"Mr. Zhao, Mr. Li, I appreciate you taking the time, but I've already decided which high school I'll be attending."
The girl's voice was cold and tranquil, like a summer night's breeze sweeping away all restlessness.
Zhao Wenchang was momentarily stunned. "Already decided?"
He felt a tinge of disappointment. This child had clear opinions and a solid plan—he had anticipated her decision.
——
After sending off the two recruitment officers, Shen You'an returned to the room. Zhang Jian cautiously said, "An'an, don't worry. Even though we've had many recruiters at the doorstep these past few days offering tempting offers, I didn't agree to any of them. You've always had strong opinions, so this is a decision for you to make."
Zhou Qin muttered under her breath, "Wende offered thirty thousand, and even lined up middle school enrollment for your younger brother. Thirty thousand, just think of that…."
Shen You'an shot her a detached glance, and Zhou Qin's next words instantly died in her throat.
Zhang Jian was unfazed; he'd long grown accustomed to such scenes. Zhou Qin had brought this upon herself.
"Lanya Group called me. They offered one million for me to directly advance into Lanya High School."
The girl's calm and indifferent tone landed like a bolt of thunder.
"One million!" Zhou Qin shrieked dramatically, the makeup on her uneven face nearly slipping off with her raw greed shining through her gaze.
Shen You'an turned away in disgust. "I've already agreed."
Zhou Qin bounced up with excitement. "I heard the newest development at Xuefu Spring is pretty good, and it's close to Lanya High School. It'll make commuting more convenient for you. Why don't we go check it out right now?"
Zhang Jian couldn't bear to look anymore. How could this woman be so shameless? After so many instances, had she ever gotten her way with An'an?
Shen You'an continued expressionlessly, "Just now, I already donated it."
The smile on Zhou Qin's face shattered; her expression turned grotesque as she cursed, "You damn brat! That was one million! You donated it without even batting an eye?! Are you insane? Your uncle and I raised you all these years, and for what? You're just an ungrateful wretch!"
"Shut your mouth!" Zhang Jian wished he could slap her right then and there.
"An'an is supported by the state. She doesn't rely on us. Besides, An'an gives me 800 yuan every month for food expenses. How much could a young girl possibly eat? And doesn't she always bring fruits and snacks when she visits? You, on the other hand—you call yourself a proper elder? You shamelessly demand money from her, and you don't even hesitate."
If it weren't for Tian Ci, he'd have divorced Zhou Qin long ago. He couldn't take this marriage for even another day.
Zhou Qin's eyes flared red. This time, she abandoned all restraint and rushed over to grab Shen You'an, shaking her violently. "Get the money back for me, do you hear?!"
Shen You'an stared at her calmly. Her cold, detached eyes carried a mix of pity and mockery, as if to say: Look, what a fool.
Zhou Qin hated Shen You'an's gaze the most. For years, she had suppressed her fury, but today she lost control. She raised her hand and aimed a slap at Shen You'an's face: "You arrogant little brat! I'll teach you a lesson for acting on your own!"
But the slap she envisioned never landed. A slender hand had grabbed Zhou Qin's raised wrist.
The wrist was delicate and soft, much smaller than Zhou Qin's, invoking the poetic imagery: "Fair hands like frosted snow."
Though Shen You'an was thin, her grip was surprisingly firm. Zhou Qin's twisted face erupted in shrieks: "Let go of me!"
Shen You'an, taller than Zhou Qin by a half-head, lowered her gaze slightly. Behind her glasses, her cold and distant eyes quietly fixed on Zhou Qin. That eerie feeling of being stared at by a ghost returned, and Zhou Qin stammered: "You… What are you planning to do?"
Shen You'an leaned down just enough to stop half a centimeter from Zhou Qin's ear, and in a voice only the two of them could hear, uttered a single sentence.
Zhang Jian could only see Shen You'an's lips move, unable to hear what she said. In the next instant, Zhou Qin's face turned deathly pale, her eyes unfocused and terrified.
As Shen You'an released her grip, she lightly patted Zhou Qin's shoulder. "Aunt, Tian Ci's grades are terrible. Even if he gets into a top-rated school, he'd be at the bottom of the class. He'd be better off getting a basic diploma at an average school. Don't aim too high; practicality beats lofty ambitions, wouldn't you agree?"
Without waiting for a reply, Shen You'an smiled and walked away.
Zhang Jian frowned and approached. "What's wrong? What did An'an say to you?"
Like a startled bird, Zhou Qin frantically shook her head, "Nothing… Nothing at all."
She bolted into her bedroom as the words left her lips.
How could Shen You'an know? She only visited once a month, and every time she was locked in her room studying. How could she have found out her secret?
Fear and despair gripped Zhou Qin.
——
The cramped restroom.
Shen You'an removed her black-rimmed glasses, revealing a delicate, refined face in the mirror.
Without the lenses obscuring her features, her unrestrained eyes came into full view.
The dim, claustrophobic restroom seemed to brighten instantly. Her eyes carried the most dazzling brightness in the world.
Shen You'an had always been aware of her own beauty.
Her lips curled slightly—pale-colored irises akin to flawless glass, clear and pure. Her almond-shaped eyes tilted faintly at the corners, radiating subtle allure; her gaze was like an invisible blade, enchanting and deadly.
Turning her head, she flashed a smile—a harmless, innocent smile. Her moist eyes brimmed with haze, evoking innocence and fragility, as if inviting people to present her with all the treasures in their possession.
[An'an, don't smile like that! I can't take it anymore—ahhh! How could there be such an adorable girl in the world?!]
Shen You'an felt bored. She rinsed her face and put her glasses back on. Instantly, all the brilliance was sealed away.
She was once again the cold, ordinary girl.
The system was speechless at how quickly she changed her demeanor.
[Beauty is a shared resource in society. I'm really curious—why do you hide your looks? Do you know how many people would go crazy over you if they knew about your grades and your beauty combined?]
The system lacked knowledge of Shen You'an's past life. Shen's spiritual fortitude was impossibly strong; it couldn't access any of her thoughts.
Shen You'an grabbed a paper towel and wiped her hands. "A treasure invites trouble in the wrong hands."
She dropped the paper towel into the trash and left the restroom.
The system pulled references from its database and muttered: [That's from "Spring and Autumn Annals: Duke Heng's Tenth Year." Originally referring to wealth causing disaster, later used for talents or ideals leading to harm. Oh, I get it! Your beauty could incite wrongdoing, so you prefer to keep a low profile. Ahhh, An'an, you're so kind. How could such a wonderful girl exist in the world?!]
Shen You'an: …
She decided to ignore her idiotic system.
[An'an, I have one more question: How did you know Zhou Qin was cheating?]