A post on the Shenghua High School forum is causing a stir.
The school's senior piano prodigy, Jian Yunzhuo, has fallen down the stairs and injured his hand. There are concerns that he may never be able to play the piano again.
In no time, countless messages flood in, expressing sympathy and sending well wishes.
Suddenly, someone drops a bombshell in the comments.
"Did you guys know that Jian Yunzhuo didn't just fall? He was pushed down the stairs by his own sister, Jian Yiling! It's absolutely true!"
The crowd quickly descends into gossip.
The forum erupts in outrage.
"How vicious can Jian Yiling be?"
"Oh my God, that's terrifying! I can't believe anyone would do such a horrible thing, especially to their own brother!"
"I've always known Jian Yiling was difficult to get along with. She's always acting superior, looking down on everyone. I just never thought she could be so evil to even hurt her own family."
"See, I knew it! I always had a bad feeling about Jian Yiling, and it turns out I was right."
"I can't believe someone like her is at our school. It's terrifying. She should transfer out and stop ruining things for us."
"Everyone, like this post if you think Jian Yiling should be expelled. Let's make sure the school sees this!"
In an instant, Jian Yiling becomes the target of public outrage.
Within half an hour, the comment thread has garnered over five hundred likes, shooting to the top of the forum's popular responses.
Meanwhile, the accused, Jian Yiling, is just coming to terms with the shock of having transmigrated into a novel.
Growing up in a research institute dedicated to medical research, Jian Yiling had never read novels; she had always been engrossed in academic papers and research reports.
But a few days ago, an intern at the institute handed her a romance novel, telling her that the book's supporting female character shared her name, Jian Yiling. The intern recommended the book, saying she should read something entertaining for a change instead of always studying research papers.
In the novel, the fictional Jian Yiling is a spoiled heiress born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
The Jian family is wealthy and powerful, one of the most prominent families in Hengyuan City.
Jian Yiling's grandfather has retired, and the family's business is now run by Jian Shuxing and his two brothers.
Each of the three brothers has their strengths: the eldest and the second brother are business prodigies, while the third brother chose to pursue a career in politics.
Jian Yiling is the only daughter of this generation, with three older brothers and five cousins. It could be said that she was born with exceptional luck.
However, the Jian Yiling in the book is a difficult character—rebellious, arrogant, and obsessive, making enemies left and right, including among her own family.
She goes on to do many foolish things for her crush on the male lead, even attempting to harm the female lead.
Ultimately, she faces the consequences of her actions, dying alone and miserable in a hospital ward at just twenty-two years old.
The recent incident marks a turning point in Jian Yiling's life.
She and her brother, Jian Yunzhuo, who is two years older than her, had a dispute over the female lead, Mo Shiyun.
During the argument, Jian Yunzhuo lost his footing and fell down the stairs.
As he fell, he crashed into a glass ornament placed near the staircase, shattering it into countless pieces that embedded themselves in his hand.
Jian Yunzhuo, who had been studying piano since childhood, had achieved some success.
With his hand injured, his future prospects were in jeopardy.
Jian Yiling didn't push Jian Yunzhuo, but he firmly insisted she did.
Jian Yiling tried to explain, but everyone was more inclined to believe Jian Yunzhuo, given her poor reputation.
Everyone is convinced that Jian Yiling is the one who pushed Jian Yunzhuo, seeing her as malicious and unrepentant.
Feeling wronged and distrusted by her family, Jian Yiling becomes increasingly rebellious.
In reality, the original Jian Yiling, though a bit spoiled, was not inherently bad.
But from this moment on, she strays further and further from her true self, becoming more withdrawn and rebellious.
As Jian Yiling contemplates, she hears the sound of her parents and brothers arguing downstairs.
"Enough, let's not argue anymore. Your sister is still young," says Wen Nuan, in her forties, frowning in frustration and helplessness.
"Young? This isn't about being young anymore! She's already fifteen! She should know better! And pushing our third brother down the stairs—is that something you can brush off as just being young? Third brother's hands were made for playing the piano, and now he might never play again!"
The man standing before the woman is an adult, tall and towering over her.
He's wearing a black shirt with the top two buttons undone.
His face is striking, with deep eyes and a serious expression, a dark cloud hanging over him.
He is the woman's eldest son, Jian Yuncheng.
Usually, he wouldn't speak so harshly to his mother, but today's discussion is too serious.
Their youngest sister has done something so terrible—pushing her own brother, his third brother, down the stairs!
Beside them, their father, Jian Shuxing, also wears a heavy expression.
Jian Shuxing, seated on a leather sofa, is in his early fifties but well-maintained, his figure still trim and exuding the charm of a mature man despite the signs of aging on his face.
Normally decisive and commanding in his company, he now finds himself at a loss for words in the face of his eldest son's questioning.
Jian Yuncheng continues, "No matter what kind of argument they had, pushing your own brother down the stairs is unforgivable!"
Wen Nuan looks pained, shaking her head. "Yuncheng, she's your sister. You used to adore her when she was little. You would hold her in your arms, coaxing and teasing her. When she first called you 'big brother,' you were overjoyed."
Jian Yuncheng's chiseled face tenses. "I remember. I remember it very clearly. She's my sister, and of course I care about her. But because everyone in the family spoils her, she has grown up thinking she can do whatever she wants. She's a Jian, so it's fine if she's a little spoiled or has a bit of a temper. But what she did this time was too much. Dad, Mom, she's your child, but isn't the third brother too? His hand might never recover."
Wen Nuan's eyes fill with tears. "They're both my children. I love them both dearly. I admit I may have shown more affection to Xiaoling because she's a girl, but... I know she went too far this time. But I can't send her to a juvenile detention center, can I?"
Seeing his wife in distress, Jian Shuxing gently pulls her into a comforting embrace, whispering reassurances.
Looking at his mother's tear-stained face, Jian Yuncheng's heart grows heavy. "I didn't mean that. I just want you to make things right for the third brother and also discipline Xiaoling more strictly. Otherwise, even if she's my sister, I'll have to send her to a juvenile detention center!"
"I understand..." Wen Nuan nods, grasping the gravity of her eldest son's words.
"Yuncheng, you just flew back from abroad and haven't eaten yet. Let Auntie An prepare something for you," Jian Shuxing suggests, concerned for his son.
"No, I'm heading to the hospital. Third brother is still struggling with all this, and I need to be there for him."
Jian Shuxing nods. "Your mother and I will be over shortly."
After a brief exchange, Jian Yuncheng leaves.
Jian Yiling stepped out of her room and was met with a fleeting glance from Warmth, who was downstairs. Their eyes met, and Warmth's expression was one of profound sorrow and hesitation.
She had cherished her daughter from a young age, but now…
Warmth broke down in Jian Shuxing's embrace, tears streaming down her face. "It's my fault, I've indulged Yiling too much…"
Jian Shuxing, who had commanded respect in the business world for years and rarely furrowed his brow over any matter, was now red-eyed with distress.
"It is not solely your fault; I share the blame as well. Thankfully, it is not too late to amend this. We must begin now to properly educate Yiling," Jian Shuxing said gently, patting Warmth's back.
Jian Shuxing himself was deeply troubled. Although he and his wife had a particular fondness for their youngest daughter, not only because she was the youngest but also their only girl, it did not mean they loved the other three children any less. The situation with their third child was painful and disheartening.
The couple exchanged glances filled with sadness, regret, blame, and reluctance.
Such looks were unfamiliar to Jian Yiling.
In her past life, after her innate talent was discovered, her parents had signed a contract with the research institute, leaving Yiling there in exchange for a substantial annual stipend. Jian Yiling rarely interacted with her parents, and during the rare encounters, their gazes were always distant and cold. Even their expressions of concern seemed formulaic, like rehearsed speeches devoid of warmth.
Yet, the way this couple looked at her struck a chord deep within Jian Yiling, inexplicably stirring her emotions.
Perhaps they did not choose to believe in her this time, but their love for her was undeniably real.
Warmth suddenly left her husband's embrace and rushed up the stairs to Jian Yiling's side.
At fifteen, Jian Yiling was slightly smaller than her peers due to being a premature baby.
Her face, delicate as a doll's, still bore a hint of infantile chubbiness.
The sight of Jian Yiling standing in silence only deepened Warmth's heartache.
With a stern tone, Warmth reprimanded Jian Yiling, "Yiling, you must admit your mistake. Shortly, your father and I will be visiting your brother in the hospital. You must go and apologize to him! Beg for his forgiveness! What you did was unacceptable! If you do not make amends, neither your father nor I will forgive you!"
Warmth had never been so harsh with Jian Yiling before.
Jian Yiling nodded.
She knew that attempting to explain her innocence now was futile. Denial would only push her further into a dangerous situation, much like the original Yiling in the story.
In the evening, Warmth had Aunt An prepare some restorative soup and a meal. After packing it in a thermos, she and Jian Yiling headed to the hospital.
The Jian family's residence was situated on a hillside in a villa district, a neighborhood inhabited by the influential of Hengyuan City.
The hospital where Jian Yuzhu was admitted was the city's best private institution, a thirty-minute drive from their home.
Upon arriving outside the hospital room, Jian and Warmth were greeted by the sight of their son with his arm in a sling, his face pallid and devoid of vitality, which tugged at their hearts.
Jian Yuzhu and Jian Yuncheng bore a resemblance to each other, their features finely chiseled.
Compared to his elder brother, Jian Yuncheng, Jian Yuzhu's features were still somewhat youthful.
Now, his somewhat immature face was marred by sorrow, his eyes reflecting a sense of despair.
At seventeen, Jian Yuzhu was deeply affected by this tragedy.
Sitting beside him, Jian Yuncheng wore a stern expression, his face clouded with gloom.
"Yuzhu, Mother had Aunt An prepare your favorite food. Please eat a little, won't you?" Warmth approached cautiously, her movements tender.
Jian Yuzhu turned his head away.
Warmth, understanding her son's distress, continued to offer gentle words of comfort, hoping to open his heart.
Jian Yuncheng informed Warmth, "Mo Shiyun came by earlier with some food and fed Yuzhu a little."
Warmth paused, then said, "That's good. Eating will help. Your hand will recover, don't worry. Your father has already contacted the best surgeon for you."
Warmth knew Mo Shiyun, the child of their helper, Mo Sao, who had lost her husband and had begged Warmth to allow Mo Shiyun to stay with them.
Warmth had agreed, understanding that Mo Sao was in a difficult position. Mo Shiyun and Jian Yuzhu, being of similar ages, got along well.
The argument between Jian Yuzhu and Jian Yiling had stemmed from Mo Shiyun, but Warmth knew it was not her fault. It was Jian Yiling's own narrow-mindedness that led to the conflict; her brother's affection for her did not mean he had no other friends.
Jian Yuzhu suddenly spoke, his voice low and filled with desolation, "Stop lying to me. My hand nerves are severed; it cannot heal. I will never play the piano again. I am useless!"
"Don't say that… Yuzhu… Mother knows you're in pain… I'm sorry…" Warmth sobbed as she apologized.
"Apologize? It's Yiling who should be apologizing! She owes me a hand! I won't hold back!"
"Yuzhu, she's your sister, still just a child. I… I…" Warmth was at a loss for how to handle the situation.
Seeing his wife in tears, Jian Shuxing intervened, "Yuzhu, don't push your mother further!"
"Yes, I'm pushing her! You only protect Yiling, as if she's your only child! I'm not!" Jian Yuzhu, consumed by anger, expressed his frustration. Though he had never resented his parents for favoring his sister, the loss of his hands had driven him to the brink of despair.
Jian Yuncheng intervened to diffuse the situation, "Yuzhu, our parents may have made mistakes, but it is unrealistic to expect them to harm Yiling in return. Calm down; we will find a way to address your injury and ensure Yiling faces appropriate consequences. I promise."
Jian Yuzhu calmed somewhat at his elder brother's words. He respected Jian Yuncheng and knew that causing harm to his sister would not resolve his own suffering.
Outside the hospital room, Jian Yiling observed the scene within, her gaze fixed on Jian Yuzhu's injured hand, which was held aloft in a sling.
Numerous devices were attached to his hand for stabilization. Jian Yiling recognized that Jian Yuzhu's nerve damage would require intricate surgery to repair.
Such surgeries were highly complex, and only a few surgeons were skilled in this field.
Otherwise, given the Jian family's resources, arranging this would not have been a problem.
In the original story, Jian Yuzhu's hand never fully recovered, his piano career abruptly ended, and he became deeply depressed.
The ongoing favoritism towards Jian Yiling further strained Jian Yuzhu's relationship with his parents.
In his darkened world, the protagonist Mo Shiyun was his only beacon of light.
Jian Yiling looked at her own hands, recalling that she once had the skill to perform such surgeries. She had expertise in this area and extensive surgical experience.
While specializing in pharmacological research at the institute, Jian Yiling had also achieved notable success in surgical fields, earning high recognition both domestically and internationally.
At one point, a surgery performed by her had even fetched an astronomical sum.
However, her current hands were not yet ready for such precise work. Performing such surgeries required not only technical skill but also steady hands, which demanded extensive training.
This would take time.