“I’m outside now. I’m just happy that you’re okay.”
Yao Tang raised her eyebrows. She felt that he was hiding something from her.
If it were really President Tan, he would’ve rushed down the site to see her. He certainly wouldn’t be out and about.
Did something happen?
“You’re not hiding anything from me, are you?”
Hearing this, Professor Zhang frowned at the side. He was about to say something, but President Tan shot him a glare.
The other man quickly quieted down.
“I’m not hiding anything from you,” Tan Xian quickly changed the topic. “When you have the time, you should head over to the Cabinet. The list of people who had been approved by the judges has already been issued, and you’re on it.”
At first, he didn’t want her to show up there.
However, if these men were to discover her talent, then it would only cause even more trouble. President Tan sighed.
“We’ll talk about it some other time,” she replied indifferently.
After hanging up the phone, President Tan turned to Professor Zhang. “That’s my disciple. I don’t want to trouble her any further,” he said. “As long as she’s safe, that’s fine.”
Now, he could finally rest assured.
..
When Yao Ran limped home, she found Qin Manlounging on the sofa. She had her arms crossed with her eyes boring right at the door.
Her gaze was as cold as ice.
“You’re finally back!”
Yao Ran forced a smile to her lips. “I’m fine, Mom. I’ll just head upstairs to do my homework,” she said softly. “Call me when the food is ready, okay?”
She was just about to go up when Qin Man held her back.
“Haven’t I already told you? You don’t have to participate in these types of extracurriculars! You should be taking care of your legs if you still want to participate in the dance competition. Now that you didn’t listen to me, look what happened. Don’t you think you deserve it?”
She scoffed. “A cripple trying to hike up the mountain. Are you trying to be a laughing stock?”
Her tone was cold and sarcastic, and Yao Ran froze.
She gripped her bag strap, resisting the urge to scream at her mother.
She still needed Qin Man if she wanted to recover movement in her legs. She shouldn’t be hostile toward her.
However, the hatred in her heart couldn’t be stopped.
Yao Ran bit her lips, taking a few deep breaths. Without another word, she raised her head as a flattering smile slipped into her lips.
“Mom, it’s all my fault,” she said softly. “I thought I would meet Young Master Yang while hiking. That way, I’ll be able to explain what had happened, but the earthquake occurred.”
However, Qin Man didn’t look like she was easing up on her.
Qin Man coolly snorted. “Look at the way you look!” She fanned away her hand as if she had smelled the stench wafting over her. “You look like a beggar! It’s better that Young Master Yangdidn’t see you looking like this!”
In her eyes, she was nothing more than trash!
Yao Ran gritted her teeth. “It’s really all my fault,” she said, trying to control the spite in her voice. “It’s my fault for not maintaining the dignity of this family, but my sister was in great danger today! She fell into the cracks, and we thought that she…that she wouldn’t be able to return.”
“Don’t mention that wretched girl to me! Do you think I care about what happens to her?”
The coldness on her face became even more evident.
She didn’t even want to hear her name.
“I’m just worried about her.”
She slowly raised her hand. “After all, she’s your biological daughter.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Qin Man’s face turned bright red.
“I don’t have a child like her!” she spat out. “How many times do you want me to say it? She’s no child of mine!”