Translated by: Queen Dei Mos
Novel Update Schedule: Sporadic
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 / Cheng Xiao- 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)
Li Chen – Young master of the Li Group
Ji Bai could only watch as the homeroom teacher took Xie Sui away. Turning to Chen Zheyang, she asked, “Did you bring Teacher Liang here?”
Chen Zheyang was slightly startled and defended himself, “‘How could that be? I just met Teacher Liang on the way and asked him some questions. Since the small garden had tables, chairs and was quiet, we came over here.”
Ji Bai knew Chen Zheyang was lying because he had an unconscious habit of pinching the hem of his pants. In the previous life, Ji Bai had been deceived by Chen Zheyang for a long time before she gradually discovered this bad habit of his.
“Chen Zheyang, you can’t fool me.” Ji Bai stared at him intently. “Why did you do this?”
Chen Zheyang, seeing that he couldn’t hide it any longer, simply said, “Bai Bai, you shouldn’t associate with people like Xie Sui, he’s not a good person.”
He’s not a good person, then are you?
Ji Bai wanted to retort, but she held back and coldly said, “My business does not concern you.”
“I care about you too.”
“It’s the sick Ji Fei Fei that you should be concerned about, not me.”
Sometimes, Ji Bai truly wished that Chen Zheyang would remain the Chen Zheyang who was infatuated with Ji Feifei. If they could end up together, Ji Bai felt it would be a good deed, at least they wouldn’t go on to harm others.
For some reason, in this life, Chen Zheyang’s interests suddenly changed, and he seemed more and more interested in her.
“Bai Bai, if you’re turning me down because of Fei Fei, then I won’t accept it.”
Ji Bai was utterly amazed at how narcissistic this guy was. No, from what she could see now he was just plain stupid.
He couldn’t see that Ji Feifei’s attention toward him was merely driven by vanity nor could he see that Ji Bai was keeping her distance from him simply because she disliked him.
“Chen Zheyang, let me say this to you one last time. Stay away from me in the future.”
After coldly saying this, Ji Bai turned and left.
At 6 p.m., Xie Sui finally emerged from the academic affairs office.
Bullying someone in school, especially a girl, naturally led to a stern scolding and a written pledge.
However, this time, Xie Sui’s “confession” was quite sincere. He apologized for bullying a girl without issue and wrote the pledge without any complaints.
The director of academic affairs had nothing to say and could only let him go.
At the school gate, he saw the girl standing and waiting anxiously under the sycamore trees at the crossroads.
The moment he spotted her, her eyelashes trembled, and her tightly pressed lips suddenly relaxed.
She waved at him, as if letting out a huge sigh of relief.
Xie Sui felt a pang in his heart. At that moment, he realized that from then on, he would no longer be alone.
When he was close, Ji Bai asked with concern, “Did the director give you a hard time?”
“What can he do to me?” Xie Sui raised the notebook in his hand. “Wrote a self-reflection.”
Ji Bai gave him a reproachful look and said, “Why did you do that?”
“If I didn’t do that, both of us would have been in trouble. Now it’s about sacrificing the pawn to save the king.”
Xie Sui thought about what had just happened and chuckled. He reached out to pat the dust off her butt, but Ji Bai covered her butt and moved away from him, not letting him touch her.
“Did I kick you hard?”
“No.”
Xie Sui pushed her bike and walked with her along the sycamore-lined path. The leaves gently rustled in the warm evening breeze.
“I just figured it out.” Xie Sui spoke up. As long as you have feelings for me, I don’t mind waiting, I can wait as long as it takes.”
Ji Bai looked at the young man beside her, his head slightly lowered, and his bangs partially obscuring his deep-set eyes.
“Right now, you’re still young. I don’t want to drag you down, and cause you to be scolded by the teacher or have conflicts with your classmates.”
His voice was rough and gritty, reminiscent of a pen scraping against sandpaper.
“I just want to ask one thing, do you have feelings for me?” He looked at Ji Bai, his expression nervous and sincere.
Do you have feelings for me?
Ji Bai hesitated, her lips parting slightly before closing again. She cast her eyes downward, her small hand tightly gripping the shoulder strap of her bag.
“Whether I do or not, can’t you tell?”
After she said this in a low voice, she quickened her pace and hurried away.
The warm spring breeze suddenly swept into his heart, and Xie Sui felt like his heart was about to burst with joy.
**
True to his word, Xie Sui stayed away from the boxing gym during that period.
Despite the manager calling him multiple times, promising to increase his appearance fee, Xie Sui did not show up again.
At least for this period, he couldn’t afford to get another injury on his face anymore.
In the late afternoon of late March, a few hours before the dinner party, Ji Bai went to Xie Sui’s house. She watched as he put on the custom-made suit he thought looked very good on him.
The young man stood in front of the mirror, his figure tall and spirited. Although his face still carried a youthful air, his figure had already begun to take on the shape of an adult male.
He neatly tucked his shirt into his waist, lowered his head to adjust his clothes which caused the side of his face to be shadowed by the light, making his features appear even more profound.
He looked back at the girl behind him, and nervously asked, “Handsome?”
“Handsome.” Ji Bai smoothing out the folds of his jacket for him.
He did look genuinely good. Xie Sui has always had a great figure. After putting on the suit, it toned down his whole demeanor, and made him look more refined and restrained.
She pulled him closer, carefully examining his face. The bruise on the corner of his mouth had faded quite a bit, but the mark was still faintly visible.
After a moment of contemplation, Ji Bai took out foundation and powder from her school bag.
Xie Sui had a bad feeling about this and took a step back, his guard up, “What are you up to?”
Ji Bai squeezed a bean-sized amount of foundation onto her fingertip and told Xie Sui, “I’ll put some makeup on you to cover it up.”
“Laozi would rather die.”
Xie Sui firmly refused. There was no way he was going to wear makeup like a girl. Becoming a little white face1(Original Text): 小白脸 – xiǎo bái liǎn. (English): little white face. Meaning/Purpose: attractive young man; pretty boy; Adonis, maybe a sissy was out of the question.
他宁愿死！He would rather die!
……
Fifteen minutes later, Xie Sui sat in a chair with a long face, letting the girl dab and pat his face with a soft sponge.
His dark eyes were pools of despair, mirroring a heart devoid of life.
Ji Bai thought there was nothing wrong for a boy to use a little makeup to cover up some blemishes. She picked the most natural shade, which wouldn’t make him look like a little white face at all.
However, deep down, as a straight guy, he really couldn’t take it, he felt like he was betraying his own masculinity.
However, Xie Sui couldn’t resist Ji Bai. He had once said that when she became his woman, he would to listen to her every word……
A man breaking his word was more terrifying than wearing makeup.
After weighing his options, Xie Sui decided to be her little white face for this occasion.
“Is it done?”
“Almost done, don’t rush me.” Ji Bai carefully patted the light layer of foundation evenly on his face, covering the bruise on the corner of his mouth and improving his complexion.
The lights at tonight’s dinner party were going to be very bright, so the effect on his face would look even better.
Ji Bai cupped his face, admiring it with satisfaction. His fair skin tone had been elevated a notch, glowing with a translucent texture under the lights. With light brown eyes complementing his slightly reddened lips, he had a refined and elegant air around him.
His facial features were so exquisite that it was hard to look away.
Ji Bai gently pinched his chin, and Xie Sui felt more and more like a little white face and a kept man. Deciding to take the initiative, he reached out and grasped the girl’s slender waist.
The girl slightly trembled and quickly retreated, saying, “What are you touching me for?”
In such an ambiguous atmosphere, with only the two of them in the empty room and a large bed, Xie Sui wasn’t sure if he could control himself from doing certain things.
He pulled himself together, withdrew his hand, and behaved properly, no longer touching her.
Even though the desire boiling within him was clamoring…he still managed to restrain and control himself.
The girl was still too young, as fragile as a glass or flower. He couldn’t even bear to hold her tightly, let alone do something so rough to her.
Seeing Xie Sui suddenly behave himself, Ji Bai felt a little relieved.
The charity dinner party was set to be held outdoors in the garden of the Century City Hotel, which is owned by the Ji Group. Socialites and ladies of high society mingled, their elegant dresses and styled hair creating a lively and glamorous atmosphere.
Dressed in a beautiful knee-length dress, Ji Bai walked into the garden with Xie Sui, who was in a suit.
Wherever handsome men and beautiful women go, they always attract attention, especially this pair of extremely good-looking individuals. Everyone turned to stare, their whispers filling the air.
“Is that Ji Bai, the youngest granddaughter of Old Madam Ji?”
“Exactly. At the last annual gathering, she was always by the old lady’s side. Looks like she’s quite favored ah.”
“Which family’s young master is that handsome guy beside her? Why haven’t I seen him before?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him either.”
“They really make a good pair, don’t they? Are they lovers?”
“They’re probably just friends. Ji Bai is still in senior high school.”
……
Ignoring the gossip around her, Ji Bai held onto Xie Sui’s arm, leaned against him, and whispered to him.
Xie Sui was tall so every time she spoke, he patiently lowered his head, an unconscious gesture that made many young girls around swoon.
Ji Bai asked Xie Sui, “Are you nervous?”
“How could I be?”
Although Xie Sui didn’t admit it, Ji Bai could sense his caution and carefulness from his tense expression.
This was Xie Sui’s first time attending such a dinner party, so naturally he couldn’t compare to those young masters who were accustomed to social gatherings.
Therefore, Ji Bai didn’t mingle with others. staying by Xie Sui’s side and only talking to him, which helped him loosen up a bit.
Actually, if Ji Bai had ambitions regarding the position of being the successor to the Ji Group, she should have been more proactive in such social situations, like her cousin Ji Jing, who was currently mingling with the board members nearby.
Ji Jing was dressed in an elegant evening gown, holding a glass of champagne. She chatted and laughed with the slightly younger elders, her demeanor poised and graceful.
Beside her stood Li Chen, impeccably dressed in a suit.
Li Chen noticed Ji Bai and raised his wine glass to her with a smile.
Ji Bai also politely returned the smile.
However, when Li Chen glanced at Xie Sui beside her, a hint of surprise flickered in his dark eyes.
Seeing Ji Bai smile and greet Li Chen, Xie Sui felt uncomfortable again. He walked in front of Ji Bai and stood between her and Li Chen, blocking them.
“What are you doing?” Ji Bai whispered “That’s very rude.”
Xie Sui stubbornly and frankly replied, “I don’t like you associating with him.”
“Li Chen and I are friends, you know ah.”
“He’s not your friend. Your only friends are me and other girls.”
Ji Bai’s lips twitched.
He had always been selfish and overbearing, with a heart so small that could only accommodate this one girl. He couldn’t stand any other man showing even a hint of interest in her.
“You already belong to me, so you can only have me.” He rudely and unreasonably said, “If you dare to be with someone else, I’ll kill him.”
Ji Bai helplessly looked at him and softly said, “You’re so jealous, it’s almost cute.”
Xie Sui rubbed his nose. “Laozi is not jealous.”
It was obvious from the naked eye that he was jealous but he refused to admit it. Ji Bai laughed but nevertheless said, “I promise I won’t be with anyone else. Is that okay, Xie Sui?”
Xie Sui’s dissatisfaction instantly melted away when she smiled at him.
Shortly after, Old Madam Ji came out. With the utmost respect, Ji Bai pulled Xie Sui to stand in front of the old lady and introduced him, “Grandma, this is my schoolmate, Xie Sui.”
“Hello, grandma.”
Old Madam Ji sized Xie Sui up and nodded approvingly. Half-teasingly she said, “No wonder Bai Bai refused even that Li Chen boy. Turns out you already found a more handsome partner.
Ji Bai quickly interrupted the old madam, “Grandma!”
Seeing her granddaughter blush, Old Madam Ji stopped teasing her and simply urged her, “Just relax and have fun tonight. No need to be too restrained.”
After the Old Madam left, Xie Sui gave a knowing smile and teased, “Oh~~~.”
“What are you ‘oh’-ing about!”
“I’m just casually ‘oh’-ing.”
Ji Jing walked over to Ji Bai and exchanged greetings.
Ji Bai politely responded to her and nodded to Li Chen as well.
Ji Jing seemed more interested in the handsome guy next to Ji Bai. She hadn’t seen him before and wondered if he was a young master from another company, but she wasn’t sure.
“Bai Bai, why don’t you introduce us?”
“This is Xie Sui, my schoolmate.”
Xie Sui glanced at her, so she added, “And also my best friend.”
Xie Sui seemed quite pleased with this label. After all, anything with the word “best” added to it was unrivaled.
He placed his hand on Ji Bai’s waist and pulled her closer to him.
While this action might seem intimate under normal circumstances, he was her date now, so it was perfectly natural.
Ji Bai discreetly pinched his palm.
This guy, showing off like this in front of Li Chen. Others must be thinking that the two of them were being presumptuous.
Ji Jing calmly greeted Xie Sui, “Hello ah, I’m Ji Jing, Ji Bai’s older cousin.”
Xie Sui casually replied, “Hello.”
Ji Jing suggested that Ji Bai join her to meet a few close female friends. Naturally, it wouldn’t be appropriate to bring Xie Sui along so she gave him a worried look and said, “You stay here and wait for me, alright?”
Xie Sui wasn’t going to stop her from socializing so he gave her a reassuring look.
Li Chen stood next to Xie Sui, gave a meaningful smile and praised him, “The suit looks good on you. It suits you very well.”
Xie Sui slightly frowned, casting a glance at Li Chen, his eyes showing a hint of confusion, as if Li Chen knew something he didn’t.
“A custom-made suit that costs tens of thousands of yuan is considered low-end.” Li Chen commented, “But you’re still a student. It’s already quite impressive that you can earn your own money.”
Hostility appeared in Li Chen’s eyes as clear as noonday, and Xie Sui, of course, knew exactly where it came from. Just as he instinctively viewed Li Chen as a threat, there was always a subtle sense of competition between males.
Xie Sui said in a low voice, “That boxing match that day, you were there.”
Li Chen gave a restrained smile and lightly tried to pat Xie Sui’s collar. “Was it worth putting your life on the line for a little bit of face?”
Xie Sui stepped aside to avoid him.
He looked at the girl on the opposite side. Lost in the crowd, she was bathed in the soft glow of the chandelier. A few wisps of her hair fell gently over her forehead, creating a serene and beautiful picture.
He paid a high price with his life, not for face, but the right to stand by her side.
**
Ji Bai accompanied her cousin Ji Jing as they navigated among the socialites and gentlemen. Her graceful manners and restrained demeanor earned her the admiration of her peers.
Unlike Ji Jing, who excelled in every way and had a rather haughty demeanor, making it difficult for peers to feel at ease around her, Ji Bai was humble and gentle, exuding a warm and calming aura.
Several girls exchanged social media accounts with her, hoping to stay in touch and become good friends in the future.
Ji Jing also discovered that even though she was the center of attention at such social gatherings, where girls admired and flattered her, no one had ever truly connected with her on a deeper level.
When they interacted with Ji Bai, it was more like conversing with a close friend. They chatted and laughed together, showing an unusual warmth and friendliness.
Not only with the girls but also with elders and even board members, Ji Bai was like a fish back in water, displaying confidence and completely shedding her former timid and reserved demeanor.
Gradually, Ji Jing stopped taking the initiative in introducing people to Ji Bai,
Her strong competitive spirit made her acutely aware of the threat posed by Ji Bai.
Ji Bai had lived for more than seven years, it was not a long or short period, but it was enough for Ji Bai to experience the harsh realities of life and taught her the complexities of human nature. Those seven years of hardship had accelerated her growth by twofold.
She had a keen understanding of these people’s likes, dislikes, and could even foresee their future. She could predict who would rise and who would fall, and who was genuine and who was two-faced…
The extra seven years had provided her with a strategic advantage. If she chose to join the inheritance struggle, she would be fully confident in her abilities.
Between conversations, Ji Bai’s gaze would frequently drift towards Xie Sui.
Xie Sui sat alone on a high stool by the bar, one leg slightly bent, the other straight and slender, rhythmically tapping the floor.
His cold and aloof demeanor set him apart from others around him, yet despite this, many girls were drawn to his handsome appearance and approached him to chat.
However, Xie Sui had no desire to engage in conversation. After exchanging a few words, the girls tactfully left.
No matter how charming his presence was or where his gaze wandered, his heart was solely reserved for the one he loved.
Ji Bai silently mouthed the words, “Want to leave?”
He replied to her, “No need.”
Knowing Ji Bai was concerned he might get bored, Xie Sui didn’t want to burden her further and decided to walk over to the buffet table to grab something to eat.
With a little more ease, Ji Bai turned her attention back to the people around her.
At the outdoor lawn, just as Xie Sui picked up his plate, he saw from a distance a beautiful and graceful madam walking hand in hand with a man in a suit, approaching slowly.
He was stunned.
It was his mother, Cheng Xiao.
T/N:
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Chapters Left: 47
