Extra 5-6: If From school uniform to wedding dress (Part 6)

At the birthday party, the guests came to eat and celebrate, but they were fed with shocking news before they could even start.

Shen Ruojin was known for being beautiful, smart, and popular. There were rumors that she wasn’t the Shen family’s biological daughter, but it didn’t affect her much. After all, she was admired for who she was, not for her family background. But when it was revealed that she had colluded with the dishonest Peng Xiaoyu to bully Tao Sheng, her good girl image completely collapsed.

Tao Sheng slowly walked toward Luo Xin, ignoring Shen Yu’s indifference and Sang Fei’s resentful eyes: “My household registration hasn’t been transferred yet. Could you help me with the process?”

The birthday party ended with Luo Xin gaining custody of Tao Sheng and driving off in a red sports car.

Though they hadn’t seen each other in years, Tao Sheng felt close to Luo Xin.

She not only wanted to leave the strange atmosphere of the Shen family but also felt a deep bond with Luo Xin, which made her willing to go with her.

After putting Tao Sheng in the passenger seat and fastening her seatbelt, Luo Xin asked, “What do you want in the new house?”

Tao Sheng thought for a moment and replied: “No special requirements. Just clean, tidy, and convenient. It would be even better if it’s close to the school.”

This way, I can go home when I don’t want to live on campus.

As the red light came on, Luo Xin stopped the car at the intersection and counted on her fingers. She had a villa in the east of the city, two apartments in the west, and a house near Mingde Middle School. Due to its convenient transportation and location, this was where she lived most often.

After hearing Tao Sheng’s request, Luo Xin turned on the turn signal. It was decided this was it.

Tao Sheng followed Luo Xin inside. After greeting the property management, they waited for the elevator. When Tao Sheng looked up, she saw an acquaintance—Ji Yanming.

The woman next to Ji Yanming, probably in her thirties, wore a slim windbreaker and a purple long skirt. She resembled Ji Yanming somewhat.

Tao Sheng weakly waved to Ji Yanming, but her greeting was drowned out by Luo Xin’s surprised voice: “Su Jia? You’re back?”

Su Jia stepped forward and held Luo Xin’s hand: “I came back in July. I went to your house, but no one was there. The property management told me you were on a business trip. Tonight, I’m trying two new dishes. Do you want to come and try them?”

“Since you became a food blogger, I’ve only seen your dishes on videos, not tasted them,” Luo Xin smiled. “But I need to take my daughter back to tidy up first, so I’ll join you later for the feast.”

“Is this Ruojin?” Su Jia asked, glancing at Tao Sheng. “She’s grown up so much! She’s much prettier now.”

Luo Xin coughed awkwardly: “It’s a long story. At the hospital, Shen Yu took the wrong child. Ruojin is only my adopted daughter now, and Tao Sheng is my biological daughter, registered under my name.”

Su Jia was stunned for a moment, not expecting such a big surprise when meeting an old friend.

She quickly adjusted and said, “I’ll make a few dishes now. Come find me when you’re done.”

Luo Xin agreed.

After entering the elevator, Ji Yanming turned to Tao Sheng: “Did you receive the payment?”

Tao Sheng remembered she had gotten the payment, but forgot to reply to Ji Yanming earlier. She quickly responded, “I got it.”

Ji Yanming nodded: “Good.”

“Are you the helpful classmate Xiao Ming mentioned?” Su Jia asked. “Luo Xin, this girl is just like you, no doubt. Originally, I wanted Xiao Ming to bring you a lunch box as a thank-you. Your mother’s often busy at work, so feel free to come over for dinner.”

Su Jia lives on the 17th floor, and Luo Xin lives on the 22nd.

After parting ways in the elevator, Tao Sheng asked, “Do you know Aunt Su Jia?”

“Yes, we’ve known each other since childhood,” Luo Xin said. “We even went to the same university. She married someone better than me. Your Uncle Ji has always given in to her, even when she didn’t want to live with him or asked for a divorce. He visited her every holiday.”

Tao Sheng didn’t fully understand: “Why did Uncle Ji transfer here?”

Luo Xin smiled: “People from the Military Research Institute don’t control their transfers. Maybe they feel they owe it to their family, so they obey Aunt Su Jia.”

Tao Sheng understood. Maybe this way of getting along is how middle-aged people show love.

Su Jia is a famous food blogger on a short video platform. She’s known for her beautiful cooking videos and immersive experience.

To celebrate her reunion with old friends, Su Jia prepared a large meal for Luo Xin. The two friends were so excited they barely had time to eat.

Tao Sheng and Ji Yanming quietly finished their meal and helped clean up. Only then did the two friends come out of the study, chatting and laughing.

Su Jia smiled and touched Tao Sheng’s head: “Your mother will go to Switzerland next month for a business trip. You must come to my house for dinner then.”

_

When Luo Xin heard that Tao Sheng had just transferred to the school and applied for boarding, she cursed Shen Yu and others in his mind.

After helping Tao Sheng settle in, Luo Xin set up a fingerprint lock on the door so she could live there when she came back from school.

Mingde’s accommodation is good, but campus life isn’t as convenient as living at home.

Tao Sheng chose to live in the school dormitory because she couldn’t stand Shen Yu’s family. Now, with Luo Xin providing better options, she happily agreed.

Maybe things were resolved too smoothly, Luo Xin left earlier than planned.

Su Jia always wanted a daughter. Now, by chance, she’s looking after Tao Sheng. She’s so happy and pours all her love into her.

Since then, Su Jia picked up Tao Sheng from school every day. There was even one time when Ji Yanming came out earlier, but Su Jia didn’t notice. She only cared about waiting for Tao Sheng.

It’s said that Ji Yanming has a temper like his father’s when young, and Su Jia vents her anger on him. Tao Sheng understands this.

During the morning break, Shen Yue came to ask Tao Sheng if she wanted to go home. Shen Yu had been thinking about her.

Tao Sheng remembered she had left some things at Shen’s house in her rush to leave.

All her daily items were in the dorm, with nothing fragile left behind.

Tao Sheng said, “Please pack up my things at home and send them by courier. I’ll send you the address.”

Shen Yue smiled bitterly: “Tao Sheng, we’re family. Do we need to be so distant? I don’t even want to go home anymore.”

Under Sang Fei’s persuasion, Shen Yu didn’t call the police about Peng Xiaoyu’s theft. Many students spread the story at Shen’s house, and Peng Xiaoyu transferred back to her hometown. Shen Ruojin kept a low profile, never approaching Tao Sheng again.

Although these people seemed calm on the outside, Tao Sheng knew that if she returned to the Shen family, she would face Shen Yu’s calculating looks, Sang Fei’s harsh words, and Shen Ruojin’s strange advances.

She had too many important things to focus on, so there was no need to waste her emotions or time on them.

Similarly, there was no point in arguing about this.

Tao Sheng didn’t continue the topic but smiled distantly. “I’ll leave the packing to you.”

In the end, Shen Yue didn’t listen to Tao Sheng and didn’t find a courier company to pack and deliver the items. Instead, he drove to Tao Sheng’s place himself. When Shen Ruojin heard that Shen Yue was going to Fenglin Garden to visit Tao Sheng, she volunteered to go with him.

As soon as the two entered the community, they saw the person they were looking for.

Tao Sheng had just returned from the mall with Su Jia after shopping for groceries. She was holding a cake in her hand and laughing with Su Jia.

Ji Yanming followed behind, holding shopping bags in both hands, looking very comfortable.

Shen Yue’s eyes focused on Ji Yanming, and his face darkened. “Who is that?”

Shen Ruojin leaned forward to look and said, “He’s also a transfer student from our school. The classmates say he comes from a poor family and his parents are divorced. It’s just a very ordinary family. His mother gives Tao Sheng a lot of pocket money, but I’ve never seen her spend it. It seems she has to spend it on this boy and his mother.”

Shen Yue thought back to when their former high school beauty fell for a boy from another place, insisted on helping the poor, and was eventually taken advantage of by his family.

He hit the steering wheel angrily. “That’s improper.”

A hint of pride flashed in Shen Ruojin’s eyes.

Mr. Guan’s wife returned to China a few days ago. She attended a welcome party with Sang Fei, and Mrs. Guan had a very good impression of her. She held her hand and talked to her for a long time, even mentioning her only son, Guan Muyun, was single.

If Tao Sheng had chosen Ji Yanming, a boy who only had good looks and grades but came from an ordinary family, and she won the favor of Mrs. Guan because of her manners and knowledge, then this time, Shen Ruojin believed she would win.

Perhaps because of blood ties, Shen Yue is the only one in the family who cares about Tao Sheng, and Shen Ruojin doesn’t mind pretending to be nice in front of him.

“Although Tao Sheng wants to cut ties with us, she is my father’s daughter. If she uses such low standards to find a boyfriend in the future, it will upset my father. Brother should go and talk to her.”

In Shen Yue’s mind, people in their circle are always hasty. Many people have arranged marriages between two families while their children are still in school. Some parents even send their children abroad after they are engaged to strengthen their bond while balancing their studies.

So, in Shen Yue’s opinion, he can allow Tao Sheng to date at this age, but he can’t accept her being with Ji Yanming, who comes from a poor family.

He turned off the car, his face cold, and said to Shen Ruojin, “Let’s go see.”