The Bai family was bustling with energy. Every servant, every staff member, moved with a purpose. The air was thick with anticipation, and the very walls of the estate seemed to buzz with excitement.
The real Bai daughter had come home. This time, to the main house with Old Master Bai.
In the grand drawing room, Madam Bai fussed over the placement of the teacups, while Old Master Bai adjusted his collar, his expression stern but expectant. Bai Zhi sat on one of the embroidered chairs, her legs crossed, her expression calm and indifferent.
In her previous life, she had sat in this exact spot with her heart pounding, nervous, hopeful, desperate for approval. She remembered wondering: Would Meilin like her? Would she see me as her sister? Would she accept me? Would the Bai family still love her now that she was not the real daughter?
She had been so naïve to expect the best instead of the worst.
Now, she knew the truth.
The moment Bai Meilin stepped into this house, Bai Zhi had ceased to exist in their hearts.
"Zhi'er," Madam Bai called out, looking at her with a gentle smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, "You've always been so well-mannered. I'm sure you'll get along wonderfully with Meilin. She's such a soft and sweet girl."
"Of course," Bai Zhi replied smoothly, taking a sip of her tea. "I look forward to seeing how sweet she is."
Old Master Bai gave a small grunt of approval. "Good. No need for rivalry. Meilin is family, but so are you."
A lie, Bai Zhi thought. In her past life, it hadn't taken long for the truth to show. She had become the family's servant, errand girl, and punching bag, she was slowly erased.
Now, she was simply here to watch them act out the first scene of the drama.
The front doors opened with a flourish.
"She's here!" Auntie Liu called out with exaggerated joy.
Bai Zhi set her cup down, and everyone stood.
The moment was exactly as she remembered it.
A luxury car pulled up. The driver stepped out and opened the door.
Out came Bai Meilin.
She was exactly as beautiful: long black hair in soft curls, pale skin untouched by the sun, big innocent eyes that shimmered with practiced innocence.
She wore a white lace dress with tiny pearl accents, the kind that screamed delicate and pure. She looked like a porcelain doll.
"Papa… Mama…" Meilin's voice was soft, choked with emotion. "I'm home."
Madam Bai rushed forward and wrapped her in a tearful embrace. "My poor daughter! You've suffered so much! Mama is here now!"
Old Master Bai patted her head like a precious treasure. "You're finally home. Our Bai family is whole again."
Bai Zhi watched it all unfold with cool eyes.
She knew every word that would be said. Every fake tear Meilin would cry. Every calculated glance. The performance was flawless, just like last time.
Eventually, Meilin turned her gaze toward Bai Zhi.
Her eyes widened a little just a flicker like always, and then she smiled.
"Jiejie," she whispered. I've heard so much about you."
She stepped forward and took Bai Zhi's hands like an old friend. "Thank you for taking care of my family while I was away."
In her past life, Bai Zhi had been touched by those words. She had smiled and even cried.
Not picking on the word "My Family"
This time, she simply looked down at their joined hands.
Cold. Clammy. Manipulative.
"You're welcome," Bai Zhi said with a faint smile. "I'm sure you'll repay the favor, someday."
There was a tiny flicker in Meilin's expression. It disappeared quickly, replaced with a soft smile.
"I hope we can be like real sisters."
"Of course," Bai Zhi replied. Real sisters? I'll show you what a real sister does when betrayed.
Later that afternoon, Bai Meilin was given a tour of the house, her house, now. Madam Bai gushed about each room as if showing off her firstborn to an important guest who would praise her.
"This used to be Zhi'er's room," Madam Bai said with a laugh, opening the master suite, "but of course, this was meant for you. Zhi'er has already moved her things to the guest wing."
Bai Zhi had not been told of this change beforehand.
In her past life, she had accepted it with a smile, saying Meilin deserved it.
Now, she simply leaned against the wall with her arms crossed. "It's a nice room," she said dryly. "Try not to lose anything important in it."
Meilin looked back at her with that wide-eyed gaze. "Jiejie.. are you upset?"
"Why would I be?" Bai Zhi tilted her head with a small smile. "It's just a room. Nothing worth crying over or rejoicing over".
Meilin hesitated, then smiled softly again. "You're so generous, Jiejie. I really admire you."
Bai Zhi said nothing. She had no intention of exchanging fake pleasantries.
At dinner, the family gathered around the long table, Meilin seated in the center between Madam Bai and Old Master Bai. Bai Zhi was placed at the far end, symbolic of how quickly she was being phased out of the picture.
The meal was filled with Meilin's soft voice telling stories of her orphanage days, her struggles, her triumphs. Everyone hung onto her every word.
"Such a kind heart," Auntie Liu said.
"So graceful," another relative added.
"I always knew she was the real Bai daughter," one uncle said with a chuckle. "She even looks like Madam Bai!"
Bai Zhi sipped her soup, saying nothing.
She wasn't interested in the act the relatives were putting up.
Then Meilin turned to her. "Jiejie, you must be very talented. Mother told me you've always been the top student and even play instruments."
She smiled sweetly. "You should teach me sometime."
Bai Zhi set her spoon down. "I don't offer free lessons anymore. I only teach those who pay up front."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Then someone laughed nervously. "Zhi'er is joking, of course"
"Of course," Bai Zhi said, her voice even colder. "I'm very good at jokes."
Meilin looked down, biting her lip, like a wounded lamb. "I.. didn't mean to upset you, Jiejie…"
Bai Zhi didn't apologize. She didn't soften.
The performance was over.
That night, Bai Meilin knocked on another of her door.
"Jiejie, can we talk?"
Bai Zhi opened the door and looked at her without a smile.
"I just want us to be close," Meilin said quietly. "I really meant what I said earlier."
"I know," Bai Zhi said, stepping aside.
Meilin entered and looked around. "It's a bit smaller than before.. I hope you're okay with it."
"It's not about size," Bai Zhi said, her voice like ice. "It's about purpose. I've outgrown pretending."
Meilin blinked. "Pretending?"
"You're not here to be my sister. You're here to replace me, or should I say, you are here to take back your rightful position"
Meilin's eyes widened. "I would never.."
"Don't bother lying, Meilin." Bai Zhi stepped forward until they were inches apart. "You've already started acting. But here's the problem…"
She smiled coldly.
"I'm not in your script anymore."