Jian Yiling, feeling overwhelmed by the unexpected embrace and the ensuing panic, reached out with a gentle push against Jian Yuncheng's chest. Though her gesture was subtle, it clearly conveyed her refusal. Jian Yuncheng furrowed his brow, grappling with the disappointment of having to set her down. As soon as her feet hit the ground, Jian Yiling declared, "I'm going to bed now." She quickly tidied up the items on her desk, stuffing them into her backpack before turning on her heel and retreating to her room.
Her hurried escape resembled that of a small animal trying to evade a hunter, with Jian Yuncheng playing the role of the pursuing predator. He couldn't help but ponder if he had been too strict with her. After all, she was just a fifteen-year-old girl. Yet, in the next moment, he chastised himself for such thoughts. Jian Yiling might have made mistakes, but who would care for Yunnao, whose hands and future were at stake?
In comparison to the suffering Yunnao had endured, Jian Yiling's recent exhaustion seemed trivial. The thought of Yunnao's situation deepened the frown on Jian Yuncheng's face. After submitting Yunnao's medical records, they had yet to receive a satisfactory response. With that on his mind, he set aside his concerns for Jian Yiling and retreated to his own room. He resolved to reach out to friends who might help connect them with an expert in the field.
The following morning, as Jian Yuncheng drove Jian Yiling to school, his demeanor was as cold and distant as ever. The two sat in silence—Jian Yuncheng focused intently on the road while Jian Yiling engrossed herself in her phone.
Once they arrived at school, Jian Yiling settled into her classroom, only to be approached soon after by Qiu Yizhen, accompanied by her usual entourage of two followers. Yesterday, Jian Yiling's actions had nearly brought Qiu Yizhen to a breaking point, only for her to leverage her father's influence to delete incriminating surveillance footage from the teacher in charge.
Now, seeing Jian Yiling, Qiu Yizhen wore a smug expression. "Jian Yiling, you really know how to play clever tricks, don't you? Trying to use the surveillance to get me in trouble? Look at me now—I'm not facing any consequences! You think you can move me even a little?" Qiu Yizhen had come specifically to taunt Jian Yiling.
"School surveillance footage is stored for three months. If the videos from the last week are missing, that raises a lot of questions," Jian Yiling replied, her gaze locking onto Qiu Yizhen's with a piercing intensity. Her eyes seemed to see right through Qiu Yizhen, and her words were equally chilling, dripping with an assuredness that left no room for doubt. It was as if she had witnessed the events herself.
For a fleeting moment, Qiu Yizhen felt a rush of unease, but she quickly regained her composure. "So what if part of the video is missing? There are countless reasons for video loss. Why should I be the one you accuse? Besides, you can't prove I damaged your books!" Her attitude was haughty, and her face was alight with triumph.
Her followers laughed mockingly behind her. "Jian Yiling, you think you can play games with our sister Qiu? You should know your place. No one can outplay her at Shenghua!"
"Jian Yiling never had any self-awareness, did she? Just look at her! Ever since we found out she pushed her brother down the stairs, she's been pretending to be innocent, acting all cute and harmless. It's disgusting! Who does she think she's fooling? Does she really believe someone would buy that act?"
The taunts and jeers from Qiu Yizhen and her companions cut through the air, filled with arrogance and contempt. But Jian Yiling stood resolute, her expression shifting from passive annoyance to steely determination. She knew they were attempting to provoke her, to instill doubt and fear, but she refused to give in.
Drawing a deep breath, Jian Yiling straightened her back and met their gazes head-on. "You think you can intimidate me with your empty words? Go ahead and gloat while you can, but remember, every dog has its day." Her voice was steady, unwavering, and a newfound confidence radiated from her.
In that moment, the dynamics shifted. Jian Yiling's resolve and clarity made Qiu Yizhen and her gang falter, if only slightly. They had expected her to cower under pressure, to buckle beneath their scorn. Instead, Jian Yiling stood her ground, and in her gaze, they glimpsed a flicker of strength they had underestimated.
Without waiting for their reaction, Jian Yiling turned away, leaving Qiu Yizhen and her companions stunned in her wake. She had no time to waste on their games; there were more important matters at hand, and she was determined not to let them distract her from her goals.