Quick Transmigration: Drama Queen's Daily Life Chapter 1154 - 1143: When the Daughter Is the Side Character and the Younger Sister Is the Protagonist

"Where is Xiao Yun?" Ye Qiu scanned the room, her younger sister nowhere in sight, prompting her inquiry.

Mei Chunli offered a slightly embarrassed smile, stating, "That girl likely stayed up too late watching television again last night and is still asleep. Let’s eat first; don’t trouble yourself over her."

Ye Qiu acknowledged this with a casual nod, her gaze returning to Aunt Mei. Soon, however, she looked away. Despite her suspicions, she found it hard to believe that this unassuming, timid, and fearful stepmother was capable of harming her and her daughter.

In the past, Ye Fu had been hesitant to marry Mei Chunli due to their significant difference in social status, fearing it would lead to public ridicule. It was only because Mei Chunli was already pregnant at the time, and Ye Qiu had convinced him not to abandon the unborn child, that Mei Chunli was able to enter the household.

Perhaps sensing she wasn't entirely welcome, Mei Chunli had served Ye Fu and Ye Qiu with utmost caution since her marriage. She even treated Ye Shu, her granddaughter deemed of lesser standing, with more affection than her own daughter, Ye Yun.

Furthermore, she had consistently instructed her daughter from a young age not to vie with Ye Qiu and Ye Shu. This very submissive demeanor had gradually earned her more tolerance from Ye Fu over the years.

Ye Fu’s health was often frail, and Mei Chunli, having been a caregiver previously, possessed the skills to tend to him effectively. This competence earned Ye Qiu’s respect. Ye Qiu couldn’t fathom such a timid individual possessing the resolve or the means to inflict harm.

It appeared this situation would require patience; she would proceed step by step, confident that the true adversary would eventually reveal themselves.

"How has the company been faring lately?" Ye Fu inquired routinely after they had finished their breakfast.

"Quite well. The factory is operating at full capacity, and substantial investment has been allocated to advertising. We simply need to await the new product launch scheduled for next month."

Ye Fu nodded, expressing satisfaction. "I have confidence in your abilities. However, you are not getting any younger. Have you given any thought to finding a father for Xiao Shu?"

"No, I haven’t," Ye Qiu replied, shaking her head while dabbing her mouth with a napkin. "One can never be sure of men’s true intentions. My primary objective is to expand the company, and Xiao Shu is already designated as the heir. There’s no need for any unnecessary complications."

"I don’t intend to pressure you. It’s simply that having someone to look after you is always beneficial. If it weren’t for your Aunt Mei, I would likely still be residing in the nursing home," Ye Fu remarked with a gentle smile directed at Mei Chunli. Once vigorous and influential in his youth, approaching old age and weakened health had rendered him considerably gentler.

Ye Qiu mirrored his smile. "I am genuinely happy and relieved that Aunt Mei is here to care for you. However, our circumstances are quite different. Please don’t worry; if I ever encounter someone truly suitable, I won't necessarily be opposed."

"As long as you understand that."

"I must head to work now. I’ll also be taking Xiao Shu to kindergarten on my way. Father, Aunt Mei, please enjoy the rest of your meal at your own pace."

Upon hearing her elder sister depart, Ye Yun finally dared to emerge from her room. She couldn't quite explain it, but despite her elder sister's consistent kindness, a sense of apprehension lingered. Perhaps it was merely an inexplicable clash of auras!

Nevertheless, she held a deep admiration for her sister, who was twenty-two years older. Since assuming control of the company, her sister had experienced meteoric growth, even venturing into diversified business sectors. Prior to Ye Yun's rebirth, her elder sister's personal fortune had already secured her a place among the nation's top five female entrepreneurs.

Her elder sister possessed exceptional shrewdness, and Ye Yun harbored concerns about concealing her true intentions from her. To account for this, she deliberately delayed her appearance until this moment. After all, she wasn't truly an eight-year-old child; armed with the memories and experiences from her previous life, she required time to acclimate.

"Off you go. Only now are you getting up? Your niece has already left for school. You can’t just be idle during summer vacation!" Mei Chunli playfully tapped her daughter’s nose, her tone carrying a hint of gentle chiding.

Ye Yun regarded her mother, a complex swirl of emotions unspooling within her.

She had endured so much in her past existence, particularly after her father's passing and her sister's subsequent ascent to power. Although her sister continued to treat both her and her mother with solicitude, their lives were tinged with external ridicule, largely due to her mother's former occupation as a caregiver and the absence of inherited company shares.

At times, she pondered if her mother had been born into a more esteemed lineage, would her father have consistently overlooked them?

She, too, was her father’s daughter; why was there such a profound disparity between her and her sister? Even when she achieved moderate academic success, her mother would counsel her to remain humble. What was there to conceal? Could she possibly surpass her sister?

Even if she had outperformed her sister academically in the past, would her father have taken notice? Her father’s attention was solely directed towards his elder daughter, the child from his first marriage. Ye Yun felt like an incidental occurrence in their lives.

A child's mind is incredibly sensitive, which is why, in both this life and her past one, Ye Yun never felt a close bond with her father, a man who was fifty years her senior.

Ye Yun harbored resentment towards her mother, Mei Chunli, for her timid nature and constant attempts to appease everyone. She also disliked her father for his neglect and her sister's perceived superiority. Within this family dynamic, the individual Ye Yun felt closest to was actually her niece, who was merely four years younger than herself.

Thoughts of her niece brought a softening to Ye Yun's eyes. During her previous existence, while she endured the mockery of aristocratic youths, her niece was the sole person who consistently offered her protection. Their bond was more akin to that of intimate friends than an aunt and her niece.

"Come on, Mom, it's summer vacation. What's the harm in me sleeping in a little?" Ye Yun spoke drowsily to her mother's chiding, largely due to her father, Ye Fu, being present, which curbed her from being overly defiant.

Upon hearing this, Ye Fu lowered his newspaper, a fond smile gracing his lips. "Xiao Yun is still young; don't be too harsh on her. If you don't enjoy yourself while you're young, you won't have the time later on."

While his words seemed considerate, Ye Yun felt a pang of unease. Her father’s lack of interest and low expectations for her future meant he deemed it inconsequential whether she applied herself to her studies or not. In his view, this 'lesser' youngest daughter should ideally never challenge her elder sister and should simply lead a quiet life.

Yet, even as mere children, her four-year-old niece, Ye Shu, was already immersed in learning a multitude of disciplines: foreign languages, musical instruments, and etiquette – no area was left unexplored. This intense focus stemmed from the fact that her niece was the designated heir, while she was not, implying no necessity for her to strive for greatness.

But Ye Yun simply longed to ask: Why? Why was she destined for mediocrity? Even if inheriting the family enterprise wasn't her path, was she forbidden from achieving excellence?

It was precisely this permissive treatment from her family that led to the constant ridicule she faced in her former life.

This time around, she was determined not to squander her moments in such a manner. Her life, and her fate, were her own to command. She didn't need to inherit the family business to steer clear of moral decay. As the second daughter of the Ye Family, even without a direct stake in the family's ventures, she possessed substantial wealth and influential connections. Why couldn't she establish her own successful enterprise in the future?

However, she knew better than to reveal these aspirations openly at this juncture. She might not harbor overt ambition, but what if her father and sister sensed it? Would her second chance at life be rendered meaningless?

Her return was not for idleness or wasted time; she intended to forge a path to become an even more formidable businesswoman than her elder sister!