Chapter 22: Mama’s Girl 5

“Xinxin, I have good news to tell you!”
Ren Xin didn’t even lift her head as she continued eating, lazily asking, “What’s up? Mom, have you met your Prince Charming? I support you, I’ll treat my stepdad better than my real dad.”

Zheng Lijuan laughed and scolded, “Stop saying nonsense. The novel I wrote before is going to be published, and we won’t have to struggle to make a living anymore.”
Struggling? Not really.

Fine, I’ll just stop going to the lottery station. This gambling mentality is bad!

“Mom, you’re amazing. I’m so proud of you.”

“But Xinxin, I might be really busy recently. Will you be okay on your own?”

Ren Xin shook her head, “I won’t be okay!”

Zheng Lijuan was also troubled. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the family changes, but recently her daughter had been especially clingy.
She had to go home right after school to see her. If not, Ren Xin would call or message, asking what she was doing, why she wasn’t home, didn’t she know her dear daughter had finished school, didn’t she miss her?

Ren Xin admitted it. She was a mama’s girl. So what?

In the end, Zheng Lijuan had no choice but to sign Ren Xin up for a few after-school classes just to help her wean off the dependency.

Ren Xin: “……… How impolite!”

————

“Ren Xin, why do you feel like you’re planning to take revenge on society?” Ren Xin’s deskmate nervously asked.

“You’re not wrong. I’m planning to sell the school on Xianyu, but no one’s buying it. Looks like there are more poor people in this world than I thought!”
Deskmate: “………” Great, Ren Xin’s already starting to babble nonsense. She felt so unsafe!

“Ren Xin, how do you solve this problem?” The student in front of her turned around to ask a question.

“Some math problems can be solved, but how do you solve life’s tough problems?”

Student in front: “………” She’s only fifteen. She shouldn’t be this philosophical!

Soon, the whole class knew: Ren Xin, the top student, had lost her mind.

Yes, now she equally wanted to blow up everyone. Why not treat everyone the same?

The homeroom teacher stood at the podium, clapping his hands, with a handsome boy standing beside him, “Quiet down, everyone. This is our new transfer student. Please welcome him and introduce yourself!”

“Hello, everyone. I’m Ren Sifan. I’m happy to join Class 1-2. I hope to get along well with everyone. Thank you!”

The enthusiastic applause didn’t wake Ren Xin from her deep sleep. She had finished her crazed outburst and was now feeling a bit sleepy.

A clear, gentle male voice interrupted Ren Xin’s sweet dream, “Hey, Ren Xin, what a coincidence. We meet again.”

Ren Xin: “???” Who is this annoying person?

“Oh, it’s you, bastard!”

Suddenly, the lively classroom fell silent. Everyone looked up and down at the new student. What’s the relationship between this person and the crazy Ren Xin?

Ren Sifan’s face turned red, and he angrily retorted, “I’m not! Stop talking nonsense!”

“Oh! Got it, bastard!” Ren Xin replied calmly.

Ren Sifan looked around as the students whispered among themselves. He looked like he had been wronged, his eyes reddening.

Ren Xin comforted him, “Look at you, poor thing. You look like a weakling getting picked on. There are a lot of tough guys outside. Be careful not to let them see you acting all fake, or you might follow your mom’s path. I’ll stop here. Take care!”

The classroom was so quiet it felt like no one was there, even the sound of breathing seemed scarce.

Ren Sifan broke down and cried, turning around to run out.

Ren Xin added a parting shot, “Don’t go! The next class is with the homeroom teacher. If you leave, “I’ll have to report you to your mistress mother!”

Ren Sifan froze, unsure of what to do. No matter how vicious Ren Xin was, he was still only fifteen, and he had no idea how to handle such an embarrassing situation.

Ren Xin’s deskmate and the student in front of her exchanged looks. Wow, Ren Xin usually just jokes around with them. Has her mouth been enhanced? She’s so sharp!

This incident quietly spread throughout the school, and it was crucial because Ren Xin was so famous. Just starting school, and she was already firmly holding onto the top spot of her grade, unshakable!

She participated in every kind of competition winning prizes, and it seemed like her only purpose was to make money. For her, studying was optional.

This indifferent attitude made all the teachers and students both love and hate her.

Currently, Ren Xin was attending a guzheng class.
Who on earth is taking this class? In addition, there were street dance, language, calligraphy, and traditional Chinese painting classes.

Her mom must have been tricked. Language class? Is it because I don’t speak fluently enough? Calligraphy? The letters I wrote to my aunt were exquisite!

Aunt: “………” Does this kid even know how annoying she is?!

However, Zheng Lijuan remained unaffected. “You’ll go to the classes. Otherwise, you’ll just cause trouble at home.”

Hmph, love really fades over time. Ms. Zheng’s love faded especially fast!

———

—”Xianyu” refers to 闲鱼 (Xián Yú), a second-hand online marketplace in China, similar to eBay. It was left untranslated to retain cultural context and platform identity.