Chapter 52: The Male Lead Appears

Like it was prepared long ago, the red card with a delicate Christmas tree drawn on it had a line: Merry Christmas.

Wei Qingyu's elegant handwriting looked particularly beautiful under the light.

The sweet scent of apple flowed into Ji Xiao's heart through her nose, instantly filling the emptiness she felt just now.

She never thought she would have the honor of receiving a Christmas gift from Wei Qingyu. This was simply a milestone success on her survival path!

Ji Xiao looked at the bright red apple in her hand, a joy she couldn't describe pushed her lips into a slight smile.

Besides the joy of success, her heart was also filled with another kind of sweet emotion.

She couldn't explain it, couldn't describe it.

It was like it was covered in a layer of mist, making it impossible to see clearly.

But since Wei Qingyu gave her a Christmas gift, did it mean she could also give the Christmas gift she prepared for Wei Qingyu?

"Knock, knock."

Wei Qingyu had just walked back to her desk and hadn't sat down yet when two more brisk knocks sounded.

As if she had expected something, her heart could not help but beat with anticipation and nervousness.

Pushing open her door, the light from the adjacent room that spilled into the corridor had just been withdrawn. 

In her sight lay an apple, a size larger than the one she had just sent, placed deliberately under which was a card.

The three characters “Wei Qingyu” after "Merry Christmas" were written with a particularly strong and powerful script, without any trace of ink smudging.

It looked like it had been prepared for a long time, but had not been sent out yet.

Wei Qingyu could clearly feel the rolling joy in her heart, akin to a candy ball named "Joy".

Having turned down many gifts before, she had never imagined that receiving one could evoke such feelings.

The girl gently sniffed the lingering scent of peach brandy on the card and sat back in her chair.

Her phone screen that had just been turned off, however, blinked with its breathing light.

23:45

[XwX: Boss should be sleeping now, sorry I had something just now.]

23:50

[Goodnight, Boss.]

Wei Qingyu walked to the window with the beautiful red apple and her phone.

The pure white snow reflected the warm yellow light from Ji Xiao's room, casting her shadow faintly visible by the window.

If Wei Qingyu could, she would like to draw an infinite symbol over this moment in time.

This way, she wouldn't have so many worries, nor would she need to fear the uncertainties of the future.

She could repeatedly extract sweetness from this apple of tentative feelings and secretly bloom the most beautiful flower.

“Dong—dong—dong—”

The muffled sound of the grandfather clock downstairs faintly reminded Wei Qingyu that time was slipping away.

Her phone screen had already dimmed, but in her heart, she quietly whispered back: Goodnight.

The following days passed relatively peacefully. On the way home after school in winter, Ji Xiao and Wei Qingyu walked with a hint of subtle ambiguity on the right side of their quartet.

The setting sun cast their shadows diagonally on the snowy ground as they quietly walked forward, shoulders gently brushing against each other.

The Lunar New Year arrived as scheduled amidst the crackling sound of firecrackers, enveloping the entire City A, a sea of red for the Lunar New Year celebration.

On the afternoon of the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, an exceptionally luxurious black Porsche Cayenne stopped at the doorstep of Ji Xiao's house, followed by a nanny car.

Ji Qingyun adjusted his newly acquired black-purple suit, got out of the car, and walked straight into the living room under Aunt Wu's reception.

Ji Xiao, who had been up all night raiding, had just woken up, and her steps downstairs were still somewhat light and airy.

"Oh... Dad, why did you come so early?"

"Not really, Xiaoxiao. I've already arranged for the styling team and makeup artist to bring the gown. Try on the gown and get your makeup done. It's almost eight o'clock."

Ji Qingyun spoke and casually clapped his hands.

The people waiting outside then entered the living room carrying gowns and makeup boxes, the fluffy gown skirts instantly piling up before Ji Xiao's eyes like clouds.

She almost forgot, tonight there was a very important party. The upper-class circle would all be there, and Ji Qingyun intended to take his already differentiated daughter to see the world.

While Ji Xiao was picking out her dress, Ji Qingyun looked at the tightly closed door on the second floor and asked, "Where's Qingyu? Why haven't I seen her?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Xiao immediately stopped looking at the dresses they were showing her and asked cautiously, "Why do you want to see her?"

"I didn't see her during the New Year either, I'm a little worried. After all, this is her first New Year without her parents..." Ji Qingyun trailed off.

Just as he was speaking, the door at the entrance opened.

Wei Qingyu returned from studying at the library with her backpack. As she entered, she heard Ji Qingyun's self-righteous words.

"Uncle, don't worry, I'm fine," Wei Qingyu said coldly.

Ji Qingyun was not at all deterred by Wei Qingyu's cold attitude. On the contrary, he asked more politely, "Qingyu, you're still studying at the library during the New Year? Isn't the library closed?"

"It closes in the afternoon," Wei Qingyu replied.

However, Ji Xiao knew she hadn't actually gone to the library; she had only used it as an excuse to go to the Wei family's house.

Thinking of this, Ji Xiao suddenly remembered the party they were about to attend.

Since there would be many upper-class people at the party later, taking Wei Qingyu along to network and pave the way for her return to the top could also be beneficial, right?

Ji Xiao: "Dad, how about taking her with us to the party tonight?"

Ji Qingyun was somewhat surprised at Ji Xiao's words. "Xiaoxiao, are you saying you want to bring Qingyu?"

"Yeah, can't we?" Ji Xiao countered.

The original owner was domineering and didn't like to explain, so this saved Ji Xiao some trouble.

"Of course, we can," Ji Qingyun said, his smile deepening at the sight.

After the incident at the auction, Ji Qingyun had originally planned not to upset Ji Xiao during the New Year, so he hadn't dared to bring up the idea of taking Wei Qingyu along again.

Unexpectedly, this time, Ji Xiao had suggested it herself.

Ji Qingyun quickly instructed, "Aunt Wu, please help Qingyu put away her backpack."

However, when Aunt Wu approached Wei Qingyu, she showed no intention of handing over her backpack.

She glanced over at Ji Xiao, who was standing not far away, wondering what her gesture meant.

She clearly knew she didn't like to interact with Ji Qingyun.

Seeing Wei Qingyu still hesitating, Ji Xiao pretended to be displeased and said, "It's a rare upper-class circle party. So many big shots, and you still want to sit this one out?"

Wei Qingyu wasn't sure if Ji Xiao had ulterior motives with that statement, but she was slightly moved after being reminded like this.

Indeed, it was a good opportunity to show face in the upper-class circle and demonstrate that the Wei family was still around.

She nodded, handed her backpack to Aunt Wu, and agreed, "Okay, I'll go."

"That's more like it," Ji Xiao smirked slightly.

She looked at the young girl still standing at the entrance, the glint of light outlining her once perfectly nurtured figure.

Thinking about everything Wei Qingyu had once enjoyed, Ji Xiao wanted to make up for everything she had lost.

As she walked towards the second floor, she instructed the stylist nearby, "Go help her, give her a beautiful look."

"Of course, Miss Ji," the stylist nodded respectfully, ensuring her commitment.

By the time Ji Xiao came down from the second floor, Wei Qingyu had already changed into her dress and had her hair styled beautifully.

A light pink satin gown cascaded down from her pale white skin, its simple design highlighting her innate coldness and nobility in her original temperament.

Perhaps she was always like this.

Like a flower that doesn't need too much adornment, a drop of clear dew is enough to evaporate all her beauty.

Her smooth long hair was braided into a beautiful fishtail braid on the side of her face, interlaced with light pink and white ribbons, and elegantly pinned low at the back of her head.

The slender ribbons hung slightly behind her slender neck, effortlessly drawing out her inherent composure and elegance.

Ji Xiao leaned on the staircase railing, unintentionally forgetting to lift her foot for the last step.

The girl rushed down the stairs and staggered from Wei Qingyu's sight.

"Hey, are you okay?" Wei Qingyu hurried towards Ji Xiao, holding up her dress.

Ji Xiao waved her hand, adjusted her freshly styled hair, and revealed a square box covered in black velvet in her hand.

She lightly licked her dry lips, the lip balm that had long ceased to be effective still leaving a refreshing hint of mint.

Ji Xiao handed the item to Wei Qingyu and said, "Open it and take a look."

Wei Qingyu, for some reason, felt her heart beating rapidly and finely.

In the soft palm of the girl's hand, the black velvet box opened, revealing that familiar lilac-colored brooch in her sight.

Ji Xiao said, "It was just serviced during the New Year and I haven't found a chance to give it to you until now. Now it belongs to you."

Wei Qingyu still remembered the jaw-dropping price of this brooch. Her voice trembled slightly as she replied, "This... it's too expensive."

“Why make such a fuss over whether it’s expensive or not? Good things just need to be paired with someone who understands them.” Ji Xiao smiled slightly as she took the lilac brooch out of the box. “We can’t let it stay hidden in a box forever, right?”

Wei Qingyu looked at Ji Xiao, who was very close to her. Her already unsteady heartbeat quickened even more.

She had never imagined that Ji Xiao would remember this almost-forgotten matter.

The sharp pin, lit by the gentle overhead light, pierced through the silk and satin on her chest. Ji Xiao’s round head dipped below her line of sight.

The faint scent of peach brandy once again landed softly on Wei Qingyu's nose, stirring up excitement in the girl's heart.

Wei Qingyu couldn't help but swallow hard, feigning composure as she said, "Tha... Thank you."

Before Ji Xiao could respond, Ji Qingyun's voice came from nearby.

The man with white gloves held a wine glass elegantly, leaning on the sofa nearby. "Oh, is Xiaoxiao giving the brooch to Qingyu?" he asked casually.

Ji Xiao's gentle expression from earlier hardened slightly. "Yes."

"Could you help Dad adjust his tie? It feels a bit uncomfortable," Ji Qingyun said, looking at Ji Xiao expectantly.

Ji Xiao knew she couldn't refuse outright. After all, he was her nominal father in this world, and all her privileges were owed to him. She nodded. Securing the pearl pin of the brooch, she walked over to Ji Qingyun.

….

The night draped this bustling city of eternal lights in a splendid array of colors. Sitting in the back seat, Ji Xiao gazed absentmindedly at the fleeting neon-lit streetscape, feeling somewhat uneasy.

She had a nagging sensation that she had forgotten something, no matter how hard she tried to relax.

The lights of the top-tier hotel in the city center illuminated the surroundings, casting a magnificent golden hue from afar.

An ornate European-style fountain exuded luxurious elegance against the barren winter sky, accentuating the opulence of this prestigious location.

As Ji Xiao marveled at the grandeur around her, she began to tidy up her voluminous pure black gown.

Her actions paused as she noticed the silver-gray vintage limousine parked at the front porch ahead.

A well-dressed young man, accompanied by his father and attended by servants, entered the lobby with measured steps.

The girl's golden-orange eyes trembled slightly.

Ji Xiao finally remembered what would happen at today's seemingly uneventful party.

As the male protagonist, Jin Nanfeng will notice the female lead, Wei Qingyu, who is left in the corner and ignored for the first time.

Author's Note:

Pigeon: Vacation is over, my dear Ji Xiao.