Rebirth: My Reclusive Husband Helps Me Get Revenge!-Chapter 63: It’s not enough

Yu Guangshan sat silently at the head of the table, his usual air of authority tempered by an unmistakable discomfort. Every so often, his gaze flickered toward Lixue, his stern expression betraying a faint unease.

It was clear that even he hadn’t anticipated Yu Zhengwei’s actions and was uncertain how to navigate the tension that now permeated the room.

The relatives around the table were equally subdued. The once-boisterous chatter and subtle jabs had been replaced by tight-lipped silence and the occasional, pointed glances. It was a rare sight: a family that thrived on hierarchy and tradition suddenly thrown into disarray.

As the meal drew to a close, Qin Sayou could no longer contain her anger. She placed her utensils down with a sharp clatter, breaking the uneasy silence.

Her eyes burned with fury as they landed on Lixue, then shifted to Yu Zhengwei.

"This... spectacle," she began, her voice laced with venom, "will not be forgotten, Zhengwei. You’ve undermined the balance of this family for a fleeting show of... what? Sentimentality?"

Yu Zhengwei remained calm, finishing his tea before setting his cup down with deliberate care. He didn’t meet his wife’s gaze, instead addressing the table as a whole. "Family laws exist for a reason, Sayou. If you or anyone else believes they can disregard them without consequence, you are clearly mistaken."

"Consequences?" Qin Sayou hissed, her tone rising. "You think this is about rules? This is about dignity! About knowing one’s place! And she—" she gestured sharply at Lixue "—has no place here."

Yu Zhengwei’s expression darkened, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Enough, Sayou. You will not question my decisions or the laws of this family again!. Lixue is the Yu family’s eldest miss, and that is final."

Qin Sayou’s jaw tightened, her fury barely contained, but she said nothing more. Yu Jia, however, couldn’t resist adding her voice to the fray. "It’s laughable," she muttered under her breath, though loud enough for everyone to hear, "how someone with no accomplishments to her name can sit here as if she’s earned it."

Lixue’s hand tightened around her chopsticks, but she refused to let the comment affect her. She raised her eyes and met Yu Jia’s gaze with quiet defiance, her composure was unshaken.

Their words poked but it wasn’t enough to bring her down.

Yu Zhengwei’s voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Enough, Jia." His tone was cold, brooking no further argument. "Your time will come, but tonight is not about you. Learn to know your place as well."

"..."

Yu Jia flushed, anger and humiliation warring on her face. She glared at Lixue one last time before turning her attention to her plate, stabbing at her food with unnecessary force.

The rest of the dinner passed in strained silence, the family eager to escape the oppressive atmosphere. One by one, the relatives excused themselves, their departure marked by hurried goodbyes and lingering glares at Lixue. Qin Sayou and Yu Jia were the last to leave, both shooting daggers at Yu Zhengwei and Lixue before storming out of the dining room.

Yu Guangshan remained seated for a moment longer, his brow furrowed in thought. Finally, he stood, his movements slow and deliberate. He didn’t speak, but the disapproval in his gaze was clear as he left the room.

Lixue was left alone with her father, she hesitated as the events of the evening had left her more shaken than she cared to admit, and she wasn’t sure how to approach him.

She glanced at him, hoping for some sign of acknowledgment, but he remained distant, his attention fixed on the tea set before him.

"I’ll be going to my old room," she said finally, her voice soft as she stood up to leave.

Yu Zhengwei nodded, his expression unreadable. "Do what you need to," he said simply.

Lixue turned and left, her steps measured as she ascended the staircase. When she reached her former room, she paused for a moment, taking in the familiar yet unfamiliar space. Pushing the door open, a flood of memories came rushing in—some were fond but most were painful.

She moved to the dresser and began to sift through the drawers, searching for anything she might have left behind. The act felt strangely therapeutic, as though reconnecting with these remnants of her past could help her make sense of the present.

In the back of one drawer, she found a small box containing a few old trinkets: a bracelet her mother had given her, a faded photograph, and a collection of letters she had written but never sent. She held the bracelet in her hand, the cool metal grounding her as she sat on the edge of the bed.

Her mind drifted to the events of the evening, replaying her father’s unexpected defense and the chaos it had caused. She couldn’t understand why he had chosen to act now, after all these years of indifference. What had changed? And did it truly mean anything, or was it just a fleeting display of duty?

The sound of voices downstairs interrupted her thoughts. She could hear Qin Sayou and Yu Jia’s muffled anger, their words were indistinct but their tones were unmistakable.

Lixue sighed, placing the bracelet back in the box before closing it. She had survived the dinner, but she knew this was only the beginning.

Whatever her father’s motives were, his actions had stirred a hornet’s nest. And she would have to be ready for whatever came next.

The voices downstairs grew louder, with series of frustration and indignation echoing through the halls of the Yu mansion. Lixue sat still for a moment longer, clutching the small box of trinkets as she listened. Qin Sayou’s sharp voice cut through the rest, her words now clear enough to hear.

"—embarrassed me in front of the entire family! Zhengwei has lost his mind, and for what? To defend her?" Qin Sayou spat, venom dripping from every syllable. "She’s nothing more than a blemish on this family name!"

"She doesn’t deserve that seat," Yu Jia added, her voice trembling with fury. "I’ve worked hard to uphold the family’s reputation, but all it takes is her presence to undo it."

Lixue exhaled softly, her grip tightening around the box. She had anticipated anger from them—perhaps even hostility from the rest of the family—but hearing their bitterness spoken so openly stung more than she expected. Despite that, she wondered if her father would defend her again or if his earlier actions had been a fleeting act of defiance.