When she was still in her teens, Ning Xiaoyu had imagined countless times what it would be like to reunite with Zhang Xue.

In those imagined scenarios, she thought she might break down in tears and scream at Zhang Xue, asking her why she had done such a thing— or perhaps she would glare at Zhang Xue with resentment and question her coldly if she was satisfied after seeing how things had ended up.

But unfortunately, before turning twenty, she hadn’t even caught a glimpse of Zhang Xue’s shadow.

All she knew was that Zhang Xue was living a better and better life, having long since tossed aside the eldest daughter born to her ex-husband.

So all those cries and accusations had nowhere to go.

Gradually, Zhang Xue’s thoughts and feelings became irrelevant to Ning Xiaoyu.

Whatever she thought didn’t matter anymore. What was done was done, and there was no point in chasing answers now.

It wasn’t until today, when she finally stood face to face with Zhang Xue, that Ning Xiaoyu realized she could say that sentence so calmly, “Ma’am, we’re not that close.”

After saying those words, she felt most of the stifling air in her chest dissipate at once.

Even the air around her seemed fresher.

The love system chattered excitedly in her ear, 〖Nice one, Girl! That was savage! You nailed it!〗

After all, Zhang Xue had come asking Ning Xiaoyu for help. But was this how one should act when asking for a favor?

She still held that lofty air of ‘Madam Shen.’

What, did Zhang Xue only pick on the soft ones? Did she think its host was easy to bully?

The love system had been annoyed by Zhang Xue for a long time.

Thankfully, its host was finally standing up for herself. It was thrilled that Ning Xiaoyu had learned to fight back.

Zhang Xue was utterly stunned by what Ning Xiaoyu said.

Her voice turned sharp and shrill, cracking at the edges, “Ning Xiaoyu, what kind of attitude is this? I’m your mother! Is this how you treat me?”

Ning Xiaoyu responded with perfect calm, “In my heart, my mother died the moment she stepped into that luxury car seven years ago.”

That sentence completely ignited Zhang Xue’s fury.

“Ning Xiaoyu, what do you mean by that? Are you cursing me to die?

If not for me, would you even exist in this world?

Ungrateful brat! Not only do you not thank me, but you actually curse me? I knew it. You’re a white-eyed wolf^[1]ungrateful person! One that can never be raised properly!”

Ning Xiaoyu gave a calm smile. “If I had a choice, I wouldn’t have wanted to be born by you either. But unfortunately, this kind of thing has never been in my hands.”

The more Ning Xiaoyu spoke, the more unbearable it became for Zhang Xue. Her face twisted in hysteria. “Ning Xiaoyu! You unfilial girl!

Today, I, your mother, am going to teach you a good lesson!”

As she shouted, she raised her palm high. Just as she was about to bring it down hard, a hand suddenly reached in from the side and grabbed her arm tightly.

The next second, a crisp, youthful male voice rang out.

“Big Sister, do you need help?”

Ning Xiaoyu instinctively looked up and saw a striking, handsome face.

Tiny flakes of snow had settled on his flamboyant platinum hair, on his long curled lashes, and on the edge of his slightly pursed lips.

The snowy winter scene was beautiful, but not as beautiful as him.

In that moment, even Ning Xiaoyu had to admit that Lu Jingdu’s looks were truly top-tier.

She could even see a glimmer of light in his eyes.

That must have been the reflection of the snowy landscape.

Unfortunately, she wasn’t interested in younger boys.

Upon hearing her thoughts, the love system scoffed, 〖Not interested in younger boys? Don’t tell me you’re into older ones then?

The movie king is no little brother— he’s a big brother! He’s just pretending to be a rich second-generation college puppy right now.

Anyone else would be blushing and swooning being called ‘big sister’ by such a gorgeous guy.

Who wouldn’t be moved by such a handsome boy standing in front of them?

But you? Totally unmoved! You’re a total steel straight girl!〗

Ning Xiaoyu: “……”

She said, “Well…… thanks?”

The love system was so annoyed by her bland response that it didn’t even want to keep talking.

Ning Xiaoyu had thought Lu Jingdu came alone, but when she turned her head, she noticed Shen Yueyue, Xi Rui, and two cameramen nearby.

Shen Yueyue and Xi Rui looked awkward. They were probably embarrassed to have witnessed everything.

Which meant that what had just happened had likely been seen by quite a few viewers as well.

Ning Xiaoyu didn’t really care. She didn’t feel the slightest bit embarrassed.

But Zhang Xue couldn’t take it.

She couldn’t bear for her negative image to appear on camera.

Even more so, she couldn’t tolerate the family’s ugly mess being exposed to outsiders.

So, without even asking any questions, she turned on her heel, ready to leave.

But her arm was still being firmly held by Lu Jingdu.

Ning Xiaoyu had no intention of letting Zhang Xue go that easily.

If she did, she would be betraying the seven dim and dull years she had endured.

Looking straight at Zhang Xue, she spoke coolly, “Madam Shen, please don’t come looking for me again. There’s nothing left for us to talk about.”

【Madam Shen? Is that who I think it is?】

【But didn’t she just say ‘I, your mother’? So what exactly is her relationship with Ning Xiaoyu?】

【This woman just tried to hit the salted fish queen!】

【Could she actually be Ning Xiaoyu’s biological mother? Ordinary people don’t just claim to be someone’s mom.】

【Okay okay, let’s stop. Focus on the salted fish queen, not her private matters!】

【Stop prying into private affairs +1.】

After that, Ning Xiaoyu turned to Lu Jingdu and said, “You can let go of her now.”

Lu Jingdu slowly released his grip on Zhang Xue’s arm.

Zhang Xue didn’t cause any more trouble. She left in a hurry.

Just then, Ning Yuwei, who had come out looking for the restroom, spotted Zhang Xue at a glance and blurted out, “Mom?”

【Mom?】

【Ning Yuwei? Ning Xiaoyu? Did you notice? They both have the surname Ning!】

【Let’s think this through carefully. So these three…… are they mother and daughters? Sisters?】

【But isn’t Ning Yuwei a rich second-generation? Why did she live in luxury while the salted fish queen had such a hard life before?】

【Could it be possible…… that her mother had remarried, but only took Ning Yuwei with her, and left Ning Xiaoyu behind?】

【!!!】

It had to be said that netizens were all little Sherlock Holmes.

Some of them had indeed pieced together the truth from the few subtle clues revealed in the variety show.

Ning Yuwei had chased after Zhang Xue and left. As for Ning Xiaoyu, facing the gossiping netizens, she had no desire to explain anything.

What was there to explain?

She wasn’t the one who had been cheated on. She wasn’t the one who got into a car accident trying to win someone back. She wasn’t the one who had been in a coma for seven years. Nor was she the one who had silently loved that person for over a decade.

In that marriage, the person with the most right to speak wasn’t her, the daughter— but Ning Zhen.

Even if one day someone wanted to expose the disgraceful past of Zhang Xue, it shouldn’t be her. That person should be Ning Zhen.

────ρя

This translation is by Pocketrobbin at S h a n g h a i f a n t a s y . c o m

Because of the minor interlude, no one felt like continuing the game.

The match ended without a winner.

But judging from the current score, Lu Jingdu’s team held a slight lead.

The mood turned a little gloomy.

A group of guests wandered aimlessly around the campus. While wandering, they unintentionally ended up near a bar just outside the university grounds.

Shen Yueyue suggested, “Why don’t we go in for a drink?” It was broad daylight, and the bar was nearly empty. Aside from them, there shouldn’t be anyone else around.

The others all agreed.

Ning Xiaoyu had no opinion, so she followed them into the bar.

In the daylight, the bar was quiet and empty. Only the bartender was present.

Seeing such a large group of celebrities walk in, the bar owner appeared both flattered and panicked.

“Uh, the DJs are still sleeping……”

Xi Rui cut him off, “No need, we’re just here for a drink.”

“Got it! I’ll mix your drinks right away. What would you like?”

Before opening the bar, the owner had been a locally well-known mixologist.

The guests ordered according to the drink menu.

While preparing their drinks, the owner also called his still-sleeping bartenders to hurry over.

Otherwise, he’d really have a hard time handling everything alone.

Noticing Lu Jingdu glancing around, the owner chuckled and called out, “Hey, young man, looking for something?”

Lu Jingdu raised an eyebrow slightly and walked over to exchange a few words with him.

About ten minutes later, the Blue Hawaii cocktail Ning Xiaoyu had ordered was ready.

She picked up the glass and took a big, refreshing sip. A burst of slightly sour sweetness exploded on her taste buds.

A light dizziness crept in immediately.

Ning Xiaoyu gave a small shake of her head. Just then, a heavy dance beat suddenly blasted through the bar.

Shen Yueyue exclaimed. “Huh? Why is there music now?”

The bar owner chuckled mysteriously, hiding his contribution.

Turning on the music hadn’t been his idea. It was suggested by that platinum-blond hottie.

As for what the guy wanted to do, well, that was none of his business.

He, as the owner, had done all he could.

Just as Ning Xiaoyu was about to take another sip through her straw, the excited voice of the love system rang in her ear.

〖Girl, how can young people not enjoy life? When you’re young, you should indulge freely!

Come on, let loose!

You’re feeling a little gloomy inside, aren’t you? Sure, it felt great putting Zhang Xue in her place earlier, but deep down, you still feel a bit troubled, don’t you?

After all, those seven years are gone for good.

After all, once upon a time, you admired Zhang Xue.

But Girl, look forward! Your future, now free from the influence of Zhang Xue and Ning Yuwei, will only get better and better!

At this time, you can:

A. Pull the movie king in and hit the dance floor together!

B. Jump in solo and wave it out, steal the spotlight! Be the queen of the day!

C. No DJ? Then you get up there and be the DJ! You carry the whole vibe!〗

Maybe it was the overload of events today, maybe it was the big gulp of alcohol, or maybe the love system’s passionate tone had finally gotten to her— for the first time, Ning Xiaoyu thought this system wasn’t so annoying after all.

If not for those options, she wouldn’t have even considered going to dance.

Ning Xiaoyu casually picked option b. Then, to the rhythm of the dance track, she walked onto the floor and hit a few waves.

【!!!】

【???!!!】

【Ahhhh! Salted Fish Queen!!!】

【I’m losing my mind. She’s incredible!】

【How can the salted fish queen make wave dancing look this good?!】

【She looks absolutely irresistible with those tipsy eyes.】

At that moment, rainbow lights lit up the dance floor.

The flickering, multicolored lights washed over Ning Xiaoyu, adding a charm to her that wasn’t normally seen.

The vibes were soaring.

Just as the audience was completely captivated by her dance, they saw a flash of platinum blond hair follow her into the dance floor.

Before today, the viewers never expected that someone’s slow grooves could be this iconic.

And that ‘someone’…… was Lu Jingdu.

Just then, the music shifted into a hip-hop beat, slow and steady.

Lu Jingdu nodded his chin, rolled his shoulders, and his platinum hair swayed gently in the air. He followed with a few smooth waves of his own.

【???】

【What is happening today? Are they forgetting the cameras exist?】

【Platinum blond college guy dancing— he’s so hot, I’m losing it!】

【College guys are forever gold!】

As the beat changed again, Lu Jingdu reached out, stood in front of Ning Xiaoyu, locked eyes with her, and moved his shoulders in rhythm.

【So skilled???】

【Lu Jingdu, explain yourself. Just how many bars have you danced in before?】

There was no helping it. Lu Jingdu’s moves were too smooth. Add that naturally handsome face, and the damage was enough to knock people flat.

Most importantly, it looked like he only wanted to dance for Ning Xiaoyu.

As for the rest of them? They were just lucky to witness it.