CHAPTER 24: 021 CHARACTER FLAW

The girl stood there alone, her slight shoulders looking as if a gust of wind could blow her away, unintenionally wrenching hearts.

When she first came in with Yun Shen, with Kang Jinse and Yun Shen, the visually pleasing couple, and she deliberately made herself less noticeable, so no one paid attention to her.

But now, exposed under the lights, she caught the eyes of everyone present.

This little girl must be the daughter of Ji Lanyi and Yun Shen, the so-called Ji Family Little Princess with genius intellect.

Ji Lanyi had given birth to twins, a boy and a girl, in Jiangzhou; her fortune was almost universally known. She was the sole heiress to a wealthy family, had married an outstanding husband, and had both a son and a daughter in one birth—every good thing seemed to fall into her lap, and the number of women who envied and resented her was too many to count.

But soon came the news that her son was born deaf and mute, instantly becoming the laughingstock of Jiangzhou. The society belle had brought forth a deaf and mute child, it seemed her luck was so good that even the heavens couldn’t bear to watch.

The girl in the twins, however, was remarkably intelligent. Every time Ji Lanyi took her to high society gatherings, she would be showered with praise. Intelligent and graceful despite her young age, she perfectly overshadowed the stigma brought by her deaf and mute brother. After becoming the youngest champion in a children’s intelligence competition and being dubbed a "prodigy," even those envious of Ji Lanyi had to admit that her daughter was truly exceptional. Both children came from the same womb, so how could they be so different?

Looking at the girl now, many felt sympathy. Without a mother, no matter how intelligent, she was still just a child, fallen into the hands of a stepmother—what good days could she have? Such a good girl, what a pity.

Seeing Yun Ya’s silent figure, the bystanders’ gazes were a mix of amusement and sympathy; Kang Jinse felt a surge of anger, yet she maintained a motherly demeanor, helplessly saying, "Yun Ya, Auntie is doing this for your own good. If your mother knew that you did such a thing, how heartbroken she would be. Listen, hand over Auntie’s ring. It was the token of love your father gave to Auntie. If you really like it, you could have just asked, Auntie isn’t petty. But you must never make a fundamental mistake. Otherwise, how can Auntie explain this to your father?"

Her words sounded sweet, but it was a direct message to all that this was Ji Lanyi’s good daughter, stealing out of dissatisfaction with her "stepmother." Even the brightest and most excellent girl’s life is practically destroyed once stained with a mark of flawed character, especially among these so-called high society people who love to judge others from a moral high ground.

Furthermore, she publicly announced her stalwart love for Yun Shen, even giving her a ring—could a wedding be far off? It was a blatant slap to Bai Ran’s face.

The complexity in people’s looks at Yun Ya intensified. So young, and already stealing? Really... Did Ji Lanyi only teach her daughter intelligence but not how to be a person?

They say steal a needle at a young age and you’ll steal gold later; it’s frightening that someone so young could harbor such thoughts...

Among them were women who envied Ji Lanyi, thinking: your daughter thinks she’s a treasure, always boasting and looking down on people—now the retribution has come.

A glimmer of triumph flickered in Kang Jinse’s eyes. Yun Ya’s reputation was probably ruined by now. Let’s see if Yun Shen still brings her to banquets.

Zhuang Xiyue made her way over, and the crowd naturally parted to create a path for her. She saw at a glance the frail, thin girl standing there, looking pitiful, and her heart immediately softened.

Yan Song watched the lonely figure in the middle of the room and pursed his lips.

Fool, can’t you even defend yourself?

"Miss Kang, it’s probably not suitable to slander a child like this without clarifying the facts," Zhuang Xiyue indifferently asked.

In her opinion, Kang Jinse was merely bullying Yun Ya for being young and naive, a mere mistress. You were allowed in only to give face to Yun Shen; otherwise, what right does a second-rate actress have to stand here?

Kang Jinse didn’t expect Zhuang Xiyue to speak up for Yun Ya, considering that as the host, she should step in during such an incident, so she calmed herself and politely said, "Lady Yan, disturbing your banquet is my fault, but as a parent yourself, you understand that a child who makes mistakes must not be indulged. I had no choice..."

"It seems you’ve misunderstood me; I’m asking if you’re certain it was Yun Ya who took your ring?" Zhuang Xiyue stopped looking at Kang Jinse’s somewhat stiff face, walked up to Yun Ya, crouched down, and softly said, "Yun Ya, tell Aunt Zhuang, did you take the ring?"

Yun Ya looked up, the little girl had a delicate face and skin so pale under the light it was nearly translucent; her eyes were clear and bright, "I didn’t take it."

Her voice was soft yet firm, echoing in everyone’s ears.

"Aunt Zhuang, do you believe me?" The little girl cautiously looked up, but then, as if remembering something, she dropped her gaze in despair, her long eyelashes trembling, making Zhuang Xiyue’s heart painfully tight.

"Yun Ya is the kindest and most well-behaved child, Aunt Zhuang believes you."

Yun Ya’s lips curved into a sweet, pure smile.

Seeing this, some of the malicious onlookers couldn’t help but feel startled; after all, she was just a five-year-old child who probably didn’t even understand what stealing meant.

Kang Jinse didn’t expect Lady Yan to defend Yun Ya so staunchly. She coldly laughed, "Lady Yan, you believe a child’s words? I didn’t want to make such a fuss, but the child has truly disappointed me, and now she’s lying. If she doesn’t receive discipline, what will become of her in the future? To prove whether she has taken the ring, let her stretch out her hand and we’ll know," she said before reaching for Yun Ya’s hand.

Yun Ya stepped back, nearly bursting into tears from fear, "I didn’t take it, don’t touch me, bad woman..." Her demeanor in the eyes of others seemed guilty.

Zhuang Xiyue didn’t expect Kang Jinse to be so aggressive and immediately tried to pull Yun Ya away but was still a step too late. Kang Jinse aggressively pried open Yun Ya’s hands; the pale palms were bare, with nothing on them...

Kang Jinse was startled, then went to grab the other hand, which was also empty.

Impossible... Her face showed a moment of stiffness; she had watched as Yun Ya picked up the ring, how could it not be in her hands?