My mother was a spoiled princess. I spent my whole life taking care of her. Yet, when my father's mistress lunged at me with a knife, she didn't hesitate to step in front of me. I woke up, and I was eight years old again. She was admiring her freshly manicured nails, ordering me to make her dinner. I silently cooked an eight-course meal with two soups. She was shocked: "Did you poison it?" I put some food in her bowl and said seriously: "I approve of you dating Uncle Julian." Chapter 1 Vivian exploded. Her perfectly shaped eyebrows knit together as she slammed her chopsticks onto the table. "Julian? What kind of nonsense is going on in that little head of yours?" I: "..." I silently handed her a clean pair of chopsticks. She eyed me suspiciously. "You little brat, did you break something?" I hesitated for a few seconds, then pulled the chopsticks back out of her hand. She nodded knowingly: "I knew it. You're trying to prank me." I opened my arms to her: "Mommy, hug." Vivian was clearly freaked out. She stared at me in disbelief, skepticism written all over her beautiful face. After a long pause, she poked my cheek with a long, manicured nail. "What are you babbling about? Go stew me some bird's nest soup." My lips trembled. I wanted to cry. She froze, frantically grabbing a handful of napkins and throwing them at my face. "Hey, hey, what are you doing? trying to guilt-trip me?" Just then. The front door of the villa opened. A tall, slender man stood silhouetted in the doorway. The room fell instantly silent. I stared at him quietly for a long time before opening my mouth: "Dad." Vivian glanced at the man, snatched the chopsticks back from my hand, and started eating as if nothing happened. The man walked in coldly, heading straight for the study upstairs. As he passed the dining table, he paused slightly. "You don't need to go to the banquet tonight." Slap. The chopsticks were slammed onto the table. Vivian sneered, "Then who are you taking?" My mother was breathtakingly beautiful. Before she married, she was the famous, vibrant beauty of the upper-class social circle. Even after marriage, her beauty hadn't faded a bit. Natural beauty combined with high-end maintenance made her even more charming. Even now, angry as she was, she looked stunning. But despite this, my father's gaze hadn't lingered on her for a long time. The man frowned slightly. He didn't answer her question, his steady steps carrying him upstairs. As the study door closed. Vivian threw the chopsticks. The next second, she stood up to flip the table. I watched her silently. At the last second, she stopped. Vivian pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and smiled with an unreadable expression: "You're getting a new mom soon. Happy?" I stared at her for two seconds, then walked up and snuffed out her cigarette. She froze completely. Then she screamed. "Are you crazy? Why did you put out my cigarette?" She grabbed my hand. My fingertip was burned raw. Her fingers trembled. She pulled out her phone to call the family doctor. After hanging up, she gritted her teeth: "I swear, you watch too many cartoons and think you're made of steel?" I whispered: "Don't smoke. It's bad for your health. And if you smoke too much, you won't be pretty anymore." Vivian looked at me with complicated eyes while she looked for an ice pack. She huffed, "Even if your mom was ten times uglier, there still wouldn't be a woman more beautiful than your mom, got it?" I endured the pain and looked at her quietly. I thought so too. Everyone in our circle thought so too. But my dad fell in love with that plain-looking girl by his side. Those uncles would whisper behind our backs: "Richard married such a beautiful wife, yet he doesn't cherish her. That's Vivian, the woman so many men dreamed of marrying back then." But then they'd add: "But wild flowers always smell sweeter than house flowers. Plus, Vivian has a kid and isn't young anymore. It's understandable." When their kids first whispered these things to me, I didn't understand. I only heard "Dad" and "Mom," so I repeated every word to my mother. Vivian's expression didn't change. She just rolled her eyes: "You're gossiping at such a young age, what a bright future you have. If you have time for this, go learn some more words." But after I left, she would lock herself in her room, smoking and drinking. The next day, she'd act as if nothing happened, booking spa appointments and ordering tonic soups from the kitchen. Later on, I stopped repeating those words. Chapter 2 "What are you arguing about?" Richard stood on the second floor, looking down. Vivian glanced at him and applied the ice pack to my hand. I hissed in pain. Richard's gaze moved from my hand to the cigarette butt on the floor. His expression was cold. "Can't even take care of a child?" Vivian looked annoyed: "Don't act high and mighty. Just get lost." Suddenly, she paused. "That necklace at the auction a few days ago... were you bidding against me?" Richard met her gaze. She smiled sarcastically. "Didn't you know? Your little mistress is already parading it around town." "She's not my mistress," Richard said, his thin lips pressed together in displeasure. "Right, right, she's your true love." She waved her hand dismissively. "Wishing you eternal happiness." Richard exhaled, slowly walking downstairs. "We're going to the banquet together tonight." As if Vivian expected this, she chuckled, slowly draping her arm over his shoulder and exhaling into his ear, "Beg me, Mr. Jiang." Richard took a step back, his body slightly tense, warning: "The child is here. Don't be ridiculous." She let out a bored "Oh" and said to me, "Go upstairs. The doctor will come to your room." After I closed my bedroom door. I heard a vase shatter outside. I sat at my desk and opened my diary from memory. Eight-year-old me had a terrible relationship with Ms. Vivian. No fatherly love growing up, and barely any motherly love either. While other kids were being cuddled, I was already serving tea to my mom. She never cared about my life, spending every day elegantly dressing up, doing her hair, nails, and facials. Occasionally, when maternal instincts struck, she'd read me skincare tips. Any event requiring a parent was attended by the butler, Grandpa Lee. Later, I often thought my existence was unwelcome. I wasn't the child of the woman my father loved, and maybe my mother often regretted having me, as my birth had damaged her body. ... I flipped to the last page of the diary. [Lucas invited me to play the day after tomorrow. I want to go, but Uncle Julian will be there. I hate Uncle Julian. He always looks at Mom weirdly.] Sixteen-year-old me reading what eight-year-old me wrote felt complicated. Ten minutes later, there was a knock on the door. I cleared my throat. "Come in." Vivian walked in, followed by the family doctor, who opened his kit to bandage me up. Vivian sat naturally on my bed. She paused. "Do you want to go to the banquet tonight? Your grandparents want to see you. It's fine if you don't go; it's a mixed crowd." I thought for a moment. Uncle Julian would be there. I had to go scope out the situation. I nodded: "I'll go." Vivian shrugged. "Suit yourself." After the doctor finished, Vivian went to prepare her gown. Watching her slender back, I couldn't help but speak: "Mom." She froze, awkwardly rubbing the goosebumps on her arm. "...What is it?" I pouted. "I don't have a suitable dress." Vivian liked expensive, exquisite dresses, but I only cared about comfort. I wore T-shirts and shorts everywhere. And I never let her pick my clothes. I only liked bright, flashy colors like red and green. Vivian turned around in shock, looking like she'd seen a ghost. "Really? You really want to wear a dress?" She came over and felt my forehead, muttering, "No fever." My lip trembled, tears welling up. "Other kids have pretty dresses, but I don't!" She looked at me blankly. "You... you can't blame me for that. Every time I mention your outfits, you get mad." So eventually, she stopped caring what I wore. "I don't care. I want a dress." I wiped a tear. She had never seen me like this and was stunned for a moment. "Fine, I'll have someone prepare it. But I'm telling you now, you have to wear dress shoes with it. No sneakers. Tsk, stop crying..." Chapter 3 I sat next to Grandma, watching Vivian holding onto Richard's arm. The surroundings were noisy. Her wavy hair cascaded down her back, and she wore a red mermaid gown. She was dazzling. Compared to her bright smile, Richard seemed much colder. Grandma glanced calmly in their direction, then looked away. She pinched my cheek. "Our little Ellie is finally willing to wear a dress. You're growing up." Grandpa looked over sternly, shaking his head. "Girls should dress like this. Vivian loves dressing herself up but doesn't care about her daughter." Grandma agreed. "Yes, I've told her so many times to get Ellie some decent clothes, but she never listens." I spoke up weakly: "Grandpa, Grandma, it was me who didn't like wearing dresses." Grandpa scoffed. "That's because she didn't raise you right." I paused, wanting to argue. Just then, someone poked my arm. I turned around, surprised: "Lucas..." Lucas smiled and greeted: "Hello Grandpa, Grandma. Hi Ellie." Grandma smiled. "Good boy." I followed Lucas to the corner to eat desserts. He stuffed a mini cake into my mouth, then scolded me: "Why didn't you come to the amusement park yesterday?" I: "..." I scratched my head. "Had a fight with my mom." He paused, then said slowly: "Oh, that's understandable." Lucas had soft brown hair, red lips, and white teeth. Wearing a mini suit, he looked serious yet cute. I stared at him. In my past life, for the next eight years, Lucas and I became total frenemies. I thought his dad was eyeing my mom, so I never gave him a break. He always mocked my ugly clothes and called me airheaded. But looking back now, those noisy days were some of the few colorful moments in my life. I grabbed his hand and asked deeply: "Do you think my clothes are ugly?" Lucas took a step back, stuttering. "Huh? Today... today you look pretty good." I shook my head. "What about before?" He fell silent. The quiet corner contrasted sharply with the noise elsewhere. I sniffled, eyes turning red: "They all say I'm an ugly duckling, that they don't like me, that I'm not as pretty as my mom..." He anxiously pulled me closer. "Who said that? You're pretty. You're the prettiest!" "Really? Every day?" I asked. He nodded, then scratched his cheek shyly. "Yeah. They're talking nonsense. Tell me who said it, and I'll go settle the score." I paused. Too many people said that. From my childhood to adolescence, countless people compared me to Ms. Vivian, saying I wasn't as pretty as she was as a child, didn't inherit her beauty, wasn't a beauty in the making. But... why compare me to others? Why compare me to my mother? I sighed. And stuffed a mini cake into Lucas's mouth. Suddenly. There was a commotion nearby. I saw the gentle girl in the white dress. A glass of red wine had been spilled between her and Vivian. Both dresses were ruined. Everyone knew it was the girl's petty trick, but Richard didn't stand by his wife. My grandparents would only blame the daughter-in-law who wasn't blood-related. I gritted my teeth in anger. Just as I was about to step forward, Lucas held my hand. We saw a man leisurely appearing in the center of the storm. Wearing a low-key luxury silver-gray suit, he raised an eyebrow lazily. "Ms. Zhong's dress is ruined." The girl's face paled slightly, hiding behind Richard. She spoke softly: "Mr. Chi, hers is red, mine is white..." Implying the stain on her dress was more obvious. "Who knocked over the glass? Do we need to check the security footage?" Julian chuckled lightly. Richard's eyes were cold. "This is my family matter. It has nothing to do with you." Julian's expression froze slightly. I gritted my teeth and pulled Lucas forward. People made way for us. I enunciated clearly and crisply: "I swore an oath with Lucas. He's my brother now. So Uncle Julian is my Godfather!" I nudged Lucas, and he nodded immediately: "Yes!" Dead silence. Only Julian's lips curled slightly. He put one hand in his pocket. "Heard that? Now Ms. Zhong's matter is my family matter too." The onlookers gasped. Richard's face suddenly darkened. "Godfather?" Lucas and I nodded solemnly in sync. "Pfft." Vivian, who hadn't spoken, laughed. Her red lips curved; she seemed amused by us. But she didn't deny it. Richard grabbed Vivian's wrist, pulling her to his side. His mood was unreadable, but a suppressed hostility radiated from him: "Ms. Zhong? Mr. Chi, you should call her Mrs. Jiang." "You manage a lot," Julian drawled, then turned to a waiter. "Take Ms. Zhong to change." Richard wouldn't let go. Vivian smiled faintly. "Husband, not letting go?" The girl hiding behind Richard whispered: "Mr. Jiang, my dress is dirty too." Richard frowned darkly. After a long moment, he let go. Then he turned and personally led the girl to the lounge. The drama ended, and the crowd dispersed. Only Lucas, Uncle Julian, and I remained. I looked up. Julian happened to look down, his peach blossom eyes watching me with unreadable emotion. Just then, a waiter bowed slightly beside me. "The Old Madam invites you over." I froze, then turned to meet Grandma's strict gaze. Lucas pulled me. "Don't go." I shook my head. Chapter 4 "You intentionally embarrassed your father!" Grandma hit my back hard in anger. "Where are your manners?" He wasn't embarrassed; my mom was. I said quietly: "Grandma, who is that woman? Why did dad not blame her for spilling wine on mom's dress?" Grandma frowned. "As the head of the group, your father must be magnanimous." I didn't speak again. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Julian drinking glass after glass of wine. I heard that everyone thought my mom and Julian would end up together, but they missed each other in the end. Julian hasn't married to this day; Lucas was adopted from a relative. I rubbed my chin in thought. Just then, I saw Lucas sneaking off somewhere. I immediately started to follow. Grandma grabbed me, displeased. "Don't run around. Sit here nicely." "I need to use the bathroom!" I bolted away. I followed Lucas to the lounge. He didn't notice me. I hid by the crack in the door. Voices came from inside. Vivian said lazily: "You said your family was struggling, so I introduced you to the company. I showed you kindness. Why make everyone look bad in a setting like this?" Silence inside. Then the soft voice said: "It was Mr. Jiang who showed me kindness, promoting me to secretary. The salary is several times higher than my old job." Vivian laughed. "Okay. Love, money, you have both. What else do you want? The position of Mrs. Jiang?" No answer. After a long time. "I'm pregnant," the girl whispered. "Sister, you lack nothing. Give him to me. I don't want my child to be born without a father." The sound of a coat rack falling over. Probably kicked by my mom. Seeing Vivian finally lose control, the girl's smile became a bit more genuine: "I checked. It's a boy. Mr. Jiang and I are looking forward to his arrival. He even bought baby supplies in advance." Slap. A crisp sound. The girl sighed: "Hit me. Mr. Jiang will be the one hurting." Her gentle voice finally couldn't hide the triumph: "Ms. Zhong, when you condescendingly gave me charity back then, did you ever imagine you'd be kicked out of the Jiang family with your daughter like a dog?" I gripped my dress tightly. But suddenly, a white light flashed in my mind. Wait, she was never pregnant! If she was really pregnant with a boy, forget her asking for status, Grandma would never let her grandson be illegitimate. My expression hardened. Then I met Lucas's eyes. He stepped back, surprised to see me right next to him. Lucas was silent for a few seconds, then awkwardly whispered in my ear: "It's okay. If your mom doesn't want you, I'll ask my dad to adopt you too. I won't let you be homeless." I froze, touched, and held his hand: "Thank you." His fingers curled. Suddenly, a tall shadow fell over us. "What are you doing?" Richard looked down coldly. I jumped, smiling sheepishly. "Dad, we were worried about Mom, so we came to check." "We?" Richard sneered, lifting me by the scruff of my neck with one hand. "Stay away from this kid." Lucas gritted his teeth and ran off. The door opened. The girl threw herself into Richard's arms with a red handprint on her face, sobbing without speaking. Vivian stood inside, smiling but not smiling. Seeing me, she immediately put out her cigarette. I: "..." Richard frowned, asking Vivian: "You hit her?" Vivian glanced over lazily: "Hitting her hurt my hand." For some reason, Richard's calm brow darkened. The girl was incredulous: "What are you saying? You hit me..." "Enough." Richard interrupted coldly. "Since you don't want to stay here, I'll send someone to take you back." With that, he signaled the bodyguards to take the girl away. The sobbing continued, fading into the distance. Richard walked closer to Vivian, his voice flat: "Satisfied?" Vivian stared at him for two seconds, the fake smile gone from her face. Finally, she mocked herself. "You make me sick." She pushed Richard aside and walked out in her high heels, still wearing the wine-stained mermaid dress. Richard had his back to the door; I couldn't see his expression.
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