There's Something Wrong With My Little White Flower - Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Elder Sister of a Brother-Obsessed Family X University Professor

Five years later.

It was a weekend, yet the central auditorium of Chengjing University of Science and Technology was bustling with people. Young students eagerly poured into the hall. A curious passerby couldn’t help but ask: “Who is giving a lecture today?”

A young girl wearing a work badge stopped: “Don’t you know? The expert delegation from the CNSA is coming today!”

The CNSA had just successfully completed a crewed mission to Mars, causing a sensation worldwide. The mission’s astronauts were the first to carry an independently developed AI-assisted intelligent robot to help process complex data in space. The engineers from this AI project team were scheduled to be here today.

The girl’s eyes sparkled as she said: “One of the AI project members is Dr. Ruan, an alumna of our CST!”

She had struggled to get this work badge from her advisor. She wondered if she would get a chance to ask her senior to sign an autograph later.

Thinking excitedly, the girl moved through the crowd to the backstage rest area. Suddenly, she saw a tall young woman standing with her back to her, seemingly talking to someone.

When she clearly saw the person standing opposite, the girl almost cheered aloud—it was Senior Ruan!

Senior Ruan was wearing a formal, form-fitting black suit that outlined her slender waist. Her hair was pulled up, with only a few wisps falling around her face, making her look gentle and beautiful. Just as the girl was about to say hello, she saw the taller woman lean slightly forward…

She used her finger to lift Senior Ruan’s chin. The gesture looked natural, yet held an unspeakable intimacy. Immediately after, she pulled out a slim golden tube of lipstick and meticulously touched up Ruan Jiyun’s lip makeup.

The girl watched as Dr. Ruan Jiyun, who was typically reserved in news and interviews, blushed as if rouge had been applied, the color spreading from the corners of her eyes all the way to her ears. That blush was so captivating, her limited vocabulary failed to describe it. She only felt her heart skip a gentle, soft beat.

She quietly covered her slightly open mouth, retreating from the rest area with a subtle smile, as if she had witnessed some wonderful secret scene, entirely unaware of her own expression.

Following the dinner, a cocktail party was held as a customary conclusion. Under the enormous crystal chandelier, guests stood in groups of two or three by the dance floor, chatting in low voices. Jiang Peifeng smiled, greeted several familiar partners, took a glass of champagne for herself, and retreated to the corridor outside.

Unbeknownst to her, her little white flower had become a world-renowned female scientist. She shone brilliantly in her specialized field, the shadow of the anxious girl from years ago long gone.

After completing her doctorate, the little white flower smoothly joined the CNSA’s intelligent robotics project team, starting preparations to build their own space AI assistant robot. Concurrently, Jiang Peifeng shifted to the civilian AI sector, focusing on intelligent logistics research and development, securing a leading market position in less than a decade.

For Ruan Jiyun’s parents, the further their daughter progressed, the more starkly they were reminded of the profound impact of Jiang Peifeng’s words years ago.

At the beginning of every month, Ruan Jiyun would send them a living allowance through a lawyer—an amount neither too much nor too little, precisely meeting the legal standard for alimony.

The day the money arrived each month was a time of deep regret for Ruan’s father and mother.

If not for their patriarchal bias, if not for their inability to distinguish right from wrong, how could they be the only family absent from those now able to share in their daughter’s honor?

The greatest punishment for the greedy is to let them watch the benefits that could have been theirs slowly slip away. This regret will continue for a very long time.

Jiang Peifeng was standing by the French window, lost in thought about the upcoming matters, when a slight commotion erupted at the doorway. Immediately after, she heard a familiar voice.

“Sister, you snuck away again.”

Ruan Jiyun had changed into a fishtail floor-length gown. The dress was designed to be very fitted, the smooth train draping along her curves all the way to her feet. However, the neckline at the chest was daringly low, revealing a flash of fair skin when she moved. Jiang Peifeng’s heart stirred. She unconsciously walked over to Ruan Jiyun, shielding the view.

“This is your celebration,” she said with a smile. “It’s fine for me to step out for air, but as the main character, how can you sneak away?”

Ruan Jiyun answered her with a fragrant kiss. She looked up, still like a shy girl, planting a light, fleeting kiss on Jiang Peifeng’s cheek, and responded with a light laugh: “Because my future cannot be shared without you.”

Since Jiang Peifeng successfully resolved her family issues, Ruan Jiyun had poured all her energy into her research career. She was already highly talented, combined with a dedication to learning greater than the average person. For two years, she flew alone to the United States for an exchange program, working day and night. When Jiang Peifeng visited her, she found her little white flower had once again become as thin as she was when they first met.

Alarmed, Jiang Peifeng hired a cook to prepare meals and personally supervised Ruan Jiyun to ensure she ate and rested on time. After several months of careful tending, she finally managed to help Ruan Jiyun regain some weight.

It was also from that time that she noticed an unwavering intensity in Ruan Jiyun’s pursuit of her goals. She worked desperately to move forward, as if to achieve some objective as quickly as possible.

Their proposal was initiated by Ruan Jiyun. Before leaving the US, she secretly used her scholarship money to buy a ring for Jiang Peifeng. In a way that was arguably unromantic but utterly dominant, she directly slipped it onto Jiang Peifeng’s ring finger: “Sister, wait for me to give you the most perfect wedding.”

Due to consideration for Ruan Jiyun’s future, Jiang Peifeng’s attitude regarding the matter was rather reserved. Immediately upon returning home, Ruan Jiyun won an award for young female scientists. At the conference, the little white flower gave an elegant address:

“In my childhood, I was often an insecure person. Because I was born a girl, traditionally, girls were synonymous with being ‘money-llosing’ and ‘useless.’ To gain my parents’ approval, the young me tried incredibly hard. I desperately tried to guess their preferences, like a multiple-choice question, having to select a standard answer for every word they spoke.”

“Until I met a person who told me that love never requires exchange. There will naturally be someone who sees your strengths, your charm, and who will come specifically for you.”

“…I deeply love my scientific career, and I still work incredibly hard every day. But this time, it is no longer for some ‘correct’ option, but to strive to create an ideal world.”

Six years later, Z City No. 1 Middle School.

The “Ruan Jiyun Bursary” was officially established this year. Its founders were businesswoman Jiang Peifeng and her close friend, scientist Ruan Jiyun. The scholarship aimed to help all girls with dreams complete their high school education and continue supporting them until the end of their academic careers.

At the collaboration ceremony, many reporters had long been anticipating the event. In recent years, as Dr. Ruan gradually shone brightly in the scientific community, some dissonant voices emerged. The most escalating rumors concerned her being unmarried for many years and even certain same-sex gossip.

During the press conference, a male reporter suddenly challenged her: “Dr. Ruan, there are many rumors circulating about your private life. As a beautiful scientist, do you currently have plans for your lifelong personal matters?”

Jiang Peifeng immediately looked at Ruan Jiyun, finding her completely unfazed. She was slightly worried that the little white flower might be provoked into saying something impulsive and subconsciously prepared to have the host take control.

However, the first person to interrupt the reporter was a young girl.

“As a reporter, don’t you feel ashamed asking such a question?”

The girl’s voice was filled with indignation, saying crisply: “Would you ask a male scientist when he plans to get married and have children? Dr. Ruan’s contributions benefit all of humanity. You have no understanding of these achievements, yet you only care if she fulfills a conventional role as a woman?”

Her question embarrassed the male reporter, who retorted: “I am asking on behalf of the vast majority of netizens…”

The next moment, the staff responsible for the live web broadcast saw rows of comments flash across the large screen.

“Who appointed you to represent me? As a netizen, I’m more interested in asking when ‘Time Light Generation II’ will be available!”

“I don’t know if Dr. Ruan will marry, but I know no decent girl will want to marry you after today!”

“Be a decent person, brother. Even as a man, I don’t want to speak for you.”

Amidst the murmurs, Ruan Jiyun calmly took the microphone. She first smiled gratefully at the young girl who had spoken up for justice, then said softly: “Thank you. Next question, please.”

Seven years later, Stockholm, Sweden.

All cameras were focused on a Chinese woman on the podium. Her figure was slender, wearing a traditional Chinese-style Qipao dress. The jade bracelet on her wrist shone with a smooth luster under the lights.

Time had been kind to her; the subtle lines around her eyes only added a touch of mature grace to her smile. Ruan Jiyun opened her lips to the microphone and smiled: “Thank you to the committee for awarding me this prize. I must especially thank one person.”

“It took me eighteen years to finally reach a point where I can introduce her to everyone. Thank you to the person who has always accompanied me, supported me, and given me endless encouragement and love, my beloved—Jiang Peifeng. I want to share everything with you, my glory and my joy, every moment of the future.”

She repeated the statement in English. Inside the vast auditorium, a thunderous applause suddenly erupted.

At the after-party following the ceremony, Jiang Peifeng brought Ruan Jiyun a glass of red wine. Her face carried her usual indulgent smile, and she gently stroked Ruan Jiyun’s hair: “You know I will support you anytime you want to do anything.”

She hadn’t expected her girl to quietly wait until the highest platform before tenderly presenting her to the world. Thinking of Ruan Jiyun’s relentless work over the years, she felt both deeply moved and heartbroken.

Ruan Jiyun smiled and shook her head, stating seriously: “Because it’s you, I thought long and hard, and I only wanted to place you at the most brilliant moment.”

Time flew by. In this world, Dr. Ruan Jiyun eventually passed away at the age of eighty-two. Her life was dedicated to science, making immense contributions to the development of aerospace projects. She was also actively involved in charity, focusing on female education for many years. Her foundation helped countless girls realize their dreams of education and pursue broader lives.

As Dr. Ruan’s lifelong partner, Jiang Peifeng stayed with her until the very end. However, from the latter half of this world, she had secretly made a new decision.

When the system’s familiar chime sounded, the room composed of white screens reappeared before Jiang Peifeng. This time, she wasn’t eager to continue but stood quietly in front of the screen, asking a question.

“I must have participated in many world missions before, but I can’t remember no matter how hard I try. Were the female leads in those worlds also the same person?”

The system was silent for a moment before answering: “That is not a question I can answer. Correction Master, would you like to enter the next world?”

Jiang Peifeng shook her head: “I want to know one thing: is there any way to end her fate?”

World after world, her little white flower always had to endure unbearable suffering and torment, waiting for her rescue. This made Jiang Peifeng increasingly sad. She wanted Ruan Jiyun to be free.

This time, the system was silent for a very long time. Just as Jiang Peifeng wondered if it hadn’t heard, the system’s cold electronic voice replied: “You mean, you hope Ruan Jiyun never has to experience worlds like these again, correct?”

Jiang Peifeng nodded: “I want her to be free.”

System: “In that case, you can choose to challenge Super High Difficulty World Four. If you successfully save her in this world, she will no longer be reincarnated into system worlds. However… if you fail, then…”

It stopped speaking, instead displaying two buttons on the screen, representing the options “Continue Reincarnation – World Four” and “Truth Challenge – World Four.”

Jiang Peifeng pressed the button representing her choice without hesitation.

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