After the Sickly Child Differentiates into A - Chapter 12

Zhou Shao was taken aback, then chuckled. “That’s a bit contradictory not necessarily well-behaved but cute?”

“Your bias is showing. You sound like a doting parent spoiling their child.”

Wen Jingzhi smiled politely without explaining. Zhou Shao waved her off and went into the dressing room to change.

The village had no hotels, and conditions were poor, so the crew stayed with local families. Wen Jingzhi and Zhou Shao shared a home with a single female Beta. By the time they returned, their host had already gone to bed.

After bidding Zhou Shao goodnight, Wen Jingzhi went to her room, freshened up quickly, and changed into a nightgown before video-calling Lin Li.

After a ten-second delay, the call connected.

Lin Li sat upright at her desk. The first thing Wen Jingzhi saw was the pale, cool curve of her neck on the screen before the camera shifted upward, revealing Lin Li’s snow-like face.

So beautiful.

Lin Li propped the phone up, set down her pen, and rested her chin on the desk, smiling sleepily as she called out, “Sister.”

Wen Jingzhi studied the smiling face on the screen and asked flatly, “Still doing homework this late?”

“Mhm.” Lin Li’s eyes were half-lidded, her voice no longer as weak as before but still soft. “My brother taught me some drawing earlier.”

“Do you like drawing?”

No answer.

Wen Jingzhi watched Lin Li’s expression closely, catching the brief flicker of hesitation. She placed her phone on a stand, propped her elbow on the table, and rested her chin on her hand, amusement glinting in her eyes. “What’s wrong? Don’t you know whether you like it or not?”

Lin Li looked up at her, then smiled again. “I like it.”

Wen Jingzhi let out a soft hum.

Little liar.

“There’s an aunt in the village who makes bamboo-woven animals.” Wen Jingzhi’s other hand rested lightly on the table, her index finger tapping idly. “Do you like animals?”

“Should I buy you a few?”

Bamboo-woven animals?

She could make those too.

Lin Li smiled. “Sure, thank you, Sister.”

“You didn’t answer the last question.” Wen Jingzhi’s light-colored eyes remained fixed on the thin face on the screen, scrutinizing every subtle shift as she pressed for an answer. “Do you like animals?”

Lin Li’s half-lidded eyes opened fully, the corners drooping slightly, her pupils dark and dull.

Those eyes, when smiling, resembled a cheerful puppy’s. But when unsmiling, they exuded a cold arrogance and impatience.

Right now, Lin Li wore that exact haughty expression, as if one more question from Wen Jingzhi would make her glare fiercely and click her tongue in annoyance.

Wen Jingzhi raised a brow, intrigued.

The expression lasted only a few seconds so brief that only someone watching as closely as Wen Jingzhi would notice.

Lin Li quickly snapped out of it, burying her face in her arms before looking up again with her usual agreeable smile. “I like them.”

Wen Jingzhi tapped her own cheekbone lightly with a jade-like finger and asked, “What kind of animals do you like?”

Silence.

Wen Jingzhi lowered her eyes, suppressing a faint chuckle.

Is she angry?

Lin Li inhaled almost imperceptibly. “I like them all. You pick for me, Sister.”

Weird adult. Why insist on an answer? It’s not important, just pick one randomly.

Besides, she really didn’t know what she liked.

She’d never thought about it.

Wen Jingzhi lifted her gaze, arching a brow. “Sister can’t decide. Why don’t you tell me, Xiao You?”

“What kind of small animals do you like?”

This was the first time she had called Lin Li by her nickname, her cool voice carrying a teasing tone as if coaxing a child.

So annoying.

She really didn’t know.

Lin Li buried her face in her arms again, took a deep breath with her eyes closed, then looked up with a smile and said, “How about a puppy?”

“Anything else?”

Wen Jingzhi found it increasingly amusing. Beyond a sense of responsibility and guilt, she felt curiosity and a desire to explore this child who had suddenly entered her home.

She wanted to know the real emotions hidden behind that practiced smile, to understand what went through the girl’s mind when she passively accepted everything, to discover her ‘true’ self.

“That’s all.” Lin Li shook her head, eager to end the conversation. She quickly thanked Wen Jingzhi to cut off any further questions: “Just one puppy is enough, thank you, sister.”

Wen Jingzhi nodded. “Alright.”

That was enough for today. Pushing further might genuinely upset the girl.

But, what would she be like when angry?

Would she throw a tantrum?

It was hard to imagine.

Well, there was plenty of time.

Wen Jingzhi asked a few more questions about her health and studies, like a concerned elder.

Half an hour later, she ended the call.

Lin Li stared at the blackened phone screen, exhaled, flipped it over, and picked up her pen to continue her homework.

After writing a few words, she suddenly tossed the pen aside, buried her face in her arms on the desk, and coughed a few times.

Now she didn’t think this sister was pretty anymore.

Because she was annoying.

More annoying than Wang Ergou from the village, who always pestered her.

After that night, whenever Wen Jingzhi had time, she would send Lin Li photos of the village.

Occasionally, she’d snap pictures of flowers and plants, asking if she liked them. Most of the time, she played the role of a responsible older sister, checking in on her health and studies.

But she was busy, sending only a dozen or so messages in total.

Lin Li rarely replied, and when she did, it was with vague, perfunctory answers like “I like it,” “Looks nice,” or “I’m fine.”

She never initiated contact with Wen Jingzhi.

By the end of June, Wen Jingzhi wrapped up filming.

Lin Li’s summer vacation was just days away. Over the past few months, Wen Jingzhi hadn’t called again she simply hadn’t had the time.

At the airport, she considered buying a gift but found only luxury items or things for adults, with few options for children.

She was recognized along the way. Since it was a private trip with no send-off, she signed a few autographs for fans before boarding.

In the end, she bought nothing.

Upon arriving in Kyoto, she received a call from her manager, Zhao Jie, about shooting the cover for SJ Magazine. Originally, this was Chen Qing’s assignment, but recent ambiguous gossip about her being a “scummy Alpha” had surfaced. SJ, after a nudge from the Wen family, replaced her.

SJ’s caliber alone wouldn’t have secured Wen Jingzhi, but the Lin family held shares in the magazine. Lin Ye had asked Wen Xihe for a favor, and she agreed, effectively selling out her younger sister.

Still, SJ showed great sincerity, offering both the cover and an exclusive feature.

Wen Jingzhi guessed the underlying maneuvering but accepted. Right after leaving the airport, she was whisked away to the shoot.

Then came award ceremonies and various events.

By the time she finished, it was already August.

Lin Li spent her entire summer break at home. Wen Xihe had wanted to take her to the company and other places, but Wen Xize and the family patriarch vetoed the idea, citing, “You don’t know how to take care of a child.”

In late July, Lin Li couldn’t resist Sun Xiaoxiao’s persistence and let her visit the Wen residence for a day, though she herself didn’t go to the Sun family.

When asked why, she simply said she wasn’t feeling well.

August 24th was Lin Li’s first day of school, while August 20th marked the 80th birthday of Old Master Wen.

The Wen family planned to celebrate in grand style, hosting a banquet at their estate where Lin Li would be formally introduced to their social circle.

The Wens had long been preparing to proudly stamp Lin Li with the Wen family’s seal.

Invitations were sent out by August 10th, and the Sun family naturally received one. Sun Xiaoxiao even excitedly messaged Lin Li about it, thrilled at the prospect of visiting her again.

On August 12th, Wen Jingzhi returned from her business trip to Country H and, without resting, headed straight to the family estate.

When she opened the door, her gaze immediately landed on the little girl standing on the stairs.

Dressed in a custom-made, solid teal long-sleeved cotton shirt and dark trousers, Lin Li’s jet-black, shoulder-length hair cascaded down her slender back.

She took small steps toward Wen Jingzhi, tilting her head up with a smile. “Sister.”

Wen Jingzhi looked her over.

She had grown a little taller, now reaching her waist.

She had also put on some weight her eye sockets were no longer sunken, and her narrow eyes, with their deep, inscrutable pupils, lacked liveliness, instead exuding an eerie stillness.

Her frame remained frail.

The clothes hung loosely on her thin shoulders, the fabric billowing slightly, revealing her delicate silhouette with every breeze.

Though it was already August and autumn had begun, the lingering summer heat still clung to the air. Yet Lin Li persisted in wearing long sleeves and trousers, her face pale to the point of translucence.

She looked like a sickly young boy.

Wen Jingzhi bent down and picked her up. “What were you coming downstairs for?”

To get water.

But Lin Li didn’t answer truthfully. Instead, she smiled sweetly and said, “To welcome you home, Sister.”

Wen Jingzhi arched a brow, her expression unreadable as to whether she believed it or not, then carried her upstairs. Only then did the butler, lugging a large suitcase, step inside.

She carried Lin Li all the way to the third floor. Originally intending to take her to her room, Wen Jingzhi was refused Lin Li said she wanted to read in the study instead. So Wen Jingzhi carried her there.

A book lay open on the desk. Wen Jingzhi set her down in the chair and picked it up, glancing at the cover.

A foreign literary classic.

A translated edition, complete with pinyin annotations.

Likely provided by the family.

Wen Jingzhi put the book down. “Do you like literature?”

Lin Li nodded but didn’t elaborate. Wen Jingzhi understood. “Keep reading then. I’ll go change.”

“Okay.”

It was just past three in the afternoon. Wen Xize and Wen Xihe weren’t home, and the old master had gone to play chess with friends. Only Wen Jingzhi and Lin Li remained in the house.

After washing away the weariness of travel and changing into loungewear, Wen Jingzhi returned to the study with a glass of warm water.

The little girl sat upright, still engrossed in the book.

Wen Jingzhi set the water on the desk. Sensing the cool presence, Lin Li looked up, noticed the glass, and smiled. “Thank you, Sister.”

“Mm.” Wen Jingzhi picked up the book and flipped through a few pages. “Do you understand it?”

Lin Li hesitated.

She didn’t. But she suspected that admitting it might invite questions she’d find troublesome.

Wen Jingzhi studied her, amused but keeping her expression neutral. “This book is a bit too advanced for you, and it has many uncommon words. Should I read it to you?”

Lin Li glanced up at her a few times before answering softly, “Okay. Thank you, Sister.”

“You’re welcome.”

Wen Jingzhi asked her how far she’d read, then continued reading from that point onward.

Her voice carried a cool tone, with very little emotion, each word enunciated clearly like melted snowdrops falling onto water.

It didn’t sound like reading more like the distant sound of falling snow.

So beautiful that Lin Li didn’t even notice the content of what she was reading.

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