Chapter 10: My dear sister, please be more careful!

While the family doctor examined Xu Yao’s eyes, Xu Yinyin stayed by her side the entire time, diligently noting the doctor’s advice on her phone.

After the doctor left, Xu Yinyin relayed the instructions to the housekeeper, asking her to take extra care of Xu Yao over the next few days. Only after ensuring everything was addressed did she return to Xu Yao’s room.

“I told you, eye issues can be serious or minor. Thankfully, I called the doctor. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have known you have seasonal conjunctivitis. Good thing there aren’t any fresh flowers in the house, or it could’ve been worse.”

Xu Yao looked at Xu Yinyin gratefully. “I’m sorry for worrying you, Sister.”

“Why apologize? It’s not your fault. If you hadn’t stayed up late for me, this wouldn’t have flared up. We’re sisters—there’s no need for such formality.”

“Actually, I’ve always worried that you might resent me. If I hadn’t taken your place, everything I have now would be yours, and everything you’ve been through would’ve been mine.”

Xu Yao had long wanted to have an honest conversation about her feelings, and now was the perfect time.

“Silly girl, how could I blame you? When everything happened, we were just over a year old—barely toddlers. What could we have done? As I told Dad and Mom, as long as I could come home, I’m already content.”

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Dw Zkdukd vssj bla zkvvzl pkpvla’p byde yde pxkzle oyaxzu. “Zsw eked’v bsze ydu tawetl obld R nyxl cynj, yde R esd’v byhl ydu alpldvxldv clnywpl sq usw. Mbyv’p swa talyvlpv qsavwdl. El fwpv dlle vs zssj qsaoyae yde zkhl lynb eyu olzz.”

Yshle vs vlyap, Dw Zys dseele qkaxzu. “Gzaktbv. R’zz zkpvld vs usw, Fkpvla. Ls xsal shlavbkdjkdt.”

Dw Zkdukd rkdnble bla zkvvzl pkpvla’p nbllj yde raykple bla. “Mbyv’p vbl prkakv. Mbydj usw qsa qwzqkzzkdt vbl aszl sq qkzkyz eywtbvla qsa shla voldvu ulyap. Wasx dso sd, zlv’p vyjl nyal sq Ysx yde Pye vstlvbla, sjyu?”

“Xjyu.” Dw Zys dseele lyadlpvzu, bla pxkzl qkdyzzu qall sq blpkvyvksd.

R fwpv bsrl usw nyd okvbpvyde uswa ckszstknyz xsvbla’p xydkrwzyvksdp yde alxykd pvlyeqypv kd vawpvkdt vbyv Ysx yde Pye valyv wp liwyzzu. Rq usw lhla vwad ytykdpv vblx, kv’zz bwav Ysx vbl xspv. Gqvla yzz, pbl rswale shla voldvu ulyap sq zshl yde lqqsav kdvs aykpkdt usw—psxlvbkdt uswa ckszstknyz xsvbla nswze dlhla alrzynl.

Pye yzoyup blze Qaydery kd yol, ulv bl pvsse wr vs bkx qsa Ysx’p pyjl. Rxytkdl bso xwnb bl xwpv’hl zshle uswa ckszstknyz xsvbla. Rq pbl lhla nsxlp cynj zssjkdt qsa Pye, vblal’p y nbydnl sze qllzkdtp xktbv alpwaqynl. Mbld obyv oswze byrrld vs Ysx?

Rq vbl poyrrle eywtbvlap olal ryav sq psxl pnblxl, bso ellr xwpv vbl byvale cl vs sanblpvayvl pwnb y nawlz rzsv? Ohld kq zshl qyelp, vblal’p ds dlle vs bwav lynb svbla zkjl vbkp.

Dw Zys pkzldvzu nzldnble bla qkpvp. Rv oypd’v fwpv bla pkpvla obs nswzed’v wdelapvyde—pbl qswde kv byae vs taypr yp olzz.

If her biological mother had truly loved her adoptive father, even parting ways should have been her choice. He had tried to keep her, after all. Why hurt him like this?

If she chose to bring her into this world, why treat her as a tool for revenge? Even tigers don’t eat their cubs. Why was her biological mother so ruthless?

She had too many questions, ones that could only be answered in person.

“I’ll definitely help Sister take care of Mom and Dad. I promise.” Xu Yao raised a finger solemnly, swearing her loyalty.

“Mm-hmm, I believe you.” Xu Yinyin hugged her tightly, gently patting her back.

She firmly believed that as long as she showed her sister enough love, Xu Yao would never betray their parents. If she could be the variable in the story, so could her sister.

“Knock, knock, knock—”

A knock suddenly came at the door.

“Miss, Miss Yanyan is here to see you,” Aunt Xu said softly.

Xu Yinyin released her sister from the embrace and responded, puzzled: What’s Aunt doing here?

“Yao Yao, do you want to join me to see Aunt?” Xu Yinyin asked, not wanting her sister to feel excluded.

“No, I’d like to rest. You go ahead, and please pass along my regards to Aunt.”

She guessed Aunt might want to talk to her sister about Uncle’s situation, and her presence would only make things awkward for Aunt.

“Alright, then you rest. I’ll go now.”

After saying goodbye to Xu Yao, Xu Yinyin headed downstairs with a head full of questions.

“Hello, Aunt,” she greeted with a smile, also conveying Xu Yao’s regards.

“Hello, Yinyin. Please, have a seat.” Xu Yanyan looked in high spirits.

Aunt seems to be in a good mood. Looks like that scumbag has managed to sweet-talk her again. Sigh!

Xu Yanyan’s hand trembled slightly as she held a gift, her expression somewhat uneasy.

“This is a gift I prepared a while ago but forgot to give you yesterday. I came by specifically to bring it today,” she said, handing over a beautifully wrapped box.

Xu Yinyin looked at the distinctive “C” brand logo and was startled. “Huh? This… this is way too expensive! I can’t accept it!”

She wasn’t joking—every item from this brand started in the six-figure range. She understood the principle of being indebted to someone for their generosity.

A gift this extravagant right off the bat? Could it be that scumbag sent you to probe Grandpa’s reasons for assigning me to the company? Ugh, I knew I shouldn’t have gotten involved in the power struggles of a wealthy family. QAQ.

Xu Yanyan was momentarily stunned—not because Guo Cheng had sent her to investigate, but because she herself wanted to speak on his behalf.

She thought that since she’d decided to have a child with him, it was necessary to subtly boost Guo Cheng’s image in Yinyin’s eyes. If Yinyin felt less repulsed by him, he’d save face and avoid harsh criticisms.

At the very least, appearances of harmony should be maintained.

Xu Yanyan casually opened the gift, revealing a meticulously crafted platinum bracelet.

“It’s just a simple bracelet, nothing valuable. Do me a favor and accept it,” she said.

During their first meeting, Xu Yanyan had observed Yinyin’s unassuming nature. Although the bracelet was from a luxury brand, it was one of their most cost-effective and popular items—elegant but not ostentatious.

Although Yinyin couldn’t afford luxury items, she was familiar with them from fashion magazines. She immediately recognized the bracelet as a popular item—affordable even for an average worker saving for three to five months. It wasn’t expensive by Xu Yanyan’s standards.

Moreover, it was clear Xu Yanyan had considered her situation carefully when choosing the gift—it was low-key yet tasteful.

Seeing Yinyin’s gaze linger on the bracelet, Xu Yanyan smiled knowingly, took her hand, and gently fastened the bracelet around her wrist. She praised, “Your hands are so slender and fair. Platinum suits you perfectly—it’s beautiful.”

Raising her wrist, Yinyin admired the bracelet and smiled warmly. “Thank you, Aunt. I love it.”

“I’m glad you like it. If there’s anything else you want in the future, just let me know. I’ll get it for you—and for Yao Yao too.”

“No need, no need. Mom already gives me plenty of pocket money; I can buy whatever I need. I wouldn’t want to trouble you,” Yinyin quickly declined.

Aunt is so kind, but why does she have to be such a hopeless romantic? Oh, heavens, why must you be so unfair?

Xu Yanyan stifled a laugh, sipping her tea as if unintentionally, then said, “I actually came today to share some good news.”

Yinyin’s heart skipped a beat. Please don’t let it be about Uncle!

Feigning curiosity, she asked, “What good news?”

“I’m going to be a mother soon.”

Yinyin nearly spat out her water. “Cough, cough, cough—sorry, I’m so sorry.”

She scrambled for a tissue to wipe her mouth.

Oh my God, what kind of shocking disaster is this? Aunt, come on! Don’t you see this scumbag never intended to have a child with you? This is just his delaying tactic!

Xu Yanyan’s smile faltered slightly. She wanted to defend herself but also wanted to hear Yinyin’s reaction, so she said, “Aren’t you happy for me? I’m overjoyed. I’ve been waiting for this day for three years. These past three years, I’ve thought about getting pregnant every single day. The fact that Guo Cheng voluntarily offered to go to the hospital for a checkup—do you know how rare that is?”

Yinyin’s smile stiffened, and she nodded along, her mind racing.

Rare? More like he suddenly had a lightbulb moment and figured out your greatest vulnerability. It’s all to divert your attention! That scumbag is so manipulative!

If you had even a shred of awareness, you’d follow up on what you saw last night—investigate his affair with Auntie-in-law, collect evidence of his infidelity, and kick him out with nothing! How can you be so easy to manipulate?

And you said it yourself—you’ve waited three years. Why now? If he really wanted a child, wouldn’t he have gone for a checkup in the first year? He’s the ultimate scumbag! I’m so mad I could explode!

Oh, but you’ve already acknowledged that Aunt is a hopeless romantic. That scumbag could say anything, and she’d practically worship him for it. Calm down, Yinyin—just watch the drama unfold like a true bystander.

No, I can’t take it anymore. Don’t you see how blatantly he’s playing her? My poor, kind aunt—did all her intelligence go into her beauty?

Xu Yanyan could only laugh bitterly at Yinyin’s silent tirade. She felt both frustrated and heartbroken—after all, hadn’t she thought of these things herself?

But what could she do?

She had loved Guo Cheng for so many years, invested so much effort, and nearly drove her father to a stroke just to marry him.

How could she admit that the person she fought so hard to win wasn’t worth it?

She hated Guo Cheng, but she couldn’t let him go.

Guo Cheng represented her fiery passion and youthful boldness. To abandon him would mean abandoning the proud version of herself from those years.

No one understood her pain, her struggle, or her confusion.

The only thing she could do was continue deceiving herself, prolonging this bitter obsession.

Steeling herself, Xu Yanyan muttered, “To love someone is to give them freedom. Love is about compromise and forgiveness. Guo Cheng putting aside his pride to get checked is already a big step. Once we have a child, our love will be complete, won’t it?”

Yinyin gripped her teacup tightly, forcing a smile. “Yes, Aunt. You’re absolutely right.”

Ahhh, Xiao Qi, I want to scream! I want to grab Aunt by the shoulders and shake her awake from this dream!

A child is not a band-aid for a broken marriage. Bringing an innocent child into this mess will only leave them scarred.

A child should be a symbol of mutual love—not a tool to trap a scumbag. How can Aunt be so blind?
Xiao Qi, can you hack into Aunt’s phone and flood her feed with news about con artists marrying wealthy women, or schemers poisoning their spouses for insurance money? Maybe it’ll cure her hopeless romanticism!

Ugh, Xiao Qi is an onlooker system, not a rescue system. Didn’t you say that the love-stricken brain can’t be saved? We just have to wait for the scumbag to fail!

Xu Yinyin silently wailed in her heart: Damn, that scumbag has so many tricks. How long will it take before he trips up? I’m afraid Aunt might end up exhausting herself before that happens. Ugh~

Xu Yanyan: “……”

She wasn’t that foolish, but those social news stories were indeed quite intriguing.

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