That Means You Don't Like Me Either

Speaking of which, Shen Heng had thoroughly enjoyed the peace and quiet of the past week.

His fake younger sister had caused no trouble, his real younger sister had focused on her studies, his mother had rested and recuperated, and his father had been busy shuttling between work and home, with no time to pay him any attention.

Then a phone call from his father shattered that peace.

His father said earnestly, "A-Heng, your mother wants to see Xixi. She's in your care now, so when you have time, talk to her and ask her how she feels about it."

Shen Heng leaned back in his office chair. Recalling everything his fake sister had done, he said with some disapproval, "Dad, she's doing well. I can tell she's trying to adjust, and I think it would be best if we didn't disturb her."

His father was silent for a moment before saying helplessly, "But your mother can't get past it. She can't bear to be without Xixi. A-Heng, you weren't by her side when you were little. Those were very difficult years, and Xixi was the one who accompanied her through them. Even if they aren't related by blood, she can't just sever the bond between them."

Shen Heng didn't understand what was so hard to let go of.

His real sister had suffered the most in this whole affair. Why didn't his mother feel sorry for her own daughter, instead of worrying about his fake sister? What kind of logic was that?

Still, what he thought was one thing. They were his parents, after all, so Shen Heng ultimately agreed.

That was why he was here tonight. Seeing that his fake sister was doing well only made him feel that his mother's request was even more unreasonable.

Why did they need to meet? They should each live their own lives in peace and let everything return to its proper course.

But Chu Tianqing didn't see it that way at all. She had Shen Xixi's memories and had read the descriptions in the original novel, so she knew how good Jiang Youyi had been to her.

If Jiang Youyi didn't want to see her, then so be it. But as long as Jiang Youyi wanted to see her, Chu Tianqing simply couldn't bring herself to refuse.

"Well..." Chu Tianqing said hesitantly, "Since Mom—no, Aunt Jiang—wants to see me, then let's meet. I don't mind."

Shen Heng said considerately, "You're allowed to mind."

Chu Tianqing shook her head. "No, no, no, I don't mind. Aunt Jiang raised me. How could I not go see her? Wouldn't that make me an ungrateful wretch? I should at least say a proper goodbye."

Shen Heng did not comment. "All right, then I'll arrange it. Tomorrow at two in the afternoon. I'll send someone to pick you up."

Chu Tianqing took a deep breath and answered firmly, "Okay!"

In truth, she was very nervous. Since transmigrating, the only family members she had seen were Father Shen and Shen Heng. To be honest, neither of them was very familiar with her.

Ms. Jiang was different. She was the mother who had cleaned up her poop and pee and raised her, and she knew Shen Xixi's every move. Chu Tianqing was terrified of being found out.

That night and the next morning, Chu Tianqing kept recalling Shen Xixi's mannerisms. She put on the only designer outfit she owned and even borrowed her older sisters' cosmetics to carefully apply her makeup.

In short, she did her best to make herself look like a socialite before going to see Aunt Jiang.

At two in the afternoon, Chu Tianqing went downstairs after receiving Shen Heng's call. She spotted the familiar luxury car at once, and when she opened the door, she found Shen Heng inside too.

"Brother, why are you here too?" Chu Tianqing asked in pleasant surprise.

Shen Heng looked up and froze when he saw his fake sister. "You... why are you dressed like that?"

She overlapped with the image he remembered: wearing lipstick and baring her fangs and claws.

"What's wrong with these clothes?" Chu Tianqing asked, puzzled. "Your assistant bought them for me."

Shen Heng cleared his throat and moved past the subject. "Nothing. Get in. Let's go."

Chu Tianqing murmured an "Oh" and obediently got into the car. But she had a habit: the more nervous she was, the more she wanted to talk. She simply couldn't hold it in.

"Brother, when your assistant bought me clothes, did you pick them out, or did she?" Chu Tianqing asked curiously.

"She did," Shen Heng answered. "I don't understand these things you girls care about."

"You don't understand, but you can see," Chu Tianqing said perceptively. "You don't like this outfit, do you? You think it's ugly."

Shen Heng glanced sideways at her, his tone indifferent. "Is that important?"

"It's not important, but it's a little telling," Chu Tianqing analyzed earnestly. "Your assistant must know your tastes very well. She deliberately bought me an outfit you think is ugly, which means she doesn't like me."

Shen Heng did not comment. Given how spoiled and overbearing Shen Xixi had been before, how many people actually liked her?

"Brother, you're not denying it?" Chu Tianqing's eyes widened in surprise. "Then that means you also..."

She left the sentence unfinished. Saying "That means you don't like me either" would simply be asking to be humiliated.

Looking dejected, Chu Tianqing lowered her head and picked at her nails.

The car fell silent at once, and Shen Heng actually felt a little uncomfortable.

Why was that? Because he liked quiet more than anything and hated all noisy sounds.

"Don't overthink it," Shen Heng said unhurriedly. "I'm just not used to seeing you in makeup. You're prettier without it."

Chu Tianqing secretly turned her eyes to meet Shen Heng's gaze. It seemed somewhat believable.

She brightened up again and said with a smile, "All right, being pretty barefaced still counts as pretty. You were willing to give me a compliment, so that means you don't hate me that much either."

Shen Heng's lips curved upward, and he shook his head helplessly. She had said it all herself. How had he never noticed before that she was such a chatterbox?

Chu Tianqing talked the whole way, and by the time they reached their destination, she seemed to have relaxed just a little.

She followed Shen Heng upstairs to a private room in a teahouse. A server pushed open the doors, revealing Jiang Youyi sitting upright inside.

She wore an ivory, modern Chinese-style dress, her long hair pinned up at the back of her head. Her well-maintained face looked a little drawn, making her all the more endearing.

Chu Tianqing sucked in a sharp breath. What a noble, beautiful, elegant, gentle lady! How could anyone have the heart to hurt her?

"Mom, I brought Xixi," Shen Heng said first. "When did you get here? Are you feeling any better?"

"I only just arrived. I'm fine." Jiang Youyi rose gracefully, first smiling at her son before her gaze fell on Shen Xixi. Tears seemed to glimmer in her eyes. "Xixi, it's only been a few days since we last saw each other. How have you lost so much weight? Does your stomach still hurt?"

Chu Tianqing was dumbstruck, unable to say a word.

Shen Heng had no choice but to smooth things over. "Xixi, don't just stand there. Come sit down first."

Chu Tianqing blinked. Shen Heng's voice calmed her considerably. She walked over slowly, not daring to look Jiang Youyi in the eye, and greeted her quietly. "Aunt Jiang, I'm doing well. Please take care of your health too."

She thought she had spoken appropriately, but to her surprise, Jiang Youyi asked in disbelief, "What did you call me?"

"A-Aunt Jiang." Chu Tianqing could feel Jiang Youyi's sorrow, and she was so frightened she hardly dared breathe.

Jiang Youyi sank back into her seat, clutching her chest. Her words sounded both reproachful and mournful. "You don't even want to call me Mom anymore?"