Rebirth: Illuminating a Brilliant Life

Chapter 158 Family Turmoil: Nianci's Despair and Struggle

Once upon a time, in Nianci's still immature yet incredibly important life trajectory, in every shining and special place, Su Xuan and Cheng Ran, her parents, were like guardian angels, never absent in the slightest.

From the first steps Nianci took on the lawn in the park when she was learning to speak, to her first performance on the school stage, and then to those warm birthday parties, her parents were always by her side. Those times spent together are like bright stars, embedded in the softest corner of Nianci's heart, becoming the warmest background of her childhood.

But fate, that cruel screenwriter, didn't seem to intend for this family's story to continue unfolding in a straightforward manner. As the days passed by like flowing water, Nianci's keen, deer-like mind gradually noticed the subtle changes that were quietly growing between her parents.

Once, the way my parents looked at each other was like the shimmering lake under the warm spring sun, full of tenderness and love; but now, in the occasional glances they exchange, there seems to be an indescribable sense of unfamiliarity and estrangement, like a small stone breaking the calm lake surface, creating unsettling ripples.

Their conversations were no longer as relaxed, pleasant, and unreserved as before; sometimes they would even pause unintentionally, and an inexplicable awkwardness and heaviness would fill the air.

Seeing these changes in her parents, Nianci felt as if an invisible hand was gripping her heart tightly, and that unease spread wildly in her heart like weeds.

She often tossed and turned at night, her mind replaying the subtle strangeness of her parents. The shadow of worry, like a curtain of darkness, gradually enveloped her small world, making her afraid that her once joyful home would gradually lose its warmth and peace in this inexplicable storm.

Cheng Ran's domineering and old-fashioned mother, seeing her son and daughter-in-law's marriage gradually losing its "passion" amidst the trivialities of daily life, secretly plotted to arrange one blind date after another for Cheng Ran.

It was a bright, almost blindingly sunny afternoon when Cheng Ran was coaxed, tricked, and practically dragged by his mother to a beautifully decorated but awkwardly decorated coffee shop. Reluctantly, he sat down opposite his meticulously dressed, expectantly looking blind date, his head drooping.

As fate would have it, this absurd scene was witnessed by Nianci, who happened to be passing by. Nianci stood frozen in place, as if under a spell, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. In that instant, her head felt like it had been struck by lightning, shattering all her beautiful perceptions of family.

In Nianci's innocent and childlike world, her parents should have been a perfect couple, weathering storms together, their love the epitome of beauty. But now, the sight of her father in this "betrayal" blind date scene was like a sharp dagger piercing her tender heart. Her heart was instantly consumed by burning anger, overwhelming resentment, and deep fear.

Nianci's face flushed crimson instantly, her hands clenched into fists involuntarily, her nails digging into her palms, oblivious to the trickle of blood seeping out. Her body trembled violently with rage, her chest heaving as if a volcano was about to erupt.

Her eyes were fixed on her father in the café, her gaze seeming to shoot flames that could incinerate everything before her. In that moment, the image of her tall, strong, warm, and reliable father in her heart collapsed like a skyscraper destroyed in an earthquake, turning into a pile of rubble. In its place came endless confusion, pain, and the despair of betrayal, surging like a raging tide within her, a heavy blow that her small body could barely bear.

It was a gloomy afternoon with dark clouds and a stifling heat that seemed to engulf people. Nianci was called to the dark and gloomy living room by her grandmother.

Grandma sat upright in the ornate armchair that exuded a decaying aura, her face bearing a twisted indifference and smugness. Her eyes were like those of an evil old witch, gleaming with a chillingly calculating light.

Grandma, raising her voice in a shrill, ear-piercing tone, like the hooting of an owl, said, "Nianci, it's time to wake you up, you little brat. Your parents have been divorcing behind your back for a long time! Humph, a new mistress is about to move into this house. She's as beautiful as a flower, young and lovely, and she'll give us a chubby, adorable little brother. As for you, you're just a worthless girl, and you don't even share the same surname. In this house, you're just an outsider, unloved and uncared for. Give up on that idea as soon as possible. Once the new mistress arrives, you'll be in for a world of hurt. Then you'd better pack your bags and go find your useless mother, and stop getting in my way!"

Nianci felt a buzzing in her head, as if she had been struck by a bolt of lightning, and her whole world crumbled in an instant. Her originally rosy face turned deathly pale, devoid of any color, her lips trembled violently, and her teeth chattered.

Tears welled up in her eyes, stubbornly swirling, but she bit her lower lip tightly to prevent them from falling. She stood there motionless, like a statue whose soul had been taken away.

Her mind instantly turned into a jumbled mess, a whirlwind of happy family memories flashing through her mind like a revolving lantern. She remembered her father's strong arms lifting her high, tracing joyful arcs through the air, their laughter still echoing in her ears; her mother's warm, soft embrace, and every bedtime story told with her gentle voice—all seemed so close, yet so unattainable. Now, all of this had become a mere illusion, about to be mercilessly crushed by cruel reality.

Nianci was filled with grievance and helplessness. She wanted to rush forward, grab her grandmother's collar, and question her at the top of her lungs whether all of this was true.

But her legs felt as heavy as lead, and she couldn't take a step. Her body began to tremble violently uncontrollably, and her hands instinctively gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her nails digging deep into her flesh, drawing blood. Yet she felt no pain, as if only in this way could she find a sliver of reality in this endless despair.

At this point, Grandma wasn't satisfied. With a vicious sneer on her face, she continued to add fuel to the fire, saying, "Don't be naive enough to think your father will still care about you, this burden. He's been itching to get rid of you and go live a good life with his new lover. Once your stepmother and your little brother move in, you won't even have a place to stay in this house, and you probably won't even be able to get a hot meal!"

Nianci's psychological defenses finally collapsed completely, and tears streamed down her face like a burst dam. She turned around abruptly and rushed out the door like a madwoman, running away in terror like a wounded fawn.

She ran breathlessly, her hair flying wildly in the wind, tears blurring her vision, but she dared not stop, as if only by running desperately could she escape this terrible, nightmarish reality.

She didn't know how long she ran, until her legs gave way and she could no longer support herself, before she staggered to a secluded, deserted corner. Nianci slowly crouched down, hugged her knees, buried her head in her arms, and burst into tears. Her sobs were heart-wrenching, as if she were releasing all the pain and grievances in her heart. Her world was shrouded in darkness; the road ahead was shrouded in a thick fog, and she didn't know where to go.

Suddenly, amidst this endless despair, a thought ignited in her heart like a faint flame. She thought of her mother, the mother who always wore a gentle smile and showered her with boundless love. "Yes, I'll go find my mother!" Nianci silently vowed in her heart that no matter what hardships and dangers awaited her, she would return to her mother's side. She slowly raised her head, fiercely wiping away the tears on her face with the back of her tear-streaked hand, a resolute and determined look gradually appearing in her eyes. Standing up, she took a deep breath and walked resolutely towards the unknown direction, her small figure appearing so lonely yet so brave in this dim world.