Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Discrepancy
“Reya’s mother… and Student Council President Miss Qian Zhi, how could they three be together?”
Vivian looked at Reya cozily clinging to Yifu’s arm and Qian Zhi, admiring their appearance, which was as beautiful as fairies in a painting.
Glancing down at her own so-called exquisite white feather robe symbolizing her Holy Maiden identity, she felt a wave of shame wash over her.
This white feather robe had once been her greatest pride, the outfit she dreamed of wearing, the garment she would obtain even if it meant betraying her beloved mother.
But now, compared to the happy expression on Reya’s face and the familiar gentle aura radiating from Yifu, Vivian felt as though her clothing had transformed into a clown outfit from a circus.
Although she wasn’t wearing a red nose, it felt just as ridiculous as if she had.
If Reya had only found her mother, perhaps Vivian wouldn’t feel such a turmoil, but Reya’s mother bore a striking resemblance to the gentle woman Vivian had longed for…
This complicated Vivian’s feelings even more.
Seeing Reya nestled affectionately against Yifu, Vivian couldn’t help but feel transported into her own memories.
If her mother were still alive, would she also receive such love and affection?
At this thought, an ache in Vivian’s heart became unbearable.
She began to recall the days when she lived under her mother’s protection, contrasting them with her present life, laden with various burdens and used by Long Aotian.
It was like heaven and earth.
If her mother were still here, she certainly wouldn’t let Vivian endure such grievances.
Vivian remembered how, when she was a child, she had been spoiled by her mother and had done many outrageous things. Yet even then, whenever Vivian felt hungry, her mother would call her to the dining table on time…
But now, apart from Vivian herself, no one cared whether she was hungry, cold, or how her mood was today.
Even the words her mother had spoken before she was pushed onto the gallows felt as painful as a brand, still stabbing at Vivian’s heart.
“Even before she left, she was still worried about me.”
Vivian couldn’t help but bite her lip, suppressing her emotions, barely holding back her tears.
But when her gaze fell on Yifu again, her eyes involuntarily turned red.
“My darling, you must look so beautiful at sixteen, it’s such a pity… that your mother will never see you again.”
“Your mother isn’t afraid of death; she’s only afraid that once she closes her eyes, she won’t be able to see you again.”
Yifu’s last two sentences, along with the look in her eyes that pierced Vivian’s heart like needles, lingered in Vivian’s mind.
Vivian longed for Yifu to turn and look at her, but Yifu never diverted her gaze; her warmth seemed only meant for the two young girls beside her.
Not even a scrap would she allow Vivian to touch.
At that moment, positions had reversed. That once-bullied Reya had overnight become the person Vivian envied the most.
This sense of disparity made Vivian feel very uncomfortable.
Although there was no direct evidence, she felt… that warmth was rightfully hers.
But due to her mischief, this most precious thing in the world had silently slipped through her fingers.
“Mommy, Miss Holy Maiden Vivian is staring at us.”
Reya noticed Vivian’s intense gaze directed at them, which made her a bit nervous.
Hearing Reya’s words, Yifu merely glanced lightly at Vivian standing not far away.
Noticing Yifu’s gaze on her, Vivian instinctively stepped forward a little, just about to speak, but the unfamiliarity in Yifu’s eyes made her words stick in her throat.
It was… so similar; aside from the white hair and blue eyes, she was almost exactly like the mother Vivian had longed for.
But… the cold, unfamiliar gaze was like a winter’s ice, striking Vivian hard, as if all her strength had been drained away.
It felt like everything was shattered… except for that foreign gaze, which filled Vivian with dread.
“It’s okay, no need to mind her. She has nothing to do with us…”
Yifu said coldly, then quickly led the two young girls away.
Hearing Yifu’s words, Vivian felt her brain go blank.
“What… What am I thinking? My mother is already dead; she is not my mother, she is Reya’s, just a little similar… why do I even care about what she says?”
“But… but she really looks a lot like her.”
Vivian could no longer suppress her emotions and started crying inconsolably, disregarding her image.
And her disheveled appearance caught the eye of a graceful figure sitting in an ornate carriage.
“I thought Miss Yifu would recall old feelings, but it seems she knows better how to punish this girl than I do.”
“Since that’s the case, I think it’s necessary for me to personally help Miss Yifu add some fuel to the fire.”
