Qiao Wei hadn't expected Yun Xin to really walk her all the way home. She kept sneaking glances at the girl beside her, searching for any flicker of emotion behind those black-rimmed glasses—but found none.
The other girl was always the same: straight bangs, round glasses, calm voice, and a face that rarely showed expression.
Even when she smiled, it was so faint you could miss it if you blinked.
Her tone might sound a little mechanical, yet if you listened closely, it carried a quiet gentleness—like a small warm breeze brushing past the heart. Subtle, but comforting.
"I'm here."
Qiao Wei looked up at the old, run-down apartment building.
The Ji family's ruthless suppression of the Qiaos had nearly driven them into the streets.
For a family like hers, that kind of fall should've been impossible. Even in bankruptcy, there should have been savings, connections—something to hold onto.
She still didn't understand how her father had sunk into gambling so quickly, losing everything and falling into debt.
Her mother had sold every last possession just to keep the debt collectors at bay.
But Qiao Wei knew—somehow, the Ji family had a hand in it.
Her father had never been a real gambler before. A true addict couldn't quit so cleanly afterward; they'd be out hunting for money, pawning off their family if they had to.
"I'm going in. See you tomorrow, Yun Xin."
Standing by the gate, A Xin gave her faint smile. "See you tomorrow."
Qiao Wei hesitated, then asked again, "Do you really hate Lin Xiao'ai?"
"I really do."
"Wow, never thought you were that kind of person," Qiao Wei muttered. "That Ji Jiang—whatever you used to feel for him, you should drop it early. He's not worth it. I must've been blind to have done so many stupid things because of him."
"Oh? So Qiao Wei plans to give up her first love?"
Qiao Wei snorted. "And if I don't? He ruined my family. We grew up together, and for Lin Xiao'ai he threw all that away. What's left to love? I just can't swallow it. Why do they get to be happy while I'm the one left in ruins?"
"Anyway, I'm going in."
A Xin watched her disappear into the stairwell, then turned and pedaled off on her bicycle.
Hiding in the dim corridor, Qiao Wei watched the departing figure until it vanished from sight. Her lips curved slightly.
Remembering everything that had happened that day, her heart felt lighter.
Even if she still had to go home to a miserable household, she no longer felt so lost.
At least now she had a way to earn her own tuition—maybe even enough to help her mother a little.
Opening the door, she saw exactly what she expected: her father sprawled on the old sofa, reeking of alcohol.
He lifted his head when she entered, mumbled something, and flopped back down.
Empty bottles littered the floor.
For once, she didn't just step over them.
She crouched, gathered them up, and looked at the unshaven, disheveled man who'd once been her proud father.
Her nose burned, eyes stinging.
They'd spoiled her all her life, really. Her parents had loved her.
Her father's angry words about dropping out—those were spoken in frustration, not cruelty.
After tidying the room, she went to her small bedroom and took out her homework.
She wasn't the Qiao heiress anymore; if she didn't work hard now, she'd have nothing left.
She wanted to help with dinner, but she'd been pampered too long.
She didn't even know how to cook.
Her mother worked all day and still came home to cook and clean—compared to that, being scolded was nothing.
Right now, Qiao Wei thought bitterly, she was just a parasite.
By the time she finished her homework, her mother was back.
From her room, Qiao Wei could hear their voices in the living room—quiet but tense.
Her mother's weary sighs, her father's silence.
Then the sound of the kitchen door opening and the clatter of pots.
Soon, her mother called her to eat.
There was a fried egg and a single piece of meat in her bowl—none in her parents'.
She hadn't noticed details like that before.
"Vivi," her mother said softly after a few bites, "I've already looked into schools for you. It's a public high school—cheaper, decent reputation. You'll transfer there next semester."
Qiao Wei froze. "Mom, I'm not transferring."
"Not transferring? The tuition here costs tens of thousands a term! How can we afford it?" Her mother's tone sharpened.
"This isn't the time for you to be stubborn, Vivi. We simply can't manage it."
"Why bother letting her study at all," her father slurred from the sofa. "What good is school? She's spoiled rotten. Take her to your shop—she can sell clothes. If inspectors come, just hide her in the back."
The chopsticks in her mother's hand clattered onto the table.
"Enough! If you don't want to eat, go sleep on the sofa."
"Dad, Mom," Qiao Wei said quickly, sitting up straighter. "I already found a part-time job—teaching piano and English to a child. I can pay for the tuition myself."
Her eyes were shining now, full of energy she hadn't felt in months.
"I've already talked to the family. It's good pay—hundreds per lesson. I can make it in time for next semester's fees. During the winter break I'll take more work too."
She hesitated, then added impulsively, "If I work hard enough, maybe I can even make it into the top five in my grade—and apply for a scholarship!"
The moment she said it, she regretted it.
Top five? That was way too ambitious.
But seeing her mother's stunned expression—and her father's bleary eyes clearing a little—gave her courage.
"I mean it," she said firmly. "I'm not transferring. Okay?"
Tomorrow, she decided, she'd ask Yun Xin to help tutor her.
A promise was a promise, even if it meant crying over math problems to keep it.
And if she did make it into the top five, that would be the perfect revenge.
Lin Xiao'ai was one of the top five students.
Beating her academically—that would be the best payback.
Her mother questioned her again and again to be sure she wasn't lying.
The private school they were in wasn't outrageously expensive, but it was still one of the best in the city—known for taking in bright students from poor families.
To stay there meant excellence.
In truth, Mrs. Qiao wanted her daughter to stay.
The family's downfall had crushed them all.
Vivi was only sixteen—too young to shoulder such guilt.
The tragedy wasn't her fault, not really. But pain made people cruel.
Her mother had said too many bitter words, becoming the kind of sharp-tongued woman she'd once despised. Still, she was fighting to keep them alive.
After a long talk, she finally agreed to let Qiao Wei try.
Even her father said nothing more.
For once, dinner passed peacefully.
The next morning, Qiao Wei braved the cold wind, pedaling furiously toward school.
The thought of seeing that bookworm again actually made her smile.
But when she parked her bike and turned around, the smile froze.
"Well, if it isn't our Miss Qiao," a mocking voice drawled.
The speaker was a tall, broad-shouldered girl—around 1.75 meters—with small eyes, thick lips, and a face full of swollen pimples.
Her name was He Meili, ironically meaning "Beautiful He."
Her family had gone legit in business after generations of shady dealings, but the gangster streak still ran deep.
He Meili was the school bully, and nobody dared cross her.
Qiao Wei hadn't quarreled with her, but she had rejected her.
He Meili had once confessed—wanted to date her.
Qiao Wei had refused outright.
Even if she liked girls—which she didn't—it certainly wouldn't be this one.
She ignored her and tried to walk past, but He Meili spread her arm to block the way.
"Where are you going, Miss Qiao? It's still early. Let's have a little chat."
Her grotesque face twisted into what was probably meant to be a smile as she leaned closer.
"Rough times lately, huh?"
Qiao Wei pressed her lips together. She understood perfectly what that look meant—and it made her sick.
"Stick with me," He Meili said lazily, "and you'll still be Miss Qiao. My dad could help your family get back on its feet. Think about it."
Qiao Wei's hands balled into fists inside her pockets.
"Please move, He Meili. I'm going to class."
He Meili's smile vanished. "Playing hard to get? I could make sure you never set foot in this school again."
The color drained from Qiao Wei's face.
She wasn't bluffing—He Meili really did have that kind of influence.
A wave of helpless anger rose inside her.
Then a familiar, calm voice cut through the tension.
"Qiao Wei."
Her eyes lit up.
She turned and saw the bookworm walking toward her.
"I'm here," she said quickly, forcing a smile. "Morning, Yun Xin!"
A Xin stopped beside her, lifting her gaze to He Meili.
"Class is starting soon, He Meili. Maybe you should step aside?"
"Get lost!" the bully snapped.
She wasn't about to show any respect to some nobody with no background and thick glasses.