Qin Man glanced at the two men on her side. They had both lowered themselves in front of Yao Tang’s companions.
She found it strange.
Even the Vice President himself showed much respect to these old men. Could it be that they were of higher status compared to him?
Qin Man finally felt a semblance of panic at the thought.
If she had just insulted some very important figures in the association, then it would be even more difficult for Yao Ranto get a second chance.
“I… I am Yao Tang’s… aunt, you see. I am only saying these things for her own good. These were all the rumors surrounding her, and I had no way of clarifying it since she blacklisted me.”
Qin Man forced a smile on her face and added, “I suppose I should have tried harder to reach her. In the future, I shall refrain from speaking such nonsense.”
Unfortunately, no one was willing to listen to her insincere apologies. They refused to even look at her.
“I am so very sorry, Elders!” Yao Ran cried out as she rushed forward with tears in her eyes.
“My mother only got carried away by her emotions. She cares so much about me. Please do not blame her. If you want to be mad at someone, let it be me!”
She looked rather pitiful with her tear-stained face and pleading eyes.
Qin Man grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back, her own face twisting into an ugly expression.
Now that things had come to this point, the elders lost their steam. They didn’t see any sense in berating a young girl.
“Vice President Liu,”Elder Wangsaid. “I shall leave this matter to you. We wouldn’t want people to think we’re bullying some helpless student, now, would we? Not when we know the truth of the matter. Make sure you handle this properly, or there will be dire consequences.”
With that, the old man strode past them in a huff.
“Of course, Elder Wang! Please rest assured, I will take care of this matter quietly.”
Liu Yao wiped the sweat off his brow and offered them another bow. “Once again, I apologize for my negligence. I will be more careful with my guests in the future. This will never happen again.”
He maintained his humble demeanor until the other group was out of sight.
“Those two are Tangtang’s relatives?”Elder Licouldn’t help but mutter in surprise.
That young girl had addressed Yao Tangas her “Sister”, and the woman herself had admitted that she wasYao Tang’s aunt.
He never imagined that such things really happened in real life.
He thought people only had terrible family members in books and dramas.
Who would have thought that someone could be so malicious toward their own flesh and blood?
Meanwhile, President Tan was still seething. “Stay away from those people,” he advised Yao Tang. “With relatives like those, who needs enemies?”
But Yao Tangdidn’t seem bothered by the encounter at all. She was calm as ever, as if nothing had happened. “There is no reason for us to be in contact with them, anyway.”
Seeing that Yao Tangdidn’t seem to be paying attention to them,Elder Wangleaned close toElder Liand whispered, “The little girl is such an excellent seedling! It’s a pity that she has those horrible people as her family. It makes me wonder what her home situation has been all this time.”
Elder Li sighed in commiseration and stroked his beard. “You are right. From now on, we must take good care of her and nurture her gifts. She shall not be bullied by her family any longer, or by anyone, for that matter.”
As they walked along, the tumultuous atmosphere gradually calmed down.
Back at Liu Yao’s office, he gaveTeacher Zhanganother earful before chasing him and his companions out of the association. He made up his mind there and then to have no more dealings withTeacher Zhangin the future.
“What the heck was that?” Qin Manshrieked as they exited the association. “Those old fogeys really thought they had the right to act so arrogantly!”
Teacher Zhang pressed his lips into a thin line and heaved a weary sigh. He had long known thatQin Manwas a shallow woman who was mean to her own daughter.
Even so, he had never expected her to be this horrid of a person.
He felt ashamed to even be standing in the same space as her.
If it hadn’t been for her, he wouldn’t have been reprimanded by the Cabinet Elders. It was her fault that he was humiliated in front of his respected superiors.
They all got into the car. Yao Rankept apologizing profusely, butTeacher Zhangjust ignored her. He ordered the driver to send them back to their accommodations.
“Get out of the car. Don’t bother coming to me for something so useless again.” Then, he seemed to realize something and added, “No matter what it’s about, don’t even think of dragging me into your matters again!”
With that, he slammed the car door in Qin ManandYao Ran’s faces, then told the chauffeur to drive away.
Teacher Zhang had nothing but good intentions when he broughtYao Ranto see VicePresident Liuearlier, but it turned out to be the worst decision he had ever made. He was wise enough to know never to get involved with theYao familyagain.
Qin Man sneered as the car sped away. “Ranran, your teacher is not a good person at all. Forget about those bastards. Clearly, they don’t know what’s good for them. Let’s go to the hospital and have you looked at.”
