After the Sickly Child Differentiates into A - Chapter 13

By the time Wen Jingzhi stopped reading, the little one had already fallen asleep.

Was her reading really that hypnotic?

With a resigned sigh, she picked the child up, intending to carry her back to her room. But the moment she stood, Lin Li woke, murmuring softly, “Sister?”

Wen Jingzhi looked at her and asked, “Do you want to sleep in your room?”

Lin Li shook her head. “No.”

Wen Jingzhi studied her for a few seconds before carrying her downstairs, letting her rest while she went back to her room to fetch the woven bamboo dog. When she returned, the sofa was empty, and the front door was open.

Stepping outside, she spotted a small figure lying on the grass in the yard to the right.

Wen Jingzhi walked over and glanced up at the sun. “Isn’t it too hot?”

“Nope.” Lin Li yawned lazily. “It’s really warm. Want to try it, Sister?”

It would tan her skin.

Wen Jingzhi shook her head and placed the woven bamboo dog near Lin Li’s nose. “Your puppy.”

Lin Li reached up, took the dog, examined it briefly, then set it on her stomach without another thought, though she didn’t forget to say, “Thank you, Sister.”

So she didn’t actually like it.

Wen Jingzhi arched a brow, suddenly itching to ruffle the girl’s hair. She gave it a firm tousle, surprised by how soft it was, and did it once more before turning to leave.

After she was gone, Lin Li basked in the sun a little longer before picking up the woven dog again, holding it up to inspect it closely.

With a flick of her wrist, the dog landed beside her head.

Not as well-made as Grandma’s.

Despite her disdain, the woven bamboo dog wasn’t discarded. Lin Li placed it on her bedroom desk, next to the plush toy Wen Xihe had bought her.

In the following days, the Wen siblings were busy finalizing details for the banquet.

Lin Li had already finished her summer homework. She didn’t care much for the assigned classics she found them hard to understand and had little interest in other books, leaving her with nothing to do.

But she wasn’t bored. Every day, she lounged on the grass, soaked up the sun, played chess with Grandpa Wen, and occasionally gave in to Sun Xiaoxiao’s pestering for a video call.

She liked these quiet, uneventful days.

Time passed quickly, and before she knew it, it was August 20th.

Lin Li was woken up that morning and, upon heading downstairs, froze at the sight before her.

The spacious hall had been transformed into a banquet venue sofas, drink tables, a stage.

She didn’t recognize any of it. The space where she used to daydream no longer felt familiar.

It had become too beautiful, too foreign.

Servants bustled about, arranging things with orderly efficiency. Not spotting any of her siblings, and unwilling to linger in this unfamiliar setting, Lin Li turned and went back upstairs to the study.

Lunch was served in a smaller dining room.

By four in the afternoon, the styling team had arrived.

The three Wen siblings retreated to their respective rooms to be dressed and groomed by their assigned stylists. Since Wen Chende didn’t need makeup, he took Lin Li for a walk around the estate.

The banquet was set to begin at eight. At six, after taking her medicine, Lin Li was led to the dressing room by a stylist.

Earlier in August, a designer had taken new measurements for her and crafted a tailored suit-style dress, Lin Li didn’t like wearing skirts.

The outfit had been delivered on the 18th and was waiting in the wardrobe.

The stylist, a young Beta woman, studied Lin Li’s features before gently pinching the loose strands of hair near her ears. She called for an assistant to bring tools and gave Lin Li’s hair a light trim.

Lin Li didn’t need makeup, just a haircut and light eyebrow grooming.

At seven o’clock, the stylist looked at the young girl before her with satisfaction, opened the door, and gestured politely, “The young miss will surely be the most beautiful child tonight.”

Lin Li, slightly unaccustomed, adjusted her cuffs and smiled with narrowed eyes, “Thank you, sister.” She walked past the Beta attendant and stepped out.

The door next to hers opened, the sharp click of high heels echoing on the floor. Lin Li turned her head and saw a tall figure emerge from the room, slowly turning around. Her eyes widened slightly she was stunned.

A black off-the-shoulder evening gown, with an intricate lace-up cutout design at the waist, contrasted cold, pale skin against the dark fabric, exuding an air of restrained allure.

A gleaming silver necklace adorned a graceful swan-like neck, while the subtly angled collarbones resembled the wings of a bird in flight.

What left Lin Li speechless wasn’t the exquisite gown or the diamond necklace, it was Wen Jingzhi’s face.

This was the first time Lin Li had seen Wen Jingzhi in full makeup.

Her delicate brows arched slightly, the ends sharp and cold, lending an air of severity.

Long, dense lashes framed light-colored pupils, with deepened shadows at the corners of her eyes enhancing their depth.

Her usually pale pink lips were now painted a bold, fiery red, a striking contrast against her cool complexion, transforming her typically indifferent gaze into something fiercely captivating.

Lin Li didn’t understand the intricacies of makeup. She simply thought her sister wasn’t just beautiful.

She was like that black-feathered crane she and her grandmother had once seen in the snow, a spot of red on its forehead, its neck long and slender. It had glanced at them just once before spreading its wings and flying away.

Mysterious, beautiful, and distant.

Was she a fairy?

“What’s wrong?” The fairy in high heels walked over to the dazed child, her lowered lashes carrying a hint of wintry coolness.

Lin Li snapped out of it, blinking before breaking into a genuine smile, her eyes clear and bright with unreserved admiration. “Sister is so beautiful, I couldn’t look away.”

A faint blush tinged the earlobes adorned with dangling earrings.

“Thank you.” Wen Jingzhi averted her gaze, then took a step closer, reaching out as if to ruffle her hair before noticing the styled locks and withdrawing her hand. Softly, she said, “You look lovely tonight too.”

Lin Li grinned and took the initiative to hold Wen Jingzhi’s hand. “Shall we go downstairs, sister?”

Wen Jingzhi glanced down at her. “Rest upstairs for a while. The butler will bring you down when it’s time.”

Lin Li was the evening’s little star, she would make her entrance later.

“Alright.” Lin Li let go and pointed toward the study. “Then I’ll go read for a bit.”

“Okay.”

Watching Lin Li enter the study, Wen Jingzhi headed to the second floor to join Wen Xize and Wen Xihe.

At half past seven, one luxurious car after another pulled up outside the Wen family estate. Men and women in evening gowns walked down the red carpet lining the central path, arriving at the banquet hall.

The butler and several attendants greeted guests at the entrance. The Wen patriarch had yet to appear, and the family’s other hosts were still absent.

Guests mingled, and the hall grew livelier by the minute.

At exactly eight o’clock, all the elite guests from Kyoto’s upper circles had arrived.

The music shifted, and conversations ceased as all eyes turned toward the staircase.

The sound of footsteps echoed clearly through the hall.

Four figures came into view.

Leading the way was Wen Xize in a tailored suit, accompanied by Wen Xihe in a daring red slit-back gown. She held his arm as they descended gracefully.

Walking behind were Wen Jingzhi and Old Master Wen.

When the three siblings appeared, the crowd didn’t know where to look.

The four of them walked one after another through the center of the venue, nodding politely to the guests. Then, Old Master Wen stepped onto the stage to speak.

“Thank you all for coming tonight.”

After a brief formal address, the crowd applauded politely. Once the applause died down, Old Master Wen smiled and said, “Tonight’s banquet isn’t just to celebrate this old man’s birthday, it’s also to introduce someone to all of you.”

“Our Wen family welcomed a new member last year.”

“My youngest granddaughter, Lin Li.”

A spotlight suddenly shone toward the back. The crowd paused, then turned to look.

The bluish-white patterned suit wasn’t particularly fitted, the shirt inside slightly loose. The oversized jacket draped over her shoulders because its owner was too thin, and her shoulder-length hair cascaded softly, with black bangs brushing her eyebrows.

Pale no, more accurately, pallid skin, delicate features, and downturned eyes.

A frail, sickly figure.

Like a delicate young heiress raised in seclusion, steeped in medicine, coughing every few steps.

Lin Li rarely went out, and the Wen family had never announced her existence. Though some sharp-witted families had caught wind of her through school, no one was certain of her exact status whether she was an illegitimate child or an adopted daughter.

So when Old Master Wen suddenly declared this girl, who didn’t even share the Wen surname, as the family’s “Fourth Young Miss,” it caught everyone off guard, leaving them momentarily stunned.

Then, Wen Jingzhi and Wen Xihe moved.

The sisters one in black, the other in red; one cool, the other striking stepped forward in their high heels, passing through the crowd until they stood before Lin Li. In unison, they extended their hands.

Lin Li didn’t understand the significance of the moment, and the sea of unfamiliar faces made her nervous. Only when familiar scents approached did she snap out of it, lifting her gaze with a soft smile.

Her thin, small hand rose and settled into a pale palm.

Wen Jingzhi’s lips curved faintly as she clasped the delicate hand, while Wen Xihe’s red lips curled into a smirk. Together, they led Lin Li step by step onto the stage, delivering her to Old Master Wen’s side.

Wen Chende smiled and lifted Lin Li, announcing, “The Wen family’s Fourth Young Miss Lin Li.”

The crowd of shrewd old foxes mulled it over but asked no questions, simply applauding to congratulate Old Master Wen.

Satisfied, Wen Chende nodded. “The banquet officially begins. Enjoy yourselves, everyone.”

The music shifted as Wen Chende carried Lin Li offstage. A few spry elderly gentlemen approached with drinks, engaging him in conversation and teasing Lin Li, who responded with sweet smiles that left them chuckling.

“Another adorable granddaughter congratulations, Old Wen.”

After ensuring Lin Li had made an impression among the elders, Wen Chende handed her over to Wen Jingzhi.

Wen Jingzhi was chatting with Zhou Shao, holding a glass of champagne she hadn’t touched. When Lin Li approached, she took her hand and introduced her. “Professor Zhou, this is the little sister I told you about.”

Lin Li looked at Zhou Shao and greeted sweetly, “Hello, Grandma Zhou.”

Zhou Shao beamed. “Oh, what a dear.” She glanced at Wen Jingzhi, teasing, “How is this child not well-behaved? She’s far more obedient than my little troublemaker.”

Wen Jingzhi merely smiled without explaining.

“Lin Li~”

“Grandma!”

Not far away, a girl around thirteen or fourteen years old led Sun Xiaoxiao over. Sun Xiaoxiao immediately ran to Lin Li’s side and said with a smile, “Lin Li, you look so pretty today!”

“Especially handsome!”

Lin Li smiled and thanked her.

The girl ran over and hugged Zhou Shao’s arm, whispering something coquettishly that made Zhou Shao burst into laughter. She then turned to Wen Jingzhi and greeted her politely, “Sister Zhizhi.”

Wen Jingzhi nodded slightly. Zhou Shao pulled the girl forward and introduced, “This is my granddaughter, Zhou Cheng. She’s fourteen this year and will be in ninth grade when school starts.”

The Zhou family was rather unique it was led by an Omega, and all the children took their Omega mother’s surname.

Wen Jingzhi took Lin Li’s hand, and Lin Li understood, tilting her little face up and smiling sweetly at Zhou Cheng with narrowed eyes. “Hello, Sister Zhou Cheng.”

Her frail face, narrowed eyes, and gentle smile made her look utterly adorable and well-behaved.

But for some reason, Zhou Cheng suddenly took a step back, forcing a stiff smile as she nodded. “Hi.”

Zhou Shao frowned and lightly smacked Zhou Cheng’s forehead. “Manners! Go play by yourself.”

“Okay, okay.” Zhou Cheng was more than happy to comply, tugging at Sun Xiaoxiao to leave. Sun Xiaoxiao wanted to play with Lin Li, but Lin Li glanced at Zhou Cheng and said, “You go ahead. I need to stay with my sister.”

Sun Xiaoxiao pouted in disappointment. “Alright!”

Zhou Cheng immediately pulled Sun Xiaoxiao away.

They walked to a corner and sat on a sofa where a few other children from different families, all around ten years old, were gathered. Zhou Cheng quickly blended in with them.

After a while, she noticed Sun Xiaoxiao still looking downcast. Remembering something, she leaned in and whispered, “That fourth young miss from the Wen family is she your good friend?”

Sun Xiaoxiao nodded vigorously. “Yes! A very good friend!”

Zhou Cheng seemed skeptical. “But she didn’t even want to come play with you.”

“That’s because! Because, ” Sun Xiaoxiao grew upset and explained pitifully, “Because she has to help Sister Zhizhi greet the guests.”

Zhou Cheng suddenly seemed to recall something, smacking her own forehead as if hesitating to speak. A few seconds later, unable to hold back, she whispered to Sun Xiaoxiao, “Your friend is terrifying.”

Sun Xiaoxiao was confused. “What are you talking about, Sister Chengcheng?”

Zhou Cheng spoke cryptically. “People who smile with their eyes closed are monsters.”

Sun Xiaoxiao: “..?”

Did Sister Chengcheng sneak some alcohol?

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