After arriving at the high-speed rail factory’s residential compound yesterday,
Sang Sang greeted her so-called “cheap” eldest uncle’s family. Her newly acquired “bargain father” then had her stepbrother, Bai Zhixin, take her along with the two children of Uncle Bai’s family, who were about her age, to play off to the side.
Bai Anhua and his wife, Zhang Hui, had three children—two sons and a daughter.
Their eldest son, Bai Zhizhong, was twenty-two this year and already a full-time worker at the steel factory.Their second son, Bai Zhiguo, was sixteen and in his second year of high school.Their youngest daughter, Bai Tingting, was the same age as Sang Sang—both fifteen—and would start high school in September.
Sang Sang had only recently been brought to Harbin by her mother and wasn’t familiar with the Bai family, so she naturally put on the act of a well-behaved, obedient girl. She followed closely beside Bai Zhixin, calling out to him sweetly.
“Brother, you’re amazing! That building block set is so complicated, and you can still put it together—so impressive!” she said, showering him with exaggerated praise.
Kids these days matured early. Bai Zhixin was at that age when first love stirred, and the soft, sweet voice of a young girl made his ears turn red with embarrassment. He replied stiffly, “It’s… it’s simple. Most people can do it. If you… if you want to learn, I can teach you.”
Inside, Sang Sang rolled her eyes. Who would want to learn something so boring? But outwardly, she put on a delighted expression. “Wow, really? Thank you, brother!”
By now, not just his ears were red…
“Hmph, what a country bumpkin. Look at you acting like you’ve never seen the world—it’s just building blocks,” came a mocking voice.
From the very first moment she saw this stepdaughter of her second uncle, Bai Tingting had disliked Sang Sang. And now, seeing her flatter that annoying Bai Zhixin, she couldn’t hold back her sarcasm.
Sang Sang’s beautiful almond-shaped eyes flickered. She ignored Bai Tingting, silently moved to the other side of Bai Zhixin, and slowly swept her gaze over Bai Tingting from head to toe.
The meaning was obvious.
How interesting—between the two of them, who exactly was the real country bumpkin?
Not to mention that Sang Sang had grown up in Shanghai—just based on appearance alone, anyone could tell who looked more provincial.
This wasn’t arrogance. She truly had the confidence to back it up: delicate, flawless features as if finely sculpted, a high nose bridge, skin as smooth as jade, almond eyes and peach-blossom cheeks.
Though only fifteen, she already had the beauty of a girl capable of toppling kingdoms.
As for Bai Tingting, she could only be called somewhat pretty. Combined with Harbin’s dry climate, her skin appeared a bit rough. Standing next to Sang Sang, she was reduced to looking like a servant.
That was the main reason Bai Tingting disliked her. A spoiled girl who had grown up pampered—how could she tolerate being overshadowed?
“What are you staring at, you country bumpkin!”
“At such a young age, you’re already like your mother—using your looks to get by. Shameless!”
“Hmph, your mother’s shameless too, bringing you along to latch onto my second uncle!”
Enraged by Sang Sang’s gaze, Bai Tingting lost all restraint, her insults growing increasingly vicious.
Sang Sang didn’t argue back. She simply lowered her head, hiding her expression.
Bai Tingting took this as proof that she had hit the mark—that Sang Sang didn’t dare respond, an easy target to bully.
So she became even more unrestrained, her insults growing louder and harsher.
“Shut up. Don’t make me slap you,” Bai Zhixin snapped angrily.
No matter what, Sang Sang was now part of their family—how could he just stand by and watch her get bullied?
After shouting at Bai Tingting, he turned to comfort the seemingly weak and helpless Sang Sang. “Don’t be afraid. If anyone bullies you, I’ll beat them up for you.”
At those words, Sang Sang’s eyes flickered. A plan began to form in her mind.
She wasn’t someone with a good temper—on the contrary, she was the type to take revenge for even the smallest grievance.
Ever since childhood, Sang Sang had been full of schemes. In the eyes of her peers back in Shanghai, she was selfish and vicious.
Now that Bai Tingting had provoked her—insulting her to her face—there was no way she would let it go so easily.
But her father’s accident had happened not long ago, and her mother had only just remarried into this family. She couldn’t openly retaliate.
So she had been thinking about how to make Bai Tingting pay without drawing attention.
A glance at the setup not far away, and a plan took shape.
Putting on an innocent face, she said sweetly, “So Sister Tingting is so well-mannered! Uncle Bai and Auntie must have taught you so well—you can even talk about your elders behind their backs. Ah, such fine upbringing. I should go outside later and tell Uncle Bai and the others all about it.”
At first, Bai Tingting didn’t react. After a moment, she finally understood—and exploded with rage.
“You little bitch! Who are you calling ill-mannered? You country bumpkin, you freeloader!”
“Sister, are you admitting that you lack manners?” Sang Sang said gently, her tone soft but her words infuriating. “Oh dear, so you agree your family’s upbringing has problems—no wonder you’re barking like a mad dog.”
Bai Tingting, the youngest and only daughter in her family, had always been spoiled. Never had she been insulted like this before. Furious, she raised her hand to slap Sang Sang.
But Sang Sang wasn’t about to stand there and take it. She sidestepped, calculated her position out of the corner of her eye, and cleverly hid behind Bai Zhixin.
Bai Tingting was moving too fast to stop—her slap landed squarely on Bai Zhixin’s face.
“Ah! Brother, your face!” Sang Sang cried out from behind him.
A sixteen-year-old boy, slapped in the face in front of his new stepsister—and by someone he already disliked—how could he endure it?
Furious, he shoved Bai Tingting hard. She was already flustered and didn’t react in time, falling straight to the ground.
Unlucky for her, she hit the corner of a table behind her—blood appeared instantly.
The back of her head was split open.
“Ahhh! Help! Murder! I’m going to die!” Bai Tingting wailed hysterically, crying so hard that tears and snot ran down her face.
…
The Bai household descended into chaos.
Sang Sang stood quietly behind the crowd, quite satisfied with the outcome.
Served Bai Tingting right for having such a foul mouth. Even if she died, it wouldn’t be her fault—after all, she hadn’t laid a hand on her.
Just as she thought she had gotten away cleanly, Bai Tingting—despite crying so hard she could barely breathe—still remembered to accuse her.
“Waaah… Qin Sang and Bai Zhixin hurt me… waaah…”
Hearing her daughter’s words, Zhang Hui immediately pointed at Sang Sang and her mother, cursing loudly, “My poor Tingting! You two disasters—hurting my daughter! Get out! Get out of my house! If anything happens to Tingting, I won’t let you off!”
Hidden behind the crowd, Sang Sang’s delicate face turned pale, looking like she was frightened out of her wits.
But in reality, she felt only regret—regret that Bai Tingting hadn’t died from the fall. If she had, and if Zhang Hui had followed her, the world would be a lot quieter.
Qin Yunxi thought much the same. She even wished Bai Tingting had either died or been crippled, and she couldn’t stand Zhang Hui’s arrogant, condescending attitude from the moment they arrived.
“Anrong…”
Qin Yunxi softly called her new husband’s name, her eyes reddening as she swayed weakly.
This immediately distressed Bai Anrong. Already at odds with Zhang Hui, he now grew furious seeing his beloved humiliated.
“Hmph! If we’re not welcome, we’ll leave! From now on, our two families need not associate!” he said angrily. “Yunxi, Sang Sang, don’t be afraid—we’re going home.”
“Oh, and Zhixin too.”
Bai Zhixin: “…”
Thanks for remembering me.
Zhang Hui’s face darkened, about to curse again, but Bai Anhua stopped her.
“Zhang Hui, shut up!”
He then turned apologetically to Qin Yunxi. “Sister-in-law, I apologize on behalf of my wife and Tingting.”
Qin Yunxi quickly replied, “We’re all family. Sister-in-law was just worried about Tingting—she didn’t mean it.”
Then she looked tenderly at her husband. “Anrong, your elder brother is still your brother. Don’t let this come between you. Let’s send Tingting to the hospital first.”
Bai Anrong was deeply moved—thinking she was enduring injustice for his sake.
If Qin Yunxi knew, she’d say he was overthinking. She simply didn’t want her reputation in Harbin damaged so soon after remarrying.
…
In the end, the farce concluded with Bai Anrong and Bai Anhua taking Bai Tingting to the hospital.
Qin Yunxi kept up appearances.
After returning home, she told Sang Sang to act properly in front of her stepfather for the next few days—at least put on a good attitude.
Sang Sang immediately understood. Just pretend to be pitiful, weak, and helpless.
And so, that very night and the next morning, she claimed she had no appetite and didn’t come to the table.
Of course, she secretly ate pastries and malted milk in her room.
She had no intention of actually going hungry.