The Sickly Fake Daughter, But a Beloved Darling of All - Chapter 55

Si Yu moved too forcefully when she got up. She let out a muffled groan but ignored her physical discomfort, hastily calling Xu Chengjin back. The phone rang for barely a second before the other party immediately hung up.

“Is she really angry?”

Si Yu’s head was spinning, and she couldn’t think straight. She couldn’t figure out why Xu Chengjin was angry in such a short time, but one thing was clear: she had to hurry and apologize to her.

She was about to try calling again, thinking that if it didn’t work, she’d just go straight to the hospital. There was no problem with explaining things in person.

Before Si Yu could press the dial button, Xu Chengjin sent her several messages, instantly disrupting her entire rhythm: [Are you feeling unwell?]

[Your voice sounded wrong just now. Did you take your medicine?]

[Why don’t you take better care of yourself?]

[When you’re well, come pick me up from the hospital. It’s too boring here.]

[Don’t reply to me, or I’ll block you!]

She also attached a fierce-looking emoji. Si Yu felt her eyes redden as she read the messages. She lifted a hand to rub her face, choked up for a moment, then turned and swallowed the medicine on the table. Xu Chengjin had gone soft on her.

How could there be such a good person?

Xu Chengjin had indeed gone soft on her. She actually regretted hanging up the moment she did. Si Yu was also like a little bitter gourd, yet she had lashed out at her. But the thought of Si Yu wanting to distance herself made her feel irritable.

What kind of ridiculous jinx? Jinx the heavens and the earth, why didn’t she jinx the rumor-mongers to death?

Xu Chengjin forcefully poked the screen. Besides, Si Yu’s voice had sounded off earlier. She immediately realized Si Yu must be sick. Si Yu hated hospitals even more than she did. Who was the disobedient one now?

She was the good one.

Xu Chengjin placed her phone face down on the bedside table. Lying flat on the bed, she tried to recall the later plot she knew, but after a long time, those memories became blurry. She wasn’t sure if it was because of her illness or the plot’s manipulation.

“I guess I’ll just sleep.”

Xu Chengjin pursed her lips, clutching the quilt with both hands. She closed her eyes and murmured softly, “Good afternoon.”

The summer cicadas’ chirping was annoying, stirring up people’s. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, falling into the room like scattered gold, shimmering brightly. Xu Chengjin sat by the bed and began transcribing notes. When she didn’t understand something, she would ask Jin Xi, who was very patient, answering everything Xu Chengjin asked.

Wu Boran sat beside her, legs crossed, holding a knife to peel an apple. It didn’t look very appetizing, though, with gouges all over it.

Only Xu Jing sat working in the room. She wore glasses, listening to her subordinate’s report. She spoke very little, only occasionally giving responses. But Wu Boran was too noisy. While peeling the apple, she kept wincing and making “hiss” sounds. Xu Jing endured it for a long time but finally couldn’t take it anymore. She quickly dismissed the meeting, stood up, and snatched the apple and knife from Wu Boran’s hands.

Wu Boran was stunned by Xu Jing’s actions. Her hands were still in their original position, the only change being her confused eyes. “What are you doing?”

Xu Jing didn’t say a word. She quickly peeled the apple. Compared to Wu Boran’s unevenly peeled apple, the one in her hand looked perfectly round and flawless.

“Wow.”

Wu Boran gasped in admiration. She held out her hand to Xu Jing. “CEO Xu is truly amazing. This skill is extraordinary…”

She suddenly stopped speaking, the smile on her face freezing. “Why are you eating my apple!”

“What’s the big deal about eating one apple?” Xu Jing glanced at Wu Boran, lowering her voice with the authority of an elder. “Are you being wasteful like this?”

“I was peeling it for myself!” Wu Boran stood up immediately, looking annoyed. “Not only did you snatch it, but you also ate it.”

“Do you want me to pay you back?” Xu Jing didn’t want to deal with Wu Boran at all. She let out an irritated “Tch.” “Get out your QR code.”

“Is it about money?”

“Can’t this problem be solved with money?”

“You’re hurting my self-esteem.”

“Your self-esteem is worthless.”

“…”

The two started bickering back and forth. It wasn’t exactly a quarrel, but Wu Boran’s tone was particularly sarcastic: “Forget it, I won’t argue with you. I’m afraid you might get too angry due to your age.”

Xu Jing retorted coolly, as if she didn’t care about Wu Boran at all: “So immature. I’ll talk to your parents later.”

Jin Xi sat nearby watching the two. She pouted, whispering to Xu Chengjin, “They’re both pretty childish.”

No sooner had she spoken than Wu Boran’s voice came over: “Why don’t you just sit on Xu Chengjin’s lap? Why not just lie down in her bed?”

“I’m helping her review her lessons. Did I bother you?”

Jin Xi turned her head and rolled her eyes, letting out a “Hmph.” “It’s better than you doing nothing here.”

“You think you’re great just because you’re in the same major as Xu Chengjin.”

Wu Boran sat on the chair, her gaze fixed on Xu Chengjin. “She’s all you ever talk about.”

Jin Xi maintained a smile, but it was clear every word was squeezed out through gritted teeth: “I am indeed great.”

Xu Chengjin, sitting between them, helplessly raised her hands: “Alright, alright, stop fighting.”

“We’re all friends. Don’t be so hostile the moment you meet.”

Xu Chengjin softly interrupted their conversation. Today was her discharge day. Jin Xi and Wu Boran had specially come to pick her up and take her home. After much thought, Xu Chengjin chose to return to the dorm. The doctor had also explained her condition: she mustn’t get emotional, as excitement could easily cause her to pass out.

Besides, she couldn’t avoid it even at home. It was better to respect Xu Chengjin’s wishes. The family discussed it, and they finally decided to let Xu Chengjin return to the dorm.

Xu Father and Xu Mother were busy at work again these two days. Coupled with the fact that Xu Chengjin’s illness was largely due to Xu Jing, their relationship had been somewhat strained recently. They simply let Xu Jing take Xu Chengjin back this time and chose not to intervene.

Xu Chengjin closed her notebook. She had copied enough. “I’m going to the restroom to change. Don’t you two start fighting.”

She stared hard at the three of them, her gaze sweeping over them one by one. Xu Chengjin warned sternly, “If you fight again, you won’t see each other next time.”

“And don’t see me either. I don’t know if it’s because of me, but you two are always at odds the moment you meet.”

After giving her instructions, Xu Chengjin took her clothes and went into the restroom. She placed her phone aside. After telling Si Yu not to reply to her that day, Si Yu hadn’t sent her any more messages. She wasn’t sure if Si Yu was truly obedient or just pretending. She had also seen many rumors about the Si Corporation online, saying that Si Yu had a firm grip on the company and that no one would be able to shake her position anytime soon.

This was consistent with the plot setting: Si Yu was a very powerful villain in the early stages, holding immense power, which led her to aggressively pursue the protagonist, attempting to obtain love through violence and money. This also propelled the romantic storyline between the two protagonists. Later, Wu Boran would overthrow Si Yu and become the most powerful and influential person.

Xu Chengjin changed her clothes while pondering. She had messaged Si Yu that morning, telling her she was being discharged today, but Si Yu hadn’t replied.

“If she wants to reply, fine. If not, whatever.”

Xu Chengjin let out a soft “humph,” picked up her phone, and pushed the door open. The moment she looked over, she saw Jin Xi and Wu Boran hastily avert their gazes. There was no hint of affection, only the annoyance of having been interrupted. It looked like they were ready to clash again any second.

This was not about forming a powerful alliance; this was clearly about physical combat…

Xu Chengjin cracked a smile at the corner of her lips. She cleared her throat twice. “Um, I’m ready. We can go now.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than the weather outside suddenly turned gloomy. The next second, there was thunder and lightning, and heavy rain poured down onto the ground. This kind of weather was common in summer, so they weren’t too surprised. However, Xu Jing said, “Put on another jacket so you don’t catch a cold.”

Xu Chengjin blinked. She looked innocently at the three of them and obediently went to put on a jacket. “I wonder when this rain will stop.”

“It should be soon.”

Xu Jing pushed Xu Chengjin’s suitcase toward the exit. “Let’s go now. We’ll grab a meal after dropping you off at school.”

Bickering aside, as the oldest among them, she still needed to show basic courtesy. Besides, it was just a meal; it wouldn’t affect anything.

Xu Chengjin’s eyes curved into a smile at her words. She put her phone in her bag. The phone, which was set to silent, made no sound. It stayed quietly in the bag. No matter how much the screen flashed, the only response was silence.

“I’ll get the umbrellas.” Wu Boran’s and Xu Jing’s cars were both parked at the entrance, but Wu Boran’s car was closer. Without hesitation, she rushed out into the rain, quickly retrieved two umbrellas from the trunk, and said, “Be careful not to catch a cold.”

Xu Jing took an umbrella and held it over Xu Chengjin. Standing beside Xu Chengjin, the dropped umbrella directly blocked Xu Chengjin’s view. Xu Chengjin lowered her head slightly and laughed. “I’m not that delicate.”

Xu Jing scolded her a couple more times, which made Xu Chengjin laugh again. The two walked into the rain sharing one umbrella and successfully got into the same car.

Xu Chengjin was in a good mood. After getting into the car, she grabbed a blanket to cover her legs and leaned back in relaxation. “Be careful on the road in the rain.”

She was completely unaware of the other figure behind her.

Si Yu stood at the hospital entrance. People coming and going often blocked her view, but she didn’t care.

She had been quite sick these past two days and had rushed over immediately after finishing her IV drip. Si Yu looked down at the seven missed calls on her phone and gave a helpless, bitter smile. She stood still in silence for a moment before turning and leaving.

It was her fault. She shouldn’t have tried to plan a surprise.

She had been presumptuous.

“I should have—”

Si Yu’s voice was lost in the air, scattered by the wind, so faint:

“said it sooner.”