From Dropout to Housemaid-The Upper Crust’s Favorite

Chen Siling had enrolled in Haishi Drama Academy for college.

Although both sisters lived in Hai City, Jiang Xianyu and Chen Siling rarely met in person. Most of their communication happened over the phone.

Chen Siling was busy with her studies, while Jiang Xianyu was focused on establishing herself in the investment banking world.

After the last incident where Father Jiang and Mother Jiang caused a scene at Jiang Xianyu’s workplace, she became cautious about maintaining contact with Chen Siling. She feared that their parents might find out about their interactions and remember the daughter they had sold off, bringing trouble back into Chen Siling’s life.

To be honest, Chen Siling was doing well now, and Jiang Xianyu didn’t want to risk dragging her into the chaos of their family.

Looking at the extra 50,000 yuan in her account, Jiang Xianyu felt a wave of bittersweet emotion. Her chest tightened, and her eyes grew misty.

Her sister had only graduated a year ago and likely hadn’t saved much money. This transfer was undoubtedly a significant sacrifice.

She picked up her phone and dialed her sister’s number.

The call rang for a long time but went unanswered.

Jiang Xianyu figured her sister was probably busy.

From their previous conversations, Jiang Xianyu knew Chen Siling had signed with a talent agency and was working as an extra in various film sets. She was likely tied up with work and would respond once she saw the missed call.

Sure enough, around lunchtime, her sister called back.

Jiang Xianyu excused herself from the dining table and stepped outside to take the call.

On the other end, Chen Siling’s voice carried a light, sweet tone. “Sis, what made you think of calling me?”

Jiang Xianyu got straight to the point. “Why did you send me money?”

There was a brief silence before Chen Siling replied, “Sis, you don’t have to hide it from me anymore. I already know about you leaving your job.”

She had learned about it by chance through Liu Lijun.

Occasionally, Jiang Xianyu would invite Chen Siling out for a meal and include Liu Lijun. The three of them were acquainted.

Jiang Xianyu sighed. “Siling, I may have quit my job, but I have savings. I’ll transfer the money back to you later. You don’t need to worry about me. You, on the other hand, are just starting your career. Where did you even find the money to send me?”

Chen Siling’s voice sharpened in frustration. “You have money?! You’ve practically been drained dry by those awful people!”

Thinking about all the hardships Jiang Xianyu had endured, Chen Siling’s tone softened again. “I’m sorry, Sis. I didn’t mean to snap at you. But you really need to toughen up. Think about your future. Do you want to spend the rest of your life being entangled with them? This time they cost you your job. What about next time? Are you planning to give up your life for them?”

Jiang Xianyu sighed again, her voice calm and reassuring. “I understand. I received a substantial severance package when I left. You know my salary history-it’s not a small amount. This time, I won’t be giving them any money. Trust me.”

Chen Siling finally felt a bit relieved hearing her sister’s words.

As long as her sister could stand firm, someone as hardworking as Jiang Xianyu would undoubtedly thrive.

Before ending the call, Chen Siling issued a stern warning. “Don’t give them any more money. If you do, I’ll be genuinely angry!”

Jiang Xianyu promised repeatedly, and only then did Chen Siling believe she was serious this time.

Before hanging up, Jiang Xianyu reminded Chen Siling to stay vigilant. She suggested informing her agency about their family situation. Once their parents found out she was becoming a celebrity and earning money, they might target her.

If any negative rumors surfaced online, her agency could prepare a public relations strategy in advance.

Chen Siling chuckled and said, “Sis, I’m just a small-time extra. Nobody even notices me. Why would I need PR?”

Jiang Xianyu, however, knew better. Siling might downplay it, but she was already a minor celebrity, a third-tier actress. While she wasn’t on par with the A-listers or even the B-listers, she was doing decently for herself.

“Just take my advice,” Jiang Xianyu said firmly. “I have a feeling your career will take off someday.”

Chen Siling understood her sister’s good intentions and eventually agreed. Once her workday ended, she would inform her agency about her family situation.

Back when the Jiang Family sold their youngest daughter to the Chen Family, it was a transaction that was mutually agreed upon but still carried an unsavory undertone. Money had exchanged hands, and no matter how one dressed it up, it was a sale-a criminal act. To avoid legal trouble, the village chief had suggested the Chen Family go through the formal process of adopting the child.

The Chen Family, being honest and upright people, were happy to follow the advice. The village chief even helped them organize a modest banquet in the village to announce the adoption to the neighbors. They also registered the adoption with the civil affairs bureau.

The Chen Family met all the legal requirements for adoptive parents. As for the Jiang Family, they barely qualified, citing financial hardship as the reason they couldn’t raise their child. Everything was done by the book, but under the table, the Chen Family had handed over a sum of money to the Jiang Family.

If not for this arrangement, and her fear of implicating her adoptive parents, Chen Siling would have reported the Jiang Family to the authorities as soon as she grew up and understood the law.

She didn’t feel sorry for herself because life with the Chen Family had been good. What pained her was seeing her sister trapped in that toxic household. Without those unworthy parents, her sister would have had a much better life.

When Jiang Xianyu returned to the dining table, Grandma Su and the others were still waiting for her. Feeling a bit embarrassed, she quickly urged everyone to start eating.

After the meal, Grandpa Su looked at Jiang Xianyu and asked, “Xiao Jiang, are you facing any difficulties? If there’s anything troubling you, don’t hesitate to tell us. We’ll help if we can.”

Jiang Xianyu’s slightly reddened eyes when she came back from the phone call had led the elderly couple to misunderstand the situation.

She quickly expressed her gratitude for Grandpa Su’s concern. “Thank you, Grandpa Su, but I’m really fine. There’s nothing wrong. My sister heard about my resignation and thought I might be struggling financially, so she transferred me some money. But I’m not short on funds, so I’ll send it back to her later.”

Jiang Xianyu made sure to explain things clearly. If she had been vague, the elderly couple might have continued to worry about her.

Hearing this, Su Yunyou didn’t press the matter further. He was aware of the salary range in investment banking. Since Xiao Jiang hadn’t bought a house or a car, she likely had significant savings. Plus, she had severance pay from her recent resignation.

After tidying up the dishes, Jiang Xianyu transferred an additional 20,000 yuan to Chen Siling, making it a total of 70,000 yuan.

When Chen Siling saw the increased balance in her account, her eyes welled up. However, she only kept the 50,000 yuan she had sent earlier and returned the extra 20,000 yuan to her sister.

Although Jiang Xianyu had savings, her job situation was still uncertain. Siling, on the other hand, had no financial worries at the moment and didn’t need her sister’s support.

This time, Jiang Xianyu didn’t argue. They were sisters, and there would be plenty of opportunities to help each other in the future. There was no need to dwell on it.

That day, Jiang Xianyu received her paycheck, but she decided not to send any money to the Jiang Family. She figured it wouldn’t be long before they called her.

And sure enough, on October 15th, while Jiang Xianyu was cooking, the Jiang Family’s call came through. She was slightly surprised they had managed to hold off for this long.

In truth, Father Jiang and Mother Jiang had wanted to call her on the 10th, the moment they realized she hadn’t sent her usual transfer. However, they remembered the scene they had caused at her office in August. Seeing how genuinely angry Jiang Xianyu had been, they decided to wait a few days.

Jiang Xianyu answered the call with a cold expression.

“Xiao Yu, what have you been up to lately? It’s been so many days, and you still haven’t sent any money. Your brother’s new school term fees drained us, and we’re struggling to make ends meet,” Mother Jiang complained.

Jiang Xianyu let out a bitter laugh. “Since I graduated and started working, I’ve sent you money every single month. Over the years, it’s added up to more than 400,000 yuan. And now you’re telling me that Xinbao’s few thousand yuan in tuition has left you penniless?”