Song Mei packed all her belongings and brought them down to the grand hall. Not a single maid came forward to help her. Mary, the head maid, merely turned her eyes away, pretending not to see. Song Mei didn't mind. In fact, she felt a strange sense of lightness, like a caged bird finally breaking free. The mere thought of leaving this suffocating mansion brought a rare breath of relief.
She exhaled deeply, almost smiling.
"Butler," Mr. Song's voice echoed coldly across the hall, "Take her luggage to the car and tell the driver to drop this child off at our villa in Sun City Valley."
"There is already a maid hired there. She's responsible for cooking and cleaning," Mrs. Song added, not even glancing at her daughter. "Just call the nanny downstairs. No need to trouble anyone else."
"I don't want you to move out," Mrs. Song continued, a hint of forced softness in her tone. "After all, you are still our child. But it was your decision, and we are merely fulfilling it. If one day you feel like returning, the doors will be open... I... I can't say anything more."
The driver came forward to carry the suitcase and was visibly surprised—it was only one. For a girl raised in wealth, bringing only a single suitcase was unexpected. But Song Mei didn't need more. Not from this house.
She entered the car with composed grace. Just as the engine roared to life, a flustered figure ran out from the house.
"Meimei! Wait!" Song Ning cried, her eyes red with panic.
Song Mei turned her gaze slowly. Here she comes, the ever-pitied white lotus.
"Meimei, why are you doing this? If only you had behaved better in front of Grandpa, none of this would've happened! Nobody wanted you to leave like this… Please don't go. This is your home. We're your family—"
"You sure know how to dream, Song Ning," Song Mei interrupted, her voice like ice. "The love in this house is only for you. For me, there's only disgust. You pretend not to know, but you do—you always knew. Yet you stood there, smiling, letting everyone step on me while you basked in their love. This pathetic show of yours? It only makes me hate you more."
Her voice cut like a blade.
"You act innocent, but your actions harm me. You want me to stay? So you can keep shining while I rot in your shadow? You're either clueless or you're a white lotus b*tch who drags others into hell just to make your own halo shine brighter. I'm done. I'm leaving, and I won't come back. If you harass me again, I'll cut ties with this family entirely."
"It's not what you think... I don't want to hurt you. You're my sister. I love you..." Song Ning's voice trembled as tears spilled.
But Song Mei had already grown bored. She rolled the car window up and turned to the driver. "Drive."
The car sped off. Song Ning stood there, stunned. And then, like a broken doll, she ran inside.
Soon, the sound of her crying echoed from her room upstairs.
The household immediately stirred.
"Baby, what happened?! Did Song Mei say something to upset you?!" Mrs. Song panicked.
"Yes, Ningning, tell us. If she made you cry, I swear I'll make her regret it. But please open the door," another voice pleaded.
The door finally creaked open. Song Ning flew into her mother's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Mom... Meimei hates me. She said I hurt her... that I'm scheming against her. She thinks I want to make her suffer… but I love her, Mom. I really do. I just wanted us to live together so we could fix things. But now she's gone…"
"My sweet girl, you have such a kind heart. But Song Mei wanted this. Your father agreed. There's nothing I can do. I'm sorry, Ningning. But life moves on. Now wipe those tears. The chef made your favorite dishes today. Come down before they get cold."
Song Feng appeared and gently pulled her along. "Come on, let's eat before it gets soggy."
Downstairs, the mood swiftly shifted.
"Ningning, taste this one. Isn't it delicious?" Song Feng asked.
"Mhm… it's really tasty. I love it," she sniffled, but a smile formed.
Laughter and clinking cutlery filled the dining room, like nothing had ever happened.
Meanwhile, Song Mei had arrived at the villa.
The maid greeted her with a bow. "Welcome, Miss. I've already cleaned the place. Dinner is being prepared."
Song Mei scanned the modest villa. It was clear: this was just a regular property under the Song family name. Nothing luxurious. Nothing special.
How fitting.
"Alright. I understand. Just do your job. You may go now. I need to be alone."
"Yes, Miss."
Song Mei sat down in the silent room. She had school tomorrow. Back to that battlefield filled with vipers wearing human faces.
She slept through the afternoon. By evening, the smell of food drew her out. Her stomach growled—she hadn't eaten all day.
The dining table was filled with piping hot dishes. Surprised by the delicious aroma, she sat down.
"Miss, please enjoy your meal," the maid said.
Each bite stunned her. The flavors were exquisite.
"You're a great cook," she muttered between bites. "I haven't eaten something this good in years."
Despite having the soul of a 26-year-old, her body was still sixteen—and teenage hunger didn't care for pride.
After dinner, she retreated to her room, notebooks in hand. She flipped through the pages, refreshing her memory. Eleventh-grade content—child's play.
But as she reached the back of her math notebook, her mood soured. One week's worth of homework unfinished. Her grades had plummeted ever since she returned to the Song family. Song Ning had studied, secured top scores, and got accepted into Capital University. Meanwhile, Song Mei's bitterness and chaos earned her a C-grade college.
Praised. Ignored. Celebrated. Forgotten.
And then came him.
Leng Shaoming.
The boy she had loved so foolishly. He had eyes only for Song Ning. When she confessed, he humiliated her in front of the school.
After the poisoning incident, he exposed her to the public. Her family disowned her. She was sent abroad. Alone. Where she later died in a car crash.
He was the same Leng Shaoming who was once set to be her fiancé. Childhood family friends. She admired him since she was young. He was arrogant, intelligent, charming. And cruel.
When he defended Song Ning time after time, she broke. Consumed by hatred, she tried to end her sister's life.
But fate had other plans.
Now, in this life, she had returned.
No more love. No more illusions.
Let them keep their fake halos. She would become fire.
That night, she fell asleep at her desk, surrounded by open books.
In the morning, she woke with a start. She was going to be late.
Hurriedly dressing, she ran to the mirror—and paused.
She had forgotten to apply her hideous makeup.
And yet, her face… was beautiful.
This life, no more hiding.
She descended the stairs. The maid, Lilac, blinked in surprise.
"Miss… without makeup, you look breathtaking."
"Thank you. I've decided not to wear any anymore. It's school, not a fashion show. Oh, right—I forgot to ask your name yesterday."
"Lilac, Miss."
"Thank you, Lilac. Is breakfast ready?"
"Yes, and I've packed your bento too. Mr. Shi is waiting outside."
"Great. Then let's go."
With a new face and a sharpened will, Song Mei stepped out—toward war.