Volume One, Chapter 16: I Don’t Know How to Act Spoiled, But I Can Try

With a sudden “duang,” the soup ladle fell into the bowl, spilling broth across the table.

Lin Wanyin’s trembling hands froze as she stared at Xie Zhixing in terror. “Brother, what did you say? Lu Yanci has woken up?”

So it was true—the person who took Xie Wanning’s body away on that rainy night was indeed Lu Yanci!

A wave of belated fear instantly swept over Lin Wanyin’s heart.

Her body slackened as she slumped weakly into her chair, her voice quivering, “Mother, what should we do? I’m so scared…”

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid.” Xie Yunjin pulled her daughter tightly into her arms, gritting her teeth. “Why hasn’t Heaven taken that bastard already? Three years and he still hasn’t died of illness!”

At that moment, upon hearing the news that Lu Yanci had survived, Xie Zhixing kept his head bowed low, his face dark and unreadable, lost in thought.

“I know, Mother, but I’m still afraid, sobbing…” Lin Wanyin’s voice trembled. “Mother, if Sister tells Lu Yanci she was forced to marry Fu Lingzhou by us, then what will happen…”

A sharp bang startled Lin Wanyin into a sudden shudder.

Xie Zhixing slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, spilling soup all over the place.

Furious, he declared, “She devalued herself and degraded her own worth! She abandoned the eldest daughter of the Xie family to marry Fu Lingzhou—what does that have to do with us?”

“Besides, she abandoned Lu Yanci when he was ill. Does she think he’ll protect her like before after waking up? She should take a good look at herself and see if she even deserves it!”

As Xie Zhixing’s words fell, there was a crisp slap.

Startled, he jolted his head up to see his mother, Xie Yunjin, striking her chopsticks harshly against the table.

She snarled, “After all these years of nurturing her carefully, pampering her for eighteen years—she doesn’t even know gratitude. Worse, she repeatedly lets outsiders come to retaliate against the Xie family! Such ingratitude and treachery!”

The table was drenched with spilled soup and dishes, and the anger among the Xie family members flared, each more intense than the last.

Just then, the housekeeper, Aunt Wang, hurried in respectfully, “Madam, Miss, Fu Lingzhou has arrived.”

“Fu Lingzhou?”

Hearing the name, Lin Wanyin’s terrified eyes steadied slightly. She immediately told Aunt Wang, “Let him come in quickly.”

“Yes, Miss.” Aunt Wang responded and withdrew.

Soon, Fu Lingzhou, dressed in a dark suit, entered the main hall.

Upon entering, Fu Lingzhou saw Lin Wanyin like a frightened rabbit, clinging tightly to her mother for comfort.

Seeing her so vulnerable, Fu Lingzhou’s heart ached; he wished he could hold her in his arms and soothe her.

“What’s going on? Speak!” Xie Yunjin’s anger had yet to subside, and seeing Fu Lingzhou only fueled her fury.

She had personally raised Xie Wanning and never expected her to lack the pride and stature of a lady born to wealth—throwing herself at any man, sinking into disgrace and self-debasement!

She had even brought shame upon the Xie family!

Feeling the gaze upon him, Fu Lingzhou bowed his head lower and spoke softly, barely audibly, “I… I found out that Xie Wanning is with the Lu family.”

***

Fu Lingzhou’s words had barely fallen when the Xie family’s longtime steward, Yun Bo, entered holding several exquisitely bound invitations, and quietly reported, “Madam, the Lu family sent these invitations.”

Xie Yunjin’s face darkened, and her fury flared anew. Impatiently, she demanded, “What is it? Speak quickly!”

“In five days, it will be the Lu family eldest daughter’s twentieth birthday banquet. They have specially invited the son-in-law, madam, eldest young master, and eldest young lady to attend,” Yun Bo replied.

“Mother, I won’t go!” Lin Wanyin refused without hesitation.

“Go. Why not? This is the perfect chance to see if he really isn’t dead,” Gu Dongcheng, who had remained silent until now, suddenly lifted his head and spoke in a low voice.

Xie Yunjin lowered her eyes, a dangerous gleam flashing within them. “I want to see what the Lu family is really up to.”

Then, her sharp gaze swept toward Fu Lingzhou, who kept his head bowed and dared not speak. She scolded, “You’re useless—can’t even keep an eye on your own wife!”

Fu Lingzhou lowered his head further, staring at the floor with an expression of endurance. “I’m useless. I’ll bring her back.”

***

Gazing at the small paper doll that gently floated back to her side, Xie Wanning delicately reached out and gently cupped it in her palm.

She looked toward the Xie family’s direction, a cold smile creeping onto her lips.

The Xie family was quite entertaining.

She wanted to see how they would deal with her.

***

Her injuries still required rest.

Xie Wanning had lain in bed for several days but felt no better; instead, her body grew weaker.

She had intended to seek out Lu Yanci to absorb some of his purple energy but always felt watched. Whenever she stepped out, Lu’s mother, Meng Jingxian, appeared.

Helpless, she recalled that Lu Yanci always wore a jade pendant. Having stayed by his side for years, it must have stored considerable purple energy.

If she could borrow his pendant, her body would surely recover sooner.

That night, under cover of darkness, Xie Wanning quietly approached Lu Yanci’s bedroom door.

Just as she raised her hand to knock, she suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind her, followed by Lu’s mother’s voice.

“Wanning? What are you doing here so early?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Xie Wanning froze mid-knock.

She closed her eyes briefly, steadied her breath, and slowly turned to face the visitor.

***

She had been cautious, deliberately avoiding the crowd, yet still was caught in the act.

Xie Wanning faintly smiled and said to Meng Jingxian, “I came to borrow something from Lu Yanci.”

“Oh?” Meng Jingxian affectionately took Xie Wanning’s hand and asked with a smile, “What could be so important that you’d come all this way in the middle of the night?”

Then, with feigned concern, she added, “You’ve been seriously injured—why not rest properly in bed? If you need something, just have a maid fetch it.”

Xie Wanning lowered her head slightly, her gaze falling on Meng Jingxian’s tightly clenched left hand. She frowned and instinctively tried to withdraw her hand.

She disliked and was unaccustomed to being held like that.

Sensing Xie Wanning’s movement, Meng Jingxian’s hand stiffened awkwardly, then withdrew, though her face still bore a gentle smile.

“Ah Wanning, after three years apart, you’ve grown distant. You used to love linking arms with me, acting spoiled, chatting, and relaxing together.”

Xie Wanning raised an eyebrow and asked with suspicion, “Do you think acting spoiled will get me to see Lu Yanci?”

Meng Jingxian was speechless.

“What do you think?” Xie Wanning frowned, pondering seriously for a moment. “I don’t know how to act spoiled, but I can try.”

Meng Jingxian stared incredulously at Xie Wanning’s earnest expression, utterly baffled.

She was odd—making people unsure how to respond.

Clearing her throat, Meng Jingxian feigned sternness. “Hmph, no matter how much you act spoiled, it won’t work on me. Xie Wanning, you’re married now, do you understand? You and Yanci are done, so don’t come bothering him anymore.”

Xie Wanning suddenly lifted her head, meeting Meng Jingxian’s gaze with icy calm. “I’m seeing him today. What are you going to do about it?”

Meng Jingxian blocked the doorway with her body and hissed, “No way!”

Xie Wanning was momentarily speechless.

Meng Jingxian composed herself and softened her tone. “As a married woman, you must behave with restraint and observe propriety. Understand? Stop coveting my Yanci.”

“Oh.” Xie Wanning nodded.

Then, with a shocking twist, she added, “Just coveting his body wouldn’t do?”

At that moment, the door suddenly clicked open from the inside.