Chapter 9: Cousin Zhang Nini, A Carbon Copy

Over the next month, she studied frantically, re-familiarizing herself with middle school material. In addition to the homework assigned by her teachers, she bought extra workbooks. She studied by lamplight every night, rarely going to bed before eleven, and woke up at six in the morning to memorize her lessons. Her parents, Zhang, were so nervous watching her intense efforts that they moved about the house on tiptoe, not daring to make a sound while cooking or doing chores.

A month passed in the blink of an eye, and the city mock exams arrived. That morning, Mother Zhang got up early to prepare food for Zhang Wanyuan, even boiling two eggs for her, saying it was for good luck. Zhang Wanyuan smiled helplessly, ate them to appease her mother, and was finally allowed to leave the house.

The city mock exams were standardized across the entire city; every middle school had to participate, and the exam venues were arranged by the Education Bureau. Zhang Wanyuan was assigned to a different middle school, and there wasn't a single person she knew in her exam hall.

Knowing this, she felt inexplicably relieved. Finally, she didn't have to worry about those familiar, deadbeat classmates asking her to pass them answers to cheat.

The three-day mock exam ended quickly. The following two days happened to be the weekend. Zhang Wanyuan had planned to go out and look around, pondering how to make money during the upcoming summer vacation, but before she could even leave, she received a call from her cousin, Zhang Nini, asking her to accompany her to the bookstore to buy supplementary materials.

Zhang Wanyuan felt helpless. Not wanting to cause any unnecessary trouble at this time, she had no choice but to agree. Her cousin, Zhang Nini, was the only daughter of her uncle. Spoiled and pampered, Nini always felt she was superior to Wanyuan and had treated her like a little servant since childhood. In the past, Zhang Wanyuan had a quiet personality and didn't know how to refuse, so she never dared to defy Nini. Seeing that Wanyuan was easy to bully, Nini became even more overbearing. It wasn't until Nini went to Yucai Middle School for high school that Wanyuan finally found relief. However, since they both lived in Pu City, even though their parents didn't visit each other, it didn't stop Nini from finding every opportunity to make Wanyuan miserable.

Perhaps it was because her aunt and her mother had given birth in the same year—one to a daughter and one to a son—that her aunt always looked down on their family. Zhang Nini, in turn, loved to compare herself to the two siblings. When they were young, she compared clothes and lucky money; as they grew older, she compared grades and designer brands. In short, she used every means possible to trample them underfoot, as if doing so gave her a deep sense of superiority.

Thinking of Zhang Nini’s character, Zhang Wanyuan went out wearing her school uniform. In 2006, few middle schools had uniforms, and theirs was one of them. However, the uniforms were usually left at the bottom of a trunk, only brought out for school sports meets or inspections by officials. Since the city mock exams had just finished, her uniform was washed and not yet put away, so wearing it out wouldn't look too out of place.

The two met at the entrance of the student bookstore. Zhang Nini was clearly dressed to the nines, even wearing a pair of sky-high heels. Seeing Zhang Wanyuan in her school uniform, she was immediately displeased. Frowning, she said, "Why are you so tacky? It's the holidays and you're still wearing your uniform? Aren't you embarrassed? Is Auntie really so poor she can't afford to buy you clothes? Honestly! Stay away from me once we get inside!"

With a toss of her long hair, Zhang Nini haughtily crossed her arms and walked into the bookstore. Zhang Wanyuan’s face darkened, but she followed in silence. Once inside, she didn't look for Nini, but instead headed toward the middle school supplementary materials section. The middle school and high school sections were both on the second floor, one on the east side and one on the west.

When Zhang Nini reached the high school section and looked back, she saw Zhang Wanyuan heading toward the middle school section, completely ignoring her side. This made her feel a flicker of annoyance, and she snorted coldly, deciding to ignore Wanyuan as well.

Zhang Wanyuan, for her part, completely disregarded Nini, focusing all her attention on the rows of workbooks. Most schools used the People's Education Press editions, but she wanted to see other versions, especially for composition and specialized English modules. She was still relatively weak in the humanities and needed to push herself. In her previous life, she had been admitted to Yucai Middle School and skipped the middle school entrance exam, which was a regret for her. In this life, she was determined to take the exam properly and achieve a great score.

While Zhang Wanyuan was lost in thought, Zhang Nini’s arrogant voice suddenly rang out behind her, "Are you an idiot? Why are you just standing there like a statue? Help me hold these!"

Without waiting for an answer, Zhang Nini shoved the books she wanted to buy into Zhang Wanyuan’s hands, her mouth running non-stop. "I’m not just saying this, but given your family's situation, do you even have the money to let you study at Yucai Middle School? The tuition there is 15,000 a year, plus all sorts of other miscellaneous fees. Can your family afford that? My mom said that once I get into university, she’ll contact schools abroad for me to study overseas. As for you... it’ll be good enough if you can get into a third-tier university in the country. Let me tell you, high school isn't as easy as middle school. Didn't your brother have great grades in middle school? I heard he’s struggling just to keep up with university-level work now..."

Blah, blah, blah. The more Zhang Nini talked, the more excited she became. Anger welled up in Zhang Wanyuan. Without waiting for her to finish, she placed the books back on the shelf and turned to leave. "Carry your own things."

Zhang Nini paused, looking at the descending Zhang Wanyuan in disbelief. When it finally registered, she flew into a rage. She leaned over the second-floor railing and roared at Zhang Wanyuan, who was paying downstairs, "Zhang Wanyuan! You’ve got some nerve! You just wait!"

No matter how Nini cursed, Zhang Wanyuan ignored her. She took her books and left the bookstore, following her original plan to walk around the city's bustling commercial districts and pedestrian streets, looking for business opportunities.

Meanwhile, Zhang Nini returned home, seething with anger. Not long after she entered, Huang Guilian returned as well. Seeing her precious daughter sitting on the sofa sulking, she asked worriedly, "Didn't you say you were going out to buy books? What happened?"

Zhang Nini felt wronged and pouted, "Mom! That Zhang Wanyuan had the nerve to give me attitude today! She even refused to help me carry my books! Who does a poor, pathetic girl like her think she is? It was already a favor to let her carry my books!"

Huang Guilian’s expression changed, and she said unhappily, "Didn't I tell you not to associate with that destitute family? Why don't you listen? You’re lowering your own status! Who are you? Why bother with those ignorant little peasants? Take this as a lesson; don't go looking for Zhang Wanyuan again!"

After saying this, Huang Guilian turned to head to the kitchen, but halfway there, she turned back and warned Nini, "And another thing! Don't let your father know about today's events. From now on, you are not allowed to mention that family in front of him. They’re bad luck!"

"Mom! Are you even my real mother?"

Zhang Nini was choked with anger. She had expected her mother to stand up for her after complaining—at least to go and complain to Wanyuan’s mother—but instead, she was the one who got scolded. Feeling aggrieved, Nini grabbed her bag and slammed the door as she left.

Huang Guilian chased after her, and seeing that Nini had already disappeared, she shouted from the window, "You better be back before eight, or I’ll have your father teach you a lesson!"

With that, Huang Guilian slammed the window shut. The mother and daughter were equally overbearing when they threw their little tantrums.

(End of chapter)