Chapter 80 Overboard

Before long, Susan entered abruptly. Su Lilu cast her a detached glance, and Susan mocked, “Eldest Sister, the young ladies from the Yao family are asking for you. Are you afraid to go over?”

“Afraid? Not at all. I was just waiting for you to come invite me yourself,” Su Lilu replied with a faint, languid tone as she rose to her feet.

Susan was already barely restraining her impatience. Hearing Su Lilu pour oil on the fire, she immediately sneered, “Su Lilu, what an act you put on. Do you really think you’re someone important?”

“Oh, is that so? Then you’d best hurry along,” Su Lilu answered, unruffled, returning to her seat with a leisurely air.

“You—”

“What about me? Wasn’t it you who said I was putting on airs? How could I let your words go to waste?” Su Lilu’s gaze was cold as she watched Susan’s face alternate between red and pale, finding the sight rather amusing.

Susan glared furiously at Su Lilu. Su Baizhi had specifically sent her here with the firm instruction to bring Su Lilu over no matter what. Even if she had to swallow her pride for a moment, soon enough Su Lilu would have a taste of her own medicine.

After collecting herself, Susan pleaded, “Eldest Sister, please come. I’ve given my word that I’d bring you, and I must see it through. I was wrong just now… I misspoke. Please don’t hold it against me—spare me this once.”

As soon as the words left her lips, the difficulty from before seemed to vanish, though with each plea, her resentment toward Su Lilu only deepened.

“Since you’ve asked so sincerely, of course I won’t disappoint you,” Su Lilu smiled, dropping her pretense and taking the lead. Seeing her move, Susan hurried to catch up.

Su Dongxuan was all but ignored. She watched the two walk away, hesitated with a conflicted look, then bit her lip and followed.

Afraid of being noticed by Susan, Su Dongxuan kept her distance, trailing behind stealthily and occasionally hiding behind trees.

Susan caught up to Su Lilu, leading her forward. “Eldest Sister, your magic trick at the palace banquet was truly marvelous. If you have the time, would you show it to me again?”

“You want to see it?” Su Lilu raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in her voice.

Susan’s eyes flickered, but she insisted stubbornly, “Of course I do. Or is it that you’re unwilling?”

“It’s not that. It’s just that the trick’s secret has already been revealed. Watching it again would lose its charm,” Su Lilu replied, a touch of regret in her tone. She had a few other tricks up her sleeve that would be no less captivating, but she saw no reason to mention this to Susan.

Assuming that Su Lilu was simply unwilling, Susan didn’t press the matter, only muttering with disappointment, “If you don’t wish to, never mind. I’m not that eager to see it anyway. Let’s take this path ahead, Eldest Sister—it’s a bit shorter.”

Su Lilu simply followed, unaware of where Su Baizhi and the others were, and trailing Susan was the most straightforward way. At Susan’s suggestion, she nodded, “Lead the way, then.”

A fleeting, sinister smile appeared on Susan’s lips before she looked up shyly at Su Lilu and said, “You’re so kind, Eldest Sister. Come, let’s hurry—Second Sister and the young ladies from the Yao family are waiting. Once you’ve made your impression on them, don’t forget your little sister.”

Su Lilu responded only with a cold smile, paying no heed to Susan’s words. As they neared their destination, Susan dropped her flattery and hurried along the path by the lake.

When Su Lilu saw the lake’s edge, a hint of wariness flashed in her eyes. She deliberately slowed her pace and asked, “Third Sister, why do I feel we’re getting farther from everyone? Are you sure you’re not lost?”

Susan replied quickly, “Eldest Sister, how could that be? I just came from here myself. It only feels far, but it’s really quite close. Look, just past there and we’re there.” She pointed at a small courtyard ahead, and Su Lilu, still suspicious, followed her on.

It was winter, and a thin layer of ice covered the lake. Should anyone fall in, their life would hang by a thread. The lakeside path was slick in places, so Su Lilu grew increasingly cautious with each step.

Suddenly, she heard Susan cry out ahead. Reflexively, Su Lilu moved to help her, but Susan spun around, seized Su Lilu’s sleeve, and shoved her hard. Unexpectedly, Su Lilu gripped Susan’s hand tightly, and they both lost their balance, tumbling sideways. With a splash, both plunged into the lake together.

Never had Su Lilu imagined Susan would plot to take her life. As she plunged into the icy water, a coldness seeped into her bones, raising goosebumps all over her skin. Gasping, she saw Susan flailing beside her, desperately trying to stay afloat. Seizing the chance, Su Lilu pressed down hard on Susan’s shoulder, hoping to use the force to push herself toward the shore.

Susan, treating Su Lilu as her only hope, clung stubbornly to her clothes. Pulled down, Su Lilu sank deeper, struggling furiously before resurfacing. The two of them wrestled in the freezing water, neither willing to let go.

Su Dongxuan, realizing she had lost sight of them ahead, hurried to the lakeside and saw the two struggling in the water. Su Lilu strained toward the bank, but each time she neared the edge, Susan dragged her back. She ached to kick Susan off her.

Seeing Su Lilu in the water, Su Dongxuan immediately dropped to her knees at the shore, reaching out desperately. “Eldest Sister, grab my hand!” she called, while turning to scan the area, shouting, “Help! Someone’s fallen in! Is anyone there? Hurry!”

Spotting Su Dongxuan’s outstretched hand, Su Lilu’s hope surged. She used all her strength to reach forward, but Susan’s grip kept dragging her down. Wiping water from her face, she summoned all her willpower to grab that small hand.

Their fingertips finally touched. Su Dongxuan leaned forward, seized Su Lilu’s icy hand, and gripped tightly, urging, “Hold on, Eldest Sister! I’ll pull you up—don’t let go!”

Summoning all her strength, Su Dongxuan slowly drew Su Lilu closer. Cold sweat beaded on her brow, while behind her, Susan’s struggles grew weaker and weaker in the water.

When at last Su Lilu, drenched, stood on the bank, she still clasped Susan’s hand. She turned quickly to Su Dongxuan and urged, “Fifth Sister, go get help—now! I’ll stay and watch.”

Su Dongxuan, already panicked, felt reassured by Su Lilu’s calmness and obeyed at once, dashing off with flushed cheeks and anxious eyes.

Once Su Dongxuan was out of sight, Su Lilu looked down at the unconscious Susan in her grasp. Releasing her hand ever so slightly, she let Susan drift slowly back into the lake.

A cold smile played at Su Lilu’s lips as she knelt shivering on the ground, arms wrapped around herself, eyes rimmed red as she cried out, “Help! Someone save my third sister—she’s fallen in! Please, someone!”