The Sickly Fake Daughter, But a Beloved Darling of All - Chapter 84

Si Yu was in the middle of a meeting when she saw Xu Jing’s message. She raised an eyebrow and signaled for the meeting to be paused before stepping out to call the other woman: “President Xu.”

“Do you have time? Let’s go out for a drink.”

Xu Jing’s tone was somewhat roguish, but Si Yu felt it sounded more like a threat. She gave a light laugh: “I don’t believe President Xu and I are on such familiar terms yet.”

“Let’s talk about Xu Chengjin’s matters.”

The sound of a lighter clicking came from Xu Jing’s end. Si Yu frowned with displeasure: “Talk? This is a matter between the two of us; what is there to talk about with you?”

“She is an adult, a completely independent person. Do you think a few words between the two of you can just ‘settle’ her affairs?”

“I’ll wait for you here.”

Xu Jing dropped that single sentence and hung up immediately, sending an address and demanding Si Yu come over.

Not only childish, but overbearing.

Si Yu gave a disdainful “tch,” turned around, and went back to continue her meeting.

But she had to attend this appointment. At 9:30 PM, Si Yu arrived at the private booth the other had reserved. The overall atmosphere of this bar was decent, not particularly noisy. Si Yu glanced around before pushing the door open and walking in.

“I thought you wouldn’t show up.”

There were several glasses of alcohol in front of Xu Jing, but her eyes were clear; she didn’t look like she had touched a drop. “Sit.”

“Make it short. I’m busy.”

Si Yu sat down next to Xu Jing, crossing her legs and leaning back relaxedly: “I’ll give you five minutes.”

Xu Jing frowned at the arrogant woman and let out a cold laugh: “You’re quite bold.”

“Xu Jing, being around you all lately must have given you the… illusion that I’m easy to bully.”

Si Yu glanced at Xu Jing, her eyes devoid of their previous gentleness, filled only with disdain and coldness: “If I wanted to destroy you all, it would be very simple.”

“Si Yu, don’t go too far.” Xu Jing picked up a glass and drained it in one go, gritting her teeth. “I can tell how much sincerity you have for Xiaojin. Don’t treat her as an object for your amusement!”

“What do you mean by ‘amusement’?” Si Yu’s temper flared up as well. “When she was with you, was that not amusement?”

“I respect her and ask for her thoughts. This matter is a consensus reached between the two of us. Just because something doesn’t go your way, does that make it coercion and threats?”

“Xu Jing, I don’t deny your feelings for Xu Chengjin over all these years, but from beginning to end, your feelings have been selfish enough.” Si Yu stood up and straightened her clothes. She checked the time and cast a cold sidelong glance at the other. “You know best what kind of thoughts you harbor toward Xu Chengjin. Don’t come looking for me again.”

Si Yu withdrew her gaze and turned to walk out. A moment before pushing the door open, her lips moved:

“I am no saint.”

The argument between Xu Jing and Mother Xu that day had also made Xu Chengjin feel that something was wrong. She had tried to ask Mother Xu questions, but they were all brushed off with perfunctory answers. The refusal to give her a straight answer only deepened the suspicion in Xu Chengjin’s heart.

What did Xu Jing mean that day?

“You can be discharged today.” Jin Xi had made a special effort to arrive early today. She was still unaware of the situation between Xu Chengjin and Si Yu, her heart full of the joy of becoming a family with her.

“Xiaojin, shall I cook for you when we get back?”

Jin Xi was packing Xu Chengjin’s things, her eyes crinkling into a smile: “Have you felt any better physically these past two days?”

Xu Chengjin blinked. Sitting on the hospital bed, she suddenly spoke: “Jin Xi.”

“Hmm?”

Jin Xi turned her head, thought for a moment, and walked over: “What is it?”

Xu Chengjin sensed someone approaching her. She tilted her head up slightly and said, word by word: “I’m getting engaged.”

Those few words felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, crashing down until Jin Xi’s head spun. Jin Xi froze on the spot, looking at Xu Chengjin in total disbelief. For a moment, she even wondered if she was hallucinating: “What did you say?”

“Si Yu and I are getting engaged.”

Xu Chengjin heard the abnormality in Jin Xi’s tone and said gently: “It happened a few days ago. I’ve thought about this for a long time; I don’t consider this a whim.”

Jin Xi’s pupils shook. She let out a hollow laugh, tucked her hair back, and turned away. After a few seconds of silence, she reached a conclusion: “You’ve lost your mind.”

Xu Chengjin smiled: “I haven’t. Jin Xi, I know exactly what I’m doing.”

“You don’t!”

Jin Xi felt the world had gone mad. She had only gone to school for a bit—how could Xu Chengjin suddenly be with Si Yu?

Then what did her expectations over these days count for?

She had thought the status barrier between them had been eliminated, that she no longer had to worry about being mismatched—they were already family!

“How long have you two even known each other? Not even two months, and you’re already at the point of engagement?” Jin Xi tried her best to keep her voice steady. “I think this matter should be reconsidered.”

“Mother knows, and Sister knows too.”

Xu Chengjin toyed with the hem of her clothes. She lowered her head and silently curled her lips: “I plan to go live at her place for a while. If it’s really not a good fit, then we’ll see.”

“Living together?” Jin Xi caught the keyword, completely unable to understand. “You have a home, why won’t you come home? Is it because of me? Xiaojin, I never—”

“Jin Xi!”

Xu Chengjin interrupted Jin Xi’s words. She felt around to put on her shoes and got off the bed, her voice softening considerably: “Don’t take the blame upon yourself. If we’re tracing it back to the root, it’s my fault for being unwilling to speak up all along. It’s my mistake. I’m not refusing to go home because of you. I also want to try a new life, and I truly want to try things out with Si Yu.”

“Do you like her?”

Jin Xi walked up to Xu Chengjin and grabbed the other’s hands. The area under her eyes was red, but the other woman couldn’t see it at all. She steadied her voice: “Since when?”

“Is there any meaning in asking this?”

Xu Chengjin lowered her head. Even if she couldn’t see the other person, she could sense the temperature. She wanted to pull her hands away: “Jin Xi, nothing will change between us.”

“Xiaojin.”

Jin Xi gripped Xu Chengjin’s hands tightly against her own chest and let out a sob: “Do you really not understand my feelings? Can you really not feel them?”

“I like you, Xu Chengjin. I like you.” Her emotions suddenly spiraled out of control. “Can we really not be together?”

“Jin Xi!” Xu Chengjin said sharply. “Let go of me.”

“But—”

“What are you two doing?”

Xu Jing walked in with Si Yu. She interrupted the conversation between the two, her face unreadable. “Xiaojin, if living there is uncomfortable, call Sister. I will come to pick you up immediately.”

“Okay.”

Xu Chengjin silently withdrew her hands and looked away, her expression revealing nothing. Si Yu didn’t say anything either; she simply took her hand, picked up the luggage, and left. Xu Jing and Jin Xi didn’t exchange a word the entire time, acting like mere bystanders.

“What were you two arguing about just now?” Xu Jing intended to go down to see them off, but she paused first to ask Jin Xi: “Xiaojin’s health isn’t great. Wait until her condition stabilizes before talking.”

“And about her and Si Yu…”

“Sister.”

Jin Xi wiped the tears from her face and let out a cold laugh: “It’s only an engagement anyway, not a marriage.”

“Furthermore—”

Jin Xi stepped forward to follow them. She said:

“Even if you get married, you can divorce.”