Saving the Pitiful Villain (GL) - Chapter 33

Just as someone else approached Jiang Shangxue for conversation, she didn’t want to disturb Ye Mei’s peace and stood up to greet them.

After two steps, she stopped again, turned back, and looked solemnly at Ye Mei. “Ye Mei, Auntie would like to ask for your help. Please try to look after Yun Wu at school.”

“Don’t worry, Auntie Jiang,” Ye Mei patted her chest confidently.

It seemed that Auntie Jiang and Yun Wu were indeed close. Ye Mei felt good, thinking she hadn’t inadvertently caused harm with her good intentions.

“Thank you,” Jiang Shangxue said softly.

When she turned back, the person had already reached her.

Qi Ping, the son of Yun Yuandao’s old comrade-in-arms, was upright and principled, but in managing the Group’s affairs, his methods were experienced and shrewd, earning him much respect. He was one of the very few people within the Group who firmly supported Yun Wu.

During this time, Qi Ping had heard much news about Jiang Shangxue. The most important rumor to him was Jiang Shangxue’s intention to groom Yun Wu as the successor.

Regardless of whether it was true or false, the fact that the news was circulating at all indicated that Jiang Shangxue was at least outwardly treating Yun Wu well.

Qi Ping wore a courteous smile. “CEO Jiang, Huamei Pharmaceuticals is sending representatives to negotiate tomorrow. It’s expected to be a tough battle, and they specifically asked to see you. Do you think you should attend the relevant meeting?”

The termination of the collaboration with Huamei Pharmaceuticals was a decision strongly pushed by Jiang Shangxue. Someone in the project team had already leaked the news to Huamei Pharmaceuticals.

Tomorrow’s negotiation was clearly hostile.

Jiang Shangxue casually picked up a glass of champagne nearby and swirled it. The amber light reflected in her eyes. She smiled faintly, looking toward the Huamei Pharmaceuticals executives gathered on the other side of the hall.

She spoke dismissively, “I will meet with them tomorrow.”

Qi Ping smiled, a subtle meaning passing through his eyes. “Tomorrow at ten in the morning, I will wait for you in the conference room, CEO Jiang.”

Having received the reply he wanted, Qi Ping rejoined the crowd, networking smoothly and appearing very popular.

This only highlighted the relative solitude around Jiang Shangxue.

Jiang Shangxue knew exactly what Qi Ping was doing: he was testing her depth.

He was handing the Huamei Pharmaceuticals situation to her. If she handled it well, she would establish her authority before formally entering the Group. If she failed, she would be restrained by him afterward.

Maintaining a polite, faint smile, Jiang Shangxue distractedly walked outside to the manor’s long corridor.

Soft white lights were scattered unevenly in the grass. Not far away, a large, snow-white Samoyed and a few puppies were playing happily on the lawn.

They must belong to the manor’s owner, but no servants were watching them.

The little Samoyed was full of energy, chasing the large one with its short legs. Occasionally, it would tumble, then run back to the large Samoyed and wag its tail incessantly, rubbing against it.

It looked like it was seeking comfort and snuggling with its mother after suffering a small setback.

Jiang Shangxue was slightly lost in thought. She wondered who Yun Wu turned to for comfort and affection when she was wronged in the past.

Raising her hand to press her forehead, Jiang Shangxue turned her back, a brief moment of weariness showing on her face.

She had been mindful of Yun Wu’s sensitivity, afraid to ask too much about school. Since she hadn’t noticed any new signs of bullying and Yun Wu had Ye Mei as a friend, Jiang Shangxue had tentatively put her worries aside.

But Ye Mei’s words just now abruptly sobered Jiang Shangxue.

Yun Wu’s temperament was truly too cold and sullen. Even when she occasionally showed more emotion, it was volatile and unpredictable.

She must be having a difficult time at school—a very difficult time.

Thinking of her phone call with Fang Wenli today and Yun Wu’s vague responses, Jiang Shangxue couldn’t help but worry.

Jiang Shangxue lowered her eyes. Perhaps I should go to East Villa these few days and meet with Wu Wu’s homeroom teacher.

When the banquet ended, Jiang Shangxue immediately returned to the Yun Mansion.

Yun Keke, Yun Linglong, and Yun Shiji were still waiting in the first-floor living room.

It was almost midnight. The three looked drowsy and very reluctant, but remembering their grandparents’ earnest instructions before they left, they had to patiently wait.

Jiang Shangxue was quite surprised. She had planned to meet them at breakfast tomorrow before going to the company.

Uncle Li took Jiang Shangxue’s bag and briefly explained the situation in a low voice.

The three people in the living room’s eyes lit up when they saw Jiang Shangxue. They called out in unison, “Hello, Grand-aunt.”

According to the hierarchy, Jiang Shangxue was the wife of their grandfather’s or grandmother’s eldest brother. The title was technically correct.

Jiang Shangxue, whose seniority had suddenly been raised by several generations, paused, then said, “Just call me Auntie Jiang.”

The three, who were already reluctant to call her “Grand-aunt,” immediately switched to, “Auntie Jiang.”

Socializing was inherently mentally draining. Jiang Shangxue rubbed her wrist, smiled faintly, and called out each of their names.

“Keke.”

“Shiji.”

“Linglong.”

“It’s late. Go rest now. We can discuss anything else in the morning.”

The three, who already wanted to go to bed, nodded and turned toward the stairs. Jiang Shangxue suddenly called out to Yun Keke.

“Keke, wait a moment. Auntie has something to tell you.”

Mindful of the family’s instructions, Yun Keke suppressed her impatience and stopped.

Jiang Shangxue walked over and spoke to her cordially.

“Keke, Uncle Li tells me you chose the middle room on the third floor.”

“Mhm. I used to sleep on the third floor.”

This was Yun Keke’s first meeting with Jiang Shangxue. She had always heard people say Jiang Shangxue was foolish and dramatic. Coupled with how easygoing she seemed tonight, Yun Keke’s preconceived notions made her feel that Jiang Shangxue would be easy to bully.

“There are many other rooms on the third floor. The one you chose is Yun Wu’s room. Will you choose another one later, okay?”

Jiang Shangxue wouldn’t take her anger out on the younger generation, and her expression remained gentle.

It was precisely because of the room’s decor that Yun Keke insisted on taking it. Uncle Li had already told her it was Yun Wu’s room, but Yun Keke refused to back down.

A look of grievance appeared on Yun Keke’s face. “But Auntie Jiang, I grew up here. I only moved out a few years ago. Just let Yun Wu stay in another room. She certainly hasn’t lived in a nice house like this before.”

Jiang Shangxue’s eyebrows subtly tightened at her words. She shook her head. Judging by Yun Keke’s tone, she deeply looked down on Yun Wu. Jiang Shangxue immediately lost her patience.

If it were a common room, she might have relented, but the room reserved for Yun Wu was one she had personally decorated whenever she had a free moment.

It was a heartfelt gesture, and she would not give it up.

Jiang Shangxue’s tone cooled slightly. “The entire Yun Mansion will belong to Yun Wu in the future. How long you lived here is irrelevant.”

Yun Keke’s face stiffened. She wanted to say more, but Jiang Shangxue had already started walking upstairs. Her voice drifted down.

“Uncle Li, lock the middle room on the third floor.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Uncle Li acted swiftly, immediately going upstairs and locking the room. Yun Keke was furious. Her gaze, filled with venom, looked as if it wanted to tear Jiang Shangxue to pieces.

She’s just a woman who married into the Yun family for money! How dare she act like the true mistress.

The next day, Jiang Shangxue ate breakfast with them and resolved the issue of Yun Shiji and Yun Linglong’s schooling.

The two younger children were still innocent. Jiang Shangxue’s tone was soft and gentle, and her beauty gradually earned her their smiles.

Yun Keke, however, stood to the side with a cold face, still angry about last night.

Yun Keke was already a twenty-year-old adult. Even though she had been spoiled by her family, she shouldn’t display such rude behavior.

Jiang Shangxue had no patience to coax an adult, nor the inclination to teach her. She said goodbye to the two younger children and left.

Watching Jiang Shangxue’s back, Yun Keke was furious. She slapped the bowls in front of the other two, spilling them.

“What are you looking at? Do you think if you please that woman, she’ll give you benefits?”

Uncle Li watched with bated breath, quickly intervening to stop her.

Yun Keke glared at him fiercely, then turned and went upstairs.

The two younger children stared blankly at Yun Keke going upstairs, surprisingly neither crying nor making a fuss. Seeing this, Uncle Li immediately served them more soup.

Since A-City officially entered summer, the greenery along the avenues grew denser, and the temperature rose day by day.

Jiang Shangxue looked at the tall buildings outside the car window, thinking of Yun Wu. She planned to return to the East Villa community after her meeting this morning.

But before she reached the Group headquarters, Jiang Shangxue received a call on her phone. It was Yun Wu’s homeroom teacher, Fang Wenli.

Her tone was still contemptuous and irritable.

“Yun Wu’s mother, please come to the school immediately. Yun Wu has repeatedly cheated on major exams, affecting the atmosphere of the entire class, and potentially ruining others’ futures. That’s serious.”

“Hurry up and come. She should have been advised to withdraw much earlier. My office is in Building A, 306.”

Holding the phone and listening quietly, Jiang Shangxue remained silent for a long time.

Fang Wenli shrieked a few more times on the other end.

“Yun Wu’s mother, are you listening?”

“As expected, they’re a family with no upbringing. Such bad luck.”

Jiang Shangxue frowned. She said calmly, “Teacher, I’m here. I’ll come over to handle this immediately. Please do not inform Yun Wu yet.”

Hanging up the phone, Jiang Shangxue instructed the driver, “Turn the car toward East Villa High School. Drive quickly.”

She then called Qi Ping, asking him to attend the meeting with Huamei in her stead.

When Jiang Shangxue arrived, Fang Wenli was sitting with her legs crossed, happily contemplating the luxury goods Zhao Changming and Xu Chacha would send her. Two other teachers were grading homework in the office.

If she could get Yun Wu kicked out, she might even be able to afford a luxury car.

“Teacher Fang, I am Yun Wu’s mother,” Jiang Shangxue said, her expression serious, calling out to Fang Wenli.

She looked around the office. Not seeing Yun Wu, she slightly relaxed.

Turning her head and clearly seeing Jiang Shangxue’s appearance, Fang Wenli was visibly stunned.

Jiang Shangxue’s clothes and appearance were unexpectedly meticulous and very young. She didn’t look at all like a woman with a child that age.

Fang Wenli had heard a lot of rumors about Yun Wu, one of which was that Yun Wu’s mother was a prostitute. Fang Wenli immediately thought of that rumor.

She silently scoffed. As expected of someone who sold herself. She probably had the child before she even turned eighteen.

Fang Wenli’s contempt was undisguised. She put down her red pen and handed over the compiled grade report.

“Take a look. Since Yun Wu transferred to East Villa, her grades have consistently been at the bottom. But recently, she suddenly got first place. Her cheating is too blatant.”

“Also, her usual conduct is poor. She hangs out with shady people and doesn’t look like a student at all. East Villa cannot keep her. Please take her away. The withdrawal process is quick. It’s best to transfer her to another school as soon as possible so she still has a chance to take the Gaokao.”

Jiang Shangxue took the report and looked at it closely, remaining silent for a moment. Fang Wenli kept urging her from the side, using the most extreme language to smear Yun Wu.

Jiang Shangxue listened quietly, then suddenly spoke, her clear voice sounding like it was laced with ice.

“Did you ask Yun Wu about this? Did you check the surveillance? Do you have concrete evidence?”

Fang Wenli hadn’t expected Jiang Shangxue to be unimpressed. She changed the subject with a cold face.

“Who are you, and who am I? Is this the attitude a parent should have when speaking to a teacher? I work diligently from early morning until late at night. I am responsible for every student in my class. Yun Wu is clearly not suitable for East Villa!”

Jiang Shangxue scoffed coldly, her deep eyes surging with frost.

Ye Mei had told her many stories about Fang Wenli’s verbal abuse of Yun Wu last night. The teacher’s current behavior, clearly baseless and resorting to wanton slander, made it easy to imagine how she usually treated Yun Wu.

Jiang Shangxue walked toward Fang Wenli step by step.

Every word she spoke was firm and resounding.

“There is surveillance during the exam. Why do you assume a student cheated without checking the footage? Where is your professional ethics as a teacher?”

“Which East Villa school rule states that a student should be expelled based on a homeroom teacher’s subjective assumptions?”

Fang Wenli was furious. She blurted out, “With your shady background, you shouldn’t have been allowed into East Villa in the first place.”

Jiang Shangxue suddenly smiled. “My background? And what is yours?”

“A diligent gardener caring for the flowers of the motherland? A bright lamp lighting the path for students? A candle selflessly burning itself out?”

“Or a snobbish person whose eyes are only filled with self-interest? An observer who stands idly by and even indulges in bullying students? Or a perpetrator of verbal and psychological abuse who… indirectly inflicted violence!”

“Fang Wenli, do you have children of your own? Do you have a conscience?”

“Do you think you can casually defame a student based on groundless speculation? She is still a minor. How dare you, how dare you bully her like this?”

“Has your conscience ever felt a moment of condemnation?”

“No, you haven’t.”

“A person like you, lacking integrity and competence, is unfit to be a teacher.”