Serenade

It was the beginning of summer vacation, and Jin Xi was still warm and comfortable on the memory foam bed at home, when she was taken to the company for an internship by her dear stepbrother Shen Ping Chuan, on Shen Shishan's orders.

Jin Xi was lucky enough to have escaped this fate, but Shen Ping Chuan strongly requested that Jin Xi be made an assistant to the Young Master Shen Shizi, saying that if Jin Xi was allowed to sleep until noon every day during vacation, and order takeout after waking up, she would gain 10 pounds in one summer.

Shen Shishan agreed this was reasonable, and decided to have Jin Xi and Shen Ping Chuan come to the company for some tempering.

At 8 AM every morning, Jin Xi would be roused by Shen Ping Chuan.

Jin Xi felt resentful, yawning and refusing to move, hopping like a frog, taking a step every time she was pushed.

Shen Ping Chuan fed her steamed buns and rice porridge, hung a small backpack on her, carefully braided her hair, and didn't forget to apply sunscreen to her face before leaving.

However, Young Master Shen's fantasy of sitting in an office as the boss, with a gentle and beautiful assistant miss bringing him coffee and lighting his cigarettes, was quickly shattered.

There was no cool office or long-legged assistant miss. Shen Shishan directly assigned the two siblings to the sales office to work as sales reps running around for business under the blazing sun in the plaza.

Since they were interns sent for tempering at the grassroots level, driving luxury cars was obviously out of the question. Every day, Young Master Shen rode a bicycle, carrying Jin Xi to the sales office.

Jin Xi rested her forehead against his back, catching a bit more sleep.

Shen Corporation's main business was real estate, and the sales office had its own sales targets. As long as they could bring clients in to learn about the offerings, the sales reps could earn commissions.

What Shen Ping Chuan and Jin Xi were doing was standing at the entrance soliciting customers.

The two siblings competed fiercely in order to earn commissions.

Jin Xi stood in the commercial plaza holding flyers, carefully promoting to passersby, and after a whole morning's effort she had only completed 3-4 guests coming into the store to meet her quota.

Shen Ping Chuan on the other hand, after a period of bustling around, returned with more than 10 elderly men and women following behind him.

He greeted them loudly, "Come, come, everyone get in line and enter one by one. The sales staff inside will take you to see the model units."

"Young man, you said we could come in and drink tea, enjoy the air conditioning, and get toilet paper and laundry detergent, where is it?"

"Don't rush, grandpa. Just follow the sales rep through the process, and there will be gifts for everyone. Come in, have a cup of tea..."

...

Jin Xi pulled Shen Ping Chuan aside, "You can even do this?"

"Why not?" Shen Ping Chuan laughed. "I said it counts as long as customers come through the door."

"You're causing trouble!" Jin Xi frowned. "These old folks came just for the gifts. They're not potential customers at all. You're just creating useless work and losses for the sales office."

"I'm only earning commissions."

"I'm telling Old Shen you're sabotaging things!"

Shen Ping Chuan wrapped his arm around Jin Xi, pinning her arms with his elbow. He smiled at Shen Shishan, "Old Shen, everything's fine here. No need to worry. Look how lively the sales office is, full of customers I brought in."

Jin Xi was pinned by Shen Ping Chuan until she could hardly breathe, whimpering urgently.

Shen Shishan said solemnly, "Don't bully your sister."

"How could I bully her? If anything she bullies me. Go on back, Old Shen. Don't worry about this whiny little thing. I'll take care of her."

Shen Shishan glared at Shen Ping Chuan, and said to Jin Xi, "Whiny baby, if you get hot go inside and enjoy the AC. Tell the sales staff if you want anything to eat."

Shen Ping Chuan let out an explosive laugh.

Shen Shishan cleared his throat, "You've led me astray too. Xi Xi, ignore him. Call me if anything comes up."

Jin Xi was still pinned by Shen Ping Chuan, struggling futilely to break free. She cried urgently.

"Xi Xi, don't get heat stroke on such a hot day. Call your brother to buy you ice cream if you want some." said Shen Shishan.

"Hey, Old Shen, did you send her here to work or be a little princess?" Shen Ping Chuan said.

Shen Shishan snorted. "You should take better care of your sister, as her brother."

"No need for you to say it. Hurry back!"

Shen Shishan rolled up the window. The sedan started up and roared away.

Only then did Shen Ping Chuan release Jin Xi. Jin Xi chased the car for a couple steps, watching helplessly as her lifeline disappeared. She turned and glared fiercely at Shen Ping Chuan: "Bastard!"

"I don't care about you anymore. I'm going to keep earning money." Shen Ping Chuan sauntered away cheerfully.

Jin Xi sat on a street bench to rest for a while. Out of habit she took out her phone and messaged Bo Yan.

The chat box contained all the messages she had sent him the past few days. Bo Yan hadn't replied to any. His phone had been confiscated so he couldn't see these messages, but every day Jin Xi still sent him some trivial things, thinking he might unexpectedly come online at some point.

"Shen Ping Chuan is so stupid."

"What kind of person deliberately sabotages his own company?"

"Keep away from him in the future. Don't let him lead you astray."

"Baby, it's so strange, I've never looked forward to school starting like this before."

"Wah, come back soon."

...

Jin Xi lowered her head, setting a selfie of her and Bo Yan as her phone wallpaper. Then she picked up the flyers beside her and continued handing them out to passersby, honestly promoting to them:

"Spring in Paris new housing on sale. Come take a look, sir and miss."

"Close to First Middle School and Metro Line 3. School district housing, convenient transportation."

"Free garage when purchasing property now."

Shen Ping Chuan led another group of elders wearing traditional clothes into the sales center. Jin Xi gnashed her teeth watching him, cursing: "Despicable man!"

At this moment, an opulently adorned madam walked over with her daughter. It was Jin Xi's stepmother, Madam Jiang.

She was wearing sunglasses, but still very recognizable. She seemed to see Jin Xi handing out flyers, took off her glasses, and stared at her closely for a long time, as if uncertain.

Jin Xi turned around, hoping this troublesome woman wouldn't recognize her.

"Isn't this Jin Xi?"

Jin Xi sighed helplessly and responded flatly: "Madam Jiang."

"What are you doing out here handing out flyers at this time of day? Isn't it hot?"

"It's alright."

Jin Xi knew she was a hypocrite pretending to care when she didn't.

Sure enough, Madam Jiang said to the girl beside her, "Look at your sister Jin Xi, able to work hard and be thrifty on her own initiative. You on the other hand are still a little princess at home. Aren't you ashamed?"

Jin Xi recognized the girl as Madam Jiang's daughter, from her previous marriage of course.

Madam Jiang and Jin Mao had both cheated on their spouses. Both had their own families and children before the affair.

The girl's original name was Zhou Keke. It seemed she had recently changed it to Jin Keke.

Jin Keke had inherited Madam Jiang's beauty, with a pair of smiling eyes containing a hint of charm.

"Mom, how can I be the same as her? Dad treats me so well, like his own daughter. That's why he can't bear to have me do summer work."

Jin Xi sneered. She was calling Jin Dad too now. This girl really had no shame.

Madam Jiang looked around the sales office and said loudly, "Isn't this Spring in Paris? I was just thinking of buying a property here. Keke got into B City First Middle School this year. Spring in Paris is the closest high-end property to the school. How perfect. Little Xi, bring us in to learn more. If it looks good I'll make a booking right away. It'll count towards your performance and you can get a commission too."

Jin Xi looked at Shen Ping Chuan, who was gleefully leading a group of elders in traditional clothes into the sales center, grinning from ear to ear.

She had worked hard all day, and didn't want to lose to this devious man. Who could reject money?

So Jin Xi brought Madam Jiang and Jin Keke to the model unit exhibition area inside the sales center.

"Here there are a few types of apartments, two hundred square meters, one hundred and fifty square meters, and one hundred and twenty square meters, all with high-quality finishes. Which type would you like to see, Auntie Jiang?"

Auntie Jiang frowned, "Is this all the apartment types you have?"

"We also have townhouses and row houses, standalone villas. If Jin Keke is going to live alone, maybe she doesn't need something so big. An apartment would be enough."

"How much are you selling these row houses for?"

"If Auntie Jiang wants an estimate, it comes out to around 3 million RMB for one."

Jin Keke exclaimed in surprise, "3 million RMB per square meter? That's so cheap! Mom, I want to live in a villa!"

Jin Xi smiled and said, "It's not 3 million RMB per square meter, it's 3 million RMB total price, unfurnished. The standalone villas are slightly more expensive, around 5 million RMB."

"5 million RMB, why is it so expensive here!"

Auntie Jiang quickly pulled Jin Keke aside.

Jin Keke's face turned a bit red, her expression embarrassed.

The saleswomen around them kept straight faces, but she knew they were definitely making fun of her lack of world experience in their hearts.

Jin Keke's life before had not been very good. It was because her mom married into the Jin family that her living standards slowly improved, and she liked to show off how rich and powerful her dad Jin Mao was to classmates.

Auntie Jiang couldn't figure out if Jin Xi was deliberately trying to embarrass Keke, or if it was unintentional. This girl was usually so muted, not the type to retaliate.

Auntie Jiang patted her daughter on the back of the head, and gently said, "Keke, if you want to live in a villa, your dad Jin Mao would definitely be willing to buy one for you. But with just you and the housekeeper living there, the villa would be too big and empty. I think the apartment is good enough. Your dad agreed to fully pay for a high-end Spring in Paris apartment for you, and the apartment will be under your name in the future.

When she said this, she glanced meaningfully at Jin Xi - "You see how your dad dotes on you, even his own daughter Jin Xi doesn't have a house and still lives in someone else's place!"

Jin Keke felt her face had been saved. She raised her eyebrows and asked Jin Xi, "Do you live in a villa or an apartment?"

Jin Xi expressionlessly replied, "Apartment."

Her family was just three people, an apartment was more than enough, and it was pretty close to Old Shen's company, very convenient transportation wise.

It's just that the apartment Jin Xi lived in was in the most high-end complex with astronomical prices beyond imagination.

Jin Keke didn't know about this, and assumed it was just a normal apartment, so she satisfyingly said to Auntie Jiang, "Mom, let's just get an apartment then. I want the biggest and best apartment."

"Okay, as long as you like it, your dad will definitely buy it for you."

"I know, my dad Jin Mao dotes on me so much!"

In front of Jin Xi, Jin Keke swaggered for a while, feeling great. She was young, immature, and felt that her stepsister must be unwanted because she was unlikeable, whereas she just needed to suck up more and be sweet with her words, and her dad Jin Mao would listen to her every beck and call. Then she could get whatever she wanted.

Jin Xi had figured Auntie Jiang out, and didn't like bickering with her. As long as she didn't care, Auntie Jiang wouldn't be able to hurt her.

For the sake of the handsome sales commission from selling the house, Jin Xi patiently accompanied them to look at several layouts.

These two difficult customers nitpicked this and that, rejecting apartment after apartment on the smallest things.

"Mom, I want to pick the best apartment."

"Keke, you're not very satisfied with any of these big layouts. The good floors don't have many left. Why don't we look at the small layouts instead? The small ones are cozy and charming. With just you living there, it's more than enough."

Jin Keke frowned. "But I want to live in a big house."

Auntie Jiang placated her, "Silly girl, big houses are so empty. Let's choose a small one."

The saleswomen watching this exchange from the sidelines looked at each other, also seeing through this so-called "wealthy madam" who actually had no money at all.

They saw people like this too often.

Not satisfied with the large layouts meant they simply couldn't afford them. Spring in Paris' housing prices were considered top-tier in City B. It wasn't something just anyone could afford to live in.

Seeing the two being so picky and fussy, Jin Xi simply said, "The Jin family mansion isn't far from No. 1 Middle School B City. Since Dad dotes on Keke so much, why doesn't she just move into the Jin family mansion to live? It's not safe for a high schooler to live alone."

Auntie Jiang's heart twinged. Jin Xi's words had pierced the wound in her heart.

Jin Mao's parents favored boys over girls, and didn't even like their own granddaughter, let alone her daughter from a previous marriage - they detested her and wouldn't even let her in the door!

Previously, Auntie Jiang had tentatively brought it up to the family, since Keke was starting high school, hoping she could move into the house to live closer to school.

But the elderly in the house adamantly refused, afraid that if Keke came, she would mistreat their precious grandson. They found her an eyesore. Even after changing her surname to Jin, Jin Keke still hadn't been added to the Jin household registry.

Jin Mao was a very filial son, and no matter how much she whispered in his ear at night, he refused to go against his parents' wishes. Annoyed, she plainly told Auntie Jiang, "She's your daughter, not my daughter. Why should I raise her? I can barely take care of my own daughter, why would I help you raise yours too? Don't joke around."

Auntie Jiang didn't work, she was a full-time housewife living off her face. She didn't dare tear faces with Jin Mao, and could only take out all her savings to buy Jin Keke an apartment.

It was impossible for Jin Mao to buy Jin Keke a house - not only was he unwilling, if the elderly in the house found out they would flip out.

But running into Jin Xi today, Auntie Jiang deliberately wanted to provoke her, which is why she said the house was being bought by Jin Mao for his daughter.

Lacking something made her like showing off that very thing even more. She wanted Jin Mao's ex-wife's daughter to know how "glamorous" her life was now.

Jin Keke was completely oblivious to all this backstory, and foolishly asked, "Yeah Mom, let's just not buy an apartment. I'll move into my dad Jin Mao's house to accompany my little brother!"

Auntie Jiang was irritated and suffocating a stomach full of resentment. She raised her voice, "Move what move! What's the point of you moving in, just to get looked down on by others!"

Jin Keke's eyes instantly reddened from the scolding. "I'm my dad's daughter, why can't I move in!"

Right then, a cold laugh sounded from the side -

"The real daughter hasn't said anything, what kind of daughter do you think you are?"

The speaker was Shen Ping Chuan.

He had been standing by watching the spectacle unfold for quite a while, originally worried that the little coward from his family was being bullied again. He didn't expect that she was actually quite steady, didn't get bullied, and instead provoked the other person to the point of exploding in just a few sentences.

As expected, sticking close to Bo Yan made this girl's personality much sharper.

Seeing Shen Ping Chuan, Auntie Jiang's expression froze. "It's you again."

Shen Ping Chuan sauntered over, casually draping his arm over Jin Xi's shoulders, grinning playfully. "Auntie Jiang, long time no see."

Jin Keke had originally felt this boy was handsome and dashing, and was predisposed to like him. She didn't expect him to be so intimate with Jin Xi as soon as he walked over, and her heart sank a little. She bluntly asked, "Who are you?"

Shen Ping Chuan ruffled Jin Xi's hair, smiling as he said, "I'm her stepbrother."

Jin Keke's face showed disdain. "Are you also working here?"

At this moment, a sharp-eyed sales manager hurried over and harshly reprimanded her subordinates, "Are you all blind? How could you let Young Master and Missy entertain customers outside! If President Shen finds out there'll be hell to pay!"

She respectfully said to Shen Ping Chuan, "President Shen specifically ordered that you two shouldn't be tired out, especially Missy. Go upstairs and rest, afternoon tea and snacks are ready."

Jin Xi grinned. Wasn't it this sales manager who had sternly assigned them work, saying they had to stay overtime if they didn't meet their sales target today!

And now it was Young Master this, Missy that, even afternoon tea and snacks. They were truly being treated like a prince and princess.

This woman should win Best Actress awards instead of being a sales manager. Her acting skills were off the charts!

Shen Ping Chuan's arrogant eyebrows quirked up as he smiled without responding.

The real estate sales manager turned to Jin Xi, "Miss, this is Young Master Shen from our Shen Corporation, my future boss. He loves Miss Jin the most. Since you know Miss Jin, let me offer you a discount price."

Jin Keke's jaw dropped in shock, unable to utter a word. She was also surnamed Jin, but no one had ever truly treated her as "Miss Jin".

She looked at her mother in bewilderment, "Mom, didn't you say she was working here to save up for school?"

"What are you talking about?" The sales manager laughed, "Everyone in the company knows Little Miss is our Boss Shen's pearl in hand, here to gain some life experience this summer."

Aunt Jiang had lost all face today and was about to make an excuse to leave, "I'm not very satisfied with the apartments here..."

"Madam, I saw you were quite satisfied earlier. If the larger floorplans you liked don't have suitable floors, how about this - I'll give you the floors of customers who haven't put down deposits yet. You can choose whichever floor you want, as high as you like. If this works for you, let's get the deposit settled first, what do you think?"

Jin Xi glanced at Shen Ping Chuan, and he winked at her mischievously.

Aunt Jiang didn't have much savings to begin with. Buying a small one-bedroom apartment in Paris this spring would likely tap her out already. Where would she get the millions needed for the large apartments here?

She had just swaggered in front of Jin Xi, but now the manager had blocked all her exits, unable to advance or retreat. She felt extremely awful.

Jin Xi and Shen Ping Chuan watched indifferently as Jin Keke became so anxious she was nearly in tears, "Mom, I want the best and biggest apartment. Hurry and buy it for me!"

The sales manager smiled, "Madam, once you leave Chun Tian Paris, you won't be able to find such a high-end complex again. Our community is specially designed for ladies of your status, great for investment or living."

Aunt Jiang was an extremely prideful woman. Driven into a corner, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and put down a deposit for a 2000 sq ft apartment.

She didn't have enough savings to pay for the apartment in full, so she could only opt for a mortgage. Signing the agreement made her heart bleed.

Jin Keke's face was even more ashen. They had agreed to pay in full, but now it was a mortgage instead. How humiliating!

Of course, Aunt Jiang's bad business deal would be credited to Jin Xi's sales.

That night, Jin Xi happily treated Shen Ping Chuan to late-night snacks with her 5-digit commission. Shen Ping Chuan disdainfully said, "Look at you gloating, petty people are hard to teach."

Jin Xi was exactly that - petty people glorying in success. Not only did she earn a high commission, she had vented her pent-up anger at Aunt Jiang.

In the past, Aunt Jiang would look at her like a ruffled hen, always mocking and provoking her. Today's events finally allowed Jin Xi to get back at her.

"Bro, sales manager Chen Jie was so amazing. This morning she was still lecturing us about work, but in front of Aunt Jiang, she kept calling us Young Master and Miss. It gave me goosebumps."

"How do you think she became a sales manager so young working under Old Shen? Everyone who works for him is sly and scheming. You should learn from her."

Shen Ping Chuan leisurely cycled forwards against the setting sun, while Jin Xi leaned her head on his hard back, "Bro, I'm so tired. Earning money is hard."

"Now you know."

"Yeah, not only is it tiring, you have to endure humiliation too."

Jin Xi buried her head in his back and mumbled hoarsely, "If not for you today bro, I wouldn't have known what to do."

Perhaps she really was exhausted. The girl was unusually docile, quite unlike their usual bickering and fights. Moments of soft words were rare between the quarrelsome siblings.

Shen Ping Chuan felt a twinge in his heart. He turned back and awkwardly said, "Lean on your brother. I'll always support you and not let anyone bully you."

Jin Xi closed her eyes and leaned into his sturdy back, letting the gentle breeze caress her long lashes, "Okay."