[Vol. 1] Chapter 24 - Lu Xiashi
Elder Guang, the acting father of Lin Xiaolan and uncle to Lu Xiashi, sat upon an intricate seat in the receiving hall.
He wore ornate robes that pooled on the floor around him. His eyes were narrow slits, and his hair was swept into a bun streaked with white.
His expression was one of unease. Although it was not entirely his fault, Lin Xiaolan's rebelliousness and wistfulness were a direct result of his constant comparisons between her and her brother.
Xiaolan trudged down the pathway. I'm clearly cast as some cannon fodder, she thought. But not for long! My mission is to give Xiashi a great first impression.
More allies = Higher chances of living!
She rounded the corner and arrived at the entrance. This is the one, right?
Her gaze landed on the unmistakable "Receiving Hall" plaque hanging proudly out front. Yep, no doubt about it.
The huge door opened automatically with a whoosh. She stepped inside and found an old man seated at the front. That's... Elder Guang?
The door closed behind her with a soft thud.
Watching him, Xiaolan could piece together the dynamic between him and the original body. Father and daughter, most likely.
"You're here. And for the first time, you're quite early," the old man chuckled, then explained, "Xiashi's predicament is special... so she will be staying here, under our care. Be respectful and representable."
Wait, what? The guard said I was late, but I'm early? Xiaolan's mind raced as she realized she'd been tricked into coming early.
But there was no time to lament being fooled. She had to focus on the present. Xiashi's situation is special? Definitely a classic tragic backstory kit!
But no worries, she knew how to play this scene. She pinched her own thighs hard, forcing genuine-looking tears to well up in her eyes. "Oh, Father, I—"
CREAK.
The door swung open.
"Uncle," a voice called from behind. And in that moment, that door might as well have led straight to heaven.
"Pfft—!" Xiaolan nearly spat out her own soul in fright. She hadn't expected Xiashi's entrance to be so perfectly timed. Ahh! Why is my co-star arriving now?!
"Xiashi, you're here." Elder Guang greeted her, his voice warm.
Xiaolan turned around and froze. Xiashi was the picture of a delicate, sickly beauty. Yet, as she drew closer, a faint, clean scent of winter mint and fresh snow cut through the room's stuffy air.
Her hair was styled simply yet neatly, framing a heart-shaped face with soft curtain bangs. Her complexion was pale as moonlight, almost translucent, making the faint blue veins at her temples seem like a delicate watercolor painting.
Beneath finely arched brows, her eyes held a luminous, fever-bright quality, their depth belying their weariness.
She was clad in a gown of the finest, unadorned pale lavender silk, its wide sleeves and flowing cut suggesting a scholarly or cultivated background. The garment seemed to hang on her slender frame, the subtle drape of the fabric accentuating her fragility rather than her form.
The only contrast was a single hairpin of silver, its simple pearl droplet echoing the quiet pallor of her skin.
Shua~ Cue the imaginary background music. The heavenly doors had truly delivered.
"Yes, Uncle," Xiashi's voice was soft as a breeze. Her eyes then shifted to Xiaolan.
"And you're... Young Miss Xiaolan?" For the briefest second, her gaze sharpened into a glare, but it softened so quickly that Xiaolan almost believed she'd imagined it.
"Ah, yes." Xiaolan nodded vigorously like a puppy who'd been acknowledged.
Elder Guang turned back to her promptly.
"Xiashi will be living with us now. Your monthly allowance will be halved to cover her expenses." He spoke as if he expected his daughter to plead against the idea, just as she had last month.
Right! Time for the ultimate performance. Immediately, she deployed her signature thigh-clinging technique, latching onto his leg with dramatic fervor.
"Father!" she pleaded, her voice a masterpiece of feigned selflessness.
"You have been reunited with your own flesh and blood! This is a time for celebration! Xiashi should be showered with all the love and attention, even the money she deserves! I don't mind my sacrifice one bit!"
A unified, stunned "Eh?" came from both Xiashi and her uncle.
"But, Miss Xiaolan," Xiashi interjected softly, her eyes wide with a perfect blend of innocence and concern.
"Uncle could never bear to see you suffer so. Please, I couldn't accept so much. I will take only a quarter of the original allowance."
Lin Xiaolan blinked at Xiashi's response. Wow! So sweet! Any man would fall for her, fast at that!
Xiashi's whole body prickled. Why is she looking at me like that? Seeing Xiaolan's very obvious dreamy face was deeply unsettling.
Seeing this unexpected outcome, Elder Guang cleared his throat.
"Right. And let go of my pants," he added, his voice strained, "mind your image!"
Knock. Knock.
A maidservant with a thin figure entered. Her eyes were narrowed so much they appeared almost closed, and her high cheekbones hinted at her advanced age.
A ferocious dog growled in her arms.
"My lord," she said, "Young Miss heard of Miss Lu Xiashi's arrival yesterday and prepared this gift just for her!"
Eh? Wait. Xiaolan's mind raced. "...Young miss, haven't you already prepared?..."
The thing prepared back then was a dog?! Panic immediately spiked through her. The original owner was going to harass and humiliate Xiashi!
Xiaolan couldn't afford to target Xiashi, the very person she hoped would one day repay her good deeds and friendship. She couldn't afford such a thing!
Lu Xiashi showed a smile. "Awh, what a cute pet!" she said, approaching the supposed gift from Lin Xiaolan.
Wake up, lady! That hellhound doesn't have a single cute hair on its body! Lin Xiaolan shrieked internally.
Just then, the ferocious dog freed itself from the old maidservant's arms.
"Ah!" the maid cried out.
The dog barked, "Woof! Woof!" and looked about to bite.
If Xiashi gets bitten by this dog, then there's no way she'll be friends with me! I can't be lonely here like I was in my past life! Lin Xiaolan rushed forward.
"Get back!" she yelled, tumbling into Lu Xiashi in the process.
"Xiashi! Xiaolan!" Elder Guang, the father and uncle, stepped forward in worry.
Xiashi whimpered, "Ow... that hurts." She rubbed her head, slowly sitting up from the floor.
"Miss Xiashi..." Xiaolan's breathy voice was laced with worry. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
The question would have been touching if not for the ferocious beast chomped onto her shoulder, making the sight more comical than concerning.
Lu Xiashi screamed, "EEEEKK!" at the sight of blood.
Even the usually composed Elder Guang was distraught. "Someone fetch a healer! Now!" he barked, his voice tight with a panic he rarely showed.
Hearing the Elder's order, the old maidservant hurried off to fetch the Lin Clan's healer.
"Father… about what I told you..." Lin Xiaolan murmured, her eyes glassy as she lay on the ground. Her hand was held tightly in her father's calloused grasp.
"Hush, child. Don't speak," Elder Guang gruffly commanded, though his tone was softer than usual.
Just then, a soft, trembling voice cut through the tension. "Young miss," Xiashi breathed, swooping in to kneel on her other side and clasp her free hand.
"You got hurt so badly just to protect me... I'm so touched!"
Yes! A two-for-one deal! You'll owe me for the cash AND the rescue!
Tears welled in Xiashi's beautiful eyes as she looked up at Elder Guang, her expression a perfect picture of grateful remorse.
"Uncle, how can you even think of restricting her after this? She threw herself into danger for my sake. If her allowances are not restored immediately, I... I could never forgive myself for being the cause of her suffering!"
NO! How can I make you indebted to me now?! Lin Xiaolan's internal scream was so loud she was surprised it didn't shatter the windows.
Before she could muster a protest, her father nodded, his resolve firming.
"You are right, Xiashi. We will discuss the full restoration of your allowances and your studies after you have healed."
She tried to speak, but a sharp wave of pain from her shoulder stole her breath, and the healer rushed in, cutting off any chance for her to correct their disastrous misunderstanding.
Critical hit! A double-combo from the white lotus and the strict father!
"Young master, Elder Guang requires your presence."
"Tell him I'm not going."
The servant hesitated. "It's important, young master. Young Miss Xiaolan got in trouble. The Elder requires you to lead Miss Xiashi."
A long pause. Then a sigh of resignation.
And so, forced to come, he found his father already there—and at his side, a fairy-like lady. Xiashi.
"How is she?" he asked, his expression blank as he stared down at Xiaolan as if she owed him a massive debt.
Elder Guang noticed his pointed gaze but chose to ignore it. "The herbalist said she'll be fine after some rest and medicine to prevent rabies," he replied.
Xiaolan's sudden, uncharacteristic act of bravery had thrown the Elder off balance. The stress of it made him forget, even for a moment, that he could kill the mutt in one fell swoop.
"Pathetic," the brother uttered.
Xiashi observed the two men, her eyes flicking back to the bed where she clearly saw Xiaolan's closed eyes tense and tremble.
"Young Master Lin," Xiashi interjected, her voice soft but firm.
"I know I am merely a guest here, but Miss Xiaolan was injured protecting me." And with this, she thought, any debt I might have owed you is now void, Lin Xiaolan.
The young master knew the truth. Lin Xiaolan had prepared this "gift" early on, specifically to harass Xiashi. He let out a dismissive snort at the woman's wishful thinking.
"This has nothing to do with you."
Her voice was soft but unwavering, like a willow in a steady breeze.
Xiashi observed the two men, her eyes flicking back to the bed where she clearly saw Xiaolan's closed eyes tense and tremble.
"Please, forgive my forwardness, but it has everything to do with me. I was there when it happened."
He was a proud young master, an Alpha with the scent of earthy musk. Definitely an Alpha.
Xiashi calmly raised a napkin, pressing it firmly over her nose and mouth. A habit she had long since formed.