Chapter 1 The Real and Fake Heiress
Tang Yao snapped out of her daze and found herself in a car. Outside the window, the scenery rushed by, gradually changing from forests to skyscrapers.
Reflected in the glass was a girl with delicate features like a porcelain doll.
Sure enough, she had transmigrated back.
Back then, she had died unexpectedly in this world and been chosen by the Quick Transmigration Bureau, beginning her long journey of quick transmigration. Now, she had finally reached retirement, and the system in charge of her said it had chosen a world perfect for retirement. Unexpectedly, it had sent her back here.
Tang Yao stared blankly out the window, actually listening to the system's incessant chatter in her mind.
"...This is a world you're familiar with, host. Your savings accumulated over the years won't be confiscated. Your life is secure. Besides, host, don't you have any regrets? This is a good opportunity to make up for them." After speaking, the system carefully sensed its host's mood and, finding no anger, breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, thankfully, if the host had gotten angry and reported it, it would definitely have been punished for getting the world wrong. After all, the host was a model worker who received awards every year, and it might have been sidelined in the Quick Transmigration Bureau for years because of this mistake. Sniff, sniff, that would be too terrible.
Tang Yao wasn't actually as angry as the system had imagined. She was quite calm. Living anywhere didn't make much difference to her; the familiar world was fine too.
As for regrets, faces that were almost blurred in her memory flashed through her mind seemed no longer important.
After the system finished its final handover, it was time to leave. Having spent so much time together in the Quick Transmigration Bureau, it had a sense of reluctance. Finally, Tang Yao felt a gentle breeze beside her, like a farewell hug, and then the system in her mind fell silent.
The driver secretly glanced at Tang Yao through the rearview mirror, quite impressed. Her demeanor and appearance were nothing like the uncouth woman from the countryside described in the investigation.
Who could have imagined that life would unfold like a novel, with the children of a rich family and a poor family accidentally switched at birth? If it weren't for the recent jokes about how Miss and Mister and Madam didn't look alike, Mister wouldn't have suddenly decided to get a paternity test.
Thinking of the attitude of Mister, Madam and Young Master, and Miss's near-fainting cry, he silently withdrew his gaze and sighed.
The car drove to a villa area in a prime location, both lost in their own thoughts.
After getting out of the car, Tang Yao looked around. The first thing that caught her eye was a fountain, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant plants.
Behind the garden stood a magnificent five-story villa, quite imposing.
However, Tang Yao didn't feel much amazement. After all, in her transmigration world, she had been a princess; compared to a magnificent palace, this villa was nothing.
Aside from a meticulously groomed butler, there was no one else at the door.
"Miss Tang Yao, welcome home," the butler said with a slight bow.
"Hello," Tang Yao replied with a slight nod. Her every gesture exuded the air of a well-bred young lady.
The butler was somewhat surprised, but he didn't show it on his face.
Biological daughter had returned, but only to find such a desolate scene, without even a single relative waiting at home.
But what could be done when Eldest Miss was in a bad mood? Mother had taken her to a newly opened hot spring resort to relax and hadn't returned all night; Mister was busy at the company and was nowhere to be seen; and the ever-restless young master was naturally out having fun with his friends.
In short, they simply didn't care about this daughter.
Looking at the polite and seemingly well-behaved girl before him, the butler's heart softened.
"Miss Tang Yao, you must be tired from your journey. Why don't you go to your room and rest for a while?"
Tang Yao nodded and walked towards the villa. Tang Yao carried only a backpack containing a few essential items.
She recalled her time before transmigrating; she had felt a strong anticipation for this home and her parents, whom she had never met. However, their actions had repeatedly chilled her heart. Now, returning to this familiar place, Tang Yao felt no emotion.
She followed the butler to the room prepared for her. The room was decorated in a natural wood tone, matching the overall decor of the house—in short, an authentic guest room, showing no signs of elaborate preparation.
She didn't complain. After thanking the butler, she laid down on the bed to rest.
Having worked for the Quick Transmigration Bureau for so many years, her goal in this world was simply to live comfortably, sleeping until she naturally woke up and be without any pressing tasks or goals to achieve.
Soon, Tang Yao fell asleep.
She slept until the afternoon.
Tang Yao was awakened by voices outside the door.
“Wanwan, don’t be sad. Dad and Mom will always be your dad and mom, that will never change. You’re our most beloved child. Don’t you like the necklace from the H Brand? Mom has already called people to deliver home for you to choose from.” A gentle voice sounded.
“Thank you, Mom. I’m sorry, because of me, you couldn’t see Tang Yao right away.” Another apologetic voice sounded.
“It’s nothing. You’re the one we’ve truly cherished for over twenty years. No one is more important than you.” The gentle female voice continued.
Tang Yao groggily sat up and noticed that her bedroom door wasn’t closed properly. No wonder she could hear the noise.
She sighed, looked at the sky outside, and decided to get up.
After all, the sooner things were resolved here, the sooner she could go home. According to her calculations, she hadn’t visited Dad and Mom’s graves for many years.
Her dad and mom, naturally, were her loving adoptive parents. Even though the family wasn't wealthy, they poured all their energy and love into her.
Having spent so many years in the Transmigration Bureau and now looking back, she realized how precious such affection was.
That love and memories transformed into strength, making her fearless. Even those words that had been deliberately uttered to make her sad could no longer leave a ripple in her heart.
Now, the only regret in this world was closing down the guesthouse her parents had left her—a place filled with her childhood memories.
When Tang Yao opened the door, the mother and daughter outside were huddled together, intimately flipping through the latest jewelry magazine.
Hearing the noise, the mother and daughter looked up simultaneously, a different emotion flashing in their eyes.
There was none of the tearful embrace or tender concern typical of TV dramas; instead, there was a hint of awkwardness.
Tang Yao raised her hand and gave them a casual "Hi."
Her biological mother, Sun Yulan, frowned slightly at her uncouth behavior.
Meanwhile, Xu Wan's eyes flashed with secret joy. On the surface, her face remained gentle, even tinged with a hint of caution and ingratiation: "You must be Tang Yao. Hello, I'm Xu Wan. Welcome home. I'm sorry for taking your place for so many years, but I really love Dad, Mom, and Younger Brother. Can you... could you let me stay?"
As she spoke, Xu Wan's eyes reddened.
Seeing this, Sun Yulan frowned with heartache and took Xu Wan's hand: "I've already said, no one can make you leave. You'll stay at home."
As she spoke, she gave Tang Yao a disapproving look.
All at once, Tang Yao felt utterly disillusioned; the last trace of resentment in her heart vanished in that instant.
Because of Xu Wan's words, Tang Yao's meeting with Sun Yulan was far from pleasant.
Afterwards, although Tang Yao didn't say a word, Xu Wan's eyes were still swollen from crying. Sun Yulan felt extremely distressed for her, ignored Tang Yao sitting in the living room, and pulled Xu Wan upstairs.
At dinner, Tang Yao's biological father, Xu Anguo, also returned. Right behind him was Tang Yao's younger brother, Xu Haocheng.
As soon as the two entered the house, the first thing they saw was Tang Yao sitting alone in the living room.
Xu Haocheng liked his elder sister Xu Wan very much and disliked Tang Yao, who had suddenly interfered in the family and made Xu Wan cry.
He was only eighteen years old, in the prime of his youth, and his temper was like that of all spoiled teenagers.
Therefore, he didn't even bother with polite formalities, giving Tang Yao a cold snort before turning and going upstairs.
"Haocheng! That’s rude!" Xu Anguo scolded, but to Tang Yao, this was just a meaningless remark, having no effect whatsoever.
Xu Anguo sat on the sofa beside her, discreetly observing his daughter who had been separated from family since young. She was pretty, but her skin was somewhat rough, and her manners were a little lacking; however, these could be cultivated.
After a moment's mental assessment, Xu Anguo's expression softened. In a family like theirs, what mattered most was whether their daughter could bring value to the Xu Family; familial affection seemed less important.
Like Xu Wan, whom he had carefully nurtured for so long and who had successfully become engaged to the Chen family—a powerful alliance that would further boost their business. This was Xu Wan's way of repaying him.
"I was busy at the company today, so I couldn't come back to welcome you. Are you settling in? If you need anything, you can tell the servants."
Tang Yao put down her magazine: "Everything's fine. I don't need anything."
Those who shared the closest blood ties were now behaving like strangers.
"Dad, you're back!" Xu Wan's voice came from upstairs. She wore a light blue dress and a blue gemstone necklace, which made her skin look as white as snow, like an elf descended to earth.
"Slow down, be careful not to fall," Sun Yulan said with a smile behind Xu Wan.
Xu Haocheng, who had just been glaring at Tang Yao, followed obediently behind Xu Wan with a smile playing on his lips.
Xu Anguo's tone also changed, becoming much gentler and more affectionate than when he spoke to Tang Yao.
"Dad, look, this is a new dress Mom bought for me. And this is a necklace Younger Brother saved up to buy me. He said it’s a birthday present. Isn't it pretty?"
Xu Wan twirled around, her skirt fluttering in the air.
"It's pretty. Haocheng has grown up and become more sensible."
Tang Yao rested her chin on her hand, watching the family of four being so affectionate, as if they had forgotten about her.
Author's Note:
New story started!
Tang Yao snapped out of her daze and found herself in a car. Outside the window, the scenery rushed by, gradually changing from forests to skyscrapers.
Reflected in the glass was a girl with delicate features like a porcelain doll.
Sure enough, she had transmigrated back.
Back then, she had died unexpectedly in this world and been chosen by the Quick Transmigration Bureau, beginning her long journey of quick transmigration. Now, she had finally reached retirement, and the system in charge of her said it had chosen a world perfect for retirement. Unexpectedly, it had sent her back here.
Tang Yao stared blankly out the window, actually listening to the system's incessant chatter in her mind.
"...This is a world you're familiar with, host. Your savings accumulated over the years won't be confiscated. Your life is secure. Besides, host, don't you have any regrets? This is a good opportunity to make up for them." After speaking, the system carefully sensed its host's mood and, finding no anger, breathed a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, thankfully, if the host had gotten angry and reported it, it would definitely have been punished for getting the world wrong. After all, the host was a model worker who received awards every year, and it might have been sidelined in the Quick Transmigration Bureau for years because of this mistake. Sniff, sniff, that would be too terrible.
Tang Yao wasn't actually as angry as the system had imagined. She was quite calm. Living anywhere didn't make much difference to her; the familiar world was fine too.
As for regrets, faces that were almost blurred in her memory flashed through her mind seemed no longer important.
After the system finished its final handover, it was time to leave. Having spent so much time together in the Quick Transmigration Bureau, it had a sense of reluctance. Finally, Tang Yao felt a gentle breeze beside her, like a farewell hug, and then the system in her mind fell silent.
The driver secretly glanced at Tang Yao through the rearview mirror, quite impressed. Her demeanor and appearance were nothing like the uncouth woman from the countryside described in the investigation.
Who could have imagined that life would unfold like a novel, with the children of a rich family and a poor family accidentally switched at birth? If it weren't for the recent jokes about how Miss and Mister and Madam didn't look alike, Mister wouldn't have suddenly decided to get a paternity test.
Thinking of the attitude of Mister, Madam and Young Master, and Miss's near-fainting cry, he silently withdrew his gaze and sighed.
The car drove to a villa area in a prime location, both lost in their own thoughts.
After getting out of the car, Tang Yao looked around. The first thing that caught her eye was a fountain, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant plants.
Behind the garden stood a magnificent five-story villa, quite imposing.
However, Tang Yao didn't feel much amazement. After all, in her transmigration world, she had been a princess; compared to a magnificent palace, this villa was nothing.
Aside from a meticulously groomed butler, there was no one else at the door.
"Miss Tang Yao, welcome home," the butler said with a slight bow.
"Hello," Tang Yao replied with a slight nod. Her every gesture exuded the air of a well-bred young lady.
The butler was somewhat surprised, but he didn't show it on his face.
Biological daughter had returned, but only to find such a desolate scene, without even a single relative waiting at home.
But what could be done when Eldest Miss was in a bad mood? Mother had taken her to a newly opened hot spring resort to relax and hadn't returned all night; Mister was busy at the company and was nowhere to be seen; and the ever-restless young master was naturally out having fun with his friends.
In short, they simply didn't care about this daughter.
Looking at the polite and seemingly well-behaved girl before him, the butler's heart softened.
"Miss Tang Yao, you must be tired from your journey. Why don't you go to your room and rest for a while?"
Tang Yao nodded and walked towards the villa. Tang Yao carried only a backpack containing a few essential items.
She recalled her time before transmigrating; she had felt a strong anticipation for this home and her parents, whom she had never met. However, their actions had repeatedly chilled her heart. Now, returning to this familiar place, Tang Yao felt no emotion.
She followed the butler to the room prepared for her. The room was decorated in a natural wood tone, matching the overall decor of the house—in short, an authentic guest room, showing no signs of elaborate preparation.
She didn't complain. After thanking the butler, she laid down on the bed to rest.
Having worked for the Quick Transmigration Bureau for so many years, her goal in this world was simply to live comfortably, sleeping until she naturally woke up and be without any pressing tasks or goals to achieve.
Soon, Tang Yao fell asleep.
She slept until the afternoon.
Tang Yao was awakened by voices outside the door.
“Wanwan, don’t be sad. Dad and Mom will always be your dad and mom, that will never change. You’re our most beloved child. Don’t you like the necklace from the H Brand? Mom has already called people to deliver home for you to choose from.” A gentle voice sounded.
“Thank you, Mom. I’m sorry, because of me, you couldn’t see Tang Yao right away.” Another apologetic voice sounded.
“It’s nothing. You’re the one we’ve truly cherished for over twenty years. No one is more important than you.” The gentle female voice continued.
Tang Yao groggily sat up and noticed that her bedroom door wasn’t closed properly. No wonder she could hear the noise.
She sighed, looked at the sky outside, and decided to get up.
After all, the sooner things were resolved here, the sooner she could go home. According to her calculations, she hadn’t visited Dad and Mom’s graves for many years.
Her dad and mom, naturally, were her loving adoptive parents. Even though the family wasn't wealthy, they poured all their energy and love into her.
Having spent so many years in the Transmigration Bureau and now looking back, she realized how precious such affection was.
That love and memories transformed into strength, making her fearless. Even those words that had been deliberately uttered to make her sad could no longer leave a ripple in her heart.
Now, the only regret in this world was closing down the guesthouse her parents had left her—a place filled with her childhood memories.
When Tang Yao opened the door, the mother and daughter outside were huddled together, intimately flipping through the latest jewelry magazine.
Hearing the noise, the mother and daughter looked up simultaneously, a different emotion flashing in their eyes.
There was none of the tearful embrace or tender concern typical of TV dramas; instead, there was a hint of awkwardness.
Tang Yao raised her hand and gave them a casual "Hi."
Her biological mother, Sun Yulan, frowned slightly at her uncouth behavior.
Meanwhile, Xu Wan's eyes flashed with secret joy. On the surface, her face remained gentle, even tinged with a hint of caution and ingratiation: "You must be Tang Yao. Hello, I'm Xu Wan. Welcome home. I'm sorry for taking your place for so many years, but I really love Dad, Mom, and Younger Brother. Can you... could you let me stay?"
As she spoke, Xu Wan's eyes reddened.
Seeing this, Sun Yulan frowned with heartache and took Xu Wan's hand: "I've already said, no one can make you leave. You'll stay at home."
As she spoke, she gave Tang Yao a disapproving look.
All at once, Tang Yao felt utterly disillusioned; the last trace of resentment in her heart vanished in that instant.
Because of Xu Wan's words, Tang Yao's meeting with Sun Yulan was far from pleasant.
Afterwards, although Tang Yao didn't say a word, Xu Wan's eyes were still swollen from crying. Sun Yulan felt extremely distressed for her, ignored Tang Yao sitting in the living room, and pulled Xu Wan upstairs.
At dinner, Tang Yao's biological father, Xu Anguo, also returned. Right behind him was Tang Yao's younger brother, Xu Haocheng.
As soon as the two entered the house, the first thing they saw was Tang Yao sitting alone in the living room.
Xu Haocheng liked his elder sister Xu Wan very much and disliked Tang Yao, who had suddenly interfered in the family and made Xu Wan cry.
He was only eighteen years old, in the prime of his youth, and his temper was like that of all spoiled teenagers.
Therefore, he didn't even bother with polite formalities, giving Tang Yao a cold snort before turning and going upstairs.
"Haocheng! That’s rude!" Xu Anguo scolded, but to Tang Yao, this was just a meaningless remark, having no effect whatsoever.
Xu Anguo sat on the sofa beside her, discreetly observing his daughter who had been separated from family since young. She was pretty, but her skin was somewhat rough, and her manners were a little lacking; however, these could be cultivated.
After a moment's mental assessment, Xu Anguo's expression softened. In a family like theirs, what mattered most was whether their daughter could bring value to the Xu Family; familial affection seemed less important.
Like Xu Wan, whom he had carefully nurtured for so long and who had successfully become engaged to the Chen family—a powerful alliance that would further boost their business. This was Xu Wan's way of repaying him.
"I was busy at the company today, so I couldn't come back to welcome you. Are you settling in? If you need anything, you can tell the servants."
Tang Yao put down her magazine: "Everything's fine. I don't need anything."
Those who shared the closest blood ties were now behaving like strangers.
"Dad, you're back!" Xu Wan's voice came from upstairs. She wore a light blue dress and a blue gemstone necklace, which made her skin look as white as snow, like an elf descended to earth.
"Slow down, be careful not to fall," Sun Yulan said with a smile behind Xu Wan.
Xu Haocheng, who had just been glaring at Tang Yao, followed obediently behind Xu Wan with a smile playing on his lips.
Xu Anguo's tone also changed, becoming much gentler and more affectionate than when he spoke to Tang Yao.
"Dad, look, this is a new dress Mom bought for me. And this is a necklace Younger Brother saved up to buy me. He said it’s a birthday present. Isn't it pretty?"
Xu Wan twirled around, her skirt fluttering in the air.
"It's pretty. Haocheng has grown up and become more sensible."
Tang Yao rested her chin on her hand, watching the family of four being so affectionate, as if they had forgotten about her.
Author's Note:
New story started!