MGG - 4

Chapter 4: The Cousin

Su Ling held the lab report in her hand, which clearly stated that she had been drugged.

The dose of anesthesia was significant, yet her will to survive had been so strong that she managed to cling to consciousness despite her struggles. She had reported the incident to the police last night, and they had begun their investigation. However, the hotel corridor’s surveillance cameras had been deliberately destroyed—clear evidence that whoever targeted her was meticulous and well-prepared.

After finishing her statement at the police station, Su Ling returned to school.

She couldn’t pinpoint who might have wanted to harm her. She had always been timid, avoiding conflict and quietly enduring any bullying she faced. If she had once suspected Chen Fan, his alibi now cleared him—he had returned to the department celebration when the incident occurred.

As for Yun Bu, she had passed out on the street after drinking heavily but was fortunately brought back by a kind stranger. When Su Ling returned, Yun Bu was still unconscious. Seeing that she was safe, Su Ling finally felt some relief.

However, the looks from the other two roommates made her realize this wasn’t the end of the matter.

In B City, where every inch of space came at a premium, Su Ling could only afford to live on campus. Their dormitory, Room 308, housed four girls: Su Ling, Yun Bu, Zhou Man, and Zhao Wanwan.

When Su Ling returned, Zhou Man and Zhao Wanwan were chatting. They fell silent as soon as she entered, stealing glances at her. Unlike Su Ling and Yun Bu, these two hadn’t been selected for the Green Plum performance. In Media University, most students were future contenders in the entertainment industry, but their average looks and mediocre grades left them sidelined early on. They had formed a tight-knit clique during their freshman year and rarely interacted with Su Ling or Yun Bu.

There was an old saying about the complexity of girl-group dynamics: four people could easily have three separate group chats.

Su Ling didn’t know them well. To her, they were just faded memories from five years ago. Now, under their scrutinizing gaze, she found herself unsure of what to say.

Zhou Man raised an eyebrow. “Where were you last night?” Zhao Wanwan tugged at her sleeve, looking awkward, but Zhou Man brushed her off.

The malice behind her question was blatant. Su Ling hadn’t returned all night, missing morning classes—an opening ripe for gossip that could ruin her reputation.

Turning around, Su Ling met her gaze. Last night, she had spent hours reflecting. Much of the tragedy in her past life stemmed from her own weakness—her lack of resistance made her an easy target for everyone.

Her voice carried no warmth. “I was in the hospital. The lab report is still on the table. Would you like to take a look?”

Her tone was soft, almost gentle, but the sternness in her expression immediately deflated Zhou Man’s bravado. “Not interested,” she muttered dismissively.

In the days since returning to school, Su Ling felt a surreal calm. She had expected to face endless rumors and slander, much like in her previous life, but instead, everything remained eerily quiet.

For the first time, she allowed herself to relax.

By early May, however, whispers began swirling through the performing arts department. Tang Weiwei had been dumped by the powerful man she’d been clinging to.

Su Ling learned of this after their makeup class. Yun Bu leaned close, whispering gleefully, “I heard Tang Weiwei came back crying yesterday.”

For a month and a half, Tang Weiwei had basked in Qin Xiao’s wealth and influence, acting arrogantly as if untouchable. Many still fawned over her despite her behavior. But now, abandoned, more people reveled in her misfortune than sympathized.

Su Ling and Tang Weiwei shared several public courses. Glancing back, Su Ling saw Tang Weiwei’s defeated demeanor—no longer the radiant figure she once was.

Yun Bu pouted. “Lingling, don’t tell me you feel sorry for her? After how she treated you?”

“No,” Su Ling shook her head, offering no explanation. She simply thought about how entanglement with Qin Xiao meant surrendering control over one’s life. Whether living or dying, even laughter and tears were dictated by him. She was grateful to have avoided him this time.

On the seventh day after leaving Qin Xiao, she felt truly alive again.

Summoning courage, Su Ling called her grandmother. After a long ring, someone finally picked up—a clear, youthful voice answered, “Su Ling?”

“Yes, it’s me. Ni Haoyan.” Her tone softened as she spoke his name, brimming with affection. On the other end, Ni Haoyan inexplicably blushed, responding impatiently, “What do you want? Hurry up.”

“Can I speak to Grandma?”

“Hold on.”

She listened to his footsteps as he went to fetch her, feeling a flutter of nervousness.

Soon, he returned. “Grandma says there’s nothing to talk about. She told me to remind you to study hard.”

It was an expected response, but disappointment still lingered. Her grandmother had raised her, yet remained distant. Su Ling knew her grandmother loved her; even during their family’s hardest times, her grandmother ensured she had an egg every day.

Living thousands of miles away in their hometown, there was little she could do if her grandmother refused to take calls. She asked Ni Haoyan, “How is Grandma doing?”

“She’s fine.”

“Ni Haoyan, please take good care of her.”

“I know, I know. Stop nagging—it’s annoying.”

She wasn’t offended, her voice remaining soft. “Ni Haoyan, your college entrance exam is coming soon. Work hard, okay?”

He felt a strange discomfort. “Why should you care? You’re not my sister.”

She laughed softly. “But I am your sister.”

“My only sister is Ni Jianan.” He instinctively jabbed at her, but when she didn’t respond, he grew uneasy. After a pause, he added dryly, “You’re my cousin sister.”

Then he heard her laughter—soft and sweet, tickling his eardrums. Instinctively, he pulled the phone away.

“I’ll bring you a gift when I come back for summer break.”

“I don’t need it.” He wasn’t a child anymore. Kicking the wall absently, he added, “I’m busy. My classmates are calling me—I have to go.”

“Goodbye, Ni Haoyan.”

Ni Haoyan took a deep breath, his face flushing red. Irritated, he thought, Damn it! Why isn’t she angry? In the past, Su Ling would’ve been too hurt to even speak to me.

After hanging up, Su Ling walked toward the school gate. This year, she still had part-time work, helping out at a milk tea shop every weekend.

Ni Haoyan was her uncle’s son—her younger cousin. She used to think he disliked her, just like her aunt and cousin did. Only later did she learn otherwise. That year when she injured her leg and contemplated suicide, it was eighteen-year-old Ni Haoyan who stormed into Qin Xiao’s villa, determined to carry her home.

Crying uncontrollably on his thin back, she heard him grumble, “Stop crying. You’re so weak. Sigh, your leg will heal eventually… Cousin Sister.”

Qin Xiao stood at the gate, watching them. A row of bodyguards flanked him as he leaned against his car, smoking.

Ni Haoyan carried her far from the villa before Qin Xiao lazily interrupted the scene. “That brat surnamed Ni—break his legs.”

Hearing this, Su Ling cried harder. Amused, Qin Xiao extended his hand. She didn’t dare resist, obediently stepping into his embrace.

Unlike the frail youth, Qin Xiao was a mature man, effortlessly lifting her. “Still planning to leave?”

“No.”

“Hmm?”

She knew what he wanted to hear. “I’ll stay with you forever.”

“Remember your words.” He kissed her lightly, then waved at the crowd. “Let the kid go.”

Back then, her grandmother had passed away. That act alone reminded Su Ling that there was still someone who considered her family. Reflecting on it, she realized her isolation had blinded her to this bond. If given another chance, she vowed to be a better older sister—to treat Ni Haoyan well.

Su Ling worked at the milk tea shop until eight o’clock. The manager noticed something peculiar: ever since Su Ling started working there, the shop had been packed with customers. Some even secretly snapped photos of her. Shaking his head, the manager remarked, “Looks really are a powerful thing.”

Unaware of the buzz, Su Ling felt content, free from Qin Xiao’s shadow. Yet reality loomed large—she was poor.

Dirt poor. Besides the three hundred yuan in cash she carried, her bank account held only eight hundred yuan.

But she was satisfied. Perhaps she was the most easily contented person among those who had been reborn. While others dreamed of buying lottery tickets or gambling on gemstones to reach life’s peak, she only wished to stay far away from Qin Xiao and live peacefully.

As Su Ling untied her apron to leave, the manager waved goodbye. “Be safe.” She liked Su Ling. Diligent and never lazy, her warm smile attracted many customers to the shop.

“Thank you. Goodbye, Manager.”

The manager knew Su Ling studied performing arts and understood how difficult it was for a girl without connections to secure auditions while maintaining her integrity. Hesitating briefly, he decided to help her.

Pulling out his phone, he posted a tweet: “More radiant than summer flowers [Picture].” The accompanying image was a side profile of Su Ling when she first arrived at the shop—young, fresh-faced, and smiling shyly.

It was breathtakingly beautiful.

This photo was one of the manager’s personal favorites.

Though the account primarily promoted marketing campaigns, it had over twenty thousand followers. To the manager’s surprise, unlike usual posts that garnered zero engagement, this tweet was retweeted thirty times within an hour.

Stunned, the manager wondered aloud, “Is Su Ling actually going viral?”

Su Ling only learned of this a few days later, thanks to Yun Bu scrolling through social media. Yun Bu blinked. “Oh my gosh, am I seeing this right? Lingling, you’ve become an internet sensation!”

Puzzled, Su Ling leaned closer. A user named [@TodayILovePettingCats] had reposted the tweet with a comment: “Am I seeing a fairy? So soft, so shy—I want to pinch her cheeks!”

Yun Bu turned around to see Su Ling’s face slowly turning pale.

“Hey, Lingling, where are you going?”

A chill ran through Su Ling’s bones. She couldn’t bear the thought of such photos falling into Qin Xiao’s hands. With his suspicious nature, he’d surely recognize her as the same person from the stage. She didn’t dare gamble. At this moment, she felt painfully insignificant.

Rushing back to the milk tea shop, she had no choice but to ask the manager to delete the post as soon as possible.

Deep down, she clung to a faint hope: Qin Xiao wasn’t the type to indulge in frivolous activities like browsing social media. Surely... he wouldn’t see it.