Xiang Wanwan had just returned the key to her father’s treasure trove when Li Jinglan and her daughter returned.
Li Jinglan sat on the living room sofa, reading a book, as the two of them carried in a mountain of packages.
Xiang Wanwan glanced up slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips.
They bought quite a lot!
Buy away—soon, they won’t have the chance to!
Seeing Xiang Wanwan at home, Li Jinglan picked a small package from the pile and approached her.
“Wanwan, we went shopping today and got you something too.”
Xiang Wanwan glanced at it, then continued reading.
Li Jinglan awkwardly stood there, holding the bag.
“Xiang Wanwan, are you deaf? Your mother is talking to you!”
Xiang Shuxue stepped forward in a flash, snatched the book from her hands, and glared at her angrily.
“Mom, is she even worth it?”
Xiang Wanwan let out a light laugh and said calmly, “Just a nanny who’s risen in rank, yet she thinks she’s some noble lady?”
Xiang Shuxue couldn’t suppress her humiliation and anger. She raised her hand to strike.
Xiang Wanwan caught it with one hand and slapped her backhanded.
Smack!
“Who do you think you are, daring to hit me? Today, as your elder sister, I’ll teach you the rules of the Xiang family!”
Another smack followed, leaving her stunned, then she shoved her onto the sofa.
Li Jinglan put down the gift bag and hurried to protect Xiang Shuxue.
The gentle, composed expression on her face vanished instantly.
Never mind—this brat would soon follow the army anyway!
By then, the Xiang family would be entirely under her control.
With the Lu family backing her, she wouldn’t bother with Xiang Wanwan.
At that moment, Xiang Xinrong entered and, seeing the tense atmosphere, asked impatiently,
“What’s going on now?”
Xiang Shuxue’s eyes welled up as soon as he arrived, and she leapt into Li Jinglan’s arms.
Xiang Xinrong immediately understood what had happened.
He looked at Xiang Wanwan, anger in his voice: “What has this rebellious girl done this time?”
“Xinrong, don’t blame Wanwan. She was just unhappy with the gift we bought her, so she slapped Shuxue. No problem, I’ll go buy a new one later and make Wanwan happy.”
“Not allowed!”
“It was meant for you, and getting her something as well is already generous. And she dares to complain?”
Xiang Wanwan looked up at her father, unable to hide a smirk.
“So having a stepmother means having a stepfather too!”
Just then, a servant announced that the Lu family had sent over some items.
Soon, the driver from yesterday arrived with several people carrying multiple boxes.
Seeing her, the driver quickly approached with a smile and a slight bow.
“Young Madam, these are items Madam has prepared for your time following the army.”
Xiang Shuxue lifted her head from Li Jinglan’s embrace, standing in shock as they looked at the boxes in the living room.
So many?
How could the Lu family be so generous to her!
Xiang Wanwan went through the boxes one by one.
Clothes, shoes, bedding, daily necessities, skincare—everything was there.
Even more complete than what she would have prepared herself!
A warmth rose in her heart.
The driver handed her another small box. She opened it to find it full of cash and various notes.
“Madam said the army station is on an island. Unlike Nanshi, nothing will be complete there, and you won’t be able to leave, so she prepared extra for you.”
Xiang Wanwan smiled and looked up. “Please thank Mom for me.”
With all these supplies, she could survive even on a deserted island!
Beside her, Xiang Shuxue was nearly furious with jealousy.
She hadn’t even left the house and already had so many things—plus ten thousand yuan!
The Lu family was really generous!
If it had been her going to the army, all this would have been hers.
Xiang Xinrong had expected the Lu family to bring some daily necessities, not such a complete set.
With the cash and notes, it totaled no less than twenty thousand.
Truly spoiling this brat!
The driver, having delivered the orders, prepared to leave.
Just outside, the Huo family arrived with more items.
It was the Huo family’s steward.
“Miss, my master asked me to bring you some items. He went to the station early this morning; otherwise, he would have delivered them personally.”
Xiang Wanwan smiled sweetly. “Please tell Uncle not to worry. I won’t let myself be wronged.”
The steward nodded, had the boxes set down, and left.
Xiang Wanwan opened them. Again, they contained clothes and daily items, and a small box with five thousand yuan.
Her heart felt at ease—this uncle was really good to her!
In a short time, she had gained so many things—fifteen thousand yuan total.
Amazing!
And now with her space, she didn’t have to worry about carrying them.
She glanced at Li Jinglan and Xiang Shuxue, their eyes fixed on the items and cash.
Just as she was about to have the boxes moved to her room, a servant came in to say someone was looking for Xiang Shuxue.
Xiang Wanwan paused—looking for Xiang Shuxue?
Xiang Shuxue perked up. Could it be for her?
She had the servant bring the visitor in.
A middle-aged woman entered, wearing a dark blue top, her hair pinned neatly.
She scanned the room and then asked sternly, “Who is Xiang Shuxue?”
It was her first time entering such a wealthy household.
Such a large, magnificent house—living here must be very comfortable!
Xiang Shuxue quickly stepped forward, “It’s me!”
She looked at the woman expectantly, but the next words made her feel as if the sky had collapsed.
“I’m here to inform you to gather at the train station at 9 a.m. tomorrow for rural construction.”
Xiang Shuxue froze.
What?
Rural construction?
Li Jinglan was also stunned. Why suddenly send her to the countryside? Didn’t Shuxue have a job?
Xiang Wanwan sat on the sofa with a box in her hands, smiling at everyone.
She hadn’t expected her plan to sign Xiang Shuxue up for rural construction to get such quick feedback.
Xiang Xinrong frowned and asked, “Which unit are you from? My daughter has a proper job; how could she go to the countryside?”
The woman’s face darkened, her tone harsh: “Her name is definitely on our list! I’ve already notified her—once registered, she must go. Otherwise, it will affect her future work, and she’ll be reported and criticized.”
These capitalists were really playing with them.
She had signed up, and now she didn’t want to go!
Xiang Shuxue couldn’t believe it. When had she signed up?
Could it be…?
She glared at Xiang Wanwan, pointing a finger. “You’re behind this, aren’t you?”
Xiang Wanwan calmly looked at her, a faint smile on her lips.
“You said the countryside had fresh air, didn’t you? So I signed you up for rural construction! No need to thank me too much!”
“When you get there, make sure you experience the air properly! I hear rural construction involves farming and mucking out manure.”
“You could certainly use some character training…”
Xiang Shuxue, furious beyond words, felt a rush of blood to her head. Her eyes closed, and she fainted.
Li Jinglan, being closest, quickly supported her. “Shuxue, what’s wrong?”
She glared at Xiang Wanwan. Truly the daughter of that wretched woman—cunning and sly!
“Xinrong, Shuxue fainted! Take her to the hospital immediately!”
Xiang Xinrong quickly carried her out, still turning to threaten Xiang Wanwan as he left.
“You brat! Just wait till I get back and deal with you!”
Seeing the chaos, the woman also left promptly, not wanting trouble.
Xiang Wanwan calmly sat on the sofa, laughing quietly.
Couldn’t handle it already?
She hadn’t expected Xiang Shuxue to have such a weak mind. Just sending her to the countryside was enough to make her faint!
She slowly stood from the sofa and told the servant, “Move these boxes to my room.”