The Sickly Fake Daughter, But a Beloved Darling of All - Chapter 1

Xu Chengjin realized at the age of fifteen that she was nothing more than the “malicious fake daughter” in a novel.

When she turned nineteen, the real daughter would be brought back home, showered with family love, become the group’s beloved treasure, and live happily with the male lead. As for her—she would be kicked out of the house and eventually killed in the streets by the villain, who adored the real daughter.

And this year… was her nineteenth year.

“According to…”

The teacher’s voice on stage pulled Xu Chengjin slightly out of her thoughts. For years, she had tried her best to avoid crossing paths with the real daughter, yet here they were—attending the same university, even the same major.

“Xu Chengjin, right? I didn’t get that wrong, did I?”

A girl beside her suddenly lowered her voice to strike up a conversation. Xu Chengjin’s eyelashes trembled as she turned to look at her. “What is it?”

The girl seemed a little embarrassed, but still offered a friendly smile. “You became quite well-known when you first came to this school. Seeing you now, you really are very pretty.”

Today, Xu Chengjin wore a simple white dress. Her makeup was light, her slightly wavy hair pinned up, highlighting her delicate, petite face. Her complexion was pale, her features soft, giving her a harmless look that made people feel instant goodwill at first sight.

She bit her lip lightly, the pale color instantly blooming into a rosy flush. Curling her lips into a soft smile, she lowered her tone. “Thank you. You’re very pretty too.”

Ever since she had entered this university, people quickly dug up her background—born into a wealthy family. Many had tried to get close to her for that reason.

The girl, flustered by the compliment, tried to continue the conversation. “Just now… were you looking at Jin Xi?”

Jin Xi—the real daughter in the story.

Xu Chengjin hadn’t bothered to hide her gaze. At the mention of the name, she restrained her expression. Years of medication had left her faintly carrying the scent of herbal medicine. She looked fragile, weak, as if she might collapse at any moment.

“Yes.”

Leaning her head against her arm, Xu Chengjin’s expression was gentle. “Don’t you think she’s very pretty?”

The girl stole a quick glance at Jin Xi before turning back. “Pretty, yes—but I think you’re prettier.”

“You seem to know her, then?”

Xu Chengjin lightly poked the girl’s hand with her pen, a fleeting touch that drew the girl’s full attention. The faint upward tilt of Xu Chengjin’s eyes made her even harder to ignore.

The girl didn’t move away; instead, she leaned closer, eyes reflecting Xu Chengjin’s features, her voice unconsciously rising with excitement. “I know a little. Do you want to hear?”

“Go ahead.”

Xu Chengjin’s smile didn’t fade. She curved her lips. “I’ll listen carefully.”

Encouraged, the girl quickly spilled what she knew. “Jin Xi’s actually pretty amazing. I heard her family isn’t well-off, so she lives off scholarships and part-time jobs. Supposedly she works three jobs a day. But she’s a bit cold and hard to get along with—at least that’s what her roommates say.”

Poor, hardworking, aloof…

Indeed, she had every buff a heroine needed.

Setting down her pen, Xu Chengjin took a quiet breath and whispered, “Thank you.”

“Um… can we add each other on WeChat?” the girl asked nervously. She genuinely found Xu Chengjin beautiful, and was drawn in by her faint fragrance. “Is that okay?”

Xu Chengjin was gracious, taking out her phone and adding her. “Thanks for telling me all this. Feel free to come to me if you ever need something.”

Just as class ended and Xu Chengjin was about to get up, the girl stopped her again. “One more thing!”

Her steps paused, her fading smile blooming once more. Lowering her gaze, she asked softly, “What is it?”

“We’re having a small party tonight—at a bar nearby. Not many people. Do you want to come?”

The girl looked at her expectantly, gripping her phone so tightly veins popped from the strain. Xu Chengjin hesitated, wanting to reply, but was suddenly overcome with a cough.

Pain wracked her chest as she covered her lips, body trembling as though she might collapse. Darkness blurred her vision, and even her nose filled with the metallic scent of blood.

“Are you okay!” The girl panicked, patting her back nervously. “Should I take you to the infirmary?”

It took a long time before Xu Chengjin stopped coughing. Her face was pale, tears welling in her eyes, though she quickly suppressed them. “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

She had always been frail, practically raised on medicine. If she were thrown out by her family, she might not even need the villain’s hand to die early.

“I can’t really drink… If I go, I’d probably just dampen the mood.”

Of course, she knew why the girl invited her—everyone wanted to build connections. No harm in befriending someone like her.

But she couldn’t drink at all…

Where was Jin Xi working again?

Since Xu Chengjin couldn’t change the story’s trajectory, she had started investigating Jin Xi. If things got desperate, maybe forming a bond with the real daughter would prevent her from ending up too miserably.

“Which bar?”

Her sudden change of mind made the girl quickly blurt out the name. Xu Chengjin immediately recognized it. A perfect chance to approach Jin Xi without suspicion.

Curling her lips, she clasped her hands behind her back. “I’ll come. But I can’t drink alcohol—if no one forces me, I’ll consider it.”

The girl’s eyes lit up. She promised eagerly, “No one will make you drink! Then… see you tonight!”

“See you tonight.”

Xu Chengjin waved at her, then let her leave first. Sitting back down, she caught her breath, pain still gnawing at her chest, stars dancing before her eyes, nausea rising.

But hadn’t she taken her medicine this morning?

Her lashes trembled. She suddenly felt someone’s gaze on her and looked up—just in time to catch Jin Xi hurriedly averting her eyes.

“Oh…”

Xu Chengjin laughed softly, watching Jin Xi walk away, amusement playing across her delicate face.

So, you’ve noticed me?

Taking a deep breath, she slowly stood and left the classroom. Checking her phone, she saw the girl’s message about the meeting time and place, reassuring her repeatedly it would be comfortable.

Xu Chengjin tapped out a quick [Okay] and turned her phone off.

They agreed to meet at seven. After informing her family, Xu Chengjin headed to the bar. The music was soft and soothing. She searched a bit before spotting the group of boys and girls laughing loudly together. Finding it too noisy, she sat at the edge.

Anyone who tried to approach her was politely refused.

She was only here to greet Jin Xi—why waste time playing along with this group?

The girl who had first invited her came over, handing her a glass of juice. Forcing a smile, she reassured, “It’s just juice—you can drink it.”

“Don’t worry, nothing added.”

To prove it, she even sipped some herself. “Just showing up is enough—you don’t need to bother with the others.”

Xu Chengjin tilted her head, accepted the glass, and gently pressed the rim against the girl’s lips, her voice soft. “Thank you.”

Not noticing the girl’s dazed reaction, she sipped once and set the glass down, untouched afterward.

After some whispering, the others stopped bothering her.

But…

Her gaze fell back on the juice. There was definitely a trace of alcohol in it.

Not only was her body too frail for alcohol—she was the type who got drunk instantly.

Blinking, she still felt fine for now, so she quietly stood up and slipped away while everyone was distracted.

She had hoped to talk to Jin Xi tonight. Too bad—maybe another time.

The drunken haze quickly worsened, her steps unsteady, her hand gripping her phone growing weak. Stumbling, she crashed into someone ahead, dropping her phone, which was promptly crushed underfoot.

Biting her lip, she looked up without seeing clearly, but the first words out of her mouth were an apology. “I’m sorry.”

The person frowned, clearly displeased. “Are you okay?”

“Mm…” Xu Chengjin’s breath was uneven. She glanced at the woman, finding her vaguely familiar but couldn’t recall from where. “I think I’m drunk… Could you take me home?”

Without hesitation, the woman caught her by the waist, preventing her from collapsing. Xu Chengjin fought to stay awake, noticing vaguely that the woman had brushed someone else aside to help her.

“Come with me.”

Si Yu hadn’t expected to run into Xu Chengjin here. Having worked with the Xu family, she knew well about her fragile health. Who on earth had given her alcohol?

Lowering her gaze, she brought Xu Chengjin to sit at the bar. Her voice was calm, gentle. “Stay here, don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

Xu Chengjin’s fingers brushed lightly down Si Yu’s neck, making her shiver. “Do we… know each other?”

“Yes. I’ll take you home.”

Si Yu tightened her grip on her hand. Xu Chengjin’s breath hitched. “Don’t move around.”

“Okay.”

She pulled her hand back and turned her gaze to the bartender—Jin Xi. Recognition flickered in her eyes. “Jin Xi.”

“You’re drunk.”

“Mm.”

She answered every question. Propping her chin with her hand, she asked, “How much do you make in a night?”

“Want me to order a few bottles of—”

Her words were cut short by Jin Xi’s curt tone, brows drawn in displeasure. “You’ve been staring at me all night.”

“You’re beautiful. Am I not allowed to look?”

Even she laughed at her own words, reaching out to tug at the bow at Jin Xi’s collar. “Will you be angry at me?”

She coughed, then whispered, “Because I… secretly look at you.”

“I won’t.” Jin Xi was worried about her condition. “The person who brought you here—do you know them? If not, I can—”

She reached for Xu Chengjin’s wrist, only for her hand to be slapped away. Looking up sharply, Jin Xi saw another woman standing there, sharp brows and heroic aura, her jacket casually draped over her arm. Even just standing still, her presence commanded the space, her gaze full of warning.

Si Yu wrapped an arm around Xu Chengjin’s waist, half-lifting her into her arms. Her tone was low, polite, yet dripping with threat.

“I’ll take her home. No need to trouble yourself.”