Chapter 11 – Heaven Really Plays Favorites!

The air felt unusually warm. He unbuckled his belt, casually undid two buttons on his shirt, and walked over to the window to push it open.

A soft breeze drifted in, dispersing the heat that had just surged up in his chest.

Looking out into the distance, he spotted Lei Ming and Zhang Dong sneaking glances toward his house from not far away, acting suspicious as ever.

That evening, Lu Cheng still hadn’t returned home.

At the dinner table, Old Master Lu was visibly angry, expressing his displeasure openly. He even promised Xu Nuo that once Lu Cheng came home, he’d make sure to “teach him a proper lesson.”

Xu Nuo responded with a polite smile, not taking it to heart. “Uncle Lu, it’s really not his fault. I’m sure his friends held him up. I believe he didn’t mean any harm.”

Lu Huaizheng knew his own son’s temperament better than anyone.

Inwardly, he sighed. The girl in front of him was truly a good one—far more than what his son deserved.

After dinner, Xu Nuo helped Aunt Lin clean up the dishes. The two women ended up chatting casually for a bit.

Only then did Xu Nuo learn that Aunt Lin was actually Cheng Wanying’s older cousin. She had lost her father as a child, her husband in middle age, and even her son in her later years. Hers had been a hard and bitter life.

But Aunt Lin was a capable and hardworking woman. For many years now, she had worked in the Lu household as their housekeeper.

But truth be told, the Lu family had never treated her like a servant. She was always seen as someone lending a hand, not someone to be ordered around.

And she really liked Xu Nuo. So, while chatting, she couldn’t help but offer a few words of comfort. “Don’t rush your marriage with Chengcheng. He’s just not used to suddenly having a fiancée. Once he settles down, he’ll accept you, you’ll see. He’s a good boy—trust me.”

Xu Nuo smiled softly. “I understand. Thank you, Aunt Lin.”

When she finished helping out and returned to her room, she found Xu Shan sitting cross-legged on the bed eating an apple. Crumbs had fallen all over the sheets.

She frowned. “Still haven’t learned your lesson?”

Xu Shan wanted to snap back, but then she saw Xu Nuo flick her wrist slightly—and remembered the two stinging slaps she’d received on her face the day before. She hurriedly slid off the bed.

“Don’t get cocky, Xu Nuo,” Xu Shan sneered bitterly. “Just because Lu Cheng doesn’t like me doesn’t mean he likes you either. See? He’s still avoiding you! He hasn’t even come home. I’d love to see how you plan to force a cow to drink if it refuses the water!”

Xu Nuo cast her a cool glance and replied blandly, “You were the one trying to force the cow to drink, not me. I wouldn’t lower myself to your level.”

“Fine,” Xu Shan huffed. “Then let’s see how you manage to marry Lu Cheng.”

Xu Nuo gave a faint smile. “If I were you, I’d hurry back home. Maybe then you could help your parents figure out how to return that five hundred yuan betrothal gift. I’m guessing they’ve already spent most of it by now and are scrambling to come up with the money.”

That shut Xu Shan up. She opened her mouth, but couldn’t get a single word out.

—

The next day.

As soon as Xu Nuo opened her door, she saw two neatly folded outfits and a pair of black leather shoes on the floor outside. She figured Lu Cheng must have returned late at night and, not wanting to face her, had left them at her door.

After two days of being around him, she saw it clearly: Lu Cheng just didn’t like her.

There was no point staying here anymore. She had already escaped the clutches of the Xu family and exposed Xu Shan’s schemes. Aside from losing a good marriage match, she had pretty much completed everything she set out to do.

Now, it was time to leave the Lu household and make her own way in this world.

Xu Nuo wasn’t one to waste time dwelling. Once she’d made up her mind, she picked up the clothes and went back into the room, swiftly changing out of her old ones.

Today, she planned to visit hospitals in the city to see if she could land a job.

Once she had a job, money and love would follow in due time. Nothing was out of reach.

Between the fiery red dress and the white blouse with black slacks, she chose the latter. After all, she was going job-hunting, not going on a date. Dressing professionally was the better choice.

And sure enough—clothes really do make the person.

Xu Nuo changed into the outfit, tied her thick braids into a clean, high ponytail, and gave herself a once-over in the mirror. Everything looked perfect. She slipped on the black leather shoes.

As soon as she finished getting dressed, Xu Shan couldn’t stop staring. Her eyes were filled with shock and jealousy.

It was the exact same white blouse, black pants, and leather shoes—
So how did Xu Nuo look so youthful, vibrant, and… almost like someone straight out of the city?

Seriously—was Heaven trying to play favorites?

Why did she get to be born so beautiful, while she herself was just plain?

“Time to eat! Nuonuo, Xu Shan, come out for breakfast!” Aunt Lin’s voice rang out from the living room.

Hearing this, Xu Nuo opened her door and stepped out. Lu Huaizheng was already sitting in the living room reading the newspaper, Lu Chen was bent over, mopping the floor, while Lu Cheng was groggily coming down the stairs, clearly just waking up.

“Aunt Lin, let me help you bring out the food,” Xu Nuo stepped forward.

But when Aunt Lin saw her in that crisp, new outfit, she quickly waved her off, “Oh no! That clean white blouse is too pretty—don’t get it dirty! Nuonuo, just leave it to me, I’ll take care of it.”

Her words immediately drew everyone’s attention.

Lu Chen lifted his gaze and, in one swift motion, glanced over that bright, smiling face of hers, eyes flicking up and down quickly before looking away.

Lu Cheng also caught sight of Xu Nuo, and for a moment, he actually blanked out. “Guess my taste isn’t too bad,” he thought.

But that was all.

He had good taste—he knew that much. That’s why he’d picked out those clothes. He had to admit, she looked a lot more pleasing to the eye now.

“You look great!” Lu Huaizheng took off his reading glasses and praised, “Now you look much more refreshed!”

Lu Cheng jumped at the opportunity, “I picked those out. Not bad, huh? Pretty good eye, right?”

Lu Huaizheng shot him a sideways glance and let out a cold snort through his nose. “Hmph. Sure know how to ask for compliments! But don’t think I’ve forgotten how you left Xu Nuo halfway yesterday—I still need to settle that with you.”

“That was just a mishap,” Lu Cheng grinned sheepishly. “Won’t happen again. I’ll take her to meet some of my friends tomorrow.”

Thinking his son had finally come around and was willing to accept Xu Nuo, Lu Huaizheng felt genuinely pleased. “Good. Once you’re married, you’ll be family. It’s about time your friends got to know her—and she got to know them too.”

“Exactly, I’ll do everything properly tomorrow. Leave it to me,” Lu Cheng replied quickly, riding the wave of goodwill.

Lu Huaizheng nodded in satisfaction.

But Xu Nuo spoke up, “I’m really sorry, but I actually have plans tomorrow. I’m afraid I won’t be able to meet your friends.”

“What plans could you have?” Lu Cheng blurted out instinctively.

“And why couldn’t I have plans?” Xu Nuo didn’t answer him directly but tossed the question back.

Lu Cheng realized his tone had been all wrong. Wasn’t that basically just saying she had nothing better to do?

“No, I mean… you just got to the capital and don’t really know anyone. If there’s anything you need to take care of, just tell me. I can help.”

“Exactly, let him help,” Lu Huaizheng chimed in, pointing at Lu Cheng. “That kid runs all over the place—he knows everywhere.”

Xu Nuo smiled politely and declined, “Thank you, Uncle Lu, but this is something I really need to handle on my own.”

“In that case, let him at least drive you there.”

Lu Cheng’s plans for tomorrow were completely upended, and his mood took a nosedive. Still, he had no choice but to agree through gritted teeth, “Yes, Dad. Guess I’ll have to borrow your car.”

Lu Huaizheng nodded again.

“Looks like we’ll be short two people for lunch tomorrow,” Aunt Lin chimed in. “I’ll just make some handmade noodles. Perfect timing, since Wanying will be bringing little Yi over too.”

“I’ll be out as well,” Lu Chen said quietly. “I already told Wu Yue I’d meet up with him.”

He had gone to the train station a few days ago to pick up Wu Yue, who had been stationed in the southern military region for five years and had just been transferred back.

They were supposed to catch up right away, but Xu Nuo’s sudden appearance threw everything off.

Wu Yue had been complaining ever since, so now that Lu Chen was on leave, he’d set aside tomorrow to meet with his old friend. They’d surely talk for hours—no way he’d be back early.

When Lu Cheng heard Lu Chen would be going out too, he jumped at the chance. “Big Brother, how about you take Xu Nuo with you? That way, I won’t have to borrow Dad’s car—it’d save the trouble, right?”

Lu Chen didn’t respond.

Just as Lu Cheng thought he wouldn’t agree, Lu Chen finally opened his mouth. “Fine. I’ll give her a lift.”