In the original story, there wasn’t really any intense “female rivalry.”
Xu Miao only appeared more frequently at the Lu household, using their social connection to exchange a few words with Lu Weidong.
Just a hint of a relationship that was slightly “closer and more natural” than others.
Yet that little closeness was enough to make the sensitive, suspicious original protagonist completely lose it, triggering endless doubt and quarrels.
Ye Wenxi judged that the situation could get worse because she “knew” Xu Miao’s tendencies.
This girl’s obsession with Lu Weidong was bordering on madness.
Not something a little rejection or distance could calm.
It was a near-sacrificial, fanatically possessive devotion, a “once in the aristocracy, I’ll bind my life to it” kind of fixation.
She had long tossed aside all self-respect and dignity.
And Ye Wenxi couldn’t leave anytime soon.
Big trouble—real big trouble.
The jacket draped over her shoulders felt almost hot now, like it carried the weight of the situation.
As she walked, she sighed internally, hoping Xu Miao would behave.
But if the girl wanted drama, Ye Wenxi decided she wouldn’t hold back either.
The two of them walked one ahead, one behind. Lu Weidong’s attention was clearly on the person following him, completely ignoring Xu Miao standing in the shadows near the streetlamp.
Ye Wenxi breathed a small sigh of relief, thinking this awkward “street encounter” could quietly pass.
Then, from behind, came a trembling, heartbreak-drenched voice:
“Wei Dong…ge…”
Lu Weidong stopped and turned, squinting in the dim lamplight, momentarily failing to recognize the shadowed figure.
“Wei Dong…ge…” the voice repeated, now choked and full of longing.
Finally, Lu Weidong saw her clearly in the faint light.
“Xu Miao?”
Hearing her name spoken so accurately, Xu Miao’s face instantly brightened with joy, stepping half a pace forward.
“Wei Dong…ge, you didn’t leave?” Her voice tried to stay calm, but the tremor betrayed her.
“I thought you went back to the army already.”
Lu Weidong stopped and replied simply, “Not for now. I’ll stay a few more days.”
Xu Miao’s gaze finally fell on the figure beside him, wrapped in his jacket.
Her lips moved, asking the question that tightened her chest:
“And this is…?”
Ye Wenxi wished she could turn her back, feeling her toes scrunch inside her shoes in sheer embarrassment.
Here it comes—the classic, dramatic line, arriving fashionably late.
“This is my fiancée, Ye Wenxi.”
His answer was clear, steady, with no hesitation or embellishment.
Direct—straight to the point.
Click!
Ye Wenxi could hear Xu Miao’s blood drain from her face, lips paling.
She stared at Ye Wenxi, eyes vacant, as if unable to comprehend the three words: “fiancée.”
Ye Wenxi, unnerved by the gaze, dared not meet her eyes directly.
Her throat dry with awkwardness, she let out a small cough.
To Lu Weidong, it sounded like a prompt.
To Xu Miao, it sounded like the impatience of a victor.
Lu Weidong quickly added, “We have things to do, so let’s go. Goodbye.”
He rested his large hand on Ye Wenxi’s shoulder, half-pushing, half-guiding her forward.
Ye Wenxi instinctively tried to shrink away, wanting to shake off the hand.
But it felt welded to her shoulder—warm, strong, immovable despite her silent struggle.
The two of them moved in a slightly awkward yet intimate pose, quickly leaving the area.
Leaving Xu Miao alone in the wind, continuing to shatter piece by piece.
Close to the Lu family home, Ye Wenxi paused, removing the jacket from her shoulders and returning it to him.
She insisted firmly, and Lu Weidong accepted it without protest, slipping it back on.
Before opening the door, he called inside,
“Dad, Mom, we’re back.”
The faint conversation inside paused, followed by the sound of chairs moving.
Several people stood and approached the door.
The door opened.
Ye Wenxi’s nerves surfaced again.
She looked up to see Lu father and Lu mother at the forefront.
Lu Xiaojun peeked curiously from the side, and Aunt Sun smiled warmly behind.
No one else was visible yet.
She didn’t step in recklessly, instead standing at the doorway.
She bowed slightly toward Lu father and mother, a gesture respectful yet not exaggerated.
Looking up, she offered a bright, graceful smile, voice clear:
“Uncle, Aunt, hello.”
“Ah, hello. Come in, come in,” Lu Zhenghua said first, his tone calmer than expected, stepping aside to let her in.
Lu Weidong naturally placed his hand lightly on Ye Wenxi’s lower back—a subtle, protective gesture—guiding her inside.
Ye Wenxi stiffened ever so slightly, thinking, Since when did he start doing these little gestures?
Lu Weidong had sensed her tension, knowing she appeared calm but was uneasy.
He simply wanted to offer her a bit of support and reassurance.
Inside, Ye Wenxi exchanged brief pleasantries: “Was it cold on the way?” “Was the ride tiring?”—safe, standard conversation.
Nothing embarrassing.
It seemed the family had tacitly agreed to avoid awkward topics.
No one asked about her background, how she knew Lu Weidong, or other sensitive questions.
Soon, movement at the door signaled three returning people.
Lu Weiguo had come from work to pick up his wife Li Shufen and brought along his sister Lu Weihua.
Ye Wenxi stood politely, smiling and greeting:
“Big brother, sister-in-law, little sister.”
Everyone treated her like an important guest—cordial but not overly familiar.
Perhaps even more attentive than needed, showing respect and acceptance.
Ye Wenxi silently marveled: no wonder Lu Weidong was raised in this household.
As long as she didn’t stir up trouble, the evening would remain peaceful.
Dinner proceeded fairly smoothly.
Liu Xiuyun had remained quiet for most of the meal, only serving dishes.
Near the end, she seemed unable to hold back.
Setting down her chopsticks, she smiled at Ye Wenxi carefully:
“Uh… Wenxi, you’re still young. In the future… do you have any plans?”
At this, Lu Zhenghua lightly kicked her under the table.
Liu Xiuyun’s words halted, her smile stiffened, and she instead picked up a pair of communal chopsticks to serve Ye Wenxi some ribs:
“Here, eat more—you’re too thin.”