Chapter 16: The Daughter Returns

In Xia Lan's apartment, the soft hum of the shower echoed from the bathroom. Shen Wei sat quietly on the living room sofa, her posture graceful yet anxious, eyes occasionally drifting toward the hallway.

Meanwhile, under the running water, Xia Lan stood still. Her hands rested under the warm stream, fingers slowly curling into fists. A faint frown formed on her beautiful, delicate face.

"How do I deal with this feeling?" she thought, her brows knitting further. "I've learned how to handle anger, fear, even pain... but this—this emotion—I can't seem to control it."

Her mind wandered back to the moment Shen Wei held her close, trembling with tears, calling her "sister" with such raw sincerity it left a mark on her heart.

"She seems genuine... sincere," Xia Lan mused silently, the frown on her face softening slightly. "Maybe... maybe I should hear her out."

After finishing her shower, Xia Lan changed into a clean shirt and trousers, her damp hair loosely tied back. She stepped into the living room where Shen Wei was still seated, waiting patiently.

Xia Lan sat down beside her, the silence between them lingering for a moment.

Without hesitation, Shen Wei reached out and gently held Xia Lan's hand. Her voice trembled slightly, but it was filled with hope.

"Little sister… will you come home with me now? Our parents miss you. Please?"

Xia Lan looked into her eyes. She could see the sincerity, the longing—but at the word "miss," something in her heart hesitated.

"Shen Wu has come here tomorrow," she said softly.

The brightness in Shen Wei's expression dimmed instantly. Her gaze sharpened as she understood what Xia Lan didn't say aloud.

"Don't worry about him," Shen Wei said firmly, her voice cold and full of authority. "If he dares to lay a hand on you, I'll destroy his entire company. Trust me, alright? Your sister is here now."

She squeezed Xia Lan's hand gently and continued, her voice laced with pain. "After you disappeared, our mother fell into deep depression. Even though she seemed to recover because of Father… deep down, she always knew the girl he brought home wasn't you. Her condition never truly improved."

Xia Lan's gaze dropped. She could see it now—feel it.

Because in her previous life, she had seen something eerily similar. She had killed an innocent actress under the orders of the organization, and later watched the actress's mother break down completely. Mental illness consumed the woman, and though Xia Lan had felt a strange sorrow at the time, she hadn't fully understood why.

She remembered Lu Zhi standing before her then, pleading with eyes full of pain: "Please, don't kill innocent people anymore…"

At that time, Xia Lan had made a promise—to never kill innocent people again.

So now, looking into Shen Wei's eyes filled with love and sincerity, she whispered,"Okay… I'll come with you."

Shen Wei's face lit up with joy. Without wasting a moment, she gently took Xia Lan's hand and led her out toward the car.

Meanwhile, in the Shen family mansion.

In the grand living room, six people sat in silence thick with tension.

Shen Wu, arms crossed and brow furrowed, finally broke it with a scoff."Mother, I will not accept her as my sister. I already have one—Shen Li. That girl doesn't even have basic manners."

Two other young men sitting beside him nodded, their expressions dark. Displeasure was evident in their eyes at the mere mention of Xia Lan.

Across from them, Shen Li maintained a soft, innocent expression—but her eyes shimmered with poorly disguised satisfaction at the growing opposition.

On the couch, the middle-aged Mrs. Shen trembled violently. She buried her face in her hands, her body curling into itself, as if trying to escape the room's hostility.

Seeing her like that, the entire family stiffened with concern.

Shen Wu hesitated, wanting to comfort his mother—but his pride, his refusal to accept Xia Lan, kept him frozen.

Then, a sharp voice broke through the tension.

"If you can't accept her, then get lost," said Shen Lin—father of the Shen family, his expression like ice. His eyes bore into Shen Wu with killing intent. "And if you dare say that again when she's here… I will beat you."

Shen Wu quickly averted his gaze, silent.

Once the others were dismissed, Shen Lin turned to his wife, Luo Anam. His cold demeanor melted away, replaced by rare tenderness. He took her shaking hands gently in his own.

"Don't worry, my love," he said softly. "She's our daughter. We will welcome her back properly. And if you're worried about Shen Li… don't be. She can still be our daughter. We'll figure it out together."

Luo Anam looked up at him with teary eyes, her voice barely a whisper."Really? Will Shen Wei accept this?"

Shen Lin's expression darkened slightly at the mention of their eldest daughter. He knew all too well the grudge she held against him—against the choice he'd made years ago.

Still, he looked back at Luo Anam, his resolve firm.

"She will. And even if she doesn't—I don't care. All I know is that this is what you want. So don't worry. Leave it to me."

Luo Anam smiled faintly, her eyes still wet."Just… don't fight with Shen Wei, okay? She's our daughter too."

Shen Lin nodded, placing a hand over hers."Alright, dear. I promise."