Chapter 26: She Wants to Help Her
Before the high school entrance exam, the Yu family, in order to keep Yu Yuan in good spirits, had Yu Xin stay at a hotel. They were completely unconcerned when she became the target of gossip. Even after the exam, when they brought her back home, their attitude toward her didn’t improve in the slightest.
Yu Xin’s biological older brother — Yu Jinxin — swiped the card Yu Xin had been given and used it to buy things for himself and Yu Yuan. When it came to Yu Xin, she only got a free promotional schoolbag.
Her biological father, Yu Wenli, and her mother, Cui Wanning, had not hosted any banquet to announce her identity, nor had they taken the initiative to mention her existence to outsiders.
That baby-switch incident back when the perpetrator was caught had been quite a scandal; many people already knew that the children had been swapped and that Yu Yuan was a fake heiress.
Even so, whenever outsiders asked about it, the couple would only say “the child is innocent” and clearly state that Yu Yuan was their daughter — and that this fact would never change.
The report showed that although Yu Xin’s household registration had been moved out from her adoptive parents, it was not transferred under Yu Wenli or Cui Wanning’s names. Instead, they had, under the guise of an “adoption,” registered her under the name of a long-term live-in maid of the Yu family who happened to share the same surname.
Jiang Chuchu’s head buzzed as she read this, finally unable to hold back. “They won’t even put their own daughter under the same household registration as them?”
“If they go through official channels to recognize Yu Xin, then Yu Yuan would become the adoptive daughter,” Jiang Youwei explained.
“So what if she becomes an adoptive daughter? Isn’t that exactly what she is?” Jiang Chuchu shot back.
Jiang Youwei chuckled. “I don’t know what Yu Wenli is really thinking, but I can guess — maybe they believe that if Yu Yuan is labeled an adoptive daughter, she might be looked down upon in the future.”
“But if anyone looks into it even a little, they’ll know Yu Xin is their real daughter,” Jiang Chuchu said, baffled. “And besides, they dote on Yu Yuan so much — with their protection, why would they need to worry about her being looked down on?”
“That’s their logic. The fact we can’t understand it is perfectly normal,” Jiang Youwei replied.
He couldn’t spell everything out too bluntly for his daughter.
From Yu Wenli and Cui Wanning’s perspective, whether the child was their biological one or not wasn’t the key point. The important thing was that she was a carefully cultivated “product” — one that could not lose value.
If her value dropped, it would mean they’d lost the investment they’d put in. Naturally, they had to protect it at all costs.
At least in their eyes, Yu Yuan was more “valuable” than Yu Xin.
Jiang Chuchu’s brows knit tighter.
The report didn’t include details about Yu Xin’s day-to-day life at home — Jiang Youwei hadn’t needed to investigate that far. Even the information they had was enough to make her understand Yu Xin’s current situation.
When she finished reading, Jiang Chuchu tossed the folder onto the coffee table, grabbed a throw pillow from the couch, and frowned deeply.
“Angry?” Jiang Youwei asked.
“Angry,” she replied flatly.
He sighed. “Compared to staying in her old family, she’s already much better off now.”
“But this life should have been hers in the first place!” Jiang Chuchu shot back.
Jiang Youwei watched her quietly. When her emotions had calmed a bit, he said, “Do you think that if Yu Xin had grown up in the Yu family from the start, she’d be the same person she is now?”
Jiang Chuchu was at a loss for words. She couldn’t picture Yu Wenli and Cui Wanning raising a child well.
“She’s certainly lost a lot, and she’s endured a great deal of pain in her original home. But she’s also gained another possibility because of it,” Jiang Youwei said, meeting his daughter’s eyes. “Her future depends on herself — and on the help you and others give her.”
“Can I help her?” Jiang Chuchu asked softly. “Everything I have comes from our family… even this information was something you found for me…”
Her father was a little surprised — but also pleased — to hear this.
He didn’t know what had prompted it, but his little princess was starting to realize the difference between her own strength and the strength of others.
“Why couldn’t you?” he said patiently. “We gave these resources to you, so you’re free to use them. Since you’re part of this family, you have the right to use everything in it.”
Jiang Chuchu thought of what Gu Qinghuan had said last time — that someone like Yan Zhengqing might appear to back down in public but could still scheme in private.
She had relied on her family’s backing to stand up for Xie Xiangxue, but that could bring trouble to herself and possibly to her family as well.
“The important thing,” Jiang Youwei continued, “is that you clearly understand the person you’re helping, and make sure your help is actually effective.”
“You’re still young, and you’ll have plenty of chances to try things. Our family’s resources are enough for you to make mistakes.” He stood and patted her shoulder. “Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. As long as you learn from them, they’ll be worth something.”
He had work to attend to that afternoon, so after speaking with his daughter, he left.
Jiang Chuchu sat on the couch a while longer, still frowning.
She knew she had many shortcomings, and she didn’t even know how to begin helping Yu Xin.
But she was certain of one thing — her resolve to help would not change.
Yu Xin was a good girl. She didn’t deserve to be treated like this — and Jiang Chuchu wanted to help her.
After some hesitation, she sent Gu Qinghuan a message.
[Jiang Chuchu]: I had my dad look into Xin Bao’s family situation…
[Gu Qinghuan]: Hmm?
[Jiang Chuchu]: I want to help her more, but I don’t know what to do.
[Gu Qinghuan]: Then I suggest you be open about it first.
[Gu Qinghuan]: With Xin Bao’s personality, she might not accept help.
[Gu Qinghuan]: You have to make sure your intentions are clear to her.
Jiang Chuchu thought that made sense. Yu Xin was always worried about troubling others — her “help” might end up being self-righteous, or even cause more problems for Yu Xin.
[Jiang Chuchu]: You’re right.
[Jiang Chuchu]: How about this — I invite both of you to my place to hang out! Then I can use the chance to talk openly!
[Gu Qinghuan]: To your place…? I’m suddenly feeling pressure…
Jiang Chuchu replied with a cheeky smile emoji. She had plenty of faith in Gu Qinghuan’s mental fortitude!
Besides, having them over would help with Yu Xin’s “borrowed prestige” plan.
And honestly, for Jiang Chuchu, having friends come over was a purely happy occasion!
She quickly sent an invite to their small group chat. Yu Xin hesitated at first, but when she saw Gu Qinghuan agree right away, she followed suit.
Tossing her phone aside, Jiang Chuchu went to find her mother, Zhu Qinglan. “Mom! My friends are coming over tomorrow!”
At that moment, the Yu family’s situation suddenly didn’t matter so much — she had so many things she wanted to show her friends! Wasn’t that far more meaningful than dealing with those scumbags?
Oh, and about that sparkling water they’d talked about last time — she needed to check quickly if they still had peach, tangerine, and orange flavors at home!
