Green tea’s nemesis is someone like Yang Xi, a tough girl who takes no nonsense.
While Sister Xi was dishing out justice in Shanghai, Wen Ying was in Chengdu sharing gossip with Xie Qian.
“…I didn’t expect Xu Mei to be so impressive. She should’ve been like this ages ago.”
She was impressive.
A brilliant counterattack.
Because expectations for Xu Mei had been so low, her comeback shone all the brighter. Xie Qian quietly removed Xu Mei from his mental list of dimwits.
With this move, Xu Mei should see the truth behind this mess, right?
Even if she didn’t, it was fine. Teacher Yuan would surely be happy to help Xu Mei uncover the truth.
For Xie Qian, this was good news, not because of Xu Mei’s turnaround, but because it meant Wen Ying wouldn’t be secretly resented by anyone.
“By tomorrow at the latest, this will be all over the papers and TV, but it’s got nothing to do with us.”
Xie Qian was hinting that Wen Ying shouldn’t get too distracted, and Wen Ying vowed to follow the academic god’s guidance.
“I’m just watching, not getting involved.”
Xu Mei had shed her delicate little rabbit facade. She hadn’t terminated her contract with Mr. Guan but had turned the situation around. For now, Xu Mei lacked the power to topple Mr. Guan or Liang Dan, nor could she take on Yu Tianlin. But what were her plans for Director Duan and Pan Li?
And then there was Professor Fang, who failed as her manager, nearly ruining Xu Mei’s career with his personal drama. Wen Ying doubted Xu Mei would easily forgive him.
Of course, Wen Ying didn’t think Xu Mei should forgive any of them.
Whether Wen Ying liked Xu Mei or not, the fact was these people had hurt her, and from Xu Mei’s perspective, she had every right to retaliate!
Xie Qian didn’t want Wen Ying getting involved, so she could only silently cheer Xu Mei on in her heart: Can’t take on the others? At least take down Pan Li! Come on, Mei Mei, step it up!
If Xu Mei could deal with Pan Li, Wen Ying would happily buy ten of her albums to support her star career.
Even over the phone, Xie Qian could sense Wen Ying’s excitement.
The little hamster wasn’t stirring trouble herself but was secretly hoping Xu Mei would?
To keep her focused, Xie Qian told her to come to his place tomorrow for their study group, which, of course, included Wang Shuang, the academic slacker.
Wen Ying, the girl who could eat an extra bowl just staring at her idol’s face, accepted the study invite without hesitation.
Late that night, Wang Shuang got Xie Qian’s text about the study session, rolling around in bed, wailing under the covers.
It’s National Day! Don’t slackers deserve a day off?!
His cries were so pitiful they disturbed his mother’s sleep. Wang Shuang’s mum kicked her husband, “The kid’s been acting crazy lately. Should we take him to a hospital?”
Wang Jun muttered, “…What department handles a lack of sense? Come on, teenagers are like that, changing their minds every minute. His grades have improved so much, and for the first time in years, I got a call from his teacher that wasn’t a complaint. I’m thrilled!”
The National Day holiday wasn’t over yet, but the monthly exam papers from before the break had been graded.
Top students rarely improve much, but slackers, with their weak foundations, have huge room for growth. Wang Shuang’s progress was obvious. Teachers, usually frustrated with slackers, become surprisingly lenient when they show a desire to improve.
They don’t question whether a slacker’s drive is genuine or just a passing phase—they just hope it lasts.
Wang Shuang’s change didn’t start this term, but the results were showing now.
His homeroom teacher called Wang Jun, urging him to support Wang Shuang fully as the college entrance exams approached, to help him sprint toward the finish line!
How rare.
Wang Shuang’s grades were decent in primary school and okay in middle school, but they tanked in high school.
Yet, he’d always been a troublemaker.
Every call from school was about Wang Shuang causing trouble.
Parent-teacher meetings? Public executions. Wang Jun’s wife never went; it was always Wang Jun taking the punishment at school.
He was used to teachers criticising Wang Shuang.
But praise? That made Wang Jun happier than eating a ginseng fruit. When his wife called their son erratic, he wasn’t pleased and said, “Don’t keep putting the kid down. I hear tough love’s out of style now. You’ve got to encourage him, got it?”
Wang Shuang’s mum rolled her eyes, “I’ve got a high school diploma, you think I don’t know? If Wang Shuang’s finally getting it together, that’s my genes at work. If he took after you, he’d be done for!”
Wang Jun, with his middle school education, thought his wife made sense.
Used to being henpecked, he didn’t even notice her subtle manipulation.
You only criticise what you care about. A man who can’t win an argument with his wife isn’t losing face. Those who fight to win every argument end up losing their wives—no face lost, but no substance either!
Wang Jun was so thrilled by the teacher’s praise he couldn’t sleep.
Overjoyed.
His only child, even when he wasn’t doing well, he loved him. Now that he was, he loved him even more. He wanted to buy him something.
But Wang Shuang wasn’t into new game cartridges or sneakers anymore. What could he get him?
Maybe transfer shares of Tianjiao to him.
With Wang Shuang’s eighteenth birthday approaching, Wang Jun decided to gift him Tianjiao shares as a coming-of-age present.
Of course, calling it a sudden epiphany was just Wang Jun and his wife’s private joke. He knew exactly when Wang Shuang’s change began.
Last year, when he met Wen Ying and, through her, Xie Qian.
It wasn’t that these new friends were inherently better than old ones like Qin Jiao or Li Mengjiao. It was that new blood in the circle sparked growth for everyone, pushing Wang Shuang to change.
This change was positive, and it thrilled Wang Jun.
How should he thank Wen Ying and Xie Qian?
Electronics wouldn’t convey his gratitude. He needed something more sincere, a gift that would both express thanks and keep these two friends in his son’s life forever.
…
Wen Ying had no idea she was about to receive a big gift from Mr. Wang.
On her way to Xie Qian’s house the next day, she stopped by a newsstand.
As expected, Xu Mei’s engagement made the entertainment section. Liang Dan had even bought ad space for Xu Mei, stating that she and the company reserved the right to pursue those spreading false rumours online.
Xu Mei’s fiancé, Cao Bo, gave an interview about how they met and fell in love, staunchly defending his fiancée’s character and vowing to support her dreams.
Then there was a media salon, with industry insiders invited. Director Duan attended with his wife, their hands tightly clasped, projecting a loving image.
Director Duan had the gall to play the devoted husband!
Wen Ying thought Professor Fang would have the guts to divorce, but instead, she played along with her cheating husband’s act—disappointing compared to Xu Mei.
Wen Ying slapped the newspaper on the table, declaring Professor Fang had let her down.
Xie Qian didn’t even lift an eyelid, “When did she ever give you hope? Stop the drama. You shouldn’t have got this question wrong. Redo it yourself.”
