Xiao Yan changed her surname, introducing herself to others as Xia Xiaoyan.
In Pengcheng, when Xia Hongxia told her to fend for herself, the 13-year-old girl couldn’t handle physical labor, had no education credentials, and was still underage. Xiao Yan didn’t dare leave Xia Hongxia, so she thick-skinnedly stayed at Xia Hongxia’s home.
Xia Junbao was also anxious, not wanting to separate from Xia Xiaoyan. Being perceptive, Xia Xiaoyan tried to please Wang Jingui when she couldn’t flatter Xia Hongxia.
Wang Jingui thought it through – picking up a free helper who could be fed with leftover food and didn’t need schooling wasn’t bad.
After all, they were supporting Xia Junbao because Xia Ziyu had given them a lot of money!
This girl they’d picked up could just help at the restaurant.
While Xia Junbao went to school daily in clean clothes, Xiao Yan worked in a greasy restaurant. They managed to coexist peacefully for two months.
Xia Hongxia turned a blind eye because, during her a few days back in Shangdu, Xia Hongbing had been lured into gambling again. Knowing that Du’s family’s Fifth Madam was his grand-niece Xia Ziyu, who showed interest in helping their family, Xia Hongbing became cocky again, refusing to work seriously.
When Xia Hongxia scolded him, he retorted:
“Ziyu has money, why should we work so hard? When we run out, we can just ask Ziyu for more. We’re taking care of her brother!”
Xia Hongxia was furious!
So she both wanted Xia Ziyu’s money and was troubled by her. Xia Ziyu’s high-profile appearance disrupted Xia Hongxia’s life.
Xia Hongxia gave up managing her father, wanting to see if Xia Ziyu would provide money forever. When Xia Ziyu eventually stopped supporting them, her father would turn to her for elderly care—then she’d deal with him properly!
Xia Hongxia kept wondering when Xia Ziyu would come to pick up people.
Finally, in late June, Xia Ziyu appeared again, sending someone to bring Xia Hongxia and Xia Junbao over. This time, the messenger specified that Wang Jingui and Xia Hongbing weren’t needed – Fifth Madam only wanted to see Xia Hongxia and the ‘poor child’ she was supporting.
Xiao Yan sensed the unusual atmosphere and grabbed Xia Junbao’s sleeve tightly.
Her heart was pounding.
She didn’t know what was happening, but she saw Xia Junbao about to enter this expensive car.
Was this why Xia Hongxia’s family treated Xia Junbao so well?
If Xia Junbao left and never returned, Xia Hongxia would surely abandon her.
Xiao Yan held onto Xia Junbao’s sleeve:
“Junbao, I’m worried about you. Can I come along?”
Xia Junbao was also nervous, looking at Xia Hongxia.
Xia Hongxia couldn’t help smiling, telling Xia Ziyu’s messenger: “She’s also a poor child supported by Fifth Madam. Buy one get one free – let her get in too.”
Well, this was Xia Junbao’s little wife-to-be, how could they not present her to Xia Ziyu?
With Xia Hongxia’s words, Xia Junbao didn’t object, so Xiao Yan got in the car.
Xia Junbao barely dared to sit properly.
The car was too luxurious.
It reminded him of last year in Shangdu when he saw Xia Xiaolan from afar, how naturally she sat in the luxury car, surrounded by people. He didn’t have that confidence.
Xiao Yan pressed close to Xia Junbao, afraid of being left behind.
This car was so comfortable.
She secretly touched the leather seat beneath her.
Xia Hongxia lowered her head and smirked: What’s so great about having a car by being some old man’s concubine?
When she got a car, it would be one she bought herself.
All three had their thoughts as they were brought before Xia Ziyu.
Dazzling and radiant.
These words perfectly describe Xia Ziyu. Even Xia Hongxia thought Xia Ziyu looked more distinguished than last time. Xiao Yan, who hadn’t seen much of the world, was completely stunned—she had seen people more beautiful than Xia Ziyu, but none who carried themselves with such nobility.
Xiao Yan was so shocked she couldn’t speak, almost deforming Xia Junbao’s sleeve with her grip.
Xia Ziyu raised an eyebrow, “And who is this?”
Of course, Xia Ziyu recognized her brother, but there was this additional teenage girl.
Her features were decent, skin tanned dark, small and skinny, with darting eyes – why was she clutching Xia Junbao?
Xia Hongxia suppressed her schadenfreude and explained Xiao Yan’s background, sighing repeatedly:
“Oh my, I’m just too soft-hearted. Junbao also pitied this girl, so I had to bring her to Pengcheng. I’ve been supporting an extra person for you! I see these two are quite close, inseparable. You could take her to Hong Kong too, and in a few years arrange their marriage – they’ll be family!”
Is Xia Hongxia being soft-hearted?
Xia Ziyu frowned at Xia Hongxia’s smug expression.
No matter how much she disliked Xia Junbao, he was still her brother.
She had status in Hong Kong, and though she couldn’t publicly acknowledge Xia Junbao as her brother, he didn’t need a child bride by his side.
“Junbao, what do you think? Are you willing to come to Hong Kong with me? I’ll send you to school, and you’ll have a completely different life from before!”
Xia Junbao was very confused.
The woman before him looked familiar.
She resembled Xia Xiaolan somewhat.
And she looked a bit like his sister.
Especially her voice was very similar – his sister had always spoken softly when at home, and now it sounded even more delicate… but how could this be his sister? She looked too wealthy!
His sister was still a fugitive, disappeared without a trace – how dare she appear now?
He was 80% certain that this elegant and beautiful young woman was Xia Ziyu.
Only Xia Ziyu would take him to Hong Kong.
There weren’t such kind people in the world.
Xia Hongxia’s sudden trip to Shangdu to get him, not making him work, treating him well with good food, and sending him to school – all the puzzling things now made sense.
Tears welled up in Xia Junbao’s eyes:
“…I’ll do whatever you say, Big Sister, where did you go?”
He had completely forgotten about Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan was shocked – this dazzling beautiful woman was Xia Junbao’s sister! A fugitive! Back in Shangdu, she had learned about the Xia family’s affairs – Fan Yu would mention it whenever scolding Xia Junbao for being lazy—
Thud.
Xiao Yan knelt, tilting her face up, eyes full of tears, looking pitifully at Xia Ziyu:
“Please take me with you. I can do anything. I don’t need schooling or nice clothes and food. I just want to stay with Junbao. I’ll always take care of him, serve him, attend to him!”
Holy shit.
Xia Hongxia was stunned.
She knew Xiao Yan was thick-skinned but didn’t expect this level.
Xia Hongxia herself couldn’t even lower herself to be Xia Ziyu’s follower anymore, but Xiao Yan directly replaced “companionship” with “serve” and “attend to.” This wasn’t the old society anymore – who serves whom?
Xia Ziyu finally gave Xiao Yan a proper look.
Where Xia Hongxia saw thick skin, Xia Ziyu saw ambition.
—This was a wild girl who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals!