The Beautiful Older Sister I Picked Up Is Good at Flirting - Chapter 62

Chapter 62

 

Fu Siyi’s expression froze instantly. “Something happened? What happened to her?”

 

Ying Gu lowered her gaze, her voice heavy. “I noticed Cen Wan hadn’t been in a good mood these past few days, so I brought her to eat with us in the servants’ dining room. The TV in there happened to be showing Madam’s speech… It was a live broadcast, so the footage was real-time. We were just complimenting how nice Madam looked, when suddenly a man in black rushed the stage with a knife and started slashing wildly…”

 

Fu Siyi’s voice rose sharply. “Where is she now? Is she hurt?”

 

Ying Gu’s eyes were bloodshot, anxiety written all over her face. “We don’t know yet. Madam’s phone is off, and no one’s answering Sheng Rou’s number…”

 

“Xia Chenxiao was standing right next to Madam—she seemed to shield her. Then both of them fell to the ground. We couldn’t tell if they were injured, and then the footage cut out. Everything was chaos…”

 

Fu Siyi’s mind went blank for a few seconds before she forced herself to stay calm and quickly organized her thoughts. “Grandma, have Uncle Zhong prepare the car. Take me to the hospital.”

 

Ying Gu hesitated. “Miss Siyi, which hospital?”

 

“Z City’s main square is closest to the People’s Hospital. That’s the most likely place. And…” Fu Siyi lowered her voice, “Tell Assistant Jiang to prepare a few cars with local Z City plates and have them wait at the highway entrance. Our license plate stands out too much—it’ll attract the reporters.”

 

Fu Siyi didn’t dare waste a moment. She quickly changed clothes and went downstairs, where she saw Cen Wan sitting in a lounge chair in the main hall, appearing relaxed as she read the newspaper. But her pale, almost translucent complexion and the redness in her eyes betrayed her inner panic.

 

Fu Siyi sat down beside her and gently comforted her. “Don’t worry, Aunt Wan. I’ve already asked Uncle Zhong to get the car ready. We’ll be heading to the hospital soon.”

 

Just then, her phone rang. Fu Siyi pulled it out and saw that it was Sheng Rou calling.

 

She glanced at Cen Wan and deliberately turned on the speaker so she could hear the update about Fu Weirong immediately.

 

“Assistant Sheng, how’s my mother?”

 

“Madam was cut on the arm. Luckily, Madam Xia shielded her—otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable… The doctors have already dressed her wound. She’s awake now and in stable condition.”

 

Fu Siyi and Cen Wan exchanged a look, both visibly relieved.

 

Fu Siyi finally let her guard down a little. “Which hospital are you at? I’ll come right away.”

 

On the other end, Sheng Rou’s voice turned urgent. “No, please don’t, Miss Siyi. The hospital is swarming with reporters—they’ve even blocked the entrances. If you come now, they’ll chase you down for answers about the attack. It’ll be a huge mess…”

 

Fu Siyi frowned, displeased. “It’s no big deal. If they question me, I’ll just be honest and say I know nothing about it.”

 

Sheng Rou’s tone grew firm. “Miss Siyi, even if you come, we can’t open the door to let you in. I’d rather be scolded by Madam than risk it. This is the most crucial period in the campaign—any slip-up could ruin everything.”

 

Fu Siyi began to suspect that Sheng Rou was deliberately blocking her. “Assistant Sheng, please put my mother on the phone. I’d like to say a few words to her.”

 

“Madam is in a meeting, handling the press situation,” Sheng Rou replied.

 

Fu Siyi lowered her eyes, her lashes hiding the cold glint in her gaze. “Assistant Sheng, I want to see my mother. You won’t open the door if I go in person. Now you won’t even let me talk to her on the phone. Why are you blocking me again and again?”

 

Sheng Rou’s voice was low and carefully worded. “I wouldn’t dare block you, Miss Siyi. The circumstances are difficult—I hope you’ll understand. I’ll be sure to pass on your concern to Madam. I must go now, there are other matters to handle.”

 

The call ended.

 

Cen Wan’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, which she barely managed to hold back.

 

She and Fu Weirong had once been close to marriage. To say she wasn’t worried would be a lie.

 

She looked up at Fu Siyi, her expression helpless and panicked. “What do we do, Siyi? Is Sheng Rou trying to keep your mom under house arrest?”

 

Fu Siyi shook her head and calmly analyzed, “I don’t think so. Besides Sheng Rou, my mom has several other long-time aides who wouldn’t just sit by. And putting my mom under house arrest would do Sheng Rou no good—she’s not stupid enough to act recklessly.”

 

Cen Wan grabbed her arm, anxious. “Then what should we do now?”

 

Fu Siyi had a theory, but it wasn’t yet confirmed. She needed time to verify it—and she didn’t even know where to start.

 

She remembered something from her psychology class at Alpha Girls’ School: the teacher once told a story about a girl who met a boy she liked at a funeral. Later, she killed her own sister just to hold another funeral and see the boy again.

 

The teacher called that psychopathy.

 

Fu Siyi thought Xia Chenxiao fit that profile too. Her behavior couldn’t be judged by normal reasoning. If she was right, Xia Chenxiao didn’t shield Fu Weirong out of loyalty—she had another motive.

 

Xia Chenxiao was hypocritical, manipulative, cold-blooded and ruthless. Yet to her only daughter, Xia Yicheng, she was doting to the extreme—like she was her whole world.

 

Her real aim must’ve been for Xia Yicheng.

 

Could it be… Xia Chenxiao planned to use the favor of saving her mother to force her to marry Xia Yicheng?

 

The next second, Fu Siyi rejected the idea.

 

Xia Chenxiao was too cunning to do something so blunt. She knew Fu Siyi and Fu Weirong weren’t close anymore, and Fu Siyi now had power of her own—Fu Weirong no longer had influence over her. Xia Chenxiao wouldn’t bother with such a crude trick.

 

Then… what was she trying to gain for her daughter?

 

And Sheng Rou—what role was she playing in this?

 

Fu Siyi fell deep into thought, still unable to piece it all together. As she rubbed her temples, trying to think, Ying Gu suddenly rushed in, hesitating. “Miss Siyi, Miss Xia Yicheng is outside. She says she wants to see you.”

 

Fu Siyi frowned and said coolly, “No.”

 

Ying Gu glanced at her, then looked at Cen Wan, hesitating again. “She said… she knows a way to see Madam.”

 

Fu Siyi’s pupils shrank slightly, as if something suddenly clicked in her mind. The fog began to lift—some things were finally becoming clear.

 

Her silence was misunderstood by Cen Wan, who rejected for her, “Tell her to leave, Ying. We don’t need her help.”

 

“Wait.” Fu Siyi lifted her eyes slightly. Her face was calm, unreadable.

 

Her voice was steady. “Grandma, have Miss Xia wait outside. I’ll change and come down.”

 

Cen Wan looked confused. “Siyi, you—”

 

“Aunt Wan, now isn’t the time to be proud or stubborn. We have to see my mother. Besides…” Fu Siyi’s tone was serene, but her words hinted at something deeper, “There are still some things I don’t understand. Maybe once we’ve met, everything will become clear.”

 

…

 

Before leaving, Fu Siyi went to check on her sister. Perhaps due to a period of dependence, her sister slept uneasily—curled up into a ball, occasionally twitching in her sleep.

 

Her skin looked pale and fragile under the lamp, her long lashes casting soft shadows.

 

Fu Siyi pulled the blanket up gently, brushing her fingertips along the side of her sister’s neck, where a faint red gland mark had formed on her delicate skin.

 

She leaned down, hugging Fan Zhen close, kissing her lightly on the neck. As she pulled back, Fan Zhen twitched again.

 

Fu Siyi quickly released her own scent gland, letting her Alpha pheromones diffuse. A crisp, woody scent spread out like a warm glass greenhouse, enveloping the Omega inside.

 

Gradually, Fan Zhen settled down, murmuring softly and leaning into her arms like seeking shelter.

 

Fu Siyi rested her face in Fan Zhen’s fragrant, soft hair and whispered, “Sister, no matter what happens, I will never leave you. Never.”

 

…

 

Xia Yicheng seemed to have toned down her temper. When Ying Gu told her to wait outside the gate, she really did stand there quietly—no noise, no fuss, wearing a polite smile the entire time.

 

When Fu Siyi and Cen Wan came out, she timidly stepped forward, greeted “Aunt Wan,” then turned to Fu Siyi with an obvious look of eagerness and humility.

 

She stared at Fu Siyi, her face unable to hide the joy. “Siyi…”

 

“Let’s go. To the hospital,” Fu Siyi said coldly. Her eyes didn’t even linger on Xia Yicheng, her tone distant like she was speaking to a stranger.

 

Xia Yicheng bit her lip and followed silently.

 

Fu Siyi and Cen Wan sat in the backseat, leaving the passenger seat for Xia Yicheng to avoid close contact.

 

After exiting the highway, they spotted a vehicle from the Z City Emergency Center waiting at the roadside. They boarded it, changed into prepared white coats, put on masks, and managed to slip past the reporters.

 

They entered the hospital through the inpatient department, where someone led them through the fire escape to a hidden private ward.

 

At the door, Cen Wan suddenly stopped and didn’t go further. “Siyi, you go in. I’ll wait outside.”

 

Fu Siyi understood the internal conflict between her desire to see and fear of seeing Fu Weirong. She didn’t insist. “Alright. I’ll talk to Mom and be out soon.”

 

Cen Wan nodded and leaned against the wall, faintly hearing Fu Weirong’s intermittent coughing inside, her heart tightening with sorrow.

 

Fu Weirong and Xia Chenxiao still had enough influence in Su Nation to get a quiet room to recover in peace.

 

The ward was large and lavish, looking more like a luxury hotel room than a hospital.

 

As Fu Siyi approached the bed, she saw Xia Chenxiao there too—her bed right next to Fu Weirong’s. The two women were happily chatting, but looked up in unison when they heard someone enter.

 

Xia Yicheng rushed forward, throwing herself into her mother’s arms, sobbing. “You scared me to death. Aunt Fu told me you were attacked—I nearly passed out… Xia Chenxiao, if you ever scare me like that again, I swear I’ll never speak to you again!”

 

Xia Chenxiao gently patted her back, helpless yet indulgent. Then, looking at Fu Weirong somewhat awkwardly, she said, “This child—spoiled by me. Calling me by name like that. Not afraid your Aunt Fu will laugh at you.”

 

Though she scolded her, the corners of her mouth were curved high in a smile.

 

Fu Weirong looked at the mother and daughter hugging warmly, then glanced at Fu Siyi—standing quietly several meters away. Aside from asking, “How are you?” when she entered, she hadn’t spoken another word.

 

The relationship between her and Fu Siyi had always been this cold and distant.

 

Everything Fu Siyi experienced—whether in academics or in life—was never something she shared with her. And she herself had been so immersed in politics that she never actively asked either. Many times, she didn’t even make a single consoling phone call.

 

Between her and Fu Siyi, there was nothing but bl00d ties. No other connection.

 

They were never like the Xia mother and daughter—hugging each other intimately without restraint.

 

A pang of regret passed through Fu Weirong’s heart. She realized that she had truly failed as a mother.

 

She lifted her eyes to look at Fu Siyi, her gaze unconsciously softening.
“Siyi, your Aunt Xia and I just discussed this. We’re going to have you go to Italy with Yicheng. Go home and get ready—you’ll be leaving in three days.”

 

Fu Siyi’s body stiffened suddenly, a chill spreading from the crown of her head, piercing through her entire body.

 

In that moment, she finally understood Xia Chenxiao’s true intention.

 

Xia Chenxiao was ambitious. She couldn’t wait for Fu Weirong to lose the election—why would she risk her life to block a knife for her?

 

So that entire dramatic scene was just an act—to tie her and Xia Yicheng completely together.

 

Fu Siyi even suspected that this so-called attack wasn’t an unexpected incident at all—but rather a performance written and directed by Xia Chenxiao herself.

 

Fu Siyi furrowed her brows, the tenderness in her eyes toward her mother vanishing completely, leaving only indifference and distance.

 

She spoke coldly:
“I’m not going.”

 

As soon as the words fell, Xia Yicheng’s smile froze, and Fu Weirong’s expression darkened.
“I wasn’t discussing this with you. I’m informing you. You have to go. Your Aunt Xia has already arranged everything in Italy. Once you get there, help take care of Yicheng…”

 

Fu Siyi wouldn’t have lived abroad with Xia Yicheng even before—now it was absolutely impossible. She wouldn’t leave Fan Zhen behind to travel the world with another Omega.

 

Her sister was already her Omega. She would never leave her in this lifetime. Nothing could separate them—except death.

 

Fu Siyi rejected her flatly:
“I’m already 24 years old, a legal adult. I have the right to decide where I live.”

 

Fu Weirong was so angry she suddenly began to cough violently. She clutched her chest, missing the flash of cold malice in Xia Chenxiao’s eyes—a flicker that did not escape Fu Siyi’s notice.

 

Fu Weirong finally stopped coughing and lifted her injured arm, shouting sternly:
“If you stay here, you’ll be attacked just like me. You could die, do you understand?”

 

Fu Siyi pretended not to know, replying casually:
“Didn’t you tell the reporters that the attack had nothing to do with politics? That the attacker was mentally unstable and just wanted to lash out at society?”

 

“Lash out my ass!” Fu Weirong’s hands trembled, her face flushing liver-red with anger.
“That was all for public appearance. Your Aunt Xia and I agreed: any news about me getting attacked right now is politically damaging—especially an assassination attempt. Voters will lose confidence in me. The truth is, someone really wants me dead. If your Aunt Xia hadn’t blocked that knife for me, I’d be a corpse by now!”

 

Fu Siyi gave Xia Chenxiao a long, unreadable glance and asked meaningfully:
“Who is it that wants to assassinate you?”

 

Fu Weirong instinctively shook her head:
“I don’t know. Probably a political enemy. They’re hidden in the shadows—hard to trace.”

 

She looked at Fu Siyi, her tone softening:
“Siyi, I’m sending you abroad in such a rush for your own good. It’s too dangerous for you to stay here.”

 

A mocking smile curled on Fu Siyi’s lips:
“If they really want to kill me, they’ll find me even if I escape to the ends of the earth. Besides, what do they gain from killing me? Mom, worry about yourself. You’re not young anymore. Why keep chasing after something as fleeting as power?”

 

“Mom, Aunt Wan has waited for you for so many years. Can’t you give her an official place by your side? Please don’t hurt her anymore. Let go of fame and gain, and enjoy the rest of your life with her. Can’t you?”

 

Seeing she couldn’t persuade her daughter, Fu Weirong’s tone turned harsh:
“Are you leaving or not?”

 

Fu Siyi clashed with her head-on:
“No!”

 

Fu Weirong inhaled sharply and said coldly:
“Then I’ll have someone drag you away.”

 

Fu Siyi raised her head, back straight as a rod:
“Unless you plan to keep me locked up forever—or break my legs—otherwise, if you send me off today, I’ll be back tomorrow.”

 

“You…” Fu Weirong’s arms fell weakly at her sides as she sighed:
“You’re really not afraid of dying?”

 

Fu Siyi lowered her gaze to hide the sorrow in her eyes.

 

She feared nothing—except being separated from her sister.

 

Xia Chenxiao cut in at the right moment, her smile layered with subtle menace though it was quickly masked:
“She’s right, Siyi. Staying here is too dangerous. Your mother just wants what’s best for you.”

 

Fu Siyi suppressed the sarcasm tugging at her lips:
“If they want to kill me, what’s the difference whether I’m in Su Country or Italy? Madam Xia, do you really think they can’t afford a plane ticket?”

 

Xia Chenxiao knew when to retreat. After being rebuked, she gave an awkward smile and said nothing more.

 

Fu Weirong murmured:
“I understand now. They’re not trying to kill you—you’re not even the one running for office…”

 

She really had no way of handling Fu Siyi. In her anger and desperation, she blurted out the truth:
“I’m afraid they’ll kidnap you… Siyi, your Aunt Xia is right. If you’re abroad, it’s much harder for them to kidnap you. But in Su Country? Way too easy. If you stay here, you’ll be a liability to me…”

 

“Oh? So you’ve finally said what’s really in your heart?” Fu Siyi stared straight at her, eyes misted with unshed tears.
“You’re not afraid I’ll die. You’re afraid I’ll drag you down, aren’t you?”

 

Even with such a strained mother-daughter bond, hearing her mother say this with her own mouth still broke Fu Siyi’s heart.

 

Fu Weirong realized she’d misspoken and tried to salvage it:
“I… I didn’t mean that. I just…”

 

“Mom, stop talking…” Fu Siyi’s nose burned painfully with held-back tears, but she forced herself to hold them in. Her voice, though, wavered with emotion:
“If they do kidnap me to force you to drop out of the race, then just tell them: you can give up your daughter—I’ll never let you withdraw!”

 

“Mom, life and death are up to fate. If you don’t save me, I won’t blame you.”

 

Fu Weirong was stung by the deadness in Fu Siyi’s eyes. She wanted to make it right but had no idea how.

 

“Siyi, that’s not what I meant! I’d never abandon you—don’t overthink it…”

 

“I get it. I’m your daughter, so you would save me. But if you lost the election because of me, you’d never let it go.”

 

Fu Siyi slowly walked toward the door. When she passed by Cen Wan, she deliberately avoided eye contact—afraid Cen Wan would see the redness in her eyes and feel sad. At the door, she paused, voice tight with emotion:

 

“Life and death. Fame and gain. I’ve long since let go. You’re the one who can’t. Mom, you’ve spent your whole second half of life chasing these things. Was it really worth it?”

 

She walked out of the room without looking back, leaving the others stunned into silence.

 

Xia Chenxiao was about to speak up again when a blur of motion flashed past her eyes.

 

“Fu Weirong, are you even human? How could you say such things? If you don’t want Siyi, I do! I told you before—Siyi is my child. If you dare hurt her, I’ll fight you with everything I have!”

 

Seeing Cen Wan appear before her, Fu Weirong couldn’t believe her eyes. She blinked hard to make sure she wasn’t seeing things. When she was certain it was real, a small smile crept to her lips:
“Wanwan, you came to see me?”

 

A ridiculous sense of self-inflicted misery welled up in Cen Wan. Coming to see Fu Weirong felt like the biggest mistake she could have made.

 

She closed her eyes, her voice trembling like a floating thread:
“Fu Weirong, have you ever cared about your daughter? All you do is impose your own will on her. You’ve never once asked what Siyi really wants. When she was 12, before her secondary gender differentiated, you forced her into an Alpha girls’ school. Do you even know what she went through then?”

 

Thinking of that time, Cen Wan still felt scared:
“She was bullied by classmates—did you know that? Every day she came home without saying a word, wouldn’t eat dinner, and didn’t smile for weeks. Of course, you didn’t know. You never once looked at her…”

 

“I begged the principal and got a job in the school cafeteria just to secretly keep an eye on her. That’s how I found out she was being bullied. I stormed into her classroom with a kitchen knife and told everyone: if any of you touch Fu Siyi again, I’ll go to jail for her if I have to.”

 

“Where were you then, Fu Weirong? Off at a social event, paving your way to political success.” Cen Wan’s heart ached for Fu Siyi, and she also regretted leaving halfway, missing out on years of her daughter’s life.

 

Disappointment, guilt, pain, resentment… all of it crashed over her. Cen Wan’s tears fell freely and fast:
“Fu Weirong, do me and Siyi combined still matter less to you than power?”

 

She took a few steps toward the door, then turned around, her teary eyes fixed on Fu Weirong. Her voice was more exhausted than ever:
“Fu Weirong, I’m truly disappointed in you…”

 

Fu Weirong clearly saw the light fade from Cen Wan’s eyes. She could endure her temporary absence, her avoidance—but not her love vanishing completely.

 

She ripped out her IV and rushed after her, grabbing Cen Wan from behind:
“Wanwan, don’t go… I won’t force Siyi anymore… I was wrong… I won’t make her do anything against her will again… please don’t ignore me…”

 

Cen Wan coldly shook off her hand—but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t pry free.

 

“Let me go!”

 

Fu Weirong looked straight into her alluring fox-like eyes, her voice low:
“Wanwan, please don’t leave…”

 

Cen Wan stomped hard on her foot. Fu Weirong cried out in pain and let go. Cen Wan shot her a glare:
“Fu Weirong, stop forcing your will on Siyi. If you do, you really will lose your only daughter.”

 

With that, Cen Wan walked out without a backward glance.

 

Xia Chenxiao glared venomously at Cen Wan’s departing figure. In her eyes, a terrifying, bone-chilling murderous intent began to brew.