CHAPTER 501: 199 CHANGE DESTINY_3

This is all thanks to Qi Baotan’s cleverness and attentiveness.

One time, when An’an was explaining a question to her during a video call, the screen quickly flashed over a textbook.

It was the first-year high school physics textbook.

An’an is a first-year student yet handles high school exam questions effortlessly.

An’an is far more intelligent and capable than she’d imagined—by countless times over.

Thinking that An’an might be right next door, her mood grew instantly excited.

As soon as she opened WeChat, she saw a message from An’an.

Qi Baotan was overjoyed at this fleeting sense of connection.

An’an—[Image] What would you like to drink?

The image displayed the drink menu of a milk tea shop, with the shop’s logo visible in the upper-right corner.

Qi Baotan recognized it as a milk tea shop near First High School, which had recently gone viral as a hotspot for online influencers.

Qi Baotan’s heart nearly leapt out of her throat.

An’an is really near First High School.

With trembling fingers, she typed—Mango Pomelo Sago.

—An’an, did you come to Chunzhou?

The reply came quickly—Yeah, what time does school let out? I’ll meet you at the school gate.

Qi Baotan swiftly replied—Five o’clock. I’m on duty today, so it might be five twenty by the time I leave.

—Alright.

Qi Baotan glanced at her watch. It was only 2:10 p.m., three whole hours until five o’clock. She’d never felt time drag on like this before.

After pondering for a moment, she quietly said to Xue Hongyan, "Yanyan, can you do me a favor?"

Xue Hongyan nodded eagerly, "Sure."

"You agreed so fast; don’t you even want to know what I need help with?"

Xue Hongyan responded with genuine sincerity, "Whatever you need me to do, I’ll do it."

Qi Baotan felt warmth flooding her heart, "My best friend is coming to see me. After school, could you take over my duty? I’ll cover for you next time."

For Xue Hongyan, this was no big deal. Qi Baotan had helped her so much already, and she’d been wondering how to repay her. She agreed without hesitation.

"Sure."

Immersed in joy, Qi Baotan didn’t notice Zhu Xing in the background, scheming something with two other girls—malicious glances occasionally darting toward Qi Baotan’s back.

Shen You’an finished her afternoon rest and met Gao Yuyue and Yan Lu at the entrance of the hotel.

Gao Yuyue handed two cups of milk tea to Shen You’an.

"An’an, can I tag along when you go see Baotan?"

Yan Lu almost choked on her milk tea, "Baotan?"

Her skeptical gaze landed on Shen You’an’s face, "What’s going on?"

Shen You’an: ...

"It might... be inconvenient."

Gao Yuyue: "Alright, go meet your best friend then. What am I to you anyway, huh?"

With a dramatic tone, Gao Yuyue dragged Yan Lu away.

After walking a few steps, Gao Yuyue slyly glanced back only to see Shen You’an leaving without looking back. Her face turned green with anger.

Yan Lu threw her a sidelong smirk, "Do you know what you look like right now?"

Gao Yuyue sipped her milk tea, the black pearls bursting under her teeth, filling her mouth with a smooth, luscious texture.

Her puffed cheeks resembled a puffer fish.

"You look exactly like an abandoned ’first wife’ after being played by a scumbag."

Gao Yuyue: ...

"If Shen You’an won’t hang out with you, I’m still here. Let’s call Huang Xi and keep having fun."

The two of them plotted their next adventure, while Li Zonghong passed by from a distance, frowning slightly at the scene.

Just then, her phone rang. Li Zonghong glanced at the caller ID.

An unfamiliar number?

She rejected the call, but the number immediately called back.

Li Zonghong hesitated before answering.

"Li Zonghong."

The voice that came through was altered—unnaturally modulated. A chill ran down Li Zonghong’s spine.

"Who are you?"

"Your husband has accumulated two million in gambling debts. You’re negotiating a divorce settlement with him, but it’s pointless—this is joint debt between you two as a married couple."

Li Zonghong’s chest tightened. She cautiously glanced around and stepped into a secluded corner, lowering her voice, "Are you from a debt collection agency? I’m warning you—contacting me won’t help. I won’t pay back even a single cent for him."

"You’ve said this countless times, haven’t you? But do debt collectors ever listen?"

Something triggered Li Zonghong’s instincts, and she demanded through gritted teeth, "Who are you really?"

The man’s voice was cold and mechanical, like an emotionless AI, yet laced with an insidious persuasion that unconsciously lured people into an abyss.

"I’m the person who can change your fate."

~

The streets near First High School were lined with stationery and bookstores. Shen You’an walked through them, stopping in each shop for a look, sometimes picking out collections of high school test papers or relaxing with comic books.

She bought some attractive and amusing stationery as well, a few pens here and there.

By the time she came out, her hands were full.

As she approached the south gate of First High School, the clock struck five sharp.

At the same moment, the dismissal bell rang out.

Shen You’an didn’t have to wait long before spotting the ecstatic figure of Qi Baotan dashing out.

She locked eyes with Shen You’an immediately, though hesitated at first—almost as if she couldn’t believe it.

Shen You’an opened her arms, and Qi Baotan stared for a moment before rushing forward.

"An’an, I missed you so much."

She threw her arms around Shen You’an in a tight embrace.

Shen You’an chuckled, "Alright, let’s go eat."

Qi Baotan loosened her grip and gave Shen You’an an up-and-down look, her expression still incredulous, "An’an, I almost didn’t recognize you—you look amazing."

Shen You’an handed her a bag, "For you."

Qi Baotan accepted it, "You even brought gifts to see me?"

Though she teased, the joy on her face was unmistakable.

She wanted to record this moment of happiness to savor later.

Qi Baotan reached for her backpack but couldn’t feel her phone. She froze for a moment before slapping her forehead, "Look at me—I left my phone on my desk! An’an, wait here for me, I’ll be right back."

Handing her belongings to Shen You’an, Qi Baotan turned and dashed off with hurried steps.