Xu Qingqing stared at the top of her head without speaking. She was still trying to figure out what was going on. Her relationship with Bai Youlan had never been good, and she rarely stayed at the Xu Family residence. Thinking back, the last time she had seen Bai Youlan was months ago.
She was absolutely certain that Bai Youlan hadn’t had those strange things floating above her head back then.
So, had this so-called "Beautiful Life System" only bound itself to Bai Youlan in the past two months? Or had it always been with her, just invisible to Xu Qingqing and everyone else until now?
The fact that Xu Qingqing could see it now was likely connected to that dream she’d had the other night. Almost instinctively, she recalled the book she’d glimpsed in her dream.
In that book, Bai Youlan was the protagonist, so it made sense that she had something like "luck points"… Did that mean the events in the dream were real?
If this world was really a book… would she actually die?
Xu Qingqing was terrified, her mind spinning with endless questions. She immediately wanted to leave the Xu Family home, but just then, the servants began serving dinner.
With the meal laid out, the Xu Family prepared to eat. Xu Qingqing hesitated—part of her wanted to bolt, but another part wanted to stay and observe Bai Youlan further to understand what was really happening.
Either way, being able to see what was above Bai Youlan’s head now was better than being blind to it before.
Xu Qingqing found a seat and sat down. After a moment’s thought, she timidly gestured for the two bodyguards she’d brought to take the chairs on either side of her.
She was scared, okay?!
The bodyguards didn’t understand, but money talked. Two towering, muscular men flanked Xu Qingqing, instantly forming a protective barrier around her.
Xu Qingqing immediately felt a surge of security!
Bringing bodyguards, courtesy of Xie Lianqing, was truly one of the smartest decisions she’d ever made!
The rest of the Xu Family: "…"
Who in their right mind would let bodyguards sit at the same table as the family?! This wasn’t some poison-tasting session!
Everyone looked at Xu Qingqing as if she’d lost her mind. But then again, they were used to her antics—they assumed she was just trying to provoke them on purpose.
Only Bai Youlan frowned slightly and said softly, "Qingqing, this is a family dinner. The kitchen has—"
Xu Qingqing had been frightened just moments ago, but hearing Bai Youlan’s saccharine voice triggered her automatic reflex to argue. "Who said this is your family dinner? Who even are you?"
Clearly, the skill of sarcastically clapping back at Xu Changshan and Bai Youlan was ingrained in her bones.
Bai Youlan choked on her words, taking a deep breath before falling silent.
Whatever. Xu Qingqing’s dramatics weren’t new. Who knew what nonsense she was pulling today?
Bai Youlan only needed to focus on completing her tasks. As for Xu Qingqing—a brainless nuisance—she didn’t even consider her worth the effort.
After all, Xu Qingqing would be dead soon enough… At that thought, Bai Youlan’s gaze toward her turned pitying.
Seeing Bai Youlan back down, Xu Qingqing’s fear lessened a little. Maybe she wasn’t so scary after all. She’d never been afraid of Bai Youlan before—why start now?
Still, Xu Qingqing decided to bolt as soon as dinner was over. She needed to rush home and tattle!
She’d tell her aunt and have her deal with Bai Youlan and that system! If her aunt couldn’t handle it, she’d go straight to her grandparents—or Xie Lianqing. They were all smarter than her; surely, they’d know what to do.
With so many people to protect her, Xu Qingqing felt a little less afraid. Before, she hadn’t known what was coming. But now that she did, the story definitely wouldn’t play out the same way.
With her fear slightly eased, Xu Qingqing’s mind wandered. No wonder she’d always thought Bai Youlan was sneaky—turns out she had a system helping her!!
Xu Tianbao, having finally changed his clothes after Xu Qingqing’s earlier scolding, came downstairs for dinner. When he saw her, he glared. "You’re sitting in my seat!"
Spoiled rotten by his parents, Xu Tianbao even had his own "throne" at home.
Lost in thought, Xu Qingqing instinctively retorted, "Oh? Is that so? If it’s yours, call its name—see if it answers!"
Xu Tianbao had been warned by his mother earlier, and after his earlier defeat, he knew better than to mess with Xu Qingqing.
Pouting, he forced himself to swallow his temper. "This chair has my name carved into it!"
Xu Qingqing didn’t believe him. "Seriously? What kind of idiot carves their name into a chair?"
She turned to look—and sure enough, there it was: "Xu Tianbao" scrawled messily on the seat.
Xu Tianbao: "…"
Everyone else: "…"
Xu Qingqing turned back, feigning indifference. "Oh. So there really is an idiot named Xu Tianbao." Then she stayed put.
No way was she giving up the chair! Everyone in this house was her enemy, and she refused to surrender!
Normally, she wouldn’t care about seating arrangements. But if sitting here annoyed Xu Tianbao, then she’d defend this chair with her life!
Xu Tianbao was devastated. Xu Tianbao was on the verge of tears. Xu Tianbao, a mere ten-year-old brat, could take no more.
He shrieked, "You old witch! Don’t call me Xu Tianbao!"
Xu Tianbao loved his name—his parents always said he was heaven’s gift to them. Only Xu Qingqing said it like it was a joke, dripping with sarcasm.
He was furious. He was helpless. He yelled with all his might—but Xu Qingqing ignored him.
She was too busy plotting how to complain to her aunt later and figuring out what Bai Youlan’s deal was with that system. When she finally snapped out of it, she turned to find Xu Tianbao still standing there, glaring.
Wow. He was stubborn.
A kid this stubborn must’ve never suffered before, huh?
Xu Qingqing’s eyes gleamed mischievously. "Xu Tianbao, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you playing in the water, Xu Tianbao? Don’t you like the name Xu Tianbao? Listen closely—Xu Tianbao! Xu Tianbao! Xu Tianbao!!"
She shouted so loudly the whole house heard. Bai Yaxiu, who had been directing the maids in the kitchen, and Xu Changshan, hiding in his study with his blood pressure medication, both rushed out.
Xu Tianbao, utterly defeated, burst into tears and ran off.
Xu Qingqing scoffed. "None of you can even put up a fight."
That was just the kind of person Xu Qingqing was—she could bicker with a child and still come out on top.
Bai Yaxiu, who had just emerged from the kitchen, was livid but forced a smile. "Qingqing, stop teasing your little brother."
Xu Qingqing snorted. "Hmph. Fine. Not like he’s fun to tease anyway—he’s too ugly."
Waaah! Xu Tianbao cried even harder.
Everyone else: "…Damn, she’s the real menace here!"
Xu Tianbao was heartbroken. Hadn’t his mom told him not to provoke Xu Qingqing today? So why had she started it? And why was he always the one who ended up hurt? Waaah!
Xu Qingqing's father seemed eager to voice some grand opinion, but at Bai Yaxiu's subtle gesture, he coughed and said, "Let's eat! We have matters to discuss." He had just taken two blood pressure pills and now appeared much more energetic.
Xu Qingqing was fully intent on sabotaging whatever plans her father had brewing. She rolled up her sleeves, ready for action, and pricked up her ears the moment he spoke.
Yet she never expected him to drop such a bombshell on her today.
After a moment of contemplation, Xu Changshan spoke slowly and deliberately, "Youlan has been in the entertainment industry for a few years now. The waters run deep in this business, and for her safety... we’ve decided to have her take the Xu surname."
Here it comes.
Ever since she saw the words hovering above Bai Youlan’s head earlier, Xu Qingqing had felt an inkling of foreboding. Now, hearing her father’s words, she experienced a strange sense of finality.
Only then did she truly confirm that everything from her dream had been real.
In the novel she’d glimpsed, Bai Youlan had also changed her surname to Xu Youlan after a few years in the entertainment industry. Back then, she had been just a third-tier starlet, but suddenly, with the Xu Family’s backing and the halo of a wealthy heiress, she skyrocketed to fame. Endorsement deals flooded in, and she eventually became an A-lister.
In the story’s narrative, Bai Youlan ultimately rose to become an internationally acclaimed actress, basking in success and glory.
In stark contrast was Xu Qingqing. Driven by anger and jealousy, she too entered the entertainment industry—only to crash and burn almost immediately. After being pushed onto a variety show, she became the target of widespread mockery, overshadowed by Bai Youlan’s saintly image. Not long after, she met an untimely end.
When she died, many cheered, calling it karma for the "villain."
And after Xu Qingqing’s tragic accident, Xu Youlan—now fully recognized as the Xu Family’s sole heiress—inherited everything alongside Xu Tianbao, aided by her devoted admirers.
Back when Xu Qingqing first read this absurd plot in her dream, she hadn’t been angry—just baffled.
Why on earth would she, a pampered heiress, throw herself into showbiz only to end up universally despised? The whole thing had struck her as so ridiculous that she dismissed the novel entirely.
Yet here it was, unfolding in reality.
The realization left Xu Qingqing utterly unsettled.
While she was lost in thought, everyone else assumed she was too stunned to speak.
Xu Changshan cleared his throat. "Xu Qingqing! What’s with the daze? Did you even hear what I just said?"
Clink.
Xu Qingqing set down her chopsticks and feigned concern. "Dad, are you okay? It’s late—maybe lay off the drinks and have some peanuts instead?"
The rest of the table: "…"
