Side Story: Lu Ruoxi - Thorned Rose - Faint Light

"Don't worry, as long as she keeps this up, getting into a top university is practically guaranteed! She’ll definitely have a bright future ahead of her!"

Teacher Li spoke with heartfelt sincerity, fully expecting her words to be met with a mother’s proud smile.

Yet, Zhang Cuilan’s expression froze.

The smile on her face faded bit by bit.

In its place emerged a complicated look—one laced with jealousy and bitterness.

"Genius?"

She let out a cold laugh.

"Bright future?"

Her voice was quiet, but the sharpness in it was unmistakable.

"Teacher Li, it’s easy for you to talk when you’re not the one struggling."

"What’s the use of being first in class? Can it put food on the table? Can it pay the bills?"

"Will the meat at my stall get cheaper just because she scores one more point?"

"In the end, she’s just a waste of money!"

"All she does is bury herself in books—does she ever lift a finger to help at home? After all these years I’ve raised her, has she ever earned me a single cent?"

Teacher Li’s smile vanished completely.

She stared at Zhang Cuilan, dumbfounded.

It was as if she was seeing this woman for the first time.

She couldn’t fathom how a mother could use such venomous words to describe her own daughter—a girl as brilliant as Ye Ruoxi.

The air in the courtyard turned icy.

Ye Ruoxi stood there, unmoving.

As if the two were discussing something that had nothing to do with her.

She was used to it.

Words far uglier than these were part of her daily life.

But this time, in front of the teacher she respected most—

The humiliation cut into her heart like a dull knife, dragging back and forth.

"Mrs. Zhang, how… how can you say such things about your child?"

Teacher Li’s lips had gone pale.

"Ruoxi, she—"

"How I talk to my daughter is my business. No need for you to concern yourself, Teacher Li."

Zhang Cuilan cut her off outright, her tone dismissive.

"It’s getting late, and I still have to set up my stall. Don’t let me keep you, Teacher Li."

Teacher Li opened her mouth, wanting to say more.

But the sight of Zhang Cuilan’s frosty face and Ye Ruoxi’s hollow gaze told her she’d made a mistake coming here today.

She awkwardly placed the bag of tangerines on the small table and turned to leave.

The moment Teacher Li’s figure disappeared at the end of the alley—

Zhang Cuilan slammed the courtyard gate shut with a loud "bang!"

Turning around, she shed the last shred of pretense.

She marched up to Ye Ruoxi and snatched the report card and certificate from her hands.

It was an "Outstanding Student" award from school.

"Genius? Top of the class?"

Zhang Cuilan sneered, glaring at Ye Ruoxi.

"Let me show you exactly how much these things are worth!"

She gripped the certificate with both hands—

And tore it in half.

"Riiip—"

The red paper, once a symbol of honor, was now split in two.

Then four pieces, eight pieces…

Until it became nothing but a pile of meaningless, colorful scraps.

Zhang Cuilan flung the shreds into Ye Ruoxi’s face.

"See that? That’s your so-called ‘bright future’!"

Ye Ruoxi didn’t flinch.

She simply watched as the fragments fluttered down before her eyes.

Like a snowfall of colors.

Her heart grew colder with each passing second.

Zhang Cuilan’s rage was far from spent.

After the certificate, she turned her attention to the backpack Ye Ruoxi clutched tightly against her chest.

"And these damn books! All you ever do is study! Let’s see you study now!"

She lunged for the bag.

Ye Ruoxi stepped back sharply, shielding it even more fiercely.

That backpack was her life. Her everything.

No one could touch it.

"You dare hide from me?!"

Zhang Cuilan’s fury erupted.

To her, this was a direct challenge to her authority.

She stormed into the kitchen and returned with a rolling pin in hand.

"Think you can protect it? I’ll beat the ungrateful brat out of you today!"

She raised the rolling pin high, ready to strike.

Ye Ruoxi didn’t move.

She only curled her body tighter around the backpack.

Clenching her teeth, she braced for the inevitable pain.

Her gaze drifted past Zhang Cuilan’s contorted face, toward the world beyond the courtyard walls.

There was no fear in her eyes. No pleading.

Just a stillness—cold as ice.

Go ahead.

As long as you don’t kill me.

One day, I’ll leave this place.

Forever.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The expected blow never landed.

Instead, heavy knocks sounded at the gate.

Zhang Cuilan’s rolling pin froze mid-air.

Her entire body stiffened.

"Who is it?" she barked impatiently.

"Cuilan, are you home? It’s me."

A gentle woman’s voice came from outside.

It was Lin Dongmei, their neighbor.

Zhang Cuilan’s expression shifted rapidly.

She shot Ye Ruoxi a venomous glare and hissed under her breath,

"Lucky you."

Dropping the rolling pin, she hurried to open the gate.

Her face instantly rearranged itself into a sickly sweet smile.

"Oh, Dongmei! Come in, come in!"

Lin Dongmei stood at the doorstep, holding a bulging cloth bag.

Her smile was warm.

"Just got back from visiting my brother and his wife in the countryside. Brought some fresh sweet potatoes for you and Ruoxi to try."

Her eyes drifted past Zhang Cuilan, landing on Ye Ruoxi in the courtyard.

She saw the rolling pin on the ground.

The scattered colored paper scraps.

A flicker of sorrow passed through her gaze, but she said nothing.

Instead, she pressed the bag into Zhang Cuilan’s hands.

"It’s nothing fancy, just a little thought."

Zhang Cuilan weighed the bag—it was heavy.

Her smile gained a touch of sincerity.

"Oh, you shouldn’t have! Just dropping by would’ve been enough."

She ushered Lin Dongmei inside.

As Lin Dongmei stepped into the courtyard, she naturally reached out to pat Ye Ruoxi’s head.

Her hand was warm.

Like Ye Sanqi’s had been, many years ago.

Ye Ruoxi tensed slightly.

"Ruoxi’s grown taller again," Lin Dongmei said kindly.

Her eyes caught a tiny red paper scrap still clinging to Ye Ruoxi’s cheek.

She plucked it off gently.

"Is schoolwork tiring?"

Ye Ruoxi’s lips parted, but no sound came out.

She only shook her head.

"That’s good. You and my Su Yang are classmates—look out for each other, alright?"

Lin Dongmei turned back to Zhang Cuilan.

"My Su Yang isn’t the sharpest. It’s only because Ruoxi’s been helping him at school that his grades have improved so much."

Zhang Cuilan’s face lit up with pride.

"Of course! Ruoxi takes after her father—sharp as a tack."

As if she hadn’t just snarled, "What’s the use of being smart?" moments before.