***********
CHAPTER 6
Ever since Bai Guiren remarried, his attention has been on his new wife and daughter. He only spared Bai Renxiang little time when she brought her good grades home or whey he wanted her not to join in a competition that she would surpass Bai Ming.
He became so unfair as time passed by. It was as if he was replaced with a new Bai Guiren that had Lin Ying and Bai Ming in his thoughts all day long.
She used to miss him and compete for his attention with Bai Ming, but that was the only thing she could not ever be the winner.
They always made Bai Ming's favorite whenever she wanted it. They would celebrate Bai Renxiang's birthday within themselves saying that having a family celebration was perfect.
But when it comes to celebrating Bai Ming's birthday, it would be grand as if they were honouring a princess. It was like she did not matter at all. Everything about her was insignificant.
Whenever it was dinner time, Bai Ming get to take the seat between her parents so that they could feed her because she was too delicate, so thin.
Everything changed.
She was the one that supposed to seat between her parents and the stepmother and stepsister pair stole her mother and her place at the table.
Bai Renxiang never got the chance to experience a family dinner where she would also be in the picture. Instead she got to be an onlooker, an audience to the perfect family.
While Bai Renxiang was still in deep thoughts, her mother had brought the apple pie over and sat close to her and placed so much food on her plate.
"What are you thinking about so seriously that you have ignored my presence?" Jiang Meilin asked playing an angry little girl that was ignored by her mother.
Snapping out of her thought, Bai Renxiang apologized and began to eat with a sweet cute smile on her face.
"Wow, mum your cooking has always beaten my expectations. It always tastes the same. Delicious and nutritional. I missed it," Bai Renxiang commented on the food.
"Well I'm glad your taste buds did not get destroyed by eating the food cooked at the Bai's house prepared because I'm going to cook for you every single day. Eat more, you look to skinny."
Jiang Meilin kept on refilling her daughter's plate with so much food. This is the kind of dinner Bai Renxiang missed.
Even though she felt hart broken by the recent incident and food was the last thing on her mind that day, especially considering she did not even eat a dime all day, she could not resist when and ignore this particular dish her mum prepared.
Not only was it salivating but also exquisitely appealing to the eyes.
"What a mouth-watering dish," Bai Renxiang muttered.
This is the real loving family dinner she had ever wished for. Even if it was just the two of them, Bai Renxiang wanted nothing more and nothing less.
After eating to their fill, Bai Renxiang helped Jiang Meilin to clean the table and wash the dishes.
****
~Bai's Residence~
Meanwhile, the family of three was having their dinner in silence. Bai Guiren was awfully quiet and the mother and daughter were thinking of ways to break the heavy atmosphere.
Lin Ying signaled her daughter to say something since her dad loved her the most out of his two daughters.
"Daddy, why are you not talking? Ming Ming does not like it when daddy is not happy. It breaks my heart."
'There she goes playing the perfect daughter who wholeheartedly cares for her father'. The maids serving the serving the food thought.
Although they do not hate, they still could not deny that she was the spoiled and secretly rude second miss of the house.
Sighing deeply, Bai Guiren decided to forget about today's incident and smiled. "Daddy apologize for making Ming Ming worry. Let's eat."
"Daddy does not need to apologize. I just don't want you to think too much and stress your brain cells. Ming Ming still wants daddy to live longer and peacefully," Bai Ming stated as a matter of fact.
"Alright. Oh, how could I forget. Ming, how is your acting going? Are there any troubles you want daddy to help you with?"
Bai Ming has been acting since she graduated from city X filming academy. Although she has not gotten any major role yet, she was still acknowledged for her acting. She just needs an opportunity or a sponsor to boost her status.
Assuring her dad that all was well and smooth sailing, the family of three talked about random things trying as much as possible to avoid the steaming hot topic of today's news.
"It is going smoothly…" she said and then took a long pause before adding, "And slowly too."
Instantly, her mood became soiled. She looked like a child who just got her candy stolen. Seeing this Bai Guiren did not have the heart to stomach such sadness and reached for her cheeks to lightly caress it.
"No worries dear, I would try and pull some strings and ensure you get a major role there."
"Thanks," she said flatly.
"Hey, why is my baby still not happy, hmm, Ming Ming?"
Even though he was asking her, he looked over to his wife for help but the latter did as though she was not paying them any attention and carried on with her dinner.
Seeing that he was in this alone, he decided to probe his beautiful damsel some more.
"My young love, what is the matter? Daddy is here. Tell me, anything you want and I would ensure it is done."
Her eyes pried open some more as a light glint flashed before her eyes. She was joyed no doubt. This was the kind of opportunity she had been waiting for.
"Really?!"
"Yes, really. Aren't you my one and only baby anymore? Of course I would do anything you ask and spoil you silly. Now that your slutty sister is gone, you have all of my time."
"Ahhh!"