Chapter 52 - 51: Shi Changying: Met Xie Lin
Chapter 52: Chapter 51: Shi Changying: Met Xie Lin
"Get lost, will you?" the lead thug scowled, glancing at her. "We aren’t just messing around. Every wrong has its cause, and every debt has its debtor. This has nothing to do with you, so even if you saw something, play blind!"
He had, of course, recognized the Jianghuai High School uniform Shi Changying was wearing. He wasn’t stupid enough to lay a hand on high schoolers; that was a one-way ticket to jail.
"My lamb skewers are gone," Shi Changying stated flatly.
The young man found it hilarious. "So?"
"So," Shi Changying stepped forward at a leisurely pace, "you all need to take responsibility."
"Take responsibility?" The thugs burst into roaring laughter at her words, not bothering to hide their mockery.
The woman they had cornered huddled against the wall, unable to hold back a shout. "Hurry up and leave! Don’t worry about me! They wouldn’t dare actually hurt me. I’ll just give them the money."
It was late, and very few people were out. Even if someone happened to pass by, they wouldn’t spare a glance at this dimly lit alley.
Nearby, Meng Qi’an was strolling leisurely with two other boys, heading out for some skewers. After eating delicacies for so long, he wanted to experience the simple pleasures of everyday life.
"Brother Meng—oh, no, Qi An, it’s Senior Sister!" One of the boys suddenly stopped in his tracks, his sharp eyes catching the scene. "Someone actually dares to rob Senior Sister! Qi An, as Senior Sister’s top right-hand man, you can’t just let this happen!"
Meng Qi’an laughed out of sheer annoyance. He shot the boy a sideways glare. "Do you want me to flatten you and bury you in the dirt first?"
The boy immediately slapped a hand over his mouth but couldn’t resist mumbling, "I’m just stating facts. Senior Sister already usurped your position."
Meng Qi’an grew even more furious. Sooner or later, he would reclaim his rightful throne as the school tyrant! Today, Meng Qi’an would play the hero and display his true dominance!
Unfortunately, that thought never translated into action. A series of agonizing screams rang out, and all five burly thugs collapsed to the ground.
Meng Qi’an watched in absolute silence as Shi Changying knocked each of them out with a single kick. A drop of cold sweat slid down his forehead.
The two boys beside him stood with their jaws wide open. A few seconds later, they muttered blankly, "Qi An, you’re really lucky. Senior Sister definitely held back when she beat you up!"
Meng Qi’an was left speechless. He wished they would just shut their mouths if they couldn’t say anything pleasant!
The cornered woman was also stunned. She stood up trembling, looking at Shi Changying as if she were a god descending from the heavens.
Meng Qi’an caught a glimpse of the woman’s face and paused. Wasn’t that the woman from the Xu family...?
The woman let out a long breath, her face still quite pale. "Thank you so much."
Shi Changying was in a terrible mood. Her lamb skewers were gone, and her money was gone. She wanted to kill someone. But that was illegal. Ignoring the woman’s gratitude, Shi Changying turned around and walked away.
"Wait!" the woman suddenly shouted. She quickly pulled out her phone, searched for something, and glanced at the screen before looking back at Shi Changying. A second later, she was overjoyed. "Little sister! It’s me, your older sister!"
Shi Changying stopped in her tracks and picked at her ear. "Say that again?"
The woman cleared her throat and repeated, "Little sister, I am your cute, beautiful, clever, smart, drop-dead gorgeous, and incredibly talented older sister!"
Expressionless, Shi Changying started walking right past her. "I don’t have one of those."
"Sister!" The woman hurriedly grabbed her arm. "I just got back from abroad, so you don’t recognize me, but I really am your sister. My name is Xu Shuangqiao."
Her surname was Xu? The Xu family was a den of vipers; how could they produce anything good? Shi Changying didn’t even pause her stride.
"Sister, how... how can you be so heartless?" Xu Shuangqiao burst into loud tears. "I even brought back so many delicious snacks for you from abroad!"
Shi Changying finally stopped. She turned her head and held out her hand. "Hand them over."
Xu Shuangqiao stared at her blankly. Perhaps still traumatized from the thugs trying to rob her, she shakily pulled out her wallet.
"I meant the food," Shi Changying clarified.
Relieved, Xu Shuangqiao dug through her suitcase and pulled out a few boxes of pastries. Shi Changying opened one of them. The sweet taste danced on her taste buds, slightly soothing the disappointment of losing her lamb skewers.
By the time Xu Shuangqiao finished reorganizing her luggage, she realized all the boxes of pastries she had handed over were empty. Her jaw dropped. "Sister, did... did you not eat anything all day?"
Still craving more, Shi Changying stared at her intently. "Do you have any more?"
Xu Shuangqiao felt a profound sense of heartbreak. "Come on, there’s a really good restaurant up ahead. It’s my treat today. Eat as much as you want!"
Just look at the miserable life her poor sister must have lived! It was downright outrageous!
Meng Qi’an had already slipped away before Shi Changying could spot him. He still needed to maintain what little dignity he had left.
Xu Shuangqiao happily led Shi Changying into the restaurant she frequented and ordered a whole table of food. Shi Changying didn’t stand on ceremony and dove right into the feast.
At first, Xu Shuangqiao spoke with motherly affection. "Eat more, sister."
Ten minutes later, she felt compelled to offer a gentle warning. "Sister, don’t eat so much all at once. You’ll get a stomachache."
Twenty minutes later, Xu Shuangqiao’s eyes were utterly glazed over. For the first time in her life, she felt her wallet was facing a mortal threat.
Finally, Shi Changying decided to stop. "Let’s go."
That was enough for today.
"Where did everything you ate go?" Xu Shuangqiao jumped out of her seat, staring at Shi Changying’s completely flat stomach. "That’s impossible! Where is the food? This blatantly violates the law of conservation of energy!"
Shi Changying clamped down on her wrist. "What are you trying to do?"
Xu Shuangqiao refused to give up. "I want to feel your stomach! I have to know where all that food went. I may not be a science major, but I still understand basic principles. How could anyone break the laws of nature?"
Shi Changying gave her a side-eye. "Then you still don’t understand this world very well."
If this woman knew there were people in this world who could scale walls, run across rooftops, and move mountains, wouldn’t she go crazy?
"Fine, I suppose I still have a lot to learn," Xu Shuangqiao said dejectedly. Then, she frowned. "Why didn’t the family send a driver for you? I’ll call a cab for you. I definitely need to have a talk with Grandpa and Grandma about this."
Shi Changying looked at her. "You aren’t coming back?"
"I bought a small apartment in the city center," Xu Shuangqiao replied with a smile. "It’s so late, so I’m definitely going to my own place. I’ll head back to the main estate tomorrow. I prefer living alone."
A taxi arrived, and she waved goodbye to Shi Changying. Thankfully, her wallet had survived! Wiping sweat from her brow, Xu Shuangqiao dragged her suitcase and left.
By the time Shi Changying arrived at the Xu Family estate, it was already 11:10 PM.
Seeing the brightly lit villa, she raised an eyebrow. The entire family was waiting up for her again. What a grand reception. Excellent.
Shi Changying strolled unhurriedly through the front doors. Just as expected, Old Madam Xu, Xu Zhao Yu, and Xu Shuyu were all sitting on the sofa. The three generations looked to be enjoying a harmonious family moment.
"Mom, I gave Mrs. Huo four tickets to Maestro Xie Lin’s concert on behalf of Shuyu," Xu Zhao Yu said. "Mrs. Huo was very pleased."
"It’s all thanks to you, Zhao Yu," Old Madam Xu said approvingly. "Shuyu isn’t very articulate, and I was worried the Huo family might be dissatisfied with her. Snagging four of those concert tickets is no easy feat."
Xu Zhao Yu smiled. "I also saved two tickets for you and Dad, so you can go watch it too."
Old Madam Xu looked even more delighted. "Good, very good."
After their affectionate exchange, they finally noticed Shi Changying, who had just returned.
"Halt! Where were you at two in the morning yesterday?" Old Madam Xu asked coldly. "The Xu Family rules state that everyone must be at home after eleven o’clock! Why are you back so late again today?"
Shi Changying yawned. "I went out for a late-night snack."
"What does this house lack that requires you to run outside?" Old Madam Xu grew even angrier. "Do you only know how to make excuses?"
A late-night snack? She hadn’t even used her brain to come up with such a pathetic lie!
"Changying, we were all very worried about you," Xu Zhao Yu said, her eyes filled with concern. "What if you ran into bad people on the road who had malicious intentions toward you?"
At those words, Old Madam Xu shuddered and demanded sternly, "Speak! Did you sneak out to meet someone yesterday? Some street punk?"
Shi Changying tilted her head. What was that good Samaritan’s name yesterday? Oh, she remembered now.
Shi Changying wore a lazy expression. "I did see someone. Xie Lin."