The Beauty with Terrible Luck Falls in Love with a Ghost - Chapter 22

Zuo Lihua received a call from her “mother”, asking her to return home.

After hanging up, she stared at her phone in a daze. If not for the caller ID glaring back at her, she would have thought she was dreaming.

Based on Zuo Lihua’s understanding of her “parents” and their eagerness to reclaim her assets, she had assumed they wouldn’t want to see her for at least half a year.

So, what had happened?

Filled with confusion, Zuo Lihua tidied herself up a little and set off with Han Hai’er.

Familiar with the route, she entered the residential complex. When she happened to run into a neighbor out for a walk, she even stopped to exchange greetings.

The sight stirred her emotions, making her nose tingle with sentimentality. Only then did she realize she had come empty-handed, without any gifts.

As she gazed at the familiar building and iron gate ahead, Zuo Lihua unconsciously tightened her grip on the steering wheel.

While she hesitated, a familiar figure emerged from the courtyard.

“Lihua? Get out of the car, what are you spacing out for?” Madam Zuo approached and tapped on Zuo Lihua’s car window.

Zuo Lihua snapped out of her trance and said, “Coming!”

She parked the car in a guest parking spot outside.

“Isn’t this your home?” Han Hai’er stood to the side, arms crossed.

Zuo Lihua sniffled. “It used to be.”

Han Hai’er frowned, sensing something unusual.

Zuo Lihua muttered something under her breath, lowered her head, and hurried toward the front door.

At the entrance, Madam Zuo had been waiting. Seeing her approach, she asked, “Lihua, who were you talking to just now?”

Zuo Lihua glanced sideways at the ghost beside her. “No one…”

Madam Zuo frowned slightly. “Come on, everyone’s waiting for you.”

Zuo Lihua was utterly bewildered.

When she followed Madam Zuo inside and was met with a roomful of synchronized stares, she froze instantly, finally understanding who “everyone” referred to.

Aunts, uncles, and relatives, everyone who usually visited during holidays had come, crowding the room.

As she entered, they all stopped what they were doing in unison and turned their gazes toward her.

Some looked impressed, some affectionate, and others with different expressions.

Zuo Lihua’s face stiffened. “Hello, everyone.”

“…” After a brief silence, the room erupted in laughter.

The eldest uncle, the most senior among them, stepped forward. “Lihua has always been like this since she was little, she gets tongue-tied in crowds. Even after becoming a celebrity, she hasn’t changed much.”

A well-dressed woman walked over and naturally linked arms with the eldest uncle.

She was his newly married second wife.

She smiled warmly. “Your uncle now tells everyone you’re his niece, bragging about you as if you were his own daughter. He’s over the moon.”

“What’s wrong with that? Lihua is the face of our Zuo family. Last time, someone said our family’s genes weren’t good, and I wouldn’t stand for it. I slapped Lihua’s photo right in their face. Guess what? They never bragged about their own kids’ looks again. Lihua has always been well-behaved since she was little, making her uncle proud. Hahaha…”

Zuo Lihua smiled awkwardly and looked toward Madam Zuo for help.

Madam Zuo also seemed embarrassed. “What nonsense are you talking? Your Xiao Hao is so handsome. Why didn’t he come today?”

The uncle immediately made a disgusted face. “How can that brat compare to Lihua? We rarely get together, don’t bring him up. That kid ruins the mood. One of these days, he’ll be the death of me.”

The topic smoothly shifted. Out of the corner of her eye, Zuo Lihua noticed Madam Zuo subtly letting out a sigh of relief.

As they walked further inside, she quietly asked Madam Zuo, “Mom, what’s the occasion today?”

Madam Zuo replied, “Nothing much. Your younger sister has been back for a few days, and today we’re introducing her to the family.”

So that was it.

Zuo Lihua blinked. “Isn’t this a bit too low-key? I thought there’d be a banquet or something.”

“There will be, there will be,” Madam Zuo said. “We’re holding a banquet tomorrow, and friends and business partners will all be invited.”

Zuo Lihua understood, today was for the family to meet privately, with the focus on familial bonds.

“Where’s my sister?”

As soon as Zuo Lihua finished speaking, a soft, melodious voice chimed in, “Sister Lihua, you’re here.”

Han Youyou emerged from the crowd, holding a wine glass in her delicate, slender hand. The liquid inside, shimmering like flowing gold, swayed gently with her steps.

Madam Zuo beamed with maternal warmth, her eyes brightening noticeably. “Youyou, come here. This is your older sister, Lihua.”

She then turned to Lihua and said, “Lihua, this is your younger sister, Youyou. She’s your fan and says she admires you the most. To be closer to you, she insisted on becoming a celebrity and even signed with your company.”

Zuo Lihua was struck with shock. As she watched Han Youyou’s face draw nearer, her entire body stiffened.

Madam Zuo asked, “Youyou, did you see your sister yesterday?”

Han Youyou lowered her head, puffing out her cheeks and pouting. “Yes, I did.”

“You don’t seem happy about it? Why that expression?”

“Sister,” Han Youyou’s voice was muffled as she suddenly looked up, her eyes glistening with tears. “Are you still angry with me? I was wrong yesterday. I didn’t realize you were still on leave, but I couldn’t wait and asked Brother Ning to call you. It’s only right that you got mad at me. I know I was wrong. I’m sorry, Sister. Please don’t be angry with me anymore, okay?”

Zuo Lihua: “…”

Everyone present: “…?”

Madam Zuo frowned and asked coldly, “What’s going on?”

Han Youyou sniffled. “Sister scolded me really harshly yesterday.”

The uncle asked in surprise, “Lihua, Youyou, is there some misunderstanding between you two?”

The others were still unaware of Han Youyou’s true identity, assuming she was just a distant relative who had appeared out of nowhere.

Under the collective gaze of everyone, Zuo Lihua said, “You tell me why I scolded you. Should I have scolded myself instead?”

Han Youyou looked at her pitifully. “I… I don’t know either…”

“Hmm.” Zuo Lihua slightly raised her chin.

Han Youyou didn’t bring up the matter of Huang Gu, perhaps because she didn’t feel entirely justified herself. Since she didn’t mention it, neither did Zuo Lihua.

In front of so many people, if she made Han Youyou look too bad, both of them would inevitably become the subject of gossip. Most importantly, her “parents” would lose face.

Even though they weren’t her biological parents and she had already been kicked out, they had never deprived her of anything while she was growing up. She couldn’t repay their kindness with ingratitude.

“Sister, I was wrong,” Han Youyou bit her lip, her voice soft and delicate.

“It’s nothing,” Zuo Lihua smiled, watching Han Hai’er clinging to her like a ladybug and gnawing on her head. “I’m not angry anymore.”

Instead, their interaction left everyone else utterly confused.

Uncle asked, “What are you talking about?”

Madam Zuo chimed in, “You’re not making any sense.”

Zuo Lihua winked at her and placed a finger to her lips. “It’s a little secret between girls.”

Han Youyou said, “Um… Sister didn’t know it was me yesterday. Please don’t blame her.” Han Hai’er, unable to continue gnawing on her head, had shifted her focus to her shoulder. Yet, it seemed as if Han Youyou was enveloped in some invisible barrier, no matter how hard Han Hai’er tried, she couldn’t break through.

Zuo Lihua watched the scene with amusement, finding it inexplicably funny.

Madam Zuo cast a suspicious glance at Zuo Lihua, but given Han Youyou’s attitude, she didn’t press further. “Alright then.”

The butler approached Madam Zuo, subtly glancing at Zuo Lihua before saying, “Madam, the dishes are all prepared.”

Madam Zuo then announced, “Since everyone is here, let’s eat!”

The Zuo family had two dining rooms: one was a small table for everyday family meals, and the other was a massive private room reserved for gatherings, with a round table large enough for someone to lie across.

Zuo Lihua was seated next to Han Youyou.

As they took their seats, Han Hai’er, draped over Han Youyou’s back, complained to Zuo Lihua, “This one is as stubborn and unyielding as a rock in a latrine.”

Zuo Lihua tightened her grip on her spoon, barely suppressing the urge to retort.

Just then, someone remarked, “Why isn’t our esteemed CEO Huang here today, Lihua? Didn’t you tell him?”

Zuo Lihua glanced at Han Youyou, lowered her head, and remained silent.

Under the table, Zuo Lihua felt a hand brush against hers. She looked up and met Madam Zuo’s ambiguous gaze. Seated beside her was Zuo Jianyu, the head of the family, Zuo Lihua’s ‘father.’

Zuo Jianyu shot her a warning look.

Zuo Lihua understood.

She set down her spoon, straightened her back, and said, “I don’t know.”

“Huh? Why don’t you know?”

“We broke up.”

Silence fell instantly once again.

Uncle asked, “Why did you break up?”

Zuo Lihua tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “…We just did.”

“Lihua, did that scoundrel mistreat you? Tell Uncle, and I’ll stand up for you.”

Zuo Lihua’s eyes grew slightly warm.

She had been wronged, and the parents who had raised her for over twenty years expected her to endure it. Yet, it was this uncle, whom she rarely saw, who offered to defend her.

But this was only because she was still the Zuo family’s daughter. Once the news was announced later, would anyone still care for her?

“It’s alright, Uncle,” Zuo Lihua said softly. “I’ve thought it through.”

Uncle sighed. “As long as you’re sure. You’re a grown woman now, I trust your judgment.”

Zuo Lihua smiled, her eyes crinkling. “Thank you, Uncle.”

Han Youyou watched their exchange, her eyes reddening as she twisted the napkin in her hands with such force that her knuckles turned white.

As the final dish was served, Zuo Jianyu stood up.

“Actually, I invited everyone here today for two reasons. First, it’s been a while since we’ve all gathered, and second, there’s an announcement to make.”

Zuo Lihua stared at the pattern on her plate, her heart pounding loudly.

“This news might be too sudden, and it’s the same for me and Yingying… Youyou.”

Han Youyou stood up, her eyes glistening like a little rabbit’s.

“When the child was born, due to some unfortunate mistake, the babies were switched. Fortunately, heaven is just, and twenty-four years later, we have finally found our own child.”

A sharp intake of breath could be heard from someone, while most others were struck with shock and silence.

Zuo Jianyu paused, his gaze sweeping across the faces of everyone present. He then raised the corners of his lips and announced loudly:

“That girl is Youyou, my and Yingying’s biological daughter!”

“Dad…” Han Youyou called out at just the right moment.

Madam Zuo stood up, took Han Youyou’s hand, and the mother and daughter walked over to Zuo Jianyu’s side.

“Youyou, greet your uncles, aunts, and elders.”

“Hello, everyone!” Han Youyou bowed deeply.

As she bent down, her gaze fell upon Zuo Lihua. In her still-moist eyes, there was a subtle hint of disdain and arrogance.