Chapter 23: Strike Her Face
Stepping out of the taxi, Wen Rushuang raised her head to take in the grandeur of the villa before her. The reluctance she had felt moments before dissipated like smoke in the wind.
Her job at Simo had been arranged by her aunt, Zhao Guifang.
Ever since Zhao Guifang lost her only daughter years ago, she had treated Wen Rushuang with great care, almost as if she were her own child.
Zhao Guifang covered all the expenses for Wen Rushuang's studies abroad, and upon her return, used her connections to secure her a position at the province's top school, painstakingly selecting suitable matches for her...
Everyone in the Wen family knew exactly what the old lady was thinking.
She hoped that when her time came, Wen Rushuang would be there to care for her and her husband.
Wen Rushuang, on one hand, despised her illiterate aunt, yet on the other, she shamelessly accepted all the benefits she provided.
Now, because she had been caught having an affair with a married principal at the top school and was thrown out by the principal's furious wife, she had no choice but to accept Zhao Guifang's arrangement and come to Simo High School.
Zhao Guifang didn't blame Wen Rushuang at all for becoming a mistress, even saying that such things were simply a matter of skill.
Wen Rushuang needn't be discouraged about not becoming the principal's wife; Zhao Guifang promised to introduce her to someone even better.
Zhao Guifang had painted a picture of this man as someone extraordinary—worth billions, no parents, in his early thirties, and a golden bachelor.
Originally, Wen Rushuang had a bit of curiosity about this man, but after meeting Chi He, she found herself unable to be interested in anyone else.
On the way here, she had already decided that tonight's dinner would just be a formality. No matter how Zhao Guifang tried to persuade her, she wouldn't relent.
But this house before her was truly too beautiful, far more imposing than the bald principal's home.
Just as Wen Rushuang was admiring the villa with longing, Chi Yu stepped out of the car.
"Teacher Wen," Chi Yu called out, snapping Wen Rushuang back to reality.
The moment Wen Rushuang saw Chi Yu, she instinctively frowned.
But then, something dawned on her, and her eyes widened with surprise.
No way!
"Does Teacher Wen also live here?"
Chi Yu had barely finished speaking when a petite elderly woman came running out of the courtyard.
"Xiao Yu, you're back from school!" Zhao Guifang's voice was as loud as ever.
Even before the person appeared, the voice had already arrived.
Chi Yu straightened up stiffly, ignoring Wen Rushuang, as Zhao Guifang reached out to fuss over her.
"Grandma hasn't seen you in so long, let me take a good look at you!"
Zhao Guifang's small round eyes scrutinized Chi Yu from head to toe, even squeezing her shoulders and waist.
Her hands were heavy, and Chi Yu winced in pain.
"You've grown taller, but you're too thin."
Zhao Guifang's face was full of displeasure as she scolded her, poking Chi Yu's forehead.
Chi Yu frowned and dodged.
Zhao Guifang pretended not to notice her resistance, adopting the tone of an elder as she reprimanded her, "Haven't you learned your lesson? I told you before, don't diet. This is the time to grow, you can worry about looks later."
Never mind that Chi Yu's slender frame was due to the frequent hospital visits caused by her recurring disasters.
This old woman didn't say the same thing in front of Ning Jin.
Chi Yu still remembered how Zhao Guifang would always remind Ning Jin to eat less, warning that a ruined figure would look terrible on stage while dancing ballet.
Back then, Chi Yu had foolishly believed that her grandmother was concerned for her, hence the different treatment.
Now that the truth was clear, Zhao Guifang's intentions were easily understood.
She was obviously afraid that Chi Yu would outshine her real granddaughter, so every time she visited, she would bring Chi Yu all sorts of rich foods.
If Chi Yu didn't eat, Zhao Guifang would put on a hurt expression and say pitiable things like, "Xiao Yu doesn't love her grandma anymore," to emotionally manipulate her.
Thinking back now, this old lady was truly "well-intentioned."
Chi Yu brushed away Zhao Guifang's hand that was reaching for her cheek and said coldly, "Grandma, since you're rarely here, let's not stand in the doorway chatting. We can talk at home."
She hadn't forgotten that Wen Rushuang was still present.
Zhao Guifang noticed that Chi Yu's attitude towards her seemed colder than before. She was about to say something when Wen Rushuang seized the opportunity to step forward, looking overjoyed.
"Auntie, is the gentleman you wanted to introduce to me Chi He?"
Zhao Guifang acted as if she had just seen her, feigning surprise.
"You're here too? Look at me, I was so focused on talking to Xiao Yu that I didn't notice you."
She pulled Wen Rushuang closer to introduce her to Chi Yu, "Xiao Yu, this is your mother's cousin, Wen Rushuang. In terms of seniority, you should call her 'Auntie'."
Chi Yu raised her eyebrows. No matter how much she had tried to guess, she hadn't expected Wen Rushuang's benefactor to be Zhao Guifang.
She had been wondering why a new teacher dared to overestimate herself by talking about transforming the class environment.
It turned out that the backing was the Chi family.
With the surname Wen, she should have realized sooner that she was related to Wen Rui.
Wen Rushuang's acting was even more natural than Zhao Guifang's. She adjusted her glasses and looked at Chi Yu with a gaze that was no longer disdainful but had become somewhat gentle.
"So, it turns out you're my niece. The words I said at school before were a bit harsh, but don't take them to heart, okay?"
Chi Yu just smiled at her without saying a word.
Wen Rushuang was unnerved by her stare. The warmth on her face faded, and she angrily nudged Zhao Guifang.
What does this young lady mean!
Zhao Guifang, noticing the awkward atmosphere, slapped her forehead and stomped her foot in frustration.
"Oh dear, how could I forget! Rushuang is now teaching at Simo, and she's assigned to Class One, which happens to be Xiao Yu's class. Looks like you've already met."
She then turned to Chi Yu, her tone full of patronizing advice.
"Xiao Yu, don't let Grandma have to say this, but Rushuang is still your aunt. Even if there's no blood relation, as a teacher, she wants the best for you. You should be grateful to her."
Chi Yu nearly burst out laughing.
It had been years since she had seen someone as pure 24-carat foolish as Zhao Guifang, completely treating her like an idiot.
Holding back her laughter, Chi Yu turned to Qi Chao and asked with a touch of curiosity, "Do I look like an idiot to you?"
Qi Chao immediately understood her meaning and looked at Zhao Guifang with a deep, meaningful glance, "Miss, your grandma probably thinks you're only seven years old."
Zhao Guifang hadn't yet grasped what the two were implying, but Wen Rushuang certainly had.
She snapped at Chi Yu, "How dare you be so rude in front of your elders? Who taught you manners, you ill-bred girl!"
Before Chi Yu could respond, Zhao Guifang hurriedly intervened.
"Stop talking!" Zhao Guifang made a pained expression, then quickly turned back to pacify Chi Yu, "Your aunt didn't mean anything by it, Xiao Yu, don't take it to heart."
When Chi Yu smiled, it didn't always mean she was in a good mood.
But if she didn't smile, it was certain that her mood was foul.
"Slap her face."
With this command from Chi Yu, Qi Chao didn't hesitate for a moment and struck Wen Rushuang hard across the face.
Wen Rushuang's glasses flew off her face, and she nearly lost her balance, almost falling to the ground.
Zhao Guifang was stunned.
She couldn't believe how spoiled Chi Yu had become, daring to hit someone in front of her.
(End of Chapter)
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