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The Rolls-Royce carried Luo Fu back home, where Song Yan was in the kitchen, apron on, preparing a meal.

“Fu Fu, you’re back! Mom made your favorite ribs today. Wash your hands quickly, and we’ll eat soon,” Song Yan said gently.

Luo Fu was already hungry—this was the first time in two months she felt such a sharp hunger. But seeing Song Yan busy in the kitchen, her hands damp from cooking, the stomach that had been loudly protesting a moment ago suddenly fell silent, replaced by a feeling of loss of appetite.

“I don’t feel like eating,” she said.

“You have to eat even if you don’t feel like it. Go change your clothes,” Song Yan urged.

Luo Fu returned to her room and changed into the loungewear she had casually packed into her suitcase from the capital—a soft, comfortable, loose but stylish set. She paused, realizing it was a matching parent-child outfit; she, Song Yan, and Xu Hanrui each had one.

Angrily, she ripped it off, threw it to the floor, stomped on it, then tossed it into the trash bin. After calming herself for a while, she left with a sour, world-weary expression.

“Did you get into a fight at school today?” Song Yan asked with concern, her gentle gaze sweeping over the scratches and scabs on Luo Fu’s hand.

“Yeah.”

“Did you lose?”

“Of course not. Anyone who dares to provoke me is just asking for trouble,” Luo Fu said fiercely, raising her fist.

Under Song Yan’s persistent questioning, she recounted the day’s events in brief.

“That’s good. We only eat ribs because we don’t lose out,” Song Yan said as she served her ribs. “You burned so much energy today; you need to eat more to recover. I have a surprise for you after dinner.”

Luo Fu’s tired expression brightened slightly, her dark eyes showing a hint of curiosity. “What kind of surprise?”

“Eat quickly, I’ll tell you after dinner.”

After they finished eating, Song Yan brought out several shopping bags from her bedroom. The logo on the bags was from a luxury brand that Luo Fu had favored in recent years.

“Ta-da! Mom went shopping this afternoon and found some beautiful new styles. Fu Fu, you’re definitely going to love them.”

“Wow!” Luo Fu’s face lit up as she pulled the clothes from the bags—indeed, they were very pretty and just her style.

Song Yan patted her head and said, “All you need to do is be happy every day like before. Leave everything else to Mom. I’ll take care of it.”

Luo Fu nodded and happily began trying on the clothes.

After dinner, Luo Fu wanted to paint, but as soon as she picked up the brush, nausea hit her. She dropped it and went to the gym to punch the heavy bag.

Her custom pink gloves thudded loudly against the bag—one strike after another, as if trying to break it apart. Sweat drenched her long hair, her core tightened, and her defined abs were clearly visible. Her arms gleamed with strong, well-trained muscles, full of power.

[“Luo Fu, I’m your dad!”]

[“I regret spoiling you into this wild state. Get out!”]

[“Both of you, mother and daughter, get out!”]

Joy quickly vanished, leaving only anger and resentment.

By ten o’clock at night, Luo Fu dried her hair and went to bed. She still couldn’t get used to the cheap mattress and had only been able to sleep well with Song Yan beside her, so tonight, as usual, they slept together.

Lying in Song Yan’s arms, she felt like she was still a small child. As Song Yan gently patted her back, the tight furrow in her brow eased, her breath became steady and calm. The aggressive, defiant expression she wore during the day faded away, leaving only a pure, innocent face like that of a baby.

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Once Luo Fu was asleep, Song Yan tiptoed back to her own bedroom and took out her phone.

...

Capital City.

As soon as school ended, Xu Mengrui pulled out her phone to message Tao Yuzhe, asking about Luo Fu.

Tao Yuzhe replied: Yu Mingwan and the others took her into the warehouse, planning to shoot some videos, but failed.

Xu Mengrui: Why?

Tao Yuzhe: Luo Fu beat them all into the hospital.

Xu Mengrui: ?? How is that possible?

Tao Yuzhe: I heard Luo Fu has been trained by a boxing champion since she was little. Didn’t you know?

Tao Yuzhe had tried to get in to film but the only window of the warehouse was occupied by Chu Rao and his group, and Li Chongjing guarded the entrance. He dared not push in, so he waited outside for news.

Eventually, Luo Fu left unharmed, and the principal hurried over to take Yu Mingwan and the others to the hospital. Tao Yuzhe learned from online discussions that Luo Fu’s fighting skills were professional, and he was secretly relieved he hadn’t stepped forward—what if he had gotten beaten too?

Xu Mengrui frantically recalled everything from her previous life and realized Luo Fu was indeed very strong and skilled in fighting.

In her past life, once Luo Fu grabbed her hair or pinned her arms, she couldn’t break free no matter what. Luo Fu had even attacked Mo Yu out of hatred born from affection. Back then, she had thought Mo Yu was just too gentlemanly to hit a woman, which was why Luo Fu had beaten him so badly that he fled with his head down...

No, no, no—Mo Yu must have still cared for her, which was why he refused to fight back and got beaten by Luo Fu!

So actually, Luo Fu wasn’t naturally strong or skilled in fighting; she had been professionally trained.

Xu Mengrui bit her lip tightly, despite knowing she was a reborn adult, the protagonist in this world, and far above a vicious villain like Luo Fu. She should calmly and confidently handle Luo Fu, like dealing with a mere mouse, able to crush her with a finger.

Yet, deep down, unwillingness and resentment surged again. Even if she took everything from Luo Fu now, switching identities and status, Luo Fu was not the same as in the previous life. She still possessed things Xu Mengrui never had.

Like the self-centeredness born from a family’s doting love, a proud confidence that made her feel the world revolved around her, and the ability to fight back when bullied...

Fortunately, these traits were innate but could be stripped away by adverse circumstances.

Thinking this, her mood calmed somewhat. How long could Luo Fu stay arrogant?

She had fought Yu Mingwan; Yu Zhenghui would come after her. That doting father would cover for his daughter no matter what—murder or arson—and no matter how proud Luo Fu’s temper, the fact was she no longer had anyone backing her. She was no longer the princess of the capital’s social circle. Yu Zhenghui must have known this when Luo Fu enrolled; otherwise, he wouldn’t have allowed his daughter to provoke her.

At that moment, Tao Yuzhe gave her news that made her even happier.

Tao Yuzhe: Li Chongjing was there too and got bumped quite fiercely by Luo Fu. I almost thought Li Chongjing was going to get beaten as well.

Great! Li Chongjing saw how terrifying Luo Fu was when fighting. Now he knew her true nature and wouldn’t be blinded by her as in the past, no longer becoming her pathetic follower!

...

Qinghe Ancient Town, at the end of Qingquan Alley.

Inside the Li Family Clinic, the scent of Chinese herbal medicine permeated every corner. Several stoves in the courtyard simmered with herbs, bubbling and releasing fragrant steam.

Li Chongjing sat on a bamboo stool, gently fanning himself with a palm leaf fan, his cheek resting in one hand, lost in thought.

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Though the stoves emitted a strong medicinal scent, his nose caught a faint, unusual fragrance beneath it, stirring restlessness deep inside him.

His mind was in a heightened state, uncontrollably replaying scenes from the warehouse. The girl’s bright, radiant smile seemed to light up the entire space; her clear, dark eyes were full of lively amusement, and her rosy lips emitted a melodious, bell-like laugh...

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he felt his mouth dry.

His phone buzzed, jolting him awake; he almost burned his hand on the stove.

He checked his phone; it was a voice message from Chu Rao.

Li Chongjing tapped to play. Chu Rao’s voice came through:

“I found out—Luo Fu is the daughter of Xu Hanrui, chairman of the Xu Group! You know the Xu Group, right? A century-old giant. Xu Hanrui was China’s richest man for five consecutive years. No wonder Luo Fu acts so arrogantly. With that family background, she’s top-tier not only at Yuling International but also in the capital’s Sofide International circle.”

“But, unfortunately, two months ago she and her mother were completely cut off and sent away. I heard it ended badly—they were ‘exiled’ to our second-tier southern city. The whole capital is buzzing that the Xu heiress is a different person now. So Luo Fu truly has no power or influence anymore. I guess she’s just fallen from the top, and she hasn’t accepted the reality yet. Tomorrow is going to be a disaster for her.”

Chu Rao’s tone was tinged with disdain: “As expected, no rich old man is reliable.”

Chu Rao thought of his own father. Although he was a second-generation rich kid, his life wasn’t happy. His mother was also cut off after his father’s affair.

He met Li Chongjing when they were both eight. At that time, Chu Rao’s stepmother deliberately left him outside where human traffickers almost abducted him. Thanks to Li Chongjing’s quick thinking, they and some other children escaped.

But Chu Rao’s mother suffered serious injuries, spending months in the ICU, and passed away shortly after he returned. Chu Rao wanted revenge, planning to have his stepbrother kidnapped like he was.

Li Chongjing stopped him: “Your stepmother isn’t a loving woman. If one child is gone, she’ll have more. The pain you want her to feel, she never will.”

“What should I do then?” little Chu Rao asked through tears.

“Just scare her a little,” Li Chongjing said calmly and coldly. “I’ve read a lot about psychology recently; it might work.”

Following his advice, Chu Rao staged a fake kidnapping of his half-brother, recreating the threats and intimidation they’d experienced. Li Chongjing also gave him some private advice. The results were surprisingly effective.

The arrogant little brat developed psychological issues, frequently having outbursts that threw the family into chaos, causing his father to either avoid home or quarrel constantly with the stepmother, much to Chu Rao’s delight.

Because of this, Chu Rao was the only friend who knew Li Chongjing’s true nature.

After hearing Chu Rao’s words, Li Chongjing furrowed his brow, feeling a sudden strong dislike for this new Xu family heiress.

Plundering others’ assets is the fastest way to riches. If given the chance, Li Chongjing would be a predator himself. Usually, he’d regard fellow predators as kin.

But here, he was convinced the other party had resorted to vile, despicable, and shameless schemes to trap Luo Fu and her mother. Such people weren’t human.

Xu Hanrui was no better—short-sighted, cold-hearted, ruthless. No wonder he was dethroned after only five years as the richest man.

Another voice message from Chu Rao came:

“Chong, why did you ask me to find this out? Planning to teach Luo Fu a lesson? Should we just forget it? She’s about to get schooled by the bald Yu Zhenghui anyway.”

To Chu Rao, Li Chongjing’s previous denial of liking Yu Mingwan in front of her must have been a forced response. If he had said “like” or been ambiguous, Yu Mingwan would have clung to him even more, and Luo Fu might have beaten him senseless on the spot. Tooth repair is expensive!

So “dislike” was a reluctant compromise, choosing the lesser evil. The consequence was Yu Mingwan’s grudge and Yu Zhenghui withholding his scholarship for various reasons.

Li Chongjing, who valued money above all and never forgave, would surely hold a grudge against Luo Fu for causing him trouble and trying to drag him down.

Li Chongjing smirked enigmatically, “Who’s teaching whom a lesson is still uncertain.”