Of course, it wasn't that she missed it.
It was that before Lin Yuan could speak, Qiao Nian had already jumped into the water.
Seeing Lin Yuan's embarrassment grow, Qiao Nian couldn't help but laugh inwardly.
How had she guessed correctly?
Originally, she had no intention of saving Xiao Qingnuan; after all, Xiao Qingnuan had tried to harm her first, bringing it upon herself.
But Lin Yuan's words later made Qiao Nian feel increasingly uneasy.
All the men present could swim, and the boatman was even more adept, yet Lin Yuan forbade them from rescuing Xiao Qingnuan to preserve her reputation.
Of the two women left, Lin Yuan and herself, naturally, it was she, the one who could swim, who had to save her.
If she had waited for Lin Yuan to ask for her help, she would have been the one to suffer while Lin Yuan reaped the praise.
Fortunately, now Lin Yuan had no defense.
Tears streamed down her face, making her look pitiable.
Lin Ye quickly pulled Lin Yuan aside, whispering comfort.
Xiao Heng's brows furrowed as he looked at Xiao Qingnuan, "Yuan indeed meant to ask Qiao Nian to save you, but Qiao Nian jumped in to rescue you first. All this arose because you fell into the water, yet now you blame Yuan?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Qingnuan was stunned.
She stared blankly at Xiao Heng, then turned her gaze to Qiao Nian.
Their eyes met, and Qiao Nian understood the realization in Xiao Qingnuan's eyes.
She must have understood Qiao Nian's earlier words about not being able to defeat Lin Yuan.
Seeing that Xiao Qingnuan didn't look at her, Xiao Heng grew annoyed. Considering this was the Marquis's residence, and Xiao Qingnuan was causing trouble for the legitimate daughter of the house, he grabbed her arm, "Apologize to Yuan."
Xiao Qingnuan widened her eyes in shock at Xiao Heng, furious, "I was the one who fell into the water, nearly drowned, why should I apologize?"
Lin Yuan quickly spoke up, "No need, Brother Heng, I'm fine, Nuan's health is what matters..."
"It's not Xiao Qingnuan's fault." Lin Ye added, his eyes then glaring fiercely at Qiao Nian, "Xiao Qingnuan is naive, she must have been influenced by someone!"
Qiao Nian stood there, staring coldly at Lin Ye.
Ever since Lin Yuan returned, she had been cast as the villain in his eyes. No matter what happened with Lin Yuan, he would blame Qiao Nian.
Now, clearly, this was a conflict between Lin Yuan and Xiao Qingnuan, yet he stuck to his usual pattern, quite the skill.
But now, Qiao Nian didn't need to speak.
Xiao Qingnuan's fiery temper flared up, "What does this have to do with Qiao Nian? The words came out of Lin Yuan's mouth! You two don't blame Lin Yuan but instead blame me and Qiao Nian. What, just because we don't cry?"
"It's not like that, Nuan..." Lin Yuan, looking wronged to the heavens, cried inconsolably, "How can you think of me like that, wu wu wu, I... I really had your best interests at heart!"
"You're talking nonsense!" Xiao Qingnuan glared at Lin Yuan with disgust, "You know what vile thoughts you harbor!"
"Slap!"
A crisp sound of a slap resounded.
It was Xiao Heng.
Everyone was shocked.
"Apologize!"
He said coldly.
Xiao Qingnuan held her cheek, her expression shifting from surprise to anger, "You hit me? For her?"
"You were in the wrong first!" Xiao Heng stated matter-of-factly.
But Xiao Qingnuan understood very well, "You're lying! You never hit me before! Even when I insulted Qiao Nian at Fahua Temple, you didn't hit me! Now, just for saying one thing about her, you slap me! Good, Xiao Heng, you're something else!"
With that, Xiao Qingnuan turned and ran out.
Seeing this, Lin Yuan called out, "Nuan, Nuan!"
But Xiao Qingnuan ignored her.
Lin Yuan then grabbed Xiao Heng, "Brother Heng, go after her quickly!"
"No need to bother with her! That mouth of hers needs a lesson!" Xiao Heng felt that if he didn't teach Xiao Qingnuan a lesson today, she would cause trouble with her words sooner or later.
However, Lin Yuan was anxious, "But Nuan just woke up from being unconscious, I can't rest easy letting her run off like this! Brother Heng, please, go after her!"
Lin Yuan's tearful plea evidently moved Xiao Heng.
He frowned deeply, glanced at Qiao Nian, then chased after Xiao Qingnuan.
After Xiao Heng left, Lin Yuan was still sobbing.
Lin Ye, however, turned his anger towards Qiao Nian, "Look at the mess you've caused!"
Qiao Nian raised an eyebrow, looking at Lin Ye, "What mess have I caused?"
"If it weren't for your provocation, how could Xiao Qingnuan blame Yuan?" Lin Ye pointed accusingly at Qiao Nian, "Can't you just behave and give us some peace?"
Qiao Nian didn't respond, just stared at Lin Ye silently.
Remembering their past confrontations, her silence now made Lin Ye feel guilty.
"Why... why are you staring at me like that? Did I say something wrong?" Lin Ye questioned coldly, though his voice lacked conviction.
Qiao Nian continued to look at him, her mind filled with images of him protecting her in the past.
She thought, if long ago, she hadn't had a brother who unconditionally protected her, perhaps she wouldn't feel this heartache now.
Taking a deep breath, Qiao Nian gave a slight smile, finally responding, "I spoke only the truth, without exaggeration. If that counts as provocation, I have nothing more to say."
Lin Ye paused, thinking that what Qiao Nian said was indeed true.
But turning to see Lin Yuan crying beside him, his heart ached, and he coldly huffed at Qiao Nian, "But you knew that wasn't what Yuan meant! You saved Yuan before, she knew you could swim, she must have thought you'd save Xiao Qingnuan, that's why she stopped me and Xiao Heng!"
"I'm not a bug in her head, I don't know what she was thinking!" Qiao Nian raised her voice, "Just like I don't know why you always blame everything on me! Lin Ye, I was the one who saved her! If I hadn't jumped in, Xiao Qingnuan would have died in front of you because of some so-called reputation! How dare you blame me!"
For some reason, arguing with Qiao Nian like this brought Lin Ye a strange sense of relief.
The guilt he felt earlier dissipated, and he snorted coldly, "In any case, causing Yuan and Xiao Qingnuan to fall out is your fault! Xiao Qingnuan just woke up from unconsciousness; if anything happens to her, see how you'll make amends!"
That cold, indifferent face was clearly reflected in Qiao Nian's eyes, stinging them with an ache.
Strangely, even her voice carried a touch of bitterness.
She stared at Lin Ye, suddenly lacking the energy to argue, only whispering, "Do you know, I too just woke up from being unconscious?"