Su Jin's heart fluttered with a trace of joy—but it quickly faded, replaced by a deep furrow between her brows.
In her previous life, the old lady's accident—when she broke her leg—had happened during this very birthday banquet. The Fu family had just arrived when it occurred. At the time, Su Jin had been too timid, too overwhelmed to see clearly what had happened or who was behind it.
But now, she had lived again.
This time… she would not let anything happen to Grandma.
Without thinking, Su Jin reached out and gently took the old lady's arm, steadying her with care and respect as they prepared to go out and receive the guests.
The old lady raised an eyebrow but didn't pull away. Her expression was dignified, but the corners of her mouth twitched, ever so slightly.
"I'm not in my eighties yet," she said with forced sternness. "I can still walk just fine without someone supporting me."
Her pride was unshakable, even at seventy. She had always been strong—sharp in mind and steady in presence—and hated the idea of appearing weak.
But Su Jin understood her too well.
She smiled gently and replied,
"It's not about whether you can or can't, Grandma. I just want to be closer to you."
That softened the old lady's eyes completely.
Today's events—Su Jin's composure, her clever handling of the situation, and now this small gesture of warmth—had all worked together to shift the old lady's impression of her. There was no denying it: Su Jin had changed.
And for the better.
The old lady let out a soft snort, pretending not to be moved, but her steps became lighter as they walked side by side out of the hall.
She no longer resisted and allowed Su Jin to support her as they walked out. Just then, Su Nuo stepped inside—only to freeze in place at the sight before her.
Her expression darkened.
The same younger sister she had mocked and bullied for years now walked proudly beside the old matriarch of the Su family—holding her arm, smiling gently, standing where Su Nuo believed only she belonged.
That spot should've been mine.
Once, it was. As the old lady's legitimate granddaughter, she alone had been allowed to accompany her at formal events, to receive guests by her side. But now, because of Gu Xiangyun's disgrace, even she had fallen from favor.
As the old lady passed, she didn't spare Su Nuo a glance—not even a courteous smile.
Su Nuo stood frozen in place, her heart heavy with humiliation. Her fingers clenched at the hem of her dress, and her eyes turned red with unshed tears.
Su Mingyuan walked in from behind and, seeing her like that, patted her shoulder perfunctorily.
"Grandma is just angry," he said in a low voice. "Don't take it to heart."
"Dad…" Su Nuo's voice trembled with grief and frustration. "Sister went too far. How could she do this to Mom? Because of her, Mom was driven out by Grandma!"
Su Mingyuan's face darkened. Just hearing it again reignited the anger simmering in his chest. But looking toward the old lady, who now treated Su Jin like a precious pearl, he could only grind his teeth and endure it.
He had no choice.
Now that Su Jin had won the old lady's favor, she was no longer someone he could scold or suppress at will.
"Enough. Don't bring this up again," he said coldly. "Haven't we lost enough face already?"
With that, he walked off to greet arriving guests, leaving her standing alone in the corridor—her pride bruised, her heart burning with resentment.
Su Nuo stood rooted to the spot, her gaze fixed on Su Jin—who stood by the old lady's side with a graceful smile, elegantly greeting the guests as though she were the true daughter of the Su family.
Jealousy churned in Suno's chest like boiling oil.
Why her?
She's just an adopted daughter!
How dare she climb over me?
Her fists clenched tightly by her sides, the rage burning in her eyes completely exposed.
Su Jin noticed everything. When her eyes met Su Nuo's, she smiled—calm, unbothered, victorious—and then leaned a little closer to the old lady, as if to say, I belong here now.
A sharp crash suddenly rang out behind them.
Startled, the guests looked over. The old lady frowned deeply and turned just in time to see a porcelain cup shattered at Su Nuo's feet.
Su Nuo stood frozen, face pale. Then she quickly bowed her head in a flustered panic.
"Grandma, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"
Her voice trembled. She looked like a child caught misbehaving—eyes wide, face pale, lips quivering.
Crystal-clear tears welled up in her eyes. She crouched to pick up the broken shards, but in her haste, a sharp edge sliced across her fingertip.
"Ah—Grandma, I… it hurts…" she whimpered, holding up her bleeding finger pitifully.
The old lady looked at her for a long moment, then let out a slow sigh.
This child… still hasn't grown up.
Whether it was guilt over her mother's disgrace or jealousy toward Su Jin, Su Nuo's behavior was not befitting the heir of a prestigious family.
A noble daughter should know when to rise, when to retreat, and above all—how to maintain dignity.
But this? This was just a tantrum disguised as vulnerability.
The old lady's gaze darkened with quiet disappointment.
The old lady looked at Su Nuo with sharp eyes and said in a calm but firm tone,
"Only those with a steady heart and proper bearing can accompany me to receive guests. If you can't even handle a broken cup, how can you handle the affairs of this family in the future?"
Her words were neither harsh nor loud, but they hit Su Nuo like a thunderclap.
She bit her lip hard, trying to hold back her tears. She looked toward Su Jin, whose expression was calm and unbothered, standing tall at the old lady's side like the rightful granddaughter.
"Mrs. Li, take her away," the old lady repeated with finality.
Mrs. Li stepped forward politely. " Second Miss , this way please."
This time, Su Nuo didn't dare resist again. Her body stiffened as she allowed herself to be led away, tears of unwillingness slipping silently down her cheeks.
Su Jin didn't even look in her direction.
Instead, she turned to the approaching guests, her eyes steady, her voice graceful and warm.
"Welcome, thank you for coming to celebrate my grandmother's birthday."
With poise and quiet elegance, she took her rightful place beside the old lady — the position once denied to her — while Su Nuo was quietly escorted away in disgrace.