The Female Lead Keeps Forcing Me to Take My Meds [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Should I Chase Them Away?

On the afternoon the results were announced, the school’s Honor Roll was promptly updated.

When the dismissal bell rang, students who had been confined to their classrooms all day streamed out, surging toward the exit.

Many students gathered in front of the Honor Roll to check the rankings. Wen Yan intended to pass quickly but was pulled by a friend to look together.

Her friend said, “I improved three places this time! I need to see the number with my own eyes. Seeing the rank list on the podium isn’t as satisfying as seeing the Honor Roll itself.”

Wen Yan laughed: “Do you want me to take a picture for you?”

Her friend quickly waved her hand: “No need, no need. I’ll look like an idiot.”

Wen Yan: “Hahahaha!”

Students from other classes were ahead of them, gathered in twos and threes, discussing the ranking order.

“No need to look, it must be Wen Yan again. When is she not number one in her grade?”

“Actually, it’s not. It’s someone else.”

“Not Wen Yan? Could it be He Jiayu, the perpetual second-place, ultimate subject-skewed student, finally made a comeback? Well, congratulations… Wait, who is Cheng Zhishu?”

The friend didn’t hear what the people ahead were saying and tried to pull Wen Yan away.

“I remember your parents are on a business trip. Aren’t you going to your other parents’ house?”

Wen Yan, who was about to leave, paused. Her feet felt rooted to the ground; she didn’t want to move.

The discussion ahead continued: “That name sounds so familiar. I remember! She’s the transfer student in Class 1.”

“Oh, right. I remember, too. The old teacher mentioned her. We knew she was good when she was placed in Class 1, but I didn’t expect her to be that good. She actually surpassed Wen Yan.”

“…”

Since junior high, Wen Yan had become an adjective, categorized by: scoring above Wen Yan or scoring below Wen Yan.

Even Wen Yan herself saw this as an honor, believing it would remain so until graduation. However, someone recently broke her record.

“Hey, Orange, why are you walking so fast?” A girl’s lively voice called out from behind the crowd.

Wen Yan instinctively turned her head and indeed saw Cheng Zhishu quickly walking past. Her eyes were bright, and she walked toward the sunlight with an undeniable, unrestrained vibrancy.

Cheng Zhishu replied without looking back: “Sister is waiting for me outside. I’m in a hurry.”

The girl behind jogged to catch up, wrapping an arm around her shoulder: “Why does she come to pick you up every day…”

Cheng Zhishu just smiled, happy and proud.

Wen Yan watched the two figures gradually walk away. Cheng Zhishu didn’t even spare a glance for the Honor Roll, walking straight past it.

That person is the child my parents refuse to acknowledge.

Even her mother, who raised her since she was a child, said: “I feel like she’s had a difficult life, sigh…”

But that person easily surpassed her in just one exam. Wen Yan turned her gaze to the Rank 1 position.

If the difference were just one or two points, it would be fine, but a gap of ten points made it difficult for her to even feel resentment.

…

At the school gate, Shangguan Yin parted ways with Cheng Zhishu to walk toward her home. Cheng Zhishu spotted the familiar car right away, ran through the crowd, and quickly slipped inside.

The air conditioning was on. Closing the car door shut out the blazing summer heat. Xi Congshuang casually put down the tablet in her hand.

Cheng Zhishu had looked at the contents of Xi Congshuang’s tablet before. To be honest, she didn’t understand it at all. It was filled with professional jargon or difficult-to-comprehend foreign language terms.

She had even used the computer in her room to look up a few words, finding they were all financial terms. At her current level, she couldn’t even understand the Chinese definitions, let alone the foreign language versions.

Cheng Zhishu pushed those thoughts aside and leaned forward: “Sister, do you remember what you promised me a few days ago?”

Ni An’s ears twitched. Her gaze involuntarily flickered to the rearview mirror.

The rear seat was clearly reflected in the mirror. Xi Congshuang frowned slightly, looked thoughtfully at Cheng Zhishu’s expectant eyes, and asked softly: “What was it?”

She didn’t look like she remembered.

Sure enough, Cheng Zhishu’s expectant expression dropped by half: “You don’t remember? It was about me treating you to a meal after I get my scholarship money. You don’t remember?”

Xi Congshuang: “I remember.”

With just two words, Cheng Zhishu instantly cheered up.

Raising her hand, Xi Congshuang held the girl, who was barely restrained by the seatbelt, and repeated seriously: “I remember. So, where should we go? Let Li Mi take us.”

Cheng Zhishu sat back down obediently: “I get to choose?”

Xi Congshuang: “You choose. Won’t that be more of a surprise?”

“I guess… you’re right.”

A moment later, Cheng Zhishu was indeed convinced. She lowered her head and fiddled with her phone.

…

Over the past few days, Ni An had specifically learned about Cheng Zhishu, surprised that the young girl’s experiences were far more tumultuous than her own, a big sister nearing thirty.

People with such histories are often more or less introverted or gloomy, but she wasn’t. She was not only bright, lively, and capable of fighting, but she also possessed an innate sense of direction-cluelessness.

Hmm, she knew about the fighting from Li Mi.

According to Li Mi’s reliable insider information, the few girls who wanted to block Cheng Zhishu and take photos weren’t severely injured because Cheng Zhishu got lost at first and couldn’t find them right away.

She eventually followed the smell of cigarettes to find them in the washroom at the corner of the first floor of the derelict building, locked the door, and started the fight.

That’s what brought Xi Congshuang and also gave her the idea to return to the company.

However, after careful consideration, if Ni An had a sister like this, she would really like her too.

A few minutes later, a location pin popped up on Li Mi’s phone.

Cheng Zhishu said mysteriously: “Sister Li Mi, please go to this address. Don’t say the restaurant name out loud. I want to give Sister a surprise.”

Li Mi suppressed a laugh: “Alright.”

Xi Congshuang, who was looking down at her tablet, also smiled. Cheng Zhishu leaned close and whispered to her: “Shangguan Yin recommended it to me. She said it’s delicious.”

Xi Congshuang looked up at Cheng Zhishu. Just as she was about to say something, Cheng Zhishu preempted her: “It won’t be expensive, don’t worry.”

Xi Congshuang raised one eyebrow, said no more: “Fine, I surrender to your arrangements.”

“…”

Ni An previously wouldn’t have believed anyone could make Xi Congshuang say the words “surrender to your arrangements,” as there were often exceptions even for Director Xi.

She never expected to witness it now, and from a teenage girl, no less.

This was the personification of one thing conquering another—an excessively indulgent one.

If it weren’t for Cheng Zhishu, Ni An could hardly imagine her boss, who used to be so competitive, willingly appearing in front of strangers.

For nearly a year after the car accident, she heard that her boss rarely left the house, preferring to stay in the Xi residence, hiding herself in the shadows, no longer willing to see people.

…

Upon arrival, the location turned out to be surprisingly nice, with a quiet and serene atmosphere.

Cheng Zhishu had reserved a table on her phone beforehand, a corner spot by the window, where a floral wall partition conveniently blocked most outside views.

The two were led to their seats by a waiter. Soft music played in the restaurant.

As the uniformly dressed waiter handed them the menus, Ni An and Li Mi found a random spot in the hall, ordered, and planned to have their dinner there.

Looking at the menu, it was indeed affordable, but only for those who were already working.

Although it was dinner time, the restaurant didn’t keep them waiting long. The ordered dishes were served one after another.

Cheng Zhishu: “I heard the Cream of Mushroom Soup here is excellent. Sister, try some.”

“Another one recommended by Shangguan Yin? I’ll try it.” Xi Congshuang picked up the spoon next to the plate, scooped a shallow spoonful, and brought it to her lips.

It was smooth and rich upon tasting. Initially, it was a savory flavor mixed with creamy notes. Moments later, the sweet freshness of the mushrooms slowly spread through her mouth. It was indeed good.

Cheng Zhishu watched intently.

She couldn’t quite articulate the difference between Xi Congshuang eating and others, but there was an inexplicable elegance. Sometimes, Cheng Zhishu couldn’t help but secretly imitate her, as if she, too, could become as poised as Xi Congshuang.

“How is it?” Cheng Zhishu asked expectantly.

Xi Congshuang nodded: “It’s delicious.”

For some reason, Cheng Zhishu was happier than if she had found something delicious herself.

“It’s wonderful that Sister likes it.”

…

After that experience, Cheng Zhishu seemed to have gotten a taste of something sweet, constantly wanting to invite Xi Congshuang to eat elsewhere.

Xi Congshuang occasionally agreed, but most of the time she refused, frankly telling Cheng Zhishu her thoughts.

“You’re already wonderful. You don’t need to find ways to prove that you are useful to me. I only hope you can be happy.”

This finally made Cheng Zhishu stop, but she couldn’t contain her happiness for several days.

Her emotions were so transparent that Shangguan Yin couldn’t help but ask what she was so happy about.

With veiled pride, Cheng Zhishu told Shangguan Yin about the meal.

Upon hearing it, Shangguan Yin was envious: “That’s so nice. My brother would drive me to bankruptcy with his demands. He’d never say anything about happiness. It’s great to have a sister.”

Cheng Zhishu suddenly grew unhappy and repeated: “Sister?”

Shangguan Yin didn’t notice the difference between ‘sister’ and ‘Older Sister (Jie Jie)’ and just nodded enviously: “Yeah, I have a friend whose older sister is working, and she’s just as good to her.”

Counting on her fingers, she continued: “She often treats her to meals, buys her new clothes, and always brings gifts whenever she travels for work. Last summer, after my friend cooked for her sister for a month, her sister bought her a new computer when school started.”

“Just like Miss Xi is to you.”

“…”

These were indeed all things Xi Congshuang had given her.

Cheng Zhishu slumped forward, burying her face in her arms. For the first time, she didn’t want to hear Shangguan Yin talk.

Yet, Shangguan Yin, oblivious, shook Cheng Zhishu’s shoulder: “Youth is great. Just slump down and fall asleep.”

Cheng Zhishu: “…” Please shut up.

….

Time slipped by quietly, turning from summer to a hint of autumn chill. The next exam approached.

No. 1 High School always released scores the day after the exam, and the Honor Roll was updated on the third day.

This time, even more students gathered in front of the Honor Roll. Everyone’s purpose was clear: they subconsciously looked at the Rank 1 position.

In the last exam, the transfer student, Cheng Zhishu, emerged unexpectedly, pushing the former first-place student down with a ten-point difference.

However, many believed it was merely an accident, and that Wen Yan’s strength would soon return her to her familiar spot.

Yet, the facts disappointed some: the Rank 1 position still belonged to Cheng Zhishu.

But this time, the score difference was no longer ten points, but narrowed to five. The perennial subject-skewed student was left in the dust, trailing far behind the combined forces of Rank 1 and Rank 2.

In front of the packed Honor Roll, Wen Yan looked up, sighed softly, and lowered her shoulders.

It’s so hard to surpass her.

…

Cheng Zhishu, returning home again with a first-place score, received a warm welcome. The entire staff at Wen Hai unanimously agreed to prepare a grand meal to celebrate.

And since the next day was the weekend, they could stay up a little later.

The result of a large meal and late bedtime was obvious: Cheng Zhishu woke up late the next day. The first thing she did after getting out of bed was rush to the balcony to look down.

Xi Congshuang wasn’t reading in the downstairs garden.

Regretfully withdrawing her head, Cheng Zhishu figured she was either working in the study or doing rehabilitation training with Dr. Zheng in the physical therapy room.

Cheng Zhishu was unwilling to intrude and disturb Xi Congshuang in either of those places, so she decided to get dressed and go for a walk downstairs.

Strange as it may seem, this was Cheng Zhishu’s first time exploring the area around Wen Hai. Before this, she was quite unfamiliar with the surroundings.

Since moving in, she had been constantly busy with schoolwork, studying diligently to catch up with the local curriculum, burning the midnight oil, and sacrificing weekends for study. She hadn’t had time to properly explore the place she had lived in for several months.

So…

The girl stopped, hands on her hips, looking up at the treetops. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting golden spots on her face, making her squint.

The confused question of the direction-clueless person emerged: “Where is this? Where have I wandered off to now?”

With the mindset that she couldn’t possibly keep getting lost in her own home, Cheng Zhishu insisted on personally figuring out the nearby routes, firmly refusing to call Xiao Li for help.

So, as she walked, she got lost again. In the distance was a white villa, vintage-style, with moon streetlights installed on the gate posts.

Cheng Zhishu stood at the gate, peering in, and saw the words on the plaque. She remembered where this was.

That building used to be the residence of Xi Congshuang’s parents, called Wen Yue.

Since the car accident, it had been vacant. No one had moved in.

Xiao Liu had also mentioned that the Young Miss had been quite independent since childhood. She moved to Wen Hai around the age of ten, living in a space grander than everyone else’s. Director Xi truly adored her.

After watching for a while, Cheng Zhishu turned and left, continuing to search for the way back to Wen Hai.

She wondered if she hadn’t checked the almanac today. Cheng Zhishu encountered Wang Ya.

Wang Ya had changed a lot since before, resembling the elegantly dressed woman seen in the office.

She wore high heels she never had time for before and an elegant Chanel-style skirt suit. She seemed to have just finished an unpleasant conversation with someone, her expression clearly displeased.

Upon seeing her from afar, Cheng Zhishu instinctively wanted to avoid her.

But Wang Ya called out: “Cheng Zhishu, you stop right there!”

Cheng Zhishu could have walked away, but she didn’t. She slowly turned and watched Wang Ya approach.

Wang Ya stomped in her high heels, her demeanor aggressive: “I’m asking you, did you deliberately steal her first place in these two exams? Don’t you know you made Xiao Yan very upset? She studies so hard…”

“Mom, this is the last time I will call you ‘Mom’.” Cheng Zhishu interrupted Wang Ya for the first time.

Wang Ya was startled.

She suddenly noticed that Cheng Zhishu no longer had bangs. Her long forelocks were pinned behind her ears, revealing a clean forehead. Her posture was straight and tall. She looked completely unfamiliar.

Cheng Zhishu raised her eyes and looked at the woman before her. Her makeup was exquisite, and she smelled the rich perfume on her.

She had seen the woman at her most exhausted state. She used to feel sorry for Wang Ya, who worked tirelessly, covering for her lazy husband and maintaining the family.

Even when exhausted, she would clean the house thoroughly, ensuring no one looked down on them. Cheng Zhishu thought Wang Ya was suffering.

At that time, Cheng Zhishu thought that if she could make her more comfortable and reduce her stress, she could endure a few harsh words.

Cheng Zhishu: “I have already left your life, haven’t I?”

“You no longer have to worry that my existence will ruin your reputation, make others doubt you, or be a thorn in your side.”

“Wen Yan looks a lot like you. No one will ever doubt your bl00d relationship when you stand together. She has also met all your expectations.”

“She is obedient, good at studying, always smiling, and has many friends, completely unlike me, who always has a gloomy expression.”

“If you want to say I deliberately targeted Wen Yan, I can tell you that I did not. I have always disdained doing such things.”

“Nor do I want to make allowances for anyone anymore, or try to prove my worth to another person, as I did to prove my worth to you.”

Wang Ya was speechless.

“Cheng…” Wang Ya stopped herself. A girl’s complaining voice came from a distance: “Mom! What are you doing!”

Her intended words were cut off. It was Wen Yan, who was staying for the weekend.

She ran over and pulled Wang Ya’s arm, her voice full of complaint: “I already told you my bad mood has nothing to do with this exam ranking.”

“But you’ve been…”

“I’m just a little tired. Even if I didn’t score as well as before, it has nothing to do with anyone else. What you’re doing is embarrassing me.”

Wang Ya instinctively apologized: “Mom didn’t mean to. I wasn’t saying anything. I was just chatting with her.”

Wen Yan wasn’t sure if she believed her: “Then promise me you won’t do this again?”

Wang Ya nodded without thinking, her attitude no different from when she spoke to Xiao Yao: “Mom promises you.”

“…” Cheng Zhishu’s surging emotions instantly receded, leaving only damp sand.

No wonder Mom and Dad prefer Wen Yan. She could naturally act spoiled, possessing the ability to make people want to grant her any wish.

Cheng Zhishu decided to leave. She realized she had unconsciously walked near Wen Can and just wanted to go home quickly.

“Wait a minute.” Wang Ya, whose arm was being held by Wen Yan, suddenly spoke.

Cheng Zhishu seemed to know what she was going to say and answered: “Yes, I’m doing very well with Sister.”

Having said that, she walked away quickly, without a backward glance.

…

After finishing her rehabilitation training and showering, Xi Congshuang was reading on the balcony today instead of working in the study.

Her understanding of this world wasn’t deep, and text was an excellent way to acquire knowledge.

She read whenever she had free time. She had read almost all the books in the study, gradually comparing them with the rules of her original world and forming her own plan in her mind.

Xi Congshuang turned a page with one finger, using the other hand to pick up her teacup and drink. The door to the room was knocked.

She thought it was Xiao Liu coming to clean and said without turning her head: “Come in.”

The door clicked open, and someone walked in. The footsteps didn’t sound like Xiao Liu’s.

Xi Congshuang turned her head. Cheng Zhishu walked over, clearly upset. For the first time, she didn’t cautiously ask for permission. She sat down on the floor and rested her head on Xi Congshuang’s lap.

This wasn’t the first time Cheng Zhishu had leaned on her lap. Looking back now, Xi Congshuang forgot why she had agreed to it, allowing her to rest her head on her lap in such a dependent posture several times.

Xi Congshuang gently pushed her shoulder: “The floor is cold.”

Cheng Zhishu buried her head, her voice muffled: “There’s a carpet. It’s not cold.”

Xi Congshuang added: “This lounge chair is long. You can sit with me.”

Cheng Zhishu: “I don’t want to. I want to stay like this.”

“…” Alright.

Xi Congshuang continued to read, holding the book with both hands, lifting it higher, careful not to bump her head.

She didn’t ask further questions. The balcony fell silent, which surprisingly made Cheng Zhishu feel better.

Not everything can be easily confided. Everyone has one or two things they prefer not to say, willing to let it fester in their hearts rather than speak it out.

Whether it’s the pain of saving face or self-deception that it’s not that bad, all the messy thoughts condense into one sentence: Let it be.

Xi Congshuang had just showered. Her scent was more pronounced than usual. Cheng Zhishu took advantage, burying herself in the blanket and breathing deeply.

“Sister, what do you think of me?” Cheng Zhishu looked up and asked: “A little sister to be pitied, or a girl?”

Xi Congshuang stroked her head: “Zhishu, why do you ask me this question?”

Cheng Zhishu: “I was just asking.”

She rested her head back on Xi Congshuang’s lap, while Xi Congshuang looked into the distance, still seemingly pondering the question.

A long while later, she stroked Cheng Zhishu’s head and said: “Zhishu, the person who made you unhappy—should I chase them away?”

The person nestled on Xi Congshuang’s lap didn’t reply.

Xi Congshuang bent low and leaned in to look. The girl on her lap had her eyes closed. She was asleep.