【Hahaha】
【Did you see that, Host? That look on Qiao Shuxin’s face just now was priceless.】
【If she went into acting, she could make a fortune just by changing expressions!】
Lu Rao had already been standing under the corridor of the villa, watching the drama unfold with the system.
After enjoying Qiao Shuxin’s “color palette” of emotions, she felt thoroughly satisfied.
In the courtyard, everyone except the office workers had completely lost it.
The clan relatives didn’t dare argue with the officials, so they could only pressure Qiao Shuxin, demanding she come up with a solution.
Gu Yucheng’s eyes were red with rage, like they could drip blood any second. He grabbed Qiao Shuxin’s sleeve tightly.
At this point, he truly had nothing left. Qiao Shuxin was his only lifeline now.
Qiao Shuxin had no solution either—she could only lower her head and wipe her tears.
The street office director, seeing this, said nothing more. Instead, he looked up and noticed Lu Rao standing under the corridor and immediately walked over.
“Miss Lu.”
Lu Rao nodded and walked into the house.
“Go check the condition of the property,” the director instructed his staff, then followed Lu Rao into the living room.
The moment he saw the completely empty house, even he was shocked.
“Really… nothing was left?” He had heard that Lu Manor had been completely emptied, and Gu Yucheng had already reported it to the police.
But the police were busy with arrests today and hadn’t had time to investigate yet.
Lu Rao let him look around for a moment, then took out a key from her pocket and handed it over.
“My family’s old residence will be in your care from now on.”
The director touched the key and felt a roll of cash tucked behind it. His smile deepened slightly.
“Don’t worry. When the lease ends, we’ll return it to you exactly as it is.”
“Thank you. I won’t disturb you further.”
Lu Rao didn’t linger and turned toward the kitchen.
As expected, she saw Aunt Wang sitting on a small stool, head lowered, picking vegetables.
“Ahem.”
Aunt Wang paused, then turned around in surprise and quickly stood up.
“Miss, you’re back!”
“Mm,” Lu Rao smiled faintly.
Aunt Wang raised the vegetables in her hand, smiling through tears. “Wait a moment, I’ll cook right away. Eat before you leave…”
Her voice trembled as she spoke, then she quickly lowered her head to hide her emotions.
Lu Rao felt a slight sting in her nose.
She hadn’t touched the servants’ belongings when she emptied the manor. But the kitchen had no ingredients left—these vegetables were clearly bought by Aunt Wang herself, even using her own money, and she had even bought a pot.
“You really went all out—buying vegetables and meat too? You used up all the money I gave you?” Lu Rao asked with a smile.
Aunt Wang wiped her tears and chuckled. “You’re going to the countryside. No matter what, you should have a proper meal before leaving.”
Lu Rao walked over and linked her arm with hers.
“Alright. But we’re not cooking here. Pack up and come with me.”
Aunt Wang froze, then nodded without asking anything and happily went to pack.
Lu Rao stood at the doorway, taking one last long look at the Lu Manor she had grown up in.
Then she turned decisively and walked out.
“In ten years, I’ll be back.”
She said this silently in her heart.
Outside, everyone had already been chased out by the office staff and were gathered at the gate, still arguing with Qiao Shuxin.
Qiao Shuxin, unable to endure anymore, tried to shift the blame onto Lu Rao.
But before she could even start, Aunt Wang already tore into her so fiercely that Qiao Shuxin nearly broke down completely.
“What kind of nonsense are you talking about? If you’re the young lady, act like one! Otherwise go back to your countryside!”
“You—!” Qiao Shuxin snapped.
“You’re not going anywhere!” a clan member grabbed her again as she tried to slip away.
Lu Rao walked calmly out of the courtyard.
Just as she reached the gate, an unpleasant voice rang out.
“Lu Rao.”
Xu Zhengyang stood at the corner, smiling warmly at her.
“Miss, I’ll go cook at Yuefuxiang first,” Aunt Wang tactfully excused herself.
Lu Rao turned to face him calmly.
“I heard you’re going to the countryside,” Xu Zhengyang said, taking out a velvet box from his pocket.
“This is a MeiHua-brand watch. I know your usual ones are too flashy for the countryside, so this one is more practical.”
Lu Rao looked at him quietly.
The young man’s face was slightly red, eyes bright and sincere.
She didn’t like him—but she had to admit Xu Zhengyang was a decent person. They had grown up together; you could almost call them childhood friends.
If she didn’t know the plot, she might have been able to treat him as just a friend.
Unfortunately, she did know.
In the story, Xu Zhengyang would later be influenced by Qiao Shuxin’s worldview and end up destroying the Lu family completely.
Even though nothing had happened yet, Lu Rao already couldn’t go back to how things were.
She asked him, “I don’t want the watch. I heard you’re also going to the countryside?”
Xu Zhengyang scratched his head awkwardly.
“Yeah… I begged my family for a long time to go to the same place as you.”
Lu Rao sighed quietly in her heart.
As expected.
The plot still had its pull.
She asked again, “How did you know where I was going?”
“My uncle told me,” Xu Zhengyang answered immediately.
“Of course it’s Xu Jia,” Lu Rao thought.
Xu Zhengyang continued, “I finally convinced him… though he complained to my parents too.”
Lu Rao felt like laughing coldly.
A man like Xu Jia—hand in glove with Gu Yucheng, responsible for so many tragedies—would still end up living a long, respectable life, dying peacefully at ninety-five.
How ironic.
“Lu Rao…”
Xu Zhengyang suddenly lowered his head, his face completely red as he fumbled with the velvet box.
“I… I like you. I want to… build revolutionary friendship with you. C-could you… be my partner?”