After logging into the school forum using Chen Wanzhou’s account, Jiang Yi posted a simple reply:
“This is Jiang Yi. Jiang Sixian and I are not dating. Our parents know each other and live nearby. She injured her leg, and I’m taking care of her out of consideration for her mother. Please delete this thread, and don’t spread false rumors. P.S. Taking photos without consent is illegal. Please stop following me.”
After posting, Jiang Yi returned the phone to the class monitor, her expression indifferent. “Thanks for your concern, but please don’t show me these pointless things in the future.”
The monitor nodded. “I just wanted to protect your reputation. Some things I have to show you.”
They chatted for a bit longer, then the bell rang, and they dispersed, returning to their seats.
Jiang Yi’s statement ignited the forum. Countless replies flooded in—some simply marking their presence, others asking how well Jiang Yi knew Jiang Sixian, and still others questioning if she liked Jiang Sixian. Several threads quickly grew to towering heights.
As the threads developed, some discordant voices emerged.
One post, in particular, stood out: “Jiang Yi and Jiang Sixian are childhood friends? Sort of.”
“Rather than living nearby, they practically live together. After Ms. Ning, Jiang Sixian’s mother, divorced, she got together with that wealthy pharmaceutical tycoon in Yun City, but they never married…”
“That tycoon is a notorious playboy Alpha with numerous lovers, hence the illegitimate child, Jiang Yi. Ms. Ning is the only one she’s ever brought home in all these years.”
“Something Jiang Yi’s mother never achieved, even after having Jiang Yi sixteen years ago…”
During the break after the second class, the monitor showed Jiang Yi this post, leaving her utterly bewildered.
Jiang Yi was furious. “What kind of garbage is this? How twisted must this person be to write such disgusting things?”
She scrolled through the entire post, and a chilling realization dawned on her: the writer’s intentions were malicious. They portrayed Jiang Qionghua as a promiscuous woman with countless lovers, implying Ning Wenying was just one of them. They suggested Ning Wenying, after leaving her ex-husband, was in a difficult situation and became Jiang Qionghua’s mistress.
Furthermore, they insinuated that Ning Wenying was only accepted into the Jiang family after Jiang Sixian presented as an Omega.
The implication was clear: Jiang Sixian was potentially being groomed as a “kept woman.” (扬州瘦马 (Yángzhōu shòumǎ): A historical reference to women trained from a young age in various arts to become concubines or courtesans for wealthy men. The term carries strong negative connotations.
Jiang Yi’s hands trembled with rage. Fueled by righteous indignation, she grabbed the monitor’s phone and, during class, unleashed a furious rebuttal against this “rat hiding in the shadows.”
Her fingers flew across the keyboard. “Have you lived in a sewer so long you’ve forgotten what the real world looks like? Do you even realize you’re spouting utter nonsense?”
“Ms. Ning is the eldest daughter of the Ning family in Yun City. After her divorce, she received a significant portion of Jiang’s Real Estate shares. She’s not short of money.” (Note: Attached is a screenshot from Qichacha showing Ms. Ning’s shares and company structure.)
“She has a professional manager handling her finances. I’ve met that manager several times. Ms. Ning is one of the wealthiest people in Yun City.”
“As for your claim that Ms. Jiang is promiscuous, as far as I know, besides a one-night stand with my mother, she hasn’t been involved with anyone else.”
This was something Jiang Qionghua herself had admitted. She’d had a crush on Ning Wenying, her childhood friend, since she was twelve. After several rejected confessions, and witnessing Ning Wenying marry and have a child, she went to a bar, got drunk, and ended up sleeping with Jiang Yi’s mother, who had a crush on her at the time. Jiang Yi’s mother then ran off after getting pregnant.
Of course, the latter part was Jiang Yi’s mother’s version of events.
Jiang Yi scoffed, continuing to type furiously. “Ms. Jiang and Ms. Ning were childhood sweethearts, their families close friends. If Ms. Ning hadn’t had a family arranged marriage, they might have married decades ago.”
“You’re so good at making things up, why don’t you just say Jiang Sixian is actually Ms. Jiang’s biological daughter, and my older sister?”
Jiang Yi was truly enraged. After her tirade, she added sternly, “Even on an anonymous forum, you should be responsible for your words. Do you want a lawyer’s letter delivered to your door?”
After posting, she returned the phone to the monitor and asked, “Is there any way to find out who this person is?” This person’s mouth was truly foul; they clearly needed a lesson.
The monitor, rarely seeing Jiang Yi so angry, knew she was genuinely disgusted. She thought for a moment. “Tracing the IP address should be possible, but doxxing is illegal.”
Jin Duolai quietly raised her hand. “I can try, but I’ll need to get on my computer tonight.”
Jiang Yi gave her a grateful smile. Chen Wanzhou, after rereading Jiang Yi’s reply, said, “We should contact someone to delete that post first. This kind of slander is truly disgusting.”
“Jiang Sixian is already a prominent figure. If she sees this, it’ll be very upsetting for her.”
Jiang Yi’s expression darkened. “Upsetting? She’ll be sick to her stomach.” Jiang Sixian was just a sixteen-year-old girl; why should she be subjected to such malicious speculation?
The person who wrote this must be truly vile.
Of course, Jiang Yi wouldn’t bring this to Jiang Qionghua or Ning Wenying, letting the adults handle it. The content was simply too awkward. Their school forum issues should be resolved within the school.
After Jiang Yi’s furious clarification, the monitor and Chen Wanzhou joined the online battle, thoroughly discrediting the rumormonger and effectively nipping the slander in the bud.
Thanks to this morning’s commotion, almost everyone now knew the truth about Jiang Yi and Jiang Sixian’s relationship.
They weren’t secret ex-girlfriends, but soon-to-be stepsisters. This revelation shifted the perception of Jiang Sixian’s admirers towards Jiang Yi. Some even felt a twinge of sympathy. After all, Jiang Sixian was gaining a sister, someone they might be able to befriend.
Jiang Sixian, at the center of this whirlwind, was completely oblivious. Soon, the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Jiang Yi went to Class A’s door, leaned against the frame, knocked, and called out, “Xianxian-jie, time for lunch.”
Jiang Sixian, tidying her desk, looked up, surprised. She’d never imagined Jiang Yi would call her that.
A strange sense of joy washed over her. She nodded. “Okay.”
After her reply, Jiang Yi entered the classroom, walked behind Jiang Sixian, and pushed her wheelchair out.
Tang Qing, who was about to take Jiang Sixian to lunch, saw this and couldn’t help but call out, “Xianxian…”
Jiang Yi and Jiang Sixian, both turned to look at Tang Qing.
Tang Qing glanced at Jiang Yi, then said to Jiang Sixian somewhat awkwardly, “I can take you to lunch too.”
Before Jiang Sixian could reply, Jiang Yi spoke up. “Maybe next time. I promised Xianxian-jie’s mother I’d take care of her since she’s injured.”
Jiang Sixian was even more surprised. Jiang Yi had previously avoided any association with her. Now, suddenly invoking their parents, Jiang Sixian couldn’t help but be shocked.
But the most surprising thing was yet to come.
Not only did Jiang Yi take her to lunch, but she also introduced her to her friends from Class B.
As they took the elevator downstairs, Jiang Sixian realized that besides Jiang Yi, the four Alphas from Class B were also joining them.
Jiang Sixian actually knew them, but the enthusiastic class monitor still greeted her warmly.
After everyone introduced themselves, the monitor explained, “We always have lunch with Jiang Yi. It feels strange without everyone. Hope you don’t mind us tagging along.”
Jiang Sixian, sitting in her wheelchair, smiled faintly. “Not at all. I’m the one imposing on Jiang Yi.”
Hearing this, the monitor glanced at Jiang Yi, her eyes gleaming with amusement.
Chen Wanzhou, beside her, pushed up her glasses and added, “Not at all. Jiang Yi has nothing better to do anyway. She should be more helpful.”
As the elevator reached the first floor and the doors opened, Jiang Yi pushed Jiang Sixian out, saying lazily, “Yeah, I should be more helpful. Why are you Alphas here? Don’t you know Alphas and Omegas should keep their distance?”
She’d already told them that morning not to join them for lunch, yet they still followed.
Of course, Jiang Yi didn’t really want to have lunch alone with Jiang Sixian either, but she also wasn’t keen on being surrounded by onlookers. Hence, her slightly annoyed tone.
The monitor chuckled. “We just couldn’t bear to leave you, and you have to look after Jiang Sixian anyway. We’ll just get your food.”
Well, they’d already said it all. What else could Jiang Yi do?
Jiang Yi rolled her eyes at the monitor and said, suppressing her annoyance, “Fine, thanks.”
That afternoon, the well-known “four Alphas dragging one undifferentiated” group gained an Omega member, and that Omega was none other than the aloof school beauty, Jiang Sixian.
From the teaching building to the cafeteria, and even within the cafeteria, many heard Jiang Yi call Jiang Sixian “Xianxian-jie.” This seemed to confirm the rumors that they were indeed stepsisters.
Thanks to the warm welcome from the monitor and her friends, Jiang Sixian enjoyed her lunch.
Sitting beside Jiang Yi, watching her chat and laugh with her friends, Jiang Sixian felt she was particularly radiant. For no particular reason, Jiang Sixian turned and glanced at her several times.
The Class B group was complaining about their elective teachers, and Jiang Sixian, the Class A monitor, sitting beside them, seemed slightly out of place.
Jiang Yi, worried Jiang Sixian might feel uncomfortable, kept an eye on her. Noticing Jiang Sixian looking at her, Jiang Yi followed her gaze and realized it was fixed on the spare ribs she’d just picked up.
Jiang Yi stared at the spare ribs for a moment, then turned to Jiang Sixian. “Want some sweet and sour spare ribs?”
Her sudden question drew everyone’s attention, especially the monitor, who nudged Chen Wanzhou, a gossipy look on her face.
Jiang Sixian paused, then nodded. “Mm.”
Jiang Yi brought the spare ribs to Jiang Sixian’s lips, just like she usually did with Jin Duolai, and said naturally, “Ah…”
This time, Jiang Sixian was truly stunned. After a moment, she tucked her hair behind her ear and leaned down to take the spare rib from Jiang Yi’s chopsticks.
The moment Jiang Sixian bit down, Jiang Yi realized something was amiss. She quickly pulled her chopsticks back, saying awkwardly, “Sorry, I’m used to feeding Duolai. Don’t mind me, my saliva isn’t poisonous.”
Jiang Sixian, chewing on the spare rib, glanced at Jin Duolai, who was staring blankly at them, and said softly, “I don’t mind.”
She was beautiful, and usually aloof, so few had seen her so docile.
The monitor, having witnessed the entire scene, gasped and turned to Chen Wanzhou. They exchanged glances, their thoughts aligning.
They recalled Jiang Yi saying Jiang Sixian was gentle.
Now, it seemed she wasn’t just gentle, but soft.
Sweet and soft, was this what an Omega was like?
Before their silent communication could conclude, Zhang Tiantian, who had been quietly eating, looked up at Jiang Sixian and said earnestly, “Jiang Sixian, I used to think you were so aloof. Now I think you’re really cute.”
Zhang Tiantian’s unexpected comment drew everyone’s attention.
Jiang Yi looked at Zhang Tiantian, wondering if this Alpha had suddenly awakened to the joys of teenage romance. Jiang Sixian was indeed cute, captivating even fellow Omegas, let alone Alphas.
Jiang Sixian instinctively glanced at Jiang Yi, noticing her thoughtful expression. She paused, then looked at Zhang Tiantian and asked, “Thank you, but why do you say that?”
Not just her, but everyone present wanted to know the answer.
Especially the monitor, who glared at Zhang Tiantian, practically radiating “Are you trying to break up my ship?” vibes.
Zhang Tiantian, flustered by the attention, thought for a moment before replying to Jiang Sixian, “Because just now, when Jiang Yi fed you that spare rib, you looked like a kitten.”
“My grandma has a cat, just like you, very well-behaved and cute.”
Well-behaved and cute? Quite accurate.
Jiang Yi picked up another spare rib, popped it in her mouth, and smiled. “Didn’t expect such sweet words from someone like you.”
Huh? The monitor’s heart skipped a beat. Something about that comment sounded strangely sarcastic.
Oh no, could Jiang Yi be jealous?
Shoutout and huge thanks to Karashin for picking up the complete EPUB book on the Ko-fi shop! Really appreciate the support!
If you’d like to read ahead and support me, you can request extra chapters or get the full novel as an EPUB.
