On the last day of school before the New Year's holiday, Zhao Yumo came over to see Yun Xi at lunchtime to hear all the gossip about her father and her aunt.
Yun Xi smiled and gave her a thumbs-up, and Zhao Yumo immediately understood that they had accomplished their goal.
"Then what are you going to do next?"
Yun Xi shrugged and looked indifferent. "I won't do anything right now. I'll let them fight it out with one another while I prepare for the college entrance examination. I won't pay any attention to the mayhem going on in my house. I'll just busy myself with my studies."
"Good job!" Zhao Yumo was happy for her. Suddenly, she looked up and saw Zhou Chengzhe walking over with his lunch plate.
Upon seeing Zhao Yumo's face fall, Yun Xi turned her head and saw Zhou Chengzhe behind her. She turned the topic back to academics.
Zhou Chengzhe was still as arrogant as ever.
After Li Sinuo got expelled, Zhou Chengzhe lost an ally. Every day, he did nothing except review his studies like crazy.
During the last competition, Zhou Chengzhe, disregarding the loyalty that classmates were supposed to have, deliberately embarrassed Yun Xi after losing the competition. Thus, in the eyes of the teachers, his reputation had suffered drastically.
Lately, the school's teachers hadn't been as tolerant of him as they had been before.
He felt anxious and angry, but he was helpless to do anything about it. All he could do was to try to improve his grades.
Although he didn't know how Yun Xi had gotten Li Sinuo expelled, he didn't dare underestimate her capabilities any longer.
He thought that during the last biology competition, he hadn't lost to Yun Xi because of a disparity in their strengths, but because he'd underestimated his opponent. This time, he wouldn't lose again.
Inadvertently, he heard Zhao Yumo inviting Yun Xi to spend the New Year's Day holiday break in C City, and he couldn't help but sneer.
After they returned from the holiday break, there would be a citywide test. The result of this test was directly related to the difficulty of the final exam paper.
Rich kids didn't take academics seriously enough. However, he was going to seize this opportunity to work hard and crush those two wretched girls.
When he'd regained his sense of superiority, he would humiliate and shame them severely.
...
Before going home, Yun Xi made a special call to her housekeeper. When she learned that her father hadn't returned yet, she got on the bus and went home.
At the last stop, Feng Yang got on the bus. Only the two of them were headed for their final destination.
Sitting with her, alone on the bus, Feng Yang was feeling a sense of anticipation that he had never experienced before.
Feng Yang raised his hand and handed the takeout bubble tea from the bubble tea shop to Yun Xi as he said nonchalantly, "I saw your dad coming out of a hotel this morning with a woman by his side."
Yun Xi accepted the bubble tea and thanked him, then turned to look at this guy, lazily lying back on his seat.
She didn't know where he'd come from. Dressed in all black, he had on a black down jacket, black pants, and a pair of black boots.
Feng Yang always made her feel an indescribable sense of mystery.
"A guest is going to come to my house soon, and it's probably going to be very chaotic there. If you hear any gossip in the future, don't be too surprised."
Yun Xi smiled and turned to look out of the window. It was approaching dusk, and the sky was grey as if it was going to snow.
"From your tone, it sounds like there's going to be a good show to watch." His deep, dark eyes were gleaming faintly, as Feng Yang turned his head to look at her closely.
"My mother is back, so how can there not be a good show? And the woman you saw today is my aunt."
They were all shrewd people, so even if she didn't explain anything further, Feng Yang should be able to grasp it.
Wasn't it obvious what coming out of a hotel together early in the morning mean? What good could come from it?
And this person was Yun Xi's aunt, it seems...
This would be a good show and an outrageously cheesy one at that!
As Feng Yang and Yun Xi got off the bus, from a distance they could see Yun Yuanfeng's car driving into the complex.
They looked at each other. As they approached the Yun family's house, Yun Xi looked at Yun Yuanfeng and Chen Lixue, who had gotten out of the car. She sped up, putting a distance between herself and Feng Yang.
Watching her walking toward her chaotic family members, Feng Yang also slowed down. Inexplicably, he felt a little distressed.
From the day of her return to the present, she had never given up, no matter what horrible things her mother did to cause trouble for her and no matter how cruel her other family members were to her.
She was such a proud person, but fate certainly seemed to have been a bit unfair to her.
Yun Xi deliberately slowed down when she got near the door. She stepped into the house a little bit after Yun Yuanfeng and Chen Lixue.
It was dinnertime, and everyone in the family was gathered for the meal.
Her father had picked the perfect time to bring Chen Lixue back into the house. Yun Xi was so looking forward to her mother's expression when she saw her love rival after more than ten years.
"Chen Lixue, what are you doing here?"
Upon seeing Chen Lixue walking in behind Yun Yuanfeng, Liang Xiuqin stood up from the sofa in shock.
Nothing could have made Liang Xiuqin as panicked as seeing Chen Lixue.
After all, she had been the one who had been in the wrong in their love triangle, and, although no one knew about this, she'd always felt a little guilty toward Chen Lixue.
Her eyes full of bewilderment, Liang Xiuqin turned to look at her husband, who hadn't come back at all the night before.
Last night, his secretary from work had called her and told her that Yun Yuanfeng had gone to inspect one of their projects out of town and he wouldn't be back that night.
But now when he came back, he brought Chen Lixue, that b*tch, with him. What was the meaning of this?
It would have been impossible for him to have gone to the countryside in a single day and brought Chen Lixue back to Jingdu.
Almost instinctively, Liang Xiuqin glared at Liang Xinyi. Liang Xinyi shook her head in confusion. She hadn't even known that her mother was in Jingdu.
Upon seeing that she wasn't lying, Liang Xiuqin walked toward them anxiously. Grabbing Yun Yuanfeng's arm, she declared her ownership of him to Chen Lixue with a possessive look on her face.
Liang Xiuqin was anxious, but she couldn't show it on her face. Her heart burned with fury.
She simply grits her teeth as she managed to spit out, "Husband, why did you bring Chen Lixue to the house?"
After the incident with the Feng family, Liang Xiuqin knew that Yun Yuanfeng had thought about divorcing her.
Even though he'd brought her back home now and didn't dare to divorce her because he was waiting on his promotion, that didn't mean it had been all smooth sailing.
After she'd come back this time, in addition to repairing the relationship between them, it was more important than ever for her to stabilize her position as Yun Yuanfeng's official wife.
Other things could be taken back slowly. The children in the family couldn't be counted on because they were still young, but if she lost the backing of Yun Yuanfeng, then she really would have nothing.
If she stabilized her position as his wife, at least she would be able to gain a foothold in the Yun family and wouldn't end up on the street.
But now...Chen Lixue, that b*tch, was here!
Moreover, she'd come back with Yun Yuanfeng. Suddenly, she felt that her position was precarious.
"Lixue came to see her daughter in Jingdu. I just happened to encounter her during my inspection, so I brought her over to see the family. You let her daughter study here in Jingdu. What's wrong with her coming to visit her daughter?"
There was no logical flaw in his reasoning, but Liang Xiuqin had the feeling that she had shot herself in the foot and dug her own grave.
First, she had insisted on using Liang Xinyi to replace Yun Xi as her daughter. Then, she had wanted to use Liang Xinyi as a shield to prevent Yun Xi from jinxing her.
But that wretched girl had turned out to be completely useless.
During the past few months, not only hadn't she had good luck, but she'd also dragged her down in many ways.
Now, because Liang Xinyi was staying in the Yun family's house, Chen Lixue, that b*tch, had come to their door.
Why was she so unlucky?
Now that she knew all this, she realized she should have left that little b*tch Liang Xinyi behind in the countryside from the beginning.
Now, all of a sudden, Chen Lixue had shown up at their door. What if she stayed at the Yun family's house and refused to leave? What if she rekindled her old flame with Yun Yuanfeng? This could all happen, and it would be too late for her to regret it when it was a fait accompli!
What's more, she and Yun Yuanfeng were currently fighting, and he hadn't been trying to touch her at all recently.
By letting Chen Lixue stay with the Yun family at this time, she would basically be giving away her husband to her.
"But..." Before Liang Xiuqin could finish speaking, Yun Xi interrupted her.
"Auntie, you're here." Feigning surprise, Yun Xi walked over. "If you'd wanted to come for a visit, why didn't you call us in advance so that we could pick you up?"
Chen Lixue glanced at Yun Xi. Sharp-eyed, she looked her over carefully and couldn't help but compare her to her own daughter.
It had only been a few months since she'd seen Yun Xi, but the girl who had been practically treated like a slave in her house in the countryside had grown into a beautiful young lady.
She was wearing a light pink wool coat, a black wool beret, and a long scarf of the same colour that was wrapped around her delicate-featured, gentle face.
She looked like an heiress, and she gave off the vibe of genuine blue blood.
She wasn't any longer the country bumpkin she had been in Muyang Town.
Even if she were compared to the proud Liang Xiuqin back in the day when she had been a great beauty, Yun Xi was far superior. She had the noble temperament of a prominent family's heiress.
Just a quick look at Yun Xi who was standing in the living room enabled Chen Lixue to discern the huge difference between her and Liang Xinyi.
They were the same age, and Liang Xinyi's style of clothing wasn't bad, but the difference could be seen at a single glance.
She also could tell that Liang Xiuqin hadn't abused Liang Xinyi. However, in just a few months, Yun Xi—that wretched girl—looked obviously more dazzling than Liang Xinyi.
Chen Lixue finally snapped back to reality. Remembering her recent suffering, Chen Lixue snorted and tugged at her mouth. "I called your landline, but I couldn't get through."
Yun Xi pretended that a realization had suddenly dawned upon her. "Oh yes, there was a cable TV event some time ago. The telephone and the TV used the same line, so our landline was changed to a new number. My cousin didn't call to tell you?"
The phone number had been secretly changed a few days ago when Mu Feichi's people went to pick up Chen Lixue.
For some reason, that information had been kept from Liang Xinyi.
Chen Lixue glanced at her daughter. Just as she had been mean and harsh toward Yun Xi when she'd been living with her in the countryside, now she directed all her blame and displeasure toward Yun Xi again.
She completely forgot about her position in this household, whose territory this was, and who was in charge here.
"What an embarrassment you are. You didn't even tell me that the home number had been changed. I called so many times in vain. If I hadn't encountered your father, I would have gone to the police station next."
With her harsh tone and her condescending attitude, she seemed to be acting as if she herself was the madame of the family.
Yun Xi smiled aloofly. "I'm not to blame for this. Liang Xinyi is also a guest at my house. My second aunt is now in charge of the family. There were probably too many things she was busy with so she didn't get to notify her in time."
When she said this, Yun Xi deliberately looked at Liang Xinyi. "Cousin, the phone number at home has been changed. Remember to copy it down. If you don't know it, then you can ask the housekeeper for the phone number so that my aunt won't push the blame on me the next time. I really don't like her pushing the blame on me."
Liang Xinyi looked pale, and she gave Chen Lixue an annoyed glare.
Her mother really didn't know how to speak sensibly.
This was the Yun family in Jingdu, not the Liang family in the countryside, so she had to be more mindful of who she was talking to.
Now, the second aunt of the Yun family was in charge, and Yun Xi was close to the second aunt, so they couldn't afford to offend either of them.
Yun Xi turned her head away and chuckled softly, "Second Aunt, this is my aunt who took care of me when I was living in the countryside."
Yun Xi turned to Yao Ying, who was sitting on the sofa and introduced them. Yao Ying simply nodded. She had no intention of speaking to her.
"Little Auntie, since there's a guest here, can we get an extra place setting, please? Let's eat."
"Okay, Young Madame!"
The housekeeper had been watching the good show, and upon hearing Yun Xi's order, she raised her voice and deliberately emphasized the words "Young Madame" as if afraid that Chen Lixue didn't know Yun Xi's identity.
After Yun Xi had invited Chen Lixue to stay for dinner, Liang Xiuqin couldn't kick her out.
Taking off her jacket, Yun Xi walked over to the sofa, where Yao Ying handed her a cup of hot tea.
"How long do you plan to stay in Jingdu, aunt? Will you stay in a hotel? Or do you plan to rent an apartment to take care of my cousin until my cousin finishes the college entrance examination?"
The college entrance examination was life-changing and the most critical time that determined one's future.
Every parent hoped that their child would get a good grade on the exam. Many students in Jing High School came from other cities.
Parents in other cities would rent houses near the school in the last few months to take care of their child until their child completed the college entrance examination.
Yun Xi's guidance gave Chen Lixue a perfect excuse to stay.
Chen Lixue didn't seem to have expected Yun Xi to ask this question and at first, was taken aback, but then she chuckled. "I haven't decided yet. I have to check out your cousin's situation first."
Liang Xiuqin was afraid that she was going to want to live with the Yun family, so she quickly said, "Xinyi is fine in Jingdu. If you're finished visiting your daughter, you should go home early for New Year's. The countryside isn't that different from Jingdu. You should go back early to prepare for New Year's."
When Liang Xiuqin spoke, her every word emphasized that Chen Lixue came from the countryside and that she should scram back to the countryside.
After hearing this, Chen Lixue's expression got very ugly. She grits her teeth and glared at Liang Xiuqin. Then she looked at Yun Yuanfeng, apparently for help.
Yun Xi watched them fighting among each other with amusement, then she laughed and interjected.
"Since my aunt rarely comes to Jingdu, she should stay a few more days. And, since my aunt took care of me in the countryside for so many years, I, as the Yun family's eldest young madame, must treat her with courtesy now that she's come to Jingdu. Why not let aunt stay in the Yun family's house, so she won't need to rent a house outside? My cousin is also here, so it would be more convenient for her to take care of my cousin."
"No, I don't agree. If she wants to take care of Liang Xinyi, then let them go out and rent a house. Our house is small and can't accommodate that many people. There's definitely no room here."
As soon as Yun Xi had said that, Liang Xiuqin jumped in with a counter-argument to stop her.
"Mom, my aunt took care of me for more than ten years. Out of gratitude, we should do our best to welcome her. Wouldn't it be too heartless of you to send aunt away like this?"
When she said this, Yun Xi glanced at her second aunt. "Furthermore, the second aunt is in charge now, so she has the final say. I think that Grandpa will also support my decision. We can't let others think our family has no affection and cares nothing about our poor relatives from the countryside. What do you think, Grandpa?"
The old man, who had always ignored these sorts of drama, was now dragged into the water by Yun Xi. After hearing her polite and courteous words, he nodded and was very displeased with Liang Xiuqin's selfishness.
"A visitor is a guest, and she's also a relative of your family. After taking care of Yun Xi for so many years, our family can't be that heartless. It's just a few months of living here, so it doesn't matter."
Yao Ying agreed with the old man's words and stood up. "If that's the case, then she can live here. It's just an extra pair of chopsticks."
Yao Ying looked at Chen Lixue and said nonchalantly, "Although there are no guest rooms at present, Liang Xinyi's room has a wide bed. Mother and daughter living together should be fine. How do you two feel about that?"
"No problem, no problem."
Upon hearing that they had agreed to let her stay, Chen Lixue already felt extremely lucky and that everything was going well. She wouldn't dare to object.
"However, I'll have to educate you about the status of the family now. Yun Xi is the eldest young madame of the Yun family. We are the masters, and you are the guest. Although you're Yun Xi's aunt, you still have to remember your place in the Yun family."
Yao Ying's words both emphasized Yun Xi's prominent status and warned her to know her place.
Chen Lixue suddenly felt as if her face was burning.
Chen Lixue had been under the impression that Liang Xiuqin was in charge of the Yun family.
She had wanted to stay and confront her head-on. She'd thought that she might even use some underhanded tactics to accomplish what she'd set out to do.
Unexpectedly, however, it was not Liang Xiuqin who was in charge now, but the second sister-in-law, who seemed timid on the surface but was actually quite tough.
If it had been Liang Xiuqin in charge, she could have exploited the longtime enmity between them to try and gain Yun Yuanfeng's support.
But now she was faced with an unfamiliar opponent who had domineeringly intimidated her right from the start. She was perplexed and didn't know what her next moves were going to be.
So what if Yun Xi was the eldest young madame? If Liang Xiuqin hadn't robbed her of her man, she would have married Yun Yuanfeng long ago.
How else could Liang Xiuqin have gotten the position of the Deputy Director's wife?
Her daughter should be the righteous young madame of the Yun family.
Since Chen Lixue had been brought into the house by Yun Yuanfeng, Yao Ying hadn't forgotten to ask Yun Yuanfeng's opinion after laying down the law to Chen Lixue. She really acted like the master of the house.
"Big brother, am I right?"
Yun Yuanfeng had always had a huge ego, so now, upon seeing Yao Ying being so considerate toward him and seeing that he had achieved his goal of having Chen Lixue stay without even having to open his mouth, naturally he was happy.
"Yes, that's right. How considerate of you. Now that you're the master of the house, naturally, all the arrangements are up to you."
Now that they'd come up with such a good excuse allowing Chen Lixue to stay, he didn't even need to say anything. How could he not agree?
Everything had gone so well that it couldn't have been more perfect.
"But there are a few things I must get straight right at the start. In this family, there are differences between the hosts and the guest. Everyone should know their places right at the beginning. Yun Xi is the eldest granddaughter and the eldest young madame, so she will be the heiress of the Yun family in the future. My current authority will also be handed over to her soon. If I'm not here, Yun Xi will have full authority to represent me. As for my sister-in-law and Yun Xi's newly arrived aunt, you two should not forget your places when you talk or do anything. There are so many people in the family, and if something happens and trouble arises, it will only be detrimental to big brother. After all, with the upcoming promotion after New Year's, everyone should be more cautious. What do you think, big brother?"
With Yao Ying's reminder, Yun Yuanfeng immediately realized that he really shouldn't be too reckless soon.
Even if he really were to have an affair with Chen Lixue, he had to set things straight with his family first; otherwise, it could ruin his future.
Listening to Yao Ying, Yun Yuanfeng felt secretly frightened and broke out into a cold sweat. Liang Xiuqin and Chen Lixue, however, had been agitated by Yao Ying's remarks.
Both of them felt resentful. One refused to accept that she had been robbed of her position as the master of the house and degraded to the point where she had to yield sovereignty to her daughter.
The other was dissatisfied that all the benefits that should have fallen to her daughter had now fallen to her rival's daughter. She had to yield to that wretched girl Yun Xi now.
During the past ten years, she had been in an authoritative position over that wretched girl Yun Xi. And now Yun Xi had the right to lord it over her and intimidate her...?
But this was the Yun family. She had to bear this humiliation if she wanted to stay.
A small leak will sink a great ship.
After she wins over Yun Yuanfeng in the future, she will immediately kick all these b*this out of the Yun family!
Thinking of how they would then all be beggars on the streets, Chen Lixue felt immense gratification.
...
After her goal had been achieved, Yun Xi told Yun Yuanfeng that she was planning to go to a neighbouring area's hot springs to gather with friends during the three-day holiday break on New Year's Day.
Having settled Chen Lixue's affairs, Yun Yuanfeng was in a good mood, and, with a wave of his hand, he agreed, even giving her 200 yuan in travel expenses.
Yun Ziling immediately looked envious and rushed forward to say that she wanted to go have fun as well.
Yun Yuanfeng glanced at Liang Xiuqin, who was sitting next to Yun Ziling and suddenly lost his good mood. "It's cold now, and since you're in poor health, stay at home. Don't go running around."
"Dad, you're so partial. Why can my sister go out, but I can't?"
"Didn't you recently tell me that your sister had jinxed you and caused you to have a heart attack? In that case, stay at home and recuperate."
"..." Feeling aggrieved and annoyed, Yun Ziling grit her teeth and glared at Yun Xi resentfully.
Pretending to be sick and trying to frame Yun Xi earlier had not only been unsuccessful, but now it had also gotten in the way of her going out and having fun. She had really shot herself in the foot.