TFSRITA Chapter 136

A week later, the verdict for Diao Xinyi was finalized, and she never returned to school. No one knew why she had tried to frame a girl she barely had any connection with.

Yan Qing didn’t understand it either, nor did she have the time to figure it out—she was busy studying.

Senior year was packed with exams. Just before National Day, they had their monthly exams during the last two days of September. Yan Qing took them seriously, answering each question diligently. When the final bell rang, she returned to her classroom with the others to pack up her things.

Classes usually ended at 4:40 PM on Fridays, but the exams ended earlier at 4:10 PM. The teachers gave them the remaining time off, allowing students to head home early.

Yan Qing stayed back to pack her books, filling her bag to the brim. With National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival overlapping, they had an eight-day break—though seniors only got four days due to extra classes. Still, it was plenty of time to study.

She couldn’t wait to head home because she had a tutoring session scheduled at the Chu residence at 5:10 PM.

She felt like a parched sponge, eagerly soaking up every drop of knowledge, unwilling to waste even a second.

“Yan Qing, want to walk together?” Xu Dongfeng asked as he returned to pack up his things and saw her still in the classroom.

Yan Qing nodded. “What are your plans for National Day?”

Xu Dongfeng’s eyes lit up. “My family’s going to the U.S. for a vacation. What about you?”

A trace of envy crossed Yan Qing’s delicate face. Blinking her big eyes, she pouted. “I’ll be studying. My grades are terrible.”

Xu Dongfeng looked at her sympathetically.

His grades weren’t great either, but his parents had already planned for him to study abroad. Their frequent trips overseas were meant to broaden his horizons before he took over the family business.

The two walked and chatted casually. But as they neared the school gate, Yan Qing spotted a group of people ahead and immediately sensed something was off.

The figures looked familiar. Upon closer inspection, she realized they were members of the Yan family.

Frowning, she told Xu Dongfeng, “You go ahead. I just remembered something I need to take care of.”

Xu Dongfeng nodded and left.

Yan Qing stayed put, watching the group approach. This was her chance to settle a score with them on behalf of her original self.

She casually tossed her heavy backpack by the roadside, stretched her arms and legs, and waited with a playful smile.

…

At the front of the group was Yan Xianhong, flanked by Yan Min and Nie Cuihua. Wei Changhong supported the Yan family’s grandparents as the six of them made their way down the school’s main path, glancing around.

When they spotted Yan Qing, Yan Xianhong’s eyes lit up, and he hurried over.

Up close, Yan Qing noticed he had lost weight. His face was less bloated, making his sharp features stand out more—and giving him a fiercer appearance.

He forced a fawning smile, baring his yellowed teeth, unaware of how ridiculous he looked. “Dear niece, it’s been so long! Grandpa and Grandma have missed you. We’ve booked a restaurant—let’s all go have a meal together.”

Ah, the “soft approach.”

Yan Qing’s smile widened. Tilting her head, she feigned innocence, batting her lashes as she sweetly asked, “Uncle, I heard the Yan family is on the verge of bankruptcy. What do you think? Did I do a good job?”

“!!!” Yan Xianhong’s face twisted with rage, though he quickly masked it. Unable to respond, he glanced at his parents for help.

The grandparents teared up on cue, playing the victim. Yan Grandma’s raspy voice quivered as she said, “My dear granddaughter, how did you become like this? Grandma just wanted to see you and share a meal…”

Grandpa Yan glared at her. “Have you forgotten your roots just because the Chu family took you in? We always knew you were ungrateful. Your poor third uncle raised you with such difficulty!”

Crossing her arms, Yan Qing smirked, her expression mocking. Did they think she’d fall for their tricks and go back to being their punching bag?

Her reaction didn’t go unnoticed. Yan Xianhong nudged his mother, signaling her. As if on cue, Grandma Yan clutched her chest dramatically and wailed, “Oh, my poor son! We raised such an ungrateful child! Someone should show her teachers and classmates what kind of student she is!”

As expected, their theatrics drew the attention of the lingering students nearby.

In no time, a crowd gathered. Seeing the shabby appearance of the Yan family contrasted with Yan Qing’s pristine, elegant attire, whispers broke out.

Yan Qing frowned slightly, growing impatient. She’d thought they might resort to violence, but this melodrama? Laughable. “Is that all you’ve got? Do you think I care?”

Yan Xianhong grew anxious. Why wasn’t she reacting the way she used to?

But with the crowd around them, he couldn’t switch tactics. He continued in a pleading tone, “We’re family. Your grandma just wants to see you. It’s been so long—”

“Hey, that’s not cool,” a student chimed in.

“Yeah, she’s your grandmother. How can you just—wait, are you leaving?”

The onlookers, ready to admonish her, fell silent as Yan Qing picked up her bag and prepared to leave, her expression one of utter disinterest.

Being students themselves, they had no intention of physically stopping her, so they stepped aside to let her pass.

Panicking, Yan Xianhong rushed forward to grab her arm. “You can’t leave! Today, you have to—”

“Ah—!”

Before he could finish, Yan Qing twisted his arm in one swift motion and flipped him over her shoulder, slamming him hard onto the ground.