While Xie Qian was navigating tensions with his family, the entrance exam for the provincial key school arrived.
The day before, Teacher Liang had Wen Ying take another practice test. She scored 128. For the first time, Liang didn’t criticize her but acknowledged her effort: “I don’t care why your junior high foundation was so weak, but you’ve studied hard this past month. It shows hard work pays off. Do well tomorrow—you’ll pass the entrance exam, no problem.”
Liang recognized Wen Ying’s dedication over the past month.
He didn’t care about her past—as his student, she couldn’t slack off. She had to aim high, at least to be a contender, not some ordinary snake with no ambition!
Even the best teacher needed a cooperative student, and Wen Ying was one. Liang was fairly satisfied.
Tutoring had shifted from the Jiangs’ villa to Deng Shangwei’s place. Liang never asked what happened, still giving Wen Ying lessons every other day to ensure her progress justified the tutoring fees and Lin Lin’s trust.
The next day, Wen Ying took the entrance exam. Chen Ru arrived in Rongcheng.
For any major exam, Chen Ru insisted on being there—she wouldn’t rest easy otherwise.
Plus, the two houses they’d put down payments on were ready for key pickup. Chen Ru wanted to collect them and plan renovations.
With Chen Li and Deng Shangwei’s falling-out, Chen Ru no longer wanted Wen Ying staying at Chen Li’s. The only holdup was her work transfer.
Yes, Chen Ru planned to move to the city branch to be closer to Wen Ying.
At her current bank, she was a key performer. Moving to Rongcheng meant starting over.
Wen Ying wasn’t thrilled with her mother’s decision.
Even if Chen Li and Deng Shangwei’s drama was real, not an act, it wouldn’t affect her studies in Rongcheng.
A 31-year-old soul could handle herself.
But Wen Ying’s opinions were often ignored. Chen Ru saw only a teenager, not her maturity, and perceived “crises” in Rongcheng: Chen Li and Deng Shangwei’s unstable home couldn’t properly care for Wen Ying; her closeness with rich kids risked more “Xie Qians” or early romance; and Wen Ying’s growing independence signaled a rebellious phase.
When Wen Ying was quiet and dull, Chen Ru found her lacking spark.
Now that she was sharp, Chen Ru deemed her hard to manage.
Mother and daughter couldn’t align, sparking tension.
At the school gate, they ran into Wen Hongyan and her daughter, Shu Lu.
Shu Lu had transferred to the same school as Wen Ying—Wen Ying in high school, Shu Lu in junior high. They were likely there for enrollment paperwork.
Cai… no, Zhao Dong clearly had connections.
Seeing Wen Hongyan and Shu Lu, Wen Ying gave a knowing smile.
Wen Hongyan erupted first, calling out, “Second Sister-in-law, how do you raise your kid? She doesn’t even greet her elders?”
Chen Ru’s scalp tightened—she dreaded dealing with her sister-in-law.
At the school gate, Chen Ru couldn’t stoop to argue with Wen Hongyan. She turned to nudge Wen Ying to smooth things over.
Wen Ying spoke first, “Auntie, sorry, I didn’t recognize you—you’ve changed so much.”
Wen Hongyan wore new clothes, her hair dyed and curled, face made up.
Her lipstick shade clashed, looking garish.
But Wen Hongyan, oblivious, took it as praise.
Shu Lu, beside her, wore a knee-length dress, little leather shoes, white socks, and twin ponytails—likely inspired by a fashion magazine. It was preppy, pure, and suited her vibe.
Chen Ru, having just paid house deposits, had drained her savings. She wore last year’s clothes, no new summer skirt.
Wen Ying was similar—clean crewneck tee, track pants, ready for the exam.
Daily morning runs and afternoon stall work left her skin far from fair. Tan and chubby, she epitomized plainness.
To outsiders, Wen Ying and Chen Ru looked like the poor relatives needing aid.
Wen Hongyan’s wardrobe had upgraded, but her smarts hadn’t. Her words begged for a comeback. Scanning Wen Ying and Chen Ru, she clucked, “Your uncle’s a boss now—I can’t embarrass him. Got to thank your parents. If your dear brother and sister-in-law hadn’t cut us off, your uncle wouldn’t have buckled down. Now our family can finally hold our heads high… right, Second Sister-in-law?”
What nonsense!
Shu Guobing’s “hustle” rode Wen Ying’s coattails.
Last life, Shu Lu relied on Wen Ying’s parents. This life, it was Wen Ying’s enemy. Either way, it tied to Wen Ying.
No need for the Shu family to repay kindness—just don’t gloat after benefiting!
The Shus still thought Shu Guobing’s rise was his own doing, unaware of Zhao Dong.
Even if they knew, with Shu Guobing and Wen Hongyan’s thick skin, they’d probably take pride in being noticed by a big shot. Why Zhao backed Shu Guobing? Wen Ying didn’t care!
Chen Ru’s face turned green with anger.
Wen Ying’s expression was odd too.
So, Chen Ru could handle reasonable, face-conscious people, but against her stubborn grandma or shameless Wen Hongyan, she retreated?
Right—her parents were a perfect match, both obsessed with appearances.
At the bustling school gate, asking Chen Ru to brawl with Wen Hongyan was too much.
No worries—Wen Ying was a lawyer. Face didn’t matter!
“Mom, Auntie’s so right! If you and Dad hadn’t cut off Shu Lu’s support, Uncle wouldn’t have quit drinking to earn money. Now Auntie’s family doesn’t need us, and you two can stop pinching pennies. Look at Auntie—in Rongcheng just days, and she’s got a gold bangle! Uncle’s business must be booming.”
Chen Ru found the scene familiar.
Last time Wen Ying went off like this was at Wen Kai’s place, tearing into Shu Guobing and Wen Hongyan.
Chen Ru pursed her lips, rare anticipation for Wen Ying rising.
Wen Hongyan preened, touching her bangle.
Gold was over 240 yuan per gram. Her bangle, over 20 grams, cost 6,000 yuan. With Shu Guobing a boss, she couldn’t skimp on style, so she’d splurged, though it stung.
Being envied by Wen Ying made it worth it!
In all their years as in-laws, Wen Hongyan had never seen Chen Ru wear such bold jewelry.
As Wen Hongyan basked, Shu Lu sensed trouble.
Before Shu Lu could intervene, Wen Ying aimed and fired: “Auntie, Mom’s too shy to ask, but we’re all respectable folks—nobody chases debts in public. I’m young and clueless, so don’t mind if I misspeak… Now that Uncle’s rich, when are you repaying the money Mom and Dad lent your family?”
