Chapter 2 Conflict
Having experienced her past life, she knew this was Xu Wan's way of giving her a stomp.
Back then, she had indeed been saddened for a long time by her family's attitude.
But now, having traveled through countless small worlds and lived for countless years, Tang Yao felt a profound peace within, even reminiscing about the braised chicken and rice from her hometown.
Thinking about it carefully, she realized she hadn't eaten it in a long time; it truly tasted like something from her past life.
Meanwhile, the family opposite her had already moved from discussing jewelry and fine clothes to the banquet they had attended the previous day.
Tang Yao couldn't get a word in edgewise, and of course, they didn't expect her to speak.
It seemed Xu Wan had achieved her goal. It was evident from the occasional glances she gave her and the smile she made no attempt to hide.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. The servants hurried to open it, and a young man stood there, holding a bouquet of vibrant flowers.
The man was dressed in an expensive-looking suit, exuding elegance—the kind of guy who would make young girls scream if he walked by.
However, in Tang Yao's eyes, who was used to seeing all kinds of handsome men, he was only average.
Xu Wan subtly glanced at Tang Yao. Noticing that her gaze followed the young man, a smug smile crept onto Xu Wan's lips.
"Elder Brother Yuxuan, what brings you here?" Xu Wan ran over excitedly.
"Yuxuan? What brings you here at this hour? Have you eaten?" Xu Anguo also put on a gentle smile.
The man who arrived was indeed Chen Yuxuan, Xu Wan's fiancé.
In her previous life, it was the same; Xu Wan had deliberately summoned Chen Yuxuan, making Tang Yao even more aware of the gap between her and these people.
"I came to see Wanwan. I heard Uncle Xu has found the biological daughter, so I came to say hello." Chen Yuxuan spoke politely, displaying the demeanor of a young master from a prominent family.
However, Tang Yao had studied some diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine under a highly skilled practitioner in one of her worlds. Chen Yuxuan's eyes were dark, and his steps were unsteady—signs of excessive indulgence and weakened kidneys.
"Come, Tang Yao. This is Chen Yuxuan, the third young master of the Chen Family. Yuxuan. This is my daughter Tang Yao, whom I just found." Xu Anguo beckoned to Tang Yao.
Tang Yao stood up and walked to Xu Anguo's side, greeting him with a graceful and poised demeanor.
A flicker of amazement crossed Chen Yuxuan's eyes. According to Xu Wan, this newly found daughter of the Xu Family came from a small town, yet she was so beautiful. Unlike Xu Wan's delicate features, Tang Yao's features resembled those of the Xu Family—bright and striking. If she were properly cared for, she would undoubtedly become even more stunning.
He concealed the glint in his eyes and took out a small bag he had been carrying in his other hand. The bag bore a designer logo: "A small gift for meeting you. I hope you like it."
Chen Yuxuan flashed what he considered his most handsome smile.
Tang Yao didn't refuse. After thanking him, she accepted the gift.
A similar incident had occurred in her previous life. Tang Yao had been stunned by the other party's generosity and had hesitated to accept it, further displeasing the Xu Family.
Seeing the interaction between Chen Yuxuan and Tang Yao, Xu Wan became somewhat displeased, pulling Chen Yuxuan's arm: "Elder Brother Yuxuan, haven't you eaten yet? We're just about to have dinner."
Chen Yuxuan readily agreed: "Then I'll have to disturb you."
Soon, one beautifully plated dish after another was brought out from the kitchen, almost completely filling the marble table. A large, bright red, curled lobster was in the center.
Tang Yao knew that these dishes weren't prepared for her, but for this young master of the Chen Family.
However, that didn't stop her from enjoying the food.
Tang Yao ate casually, so she didn't have much manners. This, in the eyes of the Xu Family, made her seem unruly.
Sun Yulan's brows furrowed even more.
Actually, if she wanted to be proper, she could do it better than anyone else here. After all, she had learned etiquette from the strictest matrons in the palace, but she didn't want to. She had finally been able to retire peacefully, so naturally, she wanted to be as comfortable as possible.
Having almost finished eating, Tang Yao's eyes fell on a bowl of soup in the center, its golden hue looking incredibly appetizing.
She had just scooped up a spoonful and before she could even put it in her bowl, Xu Wan suddenly reached out across the table for some unknown reason.
Like this, a spoonful of hot soup was poured over Tang Yao's hand and instantly left a red mark on her fair skin.
Before Xu Wan could speak, Tang Yao frowned and said, "I was scooping soup, why did you suddenly bump into me? Now you burned yourself, didn't you? Be careful next time."
Those words effectively silenced Xu Wan's unspoken words.
In her past life, it had been the same; Xu Wan had used her cunning words to label Tang Yao. This time, although she didn't intend to stay in this house, she wouldn't tolerate being wronged unnecessarily.
Seeing her burn, Chen Yuxuan held her hand and whispered words of comfort. Sun Yulan quickly called a maid to bring burn ointment, and Xu Haocheng stood by with a concerned expression.
Only Tang Yao was still diligently eating at the table. Great, the whole lobster was hers!
“You should be a little more careful. Wanwan has a piano competition next month. What if she injures her hand and misses the competition?” Sun Yulan’s tone was still gentle, but her words to Tang Yao were anything but pleasant.
Tang Yao didn’t even look up, just grunted a few times: “Did you hear that? Madam Sun told you to be careful. Next time you see her, stay away and don’t come near me.”
Sun Yulan hadn’t expected this biological daughter to talk back to her as soon as she returned. Anger made her ignore Tang Yao’s form of address.
“Sharp-tongued.” Sun Yulan was so mad that she blurted out without thinking, only realizing Chen Yuxuan was still nearby afterward.
“Made you see disgrace, Yuxuan. Tomorrow I’ll hire a private tutor for this girl to teach her manners properly.”
“I think Yao Yao has a pretty good personality,” Chen Yuxuan replied with a smile.
Hearing the name Yao Yao, Tang Yao got goosebumps all over. She pouted and continued eating her lobster.
After dinner, Chen Yuxuan was leaving. Xu Wan blushed as she saw him off. Xu Anguo was also somewhat disappointed in Tang Yao, only saying he had official business to attend to before going upstairs.
Sun Yulan had even less to say to this daughter and also went upstairs.
Leaving Tang Yao with nothing to do, she simply went back to her room.
Lying on the bed, she touched a tattoo on her wrist that looked like an eye. Her eyes slightly closed, silently chanting "Enter."
The next second, when she opened her eyes again. She was already in her own space.
Here were mountains of gold and jewels, as well as all sorts of miscellaneous things she had hoarded in various worlds.
There were even several sets of furniture, made of various woods such as rosewood, sandalwood, and ebony.
Even the lighting items consisted of boxes of luminous pearls.
It was fair to say that the wealth she brought back was more than enough to buy ten Xu Family, so she genuinely looked down on the Xu Family's meager assets.
Just then, there was a knock on her bedroom door.
Tang Yao got up and opened the door. Standing there was Xu Wan.
"Tang Yao, I came to see you. Are you sleeping well?" Xu Wan entered the room and tested the softness of the mattress with her hand.
"It's a bit firm. Before, I wasn't used to the bed at home, so Dad ordered a mattress for me from Y country and it was air-freighted back the next day."
As she spoke, Xu Wan walked to the empty dressing table: "Oh, right, I have a set of Chanel cosmetics that I've been keeping unused. Here, take it. They're releasing new products soon and Mom wants to buy me more. I have just too many cosmetics."
Although she ostensibly showed concern, every word was a boast.
"This is a diamond bracelet that Elder Brother Yuxuan just gave me. Isn't it pretty?" Xu Wan shook the bracelet on her wrist with a sweet smile on her face. "He always says I'm as pure and flawless as a diamond. An angel in his heart."
Xu Wan stepped forward and took Tang Yao's hand. "Yao Yao, actually… Elder Brother Yuxuan was originally your fiancé, but we truly love each other. You won't blame me, will you?"
Tang Yao's brows remained furrowed. Although Xu Wan's methods were rather childish, what was there to brag about with a shared cucumber?
Xu Wan talked for a while, but Tang Yao, aside from occasionally replying with "Oh, yes, yes," didn't show a single trace of envy.
This was completely different from what she had expected.
Her eyes darted around and she smiled gently again.
"Yao Yao, look at me. I got so excited and forgot the time. You get some rest, I'm going back to my room." Xu Wan finished speaking, turned and left, and thoughtfully closed the door behind her.
Tang Yao let out a sigh of relief, laid back down on the bed, and soon fell asleep.
The next morning, Tang Yao was awakened by a loud knocking on the door.
Suppressing her morning grumpiness, she opened the door. Standing outside was her cheap younger brother, Xu Haocheng.
"What is it?" Tang Yao's sullen demeanor made Xu Haocheng's words catch in his throat.
After regaining his composure, he became even more angered from embarrassment. How could he have been intimidated by a country bumpkin?
"You have the nerve to say that?! Where's the bracelet? Give it back!" Xu Haocheng's face hardened again as he held out his hand to Tang Yao.
"What bracelet?" Tang Yao's brows furrowed even deeper.
"Wanwan's bracelet, a gift from Elder Brother Yuxuan! It disappeared yesterday after she left your room. Who else could it be but you?!" Xu Haocheng's tone was extremely impatient, as if he was convinced that Tang Yao had stolen the bracelet.
Behind Xu Haocheng stood Xu Wan with her eyes were red as she nestled in Sun Yulan's arms and stern-faced Xu Anguo.
"Haocheng, don't talk to Yaoyao like that. I believe she didn't mean it," Xu Wan's words seemed to further confirm Tang Yao's guilt.
Sun Yulan, while comforting her daughter, looked disapprovingly at Tang Yao: "You just got back. We'll get you whatever you want gradually. Why did you take Wanwan's things? Don't bring those bad habits from your small town into this house."
"It seems we really need to hire a private tutor for you right away, to teach you proper manners. If others find out, I, Xu Anguo, can't afford to lose face," Xu Anguo stated sternly.
The family of four blocked Tang Yao's doorway. Every word was accusatory.
Tang Yao leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, and even yawned leisurely.
"Are you done?"
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