After Mistaking My Stepsister’s First Love - Chapter 37

Although Ye Wenjin always felt things weren’t that simple, whenever she showed any inclination to ask Jian Mo, the latter would skillfully steer the conversation elsewhere.

At first, she didn’t notice, but later Ye Wenjin realized her sister just didn’t want her to know.

Ye Wenjin wasn’t the type to pester. If Jian Mo didn’t want to talk about it, she obediently stopped asking. Still, she couldn’t help but wonder about the reason deep down.

Sometimes, when her thoughts ran wild and she couldn’t control them, an idea would pop into her head.

Even though she and her sister were married, in Jian Mo’s eyes, they weren’t equals.

Most of the time, it felt like her sister still saw her as a child.

Realizing this made Ye Wenjin a little disheartened, though only slightly. After all, it was an undeniable fact compared to Jian Mo, she really was too immature.

Of course, it was also possible that the matter was just complicated, and Jian Mo didn’t want her to know, likely out of a desire to protect her.

Thinking of it that way made her feel a little better, but Ye Wenjin couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

Lately, however, rehearsals had quickly gotten back on track, and time was tight. Ye Wenjin didn’t have the luxury of dwelling on other things, throwing herself entirely into practice.

Because of the sudden cast change, everyone’s schedule became even more packed.

Every day was filled with intense rehearsals, leaving everyone utterly drained by the end. Even gathering to gossip lost its appeal, any free time was spent desperately resting.

Naturally, the attention on Ye Wenjin also dwindled significantly.

It wasn’t until half a month later that she heard news about He Wenxi again.

During this time, He Wenxi hadn’t shown up at all. Ye Wenjin understood being stripped of her performance role, watching everyone else rehearse would only make her feel worse. She figured He Wenxi just needed time to cool off.

But then, out of nowhere, came the news that He Wenxi had moved out of the dorm. Everyone buzzed with speculation, puzzled by the sudden development. Then, the very next day, rumors spread that He Wenxi had dropped out of school.

“Dropped out?”

Ye Wenjin was stunned.

Rong Yunshu was equally surprised by the news. “That’s what I heard too. Someone saw what looked like He Wenxi’s parents taking her to the dean’s office. Apparently, there was even a scene.

They said her parents were completely unreasonable, talking like they were arguing loud enough to be heard through the office door. That’s how people found out about the withdrawal.”

“So sudden?” Ye Wenjin still felt dazed.

Rong Yunshu mused, “From what I heard, He Wenxi didn’t want to drop out, but her parents were adamant. Someone said they saw her being dragged away by her parent, who was cursing and yelling the whole time. The things they said were really harsh.”

Ye Wenjin froze. “She… she didn’t have a good relationship with her family either?”

Seeing her reaction, Rong Yunshu spoke more firmly, afraid she might overthink it. “Wenjin, don’t dwell on it. Whether or not she had a bad relationship with her family, the fact remains, He Wenxi framed you. She doesn’t deserve sympathy. She brought this on herself.”

After all, if He Wenxi hadn’t been so fixated on the lead dancer role, she wouldn’t have made that deal, and none of this would have happened.

If she hadn’t stirred up trouble, she would’ve at least still had a solo part. With her skills, she could’ve easily caught the attention of some instructors during rehearsals and performances.

But…

Heaven’s punishments can be survived; the consequences of one’s own actions cannot.

Ultimately, it was her own mindset that was the problem. Someone like her would never be content with the status quo, and coupled with her twisted mentality, whatever fate befell her was well-deserved.

Ye Wenjin wasn’t unaware of this reasoning, but she couldn’t help feeling a pang of melancholy over He Wenxi’s outcome.

She couldn’t help but think that if she hadn’t been able to prove her own innocence back then, the one forced to drop out might very well have been her.

Still, the whole matter left a lingering heaviness in her heart.

When she returned home on her day off, Ye Wenjin hesitated for a long time before finally bringing it up to Jian Mo.

Jian Mo’s expression was calm, not the least bit surprised, though her thoughtful gaze as she looked over made Ye Wenjin suddenly nervous. Before she could explain, Jian Mo suddenly asked, “Xiaojin, do you care about her?”

Ye Wenjin paused, her expression faltering for a moment. “I… wouldn’t say I care, exactly. It’s just that hearing she was forced to drop out by her family makes me feel a little unsettled.”

Jian Mo set down the documents in her hand and beckoned Ye Wenjin over.

Ye Wenjin walked to her side, standing there uneasily.

Seeing this, Jian Mo patted her lap. “Come here, Xiaojin.”

The thick carpet on the floor made kneeling painless.

And now, Ye Wenjin was kneeling on the carpet, her upper body leaning against Jian Mo’s legs as she looked up at her with clear, bright eyes. “Jiejie?”

This posture…

Jian Mo’s fingers curled slightly, a flicker of surprise flashing in her eyes.

After two or three seconds, she reached out and gently stroked Ye Wenjin’s head, speaking slowly. “Xiaojin, you don’t need to put yourself in He Wenxi’s shoes. You’ll never be her. Even if your circumstances were similar, you and she are completely different.”

A faint smile played at Jian Mo’s lips as she asked casually, “If it were you, Xiaojin, would you resort to framing others to get an opportunity?”

Ye Wenjin answered without hesitation. “Of course not. I know I have my shortcomings, and there are people better than me. If I don’t get chosen this time, I’ll seize the next opportunity. I’ll succeed eventually.”

If she never succeeded, then perhaps it just meant she didn’t have the talent for it.

Ye Wenjin would accept her own mediocrity.

Jian Mo chuckled. “An expected answer. So, Xiaojin, do you understand now?”

“The differences between people are so vast that even in similar circumstances, entirely different personalities can emerge. It’s simply a matter of reaping what one sows.”

Ye Wenjin froze, realizing she’d been overly sentimental.

Though she knew deep down that He Wenxi didn’t deserve sympathy, hearing about her family situation had unconsciously made her draw parallels to herself, stirring a sense of shared suffering.

But Jiejie was right, what kind of person one became was ultimately their own choice.

Some remained unyielding in the mud; others were consumed by it.

Sympathy? Maybe there was some.

But she and He Wenxi were never the same kind of person.

“Jiejie, thank you.”

Ye Wenjin nuzzled affectionately against Jian Mo’s palm.

Every time Jian Mo’s hand brushed over her gently, she felt an indescribable warmth, craving more of it.

A glimmer of amusement flashed in Jian Mo’s eyes. “A verbal thank-you isn’t enough. How does Xiaojin plan to thank me?”

A sudden memory of their last “thank-you” flashed through Ye Wenjin’s mind, and her cheeks flushed slightly as she called out shyly, “Jiejie…”

Jian Mo’s lips curved slightly as she watched her shy expression.

“Xiaojin, being too shy isn’t good.”

Ye Wenjin’s eyes widened a little, and her heart suddenly grew uneasy. “Does sister not like it when I’m too shy?”

Her expression turned serious, and in that moment, she forgot all about her shyness, speaking with utmost sincerity, “Even though I can’t help it in front of you, I’ll work hard to change!”

Jian Mo suddenly laughed. “So obedient? If I say I don’t like it, Xiaojin will change just like that?”

Ye Wenjin nodded firmly, making a promise. “If sister doesn’t like something, I won’t like it either. I only like what sister likes.”

For a brief moment, Jian Mo felt her heart thump uncontrollably. Staring into Ye Wenjin’s clear eyes, a trace of complexity flickered in her gaze.

“So silly,” Jian Mo murmured softly.

Ye Wenjin’s thoughts were too pure, she and He Wenxi were complete opposites.

Sometimes, Jian Mo couldn’t help but wonder how she had managed to grow up like this in such a murky environment.

Ye Wenjin didn’t catch Jian Mo’s whisper. After waiting a long time without a response, she looked up in confusion. “Sister? What’s wrong?”

Jian Mo gently stroked her cheek and smiled. “Nothing.” She paused, then spoke earnestly, “Xiaojin, you should be a little more guarded.”

Ye Wenjin’s pupils trembled slightly. She really wanted to say that she did have some cunning otherwise, she wouldn’t have proposed marriage.

But when she met Jian Mo’s deep, unfathomable gaze, the words stuck in her throat.

Dazed, she nodded obediently. “I understand, sister.”

Jian Mo patted her head lightly. “Good girl.”

The room fell into silence. Even though no one spoke, the atmosphere wasn’t awkward at all, instead, it carried a faint warmth.

Ye Wenjin basked in this rare moment of peace, feeling utterly relaxed. So much so that when she caught a familiar scent, she thought it might be her imagination.

“Sister, your pheromones…”

Jian Mo’s expression remained as calm as ever. “Mmm, they’ve been a bit unstable lately.”

Ye Wenjin’s face filled with guilt. “It’s all my fault for not helping you regulate them in time.”

Because of the sudden change in personnel, her schedule had become tight. Most of her time had been consumed by rehearsals, and she had rarely come back these past two weeks naturally, she hadn’t been able to help Jian Mo with regulation.

Ye Wenjin felt terrible about it, but Jian Mo had insisted that rehearsals were more important and told her to focus on them first. As a result, she hadn’t had any free time until now.

Seeing her expression, Jian Mo suddenly said, “Xiaojin, we agreed on three times a week, remember?”

Ye Wenjin nodded blankly. “I remember.”

Jian Mo chuckled. “So, you’ll have to make up for the missed sessions later, understand?”

When the meaning sank in, Ye Wenjin’s face instantly flushed red. She nodded hastily, her gaze darting everywhere.

After instinctively reacting with shyness, Ye Wenjin suddenly remembered what Jian Mo had just told her. Summoning her courage, she looked up and met Jian Mo’s eyes directly. “Sister, then… should we make up for one now?”

Jian Mo looked surprised, as if she hadn’t expected her to say that.

Ye Wenjin’s eyes flickered rapidly, but she resisted the urge to look away.

Jian Mo laughed in delight. “That’s quite the improvement. But this time, it’s not making up, it’s fulfilling your obligation.”

Before Ye Wenjin could speak, her vision was filled with Jian Mo’s face drawing closer.

Then her lips were covered by something soft.

It was a very light kiss, so light that Ye Wenjin barely had time to register it before Jian Mo began to pull away.

Instinctively, Ye Wenjin reached out, cupping the back of Jian Mo’s head, and kissed her again under the other’s surprised gaze.

This kiss was far more intense than the last.

Lost in the moment, Ye Wenjin still managed to release Jian Mo when she sensed her reaction, though her expression remained dazed.

Only when Jian Mo brushed her thumb over Ye Wenjin’s lips and teased, “Ah! Xiaojin are you trying to murder your wife?” did Ye Wenjin snap back to reality.

She shook her head frantically. “Of course not! How could you think that, Jiejie?”

Jian Mo looked at her earnest expression and couldn’t help but sigh, tapping her forehead lightly.

Ye Wenjin blinked, finally realizing why.

Their earlier position… hadn’t been an issue for her, but it must have been uncomfortable for Jian Mo.

Flushing with embarrassment, she immediately apologized. “Jiejie, I’m sorry, I didn’t think—”

The truth was, kissing Jian Mo felt so good that Ye Wenjin found it harder and harder to restrain herself.

She watched Jian Mo nervously, afraid she had upset her.

Fortunately, Jian Mo didn’t seem angry, merely chuckling. “So, Xiaojin is this impatient, huh?”

Ye Wenjin wanted to explain, but the words stuck in her throat.

Because, judging by her actions, she had been impatient.

So she didn’t argue, simply admitting fault with practiced ease. “I’m sorry, Jiejie. I’ll try to control myself.”

Jian Mo was both amused and surprised by her attitude.

But she was used to Ye Wenjin’s occasional bluntness and only gave her a meaningful look. “Xiaojin, you really are so obedient.”

Ye Wenjin blinked, taking it as praise and feeling a little pleased.

Jian Mo: “…”

Well, they could take things slow.

“I heard your performance is coming up soon?”

Ye Wenjin nodded. “Mm, next Saturday at 1 PM.”

Jian Mo smiled. “So, Xiaojin is all prepared?”

Fidgeting, Ye Wenjin sighed and admitted honestly, “I… I’m a little nervous.”

The thought of Jian Mo watching her from the audience made her both excited and anxious.

On one hand, as the lead dancer, she’d have Jian Mo’s full attention. On the other, she feared she might not perform well.

Only during rehearsals could she stop overthinking, the moment she took a break, her mind would spiral back into worry.

Jian Mo’s voice softened. “Xiaojin, don’t rush. Just do your best.”

Ye Wenjin considered this. No matter what, everyone had worked hard, she couldn’t afford to mess up on stage and waste all their efforts.

This performance was crucial for all of them.

Yet what Ye Wenjin hadn’t expected was that, after all her worrying, on the day of the performance, she received a message from Jian Mo saying she might not make it.

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