Volume 1, Chapter 39: You, Worthy?

Ji Chiqian leaned lazily against his chair, his eyes half-lowered.

He replied, "I'm not sure, either."

"Are you sure you didn't secretly teach her hand-in-hand?"

"She said she taught herself."

Gu Zifeng was utterly shocked. "No way, can someone really learn that? Ever since you rose to fame with your signature twelve-hit combo, countless people have tried to learn it and failed."

Anyone who has played a Gunner knows how difficult the Great God King’s twelve-hit combo is to master. It requires not just talent, but pure intellect. Unless the Great God King himself provides personal instruction—a privilege almost no one receives—it remains impossible to learn.

Lu Ning is the first! To this day, the gaming world still speculates about the relationship between Lu Ning and the Great God King.

Ji Chiqian tapped his slender fingers against the desk. "But she is very clever, and she is indeed very talented." She would only go further than he ever did.

After school, Lu Ning arrived at the school gate, where the driver stood by the car, waiting respectfully. She glanced back in the direction of the infirmary, then ducked into the car.

Back at the Lu residence, she looked at her surroundings, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity. In her past life, she had held this place in such high regard. Yet now, it felt like a stranger's house.

As Lu Ning entered the foyer, Lu Nanfeng stood up. "You're back. Let's eat; I had the kitchen prepare your favorites."

"I'll eat in my room from now on." Lu Ning said this and headed straight upstairs.

Lu Nanfeng looked at the butler. "Prepare a meal and send it up."

The butler expressed his dissatisfaction. "Second Young Master, it is clear that the Eldest Miss has an issue with Miss Xiangxiang. If this gets out, people will think the Eldest Miss doesn't want Miss Xiangxiang at the dinner table."

Qin Xiang quickly intervened. "Uncle Zhang, don't say that. Ningning is probably just trying to save time by eating in her room."

"Miss Xiangxiang, you are just too kind."

Lu Nanfeng frowned. "That's enough. If she doesn't want to come out to eat, let it be. As long as we don't gossip, who would know what happens in the Lu house?" The butler finally shut his mouth with a sullen expression.

Noticing the shift in Lu Nanfeng’s attitude, Qin Xiang felt a surge of panic. She could not afford to lose their favor.

Qin Xiang coughed and said, "Second Brother, I learned how to make a medicinal congee today. Give it a try. It’s certainly not as good as what Ningning makes, but I’ll keep working on it."

Seeing the medicinal congee, Lu Nanfeng’s heart softened toward Qin Xiang again. "You don't need to do these things."

"I have to. Your stomach is delicate and needs proper care. Until Ningning cools down, I will take good care of you for her."

Qin Xiang was still unwell, and her face remained pale. Lu Nanfeng smiled with relief. "It’s the thought that counts."

He tasted the congee; the flavor was far inferior to Lu Ning’s. But out of consideration for Qin Xiang, he ate some anyway. Yet, his heart felt empty, and he found himself missing the medicinal meals Lu Ning used to make.

Upstairs in her bedroom, Lu Ning discovered that her belongings had been disturbed. She felt a wave of discomfort, but knowing she would be moving out soon, she tried to let it go.

"Eldest Miss, dinner is here." The butler walked in with a tray, but couldn't help himself. "Eldest Miss, if I may speak frankly, you’ve finally returned, how can you refuse to eat with everyone else? If word gets out, people will think you look down on Miss Xiangxiang and don't want her at the table."

Lu Ning’s brows furrowed with irritation as she looked at the butler. This butler had always been partial to Qin Xiang, almost treating her like his own daughter. In her past life, the butler had secretly assisted Qin Xiang in her schemes, which was why Lu Ning was always framed.

She raised her hand and knocked the tray from the butler’s grasp, her almond-shaped eyes cold. Her face was icy. "Know your place. You are just a butler; it is not your place to lecture me."

The butler was indignant. "Eldest Miss, although I am merely a servant, I have the right to speak the truth!"

"Heh, and why would I ever listen?"

Having returned to the Lu house, Lu Ning had exhausted her patience. She used to think that as long as she stood by and watched, she could stay indifferent. But some people simply took a mile when given an inch—like this butler.

"Ningning, what happened?" Hearing from the servants that something was wrong, Lu Nanfeng hurried up. Seeing the overturned food, he instinctively asked, "Is the food not to your liking?"

The butler put on a tearful display. "Second Young Master, I was only kindly advising the Eldest Miss that eating alone in her room would invite gossip. But not only did she knock over the meal, she said I was just a servant with no right to speak."

Lu Nanfeng frowned. "Old Zhang, you truly have no right to lecture her."

The butler froze, stunned that Lu Nanfeng was actually siding with Lu Ning this time.

Qin Xiang immediately stood by the butler. "Second Brother, Uncle Zhang meant well. He’s been in the Lu family for so many years; he’s like a father to me. Even if he is a servant, he is loyal."

Hearing this, Lu Nanfeng’s expression softened. "That’s not what I meant."

"All of you, get out!" Lu Ning didn't want to see them.

Lu Nanfeng said, "I'll have someone clean this up and bring you another meal shortly." He turned and left the room, then said to the butler, "From now on, show Ningning respect. Keep your opinions to yourself."

Lu Nanfeng realized that even a butler dared to lecture Lu Ning. It seemed they had truly neglected her for too many years, leading the servants to follow suit. He had indeed been an inadequate second brother.

Watching Lu Nanfeng’s retreating back, Qin Xiang felt a sense of panic. Lu Nanfeng really had changed. In the past, he would have definitely stood by the butler’s side. She had to find a way to stop this.

After Lu Ning’s outburst, the servants quickly tidied up and brought another meal. Finally, there was no one left to lecture her. After finishing her homework, she opened WeChat, intending to ask Ji Chiqian to play a game.

She saw a friend request—it was from her Sixth Brother. Lu Ning glanced at it, clicked "Ignore," and did not accept the request. She didn't want to hear his lectures, nor did she want to hear his so-called high-and-mighty apologies.

She messaged Ji Chiqian: [Master, are you getting online to run a dungeon?]

While waiting for a reply, she opened her computer and saw a gaming news alert: [Qiuqiu Team invites King’s disciple to join; Lutian Team is furious!]

Confused, she clicked on the link. The captain of the Qiuqiu Team, Ji Mo, had publicly issued an invitation for her to join. Her Sixth Brother had also publicly refused, his attitude extremely hostile: "My sister will never join your team."

Lu Ning was puzzled. Why would Ji Mo invite her to join his team? Did he not know she was Lu Liu’s sister?

She noticed the notification that her friend was online and immediately invited Ji Chiqian to join the team.

[If Time Could Turn Back]: "?" Who are you?"

Lu Ning replied: "Master, is that really you?"

[If Time Could Turn Back]: "Holy crap, my brother is actually playing games with a girl!"

Ji Mo was so shocked he fell right off his chair!