The sky gradually brightened as the sun began to peek over the horizon.
Having obtained the golden cotton candy, Su Ci no longer wanted to deal with Li Chenyu. After all, she could provide the evidence, and how to handle Li Xiaoli was Li Chenyu's business, not hers.
When Li Chenyu threatened to call the police, Li Xiaoli panicked, as she hadn't expected things to turn out this way.
Li Chenyu might appear arrogant, but she was actually quite foolish. Her plan could have succeeded if not for this unexpected person who completely disrupted everything.
She had been so close.
"Chenyu, please don't call the police. You know my mother is sick, and if something happens to me, no one will be able to take care of her," Li Xiaoli knelt before Li Chenyu, "Please, I'm begging you."
The ground at the mountaintop was covered in small stones, and as Li Xiaoli knelt down, her knees pressed against them, causing genuine tears to flow.
Li Chenyu was furious. "Your kneeling won't help. You attempted murder, and I'm definitely calling the police." She had nearly been pushed off the mountain by Li Xiaoli. "Why did you try to kill me?"
Hearing Li Chenyu's insistence on calling the police, Li Xiaoli stumbled to her feet, abandoning her pleas.
"Why did I try to kill you?" She looked at Li Chenyu with hatred. "We share the same father, so why are you the precious daughter of the Li family while I've had to live with my mother in a dirty, cramped apartment since childhood?"
"You asked where my father went," Li Xiaoli said mockingly. "He was stolen by you and your mother."
Su Ci leaned against Lu Zhe, watching the drama unfold like a spectator eating popcorn. She hadn't expected such a melodramatic revelation between these two.
Li Xiaoli and Li Chenyu were actually half-sisters.
Li Chenyu incredulously denied Li Xiaoli's words, "Impossible, my father only has one daughter - me."
Now that everything was exposed, Li Xiaoli didn't hold back. "If you don't believe me, I'm ready to take a DNA test anytime."
Li Chenyu bit her lip, her hands trembling. "You're my father's illegitimate daughter? Did he know about you?"
"You're the illegitimate one," Li Xiaoli snapped, as if struck a nerve. "I'm three months older than you. If it weren't for Dad's arranged marriage to your mother, why would he have broken up with my mom?"
When she had first learned about her true identity, she immediately went to confront Li's Father.
However, he showed no concern for her as his daughter, even offering money to make her go away, insisting that Li Chenyu was the Li family's only daughter.
They both shared his blood, so why did Li Chenyu get to be the pampered princess of the Li family while she lived in the slums? Why had she been mocked and bullied since childhood for not having a father?
Especially after meeting Li Chenyu at school, she saw her as nothing but a spoiled, arrogant, brainless rich girl who had nothing going for her except her status.
That's why she had planned to get close to Li Chenyu and then eliminate her.
Without Li Chenyu in the picture, she would be Li's Father's only daughter, and surely she would become the Li family's princess.
The brainless Li Chenyu was easy to deceive. Knowing that Li Chenyu had a crush on the Su family's eldest son, she told her after arriving at the mountain villa that if she made a wish at sunrise from the mountaintop, her wish would come true, especially wishes about love.
She couldn't believe Li Chenyu had fallen for it so easily.
Killing her would have been effortless.
If these two unexpected people hadn't shown up, she would have succeeded in disguising the murder as an accident - Li Chenyu falling off the mountain.
Hearing Li Xiaoli's words, Li Chenyu's mind was in chaos, unable to determine if what she was hearing was true.
All along, she had been the Li family's only daughter, doted on by both parents. Now this despised follower, Li Xiaoli, was suddenly claiming to be her father's illegitimate daughter - she couldn't accept it.
"Li Chenyu, are you sure you want to call the police? Make this public?" Li Xiaoli glared at Li Chenyu. "If you don't mind all of City B knowing I'm Dad's daughter, go ahead and call."
Li Chenyu was furious. The usually meek follower who trailed behind her had turned out to be a venomous snake.
In the end, Li Chenyu didn't call the police. She planned to go home and let her father handle this situation, believing he wouldn't allow Li Xiaoli to get away with attempting to kill her.
As Li Xiaoli left, Su Ci turned to Li Chenyu, "She's gone, why aren't you leaving?"
The Li family had an illegitimate daughter surface, and from today's events, it was clear this illegitimate daughter was not only calculating but also ruthless, knowing when to advance and retreat, and even able to use the Li family's reputation to threaten Li Chenyu.
While Li Chenyu was proud, she lacked intelligence. In a battle between the two, Li Chenyu would definitely be at a disadvantage.
However, none of this was Su Ci's concern.
She had saved Li Chenyu today, already proving herself to be a kind fairy.
"She just left. What if she's lying in wait somewhere, still trying to kill me?" Li Chenyu wasn't so foolish now.
Su Ci glanced at her life value and smiled: "Don't worry, if she kills you, I'll help identify her as the murderer."
Li Chenyu's eyes widened, "Why are you so mean?"
"Mean or not, I'm still your savior!" Su Ci lifted her chin proudly. "Remember, I saved your life, you owe me a favor." She had suffered from lack of sleep, early morning ugliness, and exhausting mountain climbing - regardless of her motives, she had saved Li Chenyu.
Li Chenyu was indeed grateful for Su Ci's timely appearance. If not for her, she would have been lying dead at the bottom of the mountain.
"Thank you," Li Chenyu said awkwardly, but sincerely. "I'll remember that I owe you a favor."
Su Ci nodded with satisfaction.
At that moment, the sun rose steadily, illuminating half of the dark sky.
"The sun is rising," Li Chenyu looked toward the sun peeking over the horizon.
"You climbed up here and nearly died just to watch the sunrise?" Su Ci asked Li Chenyu.
"Li Xiaoli told me if I made a wish at sunrise, I could stay together with the person I like forever." Li Chenyu replied shyly.
Su Ci truly thought Li Chenyu was naive, "Such a childish lie was enough to lure you up here?" No wonder Li Xiaoli resented Li Chenyu being the Li family's princess.
Li Chenyu finally realized her mistake, her face turning pale. "She lied to me?"
Su Ci was speechless, "I wonder what's actually inside your head."
Li Chenyu bit her lip, her face reddening, "I just liked someone so much that I was desperate to grasp at any hope. You don't have anyone you like, so how could you understand my feelings?"
Su Ci let out a scoffing laugh, her fair face glowing even whiter in the golden light of dawn, "Who says I don't understand? If you like someone, why not confess to them directly, why not make an effort to win them over, instead of making unrealistic wishes to the sun? Don't tell me this is pure maiden's heart - being maiden-like doesn't mean being stupid."
Li Chenyu felt hurt by Su Ci's mockery.
She had nearly been killed by Li Xiaoli, and now Su Ci was ridiculing her.
Su Ci stopped paying attention to Li Chenyu and reached for Lu Zhe's hand, "The sun's up, let's go over there to watch the sunrise."
Since they were here, they shouldn't waste the opportunity.
Su Ci and Lu Zhe sat on a smooth rock.
The sun's golden light grew stronger, creating what looked like a golden line across the horizon.
Whether it was a lie or not, Li Chenyu followed them over. Looking at the rising sun, she suddenly felt that even if it had been a lie, seeing such beautiful scenery was some consolation.
Li Chenyu's agitated and troubled heart began to calm.
At that moment, the girl's melodious voice rang out, "I want to be with Lu Zhe forever."
"Didn't you just mock me for making wishes to the sun, saying it was stupid?" Li Chenyu looked at Su Ci in surprise. "Why are you making a wish now?"
Su Ci gave Li Chenyu a sideways glance, "Which eye of yours saw me making a wish?"
The golden sunlight fell on Su Ci's face and the top of her head, making the girl look as beautiful as a little sprite. She smiled and leaned into Lu Zhe's embrace, looking up at the young man whose ears had turned red, "I was confessing to him."
Li Chenyu was speechless.
She finally shifted her gaze to the young man beside Su Ci. Earlier, she had been so shocked by Li Xiaoli's murder attempt that she hadn't noticed the young man with Su Ci.
Seeing Su Ci leaning in the young man's embrace, her eyes filled with shock, "You and him..."
Su Ci liked this boy?
In their social circle, Su Ci was the untouchable princess whom everyone envied.
She had heard that even He Ermeng from the He family pursued her with trepidation and hadn't succeeded yet. Unexpectedly, Su Ci had someone she liked now.
Li Chenyu was stunned; she hadn't expected Su Ci to have someone she liked!
Su Ci glanced at Li Chenyu and said, "Some things are better kept to yourself."
Li Chenyu understood immediately, "Don't worry, you saved my life once, I won't tell anyone."
The romance of the Su family's daughter was a big deal, and she understood why Su Ci wouldn't announce it publicly, but did Su Ci's parents know about the person she liked?
By the time they descended the mountain, daylight had fully broken.
The morning mist in the mountains had dispersed, and golden sunlight fell on the trees, making the branches appear as if they were adorned with golden leaves.
Going up had been difficult, but coming down was much easier.
Su Ci didn't need Lu Zhe to carry her this time; instead, he held her hand as they slowly made their way down.
Li Chenyu left before Su Ci, calling her father to tell him about the day's events. Li's Father had already arranged for a car to pick her up.
Su Ci wasn't concerned about the Li family's affairs. She was just happy that after all her efforts, she had finally obtained the golden cotton candy.
Su Ci was feeling tired at this point, so she stopped to rest against a large rock. With Li Chenyu gone and no one else around, it was the perfect moment for some affection.
"Have some water," Lu Zhe unscrewed the cap of a mineral water bottle and handed it to the girl.
Su Ci leaned against the smooth boulder, took a few sips, and handed the bottle back to Lu Zhe. Then she tugged at his clothes, "Come a bit closer."
The familiar sparkle in the girl's eyes made Lu Zhe smile as he moved closer to her.
His fingertips brushed against her flushed cheeks as he asked, "What is it?"
"I have something nice for you," Su Ci said, placing both hands on Lu Zhe's shoulders.
Lu Zhe already knew that whenever the girl said she had something nice for him, it meant she wanted to kiss him.
The coldness in his eyes melted into amusement as he looked down at her, "Want a kiss?"
Su Ci blinked, thinking how the once wooden and cold youth had changed, now even asking her about kisses.
"Yes, quickly," Su Ci hoped Lu Zhe would get better soon after eating the golden cotton candy.
"Mm."
The youth's cool thin lips met the girl's soft mouth, slowly savoring her sweet breath.
A morning breeze rustled through the surrounding green trees, making their branches sway shyly.
Lu Zhe was exceptionally gentle, gradually claiming every corner of her mouth, leaving her tongue with nowhere to retreat, helplessly yielding to his teasing. Su Ci felt her legs weaken as she softly leaned into Lu Zhe's embrace, allowing him to steal her breath away.
By the time they returned to the foot of the mountain, it was past seven.
"After we rest, let's go horseback riding this afternoon. I heard from Dad that there's a horse ranch in the resort," Su Ci was tired but in good spirits, her face rosy, eyes gleaming, and lips enticingly red.
"Mm, I'll watch you ride," Lu Zhe didn't know how to ride horses.
"I can teach you," Su Ci looked at Lu Zhe with a bright smile, teasing him, "We can even ride together, with me in front and you holding me from behind."
Lu Zhe's lips curved into a smile as he was about to nod.
Just then, a door opened nearby.
Su's Mother saw her daughter's smiling face and Lu Zhe beside her, her expression not pleased, "Ci Ci, where have you been?"
Su Ci hadn't expected to be caught by her mother, but she remained calm and smiled, saying, "I was just heading to breakfast and happened to meet Lu Zhe. I was asking him about afternoon activities."
The smile on Lu Zhe's lips faded slightly as he politely greeted Su's Mother, "Good morning, Auntie Su."
Su's Mother nodded and stroked her daughter's hair, "Your father and I have finished washing up and are also ready for breakfast. Wait for us."
Su Ci obediently nodded, "Okay."
When Su's Mother turned back into the room, Su Ci secretly winked at Lu Zhe.
Lu Zhe's hand hanging at his side felt slightly numb as the smile disappeared from his eyes.
After breakfast, Su's Father suddenly said he had business to attend to and proposed leaving.
The Lu family left shortly after.
They had only come to the mountain resort because of the Su family, so there was no point in staying after the Sus left.
On the way back, Lu Chen stroked his chin and said, "Yesterday Su Shengguo promised to continue our fishing competition today, why did he suddenly say he had to leave? He really doesn't keep his word."
Wen Ya ignored her husband and looked at her son, who had been silent and sitting by the window, thinking he was unhappy about not seeing Su Ci. "It's alright, in a few days, I'll host a tea party and invite little Ci. You can see each other then."
Lu Zhe looked at his parents, "There's no need. You don't have to go to such lengths to get Su Ci and me together."
"Son, what's wrong?" Wen Ya looked at her son with concern.
"Auntie Su knows, and she won't be happy about it."
The Su family's sudden departure was because Su's Mother had seen him with Su Ci this morning. Though she hadn't said anything to him or accused him of breaking his promise, her attitude was clear.
Wen Ya, being a mother herself, understood what Su's Mother was thinking.
Every mother is selfish. When their son liked Su Ci, she and her husband tried to find ways to bring them together.
Wen Ya paused before speaking, "If Xin doesn't agree, I can beg her."
Her son had suffered so much since childhood, and now with time running short, she selfishly wanted to give him everything he loved.
Lu Zhe shook his head and looked seriously at his parents, "Dad, Mom, we can't force Uncle and Auntie Su to let their precious daughter be with someone who has a terminal illness."
Every day he had now was borrowed time.
Su Ci didn't belong to him.
Wen Ya's eyes suddenly welled up with tears. Why did her son, who was so good and obedient, have to suffer like this?
...
Her brother had only two weeks left to live. After saving Xie Yumin and Li Chenyu, Su Ci had given the golden cotton candy to Lu Zhe but kept a bit for Fu Gui. However, the amount wasn't enough, and that fellow hadn't leveled up yet.
She would have to wait until the last three days to see her brother's cause of death.
"Ci Ci, alright, let's go," Su's Mother finished her phone call and walked over, telling the store's sales staff to deliver all the clothes they had selected to the Su residence.
"Are we going home now?" These past few days, Su's Mother had kept Su Ci by her side, shopping, getting beauty treatments, having afternoon tea, almost as if she wanted to keep her daughter tethered to her.
Su's Mother smiled, "I just received a call from an old university friend. Her son got into B University, and he's coming early to get familiar with the environment. He'll be staying at our house during the time before school starts."
Su's Mother and her friend had been very close in university, but they hadn't stayed in frequent contact after her friend married and moved far away.
Now that her friend's son was coming to City B for university, she could help out.
The Su family not only had plenty of money but also many rooms in their villa. They could easily accommodate not just one guest, but twenty or thirty.
"Fang Qin and I were university friends. Who would have thought you and her son would become schoolmates?" Su's Mother found it quite fateful, "The boy is already at the airport, so we'll pick him up on our way."
Su Ci nodded casually.
It would take some time to reach the airport from the mall.
Su's Mother was on a voice call with her friend the whole time. Su Ci sat beside her, bored, resting her chin on her hand as she listened to her mother discuss old times with Auntie Fang. She could tell that her mother must have been very close with this person during their university days.
Su Ci glanced at her mother, seeing her engrossed in conversation, and secretly sent a message to Lu Zhe: What are you doing?
Lu Zhe had been very busy these past few days. Even during their evening video calls, she could see piles of documents on his desk. She knew that his company with Uncle Fang had just been established and there would be lots of work, so she was understanding and didn't disturb him.
Lu Zhe replied quickly: In a meeting.
The meeting was actually just Lu Zhe, Boss Fang, and a few newly hired employees discussing company matters.
Su Ci responded thoughtfully: Oh, then you should focus on your work.
From the other end, Lu Zhe asked: What about you?
Su Ci secretly glanced sideways at her mother and replied: Accompanying Mom to pick up a guest who will be staying at our house for a while.
Just then, the car pulled up outside the airport.
"Madam, Miss, we've arrived," the driver reported.
Su's Mother lowered the car window and immediately spotted her friend's child from the photos she had received.
Su Ci quickly typed: "Got him."
She exited the chat before her mother could look over.
Su's Mother asked the driver to call over her friend's child.
Su Ci put away her phone and looked out the window. She saw a lean young man wearing a white shirt and faded pants, carrying a black backpack. With a cold expression, he was walking towards them behind the driver.
"Aunt Su, hello," the young man's voice was deep and pleasant.
"You must be Ji Chi?" Su's Mother observed that the young man didn't look much like her friend; his sharp, cold features must take after his father.
Ji Chi nodded, "Yes, I am."
Su's Mother said with a smile, "No need to be so formal. Your mother and I are good friends. Even without her asking, I would take care of you. This is my daughter Su Ci. She also got into B University, so you'll be schoolmates from now on."
Ji Chi glanced at the girl next to Su's Mother. She had delicate features, with an alluring beauty mark below the corner of her eye. She lazily lifted her gaze and said, "Hello."
Ji Chi politely withdrew his gaze and replied, "Hello."
