Transmigrated as the Villainess’s Vicious Fake Stepmother - Chapter 18

Zhan Se had thought Chu Qian was simply heading in the same direction by chance. Yet, step by step, they ended up together at the gates of Jinchuan High School.

Zhan Se stopped abruptly. Chu Qian, moving too fast to slow down, crashed into the petite girl ahead of her. The collision with Zhan Se’s bony frame sent a sharp ache through Chu Qian’s chest.

“What are you doing!” Chu Qian complained as she clutched her chest.

Zhan Se turned to face her with open disdain. “You followed me all the way here. What exactly do you want?”

Chu Qian rubbed the sore spot, ready to complain, but the sight of Zhan Se’s irritated expression instantly brightened her mood. Whenever Zhan Se was annoyed, she felt satisfied.

“I already told you. I came to work.”

She brushed past Zhan Se with her shoulder and walked deliberately toward the gatehouse. There, she registered her name, called Boss Jin, and entered without trouble.

Zhan Se watched her stroll into the school, convinced she had just witnessed something unbelievable. She then took out her phone and called Li Zongyi.

It was just past six in the morning. Li Zongyi was still in bed and nearly lost his temper when he saw the incoming call. The moment he noticed it was from Zhan Se, his irritation eased.

“Miss Zhan, thank you for waking me so early with a phone call.”

“My apologies, Uncle Li. I want to ask why you allowed Chu Qian to work at our school.”

Li Zongyi rubbed his temples. “It is to give you both a chance to grow closer. She can look after you, and you can look after her, as stated in the will.”

“That is unnecessary.”

“In that case, you will need to find her a job yourself.”

He hung up without another word.

He tossed the phone onto the bedside table and pulled the covers over his head again. Damn it, both the old one and the young one are equally demanding. The old one died, and I thought I could enjoy a few peaceful years. Who knew the young one would be even more troublesome? Infuriating.

Zhan Se frowned and quickened her pace until she caught up with Chu Qian. Walking beside her, she spoke in an icy tone. “If you are going to work here, fine, but remember three things. First, do not tell anyone you know me. I do not want others to know about our connection. Second, do not use the Zhan family name for anything. Third, do not cause trouble. I have no interest in cleaning up after you.”

Chu Qian blinked, and when the meaning sank in, she nearly burst with anger.

She hurried after Zhan Se. “First, there is no connection between us. Second, I want nothing to do with your Zhan family. Third, last time you were the one who fought, and I helped you. I was the one cleaning up after you.”

When the alley incident was brought up, Zhan Se stared at Chu Qian’s smug expression in disbelief. Did she really think those men had dragged her into the alley to bully her? Fool.

Unaware of Zhan Se’s thoughts, Chu Qian raised her chin and straightened her back, trying to look her 1.7-meter height in the eye. “I am the one who should be concerned. I am young, with a bright future. Do not let pointless gossip ruin my reputation. Please avoid me at school from now on.”

Zhan Se gave a cold snort. “That works perfectly.”

She walked toward the teaching area, while Chu Qian headed for the living area.

Jinchuan High School was the most prestigious private international school in Haicheng. Most of its students came from the city’s upper class, and each year only a few places were offered to ordinary high school students with outstanding grades.

The school offered first-class teaching along with excellent living facilities.

Chu Qian’s job was in one of the campus shops, a dessert store.

She pushed open the door and greeted politely. “Hello, I am Chu Qian. I called earlier about starting work today.”

A girl in a high school uniform looked up from the tables, stood, and adjusted her glasses. Her round face lit up with a shy smile. “Ah, you are Sister Chu, the one Uncle Zheng mentioned. Hello, I am Sui Nai. Uncle Zheng is in the kitchen.”

Once she had finished wiping the tables, Sui Nai placed the rag in the bucket at the counter, carried it to the kitchen, picked up her schoolbag, and left.

A voice came from behind. “Sui Nai works here part-time. Her family is not well-off. She joined the school last year and is now in her second year. She is quiet and very well-behaved. You two might be colleagues from now on.”

“Oh? But if she works in the morning, will it affect her studies?”

“If she does not work, she cannot afford to study here,” Boss Jin replied with a smile.

He was in his fifties, slightly stocky, with some gray at the temples, and his kind expression made him approachable.

Chu Qian said nothing more.

“Come with me and I will explain your daily work.”

“Alright.”

The job was straightforward. She would make desserts, and the daily quantity was not large. Other pastry chefs would help, so it was not tiring. The hours were from eight to five, with weekends off, full benefits, and a decent salary comparable to her previous job at Dong Fang Hong.

“The principal specifically asked me to take you in, so I will not make things difficult for you.”

Chu Qian froze. “Wait, Uncle Zheng. I thought Director Ji recommended me?”

“Director Ji?”

“Yes, Director Ji Qing. She called and told me you were her classmate’s husband, so I assumed you had spoken.”

“No.” Boss Jin gave a light laugh. “But since you are here and willing to stay, it does not matter who recommended you. Just focus on your work. And do not call me Boss Jin. Like Sui Nai, call me Uncle Zheng.”

She smiled warmly. “Alright, Uncle Zheng. Can I start now?”

“You are the chef, so go ahead.” He smiled. “We have a big order today, so it will be a little busy. Once it is done, you can head home early in the afternoon.”

“Alright. Thank you, Uncle Zheng.”

Chu Qian thought he seemed like a pleasant, kind middle-aged man. She rolled up her sleeves and began preparing the day’s desserts. Back in school, she had been skilled at making all kinds of sweets and loved to experiment. Seeing her creations always brought her joy.

When she spotted the oven, the mixer, and the turntable, she could barely contain her excitement.

Boss Jin watched her work with focus and efficiency, and he felt a flicker of surprise. The employee he had been reluctant to hire was proving to be quite capable.

In Class 9 of the second year, Zhan Se leaned against the window and tapped her pen, her gaze drifting toward the living area.

“Zhan Se, what are you looking at? You have been distracted all morning. Jiang Yuanyang from Class 10 came looking for you, and you did not even go out,” whispered Qi Yao, her deskmate of five years, as she leaned closer.

“Nothing.” Zhan Se shook her head.

The truth was that she felt unsettled. Chu Qian had followed her here, and the woman’s persistence made Zhan Se suspect that peace at school in the coming years would be impossible.

The bell rang. Homeroom teacher Li Hongfang walked in with a smiling, beautiful girl at her side, and the room quickly filled with murmurs.

The boys grew especially restless. The newcomer was striking. Her brown hair was pulled into a ponytail, her delicate features resembled those of a porcelain doll, her large eyes shone brightly, her skin was fair, and her lips curved gently upward. She was tall, and the short school skirt emphasized the length and straightness of her legs.

Her beauty rivaled that of Zhan Se, the renowned cold beauty of Jinchuan. When Zhan Se had first entered the school, her striking looks caused quite a stir, yet her aloof demeanor and commanding presence kept most boys at a distance. She even declined the title of school flower, which eventually went to Su Jianing of Class 3.

Now, Class 9 welcomed another beauty, whose warm personality stood in sharp contrast to Zhan Se’s reserve.

Li Hongfang walked to the podium and tapped it for attention. “Everyone, quiet down. We have a new classmate today, Qin Ru. Please welcome her.”

She stepped aside and smiled warmly at the girl. “Qin, please introduce yourself.”

Qin Ru rose with poise and smiled. “Hello, everyone. My name is Qin Ru. Qin, as in Qin Shihuang; Ru, from the saying ‘Ru Gu Han Jin.’ My father is Qin Hanwu, and my mother is Ru Hanjin, so my name is Qin Ru. I arrived late, and I hope you will forgive the disruption. I have prepared a small apology gift for everyone, which is available at the school dessert shop. After class, we can enjoy it together if you do not mind.”

She bowed respectfully.

The class erupted in cheers.

Before Li Hongfang could assign her a seat, Qin Ru spoke up. “Teacher, may I sit next to that student?”

She pointed toward the seat beside Zhan Se.

The class fell silent. No one dared to sit there. Zhan Se was undeniably beautiful, yet her cold demeanor kept everyone at a distance.

To everyone’s surprise, Zhan Se glanced at the new student, cleared the desk beside her, and tapped it lightly.

Gasps rippled through the room as Qin Ru walked over and took the seat under envious gazes.

She turned with a smile, extending her hand. “Hello, I am Qin Ru.”

Zhan Se glanced at the slender hand, then turned her eyes away and replied in a cool tone. “Zhan Se.”