Night fell across the sky, enveloping the earth and silencing all sounds, leaving only endless tranquility.

On the third-floor corridor, a woman in a silk nightgown held a cup of hot milk in her hand. The warm steam rising from the rim of the cup indicated its temperature. Wuyou raised her hand and gently knocked on the door.

The door creaked open, and Lü Jiaqi, wearing a pink nightgown, stared blankly for a moment.

Seeing Wuyou's smile, Lü Jiaqi was stunned for a moment, whispered "Mom," and stepped aside to let her in.

The room, predominantly sea blue, evokes a gentle and tranquil atmosphere, instantly calming the mind. Warm yellow lights cast a bright glow, and the pale blue double bed is neatly made. The room is filled with thick books. This starkly contrasts with Lü Xuewei's pink princess-style decor and plush toys, clearly demonstrating the significant differences in the two sisters' personalities.

Wuyou put down the hot milk on the desk, looked at the books spread out on Lü Jiaqi's desk, and couldn't help but chuckle.

"You've already told me not to read, that getting some rest early is the most important thing, why won't you listen?" As she spoke, she started tidying up the desk. Lu Jiaqi blushed and hurriedly started tidying up.

"Mom, I know, I can take care of it myself." After finishing, Lü Jiaqi made up an excuse to go to the bathroom. After the heat on her face subsided, she returned to her calm self. In front of Wuyou, she was still the same icy little beauty.

"Mom, is there something you need?" Lu Jiaqi asked, tilting her head in confusion as she sat opposite Wuyou.

For the past three years, Wuyou has been a good mother, doting on Lü Jiaqi even more than her older siblings. He's not stupid; in return, he's much closer to Wuyou.

"It's nothing, I just noticed you looked a bit off today, so I wanted to see what was wrong." Wuyou said with a smile, her hands folded on her knees and her legs crossed.

Is this the power of fate? Even though she returned to the Lü family three years earlier than in her previous life, without her former cowardice and timidity, and with her mother's affection and a legitimate identity, Lü Jiaqi still fell in love with Ji Fengzhu. Alas, her love was unrequited; Ji Fengzhu's heart and eyes were only for the charming and adorable Lü Xuewei.

"I...it's nothing." Lü Jiaqi opened her mouth, then pursed her lips and shook her head violently, as if trying to shake off all the messy thoughts in her mind.

Suddenly feeling a warmth on the back of his hand, Lü Jiaqi looked at his own pale palm and couldn't help but tear up, his heart aching. It was impossible for him not to like him; at 18, this was the first time he'd seen such a handsome young man. He wasn't like his brother's gentle warmth, his biological father's kind kindness, or his adoptive father's crudeness and coldness, like ice frozen in the dead of winter. The occasional glimpses of tenderness he displayed were enough to captivate anyone.

It is said that a cold-hearted person, once they become deeply affectionate, can drown a person. But she had personally witnessed the soft and gentle warmth that melted away the ice in a cold person, and she could never forget it.

"I believe you all know the purpose of the Ji family's visit today. It's to form a marriage alliance with our Lü family, and I have two daughters." Wuyou picked up a glass of water and took a sip, the warmth of the water radiating from her palm.

“I know the Ji family has their eye on my sister, not me.” Lü Jiaqi blinked, and the water droplets on her eyelashes fell with the movement, creating a stunningly beautiful effect.

"That's because they're blind. My daughter, Lü Wuyou's daughter, doesn't need anyone to choose her. I hope you'll always be the one in control, the one choosing others, instead of standing still and letting others pick her up, like pork in a market for everyone to comment on."

Wuyou raised her chin, exuding the aura of a ruthless business queen. She was like a proud white swan, radiating queenly arrogance even without a crown on her head.

Lu Jiaqi stared blankly at Wuyou, speechless for a long time. A sense of envy arose in her heart. She envied Wuyou, such a fearless woman who, when faced with betrayal in love, abandoned it without hesitation, without looking back, without lingering, and without being soft-hearted.

It was only at this moment that he felt a sense of shame, realizing that he was still attached to someone unattainable, while his mother had long since transcended such feelings.

“Originally, the Ji family couple favored you, after all, you are my biological daughter. But Ji Fengzhu has taken a liking to Lü Xuewei and insists on marrying no one else. Forced relationships are never sweet, so I don't want to fight for this pointless affection for you.” She gently patted Lü Jiaqi's shoulder. Her carefree tone was gentle yet firm, as if a surge of strength flowed through her, sweeping away all her previous dejection, sadness, and sorrow. Lü Jiaqi suddenly felt that her previous melancholy was all a joke, and her mood brightened considerably.

"By the way, your sister... you should pay more attention to her. She's not as innocent and kind as she seems on the surface." Wuyou thought for a moment and decided to give her some pointers. Lü Jiaqi loves reading and has a quiet personality, which is not as likable as Lü Xuewei. She is also completely unguarded around Lü Xuewei, so it's easy for something to go wrong.

"..." Lu Jiaqi looked up at Wuyou, her eyes filled with surprise. Her mother had always treated them equally over the years, but this statement was clearly biased.

“What’s so surprising? After all, you and Xiang Song are my blood relatives, and Xue Wei still cares about her biological parents. What am I, her adoptive mother?” Wu You’s face showed a hint of bitterness, as if she had been heartbroken.

For the past three years, Lü Xuewei had been extremely attentive to her, acting like a well-behaved daughter, a far cry from the rebellious and spoiled girl she had been three years ago, as if she had suddenly blossomed. Her close relationship with Zhou Anguo and his wife in private speaks volumes.

In his previous life, Li Wuyou doted on Lü Xuewei so much, yet he still didn't receive any gratitude from her, which was enough to prove that she was an ungrateful wretch. The hatred and scheming that occasionally flashed in her eyes when she looked at him had already exposed her ambition.

Hearing this, Lü Jiaqi was even more surprised. To be honest, her feelings for Lü Xuewei were very complicated, a mixture of envy, jealousy, resentment, and other emotions.

Lu Xuewei took her place as a high-society heiress, while she had to endure abuse and struggle to survive in a remote mountain village. When she finally returned, he was still the darling of others, adored by everyone, while she could only remain unknown and serve as a foil to him.

Fortunately, Wuyou treated her quite well, and even if Lü Jiaqi was jealous, she didn't go crazy, let alone do anything unreasonable because of this jealousy.

"Mom, don't be sad. No matter what, I'll always be on your side and I'll never leave you." Reaching out to hold Wuyou's hands, Lü Jiaqi said firmly, her eyes seemingly shining.