STYL - 20. Half-Sister with the Same Mother, Different Father

Shen Tang quickly pulled herself back from reminiscing and replied to the girl: Thank you, happy birthday to you and your brother ❤️

She set down her phone, leaned against the railing, and absentmindedly sipped her red wine.

Half an hour later, after finishing the wine at the bottom of the glass, Shen Tang went back inside to pour a little more.

The terrace was cold, so she went to the closet and put on one of Jiang Chengyu’s coats.

Psychologically, it just felt warmer than her own clothes.

Before she even reached the terrace, her phone rang again.

Shen Tang hurried over. It was Lijie calling.

“Tangtang, quickly go to the terrace and look at the advertisement screen across the river!”

Shen Tang suddenly looked up, stunned.

On the advertisement screen was her photo—the one that had trended a few days ago when she turned her head to look for Wen Di on the red carpet. That expression had been captured by reporters.

On all the advertisement screens in sight, along with her turning-head photo, was a message of blessing: [Happy New Year, Shen Tang.]

Lijie sighed: “Jiang Chengyu treats you so well. Is this another third-anniversary gift for you? You should change your bad temper.”

They all assumed it was Jiang Chengyu’s surprise for Shen Tang.

Before Shen Tang could respond, the assistant said something to Lijie on the other end of the line—she didn’t catch it.

Lijie’s urgent and excited voice came through the receiver: “Not only Shanghai, but also the advertisement screens in New York’s Times Square and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai are showing synchronized blessings.”

“...” Shen Tang smoothed her hair, feeling as if in a dream. “Are you sure it’s Jiang Chengyu?”

Lijie blinked, uncertain, and countered: “Who else could it be besides him?”

Right. Who else would spend lavishly on her like this, or even think to wish her well?

Shen Tang hung up and stared fixedly at the advertisement screen across the river.

Her phone vibrated—a friend abroad sent a message.

‘Wandering Bed Duo’: [Are you afraid I’ll miss you, so you plastered your photo all over Times Square? I know you’re beautiful, but let’s stay low-key.]

There was a time difference; it was early morning where he was.

Shen Tang: [Why are you up so early?]

‘Wandering Bed Duo’: [Too much money, don’t know how to spend it, woke up worried.]

Shen Tang was speechless and sent back a mocking emoji.

‘Wandering Bed Duo’: [Is your entertainment company planning to push you onto the international stage? Are they preheating for you?]

Shen Tang: [I don’t have such big ambitions.]

She teased him: [But let’s not be absolute. If you’re so worried about having too much money with nowhere to spend it, throw it at me.]

‘Wandering Bed Duo’: [No way. If you come to Manhattan, you can spend my money however you want—I won’t complain. But anything else, don’t even think about it. I never agreed with you entering the entertainment industry. If it weren’t for He Chu Yao giving you a break, you wouldn’t have to endure all those rumors and scandals online now. Do you think it’s worth it? I don’t.]

Shen Tang: [Whether it’s worth it or not, it’s already like this.]

But she didn’t regret it.

If she hadn’t entered this circle, she might have stayed abroad forever and perhaps never met Jiang Chengyu. Or maybe she would have met him—though by then, he might already have someone else by his side.

In high school, she went to London to study—it was her maternal grandfather’s idea. He hoped she would settle abroad and never return. All her studies and life arrangements in London were handled by the He family.

The He family and her maternal grandfather’s family were close friends. Their business was mainly in Europe and America, and their home was in London.

She didn’t like the He family, except for He Chu Yao.

His sympathy toward her was kind-hearted.

Later, after graduating from university, she wanted to enter the entertainment industry. He Chu Yao helped her keep it a secret, not telling his family or her maternal grandfather’s side.

‘Wandering Bed Duo’: [Tangtang, listen to me. Don’t ruin others’ lives with your own—it’s not worth it. If you don’t want to return to London, quit the industry and come to Manhattan. All the fine wines I’ve hidden are yours to choose from. Whatever you like, I’ll give them all to you.]

Shen Tang didn’t want to continue the deep conversation: [Look at my photo.]

‘Wandering Bed Duo’: [The advertisement is only twenty minutes. It’s over. If it’s not your company paving the way for you, who is spending so lavishly?]

Shen Tang wasn’t sure if it was Jiang Chengyu, so she simply replied: [I don’t know.]

They were still guessing who could be so extravagant, while at this moment, on the other side of the river, the Chu family was in an uproar over that advertisement screen.

The servants all kept their heads down, not daring to breathe loudly, occasionally glancing at Chu Xiao Yue with sympathy. They couldn’t do anything but feel sorry for her.

“Chu Xiao Yue, are you crazy?! That was your grandfather paying for a celebration of your and your brother’s twentieth birthday, not for you to give some celebrity a blessing!”

Xiao Zhen lost her composure and shouted.

Chu Xiao Yue was unwilling to yield: “My birthday wish was for Shen Tang...”

“Say less,” Chu Xiao Kuo tugged at her, signaling her not to provoke their mother further.

Xiao Zhen was so angry her head felt like it was about to explode, no matter how she massaged it, the pain persisted.

Her chest began to ache too. She squinted her eyes. “Chu Xiao Yue, do you think you’re justified?”

Chu Xiao Yue didn’t think so. It was just a twenty-minute advertisement blessing—her brother had agreed to it too. Earlier, her brother even said that doing synchronized birthday wishes was a waste of money.

She agreed.

But since Grandpa had already arranged it and paid the fees, she thought, why not give it to Shen Tang? Shen Tang was a celebrity and needed such a high-profile blessing more than her.

Besides, Shen Tang didn’t celebrate birthdays. She heard that after Shen Tang’s parents divorced and started new families, she grew up with her grandfather.

She felt Shen Tang was pitiful. Even though she shone brightly in the limelight, deep down, she probably longed for a family.

As for her, she lacked nothing. When making her birthday wish today, she genuinely wished for Shen Tang to get better and better.

She didn’t expect Shen Tang to be inactive on Weibo for so many days, yet today she posted a selfie. The comment she left for Shen Tang received a reply.

She sent a New Year’s blessing to Shen Tang and received Shen Tang’s birthday wish in return.

Wasn’t this nice?

She didn’t understand why her mother was so angry.

“Chu Xiao Yue, you’re getting more and more out of control. Your idol worship has made you forget who you are.”

“Based on what?!”

“On the fact that I’m your mother!”

Chu Xiao Yue’s eyes turned red, her chest rising and falling.

“Alright, alright, go upstairs first.” Chu Xiao Kuo gave his sister a meaningful glance.

Chu Xiao Yue stood straight, unmoving, confronting her mother. “I haven’t forgotten who I am. I simply admire someone.”

Xiao Zhen, in her anger, spoke without thinking. “Has your brain gone bad?! What’s there to admire about her?”

“She graduated from Said Business School—just that alone is worth admiring!”

“Said Business School? Is that all you aspire to?”

“Hmph.”

Chu Xiao Yue laughed sarcastically, realizing she couldn’t communicate with her mother. “When did Said become worthless to you? Mom, can you stop being so overbearing and show some respect for others?”

Xiao Zhen kept her eyes squinted, pinching her temples with two fingers.

She had no strength left. Waving her hand, she let her son take his sister upstairs. Right now, she didn’t want to see anyone.

It wasn’t about who received the synchronized birthday wishes on the advertisement screen—all were her children. But she couldn’t face Shen Tang, didn’t want anyone to know, especially not her so-called friends in that circle, about her reckless life at the age of twenty-one.

Shen Tang’s academic background had never been deliberately publicized. She only became famous in the past two years, and netizens hadn’t paid attention to her education. Perhaps even her agency didn’t know which university she attended.

Chu Xiao Yue somehow knew, likely finding out during her studies abroad from one of Shen Tang’s alumni.

Why did Chu Xiao Yue have to admire Shen Tang of all people?

She didn’t want her daughter to know too much about Shen Tang, fearing that one day she might discover Shen Tang’s background.

She wouldn’t let the past destroy everything Shen Tang had now.

________________________________________

“Not you?” Shen Tang was surprised.

Jiang Chengyu repeated: “It’s not my surprise for you.” He admitted he wasn’t that romantic—he wouldn’t have thought to send synchronized New Year’s greetings in three cities around the world.

But to synchronize a twenty-minute advertisement blessing in Shanghai, Dubai, and New York—not only did it take money, but also connections to secure that time slot.

He said: “We’re already investigating. The results will come soon.”

Shen Tang couldn’t guess who it was. The terrace was too cold, so she went back inside.

The room had the heater on. She took off her coat, genuinely curious: “Why are you so concerned about my affairs this time?”

“Find out who the rival is. I need to tell him that you’re my girlfriend, so he knows to back off.”

Male possessiveness at play. Shen Tang poured herself a glass of warm water and sipped it while leaning on the sofa. “Are you at home or at the office?”

“At a dinner engagement.” Jiang Chengyu was still at the banquet, stepping out halfway through to talk to her until now.

Shen Tang’s feet were cold, so she pulled the coat over her.

“Are you at the filming site or the hotel?” Jiang Chengyu asked.

“There’s a New Year’s program tomorrow, so I’m in Shanghai, at your apartment.” She took a sip of hot water. “I’m currently stepping on your coat.” As she spoke, she stomped her foot hard.

Jiang Chengyu: “...”

He chuckled helplessly.

At this moment, the secretary hurried over. The matter Jiang Chengyu had tasked him with earlier had been resolved.

Knowing the boss was on the phone, the secretary printed out the information.

“Mr. Jiang.” The secretary opened the folder and handed it over.

Jiang Chengyu said into the phone: “Wait a moment, let me check a document.”

The corridor lights were bright enough to read every word clearly.

Jiang Chengyu rested the folder on the windowsill, reached out for a pen from the secretary, and then jotted a note in the blank space: Thank Chairman Xiao on my behalf. Unconditionally arrange another project for him.

The secretary understood. The boss was returning the favor of the advertisement screen to Chairman Xiao on Shen Tang’s behalf.

Jiang Chengyu handed the folder and pen back to the secretary, glanced at his phone, which was still in the call, and asked, “Still stepping on my clothes?”

Shen Tang: “Mm.”

Jiang Chengyu got back to the point: “We found out who sent you the blessing. Chairman Xiao’s granddaughter, Chu Xiao Yue, whose English name is Candy. She’s studying abroad and returned for Christmas. Her family is celebrating her and her brother’s twentieth birthday. Chairman Xiao prepared this birthday gift for his grandchildren, and Chu Xiao Yue offered it to you instead.”

Shen Tang’s cup tilted slightly, nearly spilling water onto the sofa.

Chu Xiao Yue was actually her fan and even made a wish for her on her birthday.

Jiang Chengyu noticed her silence. “Shen Tang?”

“I’m here. I remember,” Shen Tang feigned nonchalance. “This girl left a comment on my Weibo tonight. Her username is ‘Candy Is Me.’ I didn’t expect her to be Chairman Xiao’s granddaughter and Chu Ran’s cousin.”

She certainly didn’t expect this half-sister with the same mother, different father to be such a warm-hearted little girl.

Jiang Chengyu: “I’ve already handled it for you. Besides the girl’s goodwill, you don’t need to worry about anything else.”

Shen Tang was at a loss for words. By Spring Festival, she’d give him a real surprise.

“I’ll be busy before the New Year, so I might not have time to meet.” Jiang Chengyu paused. “If you have time, come home.”

The “home” he referred to was his villa in Beijing.

He called that place their home.

Shen Tang realized that the person who had changed was herself, not Jiang Chengyu.

Over the past three years, he was still the same—unhesitant to express his affection for her, devoted and considerate. Every surprise and gift he gave her was carefully chosen. As a boyfriend, he was flawless.

It was she who had changed.

Because she had fallen deeply, she became greedy.

She wanted his love, his marriage, his lifelong commitment.