In this world, the female lead is Sheng Qianling, and the male lead is Jiang Yanxi.
Sheng Qianling's existence was an accident. Many years ago, Sheng Wenbo got drunk and was sent to a hotel. Qiao Si, Sheng Qianling's mother, accidentally entered his room, and the two had a relationship they shouldn't have had.
When Sheng Wenbo woke up the next morning, he sent Qiao Si away. At that time, he had just married Xue Xuan, Sheng Qianxue's mother, and their relationship was very good. He didn't want this accident to affect their marriage. He instructed the woman to take emergency contraception. After worrying for over a month with no further contact from her, he gradually forgot about the incident.
For the next dozen years or so, his life was happy and fulfilling.
Sheng Qianxue was raised as the apple of her parents' eyes. Apart from being a bit spoiled and having a young lady's temper, she was excellent in all aspects under their guidance.
During the summer vacation after Sheng Qianxue's middle school graduation, Qiao Si contacted Sheng Wenbo and told him that he had a daughter from that one-night stand years ago. He was deeply troubled, regretting that he hadn't had someone monitor Qiao Si. Her appearance disrupted everything.
He had expected Qiao Si to threaten him and was prepared to pay whatever amount necessary to keep the secret buried. However, Qiao Si shocked him with unexpected news—she said she might die soon.
He secretly went to the hospital to see Qiao Si. He had no memory of her from back then, but seeing the emaciated woman in the hospital bed, he felt sympathy. Qiao Si first apologized to him, saying that their relationship happening at all was entirely her selfish doing. That year, she had been diagnosed with a disease, and even after surgery, she might not live past forty.
Believing her lifespan would only reach her thirties, dating and marriage seemed unrealistic. A thought flashed through her mind—why not "borrow a seed," sleep with an excellent man for one night, and perhaps conceive a baby? She loved children, and being young at the time, she hadn't thought it through completely, which led to that incident.
She hadn't known Sheng Wenbo was already married at the time, nor had she planned to entangle herself with him. She only hoped to conceive a child. She didn't ask for his forgiveness, only hoped he could take care of Sheng Qianling. She said she only needed him to secretly provide financial support, never intending for him to bring Sheng Qianling into his family. She had no relatives and few friends—the only person she could think of was Sheng Qianling's biological father.
Sheng Wenbo felt compassion. Seeing that Sheng Qianling was sensible and obedient, he agreed.
When Qiao Si was dying, she held Sheng Qianling and said many things, telling her to be obedient, not to take things that shouldn't be hers, and not to destroy Sheng Wenbo's family. She said that all the mistakes from back then were hers alone. Because of this, Sheng Wenbo couldn't refuse. If Qiao Si had made outrageous demands of him, he might not have shown any kindness to the mother and daughter.
He bought Sheng Qianling an apartment. She was only a few months younger than Sheng Qianxue, having also just graduated from middle school. He transferred Sheng Qianling to a high school under the Shengshi Group. He thought everything was perfect, but didn't expect the secret would eventually be discovered.
Even after hearing Sheng Wenbo's explanation, Xue Xuan couldn't forgive his infidelity during their marriage. Calculating the timing, wasn't it right after she had just gotten pregnant? This made it even more unbearable for her.
No matter how much she had once loved Sheng Wenbo, she couldn't continue with him. She chose divorce. Sheng Wenbo refused, and with the many connections between their two families' businesses, a divorce would cause all kinds of turmoil.
Sheng Wenbo wanted to use this excuse to keep Xue Xuan, but didn't expect her to pack her bags and leave the country the next day, saying that if he didn't want a divorce, they would separate. She would return to handle the paperwork whenever he agreed to divorce.
Having been married to Xue Xuan for over a decade, Sheng Wenbo understood she probably wouldn't come back. But he truly didn't want a divorce. Even if he said he wouldn't acknowledge Sheng Qianling, Xue Xuan wouldn't change her mind. He knew better than anyone how self-willed and strong-willed this woman was. He felt that this was still better than divorce—perhaps when they grew old, they could be together again?
Due to the family upheaval, Sheng Qianxue's personality changed. From a young lady with only arrogance, she became temperamental and strange. By the time Sheng Wenbo brought Sheng Qianling to live in the Sheng family villa, her temper had become completely uncontrollable. From the first day Sheng Qianling entered the house, she made no effort to hide her dislike.
Perhaps her temperament was somewhat like Xue Xuan's—unable to tolerate any grain of sand in her eye. Every time she heard Sheng Wenbo tell her to be more tolerant, that she was the older sister, she felt so aggrieved she wanted to explode.
Sheng Qianling kept saying she wouldn't compete with her, but Sheng Wenbo still felt Sheng Qianling was pitiful. Even without competing, she could still receive half of Sheng Wenbo's love. It was Sheng Qianling's appearance that had destroyed her warm family.
As the story developed, in the constant struggle with Sheng Qianling, Sheng Wenbo increasingly favored Sheng Qianling.
Sheng Qianling was taken by Sheng Wenbo to high society gatherings, which Sheng Qianxue found completely unacceptable. By this time, her reputation had already turned sour. She was known as the arrogant, temperamental, intolerant eldest daughter of the Sheng family, while Sheng Qianling was seen as the poor but ambitious, gentle and kind girl.
The male lead, Jiang Yanxi, was originally a bastard son of the Jiang family, bullied since childhood. He met Sheng Qianling when he was cornered in an alley and beaten up—Sheng Qianling helped him afterward. After getting to know each other, she learned of Jiang Yanxi's background. Perhaps feeling a sense of kinship, they gradually grew closer. Jiang Yanxi, who had been living in a daze, began to strive and work hard because of Sheng Qianling's presence.
Sheng Wenbo eventually discovered Jiang Yanxi's existence. By this time, Jiang Yanxi had gradually transformed, and Sheng Wenbo had a good impression of him.
Much later, with the Sheng family's help, Jiang Yanxi successfully took control of the entire Jiang family as the bastard son, taking revenge on those who had bullied him. No matter how many women admired him, he only had eyes for Sheng Qianling.
Later, Xue Xuan and Sheng Wenbo still divorced. She took the already extreme and nearly insane Sheng Qianxue abroad for treatment.
After Jiang Yanxi and Sheng Qianling married, he merged the Sheng family company, creating an entirely new Jiang family. Sheng Qianling became the envied wealthy wife, and Sheng Wenbo contentedly retired, telling everyone he had a capable son-in-law. Sheng Qianxue and Xue Xuan had long been forgotten by them. As for Sheng Qianxue, he didn't even want to mention having such a disobedient, extreme daughter who had tried to harm her own sister.
After recalling the plot of this small world, Ah Xin also understood why she was awakened by this soul. It was Sheng Qianxue's unwillingness that had summoned her. How could she, a young lady who had been loved by all, end up exiting in such a gloomy manner, with even her family fortune going to a bastard daughter?
Ah Xin woke up at 6:30 in the morning. Today was Monday, and Sheng Qianxue had to go to school. Of course, she had to go too.
After getting dressed and washing up, she came to Sheng Qianxue's room. Just as she was about to knock, the door opened.
Sheng Qianxue walked out with her school bag. Seeing Ah Xin standing at the door, she was in a very good mood. "You're up quite early. Come on, let's go down for breakfast. After eating, the driver will take us to school."
Going down the stairs, Sheng Qianxue said to Ah Xin, "Shorty, don't be afraid when we get to school. At Shenglan High School, no one dares to mess with Sheng Qianxue's people. You can walk around however you want. If anyone bullies you, don't be scared—just fight back. If you can't beat them, drop my name."
Following behind Sheng Qianxue, Ah Xin smiled at this.
Once at the table, Sheng Qianxue stopped talking and ate elegantly. Watching Ah Xin eat several pieces of bread, she stopped chewing and pushed several pieces of her own bread to Ah Xin. Her eyes seemed to say, "If you like it, eat. You're my person—surely I can afford a few pieces of bread?"
Ah Xin wasn't polite at all. It seemed like she hadn't eaten human food in a long time, and the taste was still so enticing.
Sheng Wenbo sat on the other side of the dining table, eating slowly. Two minutes later, Sheng Qianling came down. She greeted everyone and began breakfast.
Five minutes later, Sheng Qianxue had finished. She glanced at Ah Xin, saw the empty plate and milk glass, wiped her mouth and asked in a low voice, "Shorty, are you full? Did you used to not get enough to eat at every meal?"
"I'm full," Ah Xin said. "No, I just have a slightly larger appetite."
"Really?"
Sheng Qianxue calculated how many bread slices Ah Xin had eaten. "You ate seven slices of bread. That's definitely not an ordinary appetite." She glanced at Ah Xin's stomach, which was still flat. "Where did all that food go?"
After putting on her school bag, she grabbed two unopened cartons of milk and a piece of bread, stuffing them into Ah Xin's hands. "Put these away. Give them to me when you're hungry later."
Ah Xin put the bread and milk in her bag. Their interaction made Sheng Wenbo smile a bit, but he didn't say anything. He thought hiring this study companion was the right decision. Sure enough, with an excellent child accompanying Qianxue, her temper would be more restrained. Look, this morning didn't end unpleasantly.
"Dad, I'm going to school."
"Wait for Qianling, she hasn't finished eating yet." Sheng Wenbo saw that Sheng Qianling was still eating. "You won't be late."
"It's like this again. Why do I always have to wait for her?" Sheng Qianxue glanced at Sheng Qianling, who was eating quickly, and said sarcastically, "Sheng Qianling, can you have some sense of time? Knowing you have to go to school, set your alarm earlier. If you like to sleep in, set several alarms. Wait for you for dinner, wait for you in the morning for school—everything has to wait for you. Don't you know morning time is precious?"
"I'm sorry." Sheng Qianling looked apologetic. "I played too hard with friends yesterday and overslept."
"Qianxue, it's just ten minutes. Waiting won't hurt." Sheng Wenbo's head ached. He said to Qianling, "Next time remember to wake up earlier. Don't make Qianxue wait every time."
"Tch!" Sheng Qianxue rolled her eyes. It was the same words every day.
Sheng Qianling quickly wiped her mouth and stood up. "I understand, Dad."
Sheng Qianxue rolled her eyes again and grabbed Ah Xin's shoulder. "Come on, Shorty, time for school."
"How are your grades? Our class is the top class. Can you keep up? Whether you can or not, you have to. You're Sheng Qianxue's sidekick—your grades can't be too bad, or you'll embarrass me."
"If your grades aren't good, you'd better spend all your free time doing practice problems, memorizing texts, and practicing oral English. My sidekick must be the best."
Sheng Wenbo almost laughed out loud. "Qianxue, Xiao Ye's grades are very good, otherwise I wouldn't have hired her as your study companion."
"Really that good?" Sheng Qianxue looked doubtful, glancing at the thin Ah Xin, and patted her shoulder. "Alright, let's go. As long as your grades are good. If they're good, you'll spend less time studying and can accompany me doing other things."
Sheng Qianling followed behind them with her school bag, and all three got in the car.
Sheng Qianxue and Ah Xin sat in one row, Sheng Qianling alone in another. Sheng Qianxue took out her phone, plugged in earphones, and listened for a while. Seeing Ah Xin watching her, she took out one earphone and put it in Ah Xin's ear.
Ah Xin was a bit surprised. What Sheng Qianxue was listening to wasn't music, but English textbook recordings. The original host's grades were very good, and she had previewed this text before.
Sheng Qianxue smiled at her. "If you want it, I can send you a copy. As long as you obediently listen to me, I can share half of everything I have with you."
Sheng Qianling wanted to join the conversation, but the two were huddled together listening to something, and she couldn't find an opening. Hearing Sheng Qianxue's threatening words, she felt infinite sympathy for Ah Xin. This poor girl, about the same age as them—Qianxue could really be too domineering sometimes.
When the three arrived at the classroom, Ah Xin's seat had already been arranged, right next to Sheng Qianxue. Many people looked at Ah Xin with curiosity. Seeing her sit beside Sheng Qianxue and watching Sheng Qianxue talk to her with a smile, they all showed friendly smiles.
Sheng Qianling's seat was somewhat far away. Sheng Wenbo was very clear that if the two sat together, they might fight. Many people in the class glanced between Sheng Qianxue and Sheng Qianling. Everyone in school knew about the Sheng family affairs.
Because of Sheng Qianxue's domineering nature, and since Sheng Qianling was only brought in from outside, they intentionally or unintentionally excluded Sheng Qianling. But there were always a few who would stand by Sheng Qianling's side, defending her and secretly badmouthing Sheng Qianxue.
During morning reading, this class truly lived up to being the top class—very few people were distracted or fooling around. Everyone was studying seriously. Only around Sheng Qianling were there some lowered voices asking her about Ah Xin.
"That's a study companion Dad hired for Qianxue."
"A study companion?" Her deskmate was a bit surprised. "Then why didn't he hire one for you? You're also President Sheng's daughter. If she has a study companion, you should have one too."
Sheng Qianling shook her head. "I don't need a study companion. I'm very fortunate that I don't need to compete with Qianxue, otherwise she'd be unhappy again. Because of me, her relationship with Dad isn't as good anymore."
"Are you stupid? How is this your fault?" The deskmate started to say that the one who made the mistake was President Sheng, but quickly swallowed those words. "Anyway, you're both Sheng family young ladies. You should have the same treatment. If you don't have a study companion, you should fight for yourself in other ways."
"There's no need. Dad is very good to me. If I cause more trouble, Qianxue will hate me even more." Sheng Qianling glanced at Sheng Qianxue, who was buried in her book, and her heart tightened. "Stop talking, let's read." Actually, her grades in this class could only rank at the bottom. If her father weren't Sheng Wenbo, she wouldn't be able to get into this class at all. She needed to work hard and make progress in her grades this semester.
"Shorty, what are you looking at? Why aren't you reading?" Sheng Qianxue frowned. "You're so poor, if you don't study hard to change your destiny, and keep spacing out, you'll end up moving bricks in the future."
"Don't think that being my study companion and earning some money means you're set for life." She pointed at Ah Xin's textbook. "Study properly. Don't embarrass me, don't look around, and don't learn from Sheng Qianling. You don't have a rich dad—even if she's a waste her whole life, she won't starve."
Ah Xin smiled lightly at Sheng Qianxue. Sheng Qianxue was momentarily dazzled. "What are you smiling at? Read your book. Don't smile at me stupidly. Don't think I'm being kind—I just don't want to be embarrassed by you."
Ah Xin lowered her head and flipped through her book. With the original host's foundation, plus her powerful soul, the textbook content wasn't difficult at all. Seeing her studying seriously, Sheng Qianxue also began flipping through today's lesson content several times and took notes. From the corner of her eye, Ah Xin watched Sheng Qianxue studying seriously, the corners of her lips rising. This soul was just a bit proud, but actually very excellent. She really liked getting along with this soul.
The first class was the homeroom teacher's. She introduced Ah Xin to the class, letting all the students get to know the new classmate. Sheng Qianxue watched Ah Xin standing on the platform. Hearing the homeroom teacher talk about her excellent grades, the whole class looked shocked, and she was also a bit shocked.
So the shorty's grades really were that good.
When Ah Xin returned, she found that Sheng Qianxue was even more focused than during morning reading. Throughout the entire class, she was completely concentrated without any sign of distraction.
The morning passed like this. When Sheng Qianxue finished half her homework and realized Ah Xin had gone somewhere, she was about to take out her phone when Ah Xin returned to the classroom carrying food.
"Where did you go?"
Sheng Qianxue looked unhappy. "Why did you leave by yourself?"
"To get food." Ah Xin placed the meal on the desk and pushed it in front of her. "You're hungry, right? Eat."
"Didn't I tell you to finish your homework early so you wouldn't have to take it home this afternoon?" Sheng Qianxue opened the lunch box, looking awkward. "Don't think getting me food means you can escape doing homework."
Ah Xin handed her notebook to Sheng Qianxue and opened it. "I already finished."
Sheng Qianxue looked at the neat handwriting, her eyes filled with disbelief. She grabbed Ah Xin's notebook and flipped through it several times, confirming it was indeed finished. Looking at her own half-finished homework, she pushed the lunch box aside. "No, I haven't finished yet. I'll eat after I finish."
"It'll get cold."
"I don't care, I have to finish before eating." Sheng Qianxue raised her head, her expression fierce. "I understand now, Shorty. You're trying to steal my first place, aren't you?"
"Let me tell you, impossible. I, Sheng Qianxue, will always be first place."
Ah Xin grasped Sheng Qianxue's hand holding the pen, her voice gentle. "Qianxue is so excellent, of course you're first place. I just finish homework faster. After all, I've developed this habit. Before, I had to finish homework quickly so I could help Grandma take care of the business. Now that Grandma's gone, I still can't break this habit."
"Is that so?" Sheng Qianxue hesitated.
"Mm."
Sheng Qianxue began eating, but her eyes still glanced at the homework, mouth eating while her brain worked on math problems. After eating, she started on her homework, completely unaffected by outside distractions, as if truly as she said, she was striving for first place. In the afternoon, Sheng Qianxue would only talk and joke with others during breaks, but she still maintained that proud, reserved manner.
The girls who talked to her were all very flattering, their words constantly badmouthing Sheng Qianling.
Sheng Qianxue took out her phone and said, "I'll treat you all to ice cream and cake."
"Qianxue, you're really too good to us."
"Qianxue, your birthday is coming up soon. How do you plan to celebrate this year?"
"Don't know yet." Sheng Qianxue ordered ice cream on her phone while saying, "Let's see how Dad arranges it."
A classmate said in a low voice, "Qianxue, in the future when Sheng Qianling has her birthday, will your dad throw her a birthday party too?"
"Does she deserve it?" Sheng Qianxue's face went cold as she glanced at Sheng Qianling's direction. "Why should she have everything I have?"
"Right, she's just a bastard daughter. How can she compare to our Qianxue?"
Hearing these words, Sheng Qianxue wasn't happy. She put away her phone. "The ice cream is ordered. It'll be delivered soon."
"Ye Xin," taking advantage of Sheng Qianxue going to the bathroom, Sheng Qianling came to Ah Xin's seat. "Are you okay?"
Ah Xin looked up to meet Sheng Qianling's concerned expression. "I'm fine."
"She hasn't bullied you, has she? I saw several times today that Qianxue had a fierce expression toward you. Is she threatening you? If she really bullies you, you must not endure it—you have to speak up. People are equal. She can't treat you however she wants just because you're a study companion."
The surrounding classmates perked up their ears to listen and privately discussed, "Qianxue does have a bit of a bad temper."
"Yeah, that Ye Xin looks so thin and weak, she's probably usually just a punching bag."
"Actually, between the two Sheng sisters, Qianling has the better personality. It's just a pity she's a bastard daughter, not really someone from our circle. Being friends with her feels like it would lower our status."
Hearing these words, Sheng Qianling's expression also turned unpleasant, but she still didn't leave. She had heard these words many times—she'd get used to it.
When Sheng Qianxue returned and heard what was being discussed in the classroom, then saw Sheng Qianling sitting beside Ah Xin, she quickly walked over. "Move aside. Who gave you permission to talk to Shorty?"
"Qianxue, don't misunderstand. I just had a problem I didn't understand and was asking Ye Xin for help. Nothing else." Sheng Qianling looked at Ah Xin apologetically. "Really, please believe me. Don't blame Ye Xin."
Sheng Qianxue stared at Ah Xin. "Is it what she said?" She pressed her lips lightly, her gaze fixed on Ah Xin.
Ah Xin shook her head. "No."
Sheng Qianling: "..."
"Then what is it?" Sheng Qianxue's expression softened a bit. "What did she say to you?"
Ah Xin took out her phone and played a recording, recreating what had just happened. Hearing the recording, Sheng Qianxue's eyes widened, completely not expecting Shorty to have this kind of slick move.
Watching Sheng Qianling's face turn red with embarrassment, she laughed happily and played the recording several times until the whole class heard it clearly. Seeing everyone's dumbfounded expressions, she felt extremely pleased.
She sat down in her seat and patted Ah Xin's head. "Shorty, you're really obedient." She looked up and glanced at the others. "Shorty is my study companion, my person. Sheng Qianling, please don't try to sow discord."
"I... I didn't, I just..." Sheng Qianling felt everyone's strange gazes, her face burning red. "I was just afraid you were bullying her."
"So what if I bully her? Mind your own business."
Ah Xin then said, "Qianxue hasn't bullied me. She's been really good to me. When eating, she moves the dishes I like in front of me. This morning, seeing I have a big appetite, she gave me all her bread. She also had me pack milk and bread, just worried I'd be hungry."
The classmates, hearing Ah Xin speak so seriously, were all shocked. The eldest Miss Sheng was this nice to people?
Sheng Qianxue pouted. This shorty really knew how to embellish. She was just afraid the bread and milk at home would expire. Moving it in front of her was just because throwing it away after the second meal would be such a waste.
"Qianxue also told me to study hard to change my destiny and not to space out in class, so she really hasn't bullied me." Ah Xin stated once more. This time, everyone thought what she said might be true.
So the eldest Miss Sheng wasn't actually as bad as they imagined, right?
With so many eyes watching, Sheng Qianxue's face also turned a bit red. She quickly pulled Ah Xin and said fiercely, "Shorty, stop talking. If you keep talking, next time you won't get any of this."
Even though Sheng Qianxue looked so fierce now, with her slightly flushed face and embarrassed anger, it looked like a threat, but she really wasn't bullying Ye Xin at all.
The classmates' gazes became subtle, thinking they should reassess Sheng Qianxue.