Chapter 10: Not Everyone Is Like You

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Wen Ling changed her clothes, preparing to run into Ruan Miaomiao and Chu Yao by chance. She couldn’t just wait to be schemed against before fighting back; taking the initiative might even turn the situation around.

Earlier, Ruan Miaomiao had stood outside the fitting room, holding Chu Yao’s bag with a sincere expression, praising the outfit Chu Yao had just changed into.

“It looks great and really suits your complexion,” Ruan Miaomiao said, stepping forward to gently fix Chu Yao’s slightly messy hair from changing clothes. In a soft voice, she added, “They say Wen Ling was the campus belle back then, but in my eyes, how could she ever compare to you?”

During university, Chu Yao often heard others say Wen Ling was prettier. Standing in front of the mirror, she snorted coldly. What use was being prettier if she was venomous at heart? Chu Yao hated hypocrisy above all else.

“She jumped into the lake herself that day, then falsely accused me of pushing her, and some actually believed it,” Ruan Miaomiao said, pursing her lips in grievance. “She’s always been like this—ruthless to achieve her goals. Back then, jealous of me, she led the school in isolating me, and now she’s trying to scheme against me again.”

“You have such a cousin; it’s truly pitiful,” Chu Yao said, believing her words wholeheartedly. She cast a sympathetic glance at Ruan Miaomiao. “But now Old Master Qin only cares about you. Even your cousins can’t surpass you. If she dares to bully you again, you can always ask your grandfather to intervene.”

“But she’s still grandfather’s granddaughter after all. I can’t really cut ties with her just for my sake; there’s also the Wen family to consider.”

“So what about the Wen family? They’re powerful in the United States, but here in Sijiu City, they mean nothing,” Chu Yao scoffed lightly.

Seeing this, Ruan Miaomiao added fuel to the fire, “She even said once that it’s only because the Wen family isn’t in Sijiu City that the local noble families hold such status.”

Her words were naive and full of loopholes, but Chu Yao, being straightforward, didn’t notice and took them at face value.

“Hmph, she looks down on our Sijiu City families? Then I’ll show her there are always people stronger than her.”

Their voices carried without restraint. The sales clerk nearby lowered her eyes, afraid to speak. Wen Ling happened to enter the store just as she heard Chu Yao’s remark. Raising an eyebrow, she smiled and approached.

“Miss Chu, cousin, what a coincidence.”

The moment Chu Yao saw her, disdain was written all over her face. Frowning, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

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“Buying clothes,” Wen Ling blinked innocently. “I’m preparing to stay in Huaguo for a while and didn’t bring any clothes. The ones I ordered privately haven’t arrived yet, so I had to come out and browse.”

Ruan Miaomiao bit her lip. “Cousin, you knew I was here and came looking for trouble, didn’t you?”

Indeed, Wen Ling thought so, but her face showed puzzlement. “Cousin, how could you think that of me? Why would I want to cause trouble?”

Seeing Ruan Miaomiao’s aggrieved expression, Chu Yao scolded Wen Ling angrily, “You jumped into the lake yourself to frame Miaomiao. It’s only natural for her to doubt someone with such a vicious heart.”

“So you told Miss Chu that about me?” Wen Ling stepped forward with a hurt expression, speaking loud enough for the sales clerk to hear.

“I’m afraid of water, everyone knows that. Why would I risk my life to jump into a lake just to frame you? How can you say such things to slander me?”

The sales clerks exchanged glances, saying nothing, but Ruan Miaomiao could easily guess what they were thinking.

Chu Yao frowned; she had no idea about this incident.

Wen Ling continued, “Besides, I overheard your conversation with Miss Chu just now. Did I really say such things? Even if I had, how could I generalize all the noble families in Sijiu City? The Zhou family’s status isn’t something I could look down upon.” She glanced at Chu Yao, who was beginning to doubt, then suddenly covered her mouth in surprise, whispering, “Could it be that you want to drive a wedge between Miss Chu and me?”

Chu Yao looked at the flustered Ruan Miaomiao. Meeting Chu Yao’s gaze, Ruan Miaomiao panicked, “How could I do such a thing, Yao Yao? You know me.”

Her panic deepened as she thought, What’s going on? Chu Yao, who used to be so lofty and always believed her, why would she now doubt her over a few words from someone else?

Seeing this, Wen Ling blinked pitifully and said with grievance, “No matter how much you dislike me, you shouldn’t use Miss Chu.” She gave Chu Yao an apologetic glance and whispered, “I’ve bothered you two while shopping. I won’t disturb you any longer. Goodbye.”

As she turned to leave, a smirk played on Wen Ling’s lips. The grievances and pitiful expressions vanished as quickly as turning a page.

Even after stepping out of the store, she could still hear Ruan Miaomiao anxiously explaining to Chu Yao. Wen Ling’s smile widened until she was far enough away for them not to hear, then she laughed out loud without restraint.

Her contempt was unstoppable. So you’re willing to fake being pitiful to fool others? Who isn’t? Without the heroine’s halo, who would believe your clumsy lies?

Wen Ling never really intended to buy clothes. Now that Chu Yao doubted Ruan Miaomiao, she had accomplished her goal and withdrew gracefully.

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She wandered leisurely through the mall, entering stores as she pleased.

Chu Yao, still suspicious, cast a faint glance at Ruan Miaomiao before finding an excuse to leave casually.

Ruan Miaomiao watched her go, so angry she threw her bag to the ground. The mall was frequented by prominent figures in Sijiu City who didn’t bother with celebrity drama. Seeing a popular young star throw a tantrum in public, passersby only looked at her oddly. Gritting her teeth, Ruan Miaomiao picked up her bag.

Suddenly, she caught sight of Wen Ling, whose eyes curved into a smile as she strolled from shop to shop. Ruan Miaomiao hurried after her.

“Are you happy now?”

Wen Ling turned to look at her, chuckling lightly. “What? Left behind by Chu Yao?”

Ruan Miaomiao clenched her teeth. “Aren’t you pretending to be innocent anymore?”

“Huh? Pretending? What are you talking about?” Wen Ling feigned confusion.

“You stirred up trouble between me and Chu Yao. What’s your goal? You think if we fall out, you can take the chance to befriend Chu Yao? I know her personality better than anyone,” Ruan Miaomiao hissed, fists clenched in quiet anger.

Wen Ling shrugged casually. “And you stirring her up to target me—what’s your goal? As for being friends with Chu Yao, I never thought of that. After all, not everyone is like you, willing to grovel to someone they dislike.”

Ruan Miaomiao was infuriated beyond measure. She stepped forward and raised her hand to strike Wen Ling, but Wen Ling didn’t dodge. Instead, she grabbed Ruan Miaomiao’s wrist and flipped a slap across her face.

Ruan Miaomiao stared in disbelief, eyes wide. Wen Ling sneered coldly.

“I advise you not to pick a fight with me. I’ve never been a pushover. And I haven’t even settled accounts with you for spreading rumors about me.”