Chapter 2: Go to School

The symphony above their heads showed no signs of stopping, growing louder and louder.

After three seconds of lying in bed, their drowsy and confused faces turned pale. Without even washing their faces, they rushed out barefoot. The whole-house alarm, which had never been used since the Lu Residence was built, was activated today. Could it be…?

In the elevator, the two collided face to face, staring at each other and speaking in unison.

“Is the old man dying?”

“Is Grandfather dying?”

“…”

Tsk.

A pointless question.

Lu Yingchi picked up his phone to see if he had received any special messages, but apart from consumption bills, there were only messages from people he had added on WeChat last night, all calling him “brother.” He couldn’t tell who was who, so he simply ignored them.

Seeing the pinned chat box, his gaze lingered for a moment, but he still chose to open it. The last message was from him last night, saying he was going out for a drink. The other person replied: “University is the time to enjoy with friends. Fourth Young Master, have fun. I’ll handle Old Master.”

Now, their conversations usually consisted of him venting and the other person flattering, nothing more.

Lu Yingchi furrowed his brows and was about to make a call when the elevator doors opened. The WeChat call ringtone sounded not far in front of him.

He instinctively looked up, his impatient gaze freezing in one spot, and his feet stopped moving.

A young woman standing by the sofa was speaking to a servant beside her. Her white tailored suit accentuated her figure, and her straight black hair was half-tied and tucked behind her ear, neat and beautiful. The morning light reflected on her makeup-free face, giving her an almost transparent, unreal appearance.

Did she… always look like this?

It had been so long that Lu Yingchi couldn’t remember what Qiao Wu used to look like, but she definitely wasn’t this beautiful.

“Holy crap,” Lu Ning, who was blocked by the tall figure behind her, pushed forward. “Lu Yingchi, are you still drunk? I almost got crushed by the elevator door!”

She walked around her uncle but was also stunned by the woman’s gaze. She blinked: “Qiao… Wu?”

Qiao Wu hung up the WeChat call from Lu Yingchi, instructed the servant to prepare breakfast, and then walked over to the uncle and niece with the family doctor who had been waiting. As she walked, she observed them.

In her memory, Lu Yingchi was still the chubby little kid who was four years younger than her, crying every day when he went to kindergarten, wanting to stuff her into his backpack and take her along. She had once taken him to her elementary school classroom a few times because she couldn’t shake off her little follower.

Back then, Lu Yingchi was very obedient, but now—he had long shed his baby fat, tall and long-legged, with clear features full of youthful energy. His permed hair was dyed yellow, reaching his chin, and after a night’s sleep, it was tousled like a little lion dog. His eyes were filled with hostility.

As for Lu Ning, the daughter of the eldest young master, Qiao Wu had only held her a few times when she was a baby. Lu Ning’s parents passed away early, and the first word she learned to say was “Ooo-ooo.” But after that, Qiao Wu had never been close to her again, only watching her grow more rebellious and disobedient step by step.

Standing in front of the dazed pair, Qiao Wu said to the family doctor, “Please check where Young Miss is feeling unwell.”

“Alright.”

Before the family doctor could get close, Lu Ning dodged him with a look of disgust: “Don’t touch me, I’m not feeling unwell!”

Qiao Wu had already anticipated this answer and asked knowingly, “So you’re not sick and need to take a leave?”

Lu Ning glared at her, “Don’t you know whether I’m sick or not?”

“I don’t,” Qiao Wu chuckled and shook her head, “I’m not a doctor.”

“You…”

Lu Ning was left speechless.

“And you, are you feeling unwell?” Qiao Wu then turned to Lu Yingchi, who looked weary and dispirited.

The latter had only slept for a short while after a hangover yesterday and was now full of anger. The slight discomfort in his stomach was nothing: “What’s with all the nagging? Spit it out if you have something to say.”

Qiao Wu tapped lightly on her watch face, “I’ve had breakfast packed for you to eat on the way. The car is ready, and you have ten minutes to wash up and change.”

It seemed it was indeed about the Old Man. Lu Yingchi casually ran his hand through his hair, “If the Old Man is that serious, let’s not bother with the details. Let’s see him one last time and then talk.”

“…”

What a filial son.

Qiao Wu composed herself, “The Old Master is fine.”

Lu Yingchi suppressed his irritation, “Then why all this fuss early in the morning?”

Over the years, Qiao Wu had always been accommodating to him. Whatever his brothers and the Old Man didn’t allow him to do, Qiao Wu was always the first to agree and support, greatly satisfying his ego. So now, whenever he felt dissatisfied or displeased, he found it unbearable.

“It’s not early. Since neither of you is feeling unwell, it’s time for you to go to school.”

Lu Yingchi: “???”

School, such an obscure word.

Two years ago, when Qiao Wu went abroad to study, he was pressured by his father and the Old Butler to hire a tutor and was strictly disciplined for two years, barely managing to pass the college entrance exam. Now that he was finally free, he didn’t want to go back to that hard life.

Before he could react, Lu Ning, who had relaxed, yawned and turned to leave, “Don’t ring the bell for no reason, it’s annoying to disturb someone’s sleep.”

Clearly, she didn’t take this seriously.

But she couldn’t leave.

Qiao Wu grabbed the collar of her pajamas from behind, her tone calm, “You have eight minutes to wash up and change. If you don’t move, I don’t mind having the security guards stuff you into the car and send you to school as you are.”

“School?” Lu Ning finally woke up, “Qiao Wu, are you crazy!”

“Today is Monday. Shouldn’t a middle school student be going to school? What’s wrong with that?”

“I’m not going!” Lu Ning frowned, “Call the teacher and say I have a stomachache or a headache, anything.”

“Sorry, my job is to plan a normal and healthy daily life for every family member, which does not include lying to take a leave without reason.”

Lu Yingchi, who had come to his senses and was watching the show with his arms crossed, couldn’t help but laugh, “Pfft.”

Although Qiao Wu’s behavior today was strange, Lu Ning, this little girl, had always been impolite to him, never calling him Uncle. He enjoyed seeing the little girl in a tough spot.

The next second, that calm gaze fell on him, “You have six minutes.”

“?”

Lu Yingchi couldn’t laugh anymore, “I didn’t sleep until almost five yesterday. Even if I go now, I won’t make it to the eight o’clock class. Are you okay?”

The Lu Residence is so far from the university; he would never make it to the eight o’clock class.

Qiao Wu: “Being late and skipping class are two different things. I’ll have the driver plan the route and drive faster.”

“Psychopath,” Lu Yingchi rolled his eyes and turned to press the elevator button to return to his room.

Qiao Wu wasn’t surprised by his reaction. The habits of these two had been shaped over the years, and she calmly called out, “Lu Yingchi.”

Lu Yingchi, who had already stepped into the elevator, abruptly stopped in his tracks.

Qiao Wu had been beautiful since childhood, so ever since he could remember, he had loved following her around. She would save the best food and toys for him, teach him what was right and wrong, and call him “Lu Yingchi” with a smile. He admitted that he had been dependent on her back then.

But at some point, Qiao Wu’s gaze toward him changed. She only called him “Fourth Young Master,” and every kind gesture she made seemed calculated, making him uncomfortable. He felt like they were drifting further apart.

So, he gradually forgot those old memories and went with the flow, not bothering to think about her changes. Since she had returned to take over as the housekeeper, he only expected her to be obedient and make him feel at ease.

Lu Yingchi couldn’t remember how many years it had been since he last heard Qiao Wu call him by his name. It had been so long that those forgotten memories were suddenly unearthed, making him feel as if a lifetime had passed.

Suddenly, his arm was covered by a cold palm, pulling him back unexpectedly. The elevator doors closed and then reopened.

Qiao Wu let go of his arm. “Why are you spacing out?”

Realizing his earlier lapse, Lu Yingchi frowned and took a step back, trying to ignore the lingering sensation on his arm. He snapped, “Don’t touch me.”

“It’s too late for that,” Qiao Wu said, brushing off his petty complaints. “There are disposable toiletries in the first-floor bathroom. Go wash your face. I’ve had someone prepare spare clothes in the car. You can change in there.”

Finally, the other two realized she wasn’t joking.

“Whoever wants to go can go. Don’t you dare boss us around,” Lu Yingchi said, surprisingly aligning with Lu Ning. He sneered, “Qiao Wu, don’t overestimate yourself, or I’ll fire you.”

Qiao Wu remained silent.

A servant who had brought breakfast boxes hesitated to approach, knowing that the Fourth Young Master and Young Miss had the worst tempers in the house. What if they got upset and fired her too?

But Butler Qiao calmly looked over and said, “Take the breakfast to the car and call the security guards in.”

The family usually kept to themselves, and security was rarely involved. Lu Ning was startled and hid behind Lu Yingchi.

Lu Yingchi clenched his fists. “Qiao Wu!”

“I’m here,” Qiao Wu replied with a faint smile. “If you don’t like it, you can fire me anytime. But as long as I’m working here for even a minute, I’ll do my job properly. Or…”

She glanced calmly at his clenched fists. “You can hit me.”

Lu Yingchi felt as if her gaze had burned him, and he instinctively loosened his fists.

Qiao Wu turned slightly, looking at the two fuming individuals with a slight curve in her eyes. “Since you’re not doing anything, will you leave on your own, or shall I have someone escort you out?”

Five minutes later, the two, who had only hastily washed up, sat in their respective cars, surrounded by security guards, their faces dark with anger. Lu Yingchi wanted to drive himself, but he was still hungover and had slept for less than two hours, so Qiao Wu confiscated his car keys.

Qiao Wu stood outside the car and waved gently. “Be safe, and study hard.”

The only response she received was the mercilessly rising car window. Lu Yingchi stared at the lunchbox beside him, gnashing his teeth. What on earth had gotten into her? Did she really think he wouldn’t fire her?!

A growl escaped his stomach, betraying him, and he felt a faint discomfort. Drinking so much on an empty stomach last night had come back to haunt him today.

He pulled a long face and opened the breakfast box, pausing when he saw its contents.

It was simple and plain, unlike the breakfasts he was used to at home. Wait, it had been years since he’d had breakfast at home. Inside the box was steaming millet porridge, a boiled egg, cut fruit, a wrapped sandwich, stomach medicine, and a thermos.

A note was placed inside the box: “Drink the millet porridge and eat the egg first. Once your stomach feels better, you can have the rest. If you’re still uncomfortable, take the medicine and drink plenty of warm water.”

Lu Yingchi recognized the handwriting.

She had always loved studying and had excellent penmanship. When he first started learning to write, she had guided his hand stroke by stroke.

Lu Yingchi crumpled the note into a ball.

Damn it, there really was something wrong with her.

On the other side, Lu Ning looked at the breakfast in her hands with mixed emotions. She had no parents, and when she made mistakes, Grandfather would only scold her, leaving everything else to the Old Butler. Later, Qiao Wu had told her to learn to be independent, or else she would upset the adults, especially as a child with a sensitive background.

So she had grown accustomed to not troubling others and never eating breakfast. She would tell Qiao Wu everything, and Qiao Wu never tattled, never scolded her, and never micromanaged her life—she only helped clean up the mess.

But in the past two years, since Qiao Wu had gone abroad, there had been no one else by her side. She disliked going to school even more, and Qiao Wu had turned a blind eye to it. She hadn’t expected Qiao Wu to force her to go to school today.

And she had even prepared breakfast for her.

It was her favorite sweet milk and vegetable dumplings.

The servants at home didn’t know about her preferences. How had Qiao Wu, who had been abroad for so long, known?

Lu Ning pursed her lips, the resentment from waking up early now impossible to vent.

–

As the Chief Butler of the Lu Residence, Qiao Wu didn’t need to handle everything personally. She only had to oversee and delegate tasks. After going through the daily routines, she sat down to rest for a while, thinking about the aggrieved expressions on Lu Yingchi and Lu Ning’s faces before they left, and couldn’t help but smile.

The way they had turned out had something to do with “her” as well.

She knew in her heart that if this family was truly beyond saving, she wouldn’t force herself to stay.

From the looks of it, things seemed to be going well.

Before the thought could fade, her phone rang. The caller ID showed it was Lu Ning’s Class Teacher.

Qiao Wu’s smile faded slightly.

“Hello, this is Lu Ning’s guardian,” the person on the other end said anxiously. “She mentioned you’ve returned from abroad. Do you have time to come to the school? Lu Ning has had another conflict with someone at school, and she’s currently in the infirmary.”

Qiao Wu: “…Again?”

Meanwhile, in the infirmary of the affiliated high school, Lu Ning sat on a stool by the window, her eyes downcast and silent.

She only glanced up after hearing the teacher finish the call.

The Class Teacher was truly at her wit’s end with this troublemaker. Not only did she frequently fall ill and take leave, but she also skipped classes regularly, and her grades were at the bottom of the class.

The teacher wasn’t entirely clear about the student’s family situation. Every time something happened, the calls would say the guardian was abroad, and the people sent to resolve the issues would always settle things with money without asking for details. No wonder the child had developed such a personality.

But today, hearing the voice on the phone, the other party didn’t seem as arrogant as before. They were gentle and polite, and it was hard to tell what kind of person they really were.

Lu Ning looked out the window: “What did she say?”

“She said she’s coming right away.”

“Oh.”

Lu Ning responded indifferently.

After all, Qiao Wu had never blamed her before, and this time she would help clean up the mess… right?