Chapter 27: Deliberately Creating Opportunities

The next day, Xiaxia’s eighteenth birthday finally arrived. Early in the morning, the head of the Lin family sent cars and personnel to manage her itinerary and security for the day.

Mother Chen had already moved the gown and shoes for the coming-of-age ceremony into the car. Xia Rusheng emerged shortly after, dressed in casual clothes.

"Sister, wait for me!" Xia Yu suddenly popped out from somewhere, also dressed in casual wear and completely devoid of makeup. Xia Rusheng knew that the makeup artists had arrived at the house at seven in the morning to attend to the women of the Xia family. It was now ten, so by all accounts, Xia Yu should have already finished her styling.

"Is something the matter?" Xia Rusheng asked in a cold voice.

"Sister, today is your birthday. Can’t you give me a smile? Even though we aren't exactly close, couldn't we just make peace for one day?" As she spoke, Xia Yu even began to act coquettishly, clinging to Xia Rusheng’s arm and refusing to let go.

"Speak. What do you want?" Xia Rusheng didn’t believe for a second that Xia Yu actually wanted to make amends, not even for a day. This display of affection felt particularly repulsive to her.

"Sister, I heard that the stylist for today was hired from abroad by Brother Yichen. Can you take me with you?"

Just as Xia Rusheng was about to refuse, Tan Li and Xia Rui approached, arm in arm, as if they had overheard the request. Xia Rui chimed in, "Xiaxia, just take her along. Young girls love to look pretty. As her older sister, you should be a little more generous today."

"Fine, let’s go."

Xia Rusheng agreed quite readily, not because of Xia Rui’s intercession, but because she had caught Tan Li exchanging a secret glance with Xia Yu while Xia Rui was speaking. Xia Yu’s subsequent physical reactions also aroused her suspicion.

Since the mother and daughter were so eager to curry favor, they must have some ulterior motive. She wanted to see what kind of game they were playing.

Xia Yu had her things moved into the car, and they were driven directly to the luxury cruise ship where the ceremony was to be held. Upon seeing the ship and its meticulous decorations, not only was Xia Yu stunned, but even Xia Rusheng was taken aback.

The ten-story super-luxury cruise ship was adorned with an abundance of opulent crystals. White roses and champagne roses were spread everywhere to delineate the various zones of the vessel. In the center of each zone, a large "Xia" character, encrusted with crystals, was placed in the most prominent position, leaving no doubt about who the guest of honor was.

Xia Rusheng’s private suite was on the top deck—the only room on that level. It was divided into an inner chamber for changing and an outer room for makeup. The stylist and Lin Yichen had been waiting there for some time.

"Xiaxia, this is Vinnie, a friend of mine," Lin Yichen said, introducing a woman with an androgynous look.

"Wasn't it said that the stylist for my sister was a world-class professional? I’ve never heard of her," Xia Yu interjected with dissatisfaction.

"Hello, I’m Xiaxia," Xia Rusheng said, ignoring Xia Yu and extending her hand to Vinnie.

Vinnie likewise ignored Xia Yu, paying her comments no mind. She smiled with poise and said, "Vinnie is just a humble moniker, my name is Yan Xiaoli. Miss Xia, you are already very beautiful, but today I can make you ten times more so."

Xia Yu cast a disdainful glance at Vinnie, looking down on this unknown stylist. "What tall talk. A mere assistant, I don’t believe—"

"Vinnie rarely pays compliments. Faces worthy of her praise are rare in this world," Lin Yichen said, his eyes fixed on Xia Rusheng’s reflection in the mirror. He cut off Xia Yu’s words naturally and proceeded to ignore her entirely.

"I have my dear sister and her mother to thank for this," Xia Rusheng said, casting a calm glance at Xia Yu. Ever since they stepped onto the ship, Xia Yu had been forcing a smile. She believed that Xia Yu would find it very difficult to smile genuinely for the rest of the day.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Xia Yu couldn't maintain even the last shred of her smile. It was truly a hardship for her today. It was the first time Xia Rusheng had seen Xia Yu show such restraint, and she was eager to test the limits of that patience. Unfortunately, the result was slightly disappointing; no matter how she postured, Xia Yu was still just a spoiled girl who couldn’t handle repeated provocation.

"Sister, that’s all in the past. Today is a happy day, can’t you stop bringing up these things?" Xia Yu, despite being filled with suppressed rage, acted coquettishly again. She changed the subject and urged, "It’s getting late, Sister. Hurry up and change into your gown and get your makeup done. You’re the protagonist today; you must look absolutely beautiful."

Xia Rusheng went to the inner room to change, but her eyes never left Xia Yu. As she passed by, she clearly saw a strange, sinister smile on Xia Yu’s face. She stopped calmly and naturally, saying, "I forgot some of my jewelry in the car. Miss Yan, could you come with me to get it? Since you are the stylist, you can help me select the right pieces."

"I’ll go get it for you," Lin Yichen said, already rising to his feet.

"You go take care of your business. I can get it myself. Besides, it’s not convenient for a man to stay here while we change and do makeup." Xia Rusheng dismissed Lin Yichen with a few casual words and walked out of the suite with Yan Xiaoli. But not long after they left, Xia Rusheng stopped again and changed her tune. "Lin Yichen, actually, you go get it for me. I want to go to the restroom first."

Lin Yichen suspected nothing, but Yan Xiaoli, standing to the side, sensed something was amiss. Only after Lin Yichen had left did she ask, "Does Miss Xia feel there is something wrong with your sister?"

"You noticed it too?"

Yan Xiaoli shook her head. "I didn't notice anything about her, but your behavior, Miss Xia, was quite strange. It was as if you were intentionally creating an opportunity for her."

Xia Rusheng didn't explain further. She walked softly back to the outside of the top-floor suite and peeked inside through a mirror not far from the door.

In the reflection, Xia Yu was quickly pulling a bottle of powder from her bag and mixing it into the foundation Xia Rusheng was to use. After stirring it rapidly for a moment, she covered the foundation and returned it to its original place.

"Miss Xia, this is—"

Xia Rusheng made a gesture for Yan Xiaoli to be silent. Only after they had retreated a safe distance did she say, "Miss Yan, can you do me a favor?"

Yan Xiaoli nodded without hesitation. "As long as it isn't anything immoral or illegal."

Xia Rusheng smiled, her eyes flashing with sharp intelligence. "Miss Yan, no matter what you see later, please act as if you saw nothing. That will be your favor to me."

Yan Xiaoli was puzzled but nodded anyway. At that moment, Lin Yichen came running back, breathless. "Xiaxia, your jewelry isn't in the car. Did you forget to bring it?"

"Perhaps I did," Xia Rusheng said with a meaningful smile, walking gracefully back toward the suite.