After dropping her heavy backpack, Shu Jia Er crossed her arms and watched their performance quietly. When Liu Yan finally finished speaking, Shu Jia Erraised an eyebrow and smiled, “Are you done?”
Shu Er cast a resentful glance at Shu Jia Er, but kept her expression composed. Adopting the demeanor of an understanding older sister guiding her rebellious younger sibling, she put on a warm expression and said, “Don’t take it personally. Aunt Liu is just looking out for you.”
Sitting on the arm of the sofa, Shu Jia Er pretended to be surprised, “Oh, I know. I just have a question.”
Shu Er took the bait, “What question?”
Shu Jia Er smiled faintly. “How come you scored so low? Only 649 points?”
Shu Er and Liu Yan: !!!
Shu Er’s smile began to falter, but she thought Shu Jia Er was just bluffing. Shu Er assumed Shu Jia Er was the type to hold others to high standards while being lenient on herself, thinking a 500 score was amazing and thus casually belittling others’ 649.
She couldn’t stand people like that—those who refused to see their own weaknesses or recognize others’ strengths.
Was it so hard to admit when someone else excelled?
Shu Er couldn’t believe this “country bumpkin” from a resource-poor school could actually score better than her. Impossible.
Shu Qiang frowned and asked hesitantly, “So… sister, how did you do?”
All eyes turned to Shu Jia Er.
With a calm voice, Shu Jia Er replied, “Well, it’s a bit embarrassing. I placed third in my grade this time, with a score of 686. I fell short of my expectations, so it’s only acceptable.” Turning to Shu Er, she raised an eyebrow and mockingly said, “Shu Er, considering your elite upbringing, I didn’t expect you to score so low on such a basic test.”
Shu Er’s face flushed red as she cried out, “That’s impossible!”
Shu Jia Er sneered. “Impossible? Want to see my exam paper? Where does your sense of superiority come from? You got it by taking what belongs to me. Yet, even with that, you still can’t outdo me. With a 649, how do you have the nerve to discuss scores with me?”
Shu Er’s nails dug into her palms, the sharp pain the only thing keeping her from losing control.
686 points!
How could this be possible?
How could she score that high?
Liu Yan, surprised, interjected, “Xiao Er, Shu Er did well too.”
Shu Jia Er smirked, “Did well? I’m sorry, but I really don’t think so. I told you, my patience has its limits. If she keeps bringing herself here to annoy me, I won’t hesitate to put her in her place. To be frank, I think parents who didn’t realize their own daughter was swapped for over a decade are both blind and heartless. And parents who, even after finding their real daughter, still prefer the one they raised all these years don’t deserve to be parents!”
Liu Yan was left speechless by Shu Jia Er’s sharp words.
The tension was thick in the air, and Shu Qiang shrank back, daring not to make a sound.
For the first time, he seemed to understand Shu Jia Er’s frustration and resentment. If someone took his place for over a decade and snatched away his parents’ affection, even after he returned… he’d probably snap too.
Turning her gaze to Shu Er, Shu Jia Er’s lips curled into a challenging smile, “You want to play with me? Fine, I’ll play. Let’s see if you can handle the consequences.”
A group of innocent onlookers poked their heads out, thinking that they had watched another big drama.
The bystanders—the housekeeper, gardener, chef, and others—peeked around, feeling like they’d just witnessed a dramatic showdown.
In their opinion, Shu Jia Er is probably the most formidable of all the long-lost heiresses they had ever seen.
She is confident and strong, never backing down when it came to fighting for what was hers.
But her strength came from her own abilities.
A child from the countryside, outperforming Miss Shu Er, who had received the best education since childhood—proof that genetics really do matter.
Of course, if Shu Jia Er heard this, she would definitely scoff.
After leaving her harsh words, Shu Jia Er went upstairs. Shu Qiang glanced at Shu Er, then at Liu Yan, and ultimately followed his heart, picking up Shu Jia Er’s backpack from the floor and hurrying after her upstairs.
Shu Jia Er quickly noticed the little tail following her but paid it no mind.
Once in her room, Shu Qiang handed her the backpack and cautiously asked, “Sister, can I see your exam papers?”
Shu Jia Er shrugged indifferently, “They’re in the bag. Go ahead and look.”
With her permission, Shu Qiang eagerly unzipped the bag and pulled out the papers.
Seeing the high marks all over the papers, Shu Qiang’s mouth fell open slightly.
Everything Shu Jia Er had said was true; she didn’t lie!
There was a certain satisfaction in seeing exam papers with such high accuracy. Shu Qiang admired them for a while before saying, “Sister, you’re really amazing.”
This “sister” sounded more sincere than before.
After a moment, Shu Qiang added, “Sister, our grandparents are coming over tonight. Do you want to get ready?”
Shu Jia Er’s interest was piqued. “Grandpa and grandma are coming?”
Shu Qiang nodded.
Shu Jia Er immediately started asking Shu Qiang for some details.
Not hiding anything, Shu Qiang answered all her questions, giving her thorough information.
Soon, it was evening.
After dinner, Shu Jia Er didn’t go back to her room but waited patiently with Shu Qiang in the living room.
Liu Yan opened her mouth several times, seemingly wanting to say something but unsure of what. For the first time, this formidable businesswoman who normally spoke and acted with authority found herself at a loss, faced with the complex situation of her biological daughter and the daughter she had raised for seventeen years.
No wonder they say even the fairest judge can’t settle family matters. Family matters aren’t so easily resolved.
Even with two biological children, it’s hard to treat them equally, let alone in a situation as complicated as this.
The elderly couple arrived at the Shu residence around 7:30 in the evening. Having spent the past few years retired abroad, they had returned to China specifically for Shu Jia Er.
When they entered, Shu Jia Er’s face lit up with a sweet and warm smile. Generally, elderly people appreciate a child with a bright smile; it brings joy. Shu Jia Er greeted them in a sweet, soft voice, showing no hint of estrangement, “Grandpa, Grandma.”
Her grandmother, now in her early seventies, had white hair but looked lively and healthy. Seeing such a lovely young girl with a beautiful smile put her in a good mood. If Shu Jia Er had worn a troubled expression and started complaining right away, it would not have endeared her to her grandmother.
Her grandmother responded with an affectionate “Oh!” and pulled out the gift she had prepared in advance.
It was a pair of fine jade bracelets, the kind that looked invaluable and were said to nurture the wearer.
Her grandfather’s gift was practical: a heavy red envelope.
After accepting the gifts, Shu Jia Er sat on the sofa with her grandmother.
Her grandmother scrutinized Shu Jia Er’s features, praising her as she looked, “What a beautiful child.”
Shu Jia Er sweetly replied, “I must have inherited your beauty.”
Her grandfather chuckled, “Your grandmother was a renowned beauty back in the day.”
Though age had softened her grandmother’s skin and features, a hint of her former beauty was still visible. Besides, when people get older, grace matters more than looks.
Shu Jia Er playfully remarked, “Grandpa must have worked hard to win Grandma’s heart, right?”
“Oh, absolutely! Your grandmother was very popular back then.”
“Well, Grandpa’s skill was top-notch to win such a beauty. Truly enviable.”
When Shu Jia Er said “enviable,” her eyes sparkled, and a look of admiration appeared on her face, drawing laughter from both grandparents.
When Shu Jia Er wanted to get along with someone, she could be the most skilled flatterer, showering them with rainbow farts. Not everyone fell for it, but most elderly people did.
Shu Qiang was amazed while watching this from the side.
He had only seen his sister’s domineering and unyielding side, never her sweet, obedient, and sensible side.
Just then, the housekeeper, Aunt Zhang, came by with fruit and was equally surprised to see Shu Jia Er being so sweet.
This is a true master—a real expert.
With such skill at adapting to people, could Shu Er ever hope to win against her?
Aunt Zhang, for one, didn’t believe Shu Er stood a chance.
Perhaps Shu Jia Er’s sweet demeanor had won over her grandmother, for her tone was warm as she asked, “Are you adjusting well now that you’re home?”
Shu Jia Er pointed to her clothes and smiled, “I am! Mom bought me so many new clothes.”
Her grandmother looked her over and said, “They look nice.” And she wasn’t lying; Shu Jia Er is pretty, so everything looked good on her.
Shu Jia Er tilted her head and smiled sweetly, “Grandma, you’re beautiful too.”
“Grandma’s getting old, how can I compare to you young folks with all your youthfulness?”
Shu Jia Er looped her arm around her grandmother’s, speaking affectionately, “But Grandma’s elegance is something I can’t learn, no matter how hard I try.”
Her grandmother lightly patted the back of her hand, her tone warm. “You really have a sweet tongue, don’t you?”
After a short while with Shu Jia Er and Shu Qiang, the elderly couple gently urged them to leave. “Go play by yourselves for now.”
Shu Jia Er knew her grandparents probably wanted to talk with Liu Yan, so she left with tact, followed quickly by Shu Qiang.
Once the children were gone, her grandmother’s expression turned serious. “What’s going on with you? The child was already raised away from you and feels distant enough. Do you want to make her completely disheartened?”
Though Shu Jia Er had not mentioned Shu Er, the grandparents had still heard some of what had happened in the Shu family. The older generation valued legitimate lineage and blood ties even more.
Liu Yan looked troubled. “Mom, I raised Shu Er for seventeen years. Even if it were a dog, I would feel something, let alone a person.”
“She has her own parents to love her. Why worry about it?”
Liu Yan looked pained. “The Shu family isn’t well-off, and it’s not like our family can’t afford to raise two girls.”
“The Shu family can indeed support two girls. But why do you want to raise someone else’s child? Has the cause of the child-swapping incident been fully investigated?”
Liu Yan sighed. “That woman deliberately swapped the children.”
“What a stupid brain you have! She purposely let your daughter suffer, yet you still want to keep this ‘adopted daughter’ around?”
Liu Yan quickly defended Shu Er. “Mom, this isn’t Shu Er’s fault.”
Her grandmother’s tone grew sharper. “Then is it my real granddaughter’s fault? My real granddaughter is the truly innocent one here!”
Her grandfather suddenly spoke up. “The man of that family lacks the means to succeed. I’ll arrange a similar job for him elsewhere so they can move far away from the capital. As for that woman, she’s been Jia Er’s mother for seventeen years, and she is Shu Er’s biological mother. Digging up the past serves no purpose now, so let’s leave it at that. As for Shu Er, from now on, let’s not mention her in this household—just consider her gone.”
Her grandmother gave a final word of approval. “That’s a fair solution. We’re being more than generous, not retaliating but merely asking them to relocate and find work in another city. We’re letting them off easy. Let’s proceed with this.”
And thus, the fate of the Shu family was decided.
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