The Sickly Fake Daughter, But a Beloved Darling of All - Chapter 22

Xu Chengjin’s hat was simple in style, like a basic black baseball cap, but its price was exceptionally high. It was a gift from her parents when they were on a business trip, and she treasured it, wearing it every time she went out with them.

But today, this hat was on someone else’s head for all to see.

Jin Xi froze, rooted to the spot, seemingly unable to move. Her gaze was fixed only on Xu Chengjin.

“Why are you looking at me?” Xu Chengjin felt the eyes of the others on her. She covered her face, feeling a blush spreading. “The sun is too harsh today; you won’t be able to handle this much longer.”

Xu Chengjin thought for a moment and then took Jin Xi’s hand. “Don’t work anymore. I’ll pay you whatever the amount is. Consider it me hiring you for the day.”

She knew Jin Xi was too proud to accept money directly, so this approach was better.

Jin Xi didn’t refuse. She even leaned closer to Xu Chengjin. The shadow cast by the cap’s brim allowed her to see the other girl clearly in the scorching sun.

So distinct… so impossible to look away from.

The people who were playing ball stopped, and Xu Chengjin’s mother walked over to them. “Xiaojin.”

Xu Chengjin told Jin Xi to sit down and rest. She looked up at her mother, her whole face red from the sun, and rubbed her face. “Mom.”

“It seems you and classmate Jin have a very good relationship.” Xu Mother didn’t criticize Xu Chengjin’s action. The Xu family was wealthy and influential, so they weren’t afraid of offending anyone. “Are you tired, child? Do you want an orange?”

Xu Mother handed an orange to Jin Xi and then sat next to Xu Chengjin. She placed the back of her hand on Xu Chengjin’s forehead, her expression slightly scolding. “Are you overheated?”

“Oh, Mom.” Xu Chengjin leaned against her mother’s shoulder and winked sideways at Jin Xi, a look of mischief on her face. “I saw Jin Xi was too hot. What if she got sunstroke later?”

“Mom understands what you mean.” Xu Mother patted Xu Chengjin’s hand, completely indulging her.

After all, her daughter had been fragile since childhood and was very obedient. Generally, she would satisfy any request that wasn’t too excessive.

Jin Xi watched the two of them talk, feeling a faint envy, but she was also genuinely happy for Xu Chengjin for having such good parents.

She wiped her hands clean. Surrounded by people she didn’t know, she couldn’t relax immediately, so she lowered her head to peel the orange. “Xiaojin, do you want some?”

Jin Xi broke off half the orange and offered it sideways. A piece of peel fell to the ground, and she bent down to pick it up. She wondered why the people in charge hadn’t cut up the fruit.

“Xiaojin.”

The orange was taken. Jin Xi instinctively thought it was Xu Chengjin. She smiled and raised her head, only to lock eyes with Si Yu, who was standing right there.

Jin Xi: “…”

Her gaze dropped, and she saw the orange she had just peeled in Si Yu’s hand.

“CEO Si.” Jin Xi knew Si Yu’s status and position were very high. She forced a smile and then suddenly looked up and asked, “Is it sour?”

Si Yu looked at the hat on Jin Xi’s head without expression. She ate a segment of the orange and scoffed, “It’s sweet. Nice peeling. Try harder next time.”

Jin Xi straightened up and, in front of Si Yu, adjusted the position of the hat. “Okay, I understand.”

“This hat is fifty thousand.” After saying this, Si Yu looked at the silent Xu Chengjin, narrowing her eyes slightly. “It seems Miss Xu and Jin Xi really have a good relationship.”

Xu Chengjin pouted. She leaned on her mother’s shoulder, her gaze flickering. “It’s alright, I guess.”

Xu Mother didn’t know how far the relationship between the three of them had progressed, but she was somewhat wary of Si Yu. She spoke up first, “CEO Si cares a lot about our Xiaojin.”

“Beautiful people always capture a little bit of attention.” Si Yu noticed the wariness in Xu Mother’s eyes. She glanced at Xu Chengjin again, and seeing that the girl wasn’t speaking, she almost couldn’t breathe. She forced a smile. “Please excuse me, I have something else to attend to.”

“Goodbye, CEO Si.”

Xu Mother politely saw Si Yu off. The next moment, she looked at Xu Chengjin. “Are you two very close already?”

“Ah.” Xu Chengjin was about to say that her relationship with Si Yu was just okay, but before the words could leave her mouth, someone abruptly interrupted her. A group of people crowded around Xu Mother, speaking in a somewhat ingratiating tone, “So this is Miss Xu’s friend? Don’t you think this friend’s features look a bit like Mr. Xu’s?”

All the thoughts in Xu Chengjin’s mind instantly scattered. She sat up straight, staring intently at the person who spoke. Her hand instinctively grasped the armrest beside her. Jin Xi did indeed look a bit like Xu Father and Xu Mother, while she herself bore practically no resemblance to either of them.

According to the plot she knew, it was a question about appearances that first led Xu Mother to suspect something, and then the truth about the real and fake daughter was revealed, and she was driven out of the Xu family…

But could she stop it?

Xu Chengjin withdrew her gaze, her internal anxiety growing. She couldn’t say a word.

“Xiao Jin is very pretty.” Xu Mother lightly dismissed the person’s comment with a single sentence. She called out, “Old Xu, I’m taking Xiaojin for a walk!”

Xu Father was busy competing with someone over who did more housework at home every day and was about to enter a state of total absorption. Hearing this, he immediately raised his hand and made an OK sign.

Seeing this, Xu Mother immediately said to Xu Chengjin, “Xiaojin, shall I take you for a walk?”

Xu Chengjin’s face was pale. Hearing her mother, she finally snapped back to reality, but her lips were bloodless. She managed a strained smile. “Wait a moment, I need to go to the restroom.”

“Jin Xi, wait for me too.”

Xu Chengjin smiled at Jin Xi, a hint of bitterness in her expression. “I’ll be right back.”

She stood up and walked toward the restroom, but her steps were unsteady. Xu Chengjin bit her lip. From the first time she discovered she was the fake daughter, she had wanted to tell the truth countless times, but fate seemed against her, and now it was starting to make her panic again and again.

Xu Chengjin’s hands were shaking. She staggered into the restroom, quickly turned on the faucet, and washed her face. Cold water splashed on her face and then flowed down her curves to her chest.

She leaned her hands on the sink, but her body felt an icy chill. Xu Chengjin was even reluctant to look up at her reflection.

“Xu Chengjin.”

Si Yu had walked up behind Xu Chengjin without her knowing. She wrapped one arm around Xu Chengjin’s waist and pulled her back. She frowned and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Si Yu?” Xu Chengjin looked up. She was about to speak, but the next moment, she smelled smoke on the other girl. She choked slightly, feeling a sudden resistance. “You’re smoking?”

“No, I ran into someone who was smoking. Is the smell on me very strong?” Si Yu raised a hand and covered Xu Chengjin’s lips, her gaze tender. “Why didn’t you explain our relationship? Is our relationship so embarrassing?”

Xu Chengjin leaned her head back against Si Yu’s embrace, her eyes glistening with tears, looking utterly innocent.

What was Si Yu saying?

“See, you’re always like this.” Si Yu lowered her head and rubbed her face against Xu Chengjin’s. “It seems like every time, between me and Jin Xi, you always choose Jin Xi?”

Her gaze fell on Jin Xi at the doorway. She curved her lips, her hand tightening slightly, as if she wished to knead Xu Chengjin into her bones. She asked softly:

“Compared to her, am I really so unappealing?”