Translated by: Queen Dei Mos
Novel Update Schedule: Sporadic
[dropdown title = Characters:]
Ji Bai – MC
Ji Feifei – MC’s older sister
Ji Mingzhi – MC’s father
Tao Jiazhi – MC’s mother
Old lady Ji – paternal grandmother – Ji Mingzhi’s mother
Xie Sui – ML
Cong Yuzhou – ML friend
Jiang Zhongning – ML friend
Ai Xiaoxiao – MC’s close friend
Xu Huan – MC’s close friend
Yin Xiaxia – MC’s close friend
Madam Cheng / Cheng Xiao – ML’s birth mother
Chen Zheyang – Childhood friend of MC and Ji Feifei
Chen Zhenheng – Principal of Dexin High School, Father of Chen Zheyang
Director Qin – Director of Academic Affairs
Lu Weiwei – Ex-girlfriend of Jiang Zhongning
Assistant Qin – Assistant of Old Lady Ji
Ji Jing – Cousin from Eldest Uncle (Brother of Ji Mingzhi)
Li Chen – Young master of the Li Group
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you[mfn](Original Text): 您 – nín. (English): you – formal, courteous you.[/mfn] = formal speech
*Some words that are in bold were English in the original text
Half an hour later, Xie Sui rang the doorbell.
Ji Bai opened the door to find the young man standing in the doorway with a shoulder bag. His forehead glistened with sweat, a few strands of hair were damp, his cheeks were flushed, and his chest rose and fell with quick breaths.
Clearly, he had run all the way here, though she had no idea what he was so worried about.
Ji Bai pulled him into the room, turned the air conditioner on, and let him cool down.
“Why did you run?” Ji Bai pulled out a tissue and wiped the sweat from his face. “I’m perfectly safe here.”
Xie Sui surveyed the room, the three floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city, and standing by a window, one could see the neon lights of the entire city.
This was Xie Sui’s first time at such a height, overlooking the entire city. His dark eyes twinkled like stars.
Ji Bai stood beside him, nervously looking at him, and said, “Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Beautiful, my foot.” Xie Sui reached out and pressed her little head, asking in a serious tone, “Why did you run away from home?”
“I didn’t run away from home. I just wanted a change of scenery for a few days because the midterm exams are coming up, and I wanted a quiet place to study.”
Xie Sui clearly wasn’t convinced with what she said, “Because of me, you had a fight with your family?”
“No, where did you hear that?”
“Nevermind, just tell me if it’s true or not.”
Although the incident with Xie Sui was the trigger, it was merely an excuse. The conflicts between Ji Bai and her family were far too complex to be explained in just a few words.
“Don’t overthink it. My family matters are complicated, but I can handle it myself. You don’t need to worry.”
Xie Sui understood that he couldn’t interfere in Ji Bai’s family matters at this time. All he could do was understand her, support her, and protect her if necessary.
Xie Sui looked around the hotel room and finally sat down on the sofa. From the side pocket of his shoulder bag, he pulled out a bank card and handed it to Ji Bai.
Ji Bai looked at the Zodiac Bank card on the table and was stunned. “What’s this for?”
“This card has all my savings.” Xie Sui said, handing the card to Ji Bai. “It’s all yours.”
“I don’t want it!” Ji Bai was a bit anxious. “Why are you doing this?”
“It’s not much, but it should help in an emergency. This hotel isn’t cheap, right?” Xie Sui’s expression was indifferent, his voice low and smooth. “You, this guy…even though you’re from a wealthy family, you probably don’t have as much money as this laozi.”
“Xie Sui, take the card back. I can’t accept your money.”
Xie Sui shoved the card into Ji Bai’s hand, making her grip it tightly. “If you fucking reject me again, laozi is going to get angry.”
“Even if you get angry, I can’t…”
Before she could say another word, Xie Sui abruptly reached out and pinched her chin. With a slight squeeze, her lips were forced into a pout.
Ji Bai couldn’t break free, and could only frown at Xie Sui, her voice muffled. “Xie Sui, what on earth are you do…ing?”
Xie Sui slowly leaned closer and looked at her pouted cherry lips. The corner of his lips couldn’t help but curve into a smile as he said in a low and husky voice, “When Xie Sui gets angry, he likes to kiss people.”
“Ah!”
Ji Bai helplessly watched as the young man leaned in. She quickly grabbed the bank card and placed it between their lips, blocking his kiss.
“Okay, I’ll take it!”
Xie Sui kissed her through the card before letting go.
Ji Bai broke free from him and scrambled to the other end of the sofa, watching him warily. “Fine, I’ll hold onto it for you for now.”
Xie Sui smoothed out his crumpled collar and casually replied, “Do as you like. Anyway, this is all my marriage fund.”
“Huh?”
“You’ve taken my marriage fund.”
Ji Bai shakily pulled out the card. “Then I…”
Xie Sui’s eyes flashed with a threatening glint. He raised his chin and said, “Try going back on your word and see what happens.”
“……”
Seeing Ji Bai’s face filled with resentment from being tricked, Xie Sui felt a surge of satisfaction.
Ji Bai stored the bank card, knowing she would never use his money. It was also fine to keep it for him. At least it could somewhat restrain him from doing reckless things.
Watching her carefully put the card into her wallet, Xie Sui felt a sense of peace he hadn’t had in years. It was as if he had finally found a place to belong.
“Right, didn’t you mention you were having trouble with your homework?” Ji Bai asked. “Let me see it.”
Xie Sui had used that as an excuse to come over, but he did bring his English exercise book. He passed it to Ji Bai.
Ji Bai casually flipped through the English exercise book, expecting it to be a brand-new one. Yet to her surprise, many of the exercises had already been done. There were quite a few incorrect answers, but the mistakes had been marked in red pen and every word had been annotated with its meaning.
Xie Sui’s learning method was very rigid. He had practically rewritten all the reading comprehension questions in Chinese, even translating words like “are” and “is“.
Ji Bai frowned as she went through the exercise book, then she looked up at him. God knows how much time he had spent on the questions. He was practically dead set on doing them.
Xie Sui pulled out a thick Oxford dictionary from his bag and looked at Ji Bai, all nervous, “Did I do a bad job?”
Seeing Ji Bai remain silent, he cleared his throat and said with difficulty, “Well, my foundation isn’t very good. You…don’t think I’m stupid, I can definitely learn well.”
For some reason, Ji Bai felt a lump in her throat, an inexplicable sourness.
She held the book and sat down beside Xie Sui. “If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask me”
This was the first time Ji Bai had taken the initiative to approach Xie Sui. Feeling the girl sit beside him, all the muscles in his body tensed up and his senses filled with the scent of her lemon-scented body wash.
She had just taken a bath and was wearing a cotton Doraemon cartoon pajamas.
Xie Sui lowered his head and caught a glimpse of the girl’s fair and slender neck, her collarbones were deeply indented, creating a beautiful outline. Further in, the white lace edges of her undergarment were faintly visible.
Clad in her pajamas, she sat cross-legged beside him completely unguarded, which made him feel like he was trustworthy.
Xie Sui couldn’t help but smile.
She nudged him with her elbow, “Are you listening to me?”
“Yeah, I’m listening.” Xie Sui forced himself to focus and turned his attention back to the book.
Ji Bai went over the mistakes he made one by one, writing down some basic grammar structures and breaking them down for him to understand.
Xie Sui breathed in her faint scent, simply rested his chin on her shoulder and let out a long yawn.
Ji Bai tapped his head with her pen, “Pay attention.”
Xie Sui perked up and listened attentively as the girl explained the homework. Her voice had a certain soft and husky quality that was quite pleasant to listen to.
“Did you get it?”
“I don’t quite understand, but I’ll memorize everything you say.”
Ji Bai chuckled, “Alright, memorizing is good too.”
While it wasn’t the most efficient way, there’s nothing wrong with it. English does require a lot of memorization.
“Alright, that’s all for now. It’s pretty late now.” Ji Bai put the English book back into Xie Sui’s bag. “If you have any questions at school, just drop by my class.”
“Okay.”
“Let’s go back.” She stuffed the bag back into Xie Sui’s arms, “I’ll walk you downstairs.”
“Alright.”
It was getting late, and Xie Sui was afraid that something troublesome might happen if he stayed any longer. Therefore, he didn’t delay and went together with Ji Bai to the hotel’s entrance.
His bike was still parked by the side of the road.
Xie Sui unlocked it and pushed it over to Ji Bai, “I’m leaving.”
“Don’t rush.”
Under the light, a sweet smile graced the girl’s face, revealing adorable dimples that came and went.
His heart itched, he leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“Mm!” Ji Bai instinctively shrank away to the side, “You…”
Xie Sui placed one hand on the girl’s shoulder and slowly turned her body back towards him.
A blush crept up Ji Bai’s fair cheeks. She blinked her dark, long eyelashes and looked away, too shy to meet his eyes.
“Xie Sui…” She whispered his name softly.
Xie Sui leaned in and gently kissed the side of her face, pressing down lightly. His lips lingering on her soft and bouncy cheek.
Ji Bai felt his warm lips, and as it turns out this tough young man’s lips…could also be so soft.
She could feel the scratchy stubble on his chin tickling her face.
She tacitly allowed this gentle kiss on her cheek. Her grip tightened on the hem of his T-shirt, creating a small wrinkle.
The young man’s fervent and sincere feelings were like a wildfire, which Ji Bia found herself unable to resist. She gently closed her eyes, savoring the deep tremor he brought to her soul…
Xie Sui snatched her hand and placed it over his left chest. She could distinctly feel the frantic beating of his heart.
Lively and enthusiastic.
He retreated slightly and Ji Bai felt the place where he had kissed her was both burning hot and icy cold, a sensation she couldn’t describe.
“Xiao Bai, say you like me.”
“Why would I say something like that?” Ji Bai’s voice was hoarse. She lowered her eyes, her long, dark eyelashes slightly fluttering.
“say you love me, also works.” He even playfully used some English, refusing to give up as he pressed on, “You have to say something.”
Ji Bai pursed her lips, a small smile playing on her face. “Why do I have to say something?”
“Because…” Xie Sui muttered to himself, then said, “I want to hear you say something. Say anything at all. I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.”
The streetlight casted a shadow over his eyes.
Ji Bai thought for a moment and softly said, “Close your eyes.”
Xie Sui obediently closed his eyes, “Hmm?”
“Count to three.”
“For what?”
“Stop asking so many questions and just do it.”
Xie Sui closed his eyes, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Alright, I’ll count. One, two, three…”
By the time he opened his eyes, the girl had already ran far away.
“Tricked me again.”
With a graceful turn, she stood on the empty steps and waved at Xie Sui. “I didn’t trick you, Xie Sui. From now on, I’ll take care of you.”
Xie Sui raised an eyebrow and said, “What does that mean?!”
Without a word, she disappeared into the night.
Xie Sui bowed his head, a subtle curve forming at the corners of his mouth.
Originally, he could have endured the darkness, if he hadn’t seen the light. But now…
Having cast aside all the humiliation and gloom of the past, Xie Sui little by little looked up at the deep night sky.
As the darkness faded, a perpetual sea of stars gleamed in his eyes.
**
Just as Ji Bai had expected, after a week of her moving out. Tao Jiazhi and Ji Mingzhi dragged Ji Feifei to Huanyu Hotel to personally pick Ji Bai up and take her home.
Ji Feifei was taken aback when she saw Ji Bai’s hotel room. It was more comfortable than her own room, making her feel a bit upset.
She had originally thought that Ji Bai was staying in one of those cheap motels outside of school. She had even told their parents not to worry about her, thinking that once Ji Bai suffered a bit outside, she would realize her mistake and come back on her own.
However, she never expected that Ji Bai would be living so comfortably and carefree here. It was completely different from the impoverished and pitiful image Ji Feifei had imagined.
Ji Mingzhi and Tao Jiazhi had only found out yesterday that Ji Bai was living in Huanyu Grand Hotel under the protection of the old lady.
It was the first time they had heard the old lady lose her temper on the phone.
“I really thought it wouldn’t be long before you brought Xiao Bai home, but it’s been a whole week now, and there’s not even the slightest sign of action from you guys.”
“Aren’t you the ones who gave birth to the child? Why aren’t you worried when she’s missing?”
“As a grandmother, I feel ashamed on your behalf!”
“If it had been Ji Feifei who had gone missing, would you still be so unfazed?!”
Old Lady Ji’s barrage of questions left the parents’ stunned stupid. They hadn’t expected this matter to reach the old lady’s ears.
“No, mother…you, please listen to my explanation. It was Bai Bai herself…she wanted to leave on her own.”
“She’s just a child, have none of you grown up either?”
“Mother…”
“I’m giving you one day to bring Xiao Bai back immediately! Otherwise…you’ll see!” Old lady Ji declared before forcefully hanging up.
As a result, the two parents physically dragged Ji Feifei against her will to the Huanyu Grand Hotel, putting on a big show of “sincerity” as they went to bring Ji Bai back home.
They dared not disobey the old lady. With so many capable people in the family, Ji Mingzhi was already not highly regarded. It was only with the old lady’s support that their small company managed to stay afloat. If they lost her favor, they would truly be like mud that couldn’t stick to the wall, utterly hopeless.
“Bai Bai, come back home with us. It was Dad and Mom who were in the wrong. We shouldn’t have said those things to you before.”
Ji Bai knew that they weren’t sincerely apologizing or admitting their mistakes; they were merely bowing their heads because of the old lady’s influence.
Ji Bai ignored Ji Mingzhi and Tao Jiazhi. Her gaze fell on Ji Feifei, and she calmly asked, “What’s your say on this, older sister?”
Ji Feifei was examining the room. She had never stayed in such a high-end VIP room at the Huanyu Grand Hotel before.
“Dad, Mom, I see that younger sister is living quite comfortably here. I’m afraid she won’t be able to get used to living in our house again, especially since her room is much smaller than this.”
Ji Feifei gave Ji Bai a sarcastic look and remarked, “Once a bird finds a higher branch, it soon forgets the nest where it was raised.”
Indeed, Ji Bai’s room at home was the smallest bedroom, while Ji Feifei’s room was the largest master bedroom.
The disparity went beyond their rooms. Throughout their childhood, the best things at home were always given to Ji Feifei. Everything Ji Bai ate or used were always leftovers from Ji Feifei.
When they moved into the villa, Ji Feifei had the first choice of rooms. She picked the largest master bedroom, and then her practice room, leaving the tiny maid’s room as the only option for Ji Bai.
Over time, Ji Bai had become numb to the unfair treatment she received. She had given up on arguing because there was no point as she could never win against Ji Feifei.
“I am somewhat unused to the room at home.” Ji Bai calmly said looking at Ji Feifei, “So why don’t you let me have your room, older sister?”
Ji Feifei was struck dumb by what she heard.
She had meant to ridicule Ji Bai, but Ji Bai had turned the tables on her.
Ji Mingzhi asked, “You want your older sister’s room?”
Ji Bai hadn’t considered this before, but since Ji Feifei brought it up, she took the opportunity and said, “Yes, I want to switch rooms with Ji Feifei.”
“Dad, Mom! Absolutely not! Why do I have to switch rooms with her? I refuse, I absolutely refuse!”
Tao Jiazhi frowned, “Bai Bai, why are you so insistent on having your older sister’s room?”
“Because her room is bigger ah.”
“Bai Bai, be good. Don’t make trouble. You’ve been living in the smaller room for so many years, haven’t you gotten used to it? Now you’re throwing a tantrum and want to switch rooms with your older sister. Isn’t that being willful?”
Ji Bai sneered. All the things she has been used to were merely a product of their unfair treatment. It was their bias that made her accustomed to enduring.
Now, Ji Bai doesn’t want to put up with it anymore.
“That’s my condition for me to go back. Think it over.”
After saying that, she turned away from her parents, took her book to her desk, and began reviewing her work.
Tao Jiazhi and Ji Mingzhi looked at each other, then both turned to look at Ji Feifei.
“You…why are you guys looking at me like that?!” Ji Feifei exclaimed, panicked. “You can’t seriously be thinking of making me switch rooms with her!”
“Well, Fei Fei, it’s just switching rooms. It’s no big deal.”
“Sisters should naturally yield to each other.” Ji Mingzhi declared with finality. “It’s settled then. Today, switch rooms when you get home, let your younger sister have the master bedroom, and you can take the small room.”
Ji Feifei, who had never felt so wronged, felt her eyes reddened as she exclaimed, “Why?!'”
Ji Bai lifted her head with a cold expression, thinking, is this really so unbearable?
Why? Because she earned it.
The world shouldn’t be dictated by the weak. Yielding to others is an act of goodwill, not an obligation.
Ji Bai knew that although her parents favored Ji Feifei, they wouldn’t dare disobey Old Lady Ji’s orders. After all, the entire family’s livelihood depended on the branch company they managed, which was completely dependent on the main Ji Group.
So, Ji Feifei had no choice but to give in today, whether she wanted to or not.
Ji Bai had long given up hope that her parents would change their minds. Now, the only person she could rely on was herself.
Upon returning home that evening, their parents arranged for Ji Feifei to switch rooms with Ji Bai. It was a long-overdue triumph for Ji Bai, who had been the victim of unfair treatment for years.
Ji Feifei’s room was very spacious with its own bathroom, a walk-in closet, and a study.
With arms full of clothes, Ji Feifei stormed out of her walk-in closet and shoved them into Ji Bai’s tiny closet, nearly bursting into tears.
“This closet is so tiny. How am I supposed to fit all my clothes in here?”
Ji Bai, leaning against the door, coldly retorted, “It’s because you have too many clothes, isn’t it?”
Ji Bai only had a few clothes over the years, so a tiny closet was more than enough.
Now, she wanted Ji Feifei to experience firsthand the kind of life she had been living all these years. It was easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to adjust from luxury to frugality. And besides, there was still plenty of bitterness waiting for her to taste.
True to her word, Ji Bai had returned with a smile, just as she promised.
**
From Od Lady Ji’s attitude, Ji Bai’s parents gradually realized her significance. This little daughter, whom they had always ignored, had unknowingly grown up to resemble Ji Jing.
Perhaps in the future, she would achieve great things in this vast world.
Perhaps in the future, Ji’s Group’s successor…
These thoughts subtly changed their attitude towards Ji Bai.
The mid-term exams were approaching, and they were especially important for the second-year students as it was the last significant test before the division into classes in the third year. According to the teacher, the results in this exam will likely dictate their class placements.
During this period, Xie Sui had been relentlessly tackling English. As for the other subjects, he wasn’t too concerned, but when it came to English, he was full of ambition…determined, at the very least, to pass.
The English exam was scheduled for 2 p.m. After lunch, Ji Bai wandered to the fifth floor after leaving the cafeteria and passed by Xie Sui’s classroom.
Most of the students in the classroom were dozing off with books as pillows. The young man, clad in a dark and thin T-shirt, sat in the last row of the classroom. His long legs had nowhere to go, so he stretched them out casually under the chair of the student in front of him.
The sleek and defined muscles on his fair arms were a rare sight among high school boys.
He was holding a pen, scribbling and sketching. His eyebrows creased in concentration, his thin lips moved soundlessly as he struggled to commit something to memory. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead, but his expression remained very serious.
Xie Sui may appear nonchalant and unbothered most of the time, but when he was serious, he was actually quite charming.
Cong Yuzhou, sitting in the front row, slightly leaned back and whispered, “By the door, Xiao Bai is watching you.”
Xie Sui’s head snapped up and saw the girl by the doorway.
She was wearing a white dress, her jet-black hair fell softly over her shoulders. Her dark, doe-like eyes were bright and clear, with long and curled eyelashes. She casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her rosy cherry lips curved into a smile, revealing endearing dimples.
Very well-behaved.
Xie Sui’s muddle headed brain felt like it had been doused with ice-cold cola, instantly clearing it up .
Ji Bai waved at Xie Sui, silently greeting him, before leaving.
The young man’s soul was drawn away, and after writing a few words on his paper, he could no longer focus. Unable to resist any longer, he shot out of his seat and caught up with Ji Bai.
At the top of the quiet staircase, warm sunlight slanted in through the square skylight, illuminating the dancing dust particles.
Ji Bai turned around, looked at the young man standing on the stairs and said, “Do well on your exam.”
Xie Sui sauntered down the stairs step by step, stopped beside her, leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, and smiled, “Will there be a reward if I do well?”
Ji Bai was also in a good mood. Walking over to him, she teased, “What kind of reward do you want?”
A beam of light refracted through the skylight and landed right on his eyes, illuminating his light brown irises and making them appear even more transparent, as if shimmering with light.
He gestured towards his lips and said, “I want this.”
“That’s not possible, but I can give you this instead.” Ji Bai stood on her tiptoes and poked his cheek.
His face was pretty tough, not soft at all. His skin was tight and a bit rough, and it looked like he hadn’t been getting enough sleep lately, because there were a few small pimples on his face.
Despite these, his face remained undeniably handsome.
Xie Sui raised an eyebrow, thinking this was pretty good too, “It’s a deal.”
“Who said that was all?” Ji Bai thought for a moment, hands behind her back, “You’ll have to get a high score. Just passing won’t do.”
Xie Sui readily agreed, “You give me the score, I’ll get it.”
He would never bargain over something like this. Although his current level was at best just passing, he wouldn’t settle for that.
He would work hard to meet Ji Bai’s expectations.
Ji Bai looked down, a small smile playing on her lips, “Let me think.”
“Don’t tell me you want me to get 150.”
“I won’t make it too hard for you.”
So Xie Sui nervously waited for her to set a target score.
Ji Bai stood on the step above him and reached out to ruffle his hair, “How about…91 points.”
One point higher than the passing score, and I’ll reward you.
T/N:
Sorry for not updating for so long. Kind of got burnout. (;´Д`)Please comment and share if you like the story!
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