That night, Yu Wanzhi slept more soundly than ever. She dreamed a long, vivid dream—one with no heartbreaking partings, no searing pain, only all the beautiful moments she had once shared with Xiao Yunting.
Xiao Yunting slept well too. Never one to rise early, he was up unusually early this morning, sitting at the dining table like a model resident. Even Xiao Yuzhang stared in surprise.
“The sun must be rising from the west today… I haven’t seen you at breakfast in five or six years.”
A rare flush rose on Xiao Yunting’s face, his tone tinged with sheepishness. “Went to bed early last night, so I woke up early. Besides, I’ve got things to do today. Aunt Zhang, Wanzhi and I won’t be back for dinner tonight.”
The old man shot him a knowing glance. “You weren’t back for dinner last night either. Eating out every day? If those gossiping women in the compound catch wind of this, they’ll label you nothing but a wasteful, profligate heir. Come home for meals. If there’s anything Wanzhi likes, have Aunt Zhang prepare it.”
Just then, Yu Wanzhi walked down the stairs rubbing her eyes. Spotting the old man, she instantly stood up straight and proper. “Good morning, Grandpa Xiao. I’m sorry for rising late.”
“This isn’t a military camp. Rise late and rise late—relax. I’m not some monster, am I? From now on, wake whenever you like. Aunt Zhang will keep your food warm for you.” Xiao Yunting stepped forward, took her wrist, and led her to the table, personally setting out her chopsticks and bowl.
He couldn’t bear seeing her so reserved and tense. No wonder she said last night she wanted to move out!
Xiao Yuzhang nodded with a faint, knowing smile, then cast a sharp look at his grandson. He understood perfectly now why the boy was up so early!
Every glance and gesture did not escape Qin Mengshuang’s eyes. Sure enough, even the old man disliked this girl of unknown origins!
This was her chance to get revenge for the humiliation she had suffered before.
“Wanzhi, how long do you plan to stay? What brings you to the capital? Where is your hometown? Your Uncle Xiao and I have asked you several times, yet you never say. Could it be that your family background is… less than desirable, and you’re too embarrassed to speak of it?”
“If that truly is the case, you must be honest! Grandpa Xiao holds an extraordinary standing—should your background tarnish his reputation, the blame would fall entirely on your head!”
Yu Wanzhi’s lips curled into a cold, subtle smile. “My background could never be any more disgraceful than yours. In old times, you would be called the daughter of a concubine; in modern terms, you are an illegitimate child. Do you understand what that means? Born of a woman who broke apart another family—children like you never see the light of day.”
“Grandpa Xiao has lived his life with integrity and iron backbone. All who have eyes can see his lifelong devotion to this nation. If even you could not bring shame upon him, how could an outsider like me possibly affect his reputation?”
“You—!”
Qin Mengshuang hated nothing more than having her origins thrown in her face. Her face burned with shame, flushing splotchy red and pale. “Young lady, whatever you say, I am still a Xiao! To belittle me so is to belittle the entire Xiao family! If you hold us in such contempt, why do you remain under this roof?”
“The Xiao family is the Xiao family. You are merely you. How is it acceptable for you to freely slander my background? Yet when I speak plainly of your true origins, suddenly it is an insult to the Xiao name?”
Yu Wanzhi stood tall and unbowed. She cared only about Grandpa Xiao’s opinion. This woman’s words meant less than nothing to her—she would not let them sting.
Qin Mengshuang felt a lump of bitter rage rise in her throat, choking her. She felt sickened, as if she had swallowed a fly.
“You little brazen—!” Lin Jiaorui watched her mother be publicly humiliated yet again and could not hold her tongue. She nearly screamed the insult, only to freeze and swallow her words, cowed by Xiao Yunting’s icy glare.
Qin Mengshuang’s expression shifted. Thick-skinned as she was, she could no longer remain seated comfortably. She blinked rapidly, and tears welled instantly in her eyes. Glistening, she cast a fragile, pleading look toward Xiao Shan, who had eaten quietly all this time.
Xiao Shan let out a soft sigh and was about to speak—when he noticed Yu Wanzhi bowing her head, her slender shoulders trembling gently. Great teardrops fell with soft plip-plops onto the floor.
Xiao Yunting saw it all. Warm sunlight streamed through the windows, falling upon her fair, delicate face. Her beautiful almond eyes glistened with unshed tears, and her long, thick lashes fluttered like tiny fans with every blink.
“What is it? Why are you crying?” Xiao Yunting’s heart tightened. He set down his chopsticks in a rush, his voice thick with alarm. Those falling tears felt as though they were striking his very heart.
Yu Wanzhi shook her head. “It’s nothing. I just… I feel so wretched. My parents are gone. Now my character is being slandered as well. It is so hard to get by all alone in this world…”
Thinking of her plight, Xiao Yunting’s fury ignited instantly. His face turned dark with rage. He shot up from his chair, eyes blazing, fixed unblinkingly upon Qin Mengshuang—like a lion enraged and ready to pounce.
Yu Wanzhi stepped forward at once and gripped his arm. She had only meant to unsettle Qin Mengshuang, not stir up real trouble. If Xiao Yunting struck her on her account, it would give the pair ammunition to ruin his reputation further.
It would place Xiao Yunting in the wrong—and might even turn Grandpa Xiao entirely against her.
“Why get so worked up? I’m fine. If she truly finds me so unbearable, I shall move out today. Please do not let my presence tarnish your good name.” Her voice was soft yet firm, laced with gentle resignation and compromise.
Xiao Yunting turned upon Qin Mengshuang and Lin Jiaorui, eyes burning with menace, and roared—
“Shut your mouths from this day forth! Dare say one more single word against her, and see what happens! This house bears the Xiao name! You have no right to speak here! Now—this instant—apologize to her!”
Qin Mengshuang trembled with terror. She knew this wild Xiao Yunting would truly strike her. He cared nothing for courtesy between men and women!
“I… I apologize…” Humiliating as it was, Qin Mengshuang forced the words out.
Xiao Yunting then shifted his blazing gaze to Lin Jiaorui beside her. The message in his eyes was unmistakable—you too.
Lin Jiaorui swallowed hard. Her heart rebelled a thousand times over, yet crushed beneath Xiao Yunting’s wrath, she bowed her head and mumbled, “I… apologize.”
Yu Wanzhi stole a glance at Grandpa Xiao. He remained perfectly composed, serene and unperturbed as he continued his breakfast.
“Think nothing of it. I shall not be staying long. I will move out as soon as I find lodgings these few days. I only ask that you pretend I am not here. So long as you do not provoke me, we may yet coexist peacefully~” Her words were soft and conciliatory, yet her gaze, resting upon mother and daughter, held unmistakable defiance.
She did it all on purpose. In her past life, it was these two women who had hastened Grandpa Xiao’s death. Though they had received their just deserts in the end, their treachery had scarred Xiao Yunting for life…
But in this life, with her here—these two vipers would know no peace.