The Sickly Fake Daughter, But a Beloved Darling of All - Chapter 34

“A knight?”

Jin Xi completely misunderstood the other person’s meaning. She took the script and glanced at it, discovering it was a story about a princess who falls into a deep sleep and a knight who overcomes various difficulties to successfully rescue her. Overall, the story was well-written, but she wasn’t an actress.

“I can’t act,” Jin Xi pushed the script back. She said with a hint of regret, “You should look for a professional.”

Xu Chengjin also expressed agreement, her expression one of helplessness: “That’s true. I’ve never been involved in this before. I’m afraid I’ll hold you all back.”

The girl immediately shook her head: “No, no, no. Just your presence alone is enough! Our department has to put on a performance. Honestly, I’ve been watching a lot of people lately, and I found that the two of you fit the roles best.”

She pointed to the characters in the script and said, “Look, the princess only has a few lines at the very beginning and the end. After that, she’s in a state of sleep. Xu, you are absolutely perfect for the sleeping beauty state. And Jin, the knight is brave and overcomes countless difficulties to save the princess. Doesn’t that suit you?”

The girl curved her lips, confident: “These roles are tailor-made for you. Please, just try it out first, okay? If it really doesn’t work, then we can talk about it.”

Xu Chengjin was still hesitating, but when her eyes caught a glimpse of Jin Xi beside her, she calmed down. Excitement filled the other girl’s eyes; she seemed very eager to try out this kind of activity. Upon reflection, it made sense. Jin Xi probably hadn’t had much chance to relax until now, and this could be a good opportunity for her to enjoy herself.

In that case…

“Okay.”

Xu Chengjin’s tone was decisive. She folded the script and placed it in her bag: “Let’s exchange contact information. We’ll make time to rehearse when we’re free.”

Jin Xi turned her head abruptly, surprised that Xu Chengjin had agreed, but soon a feeling of delight surged up in her heart. Was this their first time cooperating to accomplish something?

“I’ll add you too.”

Jin Xi pursed her lips, but the upward curve of her mouth couldn’t be hidden: “Done.”

Xu Chengjin stood up: “I’m done too. We should get going now.”

The girl immediately nodded: “Okay, you two go ahead and be busy.”

“Goodbye.”

Xu Chengjin kept pace with Jin Xi, waving to the girl, and then turned her attention to Jin Xi: “I’ve never done anything like this before.”

“Me neither,” Jin Xi’s tone was gentle. “What do you want for lunch?”

Xu Chengjin let out an “Aiya,” and after thinking carefully, said, “Let’s go and see.”

“Sure!”

The two walked side by side. In the sunlight, their two shadows occasionally brushed against each other, only to separate again in the next second.

Xu Chengjin had no classes in the afternoon, so she planned to go home. When her parents found out, they told her to come straight to the company.

Xu Chengjin didn’t come to the Xu Group often, but the front desk recognized her. As soon as she entered, someone led her upstairs: “You might have to wait a moment in the lounge, Mr. Xu is currently in a meeting.”

“With whom?”

Xu Chengjin only asked casually, not really expecting to know who it was, but the result surprised her. The receptionist said, “Mr. Si from the Si Corporation.”

Si Yu—

Xu Chengjin’s pupils flickered, but she quickly reverted to her innocent look: “Okay, I understand.”

She was led by the receptionist to the lounge. This was a private resting area for her parents. Likely knowing she was coming, the table was set with fruits and snacks, and there was a projector playing a movie to keep her from getting bored.

But Xu Chengjin wasn’t interested in any of that. She leaned back on the sofa, then took out her phone and messaged Si Yu: [Little cat poking its head out JPG.]

Si Yu quickly replied: [Little dog sending flowers JPG.]

Xu Chengjin twitched the corner of her lips: [Where are you?]

Si Yu said: [In a meeting. What’s up?]

“In a meeting…”

Xu Chengjin bit her lip. She typed: [Then I won’t disturb you.]

Si Yu: [You won’t disturb me. Just tell me if you need anything.]

Xu Chengjin’s eyes were full of smiles: [I’m bored, so I’ve come to bother you for a bit.]

She didn’t wait for Si Yu to reply and continued: [Where are you?]

It was the second time she’d asked for the location.

Si Yu: [It’s somewhere you probably don’t know. I’ll come to the school to find you after I’m finished. Someone gave me a box of pretty good pastries yesterday. I’ll bring them for you later.]

Xu Chengjin didn’t expose Si Yu: [Okay, I’ll wait for you.]

“Don’t know? Maybe you’re too familiar with it.”

Xu Chengjin peeled an apple for herself and put on a variety show to pass the time. She didn’t know what they were discussing, but it took so long that Xu Chengjin was almost falling asleep when the lounge door finally opened.

“Mr. Si, please come in for a cup of tea.” Mrs. Xu opened the lounge door. She quickly glanced at Xu Chengjin, signaling for her to move further inside. Xu Chengjin received the message and behaved obediently. She leaned to the side, directly clearing space for them.

Then she gently raised her eyes and met Si Yu’s gaze squarely.

Si Yu was clearly stunned. She stood still and was silent for a few seconds. She hadn’t expected Xu Chengjin to be here. Thinking back to their recent conversation, Xu Chengjin had probably arrived and been waiting for her for a while.

How mischievous.

“Mr. Si, this is my daughter, Xu Chengjin. You must have met before.”

Mrs. Xu told Mr. Xu to make tea and asked Si Yu to sit down first: “Xiao Jin, say hello.”

“Mr. Si.”

Xu Chengjin greeted her properly. She raised her lips: “We’ve met, but I don’t think we’re acquainted.”

The smile on Si Yu’s face didn’t fade. She chuckled: “Not acquainted…”

A nice way of saying ‘not acquainted.’ This was Xu Chengjin hinting that Si Yu hadn’t been honest earlier about her whereabouts.

Si Yu walked over and sat down directly next to Xu Chengjin. Her face still held a proper smile, and she spoke: “Since we’re not acquainted, we can get to know each other now.”

Xu Chengjin slightly narrowed her eyes. She gave an “Ah,” and didn’t respond to Si Yu’s statement. Mrs. Xu, seeing this, narrowed her eyes perceptively: “It seems you two are familiar, seeing as you can joke around like this.”

“Perhaps.” Xu Chengjin tilted her head. She stood up and softly said, “You two discuss your business. I’m going to the restroom.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she pushed the door open and walked out. However, she heard footsteps following her shortly after. Xu Chengjin didn’t turn around, simply slowed her pace. She stood in front of the sink, observing Si Yu through the mirror. She opened her mouth: “Mr. Si.”

“Are you blaming me for lying to you?” Si Yu walked up behind Xu Chengjin and rested her head on Xu Chengjin’s shoulder, letting out a sigh: “I had my reasons.”

“I’m not listening.”

Xu Chengjin turned on the faucet and washed her hands. The water droplets dripped from her fingertips. “We’re not close. I’m not listening.”

“Are you really not listening?” Si Yu didn’t seem flustered at all. She slowly exhaled: “I’ll take you out this afternoon. Wanna go?”

“No.”

Xu Chengjin still refused. She turned around to face Si Yu, then gently lifted her hand and placed it on Si Yu’s face. The water droplets on her hand were squeezed and distorted. She whispered:

“My birthday, will you come?”