C18 Wu Yufei Asked Yem Xi to Do the Questions

Zhang Chaohe didn't allow Yem Xi a moment to refuse before he declared, "The next period is for self-study. Just work on these test papers. Bring them to me when you're finished!"

After he spoke, it seemed he had more to say, so he approached Yem Xi.

Once he was close, he glanced behind him warily and lowered his voice to instruct Yem Xi, "Start with my math test paper! The others can wait! If you don't get to them, that's fine!"

Such a promising student must be cultivated with care.

Why let other subjects get in the way?

Yem Xi thought, "..." Is it really appropriate for a teacher to say that?

With mixed feelings, Yem Xi gathered the test papers and headed back to the public classroom.

In the hallway, she hadn't gone far when another plump teacher caught up with her.

He beamed at her, looking at Yem Xi as if she were a treasured family heirloom.

He got straight to the point, "Do the physics test paper I gave you first! You seem to have a knack for physics. How about pursuing the competitive track?"

Yem Xi managed a polite smile, "Thank you, teacher. I'd like to solidify my foundation first."

With that, she hastened her steps and moved on.

"Hey..."

The plump teacher stamped his foot, puzzled.

With her grades, what foundation did she need to build?

Was it possible she wasn't interested in physics?

That would be problematic!

...

Jiang Shuyao and Wu Yufei headed to the restroom together.

As they left the classroom, they ran into Yem Xi.

Yem Xi was looking at her phone, her head bowed.

Her expression was sour, her face etched with frustration.

"Xi."

Jiang Shuyao greeted her with a smile, her eyes drifting to the test papers in her hands.

Yem Xi had just been summoned by the teacher to work on test questions.

Never had anyone returned with so many test papers after a test.

By the looks of it, there were papers from every subject.

Wu Yufei eyed Yem Xi from head to toe.

She had taken an instant dislike to Yem Xi from the first moment she saw her.

How could someone from the countryside exude such a cool and aloof presence?

If no one mentioned it, you might assume she was the daughter of some wealthy family.

Wu Yufei couldn't resist a jab when she saw the stack of test papers in her hands, "Wow, the teacher must really favor you, letting you take home so many test papers."

Her voice was soft, but in the quiet classroom, nearly everyone looked up.

Jiang Shuyao's brow furrowed slightly, and she quickly shook her head in a gentle reprimand, "Yufei, please don't speak like that."

Yem Xi was reading a message from Lin Xiao. He'd been delayed by some matters and would come to find her later.

Thinking about the documents still in her bag, she felt a sense of dread.

She only lifted her head when she heard her name called.

Recognizing the person before her, Yem Xi showed no particular reaction and simply walked past them into the classroom.

The onlookers in the classroom watched Yem Xi's icy demeanor with amused smiles.

The new student seemed to have a bit of a temper.

Wu Yufei wasn't used to being ignored. She was about to confront Yem Xi when Jiang Shuyao caught her arm.

"Yufei, let it go. Xi's just a bit temperamental. Please don't take it to heart, okay?"

Her best friend's plea diffused Wu Yufei's anger.

Still, her dislike for Yem Xi grew, and she grumbled all the way to the restroom.

"Yao, you're too kind-hearted. Your sister's going to walk all over you one of these days!"

Jiang Shuyao gave a wry smile, "Regardless, she's still my sister."

Wu Yufei gave Jiang Shuyao a puzzled look.

This was the second time today she'd heard that phrase.

Could there be more to the story?

She'd never heard of the Jiang family losing a child.

Could it be...

Wu Yufei grabbed Jiang Shuyao, her expression serious, "Yao, be honest with me, is Yem Xi really your sister?"

Jiang Shuyao was startled, and the embarrassment on her face vanished momentarily.

She feigned annoyance and shoved Wu Yufei's hand aside, "Yufei, what nonsense are you spouting? Keep this up, and I'm done with you!"

With that, she strode into a restroom stall.

Wu Yufei stood rooted to the spot, now certain of her suspicion.

Yem Xi was the daughter of a mistress!

Her mother must have resorted to some sordid scheme to conceive her.

When the moment was right, she'd show up demanding money and influence. It was utterly despicable.

Wu Yufei's hands balled into fists, seething with rage.

Her own family had endured such an ordeal. The thought of the illegitimate child who had disrupted their lives made her wish Yem Xi would just vanish.

Inside the stall, Jiang Shuyao heard the door slam shut and a small smirk played at the corners of her mouth.

Moments later, Wu Yufei's voice echoed, "Yao Yao, make sure you tell me about any troubles you face, okay?"

Jiang Shuyao remained silent.

Wu Yufei bit her lip, her tone softening, "I might be powerless against that illegitimate child in my family, but I can certainly handle Yem Xi!"

She left it at that.

Swiftly exiting the restroom, she waited outside.

Several minutes passed before Jiang Shuyao emerged, her eyes tinged with red.

Wu Yufei gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder, conveying a silent understanding.

They had just returned to the classroom when the bell for the fourth self-study period rang out.

As was customary, the student on duty today would select someone to solve the daily practice problem on the blackboard.

Wu Yufei, standing at the front, fixed her gaze on the girl seated at the back of the room.

"Yem Xi, come up and work out this problem."