5: Chapter 5 The Insignificant Character in a Pampered Novel

When Xu Zhao returned home, none of the masters were there except for the servants.

Father Xu and the eldest and second brothers of the Xu Family were at work in the company, the third brother was studying abroad, and Mother Xu was at a card game.

Seeing her like this, the servants weren't surprised; it wasn't the first time, though it was more severe than before.

Since the Parents of the Xu Family didn't care, it naturally wasn't the servants' place to speak up. They were skilled at treating people according to their status, as long as they remembered that the most important person in this house was Miss Jiao Jiao.

Xu Zhao went upstairs as if no one else was there, took a shower, and after cleaning herself up, used the medicine box to treat her wounds. This body was truly too weak; before long, she was exhausted. She had to nurse her body back to health first.

She was awakened by a series of urgent knocks. A servant said the master was looking for her and asked her to go downstairs.

In the dining room, Father Xu sat at the head of the table. Xu Jiao was leaning on his shoulder, saying something that made him laugh heartily. Mother Xu also joined in the banter, pinching Xu Jiao's nose. On the other side, the Second Brother Xu smiled, looking dotingly at his beloved sister. When had Xu Zhao ever experienced such warmth?

As soon as she stepped into the dining room, everyone's smiles faded slightly.

Xu Zhao acted as if she hadn't seen the change in the Xu Family's expressions. She sat down expressionlessly in her usual spot—a seat at the very edge, just like her status in this family.

"Cough—" Father Xu frowned and said, "I've already heard from Jiao Jiao. You were beaten by that eldest miss of the Liang Family again. If you have nothing to do, just avoid her; don't always stand in her way. Because of the matter between Jiao Jiao and Young Master Li, she's unhappy and is looking for someone to vent on, yet you still dully approached her. This time, you almost caused your sister to break up with Young Master Li. You can't be so reckless next time."

"Dad..." Xu Jiao glanced at the Parents of the Xu Family, seemingly bashful.

"What's there to be shy about? In the circle now, who doesn't know that the famous Eldest Young Master of the Li Family has taken an interest in our Jiao Jiao? Our Jiao Jiao is truly capable to win Young Master Li's favor." This had made Mother Xu very proud in the circle of wealthy wives lately; Young Master Li truly had a special place in his heart for their Jiao Jiao.

"Mom, what are you saying? Our Jiao Jiao is naturally the very best! Never mind Young Master Li, even the most powerful person would be a match for her," Xu Congxuan, the Second Brother Xu, agreed.

"Right, right, Jiao Jiao is our family's great treasure; no one is good enough for her."

Xu Zhao sneered. In her previous life, this scene played out at the dining table almost every day.

"Xu Zhao, it's not that I want to criticize you, but look at your outfit. Going out like that simply shames the Xu Family. In these prestigious families, which eldest miss isn't dressed up beautifully and radiantly?"

Xu Zhao took a sip of the porridge in her hand before slowly putting down her spoon. She glanced at Xu Congxuan and said, "Not just any family's eldest miss can casually rank first in the entire city."

Xu Congxuan never expected the usually invisible Xu Zhao to suddenly talk back. After a moment of daze, he became displeased. "Is being good at studying that great? You still have to rely on the family's protection."

"Being good at studying is great. Otherwise, how would the Xu Family's great treasure be qualified to enter Yinghua High School?"

1105 almost wanted to applaud Zhao Zhao; the little rebuttal expert was online.

"Zhao... Zhao Zhao... Is that how you see me? Am I that useless in your eyes?" Xu Jiao was instantly saddened, looking at her at a loss, as if she had suffered a huge blow.

"Aren't you?"

Xu Zhao frowned. The truth was always unpleasant, but it shouldn't be enough to make her break down like this.

"I... I..." Two lines of tears burst from Xu Jiao's eyes, her expression as aggrieved as could be.

Mother Xu distressedly pulled her into her arms, calling her darling, while the anger in her eyes was directed unreservedly at Xu Zhao. "Xu Zhao, do you have any upbringing? Your sister has cared for and protected you since childhood. She's kind to others and never argues. Why can't you learn from her!"

"Learn what from her? Learn how to date at a young age and how to juggle N partners? Is this the upbringing of my Xu Family?"

"You... you... Sharp-tongued! Quick—apologize to your sister!"

"She's the reason I got beaten; the one who should apologize is her."

"Xu Zhao!" Father Xu hadn't spoken until now, only feeling that this daughter had become different, as if she were slipping out of control.

Seeing his wife, daughter, and son all suffer setbacks from her, he spoke up, "I know the matter with Jiao Jiao and Young Master Li has made you suffer at school. But you must understand, you are a part of the Xu Family; we rise and fall together! If Jiao Jiao can win Young Master Li's heart, it will be entirely beneficial for the Xu Family and can take us to the next level. As long as Young Master Li remains devoted to Jiao Jiao, the Liang Family's younger generation can't do anything; they're just venting. It'll pass in a while. Endure it a bit longer and consider the bigger picture."

"Oh, but I don't want to endure it anymore."

"You—" Mother Xu trembled with anger. "Are you a pig-brain? Have you studied yourself stupid? Can't you understand what your father is saying? We can't afford to offend the Li Family, and we can't afford to offend the Liang Family. Fortunately, Young Master Li likes Jiao Jiao and won't let her get hurt. You should just take Jiao Jiao's place and let the Liang Family vent their anger. When Jiao Jiao is well and the Xu Family is well, won't you benefit too?"

"Creak—" Xu Zhao stood up, the chair scraping against the floor tiles with a piercing sound.

"I can earn my own future; why should I rely on her?"

"Xu Zhao, don't go too far!" Xu Congxuan usually couldn't stand seeing Jiao Jiao sad, and now, being confronted by someone he had always looked down upon, he was even more furious, his voice carrying a threat. "If you continue like this, I'm afraid the Xu Family won't be able to protect you."

Xu Zhao glanced at Father Xu at the head of the table; his eyes were exactly like Xu Congxuan's sinister ones. She suddenly smiled, a seemingly harmless smile masking the strength and sharpness that inadvertently leaked from between her brows.

"If the so-called protection of the Xu Family means paying for Xu Jiao's mistakes, gritting my teeth, and letting others hit and scold me, then I don't want it from this day forward."

That aura just now—how could it belong to the bookworm in their memories? By the time they reacted, they realized she had already walked out of the Xu Family home.

1105's eyes sparkled: [Zhao Zhao is so great, one against four and a total victory. The debate competition is missing a best debater like you.]

Xu Zhao: Not just talking, I can also take action.

Xu Zhao only took her bank card where she kept her various scholarships and prize money from over the years, her phone, a few simple clothes, and the jacket Gu Yunjing had handed her, which she needed to wash and return to Zhou Chi.

She would just make do outside for the night and go to school tomorrow morning to apply for a dormitory. She had absolutely no interest in living in the Xu Family home anymore.