Chapter 28: Sauce-Flavored Pancake
For a moment, Yu Xin thought she’d misheard.
She wanted to get angry, to yell — but before she could move, Yu Yuan’s gaze fell on the fountain pen sitting on the desk, the one Jiang Chuchu had given her.
Yu Xin’s anger dissolved instantly.
Turning her head, she looked directly at Yu Yuan — the younger sister she had always felt inferior to, and thus had avoided meeting eyes with.
“You’re jealous, aren’t you?” she asked calmly, even with the faintest smile at her lips.
Yu Yuan’s face fell, shame turning quickly into fury. “Jealous of you? What’s there to be jealous of? Dad, Mom, and our brother don’t like you — they only like me!”
“Yes, they like you.” Yu Xin nodded, acknowledging the fact. It still stung a little, but it was no longer unbearable.
Probably because now, she had friends who supported her.
Before Yu Yuan could feel pleased with herself, Yu Xin added, “But the one Chuchu invited is me, not you. I have something you don’t — of course you’re jealous of me.”
“You—!” Yu Yuan choked on her words, shooting her sister a vicious glare before slamming the door and storming off.
Yu Xin looked at the pile of clothes Yu Yuan had tossed onto her bed. She had no intention of picking through them, nor of keeping them.
She called out to a servant passing by the door. “These are Yu Yuan’s clothes. Take them back to her and tell her I don’t need them.”
The servant hesitated, unwilling to act. Yu Xin pressed her lips together, then deliberately said coldly, “I’m going to the Jiang family tomorrow. How am I supposed to sleep with this mess in here? If I rest poorly and upset the Jiangs, will you take responsibility?”
The servant immediately scooped up the clothes in a panic and hurried out.
Yu Xin closed the door again and let out a long breath.
Then she laughed softly to herself. “So… using borrowed authority really does work.”
The next morning, Yu Wenli left early for company business, skipping breakfast.
When Yu Xin came downstairs, the other three were already sitting at the table, chatting and laughing.
Seeing her, her brother Yu Jinxin gave a cold snort. “Does someone think that just because she’s clinging to a phoenix, she’s no longer a sparrow? Even shows up last to breakfast to make an entrance.”
Her mother, Cui Wanning, didn’t say much, only remarked blandly, “Since you’re here, let’s start eating.”
Yu Xin tightened her fists. She wanted to say something, but in the end she stayed silent, quietly taking her seat and eating in peace.
She could talk back to Yu Yuan, but faced with her blood-related brother and mother, she still felt powerless — still wished for even a scrap of genuine affection.
After a tasteless breakfast, Cui Wanning picked up her napkin, dabbed at her mouth, and said, “Bring the gift over.”
A servant brought over the gift Cui Wanning had prepared the night before. Yu Yuan glanced at it and immediately protested, “Mom! I told you I wanted that necklace last time, and you didn’t buy it for me!”
“They were out of stock then. Later you wanted something else,” Cui Wanning soothed. “This one I had the store send over specially last night.”
Yu Xin looked at the delicate necklace nestled in its velvet box, feeling a pang in her chest.
If they could have the store deliver a necklace, why couldn’t they deliver her clothes? Was it because she didn’t deserve new ones, only Yu Yuan’s cast-offs? Or… did they not even know her size?
Whatever the reason, it made it a little hard to breathe.
She lowered her gaze. “Isn’t this a bit too valuable? I’m just going to a friend’s house…”
“What do you know?” Cui Wanning’s voice sharpened. “For a family like the Jiangs, this level of gift is the minimum courtesy.”
“But… there will be other friends there besides me…” Yu Xin wanted to refuse.
After all, Gu Qinghuan would be there. If she accepted such an expensive gift, how would that make Gu Qinghuan feel? Even without understanding much about etiquette, she knew this would put her in a difficult position.
“That’s enough!” Cui Wanning’s tone cut her off. Yu Xin fell silent instinctively.
Rubbing her temples, Cui Wanning said tiredly, “I’ve told you before — you’ve never been exposed to this world since you were young. How could you understand?”
Yu Jinxin chimed in sarcastically, “This isn’t even that extravagant. Yu Xin, you’re being so petty.”
Yu Xin’s hands trembled slightly. If they disliked her ignorance so much, why didn’t they teach her? She could learn!
At that moment, the butler hurried in. “Pardon me, Madam — the Jiang family’s car has arrived early. There’s also a young lady inside.”
Yu Xin’s head shot up. She rushed outside at once.
The Jiang family’s car was parked in the courtyard. As she came into view, Gu Qinghuan was just stepping out.
Seeing Yu Xin, Gu Qinghuan’s face lit up. She raised a hand in greeting. “Morning, Xin Bao. Sorry I’m early. Chuchu saw the sauce-flavored pancake I posted and said she wanted some too…”
She didn’t finish before Yu Xin threw herself into her arms.
Gu Qinghuan paused, then patted her back. “Good morning, Xin Bao.”
“Good morning.” Yu Xin’s voice was a little choked.
“Are you ready to go?” Gu Qinghuan asked.
“I just want to leave here right now,” Yu Xin replied.
“Then let’s go. If the sauce pancake sits too long, it won’t be crisp anymore. Chuchu had me order a whole one for her.” Gu Qinghuan’s tone stayed cheerful.
“Okay.” Yu Xin sniffled.
“Yu Xin, is this also one of your classmates?” Cui Wanning appeared, wearing a gentle smile.
Gu Qinghuan looked up to see the woman who must be Yu Xin’s adoptive mother. Beside her stood a young man resembling her slightly, and a girl about Yu Xin’s age.
The three together looked harmonious at first glance.
“Hello, Auntie,” Gu Qinghuan said sweetly. “I’m Xin Bao’s friend, my name’s Gu Qinghuan.”
Gu Qinghuan? Cui Wanning tried to recall if there was a prominent Gu family with a daughter by that name.
“You don’t need to guess at my background — I don’t have one. My dad won the lottery, that’s how we could afford Mingde High.” Gu Qinghuan’s smile didn’t falter; she had perfectly read Cui Wanning’s thoughts.
Cui Wanning’s smile stiffened. “…I see.”
“If there’s nothing else, Auntie, I’ll take Xin Bao and go. Chuchu’s still waiting for me to bring her the food.” As she spoke, Gu Qinghuan helped Yu Xin steady herself and opened the car door.
The aroma of sauce-flavored pancake spread aggressively through the air. Cui Wanning felt as though even the garden air was being polluted.
She forced a smile. “Go on, then. Oh, right — Yu Xin, take the gift with you.”
The servant hurried over with the gift again. Gu Qinghuan glanced at the packaging. “Ah, I’ve seen this logo before. Chuchu was just telling me the other day that the brand sent her all of this season’s new products — even a custom design just for her.”
Cui Wanning’s nails dug deep into her palm. This little brat surnamed Gu — did she have no idea how to keep her mouth shut?!
