When the Meng family’s parents died suddenly, the family fell into crisis overnight. Ji Jingnian, the thirty-two-year-old head of the Ji family in Hong Kong, stepped in decisively at the request of a close friend, stabilizing the Meng family and bringing my younger sister, Meng Tian, and me to live at the Ji family mansion.
My sister was sweet-tongued and knew how to act cute, quickly winning over everyone in the Ji family. I stayed quiet and low-key, never currying favor with anyone.
When the day came for me to leave the country for further studies, my sister chose to remain with the Ji family and “get by on her cuteness.” I silently packed my bags and went abroad, spending three years growing and maturing.
Three years later, when I returned, Ji Jingnian announced that my sister and I would compete to become the Meng family heir. The winner would take over all the family’s businesses!
My sister immediately went on the offensive, charming the elders and somehow bringing us to a tie.
On the deciding day, the single vote in Ji Jingnian’s hands would determine the outcome.
My sister beamed. “You’re definitely giving that vote to me, right?”
Ji Jingnian looked up at me, his voice calm and firm.
“She will take over as the Meng family heir.”
The whole room was stunned, and my sister broke down and demanded an explanation.
But Ji Jingnian simply said, “The selection is based on ability. I’ve been fair to you both.”
Only I knew that the “fairness” he spoke of had always concealed his deepest favoritism toward me.
