The cake was soft and dense, the cream had a soft and aromatic taste that lingered on the tongue, blending with a faint scent of roses. The small pastries were crispy and delicious, practically making you want to savor two at once. Paired with the sweet and refreshing mango sago dessert, it was impossible to stop.

Satisfied, Sheng Xia squinted her eyes. Oh, life is truly blissful. If only she had left the hospital earlier!

System: [….]

Upon hearing someone looking for her, Sheng Xia was a bit surprised. It wasn’t until the system reminded her that this “Miss Shi” was her step-sister, also the original female lead in the novel.

While waiting for the butler to bring her in, Sheng Xia lazily asked, “I remember our relationship wasn’t good in the original story, right? Why would she come to see me?”

[Before the start of the plot, you two indeed didn’t have much interaction.] The system analyzed reasonably. [However, it’s highly likely she heard about your car accident and came to visit you.]

Indeed, as soon as Sheng Lanqiu entered, she asked with concern, “Sister, I heard you had a car accident. Are you alright now?”

As the female lead of this world, Sheng Lanqiu’s appearance was naturally top-notch. Compared to Sheng Xia’s fragile and exquisite beauty, she exuded a non-aggressive and gentle resilience, a charming look that gained people’s goodwill.

[You’re particularly jealous of the female lead and tend to misinterpret every word of hers maliciously. You also resist her knowing your current situation. So, in front of the female lead, you’ll act extremely biased and exaggerated, highlighting the female lead’s gentle and understanding nature.]

Sheng Xia: Wow, this character setting is amazing. I love it.

System: [Are you serious?]

“Nothing serious; fortunately, I can still manage to breathe.”

Quickly getting into character, Sheng Xia lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, her voice faint. “If you came to ask about this, you can leave with peace of mind.”

Sheng Lanqiu: ?

Feeling that her stepsister was somewhat different, she looked at her curiously. Sheng Xia still had that melancholy face, unwilling to interact with people. Thinking that she might be in a bad mood due to the car accident, Sheng Lanqiu relaxed.

Ignoring her resistance, Sheng Lanqiu naturally sat down across from Sheng Xia and said with a teasing smile, “Sister is really good at joking. You really scared me. After hearing about your car accident, Mom and Dad were also worried, but it’s not convenient for them to come, so they asked me to check on you.”

“Fortunately, you’re fine, so we can rest assured.”

Sheng Lanqiu was indeed taken aback, especially since the dream she had a few days ago didn’t mention Sheng Xia getting injured in a car accident. If Sheng Xia had really been in trouble, how would she showcase herself and become popular in the future?

Luckily, Sheng Xia was unharmed, still looking like she was about to die. Nothing had changed.

Just as she was thinking about this, Sheng Xia suddenly looked up.

Meeting her pair of pitch-black eyes, Sheng Lanqiu subconsciously felt a chill down her spine. Before she could think more about it, Sheng Xia raised her face, seemingly expecting, and asked, “Since you’re here to see me, where is it?”

Sheng Lanqiu was stunned for a moment. “… It? What do you mean?”

“Didn’t you come to visit me because you heard about my car accident?” Sheng Xia put on an innocent and aggrieved expression. “No way, right? You didn’t even prepare a get-well gift? You keep saying you’re worried about me, but your concern is really cheap. Sob, it turns out it’s all lies.”

Seeing the peculiar gazes from the surrounding servants, Sheng Lanqiu’s heart tightened. She forced a smile and tried to remedy the situation. “No, we are genuinely concerned about you. It’s just that I didn’t think too much about it. It has nothing to do with Mom and Dad. How about this, sister, tell me what gift you want, and I’ll buy it for you.”

“Really? Then just transfer the money directly; I can buy the gift myself.” Sheng Xia quickly wiped away her tears and said casually, “By the way, have you met my three children? As their aunt, you should give them a gift for the first meeting. Why not transfer the equivalent amount of money to me?”

Sheng Lanqiu’s brain felt dizzy. “What…?”

Seeing her hesitation, Sheng Xia raised an eyebrow. She then leaned back, covered her chest, and hummed softly, “Forget it, I know my sister is just making things up to please me. Hmph, if I believed your words, I might really cry my heart out.”

Sheng Lanqiu: “…?”

What on earth is Sheng Xia doing again? Is she mentally disturbed due to her injuries? She must be crazy!

“I’m telling the truth. I’ll transfer the money to sister now.” Sheng Lanqiu gritted her teeth, feeling the pain as she transferred a hundred thousand.

Sighing softly, Sheng Xia said, “People who are easily satisfied are satisfied. People who are not satisfied are never satisfied. So, do you think I’m satisfied or not satisfied?”

Ah, it’s impossible to communicate with her!!

Sheng Lanqiu’s smile on her face stiffened. She took a deep breath and changed the topic with patience. “By the way, since you married into Feng family, we haven’t asked about how you’re doing now.”

She looked around, disapproving. “Huh, you had a car accident. Why didn’t I see your husband taking care of you? Is he…”

“What, did your husband’s family go bankrupt?” Sheng Xia asked

Sheng Lanqiu was taken aback and immediately denied, “Of course not! Sister, how could you say that?”

Sheng Xia gradually revealed a pitiful expression, even a bit of superiority. “So, is it that if you’re sick, only your husband can take care of you? Although the Shi family can’t compare to the Feng family, you should still have some money, right? How come you can’t afford family doctors, caregivers, and maids? This won’t do.”

Sheng Lanqiu hesitated for a moment. “I meant that, when someone is sick, the husband should come back to check on you. After all, no matter how well those people take care of you, it can’t compare to the care of someone close by, right?”

Sheng Xia responded with an “Oh,” looking confused. “But the Feng family has money. I can enjoy the considerate care of so many professionals. Why would I want him, a clumsy and troublesome person, to bother me? Am I being Stupid?

Sheng Lanqiu remained silent.

“Besides, do you know how much money my husband can make in a minute? If he comes back, wouldn’t it stop the income he earn if he stop working?” Sheng Xia emphasized, “I’m telling you this because you are my sister. You are already a wealthy and noble lady; you need to learn to use resources wisely—no, learn to use resources efficiently, understand?”

The butler, trying not to laugh, lowered his head.

Sir, do you know that in Madam’s eyes, you are essentially a hardworking donkey from a farm striving to earn money?

Sheng Lanqiu’s temples throbbed slightly. She put on a brave smile and continued to incite, “I remember before, Sister always called home, complaining that the Feng family treated you poorly. Brother-in-law didn’t come home, leaving only the kids and Brother-in-law’s sister, but they all ignored you…”

“Now it seems that Sister has probably adapted, right? How wonderful.”

She knew what Sheng Xia cared most about, so she deliberately touched her sore spot. She was satisfied to see Sheng Xia’s subtle expression change after a momentary daze.

You must be feeling very sad now, Sister.

Because you want to surpass me, you married the cold and heartless Feng Yan, and now you’ve ended up like this. It’s really pitiful. No matter how much you envy and try to surpass me, you are doomed to fail.

Sheng Lanqiu thought with pity in her heart.

She knew from the dreams that Sheng Xia would mistreat the Dragon and Phoenix twins and her younger sister-in-law in the future. So, she deliberately provoked her to make her take action as soon as possible.

After all, because of Sheng Xia’s actions, her perfect image was highlighted, allowing her to be adored by the entire internet and fully accepted by the Shi family.

Sighing softly, Sheng Lanqiu continued to think about the sacrifice needed for her future.

Although they were indeed pitiful, enduring for a while longer, until the variety show was over, would be okay. Sacrificing for her future, she thought.

“Oh, I almost forgot something.” Sheng Xia suddenly turned her head, looking innocent. “Zhao Shu, where are Xuran and Xuchen? Weren’t they supposed to come to the garden with me? I promised to tell them the ending of the story. They’ve already kept their promise to help me here; I can’t break mine.”

The steward, glancing at the visibly green-faced Sheng Lanqiu, smiled politely and replied, “The children are still in their pajamas and it’s not convenient for them to come out directly. Master Jingxu has taken them back to their room to change clothes. They should be here in a little while.”

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“You see,” Sheng Xia turned around, looking at the bewildered Sheng Lanqiu with a reproachful expression, “It’s all because you forgot to give the children a gift when you first met them. That’s why they don’t want to see you now. They haven’t come over until now.”

“Ah Qiu, look, should we compensate them later?”

Oh no, Sheng Xia’s mind is really messed up.

Sheng Lanqiu’s expression finally couldn’t hold up and cracked. Her mind was full of “It’s over, it’s over.” Although Sheng Xia had been unreasonable before, she had never had the audacity to remotely slander someone like this.

With Sheng Xia acting like this, would she still be able to serve as a foil for herself and smoothly become popular in the future?

No, she needed to go back and think about it carefully.

Taking a deep breath, Sheng Lanqiu stood up on her own, cautiously stepping back a bit, and maintained a fake smile. “I suddenly remembered that there are some matters at home, and Ah Yu is still waiting for me. I won’t be meeting the kids this time. Please explain to them, and I apologize for that. I’ll take my leave now.”

“Are you leaving like this? Eh, sister?”

Hearing Sheng Xia’s surprised and regretful voice from behind, Sheng Lanqiu didn’t turn back and quickened her pace, as if fleeing for her life.

Thinking that Sheng Xia must be furious now, a triumphant expression appeared on Sheng Lanqiu’s face. She knew exactly what Sheng Xia was thinking. Well, don’t even think about continuing to set traps and extort money from her!!