"In short, it's because of these frustrating reasons that we can't do anything about it."
Qin Yue sighed softly. "The relatives don't really have any malicious intent; they're just bored and don't have anything more interesting to talk about. We can't exactly have Dad and Mom issue a gag order saying, 'No discussions about the Qin family's eldest and second daughters allowed at home.' That would be ridiculous."
Not only is it impossible to impose a gag order, but they can't even show any displeasure; otherwise, others could easily say, "We're just joking, don't take it seriously."
As for Qin Dad and Qin Mom, their situation was even more awkward—because this entire narrative was something Qin Dad had deliberately allowed when Qin Xin was younger.
Back then, he wanted to cultivate a strong successor, so he intentionally fostered this sense of competition. That's why the relatives had talked about it for so many years—it never faded, and they had simply gotten used to it.
Before, you loved listening to it, but now you don't want it mentioned? What's that supposed to mean—playing hot and cold with the relatives? So, in those situations, all Qin Dad and Qin Mom could do was smile helplessly, unable to show any displeasure.
"And you?" Bai Ningning suddenly asked.
Qin Yue was slightly taken aback, "Me? What about me?"
"Uncle and Aunt have their difficulties and can't say much, but you can, right?" Bai Ningning said, "At least say a few words for junior Qin Xin?"
Qin Yue rolled her eyes, "How can I say anything? First of all, those relatives started this when I was still in school, knowing Dad liked to hear it. What could I do back then? Stand up and sing a different tune? Not to mention that people's words are light; others would think I'm being hypocritical, and if they compliment me, I wouldn't even be happy about it."
"Later, when I gained power, I could speak with more weight. But if I had said something back then, what would others think? Just because I had power, I would be oppressing others?"
She didn't give Bai Ningning a chance to interrupt and continued, "Secondly, regarding Qin Xin, how can my position help her? Everyone is stepping on her to lift me up; if I stand up to speak for her now, do you know how that would look?"
Bai Ningning blinked, looking confused, "How would it look?"
Qin Yue suddenly shot her a glare, "You can't possibly not understand; that would make me look very much like a green tea bitch."
No one understands better than you, yet you're pretending to be innocent here.
Bai Ningning tilted her head, indicating that she genuinely didn't understand, but Qin Yue clearly didn't believe her.
"The third point, and the most important one," Qin Yue said with a mocking smile, "The pressure and influence aren't aimed solely at her."
Bai Ningning tilted her head the other way, expressing a question.
"I just told you, this kind of public opinion environment started when I was little; it didn't just begin when I became the president," Qin Yue looked up at the ceiling, lost in thought, "The pressure was on both of us from the beginning, even when I entered the group. It wasn't until I found my footing and held power that the scales began to tip. Before that, what right did I have to speak?"
Bai Ningning softly hummed in response.
It turns out that something as simple as saying a few words involves so many complexities, like a tangled ball of yarn. Just reading a book on emotional intelligence isn't enough to make her understand all this.
Looks like I need to read more and learn from others in the future.
"So, the relationship between my sister and me isn't one-sided," Qin Yue shrugged her shoulders, "Years ago, for over a decade, she hated the pressure I gave her, and I didn't like the pressure she gave me either. We didn't get along and were like strangers."
Bai Ningning interjected, "So do you want to reconcile with her now?"
Qin Yue hesitated for a moment and shook her head, "I don't know."
"Don't know?"
How can there be a 'don't know'?
"I don't know because, for me, it doesn't really matter. We've rarely lived together since we were young, and when we occasionally gather, it's just mutual pressure and complaints. So even without each other, life goes on," Qin Yue said.
Bai Ningning said, "But there must be some regrets, right? Qin Xin is your biological sister."
Qin Yue blinked, remaining silent, her long eyelashes fluttering gently.
Bai Ningning probably understood the answer.
"But what does my opinion matter?" Qin Yue sneered, "The scales have tipped; the public opinion environment in recent years has been my one-sided oppression, and she has become the absolute victim. So, whether we reconcile or not doesn't matter much to me; it depends on her."
Bai Ningning thought about it and said after a moment of contemplation, "Why don't you ask her, or help her speak up, to express some goodwill?"
"I already mentioned the second point," Qin Yue rolled her eyes at her again, "That would make me look very green tea."
You're pretending not to understand on purpose, acting innocent with me.
"By the way, what's up with you today?" she suddenly remembered a question, "You're not speaking like you usually do."
The communication was smooth, completely unambiguous. Although she was a bit slow and couldn't grasp many concepts, at least she seemed like a normal person.
Bai Ningning huffed lightly, "I've always been like this; I'm usually within the normal range of error."
Actually, I was scared by your ease and decided to tone it down a bit, thinking more before I speak.
Even the words meant to interrupt were thought about for a long time.
Qin Yue knew she was being stubborn and didn't bother to say anything. She got up and opened the door: "Hurry up and pack, we should be leaving soon."
"Okay."
Qin Yue left the bedroom, while Bai Ningning slowly put on her shoes, but her mind was already working.
In fact, the older sister had just said so many things that made sense. Bai Ningning felt like she understood, but when she tried to sort it out, it didn't quite come together. Simply put, due to various complex reasons, Qin Yue couldn't take the initiative to express goodwill to Qin Xin.
But she herself wanted to make amends, after all, she was her own sister.
Once she finished putting on her shoes, Bai Ningning's little head came up with an idea—since the older sister can't do it, I'll take care of it.
Coincidentally, Aunt Zou had asked her yesterday to look after Qin Xin, so combining the two tasks would be twice the result with half the effort.
Alright, let's start with this gathering at the Qin family. I, Bai Ningning, want to see just how powerful these relatives' "praise and criticism" and "pulling down" tactics really are.
Let me use the chatting skills I learned from "Emotional Intelligence" to resolve them one by one.
Bai Ningning was the last to walk out of the house, and Aunt Zou had already parked the car at the entrance of the courtyard.
Qin Yue was in the car, sitting in the back seat, just like last time when they went shopping. Qin Xin hadn't gotten in yet and was standing by the side, not sure what she was waiting for.
Bai Ningning didn't think much of it and opened the back door to sit inside. Just as she was about to close the door, she noticed Qin Xin squeezed in as well, sitting next to her in the back seat. Just like last time, the sisters' positions hadn't changed at all.
…Well, that's fine, it's not the first time after all.