In all her years living under the Lu family’s roof, the meek and taciturn Shen Lan had never once defied Tao Lan. This was the first time. Tao Lan was stunned, and then fury ignited within her. “The audacity! You live in my house, eat my food—how dare you speak to me like that!” “I wasn’t a freeloader. My mother paid you. A lot of money.” Shen Lan lifted her chin, her eyes defiant behind the frames of her glasses. She had never owed the Lu family anything. In fact, after helping Lu Yunfan get back on his feet, they were the ones who owed her. Enraged, Tao Lan’s hand flew up, ready to strike Shen Lan as she so often did to vent her anger. But Mr. Lu quickly caught her arm, shooting a subtle glance toward Xiao Cheng. Only then did Tao Lan remember they had a guest. She sheepishly lowered her hand. “Shen Lan, it’s an honor for you to be able to serve Mr. Xiao…” Her voice dropped to a menacing hiss, her words ground out between clenched teeth. “Don’t make me regret being generous.” “Some honor. You can have it,” Shen Lan couldn’t stop herself from retorting. She pressed her lips together as the Lu family’s faces darkened. “I am not a servant, nor am I a cook.” Furious that Shen Lan was embarrassing the family in front of Xiao Cheng, Lu Yunqing’s voice rose to a shrill cry. “You were born to serve! You seemed happy enough waiting on my brother hand and foot. Why the sudden act? Putting on airs now, are we?” Lu Yunfan added, his tone laced with displeasure, “Shen Lan, can you just be reasonable for once?” “Exactly. Just think of it as doing it for Yunfan,” Tao Lan said, grabbing her hand and warning through gritted teeth, “We have a lead on your brother’s whereabouts. You’d better do as you’re told, or you’ll never see him again.” Everyone was pushing her. The Lus always knew exactly where to press. Shen Lan dug her nails into her palm, the sharp sting a welcome distraction from the ache in her heart. She should have known. A child without parents has no one to cherish them, no one to love them. When the Shen family was still around, she had been the apple of her parents’ eye. Now, she was nothing more than a weed for others to trample underfoot. After a long moment, a mist clouded Shen Lan’s eyes. She lowered her head, her voice trembling. “Fine. I’ll go. I’ll go to the Xiao family.” A collective sigh of relief passed through the four members of the Lu family, smiles breaking out on their faces. Only Shen Lan stood alone, a solitary figure, her thin frame trembling slightly, as fragile as a flower caught in a storm. Xiao Cheng’s fingers curled slightly. His gaze swept over the Lus, a cool reminder. “It’s getting late.” Tao Lan took the hint and shoved Shen Lan forward. “Go to your room and pack. Don’t keep Mr. Xiao waiting.” Shen Lan nodded, her expression numb, and moved mechanically toward her room. Lu Yunfan watched her go, a frown creasing his brow before he followed her. To be closer to Lu Yunfan while caring for him, Shen Lan had moved into the room next to his. It was a tiny space, barely 160 square feet, furnished with just a bed, a desk and chair, and a single bookshelf. The bookshelf was crammed with books, more than half of them medical texts on leg rehabilitation and care. Finding the room too small and cramped, Lu Yunfan didn’t enter, leaning against the doorframe as he watched Shen Lan pack. Perhaps sensing he had gone too far this time, his expression softened—a rare occurrence. “Xiao Cheng was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He’s tasted every delicacy imaginable. Your cooking will just be a passing novelty. You’ll be back in a few days.” “Making a few meals for him will bring our family significant benefits. The Shen family is gone now. You are my fiancée, the future Mrs. Lu. Just take good care of Xiao Cheng, and in the future, you…” Before he could finish, Shen Lan stood up, her small bag in hand. “I’m ready.” “That was fast.” Lu Yunfan glanced at the small bag and nodded in satisfaction. “Right. You won’t be at the Xiao’s for long anyway. Just the essentials will do.” Shen Lan said nothing, her clear eyes fixed on him. After a long moment, she finally spoke. “Mrs. Lu said you have a lead on my brother. Where is he?” Lu Yunfan didn’t hide it from her. “Someone saw him in A-cheng a few years ago. I’ve already sent people to investigate. We should be able to find him soon.” A wild joy surged through Shen Lan’s heart, so potent it brought a sting to her nose. “As long as he’s alive,” she whispered. He was the only family she had left in this world. She asked for nothing more than for him to be alive and well. That was everything. Having gotten her answer, Shen Lan paid Lu Yunfan no more mind. She walked past him and straight out of the Lu house, her back a portrait of desolate resolve. Lu Yunfan instinctively pressed a hand to his chest. It felt hollow, as if something precious had just slipped away, leaving him strangely short of breath. The Xiao family’s car was waiting at the gate. Liu Lin held the door open, his smile gentle. “Ms. Shen, please.” Shen Lan gave him a small nod and slipped into the back seat. Xiao Cheng was lounging against the seat, his gaze flicking over to her. The oppressive aura—the kind that only belonged to those in power—made Shen Lan’s scalp tingle. She sat ramrod straight, pressing herself against the car door, unwilling and not daring to make any contact with him. Xiao Cheng glanced at the chasm between them and scoffed. “Why so far away? Afraid I’ll eat you?” Shen Lan ignored him, turning her head to stare out the window. Her utterly broken expression bored him. “That smitten with Lu Yunfan? Your tolerance is so high, if he screwed another woman right in front of you, would you cheer him on? Wipe his sweat, give him water, and then offer him a vitamin to help him go another round?” The words drilled into her ears, each one a dagger twisting in her heart. The numb mask on Shen Lan’s face finally cracked. A furious fire blazed in her eyes, her fists clenched at her sides. “You’re awfully talkative, Mr. Xiao. Is your stomach not bothering you anymore?”