In the following month, Meng Zhen went to the Xu residence every afternoon to teach Xu Xuero to play the erhu. However, she didn’t know what was going on. Even after spending such a long time, Xu Xuero’s skills showed no improvement at all. She could remember all the details on the fingering chart, yet she couldn’t draw out delicate melodies with the bow.

By the end, not only did Zhao Rong completely abandon the idea of having her adopted daughter perform on the erhu, but even Xu Xuero herself was nearly driven insane.

Meng Zhen stood in front of the balcony, opening the window halfway. The faint fragrance of wintersweet mixed with snowflakes drifted into her palm, bringing a chill with it.

Currently, Xu Xuero is also in the practice room, sitting on a chair with an erhu in her arms. She watched the delicate-looking woman not far away and the frustration in her heart surged twofold.

During the time she was learning erhu, Xu Xuero keenly realized that Meng Zhen was no longer the same as before. She was no longer insecure, introverted, or cowardly, and her intelligent and beautiful appearance was enough to attract everyone’s attention. As daughters of the Xu family, the more brilliant Meng Zhen became, the more ordinary Xu Xuero felt herself to be. How could Xu Xuero resign herself to this?

Xu Xuero gripped the erhu’s neck forcefully, her lips almost bleeding from being bitten by her teeth. Yet, she seemed oblivious to the pain, sitting there motionless and dazed.

Meng Zhen took a breath by the window, then returned with a cup of Longjing tea in hand. Her gaze was gentle as she said, “Play 《Spring in the Countryside》 again.”

Xu Xuero clenched her teeth tightly, showing no intention of moving at all.

《Spring in the Countryside》 is the most basic erhu piece for beginners. If she were to play it at Old Master Lin’s birthday banquet, she would surely be ridiculed. Xu Xuero closed her eyes and after a whole half minute passed, she said, “Sister, I’ve decided to give up the erhu. I’ll switch to playing the piano in a few days. Do you have any recommended pieces?”

Whenever Meng Zhen recalled Xu Xuero’s act of forcibly taking over the other Meng Zhen’s composition, she felt a wave of disgust. How could she possibly give Xu Xuero any advice now?

She shook her head and murmured softly, “I haven’t learned the piano. You should decide for yourself.”

Thinking about Meng Zhen’s upbringing in an environment where Western musical instruments were inaccessible, Xu Xuero quietly chuckled to herself. Her expression remained gentle and fragile as she said, “Then I’ll think about it myself. I’ve been troubling Sister these days. I’m really sorry.”

While Xu Xuero spoke this way outwardly, deep down she hoped Meng Zhen would leave the Xu residence soon, preferably never to return, to avoid forming any emotional bonds with her parents.

Having spent two lifetimes in the entertainment industry, Meng Zhen easily saw through Xu Xuero’s thoughts. It was clear that Xu Xuero feared Meng Zhen might affect her status and threaten her position as the Xu family’s daughter.

Meng Zhen couldn’t be bothered with Xu Xuero. She got up and walked out. Just as she pushed open the door of the practice room, she saw Xu Ruixi and another boy standing at the staircase. The other party was probably Xu Ruixi’s classmate, towering over 1.8 meters and with an appearance that easily drew favorable impressions from others. His eyes widened at the sight of Meng Zhen, and his fair cheeks flushed beet red.

“Zhenzhen! Am I dreaming? Otherwise, how am I seeing my goddess?”

Hearing his words, Meng Zhen recognized that she had encountered a fan. There was a hint of amusement in her almond-shaped, watery eyes as she nodded at him.

The boy named Zhao Jin, a close friend of Xu Ruixi, hurried forward in three quick steps, his voice trembling as he asked, “Zhenzhen, can I take a photo with you?”

“Of course.”

Zhao Jin hastily pulled out his phone from his pocket, opened the camera app, and struck what he thought was his most handsome pose for a selfie with Meng Zhen. Despite his young age, Zhao Jin was a typical straight guy. After taking the photo, he didn’t even consider editing it and straight up posted it online.

It wasn’t until Meng Zhen left that the blush on Zhao Jin’s face slowly faded. He carefully put his phone back and turned to Xu Ruixi. He asked, “Xiao Xi, why is my goddess at your place? What’s the relationship between you two?”

Despite Xu Ruixi’s dislike for Meng Zhen, he was well aware that Meng Zhen’s identity would eventually be public knowledge. Therefore, there was no need to hide it from his best friend.

“Don’t you know? Our family lost a daughter over a decade ago. Meng Zhen is that child.”

“Are you saying Zhenzhen is your full biological sister?” Zhao Jin grabbed Xu Ruixi’s shoulders with both hands and shook him hard.

Xu Ruixi nodded impatiently.

He couldn’t understand what was so great about Meng Zhen. She was just a small celebrity with few notable works, relying solely on her looks to gain fame. Apart from her attractive appearance, there was nothing remarkable about her at all.

“Those people online were still spreading rumors, saying Zhenzhen is your father’s illegitimate daughter. I didn’t believe it even then. Those rumor-mongers are just so malicious!” Zhao Jin said indignantly.

The door to the practice room was slightly ajar, allowing Xu Xuero to hear every word from outside clearly. Zhao Jin had grown up with Xu Ruixi since little. His parents were diplomats, and his grandfather was a well-known university president in the country. Although his family wasn’t involved in business, they were highly prestigious. How could a child from such a noble family possibly like a woman like Meng Zhen?

Shallow!

Xu Xuero’s face twisted in anger. After the two entered Xu Ruixi’s room, she retrieved a pair of scissors from the drawer and viciously cut the strings of the erhu. In her eyes, Meng Zhen was just like this erhu— born to oppose her. It was better to destroy it completely than to let it continue to exist.

———pr

Three days passed in the blink of an eye and Old Master Lin’s birthday arrived.

Although Meng Zhen didn’t want to attend such banquets, she was curious to see what Xu Xuero would do to impress the old man without the other Meng Zhen’s composition.

The makeup artist arrived at the villa just as the day was breaking and started to style the three women. Among them, the one who received the most meticulous attention was Xu Xuero, who was preparing for her performance at the birthday banquet.

At this moment, Xu Xuero had changed into a light pink dress, her hair elegantly styled up and adorned with a small crown made of diamonds. Paired with fresh and delicate makeup, she indeed looked quite beautiful at first glance.

Unfortunately, when Meng Zhen walked out of the dressing room, she immediately overshadowed Xu Xuero. Her skin, though fair, lacked the radiant glow. Her face, while not large, lacked smooth lines, with slightly sunken temples and higher cheekbones…… These minor imperfections might not be very noticeable on ordinary occasions, but standing next to Meng Zhen, the contrast became particularly stark.

Zhao Rong genuinely loved her adopted daughter, but as she looked at the two young women in front of the full-length mirror, she couldn’t bring herself to praise Xu Xuero’s appearance with a clear conscience.

“Xuero, how’s the practice going for 《Vanessa’s Smile》?”

Xu Xuero initially focused all her attention on the erhu. It wasn’t until the day before yesterday that she settled on this piece, so she hadn’t practiced it much. However, she was confident in her skills. Now, she lowered her head and replied softly, “I’ve practiced it many times. Mom, don’t worry.”

Zhao Rong always trusted Xu Xuero. After all, her adopted daughter had never disappointed her. Since starting school, Xu Xuero has consistently maintained top-ten grades despite her fragile health, actively participating in school activities and winning numerous awards. Today was just Old Master Lin’s birthday banquet, and Xu Xuero would surely perform well.

Meng Zhen wore a fitted dress, complemented by a dark green shawl draped over her shoulders. Her long hair was lightly curled, creating soft waves. Even with minimal makeup, she still looked exceptionally dazzling.

From the moment Zhao Rong first saw Meng Zhen, she knew the child resembled her, but was even more beautiful and remarkable than she had been in her youth. If Meng Zhen hadn’t grown up in an orphanage with a difficult past that she couldn’t bear to face, Zhao Rong wouldn’t have kept delaying, unwilling to acknowledge her as her daughter in public.

Raising her hand to gently stroke the young woman’s long hair, Zhao Rong spoke in a very gentle tone, “Zhenzhen, in a little while, your father and I will publicly acknowledge your identity. By then, you should get along well with your younger siblings, okay?”

Meng Zhen was well aware that the conflict between herself and Xu Xuero was unlikely to be resolved. Facing one of the perpetrators who caused the other Meng Zhen’s demise, her ability to maintain a calm attitude was already considered good. Both she and Xu Xuero understood this well, but Zhao Rong still clung to unrealistic hopes.

———pr

As Meng Zhen’s group approached the banquet hall, they were met by a remarkably handsome man coming their way. It was Lin Yu, one of Old Master Lin’s grandsons and currently one of the hottest actors of this day.

The first person Lin Yu noticed was Meng Zhen. Having acted with her before, he knew she was quite cunning. With this in mind, he positioned himself in front of Xu Xuero, his eyes showing a hint of caution.

Meng Zhen didn’t even spare Lin Yu a glance. After the Xu family exchanged pleasantries with him, she walked in with them. Having grown up in an orphanage, she didn’t know any of the guests inside and had no interest in socializing with them. Therefore, she moved to a corner, picked up a glass of rosé wine, and sipped it slowly.

Since the last time she was hospitalized due to a stomach problem, Fei Yun and Xin Xin have kept a close eye on Meng Zhen. Under their watchful eyes, Meng Zhen had no chance to drink alcohol at all. Now, as she savored the delicately colored liquid with slightly narrowed eyes, a faint flush tinted her cheeks, and a misty sheen veiled her almond eyes.

Before Meng Zhen could finish her glass of wine, a new figure suddenly appeared beside her. Meng Zhen looked up and saw it was none other than Lin Yu.

“Since you’re here at our Lin family’s gathering, you better not bully Xu Xuero again. She’s innocent and kind, tolerating you time and again, but I have a temper. If you cause trouble, don’t blame me for not being polite!” Lin Yu threatened in a low voice.

Meng Zhen felt that this person was like a buzzing mosquito, irritating to the core. She furrowed her brows, picked up her wine glass, and walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows, directly ignoring Lin Yu.

Lin Yu had been a favored child since birth. With the Lin family’s backing, his entry into the entertainment industry had been smooth sailing, encountering hardly any obstacles along the way. He had become a popular actor due to his noble birth and handsome appearance. He had never experienced being ignored because of these advantages. Now, as he looked at Meng Zhen standing by the window, Lin Yu clenched his fists tightly, his face gradually turning pale with anger.