Chapter 10

Liang Chuan was very skilled at marketing. Under his management, Bai Xue’s Weibo account had gained more than three million followers in just half a year.

My younger sister was good-looking, and some businesses noticed her and proposed collaborations.

The task was simple: just wear the clothes and accessories they provided, take some photos, and subtly advertise their products.

Uncle Li and Aunt Li both strongly supported this. After all, social donations were limited. If Bai Xue could have an income, she could go out for medical treatment, and our family’s burden would be much lighter.

After careful thought, I felt there was nothing wrong with it, so I agreed.

Liang Chuan was very good at photography and extremely patient with Bai Xue.

Sometimes, in the middle of a shoot, my sister would go berserk, smashing things and hurting people, but he never minded the trouble, doing it over and over again, never losing his temper.

I started to see him in a new light. People are complicated creatures-perhaps he also had a kind side.

Starting in my sophomore year, my sister began earning her own income, and it was much higher than what I earned from part-time jobs.

She became the economic pillar of the family.

Uncle Li and Aunt Li found a dedicated caregiver for my sister so that I could focus on my studies and didn’t need to run home all the time.

They are good people, and I felt assured leaving my sister in their care.

So gradually, I went home less often.

I thought that if I studied hard now and found a good job in the future, I could repay them even more.

My university years were still hard. To win all kinds of scholarships, I put in far more effort than most people.

But I never felt tired at all. The hope for the future weighed heavily in my heart, making me feel especially grounded.

When I had free time, I would go home to see my sister. When she was lucid, she always liked to stuff candies into my hand and say to me, “It’s sweet.”

These past few years, Bai Xue had become quieter and quieter. Uncle Li and Aunt Li said this was an early effect of the treatment.

I was very happy.

Liang Chuan would often take her out for treatment. They spent more and more time together, and their relationship grew closer.

I thought life was really getting better bit by bit.

Starting in my senior year, whenever I logged into my sister’s Weibo, I would always find lots of obscene and vulgar comments under her photos.

They were like weeds-never dying out, no matter how I deleted them, I could never clean them up.

People’s attention to my sister shifted from her illness and suffering to her clothes, figure, and looks.

Sometimes, she even received private messages with content that was unbearable to look at.

One day, I happened to log into Weibo and received a message: it was a fully naked photo of my sister.

The sender even lewdly wrote: “Xiao Xue is so pretty.”

I immediately contacted Liang Chuan.

Although he told me the photo was a composite, after careful consideration, I still wanted to stop the commercial collaborations.

In two weeks, I would be graduating. It was time for me to support the family.

But this time, I was refused.

“Bai Jie, are you ashamed of your sister?” Liang Chuan questioned me.

Of course not. I am her sister. I want to protect her.

She is younger than me, and she is ill. To have the weight of life on her shoulders-it is I who should be ashamed.

Liang Chuan suggested that we ask Bai Xue for her own opinion.

I immediately went home, found my sister together with him, and told her my thoughts.

I thought she would always listen to me.

But Bai Xue looked at the two of us and, in the end, cautiously said, “Listen to brother.”

I was stunned.

In the exchange of their gazes, there was clearly a signal I couldn’t understand.

There was a secret hidden there, and I was like an outsider.

Unwilling to give up, I emphasized again: “Xiao Xue, your sister would never hurt you. Listen to me.”

My sister shook her head. This was the first time in her life she had refused me while lucid.

When did this change begin?

I wanted to say something more, but Liang Chuan timely stepped between us, shielding my sister behind him.

He said to me, “Bai Jie, Bai Xue has grown up. She has her own thoughts, and you should respect her.”

Uncle Li and Aunt Li also came and advised me not to control my sister in everything, but to focus on finding a job.

The few of them stood together, blocking Bai Xue in front of me, opposing me. It gave me the feeling I had in the past-no one was on my side.

“Fine, I won’t care about you anymore!” I shouted at Bai Xue, then ran out of the room and back to school.

I heard my sister cry, but I didn’t look back.