The banquet arrived swiftly, specially chosen for a holiday.
Lu Yi could not refuse the invitation and had to accompany his parents.
Zheng Yiran and Lin Yan, along with Lin's parents, were entertaining guests.
Upon seeing Lu Yi, her eyes lit up. Just as she was about to greet him, she noticed Lu Yi's gaze fixed on Lin Yan beside her.
His gaze held a tenderness she had never seen before. At the same time, she realized he hadn't noticed her at all.
In that moment, she had a sudden realization: this man might never have liked her.
Then everything seemed to make sense. Those feelings of anxiety and insecurity weren't her imagination; rather, the idea that he liked her was the biggest illusion.
A bitter smile touched Zheng Yiran's lips.
When Lin's mother introduced Zheng Yiran to the Lu family, Lu Yi finally noticed Zheng Yiran beside Lin Yan. He paused for a moment before greeting her.
"Yiran, it's been a while."
His attitude seemed unchanged, yet profoundly different.
His behavior was unremarkable, and since this banquet was specifically for Zheng Yiran, Lin's parents did not question the child they had watched grow up.
However, their warmth towards Lu Yi had diminished. Lu Yi noticed this.
Lin Yan's attitude, in particular, seemed reluctant to even linger her gaze on him. This caused Lu Yi immense unease.
The banquet was lively, filled with Lin family's relatives and friends, all aware of the child the Lin family had searched for years.
They were all happy for them. Zheng Yiran accompanied Lin's parents in greeting guests. When she finally had a moment to herself, she realized Lu Yi and Lin Yan were nowhere to be found.
She left the main hall and strolled outside, intending to find Lu Yi and ask for the truth, to ask if he had ever liked her.
Rounding the flower bushes in front of the courtyard, she faintly heard a man and a woman talking.
Hearing the familiar voices, Zheng Yiran's heart stirred, and she instinctively slowed her steps.
"Yanyan, please let me explain," Lu Yi's voice was filled with anxiety.
He knew he had to appease Yanyan this time. He didn't care what others thought of him, but he couldn't bear even the slightest resentment from Lin Yan.
"Explain what? What else do you have to explain!" Lin Yan questioned.
"You found Yiran, why didn't you tell us?"
"Yanyan, your illness is more important. Besides, I've found Zheng Yiran, so when we reveal ourselves isn't it all the same!"
Lu Yi spoke, avoiding the main point.
"But I kept asking for information about the donor, and you told me she wanted to remain anonymous. I asked Yiran, and she had no such intention!"
"Lu Yi, what are you thinking!" Lin Yan's voice was filled with anger.
"Yanyan, it's for your own good."
"I don't think it's for my own good. If it were, why didn't you tell me you'd found Yiran? Don't you know how long we've been looking for her?"
"But Yanyan, the moment she returned, she took all of your uncle and aunt's attention. In fact, if it weren't for her, why would you have fallen ill!"
"You're crazy! What does Yiran have to do with my illness!"
"But if it weren't for her, why would you have been frail since birth!"
"This has nothing to do with Yiran. She's my sister, my twin sister!"
"But as twins, why wasn't she sick! She's the one who should be sick, she shouldn't have come back to compete with you!"
"Slap!" A crisp sound echoed, and Lu Yi's face turned to the side.
"Lu Yi, you've truly gone mad! I'll have Uncle Lu and the others take you to see a psychiatrist."
Lin Yan turned to leave. But the moment she turned, Lu Yi grabbed her arm.
"Yanyan, I was wrong," Lu Yi said meekly. "Don't be angry."
"Let go!" Lin Yan said sternly.
"Lu Yi, you've disappointed me too much. I never imagined you would become like this!"
"Yanyan, I'll let go, don't be angry!" Lu Yi quickly released her hand. "Yanyan, don't be angry. I didn't mean to upset you."
"You didn't mean to, but you hurt my sister! I will never forgive you!" With that, Lin Yan quickly left.
"Yanyan, Yanyan!"
Lu Yi chased after her, but after a few steps, he noticed Zheng Yiran beside him.
However, he merely glanced at her with a blank expression before continuing to chase in the direction Lin Yan had gone.
Zheng Yiran looked silently in the direction they had left, unmoving for a long time. After an unknown period, she felt a coolness on her face.
Reaching up to wipe it, she discovered she was crying.
Was all of this a lie? She could see Lu Yi's feelings for Lin Yan. So, was he approaching her just to save Lin Yan? She read.
So, he only had false affection for her, and all his tenderness was just a pretense.
She had held some hope, but comparing his attitude, she knew he truly didn't care about her. As expected, she had been too hopeful!
Zheng Yiran wiped away her tears bit by bit. Lu Yi, you're something else!
At this moment, she even felt a flicker of resentment towards Lin Yan. Although she knew Lin Yan hadn't done anything wrong, the resentment still surfaced involuntarily.
"Host, the female lead was nearby just now, she heard your conversation with the male lead," the system's voice was laced with worry.
"I know. It was meant for her to hear," Lin Yan was unfazed.
She composed herself and returned to the banquet hall.
"But, but aren't you afraid the female lead will resent you?"
The system knew the host cared deeply for her twin sister, otherwise, she wouldn't have worried about hurting her and made so many preparations.
"It's alright, she'll know who truly cares about her."
If she didn't realize it, that was fine too. After all, their future interactions wouldn't be that frequent.
She had shattered Zheng Yiran's fantasy, and she should no longer fall into the male lead's trap. How her future life unfolded was her own choice.
She was merely her elder sister and couldn't be responsible for her life. She could offer some help, but more would depend on how she handled things herself.
However, she still owed her. Lin Yan owed Zheng Yiran a bone marrow transplant, half of her life.
So, she would compensate her, treat her well. Whether Zheng Yiran accepted this kindness or desired this compensation was her own affair.
"Besides, I believe she'll figure it out. After all, we are true family."
"Her infatuation shouldn't be so severe that she turns against her own family for a man who doesn't love her!"
Lin Yan looked at Zheng Yiran, who had entered from outside, her composure restored, and gave a meaningful smile.