The Sickly Fake Daughter, But a Beloved Darling of All - Chapter 18

Xu Jing’s figure was tall and imposing. She exercised regularly and lived an extremely disciplined life. Since she was twelve, she had to learn how to manage the company and how to take care of her sickly younger sister. She fit almost every description of a CEO found in novels.

The only difference was that their parents were wonderful; Father and Mother Xu doted on them and never let them lack love growing up.

Everyone would have thought the two sisters’ relationship would be incredibly close, but then Xu Jing changed.

This was quickly becoming a persistent shadow hanging over Xu Chengjin. She was afraid Xu Jing had discovered something, and even more afraid that if Xu Jing found out the truth, she would really be that cruel to her.

Xu Jing fell silent again.

If Xu Chengjin retreated one more step, she would tumble down the stairs, as if behind her was an abyss of ten thousand fathoms, where one wrong step would lead to eternal damnation.

“Why aren’t you speaking?”

More than half of Xu Jing’s face was covered in shadow, making it impossible for Xu Chengjin to clearly see her expression. She could only rely on her intuition and take a step forward: “Sister, you keep not talking and always fall silent with me. You weren’t like this before.”

“Why are you treating…” Before Xu Chengjin could finish the word “me,” her wrist was grabbed. A look of confusion flashed in her eyes, and the next second, she heard Xu Jing’s hoarse voice, “Why are you out of your room so late?”

Xu Chengjin restrained the words she had planned to say. She softly replied, “I was a little thirsty, so I came downstairs for water.”

“You still haven’t answered my question.” Xu Chengjin gathered her courage to meet Xu Jing’s gaze, her lips pressed together. “Did you just come out of my room?”

Xu Jing’s grip on Xu Chengjin’s hand suddenly tightened. The sharp pain made Xu Chengjin cry out involuntarily: “…It hurts.”

“Sorry.” Xu Jing released her grip, took two steps back, and seemed to irritably run a hand through her hair. Her breathing was heavy. “I had a nightmare and wanted to come check on you.”

Xu Chengjin hadn’t expected this answer. Her eyes flickered, but she quickly composed herself: “Thank you for worrying about me, Sister. It’s very late; I’m going back to sleep now.”

She finished speaking and was about to return to her room, but as she brushed past Xu Jing, her wrist was grabbed again. Xu Chengjin’s footsteps halted. She didn’t struggle, just quietly asked, “What is it?”

“Xiao Jin, don’t you think we don’t look alike at all?”

There was always a sense of suppression in Xu Jing’s tone. She took a deep breath: “We don’t look alike at all.”

Xu Chengjin hadn’t expected Xu Jing to bring this up. Her mind instantly went blank, and anxious emotions surged up, making it impossible for her to utter a single word. Why would Xu Jing talk about this? Is it just because she met Jin Xi today?

Their features did bear a slight resemblance.

“Xiao Jin.”

Xu Jing didn’t get a response from Xu Chengjin. She looked over in confusion and saw that Xu Chengjin’s face was pale and her eyes were hollow, as if she might pass out at any moment.

“Xiao Jin!” Xu Jing immediately embraced Xu Chengjin, her face full of panic. “What’s wrong?”

Xu Chengjin was trembling all over. She clutched Xu Jing’s collar, her eyes frantic. Tears streamed down her face. She didn’t know why she was crying, but the tears simply wouldn’t stop.

She choked back a sob, her voice pitifully small: “I’m a little cold.”

“Don’t wake up Mom and Dad.” Xu Chengjin nestled in Xu Jing’s arms, her scalding tears dripping onto Xu Jing’s chest, as if they might burn her in the next second.

Xu Jing felt her heart tremble. She carried Xu Chengjin into the bedroom and carefully laid her down, her face full of worry: “Are you really okay?”

“I’m fine.” Xu Chengjin burrowed into the blanket, her voice muffled. “I just couldn’t control my emotions. You don’t have to worry about me.”

Xu Jing knelt on one knee beside the bed. She carefully placed a hand on Xu Chengjin, her eyes complex: “Did Sister say something wrong?”

“Sister just… said something casually.” Xu Jing lowered her head, the next words coming out with difficulty. “After all, we are definitely biological sisters. Don’t think too much about it.”

Upon hearing Xu Jing’s belief, Xu Chengjin immediately let out a sigh of relief. She tightened her grip on the blanket, revealed her eyes, and smiled at Xu Jing: “I know. We’re sisters for life.”

Xu Jing didn’t nod. She pursed her lips, unable to even smile, her lips trembling slightly: “You sleep now. I’ll wait until you fall asleep before I go back.”

“Okay.”

Xu Chengjin adjusted her mood quickly. She quietly lay down and closed her eyes. Xu Jing knew she didn’t fall asleep quickly, so she heard her say again: “I’ll have a water dispenser installed in your room tomorrow. That way, you won’t have to go downstairs in the middle of the night.”

“Mhm.” Xu Chengjin turned her back. After agreeing, she completely relaxed her body and fell asleep not long after.

She didn’t notice that Xu Jing remained kneeling by her bed, constantly watching her, the pain and struggle in her eyes illuminated by the moonlight, only to be swallowed by the rising sun.

.

Xu Chengjin’s sleep quality wasn’t good this time; she woke up frequently in a fright. The first time she woke up, it was already four o’clock. She casually felt the side of the bed and found a lingering warmth, proving that the person who had been there had only just left.

Xu Jing had actually stayed in her room for that long?

Xu Chengjin sat on the bed in a daze. When a person is sick, they feel particularly tired. Her hair was a mess from sleeping, but even so, she didn’t want to move or continue sleeping.

It wasn’t until her door was knocked on by Mother Xu that she stirred: “Please come in.”

Mother Xu opened the door and walked in. Seeing Xu Chengjin’s appearance, she couldn’t hide her heartache: “Your sister has something to do today and can’t take you out. Does Little Treasure want to go out with Mom and Dad for a walk?”

Xu Chengjin hugged Mother Xu’s waist and playfully rubbed against her in a spoiled manner: “To do what?”

“Someone invited your dad to play golf this afternoon. It’s just a few acquaintances. Do you want to come along? I heard the place has a nice environment, and we could walk around together.”

Since Mother Xu put it that way, Xu Chengjin naturally wouldn’t refuse. She looked up in Mother Xu’s arms: “Mom.”

“Yes?”

Mother Xu cupped Xu Chengjin’s face and rubbed it, her expression full of indulgence: “Do you want Mom to change your clothes for you? You’re so grown up and still need Mom to help you.”

“Of course not.”

Xu Chengjin was amused by Mother Xu. She let go and got out of her arms: “I can change myself.”

“Alright, then Mom will wait for you downstairs for breakfast.”

“Okay.”

Xu Chengjin yawned. She got out of bed, changed her clothes, and then went to wash up. Her spirits were low, and she didn’t even want to pick up her phone. Even after getting into the car, she subconsciously took her phone but didn’t look at it once during the drive.

It wasn’t until they were nearing their destination that Xu Chengjin remembered to look.

The moment Xu Chengjin opened her phone, she saw several messages: from Si Yu, Jin Xi, and Wu Boran.

Her face showed internal conflict, but she first tapped on Jin Xi’s message and saw that the person was asking about her health. Xu Chengjin quickly replied that she was fine. Just as she was about to deal with the other two people’s messages, the car had already stopped, and the door was open.

Xu Chengjin subconsciously looked outside and met Jin Xi’s gaze. She was a little stunned, completely unexpected to find Jin Xi here.

She got out of the car, her mind still somewhat scattered: “Why are you here?”

“I’m working a part-time job here. Are you feeling better?”

“Yes.”

Xu Chengjin nodded obediently and smiled at Jin Xi: “Much better, thank you for your concern… Oh.”

Her smile froze a little. The bracelet on her wrist was vibrating incessantly, an utterly unignorable presence, and the owner who gifted it to her was now standing silently behind them, watching them—