This realization left Li Jianming stiff from head to toe, and a layer of cold sweat instantly broke out across his back.
What kind of existence was the Zhang Group? It was a top-tier family whose influence ranked among the very best in Rongcheng—and even across the country. The Li Group was nothing more than dust in front of the Zhang Group.
And who was Mr. Chen? He was Zhang Zhenxiong’s most trusted butler. Even the heads of ordinary wealthy families would have difficulty meeting him, yet now he was treating a female student from Tengyuan University with such respect…
Li Jianming’s gaze abruptly shifted to Zhang Yanyan.
She… she was also surnamed Zhang.
His heart pounded so hard it felt as though it might burst from his chest. A bold yet perfectly reasonable guess began to take shape in his mind.
He no longer cared about the eyes of those around him. He spun around and grabbed Li Man, who was still wiping away her tears. His fingers trembled slightly from the force of his grip.
His voice shook, carrying a trace of panic that he himself failed to notice.
“Manman, you… that student you told me about yesterday—the one you had a confrontation with, the one who beat you… what… what was her name?”
Li Man was startled by her father’s sudden movement. Still sniffling, she remained completely unaware that the situation had changed. With a tearful, resentful tone, she complained, “Dad, her name is Zhang Yanyan! Who else could it be? That slut actually dared to fight back. Hurry up and make her apologize to me!”
“Zhang Yanyan…”
Li Jianming murmured the name again. Combined with Uncle Chen’s identity and that surname, all his suspicions were instantly confirmed.
His face turned as white as paper, every trace of color draining away. A thunderclap seemed to explode beside his ears.
The next second, the crisp sound of a slap rang throughout the entire office.
The blow sent Li Man’s head snapping to the side. Covering her cheek, she stared at her father in disbelief as tears immediately poured down her face even more fiercely.
“Dad! You hit me?”
“You stupid girl!” Li Jianming was furious and terrified. The veins on his forehead bulged as he gripped Li Man’s shoulders and practically shoved her toward Zhang Yanyan.
“Apologize to Miss Zhang! Now! Do you know who she is? She’s the Zhang Group heiress! You actually dared to provoke her. Are you tired of living?”
With that, Li Jianming let go of Li Man and hurried forward. He bent at the waist until he was nearly at a ninety-degree angle, his face instantly filling with an ingratiating smile as he bowed repeatedly to Zhang Yanyan.
“Miss Zhang, I’m truly sorry! My daughter is ignorant and failed to recognize your status. She offended you because I failed to discipline her properly. Please accept my apologies!”
Then he barked sternly, “Manman, apologize at once! Ask Miss Zhang to forgive you!”
Li Man was completely stunned by her father’s attitude and by the words “the Zhang Group heiress.”
Covering her cheek, she trembled all over. It took her a long while to realize which Zhang Group her father was talking about.
Her face turned deathly pale. The arrogance she had displayed earlier vanished without a trace. Lowering her head, she spoke in a voice thick with sobs.
“Miss Zhang, I’m sorry… I was wrong. I shouldn’t have spread those rumors, and I shouldn’t have brought people to surround you. Please forgive me.”
Li Jianming quickly stepped forward again and added ingratiatingly, “Miss Zhang, two years ago, at the banquet hosted by Old Master Zhou, I exchanged greetings with your father from a distance. I’m a few years younger than your father, so according to seniority, I should even call you my niece.
“My daughter was simply too foolish this time. Please be magnanimous and don’t hold this against the Li family.”
Leaning against the sofa, Zhang Yanyan lightly rubbed her fingertips along the rim of her glass. She cast an amused look over the father and daughter and said with a hint of mockery, “Mr. Li, I accept your apology. But as for being your niece, let’s forget it. Your Li family’s status is ‘too lofty,’ and I wouldn’t dare presume to associate myself with you.”
Her tone suddenly turned cold, carrying an inexplicable pressure.
“No matter who someone is or what kind of status they have, that isn’t a reason to bully others. Are you saying that people without status deserve to be bullied?”
“No, no, of course not! It’s all because my daughter is ignorant! It absolutely won’t happen again!” Li Jianming nodded frantically, like a pecking chicken. “I’ll arrange for her to transfer schools as soon as I get home. I’ll do it today. I guarantee she won’t disturb Miss Zhang again!”
Seeing this, the parents of the other girls quickly understood what was happening as well. They wilted instantly, the anger on their faces replaced by fear. Not one of them dared mention expelling Zhang Yanyan or withdrawing their sponsorships. They all lowered their heads, trembling in silence.
Seeing the situation, the principal immediately cleared his throat. After reviewing the surveillance footage and the results of the investigation, he announced the decision in front of everyone.
“After verification, this incident was caused by Li Man and the other four students deliberately surrounding and provoking Zhang Yanyan while carrying weapons. They were also the first to initiate a physical assault.
“Zhang Yanyan’s actions constituted legitimate self-defense, and she bears no responsibility. Li Man and the other four students will receive major demerits and be expelled from the university. As for the other students, please arrange their transfers as soon as possible as well.”
Li Man and the others collapsed into the chairs nearby, their faces ashen. They had never imagined that the Zhang Yanyan they considered “plain and ordinary,” someone they could manipulate at will, was actually the daughter of one of Rongcheng’s top wealthy families. Their moment of recklessness had ultimately left them in such a humiliating state.
After returning home, Li Jianming completed Li Man’s transfer procedures.
Once the parents of the other girls learned Zhang Yanyan’s true identity, they too did not dare delay. They hurriedly arranged transfers for their daughters overnight. In the end, all of them left Tengyuan University in disgrace and never dared show their faces in Rongcheng’s elite school circles again.
After word of the incident spread, all the gossip on the Tengyuan University campus vanished completely.
Everyone learned that Zhang Yanyan had powerful people backing her. Anyone who offended Zhang Yanyan was unlikely to meet with a pleasant outcome.
Those who had once misunderstood her or discussed her behind her back did not even dare mention her casually anymore. The only thing left in their eyes was awe.
None of this affected Zhang Yanyan. She did not care what other people thought of her.
Her life continued as usual. Aside from her studies, she occasionally had specialized teachers come to her home to teach her various hobbies, etiquette, and other skills.
Sigh. Now she could somewhat sympathize with Su Yuan. Being a daughter of a wealthy family really wasn’t easy.
…………
As for Song Ze, after being punished by the police and learning of Li Man and the others’ miserable fate, he developed a deep fear of Zhang Yanyan.
He finally understood clearly that there was an insurmountable gap between himself and Zhang Yanyan. He would never be her match.
He no longer dared entertain any thoughts of targeting Zhang Yanyan. He could only focus wholeheartedly on pleasing Zhou Nian, exaggerating his misery in front of her even more than before.
“Nian-Nian, I was punished by the police, and now everyone at school has misunderstood me… They’ve all got the wrong idea. I really didn’t do it. How could I possibly be that kind of person?” Song Ze pulled Zhou Nian into his arms.
Zhou Nian felt sorry for him and hugged him tightly, cursing angrily along with him. “Song Ze, don’t be sad. I’ll always stay by your side. Zhang Yanyan and the others went too far. They’re nothing but bullies relying on their power!”
Under Song Ze’s deliberate attentiveness and calculated displays of misery, Zhou Nian finally abandoned her reserve and accepted his confession.
……
Hopelessly love-struck. There was no saving her.
After they got together, whenever they happened to run into Zhang Yanyan on campus, Zhou Nian would deliberately roll her eyes at her, wearing open hostility on her face. She would even tighten her grip on Song Ze’s hand, flaunting their relationship as a show of defiance.
Song Ze, meanwhile, would pretend not to notice and hurry away with Zhou Nian in tow. Yet in the instant he turned around, the gloom and resentment deep in his eyes remained.
