Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Her Jealousy Twisted Her Beyond Recognition Wensu arrived at two o’clock. She had gone to the Qi family and dragged Fangruo, the amah who knew how to prepare medicinal cuisine, back with her. Qin Ruochu was lying on the soft couch, staring at Wensu. “We haven’t seen each other for a year, and you seem to have grown taller again.” Wensu crooked a finger at her. “Get up. Let’s exchange a few moves. I know you’re stronger than me, and that you deliberately lose to me every time we spar. You hired me as a bodyguard, so what’s your real motive?” Qin Ruochu remained sprawled out, her gaze slanting toward Wensu’s callused hands—the hands that had been hardened by years of wielding a sword. “My dear Wensu, you’re the champion of this year’s martial arts competition. How could I possibly be your match? I merely understand a little medicine and used a few clever tricks.” Wensu didn’t believe her. “Stop trying to fool me, Qin Ruochu. Don’t think I’ll be grateful just because you let me win. I’ll only look down on you even more.” “All right, all right. Go ahead and look down on me. Unless my brain’s gone bad, why would I fight with you?” Wensu snorted and turned away from her. Qin Ruochu looked at Fangruo, who was standing nearby with kind, gentle features. “Auntie, I’ll be troubling you from now on. As long as you stay with me, I guarantee you won’t suffer any losses.” Fangruo smiled warmly. “Young Miss, you’re too kind. The young master told me that I was being trained for you. Over the past few years, I’ve been learning to identify medicinal ingredients and studying pharmacology. It’s my honor to come and serve you.” Qin Ruochu was very satisfied. “You’ll live next door from now on. If you’re missing anything in your room, ask the housekeeper for it. If my stepmother asks, just tell her I ordered it.” After Fangruo left, Wensu suddenly pointed at her own nose and angrily berated Qin Ruochu. “So Fangruo is one of your people! You actually tricked me into going to the Qi family to poach her. No wonder everything went so smoothly—I thought the Qi family was afraid of me. Qin Ruochu, is teasing me the only fun you have?” Qin Ruochu defended herself. “Just tell me… did you enjoy the trip or not?” “Enjoyed it, my foot! Qin Ruochu, I’m going to beat you to death.” “Aren’t you afraid of my needles anymore?” “Damn it, you—you have no martial virtue!” That evening, after Qin Hanshen returned and heard Zhao Yuzhu recount everything, he became curious about his daughter’s room. But, maintaining the lofty bearing of a father, he was too embarrassed to go and look. Qin Hanshen said, “Since all the furniture was given to her by the old lady, how could we elders take her things? Don’t bring this up again. She lives on the top floor, so what we don’t see won’t bother us.” Zhao Yuzhu was seething inside. “What about the bodyguard and the cook she brought with her?” Qin Hanshen replied, “Make arrangements for them. As long as they follow the rules, anything is fine.” To be honest, Qin Hanshen had no idea how he should face this daughter of his. He had not raised her by his side since childhood, and whenever he saw her face, he inexplicably felt that he owed her. But at the same time, he did not want her to become too unruly and climb all over her elders. At dinner, the two Gu brothers were absent. Qin Hanshen said earnestly to Qin Ruochu, “Ruochu, your grandmother said that you’ll be taking the college entrance examination in the Capital. Transferring schools is rather troublesome. I just don’t know how your grades are, so that I can arrange a school for you accordingly.” Qin Ruochu put down her chopsticks and took a handkerchief to wipe her mouth clean before speaking. “Grandmother has already used her connections to arrange my transfer. I’ll be attending the First University. It’s the school from which it’s easiest to get into university, so don’t worry. I won’t embarrass you.” Qin Hanshen’s brows furrowed deeply. The First University was one of the top high schools in the Capital, and even in the country as a whole. Back then, Qin Weiyang’s grades had not been bad. He had used every connection at his disposal, yet he still had not managed to get her into the school. Old Madam Qin had actually managed to send Qin Ruochu there. Just how many secrets was his mother hiding from him? Zhao Yuzhu sensed that Qin Hanshen had been humiliated and was unhappy. She struck while the iron was hot and added, “Ah, things really are different when you have someone powerful backing you. Old Madam Qin is far too partial toward Ruochu. You’re her own son, after all.” Qin Ruochu could not stand people speaking in that snide, mocking tone. She raised her head and said with a beaming smile, “Dad, Grandmother said that the two of you made a pact by slapping your palms together back then—that you wouldn’t interfere with each other for the rest of your lives. Tell me, what exactly happened? Grandmother won’t tell me, and I’ve always been curious.” Qin Hanshen’s expression turned even uglier after hearing that. Zhao Yuzhu obediently shut her mouth as well. …… The next morning, Qin Ruochu was kicked out of bed by Wensu. She rolled across the carpet, clutching her quilt as she glared resentfully at Wensu. “You’re finished, Wensu. Can’t you act more like a girl? At least sleep properly.” Wensu scratched the back of her head, then scrambled upright. Her attitude toward admitting fault was excellent. She helped Qin Ruochu sit down on the edge of the bed, then reached out to pound her back and knead her waist. “Young Miss, I know I was wrong. I was fighting someone in my dream. I won’t do it again.” At home, her mother would complain that she made the bed smell awful whenever she slept. Only Qin Ruochu never disliked her. She was even willing to let them sleep in the same bed. If she left Qin Ruochu, she would never find such a good employer again in her lifetime. She still remembered how, when she had left home, her mother had repeatedly urged her to cling tightly to Qin Ruochu’s leg. Although she did not understand what her mother meant, she knew that listening to her could never be wrong. Qin Ruochu was exhausted. She got up and went to wash. All the clothes in her wardrobe were made from expensive fabrics such as comfortable silk, lambswool, ice silk, tribute satin, and floating-light brocade. Their designs were modern Chinese style—not especially eye-catching, but by no means unattractive. In short, the first impression they gave when worn outside was that they were expensive. The girl was extravagantly elegant from head to toe. Wensu had only three styles of clothing: pajamas, black workwear, and a white casual outfit. She also carried a sword in her arms year-round. Qin Ruochu was going to the First University to meet the principal that day. Although her transfer had already been arranged, she still had to visit the school for an interview before starting classes. When they were leaving, Fangruo had only just arrived and had nothing to do, so she followed them out to get some fresh air. Thus, Zhao Yuzhu saw the following scene. The elevator doors opened. Qin Ruochu walked out in front, wearing a simple, loose, mid-length goose-yellow dress. Its swaying hem was as beautiful as flowing light. Behind her, Wensu wore a white casual outfit and carried a sword. Her delicate features, tied-back long hair, and valiant bearing made her look strikingly heroic. Fangruo wore a more understated old-money-style outfit. Her well-maintained face had not a single wrinkle, her fair skin carried a rosy glow, and she had not a blemish in sight. Her bearing was even more refined than that of a wealthy madam. Zhao Yuzhu felt as though the girl brought back from the countryside was not a daughter, but an ancestor. Jealousy twisted her face beyond recognition. A crazed thought surged through her mind: Qin Ruochu could not be allowed to have an easy life. She could not be allowed to stay in the city. This luxurious life should belong to her and her daughter. This motherless wild girl should have been following behind her, fawning over her instead. Seeing that Qin Ruochu was about to walk out the front door, she suddenly called out, “Ruochu, do you like luxury cars?” Hearing that, Qin Ruochu turned around, her eyes lighting up at once. “Good Mother, are you planning to give me a luxury car?” Zhao Yuzhu coughed and hurriedly shook her head. “Our family has money, but we can’t just squander it. I heard that tomorrow morning at ten, a limited-edition sports car will be auctioned off to wealthy businessmen from across the country at Jian’an Club. There are only three of them in the entire world, and this is the only one being auctioned in the country. If you like it, you can go and have a look tomorrow.”