Capítulo 16: Chapter 16: Painting Competition
Feng Yue sat at her desk, biting her lip in frustration. Her confrontation with Feng Yan earlier that morning had not gone as planned. She had expected Feng Yan to crumble under pressure, just like she always had in the past. But today, Feng Yan was different. The coldness in her gaze, the way she had spoken back without fear—it unsettled Feng Yue in ways she couldn't understand.
Still, she was determined to regain control. She had a plan, and she wasn't about to let Feng Yan ruin it. The prestigious art competition was approaching, and she needed Feng Yan's help more than ever. Feng Yue had always been praised for her art, but what no one knew was that Feng Yan had been the one secretly helping her. Feng Yan had a natural gift for painting, a talent that Feng Yue had always envied. But in the past, Feng Yan had been easy to manipulate, willing to help her "sister" without asking for anything in return.
Now, with only a few days left before the submission deadline, Feng Yue knew she had to act fast. But after this morning, it was clear that her usual tactics wouldn't work. Feng Yan was no longer the same timid girl who could be easily controlled with a few tears and kind words.
Feng Yue took a deep breath, smoothing her face into a mask of concern and sisterly affection. She would try a different approach this time—gentleness, bargaining, and just the right amount of manipulation. Standing up from her desk, she made her way over to where Feng Yan sat, her posture relaxed and calm. Inside, however, her heart was beating rapidly. She couldn't afford to fail.
Feng Yan, who had been quietly reading a book, didn't even look up as Feng Yue approached. She could feel her sister's presence before she even spoke, and already a wave of disgust rolled over her. She knew what was coming. In her past life, this would have been the moment when Feng Yue's fake concern melted away her defenses, and she would once again fall into the trap of helping her only to be discarded later.
But this was no longer the past.
"Yan Yan," Feng Yue began, her voice soft and sweet, dripping with artificial concern. "I've been thinking about what happened this morning, and I wanted to apologize. I didn't mean to upset you. I know things have been hard for you lately."
Feng Yan didn't respond, her eyes still focused on her book as if she hadn't heard her sister. This lack of acknowledgment made Feng Yue's heart clench with irritation, but she kept her tone steady, her smile in place.
"I was wondering…" Feng Yue continued, inching closer, "I know you're upset with me and our parents, but I wanted to offer you something. You know the art competition that's coming up, right? I'm struggling with my piece and I could really use your help. You've always been so talented with painting."
She paused for effect, hoping to gauge Feng Yan's reaction. When there was none, Feng Yue added the bait. "If you help me, I'll talk to our parents. I'll convince them to let you stay. I know they've been hard on you, but I'm sure I can make them change their minds. You don't have to go to the mountains. You can stay here, with us, with your family."
Feng Yue felt a flicker of triumph as she finished her offer. She believed she had struck a nerve. After all, Feng Yan had always been desperate to belong, always seeking the approval and love of their parents. Surely, she would jump at the chance to stay.
But what Feng Yue didn't realize was that Feng Yan was no longer the same naive girl who had once longed for acceptance. In this life, Feng Yan knew better. She had seen the truth behind Feng Yue's fake smiles and empty promises. She knew that if she accepted this offer, she would only be used again, discarded when it suited them.
Feng Yan finally looked up from her book, her eyes meeting Feng Yue's with a cold, unfeeling stare. The intensity of her gaze made Feng Yue freeze in place, a chill running down her spine. It was as if the air around them had dropped several degrees. The coldness in Feng Yan's expression was unlike anything Feng Yue had ever seen before, and it unsettled her deeply.
"I don't need your help," Feng Yan said, her voice low and devoid of any warmth. "And I don't need your family's pity."
Feng Yue blinked, momentarily thrown off by Feng Yan's response. "But… I'm offering to help you, Yan Yan," she insisted, her voice faltering slightly. "I'll convince them to let you stay. You don't want to go to the mountains, do you? I'm doing this for you."
Feng Yan's lips curled into a slight, mocking smile. "Doing this for me? Don't pretend, Feng Yue. You're only saying this because you need something from me. You need my help with your painting. That's all this is about, isn't it?"
The words cut through Feng Yue like a blade. She hadn't expected Feng Yan to see through her so easily, and it left her scrambling to regain control of the conversation.
"No! That's not true," Feng Yue protested, her voice becoming more desperate. "I really do care about you, Feng Yan. I just want us to go back to the way things were. Please, help me with the painting, and I promise everything will be better."
Feng Yan stood up from her desk, her gaze never leaving Feng Yue's face. Her presence was commanding, almost intimidating, as she loomed over her sister. The coldness in her eyes sent another wave of unease through Feng Yue.
"There's no going back," Feng Yan said quietly, her voice like ice. "You can keep your promises, your fake concern, and your bargaining chips. I'm done playing this game with you."
Without another word, Feng Yan brushed past Feng Yue and walked out of the classroom, leaving her sister standing there, stunned and speechless.
Feng Yue's hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms as a surge of anger and frustration coursed through her. How dare Feng Yan treat her like this? How dare she refuse her offer?
The calm, composed facade that Feng Yue had maintained cracked, revealing the seething hatred she felt inside. She had thought she could manipulate Feng Yan into helping her, but now she realized that her sister had changed in ways she couldn't understand. The cold indifference in Feng Yan's eyes had sent a chill through her, and for the first time, Feng Yue felt a flicker of fear.
But the anger quickly overtook the fear. Feng Yue wasn't going to let this go. She needed that painting for the competition, and she wouldn't allow Feng Yan to ruin her chances. She had to find another way to get what she wanted, even if it meant using more drastic measures.
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