Chapter 39: Are You Even Her Biological Father?

Xiang Yu closed her eyes; this outcome was exactly what she had anticipated.

She hadn't truly intended to go through the trouble of pressing charges against Ye Nanxin, knowing full well the grounds were flimsy. Her goal was simply to disgust Ye Nanxin, to ensure she wouldn't have an easy time, and to see that she didn't escape consequences for her misdeeds.

What she hadn't expected was how quickly her own parents would switch sides to assist the Ye family against her. Nor had she foreseen Ye Nanxin using the threat of suicide to force the teacher to yield. Once again, she had underestimated the depth of Ye Nanxin’s malice and cruelty. She would have to be more vigilant in the future.

She nodded at Mr. Zhang. "I understand. I won't pursue this any further, but I do want Ye Nanxin to pay for my emotional distress. I don't want her to walk away from her wrongdoing without any penalty. I want her to pay a price for her actions, to ensure she thinks twice next time."

Mr. Zhang nodded and handed her his phone, signaling for her to call the police officer back. He knew that in such a miserable situation, it was best to avoid the scene entirely.

Xiang Yu bowed to Mr. Zhang. "Thank you for all your trouble."

Mr. Zhang’s expression softened considerably. He waved his hand, telling her there was no need for formalities, though he felt a pang of embarrassment for not having been able to secure justice for her. But sometimes, the reality of life simply unfolds in ways beyond one's control, refusing to be black and white or easily resolved.

When the Ye family heard that Xiang Yu was demanding five thousand in compensation, they naturally refused. Eventually, through the mediation of the police, the amount was settled at two thousand.

The funds were to be handed directly to Xiang Yu, with the police acting as intermediaries. Watching from the sidelines as Xiang Yu calmly negotiated with the Ye family and ultimately secured the two thousand, Mr. Zhang felt a stir of admiration for her potential. It was a pity for someone with such intellect and resolve not to continue her studies. Entering society straight out of junior high would mean facing so many unnecessary hardships.

"Xiang Yu, would you consider repeating the year? I’ve noticed you’ve been studying much more diligently lately; your assignments are neat, and even your Chinese teacher mentioned your significant progress."

Xiang Yu felt a warmth in her chest, but she offered a bitter smile. "Mr. Zhang, my parents won't give me the chance to repeat a year."

Mr. Zhang looked at her with regret and sympathy, but he knew he couldn't help with that either. Xiang Yu’s parents were not people who could be reasoned with.

"Mr. Zhang," Xiang Yu said with a smile, "there is indeed one more thing I need to ask of you. I will do my absolute best to get into a key high school."

Mr. Zhang did not hesitate. "Tell me."

Having to pay Li Qiang, other students, and now Xiang Yu, the Ye family had to shell out over four thousand yuan in total. It was a cost that made their hearts bleed with pain.

In front of Xiang Fuqiang and Li Meilan, Ye Fen and the man known as "Splayfoot" Su did not scold their own daughter; instead, they laid all the blame on the Xiang family. However, noticing Xiang Fuqiang and his wife quietly berating their daughter for keeping the compensation money instead of handing it over to them, a poisonous scheme that Ye Fen had been brewing for quite some time finally came to fruition.

She walked up to Li Meilan. Li Meilan flinched and quickly pulled away, eyeing her warily in case she tried to lash out. Though Ye Fen was thin and small, she was vicious in a fight, always aiming for the most painful spots. Li Meilan had suffered more than her fair share of losses in their past skirmishes.

Ye Fen spoke in a jeering, shrill tone. "I tell you, your daughter was a waste of breath to raise. The older one ran away, and the younger one hasn't even finished junior high and already knows how to line her own pockets. You’ll never get to enjoy the fruits of having daughters; you’ve raised a pair of money-draining burdens."

Stung where it hurt most, Xiang Fuqiang and Li Meilan wore expressions as dark as charcoal, yet they had no words to refute her.

Seeing the look of utter misery on the couple’s faces, Ye Fen felt a slight sense of satisfaction. She leaned closer to Li Meilan. "Haven't you realized that all of this is caused by your youngest daughter? It was she who instigated her sister to run away, and she who made that bet with you about getting into a key high school. Haven't you noticed that she’s suddenly become a completely different person? Haven't you ever wondered if she’s even your own daughter anymore?"