CHAPTER 138: CHAPTER 138: BREAKING WITH THE LAI FAMILY

The little girl was so skinny she was just skin and bones.

Like a walking skeleton.

But her eyes were incredibly beautiful—dark, bright, and brimming with vitality and energy.

Was this little girl Lai Shenyan’s daughter?

The thought flashed through Fen Du’s mind, and he hastily dismissed it.

If Lai Shenyan found out what he was thinking, he would surely rip his head off and kick it like a ball.

Lai Rumu said, "It’s not that we don’t want you to go play with him; it’s that your health is poor, and your brother doesn’t know how to take care of anyone. All that bumping around could easily make you feel worse."

"I’ve grown up; I can take care of myself. Grandma, Big Brother, you need to have faith in my brother. He’ll definitely improve over the years. I can’t always be a burden to you all. Sooner or later, I’ll have to live with him, so you need to give him a chance to learn how to care for me."

Madame Lai said, "If you want to die, then go with him. Just don’t die within a couple of days."

Lai Shenlan smiled harmlessly. "If I could die by my brother’s side, I think that would be pretty good."

Lai Rumu, afraid things were getting out of hand, quickly interjected, "Shenlan, your body can’t handle any rough treatment right now. Years ago, when your brother was impulsive and reckless, he took you to play in the river and nearly drowned you. As your eldest brother, I had no choice but to keep you at home and forbid him from taking care of you. You’ve only just managed to regain some of your strength; I can’t bear to let you go with him."

Suicide and house arrest took on a different guise when spoken by Lai Rumu.

"Thank you for your concern, Big Brother. If it weren’t for Grandma, Great Uncle, Great Aunt, and you, I might have left this world long ago. But blood ties sometimes create inexplicable bonds. Even though my brother nearly got me killed, I still have faith in him. I want to spend a few good days playing with him."

Lai Rumu questioned, "What if you fall ill again?"

Lai Shenyan openly supported Fu Bing. Fu Bing and those around her are outstanding doctors; they’ll definitely be able to see what’s wrong with Lai Shenlan.

Lai Shenlan is the smartest of her generation in the Lai Family. If she were to recover, the Lai Family might very well be turned upside down.

He would never allow that to happen!

"Then let’s just leave it to fate," Lai Shenlan said softly. "I know you all love me and don’t want me to take risks. But I only have one life. I don’t want to be constantly protected in a greenhouse. I want to go outside, walk around, and feel the sun on my skin."

She couldn’t have been more clear.

Madame Lai, her face dark with anger, scolded, "So you think we’re mistreating you, and only your brother treats you well! Raising an ungrateful wretch like you is worse than raising a dog."

Lai Shenyan was about to speak when Lai Shenlan gently squeezed his hand.

"Grandma, I am your granddaughter. After my parents died, you had the duty and responsibility to care for me until I reached adulthood. If you’re going to hold me to the standards of a dog you’re raising, then you should be prepared to be bitten by that dog in the future."

Her tone remained gentle, yet her words were as sharp as a sword, striking right at the heart of the matter.

Madame Lai said, "If I had known you were so sharp-tongued, I would have disciplined you properly!"

"Grandma’s upbringing has always been quite ’thorough’; no need to be modest on that account."

Lai Rumu stopped Madame Lai from speaking further. "Shenlan, your brother’s condition isn’t good right now. I really shouldn’t say this, as I’m afraid it will affect your mood. You know his temper—he’s volatile and easily angered. He can’t control his emotions, and I can’t guarantee he won’t hit you when he’s not in his right mind!"

Lai Shenyan exclaimed, "Am I an animal? Would I hit my own sister?!"

"You nearly drowned her back then!" Lai Rumu retorted coldly. "Shenlan, don’t blame your big brother. I don’t want anything to happen to you."

Lai Shenlan shook her head, no longer interested in beating around the bush. "Big Brother, I want to go live with my brother for a few days. If you’re worried, you can have someone accompany us. I’m tired of the environment here; I need a change of scenery to recuperate."

Madame Lai was already impatient. "If she wants to go, let her go! Seeing such an ill-omened thing around every day is annoying enough as it is."

Ni He, sensing her son’s anger, said to Madame Lai, "Mom, this is a matter for the three siblings. Let’s not get involved. I’ll take you for a walk in the courtyard to cool off."

Madame Lai shot a fierce glance at Lai Shenyan and Lai Shenlan, then stormed out, supported by Ni He.

In an instant, only Lai Shenyan, Lai Shenlan, and Lai Rumu remained in the vast living room.

Lai Rumu’s gentle and courteous demeanor vanished. "Shenlan," he said, "you forced my hand."

Lai Shenlan retorted, "Big Brother, you’re not *my* brother, and you’re not a film star. There’s no need to keep up this act for so long. Not only is it easy to slip out of character, but it’s also infuriating and disgusting!"

"Grandma was right after all. You’re just an ungrateful wretch you can’t win over."

"That’s because your expectations are too high. My parents’ deaths are inextricably linked to you all. Given that, what kind of feelings could my brother and I possibly have for you?" Lai Shenlan said softly. "Oh, there are feelings, alright—crystal clear hatred."

"In that case, don’t blame me for being impolite." Lai Rumu clapped his hands, and the Lai Family bodyguards immediately swarmed in.

Fen Du anxiously rushed in, placing himself in front of Lai Shenyan and Lai Shenlan.

Lai Shenyan said disdainfully, "What good are those scrawny arms and legs of yours?"

Fen Du was almost in tears. "My young master, is this really the time to be finding fault with me?"

"I’m praising you," Lai Shenyan said insincerely.

He wasn’t tense in the slightest, merely watching Lai Rumu with cold eyes.

Lai Rumu gave the order, "Take Lai Shenlan upstairs. As for Lai Shenyan? Disfigure him and throw him out!"

"So, you’re this jealous of my face!" Lai Shenyan laughed. "Look closely. You really are ugly. When you were reincarnated, did you throw away all of your mother’s genes and only pick up those of the Lai Family?"

The thing Lai Rumu hated the most was others commenting on his appearance.

His appearance was the polar opposite of Lai Shenyan’s.

Lai Shenyan’s looks, even without makeup, were striking enough to outshine a crowd of handsome men and beautiful women in the entertainment industry; he could go straight to filming without any.

He, on the other hand, was the type to disappear into a crowd.

He had no choice but to take a path completely different from Lai Shenyan’s.

He cultivated an image of being approachable and magnanimous, encouraging others to see the virtues beyond his appearance.

Lai Shenlan secretly squeezed her brother’s hand.

Her brother was still the same as before.

How wonderful!

Cold sweat broke out on Fen Du’s brow at Lai Shenyan’s words.

Does this young master think he’s acting in a film?

Provoking the other side at such a critical, hair-trigger moment...

Is he afraid he won’t be beaten badly enough?

Lai Rumu turned away and waved his hand.

At his signal, the bodyguards moved, closing in from all directions.

Lai Shenyan almost wanted to sneer.

There are only three of us, yet he’s prepared so many bodyguards. Does Lai Rumu think he’s shooting a movie?

He’s the actual film star, and even he isn’t this much of a drama queen.

Just as the bodyguards drew closer to the trio, one hollow mask after another emerged from the shadowy corners...