Kill That Transmigrator Woman - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: New Year’s Eve

On New Year’s Eve, lights glowed in every household, and the long streets were brilliantly illuminated.

At the New Year’s Eve banquet, Cui Wanwan sat upright in her seat, watching as Wei Qingyu nestled into their mother’s embrace across from her, smiling sweetly.

Their mother lowered her head and gently stroked Wei Qingyu’s cheek, her eyes filled with a kind and gentle smile.

Even their older brother, seated nearby, kept his gaze fixed on Wei Qingyu without looking away for even a moment. His eyes were full of doting affection.

Father Cui directly asked Wei Qingyu what New Year’s gift she would like. Wei Qingyu smiled slightly and said obediently, “I want to make a wish to the Immortal Lady, to exchange my lifespan in return for Father, Mother, and Brother’s good health, for Father and Brother to have smooth careers and get everything they wish for, and for Mother to always be joyful and happy.”

“You silly child, what nonsense are you saying? How can you offer your own lifespan in exchange with the immortals?” Madam Cui scolded lightly, pinching Wei Qingyu’s cheek.

Though her words were chiding, the expressions on everyone’s faces were filled with comfort and affection.

The more Father Cui looked at this eldest daughter, the more satisfied he felt.

Their family was full of joy and laughter, harmonious and lively.

In contrast, Cui Wanwan’s side seemed utterly ignored, quiet and still.

Wei Qingyu had clearly noticed this as well, and without a word, cast a smug, provocative smile toward Cui Wanwan.

Cui Wanwan saw it but said nothing, only lowering her head to quietly eat her New Year’s Eve dinner.

If it were in her past life, her heart would have already been twisted in pain, as if being slashed by blades.

But precisely because she had already experienced such bitter disappointment and agony, this now felt like nothing to her. She had once fallen into the abyss, and now having crawled back out, the former parental love and brotherly care she had known felt like nothing more than a dream.

That’s how the world is, mothers are kind to filial children, and only when a mother is kind will a child be filial.

Cui Wanwan sat quietly at the table for a long time. Her long, thick eyelashes lowered, casting a faint shadow.
Her lips were tight. As the lights lit up outside, their glow spilled across the crown of her head. Her hands stayed tucked inside her wide sleeves, and she said nothing.

Over on Wei Qingyu’s side, no one knew what she had said again, but it pleased Father and Mother. Out of the corner of her eye, Cui Wanwan saw her father throw his head back in hearty laughter, and her brother Cui Heng unable to suppress a smile either.

Wei Qingyu had always been good at winning people over. Cui Wanwan remembered that when she first laid eyes on this elder sister, she had briefly liked this ethereal, otherworldly sister.

But later on…

The unbearable clamor around her made Cui Wanwan suddenly rise from her seat. She had thought that such a sudden movement would surely draw their attention.

But it didn’t.

Neither Father, nor Mother, nor Brother spared her a single glance. Not one of them cared about what was happening on her side.

In contrast, Miaomiao beside her, seeing her being ignored, was filled with heartache.

Cui Wanwan pressed her lips into a smile at Miaomiao, shook her head slightly, and turned to leave.

It wasn’t until Cui Wanwan had walked a few steps that Father Cui finally noticed his younger daughter’s departure. Looking at her retreating figure, he asked with confusion, “Where is Wanwan going?”

Wei Qingyu quickly picked up his words and replied with a soft smile, “Little Sister must have found it boring and went out to get some fresh air.”

After a brief pause, she continued, “Sister Wanwan is used to the carefree life of the martial world. Though she’s now returned to the Cui residence, deep down she still yearns for a life of freedom and ease. Banquets like this, bound by rules and decorum, she likely can’t bear for long. Father, why insist on tying her down here and making her unhappy? Today is New Year’s Eve, a time for family reunion, let her go as she wishes.”

These few gentle words seemed to excuse Cui Wanwan, but in truth, they repeatedly stoked Father Cui’s anger.

Sure enough, Father Cui’s expression instantly darkened, and he scolded, “What kind of behavior is this! Even you as an older sister understand that tonight is New Year’s Eve, a night for family to be together. Which common family in the capital isn’t gathered together now? Yet she can’t even sit still and insists on running out! Three years of running wild outside have really ruined that girl’s temperament.”

“She no longer has the appearance of a proper Cui family noble lady, well-educated and sensible! All she does all day is brandish weapons and show no respect for her elders. Even on New Year’s Eve, she doesn’t know to offer wishes of health and fortune to her parents.”

Father Cui shot an unhappy glance at his wife. “Look at the fine daughter you’ve raised! Completely lacking in manners.”

“Father,” Wei Qingyu spoke up gently, “how can you blame Mother for this? Sister has simply grown up and started having her own thoughts and ideas.”

They had all forgotten, back when the New Year’s banquet had just begun, Cui Wanwan had been thinking of raising her cup to toast the new year and offer blessings to her parents. But just as she opened her mouth, Wei Qingyu had interrupted her.

No one cared what she had wanted to say. All eyes, all attention, had been on Wei Qingyu alone.

Back when Cui Mansion had only one daughter, her, everything about her had been praised, and she had suited their hearts in every way.

People are always afraid of comparisons.

When someone even more outstanding, more obedient and well-behaved, better at pleasing parents and elders appears, they take away all the attention… and that one-of-a-kind affection.

Human hearts are inherently biased. It’s actually very hard to balance things equally.

Cui Wanwan didn’t blame them. After being disappointed for so long, it no longer mattered.

No resentment, no hatred, and no care.

The long streets were still alight, every household filled with joy and laughter. The lit sky lanterns drifted slowly toward the heavens, shining brightly in the pitch-black night sky.

People came and went, the surroundings were bustling with noise. Lantern light reflected off the bright moon, firecrackers rang out, and their distinctive smell spread across the entire long street. The lively clamor and the blooming lights of fireworks and lanterns made this night of family reunion all the more festive.

It was the most grand and most important festival of the year. Everyone was filled with joy and excitement, their faces lit with happiness.

Thousands of lights illuminated around Cui Wanwan, but the warmth could not reach her heart.

She turned her head and saw the yearning and excitement in Miaomiao’s eyes, so she said, “It’s New Year’s Eve today, and the street is lively. Go enjoy yourself for a while.”

“Second Miss…” Miaomiao immediately withdrew her gaze, shaking her head like a rattle-drum. “This servant will only follow Second Miss. I’m not going anywhere.”

Cui Wanwan laughed, raised her hand, and patted her head. “Your Miss wants to stroll through this night market alone for a bit. Go buy something you like, and bring me a little something too. Remember to win as many lantern riddles as you can.”

Miaomiao lowered her head shyly. “This servant… this servant’s skill is too poor, I fear I won’t win any.”

“How would you know if you don’t try?” Cui Wanwan’s lips held a smile.
“Don’t let all those years of me teaching you poetry and books go to waste.”

Miaomiao’s ears turned red. She clutched her skirt excitedly and, under Cui Wanwan’s encouraging gaze, hesitated for a moment before finally turning and happily stepping into the crowd. This was the capital, right under the Emperor’s feet, and her Second Miss was skilled in martial arts, nothing would happen even if she were alone.

Cui Wanwan stood there, watching Miaomiao vanish into the sea of people that no longer belonged to her, before slowly turning around.

Suddenly, her gaze met with a pair of eyes not far away.

The people passing by, the noise and clamor, all suddenly became distant and muffled in her ears. Her world fell into sudden silence.

At this moment, she stood still on the long street, and across from her stood another person.

Shen Jingzhou stood alone beneath a tree, tall and slender, dressed in snow-white robes. His long hair flowed like a waterfall behind him, held in place by a single jade-colored hairpin. His features were serene and clear, as if a celestial being had descended to guide her out of suffering.