Chapter Thirty-Four: The Final Straw of Victory

At night, Bai Ling waited for the outcome.

Ge Fenfen knocked on the door.

When Bai Ling opened it, she realized it wasn’t just her—there was a young man with her.

He was not very old, with a touch of youthful naivety. His features bore a resemblance to Bai Ling’s, and he was undeniably handsome—so striking he would stand out in any crowd.

“Zihao?”

“What brings you here?”

Indeed, the one Ge Fenfen had brought was Bai Zihao—Bai Ling’s younger brother.

“Sis!”

Without hesitation, Bai Zihao rushed forward and gave her a big hug.

“Sis, I never expected Mom and Dad would do such things!”

“I’m sorry, I should have paid attention from the start and spoken up for you.”

Though Bai Ling was no longer the same person, she had not merely taken someone else’s place—she was fused with the original’s emotions and memories.

Because of that, her affection for her little brother was genuine and deep.

“I never wanted you to step forward for me,” she said gently. “Weren’t you busy with your start-up recently? I didn’t want to distract you.”

Bai Zihao scratched his head, embarrassed. “The start-up isn’t important right now.”

Sister Ge interrupted with a laugh, “Sorry to break up this heartwarming sibling moment.”

“As for keeping your brother out of this—well, that’s basically impossible now.”

“I’ve already released the audio recording, and I found people from your village who provided some ‘evidence.’”

“But your brother’s statement is still needed to deliver the final blow.”

“Look, the video has already been posted.”

She handed her phone to Bai Ling. On the screen was footage Bai Zihao had recorded.

He’d come forward as family to refute the rumors of Bai Ling’s ‘unfilial’ conduct.

No matter how much outsiders talk, only a relative’s testimony truly holds weight.

With this, Sister Ge put the final piece in place.

The perfect counterattack had begun.

Bai Ling didn’t pay much attention to what Bai Zihao had said; she could imagine the content.

Unlocking her own phone, Bai Ling began reading the comments.

“Damn, this counterattack was executed flawlessly!”

“Did you see the interviews with the villagers? Bai Ling’s parents are unbelievable.”

“Beating their child all the time, and for no reason?”

“Bai Ling almost got beaten to death for wanting to go to college? What kind of parents are these?”

“I’m so angry and cold; I feel lucky to have been born into a good family.”

“Some people are warmed by their childhoods for a lifetime, while others spend a lifetime healing from theirs. Poor Bai Ling.”

“Same here. I feel so sorry for her. It’s hard to imagine someone as outstanding as Bai Ling could come out of such an environment.”

“Honestly, after watching the interviews, I just want to bash Xinghui Company and Bai Ling’s parents.”

“Now I get why Bai Ling said her parents’ ‘raising grace’ was worth only sixty thousand yuan. They didn’t even provide basic food and shelter for her and her brother.”

“To be honest, even sixty thousand is generous.”

“It’s heartbreaking!”

“Bai Ling’s brother has spoken out too, go watch!”

“Really? The little brother spoke? I’m going!”

“Move aside, who are you calling little brother? That’s my wife and my brother-in-law!”

“Wait, weren’t you all cursing her earlier? Now you’re calling her your wife already?”

“How could anyone not love someone like her?”

Reading this, Bai Ling felt a little awkward.

There was really no need to call her ‘wife.’

But after noticing that most of those using the term were girls, Bai Ling gave a thumbs-up.

Please, everyone, keep it up!

As for Bai Zihao’s statement, Bai Ling hadn’t planned to pay attention, but she clicked out of habit—and found herself drawn in.

“My sister is, in my heart, truly remarkable.”

“Since we were little, our parents were unkind to us. My sister cared for me, protected me, took the blows for me. Most of the beatings fell on her.”

“It broke my heart, but as children, what could we do except endure?”

“But even as a child, she was so strong. In my eyes, my sister was more like a mother to me.”

“Forgive me for being emotional, but when I found out she didn’t go to college so she could work and pay for my tuition, I hated myself for being so useless. All I could do was focus on my studies and hope to repay her one day.”

“She never told me how cold the dishwater was when she washed dishes in restaurants, never told me how much she had to practice dancing to be an artist, never mentioned the unspoken rules she might face…”

“But I know, these years must have been so hard for her.”

“Seeing my sister finally succeed, join a new company, I’m so happy and grateful. Grateful that she’s finally found a good place.”

“But when I realized it was our parents trying to ruin her, I was heartbroken.”

“You have to have a conscience in this world. The wrongs they’ve done, the sins they’ve committed—there are too many to count, an endless debt.”

“So here I am, begging everyone to open your eyes and believe my sister, Bai Ling…”

By the end of the video, Bai Zihao was already choking back tears.

Bai Ling turned around and looked at Bai Zihao, whose eyes were bloodshot, and helplessly patted his head.

“You silly boy…”

Even Bai Ling herself wasn’t sure, at this moment, whether she was Bai Lin of her past life or the Bai Ling of before.

Perhaps she was both.

She knew the two could not be separated, but only now did she feel that truth so clearly.

“All right, that’s enough for today. I’ve arranged a room for your brother next door. You two catch up.”

“I’ll take my leave.”

With everything resolved perfectly, Sister Ge had no reason to linger.

Bai Ling stepped forward and took her hand. “Thank you, Sister Ge. I’ll remember your kindness.”

Sister Ge chuckled, “Just doing my job. If you want to thank me, write another song.”

“Oh, and don’t worry about the New Year’s show at my house. Even if things got a little off track, now that everything’s settled, it won’t be a problem.”

Bai Ling nodded. “No problem. I’ll remember. If it weren’t so late, I’d write a song for you tonight!”

She patted her chest, boasting.

She just wanted to express her gratitude.

But Sister Ge’s eyes flashed with interest.

“All right, I’ll hold you to that. Bye!”

After Sister Ge left, Bai Ling comforted Bai Zihao for a while.

Though the two of them shared a deep sibling bond, there wasn’t much left to talk about.

Before long, Bai Zihao retired to his room, and Bai Ling drifted into sleep.

That night’s rest was particularly sweet. Even after all that had happened, she wasn’t haunted by nightmares from the past.

It seemed that the misfortune that had once plagued Bai Ling was finally being laid to rest.

At least, the original Bai Ling had finally let go.

Of course, late into the night, the system chimed in.

“The host did not resolve the crisis independently, but relied on others. Challenge failed. One mystery box awarded!”