Chapter 21: Round two.

Dinner at the Shen manor had the makings of another battlefield. It started with the appearance of a cat and dog that made themselves comfortable at the table.

Madam Xu had raised a knife like she wanted to butcher the animals. Never mind that the two pets had five human bodyguards posted around the room, the notable bulge of weapons strapped around their waists very visible.

“The dog has a system.” Shen Deng reminded his wife. If it was deadly as an ordinary dog, then it was one thousand times more as a system host. Besides, it was called Reaper!

A dog with that name did not have a temper? Did his wife think it was soft like a fluffy bunny.

Shen Weijun was quick to react. He took the knife from his mother’s hand, and he made his way to his seat.

Now, Madam Xu had a stiff angry face, radiating disapproval like a dragon whose treasure had been stolen. Shen Biao perched beside her, lips pursed, ready to strike.

Li Wu strolled into the dining room casually, dressed in a bright red silk dinner dress. Her lips were red and provocative, just like the sneaky smile on her face. “Did I make you all wait for too long?” she asked softly. “I apologize; my husband told me to look pretty and make a grand entrance.” She sat beside her husband, clutching her chopsticks like weapons.

Weijun covered his face and sighed.

His brothers shook their heads. Each of them was glad they had turned the marriage down and also glad they had not been the swapped groom.

“Little lizard,” Shen Biao began, voice dripping with venom. “Do you know how to eat properly? Or do you lick your food off rocks?”

Grand aunt Yuening slapped her small palm against the table as a warning. Some people groaned because that would not stop the avalanche.

Liwu smiled sweetly. “Oh, I eat properly. Though sometimes, rocks are sweeter than your natural bitterness. I wonder if you can even taste anything you eat with a sour tongue.”

Shen Biao sputtered. Madam Xu narrowed her eyes.

[Verbal counterattack successful, +1 for style.]

Liwu raised her eyebrows.

Quiet dominated the table, dancing beneath the tension. The first course arrived: steaming bowls of soup. Liwu played around with hers, with no intention of taking a single sip.

Shen Biao leaned forward, whispering loudly, “Did mother lizard not teach you how to use a spoon? Careful little lizard. Don’t burn your tongue.”

And that was when some crystals that made up the chandelier dropped, plopping into Liwu’s soup. She pulled back in time, but Shen Biao did not. Before the rest could react, the entire chandelier shuddered and collapsed in a spectacular crash, scattering crystal shards across the table.

[+50 points for the collapse ceiling.]

Madam Xu shrieked. Shen Biao jumped back and his under the table. Liwu sat serenely, stirring crystal mixed soup like she was about to take a soup.

Majesty laughed.

Reaper dragged others away, like he was on rescue duty, and they were in a burning building.

Servants rushed in, sweeping crystals and glass away as they muttered apologies. Dinner was moved to the dining room of the North wing, where Madam Xu and her husband lived. The room was smaller just as elegant.

Platters of roasted duck were served and Liwu ate with relish. Weijun was just glad that all was quiet and normal.

Shen Biao, determined to torment Liwu broke the peace. She stabbed at the slice of duck Liwu was about to take away from the platter. “Eat little lizard. I hope you don’t choke.”

Liwu obediently took a bite. The duck was delicious, she was enjoying it but she stopped when a small bone lodged in her throat. She coughed, eyes watering, pounding her chest. Weijun leapt up, panicked. He screamed for a medic.

Shen Biao laughed loudly, hoping that Liwu would drop dead. But Weijun slapped Liwu on the back a little too hard. The bone flew from her mouth, bounced on a platter and entered Shen Biao’s mouth.

As Liwu gasped for air, the system chimed cheerfully [+250 points: Choking on food.]

This made Liwu widen her eyes. So, the points would be gained if she suffered the misfortune as well, not just others. And here she thought only the rude Shen’s would suffer!

Shen Biao rinsed her mouth with water, glaring at Liwu. “You….”

“Next meal.” Weijun cut in, bellowing unnecessarily. He sent a sharp warning look to his aunt, ordering her to shut up.

Madam Xu shook her head in wonder. “You are a grown woman, how can you choke on a bone? This would be so embarrassing if we had guests. A disgrace.”

Liwu dabbed her lips. “Thank you. I do try.”

Madam Xu clenched her fist.

The next disaster happened only ten seconds later. A servant delivering dessert tripped, sending a bowl of sweet red bean soup and slice of coconut cake flying. It landed squarely on Madam Xu’s face. She shrieked, waving her napkin furiously.

Liwu’s system sang: [+200 points: Hot soup in someone’s face.]

Liwu tried not to grin, but it was hard not to. This was joyful music she had longed to hear all her life.

Shen Biao shrieked. “Curse, she is a curse. The little lizard brings ruin wherever she goes.”

Other people in the room were looking at Liwu in horror. Some had already started figuring out a pattern: first, someone said something provocative and then disaster followed. It could not be a coincidence!

“It’s a talent.” Liwu shrugged.

The chaos escalated from there. A strange cat, that nobody had ever seen, leapt through the window and onto the table. It seemed to be as panicked as the humans because it tried to find the nearest exit, knocking over wine glasses, turning the white tablecloth crimson.

[+1 point: Spilled wine.]

[+10 points: Spilled food.]

Liwu calmly calculated her points. She was racking them up faster than a gamer on cheat code.

Then came the unexpected. A stampede! Five guard dogs that belonged to the Shen’s ran into the house, pursuing the cat. The chase lead around the room, and everyone scrambled. Shen Biao tried to flee but tripped, landing flat on her back and a dog bounded over her.

[+100 points: Animal stampede. 30 bonus points for someone trampled.]

Liwu nearly applauded.

Shen Weijun grabbed her hand, “Time to leave.”

Liwu blinked rapidly, “No. I don’t want to leave, we are just beginning to have fun. I did not invite the cat or dogs by the way, but they have excellent timing.”

Weijun growled and lifted her, throwing her over his shoulder. As he hurried away from the dining room, followed by Majesty and Reaper, Liwu shouted, “Mother-in-law, Bitter Biao, we should do this again soon. How about breakfast tomorrow?”

Madam Xu, stained, sticky and furious pointed at Liwu and screamed, “You will never be welcome to my dining table again! You hear me, you little jinx, never again!”

Liwu grabbed on to the dining room door and shouted back, “Oh, but I’ve never felt more at home. Mother-in-law, look at all the excitement tonight. Our family meals will always be lively. What do you think of pigeons tomorrow?”

“Shut up.” Weijun barked at her, spanking her on the buttocks at the same time!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep