“Cough cough—” Yi Dafa patted his chest while coughing desperately.

“Are you alright?” Li Sitong’s eyes widened slightly as she asked tentatively.

Yi Dafa stared at her with bulging eyes: “Your daughter is Gu Xue Jiao! The one who scored 739!!!”

“Yes…”

Yi Dafa grabbed her wrist, his face pleading: “Please, you must teach me how to be a parent! How did you raise such a child? What do you feed her? Do you still supervise her studies when she’s home? How do you talk heart-to-heart with her? How often? Do you hire tutors or enroll her in cram schools? Which teachers? What role does your child’s father play in her life? You…”

Boom—

Li Sitong’s head felt like it was exploding, aching from Yi Dafa’s endless questions.

She moved slightly, pulling her hand from Yi Dafa’s grasp, rubbed it, and then forced a smile: “I… don’t really manage her studies, and her meals are simple… just ordinary food, no heart-to-heart talks… no tutors either…”

“Parent!” Yi Dafa put on a serious face, “Rest assured, my son is leagues behind your child and could never surpass her. There’s no need to hold back. We’re all parents who care about our children, so please give me some guidance!”

“I…”

“Alright, parents!” Yin Fang entered, interrupting Li Sitong’s awkward response.

She quickly looked toward Yin Fang, pretending to listen attentively to the teacher. Yi Dafa didn’t dare speak anymore. He glanced at the grade report on the desk, then looked at Li Sitong as if he had a thousand more things to say, before finally turning his attention to Yin Fang.

—

Each subject teacher spoke in turn, generally discussing the class situation and praising some students.

Almost every teacher lavishly praised Gu Xue Jiao. Hardworking, diligent—every positive descriptor was applied to her.

The parent-teacher conference continued until just after eleven when the first half concluded.

“Well, thank you for your time, parents. If you want to talk to any of the subject teachers or me, you can find us now. Parents who have no further questions can go for lunch. Don’t forget to come to the auditorium at two o’clock to hear the principal’s speech…”

Students from the back swarmed toward their parents, making the classroom noisy and bustling.

Yi Dafa finally shifted his gaze back to Li Sitong and pulled out a business card: “My name is Yi Dafa. I’m in real estate. The Jade Tower development is our company’s newest project. If you’re ever interested in looking at properties, just mention my name!”

“No need, no need!” Li Sitong might not understand much about business, but she knew about the Jade Tower development. It seemed the man before her was the boss of Dafa Real Estate! If you didn’t count the Lin family who had made their fortune in C City, then Dafa Real Estate was the wealthiest enterprise in C City…

“Don’t be polite! It’s no problem! Take it! Just teach me how to tutor children. To be honest, my child has never been obedient. He suddenly started studying seriously for a few days this time, and I don’t know why. So I especially want to know how to handle this and how to make him persist?” Yi Dafa kept trying to give her his card.

Liu Yazhen, watching from a distance, grew visibly upset.

Cheng Kai had recently separated from the Cheng family company and started his own building materials company. He was now deliberately trying to network with real estate companies. If he could establish a connection with a real estate giant like Dafa, his company could immediately make a name for itself.

But Cheng Kai had been unsuccessful in his attempts to meet Yi Dafa, yet here was the man eagerly giving his business card to Li Sitong!

Once a vixen, always a vixen!

Li Sitong was unaware of Liu Yazhen’s thoughts about her. She was indeed very uncomfortable, and the more Yi Dafa spoke, the more awkward she felt.

She had never paid attention to Xue Jiao’s studies!

Before, when Xue Jiao was immature, the two of them argued constantly. Now that Xue Jiao had become sensible, she had instead become distant and cold. Li Sitong still hadn’t focused her attention on Xue Jiao’s studies!

“Take it, take it! Remember to show this card when you buy a house!” Yi Dafa gave her a knowing look.

Li Sitong smiled awkwardly: “I haven’t paid much attention to my child’s studies…”

“Don’t be so modest!”

The card Yi Dafa had just given to Li Sitong was snatched away by a hand. They both looked over—it was Yi Tianyu.

He played with the card, smirking.

“Dad, you’re asking the wrong person. This auntie doesn’t pay attention to Gu Xue Jiao’s grades, or Gu Xue Jiao herself. Last time when Gu Xue Jiao was bullied by her cousin, this auntie didn’t bother to find out what happened and slapped Gu Xue Jiao in public.”

When Yi Tianyu’s words landed, Li Sitong’s face turned crimson with embarrassment, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to slip into.

“Ah? There was such an incident?” Yi Dafa looked at Li Sitong in shock.

Li Sitong was so embarrassed that she stood up, wanting to leave.

“Sister, let me tell you, whose child isn’t precious? My son ranked second to last, and I’m still overjoyed. Your daughter is first in the grade! If she were my daughter, I would cherish her like my own heart and liver!”

As he spoke, his gaze happened to meet Xue Jiao’s as she slowly approached.

Yi Dafa paused for a moment, then suddenly raised his voice: “Young student! It’s you!”

He turned and slapped Yi Tianyu on the arm: “You didn’t even tell me this young student is in the same class!”

Gu Xue Jiao had a good impression of this man, so she smiled slightly: “Hello, Uncle.”

Then she looked at Li Sitong and softly called out: “Mom.”

The word was polite and distant.

Yi Dafa was immediately stunned: “Young student is Gu Xue Jiao?!”

Yi Tianyu nodded: “Yes, she is Gu Xue Jiao, this auntie’s daughter.”

Earlier, Yi Dafa had looked at Li Sitong with shock and puzzlement. Now, he looked at her as if she were an idiot, with added anger.

“Such a cute, well-behaved girl with excellent grades, and you could bear to hit her…”

Li Sitong’s face was flushed red, feeling utterly humiliated. She quickly turned and grabbed Xue Jiao.

“Jiaojiao, let’s go out for lunch!”

She pulled Xue Jiao a few steps, then suddenly stopped, turned back, and looked at her: “Um… Jiaojiao, you’re amazing. Mom is very happy. From now on, Mom will believe in you!”

Xue Jiao looked at her, saying nothing.

The already thin sentiment had been deeply wounded. How could new feelings grow?

“Jiaojiao, let’s go find your teacher!” Li Sitong, who had been ready to leave out of embarrassment, changed her mind. She felt she should do something.

Li Sitong tightly held Xue Jiao’s hand as they approached Yin Fang.

By now, Yin Fang was surrounded by people, constantly talking with their parents. Li Sitong held Xue Jiao, not wanting to push her way in, so she stood awkwardly to the side.

Yin Fang, from within the crowd, saw them. She said something to the parent beside her, then approached them. Those parents followed as well.

“Gu Xue Jiao’s mother, is there something I can help with?”

Yin Fang was quite kind to her. Li Sitong forced a smile: “Teacher Yin, Xue Jiao’s performance this time is thanks to all of you. I hope you’ll continue to take care of her in the future.”

Yin Fang was also a bit embarrassed since she had never believed that Xue Jiao could perform especially well.

“Of course, of course. Gu Xue Jiao’s grades are the result of her hard work. This child is very dedicated. She’s a day student, so your parents should take more care of her life at home, and keep an eye on her on weekends too.”

“Yes, yes, thank you, Teacher Yin!”

“You’re welcome.” Yin Fang said with a smile. Seeing that Li Sitong didn’t leave, she asked, “Is there anything else Gu Xue Jiao’s mother would like to ask?”

“It’s like this. I just sat in Jiaojiao’s seat and had trouble seeing the blackboard. Jiaojiao isn’t very tall. Is it possible to… change her seat?” Li Sitong asked with a smile, her face hopeful.

Yin Fang was taken aback for a moment, then remembered Xue Jiao’s “underachiever” special seat. She immediately smiled and said: “Yes, yes, the seating is temporary. It was due for a change anyway!”

“Thank you so much for your consideration, teacher!”

Li Sitong suddenly beamed with a bright smile. “Jiaojiao, thank the teacher quickly.”

“Thank you, Teacher Yin.” Xue Jiao thanked her obediently.

“It’s nothing, it’s nothing.”

“Well then, Teacher Yin, goodbye.” Li Sitong bid farewell, then pulled Xue Jiao away.

At this moment, Yi Tianyu, who had yet to leave the back row, nudged his dejected old man: “Hey, old man, Gu Xue Jiao is going to change seats.”

“As she should.” Yi Dafa nodded. “Your teachers’ seating arrangement is unreasonable. The little girl isn’t tall, how could they put her in the last row? It should have been changed long ago.”

Yi Tianyu coldly added: “I was able to improve this time entirely because she helped me review.”

Yi Dafa was stunned for two seconds, then suddenly cried out in anguish: “Teacher Yin—”

Crying out in pain, he pushed his way toward Yin Fang.

—

Li Sitong led Xue Jiao toward the main gate. By now, Cheng Shuo and Cheng Mingze were already waiting for them.

“Jiaojiao, what would you like to eat for lunch?” Cheng Shuo asked with a smile.

“Anything is fine.” Xue Jiao returned a smile.

“What about you, Situng?” Cheng Shuo asked Li Sitong.

“There’s still the principal’s speech in the afternoon. Let’s eat something nearby.”

“Alright, let’s just have a casual meal at the hotel over there.” After saying this, Cheng Shuo opened the car door. As for grades, not a word was mentioned.

Xue Jiao knew that her stepfather was a very good father. He thought her grades weren’t good, so he definitely wouldn’t ask about them in public.

“Jiaojiao—” Not far away, a male voice called out.

Everyone looked over, their expressions immediately turning sour—Gu Jingxu.

Standing beside him were Wu Wanjun and Gu Shiyun. As he called out, their expressions also turned unpleasant.

Li Sitong wavered slightly. Cheng Shuo quickly supported her, holding her in his arms, silently providing support.

“Gu Jingxu, what do you want?” Cheng Shuo frowned.

Gu Jingxu’s eyes swept over his arm around Li Sitong, as he approached Wu Wanjun and Gu Shiyun.

“Jiaojiao, would you like to have lunch with Dad? Dad will treat you to something nice!”

Xue Jiao sometimes found Gu Jingxu quite strange. How could he be so confident to appear before her with his current wife and daughter in tow? Was it because the original Gu Xue Jiao was blind to Wu Wanjun’s “gentleness”?

Was he shameless without even realizing it?

“No, thanks. I’m eating with Uncle Cheng and the others.” Xue Jiao’s tone was calm yet firm.

“Jiaojiao, are you still angry with Dad?” As he spoke, he pulled out a key. “Look at what this is! This is the key to Shiyun’s apartment. In the future, you can go there with Shiyun every day at noon to rest, and Shiyun can also help tutor you.”

As soon as these words landed, Wu Wanjun and Gu Shiyun’s faces turned extremely ugly.

“That won’t be necessary. Jiaojiao is first in the grade, while your daughter is fourth, quite a few points behind.”

Li Sitong could suddenly understand why Liu Yazhen loved to boast about Cheng Mingjiao’s grades so much. The feeling of trampling someone you dislike underfoot was truly satisfying!

Wasn’t Wu Wanjun always thinking her daughter’s grades were good, always using this to provoke her?

But now, Jiaojiao’s performance has surpassed Gu Shiyun! This gave Li Sitong the satisfying feeling of having suppressed Wu Wanjun.

As Li Sitong’s words landed, Gu Jingxu’s eyes widened.

“What?! Jiaojiao performed better than Shiyun?! How is that possible?!”

Li Sitong raised her chin: “Why not? The list is still posted there. What? Your wife didn’t tell you?”

She had a smile on her lips, faintly carrying the pleasure of victory, then turned around: “Jiaojiao, come on, let’s go eat something delicious!”

Xue Jiao said nothing and followed.

Compared to Li Sitong, she was even less willing to have lunch with Gu Jingxu.

After they had all gotten into the car, Gu Jingxu glared at Wu Wanjun: “Didn’t you say Shiyun performed as well as before?! How can second and fourth be the same?”

Wu Wanjun forced a strained smile: “Xue Jiao… ranked first this time… Shiyun’s score is lower than hers…”

Gu Jingxu frowned: “What do you mean?”

Wu Wanjun moved forward and took his arm, saying with concern: “You know how hard Shiyun works on her studies, but she still scored much lower than Xue Jiao. Xue Jiao’s score this time was nearly perfect. Jingxu, why don’t you find an opportunity to talk to her? It’s okay if her grades weren’t good before, there are other paths besides academics, but she shouldn’t take crooked ways!”

Gu Jingxu’s brows furrowed tightly. He had clearly forgotten about Gu Shiyun dropping two ranks, as cheating, compared to grade fluctuations, was far more serious.

He snorted heavily: “This is getting more and more outrageous!”

—

Meanwhile, the Cheng father and son, along with Li Sitong and Xue Jiao, got into their car.

Cheng Shuo turned his head, looking surprised: “Jiaojiao ranked first this time?!”

Li Sitong smiled: “Yes, Jiaojiao is first with 739 points. All the teachers praised her. They said she’s been hardworking all along. Her grades jumped significantly in the last monthly exam, and this time she went straight to first place. She has a talent for studying!”

Cheng Shuo also laughed happily, looking at her through the rearview mirror: “Jiaojiao, you did so well this time. What gift would you like? Uncle will buy it for you! But you must promise Uncle not to become complacent and to continue working hard!”

Xue Jiao showed a smile. Amusingly, in the entire Cheng family, she had only experienced warm familial affection from her stepfather.

Just like in the original body’s lifetime, after Li Sitong died, Cheng Shuo doted on her immensely, allowing her to continue living in a strange family with no blood relations.

Xue Jiao was grateful to him.

“No need, Uncle. I have everything I need.”

Cheng Shuo sighed: “Child, why are you being so formal with Uncle!”

He changed his tone, with a hint of pride: “The best high school in our city, No. 7 High School, has my children dominating the first place in both the second and third years! Hahaha!”

Li Sitong also laughed, but noticing the quiet Xue Jiao from the corner of her eye, her face again showed embarrassment.

Cheng Mingze had been looking curiously at Xue Jiao.

He didn’t think Xue Jiao had cheated; he was just shocked by her achievement.

This girl… had improved so quickly?

Xue Jiao noticed Cheng Mingze staring at her. She initially didn’t want to acknowledge him, but seeing her cheerful stepfather in front, she sighed softly.

“Brother, what is it?”

Cheng Mingze was startled and quickly shook his head.

After a pause, he said: “Keep up the good work.”

“Okay, thank you, brother.”

Cheng Shuo smiled even more happily, “That’s what siblings should be like. Encourage each other and get along well in the future!”

“Yes, Jiaojiao, did you hear that?” Li Sitong turned back to look at Xue Jiao.

Xue Jiao nodded, saying softly: “Okay…”

Cheng Mingze could sense her indifference and pressed his lips together, somewhat irritated: “I got it.”

—

After lunch, the parents went to the auditorium to listen to the principal’s speech, while students like Xue Jiao stayed in the classroom.

Yin Fang walked in, her high heels clicking.

“We’ll discuss the issues with your test papers later. Now I’m going to adjust the seating. If you’re not satisfied, do better next time, and you’ll have the right to make requests!”

As she finished speaking, some students were happy, some were anxious, but most just watched her without much reaction.

“Gu Xue Jiao, you sit in the fourth row, second seat!” Yin Fang arranged Xue Jiao’s seat first.

She knew she would be moved. When she was still a “poor student” in Yin Fang’s eyes, the teacher found fault with her everywhere.

Now that she was an “excellent student” in her eyes, Yin Fang naturally was willing to give her more privileges.

Even if Li Sitong hadn’t mentioned changing seats today, Yin Fang definitely wouldn’t have let her sit in the last row anymore.

Xue Jiao obediently walked over. For seat changes, people moved first, and after all seats were assigned, they would move their belongings.

“Cheng Mingjiao, third row by the window. Yu Fangfang, third row by the door!” Yin Fang moved the two who had been sitting together to opposite sides of the classroom, far apart.

“Teacher… I…” Cheng Mingjiao opened her mouth.

Yin Fang interrupted her: “Look at how your and Yu Fangfang’s grades have dropped. You two should stay far apart, don’t mess around with strange things, and focus on studying!”

Cheng Mingjiao gritted her teeth and angrily walked to the third row by the window.

Her position was diagonally in front of Gu Xue Jiao, directly in front of Xue Jiao’s deskmate.

As soon as she sat down, she turned back and glared at Xue Jiao, as if she had done something infuriating!

Xue Jiao: “…”

The students were arranged one by one. Xi Junyang sat in Xue Jiao’s original seat, while Xue Jiao’s deskmate remained undetermined.

“Yi Tianyu, fourth row by the window.” When Yin Fang said this, her expression was somewhat displeased.

Yi Tianyu’s lips curled up as he sauntered to Gu Xue Jiao’s side, placing one hand on her desk.

“Hello, let me introduce myself. I’m your new deskmate—Yi Tianyu.”

Xue Jiao: “…” What’s gotten into him?

Yi Tianyu smirked, exerted some force with his hand, and jumped right over the desk.

Xue Jiao was startled and turned to glare at him.

“Yi Tianyu! Behave yourself!!” Yin Fang exploded.

“Yes, sir!” Yi Tianyu winked, smiling boldly.

“Alright, alright, everyone is quiet. Class monitor, go to the office to get the test papers. Look at what you’ve done! I have something to attend to. Class president, maintain discipline!”

“Yes!” Xi Junyang responded.

Xi Junyang was still their class president. Yin Fang’s thinking differed from other teachers’. Other teachers would choose students with good grades as class presidents, but only Yin Fang felt that serving as a class cadre would interfere with studies, so she let students with poor grades be class presidents.

As soon as Yin Fang left, Yi Tianyu turned to look at Xue Jiao: “Dummy, surprised? Unexpected?”

Xue Jiao looked at him, blinking her eyes: “How did you manage this?”

It was well known that Yin Fang judged solely by grades. In her view, Yi Tianyu’s grades would still confine him to the last row. She wouldn’t have gone to such trouble to pick this seat for him.

Yi Tianyu was tall, and if he wanted to sit in the front rows, only a window seat would prevent him from blocking others.

Yin Fang choosing this seat for him truly showed her effort.

Yi Tianyu raised his chin slightly, revealing a tsundere expression: “Only I could tolerate a dummy like you as a deskmate!”

“Well, thank you so much!” Xue Jiao said through gritted teeth.

Yi Tianyu became even more smug: “As Buddha said, if I don’t enter hell, who will?”

Xue Jiao: “…”

—

After the principal finished his speech, all the parents came back to the classroom, talked a bit more with Yin Fang, and then went home.

“Kid, your old man went through hell to get you to sit with student Gu Xue Jiao, so you better behave!” Yi Dafa slapped Yi Tianyu on the arm.

“I know, I know. People go to great pains, not through hell…” Yi Tianyu rolled his eyes.

Yi Dafa glared at him fiercely: “Your old man isn’t educated, that’s why I hope you get some education. Listen to me! I don’t expect you to be like student Gu Xue Jiao, but can you at least learn two percent from her?”

“Fine, fine! I know, now go!” Yi Tianyu pushed him away.

Meanwhile, Li Sitong was also giving instructions to Xue Jiao—

“Your Uncle Xing hasn’t returned yet. Your Uncle Cheng will pick you up tonight. Come back with your brother, don’t wander around. It’s not safe for a girl to be alone at night.” Xue Jiao had earned her a lot of face today, and Li Sitong was in a good mood, looking at Xue Jiao with particular affection.

“Mm…” Xue Jiao made a sound, then said nothing more.

Li Sitong frowned slightly and continued: “Jiaojiao, Mom was wrong. Mom shouldn’t have distrusted you. It won’t happen again! Don’t be angry anymore!”

Xue Jiao looked up slightly: “You said that last time too…”

“Hmm?” Li Sitong was stunned.

“Last time, after you hit me, you also said it wouldn’t happen again, that you wouldn’t distrust me again.” Xue Jiao said calmly. There was no emotion in her eyes, yet it made Li Sitong feel extremely uncomfortable.

“How dare you speak to me like that! I am your mother! What exactly do you want from me? I’ve apologized, admitted my mistake, and promised it won’t happen again!”

When Li Sitong got anxious, her speech turned fierce again.

Xue Jiao didn’t speak, lowering her head slightly.

Li Sitong looked at the young girl lowering her head before her. She was bowing her head, not talking back, not arguing with her or glaring at her like before…

But this was silent resistance!

Li Sitong could feel the indifference and distance emanating from Xue Jiao.

This girl… had grown apart from her…

Li Sitong wavered, feeling a bit dizzy, her eyes reddening.

“Gu Xue Jiao! I am your mother. I carried you for ten months and gave birth to you. You are flesh of my flesh!” Her voice rose slightly. “I admit I was wrong, but is this how you treat me? With cold violence?!”

Li Sitong breathed heavily. Since that angry slap last time, Xue Jiao had never spoken a serious word to her again.

But she wasn’t quarrelsome like before either. Instead, there was a silent coldness. Even Cheng Shuo had noticed it and asked if the mother and daughter had reconciled.

Xue Jiao still said nothing.

Li Sitong was so angry she could barely stand, one hand against the wall: “Gu Xue Jiao! I am your birth mother, and this is how you treat me?! I’ve apologized for making you angry, what more do you want?! Can’t you show some understanding? Do you know how difficult it is for me? Can you stop acting like this has nothing to do with you? Do you still consider me your mother?!”

Xue Jiao closed her eyes slightly, exhaled, and then abruptly opened them.

“You are my mother. In the future, I will fulfill the duties of a daughter.”

“What?” Li Sitong wavered, her voice trembling. “What do you mean?! Do I make you that unhappy? Gu Xue Jiao, have you forgotten who gave birth to you?! Is this how you treat someone who loves you?!”

Her sharp words made Xue Jiao, who had resolved to remain silent, raise her head. A pair of pitch-black eyes stared directly at her.

“I once wanted to be your glory. I once had expectations of you, wanted to be good to you.” Xue Jiao blinked her eyes, swallowing the bitterness. “But you always disappoint me.”

“Mom, I’m timid… When an outstretched hand gets pricked and wounded… it’s afraid to stretch out again…”

Xue Jiao looked at her, not letting tears fall.

Li Sitong did love her; she just didn’t understand that a daughter is not a mother’s private property, nor someone to be hurt at will.

Some people show their gentle, soft side to outsiders, but turn their sharp blades inward, freely hurting family members they believe have unbreakable bonds with them.

They love, but they also hurt.