The Xu family chauffeur drove Qingxue back to her apartment that evening, leaving her with more questions than answers. Xu Yanran's sweet words still lingered in her mind, but Qingxue wasn't naive. Beneath her delicate demeanor, Yanran's sharp gaze had betrayed something darker—fear, jealousy, or perhaps resentment.
Back in her small apartment, Qingxue sank into the worn-out couch, her thoughts spiraling. Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her reverie. It was a message from Xu Meilin:
Qingxue, it was wonderful to meet you today. I hope you'll consider moving in with us soon. This is your home now.
Love, Mom."
Qingxue stared at the word "Mom," her chest tightening. She thought of the mother who had raised her, who worked long hours at the market to pay for her schoolbooks. Was she supposed to just leave them behind?
But before she could reply, another message appeared-this time from an unknown number:
"Welcome to the family, sister. Let me know if you need any advice about how things work around here. :) - Yanran"
The overly friendly tone felt insincere.
Qingxue's instincts told her she was stepping into dangerous territory.
The next day, Qingxue found herself reluctantly attending a formal lunch at the Xu mansion. It had been arranged by Xu Meilin, who was eager to introduce her to extended family members.
Dressed in a simple pastel dress that Xu Meilin had sent over, Qingxue felt like an outsider in the sea of designer gowns and sharp suits. She caught snippets of whispers from distant relatives as she entered the grand dining hall.
"She's the real daughter?"
"How… ordinary."
"Poor Yanran, how will she adjust to this change?"
Xu Yanran sat at the head of the table, the perfect picture of grace and poise. Dressed in a flowing white dress that seemed to sparkle under the chandelier, she smiled warmly at Qingxue as if the whispers in the room didn't exist.
"Qingxue, come sit here," Yanran said, patting the chair beside her. Her tone was sweet, but Qingxue caught the faintest hint of challenge in her eyes.
Reluctantly, Qingxue sat down. The conversation around the table was polite but distant, with most of the relatives directing their attention to Yanran. It was clear who they were comfortable with.
"So, Qingxue," Yanran began, her soft voice cutting through the chatter, "you must feel a little overwhelmed by all of this. It must be so different from the life you're used to."
The table fell silent, and all eyes turned to Qingxue. She felt her cheeks flush under their scrutiny but kept her composure.
"It's definitely a big change," Qingxue said calmly, her voice steady. "But I'm adjusting."
"That's so brave of you," Yanran said with a saccharine smile. "Growing up in a… simpler environment must have been difficult. I can't even imagine."
The veiled insult didn't go unnoticed by Qingxue. She met Yanran's gaze with a cool expression. "It taught me resilience. I'm grateful for how it shaped me."
Yanran's smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she quickly recovered. "Of course. And now that you're here, I'll do everything I can to help you fit in. After all, you're my sister."
Before Qingxue could respond, one of the relatives, a middle-aged woman with a sharp tongue, leaned forward. "Yanran has been such a blessing to this family all these years. It must be strange for her to have to share that now."
The comment was pointed, and Qingxue felt the weight of it. Yanran lowered her gaze, feigning humility. "Oh, Auntie, please don't say that. I'm so happy to have Qingxue here. She's family, and I'll support her however I can."
It was an impressive performance, and the relatives around the table nodded approvingly, murmuring about Yanran's generosity.
Qingxue forced a polite smile but stayed silent. She wasn't going to be drawn into Yanran's game—not yet.
After lunch, Xu Meilin took Qingxue on a tour of the estate. As they passed through the sprawling gardens, Meilin's voice was warm and filled with emotion.
"I know today must have been overwhelming," Meilin said, stopping to hold Qingxue's hands. "But please don't feel like you have to prove yourself to anyone. You're my daughter, no matter what."
Qingxue nodded, her throat tight with emotion. "It's just… hard to believe this is real."
Meilin's grip tightened. "I've missed so many years with you. I won't let anything or anyone take you away from me again."
Her words were comforting, but Qingxue couldn't ignore the shadow of Xu Yanran looming in the background of her thoughts.
Later that evening, Qingxue prepared to leave when she found herself cornered in the hallway by Yanran.
"Heading home already?" Yanran asked, her tone light but her eyes sharp.
"Yes," Qingxue replied, keeping her expression neutral.
Yanran tilted her head, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. "You know, it's not going to be easy, stepping into this family. People have certain expectations, and it can be… intimidating."
"I'm sure it is," Qingxue said, meeting Yanran's gaze steadily. "But I'm not here to intimidate anyone."
Yanran's smile wavered, but she quickly recovered. "Of course not. I just want to make sure you know what you're getting into. This world can be harsh, and not everyone will welcome you as warmly as Mother and Father have."
Qingxue's lips curved into a small smile. "Thanks for the advice, Yanran. I'll keep that in mind."
For a moment, their gazes locked, a silent battle of wills. Yanran's smile grew sharper. "I hope you do, sister."
As Qingxue walked away, she felt a spark of determination ignite within her. If Yanran wanted to play games, she'd better be prepared for Qingxue to fight back.