### Chapter 99: Episode of Breakdown?
Jiang Bin pondered long and hard, figuring that it was best to keep his daughter in check first, lest she sneak off again: “Xiao Ning, aren’t you and that kid about the same age? You will graduate from primary school soon, right? Then, if you want to continue studying with her in middle school, I won’t stop you at all.”
“Really?”
Jiang Kekai gave her father a half-skeptical glance.
“Of course it’s true. Don’t you trust me? When have I ever gone back on my word?”
Indeed, being doubted by her daughter didn’t feel good at all. Looks like he had to work harder. Jiang Bin reflected silently.
After some more thought, Jiang Kekai asked further, “Can I go visit her often to play then?”
The moment she asked this, Jiang Bin found himself cornered.
Yes, he originally wanted his daughter to forget Xia Yu, believing time would be the best medicine, but if this were the case, he’d just completely muck up his plan.
Seeing her father’s face, Jiang Kekai realized what the answer must be, then pouted as she sat back down on her chair: “Isn’t… it possible?”
With gritted teeth, Jiang Bin sighed and agreed: “Fine…”
He couldn’t stand seeing little Jiang Kekai like that; as a dad who doted on his daughter, he caved in, deciding to deal with whatever came his way.
Next to Jiang Kekai, her little sister, Jiang Hanhang, watched in surprise. She never expected her older sister would pout for an outsider. How rare!
She even became curious about Xia Yu. What kind of person could stick so strongly in her sister’s mind?
Not only Hanhang, but even Jiang Winter, Jiang Kekai’s brother, was equally curious. He was intrigued by how someone transformed from a male to a female, almost becoming a freak.
Much like her dad, Jiang Winter wasn’t too supportive of his sister interacting much with such ambiguous types.
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Wearing a dress and top, Xia Yu hesitated for almost a minute before mustering the courage to open the door.
Little did she know, Xia Ling and Wang Wenjuan were quietly waiting outside.
In fact, Xia Ling had already mentally prepared herself to jump the moment Xia Yu opened the door. So naturally, after Xia Yu opened the door, Xia Ling gave her a big bear hug.
After releasing her, Xia Ling commented, smiling, “Not bad, not bad, sisters should look this good.”
Wang Wenjuan echoed, patting Xia Yu gently: “Yep, it suits you. You’re just lacking confidence.”
Xia Yu: “…”
Wang Wenjuan then led Xia Yu and Xia Ling back to their room.
Xia Yu wondered what they’d do in there, but she preferred staying in rather than going out, so she didn’t object to her mom’s lead.
Freshly bathed, Xia Ling’s hair was still damp when she returned to the room. She immediately sat at her vanity and combed her hair.
As for Wang Wenjuan, she began closely observing Xia Yu’s transformation from the boy he used to be. She pondered why he looked so different now.
But this look suited femininity. Now, she felt like she had two daughters!
Xia Yu sat quietly on the princess bed, not making a fuss, despite knowing her mom was observing her.
It was her mom; she couldn’t really object.
With a bashful smile, Xia Yu discreetly crossed her legs, trying to avoid showing too much skin. Otherwise, the consequences might be severe.
Seeming satisfied with her observation, Wang Wenjuan patted Xia Yu on the head gently: “Xiao Yu, Mom needs to go downstairs now to cook. Stay up here with Xiao Ling and have fun. I’ll call you both for dinner.”
No one knew how to best handle Xia Yu’s condition, so everyone treated her like a little kid or a princess, being gentle with her.
“Yeah,” Xia Yu murmured.
Wang Wenjuan continued: “Xiao Ling, take care of Xiao Yu. I’m heading out.”
Nodding, Wang Wenjuan ruffled Xia Yu’s hair with affection. With a content sigh, she then left.
Jiang Kekai closed the door behind Wang Wenjuan and, acting impishly, jumped onto the bed, hugging Xia Yu.
“Call me big sis!”
Xia Yu: “…”
Half an hour later, the dinner was ready, and mom called Xia Ling and Xia Yu down.
Yes, she physically pulled Xia Yu down.
Since Xia Yu was too shy to show herself fully to the family, Xia Ling helped and satisfied her own curiosity at the same time.
Thus, Xia Ling and Xia Yu made their way downstairs, looking like real sisters.
Except Xia Yu kept a gloomy face, always lowering her head, a stark contrast to the typical smile of a cute girl.
Nobody had any solutions but to accept that Xia Yu would regain that smile once she got better.
For Xia Yu in a dress, surprisingly, no one seemed shocked. They simply went about their business, saying nothing.
However, they all thought to themselves. Take Xia Hong, Xia Yu’s father, who observed his second son and wondered if raising him like this would cause him to develop wrong values.
Yes, Xia Hong was worried once more.
“Dinner’s ready.”
Wang Wenjuan urged Xia Yu to eat more: “Xiao Yu, try some meat. It’s good for nutrition.”
She added a piece of lean meat to Xia Yu’s plate, careful not to mention how Xia Yu lacked muscle, avoiding upsetting her child.
Instead, she preferred Xia Yu’s current cute look over the bulky look favored by Xia Le.
Anyway, they already had an heir who was strong.
Thinking of the family’s success, Wang Wenjuan recalled how the money from their prosperous home life, buying a house and car, was somehow tied to Xia Yu.
She worried Xia Yu might feel upset if Xia Le inherits the family business.
It was indeed troubling.
Meanwhile, Xia Yu was still contemplating ending her life. Living as a princess was comforting, but she felt like a burden.
Moreover, she feared that revealing her secret would lead to harsh rejection.
A non-binary person like her would surely be exiled.
So Xia Yu thought, “If I d*e now, maybe I can avoid these heartbreaking moments?”
Her eyes faded, and the food tasted bland. She could feel the warmth of tears welling up and soon began to cry.
At Xia Yu’s new status akin to a princess, everything needed coddling. Also, she brought so much to the family, making it impossible for her parents to get annoyed by her.
When her crying during dinner caught Wang Wenjuan’s attention, she panicked. Quickly, she pulled out tissues to dry Xia Yu’s tears, consoling her.
“Why are you crying? Is something bothering you? You can tell me, it’s okay.”
Xia Yu shook her head, silent. She lacked the courage to disclose her secrets.
Compared to facing disapproval from her family, she felt d*ath might be more peaceful, even if it was an escape.
Everything bottled up inside her troubled not just her mom, but her whole family. Yet, they had no choice but to console her.
Seeing Xia Yu put down her chopsticks, unwilling to continue, Wang Wenjuan didn’t insist.
“Xiao Ling, take Xiao Yu upstairs first. After she calms down, I’ll cook noodles for both of you.”
“No problem.”
Xia Ling happily agreed.
With Xia Ling’s support, Xia Yu left, leaving her family still clueless as to why she cried.
Meanwhile, Xia Hong, Xia Yu’s father, and Huang Wenyan, who understood her condition, rejoiced. Xia Yu had just stayed silent crying without causing chaos.
Otherwise, things would have been messy.
Helping Xia Yu back to her room, the burden passed to Xia Ling. Confused about what to do next, she decided to follow her mother’s role.
“Little sister, are you thinking about anything sad? Tell me what’s on your mind now. It might make you feel better.”
