The following Monday, Lan Yichen, who was 16 years old and two years younger than Lan Jin and Lan Jiaojiao, had just started his first year of high school. He attended the same school as Lan Jiaojiao, Quan State No.1 Middle School.
However, there was a stark difference between the two: Lan Jiaojiao had earned her place at the school through hard work, while Lan Yichen got in by paying, which was entirely different in nature.
Normally, they would go to school together by car, but today Lan Jiaojiao had an early meeting with the student council and had left by car earlier.
At this moment, Lan Yichen had a quick breakfast and, with a carefree attitude, slung his school bag over his shoulder and was about to head out when a figure came down the stairs.
Lan Yichen rolled his eyes at the stairwell, looking somewhat irritating. Before he could step out, Lan Jin blocked his path with a grab.
"What kind of attitude is that? Who exactly is your real sister?" Lan Jin's voice was cold and deep.
Hearing this, Lan Yichen scoffed in disdain.
His nose was still red and swollen, the area under his eyes bruised, and the corner of his mouth cracked.
Fortunately, he had a handsome face, and his facial features were already distinct and sharp. Plus, he was already approaching six feet tall at only 16.
Now, this look only added a debauched sort of charm to his appearance.
Of course, one had to overlook his annoying attitude towards her.
"Lan Jiaojiao is my real sister. Who the hell do you think you are?"
He lifted his chin in contempt, and just as he finished speaking, he was suddenly walloped on the head, causing him to clutch his forehead in pain, "Are you crazy?"
Lan Jin's eyes narrowed, and a formidable aura burst forth from her.
Her voice was edged with icy coldness, tinged with a dangerous tone, she demanded firmly, one word at a time, "Say it again, who is your real sister?"
Clearly, this brother of hers was a foolish pig, manipulated by that heartless mother and daughter and completely unaware of it, and yet he still thought they treated him well.
Lan Yichen was also getting angry now, his years of pent-up resentment bursting forth all at once:
"Do you deserve it? Whenever I was bullied, did you ever help me? Every single time, you just watched from a distance and enjoyed the show. In contrast, Lan Jiaojiao was different—she would always step forward to stop them, even throwing herself over me to protect me. And you? You're just a coward!"
"And another thing... when I asked you for some spending money before, even though you had plenty, you wouldn't give me a dime, and you even said some nasty things to insult me. On the other hand, Lan Jiaojiao would secretly give me money whenever she had any, and if she saw my clothes were torn or dirty, she'd buy me new ones, and even give me gifts for my birthday. But you?"
"Remember last time I got into trouble and wanted you not to snitch, to help me lie my way out of it? But you told Dad anyway, and not only did I get beaten, but I was also financially sanctioned by the family. Now I don't have a penny in spending money each month and have to earn my own by working. Happy now?"
His accusations were heartfelt and tearful, full of grievance and anger, and by the end, his eyes had involuntarily reddened.
Suddenly, it seemed like he remembered Lan Jin from three years ago, his gaze filled with a trace of reminiscence and a hint of sorrow—
"Sometimes I really wonder if you've been switched out with someone else. You used to be so caring towards me, but now you've changed, no longer the sister I used to be so proud of. Instead, Lan Jiaojiao is!"
"To be honest, I really, really dislike you now."
As his words fell, Lan Yichen quickly averted his gaze, hiding the flash of loss in his eyes.
He roughly shoved past Lan Jin, carrying all his resentment with him, and strode away.
In the vast living room, beside the maid cleaning up, Lan Jin remained standing in place, massaging her forehead with a headache.
She wanted to say, that idiot isn't her alright, damn it!