Rely on the mountains, and they collapse; rely on others, and they flee.

Today, the Chu Family is indeed a noble family, but who can guarantee it will remain grand and brilliant tomorrow?

Not to mention, a man’s heart changes easily. Chu Zimu used to like Xu Xingguang, now he likes You Mingyue, and maybe he’ll like someone else tomorrow.

Relying on anyone else is never as good as relying on yourself.

Xu Xingguang ended her advice here; whether You Mingyue would heed it was up to fate.

Xu Xingguang turned and continued upstairs.

Unexpectedly, her arm was suddenly grabbed forcefully by You Mingyue.

Pain shot through her arm, and Xu Xingguang instinctively raised it and turned, causing You Mingyue to let go. "Ah!" You Mingyue exclaimed, tumbling backward down the stairs.

Coincidentally, Xu Zeqing was coming up the stairs at that moment and witnessed Xu Xingguang push away You Mingyue.

"Xingguang, what are you doing!" Xu Zeqing’s face darkened as he rushed to You Mingyue’s side, helping her up.

Xu Xingguang: "..."

She stared at You Mingyue, leaning tearfully and emotionally on Xu Zeqing’s shoulder, feeling her good intentions had gone to the dogs.

Summer insects cannot discuss ice.

She laid bare her heart to impart life’s truths to You Mingyue, only to be ignored.

"Trying to set me up? Fine, I’ll help you." With that, Xu Xingguang unleashed a swift kick, her movements quick as lightning.

Xu Xingguang aimed precisely, not injuring Xu Zeqing, but landing her Martin boot squarely on You Mingyue’s head.

Xu Zeqing was startled, instinctively releasing You Mingyue.

Deprived of Xu Zeqing’s support, You Mingyue lurched forward.

And right in front of her was the staircase leading to the first floor.

"Ah!!"

You Mingyue screamed as she rolled down to the landing between the first and second floors. This scream was far more vivid than her previous, delicate cry.

Xu Xingguang’s kick made You Mingyue see stars, her head spinning, ears ringing, unable to see anything clearly.

She tried to prop herself up against the wall, only to collapse again.

Watching the struggling You Mingyue trying to get up, Xu Xingguang spoke plainly: "When I, Xu Xingguang, hit someone, it’s always above-board. Unlike you, who only dares to plot against me in secret."

You Mingyue was frightened by Xu Xingguang’s crazed behavior, shouting: "Mom! Mom, save me! Xu Xingguang is trying to kill me!"

By now, Xu Zeqing had come to his senses and rushed to the landing. Hearing the commotion, You Jingqiu ran up from the first floor.

Seeing You Mingyue’s plight, You Jingqiu was immediately enraged. "Xu Xingguang, are you crazy? Did you push Mingyue? Was it deliberate?"

You Jingqiu stared at Xu Xingguang with hatred, as if she would have stabbed her had she a knife.

"I didn’t." Xu Xingguang shook her head innocently and admitted, "I kicked her."

"You bastard! Why don’t you just die!" You Jingqiu finally vocalized her deep-seated thoughts, yelling straight at Xu Xingguang.

She tightly clutched Xu Zeqing’s arm, shouting through clenched teeth: "I’ve told you before, this wretched girl hates us, she’d seek revenge, but you didn’t believe me! Look what she’s done to Mingyue!"

"Xu Zeqing, you must throw her out right now! Either she goes, or we three leave!" You Jingqiu could not tolerate Xu Xingguang for another minute.

Having witnessed Xu Xingguang kicking someone, Xu Zeqing was momentarily dazed.

After You Jingqiu’s frantic shouting, a bit of rationality returned to Xu Zeqing.

Xu Zeqing looked up, reprimanding Xu Xingguang: "Xingguang, if you have grievances against us, vent them on us. Why did you hurt Mingyue? Mingyue is so kind; she’s completely innocent in this affair!" 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Innocent?

Xu Xingguang looked at the tearful You Mingyue, suddenly curling her lips into a smile, speaking calmly: "They say genes are a mysterious thing, and I fully agree."

Her words seemed cryptic, and You Jingqiu couldn’t immediately gauge her intent.

Xu Zeqing’s expression was equally perplexed.

Even You Mingyue paused her crying for a moment.

Xu Xingguang disdainfully eyed the trio below, speaking sharply and venomously: "My mom is a famous author, so I naturally inherited her creative talent. Aunt You was a homewrecker, loving to take other people’s men. Naturally, Aunt You’s daughter inherited the thieving gene."

"She not only likes to steal suitors and set traps, but she also loves to steal rooms and belongings." While speaking, Xu Xingguang stepped down to stand before the trio.

Seeing Xu Xingguang’s hostility, You Jingqiu instinctively shielded You Mingyue behind her, taking a defensive stance: "What more do you want? As long as I’m here, you won’t touch Mingyue!"

You Mingyue shyly hid behind You Jingqiu.

But what Xu Xingguang intended, You Jingqiu could not stop.

Xu Xingguang swiftly reached around under You Jingqiu’s arm, yanking away the belt dangling at You Mingyue’s waist.

With the belt undone, her wool coat flew open, revealing the silk and lace nightgown completely.

You Mingyue instinctively tried to wrap herself up, just as Xu Xingguang said: "This nightgown was a custom piece Jiang Heng gifted me, with a tag sewn on the left seam saying ’You’re Most Precious.’

Considering nightwear was too personal, and unsure of Jiang Heng’s intentions, Xu Xingguang hadn’t worn it yet.

"This is slander! Mingyue would never do such a thing!" You Jingqiu adamantly protected You Mingyue’s reputation, refusing to believe she would do something so shameful.

Seeing You Jingqiu unwilling to face reality, Xu Xingguang quickly lifted the left hem of the nightgown. As expected, a tag was sewn there, bearing gold embroidery reading ’You’re Most Precious.’

With irrefutable evidence, You Mingyue was left without defense, and You Jingqiu was suddenly silenced as if bewitched.

Exposed by Xu Xingguang, You Mingyue lost all color in her face.

Seeing the shocked, bewildered eyes of Uncle Xu and her mother, she was overwhelmed with shame, wishing to find a hole to hide in.

The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became eerily quiet.

Xu Xingguang released the hem, then reached for the platinum chain around You Mingyue’s neck, intending to pull the pendant hidden under the nightgown collar.

You Mingyue sensed Xu Xingguang’s intent, instinctively clutching her hand to stop her.

She couldn’t bear more humiliation!

But You Mingyue was no match for Xu Xingguang.

"Why hide it? Such a beautiful thing should be shared with everyone." With that, Xu Xingguang successfully shook off You Mingyue’s hand and pulled out the necklace’s pendant.

It was a deep blue gemstone pendant, obviously worth a fortune at first glance.

Seeing the necklace, Xu Zeqing’s brow furrowed slightly.

You Jingqiu’s eyes flickered, clearly guessing the situation.

"Dad," Xu Xingguang swung the necklace with her finger, addressing Xu Zeqing jokingly: "Dad should recognize this necklace around her neck, as it’s the gift my mom gave me when I won the Best Suspense Award for ’Guest on the Island.’"

Xu Zeqing indeed recognized it but couldn’t admit it.

Admitting it would confirm You Mingyue as a thief.

You Mingyue was meant to marry into the Chu Family. If word spread about her thievery, how could the Chu Family accept her?

Without hesitation, Xu Zeqing said: "Gemstone necklaces look alike. Perhaps it’s Mingyue’s own. Xingguang, you may have mistaken it."

"As for the nightgown..." Xu Zeqing patted Xu Xingguang’s shoulder comfortingly and continued: "Maybe I didn’t clean the room properly, leading to your gown being mixed with Mingyue’s, resulting in today’s misunderstanding."

"Xingguang, you overreacted."

In order to protect You Mingyue’s reputation, Xu Zeqing denied Xu Xingguang’s verdict but hinted at Xu Xingguang’s resentment and lack of magnanimity.

Xu Xingguang was unsurprised by this.

Because she had long seen through Xu Zeqing’s selfish nature.