"I..." Nan Shiqing burst into tears, feeling wronged. "I'm already in such a miserable state, and you still want to say this to me? Mom, if it weren't for Mu Yinyin, how could I have ended up like this? It's all her fault! It's all her fault, why are you blaming me so much? Do you think I want to be like this?"
After all, she was her own daughter. A few cries were enough to make He Xia's heart ache. After a pause, she softened her voice and said, "Alright, let me explain to you why it's not a bad thing."
This time, Nan Shiqing quieted down under the scolding and waited patiently for He Xia to finish.
He Xia was very pleased and said directly, "I will deliberately create two incidents to make Fu Siye 'coincidentally' discover that you were indeed framed, and that it was all fabricated evidence meticulously created by Mu Yinyin. At that time, do you think Fu Siye will feel more guilty towards you and try to make amends?"
Nan Shiqing's previously dejected face suddenly perked up, her eyes lighting up. "Mom, you really have a way?!"
"Of course. You just need to maintain your composure now. In front of outsiders, pretend to be a victim, disappointed and hurt by your own sister's betrayal, yet still wanting to protect her. Later, you'll post on Weibo, stating that you shouldn't have spoken to Mu Yinyin like that, apologize, and ask her to forgive you and remain sisters. Then, everyone will see your magnanimity and Mu Yinyin's pettiness."
Nan Shiqing strongly agreed with this plan. She was quite skilled at putting on a show in front of others, she just got too angry today. She immediately replied, "Okay! I'll post it right away!"
"No rush. Call Fu Siye first to explain things, and then post on Weibo."
Nan Shiqing immediately looked troubled again. "He... will he really believe me?"
He Xia chuckled. "I wish he wouldn't believe you."
"Ah?" Nan Shiqing looked at her mother with utter confusion, but this time she patiently waited for her explanation.
"That way, when Fu Siye learns the 'truth' later, he'll feel even more guilty towards you."
Truth.
He Xia spoke these words with a hidden meaning.
Nan Shiqing immediately felt a surge of excitement. She said directly, "Alright then, I'll call Fu Siye right now!"
"Mhm. Keep your composure. Don't let something like this happen again, understand!"
Nan Shiqing quickly responded, "I understand, I understand. I'll gather my emotions and call him."
"Mhm."
When it came to coaxing men, He Xia had confidence in her daughter's abilities.
After Nan Shiqing hung up the phone, she waited calmly for five minutes. Fu Siye still hadn't called her.
Had he not seen today's live broadcast, or was he... disappointed in her?
At this moment, Nan Shiqing wasn't entirely confident, but recalling what her mother had said, she didn't hesitate any longer. She took a deep breath, composed herself, and dialed Fu Siye's number.
However, after just one ring, the call was answered. Nan Shiqing was a bit surprised. Not hearing Fu Siye's voice, she hesitated, "Siye...?"
"Mhm," Fu Siye replied faintly, not adding any extra words.
Nan Shiqing, however, acutely sensed that Fu Siye didn't want to deal with her at the moment, but he hadn't hung up.
She instantly understood.
Fu Siye must have seen the live broadcast and... suspected her of having Mu Yinyin ghostwrite for her.
She bit her lip, feeling a distinct disappointment. Why wouldn't Fu Siye believe her and stand by her side?
If this were before, she would have been terrified, thinking she was finished, that Fu Siye had already lost faith in her.
But remembering that her mother had a backup plan, she was no longer afraid. Instead, she spoke softly, "Siye, I miss you."
Nan Shiqing said these words very calmly, but she deliberately used this tone, making Fu Siye perceive the mixed emotions of heartache and grievance within them, while also conveying that she didn't want him to worry about her.
If it were anyone else, these words would have lacked emotion, but Nan Shiqing was different. She was very skilled, and it was evident that Fu Siye found something amiss.
As if unaware, he said in a deep voice, "Your tone is off."
Nan Shiqing blinked her eyes. She knew it; the bait had taken the hook.
The next moment, she chuckled softly. "No, I just miss you. I wanted to call you, like hearing your voice can bring me peace and calm my anxiety."
Fu Siye frowned. "What happened?"
"Nothing, I really just miss you." Nan Shiqing held the phone, speaking slowly and softly.
Fu Siye's expression turned grim, and he remained silent.
The air seemed to grow quiet.
After about a minute of silence, Nan Shiqing slowly said, "Siye, if something happens, will you believe me?"
"What are you referring to?"
Nan Shiqing pursed her lips. Fu Siye clearly already knew, yet he was still speaking to her in this manner.
Men...
Were they all like this?
But it made sense. Fu Siye was inherently an unfeeling person. For him to treat her this way because she had saved him was already quite good. She shouldn't expect Fu Siye to fall in love with her.
After a pause, she spoke as if resigned, "Indeed, something happened today, and it caused quite a stir. But I don't want you to worry about me. Don't worry, I'll be fine. I just... wanted to know, if you found out, would you be willing to believe me?"
Fu Siye frowned, remaining silent.
This, however, had already given Nan Shiqing her answer.
Nan Shiqing chuckled softly. "Siye, you know about it, right? After all, it was broadcast live, and even my mom called me."
This time, Fu Siye no longer remained silent but simply said, "You did have Mu Yinyin ghostwrite for you."
Nan Shiqing replied calmly, "If I say no, will you believe me?"
Her voice was very soft, extremely soft.
She showed no fear or trepidation, only a hint of disappointment.
Fu Siye's brow furrowed even deeper.
Nan Shiqing then spoke softly, "Actually, the reason I called you is that I don't want you to worry about me, Siye. I would never do such a thing, nor would I let you protect me by hurting my sister. I like you very much, but sometimes, I also wish for you two to return to how you were. If you could live happily together forever, I'd be content even if I spent my life in loneliness."
Fu Siye's expression darkened. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"No..." Nan Shiqing smiled softly. "Sister might be very dissatisfied with me now, thinking I've done many things to hurt her. She might also feel I stole her father's affection, and that our whole family took her company, which is why she's treating me like this, Siye. I just want to tell you, I didn't have my sister ghostwrite for me. I would never do something as despicable as that. What's mine is mine, and what's not mine, I won't impersonate."