How Is Life at School

Tang Qinqin scrunched up her delicate face, reluctantly accepting the bowl of chicken soup. After taking a tiny sip, her fine brows instantly furrowed tightly, as if she had swallowed not a savory broth but some bitter medicinal potion attacking her taste buds!

Clutching the bowl with both hands, Tang Qinqin lowered her head slightly, pretending to continue drinking while in reality merely pressing her pink lips against the rim—not a single drop touched her tongue.

Her dark, gleaming eyes darted mischievously behind the veil of her hair.

Suddenly, her expression brightened. She lifted her head and pointed at the schoolbag by the bed, saying,

"Oh, Sis, hand me my bag, will you? There's a concept I can't figure out, and I’ve been waiting to ask you about it."

As she spoke, she effortlessly maneuvered the bowl of soup toward the nightstand with one hand, her movements so fluid she didn’t even need to glance at it. Her arm stretched out, aiming to place the bowl in an obscure corner.

Just as the bowl was about to land silently, a pale hand suddenly intercepted, gripping her wrist.

Startled, Tang Qinqin recoiled, turning to face her sister, whose smile remained unshaken. She blinked innocently, hoping to charm her way out.

"Drink first."

"Finish it before studying."

"Otherwise, once it’s cold, you’ll pull the ‘sensitive stomach’ card again and skip it entirely."

Tang Manman narrowed her eyes, her voice soft but firm.

"Ugh..."

Tang Qinqin pouted her lower lip, feigning heartbreak at being so thoroughly exposed.

"Hurry up."

"Or I’ll tell Mom to confiscate your phone."

Tang Manman’s threat carried a razor-edged sweetness.

Seeing her cuteness fail, Tang Qinqin sighed dramatically and reluctantly brought the bowl back to her lips.

After a tiny sip, her youthful face scrunched up even tighter.

"Sis, how’s school been lately?"

"Is studying exhausting?"

She cradled the bowl, feigning casual chatter.

"It’s fine."

Tang Manman replied absently.

Tang Qinqin took another small sip, this time without grimacing. Instead, she ventured cautiously,

"No one’s bullying you, right?"

"No."

Tang Manman shook her head distractedly—until realization struck.

Why would Qinqin ask that?

Remembering her encounter with Yu Kai in the elevator earlier, her willow-thin brows knitted. Her tone sharpened as she demanded,

"Did Yu Kai say something to you?"

Tang Qinqin didn’t evade. She gave a light hum and nodded.

"Brother Yu Kai visited earlier and mentioned some things about you at school."

"What things?"

Tang Manman pressed, her frown deepening.

"He said you’ve been targeted by some shady guy at school—that he’s been pulling tricks to mess with you."

Holding the bowl like a shield, Tang Qinqin’s peach-blossom eyes sparkled with gossipy intrigue beneath her dark hair.

"That Yu Kai!"

"Since when did he turn into such a snake?"

"Spreading lies and smearing people!"

"Calling others shady? He’s the shady one!"

Tang Manman’s anger flared.

"What’s really going on?"

"Tell me, Sis!"

Tang Qinqin adopted a solemn expression, playing the concerned sister. As she spoke, she straightened up and smoothly set the lukewarm bowl on the nightstand, nudging it further away...

...

Carrying the heavy thermos, Tang Manman stormed out of the hospital room, her face thunderous.

That Tang Qinqin!

Mom needs to punish her—confiscate her phone for at least a week!

Always scheming to avoid her soup!

Fuming, she marched toward the bus stop, her irritation mounting with every step.

No.

I can’t just leave like this.

She’s drinking that soup today if it’s the last thing I do!

She checked her phone—4:00 PM. If she took the bus home now, she’d miss the last one back.

A taxi would cost over forty yuan...

The thought of wasting that much money made her chest ache.

Her scholarship had fallen through this term, and finances were tight. She couldn’t splurge like this.

But...

Tang Manman gritted her teeth.

If I go home now, I’ll be up all night stewing.

And how would I explain this to Mom?

Tomorrow’s her fasting check-up. Once it’s done, she’ll just burrow under the blankets, fake illness, and we’ll be powerless!

Let her skip this week’s soup?

Unacceptable!

Maybe... a nearby restaurant could reheat it?

With that thought, she pivoted away from the bus stop.

There was a place near the hospital that offered food-warming services.

Perfect.

They’ll heat the soup.

Tang Qinqin—your luck just ran out!

...

Following her memory, Tang Manman soon reached the small eatery. Spotting the "Food Reheating Available" sign, she smirked triumphantly.

Let’s see you wriggle out of this one!

Inside, she meant to find the owner—until something else seized her attention.

A pair of voluptuous curves that would make men straighten up and women shrink in envy.

Above them, centered between collarbones, a pair of ink-black wings were tattooed against snow-white skin.

The stark contrast of black on white was arresting.

But what truly stunned Tang Manman wasn’t the bold tattoo or the exposed cleavage—it was their owner.

A petite, round-faced girl.

Lin Yu’s girlfriend.

Here, cozied up to another man, feeding each other and whispering sweet nothings.

Tang Manman froze, her mission momentarily forgotten.