“Big sister, you’re too polite.”
“Thank you, sister.”
The girls reached out to accept the gifts, but their eyes stayed fixed on Shen Ci’s face. Shen Li hadn’t lied—her older sister really was beautiful.
Even in a film academy full of beauties, she was stunning enough to make people stop and stare at first sight.
“Jie, didn’t you say evening?”
Shen Li stepped forward, her eyes growing red as she spoke. She hadn’t seen her sister for nearly two years. Ever since Shen Ci had come to Long City for university, she hadn’t once returned home.
She and her younger brother could only keep in touch with their sister through WeChat video calls.
Looking at her sister, Shen Ci’s throat tightened.
In her previous life, although Shen Li had also gotten into the film academy, she had never achieved stardom.
At first, her beauty brought her some good opportunities. But always, at the last moment, she was dropped—replaced by someone who paid for the role or by another with stronger backing.
Sometimes, jealous actresses even suggested to directors that Shen Li should take “ugly roles.”
Often, she was dragged along to accompany investors at social functions. Within just a few years, her prime youth had been wasted.
After graduation, life became even harder. Her once-simple personality was slowly corroded by the toxic environment.
Eventually, she spiraled into self-destruction—passed out drunk in bars, smoking and swearing in public, even brawling with other actresses on set. That period was ironically the peak of her “fame”—all black scandals.
In the end, even when she grew old, Shen Li never got what she truly wanted.
Now, seeing the untainted clarity in her sister’s eyes again, Shen Ci forced herself to stay composed. She reached out to stroke Shen Li’s hair and said softly, “I bought you some things, so I wanted to bring them to you first.”
When Shen Li saw what her sister handed her, she couldn’t help but widen her eyes in shock.
A phone, a laptop, a tablet, and headphones—an entire Apple set!
These were the things she had dreamed of but never dared to ask for.
Her current phone was worth less than 0.2 yuan and nearly three years old. It lagged even when typing.
Every time she saw others with the latest Apple products, she had felt envious.
“All of this… for me?”
Shen Li asked in disbelief as she held the devices.
Shen Ci, watching her reaction, felt her heart clench. She had never gotten what she truly wanted. From today on, Shen Ci swore, she would give her sister all the good things in the world.
After steadying herself, Shen Ci glanced around the dorm. It was nice—clean, standard four-person with a private bathroom and a small balcony.
Then she turned to her sister’s three roommates. “Shen Li’s a quiet type. I hope you can all look out for each other.”
“Of course, sister. Don’t worry.”
“We all really like Shen Li.”
The girls’ attitudes were very warm, and Shen Ci smiled in satisfaction. Turning to her sister, she asked, “You’re free today, right? Then let me take you out. We’ll shop a bit, then have dinner before I bring you back.”
Shen Li nodded happily. She hadn’t seen her sister in two years—of course she wanted to spend more time with her.
After the sisters left arm-in-arm, the remaining three roommates crowded together, whispering excitedly.
“Oh my god, Shen Li’s sister is too gorgeous!”“I thought she was exaggerating when she called her a fairy. I owe her a toast for doubting!”“I’ve barely seen anyone this pretty, even at our school. In the entertainment industry, she’d crush the competition!”“And she’s so nice too—brought us gifts. Guerlain! I love this brand! But I’ve never seen this series before…”“Me neither. It looks even fancier than the ones I’ve bought. Meina, use your image app to scan it.”
All three crowded around Zhao Meina’s phone.
The result: Guerlain top-tier Orchidée Impériale Black series. Full set price: nearly 5 yuan.
So expensive!
They all gaped at each other in shock.
Though their families were well-off, none of them had ever used such pricey skincare. Just one bottle of eye cream cost 0.67 yuan!
“Shen Li’s clothes and things always look so ordinary… I didn’t think her family was rich!”“Maybe it’s just her personality. She keeps a low profile.”
They all nodded slightly, finding it very reasonable. Their impression of Shen Li rose even higher.
Meanwhile, the sisters walked hand-in-hand toward the film academy’s main gate. With their beauty, they drew stares all along the way. Some boys even snuck out their phones to snap photos.
Shen Li stiffened in embarrassment. Ever since she was a child, her greatest pride had been having the world’s most beautiful sister.
Walking beside Shen Ci was always when she felt the most confident.
“Jie, where are we going?” Shen Li asked.
Shen Ci smiled. “I want to take you shopping. I’ve already replaced your electronics. Now I’ll buy you new clothes and shoes.”
Her sister had always been prone to insecurity. In an environment like the film academy, where appearance was everything, good “hardware” was essential.
Otherwise, watching others flaunt designer clothes and accessories while she had nothing would only deepen her self-doubt.
They soon arrived at Meiluo Mall, one of Long City’s most luxurious shopping centers. Nearly every top international brand had a store there. Shen Li had only ever seen it in dramas.
She was already stunned just by the mall’s grand exterior. By the time she came back to her senses, Shen Ci had already pulled her into the Cartier boutique.
“Jie, it’s too expensive. Let’s not.”
Shen Li shook her head gently. Cartier was one of the top jewelry brands. Even a simple necklace could cost several yuan.
A salesgirl at the entrance, overhearing her words, rolled her eyes inwardly.
Another window shopper who couldn’t afford anything. Looked like her turn at the door was wasted.
Luxury stores rotated their staff at the door to greet incoming customers. Whether those customers actually bought anything was purely luck.
Shen Ci, calm and composed, walked her sister inside. The salesgirl pursed her lips but had no choice but to follow along.
“Welcome to Cartier. I’m Katia. I’m pleased to serve you.”
Her tone was lifeless, her voice barely above a mosquito’s buzz.
Shen Ci stopped in her tracks, turned her head toward the salesgirl, and said calmly, “But you don’t look pleased.”
The salesgirl barely restrained her urge to roll her eyes, ignored Shen Ci’s remark, and continued robotically with the script: “Do you have a style in mind? I can bring it out for you to try.”
(End of Chapter)