The True Heiress: A Multifaceted Prodigy

Chapter 7: The Eldest Daughter of Ying Family

Ying Luowei, her little step-sister—could she really just stand by and watch her fall apart?

Hadn’t she personally overseen the care of the therapy nurse? Wasn’t she the one who made home-cooked meals herself?

And yet her biological daughter couldn’t be more understanding? Instead, she seemed hell-bent on hurting her feelings.

"Please, Madam, calm down," the butler offered gently, trying to soothe the tense atmosphere. "Perhaps the Second Miss is simply going through a rebellious phase."

"Rebellious phase?" Ying Manhua let out a bitter laugh, "When has she ever been on my side? She’s never understood a thing. And now she won’t even speak to me. Does she even want to acknowledge me anymore?"

The mention of this sent her blood pressure rising again.

After all this time spent teaching her—her piano lessons, the writing, even English, none of it stuck. There was nothing about her that reflected the grace and composure of a true young lady.

The more she thought about it, the more infuriating it became. "A year ago, when Mo Yuan brought her home, I thought she was so well-behaved. Who would’ve guessed she’d end up like this?"

Now she was parading around with the likes of Fu Yunshen?

Fu Yunshen, of all people!

He was nothing but a notorious playboy from the Fu family—good for nothing except his looks. She'd be lucky if he didn't end up selling her off to someone else.

The butler didn't know how to respond. Instead, he gently reminded her, "Madam, it's already 10:30. The eldest young miss is still waiting for your call."

Seeing Ying Manhua torn between frustration and sorrow, he sighed softly.

Ying Luowei was not her biological daughter. She was adopted. But she was more obedient, more understanding than the girl she had actually given birth to.

At least Ying Manhua’s marriage and family were still intact. She had two perfect children who made her the envy of others. She was a picture-perfect lady in public, graceful and composed.

But everything was upended when the real daughter was suddenly found. Ying Zicheng, raised in the countryside, lacked proper etiquette, couldn’t handle anything properly, and often did embarrassing things—nothing about her fit the title of eldest daughter in the Ying family.

But the bloodline had to be preserved, no matter what. Even if it meant maintaining the charade of adoption to keep up appearances.

"How could I forget something so important?" Ying Manhua rubbed her temples and picked up her phone. "I need to call her now." The moment the call connected, her tone shifted, all sweetness. "Hello, Xiao Xuan, it’s Mom. How are you today?"

"Good, good, that’s wonderful to hear! Don’t worry about anything over there in Ozhou, just focus on your studies. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. Mom's here for you…”

In her room, Ying Zicheng eyed the old desktop computer sitting on the desk. Her fingers hovered over the keys for a moment before she clicked a few random keys, but the screen froze.

Tsk—pathetic.

She wasn’t much of a computer person, but even she could tell this was ancient technology.

Turning away, she opened her wallet and pulled out a bank card from Qing Shui County. A quick calculation: 562.08 yuan.

Not much, but enough to get by for now.

Her eyes narrowed briefly as she tucked the card back into her wallet. Then, with a sudden push, she flipped off her bed and leapt—nine meters down, landing silently on the ground below.

The butler, who was closing the window nearby, caught a fleeting glimpse of her figure. But by the time he looked again, she was gone.

Rubbing his eyes, he muttered to himself, “I must’ve seen things.”

Sure enough, he brushed it off. The Second Miss hadn’t really run away, had she?

He shook his head and made sure the windows were all securely closed before heading to the kitchen to prepare hot milk for Ying Manhua.

Thanks to Fu Yunshen’s interruption, Nie Chao hadn’t been able to provide the exact location of the underground market.

But for Ying Zicheng, just a name was all she needed.

Her gaze drifted toward the crooked letters above the door—HERMIT. Her eyes locked onto it for a moment, then she adjusted her mask and pushed the door open.

The underground market was even more chaotic than the nightlife in the city of Hu. Neon lights flashed, music blared, and people moved like shadows, hidden in plain sight.

This was a lawless place, beyond the reach of the four great families. Everyone who entered here carried a secret, and all seemed to hide their true identities.

Ying Zicheng's entrance drew no attention. But a pair of sharp eyes from behind her lingered for a while, amused curiosity written in them.

Inside the Stargaze Bar, the bartender, noticing the unusual attention his companion was giving, lifted an eyebrow. "What’s going on with you?"

"Nothing," Fu Yunshen smirked, stirring his drink with a silver straw. His long fingers moved gracefully. "Just spotted a little troublemaker. She snuck out of her house this late? Seems she’s not as obedient as she looks."