Chapter 23: No Entry for the Xiao Family and Their Dogs

The best life? That would certainly be to be a vulgar person who loves money and beauty.

Chen Xingmiao thought without hesitation and blurted out, "To be wealthy, beautiful, loved, and have plenty of leisure time."

Xiao Ziyu did not understand these words when put together. However, when broken down, he understood every single character clearly.

Loved? She had only just met that Lin Yu, and she already felt love?

"According to you, my lady, would having all these things make you happy?" Xiao Ziyu asked with narrowed eyes.

Waking up naturally every day, having endless money to spend, a handsome man by her side, living a sweet and doting life, no need to act in plays, no need to endure missions—that wouldn't just be happy; that would be a dream so good she’d wake up laughing!

Her face was full of yearning, her lips curved into a smile like a crescent moon.

"Heh." Xiao Ziyu let out a cold laugh, crushing the book in his hand until it warped.

What a fickle woman. No wonder she looked so happy when she saw Lin Yu—happier than she ever looked at him.

[System Alert! System Alert! Villain's favorability decreased by three.]

Xiao Liu's voice rang out in her mind, catching her off guard and pulling her back to reality.

She couldn't even be praised; she had just mentioned that his favorability had been rising steadily, and now it was dropping?

She had almost died for his mother's ashes, for goodness' sake. As expected, villains have no hearts.

Chen Xingmiao's smile vanished instantly; she felt like she couldn't live like this for even another minute. If it weren't for wanting to go home, she wouldn't be doing this thankless job. She had better get back to the plot and complete the missions.

With that thought, she got off the bed, squeezed out another smile, and leaned toward Xiao Ziyu. "Husband, do you know where they keep your mother's ashes? How did she pass away?"

At the mention of this, Xiao Ziyu pressed his lips into a thin line, his throat bobbing, and he finally turned his head away without saying a word.

Why did it feel like she had stepped on a landmine? Why was his expression suddenly so foul?

Chen Xingmiao tugged at his sleeve, but seeing he remained unresponsive, she dared not say more, fearing another favorability drop. It seemed difficult to get information about his mother from him. But as an ordinary person, where was she supposed to find those ashes? This side quest was too difficult.

Just as she was thinking this, Xiao Ziyu unexpectedly turned his head and said slowly, "The ashes are likely in Father's bedroom, but only Xiao Zilin has the key."

"In the bedroom?" She grimaced in disbelief.

That scoundrel of a father was truly bold, hiding the ashes of the deceased in the place where he slept. Wasn't he afraid something would pop out while he was with Hua Liyin? She truly couldn't fathom the mind of such a scumbag. As for Hua Liyin, it went without saying—the mistress had taken the lead and dared to sleep soundly in the presence of the original wife's ashes. She was truly something else.

Xiao Ziyu placed both hands on her shoulders, looking at her with a solemn gaze.

"Since you want to help me, listen to me. Do not act recklessly on your own."

His voice was low and brooked no argument. She nodded subconsciously. Indeed, she had no clue how to proceed on her own, and since she had this powerful person here, she should definitely hold onto him tightly.

At that moment, Chuntao knocked on the door and entered.

"Young Master, a servant just came by saying that Master Xiao wants you to go to the ancestral hall."

Chen Xingmiao pressed Xiao Ziyu's hand first, shaking her head at him. Why were these Xiao family members like lingering ghosts? One after another, they came to stir up trouble.

"There is no avoiding this, and besides, I must get my mother's ashes back." Xiao Ziyu pulled his hand away, set down the book, and stood up, ready to leave.

She lunged forward and grabbed his hand again. "You're right. In that case, I'll go with you."

Xiao Ziyu fell silent. He looked at her determined expression, then lowered his eyes to look at their joined hands. Finally, he took her hand, and together they stepped out of the bedroom.

In the ancestral hall, Xiao Yinsheng and Hua Liyin were standing by the ancestral tablets. Xiao Yinsheng sat in a wooden wheelchair with his leg bandaged, his eyes so fierce it looked as if he wanted to devour someone.

Seeing Xiao Ziyu arrive, Hua Liyin stepped forward and pulled Chen Xingmiao toward her.

"What are you doing?" She shook off Hua Liyin’s hand with disgust. What trick was this old woman trying to pull now?

Xiao Yinsheng held a thick wooden staff and pointed it at Xiao Ziyu.

"Tell me, was the person who trespassed in the Xiao manor the other day your friend?"

Xiao Ziyu met his gaze coldly and said word by word, "Father, you have known whether or not I have had friends since I was a child, have you not?"

"Then it must be you!" Xiao Zilin suddenly pointed his finger at Chen Xingmiao. "It must be the lover you found! You shameless harlot!"

Chen Xingmiao was stunned. She didn't even know what they were talking about, and suddenly she was being accused of having a lover.

She let out a snort of laughter, clearly enraged. "Xiao Zilin, I think you've practiced martial arts for so many years that you've practiced your brain away!"

"This matter has nothing to do with her." Xiao Ziyu reached out to shield Chen Xingmiao behind him, his gaze sweeping over the three people before finally landing on Xiao Yinsheng’s face.

"Even if it were my friend, so what? Does Father want to do the same thing you did all those years ago?"

"You!" Xiao Yinsheng was choked by his words, breathing heavily, but he couldn't utter a second word.

Xiao Ziyu lowered his head, his two fists clenched tightly, his lowered eyes hiding the gloom and malice within.

"All those years ago?" What was the situation? Was there gossip to be had? Chen Xingmiao grew interested, feeling a sense of satisfaction at seeing Xiao Yinsheng's livid face. Keep talking, why had everyone stopped?

Xiao Zilin curled his lip into a cold sneer and said viciously, "He deserved it. He deserved to die."

"That’s right, Xiao Ziyu. Today, in front of our ancestors, kneel and repent properly." Xiao Zilin swung the staff, threatening him.

Chen Xingmiao was about to speak, but she was dragged aside by Hua Liyin again.

"Little Miao, don't get involved in this," Hua Liyin said, winking at her.

Did this old woman have something wrong with her eyes? She pouted and leaned back toward Xiao Ziyu.

"Are you going to kneel or not?" A flicker of cruelty crossed Xiao Yinsheng's eyes, and the next moment, the staff in his hand landed heavily on Xiao Ziyu.

He let out a muffled groan, his frail body swaying before his knees hit the ground with a thud.

"Master Xiao, I see that your words are nothing but hot air; they mean absolutely nothing!"

Chen Xingmiao pushed Hua Liyin aside, stepped forward to help Xiao Ziyu up, and touched his face with both hands. "Are you alright, husband?"

He certainly wasn't alright. But she had to show some symbolic concern to boost the favorability rating. Xiao Ziyu pressed his lips together, looking pained, and did not utter a sound.

How could the little villain’s frail body withstand such a heavy blow? If this Xiao Yinsheng wouldn't keep his word, then she would teach him a lesson.

"To hell with your ancestors! You don't even know right from wrong; I think worshipping you is a waste of incense!" She stood with her hands on her hips in front of Xiao Ziyu.

Xiao Zilin’s expression changed drastically, and Xiao Yinsheng’s face turned as black as a cast-iron pot.

"You dare to insult the ancestors? Is this how Master Chen taught you? Does the Chen household have no rules at all?"

"Rules? Then today, I will teach you what it means to keep your word, and while I'm at it, I'll strip away your feudal mindset."

She rushed forward, and with a loud crash, she flipped the table holding the ancestral tablets over with both hands.

Xiao Yinsheng was so angry he stumbled backward, spat out a mouthful of blood, and fainted.

"Father!" Xiao Zilin fell from his wheelchair in his agitation. "Chen Xingmiao, you are courting death!"

"Don't worry, I will definitely live longer than you."

After saying this, she kicked Xiao Zilin’s leg and returned to Xiao Ziyu's side. "What are you staring at? Run!"

She took his hand and ran all the way back to their courtyard.

After shutting the main gate, she looked at Chuntao and ordered, "Chuntao, remember this: from now on, no one from the Xiao family—nor dogs—are allowed inside."