Chapter 19 019 Seventeenth Birthday
Several gift boxes were on the table.
Shen Yi got up early in the morning, staring at them with some distress, still hesitating whether or not to give them away.
We're going to have to part ways.
There's no point in giving this kind of gift again.
But she had prepared these things a long time ago.
None of them are anything of value.
The hats, scarves, and gloves were hand-knitted by her.
Shen Yi wasn't good at this kind of thing and was afraid of being laughed at. She hid in her room and almost followed the video tutorial frame by frame, trying to copy it exactly. It took her a long time to finish.
It started last winter and was finally completed last month.
Calling them "gifts" is a bit of a stretch, because the finished products are indeed crooked and not very attractive.
But for Shen Yi at that time, this was her most precious sentiment.
Shen Yi loves handmade items because she believes they embody the time, effort, and love invested by the giver, making them unique gifts in the world.
final.
Shenyi simply hid them all in the deepest part of the wardrobe.
never mind.
It's better not to take it out and embarrass yourself. There's no need for it. Even if you give it away, it will probably just be thrown away anyway.
He stood silently facing the mirror.
She hadn't looked at her face this closely in a long time.
Perhaps it's because of recent mood swings that I've lost my appetite.
She didn't know when, but the baby fat that had bothered her seemed to have lessened, no wonder her mother said she had lost weight again.
Shen Yi knew very well that she was beautiful.
Her eyes were exceptionally beautiful, often associated with amorousness, and on her already overly cute face, they added a touch of unaware innocence, yet at this moment they drooped listlessly.
Shenyi dislikes this version of herself.
Even though I was prepared to say goodbye to everything, I still felt so reluctant to part ways before the actual separation arrived.
To put it bluntly, it's greed.
Even now, she still hopes that things will take a turn for the better.
only……
Looking at the weather outside, the forecast was still saying that there would be a heavy rain tomorrow, and everything corresponded to the dream.
The capital city rarely sees rain, and the heavy rain that fell on Shen Yi's birthday in her dream was even rarer. All of this will eventually come along with the painful truth that will come to her.
Don't do that.
Don't become someone you hate and despise.
Cherish the last moments.
Shen Yi applied delicate makeup in front of the mirror. After finishing breakfast as usual, she hugged her mother and said coquettishly, "I want Mom to help me tie my hair."
Shen's mother, who always doted on her children, braided Shen Yi's hair beautifully and held her face affectionately, saying, "My daughter is the most beautiful."
"Her face is her most valuable asset..."
As Shen's father was reading the documents, he realized he had misspoke halfway through his sentence and corrected himself, saying, "Your next birthday should be held together with the Wen family's formal engagement banquet."
Chen's mother patted Chen Yi's head and comforted her, "The company has been too busy lately, and Daddy is not in a good mood. Don't be upset, Yi Yi. It's your birthday tomorrow, and Daddy has ordered a really beautiful dress for you."
"Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad."
As Shen Yi said this, she took the opportunity to remind them, "Remember to come back for dinner early tonight."
Chen Yi finished speaking.
Mr. Shen stood up and said, "Something came up at the company, so I have to go now."
After saying that, he glanced at his wife again and reminded her, "We have dinner appointments tonight, so you should go to the beauty salon this afternoon."
Shen's mother explained to Shen Yi, "I'm sorry, Yi Yi, your dad and I have to meet with a big client tonight and can't come back to be with you. But don't worry, Yi Yi, your dad and we will come back early tomorrow to celebrate your birthday together, okay?"
Shen Yu loves to show off and has many friends at school. His birthday parties are often attended by the children of his friends and business partners.
Shenyi, however, was different. In previous years, she would spend time with her parents and friends and not hold a very lively event.
Shen's mother felt really guilty, as she had promised her daughter two days ago but had broken her promise at the last minute.
"Don't be upset."
On the way to school, Shen Yu, who was not good at comforting his younger sister, could only say dryly, "Mom and Dad are busy today because they want to celebrate your birthday properly with you tomorrow."
"I know."
Shen Yi nodded; of course, she didn't blame her parents.
Perhaps, it was just not meant to be.
Shen Yi lowered his head and opened the pet store's WeChat account.
She made an appointment six months ago and finally waited for the show-quality Ragdoll kitten she had chosen to give birth to a litter of kittens. She then selected the prettiest one of them.
Just a few days ago, the pet store contacted her and said that once the kitten had finished its vaccinations, she could pay the remaining balance and take it home.
He replied with deep thought.
[Please contact Ms. Meng and tell her that the original owner of this plush toy canceled their order, and ask her if she'd like to take it over.]
＊
Class B.
As soon as Shen Yi sat down, Song Yang leaned over and asked, "Is there anything you'd like for your birthday?"
certainly.
While they were talking, he didn't forget to take away Shen Yi's exam paper.
"No."
Shen Yi shook her head and asked him in return, "And you? Is there any gift you'd like?"
"I?"
Song Yang thought she was joking and said, "My birthday is still a long way off."
"I know."
Shen Yi rested her chin on her hand and looked at him, saying, "I was just asking."
Because Shen Yi kept looking at him like that, Song Yang really started to think about her question.
soon.
He then understood Shen Yi's answer, because for no apparent reason, he really couldn't think of anything he needed.
So Song Yang sincerely replied, "I hope you can let me copy your homework every day."
Shen Yi was amused by his words and cursed, "You're spineless."
Let's forget about this kind of gift! He needs to learn to be self-reliant!
He glanced at the empty seat in the back row, his hand unconsciously gripping a workbook in his bag.
This is a workbook for competition problems. It was obtained by Shen Yi after Jiang Yue was eliminated from the competition class some time ago. After noticing Jiang Yue's disappointment, Shen Yi secretly asked a teacher who used to like her a lot to help her.
But then...
Those messy things made her want to avoid Jiang Yue, and she hadn't been able to send her the gift.
If I don't send it now, I might miss my chance.
Thinking this way.
Shen Yi quietly got up, pretending to throw away the trash, and when no one was paying attention, she secretly slipped the exercise book into Jiang Yue's drawer.
There's no need for Jiang Yue to know that she prepared it.
Shen Yi thought to herself that since Jiang Yue had made friends in the competition class, she would definitely assume that this kind of thing was a gift from her friends there and wouldn't expect it to be on her own.
otherwise……
When the truth comes out, Jiang Yue might also be lost, which would be a real shame.
besides.
Shen Yi looked at Class A with a troubled expression.
She actually wanted to apologize to Xu Qingzhe in person for what happened yesterday.
But Wen Que and Meng Zihan were still in Class A, and she really didn't want to go there.
Seeing them less often will make me feel less attached.
So Shenyi sent a message to Xu Qingzhe.
Can we meet at the station tonight? Same time as always.
Too early won't work; I might run into Jiang Yue.
Xu Qingzhe replied almost instantly.
[don't want. ]
These two words again.
Suddenly, she reverted to her initial attitude.
never mind……
Yesterday's events were indeed my fault, and it's understandable that he was angry.
Thinking that the old wooden table in Xu Qingzhe's house that needed to be used as a book pad was actually his study desk, Shen Yi quietly opened the inner pages of his schoolbag to confirm that he had brought the bank card with him.
These past few days, she has been the one unilaterally bothering Xu Qingzhe, and hasn't taught him anything.
Let's buy him a new desk as a thank you gift.
After school.
Shen Yi made a special trip to the furniture market, and after careful comparison, she chose a spacious, height-adjustable light-colored desk, and thoughtfully provided Xu Qingzhe with a chair in the same color scheme.
Unfortunately, it's too late now, and we can't deliver today.
Tomorrow is Saturday.
Shen Yi got into the car and looked at the driver: "Let's go to the place we went to last night."
She needed to go to Xu Qingzhe's house to deliver the purchase receipt so he could use it to confirm receipt next week.
The car was parked at the alley entrance as always.
Shen Yi called Xu Qingzhe, but this time no one answered.
Fortunately, it wasn't completely dark yet, and she knew the way, so she was able to find Xu Qingzhe's house on her own.
If Xu Qingzhe wasn't home, she would simply leave her things at the door with a note explaining the situation.
With this thought in mind, Shen Yi didn't dare to look around. She walked silently all the way to Xu Qingzhe's house before she felt somewhat at ease.
"Knock knock—"
Seeing that the lights were still on inside, Shen Yi reached out and knocked on the iron gate outside.
soon.
The hurried, somewhat frantic footsteps were followed by the creaking sound of the inner door being pushed open, and the outer iron gate was pulled open a crack from the inside.
"May--"
Shen Yi had just opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Xu Qingzhe reached out and covered her mouth.
He said sternly, "Don't speak."
Shen Yi: "!?"
This time she was smarter and stopped trying to grab Xu Qingzhe's hand. She just nodded vigorously to show that she understood.
really..
Xu Qingzhe immediately released his hand and said in a commanding tone, "Go back first."
Shen Yi: "?"
Why?
That's what she thought, and that's what she asked.
Shen Yi was puzzled as to why Xu Qingzhe looked at her with the expression of seeing a plague god, as if her staying there for another second would trigger some kind of world war.
Xu Qingzhe had no intention of explaining the situation to her at all, and simply said, "Go back when I tell you to."
"I don't."
Shen Yi, always stubborn, had never been treated with such disdain before. Now, she was also angered and said directly, "Why should I leave just because you tell me to? What's the reason?"
Xu Qingzhe looked at her with even more indifference than usual: "You don't need a reason to leave my home, but you do need a reason to come here."
My mind went blank.
In the storyline, it seems that someone else said something similar to her.
"You're a shameless opportunist. Everyone should despise you; no reason is needed. On the contrary, liking someone like you would require a much more difficult reason, wouldn't it?"
"you're right."
Shen Yi pursed her lips. She didn't want to shed tears in front of Xu Qingzhe. She simply stuffed the purchase receipt into his hand and lowered her head, saying, "This is why I came here."
A desk will be delivered by a courier on Sunday evening. If you are unable to return in time after your competition, you can call them in advance to reschedule the delivery.
Shen Yi took a deep breath and continued, "The gift isn't very valuable. If you don't like it, you can return it as cash, or throw it away as you please. Don't worry, you don't need to rush me; I can walk on my own."
In the end, she couldn't help herself, so she turned around hurriedly and left quickly.
Shen Yi felt very sad.
She simply wanted to give Xu Qingzhe a gift to express her gratitude, but just because it was her, even her good intentions to express gratitude were rejected so easily?
It wasn't that she was targeting Xu Qingzhe, but thinking about everything that would happen tomorrow, Shen Yi's emotions were already extremely tense, and at this moment, tears rolled down her face like beads from a broken string.
Hate.
How annoying.
never mind.
It's her own fault for not having self-awareness.
Watching Shen Yi's departing figure, Xu Qingzhe slowly withdrew his gaze, which fell on a drop of water on the web of his left hand.
This is……
Tears?
Too.
Her expression just now looked terrible, like she was about to cry at any moment.
For no apparent reason.
Xu Qingzhe looked up at the moon tonight.
It wasn't very big, nor was it very round, and it was dull and lacked luster.
I wonder if she's scared walking such a long way alone at night.
Footsteps sounded behind me.
Having waited inside for too long, the "guest" stepped forward and said, "I've delivered what the teacher asked me to. There's nothing else to say. See you tomorrow."
"Wait a moment."
Xu Qingzhe called out to the boy who was about to leave, and said with a forced smile, "Wen Que, I have a question I can't answer. Could you please explain the solution to me?"
＊
Shen Yi wiped away her tears and got into the car.
When he got home, his parents were still out socializing, and Shen Yu was probably still at a friend's house and hadn't returned.
After returning to the Shen family home, she took a shower and curled up on the sofa in her room like a cat.
Shen Yi stared at everything in front of him, recalling the scenes he had witnessed at the Jiang family's house.
Shen Yi got up and found a nail clipper.
She trimmed her beautifully manicured nails, which she maintained regularly, so that it would be easier to do some housework later.
Then……
Shen Yi stood in front of the mirror, holding her long hair in one hand and scissors in the other, but she still couldn't muster the courage.
Never mind!
Let's keep this one; it shouldn't take too much time to tie it into a ponytail normally.
Thinking this through, Shen Yi finally found a reason to convince herself to put down the scissors.
She cherished her long hair so much that she couldn't bear to cut it short.
It was past midnight.
Shen Yi received countless birthday wishes on her phone, but she didn't reply to any of them. Instead, she curled up and slept in the corner of the bed.
Her gaze lingered on the message Jiang Yue had sent.
[Happy birthday! ! ! ]
Shen Yi was stunned for a moment.
In her desperate attempt to escape certain facts, she forgot that her birthday and Jiang Yue's birthday were one after the other, with a time difference that was so exaggerated that it might only be a few hours.
So, that's how it is.
Actually, today is Jiang Yue's birthday, but tomorrow is her real birthday.
So Shen Yi only replied to Jiang Yue's message and then tossed her phone aside.
[Happy birthday]
Sorry, I forgot to prepare a birthday present for you.
Jiang Yue replied immediately.
[I received the workbook! I love it! Thank you, Yiyi. I'll cheer up and keep going!]
Shen Yi: "...?"
ha?
How did Jiang Yue know?
[Save 100 Million]: How did you know?
[Jiang Zhongyue]: Xu Qingyi told me that he saw you sneak it in. I know this is hard to get, so I was so surprised!
Shen Yi: "..."
Xu Qingyi really ruins everything.
Perhaps this is also the opportunity for the male and female protagonists to become closer.
Never mind, it's none of her business.
Shen Yi didn't reply. She tossed her phone aside and slowly pulled the blanket over her head to completely cover herself.
＊
Eight o'clock in the morning.
Shenyi woke up from her dream.
Last night, falling asleep was much easier than she had imagined; she fell asleep almost as soon as she closed her eyes.
The rain was pattering outside, and there was a lot of noise downstairs; it seemed like many people in the Shen family were busy at work.
Chen Yi got up, quickly washed up, and went downstairs.
Her mother looked at her with some guilt and said, "Yiyi, it's raining too hard outside. We might not be able to get that dress until tomorrow."
Outside, the rain was pouring down, and it felt as if thunder was rumbling in her mind.
Shen Yi closed his eyes.
She needs to slow down.
In her dream, the exact same thing happened; she was prepared for it.
So what's next?
What was she supposed to do?
Shen Yi heard herself uncontrollably plead in a hoarse voice, "No, I want to wear that dress today!"
"Eh..."
Mother Shen seemed a little embarrassed, but still compromised: "Then let the driver go get it."
"I'm going too!" Shen Yi said, stepping forward to hug her mother's arm. "I want to come back wearing that dress. Please, Mom, you're the best!"
Unable to resist her coaxing, Mother Shen could only say, "Alright then, but wear more clothes so you don't catch a cold on the way. Go and come back quickly."
＊
The rain is still falling.
The driver had everything ready and said, "Miss, please get in the car."
Looking at the driver's still flushed face and smelling the faint scent of alcohol in the air, Shen Yi understood why the accident had happened today.
The plot will then develop in a very clichéd way.
She will have a minor car accident on her way to pick up her dress, and after going to the hospital, she will be found to be abnormal.
Both Shen's father and mother have type O blood, so it's impossible for them to have a child with type A blood like her.
My seventeenth birthday.
Lying in the hospital, she received not cake and gifts, but a paternity test report confirming no blood relation.
The scenario has played out countless times in my mind.
So much so that when I actually faced it, besides panic, I felt mostly relieved.
Just as Shen Yi was about to reach out and open the car door, a naive boy's voice rang in her mind, complaining about her with dissatisfaction.
Hey! Why are you so inflexible?
【Are you really determined to get on this bus?】
...
【Hey...why aren't you reacting? Are you paralyzed with fear?】
[Let me introduce myself. I am the Female Supporting Character Self-Saving System, specially created to serve you, host!]
Shen Yi realized, a beat too slow, that the legendary system that was supposed to be paired with transmigrating into a book had only arrived at this moment.
The system seemed to know what she was thinking and began to explain.
Are you wondering why I'm only showing up now? Actually, it's not that I'm late, it's that you remembered me too early!
[But it's okay! That's not important! Let this system explain the current situation to you!]
Next.
The system's meaning can be translated as: it's here to help Shen Yi. As long as Shen Yi is willing to listen to it, it can definitely change the bad ending plot of the world in the book.
Shen Yi was both wary and expectant: "What should I do?"
The system responded.
The simplest way is, don't get on this bus!
Shen Yi continued to ask in his mind, "...What do you mean?"
You're so stupid!
Didn't I just say that if you don't get on this bus today, things won't go according to plan?
[Oh, I see! Are you worried about your body being controlled just now? Actually, it was because of the residual consciousness of the character in the book that was controlling you. As long as you have the will to resist, in most cases you can easily change it.]
【Huh...! So, host, you didn't even consider resisting just now?】
"No."
Shen Yi honestly admitted it, then asked, "And then?"
The system is perfectly justified.
[Unless you get into a car accident, who will know you're not the real daughter of the Shen family?]
Shen Yi: "...?"
Although this kind of thing is not a one-time solution, after all, Jiang Yue is the protagonist. Even if such a crucial plot is temporarily changed, it will come back in other ways.
But with this system here, host, you don't need to be afraid. I will remind you before each plot point. As long as you react in time, I am confident that we can avoid it.
After all, this is just the world of a high school novel. As long as the host survives the remaining two years of high school, the host will never have to worry about their identity being exposed again! Isn't that simple?
The system's voice remained cheerful, as if it were celebrating a bright future for Shen Yi.
But with each word it spoke, Shen Yi felt his heart grow colder.
What she initially thought was a lifeline now appears to be arsenic poison.
finally.
Shen Yi asked impatiently, "Are you done talking?"
【Okay, I'm done】
[Isn't it simple? Then, host, let's hurry back... Ahhh!]
[Host! Why did you get on the bus? Are you crazy?!]
The system emitted a sharp popping sound.
It never imagined that its first mission would involve such a stupid host. It had explained everything so clearly, so why couldn't she understand?
"I'm not crazy."
Shen Yi lowered her head and fastened her seatbelt, instructing the driver to immediately drive to their destination. Her face was slightly pale, but she said with increasing determination, "But I don't need your help. Please go back to where you came from."
【What! ! ! 】
[Hey! Host! What exactly do you want to do???]
[Make the driver stop immediately; as long as they don't reach a critical location, there's still time to stop them!!!]
The system voice in his mind screamed, even cracking a little, completely unable to understand Shen Yi's actions.
She was clutching the hem of her clothes tightly with both hands, her body trembling with fear, yet her gaze was so open and direct, as if she had already made a clear choice about her future.
【Host……】
The system finally understood what she was thinking, and its voice gradually weakened, but it still tried its best to persuade her.
[Host, you shouldn't have such a strong sense of morality. There isn't that much absolute fairness in the world. There will always be people who take away other people's resources. Why can't that person be you?]
Even if we assume this is just the world of a novel, like when you play a game and encounter NPCs, it's okay to plunder all their resources, right?
Besides, you were clearly tempted just now, weren't you? Actually, you could be more direct and honest with your feelings.
"Yes, I was attracted to him."
Faced with the system's blunt revelation, Shen Yi could not deny it, nor did he want to.
She is not a saint.
The conditions were too tempting.
There are only two years left.
There will be a reminder before the plot unfolds.
If you can evade it once today with the help of an external system, you can naturally evade it a second time.
The worst possible outcome.
In other words, there will still be a time when, before the next plot development, it will be impossible to prevent the truth from being revealed that she is a fake heiress.
What will be the difference between then and today?
It wouldn't hurt to give it a try. Whether she succeeds or not, at least she can spend more time with her parents and brother and enjoy a little more of these happy days.
If she had a little more luck, if she had worked a little harder, if God had been a little kinder to her.
maybe.
She could really keep this a secret until she graduates from high school, for the rest of her life, and retain everything she has now, so she wouldn't have to face the cruel reality.
But she couldn't make up for the seventeen years of happiness Jiang Yue had missed, so how could she possibly steal her future?
Shen Yi looked out the window and murmured in a voice only he could hear, "I know that there are some things that I should never do, even if I've thought about them."
So whether she is fearful, confused, or unwilling and greedy, it is just a process of wavering along the way, and it will not affect the final decision, just like a ship may encounter storms, but it will not change its final destination.
The vehicle skidded out of control and crashed into the roadside railing.
As Shen Yi closed her eyes, she felt the burden that had been weighing on her shoulders completely disappear at this moment, replaced by an unprecedented sense of ease and joy.
Wait until I wake up again.
She should be able to get a real, peaceful sleep now.
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