✅ SCENE 1: Breakfast With Wolves
The morning air was light with the scent of congee and steamed buns as the family gathered in the grand dining hall. The table was already filled with an assortment of breakfast dishes—steamed dumplings, scallion pancakes, salted duck eggs, pickled vegetables, and freshly brewed soy milk.
Han Yue sat silently at the long table, watching the interaction play out before her.
"Jiaojiao, here's your favorite congee with preserved egg and pork," Madam Lin smiled warmly, personally ladling a portion into Jiaojiao's bowl.
Second Aunt chimed in with a laugh, "I also had the kitchen make her those sweet bean buns she likes! Our Jiaojiao's always had such delicate tastes."
Third Aunt added more dishes to her side. "And the lotus root soup, just how you like it!"
Jiaojiao giggled, waving her hands modestly. "Everyone's spoiling me again. It's always been like this at breakfast—please don't take offense, Sister Han Yue."
Then, ever so gently, she placed a slice of omelet onto Han Yue's plate and smiled as if she were doing something noble. "You should eat more, too."
Madam Lin smiled with pride. "Such a thoughtful child."
Second Aunt joined in, her voice loud and deliberate. "How kind-hearted. Not every child raised in privilege would extend a hand like this to someone from outside."
Han Yue's chopsticks paused mid-air. She smiled blankly. "Thank you."
Just then, Han Jun, her older brother, looked up watching Jiaojiao with warm, doting eyes. His gaze shifted to Han Yue, instantly turning cold.
"You should be grateful," he said without hesitation."Not everyone's willing to play sister to some charity case who popped out of nowhere."
The implication hung heavy in the air.
"Han Jun!" Madam Lin snapped under her breath, glancing at Han Yue. She reached out, squeezing her hand with forced warmth. "Don't mind him. He's… still adjusting."
Han Yue lowered her lashes, seemingly unaffected. Her expression remained soft, innocent.
But deep inside, a storm quietly brewed.
[Han Yue's inner monologue:]
"Adjusting?" No, he's not. They all see me as an outsider.
I used to crave their affection in my last life… but not this time. Now I just need time.
Second Aunt smirked as she drank her soy milk leisurely. Han Jifu, their father, flipped through the morning news on his tablet, pretending not to hear anything at all.
Jiaojiao lowered her gaze slightly, continuing to eat as though nothing had happened—but internally, her thoughts were far from innocent.
[Everything still revolves around me, as it should. Even with her back, Han Yue is still nothing more than a guest here.]
Han Yue chewed slowly, feigning obliviousness, her expression innocent and unbothered.
But deep inside, her thoughts were far colder.
[It won't be long now. I'll take everything from you—little by little. Even this house, I'll ransack it to the bones when the time comes.]
—
After breakfast, the family moved to the living room. It was a luxurious space, decorated in muted jade stones and soft gold accents. Everyone sat comfortably on the plush sofas as a maid entered with a tray of freshly sliced apples and oranges.
"Young Miss Jiaojiao, please enjoy," the maid said, placing the tray before her with a respectful bow.
Han Yue's lips curled into a faint smile. Interesting… Still calling her "Young Miss"?
In her previous life, she had never paid attention to such minor details. But now, it was obvious. The servants didn't acknowledge her as part of the family.
"Even the servants pick sides."
Second Aunt, who had been sipping tea, suddenly spoke up, her voice louder than necessary. "Isn't that improper? Han Yue is the legitimate daughter of the Han family. If word gets out to the other noble families that our own servants can't address her properly, won't it be shameful?"
A small awkward silence followed.
Third Uncle lowered his head, avoiding the moment. Han Feifei blinked dramatically and said with fake innocence, "But I thought only Sister Jiaojiao was the Young Miss of the Han family."
Jiaojiao, who had just taken a bite of apple, paused mid-air and then slowly set it down. She stood up with a slight, embarrassed expression and bowed her head.
"No, you shouldn't say that. Sister Han Yue is the rightful daughter. She deserves respect… please treat her properly in the future."
Her voice trembled ever so slightly, the picture of wounded humility.
Madam Lin hurried to smooth things over. "Alright, alright. There's no need to fuss over titles. Let's just call them both Young Miss."
Han Yue sat quietly, a soft smile on her face, as if none of it bothered her. But inwardly, she was cold.
[They can scramble over face and pride all they want. I have more important things to do.
She glanced down at the fruit in her hand.
Let's see what secrets my space will yield today.]