No one noticed Lin Huanhuan. After all, she had used a bit of a disguise, and since the Huang family and the others had only met her a few times, all their attention was focused on You Yuelan. Naturally, they did not recognize her.
Of course, a few people sensed something unusual, but they harbored uncertain thoughts and worried she might be planning something major. If they rashly stepped forward to curry favor, they might not even gain any goodwill, and if they accidentally ruined her plans, they would be completely finished.
Sitting in a corner, Lin Huanhuan sighed with emotion. ‘I really didn’t expect it. Mu Ying was actually You Yuelan. No wonder I couldn’t find her that day — she was right beside me. How could I have ever found her?’
‘But why was she hiding from me? Could it be because my actions were too conspicuous, and she suspected I was up to no good, so she hid?’
‘Honestly, even though I really was going to do something a little bad, and her suspicions weren’t exactly wrong, it’s not like I actually did it yet. Why be so wary of me? Couldn’t she wait until after I’ve done it? Seriously.’
Lin Huanhuan curled her lips, feeling a bit displeased. After thinking it over, she decided that once this matter was settled, she had to improve her image within the sect. At the very least, people shouldn’t immediately associate her with trouble the moment they saw her.
‘I was originally preparing a reasonable way to meet this mysterious You Yuelan, but I never expected we already knew each other. In that case, it looks like the plan has to change.’
‘After spending these past few days together, she has probably realized what kind of person I am. Since that’s the case, there’s no need to keep hiding it. I might as well be direct.’
Lin Huanhuan’s eyes sparkled with an unusual light as her mind churned with wicked ideas. One plan after another on how to threaten You Yuelan flooded her mind, making it difficult for her to choose.
You Yuelan, who was walking forward with the Lin family servants, couldn’t help but shiver. A trace of fear appeared on her calm little face. Her first thought was that Lin Huanhuan was plotting against her.
‘Damn it, how was I exposed so quickly? But it was basically guaranteed today. After all, she’s here, and I have to go up soon. Besides, she came specifically for me today; she definitely wouldn’t be satisfied until she found me. What absolute rotten luck.’
When she arrived before the members of the Huang family, the head of the Huang family put on an air of deep concern. He immediately expressed his worry. “Yuelan, why did you go over there? We couldn’t find you anywhere and were very worried about you. Don’t do that again next time.”
The rest of the Huang family also voiced their concern. “That’s right, that’s right. You can’t do that anymore. Although home might be a bit stifling and not as free as you were outside, everyone cares about you. Don’t make things difficult for us.”
“If you feel there is anything wrong with our home, you can simply bring it up. We will change it. We can change everything, as long as it makes you feel more comfortable.”
“Just stay here and put your heart at ease. This is your true home. Perhaps it still feels a bit unfamiliar now, but we are, after all, relatives connected by blood. You will understand after some time.”
In You Yuelan’s ears, these seemingly caring words sounded more like a warning: “Don’t make things difficult for us. Everyone is just doing their job.”
She let out a sigh, then nodded and proactively explained, “I was just wandering around aimlessly. I didn’t expect to cause such a stir. Don’t worry, it won’t happen again.”
Her words sounded perfunctory, but over the past few days, the Huang family had become acquainted with her lazy nature. Seeing her offer an explanation was enough to make them happy.
On the contrary, the guests below began to gossip among themselves after witnessing this absurd scene.
“Say, why does the newly returned daughter of the Huang family look so impatient? Is she being mistreated every day? That shouldn’t be the case. If they wanted to abuse someone, they could just find a servant. Why go to the trouble of finding a long-lost daughter just to mistreat her?”
“Sigh, you just don’t get it. What’s the fun in abusing a servant? You have to mistreat your own flesh and blood. Watching the other party struggle and wail in pain — only then can you be truly happy.”
“That seems to make sense… Wait, why does that sound so familiar? You don’t do that often, do you? Has a pervert actually snuck in among us? How loathsome.”
“Don’t slander me! I’ve never done such a thing. A friend of mine did it all.”
“I have a different perspective. Perhaps this daughter of the Huang family just finds it very difficult to adjust to being here, so she gives her family the cold shoulder every day. Her family is desperately trying to please her, but it still doesn’t help. That’s why it looks like this.”
“That sounds quite reasonable, too. It fully explains the scene before us.”
The head of the Huang family watched the chaotic scene. As the rumors became more and more outrageous, his eyelids twitched uncontrollably. He glanced at You Yuelan and saw that she still looked like a salted fish, so he quickly let out a loud shout.
“Enough!”
The Huang family head’s powerful voice vibrated through the air, causing everyone present to tremble. Those who were speaking quickly shut their mouths, not daring to spout any more nonsense.
Seeing the situation stabilize slightly, the head of the Huang family felt a bit more at ease. He couldn’t help but curse inwardly. ‘Damn it, who let these loose-lipped rogue cultivators in? Are those guards just useless? I’ll fire them all after this!’
‘Getting angry now is useless. I have to settle these fellows first to prevent them from continuing their nonsense.’
The head of the Huang family first whispered to You Yuelan, “Please don’t be misled by them. These people are just talking nonsense. Such a thing is impossible.”
Seeing You Yuelan nod, the head of the Huang family then spoke in a deep voice, “Everyone, please stop your nonsense. The things you’re talking about don’t exist at all. Our relationship with our… daughter is very good.”
The guests all agreed in unison, acting as if the previous incident had never happened, and a lively atmosphere once again filled the air.
After a series of complicated procedures, the recognition ceremony was finally complete. To everyone’s surprise, the head of the Huang family took the initiative to say that to let You Yuelan adjust first, she wouldn’t have to change her surname back yet. She could change it whenever she felt like it.
However, since this was a private family matter, they couldn’t say much about it — at least not openly.
After some time, You Yuelan, having finished everything, breathed a long sigh of relief. Today had truly exhausted her.
But she did not let down her guard. There was an even greater crisis waiting for her.
Using the excuse of going to the restroom, she attempted to slip away directly, hoping to escape Lin Huanhuan’s terrifying clutches this way.
But just as she stepped out of the Huang residence, she was immediately called out.
“Miss You Yuelan, where are you going? Do you mind if I join you?”
You Yuelan turned her head with a stiff expression. Looking at the beaming Lin Huanhuan, she squeezed out a smile that looked more painful than crying.