Volume One, Chapter 15: To Me, She Was Nothing More Than a Stranger

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Seeing his wife’s emotions flare again, Lu Boshang hurriedly stepped forward to comfort her. Lu Yanci quietly pulled Lu Shixin aside, watching from a distance as Lu Boshang gently draped his arm around Lu Mumu’s shoulder, soothing her.

Lu Boshang spoke gently, “Jingxian, please don’t get so agitated.”

“Let the past be the past,” she responded softly.

“I already know everything you’re saying.”

Meng Jingxian leaned lightly against her husband’s shoulder, lowering her eyelids to conceal the growing depth of her worries.

That Xie Wanneng was ruthless and heartless—she could abandon her own son without a second thought. Yet she knew her son well; once he set his sights on someone or decided on something, there was no way he would simply let go.

Her concern was for her son, who still harbored feelings for that merciless woman.

“Mom, to me, she’s just a stranger.”

Lu Yanci’s gaze met his mother’s; his dark eyes were as profound as the night sky, calm without a flicker of emotion.

No matter how deeply he had once loved Xie Wanneng three years ago, he had long since awakened to the changed circumstances—things and people were no longer the same.

All the past, to him, was but fleeting smoke, vanishing with the wind, leaving only a vague mist that could no longer stir any waves.

“Good.” Hearing Lu Yanci say that, Meng Jingxian finally felt a bit reassured. “As long as she has no improper intentions toward you, I can treat her as kindly as before.”

...

Night fell, heavy clouds cloaking the sky, stars and moon hidden from view.

Xie Wanneng stood alone at the edge of the rooftop, clad in a flowing white dress.

The night breeze gently stirred her delicate skirt, like a frost-laden blossom blooming bravely in the cold darkness. Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders, dancing with the wind, a solitary scene amid the lonely night.

She lifted her head to the heavens, her gaze piercing through the thick clouds, deep and heavy with endless sorrow and pain.

Facing the wind, she slowly closed her eyes.

Memories surged like a tide within her heart, scenes from her past life flashing before her eyes like a film.

In her previous life, she was a blade, sharp and unforgiving.

Nothing but killing.

All the deceit, scheming, betrayal, loss, and pain had left her battered and broken.

She knew she was a blade, but refused to believe that her master had been the one wielding it against her.

Why had he deceived her so deeply?

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He had saved her life; if he wanted it, she would give it willingly. So why did he force her to walk step by step down a path of no return, making her life worse than death?

The entire Xuandao Sect became a sacrifice in his power struggle, and she was the one who handed it over with her own hands.

What was more absurd was that the disciple she had risked her life to protect was the very one who pushed her into the abyss.

Ha.

Tears slipped silently from the corners of her eyes, vanishing with the wind.

Only now did she realize.

Before power and influence, she was but a mere mayfly of the world, born in the morning and dead by evening, foolishly believing she could change the fate of a person, a sect, or a nation. How utterly naive!

She had thought her sins so deep that after death she should return to chaos, but unexpectedly, upon awakening, she found herself in this strange world.

Perhaps fate had mercy, granting her a second chance at life.

Cause and effect surely repeat; perhaps what she must learn this life is to let go.

“You promised me you would help me seek revenge!”

Suddenly, a voice filled with resentment whispered beside her ear.

Xie Wanneng slowly lifted her eyelids and glanced coldly at the spirit leaning on her shoulder, warning her softly.

“I will keep my promise.”

With that, she reached up and pulled the spirit down from her shoulder, her tone stern. “I advise you to behave yourself until your seventh day, or if the underworld officials catch you, don’t expect to avenge yourself.”

No sooner had she spoken than the spirit dissipated like a wisp of smoke with a ‘whoosh,’ vanishing instantly.

Xie Wanneng formed a hand seal and summoned a small paper doll.

“Go and see how the Xie family is doing now.”

“Yes, master.”

The little paper doll bowed respectfully before flying off into the night sky.

Soon, everything about the Xie family unfolded in Xie Wanneng’s mind.

At this moment, inside the Xie family villa, warmth filled the air.

The family of four sat around the dining table, sharing a cozy dinner.

Xie Yunjin gently scooped a spoonful of golden abalone soup, the surface shimmering invitingly, then passed it to Lin Wanyin, who leaned close beside her. Her face radiated motherly tenderness and concern.

“Yinyin, eat more. You’ve visibly lost weight these past few days; it pains me deeply to see you like this.”

Lin Wanyin took the bowl with both hands, eyes gleaming mischievously. Like a clever kitten, she bent down and planted a crisp kiss on her mother’s gentle cheek, her voice laced with a hint of coquettishness: “Mom, you’re the best. Thank you.”

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“Oh, Mom, you’re so biased! I was locked away filming in Hengdian for over half a year, coming back dusty and thin, but you never treated me this well.”

Xie Zhixing leaned back lazily in his chair, arms crossed, a faintly jealous smile tugging at his lips.

His gaze shifted between his mother and sister, silently voicing his “dissatisfaction.”

“Look at you, even jealous of your own sister. You’ve been with Mom for over twenty years; how many years has your sister been around?”

Xie Patriarch Guo Dongcheng ladled a bowl of chicken soup for his wife and handed it to her, then turned to Xie Zhixing. “Your mother handles the group’s affairs all day, exhausted and sore. You should be more understanding. Here, drink up; I’ll serve you extra.”

With that, he ladled another bowl of abalone soup for Xie Zhixing.

“Thanks, Dad.”

Xie Zhixing accepted it with a smile, then glanced challengingly at his sister, as if to say, “See? Dad cares for me the most.”

Smiling, he took the soup his father handed him, his eyes taunting his sister with a silent message: “Look who’s the favorite.”

Lin Wanyin watched and finally laughed aloud.

Looking at her children, Xie Yunjin sighed softly.

Though they had not grown up together, their bond was no less than that of siblings raised side by side like Xie Wanneng.

Perhaps this was what family truly meant.

Unlike Xie Wanneng, a cold and ungrateful soul, they could never be this close.

“Oh, by the way, Mom, Dad, did you see the ‘South City Headlines’ today?”

Xie Zhixing suddenly put down his spoon, lifting his gaze from the table to his parents, his voice turning unexpectedly serious.

Guo Dongcheng glanced at him. “That ‘South City Headlines’ is just entertainment gossip. Nothing worth paying attention to.”

He served Lin Wanyin a dish, then said to Xie Zhixing, “You should focus more on the South City Chamber of Commerce and help your mother. Your sister is still young and knows nothing about the group’s affairs. As her older brother, you should help her understand more...”

Suddenly catching the sharp look from Xie Yunjin, Guo Dongcheng’s expression stiffened, and he fell silent.

“No, Mom, Dad, I wanted to talk about something serious, but you’re already blaming me,” Xie Zhixing pouted with dissatisfaction. “I’m just saying that South City is buzzing—people say Lu Yanci has awakened.”

“What did you say?”