Because Jiang Chan was young, Old Wang didn’t assign her any class committee positions, treating her as just an ordinary student. However, all the subject teachers took great care of her. After all, she was an exceptionally outstanding student.
Jiang Chan found herself thriving in her third-year of middle school. She didn’t deliberately cause trouble for Jiang Lianyu. As long as Jiang Lianyu stayed in her lane and didn’t provoke her, Jiang Chan was willing to act as though she hadn’t seen anything.
But there are always people in the world who don’t know how to let things go and insist on provoking her instead.
Watching the group of girls surrounding Jiang Lianyu and chattering noisily, Mo Xingyu poked Jiang Chan’s arm. “Look over there. Someone’s making a fuss again.”
Jiang Chan looked up from her book and cast a faint glance at the small clique fawning over Jiang Lianyu. “Why bother with them? Only people who lack confidence need others to praise them.”
After saying this, Jiang Chan lowered her head and continued immersing herself in the book. It was a professional textbook on business management that she had found in Lin Jinyu’s study the previous night. The book contained numerous case studies, and Jiang Chan was eager to learn its contents thoroughly.
Mo Xingyu leaned over to take a peek and gave Jiang Chan a look of admiration before wandering off to chat with other classmates. Ever since the seating arrangements at the start of the term, Mo Xingyu had happily ended up as Jiang Chan’s deskmate.
It had only been a week since school started, but Mo Xingyu was already full of admiration for Jiang Chan. Where did this genius even come from? She barely listened in class and could still grasp everything, and her homework was always completely correct.
She had also seen Jiang Chan’s schedule, which was packed to the brim. Every minute and second was meticulously planned out, making her seem like a wind-up robot that never stopped running.
For third-year students, evening self-study sessions were mandatory, but there were exceptions for top-performing students. Jiang Chan was exempt from attending, and every afternon at exactly 5:30, she would get into the Lin family’s car to head to Lin Jinyu’s company for her internship.
As she balanced her internship and studies, a month quickly passed, and before she knew it, the first monthly exam had arrived. This exam was a highly stressful event as it directly impacted the overall grade rankings!
The entire class became noticeably quieter, with everyone burying themselves in books. Even during breaks, it was rare to see classmates wandering around.
Jiang Chan went about her routine as usual, exuding an air of calm confidence, as if nothing could shake her composure. By now, everyone in the class knew that Jiang Chan was the hidden boss of the group. With her consistently top scores in the weekly quizzes, it was clear to everyone just how unbelievably powerful this girl was.
The monthly exams covered nine subjects: Chinese, math, English, politics, history, geography, physics, chemistry, and biology. The sheer workload was enough to exhaust anyone. Even Jiang Chan, seasoned and battle-hardened as she was, found it a bit overwhelming.
After finishing the last exam, Jiang Chan walked out of the classroom with Mo Xingyu. Jiang Chan was headed to Lin Jinyu’s company, while Mo Xingyu planned to take the opportunity to go home and get some rest.
Mo Xingyu, with her carefree personality, easily forgot about exams after they were done. She was enthusiastically talking about plans for the monthly break as she walked out with Jiang Chan, suggesting they go shopping and hang out together.
The two of them were in relatively good spirits, but who would’ve expected someone to stir up trouble?
As Jiang Chan and Mo Xingyu descended the stairs, a soft and delicate voice called out from behind, “Xiao Chan, wait a moment.”
At this time, the stairway was crowded with people coming and going, as it was right after the exams had ended and everyone was feeling relaxed. Now that something interesting seemed to be happening, the crowd fell silent.
Hearing this voice, Mo Xingyu’s steps faltered for a moment. She nudged Jiang Chan with her elbow, letting out a low, amused laugh. “I was wondering how long she could hold back. Looks like she’s been waiting for you today.”
Jiang Chan remained indifferent, acting as if she hadn’t heard anything, and continued down the stairs. Seeing that Jiang Chan had already descended several steps and noticing the onlookers around her watching with amused anticipation, Jiang Lianyu’s expression turned awkward.
She quickly picked up her pace and caught up with Jiang Chan. “Jiang Chan, I was calling you. Didn’t you hear me?”
Jiang Chan glanced at her and said, “See, the way you’re talking now is just fine. You’re not exactly the gentle type to begin with, so who were you trying to put on a show for just now?”
Jiang Lianyu nearly choked with rage, feeling as though she might cough up blood on the spot. The classmates around them burst into laughter. Wasn’t that the truth?
She suppressed her frustration and forced the words through gritted teeth: “Dad asked me to tell you that you’ve been staying at your grandfather’s house for a long time. If you have time, come back home for a meal. It’s been several months since you’ve been back.”
Jiang Chan didn’t even break her stride. “I’m not going. That’s your home, not mine. Why would I go to your house?”
“Xiao Chan, you shouldn’t say that. We’re all one family. Dad would be so heartbroken if he heard you talk like that.”
Jiang Lianyu trailed after her closely, practically looking like Jiang Chan’s little shadow.
Jiang Chan, fed up with being pestered, finally stopped when they reached the school gate. Jiang Lianyu still clung to her relentlessly, chattering non-stop. Seeing that Jiang Lianyu had no intention of giving up, Jiang Chan decided to address the matter directly.
“It must be so difficult for you to go against your own heart just to ask me to come back.”
“Xiao Chan, what are you saying? I’d be happier than anyone if you came back. We’re all family, so why not talk things out properly? There’s no such thing as lasting grudges between father and daughter, right?”
Jiang Lianyu was practically swearing to the heavens to prove her sincerity. Standing to the side, Mo Xingyu watched the performance unfold, barely holding back the urge to applaud Jiang Lianyu’s acting skills
What a talent! Being able to say all that without even blinking. For a middle schooler, this level of ability feels almost wasted.
Jiang Chan crossed her arms, her imposing aura fully unleashed. “I remember telling you before that it’s best if you steer clear of me. It seems the lesson I gave you wasn’t harsh enough, seeing as you still dare to come near me now.”
Jiang Lianyu’s face paled, but she stubbornly held her ground. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
Jiang Chan curled her lips into a cruel smile. “No worries, you’ll understand soon enough.”
Just then, the Lin family’s car arrived. Jiang Chan got in and rolled down the window, looking at Jiang Lianyu outside. “Go back and tell your dear father that we’ll see each other at the company tomorrow. Then you’ll understand exactly what I mean.”
Mo Xingyu had already hopped into the car. She had grown accustomed to hitching a ride with Jiang Chan, as it was on the way home anyway.
Once Jiang Lianyu’s figure disappeared in the rearview mirror, Mo Xingyu looked at Jiang Chan with stars in her eyes. “Sister Chan, you’re amazing! Do you have something big planned?”
Jiang Chan closed her eyes and lightly tapped on the window. “I have some business to handle tomorrow. I’ll ask a few of my friends to accompany you. They’re all good-natured people.”
If not for Jiang Lianyu’s antics today, Jiang Chan might have waited a few more months before dealing with Jiang Yu. But now, she decided it was time to make an example out of someone. Otherwise, Jiang Lianyu might continue to think that she was a soft persimmon she could squeeze, an easy target.
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