Chapter 25: Moving to the Xiang Residence

"I know that with my current status, I am indeed unworthy of Young Master Xiang. However, if you do not mind, I can stay here and work."

She would leave once she found another opportunity or a way out.

Xiang Zhihua, whose fingers had been drumming against the side of his wheelchair, paused. "Are you afraid that if you return to the Xu family, you will face retaliation from Xu Shenghai?"

His single remark struck right at the heart of Lu Yao’s intentions. She was stunned on the spot.

"You think it is safe here, so you want to stay, not because you truly wish to be mine. Am I right?"

A young girl of her age wore her thoughts clearly on her face. There was no need for anyone to deeply speculate or probe; everything could be seen directly.

"Does Young Master Xiang have so little confidence in himself?"

Lu Yao was not foolish. If she admitted it, she would be indirectly acknowledging that she was merely using him. What kind of person was Xiang Zhihua? Even if he were disabled, he was not someone she could simply exploit.

Xiang Zhihua’s eyes flickered with surprise. "So, you have considered it carefully?" He composed himself and sat up a little straighter. "Very well, come and help me change my clothes." He gathered the Buddhist prayer beads he had been holding. Soon, he opened his arms, waiting silently for her response.

"Could we move to the bed first?" Lu Yao asked after a moment of silence. Xiang Zhihua wanted to make things difficult for her, but she did not want to back down. She could not give up until she had achieved her goal.

Xiang Zhihua’s gaze shifted sharply toward her.

"I mean, I can help you up," Lu Yao quickly explained, fearing he might misunderstand. "It is actually easier to change clothes on the bed; it won't be as much of a struggle for you..."

"No, just like this." Before she could finish, Xiang Zhihua coldly refused. He sneered, thinking that once the girl saw the two motionless legs beneath the wheelchair, she would surely be frightened enough to retreat a thousand miles. He had seen this scene more times than he could count; he was already used to it. He just hoped this young girl could handle it.

Lu Yao did not know what was going on in his mind, but she dared not cross him. She had not forgotten who he was: the eldest son of the Xiang family. This was not someone a girl from the countryside like her could afford to offend.

She simply obeyed. As Lu Yao lifted the gray blanket and set it aside, everything beneath the wheelchair was revealed. Beneath the silver-gray Zhongshan suit were a pair of slender legs, wrapped in gray trousers. They were firm and well-defined. Lu Yao’s body stiffened slightly.

"Why are you staring at my legs like that?" Xiang Zhihua asked, his eyes narrowing dangerously at the dazed girl.

"Isn't there a rumor..." Lu Yao began, lost in thought.

"A rumor?" Xiang Zhihua cut her off. "That my legs are severed, is that it?" He explained, "They were supposed to be amputated, but my grandfather chose conservative treatment at the time, so they remained. Now that you see this, do you still want to be mine?"

His mocking voice rang in her ears. Lu Yao snapped out of it, met his malicious gaze, and nodded. "Yes!"

She had no choice. Only by leaning on the great mountain that was Xiang Zhihua could she completely escape the Xu family and live the life she wanted.

Now it was Xiang Zhihua’s turn to be astonished. "Are you serious?" He still didn't believe her. "You aren't just saying that to trick me?"

He had revealed the truth—that his legs were crippled—and yet she remained steadfast. Was she not afraid that he would drag her down and make her the subject of gossip across all of Hong Kong?

"Why would I gamble my life’s future to trick you, Young Master Xiang? What benefit would that bring to either of us?" Lu Yao replied earnestly. "Or are you planning to use your disability to force me to back down?"

Xiang Zhihua had indeed intended to do just that, but when he met the firm, sincere black eyes of the girl, he stopped.

"Since you want to be mine so badly, then I shall grant your wish," Xiang Zhihua said tonelessly. "Have Cheng Gang accompany you to the Xu family later to collect your things. Pack everything that needs to be packed; from now on, you will live here with me."

This was exactly what Lu Yao wanted. She had almost nothing to pack from the Xu family. When she first returned to them, she had brought nothing but two sets of everyday clothes and a jade pendant. She didn't care about the clothes, but she had to retrieve that pendant. It had been given to her by a barefoot doctor in Baiyan Village who had saved her life before he passed away. She had to use that pendant to fulfill his final wish.

*

"You're back, Miss Yao!"

The next day, as soon as Lu Yao entered the living room, she encountered Auntie Wu, who was cleaning. She paused. "Auntie Wu, is it just you home?"

Lu Yao looked puzzled. Didn't Mrs. Xu and Xu Xingyue love chatting in the living room? Why were they all gone? Had the Xu family company gone bankrupt, and they were all at the office discussing solutions? She hadn't forgotten how the elder Mr. Xu had slunk away from the banquet yesterday.

Auntie Wu glanced toward the second floor. "The Master and Madam are discussing matters in the study, and Miss Xingyue just went back to her room. Miss Yao, were you alright at the Xiang residence last night?"

After Mr. Xu returned home last night, he had been in a towering rage, frightening the staff so much that they hid in the kitchen. It wasn't until this morning that they learned he had been humiliated by Xiang Zhihua at the banquet. "Did that young master... give you a hard time?" Seeing that she was alone, Auntie Wu felt a flicker of concern.

"No. I'm just here to pick up my things and will be leaving right away," Lu Yao said with a smile. "Auntie Wu, thank you for taking care of me. If you ever need help in the future, you can come find me at the Xiang residence."

A look of shock crossed Auntie Wu’s eyes. "Miss Yao, are you... moving to the Xiang residence?"

"Yes!" Lu Yao nodded gracefully. "Auntie Wu, I’m going to pack now; we can talk later." Cheng Gang was waiting outside, and she didn't want to keep him waiting.

"Alright!" Seeing her urgency, Auntie Wu didn't press for more details. She was genuinely happy that Lu Yao had found a good place to go. If she had stayed, Mr. Xu certainly wouldn't have let her off. He had threatened last night that if Lu Yao returned, he would beat her to death with a whip. Going to the Xiang residence was, at the very least, a path to survival. It was better than waiting to die at the Xu house.