Editor: Hana
Outside, light rain pattered, a few star-like raindrops occasionally drifting inside.
Nai Nai closed the window, zipped up her white suitcase, and carried it out of the room.
In the living room, her parents were still arguing about her older sister. They had probably forgotten that today was her first day of university.
All the bickering sounds that reached Nai Nai's ears were put on mute. She carried her luggage, bumping and scraping her way downstairs.
Mother Shu Ning slapped the table and, in her high-pitched voice, angrily declared: “I’ve worked so hard to cultivate Xue Ruo for so many years. Now that she’s finally gained some fame, it’s not for her to attend some dinner party with you, just to embellish your public image!”
Father sat on the sofa, frowning, and said with dissatisfaction: “What do you know? This isn’t just any ordinary business dinner. I heard that the chairman of Feng Yu Group – Gu Yu Ning – will be there. If that person snaps his fingers, my daughter can be an actress or whatever she wants in the future, no problem at all!”
Mother’s attitude was unyielding: “Let me tell you, Lin Tong Rui, don’t even think about it. Xue Ruo is a treasure I’ve cherished in the palm of my hand. I’ve put so much effort into cultivating her, not for her to get involved in those dirty, sordid affairs.”
Lin Tong Rui shook his head repeatedly in disappointment, pointed at Shu Ning, and said: “Woman’s short-sightedness! Sooner or later, you’ll hold Xue Ruo back.”
*****
Lin Xue Ruo was Nai Nai’s twin sister, a fraternal twin. When her sister was born, she weighed twice as much as Nai Nai.
Nai Nai, on the other hand, had to be placed in an incubator immediately after birth.
The doctor said that because her sister had absorbed a lot of nutrients in the womb, Nai Nai hadn’t received enough, and her body would be frail and weak.
Perhaps, she wouldn’t even survive to adulthood.
Indeed, from a young age, Lin Nai Nai’s immunity was extremely poor. She frequently caught colds. Most seriously, her heart showed signs of heart failure.
From childhood, she was practically a medicine pot.
If you said the two sisters looked alike, there were indeed some similarities. But if you said they didn’t, the differences were vast.
Lin Xue Ruo grew up radiant and beautiful, like a shining pearl, with a full, healthy physique.
All the glory of their youth was monopolized by Lin Xue Ruo. While the tiny, scrawny Nai Nai always felt invisible.
Her parents’ argument continued. Nai Nai carried her luggage to the door, watching like an outsider ––––
“Isn’t Xue Ruo’s dream to be an actress? If she doesn’t have any works, how can she be an actress? Let me tell you, that Third Master Gu is a man of extraordinary means in the entertainment industry. As long as he takes an interest in her, her path will be wide open in the future!”
Mother, unable to contain her rage, sat on the sofa clutching her chest and cried out: “Xue Ruo is your own flesh and blood! How can you take her to that dirty transaction!”
“What’s dirty about it? I worked hard to secure this opportunity. I just want to bring Xue Ruo to show her face! Would I ever harm my own daughter?”
From a young age, Lin Xue Ruo had been on the path of a child star. Shu Ning, her manager, was wholeheartedly dedicated to her advancement.
She had acted in several popular TV dramas. Although they were all guest appearances, Lin Xue Ruo had still gained some fame.
Shu Ning treated her like a precious treasure, holding her in her hands for fear she might drop, and keeping her in her mouth for fear she might melt.
Just then, the door to the room next to Nai Nai’s opened. Lin Xue Ruo stepped out, and frankly told her parents: “I’m not going!”
Lin Tong Rui quickly said: “Xue Ruo, have you thought this through?”
“Yes! I’ve thought it through very carefully. Becoming an actress is my dream, and I can’t take shortcuts to achieve it. I want to reach it with my own strength, and I believe I can do it.”
Her voice was clear and crisp, a confident glint shining in her eyes.
A corner of Nai Nai’s mouth…curled up.
It was not unexpected for the little princess, who had been loved and pampered since childhood and had never experienced failure, to utter such words.
Shu Ning’s eyes reddened as she walked over to comfort Lin Xue Ru. “Ru Ru, I won’t let you participate in those dirty dealings. Don’t worry.”
“Yes! I know Mom loves me the most!”
Shu Ning glared resentfully at Lin Dong Rui and snapped, “That Third Master Gu you mentioned—as long as he sees our Xue Ru, how could he possibly remain unmoved?”
Upon hearing this, the maids standing near Nai Nai couldn’t help but curl their lips into a smile.
In all of Bei Cheng, who didn’t know the name of that Third Master Gu? He controlled the best resources in the entertainment industry. How many dazzling stars flocked around him, from superstar divas to popular young idols, handsome men and beautiful women—what hadn’t he seen?
Yet, this Third Master’s reputation could be said to be cleaner than even the most pristine celebrity in the entertainment industry.
No scandals, no gossip.
Although Lin Xue Ru certainly had some charm, she was by no means a peerless beauty. To make that Third Master Gu fall head over heels with just one look…..
It was nothing short of a pipe dream.
Shu Ning took pride in her eldest daughter, believing her to be a peerless beauty, unmatched by anyone.
They only dared to laugh behind her back. After all, they were just servants; they wouldn’t dare speak out.
Nai Nai stood holding her suitcase, taking advantage of a lull in her parents’ argument to interrupt them. “Mom, Dad, I want to go register at school.”
Finally, her parents noticed Lin Nai Nai, who had been standing by the wall, seemingly invisible. They then remembered that today was the day she and Lin Xue Ru were to register at Bei Cheng University of Media.
The small girl had long, thin, soft hair falling over her slender shoulders. Long, delicate eyelashes veiled her dark eyes. Her figure was frail, and she was as quiet as a fawn.
Unassuming and posing no threat whatsoever.
“I’ll drive you.”
Shu Ning glanced at him and said with dissatisfaction, “Isn’t your car for taking Xue Ru?”
Lin Dong Rui pulled at his sleeve, took a key out of his pocket, and said, “The two sisters are going to the same school. What’s wrong with taking them together?”
Shu Ning looked at Lin Nai Nai’s clothes and hesitated before saying, “That girl… do you sincerely want other students to mock Xue Ru by having her and Xue Ru attend the same school?”
Nai Nai knew her mother would say something like that again. Ever since she was born, her mother had neglected her, her heart filled only with Lin Xue Ru, as if she hadn’t given birth to Nai Nai herself.
Lin Xue Ru, understanding the situation, also spoke up, “Mom, Dad, it’s okay. I can go to school with my sister.”
Shu Ning objected, “Child, you’re too kind-hearted. No matter how much you love your sister, you have to think about yourself. You’re a celebrity now! You absolutely must pay attention to your image!”
Nai Nai didn’t intend to let her father drive her. As someone who had been neglected, she had understood the survival skills in this house from a very young age––––
By pretending to be well-behaved and sensible, she could secure the few remaining resources from her sister’s hands to survive.
“I can go by myself, Mom, Dad. You two take my sister.”
Lin Xue Ru didn't genuinely want to go to school with Nai Nai anyway, so she immediately said, "Alright then, but your clothes... just come to my room and pick out a nice outfit, then we can go register at school."
Lin Nai Nai looked down at the outfit she was wearing: ripped jeans paired with a plain, oversized hoodie.
Compared to her sister, who dressed and made up fashionably, her own outfit... really seemed quite shabby.
But, only when she obediently yielded would her sister treat her like a pet, a cat or dog, giving her a little bit –––– of charity.
*****
Lin Xue Ru's room was both spacious and bright, three times larger than Nai Nai's room. In the center of the room was a king-sized bed, the floor was covered with a fluffy pink carpet, and on the shelves were various trophies and crowns Lin Xue Ru had won over the years. The walls were also adorned with all sorts of artistic movie posters, each exuding a different charm.
There was a separate walk-in closet, where clothes for all four seasons were neatly categorized and displayed. A shoe rack about five tiers high held all kinds of styles, packed closely together.
Lin Nai Nai recalled her own room; it might not even be as big as this walk-in closet, and her clothes were pitifully few.
Over the years, it wasn't that she was resigned, nor that she didn't feel wronged.
But that feeling of being wronged, compared to her physical condition, truly amounted to nothing.
If she wanted to survive in this house and have access to medicine, she had to rely on her parents' "compassion."
She absolutely... had to survive!
Compared to this, nothing else mattered.
"Nai Nai, what do you think of this dress?" Lin Xue Ru pulled out a pink tiered dress and held it in front of her.
Lin Nai Nai recognized the dress. Lin Xue Ru had worn it once in high school, but then found it unflattering and never wore it again.
Looking at it, the color was a bit gaudy.
"Perhaps this dress doesn't suit me," Nai Nai gently refused.
Lin Xue Ru magnanimously said, "Then pick whatever you like yourself."
Nai Nai chose a white dress with a lotus leaf green trim. "Sister, is this one okay?"
Lin Xue Ru frowned slightly, looking troubled. "This dress... probably doesn't suit your style."
Nai Nai's heart was clear as a mirror; she immediately saw that her sister was reluctant to part with it. So she put it down and chose another outfit. But no matter which one she picked, her sister rejected it with all sorts of excuses.
And the dresses Lin Xue Ru chose for her were all old, outdated clothes she hadn't worn for many years.
Of course, Nai Nai wouldn't wear those dresses out, so she said, "Never mind, our figures aren't the same, I can't wear your dresses."
Lin Xue Ru happily agreed, "Alright then, it's getting late today. If there's a chance, I'll take you to buy some clothes."
"Yes, thank you, Sister."
Nai Nai smiled and agreed, but she knew Lin Xue Ru was just saying it casually, so she didn't hold any expectations.
As Nai Nai was about to leave, Lin Xue Ru suddenly stopped her. Frowning, she hesitated and said, "Nai Nai, can I ask you for a favor?"
"Go ahead."
"At school, I hope you can keep our sisterly relationship a secret, okay?"
Was she afraid Nai Nai would embarrass her?
Lin Xue Ru waved her hand. "It's like this: because I'm a public figure, many of your classmates are definitely my fans. You wouldn't want them to treat you as a celebrity's sister, would you? Also, if they knew about our relationship, they'd ask you to find me for autographs every day, wouldn't that be incredibly annoying?"
Lâm Nại Nại knew that celebrities always hoped to maintain a distance from ordinary people. Lâm Tuyết Nhu was no different; she didn't want an ordinary younger sister like her.
Nại Nại's lips curved into a smile. "That's fine."
*****
Father's black car was already parked in the yard.
The car's trunk was overflowing with Lâm Tuyết Nhu's luggage, and two travel bags occupied the front seat.
Lâm Tuyết Nhu said helplessly, "Little sister, it's not that we don't want to take you to school, it's just that I really have too much luggage. There's no room for your things."
Nại Nại, carrying only a single white suitcase, showed her understanding. "It's alright. I'll just take a taxi myself. It's not far anyway."
Mother Thư Ninh stood by the car, waving at Lâm Tuyết Nhu. "Tuyết Nhi, hurry and get in. We're taking your father's car, and you'll definitely get more attention at school."
Lâm Tuyết Nhu winked at her sister and said nonchalantly, "There's no helping them. Alright, I'm off then."
Nại Nại nodded. "You go ahead."
"Take care of yourself."
They got into the car, and the black vehicle roared, speeding out of the alley.
The "fake smiling innocent girl" facade on Nại Nại's face finally crumbled.
Her heart felt so tired.
But after starting university, she'd surely be free, right?
She could save her own pocket money, and there were so many things she wanted to do.
The future would definitely be something to look forward to.
The housekeepers felt very sorry for Lâm Nại Nại and helped her carry her heavy suitcase to the main road.
"Miss, shall we call a car for you?"
"When you get to school, give the driver a little extra money and ask them to help you carry your suitcase upstairs."
"That's right, with such a heavy suitcase, don't carry it yourself."
"Thank you, everyone, but I can manage."
The housekeepers looked at the girl smiling under the sun, feeling even more uneasy in their hearts.
This girl had been neglected by her parents since childhood, struggling to grow up all by herself, yet she still maintained a bright personality, always smiling cheerfully.
If it were any other girl, she might have harbored a lot of resentment by now.
The housekeepers looked at Lâm Nại Nại, feeling a genuine pang of pity. Her health wasn't good; she was even less well off than their own daughters.
Sigh, they hoped that someday she would marry a good man and leave this unfair family.
Lâm Nại Nại was about to cross the street when suddenly, a black Maybach approached and stopped right in front of her.
Several men in black suits stepped out of the car, took Lâm Nại Nại's suitcase and backpack, and placed them in the trunk. One of them respectfully said to Lâm Nại Nại, "Miss Lâm, please get in. We will take you to school."
Lâm Nại Nại stared in surprise at the ride-hailing app on her phone, then at the luxury car, and asked in astonishment, "Is this... a ride-share?"
"Yes, Miss Lâm. Your destination is Bắc Thành University of Media, correct?"
"The address is correct, but..."
The thick-skinned man in the suit respectfully opened the car door for her. "Please get in."
Lâm Nại Nại looked at the luxury car in front of her, her eyes wide.
This ride-hailing app actually has such high-end cars... it can even summon a Maybach?
Lâm Tuyết Nhu sat in her father's car, with two suitcases still occupying the seat next to her, complaining about the cramped space.
While waiting at a traffic light, she saw an incredibly stylish black Maybach stop beside them and couldn't help but glance at it several times.
This type of Maybach was a limited-edition car, practically top-tier in Bắc Thành. She wondered which wealthy and influential person was inside.
"Mom, Dad, when are we going to get a new car? This one's been used for so many years already."
Her parents both didn't answer, pretending not to hear what she said.
Lin Xue Ru didn't know the economic situation of her company, but they knew... it wasn't optimistic.
Just then, Lin Xue Ru saw the half-open rear window of the Maybach, and the person sitting inside...
actually had a resemblance to Lin Nai Nai!