After dinner at the Li ancestral home, the night had grown quiet. Li Zhongyuan, satisfied after spending time with Lila, allowed Old Fu Shi to assist him back to his room to rest. Before leaving, the old man looked at Lila with a warm smile.
"Remember to visit this old man often."
Lila nodded politely.
"Of course, Grandpa Li."
Only then did Ethan escort her out of the ancestral residence.
The Li estate guards respectfully opened the gates as Ethan's car slowly drove out into the quiet night road. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The soft glow of streetlights illuminated the calm expression on Lila's face.
Ethan glanced at her briefly before returning his attention to the road.
"Grandfather seems to like you very much," he said.
Lila smiled faintly.
"He's a kind elder."
Ethan chuckled softly.
"Kind? You're the first person who has described him that way."
Lila raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Is he not?"
"He usually terrifies people," Ethan replied casually.
Lila let out a quiet laugh.
The car soon arrived at Liang Manor, the sprawling estate of the Li family. The tall iron gates opened automatically as Ethan drove inside. Its manicured gardens glowed under the soft exterior lights, fountains sparkled in the moonlight, and the long driveway led up to the grand facade of the mansion. The architecture combined classic stonework with large glass panels, creating a stately yet modern appearance.
Inside, the mansion had numerous rooms:
Master Bedroom Ethan's Room– The grand master suite belonged to Ethan. Spacious and private, it featured floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the gardens, a seating area, a walk-in wardrobe, and an en-suite bathroom with a marble bathtub and rain shower. Ethan preferred this room for its privacy and tranquility.
Lila's Bedroom – Lila had her own exquisitely designed bedroom, airy and bright, with soft pastel décor, a cozy reading nook, a large wardrobe for her clothes, and an en-suite bathroom.
Guest Suites and Other Bedrooms – Several rooms with king and queen beds, private bathrooms, seating areas, and balconies accommodated visiting family or friends. Each room had its own theme, from warm earth tones to jewel tones or soft pastels.
Library and Study Rooms – Shelves filled with rare books, comfortable reading chairs, and writing desks created peaceful spaces for study, planning, or reflection.
Entertainment Rooms – A home theater, music room, and game room with billiards, chess tables, and digital consoles provided leisure and gatherings.
Kitchen and Dining Areas – The spacious kitchen featured granite countertops, high-end appliances, and a central island with a breakfast nook overlooking the gardens. The formal dining room had a long elegant table, fine china, crystal glassware, and a sparkling chandelier.
Cloakroom – A large, organized space for coats, shoes, and accessories, with racks, cabinets, and seating.
Gym Room – Equipped with modern machines, free weights, and a yoga/pilates area, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering scenic views of the estate.
Other Rooms – Additional rooms included a spa, indoor pool, staff quarters, storage rooms, and utility areas, all meticulously maintained.
Garage – The multi-car garage housed luxury vehicles, including the Ferrari gifted to Lila, as well as other high-end cars for Ethan and visiting family members.
Ethan remained in the car for a few minutes, watching Lila walk toward the entrance. Then he finally stepped out and followed, entering the mansion alongside his little girl.
Inside Liang Manor, the night air was filled with calm elegance. Lila tilted her head, observing the familiar surroundings—the warmth of the polished floors, the subtle scent of fresh flowers in the grand hall, the soft glow of the chandeliers.
They moved through the corridors, passing the library, entertainment rooms, and gym, until finally reaching their respective bedrooms. Ethan went straight to his master suite, preferring solitude for the night, while Lila settled into her own room, her private sanctuary.
Meanwhile, Online…
While the night at Liang Manor remained peaceful, the internet was far from calm. Earlier that evening, the video of Lila receiving her scholarship award continued circulating online. The clip had already reached millions of views, with netizens on Weibo discussing the shocking revelations surrounding the Chen family.
New comments appeared rapidly:
@AcademicPhoenix: "Lila Chen is incredible. Not only beautiful but also the top student!"
@TruthMirror: "Vivian Chen pretending to be the eldest daughter of the Chen family for years is ridiculous."
@EliteWatcher: "And she stole Lila's fiancé Derek Wang. What a shameless move."
@JusticeForLila: "Derek Wang is trash. Lila deserves someone much better."
More netizens dug into Vivian's past behavior, exposing how she spread rumors that Lila was a wild girl, while Lila was in fact the eldest daughter of the Chen family. The backlash grew stronger by the hour.
Lila's followers climbed past 1,000,000, while Vivian's fans dwindled dramatically.
At the Chen Family Mansion
Inside her room, Vivian stared at her phone, her face pale. Every refresh brought more criticism, more praise for Lila, more ridicule aimed at her.
"How… how is this happening?" she whispered.
Mrs. Chen remained composed, her eyes narrowing.
"Panicking won't solve anything," she said coldly.
Vivian slammed the phone on the table.
"They're calling me a liar! A white lotus!"
Mrs. Chen's lips curved faintly.
"Reputation can rise quickly… but it can also fall just as fast."
A vicious smile appeared on Vivian's face.
"You mean… we need to destroy Lila's spotlight?"
Mrs. Chen nodded.
"Exactly."
Back at Liang Manor
Inside her room, Lila stood quietly by the window, her phone vibrating with notifications. She glanced at her screen: 1,000,000 followers.
Her expression remained calm, but her eyes were sharp, aware that Vivian and Mrs. Chen would soon make their move. She placed her phone down slowly.
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Come," she murmured softly.
"I'm waiting."