“Qiaoqiao, are you in some kind of trouble? If anything’s wrong, you have to tell your big brother.” Li Shaojin’s face was etched with concern.
His gaze rested on Li Qiao—she was his one and only sister.
The feeling of being cherished by family was incredibly warm.
Li Qiao offered a faint smile. “It’s nothing, big brother… Oh, here, take this talisman. Keep it safe.”
A gift from his little sister—Li Shaojin accepted it happily.
When Liu Yusi returned, Li Qiao caught a glimpse of her face and saw the signs of impending bereavement. For the first time, panic stirred in her heart.
She quickly pulled out her phone and found a recent photo of Li Shaoyu—everything returned to normal.
Li Qiao stepped out into the courtyard and gazed up at the vast blue sky.
“Heaven’s Will, they are human beings—living, breathing people. If you want to correct the plot, you’d better see if I agree first.” Her voice was calm, but her eyes burned with fierce resolve.
And so, for the entire afternoon, Li Qiao devoted herself to altering the Li family’s fortune and rearranging their feng shui.
But every time she seemed on the verge of success, a new problem would crop up.
The speed at which she adjusted the layout was far too slow to counteract the tide of bad luck. The slightest move, and the entire arrangement would collapse.
Ten attempts in a row. Every single one ended the same way.
On the last try, Li Qiao finally lost her composure. She kicked a stone at her feet in frustration, gritting her teeth as she glared up at the sky. “I refuse to give up.”
Her outburst caught Li Shaojin’s attention.
But Li Qiao didn’t tell him the truth—she simply said she was tweaking the house’s feng shui, hoping things would get better for the family.
As she stepped outside, she happened to run into Li Man.
Li Man let out a dismissive snort and made her way to He Jingnian’s door. Standing there, she wore a shy expression and tried her best to appear delicate and demure.
Her intentions couldn’t have been more obvious.
Heaven’s Will, so this is the female lead you favor?
“Is Mr. He in?”
Li Man asked in a soft, sugary voice.
He Yi came out from inside. Li Man’s eyes sparkled with smug satisfaction the moment she saw him.
She shot a provocative glance at Li Qiao. “Wherever I am, you’ll only fade into the shadows.”
“Miss Li, this way, please.”
“Thank you.” Just as Li Man was about to step inside, He Yi moved forward to block her path, his face cold. “Miss, please stop right there.”
“What do you mean by that? He Yi, I already spoke with you before—I’m here to help Mr. He with his illness. I have a very good medicinal ingredient.”
“Miss Li.”
He Yi looked at Li Qiao, not sparing Li Man so much as a second glance.
His tone was icy. “I apologize, miss, but you may have misunderstood. Mr. Nine doesn’t need your help. I’d appreciate it if you’d stay away from him from now on. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what I might do.”
“You—”
Li Man’s face flushed crimson. She stared wide-eyed at He Yi. “I genuinely want to help Mr. He! You’re just a subordinate—what right do you have to stop me? Whether Mr. He wants to see me is his decision.”
“Save it. Please leave.”
Li Man trembled with rage. She stomped her foot hard. “Fine. You win. But let me tell you—I’m not giving up.” Her eyes locked onto Li Qiao with unconcealed resentment.
Then she spun around and stormed off in fury.
Li Qiao narrowed her eyes slightly. She caught the hatred burning in Li Man’s gaze and knew without a doubt that this grudge would be remembered.
The original author had created a female lead with such warped morals, yet she’d won over so many people—and even earned Heaven’s protection.
It was utterly absurd.
“Where is Mr. He?”
“Mr. Nine isn’t here. I saw her being difficult with you, Miss Li, so I took the liberty of stepping in. I hope you’ll forgive me,” He Yi said respectfully.
“It was a kind gesture. You’re not to blame.”
Li Qiao’s tone was indifferent, and she didn’t seem to be in high spirits. He Yi excused himself to prepare some food.
Of course, he also sent a message to He Jingnian.
Li Qiao lay back in the rocking chair, closed her eyes, and rested quietly.
—
On her way back, Li Man ran into Xu Tong. The anger on her face vanished in an instant.
“Brother.”
“Don’t call me that. I don’t deserve it.” Xu Tong looked at her with open mockery. He had witnessed everything that just happened.
He let out a cold laugh. “You don’t know your place. Dreaming of clinging to He Jingnian—Li Man, do you even deserve that?”
Li Man held his gaze without flinching. “Whether I deserve it or not—how would I know unless I try?”
“Ha.”
Xu Tong sneered. “Quite the ambition you’ve got. Too bad He Jingnian isn’t someone you can just set your sights on and have.”
“He wouldn’t dare do anything to me,” Li Man said arrogantly.
Xu Tong swept a contemptuous glance over her face. “Don’t overestimate yourself. You’re just a goddaughter my family took in.”
“None of your concern.” Li Man lifted her chin, striking a victorious pose.
A mocking smile curled at the corner of Xu Tong’s mouth. “Li Man, I suggest you learn to read the room. Otherwise, I won’t mind teaching you a lesson on your father’s behalf!”
“Xu Tong!”
Li Man bit her lip hard, then raised her head. “Are you threatening me?”
Xu Tong let out a scornful chuckle. “And what exactly are you? Worth my threat?”
Li Man’s eyes reddened. She took a deep breath, then lifted her head high.
“Fine. If that’s how it is, then let’s just wait and see. I’ll make it clear to you right now—He Jingnian will be mine in the end.”
“We’ll see about that!”
With that, they parted ways and went about their own business.
When Li Man walked into the Xu residence, the living room was full of people—mostly elders and friends of the Xu family.
She nodded politely to each of them, showing proper respect to everyone.
All except Xu Yuan. She acted as if Li Man didn’t exist, calmly sipping her tea as though Li Man were invisible.
That deliberate disregard made Li Man’s stomach churn with humiliation.
That insufferable Xu Yuan had come back again. That woman really needed to be put in her place.
“Manman, come over here to Grandma.” Old Madam Xu beckoned her affectionately.
Li Man walked over obediently and sat down. “Grandma.”
“Such a good girl. Everyone, take a look—isn’t my god-granddaughter beautiful?”
The room buzzed with praise.
“Absolutely gorgeous. And she looks like such a well-behaved, sensible child.”
“Ah, Old Xu, you’re so lucky to have found such a wonderful god-granddaughter. I’m so envious!”
“You old fool, always with the flattery. Your Yutang is still young and doesn’t have a girlfriend yet—what do you think of my Manman here?”
“Done! I’ll talk to Yutang when I get back. I think these two would be a great match.”
Li Man’s eyes lit up.
Yutang?
Could it be Xue Yutang?
She remembered from her past life that Xue Yutang had been drugged at a business gala and caused a scandal that marked the beginning of the Xue family’s downfall.
Xue Yutang—a man as brilliant as they come. His mother, Meng Youruo, was none other than Liu Yusi’s best friend!
Hmph. She was going to take everything from the Li family.
“Grandma… I’m still young…”
“Silly girl. She’s shy.” Old Madam Xu patted her hand affectionately. Old Madam Xue watched Li Man’s bashful expression and thought to herself—this child is thin-skinned, obviously well-mannered and polite.
The group chatted and laughed, full of cheer.
Meanwhile, on Li Qiao’s side—she had just fallen into a deeply unsettling dream!
