The Sickly Fake Daughter, But a Beloved Darling of All - Chapter 21

Xu Chengjin’s invitation caused Si Yu to sit up straight. She cleared her throat, glanced at Jin Xi, then looked away, only to glance back again. Her repetitive action made it clear she was being provocative.

Jin Xi: “…”

“No, I still have work. I’ll look for you when I’m free.”

Jin Xi quickly sent a message to Xu Chengjin on her phone. Without even looking at Si Yu, she waved at Xu Chengjin and mouthed silently, “See you later.”

Xu Chengjin understood her meaning. Her eyes flickered with avoidance for a moment, but she quickly nodded and also mouthed silently, “See you later.”

Their every move fell under Si Yu’s gaze. She crossed her arms and silently watched them end their conversation.

She felt like an outsider.

“Xiao Jin, you really have great people skills. How did you two, this Jin Xi, meet?”

Si Yu now knew Jin Xi’s name. She narrowed her eyes. According to her investigation, Jin Xi’s family background wasn’t great, and she was typically cold and didn’t socialize much. How did she get involved with Xu Chengjin?

Xu Chengjin chuckled. She turned her head and looked at Si Yu, “Hmm… we’re in the same class and classroom, so we slowly got to know each other.”

“Plus, we ran into each other at the bar that night.” Xu Chengjin picked up an orange. Her fingernails were short and neatly filed, and the shape of her fingertips was particularly beautiful. The way she was peeling the orange was very graceful. Si Yu sat quietly, watching Xu Chengjin peel the orange open and then hand her half.

Si Yu wasn’t in a hurry to take it. She looked down at the orange, then suddenly laughed, “Do you think I resemble King Zhou?”

Xu Chengjin: “Hmm, then am I Daji?”

She wasn’t angry; she even played along and called out, “My King, would you like some orange?”

Si Yu played along too. She leaned back, “I want you to feed me…”

Before she could finish, the door to the lounge was suddenly opened. Xu Chengjin paused the motion of offering the orange and turned her head towards the door, not noticing Si Yu immediately sitting up straight.

“Mom,” Xu Chengjin called out. A smile immediately appeared on her face. “You’re here.”

It was Xu’s mother who entered. Xu’s father had been so engrossed in conversation that he didn’t even notice when Xu’s mother left.

Xu’s mother saw Si Yu as soon as she entered. She responded to Xu Chengjin first, and then greeted Si Yu, “CEO Si.”

She admired Si Yu, but why was she sitting with her daughter again?

“CEO Xu.”

Xu’s mother also had the surname Xu. Xu’s father had originally planned to name Xu Chengjin “Xu Lifang,” but Xu’s mother vetoed it entirely.

Si Yu stood up. She adjusted her clothes, her smile very slight, “I see the time is about right. How about we leave together?”

“Sounds good,” Xu’s mother didn’t refuse. She held Xu Chengjin’s hand and pulled her up, though her smile looked somewhat insincere. “Xiao Jin, let’s go.”

Xu Chengjin sensed the undercurrent between the two women. She pretended not to notice anything and quietly followed Xu’s mother. Si Yu also followed behind her, the distance between them neither far nor close.

But the person behind her would ultimately not take that extra step forward.

“Xiao Jin, just sit here. Mom will take you to look around in a moment.”

Xu’s mother settled Xu Chengjin in the rest area. Many people were seated nearby, and they naturally recognized Xu Chengjin, but they didn’t approach her, merely nodding politely. Seeing this, Xu Chengjin silently breathed a sigh of relief. Heaven knew how much she feared being surrounded by a group of elders.

Si Yu couldn’t escape as soon as she appeared, being immediately surrounded by many people. Xu Chengjin glanced at the woman who couldn’t move an inch, the corner of her lips slightly curling, her eyes containing a smile.

A bit pathetic, she thought.

Xu Chengjin ignored the frequent glances Si Yu was throwing her way. Her attention was drawn to Jin Xi, who was continuously picking up balls—

The sun was strong today. Jin Xi was already sweating profusely, her face flushed from the heat. It was likely a last-minute arrangement, as they hadn’t even given her a hat to shield her from the sun.

She frowned, feeling that Jin Xi was going to suffer heatstroke if this continued. Xu Chengjin looked around and finally spotted the bag Xu’s father had carried. Her hat was usually kept inside.

“Ah, found it.”

Xu Chengjin’s eyes lit up. She raised her arm to shade the sun, and without a second thought, she walked towards Jin Xi, “Jin Xi! Come here for a moment.”

Jin Xi was so exhausted she could barely speak. Her boss told her she’d get extra pay, so she came. Now, every movement to pick up a ball was mechanical. She was panting heavily, planning to take a break soon.

She was surprised when someone suddenly called out to her, “Jin Xi!”

Xu Chengjin quickly walked towards her, braving the scorching sun and hot wind, step by step.

“Xiao Jin.” Jin Xi was stunned. She hadn’t even noticed Xu Chengjin coming. She quickly walked towards her. Just as she met the person in front of her, a hat was placed on her head the next moment. Jin Xi’s mind was still reeling. The sweat on her face was wiped away with a tissue. The other person’s movements were so gentle, her voice so clear—as if the whole world contained only the two of them at that moment.

“Here’s my hat for you to wear. I hope you don’t mind.”