“Ranran is beautiful and kind. She’s so much better than that country bumpkin Yao Tang. That girl only knows how to fight. Even if she gets first place, I still don’t like her.”
“Yes, Ranran is still the best.”
“Yeah, don’t be sad. That Yao Tang is nothing compared to you. What’s the use of getting high marks anyway? After graduating, she’ll simply head back to the countryside. You, however, will be the new head of the Yao Family.”
Yao Ran gave a watery smile at her classmates and bowed her head.
“Thank you for all your support. I’ll definitely continue to work even harder in the future.”
..
On that day, everyone from Class 20 appeared to be very serious in their studies.
They all had their heads buried in the books as their eyes scanned from question to question. All of them made some good use of the time they were given, only taking short breaks in between.
There was a test in the afternoon. That’s why they weren’t wasting any time.
After all, unlike all the previous tests, they were looking forward to this one. Not only have they prepared for this, but they wanted to see how far their hard work had gotten them.
During the test, Yao Tang didn’t hand in her test paper early. In fact, she passed at the same time as the rest of them, following each of them out of the class.
However, as soon as she was finished and had walked out of the building, someone blocked her path.
She raised her eyebrow at the newcomer.
It was the Butler of the Yao Family, someone whom she hadn’t seen for a while. His eyes were narrowed, and his mouth was shaped in a thin line. It was obvious that he wasn’t happy with this new arrangement.
“Miss Yao Tang, Master, Madame, and Old Madame Yao are in the car, right by the school gate. They wanted to talk to you regarding the matters of the Yao Family.”
“Old Madame Yao?”
“Yes.” Suppressing the displeasure in his heart, he nodded. “Master Yao’s biological mother.”
Interesting. Yao Tang followed the butler out of the schoolyard and the gate, to where she saw a sleek black car parked by the sidewalk. Suddenly, the car door opened and Yao Yuangot out. Behind him was an old lady.
The old lady smiled kindly and waved at her.
There was a hint of surprise in her eyes, but Yao Tang couldn’t appear bothered.
“Come, dear, why don’t we talk?” The old matriarch motioned to the car, her eyes glittering with delight upon seeing her biological granddaughter.
“Hm.”
Yao Tang stood in front of her, waiting for her response.
Before long, Old Madame Yao clutched the young woman’s face, bringing it closer to hers. Her eyes were bloodshot as different memories soared through her mind. Her face twisted in sadness and relief.
“Yao Tang…you’ve grown up so fast…”
The old woman’s palm was warm against hers.
Yao Tang didn’t move away, staring into her wide eyes.
“This is your biological grandmother,” Yao Yuan quickly filled her in. “She had left when Grandpa remarried.”
“Hm.”
The old lady couldn’t be bothered by the comment as she grabbed the jade bracelet from her wrist. Within a few seconds, she strapped it around Yao Tang’s wrist. “This is the bracelet I was supposed to give you.” She chuckled. “It seems I can finally pass it down.”
Yao Ran had just arrived, only to be stopped in her tracks when she saw the scene transpiring right in front of her. That bracelet…her grandmother had treasured it so much. And now, she was handing it off to Yao Tang.
Yao Ran’s face was shrouded with rage and mockery, but she didn’t say a word. Instead, she stood beside her grandmother with a dark look in her eyes.
“They really look alike,” the old lady murmured, clutching her granddaughter’s hand. “I miss you so much.”
Yao Yuan’s face changed almost immediately at her words. “Why don’t we talk in the car, Mom?”
Glancing back at Yao Tang, he explained, “She was thinking about your grandfather. You got your looks from him.”
“Yes.” With a sigh and a smile, the Yao matriarch pulled Yao Tang into the car.
