After I Cheated on the Heiress of a Powerful Family - Chapter 17

Chapter 17 

The majority of the sports events were wrapped up on the first day, leaving just two to be finished on the second. After that came the teachers’ competitions—three in total. Though the teachers’ scores counted toward the final class standings, their impact wasn’t all that significant.

Still, Teacher Zhou took it seriously. Knowing how hard his class had worked and how well they had done, he didn’t want to be the weak link. He gave it his all and ended up placing second in the teachers’ events.

Once the teacher races were over, the closing ceremony began. School leaders went up one by one to give their speeches, followed by the announcement of rankings, award presentations, yet another round of speeches, and then finally—mercifully—the official conclusion of the event.

Thanks to Wen Yan’s sudden surge in performance, racking up bonus points like crazy, everyone in the class had a strong feeling that their final ranking wouldn’t be low.

As the school officials took the stage, the students couldn’t hide their eagerness. They silently wished someone could fast-forward the speeches or just skip straight to the results.

Wen Yan was looking forward to it too, though she wasn’t nearly as anxious. She had given her all in every event, and no matter the outcome, she had no regrets.

Standing in line next to her, Xie Buyi looked completely indifferent. His face was calm, like he was just waiting for the ceremony to end so he could go home.

After what felt like forever, the speeches were finally over, and it was time for the results. Though everyone had a gut feeling their class had done well, hearing the official announcement that they placed second still sent the whole class into a cheering frenzy.

When it came time to collect the awards, the entire class unanimously chose Wen Yan to go on stage. Looking at their excited faces, she couldn’t help but feel that if it weren’t for the setting, they might’ve rushed up and tossed her into the air in celebration.

After everything wrapped up, the class leader guided them back to their classroom. The trophy and banner were passed around lovingly before being hung proudly beside the blackboard.

With the sports meet over, the weekend break began. As the initial excitement faded, everyone packed up their things and got ready to head home.

Wen Yan, meanwhile, had been sneakily stockpiling sweets all morning—grabbing extra during the events and even more while helping out during the teachers’ competition. To put it plainly, more than half the school’s candy ended up in her hands.

When she checked her stash, she realized her bag was bursting with chocolates and sugar. Feeling pleased, she scooped up a big handful and offered it to her “partner in crime,” Xie Buyi.

She assumed he’d turn it down—he seemed like the type to not care for cheap candy. Her plan was to look generous by offering it, then keep it for herself when he declined.

To her surprise, Xie Buyi took one look and accepted it without hesitation.

Wen Yan fought to keep her smile steady, trying not to show any regret, and quietly pulled her hand back. She mumbled, “I’m just being generous here, letting you store some candy for me. Totally noble of me to share so much.”

In her head, though, she was screaming at herself. Why had she grabbed such a huge handful to offer? And he didn’t even hesitate to take it! That was a lot of candy!

Forcing herself not to think about the loss, she focused on packing her things. Just then, a rectangular gift box slipped out of her bag and landed with a soft thud.

It looked familiar.

Her eyes lit up, and she glanced over at Xie Buyi.

He remained calm. “It’s for you. Thought I’d give it early.”

“Thank you!” Wen Yan beamed, lunging toward him for a dramatic hug. “You’re officially my best friend for life!”

Xie Buyi quickly pushed her off, a bit awkward. “Keep your hands to yourself.”

Wen Yan laughed and flung an arm around his shoulder. “Yes, ma’am!”

He still called a taxi to go home, which Wen Yan found a little odd—but figured she’d find out the reason eventually. No need to dig into it now.

She picked up her schoolbag and rode her bike home.

During the sports meet, the student who’d tried to trip her ended up having to pay 300 yuan in compensation. On top of that, Wen Yan collected a bunch of prize books—she sold five and kept two for her younger sibling, Warm Paper and Ink.

When she got home, lunch was already waiting. After eating and cleaning up, she found her sibling and handed over the two books marked with prize seals.

Warm Paper and Ink looked her over suspiciously. “Sis, what happened yesterday? You came home limping with your hand hurt. Don’t tell me… you actually competed?”

“What, you think I’d do something that wasn’t worth it?” Wen Yan replied proudly, pulling out 560 yuan. “Three hundred is from that idiot who tried to shove me. The rest is from commissions and selling prize books.”

She kept one gold medal as a keepsake, gave the bronze from the 1,500-meter race to Xie Buyi, and left the rest hanging in the classroom.

“And that’s not even all.” She dumped her bag out onto the table—sugar and chocolates tumbled everywhere.

Warm Paper and Ink’s jaw dropped. “You won all this? Or someone gave it to you?”

“Why do you always assume someone else gave it to me? Can’t I buy candy myself?” Wen Yan asked with mock annoyance.

Her sibling scoffed. “You? Spend money on sweets? You’re so stingy you count your coins before buying instant noodles.”

“Fine! Then you’re not getting any!” she huffed.

But her sibling was already digging into the pile. Suddenly, their fingers brushed something hard. Pulling it out, they revealed a sleek, rectangular gift box.

“See! You did get something from someone!”

Wen Yan quickly snatched it back, opened it, and found a beautiful pen nestled in velvet. The design was intricate—gold outlines of mountains and rivers, with a few characters engraved that she couldn’t read.

“This pen looks expensive!” her sibling gasped. “Wait… don’t tell me you’re dating someone?”

“You wouldn’t get it,” Wen Yan replied mysteriously. “It’s a gift from the Little God of Wealth.”

“You mean… Xie Buyi?”

Wen Yan actually looked shocked. “How’d you know?”

“People in the class group were talking,” Warm Paper and Ink muttered. “They said some rich girl passed through and called him that.”

Some of Wen Yan’s old classmates were now in high school and had gotten into the top schools. But they still lurked in the old class group, posting snarky comments and picking on her sibling.

As she washed the dishes, Wen Yan asked casually, “They probably said worse, didn’t they?”

Warm Paper and Ink hesitated, voice lowering. “Yeah… they said you were just chasing after her, always buying her food, trying to get money out of her.”

Wen Yan didn’t even try to deny it. Honestly, wasn’t that pen part of her “earnings”?

Still, she had some pride left. “They’re just jealous. The rich girl actually likes me. That’s why they’re bitter. They wish they were me.”

“She gave me the pen because she wants me as her desk partner.”

Warm Paper and Ink wasn’t convinced. “No way someone that rich gives something this fancy just for being desk mates. Don’t do anything shady, okay? Fraud is illegal. You’re an adult now—they’ll lock you up.”

“I know! Stop worrying and go study!” Wen Yan waved it off.

But her sibling was already moved to tears. If her sister could suffer all that humiliation for their sake, she had to repay her one day. She picked up a notebook and started studying right away.

Meanwhile, Wen Yan was doing research—trying to figure out how much the pen was worth. She checked the brand’s official website and found a similar one, engraved with “Yunshan White Crane,” listed at over 8,000 yuan.

Hers seemed like an older or maybe limited edition version, but the value should be close.

She listed it online for 6,000 yuan, writing:

“Gift from a friend. Brand new. Can’t remember the model—if you know, you know.”

It was just a test price. If no one asked, she’d lower it. If someone mocked her for overpricing, she’d find out the true value and adjust accordingly.

After posting it, she went right back to studying for the upcoming midterm.

Over the two-day break, except for working at the bar, she spent every moment reviewing.

Not everyone could snap back into study mode right after the sports event—but Wen Yan could. The scholarship was dangling in front of her like a carrot on a stick.

City No. 1 High School had a weekly class schedule: mini-breaks on Saturdays, full weekends off starting Friday afternoon. Students were expected back by 3 p.m. on Sundays, with classes starting an hour later.

Monday’s midterms were approaching fast. The teachers were busy reviewing, not collecting homework.

Wen Yan had completed dozens of practice tests. She knew every topic inside out and wasn’t anxious—just laser-focused. She didn’t even bother pestering Xie Buyi.

Her consistency and effort gave her classmate Fang Sihui a sense of pressure. Glancing around, she felt torn:

Wen Yan, up front, was burning through problems like her life depended on it.

Xie Buyi, in the back, had his headphones in and was staring into space like nothing mattered.

She couldn’t help but feel curious—how would Wen Yan perform this time? Could Xie Buqi still hold onto the top spot?

After the last evening study session, the monitor posted the exam seating chart. Students swarmed to check their assignments.

Xie Buyi didn’t even bother. He’d been ranked #1 last time, so his seat—#1 in Exam Room 1—was a given.

Wen Yan had been 16th in the grade, so she was in Room 1 too.

She noted both their seat numbers and quietly passed the info to Xie Buyi on a slip of paper.

That night, everyone helped move desks and books into the exam rooms. Wen Yan grouped her things with Xie Buyi’s and even helped him drag his desk out.

As they walked off campus together, he got a call. All he said was, “Add more money,” before hanging up.

Wen Yan assumed it was the driver again. Must be nice—just casually upping the fare like that.

Then Xie Buyi turned to her. “Do you want first place?”

Wen Yan snapped out of her thoughts. “Of course.”

She added seriously, “You know how things are at home. Winning that scholarship would help a lot.”

Wait… was this his way of starting a rivalry?

If it was, she wasn’t about to let him have the last word.

But Xie Buyi didn’t rise to the bait. Calm as ever, he just said, “Then go for it.”

Wen Yan: …

Tch. Playing it cool?

Alright then—let the real battle begin.