Chapter 11 Genealogy

Chapter 11: The Family Tree

Feeling it was pointless to argue with a man—men always stick together, never seeing their own faults—Su Mi decisively ended the video call and continued kicking the sandbag.

Mastering this meant that even if she landed in jail someday, she wouldn't be bullied. This story's world was too dangerous; she was just protecting herself to avoid repeating the original character's fate.

If others didn't provoke her, she would certainly be polite. But if that idiot Second Male Lead pushed her too far, she definitely wouldn't just sit back and take the abuse.

She trained until eleven before returning to her room to rest. The next morning, she was up early again for more martial arts training.

Perhaps due to her combat talent points, she grasped these martial arts moves immediately, finding them basically effortless. After all, they were just flashy action sequences for show, quite different from real martial arts.

The director never showed up throughout the training. On the final day, she suddenly received a call from her mother, saying the patriarch was finally going to add her to the family register and that she should hurry back before he changed his mind.

The opening ceremony was about to begin. As the lead actress, not attending would be a serious breach of etiquette and a major taboo in the industry, as it was believed to affect a crew's smooth filming.

Knowing her mother was anxious, Su Mi could only attend the opening ceremony in the morning and ask the director for a day off in the afternoon.

The director's already lukewarm attitude turned even frostier. In the end, he said nothing, his face colder than the icicles outside.

Booking the earliest flight, she immediately flew to Shanghai. Upon arriving home, she found several little boys standing at the villa entrance, playing with water guns.

They noticed her but didn't come to greet her. Instead, they stared at her with hostile looks, as if she had stolen their toys.

Su Mi frowned slightly, ignoring the brats, and walked straight into the villa. Inside, the place was packed—from the eighty-eight-year-olds down to those still in diapers—with dozens of people crowding the spacious living room.

The room wasn't noisy, with only occasional chatter. Su Ruanruan was surrounded in the center, receiving warm inquiries from everyone, while she played the sweet, obedient girl among the relatives, eliciting frequent laughter.

What a touching picture—until someone noticed her at the doorway and immediately inquired, "Is this Mimi? What a pretty girl, though she doesn't look much like Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law."

An elegantly dressed woman nearby took a sip of tea. "What do you mean by that? Could the DNA test be fake?"

"The test is definitely real. I was just thinking out loud. It's always good to be careful," another person said with a smile.

Instantly, all eyes turned to scrutinize Su Mi. The girl wore a beige coat, her chestnut-brown hair casually draped over her shoulders. Her slender, well-proportioned figure gave off an air of grace, completely unlike the rumors of a child raised in the village.

But clothes make the man. With money now, even a fool can be packaged into a big star. However, taste and breeding ultimately can't be faked.

"Sister..."

Su Ruanruan immediately walked up warmly, then suddenly changed her expression as if remembering something, quickly correcting herself, "Little... little sister..."

*She understood that 'Sister' didn't like being called that—no one wanted to be called old. So calling her this should be fine, right?*

Afraid her daughter would get angry again, Mrs. Su quickly stepped forward to pull her daughter aside. "Go upstairs first. I'll introduce you to your uncles and aunts later."

"She's a young lady now. Surely she's not shy?" a middle-aged woman in a black cheongsam said with a faint smile.

The others also smiled without speaking. After all, she was raised in a poor family—inevitably a bit petty. How could she compare to Ruan Ruan?

There's a difference between how the rich and the poor speak: one is openly harsh, the other subtly sarcastic and mocking. But in essence, there's no difference—it's just human nature.

Another person on the family register means another person to share the money. No one would be happy about that.

However, Su Mi now understood why the old man had suddenly agreed to add her to the register. Probably her words last time had struck a nerve.

After all, the other branches of the family were thriving with many descendants, but Su Min's generation only had one daughter. Something seemed off, and the old man was probably worried about being blamed by the ancestors. So, he specifically wanted this biological granddaughter to pay respects at the ancestral graves.

But if some people don't know when they're well-off, then don't blame her for not observing etiquette.

"You must be tired after such a long flight. There's plenty of time to get acquainted later. I'm sure your uncles and aunts won't hold it against a junior," Mrs. Su said calmly.

With such flattery, the others couldn't say much, though their eyes inevitably held a hint of disdain. What could this little girl do even if she was added to the register? In the end, she wouldn't touch a single share of the company stock.

Su Mi smiled, then walked up to the nanny holding a baby. "Is this the eldest nephew? He doesn't look like Third Uncle or Third Aunt at all. Instead, he resembles a certain actress, especially the nose."

After saying that, she went upstairs under several displeased gazes.

Meanwhile, the Third Branch of the Su Family all wore cold expressions, leading the accusations. "How dare she speak like that! Second Sister-in-law, is this how you usually teach her? No manners at all. When she goes out, she'll only embarrass our Su family!"

The others watched the drama unfold, minding their own business. Everyone knew whose child the Third Branch's baby really was. To get a larger share of the family assets, they'd even stoop to such shameless acts.

"Sister just speaks her mind without meaning any harm. Third Uncle, Third Aunt, please don't be angry," Su Ruanruan immediately stepped forward to serve them tea.

Everyone smiled dotingly again. "Ruan Ruan is so sensible, no wonder the Qi family specifically asked for you as their daughter-in-law. Who wouldn't like such a beautiful and well-behaved girl?"

Under everyone's teasing gazes, Su Ruanruan immediately blushed and lowered her head. As if remembering something, a flicker of conflict passed through her eyes.

Yun had promised her he would break off the engagement with the Huo family by next month at the latest. Then she wouldn't have to marry Xi. She just hoped he wasn't lying to her; otherwise, she really didn't know how to tell her parents. How disappointed Grandpa would be.

Back in her room, Su Mi changed into simpler clothes. Soon, her door was knocked on loudly, creating a racket.

Opening the door, she saw the same brats from outside. Suddenly, a stream of water shot straight into her face. She had even put on makeup today specifically for the ancestral worship, wanting to make a good first impression on the ancestors.

"Hahahaha..."

The children, holding expensive water guns, sprayed her again, as if wanting to teach this new aunt a lesson on behalf of Su Ruanruan.

The corners of Su Mi's mouth lifted slightly as she reached into her coat pocket. "First meeting—your cousin gives you red envelopes."

Hearing about red envelopes, the children immediately rushed forward, pushing and shoving. Su Ruanruan always gave them red envelopes too, much more generously than others.

Su Mi suddenly grabbed the child who had sprayed her. Under his terrified gaze, she snatched the water gun and sprayed his face relentlessly.

The cold streams of water hit his face repeatedly. The child struggled in pain. "Let me go! You bad woman!"

But no matter how he struggled, it was useless. The other kids ran away in fright.

The commotion upstairs probably alerted those downstairs. Soon, the children returned, dragging along a woman in a black cheongsam. Her eyes and brows were full of accusation. "Tete and the others were just playing with you because they like you. How can you take it out on children? This is too much."

Su Mi simply raised the water gun and sprayed each child in the face. The cold water made everyone scream.

"You..." The woman was so angry she could barely maintain her elegant composure.

"I was just playing with them too. Didn't you see?" Su Mi maintained her smile. "Or would you like to play as well?"