The Legend of Cinderella's Counterattack

My life was like the A4 sheets spitting out of a photocopier: every day was dull and uneventful. As a nine-to-five clerk at a small company, my days were like a stagnant pool of water, completely still. Until that day, I met Lawrence Lu. It was as if the photocopier of life had seized up, producing a piece of paper unlike any other.

That day, I was catching the subway after get off work as usual. The crowd was thick, and I was completely focused on protecting myself from being stepped on. Suddenly, my bag seemed to get snagged. I turned around and saw a tall, handsome man frantically untangling his headphone cord from my bag. He looked up, his bright smile lighting up the crowded train like the sun. "Excuse me, my headphone cord is so unruly."

At that moment, I felt my heart skip a beat. He had clear, bright eyes, and when he smiled, two dimples formed at the corners of his mouth, making it hard not to want to be close to him. His white shirt was crisp and clean, and on his wrist was an exquisite watch. It was clear at first glance that he was from a wealthy family.

"It's okay," I replied frantically, my cheeks burning. He picked up his headphones, nodded politely, and disappeared into the crowd. I stood there, stunned, replaying the scene in my mind.

From that day on, I couldn't help but think of that sunny boy. I began to look forward to my daily commute, hoping to bump into him on the subway. However, life always plays tricks on me, and I never saw him again.

Just when I was about to give up, he suddenly appeared in my life. That noon, I went to the cafe near my company to buy coffee as usual. While waiting in line, I suddenly heard a familiar voice, "One caramel macchiato, thank you."

I looked up suddenly and saw him standing in front of me, still wearing the same white shirt and with the same bright smile. This time, I finally mustered up the courage and asked softly, "Have we met on the subway?"

He was stunned for a moment, then showed a surprised expression, "It's you! I remember you, you were wearing a white dress that day."

My face flushed red, and my heart pounded like a fawn. At that moment, I knew my life would no longer be ordinary.

His name was Lu Yuxuan, and we exchanged WeChat accounts. After that, he appeared in my life frequently, like magic. He would suddenly appear downstairs at my office, holding my favorite matcha cake, and say with a smile, "Getting off work? Let's have dinner together." He would invite me to see the latest movies on weekends, take me for afternoon drives in the suburbs, and even bring me hot midnight snacks when I was working overtime.

I felt like a frightened little rabbit, at a loss for what to do with his enthusiasm. I came from an ordinary background, while he was like a prince from a fairy tale. I always felt like we were from different worlds. I carefully kept my distance from him, not daring to cross the line.

"Lolo, are you in a relationship recently?" One day, my best friend Minmin asked me mysteriously.

"No, why do you ask?" I felt guilty and didn't dare to look her in the eyes.

"You're still saying no, but look at you. You've been so absent-minded lately, with that silly smile on your face all the time." Minmin had an "I know all" expression on her face. "Tell me, whose son is this?"

I couldn't persuade her, so I had to tell her about Lawrence Lu. After hearing this, Minmin excitedly grabbed my hand and said, "Oh my God, Luoluo, you are so lucky to have met such a good man! He is handsome, rich, and treats you so well. What are you hesitating about?"

"But..." I bit my lip, feeling uneasy. "I always feel that he is too good to me, too good to be true. I am afraid..."

"What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of getting hurt?" Minmin interrupted me, "Lolo, you can't give up the chance to pursue happiness just because you're afraid of getting hurt! You have to trust your feelings, and you have to trust him, too."

Minmin's words were like a ray of light, illuminating the fog in my heart. Yes, why should I be afraid? Why can't I be brave enough to love once?

I began to reciprocate Lawrence Lu's warmth. We dined together, watched movies together, and took walks and chatted. I gradually discovered that he wasn't just a pampered rich kid. He was kind, thoughtful, responsible, and had his own dreams and aspirations. He was like a ray of sunshine, warming my life and illuminating my heart. I began to open my heart to him and accept his love.

However, life is like a melodramatic TV show, always likes to give you some "surprises" when you are at your happiest. My changes naturally did not escape the eyes of my stepmother and stepsister. They were already dissatisfied with me, and now seeing that I was close to a "rich son-in-law" like Lawrence Lu, they were even more jealous.

"Hey, isn't this Lolo? Why are you dressed so beautifully? Are you going on a date?" Stepsister Lin Shanshan's sarcastic voice came from behind, her tone full of sarcasm.

I turned around and saw her and my stepmother Li Mei standing behind me, both with malicious smiles on their faces.

"Yes, Sister Shanshan, do you have any objection?" I fought back without showing any weakness.

"How dare I object? I'm just worried that you've been deceived by someone with ill intentions," Li Mei said with a forced smile. "After all, some people are born to associate with the rich and powerful."

"Mom, what are you talking about!" I was so angry that I was shaking all over. "Yuxuan and I are truly in love. Please don't insult our feelings!"

"True love? Why don't you look in the mirror and see what kind of person you are!" Lin Shanshan said sarcastically, "Do you think you are worthy of Master Lu? Stop dreaming!"

I was so angry that tears welled up in my eyes, but I didn't know how to refute. Since I was a child, my relationship with my stepmother and stepsister has been very bad. They always bullied me in various ways, and I could only endure it silently.

"That's enough!" A deep and commanding voice came. I looked up and saw Lawrence Lu had appeared behind us. His face was ashen and his eyes were fierce, like an enraged lion.

"Who are you? What qualifications do you have to yell at her here?" Lawrence Lu asked coldly, his tone full of unquestionable majesty.

The stepmother and stepsister were obviously frightened by Lawrence Lu’s momentum. They stood there in a daze for a while, not knowing how to answer.

"Lolo is my girlfriend, I won't allow anyone to bully her!" Lawrence Lu pulled me behind him and said as if to assert his sovereignty, "If you dare to be rude to her again, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

At that moment, I felt like Cinderella in the fairy tale, protected by the prince, and my heart was filled with security and happiness. I knew that with him by my side, I didn't have to fear anything.

Later, Lu Yuxuan helped me navigate the challenges of my stepmother and stepsisters and taught me how to navigate the intrigues of the workplace. We faced challenges together, grew together, and our bond grew stronger. Lu Yuxuan and I became closer and stronger. He introduced me to his circle of friends, attending high-end cocktail parties, and meeting people I had never dared to meet before. I also gradually transformed from my initial timidity and insecurity to a confident and open-minded person. I thought I could finally shed my Cinderella identity and live happily ever after with my prince.

However, fate always seems to like playing jokes. When I thought happiness was within reach, it dealt me a heavy blow.

That day, Lawrence Lu and I were choosing engagement rings. He suddenly received a call, and his face instantly became solemn. He said a few words hurriedly and hung up the phone. Then he took my hand and said in a hurried tone: "Lolo, come with me, let's go now!"

I was startled by his sudden action. Before I could ask what happened, he pulled me out of the mall and stuffed me into a black car.

"Yuxuan, what happened?" I asked anxiously.

He held my hand tightly, his deep eyes filled with anxiety and uneasiness, "My dad...something happened to him."

My heart sank suddenly, and an ominous premonition came over me, "Uncle...what happened?"

“I don’t know either.” Lawrence Lu’s tone was trembling, “The only thing he said on the phone was that he suddenly fell into a coma and is now in the hospital for emergency treatment.”

We rushed to the hospital as quickly as possible, but what greeted us was the doctor's heavy expression and the cold "critical illness notice".

"How could this happen..." I looked at Father Lu, who was pale on the hospital bed, and tears couldn't stop flowing down.

Lawrence Lu hugged me tightly, his body trembling slightly, but he tried hard not to cry out. I know he must be feeling worse than me right now.

At this moment, the door of the ward was suddenly pushed open, and a man in a white coat and gold-rimmed glasses walked in. He looked at us, and then said in a cold tone: "Which of you is Lawrence Lu?"

“It’s me.” Lawrence Lu raised his head and looked at the other party warily.

“I’m Mr. Lu’s lawyer.” The man took out a document from his briefcase and handed it to Lawrence Lu, “This is Mr. Lu’s will. He is in critical condition now. I ask you to sign this document immediately, otherwise…”

"Otherwise what?" My heart was in my throat, and a bad premonition was growing stronger and stronger.

The man pushed up his glasses, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. "Otherwise, all of Mr. Lu's inheritance will be donated to charity, and you... will be left with nothing."

My head went blank. Will? Inheritance? Why did things suddenly turn out like this? I looked at Lawrence Lu in horror. His face was as pale as paper, and his eyes were filled with shock and pain.

“No, this is impossible!” Lawrence Lu stood up suddenly, grabbed the man’s collar, and roared, “What the hell is going on? Why are you doing this?!”

The man sneered, slowly straightened his messed collar, then looked at Lawrence Lu with a cold look, and said word by word: “Because…you are not Mr. Lu’s biological son.”