Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Dad and my stepmother both went pale at the same time.

My stepmother shot me a shocked, cutting look.

Dad, meanwhile, flushed red with anger. “Jiang Lan, have you lost your mind?”

“I just thought Zhizhi had such a lovely singing voice. I didn’t want her talent to go to waste.” My stepmother’s eyes reddened. “Being a stepmother is hard enough. I used my own private savings to support her, and that’s wrong too?”

Playing considerate, playing pitiful-this was her usual routine.

They had always thought I was spoiled and willful.

Perfect. That meant I didn’t have to pretend to be weak anymore either.

I rolled my eyes as hard as I could. “Dad, Auntie is way more generous than you. She can casually take out ten thousand yuan from her private savings to support me.”

“I’m already sixteen. It’s not like I’m Jiang Zhao. I can take care of myself if I go to Haishi alone.”

Dad’s expression had just started to soften, but the moment he heard that, his temper flared right back up.

“So you do know you’re sixteen? You’re still a minor!”

After yelling at me, he turned on my stepmother and let her have it.

“Does she look sensible to you? You’re indulging her, letting her go to Haishi alone-what exactly are you trying to do?

“If it were Jiang Zhao, would you be fine with letting her go by herself?”

…

Don’t just scold her. Come on, hand out some real punishment.

Just as I was getting anxious, I heard Dad say, “Since you have so much private savings, I suppose there’s no need to give you so much household money every month from now on.”

Now that was more like it!

My stepmother’s face instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot.

My mood improved at once.

After Dad finished losing his temper, he looked back at me. Rubbing his temples, he began earnestly, “Becoming a celebrity isn’t as easy as you think. And you don’t have that kind of talent…”

In the past, I couldn’t stand hearing that more than anything.

I had been young then, and with my stepmother and Jiang Zhao praising me every day, I had truly believed my voice was heavenly.

Only after being battered and bruised did I finally understand.

That circle was far too chaotic, and I really wasn’t cut out for it.

Jiang Zhao, who had been watching the show the whole time, spoke up then. “Uncle, Zhizhi really does sing beautifully. Everyone at our school says so.”

On the surface, she was defending me. In reality, she was fanning the flames.

Dad’s face turned thunderous, and he slammed his hand down on the table. “In any case, you are going to the tutoring center tomorrow!”

The next day was Saturday.

But Dad still had to work overtime.

In the past, I always blamed him for not keeping his word.

Now, watching him rush out to earn money for the family before he even had time to eat breakfast, I only felt a sting in my eyes.

No sooner had he left than my stepmother pushed open my bedroom door.

She didn’t look very good. “Your father chewed me out half to death last night.”

She pulled out a card. “This is a little savings I had from before the marriage. If you really want to chase your dream, I can help you.”

“But think before you speak next time. Don’t sell me out again.”

Jiang Zhao followed her in too. “I’ll help you pack your luggage. Otherwise you’ll miss the train.”