Volume One, Chapter Two: She No Longer Cared for Anything Belonging to the Lu Family

After Lu Ning appeared, everyone turned to look at her.

Facing their gazes, Lu Ning remained expressionless.

She wore a simple short-sleeved shirt, but on her head sat an exquisite golden phoenix crown. Around her neck hung an emerald necklace, her wrists adorned with jade and gold bracelets, and on her finger was a large pink diamond ring.

Laughter erupted all around.

“Lu Ning looks so tacky, wearing all those ornaments like a nouveau riche.”

“I think she’s deliberately flaunting those expensive things, trying to embarrass Qin Xiang.”

...

Lu Ning strode confidently up to Qin Xiang, her tone calm: “Congratulations, today you’ve finally become a member of the Lu family.”

In her previous life, after Qin Xiang became part of the Lu family, her nightmare began.

No matter how much she tried to please or act obedient, the brothers all favored Qin Xiang. The second brother even said he would rather Qin Xiang be their biological sister.

This time, she wouldn’t cling to any false sense of family affection.

Seeing the valuable items Lu Ning wore, Qin Xiang felt a deep jealousy but hid it well.

She first shrank back slightly, then cautiously responded, “Sister Ningning, I know you’re unhappy, but don’t worry—I won’t compete with you for the brothers. After all, I’ll always be an outsider, and you’re their real sister. How could I ever compare to you?”

As she spoke, her eyes reddened.

A mocking smile curled at Lu Ning’s lips—what a pitiful white lotus she pretended to be.

In her last life, Lu Ning was deceived by Qin Xiang’s seemingly harmless demeanor and only saw her true nature before dying.

Seeing this, Lu Bei hurriedly explained, “Xiangxiang, don’t cry. Who said you’re an outsider? From today on, you’re my true sister.”

Qin Xiang lowered her eyes, suppressing a fleeting sense of pride.

Lu Nanfeng took out a box. “Xiangxiang, this is a gift for you.”

Qin Xiang looked overwhelmed with gratitude. “Second Brother, isn’t this a gift for Sister Ningning? How can I accept it?”

Lu Ning saw the limited-edition figurine inside the box and wasn’t surprised.

In her previous life, the second brother had also “kindly” decided on her behalf and gave away a figurine she had waited a long time for as compensation to Qin Xiang.

Lu Nanfeng said, “Keep it. She owes you this.”

Lu Bei frowned. “Lu Ning, although Xiangxiang isn’t holding your earlier shove into the water against you and Second Brother gave a gift for you, where’s your sincerity?”

Lu Ning nodded. “I know, which is why I brought a gift to apologize.”

She took off all the jewelry she wore one by one, placing them carefully on a tray.

“This is the antique phoenix crown from Older Brother.”

“This is the emerald jade pendant from Second Brother.”

“This is the century-old ginseng from Third Brother.”

“This is the rare pink diamond ring from Fourth Brother.”

“This is the jade bracelet from Fifth Brother.”

“This is the golden trophy from Sixth Brother.”

Lu Ning placed each item on the tray. “These are all very important to me. As an apology, this should be sincere enough.”

She had long anticipated that Fourth Brother would question her sincerity, so she had prepared these.

Since Qin Xiang joined the Lu family, the brothers had never given her anything as valuable as these.

In any case, the brothers would find reasons to take these back for Qin Xiang eventually.

---

Lu Bei’s expression stiffened instantly upon seeing the items on the tray.

These were once Lu Ning’s most treasured possessions!

How dare she?

Lu Nanfeng pursed his lips. “Ningning, what do you mean by this?”

“Second Brother, I said these are my sincere apologies. Fourth Brother, do you think this is enough?”

Lu Ning’s face was calm, showing no emotion.

Qin Xiang was surprised when she saw the contents of the box. She didn’t understand what trick Lu Ning was playing—was this a retreat disguised as advance?

She quickly spoke, “Sister Ning, these are gifts the brothers gave you. They’re too valuable; I can’t accept them.”

Lu Bei angrily said, “Exactly. These are gifts for you. How can you just pass them on to someone else?”

Qin Xiang’s smile stiffened slightly; she bit her lip softly. “Yes, Sister Ning, I’m just an outsider. How could I deserve such gifts?”

Realizing his mistake, Lu Bei quickly explained, “Xiangxiang, that’s not what I meant. I’ll select new gifts for you. How could you accept something already given to someone else?”

Qin Xiang burst into tears and laughter. “Thank you, Fourth Brother.”

Lu Bei’s heart softened instantly. This was what a well-behaved sister looked like.

Lu Nanfeng sighed helplessly. “Ningning, what tantrum are you throwing now?”

These gifts were treasures to Lu Ning; no one was allowed to touch them.

He never expected she would bring them all out to apologize to Qin Xiang!

Was she trying to distance herself from them?

Or was it because he had taken her figurine without permission to compensate Qin Xiang, making her angry?

Lu Nanfeng was sure Lu Ning didn’t genuinely want to give these away!

“Second Brother, she’s just venting her dissatisfaction this way. Do you really think we can’t see through it? When will Lu Ning ever grow up like Xiangxiang?”

Lu Ning remained expressionless. “These gifts are worth tens of millions. As a sign of apology, I ask—is this enough? Fourth Brother, you wouldn’t be too attached to them, would you?”

Lu Bei choked, how could this be the same thing?

In front of Qin Xiang, he stammered, “Am I that kind of person?”

“Let’s all witness this—these gifts will be considered compensation.”

Lu Nanfeng was annoyed. “Ningning, stop this.”

How could she give away such important gifts to others?

Even if she was upset with Fourth Brother, she couldn’t just give away the gifts they gave her!

“Second Brother, do I look like I’m making a fuss?”

Lu Ning shoved the tray into Qin Xiang’s hands. “Now these are all yours.”

She was rejecting even the six Lu brothers.

Qin Xiang’s expression was awkward, sensing that Lu Nanfeng and Lu Bei seemed displeased.

Holding the box, her palms burned. She hadn’t expected Lu Ning to use these as an apology—it caught her off guard.

If not handled carefully, it would surely upset the Lu brothers.

Lu Ning had suddenly become difficult to deal with!

Without waiting for Qin Xiang to speak, she turned and left.

“Lu Ning, stop right there!”

Lu Bei was furious. Using gifts he gave as an apology—what kind of apology was that?

---

But Lu Ning didn’t look back and walked away.

Lu Nanfeng frowned. “Ningning is becoming more and more unreasonable!”

He felt uncomfortable; the jade pendant he gave was bought with the money from his first big success—its meaning was special.

Lu Bei felt as if he had punched cotton—he was utterly frustrated. “I think so too. She’s doing this just to spite us.”

Listening to their conversation, Qin Xiang clenched her teeth.

Indeed, Lu Ning’s tactic of retreat disguised as advance was working. She couldn’t let that woman succeed.

Holding the box, Qin Xiang spoke meekly, “Second Brother, Fourth Brother, did I do something wrong again? How could I accept Sister Ning’s most treasured things? What should I do?”

Damn Lu Ning for digging a hole for herself!

Lu Bei put on a stern face. “Since these are her apology gifts, you keep them! I bet she’ll regret it in three days.”

Hmph, he was waiting to see Lu Ning’s regrets so he could harshly scold her.

Lu Nanfeng’s tone softened. “Xiangxiang, why don’t you hold onto the box for Ningning for now? When she calms down, it’ll be fine.”

Lu Ning had thrown tantrums before, but it always ended well.

He didn’t believe she truly wanted to give up these gifts.

“All right, I’ll take good care of them.”

Qin Xiang smiled softly and obediently.

Lu Nanfeng sighed. Lu Ning used to be so well-behaved; he hoped she would grow up soon.

Seeing the obedient Qin Xiang beside him, he felt a hint of relief—thank goodness she wasn’t like that.

—

After returning to her room alone, Lu Ning lay down, feeling dizzy, likely from having caught a chill after falling into the water.

She closed her eyes as soon as she lay down.

She needed to figure out how to leave the Lu family and live independently by earning her own money.

In her past life, after the college entrance exam, she could have entered a prestigious university, but because of Fourth Brother's words, she ended up enrolling in the second-tier university Qin Xiang attended.

At school, she became Qin Xiang’s servant, taking the blame whenever Qin Xiang made mistakes.

If she disobeyed, her credit cards were frozen. Though a daughter of a wealthy family, her life was worse than that of a poor student.

In the end, Qin Xiang stole her hard-earned thesis and was accused of plagiarism, leading to punishment and expulsion.

This time, she would never repeat those mistakes.

She was determined to get into a top school!

As for tuition and living expenses, she could participate in e-sports tournaments and win prize money.

Relying on her gaming skills from the last life, she should still be able to make a living that way.

After the banquet ended, Lu Nanfeng came to the second-floor bedroom door.

He hesitated and knocked, but there was no response inside.

The door was locked.

“Second Brother, Xiangxiang seems to have a fever. Please come and check on her.”