In her past life, the outcome had been happy for everyone—except her. Zhao Zihan recovered, remaining the Zhao family's prized heir. Zhao Ziyu continued to be the beloved youngest daughter.
But Jian Dan, after donating her kidney and being stripped of her shares, was discarded like trash. For an eighteen-year-old girl, the betrayal had been crushing. She left the capital, abandoning its prestigious universities, and returned to the city where she'd grown up.
Her health deteriorated—poor post-surgery care and heartache took their toll. The Zhao family never visited, never called. It was as if she had never existed. Then came the day she coughed up blood in despair, droplets staining the magnolia pendant she'd kept. That was when her cultivation journey began. Her body slowly healed, leading to the moment she shared the secret of immortality with Du Yanran.
This life, she'd still gifted Du Yanran the so-called immortal fate—because Du Yanran was also reborn. Even if Jian Dan didn't hand over the jade earrings, Du Yanran would find another way onto the cultivation path. Refusing would only reveal Jian Dan's own rebirth.
And Du Yanran, blessed with the protagonist's halo, would stop at nothing to kill Jian Dan if she ever learned the truth. Until she had the power to strike decisively, Jian Dan would play along with the past timeline. At least this way, she lurked in the shadows while Du Yanran stood exposed.
Cultivators never left traces of their blood or hair behind—too easy for enemies to exploit. So during the compatibility test, Jian Dan had used an illusion to swap her blood samples.
The Zhaos had chosen the wrong target.
"I'll take back what's mine," she murmured, flipping her hand. Three jade pieces materialized in her palm—the real ones. The counterfeits had already been returned to the Zhao family.
"Let the show begin."
She stored the jewelry in the magnolia space and resumed her body-tempering exercises, refining her physique with spiritual energy.
The next morning, no one came for breakfast.
Jian Dan ate alone, then met Zhou Bing's car outside. By the time the butler realized, all he saw were taillights.
"Where to, Miss Jian?"
"Sun Kailin. Stellar Tower."
"Understood."
"Did you find the apartment?"
"Yes. The keys and address are in the seat pocket. I also got you a burner phone—untraceable."
"Good work." She handed him the black card. "Use this to quietly reclaim any antiques Zhao Mufeng has sold off in recent years."
"Should I prioritize price—?"
"No. I know the funds won't cover everything yet, so take your time. Don't attract attention. I'll transfer more later. Every piece has the Jian family's hidden mark—I'll sketch them for you."
"Understood."
At Stellar Tower, an attendant escorted Jian Dan to the VIP lounge.
Sun Kailin waited in a figure-hugging red dress, her wavy hair cascading over one shoulder. Seven-inch heels added to her commanding presence.
"Jian Dan! Smooth trip?"
In contrast, Jian Dan wore a breezy linen maxi dress and flat Roman sandals, her hair tied back with a pale blue ribbon.
"Quite smooth."
They settled in as a server brought drinks. Sun Kailin gestured to a frothy milk tea.
"Their specialty. All the young ladies love it."
"Charming. But you didn't invite me for tea."
"Straight to business, then. Those shares—"
"My mother's wish was to return them to the Zhaos."
Sun Kailin smirked. "Of course, my father also works for Zhao Corporation and is the second largest shareholder. Although our surname is not Zhao, your surname is also Jian, isn't it?"
"Sister, you are really good at talking. You said you have some information about my mother back then. Tell me about it. Maybe I will change my mind."
"I knew you'd ask." Sun Kailin slid over a dossier. "Read while I explain."
Inside were photos, documents, medical reports—even a disc. The Suns had done their homework.
"Your mother's family was... unique in the capital. Not wealthy, not politically powerful, yet the Jian name endured. My father said it was because an ancestor achieved immortality. The Jians lived extraordinarily long lives."
Her smile turned sly. "And when the rich and powerful crave longevity? They'll pay any price. Every elite family wanted a Jian bride."
"But the Jians always had only one heir per generation. By your mother's time? Just her—sickly from birth, predicted to die by sixteen. Yet she survived to twenty... and married Zhao Mufeng."