Translated by: Queen Dei Mos
Novel Update Schedule: Monday
Characters:
Ji Bai – MC
Ji Feifei – MC’s older sister
Ji Mingzhi – MC’s father
Tao Jiazhi – MC’s mother
Old lady Ji – paternal grandmother – Ji Mingzhi’s mother
Xie Sui – ML
Cong Yuzhou – ML friend
Jiang Zhongning – ML friend
Ai Xiaoxiao – MC’s close friend
Xu Huan – MC’s close friend
Yin Xiaxia – MC’s close friend
Madam Cheng – ML’s birth mother
Chen Zheyang – Childhood friend of MC and Ji Feifei
Chen Zhenheng – Principal of Dexin High School, Father of Chen Zheyang
Director Qin – Director of Academic Affairs
Lu Weiwei – Ex-girlfriend of Jiang Zhongning
Assistant Qin – Assistant of Old Lady Ji
Ji Jing – Cousin from Eldest Uncle (Brother of Ji Mingzhi)
Ji Feifei’s eyes widened in disbelief as she watched Ji Bai approach gracefully.
The flowing, shimmering evening dress accentuated her slender and graceful figure. Her neck was fair and slender, like that of an elegant swan. The surrounding lights fell on her cheeks, as if dusting them with a layer of fine powder. With a smile on her lips and clear eyes, she exuded a refined temperament.
In a manner of speaking, sisters should generally resemble each other. However, Ji Feifei couldn’t pinpoint when it began, but she began to gradually notice that the differences between her and Ji Bai seemed to be becoming more and more pronounced over time.
Their parents were distressed over their daughter and had instructed Aunt Zhou to prepare various nutritious soups for Ji Feifei every day—chicken soup, fish soup and pork trotter soup. Gradually, Ji Feifei’s figure began to develop towards plumpness, causing her facial features to become less distinct.
Meanwhile, after turning fifteen, Ji Bai seemed to blossom overnight like a rare orchid, stunningly beautiful that can cause people to marvel.
Ji Feifei’s hatred towards Ji Bai was mixed with jealousy, a jealousy that burned like fire every time she saw her.
In the previous life, Ji Bai was too kind-hearted, unable to see through her older sister’s intense jealousy behind her hypocritical smile. As a result, she foolishly believed that her older sister genuinely cared for her.
However, in reality, Ji Feifei caused Ji Bai to endure more than ten years of torment, making her growth period feel like a living hell.
This way, her heart felt slightly more balanced.
She wanted to rob her of her health, rob her of affection, rob her of the boy she liked, and even rob her of her life……
And at present, Ji Bai looked at Ji Feifei, who was also dressed in splendid clothes, with indifference and asked, “Can you return the invitation letter to me?”
Ji Feifei tightly clutched the invitation with its intricate golden trims, took two steps back, and looked left and right.
Many of their cousins stood by, watching the scene with cold eyes. Ji Feifei had always been the proud little princess of the family. If she left like this, she didn’t know how many years she would become a laughing stock to them in the future!
Feeling that she was losing face, Ji Feifei had no choice but to take out her phone and call her father. Soon enough, Ji Mingzhi and Tao Jiazhi, the couple, rushed to the entrance of the Century Hotel.
“Bai Bai, how did you come…” Tao Jiazhi looked for the scratch on Ji Bai’s waist, which had completely disappeared by now.
“Dad, Mom, Ji Bai clearly said that she wasn’t feeling well today and wanted to give me the invitation. Now she’s come over here all of a sudden. Isn’t she deliberately trying to embarrass me?!”
She found herself an awfully clumsy excuse.
The couple exchanged a glance with Ji Feifei, instantly understanding. With so many of their relatives present, if Ji Feifei was put on the spot, their family would lose face too.
Hence, Tao Jiazhi turned the blame on Ji Bai. “Bai Bai, it was clearly you who wasn’t feeling well today. How can you blame your older sister at this moment? If it wasn’t for you begging your older sister to attend the meeting on your behalf, she wouldn’t be standing here now. What you’re doing…is truly and extremely vicious.”
“Dad, Mom, she just hates me.” Ji Feifei started to wipe her tears, pretending to be pitiful and innocent. She was the best at it.
Ji Bai, from start to finish, remained silent throughout the entire ordeal.
She didn’t want to argue with these people. They were so convinced of their accusations against her that if she tried to defend herself, she would only become a bigger joke in their eyes.
That would only be lowering her status.
Just then, Old Lady Ji walked out of the hotel. “The annual meeting is about to start. What’s all the commotion about?”
“Chairman.”
“Grandmother.”
“Mother.”
As soon as the Old Madam appeared, the surrounding people immediately became a lot more respectful, not daring to even breathe loudly.
Old Lady Ji already had a rough idea of what was happening after listening at the door. At this moment, her mind was as clear as a mirror. She glanced at the calm and composed Ji Bai, a hint of admiration flickering in her eyes.
It was impressive that at such a young age, despite being criticized and even falsely accused by her own parents and older sister, she was still able to remain so calm.
Old Lady Ji eyed Ji Feifei, who was dressed up for the occasion, again and calmly said, “If I remember correctly, you weren’t invited to the annual meeting. How come you are here?”
“Grandmother! It was Ji Bai who begged me to come. She wasn’t feeling well today and didn’t want to disappoint you, so she asked me to attend on her behalf. Now she’s denying it, but Dad and Mom can testify to it.”
Old Lady Ji glanced at Ji Mingzhi and his wife. “Is that so?”
“Yes…that’s right.” Tao Jiazhi and Ji Mingzhi stammered, clearly feeling guilty under the burning gaze of Old Lady Ji.
At this moment, Ji Bai finally spoke up in a low voice, “That’s not true.”
Old Lady Ji patted her hand, then turned to Ji Feifei and said, “It seems you don’t understand, so let me make it clear to you.”
She glanced at the surrounding people from the Ji family and said, “All the brothers and sisters in the family who could come have received invitations from me. Only you, Ji Feifei, haven’t. It’s because you’ve made mistakes and showed no remorse. Did you think you could get in by using your younger sister’s invitation? Let me tell you, even if you enter through this door today, I will have you thrown out!”
Ji Feifei’s eyes went wide, feeling the mocking gazes of the surrounding people, her cheeks burned as she gritted her teeth and said, “If it weren’t for Ji Bai begging me, I wouldn’t have come at all…”
“Older sister, do you really want to force me to bring out the evidence of you ruining my dress before you’ll give up?”
Ji Feifei looked at Ji Bai suspiciously. “What evidence?”
Ji Bai calmly replied, “The seamstress Auntie said that the scratches on this dress were made intentionally and very skillfully. Once I put it on, the threads will gradually unravel. You didn’t just want to stop me from attending the annual meeting, you were doing everything to make me embarrass our family at the meeting.”
With this sentence, Tao Jiazhi and Ji Mingzhi became speechless. They had always favored Ji Feifei, but if Ji Feifei had truly done something so malicious as to frame Ji Bai, they would find it hard to forgive her.
Especially Ji Mingzhi, a man who valued his reputation so much, would never be able to tolerate his own daughter embarrassing herself in front of others.
“Fei Fei, is your younger sister saying the truth?”
“Did you really do such a thing?”
Ji Feifei shook her head repeatedly, loudly denying, “Nonsense! She’s talking nonsense. I just scratched it with my nails, it’s not that serious!”
With that, everyone instantly understood.
Ji Feifei quickly covered her mouth, looking at Ji Bai’s calm expression. She finally realized that she had been manipulated!
Old Lady Ji’s expression softened slightly, a hint of admiration in her eyes. It was clear that she was quite pleased with Ji Bai’s performance.
At this moment, Assistant Qin timely stepped forward and said, “This dress is quite expensive. If it was Miss Feifei who damaged it, how should the compensation be calculated?”
At first, Tao Jiazhi was about to pull the crying Ji Feifei away, but upon hearing this, she quickly turned back and said, “They’re sisters from the same family, what’s all this talk about compensation.”
“This is a gift from the chairman to Miss Ji Bai. Whether it needs compensation or not, it’s up to Miss Ji Bai to decide.”
Tao Jiazhi glanced at the Old Madam, who calmly stood on the side, squinting her eyes without saying a word. It seemed she was also waiting for Ji Bai’s response.
Her mother quickly urged Ji Bai, “Bai Bai, you and Fei Fei are sisters after all ah. Our family matters should be resolved behind closed doors. It’s embarrassing to make a scene like this, isn’t it?”
Our family matters should be resolved behind closed doors?
Ji Bai sneered. How many family matters had been resolved behind closed doors over the years? And each time, it was Ji Bai who gave in, leading her to become what she was today.
“A damaged dress is still a damaged dress. Even if it’s sewed and mended, it won’t be in perfect condition. Since older sister admitted to damaging it, she should compensate for it at its original price.”
Ji Feifei exclaimed in disbelief, “What did you say?! The original price! Are you out of your mind?”
Before Ji Bai could respond, the sisters in the family stepped forward to speak out in her defense——
“If you damage someone else’s clothes, you should compensate them ah! It’s only right and proper.”
“Even if you have an illness, you still need to be reasonable.”
Ji Mingzhi stepped forward and sighed. “Alright, let’s just compensate. We’ll deduct it from Fei Fei’s pocket money.”
Ji Bai knew that if the money for the dress was really deducted from her pocket money, she probably wouldn’t receive any pocket money for the next few years.
Ji Mingzhi’s words were just a casual remark in front of grandmother and their relatives. They couldn’t bear to see Ji Feifei being wronged.
Ji Bai said, “Older sister has a whole closet full of dresses. Let’s sell them all. Even though they might not fetch for the original price, I won’t make an issue out of it.”
When someone makes a mistake, they must accept punishment. Ji Bai would gradually teach Ji Feifei to understand this lesson.
With these words, Ji Feifei’s expression changed drastically. “Dad, look at her…”
“Shut up! Isn’t it embarrassing enough already? Whatever Ji Bai says goes. Come home with me!”
With the spectacle over, the onlookers dispersed, feeling satisfied.
Ji Bai walked over to Ji Feifei, took the invitation from her hand without sparing her a glance, and followed Assistant Qin and her grandmother through the hotel entrance.
Ji Feifei walked back with heavy steps, feeling the whispers and scornful glances around her like knives, each one carving into her back.
Each cut carried with it a trace of blood.
**
In the bustling hall of the annual meeting, filled with well dressed people, toasting, drinking alcohol and mingling.
Old Madam Ji, accompanied by Ji Bai, socialized with the directors and partners of the group.
Ji Bai appeared somewhat inexperienced in handling such social interactions, but her good demeanor and manners, along with her sincere way of conversing, earned her the favorable impression of many guests.
Dressed in suits, the cousins from the same grandfather watched Ji Bai from a distance as she followed behind the Old Madam, their expressions tinged with slight astonishment.
Ji Mingzhi, the second eldest son, had this quiet girl at home. How could she suddenly receive such favor from the Old Madam? She accompanied her throughout the entire annual meeting, helping her expand her network.
Even their own outstanding children had never received such an honor as Ji Bai.
Could it be that the Old Madam Ji had other expectations for her?
Everyone had their own calculations.
On the stage, a melodious and moving piano piece played. Ji Jing, her cousin from the eldest uncle’s family, was performing a famous piece by Chopin.
She was wearing a beautiful white dress, sitting gracefully at the piano with nimble fingers dancing on the black and white keys, exuding elegance and poise.
Ji Bai always felt that her cousin Ji Jing was a true young miss from a wealthy family——outstanding, beautiful, intelligent…Compared to her, Ji Feifei was lacking in many ways. If Ji Group were to produce a successor from among these siblings in the future, Ji Bai felt that it should be someone like her cousin Ji Jing.
Ji Bai was enjoying her cousin’s performance on the piano, unaware of the young man beside her gazing at her.
“Are you Ji Bai?”
Ji Bai glanced sideways and saw the young man in a suit.
The well-fitted black suit complemented his well-proportioned figure, with a tie meticulously snug around his neck. Despite being around the same age as her, his demeanor exuded a maturity that was beyond his years, and his handsome face had no flaws.
“Do you still remember me?”
Ji Bai looked at him for a long time, then asked with uncertainty, “Li Chen?”
A warm smile curved the corner of Li Chen’s eyes. “So, you still remember me.”
“How could I forget? We used to play together.”
Li Chen was the young master of the Li Group, pampered from head to toe as the little young master.
The Li family had been close to the Ji family for three generations. When Ji Bai was a child, she often saw Li Chen. The little young master, regardless of wherever he went, always had a serious and proper demeanor, and treated people with courtesy and politeness.
Li Chen sized Ji Bai up, his eyes filled with incredulity. “It’s been a long time since I last saw you. You’ve changed a lot, and became even more beautiful.”
“Thank you, Brother Li Chen.” Ji Bai chatted with Li Chen, “Are you in university now?”
“That’s right, at S University.”
S University was located in Jiangcheng and was one of the top universities in the country.
Ji Bai’s eyes showed a hint of longing. “I’m also preparing to apply to S University. I just don’t know if I can pass.”
“I remember that this year, you should be a third year student.”
Ji Bai didn’t expect Li Chen to remember her grade level. She nodded with a smile, “That’s right ah, I’m a third year student this year. I must work harder to get into the best university.”
“I still have the study materials from my senior high school days. When I have time, I’ll bring them to you. They should be helpful to you.”
Ji Bai’s eyes showed surprise. “Ah, thank you so much, Brother Li Chen!”
Li Chen was the city’s top scholar in the college entrance exam that year. His study materials would certainly be a great help to Ji Bai!
During their chat, her cousin Ji Jing’s piano piece had already come to an end. The audience politely applauded as she walked to the center of the stage, holding her dress, and gracefully thanked everyone.
Next, it was Ji Bai’s turn to play the cello.
Several assistants carefully lifted the cello onto the stage.
Compared to a piano performance, perhaps the posture of playing the cello was not as graceful and beautiful. Under the lights, her slender arms exaggeratedly played the piece, her body moving along with the intense melody. She had her eyes closed, completely immersed in her emotions.
The deep and low melody of the cello was like an old box that had been sealed for many years suddenly being opened, emitting an age-old wail. Dust danced in the bright light, everything appeared old-fashioned and full of charm.
At that moment, Li Chen looked a little dazed. She looked like a fairy who had accidentally entered the mortal world from a wonderland so beautiful beyond comparison.
The people around were also captivated by what he was gazing at. Even her usually proud cousin, Ji Jing was drawn to Ji Bai’s cello performance, staring fixated at her with an uncontrollable look of amazement in her eyes.
This little cousin from second uncle’s family, who had never stood out and been favored, today became an overnight celebrity ah.
After the musical piece finished, Ji Bai set her cello down and walked to the front of the stage to thank everyone. The entire hall erupted in thunderous applause. From a distance, Old Lady Ji watched her, with a hint of appreciation in her eyes.
She trusted her own judgment; Ji Bai was indeed a talent with great learning ability.
Ji Bai’s cheeks were faintly flushed, she also felt excited. This was the first time she had stood out in front of her family’s elders and peers. In the past, these relatives had never paid attention to her because they all knew that Ji Bai’s existence was merely as a “spare blood bank” for Ji Feifei, the poor hemophiliac patient in the family.
Who would regard a “spare good” with any importance?
However, after tonight, they might have to change their minds.
Throughout the entire annual meeting, Li Chen stayed by Ji Bai’s side, talking and chatting with her. The two hadn’t seen each other for a long time, but they got along quite well. Ji Bai had been asking for guidance from him about university applications.
In the blink of an eye, the clock struck midnight.
Everyone set down their champagne glasses and gathered by the floor-to-ceiling windows. In the night sky, brilliant fireworks began to blossom, bursting into clusters of dazzling lights.
Ji Bai walked to the floor-to-ceiling window with everyone else and looked outside.
The young man stood in the snow-filled night with thick snowflakes swirling around, looking up at the towering building, snowflakes settling in his dark eyes.
It felt as if a piece of Ji Bai’s heart had been suddenly hollowed out.
Everyone’s attention was drawn to the brilliant fireworks in the sky, looking up and exclaiming in admiration, except Ji Bai. She was lowering her head and staring downstairs in a daze.
Li Chen took notice of Ji Bai’s abnormality and followed her gaze downstairs, where he saw a young man standing in the snow, pushing his bike.
“Is he your friend?” Li Chen asked curiously. “Why is he standing in the snow ah?”
She was immersed in the lively atmosphere of glasses of alcohol and well-dressed people. And there he was, Xie Sui, waiting for her all along!
He wanted to spend the New Year with her.
At that moment, Ji Bai couldn’t care less about manners or propriety. In her eyes, there was only that lonely young man.
Like Cinderella at midnight, she hurriedly ran downstairs, holding up her dress.
T/N:
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Chapters Left: 55
