Jiang Yan’s expression was icy. “Stretching your legs is fine. But following people around? That’s a different story.”
Maybe if I keep pushing him away, he’ll finally get fed up and leave me alone, she thought.
“Why would I need to follow anyone?” Zheng Bin muttered, turning and walking in the opposite direction. But moments later, he turned back again, resigning himself to trailing after her at a distance.
Over by the sleeper cars, Jiang Yan’s eyes lit up. She saw Su Zhenzhen stepping out, stretching her arms. Zhu Kaimo walked ahead clearing the way, and another young man followed behind. Both were vying to speak to her, their fawning behavior so obvious it made other passengers glance over in disgust.
Security was lax at this station. Jiang Yan took a deep breath, mimicked Su Zhenzhen’s stretching motion, and walked toward them.
In my past life, she recalled, when Su Zhenzhen found out Huo Ying was marrying me, she cried and threw a fit at first. But later she came to apologize sincerely, even insisted on taking me shopping. She even helped old ladies cross the street. She didn’t seem like a bad person…
When she heard I was pregnant, she brought fruit to visit. It was only when she casually mentioned my adoptive parents that I felt so guilty I lost the baby. It was my own heartache, not her fault.
In Jiang Yan’s memory, Su Zhenzhen was just childish she loved being told she was pretty and cute.
Jiang Yan was already preparing compliments in her mind, completely unaware that people were pointing at her and whispering:
“We’ve been on this train for two days, everyone looks messy like refugees. But look at that girl how is she still so fresh and pretty?”
“Right. And look at that other one stretching over there. Dressed better than anyone, with two boys waiting on her hand and foot. But why does she look so angry? Like everyone owes her money.”
Su Zhenzhen had her hands on her hips, pretending to be focused on her exercises, but she heard every word.
Following their gazes, she saw Jiang Yan approaching. Rage flared up inside her.
I am the only one who deserves to be the center of attention!
Where did this wretched girl come from? Her clothes are faded and patched, she doesn’t even have a proper canteen bottle. How dare she compare to me, the princess?
Seeing Jiang Yan getting closer, Su Zhenzhen said loudly, “So tired… I need a drink.”
She abruptly unslung her heavy military canteen and swung it hard, aiming straight for Jiang Yan’s eyes.
Jiang Yan was caught off guard. It was too late to block. Her face drained of color.
Being hit in the eye with that hard metal bottle wasn’t a joke it could blind her.
Suddenly, a large hand snatched the bottle out of mid-air. With a casual flick of the wrist, Su Zhenzhen was sent spinning. If the two men hadn’t caught her, she would have face-planted on the ground.
Another hand gently pushed Jiang Yan back to a safe distance.
“Zhenzhen, are you okay?” Zhu Kaimo elbowed the other man aside, trying to be the hero and help her up alone.
SLAP!
A sharp slap landed across his face.
Zhu Kaimo stared in shock as a delicate finger poked hard at his nose. “Shameless pervert! Trying to take advantage of me!”
“I didn’t!” he protested, ready to swear on his life.
Su Zhenzhen shoved him away and looked around frantically. “Yao Qingsong! Did you see who pushed me?”
Yao Qingsong had been laughing at Zhu Kaimo’s humiliation. He snapped to attention. “Yes! I saw him! I was just about to beat him up, but Zhu Kaimo bumped into me and stopped me!”
Su Zhenzhen interrupted impatiently. “Was it Brother Huo Ying?”
“Ah?” Yao Qingsong blinked. “No way. The guy who pushed you wore huge black-rimmed glasses. Huo Ying has perfect vision, like a pilot.”
Jiang Yan listened, stunned.
Huge glasses? And he had parted hair, pale skin…
But Huo Ying always has a crew cut and tanned skin…
Yet… that imposing aura. There was no way she could be mistaken about that.
SLAP!
Another loud slap. Yao Qingsong froze as Su Zhenzhen raged at him. “If it wasn’t Huo Ying, how could you let him get away?! You said you had special training! Useless trash!”
After berating both men like servants, she turned her fury on Jiang Yan.
“Who do you think you are? What is your relationship with that man? Call him out right now! Both of you kneel and apologize, and maybe I’ll let you off!”
Jiang Yan’s lips tightened into a line.
In her past life, Huo Ying had repeatedly warned her: Stay away from Su Zhenzhen. She is malicious and erratic. Everything she shows you is an act.
She hadn’t believed him then.
Now, she had no choice.
So back then, Su Zhenzhen hadn’t mentioned her parents by accident it was intentional. And the village she was going to… it probably wasn’t even the same place. Even if it was, there was no way this woman would tell her the truth now.
Why bother pretending anymore?
Jiang Yan snapped back, “First figure out who you are! And what exactly is your relationship with these two men? Yelling and hitting everyone are they your slaves? Does this New Society allow capitalist snobs like you to bully people?”
The crowd murmured in approval. “Well said! She’s way too arrogant!”
“S-so what if they are?!” Su Zhenzhen stammered, her confidence wavering but still keeping her hands on her hips. “They want to do it! None of your business!”
The two men immediately nodded. “Yes! We want to! It’s none of your business!”
The crowd jeered. “Shameless! Willing to be dogs! Cowards!”
“Of course it’s my business!” Jiang Yan placed her hands on her hips too, lifting her chin. “As the saying goes: Where there is oppression, there is resistance! The people are the true heroes! What right do you have to put on airs and act like a privileged lady in front of us?”
The crowd erupted in support. “That’s right! We all saw it! You swung that bottle at her on purpose! You should be the one apologizing! What nerve do you have demanding apologies from others?”
“How dare you stand against me?!” Su Zhenzhen stamped her foot, pointing fingers at everyone. “Do you know who my grandfather is?!”
“Zhenzhen!” Yao Qingsong panicked and jumped forward to cover her mouth. “Don’t say that!”
It wasn’t for her sake; he was completely dependent on the Su family right now. If their reputation was ruined, he would be finished too.
Su Zhenzhen realized her mistake and shut up immediately.
Jiang Yan laughed. “What’s wrong? Scared to tell us who your grandfather is? Another saying fits perfectly: Imperialism is just a paper tiger!”
“You’re the paper tiger!” Su Zhenzhen screamed, clenching her fists. “Do you want me to beat you up?!”
Jiang Yan stood perfectly still, crossing her arms and staring her down.
Su Zhenzhen froze, not daring to move forward.
Back in school, whenever she threatened people, they would run away scared. She never had to lift a finger her followers would do the fighting for her.
But now these two new followers were just standing there like idiots. Was a princess supposed to get her hands dirty?
And looking at that girl in front of her… she didn’t look like someone easy to mess with at all.