Chapter 13 Stepbrother

The evening air was thick with the sweltering heat of midsummer, mixed with the exhaust fumes from passing cars.

The convenience store owner sat by the entrance, fanning himself while playing on his phone. When he saw Xu Xia pass by for the umpteenth time, he couldn’t help but ask, “You’ve been pacing back and forth over a dozen times now. Still haven’t found who you’re looking for?”

Xu Xia had been wandering around since morning without catching even a glimpse of the big shot she was searching for. Her frustration simmered as she snapped, “If I’d found them, would I still be hanging around here?”

“You’re not giving me much to go on. A seventeen or eighteen-year-old boy, but you don’t know his name or any distinguishing features.” The owner had wanted to complain when Xu Xia questioned him earlier that morning.

Muttering to herself, she opened a live stream on Qing Lemon TV and chuckled. “How do these celebrities maintain themselves? Their skin is flawless, and their kids are so adorable.”

Xu Xia’s eyes caught the name of the live stream on the owner’s phone screen.

*Shining Children*?

Wasn’t this the variety show featuring Xu Qingying and Zhi Li?

Xu Xia remembered waiting all morning for the live stream to start, only to miss it. Now, frustrated by her fruitless search, she wanted to take some pleasure in others’ misfortune—specifically, Xu Qingying and Zhi Li’s.

In her past life, Xu Xia had witnessed Zhi Li’s withdrawn and silent demeanor on the show, never speaking up even when scolded by Xu Qingying, always avoiding the cameras whenever possible. It was then that Xu Xia’s jealousy toward Zhi Li had gradually faded.

Hoping to see Zhi Li miserable, Xu Xia clicked into the live stream—only to be instantly overwhelmed by a flood of comments so dense she could barely see the screen!

[Ahhhhhhh! I’m calling her “Daddy” first!]

[A “Daddy” worth 3 million—absolutely deserved, wuwuwu~]

[Someone actually bought a trending topic about Zhi Li being unwanted. Please, let me be unwanted too!]

[Daddy! Please neglect me as much as you want!]

[I just called my own dad “Daddy” over a dozen times, and he yelled at me for being crazy (grumbling).]

[I can’t betray my real dad, so… Zhi Li, do you need an unrelated older sister?!]

[Pear Baby! Let’s wear matching family watches!]

With genuine viewers flooding the chat, the hired trolls sent by Xu Qingying’s rivals couldn’t get a word in edgewise. Besides, even the trolls didn’t dare stir up trouble now.

They had claimed the bank card had no password.

Xu Qingying had simply given the password to Zhi Li.

They had claimed the bank card didn’t even have 3 million left.

Zhi Li had waved her little hand and splurged 1.63 million on watches. After leaving the watch store, she swiped the card for gifts for the rest of the family, spending nearly 3 million in total.

The trolls were left with faces as red and swollen as overinflated balloons.

As for Xu Qingying’s former fans who resented her for the fraud scandal, even they wouldn’t take their anger out on a child like Zhi Li.

Thus, the live stream was unusually harmonious—so much so that some trolls even joined the chorus of “Daddy” in the comments. After all, a “Daddy” worth 3 million was far better than their miserable gig in a dimly lit troll farm.

Xu Xia’s fingers clenched around her phone, turning white with tension. “How is this possible? Shouldn’t Xu Qingying be scolding and belittling Zhi Li? Shouldn’t the netizens be mocking Zhi Li for being unwanted by the wealthy family? Why is the chat full of people calling her ‘Daddy’?!”

The shop owner overheard Xu Xia muttering to herself and gave her a strange look. “How is that not being welcomed? Getting a bank card worth several million just for calling someone ‘Dad’—that’s called not being welcomed? And Xu Qingying didn’t scold the child at all. I saw comments saying she just bought the kid a bunch of stuff and is now patiently shopping for pet supplies with her.”

As he spoke, the owner noticed Xu Xia’s expression growing increasingly gloomy. Startled, he quickly stood up and retreated into the convenience store.

This girl was weird. Better keep his distance.

——

Inside the pet supply store, shelves were lined with a dazzling array of toys for dogs—puzzle toys, play toys—everything one could imagine.

Zhi Li had originally planned to just pick out a rubber ball for Lightning, but after spending the afternoon at the mall, she had unconsciously developed a shopping habit. She wanted to buy everything that Lightning could possibly use.

At checkout, Zhi Li had chosen a rubber ball, a frisbee, a chew toy, a squeaky octopus plush, a portable water cup for outings, and more. The clerk even brought out a large box to pack everything and remarked how lucky the dog Zhi Li was raising must be.

Zhi Li smiled sweetly. “That’s my brother’s dog!”

It wasn’t until Zhi Li walked out of the pet supply store carrying her bags that the live-stream viewers, who had been stunned by her little “tycoon” swiping spree, began to calm down. The trolls sent by rival teams also seized the opportunity to strike again.

[Sure, Zhi Li swiped that card like a boss, but it’s still the wealthy family’s money.]

[Don’t even try to spin this as ‘unwelcomed but given a card.’ That stepdad is clearly paying for peace and quiet.]

[Xu Qingying’s been playing the perfect mom all day, but the act will slip sooner or later. It’s not the first time she’s faked a persona. Once the wealthy family sees her true colors, both mother and daughter will be kicked out!]

[Don’t forget, the stepbrother who called Zhi Li a “little brat” hasn’t shown up at all. This is a power move against Xu Qingying.]

[Grandma also said she wouldn’t treat Zhi Li the same as her biological grandson! Once the stepbrother returns, Zhi Li will be sidelined.]

[Can you guys not be so malicious toward a kid? I’m about to cry from how sweet Zhi Li is.]

[What good are your tears? Bloodline matters in wealthy families, OK?]

[Even if Zhi Li’s sweet now, Xu Qingying will corrupt her. Just wait—Xu Qingying can’t keep up the act for long.]

[Hahaha, things will get interesting once the stepbrother comes back.]

At 6 p.m., the teaser livestream officially ended.

The livestreams for all four families were shut down simultaneously, and Zhi Li and Xu Qingying returned by car to Bauhinia Mansion.

As she got out of the car, Zhi Li asked, “Mom, when will I get to see you on TV?” Even though Uncle Chen didn’t take her red paper money, he had promised to make her mom look really pretty.

“Probably by Thursday or Friday?” Xu Qingying silently resolved to watch the edited teaser with Zhi Li when it aired, making sure to shield her from the chaotic barrage of negative comments.

The two walked into the villa, where the staff were busy with their tasks.

Xu Qingying ruffled Zhi Li’s hair. “Are you hungry?”

Zhi Li patted her stomach thoughtfully for a few seconds before shaking her head decisively. “Nope.”

Remembering all the snacks Zhi Li had eaten that afternoon, Xu Qingying didn’t doubt the answer.

Besides, the serious little expression Zhi Li made while checking her stomach was downright adorable.

“Woof! Woof!”

That was Lightning’s bark!

Zhi Li’s eyes lit up, and she immediately ran into the house, swinging the bag in her hand as she went. It was filled entirely with gifts for Lightning, while the presents for everyone else had already been taken upstairs by the servants.

“Light—” Zhi Li had just called out when she abruptly closed her mouth in surprise. Her gaze slowly traveled upward from Lightning.

On the high steps of the staircase stood an unfamiliar little brother—an exceptionally good-looking little brother.

He appeared to be around the same age as Wei Liang, standing a head taller than her, with slightly brownish short hair and eyes that weren’t very dark. In his hand, he held Lightning’s leash.

Xu Qingying entered a step behind and also noticed the little boy standing on the stairs. His features bore a sixty to seventy percent resemblance to Jiang Yanheng. Around eight years old, his gaze as he looked down carried a somewhat haughty air.

This was the stepson from her past memories—the young master of the Jiang family, Jiang Yuexiao.