Chapter 235

Words : 1106 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

Halfway through her sentence, Ma Xiaofei suddenly realized something and immediately clamped her mouth shut. "You provoked me!!?" She marched toward Shen Qingtang, even raising a hand as if to strike. The parents present were stunned. Shen Ping instinctively grabbed the back of Ma Xiaofei’s collar and yanked her back. "What’s this about cursing? What are you all talking about?" She glanced at Ma Xiaofei, whose face was flushed with rage as she tried to charge forward again, and began to understand. "Ma Xiaofei, what did you do this time!?" "Who’s your real daughter? Do you believe me or her? I didn’t do anything! I didn’t!!" Ma Xiaofei shrieked. Her usual pattern was to lash out first, deny everything afterward, and then shift blame—always in that order. In stark contrast to her tantrum, Shen Qingtang remained composed. But when she lifted her gaze to meet Grandma Shen and Grandpa Shen’s eyes, a flicker of vulnerability surfaced. She wondered—would they stand up for her over Ma Xiaofei, who had grown up by their side? It wasn’t that she doubted their love. But life had taught her early on that affection could vanish in an instant, shattered by the slightest twist of fate. "Tangtang, ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‍tell us what happened. Grandma and Grandpa will make it right," Grandma Shen said firmly, rising from her seat and circling the tea table to approach her. Ji Nian gave Shen Qingtang an encouraging pat, making room for Grandma Shen. The moment Grandma Shen embraced Shen Qingtang, Ma Xiaofei scowled and whined, "Grandmaaa—" Buried in Grandma Shen’s arms, Shen Qingtang couldn’t help but pout, her composure cracking. No matter how calm she seemed, the hurt still lingered. The first time she saw those texts from Ma Xiaofei, she had been horrified. In all her upbringing and among everyone she’d ever known, she’d never encountered such vile language. "Grandma..." Grandma Shen stroked her hair gently. "My sweet Tangtang." Grandpa Shen joined them, patting her back. "No matter what, we’re on your side. We’ll always be your support." At those words, Ma Xiaofei’s tears spilled over. Shen Ping’s expression darkened. She could guess her daughter’s misdeeds but couldn’t bring herself to speak—emotionally torn and ashamed. Held by her grandparents, Shen Qingtang finally steadied herself. She pulled out her phone. "Grandma, Grandpa." "I barely know Ma Xiaofei. We don’t even have each other’s contacts, but she somehow got my number and sent me hateful messages." "You’re lying! Where’s your proof!? Mom, Grandpa, Grandma—she’s making it up!" Ma Xiaofei lunged forward again, but Shen Ping’s face turned thunderous. She slammed the table. "Enough!" They’d come to the Ji family for a favor, yet before discussions could even begin, this scandal erupted—right in their hosts’ home. Ma Xiaofei’s tears hung in her eyes as she gaped at her mother. "You’re yelling at me?" "You’re taking a stranger’s side over mine!?" She shoved Shen Ping aside and bolted for the door. Ji Nian, standing nearby, flicked a glance at the bodyguard by the entrance. The man stepped smoothly into Ma Xiaofei’s path, blocking her escape. "Move! How dare a servant stop me!?" She shoved at his leg, but it was like pushing a wall—she only stumbled backward. Shen Ping felt utterly drained. Watching this scene, she wondered—when had her daughter changed? The girl who once had mere childish tantrums, who sweetly called her "Mom," who gave her favorite dolls to orphans... what had happened? But the worst was yet to come. Shen Qingtang opened her photo gallery, displaying screenshots of the messages to Grandma and Grandpa Shen. Grandma Shen’s hands trembled with rage after just one glance. Alarmed, Shen Qingtang quickly put her phone away. Grandpa Shen, though furious, kept his composure. He gripped Grandma Shen’s hand, breathing heavily. Meanwhile, Ji Nian had discreetly dismissed all non-essential staff, leaving only the bodyguards, and summoned a doctor to wait outside—just in case. "Shen Ping! Come see what your precious daughter wrote!" The usually gentle Grandpa Shen was livid as he turned to his daughter. Shen Ping’s stomach dropped. Whatever Ma Xiaofei had sent must be appalling to provoke such a reaction. Then she saw the words—each one a hammer blow, making her wish this were a nightmare. ’Whore.’ ‘Shameless.’ ‘Why don’t you die like your father did out there?’ Shen Qingtang had shown her grandparents only the milder screenshots, sparing their health. But what Shen Ping saw was unforgivable. "This... this isn’t Xiaofei’s number..." Shen Ping muttered weakly, clinging to denial. But it was pointless. The texts mentioned "Grandma and Grandpa" and referenced Shen Rushan—no outsider could know these details. And in the Shen family, who else could it be? Certainly not Shen Ping impersonating her own daughter. Cornered, Ma Xiaofei snapped. "Yeah, I said it! So what!?" "What’s so great about Shen Qingtang? So I’m not top of my class—why does everyone keep comparing me to her? Grandma and Grandpa used to care only about me! Now they barely call, and when they do, it’s always ‘Tangtang this, Tangtang that’!" "She lost her dad—well, so did I!!" The last line was a raw, guttural scream. Slap! Shen Ping’s palm struck Ma Xiaofei’s cheek with full force, leaving an immediate red welt. "How could you say that... how could you!?" Her voice shook. Ma Xiaofei froze, stunned. This was the first time her mother had ever hit her—and in front of everyone. "Apologize. Now. To Shen Qingtang." Shen Ping dragged her forward by the arm. Ma Xiaofei resisted, but one sharp glare from her mother silenced her. This wasn’t a half-hearted scolding—this was fury. Terrified, Ma Xiaofei whimpered, "I’m sorry..." "Sorry, okay!? I was wroooong—" Her apology dissolved into hysterical sobs. Shen Ping turned to Shen Qingtang, her voice heavy. "Tangtang, I’m sorry. I’ve been too busy with work, neglecting her discipline. This is my fault. I’ll make sure she’s punished and never does this again." Shen Qingtang stayed silent. Grandma Shen, exasperated by Ma Xiaofei’s wailing, couldn’t bear the sight of her anymore. "Just take her away." Shen Ping nodded, pulling Ma Xiaofei along as she turned to leave. As she turned, she caught sight of Ji Nian standing nearby and offered an apologetic smile. Surprisingly, it was Ji Nian who spoke first. "Auntie, you saw it too." "Things have escalated to this point—I’m afraid the favor you wanted to ask is no longer possible." "I don’t think Ma Xiaofei is suited to attend our school. What do you think?" Though the words were delivered in a neutral, even gentle tone, something about the girl’s deep, forest-green eyes sent an inexplicable chill through Shen Ping.

Chapter 235

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