Category: Shion’s Notes

Chapter 33: Little Devil

Nangong Ying had been back for several days, but during these days, she seemed to have contacted her very little. On the one hand, it was because her fame had grown, and she always lacked free time at school. On the other hand, after she won the championship, many agencies extended olive branches, wanting to sign her as an artist under their label. She was also troubled about how to handle these matters and hadn’t made a decision.

Today, she specifically made time to come see Yu Linna, also because she had heard about her situation.

“Your homeroom teacher is going to make a home visit to your place. Is this true?”

She pulled Yu Linna to the corner of the teaching building, stood by the window, and asked her about the beginning and end of this matter.

“You don’t need to worry about these things. I’ve already found someone to impersonate my parent. Rest assured, it’ll be fine after it’s over.”

Regarding this matter, Yu Linna explained it quite easily, not showing any signs of worry.

Nangong Ying was one of the few people who knew her family situation. Although Yu Linna nominally had a guardian, the guardian actually didn’t care about her at all. Hadn’t she managed alone all these years? The principal back then had also poached her to this school by offering the condition of waiving all her tuition and miscellaneous fees for three years precisely because of this. As for the fact that Yu Linna was an orphan, perhaps because she didn’t want to reveal it, not many people knew.

If the homeroom teacher really knew her family background, how could she possibly suggest a home visit?

“Are you sure?”

“Relax, it’s fine. By the way, I’m going to Shenzhen next week. I plan to participate in the audition for selecting actors. Just wait for me to catch up to you.”

Yu Linna just smiled slightly, then skipped away. Nangong Ying hadn’t even understood what she meant before she disappeared. When Nangong Ying truly understood the meaning of this sentence, she couldn’t help but sigh.

This girl Yu Linna, although she seemed to have no desires and not much ambition, deep down, like Nangong Ying, she longed to stand out. It was just that, unlike Nangong Ying, hers wasn’t ambition; she simply wanted to escape poverty.

Just hope nothing bad happens to her, Nangong Ying could only think this way. Then she opened her phone, looking with a headache at the extra contact on her phone. The contact name read three words: “Li Yuexin.”

—

This day, homeroom teacher Li Lexuan was coming for the home visit, and Yu Linna was already prepared. She left the classroom immediately after school, then took the subway to find Ye Zhiyun. It took about five minutes to reach her school gate, where she waited for Ye Zhiyun. The black-haired girl yawned boredly, put away her phone, and got on the bus with Yu Linna.

“Tonight is up to you. You must deceive my homeroom teacher.”

“Relax, I know what to do.”

Ye Zhiyun waved her hand to indicate she knew. She would use this opportunity to get proper revenge.

She didn’t go over unprepared. She specifically brought a makeup case, which she would use later. To cooperate well with this act, she also called Fang Jianing out. Fang Jianing was happy to do her makeup. After the three gathered, they took the bus all the way to Yu Linna’s place.

The complex where Yu Linna lived was very remote and quite run-down. Most residents were young people who had just graduated from university and were struggling, as well as some construction workers. Ye Zhiyun felt quite uncomfortable stepping into this complex. The environment here was too poor. What was even worse was when Yu Linna opened her door. Ye Zhiyun just wanted to cover her face.

The place Yu Linna lived in was a single room, too small, with just a bed and a desk. The kitchen was also cramped, with nothing but essential utensils. For Ye Zhiyun, who was used to living in good houses, this was truly intensely uncomfortable.

“This place is too small.”

“Poor family, can only afford to live here…”

“…”

Ye Zhiyun sighed. Forget it, don’t fuss so much. Although she knew before that Yu Linna’s family wasn’t wealthy, she didn’t expect it to be this poor. Forget it, don’t argue with the poor.

She sat down, asked for a mirror, and let Fang Jianing help her with makeup. This time she was playing Yu Linna’s parent. How could she not wear makeup? With her current appearance, she looked like a complete young girl. She had to use makeup to make herself look older.

For this, she specifically found a suit to change into, tied up her beautiful long hair. After the transformation, Ye Zhiyun looked completely different. She no longer looked like a schoolgirl, but like a strong career woman who had entered society. Her face gave off an undeniable coldness.

“The makeup effect is quite good, but no matter how you look at it, you’re still too young. You can’t play a parent at all…”

Yu Linna carefully looked at this face and sighed. If it was just the makeup effect, there was absolutely nothing to pick on. But the problem was, no matter how much makeup Ye Zhiyun wore, she was still too young. She didn’t look like a parent at all. The homeroom teacher was coming soon. This situation was definitely not going to work.

“Then how about I pretend to be your older sister? It’s a home visit anyway.”

“Will this work? The homeroom teacher specifically asked to see my mom and dad.”

“So troublesome… Jianing, add some more wrinkles. I don’t believe I can’t handle this role.”

Ye Zhiyun was determined, insisting that Fang Jianing make her look older. Fang Jianing was very troubled. She had always made people look younger with makeup, never tried to make someone look older. This was really hard for her. In the end, Ye Zhiyun’s appearance still didn’t look like a parent. Even making her look older, she looked thirty at most, impossible to look older.

“No, I did my best, Zhiyun! I really can’t make you look older!”

“Damn it, time is almost up. Forget it, let’s just do this. Proceed according to the original plan.”

There was no other way. Ye Zhiyun had to go on like this. She had wanted to be more thorough, but it seemed impossible. She patted her face, calming her mood. She couldn’t lose her composure. She had to play Yu Linna’s parent and embarrass her in front of the teacher, so she absolutely couldn’t make a mistake.

As agreed, Fang Jianing went to the milk tea shop downstairs to wait for the homeroom teacher to leave. The rest would be handled by Yu Linna and Ye Zhiyun. While waiting, Yu Linna sat restlessly, thinking about what to do after the homeroom teacher arrived.

“What are you nervous about? I’m not even nervous.”

“It’s my first time having a teacher home visit. How can I not be nervous?”

From her previous life until this life, Yu Linna had never experienced a home visit. This was the first time, so of course, she would be nervous.

Ye Zhiyun propped her face up boredly, wondering when it would start. She didn’t like Yu Linna in the first place, and now she was sharing a room with her. Just thinking about it was annoying. If it weren’t for revenge, she wouldn’t want to be with her.

Time passed slowly. Finally, the doorbell rang.

Yu Linna opened her door, looked at her homeroom teacher’s face, glanced guiltily at Ye Zhiyun behind her. Ye Zhiyun gave her a serious look, signaling her to continue. Yu Linna took a deep breath and pulled the door open.

“Please come in, Teacher.”

“This is your home? So small.”

Homeroom teacher Li Lexuan was a female teacher in her twenties, a local. She knew where the area Yu Linna lived in was. Generally, people living here were unlikely to be wealthy families. Especially this small room Yu Linna lived in, it was excessively crowded.

“Hello, I’m Yu Linna’s homeroom teacher, Li Lexuan. And you are?”

Li Lexuan saw Ye Zhiyun sitting inside wearing a suit, greeted her first, then took off her shoes and came in.

Ye Zhiyun’s presence was too strong. She looked like a working adult, and not a simple one at that. She exuded an air of dominance, the aura of someone in a superior position.

“Hello, I’m the child’s mother. My name is Yu Xiaoxiao.”

Saying this line was extremely embarrassing, but she still insisted on saying it. God knows how she managed. Playing someone’s parent was really too difficult.

“You… but you’re so young, you look like her older sister…”

“Haha, I was relatively young when I gave birth to her.”

“May I ask your age?”

“…Teacher, please sit down. Let’s discuss the child’s issues.”

She really didn’t want to discuss this topic. She, an eighteen-year-old girl, actually had to play someone’s mother. If her dad knew about this, he would laugh himself to death. But, for revenge, she endured it.

Although Li Lexuan was skeptical, she still sat down. Yu Linna poured tea for her, looking at her nervously. Li Lexuan drank the not-so-good tea, looking at Ye Zhiyun’s appearance. Every movement of Ye Zhiyun was graceful and appropriate, completely out of sync with Yu Linna. Most importantly, Yu Linna’s blonde hair was completely different from Ye Zhiyun’s hair. No matter how you looked at it, Yu Linna looked like a mixed-race person, while Ye Zhiyun was 100% Asian.

“I want to know, do you… mother and daughter usually live in this small place?”

“Of course not. Usually, Linna lives here alone. I have work outside. I heard you were coming for a home visit today, so I rushed back from outside. Look, I haven’t even changed my clothes.”

Li Lexuan was still a bit suspicious. No matter how she looked, these two didn’t seem alike at all.

The one playing the mother appeared graceful and well-mannered, while Yu Linna seemed like a complete country bumpkin.

“I came mainly to understand the child’s family situation. This child never lets family members attend parent-teacher conferences, and doesn’t even write down a parent’s phone number. I was wondering if you two might be a bit…”

“Don’t worry about that. Our relationship has always been very good. No need to worry.”

Yu Linna listened from the side, her heart in her throat. Watching Ye Zhiyun handle the situation with ease, countering every move, not nervous at all facing the homeroom teacher, she slowly relaxed. It seemed finding Ye Zhiyun was the right choice. This woman really had experience dealing with such situations.

“Then let’s get to the main topic. Yu Linna’s grades have always been very stable at our school, but recently they’ve dropped significantly, falling to third place. I think this is related to her working part-time outside. I’ve told her many times, but she never changes. As her mother, what are your thoughts?”

Sure enough, the main topic arrived. Yu Linna clenched her fists.

Ye Zhiyun calmly drank her tea, handling the situation without ripples, not nervous at all.

“Regarding this matter, let her be. She wasn’t interested in studying anyway. Better to let her have fun.”

“What?”

“This child wasn’t a good child to begin with. What’s wrong with letting her play wildly? Besides, that’s her own decision, isn’t it?”

Ye Zhiyun’s smile became sinister, her eyes revealing a teasing look. Watching the dumbfounded Yu Linna, her heart filled with delight. Her revenge had only just begun.

Chapter 32: Bewildered

Why did Ye Zhiyun agree to this? There was nothing good in it for her. The reason she wanted to do it was, of course, her own. Firstly, this was an excellent opportunity for revenge. She, Ye Zhiyun, was someone who always repaid grudges. She wouldn’t let go of any chance for revenge.

But Yu Linna knew nothing, thinking this woman held no grudges and was helping her. Truly naively cute.

“Anyway, let’s exchange contact information first. The day after tomorrow, right? I’ll be there on time. Remember to tell me the address.”

“Benefactor! Thank you so much! I’ll never forget this in my lifetime!”

“Hehe.”

She hadn’t wanted to add her as a friend, but ended up doing so due to unavoidable circumstances. Forget it. To embarrass her, slander her in front of the teacher, I’ll just endure it for now. After she got her revenge, she would just delete her.

Yu Linna was always very naive, thinking everyone in the world was good, always thinking everyone would help her. It was precisely because of this naivety that she was being used by Ye Zhiyun.

“Hey, why did you agree to her?”

Fang Jianing didn’t understand. Didn’t she dislike Yu Linna? Why take the initiative to help her? Wasn’t there no benefit for her at all?

“You don’t need to worry about these things. You just need to know that I will handle Yu Linna’s matter.”

Ye Zhiyun looked at the extra contact on her phone, sighed, and said lightly.

I’ll use this opportunity to get proper revenge on her, make her lose face, to avenge my panties being seen yesterday. Of course, the old score with my childhood sweetheart needs to be settled too.

After finishing the milk tea, the three had no plans and went their separate ways home. Yu Linna was extremely happy to have gotten a “free parent”. Whether it was good or bad, she now had a solution for Wednesday.

“I mean, I still don’t understand why you agreed to help Linna. Couldn’t you just let her solve it herself?”

Yu Linna was heading in a different direction. After she left, Fang Jianing and Ye Zhiyun could walk together for a stretch. Taking advantage of this walk, Fang Jianing asked her question again.

But Ye Zhiyun wouldn’t answer honestly. How could these malicious thoughts be revealed to others?

“Just assume I was bored. Anyway, it doesn’t affect me.”

She still didn’t answer directly, hiding the answer in her heart.

Cars drove past, traffic lights flickered. The two girls stood at the intersection, waiting to cross. Headlights shone on Ye Zhiyun, illuminating the calmness on her face. The car passed, leaving only her face cast in shadow.

“Linna… she’s a good kid. Although a bit thick-skinned, with a bad personality, and tsundere. But…”

Little Angel Fang Jianing opened her eyes, her tone becoming heavy.

“She’s fundamentally not a bad person. Please don’t bully her.”

Ye Zhiyun was slightly surprised, looking at this girl, whose face showed a determined expression. At this moment, the green light flickered; they could cross.

She wanted to say something, but the words got stuck in her throat and couldn’t come out. What is this? This feeling, it’s inexplicably uncomfortable.

“…Don’t worry. I won’t really do anything to her. I’m not that bad yet.”

Thousands of words ultimately condensed into this single sentence.

After crossing at the traffic light, Fang Jianing got on the bus alone, leaving Ye Zhiyun by herself. Ye Zhiyun stood at the bus stop, the cool wind blowing her hair. She sighed, took out her phone, and called a Didi alone. When she was alone, she was used to taking a taxi home and rarely squeezed onto the bus, especially during peak hours like this.

Ye Zhiyun took a Didi Express and arrived at her residential complex in about ten minutes. The complex she lived in was full of high-rise buildings, the parking lot packed with cars. Holding the camera hanging around her neck, she walked into the entrance of the high-end apartment building. The building she lived in was in a high-end area, unaffordable for ordinary people. The monthly rent and utilities alone started at three thousand yuan.

She took out her key, opened the door to her home, entered the genkan (entrance hall), and took off her shoes. She threw her bag onto the sofa, went to pour herself a glass of water, feeling slightly tired, then took out the remote to turn on the air conditioner in the living room. The living room in this apartment was quite large, at least larger than Fang Jianing’s, and better decorated. Ye Zhiyun usually lived here alone, not with her parents.

Her dad said it was to train her independence, kicking her out to live alone a long time ago. Probably around the time she started high school, she basically stopped living at home. The family home was much larger than this place, and better decorated, but her parents insisted she move out, and she didn’t refuse.

Moreover, restricting her finances was also a good thing, allowing her to focus on using the funds she had wisely. For example, recently she used her limited liquid funds to invest in a movie project, and it was her largest investment. She just didn’t know if this investment would make money. Although this amount was nothing to her dad, for her current capabilities, it was truly vital.

Ye Zhiyun went to her room to change, swapping her school uniform for home clothes, then went to the bathroom to run water for a bath. Before that, she specifically called her dad.

“Hello, Dad, are you at the company?”

“What’s wrong, Zhiyun? Miss Dad? You can come home on the weekend.”

“Get lost. I wouldn’t go back for such a small thing. Where’s my brother?”

“He’s already interning at my company. When do you graduate? I’m waiting for you to report to the company.”

“…Better forget it.”

Ye Zhiyun didn’t really want to inherit her father’s business or control the company’s destiny. What she wanted to do was different from her father. Her father was an entrepreneur; she wasn’t. She wanted to do what she liked. Inheriting the family business? Better leave that to her ‘cheap’ older brother.

“By the way, Zhiyun, I heard you invested in a movie?”

On the other end of the phone, her father’s tone became serious. Whenever he spoke in this tone, Ye Zhiyun knew he was going to discuss serious matters, so she dropped her previous disdainful tone.

“Yes. Commercially speaking, Director Murong is worth a try. He started with art films, and this is his first time directing a commercial film. Judging from his past works, his reviews have always been good, never below seven points. I think it’s worth a try.”

“However, trying is one thing. Investing ten million for your first investment, isn’t that too much? I’m not saying it’s bad, but I think when you only have 10.01 million in liquid funds, investing ninety percent of it in a relatively unknown director, are you sure you won’t lose money?”

As a father, he definitely knew more about investment than she did. Although Ye Zhiyun was unhappy, it was indeed a fact.

“I have my own ideas. I know how to use this money.”

“Alright then.”

Ye Zhiyun had her ideas; she knew what to do. Investing certainly required caution, but she was very bold. Regardless of the risk, she’d just go for it first.

Hanging up the phone, Ye Zhiyun stretched. The hot water in the bathroom was already overflowing. Only then did she unhurriedly enter the bathroom to take a bath. As she closed the door and took off her clothes, she remembered something: she had forgotten to bring clothes to change into.

Speaking of Ye Zhiyun agreeing to impersonate Yu Linna’s parent, the big stone in Yu Linna’s heart finally lifted. Putting other things aside, as long as someone could impersonate her parent and deceive her homeroom teacher, that was enough. After the home visit ended, everything would be fine. She had never experienced a home visit from childhood until now. This was the first time. No matter what, the ‘parent’ had to be prepared.

But then again, if she had parents, why would she need to go through such trouble? In the end, it was a solution born out of desperation. But what else could she do? She didn’t want others to know her family situation.

She hated others knowing she was a child without parents. It was that simple.

Stretching, Yu Linna opened the drawer and put away the money earned from working that day. Another happy and fulfilling day. Although the rent due date was getting closer, she wasn’t anxious, probably used to it. Besides, worrying was useless. Better to relax a bit. Also, she was going to the Shenzhen audition soon. Hope I can succeed.

As long as I become famous, get rich, all troubles will disappear. I have to endure this period.

Maybe others would ask why she insisted on choosing this path when there were clearly more paths available to her. She would slap them across the face. What’s the difference between being a person without dreams and a salted fish? She had already made up her mind. She wanted to surpass Nangong Ying, catch up to her. After all, Nangong Ying was already standing in such a high position. She also had to work hard.

Time quickly passed until Wednesday. These few days, Yu Linna had been very well-behaved, attending classes, completing homework on time, not to mention test papers. Although she had fallen behind in her courses, her foundation was still there, so she wasn’t worried at all.

After class this day, Yu Linna was packing her notes in the classroom, preparing to continue reviewing after returning home. She had a general understanding of her college entrance exam prospects. As long as she performed normally, it shouldn’t deviate much. But she wasn’t going to university anyway, so it seemed it didn’t matter how she performed on the exam.

“Classmate Yu Linna, Classmate Nangong is looking for you.”

Suddenly, Yu Linna, who was at her seat, was reminded by a classmate. She looked towards the classroom door. A blue-haired girl was standing at the door. Many classmates were watching outside, their gazes towards Nangong Ying somewhat intense.

Although Nangong Ying was a member of the ordinary class, and her grades weren’t particularly outstanding, her fame was immense. In her first year of high school, she represented the school team in the National Youth Tennis Competition and even won the national championship trophy that the school hadn’t won for many years. After withdrawing from the school team, she went to the ordinary class. Many people regretted her choice. Who would have thought that in her third year of high school, she would create another miracle, winning the even more significant national championship in the National Singing Competition?

Now, her fame was incredible. It was said she also intended to apply for a music art school. If so, her future prospects were immeasurable.

Compared to her, Yu Linna was really far behind.

“What is it, Nangong? You’re looking for me?”

“Come out for a moment. I have something to talk to you about privately.”

Nangong Ying grabbed her hand and, under the envious gazes of the classmates, left the surrounding crowd.

Chapter 31: Girls’ Tea Party

Speaking of which, why did I agree to come here for drinks with them? Ye Zhiyun kept thinking about this question in her mind, but it was useless to think about it anymore; she was already here. Isn’t there a saying, “Since you are here, take it easy”?

Although she indeed disliked Yu Linna, the other girl was a different matter. By the way, Yu Linna came purely because there were free things to drink again.

“Come, come, this milk tea shop is quite good. I often come here with friends. Order whatever you like.”

This milk tea shop wasn’t far from the school, just a five-minute walk, and the prices were low, very suitable for student consumption. Although Fang Jianing was a bit tight on cash, she could still afford a few cups of milk tea. This amount was small change for her. And getting to know this Miss Ye Zhiyun was also worth it.

“I’ll have this one. Wait, I’ll pay.”

Although it was just the price of a cup of milk tea, Ye Zhiyun’s upbringing was still very good. She didn’t like owing others. Besides, she wasn’t short of money.

Fang Jianing smiled without saying anything, took the menu she had checked, and then handed it to Yu Linna. Yu Linna wouldn’t be polite with her, directly ordering the most expensive cup of milk tea. Fang Jianing took it back with a habitual smile, then gave it to the waiter.

The decoration in the milk tea shop couldn’t be called luxurious. The tables and chairs were just simply arranged. However, there were a few posters hanging in the shop, all of current big stars, which could attract a little bit of customer traffic. Sitting in this shop, the atmosphere was quite harmonious, at least not like it was in the morning.

Ye Zhiyun leaned back in her chair, fiddling with her camera. She took a few pictures of the shop. The milk tea shop after school always had students, and the crowds coming and going formed a bustling street scene. Taking pictures of these scenes was also quite nice.

However, Ye Zhiyun herself preferred scenery more; portraits were secondary. But considering that today’s photos weren’t bad, she wouldn’t fuss too much.

“You’re good at taking pictures. When did you learn?”

Probably out of boredom, Yu Linna took the initiative to start a topic.

“None of your business. Just sit quietly and drink your milk tea.”

“Tch, stingy.”

Unlike Ye Zhiyun, Yu Linna didn’t hate her. At most, she would just say “I see” and move on. But Ye Zhiyun hated Yu Linna very much, hated her from the beginning. Who told her to steal her childhood sweetheart right from the start?

Her relationship with her childhood sweetheart hadn’t progressed at all, and this blonde who appeared out of nowhere was like the tenshi (girl falling from the sky) in manga, making her feel intensely insecure. If she didn’t eliminate her, she would definitely not feel at ease!

“Zhiyun, can I call you that? You can also call me Jianing. Since we’ve met, we can be considered friends. Want to add each other as friends?”

Fang Jianing took out her phone, squinting her eyes, her kind expression making it impossible to dislike her.

Ye Zhiyun wasn’t an unreasonable person either. She took out her phone, displayed her QR code for her to scan, and added her as a friend. For her, knowing one more person wasn’t a bad thing, and Fang Jianing wasn’t a bad person either, so getting acquainted was fine.

But Yu Linna was out of the question. She would absolutely not add her, absolutely not.

Because she hated her.

“Wow, I see your Moments are all about food and fun. Are you a rich young lady?”

The milk tea arrived. Ye Zhiyun held her cup and drank. During this time, Fang Jianing asked questions left and right, her eyes sparkling like stars.

“My family… My dad has a company, holds shares on the board, so it’s okay.”

Sipping her milk tea, Ye Zhiyun spoke somewhat indistinctly.

Her family situation was indeed much more affluent. Her dad was the president of a large company, consistently profitable year after year. Since childhood, she had received the best education and had flown all over the world. Ye Zhiyun could be considered a true rich young lady. It was just that she was relatively low-key and didn’t show off much.

However, she was indeed rich. Her family had mines, right? She had everything since she was young: money, houses, an older brother, and a childhood sweetheart. Except for her childhood sweetheart being disappointing and having low EQ, everything else was fine.

But having been pampered for so many years, she hadn’t developed a spoiled young lady’s temper, which surprised Yu Linna.

“I seem to have accidentally latched onto a tycoon’s thigh. I feel like I’ve grasped the future.”

“Classmate Jianing, what are you talking about?”

“Haha, nothing.”

Maybe this material could be saved for the next video, Fang Jianing thought silently. Speaking of videos, the video she promised Yu Linna wasn’t finished yet, giving her a bit of a headache. Might as well drag it out for now.

Ye Zhiyun’s appearance was quite different from when she was confronting Yu Linna earlier. Her posture and tone of voice were very much like a well-educated young lady. Her expression was neither cold nor enthusiastic, but just right. And when speaking, she would also consider the other person’s feelings, completely different from before.

She only showed that kind of appearance in front of Yu Linna. It was unknown whether this was a good thing.

“By the way, Zhiyun, when did you learn photography?”

“Probably around eight years old. I learned from my older brother. I’m quite interested in taking pictures. If you like, I can take a few pictures for you.”

“Really? Thank you so much!”

It seemed the two of them got along quite well. Yu Linna sat aside drinking her milk tea, sitting right in the middle, just watching them talk and laugh. She sighed, feeling somewhat excluded.

Since she had nothing to do, Yu Linna took out her phone and played by herself. Anyway, she couldn’t join their conversation. It was better to finish her milk tea alone and then leave. Anyway, this stuff was free.

Speaking of which, the matter of Sister Chen introducing her to the Shenzhen audition last time, the date was approaching. It seemed she would have to take leave for a period again. If she wanted to further catch up with Nangong Ying, entering the entertainment industry was the best choice. If she could be noticed by someone and then signed by a company, she would soar.

She wanted to get rid of poverty quickly and become rich early, so these preparations were necessary.

But first, she had to solve the problem of the homeroom teacher’s home visit.

“Sigh…”

Speaking of home visits, her head ached. What should she do?

Could she really only hire someone to impersonate her parents?

“Linna, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I’m thinking about how to solve the home visit issue. Fang Jianing, did you help me look for two people to impersonate my parents?”

Ye Zhiyun, who was drinking milk tea, almost choked on this sentence.

My god, what was she saying? Hire someone to impersonate parents?! How did she come up with such an amazing plan!

So there was this operation to deal with the homeroom teacher’s home visit!

“Hey, Yu Linna, what kind of stunt are you pulling now?”

“It’s none of your business, is it, Miss Ye?”

“…I can interpret this as retaliation.”

Seeing the cold expression on Yu Linna’s face, Ye Zhiyun clenched her fist. Sure enough, give her an inch and she’ll take a mile. Not dealing with her wouldn’t do.

She moved her position, put an arm around her shoulder, hooked her neck, her eyes becoming sharp.

“Yu Linna, what did you just say? Please repeat it.”

“I…”

My god, so scary!

Yu Linna’s shoulders began to tremble. Somehow, in Ye Zhiyun’s “friendly” smile, she felt a trace of panic. This woman named Ye Zhiyun, on the surface, was a young lady, but inside, she was an out-and-out villain!

That evil smile, that arrogant expression, and those eyes revealing murderous intent, were constantly telling her that this woman was a villain!

“What are you afraid of? I won’t eat you…”

“Um, I think I should go back…”

“It’s still so early, why go back? Besides… do you think I won’t settle the score from last time?”

That last sentence was definitely intentional, absolutely!

How could Ye Zhiyun let her go so easily? As long as she caught the opportunity, she would definitely not let go. She was just that kind of person.

Stealing her Ye Zhiyun’s person, hold a grudge. Seeing Ye Zhiyun’s panties, hold a grudge. Provoking her Ye Zhiyun’s temper, hold a grudge. Now settle it all at once.

“Ahaha, Zhiyun, don’t bully her. She’s still a child.”

Fang Jianing came over smiling to smooth things over, snatching Yu Linna from Ye Zhiyun’s grasp. Yu Linna, having survived the ordeal, breathed a sigh of relief. She almost thought she was going to die just now!

Ye Zhiyun clicked her tongue (qie) and sat back alone, utterly bored.

“By the way, you want to find someone to impersonate your parents. Where do you plan to find them?”

“I don’t know. If there’s a cheap and obedient fool willing to be my parent for a bit, I’d be very grateful.”

Yu Linna was also quite troubled about the home visit. Hiring someone was one thing, the price was another.

Today was Monday, the home visit was the day after tomorrow. If she couldn’t find someone before tomorrow, it would really be GG (game over). No matter what, she had to find someone.

“I advise you not to make this plan. Hiring someone from outside to be a parent would cost at least a hundred yuan. And they are usually rough people. Besides, you’re already in high school and still need to meet parents. Who would agree to be your parent?”

Fang Jianing sipped her milk tea, completely unconcerned, advising her to give up the idea.

“Also, won’t your parents beat you to death if they find out?”

“I live alone, so there’s no problem.”

“Oh, I see. No wonder.”

If she lived alone, it was understandable. After all, her parents weren’t around, so finding someone to impersonate them was understandable.

The problem was, hiring someone to be a parent, no matter how you thought about it, wasn’t good.

“Yu Linna, when is your home visit?”

“The day after tomorrow. Why?”

“The day after tomorrow… How about I be your parent?”

“Huh?”

Yu Linna was stunned, holding her milk tea without speaking for a long time.

“How about it? I’ll be your parent, and I won’t charge you a cent. This deal is quite worth it. I’m not from your school, so your teacher won’t recognize me.”

“…Benefactor!”

How could Yu Linna refuse! She would definitely not refuse such a good opportunity!

It was free! Why should she refuse!

However, Ye Zhiyun agreeing to be her parent certainly wasn’t without expecting something in return. The reason she did this was, of course, because she wanted revenge.

Chapter 30: I Don’t Like Her

Several classmates seemed to have taken a sudden interest in Fang Jiayi, eager to learn the secret of befriending a certain aloof girl. Although the girl appeared cold and distant, difficult to approach, she was cute, and cuteness equaled justice.

Therefore, as one of the few who managed to befriend Yu Linna, Fang Jiayi earned the respect of many classmates, who flocked to her, seeking her advice. But Fang Jiayi remained mysterious, not revealing her secret. As if I’d share this top-secret information with them. If they knew how easy it was to win over Yu Linna, how could she continue to have her all to herself?

Fang Jiayi was happy, but Yu Linna wasn’t. She had been summoned by the homeroom teacher for a lecture, the reason, of course, being her declining grades. The homeroom teacher also brought up her part-time jobs, scolding her harshly.

“Yu Linna, you’re the most consistent student in our advanced class, but this time, you actually lost your top ranking to the next class. You’ve disappointed me greatly. The principal waived your tuition, not for you to slack off!”

Being reprimanded was only natural. She didn’t perform well, didn’t meet their expectations, and naturally, it resulted in disappointment. Everyone expected her to do well, but she let them down.

Yu Linna remained silent, accepting the criticism. What else could she say? It was the truth; she had disappointed them.

“I won’t say more. I’ll be visiting your home to discuss your situation with your parents. Let’s set the time for Wednesday.”

“…Teacher, can we skip the home visit…?”

“No, it’s necessary. And don’t even think about finding someone to impersonate your parents. That’s all, you can go back now.”

“…”

Yu Linna didn’t know how she left the office.

“Sigh…”

Closing the office door behind her, Yu Linna leaned against the wall and sighed deeply.

Honestly, from elementary school until now, she had never experienced a teacher’s home visit. Her grades had always been good; no teacher would bother with a home visit. Of course, the third-year homeroom teacher was an exception.

Where could she even take her for a home visit? She couldn’t imagine.

Just like her past life, she was a displaced orphan in this life. Where would she find parents? She did have a legal guardian, but they weren’t relatives. It was someone she found when she was living with another family long ago. That person simply completed the guardianship paperwork and then left for the big city to do business, taking all their belongings. Initially, they would send her a small allowance, but after six months, all contact ceased. Afterward, Yu Linna started living on her own, experiencing the harsh realities of the world at a young age.

So, where would she find parents?

This was a real headache. What should she do about the home visit? Yu Linna racked her brains but couldn’t come up with a solution.

“Linna, did the homeroom teacher scold you?”

“…She said she wants to visit my home.”

Scratching her head, the girl looked troubled. Being scolded by the teacher wasn’t the main issue; the biggest problem was that she couldn’t find any parents. How could she deal with this?

She remembered when she was living with a family, their son hired someone to impersonate his parents during a teacher’s home visit, and it actually worked.

Maybe she could try that.

“Fang Jiayi, can you help me find two people to pretend to be my parents?”

“Huh? You want to lie to the homeroom teacher? That’s not good…”

“There’s nothing good or bad about it, it’s decided. I’ll be very grateful if you help me with this.”

Regardless of whether Fang Jiayi agreed or not, she was going to make her agree. This was the only solution she could think of.

Some might ask why she didn’t honestly explain her family situation, but the girl didn’t want others to know that she was a fatherless child. No specific reason, she just didn’t want them to know.

The next day, Yu Linna pulled herself together and focused on her studies. Although she had taken many days off and fallen behind, her foundation was strong, and she quickly caught up. Especially in English class, she never missed a single question, often solving problems that even the teacher struggled with, questions that were key to the college entrance exam.

But Yu Linna’s English scores were always excellent, almost perfect. The teacher could only chuckle, thinking, mixed-race children are different, their foreign language skills are naturally good.

However, in reality, Yu Linna’s excellent English scores were the result of her hard work, having nothing to do with her being mixed-race.

After school, Yu Linna rubbed her hands and yawned. The third-year curriculum was intense, with a heavy workload. Two or three sets of test papers a day were a given. Yu Linna didn’t have evening self-study because she was a day student, and she didn’t want to attend anyway. It was better to use that time for a part-time job. She packed her books and patted Fang Jiayi’s shoulder, signaling her to leave together. She had become accustomed to going home with Fang Jiayi, as they were both day students.

“It’s so nice that Jiayi and Yu are such good friends.”

“Jiayi is so stingy, she won’t tell me how to become friends with Yu, hmph!”

Fang Jiayi secretly chuckled. She wouldn’t tell them how to befriend Yu Linna. Yu Linna was so cute, so soft to the touch; she wouldn’t share her with others.

“Fang Jiayi, you keep giggling at me, I’m going to report you.”

“Hehe, let’s go, I’ll treat you to ice cream.”

Fang Jiayi had figured out Yu Linna’s weakness. Pat her head and offer her food. This method never failed. Yu Linna immediately became obedient; she never refused free food.

The little angel bought two ice cream bars from a nearby store, and Yu Linna waited at the school gate. When Fang Jiayi handed her one, she accepted it without hesitation, tearing open the wrapper and taking a lick. The ice cream tasted delicious, especially in the summer, cold and sweet, just the way Yu Linna liked it. An ice cream bar cost at least one yuan, and Yu Linna rarely bought them for herself, but it was a different story when someone else bought it for her.

A car drove by, a gentle breeze rustling Yu Linna’s hair, revealing her smooth forehead. She sucked on her ice cream, looking at the scenery across the street, when a black-haired girl with a bag slung over her shoulder walked over. This girl wore the uniform of City Experimental High School, her long black hair styled in a half-updo, giving off an elegant and dignified aura. She wore a digital camera around her neck, seemingly adjusting the lens, and took a few photos nearby. Suddenly looking up, she saw the blonde girl at the school gate, blankly staring ahead with an ice cream bar in her mouth, and her camera automatically captured the scene.

“Hmm? Yu Linna, it’s you again.”

Ye Zhiyun sighed, her tone exasperated. She didn’t like Yu Linna, but fate seemed determined to make them cross paths.

“What are you doing at the gate of our school?”

With the ice cream in her mouth, Yu Linna’s words were slightly muffled, but still clear.

Imagine a cute blonde girl, looking like a middle school student, talking with an ice cream bar in her mouth, the scene was a bit… suggestive. Ye Zhiyun admitted to having some inappropriate thoughts when she saw this, but she quickly regained her composure.

“I was just taking some photos, passing by.”

Ye Zhiyun said indifferently, then checked the photos she had taken with her digital camera. The latest photo was of Yu Linna blankly looking at her while eating an ice cream bar across the street. Frankly, the photo was quite good, although it looked a bit… meme-worthy.

“Oh, it’s you again, miss. Do you like photography? Can I see your photos?”

Fang Jiayi, acting familiar, stepped forward to look at the photos. Ye Zhiyun quickly scrolled past the latest photo, showing the scenery shots she had taken along the way. From an amateur perspective, her photos were really good, no less than professional photography. Fang Jiayi thanked her and flipped through the photos. Fortunately, she scrolled backward, not forward, which made Ye Zhiyun breathe a sigh of relief. The most important thing was not to let her see that first photo.

“Wow, your photos are so beautiful! Can you take one of me? With my phone, please?”

Seeing her excellent photography skills, even better than her own selfies, Fang Jiayi handed her phone over, wanting a photo taken by her. Girls loved beauty, and Fang Jiayi was no exception. Who didn’t want to look good in photos?

“You’re Yu Linna’s friend, I don’t want to take your picture.”

“Aw, come on, just one photo~”

“…Fine.”

After a moment of thought, although Fang Jiayi was Yu Linna’s friend, she had no conflict with Ye Zhiyun, so she might as well. Besides, it was just a photo, no big deal.

Taking Fang Jiayi’s iPhone, she opened the camera, adjusted the angle, and Fang Jiayi stood at the school gate, making a victory sign, a bright smile on her face. Click! Without much adjustment, the photo was taken quickly.

Fang Jiayi looked beautiful in the photo. Although it was getting late, the summer sun hadn’t set yet, providing ample lighting. Therefore, there were no issues with insufficient light.

“Wow, it’s so beautiful! You’re such a good photographer!”

“…You can call me Ye Zhiyun. Photography is my hobby.”

“I’m Fang Jiayi, we met this morning. Let’s be friends.”

Saying this, Fang Jiayi extended her hand, her attitude friendly. Ye Zhiyun looked at her hand, slightly surprised, but still shook it. After all, good manners dictated that politeness was necessary.

“Oh, your photos are really nice. How about you take one of me too?”

Seeing the photo on Fang Jiayi’s phone, Yu Linna couldn’t help but want to try. After all, being able to be photographed so beautifully, with skills comparable to a professional, was very tempting.

“No way, I’ll take anyone’s photo, but not yours.”

“Stingy.”

“Hmph.”

Ye Zhiyun wouldn’t take photos of people she hated, especially that little brat Yu Linna. She wouldn’t do it even for money. She had said it before, she didn’t like Yu Linna.

Never had, never would.

“Well, since we’ve met, how about we get a drink?”

Chapter 29: That Girl Is Mine!

It was already 9 pm when Yu Linna finally met up with Nangong Ying. The unexpected incident had caused a significant delay, mainly because she returned with a flushed face and a dazed look, as if reminiscing about something. Suddenly remembering something, the girl shook her head vigorously, trying to rid herself of impure thoughts.

What’s wrong with me?

Nangong Ying didn’t understand what was going on with this girl. Her face was really red tonight; she wondered what she had been up to. Although she looks quite cute like this.

“Linna, are you feverish? Your face is so red.”

“No, no, I definitely didn’t see… N-no, I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m perfectly fine…”

Seeing her like this, Nangong Ying didn’t pry further. She wasn’t really interested in what happened to Yu Linna; as long as she was okay, it was fine. As for that Ye Zhiyun, she definitely didn’t want to see her again.

It was quite late when Yu Linna returned home. Nangong Ying specifically accompanied her part of the way, and by the time she arrived, it was almost 10 pm. Yu Linna locked the door, collapsed onto her bed, and covered her face. Remembering what she shouldn’t have seen tonight, her face couldn’t help but flush red.

Although she had been a girl for so many years, it had been a long time since she had “seen anything.” A grown-up girl was different from a child, and of course, the panties they wore were different too.

Shaking off the thoughts from her head, Yu Linna picked up her diary and began writing. The girl had a habit of writing in her diary, a habit developed over many years. She started writing when she was young out of boredom, and it gradually became a habit. Although she didn’t always update it consistently, she at least recorded the major events of the year.

After finishing her diary entry, she locked it away. Then, she took out her wallet and put the remaining money in a locked cabinet. Yu Linna was very poor now, with less than 1000 yuan left. After paying rent and utilities, there wouldn’t be much left. She also had overdue utility bills; after paying those, even less would remain. Adding food expenses, this money clearly wasn’t enough.

I can only eat instant noodles for now.

After much calculation, she concluded that instant noodles were the most affordable option. If she ate them every day, she could survive on less than 500 yuan a month. If she was lucky, she could find cheap boxed lunches. And if she was even luckier, she could buy discounted vegetables and meat at the market and cook herself a meal, saving even more money.

God, please let me survive this month, Yu Linna prayed silently.

Yu Linna had been fired from several convenience stores and didn’t have many part-time job options left. She had worked as a film extra and a theater actress. These jobs, although thankless, at least earned her some money, enough to last half a month.

Her biggest worry now was how to earn more money and how to move closer to Nangong Ying’s level.

Forget it, I don’t want to think about it. Yu Linna didn’t want to overcomplicate things. She turned off the lights and went to bed, ready for school tomorrow.

Waking up on time the next morning, Yu Linna yawned, scratched her messy blonde hair, and shuffled to the sink in her slippers to brush her teeth. Her living space was cramped, but fortunately, it was enough for one person. Life wasn’t too difficult. She washed her face and then combed her long hair, trying to look presentable. Having become a girl in this life, she kept her hair long, perhaps due to her feminine mindset; she didn’t want short hair.

Thanks to this, she had maintained her long hair. Although it was a bit troublesome to manage, it looked good. Yu Linna liked her long hair and never considered cutting it. Even though she didn’t know who her parents were, she was still grateful to them for giving her this hair.

Yu Linna attended City No. 1 High School, second only to City Experimental High School. Although that was the case, there was still a significant gap between the two schools.

The girl put on her school uniform, a skirt, and got ready for school. Having lived as a girl in this life for longer than her previous life, she didn’t mind skirts, but she didn’t wear them often. Except for her uniform, she rarely wore skirts. Should I try wearing men’s clothing sometime? she wondered.

Leaving her apartment, she took a detour and caught the bus, breathing a sigh of relief. She did so poorly on the last exam and took so much time off; her homeroom teacher would definitely give her a hard time. Yu Linna, filled with dread, found a handrail to hold onto.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Oh, thank you, young lady.”

“You’re welcome.”

There are still good students who offer their seats to elderly ladies. Although newspapers often reported on elderly people forcing young people to give up their seats, leading to many becoming reluctant to do so, there were still kind people in the world.

Thinking this, Yu Linna turned to look at the kind girl who offered her seat.

She turned and froze.

The girl who offered her seat looked up and also froze.

“Yu Linna.”

Ye Zhiyun practically gritted her teeth as she uttered the name, her voice trembling with barely suppressed anger.

“Oh, good morning?”

“Good morning my… Fine, good morning.”

Ye Zhiyun almost cursed, but remembering that this was a public place, she refrained from being too rude and swallowed her words. Yu Linna didn’t call her out on it and quietly found a handrail to hold onto.

The atmosphere between the two girls became awkward.

“Yu Linna, why are you on the same bus as me?”

“This is the bus I take to school. What about you? Aren’t you a rich young lady? Why are you squeezing onto a public bus with commoners like me?”

“I wanted to take the bus today, so what?”

Just like before, they couldn’t seem to get along. Although Yu Linna always appeared indifferent, Ye Zhiyun always found a way to pick on her.

They were like natural enemies, sworn rivals.

Just as Ye Zhiyun was about to say something, another girl suddenly appeared between them, separating the two. She wore a friendly smile, her eyes narrowed, looking harmless.

“Alright, stop arguing, let’s all get along.”

“Who are you?”

Ye Zhiyun didn’t recognize this girl who suddenly appeared, smiling, seemingly trying to stir up trouble.

“She’s Fang Jiayi, my deskmate.”

Yu Linna quietly explained. Although she rarely saw Fang Jiayi on the bus, they knew each other.

Hearing that Fang Jiayi was Yu Linna’s acquaintance, and even her deskmate, Ye Zhiyun remembered Nangong Ying from last night, her mood souring even further. She naturally didn’t have a good attitude towards Fang Jiayi.

“This is between Yu Linna and me, why are you getting involved?”

“Hmm… are you two not on good terms?”

“Very much not.”

“But you don’t look like you have a bad relationship.”

“Impossible, I really hate her, it’s true.”

Ye Zhiyun didn’t hesitate, not even a moment of thought.

Becoming friends with Yu Linna was absolutely impossible, impossible in this lifetime. Even if she died, she wouldn’t become friends with Yu Linna. If they became good friends, she would never marry a man in this life!

“Haha, don’t be shy. Nice to meet you, I’m Fang Jiayi. Can we add each other as friends?”

“No.”

Ye Zhiyun’s attitude was cold.

She usually had good manners and was quite friendly, but she couldn’t bring herself to like people she hated. Yu Linna’s appearance threatened her sense of security, so she disliked her.

Therefore, if she had the opportunity, she wouldn’t let her go. If she didn’t bully her, make her cry, she wouldn’t be Ye Zhiyun.

“Fang Jiayi, we’re here, let’s get off.”

“Okay. Bye, miss, what a coincidence. Hope to see you again.”

The two girls held hands and got off the bus together. Ye Zhiyun could see that they had a close relationship. Seeing their intertwined hands, she snorted.

“Never again.”

She didn’t like Yu Linna.

Never had, never would.

But why did she hate her?

Just because of Li Muqing? That didn’t make sense. The misunderstanding had long been resolved, so why did she still hate her? Ye Zhiyun didn’t understand either. Perhaps some people were simply not meant to be friends, naturally opposed.

She would never become friends with Yu Linna.

And she had her panties seen by her; she couldn’t swallow this humiliation. She would find a chance to see Yu Linna’s panties, not only to get even, but to gain an advantage.

“That black-haired girl is quite pretty. Is she a model?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never asked. And we’re not on good terms.”

“Really? I think she cares about you.”

The two girls entered the school gates, casually chatting about trivial things, and returned to their classroom. Their classmates might be surprised. Yu Linna, who was always aloof, was actually so close to Fang Jiayi, the little angel of the class. Not long ago, their relationship was quite distant; when did they become so close? Especially Yu Linna, she was known for being cold and rarely opened up to anyone.

“Jiayi, how did you become friends with Yu Linna? I heard she’s difficult to get along with. When I asked her for help with my studies, she was also very cold. Although she would answer my questions, she never played with me.”

“That’s probably because you didn’t offer her any treats.”

“Jiayi, are you and Yu Linna close?”

“We’ve had meals together.”

In any case, Yu Linna was still popular in class. She consistently held the top spot in the rankings and was beautiful, her striking blonde hair eye-catching. And she had a certain aura of a rich young lady (Are you sure?).

For Fang Jiayi, being able to “capture” Yu Linna made her the most impressive person in the class, because no one else had ever succeeded.

Actually, Fang Jiayi’s secret to success was simple.

First, prepare ten yuan, buy a cup of milk tea, and then give it to her. Yes, it was that simple. Don’t doubt it, it was true.

Chapter 28: A Hilarious Turn of Events

Night had just fallen. The bustling commercial street was crowded with people, neon lights flashing, and private cars queuing for parking spaces. The most spectacular sight was the shopping mall, overflowing with shoppers. It seemed there was a sales promotion, attracting an unusually large crowd.

“Sigh…”

A certain blonde girl sighed deeply.

Looking at the sea of people, the packed mall, she felt a headache coming on. This situation, wasn’t it just like a comic convention? Was it normal for so many people to be crammed in here, just for a sale? And it wasn’t even the grand opening.

“Yu, stop dawdling, will you? Hurry up and come with me. With so many people, if we don’t leave now, I won’t make it home in time for my TV show.”

Ye Zhiyun, carrying several shopping bags, looked annoyed, staring at the terrifying crowd, packed like a subway train during rush hour. They couldn’t even take the elevator; it was truly a sight to behold.

“I’m trying to find our way out.”

What else could Yu Linna say? She could only respond passively.

The mall was bustling, seemingly due to the discount promotion. Everything was on sale, attracting budget-conscious shoppers and students who usually avoided spending money on clothes. And because the sale only lasted two days, the crowd reached its peak. Many items were priced similarly to online retailers, even attracting homebodies who rarely went out.

After all, such opportunities were rare; it would be a waste to miss out.

As for why Yu Linna and Ye Zhiyun were alone together, we need to rewind a bit.

Ten minutes ago, Ye Zhiyun and Nangong Ying were locked in a staring contest, neither yielding. As the person at the center of the incident, Yu Linna didn’t know what to do.

“You two…”

“Yu Linna, shut up!”

“Just stay put!”

The two girls spoke almost simultaneously, leaving Yu Linna speechless.

How did things turn out like this? It felt like a scene from a drama, although they weren’t fighting over her, it still felt strange.

“Ahem, Zhiyun, how about we go back?”

“…Hmph.”

Ye Zhiyun clearly didn’t want to continue this confrontation. After all, she wasn’t one to cause trouble. She nodded in agreement.

“Alright, Yu Linna, don’t do this again next time. I don’t want to get angry every time I see you.”

Leaving those words behind, the girl turned to leave with Li Muqing. Did you think she enjoyed being here? Not at all! Especially seeing Yu Linna, she only felt anger! Every encounter with Yu Linna brought trouble!

“You’re the one! If you cause trouble for my Linna again, I won’t be polite!”

Nangong Ying yelled something from behind, but Ye Zhiyun completely ignored her, not even wanting to acknowledge her. She had come out for a rare shopping trip, and her good mood was ruined. Forget it, she had already bought her swimsuit, she wouldn’t bother with those two brats.

She wanted to go to the beach before summer ended. Although she was a high school senior, some relaxation was necessary. Besides, she held multiple positions and was usually busy. She had to treat herself well.

She was supposed to go downstairs with Li Muqing. But the crowd was too dense when they exited the store, and she, a girl, was squeezed like a sardine. And Li Muqing, that blockhead, only cared about himself, not even noticing Ye Zhiyun behind him! The girl almost cursed at that moment; that damn blockhead was completely indifferent.

Then, Yu Linna and Nangong Ying also came down, wanting to leave. Nangong Ying had finished shopping and planned to go home, coincidentally taking the same path as Ye Zhiyun. Then, like a collision of planets, enemies on a narrow road, Ye Zhiyun encountered Yu Linna again, almost igniting the powder keg.

Afterward, due to the massive crowd, Nangong Ying was somehow separated from them, leaving Yu Linna and Ye Zhiyun staring at each other. Incidentally, Li Muqing had long since disappeared.

This was the whole story.

“Sigh…”

Yu Linna sighed. She couldn’t do anything right; she really didn’t want to be alone with Ye Zhiyun. That girl kept thinking that she was trying to steal her childhood friend, always holding a grudge against her, refusing to listen to her explanations. Their relationship was terrible.

Being with this girl didn’t make her happy at all.

“That blockhead Li Muqing is unreliable. I told him to go home by himself. I’m never asking him out again.”

Ye Zhiyun angrily hung up the phone, fuming. Her childhood sweetheart was completely unreliable, absent when she needed him, leaving when she told him to. He deserved to be single forever. She even asked him out, she was truly blind.

Yu Linna also called Nangong Ying to let her know she was okay, asking her to wait for her at a less crowded bookstore nearby. Then, she and Ye Zhiyun tried to find their way out of the mall, wandering through the crowd.

“Yu Linna, don’t get so close to me, I don’t know you! If it weren’t for having no one else to be with, I wouldn’t want to be with you!”

“Ugh, fine…”

Yu Linna could only shrug helplessly. She wasn’t angry; this wasn’t worth getting angry about.

She just wanted to leave this place quickly, find Nangong Ying, and go home. She didn’t like being with Ye Zhiyun either.

But two people with such volatile chemistry together, not talking felt awkward.

“Ahem, Ye Zhiyun.”

“What now?”

Ye Zhiyun snapped. She usually had good manners and rarely lost her temper, but whenever she encountered Yu Linna, she couldn’t help but get angry, often losing her composure. If her father saw her like this, he would definitely scold her.

“Why do you like Li Muqing? What do you see in him?”

“Tch! None of your business!”

A blush flashed across Ye Zhiyun’s face, and she coughed a few times, trying to hide it, but her heart still raced. She hadn’t expected Yu Linna, that little hussy, to tease her about this.

“No, I mean, you’re not bad-looking, your appearance is good, why would you fall for a blockhead like Li Muqing?”

Seeing her teasing expression, Ye Zhiyun felt a surge of anger. Just looking at Yu Linna’s face made her want to grab it and crumple it into a ball to relieve her hatred.

“You don’t understand… you little brat, what do you know about love?”

Ye Zhiyun’s face was still flushed, but her tone softened, no longer as aggressive as before.

The mall was incredibly noisy and crowded. They couldn’t squeeze their way out, so they simply walked and chatted as they went, queuing wherever they went.

“Li Muqing is good-looking, well-mannered, except for his low EQ, he’s quite good. He even treated me to a meal.”

“You little brat, are you interested in him?!”

“Don’t misunderstand, I won’t steal your childhood friend, I’m not interested in him. Besides, I already said that last time was a misunderstanding, why are you still holding a grudge? It was just a matter of two yuan.”

Ye Zhiyun remained silent, continuing to walk, but this time, she didn’t push Yu Linna away. The crowd grew denser, and Yu Linna unconsciously leaned closer to Ye Zhiyun.

If they weren’t arguing, just standing together, the scene would actually be quite beautiful.

Regarding the two yuan bus fare last time, Ye Zhiyun had known the truth for a while now. She wasn’t stupid; how could she not know it was just a misunderstanding? But even so, she still didn’t have any good feelings towards Yu Linna. Perhaps it was because Yu Linna’s appearance made her feel insecure. Seeing her childhood friend treat Yu Linna so well made her uncomfortable, so she couldn’t help but get angry.

She knew her childhood sweetheart’s personality well; he was gentle and kind to everyone, a pushover. But when he spoke to Yu Linna in that tone, something inside Ye Zhiyun snapped. She couldn’t help but act out of character, always treating Yu Linna coldly. She truly hated Yu Linna’s existence.

“Yu Linna, you better remember what you said.”

“Mm, don’t worry, I’m really not interested in Li Muqing. You can rest assured.”

Yu Linna didn’t take it seriously. How could she have feelings for Li Muqing? That blockhead, with his low EQ, as a girl, she couldn’t possibly like him. Moreover, Yu Linna, with her past life memories as a male, was even less likely to like him.

The crowd remained dense, but gradually, they made their way down to the first floor. This brief period of forced proximity would soon end. Ye Zhiyun glanced at the girl beside her. Compared to other girls her age, she looked much younger, easily mistaken for a middle school student. Her beautiful blonde hair cascaded naturally, and her fair skin looked tempting to bite.

Well, she’s quite pretty when she’s not talking, Ye Zhiyun thought to herself.

As they descended the stairs, the crowd was still very tight, and people inevitably bumped into each other. The small and frail Yu Linna was jostled. The poor blonde girl stumbled and bumped into Ye Zhiyun, who, before she could react, was knocked down the stairs by Yu Linna from behind. Fortunately, they were almost at the first floor, so the fall wasn’t serious, just scattering shopping bags on the ground.

“Oww, that hurts… Ye Zhiyun, are you…?”

The two girls landed on the ground, falling on top of each other. Yu Linna felt her face pressed against something soft and smelled a faint fragrance. She opened her eyes, about to get up, and saw a flash of pink before her.

She froze, and then her face slowly turned red. She abruptly pulled her head out from under the girl’s skirt!

Oh my god, what did I just do?! I stuck my head under her skirt! And her panties are pink!

Holy crap!

Yu Linna’s fair face turned crimson, red enough to bleed. She looked at Ye Zhiyun, who was slowly getting up from the ground, flustered. The girl smoothed down her skirt, glaring at her through gritted teeth.

“Enjoy the view?”

“It was nice… N-no, I didn’t mean to, I really didn’t mean to!”

Ye Zhiyun’s face turned red, with anger, of course.

She, a pure and innocent girl, had her panties seen by someone, even though that someone was also a girl. But having her underwear seen was still unpleasant! Especially by Yu Linna!

Ye Zhiyun gathered her scattered shopping bags, rubbed her bruised arm, and glared at her.

“S-sorry, I really didn’t mean to!”

“Yu Linna, listen up! I’m never going to forgive you! I hate you, and I’ll never let you off the hook!!”

With that, Ye Zhiyun angrily left with her shopping bags. Today was truly unlucky. She asked her childhood friend out, and she ended up embarrassed. And to make things worse, Yu Linna saw her in such a compromising position. Damn it, she would never let that blonde girl go!

As for Yu Linna, she was still immersed in the guilt of seeing something she shouldn’t have, along with an inexplicable sense of… excitement?

No, no, am I a pervert?! Yu Linna shook her head vigorously, trying to clear her mind, but she couldn’t forget what she saw.

Chapter 27: I’m Really Not a Homewrecker!

After the barbecue, both were quite full, especially Yu Linna, who still wanted to eat even though she was almost bursting. Rubbing her round belly, Yu Linna collapsed onto her chair, unable to move. Nangong Ying, seeing her like this, shook her head and quietly went to pay the bill.

The meal wasn’t expensive, especially since they weren’t in a bustling area. It cost less than 200 yuan, a small amount for Nangong Ying. After eating, seeing that it was still early, only 7 pm, she wanted to take Yu Linna for a walk.

Having eaten her food and accepted her generosity, Yu Linna had no reason to refuse. She accompanied Nangong Ying for a stroll nearby, catching up. After all, they hadn’t seen each other for a while. And Nangong Ying was different now, her halo shining even brighter. Calling her a true talent wouldn’t be an exaggeration. Compared to her, Yu Linna felt rather ordinary.

“I want to buy some things to take home. I’ve never bought clothes for my family before. Now that I’ve won the prize, I want to buy them something.”

“Sure, I’ll go with you.”

Nangong Ying had shone brightly in the national competition, becoming the most dazzling star, snatching the championship from so many talented individuals nationwide. This victory came with prize money, enough for her to splurge for a while, and she wanted to buy something for her family.

She would definitely buy some good supplements for her mother, who worked so hard at home, cooking for the family every day. This time, she wanted to buy her some delicious food and personally cook a meal for her. Her mother would be very happy. As for her father, although he was still angry with her, she would still buy him some clothes.

They entered the mall, which was crowded. Nangong Ying held Yu Linna’s hand and squeezed through the crowd, finally managing to get on the elevator and reach the men’s clothing section. Why were there so many people here? It wasn’t usually this crowded. Nangong Ying was truly suffering.

In the men’s clothing section, the saleswoman enthusiastically introduced brands and styles to the two girls, repeatedly emphasizing which styles were best suited as gifts for boyfriends. She clearly understood why these two girls were in the men’s clothing section. Generally, girls only came here to buy clothes for others, though for whom, she didn’t know.

“I’m choosing clothes for my father. Can you recommend some good styles?”

“Of course. Your father must be very proud to have a daughter like you. If it’s a gift for family, I recommend this brand.”

The saleswoman enthusiastically introduced men’s clothing brands to Nangong Ying, who listened attentively to decide which one to buy. As for Yu Linna, she wasn’t buying anything, just casually browsing. Looking at the men’s clothing, there was a time, as a male, when she had the opportunity to wear these. Unfortunately, her past life was too short; she didn’t get to wear such clothes before kicking the bucket. Her impression of men’s clothing was limited to children’s wear.

How about I find a chance to secretly try on men’s clothing sometime? Thinking of this, Yu Linna felt a spark of amusement.

Suddenly, Yu Linna’s sharp eyes spotted someone pacing outside the men’s clothing section, seemingly waiting for someone. The young man wore a denim jacket, his permed hair closely styled, paired with sneakers, giving off a sunny and confident vibe. Of course, if you ignored his low EQ, he might be a decent guy.

“Yo, Li Muqing, are you waiting for your girlfriend?”

Yu Linna went over to greet him. After all, he had treated her to a meal before, so she had to be polite. Besides, Li Muqing was like the protagonist of a harem anime, dense and clueless, his relationship with his childhood friend ambiguous. Yu Linna quite enjoyed teasing him.

“Oh? Hello, Linna, are you shopping with your friend?”

“Yeah, where’s your girlfriend?”

“Girlfriend? I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“Sigh… so clueless. I meant your childhood friend.”

Li Muqing was good in every way except for his denseness. His childhood friend clearly liked him, yet he remained oblivious. She didn’t know what to say about him.

Thinking about it, Ye Zhiyun was quite pitiful, having such a childhood friend. She was so obvious, yet he was still willing to hang out with her. She was so proactive, yet Li Muqing remained clueless. What could she say about him? Doomed to be single forever?

“Zhiyun, she’s buying that, that… the thing that… guys aren’t allowed to enter…”

Li Muqing stammered, unsure how to say it, a blush creeping onto his face. Yu Linna glanced at the store behind him. The words “Women’s Swimwear” were written in large font.

Oh, so Ye Zhiyun was buying swimwear. It was indeed the right season for swimming. And Ye Zhiyun was beautiful; she would definitely look good in a swimsuit. And the fact that she specifically asked Li Muqing to come with her to buy swimwear showed how much she liked him.

She was so obvious, yet Li Muqing remained clueless. Seriously.

“Li Muqing, you really should have gone in with her.”

“That wouldn’t be appropriate, she’s a girl, after all.”

“Forget it, there’s no point talking to you.”

She didn’t bother saying more, only hoping that Li Muqing would wise up someday. This boy was truly like a harem anime protagonist, having everything except EQ. Any other boy, in this situation with Ye Zhiyun, would have taken the initiative. If he didn’t, he wasn’t a man.

If only I were a boy, I’d want to be treated like that too.

“You really don’t understand a woman’s heart.”

“What do you mean, Linna?”

“Forget about that. Li Muqing, didn’t you say you went to No. 1 Experimental High School? With Ye Zhiyun?”

“We grew up together, so naturally we went to the same school, although we’re in different classes. But we have a good relationship.”

“Oh~ How do you feel about her? Don’t you have any feelings for her?”

She drew out the last word, deliberately steering the conversation towards romance.

“Zhiyun is like a little sister to me; I have to take care of her. Although she seems delicate, she’s actually quite domineering, very assertive.”

Sigh, hopeless.

It was so obvious, why couldn’t Li Muqing understand? Yu Linna could only say, sorry, benefactor, I tried my best.

However, listening to Li Muqing talk about Ye Zhiyun non-stop, Yu Linna was satisfied. At least this blockhead wasn’t completely clueless.

“Yu! Lin! Na!”

Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind Li Muqing and grabbed the stunned Yu Linna. Ye Zhiyun, holding a shopping bag, stormed out, her face flushed with anger.

“What are you doing with him behind my back, huh?!”

Ye Zhiyun grabbed her hand, her face inching closer and closer, so close that Yu Linna could see the veins on her face. Just as Yu Linna was about to say something, her wrist was gripped so tightly that it hurt. She struggled, but Ye Zhiyun showed no mercy, tightening her grip.

“Zhiyun, calm down, let her go!”

“It’s none of your business! This is between her and me, stay out of it!”

Ye Zhiyun angrily rebuked her childhood friend and grabbed Yu Linna’s hand, ready to teach her a lesson. She pressed close, seeing the flicker of fear in Yu Linna’s eyes, and she swore that if she didn’t teach her a lesson today, she wouldn’t be Ye Zhiyun.

“Ye Zhiyun, listen to me, I really didn’t do anything…”

This was the first time Yu Linna had seen Ye Zhiyun so agitated, so furious. She was momentarily at a loss.

“I was just chatting with him, nothing happened! I even wanted to set you two up, believe me!”

“Don’t lie! You… you little hussy, how dare you… How did I help you last time? Do you enjoy going against me so much?”

“No, it’s not like that, you’ve got it wrong! I’m not trying to steal your boyfriend!”

Yu Linna felt so wronged. She just chatted with her childhood friend, there was no flirting, why was she so agitated?

Could it be that Ye Zhiyun was extremely possessive? Thinking of this, Yu Linna shuddered. She seemed to have provoked someone she shouldn’t have.

“I’ll say it again, he’s not my boyfriend, just a friend, understand?”

“If he’s just a friend, why are you so worked up?”

“…You think I wasn’t forceful enough?”

“Oww, that hurts, that hurts! Sister, I’ll call you sister, I was wrong!”

“Hmph.”

Although still annoyed, Ye Zhiyun released her grip. Yu Linna’s wrist was throbbing, a red mark left behind. She rubbed her aching hand, this woman is strong, showing no mercy. Whoever becomes her enemy is doomed.

“Zhiyun, don’t be like this. She was just chatting with me, what are you doing?”

“Li Muqing, shut up! This is between her and me, stay out of it!”

The furious Ye Zhiyun didn’t even give her childhood friend face, scolding him harshly. She was truly in a bad mood today. She finally managed to ask her childhood sweetheart out for a post-dinner stroll, only to run into the person she hated the most, Yu Linna. This girl seemed to appear everywhere, how annoying.

Ye Zhiyun usually had a good temper, rarely getting angry. But whenever she encountered Yu Linna, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger, becoming agitated and wanting to vent.

She and Yu Linna were simply naturally opposed.

“What are you doing to my friend? Don’t bully her.”

At this moment, Nangong Ying, having finished shopping, saw the situation and rushed over, protectively shielding Yu Linna behind her, a hostile expression on her face.

“Nangong…”

“Alright, I understand, I’ll get even for you.”

“No, we weren’t fighting! We know each other!”

Only after hearing this did the coldness in Nangong Ying’s expression dissipate slightly, but she was still worried, continuing to shield Yu Linna.

Ye Zhiyun glared at Yu Linna behind her. Clearly, she didn’t have any good feelings towards this girl who suddenly appeared.

“You’re her friend? Take her away and tell her not to cause trouble, or I won’t be polite.”

“I know what to do, but you’re no better. Don’t think you can bully Linna. If you mess with her again, I won’t be polite either.”

Yu Linna felt utterly wronged. How did it turn out like this? She just chatted with Li Muqing for a bit, who knew it would escalate like this?!

Chapter 26: The Past

How did they meet?

Although they had only known each other for three years, it felt much longer. Nangong Ying always had an indescribable feeling towards Yu Linna. Yu Linna was her good friend, someone she wanted to protect, there was no doubt about that.

Their encounter was a coincidence. Before that, she never thought they would cross paths.

Three years ago, fifteen-year-old Nangong Ying had just started high school. She had left the martial arts team and entered her current high school as a specially admitted student. She thought it would be good to get into university based on her athletic talent, although she believed her academic performance wasn’t bad either. But her father insisted she take the sports college entrance exam, so what could she say?

That day, the sun was scorching, her skin felt dry, and the weather was sweltering. Walking outside was like being in a steamer. Sweat gradually soaked her clothes. Although Nangong Ying was used to training under the hot sun, it didn’t mean she enjoyed it. She bought a can of drink and sipped it as she walked, the chilled liquid soothing her parched throat, a godsend.

Although it wasn’t good to drink cold drinks on a hot day, the instant refreshment was too tempting for Nangong Ying to resist. Her father usually kept a close watch on her, but he wasn’t here now, so who could stop her?

Walking down the street, she suddenly heard a commotion around the corner. She heard a girl’s sobs, weak and pleading, followed by the sharp voices of several other girls.

“I told you not to be so flashy. That blonde hair is an eyesore. Think you’re some kind of foreigner?”

“…I, I was born this way…”

“Oh, you’re talking back? I don’t like you! You think you’re so great just because you’re a specially admitted student? I hate people who look like ghosts!”

This girl was probably an upperclassman. Her appearance was nothing to write home about, plain-looking with freckles. She and a few male followers cornered a blonde girl, not letting her leave. The blonde girl was alone and helpless, only able to cry, but it was useless; no one came to help her.

This upperclassman was deliberately looking for trouble. She didn’t like the girl’s blonde hair, saying she looked like a foreigner. She even held a pair of scissors, wanting to cut her hair.

Nangong Ying watched, her drink forgotten on the ground.

The girl was small, less than 1.5 meters tall, but her blonde hair was striking. At first glance, one might mistake her for a foreigner, but her face had the gentle features of an Easterner, suggesting she might be mixed-race. In any case, someone with this appearance stood out at school; there were very few mixed-race students here. Those who were different were easily ostracized.

Seeing this scene, Nangong Ying couldn’t control herself. A surge of anger welled up inside her, unbearable. She strode forward and, under the surprised gazes of the onlookers, slapped the upperclassman across the face.

Slap! The crisp sound echoed. The upperclassman was stunned. She never thought anyone would dare hit her!

“You…”

“If you’re so tough, don’t bully others! Why bring so many people?!”

“How dare you! Teach her a lesson!”

Then, chaos erupted. The upperclassman’s male followers started fighting with Nangong Ying, but they forgot that Nangong Ying was a national martial arts champion; she was skilled in fighting. Her kicks were faster than their reactions. Just as they turned around, Nangong Ying grabbed their collars and slammed them to the ground.

What followed was a one-sided beatdown. Under the dumbfounded gazes of everyone, Nangong Ying thoroughly taught these upperclassmen a lesson. Her movements were precise and standard, thanks to her martial arts training, and her fighting style was beautiful. More importantly, her combat skills were excellent.

Finally, the upperclassman left after uttering some harsh words, but no matter how unpleasant they were, Nangong Ying wasn’t afraid.

Nangong Ying was most concerned about the girl sobbing in the corner, her striking blonde hair tugging at her heartstrings. She took a deep breath, stepped forward, and wanting to say something, all her words condensed into one sentence:

“Stop crying. My name is Nangong Ying. What’s your name?”

“…Yu, Yu Linna…”

“What a beautiful name.”

This was how Nangong Ying and Yu Linna, the two girls, met.

At the time, Nangong Ying hadn’t expected to rush forward like that. Normally, she wouldn’t interfere in such matters. But at that moment, she didn’t think twice, simply wanting to help that girl.

Later, they became best friends, and Nangong Ying was glad she had stepped forward. If it weren’t for her initiative, how would that crybaby have become close to her?

Her thoughts returned to the present. Recalling that encounter three years ago, Nangong Ying couldn’t help but smile. No matter how many times she thought about it, that encounter remained one of her happiest memories. It wasn’t without reason that Yu Linna trusted her unconditionally. After she gave up her disliked athletic career, Yu Linna supported her, which touched her deeply.

Now, she had won the national singing competition championship, a much more significant achievement. This was the first time she had followed her own heart, choosing this path and achieving this result. This time, she thought, she must be right. Nangong Ying’s greatest dream was to perform on stage, to have a large audience watch her performance and applaud. She had finally done it.

After returning home, Nangong Ying hadn’t been able to invite Yu Linna out. She waited until Friday afternoon before contacting her. Yu Linna rearranged her work schedule specifically to accompany Nangong Ying.

“Hey, Nangong, long time no see. Congratulations on winning the championship.”

Seeing Yu Linna again, she was still wearing a black tracksuit, her fashion sense as terrible as ever.

Nangong Ying’s outfit was much better, a loose Korean-style T-shirt, denim shorts, and white canvas shoes, looking incredibly cute.

“Thank you. I’ve been wanting to see you, but I haven’t had the time these past few days. Let’s go, I promised to treat you to barbecue.”

“Wasn’t it hot pot?”

“I changed my mind. Let’s go, barbecue it is.”

Nangong Ying held her hand and pulled her along. The streets were crowded, and two beautiful girls walking together naturally attracted attention. Nangong Ying was slightly taller than Yu Linna, and she leaned on her shoulder, their bodies close.

Although Yu Linna had lived as a girl for more than ten years, she hadn’t interacted much with girls. Being this close to another girl, her face flushed slightly. Just holding hands wouldn’t have this effect, but Nangong Ying was pressed too close; she could even feel her breath.

“Nangong, it’s a bit hot.”

“Really? I feel fine. Let’s walk faster.”

Couldn’t she be a bit more considerate?! At this point, Yu Linna didn’t bother saying anything. Nangong Ying was doing it on purpose. She always had a different kind of feeling towards Yu Linna. Yu Linna didn’t take it seriously; she was a girl now and didn’t think she could turn another girl gay, make her fall in love with her.

After all, she only lived to ten years old in her past life, her understanding of gender still undeveloped before she was reborn. In this life, her thinking was more feminine. But she still retained some male consciousness.

The place Nangong Ying chose wasn’t on a bustling commercial street but in a more secluded corner. They had to take several detours and walk through narrow alleys before finally finding the barbecue restaurant. The restaurant wasn’t luxuriously decorated, just average, but the aroma wafting from inside made Yu Linna’s mouth water.

“Sorry, I can’t take you to a crowded place. You know, I’m… ahem, I’ve been on TV, people might recognize me.”

“It’s okay, let’s eat!”

Yu Linna excitedly broke free from her hand and ran into the restaurant. Nangong Ying looked at her now empty hand, the hand that just held Yu Linna’s, now gone in a blink.

She chuckled, not taking it seriously, and entered the restaurant to order.

Yu Linna grabbed many skewers, mostly meat. Seeing her eagerness to eat, Nangong Ying couldn’t help but worry if she could finish it all. Nangong Ying discreetly reduced her own portion, taking more vegetables and less meat.

Later, Nangong Ying’s worries were confirmed. After eating more than half, Yu Linna started to feel full, forcing herself to finish the rest.

“I told you not to take so much.”

Nangong Ying resignedly helped her finish the leftovers. Fortunately, she hadn’t taken much herself; otherwise, they would both be stuffed to death.

“I was hungry… I specifically saved room for this meal.”

“So you skipped breakfast and lunch again, right?”

“…That’s not wrong.”

Nangong Ying sighed.

“You should still eat properly, Linna. Even though things are tough for you right now, you still need to eat regular meals.”

“Forget it, even drinking water is a problem for me. Being able to eat a good meal like this is enough.”

Yu Linna didn’t care, completely dismissing her concern.

Nangong Ying knew about Yu Linna’s family situation. Someone like her, without a family since childhood, not even a single relative, was truly special. According to Yu Linna, she didn’t remember how she became an orphan, only knowing that she had lived with different families since she was very young, moving from place to place for many years before arriving in this city. She hadn’t originally lived here.

“Linna, I won the prize, so I got some prize money. Do you want…?”

“Stop.”

Yu Linna immediately stuffed a beef ball skewer into her mouth, silencing her.

“You treating me to a meal is enough. Don’t worry about me, and I can’t accept handouts from friends.”

Although Yu Linna was thick-skinned and liked to freeload, when it came to her livelihood, she didn’t want to take advantage of others. No matter how shameless she was, she still knew what she could accept and what she couldn’t.

Again, as long as she had food to eat, she was content. She wouldn’t accept charity in any form.

Chapter 25: Homecoming

After winning the national championship, her fame undoubtedly skyrocketed. Previously an unknown girl, she now became a representative of the younger generation. Before this, no one would have imagined that an eighteen-year-old girl would become the highlight of this competition, winning the championship at such a young age.

Although anyone over sixteen could participate, conventionally, contestants of that age reaching the top sixteen was already considered a remarkable achievement. Previous champions were usually between twenty-three and thirty-four years old. Nangong Ying broke this pattern, proving that even at a young age, one could dominate the competition.

Thus, everyone gave this girl a title: genius.

But Nangong Ying didn’t seem to like this title. To her, the word “genius” couldn’t fully represent her hard work. Her achievements today weren’t simply due to luck.

“First of all, congratulations on winning the championship. Just as I expected, you didn’t disappoint me.”

Li Yuexin came to find her after the award ceremony, of course, to congratulate her. After all, winning the national championship at this age was a remarkable feat. Li Yuexin hadn’t even been on stage at Nangong Ying’s age.

“Thank you, Senior Li.”

Nangong Ying nodded and shook her hand. Although Li Yuexin often hovered around her, and she personally didn’t like this person, Li Yuexin was a senior in the entertainment industry, and she deserved respect.

Now that she had won the championship, if she wanted, companies would definitely approach her with contracts. Then, she would have to consider her debut. Whether she would become a professional singer was uncertain, but the possibility was high.

“Nangong Ying, I know you must have some reservations about me. You can rest assured, I’m not the clingy type. But I do need you.”

“…Because of your band?”

Li Yuexin had approached her multiple times these past few days, explaining her reasons clearly. She wanted her band to thrive. Currently, the band’s popularity was low, and relying on Li Yuexin alone wasn’t enough. She wanted Nangong Ying, with her strong vocals and rich stage experience, to join.

But all beginnings were difficult.

“I think I need to consider it carefully.”

“Alright, ultimately, it’s your decision. I can’t force you. But you’ll reach the top sooner or later, nothing can stop you. If you think I’m a decent person, please cooperate with me. I’ll take you to the highest place.”

Nangong Ying looked at Li Yuexin, confirming that she wasn’t lying, and nodded without saying anything. She was still unsure.

Indeed, she didn’t like Li Yuexin, but she had to admit, as a newcomer in this industry, she needed someone to guide her. And Li Yuexin, with her established fame, was indeed a viable option.

“Before that, I want to go home.”

Nangong Ying returned to her hotel room to pack her luggage. She didn’t plan to stay in Beijing for long. She had won the championship trophy and wanted to take it home. Moreover, she had gained fame, and people would definitely try to recruit her. She wanted to leave Beijing before things got too hectic.

And, she wanted to see Yu Linna.

That girl she hadn’t seen for a long time, she wondered how she was doing.

---

After several hours of flight, the plane landed, and a wave of warm air greeted her. Unlike Beijing’s cold weather, South China was much warmer. Nangong Ying pulled her suitcase, took off the jacket she wore on the plane, and exited the airport.

Starting from this small city, she won the city championship, then went to the provincials, obtained the pass to the national competition, and finally, fought her way to the top, winning the national championship trophy.

Just like when she won the national martial arts championship and the national youth tennis singles championship years ago, she returned home victorious, always the most outstanding. But unlike those years, her father wasn’t by her side.

“Nangong! Over here!”

“Welcome back, Nangong!”

“You’ve really brought honor to our school!”

Upon exiting the airport, unexpectedly, there was a welcoming party organized by the school, mostly consisting of younger students. After hearing that Nangong Ying had won the championship, they admired her greatly, and they were overjoyed to have the opportunity to welcome her at the airport. Nangong Ying looked over and saw school leaders among the crowd, clearly showing their high regard for her.

Two years ago, in her first year of high school, when she returned after winning the national youth tennis singles championship in Beijing, the situation was similar. This wasn’t surprising. When you became famous and brought honor to the school, the leaders would naturally pay attention. It was ironic that a student admitted for her athletic talent would ultimately choose music.

“Principal Li, thank you for coming to pick me up.”

“Don’t mention it. You’re a member of our school. Of course, we have to welcome you back after the competition.”

Principal Li was a man in his fifties, showing clear signs of middle-aged weight gain. Dressed in a suit, he looked quite respectable. His face wore a caring smile, but inside, he was anxious, worried that this student would be poached by someone else.

This principal had poached Yu Linna from City Experimental High School three years ago, nurturing her as a top student. Unfortunately, Yu Linna became unreliable after entering her third year, always taking leave. But Nangong Ying, whom he specially admitted, was different, always bringing surprises. She won the national youth tennis championship in her first year and the national singing championship in her third year. The latter held more weight.

Whether this student chose sports or music in the future, it was a good thing for their school. They now had a selling point for next year’s admissions.

Nangong Ying hadn’t intended to go back to school with the principal and these younger students, but since the principal insisted, she couldn’t refuse, so she reluctantly agreed. She boarded the school bus and, upon arriving at school, took some photos, holding the trophy as requested. Afterward, she met with many school leaders who expressed their concern, but Nangong Ying disliked being surrounded by so many people.

She just wanted to see Yu Linna.

“Senior Nangong, how do you feel about winning the national championship? Can I take a photo with you?”

“Mm, it’s alright. Of course, we can take a photo.”

“Senior Nangong, can you give me your autograph?”

“Sure.”

She had already been exhausted from the flight, and these younger students, showing no consideration, kept approaching her. Nangong Ying thought, as expected, being famous is different.

The championships she won before were different from this one. After all, championships in martial arts and sports weren’t as influential as those in singing and dancing. The latter had a wider audience.

In the end, she declined the principal’s dinner invitation and fled the school. She shouldn’t have agreed to return to school; it was asking for trouble. She took a taxi home, not wanting to stay a moment longer. She was exhausted from the flight and now had to endure this for a whole day. Where would she find the energy?

Nangong Ying’s home was in a residential area. Unlike the apartments in big cities, she lived in a three-story house, luxuriously decorated, a small villa. It was evident that her family was well-off. After all, her father was an Olympic athlete; they were definitely not poor. It was just that her allowance was limited, which was why she worked part-time at the convenience store.

But now that she had won the national championship, she would have many opportunities to earn money in the future. She wouldn’t have to worry about money anymore.

She carried her suitcase and bag, unlocked the door with her key, and entered. The hall was magnificent, the floor gleaming, probably recently cleaned. She walked in and turned a corner. A young woman sat on the living room sofa, seemingly waiting for a long time. Seeing Nangong Ying enter, she stood up.

“Xiao Ying, you’re back! I heard you’re doing well. I watched your live broadcast. As expected of my daughter.”

The woman resembled Nangong Ying, a gentle smile on her face, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

“Mom, where’s Dad?”

Nangong Ying put down her luggage, tossed her bag onto the sofa, and sat down, looking exhausted. Days of continuous competitions, coupled with high-intensity focus, had drained her energy. All she wanted to do was sleep.

“Your dad is still at the sports team, training the athletes. He hasn’t come back.”

“…He didn’t even come back to see his daughter? Seriously.”

Although she said that, she didn’t actually complain. She knew her father’s personality; it was just like him.

Their father-daughter relationship had changed ever since she said she didn’t want to be an athlete. She had known this for a long time.

“You’ve worked hard, my dear daughter. How about you don’t go to school for the next few days? I’ll ask for leave for you. Just rest well, don’t think about the college entrance exam for now.”

Nangong’s mother thoughtfully massaged her daughter’s shoulders and patted her head. She knew that whenever her daughter was tired, she liked this. It always helped her relax. This was just like her father.

“Mom, it’s good that you’re here for me.”

“Silly girl, what are you saying? Of course I’ll treat you well, I’m your mother.”

Nangong Ying smiled, her expression relaxed. Then, she seemed to remember something and abruptly stood up, taking out her phone and dialing.

“Hello?”

“Hello, Linna? Are you there? I’m back.”

The first person she called was, of course, Yu Linna. This was without a doubt. In her heart, Yu Linna was always her best friend.

“You’re back? You didn’t even tell me, I was planning to pick you up.”

“It’s okay, I’m back now. Don’t forget about our barbecue!”

That promise, at least, remained.

Chapter 24: Ordinary People

Chen Xi ran into her by chance. She had just been to a writer’s home to rush a manuscript and saw Yu Linna watching the live broadcast on the street on her way back to the editorial department. She hadn’t intended to greet her, but seeing the expression on the girl’s face, she somehow felt she couldn’t just ignore her.

That expression, it seemed like a smile, but it also conveyed sadness. Especially those blue eyes, filled with deep sorrow. Chen Xi sighed and finally went over to greet her. After all, she was an adult, and she had to maintain a certain composure when dealing with children.

“Miss Chen, what are you doing here?”

“Just passing by. What’s wrong? Why do you look so lost?”

Chen Xi followed her gaze. The large screen in the commercial square was showing the award ceremony of the National Singing Competition. The most prominent figure in the live broadcast was undoubtedly the eighteen-year-old girl who won the championship, Nangong Ying. Among all the past winners, she was probably the youngest.

“She’s my friend. We go to the same school.”

She pointed at Nangong Ying and explained.

The puzzle in Chen Xi’s mind clicked into place. No wonder this little girl was so focused on the broadcast; it was her friend who won the award.

“Your friend won, and you’re not happy?”

“No, I’m happy, really happy. But at the same time, I’m also sad. I’m falling further and further behind her.”

Nangong Ying was rapidly growing in places she couldn’t see. Gradually, the distance between them widened. Nangong Ying was already standing on the national competition’s award stage, while she was still wandering in this city, never venturing out.

Only she knew this feeling of disparity.

“Come on, I’ll buy you a cup of coffee. I have some time.”

Chen Xi sighed, adjusted her glasses, and invited her for coffee. She had plenty of time; dealing with this little girl wasn’t difficult. Besides, this girl was someone she had taken a liking to and even recommended to others. She believed her judgment wasn’t that bad.

At the intersection of South Gate Road in the commercial district, malls and shopping centers were everywhere. Chen Xi went to a familiar coffee shop and led the blonde girl inside. The cool air conditioning greeted them as they entered, raising goosebumps on her skin. Yu Linna rarely experienced air conditioning, and this feeling was quite comfortable.

They found a seat, and Chen Xi ordered a coffee, then handed the menu to Yu Linna.

“Order whatever you want, it’s on me.”

“Thank you.”

Yu Linna didn’t hold back, ordering a black tea and a new cake, the total easily exceeding 100 yuan. Chen Xi remained unfazed, handed the menu to the waiter, and then carefully observed the blonde girl.

“Miss Chen, what’s wrong?”

“Just call me Sister Chen. That’s what my colleagues call me. It’s a bit awkward being called Miss Chen. Speaking of which, I recommended you to Murong Yan’s film crew before, you did go, right?”

“Yes… Wait, you recommended me? I thought it was Miss Huang.”

“She just called you; I was the one who made the arrangements. I thought you looked quite good, your appearance very similar to the character Murong Yan was looking for. So I recommended you.”

Chen Xi hadn’t intended to do this, but her occupational habit as an editor kicked in. She always liked to scout talent, regardless of their skills, as long as they were useful. Although Yu Linna had no talent, no acting skills, no stage experience, and couldn’t even sing, she had a pretty face. And it was a rare, mixed-race look that happened to meet Murong Yan’s requirements, so she recommended Yu Linna.

It turned out that her recommendation was correct. Murong Yan got the shot he wanted and even saved a lot of money, a real bargain.

“…Thank you for recommending me.”

If Chen Xi hadn’t mentioned it, Yu Linna wouldn’t have known that she was the one who helped her. She had always thought it was Huang Jinglin. She hadn’t expected this editor, whom she barely knew, to specifically look out for her.

She was truly grateful because this opportunity opened more doors for her, whether as an extra or a stage actress. Without that experience as a featured extra, things might have been worse.

“But I’m sorry, I haven’t made any progress since then. In fact, I was just kicked out of the drama troupe because my acting wasn’t good enough.”

Chen Xi remained silent, listening to the girl. She could see the frustration in her eyes. She had been working hard these past few days, using all her available time, even during breaks. But even so, she still couldn’t change her fate.

Her experiences were common for most people in society. It was just that she was a child, experiencing these things earlier.

“First of all, your appearance is indeed a major advantage. Compared to mainland actors, you have the advantage of mixed-race features. You’re more likely to be chosen for film roles because some films require that kind of look. But you lack professional training and don’t know how to act, so it’s not surprising that you’re facing this situation. However, if you want to change, you should study hard and improve your skills.”

Chen Xi replied seriously, offering her advice.

She suggested that Yu Linna reflect on herself and improve her abilities to return to the acting world.

Yu Linna also knew that she was currently a novice, knowing nothing, starting from scratch. Studying diligently was indeed her only option.

“And, I also overlooked something…”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Chen Xi didn’t want to elaborate and brushed it aside.

When she first discovered Yu Linna, she thought this girl’s appearance was a major advantage and that she was a promising talent. But she herself had made a mistake, misunderstanding the workings of the entertainment industry, thinking that looks alone were enough. In reality, Yu Linna’s looks weren’t particularly outstanding in the entertainment circle. The most striking feature was her blonde hair. Other than that, she wasn’t very recognizable.

Yu Linna had never tried acting or singing before. When she stepped onto the stage, she was helpless. This led to her early elimination and her dismissal from the drama troupe. The reason was simple: she lacked talent.

In this world, talent reigned supreme. Without talent, one could only be eliminated.

“Speaking of which, why did you participate in the competition? With your abilities, it seems like you were just setting yourself up for failure.”

“…I went with Nangong. She said there was prize money if you placed. Who knew I wouldn’t even pass the eliminations…”

“…”

This girl is obsessed with money.

Participating in a competition for prize money was probably the most absurd reason she had ever heard. No wonder she was eliminated so quickly; she wasn’t passionate about music. She couldn’t even read music properly.

After much thought, this girl’s only merit seemed to be her good looks.

“Your appearance is indeed suitable for the stage. But professional stages don’t require flaunting your body or face. You should still focus on honing your skills.”

Of course, if you had connections, it would be a different story. Chen Xi didn’t say this out loud, keeping it to herself.

If Yu Linna had powerful backing, perhaps she would have opportunities to appear in some productions. After all, she was pretty. But Yu Linna didn’t seem like someone with connections.

“That’s all for today, I should get going. If you want to continue being an actress, I have a suggestion for you.”

“What suggestion?!”

“In two weeks, there’s an open audition in Shenzhen. It’s for the female lead in the movie Stormrage. I heard they couldn’t find a suitable actress and are holding nationwide auditions. You can try out. After all, your appearance is definitely an advantage.”

“Thank you so much, I’ll definitely go!”

After saying this, Chen Xi left.

Leaving the coffee shop, she couldn’t help but sigh deeply. She hadn’t realized so much had happened. Yu Linna, this girl she had taken a liking to, seemed to have no real talent. From the way she spoke, she knew nothing about the stage, let alone the entertainment industry.

No acting skills, no unique qualities, not even a decent talent, what was she good at?

Had she, Chen Xi, made a mistake? Scouting writers and scouting stars were two different things, completely opposite. If Yu Linna were a writer, even without any significant works, her identity as a beautiful young writer could be used for publicity and commercial purposes.

But Yu Linna wasn’t a writer; she was a novice who wanted to enter the entertainment industry.

So, her usual methods wouldn’t work on her. More importantly, Yu Linna couldn’t even be a decent extra, how could she become a star?

An audition? Forget it. That was just Chen Xi deceiving her. Countless people nationwide participated in auditions, followed by screen tests. Why would it be Yu Linna’s turn to play the female lead? She told her to try out just to give her something to do. She didn’t think Yu Linna could stand out.

After all, auditions ultimately depended on acting skills, the ability to carry a film. Yu Linna, this girl who knew nothing, what skills did she have to rely on?

“Sigh…”

Chen Xi had scouted so many people over the years, and this was the first time she began to doubt her judgment. Perhaps Yu Linna wasn’t as special as she thought, maybe she was just a bit prettier than others.

I should go back.

Perhaps she really had made a mistake. Yu Linna was probably just an ordinary person, not special, because there were many people more special than her.

And all of this, Yu Linna knew nothing about. She still naively thought that someone had helped her again.