Reborn in the 1980s: I became a stepmother in the 1980s

Part 150 Rolling

Lin Sisi fell silent for a moment, her heart filled with complex emotions.

Si Nian was renowned for her brilliance since childhood, excelling in both academics and looks far beyond her peers. It was precisely because of her excellence that she received such treatment and got engaged to Fu Yang. In her previous life, she didn't rely on Fu Yang to flourish in business either.

Si Nian's only flaw was her excessive pride and arrogance. Lin Sisi had once successfully brought her down by exploiting these traits, forcing her to leave the Si family.

But now, Si Nian was no longer the easily provoked girl she once was. Lin Sisi's heart pounded with frustration.

She had almost achieved her goal, only to have it slip away like a duck that had flown off. At this moment, all her efforts felt crushed.

Lin Sisi couldn't understand why Si Nian always seemed to compete with her. Was stealing away eighteen years of her happy life not enough?

In that moment, resentment towards Si Nian surged in Lin Sisi's heart. If before she merely felt anger and dissatisfaction for losing eighteen years snatched away by Si Nian, now she truly resented the person before her.

It was as if they were born enemies.

But then Si Nian said, "Of course, I didn't mean to steal your thunder. If you don't want me to go up, I won't."

That sounded familiar. Upon careful thought, wasn't that what she had just said to Fu Qianqian when she came in?

Sure enough, the effect was the same. Sister Chen immediately interjected, "What stealing thunder? It shouldn't have been an outsider on stage in the first place."

Lin Sisi's face darkened slightly. "Sister Chen, I mean no harm. I genuinely wanted to help. Now that you've found someone, I'm relieved. I'm just worried that Sister Si Nian won't remember everything. After all, the speech is quite long. Even if she has a photographic memory, she can't possibly recall it all at once."

The principal also found this reasonable and hesitated for a moment.

He suggested, "How about this? Both of you go up together. If one remembers half, it'll be less likely to go wrong."

Lin Sisi remained silent, casting a cautious glance at Sister Chen.

Sister Chen frowned. Though reluctant, time was pressing, and she couldn't afford to hesitate any longer.

She turned to Si Nian. "Alright, Si Nian, here's the speech. Take a look."

Si Nian nodded and handed her child over. "Sister Chen, please watch the child for a while."

Sister Chen nodded and awkwardly took Yao Yao, who looked at her curiously. It was her first time holding a child; she was in her forties, unmarried, and didn't particularly like children.

The child was remarkably well-behaved, not at all shy. With fair, tender skin and delicate features like a doll, just one more look would melt anyone's heart. Si Nian gently patted Yao Yao's head and whispered, "Baby, be good and stay with Auntie. Mommy will be back soon."

Yao Yao could already understand her words, nodded obediently, and called out, "Mommy~ Baby is good."

Si Nian rubbed her head and started to read the speech.

Meanwhile, Lin Sisi was still in shock, unable to recover her senses. Yao Yao could speak now! How was this possible? In the previous life, this child couldn't speak at three years old. Zhou Yue noticed something wrong and took the child for a check-up, discovering she had language barriers and difficulty communicating. She was a stutterer from a young age and rarely spoke. But now this child was speaking and even calling Si Nian "mommy."

Lin Sisi couldn't believe it. By the time she realized what was happening, the principal was already ushering her towards the stage.

Her gaze slid past the sea of heads in the audience and landed on the Fu family seated below the stage. The Si family hadn't attended due to Si Nian's departure from their family. She saw Fu Yao, who hadn't been seen since that incident, and her heart skipped a beat. Subconsciously, she glanced at Si Nian beside her, who was still focused on the speech.

Lin Sisi's expression softened slightly. She had boasted about herself, claiming photographic memory and now was scrambling at the last moment. Even if she remembered, it would not be possible to deliver a coherent speech. Initially reluctant, she now felt differently. It was a perfect opportunity to show everyone how this country girl, looked down upon by them, could outshine Si Nian, who had grown up in the city.

Certainly! Here's a translation of the passage you provided:

"In such a situation, defeating her would only highlight her prowess, wouldn't it? No matter how strong Si Nian is, she's had the best education since childhood, so her competence is taken for granted. On the other hand, I've managed to achieve capabilities that rival hers in such a challenging learning environment—that's what really matters. She wants to show everyone: Lin Sisi is just as good as anyone else! With this in mind, Lin Sisi confidently lifted her chin.

As the host invited them, they both stepped onto the stage, one after the other. The audience below fell silent, all eyes fixed on these two young women in their prime. Of course, most gazes were on Si Nian; after all, some people simply shine wherever they stand, making it hard to ignore them. And Si Nian's beauty was undeniably striking.

Lin Sisi understood this well, which was why she hesitated to go on stage with Si Nian. Yet she also thought, what use is beauty in this day and age when everyone values capability?

The Fu family and others in the audience looked on in surprise. Mrs. Zheng was baffled, 'What's going on? Where's Qianqian? Why is it Sisi from the shopping mall, and Si Nian is here too?'

Mr. Fu and Fu Yang frowned. Either of these two going on stage was unbelievable to them. Even Si Nian aside,

Lin Sisi is up there too? Is she going to give a speech as well? This is an English speech!

Fu Yang also furrowed his brow, his gaze unconsciously falling on Lin Sisi. But to his surprise, Lin Sisi stepped forward first, confidently speaking:

"Hello everyone, my name is Lin Sisi. I am eighteen years old and I am a girl from the countryside."

He was taken aback. He thought since Lin Sisi came from the countryside, she wouldn't know these things. He never expected her to speak English!

Although her words were a bit stiff, being able to stand on stage and deliver a speech was already quite impressive.

He glanced at Lin Sisi again.

Lin Sisi's gaze also searched for Fu Yang, and when she saw him looking at her, she couldn't help but feel delighted.

The Fu family members were also astonished. They never imagined Lin Sisi could speak English.

The principal nodded in approval. It seemed this child hadn't lied to him; she really could speak English.

Seeing everyone's attention on her, Lin Sisi lifted her chin slightly and glanced at Si Nian.