Ten minutes later, when Lu Jiaoyue found the Lu Family's car, Lu Xiaoxiao was in the back seat, panting heavily while wiping sweat from her forehead.
She was genuinely exhausted.
The moment she heard Lu Jiaoyue say she was coming to the car to find her, Lu Xiaoxiao immediately broke into a sprint, all to get into the car first and avoid raising suspicion.
Seeing Lu Jiaoyue reach out to open the car door, she quickly moved her hand away, pretending to fan herself as she complained impatiently, "It's so hot. The air conditioning isn't working at all—I'm sweating."
【Thank goodness, I made it just in time. The last time I exerted myself this much was during the 800-meter fitness test at school. I really put in the effort.】
Feeling the blast of cold air from inside the car, Lu Jiaoyue tactfully didn't call her out. Instead, she sweetly called out "Sister" and proudly showed Lu Xiaoxiao the shopping bags she was carrying.
"Sister, look! I brought back all the clothes you picked out for me! Your taste is really amazing—I love every single piece! But they were so expensive…"
Lu Xiaoxiao felt dizzy from all the "Sister" calls, her heart melting completely, though she kept a straight face.
"Why do you sound so inexperienced? They're just a few pieces of clothing. How can such a small price scare you?"
"Before you were brought back, this kind of spending was normal for me. You'll have to get used to it too, understand?"Sweetie, you're a young lady of a wealthy family!" You need to feel more deserving—these are things you're worthy of having!】
Lu Jiaoyue nodded obediently. "I understand, I'll get used to it, Sister."
Lu Xiaoxiao gave a noncommittal "Hmm," then added somewhat guiltily, "You took too long trying on clothes. I got tired of waiting, so I came back to the car to rest."
She ended with a threat: "You'd better not think about tattling to Father and Mother. I didn't deliberately abandon you."
Lu Xiaoxiao thought she was exuding the aura of a villainess perfectly, unaware that in Lu Jiaoyue's eyes, she was just a tsundere older sister who said one thing but meant another.
"I won't tattle, Sister, I swear!" Lu Jiaoyue spoke urgently, her tone sincere.
"It's just that when I couldn't find you earlier, I was a little worried, but I didn't have your contact information… Could we exchange WeChat, Sister?"
Lu Xiaoxiao was taken aback, then secretly delighted.
Wasn't this exactly what she wanted!
She cleared her throat, pretending to be reluctant as she unlocked her phone, and feigned complaint: "Fine, what a hassle."
【Woo-hoo! She said it herself, she said it herself! This is great!】
Lu Jiaoyue quickly sent a friend request.
Lu Xiaoxiao accepted instantly and glanced at the other's profile picture—a dopey-looking cartoon rabbit.
From their first meeting, she had thought Lu Jiaoyue would suit a rabbit persona; both were adorable and harmless, making you want to hold them close and give them a good pet.
Delighted, Lu Xiaoxiao started thinking about what to set as Lu Jiaoyue's contact name. The drive back to the Lu Family was still quite long—perfect for killing time.
Throughout the journey, she cycled through countless nicknames for her, from "Precious Little Sister" to "Princess Yue'er." It wasn't until the car entered the Bei Shan Villa area where the Lu Family resided that Lu Xiaoxiao finally settled on the most satisfactory contact name—Little Moon Rabbit.
Bei Shan Villa is an upscale residential area in the Imperial Capital, home to numerous wealthy residents and boasting top-tier security. All individuals and vehicles entering or exiting undergo strict verification—unregistered vehicles are barred entry, and taxis are not permitted access.
In the original storyline, Gu Sipei was able to escort Lu Jiaoyue back precisely because he owned property here, though he seldom resided in it regularly.
Of course, given his financial status, it’s hardly surprising for him to own real estate anywhere.
After a long day of wandering, Lu Xiaoxiao was thoroughly drained and yearned only to collapse onto her bed.
As she stepped out of the car and entered the courtyard, a massive, fluffy black shadow suddenly charged straight toward her.
Lu Xiaoxiao’s mind froze for a second before she finally registered what it was just before the shadow pounced.
Holy shit, it was a giant Tibetan Mastiff!!!
Unfortunately, one of the few traits Lu Xiaoxiao shared with the original host was their mutual fear of dogs—especially large, intimidating breeds like this one!
Instinctively, she wanted to scramble away in panic, but in moments of extreme terror, the body often stiffens, rendering escape impossible. She was pinned down instantly.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH HOLY CRAP!!!"
This time, all thoughts of the System or maintaining her persona flew out the window—she could only scream at the top of her lungs.
The Tibetan Mastiff, the culprit behind the chaos, made no aggressive moves. Instead, it pressed a front paw on Lu Xiaoxiao’s shoulder, tilted its head, and seemed amused by her terrified expression. It leaned closer, panting with its tongue out.
Lu Jiaoyue, who was nearest to Lu Xiaoxiao, reacted immediately. She hooked an arm around the mastiff’s neck and pulled it aside, then cupped its head with both hands to restrain it, scolding sternly, "Lightning! You must not frighten your sister!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! This is hilarious! Lu Xiaoxiao, you’re such a coward!"
A boy’s unrestrained laughter rang out nearby. Lu Xiaoxiao turned toward the sound and saw Lu Yubai emerging from behind the bushes.
She remembered—this Tibetan Mastiff was Lu Yubai’s pet!
Seeing him, Lu Jiaoyue’s delicate willow-leaf eyebrows furrowed in displeasure. "Yubai, this prank of yours is going too far!"
"Huh?" Lu Yubai, suddenly scolded by his own sister, was taken aback and hurried to explain, "Sis! I was just joking—I wanted to help you vent! You’re too kind. You didn’t even get angry when she mocked you yesterday, but you have no idea how hypocritical and manipulative she usually is!"
He shot a glance at Lu Xiaoxiao and muttered under his breath, "Besides, she’s fine, isn’t she? Lightning knows his limits—he wouldn’t hurt anyone!"
Lu Xiaoxiao’s face was deathly pale as she shakily rose to her feet, her expression one of sheer fury. The murderous glint in her eyes was impossible to conceal.
【LU! YU! BAI! YOU’RE DEAD MEAT!!!!!!】
Just as her homicidal intent surged and she prepared to lunge at Lu Yubai, a steady, authoritative male voice sounded from behind her.
"What’s going on? I thought I heard Xiaoxiao scream."
Turning around, she saw it was the Lu Family’s eldest brother, Lu Xunli—who had been absent the previous night. This man, whose appearance and demeanor most closely resembled Lu Yuan’s, was now frowning, his concern evident in his eyes.
Lu Xiaoxiao paused her steps, then decisively changed direction. Her expression shifted instantly as she threw herself into Lu Xunli's arms with tearful, pear-blossom-drenched sobs.
"Wuuuuu… Big brother! You have no idea what just happened! Yuebai… he set his dog on me!"