Shang Ruoyan sat in the dining room with her mother, grandmother, and second brother. Her other brothers were still in their respective fields, her grandfather and father were stuck in the military, and they could not accompany her when she arrived. Her grandmother was a woman in power all her life, and she could feel her power radiating around them.
"How have you been all these years?" Long Ziya asked.
"I have been trying my best to live, Grandmother."
"Where did you stay when you were a child?"
"I live in an orphanage outside the safe zone. The president who runs the orphanage was the city mayor's wife."
"Did you eat well?" Her mother asked.
Shang Ruoyan smiled, "We eat two meals a day. We get clothes thrice a year, a few sets. Sometimes, the roof leaks in the rainy season. And most nights, we freeze to death. But I lived this far."
Yu Lan felt her heart stop beating when she heard her daughter's experience.
In the novel, Shang Ruoyan did not even meet her family when she arrived. She only saw her uncle's second wife, who despised where she came from. She banned the servants from helping Shang Ruoyan, and even forbade them from giving her good food. The butler was too busy with the affairs of the household to oversee the situation of the little lady.
Yu Lan and Long Ziya were too occupied with the affairs of their husbands that they could not get back on time to see the child. Shang Ruoyan's aunt stepped in and controlled the empty house. This made the original suffer. Several poisonings and frame-ups were waiting for Shang Ruoyan, and it stained her reputation forever.
The family did not trust the child who grew up outside the clan. They trusted the evil second wife and even put Shang Ruoyan under her care. Shang Ruoyan only wanted to be loved, but she did not get even a little bit of their warmth.
"Ruoruo, your room is arranged next to your eldest brother. Your second brother will take you there. He will accompany you the whole summer. Is it okay with you?"
"As long as Second Brother doesn't dislike my company, I will always like it, Grandmother."
"I will never dislike my only sister!"
Shang Ruoyan smiled at Qin Muyi.
Qin Muyi could not stop himself from giving her a gentle pat on the head.
When Shang Ruoyan entered her room, she felt that she could finally breathe some fresh air. She entered her space and checked the condition of the animals she had collected and the plants she had propagated with great care. She was happy that all of them were growing faster and none wilted.
[Master, do you have a problem?]
"Yuebao, I was wondering why I am of Qin blood. But why am I named Shang? I am sure that my mother is not from the Shang Clan. I don't even know where to find that surname in this place. Can you help me look for clues?"
[Master, you can ask your grandmother for books related to ancient or hidden families. You could also ask your second brother to give you some knowledge points about the major families living in the Imperial Capital.]
"You're right! I can ask my brother to take me to a library or an archive of knowledge."
[Master, you might need to brace yourself and study in advance. There are courses offered online for academics. The interstellar society follows an educational structure strictly: (1) Pre-Primary Education (3 years), (2) Compulsory Education (9 years): Primary Education and Lower Secondary Education, (3) Upper Secondary Education (3 years), and (4) Higher Education (3-5 years).]
"Can you tell me the age required for these levels?"
The data flashed vividly on the holographic screen.
"So, I would be in the Upper Secondary Education after the summer?"
[Yes, Master, and you would need to finish all courses for the levels below it this summer. You also need to rush to review.]
"I can get certificates on Skynet when I complete the courses, right?"
[Yes, Master!]
Shang Ruoyan felt satisfied with her current life.
Back in the living room, Yu Lan and Long Ziya stood by the window.
"Mother, care for a walk?"
Long Ziya went out of the house and walked with Yu Lan to the garden outside the villa.
"What do you think of Shang Ruoyan?"
"Mother, she has the same butterfly tattoo on her shoulder, and she is indeed my daughter. I just need to find her twin sister, so our family can be reunited."
"The one with the flower tattoo?"
"Yes, Mother."
"Back then, none of the children would have survived if not for the grace of blood given by the Shang family. Haoran must be sad, but he could do nothing. Do you blame him?"
"Mother, back then, I was pregnant, but Haoran never made me feel that his duty to the galaxy was more important than this family. At the time of the accident, Haoran was called to support the frontline. He could never rush back in time to save me and the children. It was up to fate to keep all of us alive. The kidnapping..."
"The kidnapping after childbirth was done to capture one of the Shang family's descendants. Back then, they confused you with a member of that family. They may have helped us, but it was also at the cost of losing both your children. We owe nothing to the Shang family!"
"But, Mother, your natal family..."
"I have long severed ties with the Shang family. I am no longer their person since I married my husband. I belong to the Qin family, and I will die as a Qin!"
"Yujin and Lianyu would be happy to hear that their sister is back."
"It's just sad that they couldn't hurry back home. They have a galaxy to protect."
"Mother, do you think we should enroll Ruoruo in different courses?"
"No, you need to ask the child to decide. She is far from simple."
"What do you mean, Mother?"
"Respect the child's decision."