Chapter 8

Chapter 8

She arrived accompanied by Chang Bin.

I only noticed them because of the startled looks from the students.

At the time, I was dressed in tacky, floral-patterned cotton clothes, playing “The Eagle Catches the Chicks” with the first-graders on the playground.

She was wearing a custom-made qipao and exquisite makeup, sizing me up from across the school’s wooden fence.

Behind her stood Chang Bin, dressed in his usual black suit, and a luxury off-road vehicle covered in dust and mud.

Neither of them fit in with their surroundings.

People like them don’t visit unless they have a motive.

I had to admire their ability to actually track me down here.

I picked a taller child to take over as the “Mother Hen” and stepped out of the game.

“I thought I’d hidden myself far enough away. Am I still an eyesore to you?”

I walked over and stood before them.

“Miss Ning, you misunderstand. Madam would like to invite you back.”

Ye Cen pursed her lips and remained silent, leaving Chang Bin to speak for her.

I suddenly burst out laughing.

“Take me back? Do you even know what you’re saying?”

“You used every scheme and tactic in the book to finally drive me out of Beicheng, and now, after only six months, you’ve changed your minds?”

I narrowed my eyes at Ye Cen.

In the six months since I’d last seen her, that elegant, wealthy face of hers had aged quite a bit.

“That isn’t what Madam meant…”

Chang Bin had the thick skin required to play the peacemaker.

“Ning Yu, don’t be ungrateful! I came here in person to ask you back. What more do you want!”

Ye Cen clearly wasn’t interested in playing nice. Her face hardened as she began to scold me.

Since she had dropped her hypocritical mask, I didn’t bother acting like a delicate little flower anymore.

“Dignity? I threw that away four years ago.”

I bent down, plucked a stalk of foxtail grass, and idly twirled it. “You want some? Here, take it.”

“You-”

Ye Cen was instantly fuming.

Chang Bin stepped forward silently, pulling Ye Cen behind him.

“Miss Ning, Madam has her difficulties…”

He bowed slightly, his attitude extremely deferential. “Could you please do me a favor and come with us?”

Because he lowered himself so much, I found it hard to keep acting overbearing.

“Teacher, come play with us!”

Just then, a student shouted from a distance.

The voice was youthful and full of energy.

“Coming! Just wait for me!” I cupped my hands around my mouth and shouted back.

“You see? They need me more here. I really can’t leave.”

Turning back, I spread my hands in a gesture of feigned helplessness. “Besides, I’m doing very well now. I have no intention of going back out to see the world.”

“Ning Yu, don’t push it!”

Ye Cen’s anger spiked another level.

“Compared to how much you’ve pushed things, I’m still an amateur.” I shook the foxtail grass in my hand, delivering a ruthless verbal jab.

Chang Bin tried to say something else, but I cut him off.

“I’m not going back.” I turned away without mercy. “Have a safe trip. I won’t see you out.”

I had barely taken a step when my ponytail was yanked.

I turned my head in pain-

Ye Cen was grabbing my hair and pulling it back, her expression incredibly vicious.

My composure snapped in a second.

“Resorting to being a shrew, are we? Who’s afraid of you!”

I raised my leg and kicked her hard.

Ye Cen hadn’t expected me to get physical, and her expression shifted to one of shock.

Chang Bin was quick, stepping between us and taking the blow for her.

Even though the kick didn’t hit its target, it at least freed my hair.

As I smoothed my hair back, I saw a few strands flutter to the ground.

I felt like my lungs were about to explode with rage.

“I said I’m not going back, and I mean it! If you want me to go with you, you’ll have to break my legs and carry me back!”

I threw down those words and walked away.

“Chang Bin, break her legs…” Ye Cen screamed hysterically.

This time, Chang Bin didn’t move.

Ignoring Ye Cen’s curses, I intercepted a few bewildered students and ushered them toward the classroom.

Some people have learned to bark like mad dogs, but I have no desire to end up with a mouthful of foul fur.