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

“Do you want me to come?”

Si Yu reached out and lightly supported Xu Chengjin’s waist to keep her from falling, her eyes completely filled with barely concealed laughter: “When?”

“You really don’t know?”

Xu Chengjin looked surprised. She reached out and patted away the other’s hand, glaring lightly: “Then forget it, I won’t invite you.”

With that, she turned to leave, but Si Yu stopped her in time, quickly pleading: “Alright, alright, my fault, don’t go, don’t go.”

“I’ve already prepared a gift.”

Si Yu naturally knew when Xu Chengjin’s birthday was. She had intended to tease Xu Chengjin, but unexpectedly the tables were turned.

Xu Chengjin stopped, crossed her arms, and looked at Si Yu: “In two days, our school is holding a welcome party for new students. Are you coming?”

“What would I do there?” Si Yu asked, confused. “Do I have to go on stage and give a speech as an outstanding graduate?”

She had been invited a few times before, but it was too boring, and she felt it wasted her and the students’ time, so later she firmly refused to go.

Xu Chengjin shook her head, denying it: “Of course not, but I can’t tell you the specific reason right now. You’ll find out when you go that day.”

Si Yu blinked, gave an “oh,” and looked regretful: “Alright, it seems you have a little secret from me.”

“I’m leaving. My parents will be getting anxious soon.”

Xu Chengjin didn’t listen to Si Yu’s teasing words. She turned and headed back. Si Yu was also tactful and waited on the spot for a while, otherwise, if they went back together, Xu’s mother would subject her to another scrutinizing gaze.

Xu’s mother’s ability to manage the Xu Group’s power, along with her accumulated experience and keenness over the years, was not to be underestimated. As long as Si Yu and Xu Chengjin even exchanged a glance, Xu’s mother would become suspicious.

“Mom.”

Xu Chengjin pushed open the rest room door. Xu’s father was making a fruit platter for Xu Chengjin, and thoughtfully shaped the various fruits. For example, the apples were carved into little rabbits, circling the plate, looking particularly cute.

“Dad, your hands are so skillful!”

Xu Chengjin gave Xu’s father a thumbs-up. She sat down and picked up a piece with a toothpick: “I have to head back soon.”

Xu’s mother paused in reading her report, frowning: “So soon?”

“Something came up.”

Xu Chengjin also felt a bit regretful. She had just received a message from that girl asking if they could come and rehearse this afternoon, just to get a feel for it. Since time was tight, she didn’t want to delay.

Xu’s mother sighed: “I thought you could stay for dinner. Your dad has been researching a lot of delicious recipes lately.”

“I’ll come back this weekend.” Xu Chengjin picked up a little rabbit apple slice and fed it to Xu’s mother. This scene was noticed by Si Yu as she entered. She curled her lips and announced loudly: “General Manager Xu, the cooperation matters are almost finalized, and I should leave too. I have some things to deal with at the company.”

Xu’s mother nodded and had her secretary escort Si Yu downstairs: “See you later.”

“See you later.”

While saying this, Si Yu glanced at Xu Chengjin from the corner of her eye. She lightly withdrew her gaze and turned to walk downstairs without looking back, seemingly having nothing to linger over.

Xu Chengjin watched her retreating back, then subtly withdrew her gaze: “Have you missed me at home recently?”

She reached out and hugged Xu’s mother, her voice slightly lifted: “Mom, I missed you.”

The smile on Xu’s mother’s face was impossible to hide, but she still raised her head a bit proudly: “It’s alright. Your dad and I are doing fine on our own.”

“Really?” Xu Chengjin tilted her head, pretending to be disappointed, “Mom, are you being serious?”

Xu’s mother couldn’t resist Xu Chengjin’s affectionate display. She raised her hand and rubbed her younger daughter’s head: “Yes, I miss you and your sister.”

“That’s good.”

Xu Chengjin was satisfied. She parted her lips, and the topic shifted: “Mom, do you still remember Jin Xi?”

Xu’s mother thought for a few seconds and quickly gave an answer: “I remember, the little girl we met at the golf course last time? Your classmate?”

“Yes.” Xu Chengjin nodded, the smile fading, “She’s been working part-time, but recently lost her job due to some issues. I was wondering if we could help her find a suitable part-time job—one that’s not too tiring and won’t interfere with her studies.”

“A part-time job…” Xu’s mother thought about it, making a “hiss” sound, “I honestly can’t think of any resources I have right now that I could give her. Let me go back and ask around.”

Xu Chengjin shook Xu’s mother’s hand, curving her eyebrows: “I knew Mom was the best! Then I’ll be going now.”

“Should I have the driver take you?”

Xu’s mother and Xu’s father stood up simultaneously, both looking reluctant: “Or maybe Dad and Mom can drive you to school?”

“No need.” Xu Chengjin waved her hand to refuse, “I can just take a taxi myself!”

After Xu Chengjin said this, she wasn’t afraid of them following her. Xu’s father and mother had always respected the decisions of her and her sister, Xu Jing. A refusal was a refusal; they wouldn’t repeatedly question or insist.

This made both Xu Chengjin and Xu Jing feel very comfortable, and as they grew up, they became very attached to their parents.

Xu Chengjin took the elevator directly to the parking lot. As she walked forward two steps, someone suddenly covered her mouth from behind—

Was this a kidnapping?

No.

Xu Chengjin wasn’t panicked at all. She lightly held the person’s hands and looked up to meet their eyes. Once she saw clearly who it was, she curled her lips and mouthed silently: “Si Yu.”

Si Yu let go, asking softly: “I didn’t scare you, did I?”

“No.”

Xu Chengjin shook her head. When she had exited the elevator, she’d heard Si Yu cough—it was clearly a hint to prevent her from being startled…

Si Yu exhaled. She led Xu Chengjin to her car, offering a thoughtful service by opening the door: “Please get in.”

“Aren’t you going to ask me why I knew you were here?” Xu Chengjin got in. It was the same car as last time, but she felt the perfume inside had a different scent. She sniffed and casually mentioned: “This one isn’t as good as the one you used last time.”

“Is that so?” Si Yu had just changed the perfume today and was surprised Xu Chengjin noticed immediately: “The last one I blended myself when I was bored. It ran out. Since you said that, it looks like I’ll have to blend it again in a few days.”

“I quite liked the scent of that perfume.” Xu Chengjin agreed. She lay directly on the back seat, her voice slightly muffled: “You listen to everything I say, Si Yu, General Manager Si. Why are you doing this?”

Si Yu was driving. Upon hearing her question, she didn’t answer immediately but waited for a traffic light before speaking: “Do you remember why we ended up like this?”

“We slept together?” Xu Chengjin’s memory of that night wasn’t entirely complete. She also couldn’t articulate what she felt: “I suppose so. Before that, I only saw you at various banquets. They all said General Manager Si’s methods were ruthless, and advised against getting close to her, or you’d be fooled by her.”

“And were you fooled by me?”

Si Yu laughed softly. She had heard those rumors too. Her methods had indeed been aggressive over the years, incurring the displeasure of many who disagreed with her, but it didn’t matter—she simply didn’t care.

However, hearing these words from Xu Chengjin felt different. Si Yu took a deep breath, trying to calm herself: “Tell me, if we hadn’t met that day at the bar, would you still be unwilling to get close to me now?”

Xu Chengjin was staring at Si Yu. Si Yu’s hands were beautiful, with distinct, long joints, and one could see her veins as she gripped the steering wheel. She spoke: “Yes.”

There was not a moment’s hesitation: “I would definitely stay away from you.”

“In my mind, you were especially terrifying, the kind that would wake me up from a nightmare.”

Xu Chengjin wasn’t lying. In countless dreams, Xu Chengjin had seen herself being tortured to death by Si Yu, or lying dead in the street. The person causing her death could have been Jin Xi, Wu Boran, or even Xu Jing, but most often, it was Si Yu.

It was fair to say that the plot she knew had influenced her far too much, but now it seemed things weren’t like that at all.

Si Yu’s expression remained mostly unchanged. She gave a simple “Mhm”: “Actually, I’m also quite grateful for that day; it reduced a lot of your misunderstanding towards me.”

Xu Chengjin murmured in agreement: “Yes.”

The next second, she countered: “What do you think of Jin Xi?”

The smile on Si Yu’s face froze. She pursed her lips: “She’s alright, just your classmate and friend. I don’t have any strong feelings about her.”

Xu Chengjin gave an “Oh.” It seemed Si Yu hadn’t fallen in love with Jin Xi according to the original plot. Her favorable impression didn’t even seem very high right now. Did this mean her ending would change?

Thinking of this, Xu Chengjin couldn’t help but feel happy: “What kind of pastry did you say you were bringing me? You even made a special trip.”

“Made with green tea, no additives.” Si Yu smoothly moved past the previous topic. She wasn’t keen on talking about other people when they were together, but she couldn’t openly stop her, as that would seem too unpleasant.

Xu Chengjin got a little interested. She sat up: “Is it delicious?”

“It’s delicious. I tried two pieces and thought it was good, which is why I brought it for you.”

Si Yu had checked the ingredients of the pastry and knew it was acceptable for Xu Chengjin. She added: “But don’t eat too much when you get back. Try just a little bit first. Continue eating only if you don’t feel uncomfortable. If you don’t like it, ask your roommates or classmates if they want any.”

Xu Chengjin was amused by Si Yu’s words: “You sound just like my family. They lecture me the same way.”

“I’m your senior, you know.” Si Yu stopped the car and turned her head, pretending to threaten: “Call me ‘Sister’.”

Xu Chengjin tilted her head: “No.”

“Hurry up and call me that, or I won’t let you get out.”

Despite saying this, Si Yu still opened the door. She said: “The pastry is in the passenger seat. I’ll get it for you.”

Xu Chengjin nodded. She got out of the car and took the pastry Si Yu handed her, her attention fully focused on the person in front of her, not noticing anything behind her. Seeing Si Yu about to drive away, her eyes curved, full of mischievousness. She said softly:

“Jie Jie (Sister), see you later.”