Chapter 8: The Troublemaker

"Lu Yao, don't think that just because you've returned, you're the hero of this family, that everyone has to give in to you, or that you can keep pushing your luck. If you dare to embarrass Yueyue like that again, don't blame me for being unkind."

"Yanran, just be quiet for a moment."

Mrs. Xu was annoyed by Lu Yanran’s incessant chattering. She was already fretting over how to mend the rift between them and Lu Yao. Did saying such things mean she wanted Lu Yao to completely burn bridges with them? Did she have no brain at all?

"Yaoyao has just returned and is in poor health. Things will get better once she gets used to Yueyue," Mrs. Xu said impatiently. "Yaoyao, go upstairs and rest after you finish your meal. I’ve already had your room prepared."

Mrs. Xu didn't want to continue talking to Lu Yanran for fear of being driven mad, so she turned her gaze to Lu Yao, who was finishing a bowl of millet porridge, and spoke kindly. "From now on, you will live in the room at the far end of the second floor."

That room had excellent lighting and ventilation. This arrangement was proof enough of how important Lu Yao was in their hearts, no less so than Xu Xingyue.

Xu Xingyue lowered her head, remaining silent. Lu Yao was truly her nemesis; the moment she returned, she began snatching away her things. Why hadn't she just died in Baiyan Village?

A flash of surprise crossed Lu Yanran's eyes. "Mom, didn't you say that room was for Xingyue's yoga studio?" Why was it being given to Lu Yao now?

Xu Xingyue curled her lips into a smile, playing the understanding sister. "It's fine, eldest sister. A yoga room isn't as important as Sister Yaoyao. Mom, just let Sister Yaoyao have that room. I'm not in any rush for the yoga room."

Xu Xingyue's generous demeanor made Mrs. Xu feel somewhat embarrassed and guilty. That room had indeed been intended as a yoga studio for Xu Xingyue, but now that there was one more person in the house, Mrs. Xu found it difficult to favor one over the other. She trusted that they would eventually understand her intentions.

Once she settled on this thought, Mrs. Xu felt much better and even reached out to stroke Xu Xingyue’s hair. "Good child, it’s Mom who has failed you. I will definitely make it up to you in the future." That was, provided the Xu family survived their current crisis. Otherwise, everything she said now would be in vain.

Xu Xingyue lowered her head, acting as obedient and well-behaved as a perfect daughter. However, Lu Yao knew clearly that Xu Xingyue was not as gentle as she appeared. In her previous life, when they were alone and away from prying eyes, Xu Xingyue’s true, vicious nature was far from the submissive mask she wore now. She was a bloodsucker.

Therefore, without much consideration, Lu Yao rejected Mrs. Xu's well-intentioned offer. "No need." With her current standing, she did not deserve such a fine room. "I'll just stay in the servant's quarters."

In her past life, she hadn't recognized her own place and had accepted Mrs. Xu's kindness, only to have the Xu family constantly use these trivial matters as leverage against her. In this life, she would not be so foolish as to let them hold such things over her head again.

Lu Yanran, who had initially felt indignant for Xu Xingyue—thinking that Lu Yao could live anywhere and shouldn't have targeted the yoga room—now felt a surge of anger at Lu Yao’s refusal.

"Lu Yao, you really are like mud that won't stick to the wall," Lu Yanran snapped, glaring at her. "We offer you such a nice room and you refuse, insisting on the servant's quarters? Are you doing this just to spite us?"

Mrs. Xu also felt displeased by Lu Yao’s decision. She believed the Xu family had done nothing to wrong her. They had raised her for fifteen years; what was a three-year stint in the countryside as a substitute for Xu Xingyue? They had already brought her back, so why was she still acting so stubborn and unyielding? Did she really expect them to kneel before her to admit their faults?

Xu Xingyue was overjoyed, though she did not show it. "Sister Yaoyao, the servant's quarters are already full. Currently, only Auntie Wu's room has space for one more."

Lu Yao's refusal played right into Xu Xingyue's hands. Even if Lu Yanran had brought her from the mainland to Hong Kong, so what? With Lu Yao's unlikable personality, she would be kicked out of the Xu family eventually anyway. It was only a matter of time. Thinking of this, Xu Xingyue felt extremely comfortable, though she kept up the appearance of being worried and concerned.

"If you don't like the room Mom picked, you can actually... just say so. There's no need to be stubborn and move into the servant's quarters to spite Mom. It's dirty and chaotic there; you definitely won't get used to it."

"Yes, Yaoyao, please have some pity on your mother and don't go to the servant's quarters," Mrs. Xu urged relentlessly. She had pleaded with her; surely she wouldn't refuse again?

However, before Lu Yao could speak, Lu Yanran interjected. She seemed naturally at odds with Mrs. Xu, constantly acting against her mother’s calculations, much to Mrs. Xu’s frustration.

"Mom, just leave her alone!" Lu Yanran was nearly driven mad by Lu Yao's indifference. She had caused nothing but trouble since returning, and now she was throwing a tantrum to live in the servant's quarters. Did she think this would earn her more attention or guilt? In her dreams!

"Since she wants to live in the servant's quarters, let her. Auntie Wu, go tidy up now, take her to your room, and let her stay with you." She wanted to see how long she could last living with Auntie Wu.

Auntie Wu looked hesitant, but Lu Yao, showing no signs of unhappiness or disappointment, simply followed behind her. This arrangement by Lu Yanran was exactly what Lu Yao wanted; this way, the Xu family would have no further opportunity to use such trifles against her.

"Smack!"

"Mom, why did you hit me?" Lu Yanran, who had felt a bit of relief seeing Lu Yao move to the servant's quarters, was caught off guard by a sharp slap on the back of her head from Mrs. Xu. She was stunned, unsure of what she had done wrong, and looked at her mother in confusion.

"You know exactly why!" Mrs. Xu suppressed her anger and said, "From now on, when I'm handling things, stay out of it." She didn't want her plans ruined by her daughter's interference.

And so, led by Auntie Wu, Lu Yao soon arrived at the servant's quarters. The room was narrow, barely big enough for two single beds and a wardrobe. Any faint light could only filter in from a small window on the side. On a day like today, the room looked grey and dim, requiring the light to be turned on to see clearly.