Volume One, Chapter 18: Piercing His Lung Vein

“Wu Xingxue! Is this really necessary?!” Shen Chi’s voice came out through clenched teeth, trembling slightly—whether from anger or pain, it was hard to tell.

“All this just because of the healing source core? Originally, you owed Mianmian, and it’s not wrong for my uncle not to give it to you. You still hold a grudge just because he said a few words to you?”

“Wu Xingxue, when did you become so petty and calculating? It’s just one source core—you’re not going to die over it!”

“Is it really worth it?”

“Just over something so trivial, you defy my uncle, refuse to come home, bully Mianmian, and now you’re treating me like this!”

“Wu Xingxue, are you out of your mind? Who would like someone like you?”

Not going to die? One source core—really?

Wu Xingxue suddenly laughed, her gaze unwavering as it locked onto Shen Chi’s bloodshot eyes. “Shen Chi, you better hope that day never comes.”

If you ever fall on hard times, don’t blame me for kicking you when you’re down.

Shen Chi didn’t quite catch the meaning at first, but before he could speak, Wu Xingxue interrupted: “Shen Chi, let me tell you, don’t even dream about it. All my exotic fruits and herbs have nothing to do with you or the Wu family!”

“I don’t care about going back to your Wu family at all.”

Wu Xingxue paused, giving Shen Chi a meaningful look. “Or rather, not your Wu family—it’s them. After all, your surname is Shen, not Wu.”

Shen Chi’s face instantly paled, his chest rising and falling, fury swelling in his eyes.

Don’t think only Shen Chi knows how to strike where it hurts. Wu Xingxue’s barbs hit just as deeply.

Shen Chi’s parents died tragically when he was young. After consulting with Wu Sheng, his aunt Shen Qian took him in.

By then, Shen Chi was old enough to understand he wasn’t truly one of the Wu family.

Though the Wu couple treated him as their own, and the Wu brothers regarded him like a real sibling, none of them knew that beneath Shen Chi’s carefree exterior, he always felt like an outsider.

Once, Wu Xingxue accidentally overheard Wu Yumian confiding in him late at night and finally understood why Shen Chi was so fond of someone he barely knew.

Shen Chi saw a kindred spirit in Wu Yumian.

Before returning to the Wu family, Wu Yumian was an orphan, wandering and struggling. Shen Chi, who also had lost his parents and lived cautiously as a foster child, felt they were the same kind of lonely souls.

The reason Shen Chi’s attitude toward Wu Xingxue changed so drastically was simple.

He saw Wu Xingxue, who had taken Wu Yumian’s place, as despicable and hateful. If not for her, Wu Yumian wouldn’t have suffered outside.

Even though Wu Xingxue herself was a victim, as a beneficiary who enjoyed over twenty years of Wu family affection, in Shen Chi and Wu Yumian’s eyes, she was a villain.

Shen Chi relished the power, privilege, and admiration bestowed by the Wu family, yet resented his own surname—Shen—because unlike Wu Xunan and the others, he couldn’t proudly claim to be a true Wu.

He was, after all, a Shen, lacking some measure of entitlement.

And Wu Xingxue wasn’t really one of the Wu family either—she was an orphan, yet carried the Wu name!

And had been the legitimate Wu heiress for over twenty years.

Shen Chi envied her.

“Wu Xingxue!” Shen Chi was on the brink of exploding.

Wang Liang grabbed him tightly, sweat beading on his forehead. “Don’t start a fight here! No matter who, using violence in the safe zone will be severely punished.”

“They have a mission tomorrow. If the main team leader gets arrested now, what’s the point of the mission?”

“No, I have to stop Shen Chi!”

Shen Chi struggled against Wang Liang but gradually calmed down, his demeanor turning cold and composed.

His eyes darkened like a beast stalking prey. “Wu Xingxue, you want to open a shop selling exotic plants? I won’t let you.”

He shouted loudly, “If you want to buy her worthless herbs, I’d advise you to spend your money on real medicine instead.”

“This herb supposedly stops bleeding, but who knows if it actually works? What if you’re counting on it to save your life and it’s useless? You’d have wasted a fortune. It’s a rip-off.”

Someone retorted, “Then why were you trying to snatch it earlier?”

Wu Xingxue’s expression remained calm, but her heart burned with anger.

She knew exactly what Shen Chi was trying to do.

He wanted to ruin her business—to cut off her livelihood.

“Shen Chi, if you really want to go this far,” Wu Xingxue said evenly, without anger on her face.

Shen Chi hesitated for a moment, staring into Wu Xingxue’s dark, deep eyes.

But he quickly convinced himself otherwise.

Wu Xingxue was just putting on a cold front.

It was all an act.

She would never truly leave the Wu family or deny him as her cousin.

Shen Chi’s inexplicable confidence made him continue: “I want these herbs because I don’t want Wu Xingxue to sell them and scam people. You all know the Wu family’s reputation. If my uncle found out Wu Xingxue was hurting our family’s name, he’d definitely punish her.”

Everyone nodded thoughtfully.

Shen Chi’s words made sense.

The Wu family had always maintained a good reputation.

Several Wu family members held important positions within the safe zone, and there had never been rumors of them abusing their power.

The brothers all had good character.

Wu Yumian was especially known for her kindness.

The only exception was Wu Xingxue.

People hesitated, recalling Wu Xingxue’s betrayal of her family and abandonment of comrades.

Shen Chi’s argument sounded quite reasonable.

As a respectable member of the Wu family, if he was trying to stop Wu Xingxue from selling overpriced exotic herbs, it made sense.

Shen Chi raised an eyebrow mockingly at Wu Xingxue.

“Wu Xingxue’s stuff? Even our own family won’t use it. I was just trying to give her some face by saying I’d send it to our team, but she didn’t appreciate it.”

“Anyway, believe it or not, Wu Xingxue’s things—tsk, tsk.”

Shen Chi’s meaningful tone only made everyone trust him more.

Those who had been eagerly asking about prices quietly stepped back, no one advancing further.

The moment Wu Xingxue realized Shen Chi’s intentions, she had no plan to argue.

No matter how fiercely she swore, it was useless.

Shen Chi wielded her past ‘misdeeds’ as weapons, and just yesterday he was still considered family—

The same truth remained:

If her own family didn’t trust her, outsiders would trust her even less.

Wu Xingxue saw no point in wasting breath arguing with Shen Chi.

Since Shen Chi had chosen this tactic, unless she killed him on the spot, it would always work.

Clearly, she couldn’t beat Shen Chi right now.

Watching his triumphant face, all her lingering fond memories of the past vanished completely.

Shen Chi, you started this.

Originally, Wu Xingxue hadn’t planned to retaliate or oppose the Wu family. She had seen her past contributions as repayment for twenty years of care.

Though what she gave far exceeded the debt owed.

She was simply tired and unwilling to keep score.

But that didn’t mean she had to endure having her head trampled on and dirtied.

Cutting off someone’s livelihood is like killing their parents.

Shen Chi provoked her first and abandoned old ties.

So she couldn’t be blamed for striking back.