Chapter 013: Betting Her Conscience Isn't Corrupted
Ye Zhen's approach was straightforward and simple.
She extracted the crucial recording and sent it to Ye Fuli.
But Ye Fuli never replied.
"Alright, I've fulfilled my duty to warn her. Whether Feng Aotian takes it seriously or not is none of my concern."
Ye Zhen turned off her phone and returned to her classroom, planning to study for a while before heading home.
The graduation exams loomed large.
Whether she could achieve a good score and secure enough wealth to safeguard her future before being kicked out of her home depended entirely on these few days of all-or-nothing effort!
And right at this critical moment…
"School's out! Miss, wanna grab some bubble tea?"
"Miss, your favorite boy band is having a concert! Are you going?"
"Zhenzhen, let's go shopping! New figurines just arrived."
Faced with these enthusiastic invitations, Ye Zhen put on a resolute expression and firmly declined them all.
Play?
She needed to study hard!
For her, knowledge was the key to riches!
Money—she needed money, dead set on getting it~
Seeing Ye Zhen studying so earnestly, the small clique of delinquent girls who used to revolve around her all thought she must have lost her mind.
"I think this might be Ye Zhen's new way of pursuing Bai Ruoting," one of the delinquents remarked. "She's done this before."
"Hmph! That's the only explanation," another chimed in. "She's got pure love on the brain."
They all believed Ye Zhen's enthusiasm for studying would last no more than three days.
The moment Bai Ruoting declared, "No matter what you do, I could never like you," she'd lose all motivation instantly.
Ye Zhen, after all, was someone with neither academic aptitude nor patience.
She'd been like this all these years!
"Let's go. Forget about her. She knows better than anyone whether she's cut out for studying."
Once Ye Zhen gave up on studying again and sank into self-destruction, they could manipulate her once more, coaxing her into spending money.
……
…
Dismissal time arrived.
Ye Zhen clutched her vocabulary book, head bowed, as she walked toward the school gates.
The area was nearly deserted, and she immediately spotted the Ye family car and its driver.
Old Wu, the driver, couldn't help but feel both amused and exasperated seeing her emerge so late: "Young Miss, you've forgotten what the mistress said again."
He didn't mind being scolded—after all, he earned a hefty salary, and enduring it was no big deal.
But for Ye Zhen, it wasn't just a scolding—she might end up locked in the punishment room again.
Why wasn't she afraid?
"I was studying late, Mom should be thrilled—why would she punish me?"
Ye Zhen plopped down into the car seat.
The vocabulary book in her hand remained firmly in her grasp.
"Let's go, Uncle!"
Old Wu shook his head helplessly and climbed in after her.
The car started moving slowly.
As they approached a large supermarket, Ye Zhen saw vegetables scattered on the ground, an old bicycle crushed out of shape, and Ye Fuli limping along, picking things up.
Her heart skipped a beat.
What happened?
Had Ye Fuli been hit by a car?
As someone who had been reborn and possessed exceptional memory, she should have been able to prevent this!
"Sir, pull over! Stop the car!"
Ye Zhen didn't hesitate for a second, immediately pounding on the door and demanding the driver stop.
This was another chance to boost the female lead's favorability!
She had to make the best impression possible.
Driver Old Wu didn't want to stop, but when he saw it was Ye Fuli outside, he quickly pulled over.
They got out of the car, one after the other.
"Ye Fuli, please get back in the car! I'll have the driver take you to the hospital!"
Hearing Ye Zhen's voice, Ye Fuli frowned.
Why did she keep running into this person everywhere?
Before Ye Fuli could react, Ye Zhen snatched her shopping bag and began deftly gathering the scattered items.
Ye Fuli stared blankly at her: "Who asked you to do these useless things…"
After what she'd endured in her past life, she'd never trust anyone around her again.
So when faced with Ye Zhen's overtures and assistance, she could only suspect ulterior motives—or perhaps a sudden attempt to humiliate her.
Yet Ye Zhen merely offered a sweet smile.
Her clear eyes held not a trace of malice. Even Ye Fuli, with her deep-seated distrust, felt the ice in her heart begin to melt slightly.
Ye Zhen said earnestly, "We're classmates! Isn't it only natural for classmates to help each other out?"
Mutual support?
Hah, what a naive notion.
She had to remember that everyone around her was a villain.
No, she couldn't get caught up in this display of goodwill. She had to stay vigilant!
Ye Fuli's expression shifted uncomfortably. She strode forward and snatched the shopping bag from Ye Zhen's hands. "Leave me alone. If you don't want to get beaten up, get out of here fast."
"Go ahead and hit me! Hit me! Go on!"
Ye Zhen stood firmly in front of her, refusing to budge. She even arrogantly held out one hand, betting that her conscience wasn't completely rotten.
But then…
Smack—
Ye Fuli slapped her palm without mercy.
"Ouch~"
While Ye Zhen clutched her hand, Ye Fuli walked over expressionlessly, lifted her bicycle, and limped forward.
"You're so stubborn."
Ye Zhen sighed, placed her hands on her hips, and watched her retreating figure with a frown.
"But books say women are all tsundere, especially Mary Sue heroines—they're tsundere at heart! When they say no, they mean yes. When they tell you to get lost, you absolutely mustn't actually get lost."
With that thought, Ye Zhen steeled her resolve, took a step forward with her short legs, and chased after her once more.
The driver could only get in the car first, driving slowly behind the two of them.
"Seriously, let me help you carry the groceries!"
"None of your business."
"Oh, just hand it over."
"…"
Ye Fuli's struggle was still a bit too weak.
The bag filled with discounted vegetables was taken by Ye Zhen.
Ye Zhen glanced at her produce and couldn't help but make a few disapproving sounds: "Ye Fuli, you're still growing. Eating such poor-quality vegetables isn't good for you."
Ye Fuli shot her a cold stare. "Are you mocking me?"
"I'm just concerned about you."
Her sincerity left no room for Ye Fuli's sarcasm.
When they reached the parting of the ways, Ye Fuli resolutely snatched her bag back. Just as she turned to leave in silence, Ye Zhen called out to her again.
Ye Zhen paused briefly, then pulled out the stack of bills her dad had given her that morning from her backpack… and slipped a small portion into Ye Fuli's palm.
"Don't refuse just yet! When my dad gave me this money, he told me to build good relationships with my classmates and share with them."
Ye Fuli snorted flatly, "Who said I'd refuse? I'll gladly take all the money rich people give me."
She shoved the money straight into her pocket.
This cold, awkward attitude was genuinely uncomfortable.
But Ye Zhen had no choice.
With her identity mystery held hostage by the other party, she had no choice but to lower her head and be more compliant.
Thinking of Ye Fuli as a difficult boss made her feel much better…
Ye Zhen smiled meekly and said, "As long as you like it! I'm happy if I can help you."
The more compliant she became, the more uncomfortable Ye Fuli felt.
This was absolutely not the Ye Zhen she once knew!
The Ye Zhen of the past would only show up to deliver cold, cutting remarks when she was down, kicking her while she was out.
Why had she lost her edge now?
Where's that spoiled-brat temper of hers gone?
Watching Ye Zhen's charming retreating figure, the money in her pocket seemed to grow scorching hot.
Since her rebirth, Ye Fuli had rarely felt such unease.
"What the hell is Ye Zhen up to?"