Reward Card: Royal Neighbor Villa
Valentina paused midstride, her eyes widening as she examined the card.
"Huh?" she mumbled, her tone a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
"Isn't that one of the richest neighborhoods in Shanghai city?"
She quickly scanned the details on the card. Many young heiresses and heirs lived there. The number card shows it's a number 2.
A slow smile crept across her face. A villa in Royal Neighbor Villa? That was a significant upgrade from their current residence—a luxurious mansion that, while impressive, paled in comparison to the exclusivity and prestige of that neighborhood.
"This is… interesting," Valentina mused, her mind already racing with possibilities. A villa in Royal Neighbor Villa would provide ample opportunities for social maneuvering, gathering information, and potentially expanding her influence within this world.
Valentina, still reeling from the unexpected reward of the number two villa, instinctively reached into her pocket and pulled out another card. It was identical to the first, shimmering with the same elegant design and embossed with the Royal Neighbor Villa insignia. But this one bore a different number: 1.
A flicker of recognition sparked in her eyes, a longdormant memory surfacing from the depths of her subconscious. A wave of power, subtle yet undeniable, surged through her as she gazed upon the card.
"Huh," she murmured, a hint of surprise lacing her voice.
"I… I remember this."
She stared at the card, and fragments of memories flooded back—memories of grand designs, meticulous planning, and tireless effort. Memories of a younger version of herself, brimming with ambition and vision. Memories of building this entire neighborhood from the ground up.
The realization hit her with the force of a revelation. Valentina was, in fact, the founder of Royal Neighbor Villa. The neighborhood wasn't just a collection of opulent homes; it was a testament to her ingenuity and ambition in a past life—a past life she barely remembered.
And the number one villa… that belonged to the mysterious owner of Royal Neighbor Villa—an owner who remained shrouded in secrecy, even within the neighborhood itself. An owner who was, unbeknownst to everyone, herself.
A slow, almost predatory smile spread across Valentina's face. The spoiled brat act melted away, replaced by a steely composure and an aura of quiet authority. It was as if a dormant power had been awakened within her, a reminder of the immense wealth and influence she once commanded. She hadn't spoken about her wealth before—there was no need to.
Valentina, still radiating a newfound sense of power and subtly adjusting her posture to reflect her rediscovered status, suddenly reverted to a petulant whine.
"Maw Maw," she whined, pouting her lips in a display of manufactured childishness.
"I don't want this gift! I want food! I want liquor! I want money!"
Maw Maw let out a digital sigh, his holographic form momentarily flickering with exasperation. He was still processing the implications of Valentina's revelation—the fact that she was the founder of Royal Neighbor Villa—and this sudden shift in demeanor was… unsettling.
"Ah, host host," Maw Maw began hesitantly, attempting to reason with her.
"But that is the most… prestigious reward! The number one villa—it's an incredible opportunity!"
Valentina cut him off with a dismissive wave of her hand, her crimson eyes flashing with a hint of impatience.
"Idiot," she said, her voice laced with exasperation.
"Look here. These are all my multiple identities I have created in this lifetime, though I lost some of my memories after that car accident a month ago."
She gestured vaguely towards the cards, as if the explanation were selfevident. The mention of the car accident seemed to trigger another flicker of fragmented memories within her – flashes of blinding lights, screeching tires, and the jarring sensation of impact. It was a hazy recollection, but it confirmed her suspicions: the accident had scrambled her memories, leaving her adrift in this new world without a clear understanding of her past.
Maw Maw's holographic form froze midsentence, his digital eyes widening slightly as he processed the information.
Valentina, dismissing the cards with a careless flick of her wrist, tossed them onto a nearby table. The System's rewards suddenly seemed trivial compared to the resurgence of her memories and the implications of her past life. She felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to connect with something tangible, something familiar.
She drifted towards the music room, drawn by an unseen force. Inside, a gleaming cello stood silently in the corner, its polished wood reflecting the soft light filtering through the windows. Without hesitation, Valentina sat down on the plush velvet bench and gently lifted the instrument. Her fingers instinctively found their place on the strings, and she began to play.
The music that flowed from the cello was hauntingly beautiful—a complex melody woven with threads of sorrow and longing, tinged with an undercurrent of quiet power.
As she played, Xiao stepped forward, drawn by the ethereal music. She settled onto a nearby chair, her posture perfectly still as she listened intently. The coldness in her eyes softened slightly as she absorbed the emotional depth of Valentina's performance.
When Valentina finally paused, she looked up and met Xiao's gaze. A silent acknowledgment passed between them—a recognition of something deeper than their current familial roles.
"Mmm, level 8?" Xiao said softly, her voice devoid of its usual icy edge. It was a subtle assessment, a quiet acknowledgment of Valentina's skill and potential.
Valentina slowly nodded her head, confirming Xiao's observation. Then, with a graceful gesture, she retrieved the key card from Royal Neighbor Villa—the one for the number two villa—and extended it towards her sister.
"This is for you, Elder Sister."
"Welcome back and returning to your biological family," Valentina said sweetly, a genuine warmth radiating from her voice that was rarely displayed. It wasn't an act this time, but a heartfelt expression of connection.
Xiao looked at the card in her hand, her expression unreadable for a moment. The Royal Neighbor Villa key card—specifically, the one for the fourth villa—was a significant gesture. To think her sister possessed the number two villa… how interesting. The implications were far more complex than she initially realized.
"Thanks, little sister," Xiao said, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. She then reached into her own pocket and produced an unlimited black card, its surface shimmering with an understated elegance.
"For you," Xiao said, extending the card towards Valentina.
Valentina smiled softly, a rare and genuine expression that illuminated her face.
Xiao watched as Valentina's smile faded, replaced by a peaceful serenity as she drifted off to sleep in the music room, the cello resting gently against her side. The scene was almost domestic, a stark contrast to the complex web of identities and power struggles that lay beneath the surface.
Xiao looked at the card in her hand—the unlimited black card—before she smiled brightly. A genuine, unguarded smile that reached her eyes and banished the usual coolness from her features.
Little sister, she thought, a surge of protective affection warming her heart. No matter what, elder sister will protect you. The card represented more than just limitless resources; it symbolized her unwavering commitment to Valentina's safety and wellbeing. She would ensure that Valentina, despite her fragmented memories and the machinations of the System, would be shielded from harm.