Reclaimed by Fate: Real Daughter’s Revenge

The next morning, Qingxue awoke to the faint hum of activity outside her window. The Xu estate always bustled with quiet efficiency, but today felt different—there was an undercurrent of tension in the air.

As she made her way to breakfast, she found her father, Xu Zhaoyang, seated at the head of the table, engrossed in a document. Yanran was already there, sipping her tea delicately, her expression serene yet alert.

"Good morning," Qingxue greeted, taking her seat.

Zhaoyang looked up briefly and nodded. "Morning, Qingxue." His tone was curt, distracted.

Yanran's eyes flicked to Qingxue, a small smirk playing on her lips. "You must be exhausted after all the effort you've been putting into the company, Sister. Don't push yourself too hard."

Qingxue ignored the bait, calmly serving herself a bowl of congee. "Thank you for your concern, Yanran, but I'm managing fine."

Before Yanran could respond, Zhaoyang set down his papers and addressed both daughters. "We have a family dinner this weekend. The Zhang family will be joining us."

Qingxue stiffened slightly. She knew the Zhangs were a prominent family in the business world, and their son, Zhang Yuhao, was widely regarded as a rising star. She'd heard whispers of an alliance between the Xu and Zhang families, but the specifics had always been vague.

Yanran's smile widened, though she said nothing, her eyes gleaming with unspoken knowledge.

"Qingxue," Zhaoyang continued, his tone firm, "I expect you to make a good impression. This dinner is important for our family's standing."

"I understand," Qingxue replied, her voice steady despite the pressure building in her chest.

The days leading up to the dinner passed quickly, and Qingxue found herself juggling her responsibilities at work with preparations for the event. Yanran, on the other hand, seemed to glide through it all effortlessly, her confidence unshaken.

On the day of the dinner, Qingxue stood before her wardrobe, carefully selecting her outfit. She chose a simple yet elegant navy dress that complemented her figure without drawing too much attention.

Lin Yi had sent her a quick message of encouragement earlier: "You've got this! Just be yourself."

As Qingxue descended the grand staircase, she noticed the Zhang family had already arrived. Zhang Yuhao, tall and impeccably dressed, stood with his parents, exchanging polite conversation with Zhaoyang and Yanran.

When Zhaoyang introduced Qingxue, Yuhao's sharp gaze settled on her, assessing. "Miss Xu," he said, extending a hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"The pleasure is mine," Qingxue replied, shaking his hand firmly.

The dinner began smoothly, with polite conversation flowing between the two families. Qingxue made an effort to participate, answering questions and sharing insights about her experiences at the company.

However, Yanran was quick to interject whenever Qingxue gained too much attention, skillfully steering the conversation back to herself.

"You know," Yanran said with a laugh, "Qingxue has been working so hard lately. It's admirable how determined she is to catch up with the family's expectations."

The comment, though framed as praise, carried an undertone that made Qingxue bristle. She forced a smile, choosing not to rise to the bait.

Yuhao, however, seemed intrigued. "Hard work is always commendable. I've heard about the report you presented last week—it was well-received, wasn't it?"

Qingxue blinked, surprised that he'd heard about it. "Yes, it was. Thank you."

Zhaoyang nodded approvingly. "Qingxue has been making progress. She still has much to learn, but she's taking the right steps."

Yanran's expression tightened ever so slightly, though she quickly masked it with a smile.

After dinner, the families moved to the lounge for tea. Yuhao took the opportunity to approach Qingxue.

"You handled yourself "You handled yourself well tonight," Yuhao said, his voice measured as he stood beside Qingxue, holding a cup of tea.

"Thank you," Qingxue replied, maintaining her poise. "It's a little intimidating, to be honest, but I'm learning as I go."

Yuhao smiled faintly, his gaze steady. "That's a good attitude. The business world doesn't give you time to ease in—it expects results, even when you're new."

Qingxue studied him for a moment. He seemed composed, confident, and entirely comfortable in his role as the Zhang family's heir. "You seem like you've handled these situations your whole life," she said.

"I suppose I have," he admitted. "But that doesn't mean it's easy. Family expectations come with their own set of challenges."

His words struck a chord with Qingxue. "You understand, then," she said softly.

Yuhao nodded. "More than most. If you ever need advice or someone to talk to about it, don't hesitate to reach out."

The sincerity in his tone surprised her, but she nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you."

From across the room, Yanran watched the interaction with narrowed eyes. The easy rapport between Qingxue and Yuhao was not something she had anticipated.

The next morning, Qingxue returned to work with a renewed sense of purpose. While she couldn't ignore the subtle games Yanran played, she reminded herself that her focus needed to remain on her goals.

In the office, Lin Yi greeted her with a grin. "I saw some pictures of the dinner last night. You looked amazing!"

Qingxue chuckled, shaking her head. "It was more stressful than glamorous, trust me."

As they chatted, Chen An approached, his expression neutral but his tone calculated. "Miss Xu, Mr. Zhang wants you to assist with the preparation for the quarterly meeting next week. It's a critical presentation for the board, so I assume he thinks you're ready for a more serious responsibility."

Qingxue's heart skipped a beat. The quarterly meeting was a major event, and the board's scrutiny was no small matter.

"I'll do my best," Qingxue said, meeting his gaze.

Chen An smirked faintly. "I hope so. The board has high expectations. Don't disappoint."

As he walked away, Lin Yi leaned closer, whispering, "He's just trying to get under your skin. You've got this."

Qingxue smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Lin Yi. I'll make sure to prove him wrong."

The days leading up to the quarterly meeting were a whirlwind. Qingxue spent long hours analyzing data, collaborating with colleagues, and fine-tuning the presentation. Though she was still learning, she poured her energy into every detail, determined not to let anyone dismiss her as unprepared.

One evening, as Qingxue worked late in the quiet office, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching her desk. Looking up, she was surprised to see Yuhao standing there, dressed in a tailored suit that only enhanced his already polished demeanor.

"Yuhao?" Qingxue said, startled but quickly composing herself. "What are you doing here?"

"I was in the building for a meeting," he replied, leaning casually against her desk. "I heard you were preparing for the quarterly presentation, so I thought I'd stop by and see how things are going."

Qingxue smiled faintly, though her eyes betrayed her exhaustion. "It's… a lot. But I think I'm getting there."

Yuhao glanced at her screen, his brows furrowing slightly. "You've highlighted too much data here. The board doesn't want to wade through excessive details. They're looking for clarity and actionable insights. Focus on the results and the story behind the numbers."

Qingxue blinked at him, surprised by his directness but also grateful for his input. "That's good advice. I've been so focused on covering everything, I might've lost sight of the big picture."

He pulled out a chair and sat down beside her. "Here, let me show you."

Together, they restructured her slides, organizing the key points into a cohesive narrative that was both concise and impactful. Yuhao's expertise was evident as he walked her through the process, offering insights that only someone with experience could provide.

After an hour, Qingxue leaned back, looking at the updated presentation with a sense of accomplishment. "This looks so much better. Thank you, Yuhao."

He smiled, a hint of warmth in his otherwise composed expression. "You did most of the work. I just pointed out a few things."

As he stood to leave, he added, "I meant what I said before—if you ever need help, you can come to me. I'm serious about that."

Qingxue nodded, her voice soft. "I'll remember that. Thank you again."

As he walked away, Qingxue couldn't help but feel a flicker of admiration for him. He was someone who carried the weight of expectations effortlessly, yet he'd taken the time to help her without any ulterior motive—or so it seemed.

The day of the quarterly meeting arrived, and Qingxue stood outside the boardroom, her hands gripping the edges of her notes tightly. Inside, the Xu Corporation's board members waited, along with her father and several senior executives.

Lin Yi gave her a quick thumbs-up before she entered. "You've got this," she whispered.

Taking a deep breath, Qingxue stepped into the room.

Her presentation began smoothly, her voice steady as she walked the board through her findings and recommendations. As Yuhao had advised, she focused on the story behind the data, highlighting key trends and actionable steps.

The room was silent, the attention of the board firmly on her. Even her father, who rarely showed emotion during business matters, seemed impressed.

When she finished, there was a moment of silence before one of the board members, an older man with sharp eyes, spoke.

"Well done, Miss Xu. Your analysis was clear and concise. You've made a strong impression."

"Thank you," Qingxue said, her relief hidden beneath her composed exterior.

Her father nodded subtly, his approval evident in his expression. Yanran, who had been seated quietly at the table, kept her smile fixed, though her eyes burned with quiet frustration.

Later that day, back in her office, Qingxue let out a deep sigh of relief. Lin Yi appeared moments later, grinning from ear to ear.

"You were amazing!" Lin Yi said, nearly bouncing with excitement. "Everyone's talking about how you nailed it!"

Qingxue smiled, her exhaustion giving way to a sense of pride. "It feels like a weight's been lifted off my shoulders."

Lin Yi leaned closer. "Even Mr. Zhang was impressed—and he's not easily impressed. Looks like you're not just 'the new daughter' anymore."

Qingxue chuckled, though her thoughts lingered on Yanran. She knew this victory wouldn't sit well with her adopted sister. But instead of worrying, Qingxue resolved to keep moving forward.

If Yanran wanted to play games, Qingxue was ready to face her head-on.