Volume 1, Chapter 24: Then I Shall Stab You Too

It would seem as if she thought Ji Chiqian liked her.

Lu Ning held the phone, reminiscing about the person she had loved online in her previous life. To be precise, it was a crush; she had never confessed, and the other party had never spoken words of affection toward her. Yet, that person’s presence in her bleak and miserable life had been a faint, flickering flame, always providing her with warmth. This feeling was much like the existence of Ji Chiqian. However, she remained uncertain whether Ji Chiqian was truly that person from her past life.

Ji Chiqian’s slender fingers moved slightly. "Does one need a reason to help someone in need? When I see an old lady crossing the street, I help her, too."

Lu Ning smiled, though a faint sense of disappointment lingered in her heart. She feigned a light tone and said, "After the college entrance examination, I will officially leave the Lu family."

"You are welcome to move in next door!"

After hanging up, Lu Ning bathed in a good mood and even practiced a set of mock exam papers before going to sleep. The final mock exam was approaching. She really wanted to see how much progress she had made and if she would have a chance to get into Yun University. If she could rank in the top ten of the school, there should be hope.

The next day, Lu Ning went to school as usual. She saw Qin Xiang bring a bowl of white porridge and place it by the side of her second brother, Lu Nanfeng. "Second Brother, I heard from the butler that your stomach wasn't feeling well, so I made this white porridge specifically for you. You'll feel better after eating it." Qin Xiang deliberately exposed the burn on her hand as she spoke.

When Lu Nanfeng saw it, his heart softened as expected. "You’ve already hurt yourself; you don't need to do these things in the future. Just let the servants handle it."

"Second Brother, you have sacrificed so much for this family; it is only right that I do these small things." Qin Xiang flashed a sweet smile, appearing completely innocent and harmless.

Lu Nanfeng felt a sudden sense of comfort, and he instinctively looked toward Lu Ning. Surely, she knew his stomach was upset now, right?

When Lu Ning saw the white porridge, a flicker of mockery flashed in her eyes. As expected, this bowl of porridge was late, but it had arrived. Lu Ning had no appetite, so she stood up and walked away, never uttering a single word from beginning to end.

Lu Nanfeng felt a sudden sense of loneliness. Was Lu Ning really not going to ask anything? Or was it that, in her eyes, she no longer wanted to care about her second brother at all?

Qin Xiang quickly and understandingly said, "Second Brother, Sister Ning is actually worried about you. She’s just acting out of spite this time."

"I hope so." Lu Nanfeng also hoped that Lu Ning was just acting out of spite. He did not believe that Lu Ning would truly sever ties with the family over such trivial matters. Without Lu Ning’s care, he felt a constant, pervasive sense of discomfort.

Seeing that her goal had been achieved, Qin Xiang also left to go to school. The butler chimed in from the side, "Second Young Master, Miss Ning didn't even ask about you. It really is too much."

When Lu Nanfeng saw the white porridge, his expression improved slightly. Fortunately, Qin Xiang was still so sensible. He took a spoonful of the porridge, but instead of his stomach pain easing, it intensified. He frowned, suddenly remembering the medicinal porridge Lu Ning used to make, which always alleviated his pain.

He spoke instinctively, "Have the kitchen make a bowl of the medicinal porridge Lu Ning used to prepare."

The butler looked troubled. "The medicinal porridge was always prepared by Miss Ning herself."

"It’s just medicinal porridge; is it really that difficult?" Lu Nanfeng was in enough pain that his tone grew sharp.

A maid beside them replied, "Second Young Master, I heard that for that porridge, the eldest young lady would prepare the rice a day in advance. She would get up very early the next day to prepare the ingredients, all of which had to be fresh. Furthermore, the order and timing of the cooking were very precise; even a slight deviation would ruin it. It was a prescription Miss Ning sought from an old Chinese medicine practitioner. None of us ever learned how to make it, so for all these years, it was always prepared by Miss Ning herself!"

After hearing this, Lu Nanfeng felt even worse for reasons he couldn't explain. He raised his hand to cover his face. So, Lu Ning had put in so much effort. He had never realized it before, assuming the porridge was simple to make.

Lu Nanfeng began to regret his actions. He had neglected Lu Ning so much that he hadn't even been aware of how much she had done for him behind the scenes. He had not been a competent brother. It wasn't that Lu Ning was acting out of spite; she had simply been wronged too many times. She had been truly hurt!

Lu Nanfeng looked at the butler. "Go and get back the gifts that Ningning gave to Qin Xiang as an apology last time."

The butler was surprised. "But weren't those gifts from the eldest young lady to apologize to Miss Xiang? If the Second Young Master takes them back, wouldn't that be unfair to Miss Xiang? She already feels insecure living under someone else's roof in the Lu family; if the Second Young Master does this, how will Miss Xiang maintain her standing? Surely you can't be softening your heart just because of a bowl of porridge? Miss Xiang also made you porridge and even got hurt for it."

Lu Nanfeng pondered this for a moment. Recalling the sight of Qin Xiang's injury earlier, his heart wavered. He said, "Never mind. Just bring back the gifts I gave her for now; don't touch anything else." At the very least, he had to start making changes.

That evening, after Lu Ning returned home, she ate dinner and locked herself in her room. Before long, there was a knock at the door, and Lu Nanfeng’s voice drifted in: "Ningning, it's me."

Lu Ning walked over and opened the door, her expression indifferent. "What is it?"

"This is for you."

Lu Ning saw a box containing an emerald necklace—it looked very familiar. Wasn't this the apology gift she had given to Qin Xiang? What was her second brother trying to do?

Lu Nanfeng’s tone carried guilt. "Ningning, I know I’ve wronged you in the past. I’ve taken the necklace back. I will buy a new one for Xiangxiang as compensation, but this one is different for you; you shouldn't have had to give it away."

Lu Nanfeng had spent the entire day regretting his actions at the banquet. It was his lack of consideration.

Lu Ning felt a sense of disorientation. She hadn't expected her second brother to actually "bring back" this necklace! How truly rare! In her previous life, she had never recovered these things until the day she died.

Lu Ning lowered her eyelids, her voice calm. "There is no need. One does not take back what has already been given."

"Ningning, please just accept it. Otherwise, I won't feel at peace. Can you take it as my compensation to you?"

What kind of compensation was this? A slap in the face followed by a small, sweet treat? Out of the corner of her eye, Lu Ning caught sight of Qin Xiang lurking in the corner. She deliberately raised her voice: "Second Brother, I must criticize you for this. I gave those gifts to Qin Xiang willingly. How could you take them back for no reason? Wouldn't this hurt Qin Xiang's feelings? Isn't that right, little sister Qin Xiang?"

When Lu Nanfeng turned his head and saw Qin Xiang, he felt a twinge of guilt. After all, he hadn't consulted her.

Qin Xiang steeled herself and walked out. "Sister Ning, actually, those gifts were only being kept with me temporarily. I am also very happy to see them returned to their rightful owner. After all, I am in no position to accept such precious gifts; I have always known my place."

Qin Xiang’s tone was exceptionally sincere. However, as soon as she finished speaking, she turned and walked away, even reaching up to wipe away tears, feigning distress.

Lu Nanfeng panicked. "Xiangxiang?"

Lu Ning leaned against the door frame. "Second Brother, you had better go comfort her."

Lu Nanfeng pursed his thin lips. "Lu Ning, I was sincerely apologizing to you just now, but why did you deliberately say those things to hurt Xiangxiang? I may be biased, and I know that makes you feel wronged, but Xiangxiang has done nothing wrong! Her father saved your life, don't forget that!"

Lu Ning revealed a cold, desolate smile. As expected, nothing had changed. She had almost been swayed for a moment.