I'm the demise's white moonlight of the bigshot - Chapter 63-Part 1
Chapter 63-Part 1
Ji Ran did not take back that heart-shaped wish card.
Because that wish was also hers. When you like someone, you realize how ridiculous it was to scoff at those who constantly talked about love and affection.
But now, she truly understood that these feelings are not laughable.
No one ever knows how sincere one’s feelings can be when they like someone.
At this moment, Ji Ran lay on her bed, her mind filled with the image of Shen Zhi standing in front of her, eyes slightly lowered, softly making his wish. At that moment, she really wanted to hug him.
She wanted to tell him that as long as it was him, she was willing to work hard for it for a lifetime.
Just as Ji Ran was lying on her bed, unable to suppress her laughter, her phone in her coat pocket suddenly rang. When she answered, she found it was a call from Pei Yuan.
Pei Yuan asked immediately, “You have a holiday today, right? I’ve booked a ticket for you for tomorrow. Come home for the New Year.”
A few days ago, Pei Yuan had called Ji Ran and learned the specific date of her holiday, so today’s call was no surprise.
Ji Ran responded softly, indicating that she understood.
Pei Yuan’s attitude towards her had always been one of informing rather than asking. She only needed to tell Ji Ran the outcome without seeking her opinion.
After Ji Ran quietly agreed, there was silence on the other end.
After a moment, Pei Yuan calmly asked, “Have your exam results come out?”
Ji Ran couldn’t help but clench her palm. She was quite afraid of discussing her grades with Pei Yuan, but she had no choice but to speak up now. She said softly, “I got my report card today. I ranked second in the grade and also second in the entire city.”
Ji Ran made sure to emphasize that she was second in the city.
But there was no immediate response from the other end. After a few seconds, Pei Yuan’s voice slowly came through, “Second again?”
Clearly, her tone revealed her dissatisfaction.
She was not pleased that Ji Ran was second once more.
Ji Ran remained silent.
Pei Yuan was the first to speak again, “Ran Ran, it’s not that I’m demanding too much from you or being overly critical. But have you considered that, compared to before, your exam results this semester have declined?”
It wasn’t that Pei Yuan had overly high expectations for Ji Ran; it’s just that Ji Ran had always been that exemplary child, always ranking first.
In her view, if Ji Ran didn’t come first, it was a failure.
Second place was meaningless because it still meant being overshadowed by someone else.
“Ran Ran, you might think I’m too strict, but I gave you a semester of freedom. The fact is, being with your father has only made you slack off.”
“Ji Qingli can’t raise you properly.”
Ji Ran finally couldn’t hold back and said in a low voice, “Mom, when you agreed to let me choose Dad, was it because of this?”
To prove that being with Ji Qingli would only make her regress, so Pei Yuan had agreed so readily.
Pei Yuan’s attitude was calm, her tone revealing little fluctuation. She only said, “Now the facts are in front of us.”
She seemed to sense Ji Ran’s emotional turmoil and added, “We’ll discuss this further when you come back.”
Then the call ended.
Ji Ran lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She knew what Pei Yuan meant, thinking her decline in grades was due to being with Ji Qingli.
If she had no particular feelings towards City B before, now she had met so many people here.
Not only the person she liked but also friends.
Here, she understood what it felt like to like someone and how joyful it could be to simply chat with friends.
Even in her previous life working in City B, she had never felt like this.
The city no longer felt strange and overwhelming but warm.
In the evening, Ji Ran went downstairs to find Ji Qingli, who hadn’t been home for several days. This was the end of the year, the busiest time for the company, and Ji Qingli had attended several annual meetings.
Jiang Liqi was bustling around, looking particularly attentive.
As they sat down to eat, Ji Ran suddenly remembered and said, “Dad, I’m going back to Jiangdu tomorrow.”
Ji Qingli had no immediate reaction, but Jiang Liqi’s eyebrows arched slightly, showing interest. Although Ji Qingli now resided mainly in City B, Jiangdu was still the family’s hometown.
Moreover, Ji Ran’s grandparents still lived in Jiangdu.
Jiang Liqi had only visited them once right after getting married, and the elderly couple had been kind but distant.
Even when the news of her pregnancy spread, the old couple had no reaction.
But Jiang Liqi was persistent. She didn’t believe the elderly couple wouldn’t like their biological grandchild. So, upon hearing that Ji Ran was returning to Jiangdu for the New Year, she was moved.
Since marrying into a wealthy family, she had made many acquaintances among the elite and attended various social gatherings.
During these chats, it was common to hear about extravagant rewards for pregnancies or the birth of a grandson, often involving cash or property. Some even received company shares.
Jiang Liqi believed the elderly couple hadn’t acted because they were too far away. This time, she could use the New Year visit to make an impression.
So she asked Ji Qingli, “Qingli, are we also going back to Jiangdu for the New Year?”
Ji Qingli nodded, “In a couple of days. We have to attend an important family friend’s banquet the day after tomorrow. After that, we’ll return.”
Ji Ran wasn’t interested in this, as Pei Yuan had already booked her a ticket for tomorrow.
Unexpectedly, Ji Qingli said, “Ran Ran should come with us.”
“Me?” Ji Ran immediately looked up at him.
At this moment, Jiang Yi, sitting next to Jiang Liqi, couldn’t help but poke at her rice with chopsticks. She had been eager since Ji Qingli mentioned the banquet.
She had never attended such a formal banquet, where one wears elegant dresses and holds crystal glasses in a grand hall.
Jiang Yi had only seen such scenes on TV.
Her thoughts were racing, but Ji Ran frowned slightly and said reluctantly, “I’ve never really liked these banquets. Besides, mom has already booked my ticket to Jiangdu.”
“This is a family friend of your grandfather. He can’t attend, so you must go with me.”
Ji Qingli’s tone had not been so firm initially, but upon hearing that Pei Yuan had booked Ji Ran’s ticket to Jiangdu, he became resolute.
After all, he and Pei Yuan were at odds, and he wanted to do anything to make his ex-wife uncomfortable.
Ji Ran noticed his insistence, sighed softly, and said, “I haven’t been home this semester, and I miss my grandparents and my maternal grandparents.”
Ji Ran was smart and could sense the issue from Ji Qingli’s tone.
So, she didn’t mention Pei Yuan this time but directly used her grandparents to pressure Ji Qingli.
After listening, Ji Qingli said, “Your grandmother mentioned missing you a few days ago. I told her I’d bring you this time. Attending one banquet won’t take long.”
Seeing his persistence, Ji Ran reluctantly agreed.
Across from her, Jiang Yi bit her lip slightly, jealousy welling up in her eyes. She also wanted to go, even if just to see what it was like.
Ji Qingli didn’t ask her anything, treating her as if she were invisible.
No one enjoyed their meal.
In the evening, Aunt Zhao brought out Ji Ran’s evening gown. Aunt Zhao was perceptive and knew these gowns were expensive and exquisite, so she had them prepared early.
“Aunt Zhao, you should rest now,” Ji Ran said with a smile when she saw Aunt Zhao still attending to her.
Aunt Zhao shook her head and said, “I heard from Sir that tomorrow is a big banquet. Our young lady is already beautiful, so she needs to dress up nicely and outshine them all.”
“I’m not going there to find a husband. Why do I need to be so pretty?” Ji Ran replied indifferently.
After all, she was still young, just a high school student, so she wasn’t worried that Ji Qingli would introduce her to any inappropriate people.
If he dared, Ji Ran would complain to Pei Yuan, who would probably rush over from Jiangdu immediately.
Ji Ran didn’t care, but Aunt Zhao lowered her voice and said, “I accidentally overheard a commotion over there. It seems someone else wants to go to this banquet too.”
Aunt Zhao indeed overheard by accident. She had gone to Ji Ran’s dressing room to fetch clothes and overheard on her way back.
Jiang Yi was arguing with Jiang Liqi, saying she also wanted to attend the banquet.
Jiang Liqi was hesitant since the banquet wasn’t hosted by the Ji family, and Ji Qingli knew whom he wanted to bring.
Jiang Yi was even more upset upon hearing this and shouted, “It’s because you never fight for me that I’ve ended up like this. There are two daughters in this family. Why can she go, but not me?”
Seeing Jiang Yi so aggrieved, Jiang Liqi felt bad.
Since Jiang Yi had moved out, Jiang Liqi had always felt guilty, even increasing her allowance several times, fearing she wouldn’t have enough. Moreover, after becoming pregnant, she wasn’t as cautious as before and spent money freely, living a true lady’s life.
Aunt Zhao sighed and whispered, “School is peaceful. Coming back home, there’s always a commotion. Why can’t she see clearly? She’s made such a fuss so many times.”
Jiang Yi wanted to go to the banquet just because Ji Ran was going.
She wanted to compete with Ji Ran.
Aunt Zhao had always felt that Jiang Yi was overestimating herself, daring to compete with the legitimate young lady of the family as a stepdaughter.
Ji Ran hadn’t expected Jiang Yi to want to go to the banquet too. Hearing Aunt Zhao’s disdainful tone, she chuckled, “Let her be. I’d like to see how far she can go with her three hundred plus points.”
Jiang Yi had performed terribly in the recent exams, falling to the bottom.
Ji Ran knew that Jiang Liqi wanted Jiang Yi to attend a film academy, but such schools wouldn’t accept students with such low scores.
Aunt Zhao nodded quickly.
Some people overestimate themselves. Aunt Zhao liked Ji Ran, seeing her living in a multimillion-dollar mansion with wealthy parents but still maintaining high standards for herself. She had recently ranked second in her grade in the final exams.
Aunt Zhao’s own son, a high school freshman with mediocre grades, had returned home with his report card, frustrating her.
Comparing the two, she wished Ji Ran were her daughter.
Jiang Yi eventually persuaded Jiang Liqi to take her to the banquet by crying and making a scene.
However, before they left, Jiang Liqi repeatedly told her not to mess up at the banquet. Having got what she wanted, Jiang Yi obediently agreed.
The next day, professionals came to do their makeup.
Jiang Liqi had specially invited them.
Jiang Yi was thrilled, getting facials and deep cleansing treatments. Knowing she couldn’t be too biased between the girls, Jiang Liqi personally asked Ji Ran if she wanted to use the makeup team.
In her past life, Ji Ran had attended countless banquets. With her tall and exquisite appearance, she was always the center of attention.
Jiang Liqi smiled and said, “Ran Ran, you need to prepare for tonight’s banquet. I know you’re a high schooler not used to makeup, but to show respect, it’s best to dress up.”
Ji Ran looked at Jiang Liqi and suddenly smiled.
Her smile was light and fleeting.
Jiang Liqi was slightly taken aback, realizing that Ji Ran, having grown up in such a family, must have attended many banquets. She hadn’t been keen to go when Ji Qingli suggested it.
Unlike Jiang Yi, who was clearly excited downstairs since this was her first formal event.
Ji Ran nodded calmly, “Let them come to my room to help with makeup. I’m not used to being downstairs.”
Jiang Liqi nodded, and the door was shut with a bang.
Jiang Yi had occupied the makeup team all afternoon, and it was only when Jiang Liqi saw time running out that she hurried them. Several people carried makeup kits upstairs, led by Aunt Zhao.
This makeup team was famous in City B, often doing makeup for celebrities.
Jiang Liqi believed the most expensive was the best and had hired the priciest team.
The team had served many wealthy people and assumed the girl upstairs was reclusive.
But when they opened the door, they saw a serene girl in a warm white sweater, exceptionally beautiful with lively eyes.
“Sorry to trouble you,” Ji Ran said softly, stepping aside.
The team smiled and exchanged glances before quickly setting up to do her makeup. Ji Ran’s hair was freshly washed, so they began with her makeup.
