Lin Youqiao understood that a true hero never suffers immediate losses. There was no need to rush this matter.
She put on her sunglasses, gave Xu Xiu a cold look through the lenses, ignored everyone else, and walked out of economy class in her high heels.
Once she left, the other passengers immediately began comforting the flight attendant.
“Don’t worry, we’ll all leave feedback to the airline and testify for you.”
The flight attendant gratefully thanked everyone—including Xu Xiu—and the incident ended there.
But Xu Xiu felt that Lin Youqiao’s final glance was not simple. She probably wouldn’t swallow this humiliation so easily.
In the novel, Lin Youqiao had always been portrayed as a fragile, harmless “white lotus,” yet also intelligent enough to resolve various crises.
However, from the subtle details in the plot, Xu Xiu could sense that Lin Youqiao was actually proud, dismissive, and contemptuous toward others.
She was the kind of person who could not tolerate even the slightest loss—and had no moral limits in her methods.
Being humiliated in front of so many people this time… she probably wouldn’t let it go.
Still, Xu Xiu wasn’t worried.
She picked up her phone and turned off the recording function that had been running all along.
When she saw the juice spill onto Lin Youqiao just as it had in the plot, she had activated the camera as a precaution.
Whether this footage would be useful in the future remained to be seen.
In the original plot, the hostess only made a few sarcastic remarks and was immediately silenced by Lin Youqiao’s rebuttal.
Afterwards, the incident was uploaded online by onlookers and sparked heated discussion.
The video was only a few seconds long, relying mostly on the uploader’s written explanation.
Even so, because Lin Youqiao was a well-known wealthy socialite, she was quickly identified.
Seeing the online criticism, Lin Youqiao turned the situation to her advantage. She bought the full video from the uploader, re-edited it, and reposted it while guiding public opinion.
Soon, the criticism shifted toward the original hostess. Lin Youqiao then played the victim and acted magnanimous, further intensifying the online backlash.
The hostess was cyberbullied for days, suffering immense psychological pressure and even moved houses twice.
Thinking of this, Xu Xiu’s gaze darkened slightly.
But now that she had the full recording in hand, whatever Lin Youqiao planned, she would simply respond accordingly.
As she put her phone away, she felt a tug on her sleeve. She turned to see Xu Zhirang’s little finger pinching her cuff.
“Mom, hurry and eat.”
Xu Xiu smiled faintly.
“Alright.”
During this period of time together, she had almost completely separated the “novel’s white-eyed wolf Xu Zhirang” from the real little boy in front of her.
Especially after what had just happened—it further proved the difference.
The child hadn’t blindly sided with Lin Youqiao. That alone already deviated from the original plot.
Thinking of this, Xu Xiu patted his hair in satisfaction.
Xu Zhirang looked up blankly, not dodging her hand as she ruffled his head, and continued drinking his yogurt.
After getting off the plane, Xu Xiu and the child each dragged a suitcase while studying the bus route.
Before they could figure it out, they unexpectedly ran into Lin Youqiao again.
This time, Lin Youqiao had already changed her outerwear. She crossed her arms, coldly sizing up Xu Xiu, then curled her lips.
The disdain was obvious.
“So shabby. You can’t even afford a taxi and have to take a bus?”
Xu Xiu looked back calmly.
“Ma’am, you’re blocking the map. Please move.”
Without hesitation, she grabbed Lin Youqiao’s arm and pulled her aside like lifting a chick.
Lin Youqiao was naturally petite and extremely thin, so Xu Xiu moved her effortlessly.
Once the view was clear, Xu Xiu immediately went back to studying the map as if nothing had happened.
Meanwhile, Lin Youqiao stumbled slightly after being pulled aside and froze in shock.
In her social circle, even when people had conflicts, they only exchanged sarcastic remarks or quietly plotted behind the scenes.
No one ever acted so openly and physically.
What just happened?
She had actually been pulled aside like that?
She actually dared to lay hands on her?!
Growing up, everyone around her had always indulged and flattered her.
Not only had this mother-son pair embarrassed her on the plane, now they even dared to touch her directly—it was outrageous.
This unpredictable Xu Xiu once again left her frustrated beyond words.
She bit her lip and glared at Xu Xiu’s back, about to step forward and say something sarcastic, when a warm voice suddenly came from behind her.
“Qiao Qiao, why are you still here? Why aren’t you getting in the car?”
The words she was about to say were swallowed back down.
She adjusted her expression and turned to look at the tall man walking over.
“Big brother, I thought you already left.”
Her tone was cool, even slightly reluctant.
At that moment, Xu Xiu also found her bus and, upon hearing the word “big brother,” instinctively looked over.
A man in a long houndstooth coat stood beside Lin Youqiao.
His features were refined and gentle, without the slightest aggression. The whole person gave off a warm, jade-like temperament.
He smiled gently, eyes full of indulgence as he looked at his seemingly sulking sister.
A perfect picture of affectionate siblings.
Big brother? The villain Lin Lou?
Xu Xiu’s eyes flickered slightly.
If she didn’t know the plot, she would have been fooled too.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, the man looked up at her and smiled.
“Is this your friend? I don’t think I’ve met her before.”
Though he was looking at Xu Xiu, his words were directed at Lin Youqiao.
“Heh, big brother, you’re joking. How could I possibly know someone like her?”
Lin Youqiao sneered and shot Xu Xiu a warning glance before turning and getting into the luxury car by the roadside.
Watching his sulking sister leave, Lin Lou showed a helpless smile, then politely looked at Xu Xiu.
But Xu Xiu had no intention of getting involved. Before he could say anything, she pretended not to hear the siblings’ rude exchange and left with her child.
Lin Lou watched her back, his gentle smile still in place—though it never reached his eyes.
After a brief, probing look, he also got into the car.
Xu Xiu had already booked a house online in advance. After inspecting it and confirming everything was fine, she signed the contract and officially moved in.
The house was empty, so she decided to take Xu Zhirang shopping.
This was his first time back in the country since birth.
Seeing so many people with black hair and yellow skin on the streets, he couldn’t help getting excited.
“Mom, they’re all like us.”
It was the first time he had seen so many people from their country.
Xu Xiu smiled and pinched his cheek.
Watching the increasingly childlike expression on him, she softened.
Their new home was in an old district—worker dormitories from a chemical factory. Most residents were retired elderly people from the factory.
As newcomers, and a single mother with a child, they naturally attracted attention.
Just as they went downstairs, they saw five or six elderly people gathered at the street corner chatting.