The Sickly Fake Daughter, But a Beloved Darling of All - Chapter 4

After Xu Jing left, Xu Chengjin was still in a daze. She was clearly frightened; her eyes were filled with lingering panic. Her hands clutched tightly at the hem of her clothes as she turned her head to look at her neck.

The side of her neck, after being roughly handled by Xu Jing, was covered in a large patch of red. It looked shocking. She had been frail since childhood, and even a small bump would cause unbearable pain. Just brushing her fingers against it made her draw in a sharp breath. Her eyes even welled with tears—but not from pain. She was used to pain.

What she felt was fear.

She didn’t understand why Xu Jing had reacted so strongly to the hickeys on her body. Was Xu Jing afraid that she had been tricked?

But it didn’t feel like that.

Xu Chengjin tugged down her collar, taking a clearer look at the marks on her skin. She inhaled sharply, her lips moving soundlessly.

Si Yu… was he a dog?

She didn’t have time to think carefully about the noises from the previous night. Covering the marks on her neck with her hand, she lowered her head and bit her lip. “Maybe… I should just say it today…”

For a long time, Xu Chengjin had planned to live in the dorms. At the very least, that could prevent many of the things in the story from happening. She didn’t know much of the plot, but most of what she did know involved the miserable life she would lead after being cast out of the Xu family. Those memories were terrifying—she didn’t even want to think about them.

Over the years, she had saved up quite a bit of money, enough to last her a long time. She had also secretly worked various part-time jobs. No matter what, she wouldn’t starve.

She hadn’t intended to leave this early, but Xu Jing’s actions left her feeling inexplicably uneasy—or perhaps, flustered.

“Jiejie.”

Xu Chengjin lifted her gaze. Just as she softly whispered those two syllables, the door was pushed open. She jolted like a startled deer, her whole body trembling, her pupils quivering slightly.

Seeing her frightened, Xu Jing felt a pang of guilt. She walked over slowly and asked gently, “Did I scare you?”

“I’m okay.”

Xu Chengjin straightened up slowly, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Then, carefully, she clasped Xu Jing’s fingers and gave them a light shake. “Jiejie, thank you for bringing me gifts.”

Her voice was soft, and when she looked up with those pleading eyes, it made people’s hearts soften. One would want to give her everything—especially since she had been cherished and doted on since childhood.

Xu Jing’s anger evaporated, replaced by guilt. She moved behind Xu Chengjin, opened the medicine ointment, and gently applied it to her neck. She explained softly, “I was too harsh just now. Don’t blame me, Little Treasure. I should be the one saying sorry.”

She didn’t dare use any strength, terrified of hurting her. Lowering her gaze, her eyes still couldn’t hide the tenderness within.

Xu Chengjin sat very still, her nerves tight. She observed Xu Jing’s expression through the mirror—it wasn’t hard to see the care in her eyes.

But they weren’t truly sisters.

If her real family learned the truth, would they still treat her this way?

Her eyes flickered. She couldn’t reveal the truth to Xu Jing. In this world, she was nothing but a restricted NPC. Since she couldn’t tell her, it was better to just quietly accept this fleeting gentleness.

That thought finally eased her tension. She could feel Xu Jing’s fingertips brushing her skin, the ointment cool against her neck, soothing without pain.

“Do you have class this afternoon?”

Xu Jing suddenly broke her train of thought. Putting away the ointment, she bent down and whispered in her ear, “I’ll take you out to play, okay?”

Out… to play?

Why suddenly this idea? But she was planning to submit her dormitory application that afternoon.

Xu Chengjin didn’t like having her plans disrupted. She glanced sideways and smiled faintly. “Better not. I still have class this afternoon.”

Xu Jing’s expression darkened slightly, though her voice remained gentle. “I’ll get you a leave of absence.”

“But I don’t want to.” Her smile faded, and her brows drew together in a small frown. She was clearly unhappy. Her deliberate display of emotion left Xu Jing unable to press the matter. The words on her lips died, and she compromised. “Alright, another time then.”

Xu Chengjin hummed in agreement and stood, putting some distance between them. “I’m a little tired. I want to rest for a while.”

She rubbed her ear sheepishly. “Jiejie.”

Xu Jing responded softly, her tone a mix of helplessness and something else. But Chengjin didn’t dwell on it. After watching Xu Jing leave, she lay down on her bed to rest.

Si Yu had bathed her, so she felt clean and dry—not too uncomfortable.

Her health was poor, and emotional strain easily left her feeling unwell. Curled on her bed, breathing unevenly, she drifted into a hazy sleep, not waking until noon when Xu Jing came to call her for lunch.

“Alright.”

Her arms felt weak. Opening her eyes, she took a couple seconds before sitting up slowly. Her head felt heavy and fuzzy, her breathing rough, though she didn’t think much of it.

Slipping on her shoes, she stood—only to feel dizzy again. She frowned and touched her forehead. No fever.

“Still groggy from sleep.”

She brushed it aside and went downstairs for lunch. Because of her delicate stomach, she couldn’t eat most foods. Special meals of porridge and soups were always prepared for her.

“Little Treasure, awake?” Mother Xu’s eyes curved with a smile as she ladled porridge for her. “This afternoon your sister will take you to school. Do you want us to come along?”

Chengjin shook her head, her voice a little hoarse. “No need, I can go by myself. Jiejie doesn’t need to take me either.”

“What’s wrong, in a bad mood?” Father Xu placed dishes on the table, instantly concerned. “If there’s something on your mind, you can tell us.”

“Really, nothing.”

Tilting her head, Chengjin smiled faintly. “I just overslept and haven’t fully woken up yet.”

With that, they dropped the subject. Xu Jing sat beside her, peeling shrimp for her occasionally. But neither of them spoke much, as though what had happened earlier was only a dream.

“Mom.” Chengjin had little appetite. After eating the shrimp, she pushed her bowl aside, her face pale and lacking energy. “I plan to live in the dorms.”

Mother Xu’s smile vanished instantly, replaced by confusion. “Why?”

Chengjin lifted her eyes, her gaze steady rather than timid. “I’m grown now. I should at least try living on my own. Let me try. If I can’t handle it, I’ll come back.”

The words weren’t delicate, but they conveyed her intent.

Mother Xu fell silent for a moment, then shook her head. “I don’t agree. Your health is poor. How can you manage in a dormitory?”

“I can’t spend my whole life—”

“Why not!” Mother Xu slapped the table, her voice rising. “We can take care of you your whole life!”

Her whole life…

Chengjin’s lips trembled. What lifetime? There won’t be one.

She bit down on her lip, eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Yet she stood firm. “I’ve made up my mind. I won’t change it.”

She was usually obedient, but when she was stubborn, not even ten oxen could pull her back. Mother and Father Xu exchanged a look but couldn’t bring themselves to scold her further.

Xu Jing turned toward her, lips parting, but no words came out.

The atmosphere grew heavy. Chengjin twisted her hands nervously, waiting. At last, she heard her mother sigh before rising and leaving upstairs, unwilling to discuss it further. Father Xu quickly followed.

Their departure left Chengjin completely relieved.

Her breath came shakily, sweat dampening her skin. When she finally calmed, she turned her gaze to Mother Xu’s back, gratitude welling up.

Thank you… Mom.

“When did you decide this?” Xu Jing finally asked, her voice deep. “Why suddenly move into a dorm?”

Meeting her sister’s gaze, Chengjin steadied her thoughts and answered, “I just felt I’d grown up. It’s time to try living alone.”

“I can stay with you forever.”

Xu Jing’s tone carried no hint of jest. She wanted to say more, but the words stuck in her throat.

Chengjin’s eyes flickered, deliberately sidestepping. “I should get to school.”

“Little Treasure—!”

Xu Jing tried to stop her, but Chengjin clearly wouldn’t allow it. She brought her suitcase down, opened the door, and left without hesitation, her back showing no trace of reluctance.

“Xu Chengjin.”

Xu Jing strode to the window, staring as Chengjin got into the car. Her hands clenched so tightly at her sides she nearly broke skin.

She stood there for a long time, watching until the car disappeared from sight. Only then did she turn away.

The dizziness worsened. That’s when Chengjin realized she had a fever. Pressing the back of her hand to her forehead, she felt it wasn’t too hot and let out a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness.

Her dorm application was approved quickly. She was assigned a two-person room that very day—and not through favoritism. It really was the only one left.

“This is your dorm key. You can go right in.”

“Thank you, teacher.” Chengjin smiled, taking the key and heading toward the dorm.

The dorm environment was excellent. Many students lived on campus.

It was her first time, so nerves prickled as she found her room. Knocking first and hearing no response, she unlocked the door—only to walk straight into her new roommate stepping out of the shower.

She froze, flinched back a couple steps, her breath catching. “Hello, I’m Xu Chengjin, your new roommate.”

The girl’s hair was still damp, her expression cold and aloof, difficult to approach. She gave Chengjin a quick glance, then looked away. “I’m Wu Boran.”

Chengjin was about to greet her properly—when her face went deathly pale, the color draining from her lips.

Wu Boran? No. That was clearly… another protagonist!