Chapter 10: My Little Wu

Lu Xuan rarely returned home, but in his memory, Lu Ning was just a skinny, rebellious, and reclusive little runt who didn’t get along with anyone in the family, let alone Qiao Wu, that snob.

It was really amusing. Back when he had a falling out with the Old Man and ran away from home for over a year, Qiao Wu repeatedly told him not to be held back by his wealthy family status. She claimed she would be his sole support, backing his dream of entering the entertainment industry and exploring a broader world.

But what happened? After returning to the country for over a week, she didn’t say a word or show her face. Now that he personally reached out, she actually refused.

Lu Xuan looked down at her with disdain: “I’m very angry.”

“…”

Qiao Wu seemed at a loss for words.

How had that honest and gentle childhood friend become so insufferable?

She pondered for a moment: “I finally understand why your last drama flopped without anyone noticing.”

Flopped?

What kind of nonsense was that?

Lu Xuan frowned slightly: “Didn’t you say it was well-acted? You even memorized the lines.”

“Oh, I lied.” Qiao Wu recalled, and indeed, there was some memory of it. “The acting was so bad, I couldn’t finish watching it.”

“?”

“That cheesy little web drama with the domineering CEO, right?” Qiao Wu couldn’t bear to dwell on it for more than two seconds, not wanting to crush him too much. “But there’s one thing you did well—you were deeply immersed in the role. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be talking like this now.”

“???”

Creak, creak.

Lu Ning’s ears perked up: “What’s that sound?”

Qiao Wu smiled: “Probably the sound of someone grinding their molars.”

Lu Xuan took his idol image seriously and never hid his privileged background, so no one dared to challenge him openly.

But the young masters and misses of the Lu Family were used to being pampered, which made them act recklessly. Now that Qiao Wu was back, she naturally wouldn’t indulge their bad habits.

Being mocked like this, Lu Xuan’s face turned green.

Something wasn’t right.

He stood still for two seconds, then turned and kicked open the hospital room door, leaning against the doorway with a frown: “Old Man, did you write a will and leave me out?”

If the Old Man hadn’t stripped him of his inheritance rights, why would Qiao Wu suddenly treat him so harshly?

The room fell silent for a moment, followed by Lu Jiang’s thunderous roar: “Get the hell out of here!!!”

A loud bang echoed from the door, likely from something being thrown at it, forcing Lu Xuan to take a few steps back: “Seems like you’re in great spirits. What’s the illness? You’ve always been this unhinged.”

It was a good thing Lu Jiang had the foresight to keep the doctor waiting outside. The doctor finally seized the opportunity to rush in, shouting as he ran.

“Please, don’t get worked up!”

Qiao Wu closed the hospital room door again and turned back with a sigh: “Is your mouth on loan and you’re in a hurry to return it? Would it hurt to say less?”

“My fault?”

“Is it mine?” Qiao Wu asked, puzzled. “Since when can’t you handle the truth?”

Lu Xuan stared at her for a while, still feeling something was off. Suddenly, he reached out and took off the glasses on her nose.

Qiao Wu instinctively squinted, her brows lifting slightly in confusion.

Her light-colored pupils, visible beneath the lenses, reflected the white hospital lights, clear and bright, as if they could instantly peer into someone’s heart, carrying a startling sense of familiarity.

Lu Xuan’s hand froze mid-air, his heart skipping a beat. He roughly put the glasses back on her face and took half a step back.

He had known Qiao Wu for twenty-two years, even their baby bottles from childhood were a matching pair.

The family was full of boys, all with tough temperaments, but little Qiao Wu was sweet and soft. When his older brothers were too busy for him, it was always little Qiao Wu who would come to his side and accompany him to school.

Back then, the little girl who always sat beside him couldn’t understand the teacher’s lessons, so she would often look at him with that kind of gaze.

But people’s hearts change in an instant, let alone over a decade.

His thoughts swirled in a thousand directions in a single moment.

Qiao Wu knew that Lu Xuan liked to overthink. When the eldest young master of the Lu Family was still around, the relationship between the Lu brothers was decent.

But after the eldest young master passed away unexpectedly, the Lu Family fell into chaos overnight. With a stubborn Old Master and a young Lu Jinzhi shouldering all the responsibilities, Lu Xuan, who had just entered adolescence, was naturally left unattended. This made him sensitive, quiet, and unable to express himself.

At that time, Qiao Wu spent her days hovering around the young masters and misses of the family, acting as their mobile support system, all to ease her father’s burden.

So now, Qiao Wu didn’t give him much time to think. After straightening her glasses, she took Lu Ning’s hand and walked up to him: “I’m not comfortable letting Lu Ning go home alone. Let’s talk about whatever it is when we get home, okay?”

“Qiao Wu,” Lu Xuan found it amusing, “since when did I become second priority in your heart?”

Lu Ning immediately became alert.

Second? Was he first before?!

So not only was Qiao Wu deeply connected to Lu Yingchi, but she also had some unspeakable dealings with Lu Xuan?!

Wait, does Lu Yingchi know about this?

Her expression cracked, and for a moment, she couldn’t hold back: “Didn’t you say I was your first priority?!”

Lu Xuan’s tone instantly turned dangerous: “What did you say?”

“…”

What’s there to argue about? Qiao Wu had a headache and tried to soothe them, “You’re both tied for first.”

“Who wants to tie with him?!”

They spoke in unison.

Lu Xuan lost patience with competing for favor with a kid. He grabbed Qiao Wu’s other wrist and issued an ultimatum: “Either come with me now, or don’t come looking for me again. Hmm?”

Hmm?

Do you think you’re some kind of domineering CEO?

Qiao Wu didn’t even think: “Let go.”

Lu Xuan was stunned, his hand losing its grip as Qiao Wu pulled away. He looked at his empty palm and slowly smiled.

He knew exactly why Qiao Wu used to say she wanted to be his most loyal lackey in the past.

Money? He had plenty.

Keeping a lackey wasn’t something he couldn’t afford.

But now, it seemed his lackey was no longer loyal.

The only person who stood by his side, even if it was insincere, was now gone.

“Forget it, I don’t like people who are fickle,” Lu Xuan said with a smile. “Since you’ve refused, I’ll just find someone else who can be tamed.”

Qiao Wu moved her wrist, reached up, and took off his pretentious sunglasses, shattering his idol image without mercy: “Talking like this really isn’t cool, and it’s honestly quite cringey.”

Lu Xuan, suddenly left without his sunglasses: “?”

Qiao Wu hooked his sunglasses onto the decorative chain around his neck and pulled forward, like she was tugging a dog’s collar: “Let’s go. It’s been so long since you’ve been home, and you don’t have any schedule these two days.”

Lu Xuan was so shocked by her unprecedented and bold behavior that he instinctively followed her. It took him a while to react: “Are you pulling a dog leash?!”

Those who heard the commotion glanced over, forcing Lu Xuan to quickly compose himself and half-hide behind Qiao Wu as they got into the car.

Seeing him swiftly get in and close the door in one smooth motion, as if he wanted to bury himself in the seat, Qiao Wu couldn’t help but laugh. “Actually, you’re not that famous yet.”

Lu Xuan’s fists clenched tightly.

Finally seeing him settle down, Qiao Wu asked while driving, “So, what’s the matter?”

Lu Xuan indeed had no official schedule, but he had plenty of private engagements, mostly with investors trying to win him over. He could also seize any resources he fancied.

However, he had just fired his previous agent, and the company had given him a couple of days off until the next one took over and arranged his work. So, he had no one to accompany him to tonight’s social event.

Thinking that Qiao Wu had returned to the country, he planned to have her fill in. Although she wasn’t particularly intelligent, had poor judgment, and was quite opportunistic, at least she could serve him tea or water.

But now Lu Xuan regretted it. He felt that the current Qiao Wu might just make him serve her instead.

“No need,” he said lazily.

Qiao Wu nodded but didn’t press further. “Alright.”

Even though this was the outcome Lu Xuan wanted, he couldn’t shake off a sense of unease. He simply put on his sunglasses and took a nap, out of sight, out of mind.

He was awakened by someone pushing him. Lu Xuan blinked at the familiar garage, momentarily dazed.

He had actually fallen asleep in the car of someone he disliked.

Even in a hotel room alone at night, he needed melatonin to barely get any sleep.

Thinking he was still half-asleep, Qiao Wu gently suggested, “Go back and sleep?”

Lu Xuan slowly turned his head. Qiao Wu’s face, under the warm yellow light, appeared strikingly gentle.

He instinctively touched his sunglasses.

They were still on his face; otherwise, he couldn’t imagine what kind of uncontrollable expression he might be wearing now.

It must have looked utterly foolish.

Lu Xuan unbuckled his seatbelt and wordlessly slammed the door as he left.

The Lu Residence was just as it had always been, filled with many servants but devoid of any real warmth.

Lu Xuan scoffed. What was the point of coming back to such a home?

However, during dinner, he noticed a new smart robot in the dining room. Assuming it was just for serving dishes, he didn’t pay much attention until Qiao Wu stood in front of the robot and beckoned him over.

“What is it?”

“My new toy, want to try it?” Qiao Wu smiled as she adjusted the equipment. “Lu Ning and Lu Yingchi both said it’s fun.”

Lu Ning, who was focused on eating to avoid the awkward atmosphere, thought, “?”

Remembering the slap she and Lu Yingchi had received, she swallowed her food and nodded firmly.

Lu Xuan: “…”

Lu Yingchi and Lu Ning playing games together?

The image was too beautiful; he dared not imagine it.

What could possibly be so captivating?

He admitted he was curious, so he walked over and put on the other device.

Before he could figure out what was going on, he heard Qiao Wu’s gentle voice from across the room, “Do you want me to go out with you?”

Lu Xuan didn’t hesitate. “No.”

“Wrong answer!”

Smack!

He was wearing thin clothes, and the sound of the robot hitting his butt was crisp and loud.

Lu Ning felt both satisfied and a twinge of pain in her own butt.

Too bad she didn’t record it; otherwise, she could have woken up early tomorrow.

Lu Xuan jumped up reflexively from the hit, but with the device still on his hand, he couldn’t break free.

His face was a picture of shock and disbelief. “What the hell is this?!”

“A modified lie detector,” Qiao Wu said with a smile, leaning against the wall. “I thought it would suit you the moment I saw it, and now it’s proven true.”

Lu Xuan’s ears turned red as he frantically removed the device from his hand, gritting his teeth. “Qiao Wu, you’re fired!”

“Sorry, only the Old Master can fire me now,” Qiao Wu replied with a gentle smile, trying to soothe him. “Aren’t you going to listen to my answer?”

Lu Xuan didn’t know what agreement or contract she had with the Old Man, and his head was buzzing with anger. “What does it matter to me whether you go or not!”

“But you want me to go,” Qiao Wu continued before he could speak. “And I want to go with you.”

“Correct answer!”

The robot’s voice abruptly cut through Lu Xuan’s fury. He stared straight at Qiao Wu, trying to find even a trace of the past flattery and sycophancy on her face.

There was none. Not a single trace.

“Lu Xuan, take me to school with you.”

“Why should I take you to school?”

“Because I want to go with you.”

A string in Lu Xuan’s mind snapped. He threw the messy things down, barely touched his food, and left. “Do whatever you want.”

That’s what he said, but when it was time to leave, he didn’t call for her.

He changed his clothes and headed to the parking lot. As the driver opened the car door, he saw Qiao Wu already sitting inside, her eyes lowered as she looked at the tablet in her hand, likely working.

It was no wonder he thought Qiao Wu had gotten plastic surgery. After two years abroad, her sense of style had improved significantly. Even in casual wear, she liked to add unique touches.

Her white sleeveless blouse with an irregular collar revealed her collarbone, and a delicate necklace adorned her slender neck. A thin rose chain hung at her waist, making her look both formal and refined.

Lu Xuan subtly averted his gaze. “Do you even know where we’re going?”

Hearing his voice, Qiao Wu looked up and smiled lightly. “It doesn’t matter.”

Actually, she knew. In the plot, Lu Xuan had taken her to this banquet, where someone introduced a newcomer to him. After drinking, Lu Xuan, egged on by “Qiao Wu,” forcibly took the newcomer home.

That newcomer was the original female lead. What was her name again?

Oh, Liao Liao.

Qiao Wu silently curved her lips.

Lu Xuan watched her expression, a strange feeling rising in him. Even though he was no longer her top priority, he felt that he now held a more important place in Qiao Wu’s heart than before.

He got into the car in silence, noticing that Qiao Wu’s tablet displayed his schedule and work arrangements.

“Why are you looking at that?”

Qiao Wu had already turned her attention back to the tablet, the light reflecting off her glasses. “Isn’t the company planning to change your manager? I’m picking a suitable one for you.”

“And you know what’s suitable for me?”

Qiao Wu hummed in agreement. “At the very least, they shouldn’t let you pick those terrible scripts like before, nor should they let you skip acting classes all the time.”

Although Lu Xuan had entered the entertainment industry to chase his dreams, he had started late and didn’t take his acting classes seriously. The manager the company later assigned to please him was just a yes-man, utterly useless. That’s why, in the plot, he ended up with only anti-fans.

Thinking of this, she turned to look at Lu Xuan again.

“What?”

“Nothing,” Qiao Wu said seriously, gazing at his flawless face. “I’m looking forward to seeing you succeed and stand on the award stage.”

 The driver pulled the car out of the garage, and the interior lights were turned off. However, Lu Xuan’s mind kept replaying the focused expression Qiao Wu had earlier. It seemed she genuinely believed he could succeed.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips, completely forgetting how he had been dragged by the neck back home and spanked.

Forget it, he couldn’t be bothered to argue with that shorty Lu Ning.

This time, it was a private charity banquet hosted by a certain celebrity in their personal capacity. Some private collections would be auctioned off, and the attendees were a diverse mix.

Qiao Wu wasn’t on the guest list, so she had to sit in the back with other artists’ assistants. However, after regaining control of her body, she was interested in participating in everything. So, she didn’t mind spending a bit more money to bid on some small items she fancied.

Gradually, many people in the main seats started glancing in her direction. Compared to those around her, she was serene and otherworldly, creating her own little world.

Some people noticed she had come in with Lu Xuan and couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Teacher Lu, who is the person you came with?”

Lu Xuan sipped his wine and casually replied, “An assistant.”

He didn’t think Qiao Wu had what it took to manage the Lu Family.

An assistant with such high looks? She surpassed all the female artists at the event.

“Your assistant… seems quite confident, huh? She’s bid on quite a few things.”

Lu Xuan wasn’t interested in second-hand items, so he wasn’t paying much attention to what was being auctioned. His nod was perfunctory.

The Old Butler had been with the Lu Family for many years and had accumulated considerable savings, so Qiao Wu was quite well-off.

But to others, it seemed different. How could an assistant earn so much money, and on top of that, be so beautiful, wearing luxury haute couture?

For a moment, the looks directed at her became somewhat meaningful.

By the time the post-auction banquet allowed more freedom, Qiao Wu had already gained quite a bit.

“This is for you,” she handed one of the boxes to Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan, who had been lounging bored on the sofa, raised an eyebrow in surprise. “For me?”

“A gift for our reunion.”

Qiao Wu thought to herself: It’s been over ten years, quite a long time.

This explanation made Lu Xuan laugh in exasperation. “It’s been over a week since you returned, and we haven’t met. The reunion gift is bought right in front of me, and it’s second-hand?”

“Really don’t want it?” Qiao Wu opened the box, revealing a sparkling star-shaped cufflink. “King Cheng’s.”

Lu Xuan’s eyes flickered, and he finally gave the cufflink a proper look.

King Cheng was a famous movie star and his childhood idol, who had passed away young. Lu Xuan had every one of his films in his bookcase, which was also the reason he wanted to enter the entertainment industry.

He had been so unsettled by Qiao Wu’s odd behavior earlier that he hadn’t noticed this item being auctioned.

Qiao Wu, did she remember?

In a good mood, he took the box. “You have quite a bit in your private savings.”

Then, as if remembering something, he looked at the other boxes in her hands. “Are there reunion gifts for others in these?”

“Of course.”

“…”

Lu Xuan really wanted to throw the box in his hand at her face but couldn’t bring himself to do it.

He moved aside, deciding to stay away from this fickle woman. It was infuriating!

Seeing this, those who had been eyeing Lu Xuan for a while quickly surrounded him.

Lu Xuan was burdened with his image and didn’t like to take the initiative, but he had always been high-profile in the industry. Knowing he was wealthy and influential, people naturally gravitated towards him.

“Teacher Lu, long time no see. We have a new script tailored just for you. Would you like to take a look?”

“Teacher Lu, this drama is bound to be a hit. If you like it, we can add a role for you!”

“Teacher Lu…”

Hearing this title, Qiao Wu glanced at Lu Xuan with amusement.

Starring in a cheesy Overbearing president drama, and now he’s a teacher?

Somehow, Lu Xuan understood the teasing in her eyes.

He raised his hand, pointing vaguely at her forehead, silently mouthing, “No sense of propriety.”

Then he turned back to continue talking with the others.

Qiao Wu sat quietly beside him, sifting through the chaotic pile of scripts. She knew that the adult world was full of social obligations, so she wouldn’t interfere within reasonable limits.

But she hadn’t expected Lu Xuan, buoyed by the flattery, to accept everything without hesitation. By the time she looked up again, his neck was flushed, his eyes hazy with drunkenness as he cradled a box of cufflinks, nestled into the sofa.

People kept coming over: “Teacher Lu, I brought a promising newcomer here. Would you like to meet them? You might have a chance to collaborate in the future. What are you staring at? Hurry up and toast Teacher Lu.”

Liao Liao snapped out of her daze at the sight of the beautiful woman and raised her glass. “Hello, Teacher Lu. My name is Liao Liao. I look forward to your guidance.”

Hearing the familiar name, Qiao Wu shifted her gaze.

Liao Liao was a freshman at an art school, with limited experience and exposure, making her an easy target for those with ill intentions.

It was the same on the yacht last time, and now at this banquet.

Completely unaware that she was being treated as a commodity for others to pick and choose.

The man’s hand had already touched Liao Liao’s back, waiting for Lu Xuan to take the wine and push her forward.

Qiao Wu lowered her eyes, seeing the drunken Lu Xuan reach out to take the glass. She calmly closed the script and called out, “Lu Xuan.”

Lu Xuan’s fingers twitched as he took the wine, his eyes lifting. “Hmm?”

Qiao Wu’s hand rested on his forearm, gently pressing down.

Lu Xuan’s gaze fell on his arm, and in that moment, the memory of Qiao Wu from deep within his mind flooded his thoughts, further muddling his already chaotic state.

Seeing Lu Xuan settle down, Qiao Wu called out again, “Liao Liao?”

“That’s my sister!”

“Turn around.”

Out of trust, Liao Liao instinctively turned, only to see the hand that had been lurking behind her. Her face paled. “Teacher Wang?”

Wang Ran took a deep breath, pretending to act naturally as he withdrew his hand. “I was just worried you might fall.”

Qiao Wu let out a soft, deliberate laugh, one that everyone present could clearly hear. They were all shrewd individuals; who wouldn’t understand the intentions behind that laugh?

Liao Liao felt a cold sweat break out on her back.

The last time this sister had laughed like that, she had forcefully held down the Fourth Young Master of the Lu Family and made him drink an entire bottle of wine. Lu Yingchi hadn’t even dared to get angry with her.

Qiao Wu seemed oblivious to the tense atmosphere, her voice still gentle: “Shall we keep drinking?”

She stopped short, not wanting to make the situation too awkward for others: “But Teacher Lu has had a bit too much. Let him take a break. How about I drink this glass for him? Consider it a way of getting acquainted.”

Wang Ran, whose plan had been interrupted, was seething with frustration. He had heard that this woman was an “assistant” brought by Lu Xuan. With looks like that, what kind of assistant could she be? Clearly, she was just a bed warmer, and now she was ruining his plans!

Moreover, he thought that with such a beauty by Lu Xuan’s side, Lu Xuan might not even look at Liao Liao. So, he deliberately tried to sow discord: “Teacher Lu, your assistant is quite impressive. She spends your money on bidding, and now she’s even taking the liberty of drinking your wine for you?”

Qiao Wu’s patience was wearing thin. She curved her eyes into a smile.

“It seems not only do you have long arms, reaching into other people’s pockets, but you also have sharp eyes, able to see whose money is on my card,” she said lightly, leaning back on the sofa. “Unfortunately, Lu Xuan isn’t qualified to pay me. I spend my own money, and he really has no say in it.”

The people around them were stunned. What was this person’s status that Lu Xuan wasn’t even qualified in her eyes?!

Qiao Wu nudged Lu Xuan’s foot with her own: “What do you think?”

This spendthrift hadn’t earned much since entering the entertainment industry. Where would he get the money to pay her salary?

Originally, she had just hoped Lu Xuan would nod in agreement, but instead, his shoulders trembled.

Qiao Wu’s expression froze. Oh no.

She was about to reach out, but her wrist was suddenly grabbed.

Lu Xuan’s tears fell onto the back of her hand, slightly warm.

“Why don’t you spend my money? I have money,” Lu Xuan’s voice grew softer as he leaned in, whispering tearfully into her ear, “Just wait. Tonight, I’ll go crack open the old man’s safe and change the will.”

Qiao Wu: “…”

The crybaby habit still hadn’t been fixed!

He was clearly drunk. She sighed, pressing his head onto her shoulder to avoid making a scene: “Hold it in.”

Lu Xuan instantly fell silent.

The scene left everyone’s jaws on the floor.

What was going on? Wasn’t she just a Canary assistant?

Why did it seem like Lu Xuan was the one clinging to her, and she wasn’t even interested?

Moreover, when the two of them sat together, everyone inexplicably felt that Lu Xuan couldn’t quite match her presence.

What was her background?!

Wang Ran hadn’t heard what Lu Xuan said later, but seeing the situation, he felt a bit uneasy. As they were about to leave, he quickly stepped forward, trying to ingratiate himself: “Teacher Lu, this lady is also a great drinker!”

Lu Xuan had finally gotten his Xiao Wu back, and now he was being interrupted. He was furious.

He kicked the person who had approached him: “Get lost!”

Wang Ran, caught off guard, fell to the ground, his mind reeling: “Teacher Lu?”

Lu Xuan, leaning on Qiao Wu’s shoulder, pressed his foot on Wang Ran’s shoulder, tilting his head to reveal his profile. His messy bangs half-covered his eyes as he glared at the clueless fool, his voice heavy with anger and alcohol.

“She doesn’t like it.”

Then, as if realizing something, he lowered his head and sniffed himself, tears immediately welling up in his eyes as he whispered.

“I smell bad too.”

Qiao Wu resisted the urge to look at the expressions of the people around him.