Unlike his sister, Yan Xi would never do something so morally repugnant. Xia Shi Xue had utterly disgraced the He family.
When their grandfather was still alive, he had already banished Xia Shi Xue and her aunt, He Rou, from the He family for Yan Xi's sake.
After their grandfather's death, they claimed to be heartbroken and wanted to contribute to the He family. However, He Yun knew full well that their desire to help was a pretense; their true aim was to get a piece of the He family's wealth.
Despite this, He Yun wasn't concerned about the money they might take. Family ties were more important to him than wealth. Therefore, when they approached him after their grandfather's passing and expressed their wish to return to the He family, He Yun didn't refuse.
Looking back, He Yun realized he had been too soft-hearted. He shouldn't have let them back in.
If he hadn't, Xia Shi Xue wouldn't be so arrogant and audacious now, even daring to set her sights on Fu Yan Ting.
While Xia Shi Xue had harbored feelings for Fu Yan Ting in the past, she knew perfectly well that Fu Yan Ting only saw her as a younger sister.
Xia Shi Xue had never done anything so outrageous before.
Now, He Yun wondered if the He family's excessive indulgence of Xia Shi Xue had led her to plot against Yan Xi.
She knew Yan Xi's relationship with Fu Yan Ting. Even though they were divorced, it was obvious to anyone that Fu Yan Ting still had feelings for Yan Xi.
Otherwise, that grand proposal wouldn't have happened.
Yet, now, Xia Shi Xue was taking advantage of Yan Xi's disappearance to plot against Fu Yan Ting. It wasn't just Fu Yan Ting who would be angered by Xia Shi Xue's actions; even He Yun was furious upon learning about it.
If Fu Yan Ting had gotten drunk and physically harmed Xia Shi Xue somewhere in public, He Yun wouldn't have been as incensed.
But the background of Xia Shi Xue's photos was clearly the living room of Fu Yan Ting's house.
Moreover, when He Yun had called Fu Yan Ting earlier, it was Xia Shi Xue who answered the phone.
If what Xia Shi Xue said was true, none of this would add up.
He Yun knew Fu Yan Ting's character very well.
Seeing that He Yun was unwilling to help her, Xia Shi Xue decided to be completely honest.
She held He Yun's hand and pleaded, "Brother, I know you can see through this, but don't you also like Yan Xi? As long as Fu Yan Ting and Yan Xi break up, and Fu Yan Ting takes responsibility for me, you and Yan Xi can get together legitimately. Isn't that a perfect solution for everyone?"
He Yun looked at Xia Shi Xue. She was his sister, yet he felt a profound sense of estrangement, as if he no longer recognized her.
He Yun asked faintly, "You say you're with Fu Yan Ting. Do you really think Fu Yan Ting would let you dictate terms and choose to be with you?"
"This is all over the trending searches. No matter what, Fu Yan Ting is a public figure. He has to maintain his perfect image. If I say I'm pregnant and he refuses to take responsibility, then he's a complete scumbag. Think about it, a scumbag nowadays is subject to endless criticism and gossip. As the CEO of Fu Corporation, to prevent the company's stock from falling, he will surely compromise."
When Xia Shi Xue made her move against Fu Yan Ting, she had considered the consequences. However, after a brief contemplation, she went ahead with it regardless. This indicated that Xia Shi Xue had Fu Yan Ting completely cornered.
She was gambling that Fu Yan Ting wouldn't dare to go too far.
She was also gambling that He Yun still valued their sibling relationship.
Between Yan Xi and Xia Shi Xue, Xia Shi Xue believed He Yun would still choose to help her.
It was this confidence that led Xia Shi Xue to act against Fu Yan Ting without hesitation.
Even if Fu Yan Ting were truly to retaliate against Xia Shi Xue, he would have to consider the He family's reputation and let her off this time.
However, Xia Shi Xue completely forgot that before Yan Xi returned to the He family, she was He Yun's "white moonlight." It was common knowledge that He Yun liked Yan Xi.
Now, with Xia Shi Xue doing something so morally bankrupt without regard for others' feelings, how could she expect He Yun to help her?
Hearing Xia Shi Xue's words, He Yun suddenly realized he had never truly understood his sister. He hadn't known she was this kind of person.
He looked at Xia Shi Xue, wanting to speak but unsure where to begin.
Xia Shi Xue, believing herself to be very clever, stared intently at He Yun after speaking, her gaze seeming to say, "Brother, don't you think I'm brilliant? Praise me quickly."
He Yun looked at Xia Shi Xue as if she were a monster. After a long pause, he finally said, "Xi Xi is my sister."
Xia Shi Xue, however, was dismissive. She pouted and said nonchalantly, "Is there any rule that says a sister can't be with her brother? Besides, she grew up in the Yan family, and her mother was Yao Wan Qi. The late wife of the Yan family wasn't Yao Wan Qi; I think her name was Kong something Lan. If you think about it, she might not even be a member of our He family. Perhaps our He family has just gotten used to doing charity for so many years, and adopting an orphan isn't a big deal."
He Yun never expected such words to come from Xia Shi Xue's mouth.
When Xia Shi Xue lived in the He family, she had been so well-behaved and docile that He Yun believed that was her true nature. Now, hearing her words, He Yun was incredulous, thinking he must have misheard.
Xia Shi Xue had never considered Yan Xi a member of the He family.
He Yun's affection for Yan Xi had clouded his judgment.
When their grandfather was alive, he was senile and easily swayed by Yan Xi's words.
But Xia Shi Xue had been clear-headed from beginning to end. Xia Shi Xue was the true daughter of the He family.
He Yun cast a faint glance at Xia Shi Xue, unwilling to argue further. He said, "You can leave now. I need to be alone."
After Xia Shi Xue left, He Yun called the companies of the paparazzi involved, demanding they immediately remove the trending topic about Xia Shi Xue and Fu Yan Ting, threatening severe repercussions if they refused.
He Yun did this not to protect Xia Shi Xue.
Xia Shi Xue had made so many foolish choices herself; even if Fu Yan Ting punished her, she would have brought it upon herself.
He Yun wanted the trending topic removed because he was worried Yan Xi would be disappointed in Fu Yan Ting if she saw it.
As an observer, He Yun could see that although Yan Xi had rejected Fu Yan Ting's proposal, her heart still belonged solely to him.
Her rejection of Fu Yan Ting's confession might have been due to other concerns.
However, from any perspective, He Yun would not allow Xia Shi Xue to become an obstacle between Fu Yan Ting and Yan Xi.