Wang Xuxu?
A gleam of darkness flitted through Zhao Yiling’s eyes, as a fragment of memory began to be elicited deep in her mind.
The doll-like face in front of her was gradually merging with that face from her memories.
One unbearable memory after another replayed before her eyes.
At the age of 8, when her family had just moved to Capital City, as a transfer student, she faced some unfair treatment at school.
Back then, Wang Xuxu was the haughty daughter of a high-ranking official, surrounded by a group of people as she pointed at her nose and scolded, "What gives you, a bumpkin from the countryside, the right to study in the same school as us, the daughter of a merchant reeking of the stench of copper coins!"
Everyone spat on her, calling her a ragged country bumpkin.
Sitting there with her head in her hands, anxious and uneasy, she only had to look up to see the fierce faces of those people.
From that moment, she deeply recognized the importance of power and influence.
It was also from that time that she took up the various etiquette lessons her parents arranged for her, learning all sorts of psychology.
It was then that she quietly vowed in her heart to become a person of eminence, to make those who humiliated and bullied her pay a corresponding price!
It was also then that she began to exert herself to study diligently, day and night, skipping several grades in succession and leaving that school early.
She became increasingly excellent, ever more like a noble lady of grandeur, and the arrival of Chu Jin gave her even more confidence.
She constantly sought a sense of superiority from Chu Jin.
The facts proved that she was right.
Chu Jin transformed from a naturally beautiful and talented young girl to a well-known waste.
And she, from an ugly duckling, became a genius girl known by all.
"Sister Zhao?" Seeing Zhao Yiling without any reaction, Wang Xuxu felt somewhat awkward, her hand stretched out halfway and then freezing in mid-air, not quite knowing how to retract it.
Hearing the calling voice by her side, Zhao Yiling quickly snapped out of her memories, "Hello, I’m Zhao Yiling."
Immediately, she reached out and shook Wang Xuxu’s hand without changing her expression.
The corners of her mouth lifted into a beautiful curve.
Wang Xuxu seemed to have completely forgotten about Zhao Yiling and praised her, "Sister Zhao is really beautiful, I have never seen someone as remarkable as Sister Zhao in Capital City."
Wang Xuxu’s words contained both truth and falsehood. In reality, Capital City was never short of beauties, but those whom Li Hanjiang personally escorted were indeed few.
Zhao Yiling withdrew her hand and pulled out a tissue from the table. In front of everyone, she diligently wiped the hand that had just touched Wang Xuxu, as though she had been contaminated with garbage. While wiping, she explained to Wang Xuxu, "Don’t mind me, Xuxu, I’ve been a germaphobe since I was young."
The belles at the side looked on at Wang Xuxu as if they were watching a show, with no intention of smoothing things over.
The smile on Wang Xuxu’s lips froze for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure, "No, no, I don’t mind at all."
Does she truly not mind?
Does Zhao Yiling really have a germaphobia?
Although she didn’t know why Zhao Yiling was hostile towards her, it was clear enough that Zhao Yiling truly disliked her.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have embarrassed her in front of all the other socialites.
She shakes hands with others without any hint of germaphobia, but it suddenly appears when it comes to her.
A touch of mockery flashed in Wang Xuxu’s downcast eyes.
Even if she knew that Zhao Yiling didn’t like her, what could she do? She still had to ingratiate herself with Zhao Yiling.
Only by doing so could she advance further in this circle.
As for her, born into riches and nobility, spoon-fed with a golden spoon since childhood, she seemed to lead a limitless, glamorous life that many envied.
But who could truly see the bitterness and reluctance behind that splendor?
Your best friend can betray you for their own benefit, stepping over you to rise higher.
Blood may be thicker than water, but a relative can still sell their own daughter for fame and profit.
Friends are not friends, kin are not kin.
Yearning for freedom, yet trapped in a cage.
Those born into wealth, how many can truly live a life of unrestrained abandon?
Just like Zhao Yiling, who today clings to Li Hanjiang and is the envy of everyone. But what will she do if one day Li Hanjiang grows tired of her?
Today everyone holds her in high regard, but when she falls from grace tomorrow, who will remember her then?
How many here show their true faces?
Everyone wants to step on each other to climb higher.
Zhao Yiling smiled, yet her eyes held not the slightest warmth, "As long as you don’t mind."
It seems Wang Xuxu truly doesn’t remember herself anymore.
Who would have thought that Wang Xuxu, who used to bask in glory, would end up like this today.
What goes around comes around!
Today is just the beginning. In the future, she will make Wang Xuxu pay back, with compounded interest, the humiliation she once inflicted upon her.
At that moment, Li Hanjiang walked over with measured steps and said to Zhao Yiling, "Are you hungry? What would you like to eat? I’ll order for you."
Zhao Yiling gave him a smile, "I’m not fussy, Mr. Li can ask the other ladies if they have any dietary restrictions."
With one sentence, the faces of the other socialites changed.
None of them had the fortune that Zhao Yiling had, to have a major figure like Li Hanjiang personally attend to them.
Even a single glance from Li Hanjiang was considered a luxury for them.
Li Hanjiang nodded, naturally he would not really ask the others about their dietary preferences, "Alright, then you sit here and wait, I’ll be right back."
No sooner had Li Hanjiang left than others immediately gathered around. One of them, cozying up to Zhao Yiling, spoke flatteringly.
"Sister Zhao really has good fortune, with Boss Li being so attentive. I’m afraid in a few days, when we see Sister Zhao, we will have to address you differently."
The speaker was Shen Ya, an acquaintance of Zhao Yiling.
Zhao Yiling humbly smiled and explained, "Ya Ya, don’t tease me. Mr. Li and I are just acquaintances who met by chance, just ordinary friends, not what you imagine."
Really just ordinary friends?
Could an ordinary friend be worthy of such treatment by Li Hanjiang? The socialites weren’t fools.
Consequently, everyone began to flatter Zhao Yiling even more, and occasionally, she would respond modestly before slowly getting used to it.
She quite enjoyed the moments of being adored by others.
This sense of superiority from being on top was truly wonderful.
Just then, the door to the private room was opened again.
Everyone unconsciously looked over, only to see three girls walk in from outside.
Zhao Yiling, catching sight of the trio walking in from the door, faintly sensed a crisis and sharply drew in her breath when she recognized the face of the last girl.
That person—is it Chu Jin?
How did this good-for-nothing get in?
How could Shangtian, a high-end club like this, let such people in, truly dragging down my level!
Upon seeing her act this way, Wang Xuxu hastily asked, "Sister, what’s wrong, did you see someone familiar?"
Zhao Yiling turned away, an idea springing to mind, and said indifferently, "It’s nothing, I just saw my good-for-nothing sister."
"Sister?" Wang Xuxu unconsciously looked in that direction, "I only know that the girl in the pale pink dress is Mr. Qin’s sister, I don’t recognize the other two. They seem to be friends of Mr. Qin’s sister."