章 13: Chapter 13

Song Yanyan's POV:

Dinner was tense tonight. I couldn't help but notice Mom giving me those cold, scrutinizing stares. But after last night's fiasco, no one seemed eager to mock me again. Not that they'd dare try - I'd make sure they regretted it.

I sat with my Chinese textbook, trying to get this brain of mine back on track. Then my laptop chimed with an email. It was the test results I'd been waiting for from Wuhan Public Hospital.

As I scanned the document, my blood started to boil. Just as I suspected, someone had been feeding my host body Prozac. And the amount in my system was dangerously high.

That's when it hit me - maybe that's why my host died. An overdose. They literally killed her, but why? Jealousy?

I racked my brain trying to figure it out, but the truth was, I'd probably never know. All I knew was I needed revenge, and I had a strong hunch Song Yangyao was behind this.

I don't know how I knew, just a gut feeling. But my intuition's never wrong. She was the one who did this, and she was going to pay.

After doing some research, I realized the only way to undo the Prozac damage was strict diet and exercise. That meant a 4am jog, but there was no way I was going back to that park. Not a chance.

I just circled the same area a few times before heading home to shower and get ready for another day of school. Time to keep my head down and plan my next move.

Skipping breakfast was the quickest way to start undoing the Prozac damage, so that's exactly what I did. I couldn't bring myself to sit and eat with that vile family anyway.

As I made my way to the door, ready to head to school, my mother's shrill voice stopped me.

"And where do you think you're going?" she demanded.

I turned to her, eyebrow raised. "Where do you think? I'm dressed in my uniform, with my bag - it's pretty obvious I'm going to school."

Her eyes narrowed. "Don't you take that tone with me, young lady. This is my house and I won't have you speaking to me like that."

"Your house?" I scoffed. "Last I checked, this is my home too. So why shouldn't I have the freedom to speak my mind?"

Just then, the snake herself slithered over - Song Yangyao. Of course she'd come running to defend dear old mom.

She was the real Scar this one, you know Scar from the Lion King movie who killed his brother?

Yep! That one.

"Yanyan, how could you talk to Mom like that? Have you no respect?" she scolded.

"Respect is earned, dear sister," I retorted.

I saw Mom raise her hand, about to strike me, but I was ready. I caught her wrist in a vice-grip, stopping the blow.

"How dare you?" she hissed.

"How dare I not let you slap me like you always do?" I shot back. "What, you think you don't need a reason to hit me? That's where you're wrong."

I released her wrist with a slight push. Song Yangyao rushed to Mother's side, horror on her face.

"What's gotten into you? How could you push Mom like that?" she cried.

"That'll teach her not to raise a hand against me again," I said, glaring. "Or there will be consequences."

"You ungrateful brat!" my mother spat. "Just wait until your father hears about this!"

"Oh, please do tell him," I drawled. "Tell him how you've let this wretched villain bully me every day. How you've insulted me at every turn."

I couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up at the shifting expressions on her face. It was honestly quite comical.

"What the hell is so funny? You'll regret this!" she snarled, storming off.

Song Yangyao stared at me, bewildered. "What's gotten into you? The Yanyan I know would never do that to Mom."

I stepped closer, leaning into hiss in her ear. "Surprised your punching bag has learned to fight back, aren't you? I know what you've been up to, and I'm coming for you. You'd best watch your back."

She blinked rapidly, clearly trying to puzzle out my meaning. But I didn't give her a chance to respond. I simply strode out the door, triumphant. Let her stew in her own confusion.

As I entered the classroom, I spotted my desk-mate, Yang Lixia, seated at her usual spot. The timid girl glanced up at me nervously as I approached.

"G-good morning, Yanyan," she stammered.

"Morning, Lixia," I replied, offering her a small nod as I took my seat. The girl was painfully shy, but I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for her. She was probably as much a victim in this world as I was.

As the teacher droned on, I found my mind drifting, strategizing my next moves. I needed to be cautious, but I also couldn't let Song Yangyao and her cronies walk all over me. A delicate balance to strike.

When the lunch bell rang, I grabbed my meager salad and retreated to a quiet corner of the cafeteria, intent on avoiding any further confrontations. But of course, that was too much to ask.

"Well, well, if it isn't the mighty Yanyan," a sickeningly sweet voice rang out. I looked up to see Song Yangyao's two lackeys, Jiang Mengmeng and Lin Siyu, sneering down at me.

I raised a brow, taking a leisurely bite of my salad. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Jiang Mengmeng's eyes narrowed. "Cut the crap. We know you've been bullying Yangyao. What's your deal?"

I couldn't help the derisive snort that escaped me. "Bullying? Please. If anyone's the bully around here, it's your precious Yangyao."

Lin Siyu's lips curled in a sneer. "You've got a lot of nerve, talking about our friend like that. Maybe we need to teach you a lesson."

I regarded them coolly, unfazed by their posturing. "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots. Please, by all means, try. I'd love to see what you've got."

Yang Lixia watched the exchange with wide, fearful eyes, shrinking back in her seat. I spared her a brief, reassuring glance, silently telling her not to worry.

Jiang Mengmeng and Lin Siyu exchanged a look, clearly thrown by my nonchalant attitude. "You think you're so tough, don't you?" Siyu hissed. "Well, we've got our eyes on you, Yanyan. One wrong move, and you'll regret the day you ever crossed us."

"Hmm, is that so?" I drawled, taking another leisurely bite. "Well, you two can run along now. I've got better things to do than entertain your empty threats."

They sputtered indignantly, but I simply waved them off, turning my attention back to my salad. Let them stew in their frustration. I had no intention of cowering before their pathetic attempts at intimidation.

As they stormed off, Yang Lixia finally spoke up, voice barely above a whisper. "Yanyan... are you sure that was wise? They seemed really angry."

I offered her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Lixia. I can handle a couple of spoiled brats. Now, eat up. We've got a long afternoon ahead of us."

She nodded hesitantly, and we fell into a companionable silence as we finished our meals. Perhaps this meek, bespectacled girl could prove a useful ally in the days to come. After all, I couldn't afford to alienate everyone in this world.

As the final bell rang, I made my way out of the school, trying to ignore the wary glances and whispers that followed in my wake. Let them talk. I had more important matters to attend to.

Slipping through the front gate, I spotted Song Yangyao and her posse lurking nearby, no doubt hoping to catch me off guard. I met her gaze evenly, a small smirk playing on my lips.

"Enjoying the show?" I called out, causing her to flinch. "Don't worry, darling sister. I'm just getting started."

"Yanyan," she said stiffly. "We need to talk."

I raised an eyebrow, continuing my steady pace. "Do we now? And here I thought you were content to just glare at me from across the cafeteria."

Her jaw tightened. "Don't play games with me. What the hell was that little display this morning?"

"What, you mean standing up for myself for once?" I drawled. "Forgive me if I'm not as eager to roll over and take your abuse as the old Yanyan was."

"Abuse?" she scoffed. "Mom was just disciplining you, like any good parent would. And I was trying to knock some sense into you."

I let out a humorless laugh. "Discipline, huh? Is that what you call it when she hits me for no reason? And 'knocking sense' into me - is that what you call your constant tormenting?"

Song Yangyao's eyes widened fractionally, and I knew I'd hit a nerve. Good. Let her stew in her own guilt and discomfort for a change.

"I don't know what's gotten into you, but this ends now," she said, voice low and dangerous. "You will apologize to Mom, and you will go back to being the meek, obedient Yanyan we all know and love."

I merely stared at her, unimpressed. "Or what? You'll run crying to Daddy? Please, spare me the theatrics. I'm done playing the victim to your cruelty."

With that, I turned on my heel and headed to the waiting car, I was so glad that Song Yangyao had never wanted to ride with my host home otherwise I would have smacked her face in this car.

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