Chapter 2

“Shuangshuang, what’s wrong?”

Jiang Bing saw her staring at the ceiling in silence and asked gently. The apple in her hand was already peeled, and she handed it over.

Bai Shuangshuang pulled her thoughts back. Just as she was about to thank her and take it, Jiang Bing suddenly smiled, as if she understood the reason for her silence. “Are you missing your sister? She’s waiting at home right now and must be really anxious.”

Bai Shuangshuang’s movements paused for a moment, but her expression didn’t change as she replied softly, “Mm.”

She had no intention of dwelling on topics related to Bai Tongsheng. After all these years together—and especially after those words Bai Tongsheng had whispered right by her ear—she would never again indulge in such self-deluding fantasies.

“Then how about Grandma calls Shengsheng? You two can chat on the phone, okay?”

Without waiting for Bai Shuangshuang’s response, Jiang Bing pulled out her phone and dialed first.

As she held it to her ear, she said, “I should have called Shengsheng earlier. It’s my fault—she must be getting impatient by now.”

Bai Shuangshuang offered a quiet smile and took a bite of her apple.

The call finally connected just before it would have gone to voicemail. Jiang Bing spoke into the phone. “Shengsheng.”

Bai Shuangshuang couldn’t hear the other side, but she could guess. Shengsheng was probably lounging on the sofa, snapping back irritably, “What?”

Jiang Bing gazed warmly at Bai Shuangshuang and continued speaking into the phone. “Didn’t you worry about your sister, Shengsheng? She’s awake now. Grandma’s handing the phone over—you two talk.”

Bai Shuangshuang crunched down another small bite. She clearly caught the faint flicker of embarrassment that crossed Jiang Bing’s face before it smoothed away.

She understood completely. Sure enough, the woman’s helpless voice came through. “Shengsheng’s phone is dead. She’s probably charging it right now. Shuangshuang, just wait a bit—Shengsheng will call you back, okay?”

Bai Shuangshuang had no desire to call her out on it. Instead, she smoothly covered for her with understanding grace. “It’s fine. I’ll see my sister as soon as I get home. We can talk face-to-face then.”

Jiang Bing let out a quiet breath of relief. Gazing at the sweet, sensible girl before her, a pang of guilt welled up in her heart.

She hadn’t known Bai Shuangshuang for long, but she’d already come to regard her as true family. Of course she hoped the sisters would get along. Yet Bai Tongsheng’s open rejection of her was something everyone in the family could plainly see.

Bai Tongsheng had been raised in a world of indulgence, doted on by every single person from top to bottom.

Bai Shuangshuang, on the other hand, had been adopted by Bai Binghan from an orphanage. Gentle and soft by nature, obedient and thoughtful, she’d gradually adapted to her new life under his careful nurturing.

Bai Shuangshuang truly adored her little sister and always made sure to look after her whenever their paths crossed.

But Bai Tongsheng, accustomed to being cherished like a treasure, could only scoff at such overtures of affection.

Bai Shuangshuang knew exactly what was going through Jiang Bing’s mind. Adults always assumed children were pure and innocent—that with enough time together, any rift could be bridged, forging a real family bond.

In her previous life, she’d believed the same. But in the end, she hadn’t even managed to crack the ice encasing the other girl’s heart.

So in this life, she had no plans to live for Bai Tongsheng’s sake.

~~~

Jiang Bing lived alone in B City. With summer vacation underway, she’d asked the two brothers to bring the girls over—ostensibly so they could keep her company, but really in hopes the sisters might grow closer during the visit.

Unfortunately, summer break was nearly over, and Bai Tongsheng’s attitude toward Bai Shuangshuang hadn’t softened one bit.

On the day of Bai Shuangshuang’s discharge from the hospital, both Bai Binghan and Bai Bingyang had called to check in.

Before hanging up, Bai Binghan asked, “Shuangshuang, do you want to come home? If you do, Dad will come pick you up right now.”

The Bai Shuangshuang of her previous life would have refused with a smile. Bai Binghan knew full well how much she adored her sister, so he’d asked without much expectation of agreement.

“Okay, Dad. Come pick me up—I miss you.”

Hearing his voice, a sharp wave of bitterness flooded Bai Shuangshuang’s heart.

Bai Binghan had always treated her like his own flesh and blood. In her previous life, though, she hadn’t yet fully embraced her place in the family. No matter how naturally she acted, there had always lingered that faint sense of being a guest under someone else’s roof.

Tragically, before she could come to truly rely on the man who had given her such warmth, an accident had robbed her of the chance to repay him.

Later, Bai Bingyang had taken her in. From the moment she stepped through his door, she’d chosen a different path for her life.

—The debts of kindness she owed were far too great. All she could offer in return was her lifetime.

In her previous life, she had made taking good care of Bai Tongsheng her life’s guiding principle. But with this second chance at life, she wanted to live for herself.

~~~

Repayment didn’t require sacrificing one’s own sense of self-worth. No one had taught her that in her last life, and a deep-seated inferiority complex had blinded her to the truth.

But this life—

Bai Shuangshuang gazed at the little girl sprawled lazily on the sofa and curved her lips in a smile.

She ought to thank that knife. It had made her truly let go.

“Shengsheng, big sis is back. Weren’t you just bombarding Grandma with messages asking when we’d arrive? Now that we’re here, you can stop worrying, right?”

Bai Tongsheng heard Jiang Bing’s words and cast a lazy glance her way. Her eyes skimmed right past Bai Shuangshuang, her tone utterly indifferent. “I didn’t send any messages.”

Jiang Bing was long used to Bai Tongsheng’s prickly contradictions. She patted Bai Shuangshuang’s head soothingly. “Shengsheng’s all bark and no bite—she really missed you deep down. Why don’t you go watch TV with her, Shuangshuang? Grandma’s going to start on dinner.”

“Okay.”

Bai Shuangshuang headed toward Bai Tongsheng. The living room sofas were arranged in a ring, and the one Bai Tongsheng occupied faced the television screen squarely.

It was just big enough for Bai Tongsheng to stretch out on. She’d been curled up a bit at first, but the moment she spotted Bai Shuangshuang approaching, she shot her legs straight out, claiming every inch of space—even though there had been plenty of room for two.

Bai Shuangshuang passed right by without so much as a glance, not pausing for a second before settling onto another sofa.

A wave of mortifying awkwardness washed over Bai Tongsheng, as if she’d misread the situation entirely.

She fixed her stare on Bai Shuangshuang, watching as she meticulously peeled the plastic wrapping off her new book, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it into the trash bin nearby. Then she dipped her head slightly, spread the book open, and immersed herself in reading.

Not once did she look Bai Tongsheng’s way.

She wasn’t pestering her like she normally would, as if she’d shed some stubborn attachment and emerged as someone new.

Bai Tongsheng felt a surge of displeasure. Bai Shuangshuang’s clinginess had annoyed her before, but now this total indifference stirred a different, nagging discomfort in her—a secret itch she couldn’t scratch.

~~~

It was the ugly side of human nature.

“Bai Shuangshuang!”

At six years old, Bai Tongsheng’s voice still held a hint of babyish softness. When she called out like that, laced with peevish anger, it could melt anyone’s resolve.

Bai Shuangshuang finally turned her head, her voice gentleness itself. “Hm? What’s wrong, Tongsheng?”

Bai Tongsheng sensed it immediately. She was different.

Bai Shuangshuang wasn’t the same anymore.

In the past, her gaze had brimmed with affection she couldn’t quite hide.

But now, even with the same smile and the same soft tone, her eyes were perfectly clear—empty.

Like a glass marble: the outside looked unchanged, but everything inside had been hollowed out without mercy.

And what had she called her?

Tongsheng?

Before the hospital, Bai Shuangshuang had called her Shengsheng relentlessly, no matter her protests.

“Nothing? In that case, big sis is going to read.”

With those words, Bai Shuangshuang dropped her eyes back to her book.

Bai Tongsheng’s cheeks burned red. The sensation of being dismissed—yet not quite—was infuriating.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.

Bai Shuangshuang wasn’t supposed to act like this!

It felt like losing a favorite toy she could manipulate at will. She puffed out her cheeks and glowered, her stare burning with intensity. Bai Shuangshuang had to feel it.

Before, she would have dropped everything in an instant to check on her. But now—

Bai Tongsheng watched page after page turn under her calm fingers, as if she were utterly alone in the room.

“Dinner’s ready, Shuangshuang and Shengsheng. Come eat.”

Jiang Bing’s voice broke through Bai Tongsheng’s brooding. She watched as Bai Shuangshuang murmured agreement, set her book aside, and rose to approach her.

Leaning down slightly in front of her, Bai Tongsheng caught sight of her dark hair tips brushing her pale collarbone. Her expression flickered—just before Bai Shuangshuang’s warm voice reached her. “Tongsheng, Grandma says it’s time for dinner.”

The flicker of irritation in Bai Tongsheng’s chest eased at the direct address, but the next moment, she went rigid again.

Unlike before, Bai Shuangshuang didn’t help her slip on her shoes with that habitual attentiveness. She simply turned and headed to the kitchen, leaving her behind.

Fuming, Bai Tongsheng jammed her feet into her slippers and stomped after her, footsteps thudding heavily enough to broadcast her mood.

Hearing the commotion, Jiang Bing called out in concern. “What’s the matter, Shengsheng?”

Bai Tongsheng ignored her, plopping into her chair and fixing her wide-eyed glare on the figure with her back turned, serving rice.

Bai Shuangshuang ladled out a bowl and carried it over, setting it right in front of Bai Tongsheng. Bai Tongsheng sneaked a glance and noted silently that it was the very first serving from the pot.

Jiang Bing’s expression relaxed slightly. Just as she reached out a hand, Bai Shuangshuang—who had already turned back to grab her chopsticks—pushed the bowl and chopsticks together over to her spot.

“Grandma, I’ve gotten your meal ready for you.”

In the next instant, she turned to Bai Tongsheng, her face as gentle as could be. But the words that slipped from her lips made Bai Tongsheng explode with anger on the spot.

“Tongsheng’s all grown up now. She can serve her own food, right?”