28: Chapter 28 The Insignificant Character in a Pampered Novel 28

Xu Jiao watched Xu Zhao being surrounded by the Gu Family like stars around the moon, and the imbalance in her heart reached its peak.

She suddenly stood up and walked toward the stage in the center of the banquet hall. A white grand piano was placed in the corner of the stage. She smiled gracefully at the guests below and said, "Today is the engagement banquet of my favorite sister, Xu Zhao. I wish her happiness. Zhao Zhao, can I invite you to play a piano duet with me? Just like we used to do at home." After saying that, she winked at her playfully, looking as charming and cute as usual.

She was certain that Xu Zhao would not directly admit she couldn't play the piano on such an important occasion.

It wasn't until the smile on her face became a bit stiff that Xu Zhao slowly spoke up, "Xu Jiao, are you so young yet your memory is already failing? When did I ever play a piano duet with you?"

"When we were young and learning the piano together, didn't you tell Mom that I didn't like it and didn't need to learn? So, I only took one month of piano lessons. Likewise, I only had a week of equestrian lessons and half a month of golf lessons."

This had indeed happened. Xu Zhao hadn't always been obsessed with studying; she had once been interested in many novel things. But as soon as she learned faster or better than Xu Jiao, Xu Jiao would always act spoiled in front of Mother Xu, saying that her sister didn't like those things and only wanted to read and study.

"No, I thought you didn't like them, so I told Mom." Xu Jiao forced an awkward smile, complaining in her heart that Xu Zhao had actually admitted it so bluntly, without any fear of being mocked.

"Right. You 'thought' that anything I learned better or faster than you was something I didn't like."

Although they were twins, the original host and Xu Jiao were complete opposites—one was kind to a fault, and the other was selfish to the extreme.

If not for the national nine-year compulsory education and the fact that her high school entrance exam score was the highest in the city, allowing her to get Xu Jiao into Yinghua on her coattails, she might not even have had the chance to attend high school.

"As you wished, I can't play the piano. So what? Would I feel embarrassed or unable to save face in front of others?"

"I won't."

The certainty, indifference, and composure she exuded seemed innate, something that could only be mastered by someone sufficiently strong and confident.

"It's just a matter of specialization. What you know, I can always learn if I want to. But what I know, I'm afraid you won't even be able to grasp the basics of in your entire life."

She seemed to see right through the secrets in her heart, yet Xu Jiao could see no emotion in her eyes. It was as if she were just a clown jumping around in front of Xu Zhao, and Xu Zhao didn't care at all.

"Why couldn't I learn it? How do you know I can't! What right do you have to say that about me? Do you know how much hard work I've put in behind the scenes? I practiced the piano until late every day, my fingers even bled from practicing, and my legs would shake when I walked from equestrian practice..."

"That was your choice. If you didn't like it, you could have chosen not to learn. Since you chose it, why complain? After all—" Xu Zhao smiled faintly, with a hint of self-deprecation, "you aren't me; you had a choice. The Xu Family gave you plenty of freedom."

Even though she appeared strong and fine, never complaining to him about her life in the Xu Family or their attitude toward her, Gu Yunjing's heart ached. The pain made him want to hold her hand tightly and pull her into his arms. He acted on his thoughts.

Xu Zhao suddenly felt a warmth as she was pulled into someone's embrace. She looked up and blinked at Gu Yunjing, who had an unreadable expression, not understanding what he meant.

Gu Yunjing lowered his head and kissed the top of her head, saying, "You have me, Mom and Dad, and Grandpa and Grandma. The Gu Family is your home."

The warmth Gu Yunjing provided was always unexpected, but undeniably touching.

"Zhao Zhao is right! I don't know those 'elegant' activities you mentioned either, but that doesn't stop me from serving the country. I don't think there's anything shameful about not knowing them." If these words came from an ordinary person, they might be met with sarcasm. But no one would look down on the matriarch of the Gu Family, Lin Ling. She had risen from a humble background through her own efforts, step by step, to become the highest-ranking female expert in the National Aerospace Research Institute.

"Today is the engagement banquet for my Zhao Zhao and Yunjing, not a stage for Miss Xu to perform. Since you came here to make Zhao Zhao look bad, please leave now. You are not welcome here." Lin Ling hadn't been this angry in a long time, but it didn't diminish the pressure she exerted as someone in a high position.

It wasn't until she was escorted out that Xu Jiao realized the consequences. If she were kicked out of the banquet today, she could already imagine the faces of those in her social circle tomorrow! She wanted to run back into the banquet hall, but the waiter beside her didn't give her the chance.

"Xu Zhao, today is your big day. Do you really have to be so excessive? Jiao Jiao is your biological sister!" Father Xu lowered his voice, his tone warning.

"Xu Zhao, you're an ungrateful wolf! Has your conscience been eaten by a dog? Jiao Jiao has been putting in good words for you in front of us. Otherwise, do you think the family would still accept you after you did something as rebellious as sending your own parents to jail?" Xu Congxuan, who had the best relationship with Xu Jiao, was the most indignant on her behalf.

"Zhao Zhao, are you still blaming us for being partial? Both the palm and the back of the hand are flesh; we care about you too. But you're too stubborn. Why can't you learn from Jiao Jiao and be more tolerant? Don't be so harsh." Mother Xu clutched her chest, putting on the appearance of a loving mother.

Lin Ling was almost laughing from anger. She was the one who ordered the girl out, yet the Xu Family only targeted the "soft persimmon," daring to threaten and bully Zhao Zhao right in front of the Gu Family.

Before the Gu Family's patience ran out, Xu Zhao's had already reached its end. Facing such biased parents and brothers, she no longer wanted to ask for answers; she just wanted to settle this quickly.

"Forgive me? What right do you have to forgive me?" Xu Zhao asked back.

"Morally speaking, parents have the merit of raising me. When they get old, I will pay maintenance fees. But legally speaking, every family has rules, and every country has laws. No one is above the law, and the law protects the personal safety of citizens. Xu Congxuan, even if you didn't study law, you've at least graduated from university. You should have basic legal knowledge, right? If parents could beat or kill their children without criminal liability just because they raised them, then what's the point of the law? We might as well return to a feudal society. It's a fact that I was abused and illegally detained. The Procuratorate's public prosecution was based on the law and evidence. If you're dissatisfied and feel wronged, you're entirely free to appeal."

"You can say whatever you want now... anyway, the appeal period has passed," Xu Congxuan said stubbornly.

"A retrial can still be initiated through the trial supervision procedure," Xu Zhao kindly informed him.

Xu Congxuan was momentarily speechless.

Father Xu's body trembled imperceptibly. Although he was given a suspended sentence and didn't go to jail, he had been detained for several days when he was first arrested. Those days inside were something he didn't want to remember.

A retrial... what if something changed? Looking at Xu Zhao's current demeanor, she clearly had no goodwill toward them. If she whispered in someone's ear and the Gu Family intervened...

"Cough... this is in the past, let's not mention it again." Father Xu coughed awkwardly, feeling somewhat guilty. Who knew the girl was so fragile? She was just hit by a teacup, yet she bled so much and even got a mild concussion.

The Xu Family members temporarily set aside their thoughts and selectively forgot about the expelled Xu Jiao. They shamelessly chose to stay at the banquet because the status of the guests there was simply too enticing.

Xu Zhao had been watching Xu Congtao's every move. Seeing him head toward the restroom alone, she followed him.

When the Xu Family was making things difficult for her just now, Xu Congtao had been uncharacteristically silent, a far cry from the head of the Xu Family who had decisively ordered her to be locked upstairs in the Xu Family hall four years ago.

"Big Brother—"

Xu Congtao had just finished chatting with a mid-level CEO. In the past, he might not have needed to fawn over him, but the Xu Family no longer had that standing. Hearing a sudden call from behind, he turned around, his eyes narrowing slightly before quickly returning to normal. He put on the expression of a good older brother, his lips curling up.

"Zhao Zhao, is something the matter?"

"I wanted to ask you something." Xu Zhao deliberated for a moment and decided to be direct. "Under what circumstances would you send me to my death?"

Xu Congtao's eyes constricted in shock and bewilderment, beyond words.

Xu Zhao kept her eyes on his changing expression, trying to find some clues.

After a long while, Xu Congtao said in a low voice, "Zhao Zhao, although I wouldn't say I like you, we are family after all."

The implication was: how could he possibly send her to her death?

Xu Zhao thought for a moment and asked again, "Let's put it another way: what is most important to you? So important that you would sacrifice me for it?"

Xu Zhao prompted further, "Would you push me to my death to save Xu Jiao?"

Xu Congtao was truly getting angry. Although the family favored Jiao Jiao more, they wouldn't go as far as killing one sister for the sake of the other.

"Zhao Zhao, you are also my sister!" Xu Congtao said sternly.

Xu Zhao wasn't moved by these words at all. When she was being bullied at school, the Xu Family turned a blind eye and told her to endure it in silence. Where was this "good brother" back then?

"Then what do you think would make you give up on me?"

Seeing her persistence, Xu Congtao realized the answer might be very important to her.

He thought about it carefully and said seriously, "The Xu Corporation, the Xu Family. If someone threatened the entire Xu Family and the Xu Corporation, I would probably give up on you."

Xu Zhao had an epiphany, and everything became clear.

In her previous life, after the kidnapping case, she was pushed out by Xu Congtao to shield him from a knife and died, while Xu Jiao was saved by Li Yan. Shortly after, Li Yan teamed up with the Miao and Liang families to target Li Shaoheng. The two sides were locked in a fierce battle. Before a result was reached, Li Shaoheng died in an accidental street shooting involving gangs. Li Yan successfully became the head of the Li Family. Afterward, Li Yan announced an investment in the Xu Corporation. Instead of declining, the Xu Corporation flourished even more than before.

Two years later, the Liang Family gradually faded and came under the Li Family's control because of Liang Yiqing's obsession with love.

Soon after, the heir of the Miao Family, Miao Jie, also died in an accidental car crash in her previous life.

Fan Zhiang didn't have a good end either. He was a gang boss in A City and was found to be involved in Li Shaoheng's murder. Li Shaoheng's death wasn't an accident but a premeditated murder.

In the end, only the male and female leads were left to have a perfect marriage and live happily ever after.

So, Li Yan was the ultimate winner. Anyone who opposed him met a miserable end.

Then what about the original host, who had been more outstanding than him since high school?

Xu Zhao understood; she had underestimated Li Yan and the malice of a person from the start.

Li Yan was an extremely conceited and narrow-minded person. He never felt he was inferior to Li Shaoheng, but after entering high school, she stole all his glory, which led to him being ridiculed by Li Shaoheng quite often. He didn't show it on the surface, but he likely hated her, the "culprit," to the core.

This made sense. No wonder at her grave, the eldest Xu brother would meaningfully tell Li Yan that a girl from the Xu Family had already died for him. She originally thought he meant Xu Zhao was caught in the crossfire and died in that kidnapping. Now it seemed that when the eldest Xu brother went to deliver the ransom, he had already been threatened by Li Yan; only Xu Jiao could return.

And weren't the eldest Xu brother's words a reminder to Li Yan to fulfill his promise and treat Xu Jiao and the Xu Corporation well?

Seeing that Xu Zhao had been silent for a while, Xu Congtao frowned and said, "It's not just you. If it were for the Xu Corporation, even if it were Xu Jiao, she would still be sacrificed if necessary."

Xu Zhao suddenly laughed. "Since Mr. Xu is so bold, I hope the Xu Corporation lasts a long time in your hands and doesn't accidentally go bankrupt."

Xu Zhao felt a weight lift from her heart, and the obsession that had been lingering in her body had mostly dissipated.

—Longing for family affection? The Xu Family was cold-natured and prioritized interests above all. It wasn't just her; even their love for Xu Jiao was fake, merely because she had more utility value.

This kind of family affection was better off discarded.

—Determined to be a person useful to the country, she still had decades of life ahead of her. She would fulfill the original host's wish within her limited lifespan and make everyone remember her name.

From the moment she called him "Mr. Xu" and turned to leave, Xu Congtao vaguely felt that something had left him. It was impossible for the Gu Family to help the Xu Family just because of the marriage alliance. He could only pin his hopes on Li Yan of the Li Family, hoping Jiao Jiao could keep him steady.

"Xu Zhao!" Xu Congtao panicked and quickly called out to her.

"Hmm?" Xu Zhao stopped but did not look back.

Xu Congtao thought for a long time before slowly speaking, "Can't you forgive us? We... are family after all."

"Heh... I haven't had a family for a long time." Zhao Yan's throat rolled with laughter. Unfortunately, the Xu Zhao who always wanted to be family with you is already dead, having died in total ignorance for your interests.

From now on, she and the Parents of the Xu Family only had a financial support relationship and nothing more to do with each other.