Xu Yunying worked quietly in the kitchen, a sly smile tugging at her lips. The aroma of her cooking filled the room...rich, inviting and deceiving.
What they didn't know? She'd added enough salt to make the liver cry.
Madam Wang was the first to taste it. Her fork froze mid-air. "Useless girl! Are you trying to kill us? Don't you know how to cook? I knew it! You're a child from hell, no wonder you can't do anything right!"
Her second sister, Xu Lian, chimed in, voice dripping with malice. "Really, Yunying, even the simplest breakfast… how can you mess it up this badly?"
Her father, Master Xu, remained silent, his chopsticks untouched.
Yunying's expression shifted into sweet, innocent panic. "I-I'm so sorry, Madam Wang! It must be a mistake. I'll fix it immediately, I promise it won't happen again!"
Xu Lian's eyes flicked to Yunying's yellow sundress, and she sneered. Just where do you think you're going in that dress?
Yunying's hand shot out, catching her sister's wrist. "Need something?" she asked innocently.
"Want to ruin my dress, huh, bitch? Think again" she thought.
Master Xu had already called the maids to clear the table and start a new batch. Yunying bowed her head, feigning humility, then excused herself.
"I need to grab something upstairs.."
Yunying excused herself and climbed the polished stairs toward her bedroom.
The mansion's luxury was on full display, gleaming floors, sparkling chandeliers, soft carpet muffling her steps but her bedroom remained a disgrace.
Her goal was simple: to grab her bag. She pushed the door open, her eyes immediately landing on the lonely, unimpressive bag in the corner. She strode over and snatched it up with practiced ease.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the device sitting on the bedside table. An Ipulse 8.
Her lips twisted in distaste. Madam Wang and Xu Lian couldn't even let her have a decent phone?
She picked it up, turning it over like it was a relic from another century, muttering under her breath about how outdated it was.
With bag in hand and phone begrudgingly secured, she sank onto the bed for a moment and opened the bank app.
Her eyes narrowed at the balance. 50,000 yuan.
She hissed. Pfft. That's far too low. Let's see how much the previous Xu Yunying actually owned.
-_-
After scanning through the accounts, she made a mental note: beautiful body, yes but nearly zero resources.
Clearly, Madam Wang had tried to starve her of influence, and Xu Lian's entitlement was glaring even in numbers.
"Pititful little thing. Don't worry, big sister got your back. I'll make sure I get back, every single thing those bitches deprived you of.."
With her phone and bag in hand, she strode confidently back downstairs. Today was the start of her reign. Today, nothing would be off-limits.
Yunying spotted her father putting on his suit, preparing to leave for work.
Perfect timing. She walked up as her hand lightly gripped the hem of his jacket, tilting her head just so, flashing the perfect "innocent-but-sly" smile.
"Dadmm" she said sweetly, "can you give me some money? I want to go play with my friends…"
The room froze.
Madam Wang's fan slipped from her fingers, her smile twitching at the edges. This useless girl! How dare she make such a demand in front of me?! She should know her place!
Xu Lian's nails dug into her palm, her lips curling. What game is she playing? She never asks for anything. And now she dares… right in front of me?
Even the maids exchanged glances, barely hiding their smirks. The young miss? Asking for money? She's lost her mind.
Master Xu, however, blinked in genuine surprise. His gaze softened with something far more complicated than annoyance. He studied her carefully, as if trying to reconcile the daughter in front of him with the one he thought he knew.
"Yunyun…" he said slowly, "this… this is the first time you've ever asked me for something.."
She tilted her head, her smile light, her eyes steady. "Yes. And surely, you wouldn't say no to your eldest daughter… right?"
A long silence stretched between them.
Then, to everyone's shock, Master Xu reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a sleek black card. He held it out to her without hesitation.
"That right, If you need anything, tell me," he said firmly. "Don't hold back anymore."
Yunying's smile widened. Finally. The words I've been waiting for.
She clasped the card delicately, then lifted her gaze to him with a brightness that seemed almost fragile. "Then I won't stand on ceremony.." she murmured. Her hand slid up to hold his briefly, her voice soft but carrying a weight that made Madam Wang's face stiffen.
"Can we go see Mum? Just the two of us? It's been a while. We haven't given her chrysanthemums in so long…"
Madam Wang's heart lurched.
No. Absolutely not.
That woman must be forgotten. How dare she bring her up, how dare she! Master Xu can't…possibly..
Master Xu's eyes softened even more, nostalgia flickering across his usually unreadable face. "Then we'll go on her birthday." he said gently. "Just like old times. But for now.." he patted her shoulder, "why don't you buy yourself lots of pretty dresses with that card? If you use it all, Dad will fill it again."
Madam Wang and Xu Lian froze, their eyes narrowing like twin blades aimed straight at Yunying's heart.
Who gave her the right to speak like this, to demand such things, and worse..be indulged?!
Yunying's lips curved into a knowing smirk.