There was no hiding that murderous look

Ten minutes later, when Lu Jiaoyue found the Lu Family's car, Lu Xiaoxiao was in the back seat, panting and wiping sweat from her forehead.

She really was exhausted.

The moment she heard Lu Jiaoyue say she would look for her at the car, Lu Xiaoxiao had sprinted flat out, determined to get there first so the other girl wouldn't notice anything amiss.

Seeing Lu Jiaoyue reach for the door handle, she immediately lowered her hand and pretended to fan herself, grumbling impatiently, "It's so hot. This air conditioning isn't doing anything. I'm sweating."

[Thank goodness, I made it in time. The last time I exercised this hard was the eight-hundred-meter fitness test at school. I'm really giving this my all.]

Feeling the blast of cold air from inside the car, Lu Jiaoyue tactfully refrained from exposing her. She called out a sweet "Sis" and held up the shopping bags in her arms for Lu Xiaoxiao to see, as though seeking praise.

"Look, Sis! I brought back all the clothes you picked out for me! You have such great taste. I love every single one! But they really were expensive..."

All those sweet calls of "Sis" left Lu Xiaoxiao dizzy, her heart melting into a puddle, though she kept her expression stern.

"Why are you acting like such a country bumpkin? It's just a few clothes, and that little bit of money scared you?"

"Before you were brought home, this was an everyday expense for me. You'll have to get used to it too. Remember that."

[Baby, you're an heiress! You need to feel more deserving. You deserve to have all these things!]

Lu Jiaoyue nodded obediently. "I understand. I'll get used to it, Sis."

Lu Xiaoxiao gave a grunt of acknowledgment, then added somewhat guiltily, "You took too long trying on clothes. I got tired of waiting, so I came back to the car to rest."

Finally, she threw in a threat. "You'd better not think about tattling to Father and Mother. I didn't leave you behind on purpose."

Lu Xiaoxiao thought she had thoroughly nailed the villainess act, unaware that, in Lu Jiaoyue's eyes, she was merely a prickly older sister who said the opposite of what she felt.

"I won't tell on you, Sis. I swear!" Lu Jiaoyue hurried to assure her, her tone sincere.

"It's just that I was a little worried when I couldn't find you, and I didn't have your contact information... Could I add you on WeChat?"

Lu Xiaoxiao froze, then felt a little delighted.

Wasn't that exactly what she wanted?

She cleared her throat softly and unlocked her phone with a show of reluctance, pretending to complain, "Fine. What a hassle."

[Woohoo! She asked first! She actually asked first! This is fantastic!]

Lu Jiaoyue promptly sent her a friend request.

Lu Xiaoxiao accepted instantly and checked the other girl's profile picture. It was an adorably dopey cartoon rabbit.

Ever since their first meeting, she had thought a rabbit suited Lu Jiaoyue perfectly. Both were cute and harmless, making her want to cuddle them in her arms and give them a good rub.

Brimming with delight, Lu Xiaoxiao began considering what contact name to give Lu Jiaoyue. The drive back to the Lu Family home was fairly long, so this was a perfect way to pass the time.

She changed the nickname countless times along the way, from "Baby sister" to "Princess Yue." Only when the car entered the Beishan Villa District, where the Lu Family lived, did Lu Xiaoxiao finally settle on the one she liked best-Little moon bunny.

The Beishan Villa District was an upscale villa community in the capital, home to the wealthy and protected by first-rate security. Every person and vehicle entering or leaving underwent strict checks. Unregistered vehicles couldn't get in at all, and taxis were prohibited too.

In the original novel, Gu Sipei had only been able to drive Lu Jiaoyue home because he owned a property here, though he rarely stayed there.

Of course, given his wealth, it wouldn't have been surprising for him to own property anywhere.

After spending most of the day shopping and burning through plenty of energy, all Lu Xiaoxiao wanted now was to go back to her room and collapse onto her bed.

She got out of the car and had just entered the courtyard when an enormous, furry black shape suddenly charged straight at her.

Lu Xiaoxiao's brain froze for a second before she finally realized what it was, just before the dark shape pounced.

It was a fucking enormous Tibetan mastiff!!!

Unfortunately, one of the few things Lu Xiaoxiao shared with the original owner of her body was a fear of dogs, especially fierce-looking large breeds like this!

Lu Xiaoxiao was instantly so terrified that she wanted to scramble away on all fours. But extreme fear could make a person's limbs go rigid, leaving them unable to move. She couldn't even run, and the dog pounced squarely on her.

"Aaaaaaaaaah! Fuck!!!"

This time, she couldn't spare a thought for any system or character persona. All she could do was scream at the top of her lungs.

The Tibetan mastiff responsible didn't actually attack her. It pressed one front paw against Lu Xiaoxiao's shoulder and tilted its head, seemingly finding her terrified expression amusing. Then it leaned closer, panting with its tongue hanging out.

Lu Jiaoyue, who was closest to Lu Xiaoxiao, reacted immediately. She hooked an arm around the Tibetan mastiff's neck and pulled it aside, then held its head still between both hands and sternly scolded it. "Lightning! You mustn't scare my sister!"

"Hahahahahaha! This is killing me! Lu Xiaoxiao, you're such a coward!"

A boy's unrestrained laughter rang out nearby. Lu Xiaoxiao looked toward the sound and saw Lu Yubai leap out from behind the bushes.

Now she remembered. This Tibetan mastiff was Lu Yubai's pet!

At the sight of him, Lu Jiaoyue's lovely, delicate brows knitted in displeasure. "Yubai, this prank went too far!"

"Huh?" Suddenly reprimanded by his own older sister, Lu Yubai was dumbfounded and hurriedly explained, "Sis! I was just playing a joke to get back at her for you! You're too kind. You didn't even get angry when she mocked you like that yesterday, but you have no idea how fake and manipulative she usually is!"

After saying that, he glanced at Lu Xiaoxiao and muttered, "Besides, she's fine, isn't she? Lightning knows when to stop. He wouldn't hurt anyone!"

Her face deathly pale, Lu Xiaoxiao shakily rose to her feet, her teeth clenched in fury. There was simply no hiding the murderous look in her eyes.

[Lu! Yu! Bai! You're dead!!!!!]

Just as murderous rage surged through her and she was about to lunge over and strangle Lu Yubai, a steady, commanding male voice came from behind her.

"What happened? I thought I heard Xiaoxiao screaming."

She turned to look. The newcomer was none other than the Lu Family's eldest son, Lu Xunli, who hadn't appeared last night.

Of all the brothers, this man most closely resembled Lu Yuan in both looks and bearing. His brows were furrowed now, with unmistakable concern in his eyes.

Lu Xiaoxiao's footsteps faltered. Then she decisively changed direction, her expression transforming in a second as she threw herself into Lu Xunli's arms, putting on a tearful display of fake crying.

"Boohoo... Big brother! You have no idea what just happened. Yubai... he set his dog on me!"