Lu Ning took a taxi back to the Lu family house.
When she entered the hall, she heard Qin Xiang’s voice, cheerful and lively.
But the moment she appeared, the atmosphere became awkward and tense.
Without a word, Lu Ning walked past the living room, ready to head straight to her room.
Lu Bei’s voice roared behind her, “Lu Ning, stop right there! You come home and don’t even greet your elders? Is this your attitude now?”
“Don’t think that just because some school doctor stood up for you and talked about calling the police, you can act like you have someone backing you up. Without the Lu family, you’re nothing!”
The more Lu Bei spoke, the angrier he became. He stood up and shouted, “You think we favor Qin Xiang? You should look at the cruel things you’ve done to her! Her father died saving you. We’re the ones repaying that debt for you!”
Lu Ning felt exhausted hearing all this.
She stopped, turned her head toward the sofa, and spoke calmly, “Second brother, fourth brother, I’m back.”
Was this enough for them?
Lu Nanfeng said, “Dinner’s ready.”
“You all go ahead, I’m not hungry.”
With that, Lu Ning turned and went upstairs.
“Second brother, look at her attitude! She’s getting more and more out of hand!”
Qin Xiang added gently, “Fourth brother, don’t be mad anymore. It’s all my fault. Maybe if I leave the Lu family, Sister Ning wouldn’t be so angry.”
“Don’t say such silly things. If anyone’s leaving, it’s Lu Ning. Why should you go?”
Lu Ning heard these conversations behind her and quickened her pace back to her room, locking the door tightly.
She leaned against the door for a long while, her eyes burning.
She looked up at the ceiling, forcing her tears back. She would no longer cling to this ridiculous sibling bond.
The next day, Lu Ning went to school as usual.
Qin Xiang rode in the same car with her.
Qin Xiang carefully observed her. “Sister Ning, are you still angry?”
“Qin Xiang, acting all the time—don’t you get tired?”
Lu Ning leaned against the car window, closed her eyes, and ignored Qin Xiang.
Qin Xiang’s eyes darkened, but since the driver uncle was present, she habitually put on a pitiful face and smiled sweetly at him.
The driver immediately felt that Lu Ning was too much, always bullying Qin Xiang. He secretly decided to report it to second young master.
After arriving at school, Lu Ning focused on listening to lectures and taking notes. She had forgotten a lot and needed to catch up.
Even though Qin Xiang’s little followers and her supporters whispered around her, Lu Ning paid them no mind.
She had too much to do and no time to waste on these people.
After school, Lu Ning returned home.
She saw her sixth brother, Lu Liu, sitting on the sofa, looking very upset.
Qin Xiang skipped over charmingly. “Sixth brother, you’re back! I missed you so much these days!”
Lu Liu was in a bad mood, but Qin Xiang’s sweet words eased his expression.
Lu Ning glanced at them and went upstairs.
Lu Liu looked up. “Lu Ning, fourth brother said you’ve become more and more disobedient. I didn’t believe it at first, but now you won’t even call me sixth brother?”
Lu Ning sighed helplessly. Here we go again.
Not wanting to waste time, she turned and obediently called, “Sixth brother.”
“That’s better. By the way, I’m reorganizing the team this time. Second brother and fourth brother have agreed. You’ll join too.”
Lu Ning gripped her bag tightly. There it was again—just like in her past life.
To please sixth brother, to get her brothers’ attention, she had eagerly agreed, training like crazy and neglecting her exams.
And what did she get in return?
Lu Liu said, “Lu Ning, you’ve proven yourself. Now step aside and let Qin Xiang experience the joy of being a champion.”
“Lu Ning, I’m the team captain. I say who plays and who doesn’t.”
In her past life, she was forced to give up her spot for Qin Xiang.
If she hadn’t fought tooth and nail in the matches, they wouldn’t have made it to the finals at all. And yet, they replaced her at the critical moment?
Handing the hard-earned championship to Qin Xiang?
What did her efforts mean?
This time, she would never make the same mistake again.
Lu Ning’s gaze was calm. “Sixth brother, I want to focus on my studies. I don’t want to be distracted by gaming.”
Lu Ning firmly rejected Lu Liu’s proposal.
No, to be precise—it was an order.
Lu Liu’s face darkened. He had never imagined she would reject him.
All these years, Lu Ning had always obeyed him. She had never defied him.
Lu Ning remained composed. “Since it’s an invitation, I can also refuse.”
She looked at Lu Liu plainly, watching him fume, unable to back down.
But that had nothing to do with her anymore.
Lu Liu snapped angrily, “Lu Ning, you better think carefully before you answer. Don’t act out of spite. If I don’t give you a chance later, you’ll be begging me in tears!”
He had heard from fourth brother about the events these past few days. Lu Ning even used the gold trophy he gave her to apologize to Qin Xiang.
That trophy was from his first championship as a professional player. It meant everything to him.
Qin Xiang tugged gently on Lu Liu’s sleeve. “Sixth brother, don’t be angry. Joining your team is my dream. Sister Ning will agree once she thinks it through.”
But her words only fueled Lu Liu’s fury.
He felt Lu Ning didn’t know her place, daring to refuse him!
Lu Liu glared viciously at Lu Ning. “This is your only chance. Decide now—are you joining our family team or not?”
Lu Ning found it laughable. So sixth brother was just a paper tiger, completely manipulated by Qin Xiang.
Qin Xiang feigned concern. “Sister Ning, just agree. Don’t make sixth brother angry.”
Lu Ning looked at her. “Qin Xiang, since it’s your dream to join the team, I’ll give you my spot.”
With that, she returned to her room.
She took out her textbooks and began studying. She was rusty on many subjects and had to make up for lost time.
Until a servant knocked on the door. “Miss, it’s time for dinner.”
“Bring it up to me.”
“But second young master and the others are waiting in the dining room.”
Clearly, they weren’t going to let her eat alone in her room.
Lu Ning clenched her pen tightly, thinking of how she hadn’t yet broken free from the Lu family’s control. She had no choice but to comply for now.
She got up and went to the dining room.
Second brother, fourth brother, sixth brother, and Qin Xiang were all seated.
Because there were many people in the Lu family, the table was long.
Lu Ning sat at the farthest corner, quietly eating her food.
The atmosphere was a bit tense.
But soon, Qin Xiang’s sweet laughter filled the air, lightening the mood.
Lu Liu looked at Lu Ning and deliberately said, “Xiang Xiang, later we’ll personally teach you how to play. You’re so smart, you’ll definitely learn quickly—unlike some people.”
Qin Xiang’s eyes sparkled. “Sixth brother, I’ll do my best. I won’t drag you down!”
Lu Ning heard them but remained indifferent. Letting Qin Xiang join was fine.
When the repechage failed, Lu Liu wouldn’t have another chance to compete again.
She kept her head down, eating silently, not looking at the few people chatting happily across the table. She didn’t show any attitude or throw tantrums like before.
Because she no longer cared.
After finishing her meal calmly, she stood up and said, “I’m done. Enjoy your meal.”
If she didn’t say anything, they’d probably scold her for being rude again.
Lu Nanfeng looked up, unexpectedly finding that Lu Ning no longer showed jealousy or threw tantrums. She had become much colder.
Lu Nanfeng softened his tone. “Ning Ning, are you really not going to join the family team? You have talent. If we all work together, we can win the championship as a family.”
Lu Ning, this is your chance to step down.