At The Beginning Of The Novel, The Villain Forced The Protagonist’s Step-Mom To Bear His Children

Chapter 88: Lucky Prize! The Imminent Father-Daughter Battle! Xu Feiyan Is Shocked:

When Xu Huayi heard about adding a prize to the bet, her eyes sparkled with excitement. She loved watching lively events and quickly clapped her hands.

“Great! If it’s a competition, there has to be a prize, right?”

Originally, Xu Shiqing wanted to stop her fifth sister, Xu Feiyan, from competing. But hearing Xu Hao’s suggestion made her stay quiet. She even started to look forward to it. Maybe it was time for their unreasonable fifth sister to be taught a lesson by their father, to understand that there’s always someone better out there.

Xu Feiyan frowned. This situation made her even more displeased with Xu Hao. A simple competition now had a prize attached, making it feel like some kind of exaggerated gamble. [Ding! Xu Feiyan feels disgusted. Her emotional points +777…]

“What kind of prize do you want?” she asked coldly.

Xu Hao pretended to think, rubbing his chin.

“Let’s see…”

“Dad, I have a few ideas! You can use them as a reference,” Xu Huayi chimed in, raising her hand enthusiastically.

“Go ahead.”

“I think if Fifth Sister loses, she should wash Dad’s feet or give him a leg massage for a month,” Xu Huayi suggested, her eyes shining mischievously.

The idea amused her.

The proud and self-proclaimed “Queen” of a sister reduced to washing their father’s feet was quite the image. Xu Shiqing noticed her sister’s mischief but didn’t say anything. Secretly, she was curious to see that scene too.

Xu Feiyan’s forehead creased in annoyance. Did they all think she would lose? Did they have that little faith in her strength? She shot a glare at Xu Huayi.

“What kind of bet is that? And what if I win?”

“Fine, whoever loses will wash and massage the winner’s feet for a month.” Xu Huayi reluctantly modified the bet.

“No way. That’s too long,” Xu Feiyan refused. “I’m only home for a few days before leaving again.”

She was confident but didn’t want to risk it. What if she lost? The idea of massaging Xu Hao’s feet for a month sent a shiver down her spine.

Xu Hao stepped in with a more practical idea.

“How about this—whoever loses serves tea and water to the winner for a day.”

After thinking it over, Xu Feiyan agreed. One day was tolerable.

…

Xu Feiyan stepped into an open space, her eyes focused, an almost imperceptible aura emanating from her body. Just as she prepared to strike, Xu Hao interrupted.

“Hold on a second.”

Annoyed, Xu Feiyan’s face darkened.

“Why? Are you scared?”

Xu Hao waved dismissively.

“Not at all. I just want to clarify—what’s the definition of winning and losing? We’re family, so we don’t want to hurt each other.”

“Who’s your family?” Xu Feiyan retorted, but she realized that hurting Xu Hao could cause trouble, especially considering her two younger sisters’ reactions.

It was a valid point.

Suddenly, Xu Shiqing spoke up.

“What if we draw a circle around you, and whoever steps out first loses?”

Xu Huayi nodded.

“Good idea.”

Once everyone agreed, the two sisters marked a boundary. After the rules were set, Xu Feiyan coldly asked,

“Is there anything else?”

“Nope. Let’s begin.” Xu Hao replied casually.

Xu Feiyan readied herself, her long legs slightly bent. She was cautious. Xu Hao, on the other hand, looked relaxed, even yawning.

This irritated Xu Feiyan.

Was he not taking her seriously?

She decided to finish the fight quickly.

With a swift push off the ground, cracks formed on the marble floor as she charged at Xu Hao like an arrow. He appeared startled, backing up as if about to step out of the boundary.

Seeing this, Xu Feiyan sped up, determined to land a decisive kick that would push him out.

Just as her kick neared him, Xu Hao suddenly moved, catching her by surprise. He grabbed her thigh and, before she could react, swung her out of the circle. She managed to land on her feet and stumbled back, but her confusion was evident.

Xu Hao remained calm inside the boundary while Xu Feiyan struggled to understand what just happened.

[Ding! Xu Feiyan’s anger surged. Her emotional points +586…]

[Ding! Xu Feiyan felt disappointed. Her emotional points +493…]

The whole thing had been a setup. Xu Hao had feigned weakness, baiting her. He knew she wouldn’t accept defeat easily and would seek another challenge, giving him further chances to test her.

“Wow, Dad is so strong! He beat Fifth Sister in just three seconds.” Xu Huayi cheered.

“Dad is the best!”

The sisters, snacks and drinks ready, were prepared for a long show, only to have it end so quickly. Xu Huayi ran up and hugged Xu Hao, grinning.

“Fifth Sister, you lost. You have to serve Dad tea and water all day.” Xu Shiqing said, approaching Xu Feiyan with a smile.

“We’ll be watching.”

“I don’t accept this!” Xu Feiyan protested. “He cheated; we didn’t even fight properly.”

Xu Hao coughed lightly.

“Feiyan, we followed the rules. Whoever stepped out of the circle first lost.”

“That’s right, that’s right! We all saw it. Can’t handle losing, Fifth Sister?” Xu Huayi added, staring at her.

Though frustrated, Xu Feiyan had to admit she lost. But she wouldn’t let it go.

“Fine, you win this time. Let’s compete again soon,” she challenged.

Xu Hao smiled knowingly.

“I’m not against it, but I’m tired today. Let’s continue tomorrow. First, you have to keep your word.”

Fuming, Xu Feiyan knew he wasn’t tired—he just wanted to see her serve him.

“Fifth Sister, be honorable and keep your promise.”

“Yes, go serve Dad some tea already!” the twins teased, grinning nearby.

Xu Feiyan shot a bitter glance at her two sisters.

She couldn’t understand why they spoke so much in favor of Xu Hao.

“I get it, I lost. You don’t need to remind me.” she muttered through clenched teeth and headed towards the house. As soon as she entered the hall, she noticed someone sitting at the coffee table making tea—it was Xiao Wanling.

Xu Feiyan recognized her as Xu Hongjiao’s best friend, someone who often appeared in group photos shared by her third sister. Xiao Wanling, focused on making tea, didn’t notice her arrival. Though Xu Hao had taught her tea-making skills, Xiao Wanling had clearly put in effort and practice over time.

Xu Feiyan watched as Xiao Wanling’s fingers moved gracefully, warming the cups, releasing the tea’s aroma, and brewing with fluid precision. The scene was unexpectedly soothing to watch. Once Xiao Wanling finished, Xu Feiyan stepped forward to taste the tea.

“Sister Wanling, your tea skills have really improved!”

As she approached, the faint fragrance of tea filled the air, making her feel refreshed.

“Are you… Xu Feiyan?” Xiao Wanling asked, a hint of recognition in her voice.

“Yes.” Xu Feiyan replied with a nod.

“When did you return? Hongjiao was just talking about you.”

“Where’s my third sister?” Xu Feiyan asked, looking around for Xu Hongjiao.

“She’s practicing her singing in the study room.” Xiao Wanling said.

Suppressing her urge to see her third sister immediately, Xu Feiyan complimented,

“Sister Wanling, your tea skills are so impressive. You make those so-called tea masters seem ordinary.”

Having seen her eldest sister make tea many times, Xu Feiyan had some appreciation for the art. But Xiao Wanling seemed far more skilled and graceful. If her eldest sister were here, she would probably insist on keeping Xiao Wanling around to brew tea every day.

“It’s not that great,” Xiao Wanling said modestly. “Your father’s tea-making skills are truly outstanding. I only learned a bit from Uncle Xu.”

“What?” Xu Feiyan was taken aback. Was that just a glimpse of his skill? How could it be so exceptional?

She had once heard her third sister praise Xu Hao’s tea-making abilities in their group chats but hadn’t thought much of it. How amazing could tea-making be, really? Now she knew she had underestimated it.

After chatting for a bit, Xu Feiyan went upstairs to the study. When she saw her third sister, the two hugged tightly, their excitement almost making them bounce apart. Despite teasing each other online and being kicked out of their group chats as “traitors,” it was all in good fun. The bond between the sisters was strong.

“Fifth sister, when did you get back?”

“Just now.”

“Dad should still be home. Did you see him?” Xu Hongjiao asked with a smile.

Hearing her third sister affectionately call him “Dad” left Xu Feiyan feeling conflicted. Since returning, she hadn’t experienced the goodness her sisters often spoke about. All she saw was Xu Hao’s cunning—winning by trickery in their bet. How could a man who enjoyed betting against his daughters be a good father? She believed her sisters were being deceived and felt it was her duty to save them.

With a determined expression, she set aside her thoughts for now and smiled.

“Third sister, you’re a big star now. I’ll need live performances whenever I want music.”

Xu Hongjiao rolled her eyes playfully.

As the two sisters continued chatting, a loud voice called out from outside.

“Fifth sister, where are you? Trying to avoid your promise?”

It was Xu Huayi, who, along with Xu Shiqing, was receiving lessons from Xu Hao. Assuming Xu Feiyan was trying to escape her agreement, Xu Huayi had come searching.

Anger flashed in Xu Feiyan’s eyes. This really was her good sister.

“What’s going on?” Xu Hongjiao asked, puzzled.

In response, Xu Feiyan explained her bet with Xu Hao.

“You didn’t notice Dad’s tricks? I didn’t want you to lose too badly, and you’re still upset?” Xu Hongjiao said with a laugh.

What? Xu Feiyan was confused. How could Xu Hao have tricked her? He had clearly baited her to the boundary line and thrown her out when she let her guard down. To make matters worse, her third sister was now defending him. Xu Feiyan felt even more determined.

“Just wait, third sister. Tomorrow, I’ll defeat him and make him serve me tea all day.”

At this moment, the study door opened, and Xu Huayi appeared with a grin.

“Fifth sister, are you hiding here to avoid your promise?”

“Which eye saw me hiding? I’m just here to see the Third Sister. I’m not avoiding anything.” Xu Feiyan snapped.

“Both of them.” Xu Huayi replied seriously, widening her eyes.

“Brat, you’re asking for it.” Xu Feiyan said, her temper flaring. Xu Huayi quickly ran away.

On the first floor, Xu Feiyan grabbed the teapot and teacup prepared by Xiao Wanling and made her way to the courtyard. She found Xu Hao teaching Xu Shiqing how to draw. He was guiding her step-by-step, their closeness striking a nerve with Xu Feiyan. Though they were father and daughter, she couldn’t shake off how intimate it seemed.

But when she saw the serious expression on Xu Shiqing’s face, she chose to hold back. She watched as, under Xu Hao’s guidance, Xu Shiqing drew a vivid scene of an ancient bustling city—carriages rushing by, vendors shouting, customers bargaining. The expressions of the people in the drawing seemed alive, bringing history to life.

When the painting was finished, Xu Hao noticed Xu Feiyan staring blankly and waved her over. She walked over, holding the teapot in a daze.

Xu Hao waved his hand in front of her eyes. “Stop daydreaming. It’s time to serve the tea.”