48 Evil Gets Its Just Deserts

Jiang Ci wiped the photo frame, where her grandmother's face remained wreathed in a gentle, ever-present smile.

Lifting the corners of her lips in a forced smile, she took a deep breath. "Grandmother, I will live on well. I will see the world for both you and myself. You can rest easy up in heaven."

With that, Jiang Ci slung her backpack over her shoulders. Just as she was about to step out the door, a sudden thought struck her, and she hurried back inside to grab a few band-aids.

Before long, downstairs, Zhang Heyu saw Jiang Ci descending. Her complexion was softly flushed, and it was evident that her state of mind had improved significantly.

"Zhang Heyu." Jiang Ci trotted to his side. "Let's go back to school."

Zhang Heyu gave a low hum of assent and straightened her collar. "Let's go."

A car was already waiting just outside the mouth of the alley. Jiang Ci recognized it; Zhang Heyu had brought her in it before.

Settling into the car, Jiang Ci lowered her gaze to glance at the wounds on his right hand. Those minor cuts had healed considerably.

"What are you looking at?" Zhang Heyu followed her line of sight until he realized she was staring at his hand. "Classmate Jiang Ci, you surely don't still think my wounds haven't healed?"

Jiang Ci nodded faintly.

Zhang Heyu chuckled, his Adam's apple bobbing as he stared at the girl's bewildered face. "So silly. It's been several days, and you're only remembering this now?"

So many sudden and overwhelming things had happened over the past few days that her sense of time had become disordered, causing her to only now realize that several days had already passed since the fierce altercation between Zhang Heyu and Sun Nan.

"My mind has been a bit cluttered," Jiang Ci said softly. "I'll adjust as soon as possible."

Zhang Heyu patted her head. "Take your time. It's fine. I'll always be here."

When the two arrived at school, Huo Chensi, Fan Mian, and the others had already heard about what happened at Jiang Ci's home and offered their condolences in turn.

"Little Ci, please accept my condolences," Huo Chensi comforted.

Fan Mian added, "My condolences."

Jiang Ci nodded. "Thank you, I know."

Before morning self-study had even begun, Zhang Heyu produced a bag of breakfast from goodness knows where and placed it on Jiang Ci's desk.

"Eat some, or your stomach will feel uncomfortable."

Jiang Ci smiled. "You should eat with me, too. If you don't eat, your stomach won't feel well either."

She well remembered how fastidious Zhang Heyu's stomach was.

"Fool," he murmured.

Jiang Ci divided the breakfast he gave her in half; Zhang Heyu had bought a bit too much anyway, and she wouldn't be able to finish it all.

After morning self-study ended, Yu Xijin heard that her "Ci-ci" had returned and rushed straight to the neighboring classroom to find Jiang Ci the moment class let out.

"Ci-ci!" Yu Xijin called out, standing in front of the window.

Jiang Ci's motion of lowering her head to catch up on homework paused. Confirming it was Yu Xijin, she stood up and walked outside.

The instant she stepped through the doorway, Jiang Ci was enveloped in a tight embrace by Yu Xijin.

She was slightly startled, and Yu Xijin's voice reached her ears. "Ci-ci, are you alright? I was so worried about you!"

Jiang Ci shook her head. Hearing Yu Xijin sobbing softly against her shoulder, she consoled, "Jin-jin, I'm fine. Don't worry too much."

"How can I not worry? I sent you so many messages and you didn't reply to a single one!" Yu Xijin said. "If I hadn't known that the great scholar Zhang was staying with you, I truly wouldn't have been able to let it go."

Jiang Ci hadn't looked at her phone much over the past few days and had no idea Yu Xijin had messaged her.

"I'm sorry, Jin-jin," Jiang Ci said. "I made you worry."

"It's nothing. Seeing that your condition is much better now, I can finally set my mind somewhat at ease." Yu Xijin said this, then seemed to recall something. "Oh, right!"

Jiang Ci asked, "What is it?"

"Yesterday, Zhi Jiangwen suddenly came up to look for you. I don't know what he wanted."

Jiang Ci hadn't seen him in a very long time; their last communication was merely the New Year blessing he had sent.

"Did he say anything?"

Yu Xijin shook her head. "No, it probably wasn't anything important."

Jiang Ci didn't take it to heart either. After chatting for a little while longer, she returned to the classroom to continue preparing for class.

These past two days, Jiang Ci had been diligently trying to find things to do. Whenever she had free time, she would drill practice problems, and when she grew tired, she would close her eyes for a brief nap.

On Friday afternoon after school, Jiang Ci chose to eat out with Zhang Heyu.

There was no evening self-study on Fridays, leaving them with plenty of time.

The two went to the congee shop that Zhang Heyu had first brought Jiang Ci to.

Zhang Heyu hadn't visited in quite a while either, but the owner still recognized him. The moment he saw him arrive, he greeted them warmly, "Xiao Yu, long time no see!"

"It has been a while," Zhang Heyu replied with a smile. "How have things been recently?"

"Not bad," the owner said, wiping his hands. "We've added a few new items to the menu recently. Want to try them?"

"Anything is fine." As he spoke, Zhang Heyu gently squeezed the girl's small hand. "What would Ah-Ci like to eat?"

Jiang Ci looked up, sensing the owner's curious gaze assessing her. She spoke up shyly, "I'll have the mashed potato mixed noodles."

"I'll have the same as her," Zhang Heyu said.

Hearing this, the owner smiled as he jotted down their order. Seeing their intimate relationship, he couldn't help a bit of gossip. "Xiao Yu, are you dating?"

"Mm," Zhang Heyu hummed, his gaze revealing deep affection. "My girlfriend."

"You rascal!" The owner patted Zhang Heyu's shoulder, then turned back to tell Jiang Ci, "Come more often, Uncle will treat you to something good."

Jiang Ci smiled and agreed.

Suddenly remembering something, Zhang Heyu added, "Uncle, no coriander please; my girlfriend doesn't like it. Just scallions are fine."

"Got it, wait right here!" With that, the owner turned and walked into the kitchen.

Hearing Zhang Heyu say the word "girlfriend," Jiang Ci's cheeks flushed slightly, and a smile uncontrollably bloomed across her face.

After finishing their meal, it was already close to eight o'clock.

Just as they stepped out of the shop, Zhang Heyu's phone suddenly rang. Jiang Ci stood beside him, watching as he answered.

"Brother Yu, the guys and I are at the KTV. Do you want to bring Sister Ci along to unwind?"

Huo Chensi's side was extremely noisy, and he had specifically walked out to the hallway to make the call.

"Not going." Zhang Heyu glanced sideways at Jiang Ci. Seeing the young girl's blank, dazed look, he wasn't quite keen on dragging her along.

Huo Chensi didn't press the matter. "Oh well, and here I thought I'd get to hear the Top Ten Singers belt it out tonight!"

Too lazy to humor him, Zhang Heyu hung up directly.

He lowered his gaze to look at Jiang Ci, only to find her blinking and staring right back at him. He raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"What did they say?"

"Huo Chensi asked if we wanted to go to a KTV, said it would help you relax your mood."

Jiang Ci pressed her lips together and simply looked at him without saying a word.

Naturally, Zhang Heyu read her gaze. He ruffled her hair. "I actually feel like singing a bit too."

The KTV wasn't very far from there; it was only a ten-minute walk.

Jiang Ci and Zhang Heyu walked over, taking the opportunity to digest their meal.

Just as they arrived at the private room's doorway, Huo Chensi happened to be coming out to fetch them, only to find that they had already arrived unassisted.

"Didn't you say you weren't coming? You got here pretty fast."

"My girlfriend wants to hear me sing." Zhang Heyu raised an eyebrow, pulling Jiang Ci into the room and finding a seat for them.

Huo Chensi let out a mocking 'tch' and sarcastically mimicked Zhang Heyu, "'My~ girl~friend~ wants~ to~ hear~.'"

As soon as these words left his mouth, the KTV's music happened to shift and cut out, making Huo Chensi's voice stand out with jarring abruptness.

Huzi cracked a sunflower seed shell and laughed heartily, "Huo Chensi, you really are asking for a beating!"

"Hahaha!" Yellow-Hair was equally amused to death by him. "You just can't go a single day without running that mouth of yours."

Huo Chensi shoved Huzi away. "Mind your own business. Hurry up and get Brother Yu to go up and sing a couple of tracks."

With the protagonist of the conversation shifted to Zhang Heyu, the focus naturally shifted back to Jiang Ci as well.

"Sister-in-law, why don't you go up and do a duet with Brother Yu?" one of them suggested.

Jiang Ci shook her head and refused.

Zhang Heyu had primarily wanted to bring the young girl out to cheer her up; whether she sang or not didn't matter at all.

The corners of his lips curved upward as he said lazily, "My girlfriend is shy. I'll sing and she can just listen."

"Ooh~" the crowd hooted and jeered.

Jiang Ci blinked, her face blushing red once more at his remark.

Struck by a wave of enthusiasm and wanting to make Jiang Ci happy, Zhang Heyu ended up singing several songs in a row.

After a while, Zhang Heyu stopped singing, and Jiang Ci decided she wanted to take a trip to the restroom.

Zhang Heyu accompanied Jiang Ci to the restroom, waiting right outside the door.

Just as Jiang Ci finished up and was washing her hands in front of the mirror, she suddenly heard two girls chatting near her.

Jiang Ci had bumped into them before, and she happened to remember one of them because of her distinct features.

The core of the two girls' conversation was extremely clear, and Jiang Ci gleaned a piece of information: this coming Sunday, Sun Nan was going to participate in some kind of motorcycle race.

Once the two girls left, the restroom grew quiet again.

Jiang Ci stared blankly at her reflection in the mirror.

Listening to their conversation, what lingered stubbornly in her mind was the image of Sun Nan showing zero remorse, calmly recounting how he had told her grandmother about Jiang Nanni and how he had stopped at nothing to force his way into the Sun family.

Jiang Ci's hatred for him stemmed not only from driving her to her death in her past life, but now also included her deceased grandmother.

A terrifying thought surfaced in her mind. Agitated and feeling a guilty conscience, Jiang Ci splashed some cold water on her face before finally emerging from the restroom.

For some reason, Zhang Heyu suddenly felt like having a cigarette. Seeing Jiang Ci come out, he stubbed out the remaining half of the cigarette without smoking it and tossed it directly into the trash can.

"Want to go back?" Zhang Heyu checked the time; it wasn't early anymore.

"I want to go home." Jiang Ci proactively took his hand, extending her fingertips to gently scratch his palm.

Zhang Heyu closed his hand over hers, interlacing their fingers. "I'll walk you back."

After saying goodbye to Huo Chensi and the others, Zhang Heyu escorted Jiang Ci away.

When Jiang Ci arrived home, she stood in the entryway and switched on all the lights in the apartment. Yet the warm yellow glow still illuminated a cold, desolate interior.

A fresh wave of sorrow pricked at Jiang Ci's eyes; whenever late night descended, she would inevitably think of her grandmother, picturing her sitting in the living room watching television after every meal.

Right at that moment, the phone resting on the bed suddenly rang.

Jiang Ci picked up her phone and glanced at the screen, where the three characters "Jiang Nanni" were flashing.

"Jiang Ci, the Old Madam told me to pick you up tomorrow and bring you to the old residence." Jiang Nanni's phone call sounded like a direct notification to Jiang Ci, devoid of any polite pleasantries.

Seeing that Jiang Ci didn't respond, Jiang Nanni added, "This really is the last time."

Hearing this, Jiang Ci inexplicably and on impulse agreed.

"I'll come pick you up early tomorrow morning." With that, Jiang Nanni hung up the phone.

Listening to the dial tone humming through the receiver, Jiang Nanni's words just then felt like an opportunity to Jiang Ci.

Jiang Ci thought to herself: if she couldn't bring herself to directly cause a living person's death, then she would let him lose everything piece by piece.

Jiang Ci did not sleep well that night, repeatedly plagued by the same nightmare. When she woke up, she was drenched in sweat.

Jiang Nanni arrived bright and early to pick up Jiang Ci. On the drive from Jiang Ci's home to the Sun family's old estate, neither of them uttered a word.

The moment the Old Madam saw Jiang Ci, her eyes filled with smiles once more. "Ah, Jiang Ci is here. Come on inside."

"Okay." Jiang Ci nodded, glanced at Jiang Nanni standing behind her, and followed the Old Madam upstairs.

Hearing the Old Madam smilingly recount past memories of her late granddaughter Sun Meng, Jiang Ci felt somewhat dazed.

Throughout the entire day, Jiang Ci could never find a suitable opening to bring up that matter.

Evening.

Jiang Ci was kept at the Sun household for dinner by the Old Madam.

Perhaps because Jiang Ci was present, the Old Madam even looked upon Jiang Nanni with slightly more favorable eyes; once dinner commenced, she didn't put on a cold face.

"You child, how did you manage to lose so much weight after just a little while apart?"

The Old Madam placed a piece of meat into Jiang Ci's bowl, then shifted her gaze to Sun Defan. "Is Nan not coming back again?"

"Who knows where he ran off to." Just as Sun Defan's voice trailed off, the phone in his pocket rang out.

Before long, Sun Defan walked back into the dining room, picked up his suit jacket from the back of his chair, and said, "Mom, I have something to take care of, I won't finish eating."

The Old Madam looked displeased. "What could possibly be so important that you can't even finish dinner?"

"Work matters." Sun Defan wouldn't dare tell her that Sun Nan had snuck off to street-race again.

The Old Madam impatiently waved her hand, signaling for Sun Defan to leave.

By the time the meal concluded, Jiang Ci still hadn't mentioned the matter to the Old Madam.

Seeing the hour grow progressively later, Jiang Ci realized she simply wasn't cut out for plotting such things and had already resolved to give up.

Just as Jiang Nanni was preparing to drive Jiang Ci home, a fine drizzle unexpectedly began to fall from the dark night sky.

Jiang Nanni's phone rang out unceremoniously. Jiang Ci watched as she answered, her expression instantly turning grave.

"What did you say?!" Jiang Nanni listened to the person on the other end of the line in sheer disbelief. "A car accident?!"

Though intentionally lowered, the voice still reached Jiang Ci's ears. Catching certain keywords, Jiang Ci's heart nevertheless suffered a heavy jolt.

While she was still momentarily distracted, Jiang Nanni was too panicked to pay her any mind. After hastily ending the call, she glanced briefly at Jiang Ci. "I have matters to attend to. You'll have to hail a cab home yourself."

Recovering her wits, Jiang Ci murmured an acknowledgment, then walked out to the main road to flag down a taxi.

For some reason, Jiang Ci felt an inexplicable sense of release.

The ride-hailing car arrived quickly. Jiang Ci got in and gazed out the window at the swirling, misty rain, falling into a daze.

Right at that moment, the driver abruptly switched on the news radio broadcast.

"Today is March 12th, 202X, at 9:34 PM. This station has received breaking news: an unauthorized racing event was held on Crescent Mountain, resulting in five injuries and one fatality, with one person in critical condition. The specific circumstances are still under investigation. Please continue to tune in for the latest updates from our station..."

Jiang Ci's heart skipped a beat, a flash of astonishment washing over her as her face grew slightly paler.

Jiang Ci didn't feel a sense of elation; rather, the heavy breath that had been suffocating her chest finally found release.

Alighting from the car, Jiang Ci held her umbrella aloft as she walked into the residential complex. Illuminated by the streetlamps, the drizzle drifting through the air appeared increasingly dense and fine.

Folding her umbrella, Jiang Ci headed up the stairwell. Lowering her head, she suddenly noticed a shadow cast within her field of vision.

"Unbelievable. You didn't reply to a single message all day."

Displeasure laced Zhang Heyu's brows. Although his words carried a trace of annoyance, the moment he actually laid eyes on her, the heavy stone suspended in his heart finally settled.

Jiang Ci hadn't expected Zhang Heyu to be waiting by her doorstep. Having neglected her phone all day at the Sun residence, she had no idea he had been messaging her.

"Are you playing with me, baby?"

"I'm sorry, I—" Jiang Ci started to explain, but Zhang Heyu suddenly strode right up to her.

Zhang Heyu cupped her cheek with his warm palm and lowered his head to press his lips against hers.

Jiang Ci's body stiffened involuntarily, momentarily forgetting to close her eyes as her dark eyelashes fluttered lightly.

The kiss lasted only a brief moment before Zhang Heyu stroked Jiang Ci's cheek, lowering his voice to murmur, "Don't leave my messages unread again in the future."

Being unable to reach Jiang Ci for an entire day had worried Zhang Heyu half to death.

Now that he finally saw her, the lingering traces of his anger and anxiety dissipated slightly. Knowing how delicate the young girl was and that he couldn't bear to be harsh with her, he could only phrase it differently.

Jiang Ci was startled for a moment. Understanding the worry behind his actions, she curved her lips into a faint smile. "I know. Don't worry, I won't do anything foolish."

Zhang Heyu pulled her into his embrace, tightening his arms around her waist as his Adam's apple bobbed. "You have me. I'll always be here."

"I know."

The following day.

Jiang Ci woke up bright and early. Following the previous night's rain, the air was suffused with the crisp, earthy scent of damp soil—a fragrance that drifted gently on the breeze, making one feel exceptionally refreshed and tranquil.

She whipped up a simple breakfast and sat at the dining table, scrolling through her phone while she ate.

Suddenly, a breaking news piece from Nan城 surged onto the trending topics list.

The title of the post blared: *Sun Group Chairman Involved in Car Accident; Culprit Turned Out to Be the Chairman's Own Son?!*

Jiang Ci tapped into the article, reading every single line and sentence with meticulous care as her breathing slowed.

Until finally, Jiang Ci's gaze landed on the concluding paragraph:

"According to investigations, the racing event belonged to an illicit organization, resulting in one death and five injuries during the course of the incident, with one person remaining in critical condition. It has been confirmed that the deceased is Sun, son of Sun Group's Chairman..."

The hand holding the phone trembled, disbelief washing over her for a long moment.

Jiang Ci took a deep breath, walked out to the balcony, and raised her head to look up at the bright sun hanging high in the azure sky. "Grandmother, I miss you. I hope you're happier up in heaven."

With just over two months remaining until the college entrance examinations, the school's testing schedule had grown increasingly dense. Jiang Ci poured all her focus into preparing for the exams.

The online forums were flooded with praises recounting the legendary exploits of both Jiang Ci and Zhang Heyu, alongside discussions about Chen Yanzhou genuinely turning over a new leaf.

Her daily routine consisted basically of studying. Occasionally, when Jiang Simian was busy, Zhang Heyu would go out to eat with Jiang Ci, and after evening self-study, he would safely escort her all the way home.

Day followed ordinary day.

Yet right amidst this calm and peaceful period, tumultuous waves suddenly stirred.

At noon that day, Yu Xijin and Jiang Ci were eating in the cafeteria when, for reasons unknown, a few girls came over and seated themselves right beside them.

"Hey, have you heard? I heard someone's mother is a mistress!"

"Who doesn't know that? It's already the talk of Third High. Don't tell me there are still people pretending to be clueless?"

"Acting as a willing home-wrecker is so damn disgusting." The girl sitting directly beside Jiang Ci abruptly turned her head to glare at her, purposely provoking, "Don't you think, Classmate Jiang Ci?"

Jiang Ci froze instantly, her fingers tightening involuntarily around her spoon like a densely woven net suddenly casting down to trap her.

Yu Xijin frowned and spoke up. "Do we know each other? Unbelievable."

The girl let out a light sneer, eyeing the two of them with open contempt. "I advise you to stop hanging out with her. With a mistress for a mother, how good could the daughter possibly be?"

Jiang Ci turned her head sideways, her clear gaze locking unblinkingly onto the girl before her. "What did you say?"

"I said your mother is a mistress, have you no shame?" the girl laughed coldly. "Someone like you thinks you're worthy of being with Zhang Heyu?"

Yu Xijin's temper flared as well. "What business is it of yours? Whether they're together or not is any of your concern? Did you grow up by the ocean, sticking your nose into everything?!"

"You!" The girl was choked with anger, glaring fiercely at Jiang Ci as she spat, "Shameless!"