Chapter 61 As expected, with a stepmother comes a stepfather.
Even someone as oblivious as Jiang Deyu noticed the strangeness between Ji Jingyu and Jiang Sui.
Jiang Deyu felt that the two of them must have had a falling out.
To be precise, it was Jiang Sui who was unilaterally giving Ji Jingyu the cold shoulder.
"Come on, take it slow." Xia Fan helped Jiang Sui walk slowly downstairs. "Don't put too much weight on that foot. Just lean on me, it'll be fine."
Jiang Sui accidentally twisted her ankle.
Fortunately, the twist wasn't too serious. Although going up and down stairs was a bit slow, she could still walk with support.
"My god, this is too much trouble." Jiang Deyu stood with his hands on his hips at the entrance of the apartment building, with Jiang Sui's schoolbag hanging on his wrist. He looked up, his eyes practically straining to see what was going on.
After thinking for a moment, he called upstairs, "Jiang Sui, how about I come up and carry you on my back?"
"No." Jiang Sui refused without even thinking.
"How about Brother Ji carries you on his back?"
"don't want!"
This time the refusal was more decisive and sharper than the last, as if he were sulking.
Xia Fan immediately sensed something strange in Jiang Sui's unusual tone, and she subconsciously turned to look at Ji Jingyu, who had been following behind them.
Ji Jingyu looked like she hadn't slept well last night; her face was pale and cold, which made her dark eyes appear even more deep and lonely.
When he met Xia Fan's probing gaze, he slightly curved the corners of his mouth.
Xia Fan looked worried.
She thought to herself, if she had a mirror right now, Ji Jingyu would know how forced her smile was.
They must have had a fight, and it might have gotten a bit tense, otherwise Brother Ji, who is usually calm even when Mount Tai collapses, wouldn't be acting so strangely.
The bus steps were a bit high, and Jiang Sui lost her balance on one foot, stumbled, and fell backward.
Xia Fan tried to grab her arm, but it was too late. "Sui Sui!"
A pale, white arm gently supported Jiang Sui's shoulder from behind. Before Jiang Sui could react, she was lifted onto the bus.
Jiang Sui gripped the railing on the car with one hand, turned her head to look at him coldly, and said in a sharp tone, "Don't touch me."
It was as if Ji Jingyu wasn't her savior, but rather the culprit who pushed her.
Xia Fan and Jiang Deyu didn't dare to breathe, their gazes falling on Ji Jingyu simultaneously.
Ji Jingyu was always reserved, and this time was no exception.
They couldn't detect any change in his expression.
On the contrary, Jiang Sui's expression was particularly strange.
She seemed to feel a little regretful and guilty, but there was also some inexplicable irritation mixed in with it. She knew that if it weren't for Ji Jingyu, she would have fallen again, but she couldn't bring herself to say thank you. Instead, she even spoke harshly to him.
"What happened in the back? Nothing happened, just closed the car door."
The bus driver curiously observed their group through the rearview mirror.
Xia Fan walked over to Jiang Sui and said softly, "Let me help you to your seat."
Everyone remained quiet throughout the journey.
Even the usually talkative Jiang Deyu was as quiet as if he had been given a drug to make him mute.
Several times he tried to say something to ease the tension, but when he saw Ji Jingyu and Jiang Sui's expressionless faces, he immediately backed down.
He feared that if the city gate caught fire, he, an innocent little fish, would be caught in the crossfire.
—
After morning self-study ended, Yu Xiaocheng leaned towards Xia Fan, pointed behind her with her black pen without making a sound, and mouthed, "What's wrong with them?"
Xia Fan was doing math problems when she heard this and wrote three words on the paper: "They had a fight."
"Why?"
Yu Xiaocheng's eyes widened; she couldn't believe that Ji Jingyu would argue with Jiang Sui.
How could these two possibly argue? Didn't Ji Jingyu give in to Jiang Sui?
Xia Fan shrugged. "Sui Sui won't tell me."
"Why don't you ask again?" she urged Yu Xiaocheng.
The other person shook their head vigorously, showing great self-awareness, "Forget it, she didn't even tell you, how could she possibly tell me?"
The tense atmosphere that lingered between Jiang Sui and Ji Jingyu continued until lunchtime.
Just as Jiang Sui came out of the cafeteria, she received a message saying that her former classmates had come to visit her and were waiting at the school gate.
Xia Fan curiously peeked out, "Sui Sui, did your classmates come to visit you? Don't they have class today?"
"Today is the anniversary of my former school."
Jiang Sui thought of the invitation letter that Li Gao had sent her before, and the date on it seemed to be today, but she ignored it.
These people probably sneaked out during the school anniversary celebration.
“They specifically chose the school anniversary to come see you, so it seems you two have a very good relationship.” Xia Fan said with a smile, “Then I’ll go with you to the school gate to meet your friends.”
"Me too, me too!" Jiang Deyu loved to join in the fun, raising both hands high, afraid that Jiang Sui wouldn't take him.
Although Ji Jingyu didn't say anything, he followed closely behind Jiang Sui the whole way.
He knew better than anyone that Jiang Sui's relationship with her former classmates wasn't good enough for them to make a special trip to Xunning to visit her.
It's highly likely they're up to no good.
Six people, both men and women, stood at the entrance of Xunning No. 2 Middle School. They were all dressed in a glamorous and luxurious manner.
They were afraid that these "country bumpkins" from Xunning wouldn't know they were "higher-class" people from big cities.
Because of the commotion, a number of students from No. 2 Middle School gathered at the entrance to watch the excitement, curiously observing the group of uninvited guests.
A harsh male voice rang out, "Why hasn't Miss Jiang come out yet? Is she afraid to see us?"
"Possibly. After all, the young lady has been in this remote and impoverished area for so long, she's probably picked up a lot of dirt. We should tidy her up properly first."
"To be honest, her father is too heartless. After all, they are father and daughter. How could he bear to leave her in such a place and not care about her? If I hadn't come and seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed that there are such poor and dilapidated places in the world."
Qin Beibei covered her nose with a handkerchief, seemingly standing up for Jiang Sui, but her tone was full of malice.
“Uncle didn’t do it on purpose. Now that Aunt is pregnant, he sent Jiang Sui away temporarily to take care of her feelings.”
You could hear their discussion from a great distance.
Jiang Deyu and Xia Fan's expressions changed; this was completely different from what they had imagined a meeting between friends.
Especially Jiang Deyu.
He had always been curious about Jiang Sui's background, but he never expected that Jiang Sui was actually sent to Xunning by her father.
Now everything makes sense.
No wonder Jiang Sui stayed at Teacher Su's house because she was unfamiliar with the area; no wonder neither of her parents came when school started; no wonder her father had to sneak over to see her late at night; no wonder Jiang Sui only went home for one day during the National Day holiday—it turns out it was because no one at that house welcomed her…
He said bitterly, "The old saying is really true, if you have a stepmother, you'll have a stepfather!"
Jiang Sui: "..."
Sometimes she was genuinely curious about Jiang Deyu's thought process; how could he have such a slow, reckless, and strange imagination?
She didn't want her father to suffer an injustice, so she quickly clarified, "Don't talk nonsense, my dad treats me very well."
Jiang Deyu didn't refute further, but just gave Jiang Sui a complicated look.
In his mind, Jiang Sui had become a child who lacked love. Even though her father treated her this way, she still thought her father was very good.
Poor child.
Xia Fan also looked worried. "Sui Sui, maybe you shouldn't go out."
Jiang Sui patted Xia Fan's arm, indicating that she shouldn't worry, "It's okay."
Fang Ying, Qin Beibei, Yu Chen...
They really didn't miss a single one.
Since this group of people are so good at picking their time, they always choose to come when she's in a bad mood.
Then don't blame her for taking her anger out on them.
—
"Yu Chen, why aren't you saying anything?" Tan Xinming teased another boy who was standing quietly with his arms crossed. "You and Jiang Sui were once close, and now that Jiang Sui is living such a miserable life, shouldn't you help her out?"
Since Jiang Sui left Licheng, all sorts of rumors about her have emerged.
The most widely circulated story is that her stepmother, Fang Yanya, became pregnant. Jiang Sui caused a scene at the Jiang family and almost caused Fang Yanya to miscarry. In order to protect his hard-won youngest son, Jiang Yunzhao exiled Jiang Sui to the countryside.
Many people actually have doubts about this claim. After all, everyone has witnessed how much Jiang Yunzhao has doted on Jiang Sui over the past ten years. Even if Jiang Sui made a mistake, Jiang Yunzhao wouldn't be so heartless.
Moreover, this matter came from Fang Ying's mouth.
Everyone knows that she and Jiang Sui don't get along, or rather, Jiang Sui looks down on Fang Ying.
Until one day, Qin Beibei discovered Jiang Sui's figure in a post about exploring a restaurant.
Jiang Sui, who has always been pampered and never lifted a finger, is now working at a used bookstore.
That post was read and reread countless times.
It is undoubtedly Jiang Sui herself.
With such conclusive evidence, no one else could deny it.
It seems that Jiang Yunzhao and the Jiang family have truly given up on Jiang Sui.
Jiang Sui actually has to work to support herself.
So when Fang Ying suggested coming to Xunning to "comfort" poor Miss Jiang, Tan Xinming and the others readily agreed.
They were all very interested in the princess's miserable life after falling to earth.
It would be even more perfect if we could kick her a few more times and mess up her life.
—
Upon hearing Yu Chen's name, Ji Jingyu's pupils constricted slightly, and her cold gaze fell on the tall boy not far away.
Before this, Ji Jingyu had never met Yu Chen.
Despite it being their first meeting, he felt a strange and inexplicable aversion towards Yu Chen.
It wasn't just because of Jiang Sui, but because he himself was very resistant to Yu Chen.
Seeing that Yu Chen ignored him, Tan Xinming went even further, "But Jiang Sui is so beautiful. If you don't want to take care of her, I can reluctantly help her, as long as she can serve me well..."
Before he could finish speaking, he felt a sharp pain in his calf and uncontrollably knelt on the cement floor.
"Who's so blind as to kick me?"
When Tan Xinming turned around, he saw Jiang Sui standing behind him with a half-smile, and next to her was a muscular security guard in uniform.
He was instinctively a little afraid, but then he thought that Jiang Sui used to be the high and mighty eldest daughter of the Jiang family, and it was fine if she didn't take him seriously. But now she was just a discarded pawn, and he didn't need to be afraid of this fallen princess who had been abandoned by her family.
"Jiang Sui, are you crazy? You even dare to kick me!"
Jiang Sui looked him up and down, then frowned. "Who are you?"
She had absolutely no recollection of this person and couldn't understand what had gotten into him that made him so hostile towards her.
Tan Xinming looked up at Jiang Sui in disbelief, his breathing becoming heavy. He had been her classmate for two years, yet Jiang Sui had no recollection of him at all!
"Tan Xinming, Tan Cheng's illegitimate son, was recognized by the Tan family at the age of twelve, but was not valued."
These words came from the security guard standing behind Jiang Sui.
Jiang Sui sneered, her contemptuous gaze sweeping over him. "What wouldn't I dare to do? Let alone you, if your older brother offended me, I'd kick him without hesitation."
"You!" Tan Xinming struggled to his feet, shouting angrily, "The Jiang family has already abandoned you, and you still think you're the old Miss Jiang? Once Yingying's aunt gives birth to the Jiang family's heir, you'll be nothing."
"Shut him up."
The security guard next to her immediately replied, "Yes, miss."
He reached out and grabbed Tan Xinming's wrist. Tan Xinming glared at him and struggled, "You ungrateful bastard, try touching me!"
The security guard ignored his words, grabbed Tan Xinming's hands and squeezed hard. The man immediately clutched his wrists in pain and couldn't speak. Tears streamed down his face, and he looked extremely disheveled.
After doing all this, he quietly retreated behind Jiang Sui, like the most loyal guard.
They were hired by Jiang Yunzhao at a high salary, and Jiang Sui was their only employer.
No matter what Jiang Sui asked them to do, they would obey unconditionally.
Upon seeing this, the expressions of the other five people turned somewhat unpleasant.
The man in front of her was not a school security guard at all, but Jiang Sui's private bodyguard.
Didn't they say that the Jiang family no longer cares about Jiang Sui?
So what's going on now?
"Jiang Sui, don't go too far." Fang Ying stepped forward, her seemingly understanding face showing disapproval. "No matter what, Xinming is the second young master of the Tan family. Aren't you afraid that Uncle Tan will confront your uncle if you treat him like this? Your uncle is already busy enough. Can't you be more sensible and stop doing things that tarnish the Jiang family's reputation?"
Hearing Fang Ying's sarcastic remarks, Jiang Sui rolled her eyes impatiently, "Fang Ying, my father is not your uncle."
Fang Ying now seemed to have a real support, and didn't take Jiang Sui's words to heart at all.
"Whether you admit it or not, my aunt is married to your father, and she's pregnant with your brother. It's only natural for me to call your father 'uncle,' and you have no right to forbid me from doing so."
Just as Tan Xinming said, as long as Fang Yanya can give birth to a boy, he will be the only rightful heir of the Jiang family.
Even if it's not a boy this time, it's okay, there will always be another chance.
Whether it's the Jiang family or Jiang Yunzhao, who used to dote on her, Fang Ying wants to take them all away.
Let's see how arrogant Jiang Sui will be then.
She wanted to make Jiang Sui taste the same grievances she had suffered in the past.
"Fang Ying, if you keep trying to establish connections, believe me, I'll make sure you can never speak again for the rest of your life."
Fang Ying suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.
She knew very well that Jiang Sui was not joking with her.
She is truly capable of doing such a thing.
Fang Ying feigned composure, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her unease. "You can't do this to me."
"Why not?" Jiang Sui looked at Fang Ying with feigned surprise, then suddenly revealed an arrogant smile. "Of course I can do it."
As if she had thought of something amusing, she pointed to Tan Xinming, who was sitting on the ground clutching his wrist in great pain, and said to the security guard behind her, "Bring him his phone."
Soon, the unlocked phone was in Jiang Sui's hands.
Jiang Sui opened her contacts and casually browsed through them, finding Tan Xinming's contact information.
She glanced at Fang Ying and said, "Since you're worried that the Tan family will cause me trouble, I'll call his older brother right now and see how the Tan family will apologize to me."
Fang Ying: "..."
The call was answered after a long time, and an extremely impatient, even disgusted, voice came from the speakerphone.
"Tan Xinming, I told you not to call me unless it's absolutely necessary."
"I am Jiang Sui."
Jiang Sui introduced himself directly.
After a two-second silence on the other end of the phone, the tone suddenly became polite, "Ms. Jiang, may I ask how you came to have my brother's phone?"
“He came to the school to cause me trouble, so I taught him a lesson.”
"Of course, since this incompetent fool was at fault first, then Miss Jiang can deal with him as she sees fit."
Jiang Sui smiled broadly, as if she were discussing something very interesting with the other person, "I can do whatever I want to him?"
"Of course, I guarantee the Tan family will not have any objections."
In the mouth of the eldest brother of the Tan family, Tan Xinming was not his younger brother, but just a piece of trash that could be disposed of at will.
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Sui looked at Fang Ying, then at Tan Xinming, and teased, "Tsk, poor thing."
Tan Xinming's face was deathly pale.
This means that no matter how much Jiang Sui humiliates him, the Tan family will not step in to help him get justice.
"Tan Xinming, who told you that Yu Chen and I are a couple?"
Although Jiang Sui kept calling out Yu Chen's name, she didn't even spare Yu Chen a glance from beginning to end.
Pretend he doesn't exist.
"No, no one." Tan Xinming stammered as he answered Jiang Sui's question, his previous arrogance long gone. "You two were always inseparable, so everyone thought you were a couple."
"I see." Jiang Sui curled the corners of her lips, but her eyes were cold. "I'm giving you a task. Go and clarify all these rumors for me. If I hear anyone spreading them again, I'll strip you naked and throw you out the door of Li Gao."
Tan Xinming: "...No, no problem."
"I'm actually quite curious now, which idiot provided you with false information?"
It would have been better if Jiang Sui hadn't asked. As soon as she did, Tan Xinming turned sharply to look at Qin Beibei, his eyes filled with resentment, "Bitch."
If it weren't for her, I would never have come to this godforsaken place to be tortured.
He will get his money back from Qin Beibei sooner or later, with interest.
"Oh, it's you."
Jiang Sui didn't seem surprised at all.
Because Ji Jingyu had taught her not to be sad over people who weren't worth it.
Thinking of this, Jiang Sui couldn't help but search for Ji Jingyu's figure.
Ji Jingyu was standing not far from her.
His gaze remained fixed on her.
Jiang Sui suddenly realized that she wasn't as angry as before.
—
Qin Beibei's expression was also very unpleasant.
Her feelings for Jiang Sui have always been complicated.
She fawned over Jiang Sui and tried to curry favor with him, but at the same time, she also resented him.
They resented that Jiang Sui was born into the wealthy and powerful Jiang family, that she had a father who doted on her, and that she could live such a happy life.
So when she saw Jiang Sui working at the used bookstore, a twisted sense of pleasure instantly welled up in her heart.
Author's Note: Bad Luck Bro and Bad Luck Sister are online!
They should be able to reconcile in the next chapter.
There's a red envelope! [pink heart][pink heart][pink heart]
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