Stealing ML’s White Moonlight C26

Chapter 26

Teacher Chen and Principal Cheng screamed in shock, and the quicker-reacting teachers immediately climbed onto the protective railing, trying to save her.

Shen Lihuan’s body had long been tense. The moment Wang Qingqing moved, she swiftly and nimbly climbed onto the railing and firmly grabbed Wang Qingqing’s hand.

Wang Qingqing struggled, but Shen Lihuan twisted her wrist backward with precise force. Wang Qingqing cried out in pain, and taking the opportunity, Shen Lihuan brought her fingers together and delivered a swift knife-hand strike to the back of Wang Qingqing’s neck. Wang Qingqing’s eyes rolled back, and she passed out.

Holding onto her waist, Shen Lihuan climbed back down from the railing. Teacher Chen immediately rushed forward, crying like a child. Why did such a good student have to suffer so much?

She had always been proud and looked down on those who schemed for personal gain, choosing instead to be an ordinary high school teacher. But now, she deeply realized that in this world, without money, even the ability to survive was out of reach.

Principal Cheng finally let out a heavy breath, feeling the sweat covering his palms and back.

“Teacher Chen, this time the student was lucky to be unharmed, but we can’t count on luck next time. Nowadays, some students do have lower psychological resilience. We need to offer more guidance and encouragement, rather than criticism and scolding. I hope you will learn from this incident and avoid similar behavior in the future.”

“I’ve decided to suspend your classes for a while so you can reflect on your actions and submit a self-examination report to us. I hope you will take this lesson to heart.”

Although Wang Qingqing did not accuse Teacher Chen directly, Teacher Chen’s words had pushed her toward suicide. In this matter, Teacher Chen bore an undeniable responsibility. That’s why Principal Cheng decided to suspend her.

At the same time, he also recognized the importance of addressing students’ mental health issues. The students of Ming High were the future pillars of the nation, and no matter their academic performance, they couldn’t afford to let such incidents happen.

“I will learn from this. It won’t happen again, I swear.”

Teacher Chen wiped away her tears, her face solemn and resolute.

“Additionally, Wang Qingqing’s situation involves her personal privacy. Everyone here must keep it confidential. Rumors can be destructive, and we must not let gossip harm her.”

Principal Cheng’s sharp gaze swept over everyone present. Shen Lihuan and You Changqing nodded; they understood the seriousness of the situation and were not ones to spread gossip. The other school leaders also solemnly responded, “Yes.”

If word got out that a student at Ming High had HIV, it could cause social panic and damage the school’s reputation.

“What we need to do now is contact Wang Qingqing’s parents, inform them of this unfortunate news, and ensure she gets medical treatment as soon as possible.”

Principal Cheng’s voice was heavy, and he wiped the corner of his eye. “We will organize a school-wide fundraiser to support Wang Qingqing and her mother’s recovery…”

For a moment, the rooftop was filled only with Teacher Chen’s sobbing.

Silently, Shen Lihuan transferred her ability into Wang Qingqing’s body. In the post-apocalyptic era, HIV had already been eradicated, so hearing about it now left her momentarily dazed.

It seemed she needed to accelerate the development of her medicine. There were still so many patients in this world waiting for life-saving treatments—many who might not live long enough to see salvation.

Wang Qingqing’s family was just one example. Because of poverty, they couldn’t even afford medical expenses.

She still had so much to do…

Her ability couldn’t completely eradicate the HIV virus, but she could suppress its activity to the lowest level. In other words, Wang Qingqing wouldn’t face the risk of an outbreak for the next ten years.

Ten years—enough time for her to successfully develop a cure for HIV and other cancers. By then, Wang Qingqing and millions of patients would have a chance at survival!

With heavy hearts, Teacher Chen and Principal Cheng took Wang Qingqing to the hospital, completed her admission procedures, and informed her father of the cruel reality.

Wang Qingqing’s father, Wang Guodong, was an honest farmer. When he learned that his daughter had a terminal illness, he couldn’t stop himself from covering his mouth and sobbing. His sorrowful cries made everyone’s hearts ache.

But after crying, he quickly stood up, wiped away his tears, and said, “I can’t cry. I still have my wife and child to take care of. If I collapse, what will happen to them?”

Principal Cheng explained everything in detail. “Mr. Wang, we deeply regret this situation. We will handle Teacher Chen accordingly and organize a school-wide fundraiser to help your family. We hope your wife can undergo surgery soon.”

Wang Guodong did not rejoice at the fundraiser; instead, he looked at them anxiously. “Then… doesn’t that mean my daughter’s illness will become known? Won’t there be rumors?”

“Mr. Wang, please rest assured, we will not disclose Wang Qingqing’s condition. This is her private matter.”

Principal Cheng comforted the devoted father with sincerity.

“That’s good, that’s good… Thank you. I am truly grateful to all of you. I will repay this money, even if it takes a lifetime. I will never forget your kindness.”

Overcome with gratitude, Wang Guodong bowed deeply to them and even attempted to kneel, but Principal Cheng and the others quickly stopped him.

Shen Lihuan and You Changqing didn’t go to the hospital. On their way back to the classroom, You Changqing walked with her head down, feeling heavy-hearted. “Lihuan, let’s help Wang Qingqing. She’s too pitiful.”

Shen Lihuan stopped in her tracks, cupped You Changqing’s face in her hands, and said, “Changqing, don’t be sad. One day, I will develop a cure for cancer. I swear I will work hard to free people from illness. Wang Qingqing is a strong person. We can help her, but she doesn’t need our pity.”

“You’re right. She’s so brave—she wouldn’t want us to pity her.” The mist in You Changqing’s eyes cleared, replaced by newfound determination. “Let’s sponsor her mother’s surgery. I have over a million yuan saved in my personal fund. Is that enough for her surgery?”

Shen Lihuan gently stroked her soft cheeks before reluctantly letting go. “Don’t worry, I also have over a million yuan saved. Plus, with the donations from the students and staff, it should be enough for her mother’s surgery.”

“Then let’s go mobilize our classmates to donate now. No matter how much they give, it’s the thought that counts.” You Changqing held Shen Lihuan’s hand, interlocking their fingers, and hurried back to the classroom.

The students of Ming High were all kind-hearted. As soon as they heard that their classmate Wang Qingqing’s family was in trouble, they generously donated money to help her. With nearly two thousand students and faculty members in the school, the total donation amounted to 3,534,008 yuan.

Among them, You Changqing donated one million, and Shen Lihuan donated 1.5 million.

With this money, Wang Qingqing’s mother’s surgery was quickly scheduled. They only had to wait for the appointed time. To prevent Wang Qingqing’s mother from breaking down emotionally, her daughter’s condition was kept a secret from her.

Perhaps it was knowing that her mother would be saved, or perhaps her inner strength pushed her to choose life—when Wang Qingqing woke up in the hospital, she no longer tried to end her own life. When Wang Guodong cried beside her, she even smiled and comforted him, saying, “Medical technology is so advanced now. I’m only sixteen years old—I can wait. I believe that one day, I will recover.”

Wang Guodong covered his eyes, nodding continuously.

Shen Lihuan and You Changqing also visited her in the hospital. Wang Qingqing’s little brother was sitting obediently by her bed, telling her stories in his soft, childish voice, making Wang Qingqing tear up.

Shen Lihuan and You Changqing didn’t stay long. After chatting about some happy topics, they bid farewell. Before leaving, they gave Wang Qingqing’s little brother a large toy truck. The little boy’s eyes lit up with joy, but he still politely refused the gift. Only when Wang Qingqing told him to accept it did he softly say, “Thank you, Sister.”

Shen Lihuan patted his little head before leaving the hospital with You Changqing, their steps feeling heavy.

When she got home, Shen Lihuan held up a beauty ointment she had made and presented it to her parents. “Mom, Dad, I’ve decided—I want to start a skincare company to make money!”

Gu Qinglan picked up a jar of “Hongyan Powder,” examined it for a moment, then opened the lid, dabbed some on the back of her hand, and sniffed it. She nodded approvingly. “Not bad. This ointment smells really good, and the effects are… impressive!”

In just a few seconds, the ointment on the back of her hand was fully absorbed. The skin where she applied it became visibly whiter and smoother, creating a stark contrast with the untreated area.

Gu Qinglan immediately became interested. “Daughter, what are the effects of these ointments?”

Shen Lihuan sat across from her mother, picked up a jar of “Yingji Powder,” and tossed it in her hand. “Mom, the one in your hand is ‘Hongyan Powder.’ It removes melanin, making the skin fair and rosy. This one I have here is ‘Yingji Powder.’ It eliminates facial blemishes, making the skin clear and smooth. And this last one…”

She pointed to “Taorong Dew.” “This is ‘Taorong Dew.’ It clears acne and acne scars, leaving the skin flawless.”

“These three are all facial creams. But if someone is too lazy to apply cream, I also have oral pills—for wrinkle removal, redness reduction, and even weight loss. Everything you need.”

Shen Lihuan was eager to make money quickly so she could establish her research institute. She had already refined many types of pills and wasn’t worried that her parents would question her. She knew they would doubt anyone but her.

“Alright, just based on the effects of this ‘Hongyan Powder,’ I’ll help you start the company. But before that, I need to have these creams and pills tested. As long as they’re safe, the company can be set up in no time.”

Gu Qinglan didn’t waste words. She was a woman, after all, and she understood just how valuable these skincare products and pills were. As expected of her precious daughter—only sixteen years old and already developing her own pharmaceuticals!

Shen Jiashu, who was sipping tea on the side, sneakily glanced at the pills, thinking that once they passed testing, he would ask his daughter for some anti-wrinkle pills. Otherwise, if wrinkles appeared on his face, his wife would start disliking him.

Hmph, don’t think he didn’t know that plenty of young men were trying to pursue his wife…

The next day, August 10th, Shen Lihuan’s family dressed up and took a carriage to the You family’s estate.

The You family’s residence was no smaller than the Shen estate—luxurious, grand, and beautiful.

It was Shen Lihuan’s first time visiting Changqing’s home, so she couldn’t help but curiously look around. By the time they arrived, the banquet was about to begin. You Changqing and You Changhong greeted them with smiles.

After exchanging pleasantries, Shen Lihuan followed the siblings to the side for a chat.

“Lihuan, you won’t believe it! That Lin Ruyi still hasn’t broken up with that scumbag Qin! She even used her family’s influence to get him the male lead role in some drama. Has she lost her mind?”

You Changhong pouted, fuming as he clung to Shen Lihuan’s arm. “I wanted to use the You family’s name to blacklist him, but Sister wouldn’t let me.”

“Changqing, what do you think?”

Shen Lihuan turned to look at the person beside her. You Changqing gave her a helpless glance. “I can’t just blacklist Qin Aocheng because he pursued me. Besides, now that he has a girlfriend, if I take action, what will people think?”

“Changhong, Changqing is right. Now that Qin Aocheng has a girlfriend, and considering how he used to pester Changqing, if the You family blacklists him, people will think your sister is jealous and seeking revenge. If Qin Aocheng uses that to create hype, Changqing’s reputation will be ruined, and she won’t be able to clear her name.”

Shen Lihuan gently pinched You Changhong’s puffy, angry cheeks to calm the little guy down.

You Changhong pursed his lips, unwilling to give up. “So we’re just letting that scumbag Qin off?”

“Of course not. You two can’t take action, but I can. I’ll just mention to my father that Qin Aocheng used to harass me, and he’ll take care of it.”

As she said this, Shen Lihuan suddenly felt like her father was a real-life superhero—always there to solve her problems.

So this is the power of a father?

Warmth spread through her heart. She decided that as soon as she got home tonight, she would refine some health and longevity pills for her parents so they could stay youthful like twenty-year-olds.

“Thank you, Lihuan! You’re the best! Mua~”

You Changhong was overjoyed. He wrapped his arms around Shen Lihuan’s neck and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

You Changqing’s expression immediately darkened.

Shen Lihuan instinctively turned to look at her and, seeing her unhappy expression, guiltily coughed.

You Changqing’s face immediately darkened. Shen Lihuan instinctively turned to look at her, coughed guiltily when she saw her bad expression.

The banquet soon began. As the birthday boy, You Changhong went on stage to say a few words of thanks. Then, amidst the well-wishes, he closed his eyes, crossed his fingers, and silently made a wish. He took the dining knife handed over by his mother, Yang Yingzhi, and, together with his sister, made a few cuts on the cake…

Great, now they could enjoy the cake.

At the banquet, glasses clinked, and people gathered in small groups, chatting. This was the perfect time for networking and strengthening relationships.

Shen Lihuan and the You siblings were having a lively conversation, but Gu Qinglan and Shen Jiashu were not in a good mood.

She knew that returning to the Imperial Capital meant she would eventually run into the Gu family, but it wasn’t until she met Gu Qingrong that she realized the woman had become even more repulsive than before.

A woman with delicate and pitiful features stood before them, holding a wine glass. Her limpid eyes were filled with deep emotion—just one glance from her could make someone’s bones go soft.

“Sister, it’s been so long. I never thought that after all these years, you would still be so beautiful. Brother-in-law is truly lucky.”

Gu Qingrong’s watery eyes held a trace of grievance as she glanced at Shen Jiashu with a look of sorrow and melancholy. Her delicate frown made the men watching feel indignant on her behalf, shooting resentful glances at Shen Jiashu.

Shen Jiashu merely cast her an expression of disgust. “Qinglan’s mother only gave birth to her. I hope this lady won’t claim kinship out of nowhere.”

Gu Qingrong’s expression remained unchanged. She merely looked at Gu Qinglan with a mix of concern and hope. “I understand that you resent Mother for marrying Father. But Father is getting old now. Could you go home to see him? He’s missed you all this time.”

Gu Qinglan didn’t want to make a scene in public, so she smiled sweetly. “Miss Gu, did you not understand what my husband just said? Then let me ask you—what is your mother’s name? Don’t tell me it just happens to be Pei Yuanning as well?”

“Even though we don’t have the same mother, my mother is still your stepmother. Is it really so wrong for me to call you sister? Why do you hate me and my mother so much, even taking your resentment out on Father?”

Gu Qingrong’s eyes turned red, misty with unshed tears. She looked fragile, as if she had suffered a severe blow.

The surrounding men couldn’t bear to see this and began to side with Gu Qingrong, casting disapproving looks at Gu Qinglan.

“How could Madam Shen be so unreasonable? It’s one thing not to acknowledge Miss Gu and her mother, but to extend that hatred to Old Master Gu as well? What kind of deep grudge could exist between a father and daughter? Isn’t this just unfilial?”

Gu Qinglan narrowed her eyes, about to curse, when Shen Lihuan suddenly walked over. She bumped into the man who had spoken, nearly knocking him off balance. If not for the person beside him catching him, he might have fallen to the ground.

The man, having steadied himself, was just about to scold her—”Who are you? Can’t you watch where you’re going?”—but when he looked up, he saw the eldest Miss Shen staring at him with ice-cold eyes, her gaze as lifeless as if she were looking at a corpse. A chill ran down his spine.

The thrill of standing up for a beauty instantly evaporated. The Shen family was not to be trifled with. If he offended them, he wouldn’t even know how he’d die…

So, he cowardly apologized to Shen Lihuan and Gu Qinglan, slapping himself hard across the face a few times. “Madam Shen, Miss Shen, I just have a loose tongue. I drank too much and started spouting nonsense. Please don’t be angry. I’ll get out of your way right now—please forgive me.”

Shen Lihuan said nothing, just waved him off impatiently. The man scrambled away as if he were being chased by a hungry tiger.

Gu Qingrong sneered inwardly. A man like that speaking up for her? He wasn’t even worthy.

Shen Lihuan wrapped an arm around her mother’s shoulders, glanced down at Gu Qingrong with amusement, and said, “Dad, who’s this auntie? Could she be one of your past flings? Look at her pitiful little face—doesn’t she remind you of an ancient-era ‘skinny horse’?”

A “skinny horse” had nothing to do with actual horses. It was a term used to describe a practice that catered to the twisted desires of wealthy merchants.

What is a ‘skinny horse’?

Brokers, both male and female, would purchase young girls from poor families at low prices, raise them, and then sell them at high prices—just like how merchants would buy underfed horses, fatten them up, and resell them for profit. This was why such women were called “skinny horses.”

A “skinny horse” was lowly, nothing more than a plaything for the rich.

Shen Lihuan’s words were undeniably vicious.

The men who had been watching the scene and enjoying the drama now looked at Gu Qingrong with lustful glances. Women like her were their favorite type—delicate and pitiful, making men want to “bully” them.

Meanwhile, the women present were gloating. Women like Gu Qingrong were the ones they despised the most—no different from the mistresses who ruined marriages. Like mother, like daughter—the apple clearly didn’t fall far from the tree.

Gu Qingrong’s gaze turned ice-cold in an instant. She took a deep breath, forcing down her anger. In all her life—aside from the first ten years—no one had ever dared to insult her like this!

But Gu Qingrong was patient. She quickly regained her composure and looked at Shen Lihuan with the expression of someone disappointed in an unruly child. “Sister, I know you only have Lihuan, but spoiling a child too much will only harm them. Overindulgence is like killing them! Look at how Lihuan speaks to me—since I’m her aunt, I should—”

“Wait a minute!” Gu Qingrong hadn’t finished speaking when Shen Lihuan cut her off. “This auntie really loves talking to herself. Since you claim to be my mom’s sister, let me ask you—was your mother your birth mother?”

Gu Qingrong answered without hesitation, “Of course.” That was obvious, wasn’t it?

“And was your father your birth father?”

“Of cou—” Gu Qingrong was about to say “Of course,” but then she suddenly remembered that she was, on the surface, her father’s stepdaughter. The words got stuck in her throat.

“If you weren’t your father’s biological daughter, but my mother was, then why have I never met my grandfather? If he truly cared about his biological daughter, why hasn’t he reached out even once in over ten years?”

Shen Lihuan swirled the red wine in her glass. “If my grandfather really missed his daughter, why hasn’t he visited her in the same city? Or even just called? Why would he need a stepdaughter like you to pass on the message? My mother has been away from the Imperial Capital for eighteen years—if he truly missed her, why wait eighteen years? What do you think, Auntie?”

Shen Lihuan smiled at Gu Qingrong, her lips curling into a wicked smirk that made You Changqing’s heart race.

Shen Lihuan looked at Gu Qingrong with a smile, the wicked curve at the corner of her lips making You Changqing’s heartbeat quicken.

You Changhong silently applauded—Sister Lihuan was truly domineering, shutting that fake woman up completely. She was simply a role model for their generation!

Most of the people attending tonight’s banquet were of the same generation as Shen Jiashu and Gu Qinglan, so they naturally knew what had happened back then. There had once been rumors of an engagement between Shen Jiashu and Gu Qingrong, but no one had expected Shen Jiashu to abandon the Shen family and move far away to Lan City for Gu Qinglan.

Gu Qinglan severing ties with the Gu family was no secret either. Many saw her actions as immature—just because her father had cheated, she cut off their father-daughter relationship? It seemed like an overreaction.

Gu Qingrong accused Gu Qinglan of returning to the imperial capital without visiting their father, and deep down, many did think Gu Qinglan was unfilial. However, because of the Shen family’s status, they didn’t dare say anything. But after hearing Shen Lihuan’s words, they started to feel that the old master of the Gu family was quite ruthless—ignoring his own daughter for eighteen years. No wonder Gu Qinglan wanted nothing to do with him.

Did the old master of the Gu family not realize that Gu Qinglan was now the young madam of the Shen family? The three major families weren’t just for show—if Gu Qinglan truly resented what he had done in the past, the Gu family would be in serious trouble…

It seemed like they should keep their distance from the Gu family to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

For the first time, Gu Qingrong was left speechless. She bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked at Gu Qinglan sorrowfully. “Sister, I’ve said everything I needed to. I know you have many misunderstandings about me and Mother, but I just hope you won’t take it out on Father. He really misses you.”

Seeing that Gu Qingrong still had the audacity to put on an act, Shen Lihuan strode up to her and patted her cheek, speaking earnestly, “Auntie, you look like you’re forty already—playing the fragile victim really doesn’t suit you…”

You Changhong, who had been eavesdropping on the drama, finally couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

In truth, Gu Qingrong was very well-maintained, looking no older than thirty. Her delicate features were perfectly suited for her pitiful expressions. Combined with her slender waist and ample chest, it was no wonder she had managed to charm the playboy He Xi into marrying her—it was proof of her allure.

However, a woman who always played the damsel in distress might earn a man’s affection temporarily, but over time, he would grow tired of it and see her as lacking in status. That was exactly what happened with He Xi—though he still loved Gu Qingrong, he often left her behind when attending banquets.

This time, Gu Qingrong had pestered him for ages before he finally agreed to bring her along.

Right now, He Xi was engaged in conversation with his business partners. If he found out she had provoked Shen Jiashu, he would probably dislike her even more.

Gu Qingrong’s face alternated between pale and green with anger before she finally left with a forced smile.

Shen Lihuan admired her ability to endure, but from today on, her good days were over.

Thinking about the drug she had discreetly sprinkled on Gu Qingrong’s face earlier, Shen Lihuan smirked wickedly.

After Gu Qingrong left, Shen Jiashu shot his daughter a “well done” look, while Gu Qinglan rubbed her daughter’s cheek fondly and said happily, “My daughter is amazing. Thank you for standing up for me.”

Shen Lihuan flicked her hand smugly. “Of course! After all, I’m Mom and Dad’s daughter.”

For the rest of the night, no one else dared to cause trouble. Shen Lihuan and You Changqing sneaked out to the courtyard, sitting shoulder to shoulder as they gazed at the stars.

Shen Lihuan looked at You Changqing’s flawless profile, her heart itching. No matter how many times she looked, Changqing only became more beautiful—she never got tired of it.

How could there be someone so perfectly suited to her aesthetic?

If she couldn’t find someone like Changqing, she might as well stay single forever.

“Lihuan, do you want to drink?”

You Changqing turned to her with bright eyes. Shen Lihuan countered, “Do you want to drink? If you do, I’ll drink with you.”

“Yes! I’ll take you to our wine cellar—the real treasures are there.”

You Changqing took Shen Lihuan’s hand and, like a sneaky little cat stealing fish, tiptoed toward the wine cellar. Before opening the door, she even peeked around to make sure no one was watching before slipping inside.

Shen Lihuan chuckled—did they really need to sneak into their own wine cellar?

As if reading Shen Lihuan’s thoughts, You Changqing winked at her. “It has to be sneaky to feel exciting! Besides, if Changhong finds out, he’ll definitely want to join us. He has a low tolerance and gets crazy when drunk. Last time we were out for dinner, he secretly drank a single cup and immediately got wasted—then started drunkenly clinging to a random passerby…”

Recalling the chaotic scene, You Changqing rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

Shen Lihuan couldn’t stop laughing. “Changhong is really that ridiculous?”

“You haven’t heard the worst part. He’s a total face-con, and when he saw that the man he clung to was handsome, he hugged him and said, ‘You’re so good-looking! Be my eighteenth concubine! I’m rich—I’ll buy you anything you want.’”

Shen Lihuan burst into laughter—Changhong was hilarious!

As You Changqing picked out a bottle of red wine, she shook her head. “The man’s face turned completely black. To prevent Changhong from getting beaten up, I had the restaurant staff carry him to the car—better to remove him before he embarrassed himself further. The next day, he didn’t remember a thing and even accused me of making it up. I swear, I wanted to beat him up.”

“I support you. You can’t go easy on brats like that.”

Shen Lihuan browsed the wine labels and pulled out a bottle of La Romanée-Conti. You Changqing retrieved two vacuum-sealed wine glasses from the shelf. “Let’s drink it here before we go out—I really don’t want to deal with those people.”

“Same.” Shen Lihuan agreed. “But my dad is running two companies now—it’s really tough. If I don’t take over the family business, he won’t have an heir.”

She pinched her chin thoughtfully, then dismissed her own idea. “Actually, it wouldn’t make much of a difference. He could just entrust the company to a reliable subordinate and collect dividends. I’m more worried that I’ll be stuck in the lab all day in the future and won’t have much time to spend with my parents. If they had another little cotton-padded jacket* by their side, I’d feel more at ease.”

(*Note: “Little cotton-padded jacket” is a Chinese phrase referring to a daughter who brings warmth and comfort to her parents.)

You Changqing followed her train of thought and continued, “That’s actually not a bad idea. Aunt Gu and Uncle Shen are almost forty years old. If they have a child now, by the time the child grows up, they’ll only be sixty. But Aunt Gu will probably choose to undergo IVF at a hospital this time. After all, having a baby at her age could be risky.”

Shen Lihuan fell silent for a moment. She initially wanted to say that as long as she was around, everything would be fine. But on second thought, having a child should be her parents’ choice. Over the years, her mother had only given birth to her, either because she didn’t want more children or because she didn’t want another child competing for their affection.

“I’ll talk to my parents again tonight and see what they think.”

“Then shall we toast?” You Changqing asked.

She filled two wine glasses, and Shen Lihuan took one, clinking it with hers. “Cheers!”

As they sipped the rich, flavorful wine, they chatted and laughed, letting time slip away.

Shen Lihuan had a decent alcohol tolerance and didn’t get drunk even after a few glasses of red wine. You Changqing, however, wasn’t as good with alcohol and was already slightly intoxicated.

Seeing her dazed and adorable expression, Shen Lihuan coaxed her into putting down the wine glass. Fortunately, You Changqing had good drinking habits—she wasn’t the type to cry or make a fuss when drunk. Instead, she let Shen Lihuan do as she pleased, resembling a life-sized doll.

The moment Shen Lihuan took away her glass, You Changqing drowsily lifted her head, tilting it as she gazed at her with an innocent look, impossibly cute.

Shen Lihuan ruffled her hair, set the wine glasses and bottle aside, and led her out. The banquet was nearing its end, making it a good time to leave.

You Changqing obediently held her hand and giggled. Shen Lihuan, surprised by the laughter, turned her head, only to see bright eyes staring back at her. You Changqing even swayed their intertwined hands before playfully switching their grip to a finger-laced hold, looking immensely pleased with herself.

Shen Lihuan shook her head indulgently and continued leading her outside. But as she opened the door to the wine cellar, You Changqing suddenly pressed her against it, holding her shoulders. Worried about hurting her, Shen Lihuan didn’t struggle and instead asked gently, “Changqing, what’s wrong?”

The scent of red wine lingered in her breath as she had just taken a sip. Like a little puppy, You Changqing leaned in and sniffed before giggling foolishly. “You smell like wine.”

“Silly Changqing, of course, I do. I just drank some.”

You Changqing’s eyes drifted to her lips. Then, without thinking, she stuck out her pink tongue and licked her lips, feeling an overwhelming urge to take a bite—she was sure they would taste delicious.

Thinking quickly, she blurted out, “Then I want to drink too!”

Shen Lihuan was about to persuade her not to drink anymore when You Changqing’s warm lips suddenly pressed against hers. She started by clumsily licking her lips before attempting to slip her tongue inside.

Her lips were as soft and sweet as marshmallows, making Shen Lihuan’s heart skip a beat. Seeing that her tongue wasn’t making its way in, You Changqing pouted pitifully.

Shen Lihuan sighed. “Changqing, we can’t—” Before she could finish her sentence, You Changqing decisively bit down on her lip. Taking advantage of her momentary pain, she slipped her tongue inside, twining it around Shen Lihuan’s like a dancing serpent.

Shen Lihuan inhaled sharply. Her hands, which had been resting on You Changqing’s shoulders, slid down to her waist. Lifting her slightly, she took control of the kiss, pressing back with force.

For a while, the only sounds in the wine cellar were the echoes of their deepening kiss. You Changqing’s body grew weak, turning into a puddle in Shen Lihuan’s arms. If not for the firm grip around her waist, she would have embarrassingly collapsed to the floor.

Someone once said that kissing was like carrying a gas cylinder up eighteen flights of stairs. That was exactly how You Changqing felt—breathless and lightheaded.

When their lips finally parted, she clung to Shen Lihuan’s waist, panting heavily, her eyes dazed. Shen Lihuan’s black pupils darkened, her heart a mess of emotions—flustered yet sweet, chaotic yet inexplicably comforting.

Just as she steadied herself to ask You Changqing what this meant for them, she found that the girl had already dozed off on her shoulder…

Shen Lihuan exhaled deeply, shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts. It was just a kiss brought on by drunkenness. Chances were, Changqing wouldn’t even remember it when she woke up. There was no need to overthink it.

She opened the wine cellar door and carried You Changqing out. Only the lingering scent of wine bore witness to what had just transpired.

As Shen Lihuan carried You Changqing through the courtyard, she ran into You Changhong, who had been searching for them.

“Lihuan-jie, where did you and my sister go? I couldn’t find you anywhere.”

Shen Lihuan hushed him with a finger to her lips. “Changqing is asleep. Lead the way for me—I’ll carry her back to her room.”

“Alright, let’s take this path so no one at the banquet sees us.”

You Changhong led the way, glancing at his sister’s flushed face with curiosity. “Lihuan-jie, why is my sister’s face so red?”

Recalling what had happened just moments ago, Shen Lihuan coughed awkwardly. “We went to the wine cellar to drink, but your sister fell asleep.”

“Ahhh!” You Changhong groaned, lowering his voice. “Why didn’t you invite me?”

Seeing his aggrieved expression, Shen Lihuan comforted him gently. “There wasn’t a chance this time. Next time, we’ll invite you.”

His mood changed in an instant. Shen Lihuan’s words made him so happy that he practically bounced. “Great! I’ll be waiting for your invitation, Lihuan-jie!”

The two quickly took a shortcut to the second floor. You Changqing’s room, like her personality, was cool and composed, decorated in blue and white tones. Shen Lihuan didn’t pay much attention to the details; she simply laid You Changqing down carefully and tucked her in.

Not wanting to disturb her sleep, they tiptoed out of the room. By then, the banquet was ending. After parting ways with You Changhong, Shen Lihuan returned to her parents. Gu Qinglan knew she had gone off with You Changqing but didn’t question her whereabouts—after all, it was only natural for her daughter to spend time alone with her future daughter-in-law.

As the banquet concluded, Gu Qingrong left with her husband, He Xi. She happened to catch sight of Gu Qinglan and Shen Jiashu standing close together, their faces glowing with happiness.

The sight was a stab to her heart.

She had schemed and manipulated to win over a man who was now growing more disgusted with her by the day. Yet Gu Qinglan didn’t have to lift a finger, and Shen Jiashu remained utterly devoted to her.

They were both daughters of the same father, so why did Gu Qinglan get to live a life of bliss while she bore the shameful title of an illegitimate daughter?

Gu Qinglan, one day, I will make you lose everything you have!

Shen Lihuan keenly sensed a malicious gaze. She instinctively turned her head to look, but all she saw was the crowd moving around, with no one actually looking at them. When Gu Qinglan asked her what was wrong, she turned back as if nothing had happened and said, “Nothing,” before continuing forward.

Gu Qingrong returned to the villa in Biyun Pavilion. After taking a bath, she sat in front of her dressing mirror, applying skincare products. Even though she still looked young now, she couldn’t neglect her maintenance for even a moment. Men were all creatures driven by lust—if she aged and became ugly, would He Xi still love her?

She prided herself on understanding men thoroughly, yet she forgot that serving with beauty alone was futile—once beauty faded, love would wane.

That night, He Xi drank quite a lot. After taking a bath, he lay on the bed and fell asleep immediately. Gu Qingrong sat beside him with resentment, but no matter how much she stared, He Xi’s thunderous snores continued, and he didn’t wake up. She gritted her teeth, suppressing the urge to scratch his face, then turned over and lay beside him.

The next morning, He Xi woke up urgently needing to pee. He scratched his head, about to get up and go to the bathroom, but as soon as he felt the soft, warm body in his arms, he was suddenly tempted to steal a kiss. However, when he saw Gu Qingrong’s face clearly, he almost wet himself in fright!

Three fist-sized tumors had suddenly grown on Gu Qingrong’s face. But that wasn’t the scariest part—the truly horrifying thing was that each tumor had a human face on it!

As He Xi stared at them in shock, the faces on the tumors turned to look at him. Their dark, hollow eyes locked onto him, and their sharp teeth clattered, making a chilling crunching sound, as if they were about to tear him apart!

Terrified, He Xi rolled off the bed and scrambled out of the room, yelling, “Monster! There’s a monster!”

The noise woke Gu Qingrong. She yawned in annoyance, “What’s wrong with you? Making such a fuss so early in the morning—”

Her fingers accidentally brushed against one of the tumors on her face. The human face on it twisted into a grimace and opened its mouth wide, biting down on her finger. Gu Qingrong screamed in pain and yanked her hand away, only to see a deep bite mark on her finger, fresh blood flowing out instantly.

In disbelief, she grabbed her hair, screaming, “What is this? What’s on my face?!”

Meanwhile, He Xi ran out of the room, roaring in terror. He bumped into a servant cleaning the living room and immediately grabbed his arm. “There’s a monster! A monster!”

The servant looked at him in confusion. “Sir, what’s wrong? What monster?”

He Xi stared intensely at the servant’s face, and after confirming that he only had one face, He Xi’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed onto the floor. The servant panicked, quickly holding him up. “Sir! Sir!”

The moment He Xi fled the room, Gu Qingrong had a terrible premonition. She threw off the blanket and rushed to the dressing mirror, only to see that her face had indeed sprouted three grotesque, fist-sized tumors, each bearing a human face!

The horrifying sight nearly drove Gu Qingrong mad. Now that she looked like this, would He Xi still want her? Judging from his reaction just now, he had clearly been scared out of his wits… What was she going to do now?

Gu Qingrong was lost in despair…

…

The next morning, You Changqing woke up feeling refreshed and warm in a comfortable bed. She recalled drinking with Lihuan in the wine cellar last night—she had gotten drunk. But how had she made it back to her room?

Could it be that Lihuan had carried her back?

She rolled out of bed and quickly washed up before heading downstairs. You Changhong was already at the dining table, munching on a sandwich. When he saw her coming down, he grinned and waved, “Sister, you’re up! Come have breakfast—there’s your favorite shrimp porridge.”

You Changqing walked over and sat beside him, greeting her mother, Mrs. Yang Yingzhi, with a nod. “Good morning, Mom~”

“Good morning. Have some porridge first to fill your stomach. You went to bed early last night, so you must be hungry now.”

Yang Yingzhi personally served her a bowl of shrimp porridge. The fragrant aroma of shrimp and rice filled the air, instantly making You Changqing feel the hunger in her stomach.

“Thank you, Mom.” She smiled as she took the bowl, scooped up a spoonful of porridge, blew on it to cool it down, and then took a sip.

You Changhong finished his sandwich and let out a satisfied sigh before turning to tease his sister. “Sister, you and Lihuan secretly went drinking last night and didn’t even invite me.”

You Changqing paused for a moment before asking, “How did I get back to my room last night? Did you carry me?”

“How could I? Look at my scrawny arms and legs! It was Lihuan who carried you back—she even did a princess carry!”

You Changhong admitted his weakness without hesitation, then flashed a mischievous grin at You Changqing. “Lihuan was so gentle—she even took off your shoes and tucked you in. Sigh, I wonder who’ll be lucky enough to marry her in the future…”

He clicked his tongue and shook his head dramatically, as if lamenting a great loss.

Yang Yingzhi chuckled and playfully knocked on his head. “Finish your breakfast quickly, you still have school later.”

You Changhong stuck out his tongue before obediently returning to his sandwich.

Hearing You Changhong talk about how well Lihuan had taken care of her, You Changqing felt a warm sweetness in her heart. She scooped up a plump, fragrant shrimp and popped it into her mouth, and for some reason, it tasted even sweeter than usual.