Ah, this.
Bai Ningning was at a loss for words for a moment. After thinking for a long time, she finally spoke: "Is it possible that it's just temporarily delayed?"
Qin Xin looked at her in confusion.
"You see, light also takes time; it has its own speed. The Milky Way is so vast, and distances are measured in light-years, so it takes a long time to travel here," Bai Ningning raised her hand to gesture, "Is it possible that even if it's a bit late, it will eventually arrive?"
Qin Xin couldn't help but smile faintly, letting out a bitter laugh: "But Ningning, we've grown up. The truths we didn't understand as children, we understand now."
No one will come to save you; everything depends on yourself. If you can't do it, then just consider yourself unlucky.
"The truths we understand are not absolute; what if?"
Bai Ningning wanted to say something more, but suddenly Aunt Zou's voice came from outside: "Miss Ningning, are you inside? Madam asked me to call you over; the young lady is also here."
"Okay, I'll be right there."
Responding, Bai Ningning stood up and said to Qin Xin: "I'll go over first; see you later."
"Mm."
Qin Xin's mood was clearly affected, and her voice was muffled. Bai Ningning sighed inwardly and didn't say much more.
After all, soon it would be the relatives' gathering, and she would definitely do something then. She had promised to take care of Qin Xin, and she would keep that promise.
Speaking of which, what did Aunt want with her?
......
Ningning left, and it took Qin Xin a long time to gather her emotions and pick up the keychain scattered on the bed.
She initially intended to toss it into the trash can but hesitated for a moment and put it back on the bedside table instead.
"Qin Xin, are you there? We've arrived!"
"Come out, come out!"
"We ran over to find you first."
Hearing the voices, Qin Xin opened the door and saw several little friends standing at the entrance.
They were the children of her relatives—cousins and cousins.
"I heard you were back to stay for a few days, so we came over right away."
"You haven't been here for a long time; I almost went to the wrong place."
"Qin Xin Jie, you haven't lived here since I can remember."
Her cousins and siblings came up, chatting and laughing, filling the doorway with a lively atmosphere.
Although Qin Xin had always been the subject of ridicule among her relatives and even developed a psychological shadow regarding gatherings, she still had a good relationship with her cousins.
The joys and sorrows of humanity are not the same. When the parents joked about the "second young lady," the children were not happy; instead, they felt quite pained.
Because "other people's children" are effective for everyone, at gatherings, Qin Xin was the target, and when everyone returned home, she became the sole focus. So, for Qin Xin, everyone felt a bit of shared sympathy, and even a bit of gratitude towards her.
After all, she attracted the most firepower.
Moreover, although Qin Yue was the most popular among the younger generation of the Qin family, it didn't mean she had the best relationships. When her siblings faced Qin Yue, besides admiration, there was more awe, to the point where they didn't dare to talk to her.
Instead, Qin Xin could play well with them.
"Speaking of which," her cousin Qin Zhong said, "They shouldn't do the usual routine today, right?"
Everyone present knew what he meant by the usual routine—the well-known ridicule segment.
"Why wouldn't they?" Cousin Qin Yu asked, "Did something happen?"
"Don't you remember? I heard that Qin Yue brought her partner, so the attention should be over there."
"What?" The youngest cousin, Qin Qing, exclaimed in surprise, "Qin Yue has a partner?"
The news was kept relatively well; the young people in the family only knew that Qin Yue had a partner but didn't know what kind of person they were.
Of course, the adults in their family knew; Qin Dad and Qin Mom had subtly revealed it privately to avoid awkwardness during the gathering.
"Qin Xin, you've met your sister's partner, right?" Qin Zhong asked her, "What kind of person are they?"
Qin Xin knew, but she didn't want to say.
"It's not important," she changed the subject, "What's important is that it won't have much impact; they'll say whatever they want to say."
Qin Yu was taken aback: "Why?"
"Her partner, do they dare to say anything? At most, they'll just greet them," Qin Xin pouted, "Don't forget her current status."
Thinking of this made her feel a wave of bitterness; if it were her, finding a girlfriend in such a scandalous way would definitely lead to being lectured and questioning her life choices.
"Ah, then you're going to suffer again."
"Sigh, it's really boring; why are we still talking about this?"
"Yeah, I don't understand what the adults are thinking."
The little friends lamented, while Qin Yue poured herself a glass of water, her mood calm.
As the biggest victim of the traditional gathering, Qin Xin had naturally analyzed her situation and why it had continued for so long.
It was simple; it was a "tradition" that had lasted for over a decade since the two sisters were children. And now was the transitional period of power in the Qin family, with the group's authority shifting from Qin Dad to Qin Yue.
For the adults at home, their biggest concern during this period of power transition is "change."
Change means a shift in the distribution of interests, and everyone worries about their own benefits being compromised.
Although the "pulling down" segment is just a social custom at gatherings, if Qin Yue personally intervenes to change it, it would signal that she might implement sweeping reforms.
Given Qin Yue's position, she cannot clearly express her true thoughts to others. Therefore, what she needs to do is to avoid making changes as much as possible, to prevent others from overthinking, unless she truly intends to reform.
Thinking this way, Qin Xin felt that her sister had it tough; the group president appeared glamorous on the surface, but her actions were often restricted because every move she made would impact others.
With this thought, Qin Xin's resentment towards Qin Yue diminished significantly.
There was no other way; she had to endure it.
......
"Uncle, Aunt," Bai Ningning walked back to the hall and sat down next to Qin Yue, "I'm here."
Greeting people first is a symbol of politeness, and Bai Ningning felt she was quite polite, her little mouth sweet as sugar.
Qin Mom quietly glanced at her and suddenly said, "Where's my daughter?"
Bai Ningning was taken aback: "What?"
"I mean, you only greeted the two of us," Qin's Mom gestured towards Qin Yue, "Why didn't you greet my daughter?"
Hearing this, Qin Yue also looked at Bai Ningning and casually placed a small candy in her hand.
"Okay, Sister Yueyue," Bai Ningning added, then put the small candy back on the table, "It's almost time to eat, so I won't have the candy."
Qin Yue's mouth twitched.
Giving you candy is an intimate gesture between lovers. Do you not understand warmth at all, you little fool?
"Ningning," Qin Dad, cracking walnuts, called her over, "Your aunt has something to discuss with you."
Bai Ningning looked at Qin Mom.
"Well," Qin Mom hesitated a bit, "I want to ask about your plans for the future... in that regard."