Chapter 12: Desperate Measures

Words : 1314 Updated : Sep 20th, 2025

Chapter 12 of "Rebirth: The Ascent of a Socialite" starts with thrilling twists: The police asked her a few routine questions, and upon learning that she was the... Continue the story!

The police asked her a few routine questions, and upon learning that she was the only daughter of Su Qingzhang, immediately changed their demeanor. They didn’t even bother to register her and sent her back to the Su Family’s mansion. After entering Zone 2, in order to avoid disturbing the wealthy merchants living on the hillside, the siren was silenced, and the blue and red lights flashed discreetly. Sitting next to her was a talkative police officer, who occasionally praised the buildings on both sides and the fresh mountain air while stiffly flaunting his badge bearing his name and number. If it were the old Su Ziceng, she wouldn’t have bothered with the actions of such insignificant people, unrelated by even the slightest degree. In the silent carriage, she rested her head on the seat that had carried countless people, nodding rhythmically to the rhythm of the police car climbing the slope, in tune with the meaningless and boisterous conversation. The servants were somewhat surprised to see Su Ziceng; Su Qingzhang had already instructed that no dinner needed to be prepared at home tonight, saying he would dine out. When Mrs. Chen brought out a bowl of noodles from the kitchen and called out a few times at the door, there was still silence in the young lady’s room, without even a sound of breathing. Mrs. Chen had no choice but to take the steaming bowl of noodle soup downstairs, muttering to another servant, Mrs. Feng, "The young lady must be upset with someone again, probably that young master from the Hang Family." "If she doesn’t eat, then forget it," Mrs. Feng said, noticing there were no usual sounds of smashing and crying from upstairs. She carried an empty bowl out, and the two hid in the kitchen sharing food. "If she throws a tantrum, it’s us servants who suffer. Don’t forget, last year you went to clean her room, and she ended up breaking your nose." The antique clock from the Victorian Era struck eleven, the repressed and somber pendulum sound echoed, and Su Ziceng buried herself into the mattress, sniffing the subtly shifting air in the room. The air was tinged with the fiery scent of roses, drifting in from the flower beds outside the balcony. Her mind felt groggy; the entire day seemed like a dream. She couldn’t grasp or make sense of it and had already taken off the ring she was holding. Following the yellow light cast by the wall lamp, she saw the shadow of her eyelashes falling on her palm and noticed the lines left by a bamboo cane breaking off at the center of her hand. Was she really twenty-five years old? Tomorrow, she would have to visit the Sixth District again. In the blur, she fell asleep. The bedding was yanked away, and as the room lacked electric light, Su Ziceng awoke to the sound of something heavy falling. Her body rolled unbelievably to the floor, and she heard the familiar sound of a cane striking the ground. "Dad?" The light was turned on, and standing outside the door were the Chang’s mother and daughter, looking on as if watching a drama. "You actually dared to sneak into the registrar’s office?" Su Qingzhang struck the ground with his cane. Since Su Ziceng had been old enough to understand, Su Qingzhang’s right leg had been lame. Unlike ordinary disabled people, his movements were agile and not sluggish. "Because of that mess you made, we three had to go there and offer apologies on your behalf." That evening, Su Qingzhang had invited the board of directors from Daquan University and some of the city’s prominent figures, hosting three tables. He was enjoying his drinks when he encountered people from the Wen family, who were also hosting a banquet nearby. Daquan University had just requisitioned several apartments and a gymnasium from Kelly Women’s College this year due to an excess of students and insufficient dormitory space, which had already displeased the Wen family. Encountering them, it was inevitable that they would make sarcastic remarks, like "A cuckoo taking over the nest" and "An incompetent person who can’t be helped." Su Ziceng was known all too well by Su Qingzhang, who at that moment could only silently drink and force a smile. Su Ziceng, the person directly involved, had been absent the entire evening, stewing with anger all night long. "For the next two months, you are not allowed to go anywhere. I have arranged for Xiao Chi to tutor you to ensure you pass the freshman entrance exam at Daoquan University and meet the passing grade." Su Qingzhang’s walking stick heavily thudded again, indenting the soft blanket. From beginning to end, Su Qingzhang never asked her the reason for her absence tonight. Su Ziceng glanced at Chang Chi standing outside the door and, as expected, saw schadenfreude in her eyes. "I don’t need her tutoring, and I’m not going to Daoquan University." Su Ziceng kicked away the bedding that tripped her feet. "What did you say?" The walking stick was raised up again, but Su Qingzhang was pulled back a few steps by Chang Mei. He had some drinks tonight, and on his way home, he heard Chang Chi’s suggestion for "proactive tutoring" and thought it was a good idea. "Originally, you said that once Yishao attended Daoquan, you wanted to follow, and now it’s you again saying you won’t go." Chang Mei also persuaded from the side: "Ziceng, you are Qingzhang’s only daughter. He won’t let you leave Mo City. Your foundation is weak, let Xiao Chi help you strengthen it, it will save you effort later on." "I just won’t go to Daoquan University; I didn’t plan on leaving Mo City." Su Ziceng stared pointedly at Chang Chi on the side, who was observing like watching a drama. "Mo City isn’t just home to one school; if not Daoquan, I can go to Kelly Women’s College." When Su Ziceng destroyed that registration card, she hadn’t planned her next move; now, under Su Qingzhang’s scolding, her thoughts finally cleared. "Kelly Women’s College," Chang Mei gasped. "No, they won’t admit you." "What, am I worse than Chang Chi?" Su Ziceng’s slender eyebrows raised slightly, and she scoffed disdainfully; this mother and daughter indeed harbored ill intentions. "My mom is kindly advising you; if you don’t believe it, then forget it. If you have the ability, you can go and try." Chang Chi saw Chang Mei’s troubled face and became unceremonious. "Kelly Women’s School?" Su Qingzhang recalled the Wen family’s disdainful faces tonight, which belittled the Su family further; the alcohol buzzed in his head, and he became fierce: "No dilly-dallying, I’ve already spoken to the president of Daoquan and the Department of Economic Management at City College; whether you agree or not, it’s settled." "I have decided to attend Kelly Women’s College." Su Ziceng and Su Qingzhang, like two mad bulls with bloodshot eyes, confronted each other. "Godfather," Chang Chi stepped between the two, "in two more months, Ziceng will turn eighteen; you should let her make her decisions to avoid her resenting you later." Chang Chi heavily pronounced the word ’resent,’ making Su Qingzhang quite uncomfortable. "Fine, fine." Su Qingzhang raised his walking stick and walked out of the room. "You want to attend Kelly Women's College? Fine. Xiao Chi, tomorrow you transfer to Daoquan University. As for this ignorant girl, if she wants to go to Kelly, let her, but don’t expect a dime or any help from me." While Chang Mei kept advising Su Qingzhang not to get angry, Chang Chi looked at the disheveled bedding and the lightly dressed Su Ziceng on the floor, and taunted, "Just don’t say I didn’t warn you, admission to Kelly Women’s College is stricter than Daoquan University," she left the room with a mocking tone.

Chapter 12: Desperate Measures

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