Chapter 4: Idiot, how could you possibly compete with her?

Everyone's gaze instantly converged on Yun Ci.

She was resting her chin on her hand, her fingers idly drawing circles on the table. Only upon hearing Ruan Feiyue’s question did she answer in a leisurely tone: "That was a flawed question; none of the four options were correct."

Ruan Feiyue let out a snort of laughter. "A-Ci, this math paper was drafted by the national mathematics master An Linsong himself. How could it be wrong?"

Everyone knew full well that Yun Ci must not have known the answer and was spouting nonsense to avoid embarrassment.

Even the servants nearby looked at her with a hint of disdain.

As expected of someone raised in the countryside—not only stupid but also full of lies. She couldn't even compare to a single finger of Miss Feiyue.

They couldn't understand why the Madam had insisted on bringing her back.

Ruan Feiyue sneered inwardly.

She really is an idiot. What does she have to compete with me?

Ruan Bingde said with a stern expression, "A-Ci, regardless of how you were before, since you’ve returned home, I will arrange for you to attend the best school, Lance High. You must study hard from now on."

Yun Ci lowered her head and gave a faint, indifferent "mm."

——

Back in her room, her phone suddenly rang. As soon as Yun Ci answered, an elderly, wailing voice came from the other end: "Little Ci-Ci, I’m finished! I actually made a mistake on a question in this month’s math exam paper. Wuwuwu..."

Yun Ci gave a cold, heartless laugh. "So, you’re only realizing this now?"

"I’m old, my brain isn't what it used to be. I asked you to help me draft the questions, but you wouldn't."

An Linsong complained resentfully, sounding nothing like a respectable old man.

"Next time."

Yun Ci gave a perfunctory reply and hung up the phone.

The next day, she woke up early and went to the door of Ruan Feiyue’s bedroom, knocking on the door.

Ruan Feiyue opened the door, and the moment she saw her, her expression turned gloomy. She asked impatiently, "What is it?"

Yun Ci said expressionlessly, "Are you going out together?"

Ruan Feiyue looked suspicious. "Go where?"

"To Mom’s grave. She wants to see you."

Yun Ci had been raised by her mother alone since she was a child.

When it was discovered that Yun Ci had been switched at birth, her mother was already terminally ill. Before she died, she had always wanted to see her biological daughter.

Ruan Feiyue furrowed her brows, feeling baffled. "What mom are you talking about?"

"Biologically, your real mother," Yun Ci said, enunciating each word clearly.

This sentence, however, seemed to strike a nerve with Ruan Feiyue. She instantly flew into a rage out of shame. "I don't have a mother like that from the countryside! Stop spouting nonsense!"

Even if she wasn't their biological daughter, she would always be the Ruan family’s heiress. No one could change that, and she refused to have any connection to such a backwater place!

Yun Ci’s eyes narrowed, and she gave a contemptuous smile. "True, you aren't worthy of having one either."

After saying this, she turned and left.

Ruan Feiyue was furious and slammed the door shut with a bang.

Taking a car to the cemetery in the suburbs, Yun Ci placed the bouquet down and slowly stroked the photo on the tombstone. Her usually cold eyes finally revealed a hint of softness.

"Mom, I will listen to you and stay in the Ruan family properly. Don't worry."

Although life in the countryside had been poor, her mother had never mistreated her while she was growing up.

She would never forget the grace of her upbringing.

Leaving the cemetery, Yun Ci took a car to the city center, walked into a secluded alley, pushed open a rusty iron gate, and climbed to the third floor with practiced ease. She kicked the security door of an apartment with the tip of her shoe.

Soon, the door opened, and a figure appeared before her.

The man was handsome, wearing loungewear with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He had a narrow waist, long legs, and a tall, imposing build. A refined smile played on his lips, carrying an air of scholarly grace, and he was even wearing a pink apron.

He leaned lazily against the doorframe. "Yo, you finally arrived? I’ve been waiting for you for ages."