Volume One, Chapter 9: I Don’t Need Your So-Called Concern for Me

Lu Ning straightened her back, knowing that Qin Xiang’s father had saved her life. So when her eldest brother brought Qin Xiang home, she didn’t object. In fact, she treated Qin Xiang like a younger sister. But over time, she realized Qin Xiang was quietly stealing her brother away. That’s why their relationship soured.

Lu Nanfeng shouted sternly, “Lu Ning, what are you saying? Do you think we’re doing this to hurt you? We just want you to get along well with Xiangxiang! Is that so hard? How long do you intend to hold this grudge?”

“I’m not sulking,” Lu Ning replied.

Hearing her second brother’s words, all the pent-up questions and doubts in her heart vanished without a trace. It suddenly felt meaningless. She had once tried hysterically to explain herself, but it never worked. She no longer wanted to be emotionally manipulated for her brothers’ sake like in her past life. She would neither explain nor care about their opinions anymore.

Silently, Lu Ning packed the textbooks on the coffee table into her schoolbag. Looking at the bag neatly packed, she whispered, “If there’s nothing else, I’m going back to my room first.”

Lu Nanfeng sat on the sofa, looking troubled. “Lu Ning, if you agree to join the team now, we’ll forgive everything you did before!”

Lu Ning found this laughable. Everything she did in her past life was nothing but a joke. Without a backward glance, she strode upstairs with firm steps.

Frustrated, Lu Nanfeng lit a cigarette. The butler approached, “Second Young Master, since the Young Lady refuses, so be it. Luckily, Miss Xiangxiang is here.”

Lu Nanfeng frowned, “It’s not the same.”

“But Second Young Master, I don’t know if I should say this. You haven’t been home these days. The Young Lady never asks about you when she returns. She’s so cold-hearted, it chills me to the bone.”

Lu Nanfeng stubbed out his cigarette and drove off from the villa.

Upstairs, Lu Ning heard the car’s engine and watched her second brother leave, probably for training camp.

After showering alone, she reviewed her collection of incorrect problems once more. She was determined to leave this place.

Lu Ning accidentally stayed up all night. At dawn, she hurriedly packed her bag and rushed downstairs. After grabbing a sandwich from the dining room, she dashed out.

Lu Nanfeng was the first downstairs. Seeing Lu Ning’s back, he frowned, “She’s up this early?”

“These days, the Young Lady has been going out alone, not using the driver’s car. Because on Monday, Miss Xiangxiang discussed something with you all and was a bit late. The Young Lady got sulky and hasn’t used the driver’s car since.”

Lu Nanfeng’s expression grew more complicated.

Lu Bei walked over, “Is it really necessary? It’s just about being late. Why be so petty? Who are you trying to impress?”

Lu Liu yawned, “Second Brother, Lu Ning is just putting on a show to soften you up. If you give in this time, she’ll only get worse.”

In the end, Lu Nanfeng said nothing more. He thought Lu Ning deserved some hardship—she was given chances but didn’t cherish them.

Qin Xiang overheard the conversation, a smile flickering in her eyes, then cheerfully bounced downstairs. “Second Brother, Fourth Brother, Sixth Brother, good morning! Let’s have breakfast together.”

Seeing Qin Xiang’s lively and bright demeanor, Lu Nanfeng’s mood improved considerably. Thankfully, this sister hadn’t gone astray.

—

At school, Lu Ning struggled to stay awake, having pulled an all-nighter. But during class, she was attentive, afraid of missing any knowledge.

Suddenly, the teacher called on Qin Xiang to answer a question. She stammered for a long time but couldn’t respond.

The teacher sighed, “Qin Xiang, you’ve been distracted lately. You haven’t grasped the review material and will suffer in the exam.”

Qin Xiang blushed, “Sorry, Teacher. It won’t happen again.”

A little follower quickly chimed in, “Teacher, Lu Ning has been very diligent lately. She definitely knows the answer.”

All eyes turned to Lu Ning, mostly expecting a joke. After all, Lu Ning’s grades were usually worse than Qin Xiang’s, and she probably wouldn’t answer correctly.

But Lu Ning stood up and answered clearly and correctly.

The teacher was surprised. “Correct. Lu Ning has been working hard lately. Everyone should learn from her and not slack off.”

Qin Xiang glanced at Lu Ning secretly, burning with hatred. If not for her gaming distractions, she would’ve answered first. Now Lu Ning stole her spotlight—how infuriating! She’d have to catch up.

After the praise, Lu Ning’s mood lifted significantly.

After school, she didn’t go to the infirmary this time but returned straight home, wanting to avoid arousing her second brother’s suspicion. She had to be cautious.

As expected, the butler watched her closely, making her uneasy.

After dinner, Lu Ning went directly to her room and locked the door, finally relaxing.

While doing homework, she took out her phone, hesitating whether to message Ji Chiqian. After all, she hadn’t gone over today. But he didn’t seem to be waiting for her; she was always the one pushing herself forward.

Should she send a message?

Lu Ning stared at the phone, troubled.

Maybe she’d wait and send it later.

Putting down her phone, she resumed her homework, but soon her eyelids grew heavy—likely from the all-nighter.

She rested her head on the desk, intending a short nap, but accidentally fell asleep.

The next day, Lu Ning was awakened by her alarm. Glancing at the time, she wondered how it was already morning.

She packed her homework quickly and rushed to school.

At noon, after some hesitation, she went to the infirmary but didn’t see Ji Chiqian. Summoning courage, she asked the doctor inside, “Where is Doctor Ji?”

“He’s out to lunch.”

Lu Ning nodded, deciding to come back after school.

After class, she returned to the infirmary but still didn’t find Ji Chiqian. The same doctor from earlier was on duty.

The doctor looked at her and said, “Young lady, I’m on duty today. Focus on your studies and don’t think about these things. It’s too early for you.”

Lu Ning blushed deeply but didn’t explain.

In the following days, she secretly visited the infirmary but never saw Ji Chiqian.

She felt a bit disappointed, having grown used to him waiting for her there.

Lu Ning realized she had started to rely on Ji Chiqian.

Quickly, she adjusted her mindset. She could not depend on others—she had to rely on herself this lifetime.

Calming her thoughts, she devoted herself fully to preparing for the monthly exam.

She could not afford to lose!

After the exam, Lu Ning felt she did fairly well, probably ranking within the top hundred.

However, everyone grumbled about the difficulty of the questions.

She opened her phone to Ji Chiqian’s chat but didn’t know what to say. They weren’t very close after all.

Uncertain about social interactions, she irritably closed the phone.

In good spirits, Lu Ning packed her bag and returned home, finding the living room lively. Her brothers had all returned—had they skipped training camp?

Her arrival quieted the room considerably, as if she were the uninvited guest disrupting the happiness between her brothers and Qin Xiang’s family.