Not long after Yan Ji was discharged from the hospital, she received a movie offer. After skimming through the script, Zhang Tong told her, “Director Wen made this film specifically to compete for major awards. You should definitely audition. You might just gain some unexpected rewards from this project.”
The movie was titled 《Siblings》. It told the touching story of a brother and sister who had been separated at an orphanage and the trials they faced as they pursued their respective dreams. In the end, the older sister tragically died in a car accident while trying to save her blind younger brother. Before passing away, she donated her corneas to him, allowing him to see the world again. Guided by her legacy, he went on to achieve tremendous success in his beloved art career, with his masterpiece painting titled 《Siblings》 serving as a tribute to her.
Yan Ji agreed to the audition immediately. In the original timeline, the body’s original owner had won the coveted Best Actress title because of this exact film.
True to form, on her very first day on set, she once again crossed paths with Meng Yiming, who stood there waiting with a bright smile on his face.
Back at the hospital entrance, Meng Yiming, Xue Yang, and Chen Jin’an had run directly into one another. A man’s sixth sense told each of them that they all shared the same goal. Because of that realization, a thick layer of mutual hostility had formed between the three men.
Yan Ji, however, had ignored the romantic undercurrents entirely. She had simply climbed straight into Zhang Tong’s car and driven away. Ever since that day, she had constantly received all kinds of invitations, gifts, and dates from the trio.
“What a coincidence.” Meng Yiming said, his smile gentle and warm.
Yan Ji raised her brows playfully. “Isn’t it……?”
What Yan Ji hadn’t expected was that Meng Yiming had actually landed the role of the male lead in 《Siblings》. Still, she didn’t read too much into it. After a brief moment of surprise, she put the thought out of her mind and focused on her work.
The movie wrapped up production in just under half a month. Following that, Yan Ji stopped accepting intensive acting roles. Occasionally, she accepted high-paying endorsement deals from Chen Jin’an’s company, or casually went out for dinners when one of the three men invited her. Her days passed leisurely and comfortably.
Half a year flew by in the blink of an eye. One afternoon, Yan Ji was lying on the sofa at home with a facial mask on when 052’s mechanical voice suddenly echoed in her mind.
Yan Ji froze slightly before remembering that today was the day of the grand film festival, the exact date the original owner was destined to receive the Best Actress award. She slowly peeled off the sheet mask and lightly patted the remaining essence into her cheeks. “Isn’t the host supposed to be extracted immediately upon completing a mission? Why are you asking for my input this time?”
〖The host cannot stay in the first world for an extended duration, but options expand starting from the second world.〗 052 replied calmly. 〖For this transition, you can choose to live out a full natural lifetime here or choose to leave immediately. The original owner has retained enough residual energy to live out the remainder of her own life once you depart. Please make your choice.〗
“Then let’s leave.” Yan Ji said without hesitation.
She had already grown tired of this world. On top of that, the relentless, competitive pursuit from the three men was starting to give her a massive headache. She couldn’t be bothered to untangle that romantic web herself. It was a complete waste of time. It was much better to leave those choices to the original owner anyway.
Yan Ji tossed the used mask into the trash can. A second later, her soul cleanly separated from the physical body, vanishing entirely from this world.
……
《Siblings》 became an absolute critical and commercial phenomenon, directly propelling Yan Ji and Meng Yiming to the thrones of Best Actress and Best Actor. After claiming her prestigious title, Yan Ji gradually faded out of the entertainment industry, rarely ever appearing before the public eye again.
Even so, her classic works continued to circulate widely online, and her peerless, timeless beauty never failed to captivate wave after wave of new fans for generations to come.
……
By Qin Yu’s third year in prison, she had already lost her mind. She constantly muttered nonsense to herself, sometimes raving that she was an enchantress from the Hehuan Sect, and other times claiming she was a world-renowned superstar and that Xue Yang and the other elites were all her men.
No one paid any attention to her delusions.
The other inmates looked down on her immensely. Insults, humiliation, and beatings became a routine part of her existence. Powerful forces on the outside had specifically instructed the others to ensure she was ‘well taken care of’, reducing Qin Yu’s status to the absolute bottom of the prison hierarchy.
Perhaps the psychological whiplash was simply too great— tumbling from the heights of a pampered, revered darling of the entertainment industry to the absolute gutter of society. Unable to cope with the reality of her broken life, Qin Yu ultimately committed suicide in her cell.
……
The next time news of Yan Ji surfaced publicly was ten years later. She was getting married to Meng Yiming.
For ten long years, only Meng Yiming had pursued her with unwavering, relentless devotion. Even a heart carved of stone would have been warmed by such persistence over a decade, let alone Yan Ji, who had never truly been cold-hearted to begin with.
The wedding was a grand, high-profile affair. Chen Jin’an and Xue Yang were both in attendance. Five years prior, Chen Jin’an had married the daughter of a prominent family under heavy pressure from his elders, while Xue Yang had settled down with a new partner two years earlier.
“You look exceptionally beautiful today.” Chen Jin’an murmured, looking at the woman standing before him in her bridal gown. The rigid coldness that usually defined his features had softened over the years. Standing quietly beside him was his wife.
Yan Ji let out a bright, familiar laugh. “CEO Chen, you’re mistaken. When have I ever not looked beautiful?”
Chen Jin’an chuckled softly, giving her one last, deeply nostalgic look. He presented his extravagant wedding gift and took his leave with his wife by his side. He knew now, with absolute certainty, that Yan Ji had never harbored a single romantic feeling for him in her life.
Xue Yang also arrived, accompanied by his girlfriend. Yan Ji’s attitude toward him was even more detached and polite. After exchanging a few superficial pleasantries, she smoothly made an excuse to walk away, leaving a lingering trace of melancholy in Xue Yang’s eyes.
Meanwhile, the radiant smile on Meng Yiming’s face never faded for a single second. He watched as the woman he loved, linked arm-in-arm with her father, slowly walked down the aisle toward him. It was a scene he had conjured in his dreams thousands of times, and now it was finally a reality.
“I’m so incredibly happy, ‘Sister’.” He whispered as she reached him. Now a man in his thirties, he was at the absolute peak of mature, masculine charm, yet using that old, playful nickname from his youth was still enough to make one’s heart skip a beat.
Yan Ji’s eyes curved into elegant crescents, ripples of genuine warmth shimmering within them. “I’m happy too.”
Thank you for choosing me. Meng Yiming thought passionately. I will spend the rest of my life loving you.
With deep reverence, Meng Yiming slipped the wedding band onto Yan Ji’s finger. Caught in the golden streams of the afternoon sunlight, the diamond caught the light, gleaming with a dazzling brilliance.
────ρя
Arc 3
“Miss Yan, the clothes you requested have been packed.”
Yan Ji opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was a sales assistant wearing a polite, practiced smile. Keeping her composure, Yan Ji swept a calm gaze over her surroundings before accepting the shopping bag with a brief word of thanks. Turning on her heel, she walked out of the boutique, her long legs striking a confident stride.
This was a luxury shopping mall. Following the directional signs, Yan Ji made her way to the restroom. She locked herself inside a stall, sat down on the closed toilet lid, and began absorbing the memories of the body’s original owner.
Her current identity was that of a wealthy young lady. Her father was a prominent real estate tycoon in A City, possessing immense wealth. She also had a handsome, affluent fiancé and a devoted childhood friend who had grown up alongside her.
In the original timeline, both her fiancé and her childhood friend were deeply in love with her, constantly vying for her affection. Ultimately, she married her fiancé, while her childhood friend silently stepped back, content to guard her happiness from afar.
From that perspective, the original owner was someone blessed by fate— or she would have been, if that woman had never appeared.
In this altered timeline, when the original owner was eighteen, she befriended a university classmate named Su Baixin. Su Baixin was the quintessential Mary Sue heroine— pure, kind, beautiful, and endearingly clumsy.
She was also the catalyst that ultimately destroyed the Yan family and drove the original owner to jump to her death in absolute despair.
Su Baixin came from an impoverished background. Her mother suffered from a severe illness, leaving the family buried under a mountain of debt. Through sheer perseverance, Su Baixin had earned a spot at A City’s top university, juggling multiple part-time jobs to pay for her tuition and her mother’s medical bills.
Drawn to her resilience, the original owner had taken her under her wing, arranging a position for Su Baixin at her family’s company and frequently offering financial support. In fact, if Su Baixin hadn’t stubbornly refused to let the original owner cover her mother’s treatment costs, the older woman’s condition likely would have improved long ago.
At the time, the original owner had deeply admired that fierce pride.
However, everything changed when she discovered that both her fiancé and her childhood friend had become entangled with Su Baixin. Consumed by jealousy, the original owner turned into the villainess, targeting Su Baixin at every turn— only to be utterly ruined by the very men she had known for years. In the end, broken and hopeless, she threw herself off a building.
Having fully integrated the memories, Yan Ji opened her eyes. Hearing 052’s voice in her mind, she raised her brows slightly. She pushed open the stall door, walked over to the sink to wash her hands, and lifted her gaze to appraise the young woman in the mirror.
The original owner was the textbook definition of a wealthy socialite beauty, possessing exquisite features and a striking, hourglass figure. Even the simple, off-the-shoulder red dress she wore looked like high fashion on her.
Yan Ji tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ear and smiled at her reflection. The beauty in the glass possessed captivating, phoenix-like eyes that shimmered like rippling water. Picking up the shopping bag, she walked out of the restroom.
Ironically, the clothes inside the bag had been bought by the original owner as a gift for Su Baixin.
Worse still, today was the exact day she was destined to discover that her fiancé and her so-called best friend had betrayed her behind her back.
The luxury mall spanned four floors. The first sold shoes, the second clothing, the third cosmetics, and the fourth jewelry.
Yan Ji calmly rode the escalator up to the fourth floor. Under the warm, ambient lighting, showcases of diamonds and rare gems sparkled with dazzling brilliance. Women naturally loved beautiful things, and as a fox spirit, Yan Ji valued her appearance just as much as her cultivation.
She walked into the largest jewelry store on the floor. A waiting sales associate immediately approached her with a polished smile. “Good afternoon, miss. How may I assist you today?”
“I’ll just look around on my own.” Yan Ji replied smoothly.
“Of course. Please let me know if anything catches your eye.” The employee replied, discreetly appraising her. The latest limited-edition luxury handbag, designer clothes, and a ladies’ watch that easily cost half a million yuan— this young woman was undeniably, immensely wealthy.
With that realization, the associate respectfully stepped back to give her space.
Yan Ji browsed the displays with casual grace until her gaze paused on a platinum necklace showcased under a spotlight. The piece was incredibly delicate, casting a cold, brilliant gleam under the lights. At its center hung a minimalist circular pendant embedded with a flawless diamond. It was simple, exquisite, and breathtakingly beautiful.
“How much is this necklace?” Yan Ji leaned in slightly for a closer look, turning to the sales associate.
The associate’s eyes lit up. She hurried forward, her enthusiasm palpable. “Miss, you have truly impeccable taste. This necklace is our store’s latest signature piece, and it is a one-of-a-kind design.” As she spoke, she carefully unlocked the display case and lifted the necklace out. “The price is three million yuan. Its net weight is—”
“I’ll take it.”
Before the sales associate could finish her sentence, a warm, familiar voice cut in from behind.
Yan Ji narrowed her eyes slightly. She listened as the man behind her spoke to the woman at his side in a deeply indulgent tone, “Consider this necklace my gift to you, Xinxin. Do you like it?”
“Oh, no, Brother Chen, it’s far too expensive. I couldn’t possibly accept it.” The woman’s voice was soft, sweet, and carried a delicate innocence that naturally disarmed people.
Yan Ji turned around. Watching the two of them practically wrapped around each other like a pair of infatuated newlyweds, a faint, mocking smile touched her lips. “Oh? What a coincidence. Shopping here too?”
Jiang Chen and Su Baixin instantly froze, their expressions turning as pale as if they had just seen a ghost.
Why was Yan Ji there?!
“Xiao Yan…… you’re out shopping too?” Jiang Chen’s usually smooth voice sounded incredibly strained. His eyes darted around nervously, completely unable to hold Yan Ji’s gaze. Flirting intimately with another woman right in front of his actual fiancée was a betrayal he couldn’t possibly justify, no matter how he spun it.
Shrinking under Yan Ji’s calm, piercing stare, Su Baixin panicked. Subconsciously, she burrowed deeper into Jiang Chen’s arms. Her face twisted into an expression of innocent grievance, her wide, round eyes welling with sudden fear.
Anxious to defend herself, she waved her hands frantically and whispered, “Xiao Yan, p-please don’t misunderstand! There’s absolutely nothing going on between Brother Chen and me……” As she spoke, her eyes flushed red. Sniffling softly, she looked the absolute picture of a pitiful, wronged victim.
Seeing her like this, Jiang Chen’s guilt instantly morphed into irritation. He snapped his head up to look at Yan Ji, his brow furrowed as he scolded her, “Xiao Yan, how can you scare Xinxin like this? She is so fragile and timid. Why do you always have to bully her?”
Yan Ji: “……”
What had she even done?
Yan Ji looked at Jiang Chen as if she were staring at a certified idiot. Tilting her head slightly, she said, “Jiang Chen, are you off your medication? If you’re sick, go take your pills instead of flaunting your lack of intelligence in front of me. How exactly am I bullying her? Is there something wrong with your eyes, or is it your brain that’s malfunctioning?”
With that, Yan Ji couldn’t help but let out a soft, melodic laugh. The smile on her lips was dripping with ridicule, and her formidable aura surged outward, completely dominating the room.
The original owner had always possessed a fiery, uncompromising temper. Had she been a weak pushover, she never would have turned evil so completely after discovering the dual betrayal of her fiancé and best friend.
“Xiao Yan, how can you speak about Brother Chen that way?” Su Baixin gathered her courage to speak up, her bright, clear eyes flashing with righteous indignation.
Yan Ji ignored her entirely. Instead, she casually pulled a sleek black card from her purse and handed it to the stunned sales associate. “Wrap the necklace for me.”
“Y-yes, miss.” The completely bewildered associate instinctively took the card. She quickly packaged the piece and returned the box alongside the card. “Miss, this is also our boutique’s VIP card. With this, you will receive a ten percent discount on all future purchases.”
“Thank you.” Yan Ji gave a slight nod and turned to leave.
Seeing that Yan Ji completely treated them like air, Su Baixin bit her lower lip, calling out pitifully, “Xiao Yan, why are you acting like this? Aren’t we supposed to be best friends?”
“Please call me Yan Ji, or Miss Yan.” Yan Ji arched an eyebrow, pausing to look back at Su Baixin. Suddenly, a sudden flare of heat burned within her chest— a desperate, lingering urge to demand why Su Baixin had betrayed her when the original owner had genuinely regarded her as a true friend.
Yan Ji frowned slightly, ruthlessly suppressing the surging wave of hatred. She knew these turbulent, raw emotions belonged entirely to the residual consciousness of the original owner.
Steeling her expression, Yan Ji said calmly, “If you don’t understand the concept of basic boundaries and insist on throwing yourself at your best friend’s fiancé, then I’m afraid I have no use for a ‘best friend’ like you.”
Those parting words caused the sales associate who was secretly watching the drama to widen her eyes in absolute shock. She stared at the entangled couple in utter disbelief.
Good heavens! That man was actually the rich beauty’s fiancé?! And that woman was her best friend?!
This piece of gossip was explosive.
The audacity of this shameless duo was mind-blowing, and the wealthy heiress was far too pitiful. The associate instantly aligned her sympathy with Yan Ji, throwing glances of pure contempt at Jiang Chen and Su Baixin.
“Xiao Yan, it’s really not what you think……” Su Baixin’s eyes widened in panic. Looking at Yan Ji with a deeply wounded expression, she scrambled to explain herself.
Yan Ji didn’t have the patience for her performance. She walked straight past them without a backward glance and left the store.
Jiang Chen instinctively turned his head, his eyes tracking Yan Ji’s departing figure. A sudden, strange emptiness settled in his chest, as if something vital had just slipped through his fingers forever.
Before he could dissect the feeling, Su Baixin’s soft, breathless sobbing pulled him back. Seeing the fragile, heartbroken expression of the woman in his arms, Jiang Chen’s heart ached with protective instinct. He pulled her tightly into his embrace, murmuring gentle comforts.
Unbelievable trash. Absolute, unadulterated trash!
What a textbook white lotus[1]someone who acts completely innocent, delicate, and pitiful on the outside but is actually manipulative and scheming on the inside jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_2454527_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_2454527_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });!
The sales associate shook her head in sheer disgust, already covertly whipping out her phone to blast the juicy scandal to her group chat.
────ρя
After leaving the mall, Yan Ji called the family driver to pick her up. By the time she arrived home, it was already noon. An elegant woman was sitting on the sofa watching television. Hearing the sharp click of high heels tapping against the marble floor, she turned around.
“Sweetheart, you’re back? What did you buy while you were out?” Mother Yan asked warmly, her face radiating maternal affection.
Yan Ji swapped her heels for comfortable slippers, walked over, and pulled out the jewelry box she had bought, handing it to Mother Yan. “I got this for you. Why don’t you open it and see if you like it?”
Mother Yan was pleasantly surprised. Their precious daughter rarely thought to bring home gifts for them. She eagerly opened the velvet box and lifted out the exquisite platinum necklace.
“Oh, it’s absolutely stunning! Sweetheart, hurry, help Mom put it on.” Mother Yan urged, her face lighting up with an irrepressible smile.
Yan Ji smiled gently, taking the necklace from her hands and fastening it securely around her mother’s neck.
Father and Mother Yan had only ever had this one daughter. They doted on her fiercely, treating her like a fragile treasure, constantly terrified she might break or melt away. It was that absolute indulgence that had inadvertently nurtured the original owner’s arrogant and explosive temper.
It was also because they loved her so much that, in the altered timeline, they had tried to stand up for her against Jiang Chen and Ouyang Hao. In retaliation, the two men had ruthlessly conspired against the Yan family’s company, driving it into bankruptcy and drowning them in insurmountable debt. Father Yan had suffered a fatal heart attack from the shock, and Mother Yan slit her wrists the very next day. Broken by the sudden loss of everything, the original owner had ultimately chosen to end her own young life as well.
“It looks beautiful on you.” Yan Ji praised genuinely, shaking off the dark memories of the original owner’s past.
Mother Yan had taken immaculate care of herself. Though she was nearly forty years old, she easily passed for twenty-eight or twenty-nine. Standing next to Yan Ji, they looked more like sisters than mother and daughter.
“Why is your tongue so sweet today? Did you eat honey for breakfast?” Mother Yan teased, a faint blush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks at the praise. Looking fondly at her daughter, she added, “I haven’t seen Xiao Chen or Haohao in a while. Why don’t we invite them over for dinner tonight?”
Jiang Chen and Ouyang Hao had grown up alongside Yan Ji. To Mother Yan, they were practically her own sons.
Hearing those names, a dangerous chill flickered across Yan Ji’s eyes. She lowered her gaze, looking at Mother Yan’s slender, fair wrists, and smiled softly— though the warmth never reached her eyes. “Sure.”
……
At lunchtime, Father Yan returned from the office. Mother Yan lightly touched the necklace at her throat and walked over to greet him with a bright smile.
“A new necklace? It suits you beautifully.” Father Yan remarked, his tone incredibly tender. His handsome features shared a distinct resemblance to Yan Ji’s, and every gesture carried the poised aura of a successful businessman combined with the refined charm of a mature man. Looking at his beloved wife, his eyes overflowed with warmth.
Mother Yan’s smile deepened, her tone playful, “Yes, our baby girl bought it specifically for me. Isn’t it gorgeous?”
Father Yan paused, his eyes narrowing playfully as he looked over at Yan Ji, who was curled up on the sofa scrolling through her phone. “Sweetheart, you didn’t get anything for Dad?”
“……”
Yan Ji froze for a fraction of a second before quickly recovering. “I did, but you’ll have to go up to your study to see it.”
Hearing that, Father Yan’s face brightened instantly. Grinning like a child, he immediately turned and headed toward the second-floor study.
“Honestly, that man……” Mother Yan murmured affectionately. She turned back to Yan Ji, smoothing down the edges of her daughter’s dress as Yan Ji stood up from the sofa. “I’ll go ahead and call Xiao Chen and Haohao. If you have nothing to do this afternoon, why don’t you visit the Jiang family? Your Aunt Jiang was just asking about you yesterday.”
The smile on Yan Ji’s face faded completely, replaced by a cool indifference. She offered a noncommittal nod in response. Fortunately, Mother Yan kept her head lowered the entire time, entirely missing her daughter’s icy expression.
……
“Dad.” Yan Ji pushed open the heavy mahogany door to the study.
Father Yan set down the documents he was reviewing and looked up. With his reading glasses on, he looked exceptionally refined and scholarly. Looking at his daughter— now a graceful, fully grown woman— he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly with a swell of fatherly pride.
That brat from the Jiang family really struck gold.
Coming back to the present, Father Yan smiled. “Well? Where is this gift you promised?”
“Dad, I want to learn how to manage the company.” Yan Ji pulled out a leather chair and sat down, completely skipping the pleasantries.
Father Yan froze. Once the words registered, his brow furrowed in confusion. “Didn’t you always despise the family business?”
Years ago, Father Yan had practically begged Yan Ji to study business management so she could inherit his empire. But she had fiercely refused, possessing absolutely no interest in corporate life. It was precisely because of her stubborn reluctance that Father Yan had readily agreed to the engagement with the Jiang family.
After all, Jiang Chen was a boy he had watched grow up. Whether it was entrusting his life’s work or his only daughter to him, Father Yan had felt entirely at peace with the choice.
But now, out of nowhere, his daughter was telling him she wanted the reins?
“Did Jiang Chen do something to you?” Sharp and intuitive, Father Yan instantly deduced the reason behind his daughter’s sudden change of heart.
Yan Ji smiled smoothly, neither confirming nor denying his suspicion. “Back then, I was young and naive. I’ve grown up since then. I’ve realized it’s always safer to keep what’s yours strictly in your own hands.”
Seeing that she clearly had no intention of elaborating, Father Yan’s frown deepened. He fell silent, his fingers rhythmically tapping against the mahogany desk. The heavy, deliberate sound carried the oppressive, commanding weight unique to a man used to absolute power.
Yan Ji remained completely unfazed, lounging lazily in her chair with effortless grace.
After a long, tense silence, Father Yan let out a helpless sigh. “You’re currently majoring in fine arts. I’ll pull some strings with the dean to get you transferred into the business management program. As for the company, I’ll arrange a position for you at a subsidiary so you can gain some experience. If you find out you can’t handle the heat, then you go right back to studying what you actually enjoy. Deal?”
“Thank you, Dad. So, are you satisfied with my gift?” Yan Ji smiled brilliantly, giving him a playful wink before rising and sliding out of the study.
She knew that even though he claimed it didn’t matter, deep down, he had always secretly hoped his business empire would remain in his daughter’s hands rather than be handed over to a future son-in-law.
Father Yan shook his head as the door clicked shut. “That girl…… always acting on a whim.” Yet, despite his grumbling, a proud smile lingered on his face.
……
Yan Ji completely ignored Mother Yan’s suggestion to visit the Jiang family that afternoon. Instead, she locked herself in her bedroom and slept the day away, only waking as the sun began its slow descent.
The dim, amber light of sunset streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, coating Yan Ji’s face in a soft, ethereal glow. She slid out of bed, grabbed a change of clothes, and stepped into the bathroom.
By the time she finished her shower, it was already seven o’clock. The silver moon had silently climbed into the treetops. Drying her damp hair, Yan Ji stepped out into the hallway wearing a fluid silk robe.
“Hehehe……”
“Hahaha, stop it!”
The moment she crossed the threshold, several bursts of familiar laughter drifted up from the grand living room downstairs. Yan Ji narrowed her eyes. Stepping quietly to the top of the staircase in her slippers, she cast a freezing gaze downward.
Jiang Chen and another handsome young man— Ouyang Hao— were sitting on the expansive sofa. Sitting snugly between them was the petite, delicate figure of Su Baixin. Mother Yan sat on the opposite couch, smiling gently as she listened to the group chat and laugh together in a lively atmosphere.
“Yanyan, you’re awake? Perfect timing— Auntie Wang is about to start making dinner. Is there anything special you want to eat?” Mother Yan casually looked up and caught Yan Ji leaning against the staircase railing, with what looked like a razor-sharp smile playing on her lips. But when she blinked and looked again, the coldness was gone, and Yan Ji was merely suppressing a lazy yawn, looking completely relaxed.
Yan Ji’s porcelain skin offered a striking, luminous contrast against her ink-black silk nightgown. Fresh out of the shower, a faint, rosy flush bloomed on her cheeks, and even without a trace of makeup, her features possessed a breathtaking, natural elegance.
She still looked half-asleep. Her eyes were misty and watery, a gaze so captivating that it made people momentarily lose their train of thought just looking at her.
For no reason at all, Jiang Chen suddenly felt nervous. His body, which had originally leaned toward Su Baixin, subconsciously shifted back upright.
“Mom, I want your homemade sweet and sour fish.” Yan Ji said, gliding down the stairs unhurriedly with a soft smile.
Hearing that, Mother Yan stood up from the sofa, her face brimming with affection. She tapped Yan Ji lightly on the forehead, teasing lovingly, “All you ever think about is sweet and sour fish. Go chat with Xiao Chen, Haohao, and your friend. Mom will handle the kitchen.”
The moment Mother Yan vanished into the kitchen, the warmth on Yan Ji’s face dissolved instantly. She sank into the armchair opposite the trio, elegantly crossing her legs. The fluid motion caused the black silk to split, exposing a length of smooth, fair thigh that looked incredibly alluring against the dark fabric.
“Xiao Yan, I heard you bullied Xinxin this morning? Aren’t you two supposed to be best friends?” Ouyang Hao frowned, clearly bothered by her indifferent posture. Because Mother Yan was within earshot in the kitchen, he kept his voice dropped to a low, demanding murmur.
Yan Ji leveled a cool glance at him. Her beautiful eyes shimmered with a brilliant, hypnotic light, so intense that Ouyang Hao nearly forgot the point he was trying to make. His eyes locked onto her bare, dazzling face, and his throat tightened as he quietly swallowed.
“Go on, why stop there?” Yan Ji leaned back lazily against the cushions, her tone careless. “I bullied her. And then what?”
“Brother Hao, Brother Chen, please don’t do this…… Xiao Yan definitely didn’t mean it.” Su Baixin peeked at Yan Ji, but the cold smile on Yan Ji’s face sent a sudden chill down her spine. Tightly clutching the hem of her shirt, she soft-heartedly tried to play the peacemaker.
“Did I give you permission to speak?” Yan Ji cut her off, her gaze ice-cold.
Su Baixin’s eyes flushed crimson instantly, looking as though she had been physically struck by Yan Ji’s harsh words. Her round eyes filled with deep, wounded disbelief.
That fragile, tragic display instantly triggered the protective instincts of the two young men flanking her. Shoving his lingering guilt aside, Jiang Chen sternly took his fiancée to task. “How can you speak to Xinxin like that? She is so delicate and fragile. You’ve really disappointed me, Xiao Yan.”
“Exactly! Xinxin genuinely considers you a close friend, yet you’re this vicious?!” Ouyang Hao chimed in, stepping up to defend his muse.
Looking at the masks of pure righteousness on their faces, Yan Ji almost found it comical. She wondered if she had committed some unspeakable, unforgivable crime in their minds. Narrowing her eyes, she slowly straightened up. Under the intense gazes of the three people before her, she parted her crimson lips and delivered a calm, lethal strike, “Because I felt like it. What the hell does it have to do with either of you?”
The atmosphere in the living room froze instantly.
Absolute shock washed over Jiang Chen and Ouyang Hao’s faces. They knew Yan Ji was spoiled and could be difficult, but as the people closest to her, they had always been the recipients of her favor. Being directly and crudely insulted to their faces left them utterly speechless.
“How did you become like this?!” Jiang Chen choked out.
Yan Ji internally sneered. To think that Jiang Chen and Ouyang Hao would both become legendary business tycoons in the future made her want to laugh. Were the entry requirements for becoming a corporate mogul really this embarrassingly low nowadays?
“Yanyan, go call your father down for dinner!” Mother Yan’s cheerful voice echoed from the kitchen, shattering the heavy, suffocating silence in the living room.
Yan Ji called back a smooth response and rose from the sofa, preparing to head back upstairs. But just as she reached the bottom step, as if suddenly remembering something amusing, she paused and looked down at Jiang Chen.
“In a couple of days, I’ll have my dad dissolve our engagement.” Yan Ji said, her eyes narrowing into a sharp, dangerous smile. “So next time we meet, don’t expect me to be polite.”
Jiang Chen’s expression darkened instantly. Though he had secretly fantasized about breaking off the engagement before, hearing Yan Ji discard him so effortlessly triggered a wave of intense irritation. He felt a sudden, stubborn urge to reject the idea entirely.
However, Yan Ji didn’t care enough to wait for his reaction. Having tossed out her ultimatum, she turned and swept up the stairs without sparing any of them a second glance.
“Brother Chen, I’m so sorry…… It’s all my fault. Please go apologize to Xiao Yan.” Su Baixin pleaded, a pair of soft, delicate hands tugging frantically at his sleeve. “I promise I won’t ever appear before either of you again. Please don’t fight because of me……”
Jiang Chen was still stewing in his irritation when he looked down into Su Baixin’s wide, round eyes. They were brimming with tears and flushed red like a frightened rabbit’s. She looked so utterly heartbroken and pitiful that he had to fight the immediate urge to gather her into his arms and comfort her.
But before Jiang Chen could act, Ouyang Hao beat him to it, swooping in to pull Su Baixin securely into his own embrace. Speaking in a soothing, low murmur, he comforted her gently, “Xinxin, don’t cry. I’ll talk to Xiao Yan later. Her temper has been getting entirely out of hand lately. It’s incredibly unfair to you, especially when you’re still trying so hard to be her friend.”
Strictly speaking, Ouyang Hao’s dominant, fiery personality was actually quite similar to the original owner’s. Being shielded so fiercely by him made a faint blush creep up Su Baixin’s cheeks. Her teary eyes shimmered as she whispered softly, “Brother Hao…… you’re so good to me.”
“So I’m not good to you?” Jiang Chen cut in, a sharp note of jealousy lacing his voice.
Su Baixin quickly added in a timid, breathless whisper, “Brother Chen is wonderful too.”
The three of them completely forgot whose house they were standing in, openly flirting and trading affectionate glances in the middle of the Yan family’s living room.
Auntie Wang, the long-time housekeeper, walked out of the kitchen carrying a tray of dishes and couldn’t help but frown deeply at the sight. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Yan Ji standing at the top of the staircase, arms crossed, watching the display with an amused smile. Standing right beside her was Father Yan, his expression entirely dark and livid.
Only after they had treated themselves to a full viewing of the trio’s shameless flirting did Yan Ji deliberately make some noise, letting her slippers click against the steps as she walked down. Behind her, Father Yan’s expression seamlessly shifted back into a warm, hospitable smile, leaving absolutely no trace of the murderous aura he had worn seconds prior.
“Uncle Yan.” Jiang Chen and Ouyang Hao stood up in unison to greet him.
Father Yan smiled genially. “Long time no see, boys. And this young lady is……?” His gaze drifted to Su Baixin, laced with polite curiosity.
Stricken with a sudden pang of guilt, Jiang Chen kept his mouth shut. Ouyang Hao, however, proudly introduced her, “Uncle Yan, this is Xinxin. She’s Xiao Yan’s best friend.”
Yan Ji let out a sharp, mocking sneer at the description. Without a word, she turned on her heel and glided into the kitchen to help Auntie Wang and Mother Yan bring out the rest of the dinner.
At her reaction, Su Baixin’s face drained of color. As though she were physically fragile enough to break under the weight of Yan Ji’s attitude, her delicate frame swayed weakly on her feet.
A flash of sharp displeasure crossed Jiang Chen’s eyes. Ouyang Hao immediately tightened his arm around Su Baixin’s waist, his own expression turning equally sour. However, out of sheer respect for Father Yan’s presence, neither man dared to explode.
Still, Ouyang Hao couldn’t help but think that Yan Ji was becoming entirely too malicious and excessive.
Father Yan quietly registered every micro-expression of the three people standing before him, a profound chill settling over his heart.
His precious, treasured daughter had done absolutely nothing but walk past them, yet this girl looked as though she had been subjected to some tragic, unspeakable injustice. And with that performative, fragile act of hers, Jiang Chen and Ouyang Hao actually had the audacity to glare at his daughter with open dissatisfaction?
Hah!
What right did these two ungrateful brats have to look down on his daughter?
They had known his daughter for over a decade, yet now……
Recalling Yan Ji’s earlier words in the study, Father Yan forced his expression to remain completely neutral. “Dinner is served. Let’s eat.”
The meal left the Yan couple feeling deeply uncomfortable.
Father Yan had entirely lost his appetite after witnessing the display in the living room, while Mother Yan grew increasingly displeased as she watched Jiang Chen and Ouyang Hao competing to pile food into Su Baixin’s bowl.
Ouyang Hao’s behavior was one thing, but wasn’t Jiang Chen her precious daughter’s fiancé? What on earth did he mean by doting on another woman right in front of his future wife?
“Yanyan, you love Mom’s sweet and sour fish, don’t you? Come, have some more.” Mother Yan said, breaking her long silence. She pointedly placed the tenderest piece of fish into Yan Ji’s bowl.
Only then did Jiang Chen catch the dark look on Mother Yan’s face. Flustered, he casually picked up a piece of green vegetable with his chopsticks and attempted to drop it into Yan Ji’s bowl. “Xiao Yan, you should eat more vegetables—”
“Don’t touch my bowl.” Yan Ji smoothly slid her bowl out of his reach, her face displaying unbothered disgust. Who the hell wanted his leftover vegetables?
Jiang Chen’s chopsticks froze awkwardly in midair, leaving him trapped in a humiliating stalemate.
Seeing his embarrassment, Su Baixin quickly chimed in, “Brother Chen, I actually love vegetables the most.”
“Then you should have them.” Jiang Chen’s expression instantly softened into indulgent affection as he transferred the greens into Su Baixin’s bowl, his tone dropping to a gentle murmur.
Mother Yan’s face contorted as if she had just swallowed a fly whole.
Ironically, by the end of the night, Yan Ji was the only one who had actually enjoyed a full meal.
Not long after dinner, Jiang Chen and his companions took their leave. The moment the front door closed, Mother Yan exploded with fury, “What is the meaning of Jiang Chen’s behavior? Piling food into another girl’s bowl right in front of Yanyan? What does he think our daughter is? And that girl, too— acting all fragile and helpless when she’s clearly a calculating little thing!”
“Mom, don’t waste your anger on people like that. You’ll only ruin your health.” Yan Ji said, gently rubbing her mother’s shoulder to comfort her.
Noticing how incredibly serene Yan Ji was, Mother Yan’s eyes widened slightly. “Yanyan…… did you already notice something between them?”
A faint, elegant smile touched Yan Ji’s lips. She patted Mother Yan’s back soothingly, her voice entirely steady, “Jiang Chen isn’t worthy of me. Let’s dissolve the engagement.”
Mother Yan immediately turned to look at Father Yan, who had been sitting in heavy silence the entire time.
“Yanyan, tell Dad exactly what you’re planning.” After a long pause, Father Yan shifted his piercing gaze to his daughter.
Yan Ji smiled calmly, a dangerous spark in her eyes. “Jiang Chen betrayed me, so it’s only fair he pays a proper price for it. Dad, leave this matter to me.”
It wasn’t just Jiang Chen. Ouyang Hao, Su Baixin, and every single person who had driven the original owner to her tragic end— not a single one of them would escape.
“Alright then.” Father Yan gave a firm nod. “Tomorrow, you report to one of our branch companies to start your executive training. Let me see what kind of results my daughter can deliver.”
Yan Ji met his gaze, amusement and absolute confidence rippling in her eyes. “Don’t worry, Dad. I won’t disappoint you.”
────ρя
The next morning, Yan Ji woke up early. After washing up, she selected a tailored black-and-white professional skirt suit from her wardrobe. The crisp white blouse featured a subtle doll-collar, adding a touch of youthful charm to the otherwise sharp, executive look. Yan Ji swept her long hair back into a sleek ponytail, applied a layer of minimalist makeup, grabbed her car keys and handbag, and left the villa.
While the Yan family’s empire built its wealth in real estate, Father Yan had aggressively diversified into emerging industries over recent years, establishing several highly successful subsidiaries across various sectors.
The specific branch Yan Ji was heading to today specialized in luxury cosmetics and skincare.
The subsidiary was situated in the most lucrative sector of the central business district. Because it was a relatively fresh venture, its current scale wasn’t overwhelmingly massive. Yan Ji parked her sports car in the underground garage, stepped into the executive elevator, and pressed the button for the thirtieth floor.
“Hey, did you hear? A new managing director was just parachuted into our company!”
“No way. How do you know?”
“Inside source. The new director is arriving today. Word is it’s some young college student……”
“Ugh, definitely a legacy hire. A managing director at that age?”
“Baixin, go print this file for me real quick.”
Su Baixin sat at her cubicle, catching every word of her coworkers’ whispered gossip.
A new managing director? A college student around her own age?
Must be nice.
Swallowing her envy, she stood up to run the errand for her colleague. In this office, she was nothing more than a glorified intern handling mindless grunt work. Even though the monthly salary was generous, Su Baixin secretly craved to achieve something monumental on her own— something that would make Jiang Chen and Ouyang Hao look at her with genuine admiration.
After printing the document, she poured herself a cup of coffee. Distracted by her swirling thoughts, she turned a corner blindly and slammed directly into someone.
The scalding liquid splashed outward instantly.
The other party reacted with lightning speed, stepping back fluidly to avoid the mess. Su Baixin, however, bore the brunt of the spill. The hot coffee soaked through her sleeve, and the skin on her hand immediately flared into a raw, angry red.
The stinging pain brought sudden tears to her eyes. Moisture clung to her eyelashes, threatening to spill over at any second. Biting her lower lip, she began apologizing frantically, “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry! It was an accident, I didn’t mean to, I’m sorry……”
When she finally risked looking up through her tears, her apologies died in her throat. She found herself staring directly into Yan Ji’s entirely expressionless face.
Su Baixin froze solid.
Why on earth was Yan Ji there?
“My apologies, Miss Yan. She’s a recent hire and has only been here for about two weeks.” The branch manager standing next to Yan Ji quickly explained, trying to smooth things over. She turned a sharp, irritated frown onto Su Baixin. “How can you be this clumsy? Go tend to that burn and clear out of the hallway, hurry.”
Su Baixin instinctively shrank back. She watched blankly, her mind entirely numb, as Yan Ji was respectfully escorted into the corner office by the highest-ranking manager in the building.
Moments later, the heavy glass doors opened again. The manager stepped out and clapped her hands, instantly capturing the attention of the entire floor.
Gesturing toward Yan Ji, who stood tall with a faint, enigmatic smile, the manager announced, “Everyone, please welcome our new managing director. I expect absolute professionalism from everyone moving forward as we work together to take this company to the next level!”
A polite wave of applause rippled through the office.
The throbbing ache in her hand finally dragged Su Baixin back to reality. Looking down at the blistering skin, hot tears of humiliation blurred her vision.
Why?
Why did Yan Ji always get to be the lucky one?
She was born into boundless wealth, possessed adoring parents, had Jiang Chen and Ouyang Hao wrapped around her little finger since childhood, and now, she could just step into an executive position without breaking a sweat.
Why was the divide between their lives so enormous?
Yan Ji had always claimed they were best friends, inseparable sisters. But every single time Yan Ji gifted her designer clothes or expensive items, it always felt like a condescending performance— as if she were merely bestowing charity onto a stray. Su Baixin had secretly detested it.
Weren’t they supposed to be equals?
Weren’t they supposed to share everything?
Jiang Chen and Ouyang Hao had simply recognized her worth and treated her with a little extra kindness. Why did Yan Ji have to throw such a tantrum over it? Why couldn’t she care about Su Baixin’s happiness for once?
It had all been a lie from the start. Yan Ji only kept her around as a plain foil to make her own dazzling superiority shine brighter.
Across the room, Yan Ji’s gaze drifted over the crowd, landing squarely on Su Baixin, who stood silently in the corner with her head lowered, hiding whatever bitter expression was on her face.
A slow, thoroughly amused smile spread across Yan Ji’s face.
References[+]