Xia Zhuyu didn’t know exactly what she had lost.
But she was very clear that it was because of Xia Yuhuan that she felt this way.
This feeling made her extremely uncomfortable, giving her a sense of panic as if fate had deviated and the situation was spiraling out of control.
She must drive Xia Yuhuan away as soon as possible!
“Be good, Zhuzhu. It’ll be fine once she gets married. Just bear with it for two more days, alright…” Xia Jianyong persuaded.
Xia Zhuyu gritted her teeth, filled with intense hatred. “Dad, that jade pendant was my favorite. I know it’s inconvenient for you to get it back for me. Can I use my own methods to retrieve it?”
Xia Jianyong remained silent for a moment, then reached out to pat her head and said in a low voice, “Alright, but remember not to make a big scene. Don’t affect her marriage.”
A substitute marriage daughter who had just been found naturally couldn’t compare to Zhuzhu, who had been raised by his side since childhood.
Hearing this, Xia Zhuyu immediately broke into a smile. “Okay, thank you, Dad.”
She clung to Xia Jianyong’s arm, smiling innocently, but her lowered eyes were filled with cold malice.
Damn Xia Yuhuan, how dare she make her unhappy? She would make this country bumpkin understand what true power meant!
…
Xia Yuhuan was studying her dimension when she heard a knock on the door.
“Sister, are you in there, sister?”
Hearing Xia Zhuyu’s voice, Xia Yuhuan immediately emerged from her dimension.
“What is it?” Xia Yuhuan opened the door and asked.
“Sister, a man named Qin Xiangrong came looking for you earlier. He said he was your fiancé. Dad humiliated him and drove him away. He seemed really upset. Do you want to go check on him?” Xia Zhuyu spoke with a feigned delicate expression.
Qin Xiangrong? Fiancé?
Xia Yuhuan’s mind went blank for a moment before she quickly regained her composure.
Qin Xiangrong was her neighbor and brother-like figure from the countryside. When they were children, the adults had joked about her marrying him when she grew up.
However, her grandfather had never agreed, and the Qin family had never formally proposed.
So, while she and Qin Xiangrong could be considered childhood sweethearts, they were not engaged.
In the original story, after the original host died, Qin Xiangrong accompanied her grandfather to seek justice from the Xia family but was beaten by them, leaving him with chronic health issues.
He never married and passed away early, tormented by his injuries.
Thinking of this, Xia Yuhuan immediately grabbed Xia Zhuyu’s hand and demanded sharply, “When did he leave? Which way did he go?”
“I… I don’t know either. He just left not long ago. If you hurry, sister, you might still catch up.” Xia Zhuyu pretended to be frightened.
Xia Yuhuan pushed her aside, locked the door, and sprinted away.
Xia Zhuyu watched her retreating figure and sneered, “It seems you care a lot about that country bumpkin and his muddy legs. Well, that makes things more interesting.”
When Xia Yuhuan found Qin Xiangrong, he was surrounded and being shoved by a group of spoiled young men from the compound.
“How did you, a country bumpkin, sneak into our compound? Speak up, or we’ll beat you up.”
“A muddy-legged peasant daring to come to our compound and pollute our air? Do you have a death wish?”
“I came here to find someone. I’m leaving now. Step aside,” Qin Xiangrong said with a frown.
Perhaps because they didn’t see any humility or fear on Qin Xiangrong’s face, the young men grew displeased.
“Hey, you punk, are you looking for trouble? You… Ow, ow, ow, it hurts…”
The young man who had been pointing at Qin Xiangrong had his finger grabbed, and he immediately cried out in pain.
“Who gave you permission to point your dirty finger at him?” Xia Yuhuan said coldly.
“Oh, aren’t you that daughter the Xia family just found? Xia… Xia what was it again?” Li Shaoyuan pointed at Xia Yuhuan, struggling to recall her name.
“Who cares what her name is? Make her let go of my hand!” the young master whose fingers were being gripped roared angrily.
Several other young masters immediately stepped forward to confront Xia Yuhuan.
Xia Yuhuan released Li Shaoyuan’s hand and pulled Qin Xiangrong back two steps, coldly declaring: “I’m from the Chi family. Lay one finger on me and see what happens.”
Her loud shout caught the attention of someone passing by in the distance.
He narrowed his eyes at Xia Yuhuan, his gaze full of assessment.
“Weren’t you just found by the Xia family? How did you become part of the Chi family?” Li Shaoyuan frowned as he asked.
Xia Yuhuan: “I have a marriage arrangement with Chi Yanzhou. I’m going to marry him soon. If you dare touch me, the Chi family won’t let you off.”
“Chi Yanzhou is unconscious, completely useless. How can he take a wife? Damn, don’t tell me your father specifically brought you back to be a ‘lucky bride’ for him?”
“What’s your name? Dare to repeat what you just said? I guarantee I’ll report every word to the Chi family,” Xia Yuhuan said slowly and clearly.
Their expressions changed immediately upon hearing this, and they pulled away the ringleader before quickly leaving.
“Chi Yanzhou might be done for, but the Chi family still exists. Are you crazy, provoking them?”
The Chi family’s reputation was formidable enough for Xia Yuhuan to borrow their authority.
Seeing them leave, Xia Yuhuan breathed a sigh of relief.
She turned to Qin Xiangrong: “Brother Qin, are you alright? Are you hurt?”
She examined Qin Xiangrong anxiously from all sides, her eyes full of concern.
Qin Xiangrong’s face first lit up with pleasure, then he snorted displeased: “Haven’t you made it big and didn’t want to see me? Why come defend me now?”
Noticing two people watching from nearby, Xia Yuhuan said: “Brother Qin, let’s talk somewhere else. I’ll explain everything properly.”
Xia Yuhuan led Qin Xiangrong to a secluded spot before stopping.
“Brother Qin, why did you come here? Did Xia Jianyong give you any trouble?” Xia Yuhuan asked him.
Though initially full of anger, Qin Xiangrong wasn’t foolish. Xia Yuhuan’s protective gesture made him realize she was still the same person, unchanged.
He replied: “Grandpa Xia was worried about you, sent me to check on you. Didn’t expect to be chased out by your father before even seeing you.”
“How are you? Are you happy living with the Xia family? Grandpa Xia said if you’re unhappy here, come back with me – he can provide for you.”
Hearing this, Xia Yuhuan felt somewhat dazed.
In her modern life, she had been an orphan unexpectedly adopted by a medical master she called Grandpa. Having talent herself, she fully utilized the resources Grandpa provided, achieving success at a young age.
But Grandpa passed away before witnessing her accomplishments.
In being adopted by Grandpa, her experience mirrored the original host’s.
Mentioning this never-met grandfather now softened her attitude unconsciously.
“How is Grandpa’s health lately?” Xia Yuhuan asked.
“Grandpa Xia is perfectly healthy, just worried about you, so he sent me to check,” Qin Xiangrong said.
Xia Yuhuan: “Tell Grandpa I’m doing well and not to worry. Once I settle things here, I’ll visit him.”
“Very well? Then what did you mean earlier when you said you were getting married? And what did that person mean by saying the other party was ruined?” Qin Xiangrong pressed on with disbelief.