Chapter 283: Chapter 281 I Have the Capital to be Arrogant

His words had barely fallen when Xia Wenjin’s face began to look unsightly.

She awkwardly tugged at the corner of her mouth, yet still put on a pitiful act and said, “Although my parents raised Zhaozhao for 20 years, they were still quite sad when she left the Lu Family…”

With that one sentence, Xia Wenjin made it sound like Lu Zhaozhao had left the Lu Family of her own accord.

After all, only she, Lu Zhaozhao, and the people from the Lu and Xia Families knew the truth of what happened at that time.

Even if she said anything, no one would confront her about it to her face.

Justin slightly furrowed his brow upon hearing Xia Wenjin’s words. Although he was a collateral member of the Xia Family, he really didn’t know about this matter.

He only knew there was friction between Xia Wenjin and Lu Zhaozhao, but as for the more detailed information, he was not privy to it.

Justin had always been curious as to why the Xia Family, which used to treasure Xia Wenjin so much, seemed to care less about her shortly after Lu Zhaozhao appeared.

In his view, it was only natural for Xia Wenjin not to like Lu Zhaozhao.

After all, to her, Lu Zhaozhao was like an outsider.

“Rumor has it Miss Lu is already married, to the Song Family…”

Before the person could finish, the man standing directly across from Justin elbowed him, “How come you haven’t drunk much yet? Too much to drink?”

He promptly winked at the man.

Xia Wenjin, disliking the current atmosphere, promptly found an excuse to walk towards a quieter area.

From afar, she could still hear the previous conversation continue.

“Xiao Mo is now just an ordinary manager, and Old Master Song made it clear he was distancing himself from the relationship at the wedding. You didn’t know?”

“I thought the Lu Family had such capability, raising a foster daughter to marry the heir of Song Group, while their own daughter marries into a collateral branch of the Song Family. It looks now like the foster daughter has the better fortune…”

“Isn’t that so? I overheard the servants of the Song Family saying that Old Master Song especially adores this granddaughter-in-law, perhaps even more than his own grandson, tsk tsk…”

…

The more Xia Wenjin listened, the more agitated she became.

Lu Zhaozhao clearly only managed to marry Song Sinian because she had relied on her status as the Lu Family’s precious daughter.

Now, it seemed like everyone had forgotten about that!

Why did she deserve it?

Xia Wenjin clenched her fists tightly, only to catch a glimpse of Lu Zhaozhao in the distance being pampered like a princess, with people taking care of her from all angles.

“Zhaozhao, would you like some more fruit? The strawberries look quite lovely.” Xia Wenyan, holding two plates of fruit featuring nearly every variety, stood by her side.

Next to him, the taller Pei Huai occasionally used a fork to feed him fruit, tasting them as Xia Wenyan suggested.

Lu Zhaozhao looked at the expectant Xia Wenyan and then at Pei Huai, who was very much in tune with him, unsure whether to eat or not.

If she did, just watching would feel like being fed dog food.

If she didn’t, her fourth brother’s gaze was simply too intense.

Lu Zhaozhao sighed, picked up a fork in her hand, and stabbed a strawberry to eat.

Seeing Xia Wenyan’s beautiful peach blossom eyes curve with a smile, she also began to smile along.

Actually, Lu Zhaozhao herself had not expected a simple charity dinner would blow up her three brothers, the eldest, third, and fourth.

Miss Lu had just heard from Xia Wenyan that his older brother had been planning to attend the charity dinner, but last night, he was unexpectedly sent away on a work assignment by Song Sinian.

Miss Lu always felt this seemed eerily familiar, as she had initially wanted to ask Xu Zhenzhen to join her at the charity gala, but she had mentioned having to go out of town for work.

Could it be that her brother’s work assignment coincidentally matched with Xu Zhenzhen’s?

Probably…

After prodding another strawberry, Miss Lu asked, “When are Big Brother and Mr. Song likely to return?”

Xia Wenyan shrugged, “Don’t know. If they’re talking business, they’ll probably need quite a bit of time.”

“Don’t worry. If those two have trouble on their own turf, they really wouldn’t be living up to their positions.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice reached her from behind.

Miss Lu’s eyes lit up instantly, and she turned to see Xia Wenmo approaching. She sweetly called out, “Third Brother!”

“Uh-huh.” Xia Wenmo reached out and ruffled Lu Zhaozhao’s hair before leaning in and whispering, “I just saw Xia Wenjin sneak in here as well. Stay away from her later, alright?”

That woman always begrudged others’ happiness and might use this opportunity to hurt Lu Zhaozhao.

He never used to believe in the notion of someone being inherently bad, but he had come to understand it quite tangibly through Xia Wenjin’s behavior.

Thus, with Xia Wenjin around, Lu Zhaozhao had to stay alert.

She just might exploit any loophole.

Xia Wenmo’s gaze unintentionally drifted in a certain direction as he spoke.

Lu Zhaozhao followed his gaze and spotted Xia Wenjin.

It seemed Xia Wenjin also felt someone’s eyes on her and looked back.

Almost in an instant, Lu Zhaozhao’s and Xia Wenjin’s eyes met.

Following that, Lu Zhaozhao felt the malevolence in Xia Wenjin’s stare.

Lu Zhaozhao, unperturbed, blinked and slowly curved her lips into a profoundly mocking smile.

Then, she deliberately leaned into Xia Wenmo and whispered, “Third Brother, take a quick look and tell me if my face is punchable enough now?”

Xia Wenmo couldn’t help but laugh at Lu Zhaozhao’s exaggeratedly defiant stance towards Xia Wenjin.

He looked at his adorable sister with a mix of amusement and exasperation, sighing, “Are you not afraid she’ll retaliate?”

How petty Xia Wenjin could be was no secret to him after all these years of living together.

Lu Zhaozhao pouted, “Whether I act arrogant or not, she’s going to target me, so why should I give her the satisfaction? Besides, with my brothers and husband around, I have the capital to be confident~”

Her proud little face revealed a satisfaction that deeply pleased Xia Wenmo.

Although Lu Zhaozhao had not been with the Xia Family for long, her understanding and lovable nature had indeed made everyone instinctively protective of the youngest family member.

They wanted to give her all the best things in the world.

Off to the side, Xia Wenyan, with a plate in hand, looked at Lu Zhaozhao and Xia Wenmo whispering to each other and grumbled discontentedly, “Hey, hey, Third Brother, mind the order of things, will you? Don’t interrupt my feeding time with sis.”

He had finally graduated from the reserve ranks to a bona fide brother, and he had to be the most reliable one at all costs!

Xia Wenmo gave Xia Wenyan a sidelong glance, then looked at the plate in his hand before turning to ask Lu Zhaozhao, “Zhaozhao, would you like something to drink? Shall Third Brother get it for you?”

Lu Zhaozhao, who had come to the charity dinner with the sole purpose of indulging in food and drinks, treated all her brothers’ attentions with equal appreciation…