Stepdaughter of a wealthy family? The little darling of a Beijing tycoon

On the other side, the atmosphere at the Li family's dining table in the early morning was peaceful and serene.

Li Wenqian, Lin Wanqing, Li Hanting, and Shen Jingshu sat down for breakfast. After breakfast, Li Wenqian left for the company, leaving the three of them at the house.

Shen Jingshu finished packing, picked up her schoolbag, and prepared to leave for school.

She was a freshman at Peking University and had been on leave for several days, so it was time for her to return to school.

Seeing that she was going to school, Li Hanting casually said, "I happen to be free today, so I'll give you a ride."

"Okay, thank you, brother."

Watching the two walk away side by side, Lin Wanqing sighed inwardly: Jing Shu, this child, seems to fit the Li family better than when she's with her brothers from the Shen family. The two aren't particularly close, but standing together, they look exceptionally pleasing and harmonious.

In the car, Li Hanting asked softly, every word full of thoughtful care: if you encounter any difficulties at school, if someone is bothering you, or if there are any problems you can't solve, just call him anytime. The two had already exchanged contact information, so just ask if you need anything.

Shen Jingshu felt a warm glow in her heart. She had never experienced such brotherly care and love in the Shen family before, and she cherished this sudden warmth.

The car came to a smooth stop at the entrance of Peking University. Just as Shen Jingshu was about to say goodbye and get out of the car, her gaze inadvertently swept over Li Hanting's eyebrows, eyes, and heart, and her heart sank suddenly.

In just half an hour's drive, he had been in good spirits when he got into the car, but now a faint, inescapable death aura was lingering between his brows, making him appear sinister and gloomy.

She remained calm, her fingertips rapidly making hand seals to divine the future—a sudden chill ran through her.

The calamity that was supposed to arrive six months later has been brought forward!

Could it be that my rebirth has stirred up my destiny and karma, affecting those around me?

Without a moment's hesitation, she asked seriously, "Brother, are you still carrying the amulet I gave you last time?"

Li Hanting casually touched his pocket and replied gently, "It's here. It's a gift from you, and I always keep it with me."

"That's good."

Shen Jingshu's eyes were exceptionally solemn as she earnestly instructed, "Remember this well: no matter what happens today or where you go, you must never let this amulet out of your sight. Remember that."

Li Hanting assumed she was just being a young girl and was particularly appreciative of the gift he had given her, so he smiled and replied, "Don't worry, I remember. Hurry up and get into school, don't be late."

Before getting out of the car, Shen Jingshu couldn't help but remind him again and again.

Li Hanting felt that she was acting strangely today. Watching her walk into the school gate, he casually picked up the amulet and examined it. It was ordinary and no different from what one would ask for in an ordinary temple.

Before he could think further, his phone suddenly rang urgently. He heard something on the other end of the line, and Li Hanting's expression changed drastically. He quickly put the amulet away, started the car, and sped off.

On the other side, Shen Jingshu, who had just entered the campus, was still uneasy. She wanted to consult the divination again to investigate further, but found that the divination results were chaotic and she could not figure out the specific reason at all.

She suddenly realized: firstly, the divination did not apply to her; secondly, she was now entangled with Li Hanting, and the cause and effect were intertwined, making the secrets of heaven unclear and unpredictable.

Finally, he sighed softly: So be it, everything is fate.

She was walking along the campus path when suddenly a hand reached out from behind her, startling her.

Turning my head, I saw a girl with a neat high ponytail, a pair of sweet dimples when she smiled, and lively eyes and brows.

"Hey, Jing Shu! You're finally back at school! I thought you were going to keep taking leave!"

The person who arrived was Xu Zhixia—Shen Jingshu's only true friend in her past life.

The Xu family was well-off, with both parents being businessmen, and their family circumstances were not much different from those of the former Shen family.

The two were close friends and classmates since high school, and they went on to get into Peking University together. What's even more special is that they chose the same major.

When they first met at the beginning of the semester, Xu Zhixia took the initiative to strike up a conversation with her. Over time, their friendship deepened and solidified.

Seeing that sweet, dimpled face with eyes full of concern, Shen Jingshu felt a warmth in her heart and sincerely smiled, "Zhixia."

Xu Zhixia took a few steps forward, her tone full of concern and heartache:

"I've heard about all the terrible things that's been going on at your family lately, and I've wanted to talk to you for a while now. But I was afraid you'd be busy sorting things out and wouldn't want to be disturbed. I figured you'd contact me eventually when you had some free time. I've been waiting for so long, but I haven't heard from you... Jing Shu, how have you been lately?"

"Great, why not?"

Shen Jingshu's tone was calm, without a hint of displeasure. "As you've probably heard, my parents are divorced. I'm living with my mother now. She married the head of the Li family, who is also the chairman of the Li Group."

"Are you... really doing well?" Xu Zhixia stared at her, her eyes full of worry, feeling that Shen Jingshu in front of her was completely different from before.

Shen Jingshu used to be gentle and introverted, the epitome of a well-behaved girl in the eyes of others.

The two had known each other for many years, from high school to university, and Xu Zhixia knew best how tiring her life was.

At such a young age, she had to accommodate her three older brothers in every way, and also had to tolerate her younger sister Shen Xinyi, who pretended to be innocent and weak. She gave unconditionally and suffered all kinds of grievances, but never uttered a word of complaint.

Xu Zhixia had advised her before, telling her to think more about herself and not always revolve around her family.

But the Shen Jingshu of the past would only shake her head gently, both gentle and stubborn: "We are siblings, we should help each other."

Hearing this, Xu Zhixia felt a deep sense of disappointment and frustration.

Where can I find such help?

It was just that she kept giving in and making sacrifices.

She also has an older brother who dotes on her and protects her in everything; the siblings have a very good relationship.

However, Shen Jingshu's three older brothers took her kindness for granted and treated her coldly and distantly, while they doted on Shen Xinyi, who knew how to play the victim.

Especially Shen Xinyi's innocent and scheming manner, her constant use of cryptic language, made Xu Zhixia feel disgusted from the bottom of her heart.

She couldn't help but blurt out, "By the way, why didn't your scheming sister marry into the Li family with your mother? Given how much your mother doted on her before, how could you possibly have gotten such a good opportunity?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Xu Zhixia realized her mistake and quickly covered her mouth, hurriedly explaining, "Jing Shu, that's not what I meant. I just find it strange that Shen Xinyi, who is so good at ingratiating herself with elders, would let go of such an opportunity to climb the social ladder and instead give it to you. Is there some hidden story behind this?"

A sudden wave of bitterness washed over Shen Jingshu, realizing how incredibly foolish she had been in her past life.

Even Xu Zhixia, an outsider, could see through her grievances and humility in the Shen family at a glance, but she stubbornly refused to see the truth and tried her best to crave that little bit of family affection that did not belong to her, ultimately ending up battered and bruised.

In her previous life, she and Xu Zhixia were the best of friends, sharing everything.

But ever since Shen Xinyi entered university and was also admitted to Peking University, everyone in the Shen family has taken it for granted that she should take care of Shen Xinyi in every way and accommodate her three older brothers in everything.

She completely lost her own life, her heart and soul revolving entirely around the Shen family, gradually leaving her friends behind.

Xu Zhixia tried to persuade her countless times, but she was always bound by family ties and wouldn't listen to a word of advice. Over time, the two gradually drifted apart and had less and less contact.