The Master’s Mask Unveiled Again
Chapter 1037 - 1036: Don’t Come to the Xiao Family Anymore

Chapter 1037: Chapter 1036: Don’t Come to the Xiao Family Anymore

"Auntie, why don’t you go and talk some sense into Aunt Xiao!"

Yun Zhishu simply responded coldly, "Serves him right."

Lu Yutian turned to Qi Zhen again, "Aunt Xiao, please don’t stay angry. This isn’t even a big deal. If you hurt your health, then it’s really not worth it..."

She looked anxiously and worriedly at Xiao Qimo over and over again.

Xiao Qimo stood upright like a board.

Meanwhile, Lu Mian stood lazily beside him, occasionally glancing at Lu Yutian, thinking to himself, *This girl’s pretty amusing.*

Qi Zhen stood with her hands on her hips, completely discarding the elegance of a lady of a prestigious family.

"How is this not a big deal? Over and over again, Xiao Qimo, are you a pig? You’re single because you earned it, fair and square!"

Mr. Pighead Xiao · Qimo, feeling humiliated, turned his face away in shame.

He knew it—there was no escaping this calamity.

Even worse, he dared not imagine what would happen if these people found out he’d both hit and cursed at Lu Mian... Would his three legs remain intact?

Screw it. Let them vent their frustrations.

Anyway, he was annoyed at himself enough already.

"This will absolutely be the last time!" Xiao Qimo muttered gloomily, forcing out these words.

Xiao Jianli laughed angrily, "Last time, you said the exact same thing!"

Xiao Qimo: ...How on earth does an eighty-something-year-old man have such a good memory?

"No—it won’t happen again. This time, I’ve clarified everything. There won’t be a next time, I swear."

"Heh, do you think I still believe you?"

With a snide laugh, Qi Zhen swung the belt directly onto Xiao Qimo’s back.

The man didn’t dodge. He stood there tall and straight, taking the hit without flinching.

Seeing that Qi Zhen was serious, Lu Yutian let out a soft cry of pain, heart aching for him.

*How could these people treat him like this?!*

*Master Mo* was a grown man. Did anyone consider his dignity as a man before treating him this way?

Unable to stop them, Lu Yutian’s gaze fell on Lu Mian. Her tone carried subtle reproach, mixed with a faint plea: "Lu Mian, can’t you say something? Don’t you see that Master Mo is getting beaten because of you..."

In her heart, Lu Yutian felt Lu Mian was being incredibly inconsiderate. At a moment like this, shouldn’t she at least say a few words to defend Master Mo?

It was fine to mess around and create drama in private.

But now, the conflict had reached the elders. Where was Master Mo supposed to save face?

She honestly didn’t understand what Master Mo saw in Lu Mian. If it were her, as his girlfriend, she’d never let such a thing happen.

Lu Mian wasn’t being indifferent; it just wasn’t the right time.

Facing accusations from someone with ulterior motives, she lazily turned to Lu Yutian and gave her a playful, amused smile without speaking.

Her silence didn’t mean others wouldn’t speak up.

Qi Zhen put away the belt and eyed Lu Yutian unsatisfactorily. "Miss Lu, this is a family matter—you don’t need to concern yourself."

The protective instinct towards her daughter-in-law was blatantly obvious.

Xiao Jianli chimed in as well, "Not everything involves Mianmian. Us disciplining our grandson has nothing to do with Mianmian!"

Lu Yutian: "???"

*What? I was trying to help Xiao Qimo! Why are they all turning on me instead?*

Not only that, but even Xiao Qimo, the one she was defending, shot her an icy glare. "I was in the wrong first. Would you kindly apologize to my girlfriend?"

"Master Mo, I..."

Lu Yutian glanced around at everyone, truly unable to understand how they could all side with Lu Mian so fervently.

It felt as though Lu Mian was their precious darling, while Master Mo was nothing more than an outsider.

And her efforts to defend him? They had left her stuck in a thankless position.

"Auntie, I really just—"

Yun Zhishu gave her a long glance, sighing, "Enough, I’ll take you home."

Let’s stop being an eyesore here.

Yun Zhishu hurriedly took Lu Yutian away. Qi Zhen escorted them to the door, then angrily returned to settle the score with Xiao Qimo.

As they left, Lu Yutian cast one last deep look at the Xiao Family’s residence.

"Auntie, do you really think I was in the wrong?" She couldn’t help feeling deeply aggrieved.

"Not really," Yun Zhishu answered absentmindedly, then sighed, "But in any case, try not to visit the Xiao Family anymore in the future."

"..." Lu Yutian stood in disbelief in front of Yun Zhishu, her voice tinged with accusations and grievance. "Auntie, do you think Lu Mian is more important than me in your heart?"

They say that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, but Lu Yutian rarely resorted to these tactics for attention.

She believed she was already outstanding enough and didn’t need to. Seeking attention was something only the weak did.

But now, in the face of the Xiao family’s collective hostility and her aunt’s indifference, Lu Yutian felt she had no choice but to stake everything.

She needed Yun Zhishu to make a choice and give her an answer.

Yun Zhishu paused, glanced sideways at her niece, then walked around her, speaking softly but firmly: "You shouldn’t think that way."

People have feelings; there are always those we’re closer to and those we’re not.

In her heart, the scales naturally tilted towards Lu Mian.

But saying it out loud wouldn’t benefit anyone.

As Yun Zhishu walked ahead, Lu Yutian stared intently at her back, pondering the deeper meaning of her words.

After a moment, she came to terms with them.

Yes, she shouldn’t think that way.

She was her uncle’s biological niece, tied by blood. How could her position possibly be replaced by an outsider?

Auntie must have criticized her because she was overthinking things.

With that thought, Lu Yutian quickly caught up to Yun Zhishu and got in the car with her.

"Auntie, I was wrong. Don’t worry, I’ll be more filial to you than your own daughter!"

——

When Qi Zhen returned to the living room, Lu Mian was holding a small dish. Inside were freshly peeled lychees.

Lu Mian offered the dish to Qi Zhen, smiling warmly. "Aunt Xiao, I peeled these myself."

All the anger Qi Zhen had felt instantly dissipated, and she broke into a grin, her face folding into motherly wrinkles.

"Since you peeled them, I’ll have to eat them all."

Qi Zhen took the dish and cradled it protectively in her arms.

From over on the other side, Xiao Jianli yelled, "Daughter-in-law, save a few for me!"

"These were peeled for me by my daughter-in-law. If you want some... I’ll peel a few for you later!" Qi Zhen guarded the lychees like treasure. Peeling more herself? Fine. Snatching the ones Lu Mian peeled? Not fine.

Xiao Jianli: ...

Seeing the two elders’ anger completely dissipate, Lu Mian then looped her arm through Xiao Qimo’s and calmly explained, "Grandpa Xiao, Aunt Xiao, I was also at fault for this matter. I should’ve disclosed my identity earlier, to avoid any misunderstandings..."

*Protective Mian* was determined to shield Xiao Qimo, taking all the responsibility onto herself.

Qi Zhen and Xiao Jianli immediately felt a pang of pity for her.

"Oh, silly child, how could it be your fault? Wasn’t Xiao Qimo always quite capable? Are you saying he couldn’t even figure out your identity?"

Xiao Qimo: ...Honestly, that comment hurt even more.

*Yes, I’m a pig. I really couldn’t figure it out.*

"Alright, Mianmian, don’t blame yourself anymore. Fine, we won’t bring him up anymore, okay?"

Lu Mian’s lips curved into a tender smile. "Alright. Director Qi treats me very well, don’t worry about me."

"That’s all that matters."