Love as My Blade, Pain as My Song

For eight years after being found by the Fox family, my brother finally decided to host a formal reunion party for me, who had been living separately.

But three days before the party, I learned he had changed the invitations to his adopted sisters birthday celebration.

His friend teased,

Just because Clara was jealous, you changed Serenitys long-awaited reunion party, after eight years, into Claras birthday?

Dont say I didnt warn you, Serenity is your biological sister, living away for eight years without even stepping foot into the Fox family mansion. Arent you afraid shell find out and disown you as her brother?

My brother smiled with immense confidence,

How could she? Serenity nearly died from a knife wound from kidnappers, all for me. Shed even throw her life away for me. Would she ever abandon me, her only family?

I left the invitation in the most obvious place. She cares so much about this reunion. Shell definitely see it, and then shell obediently pick out a birthday gift for Clara and attend.

I lowered my gaze, shedding no tears, making no fuss, and finally left quietly.

On the day of the party, my brother, after waiting long for my appearance, frantically called.

Serenity, your room at the mansion has been decorated just how you like it. Why arent you home yet?

I looked at my adopted brother outside the station, waving energetically at me.

Im already home.

The reunion party was promised by my brother six months ago.

At that time, he was kidnapped by a business rival, who, cornered, demanded his life, not money.

In a moment of urgency, I pushed him aside, taking a fatal knife thrust for him.

It missed my heart by barely an inch.

Blood streamed, dripping all the way.

Between life and death, my brothers heart-wrenching sobs echoed in my ears.

Serenity, dont leave me, brother only has you.

As soon as youre out of surgery, Ill bring you back to the mansion, as the Fox familys only cherished daughter, with all due honor.

I think I smiled.

After eight years, my brother finally acknowledged me.

But now, his indifferent, casual voice,

shattered that fresh promise, simply because of Claras plea, I want to be your only sister, brother.

I stood by the door, numb, my fingers slightly cold.

My brothers friend, Ethan, frowned, trying to persuade him,

Everyone in the city knows the only Fox daughter is Clara. You just changed the invitation, and youre not even telling Serenity. When she shows up, only to find the main character replaced, how do you expect her to handle it?

Besides, Serenity is your biological sister, whom you finally found. Shes waited so many years for this reunion, and you personally promised her. Arent you afraid of hurting her feelings?

A flicker of struggle crossed Julians face, then he sighed.

Serenity is sensible and strong. I just casually found a fortune teller as an excuse, saying she clashes with relatives and couldnt return to the mansion to acknowledge her family. She obediently lived away for eight years. Clara is different; she was adopted by the Fox family as a child and never experienced hardship. If Serenity truly moved into the mansion, Clara would feel her affection and attention were divided, surely feeling insecure. She wouldn't be able to handle it.

Ethan wanted to say that affection and attention originally belonged to me.

Before he could speak, Julian impatiently waved his hand.

At worst, Ill just keep saying that. She accepted eight years of clashing with relatives, so another year wont hurt.

Anyway, she trusts me so much. She listens to whatever I say. Shell definitely agree obediently. Its just living outside. As long as I know shes my sister, does a reunion party really matter that much?

Someone nearby chimed in, laughing,

Exactly. Clara is gentle, generous, and well-mannered. Shes truly like a real young lady from a prestigious family. Who would want a country bumpkin sister like Serenity? Shes so unrefined, its embarrassing to even mention her.

If I were Julian, I wouldnt want everyone in the city to know I had such an unsophisticated biological sister. Wouldnt that just give people reason to criticize me?

Julians face darkened with displeasure.

Everyone shut up! Who are you to gossip about Serenity? Remember this: even if she never steps foot into the Fox family mansion in this life, she is still my Fox familys eldest daughter, my biological sister, Julian Fox. If anyone dares to slander her one more word, dont blame me for turning against you.

Everyone fell silent, sulking.

Just then, Julians phone rang in his pocket.

Seeing the caller ID flash My Little Princess,

his gloomy expression instantly softened.

He answered the call. Claras voice was cheerful and surprised.

Brother, are you really giving me Master Daniels last crown? Wasnt that custom-made for Serenity?

Yes, its yours. Itll arrive tomorrow. My little princess isnt worried about her brothers affection being stolen now, is she?

Clara feigned concern. Will Serenity be upset if she finds out?

Silly girl, you are my only precious sister. Your happiness comes first; nothing else matters.

Clara happily cooed,

Thank you, brother! I knew you loved me best! At my birthday party, I want you to personally put the crown on my head.

Okay, whatever you want.

The call ended, and the crowd immediately began to tease,

Julian Fox, the ultimate doting brother, no one dares to claim second place.

Thats Master Daniels last crown! I heard its worth a hundred million. Whos the real sister here? Thats an insane amount of money to spend!

Julians lips curved into a doting smile.

Clara has always been pampered by me since she was little. I cant bear for her to suffer any hardship, so of course, the best must go to her. Serenity is different; shes used to simplicity. Shes not suited for such expensive jewelry. Ive already had a silver set prepared for her; five hundred dollars is already very valuable to her.

Wind poured in through the window, carrying a briny, acrid smell that stung my eyes.

So my brother never intended to bring me home.

Eight years of "clashing with relatives" was merely an excuse to keep me out.

All to prevent me from stealing the affection of his only beloved sister.

How foolish I was, never doubting him, always fearing my misfortune would bring disaster upon him.

He could have just told me he didn't want me as a sister.

I would have left.

But why use eight years of lies, trapping me in his superficial concern?

Making me believe, with all my heart, that he loved me.

Footsteps approached from inside. I swallowed hard, suppressing the burning moisture in my eyes.

Before I could leave, my brother had already opened the door.

The moment he saw me, a flicker of panic crossed his eyes.

Serenity, how long have you been here?

My fingers clenched into my palm, the force pushing out whitened knuckles.

I looked at him calmly, reminding him, Just arrived. Its the fifteenth.

The fifteenth!

It was the only day each month my brother promised to have dinner with me.

For eight years, living apart, my brother always told me,

even if I couldnt return to the Fox family for now, I would always be the Fox familys eldest daughter, his only precious sister.

On the fifteenth of every month, when the moon was full, people reunited.

For eight years, he had never missed that day.

My brother smiled suddenly, gently ruffling my head.

Hmm, lets go. Brother will take you to dinner.

Just as I took a bite of food, the doorbell rang.

Clara, uninvited, appeared. Brother, I specifically came to have dinner with Serenity.

Just as I was about to refuse, she squeezed through the door.

Wow, so much delicious food, all seafood! Brother is so good to Serenity. I never get this treatment, eating food brother made himself.

She picked up her chopsticks, about to serve herself, but I raised my hand to block her.

I didnt invite you. Please leave.

She froze, her lips trembling slightly, her face full of grievance.

Brother, I didnt mean any harm. I just wanted to have dinner with you both.

I looked at her, my voice very faint. You eat with brother twenty-nine days a month. I only have this one day.

Julian frowned, his step forward abruptly halting.

Claras tears suddenly fell.

I I understand.

Youre biological siblings. I, an outsider, am the extra one. Ill go now.

She finished, choking back sobs, then turned and ran out.

She accidentally knocked over a potted plant by the door and fell.

My brothers hand, resting on the shoe cabinet, tightened sharply. He angrily rushed forward to help her up.

Clara, theres a limit to being dramatic. Today was supposed to be my dinner with Serenity. Who asked you to come?

Dont think that just because Serenity cant come home yet, youve really become the Fox familys eldest daughter.

If you hurt yourself, go to the hospital on your own. Im not taking you.

Clara bit her lip, tears brimming in her eyes for a long time, finally bursting into sobs and running away.

My brother stared fixedly at her retreating figure, then harshly shut the door and sat down.

Serenity, dont mind her. I spoiled her with bad habits. Today, no matter what, brother will stay with you.

I looked at the chopsticks he held reversed in his hand, calmly lowering my gaze.

Within ten minutes, he checked his phone over twenty times. Later, he took a call, then told me apologetically,

Serenity, brothers company has an urgent matter. Brother will pick you up tomorrow for your dress fitting.

Before I could respond, he had already rushed out.

I put down my chopsticks, scratching the constantly erupting red bumps on my arm.

Opening the drawer, my allergy medicine was finished. I had no choice but to put on my coat and go to the hospital.

At the hospital stairwell, as I came out with my medicine, I saw a sobbing, aggrieved Clara and my brother gently comforting her.

I stood on the steps, seeing through the bustling crowd.

Watching my heavily germ-phobic brother kneel on one knee, gently massaging Claras foot.

Clara was draped in his expensive suit jacket, eating small bites of seafood from the meal box in her hand.

My brother glanced at her, then, without a trace of discomfort, used his sleeve to wipe a smudge of oil from the corner of her mouth.

Clara pouted, huffing,

Didnt brother say I wasnt the Fox familys eldest daughter? Then what are you doing here looking for me! Go be with your biological sister!

My brother was caught off guard, pushed to the ground.

Yet, there was no anger on his face, only a trace of helpless, doting indulgence.

My little princess, who do you think I say these things for?

Not letting you stay for dinner was because that seafood was just some ready-made food I had someone buy casually. This one in your hand is what brother personally selected and cooked.

I know you love seafood most, so brother picked the best and freshest ones. Much better than what Serenity ate.

The stinging pain from my seafood allergy seemed to amplify, making me unsteady on my feet.

Clara broke into a satisfied smile through her tears.

Silly girl, Serenity is different from you.

She got lost as a child, passed through several hands, unloved and uncared for, suffered so much. If I just give her a little sweetness, shell be eternally grateful.

A few cheap ready-made dishes are enough to make her happy. If shes happy, she wont challenge your position. Why dont you understand brothers good intentions?

Dont go to her place on the fifteenth anymore. Her place is small and inconvenient. If you suffer any grievance, brother will be the one hurting.

Clara sniffed, discontentedly. I just dont want to see her monopolize brother, not for a single day. Brother is mine alone! What is she? She got lost! Why did she even come back? Couldnt she just have died out there?!

My brother dotingly tweaked her nose. Alright, alright, from now on, brother will make excuses, and wont go on the fifteenth either. Ill only spend every day with my little princess, okay?

Hmph, thats more like it.

A surge of sharp pain rushed through my heart. I leaned against the wall, feeling somewhat drained.

So, thats what my brother had always thought.

Because I had suffered much, I should be more content. A little kindness was enough to make me willingly remain outside.

To be the unacknowledged Fox daughter for a lifetime.

He put himself through such trouble for his beloved sister.

Even having to dedicate one day each month to appease me, so I wouldnt covet his sisters position.

Yet, before I was five,

He had said I was his only beloved little princess in this world.

He said he wished his sister a life of happiness, free from worries.

Hence, my name, Serenity.

I thought he remembered, surely he remembered.

But it turned out, only I remembered.

Tears fell without warning, scalding my cheeks.

The old wound in my heart suddenly throbbed intensely. I remembered the doctor saying emotional fluctuations could cause a relapse.

I desperately tilted my head back, the suppressed tears flowing into my throat, bitter and astringent.

No longer looking at the laughing pair, I silently turned, merged into the crowd, and left alone.

Perhaps, I should have left much earlier.

After all, there was someone who truly loved me, waiting far away.

Julian seemed to sense something, looking up hastily, but found nothing.

He clutched his slightly uncomfortable chest, pulling out his phone to send a message to his assistant.

The assistant quickly replied,

Mr. Fox, I personally handed the invitation to Miss Serenity. She looked at it, put it in her bag, and showed no extreme reaction.

Julian finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He knew I cared for him so much that whatever decision he made, I would silently accept it.