Chapter 54: Jiang Ci You and Xia Ling in Their High School Days

During Jiang Ci You's time in the hospital, the doctors said she could no longer endure any emotional shocks. Thus, she dared not appear before her, fearing she might once again lose hope. Yet every night, when Jiang Ci You fell asleep, she would secretly go to the hospital. Twenty years of affection—her carefully cultivated rose—how could such a bond be severed so easily?

But she dared not show even a trace of emotion before Jiang Xiao Xiao. Her own daughter, raised under the abuse of the Yin Ruyun couple all these years, filled her with overwhelming guilt and heartbreak. Even knowing her daughter was narrow-minded, lacking the upbringing of a true lady, she never blamed her. These were not her faults. The mistake lay in her own failure to protect her, allowing someone to swap her child in secret. Her little princess should have grown up safe and happy, destined to become an elegant, talented socialite like Jiang Ci You. Instead, she had suffered so much since childhood. Just thinking about it made her heart bleed.

She never hoped that Jiang Xiao Xiao and Jiang Ci You could truly get along as sisters, because she knew it was impossible. She herself and Yin Ruyun were proof of that—like a curse, tragedy was repeating itself in the next generation. All she wished was that these two could lead their separate lives, never crossing paths again, even if they never saw each other till their dying days.

Thus, she strove to fulfill Jiang Xiao Xiao’s every request, hoping that after satisfying her desire for revenge, she would let Jiang Ci You go. Just like back then, after she exacted revenge on Yin Ruyun, she finally found relief. She knew only when all the malice in her heart was released could she move on. She had indulged Jiang Xiao Xiao for three years. This would be the last time. She would grant her one final wish, Yao Shulan told herself.

Yao Shulan walked to the center of the stage, standing before the upright microphone. Before she spoke, her gaze sought out Jiang Ci You’s place. At this moment, Jiang Ci You stood just below the stage. Her eyes fixed on Yao Shulan’s face, expressionless—neither anger nor resentment, just indifference, as if numb.

Yao Shulan clenched her fingers, steeling herself to look away, and then announced, “That’s right, Xia Ling shares a special bond with our Jiang family. We intend to adopt her as our goddaughter.” Yao Shulan said no more. The crowd below immediately began offering congratulations. Jiang Xiao Xiao hurriedly pulled Xia Ling over, urging her to greet her new family.

Xia Ling, trembling with excitement, sweetly and cautiously called out, “Godfather, Godmother.” Yao Shulan replied with difficulty, while Jiang Jin Hui’s face remained dark, refusing to respond. Then came the tea ceremony. Jiang Xiao Xiao had long made all the arrangements for these rituals. Once all the procedures were complete, Yao Shulan looked back toward the audience, only to find Jiang Ci You was nowhere to be seen.

Jiang Ci You had turned and left as soon as Yao Shulan acknowledged Xia Ling. As Xia Ling called out sweetly for her godmother and godfather, Jiang Ci You felt as if a knife had been plunged into her heart, gouging out a bloody hole, the pain flowing endlessly. Her eyes grew moist, but stubbornly, she refused to let a single tear fall. She would shed no more tears for them.

At the door, Jiang Ci You was about to leave when she was stopped by the security guards. “Miss Jiang, Second Miss says that on such a joyous day, you cannot leave.” Jiang Ci You’s face was cold and stern. “Get out of my way.” Four bodyguards formed an impenetrable wall before the door. “Second Miss says you must stay for the entire birthday banquet before leaving. She also has a gift to present to you.”

Jiang Ci You considered fighting her way out, but against four, she stood no chance—especially wearing a dress today. And if she caused a scene, it would be exactly what Jiang Xiao Xiao wanted. Reluctantly, Jiang Ci You turned back, unwilling to witness the harmony on the other side. She decided to head to the lounge.

Halfway up the stairs, someone chased after her. “Ci You, so this is where you are.” Jiang Ci You turned to see the last person she wished to encounter—Xia Ling.

Xia Ling had just been accepted as the Jiang family’s goddaughter. How could she not rush to share such “good news” with her? Soon, Xia Ling stood before Jiang Ci You, separated by a single step. Xia Ling wore her usual innocent, cautious expression. “Ci You, since I’ve been adopted by the Jiang family, you aren’t upset, are you?”

Jiang Ci You looked at her innocent yet shameless face and nearly laughed. From her vantage, she gazed down at Xia Ling. “Xia Ling, drop that innocent act. It disgusts me.”

A flicker of complex emotion crossed Xia Ling’s eyes—something like sadness, yet also satisfaction. But all feelings vanished in an instant, and when she looked at Jiang Ci You, she was once again as guileless as a naïve little rabbit.

“Ci You, my background is poor. You know what kind of person my mother is. I’ve suffered abuse and torment since childhood, never lived a single good day. The luckiest thing in my life was meeting you in high school.” Xia Ling’s expression was so sincere, her eyes glimmered with tears, seemingly overflowing with gratitude.

“At that time, I was admitted to Tongfu International High by recommendation. Everyone at school looked down on me, bullied and tormented me, but you reached out, pulled me from the mire. When I was attacked, you stood before me like a shield, protecting me. Ci You, you are my benefactor for life.”

Jiang Ci You’s brows furrowed. She didn’t understand why Xia Ling was suddenly recalling all this. It was true, back then, Xia Ling had always been isolated in a corner, head always bowed, always the target of others’ bullying and venting. School was like a cruel, primitive jungle. Jiang Ci You stood atop the pyramid, while Xia Ling was at its base.

When did she first notice Xia Ling? Perhaps it was the day Xia Ling missed school, and as class president, Jiang Ci You accompanied the teacher for a home visit. In a place not unlike a slum, they found Xia Ling’s home—a house so dilapidated it could hardly be called shelter, not a single decent item inside. Xia Ling’s parents were quarreling. Xia Xiufen hurled curses and insults at Xia Ling’s father, so vicious it was shocking. Meanwhile, her father sat in a wheelchair, lifeless, like the living dead. Everything in the house that could be broken had been smashed.

Xia Ling crouched on the floor, numbly tidying up, as if this were all routine. Later, Jiang Ci You learned the reason Xia Ling missed school that day was because her father had wheeled himself into the middle of the street, attempting suicide.

“Li Yaojun, if you die once, I’ll save you once. If you die a hundred times, I’ll save you a hundred times. I want you to live, to suffer as I do, worse than death.” Jiang Ci You still remembered how those words made her entire body tremble.

She recalled the scene vividly. After Xia Xiufen finished cursing, she vented all her anger on Xia Ling, kicking, hitting, pinching her, even grabbing a fire iron and striking Xia Ling’s back. The homeroom teacher rushed in to intervene, but Xia Xiufen was hysterical, refusing to stop. Amid the chaos between Xia Xiufen and the teacher, Jiang Ci You stepped forward, grabbed Xia Ling’s arm, and led her out the door—