Roadside.
A man in a crisp suit, looking to be about fifty or so, with all the bearing of a proper butler—Wang Shu—had already been waiting in front of the business car for quite some time.
I’d seen him a few times before, often the one driving Su Liumeng around.
“I am the driver, Wang Shu. Please get in the car, Little Miss.”
Every word and action of Wang Shu, from opening the door to bowing in greeting, seemed to follow a fixed template—so precise there wasn’t a single error.
“Little Miss?” I raised an eyebrow, catching onto the key phrase.
Wang Shu replied calmly and respectfully, “That’s what the Eldest Miss instructed. She said you’re her favorite little sister.”
“…..”
Six hundred and sixty-six, not even pretending to act anymore.
So someone has always been treating me like a little sister.
Fine, this ‘Little Miss’—I’ll remember it, and settle accounts with her when she comes back.
With cheeks puffed in indignation, I climbed into the back seat of the car.
At the bottom of the steps before the villa, Aunt Lin had already been waiting for a long time. She wore a standard maid’s uniform, her black hair streaked with white, her eyes full of the weariness of the years. Her hands rested properly on her knees, and when she saw me walk into the courtyard, she immediately bowed.
“Greetings, Little Miss. From now on, I’ll be responsible for your daily meals and routines.”
“The Eldest Miss has already given instructions for mealtime.”
“May I ask if there’s anything you’d like to adjust?”
A trace of unshakable melancholy showed in my eyes. Seeing the open metal doors of the villa and the empty hall inside, I stopped myself from stepping forward.
A home with no one waiting for you—my desire to return home seemed to fade away.
I rubbed my brow in exhaustion, not bothering to correct her use of ‘Little Miss.’ “Go ahead and prepare dinner. I’ll stroll around nearby, no need to accompany me. I’ll be back soon.”
Aunt Wang seemed to want to say something several times, as if she wanted to follow, but dared not disobey orders. Hearing that Little Miss was just going for a walk nearby, she bowed again. “If you want to go farther, please be sure to let this old servant know. The Eldest Miss also asked me to be responsible for your daily safety.”
Safety. I glanced at her suddenly.
Could it be…
She’s a practitioner too?
I couldn’t sense any fluctuations in her aura for now—she must have used a method similar to Su Liumeng’s to temporarily suppress her inner strength.
The villa area was very large, with many small gardens for strolling.
I followed the drive, head down, and gradually came near villa number thirty-something.
The autumn wind, cool and gentle, lifted the fallen leaves, carrying a hint of parting desolation.
It suddenly struck me—after Su Liumeng left, I had no one to talk to.
I sat down alone before a villa, hugging my knees, my thin back radiating a loneliness that was hard to describe.
“Baby.”
“Why haven’t you woken up yet?” My voice was heavy with sorrow as I wiped the corners of my eyes.
I was trying my best to control my emotions.
I knew there was only me left now, no one would come to coax me anymore—I couldn’t let my feelings run wild.
Those who are loved always act with impunity.
When I was with Su Liumeng, I truly hadn’t bothered to control my emotions.
“Xinyan.”
“What are you doing squatting at my door?”
Shangguan Xiyue drove into the courtyard, planning to park in the garage, but her headlights caught sight of a figure, giving her quite a fright.
She rolled down the window and switched the headlights to low beam.
Without bothering to park, she opened the door and strode over in a few quick steps, coming to my side.
Before she could speak, I lifted my head and said, feeling wronged, “Su Liumeng went home. Will she get into trouble?”
“She should be fine.” Shangguan Xiyue recalled what Su Liumeng told her before leaving—take care of Xin Xin for a month—so there probably wouldn’t be any big problems.
The Su Family’s brutal trial—she’d heard of it.
For ordinary people, the death rate was indeed high.
But for the heirs trained by the seven main bloodlines, the death rate wasn’t as high—just over forty percent. For core inheritors, it was even lower.
Uh… Shangguan Xiyue suddenly realized—thirty or forty percent death rate, is that really not high?
Her expression turned serious. Seeing my sad look, she couldn’t bring herself to say her suspicions. “It’ll be fine. Whatever happens to others, it’s not our concern. Su Liumeng is already the brightest new star of the Su Family’s generation. As long as she doesn’t lose her mind and go against everyone on her own, nothing will happen.”
“Mm.” I spoke softly, hugging my knees and looking pitiful, staring at the ants moving house on the ground. “She’s so smart, she definitely wouldn’t do something like that.”
“You really are my little ancestor.” Shangguan Xiyue grabbed my arm, trying to pull me up. “Come on, don’t squat on the ground. If people see you squatting at my door, they’ll say I’m bullying you…”
She got me partway up before I squatted back down.
Shangguan Xiyue’s eyes lit up with an idea. “If you don’t get up, be careful a snake bites your butt.”
I shot up in an instant, looking behind me instinctively—only a few pebbles. “You—night owl! You dare scare me? Believe it or not, I’ll bite you!”
Shangguan Xiyue, seeing my face return to life, opened the metal security door and pulled me onto the sofa.
Ants moving house, snakes crossing the road—there’ll be heavy rain tomorrow.
Shangguan Xiyue really wasn’t lying.
Recalling the old proverb, I still felt a bit gloomy.
It seemed Shangguan Xiyue lived alone too. The décor was very plain—she didn’t even have a TV at home. The living room only had a table and a chair for eating.
“Want some milk?” Shangguan Xiyue called out from the fridge.
“Yes.” I raised my hand obediently.
“Alright, wait a moment.”
Noisy sounds came from the kitchen. I opened my purse on the coffee table, took out my phone, and started a mindless match-3 game, tapping three blocks of the same color to pass the time.
During pregnancy, with no one to keep me company and unable to run around, if I didn’t find something to do, I’d go crazy—especially since I’m not someone with hobbies.
Now, I don’t even like games, nor do I enjoy short videos. The novels I used to love as a kid no longer interest me. Su Liumeng had often complained, telling me not to just stare into space all day.
I stared at the glowing dots on the screen, my focus slipping away, until Shangguan Xiyue sat beside me and I still hadn’t snapped out of it.
Thud
A clear glass was set on the coffee table.
“Freshly warmed milk—straight from the ranch. The taste might be a little strong, since there are no additives. Su Liumeng told me yesterday she’d be leaving, so she had me prepare this in advance.”
Su Liumeng? My voice paused for a second, a trace of happiness appearing as I swung my legs. “Did she know I’d come to you?”
“Of course.” Shangguan Xiyue said, “She probably knows you best.”
I shot her a look, wanting to retort—did Su Liumeng pay you? Why do you always praise her the moment we meet?
I didn’t mind others complimenting Su Liumeng—in fact, it made me very happy.
As if, when she’s recognized by others, I too am recognized.
“Xin Xin, you’re acting like you’re in love.” Shangguan Xiyue touched the glass to make sure it wasn’t too hot, then handed it to me. “The Su Family really… to hold the trial at this time, forcing a pair of lovebirds apart—it’s a bit cruel.”
I took the glass with both hands, sipping gently. A white mark was left on my lips, and I instinctively stuck out my pink tongue to lick it off, my voice clear, “It’s not just puppy love. She said, when she comes back, we’ll be together.”
I pursed my lips and took another small sip, looking very ladylike.
Like a little animal, obedient and cute.
“We’re not even a couple yet.”
Shangguan Xiyue chatted with me for a while longer.
She didn’t mention Su Liumeng again, instead telling me about things in the student council—like who got caught hiding her boyfriend in the closet during a dorm inspection, or which dorm kept a ragdoll cat and tried to pass it off as a toy, only for the cat to poke its head out and nuzzle the inspectors.
I listened with great interest—who knew the student council was so much fun?
With Su Liumeng gone, I couldn’t just idle away every day. Class times were too long for me now, but the student council’s daily life sounded perfect for passing the time. I asked excitedly, “Kitty, kitty, can you give me a job? I want to help with dorm inspections tomorrow!”
Shangguan Xiyue thought for a few seconds. “Sure, we’re inspecting for banned appliances tomorrow. I’ll put you in charge of a whole dormitory building.”
Actually, there wasn’t really an inspection scheduled for tomorrow—she’d just made it up, wanting to find something interesting for Xin Xin to do.
Shangguan Xiyue didn’t explain, only added, “This time it’s a surprise check, so no advance notice. Get up a bit earlier tomorrow. Let’s meet at the student council at noon.”
After thinking, she said, “Forget it, I’ll pick you up at your door.”
Noon or earlier? My face went a bit blank. Both words were familiar, but together they seemed so strange.
If I still didn’t realize Shangguan Xiyue was accommodating my schedule, I’d really be a fool.
“Kitty, you’re so nice.” I placed my empty glass on the coffee table, stood up, and grinned as I handed her a ‘good person card.’ “I’m heading home. Don’t forget to pick me up tomorrow!”
“Mm, bye-bye. Message me on WeChat if you need anything.” Shangguan Xiyue saw me out, watching until I was safely inside before turning away.
Once inside, the sense of being watched faded.
The dining table was covered with a sumptuous spread—all my favorite dishes.
I don’t have a particularly light palate, and I dislike soft foods—like green beans or shredded potatoes. Anything crunchy or firm is more to my taste.