The Sickly Fake Daughter, But a Beloved Darling of All - Chapter 113

“Who is it?”

Si Yu became sensitive immediately, her speaking speed quickening: “Xu Jing?”

Xu Chengjin denied it: “No, it’s Jin Xi.”

“Oh.” After a dry reply, Si Yu still felt uneasy. She pondered for a moment before saying, “She likes you.”

Xu Chengjin gave an “Mhm”: “I know. Let’s hang up for now.”

Si Yu: “…”

So blunt, so decisive; she liked it.

How could Xu Chengjin not sense Si Yu’s emotions? She curled her lips into a smile: “I’ll video call you tonight.”

“Okay, go get busy.”

Si Yu hadn’t intended to stop Xu Chengjin anyway. After all, it was Xu Chengjin’s freedom; as long as there was no danger, she fully supported and respected her partner.

After hanging up the phone, Xu Chengjin stood up and opened the door. Jin Xi had brought some snacks in: “Can you eat these now?”

“A little bit is fine.” Xu Chengjin stepped aside to let Jin Xi in. Si Yu had bought her many of these snacks too, but there were requirements—how much she could eat each day was planned out. If she ate too much, she would have to be strictly controlled.

“I also brought up some milk tea. I made it myself, so you don’t have to worry about any issues.”

Jin Xi placed the milk tea on the desk in the room. This was her first time entering this room; usually, only the auntie would come in to clean, and no one else was allowed inside.

Xu Chengjin let out a “Wow,” providing the necessary emotional value: “You’re so amazing.”

“Xiaojin.”

Jin Xi sat on a chair, and the two of them casually opened a bag of snacks to eat. “You seem very sensitive toward Xu Lihua.”

“Sensitive?”

Xu Chengjin played dumb directly: “How am I sensitive?”

“Did you find out something?” Jin Xi didn’t beat around the bush and asked straightforwardly, “For example, the matter of our life stories.”

Xu Chengjin took a sip of the milk tea and nodded with satisfaction, offering a critique: “It’s a bit too sweet.”

Jin Xi: “Then I’ll put less sugar next time.”

“I only have speculations, but I’m not clear on the specifics yet.” Xu Chengjin laughed, “Do you also think it’s quite a coincidence?”

There was no trace of a smile on Jin Xi’s face as she stared straight at Xu Chengjin: “I had a dream these past two days.”

Xu Chengjin’s expression didn’t change, but she raised an eyebrow: “What dream?”

“I dreamed that ‘I’ ended up with Wu Boran, but I didn’t feel like that was me. In the dream, I received love from many people; they pampered me excessively, and even Si Yu’s attitude toward me was different.”

Jin Xi felt uncomfortable even mentioning these things. She didn’t like Wu Boran or Si Yu, and what made her most uncomfortable about that dream was Xu Chengjin’s ending.

“Dreams are all fake. Isn’t the ending different now?” Xu Chengjin’s smile slowly faded, and she sighed silently. “Actually, at the very beginning when I approached you, it was because I was afraid you would retaliate against me after returning to the Xu family. I was also afraid of dying so unclearly.”

“So the dream is real, isn’t it?”

Jin Xi’s tone softened significantly, and her gaze became much gentler: “Looking at it this way, that ending won’t happen.”

Xu Chengjin was somewhat curious: “Are you really that magnanimous?”

“According to the original development of the story, you should have been the center of attention, never returning to your previous life of poverty again.”

Jin Xi replied nonchalantly: “Yeah, I’m just that magnanimous.”

“Xu Chengjin, I liked you from the first moment I saw you.” Jin Xi looked into Xu Chengjin’s eyes with great sincerity. “So I was also thinking, if I had known the story in the dream beforehand, would I still treat you this way?”

“I would, Xiaojin. I still love you sincerely and passionately.” Jin Xi’s eyes turned red as she spoke. “It’s all a predetermined fate. From the moment I fell in love with you, your ending was destined not to be death.”

Xu Chengjin smiled and turned her head to avoid Jin Xi’s gaze. Tears welled up in her eyes; she took a deep breath, restraining herself from crying. “I like you very much, but only as a friend. Actually, I was thinking about whether I should distance myself from you for a while. Love is too painful, and I don’t want to waste your feelings.”

A love destined to receive no response should not be allowed to continue.

Xu Chengjin wasn’t surprised that Jin Xi had obtained these plot details; after all, Jin Xi was the original protagonist.

When the protagonist falls in love with the cannon fodder, it seems everything changes.

“Let it be painful then.” Jin Xi laughed, and at the same time, tears instantly slid from the corners of her eyes. She bit her lip and choked out, “Because I don’t plan on giving up. Xiaojin, I want to try again.”

“Then I’ll just go register my marriage with Si Yu tomorrow.”

Xu Chengjin handed Jin Xi a few tissues. She slowly stood up, her back toward Jin Xi: “Regarding Xu Lihua, do you have any thoughts?”

“I saw that list yesterday. When I saw the name ‘Xu Lihua,’ I felt uncomfortable. I went to bed early that night, and that’s when I had that dream. Seeing your reaction today, I thought it was strange. After thinking it over, I decided to test the waters. I didn’t expect you to have known for a long time.”

Jin Xi wiped away her tears and tried her best to adjust her emotions: “How are we going to investigate?”

“I’ve asked Si Yu to check.” Xu Chengjin turned around to look at Jin Xi, her words filled with genuine admiration. “I think you’re quite incredible. To be able to live as yourself in a family like that—if it were me, I’m afraid I would have broken down long ago.”

“Regardless of whether we remain in close contact in the future, I hope you can have a place in the Xu family.”

Xu Chengjin’s words were not lies. Since childhood, Xu Jing had a strong sense of possessiveness over her, as did Mother Xu. It was only after she directly expressed her discomfort that the two of them restrained themselves. Although Jin Xi was Mother Xu’s biological child and Xu Jing’s biological sister, there was a lack of years of emotional bonding; things would inevitably be different.

“What do you mean?”

Jin Xi didn’t understand these words. In truth, she wasn’t entirely free in the Xu family either; she still felt somewhat unadapted, but she could overcome it.

As for the Xu Corporation… she really hadn’t thought about getting involved.

“You have to fight for it; at the very least, you can’t let Sister control you.” Xu Chengjin was very serious; these words were by no means empty. “Mom doesn’t oppose the children in the family fighting for power. If it weren’t for my poor health and my inability to manage the company, I probably would have been snatched away to learn the business long ago.”

Mother Xu’s thinking was very clear. She had two children, so there should be some competition. Things like “deep sisterly affection” should be set aside in the face of absolute interests. However, because Xu Chengjin had been in poor health since birth, Mother Xu could only hand all the power over to Xu Jing.

“But you are different.” Xu Chengjin took a sip of milk tea; she felt uncomfortable standing, so she sat back down. “The relationship between you, Sister, and Mom isn’t deep enough, and Sister might not truly consider you a member of the family…”

Xu Chengjin stopped there, leaving only one final sentence: “A person must always leave a way out for themselves.”

These words weren’t meant to disparage Xu Jing. Xu Chengjin understood Xu Jing’s personality too well—once someone could threaten her, Xu Jing might truly resort to certain means.

“Alright, I’m going to take a nap. I’m really sleepy, truly.”

Xu Chengjin took a large gulp of milk tea. Satisfied, she let out a yawn: “Let’s talk later.”

Seeing this, Jin Xi stood up. When she left, she took all the snacks with her, leaving only the small bag of bread Xu Chengjin had opened. Ignoring the other’s accusing gaze, she walked out like a righteous judge: “Rest well, I’m leaving.”

Just as she closed the door, she felt a gaze from behind. Jin Xi slowly released the doorknob, curled her lips, and turned around: “Sister.”

“What were you talking about?”

Xu Jing had lost some weight. Her eyes were very oppressive; looking at her always gave one a sense of being suppressed. “You’ve been in there for half an hour.”

Jin Xi laughed out loud directly: “We talked about the stars and the moon, and we talked through our entire future lives.”

“Would she talk about those things with you?” Xu Jing didn’t believe it at all. She snorted coldly, “I think it’s just you harassing her unilaterally.”

“Sister.”

Jin Xi’s smile faded: “Since you know her so well, are you still afraid of me being with her?”

“You know, she likes Si Yu.” Jin Xi spoke word by word, ensuring every syllable was clear. “You aren’t Si Yu, and I’m not Si Yu, so she won’t like either of us.”

“But then again… it’s not entirely impossible. After all, a person’s heart can change in an instant.” Jin Xi pulled her lips into a mocking arc. “But you’re different, Sister. It’s becoming difficult for you and Xiaojin to even remain sisters.”

“When you chose to imprison Xiaojin, did you ever think about the consequences?” Jin Xi’s face went cold as she looked straight into Xu Jing’s eyes. “Her wrist was injured, and the wound was quite serious. You know her so well, yet you still did such a thing…”

“Tsk.” Jin Xi feigned pity and intentionally let out a sigh. “Reaping what you sow.”

Xu Jing didn’t speak, only staring deeply at Jin Xi. But at this moment, she was extremely displeased, very displeased.

“By the way, Sister, do you want some snacks?”

Jin Xi held up the bag of snacks in her hand and even shook it pointedly: “The taste is quite good.”

Without a word, Xu Jing turned and went back to her own room. However, Jin Xi could tell that Xu Jing’s composure had shattered.

“Heh.”

Jin Xi could now understand what Xu Chengjin meant. Indeed… Xu Jing had a subtle hostility toward her. At first, she thought this hostility stemmed from Xu Chengjin because they both liked the same person. Now, she belatedly realized that this hostility was also mixed with a wariness toward her.

That wouldn’t do; she still had to fight for it.

Jin Xi narrowed her eyes slightly. She walked downstairs and poured a cup of the prepared milk tea for both Father and Mother Xu: “Mom, I have something I want to ask you.”

Mother Xu was sitting on the sofa watching the news. Upon hearing this, she immediately turned her head: “What is it?”

“It’s about when I can enter the company?” Jin Xi didn’t intend to beat around the bush. Mother Xu was a smart person; rather than wasting time, being direct was more refreshing.

Jin Xi curled her lips and smiled with an air of total innocence: “Mom—”

“I want to give it a try too.”