Exiled!? Ha! I have An Infinite Space-Chapter 24 -

As I stepped into their resting area, Fu Jia and Aunt Fu immediately stood up. Both of them walked toward me with stiff smiles that didn’t reach their eyes.

"Aiyo, Long’er," Aunt Fu said with an awkward laugh as her hand stretched toward the fish I was holding. "You didn’t have to come yourself. A good daughter-in-law like you is truly rare."

Fu Jia nodded quickly beside her. "Yes, yes. Sister-in-law is really generous. We knew you wouldn’t forget family."

Their fingers were already trying to drag the two fish from my hands.

I didn’t let go.

I just stood there, watching them quietly.

Aunt Fu continued sweetly, "You are truly worthy of our son. Look at how thoughtful you are, still thinking about us even after everything."

Behind them, Fu Fong sat up straighter, pretending to stay calm, but the pride on his face was obvious, as if everything happening was only natural.

Then suddenly—

"Pah!"

A loud spit hit the ground.

Grandma Fu scoffed, her old eyes sharp and full of disdain. "If she thinks two fish can make me forgive her for her disrespect, she should keep dreaming," the old woman said coldly. "If she wants forgiveness, she should go bring all the bundles her parents sent. At least half of everything. Otherwise, she should forget about being forgiven."

Silence fell.

Aunt Fu and Fu Jia paused, but their hands still hovered near the fish. They didn’t dare argue with the old woman.

Fu Fong’s expression stiffened, yet he still said nothing.

I lowered my head, my shoulders shaking slightly.

I was trying very hard not to laugh.

Half the supplies? Forgiveness?

For what exactly?

I slowly lifted my head and looked at them.

Then without warning, I yanked the fish back.

Aunt Fu and Fu Jia stumbled forward, grabbing nothing but air. Their smiles froze in place.

"...Long’er?" Aunt Fu asked in confusion.

I hugged the two fish to my chest and blinked at them innocently. "Who said I brought this for you?"

Their faces changed instantly.

Fu Fong’s proud look cracked. Fu Li’s hopeful expression disappeared. Even Aunt Fu’s fake smile became stiff.

She forced a laugh. "W-what are you saying? You came here with food, didn’t you?"

I tilted my head. "Yes," I said calmly. "But not for people who don’t even know how to ask properly."

Grandma Fu’s eyes widened. Fu Jia’s mouth fell open, she had so much to say but didnt dare to. Fu Fong and his father both exchanged confused glances as their faces darkened.

I smiled sweetly. "You were already planning how I would serve you?" I looked straight at Fu Fong. "You really think too highly of yourself."

At that moment, footsteps sounded behind me.

I didn’t turn around, but I knew it was Fu Sheng.

I lifted the fish slightly. "These," I said lightly, "are for people who actually treat me like a human being."

The air turned stiff.

All the hope and pride on their faces disappeared completely.

And I was enjoying every second of it.

Grandma Fu’s words were still hanging in the air, heavy and ugly.

I looked at her slowly, then smiled.

"Your forgiveness?" I said lightly. "Keep it in your dreams. And my bundles? You can keep dreaming about those too."

Gasps sounded around me.

Uncle Fu immediately shot to his feet. "Such a sharp mouth! You have no respect for Mother!"

I rolled my eyes. "Respect is earned," I said calmly. "Not demanded like food."

His face turned red.

Before he could shout again, I turned my head... and met Fu Sheng’s gaze.

He had been standing behind me the whole time.

Our eyes met.

A small smile spread across my lips, slow and calm, as if none of this bothered me at all.

Aunt Fu suddenly pointed at me, her finger trembling. "Why are you so cruel?! We are family!"

"Family?" I repeated softly. "Family? you dare to say that word, after watching father get beaten to the point he injured his legs so badly, while you all just stood by watching.. is that truly what a family is?."

Bai Ming hurried over and grabbed Aunt Fu’s arm. "Mother, stop talking to her," she said bitterly. "Don’t expect anything good from her. She’s stingy and only cares about herself—"

SLAP!

The sound was sharp.

Everyone froze.

Aunt Fu’s hand was still raised in the air, Bai Ming’s face turned to the side from the force.

"You stupid girl!" Aunt Fu shouted. "If not for your foolishness back then, would we be struggling for food now?! Would those bundles be out of our hands?!"

Bai Ming held her cheek, eyes red in shock.

The entire place went silent.

I watched the scene with calm eyes.

I shifted the fish in my hands and spoke casually, "Seems like your problem isn’t me."

As I turned to leave.

But just as I took a step—

Someone blocked my path.

Fu Li.

She stood right in front of me, chin raised, eyes full of unwilling anger.

"Where is my fish?" she demanded.

I stopped.

Then slowly looked down at her... one brow lifting.

For a second, I said nothing.

Then I glanced past her at Fu Sheng who stood there quietly, his face blank as usual.

It was obvious.

He wasn’t going to help her.

I shifted the fish to one arm and crossed the other over my chest.

"You little brat," I said flatly. "You really have guts, huh?"

Her face turned red. "You—" 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"What in the world," I continued, pointing at myself, "made you think I would cook for an arrogant child like you?"

I pointed at her next. "You chose to stand with them.."

Then I swept my gaze over the rest of the family.

"You wanted to stay with them," I said lightly. "So why are you asking me for food?"

Fu Li’s lips trembled.

Her eyes instantly turned red, but not from sadness, from humiliation.

"Y-you—!"

She had followed them around like a tail, looking down on me every chance she got.

Now she wanted benefits?

I let out a soft laugh.

"If you’re hungry," I added, "go ask the people you were so eager to please."

She bit her lips, then suddenly turned and grabbed Fu Sheng’s arm.

"Brother Sheng..." Her voice came out small, pitiful. "I was wrong... I was just confused..."

Her fingers clung tightly to his sleeve, like he was her last hope.

For a moment, nobody spoke.

Then Fu Sheng looked down at her hand.

Slowly... calmly... he removed her fingers from his arm.

"This," he said plainly, his voice low and steady, "is the consequence of your decision."

Fu Li froze.

"You are old enough to be responsible for your own mistakes," he continued. "No one forced you."

Her lips trembled. "B-but..."

He didn’t get swayed.

"If you want to make things right," he said, voice even, "you know what to do."