When Xu Zhilu arrived home, Xu’s mother and Xu Zhijia were already back. Aunt Liu was still busy in the kitchen.

Xu’s mother glanced at Xu Zhilu and put away her smile. “Did you go to give a lecture to Siyan?”

Xu Zhilu nodded.

Xu Zhijia pursed her lips, looking unhappy. “Sister, can I also study with you when you teach Brother Siyan?”

Xu Zhilu didn’t even glance at her and said coldly, “You should ask Aunt Shen and Shen Siyan about that.”

Xu Zhijia’s face darkened. “Aren’t you the teacher?”

Xu Zhilu turned to look at her. “I am, but I was invited by Aunt Shen. What about you?”

She added, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch in the world. Don’t you understand that?”

Before Xu Zhijia could get angry, her mother scolded her first. “Xu Zhilu! How can you talk to your sister like that? As her elder sister, shouldn’t you be more considerate?”

She frowned. “You’re being too stingy.”

Xu Zhilu raised her eyes and smiled. “Really? Mom, have you ever considered how much you take care of me, since I’m also your daughter?”

Mother Xu’s face froze, and she struggled to find words for a long moment.

Ignoring them, Xu Zhilu was about to go upstairs when Xu’s father came down from the study.

He looked at everyone with a serious expression. “What’s going on now?”

He added sternly, “Why is there so much noise every day? It’s never peaceful.”

Xu Zhilu pursed her lips and said nothing.

Xu Zhijia, with tears in her eyes, pointed at Xu Zhilu. “Dad, it’s my sister…”

“What about her?”

Father Xu looked at her and said, “I heard everything from upstairs. She’s focusing on tutoring Siyan. Why are you getting involved? If you really want to learn, ask your mother to find you a teacher so you can have lessons at home on weekends.”

Xu Zhijia’s face changed, and she quickly protested, “No.”

“Dad, I have piano lessons this weekend.”

Xu’s mother, realizing the situation, quickly added, “What are you talking about? Jiajia still has piano lessons.”

Father Xu didn’t say much more and just looked at the mother and daughter.

Mother Xu paused and said softly, “After the class, I’ll see if there’s a suitable teacher who can arrange extra lessons for Jiajia.”

Xu Zhijia’s face turned pale, and she clung to her mother’s clothes, shouting, “Mom.”

Mother Xu gave her a look and smiled slightly. “Let’s eat first. Zhilu and the others are hungry.”

Father Xu simply said “hmm” and headed towards the dining room.

Xu Zhilu curled her lips, lowered her eyes, and followed.

As soon as the two left, Xu Zhijia wanted to throw a tantrum and cling to her mother, but she knew she couldn’t make up for the missed lessons.

How could she go out and play with her friends if she had extra classes?

“Mom,” she said in a lowered voice, “how could you agree to this?”

She stamped her feet, looking aggrieved. “How am I supposed to go out now?”

Xu’s mother glared at her. “If I don’t agree, your father will find a teacher for you himself.”

Xu Zhijia glared in the direction her parents had gone and muttered viciously, “It’s all Xu Zhilu’s fault.”

Mother Xu patted her arm and said, “Come and eat. We’ll talk about the rest later.”

The meal was eaten in relative silence. 

Perhaps because of Mr. Xu’s authority, Xu Zhijia no longer acted like a spoiled brat.

After dinner, Xu Zhilu returned quietly to her room.

After finishing two test papers and memorizing a text, Xu Zhilu finally looked at the materials sent by her dance teacher.

The dance performance is on tour, and they are performing with a troupe—similar to being a backup dancer for a star.

Xu Zhilu touched her chin, deep in thought, and stared at the bonus written by the teacher.

She was quite short on money, but the dance performance was a bit confusing.

As she pondered, Shen Siyan sent her a file.

Xu Zhilu: ?

Shen Siyan: Monitoring^[1]refer to file labeled ‘Monitoring’ from surveillance footage..

Xu Zhilu: That was quick?

Shen Siyan: Yes, take a look. I watched it and saw a video of her going out to throw away the garbage, but it’s not very clear.

Xu Zhilu: I’ll check it out.

…

While Xu Zhilu watched the video, Shen Siyan watched it again, paying close attention to the details.

Mother Shen knocked on the door outside. Unable to bear it any longer, she pushed the door open and called out, “Shen Siyan, I’m calling you to eat.”

She frowned. “What are you doing?”

Shen Siyan looked at her. “Mom, can you do me a favor?”

Mother Shen raised an eyebrow, looking at him suspiciously. “What kind of favor?”

Shen Siyan hesitated and stated his request.

Mother Shen leaned against the door, deep in thought, and said, “You can ask me for help, just beg me.”

“…”