The moment Su Cheng appeared, all eyes were drawn to her. Her face was cold and indifferent, yet she was adorned from head to toe in dazzling jewels. She wore a simple short-sleeved top, but her head was crowned with a glittering phoenix tiara. Around her neck hung an emerald necklace, and her wrists were stacked with jade and gold bracelets. On her finger, a massive pink diamond ring caught the light.

A wave of mocking laughter rippled through the room.

"Isn't this a bit much? Did Su Cheng raid her family's jewelry vault or something?" someone snickered.

"What's she trying to prove? It's so obvious she's just trying to make Song Xi look bad," another voice chimed in.

...

Su Cheng strode confidently up to Song Xi, her tone flat and unemotional. "Congratulations. From today on, you're officially part of the Su family."

Her mind flashed back to her previous life, when Song Xi had entered the Su household and everything had changed. No matter how hard Su Cheng had tried to be kind or obedient, her brothers had always favored Song Xi. Her second brother had even once said, "If only Song Xi were our real sister."

This time around, Su Cheng wasn’t going to be foolish enough to care about some fake sense of family affection.

Song Xi’s eyes flickered over Su Cheng’s extravagant accessories, jealousy burning in her chest. But on the surface, she maintained a pitiful, fragile demeanor. She hunched her shoulders slightly, her voice soft and trembling. "Cheng Cheng, I know you’re not happy about this, but please don’t worry. I won’t compete with you for our brothers’ affection. I’m just an outsider, after all. How could I ever compare to you, their real sister?"

As she spoke, her eyes welled up with tears.

Su Cheng sneered inwardly. This "innocent little flower" act was so convincing. In her past life, she had fallen for this very act, only realizing Song Xi’s true nature on her deathbed.

Su Yuan, ever the protective brother, quickly stepped in. "Xi Xi, don’t cry. Who said you’re an outsider? From today on, you’re my real sister."

Song Xi lowered her head, hiding the triumphant smile that flickered in her eyes.

Su Tianze took out an exquisitely crafted box. "Xixi, this is a little welcome gift for you."

Song Xi was both flattered and overwhelmed. "Second Brother, isn't this supposed to be for Chengcheng? I couldn't possibly accept it!"

Su Cheng glanced at the limited edition figurine inside the box, her expression unreadable. She wasn't surprised. In her past life, her second brother had done the same thing, giving away the figurine she had been eagerly anticipating to Song Xi as a peace offering.

"Take it. It's only right," Su Tianze insisted, his tone firm.

Su Yuan's face darkened with displeasure. "Su Cheng, Xixi has already forgiven you for pushing her into the water. Second Brother has given her a gift. What about you? Don't you have anything to offer?"

Su Cheng nodded calmly. "Of course, I've prepared an apology."

She began to methodically remove the jewelry she was wearing, placing each piece on a tray one by one.

"This is the antique phoenix crown from Eldest Brother."

"This is the emerald pendant from Second Brother."

"This is the century-old ginseng from Third Brother."

"This is the rare pink diamond ring from Fourth Brother."

"This is the jade bracelet from Fifth Brother."

"This is the gold trophy from Sixth Brother."

Su Cheng's expression remained impassive as she spoke. "These are my most treasured possessions. They should be enough to convey my sincerity."

She had anticipated that Fourth Brother would press her about making amends and had prepared these items in advance. Ever since Song Xi had moved into the Su household, her brothers had stopped giving her anything of real value. These were the only things of worth she still had. She knew, however, that sooner or later, her brothers would find some excuse to take them back and give them to Song Xi.

Upon seeing the items on the tray, Su Yuan's expression froze instantly. These were all things Su Cheng had once treasured the most!

Su Tianze furrowed his brows and asked, "Chengcheng, what are you doing?"

"Second brother, didn't I say? This is my way of apologizing. Fourth brother, do you think it's sincere enough?" Su Cheng's tone was indifferent, as if she didn't care at all.

Song Xi looked at the items on the tray, feeling puzzled. She couldn't figure out what Su Cheng was up to. Was she retreating to advance?

Song Xi quickly said, "Sister Cheng, these are all gifts from your brothers. They're too precious. I really can't accept them."

Su Yuan immediately chimed in, "Exactly! These were specially given to you. How can you just casually pass them on to someone else?"

Song Xi's smile stiffened slightly. She bit her lip gently and said, "Yes, Sister Cheng. As an outsider, I don't deserve such valuable gifts."

Only then did Su Yuan realize he had misspoken. He hurriedly explained, "Xixi, don't misunderstand. That's not what I meant. I'll prepare a new gift for you. How could I take someone else's things?"

Song Xi immediately brightened up, her tears turning to a smile. "Thank you, Fourth Brother, for caring about me."

Seeing this, Su Yuan's heart melted. This was what a sensible younger sister should be like.

Su Tianze frowned and said, "Chengcheng, why are you doing this?"

These gifts had always been Su Cheng's treasures, so much so that she wouldn't even let anyone touch them.

Who would have thought she would give them all to Song Xi as an apology!

Was she trying to cut ties with them?

Or was she angry because he had taken her figurine to compensate Song Xi without her permission?

Su Tianze was convinced that Su Cheng was throwing a tantrum.

"Second brother, can't you see she's just venting her frustration? When will you learn to be as sensible as Xi Xi, Su Cheng?" he chided.

Su Cheng, her face expressionless, retorted, "These gifts are worth tens of millions. As a token of apology, do you think it's enough, Fourth Brother? Or are you too stingy to part with them?"

Su Yuan was momentarily at a loss for words. How could this be the same thing?

In front of Song Xi, he could only stammer, "How could I possibly be that kind of person?"

"Then it's settled. Everyone here is a witness. These gifts will serve as compensation," Su Cheng declared.

Su Tianze was getting irritated. "Cheng Cheng, stop being so willful."

How could she just give away such precious gifts so casually?

Even if she was upset with the fourth brother, she shouldn't disregard their feelings by passing on their heartfelt presents!

"Second brother, do you think I'm just fooling around?" Su Cheng shoved the tray into Song Xi's hands. "These are yours now."

She was effectively cutting ties with all six of her brothers.

Song Xi's expression turned uneasy. She could sense something was off from the looks on Su Tianze and Su Yuan's faces.

Holding the box, her palms were sweating. She hadn't expected Su Cheng to use this method to apologize, catching her completely off guard.

If she didn't handle this well, she was sure to upset the Su brothers.

Why had Su Cheng suddenly become so difficult to deal with!

Su Cheng didn’t even acknowledge Song Xi and turned to leave.

"Su Cheng, wait a minute!" Su Yuan was fuming. How could Su Cheng use the gift he had given her as an apology? What kind of apology was that?

But Su Cheng didn’t look back. She just walked away without a second thought.

Su Tianze frowned deeply. "Chengcheng is becoming more and more unreasonable!" He felt a pang of disappointment. That jade pendant was something he had bought with his first earnings—it held immense sentimental value.

Su Yuan felt like he had been dealt a silent blow, his frustration simmering. "I think she’s doing this on purpose, just to provoke us."

Hearing this, Song Xi bit her lip. It seemed Su Cheng’s strategy of playing hard to get was working. She couldn’t let her succeed.

Clutching the box, Song Xi put on a troubled expression. "Second Brother, Fourth Brother, did I cause trouble again? How could I accept something so important from Sister Chengcheng? What should I do now?"

That damn Su Cheng was setting her up!

Su Yuan’s face darkened. "Since she gave it as an apology, just keep it. I’m sure she’ll regret it in a few days."

He couldn’t wait to see Su Cheng’s face when she realized her mistake. He’d make sure to mock her thoroughly then.

Su Tianze’s tone softened. "Xixi, why don’t you hold onto it for Chengcheng for now? We’ll talk to her once she’s calmed down."

Su Cheng had thrown tantrums before, but she always came around eventually.

He couldn't believe that Su Cheng would really give up these gifts.

"Alright, I'll make sure to take good care of them," Song Xi replied with a sweet and endearing smile.

Su Tianze sighed inwardly, thinking of the obedient and sensible Su Cheng. He hoped she could return to normal soon.

Looking at the quiet Song Xi beside him, a sense of relief washed over him. At least Xi Xi wasn't as rebellious.

——

Su Cheng went straight to her room and collapsed onto the bed, her head feeling heavy and dizzy, probably from the fall into the water.

As soon as she lay down, she closed her eyes.

She needed to think carefully about how to break free from the Su family's control and make a life for herself on her own terms!

In her previous life, after the college entrance exam, she had the ability to get into a top university, but because of her fourth brother's word, she ended up following Song Xi to a second-tier college.

At school, she spent all her time revolving around Song Xi, and when something went wrong, she was the one to take the blame.

If she didn't obey, her financial support was immediately cut off. The esteemed eldest daughter of the Su family lived a life worse than an ordinary student.

In the end, the thesis she had worked so hard on was stolen by Song Xi, who then accused her of plagiarism, leading to her expulsion from the university.

This time, she would not let such a tragedy repeat itself.

She was determined to get into a top-tier university!

As for tuition and living expenses, she could earn them by competing professionally.

With the gaming skills honed in his previous life, he was confident he could handle it.

As the banquet drew to a close, Su Tianze made his way to the second floor and stopped in front of her door. He hesitated for a moment before knocking, but there was no response from inside. The door was locked from within.

"Second Brother, Xixi has a fever. You need to come and see her right away." Hearing this, Su Tianze's outstretched hand froze mid-air.