Tranquility

: Basking in Glory

The experiences of being treated as a pushover in my past life flashed before my eyes. I closed my eyes and clenched my fists tightly.

Seeing me not speaking, Lily thought I was hesitating. She approached and tugged at my sleeve while pretending to cry.

"Sister, Mom's words might sound harsh. Allow me to apologize to you on her behalf. However, what Mom said does have a point. Your grades are outstanding, and even if you study for an extra year, you can still get into a good college. However, if I delay my studies for another year, I'm worried I won't even make it to this school."

I shook her hand off and turned calmly to my parents.

"Dad, Mom, I haven't said anything about your favoritism toward Beatrice before, but this time, I must go to this university."

Beatrice was stunned.

She never expected that I, who had always been accommodating and sacrificed everything for her, would take such a firm stance this time.

She suddenly stood up and stared at me fiercely.

"Lily, I've begged you this much, what else do you want from me? How does it help you if I don't go to college?"

I stared at her coldly, without wavering.

"Why should I sacrifice myself to fulfill your dreams? Haven't I sacrificed enough for you since young?"

I could never quite fathom why our parents consistently favored Beatrice so much. Was it solely because she was pretty, had a charming demeanor, and was told by talent scouts when she was young that she would surely become popular in the entertainment industry?

Beatrice was never tasked with any household chores. She could study or play as she pleased, and our parents never objected.

All of the family's attention and resources were focused on Beatrice, even to the extent of sending her to music and dance lessons.

However, she found the lessons too difficult and tiring and was unwilling to learn.

On the other hand, I refused to give up on myself.

During my last year of high school, I requested to stay in the dorms on campus. I'd rise before dawn each day to study, and even when the dorm lights were turned off at night, I'd continue reading with the help of a flashlight.

My grades steadily improved, and by the time of the college entrance exams, I performed exceptionally well, with scores high enough to get into a top-tier university.

As for Beatrice, in the first semester of her senior year, she began an online relationship and used the supplementary study funds our parents provided her to spend every day chatting with her boyfriend at an internet cafe. As a result, her grades continued to plummet.

It was no surprise that she didn't perform well in the college entrance exams.

In the face of my questioning, there was a hint of hesitation on our parents' faces. They had consistently viewed Beatrice as the family's potential breadwinner, attempting to secure her opportunities in commercial gigs and advertisements.

However, considering the multitude of attractive individuals available, and the fact that Beatrice struggled with adversity, she hadn't really contributed much financially to our parents.

Meanwhile, I had already been accepted into a prestigious university, and as long as I studied diligently and didn't make any mistakes during my college years, I was sure to have a bright future.

My mom and dad exchanged a glance, and it appeared that my mom had something to say but was interrupted by my dad.

Dad lit a cigarette and tried gaslighting me. "Lily, I know this isn't fair to you. Over the years, your mom and I have been a bit more lenient toward your younger sister because she's the youngest.

"However, your sister does have a valid point. The reality is that our family's financial situation doesn't permit both of you to go to college simultaneously. Additionally, her academic performance isn't as good as yours, and there's a chance she won't even achieve passing grades this year.

"Lily, I am asking you to consider giving your sister a chance one last time. For the next year, you can focus on your studies, and your mom and I will wholeheartedly support you."

Mom quickly nodded and added, " Yes, I looked into it, and although this school specializes in certain fields, its performing arts department has a good reputation. If your sister gets accepted, it's likely she'll gain recognition, and if that happens, won’t you benefit from it as well?"

Benefit?

I gave Beatrice a sarcastic glance, remembering how she took away my life in the previous life.

Seeing Beatrice in tears and my biased parents, I had no desire to continue arguing. I stood up and coldly said, "I won’t study for another year, and I won't give up on going to college."

For over a decade, I had been silent and obedient. Whenever I faced unfair treatment, my parents would silence me with the phrase, "You're the older sister; you should be more accommodating to your younger sister."

They had never seen me so assertive.

Beatrice appeared to momentarily forget her tears, but soon she grasped the situation and burst into even louder sobs as she rushed into my mother’s arms.

"Mom, why has my sister suddenly changed like this? I'm scared..."

My dad put down his cigarette with an unpleasant expression. "Lily, if you continue treating your sister this way, you will lose all expectation from us. If you insist on going to college, we won't support you financially.”

I wasn't surprised by this outcome. "I don't need your money, and I won't blindly sacrifice for Beatrice anymore."