After she walked off for a few steps, she turned back and kicked her feet viciously on the table in front of everyone. All the girls instantly staggered backward in fright.

“Lastly, let me warn you all. Don’t ever let me hear you say that things don’t look too good for my man. You better not mess with me. Right now, my fiancé is missing and I feel terrible, so I’m not afraid to do crazy things. It’s none of your business as to whether or not I’ll end up as a spinster. Even if I’m rotting away alone for the rest of my life, it’s my own business,” Nian Xi said. With that, she walked over to the corner with dignity and found a spot to settle down.

Even though there were many people in the meeting room, nobody dared to make a sound. Everyone glanced at her furtively in fear, and even the older men did not dare to breathe out loud, out of fear that it would draw out the ire of Nian Xi, who had just lost her fiancé.

Cheng Jing sat down beside her and secretly gave her a thumbs up. “Sister Xi, you’re tough!”

Nian Xi took one glance at her without speaking.

Cheng Jing quickly patted her on the shoulder gently and said, “Don’t be angry anymore. Those gossip mongers are just jealous of you. Things didn’t go well in their own lives, so they’re unhappy. That’s why they’re very pleased when misfortune befalls upon others.”

“I know. I’m feeling down lately, but I suddenly feel less oppressed after venting it out,” Nian Xi replied loudly. “As expected, you need to find someone to be your punching bag when you’re in a bad mood!”

The group of people seated in front of her was scared speechless when they heard what she said.

…

Subsequently, for a long time, nobody in the police station dared to mention Jiang Yuning’s name in Nian Xi’s presence. There was no news about Jiang Yuning, and many people thought that it was likely that he had died. Probably because this came as a strong blow to Nian Xi, she began to practice her marksmanship in the shooting range or practice with a punching bag whenever she was free. A fine, unmarried lady like her soon became quite tanned when summer only just began.

On Murong Ze’s birthday, Nian Xi was invited over to his banquet, and when Yu Wen saw the state that she was in, she was heartbroken. “Xixi, Yuning is a good man, and we all like him very much. But you have to be forward-looking. You’re still young, and you have a long life ahead. Don’t wallow in self-pity over his disappearance,” she said.

“Grandma, I’m not wallowing in self-pity,” Nian Xi replied softly as she stared at the ground.

“You are,” Yu Wen rebutted as she held onto Nian Xi’s hands. “Look at you. You’ve trimmed off your hair, and your skin has become as tan as Louis Koo. You’ve also lost weight and your hands are covered in thick calluses. They feel so rough now that they seem as if you’ve been chopping wood in the mountains every day…”

Nian Xi’s lips twitched, and Luosang could not help but speak up, “It’s not as tan as Louis Koo! You’re being too dramatic.”

“Close enough,” Yu Wen said. “It’s only the start of summer. Will she be as tan as an African by the end of summer then?”

“I’ve been practicing my marksmanship and physical combat skills lately, so I’m less particular about my appearance as before,” said Nian Xi calmly.

“Xixi, you’re a distinguished descendant of our family,” Murong Ze explained. “Your mother wanted to raise you like a princess when she gave birth to you back then. It truly breaks our hearts to see you like this. Be a good girl and don’t tire yourself out. You’re still young. When you gradually age, you’ll know that you’ll be able to put certain things behind you. You’ll… still want to marry someone.”

“I know,” Nian Xi said, and she felt her nose burn slightly. She then held up her chopsticks and continued, “Let’s dig in. It’s rare for me to have a day off that I can use to spend with you guys. I’m leaving if we continue to talk about this.”

“Let her be, Grandma and Grandpa,” Nian Junting consoled softly. “Our family is filthy rich, and if she can’t find a spouse in the end, we have enough money to support her wilful ways for the rest of her life.”

Yu Wen let out a long sigh.

…

After the group came out from Feng Garden at 7:00 p.m., Nian Xi was the first to leave in her car. Luosang’s heart went out to Nian Xi as she watched her leave. “I suddenly think that I’m pretty blessed when I see how Nian Xi is,” she said.