C22 Old Classmate

Watching Yi Lanyou's retreating figure, the girl turned to the boy next to her and exclaimed, "Hey! Isn't that Yi Lanyou over there?"

"Really?" The boy squinted, peering at the silhouette settling into the luxury car. "It is her! With such a fancy car, she's probably someone's mistress by now!"

"Absolutely!" The girl's face twisted with scorn. "She always acts so high and mighty, but look at her now. I never would've guessed she was that type of person!"

The boy shook his head, a look of mock wisdom on his face. "Remember how she turned down all those guys who were after her? She claimed she was focused on her studies. Turns out, she just didn't care for any of the boys from our junior high!"

"She didn't even make it into City No. 1 High School!" the girl scoffed.

"Money really does make a difference," the boy mused, thinking back to the luxury car. He doubted he could ever afford such a vehicle in his lifetime.

"No kidding. She's riding around in a luxury car!" The girl sneered. "But I noticed the man with Yi Lanyou wasn't very young. He looked almost as old as my dad!"

"You don't get it; older men go for young girls like her!" The boy nudged the girl with his shoulder, adding, "For all we know, Yi Lanyou prefers the company of these worldly, mature men."

The girl recoiled in distaste. "Zhao Duo, you're revolting!"

The boy just laughed raucously in response.

Meanwhile, Yi Lanyou, seated in the car, was oblivious to her former classmates' gossip. Her mind was preoccupied with the events ahead.

Fang Yuan was still at Yi's mansion, and knowing her character, she wouldn't rest easy. This suited Yi Lanyou just fine; it was time to collect a small toll for Fang Yuan's past misdeeds.

With a sly smile, Yi Lanyou's hands excitedly fidgeted. Catching a glimpse of the newly purchased gown, she turned to her driver and asked, "Uncle Lian, could I ask a favor of you?"

"Of course, Miss," Lian Cheng replied, focusing on the road ahead.

"I..." Yi Lanyou paused for a moment. "Could I leave my dress with you for now?"

"The gown?" Lian Cheng was puzzled.

"I'm a bit clumsy, and it would be a hassle if I got it dirty. The banquet is in three days, and I don't want any mishaps."

"Oh, of course," Lian Cheng didn't mind at all.

"Thank you." Yi Lanyou smiled slightly. In her past life, Lian Cheng had helped Yi Haoen sort out many troubles for her and had offered her advice, though not always kindly. But how could she have heeded it back then? Reflecting on it now, Lian Cheng probably just couldn't bear to watch any longer.

Even someone with no ties to her showed kindness. Why then did others harbor such hatred for her?

Yi Lanyou gazed out the window, her lips curling into a knowing smile. She was certain that in this life, she would make those people despise her twice as much.

Upon returning to Yi's mansion, Lian Cheng entered the living room carrying the new clothes he had purchased for Yi Lanyou. Fang Fang and her daughter Fang Yuan were seated there, assuming the air of the family's patriarch. Yi Rui'er's eyes nearly burst into flames at the sight of the seven or eight designer bags in Lian Cheng's hands. All of that should have been hers! Yi Lanyou was utterly shameless!

Yi Rui'er's fury was palpable, her anger seeping through her tightly clenched fists. She loathed Yi Lanyou with a passion, echoing Lian Cheng's sentiments from earlier that day.

Since Yi Lanyou's arrival, she was no longer the Eldest Miss Yi.

Why? She was the legitimate Eldest Miss Yi!

It was only because Yi Lanyou's mother had gotten into her father's bed sooner! She was the true Eldest Miss Yi, what was Yi Lanyou in comparison?

She wouldn't let anyone take away what was hers!

With these thoughts, Yi Rui'er bit down harder on her teeth, the fury in her eyes wishing to incinerate Yi Lanyou completely.

"Lanyou, you're back?" Fang Fang's eyes darted to the items in Lian Cheng's hands, a flicker of anger passing through them before she quickly concealed it. "And Secretary Lian is here too!"

"Madam," Lian Cheng nodded in acknowledgment.

"You've certainly done some serious shopping!" Fang Fang rose to her feet, smiling at Yi Lanyou. "You must have gone through that thirty thousand yuan by now, right? School hasn't even started yet. Shall I give you a bit more?"

"No need," Yi Lanyou declined, then turned to Lian Cheng. "Uncle Lian, would you mind helping me bring these items to my room?"

"Of course," Lian Cheng replied, unfazed. It was clear to him that Yi Lanyou, being a young woman, wouldn't be able to carry all those things by herself.

Fang Fang chimed in, "Steward Zhou, aren't you going to lend a hand?"

"Certainly, Madam," Zhou Li promptly stepped forward, smiling as he took the items from Lian Cheng. "Secretary Lian, you've been a great help."

"No trouble at all," Lian Cheng nodded. He was simply carrying out Yi Haoen's instructions, and as the secretary, his role was to follow orders.

Yi Lanyou said nothing more and headed straight to her room, with Zhou Li trailing behind her. As he was about to step inside, he was met with Yi Lanyou's sharp rebuke.

"Halt! Who said you could come in?" Yi Lanyou demanded, her face stern as she took a seat in the nearest chair.

Zhou Li, stopped in his tracks at the doorway, was taken aback. His face flushed with anger, and his eyes bulged with fury.

"Dogs are not permitted in my room," Yi Lanyou declared with a huff. "Just leave the items at the door."

Zhou Li's face went through another series of changes, and he was on the verge of slamming down the packages when Yi Lanyou continued, "These items were all purchased by Secretary Lian at my father's request." She fell silent after her statement, followed by a cold laugh.

Zhou Li managed to quell the fire of his rage and carefully placed the parcels at the doorway. As the longtime housekeeper of the Yi mansion, he had never been spoken to in such a manner.

"Steward Zhou, you really do heed Auntie Fang's words, don't you? I was beginning to wonder whether you're on the Yi family's payroll or the Fang family's," Yi Lanyou remarked with icy sarcasm.

Realizing that Yi Lanyou was settling scores with him, Zhou Li chose not to respond. Instead, he contemptuously twisted his mouth and walked away.

Yi Lanyou lifted her hand, inspecting her neatly manicured nails. "You can leave now," she said dismissively.

Zhou Li clenched his fists and turned to walk away.

It was only then that Yi Lanyou looked up. She couldn't allow Zhou Li to remain here any longer.