Volume One, Chapter Four: Returning Once More to the Wen Family

There was no time to dwell on it—Wen Xuyu hailed a cab and headed straight for the Wen family estate.

Even while at Bian Xunzhou’s villa, she had planned out her escape, so she had already prepared small bills for transportation.

Standing before the old Wen family residence, she lifted her gaze to the familiar architecture, yet she had no choice but to press the doorbell.

“Second Miss, Master is waiting for you.” The butler approached, his tone respectful but leaving no room for refusal.

Wen Xuyu took a deep breath and followed the butler into the living room.

Everyone from the Wen family was present, even Xu Zeyan, Wen Qianxue’s fiancé.

In truth, the engagement between the Wen and Xu families had been arranged before the children were even born—until that unexpected accident occurred.

Her father sat on the sofa, his complexion pale; it was apparent he had been worrying himself sick over the Wen-Lu marriage these past days, yet his gaze remained as sharp as ever.

“You still know to come home?” Wen Yuqin’s voice was icy as he slammed the table, sending tea sloshing over the rim. “Running away on your wedding night—where does that leave the Wen family’s reputation?”

Beside him, Jiang Lihua frowned, unable to fathom why she had raised such a rebellious child.

Wen Qianxue sat at Jiang Lihua’s side, dressed in a pure white dress adorned with delicate lace at the hem, emphasizing her innocence and charm. The curve of her lips as she smiled was just right, her eyes clear and seemingly brimming with unshed tears. Her long hair fell in gentle curls over her chest, exuding a subtle fragrance.

Witnessing the scene, Wen Qianxue felt a surge of pleasure, though outwardly she feigned concern.

“Sister, you’re finally back. Where have you been all this time? We’ve all been so worried about you!”

She stepped forward and, with her back to the others, gripped Wen Xuyu’s hand tightly, her slender, manicured nails digging into the flesh and drawing two fresh lines of blood.

Wen Xuyu winced at the pain and instinctively shook her off.

From the others’ perspective, it looked as though she had deliberately shoved her.

“Ah!” Wen Qianxue cried out, falling heavily to the floor.

The family scrambled to their feet.

Jiang Lihua hurried to help Wen Qianxue, her face filled with concern. “Qianxue, are you alright? Do you feel unwell anywhere? Tell mama!”

“I’m fine, really, mama. I’m fine. Sister didn’t mean it—she was just playing with me…” Wen Qianxue played the role of the gentle, understanding sister, but soon tears welled up in her eyes, as if she’d suffered a grave injustice.

Wen Qianyu stood up and positioned himself protectively in front of Wen Qianxue, pushing Wen Xuyu’s shoulder with one hand. The man wore gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes full of disdain and a lofty arrogance impossible to ignore.

He was the eldest son of the Wen family, doting on his frail sister Wen Qianxue, indulging her every wish—even after learning the truth.

“You really haven’t changed—no matter how much time passes, you can’t rid yourself of that coarse, uncouth air!”

Xu Zeyan’s expression was equally unpleasant. He stood to the side, gently consoling Wen Qianxue.

Shoved, Wen Xuyu staggered. Gazing at the gathered family, a memory suddenly surfaced.

It was when she had first been brought back to the Wen household. Jiang Lihua had treated her well at first, hiring an etiquette tutor to help her adapt to life among the elite, with Wen Qianxue accompanying her under the guise of looking after her.

The night before their first lesson, Wen Qianxue had told her the tutor had something to do and would arrive an hour late. Naively, she believed her.

The next morning, she was woken by Jiang Lihua’s cold face—with Wen Qianxue in tow.

Faced with Jiang Lihua’s accusations, she looked to Wen Qianxue in confusion, but the latter acted as though she remembered nothing, standing united with Jiang Lihua.

In the end, she was barred from the lesson, for the tutor despised tardiness above all else.

Back then, she hadn’t realized she had already become Wen Qianxue’s target.

The worst incident occurred at her first birthday celebration with the Wen family, when she accidentally knocked over the twenty-one-tiered cake, becoming the laughingstock of the capital’s elite.

That day, everyone in the Wen family reproached her, comforting only Wen Qianxue, who had suffered a heart episode—while she, the supposed culprit, had ruined the entire party.

She tried to explain, but no one believed her. No one even remembered that it was also her birthday.

Though she had suffered injustice many times, bitterness still welled in her heart.

They seemed blind to her injured hand, seeing only Wen Qianxue’s tears and grievances. In their eyes, she was someone dispensable.

If that was the case, why had they brought her back at all? For appearances’ sake?

“Xuyu, your reputation in society is already poor. Third Young Master Lu is your best option—why can’t you understand our good intentions?”

If not for the face that so closely resembled her own in youth, Jiang Lihua would have doubted she could have birthed such an ungrateful, troublemaking daughter.

Blood ties could not compare to the debt owed to the poor couple who had raised her. Perhaps, in this life, she and her birth mother were simply not meant to be.

Good intentions?

Wen Xuyu looked up at the face so like her own, a sardonic smile curving her lips.

As the saying goes, parents’ love for their children is to plan for their futures.

Yet, was their “good intention” nothing more than draining her last ounce of worth?

Forcing back the sting in her eyes, Wen Xuyu pointed at the still-sobbing Wen Qianxue, her lips twisting with irony.

“If the marriage is such a good match, why not let Wen Qianxue marry instead?”

“How dare you speak to your mother like that? Apologize at once!” Wen Qianyu cut in before anyone else could speak, his tone severe.

Wen Xuyu stared straight at him, her eyes full of challenge. “What’s wrong? Is the secret too difficult to keep now?”

“You—!” Wen Qianyu’s anger was palpable, his gaze flickering.

Wen Xuyu pressed her advantage. “As I recall, the engagement with the Xu family was originally mine. If the Lu family needs an answer, it should be Wen Qianxue who goes!”

Encircled by comforting voices, Wen Qianxue clenched her jaw in secret.

Wen Xuyu had never used the engagement as a weapon before. Could she really be trying to seize the Xu marriage for herself, hoping to escape the Lu family?

That would not do. She was determined to marry into the Xu family, to become the envied Mrs. Xu, not to be wed to Third Young Master Lu—a bastard despised for life!

With this thought, Wen Qianxue abruptly stood, her frail figure swaying before she collapsed to the floor again, her expression sorrowful.

“I’m sorry, sister. This is all my fault. If it weren’t for my poor health, you wouldn’t have… But Xu Zeyan and I grew up together, and we truly love each other. I know I’ve wronged you. It’s all my fault…”

“What are you saying, child?” Jiang Lihua’s heart ached. She drew Wen Qianxue into her arms, casting a reproachful look at Wen Xuyu, as if all blame lay with her.

“Mama, the Wen family has raised me for over twenty years. I grew up at your and father’s side. Now that the family faces hardship, I should repay you. Let me go. In the future, let brother and sister care for you in my stead!”

Her words were stirring and heartfelt—every sentence moving.

Wen Xuyu watched the performance with icy indifference. Were she not a principal in this farce, she might have applauded.

“Enough, Qianxue,” Xu Zeyan knelt beside her, grasping her hand with deep sincerity. “Don’t worry. I, Xu Zeyan, will only ever acknowledge you. You are kind and considerate—my parents adore you. I will never let you be hurt.”

Moved to tears, Wen Qianxue was overcome with emotion.

In an unnoticed corner, Wen Qianyu watched the scene, a touch of bitterness flickering in his eyes.

“You really are a perfect match—birds of a feather, as they say,” Wen Xuyu sighed inwardly, unwilling to watch this melodrama any longer.

To be honest, she had no interest in Xu Zeyan at all.