Chapter 54

Chen Lianxing had rehearsed countless scenarios in her head—arguments, tantrums, grievances, and even strategies to reconcile with Chen Jing.

However, as she stepped into the small villa, she was instantly thrown off. This area was vibrant and bustling, close to both the school and the hospital—a prime location. The villa was clean, tidy, and low-rise, with an excellent environment. A property like this in Fengming City was worth a fortune.

Chen Jing actually lived in such a great place! If she had known earlier, she would have moved in with him no matter what, instead of staying away for over a year.

The door opened, and Chen Lianxing was about to call out for Chen Jing, but her voice caught in her throat as she saw the person standing before her.

She stared in shock at the girl in front of her.

The girl had just woken up from a nap, her complexion fresh and pink, radiant with youth. She was dressed in a light blue nightgown, her hair cascading like seaweed down her back.

Although the loose gown covered most of her body, it couldn’t conceal her graceful figure. She looked languid, with one delicate shoulder peeking out, her large, watery eyes fixed on Chen Lianxing.

Even as a woman, Chen Lianxing was stunned for a moment by the girl’s beauty.

Her pupils contracted. Chen Jing had a woman living with him?! And not just any woman—this little vixen! With her flirtatious and alluring demeanor, it was no wonder Chen Jing had become distant from her and their mother.

Instantly, Chen Lianxing took a dislike to the girl. She concluded that this girl had stolen Chen Jing’s attention and raised her chin arrogantly, her tone brimming with dissatisfaction.

“Who are you? Why are you in my brother’s house?”

The girl yawned and leaned lazily against the doorframe.

“This is my house. I haven’t even asked who you are yet. Step back—you look ugly and suspicious. Should I call the police?”

“You!” Chen Lianxing nearly exploded in anger. “This is my brother’s house. And you, a woman living off him, dare talk to me like that?”

The girl almost laughed out loud.

Chen Lianxing’s intelligence and attitude were baffling. How had Ji Tian managed to tolerate her for so long and even remain her friend?

If it were up to her, she’d have wanted to smash Chen Lianxing’s head within a day.

If Lan Rongrong was an eighth-level annoyance, then Chen Lianxing barely qualified as half a level. If Chen Jing hadn’t been taken in by Chen Jirui, Chen Lianxing wouldn’t even have warm food to eat.

“So, you’re his sister? Wait here.” The girl casually closed the door.

Chen Lianxing stared at the door shutting in her face, fuming. She immediately called Chen Jing.

Chen Jing was in the middle of combat training. In his line of work, the risk of life-threatening situations was ever-present, and he had to maintain his physical skills.

He trained even during normal working hours when he wasn’t at the underground fighting arenas. At home, he ensured his schedule looked ordinary enough that Dai Ning wouldn’t suspect anything.

When he saw Chen Lianxing’s call, he removed his gloves. “What is it?”

“Chen Jing…” Before Chen Lianxing could begin her complaint, the door reopened.

The girl in the light blue nightgown stood there holding a large toy water gun, her expression innocent yet mischievous. Then, with a sly smile, she aimed the water gun at Chen Lianxing and sprayed her right in the face.

“Ahhh—!” Chen Lianxing screamed, hopping madly as she was drenched.

Qingtuan covered its eyes, recalling how that massive water gun had been bought just last weekend after a movie outing with Chen Jing. Who knew it could be used like this?

Chen Lianxing was soaked, jumping and cursing furiously.

On the other end of the call, Chen Jing heard her furious and pitiful screams. He frowned and asked where she was, only to hear a spoiled and overbearing voice say, “Ugly freak, trying to steal my brother!”

Chen Jing pinched the bridge of his nose. Damn it.

Chen Dai Dai.

He didn’t need to guess; he already knew where Chen Lianxing had gone. Dropping his training, he quickly changed out of his sweaty gear and rushed home.

When Chen Jing arrived, he found Chen Lianxing drenched and shouting angrily at the locked door. Dai Ning, clever as always, had shut the door after her mischief, leaving Chen Lianxing outside.

Upon seeing Chen Jing, all of Chen Lianxing’s grievances erupted. She hadn’t called him “brother” in years, but now the word spilled out instinctively.

“Brother! That horrible woman sprayed me with water!”

There was a time when Chen Jing had liked hearing her call him that. Now, years later, it stirred nothing in him.

Chen Lianxing looked pitiful. For years, Chen Jing had protected the Chen mother and daughter so well that no one dared bully her. This was the first time she’d been reduced to such a state, looking utterly unhinged.

Chen Jing had imagined introducing his “two sisters” in a much more controlled setting. He hadn’t expected such chaos.

He knocked on the door. “Dai Dai.”

Dai Ning heard him but didn’t plan to open the door. She lounged on the sofa, eating the strawberries Chen Jing had washed for her.

Qingtuan knew that, despite having enjoyed her little prank, the young lady was upset that Chen Jing still held a place in his heart for another “sister.”

Had Chen Lianxing been someone as agreeable as Zhao An’an, Dai Ning wouldn’t have minded. But Chen Lianxing? What kind of cheap cookie was she?

Chen Jing used his own key to unlock the door.

Chen Lianxing followed him inside, taking in the house’s decor. Her eyes flickered with a mix of envy and resentment. The house was newly renovated, with expensive furniture and appliances. Yet her brother lived here with some little tramp instead of offering her a place.

Chen Lianxing glanced at Chen Jing’s tall frame and remembered their mother’s suggestion. For a moment, she wavered. Chen Jing didn’t seem to lack money now… But she quickly shook her head. No, he was still a stutterer! With a broken voice to boot. How could she marry him?

Chen Jing opened the door to see Dai Ning lounging on the sofa, eating strawberries. She didn’t even glance his way, clearly upset despite being the one who’d gotten into trouble.

Chen Lianxing, still dripping, shouted, “Brother, it’s her! I told her I’m your sister, but she sprayed me with a water gun!”

Chen Jing ignored her, retrieved a towel and hairdryer from the guest room, and handed them to Chen Lianxing before turning to Dai Ning.

Dai Ning pushed him away. “You’re sweaty. Stay away from me.”

Chen Lianxing gawked, expecting Chen Jing to explode in anger. Instead, he backed up a few steps and wrote in a notebook, “I’ll shower first. Don’t fight with her, okay?”

Dai Ning frowned. “What if she bullies me?”

“I promise, she won’t.”

Chen Lianxing was speechless as Chen Jing turned to her and gestured toward the far end of the sofa. “Dry yourself off. Don’t bother her.”

Furious, Chen Lianxing sat at a distance, glaring at Dai Ning, who was gleefully making faces at her.

After a quick shower, Chen Jing returned, sensing the tension. He introduced them calmly:

“She’s Dai Dai, my sister.”

“And this is Chen Lianxing. I’ve mentioned her before.”

Chen Lianxing abruptly stood up. “Brother! Since when did you have a ‘sister’?” The world must have gone mad. When their father brought Chen Jing home, he clearly didn’t have any family.

Chen Jing didn’t intend to explain. Chen Lianxing, both angry and anxious, continued, “Have you forgotten your promise to my father? Aren’t you supposed to take care of me and my mother?”

“I’ll keep paying for your mother’s medical expenses. Your tuition and living costs will also continue as usual.”

Dai Ning, appearing entirely unbothered, deliberately held out a strawberry with a bite taken out of it to Chen Jing’s lips. Chen Jing gently grasped her wrist, signaling her to stop teasing.

Chen Lianxing bit her lip, feeling a chill spread in her heart. Her past willfulness relied on Chen Jing’s tolerance. Now that there was a “replacement,” her deepest fears began to surface. No longer acting purely out of frustration, she switched tactics and thought of ways to mend her relationship with Chen Jing.

“Fine. Then, Brother, can I move back in?”

Chen Jing instinctively glanced at Dai Ning.

Dai Ning blinked innocently but suddenly seemed to have a mischievous idea. She remained silent.

After all, Chen Lianxing was still Chen Jing’s sister. Seeing that Dai Ning didn’t object, Chen Jing nodded.

Chen Lianxing exhaled a quiet sigh of relief. Such a nice house—of course, she had to stay here. Moreover, she was determined to dig up dirt on Dai Ning and drive her out.

Qingtuan glanced at Dai Ning and couldn’t shake the feeling that she was up to something.

The small villa had four bedrooms. With Chen Lianxing staying, there were still two rooms available. It didn’t take long for her to notice that the best room in the house was assigned to Dai Ning!

That room had excellent lighting, was the most spacious, and even had a princess-like walk-in closet.

The other three rooms, including Chen Jing’s, were just ordinary bedrooms.

In her previous life at home, everything good had always been reserved for Chen Lianxing. Eyeing Dai Ning’s room greedily, she spoke with a sense of entitlement, “Brother, I want this room.”

Chen Jing turned to look at Dai Ning. As expected, the girl’s cheeks puffed up with indignation, and she immediately leapt to her feet, ready to argue.

Chen Jing held Dai Ning back and flatly denied Chen Lianxing’s demand.

“No. Pick another.”

The amount of rejection Chen Lianxing had faced in the past two days exceeded what she’d experienced in her entire life. Her frustration and regret mounted—if she had known this would happen, she would have never moved out. If she had stayed, her relationship with Chen Jing wouldn’t have grown so distant, leaving room for someone else to take her place.

Unwillingly, Chen Lianxing selected a guest room to stay in, cursing Dai Ning in her mind countless times.

Qingtuan asked Dai Ning, “Why did you agree to let Chen Lianxing stay here?”

“Life’s boring. I want Chen Jing to learn an important lesson.”

“What lesson?”

“In everyone’s heart, there’s only room for one treasure.”

Without conflict, a stable life would prevent Chen Jing from realizing the difference between her and Chen Lianxing. So, she planned to let him figure it out for himself.

The next day was Monday, and both Dai Ning and Chen Lianxing had to attend school.

Chen Lianxing had a restless night, repeatedly dreaming about being abandoned by Chen Jing. As a result, she looked haggard, with faint dark circles under her eyes.

In contrast, Dai Ning, carefree as always, was radiant with her rosy complexion.

Looking at the sumptuous breakfast, Chen Lianxing regretted not moving back sooner.

“Brother, I’m done eating. Take me to school,” Dai Ning tugged on Chen Jing’s sleeve. He nodded, stood up, and grabbed her backpack.

With a bit of milk on her lips, Dai Ning looked up at Chen Jing, who instinctively raised his hand to wipe it away. But noticing Chen Lianxing’s gaze, he hesitated, lowered his hand, and motioned for Dai Ning to head out.

Dai Ning didn’t spare Chen Lianxing a glance and followed Chen Jing out the door.

Chen Lianxing tightened her grip on her soy milk cup, her mouth opening slightly as realization dawned on her. Years ago, she had disliked Chen Jing visiting her at university, leading him to avoid intruding on her life since then.

Now, regret gnawed at her. Some things only feel precious when someone else wants to take them. People are no exception. Before Dai Ning appeared, Chen Jing’s worth in Chen Lianxing’s eyes was as low as dirt. But with Dai Ning in the picture, a string in her heart tightened, forcing her to see Chen Jing in a new light.

Once they stepped outside, leaving Chen Lianxing behind, Chen Jing put a helmet on Dai Ning. Only then did he gently use his thumb to wipe away the milk on her lips, just as he always did.

Dai Ning tilted her head and looked at him. Chen Jing still didn’t seem to realize why such an action couldn’t be done in front of Chen Lianxing.