CHAPTER 296: CHAPTER 293: CINDERELLA’S COMEBACK 38 (BONUS CHAPTER FOR 50 MONTHLY VOTES)

Ren Jiayao carefully tidied herself up and went to the Qin Family’s place.

She timed her visit precisely.

She arrived just as Qin Minghao had finished school for the day.

When she entered, the two of them met at the door.

Qin Minghao was a bit startled to see Ren Jiayao: "How’s your health? Are you feeling better?"

Ren Jiayao smiled: "Much better, I should be able to go back to school in a couple of days."

Once inside, as soon as Ren Jiayao saw Mrs. Qin, she hurriedly greeted her: "Hello, Auntie, sorry for disturbing you."

If it had been any other time Ren Jiayao visited, Mrs. Qin would have been exceptionally welcoming, engaging her in conversation and having the maid serve her some snacks.

But today, Mrs. Qin wore a solemn face and did not respond to Ren Jiayao.

Ren Jiayao instantly knew what was happening.

Mrs. Qin was looking down on her.

Her smile carried a hint of bitterness.

She thought to herself, indeed, fortune comes and goes in cycles.

Back when she was reading books, seeing Gu Anning facing trouble from Mrs. Qin on her first visit to the Qin family, Ren Jiayao found it extremely engrossing at the time.

And now, it was her turn.

When Ren Jiayao first crossed over, she knew she was a wealthy, beautiful elite, and she couldn’t have been more delighted.

She just thought that Gu Anning was nothing more than a Cinderella, an unequal match for Qin Minghao. Although the book portrayed their relationship as blissful, one wonders what the future held.

After all, the education and environment they grew up in were so different; once the honeymoon phase was over, Qin Minghao might find plenty to disdain about Gu Anning.

But she was different.

As the daughter of the Ren Family, her illustrious background was there for all to see; though not quite as prominent as the Qin Family, the difference wasn’t vast.

Plus, with her efforts, she was sure to have much in common with Qin Minghao in the future.

That was how Ren Jiayao thought at the time; she had even looked down on Gu Anning’s humble origins.

But now, with the Ren Family on the verge of collapse, she might face hardship, and then she and Qin Minghao would no longer make a good match.

The more she thought about it, the worse Ren Jiayao’s expression became.

She tried to keep her composure as she sat down: "I’ve been feeling unwell recently and haven’t come to visit you, Auntie. Today..."

Mrs. Qin let out a chuckle: "Mrs. Zhang, Ren Jiayao is visiting, make sure to prepare an extra bowl of soup when cooking."

Ren Jiayao’s face grew even paler: "No, there’s no need, I’ll be leaving shortly."

"How can you leave? You haven’t visited for so long, you should at least stay for a meal. After dinner, I’ll have the driver take you home."

Mrs. Qin smiled, but to Ren Jiayao, it felt like mockery.

Qin Minghao also took a seat: "Mom, I can take Jiayao home later."

"Why bother? Aren’t you studying? You’re in your second year of high school now, which is a critical period; you have to seize every chance to study, understand?"

Mrs. Qin scolded Qin Minghao briefly, then turned to Ren Jiayao: "My, you’ve lost a lot of weight in just a few days; your face has slimmed down. Are you stressing out because of your dad’s situation?"

"I..."

Ren Jiayao’s eyes begged Qin Minghao for help.

But Qin Minghao was busy chatting on his phone and didn’t notice her plight.

"I... I’m sure Auntie is aware of my family’s situation. I came to ask Uncle Qin for help, I..."

Mrs. Qin smiled: "I can’t involve myself in such matters. Besides, these are your father’s affairs; how can a child like you take charge? Isn’t it true? Right now, you ought to focus on your studies, not worry about the messy matters at home. I don’t let Ming Hao meddle in the company’s business."

Mrs. Qin spoke rapidly, leaving Ren Jiayao at a loss for words.

"Alright, let’s not talk about those things. What matters is your health; constantly getting sick every other day won’t do. Have you consulted a good doctor?"

Ren Jiayao chuckled awkwardly: "Well, it’s nothing serious, really. I just caught a cold recently; a little rest and I’ll be fine."

She glanced again at Qin Minghao: "I have something to discuss with Ming Hao."

Finally hearing her, Qin Minghao looked up: "Alright, let’s talk in the Imperial Study."

As Qin Minghao stood up, Mrs. Qin pulled him back: "Sit down, we’re about to eat. Can’t your conversation wait until after the meal?"

Qin Minghao gave Ren Jiayao a smile: "Then let’s wait a bit longer."

Just under three minutes of waiting, Mrs. Qin heard the doorbell ring.

She hurriedly got up to open the door.

Behind the opened door, she saw a girl with flowing long hair, dressed in a long white down coat, stepping in.

"Hello Auntie, I hope I’m not disturbing you."

A radiant smile immediately spread across Mrs. Qin’s face.

She took the things the girl was holding: "No, not at all, I’m quite bored staying at home all day, your visit gives me someone to talk to."

She led the girl inside: "Ming Hao happens to be at home too, you two chat first, I’m going to check if the food is ready in the kitchen."

Ren Jiayao’s face turned pale in an instant.

She recognized that girl.

The girl was He Zhizhi, the young lady from Donghong Group.

The Donghong Group was not located in Qing City but in Chuncheng within the neighboring province, and it was an established enterprise. In the past two years, Donghong Group’s development had been robust, challenging Wanding’s status.

And He Zhizhi’s visit here was probably instigated by the Qin Family.

The Qin Family was clearly intent on breaking off the engagement and seeking an alliance with the He Family.

He Zhizhi also noticed Ren Jiayao.

However, she only glanced at her and didn’t pay any further attention to Ren Jiayao.

Qin Minghao was sitting on the sofa, also not speaking to Ren Jiayao.

He was holding his mobile phone, occupied with something.

He Zhizhi leaned over to take a look, it turned out that Qin Minghao was playing a game.

"You play this too?" He Zhizhi immediately asked with a smile filled with excitement, "I’ve been playing recently as well, let’s team up."

Qin Minghao glanced at He Zhizhi: "Sure."

He Zhizhi then sat down beside him, took out her phone and began logging into her account.

In no time at all, Qin Minghao and He Zhizhi were engrossed in the game.

After one round, they exchanged smiles and high-fived each other, seemingly in perfect sync.

Ren Jiayao, sidelined, was close to tears.

"Ming Hao, I..."

Qin Minghao, without looking up: "Wait a second, I’m going for another round."

He Zhizhi turned around and tossed Ren Jiayao a victor’s smile; Ren Jiayao was both furious and heartbroken, gripping her right hand tightly to keep herself from making a scene with Qin Minghao.

Anning left school a bit earlier today.

She left with Wu Linna.

As they exited the classroom, Wu Linna tugged at Anning: "Ningning, I, I..."

Anning raised an eyebrow: "What’s up?"

"I’ve fallen for someone," Wu Linna admitted with clenched teeth.

"Someone from our class?" Anning asked.

Wu Linna shook her head: "No, from a vocational school not far from ours."

Anning was quite surprised: "How do you know people from there? Also, we’re currently in high school, are you planning on dating now?"

Wu Linna bit her lip, looking troubled: "I, I don’t know what to do, I really like him a lot, but my mom has told me not to date too early. I want to get into a good university; I’m afraid being with him would distract me from studies, and I’m scared my parents would be upset if they find out."

Anning, arm in arm with Wu Linna, walked forward: "Think it over carefully, I’m not in favor of dating right now, but in the end, you have to make your own decision, because I’m not you. I can’t fully understand your feelings, nor can I make choices for you."

Wu Linna gave a wry smile: "I understand all that, but I just can’t control myself."

She continued to prattle on with Anning.

Once they reached the school gate,

Anning saw a cool-looking guy dressed in black waiting not far away for Wu Linna.

The guy was quite tall and skinny, his black down coat didn’t appear bulky.

His face had sharp features, with a hint of coldness in his eyes.

When he saw Wu Linna come out, the guy stubbed out the cigarette he was holding and stood up to walk towards them.