My Arrogant Young Lady

Zhang Xuan said my dad was a corrupt official who embezzled money and fled abroad, which seems to have some basis. When my mom dropped me off at Zhang Xuan's house, she told me she was going to find my dad. It's possible she really did go abroad to find him. Given my dad's special status, he hasn't been able to return to China for many years, so my mom might have stayed abroad with him.

But if this is true, then what was with my uncle's attitude just now? Even Zhang Xuan could tell that my parents might have enemies, otherwise my uncle wouldn't have been so nervous.

But if my dad is just a corrupt official, what kind of enemies did he offend that would scare my uncle like this? That's unlikely.

A faint thought crossed my mind again: my precious bracelet. Whether it was Lu Zhicheng, Young Master Bao, or my aunt, their expressions changed drastically when they saw it. But mine was fake; it wasn't anything valuable. My aunt ignored me, showing no interest in my bracelet. If my parents were truly important people, why would they let me wear a fake bracelet? I'd heard Young Master Bao say that wearing fake bracelets would cause rashes.

My mind is a mess, the more I think about it, the more confused I get. I thought the mystery was about to be solved, but this bracelet has made things even more chaotic. And the person following me—if she really is my parents' enemy, why doesn't she attack me? She must have had plenty of opportunities, right?

My mind went blank for a moment, and I didn't even react when the car stopped downstairs. Zhang Xuan paid for the fare, and I just stood there, clutching my uncle's wallet, and went upstairs with her.

"Hehe, are the dumplings at the restaurant good?" As soon as I stepped into the house, I saw my aunt's resentful face.

"Mom, none of these are as good as yours. Look, we ordered several plates of dumplings and there's so much left over. Wang Xi and I don't like them. Hurry up and make some dumplings; we want to eat yours," Zhang Xuan said with a smile.

"Really?" my aunt asked in surprise.

"I don't have an appetite, why don't you make dumplings?" Zhang Xuan said.

"Hehe, you little rascal, you have a conscience." Aunt laughed after hearing Zhang Xuan's words. "But it's a waste to throw these dumplings away. I'll eat them myself and make you some homemade dumplings."

“Okay,” Zhang Xuan said.

Holding the dumplings, my aunt happily went into the kitchen. But I felt a sharp pain in my lower back and then I saw Zhang Xuan looking at me with an annoyed expression.

“Take this: flatter my mom more. If you make her happy, she’ll treat you very well too,” Zhang Xuan said.

"Oh, it's just that I..." I frowned, thinking about the jumbled thoughts in my mind.

"Never mind," Zhang Xuan sighed softly.

"What do you mean?" I looked at her in surprise.

"Fine, whoever you are, I'll treat you well. You might not have much time left in my house." Zhang Xuan looked at me with a peculiar gaze.

"Why do you say that?" I asked.

"Didn't you see? People have started following you. No matter who's following you, you don't have much time left in my house. If it's someone sent by your parents, they might pick you up. And if it's some enemy, my dad might send you away. I've bullied you for thirteen years, and now you're suddenly leaving. I'm really not used to it." With a smile, Zhang Xuan's eyes gradually reddened.

"Sister..." Hearing Zhang Xuan's words, my heart suddenly became complicated.

I sat there for a long time, lost in thought, focusing solely on my past. Zhang Xuan, however, was preoccupied with whether I could still stay at home. Her analysis was accurate; regardless of who they brought, my days at home were numbered. Perhaps I would never see Zhang Xuan again.

"Guess how many more days you can stay?" Zhang Xuan asked me with a smile.

"I don't know, I hope it lasts as long as possible," I said after thinking for a moment.

“Hehe, our family treats you badly at all, and you still want to stay at home? It would be so much better to go to your parents. They won’t bully you like we do, they won’t hit or scold you, and they will treat you very well and love you properly,” Zhang Xuan said.

"No, you've been very good to me. I like staying here. I like this home, and I like you." The thought that I was just an outsider, a passerby in this home, made my heart ache, and my eyes reddened like Zhang Xuan's.

Chapter Thirty-One: Farewell

Everything is just as Zhang Xuan said; my days here are numbered. No matter who is following me, I can no longer stay here.

Looking at Zhang Xuan's pretty face, I felt a strange pang of sadness. At that moment, a flood of memories rushed through my mind. From childhood to adulthood, every little detail... although I suffered a lot of injustice in this family, there were also many things I cherished. Zhang Xuan was always sarcastic and cynical towards me, but she was about my age and my best friend. Although she used to be cold towards me and often made me feel wronged, just seeing her made me feel less lonely.

I've long been used to her, used to her proud and aloof personality. If I leave, I'll definitely feel very uncomfortable.

Smiling at me, Zhang Xuan was thinking the same thing I was thinking. She was also reluctant to see me leave; she had long since grown accustomed to my presence. Perhaps seeing that I was about to leave, Zhang Xuan's gaze was very gentle. With a soft sigh, Zhang Xuan looked at me with reluctant eyes and said, "Since you're leaving soon, I'll be a little nicer to you. That way, the impression I leave on you won't be so bad."

"No, I've never hated you. In my heart, you've always been the most beautiful." My nose tingled, but I smiled as I looked at Zhang Xuan.

"Really?" Zhang Xuan looked at me in surprise.

"Yes, otherwise I wouldn't like you." I said to Zhang Xuan seriously.

"Heh, you like me? I've treated you so badly, and you still like me?" Zhang Xuan pouted.

"Because I'm cheap," I said.

"..." Zhang Xuan was slightly stunned after hearing my words. Gradually, her pretty face turned red, and she smiled.

"Come to my room, I have something I want to tell you. I've kept these words in my heart for a long time, but I haven't had the chance to tell you. If I don't say them now, I'm afraid it will be too late." Zhang Xuan glanced at the kitchen.

"Hmm..." I nodded gently.

A sudden, inexplicable sadness welled up inside me, and Zhang Xuan and I felt closer. This time, we seemed to have become true family. There was no more conflict, only care and concern. She led me into the room, thought for a moment, and said, "Don't you always like playing on my computer? You can play as much as you want this time. You don't have to sneak in anymore. You can come in whenever you want and play for as long as you like."

"Also, if your parents really do come to pick you up, be nice to them, speak sweetly, and don't make sarcastic remarks that make people angry. Saying nice things isn't about flattery; everyone likes to hear nice things. Whether it's your parents or the family you're hiding from, you should say nice things to them so they won't dislike you too much."

“Whether you’re a rich kid or a loser, you’re still a loser now. Since you’re a loser, you should act like one, understand?” Zhang Xuan asked me.

"I heard you." My throat felt terribly blocked, as if it were stuffed with cotton.

"Sigh, the only thing I can't let go of is your illness. You clearly look like a loser, how could your parents possibly be important people? Yet, your body is like that of a pampered young master. You can't do anything, you're really useless. If you leave, after you move to a new environment, you must learn to be observant, even if you're not physically able, you must pretend to help with chores. Not everyone is like me, silently doing everything for you no matter what..." As she spoke, Zhang Xuan's eyes reddened. Her voice became somewhat choked with emotion.

"Hmm..." I nodded, feeling a little like crying.

"Also, your body is destined not to be like a normal person's. Don't be like those lecherous people; you can't do bad things. If your parents have any older or younger sisters, don't be so disgusting. Don't end up in the hospital and become a laughingstock," Zhang Xuan said.

"Hmm..." I said.

"Also, I'm sorry about what happened on my birthday night... I was drunk that night and acted a little crazy... Actually, I knew it was you, but I was being willful..." Zhang Xuan finally cried, tears streaming down her face.

"You... know that person was me?" In that instant, my eyes widened suddenly.

"Yes, I'm not stupid. Your figure is very similar to Chen Xun's, but you can't fool me. Because Chen Xun smells of smoke, while you only have a clean scent. But when you were in the bathroom, I really did think you were Chen Xun. But when I got closer, I realized it was you. I just got selfish and angry at you for being shameless, saying you wouldn't be home but then sneaking back. I wanted to play a trick on you, but I never expected it to turn out like this..." As she spoke, Zhang Xuan broke down in tears.

“Actually, when I saw you being beaten, my heart ached terribly. Mom slapped you before, and Mom said you're a boy, so a couple of slaps won't hurt you. But that day Chen Xun beat you so badly, it was the first time you'd ever been hit like that…”

"Sister, don't say anymore. It's just bad luck. I accept my fate," I said.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..." Suddenly, Zhang Xuan hugged me and cried even more sadly.

Holding Zhang Xuan's soft body in my arms, I felt no impure thoughts at that moment. We weren't family, not related by blood at all. But over time, our feelings had transformed into a strong kinship. She had long been used to me, and I had long been used to her. I truly didn't want to leave her; I wanted to be with her forever.

"Wang Xi, you're leaving soon, but I haven't been kind to you for even a day. Is it too late for me to be kind to you now?" Zhang Xuan asked me, crying.

“It’s not too late, it’s still not too late. My uncle only said he would find someone to protect me, he didn’t say he would send me away immediately,” I said.

“But I’m so afraid you’ll suddenly leave… If you leave, I’ll be so bored. From now on, no one will bully me anymore, and I’ll never find a brother as good as you again…” Zhang Xuan said.

"I can't bear to part with you either." Hearing Zhang Xuan's words, my eyes filled with tears.

The room was quiet, save for Zhang Xuan's tearful sobs. My heart was filled with mixed emotions; I only realized how good she had been to me now that I was about to leave.

Suddenly, an impulse surged within me. Gritting my teeth, I thought for a moment and said to Zhang Xuan, "Xuanxuan, if I leave right now, I want to ask you to help me fulfill a wish."

"What is your wish?" Zhang Xuan asked me.

"I like you!" I said through gritted teeth, looking at her earnestly.

"So what are you going to do? Are you going to take advantage of me?" Upon hearing my words, Zhang Xuan's eyes immediately became wary.

Seeing Zhang Xuan's expression, my face instantly turned red. Feeling incredibly embarrassed, I quickly explained to her, "No, I didn't mean to take advantage of you. I just wanted to ask you to be my girlfriend, even for just a minute. I've liked you for a long time and always longed to win you over. If I could become your boyfriend, I would have no regrets."

"Yes, I understand." Zhang Xuan nodded gently.

"What do you know?" I looked at her in surprise.

"Close your eyes," Zhang Xuan said.

"What!?" I looked at her in even greater surprise.

"Close your eyes," Zhang Xuan said.

"Oh..." I quickly closed my eyes.

As I closed my eyes, my heart began to pound. Her soft, warm scent filled my nostrils; I was so close to her, I could feel her warmth. All around me was quiet, and I could feel her gently approaching me. Gradually, I felt a warm, fragrant aroma, and I felt her delicate lips were about to touch mine.

Suddenly, Zhang Xuan's door was pushed open forcefully. The sound was so loud that I immediately opened my eyes in fright.

It was my uncle! He walked over with a serious expression, took my hand, and led me outside. As we walked, he said to me, "Xi'er, I've found someone who can protect you. Go to his house and lay low for a while. I'll bring you back when it's safe."

"What?" Hearing my uncle's words, I felt a chill run down my spine.

"Stop talking, let's go quickly," my uncle said to me.

"Uncle, I haven't told you yet..." My uncle pulled me back, and I couldn't help but look back. But I only caught a glimpse of her pale face before my uncle abruptly dragged me out of the house.

At that moment, my heart felt hollowed out. Without her, my whole world seemed to turn black and white. She was a splash of color in my life. Without her, my life seemed to have lost its meaning.

At this last moment, I was so rushed that I didn't even have time to say goodbye to her.

"Uncle, can I come back?" I asked him after thinking for a moment.

"Your uncle hopes you can come back. If possible, your uncle hopes you can stay at home forever..."

Chapter Thirty-Two: Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road

The city was bustling with traffic, and the night was incredibly vibrant. My uncle's car sped along, the lights inside gradually brightening and then dimming again.

Everything happened so fast, so fast that I didn't have time to feel sad. My mind was filled with the blush-inducing scene from just now, and my heart was constantly preoccupied with that pretty face.

If possible, my uncle would like me to come back home.

What did he mean? Did he mean I have no chance to go home? Will I ever see Zhang Xuan again?

As the surrounding scenery became increasingly unfamiliar, I gradually began to feel panicked.

However, at that moment, my uncle's car suddenly drove into a residential area. It was a high-end area, and a couple was standing at the entrance.

As the car pulled up in front of them, the uncle immediately rolled down the window and asked, "Can we go into the residential area?"

"You can go in," they said, glancing at me.

"Then get in the car quickly, let's go inside and talk," the uncle said.

"Okay!" The couple nodded, opened the door, and got into the car. Then they nodded to the security guard, signaling him to raise the barrier.

The car quickly entered the residential area, and the uncle's car slowed down considerably. Sitting in the back seat, the man of the couple asked, "Is this Wang Xi?"

"Yes, he is my sister-in-law's son. It's my fault for being useless and unable to protect Wang Xi," the uncle said with a look of shame.

"It's not your fault, you've always been an honest man. I just didn't expect that your sister-in-law would trust you so much and hide Wang Xi in your house. It's been more than ten years already, and those things still seem like they happened right before my eyes," the man sighed.

“Brother Tang, it’s all my fault for being useless. I haven’t been good at making friends these past few years, and I’ve only made a little money. Compared to you, I’m far behind. I only feel at ease hiding Wang Xi in your house. You have a higher status than me, and your words carry weight. Don’t blame me for keeping it from you all this time; it’s because I didn’t dare to betray my sister-in-law’s trust in me,” the uncle said.

"Hehe. How could I blame you? If you had been more talkative and told me about Wang Xi earlier, then I would have blamed you. It's right for you to keep a low profile; it's safer for Wang Xi. Don't worry, I will definitely protect Wang Xi. But, have you met with them? Have you found out their background? What level are they?" the man asked.

"We've never met, not even seen a shadow of each other," the uncle said.

"What? You didn't even see a shadow of them!?" the man asked in surprise, his voice filled with unspeakable terror.