Ning Xi walked out of the hospital.
She went to Jing University and donated the ten million she earned today, leaving her with only five cents, which was the fare home.
Her body had become even weaker recently.
Her Master had promised that as long as she helped the family prosper, her own health would improve.
But she had been working hard for five years.
Her father went from a self-employed businessman to an entertainment industry tycoon.
Her mother went from a full-time housewife to a wealthy socialite.
Her brothers went from being overworked laborers to wealth-harvesting machines.
The entire family was flourishing.
Yet, only she was declining day by day.
From needing medical attention once a month, she was now in the emergency room daily.
From a minor financial loss of 40%, it escalated to a complete financial ruin of 100%.
From calculating wealth, luck, and relationships for others, she had resigned herself to just living...
Ning Xi couldn't understand, what had gone wrong?
She dragged her ailing body back to the Lu family home.
As soon as she entered, the place was buzzing with noise and extravagance.
Jing City's wealthy circle had all gathered here.
"Tonight, we have distinguished guests, all here to welcome the true daughter of the Lu family—Miss Xinyue!"
As the words fell, Ning Xi appeared in the hall.
Everyone was speechless.
Whispers arose from the crowd of socialites.
"Why is the Lu family's fake young lady still here!"
"I heard she's been sickly since childhood, and the Lu family spent a lot of money on her. Perhaps they're reluctant to part with this daughter."
"How is that possible! The Lu family raised a sickly child for 18 years for someone else; they must hate the fake young lady!"
"They didn't raise me for 18 years."
Ning Xi corrected their misconception, "I was raised in a Taoist temple from a young age and only came down the mountain at 13. I've been supporting myself since returning home."
After speaking, she walked to the buffet area and casually gestured towards them, "Please continue—"
The socialites were speechless.
The atmosphere became awkwardly silent.
Ning Xi, however, felt remarkably relaxed.
Her long-standing confusion was finally resolved: this was where she had gone wrong!
She had doubted her own lack of effort, doubted the Lu family's insufficient wealth, and even wondered if she needed to help her father's mistress and her mother's lover build their fortunes.
But she had never suspected that her unreliable Master had miscalculated her own parents...
"Now, let us give the warmest applause to welcome the protagonist of tonight, the true Fourth Miss of the Lu family—Lu Xinyue!"
The host's voice was once again filled with passion.
A graceful figure appeared on the second-floor spiral staircase, dressed in a champagne-colored gown that flowed with her every step, exuding nobility and elegance.
Amidst the applause from the audience, there were continuous praises.
"This is the true socialite and daughter of a prominent family! Every gesture and movement speaks of aristocratic grace. Unlike the fake young lady, who looks like a village girl with no sense."
"Miss Xinyue, on the other hand, has been recommended to Jing University this year! At such a young age, she already has her own fashion brand and has won a gold award in artificial intelligence! That charlatan, the fake young lady, isn't even fit to carry her shoes!"
"So outstanding, just like her brothers, they are all elites! This is what they mean by gold will shine eventually, unlike some useless trash..."
The mockery continued unabated.
Ning Xi paid no mind, eating a small cake while watching Lu Xinyue descend.
As she watched, her brow furrowed deeply.
Although Lu Xinyue was beautiful, her appearance didn't match her bone structure, her aura was discordant, and her complexion was clouded with resentment. Clearly, this beauty did not originally belong to her.
And it wasn't just her face; her intelligence, her romantic prospects, even her lifespan, her fortune, and her luck did not belong to her!
How could this be a case of switched babies?
This was clearly a malevolent Luck Stealing Technique designed to defy fate, a deliberate switch to send Lu Xinyue to her family to steal her luck.
Ning Xi was furious; her weakened body couldn't break this evil sorcery!
She unhappily speared a small cake with her fork and put it in her mouth.
Only when Lu Xinyue reached the last step did she let out a hum, "Hey, thief, have you stolen enough?"
This remark startled Lu Xinyue, causing her to stumble and nearly fall.
Her elegant entrance was completely ruined.
Lu Xinyue was humiliated and felt incredibly wronged.
She tearfully complained to her mother, "Mom, if my sister doesn't welcome me, I won't come back. I'm not as delicate as my sister; I'm very independent and can support myself."
Lin Wanhui's heart ached upon hearing this.
She held Lu Xinyue's hand and repeatedly comforted her, "Darling, you're not going anywhere; this is your home. The one who should get out is that imposter!"
Lin Wanhui shot Ning Xi a disdainful glare.
Before, when the Master said this girl would bring misfortune to the whole family, she had blamed herself for giving birth to a jinx. Now she knew this jinx wasn't even her biological daughter!
Lin Wanhui looked at her with utter disgust, "Lu Ningxi, you are the thief who stole my daughter's life! A sparrow can never become a phoenix. My Xinyue, even raised in the slums, could get into Jing University. You trash, even raised in the Lu family, are still useless!"
Slums?
Ning Xi only registered this word.
The Luck Stealing Technique required a target of great fortune. Lu Xinyue had only stolen for eighteen years; how could she have ruined a family of great fortune to the point of becoming like slums?
She frowned in confusion and asked, "Is my family very poor?"
Her question was met with uproarious laughter.
The noblewomen laughed until their sides ached, and the wealthy men roared with laughter until their bellies shook.
The hall was filled with joyous laughter.
"Not just poor, your Shen family is so broke that even a mouse entering would have to shed tears to donate half a bowl of rice!"
"They used to be a prominent family. However, your five brothers have squandered everything; even the ancestors' graves must be emitting black smoke in anger!"
"Your Eldest Brother is foolish, Second Brother is timid, Third Brother is ugly, Fourth Brother is useless, Fifth Brother is crazy, and adding you, the charlatan Sixth Sister—your Shen family has hit the 'Useless Lottery'!"
"Hahahaha—"
Laughter erupted, shaking the Lu family's villa.
Ning Xi's hand, holding the fork, froze mid-air.
"Which Shen family are you talking about?"
Lin Wanhui smugly rolled her eyes, "Which Shen family could it be? The Shen family that the Lu family defeated!"
"In business, they lost to the Lu family! As doctors, they lost to the Lu family! As actors, they still lost to the Lu family!"
"Now, even you have lost to my Xinyue. You're not good at studying, not good at making money, and won't marry well in the future! I think your family shouldn't be called Shen, but 'Lose'!"
Another wave of laughter swept through the crowd.
Ning Xi stood there stunned, unable to laugh.
To help the Lu family prosper, she had done quite a few things to her Shen brothers...
According to incomplete statistics.
She should have—
Swallowed the Eldest Brother's company...
Ruined the Second Brother's livelihood...
Undermined the Third Brother's relationships...
Stolen the Fourth Brother's resources...
And even sent the Fifth Brother to the police station...
No wonder the Shen family's luck was stolen so thoroughly; it turned out she had been assisting in the process...
Hehehe, she was truly capable.
Ruthless and devastating.
She was responsible for the devastation, and her brothers were responsible for the...
The small cake in Ning Xi's hand suddenly lost its appeal.
She stood there, her already pale face looking even whiter.
Who said effort was in vain?
If the family prospers, she prospers; if the family perishes, she perishes.
Her declining health was entirely the result of her efforts...
Ning Xi remained silent, forcing a hollow smile.
Lin Wanhui stood by, glancing at her sideways, utterly disgusted.
She had to get rid of this jinx quickly!
She didn't know what the Lu family's Old Madam was thinking, cherishing this charlatan like a treasure, listening to her about everything, and insisting on keeping her at home to recuperate.
She wasn't afraid of this sickly girl dying at the Lu family's home and bringing bad luck!
Lin Wanhui dared not delay.
While the Old Madam was hospitalized for a stroke, she had to be kicked out. Once the Old Madam recovered and returned, she wouldn't be able to get rid of her.
Lin Wanhui grabbed the luggage that a servant had already packed and threw it to the ground with a clang, its contents scattering everywhere.
She disdainfully kicked aside the divination sticks at her feet.
"Lu Ningxi, your wretched life is even despised by dogs! No one has come to pick you up this late; I see the Shen family is too lazy to want you. Take your trash and get back up the mountain!"
"Who says no one wants her?"
A clear, resonant male voice suddenly rang out.
Everyone turned towards the entrance, where a tall, upright figure appeared.
"The Shen family wants her. I'm here to bring my sister home!"
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