Chapter Three: The True and False Heiress, Part 3

In chemistry class, Huai Ying listened with exceptional focus.

Xiao Hong exhaled in relief.

She was finally ready to study seriously.

The big shot was actually quite approachable.

This task wasn’t impossible to complete.

“This world’s technology isn’t advanced, but building an atomic bomb to destroy the world should be doable—though the materials are hard to come by,” Huai Ying murmured softly, her words drifting into Xiao Hong’s ear.

She quickly shouted, “No, absolutely not.”

Why was this person so obsessed with world destruction?

Wouldn’t it be better to just live well?

Huai Ying ignored her and continued paying attention to the lesson, but gradually found it a bit dull.

It was all too simple.

“There’s no need to destroy the world—it’s so beautiful, with delicious food, stunning scenery, and handsome men. We should learn to enjoy life,” Xiao Hong said, ignoring Huai Ying’s silence and pressing on.

She pulled up a floating panel in midair and played a food video.

“High-end ingredients often require the simplest cooking methods. After two hours of hard work, Chef Li finally discovered…”

Xiao Hong relaxed when she saw Huai Ying watching intently.

Suddenly, Huai Ying stood up and left.

Turns out class was already over.

Xiao Hong hurried after her.

In the cafeteria, Huai Ying, under the astonished gazes of others, ordered a whole table full of dishes and sat down, her eyes shining brightly.

In front of good food, she was unusually cheerful.

But there was always someone who didn’t want her to be at ease.

“My fiancée can only be Weiwei. I won’t like you. Give up on that. Don’t even think about bullying Weiwei,” a man said harshly, slamming his palm on the table.

Seeing Huai Ying not even look up, Gu Mingxu’s face grew displeased.

“I’m talking to you, can’t you hear me?”

He reached out to push Huai Ying’s shoulder but had his wrist grabbed tightly, causing him to cry out in pain.

“Get lost.”

Huai Ying looked up at him, her gaze icy.

Her eyes were as calm as still lake water, yet they held the latent fury of a beast about to be unleashed.

Gu Mingxu felt his heart waver and swallowed nervously.

Realizing he was scared, he became angry and embarrassed.

He raised his hand again.

“Let go of me, or don’t blame me for being rude.”

But his head was suddenly struck hard from behind.

“Who dares hit me?”

Gu Mingxu turned his head and, upon seeing the newcomer, his rage swiftly turned into a flattering smile.

“Little Weiwei, you’re here! Come sit.”

“Apologize.”

Bai Jinwei only glanced at him, and Gu Mingxu begrudgingly lowered his head.

With a sour tone, he muttered, “Sorry.”

Bai Jinwei sat down opposite Huai Ying.

“Are you used to the cafeteria food?”

Gu Mingxu seemed to only have eyes for Bai Jinwei.

Hearing her words of self-sacrifice made his heart ache.

“You don’t have to suffer like this. If the Bai family doesn’t want you anymore, I’ll give you the entire Gu family.”

“Then you can manage the Gu household while I stay home as a househusband to take care of you and the children.”

He tried to lean on Bai Jinwei’s shoulder.

But before he could get close, she pushed him away harshly.

“Stay away from me.”

Bai Jinwei’s attitude was cold and indifferent, and Gu Mingxu’s eyes flashed with hurt.

He glared at Huai Ying discontentedly.

“Did you say something to Weiwei? She never used to be this cold to me.”

“That has nothing to do with her,” Bai Jinwei said.

“The engagement between our families is already being discussed for dissolution. She probably doesn’t want to marry you; you’re overthinking.”

She paused, then added, “I won’t marry you either.”

Gu Mingxu instantly exploded like his tail had been set on fire.

“You said you’d marry me! How can you go back on your word?”

A grown man’s eyes turned red in public.

“I want to marry him.”

Huai Ying’s sudden declaration drew everyone’s attention.

This was what a villain was supposed to do, after all.

“Are you sure you want to marry him?” Bai Jinwei frowned.

Gu Mingxu smiled with satisfaction and cautiously tugged at her clothes.

“Sis, you have to protect me. I don’t want to marry her.”

Bai Jinwei resignedly said, “Fine, I’ll talk to our parents about your marriage.”

Gu Mingxu looked as if the sky was falling.

He glanced at Bai Jinwei with a pitiful look and grit his teeth.

“I absolutely won’t marry her. If you force me, I’ll castrate myself and become a eunuch.”

“Then go ahead and try.”

A knife suddenly appeared in front of Gu Mingxu.

He nearly cried out in despair.

Why was everyone ganging up on him?

One moment this person, the next that person.

His trembling hand reached for the knife.

But in the end, he lacked the courage to take it and ran away resentfully.

The one who handed over the knife was Mu Jinnian.

“What a coincidence, you’re here too.”

He then casually sat down.

“Classmate, what’s your name? Can we exchange contacts?”

“Huai Ying.” She tossed her phone over.

A flash of surprise crossed Bai Jinwei’s eyes.

Since coming home, Huai Ying had been distant with everyone.

Her parents had to speak for a long time to get any response.

Yet she was so familiar with this person.

No one knew what made him so likable.

Bai Jinwei withdrew her gaze and asked, “Do you like Gu Mingxu?”

Mu Jinnian stiffened imperceptibly.

Huai Ying shook her head.

Bai Jinwei’s expression twisted with concern, as if she was hesitant about something.

Finally, she said, “Do as you wish. If you ever regret it, tell me anytime. I’ll help you.”

Huai Ying gave a slight hum of acknowledgment.

“Yesterday I was bullied and luckily you came to save me. This is a thank-you gift from yesterday.”

Mu Jinnian handed over a gift box.

Bai Jinwei immediately pushed it back.

“We Bai family members don’t accept gifts casually. Please take it back.”

Before she finished speaking, Huai Ying had already opened the box.

She put on the bracelet inside.

Bai Jinwei felt her vision darken for a moment.

Looking at Mu Jinnian, she had the unsettling feeling her precious daughter had run away with a wild kid.

She glanced at Mu Jinnian without expression.

Then she took out a box of pastries, opened it, and said, “These are pastries I had someone buy. They have an excellent reputation in the imperial capital. Try them—do you like them?”

Huai Ying reached out, placed a pastry in her mouth, and her eyebrows visibly twitched.

She obviously was in a good mood.

Bai Jinwei relaxed and glanced at Mu Jinnian with a look of triumph.

She had won this round.

Mu Jinnian’s smile remained unchanged.

Bai Jinwei continued, “I have more delicious things in my classroom—osmanthus cake, chips, preserved plums, jelly cakes, and so on.”

With each item she mentioned, Huai Ying’s eyes brightened a little more.

With an expectant voice, she asked, “Do you have milk tofu?”

“Of course,” Bai Jinwei replied without hesitation.

She was already sending her assistant to buy some.

Mu Jinnian smiled slightly and leaned close to Huai Ying’s ear.

Lowering his voice, he said, “Huai Ying, you said you’d help me get revenge. The chance has come—are you in?”

Huai Ying nodded repeatedly.

This villainess was finally going to stir things up.

Eagerly, she stood up.

“Let’s go.”

Ignoring Bai Jinwei’s objections, she followed Mu Jinnian away.

Bai Jinwei watched their departing figures, tugging at the corner of her mouth, but no smile came.

Especially when she looked at Mu Jinnian’s challenging gaze.

She wasn’t someone who gave up easily.

Yet this Huai Ying seemed… off.

Could it be that all of this was finally coming to an end?