Marrying the Ugly Woman of a Rich and Powerful Family - Chapter 29

Shen Qingyuan regretted not changing clothes before coming to school. After Cang Yan’s random kneading, she felt uncomfortable no matter how she sat. She constantly felt the normally snug bra strap now chafing her, and she desperately wanted to go braless.

Shen Qingyuan squirmed uncomfortably. Seeing that the classroom was still sparsely populated, she poked Li Xinyan and swapped places with her for a seat against the wall. She reached behind and unhooked her bra clasp, finally feeling comfortable.

However, during class, apart from thinking about cursing Shen Tongtao, that trashy stepfather, she spent the rest of the time thinking about Cang Yan groping her.

Although her mind wasn’t genuinely full of lewd thoughts, she still had those worldly desires and was not completely numb. It was just that at the time, any more sensation would have led to censorship, so the description of Cang Yan doing nothing and her own lack of reaction could only be quickly glossed over.

Shen Qingyuan recalled Cang Yan’s crude and chaotic fondling, which was both painful and pleasurable, and her cheeks couldn’t help but feel warm.

Li Xinyan let out a soft “咦,” looked up, and saw the teacher writing on the blackboard. She lowered her voice and asked curiously, “Qingyuan, do you have a cold or a fever? Why is your face so red, and your ears too?”

Shen Qingyuan rubbed her ears in an attempt to cover up, saying expressionlessly, “No.”

Li Xinyan still wanted to get to the bottom of the matter.

Shen Qingyuan pointed to the podium and said, “Listen carefully to the class first. If you’re not listening, do the CET-6 practice papers. I’ll tell you about the other things when we get back to the dorm.”

Li Xinyan said, “Fine.”

The three of them used to slack off in class. Mu Qing always liked to read extracurricular books, and Li Xinyan was a regular online presence. But ever since Shen Qingyuan married Cang Yan, the three of them were studying diligently, which surprised their professional course teachers.

During the break, the classroom buzzed with loud discussion.

The simultaneous police detention of Mo Ze, a senior from the School of Economics and Management, and Zhou Chuan from their class caused a huge sensation.

Mo Ze was not only the Vice President of the Student Union but had also secured a recommendation for postgraduate study at China’s top finance and economics university. He was handsome and talented, always the object of envy. Now, he was discovered to be a pervert who secretly filmed sexual videos. This was a massive blow to the young men and women.

As for Zhou Chuan, it was rumored that he was involved in intentional injury for pushing a classmate into the water. Everyone knew who the classmate who fell into the water was and came to Shen Qingyuan to ask for gossip. Even those who were usually not friendly with her came to listen.

Only Tang Zhiying completely ignored the matter.

She never wanted to be associated with Shen Qingyuan again.

“I don’t know,” Shen Qingyuan didn’t want to deal with them.

College classmates were generally not very close, not to mention the original owner’s stubborn temper had offended many people. Shen Qingyuan rejected everyone with a cold face and simply lowered her head to work on her practice test.

“Tsk!” The students who wanted to gossip returned to their seats in low spirits, continuing to gather information through so-called internal channels.

“Qingyuan, tell me,” Li Xinyan desperately wanted to hear the gossip. She was the one most looking forward to the end of class.

However, the more she wanted the class to end, the longer it dragged on. After the fifth and sixth periods in the afternoon finished, the counselor sent a notice in the group chat, asking all students to immediately go to the large conference room for a meeting.

The meeting’s theme was to remind students to prioritize safety—do not harbor malicious intent, but always be on guard. The presence of two moral failures in the school had greatly impacted its reputation. The counselor hoped everyone would stop gossiping and focus on their studies. Seniors preparing for postgraduate entrance exams should intensify their revision, and freshmen, sophomores, and juniors should diligently prepare for the CET-4, CET-6, and final exams.

Shen Qingyuan had her Bluetooth earphones on for the entire meeting, listening to English listening practice. The counselor suddenly called out, “Student Shen Qingyuan.”

Shen Qingyuan was startled and stood up: “Here.”

The counselor said, “Come to my office later.”

Shen Qingyuan had no choice but to go.

The counselor spoke earnestly: “You performed well in the mid-term exam. You are the victim in this incident, and the school will seek justice for you. I hope you can continue to study hard and not slack off like before.”

After so many years, the counselor was once again witnessing a drastic improvement in a previously poor student, which was quite moving. It was because Shen Qingyuan had been so bad before, always on the verge of dropping out. Her sudden commitment to studying excited her greatly.

College was a melting pot. Clean-slate high school graduates entered college and began to encounter various temptations. Once a person was tainted, it was generally hard to reverse, but she believed Shen Qingyuan would be an exception!

Seeing that the counselor didn’t say anything like, “You’re fine now, don’t pursue the matter further,” Shen Qingyuan also sincerely expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you, Teacher. I will.”

She had been in a bad mood all day. The counselor let her go after a verbal lecture. Coupled with the time spent in the meeting, it was almost dark when she returned to the dorm.

Li Xinyan couldn’t wait and urged, “Quick, tell me, tell me!”

Mu Qing stopped what she was doing, clearly interested as well.

Shen Qingyuan had no choice but to start from Mo Ze’s blackmail attempt with the video and narrated the entire sequence of events. Of course, Cang Yan provided the greatest assistance.

Li Xinyan sighed, “Holy crap, this is truly ‘an old sow wearing a bra’ (a Chinese slang for putting on a show), one scheme after another.”

Shen Qingyuan: “…”

Mu Qing: “…”

Shen Qingyuan, for some reason, remembered unhooking her bra earlier. She quietly hooked it back up.

Li Xinyan was still expressing her amazement, then noticed Shen Qingyuan had a new phone again. The previous one was a black latest model, and now it was a white one.

She cupped her face and said enviously, “Cang Yan is amazing. She can find out anything and is so rich. I now declare that Cang Yan is my husband.”

Shen Qingyuan chuckled, “You don’t have a chance.”

Li Xinyan immediately wore a mournful face, then quickly changed the subject, smiling brightly: “Qingyuan, are you busy going home today? How about we go eat hot pot? To celebrate you finding the evidence and bringing the real culprit to justice.”

Shen Qingyuan had originally planned to go back, but her suggestion tempted her. She hadn’t had a proper meal with her roommates since she transmigrated.

Excluding Tang Zhiying, the other two in Room 419: Li Xinyan, though loud and boisterous, was genuine, and Mu Qing, though quiet, was reliable. She said, “Sure.”

She could go back a bit later. Anyway, even when she accompanied Cang Yan, Cang Yan wouldn’t eat properly and complained that she was like a mother hen. The more she nagged, the more counterproductive it was.

The three of them went to a hot pot restaurant near the school.

“Xinyan, Mu Qing, honestly, do you think I have good character?” Shen Qingyuan wanted to pay her final respects to the original owner. She was ready to say goodbye to her.

She had absolutely no intention of engaging with Shen Tongtao anymore, and the cause of the original owner’s death had been resolved. From now on, she was the true Shen Qingyuan, both in soul and body.

Li Xinyan held the menu and ordered, without looking up. She said, “If you didn’t have good character, who would still hang out with you?”

Mu Qing nodded in agreement.

“You were just a bit silly before, accustomed to self-sabotage. Choosing this major was also a result of self-sabotage. Now you’re finally better and willing to study.”

Li Xinyan didn’t know if she was saying this to Shen Qingyuan or to herself. In any case, all three of them in the dorm were now studying hard.

Shen Qingyuan could roughly guess why the original owner was self-sabotaging. She completely immersed herself as the original owner and said, “Back then, I always wanted to prove my existence to my parents. I thought self-sabotage would get their attention, but it only delayed myself.”

She suddenly had an urge to confide and also shared the phone call from Shen Tongtao today.

“Regarding Zhou Chuan’s incident, they insist on something major happening to me before they consider it serious. But if I really died, whatever they do afterward is meaningless. Even if they killed Zhou Chuan, what does it have to do with the dead me?”

The problem now was that the original owner was genuinely dead, while Zhou Chuan was still alive and well. Even if he was arrested, the charges wouldn’t be too severe.

This was the part that most frustrated and annoyed Shen Qingyuan.

Li Xinyan said indignantly, “You used to always curse your stepfather. He really is no good.”

Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Shen Qingyuan’s phone rang. She hadn’t had time to change the ringtone on the new phone, and the default ringtone annoyed her.

Seeing that it was Yin Ruoyun’s number, she could tell with her knees that Shen Tongtao wanted to continue scolding her. She immediately hung up. As if that wasn’t enough, she switched to airplane mode.

Dishes were served one after another. Li Xinyan, in high spirits, wanted to drink alcohol.

Shen Qingyuan was worried about being too drunk to go back, and drinking outside was unsafe for girls.

Li Xinyan patted her chest and said, “Don’t worry. Qingqing will protect us. She doesn’t drink, and she’s in the school’s Taekwondo club. You haven’t forgotten that, have you?”

Shen Qingyuan grinned and said, “Then Mu Qing, you’ll have to trouble you to send us back later. I’ll try not to get too drunk.”

Mu Qing nodded and said, “Eat first, then drink.”

“Okay.” The two began to drink boldly.

Shen Qingyuan had a good tolerance for alcohol, and they were drinking beer. She was relatively sober initially, but the hot pot was too heating. The bra she had finally hooked up earlier was unhooked again.

After Cang Yan returned from the school, she suddenly became curious about the feeling of touch. She went back to her room and touched herself, feeling nothing. While Shen Qingyuan was in class, she asked Aunt Cai to fix the wall first, then made an appointment with Lin You for a spa.

This beauty salon was owned by Lin You, and Cang Yan felt very reassured. No one here would discriminate against her appearance and height.

“How is the matter being handled?” Lin You knew what she had been investigating recently.

The masseuse’s technique was professional. Cang Yan was completely relaxed and replied lazily, “It’s alright. The two of them are just students. They still lack experience in handling things. By the way, do you have any reliable lawyer recommendations?”

Lin You asked, “Is it still for Shen Qingyuan this time?”

With her shoulder pressure points being massaged, Cang Yan narrowed her eyes comfortably and admitted frankly, “Mm, she’s not loved by her father and mother at home. I’ll help out while I’m at it. It’s that man’s fault for being so impulsive and pushing her.”

Lin You’s eyes darkened. She said, “She looks lively and healthy. She probably didn’t suffer any significant harm. Even if she did, she should be recovered by now. The possibility of prosecuting it severely is low.”

Cang Yan was silent for a long time upon hearing this. A dangerous curve appeared on her lips. She said faintly, “Physical injuries can heal. Psychological ones are always invisible.”

Lin You sighed, “You really treat her differently.”

Cang Yan didn’t think so. She continued lying face down and asked, “What’s different? I think it’s the same. She’s just a tool. My mother said I’ve been in much better spirits lately. Have you noticed?”

Lin You said helplessly, “Do you really believe she can absorb your illness?”

“No, but she’s quite fun. She said she has a niche aesthetic, that I’m the most beautiful. I deliberately tested her, and she wasn’t lying.” Cang Yan finished the sentence she hadn’t completed last time.

Lin You listened patiently this time, but her brows furrowed deeper as she listened.

Cang Yan felt that the reason she and Shen Qingyuan could get along well started with knowing that Shen Qingyuan had a niche aesthetic.

If a person constantly thought they were ugly, they wouldn’t be happy getting along with them.

Lin You frowned and considered for a moment, then waved the masseuse out.

Cang Yan felt the massage stop and looked confused. She turned her head, only to see Lin You getting off the massage table naked. For a moment, she didn’t know where to look. She quickly turned her head, panicking, “Youzi.”

Lin You’s nickname was Youzi (Grapefruit/Pomelo).

Lin You was one year older than Cang Yan. Cang Yan rarely called her by her nickname, but now she was so flustered that she blurted it out.

Lin You didn’t stop walking and headed straight toward Cang Yan. Then she bent down, her moist eyes gazing at her tenderly. She said softly, “A’Yan, I also think you’re the most beautiful, but I don’t have a niche aesthetic. I only have one aesthetic, and my aesthetic is that you are the most beautiful.”

Cang Yan’s brain almost crashed. She didn’t know why Lin You would suddenly say such a thing. Seeing Lin You getting closer and closer, she wrapped herself in the towel and climbed up.

“Um… I suddenly remembered I have something to do. I’m going back first.”

Cang Yan practically fled in a hurry.

When Cang Yan returned home, her heart was still pounding. It was already absurd that one Shen Qingyuan thought she was beautiful. Now even her good friend thought she was beautiful, and she knew very well why Lin You chose to be friends with her.

Cang Yan gulped down two large glasses of water and went to the bathroom. Only then did she feel like she had returned to herself.

She emotionlessly timed Shen Qingyuan’s return.

Shen Qingyuan had said she had two class sessions, and Cang Yan wasn’t sure if that meant two classes or four classes. She waited until half past six, but Shen Qingyuan still hadn’t arrived. She called the driver, who said he hadn’t picked her up.

Shen Qingyuan used to arrive at seven even when she was waiting to buy a cake. Maybe she went to buy cake again today, Cang Yan thought, unhurriedly waiting.

Her phone lay quietly. Lin You didn’t contact her.

She probably wanted her to calm down, but how could she calm down? She had to get Shen Qingyuan back to distract herself.

Aunt Cai had finished cooking the meal.

Shen Qingyuan still hadn’t returned.

Cang Yan called her, but the call didn’t go through.

She didn’t know anyone else, so she had to call the counselor again.

The counselor was nervous every time she received a call from Cang Yan. Hearing that she couldn’t reach Shen Qingyuan this time made her even more anxious, fearing that the ‘ancestor’ had gotten into trouble again.

Cang Yan was relatively calm. She said, “Please just give me her roommates’ phone numbers.”

The counselor quickly sent both Li Xinyan and Mu Qing’s numbers.

Li Xinyan had eaten and drunk to her fill and was already tipsy. She saw double. When she heard her phone vibrate, she didn’t know where to reach for it and called out, “Qingqing…”

Mu Qing skillfully took the phone from her lap. Seeing it was an unfamiliar number, she assumed it was a telemarketer and hung up. Unexpectedly, it called again after a while.

Mu Qing had no choice but to answer.

“I’m Cang Yan. Where is Shen Qingyuan?”

Cang Yan’s voice was frigid. No one had ever dared to hang up on her before.

Mu Qing wasn’t sure if Shen Qingyuan wanted Cang Yan to know. She covered the phone and whispered, “Qingyuan, Cang Yan is looking for you.”

“Ah? Cang Yan? Where is she?” Shen Qingyuan was also drunk. She had to squint to see people. She thought Cang Yan was nearby and looked around the restaurant.

Mu Qing saw that she wasn’t afraid of Cang Yan finding her. She gave Cang Yan the address of the hot pot restaurant and mentioned that they were drinking.

Cang Yan arrived quickly. The moment she entered, she saw Shen Qingyuan’s bra strap dangling out. She questioned her expressionlessly, “Who unhooked your bra?”

Her gaze swept over Li Xinyan and Mu Qing.

Li Xinyan looked confused.

Mu Qing sat upright with an expressionless face.

Shen Qingyuan heard Cang Yan’s voice and instantly sobered up mostly. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Cang Yan’s neck, saying groggily, “It’s all because you were fondling me.”

If Cang Yan hadn’t randomly fondled her before, she wouldn’t have found the bra annoying, wouldn’t have unhooked the clasp, and the bra strap wouldn’t be showing now.

She completely forgot that she had hooked it back in the dorm and then unhooked it again when she felt hot just now.

Cang Yan: “…”

It wasn’t me! I didn’t!