Chapter 39 – Bad Luck
The next morning, Bai Xia had already woken up by six o'clock. The soft morning light slipped through the thin curtains, casting a faint glow over her room. When she went to take her bath, she realized that An Yu had already prepared it for her.
The water was still warm, and the surface shimmered with rose petals and a faint, refreshing fragrance. A hint of steam filled the air, curling gently like mist over a lake. Bai Xia smiled faintly — An Yu was always so meticulous.
After bathing, she dressed herself carefully in her school uniform. The white blouse was neatly pressed, paired with a red skirt that brushed against her knees. A thin silver necklace with a tiny jade pendant rested against her neck, and her wrists carried a simple yet elegant bracelet and a delicate watch that gleamed softly under the light.
Her dark hair was tied up into a loose ponytail, decorated with two pearl hairpins that sparkled faintly whenever she moved. She looked like a blend of youthful charm and quiet nobility — refined, yet effortlessly beautiful.
When Bai Xia came downstairs, she saw that breakfast had already been prepared. The table was filled with the gentle aroma of freshly steamed buns, porridge, and pickled vegetables. Her mother, Chu Sun, and her younger siblings were already seated, while her elder sister, Bai Xuan, was still lounging on the couch, watching TV dramas on the new color television with an amused grin.
After breakfast, everyone began to prepare to leave. Bai Xia knew her mother was going to find a new school for Bai Yang and Bai Xin, so she proposed tagging along.
Chu Sun looked radiant that morning — she wore a light green qipao that highlighted her elegant figure, its silk fabric glimmering faintly as she moved. A few golden jewelry pieces — simple earrings and a thin bracelet — adorned her wrists and ears, and she carried a matching light green purse. Her poise exuded calm grace and nobility, the kind that naturally drew attention without trying.
Bai Yang, standing beside her, was dressed neatly in a white shirt and black formal trousers. A small black bow tie gave him an adorable and dignified look, making him appear polite and well-mannered.
Bai Xin, on the other hand, looked like a little princess from a painting. Her white gown was simple but finely made, the fabric soft and light. Her small black shoes shone like polished stones, and her socks were snow-white. Her shoulder-length hair was curled slightly at the ends, tied with a ribbon that added an innocent charm to her appearance.
When Bai Xia stepped into the courtyard, she noticed the Toyota was gone. It seemed her father and older brother had already taken it to the company. So, the family entered the sleek Lexus parked nearby.
An Yu was the driver as usual. Bai Xia sat in the front passenger seat, while Chu Sun, Bai Yang, and Bai Xin occupied the back. Though they had ridden in taxis before, it was a different feeling to sit in their own car. Excitement danced in their eyes.
Bai Xia gave An Yu the address of a school close to their villa area. The ride was calm, filled with gentle morning chatter and the hum of the road beneath them. After about thirty minutes, they arrived. An Yu parked the car in the parents' lot, and they all stepped down, leaving her waiting in the car.
---
Inside the school, Bai Xia led Chu Sun and the others to the principal's office. The principal, a well-groomed woman in her forties, quickly stood when they entered. Her assistant had already whispered that the visitors had arrived in a car — a luxury not many could afford so casually.
The principal's expression brightened instantly. "Welcome, welcome! You must be Mrs. Chu and your children," she said warmly.
Chu Sun returned her smile politely. "Thank you for seeing us on such short notice."
"Of course, of course," the principal replied, her voice sweet but practiced. "Our school prides itself on both discipline and creativity. We hold regular academic competitions, art and music programs, and cultural activities that nurture every student's talent."
As she spoke, she subtly glanced over Bai Xia's family again — the clothes, the poise, the quiet confidence. Her tone grew even friendlier.
"Please, have some tea," she said, gesturing to her assistant. "And these little ones — how adorable! Would you like some biscuits?"
Bai Yang and Bai Xin accepted the treats shyly, earning soft chuckles from the adults.
After introducing the school's programs, the principal asked her assistant to take Chu Sun, Bai Yang, and Bai Xin on a campus tour. Bai Xia, however, chose to stay behind.
Once the door closed, Bai Xia turned her calm gaze toward the principal. Without a word, she opened her bag and took out a small velvet box, placing it gently on the desk.
The principal blinked in surprise, curiosity sparking in her eyes. When she opened it, her breath hitched slightly — inside lay a pair of exquisite diamond earrings that shimmered even under the office lights.
She picked up a magnifying glass, her hands trembling slightly as she examined them. Once she confirmed they were genuine, her face broke into a bright, practiced smile.
"Miss Bai… may I ask what you need?"
Bai Xia's expression was serene, her voice calm yet firm. "My younger sister is quite interested in piano. I'd like her to receive extra lessons — something special. As for my brother, he doesn't have a passion yet, but I trust that under your guidance, he'll find it soon. This little gift is just a token of appreciation for your care in the future."
The principal immediately understood. This wasn't a bribe — it was an investment. A polite, refined exchange.
"Rest assured, Miss Bai," she said softly, slipping the box into her drawer. "Your siblings will receive the best our school has to offer."
When Chu Sun and the children returned from their tour, everything was finalized. They left the school satisfied.
---
An Yu drove them to Bai Xia's school next. When they arrived, Bai Xia stepped down from the car, her movements graceful as ever. Heads turned immediately.
Students nearby froze mid-step, staring. Some gasped quietly. They'd thought Bai Xia's family was merely "comfortable," but seeing her dropped off in a private Lexus changed everything.
Before she could walk far, a familiar voice called out, "Jiejie! You forgot your lunch box!"
Bai Xin came running from the car, clutching a small, beautifully wrapped lunch box in her hands.
The crowd's envy deepened — even her little sister looked like a porcelain doll. Bai Xia smiled gently, taking the lunch box. "Thank you, Xin'er."
Bai Xin giggled and ran back into the car. The Lexus pulled away, leaving a trail of admiring stares behind.
Just as Bai Xia walked through the school gates, a loud bang! echoed. Bright confetti exploded around her like fireworks.
Startled, she blinked and looked up — a tall, handsome boy stood before her, holding a bouquet of red roses. His voice rang clear and confident.
"Bai Xia, I like you a lot. Please be my girlfriend!"
For a moment, silence reigned. Then, chaos erupted.
"Ahhh! Isn't that the campus hunk, Zhou Liang?!"
"He's actually confessing publicly?!"
"They look perfect together!"
"I'm shipping them already!"
"She's so lucky, I'm jealous to death!"
"Nooo, Bai Xia, marry me instead!"
"She should definitely say yes!"
"Imagine rejecting someone like him! It's impossible!"
"Look at his roses, that's like twenty of them!"
"She's blushing — she's totally going to say yes!"
"Wait, wait, I'm recording this!"
"I'll post it on the school forum right now!"
"Bai Xia, please don't break his heart!"
Dozens of murmurs overlapped in excitement, laughter, and envy.
But Bai Xia, standing calmly in the middle of the colorful scene, felt her temples throb. She really had been cursed with odd luck lately. Why did these dramatic confessions keep happening to her?
She sighed softly and looked at Zhou Liang, her eyes calm as water. "I'm sorry," she said politely, her tone neither cold nor rude. "There's someone else I already like."
A hush fell. Then, a mix of reactions followed.
"She rejected him?!"
"Who could she possibly like more than Zhou Liang?!"
"She's either crazy or has the best taste in men alive!"
"I was going to confess to her myself…"
"She's so mysterious."
"I'm finding out who that boy is, I swear."
Ignoring the chaos behind her, Bai Xia walked away with the elegance of someone untouchable.
---
She finally stopped at the small field behind the classrooms, where a few stone benches were built for resting. Sitting down, she opened her lunch box — she hadn't eaten much at breakfast, and her stomach grumbled softly.
Just as she took her first bite, two shadows loomed over her.
When she looked up, she saw Bai Gin and Bai Ai.
Bai Ai's eyes immediately went to the food. The aroma of the roasted chicken made her lips tremble with envy. She only got a few slices of meat during the New Year, and yet Bai Xia was eating half a chicken for breakfast. The unfairness stung like salt on an open wound.
But she forced her dissatisfaction down and said coldly, "Bai Xia, I heard you won the lottery and got a hundred million yen. Your family even bought a villa before that. Give me some money quickly, or I'll tell Grandma you've been hiding it from her!"
Bai Xia almost laughed out loud. She looked at Bai Ai with a mocking gaze. "Your grandmother has nothing to do with me."
Bai Ai choked on her words. She had planned to get some money out of Bai Xia first before running to tell Grandma — that way, she'd get something before the old woman took it all.
"She's still Uncle Sung's mother! She gave birth to him!"
"Yes, she gave birth to him," Bai Xia said coldly, "but that doesn't mean anything now. And besides — she's not my grandmother. Why should I give you money?"
Her words were sharp as glass, each one slicing deeper than the last.
"Bai Xia, don't be so greedy," Bai Gin said from behind Bai Ai, lowering her voice. "Shang Shan told me you had stacks of notes in your school bag. Just give us some and we'll leave quietly."
Bai Xia reached into her bag calmly and pulled out her purse. When she opened it, crisp stacks of banknotes gleamed inside. Bai Ai and Bai Gin's eyes widened greedily — until Bai Xia took out a single 10-yen note, threw it on the ground, and said icily,
"If you want it, kneel down and pick it."
"Bai Xia, you're going too far!" Bai Gin snapped, anger flashing across her face.
But Bai Ai — who had never even held 10 yen before — immediately bent down, scrambling for the money. Bai Gin hesitated, then followed, the two of them snatching and clawing at the note like beggars.
Watching them, Bai Xia's lips curved into a cold smile. She turned and walked away, her laughter soft but cutting.
A few students passing by stopped and stared, whispering to each other.
"Are they… fighting over ten yen?"
"Seriously? In this school?"
"That's pathetic."
"Rich families won't even pick up that much if it fell."
"They look like stray dogs."
By the time Bai Ai and Bai Gin were done, shame burned on their faces. Their hair was messy, their clothes wrinkled, and the students' disgusted glances pierced through them.
Bai Gin pulled Bai Ai aside, her voice trembling. "Bai Xia had so much money, but she humiliated us instead…"
She bit her lip, almost in tears. "I can't show my face here anymore."
"Why did you have to fight me for it?" Bai Ai hissed back. "Bai Xia came out of that good-looking car earlier, and that brat Bai Xin was there too. Follow their car next time — find their address. I'll tell Grandma everything. Then we'll take everything Bai Xia has. I'll definitely not let her get away with this…"
Her voice faded into the wind, cruel and bitter — the beginning of another storm.