The Glamorous Comeback of the Ousted Heiress

“Hurry up and go!” Yang Jianping slammed the beer can onto her head, looking at her emotionless face, the excitement in his eyes, fueled by alcohol, began to spread, “You’re a monster too!”

Not even capable of crying.

Yang Lin lowered her head, gazing at the lily crushed under Yang Jianping’s foot. It was her lily, she thought, Auntie Zhang always saved the best for her, and now it was being trampled underfoot.

With her head covered in fresh blood, she slowly opened the door and went out.

Across the way, the old lady cracked her door open to watch her, opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she didn’t.

Yang Lin took back her gaze, knowing what the old lady wanted to say, “Everything will be better when you grow up.”

That’s what everyone kept telling her. When she was nine, that’s what the police told her.

But how old did one have to be to be considered grown up?

She made her way slowly down the stairs; she was now 19 years old. She had been looking forward to growing up since she was five. Was 19 grown up enough?

But why couldn’t she see the end of the road?

She had walked so far, endured so much suffering, never been afraid, she was only afraid she wouldn’t reach the end of this road.

People on the street stared at her strangely, some even asked if she needed to call the police, if she needed to go to the hospital, but Yang Lin ignored them all.

Her bangs were matted with blood and stuck to her forehead, and with the blood loss, her vision was beginning to blur.

Yang Lin reached the street corner, mechanically withdrew the money – all savings from her part-time jobs for her college education. She bought a bottle of liquor and then went to a pharmacy to purchase some sleeping pills. The clerk looked at her head, wanting to say something, but Yang Lin walked away. Once outside, she calmly opened the bottle and stuffed the pills into it.

Finally, she came to a convenience store and bought a knife.

With the knife in hand and clutching the bottle of liquor, she walked step by step toward the Tube Building.

**

Inside Ji Heng’s courtyard.

Ji Shaojun had to leave for Beicheng earlier today, and Ji Heng, taking advantage of Bai Lian’s school hours, sent her a message.

The butler was telling Ji Shaojun and Shen Qing what to watch out for.

Ji Shaojun was somewhat startled, “But my students…”

“At a time like this, you shouldn’t be worrying about that, I will take care of it for you,” Xiao Jie interjected with implied meaning.

The butler bowed his head, slowly and methodically sipping his tea. This tea…

He paused for a moment; this tea should be the same as he remembered, served by the old master of the Mu Family in its heyday to him as a reward. The butler clearly remembered this familiar taste.

“Where did this tea come from?” he suddenly looked up.

Shen Qing glanced over, “It should be from Xiao Jiang.”

“Xiao Jiang?” It was the butler’s first time hearing this name, “Who is he?”

“It’s Alian’s…” Shen Qing hesitated briefly. What exactly was Jiang Fulai’s relation to them?

Beside him, Ji Heng blew out a ring of smoke, his demeanor very detached, “Alian’s friend.”

Alian must be Bai Lian, the butler thought in surprise. Bai Lian had friends like that? He looked down at his cup of tea… or perhaps there was something wrong with his taste.

**

At 6:30.

Xiao Jie spoke up, “We should be leaving. If we’re any later, we won’t make the flight tomorrow.”

Upon hearing the departure, Shen Qing couldn’t help but grip Ji Shaojun’s sleeve, and the group made their way outside Purest Street, where Ji Heng smoked in silence, without speaking.

Ji Shaojun didn’t inform the Ren Family about his departure; of course, even if he had, there’s no guarantee they would have come.

A silver commercial van was parked at the street corner.

Shen Qing looked towards the bus stop, murmuring softly, “Why hasn’t Alian returned yet?”

The butler glanced at Shen Qing and Ji Shaojun; he knew how dearly they regarded Bai Lian as their own child and advised them, “Don’t tell her about your trip to Jiangjing for now.”

For the butler, taking them to Jiangjing was already a stretch; it would be troublesome if Bai Lian found out and wanted to join.

Thinking of how much coaching these two would require for Jiangjing, the butler felt a headache coming on.

A taxi slowly came to a stop on the opposite side; Bai Lian, who usually waited for the number 12 bus, had uncharacteristically taken a taxi back upon hearing of Ji Shaojun’s departure.

She was still in her blue and white school uniform.

Only holding her phone, her slender figure emerged onto the long street, her eyes downcast, exuding a lethargic and serene charm, both obedient and a bit mysterious.

The street was not crowded with cars, but there were quite a few people out for an evening walk; those who saw Bai Lian smiled and greeted her. She had only been on Purest Street for half a year, yet she was known by more people than Ji Heng.

Shen Qing’s expression also instantly softened, “Alian.”

“Grandpa, Aunt,” Bai Lian returned without a backpack and greeted them one by one. Finally, she turned to Ji Shaojun and asked casually, “Uncle, why are you suddenly leaving?”

The butler coughed softly.

Ji Shaojun weighed his thoughts for a moment, then touched Bai Lian’s hair, his eyes deep, “For the second half of the year… I will explain it to you properly then.”

The second half of the year?

Xiaojie glanced at Ji Shaojun, doubting half a year’s time would be sufficient.

He thought Ji Shaojun intended to bring Bai Lian to Jiangjing by his own means in the latter half of the year.

Bai Lian lowered her lashes, her voice calm, “Is it safe?”

“Don’t worry,” Ji Shaojun tugged at the corner of his lips. He had too much in Xiangcheng to let go; leaving suddenly was hard, but he looked at Ji Heng…

He narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled, “There won’t be any problems.”

“We should go,” Xiaojie reminded politely.

The group boarded the vehicle.

As long as safety was assured, Bai Lian’s phone chimed. She lazily raised her hand to bid farewell to Shen Qing and the other, swiping open her lock screen as she did – it was that person from before—

[She’s taken a knife upstairs]

Bai Lian’s expression tightened; Yang Lin’s father had returned a few times, but there were no issues before, and she had hoped this time would be no different.

She typed quickly: [Go up and check, I’ll be right there]

She backed out of the messaging app to book a ride; Xiaowu and Xiaoqi weren’t around.

Beside her.

Xiaojie was sitting in the driver’s seat, just about to start the engine and drive away, when from the direction of Qingshui Bridge, the roaring sound of a sports car engine approached.

Xiaojie instinctively looked up.

Seeing a flamboyant red sports car ahead, he narrowed his eyes, waiting for it to drive off first. However, it was rare to see such high-end cars in Xiangcheng.

As he was contemplating, the car screeched to a halt—

Arriving arrogantly in front of Bai Lian.

The car window rolled down, and Xu Nanjing’s hand was lazily resting on the steering wheel. He smiled at Bai Lian, “Sister Bai Lian, what are you doing here?”