Chapter 10: Not Everyone Is Like You

Wen Ling changed her clothes, preparing to go and "accidentally" encounter Ruan Miaomiao and Chu Yao.

She couldn't just wait for others to scheme against her before fighting back; taking the initiative might actually turn the tide of the situation.

As for the Ruan Miaomiao from just now, she was standing outside the changing room holding Chu Yao's bag, praising the clothes Chu Yao had just changed into with a sincere expression.

"It looks great, it really suits your skin tone." Ruan Miaomiao stepped forward, reaching out to tidy Chu Yao's hair, which had become slightly messy from changing, and said softly, "Everyone says Wen Ling was the school beauty back in the day, but in my eyes, how could she ever compare to you?"

During her university years, the thing Chu Yao heard most was people saying Wen Ling was more beautiful than her. Standing before the mirror, she let out a cold snort.

What was the use of being more beautiful than her? She was still a venomous woman at heart; the thing Chu Yao hated most was hypocrites.

"That day, she jumped into the lake herself and slandered me by saying I pushed her, yet someone actually believed it." Ruan Miaomiao pursed her lips aggrievedly. "She has always been like this, using any means necessary to achieve her goals. Back then, she led the school in isolating me out of jealousy, and now she wants to scheme against me again."

"It's pitiful that you have a cousin like that." Chu Yao believed her words implicitly. She glanced at her with a look of pity and said, "But nowadays, Old Man Qin only dotes on you. Even your cousins can't surpass you. If she dares to bully you again, you can simply ask your grandfather to settle it for you."

"But she is still Grandfather's granddaughter after all. I can't really sever ties with her just because of me; after all, the Wen family is still around."

"What about the Wen family? The Wen family is powerful in M Country, but they aren't in the Capital." Chu Yao let out a light sneer.

Seeing this, Ruan Miaomiao added fuel to the fire, saying, "She even said once that it's only because the Wen family isn't in the Capital; otherwise, how could these upper-class families hold such status in the Capital?"

Her words were childish and full of loopholes, but Chu Yao was a straightforward person who didn't notice at all and took them at face value.

"Heh, she looks down on our Capital's aristocratic families? Then I'll let her know that there is always someone better."

The two spoke without restraint. The salesperson beside them lowered their eyes, not daring to speak. Wen Ling happened to hear Chu Yao's words just as she entered the shop. She raised an eyebrow and walked closer with a smile.

"Miss Chu, cousin, what a coincidence."

The moment Chu Yao saw her, the expression of disgust was written all over her face. She frowned and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Buying clothes, of course." Wen Ling blinked innocently. "I'm planning to stay in China for a long time, so I didn't bring much clothing. My custom orders haven't arrived yet, so I had to come out and browse on my own."

Ruan Miaomiao bit her lip and said, "Cousin, do you know I'm here, so you came over to pick a fight?"

*Yes, yes, yes,* Wen Ling thought to herself, but on the surface, she looked somewhat confused. "Cousin, how can you think of me like that? Why would I want to pick a fight?"

Seeing Ruan Miaomiao's aggrieved appearance, Chu Yao rebuked Wen Ling angrily, "You were even able to jump into a lake yourself to slander Miaomiao. With such a malicious heart, it's only natural for Miaomiao to suspect you."

"So that's how you spoke to Miss Chu, cousin?" Wen Ling took a step forward aggrievedly, her voice just loud enough for the salesperson to hear.

"Everyone knows I'm afraid of water. Why would I throw my life away by jumping into a lake just to slander you? How can you say such things to frame me?"

The salesperson looked at each other. They didn't say anything, but one could easily guess what they were thinking just by looking at Ruan Miaomiao.

Chu Yao frowned; she didn't know about this.

Wen Ling continued, "Furthermore, I heard what you were saying to Miss Chu just now when I walked in. Did I really say such things? Even if I had, how could I possibly generalize all the aristocratic families in the Capital? Even the status of the Zhou family is not something I would look down upon." She glanced at the already suspicious Chu Yao, then suddenly covered her mouth in surprise, whispering, "You aren't trying to instigate Miss Chu to target me, are you?"

Sure enough, Chu Yao turned to look at the flustered Ruan Miaomiao. As soon as Ruan Miaomiao met her gaze, she said in a panic, "How could I do such a thing? Yaoyao, you know me."

She became increasingly panicked, unable to stop thinking: *What on earth is going on? In the past, even though Chu Yao was always high and mighty, she believed everything I said. Why would she doubt me now just because of a few words from someone else?*

Seeing this, Wen Ling blinked pitifully and said aggrievedly, "Even if you hate me, you shouldn't use Miss Chu." She gave Chu Yao an apologetic look and said softly, "I've disrupted your shopping. I'll leave you to it. Goodbye."

The moment she turned around, the corners of Wen Ling's lips curled up. The grievance and pity that were written on her face vanished as quickly as turning a page.

Even after walking out of the shop, she could still hear Ruan Miaomiao frantically explaining herself to Chu Yao. The smile on Wen Ling's face widened. It wasn't until she had walked far enough to ensure the two couldn't hear her that she let out a wild, uninhibited laugh.

The contempt in her heart was uncontrollable. *If you're so willing to act aggrieved to deceive others, then who can't do that? Without your female lead halo, who would believe your clumsy lies?*

Wen Ling hadn't actually intended to buy clothes anyway. Now that Chu Yao had grown suspicious of Ruan Miaomiao, she could make her exit.

She wandered aimlessly through the mall, popping into every shop she encountered.

Meanwhile, because of her lingering doubts, Chu Yao gave Ruan Miaomiao a cold glance and left after making a casual excuse.

Watching her leave, Ruan Miaomiao angrily threw her bag to the ground. Those who could afford to shop in this mall were all prominent figures in the Capital, so they naturally wouldn't chase after celebrities. Seeing a popular young star throwing a tantrum in public, the passersby only looked at her with strange eyes. Ruan Miaomiao had no choice but to bite her lip and pick up her bag.

Suddenly, her eyes caught sight of Wen Ling's figure. Seeing her strolling from shop to shop with a curved smile, she strode forward to chase after her.

"Are you happy?"

Wen Ling turned to look at her, gave a light chuckle, and said with a smile, "What? Did Chu Yao abandon you?"

Ruan Miaomiao gritted her teeth and said, "You're not pretending to be innocent anymore?"

"Hmm? What am I pretending?" Wen Ling feigned confusion.

"You instigated me and Chu Yao to fight. What is your goal? Do you think that once Chu Yao and I fall out, you can take the opportunity to become her friend? I know her personality better than anyone." Ruan Miaomiao clenched her fists and hissed in anger.

Wen Ling said casually, "Then what is your goal in instigating her to target me?" She shrugged. "As for becoming friends with Chu Yao, I've never actually thought about it. After all, not everyone is like you, capable of humbly catering to someone they hate."

Ruan Miaomiao was infuriated by Wen Ling's words. She took a step forward and raised her hand to strike Wen Ling. Wen Ling didn't even try to dodge; she grabbed Ruan Miaomiao's wrist and swung her hand to deliver a slap.

Ruan Miaomiao's eyes widened in disbelief, but Wen Ling only let out a cold laugh.

"I advise you not to lay a hand on me. I am never a pushover. I haven't even settled the score with you for the rumors you've been spreading about me outside."

(End of Chapter)