NovelEnglish
Chapter 244
Gillian stood there silently for a while. Then, she returned to her room and sat in her chair in a daze.
She suddenly remembered an incident from her youth.
At that time. Olivia had just arrived in the Smith family.
When Olivia wanted to learn how to play the violin, Grandpa arranged a teacher for her. Gillian was
envious and requested to learn how to play the violin too.
The two of them learned under the same teacher together, but only Olivia was praised for her efforts.
At that time, Gillian thought that Olivia was playing better than her because Olivia had learned the
basics before.
Therefore, Gillian doubled her efforts and practiced the violin twice, thrice, or four times more than
Olivia did a day.
Initially, she was very optimistic. She believed that if she worked hard, she would definitely surpass
Olivia.
However, the reality was harsh.
Gillian and Olivia were their teacher’s only two students. Therefore, Gillian naively believed she would
soon surpass Olivia because she only compared herself to the latter.
However, when they went to participate in competitions, Gillian soon realized how huge the gap
between her and Olivia was.
Olivia was like the most lustrous pearl, blooming with dazzling light.
Olivia got first place every time they competed, with her scores far ahead of those in second place. She
would receive praise from all the judges.
On the other hand, Gillian could not even get third place.
Gillian had always thought that she would soon surpass Olivia. However, as she participated in more
competitions and encountered more violinists, she realized that the difference between her and Olivia
was like night and day.
Gillian had to surpass those in third place first, then second place, and countless other violinists better
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtthan her before she could compete with Olivia.
Gillian worked even harder. Her violin practice time was ten times that of Olivia’s. She did not even
sleep.
or rest.
After all her hard work, she finally surpassed third place and reached second place. She was ranked
just behind Olivia.
Unfortunately, that was where she hit a wall.
She would never be able to compare to Olivia.
During that period, Gillian felt despair. She felt powerless. Why were there geniuses in this world? They
were like a vast mountain that she could not conquer before her.
This feeling was so terrifying that Gillian had nightmares every night.
She wanted Olivia to experience this feeling as well. She wanted the latter to share her past obsession
and despair.
Therefore, Gillian inserted Doris Taylor, a sister who was outstanding in everything she did, into Olivia’s
life.
Doris was beautiful, intelligent, and excelled in her studies. She studied at Maple Hills University and
played the violin well. She also knew how to draw.
As for Olivia, she had only graduated from junior high school. Although she liked the violin, she was not
as talented as her sister in playing the violin and was not as good at drawing. She was clumsy in
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everything she did and was inferior to her sister in every way.
Gillian wanted to see how Olivia would face such inferiority.
The Taylor family was having dinner.
The entire family was there. Even Olivia’s brother and sister–in–law in town had returned to welcome
their younger sister, Doris.
All of them praised Doris and ignored Olivia.
Their mother, Megan Taylor, said jokingly, “Back then, the two of them went to the teacher in town to
learn the violin together. Doris played very well, but Olivia’s playing sounded like she was sawing wood.
It was so funny to watch.”
Their father, Julian Taylor, nodded in agreement. “Olivia is clumsy and untalented. She can’t hold a
candle to Doris.”
Their older brother, Derek Taylor, chimed in, saying, “That’s right. Olivia and Doris are like polar
opposites. Doris is good at everything, be it her studies, playing the violin, or drawing. As for Olivia, let
alone playing the violin, she can’t even read well. She failed to get into high school. The difference
between them is like night and day.”
Olivia listened as her family chatted while eating her favorite beef stew. She smiled innocently, without
any sign of disappointment or jealousy.
Over the next few days, regardless of how much Olivia’s family belittled her and claimed that she was
inferior to her sister, Olivia wore a bright smile on her face. She showed no trace of anger.
She worked diligently. Occasionally, she would study how to cook new dishes in her free time. She
stayed in the kitchen all day long. She was covered in dust.
Gillian could not stand it anymore and pulled Olivia into her bedroom.
Gillian asked in disbelief, “What are you doing? Why aren’t you angry?”
Olivia was holding a sandwich she had freshly made in her hand. The sandwich looked appetizing.
Hearing Gillian’s question, Olivia was very puzzled. Her eyes widened as she asked, “Why should I be
angry?”
Gillian stomped her feet in frustration. “They’re bad–mouthing about you. They’re belittling you all day
long. They’re saying that you’re inferior to your sister and that you’re clumsy.”
Olivia blinked, her eyes clear and bright. She instructed, “Gillian, have a seat.”
She carefully placed the sandwich on the table and guided Gillian to sit on the bed. In a serious tone,
Olivia said, “What control do I have over what others say? Their mouths are their own.”
Her eyes twinkled as she said this. She exuded a confident aura.
Even though she was dressed in rags and her face was dirty and covered in dust, she was still as
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmdazzling
as the sun.
Gillian was stunned and subconsciously took two steps back.
Then, she heard Olivia continue saying, “The only thing I can control is my own emotions.”
After saying this, Olivia beamed with joy.
“They can say whatever they want. I don’t care.”
Gillian shook her head in confusion. She questioned Olivia, saying, “Why don’t you study, learn the
violin, and learn how to draw? You have to prove to them that you are capable!”
Olivia picked up the sandwich and showed it to Gillian. She said, “I make better sandwiches than them.
I want to make the best sandwich in the world.”
“What’s so good about making sandwiches?” Gillian angrily slapped away the sandwich in Olivia’s
hand. Furious, she shouted, “All you talk about is sandwiches. You’ve already made hundreds of
sandwiches. Haven’t you made enough? Doris is a university student. She knows how to play the violin
and draw. As for you, you only know how to make sandwiches. Who would think highly of you?”
Olivia squatted down and picked up up at Gillian.
Olivia’s gaze was calm. She explained, “Gillian, what’s wrong with making sandwiches? I don’t think it’s
a lowly profession. No one will look down on your profession if you do things masterfully. Why must I
play the violin? Why must I draw? Those are what Doris likes. It’s what she’s good at, not me.
“Why should I be like her? I like making sandwiches, and I’ll continue to do so. Other people can say
whatever they want. They can look down on me for all I care. I’ll do what I want.
“My resolve is as firm as boulders and mountains. It won’t waver. Other people just like to gossip. I
don’t take what they say seriously at all.”
With that, Olivia pushed the door open and left.
After washing her hands, she continued to make more sandwiches.
Gillian was left alone in the room. She sat on the bed with a stunned expression.
Olivia’s powerful words echoed in her ears. “My resolve is as firm as boulders and mountains. It won’t
waver.”
When Gillian heard Olivia say this, she could not help but tremble.
How could this be? Why didn’t Olivia care what others say about her?
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