In the living room downstairs, Yanyan sat on the sofa. Her face was pale and her eyes were rimmed with red, making her look pitiful. Several shallow red marks stood out strikingly on her neck, as if she had been grabbed with great force.
Xu Jiahe sat beside her, holding a bottle of ointment and gently applying it to the wounds on her neck. His brows were furrowed, his eyes filled with a mixture of heartache and complexity, and his voice was low and gentle. "Yanyan, does it hurt? Bear with it for a moment; the ointment will feel a bit cool."
Yanyan shook her head. "It doesn't hurt."
Suddenly, she looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, her voice trembling and fragile. "Big brother, second brother, third brother... actually, is it because of me that you sent Sister abroad? I know she must hate me, which is why she treated me like this... Please don't blame her. It’s all my fault..." Her voice choked with sobs, as if she were truly feeling guilty for Xu Huan.
Hearing this, Xu Jiaming immediately retorted, "Yanyan, don't talk nonsense! Xu Huan being sent abroad is of her own doing; it has nothing to do with you!"
Yanyan shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks, her voice laced with pleading. "No, second brother, it’s all my fault... If it weren't for me, Sister wouldn't hate me so much... Could you please not send her abroad? If someone must leave this house, let it be me... I don't want to make things difficult for you anymore..."
As she spoke, she made as if to stand up, but Xu Jiaming grabbed her. His voice was filled with both heartache and anger. "Yanyan, what are you saying! This house is your home; no one is making you leave!"
Xu Jiayan also spoke up coldly, "Someone like Xu Huan is not fit to stay in this house! Yanyan, stop speaking up for her!"
Xu Jiahe looked at Yanyan, his eyes deep in thought. He remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly. "Yanyan, this has nothing to do with you. Xu Huan's behavior has exceeded the limits of our tolerance. Sending her abroad is for her own good, and for the good of this family."
Yanyan lowered her head, her voice choking up. "But big brother... Sister is your own flesh and blood after all... I don't want your relationship to worsen because of me..."
Her voice was weak and helpless, as if she were genuinely worried about the relationship between Xu Huan and her brothers. Hearing this, Xu Jiaming felt even more pained, and his tone softened. "Yanyan, you are just too kind. Someone like Xu Huan isn't worth you worrying over!"
Xu Jiayan added coldly, "That's right, she doesn't deserve to be our sister!"
Xu Jiahe did not echo his younger brothers' words, but Xu Huan’s actions today had clearly disappointed him. Therefore, he did not rebuke his brothers.
Watching the reactions of her three brothers, a sense of satisfaction surged within Yanyan. She knew that her plan had completely succeeded. Xu Huan was destined to live in her shadow for the rest of her life. Lowering her head, a faint smile played on her lips, while a trace of coldness flashed in the depths of her eyes.
***
Three days later, at the airport.
Xu Huan stood in the departure hall, clutching her boarding pass, her gaze sweeping indifferently over the bustling crowd. Her face was devoid of expression, as if everything around her had nothing to do with her.
Xu Jiahe stood beside her, his expression stern, his tone carrying an unquestionable command. "A nanny has been arranged for you abroad, and bodyguards will accompany you. You—study hard."
The corners of Xu Huan’s mouth curled into a mocking smile. To her, Xu Jiahe arranging bodyguards wasn't for her safety, but to monitor her every move. Feeling utterly disheartened, she couldn't even be bothered to say an extra word. She merely gave a flat "Mm" in response.
Seeing her demeanor, Xu Jiahe’s brows furrowed slightly, but he quickly returned to his calm composure. He turned to the bodyguards nearby, his tone cold and firm. "Take good care of the eldest young lady. If any harm comes to her, don't bother coming back."
The bodyguards nodded immediately, their voices synchronized and respectful. "Don't worry, sir, we will protect the eldest young lady with our lives."
Xu Jiahe nodded, glanced at his watch, and said coldly, "It’s about time. It’s time to board."
"Yes," the bodyguards replied, then stood behind Xu Huan like two silent mountains, surrounding her firmly.
Xu Huan did not resist; she didn't even give Xu Jiahe a spare glance. She simply kept her head down and walked obediently toward the boarding gate. Her footsteps were light, as if walking on cotton, but her heart was as cold as ice. She knew that only by getting out of Xu Jiahe’s sight would she have a chance to escape.
Xu Jiahe stood in place, watching Xu Huan’s figure gradually disappear into the crowd, an inexplicable feeling rising within him. He frowned, suppressed the discomfort, and turned to leave the airport.
Xu Huan walked into the waiting area and found a seat by the window. Her gaze fell on the planes taking off and landing outside, but her heart was an empty void. The bodyguards stood not far behind her, scanning their surroundings vigilantly, as if she were a prisoner ready to bolt at any moment.
She glanced down at her phone. A message from Pei Cheng was displayed on the screen: *I’m at the parking lot to the right of the exit, on a black motorcycle.*
A faint smile touched the corners of Xu Huan’s lips. She stood up and walked toward the restroom as if nothing were wrong. The bodyguards immediately followed, one of them asking in a low voice, "Eldest young lady, do you need assistance?"
Xu Huan shook her head, her tone calm. "No, I’m just going to the restroom."
The bodyguards exchanged a look; one followed her in while the other waited at the door.
Inside the restroom, Xu Huan quickly took a hat and a coat from her bag and threw them on. She left her original coat and bag on the sink, pulled the hat low, and walked out. The bodyguard waiting at the door did not recognize her, his eyes still fixed on the restroom entrance.
Xu Huan took a deep breath and hurried toward the exit. Her heart was racing, but she forced herself to remain calm. Just as she approached the exit, the bodyguard behind her seemed to notice something and shouted, "Stop!"
Xu Huan didn't look back; instead, she quickened her pace. Her eyes were locked on the black motorcycle in the distance, where Pei Cheng was leaning, wearing sunglasses, his expression indifferent.
"Eldest young lady, please stop!" the bodyguard behind her shouted, his voice laced with urgency.
Xu Huan didn't look back; she broke into a run. She dashed toward Pei Cheng. The sound of footsteps behind her grew closer, but she couldn't spare the time to care; she had eyes only for that motorcycle.
Pei Cheng clearly noticed the commotion. He straightened up, took off his sunglasses, and fixed his gaze on Xu Huan, his eyebrows arching slightly. He didn't ask questions; he quickly swung onto the motorcycle and started the engine.
Xu Huan reached the motorcycle and practically threw herself onto it. She grabbed Pei Cheng’s shoulder, her voice urgent. "Go, now!"
Pei Cheng glanced back at the pursuing bodyguards, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Hold on tight."
Before the words were out, the motorcycle roared off.