Chapter 228: Group Return to Earth 3-2

Nan’s mother said, “What about it? Our Sui Sui is a capable woman. She earned all of this.”

“Sui Sui… I thought she just opened a veterinary clinic? Are vet clinics really that profitable? Is she deliberately keeping pets sick to milk people for money? I’m telling you, I’ve seen places like that before.”

Nan’s mother frowned, instinctively defending her daughter.

“Our Sui Sui loves animals. She’s rescued countless stray cats and dogs. All her income is earned legitimately, so don’t you dare spread vicious rumors!”

Nan’s mother immediately regretted saying Sui Sui had earned the money. ‘Why did I tell this aunt so much? I shouldn’t have been so honest.’

The cousin glanced at the fawning comments, and her heart swelled with pride. She was on cloud nine, already acting as if the villa was her own.

She said, “Uncle, Aunt, I remember back in college, my cousin’s relationship with Zhuo Hong was pretty well-known. I heard they even lived together, and people said… Did they get married?”

Nan’s mother’s face instantly darkened. She slammed her hand on the table. “Jin Ju, don’t you spout nonsense! Sui Sui never dated anyone in college. That Zhuo Hong kid was just spreading malicious sexual rumors. He’s already apologized publicly, and we’ve already set the record straight! And another thing, if you want to drag things up, what you’re saying about our Sui Sui and Zhuo Hong is a complete fabrication. But your mother, Liu Li, teaching you, Xia Jinku, to plagiarize another author’s book? Now *that* caused a huge scandal online! And you’re actually proud of a plagiarized bestseller. How disgusting.”

The aunt retorted, “Why so hostile? We’re just talking. What’s all this about plagiarism? Sister-in-law, you can’t just buy a villa and start looking down on your own family, not even letting us get a word in.”

Mr. Nan’s expression was grim. He moved to shield Nan’s mother and said to their obnoxious relatives, “You should all leave. After today, let’s not see each other again.”

The cousin’s face fell. “Uncle, Aunt, what are you talking about?”

…

Just then, Nan Zishi pulled up to the house in her SUV.

The moment the car pulled into the villa’s courtyard, Mr. Nan and Nan’s mother forgot all about their recent troubles and rushed outside to greet their daughter and grandchildren.

Seven little darlings scrambled out of the car, and Mr. Nan’s and Nan’s mother’s faces lit up with joy.

“Huo Jun, Lu Ming, Fox Qi, Fufu, Lang Xian, Wolf Mu, Yang’er! Grandpa and Grandma missed you so, so much!”

The seven little ones were even more excited than their grandparents, crashing into their arms with a series of happy thuds.

“Grandpa!! Grandma!!!”

“Grandpa!! Grandma! Hugs!!”

“Sui Sui!” Nan’s mother called out to Nan Zishi.

“Mom!” Nan Zishi and her mother shared a warm embrace.

Nan’s mother was overjoyed to have Sui Sui and the children home. She said, “I already told your brother you were back, and he’s on his way home from school now. Oh, and Sui Sui, what do you think of the villa? Do you like it? I made sure to pick one that was a bit bigger, with plenty of rooms.”

Nan Zishi smiled. “If you picked it, Mom, I’m sure it’s perfect.”

‘This time,’ she thought, ‘my storage space is filled with gold, diamonds, jade, pearls, coral, and more. If I want another villa, I can just buy one.’

Mr. Nan was holding Huo Jun, playfully tickling the little boy with his beard. After a moment, he asked, “By the way, Sui Sui, didn’t you say my sons-in-law were coming back too? Where are they?”

Nan Zishi smiled. “They’ll be here in a bit.”

As the family was enjoying their happy reunion, the aunt walked out of a room. Seeing Nan Zishi and the gaggle of children, she asked snidely, “Well now, Sui Sui, have you opened a daycare?”

The cousin chimed in, “Cousin Sui Sui, where did you round up all these little hellions?”

Nan Zishi’s expression faltered.

‘Just a moment ago, she’d been wondering why her cousin’s address was the same as her family’s.’

‘Now it was clear: her cousin was once again passing off Nan Zishi’s things as her own to show off.’

Nan Zishi gently guided the children. “Junjun, take Fufu and go play in the yard. Don’t run off too far.”

“Okay, Mama! We’ll be good.”

In the villa’s yard, their grandparents had set up a swing set and lots of other fun things to play on. The children took Fufu and started playing off to the side.

Nan Zishi went into the villa with her aunt and cousin.

The cousin tried to affectionately link arms with Nan Zishi, who discreetly pulled her arm away.

The cousin said, “Cousin, a huge villa like this must have plenty of empty rooms. My mom and I should just move in with you.”

Nan Zishi said coolly, “I don’t have any spare rooms for outsiders.”

The cousin acted as if she hadn’t heard. “How is that possible? I just counted. There are eleven rooms between the first and third floors. There are only four of you in your family, what do you need so many rooms for?”

Nan’s mother said, “Our eleven rooms are just the right number. They’ll all be occupied. There are no spare rooms.”

The cousin was stunned. “You’ve got to be kidding me. It’s just Uncle, Aunt, Sui Sui, and Zhinian. That’s only four people in total. Why would you possibly need that many rooms?”

Nan’s mother was about to retort.

Nan Zishi held her mother back. “Do we need to explain ourselves to you?” she asked.

The aunt said disapprovingly, “Sui Sui, she’s your cousin. How can you speak to her like that?”

Now Nan’s mother was angry. “What did my Sui Sui say that was so wrong? We don’t have to explain anything to you. This villa has nothing to do with you.”

The cousin gently tugged on her mother’s sleeve.

‘Nan Zishi’s villa was huge,’ she thought. ‘She’d just posted a few pictures to her social media feed, telling everyone it was her new house.’

‘Male colleagues at the office who never gave her the time of day had seen the photos and were all sending her private messages.’

‘She had to move in. She absolutely had to move in!’

The aunt understood her daughter’s intention. She smiled and said, “Sui Sui, dear, you have so many empty rooms, and it’s not like you can use them all. We’re family. What’s the big deal about giving your cousin a south-facing room to stay in?”

Mr. Nan couldn’t hold back any longer. “We already told you no, and you’re still insisting? You even want a south-facing room?! I’m terribly sorry, but our family is large. We barely have enough room for ourselves, let alone any spare rooms for you!”

The cousin shot back, “You’re lying, Uncle! They’re obviously empty! It’s a waste to leave them vacant, so what’s wrong with letting me stay in one?”

Nan Zishi was visibly losing her patience when, at that exact moment, the doorbell rang. A look of joy washed over her face, and she quickly got up. “They’re here!”

The aunt asked, “Who’s here?”

Nan’s mother and Mr. Nan quickly stood up as Nan Zishi opened the front door of the villa.

The door swung open, and her younger brother, Nan Zhinian, immediately pulled Nan Zishi into a bear hug. “Sis! You’re finally back! I missed you like crazy.”

Nan Zishi patted him on the back and smiled. “Yes, I’m back.”

Nan Zhinian said, “I ran into the seven of them on my way here. They took one sniff of me and knew I was your brother. It was so bizarre. Anyway, I brought them over for you.”

And just then, standing in the brilliant sunlight, seven men appeared at the doorway. All of them had long legs, broad shoulders, and narrow waists; they were tall, handsome, and powerfully built.