inviting Ning Honghua’s illegitimate daughter to cause trouble for Ning Guiwan. However, her years of good breeding prevented her from turning anyone away from her door.

Moreover, Ning Qinghan was soon to be her stepson’s daughter-in-law, which technically made her a granddaughter-in-law as well.

Still, she glanced at Ning Guiwan and, noticing that her expression was normal, felt reassured.

Her Xiaowan had matured.

Lai Yang was also slightly displeased and said bluntly, "Can we not invite those two over?"

Hearing this, He Yunqing withdrew her gaze from Quan Heng. She looked down at the flower in her hand, which she had badly crumpled, and absentmindedly tossed it into the flower bushes. Still maintaining her dignified and amiable smile, she asked, "Didn’t you and Xiangru used to get along well too? Why are you unwilling to even see him now? Did he offend you?"

Lai Yang started to say, "He—" but Ning Guiwan tugged her arm. "Have you changed your dressing today?"

Lai Yang paused for a moment before catching on. "No. Isn’t it mostly healed? Does it still need changing?"

"Changing it a few more times will help it heal faster," Ning Guiwan said, leading Lai Yang back inside.

He Yunqing watched the two young women’s retreating backs for a moment, then murmured with a smile, "Their bond is truly strong."

Old Madam Quan, tired from her walk, was helped back to her room by Butler Fang.

Quan Heng was still sitting in the sunset, holding a teacup, not taking a sip for a long time.

His expression was clearly distracted.

He Yunqing walked over and sat down on the other side of the small round table, her smile still in place, though now it held a hint of coldness. "What’s wrong? Does seeing that wretch’s daughter make you think of *her*?"