“That last person, after being rescued, actually thanked our parents.”
“Not only did they pay the money they owed, but they also kowtowed to our parents to show their gratitude.”
Chi Qingyao continued eating the dishes she had ordered, her tone calm as she recounted the matters at home to her elder sister.
Seeing Chi Qingyao’s nonchalant demeanor, Caixiangxiang and the other two felt even more chilled.
“Since my sister says you won’t skip out on the bill, then go ahead and be quick about it.”
“After all, my sister is your friend, but I’m not your friend.”
Chi Qingyao’s calm words echoed in her ears. Caixiangxiang swallowed instinctively.
‘A harsh environment breeds cunning people. Chi Qingyao might very well do something to us in secret, just like she said.’
What Caixiangxiang hadn’t expected was that someone like Chi Qingyao, who had done such things, actually got away with it in their village?
What frightened her even more was that, based on Chi Qingya’s age, Chi Qingyao was probably still in high school.
If she wasn’t an adult yet, then wouldn’t that mean…
Her heart filled with even more fear.
“Yao Yao.”
Chi Qingya’s voice was a little softer, but she still stopped her younger sister from continuing.
Her younger sister was already an adult.
And this place was S City, not their backward little mountain village.
If Yao Yao did something here, even going home would be difficult.
Chi Qingya also wouldn’t stand by and watch Chi Qingyao do something that would harm herself.
But…
Her hand, which had tried to grab Chi Qingyao’s sleeve, began to tremble.
Was what Yao Yao did necessarily wrong?
Not necessarily, right?
If she had been able to act like Yao Yao earlier, maybe she could have been freed by now?
It was her own cowardice that had led to the final outcome.
Chi Qingya’s hand, which had been holding Chi Qingyao’s sleeve, slowly fell, ultimately dropping to her side.
She wanted to mediate, but the words to stop the argument wouldn’t come out.
From her and Chi Qingyao’s perspective, she was Chi Qingyao’s elder sister.
But from each of their own perspectives, she was a failure.
Yet Chi Qingyao was thriving at school, as if nothing could trouble her.
Even the harm that Chi Qingya had brought to her, Yao Yao had resolved easily on her own.
And she had even helped alleviate a large part of Chi Qingya’s troubles.
“It’s just a little bit of money. Do you think we’re all like you?”
Wei Yanxi couldn’t hold back her anger.
How dare Chi Qingya’s younger sister speak to them like that?
They weren’t ruffians raised in some godforsaken place.
Why would she suspect them of skipping out on the bill?
Slandering their reputation.
“Exactly. It’s just a bit of money. Do you think we’re all like you, ignorant of the world?”
“Ya Ya, is this how you educate your own younger sister?”
Chen Tangguan was also feeling pretty irritated.
This was a society governed by law. Did Chi Qingyao really dare to lay a hand on them?
If she did, Chen Tangguan wouldn’t mind teaching her a proper lesson.
She would make her realize that not every place was like her backward little village.
A poor wretch is a poor wretch for life!
A day as a hick means a lifetime as a hick.
Even if she left the small village that raised her, she couldn’t change what ran in her blood.
“Forget it. Ya Ya’s younger sister is just a kid. Why bother getting upset with her?”
“Ya Ya’s sister doesn’t know us, but doesn’t Ya Ya herself know us?”
Caixiangxiang tried to play the peacemaker to ease the tension between them.
She glanced at Chen Tangguan and Wei Yanxi, thinking her two friends were incredibly foolish.
Chi Qingya’s little sister had provoked them just a few times, and they got riled up.
Did they really intend to pay this meal bill?
How stupid!
Now was the perfect time for Chi Qingya to let her guard down.
It was also the perfect opportunity for them to slip away.
What was the point of squandering a few thousand bucks for the sake of a quick tongue-lashing?
With that kind of money, wouldn’t it be better to buy something they liked?
Catching the warning look in Caixiangxiang’s eyes, Chen Tangguan and Wei Yanxi finally realized they had fallen for the trick.
As expected from someone from the countryside.
Truly sinister.
They had almost been caught in her trap.
That poor soul who got thrown into the bathroom by Chi Qingyao must have fallen for her scheme too.
“Hmph, it’s just a few measly bucks. We really don’t care.”
Wei Yanxi said coldly, then turned to look at Chi Qingya with disappointment.
If it were before, Chi Qingya would have sensed her gaze, realized their friendship was fading, and done something to fix it.
But this time, Chi Qingya just sat there quietly, head down, doing nothing.
Wei Yanxi felt a bit let down, but she didn’t care too much.
She wasn’t in a hurry.
Eventually, when Chi Qingya realized her mistake, she would pay for it.
“Let’s hurry to the bathroom. I’m feeling really unwell.”
Wei Yanxi said, her voice trembling. Caixiangxiang and Chen Tangguan quickly helped her up and led her toward the restroom.
Just then, Chi Qingyao slowly stood up.
“Yao Yao.”
“Elder sister, I need to use the bathroom too. Why don’t you let these sisters take me along?”
A faint smile appeared on Chi Qingyao’s face. Chi Qingya looked at Caixiangxiang and the others, clearly sensing their reluctance.
She realized that her relationship with the three of them seemed to be drifting apart.
But if she had to choose between her younger sister and her friends, she would unhesitatingly pick her sister.
Her sister couldn’t lose her.
“Yao Yao, be careful.”
As Chi Qingya spoke, she felt as if all her strength had drained away. She slumped weakly against her chair.
Watching Caixiangxiang and the others help Wei Yanxi toward the door of the private room, her throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton.
Just then, her sister’s hand, which was holding a cup of lemon water, accidentally brushed against her own. The coldness made her fingertips tremble.
She realized her palms were soaked with cold sweat.
As she watched her younger sister walk away, Chi Qingya could see the disappointment in her eyes.
The leftover olive meat duck on the table was covered in a layer of solidified grease.
The aroma of the golden broth rice mixed with the perfume Wei Yanxi had left behind, making her temples throb.
Chi Qingyao stabbed a piece of cold duck meat and shoved it into her mouth. The sharp clink of the metal fork against the porcelain plate made her jump.
She stared at the water stain spreading across the napkin, remembering how excited she had been last week when Caixiangxiang said she wanted to eat Japanese food, how Chen Tangguan had cooed “Ya Ya’s the smartest, anyway” after losing her notebook.
Those memories of sharing headphones and watching variety shows in the milk tea shop, mingled with the cold leftovers in front of her, somehow made her feel nauseous.
Chi Qingya abruptly slammed her cup down on the table. The ripples from the bottom shattered her pale reflection.
She…
She wanted to escape from here!