Chapter 35.1

“I think I’ve heard of this company before,” Xin Nuo ventured, giving a faint smile. “A technology company, not many companies choose such a name, right?”

“Yeah,” Xu Jiamu nodded. She placed her phone on the table and picked up her glass of water.

“The founder of this company has quite a reputation in the industry. They chose the name ‘Right and Wrong’ to signify clear distinctions. It’s either right or wrong, black or white. After all, in chip development, even the slightest mistake is unacceptable,” Xu Jiamu said with a faint expression. “However, since the new successor took over, Right and Wrong Tech has been on a downward spiral. It’s currently up for sale, and if there are no buyers, bankruptcy is likely.”

“Times change, people change,” she said without any emotional inflection.

Times change, people change.

Xin Nuo’s heart trembled. She gripped the chopsticks a little tighter, her mind besieged by countless troubling thoughts. Did Xu Jiamu ultimately acquire Right and Wrong Tech? Was the person who helped her in her past life really Xu Jiamu? If so, why did she help herself? Xu Heran was Xu Jiamu’s sister. Shouldn’t Xu Jiamu have resented her after Xu Heran’s death in her past life?

…Wait, should she really be comparing Xu Jiamu to people like Xing Yujin and the others, like Xing Jun, Ji Yichen, and Mu Yiyue?

In her past life, Xu Heran’s death was her own doing, but the fact remained that the Xu family had suffered a great deal due to Starlight Girl’s downfall, indirectly leading to Xu Heran’s tragic end. And throughout her past life, Xu Jiamu, as well as other members of the Xu family, never stepped forward.

Right and Wrong Tech supported her in dealing with her enemies, but they were also part of the three major backers who divided the spoils of Starlight Girl.

… Xin Nuo’s mind was in turmoil, unable to find a clear thread of thought.

Beside her, Xu Heran suddenly raised her hand and playfully poked Xin Nuo’s cheek.

“Still staring?” Xu Heran said discontentedly.

Xin Nuo’s gaze had been fixed on Xu Jiamu all this time, and Xu Heran had noticed how long she’d been looking. The young vice president of the Universal Group was elegant and graceful, always impeccably dressed, with a sophisticated and detached demeanor. Every strand of her hair exuded the mature charm of a person in power. Yet, here she was, hugging a milk carton and giggling to herself with a somewhat odd expression on her face.

Does Nuo Nuo like this?

“Just thinking about something,” Xin Nuo snapped out of her reverie, smiling.

Xu Heran inquired further, “What about?”

What could be so important to gaze at Xu Jiamu? Gaze at me!

“Well… I was wondering,” Xin Nuo tilted her head, her expression sincere and her tone gentle, “When I saw your family today, I suddenly got curious about what you were like before.”

In the moonlight of all the changes that happened, the you from before and the you now, as Xu Heran’s closest family, didn’t the Xu family notice something off?

“I used to…” Xu Heran’s eyes widened slightly, as if recalling. Xin Nuo looked at her profile, her blue-purple eyes shimmering with a misty light, her brow furrowing.

“I used to be pretty good!” Xu Heran suddenly declared.

“What’s good about it? You used to be so annoying!” Xu Junran interjected suddenly.

What!

Asking for trouble!

Xu Heran immediately glared at him.

Xin Nuo smiled and looked at Xu Junran, who had his arms crossed and was lazily leaning back in his chair. “Being clingy and acting cute all the time, tagging along wherever you go, and being noisy too. Are you really not annoying?”

“Tch!” Xu Heran huffed in exasperation, seeking help from Xu Jiamu. “Sister, Xu Junran is insulting me!”

“Insulting?” Xu Jiamu raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised. “Did he say anything wrong?”

Xin Nuo maintained her smile and observed their expressions without a word.

“I remember that Pearl used to be well-behaved before the age of five, soft and gentle, even a bit spoiled,” Xu Jiamu reminisced, “After school every day, she’d cling to me when I did my homework.”

In Xin Nuo’s mind, an image of a soft and squishy Little Pearl appeared, nestled in Xu Jiamu’s embrace. She chuckled lightly and asked, “What about after the age of five?”

“After the age of five…” Xu Jiamu’s gaze momentarily lost focus, her brow slightly furrowed with a distant look. After a while, she relaxed her brow amidst Xu Heran’s wary and guarded expression that seemed to say “You’re not allowed to say bad things about me.” The ice melted, and Xu Jiamu smiled gently. “After the age of five, she was still well-behaved, but this year’s belated puberty brought about rebellion and impoliteness. She argues with family members every day.”

“But it seems sending you back to the country was the right move. You only learn your lesson after facing consequences,” Xu Jiamu remarked.

Xu Heran made a face at Xu Jiamu and leaned against Xin Nuo, laughing.

No, that’s completely wrong.

Xin Nuo laughed, her heart racing.

She remembered from her previous life that after Xu Heran withdrew from the competition, someone had exposed her overseas life. Like all ignorant and arrogant wealthy second generations, she had been rude and insolent since childhood. She had bullied the weak at school due to her wealth and status, gathering a group of followers who were after her money. She lived a reckless life, day and night.

How could this be… the butterfly effect?

Was this Xu Heran meant to be this way in this world from the beginning?

“Speaking of which, I heard from Sister Cui about Xu Heran’s performance in the early stages of the show. Xu Heran, have you apologized to Xin Nuo?” Xu Jiamu asked.

Xu Heran smirked, “Of course! Maybe you didn’t watch the later episodes, you don’t know how much Nuo Nuo likes me now!”

“Oh?” Xu Jiamu assessed the phrase “Xin Nuo likes Xu Heran.” She looked at Xin Nuo and said, “Our little sister here is innocent and straightforward, as Junran mentioned, she’s quite clingy. I hope you can be patient with her.”

She smiled, “She hasn’t grown up yet.”

Xu Heran sat silently in the car, arms folded.

What exactly does it take to be perceived as grown up?

Little Pearl pondered with a tinge of melancholy.

Do I really need to be cold like my sister, distant from Nuo Nuo?

Seated beside her, Xin Nuo didn’t sense Little Pearl’s sadness. Xin Nuo looked out the window, the night scenery today wasn’t much different from yesterday, yet her mood was unusually good.

Xin Nuo felt that from now on, she could treat Little Pearl a bit better.

The black-haired girl tied up her long hair, intending to express concern to Xu Heran, but she noticed the girl beside her furtively playing with her phone.

“Hmm?” Xin Nuo leaned in, and her shadow fell on Xu Heran just as she saw Little Pearl with her pink bangs quickly twist to the side.

“You scared me!” Xu Heran’s gaze darted around, swallowing hard. She clutched her phone cautiously.

Xin Nuo narrowed her eyes. “Xu Heran, what are you sneakily looking at?”

“No, nothing. I was just chatting with Jiang Qiong!” Xu Heran puffed her chest.

“Jiang Qiong’s phone is locked in the storage room cabinet. Did she float in there to chat with you?” Xin Nuo immediately exposed her lie.

“Gulp.”

Xu Heran swallowed hard.

“Huh, lying?” Xin Nuo gave a cold smile. The person who had just resolved to treat Little Pearl better now felt a spark of anger ignite within her.

“I’ve sensed something off about you these past two days, Xu Heran. What are you hiding from me?” Xin Nuo recalled the hidden thoughts her companions had at this age when she was young. An unexpected idea rushed into her mind.

The black-haired girl’s gaze fell on Xu Heran’s face, observing her trembling pupils and guilty expression. Eventually, her gaze landed on the phone she was clutching—this appearance…

“Xu Heran, are you in love?” Xin Nuo asked coldly.

“Hiss—”

Xu Heran immediately sat up, frantically waving her hands. “How is that possible! Who am I in love with? We’re always together every day. If I were really in love, it would be with you!”

In the front seat of the car, only the driver was driving, and upon hearing Xu Heran’s retort, his lips twitched.

Xin Nuo didn’t believe her explanation. “We haven’t really met much this week.”

She said sarcastically, “Quite speedy, Xu Heran. I underestimated you.”

“Really, I haven’t!” Xu Heran exclaimed, her face turning red.

“Huh, no wonder you dyed your hair pink. Is your heart aflutter, Xu Heran? You’ve worked so hard to exercise your body, who are you trying to impress?” Xin Nuo leaned back in her seat, arms crossed, her gaze scornful. “Your taste in partners is quite high, huh? Can’t even satisfy them with that pretty face of yours?”

“I really haven’t, wuwuwu! Don’t just make things up!” Xu Heran patted the seat with a “slap, slap, slap.”

“Huh, young love. I’m going to tattle to Sister Cui.”

“Sister Cui won’t believe you either! She’s always with me. Aside from Sister Cui, I only have assistants and bodyguards around me!” Xu Heran felt wronged and resentful, “And the driver.”

Xin Nuo continued to be indifferent, “Oh, it’s an online romance then.”

Xu Heran: “???”

Xin Nuo looked at her pouting face, eyes sparkling with anger, lips slightly curved. She added fuel to the fire, “Getting angry from embarrassment?”

“I really haven’t! If you don’t believe me, take a look! If I have a romantic interest, I’ll eat my phone!” Xu Heran was furious, and she angrily held out her phone, “whoosh.”

Xin Nuo swiftly snatched the phone from her hand, leaning back into the soft, comfortable seat, and smiled gently.

“It would have been so much better if you’d given it to me earlier.”

Xu Heran: “…”

Xu Heran: “!!!”

How could there be such a Nuo Nuo!

“Wait a moment—” Xu Heran thought of what she had secretly checked and immediately pounced.

In her seat, Xin Nuo suddenly straightened her chest, holding the incoming Xu Heran in her arms. Her left arm wrapped around Xu Heran’s shoulder, fingers pressing against her cheek, while her right hand deliberately extended outward.

Maintaining the posture of embracing Xu Heran, she unlocked the screen.

“How many times have I told you to set a password,” Xin Nuo whispered.

In an instant, a gentle fragrance enveloped them, surrounding Xu Heran’s nerves. She was pinned by Xin Nuo against her shoulder and chest, her forehead pressed against the underside of Xin Nuo’s chin.

Xu Heran’s initial resistance crumbled away, and she loosened her grip, simply raising her hand to hold onto Xin Nuo’s body, using her own body to press Xin Nuo against the seat.

“Hmph!” she intentionally said.

“Mm-hmm,” Xin Nuo coaxed absentmindedly, her fingers gently massaging Xu Heran’s face.

The background of Xu Heran’s phone displayed a candid shot from the filming of “Starlight Girl.” In it, she was tiptoeing and leaning against Xin Nuo’s shoulder, both of them wearing matching smiles as they looked ahead in profile.

This photo had been stolen by Xu Heran from a fan.

Xin Nuo glanced over the phone’s home screen, pinching Xu Heran’s cheek playfully with her fingers. “Little Pearl?”

Little Pearl nestled in the crook of Xin Nuo’s shoulder.

Playing dead .jpg

“May I kindly request that Little Pearl refrain from stubborn resistance? Resisting is futile,” Xin Nuo playfully tapped on Xu Heran’s face as if playing a piano.

A certain Pearl, annoyed and defeated, turned her head and caught Xin Nuo’s finger between her teeth, rubbing against it.

Don’t call me “little.”

“Is it dirty?” Xin Nuo quickly withdrew her hand, lifting it to give a light pat on her raised rear end.

Xu Heran made a “hmph” sound, reluctantly extending her finger, suspended in the air. Xin Nuo chuckled, gripping her finger and implored the Pearl Princess to lower herself, poking the finger onto the phone screen.

The slender fingertip glided across the screen, the pale tip landing on the search button at the bottom corner.

With a single tap, an unclosed webpage appeared with a “whoosh.”

Xin Nuo’s eyes lit up as she looked at the screen. Upon seeing it, she nearly burst out laughing.

【How to Grow Up Faster?】

Neatly arranged below were countless links. The top one was a spiritual tonic, talking about not forcing oneself to grow up too quickly, followed by links on how to make your plants grow faster at home, how to quickly advance in the workplace, and various miscellaneous advertisements.

Xin Nuo furrowed her brows. She said, “Don’t look at these things.” She didn’t believe for a moment that Little Pearl had only searched for this one topic. In front of Xu Heran, she opened the search history and sure enough:

The search time was set a week ago, and it was full of searches like “How to be an adult,” “What are the signs of being an adult,” “Isn’t sixteen considered an adult?” “Is being called cute all the time a sign of immaturity?” and other similar searches.

“Hahaha…”

Listening to Xin Nuo’s laughter, Xu Heran tried to bury herself deeper into Xin Nuo’s shoulder while muttering in frustration, “Stop laughing! If you laugh again, I’ll bite you! Ahhh!”

Xin Nuo raised her hand, wiping away the tears at the corner of her eyes, and took a gentle breath.

“Wanna bite me? But we adults don’t just go around biting people, you know!”

Xu Heran: “…”

Darn it!

A certain Pearl had reached her breaking point. “Then if you laugh again, I’ll kiss you!”

Xin Nuo: “…”

“A passionate kiss!”

Xin Nuo felt threatened and let out a long sigh. She casually clicked on one of the links.

The content led to a chat between Xu Heran and customer service. She must have accidentally clicked on an advertisement. The customer service greeted her warmly and asked for her age, name, phone number, and physical information.

Customer Service: “Don’t be shy. You’ve come to us, and we are dedicated to solving your troubles and relieving your worries.”

Xu Heran honestly asked, “Relieving my worries? Uh, is that how it’s used?”

“Uh, do you want to ‘grow up’? To rejuvenate the spirit of manhood?” The customer service struggled to steer the conversation towards their products. “We proudly present the Emperor’s Package: three treatment sessions with a full refund if there are no results!”

“?” Xu Heran was perplexed. “But I’m a girl.”

Can you rejuvenate the Pearl spirit?

“Girl, you’re a girl. That’s okay. Let me transfer you to our breast enhancement product customer service!” The customer service remained enthusiastic.

“Wait, aren’t you supposed to be a psychological counselor?” Xu Heran remembered clicking on the link for psychological counseling!

“Well… we can also provide that service. Do you have any troubles? Choose Strong Brother, choose professionalism. We can do anything to make you feel at home.”

Xu Heran had already thought of running, but the next words from the customer service in the pop-up window made her hesitate and pause.

“Why do you want to grow up?”

Through the virtual world, Xu Heran honestly replied, “I don’t want someone to treat me like a child.”

The customer service behind the keyboard understood with a clacking sound. Ah, the pain of adolescence and a crush on a younger girl, without the experience of society’s harsh reality!

The customer service advised with a gentle tone, “There’s no need to force change. Changing oneself is difficult, while growing up is a natural process. Those who like you will ultimately like everything about you. What they love should be the real you.”

“Of course, if you really want to grow up quickly and possess the charm of an adult woman, I must recommend our breast enhancement product, the Queen’s Package, three treatment sessions with a full refund if there are no results. Choose Strong Sister, choose professionalism. We…”

“Pff—hahaha, hahaha!”

Xu Heran and Xin Nuo had known each other for so long, but she had never heard her laugh so happily and vivaciously!

“Ran Ran, hahaha, Ran Ran, you…” Xin Nuo suddenly dropped her phone, turned around, and hugged Xu Heran tightly, massaging her back with her hand, “Why are you so cute, Little Pearl, hahaha.”

Xu Heran’s face scrunched up, but Xin Nuo held onto her tightly, and she felt a bit happy deep down.

Show some spirit, Xu Heran!

Encouraging herself in her mind, Xu Heran decided she would push her away now, deny her, and tell her that she was serious and couldn’t be praised for being cute so easily.

Go for it, Xu Heran!

Xu Heran took a deep breath. At this moment, Xin Nuo, who was holding her tightly, suddenly released her, sat up, and cradled Xu Heran’s face.

In Xin Nuo’s pitch-black, bright eyes, there seemed to be a night full of pear blossoms, blooming extravagantly. A rain of flowers swayed and fell onto the surface of the lantern-filled river, soft radiance reflected in the sparkling river water. Amidst the white pear blossoms and their gentle fragrance, a profound and lingering meaning was carried.

“You truly are a treasure, my Little Pearl.” Xin Nuo’s eyes curved, and her hands gently held Xu Heran’s face. She smiled deeply, suddenly lowered her head, and her lips brushed against Xu Heran’s cheek.

Boom—

Xu Heran’s eyes widened suddenly, the unexpected warmth on her cheek startling her heart into a rapid “thump-thump.”

What, what just happened?

“Oh my goodness, Little Pearl, Xu Heran, don’t grow up, okay? Sister will always cherish you. Can you always be Sister’s Little Pearl?”

Xin Nuo rarely displayed her emotions, but this time, she couldn’t restrain herself. She looked at Xu Heran in surprise, with a hint of shy purple-blue in her eyes. The more she thought about it, the funnier it seemed.

So, she lowered her head again and pressed her lips against Xu Heran’s eyelid.

“Is that okay, Pearl?”

Her voice, gentle and fragrant like roses, was like a potion brewed by a witch. With a “pop,” she uncorked the bottle and let a drop fall onto Xu Heran’s ear, pouring it into Xu Heran’s heart.

Nuo Nuo kissed me…

Little Pearl, who had fantasized about this many times, was dumbfounded. From her ears to her cheeks, her neck, and her chest, a continuous blush spread.

It was two kisses!

Two kisses!

Nuo Nuo, kissed me!

Completely enticed, Xu Heran immediately cast aside the week-long dilemma, who cares about growing up or staying immature. I, Xu Heran, am making a declaration right here.

I, Little Pearl, am cute!

I, Xu Heran, want to be kissed by Nuo Nuo!

I, Pearl Aston, won’t grow up anymore!

Only dogs grow up!

“Woof!”

Xu Heran held up a milk carton and exclaimed in a frustrated tone.

Cui Qi, who was giving her calcium tablets, froze, “Did you just bark?”

Is this child half-asleep?

Xu Heran spoke with a tone that saw through the world’s troubles, deeply profound, “No wonder heroes have a hard time at the beauty’s doorstep. Today, I finally understand.”

Cui Qi: “???”

What about the thermometer?

“Sigh, you wouldn’t understand,” Xu Heran finished off the calcium tablets and trace mineral supplements her mother had sent based on her body’s data, and downed the daily air-shipped fresh milk, wiping the milk stain from the corner of her mouth.

“Does Pearl Aston’s growth have anything to do with me, Xu Heran, or with my Little Pearl? Our goal is to reverse the situation with Xin Nuo!” Xu Heran muttered to herself, deciding that she would have her family change how they addressed her when she returned home, forgetting her foreign name.

As long as nobody calls her that, she won’t have that name!

“Oh, by the way, Miss Xu sent a package.” Cui Qi placed a paper bag on Xu Heran’s desk.

A knock on the door sounded from outside, and Xin Nuo’s voice followed.

“Pearl?”

“Pearl, dear Nuo Nuo, come on in,” Xu Heran knelt on the carpet, unwrapping the gift.

The Miss Xu that Cui Qi referred to was Xu Heran’s mother. Inside the paper bag was an exquisite box. Xu Heran opened it, revealing a card on top and a pearl pendant below. The silver-gray pearl, about the length of a fingertip, was exquisitely round and smooth, reflecting shades of blue and purple light. The pearl was wrapped in delicate golden and silver rings, adorned with traditional Chinese knots and tassels.

The entire pendant was the length of a palm.

Xu Heran read the note with a smile, “It’s a gift from Grandma.”

She held up two pearl pendants and handed them to Xin Nuo and Cui Qi respectively.

“Here you go! The red knot underneath was woven by my grandma herself. She really likes Chinese culture and believes that Chinese knots possess a mysterious power that brings good luck to people.”

“On my grandfather’s fishing boat, there hangs a huge Chinese knot. Every time my grandfather catches a big fish, my grandma claims it’s the mysterious power of the East at work.” Xu Heran burst into laughter. “Is it okay?” Xin Nuo hesitated a bit, but… that’s from Lady Diana.

The internationally renowned movie star, Lady Diana!

Xin Nuo had practiced her acting while watching Lady Diana’s films.

“Of course it’s okay! You have to be the first person to receive the gift! My grandma says she really likes you. If there’s a chance, she hopes to meet you and would like to treat you to some homemade cookies.” Xu Heran looked left and right, not sure where to hang the pendant for Xin Nuo.

Xin Nuo cherished the silver pearl as she gently touched it. She glanced around and finally lifted Xu Heran’s pillow, tucking the pearl pendant underneath.

“I’ll come get it tonight.”

Xin Nuo was conflicted, and Cui Qi was even more conflicted.

“It’s okay, my grandma made many of these. She gave me twenty. My grandma says that only the good luck shared with others will come back to you.” Xu Heran stuffed the pearl pendant into Xin Nuo’s hand, hugged the box, and held Xin Nuo’s hand as they walked out.

“Where are you taking them?”

“I’m going to give them to everyone! I can’t use them all myself.” Xu Heran confidently justified herself, and Cui Qi covered her chest, taking a sharp breath.

“It’s not something valuable. The pearls are from our own farm, and the Chinese knots are woven by my grandma herself. The gold in them might be worth a few hundred dollars at most,” Xu Heran said while sharing, smiling slyly.

Xin Nuo’s smile flickered slightly, and she exhaled softly.

With such high-quality top-grade pearls and world-class actress’s handmade Chinese knots, they truly weren’t worth much.

Little Pearl, redefining affordability.

Xu Heran hadn’t thought so much. Her grandmother mentioned in the letter that she was worried Xu Heran might not get along well with the other kids, so she prepared gifts for her. Exchanging gifts with friends could help strengthen relationships.

In the eyes of Diana, who played the role of a grandmother, these girls, the oldest being in their early twenties, were all just kids.

“Is it really for me?” Jiang Qiong trembled as she held it in both hands. “So dazzling, so bright. I’ll treat it as a family heirloom!”

“Who else?” Xu Heran was like a vendor fresh from a wholesale market, her fingers adorned with pendants. She calculated in her mind, “Definitely the Old Team Ten , and Team One as well. Who else should I give them to? Oh well, I’ll give them to whoever I meet!”

Shu Yuemeng, Sang Shiyi, Jing Rui, and also Mu Yueliang, Youyou, Luo Xi, and Sasa… Xu Heran kept one for herself and finally stuffed the last one into the hands of a passing assistant director.

Assistant Director: “…”

Hey, a stroke of luck!

I should buy a lottery ticket!

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis

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