Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Never Expected to Start Off on the Wrong Foot

However, if the XJ Group was eyeing the Lu Family’s domestic influence, that would make sense.

However… this time, the Lu Family wasn’t so lucky.

She slowly released Xia Wenjin’s face, which she had been gripping tightly, and glanced at her face that had long since turned pale with fright, and said coolly, “Take this opportunity to practice being a rich heiress. Perhaps, you don’t have many days left…”

After saying this, Lu Zhaozhao left without looking back.

Xia Wenjin stood there in a daze for a long while before she snapped back to reality. Just as she was about to curse, someone suddenly patted her shoulder…

Xia Wenjin turned around and saw Xia Wenyan wearing a mask and hat.

“Who was that woman just now? Your classmate?”

Xia Wenyan had just come out of the trainee base. He had missed a call from Xia Wenmo and was intending to buy him a book at the bookstore to apologize.

He hadn’t expected to see someone who looked almost like his sister as soon as he got to the mall.

He had not had the chance to come over when he saw Xia Wenjin arguing with someone.

By the time he took the elevator up from the ground floor, the two had already parted ways.

Thinking of what Lu Zhaozhao had just said, Xia Wenjin was burning with anger, but seeing the concerned look on Xia Wenyan’s face, she suddenly had an idea.

“Fourth brother, that person just now… she bullied me…” Xia Wenjin started speaking and raised her hand to press the corner of her eye.

Xia Wenyan gave Xia Wenjin a look and suddenly laughed, “Someone actually dared to bully you? I thought it was already good enough if you didn’t bully others~”

Listening to Xia Wenyan’s words. Xia Wenjin’s anger flared even more, but thinking of her plan, she could only grit her teeth and suppress the rage in her heart.

“Fourth brother… you’ve been at the trainee base, so you don’t know, but that person just now will be your sister from now on, I… I, wu wu wu…”

Xia Wenyan’s brows lifted, and he fixed his gaze snugly on Xia Wenjin, “What does that mean? What do you mean that person will be my sister?”

Prior, he only knew that Xia Wenmo had asked them to go to the hospital, thinking it was because of the surgery that he wanted them there, especially since he had just agreed to undergo surgery a few days ago.

Now it seemed, the events of the past few days were probably not so simple.

Seeing that Xia Wenyan had taken the bait, Xia Wenjin spoke pitifully, “That person just now is named Lu Zhaozhao, she’s the heiress of the Lu Family…”

She then exaggeratedly relayed Lu Zhaozhao’s story about being switched at birth and retold her cover story from the Xia Family to Xia Wenyan.

Unlike the other members of the Xia Family, Xia Wenyan was not aware of Xia Wenjin’s actions, so upon hearing about how Xia Wenjin was bullied by Lu Zhaozhao, he almost immediately believed it.

Xia Wenjin pressed the corner of her eye again and continued to sob pathetically, “Fourth brother, I don’t know what Lu Zhaozhao said to our parents this time, but they’ve been very cold to me, and it seems like all my brothers are starting to hate me…”

Xia Wenyan slightly raised one eyebrow and pondered for a moment before patting her shoulder and comforting her, “Even before Lu Zhaozhao arrived, second brother and third brother didn’t like you either, so don’t worry, there’s not much difference.”

“…”

Listening to Xia Wenyan’s blunt remark, Xia Wenjin wished she could kick him twice.

If it weren’t for his popularity in the trainee group, which might lead to success in the entertainment industry in the future, she wouldn’t be bothering with such an emotionally unintelligent straight male.

She took a deep breath and tried to craft a smile that looked reasonably genuine, “Fourth brother, are you going to distance yourself from me because of this new sister?”

Xia Wenyan’s charming peach-like eyes instantly curved into a smile, “Don’t worry, I definitely won’t.”

Upon hearing Xia Wenyan’s words, Xia Wenjin’s eyelids drooped, “You say that now, but once we’re home, you might change your mind, even mom and dad were deceived by her…”

“Maybe mom and dad were just a bit shocked and haven’t had time to come to terms with it. Don’t worry, I’ll go home today and test the waters for you.” Saying this, he winked at Xia Wenjin, “Trust your fourth brother.”

Xia Wenjin nodded, “Alright, then I’ll wait for your good news~”

“…”

When Xia Wenyan returned to the Xia Family’s home, it just happened to be noon.

As soon as he entered, he dove straight into the dining room.

“Dad, Mom, I’m back!” He had just taken off his mask and was standing at the entrance of the dining room when he saw that it was packed full inside.

Not only were his oldest brother Xia Wenjue, who seldom stayed at home, and his second brother Xia Wenqing there, but even Xia Wenmo, who lived at the hospital, was unexpectedly present.

He was stunned for a moment, his gaze finally resting on the girl closest to Wen Qingyu.

Her features were about seventy percent similar to his mother’s, though her appearance was more exquisite.

This must be Lu Zhaozhao, the new sister Xia Wenjin had mentioned at the mall earlier.Upd@te by novg0 .co

Had he not heard from Xia Wenjin about her, he might also have taken a liking to her.

But remembering Xia Wenjin’s words, his brows furrowed as he took a seat directly opposite Lu Zhaozhao.

Feigning ignorance, he stared at her and asked loudly, “Who is she? Why is she in our house?”

“Smack!”

“Ah!”

Xia Wenyan looked at Xia Wenjue in shock after receiving a swift hit to the head, “Big brother, why did you hit me?”

Xia Wenjue glanced at him coldly, “I hit you because you were disrespectful to your sister. Even if she were a guest, you shouldn’t have spoken with that tone. Apologize now!”

Xia Wenyan’s mouth twitched. He never expected to falter like this.

He pursed his lips sullenly, hoping to play it down, but swiftly he found himself on the receiving end of sharp glares from all directions.

It was almost like if he didn’t apologize right then, they were about to lay into him.

With a muffled pout, he muttered, “Sorry.”

“Smack!”

“Ah!”

Xia Wenyan looked at his second brother Xia Wenqing, his expression now even more aggrieved, “Second brother, why did you hit me?”

Xia Wenqing gave him a sidelong glance, “Apologize sincerely. Have all your manners gone to the dogs?”

Xia Wenyan silently gave Xia Wenqing a look, then his gaze met with Xia Wenmo, who sat beside Lu Zhaozhao, attempting to send a plea for help.

Aside from Xia Wenjin, Xia Wenmo was the one he got along with best. He should help him, right?

Unexpectedly, Xia Wenmo looked back at Xia Wenyan with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, saying lightly, “You should be grateful I’m not sitting next to you, or else I’d definitely knock that blockhead of yours right off.”

Even though Xia Wenmo’s face bore a smile, Xia Wenyan could feel that with each word, Xia Wenmo seemed like he wanted to bite off his back teeth.

He really wanted to knock off Xia Wenyan’s head.

All this catastrophe was because of Lu Zhaozhao!

He had thought Xia Wenjin was being alarmist, but now it seemed the situation at home was even more severe than he imagined.

He couldn’t fathom what spell Lu Zhaozhao had cast over everyone, to have them all take her side like this, humph!

All he could do was seethe silently, not even noticing that Lu Zhaozhao’s gaze towards him was filled with astonishment–