Chapter 19: Retribution

In the evening, Zhao Qian sat in the school corridor with a few friends, her arm wrapped in a plaster cast.

A classmate asked her, “Qianqian, did you really see Chen Su being kept by someone?”

“Of course!” Zhao Qian recalled the humiliation she had suffered in front of Chen Su, her anger rising sharply. “This arm of mine is the proof! She’s not the obedient girl she pretends to be! Behind the scenes, she smokes and drinks, and it’s one thing to be kept by a man, but she’s also entangled with Senior Song. It’s disgusting!”

“Really? I didn’t expect someone who looks so pure to be so wild behind the scenes!” another classmate shook her head. “With such loose morals, it’s no wonder Professor Li wants her to take over his class. Could it be that Professor Li got some favors from Chen Su?”

Another student crossed her arms disdainfully. “With that face of Chen Su’s, it’s no surprise Professor Li treats her specially. It’s because she willingly sleeps with him behind our backs.”

She sneered, “Being at the same school as her is truly sickening.”

“Did you watch from under the bed while I was ‘offering myself’?” Chen Su’s voice came from behind the group. “Or did you actually see me having an improper relationship with Professor Li?”

The gossiping students turned around, suddenly feeling guilty when they saw Chen Su’s face.

Zhao Qian stepped forward, blocking the others. “Chen Su, I haven’t even confronted you about my arm yet, and here you are coming to me first!”

Chen Su smiled calmly. “If you hadn’t spread those rumors, maybe I wouldn’t have come looking for you.”

Zhao Qian hesitated. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. After you left the infirmary last time, I saw you holding hands with that man who walked you out!”

“So it was really you who leaked those photos,” Chen Su said, staring at her innocent-looking face for several seconds.

Thinking of her injured arm, Zhao Qian suddenly stepped back, frightened. “What... what do you want to do? This is the school corridor, there are cameras everywhere. If you dare touch me again, I guarantee the school will expel you!”

“Slap!”

The crisp sound of a slap echoed. Zhao Qian’s cheek quickly swelled and reddened. “You dare hit me?”

Chen Su smiled. “How else will you learn your lesson?”

Among the group of classmates, two had already been struck by Chen Su previously.

No one dared to speak.

Zhao Qian was overwhelmed with guilt. After the earlier incident, she truly feared Chen Su’s recklessness.

But she didn’t want to lose face in front of everyone, so she raised her hand to strike back.

Just as her hand went up, Chen Su grabbed it.

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Zhao Qian saw the cold glint in Chen Su’s eyes and felt her heart race.

“You—”

“Chen Su!”

Suddenly, a clear voice interrupted. Shen Zhiwei appeared from around the corner, holding a book.

“What are you all doing here?”

Zhao Qian quickly withdrew her hand and glanced at the work badge hanging from Shen Zhiwei’s neck, realizing she was a teacher at Hong Kong University.

“Teacher Shen, she hit me!” Zhao Qian hid behind Chen Su, feigning fear. “Luckily you’re here, or I don’t know how badly she would have beaten me!”

Shen Zhiwei’s expression remained calm. “I believe this must be a misunderstanding.”

“No misunderstanding!” Zhao Qian said indignantly. “This arm is proof she hit me! Teacher Shen, you have to stand up for me!”

Shen Zhiwei looked at Chen Su. “Chen Su, this is a school, not a place for fighting. Please apologize to Zhao so this doesn’t escalate and harm your reputation.”

Chen Su understood perfectly—this wasn’t a request but a threat.

She sneered, “Shen Zhiwei, so you want to marry into the Qu family?”

Shen Zhiwei smiled. “No need to want—I already am.”

Chen Su raised an eyebrow. “So confident?”

Shen Zhiwei maintained her charming smile. “I got this job because your brother supported me. After all, the Qu family donated two buildings to Hong Kong University.”

Chen Su’s smile stiffened, and coldness flashed in her eyes.

Zhao Qian stood by, confused.

The Qu family?

Could it be that Chen Su was the Qu family’s adopted daughter from years ago?

She frowned. “Are you Qu Bainan’s sister?”

“No,” Chen Su replied firmly. “I have nothing to do with the Qu family.”

“Chen Su, how can you say that?” Shen Zhiwei lifted her wrist to show the bracelet. “This bracelet was specially bought by Aunt Qu years ago—one given to you, one to me. It means we’re family now. Saying that must hurt Aunt Qu deeply.”

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Shen Zhiwei looked gentle and refined, the epitome of a noble lady.

Yet the bracelet was incongruous with her demeanor.

It was clear Shen Zhiwei wore it deliberately, knowing Chen Su was at this school, flaunting it openly.

Chen Su’s eyes darkened with coldness. “Shen Zhiwei, if you want to marry into the Qu family, you’d better see if you’re worthy.”

At this point, Chen Su had no intention of settling scores.

Her mind was consumed by the bracelet on Shen Zhiwei’s wrist—exactly like her own.

How ironic.

They claimed it was a precious gift from Uncle Qu at the wedding, yet he casually gave one to Shen Zhiwei.

Suppressing the stinging at her nose, Chen Su turned and walked away.

Shen Zhiwei smiled. “The Shen and Qu families are both noble houses. Their alliance is welcomed by everyone. Even if your brother doesn’t like me, he’ll have to accept me as Mrs. Qu.”

She spoke with confidence.

Chen Su’s steps faltered slightly, her hands clenched tightly in her palms, but she didn’t look back as she left.

At the doorway, she suddenly bumped into a solid wall.

Feeling aggrieved, her voice choked with emotion. “Hey! Can’t you watch where you’re going?!”

“I don’t have eyes on my back,” came a familiar male voice by her ear. “Who upset you?”

Chen Su looked up to see Qu Bainan standing before her, bathed in the light. He wore a white shirt beneath a navy vest, broad-shouldered with a narrow waist. His eyes behind his glasses were calm and deep, as if ready to draw her in completely.

She sniffled and glanced back at Shen Zhiwei, who was just exiting the school.

Now, all her feelings were drawn inward, leaving only the rivalry between women.

Why should Shen Zhiwei get everything she wanted without lifting a finger?

She was unwilling.

After two seconds of silence, Chen Su lifted her head and, almost in retaliation, pressed her lips to Qu Bainan’s.

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