Chapter 1 - Have You Ever Kissed?
Jiang Yi’s parents divorced when she was fourteen. The reason? Her father’s infidelity. Not just a fleeting affair, but a long-term relationship that resulted in a son, a boy now in his early teens. He had supported the other woman and his son for years, keeping his wife and daughter completely in the dark. After her mother discovered the truth, a bitter six-month battle ensued, culminating in a heartbroken resignation and the finality of divorce.
Naturally, Jiang Yi stayed with her mother, Liang Yan. After the divorce, Liang Yan went through a period of despondency. But when she emerged from the shadows, she was a changed woman. Once indifferent to her appearance, she became preoccupied with her figure and complexion, indulging in skincare products, makeup, and the latest fashions. Money might have been tight, but her dresses always had to be beautiful.
Liang Yan started dating again, one man after another. Then, finally, she announced she was getting married. Her fiancé was a wealthy CEO from a prominent family, with vast business interests. Jiang Yi didn't know how they met, but seeing her mother's happiness was enough for her. It was his third marriage, Liang Yan’s second. Despite neither being on their first trip down the aisle, the wedding was extravagant—at least, it seemed so to Jiang Yi. The reception was filled with influential figures.
Jiang Yi felt nervous. Dressed in an elegant gown, her makeup flawless, she kept her eyes downcast, terrified of saying or doing the wrong thing. She longed for the formalities to end so she could retreat to a quiet corner. But her hopes were dashed. During the toasts, Liang Yan insisted she stay by her side. Introducing her to each guest, Liang Yan would gently push her forward, and her new stepfather would announce, “This is my wife’s daughter, my stepdaughter, Jiang Yi.”
Jiang Yi would force a smile and a nod, her demeanor poised and graceful. As she tilted her head, her long, elegant neck was revealed, highlighting the delicate curve of her collarbone. Several men in the ballroom followed her with their gaze, their eyes dark and intense.
Two men stood on the second-floor balcony. One swirled his wine glass, his eyes fixed on Jiang Yi below. He turned to the man beside him. “Your stepsister is quite beautiful.”
The other man, standing sideways, his gaze also locked on Jiang Yi, didn't respond, offering neither agreement nor disagreement. He already knew. She was beautiful.
After that night, everyone in Beijing’s elite circles knew that Mr. Zhong had married again, and that his new wife had a daughter in tow. A strikingly beautiful young woman, they’d heard.
After the wedding, Jiang Yi moved into the Zhong family villa. Liang Yan had insisted. But once there, Jiang Yi discovered that her mother wasn't living with her. Liang Yan and her new husband, Zhong Yunde, occupied a separate villa, enjoying their marital bliss. That meant Jiang Yi shared the main villa with Zhong Yunde’s sons.
The realization filled Jiang Yi with unease. She moved through the villa with cautious steps, constantly on guard. But her worries proved unfounded. The eldest Zhong son worked long hours, rarely home. The second son was often away on business trips, sometimes for weeks at a time. She barely saw either of them. The person she saw most was the youngest son, Zhong Cheng. While not exactly warm, he maintained a cool indifference. He might have seemed aloof, but he wasn’t unkind. The household staff treated her with respect, as if she were a true heiress, never showing a hint of disrespect. So, gradually, Jiang Yi settled in.
Jiang Yi was seventeen, in her final year of high school, when Liang Yan remarried. In October, after the wedding, she transferred to Zhong Cheng’s school. By the end of November, she had adapted to her new life, finding a comfortable rhythm.