C23 Cut off Relations!(1)

Xue Ning's words completely infuriated Zhou Shuhui. How dare this ungrateful person think she could stop working for the family after all they had done for her?

"What did you just say, you ungrateful brat? Say it again!" Zhou Shuhui demanded, ignoring the pain in her hand as she pointed at Xue Ning.

Her eyes bore into Xue Ning, silently warning her to take back her words. But Xue Ning wasn't afraid; she had made up her mind. The family was a bottomless pit, and she was determined to escape as soon as possible.

"I said I won't humiliate myself by asking Lu Bai for the contract, and I certainly won't work for the family anymore!" she declared, her tone unwavering.

Xue Ya, standing nearby, was shocked. When had Xue Ning ever dared to speak to the family like this? She used to agree to everything meekly, but now she seemed like a different person.

Before Xue Ya could process her thoughts, Zhou Shuhui was already losing her composure. "You ungrateful girl, you owe your life to this family."

"Do you think you can just say a few words and stop working for us?" Zhou Shuhui was livid, her voice rising to a shout.

The family couldn't afford to lose the support of the Lu family, making Xue Ning's role crucial. Yet here she was, declaring she was done.

"Ever since I married into the Lu family, I've done enough for the Xue family," Xue Ning said slowly, feeling a tremor in her heart as she saw Zhou Shuhui's anger. After being under the Xue family's control for so long, it wasn't easy to shake off that sense of obedience. But she knew the Xue family only saw her as a tool, constantly brainwashing her. She had to break free.

"Fine, is that how you want it?" Zhou Shuhui snapped. "Get out right now! From this moment on, you have nothing to do with the Xue family! We don't need an ungrateful person like you."

As soon as Zhou Shuhui spoke, Xue Ya realized the mistake but it was too late to intervene. Little did they know, Xue Ning felt a surge of joy at those words. Breaking ties meant she was no longer under the Xue family's thumb.

"Alright, remember what you said today. From now on, I, Xue Ning, have nothing to do with the Xue family," she declared, her voice firm and resolute.

Xue Ya, standing nearby, tried to signal Zhou Shuhui, reminding her that while Xue Ning could escape their grasp, the Xue family still relied heavily on the Lu family's support. Zhou Shuhui, jolted by the reminder, paused, frustration boiling within her, cursing her own hasty words.

Xue Ning had cut ties with the Xue family, which meant they no longer had a connection to collaborate with the Lu family. Zhou Shuhui's expression darkened at the thought.

Hearing Xue Ning's words, a wave of regret and embarrassment washed over her. How could she take back what she had said?

With an awkward smile, Zhou Shuhui said, "I was just too upset earlier and said things I didn't mean. Don't take it to heart."

"After all, I carried you for nine months and gave birth to you. How could I not want you?" She reached out, trying to take Xue Ning's hand to offer some comfort.

But Xue Ning was no longer the naive girl who could be easily deceived. She knew the Xue family only wanted to keep her around for their own benefit.

Dodging Zhou Shuhui's attempt to hold her hand, Xue Ning remained expressionless. She wasn't going to let this opportunity slip away.

"Angry words? I don't think so. Since you said it, I'll follow through. I won't be coming back to the Xue family." Xue Ning left no room for Zhou Shuhui to backtrack.

Zhou Shuhui's hand hung awkwardly in the air, unsure of where to go. She had long forgotten the sting in her hand, and seeing Xue Ning so determined, panic set in.

"No, you're still part of the Xue family. How can you just sever ties like that?"

"You don't want to deal with the project lately, right? We can just forget about it." Zhou Shuhui's tone softened considerably as she tried to persuade Xue Ning to stay.

Setting aside the truth of those words, keeping Xue Ning here is what's most important.

Upon hearing this, Xue Ning merely smirked. The sudden change in attitude to make her stay was evident, and she knew exactly what kind of people this family was. If she softened and agreed now, she'd still end up being manipulated in the future. Hesitation would only lead to chaos.

"You should pin your hopes on your precious daughter," Xue Ning said with a cold smile, gathering her things to leave. She couldn't stand to stay in this place a moment longer; it made her sick.

As Xue Ning turned to leave, the Xue mother and daughter were taken aback by her resolute demeanor.

"Sis, don't misunderstand Mom's intentions. She would never cut ties with you," Xue Ya rushed forward to block Xue Ning, trying to persuade her with seemingly good intentions. She spoke earnestly, as if she truly cared for Xue Ning, but Xue Ning wasn't buying it. Her non-blood-related sister was a master of saying one thing to her face and another behind her back.

"Miss Xue, you're the backbone of the Xue family. The future of the family depends on you," Xue Ning retorted with sarcasm, her gaze icy, not giving Xue Ya a chance to respond before she walked out of the Xue household.

It was truly laughable. Xue Ya claimed to be acting for the family's sake, but all her so-called efforts for the Xue family were actually achieved by Xue Ning.

It's amusing how the Xue family truly sees Xue Ya as their beacon of hope. If they want to keep dreaming, let them.

Leaving the Xue family, Xue Ning felt lighter than ever. She had made it clear that she was no longer associated with them, and now her focus was on proving her innocence.

On the drive back to the Lu family villa, Xue Ning couldn't shake the feeling that Tang Yang was peculiar. After much thought, she decided the best course of action was to hire a private investigator.

As soon as she got home, she locked herself in her room, determined to find the best one available. She called a detective agency, and a sweet voice on the other end explained the rates for hiring a private investigator.

"Ma'am, our detectives start at a minimum of $3,000 a day," the receptionist patiently explained.

Hearing the price, Xue Ning was immediately discouraged. She was relying on the Lu family for support and didn't have that kind of money. But she didn't trust just any detective to investigate Tang Yang, so she pretended to consider it before hanging up.

She buried her face in the pillow, thinking, "Money really does make the world go round." For the first time, Xue Ning realized how crucial money was.

Lu Bai certainly wouldn't give her any; he was probably hoping she'd fail to find evidence and end up turning herself in. And now that she had severed ties with the Xue family, that option was out of the question too.

"I wish I could earn my own money," Xue Ning mused as she lay on the bed. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she sat up quickly. "Of course! With my skills, I could definitely make some money."

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