The moment Mu Wanqing stepped through the gate, she saw the familiar pair sitting in the living room.
Mu Qinglan and Shen Ruoxi were sprawled comfortably across the old sofa, chatting while watching television.
They looked completely at ease, as though they were the owners of the house.
The sight of them made Mu Wanqing’s fingers curl unconsciously at her sides.
She had spent the last two years of her previous life working herself to exhaustion while these people enjoyed the house that had belonged to her grandmother.
They had taken the property, collected the compensation when the area was demolished, and never once looked back.
And yet, in her previous life, she had still called this place home.
She had been a fool.
A loud and impatient voice suddenly came from the bedroom, “Mom!
When is that bitch coming home to make dinner?
I’m starving!” It was Shen Zeyu.
Mu Qinglan immediately raised her voice, her tone transforming into exaggerated tenderness, “Aiya, my son, don’t be anxious.
She should be back any moment now.
You know how she is.
She is slow at everything.”
The moment she lowered her voice, the warmth disappeared from her face and her expression twisted with irritation, “It is already five o’clock.
Why has that bastard not come back yet?” she muttered.
“When she returns, I will teach her a proper lesson.”
Shen Ruoxi, who was sitting beside her, suddenly let out a soft chuckle, “Mom, calm down.
She must have gotten herself into some trouble.
I think she will be even later today.”
Mu Qinglan turned toward her daughter.
There was something strange about that smile.
She frowned, “Ruoruo, what do you mean by ‘even later’?” A moment later, suspicion flashed across her eyes, “Did you do something again?”
Shen Ruoxi laughed, “Mom, what could I possibly do to her?
She is just a stupid girl blinded by love.
She always does whatever she wants.”
Mu Qinglan’s expression changed slightly.
She suddenly remembered how Mu Wanqing had left for school that morning.
Unlike her usual appearance, the girl had been properly dressed, her hair neatly combed, and her face clean.
For some reason, an inexplicable sense of uneasiness rose in Mu Qinglan’s heart.
“Ruoruo,” she said in a lowered voice, “what exactly did you do?
Tell me.
You know we cannot afford any trouble today.
After all, tonight…”
Before she could say another word, the bedroom door was pushed open and Shen Zeyu stormed out.
His face was filled with irritation, clearly enraged by his hunger.
Then he saw the figure standing at the entrance and his expression immediately darkened, “Why are you standing there like a ghost?” he snapped.
“Why are you not in the kitchen yet?”
Mu Qinglan and Shen Ruoxi also turned at the same time.
The living room fell silent.
Mu Wanqing stood at the doorway.
Her school uniform was soaked.
Strands of wet hair clung messily to her pale face, and a faint bruise marred her left cheek.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Mu Qinglan’s heart skipped a beat.
Had she heard anything?
Her eyes instinctively studied Mu Wanqing’s face, searching for any sign that the girl had overheard their conversation.
Beside her, however, Shen Ruoxi experienced a wave of satisfaction.
Her eyes lingered on Mu Wanqing’s disheveled appearance, and the corners of her lips almost curved upward.
Everything had gone according to plan.
Judging by her appearance, the plan had succeeded perfectly.
Shen Ruoxi immediately concealed her satisfaction and replaced it with concern.
She rose from the sofa and hurried toward her sister.
“Sister, why are you soaked?” she asked anxiously.
“And what happened to your face?
There are bruises.” She reached out as if she wanted to touch Mu Wanqing’s cheek, “Were you bullied?”
Mu Wanqing instinctively stepped half a pace away.
Shen Ruoxi did not seem to notice, “You should quickly wash yourself and change your clothes,” she continued sweetly.
“What if you catch a cold?
You still have to take the college entrance examination, after all.
Your health is important.”
Her words sounded caring.
But Mu Wanqing knew better than anyone what lay beneath that gentle expression.
In her previous life, she had mistaken that face for kindness.
Now, she could see the poison hidden behind every smile.
Mu Qinglan suddenly snorted, “What college entrance examination?” She glanced impatiently at Mu Wanqing, “Go and prepare dinner first.
My Xiaoze is hungry, and your uncle should be back from work soon.”
She paused, then seemed to remember something, “Make a few more dishes today.”
Mu Wanqing’s eyes flickered.
So it was tonight.
She already knew who was coming.
Still, she lowered her head and deliberately put on the timid expression she had worn for years, “Is someone coming for dinner tonight, Auntie?”
Mu Qinglan’s face immediately hardened, “Why do you ask so many questions?” Her voice was sharp, “Just go and do what I told you.”
Mu Wanqing’s hands tightened into fists and nails pressed into her palms, but she did not allow even the slightest trace of anger to appear on her face.
Instead, she quietly nodded, “Yes, Auntie.” Then she turned and walked toward the back room.
The room she had been given could hardly be called a bedroom.
Nothing but the wooden partitioned storage room.
An old bed had been pushed against one wall, with several faded mattresses piled together to create something that could barely pass as a place to sleep.
Even that small corner had never truly belonged to her.
The compound itself was considerably larger.
There were originally several connected sections, but after Mu Qinglan and Shen Yucheng took control of the property, they leased three portions to other families and kept only one section for themselves.
The rental income from all three portions went directly into their pockets.
She stepped into her tiny room and closed the wooden door behind her.
Only then did the expression on her face completely change.
For one terrifying moment, the thought to kill them had appeared when she first saw them after returning.
Her hatred was so intense that she felt as though she could tear the entire family apart with her bare hands.
When she had stood at the doorway and heard their voices, she had wanted nothing more than to rush forward and settle every old debt immediately.
But she knew she could not.
Not yet.
Mu Wanqing slowly closed her eyes and forced herself to breathe, “No.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, “I cannot lose my temper now.”
She opened her eyes again.
The anger remained, but now it was buried beneath something far more frightening.
Reason…
she was only seventeen.
She had no money, no influence, and most importantly, nowhere else to go.
Her first priority was to survive tonight.
She could not simply run away as she had done in her previous life.
If she left now, she would be walking directly into the same fate.
Mu Wanqing’s gaze gradually became colder.
She knew exactly who would be coming for dinner later tonight.
She knew exactly what this family intended to do.
And she also knew that tonight would be the first time she struck back.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
It was nothing like the timid smile everyone in this house knew, “Since what me to prepare a grand dinner for you and your guest,” she murmured, “then I should at least return the courtesy.”
She stood up.
There was no panic in her eyes anymore.
She changed out of her soaked school uniform, put on a clean set of ordinary clothes, and walked toward the kitchen.
The moment she entered, the familiar smell of cooking oil and old spices filled her senses.
She rolled up her sleeves and started working like always.
Mu Wanqing had barely begun preparing dinner when she heard footsteps approaching the kitchen.
A moment later, Shen Ruoxi appeared at the doorway.
She wore the gentle smile of a caring younger sister, “Sister,” she called softly, “I came to help you.”
Mu Wanqing’s fingers tightened around the kitchen knife.
For the briefest moment, the urge to turn around and drive the blade into that smiling face flashed through her mind but she suppressed it.
She lowered her eyes and continued slicing the pork into thin, even pieces.
Shen Ruoxi walked over and stood beside her.
For a while, she pretended to watch Mu Wanqing work.
Then, as though asking about something completely ordinary, she lowered her voice, “Sister, did you confess your feelings to Young Master Si?”
The knife in Mu Wanqing’s hand paused for less than a heartbeat.
Here it comes.
Mu Wanqing immediately lowered her head, allowing a trace of shyness to appear on her face, “Ruoruo, what are you talking about?” she murmured.
“I did not confess to Si Yifan.
How could I?” She gently bit her lower lip, “I am just an ordinary girl from a poor family.
How could someone like me ever dream of standing beside him?”
The smile on Shen Ruoxi’s face stiffened, “What?” Her voice rose slightly before she quickly lowered it again, “You did not confess to Young Master Si?
Then why are you covered in bruises?” she asked.
“Wasn’t this caused by Wang Yuyan?”
Mu Wanqing’s heart gave a cold laugh.
So you know about that too.
She had already known that Shen Ruoxi was behind everything, but hearing Wang Yuyan’s name come from her mouth confirmed that this matter had not been as simple as a few jealous schoolgirls acting on their own.
Still, Mu Wanqing merely shook her head, “No.
It had nothing to do with Wang Yuyan.” She placed another piece of pork onto the cutting board, “I was bullied by some other people today.”
She lowered her eyes and sighed, deliberately making her voice sound defeated, “After what happened today, I think I will never have the courage to show my face in front of anyone again.” Her voice trembled slightly, “As for Si Yifan… I know my place now.
I do not deserve someone like him.
It is better if I stay far away from him.”
Shen Ruoxi’s expression immediately changed, “No, sister, what are you saying?” Her voice became urgent, “How can you be so discouraged?” She stepped closer and grabbed Mu Wanqing’s arm, “Do you even understand who Young Master Si is?
He is the heir to Si Real Estate.
Do you know how much the Si family is worth?
Hundreds of billions of yuan!”
Her eyes shone with undisguised longing, “The Si family is one of the most powerful families in Shanghai.
They are one of the families standing at the very top of this city.
If you could marry Young Master Si, wouldn’t that be far better than going to university and struggling to find some ordinary job?” Shen Ruoxi’s tone became increasingly animated, “You would become the daughter-in-law of a prestigious family.
You would never have to worry about money again.
You would have servants waiting on you, luxury cars to drive, expensive clothes to wear, and the finest food you could possibly imagine.”
She smiled, “You would have access to generational wealth.” She gently shook Mu Wanqing’s arm, “Sister, why are you still thinking about university?
Just think about it.
Once you marry into the Si family, you will not need to work another day in your life.”
Mu Wanqing stared at her for several seconds.
Then she deliberately lowered her gaze, pretending to seriously consider her words.
Shen Ruoxi’s breathing gradually eased.
She only needed to plant the seed.
She merely needed this foolish girl to believe that marrying into a wealthy family was the shortcut to a better life.
Mu Wanqing remained silent for a while before finally shaking her head, “But the Si family would never accept a poor girl like me as their daughter-in-law.” Her voice was quiet, “It would only be a dream.”
She gave a small, bitter smile, “I should stop thinking about things that do not belong to me.
I will attend university, find a good job, and live an ordinary life.
I think I can do that.”
Shen Ruoxi’s face instantly turned ugly and breathing became heavier.
For an entire month, she had been carefully manipulating this stupid girl.
She had deliberately encouraged Mu Wanqing to dress properly.
She had pushed her to gather enough courage to go to school that morning and confess.
Everything had been arranged.
Yet this idiot had not confessed.
And now she was talking about university?
For one terrifying moment, Shen Ruoxi wanted nothing more than to grab the kitchen knife from Mu Wanqing’s hand and plunge it into her chest.
Her fingers curled into fists.
But she forced herself to remain calm.
She could not lose control.
“But…” Before she could continue, Mu Qinglan’s voice came from outside.
“Ruoruo, come out.
I need to speak with you.”
Shen Ruoxi’s expression changed.
She clearly did not want to leave.
But when she looked toward the doorway, she saw her mother’s stern face and had no choice, “Coming, Mom.” She reluctantly stepped out of the kitchen.
Before leaving, however, she turned her head and gave Mu Wanqing a dark, resentful glare.
Mu Wanqing pretended not to notice.
The moment Shen Ruoxi walked out, Mu Qinglan grabbed her daughter’s wrist and pulled her toward their bedroom, “What were you doing, Ruoruo?” The moment the door closed, Mu Qinglan’s voice dropped into an angry whisper, “You were encouraging that girl to get close to some rich young master?
Have you lost your mind?” She glared at her daughter, “Are you trying to ruin the entire family?
If that family discovers what you have been doing, do you think they will let us off easily?
Do you want all of us to be trampled beneath their feet someday?”
Shen Ruoxi immediately pulled her wrist free, “Mom, what are you talking about?
Do you really think I care about that bitch?” Her expression was filled with irritation, “I only want her to get close to Young Master Si because I want to use that connection to enter Shanghai’s high society.”
She lowered her voice and looked at her mother pleadingly, “Think about it carefully.
The Si family will never accept Mu Wanqing as their daughter-in-law.
I know that very well.
I am not dreaming of marrying into the Si family either.” Her eyes gleamed with ambition, “But if I can enter their circle through her, I can meet people from other wealthy families.”
She spread her hands, “Who in that circle isn’t worth hundreds of millions, even billions.
Once I enter that world, finding a suitable husband will not be difficult.”
She leaned closer, “Wouldn’t that benefit our family too?”
Mu Qinglan’s expression wavered.
For a moment, she could see the logic in her daughter’s plan.
But only for a moment.
She quickly shook her head, “Whatever you are planning can wait.” Her voice became stern, “Ruoruo, do you understand how important tonight is?”
Shen Ruoxi fell silent.
Mu Qinglan continued, “This is not only about the demolition compensation.” She lowered her voice even further, “It is also about the Shanghai hukou.”
At those words, Shen Ruoxi’s expression changed.
Mu Qinglan’s eyes hardened, “Once we have the hukou, everything will become easier.
We can worry about the rest afterward.
Do you understand?”
Shen Ruoxi slowly nodded.
She understood her mother too well.
Their family had come to Shanghai from the countryside, but they had never truly become part of the city.
Without a Shanghai hukou, there were many doors they could not easily open.
Education was one of them and housing was another.
And for people like the Shen family, these were not small inconveniences.
They were walls separating them from the life they desperately wanted.
That was why Shen Ruoxi and Shen Zeyu had studied at an ordinary, run-down high school on the outskirts of the city.
Meanwhile, Mu Wanqing had attended South City No.
1 High School, one of the most prestigious schools in the area.
The difference had always infuriated Shen Ruoxi.
Mu Wanqing was nothing but an orphan yet she had received opportunities that Shen Ruoxi could only dream about.
Simply because she had been born with the right household registration and had inherited the right piece of property.
Shen Ruoxi had always believed that it was unfair.
Now, however, she knew something else.
That house was about to become their greatest fortune.
Mu Qinglan looked at her daughter, “So you must not do anything reckless today.
Do not go back to that girl and fill her head with those foolish dreams again.” She narrowed her eyes, “If she does something stupid, what will we do?”
Shen Ruoxi pressed her lips together.
She was unhappy, but she was not foolish enough to argue.
The Shanghai hukou and demolition compensation mattered more.
And whatever plans she had for could wait until after tonight.
“I understand, Mom,” she finally said.
Mu Qinglan nodded in satisfaction.
Mu Wanqing, who had already knew everything was completely at ease, as she continued preparing dinner.
But that ease did not come from ignorance but experience.
She had already lived through this once.
In her previous life, Mu Wanqing had overheard fragments of the conversation between Mu Qinglan and Shen Ruoxi.
At the time, however, she had been too frightened and confused to understand the full extent of their scheme.
Later, after piecing together the scattered events of that day, she finally understood.
Shen Ruoxi had not acted alone.
One of the girls in Shen Ruoxi’s social circle had connections with a male student in her class.
Through that connection, Shen Ruoxi had quietly spread rumors and encouraged certain people to target Mu Wanqing.
Her plan was simple, once Mu Wanqing confessed Si Yifan and was targetted, she will take it as an opportunity to tag along with her in future and will enter the high society.
Mu Wanqing’s lips curved into a cold smile.
What a clever method.
In her previous life, she had been too foolish to see it.
Later she kept a close eye on the entire families moments and also overheard Mu Qinglan and Shen Yucheng discussing their plan tonight and that was when the last trave of doubt and delulu she had about the family cracked and she ran away.
They wanted to use her as a bait to obtain, the Shanghai household registration and the demolition compensation.
They were going to send her to the bed of a small time housing bureau employee to gain his favour.
And the reason why they were ready to go to that extent?
The compensation was not limited to money.
That old compound was located in a valuable part of the district.
Once redevelopment began, the owners would not simply receive a cash settlement.
There were also provisions for replacement housing, that’s the property of comparable value.
For a family like the Shen family, who had spent years desperately trying to establish themselves in the city, that was worth far more than a temporary sum of money.
That was why they were willing to go so far as to sacrifice her.
In her previous life, she had thought that escaping the house would be enough.
She had believed that once she disappeared, Mu Qinglan and the Shen family would lose their opportunity to use her.
How naïve.
Even after she ran away, they somehow succeeded.
Years later, she learned that the Shen family had managed to obtain control of the property.
They had received the demolition compensation and somehow, they had even obtained the replacement housing.
To this day, Mu Wanqing did not know exactly how they had done it.
But she knew one thing.
They had stolen everything that should have belonged to her.
Mu Wanqing slowly placed the knife down and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
“Let’s see,” she murmured, “Let’s see whether you can still win this time.” She reached into the pocket of her clothes, then she slowly pulled out several tablets.
She stared at them for a moment.
Her smile deepened.