Chapter 743: Chapter 41: The Cannon Fodder Best Friend of the Abused Heroine

"Mr. Lu, what would you like to eat?"

Lu Zhixing didn’t even lift his head.

"I won’t be eating at home for lunch."

"Oh."

Such a cold attitude, as if he was intentionally keeping his distance from her.

Could it be he’s afraid Jiang Lai will see and get jealous?

Half an hour later, sure enough, Jiang Lai woke up right on time.

She yawned and walked out with her messy long hair.

Lu Zhixing, who had been focused on reading the newspaper, immediately put it down, habitually pulled out Jiang Lai’s chair, and set her chopsticks for her.

Jiang Lai squinted as she sat down, needing no conscious effort to sit steady, lifted her hand to pick up the chopsticks, and lazily played with the egg on her plate while yawning.

"Did you stay up late again last night?"

Jiang Lai nodded.

Luo Susa, upon hearing this, affectionately scolded her.

"You silly child, I told you not to study so late, but you never listen. Let’s take it as it comes. If you pass, great, if not, you’re still the pride of the Lu Family."

Jiang Lai smiled at the two in front of her.

"I know, but since my brother is so outstanding, I can’t be that much worse as the younger sister."

Lu Zhixing helplessly curled his lips.

"I don’t have much going on these days, I can stay home with you. If you have any questions, you can ask me."

"Isn’t the company busy?"

"No, as long as Dad is there."

The three of them chatted in terms completely incomprehensible to Zhao Zhaozhao.

Since Jiang Lai appeared, the harmonious and pleasant atmosphere in the dining room had been disrupted.

In Luo Susa and Lu Zhixing’s eyes, there was only Jiang Lai. They were even worried she’d choke while drinking milk.

Is such fuss really necessary?

This kind of freeloader, just knowing how to rely on others, would eventually grow annoying over time.

"Jiang Lai, are you studying for some certification recently? It seems really hard?"

Jiang Lai nonchalantly replied after sipping her milk.

"Graduate exams."

"Oh, I heard you mention it before, but since you didn’t talk about it much, I thought you gave up."

"I can’t possibly tell you everything."

Jiang Lai’s tone was very lazy, which sounded arrogant and disdainful to Zhao Zhaozhao.

Now that her status and position have changed, her attitude towards herself has become condescending.

"Yes... your status is different now, so you certainly shouldn’t talk much with us poor friends."

Jiang Lai chuckled.

"No worries, all my friends are poorer than me, one more like you doesn’t make any difference."

With that, Jiang Lai pushed away the plate in front of her.

"I’m full."

"You’re eating so little? It’s fine, why don’t I take you shopping for clothes and bags?"

Jiang Lai nodded, then raised her eyes to glance at Zhao Zhaozhao.

"Want to come along?"

"I... I won’t disturb you guys."

"True."

"... ..."

After the meal, Zhao Zhaozhao hurried to wash the dishes.

Though Luo Susa kept saying that they could just leave it for the housekeeper,

Zhao Zhaozhao insisted on doing it herself, claiming she’s used to such chores and didn’t want to trouble anyone.

She even sympathized with the housekeeper, saying that her help would give her a break.

Luo Susa nodded.

Didn’t stop her.

After the meal, the mother and daughter left the house, but before leaving, Luo Susa asked Zhao Zhaozhao once more.

"Are you sure you won’t come?"

"No thanks, I’ll just stay and tidy up."

"Alright then."

Having said that, Luo Susa closed the door, muttering as she turned around,

"Isn’t your friend planning on becoming our housekeeper?"

"Well, that would be good, she can be the rent then."

Luo Susa frowned, looking at Jiang Lai.

"Your friend isn’t that naive, just be careful around her in the future, although you have your own ideas, I’ll only say one thing: don’t believe anything she says, not a single word."

Jiang Lai was a bit curious.

"Why is that?"

Does Luo Susa have the ability to see through people’s true intentions beyond their innocent appearances?

"Yesterday, when you told me a friend was coming over, I looked into her.

Since she’s been your friend for so many years, I won’t speak badly of her.

But the findings are indeed concerning.

Mom doesn’t want you to get hurt by ill-intentioned people. If possible, I’d rather she never appear before you again."

Luo Susa has great skills, checking on Zhao Zhaozhao was a simple task.

It didn’t take long to find out everything about Zhao Zhaozhao since childhood.

Ever since she and her parents arrived in Sea City, they struggled without a local residence permit, and her education was only possible because Cai Xian helped with her residential zone.

From high school to university, she had ambiguous relationships with several boys.

One of them was the boy Jiang Lai had a crush on.

Due to Jiang Lai’s excellent grades, a few drinks at a high school club party led to a game of truth or dare, where everyone wanted to know if this ice-cold campus beauty had someone she liked.

Under the influence, Jiang Lai confessed her crush.

The next day, the boy was waiting with breakfast downstairs, everyone assumed he was waiting for Jiang Lai, only to see him approach Zhao Zhaozhao and reject Jiang Lai, confessing to Zhao Zhaozhao instead.

Luo Susa found out about this from Jiang Lai’s high school forum.

She immediately had someone investigate the boy.

With a name and record, tracking was easy.

Coincidentally, the boy was working at one of their subsidiaries.

When questioned by the headquarters, the boy recounted the whole incident.

When Jiang Lai confessed, he was tempted and planned to accept, but later that night Zhao Zhaozhao called, tearfully wishing him happiness with Jiang Lai.

Compared to Jiang Lai, the boy preferred the more delicate and vulnerable Zhao Zhaozhao.

From the phone call, he realized Zhao Zhaozhao liked him too and had been suppressing her feelings for years.

So the next morning, he went with breakfast to confess.

After hearing the story, Luo Susa understood everything.

She’s well-versed in young girls’ thoughts.

Zhao Zhaozhao did this only to overshadow Jiang Lai, stepping on her for popularity.

Of course, Luo Susa wouldn’t let Jiang Lai know she looked into it.

"Forget it, let’s pretend I didn’t say anything. In any case, do what you want, regardless of the situation, Mom will protect you."

"I’m surprised you didn’t raise my brother to be a jerk, instead, he’s turned out to be a gentleman."

Luo Susa patted her head.

"You’re different from your brother, you’re a girl and need more protection."

"Yeah, I understand."

"Alright, enough about others. Yesterday, I saw some nice bags online, let’s go see if you like any."