After Transmigrating into a Redemption Novel as the Evil Stepmother - Chapter 8

Zhou An’an stammered out a few vague words before finally surrendering under Ji Shuangci’s calm gaze, which seemed to have seen through everything long ago.

“Fine, fine, I admit it. She taught me. She is a bit more capable than I am, but only a tiny bit.”

Hearing this, Ji Shuangci let out a smile. She slowly reached out her hand as the wind rustled through the treetops and sunlight spilled across her fingertips; a warm emotion flowed through her, spreading in all directions.

“An’an, do you know? I’m truly happy.”

Zhou An’an curled her lip dismissively. She was happy too—and she would have been even happier if people hadn’t figured out she had been coached by Ming Jiayue.

The students at Changya High School were either rich or noble. In the past, the management handled bullying by “silencing” the victims; after all, they couldn’t afford to offend wealthy families, so they could only let students from ordinary backgrounds suffer.

This time, the Principal of Changya High School finally felt the sting when the blow landed on him. He issued three consecutive announcements: a strict crackdown on campus bullying, universal campus safety education, and the construction of campus psychological counseling services.

In particular, seeing other schools trying to poach Ji Shuangci, Changya’s management suddenly became exceptionally attentive to her. They promised to double her scholarship and guaranteed that if anything similar happened again, it would be handled immediately.

With Ji Shuangci’s grades, she was a walking recruitment advertisement; Changya wouldn’t let her be poached away for anything.

Ji Shuangci hadn’t planned on changing schools anyway, so she accepted the offer.

As for the “little clique,” they initially thought this time would be like every other time—that they could settle it with a bit of money. Even when they were taken in, they held their heads high with an air of fearlessness. However, what they completely failed to expect was that because the online buzz was so high, they were handled as a “model case.” Not only would they face detention, but they would inevitably have a criminal record.

The parents of the clique came to find Ji Shuangci, demanding that she publicly state her forgiveness.

Zhou An’an had a big temper and didn’t indulge them at all. She smoothly rattled off Ming Jiayue’s phone number.

“188****5210.”

“If you have a problem, go find our parent. We listen to the adult in our family.”

Hearing Zhou An’an classify her as “family,” Ji Shuangci’s eyes flickered. She said nothing, giving her silent consent.

In the end, neither Ji Shuangci nor Zhou An’an knew exactly how Ming Jiayue handled it. Until there were only ten days left before the National College Entrance Exam (Gaokao), those few people never returned to school, and no one bothered them again.

It was the tradition at Changya to hold a school-wide mobilization rally ten days before the Gaokao.

In the thousand-person auditorium, the student representative speaker was, without a doubt, Ji Shuangci.

The tenth and eleventh graders had to attend as well. Zhou An’an had bought “screaming chicken” toys and palm clappers early on, just waiting to cheer for Ji Shuangci.

At the very last moment before going on stage, Ji Shuangci caught a stray glimpse. Ming Jiayue had appeared at some point in the center of the first row, with school leaders on either side talking to her with flattering expressions.

Her breath hitched slightly. The moment the lights dimmed, Ji Shuangci closed her eyes, forcing herself not to get distracted.

It was a very proper speech.

Ji Shuangci’s voice was crisp and clear. Her articulation, phrasing, and the weight of her tone were all handled perfectly.

Perhaps out of admiration for her ability, or perhaps worship of her beauty, waves of applause boiled over throughout the hall.

Countless rays of light converged as Ji Shuangci stood in the center of the stage.

Like a bright pearl, once the dust was cleared and the light emerged, nothing could hide her brilliance again.

“I wish all the dreamers here today that we may all be torches, be brilliant starlight, be eagles soaring freely through the wild heavens and earth…”

The surrounding waves of cheering grew louder and louder. Ming Jiayue sat among them, her indifferent expression unchanged, yet at some point, a fleeting glimpse of wonder had fluttered into her eyes.

Ji Shuangci seemed born for the stage—the center of attention, shining brightly.

Ming Jiayue was wearing a suit today, a pure business style, radiating a cold austerity.

At the very end, Ji Shuangci suddenly smiled, her gaze colliding with Ming Jiayue’s.

“Finally…”

“Let us wait and see.”

“Let us meet at the summit.”

Every word was as clear as a carving.

“AHHHH!!! SCHOLAR-GOD!!!”

“AHHHH!!! GODDESS!!! MY GODDESS!!! MEET AT THE SUMMIT!!!”

Her heart beat faster and faster. The edges of her speech script were crumpled. Ji Shuangci walked off the stage amidst the boiling voices. In the corner where the lights were dim, she stepped into the shadows and then pretended to look back casually.

Ming Jiayue sat upright in her seat, not looking at her. The line of her jaw looked very beautiful in the flickering light.

Ji Shuangci’s eyes wavered slightly as she silently walked back to her class section.

Because of the recent events, Ji Shuangci’s situation at school had undergone a heaven-and-earth transformation. Many people speculated that she had an impressive background and treated her as if she belonged to their social circle.

Whether sincere or feigned, Ji Shuangci made a few friends on the surface.

The moment she sat down, the playful cheering was endless.

“Gosh, Shuangci, I’m about to be conquered by you! How can there be a girl as smart and beautiful as you in this world!”

“Which window exactly did God close for you?!”

“I was truly blind before. I declare that no one in this world can resist being conquered by you!”

“Even girls can’t take it. Your face is practically a crime!”

“…”

Dealing with their teasing, Ji Shuangci’s gaze constantly wandered toward a certain spot in the front row.

A few minutes before the long mobilization rally ended, Ming Jiayue left early. Ji Shuangci made an excuse, asked for leave, and quietly chased after her.

The parking lot of Changya High School was at the far edge of the southwest corner, close to the West Gate and far from the teaching buildings.

Ji Shuangci didn’t see anyone when she stepped out. Without hesitation, she took a shortcut and jogged all the way to the parking lot.

She had chased in a hurry, and her breath was slightly labored.

“President Ming.”

Stopping in her tracks and turning around, Ming Jiayue’s probing gaze landed on Ji Shuangci’s face. She didn’t speak, letting her eyes ask the question for her.

During those few steps toward Ming Jiayue, Ji Shuangci gathered her courage to meet her eyes, not looking away even after standing still in front of her.

The flame buried deep in her heart had burned silently for months. She knew she was being rash and abrupt, but desire had conquered her timidity.

“President Ming, did you come to Changya today… for me?”

The wind picked up, blowing Ming Jiayue’s long hair. Catching the breeze, Ji Shuangci smelled the scent of gardenias.

It was the scent on Ming Jiayue.

Ming Jiayue’s gaze traveled inch by inch, from top to bottom, in a scan that could be called rude. She watched her, then suddenly let out a low laugh.

Ji Shuangci’s heart tightened abruptly.

Compared to Ming Jiayue, Ji Shuangci appeared exceptionally petite. Furthermore, with the two of them standing on the steps—one high, one low—from the side, Ming Jiayue’s silhouette was broad enough to seemingly envelop Ji Shuangci entirely.

“Ji Shuangci, should I say you don’t know the heights of the heavens, or should I praise you for being both brave and calculating?”

The atmosphere suddenly became subtle. Ji Shuangci stood quietly, saying nothing.

Ming Jiayue lit a cigarette, holding it between her fingers. she didn’t smoke it, letting the sparks flicker in and out with the wind. She was silent for a while; when she spoke again, her tone was very calm.

“Would a girl with an exceptionally strong sense of caution head alone to a suburban cemetery in the middle of the night, just to accompany a tutoring student with whom she has little acquaintance?”

“Would a daughter who castrated her biological father at the age of twelve choose to let herself be bullied at a school gate—a public place—until her only choice was to perish together with her abuser?”

“Would a student who has suffered bullying for years and could only silently endure and avoid, suddenly produce evidence sufficient for a criminal conviction at the critical moment?”

“…”

“Ji Shuangci, you are very clever.”

With every sentence Ming Jiayue spoke, Ji Shuangci’s face grew a shade paler. Ming Jiayue still had a smile on her face, but it didn’t reach her eyes; her aura was very cold, noble and detached.

As they looked at each other, it was as if sparks were flying.

Ji Shuangci clenched her hands into fists, her nails digging into her palms. She suppressed the urge to run and looked into those deep eyes.

“But you acquiesced, didn’t you?”