The Sickly Fake Daughter, But a Beloved Darling of All - Chapter 12

After closing the door, Xu Chengjin deliberately stood in front of Xu Jing. She didn’t know why, but it felt as if she had stolen something—flustered, guilty, yet strangely subtle.

“As expected, so beautiful.” Xu Jing’s eyes locked entirely on the girl in front of her once she came out, her face full of admiration. “Our little Jin is really pretty.”

Chengjin leaned toward her sister like a kitten nudging into its owner’s palm. Her eyes were beautifully shaped, and the light amber pupils caught one’s gaze like a whirlpool—impossible to look away.

“It’s because you chose well, sister.”

She edged closer while stealing a glance at the makeup artist behind them. That woman had her head lowered, busy tidying up her things, seemingly uninterested in their conversation.

Hmph.

“Sweet talker.” Xu Jing ruffled her hair. Looking at Chengjin’s face, she grew a little dazed. “I can’t believe you’re already nineteen… time flies.”

Chengjin lowered her head obediently. Her hand gently wrapped around Xu Jing’s wrist, giving it a small shake. “Sister, I’ll always be with you…”

Clatter—

A loud crash came from the dressing room. Chengjin instantly turned her head, frowning as she whispered, “Maybe my phone fell. I’ll go check.”

Xu Jing felt uneasy and stepped forward to block her. “I’ll go.”

Chengjin froze. She remembered there was someone hiding inside—a woman, and not just anyone, but Si Yu. If Xu Jing discovered her, it could turn into an ugly scene.

“I…”

She reacted quickly. Bending down slightly, her breathing grew rapid and her complexion paled. She looked up at Xu Jing with a faint, powerless smile. “Sister… you don’t trust me?”

Her frail appearance left Xu Jing speechless. All her suspicion melted into distress. She held Chengjin gently, apologetic. “Of course I trust you.”

“Just now, you looked like you thought I was lying… deceiving you.”

Chengjin withdrew her arm, walking slowly into the dressing room. The moment the door shut behind her, her expression went cold. She swiftly took the phone from Si Yu’s hand without saying a word, not even sparing her a glance, and walked right out.

She was clearly angry.

“See, it’s here.” Chengjin held up her phone and shook it a little before moving to Xu Jing’s side. She rested her head against her sister’s shoulder—though the gesture made her stance unsteady. Xu Jing could have steadied her by the waist; she even lifted her arm halfway, but for some reason let it drop instead.

A pang of sadness tugged at Chengjin. Xu Jing always seemed reluctant to grow close to her. It was strange. They were still “real” sisters, yet Xu Jing’s faint resistance both frustrated and unsettled her.

Backing away two steps, she sat down in front of the vanity with her head lowered. “You can start the makeup.”

Noticing her sour mood, Xu Jing opened her mouth as if to say something, but swallowed it back. In the end, all she managed was: “I’ll step out for a bit.”

She left without waiting for a response. Chengjin bit her lip, fingers entwined tightly as she muttered toward the door: “Come out. You can leave now.”

At that, Si Yu pushed open the door and stepped out. Her eyes fixed intently on Chengjin. “I upset you.”

“No.”

The words came out flat. Chengjin bit her lip. “Why would I be angry at you?”

Si Yu chuckled softly, leaning close to whisper by her ear: “You really are stunning today. I’ll make it up to you later.”

Chengjin jerked back, covering her ear with one hand. Her body trembled, but the makeup artist steadied her from behind. Her eyes quivered with alarm. “You should go.”

“See you soon.”

Si Yu didn’t push her luck. She cast the makeup artist a cold glance before striding out.

Her own makeup room was further up the hall, which meant she happened to cross paths with Xu Jing. Feigning surprise, she said, “President Xu? What brings you here?”

“President Si.” Xu Jing’s smile was polite but insincere. For some reason, she disliked her, and disliked even more the idea of her being around Chengjin. Still, she maintained appearances. “Business seems to be thriving for you lately.”

“You’ll reach this level one day too. No need to concern yourself too much.”

Si Yu’s smile was faint, but her tone was arrogant. “I’m looking forward to working with you, President Xu.”

The sarcastic edge in her voice lit a fire in Xu Jing’s chest. Just as she was about to retort, Si Yu snapped her fingers, cutting her off, and strode away without looking back.

“See you.”

“What the—” Xu Jing was so angry she laughed. She muttered under her breath, “What kind of person is that?”

Clenching her teeth, she returned, her earlier bad mood now multiplied.

Back inside, Chengjin’s makeup was nearly finished. The artist had just added a tiny red beauty mark beneath her right eye, which accentuated her pale skin and lent her a subtle allure.

“Sister?” Chengjin sensed something off. After applying her lipstick, she turned and asked, “What happened?”

The sight of her instantly doused Xu Jing’s anger. Though the makeup was light, it highlighted all of Chengjin’s natural advantages. At first glance she looked innocent, but the longer one stared, the more dangerously enchanting she seemed.

Xu Jing couldn’t look away.

“You… you look beautiful tonight.”

Her steps slowed, her gaze lingering on the earrings dangling from Chengjin’s ears—the very pair she had given her.

“Little Jin.” Xu Jing reached out and lightly pinched her earlobe. “Stay by my side tonight. Don’t wander off.”

“Not even for a moment.”

The words puzzled Chengjin, but she nodded obediently. “Alright.”

Just then, Wu Buran burst in. Unlike the others, she wasn’t in an evening gown but in a tailored women’s suit—low-key yet dignified.

“You’re fin—”

Her voice cut off when she saw Chengjin. Her steps slowed, a flicker of delight flashing in her eyes. She blinked, then appeared calm as she walked closer, lowering her gaze to study Chengjin. “There’s a red mark beneath your eye?”

How had she never noticed before?

“It’s not real.”

Chengjin tugged lightly at the hem of Wu Buran’s jacket, feeling surrounded by three people closing in on her, as though they might devour her at any moment.

Tilting her head up, her lips parted slightly, sticky with gloss.

“It was drawn on deliberately.”

Her voice softened.

“Do you like it?”