The Sickly Fake Daughter, But a Beloved Darling of All - Chapter 13

“Do you like it—”

That sentence struck Wu Buran like a spell, pinning her in place. Her pupils lost focus, but instinctively, she grasped Xu Chengjin’s hand.

That hand tugging at her clothes made it impossible to ignore.

Xu Chengjin had only meant to tease Wu Buran, not expecting her to directly grab her hand. At first, she froze, but quickly regained her composure. Her fingertips lightly brushed against Wu Buran’s palm, her tone lilting at the end:

“Like means like. Don’t like means don’t like. Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“I…”

Wu Buran snapped back to her senses, eyes flickering as she felt that touch in her palm. Before she could let go, Xu Jing pried them apart.

“All right, it’s time we head out.” Xu Jing wore a smile as she stepped between them, separating the two. Then she looked at Xu Chengjin, her voice calm: “Let’s go.”

Xu Chengjin responded softly. Pulled to her feet, she walked out, but not without turning to wave at Wu Buran: “Come along.”

Wu Buran gave a faint “Mm.” She didn’t move right away, instead lowering her head to look at the hand that had just held Xu Chengjin’s. Her palm was damp yet burning hot.

The banquet was a grand affair; nearly every well-known family was present. Xu Chengjin followed closely behind Xu Jing, never straying. When Xu Jing told her to greet someone, she did, looking especially obedient. Everyone praised her beauty, and some even discreetly inquired about her relationship status, but Xu Jing rejected them all outright.

Wu Buran’s parents pulled her away, telling her to make proper connections since she was here. With no choice but to comply, she followed unwillingly—but Xu Chengjin could still feel her gaze lingering from time to time.

Why does she keep looking at me?

Xu Chengjin grew tired from standing and carefully leaned her head against Xu Jing’s back. Her sigh fell precisely into Xu Jing’s ear, her voice low: “Sister, I’m tired.”

Xu Jing, mid-conversation with someone, abruptly cut things short. Supporting Xu Chengjin’s arm, she twisted her body into a slightly awkward position to face her, scanning the room. “Let’s go sit over there for a while.”

“Okay.”

Xu Chengjin sank into a sofa, scooting into the corner. Only once Xu Jing blocked most of her from view did she relax. Tilting her head back, she looked at her pitifully: “When are we going home?”

“In a little while. If you’re not feeling well, you can leave first.”

Xu Jing’s heart softened at her unhappy expression, but instead of responding directly, she shifted the subject: “You and Wu Buran—are you two close?”

“We’ve only known each other for two days, hardly close.” Xu Chengjin toyed with Xu Jing’s pinky, her gaze lowered. “I just think she’s nice. Worth being friends with.”

Xu Jing’s tone was indifferent: “Is that so.”

But just now, Wu Buran had grabbed Xu Chengjin’s hand as though she had no intention of letting go—if not for Xu Jing’s interruption.

Xu Jing narrowed her eyes, her gaze falling to Xu Chengjin’s wrist. Focusing intently, she finally noticed the band around it.

“What’s this?” Xu Jing snatched her wrist quickly, pressing down with her body. “A fitness tracker?”

Xu Jing’s manner was ruthless by nature, and her cold demeanor made her intimidating. Though Xu Chengjin often acted spoiled around her, deep down, she still harbored fear.

Now, with Xu Jing’s face expressionless, Xu Chengjin shrank back instinctively, whispering: “Sister.”

Xu Jing didn’t move. They were so close their breaths tangled. Xu Chengjin felt suffocated, shifting uneasily. Lifting her chin, she forced out a strained answer: “It’s… a fitness tracker.”

But Xu Jing didn’t release her immediately. She continued staring, searching her face for cracks. The longer she stared, the more Xu Chengjin felt crushed under the pressure.

“Sister,” Xu Chengjin murmured. Slowly, she placed her hand on Xu Jing’s shoulder, applying gentle force. “Don’t look at me like that.”

Just then, her phone buzzed. Xu Chengjin turned toward the sound at once, and Xu Jing straightened, as if nothing had happened.

“Who is it?”

“My friend. The one you saw this afternoon.” Unlocking her phone, Xu Chengjin saw a message from Jin Xi asking how she was enjoying the evening. She pressed her lips together, heat rising in her cheeks from nerves. “She asked if I was having fun.”

Xu Chengjin felt both nervous and uncomfortable. She shrank back, unhappy. Quickly, she replied:

【It’s okay. I don’t understand any of the things they’re talking about.】

Jin Xi replied almost instantly:

【Upset?】

That single word pierced her heart. Her nose stung. Xu Chengjin glanced timidly at Xu Jing, but when she caught her gaze, she immediately looked away. Eyes wet, she bit back her tears and typed:

【No. I’ll message you when I get home.】

Jin Xi: 【Okay.】

Jin Xi: 【Cat-head-pat.JPG】

Shutting off her phone, Xu Chengjin turned her head away, refusing to meet Xu Jing’s eyes. Why does she always suspect her?

I hate it.

“Xiao Jin.”

Xu Jing’s tone shifted. Taking a deep breath, she crouched down and held her hand. “I’m sorry. Did I scare you?”

“No.”

Her answer was dry. Xu Chengjin withdrew her hand, hiding it behind her back. “You didn’t scare me. And I’m not upset.”

Xu Jing should have panicked, but seeing her like that instead made her want to laugh. Blinking quickly, she murmured: “It’s my fault. I made Xiao Jin angry. I won’t do that again.”

“So…” Xu Jing hesitated. Truthfully, she didn’t want Wu Buran near her. But given the situation, she went to the Wu family elders and summoned Wu Buran over.

“Did you make Xu Chengjin angry?”

Wu Buran crossed her arms. She sensed hostility from Xu Jing—and naturally, she wouldn’t show any goodwill in return.

“She’s my sister. We grew up together. Isn’t it normal for a younger sister to throw a little tantrum at her elder sister?”

Xu Jing cast her a sidelong glance, speaking softly: “If you don’t want to keep her company, I’ll find someone else.”

“Wait!” Wu Buran called quickly. Clenching her teeth, she forced a smile. “What are you saying? Of course I’ll stay with her. I’ll go right now.”

Xu Jing let out a cold laugh, exhaling sharply before turning away, refusing to waste another look on her. She strode off toward the Wu family elders.

“Che.” Wu Buran clicked her tongue and walked to Xu Chengjin’s side, flopping onto the sofa. “Not happy?”

“No.” Xu Chengjin never lashed out at others so casually. The moment she saw Wu Buran, her gloom lifted. “Are you having fun here?”

“It’s hell. Utterly boring. I’m never coming again.” Wu Buran’s tone was sour.

Her grumpiness made Xu Chengjin laugh. Coughing lightly, her eyes curved into a smile. “I want to leave soon.”

“Back to the dorms?” Wu Buran tilted her head. Had she been crying just now? Her eyes were tinged red, like the crimson mole at her eye corner—so captivating she couldn’t look away. At this moment, Xu Chengjin seemed fragile.

But Xu Chengjin didn’t notice. Curling into the sofa corner, her lashes trembled. “I should go home.”

Wu Buran blinked. Then, without thinking, she blurted: “I’ll take you back to the dorm. Let’s go now.”

“Huh?” Xu Chengjin hadn’t processed it when a commotion rose nearby. She turned—and there, in the crowd, was Si Yu.

Though the story marked Si Yu as the antagonist, she was the wealthiest and most powerful of them all—until, tragically, she took her own life for love.

Would she really… commit suicide because of Jin Xi?

“These people are unbearable.” Wu Buran frowned, irritated. “I’m going to the restroom. Be back soon.”

“Okay.”

Xu Chengjin straightened. Her gaze lingered on Si Yu, now surrounded by fawning admirers. Just moments ago, this woman had been hiding in her fitting room, making mischief. Now she was the coveted President Si.

“Pity she’ll never be mine,” Xu Chengjin whispered, opening her phone to kill time until Wu Buran returned so they could leave.

“Whose daughter are you? Want a drink?”

A shadow loomed over her. She looked up to see a drunken woman. Frowning, she searched for Xu Jing—but she was nowhere to be found.

“Sorry, I don’t drink.” Xu Chengjin’s voice was cold as she refused and rose to leave. But the woman shoved her back onto the sofa.

“Hss—”

Pain shot through Xu Chengjin’s shoulder, leaving her unable to straighten. The woman, angered, tried to force the drink on her. “One glass won’t kill you. Don’t be so ungrateful.”

“Ha.” Xu Chengjin almost laughed. Clutching her phone, she thought about smashing it on her. No way would she let herself suffer.

Her grip tightened. Pain shot through her palm. She had to draw attention somehow.

Just as the woman reached to grab her face, Xu Chengjin raised her hand, ready to strike and shout for help—but it never happened. The woman was yanked away and hurled aside.

Xu Chengjin froze. The one who appeared, face dark as thunder, was Si Yu.

Someone had come.

Xu Chengjin clutched at Si Yu’s clothes, struggling to breathe. Her chest hurt, leaving her speechless, and nausea churned in her stomach.

“Si… Si Yu.” She tried to stand, but her face went pale. Her body went limp, stomach spasms forcing her to her knees.

“Xu Chengjin!”

Si Yu’s pupils contracted. She quickly lifted her into her arms, her voice urgent: “I’m taking you to the hospital!”

“No.”

“…Restroom.”

Xu Chengjin managed a few words, clutching Si Yu’s collar with desperate strength.

Thankfully, Si Yu reacted swiftly, carrying her into a private lounge with a restroom. “You’re really sick?”

She pushed open the door, and the moment she set Xu Chengjin down, she vomited. She hadn’t eaten much, so it was mostly sour water, but the violent retching made her body tremble uncontrollably.

“Mouthwash.”

Si Yu poured her a glass of water, then lifted her carefully, kneeling on the ground without hesitation to hold her. Xu Chengjin’s damp bangs clung to her sweaty face as she leaned against Si Yu’s chest, fragile as if she might scatter with a breath of wind.

“Thank you.”

After rinsing, Xu Chengjin gripped Si Yu’s fingers softly. “It hurts so much.”

“It’s okay. I’ll take you to the hospital soon.” Si Yu brushed her bangs back, eyes complicated. “I won’t let that woman get away with it.”

Xu Chengjin let out a weak laugh, nuzzling Si Yu’s cheek. She was about to speak when the door burst open. She flinched like a startled fawn.

“Xiao Jin!”

Xu Jing and Wu Buran stormed in with others. The sight before them: Xu Chengjin nestled in Si Yu’s arms, while Si Yu’s gaze was sharp and hostile.

The two looked so intimate—

As if they had already been having an affair.