The Real Heiress Has an Appraisal System

"Brother, don’t force me. Please?"

Chen Yuxi’s voice was feather-light, carrying no weight at all. It sounded as if it might vanish at any moment.

"I’m not forcing you... I just want to keep you here."

Seeing Chen Yufan rambling incoherently, Gu Shengsheng patted his shoulder.

Chen Yufan didn’t know what to say. His hands felt as if they were made of lead, hanging limply at his sides. ’Am I really going to watch my own sister die right in front of me?’

’How am I supposed to accept this...’

「At this very moment.」

Gu Shengsheng’s eyes were fixed on Chen Yuxi, watching her every move. She was calculating the best way to grab her if she decided to jump.

She inched forward, bit by bit, trying not to be noticed. The closer she got, the greater the chance of a successful rescue.

From their brief exchange, Gu Shengsheng could tell that Chen Yuxi’s emotions were relatively stable for now. She was still in contact with the police; they had set up an air cushion below, and more officers were on their way up.

Gu Shengsheng also knew that if she couldn’t get through to her this time, if she couldn’t resolve the issues weighing on her heart, there was no telling how many more suicide attempts there would be in the future.

She had to find a way to pull her back—not just to save her physical body, but to help her find herself again, to make her see a reason to live.

Chen Yuxi seemed to notice her inching forward and turned her head. "Sister Gu, just stop right there. Don’t come any closer. These few steps are my limit."

"It’s not that I won’t let you get close to me... it’s that I don’t know how to get close to you."

Her legs dangled over the railing, swaying as if she were bidding the world farewell, yearning for the release of the fall.

’I don’t want anyone near me. I just want to sleep forever in that world of darkness.’

To her, the people trying to pull her back seemed like a hostile force.

After hearing this, Gu Shengsheng did as she was told and stopped moving.

Instead, she quickly hopped up onto the railing and sat down, mirroring Chen Yuxi’s posture.

This time, it wasn’t just Chen Yuxi who was surprised; even Zhang Lianqing, who had just arrived with the rescue team, was stunned.

’Dealing with one suicidal person is hard enough, and now another one has joined in? Don’t tell me Miss Gu failed to talk Miss Chen down and got talked into jumping herself?’

’If that’s the case, this is just too melodramatic.’

Just as Zhang Lianqing was about to make a move, Gu Shengsheng gave him a reassuring look and gestured for him to stay put. Then she patted her own chest, signaling that she had it under control.

"..." Zhang Lianqing thought her method was a bit terrifying, but he didn’t move. Chen Yuxi had a mental health condition and couldn’t handle being startled.

’Miss Gu must have her reasons for doing this.’

But then Chen Yufan nearly fainted from shock. "Sister Gu, are you going to die too?"

He was sobbing uncontrollably, snot and tears streaming down his face.

Zhang Lianqing wanted to cover his mouth but was afraid of touching the snot. In the end, he just handed him a tissue.

...

Once seated, Gu Shengsheng asked, "Yu Xi, I’m on the same level as you now. Can I talk with you?"

"..." Chen Yuxi didn’t answer. She didn’t know. ’I really don’t know what to do.’

"Yu Xi, I still remember those animals, too."

Chen Yuxi covered her ears, not wanting to listen. Her mind was a chaotic mess, filled with images of herself being thrown on the ground like an object...

"But is this your fault?" Gu Shengsheng’s voice was a little loud, a little agitated. "What right do you have to die? They’re the ones who should be dying."

"Is this a case of victim-blaming?"

"You shouldn’t just jump today. If you do, you’ll never be able to see the sun again. There is warmth all around us. You’re not helpless. You have options. I’m here to help you find them, and so are your mom, your brother, and your dad who’s working out of town."

"Every single one of us loves you. No matter what you’re like, no matter what you’ve been through, we love you. Because all we want is Chen Yuxi. Just being Chen Yuxi is enough."

"The you who hides in the corner, that’s you. The innocent, happy child you once were, that’s also you. And the person who suffered that tragedy, that’s you too. We love all of that you. Yu Xi, you’ve fallen to the bottom of the sea and you’re about to drown. Lift your head and look. All you’ll see is hope."

Hearing this, Chen Yuxi was clearly moved. Gu Shengsheng could see her nervously fidgeting with her fingers.

’A change in emotion is a good sign. It means I’m on the right track.’

Sure enough, Chen Yuxi said, a bit lost, "If I stay alive, what can I do besides bring disaster and trouble to my family? I... I’m afraid to get a job. I’m afraid to even go outside. I’m... useless."

She was in despair over her inability to fit into society, as if she would forever be that village girl, locked in a cellar and tied up with iron chains.

Gu Shengsheng fought her acrophobia and forced herself to stand up. Walking in a straight line, she shuffled over to sit beside her. Her legs were turning to jelly. ’This building is thirty-three stories high...’

Sitting down next to Chen Yuxi, Gu Shengsheng was breaking out in a cold sweat. She quickly grabbed Chen Yuxi’s arm. "I’m scared to death..."

Chen Yuxi was taken by surprise and felt a bit awkward. But she didn’t dislike being held like this. A blush even crept onto her cheeks.

Gu Shengsheng said, "See? This is what it feels like to be needed. You’re supporting me. You gave me a hand when I was most afraid."

"Yu Xi, it’s okay. I told you before, every day from now on will be better. So many people need you. Your family needs you. And what about all those other girls who were deceived? If it weren’t for you, even more might have been tricked."

"So, in the future, when you have time, you could help sponsor women in need or donate to foundations. That’s helping too, right?"

"Yeah." Her eyes suddenly lit up. "I’m not... useless?"

"I can help them?"

"Yes, you can."

Gu Shengsheng was already holding onto her tightly.

She made a hand signal to Zhang Lianqing behind her. An officer moved in to coordinate, lunging forward in a single bound to pull Chen Yuxi back to safety.

As for Gu Shengsheng, she remained sitting on the ledge, panting. "I... I need another minute..."

’My legs have turned to jelly. I have no strength left.’

Seeing her like this, Zhang Lianqing couldn’t help but chuckle. "I didn’t realize you were so scared a moment ago."

She watched Chen Yuxi stand beside Chen Yufan.

She patted her chest and said, "I didn’t dare look down before. I just glanced down, and now I feel like I’m going to fall."

Finally, Zhang Lianqing offered to "drag her off like a sack of potatoes," but Gu Shengsheng refused. "No, don’t. If you touch me right now, I’ll fall. It’s too high. I look down and it feels like gravity itself is trying to pull me over."

"I even feel a little motion sick."

No matter how many times Zhang Lianqing assured her she wouldn’t fall, Gu Shengsheng couldn’t bring herself to believe him.

In the end, they gave her a rope, tied it securely, and she crawled back over on her own.

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