Chapter 4 — The Shang Family’s Cold Gaze
The switched-at-birth scandal spread through the capital within days.
To quiet the gossip, my parents declared publicly that there was no “real” or “fake” in our home: we were both Xue daughters.
Whatever Xue Zhenzhen received, I received too.
They even gave her extra—compensation for the sixteen years she’d lost.
I didn’t object.
My mother asked me to spend time with Xue Zhenzhen, to “build sisterly feelings.”
So I did.
I taught her etiquette.
Brought her to gatherings.
Helped her choose dresses and jewelry.
Smoothed over awkward moments for her without making it look like I was rescuing her.
I played the perfect elder sister.
Not because I felt guilty.
Because I was watching.
Xue Zhenzhen looked timid on the surface—soft-spoken, obedient, easily startled.
But the way she looked at Shang Zhiyuan…
It wasn’t timid at all.