Chapter 1 — My adopted sister stole the direct admission, I flew directly to Harvard

Giving Up Direct Admission to My Adopted Sister, On the Opening Day of School, She Was Kicked Straight Out of the School Gate by the Board of Directors. My parents forced me to give up my direct admission into a prestigious school to my adopted sister. I didn't cry, nor did I make a scene. Just quietly booked a flight to Harvard. She happily put on my uniform, thinking that from now on she could leisurely enjoy everything that belonged to me. Until opening day. The school board suddenly called her name in front of the whole school, then directly kicked her out of the school gate. Holding the torn admission notice in her hand, she stood frozen in place. When I dragged my feet as heavy as lead to the house, the light outside the mysterious gate was still not on, the whole house was in darkness. There was only faint light from the TV in the living room. Co Nguyet Anh huddled on the sofa, small cries rang out in waves, sounding as harsh as the sound of mosquitoes buzzing in the middle of the night. In the kitchen, the woman known as my “mother” — Lam Uyen Nhu — was gently coaxing her. The sweet smell of bird's nest steamed with rock sugar wafted into my nostrils, so sweet that it made my stomach churn with discomfort.

"Good Nguyet Anh, don't cry anymore. Mommy has stewed your favorite bird's nest for you. Drink it and you won't be sad anymore."

I had just finished the final exam to decide my direct admission, and my head was still aching as if some nerve was constantly twitching. His whole body was drenched in sweat, and the cold wind blew coldly. As for Co Nguyet Anh, my adopted sister, just because she didn't win first place in the school's art festival, she took up all the love and comfort in this house. I coldly changed my shoes. At this time, my father - Co Chi Vien - finally took his eyes off the TV screen and glanced at me impatiently as usual.

"Are you back? Are you done with the exam yet? Look how sorry your sister is, why don't you hurry up and comfort her?"

I lowered my eyes and looked at the torn canvas shoes under my feet, feeling cold inside. From childhood to adulthood, I was always the "reasonable" one in the family. At eight years old, my limited edition Barbie doll. When I was twelve years old, my mother bought a beautiful dress from abroad. Or when I was fifteen, the only time the whole family went to Disneyland. As long as Co Nguyet Anh pouts and shows a little self-pity, all of those things will immediately pass from my hand to her as a matter of course. What I always receive is just a light sentence:

"I'm the older sister, I have to give in."

On the wall of my room are covered with certificates of merit from city to national level. All of these are achievements I exchanged for countless sleepless nights. On the wall of Co Nguyet Anh's room, there are only a few colorful cartoon pictures hanging. She just needs to pout her lips and act coquettishly to be able to exchange for lavish compliments from her parents and expensive paint sets.

“Our Spirit has been smart since she was little, these things are just small things to her.”

"Nguyet Anh is different, she is sensitive and weak. If we as parents don't favor her a little more, how can she survive?"

Those words were like blunt blades, repeated over and over throughout my childhood, bit by bit cutting away every desire for intimacy. I'm used to staying at a boarding house because that way I can save a lot of money on travel and living expenses. I'm used to doing homework under the dormitory hallway light at midnight because the place is still quiet quieter than home. As for Co Nguyet Anh, her parents let her study piano, ballet, and painting. Every subject burns money like water. But every subject is abandoned halfway. That wasted money was enough for me to finish college. I entered my room, closed the door, completely soundproofing the sounds of the "family of three" outside. A week ago, the principal of my school - Mr. Chu Minh Vien - publicly praised me in front of the whole grade.

"Classmate Co Tinh Than is the pride of our school. She has won many honors for the school in large and small competitions. I can almost confirm that this year's only direct admission to the top university in the country definitely belongs to her!"

The applause from the stands echoed like thunder. Standing on the podium receiving the award, my eyes crossed the sea of people and stopped at the corner of the hall. I saw Co Nguyet Anh's flickering eyes. There was not a single bit of congratulation in there. There is only greed and jealousy that is almost impossible to hide. At that moment, my heart suddenly sank. Sure enough, that night, the atmosphere at the dinner table immediately became strange. Co Nguyet Anh picked up a vegetable and suddenly "accidentally" sighed:

"Sigh, you're really good. You're about to be admitted directly to a prestigious university. Unlike me, it's difficult to get into a normal school."

She bowed her head, her voice was choked as if she was about to cry, her shoulders trembled slightly, looking both self-conscious and pitiful. Lam Uyen Nhu immediately put down her chopsticks in pain and hugged her shoulders.

"Nguyet Anh, don't say that, in my mother's heart, you are the best. Besides, who says you can't do it?"

Co Chi Vien also chimed in. He frowned at me, as if my achieving good results was unforgivable.

"Co Tinh Than, listen to how self-conscious your sister is. Even as an older sister, she still doesn't know how to comfort her."

I coldly looked at the warm family drama of the three of them, only to find it ridiculous to the extreme. After dinner, Lam Uyen Nhu knocked on my door. She was holding a glass of water, a searching smile on her face.

"Tinh Than, you're tired, right? Have a drink. I want to discuss this with you... about the direct admission, can you choose another school? For example... the dance academy that Nguyet Anh likes?"

My heart at that moment completely cold. In the end, everything turned into a bone-chilling cold. I looked at the woman who gave birth to me. There was no pain in her eyes for my efforts. There was only careful calculation for her adopted daughter whom she cherished like a treasure. I suppressed the rolling feeling in my chest and calmly replied:

"Mom, the direct admission is decided by the school based on overall achievements, not a bunch of vegetables at the market that you can pick and choose."

The smile on her face stiffened, but quickly changed to a poignant tone:

"I know, but everything can be negotiated. Nguyet Anh..."

“I'm tired, I want to rest.”

I directly interrupted her, clearly dismissing the customer. That night, I stayed awake. I know this is just the beginning. A robbery aimed directly at me, planned for a long time, has officially ended.